What do you think?
Rate this book
FBI #1
Dangerous Games
In Tess Diamond’s gripping debut, when an elite negotiator and a security expert team up to solve a kidnapping, the only thing higher than the tension is the heat . . .
Maggie Kincaid left the FBI two years ago and didn’t look back . . . until now. A senator’s daughter has been abducted, and the nightmare set in motion isn’t just familiar to Maggie, it’s personal. She’ll need all the help she can get to bring Kayla Thebes home alive—even if that help comes from a hot-as-hell ex-soldier who plays by his own rules. . .
For Jake O’Connor, negotiation equals weakness. But he’s immediately drawn to the sexy former agent who epitomizes strength. It isn’t long before he and Maggie are working together 24/7, learning to read each other’s signals and wanting much more.
But for Maggie and Jake, letting their guard down—even around each other—may be dangerous. Now, as they close in on a kidnapper with nothing to lose, their first mistake could shatter a young girl’s last chance…
Maggie Kincaid left the FBI two years ago and didn’t look back . . . until now. A senator’s daughter has been abducted, and the nightmare set in motion isn’t just familiar to Maggie, it’s personal. She’ll need all the help she can get to bring Kayla Thebes home alive—even if that help comes from a hot-as-hell ex-soldier who plays by his own rules. . .
For Jake O’Connor, negotiation equals weakness. But he’s immediately drawn to the sexy former agent who epitomizes strength. It isn’t long before he and Maggie are working together 24/7, learning to read each other’s signals and wanting much more.
But for Maggie and Jake, letting their guard down—even around each other—may be dangerous. Now, as they close in on a kidnapper with nothing to lose, their first mistake could shatter a young girl’s last chance…
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 28, 2017
111 people are currently reading
1341 people want to read
About the author
Tess Diamond
6 books170 followersTess Diamond is a romantic suspense addict with a taste for danger - and chocolate cake. She lives in Colorado Springs with her law enforcement husband, two kids, and ferocious Jack Russell guard dog. She always dreamed of being an FBI agent, and now she almost is - if watching 24 reruns and plotting her next novel counts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
November 14, 2017
I'm a fan of romantic suspense novels and I picked this up. I cared about the characters and wanted to see the kidnapped victim be freed and safe. The plot was a bit weak at times - the logic just didn't match up and the one antagonist was a bit over the top, but overall a quick read.
March 24, 2017
The story opens with Maggie Kincaid running for exercise. As her mind wanders we get a look into her troubled past and life as an FBI hostage negotiator. Maggie left the FBI, two years ago, after losing a young girl. Diamond very quickly connects the reader to Maggie and provides a suspense element when her former mentor asks her to assist on a high-profile abduction.
We meet Jake O'Conner a former Army Ranger who now works in security for Washington's elite. He has been brought in to handle the security detail and advise the senator. Right away, I liked the banter between O'Conner and Kincaid. Reader's will enjoy the delicious undercurrent of chemistry hidden behind posturing and snark. Immediately I looked forward to seeing it unfold.
The kidnapping case in DANGEROUS GAMES had all the making of an episode of the hit TV show 24. Twists, turns, coverups, corruption and more. I was enthralled as we pulled together clues and witnessed a partnership form between O'Conner and Kincaid. The story was well written, and each thread brought us one step closer. Diamond provided suspenseful moments while keeping an air of believability.
Diamond did an excellent job of peeling back the layers of Maggie in this novel. She is quite brilliant and driven to excel based on her traumatic background. There is an overall ARC to the O’Connor & Kincaid series that deals with answers Kincaid is seeking. While the kidnapping case wraps up, we are left with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the release of book two.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
We meet Jake O'Conner a former Army Ranger who now works in security for Washington's elite. He has been brought in to handle the security detail and advise the senator. Right away, I liked the banter between O'Conner and Kincaid. Reader's will enjoy the delicious undercurrent of chemistry hidden behind posturing and snark. Immediately I looked forward to seeing it unfold.
The kidnapping case in DANGEROUS GAMES had all the making of an episode of the hit TV show 24. Twists, turns, coverups, corruption and more. I was enthralled as we pulled together clues and witnessed a partnership form between O'Conner and Kincaid. The story was well written, and each thread brought us one step closer. Diamond provided suspenseful moments while keeping an air of believability.
Diamond did an excellent job of peeling back the layers of Maggie in this novel. She is quite brilliant and driven to excel based on her traumatic background. There is an overall ARC to the O’Connor & Kincaid series that deals with answers Kincaid is seeking. While the kidnapping case wraps up, we are left with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the release of book two.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
April 30, 2020
After walking off of the job when a kidnapping victim died, the FBI wants Maggie Kincaid to return to her old job as a hostage negotiator. U.S. Senator Thebes' fourteen-year-old daughter Kayla has been kidnapped. Maggie reluctantly takes the job, but soon realizes that the Senator is lying about some of the facts. Jake O'Connor is a security specialist who has been hired by the Senator to help rescue his daughter. Jake knows time is of the essence. Kayla is a diabetic and must take insulin several times a day. Maggie and Jake work together to sort out the lies and find Kayla before it's too late.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. The story is fast paced with lots of twists and turns. I appreciate that the author didn't follow the usual kidnapping plot where the protagonists discover the identity of the kidnapper at the eleventh hour and hurry to rescue the victim. This plot if a little different with Maggie and Jake having to overcome some major road blocks. The only time the story slowed down was when Maggie would flash back to her childhood when she and her sister were the kidnapping victims.
There were a couple of characters in this story that drove me (and Maggie) absolutely crazy. You know I am invested in the story when I am ready to start popping blood pressure medicine because of some characters. The story ends with everything neatly tied up except for one loose end. I'm hoping we learn more in the other books in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. The story is fast paced with lots of twists and turns. I appreciate that the author didn't follow the usual kidnapping plot where the protagonists discover the identity of the kidnapper at the eleventh hour and hurry to rescue the victim. This plot if a little different with Maggie and Jake having to overcome some major road blocks. The only time the story slowed down was when Maggie would flash back to her childhood when she and her sister were the kidnapping victims.
There were a couple of characters in this story that drove me (and Maggie) absolutely crazy. You know I am invested in the story when I am ready to start popping blood pressure medicine because of some characters. The story ends with everything neatly tied up except for one loose end. I'm hoping we learn more in the other books in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
October 5, 2018
I read the three novellas:
DANGEROUS GAMES
(O’Connor & Kincaid: #1)
Written by Tess Diamond
2015; Tess Diamond Books (113 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, novella
RATING: 4 STARS
When Tess Diamond asked me to review the first book in her trilogy I went straight to the synopsis and was relieved that it was a novella-length romantic suspense. I said yes and picked it up a few weeks later and was pleasantly surprised at what I read.
Maggie Kincaid was once FBI’s best hostage negotiator until a case went wrong and Maggie slid into self-doubt. With the disappearance of a Senator’s young daughter Maggie has been pulled in by her mentor to bring the girl home safely. Maggie was once kidnapped, along with her older sister, and knows what it feels like to be a victim but also has insight to how evil thinks and acts. The Senator’s has hired his own investigator, Jake O’Connor, an ex-forces security expert who has his own way of doing things. As time starts to run out the two must join forces if they want to save a young girl and bring her home alive.
Please note that this novella does end with a cliffhanger but book two (Game of Lies) has already been released and the third novella (End Game) will be released on December 3, 2015. All three books must be read in order and cannot be read as standalone stories (think serials). Each is a little over a hundred pages and are quick suspenseful reads. I enjoyed the character of Maggie Kincaid as she is realistic and also flawed. You get hints of when she was kidnapped as a child and later when a case goes south and tears her to pieces. It is this characterization that keeps you reading. I liked the banter between her and mysterious Jake O’Connor and that we find out about Jake as Maggie does. In an 113 pages, Diamond gives us so much without bogging the reader down. The cliffhanger gives us the kidnapper’s identity so you think what does book two have in store for us…I will let you know tomorrow as I am currently in the middle of GAME OF LIES.
GAME OF LIES
(O’Connor & Kincaid: #2)
Written by Tess Diamond
2015; Tess Diamond Books (106 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, novella
RATING: 4 STARS
Game of Lies continues where the first book left off and but knowing the identity of the kidnapper hasn’t made Maggie or Jake’s jobs any easier. They may know the who but now they have to discover the why to get to the Senator’s daughter alive.
In the second part of the three-part series we get to know more about Maggie’s past – what happened with her own kidnapping as a child and why she left the FBI two years ago. We get a few glimpses of Jake but not enough to make him a more standout hero. If you are looking for more heat in the romance department, Diamond does deliver but I was more intrigued with the consequences. I will definitely be reading the third book as soon as I can because I am curious to see how it all gets tied up. Stay tuned to tomorrow’s post as I will reveal if it is all worth the hype I have psyched myself with, lol.
END GAME
(O’Connor & Kincaid: #3)
Written by Tess Diamond
2015; Tess Diamond Books (99 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, novella
RATING: 4 STARS
End Game is the third and last book in the O’Connnor & Kincaid series, but from how it ended I don’t think this will be the last time we see Jake and Maggie. As the hostage negotiation continues we see exactly why the senator’s daughter was kidnapped. I won’t say too much about the plot for spoiler reasons, but will say that Diamond ties up the book very well with still leaving her series open to continue in the future. I don’t see Maggie and Jake having an easy time with happily ever after or Maggie not making waves at the FBI again. I also see Maggie digging into her past until she has it all figured up…or at least, I hope that is where Diamond is going!
***I received all eARCs from the AUTHOR***
**In 2017, Avon Books bought the rights and edited these three novellas into one novel, Dangerous Games (FBI: #1). There are two other novels in the FBI series by Diamond
DANGEROUS GAMES
(O’Connor & Kincaid: #1)
Written by Tess Diamond
2015; Tess Diamond Books (113 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, novella
RATING: 4 STARS
When Tess Diamond asked me to review the first book in her trilogy I went straight to the synopsis and was relieved that it was a novella-length romantic suspense. I said yes and picked it up a few weeks later and was pleasantly surprised at what I read.
Maggie Kincaid was once FBI’s best hostage negotiator until a case went wrong and Maggie slid into self-doubt. With the disappearance of a Senator’s young daughter Maggie has been pulled in by her mentor to bring the girl home safely. Maggie was once kidnapped, along with her older sister, and knows what it feels like to be a victim but also has insight to how evil thinks and acts. The Senator’s has hired his own investigator, Jake O’Connor, an ex-forces security expert who has his own way of doing things. As time starts to run out the two must join forces if they want to save a young girl and bring her home alive.
Please note that this novella does end with a cliffhanger but book two (Game of Lies) has already been released and the third novella (End Game) will be released on December 3, 2015. All three books must be read in order and cannot be read as standalone stories (think serials). Each is a little over a hundred pages and are quick suspenseful reads. I enjoyed the character of Maggie Kincaid as she is realistic and also flawed. You get hints of when she was kidnapped as a child and later when a case goes south and tears her to pieces. It is this characterization that keeps you reading. I liked the banter between her and mysterious Jake O’Connor and that we find out about Jake as Maggie does. In an 113 pages, Diamond gives us so much without bogging the reader down. The cliffhanger gives us the kidnapper’s identity so you think what does book two have in store for us…I will let you know tomorrow as I am currently in the middle of GAME OF LIES.
GAME OF LIES
(O’Connor & Kincaid: #2)
Written by Tess Diamond
2015; Tess Diamond Books (106 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, novella
RATING: 4 STARS
Game of Lies continues where the first book left off and but knowing the identity of the kidnapper hasn’t made Maggie or Jake’s jobs any easier. They may know the who but now they have to discover the why to get to the Senator’s daughter alive.
