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The Legionnaires #2
Edge of Truth
A woman searching for the truth…
Kidnapped and thrown in an underground prison, journalist Tess Newell thinks she’s a goner. Stopping the terrorists holding her hostage seems impossible—until the arrival of a mysterious prisoner whose smile masks an edge more lethal than their captors.
A soldier with the darkest of secrets…
A French Foreign Legionnaire bound to a brotherhood that is both his blessing and curse, Flynn launches a daring escape—but honor won’t allow him to abandon the brazen, alluring reporter whose prying questions could bring down his world. The only thing more dangerous than the enemy close on their tail is the searing passion threatening to detonate between them…
Kidnapped and thrown in an underground prison, journalist Tess Newell thinks she’s a goner. Stopping the terrorists holding her hostage seems impossible—until the arrival of a mysterious prisoner whose smile masks an edge more lethal than their captors.
A soldier with the darkest of secrets…
A French Foreign Legionnaire bound to a brotherhood that is both his blessing and curse, Flynn launches a daring escape—but honor won’t allow him to abandon the brazen, alluring reporter whose prying questions could bring down his world. The only thing more dangerous than the enemy close on their tail is the searing passion threatening to detonate between them…
576 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 30, 2017
32 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
Brynn Kelly
9 books334 followersRITA-winner Brynn Kelly is a romantic suspense author, an award-winning journalist and copy editor, a soccer mom, and a theater nerd. She pens lighthearted romantic suspense audiobooks for Audible Originals, including YOU ONLY DIE TWICE, A MURDER TO REMEMBER, ONCE UPON A CRIME and SOME LIKE IT LETHAL, and is the author of the multiple award-winning DECEPTION ISLAND series of gritty romantic thrillers, available in ebook, print and audio. Find her on Instagram @writerbron or Facebook @brynnkellyauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 31, 2019
While doing a story on a terrorist group with ties to a U.S. Senator, Journalist Tess Newell is kidnapped and thrown into an underground bunker. She soon finds herself sharing her prison with Flynn, a member of the French Foreign Legion. Flynn ha a lot of secrets and doesn't like all of the questions Tess keeps throwing at him. But when he breaks out of the prison, he takes Tess with him. He wants to head for the closest border, but she wants to pick up the evidence that will bring down the whole terrorist organization.
This romantic suspense story is non-stop action from page one. Tess is determined to get her story out, even if it kills her. Flynn wants to get the story out too; but feels it would be much easier to do it on safer ground. My only problem with the story was Tess continually wanting to leave Flynn behind (for his own safety) and do everything on her own. The whole story takes place over three days. That is kind of rushed for a romance, but it really didn't feel rushed at all. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This romantic suspense story is non-stop action from page one. Tess is determined to get her story out, even if it kills her. Flynn wants to get the story out too; but feels it would be much easier to do it on safer ground. My only problem with the story was Tess continually wanting to leave Flynn behind (for his own safety) and do everything on her own. The whole story takes place over three days. That is kind of rushed for a romance, but it really didn't feel rushed at all. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
May 11, 2017
A celebrity reporter is thrown into jail in some unknown location in Africa, presumably held by terrorists making a demand. But it appears that Tess has uncovered some secrets of her own, which will probably upend what most people categorise in their black-and-white-worlds of good vs. evil. Her only hope of escape, however, is an edgy, secretive soldier thrown into the same jail cell with her and until the truth emerges, it’s best that they stick together since escape is their end game.
While I’d read Brynn Kelly’s first book ‘Deception Island’ with a dose of skepticism, getting an early copy of ‘Edge of Truth’ made me excited once again for the shady, spooks and spies kind of story that promises heart-pounding action. To some extent, that is what the story offers.
But if it started out great for me, it fizzled out too soon, only picking up towards the end. Nonetheless, it’s well-written, with many detailed, descriptive scenes that amp up the experience of Flynn and Tess making their escape and guaranteed to make your pulse speed up.
For the rest of the time though, I wondered where the narrative was going. There was loads of time spent in the deep POV, which made for exciting action, yet focused so much on sensory experience that I couldn’t, after a while, make sense of what was really happening (and lost any sense of time like the characters did), or whether progress was really made in getting to the crux of the story. Dialogue—banter almost—is interspersed with periods of waiting and action, and it took so long getting to the part where Tess finally stopped looking at Flynn with suspicion despite his many attempts at saving her. I’d hope to see more of the fallout after the conspiracy exposed, but the story never quite got there in the end, focusing instead, on the steps that Flynn/Tess took to escape and give the bad guys the runaround.
However, Tess's self-righteous behaviour (mostly consisting of pushing away) annoyed me, as did her insistence that things had to be done only her way while accusing Flynn of having a hero-complex. I hated how she never listened but did things on her own because she was only convinced that only her way would keep everyone safe. Grateful much? This saviour-complex and the secrets she stubbornly strove to keep, supposedly for the good of everyone, crossed the line into TSTL for me long before I could even think of it as bravery. That her wilfulness ended up in her also breaking the one thing Flynn asked of her—to leave his past the hell alone because it left him in a world of hurt—made it hard for me to like her at all. It screws up clearly, her efforts gone to waste as Flynn rushes to her rescue…yet again. A hell of a lot happens in 2 days—as though time has been compressed—and there’s clearly instant-love at work here, with Flynn seeming to have more of a revelatory experience than Tess and I never quite got the feeling that she returned that sentiment with as much force as he did—that much she prioritised the ‘story’ above all else.
For me, the long and short of it is, I wished I were more convinced by this story, as well as by a pairing that should have made more sense but didn’t. Flynn/Tess weren’t entirely believable (or compatible) as a couple but if you’re in it more for the suspense and action, then ‘Edge of Truth’ would work perfectly.
*ARC by netgalley and the publisher
(ever grateful, as always)
While I’d read Brynn Kelly’s first book ‘Deception Island’ with a dose of skepticism, getting an early copy of ‘Edge of Truth’ made me excited once again for the shady, spooks and spies kind of story that promises heart-pounding action. To some extent, that is what the story offers.
But if it started out great for me, it fizzled out too soon, only picking up towards the end. Nonetheless, it’s well-written, with many detailed, descriptive scenes that amp up the experience of Flynn and Tess making their escape and guaranteed to make your pulse speed up.
For the rest of the time though, I wondered where the narrative was going. There was loads of time spent in the deep POV, which made for exciting action, yet focused so much on sensory experience that I couldn’t, after a while, make sense of what was really happening (and lost any sense of time like the characters did), or whether progress was really made in getting to the crux of the story. Dialogue—banter almost—is interspersed with periods of waiting and action, and it took so long getting to the part where Tess finally stopped looking at Flynn with suspicion despite his many attempts at saving her. I’d hope to see more of the fallout after the conspiracy exposed, but the story never quite got there in the end, focusing instead, on the steps that Flynn/Tess took to escape and give the bad guys the runaround.
However, Tess's self-righteous behaviour (mostly consisting of pushing away) annoyed me, as did her insistence that things had to be done only her way while accusing Flynn of having a hero-complex. I hated how she never listened but did things on her own because she was only convinced that only her way would keep everyone safe. Grateful much? This saviour-complex and the secrets she stubbornly strove to keep, supposedly for the good of everyone, crossed the line into TSTL for me long before I could even think of it as bravery. That her wilfulness ended up in her also breaking the one thing Flynn asked of her—to leave his past the hell alone because it left him in a world of hurt—made it hard for me to like her at all. It screws up clearly, her efforts gone to waste as Flynn rushes to her rescue…yet again. A hell of a lot happens in 2 days—as though time has been compressed—and there’s clearly instant-love at work here, with Flynn seeming to have more of a revelatory experience than Tess and I never quite got the feeling that she returned that sentiment with as much force as he did—that much she prioritised the ‘story’ above all else.
For me, the long and short of it is, I wished I were more convinced by this story, as well as by a pairing that should have made more sense but didn’t. Flynn/Tess weren’t entirely believable (or compatible) as a couple but if you’re in it more for the suspense and action, then ‘Edge of Truth’ would work perfectly.
*ARC by netgalley and the publisher
(ever grateful, as always)
October 4, 2017
A suspenseful edge-of-your-seat all-too-real thriller!
Gunfire cracked around them.
“Just warning shots,” he yelled.
“How do you know?”
“We’re not dead.”
Edge of Truth by Brynn Kelly was hands-down a must-read for me after I absolutely inhaled Brynn’s debut romantic thriller, Deception Island, last year. I was not disappointed. It doesn’t feel like it when you’re reading it, but the entire story takes place over just two days! It’s extremely fast-paced with lots of deadly action and was intense to the nth degree. The primary players are Tess Newell, a female investigative journalist, and Flynn, a French Foreign Legionnaire.
As the story opens, readers meet Tess who was being held in brutal and squalid conditions by terrorists in Ethiopia. She was targeted and kidnapped by the terrorists because she was prepared to break a whale of an expose on the terrorists and their collusion with some crooked politicians. Shortly after, we meet Flynn as he joins her in their hole-in-the-ground dungeon. Flynn’s an Australian with a past that he wanted to forget. That’s why he joined the French Foreign Legion where he could be anonymous forevermore. Injured, tortured and beaten, their horrendous situation facilitates an alliance of sorts between them. The combination of extreme stress, constant danger and the chemistry between them then quickly evolves their connection into a fiery insta-love.
I really liked both the hero and the heroine. Flynn was hot and sexy and Tess’ character was beyond approach. They both had serious trust issues. Even though they came from different backgrounds, they had much in common which made their attraction more plausible. Flynn’s without question a bona fide hero with a veritable talent for getting out of extraordinarily dangerous situations. Their sexy, touching and funny banter was perfect and much appreciated as it provided some much-needed relief from the relentless tension.
Some of what transpires, I had issues envisioning without multiple miracles. But, hey, this is fiction and it makes for a great story. If I had one complaint, it’s that I craved some downtime between the high-stress scenes which just kept relentlessly coming….
Supporting characters included Flynn’s Legionnaire cohorts who came to assist Flynn and Tess. They each had stories to tell too.
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Edge of Truth:
“Can you hyperventilate a little quieter?” he whispered.
---
“You promised me a kiss,” she whispered.
“A rash comment in the heat of the moment.” His face was so close she could feel electricity snapping between them.
“I think I’m still feeling that heat.”
She tilted her hips. He groaned. It was enough. His mouth captured hers.
---
“Read it to me.”
“Seriously?” he said quietly. “You want me to read you poetry? Like saving your life ten times wasn’t enough?”
---
He shushed her, laughing. “I’d like to be that spider, if that woman was you.”
Edge of Truth was non-stop, breathtaking and mind-boggling set against a corrupt conspiracy. The story was brutal, fierce and felt realistic. If you enjoy suspenseful edge-of-your-seat all-too-real thrillers with life-changing and likely life-ending consequences, buckle your seat belt tightly and dive into Edge of Truth.
My full review is posted at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
Gunfire cracked around them.
“Just warning shots,” he yelled.
“How do you know?”
“We’re not dead.”
Edge of Truth by Brynn Kelly was hands-down a must-read for me after I absolutely inhaled Brynn’s debut romantic thriller, Deception Island, last year. I was not disappointed. It doesn’t feel like it when you’re reading it, but the entire story takes place over just two days! It’s extremely fast-paced with lots of deadly action and was intense to the nth degree. The primary players are Tess Newell, a female investigative journalist, and Flynn, a French Foreign Legionnaire.
As the story opens, readers meet Tess who was being held in brutal and squalid conditions by terrorists in Ethiopia. She was targeted and kidnapped by the terrorists because she was prepared to break a whale of an expose on the terrorists and their collusion with some crooked politicians. Shortly after, we meet Flynn as he joins her in their hole-in-the-ground dungeon. Flynn’s an Australian with a past that he wanted to forget. That’s why he joined the French Foreign Legion where he could be anonymous forevermore. Injured, tortured and beaten, their horrendous situation facilitates an alliance of sorts between them. The combination of extreme stress, constant danger and the chemistry between them then quickly evolves their connection into a fiery insta-love.
I really liked both the hero and the heroine. Flynn was hot and sexy and Tess’ character was beyond approach. They both had serious trust issues. Even though they came from different backgrounds, they had much in common which made their attraction more plausible. Flynn’s without question a bona fide hero with a veritable talent for getting out of extraordinarily dangerous situations. Their sexy, touching and funny banter was perfect and much appreciated as it provided some much-needed relief from the relentless tension.
Some of what transpires, I had issues envisioning without multiple miracles. But, hey, this is fiction and it makes for a great story. If I had one complaint, it’s that I craved some downtime between the high-stress scenes which just kept relentlessly coming….
Supporting characters included Flynn’s Legionnaire cohorts who came to assist Flynn and Tess. They each had stories to tell too.
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Edge of Truth:
“Can you hyperventilate a little quieter?” he whispered.
---
“You promised me a kiss,” she whispered.
“A rash comment in the heat of the moment.” His face was so close she could feel electricity snapping between them.
“I think I’m still feeling that heat.”
She tilted her hips. He groaned. It was enough. His mouth captured hers.
---
“Read it to me.”
“Seriously?” he said quietly. “You want me to read you poetry? Like saving your life ten times wasn’t enough?”
---
He shushed her, laughing. “I’d like to be that spider, if that woman was you.”
Edge of Truth was non-stop, breathtaking and mind-boggling set against a corrupt conspiracy. The story was brutal, fierce and felt realistic. If you enjoy suspenseful edge-of-your-seat all-too-real thrillers with life-changing and likely life-ending consequences, buckle your seat belt tightly and dive into Edge of Truth.
My full review is posted at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
August 10, 2017
Originally posted
HERE
.
It took me a while to read this book, not because it was bad or boring, but because I liked it so much and was enjoying the characters and all the research so much, I wanted to make the most of it.
Edge of Truth is *everything* I’ve been asking for in romantic suspense for years, all there in one book. I think some of the mixed reaction to it has been because it IS about the suspense, and the setting is everything; no random “terrorist-riddled non-American country” cliché here. The research is fantastic, the author’s obvious local knowledge of Africa makes all the difference, and it’s not all about some hot-guy-romance.
However, the romance IS very strong. Hero and heroine are thrown together right from the outset, and are together more or less without a break for the entire book. Both are captured by a terror group, and both have good reasons for their involvement in the unfolding drama.
Television journalist Tess has been digging into US political connections to the terror group and the war they are trying to provoke. She has world-changing information to get out to the public, but she is trapped, imprisoned.
French Foreign Legion soldier Flynn is hiding some major secrets of his own, but he can’t bring himself to walk away from Tess when he helps her escape her captors.
I’ve been saying I wanted real-world issues in my books, and I always, always appreciate an author who knows her setting inside out. This book created a sense of place more than almost anything I’ve ever read, and that is one of the reasons I’m going to remember it long after more generic suspense books.
Everything about Edge of Truth comes across as relevant to right now, to the corruption and double-sided dealings of many powerful people in world (and especially US) politics.
However, this would all be nothing without the great characters. The Kiwi author manages to create a totally realistic Australian hero and an American heroine. Their relationship is built on desperate situations and a lot of clever conversation. The dialogue is natural and believable.
The story unfolds over only a few days, and yet I bought into the relationship. Perhaps there was a time or two where the focus on the growing attraction between the two might have seemed slightly out of place, but as the book unfolded I realised I was fine with it.
Africa isn’t the most popular setting for Western stories, romances or otherwise, but I strongly encourage readers to bury their fears of the foreign and give this one a go.
I just knew from the first time I read the blurb that this was going to be a book I’d love, and I was correct.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
It took me a while to read this book, not because it was bad or boring, but because I liked it so much and was enjoying the characters and all the research so much, I wanted to make the most of it.
Edge of Truth is *everything* I’ve been asking for in romantic suspense for years, all there in one book. I think some of the mixed reaction to it has been because it IS about the suspense, and the setting is everything; no random “terrorist-riddled non-American country” cliché here. The research is fantastic, the author’s obvious local knowledge of Africa makes all the difference, and it’s not all about some hot-guy-romance.
However, the romance IS very strong. Hero and heroine are thrown together right from the outset, and are together more or less without a break for the entire book. Both are captured by a terror group, and both have good reasons for their involvement in the unfolding drama.
Television journalist Tess has been digging into US political connections to the terror group and the war they are trying to provoke. She has world-changing information to get out to the public, but she is trapped, imprisoned.
French Foreign Legion soldier Flynn is hiding some major secrets of his own, but he can’t bring himself to walk away from Tess when he helps her escape her captors.
I’ve been saying I wanted real-world issues in my books, and I always, always appreciate an author who knows her setting inside out. This book created a sense of place more than almost anything I’ve ever read, and that is one of the reasons I’m going to remember it long after more generic suspense books.
Everything about Edge of Truth comes across as relevant to right now, to the corruption and double-sided dealings of many powerful people in world (and especially US) politics.
However, this would all be nothing without the great characters. The Kiwi author manages to create a totally realistic Australian hero and an American heroine. Their relationship is built on desperate situations and a lot of clever conversation. The dialogue is natural and believable.
The story unfolds over only a few days, and yet I bought into the relationship. Perhaps there was a time or two where the focus on the growing attraction between the two might have seemed slightly out of place, but as the book unfolded I realised I was fine with it.
Africa isn’t the most popular setting for Western stories, romances or otherwise, but I strongly encourage readers to bury their fears of the foreign and give this one a go.
I just knew from the first time I read the blurb that this was going to be a book I’d love, and I was correct.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
July 13, 2017
Couldn't put it down! Brynn Kelly really knows how to write a page-turner.
April 2, 2017
2.5*
I have very mixed feelings about Brynn Kelly’s EDGE OF TRUTH. It wasn’t bad per se--not to the point where it was a DNF-- but I didn’t particularly enjoy it either. The description conjured up images of Formula One-paced action, but the reality was more grandma-driving-a-moped. For a book about a journalist captured by an African terrorist group whilst unmasking a massive political conspiracy who’s rescued from an Ethiopian prison by a French Foreign Legionnaire, the story is surprisingly plodding. Seriously, 400+ pages, and it only gets exciting in the last ~40. This is my second lacklustre experience with a Brynn Kelly book, so I think I’ll be giving her work a pass in the future.
I have very mixed feelings about Brynn Kelly’s EDGE OF TRUTH. It wasn’t bad per se--not to the point where it was a DNF-- but I didn’t particularly enjoy it either. The description conjured up images of Formula One-paced action, but the reality was more grandma-driving-a-moped. For a book about a journalist captured by an African terrorist group whilst unmasking a massive political conspiracy who’s rescued from an Ethiopian prison by a French Foreign Legionnaire, the story is surprisingly plodding. Seriously, 400+ pages, and it only gets exciting in the last ~40. This is my second lacklustre experience with a Brynn Kelly book, so I think I’ll be giving her work a pass in the future.
March 18, 2017
Brynn Kelly certainly can write suspense. Wow, this book kept you sitting on the edge of your seat the entire ride. And boy, was it a wild one! Totally action packed with a hero who makes you sigh in appreciation and a gutsy heroine who never gives up and is totally worthy of the hero. This book just ran from dangerous scene to dangerous scene and I barely had time to breath. But when the main characters finally had a chance to explore their new feelings, bam, it was explosive. The chemistry between them was believable and so hot. This is a book you can't put down and I know this author will be on my auto-buy list for anything new she writes. Excellent job!
June 5, 2017
Non-stop, breathtaking, explosive, deadly action mixed with an instant attraction that leads to a romance.
From the very start, the story put me on alert with the cruelty of the circumstances. Brynn Kelly writes action and battle scenes with a fierce edge and realistic consequences.
The abundance of constant action and long fight scenes had me holding my breath, and exhausted. At times it seemed a bit too much happening at once - like several pages were used to describe a minute of action - and it started to be overwhelming, making it difficult to build the images in my mind. Having to go back several times to check what did I just read started to dull the edge of the intensity of the story.
The conspiracy, the political power hoarding behind the events, and the goal of the capture of Tess Newell were eerily realistic and believable.
The spark between Tess and Flynn is hot and fiery. Even when captured they are firing puns and banter, with lustful glances. What they accomplish within the two days is nothing sort of miracle, and the constant fear for their lives and the fear of the future, if they do not succeed in their mission, draws them together and the budding feelings bind them tightly to each other.
I admired their determination to accomplish their mission even while facing the possible death, that they understood the consequences of the stratagem and prioritized the mission to resolve the issues.
Breathtaking and mind-boggling action, deadly and cruel battles, political suspense that chills your bones with its rational, political secrets that need to be exposed yet to accomplish that will expose the personal secrets of the protagonists that will have life changing and even possible life-ending effects. Buckle down, the road to the Edge of Truth is frenzied and violent.
~ Four Spoons
From the very start, the story put me on alert with the cruelty of the circumstances. Brynn Kelly writes action and battle scenes with a fierce edge and realistic consequences.
The abundance of constant action and long fight scenes had me holding my breath, and exhausted. At times it seemed a bit too much happening at once - like several pages were used to describe a minute of action - and it started to be overwhelming, making it difficult to build the images in my mind. Having to go back several times to check what did I just read started to dull the edge of the intensity of the story.
The conspiracy, the political power hoarding behind the events, and the goal of the capture of Tess Newell were eerily realistic and believable.
The spark between Tess and Flynn is hot and fiery. Even when captured they are firing puns and banter, with lustful glances. What they accomplish within the two days is nothing sort of miracle, and the constant fear for their lives and the fear of the future, if they do not succeed in their mission, draws them together and the budding feelings bind them tightly to each other.
I admired their determination to accomplish their mission even while facing the possible death, that they understood the consequences of the stratagem and prioritized the mission to resolve the issues.
Breathtaking and mind-boggling action, deadly and cruel battles, political suspense that chills your bones with its rational, political secrets that need to be exposed yet to accomplish that will expose the personal secrets of the protagonists that will have life changing and even possible life-ending effects. Buckle down, the road to the Edge of Truth is frenzied and violent.
~ Four Spoons
January 5, 2018
This entire book takes place over the course of two days. Lots of action and insta-love packed into those days.
Tess is an American journalist working on the story of her career in Africa when she is kidnapped and thrown into an underground cell by those she is trying to expose. When a soldier is thrown in with her, hope of escape flickers.
Flynn is hiding secrets of his own. He doesn’t trust Tess any more than she trusts him but they must work together to escape. Once they escape, Tess starts grating on my nerves. She is insistent her way is the only way to do things. She refuses to trust Flynn despite multiple ways he has shown her he can be trusted. Getting her story out is her only priority. And when she does the one thing Flynn asked her not to? Game over. These two are so opposite, it makes it hard to believe they belong together.
The book flows well, with lots of details that draw you further into the story. However, it ended too abruptly for me. I wanted to see more of the fallout from the expose. Even with the suspense, I didn’t feel connected to the characters, main or supporting. I haven’t read the first book of the series and easily read this as a standalone.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.
Tess is an American journalist working on the story of her career in Africa when she is kidnapped and thrown into an underground cell by those she is trying to expose. When a soldier is thrown in with her, hope of escape flickers.
Flynn is hiding secrets of his own. He doesn’t trust Tess any more than she trusts him but they must work together to escape. Once they escape, Tess starts grating on my nerves. She is insistent her way is the only way to do things. She refuses to trust Flynn despite multiple ways he has shown her he can be trusted. Getting her story out is her only priority. And when she does the one thing Flynn asked her not to? Game over. These two are so opposite, it makes it hard to believe they belong together.
The book flows well, with lots of details that draw you further into the story. However, it ended too abruptly for me. I wanted to see more of the fallout from the expose. Even with the suspense, I didn’t feel connected to the characters, main or supporting. I haven’t read the first book of the series and easily read this as a standalone.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.
February 20, 2018
Fast-paced, sexy, adventurous, thrilling.....these are some words to describe this new novel by Brynn Kelly.
The leading lady, Tess, is an American journalist who has been kidnapped and imprisoned in East Africa. Tess was on the brink of exposing a conspiracy that would shock Americans and bring down many of those in power.
Tess is joined in her cell/dungeon by the hunky, Flynn. Their escape and evasion from being captured is the basis of this novel which is set over only two days.
The banter between the two main characters is great and the chemistry between them is sizzling.
Tess is a fabulous character, she is a strong woman and as much the hero as Flynn. Both Tess and Flynn have inherent flaws which are explored and exposed during their time together. Their pasts contain secrets and regrets but by being thrust into an intense relationship they are forced to explore and face up to their emotional "baggage". The life and death situation is a perfect catalyst to re-evaluate what is important in their lives.
The environment and the location is described vividly so even if you have never been to Africa you get a sense of the environment, community and landscape.
If you're after something different in the romance genre with a lot of action, drama, heroics and adventure then definitely pick up this book, get transported to Africa and enjoy the intrigue.
The leading lady, Tess, is an American journalist who has been kidnapped and imprisoned in East Africa. Tess was on the brink of exposing a conspiracy that would shock Americans and bring down many of those in power.
Tess is joined in her cell/dungeon by the hunky, Flynn. Their escape and evasion from being captured is the basis of this novel which is set over only two days.
The banter between the two main characters is great and the chemistry between them is sizzling.
Tess is a fabulous character, she is a strong woman and as much the hero as Flynn. Both Tess and Flynn have inherent flaws which are explored and exposed during their time together. Their pasts contain secrets and regrets but by being thrust into an intense relationship they are forced to explore and face up to their emotional "baggage". The life and death situation is a perfect catalyst to re-evaluate what is important in their lives.
The environment and the location is described vividly so even if you have never been to Africa you get a sense of the environment, community and landscape.
If you're after something different in the romance genre with a lot of action, drama, heroics and adventure then definitely pick up this book, get transported to Africa and enjoy the intrigue.
May 27, 2017
Edge of Truth was a new author to me.
The book opens with Tess, she is being help prisoner and under constant threat of being executed every day; until, Flynn is thrown into the same prison with her.
How can two people, who both are on the cusp of death, find the resolve to survive? That's the start of the ride to survival for both Tess and Flynn.
I had a few heart stopping moments while reading. I plan on checking out other titles from Ms. Kelly.
The book opens with Tess, she is being help prisoner and under constant threat of being executed every day; until, Flynn is thrown into the same prison with her.
How can two people, who both are on the cusp of death, find the resolve to survive? That's the start of the ride to survival for both Tess and Flynn.
I had a few heart stopping moments while reading. I plan on checking out other titles from Ms. Kelly.
December 30, 2017
From net galley
This newest book features journalists Tess who is captured by terrorist and Flynn legion solider there in black ops mission who saves her . But she.needs to get her story out no matter the cost and with some help she will. This book is a page turner with lots of action straight from the front page new and romance of two strong people.
This newest book features journalists Tess who is captured by terrorist and Flynn legion solider there in black ops mission who saves her . But she.needs to get her story out no matter the cost and with some help she will. This book is a page turner with lots of action straight from the front page new and romance of two strong people.
January 29, 2018
Brynn Kelly is able to create a action packed story with a feisty female reporter who won't stop from getting her story out and a Alpha Male who wants nothing to do with her but survive. someone between being imprisoned together and saving each others lives they fall madly in love. Your traditional Harlequin romance story.
Yet this story standout in so many different way. The author is able to take an action pack story that many times feels like readers are on a roller coaster and blend a background story of Flynn that will hook readers in wanting to know more about the mystery man and his desire to keep his secret and his past silent and boy I didn't see that one coming.
Brynn Kelly creates a vivid Africa nation where men and woman are sold for food and the trill of war. The story is over the top but the author is able to create such amazing characters anything silly is pushed aside.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Books for the copy of Edge of Truth.
I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Yet this story standout in so many different way. The author is able to take an action pack story that many times feels like readers are on a roller coaster and blend a background story of Flynn that will hook readers in wanting to know more about the mystery man and his desire to keep his secret and his past silent and boy I didn't see that one coming.
Brynn Kelly creates a vivid Africa nation where men and woman are sold for food and the trill of war. The story is over the top but the author is able to create such amazing characters anything silly is pushed aside.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Books for the copy of Edge of Truth.
I can't wait to read the next in the series.
July 7, 2018
Wow! I simply could not put this book down. It was an adrenaline rush. Loved it from the opening pages. There's also a bonus story called "Forbidden River" which I thought was fantastic. Cody and Tia's story was a wild ride. If you're looking for a book with plenty of action, then you need to read this.
August 1, 2017
I’ve waited a year to read another book by Brynn Kelly and Edge of Truth doesn’t disappoint. This book is full of action and romantic tension that had me finishing the book in one day. There is just something about the way this author writes that captivates me and pulls me into the story every time, and I can’t wait to read her next book.
November 22, 2022
This story covered two days and was 436 pages long.
With all the high drama covered, it was pretty unlikely.
With all the high drama covered, it was pretty unlikely.
May 12, 2017
5 wild and unpredictable stars for EDGE OF TRUTH!
High-profile American TV journalist Tess Newell is certain that someone, anyone, will be searching for her after she's been kidnapped by a terrorist group in East Africa. When a French Foreign Legionnaire literally gets dropped into her hellhole, Tess is wary, but glad to have human contact again. Flynn doesn't mess around. After recovering for a few hours, he's busting them out of the underground dungeon and into that desert night, evading recapture, land mines, opportunistic thieves and a multi-government terrorist cell and mercenary hunt for them. Through several countries, landscapes and dangers, Tess and Flynn are on a mission to expose the truth about the al-Thawra jihadist group.
Daaaaaamn!! There was no sophomore slump for Ms. Kelly! EDGE OF TRUTH was a fast paced romantic action/suspense read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. This exciting read took us to African and Middle Eastern countries in a vivid and sometimes heartbreaking way. Ms. Kelly wove this fantastical tale about terrorism, conspiracy theories, human suffering, the resiliency of the human spirit and the will to live and to let love in.
The entire book takes place in the span of just a few days, and it's a whirlwind. From the moment Flynn is dropped into Tess' dungeon, it's a fast-paced race to get the evidence needed to take down the corrupt government officials in many countries. I loved every single thing about this story, about Ms. Kelly's writing style, about the vivid description of their surroundings and about the magnetic connection between the characters. Both Flynn and Tess are completely badass, hardcore survivors who I could've read another 100 pages on. I'm absolutely blown away by this author and highly recommend picking up EDGE OF TRUTH, but also her first book featuring an EDGE OF TRUTH secondary character, Deception Island.
Bottom Line: No OM/OW or sharing; condom use; no BDSM/kink; no sexual assault; violence/murder.
High-profile American TV journalist Tess Newell is certain that someone, anyone, will be searching for her after she's been kidnapped by a terrorist group in East Africa. When a French Foreign Legionnaire literally gets dropped into her hellhole, Tess is wary, but glad to have human contact again. Flynn doesn't mess around. After recovering for a few hours, he's busting them out of the underground dungeon and into that desert night, evading recapture, land mines, opportunistic thieves and a multi-government terrorist cell and mercenary hunt for them. Through several countries, landscapes and dangers, Tess and Flynn are on a mission to expose the truth about the al-Thawra jihadist group.
Daaaaaamn!! There was no sophomore slump for Ms. Kelly! EDGE OF TRUTH was a fast paced romantic action/suspense read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. This exciting read took us to African and Middle Eastern countries in a vivid and sometimes heartbreaking way. Ms. Kelly wove this fantastical tale about terrorism, conspiracy theories, human suffering, the resiliency of the human spirit and the will to live and to let love in.
The entire book takes place in the span of just a few days, and it's a whirlwind. From the moment Flynn is dropped into Tess' dungeon, it's a fast-paced race to get the evidence needed to take down the corrupt government officials in many countries. I loved every single thing about this story, about Ms. Kelly's writing style, about the vivid description of their surroundings and about the magnetic connection between the characters. Both Flynn and Tess are completely badass, hardcore survivors who I could've read another 100 pages on. I'm absolutely blown away by this author and highly recommend picking up EDGE OF TRUTH, but also her first book featuring an EDGE OF TRUTH secondary character, Deception Island.
Bottom Line: No OM/OW or sharing; condom use; no BDSM/kink; no sexual assault; violence/murder.
June 2, 2017
Edge of Truth is a story that place over two days, so let me say that it packs a HUGE punch! Like hard to catch your breath, heart racing exciting punch! American Journalist, Tess Newell, is chasing a story in Africa when she's captured and thrown in a dungeon. She's being held hostage by the terrorist group that she's there to investigate, so it stands to reason that her story isn't going well at all at this point. Things start to look up a bit when a French Foreign Legionnaire arrives as another prisoner. Tess believes that Flynn is her salvation, but her instant attraction isn't going to help. After they make a daring escape, they are together racing against time to gather the evidence she needs. And although their chemistry is doing it's best to overtake them, the deadly enemy is closing in quickly. Oh holy hell, my heart is still racing long after I read this story. Brynn Kelly is a diabolical genius with her talented writing style which transported me into Africa with Tess and Flynn. The suspense is insane, with the action making it hard to catch my breath. And of course the intense chemistry is making everything even more pronounced in my opinion. This was a super exciting story that I didn't move one inch until the very last page was finished, while dropping loud f-bombs cover to cover. I'm excited about this author, which makes me a new fan! I can only hope that everyone who reads this review picks this amazing book up to read! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 26, 2017
Tess Jewell is a journalist who has been kidnapped because the story she was chasing is so big it could topple governments. She has been told she will be executed live on television. Her kidnappers have already tortured her to find out where the proof of her story is hidden.
Flynn is a soldier with the French Foreign Legion, an army that asks no questions about the past lives of it's recruits. They are expendable and sent into places nobody else will go. He was taken by terrorists who want to use him to stir up trouble. Little do they know he will never be claimed by any country.
The danger our protagonists face from the first to the last page will keep you on the edge of seat all the way through. They will battle impossible odds and still find time for an explosive romance.
A very exciting, action packed story.
Flynn is a soldier with the French Foreign Legion, an army that asks no questions about the past lives of it's recruits. They are expendable and sent into places nobody else will go. He was taken by terrorists who want to use him to stir up trouble. Little do they know he will never be claimed by any country.
The danger our protagonists face from the first to the last page will keep you on the edge of seat all the way through. They will battle impossible odds and still find time for an explosive romance.
A very exciting, action packed story.
September 10, 2017
Edge of Truth is the first novel I've read by Brynn Kelly, and what an amazing read it was--it gets 5 big stars from this reviewer.
Tess Newell, a renowned American television investigative journalist has been captured, tortured and imprisoned in a festering, stinking hole in the ground somewhere in East Africa--at least that's her best guess as to her location when she comes to after being drugged and kidnapped. She's been trapped there in almost complete darkness for the better part of a week when suddenly an unconscious man is dropped into her small prison. He appears to be in the French Foreign Legion, and Tess tries to tend to his wounds with her meager supplies, but when he finally comes to, his accent keeps changing, making her increasingly suspicious. As soon as he's got his wits about him again, he breaks them out of there and begins one harrowing, dangerous, action-packed escape into the surrounding desert, where they will face terrorists--both foreign and domestic, land mines, gunfire, explosions, and a whole lot more, trying to get to safety so that Tess can finally air the story she's been pursuing--one that will lead her from the terrorists who captured her all the way back to a corrupt U.S. arms manufacturer, and traitors within the U.S. government itself, all while in a race against time before the U.S. starts a war, trying to take out the jihadist group, al-Thawra, which is exactly what the leader of this group wants. Keeping Tess safe has become the focus of the man who broke them out--Flynn, who has dark secrets of his own, and whom Tess doesn't fully trust. His heroics in this novel were very reminiscent of Indiana Jones with a bad attitude and a whole lot of sex appeal.
The action, adventure and suspense in this novel never really lets up, and yet it all takes place within the space of two harrowing and deadly dangerous days. The attraction between these two intrepid characters is fast and intense, and, while in most cases, I'd be complaining about insta-love, Tess and Flynn certainly manage to pack a lifetime of raw living, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, danger, betrayals, secrets, international intrigue, and excitement into those two days, as they race headlong into a climax so filled with anxiety and angst you'll think that a more apt title for this novel would have been Edge of Your Seat.
Kudos to Ms. Kelly for this incredibly absorbing, exciting and deeply moving read. I cannot possibly recommend it highly enough.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Tess Newell, a renowned American television investigative journalist has been captured, tortured and imprisoned in a festering, stinking hole in the ground somewhere in East Africa--at least that's her best guess as to her location when she comes to after being drugged and kidnapped. She's been trapped there in almost complete darkness for the better part of a week when suddenly an unconscious man is dropped into her small prison. He appears to be in the French Foreign Legion, and Tess tries to tend to his wounds with her meager supplies, but when he finally comes to, his accent keeps changing, making her increasingly suspicious. As soon as he's got his wits about him again, he breaks them out of there and begins one harrowing, dangerous, action-packed escape into the surrounding desert, where they will face terrorists--both foreign and domestic, land mines, gunfire, explosions, and a whole lot more, trying to get to safety so that Tess can finally air the story she's been pursuing--one that will lead her from the terrorists who captured her all the way back to a corrupt U.S. arms manufacturer, and traitors within the U.S. government itself, all while in a race against time before the U.S. starts a war, trying to take out the jihadist group, al-Thawra, which is exactly what the leader of this group wants. Keeping Tess safe has become the focus of the man who broke them out--Flynn, who has dark secrets of his own, and whom Tess doesn't fully trust. His heroics in this novel were very reminiscent of Indiana Jones with a bad attitude and a whole lot of sex appeal.
The action, adventure and suspense in this novel never really lets up, and yet it all takes place within the space of two harrowing and deadly dangerous days. The attraction between these two intrepid characters is fast and intense, and, while in most cases, I'd be complaining about insta-love, Tess and Flynn certainly manage to pack a lifetime of raw living, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, danger, betrayals, secrets, international intrigue, and excitement into those two days, as they race headlong into a climax so filled with anxiety and angst you'll think that a more apt title for this novel would have been Edge of Your Seat.
Kudos to Ms. Kelly for this incredibly absorbing, exciting and deeply moving read. I cannot possibly recommend it highly enough.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 10, 2018
Originally posted on Adria's Musings and Reviews
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
What’s it About? Journalist Tess Newell didn’t expect to escape the African dungeon she was being held in until her captors toss in another prisoner with her, a French Foreign Legionnaire known only as Flynn. Together they manage to escape but that’s only the first obstacle they face as they have to navigate enemy territory to recover incriminating evidence Tess hid away before she was captured. And that’s with almost an entire terrorist cell hunting them. Tess and Flynn share a rather quick attraction to one another but Flynn is hiding one heck of a secret that could stop their attraction from going anywhere, if the enemy doesn’t kill them first.
Overall reaction to the story? I had a hard time believing the romance in this one, as in, I didn’t buy it. The book feels like it takes place over a lengthy time when it actually doesn’t. The timeline is something like three days. Since Edge of Truth is classified as a romance that’s what caught my attention. I will say that this author excels in creating tense, dangerous situations with tons of action that feels like a big budget movie. I loved those scenes to bits which is why I didn’t DNF the book. Had the romance been at the same level as the action, Edge of Truth would have been a big winner with me.
Describe the hero in five words: Secretive. Intense. Charming. Brooding. Protective.
Did you like him? Yes.
Why? I love a hero who can be a total badass but can also crack a joke or two just to lighten up the mood. That was Flynn. At the oddest moments he’d say something that would break the tension of the situation he was in and bring a bit of humor into it. At the same time he kept people at arm’s length because he had a doozy of a secret he was understandably reluctant to share. As terrible as his secret is, I enjoyed how different it was compared to the usual “secrets” characters have. He was good at what he did but at the same time he still had to learn that there was more to life than living in the shadows.
Describe the heroine in five words: Naïve. Self-Righteous. Annoying. Bland. Stubborn.
Did you like her? No. Can’t you tell by the five words?
Why? Tess just did not win me over at all. She was stupidly naïve about how the world worked even as she sat in a dark prison after being tortured. She had this idea that stopping the bad guys would be as simple as handing over her evidence and getting it on air. She repeatedly argued with Flynn IN THE MIDDLE OF RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES people! She didn’t have the training that he had but yes, by all means tell him how to avoid being shot dead I’m sure you know better. *rolls eyes* I can at least say this about her: She didn’t trust easily which along with a whole lot of luck was why she didn’t die in the first two chapters. Which honestly would have been okay if she had been replaced by someone more worldly.
Let’s talk about the romance: No romance to be had to be honest. I wasn’t convinced that Tess wasn’t suffering from some form of Stockholm Syndrome because her “relationship” with Flynn went from “Hey other prisoner” to “Oh emm gee I totally love you” in like two days. That’s too quick for me. I can believe insta-lust but not insta-love, especially when it happens in a constant life or death situation like it did here. There were no moments of normal for them, just a lot of fighting or running for their lives, plus let’s not forget that Tess had been in an isolated state for awhile and Flynn was the first person she had contact with who didn’t torture her. The romance wasn’t built up the same way the action scenes were and that made it fall flat for me. Very flat. The book had a very unfinished feel to it when it came to their relationship. Kind of like it was just beginning rather than finishing on solid ground.
How about that supporting cast? Flynn’s team of Legionnaires were pretty interesting. They’re all carrying around some big secrets which gets my curiosity going but the fact that these guys are so loyal to one another really had me wanting to know more about them.
Click It or Skip It? If you’re looking for romance Skip It. If you’re up for an action packed suspense story then ignore the lack of romance and Click It.
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
What’s it About? Journalist Tess Newell didn’t expect to escape the African dungeon she was being held in until her captors toss in another prisoner with her, a French Foreign Legionnaire known only as Flynn. Together they manage to escape but that’s only the first obstacle they face as they have to navigate enemy territory to recover incriminating evidence Tess hid away before she was captured. And that’s with almost an entire terrorist cell hunting them. Tess and Flynn share a rather quick attraction to one another but Flynn is hiding one heck of a secret that could stop their attraction from going anywhere, if the enemy doesn’t kill them first.
Overall reaction to the story? I had a hard time believing the romance in this one, as in, I didn’t buy it. The book feels like it takes place over a lengthy time when it actually doesn’t. The timeline is something like three days. Since Edge of Truth is classified as a romance that’s what caught my attention. I will say that this author excels in creating tense, dangerous situations with tons of action that feels like a big budget movie. I loved those scenes to bits which is why I didn’t DNF the book. Had the romance been at the same level as the action, Edge of Truth would have been a big winner with me.
Describe the hero in five words: Secretive. Intense. Charming. Brooding. Protective.
Did you like him? Yes.
Why? I love a hero who can be a total badass but can also crack a joke or two just to lighten up the mood. That was Flynn. At the oddest moments he’d say something that would break the tension of the situation he was in and bring a bit of humor into it. At the same time he kept people at arm’s length because he had a doozy of a secret he was understandably reluctant to share. As terrible as his secret is, I enjoyed how different it was compared to the usual “secrets” characters have. He was good at what he did but at the same time he still had to learn that there was more to life than living in the shadows.
Describe the heroine in five words: Naïve. Self-Righteous. Annoying. Bland. Stubborn.
Did you like her? No. Can’t you tell by the five words?
Why? Tess just did not win me over at all. She was stupidly naïve about how the world worked even as she sat in a dark prison after being tortured. She had this idea that stopping the bad guys would be as simple as handing over her evidence and getting it on air. She repeatedly argued with Flynn IN THE MIDDLE OF RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES people! She didn’t have the training that he had but yes, by all means tell him how to avoid being shot dead I’m sure you know better. *rolls eyes* I can at least say this about her: She didn’t trust easily which along with a whole lot of luck was why she didn’t die in the first two chapters. Which honestly would have been okay if she had been replaced by someone more worldly.
Let’s talk about the romance: No romance to be had to be honest. I wasn’t convinced that Tess wasn’t suffering from some form of Stockholm Syndrome because her “relationship” with Flynn went from “Hey other prisoner” to “Oh emm gee I totally love you” in like two days. That’s too quick for me. I can believe insta-lust but not insta-love, especially when it happens in a constant life or death situation like it did here. There were no moments of normal for them, just a lot of fighting or running for their lives, plus let’s not forget that Tess had been in an isolated state for awhile and Flynn was the first person she had contact with who didn’t torture her. The romance wasn’t built up the same way the action scenes were and that made it fall flat for me. Very flat. The book had a very unfinished feel to it when it came to their relationship. Kind of like it was just beginning rather than finishing on solid ground.
How about that supporting cast? Flynn’s team of Legionnaires were pretty interesting. They’re all carrying around some big secrets which gets my curiosity going but the fact that these guys are so loyal to one another really had me wanting to know more about them.
Click It or Skip It? If you’re looking for romance Skip It. If you’re up for an action packed suspense story then ignore the lack of romance and Click It.
June 4, 2017
First off, let me say this is not my normal genre; being a military/action/suspense/romance. It takes place in Somalia and I don't normally travel far from the US or Europe in my readings. So I went with an open mind, wondering where this new adventure in reading would take me.
This is a 400 page book that spans about two days. To say the book is riddled with action is an understatement.
Tess Newell, strong willed and devoted-to-the-cause American journalist, is about to blow the lid off the story of a lifetime, incriminating governments, politicians, and leaders across a few countries. She is kidnapped and sentenced to be executed. Before that happens, a French Foreign Legionnaire is tossed into her cell.
The chemistry between Tess and Flynn, the Legionnaire, is sudden and swift. Thanks to Flynn's skills, they escape and flee, dodging their captures as their passions slowly escalate.
What I liked most about this story is how the author did not give Tess and Flynn any easy outs. When presented with a vehicle during their on-foot escape, many writers would be tempted to give them the vehicle and let them ride for a while. Ms. Kelly did not make things so easy on our hero and heroine. She refused to let them have the vehicle, and instead used it as a distraction as they continued on foot. The saga of their escape is full of such devises where the hunter--and reader--would expect them to do something, and the author takes them another way. Kudos on some splendid writing.
Because this is an action/ adventure story, there is also some sex. Their relationship, though fast to bloom, also seemed organic. Neither Tess nor Flynn want to trust the other, yet the gradual--grudging?--trust does form. And so does the sexual interest. Though they only make love two or three times, it is as explosive as the runaway action is. Warning--there is also a lot of profane f*ck language used throughout the book.
When help from Flynn's squad arrives, about 3/4 through the book, the other Legionnaire's add plenty of spice with their own stories and personalities. If you like action packed stories, with an international flair, told through a military lens and your romance as loaded as an M-16, you will enjoy "Edge of Truth".
This is a 400 page book that spans about two days. To say the book is riddled with action is an understatement.
Tess Newell, strong willed and devoted-to-the-cause American journalist, is about to blow the lid off the story of a lifetime, incriminating governments, politicians, and leaders across a few countries. She is kidnapped and sentenced to be executed. Before that happens, a French Foreign Legionnaire is tossed into her cell.
The chemistry between Tess and Flynn, the Legionnaire, is sudden and swift. Thanks to Flynn's skills, they escape and flee, dodging their captures as their passions slowly escalate.
What I liked most about this story is how the author did not give Tess and Flynn any easy outs. When presented with a vehicle during their on-foot escape, many writers would be tempted to give them the vehicle and let them ride for a while. Ms. Kelly did not make things so easy on our hero and heroine. She refused to let them have the vehicle, and instead used it as a distraction as they continued on foot. The saga of their escape is full of such devises where the hunter--and reader--would expect them to do something, and the author takes them another way. Kudos on some splendid writing.
Because this is an action/ adventure story, there is also some sex. Their relationship, though fast to bloom, also seemed organic. Neither Tess nor Flynn want to trust the other, yet the gradual--grudging?--trust does form. And so does the sexual interest. Though they only make love two or three times, it is as explosive as the runaway action is. Warning--there is also a lot of profane f*ck language used throughout the book.
When help from Flynn's squad arrives, about 3/4 through the book, the other Legionnaire's add plenty of spice with their own stories and personalities. If you like action packed stories, with an international flair, told through a military lens and your romance as loaded as an M-16, you will enjoy "Edge of Truth".
January 11, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Thank you for a believable, smart, plucky, and stubborn female lead character!!! Thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Thoughts and Plot
Obviously I've been on the receiving end of a lot of sub-par suspense romances due to main lead female characters literally doing a 360 from being rational, smart women to TSTL dumbos. Can't stand it. For about 3 pages in the middle of this book I had feared this may have come to pass, but fortunately that crisis was averted and there may have been cheering on my part...
Anyhow, Plot. Tess Newall is a top foreign coverage journalist kidnapped by terrorist and thrown into a cement hole in the ground. She's tortured for information because she uncovered a major plot that involved high level American government officials.
Errol Flynn is a French Legionnaire, looking to make up for events he believes he is partially responsible for as a boy. He is captured on a routine mission with his unit, possibly drugged and thrown into the cement hole in the floor with Tess Newall several days after her capture. Why? Because they needed a pretty male face to compliment Tess at her execution.
Together they bust out and readers are taken on a tense, action filled escape through the Ethiopian landscape, complete with mine fields. Each has a slightly different agenda. Flynn plans to get Tess to safety at all cost. Tess plans to get her back up dossier and expose every major player within a giant corporate scheme to start a war, even if it costs her her life.
In Conclusion
I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so I'll wrap it up by just saying that this is a real diamond in the rough. The girl is competent, the boy is competent. Pretty much everyone in this book is competent at what they are doing. THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!
Thank you for a believable, smart, plucky, and stubborn female lead character!!! Thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Thoughts and Plot
Obviously I've been on the receiving end of a lot of sub-par suspense romances due to main lead female characters literally doing a 360 from being rational, smart women to TSTL dumbos. Can't stand it. For about 3 pages in the middle of this book I had feared this may have come to pass, but fortunately that crisis was averted and there may have been cheering on my part...
Anyhow, Plot. Tess Newall is a top foreign coverage journalist kidnapped by terrorist and thrown into a cement hole in the ground. She's tortured for information because she uncovered a major plot that involved high level American government officials.
Errol Flynn is a French Legionnaire, looking to make up for events he believes he is partially responsible for as a boy. He is captured on a routine mission with his unit, possibly drugged and thrown into the cement hole in the floor with Tess Newall several days after her capture. Why? Because they needed a pretty male face to compliment Tess at her execution.
Together they bust out and readers are taken on a tense, action filled escape through the Ethiopian landscape, complete with mine fields. Each has a slightly different agenda. Flynn plans to get Tess to safety at all cost. Tess plans to get her back up dossier and expose every major player within a giant corporate scheme to start a war, even if it costs her her life.
In Conclusion
I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so I'll wrap it up by just saying that this is a real diamond in the rough. The girl is competent, the boy is competent. Pretty much everyone in this book is competent at what they are doing. THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!
December 18, 2017
***ARC Provided by the Author/Publisher via NetGalley***
Tess and Flynn worked as a couple in the suspense portion of the book, the kidnapping, escaping, running and then trying to get the information to stop the terrorists...all of this was compelling and interesting.
But, I felt that there was not enough of them as a couple when no one was shooting at them. Their first encounter is in the midst of fighting, and running, from their kidnappers and you expect this from a romantic suspense...but there also need to be interludes where the couple is together in a way that makes you think they will be able to stay together when the bullets stop flying. This was, I thought, a little light.
Not enough to make me not able to enjoy the book, but light enough that I was left wanting a little more than I got from their relationship. Now, what I got was hot and interesting. I believed their romantic and personal attraction to one another and I thought his backstory was interesting.
Overall, the book was constructed well and was paced well. The light in the "real world without bullets" romance did make this more of a "happily for now" ending for me, but as this is the 2nd book in the series, I am guessing there will be others and you will get the chance to see Tess and Flynn as a couple, at least mentioned in passing.
This was my first title by this author and I enjoyed it enough to be looking forward to her next title!
Tess and Flynn worked as a couple in the suspense portion of the book, the kidnapping, escaping, running and then trying to get the information to stop the terrorists...all of this was compelling and interesting.
But, I felt that there was not enough of them as a couple when no one was shooting at them. Their first encounter is in the midst of fighting, and running, from their kidnappers and you expect this from a romantic suspense...but there also need to be interludes where the couple is together in a way that makes you think they will be able to stay together when the bullets stop flying. This was, I thought, a little light.
Not enough to make me not able to enjoy the book, but light enough that I was left wanting a little more than I got from their relationship. Now, what I got was hot and interesting. I believed their romantic and personal attraction to one another and I thought his backstory was interesting.
Overall, the book was constructed well and was paced well. The light in the "real world without bullets" romance did make this more of a "happily for now" ending for me, but as this is the 2nd book in the series, I am guessing there will be others and you will get the chance to see Tess and Flynn as a couple, at least mentioned in passing.
This was my first title by this author and I enjoyed it enough to be looking forward to her next title!
June 2, 2017
Tess Newell is a renowned journalist who has stumbled on the story of the year - its such a good story that it has landed her in a Somalia holding cell captured by a terrorist who is behind the killing of her crew. She ends up being joined by Flynn a French legionnaire who has his own demons and story that he needs to keep from Tess. Though once their lives have been thrown together, no matter how hard they try to break apart from each other the closer they become. Much to both Tess and Flynn's better judgment they have to learn to trust and rely on each other as one of the evilest terrorist cells in Africa come after them. Now on the run - can they survive?
There are parts of this story I really enjoyed - Flynn's backstory was fascinating along with the action of the two main characters running for their lives. Some of the story though was hard to follow and far fetched - which I am ok with in this type of story for the most part. It took the book about 1/4 way through for it to find its footing and once it did I did enjoy it. Then when the members of Flynn's unit joined the fray it got even better with the different personalities and dynamics. The core story of Flynn and Tess was good and they are well-written characters within themselves.
There are parts of this story I really enjoyed - Flynn's backstory was fascinating along with the action of the two main characters running for their lives. Some of the story though was hard to follow and far fetched - which I am ok with in this type of story for the most part. It took the book about 1/4 way through for it to find its footing and once it did I did enjoy it. Then when the members of Flynn's unit joined the fray it got even better with the different personalities and dynamics. The core story of Flynn and Tess was good and they are well-written characters within themselves.
August 9, 2017
It is definitely interesting to read a title from Brynn Kelly. She knows how to keep reader attention from the beginning. She brings suspense plotline that it keeps the reader on their toes.
Edge of Truth will bring the reader on their toes with the suspense actions but it has some romance between the two characters. Tess Newell is in a prison that her only salvation would be the other prisoner, Flynn. Tess is well known for reporting different news that it comes to no surprise that she is rotting in prison and still keep looking for the truth. But the truth comes very dangerous that she would need some help, especially from Flynn.
Flynn always knows how to escape a situation in any way but he gets trapped by helping another person, Tess. Tess is determined to find her evidence in any way that he helps her find it but he is also finding himself falling in love too. He built a wall around himself but Tess is able to be inside of it that he rethink his whole self.
The romance may be surprised between them but it is totally worth it. They have true shot at romance that they will need to jump for it.
Edge of Truth will keep you captivated from the beginning that you won't stop until you are at the end. Four Stars.
Edge of Truth will bring the reader on their toes with the suspense actions but it has some romance between the two characters. Tess Newell is in a prison that her only salvation would be the other prisoner, Flynn. Tess is well known for reporting different news that it comes to no surprise that she is rotting in prison and still keep looking for the truth. But the truth comes very dangerous that she would need some help, especially from Flynn.
Flynn always knows how to escape a situation in any way but he gets trapped by helping another person, Tess. Tess is determined to find her evidence in any way that he helps her find it but he is also finding himself falling in love too. He built a wall around himself but Tess is able to be inside of it that he rethink his whole self.
The romance may be surprised between them but it is totally worth it. They have true shot at romance that they will need to jump for it.
Edge of Truth will keep you captivated from the beginning that you won't stop until you are at the end. Four Stars.
November 22, 2024
Tess Newell is an American journalist searching for the truth. On her quest, she was kidnapped and thrown into an hole and held captive underground. The terrorists holding her have made her escape nearly impossible, but the newest prisoner is a soldier who just might be her ticket out of the ground.
Flynn is a French Legionnaire who was kidnapped by the terrorists. His life as a soldier allowed him to leave the darkness of his past behind and start fresh. As Flynn regained consciousness, he learned that Tess was a reporter and he immediately put his defenses up. Making a rash decision to risk an escape, Flynn and Tess throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. Each having their own reasons for being in the area, they each have to decide if the spark happening between them is worth exploring, or if their individual pursuits are more important.
This book was good overall, but elapsed over three days, making it feel super rushed.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the author, publisher, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Flynn is a French Legionnaire who was kidnapped by the terrorists. His life as a soldier allowed him to leave the darkness of his past behind and start fresh. As Flynn regained consciousness, he learned that Tess was a reporter and he immediately put his defenses up. Making a rash decision to risk an escape, Flynn and Tess throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. Each having their own reasons for being in the area, they each have to decide if the spark happening between them is worth exploring, or if their individual pursuits are more important.
This book was good overall, but elapsed over three days, making it feel super rushed.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the author, publisher, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
March 28, 2025
Brynn Kelly is the Queen of action adventure romances!
Overall: 4
Spice: 2
Narration: 4
Journalist Tess Newell is surprised to find herself in an African dungeon after being tortured by the terrorist group she has been investigating. When an attractive yet mysterious French Legionnaire named Flynn is dropped down with her, they work together on a daring escape and then set out on the run from the terrorists. As they call in help and try to stay alive, they connect over their difficult histories, but know their relationship could never work. Or could it?
My audiobook journey started on Hoopla & the free titles on Audible, which meant I found Brynn Kelly's excellent action adventure romance books. These are perfect if you like movies like Raiders of the Lost Arc or Lethal Weapon. I had read the first book in this Legionnaires series awhile ago, so was happy to jump back into the adventure. These are real action stories, not fluffy ones, so be warned - people die. This story had some slow moments, but I liked the development of their relationship in such a stressful situation. I will continue to read all of Kelly's books.
Overall: 4
Spice: 2
Narration: 4
Journalist Tess Newell is surprised to find herself in an African dungeon after being tortured by the terrorist group she has been investigating. When an attractive yet mysterious French Legionnaire named Flynn is dropped down with her, they work together on a daring escape and then set out on the run from the terrorists. As they call in help and try to stay alive, they connect over their difficult histories, but know their relationship could never work. Or could it?
My audiobook journey started on Hoopla & the free titles on Audible, which meant I found Brynn Kelly's excellent action adventure romance books. These are perfect if you like movies like Raiders of the Lost Arc or Lethal Weapon. I had read the first book in this Legionnaires series awhile ago, so was happy to jump back into the adventure. These are real action stories, not fluffy ones, so be warned - people die. This story had some slow moments, but I liked the development of their relationship in such a stressful situation. I will continue to read all of Kelly's books.
June 1, 2017
I was excited to start Edge of Truth by (new to me author) Brynn Kelly as I love action/suspense with a dash of romance. That is exactly what we got with this one. This book was an exhilarating and a "keep you on the edge of your seat" romance. I could not get enough!
Imprisoned in a foreign country and under the threat of execution everyday Tess Newell, an American journalist is looking to escape after discovering some shady political secrets. But what happens when a mysterious and broody man joins her in her cell. Can they work together to escape or does he have his own agenda?
The action scenes were great and the story was as suspenseful as promised. It was well written and the scenes were very descriptive. I enjoyed Tess and Flynn's banter and back and forth but felt that their romance was very rushed (insta-love esque) and took a back seat to the action storyline. As a result, I wished for more of a connection between the two. All in all this was a great read. I look forward to more books from this author in the future. 3.5-4 stars! ~Ratula
Imprisoned in a foreign country and under the threat of execution everyday Tess Newell, an American journalist is looking to escape after discovering some shady political secrets. But what happens when a mysterious and broody man joins her in her cell. Can they work together to escape or does he have his own agenda?
The action scenes were great and the story was as suspenseful as promised. It was well written and the scenes were very descriptive. I enjoyed Tess and Flynn's banter and back and forth but felt that their romance was very rushed (insta-love esque) and took a back seat to the action storyline. As a result, I wished for more of a connection between the two. All in all this was a great read. I look forward to more books from this author in the future. 3.5-4 stars! ~Ratula
March 30, 2018
This book was ok. Tess is a big time reporter who was captured while trying to do a story. She was thrown into a pit and tortured. They keep making her think she is going to be executed but then they throw someone else down there with her. Flynn is a soldier. He was captured and doesn't know what happened to his group. I really liked Flynn. Neither he or Tess have any reason to trust the other but they must to escape.
Once they are out, Tess becomes a bit much to deal with. I never would have had the patience that Flynn had with her. The only thing important to her, was getting her story out. I will grant you that it was a big time story but Tess really just grated on me. Flynn and his buddies on the other hand, I really liked. His friends are there for him regardless of what is going on and the cost to them.
It was a 2/5 for me. I think I just expected more action with the description.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Once they are out, Tess becomes a bit much to deal with. I never would have had the patience that Flynn had with her. The only thing important to her, was getting her story out. I will grant you that it was a big time story but Tess really just grated on me. Flynn and his buddies on the other hand, I really liked. His friends are there for him regardless of what is going on and the cost to them.
It was a 2/5 for me. I think I just expected more action with the description.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
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