Cold Heat: An FBI Romantic Suspense Thriller

Cold Justice: Most Wanted #7

by Toni Anderson

Every operator has a weakness.
She just became his.

FBI HRT operator Jordan Krychek has built his life around discipline and duty, hiding scars that run bone-deep. The night his family was murdered, the man responsible vanished into the wind. Now that ghost has reappeared—and a woman Jordan has sworn to protect is caught in the crossfire.

Daisy Montana doesn’t need a bodyguard, least of all her father’s dangerously intense teammate. But when a terrorist targets her area of research, and a killer from Jordan’s past resurfaces, she becomes a pawn in a deadly game of vengeance.

Forced into hiding—and into each other’s arms—the line between duty and desire combusts. From Mexico to Virginia, a relentless enemy draws them into a web of deception and betrayal. As the stakes rise and the body count climbs, Jordan and Daisy must untangle what the next target might be, before it's too late.

This time, Jordan’s mission is personal. And protecting Daisy might cost him everything—including his heart.

🔥 Tropes in Cold Heat

🛡️ Protector Hero💔 Wounded Alpha💞 Forbidden Love🔥 Forced Proximity⚡ Enemies → Lovers💋 Fake Relationship💣 Revenge Plot🧠 STEM Heroine🛏️ One Bed Moments🕯️ Found Family / Interconnected FBI World
COLD HEAT delivers explosive action, heart-stopping suspense, and the kind of forbidden love that will bring even the most hardened operator to his knees.


“Toni Anderson has a terrific voice for crime fiction.” - New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.



ADDITIONAL BOOK INFORMATION
Primary Story Entities (explicitly present):

FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT)Jordan Krychek, HRT operatorDaisy Montana, nuclear engineering graduate studentNuclear engineering conference (Veracruz, Mexico)Murder of François TremblayRussian arms dealer / terrorist Konrad Bocharov (resurfaced after presumed death)FBI task force investigation (Quantico / Virginia)Evidence tampering and surveillance disruptionFake relationship used as coverForced proximity during protection detailArson attack on Daisy’s apartment buildingOngoing threat escalation tied to nuclear researchGenre Romantic SuspenseFBI / Law Enforcement ThrillerAction RomanceRomance Tropes (explicit in text):Protector HeroWounded AlphaForbidden Love (best friend’s daughter)Forced ProximityEnemies → LoversFake RelationshipOne Bed / Shared SpaceSTEM HeroineFound Family / Interconnected FBI WorldTone & Content High tensionOn-page sexual contentGraphic violence in action se

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Thriller, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Suspense, Fiction

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2026

About the author

Next Release: COLD HEAT
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Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
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Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.

Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.

Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.

In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.


For more information about Toni:
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Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.

If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...

Reviews

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

B / 4 stars.

I’m always excited to pick up another book in Toni Anderson’s excellent Cold Justice: Most Wanted series of high-stakes, action-packed romantic suspense novels, and am continually impressed with the way the author is keeping the series momentum going without things starting to feel stale – the plots are clever and intricate, the characters are well-crafted and engaging and there are always some nicely steamy moments along the way. Cold Heat is book seven, but after several overarching plotlines were tied up in the previous book ( Cold Truth ), new readers could approach it as a standalone, with the understanding that many of the secondary characters have either already appeared in their own books, or are going to do that at some point in the series. In some ways, it can be easier to do that than to try to remember who everyone is and how they relate to each other! (I’ve read all the books in this series and in the previous one, and sometimes I just have to accept that this character was in that book, and that I can’t remember exactly what the plot was, but I don’t need to because their role in this story is not related to it!)

Cold Heat begins with a prologue set ten years earlier in which rookie FBI agent Jordan Krychek is working undercover in Chicago, mostly as a driver and delivery guy for a big-shot Russian arms dealer. The end of the operation is just hours away when Jordan is sent on his final job – only to realise, too late, that he’s been made and sent on a wild goose chase to get him out of the way. Racing back to the city, he arrives at his family home to find it ablaze, his entire family dead. Right there, Jordan vows to find Konrad Bucharov and make him pay, no matter what he has to do to make it happen. But he doesn’t get that chance, as Bucharov dies in an explosion in Russia mere weeks later.

Daisy Montana – daughter of Kurt Montana (Cold Truth) – is a PhD student in nuclear physics and is currently in Mexico attending a symposium with some of her colleagues, professors and fellow students. It’s the last night, and they’re all relaxing over drinks and dinner, when another attendee, a handsome, older Frenchman, invites Daisy to take a walk on the beach with him. He makes no secret of his admiration, or of the direction he’d like the night to take, and for just a minute, Daisy is tempted - François Tremblay is charming and attractive and brilliant. But she returns to her room alone.

You can read the rest of this review at All About Romance .

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fast paced suspense thriller had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as I could and the twists kept coming. First off we get a deep dive into the backstory of HRT operator Jordan Krychek, who incidentally had a run in with Daisy Montana in Cold Truth, and this guy is determined to be a premier HRT operator and keep out anyone who could possibly make him vulnerable again. Then we see how smart and self reliant Daisy can be wanting to better the worlds energy system. Though she refuses to get involved in another romance. The angst between these two runs high and the dual POV fuels a roller coaster of emotions. But the Baddie is formidable and they have targets painted on their backs. Don’t miss this epic read!

[Amy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one! I mean I love all of Toni's books, but I could not put this down. It was action packed, edge of your seat thrilling and I didn't want it to end. We were teased with Daisy and Jordan in Cold Truth and it was perfect to get their relationaship fleshed out in this one. Both Daisy and Jordan had their walls up to love because of their pasts and it made it that much better sweeter when they finally gave in. I loved how strong Daisy was. She was no damsel in distress and her character is inspiring. Jordan's past is heartbreaking and seeing him open up with Daisy and finally realize he's worth it and deserves love was so touching. I could not get enough of this story and I'm mad at myself for reading it so quickly because now I have to wait awhile for another Toni book! Another winner and amazing way to start a new year of reading!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

How? How is each and every book in this series an absolute banger? It shouldn't be possible, but here we are.

I *almost* didn't even care that it's not Cowboy and Meghan's story yet. Almost ;)

But hey, I can understand after what happened between Daisy and Jordan in Cold Truth that it would make sense to have them next. BUT STILL.

Anyway...I digress.

I really did love Daisy and Jordan's story--it truly had me on the edge of my seat for so much of the story. Their romance was top tier--he's so closed off, but so gone for her; she's seen this all before with her parents and wants nothing to do with it...and yet they can't deny what's happening between them as much as they try to--so, so good! And the completely heinous villain and what he did to Jordan's entire family and what he planned to do (to him and to so many other people) in the present--just pure evil. I only understood about 10% of everything that was happening with all of the nuclear reactor scenes, but OMG it was so intense I swear my blood pressure was sky high the whole time.

So yes, even though I am more than ready for Meghan and Cowboy's story, I don't regret a second I spent with Daisy and Jordan. Since it follows right after the events of the previous book (and the two of them had such a dramatic interaction in it) I'd definitely recommend reading them in order.

Though honestly, why not read them all? #sorrynotsorry

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[KS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza - another thriller!

Toni Anderson just keeps writing great stories that pull me in from the beginning. Oh that prologue was SO heartbreaking! I also really enjoy meeting these characters in previous books, but really getting to know them - and love them - when they get their own story.

Jordan and Daisy has an inauspicious beginning in the last book, but boy do they catch fire in this one! Jordan is just doing a favor for his friend, boss, and mentor by looking after Daisy while at a conference in Mexico which gives him some much needed R&R. BUT a previous enemy has returned with a vengeance.

You will not see all the twists and turns of this wild ride as these two have to rely on each other to thwart this new threat to not only our nation, but both of their lives.

Steamy, sexy thriller with plenty of page-turning action. A fantabulous read!

I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in this impressive series, and this is Jordan and Daisy’s story.
Jordan is an FBI HRT Operator, who is fueled with vengeance towards the man that murdered his family, and then disappeared, and Daisy becomes a target, so he dad’s teammate, Jordan, is assigned to protect and keep her safe.
This is a well written action-packed story, with family, friendships, emotions, danger, suspense, intrigue, deception, betrayal, tension, mystery, fake relationships, enemies / lovers, forbidden love, revenge, and undeniable chemistry, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, unpredictable, and thrilling addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Cold Justice series. Another excellent addition to the series. Sometimes when a series goes on for so long the story lines start to fizzle out. But Toni Anderson has managed to keep the series alive.
Jordan and Daisy met previously and not in a good way. Jordan has been asked by Daisy's father to keep an eye on her when she goes to a conference in Mexico. While there someone dies and an attempt to implicate Daisy is made. But Jordan saves the day and they get back to the U.S. And Jordan discovers a man who was confirmed dead isn't.
There is an age gap of about 11 years between the two but it isn't that big of a deal. I would recommend this book to those who like the FBI, action, romance, suspense and even a little humor.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning of this book to the end you’ll be trying to figure out who the bad guys are. GOOD LUCK!! The twists and turns may give you a bit of whiplash trying to figure out who to trust.

Physicist Daisy Montana may be young and naive but she’s almost always the smartest person in the room. When the symposium she’s attending in Mexico suddenly turns deadly, help comes in the form of the last person she wants assistance from, even if he may be trying to save her life.

FBI HRT Jordan Krychek was almost destroyed ten years ago, but when he thinks he sees a ghost, the past comes roaring back to haunt him. Now, he’s just trying to get out of Mexico with his boss’s daughter, the woman that has him tied up in knots, while keeping them both alive. Then, it’s time to find a mad man before he can destroy millions.

The US dealt Russia several huge blows over the past eighteen months, yet Russia hasn’t retaliated. Even worse, the last blow was dealt by a woman they thought they owned. Russia is now looking for a win, and they want blood.

I received an ARC and freely offer this review.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLD HEAT by TONI ANDERSON ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cold Heat is the seventh (#7) book in the COLD JUSTICE - MOST WANTED series.


Looking out for nuclear scientist Daisy Montana whilst she is at a symposium, FBI HRT operator Jordan Krychek is stunned when he sees a man from his past. A man responsible for his family’s death, a man he believed dead.

When Daisy and Jordan discover a plot by that same man, targeting Daisy’s area of expertise, they have work together to foil his evil plans. The more time they spend together however, the closer they grow, and Jordan is left fighting to protect the woman he’s falling for whilst hunting the terrorist that destroyed his life……

—————————


As with all the previous books in Toni Anderson’s superb ‘Cold Justice - Most Wanted’ series, Cold Heat is an easy 5⭐️ read. It’s fantastic!

Full of the usual nonstop action, pulse raising angst, vile protagonists and drop dead gorgeous, dedicated HRT operators that we’ve come to expect from Toni, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very first page until the last.

The prologue immediately draws you in, covering events from ten years ago, which helps you understand why Jordan Krychek is so dedicated to his work, determined to protect those around him, where his loyalty to his fellow operatives comes from and why he keeps his feelings locked down. It’s heartbreaking.

Daisy Montana is super feisty, independent, stubborn and intelligent. Determined that no man is going to dictate her life and following a previous disastrous relationship, she is determined to keep future relationships surface level, no feelings involved. She is focused on her Ph.D, on her future career. She can’t deny her attraction to Krychek though theirs is definitely a love/hate relationship at the beginning due to events in ‘Cold Truth’ and her feelings towards her father and how his career affected her life.

Though Jordan is undoubtedly attracted to Daisy he has sworn not to have real relationships. Refusing to put others in the same danger as his family, he believes that he can only have casual relationships.
His struggles with his feelings for Daisy, whilst trying to be professional and also keeping his loyalty to her father and respecting his trust in Jordan to protect Daisy are palpable.

Conrad Bocharov is the quintessential villain. His actions are breathtakingly vile and shocking. His disrespect for humanity, his drive for revenge and his impulsiveness ultimately lead to his downfall.

There are delightful appearances from many of the other HRT/FBI operatives which are always welcome ( including an intriguing hint at a possible future book for Ryan ‘cowboy’ Sullivan and Megan Donnelly. Squeeeeee!). A particularly mention has to go to my favourite TA character Alex Parker who plays quite a role in Cold Heat.

I REALLY did not like the new FBI director AT ALL, and suspect they’ll be stirring the pot in future storylines.

There are open door spicy scenes but Jordan and Daisy’s story is a slow burn, these scenes aren’t superfluous but rather aid to show their relationship growth and don’t detract in any way to this wonderful plot filled suspense.

I read the paperback, with around 360 pages, a delightful cover in fitting with the previous books in the series and excellent editing. I highly recommend this book!!!

☢️ Romantic Suspense
☢️ Military Romance
☢️ Spicy 🔥🔥🔥
☢️ Forced Proximity
☢️ Thriller
☢️ Feisty MFC
☢️Alpha Hero

[Sandy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLD HEAT is the seventh instalment in Toni Anderson’s contemporary, adult COLD JUSTICE-MOST WANTED romantic suspense series, set in the author’s COLD JUSTICE series. This is thirty-four year old, FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator Jordan Krychek, and twenty three year old, nuclear physicist PhD student Daisy Montana’s story line. COLD HEAT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Daisy and Jordan) COLD HEAT follows FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator Jordan Krycheck as his latest assignment finds him in Mexico discretely protecting our story line heroine. Daisy Montana,the twenty-three year old daughter of Jordan’s best friend, is in Mexico with her team of nuclear physicist when the murder of a colleague pulls Jordan Krycheck out of the shadows and into the light. Jordan thinks he recognizes the killer, a man long thought dead and gone, and in this, Jordan is determined to uncover the truth even if he has to go all the way to the top. In an effort to keep his identity a secret, Daisy and Jordan pretend to be lovers, an arrangement that becomes anything but fake.

The world building is detailed and complex, involving Russian operatives, dirty law enforcement, espionage and terrorism, and government officials on the take. Terrorist are determined to infiltrate the nuclear reactor where Daisy has been conducting her work, terrorists that are vaguely familiar to our story line hero.

The relationship between Daisy and Jordan begins acrimoniously as Daisy struggles with the need for protection but when a colleague is murdered, and others are suspected of international terrorism, Daisy battles between head and heart believing she is responsible by association for everyone involved. Jordan never thought he would fall in love with his best friend’s daughter but when Daisy becomes the target of some powerful people, Jordan is willing to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to FBI Director Ursula Director Rhodes, Daisy’s father and Jordan’s best friend / boss Kurt Montana; as well as the mention of several more characters from the original Cold Justice series, and the return of former CIA assassin turned cybersecurity expert Alex Parker; ASAC Steven Mac McKenzie, HRT leader Payne Novak,Max Hawthorne and Lucy. The requisite evil has many faces.

COLD HEAT is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, espionage and treason, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, gritty and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, desperate and charismatic.

copy supplied for review

[Dísir · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounding up

‘Cold Heat’ is Toni Anderson’s latest HRT offering and builds on Jordan Krychek’s and Daisy Montana’s rocky dynamic established in the previous book. While this clearly continues their story, it works well enough as a standalone, with Anderson filling in just enough background to anchor new readers without them getting lost in too any details.

Their relationship, which got off to a rough start previously, picks up in much the same vein here—and these early clashes quite a fair bit of entertainment.But there’s a backstory that Jordan has which is coming back to haunt him, and Daisy is tangled in the fallout as much as he is this time around.

There’s enough snark and clever retorts to give some snorting laughs, and Daisy is quite the spitfire who holds her own pretty well against the FBI agents trying to run roughshod over her. There’s that headstrong, impulsive rage-against-the-world, screw the patriarchy sense of righteousness that does start to get annoying, more so as she tries working out her own insecurities by baiting Jordan.

Both of them do question their own worth and their places in each other’s lives, but there’s a lot of internalising their own feelings and thoughts along with their own twisted ideas of sex and commitment, weighed down as they are by their own pasts. The progression from lust to love, however, still feels unusually fast for this pair. I’ve always been skeptical of the rapid-fire, life-or-death bonds forged in the heat of crisis and how—or if—they can realistically endure beyond the final page, though that may not be the point here.While I was keen to see how Anderson would ultimately resolve Jordan’s and Daisy’s story, I found myself less convinced by this pairing than by the couples in her previous books, and similarly more skeptical of how conveniently the Russian terrorist thread is tied into Daisy’s chosen career.

Yet ‘Cold Heat’ leans more heavily on pre-established friction and while this definitely moves things farther away from the instalove/instalust vibe, it does little to really deepen Jordan’s and Daisy’s connection when the emotional core of their relationship feels underdeveloped and overshadowed by the unrelenting action. Their HFN is rushed as a result; their tentative steps moving forward from Daisy’s hospital bed still look like promises that have yet to see the light of day rather than being a solid resolution that’s hard-won.

Which isn’t to say that ‘Cold Heat’ falters in other aspects. Anderson’s stories are always stylishly crafted, written and paced in a way that will get you through the book in no time as the plot reaches its climax and is wrapped up just as efficiently. I simply found myself wishing I could have connected with this pairing as strongly as I have with those in her previous novels.


*ARC by the author

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy and Jordan are real enemies to lovers here, she may not be trying to kill each other but Daisy wouldn't cry too much if Jordan came a cropper!

Daisy has no time for the FBI. It took away her dad when she needed him the most, made her mum turn into a professional victim and her last interaction with Jordan - well there's not much of her that he hasn't seen!

Jordan, the buttoned up, top notch FBI agent who feels less than brotherly towards his best friends daughter. He may not be quite as old as her dad but he still feels jaded and unworthy of love. He lost his family once and now the only family he has to worry about are his FBI colleagues. Daisy is so smart and I loved finding another STEM FMC to love.

The big bad was completely unhinged and unredeemable - the best kind of villain. Physics are not my friend and nuclear physics - sheesh. But I struggled along and didn't get too lost. The revenge plot hatched by Daisy was a bit misplaced, trying to get back at bother her dad and Jordan was a bit childish but I get that she felt humiliated by one and not a priority for the other.

Bring on Megan and Cowboy!

Book Hooks

"Sacrificed to keep ugly secrets and prevent billionaires being held accountable for their actions."

"They made it clear they didn't see having a boyfriend as an obstacle for a woman like me when it came to advancing my career. I felt like I'd travelled back in time sixty years, and then i remembered not that much has actually changed - not when there are people today who believe women shouldn't have a vote. Like we're subhuman."

[MELK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shut up, my show is on.



A very respectable 3.5 stars.

The justification for why these two have to fake a relationship is about as thin as two ply toilet paper. And yet I don’t care because I ate that shit up. How is it that in x number of books in the Cold Justice universe we had not yet seen two MCs stuck in a trunk together. Absolutely inspired choice, Ms Anderson.

My favourite brand of Cold Justice books are the ones where the MC’s already have some pre-existing relationship before the book (especially if we’ve seen them in past books). It just hits different. So I knew from the outset I’d like this one a decent amount. Daisy and Jordan were so intriguing to me in Cold Truth so I was really excited to see what would unfold for them.

Both MCs were pretty likeable. Poor Jordan really has one of the most tortured pasts of all the MCs so far. Daisy had spunk, although was perhaps slightly underdeveloped and I didn’t fully buy her falling in love.

The first half was stronger and more enjoyable than the second for me. It lost steam a bit once the plot slowed down in Virginia.

There was a good smattering of new and old characters here which I always enjoy. I liked that the Kurt x Jordan fall out wasn’t overly dramatic and they moved past it really quickly.

The edging going on with this Cowboy x Meghann story is becoming obscene at this point (said with love)

[Hanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am exhausted. Whenever I think people are done vilifying Muslims, someone proves me wrong. This time, it was by an author I once greatly admired.

Why is it so easy to make Muslims the bad guy? Why are we still doing this to Muslims in 2026? Even if it’s revealed that the Muslim man was framed in the end. Having your actual villain refer to it as “racist profiling” in an attempt at self-awareness does not make it okay. And no, I don’t think Ms. Anderson was trying to raise awareness about the dangers of racial profiling.

I actually liked this book up until the point where the Muslim man became the suspect. The only reason I continued to the end was to see if, in fact, it would be revealed that he was framed. By the way, having your self-righteous heroine feel guilty over getting her Muslim peer arrested for terrorism was just insult to injury.

For the record, I made this account so I could post this review, because I think readers deserve to know what they’re getting into. I imagine some people will be offended by this review, or think I’m being too sensitive, and my review may get reported/deleted. To those people I say: You have no idea what it’s like to grow up seeing yourself vilified over and over again. And now people do it, just to say “Just kidding!” and expect it to be okay.

I’ll give this book two stars because of, nostalgia, maybe? I have read nearly all of Ms. Anderson’s books, and some of them are my absolute favourites. But I’m just hurt and mad at this point. I can no longer support an author who is either Islamophobic or tone-deaf or both.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's done it again! Not that I'm surprised. And I love the haters to lovers troupe. It can be cliched and overdone but when it's done right, wow. We also had some backstory between Daisy and Jordan that gave us a reason for them (Daisy in particular) to have distain for each other from a previous book so their dislike wasn't out of thin air. Although I guess I would say that Daisy disliked Jordan more than the other way around. And poor Daisy just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when an old foe of Jordan's reappeared. And this man doesn't want to kill Jordan. He wants to kill everyone close to him. Jordan feels like he has to keep Daisy close to protect her, and while she's not happy about it, she plays along as his girlfriend. What starts in Mexico takes us to Virignia and a neculear plant where the climax of the book takes place. The romance was hot (the scene where Jordan and Daisy shared a room in Quanico? Hello!) and the suspense has me on the edge of my seat. The climax was really well written. I don't know if I would tackle neculear reactors and such. You could tell she really put her research into this book. And of course, the women are always written as strong and independent that don't need a man, but want one. And while Jordan is definetely alpha, he's not overbearing. The only thing I dislike about her books is when they're over. I can't wait for the next one!

[NICUnurse Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to my enduring love of Nora Roberts' books, I have been a long-time fan of romantic suspense. And I’ve been a fan of Toni Anderson’s books for quite some time, for many of the same reasons. Her plots are complex, engaging, and well-thought-out, which always make for exciting and entertaining reads. In my opinion, that’s the definition of a well-written romantic suspense book.

Cold Heat is the next book in her Cold Justice: Most Wanted series, but it can be read as a standalone title. That said, several characters have ties to the previous book. While the author gives just enough of their tie-in to this one when needed, I highly suggest reading Cold Truth first. I’ve been so very curious about these main characters’ story since the previous book in the series. Typically, I'm bored and disappointed if I can figure out the whodunnit long before the story’s arc and conclusion. Needless to say, I was not bored or disappointed. The action ebbs and flows as it should, with some tasteful steam scattered throughout.

There’s a reason Toni Anderson tops my favorite romantic suspense authors list just under Queen Nora herself. I know when I dive into one of her books, it will suck me in and keep me engaged to the point where I let everything else go until I’ve reached The End. And Cold Heat did just that. With engaging characters, an extremely complex plot, and plenty of action and suspense, this book is a must-read for romantic suspense fans.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Heat
Cold Justice - Most Wanted #7
Toni Anderson
This book grabs you from the very first page and keeps you under its spell for the whole ride!
Jordan Krychek was now part of the Hostage Rescue Team took some ‘vacation’ time to help out a fellow operative by keeping an eye on his daughter whilst she was at a conference in Mexico. Both Kurt and Jordan had been through a lot, kidnapping, attempted murder, secrets, lies, the usual for those so highly trained.
Daisy Montana, acclaimed PHD researcher in nuclear engineering. Brilliant, sassy and her own woman.
“Thoughts of Jordan Krychek elicited everything from nuclear-fission rage to throat-choking gratitude, to … something else entirely. Part of her wanted to kiss him until neither of them could breathe, while the other part wanted to hold him underwater until he couldn’t.”
This book is perfection. I love romantic suspense and this author has once again delivered flawed loveable characters with depth, a twisty plot that kept me guessing and lots of action that builds the suspense. Chefs kiss. It might just be my favourite ‘Cold’ novel. Book of the year contender and it is only January.
I received an arc of this book. It can be read as a standalone novel with hea, but definitely falls in the Cold Justice world of stories with familiar characters popping up that fans of Ms Anderson will love.
5 stars

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting Jordan and Daisy in the previous book, I was looking forward to reading their story next. It was lovely seeing two characters you already love finally being centre stage and the main focus. Their "love-hate" relationship was so satisfying to read. I loved their early interactions as they were filled with sexual tension along with just enough venom to counter it.

There is more to Jordan than meets the eye. His tragic past and the scars from his early undercover work give the story emotional depth. You can’t help but root for him as he hunts down the Russian terrorist responsible for the loss of his family. His journey toward justice and healing is an important part of the story.

Daisy is the perfect partner for Jordan, whether he likes it or not. I loved her intelligence as a physicist. She played a pivotal role in stopping a terrorist attack. She is confident and capable. She can handle herself when it comes to self-defense, and her father made sure she knew her way around a firearm. A female character like this who is not part of law enforcement is refreshing. She is a true partner in every sense of the word.

Cold Heat is romantic suspense at its best, balancing international intrigue with an emotional romance. The red herrings and twists made this book impossible to put down.

[Ann C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were way too many characters. I have read only about 4 of the 'Cold' books and do not know who all of the people are. The list of characters at the front did not really help. I did not want to keep flipping back and forth. That messes up the flow of the book. I have not read the previous book in the series. The reading of that book was ruined by all of the references to it. Why read it now? All that was needed to say was that Daisy and Jordan had met before. No details were needed. The book is advertised as stand alone. However, I think it would be best if one had read the previous books.

I did not like either character. Their relationship was rather weak. Yet, they fell in love. When Daisy's dad appeared at the hospital, he did not give Jordan any grief about the relationship.

The book itself just dragged. I kept checking to see how many more pages were left. I guess the author had to stretch it to 300 pages. If the book had been 50 to 75 pages shorter, it might have been better.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read the previous book in the series, which isn’t necessary to enjoy this one, you may remember Daisy and Jordan. They certainly didn’t have a ‘meet cute’ then, and things aren’t going much better for them now. From a reader’s standpoint though, their friction made for an enjoyable read.

Jordan is a protective FBI agent. Daisy is smart and fiercely independent. She’s also Jordan’s boss’s daughter. What could possibly go wrong? It was so much fun watching them fight their attraction to one another.

The story was action-packed. The evil villain in this story has a history with Jordan and we learn the heartbreak of his past. But there was a lot more going on than that. There’s always more to the story and a twist I didn't see coming.

Toni Anderson’s books are always a quick read for me, simply because I can’t wait to find out what happens. Now it’s time to wait for the next one.

ARC kindly provided by the author.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Heat by Toni Anderson is a story of devious villains and FBI agents who work to completely shut them down. When the story focuses on this it is an intricate and well-constructed plot. Many questions arise early that point to perhaps not all good guys are good and that internal politics take a toil on the agents. Daisy Montana and FBI HRT operator Jordan Krychek find themselves quickly in an unimaginable position. Jordan does what he does best, getting them back on US soil. The danger just continues to escalate.

This fast-paced suspenseful book is intense, drawing the reader into the fight against evil. The two main characters have such personal issues, much of it anger from the past that I found the language and emotions distracting from the story at times. Realistic yes, but still a distraction. Also the bedroom door is wide open. An edgy book that kept me reading to see the criminals stopped.

[djc- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan is with the FBI and Daisy is a physicist. Their first encounter was not a pleasant one and Daisy is not a big fan of Jordan's. Their personalities are total opposite and when they are thrown together Jordan will do everything he can to protect them both. There is danger everywhere they turn with someone trying to kill them and it gets difficult to know who to trust. The more time they spend together the closer they get. This is a pair you can't imagine being together.

The suspense and anxiety levels keep you wanting to turn page to see whats going to happen next. There are a few different people who could be the villain and as I keep reading I try to figure the mystery out. Wow what an ending. This is another exciting adventure of Ms Anderson and I'm looking forward to what she has in store for us next.
I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Dimple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toni Anderson delivers a fast, gripping romantic suspense with Cold Heat. From the first chapter the story is intense, well-paced, and full of twists that leave the reader on the edge of their seat. The romance is slow-burn and believable, and the tension never lets up.

What really elevates Cold Heat is the balance between suspense and romance. The chemistry between the leads is intense and earned—no insta-love shortcuts here. Trust is built under pressure, attraction simmers in the middle of chaos, and the emotional stakes rise right alongside the physical danger. When the heat hits, it hits—and it feels natural rather than shoehorned in.

The twists are sharp, the villains are genuinely unsettling, and the final act delivers a payoff that’s both thrilling and emotionally solid. If you like your romance wrapped in danger, intelligence, and very real consequences, Cold Heat delivers in spades.

[Alphas Do It Better Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Toni Anderson delivers a fast, gripping romantic suspense with Cold Heat. From the first chapter the story is intense, well-paced, and full of twists that leave the reader on the edge of their seat. The romance is slow-burn and believable, and the tension never lets up.

What really elevates Cold Heat is the balance between suspense and romance. The chemistry between the leads is intense and earned—no insta-love shortcuts here. Trust is built under pressure, attraction simmers in the middle of chaos, and the emotional stakes rise right alongside the physical danger. When the heat hits, it hits—and it feels natural rather than shoehorned in.

The twists are sharp, the villains are genuinely unsettling, and the final act delivers a payoff that’s both thrilling and emotionally solid. If you like your romance wrapped in danger, intelligence, and very real consequences, Cold Heat delivers in spades.

AnnMarie - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

[PWA Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Heat is such a good story mostly with Daisy and Jordan who we met in Cold Truth! Daisy is smart, independent and unpredictable! Jordan is falling for her, protecting her but she's his bosses (Kurt Montana) and best friend's daughter! To complicate things, the evil man who killed Jordan's family has come back from the dead planning more evil!
The story moves right along, with characters from previous books as they are, after all, Jordan's co- workers! This book grabs you from the 1st page and never lets up! Very well written. I always hate when her books end, but patiently(?) waiting for the next one!
I recommend this book to everyone who likes mystery, romance, strong characters and a intriguing story!
Thank you so very much for the honor of reading this advanced book! So worth the time!

[Catlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLD HEAT is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you thoroughly engaged in the intense drama, exciting action, and roller-coaster romance filled with surprising twists and unexpected turns. Jordan and Daisy seem like the least likely to form a personal attachment, yet it’s clear they are made for each other. The chemistry is undeniable if they can get over their pasts and the walls they���ve built around their hearts. The intrigue of finding Jordan’s former nemesis, uncovering a heinous plot, and thwarting a potentially devastating crime brings a heart-pounding level of suspense to the story, making this book hard to put down. Add in Daisy’s strong-willed independence and Jordan’s single-minded desire to keep her safe, and you have a tale that will captivate and entertain you from beginning to end.

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Daisy and Jordan basically know each other trough her father for quite some time. Only when he was presumed dead on a mission a couple weeks back did they somehow built a friendship/partnership. When Jordan watched over her on a convention nearly everything went wrong. Fast forward a couple days and both of them have to pretend to be together which becomes more and more real - all the while his past catches up on him, betrayal s are revealed and both of them just might have to swoop in to literally safe the day. Great story you can expect from Toni. Unfortunately, it took more than halfway through the book to finally get Goldteam involved and to enjoy their banter and more importantly, their professionalism. Fantastic!
Still can’t wait for Cowboys story to be written!

[Melissa May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Heat is the latest installment in the Cold Justice Most Wanted series by Toni Anderson.
After the teaser in Cold Truth I was really looking forward to read Daisy and Jordan ‘s story and I absolutely loved it!
I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down!
Twist and turns and a suspenseful plot kept me on the edge of my seat!
The romance part is beautifully done!
Both Jordan and Daisy have so much emotional baggage and they tried to fight the attraction but they stood no chance, they are just perfect for each other!
So a creepy villain, lots of action and suspense and great characters make this a brilliant read!
Highly recommended!
I’m looking forward to the next book in the awesome Cold Justice Most Wanted series !
I received this Arc from the author and this review is my honest opinion

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fantastic book and worth the reading. Loved staying on edge. Jordan is supposed to be watching out for his best friend’s daughter (Daisy). He fights his feelings for her but ends up having a plan that he plays her boyfriend. Could the Russian arms dealer (Konrad Bocharov) actually be alive? Could he have been betrayed in the past? So many twists and they end up trying to prevent a nuclear terrorism from happening. There’s a shocking betrayal too. Loved how Jordan makes Daisy his priority, will she give them a real chance? I really loved their happy ever after and want to re read this series now. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Heat by Toni Anderson is a fast paced, intense book that I didn’t want to put down. So much research went in to this story. Nuclear disaster is a frightening subject to tackle! Jordan and Daisy both have troubled pasts, but their strength and determination build as they learn to trust and even love again. Lots of twists & turns that held my attention right through to the last page. I also loved seeing characters from previous books appear in supporting roles. Be prepared to fly through this book. Can’t wait until the next book, Cold Rage, comes out in January next year!

Tropes in Cold Heat:
Protector Hero · Wounded Alpha · Forbidden Love · Forced Proximity · Enemies-to-Lovers · Fake Relationship · Revenge Plot · Shared Space · Found Family / Interconnected FBI World