Lightning Lingers

Lightning Strikes #2

by Barbara Freethy

From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the second book in a new romantic suspense trilogy: Lightning Strikes. In these connected novels, lightning leads to love, danger, and the unraveling of long-buried secrets that will change not only the past but also the future…

Katherine Barrett, a dedicated young doctor, receives a terrified phone call from her brother, TJ. He is running away to Mexico to save himself and their family from an unnamed killer. He warns her not to come after him and not to go to the police, as there is no one she can trust. But Katherine realizes there might be someone she can trust…

She turns to her former high school sweetheart Jake Monroe—the man whose heart she broke a decade earlier. Katherine asks Jake to fly her into a remote and dangerous part of Mexico where no one else dares to go.

Jake had always thought that one day Katherine would realize she needed him, but he didn't expect it to go down this way. Still, he can't resist the beautiful blonde he has never been able to forget.

They set off on an adventure that will take them into the past, unravel a decade of secrets, and lead them into the heart of a lightning storm that will change the way they look at their families, the world, and each other…

Also Available in the Lightning Strikes Trilogy:
Beautiful Storm (#1)
Lightning Lingers (#2)
Summer Rain (#3) Coming Soon!

PRAISE FOR BARBARA FREETHY NOVELS:

"Powerful and absorbing...sheer hold-your-breath suspense."-- NYT Bestselling Author Karen Robards on Don’t Say A Word

"In the tradition of LaVyrle Spencer, gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart- touching romance." -- NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs on Summer Secrets

"This book has it all: heart, community, and characters who will remain with you long after the book has ended. A wonderful story." -- NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on Suddenly One Summer

"Freethy has a gift for creating complex characters."-- Library Journal

"Barbara Freethy is a master storyteller with a gift for spinning tales about ordinary people in extraordinary situations and drawing readers into their lives." -- Romance Reviews Today

"Freethy’s skillful plotting and gift for creating sympathetic characters will ensure that few dry eyes will be left at the end of the story." -- Publishers Weekly on The Way Back Home

"Freethy skillfully keeps the reader on the hook, and her tantalizing and believable tale has it all– romance, adventure, and mystery."-- Booklist on Summer Secrets

"Freethy’s story-telling ability is top-notch."
-- Romantic Times on Don't Say A Word

"A page-turner that engages your mind while it tugs at your heartstrings...Don’t Say A Word has made me a Barbara Freethy fan for life!" -- NYT Bestselling Author Diane Chamberlain on Don’t Say a Word

"Golden Lies is an absolute treasure, a fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love Golden Lies." Kristin Hannah

"Freethy's smooth prose, spirited storytelling and engaging characters, are sure to send readers on a treasure hunt for the author's backlist books." Publishers Weekly

"I love The Callaways! Heartwarming romance, intriguing suspense and sexy alpha heroes. What more could you want?" -- NYT Bestselling Author Bella Andre

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

Barbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.

Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.

When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!

For a complete list of her books, visit her website!

Reviews

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

The second book the Lightning Strikes series by Barbara Freethy. Katherine Barrett has finished her internship and is headed home, after getting a phone call from her brother, TJ. TJ says he feels he is in danger and is going to hide out in Mexico. Katherine feels guilty that she has been so unavailable while going to med school and then her internship in Houston. She is determined to find TJ and make things right with her family. So she hires a private plane to go to Mexico and the pilot is her old boyfriend, Jake Monroe. Jake is resentful about the way Katherine left him years ago but he wants to get answers himself about the death of his father and going to Mexico may help him get those answers.

Not as good as the first book in the series but I still enjoyed it. Jake and Katherine story is done but there is still unresolved issues that should be answered in the next book. Not a cliffhanger but the story still goes on.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Lingers, is book two in the Lightning Strikes series by Barbara Freethy. When Katherine Barrett received a call from her brother TJ saying he is in trouble. The phone call helped Katherine Barrett to decide to come home to Corpus Christi. When Katherine arrived back in Corpus Christi, she found out that TJ is missing and she needed help to find him. This discussion caused Katherine Barrett to call her childhood boyfriend, Jake Monroe for help. The readers of Lightning Lingers will continue to follow Katherine Barrett and Jake Monroe to see what happens.

"Lightning Lingers", is the second book I have read of Barbara Freethy, and the more I read of her books more I love them. I enjoy Barbara Freethy writing style and the way she portrayals and intertwines her characters. "Lighting Lingers" is well written and researched by Barbara Freethy. The settings and the plot of "Lighting Lingers" engaged me from the beginning.

The readers of Lightning Lingers will learn about the lightning and the devastation that lightning storms can have on planes, forests and buildings. Also, the readers of Lightning Lingers will understand the problems corruption can have on everyone involved.

I recommend this book.

[Triinu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Lingers: Lightning Strikes Book 2 is by Barbara Freethy. It too deals with Mayan beliefs in lightning. It is a thriller and a romance bound together by family love. It is a fantastic book and I simply could not put it down.
Katherine Barrett is finally finished with her residency and is a full-fledged doctor. However, she is having problems feeling elated. It could be because she is exhausted after her final night shift; but it seems to be more than that. Before she can figure it out, her brother TJ calls. He is somewhere in Mexico and is fleeing from some unknown people who are after him. He thinks he knows why but can’t tell her. He indicates he is going to the village where Jake Monroe’s great-great grandmother lives. He wants her to know he needs her to take care of their Mother who is not doing well with dementia. Before she can ask questions, he is gone and doesn’t answer his phone when she calls back. She leaves Houston immediately for Corpus Christi and gets there after driving all night. After seeing to her mother, she decides to charter a plane to find TJ. The only person she trusts is someone who now hates her for dumping him- Jake Monroe. Will he help?
Jake is visiting with his sisters who are actually home and his mother when he gets a call from Rusty who owns the charter service he works for. When he gets to the planes, he finds Katherine waiting for him. Since he is the only pilot available, it is up to him to fly Katherine to Mexico. After hearing her story, he tells her she needs to talk to his sister, Alicia, as she knows more about MDT who TJ works for than anyone else he knows. Alicia tells Katherine what has been going on and that TJ must know more about it. Alicia has a friend at the FBI who she will contact to talk to TJ when they return. Now it is up to Jake to get her to Mexico.
Plane crashes, vast mountain ranges, flash floods, kidnappings, lightning, fires, explosions, and a little mysticism thrown in make Katherine and Jake’s visit to Mexico and their search for TJ and the truth much more difficult. What will they find?

[Cruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Barbara Freethy
First published: 2016
Length: 314 pages, 3828 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Corpus Christi, Texas, and regional Mexico.
Sex: Hand wavy. Infrequent.
Hero: Pilot.
Heroine: Medical Doctor.
Includes: Excerpt from Book 3 Summer Rain by Barbara Freethy

That was fun!

A good bit of suspense and mystery, a nice second chance romance, and a continuation of a multi-book story arc.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lightning Strikes:
Book 1 Beautiful Storm - Alicia Monroe and Michael Cordero
Book 2 Lightning Lingers - Katherine Barrett and Jake Monroe
Book 3 Summer Rain - Danielle Monroe and Patrick Kane

References:
Author's website: http://www.barbarafreethy.com/lightni...

(ISBN 9781943781065)

-CR-

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book!! I love that she gave us Jake's story. I was curious to who he was since we met him in Beautiful Storm. Barbara again caught my attention starting with the first chapter. Making me wonder what kind of trouble T.J was in, does Jake fall in love with Kaitlyn all over again? I of course had to read the book to find out!
Again Barbara takes you on a journey. And it of course involves lightning!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the series was even better than the first, I was really rooting for the couple in this story.
They really seem to belong together and the grandmother in the story you just can picture her and would love to meet her.
Again it kept you guessing till the end, Book 3 should close out this story of these 3 siblings.
I am really enjoying this series

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this trilogy, but can be read alone. It is such a good book that I didn't want to put it down. This book has suspense, betrayal, mystery, adventure, and love to name a few. It is Halloween night and Katherine Barrett's last night as a resident and the beginning of her career as a doctor. It has been along and lonely road for her, but it was a choice she made. Jake Monroe was her high school love, but broke up with him as she felt he was going to wild. His father had died I a plane crash and he was taking way too many chances with his life. He wouldn't let Katherine help him.

Katherine's brother TJ calls her on her last night at the hospital and tells her he is in trouble and she needs to go home to Corpus Christi to look after their sick mother. TJ tells her he is afraid someone is trying to kill him, so she can't tell anyone he called especially anyone from his company. The only thing she knows is that TJ is in Mexico. Once she gets home and checks on her mother, she decides she has to go to Mexico to try and find her brother. She can't take a public jet as someone at follow her. She knows that Jake foes and works for the company his father used to work for. Jake ends up flying her to Mexico where lightning strikes their plane and they crash.

Jake's great grandmother is Mayan and is a healer and can call the lightning. Jake doesn't really believe some of the things she tells him she can do, but loves her dearly. Jake and Katherine think TJ headed to her area to hide out. I loved that Jake and Katherine had so much alone time that they could talk about what had happened in the past as they both had hurt feelings. I stayed on the edge of my seat at times during Jake and Katherine's adventures. This is such a good book that I strongly encourage you to read this book. I won this book in a contest. I voluntarily read this book and wrote a review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow book two was just as great as book one and maybe a little better as we now know the characters involved. We have Alicia and Michael back in Texas after all the hoopla in Florida and have an old flame of Alicia brother Jake gets a call from her brother TJ saying that he is in big trouble and in Mexico. He tells her not to come look for him but know that he loves her and if he can get back he will. Now she has to find Jake who is a pilot and fly to Mexico where she thinks TJ has set up a hiding place near Jake's Great Grandmothers home.
This adventure is Jake and Kathleen story and is intertwined with the family mystery of how Jake's father died in a plane crash and was never found. After this we have one more story to go with Dani and the man she saves, Patrick. She is drawn into a mystery about his mother and her plane crash and is told by Jake and Alicia that she will be the one to find the last piece of the puzzle in order to solve the mystery surrounding both families. Oh how exciting to finally finish off this series and start another of Barbara's who is such a fantastic writer.

[Linda "Lilybug's Library" · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got through this one, but just barely. Katherine is a Dr. who has just finished her residency and she gets a call from her brother TJ saying he is in trouble and he is hiding out in Mexico. He tells her not to look for him and not to tell anyone. So naturally the first thing she does is tell people and go look for him. She tells Jake, who she dated 10 years before. They split up because his father had died and he increasingly got into things that were more and more dangerous and out of control and she was focused on her career and had no time for that.

So, he takes her to Mexico to look for TJ. The mystery part of the story involving some lighting "magic", drug cartels and crooked corporations was somewhat interesting. The romance between Katherine and Jake, was not. They were both still holding a grudge after 10 years. TEN YEARS! They often acted like young teenagers. Jake took a temper tantrum and Katherine tried to calm him down with a kiss. It all just felt ridiculous and I didn't feel they had any chemistry. They needed to grow up and act like adults and not just in the bedroom.

[Janice Spina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love Story of Lost then Found!

Katherine and Jake’s love story in Lightning Lingers Book 2 of Lightning Strikes Trilogy is a case of young love and tragedy that breaks the couple apart. Katherine and Jake move apart after his father’s disappearance and go on with their lives in separate ways.

She goes back to school and becomes a doctor while Jake takes up flying one thing he vowed he would never do after his father’s death in a plane during a thunder storm. When they are forced together once again they must find their place together or part forever. Will they be able to forgive and forget the past and all the hurt they caused each other?

The author created strong characters, both men and women in this book which makes for a better story as they go up against one another and come to terms. This reader can see how she became a best-selling author.

This was an enjoyable love story with a mystery running through it that made it compelling to finish quickly. I look forward to Book 3 in this series.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathrine has just finished her last night of her residency in Pediatric Emergency medicine and is reflecting on what direction the next leg of her life is to take when she gets a frightening and cryptic phone call from her brother stating he is afraid for his life and has to go into hiding at the end of the earth and for her not to trust anyone. She seeks the help of her ex boyfriend Jake from high school and thru pre med they parted on a bad break up but he is a pilot for a private company and he is the only one she trusts. She is sure her brother is talking of Jake's grandmother village deep in Mexico. He reluctantly agrees to fly her down to the air port nearest the village when the small plane they are in is struck by lightening and they make a hard landing in the Mexican jungle.

[Charlsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in the Lighting Series and it didn't disappoint. Action, mystery, romance and some answers to the first book. I hope the third and final book is just as great. I am so glad that I starting reading books by Barbara Freethy. If it hadn't been for a free copy of book 1 of the Calloway series that I received while attending the RAGT conference last summer I probably would not have started reading her work. I read to be entertained and I guess we all in get a rut and read the same writers over and over. What a shame. We could be missing so really good writing. Keep up the good work Barbara.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Lightning Strikes trilogy. Wow! The story just gets better and better. I really enjoyed the continuation of the story, this time involving Katherine Barrett and Alicia's brother Jake Monroe. They have to find Katerine's brother and that takes them to Mexico. The suspense had me not wanting to put the book down. And to see how lightning helps them out. I also thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Kat and Jake. A lot of past history that the had to get through. Now I can't wait to see what happens in the last book of the trilogy. I really enjoy reading Barbara Freethy's books.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the trilogy and revolves around Jake Monroe. Katherine Barret gets a frantic call from her brother TJ and she is desperate to find him. The only person Katherine can think of to help her is Jake Monroe who was her first love til the broke each others heart. She convinces Jake to take her to Mexico to find TJ, and the fireworks begin. There is so much going on and Jake finds his grandmother who helps him find TJ, and to hook into his Mayan heritage. This is a fun, fast paced book that keeps you involved from page one til the end. Can't wait to read the final book

[Danielle Bey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightning Lingers is an enjoyable romantic suspense novel, the second in the Lightning Strikes series. Kate and Jake are on the run in Mexico through rainforests and very unfriendly terrain. They are searching for Kate’s brother who discovered that someone at his company was selling company created weapons to a drug cartel in Mexico.

I appreciated the character growth and the ease with which Kate and Jake each take responsibility for the failure of their past relationship. Although, admittedly it takes Jake a little longer. Great character growth and good dialogue.

The mystical use of lightning and the mention of Gods was a bit much for this Jesus girl but all in all a decent read.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Exciting Trilogy

Lightning Lingers a perfect title to a story that continues from the first book that Introduced us to the Lightning that leads a family to answers in thier lives. This book continues with the brother of Alicia. Jake, and the woman he fell in Love with at age 16, Jake and Katherine split up 10 years before and came together again to protect thier family. They traveled to Mexico and we got to meet Jake,s Grandmother, Mamish is an Extraordinary person, and has answers if they listen. I am looking forward to book 3 and the final book in the trilogy, and Dani,s story that will solve the whole story.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 2 in the Lightning Strikes series. A wonderful story full of action, suspense, mystery and romance. This series is best read in order as the backstory that ties them all together develops in each book. Katherine Barrett and Jake Monroe’s relationship did not survive his downward spiral after his father’s death in a plane crash. Now Katherine’s brother TJ is in big trouble and she needs Jake’s help to get her to Mexico. One of my favourite series now as Barbara Freethy’s characters and story lines are wonderful.

[Michelle LeKander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy Read

I read the first book in this series a long time ago and actually don’t remember any of it, but you don’t have to remember to keep moving on in the series. This is a typical Barbara Freethy novel with the dueling couple who of course love each other but are fighting, the conflict and the danger, and of course the conclusion with the couple being together at the end. Typical story with the expected end, but still an enjoyable read. Will I read the third in the series? Yes, because I need to see how it all concludes.

[Lorraine S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

Jake and Katherine reluctantly join forces to rescue Katherine’s brother. Jake’s great grandmother lives in a remote Mayan village. Katherine’s brother TJ’s life is in danger from a Mexican drug cartel and is hiding in the Mayan village. Jake and Katherine set out to rescue him. Their travels take them on a dangerous journey to Jake’s great grandmother who has extraordinary powers involving lightning.

While this is a good stand-alone book, I’m glad I read book one. Now I’m looking forward to book three.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed book two of this series even though I had already read one & three. The story is quite involved over the three books but the intrigue keep the interest up right to the end. The characters are well thought out and the romance is integral to the story rather than overwhelming it. Barbara Freethy has a lovely writing style that make you feel part of the story. Well worth reading or listening to if you are into audio.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like this Trilogy!

I'm not always real big on series type books, but I do like this set! I read the first book some time ago, and appreciate the fact that these could each be read as a stand-alone. This one did leave me wanting a little more tho, so I might just read the third in this Trilogy very soon! I do enjoy Barbara Freethy's writing! Lots of adventure and a good amount of romance in this one!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of a three-book series. This one moved along much better than the first one. The two books work well as stand-alone books. Though the mystery thought to be concluded in the first does continue in this book, there is enough of a summary so the reader does not have to read the first.

Having completed this one, I don't feel it necessary to read the last, but I will. I hate to leave anything incomplete.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the great grandmother. I even shed a tear for her. Jake was fine. I hated Katherine. I loved all mentions of Alicia and Michael. The adventure was very tiring. I definitely liked the first book better, and I already don’t like the other sister, Danielle, so I doubt I will really like the next book. But I will definitely read the next book just to solve the patriarch murder mystery. That’s why I read this book too.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Research

I would have liked this better if there were less inaccuracies. Ie simple research would tell you that most if not all residencies end in June. Pediatric residents rotate throughout all aspects of the hospital and not the Ed. A pediatrician resident would not have the experience in surgery to remove a bullet, etc. these were a few inaccuracies that were glaring.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always a fan of Barbara Freethy but this particular book falls short in terms of invoking suspense and plot could have been better developed. Nonetheless, still a good novel to indulge in and be prepared to be transported by the ebbs and flows of an intense, all-so-consuming and powerful romance thriller.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick listen. I enjoyed it, but could have done without the cheesy ending. I liked the connection between siblings that brings this series together. Is it super believable? Not really, but an interesting whodunnit with lots of twists and turns. I did find the big reveal very anticlimactic.
I'll probably listen the the third when I come across it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Lingers

I highly recommend this book by Barbara Freethy.This is the second book in the Lightning Strikes series. The excitement builds the more you read. I am looking forward to reading the third and last book in this series so the mystery will finally be solved.

[Valerie Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read

I enjoyed this fluffy little romance. It was predictable and tho the plot was fair and the mystery wasn't as suspenseful as the reviews indicated it did keep my interest. This is really just a contemporary romance.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable suspense and an easy read

I have read three of Barbara Freethy's books and have enjoyed them all. Similar to Mary Higgins Clark they have mystery and romance and they are an easy read.