Ransom

Northern Border Patrol #4

by Terri Reed

Desperate to rescue her sister, a woman gets caught up in a diamond smuggling ring in this inspirational romantic suspense mystery.Liz Cantrell is terrified when she receives a call from a man holding her newlywed sister captive—and she’s convinced her sketchy brother-in-law’s involved. Willing to pay any price for her sister’s freedom, Liz flies to Niagara Falls with the an uncut diamond necklace worth millions. But the moment she lands, a handsome, world-weary Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent takes her into custody. Blake Fallon’s determined to catch a ruthless diamond smuggler—and the pretty antiques dealer trying to save her sister could be just the break his case needs. But as they team up to rescue Liz’s sister and trap the criminal mastermind, a desperate standoff will threaten everything they hold precious—including their lives.Northern Border Keeping the US–Canadian border safe

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Romance, Christian, Suspense, Harlequin, Mystery Thriller, Christian Fiction

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2016

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas.
She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd.
For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q
Be sure to follow Terri on BookBub for updates on her new releases
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/terri...

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if it was just me and the reading mood I was in while reading this, but I just didn't enjoy this as much as a different book in the series. I liked the setting, but the storyline just didn't hold my interest. :/

*I received a complimentary eBook copy via NetGalley for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed creates an intense suspense throughout, brought on by the well plotted tale, rather than by a bunch of explosions. The story was fast paced without rushing, allowing me to enjoy every minute of it. I appreciated the research that went behind putting the correct type of police officers in the correct areas. Reed didn’t allow prevalent stereotypes to stand in the way of a realistic portrayal of events.

Reed has developed some inviting characters to carry this story forward. Both main characters have complicated pasts that shape who they are today in very real & meaningful ways. She builds a sweet romance between them, built on mutual trust and understanding, as well as on circumstance.

This well written novel reads well on its own or as part of the series. It’s one of those tales where both the romance & the suspense stand out but rare inextricably woven together.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Elaine Nickolan · Rating 1 out of 5]

You win some, and you lose some. This was another pick from Ebay. The genre was listed as "Love Inspired Suspense". The only suspense was when would this book get to the suspense!
Liz finds out her sister is being held for ransom. Border agents get involved and from there the story totally goes off the "love" deep end. Every other paragraph has Liz questioning if she could feel love for this agent, could she go forward with her feelings, blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile the author repeats over and over how Liz is filled with fear for her sister, but of course, how would it feel to kiss the special agent.
I should have known this was going to be a uninspired "suspense" tale, but hey, it was cheap. Now to get thru the second book that is the same genre. Like Forest Gump says, "life is like a box of chocolates" and so is buying lot packages of books off Ebay.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Starts out with the words "WE HAVE YOUR SISTER" then goes really starts with a robbery by a thug who's trying muscle in on the Bos''s "madman's" Santini's action by stealing a necklace back that the husband stole to give to his new bride. This is a fantastic book. I rate it 5 stars.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping thriller follows a young woman whose sister is being held hostage. A necklace of unpolished diamonds is demanded from the heroine, who has an antique shop. She is of course told not to contact the police; terrified, she takes the diamonds and tries to head north to Canada as instructed, only to be nabbed by the Border Patrol at Niagara.

There are several scenes of danger right from the start. First the law enforcement suspect the heroine of smuggling, then they want her out of the way while they rescue the kidnap victim. But the chances of catching the gang leader are greater if they pretend to play along and let her deliver the jewels... until the gang finds out that she's with the police now. Somehow in all of this the lady develops an understated romance with one of the border agents, though it's clear they won't have time to do more than chat while the case remains unresolved. This makes the romance suitable for young adults as well as adults. I expect it's the suspense aspect which will draw more readers.

[Whitley Birks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liz gets a ransom call from someone who has kidnapped her sister, demanding a priceless diamond necklace that was stolen from a smuggler. Liz travels to Canada to deliver the ransom, but along the way is waylaid by ICE agent Blake. Blake already knows about the deal through an informant, and he enlists Liz's help to make the deal and catch the smuggler.

Which, really, is the least interesting way to go about this? Blake shows up on the scene already knowing everything, terrorizes Liz for no conceivable reason, and then the rest of the book is just a hostage exchange with various hangups. There's not a lot of tension between the two main characters, in fact there's not a lot of action between them at all, it's just "go to Point A and do Thing B" and then they do. "Now go to Point C and do Thing D," and then they do. I just didn't find it very compelling, and on top of that the leads barely had any romantic interactions (because there was no *time* for romantic interactions) and then spontaneously have a very involved relationship all within the last chapter/epilogue of the book.

Kind of okay I guess for a suspense short story, if you don't mind the really linear sort, but really a let down as a romance.

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started out with a robbery, and a kidnapping. It was one of those books that was hard to put down. I love books that are action packed, with suspense, and romance. This book had it all. Loved it. I’m also glad a certain couple got their happy ever after. The two deserved it after everything they went through.

[Diana McVicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't want to miss this book. Great storyline, and lots of heart stopping suspense!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terri Reed creates a fast paced, seat of your pants thrill ride with Ransom. A definite must read in this series!

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced. Another great couple. Terri Reed's Northern Border Patrol is getting better and better!

[Trixi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake Fallon & Liz Cantrell have one thing in common…..a ruthless diamond smuggler named Santini!
Terri plunges us right into the action starting with Liz’s attack at her sister’s apartment by one of Santini’s rivals. She has no idea what he’s after & once she escapes, she receives a phone call from her sister Jillian asking her to bring her mom’s jewelry case as instructed to Fort George. What’s inside is more valuable then she realizes, a necklace of uncut diamonds worth millions!
Blake, a US Immigration & Custom Enforcement agent (or ICE for short), stops her at the border of Canada claiming that she’s stolen the necklace, and unless she cooperates with him, will face prison time. What he really wants is Santini & will do whatever is necessary to retain him! He’s bitter and only wants revenge after his partner and best friend was killed years ago. His only hope to catch a thief is Liz, will she agree to join forces to achieve both of their goals?

I liked the balance of edge-of-your-seat suspense and action that kept you on your toes and reading well into the night! I also was able to connect to both Blake and Liz. I enjoyed how they came to trust each other and work through some past issues that had held each of them up from moving forward in their lives. I hadn’t read any of the other Northern Border Patrol books, but this was easy to follow & mentioned two previous characters, Drew and Samantha Kelly. I’m definitely going back to read “Joint Investigation” to learn more about them. The romance was light, but with such an intense case, made the anticipation even better for a happily ever after for these two! You can see the attraction, but it didn’t interfere with the suspense. Well written, vivid scenery, just the right amount of suspense and depth of character made for an enjoyable read!

**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review which I have provided here. I’m certainly going to be reading more from Terri!**

[Andrea Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read Christian suspense novels. I always fear the amount of "faith" that is involved in the story and how it will affect things.

Ransom worked really well. It is a very clean romance with a strong mystery. Liz wasn't the typical Christian fiction heroine. Though she was strong in faith, she was really smart and had a strong love for her sister.

Blake was great and though there was one point where I shook my head at his dialogue. I can't see any border control agent would describe Santini as "a bad man." This was a man that smuggled diamonds and had no qualms about possibly killing someone to get them.

Once I got past that Ransom was a very enjoyable story. The pacing was fast enough to keep my interest and a whole lot of drama.

There was the added villain in Ken who was trying to cut into Santini's business.

I loved the Niagara Falls setting. It made me long for the one vacation I had there when I was a little girl. I could really picture the frozen falls.

I loved the way the relationship between Blake and Liz grew even though they both had things in their past that made them weary of getting involved.

The other thing that bugged me was Jillian and her desire to stay married to Travis. He could have had her killed and she was ok with keeping her marriage vows. Sure there might have been some goodness in him, but stealing and getting someone kidnapped, that would have been a deal breaker for me.

It was a great read for this genre.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ransom by Terri Reed is part of the Northern Border Patrol series. I have really liked this series and this is a good, well written book... do you feel a but coming on.... the female lead just irritated me. I am all about being strong and determined just don't be stupid.
I really liked Blake and he seemed to like her stubbornness even though he admitted it could get them killed. Blake, a US Immigration & Custom Enforcement agent needs Liz to help him catch Santini who killed his partner.
Liz has received a call that her sister has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. The ransom is a necklace of uncut diamonds that Liz’s sister received from her newlywed husband. As she is trying to cross the Canadian border she is stopped by Blake.

It was a good mystery and there was a lot of action between Ken, Travis and Santini. I liked that it wasn't easy; the criminal was smart and had tools at his disposal.

Drew and Samantha Kelly. I’m definitely going back to read “Joint Investigation”

It was good to see Sami and Drew from Joint Investigation and we originally met Blake and Nathanial in Under the Mistletoe. I am hoping Nathaniel gets his story next.

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.

[Books and Spoons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, it has a perfect balance between the suspense, action, faith, and romance. It kept me on my toes when the action was high, and I enjoyed immensely, that there were time and place, in the story, for the affection, attraction, and love to grow.
I have enjoyed the previous books in the border patrol series, as well, so my expectations were high, and the author delivered! The criminal case, the action, tension accumulating, fear and danger for their lives all had a perfect timing. The many twists in the plot kept the intensity high, and the danger alive.
Blake and Liz had the attraction and affection for each other, yes, but they, or him, fought against it harder than most. For the author to give the time the characters needed, for the emotions to develop, and deepen, made the romance so much more powerful, profound.
Like in all Love Inspired books, the characters' faith in God plays a center part in the story. The moments when Blake and Liz were talking about their faith, their beliefs, and life is memorable, very tuned-in to the situation and to the story, to life in general.
Lots of surprises, unexpected turns in the plot, adorable romance that made me sigh, this story captured my mind from the page one, and kept the hold until the end.
~ Five Spoons

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Good clean action, romance ,suspense, Christian story. This is the fourth book in the series but stands alone really well.
It starts right off with the drama and keeps going . Liz Cantrell is being robbed then she gets a call that her sister has been kidnapped while on her honeymoon. Everybody is after a necklace even the good guys.

I like Liz she is willing to do a lot of things to protect others especially her sister. She runs a antique store and supports her sister since she was 20.

Blake Fallon is a customs enforcement wants to capture Idris Santini. Blake never plans to fall in love again. Blake is part of a group of Canada and US border patrol law enforcement work together.

The setting was Niagara falls, Canada

I like to read Terri Reed's books and will keep looking forward to reading more from her.

I was given this ebook from Netgalley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give a honest review.

[Kirsty Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprise in the best possible way, Terri Reed has managed to yet again provide the perfect balance between nail-biting suspense and heart-pounding romance. I fell for Blake right along with Liz, although both were completely relatable and adorably likable as they tried to fruitlessly fight their very obvious chemistry and deep connection. Liz's determination and loyalty to her sister made her an admirable woman, and I loved that she owned and operated an antiques store, one of my favourite kind of places, and witnessing how she allowed love to make her brave enough to take risks. Blake's realization that he doesn't have to be a lone-wolf, and that his incredibly strong well of feelings actually makes him stronger not weaker was beautifully realized. Even though this is the first book in the Northern Border Patrol series I've read, I enjoyed the carry-over of characters from previous books in a non-shoe-horned and very natural way, and am now dying to read Nathaniel's story!

[Pam Graber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terri Reed shines in this fourth installment of her Northern Border Patrol series for Love Inspired Suspense. Liz Cantrell's nightmare begins when a prowler breaks into her apartment attempting to steal her sister's jewelry box. Liz gets away with her life but the next blow follows rapidly with a phone call stating, "We've got your sister!" ICE agent, Blake Fallon, steps into the nightmare. He's been chasing the man who holds Liz' sister ever since Santini murdered his former partner. Can Liz trust Blake with not only her sister's life but her own?

With well-plotted thrills and twists and turns galore, Reed brings heart-pounding suspense to her readers in "Ransom." Her books are ALWAYS good and ALWAYS on my personal list of MUST READs! I highly recommend this one.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared for fast action and lots of suspense when you open this book. It starts with Liz's desperate (and misguided) attempt to save her sister. Cue the stalwart and inscrutable ICE agent. Be still my heart. Seriously droolworthy. Liz doesn't know what to make of Blake Fallon at first. He possesses a relentless determination to capture the criminal mastermind who killed his partner so we can forgive him his tendency towards taciturn. And it makes for such delicious romantic tension. The undercurrents between those two heighten an already tense read. And bonus -- Sami and Drew from Joint Investigation play a significant role in this story as well. Awesome from beginning to end.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series of books. I love the interworking’s between the two countries. I didn’t feel like this was as strong as the other novel’s in the series. The pacing seems to be the thing that trips me up. Sometimes it was slow and I had a hard time keeping interested. Sometimes it was face paced and intriguing. I felt that both the main characters were likeable and relatable. Although this is the fourth in the series, it is a stand-alone novel.
Rating: 3
Content: Clean, violence, kissing
Source: Netgalley

[Kate Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liz Cantrell is intent on rescuing her ditzy sister from the kidnapper (and perhaps also her sleaze-ball husband?). In setting out to do so, she encounters Blake Fallon, an ICE agent who is intent on solving all the cases he's assigned and protecting his heart against feeling anything for anyone.

Liz shakes up that intent and at the same time requires that she recognize how she feels about the man who has put his life on the line to help her.

But can either of them come out of this situation alive? The diamond smuggler is a killer and won't hesitate if it means saving his own skin.

[Myra Wardhana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just couldn't put this book down! And the suspense kept on going until close to the end, thought it would be over but then the other bad guy showed up.

And especially love the final chapter when at first Blake said his good bye to Liz at the airport when the ordeal was over but by that time everyone seems to know Blake has fallen in love with Liz and even Liz's sister knew that Liz has fallen for Blake too!

Definitely a keeper! So glad to find this book!

[Dawn Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. It is part of the Northern Border Patrol series but can be read as a stand alone. This is the story of Liz whose sister (Jillian) was kidnapped and is being held on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. When Liz travels there to deliver a necklace of uncut diamonds as a ransom, she meets Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Blake Fallon. This is a fast moving story as Liz works with Blake and other Northern Border Patrol agents to get her sister released.

[Harlequin Books]

"Minimal romance combines with strong elements of tension in this tale, which takes the reader on an adventure across the border as the characters work hard to let go of their pasts and overcome obstacles. There is great development of both the hero and heroine" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Miniseries:Northern Border Patrol

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, clean book. I liked seeing how the agents worked together. I really liked how her faith was just a part of who she was, and that she was not judgmental about others. The pacing was a little off at times, kind of hurry up and wait, but over all satisfactory.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom

Another great book by Terri Reed in the Northern Border Patrol series. Agent Blake Fallon stops Liz Cantrell as she goes into Canada with a stolen necklace thAt is to be the ransom for her kidnapped sister.

[Toniette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had 3 groups wanting this necklace of uncut diamonds: the Feds, the guy it was stolen from and a guy who heard about the necklace because Liz's thieving brother-in-law blabbed. What a dumb butt!!!

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my review in the February 2016 issue of RT Bookreviews Magazine.

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries:Northern Border Patrol

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

You cannot go wrong with a book by Terri Reed. This was a quick, easy read filled with suspense and drama. Give it a chance, you won't be sorry you did.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, solid Christian romantic suspense book.