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When two exes reunite to stop a human trafficking circle, long buried secrets come to light—along with a smoldering attraction suddeny reignited—in USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch's edge-of-your-seat romance orignally published as Armored Attraction. It's been eight years since Liam Goetz has seen his ex-fiancé. Vanessa Epperson had beauty, brains…and a family fortune. He chose her, while she chose a life of luxury and never imagined their paths would cross again. An unexpected phone call from Vanessa—desperate for his help in a human trafficking case—ressurects old longings. As they work together to save hostages and catch a predator, Liam begins to learn some shocking truths—about himself and the woman he thought he once knew so well… 

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2016

198 people are currently reading
284 people want to read

About the author

Janie Crouch

263 books2,029 followers
USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense.

After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.

Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.

Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth Neal.
1,794 reviews147 followers
June 22, 2016
Vanessa is a social worker who is wholeheartedly dedicated to her job and helping whenever she can. Those times when she can't? It breaks her heart. Vanessa is the perfect example of not judging by background or appearance because going by that all you'll see is her millionaire status, yet she is so much more because you can't put a monetary value on the size of her heart. She's also very familiar with the pain of losing someone.

As Vanessa is taking a late stroll along the beach, she sees a teenage girl and her bruises and story point to something big and dangerous. Not knowing who to trust, Vanessa calls the only person she can...the man she lost eight years ago.

Liam, leader of the Omega Sector's CRD hostage unit, is surprised when he hears Vanessa's voice mail asking for help. Losing her broke his heart and paved the way to his playboy reputation as he refused to get close to any one woman ever again. But, besides helping her, he also wants to, needs to, see her to achieve the closure he feels he needs on that chapter in his life. His quick turnaround in the "dating" world has gotten old and he wants permanence. But first, he needs to truly let go of his past, of Vanessa.

However, the Vanessa he reunites with is completely different than the perception of her that he was left with. Little does he know the words he spoke to his friends in hurt and anger, after being stood up, struck a very deep chord with her and convinced her that his love for her wasn't as strong as he'd said. He also doesn't know what truly happened all those years ago.

Liam knows they can't handle this case without help and calls in some of his co-workers. Will they find the other missing girls? Will they put away those responsible for everything? Will Vanessa tell Liam the truth of what happened eight years ago? Will Liam, now that he knows the whole story, be able to let go of his hurt? Will they get the chance to explore the love that's still between them, the love that never went away? Will they get their HEA?

One-click now to find out the answers to my questions and so much more as I've only hinted at parts of this wonderful story. While this book could be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the Omega Sector books, please keep in mind this is a spinoff from the original series, as they're all great reads. The stories are interesting, the characters intriguing, and the love is true.

On a side note, as a whole I loved this story. Janie is a favorite of mine and I eagerly snap up anything she writes, but I could've done without Liam's playboy lifestyle. This is purely a personal preference for me as I am not a fan of the "heroes" having this tendency. Although I do give him some credit for changing his ways within the past couple years, due to being tired of that lifestyle. But I can't help but put myself in the future spouse's head and think how I'd feel finding out the love of my life had been with a plethora of women, and in Liam's case readily admitted to kissing almost every woman he met. It would suck and the jealously would be hard to cope with. If the situation was reversed, I'd think the guy would feel the same way. Again, this is only my viewpoint on this characteristic and it bothers me whenever it's used in any book. But it in no way diminishes my love for this author's work and I will continue to be a loyal fan.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
Profile Image for Dawn ♥ romance.
1,830 reviews29 followers
February 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this romantic suspense with lots of fast paced exciting action. I liked the personalities of both main characters and the development of their relationship as they processed current attraction integrated with issues from the past. Social worker Vanessa finds a teenager running from kidnappers and calls her one time fiancee special agent Liam for help.
Profile Image for Susan.
4,808 reviews126 followers
September 5, 2018
Very good book with intense suspense and a roller coaster of emotions as Liam and Vanessa reconcile their pasts and their present. I was hooked on their story from the very beginning. Vanessa was out for a walk on the beach, trying to decompress after a stressful day at work as a social worker, when she stumbled on a young girl washed up on the beach. It didn't take long to find out that she was most likely a victim of human trafficking. When she also discovered that local law enforcement might be involved, she can only think of one person who might be able to help her, and she hasn't talked to him in eight years.

Liam couldn't believe it when he received a forwarded voice mail from Vanessa. He's not too keen to see her, but he hoped it would enable him to finally put the past behind him. He was also curious about what kind of situation would cause her to reach out to him after so many years.

I loved their first meeting after so many years. Liam gets quite a shock when he sees her, as nothing is like what he expected. Vanessa is no longer the naïve, carefree, party girl that he left behind. Unknown to him, words he spoke to his friends before leaving town made their way to her, convincing her that she wanted to make changes in her life. No longer heedless of other's feelings, Vanessa has become a caring and compassionate social worker, turning her back on her wealthy lifestyle. Liam sees signs of pain and loss in her eyes, but she won't talk about it to him. Liam has gone through some changes of his own. After his breakup with Vanessa, he became quite the playboy, flitting from woman to woman, but never getting close to any of them. However, he's recently backed off from that life, after seeing some of his friends and coworkers finding love and settling down. But before he can find that for himself, he has to let go of his past.

I really enjoyed the rekindling of Liam and Vanessa's relationship. It's obvious from the start that the physical attraction between them is still alive and well, but neither one is happy about it. Liam is still hurt and angry over what he saw as her betrayal, and Vanessa is equally certain that if he had truly loved her, he never would have walked away so easily. I liked seeing Liam get to know the new Vanessa as they worked together. I loved his growing respect for her and his admiration of her strength. He was also determined to earn her trust so that she would tell him whatever it is he is sure that she is hiding. Vanessa is surprised by the depth of caring and protectiveness that Liam shows toward their young victim. It goes a long way toward softening her attitude toward him and encouraging her to tell him the truth of what had happened eight years earlier. I ached for Liam when he found out the details and how he blamed himself for not fighting for her. Once their pasts were dealt with, it became easier to give in to the growing feelings between them. I loved Liam's big moment as he confessed his feelings and showed Vanessa just how deep they were. The ending was fantastic with a couple of unexpected but wonderful twists.

The suspense of the story had me riveted throughout the entire book. Discovering Karine on the beach, then finding out that someone in law enforcement might be involved, made it imperative that Vanessa find help that she could trust. The arrival of the deputy practically on Liam's heels created quite a desperate situation, and I loved the way that he handled it. The tension of the encounters with law enforcement, wondering who could be trusted and who couldn't made their job more difficult. Knowing that there were seven more girls out there somewhere, in imminent danger, kept me on the edge of my seat, as Liam and the other Omega members worked feverishly to locate them. The final confrontation was intense, with an unexpected complication adding to the danger. There was a surprisingly sweet moment with the youngest of the girls, in the middle of all the action, that really warmed my heart. I especially liked Vanessa's strength and courage as she stood up to the bad guys and then protected Karine in the aftermath. The ending was terrific, and I loved following what happened with the girls.
Profile Image for Books and Spoons.
1,612 reviews32 followers
May 31, 2016
From the start of the story, my heart and mind was brought about, and involved in the story. This tale goes deeper into the dark emotions of sorrow and loss, it squeezed my heart with inhumane treatment of the children, the victims of the human trafficking, and soared with joy for the second chance romance, and the new beginnings.
The story is well crafted, so the suspense, action, and development of the romance, all are intertwined into each other, giving the story a fast paced, enjoyable rhythm, that is hard to put down.
Liam, the cheerful flirt from the Omega Sector, who for years had flirted and played the field, 'fake it till you make it' style. He had pretended the part for so long 'he nearly believed the press release of his own actions himself' was for me, one of the key moments, giving more insights to him, and his player persona. There obviously was more to him than meets the assumed behavior.
And as soon as he met Vanessa, he proves himself. He is caring, protective, tender, and understanding. He is willing to do anything to her and the girls safe, and survive the impending threat.
The events from the past has shaped Vanessa's life more than expected. The loss, the heartache from eight years ago, are still present, still burning. With help of Liam, she is able to build a bridge to the past, rectify her relationship with her parents, and move on.
To see and understand all the nuances of the developing characters, events and relationships, I hung on to every word. The danger, the constant fear, the uncertainty of the immediate future, kept my mind on the edge. The jubilee of the new chances in life, love, passion, and future, brought joy and delight to my heart. The team work of the Omega Sector is commendable, and the loyalty to each other admirable. The story brings forward the constant threat of human trafficking in our world suffers from, too often forgotten and overlooked. And brings forward the message of redemption, the possibility of forgiveness, and the chance for new beginnings and brighter future, while underling the importance of communication, honesty, and willingness to fight for what you want in life
~ Five Spoons
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,738 reviews188 followers
May 19, 2016
Stumbling onto a body on a beach leads Vanessa Epperson into a human trafficking ring and the shady dealings in her hometown that involves the local law enforcement. The only person she can turn to is an ex-fiancé, who thought the worst of her when she apparently chose money and breeding over him.

While I liked the suspense and the storyline well enough, this book caught me out in a classic case of liking the heroine but hating the 'hero', as well as the pace at which they fell back into a relationship too easily and without much friction at all. I barely found Liam's actions and behaviour acceptable, especially because Vanessa had paid the heavier price for the misunderstanding that had torn them apart for years. In the meantime the 'hero' went off womanising for the next 8 years, yet claimed that he was still coming back to the woman he apparently never stopped loving, except for the fact that it was her reaching out to him that gave him that kick in the arse - the flimsiest excuse I've ever seen and I was astounded at Vanessa for giving into him so easily.

Granted, it is my own intolerance for manwhores that finds this behaviour irksome, particularly when the heroine had clearly changed for the better and the male protagonist for the worse. In fact, it was difficult to stomach their HEA when I felt that Vanessa deserved way better than Liam after all that she'd endured while he lifted skirts everywhere else.

Profile Image for Debby.
1,737 reviews76 followers
July 17, 2016
Liam Goetz never figured he would ever hear from his ex-fiancé Vanessa Epperson again. Eight years ago, he chose her but Vanessa choose her life as the pampered daughter of a rich man. When Vanessa calls for his help in a human trafficking case, Liam decides to do what he can. Returning means facing his past and Vanessa. He finds her to be completely different and as they work together to save hostages and capture the ones responsible, Liam learns that he did not have all the facts all those years ago. He is forced to reassess everything.

Interfering never works out as expected. That is one lesson we can all learn. Liam loved Vanessa and thought he had buried those feelings. He found he had not. Vanessa changed her whole life eight years ago. She is kind, caring and wants to help. Together they find they must stop the perpetrators.

Janie Crouch has once again penned a tale guaranteed to keep us up reading. With non-stop action, incredible romance and realistic, loveable hero and heroine, you cannot go wrong with Armored Attraction. Place Janie on your auto buy list while you are at it. Love suspense with your romance, her books will do it for.
Profile Image for Brenda Rumsey.
122 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2016
In one word, this story is "intense" and takes you on a roller coaster of emotion with characters that pull at your heart strings. I stayed up way to late reading it, because I just had to see what happened next. Danger, second chances, emotional trauma, hot romance, intrigue, and even humor....you'll find it all in this book. It only took Liam one phone call from his ex-fiance saying she needed help for him to show up at her door. As part of a special task force he had the skills needed and she knew she could trust him. The only problem was that they shared a past full of love, loss, pain, and longing that threatened to ignite at every touch. If they could stay alive, they just might have a chance to right the wrongs from 8 years in the past.
Loved reading this story and looking forward the next one in the Omega Sector series.
918 reviews12 followers
April 10, 2016
This one kept me gluded to the book.....can't wait for Andrea's story next month.
Profile Image for Donna Ferriola.
405 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2020
Armored Attraction - Omega Sector- Critical Response series

This is another amazing addition to this Omega Sector with Liam receiving a phone message from his girlfriend from eight years ago Vanessa asking for his help. She was still living in the Outer Banks and she had saved a girl that had swum ashore after escaping from a human trafficking situation. Now she needed help and somehow he managed to get her message and showed up at her hotel room where she was hiding because Katrina had recognized her kidnappers as someone in a uniform.They were holding seven more girls that needed to be saved. This is the beginning of this exciting adventure that the Omega team helps take down this human trafficking ring as Liam and Vanessa reconnect and find they still love each other. The surprising leader of this trafficking ring was someone Liam and Vanessa knew all their lives and he turned out to be evil and!manipulative hiding his tracks well. Liam and his Omega teammates worked well together and rescued everyone and saved Vanessa's life as well while barely surviving. Liam and Vanessa got their happily ever after in the end with with a few added surprises.
Profile Image for Jo-Ann Fitzgerald.
753 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2017
The next book in the series.

This was a great plot of having one of the team go back to where he grew up to help an old girlfriend who is our heroine. The heroine finds herself in the middle of a human trafficking plan and calls on her old flame when it comes apparent the local law enforcement is involved. Throughout the story line you learn more about their history and the hero's friends help them put an end to things while taking care of the bad guys.

I'm not sure why but many books lately seem to center on human trafficking. This is another one of them. Although the outside influences make this an interesting read. If you've read the other books in this series, then you know the hero as he flirts his way in them. The heroine is the main person you get to know in this story.

Overall, not bad, but I'm getting tired of the human trafficking plot lines because they are getting overdone. The hero has always been likable, and the heroine you warm to as the story goes along, it is worth a read though as some areas you don't see coming which makes it likable.
Profile Image for Angela.
8,551 reviews122 followers
June 20, 2025
4 Stars

Armored Attraction is the seventh book in the Omega Sector Universe Series (Omega Sector: Critical Response #3) by Janie Crouch. I am reviewing The Omega Sector Universe series, which is made up of 16 engrossing reads and comprises of three connected series.
Omega Sector
Omega Sector: Critical Response
Omega Sector: Under Siege
This is a compelling collection of romantic suspense novels that blends high-stakes action with emotionally engaging storylines. The series focuses on a team of elite operatives who face dangerous missions while navigating complex personal relationships- resulting in a dynamic and immersive reading experience.
Each book in the series offers a unique storyline while maintaining a connection to the overarching universe. The characters are well-developed, with their personal struggles, highs and lows, adding depth to the storylines. The balance between suspenseful plot twists and heartfelt romance ensured an engaging read throughout.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Janie Crouch!
771 reviews8 followers
December 13, 2017
This is the third installment in the Omega Sector: Critical Response series and with a very interesting storyline.  Human trafficking is something that has been going on for a very long time and you don't even know if it's happening in your own backyard.  It is something that breaks families apart and most of the time those people that are taken don't make it back home.  In this story a girl is found and needs not only the hep of Vanessa but also the help of Liam to find the other girls that were taken.  Liam and Vanessa are going to have to work together to find out who is behind the human trafficking.  In the end the Omega Sector will have to work together to help all the girls.  I totally loved the ending of this story it was perfect.  Liam and Vanessa deserve happiness and I didn't see this coming at all but I'm so happy that it did.   
 
I totally recommend this read and this book can be read as a stand alone. 
488 reviews7 followers
October 20, 2018
Wow! This book is about a wealthy young woman (Vanessa) who changed her mind about marrying Liam eight years before for some unknown reason. When she finds out about a sex trafficking ring from one of the escaped young girls, she turns to Liam for help since he had been a DEA agent (though now he works for the mysterious, elite Omega Sector crimefighting group). He has never understood why Vanessa went back on her promise to marry him but wants to help her catch the sex traffickers. So the questions become - Why did she decide not to marry Liam? What caused Vanessa to stop speaking to her wealthy parents and live with low income for the past eight years? And how are they going to rescue the trafficked girls when it seems even some policemen are helping the traffickers? As they try to stop the traffickers, Vanessa and Liam become targets themselves and also start to renew the love they has before. Can they reach an HEA? I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Theresa.
172 reviews15 followers
June 17, 2019
This was very disappointing. I just really hate weak or helpless heroines, and Vanessa was very much one of those. Which is interesting, because the first book I read by Janie Crouch was Primal Instinct: A Thrilling FBI Romance, which I loved particularly because it was such a strong and intelligent heroine. I'm not sure what happened between these books -- if maybe the author's now under tighter deadlines or something, I don't know -- but I was very disappointed to find the quality of her books declining from Primal Instinct: A Thrilling FBI Romance in 2014 to this one in 2016.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
433 reviews6 followers
September 8, 2018
Liam and Vanessa are long lost lovers. Vanessa needs Liams help and calls him after 8 years. It was a good read, reading about their past and them finding love again. Yes there was action and romance with suspence mixed it. But I loved how they finally get their ever after. I have to say the one think I didn't like and its my person choice was what happend to Vanessa years ago and she never told Liam. There should have been a warning about that topic. As such I had to give a 4 star instead of five. But I did enjoy this book. Off to read more. Lol.
Profile Image for Christine Jalili.
2,190 reviews44 followers
December 6, 2020
What a fantastic book, I devoured this in a day. I was emotionally connected from page one. What went wrong 8 years ago with Liam and Vanessa? Vanessa finds a trafficked girl and thankfully Liam comes to help. But who to trust? Is someone in the Sheriff’s department part of the trafficking ring? Loved staying on edge. I also cried so much over the heartbreak Liam and Vanessa had been through. Loved how fierce Karine had been about finding the other trafficked girls. I really loved their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
347 reviews
July 1, 2021
Janie Crouch has done it again. She has come with an awesome Story Line with Fabulous Characters. Characters of depth and dimension who are reunited after 8 years. They must get past anger and distrust to help bring down a human trafficking ring. Janie's stories are so good because they are real, with absolutely plausible stories and misunderstandings. Thanks Ms. Crouch.
755 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2024
4 1/2*

