Hard to Kill

Hard Targets #1

by Wendy Byrne

Trained as children to become assassins by the infamous Goren Petrovich, Sabrina Shaw and her two brothers have had a less-than-normal upbringing. After escaping his clutches, Sabrina and her brothers have tried to make a normal life for themselves. Now Sabrina works for an organization called The Alliance, specializing in the kind of jobs that no one else can or wants to do. Her current assignment: find the daughter of a prominent politician who has disappeared, categorized as a runaway by the authorities. It seems simple enough, until Sabrina uncovers the girl may have been the victim of a kidnapping that goes far beyond ransom requests. Now Sabrina must put her training to the test as she infiltrates a sex trafficking ring operating in Europe in order to find the girl...all while dodging a mysterious FBI agent and the demons from her own past.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Thriller

222 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2014

About the author

Wendy has a Masters in Social Work and worked in the child welfare field for twelve years before she decided to pursue her dream of writing.

Between teaching college classes, trying to get her morbidly obese cat to slim down, and tempering the will of her five-year-old granddaughter, who's determined to become a witch when she turns six so she can fly on her broom to see the Eiffel Tower and put hexes on people—not necessarily in that order—somehow Wendy still manages to fit in writing. She spends the remainder of her days inflicting mayhem on her hero and heroine until they beg for mercy.

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Hard to Kill
Author: Wendy Byrne
Stars: 5 out of 5

Review:
Sabrina Shaw and her two brothers were raised with a less than normal up bringing they were trained assassins by the infamous Goren Petrovich. Sabrina and her brother’s escapes and now worked for an organization called the Alliance. They specialize in jobs that no one else wants. Think Phoenix Foundation from the TV show MacGyver expect the woman has the ability to take down grown men, escape using her wit and sassy mouth vs using a little red knife and duct take to make things go boom.
When the daughter of a prominent politician disappears everyone calls her a runaway but Sabrina uncover the girl was kidnapped and taken into sex trafficking. Sabrina does everything she can to bring the girl home but to destroy the operation that took her.
Hard to kill is action packed from page one to the very last page never really giving the read a moment of down time. Sabrina never once stops to think through the situation or formulate a plan of attack which make me wonder how she has survived all those years but then when the reader question her abilities the author remind you of her past as a child assassin. Kane the undercover FBI agent helps Sabrina escape the sex traffickers only to find her being hunted. The author created Kane Travis as the All American Hero. When the story gets dark because it is based around human sex trafficking Kane gives the light and humor to the story. So much works in this Romantic Suspense that will keep readers going until they find they finished the book in the middle of the night and want to start back over in the morning.
The story has romance but it doesn’t over shadow the main story but helps create a flow that will take the reader to the very end where the author leaves you with a few questions about Sabrina past and her future as well. Hard to Kill is the perfect mix of mystery, action, romance for a great pool side read. I can’t wait to read from this Wendy Byrane.

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. I could not put it down - it grabbed me from the first page and kept me riveted until the very last page. This book is a tightly crafted thriller with a strong female heroine that you can't help but love. She is deeply flawed, but has an admirable and relentless approach to righting wrongs. Within this thriller, is a just a bit of romance.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of thriller/suspense/romantic suspense. I have added this author to my must read authors list.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina Shaw has killer instincts with incredible preservation skills because she's a very talented killer. She's scary sexy with a hot FBI boyfriend to boot. She's on the trail of a girl taken by a human trafficking ring, international bad guys who have smarmy thugs guarding the girls. Sabrina just has to outwit and outfight all of the villains. She has a few bad habits some men might find either extremely hot or repulsive. Luckily Kane's in the former group. This books makes me want to read the whole series right now to experience the Shaw brothers. Wendy Byrne and this Hard Targets series rock.

[Janel Gradowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of twists that kept me turning the page. Suspense, romance and even a bit of humor had me rooting for Sabrina. Can't wait to read more books in this series!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina Shaw and her two brothers are working for a clandestine organization called The Alliance which offers services in hostage retrieval and security. Orphaned at age seven, Sabrina and her brothers, Max and Jason, were homeless and starving in Eastern Europe when they were taken under the wing of master criminal Petrovich and trained to be assassins. After Max had an almost tragic accident seven years ago, they escaped Petrovich and turned their lives around, bringing their training to The Alliance and working for good instead of evil. Sabrina is assigned to look for Caitlyn Collier, a runaway teenager and daughter of a noted politician. During her search, she finds evidence overlooked by the police, indicating Caitlyn may have been the victim of an overseas sex trading ring. Working without the backing of her organization or the knowledge of her brothers, she sets herself up online with a fake identity and before she knows it wakes up in a European dungeon naked and chained to a wall. However, despite her predicament, she knows that she needs to play along and find Caitlyn's location so that she can free both of them. Along the way, she comes into contact with one of her captor's henchmen who is actually an undercover FBI agent, Kane Travis. Kane helps facilitate her escape, blowing his own cover in the process and the two of them set off together to find Caitlyn and bring the leader of the organization, Trinity, to justice. But Sabrina has always worked alone, experience and hardship showing her that she can only trust her brothers. Can Kane overcome Sabrina's reluctance to work together or will she fall again prey to Trinity. From the very beginning of this story, there was non-stop action as Sabrina proved herself to be capable of handling any situation. I enjoyed the characters of Sabrina and Kane and the interaction between the two as they fought each other and the people chasing them. The author indicates that this is the first book of Hard Targets trilogy. Based on this story, I am looking forward to reading the next chapter in this trilogy. Disclosure: I was provided an Advance Reading Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[IzzyISH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to Kill is the first novel I have read by Wendy Byrne and the first in the new Hard Targets trilogy by Wendy Byrne and Gemma Halliday. This is the story of Sabrina Shaw and Kane Travis. Sabrina and her brothers were trained to be criminals and assassins by a man named Petrovich who, in the end, betrayed them thus making the siblings to be only reliant on the themselves. As adults, they all work for a group known as the Alliance. Sabrina’s current mission is to rescue a girl named Caitlyn from human traffickers. When the Alliance feels that their role is complete, as several girls were rescued, Sabrina vows to take this case on her own to bring Caitlyn home. The problem: Sabrina doesn’t think it through when she decides to pose as a young girl ready for adventure. What will happen to Sabrina since the traffickers kidnapped and drugged her? Kane, an undercover FBI agent, has infiltrated the trafficking group to bring down Trinity and steps in to rescue her. Will Sabrina ever learn to trust Kane or will she thwart him at every turn? What happens when Sabrina is once again betrayed? You will have to read this on the edge of your seat story to find out.


I am excited about being introduced to Wendy Byrne’s writing. I was drawn into the story from the first word and couldn’t put it down until the very end. It was so action packed and full of suspense, mixed with the right amount of romance, that I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. I definitely can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy. I’m wondering if the Shaw brothers will find their match in the remaining books in the trilogy. I am going to check out Ms. Byrne’s other books while I patiently wait for the next book in the Hard Targets series. If you are looking for a great read, you will not be disappointed - check it out.


**** I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review that is my own. ****

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed romance with a kick ass heroine! The characters manage to throw in bit of humor as they battle the bad guys and sometimes each other. While the focus of the plot is on the adventure and taking down a human slave trafficking ring, the evolution of Sabrine and her relationship, or as she insists “non-relationship” with FBI agent Kane takes the story to a higher level. The book would make a great movie and it makes a great books.
In spite of the Alliance’s decision not to accept the job of finding a teenager they think is a runaway Sabrina Shaw, agent for the private organization that retrieves hostages and kidnap victims, promises her parents bring back their daughter. She has never failed a mission, but this time, things haven't gone the way she expected.. The first clue…she was on a train to New York, and the next thing she knew, she was in the basement of a house in Austria, naked and chained to the wall. This job might be a bit of a challenge.
Although she wasn't quite the super woman she seem to think she was, she saved him as often as he saved her. That more than works for me. I think the bravado is a front that she learned as a child as well as a result of years of success.

[Danielle Eisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina works for an underground agency called The Alliance. They do jobs that most people can't or won't do. She gets her hands dirty when others don't have the guts. Now she's on the case of a missing girl. She gets caught up in a sex trafficking ring and since she went in on her own she doesn't have the support of The Alliance on this one. She does however find a potential partner in one sexy FBI agent. Can she save the missing girl and get out alive?

I liked the concept of this story…A kickass woman coming to the rescue. I love any story where a woman gets to be the savior and kick some serious butt. Who wouldn’t like an underdog story like this?

Sabrina has a troubled past and was trained most of her life for this job. You can really feel for her and strongly root for her. She is kind of damaged in some ways from all she’s been through and has serious trust issues. I really like Kane he is a hottie and really sweet. He can hold his own as well.

I was hooked almost immediately and really enjoyed the thrill ride this book took me on. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. It was gripping from beginning to end. It was an exciting read and I recommend it completely.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! This is the first book that I have read by this author and I can’t wait to read more. Sabrina and her two brothers were trained as children to become assassins after their parents were killed. They now work for a The Alliance, and takes jobs that no one else wants. She is hired to locate a missing teenager Caitlyn and will let nothing stop her to find this girl. Sabrina goes under cover, and ends up being kidnapped by the same people who took Caitlyn. She realizes that she has infiltrated a sex trafficking ring that the FBI is also trying to investigate. With the help of FBI agent Kane, they need to rescue Caitlyn and find the one who is in charge of the sex trafficking and stop him. This book has it all, romance, mystery, suspense, sexy FBI agent, and a kick ass heroine. This book had me hooked from the first page until the last page. I am so glad it is a part of a series, because I can’t wait to read the next book.

A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from: Hard to Kill: a Hard Targets novel (Kindle Edition)
so sabrina is a kick ass agent for the alliance on the trail of a kidnapped victim - she runs into kane an undercover fbi guy working for the bad guy - who in this case is a sex traffickier --- this is the first book i have read by wendy and it will not be my last- this is s super fast paced- action suspense with some romance and humor thrown in- it seems our gal sabrina and kane are working very well together despite the fact they work alone- they are both drawn t each other- even though they are both fighting the attraction- the bad guys and each other--- backstory our gal sabrina and her brothers were trained to be assassins - kane is ex military - she is very impulsive and he likes to take long look at the situation- total opposites that attract as well as combast around each other- fun - book - i read in 1 day and will read the next

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC eBook in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I have read by Wendy Byrne and it most certainly won't be my last! This is the first book in her Hard Targets series and from what I just read it promises to be a phenomenally great action/adventure, romantic suspense series! Kane and Sabrina's story was exhilarating, passionate and at times intensely volatile as they faced insurmountable obstacles almost at every turn! From the very first page till the end, you will be glued to this book anxious for what happens next! Their was no graphic sexual descriptions or excessive vulgar profanity! Just an exciting romantic suspense that will definitely accelerate your pulse rate! I honestly loved every second of this book and highly recommend it!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what an amazing book. This is a book on a topic no one wants to talk about and it is out there happening every day. I loved how Saby could not find emotion with anything and that was okay. It is how she got through each day, and how she still fought for what she believed in. She continued to flick Kane off like a piece of lint, but he kept turning up like an amazing shiny penny. I thought it was cute how Caitlyn told them they should work on being a couple because they looked good together. Then her GQ and Rolling Stone cover brothers called him in for help as well. At the end is when her emotions let loose. And it was well worth the wait. I hope their is a story coming to thrill us for Mr. GQ and Mr. Rolling Stone as they were YUMMY as well.

[SarahSmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was extremely hard to put down. It hooked me from the get-go. This is mostly a thriller with some romance so fans of both genres should be equally happy with this work. Sabrina was such a badass female protagonist and despite her horrible upbringings she is an awesome person even though she doesn't think so. I don't want to give anything away about the story, but I hope that in the next book the hints towards one of Sabrina's brothers is delved into, there seemed to be an interesting story there. Highly recommend this book and hope to read more in the near future from this author.

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina Shaw has killer instincts with incredible preservation skills; why? Because she's a very talented killer, totally sexy with a hot FBI boyfriend to boot. She's tracking a girl taken by a human trafficking ring; these international bad guys have slimy thugs guarding the girls. Sabrina only has to outwit and outfight all of the villains. With her killer killing skills, some men find either extremely hot, others might find these traits s tad repulsive. Luckily her beau Kane's in the former group. This books has me determined to read the whole series to also experience the Shaw brothers. Wendy Byrne’s Hard Targets series looks like a winner.

[Hooked On Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting & fast passed story. Sabrina Shaw & her two brothers were raised in an unorthodox way, they are trained assassins.
When Sabrina takes on a case alone to find a missing girl, all hell breaks loose & she finds herself in the middle of a human trafficking & in danger.
This story is full of exciting twists & turns & really has you on the edge of your seat.
I love Sabrina, she is a real kick-ass woman, such a great strong character.
I am so looking forward to reading #2 in this series.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to Kill by Wendy Byrne: Very good book. Loved it.
Sabrina had failed to bring Caitlyn home to her family, but she was not done yet. She was going to bring Caitlyn back or die trying.Sabrina had dyed her hair so she would look younger.
How she'd been overcome and how she'd gotten to this dungeon-like place remained a mystery.
There was another girl chained to the wall in the same room, but it was not Caitlyn.
They were both with out clothes on.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Kept me on my toes from the beginning. It was full of action and kept me wondering what was going to happen. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

Only 1 comment is that I feel it jumped right into the action and sort of made me feel like it was the 2nd or 3rd in the series. A little backstory or a little more to lead up to the action would've been nice.

Definitely was well developed as a whole though and I would definitely recommend this book to others!

[Dragonglimer Lisa Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

free ARC for honest review
I thought it was a great book. Alot of action and unsuspecting twists and turns. An FBI agent and a super secret agent..fight each other and the bad guy to find where the missing girls go. I will have to read more books of Wendy's books to see if they all have the twists and turns.

[Sandy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so action packed, it kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. I could not put it down. Kane and Sabrina make a great team. I hope their story continues. Human trafficking is serious and dangerous. SABRINA and Kane become partners against the odds and no matter how many times she tried to ditch him. Loved the characters and the story was riveting.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It keep me on the edge of my seat the whole time. There was so much action and adventure that I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next. I loved the sexual tension between Sabrina and Kane was so raw yet fascinating, it made for a very good distraction from the sensitive story line. I can't wait to read the rest in this trilogy!

[Alaina Maxam · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.. I STARTED READING THIS BOOK AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. IT HAD EVERTHING FROM THE BEGINNIG TO THE END. THE STORY JUST FLOWED RIGHT ALONG. LEAVING YOU WANTING MORE AT THE END. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE THAT WANTS A BOOK THAT WILL DRAW THEM IN AND KEEP THEM INTERESTED ALL THE WAY TO THE END. WELL DONE.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Fantastic start to a new series of books (Hard Targets) by this author. I loved the story - it caught you up on the first page and just kept you hanging on for the ride right through the last word on the last page. I can't wait for the next book!

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is jam packed with action and suspense. I loved every minute of it. I can't wait for book 2. There were somee questions raised at the very end that have me intrigued. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I have.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read, compels you to keep reading. Thought a few parts could have been fleshed out better and there were a few minor discrepancies I did enjoy this book. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Mary Jo Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mix of suspense and romance.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I got beyond the first few chapters and accepted that this is more violent that what I normally enjoy reading, I was caught up in the adventure. Exciting story.

[Jay Wucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very suspensful

really enjoyed this taught thriller. Great quick read with wonderful characters. look forward to reading more by this talented author.

[Anna-marie]

Review on Ltmk Onbooks as part of Blog Tour

[Tayinnawin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

[February Four · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love books with strong women in them. Liked it!