Pages: 248
Publisher: Forever, Hatchette Book Group, New York
Review source: Publisher
Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Kathy Davie
Sixth in the A-Tac romantic suspense series revolving around the men and women in the American Tactical Intelligence Command. The couple focus is on Simon Kincaid and Jillian Montgomery.
My Take
Well, that's certainly one way to get the girl to talk to you. Just save her life.
What a treat this story was. Good writing with Davis teasing us along about Ryan and J.J.'s issues with just enough of a hint and the sly reminders. Although, reminding me twice that the appearance of a hero can be deceiving in almost the same words was a bit much. I did enjoy Davis' subtle treatment of Simon and Jillian's emotional issues. No whacking the reader over the head. Thank you for assuming I have some smarts!
Davis slid everyone's backstory in very nicely as well making it a very natural part of the story. Another subtle treat were the believable denials about the possibility of a successful romance from both Simon and J.J. So many times an author does the "oh, no, it won't work" dance and the author hasn't developed a believable scenario, doesn't put the work into it. Not Davis. This was absolutely beautiful.
I enjoyed the twists Davis put A-Tac through as well with Brecht's terror teases although I think he / she slipped up with the cannons. All that possibility and for a terrorist not to take advantage of it?? That was the tip-off to the team that it was only another tease.
I haven't read any of the previous A-Tac stories, I'll have to remedy that and slip the first one, Dark Deceptions, onto my TBR pile. It's a sweet cast of characters. Individuals who support each other, are loyal. Combine that with a good writer, I'm good to go.
The Story
It's been four years since Simon walked out. The day she sees him again, a helicopter takes out the fifteenth floor of the hospital. Thought at first to be an accident, evidence seems to suggest otherwise. And since that evidence was found at a "terrorist encampment funded by the Consortium"…
Homeland Security wants in on this investigation and who should it be but J.J. She's looking good and it's just too embarrassing. It's all his fault and she loved Ryan so much. But it's a race between their feelings and the terrorist actions they keep encountering.
Michael Brecht is determined to fulfill the Consortium's plans and even more adamant about making A-Tac pay. And he knows just how to do it. Yusuf should strike just the right note to improve the Consortium's bottom line.
The Characters
Jillian "J.J." Montgomery was Ryan Jackowski's girl and now she's with Homeland Security. The same Ryan who died in that compound in Somalia. And Simon has been in love with her since college, that one night, then he stood back and let Ryan marry her. A mistake on her part.
Simon Kincaid is hiding an injury that forced him out of the SEALS and and there's a good chance it'll put paid to field work with A-Tac.
Avery Solomon is the "commander of A-Tac, a black-ops division with the CIA" and the dean of students at Sunderland College. Other members of the team include Harrison Blake, the computer forensics specialist who's in love with Hannah. Drake Flynn who is married to Madeline and they have a six-month-old daughter, Brianna---her teething pains are keeping him awake. Hannah Marshall is their intel specialist. Nash is married to Annie and has a son, Adam. Tucker Flynn is Drake's brother and Alexis is his wife. Owen and Tyler are married. Owen works for the NSA while Tyler is their ordnance specialist.
Sunderland College also serves as the headquarters for the American Tactical Intelligence Command (A-Tac) which consists of academicians and black ops boys from the CIA.
Yusuf is Bilaal Hamden, the "dead" son of a Hamas official who returned to life.
The Consortium is an organization that aids terrorists in return for profit. Michael Brecht seems to be in charge of planning terrorist activities and Gregor is his number two. Anthony Delafranco is one of the unhappy founding members. Kamaal Sahar's people were supposed to sanitize the Afghan compound.
Joseph Isaacs also runs a gallery in England. Eric Wilderman is the bald guy who booked the helicopter tour and Nicolas Essex was the veteran pilot who may not have been what he seemed. Mason Dearborn was the impostor with a long rap sheet and may have been working for Emmanuel Rivon, a coffee buyer who ran guns. Emilio is his younger brother. Norman Lester lives at Dearborn's address and runs an art gallery.
The Cover
The cover is hot for action as a fire fills the background and a bewhiskered and filthy Simon stands tired and waiting, in front of the flames, a gun pointing to the ground.
The title is indeed about a Double Danger. There are the terrorist attacks in New York and love. A love that is itself a double danger. Of Simon wanting Jillian in his life and Jillian realizing she still loves Simon.