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Brace For Impact
Can she trust a stranger?
The sole survivor of a deliberate plane crash, Maddy Kane has gone from protected witness to roaming target. Badly injured and lost in the wilderness, Maddy is forced to trust the stranger who came to her aid. No mere hiker, Will Gannon is former Delta Force. The battle-scarred medic knows he is Maddy’s only hope in a desperate situation. With survival a long shot, can the two become allies, and maybe more—before it’s too late?
The sole survivor of a deliberate plane crash, Maddy Kane has gone from protected witness to roaming target. Badly injured and lost in the wilderness, Maddy is forced to trust the stranger who came to her aid. No mere hiker, Will Gannon is former Delta Force. The battle-scarred medic knows he is Maddy’s only hope in a desperate situation. With survival a long shot, can the two become allies, and maybe more—before it’s too late?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2019
81 people are currently reading
2242 people want to read
About the author
Janice Kay Johnson
289 books191 followersJanice Kay Johnson is the author of over a hundred books for children and adults. Her first four published romance novels were coauthored with her mother, also a writer who has since published mysteries and children's books on her own. These were "sweet" romance novels, the author hastens to add; she isn't sure they'd have felt comfortable coauthoring passionate love scenes!
Janice graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in history and then received a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. She was a branch librarian for a public library system until she began selling her own writing.
She has written six novels for young adults and one picture book for the read-aloud crowd. Rosamund was the outgrowth of all those hours spent reading to her own daughters, and of her passion for growing old roses. Two more of her favorite books were historical novels she wrote for Tor/Forge. The research was pure indulgence for someone who set out intending to be a historian!
Janice is divorced and has raised her two daughters in a small, rural town north of Seattle, Washington. She's an active volunteer and board member for Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter, and foster kittens often enliven a household that already includes a few more cats than she wants to admit to!
Janice loves writing books about both love and family — about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. Her Superromance novels are frequent finalists for Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Along with her books for Harlequin, Janice has written the Cape Trouble series of romantic suspense novels, and is about to launch a new series, Desperation Creek, set in rural eastern Oregon.
Janice graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in history and then received a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. She was a branch librarian for a public library system until she began selling her own writing.
She has written six novels for young adults and one picture book for the read-aloud crowd. Rosamund was the outgrowth of all those hours spent reading to her own daughters, and of her passion for growing old roses. Two more of her favorite books were historical novels she wrote for Tor/Forge. The research was pure indulgence for someone who set out intending to be a historian!
Janice is divorced and has raised her two daughters in a small, rural town north of Seattle, Washington. She's an active volunteer and board member for Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter, and foster kittens often enliven a household that already includes a few more cats than she wants to admit to!
Janice loves writing books about both love and family — about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. Her Superromance novels are frequent finalists for Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Along with her books for Harlequin, Janice has written the Cape Trouble series of romantic suspense novels, and is about to launch a new series, Desperation Creek, set in rural eastern Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 29, 2020
I enjoyed this easy to read story. While intriguing and captivating at times, it was well written and full of suspense with vivid scenic descriptions. While I enjoyed this story, I felt as if it would have been much better as a full length suspenseful novel where the drama could have been better developed throughout a longer length novel. It was just too short to fully develop the elements of the story at it's best.
August 24, 2020
Thriller! Not heavy on romance, (they are trying to survive people, lets get real) but oh so enjoyable. Having a recovering Delta be the one to rescue her, the ptsd, the wounds he has, and the strength to try and get Maddy to safety. Love the strength of Maddy herself! She has a brain and she uses it. This was very well written, I felt like I was out there trying to survive. When the romance comes, its just where it needs to be! It was not over the top ( I know longer enjoy erotica) it was more than behind closed doors, but well done. I am not sure if this is part of a series, but if it is you can read it as a stand alone with no problems.
February 6, 2020
A Terrific Romantic Thriller
Janice Kay Johnson gives us Maddie and Will and their story is a perfect survival story.
Maddie Ihas spent a year in Witness Protection after witnessing a murder that implicates a federal court judge. She's been living in extreme rural Northeast Washington State. The US Marshalls are flying her in a small Cessna to Seattle to prepare for the trial when her plane crashes in the north Cascades. She is the sole survivor but she is badly injured.
This is one heck of a terrific setup because into this come Will, a rangey, scarred Army vet, recently discharged for medical reasons. A medic, he finds Maddie and fixes her up and walks her back to his car. The North Cascades are some of the prettiest views in Washington state, maybe North America. (If you ever do the 400-mile North Cascades Loop, you have to drive eastbound from Interstate 5 through the pass on Hwy State Route 20. This will give you the most stunning views.) But it would be very difficult to be in the middle of them trying to survive, hiking along the rivers. Ms. Johnson depicts this perfectly.
Will and Maddie are very different from each other but they work well together. You'll have to read this to find out where Will got his survival skills.
A worthy 5 star read!
There are a couple love scenes-- I'd rate them 2-3 out of 5 for heat.
Janice Kay Johnson gives us Maddie and Will and their story is a perfect survival story.
Maddie Ihas spent a year in Witness Protection after witnessing a murder that implicates a federal court judge. She's been living in extreme rural Northeast Washington State. The US Marshalls are flying her in a small Cessna to Seattle to prepare for the trial when her plane crashes in the north Cascades. She is the sole survivor but she is badly injured.
This is one heck of a terrific setup because into this come Will, a rangey, scarred Army vet, recently discharged for medical reasons. A medic, he finds Maddie and fixes her up and walks her back to his car. The North Cascades are some of the prettiest views in Washington state, maybe North America. (If you ever do the 400-mile North Cascades Loop, you have to drive eastbound from Interstate 5 through the pass on Hwy State Route 20. This will give you the most stunning views.) But it would be very difficult to be in the middle of them trying to survive, hiking along the rivers. Ms. Johnson depicts this perfectly.
Will and Maddie are very different from each other but they work well together. You'll have to read this to find out where Will got his survival skills.
A worthy 5 star read!
There are a couple love scenes-- I'd rate them 2-3 out of 5 for heat.
November 8, 2023
This book was quite a thrill ride. This story centers around a woman named Maddy Kane. She gets injured in a plane crash in which she is the sole survivor. She gets lost in the wilderness. She ends up meeting Will Gannon who is former Delta Force. He ends up taking care of Maddy as they make their way through the wilderness. She is being tracked by bad people. Will is a battle scarred medic. Maddy and Will end up having to become allies.
I didn’t like how they got intimate when she was quite injured. She had a broken collarbone but they were able to get intimate ????? There was lots of action in this story. I was rooting for Maddy and Will. I would have liked to learn more about Will though. I liked reading this book.
I didn’t like how they got intimate when she was quite injured. She had a broken collarbone but they were able to get intimate ????? There was lots of action in this story. I was rooting for Maddy and Will. I would have liked to learn more about Will though. I liked reading this book.
April 29, 2024
Really enjoyable romantic suspense. The witness on the run from bad guys plot is simple but effective and there’s just enough action and spice. Plus the title sounds rude.
May 1, 2020
I loved reading this book. It grabbed your attention from the first page to the last. The courage Maddy Kane showed was amazing. I've seen it in a few people I've known in my lifetime. Will Gannon's patience was incredible to read. The action and suspense was fast paced and grabbed your attention quickly from the beginning. Its a interesting storyline to read. I like that they didn't move to quickly in the romance department. Its a great book and worth reading. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. J
March 23, 2020
this was a great way to pass the day. I love plane crash books. I flew from our local airport when I was a teen, and this always was in the back of my imagination, the what if's....
I loved the H/H. Both smart and brave. Are we just seeing more and more books with stronger women in them? It's refreshing to like so many of the women that are being written about. I can't stand the, you shoot them honey, girls you find in older books. Yes she shoots someone...
The plot was a frequently used one, but oh well it was a fun book and I liked it. It wasn't over done with "what can we salvage from the wrecked plane" Instead it was a fast paced, full of action read.
I love HI series books because you can read them rather quickly. One thing I don't like about the HI books is the CAST OF CHARACTERS in the beginning. I think I can grab the context of the book if the writer does their job without that list.
What else? This was listened to on my kindle...
" Once again time blurred—or maybe it had ever since the crash. Had that really happened today? Was she forgetting a night? Maddy clung to a picture in her mind of Will Gannon, alarmingly tall as he looked down at her. That too-bony face with a nose that didn’t seem to quite belong, but eyes that were kinder than she deserved, considering she was holding a gun on him.
Hearing that deep, husky voice saying, I was shot, so you’ll excuse me if I don’t love seeing that gun pointing at me. "
Enjoy ~
I loved the H/H. Both smart and brave. Are we just seeing more and more books with stronger women in them? It's refreshing to like so many of the women that are being written about. I can't stand the, you shoot them honey, girls you find in older books. Yes she shoots someone...
The plot was a frequently used one, but oh well it was a fun book and I liked it. It wasn't over done with "what can we salvage from the wrecked plane" Instead it was a fast paced, full of action read.
I love HI series books because you can read them rather quickly. One thing I don't like about the HI books is the CAST OF CHARACTERS in the beginning. I think I can grab the context of the book if the writer does their job without that list.
What else? This was listened to on my kindle...
" Once again time blurred—or maybe it had ever since the crash. Had that really happened today? Was she forgetting a night? Maddy clung to a picture in her mind of Will Gannon, alarmingly tall as he looked down at her. That too-bony face with a nose that didn’t seem to quite belong, but eyes that were kinder than she deserved, considering she was holding a gun on him.
Hearing that deep, husky voice saying, I was shot, so you’ll excuse me if I don’t love seeing that gun pointing at me. "
Enjoy ~
July 4, 2023
4 stars for storytelling, 1 for romance. It was a very well and tightly written thriller. Romance, not so much. In fact, when they kissed for the first time, about 2/3rd's into the story, I went; huh? and then, eww ~ they must STINK! So, I'm giving it a 2 over all.
February 25, 2021
Brace for boredom is more like it.
Third book by Janice Kay Johnson that I've read and another 1 star rating. Not good.
It's not that she's a bad writer, but I really think she's in the wrong genre. She shouldn't be writing for the Intrigue line. She should be writing for the Romantic Suspense line. Even then, she doesn't have a particularly good handle on pacing, suspense or action.
Heroine Maddy Kane is on a plane, on her way to testify against a potential federal court judge. She witnessed a murder committed by his hitman to cover up a rape allegation. The plane is downed by a bomb, killing her US marshal handler and the pilot, and seriously injuring Maddy. She's lost in the vast wilderness, but lucky for her, the downed plane was spotted by former Delta Force soldier Will Gannon, and he comes to her rescue. He vows to get Maddy back to safety.
Heavens above, this one was dull! Hero and heroine trekking through the wilderness, evading the enemy, is one of the common tropes in the Intrigue line, because it can lead to a tense and exciting narrative.
Not so here.
While most Intrigue books utilising this type of plot would have plenty of scrapes between protagonists and antagonists, that sort of thing is virtually absent here. The enemy is faceless and almost completely off the page. One spray of gunfire and that's it. The rest of it is just Maddy and Will trekking through the wilderness, and we get every little detail of it. It felt like I was reading a National Geographic magazine, not a Harlequin Intrigue book. Any sort of action or suspense was utterly and completely lacking. To add insult to injury, the book then settles into a hiding-out-at-the-cabin story that Johnson has already done twice before. Zzzzzz. The climax is a total non-event.
I've picked apart the plot because the romance didn't captivate or interest me. Maddy and Will have an insta-love relationship, and their bickering about their supposed class differences came across as too intense and weird for a couple of people who have only known each other a few days.
Like I said, not badly written. Characters aren't annoying. But it's plotless and boring, and it's supposed to be a romantic thriller. The most deadly thing a thriller or romance can be is boring.
Third book by Janice Kay Johnson that I've read and another 1 star rating. Not good.
It's not that she's a bad writer, but I really think she's in the wrong genre. She shouldn't be writing for the Intrigue line. She should be writing for the Romantic Suspense line. Even then, she doesn't have a particularly good handle on pacing, suspense or action.
Heroine Maddy Kane is on a plane, on her way to testify against a potential federal court judge. She witnessed a murder committed by his hitman to cover up a rape allegation. The plane is downed by a bomb, killing her US marshal handler and the pilot, and seriously injuring Maddy. She's lost in the vast wilderness, but lucky for her, the downed plane was spotted by former Delta Force soldier Will Gannon, and he comes to her rescue. He vows to get Maddy back to safety.
Heavens above, this one was dull! Hero and heroine trekking through the wilderness, evading the enemy, is one of the common tropes in the Intrigue line, because it can lead to a tense and exciting narrative.
Not so here.
While most Intrigue books utilising this type of plot would have plenty of scrapes between protagonists and antagonists, that sort of thing is virtually absent here. The enemy is faceless and almost completely off the page. One spray of gunfire and that's it. The rest of it is just Maddy and Will trekking through the wilderness, and we get every little detail of it. It felt like I was reading a National Geographic magazine, not a Harlequin Intrigue book. Any sort of action or suspense was utterly and completely lacking. To add insult to injury, the book then settles into a hiding-out-at-the-cabin story that Johnson has already done twice before. Zzzzzz. The climax is a total non-event.
I've picked apart the plot because the romance didn't captivate or interest me. Maddy and Will have an insta-love relationship, and their bickering about their supposed class differences came across as too intense and weird for a couple of people who have only known each other a few days.
Like I said, not badly written. Characters aren't annoying. But it's plotless and boring, and it's supposed to be a romantic thriller. The most deadly thing a thriller or romance can be is boring.
May 11, 2025
This book gets high praise for its thrilling content and amazingly real characters. I loved that the plot took place in the Cascade Mountain wilderness where two very different individuals, Maddy Kane, a highly respected lawyer currently in witness protection, and Will Gannon, a Delta Force medic recently released from service because of the many injuries he sustained during his last tour of duty, had to travel together to survive the wilderness and a ruthless attempt to stop Maddy from testifying. I was riveted to the story and just couldn't put it down. Really enjoyable Read with Amazing Characters and Spectacular Scenery!!!!!
February 21, 2022
this was such a fun adventure and action packed romance, it is like a crime romance drama in a way with some thriller elements to it, survival mode trope, savior trope, female character is witness protection, male character is a former military medic. There is also force proximity and the romance develops throughout the whole book, i enjoyed it so much, I am surprised why these harlequin intrigue series aren't very read because they are fun quick romance reads with different elements to it.
February 8, 2020
Good 👍Read
On what an enjoyable experience,I couldn't put it down.Thrills,thrills and more thrills.I kept trying to guess what was going to happen next and couldn't.The twists and turns were amazing.I'll be looking forward to reading more from this author.
On what an enjoyable experience,I couldn't put it down.Thrills,thrills and more thrills.I kept trying to guess what was going to happen next and couldn't.The twists and turns were amazing.I'll be looking forward to reading more from this author.
February 15, 2026
3.75/5⭐️
Good romantic suspense books are one of my feeeeew exceptions for insta live. And this one actually got away with it. It was exciting. I liked both characters. I mean I didn’t know too much about them, even their age??, but it didn’t matter I still enjoyed it a LOT🤩
Good romantic suspense books are one of my feeeeew exceptions for insta live. And this one actually got away with it. It was exciting. I liked both characters. I mean I didn’t know too much about them, even their age??, but it didn’t matter I still enjoyed it a LOT🤩
February 25, 2020
4.5 stars = HI #1903
May 26, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters started out very differently but ended up fitting together quite nicely. The story moved at an excellent pace and there was plenty of intrigue.
August 25, 2020
The book was good up until the end and the it felt very rushed. Plot was good, easy to read.
January 14, 2023
I enjoyed the story. Some areas were slow but really picked up at the end. Enjoyed the descriptions of the area. Only complaint, can someone please take Maddy to an ER?
July 21, 2024
2.5
Suspense with just a little romance thrown in
Suspense with just a little romance thrown in
May 1, 2025
great story
Exciting all the way through. Lots of great detail of their trek down the mountain. Liked the relationship development between the two main characters.
Exciting all the way through. Lots of great detail of their trek down the mountain. Liked the relationship development between the two main characters.
July 10, 2025
An interesting book, full of action and quick to read. It's nothing amazing, but it's entertaining!
August 12, 2025
very very good read! I absolutely loved it
February 4, 2026
This story should be a movie
The author of this book should get help making this story into a movie. I couldn't put it down till the end
The author of this book should get help making this story into a movie. I couldn't put it down till the end
November 2, 2020
i have bought over 100 harlequins in the past few days. let's get this party fucking started
March 24, 2020
Good story with a solid plot and great outdoorsy details. I like the MCs and worried about them through the entire book.
I took off a point for two reasons (small spoilers here so stop reading if you don't want any hint of the details) - first I felt the heroine coped much too well with her wilderness adventure. I've had more problems on backpacking trips. lol Second the hero acted like she was from a really rich background though her parent's jobs and her attitude didn't bear that out. I didn't feel his attitude was well explained and it bothered me after a while.
Still it was a good book that I've already recommended to a friend. I love the "lost in the wilderness" trope and enjoyed this quite a bit.
I took off a point for two reasons (small spoilers here so stop reading if you don't want any hint of the details) - first I felt the heroine coped much too well with her wilderness adventure. I've had more problems on backpacking trips. lol Second the hero acted like she was from a really rich background though her parent's jobs and her attitude didn't bear that out. I didn't feel his attitude was well explained and it bothered me after a while.
Still it was a good book that I've already recommended to a friend. I love the "lost in the wilderness" trope and enjoyed this quite a bit.
March 7, 2020
Never expect to survive a plane crash, especially if it's brought down by a bom! But that's what happens to Maddy Kane on her way to testify against a killer of her client.
When she manages to get out of the wreck and survives the shock of finding the pilot and the US Marshall accompanying her dead, she is found by Will Gannon a healing former Delta Force medic. He helps her survive as they flee the people intent on killing Maddy. But their danger doesn't end when she goes to court to testify.
How this ends begs for a sequel to see how Maddy and Will plan to live their lives--hopefully, no longer alone.
When she manages to get out of the wreck and survives the shock of finding the pilot and the US Marshall accompanying her dead, she is found by Will Gannon a healing former Delta Force medic. He helps her survive as they flee the people intent on killing Maddy. But their danger doesn't end when she goes to court to testify.
How this ends begs for a sequel to see how Maddy and Will plan to live their lives--hopefully, no longer alone.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews