The enemy is relentless, but they made one fatal they underestimated him.
Australian mercenary Tyler Reid, known as "The Ghost of OZ," has a talent for evading detection, a skill that has caught the eye of multiple government agencies. When a shadowy group targets a CIA asset and her revolutionary drug ND1, the Deputy Director calls in Tyler. Eager for action, Tyler takes the job. He soon realizes that the enemy is not only after the drug, but also out for his blood. Then the mission goes south, and he is forced to seek an unlikely ally.
For covert foreign operative Alexandra Romanova, freedom is a distant dream. Escaping one prison only led her to a more dangerous one. Her deadly skills are at her boss's disposal, but she’ll use them only to escape. Her final chance hinges on retrieving ND1, but the elusive Ghost of Oz complicates things. Tyler Reid isn’t an easy mark, and the better she gets to know him, the more she questions the mission she's tasked with. Soon she faces a dire kill a man she is convinced is good, or pay with her own life.
As Tyler and Alex venture beyond their orders, the line between enemy and ally blurs. On the edge of failure, trust becomes a dangerous gamble with every decision dragging them deeper into the line of fire. As enemies close in and alliances shift, they are ensnared in a ruthless battle where survival depends on split-second choices. In this high-stakes fight, time is running out, and the margin for error is zero.
Line of Fire is the first book in the Christian thriller series Dauntless Defenders. It is NOT a standalone novel.
Newport’s debut is action-packed adventure and intrigue on multiple locations - it’s a high-octane story reminiscent of James Bond or Jack Reacher. I was impressed by the intricate plot, the narrative momentum that never let up, and the author’s impressive eye for detail. This book crams a lot into its 414 pages, serving up sharp dialogue, escalating high-stakes action with Russian mafia and Black ops teams, deadly situations, kidnapping and a 24/7 effort to protect a coveted revolutionary drug aimed at helping soldiers and government agents.
This thrilling journey introduces readers to an Australian Special Air Service Regiment mercenary, Tyler Reid, known as ‘The Ghost of Oz’, and a covert foreign operative, Alexandra ‘Alex’ Romanova. Their gamble to trust each other and work against the forces of evil makes for a compelling read.
I’m excited for the Dauntless Defenders series and can’t wait for book two, No Time to Die, coming this Spring.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Line of Fire by Taylor S. Newport drops the readers into the pages of nonstop action. Her leading hero, Tyler, also known ad the Ghost of Oz is a beautiful tortured soul that fans of angst romance and thrillers like author Ryan Steck’s Matthew Redd are sure to enjoy. Lovers of CIA thrillers, military fiction, espionage, action, thrillers, inspiration, and a mildly funny hero, will want to grab this story. This is definitely a debut author that has firmly cemented her place in the writing world.
Wow! If you or someone you know love movies with Tom Cruise or Liam Neeson, you have to read this book! It was a non stop action and adrenaline rushing read. From beginning to end I couldn't get enough, and I could totally see this being an action movie.
It did take me a little while to get the characters straight, as there are a lot of pov. At least 4, maybe 5. But once I got into the story I was hooked. I love that this story didn't focus on a huge romance plot and more on the action and adventure. I really can't wait for the next book as I will certainly be reading it. 6⭐
*Thank you to JustReadTours and the author for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Wow! If you want a book FULL of action, this is that book! It started on page one and didn't let up.
This book reminded me a little of Rambo (am I showing my age here?). No matter how many people are after him, Tyler has a plan and the skills to take care of them. Though since I've only seen the first Rambo, I don't actually know if they end up the same way.
Guess you'll just have to read it and find out!
~I received a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
A smashing debut! This headliner thriller from Taylor Newport puts her firmly at the top of my "authors to watch for" list for 2025. Reminiscent of the Jason Bourne novels, this complex web of a plot weaves it's way along at a breakneck speed setting up a storyworld that will keep readers coming back for the next installment. Don't miss this one.
Line of fire is a non-stop action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I was hooked from the first chapter. The plot is complex with a well-developed set of characters. The main character, Taylor, appears super-human as he fights off the bad guys.
The characters are all well-developed with lots of layers. I enjoyed seeing them all revealed.
Lots of twists to this high-energy story. I read it in one sitting. The ending wrapped up most things but left some unanswered questions for the next book in the series, which I can't wait to read.
