Operation Shadow Box

Last Chance #1

by Jennifer Haynie

How do your bosses reward you for thwarting a kidnapping of the president’s daughter? Former Secret Service Agent Victor Chavez knows all too well. Despite his bravery, he loses his career and his fiancée. Now he works in private security as he struggles through his grief alone. Then Victor receives an offer from his best friend, FBI Special Agent Gary Walton—lead a covert operations team called Shadow Box. Victor jumps at the opportunity. Deborah Fields, Delta Force widow, mother of four children, and part-time marriage counselor, has found a new calling as a civilian web hunter for the FBI. She spends lonely hours tracking Murdock, a man responsible for the deaths of several undercover agents. When Deborah’s cover gets blown, Victor and the Shadow Box team take her into hiding. She’s out of harm’s way—maybe. While at Shadow Box’s headquarters, a friendship springs up between Victor and Deborah. He finds a safe place to grieve and ask questions. She discovers a new form of companionship. When Murdock’s handlers uncover Shadow Box’s location and close in, Victor will do anything to protect Deborah and her children—even die.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2015

About the author

Jennifer Haynie writes on-the-edge suspense for lovers of romantic suspense. She writes about strong women who not only survive challenges but learn to thrive in spite of them. She believes her stories should contain plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats as well as create identifiable characters. Her goal is to encourage people to think more deeply about their own lives and to encourage them through issues they may face.

She has published seven novels in the general indie market. As a member of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, she’s served as secretary during its first year and remains involved. She encourages indie authors by sharing her experiences.

In addition to her writing, Jennifer plays a vital role in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure. As part of her work, she regularly speaks to engineers, elected officials, local government staff, and political appointees about water and wastewater infrastructure issues. Since 2014, she’s completed presentations to over 1,500 people.
Jennifer has a penchant for fitness, which includes weightlifting, running, a good hike, and warm summer days spent kayaking. She and her husband also make occasional forays into national parks for camping where each trip turns into an adventure. They live with their two Basenji dogs outside of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Connect with Jennifer on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.jenniferhaynie.com.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprising

This story didn’t end up what I expected from the blurb.

It has a few different plots that converge into a big dramatic and intense storyline. The story is told from different perspectives and the intensity ratchets up.

There is Christian focus, but the author also includes torture and rape or the threat of rape against multiple female characters. This is pretty jarring and shocking considering the two of the main characters barely kiss later in the story.

Overall, this was an average read.

KU

[SylviaV · Rating 2 out of 5]

Operation Shadow Box (Last Chance #1) by Jennifer Haynie
The story outline is interesting, the characters are complex, the setting is good, yet for me the story telling did not work. It was Ok 2 stars.

[B. Fergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfinished story

I enjoyed the story but felt there were loose ends. What happened to the two main bad guys. What were their intensions. It was unclear what they were up to. Why did they want Maggie Hanson?

[Cynthia Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal

I really loved this book! Not only mystery, action, and adventure await you in the story, but good Christian values do too. Anyone who loves a good book, can't go wrong with this one!

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just misses

A lot of action, a little religion, an intricate plot, but characters that jump off the page or make you truly care about them

[Roger Mailhot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, easy to read, the plot is very much in today's reality.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

President Badin daughter has been kidnapped.
FBI Special Agent Gary Walton (DC, Counterterrorism) called the 1st. Meeting of the newly formed Shadow Box team.

Those present were: Victor Chavez (team Commander), Suleiman al-Ibrahim (former Hezbollah, sniper, observer), Fiona “Fi” Mercedes (former Army, private contractor pilot, pilot), Sana Jain (former Olympic gymnast, ninja, reformed cat burglar, breaking-&-entering specialist), Dr. Shelly
Wise (CSI, security-system specialist), Butch “Cajun Man” Addison (Ex-Special Forces sergeant, escape-&-evasion specialist, ordnance specialist, mechanic), Dr. Diana Kasem (former Army, cardiothoracic surgeon, Shadow Box), & Skylar James (former CIA agent, procurement officer).

What had happened between Makmoud Hidari & Rachel?
What was FBI Agent Victor Chavez doing with Liza Murphy (Deborah’s 1/2-sister)?
& what is Deborah “Deb” Fields (President, civilian contractor, web hunter, mom) role?

Will the Shadow Box team succeed in their mission?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written covert action book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great covert action movie, or mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will rate it at 4/5 stars.

Thank you for the free Story Cartel; On-the-Edge Publications; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Rita Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An attempted kidnapping of the President’s daughter Maggie McCall leads to an ambush and slaughter of government agents and grows into a conspiracy by the terrorist group who killed those agents.

Deborah Fields, a government web hunter, has uncovered a traitor that is passing secrets to these terrorists. The Operation Shadow Box team is called in when a plot is discovered to kill her. Their mission is to protect her with their lives.

Explosive action occurs when these two teams battle: one to protect Deborah and her family and the other to take them down.

This story will keep you reading until the end. I don't want to spill too much and spoil the suspense.

I sense the possibility of a sequel and hope to read more in the future of these characters.

[C Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good suspense! Ending is more complicated than the beginning! Victor Chavez is more driven than initially thought. More real than many of the "good guy wins" stories. "Things don't always end perfectly" this book almost has a "Shane" ending!