In the second part of the three-part series we get to know more about Maggie’s past – what happened with her own kidnapping as a child and why she left the FBI two years ago. We get a few glimpses of Jake but not enough to make him a more standout hero. If you are looking for more heat in the romance department, Diamond does deliver but I was more intrigued with the consequences. I will definitely be reading the third book as soon as I can because I am curious to see how it all gets tied up. Stay tuned to tomorrow’s post as I will reveal if it is all worth the hype I have psyched myself with, lol.
END GAME
(O’Connor & Kincaid: #3)
Written by Tess Diamond
2015; Tess Diamond Books (99 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, novella
RATING: 4 STARS
End Game is the third and last book in the O’Connnor & Kincaid series, but from how it ended I don’t think this will be the last time we see Jake and Maggie. As the hostage negotiation continues we see exactly why the senator’s daughter was kidnapped. I won’t say too much about the plot for spoiler reasons, but will say that Diamond ties up the book very well with still leaving her series open to continue in the future. I don’t see Maggie and Jake having an easy time with happily ever after or Maggie not making waves at the FBI again. I also see Maggie digging into her past until she has it all figured up…or at least, I hope that is where Diamond is going!
***I received all eARCs from the AUTHOR***
**In 2017, Avon Books bought the rights and edited these three novellas into one novel, Dangerous Games (FBI: #1). There are two other novels in the FBI series by Diamond
April 13, 2017
This one was way too repetitive for my taste. The characters would say/think the same things over and over again. I mean after awhile, you just feel like saying, "we get it" you were traumatized in your childhood! I don't have a problem with something being revised, but it should build towards something rather than stating the same thing again.
Sigh. This one was not for me.
Sigh. This one was not for me.
April 20, 2017
I had some problems with this book.
It starts good. The premise is interesting. Maggie is a kidnapping victim turned FBI negotiator. The ex-military security guy that's hotter than hot is getting in her way but the sparks are flying between them. And I was was a happy reader, thinking this book looked good. Then it just fell flat.
The first HUGE problem I had was the repeated head games Maggie fed herself. She had unresolved issues with how things played out when she was a child and the death of her sister during their kidnapping. She repeats the same thoughts over and over again. She can't do this. She has to do this. It's not going to work. It has to work. And while a little of that made sense, the constant use of it made me so much less sympathetic to Maggie. I just wanted to chuck the book when a new rant started in her head.
Then there was the relationship between Maggie and Jake. I think this is supposed to be romantic suspense. But the balance between these two was way off. It felt like the author was trying to prove that a female could be in charge but it went too far in the other direction. By this, I mean that Jake becomes unbelievable. He's a military guy yet he takes a back seat to Maggie almost immediately. There needs to be more push and pull between them. There needs to be successes on both sides. A relationship has to have a balance and this one is way too heavy on the female. And though I'm all for her being successful and being the brains behind this victory, Jake wasn't allowed to play his part. It felt fake and cause the characters to feel flat.
And then there is the suspense. A teenage diabetic has been kidnapped. A Senator's daughter. But the story lags and the whole diabetic aspect of it has me questioning the medical research done. The girl is without her medication and food for a very long time. It got to the point of feeling contrived. And as each aspect of the story blew up to an even more outrageous circumstance, I felt like we were playing the slow motion version of 24, the TV show, and not in a good way. And don't get me started on the ending. Contrived with a cherry of a cliffhanger on top is about the only way to explain it without spoiling it outright. And that cliffhanger is the very thing that has slowed this story down. I assume the next two books in the series will unravel that disturbing development but it will have to go forward without me. I have my guess as to the outcome and I can live with that.
I started this book liking it. I wanted to keep liking it. I tried to keep liking it. I lost the ability to keep liking it about the time I realized that Maggie was going to repeat the same internal speech to herself with every new development in the case. I decided I really didn't like it at all when I realized that these two characters had somehow fallen in love in a matter of a short few days. All that while they still weren't sure how to talk to each other. And the icing on the cake of my dislike came with the silencing bullet that cemented the cliffhanger. Yep, leaving it there.
It starts good. The premise is interesting. Maggie is a kidnapping victim turned FBI negotiator. The ex-military security guy that's hotter than hot is getting in her way but the sparks are flying between them. And I was was a happy reader, thinking this book looked good. Then it just fell flat.
The first HUGE problem I had was the repeated head games Maggie fed herself. She had unresolved issues with how things played out when she was a child and the death of her sister during their kidnapping. She repeats the same thoughts over and over again. She can't do this. She has to do this. It's not going to work. It has to work. And while a little of that made sense, the constant use of it made me so much less sympathetic to Maggie. I just wanted to chuck the book when a new rant started in her head.
Then there was the relationship between Maggie and Jake. I think this is supposed to be romantic suspense. But the balance between these two was way off. It felt like the author was trying to prove that a female could be in charge but it went too far in the other direction. By this, I mean that Jake becomes unbelievable. He's a military guy yet he takes a back seat to Maggie almost immediately. There needs to be more push and pull between them. There needs to be successes on both sides. A relationship has to have a balance and this one is way too heavy on the female. And though I'm all for her being successful and being the brains behind this victory, Jake wasn't allowed to play his part. It felt fake and cause the characters to feel flat.
And then there is the suspense. A teenage diabetic has been kidnapped. A Senator's daughter. But the story lags and the whole diabetic aspect of it has me questioning the medical research done. The girl is without her medication and food for a very long time. It got to the point of feeling contrived. And as each aspect of the story blew up to an even more outrageous circumstance, I felt like we were playing the slow motion version of 24, the TV show, and not in a good way. And don't get me started on the ending. Contrived with a cherry of a cliffhanger on top is about the only way to explain it without spoiling it outright. And that cliffhanger is the very thing that has slowed this story down. I assume the next two books in the series will unravel that disturbing development but it will have to go forward without me. I have my guess as to the outcome and I can live with that.
I started this book liking it. I wanted to keep liking it. I tried to keep liking it. I lost the ability to keep liking it about the time I realized that Maggie was going to repeat the same internal speech to herself with every new development in the case. I decided I really didn't like it at all when I realized that these two characters had somehow fallen in love in a matter of a short few days. All that while they still weren't sure how to talk to each other. And the icing on the cake of my dislike came with the silencing bullet that cemented the cliffhanger. Yep, leaving it there.
May 31, 2017
This was a fantastic debut by the author. Can't wait for her next one. Maggie Kincaid and her older sister Erica were kidnapped when they were kids. Maggie escaped, Erica has never been found. Maggie blames herself even though Erica was the one who told Maggie to run and get help. Maggie grew up and became a negotiator with the FBI. Considered the best of the best, she had a high rate of success until two years ago when a case went sour and someone died. She quit her job and never looked back. Then her old boss and mentor, Frank, pleads for her help. A senator's daughter has been kidnapped, it's a high profile case, and Frank believes Maggie is the only one who can bring the teenager back alive. Very reluctantly she agrees to look at the case, give her opinion and advice, but she refuses to be pulled back into the past and the nightmare she's done her best to leave behind.
Jake O'Connor leads Senator Thebes security team so it's only natural he's involved in Kayla's rescue. He's quite taken with Maggie from the start, the way she takes command, her skills on the job, and her determination to succeed. When he does some digging and learns more about her background, he admires her even more. She's overcome great tragedy and made a name for herself as a negotiator. From the moment she agrees to take the lead on the case it's obvious she's the one in charge and he has no problem following her orders. But there are sinister forces working behind the scenes to keep the real reason behind the kidnapping a secret. There are powerful forces at work that neither Maggie nor Jake are aware of until the Senator seems more concerned about his reputation than he does Kayla's life. There's also the fact Kayla is a diabetic and needs her insulin injections on a daily basis so time becomes a huge factor in their case.
This was a roller coaster ride of twists and turns as the suspense builds and time ticks off the clock. I didn't want to put it down. While this case is solved by the end of the book and there is no big cliffhanger or anything, Maggie does get a lead on what happened to her sister and vows to find out the truth no matter what happens. So that will carry over into the next book but has no effect on the resolution of this particular story. This is one book I definitely recommend.
Jake O'Connor leads Senator Thebes security team so it's only natural he's involved in Kayla's rescue. He's quite taken with Maggie from the start, the way she takes command, her skills on the job, and her determination to succeed. When he does some digging and learns more about her background, he admires her even more. She's overcome great tragedy and made a name for herself as a negotiator. From the moment she agrees to take the lead on the case it's obvious she's the one in charge and he has no problem following her orders. But there are sinister forces working behind the scenes to keep the real reason behind the kidnapping a secret. There are powerful forces at work that neither Maggie nor Jake are aware of until the Senator seems more concerned about his reputation than he does Kayla's life. There's also the fact Kayla is a diabetic and needs her insulin injections on a daily basis so time becomes a huge factor in their case.
This was a roller coaster ride of twists and turns as the suspense builds and time ticks off the clock. I didn't want to put it down. While this case is solved by the end of the book and there is no big cliffhanger or anything, Maggie does get a lead on what happened to her sister and vows to find out the truth no matter what happens. So that will carry over into the next book but has no effect on the resolution of this particular story. This is one book I definitely recommend.
June 1, 2017
One of the best debut series I have ever read. Simply wonderful.
Dangerous Games
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a first effort from a new author Dangerous Games far exceeded my expectations. Fast paced with lots of twists and turns the plot grabbed me and took me along on a trail that leads from Maggie's past through her FBI days to the present. From the beginning you are drawn into the world of Maggie Kincaid and her scarred past.
Maggie and her sister were kidnapped and only Maggie was saved. The scar and the change this made to young Maggie has shaped her entire life. She joined the FBI and became their top hostage negotiator right out of Quantico. Her fall came just a swift. Now, Frank her old boss, has a case that she can't resist. A Senator's daughter, Kayla, has been kidnapped and Maggie must use all her experiences and gut instincts to save her.
Jake O'Connor is a security expert in DC. The former Ranger with the ability to think outside of the box is called in by the Senator to help with the rescue of his daughter. When Jake and Maggie butt heads, it is like a an irrepressible force meeting an immovable object. Add an electric sexual spark and you have the makings of a real volatile situation. Luckily, they each recognize the intelligence and capabilities of the other and work together (note I didn't say work well) to save Kayla.
Rating reflects that this is an installment story with no ending in this book. I don't like installments.
Game of Lies
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Riveting suspense and smoking hot romance. Throw in a dash of dark humor and you have the perfect recipe for the second installment of the O'Connor and Kincaid serial. The first book Dangerous Games is a must read first. Otherwise, you will be coming in during the second act of this suspense drama.
Game of Lies picks up with the escape and manhunt of the kidnapper of Kayla, the 14 year old diabetic daughter of US Senator Thebes. We also have the deepening romance between FBI agent Maggie Kincaid and security advisor Jake O'Connor. Also revealed is the reason for the kidnapping. The cliffhanger is the perfect setup for the final installment of this fantastic serial.
End Game
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Absolutely fantastic ending to the O'Connor & Kincaid serial. This set of three books must be read in order and within a short amount of time in order to keep the story fresh in your mind. Serial is not my favorite format and yet I just love this one. The plot is top notch, the romance in book 2 was scorching hot and the suspense is never ending. You really have no idea how this is all going to end. I am looking forward to many more books from this author for a long time to come. She is as good as Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts and Linda Howard. Great company to be in.
As End Game opens, Kayla is close to going into a diabetic coma and Paul is strapped to a chair with a bomb around his chest. Maggie and Jake are desperate to come up with a plan to rescue them and take Mancuso, who only wants justice for his brother, alive, if possible without blowing everyone to bits. Into all this steps the mysterious Mr. Black. Who he is, who he works for and what his game is, well, that is all unknown. What Maggie knows is that he does not have the best interests of Paul and Kayla in mind. He takes over, but Maggie's momma didn't raise no quitter and Maggie forces her way back in, changing the whole game and the ending.
Dangerous Games
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a first effort from a new author Dangerous Games far exceeded my expectations. Fast paced with lots of twists and turns the plot grabbed me and took me along on a trail that leads from Maggie's past through her FBI days to the present. From the beginning you are drawn into the world of Maggie Kincaid and her scarred past.
Maggie and her sister were kidnapped and only Maggie was saved. The scar and the change this made to young Maggie has shaped her entire life. She joined the FBI and became their top hostage negotiator right out of Quantico. Her fall came just a swift. Now, Frank her old boss, has a case that she can't resist. A Senator's daughter, Kayla, has been kidnapped and Maggie must use all her experiences and gut instincts to save her.
Jake O'Connor is a security expert in DC. The former Ranger with the ability to think outside of the box is called in by the Senator to help with the rescue of his daughter. When Jake and Maggie butt heads, it is like a an irrepressible force meeting an immovable object. Add an electric sexual spark and you have the makings of a real volatile situation. Luckily, they each recognize the intelligence and capabilities of the other and work together (note I didn't say work well) to save Kayla.
Rating reflects that this is an installment story with no ending in this book. I don't like installments.
Game of Lies
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Riveting suspense and smoking hot romance. Throw in a dash of dark humor and you have the perfect recipe for the second installment of the O'Connor and Kincaid serial. The first book Dangerous Games is a must read first. Otherwise, you will be coming in during the second act of this suspense drama.
Game of Lies picks up with the escape and manhunt of the kidnapper of Kayla, the 14 year old diabetic daughter of US Senator Thebes. We also have the deepening romance between FBI agent Maggie Kincaid and security advisor Jake O'Connor. Also revealed is the reason for the kidnapping. The cliffhanger is the perfect setup for the final installment of this fantastic serial.
End Game
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Absolutely fantastic ending to the O'Connor & Kincaid serial. This set of three books must be read in order and within a short amount of time in order to keep the story fresh in your mind. Serial is not my favorite format and yet I just love this one. The plot is top notch, the romance in book 2 was scorching hot and the suspense is never ending. You really have no idea how this is all going to end. I am looking forward to many more books from this author for a long time to come. She is as good as Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts and Linda Howard. Great company to be in.
As End Game opens, Kayla is close to going into a diabetic coma and Paul is strapped to a chair with a bomb around his chest. Maggie and Jake are desperate to come up with a plan to rescue them and take Mancuso, who only wants justice for his brother, alive, if possible without blowing everyone to bits. Into all this steps the mysterious Mr. Black. Who he is, who he works for and what his game is, well, that is all unknown. What Maggie knows is that he does not have the best interests of Paul and Kayla in mind. He takes over, but Maggie's momma didn't raise no quitter and Maggie forces her way back in, changing the whole game and the ending.
April 26, 2020
Review posted on Got Fiction? book blog
This may be a Romantic Suspense, but it’s much more of a Thriller. I think the investigation and kidnapping were so well done.
Maggie Kincaid is a washed up FBI agent. At least that’s how she sees herself. She’s a hostage negotiator who had a situation go wrong 2 years ago. She walked out of the FBI and didn’t return. Her mentor and boss cleaned up the fallout and handled everything. Meanwhile, the FBI’s best negotiator (that’s Maggie) just…left.
Frank, her mentor, finds her during her morning run and reminds her that she owes him. He wants her to come in as a consultant because a senator’s daughter was kidnapped and they’re already behind since no one knew she’d been missing for 12 hours. He wants the best. He wants Maggie.
Maggie reluctantly agrees and the second she walks into the senator’s house, she takes command. And she’s very good.
Jake O’Connor was a Ranger, but now he’s a security consultant. I think. I was never really clear was his actual position was. But he was brought in by a general who has a team of men like Jake who do off-the-books stuff. The first time he and Maggie meet they butt heads. But Jake sees instantly that she knows her stuff and is usually right. The two of them work well together, and Jake respects her mind and her process so he wants to join forces.
I was a bit frustrated with how many times Maggie doubted herself. I mean, I know that was part of the plot, her coming back from a bad case, but the amount of self-doubt was distracting. I was disappointed that Jake never got to use his extraction skills. That was literally what he does and he…didn’t get to do it. I feel like he was underused. But on the whole, this was an exciting and well-paced Romantic Suspense. I will definitely read more by Tess Diamond.
***Review copy provided by Avon Books
This may be a Romantic Suspense, but it’s much more of a Thriller. I think the investigation and kidnapping were so well done.
Maggie Kincaid is a washed up FBI agent. At least that’s how she sees herself. She’s a hostage negotiator who had a situation go wrong 2 years ago. She walked out of the FBI and didn’t return. Her mentor and boss cleaned up the fallout and handled everything. Meanwhile, the FBI’s best negotiator (that’s Maggie) just…left.
Frank, her mentor, finds her during her morning run and reminds her that she owes him. He wants her to come in as a consultant because a senator’s daughter was kidnapped and they’re already behind since no one knew she’d been missing for 12 hours. He wants the best. He wants Maggie.
Maggie reluctantly agrees and the second she walks into the senator’s house, she takes command. And she’s very good.
Jake O’Connor was a Ranger, but now he’s a security consultant. I think. I was never really clear was his actual position was. But he was brought in by a general who has a team of men like Jake who do off-the-books stuff. The first time he and Maggie meet they butt heads. But Jake sees instantly that she knows her stuff and is usually right. The two of them work well together, and Jake respects her mind and her process so he wants to join forces.
I was a bit frustrated with how many times Maggie doubted herself. I mean, I know that was part of the plot, her coming back from a bad case, but the amount of self-doubt was distracting. I was disappointed that Jake never got to use his extraction skills. That was literally what he does and he…didn’t get to do it. I feel like he was underused. But on the whole, this was an exciting and well-paced Romantic Suspense. I will definitely read more by Tess Diamond.
***Review copy provided by Avon Books
December 27, 2017
Terrific romantic-suspense.
September 27, 2017
3.5 stars
Summary: The hero and heroine are both outsiders of a sort. Maggie Kincaid survived a childhood kidnapping and went on to become one of the FBI’s top hostage negotiators, but left law enforcement after a hostage situation ended tragically. Jake O’Connor was a soldier who now works private security. When a Senator’s daughter is kidnapped, the two are brought into the investigation by their respective mentors and now they must work against time to rescue a child whose medical condition dictates that she be found quickly. Not surprisingly, they have to deal with their own personal demons as well as everything the kidnapper throws at them.
What drew you to the book? It popped up as a “You May Also Like” when I was ordering things on Amazon and I decided that yes, indeed I just might like it.
How much did you read? I read all of it, and I’m glad I did. The first half of the book gets a little bogged down in the hero and heroine being irritated with one another but then (particularly on Jake’s part) constantly noticing how cute, sexy, etc.. the other one is.
This is a partial review. My complete review (part of a Book Blind Taste Test) is at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-blin...
Summary: The hero and heroine are both outsiders of a sort. Maggie Kincaid survived a childhood kidnapping and went on to become one of the FBI’s top hostage negotiators, but left law enforcement after a hostage situation ended tragically. Jake O’Connor was a soldier who now works private security. When a Senator’s daughter is kidnapped, the two are brought into the investigation by their respective mentors and now they must work against time to rescue a child whose medical condition dictates that she be found quickly. Not surprisingly, they have to deal with their own personal demons as well as everything the kidnapper throws at them.
What drew you to the book? It popped up as a “You May Also Like” when I was ordering things on Amazon and I decided that yes, indeed I just might like it.
How much did you read? I read all of it, and I’m glad I did. The first half of the book gets a little bogged down in the hero and heroine being irritated with one another but then (particularly on Jake’s part) constantly noticing how cute, sexy, etc.. the other one is.
This is a partial review. My complete review (part of a Book Blind Taste Test) is at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-blin...
didnt-finish
April 17, 2017Got halfway through before I realized I didn't give a crap. I'd finish if I didn't have literally 600 other books vying for my attention, but, welp. These characters just don't compel me in any way.
June 10, 2017
3.5 stars
September 14, 2023
2.8
DIOS ESTOY RE CALIENTE
esta review la voy a dividir en: trama, desarrollo y personajes y a cada parte le voy a dar un rating del 1 al 5 para que se entienda mejor
• trama
la idea y la historia están muy buenas:
el secuestro de la hija de un senador importante en Washington obliga a la mejor negociadora del FBI a volver de su retiro trabajando en conjunto con un ex militar que, obviamente, esta buenisimo. Mientras ambos intentan rescatar a nuestra rehén, descubren toda una red de corrupción que es más profunda y complicada de lo que creen.
rating de la trama: 4★ / 5
en teoria suena excelente, lastima que en la practica no fue tan asi, por lo que nos trae al segundo item:
• desarrollo
fue repetitivo y muy denso.
Yo habia adivinado al principio (6% del libro) de quien se trataba el secuestrador y que me lo confirmaron al rededor del 30%, un poco decepcionante
Todo el tiempo traía a colación su ultimo caso, Sherwood Hills, que la traumó por estar tan relacionado a su pasado, YES, we got it!!! no hace falta mencionarlo en cada capítulo
El romance y relación de ellos no me cerro, fue el instant love, se conocieron hace menos de una semana y ya estaban enamorados y planeando vacaciones juntos ??? cualquiera
Para mi habia varias cosas o procedimientos obvios [chequear si el secuestrador tenia otros sitios frecuentes ademas de su casa, chequear si tenia otra identidad, propiedades, historia de vida] para entender sus motivos y conocerlo, que a los personajes para ser "profesionales" les costo un montón pensarlo y el plot se podria haber movido mas rápido si hubiesen pensado en eso antes
Me tuvieron con el secuestro durante un 95% del libro, con idas y venidas, con interrupciones, repeticiones, contandome la relacion intima entre maggie y jake que la verdad meh, peleas de poder y de autoridad en el fbi y cia, para que se resolviera y el libro se cayera a pedazos en los ultimos capitulos??
Y LO PEOR dejaron cliffhangers que (por lo que me contaron) NO SE RESUELVE EN LA SECUELA!!!!
dios me dejaron mas dudas que certezas que no me voy a molestar en averiguar leyendo el segundo
rating 2★ / 5
• personajes
maggie: re capa, ella me cayo muy bien, es buena en lo que hace, sabe que es la mejor. Pero hubo actitudes que me jodieron y me hicieron enojar pero en general bien
jake: mmm no se, me cae bien pero no lo amo. tipazo que se la re banca
el resto del fbi: son todos unos inútiles, todos hombres con la pelea de quien tiene mas poder. insufribles.
Maggie tenia razon en su intuición sobre que habia que hacer, como llevar a cabo el caso, y el idiota del compañero de trabajo "aiii no, vamos a hacerlo a mi manera aunque reconoci que soy un inutil en este laburo y que vos sos mucho mas capaz que yo" y nadie se sorprende cuando todo sale mal porque no le hicieron caso. Hombres. Los odio
rating: jake y maggie 4★ los demas 1
En promedio de todo esto el libro es un 2.8, podría haber sido muchisimo mejor
DIOS ESTOY RE CALIENTE
esta review la voy a dividir en: trama, desarrollo y personajes y a cada parte le voy a dar un rating del 1 al 5 para que se entienda mejor
• trama
la idea y la historia están muy buenas:
el secuestro de la hija de un senador importante en Washington obliga a la mejor negociadora del FBI a volver de su retiro trabajando en conjunto con un ex militar que, obviamente, esta buenisimo. Mientras ambos intentan rescatar a nuestra rehén, descubren toda una red de corrupción que es más profunda y complicada de lo que creen.
rating de la trama: 4★ / 5
en teoria suena excelente, lastima que en la practica no fue tan asi, por lo que nos trae al segundo item:
• desarrollo
fue repetitivo y muy denso.
Yo habia adivinado al principio (6% del libro) de quien se trataba el secuestrador y que me lo confirmaron al rededor del 30%, un poco decepcionante
Todo el tiempo traía a colación su ultimo caso, Sherwood Hills, que la traumó por estar tan relacionado a su pasado, YES, we got it!!! no hace falta mencionarlo en cada capítulo
El romance y relación de ellos no me cerro, fue el instant love, se conocieron hace menos de una semana y ya estaban enamorados y planeando vacaciones juntos ??? cualquiera
Para mi habia varias cosas o procedimientos obvios [chequear si el secuestrador tenia otros sitios frecuentes ademas de su casa, chequear si tenia otra identidad, propiedades, historia de vida] para entender sus motivos y conocerlo, que a los personajes para ser "profesionales" les costo un montón pensarlo y el plot se podria haber movido mas rápido si hubiesen pensado en eso antes
Me tuvieron con el secuestro durante un 95% del libro, con idas y venidas, con interrupciones, repeticiones, contandome la relacion intima entre maggie y jake que la verdad meh, peleas de poder y de autoridad en el fbi y cia, para que se resolviera y el libro se cayera a pedazos en los ultimos capitulos??
Y LO PEOR dejaron cliffhangers que (por lo que me contaron) NO SE RESUELVE EN LA SECUELA!!!!
dios me dejaron mas dudas que certezas que no me voy a molestar en averiguar leyendo el segundo
rating 2★ / 5
• personajes
maggie: re capa, ella me cayo muy bien, es buena en lo que hace, sabe que es la mejor. Pero hubo actitudes que me jodieron y me hicieron enojar pero en general bien
jake: mmm no se, me cae bien pero no lo amo. tipazo que se la re banca
el resto del fbi: son todos unos inútiles, todos hombres con la pelea de quien tiene mas poder. insufribles.
Maggie tenia razon en su intuición sobre que habia que hacer, como llevar a cabo el caso, y el idiota del compañero de trabajo "aiii no, vamos a hacerlo a mi manera aunque reconoci que soy un inutil en este laburo y que vos sos mucho mas capaz que yo" y nadie se sorprende cuando todo sale mal porque no le hicieron caso. Hombres. Los odio
rating: jake y maggie 4★ los demas 1
En promedio de todo esto el libro es un 2.8, podría haber sido muchisimo mejor
July 9, 2017
This book left me with more questions than answers. I know the book lets you know there is a second book coming out but really ... I guess what is most frustrating is that you are kept on such an emotional high throughout the story for it to end so abruptly with no answers to why
Kayla's Mom became such a whimp?
How did the CIA get involved so quickly?
Why did Edenhurst back down?
Did the Senator win?
Why did Mancuso know the exact last words Maggie's sister said?
Did Paul kill Mancuso?
So many questions and decisions left unanswered
Kayla's Mom became such a whimp?
How did the CIA get involved so quickly?
Why did Edenhurst back down?
Did the Senator win?
Why did Mancuso know the exact last words Maggie's sister said?
Did Paul kill Mancuso?
So many questions and decisions left unanswered
October 12, 2017
I wish we could give half stars. I'd give this a 2.5. It started off really good. I was drawn into the story and didn't want to put the book down. But about halfway through, I got tired of reading the same thing over and over. We get it, you are a strong woman who, for some reason, no one wants to follow. Your supervisees don't want to listen to your instructions. And then, the book completely fell apart during the last couple of chapters. It felt rushed and forced. What the hell happened??
May 24, 2018
*Yes, some parts were repetitive.
*Yes, this lacked the romance part (to me) of the romantic suspense genre but there was chemistry between Maggie and Jake.
*Yes, the suspense part was pretty good.
*Yes, there’s a freaking cliffhanger
Ugh I’m so pissed off because I just read the second book (much better than this one) and you know what?????? No conclusion to this books cliffhanger?!?!? WTF?!?!?!?
*Yes, this lacked the romance part (to me) of the romantic suspense genre but there was chemistry between Maggie and Jake.
*Yes, the suspense part was pretty good.
*Yes, there’s a freaking cliffhanger
Ugh I’m so pissed off because I just read the second book (much better than this one) and you know what?????? No conclusion to this books cliffhanger?!?!? WTF?!?!?!?
December 3, 2017
4 stars - Romantic Suspense
November 6, 2022
Well written for the most part, but I just have a hard time with the "instalove" type romances. One thing I will say was Maggie's mess up at the press conference really pulled me out of the book and I had to wait a day to get back into it, its just really hard to believe that a seasoned agent would run into a conference where she has no credentials with a gun out and you know. . Expect to not get tackled by security?? Like girl even I know you should have waited til it was over and made an arrest as he was walking off... like the gun out was super unnecessary.
HOWEVER, as much as that part bugged me, (same with the repeated, overdone references to Sherwood Hills before the explanation as to what had happened), I think this book had a super interesting story, was decently written, and that the set-up for a sequel to discover what really happened to Erica and Maggie is intriguing enough for me to read the sequel.
HOWEVER, as much as that part bugged me, (same with the repeated, overdone references to Sherwood Hills before the explanation as to what had happened), I think this book had a super interesting story, was decently written, and that the set-up for a sequel to discover what really happened to Erica and Maggie is intriguing enough for me to read the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2017
It was a good story but could have been a better overall read. For one it was really repetitive. Jake would look at Maggie and think how strong and awesome and smart she was. She would think about how sexy and awesome he was. These thoughts were covered over and over and over. Yeah we get it, y'all dig each other. She's supposed to be the best yet she's plagued with doubts over and over and either Jake settles her down or she talks herself out of freaking out and so on. I started skimming through these parts.
