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Enemies turn lovers in this hot, new romantic suspense SEALs of Shadow Force spy novel from USA Today Bestselling Author Misty Evans.

Ryker Baptiste is one dangerous man. He’s also dead…

To protect a young boy, former SEAL Ryker Baptiste faked his own death. He made a promise to the boy’s mother, and he will move heaven and hell—even pretend to be dead—if that’s what it takes to keep the boy safe from his terrorist father.

Ryker’s former CIA handler Mia Shaine lost her job because of Ryker. Now she has one chance to stop the terrorist he failed to eliminate and secure her return to the Agency. But it will mean hunting down a dead man and convincing him to once more be her partner.

___
Shadow Force International: A group of former SEALs, abandoned by the United States and labeled as rogue operatives, now work as a black ops team performing private intelligence, security, and paramilitary missions for those who have nowhere else to turn. Some of them find romance along the way and lose their hearts protecting those they love at all costs.


Books in SEALs of Shadow Force, Spy Division:
Man Hunt – Ryker and Mia
Man Killer – Mick and Cassandra
Man Down – Aidan and Bree

Books in the SEALs of Shadow Force Series:
Fatal Truth – Trace and Savanna
Fatal Honor – Miles and Charlotte
Fatal Courage – Jax and Ruby
Fatal Love – Cal and Beatrice; Connor and Sabrina
Fatal Vision – Colton and Shelby; Connor and Sabrina
Fatal Thrill – Jon and Jaya
Risk – Noah and Jena

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2019

237 people are currently reading
125 people want to read

About the author

Misty Evans

118 books464 followers
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Misty Evans is celebrating her 100th published novel in 2025. She loves writing urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and mystery/suspense. Under her pen name, Nyx Halliwell, she also writes supernatural cozy mysteries.

When not reading or writing (which is most of the time), she enjoys music, movies, and hanging out with her husband, twin sons, and three spoiled rescue dogs. She’s a crafter at heart and has far too many projects to finish.

Visit www.mistyevansbooks.com to check out her online store and sign up for her newsletter.

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5 stars
136 (51%)
4 stars
88 (33%)
3 stars
35 (13%)
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5 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews240 followers
February 6, 2019
4 STARS

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Profile Image for Carla .
1,712 reviews565 followers
April 24, 2019
I loved this book!
It have everything I like: suspense, romance, and a lot of action!!!!
It’s worth the reading!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Neal.
1,891 reviews154 followers
January 23, 2019
What a great start to this new series! It's sad how one situation can change so many lives. Following a mission, Ryker faked his own death, took on the care of a little boy who lost his mom when Ryker couldn't save her from her husband, and Mia, Ryker's over-the-phone only handler, was fired.

Ryker knows it's time for him and Jaeger to move again and start over somewhere else. He knows this isn't any way for them to live, but at least they'll be living. However, he didn't outrun the past like he thought he had and when it hits too close, he takes the offer extended him in order to end things once and for all. He just never expected the owner of that voice that haunts him to be a part of it.

Mia is shocked to learn that Ryker is alive. She feels guilty for what happened, and lost everything because of it, and now has to work in a bar, continually avoiding drunks and groping hands. When she gets the chance to not only redeem herself but clear her name, she takes it.

Ryker and Mia must work undercover, her first time doing so, as a married couple interested in some shady dealings, and discover it goes further than they knew. There's also the fact that an incident involving Mia's sister has ties to their current mission and that could blow everything. Both are determined to clear Ryker's, and therefore Mia's as well, name, but she also wants to take down the man that hurt her sister.

As Ryker and Mia work very closely together, the attraction that simmered when they were only voices in the shadows grows ever stronger. Soon, the lines between the charade and reality become blurred and it's not only their lives at stake, but their hearts too.

Can Ryker keep Mia safe? Can he clear their records? Will Mia get justice for her sister? What happens after the mission is over? Will they go their separate ways? Or is this only the start of forever?

One-click now and follow along as two people, with a tenuous tie at first, build a foundation so strong nothing can tear it apart. I'm already addicted to this series and can't wait for the next book.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
1,318 reviews8 followers
February 10, 2019
3.5 stars
All the characters were good. Action was great and the climax was totally kick ass.
Romance was just blah. I would have like it if the author would have ended the book with the couple exploring their relationship instead of falling in love and planning to get married in a week.
Profile Image for Margaret.
609 reviews14 followers
January 22, 2019
Misty Evans kicks off her new spin-off series with a fast-paced, action-packed story that has both the romance and suspense that I have come to expect from her. With lives at stake and perhaps a bit of payback to deliver, Ryker and Mia proved to be great partners – both professionally and personally!