I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
Line of Fire, written by new Author Taylor S. Newport, honestly grabbed my need for suspense and never let it go. Australian Captain Tyler Reid never ever wanted to have his team suffer mission failures, yet that is a situation that occurred four years before the story began in retrieving a beloved treasure. Captain Reid’s team may have lost out on a successful Mission; however, the daily nightmares remind him of not being able to bring that one victory home. This book began with action, and that gripping suspense held me captive, until the final page. Four years after the original mission, Captain Reid takes on a solo mission to in the United States. Upon receiving new information from a source, he is once again tasked with the hopeful attempt of securing his end goal. Despite all the danger, it seems that escape is possible. However, in the blink of an eye, the scope of the parameters of the mission change. As Captain, Reid goes above and beyond to see to the safety and welfare of his team while he attempts on his own to search for the target, Alexandra Romanova. Through every page and every chapter, the danger does escalate although a way to free her from a rogue form of enslavement within the CIA is sought out. Tyler and Alex may have found something that cannot be explored until she is returned to her grandfather. Yet, the rogue CIA group has a hold on Alex and will not let go. After one final act of retaliation and violence, you are left with the question: will Alex ever be free to explore her emotions and live to explore a newfound love? I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and I am anxiously waiting for the continuation of this story!
This novel offers intrigue that blasts out of its pages and action that is non-stop. I was absolutely mesmerized by this book! The action and drama went from intense to explosive as Tyler Reid tries to forget his past a d safeguard those in danger from a rogue CIA agency. I was reminded again and again of Jack Reacher, James Bond and Mission Impossible. Tyler's bravery is exemplary and his past failures keep him motivated to succeed in finding a missing daughter and destroying the rogue agency. This is a brilliantly written spy novel, combined with military tactics and what can only be described as heroic actions. The pages flew by as I raced to the end. I was completely invested in the lives of the dynamic and interests holding characters. I kept thinking that the suspense and death tally couldn't climb much higher, but the author continued to surprise me with an amazing finesse in storytelling and in creating believable and vulnerable characters. This is a story of good versus evil in which evil seems to be winning. I am already looking forward with breathe holding anticipation to the next novel in the series! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
This was book one in the Dauntless Defenders series, a Christian thriller.
The enemy is relentless, but they made one fatal mistake: they underestimated him.
This was an action packed thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I love a fast paced storyline, and this one was it! I’m not going to lie. I got a bit of anxiety while reading this one… It’s a thriller, you should have anxiety.
The MC’s Tyler and Alex have the slowest burn romance. Tyler is protecting a Russian scientist and Alex is after the drug. The scientist developed. They are obviously after two completely different things, but when they decide to work together! I loved it.
I absolutely cannot wait for book 2, after that cliffhanger, the Author left us on.
From the very first page, Line of Fire throws readers into a high-stakes situation that immediately pulls them in. This is the kind of thriller you just know will be impossible to put down.
The beginning is a bit chaotic, bouncing between different storylines at a rapid pace. There’s a lot happening all at once, with introductions that feel like diving straight into the deep end. But once the dust settles, the action and intrigue become even more gripping.
Tyler, a ghost operator known for his precision and stealth, is sent on a mission - his task? Protect a scientist developing a groundbreaking drug that powerful players are desperate to get their hands on.
Enter the S17 team, a covert force with CIA ties, led by the ruthless Nixon. Greedy and manipulative, Nixon plays dirty to keep things in his favor, stopping at nothing—even if it means treating people as disposable.
Then there’s Alex, an S17 operative haunted by past trauma, desperate to break free from Nixon’s control. Unlike her leader, she values human life and doesn’t want to kill for his agenda. Her path collides with Tyler’s in an unforgettable way, adding depth and tension to the unfolding drama.
Trust is a rare commodity in this world, and at every turn, someone is lurking behind the scenes, willing to do whatever it takes.
With gripping suspense, relentless twists, and a storyline that keeps you on edge, Line of Fire leaves you desperate for the next novel!
Line of Fire is a fast paced action thriller with multiple points of view, but a clear hero and heroine.
The story features an Australian hero, Tyler, who’s is a tough guy with a conscience. He's tasked with protecting a Russian scientist. The heroine, Alex, is also a bit of a tough gal, who's managed to get herself into a bit of a sticky situation with some bad people—through no fault of her own.
While action-packed, the storyline is slow burn and there is a lot of backstory. This seems to be setting up the rest of the series. As a result, it takes a while to build to the hero and heroine meeting. But it’s worth the wait when they do. I won't spoil too much, but I sense a romance brewing between Tyler and Alex as the series progresses!
I enjoyed the rich backstories of the characters, and the pacing. I probably could’ve done with less points of view, but that’s a personal taste—I’m more comfortable with the dual hero/heroine point of view. But for fans of action thrillers, I think you’ll enjoy this solid debut.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The views expressed are my own.*
Line of Fire is a debut novel written by Taylor S. Newport. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this suspense book. The story caught me up from the very beginning and I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out.
The character development was great. It was a little hard to follow all of the characters at the beginning. The author did give a character guide but reading it on the kindle it was a little hard to try and flip back and forth. I enjoyed getting to know Tyler and Alex and peeling back their layers.
The storyline and setting were great. It was jammed packed full of action and suspense. I had fun trying to navigate this story. It gave me lots to envision and think about. It was a great web of crossing lines, the CIA gone rogue training program, the ND1 facility, it had some great elements.
Taylor S. Newport did a great job incorporating faith throughout the book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Fast-paced and intense must read for readers of suspense.
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe how riveting this book is! The first couple chapters were hard for me to get through as the reader is introduced to all the characters and agencies. But then, hold on to your seat. The ride gets intense and fast-paced. I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happened next!
Line of Fire is action-packed and fast-paced, has a complex plot, and great characters with interesting backstories. I appreciate that this has a slow-burn romance that will unfold throughout this series. Looking forward to the next installment. You don't want to miss this new series by a debut author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I went into this book not quite sure what to expect. This is a Christian thriller with many points of view. I was drawn into this book quickly. You definitely have to pay attention to the Date, Time, and Location headings because sometimes you are back a day or later in a day. I had to do a lot of flipping of pages back to verify. I felt like the character description list gave away at least one major spoiler, so do with that what you will. The action was nonstop and I was stunned by at least one occurrence. This was a thickly woven tale. There were some things that didn’t add up for me, but, as this book isn’t a standalone, I’m guessing they’ll be fleshed out in the next book (releasing this May). There was a slight thread of slow burn romance. This book was an enjoyable read. I read it in one day. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
I received an ARC of this book via Just Read Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Line of Fire is Taylor S Newport’s debut novel about Tyler Reid who is a retired military veteran but is a mercenary for federal agencies. He is hired by the CIA to protect a doctor and the drug that she is creating after a couple attempts of her life.
Alex is an agent for a secretive department of the CIA called Sector 17 or S17. The only thing she knows is to complete the missions her boss gives her. When things go bad, Alex is assigned to stay with Tyler Reid. She needs to get the drug from him and back to her boss and take out Tyler.
This was such a fun and action packed book. It’s definitely a suspenseful, mystery thriller with a dash of romance. This also has Christain themes in it. I love the agent and mission part of this book. If you like any shows like NCIS, Law and Order, or CSI, you’d like this book.
This is the first book in the series and it is not a standalone. This does end on a cliffhanger.
Line of Fire is the first part of an epic action series. It is a gripping read that definitely falls into the category of books that must not under any circumstances be put down.
We are introduced to Tyler, aka the "Ghost of Oz" who is awesome with his dedication and action skills.
Alexandra may be the most complex FMC I've come across, her motives are murky, and she is highly intriguing.
Line of Fire ends with a massive cliffhanger, and luckily, book 2, No Time to Die releases soon, so I am eagerly awaiting its release.
I really enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys high octane action and suspense novels.
I received a complimentary copy but wasn't required to leave a positive review.
I’ve been loving Christian romantic suspense stories lately, so you already know I had to take a deep dive into this Christian action thriller!! Starting with the characters - I loved them. I was constantly guessing and never really knew what each character would do next - which I love that feeling!!
I really enjoyed this novel and the action-packed twists and turns it took. It was quite the ride for me and I even found it difficult to find stopping points so I could set it down between reading sessions! This is book 1 in a series so I’ll be looking forward to reading said future books in the series!
Tyler failed on a mission for Rawlings years earlier and has never been allowed to forget it. But now, Rawlings needs help and only Tyler can give it. A new painkiller is in the process of development, and the doctor in charge needs protection. Tyler agrees reluctantly but soon learns that he's up against more than he had any idea of. Alex hates her role in the secret Sector 17, but is unable to escape. When her boss goes after the drug, and therefore after Tyler, she's unexpectedly drawn to him. But he doesn't do relationships and she's got her own mission - and failure may mean death. Can they keep the drug out of the wrong hands?
This was going to be a five star read for me. Then I got to the end of a chapter, turned the page, and... wait - what? _That_ is the end?? That's not just a cliffhanger, that's the cartoon where someone runs off a cliff and then looks down and starts falling! Okay, so other than the most unsatisfying ending I ever remember coming across, what did I think of the book? It took me a little while to get into, largely because there were lots of moving parts, but once everything started to come together, it grabbed me and held me - including reading way too long into the night. The characters felt real and there was plenty of action; really, my only potential complaint was the number of people Tyler was killing and at what point that should make me stop. But I kept going because I wanted to see how he'd manage to win, and how he and Alex would end up together (because obviously they needed to). So, basically, if you're happy to buy however many books are in the series, it's off to a great start - though I'd be tempted to hold off reading until I got them all. But if you're looking for a book with a satisfying ending, look elsewhere. I'd love to read more by the author, but I'd want it to be a standalone story. 3.5 stars.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
Taylor is a new-to-me author, and I am impressed with how amazing this book is! I would run and buy it if I had enough shelf space. I loved learning some Aussie lingo.
This story world is incredibly rich, and you can tell that Taylor did her research with all her fight scenes and weapons used. I loved how the multi-POV brought depth to the story, it's so interesting to see the plot through different characters' eyes. I really appreciated that S17 was actually evil, instead of being a murky gray type of bad.
I was surprised to find Christian elements in an assassin story. I've never experienced that before, usually assassin stories are dark.
The cliffhanger was really good! I seriously love how Alex and Tyler are like those two mafia boss/assassin characters in the movie Red 2! I loved those characters and their interactions so much and I'm so happy to have found similar vibes in this book.
Negatives: I am slightly confused as to why one of the characters has been put up with in such a ruthless organization. I feel like they should be dead already. It's not a dealbreaker though.
Gore: There is nothing graphic or gory. The MCs are assassins, so characters die all the time, and the MCs get attacked and have injuries from that. Cussing: None Romance: There isn't anything really. Characters notice others are attractive and that's about it.
I received a review copy from the author. I was not compensated for this review, all thoughts are my own.
This story was hard to put down once I started it, since I just had to know what was going to happen to Tyler and Alex! I love that there is so much going on, with a lot of things happening, and that I wasn't sure who could be trusted. The author does a wonderful job of writing a fast paced story with a lot going on that kept me engrossed until the very end. Like the synopsis says, this is not a stand alone book. I was left wishing that the next in the series were already out! I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.
This book will blow you out of the water and the author isn’t even twenty years old yet will blow your mind! This is definitely a debut author with an open door future!
Line of Fire is Book 1 in the Dauntless Defenders series from Taylor Newport. The characters, the story - everything - amazing. Just amazing.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
This is one of those that I'm not even quite sure how to review, or where to start. The ending was a little choppy, and the action scenes were difficult for me to follow. It reminds me of several action films and TV series, and as the story goes on I can tell that fans of those will likely love this book as well!
The story got better as it goes, and before I knew it I was cheering on the characters! I did guess some of the twists, but I tend to do that anyway. Still, I enjoyed the overall storyline, the characters were fun, and the action scenes also improved and become more clear after the first couple of opening chapters, once things are more established and we have had the chance to get to know the cast a little better, which is understandable, since apart from that it tends to be just chaos, lol. Once we get to meet the characters then the rest of the story really starts to shine.
I was truly impressed by this incredible book! it’s packed with suspense, thrilling action, and a touch of romance that keeps you engaged. I especially appreciated that it was a wholesome clean read. This author has all the makings of a future best seller and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Loved this book. A great take on a probable and possible rogue government agency. The story is packed with action, great details and well developed characters. The plot is one that is engaging and leaves the reader wanting more. Definitely reccommend and will continue to read this author's stories.
What an incredible work of Christian fiction. It's a fast paced thriller and very captivating. I highly recommend it and you won't be disappointed. It will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
A sprinkle of faith. A dash of romance. A heaping of suspense. This book had me captivated from start to finish. Definitely a keep you up at night story that will live rent free in my head for a long time to come! Book 2 can't come soon enough!
An Aussie hero and a Russian heroine face their pasts as they attempt to protect and defend those innocents caught in the line of fire even when it costs them everything.
Most excellent book. Kept me reading until I finished. Exciting, intriguing, so good. Can't wait for the next book!! Taylor is a wonderful writer & we're so blessed she shares God given gift!