Favorite book in the series! Liam is quick to go see Vanessa, the woman he was in love with years before, who calls him needing help. What follows is a crazy dangerous journey that involves trafficking and traitors in the town. After a very suspenseful and harrowing ordeal, the good guys win. And a fabulous HEA!!
Profile Image for Beverly.
1,628 reviews40 followers
August 2, 2017
This was a stand-alone story even though it is part of a series. It's well written and has a nice blend of romance and suspense.
1,407 reviews16 followers
August 3, 2018
this is a page turning story. if you like suspense and romance you will like the story
Profile Image for hudda .
140 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2022
3.75 stars
liam is the only reformed playboy i like
Profile Image for Dorothy Matheson.
42 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
Great

Yes, I love this story. The strong man the lovely lady. She needs him and his friends to save her. I like his friends too.
1 review
June 13, 2025
Rescue by Janie Crouch

Excellent read without detailed sexual experiences. I have enjoyed three of the Omega Sector books so far as well as many of
Janie Crouch’s books.
103 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2025
Love this series…Omega Sector: Critical Response. The plots keep you on the edge of your seat. Hard to put the books down.
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,517 reviews44 followers
May 30, 2016
Janie Crouch takes us on an action packed adventure in Book #3 in her Omega Sector: Critical Response series! I was drawn in immediately and didn't want to put it down. Filled with lost love, lost dreams and family angst , we go along for the ride to see if they can solve this crucial mystery that they have landed in, and maybe work through their past mistakes at the same time.

Vanessa Epperson is minding her own business, simply out for a walk one day when she stumbles across a mind boggling situation that she doesn't know how to handle. When it comes to her attention that local authorities might not be a safe resource to help her, she contacts the only person she can think of that might have higher contacts that could look into whether she has discovered a human trafficking ring.

Liam Goetz receives a blast from the past when he gets a voice mail forwarded to him from Vanessa. He hasn't heard her voice in over 8 years ... not since she broke his heart and ended their engagement. He isn't eager to see her, but he can't turn his back on the opportunity to get some closure on how it all ended at the same time as he sees what the situation she needs help with is.

When Liam arrives into town and they set out to solve the mystery going on around them, it opens up the door for them to air out their past hurts and share some secrets with each other. Will they be able to forgive the past and move forward, or will they choose to appreciate ending on a better note and move on with their separate lives?
Profile Image for Julia David.
2,501 reviews26 followers
February 2, 2017
Liam and Vanessa had been young and in love. Liam knew Vanessa's parents didn't approve of him, but they were going to get married and then tell her parents. When she didn't show up to meet him, he went to her house and her father said she never wanted to see him again. He knew he wasn't good enough for the pampered, rich girl, so he walked away. Eight years later, Vanessa need help and the only person that could help her probably wouldn't even talk to her. When Vanessa found a young girl from a foreign country that had been kidnapped, she knew she needed a lot of help. There were other girls that needed to be rescued and she couldn't go to local authorities because it's possible they are the people who kidnapped the girls. Liam is sure he will get Vanessa out of his system once he helps her. Then he can walk away. Maybe.
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