Second, they've known each other less than a week and they're madly in love and trust each other implicitly. It's a little too fast for me.
What could have been great ended up being ok.
Second, they've known each other less than a week and they're madly in love and trust each other implicitly. It's a little too fast for me.
What could have been great ended up being ok.
June 23, 2018
A real thriller
Not just another run of the mill FBI thriller. The story grabs you from the very beginning. Maggie, an ex-FBI negotiator is haunted by tragic events from her childhood which resulted in the death of her sister. She leaves the agency after her last case resulted in the death of the teenaged hostage. When her old mentor calls in a favor she returns to the agency in a case that threatens to end with the death of another young girl. While trying to save the hostage she must face other agents that believe she’s washed up as an agent as well as other government officials whose agenda has a different outcome for the hostage.
Not just another run of the mill FBI thriller. The story grabs you from the very beginning. Maggie, an ex-FBI negotiator is haunted by tragic events from her childhood which resulted in the death of her sister. She leaves the agency after her last case resulted in the death of the teenaged hostage. When her old mentor calls in a favor she returns to the agency in a case that threatens to end with the death of another young girl. While trying to save the hostage she must face other agents that believe she’s washed up as an agent as well as other government officials whose agenda has a different outcome for the hostage.
November 17, 2016
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
What a masterful debut from Tess Diamond! Non-stop action, deceit and bravery...now this was one thrilling novel. Between the spunky heroine and the steadfast hero, plus all of the intriguing secondary characters, there was a lot to love here. I thought the connection between Maggie and Jake was realistic--especially given that they each were survivors of past trauma--and they had a fun, sweet, teasing type of banter that made their scenes together a joy to read. Full review to come.
What a masterful debut from Tess Diamond! Non-stop action, deceit and bravery...now this was one thrilling novel. Between the spunky heroine and the steadfast hero, plus all of the intriguing secondary characters, there was a lot to love here. I thought the connection between Maggie and Jake was realistic--especially given that they each were survivors of past trauma--and they had a fun, sweet, teasing type of banter that made their scenes together a joy to read. Full review to come.
September 27, 2020
I recently made a vow to myself to become more selective about the books I choose to read. That means to DNF any book that simply is not interesting enough to me to spend anymore time reading it. This is where this book landed. If I could give it 2.5stars I would but, I just couldn't give it three, hence, the 2star review.
While I have enjoyed a lot of Romantic Thrillers, I've come to realize that I prefer the ones that are heavier on the "Thriller" part of the book and lighter on the "Romantic" part. This book didn't meet that criteria. Enough said.
While I have enjoyed a lot of Romantic Thrillers, I've come to realize that I prefer the ones that are heavier on the "Thriller" part of the book and lighter on the "Romantic" part. This book didn't meet that criteria. Enough said.
September 11, 2023
I’m conflicted in this review. The author is a good writer and has talent, but this book overall was not good. It is to the point of annoyance how much the author constantly refers to the protagonist’s triggering experience. Literally, almost every page in the book has a reference and this thing is almost 400 pages! And the actual hostage situation “climax” or story peak goes on for chapters and chapters and chapters until you just want them to all die bc you can’t bear to continue reading. Sorry but jeez.
November 13, 2017
More like a 2-1/2. Parts were really good. Then there were parts that were Lifetime Channel gratuitous drama. The one sex scene wasn't really needed -- unless someone said it had to be in there so it could be really considered a romance. What really annoyed me was the "cliffhanger" which, to me, is really just a ploy to sucker you into buying the next book. It's cheesy at best....and a sure way to keep me from reading anything by that author again.
January 1, 2018
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. Maggie Kincaid is an ex-FBI officer with a tragic past. She and Jake O'Connor work together to solve the kidnapping of a young girl. There's an undeniable attraction between them, leaving plenty of room for more books in the series. Although this book reaches a satisfying conclusion, there is the underlying mystery of Maggie's missing sister that I'm sure will haunt her through future books as she searches for answers.
March 5, 2018
I'm a new fan of Tess Diamond and I love this FBI Thriller Series. I read this out of order so I already knew some of what happened from the next book in the series. Still, I loved this novel. I'm not sure why people gave it less stars than the next one because I thought this one was better. Great characters that I'm happy will continue in the series, gripping suspenseful storylines and smart writing. I'm also very appreciative of the good proofreading and almost no typos!!
June 5, 2018
Worth the 5 star 🌟
I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I'm a big fan of this type of story. The charters were strong and the romance adds just the right touch because it has a great deal to do with the story not just thrown in just for the sake of it. I like a book that makes you wonder. You know there is corruption in people with power .Even though this is a book of fiction it strikes on realidy.
I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I'm a big fan of this type of story. The charters were strong and the romance adds just the right touch because it has a great deal to do with the story not just thrown in just for the sake of it. I like a book that makes you wonder. You know there is corruption in people with power .Even though this is a book of fiction it strikes on realidy.
May 8, 2020
Maggie has a personal motivation for her FBI career. But that last mission was too much, she left to work with her family's charity. But then her old mentor calls in a favor, another child has been kidnapped, and she needs to save Kayla. Can Maggie figure out what's going on? Who is the kidnapper and what do they really want? Can she find her in time? Will be looking for the next book in the series.
October 7, 2023
New to me author; not sure I'll try another one. So far, this is just repetitive angst and melodrama as Maggie has endless inner dialogues about the same thing. Also, too much narration & not enough dialogue. Plus not a fan of insta-love in the 1st hours of the kidnapping. Also don't cliffhangers, and this is apparently a trilogy! Books #2 and #3 of this story aren't available to me anywhere; oh well, I know how it will all play out anyway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews