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Mission: Rescue #3

Exit Strategy: A Romantic Suspense Novel

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THE WIDOW'S PROTECTOR 

Lark Porter thinks she'll find answers about her husband's death when she returns to their former home, but someone doesn't like the questions she's asking. She's quickly taken captive, and all that stands between her and certain death is a mysterious stranger telling her to trust him if she wants to get out alive. Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team member Cyrus Mitchell marvels at Lark's strength and determination to survive. The closer they get to freedom, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Once free, though, it takes all the skills and training Cyrus has to outmaneuver the deadly killers on their trail. 

Mission: Rescue�No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2015

126 people are currently reading
220 people want to read

About the author

Shirlee McCoy

157 books435 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Danielle.
283 reviews4 followers
May 14, 2019
Title: Exit Strategy
Author: Shirlee McCoy
Series: Mission: Rescue, 3
Format: ebook
Length: 434 pages (iPhone)
Rating: 3 stars
Trigger warning: religious cults

Synopsis:
THE WIDOW'S PROTECTOR
Lark Porter thinks she'll find answers about her husband's death when she returns to their former home, but someone doesn't like the questions she's asking. She's quickly taken captive, and all that stands between her and certain death is a mysterious stranger telling her to trust him if she wants to get out alive. Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team member Cyrus Mitchell marvels at Lark's strength and determination to survive. The closer they get to freedom, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Once free, though, it takes all the skills and training Cyrus has to outmaneuver the deadly killers on their trail.

Favourite character: Boone (for this series, always Boone)
Least favourite character: N/A

Mini-review:
So this was fun. I mentioned this before but I'm not a fan of reading about cults, so that was hard to get past, especially because it's the majority of the book. We got to know so much about Lark, but nothing about Cyrus. At the beginning we hear a bit about a mission gone wrong and how he wants to prove that he still has it or something like that, but then after we find out what the girl's name was, nothing about his past, personality or back story is ever mentioned again, which I didn't appreciate.

Fan-cast:
Lark Porter - Tiya Sircar
Cyrus Mitchell - Sebastian Stan
Profile Image for Books and Spoons.
1,612 reviews32 followers
June 2, 2015
If you enjoy heart stopping action filled dangerous situations, mixed with clean and sweet romance, and team working together to catch the criminals, you will love this story.
From the beginning of the book, the story kept a hold of me, the danger was present and palpable, the escape from the cult perilous, the continuing attacks for Lark's life kept everyone, including me, on the toes and fearing for her life.
The connection Lark and Cyrus have, is tender and sweet, adorable. They seem to bring the best in each other. Cyrus respects and honors the marriage she had, and the memory of the dead husband. The few affectionate moments they have in the midst of the danger made me sigh. The conversations they have, sharing with each other about their lives built a trust and understanding between them. When everything in the situation is out of control, they trust God to guide them, and keep them safe, reminding each other, that He is in control.
The HEART team's work is seamless and professional. The banter between them an obvious sign how much they care for each other, the respect for each others abilities clear in their interactions.
I enjoyed this story immensely, and I'm looking forward to more in the series
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
3,912 reviews1,763 followers
March 4, 2017
This is the third book in this series -- and there are seven to date. Thankfully they all read brilliantly as standalones but beware -- these books are addictive and once you've read one story you'll need to read them all. That's why Exit Strategy has landed here on Retro Saturday. I somehow missed it first time round. As soon as I realized that (after reading book #7) I hightailed it over to the publisher's website and nabbed a copy. And just in time too. They only have larger print editions left -- sold out of regular print!

So, make sure you have a spare oxygen tank on stand-by. You're going to need it because of the non-stop action and fast-paced plot. Riveting. I have callouses on my fingers from gripping the book so hard. Phew! And the circumstances and setting add to the urgency. Cyrus is all gruff and stand-offish (in the sweetest way) and Lark is so fiercely stubborn. He can't help but admire her tenacity despite the trouble she causes. And she has to fight the temptation to lean on him. Wills clash and tempers rise as these two try to unravel a dangerous mystery that might just cost them their lives. But you can be sure that love emerges amidst all that angst in the most delicious way. Such a fantastic read!
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews274 followers
June 24, 2019
Shirlee McCoy is one of the best authors of inspirational romantic suspense ever! I discovered her books last year and now I'm working on reading my way through them all. For a solid week I've read nothing but her books. I have a long way to go, too.

Her books hold your attention from the first paragraph and you are completely consumed with getting to the end and finding out the conclusion . Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,082 reviews121 followers
July 3, 2022
Such a great story. I love Lark and Cyrus, and the rest of the hearts.
2,323 reviews38 followers
June 3, 2015

4 STARS

This is the third book in the Mission Rescue series. I like this series. Exit Strategy was exciting, lots of drama, mystery and romance. Is a clean read too. I like the characters of Hart.

Lark Porter is a widow in a lot of trouble. She is a prisoner, who has not eaten for days because every time she eats she is drugged. Lark came back to the compound to try and find who murdered her husband.

Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team member Cyrus Mitchell. Has come to Amos Way and got a job in security. He was really looking for Lark Porter for a friend.

Amos Way is a commune for a religious sect. Elijah Clayton was the leader. They had a fence and a security force. The compound was watched over with security cameras. In the middle of no where in the Pennsylvania forest. There was something more going on here than just a religion.

Cyrus went in without backup. They took his cell, keys and money away. No cars in the compound at all.

This has car chases, shootouts and lots of other drama. This was a good story. One other thing I like while the characters fall in love fast they don't rush into sleeping together or even marriage fast. It seems more real that way.

I like Shirlee McCoy's writing style. I will continue to keep reading her stories in the future.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Exit Strategy
Profile Image for Donna.
855 reviews43 followers
May 31, 2015
In exit strategy we meet Lark who is being held against captive after asking a few too many questions about her husbands supposed suicide. It's a good opening scene definitely captures your attention. She has a very interesting backstory that helps you understand how she got into her plight. She is a strong female and you appreciate her will to not give up. She is trying to find answers to her husband’s death and someone wants to make sure she quits asking questions.

Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team member Cyrus comes to her rescue. But will she trust him. He is impressed with her strength. I loved Cyrus’ character. The addition of his team was well done and I suspect there are other books in the series. This one stands alone very well however you want to read the stories of the other team members because they are also likeable. It's very action-packed and over half the book feels like a chase scene.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,215 reviews598 followers
March 29, 2016
Exit Strategy was a good Love Inspired Suspense read. The story starts out with suspense and pretty much keeps up the intensity throughout the story.

I liked the characters, for the most part, and found the mystery of who killed her husband and what clues (if any) did her husband leave her, interesting.

While I haven't read this series in order (only read the fourth book prior to this one), that hasn't hampered my enjoyment. I recommend it if you like these types of stories.

*I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
Profile Image for John Hanscom.
1,169 reviews17 followers
May 3, 2015
Maybe as much as 4 1/2. Definitely on my nonexistent "top ten list." Congratulations to Ms. McCoy. I have read A LOT of these "love inspired suspense" novels [plus a few historical ones which don't involve cowboys. What is the fascination with cowboys?]. Every genre has a formula; this novel breaks out of the mold. We are placed directly into the action, and the action just keeps going. The female protagonist is VERY strong, without being in a "male" profession, such as police officer. The two protagonists actually talk to each other, rather than deciding what the other MUST believe ["She/he can't possibly love me, because ......."]
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,497 reviews26 followers
April 22, 2019
Lark Porter married a man she met in college who was basically part of a cult. His strong commitment to God, doing the right thing, and his simple honesty. They had a few good years together, then he was gone. Lark suspects he was murdered by the very cult he was a part of. So when her in-laws ask her to bring a few pictures of their son because they got special permission to have them, Lark takes the chance, planning on investigating the death of her husband. Only she doesn't realize they have no intention of letting her leave.

Cyrus Mitchell specializes in infiltration and extraction (and is a sniper to boot) for HEART, Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team. He came to Amos Way to repay a debt. His job, find Lark Porter and extract her if it was needed. Thing is, he didn't actually think she needed it until he saw her.

As far as a cult in a book goes, this is a pretty standard cult. Security force to keep members in, punish and off troublemakers, and keep outsiders out. The property is surrounded by a high fence with barbed wire at the top and pressure sensors. There are spotlights, cameras everywhere, and all vehicles are held in the garage with a limited amount of gas. Elijah Clayton is the crazed cult leader. They deal in illegal firearms.

Things start off fast with a hostage break out, an on foot chase followed by a car chase, gun fight, explosions, etc. There is plenty going on, bit there is no mystery to what is going on. So the story relies fairly heavily on its standard repertoire of suspense used in christian suspense dramas. Mostly, car chases, explosions, pot shots taken at main characters, etc.

That said, It was still a decent read. It didn't hit any of the pet peeves. They dated for 7 months before Cyrus proposed, so it's not that terrible and pretty realistic.

Profile Image for Ashley Dawn.
Author 41 books81 followers
June 7, 2017
I completely enjoyed this book. Lark wants to know who murdered her husband. She didn't know her in-laws asking her for some of his things was a set up for her to be imprisoned by their leader. Now she is determined to escape and may have found help with the new 'guard' Cyrus. Cyrus was sent by a friend of Lark's to find her and thought it would be a quick, easy extraction if she wanted to be extracted at all. The more he finds at the compound, the more he realizes, it is going to take more than just him to keep Lark safe.
I loved that Lark was so strong. She was captured, drugged, and tied up but she was still determined to get away. Not only that but she was still determined to find out who murdered her husband. Cyrus is such a steady, calculating man. I liked that his team was there for him in an instant, no questions asked. I also liked that he was determined to keep Lark safe even after his 'initial mission' to get her out was over. Several layers to this story and I loved how the author laid it all out.
It was a 5/5 for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Profile Image for Tima.
1,678 reviews128 followers
July 12, 2017
Lark knows that her husband was murdered. It might have been explained away as a suicide, but she knows that her husband would never leave her like that. So she returns to the commune where they lived before his death. But now she's being held captive and a stranger is telling her to trust him to get them both out. Lark isn't sure if she can trust Cyrus, but for now, he's her only hope.

This book was very suspenseful. The author did a great job of creating tension from the very beginning and continuing it throughout the book. This is book #3 in the series, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous books, so I would definitely say it can be read as a stand alone. But there were a few things that I didn't understand or weren't clarified by the time I'd finished reading so either the author was paving the way for the next book in the series or I did actually miss something from a previous book. Overall, I enjoyed the suspense and drama, the relationship and the chemistry was good between the two main characters, and the author left me wanting to read more.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
2,138 reviews54 followers
August 30, 2022
This novel by Shirlee McCoy, one of my favorite Love-Inspired writers, was full of intrigue and suspense as Lark and Cyrus try to find out what is going on in a religious commune. Lark is sure her husband did not commit suicide as the leaders of the commune insist, and she is trying to prove it. Some powerful people want her to return an item they insist she took from them; but, unfortunately, Lark doesn't know what that is. As they are met with one obstacle after another, Lark and Cyrus must learn to trust each other. I enjoyed reading this book and seeing how clever the two main characters had to be to stay alive.
1,141 reviews7 followers
January 21, 2019
An exciting read. Lark is trying to find answers about her husband's death. She doesn't believe he killed himself so she returns to Amos Way to find what happened. But they take her captive and lock her up, demanding she return what she took. She doesn't know what they are talking about. Cyrus is there undercover looking for Lark. Will he be able to help her escape? or will they both die trying to get away from an evil man?
338 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2022
Lark is trying to find out why her husband has been killed and knows that it has something to do with the cult that he grew up in. She is being held prisoner in an old trailer and doesn't know if she will ever be able to make it to safety. A member of the cult's security team (Cyrus Mitchell, a member of HEART) is sent to the trailer to check on her and he tells her to just trust him. They manage to get away only to have trouble follow them.
666 reviews3 followers
April 21, 2019
AWESOME!!!!!

This was a great book. It just goes to show that, as depicted all through this book,God's grace and mercy goes with us no matter where we go to carry out His plan and to protect His children when they obey Him.
Profile Image for Deloris  Mercer.
309 reviews
February 8, 2018
Great book

Thank you Ms. McCoy for this great book. The characters are going to grab you, and the setting is wonderful. Great series.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,339 reviews38 followers
July 10, 2018
This is the 3rd book I read by Shirlee McCoy. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 3 because I couldn't get into this storyline.
Profile Image for Danielle Cress.
Author 4 books23 followers
October 12, 2018
Awesome story with a jaw-dropping ending! Shirlee McCoy never ceases to amaze me!
4,416 reviews28 followers
December 12, 2018
Exit Strategy review

Exit Strategy is the third fast paced romantic suspense book in the Mission: Rescue series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
Profile Image for Rosalind.
11 reviews
July 27, 2019
Wonderful suspense. Shirley McCoy brings the reader into the story, as she always does. Heart pounding action with a clear message of God's love and protection.
105 reviews
June 14, 2022
Exceiient. Dives right into the story within the first few pages. Keeps you guessing until the last chapter or so who is behind the plot.
Profile Image for Kayla Upchurch.
155 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2022
This book I picked up at first and had to come back to it again but after I got into the plot and characters it was an okay book
Profile Image for Jessie Bee.
602 reviews6 followers
July 30, 2024
good book

Lark finally gets answers about her husband’s murder. She had to endure a lot of pain and because she and Cyrus worked together they got their answers. Another good book.
Profile Image for Kathy Davie.
4,876 reviews738 followers
August 23, 2016
Third in the Mission: Rescue romantic suspense series and revolving around a hostage rescue team. The couple focus is on Lark Porter and Cyrus Mitchell.

My Take
Phew…this was intense. A bad situation that needs to be put right. One that a very determined woman intends to fix.

Lark's reactions felt true to her character — McCoy made me believe in her moral code and did a nice job in portraying her — even though part of me was annoyed with her. She was so amazingly naive and stubborn, and I wanted to smack her upside the head. Cyrus seemed pretty unreal with his incredible patience, coping with Lark's intransigence.

McCoy kept it short by not going into any depth about the cult or its members. It didn't really need it for the most part, as that particular trope about evil cult leaders held true. Unfortunately, McCoy kept it much too succinct in some areas — the truth about Eric comes to mind. And I'd love to know what Maria was thinking!

Over all, it was a good story with a cozy ending.

The Story
Lark has come to Amos Way to get justice for her beloved husband.

Elijah wants something her husband stole.

The Characters
Lark Porter is a fifth-grade schoolteacher these days. Joshua had been her husband. The man who returned to Amos Way to teach the children. Grateful for the opportunities Amos Way had given him.

Cyrus Mitchell, a.k.a., Louis Morgan, is part of HEART and owes Essex big time.

Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team (HEART) is…
…headed up by Chance Miller, and they specialize in rescuing hostages from difficult situations. Stella Silverstone; Jackson Miller; Logan Fitzgerald, a former Marine; and, Boone Anderson are part of the team.

Essex Randolph is a fellow teacher, married to Janet. They have four kids, Essex, Jr., Eleanor, Eliza, and Elliot.

Amos Way is…
…a religious compound in Pennsylvania where its members have come to escape the world of temptation and sin. Elijah Clayton is the religious leader. John McDermott, Joshua's best friend, leads the compound's security team. Grace is John's wife.

Ethan is a member who…disappeared after questioning the disposition of the compound's finances. Eric and Maria Porter were Joshua's parents.

Sheriff Radley Johnson is the sheriff of River Fork, Elijah's half-brother. Agnes Renee bakes cookies.

Megan Wallace was a client who didn't make it back to her mother, Amber Wallace.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a muted landscape, looking down the hill to a small farmstead of red outbuildings tucked in against the autumn trees that surround it on three sides with half the cover devoted to a stormy looking sky. A narrow purple band across the top provides both publisher and genre while a brush stroke of deep red at the bottom provides background for the series title. The title itself is in white while the author's name is in a soft yellow.

Not just one Exit Strategy in this book, but many. From Joshua's original plan to Lark's intention to Elijah's own dreams.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
Read
July 29, 2015
Exit Strategy is by Shirley McCoy. It is book three in her series Mission: Rescue. It is a suspense and a romance.
Lake Porter returned to Amos Way to take some pictures and mementoes of her late husband to his parents who live in this commune. However, when she tried to leave, she could not. She had stayed to try to find out what really happened to her husband, he wasn’t the type to commit suicide She wanted to bring Elijah Clayton down. She failed to do this and now was imprisoned and tied up in a tiny trailer with John McDermott as her jailer. He was head of security at this institute. She was trying desperate ly to escape when Clyde Mitchell showed up.
Clyde Mitchell was a member of HEART to provide a place for people who were at their wits ends to find someone to help them when all other avenues have been tried. This time, Clyde was carrying out this mission to help repay Essex Randolph for saving Clyde’s life in Vietnam. All Lake knew was another man came into the trailer and wrestled her down when she tried to escape him. She fought him with all her might thinking he was here to kill her.
Can he get her out of the compound and keep her alive until he got her home. He knew he had to get her into the church where he could access the electric fences and security to disable it so they could get away. Once out, it is clear that someone wants her dead.
Can he keep her alive and find out who the killer is?
Profile Image for Paula Legate.
Author 17 books25 followers
June 25, 2016

Exit Strategy was an excellent book, that was action packed. The suspense made this a hard book to put down. This is not a good book to start before bed. You will stay up all night just to finish it. I loved the sweet romance between Lark, and Cyrus. I also loved how the Heart team worked as a team, and was close with one another, and was very good at what they did.

Lark Porter wants answers about her husband's death. She goes back to the compound where she and her husband had lived. The next thing she knows is she is being held captive. The compound claims to believe in God, But everyone follows and believes in a leader by the name of Elijah. Not everything is what it seems. Lark's husband had started uncovering what was really happening, but before he and Lark could move away he ended up dead. It was ruled a accident.

Cyrus came into the compound to rescue Lark. The action started there, and didn't let up till the end. This is one of those books that pulls you right in. Lark, and Cyrus made a good team. Lark was a strong heroine, and could get out of most situations. She was scared, but never showed it. She did what she had too to survive.

This book is going to be added to my list of favorites!
Profile Image for Amber.
398 reviews11 followers
August 1, 2016
First of all, I am a huge fan of Shirlee McCoy - I really love her other books! I wanted to like this story, but I just can't rate it more than a 2 because the main character, Lark, drove me nuts and it was so rushed, it didn't seem like any of it was practical - especially, the love story part.The premise of the book is a good one - maybe if it had been a normal 350+ page novel, there would've been more time to elaborate on the characters and situation, thus making the story more believable and enjoyable. I almost feel guilty writing this review :(
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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