I loved both Ryker and Mia and loved seeing these two become partners and then more. Both of them have a protective streak that runs a mile deep, so keeping who they love safe drives them to see their mission succeed. Mia was such a great heroine. She’s new to the spy game but, knowing she has the training, isn’t afraid to step up and do what is needed. And having Ryker to support her through was just perfect – even if he did have to fight his over-protective alpha side at times and let her do her job. I also loved that Mia wasn’t your typical alpha heroine but rather she uses her intelligence and ability to take on her spy persona to succeed, which made it that more satisfying when she did have to go all bad-a$$.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s hard to go wrong with a Misty Evans book. She always delivers the perfect mix of romance and suspense, tailored to fit each story and the characters she writes. Her use of secondary characters always adds an additional dimension to the main characters which helps to tell their story, and, for me, I love to catch up with some of my favorite characters that she has created.

As with all Misty Evans books, this is one that belongs on every TBR shelf!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from the author.
Profile Image for Dawn Cruikshank.
1,167 reviews11 followers
January 30, 2019
Man Hunt

OMG! Another exciting,thrilling story from Misty! This story is about Mia and Ryker. Both had worked for the CIA but both were betrayed by them. Now enters Beatrice and her group to basically rescue both of them and have the two work a mission together. Of course the mission is exciting to the point that it puts you on the edge of your seat as to whether they will survive or not. For being an analyst, Mia held her own in the field. Of course, can't have a story without the couple falling in love. After only a week, they did just that. Once the bad guys were apprehended, these two worked on their happily ever after. FANTASTIC job Misty! I would highly recommend this.
21 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2023
Good book but I had a serious problem with a character (that we do not meet) being referred to as “suffering from borderline autism”. This is so ableist it’s ridiculous. Autism is a spectrum. If you think it’s “borderline” then it’s autism, just not being expressed in the stereotypical way. And people don’t “suffer” from autism like it’s scurvy. People are born and live just fine but it’s how they think and part of who they are. They can change their behavior but their wiring will still be a bit different. Not a bad thing unless you’re living in a culture that can’t handle any deviation from the norm, and then makes you suffer.
Other than that, like I said, good undercover spies romance book.
Profile Image for Chanel.
1,833 reviews
May 19, 2019
This is well written action-suspense-romance story that had me from Chapter 1. The pace of the story kept me intrigued and I was entertained by the compelling cast of characters. The intense and sexy leading man, Ryker, wasn’t afraid to show his softened side. The book was strong on woman power portrayed by the leading lady Mia, the mysterious Beatrice, the no-nonsense Parker, legal-eagle Cassandra, and even the villainous Josefina. The storyline crossed genre, as there was an entertaining and lustful “ fake marriage” weaved into the suspenseful plot(s) that included revenge, kidnapping, human trafficking, Black Market arms deals and politics. This book checked all my boxes!
Profile Image for Mandy C.
236 reviews16 followers
July 18, 2019
I have read the seals of shadow force and this is on a par!

I love the seals of shadow force series. This new series is no different. The characters are cheeky, sarcastic, downright irritatingly gorgeous and a little sexist at times but I would still love to have my very own! The women are strong and sassy, perfect to keep their men on their toes and the writing makes you feel like you are in the room with them all! Very well written, with lots of action, humour, touching moments and good old fashioned toe curling romance. Fantastic!
Profile Image for Davia.
832 reviews13 followers
March 22, 2019
Wow!

Ryker is incredible! Mia is amazing. Taking these two former agents on an assignment after the hell they had each been through personally was nuts. Super fantastic! Ryker comes off as no desire for entanglement beyond the child her already saved and Mia is struggling to get her career back on track after a senator derailed it. Together they are unstoppable. Bravo Misty you do not ever disappoint!
Profile Image for Debbie Collins.
808 reviews8 followers
May 26, 2022
"Man Hunt" is the first book in the SEALs of Shadow Force: Spy Division series, and this series is off to an incredible start. This is the story of Ryker Baptiste, a former SEAL who is presumed dead, and Mia Shane, his former CIA handler. Mia has lost her job and she needs help from Ryker, but how, the man is dead.
This one is fast paced, action packed, romantic and full of suspense. And I love the fact that Beatrice is in this series, she is the best!
1,583 reviews12 followers
July 4, 2019
Loved it

If you love espionage, bad guys in all forms ( black market weapons, human trafficking, bondage, and the good guys that shut there business down you will love this book. This is a first by this author but not the last. Only one sex scene but it was HOT. Loved Ryder and Mia.
162 reviews
February 3, 2019
Misty Evans is an excellent writer of Romantic Suspense.

This story is written with humor, sex, generosity of spirit and wonderful characters. It's a page-turner that I truly enjoyed. Thanks, Misty. Looking forward to Man Killer.
Profile Image for Kathy Crouch.
389 reviews19 followers
March 3, 2019
Another Great Novel by Misty Evans

I love Misty's books. The way her character Beatrice takes in wounded warriors whether CIA or military is fun to watch.
This was no exception. She brings together two people who need help to work a mission and take down the bad guys.
1,838 reviews19 followers
January 15, 2020
Man hunt deals of shadow force 1

A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a really enjoyable read but quick shaping up to be a enjoyable series must read the next one of the series
Profile Image for Verna.
144 reviews
January 29, 2019
great new (sort of) series from a must read author....
Profile Image for Susan.
2,543 reviews15 followers
May 7, 2019
Okay

This book just didn't pull me in like the SCVC taskforce books and the Justice Team books did. The characters are good. The story was okay.
171 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2019
Fast read

spys James bond type or not. A fast read involving ryker and mia taking down an arms dealer and human trafficking. A bad senator as well..read on good book
Profile Image for Becky.
3,474 reviews143 followers
December 18, 2024
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 2/8/2019.

SEALs of Shadow Force + spies = YES, PLEASE!

Ms. Evans' new series gets off to a great start--it grabbed me from page one and just wouldn't let me go until I'd turned the last page. I loved both Mia and Ryker as characters--throw in the fact that they're spies on an undercover mission, and yeah, I'm pretty much a goner... ;)

The action here is non-stop, as is the danger--sure, their romance is more than a little insta-ish (they knew each other briefly in the past, from a distance--Mia was Ryker's handler for the mission that changed both of their lives forever, but they'd never met in person), something the characters themselves actually address at one point.
"I've known you forever, at least that's how it feels, and fieldwork counts for weeks, not days. Months, even. Those kinds of situations bring out the best--and worst--of people, and you passed with flying colors."
Yeah, that worked for me, too...I felt like I aged a year or two reading this one; it was so edge-of-my-seat stressful! (But in the best way, of course...)

This is the first book in her new series, a spin-off of her SEALs of Shadow Force one. Several of that series' characters do make appearances here (Queen B is in charge of this division too) but you don't have to be familiar with them or their books to enjoy this book. If you're new to Ms. Evans, this is a great place to start!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Amy R.
594 reviews5 followers
December 24, 2018
Man Hunt by Misty Evans is the first in the Spies of Shadow Force series as they form their Spy Division / Nemsis group. It’s fantastic! I am a big fan of anything spy-related so I was glad to see a series like this get started. Evans writes spies so incredibly well.

Ryker and Mia are such interesting characters from the beginning. They both have their secrets, but what spy doesn’t? Evans knows how to pull at a reader’s heartstrings, even when she writes big bad spies and SEALs. Just add in an adorable little boy and a dog who wants to be loved.

Ryker and Mia are forced to work together to bring down an international criminal under the newly formed Nemesis division of Shadow Force International. What makes this story so interesting is that it is Mia’s first undercover operation and she and Ryker have only just met in person a days before they embark on the mission There are a lot of things that can go wrong. Will they get the job done?

What did I like most about Man Hunt? The different plots that unfolded throughout the story. The overall mission was fresh and new as was going with Mia on her first mission. The romance between Ryker and Mia that developed was fun because they had to pose as a married couple. Evans writes some hilarious scenes between the two and also some very touching ones. I laughed a lot, I yelled a few times, and I felt my heart speed up with action and suspense. In the end, I finished the story with so much hope and a full heart. I can’t wait to read another Spies of Shadow Force book!
Profile Image for Cricket.
212 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2019
This book was really good. The plot was excellent and well thought out. The characters are well developed and the scenes are well written. What I liked most about this book is the attention to detail. It opens in Australia in the outback and the way the details are written I could picture the place in my mind.
The action in this book is pretty much nonstop. The male lead character Ryker a former CIA Agent now on his own. He has a promise to keep and a mission to finish, he just has to do both without getting killed, no small feat when one of the most dangerous men in the world wants you dead, and even though most of the world thinks Rykers is already dead, he has this bad gut feeling that he is barely staying one step ahead of death.
Mia was Rykers new handler after his original one was killed, or rather she was now he is dead and she is no longer working for the CIA. She has a sister to take care of and waitressing just covering the bills.
When Parker enters her life with an offer that Mia can not turn down.
I love the twists and turns in this one and I love how quick Mia thinks on her feet. She is a constant puzzle, smart, savvy and deadly. When Ryker and Mia join forces the action picks up and so does the heat between them.
If you love a book full of action, with a great story line and a page turning pace with just a bit of heat thrown in, then this book is for you.
Profile Image for Jo-Ann Fitzgerald.
753 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2019
This is the 1st book in the series. I would make sure you read California Violent Crimes Task force series first. Then the SEALs of Shadow Force series before reading this one.

The heroine is feeling guilty because of things which happened with the hero. However, when she finds out he’s alive, she gets mad and stubborn towards him because of what he did even though she was the cause of the loss of her job. She really wants her old job back.

Our hero is a stubborn, protective person. He made a promise to protect a young boy even if it meant no one knew he was alive. The boy’s father is a terrorist and he didn’t want him mixed up with him.

The plot is very different which is great. The addition of family which they are doing things for was interesting. However, the main person, who you’ll read about in the other series I’ve read above, seems like a different person. It was interesting how they have others responsible for most of the operation stuff, when usually the main person is overseeing everything. Great plot and it did keep moving along. Although I think the relationship thing between the hero and heroine went too fast and didn’t really build up.

This is the first from this series. I can only wonder where the rest of the series will go. With the author, you never can tell which is sometimes good and sometimes ok.
530 reviews11 followers
January 22, 2019
Man Hunt is the first book in Misty Evans’s SEALS of Shadow Force, Spy Division series. From the opening pages I was glued to the book. From the outset, Ryker was an intriguing character. He’d gone underground, faking his own death and on top of that took on the responsibilities of a child.

Mia was there when Ryker’s mission fell apart. She wants to get to the bottom of what went wrong as well as fix a wrong that happened to someone close to her.

Ryker and Mia are forced to play a married couple and find themselves trying to stop a terrorist while she finds a way to return to the job she lost when everything went wrong. Of course, both Ryker and Mia have their secrets they each need to work through. Before they know it, they’re deep into their mission bringing down the man behind the crimes.

You can never go wrong with a Misty Evans books. She writes such engaging characters that keep you turning the pages until your reach the climatic end. Man Hunt was a fantastic read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I received an advance copy which I chose to read. This is my true and honest review.
3,626 reviews41 followers
March 4, 2019
A good beginning for a spin-off of SEALS of Shadow Force.
This time, we are going to get to know spies.
Ryker Baptiste was a CIA agent who, in order to protect a young boy and honor his mom’s final words, he faked his death and is on the run with the boy. He constantly looking over his shoulder , trying to stay a step ahead of any possible evil forces .
Mia Shaine was his handler, and lost her job while trying to help Ryker. She was the “voice” that he still hears in his dreams.
Both are protective of those dear to them , one a boy, the other a sister.
When they are both offered jobs with a “special” group , they take it. Not realizing their lives would be once again intertwined.
The plot is fast paced, full of action, and of course, romance.
In the end, will Mia and Ryker overcome the obstacles and find their HEA, or will it be a thing of their past?
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Profile Image for Andrea M..
111 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2019
Man Hunt by Misty Evans is a great start to the Seals of Shadow Force, Spy Division series. I’ve been a fan of Evans’s work since I first read The Blood Code in 2013. I love the fact that her romantic suspense novels always have a nice balance of romance, action & suspense with the tension building on every page. Each story-including Man Hunt— has been crafted with well-developed characters and scenarios that have captivated me from page one. Read More

I received this copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel

This review is also posted on my blog, Reading on the Rocks
Profile Image for Linda Quick.
1,338 reviews30 followers
January 17, 2019
LOVED this book!!! Ryker is a former SEAL hiding a young child to protect him, while the world presumes them both dead. Mia is a disgraced former CIA employee who was terminated over the same op that left Ryker presumed dead. Beatrice has Mia contacted for a specific roll and tasks her with first with finding and recruiting Ryker to be her partner in a specific op. What follows is a quickly moving tale that kept me turning pages just as quickly as possible.

Fans of the genre will love this novel and I can't wait to read future releases in this series. The author is on my must read authors' list, and, if you love romantic suspense, should probably be on your must read list as well.
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,258 reviews38 followers
January 21, 2019
Shadow Force Spy Division, what a fantastic spin-off a new team for Beatrice to rule over and a whole new type of game, I just loved it.

So I have to say first up I seriously love the cover, talk about sexy James Bond type just a perfect representation of Ryker.

The story was fascinating, intriguing and intense I couldn't put it down, even when I finished it the first time I went back and read it again it was that good.

Ryker and Mia were a great team, once they both got over themselves lol and they needed to work together to protect a beautiful little boy who needed both of them.

I'm looking forward to more from the Spy Division of Shadow Force soon.
Profile Image for Cheryl Roberts.
4 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2019
A really good first book for this series. The setup was well done, giving me enough information without giving away future plot points. The characters were well developed and, as a result, their actions were plausible in light of their character and experience. I especially enjoyed the skillful balancing required by the main characters in their personal and business relationships. The action was well paced and the romance aspect was artfully and organically woven in. Setting, action, romance, characters, and plot all worked well to make it an enjoyable read. I look forward to more books in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews