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FBI Heat #1
Hunted
For San Diego's elite FBI agents, risking their lives is standard procedure when it comes to capturing the city's most dangerous criminals-but falling in love is the greatest risk of all.
Catching bad guys in San Diego's underworld isn't just FBI Special Agent Ben Alfren's job, it's his life. He doesn't have time for a serious relationship, doesn't want one either. So when he meets his sexy new neighbor, Amber Jollett, he has nothing more in mind than unwinding with a glass of wine, a romantic walk on the beach...and maybe a hot fling.
But Amber is more than he bargained for. Her job as a nurse has brought her face-to-face with women caught in a human trafficking ring, women she's determined to help. As Ben and Amber plot to rescue the women, the attraction between them flares into passion. But they'll learn that in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, real love can save - or doom - them . . .
Catching bad guys in San Diego's underworld isn't just FBI Special Agent Ben Alfren's job, it's his life. He doesn't have time for a serious relationship, doesn't want one either. So when he meets his sexy new neighbor, Amber Jollett, he has nothing more in mind than unwinding with a glass of wine, a romantic walk on the beach...and maybe a hot fling.
But Amber is more than he bargained for. Her job as a nurse has brought her face-to-face with women caught in a human trafficking ring, women she's determined to help. As Ben and Amber plot to rescue the women, the attraction between them flares into passion. But they'll learn that in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, real love can save - or doom - them . . .
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
12 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Garner
10 books270 followersI’m Marissa Garner. I’m a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, I cut pictures of people out of my mother’s magazines and turned them into characters in my simple stories. Now I write sexy paranormal romantic suspense, steamy contemporary romance, and edgy romantic thrillers. I live in sunny Southern California with my husband, but enjoy traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and to many locations in between.
I write romance to titillate your mind as well as your libido. My stories appeal to romance readers who:
I write romance to titillate your mind as well as your libido. My stories appeal to romance readers who:
•Choose French Silk over vanilla
•Don’t always color inside the lines and don’t like being told no
•Think some rules are made to be broken
•Have the courage to push the envelope when they’re passionate about something
•Believe fiction should be as unpredictable as real life
If this sounds like your kind of romance, have fun exploring my website and stories.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 26, 2015
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Amber's dangerously psychotic ex-boyfriend has been stalking her for the last couple years, forcing her to move every couple months. She's at a job she loves but has started to get the feeling that her ex is moving in and with her job already in danger of being lost due to the business losing money, it looks like it could be time to move on again. When Ben sees Amber trying to avoid a jerk at their apartment mixer, he is instantly attracted to her but as a FBI agent, his job doesn't exactly allow for ease of starting a relationship. However, their attraction can't be ignored and when Amber possibly stumbles upon a clue to the current case Ben is working on, it's looking like fate wants these two together.
The beginning of this book had kind of a rough start for me, from the ridiculously over the top aggressive douchebag at the apartment mixer that won't take no for an answer from Amber to the somewhat dry relaying of facts/details that introduced our characters and settings. Essentially, Ben the FBI agent is working a case where a group of Mexican male illegal immigrants turn themselves in because they feel their wives/girlfriends/daughters that they crossed the border with were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. Amber works at a surrogate clinic that has had numerous people canceling appointments and one rude man asking why they charge so much. Amber does some investigating and finds a new clinic drastically undercutting their prices and strangely, all the surrogate mothers they are offering are Hispanic. That is the main storyline but there was also Amber's psycho ex-boyfriend, Gary the apartment complex douchebag who won't stop needlessly showing up, Amber and Ben's growing relationship, Amber's boss' out of nowhere character turn, Ben's inability to stop discussing his ex-girlfriend, the woman FBI agent who played somewhat of a red herring but in a weird way, and the drug cartel drama. I think the author thought the more "maybe they're guilty!" offshoots she could throw out there, the more suspenseful the story would be, it didn't work out that way for me, just felt overcrowded with needless components.
The story seemed to follow Amber (trying to find out why her clinic is losing clients) and Ben (trying to find the missing Hispanic women)more separately than them together. Their attraction was pretty instant, they're sleeping together, and while we have two self-proclaimed commitment phobes, they only seem to think of themselves in that way, rather than acting that way. Amber repeatedly talks about Ben's blue eyes, abs, and six foot frame, she's physically attracted alright but that was about as far as the depth seemed to go between the two. It was hard to sense Ben falling in love with Amber as he repeatedly talked about his ex-girlfriend and how extremely hard it was to get over her. I'm not a fan of my heroes seemingly hung-up on past partners and it got to the point where I felt, does Ben doth protest too much? (I noticed the next book in the series is about Ben's ex-girlfriend so maybe the author was trying to drum up interest in the character)
When Ben and Amber did have their interactions, the conversations felt stilted (at times also felt that way with other characters) and I never felt any chemistry. The suspense aspect, Ben working the case of finding the Hispanic women, was probably the strongest part of the book but the trees aspect of it worked better than the forest, if that makes any sense.
Personally, this story just had too many unbelievable (you're literally fearing for your life and moving every two-three months but refuse to give up a job in your very specific sector?) or not clicking points and lacked in the romance department for it to work for me. The ending was outrageously abrupt, after flipping back and forth about four times to make sure I didn't miss a page, I laughed at how sudden it was. The author is fairly new, so maybe try to see if her writing style would work for you, but I have to say for me, overall, it didn't.
Amber's dangerously psychotic ex-boyfriend has been stalking her for the last couple years, forcing her to move every couple months. She's at a job she loves but has started to get the feeling that her ex is moving in and with her job already in danger of being lost due to the business losing money, it looks like it could be time to move on again. When Ben sees Amber trying to avoid a jerk at their apartment mixer, he is instantly attracted to her but as a FBI agent, his job doesn't exactly allow for ease of starting a relationship. However, their attraction can't be ignored and when Amber possibly stumbles upon a clue to the current case Ben is working on, it's looking like fate wants these two together.
The beginning of this book had kind of a rough start for me, from the ridiculously over the top aggressive douchebag at the apartment mixer that won't take no for an answer from Amber to the somewhat dry relaying of facts/details that introduced our characters and settings. Essentially, Ben the FBI agent is working a case where a group of Mexican male illegal immigrants turn themselves in because they feel their wives/girlfriends/daughters that they crossed the border with were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. Amber works at a surrogate clinic that has had numerous people canceling appointments and one rude man asking why they charge so much. Amber does some investigating and finds a new clinic drastically undercutting their prices and strangely, all the surrogate mothers they are offering are Hispanic. That is the main storyline but there was also Amber's psycho ex-boyfriend, Gary the apartment complex douchebag who won't stop needlessly showing up, Amber and Ben's growing relationship, Amber's boss' out of nowhere character turn, Ben's inability to stop discussing his ex-girlfriend, the woman FBI agent who played somewhat of a red herring but in a weird way, and the drug cartel drama. I think the author thought the more "maybe they're guilty!" offshoots she could throw out there, the more suspenseful the story would be, it didn't work out that way for me, just felt overcrowded with needless components.
The story seemed to follow Amber (trying to find out why her clinic is losing clients) and Ben (trying to find the missing Hispanic women)more separately than them together. Their attraction was pretty instant, they're sleeping together, and while we have two self-proclaimed commitment phobes, they only seem to think of themselves in that way, rather than acting that way. Amber repeatedly talks about Ben's blue eyes, abs, and six foot frame, she's physically attracted alright but that was about as far as the depth seemed to go between the two. It was hard to sense Ben falling in love with Amber as he repeatedly talked about his ex-girlfriend and how extremely hard it was to get over her. I'm not a fan of my heroes seemingly hung-up on past partners and it got to the point where I felt, does Ben doth protest too much? (I noticed the next book in the series is about Ben's ex-girlfriend so maybe the author was trying to drum up interest in the character)
When Ben and Amber did have their interactions, the conversations felt stilted (at times also felt that way with other characters) and I never felt any chemistry. The suspense aspect, Ben working the case of finding the Hispanic women, was probably the strongest part of the book but the trees aspect of it worked better than the forest, if that makes any sense.
Personally, this story just had too many unbelievable (you're literally fearing for your life and moving every two-three months but refuse to give up a job in your very specific sector?) or not clicking points and lacked in the romance department for it to work for me. The ending was outrageously abrupt, after flipping back and forth about four times to make sure I didn't miss a page, I laughed at how sudden it was. The author is fairly new, so maybe try to see if her writing style would work for you, but I have to say for me, overall, it didn't.
November 17, 2015
Amber is a woman on the run with danger only a couple of steps behind. Ben is an FBI agent in the middle of a dangerous investigation. Neither one of them is interested in a serious relationship, but the close proximity of living in the same apartment complex briefly throws them together. They have an immediate chemistry, but it is more of a slow burn that develops over the course of several somewhat casual "dates". Something about Amber draws Ben and makes him consider taking things to a more serious level, but Amber knows she will just have to run again and she can't risk losing her heart to Ben. She keeps him at arms length and tries to take care of everything herself. Only when suspicious things begin happening at her workplace, does Amber start to coincide in Ben. Surprisingly, they find that Amber's problems at work are actually entwined with Ben's investigation. Just as things heat up, the stalker Amber has been running from closes in. Torn between doing his job and protecting Amber, Ben can't help but wonder if he is risking the only woman destined to be his.
This was my first experience with this author, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the story and the well written characters. Ben was especially endearing and sexy.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.
This was my first experience with this author, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the story and the well written characters. Ben was especially endearing and sexy.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.
December 29, 2015
Hunted is a romantic suspense and my first book by Marissa Garner. I was concerned that it might be too violent when in the prologue several Hispanic women are kidnapped and suspected of being used for sex trafficking. I am glad I stuck with it because I am now a fan of Marissa Garner. Ben is an FBI agent trying to find the missing women. He also happens to live in the same apartment complex as Amber. Amber is a Surrogacy nurse. She starts researching why her clinic is losing clients. She is also hiding from a crazy violent ex-boyfriend. Good interaction and chemistry between Amber and Ben.
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.
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.
August 9, 2020
Catching bad guys in San Diego's underworld isn't just FBI Special Agent Ben Alfren's job, it's his life. He doesn't have time for a serious relationship, doesn't want one either. So when he meets his sexy new neighbor, Amber Jollett, he has nothing more in mind than unwinding with a glass of wine, a romantic walk on the beach...and maybe a hot fling. Not only do they get caught up in each other, but also a human trafficking ring.
January 14, 2018
I picked this book up last year but didn't realize I had it until I finished Garner's newest book. I love a great FBI series and was excited to start this new series. Ms. Garner did not disappoint with this story about human trafficking. I was hooked from the beginning and read it in one day. I'll definitely read the rest of the series.
Read
December 7, 2015DNF @25%.
Couldn't get into this one.
Couldn't get into this one.
November 19, 2015
This is the first time I have read anything by Marissa Garner and I wish I could say that I found this book exciting but I found it middle of the line for Romantic Suspense novels. As a reader found the male lead to be slightly condescending to Amber the female lead though out the book. Beginning to end you knew what would happen next without needing to read. There was zero surprises and the book would drag on to the point I started to speed read so I as a reader could get to something interesting.
Marrissa used the word dick one to many times for my taste and apparently Ben's penis agrees with his thoughts all the time.
What I love about a suspense novels is the fear something might happen to the character you fall in love with put personally this read like a lifetime movie. You knew everything that would happen before it happened.
ARC sent from Netgelley
Marrissa used the word dick one to many times for my taste and apparently Ben's penis agrees with his thoughts all the time.
What I love about a suspense novels is the fear something might happen to the character you fall in love with put personally this read like a lifetime movie. You knew everything that would happen before it happened.
ARC sent from Netgelley
February 24, 2016
I recieved this book free while I was a guest judge. I peronally loved this book. Ben and Amber are wonderful characters. i loved their interactions. ib had never heard of Marissa Garner before this book but have now added her to my book wishlist of authors to read. great book
March 8, 2017
This was my first book by this author. I enjoyed it. It was a quick read for me. Strong lead characters and action without over analyzing their feelings too much. I would have liked to have seen a little more threats by Jeremy to add to the suspense part. The thing that bothered me, which is probably stupid, but I couldn't get past the author using her own name as a character. This just seemed a little cheesy to me. Like she couldn't come up with any other name to use.
November 28, 2015
DNF-- simply couldn't get into it. The story has potential, but the execution (at least in the first quarter of the book) was mediocre. With so many things on my TBR, it wasn't worth the effort to keep going with this one.
October 28, 2016
Great plot, I love this author! Her story telling is superb! Need to find her additional books and read those also.
January 14, 2017
This is the first time I have read any books written by this author and really enjoyed this book, will read the next one in this series
December 10, 2017
Mexicans trying to illegally get into the United States only to be kidnapped and used for nefarious purposes, a woman trying to hid from an abusive ex and a surrogate centre that's going under due to a new competitor with cheaper options available... this novel seems to have it all. Characters that shock and scare you as well as underdogs that you want to cheer for. However, this novel feels as if it's a lot longer than it needs to be. A couple links were clearly made for the characters long before they realised it and as a result there is a section that feels like filler. However, that doesn't detract from how interesting the novel is and how the author has the ability to keep the reader focused enough to want to continue reading.
It's a good read if you enjoy a good dose of romance in your crime novel.
It's a good read if you enjoy a good dose of romance in your crime novel.
January 23, 2019
Great story - could be a movie!
Love the thrilling action with the romance. Characters are complex and the plot is strong. A current story with twists that keep you reading. A great book!
Love the thrilling action with the romance. Characters are complex and the plot is strong. A current story with twists that keep you reading. A great book!
May 22, 2020
I 're-discovered' this novel on my kindle during my covid reading binge. :)
A quick read, I enjoyed how the story lines came together around the surrogate issue, a twist I hadn't seen before.
A quick read, I enjoyed how the story lines came together around the surrogate issue, a twist I hadn't seen before.
December 17, 2015
Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
Amber Jollett is tired of running, and so she should be after two years, of trying to stay ahead of a stalker. Meeting her handsome neighbor, FBI agent Ben Alfren, seems like a dream come true. As he may just be the one man that can help keep her safe, if she’s willing to trust him with her secrets. However, her stalker isn’t the only problem she has to worry about. It seems the FBI need her help with a case. Read More
July 27, 2018
2.5 stars. I’ll try the next book and see.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews