Saving Her Target

Dare to Surrender #3

by Danielle Pays

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫?

Zach Brannigan escaped his crime family years ago. Now, as owner of a small town pub, he’s living life with the freedom he once craved. Life is simple until he’s mistaken for another criminal and tackled.

Tackling mountain men is all in a day’s work for this special agent, but this time Jessie Doyle has the wrong perp. While she can’t find the one running from the law, she keeps running into the wrong one and he’s getting under her skin.

Zach’s family finds him, and they make it clear they won’t let him go again. This lands him right in the middle of an FBI sting. Led by Jessie. And here he thought it was his charm that led her to his small town.
 
He’s fallen for his Macushla, his darling. But if Jessie learns who he really is, it’s over.
 
𝐇𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

Danielle Pays writes romantic suspense with twists and a hint of humor. When not trying to write her characters into some kind of trouble, she can be found chasing her dog or annoying her kids. Unless the sun is out. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and if the sun comes out, it is a requirement to go outside before it hides again.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Her Target
By Danielle Pays
Main Characters: Zach and Jessie
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
5 out of 5 stars
This is a romantic suspense and book 3 in the series. This story has a little bit of everything from romance, action, humor, and of course a HEA ending. Zach is the owner of a small pub and had escaped his crime family a long time ago or did he? A well-written story as all of Danielle Pays's stories are. I highly recommend you read the whole series.

[Danielle Pays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach: Can you send me a photo of you?

Jessie: Why would I do that?

Zach: It’s only fair.

Notification that he’d sent a photo flashed on her screen. Nothing could have prepared her for it. It was a photo of Zach, lying in bed.

Holy shit. She knew he felt muscular under his clothes, but damn, he had a six-pack and that V, that drool-worthy V that men have. The sheet was so low, she could see his happy trail. It was hot. Holy hell, it was hot.

Now he wanted a photo of her? There was no way she could give him anything that hot and sexy. Her mind wandered to what she could do. A photo of her… she couldn’t help herself. She grabbed her license out of her wallet and snapped a close-in shot.

Zach: Is this your driver’s license photo?

Jessie: You’re welcome.

Zach: Really not what I had in mind.

She knew exactly what he had in mind. As long as her face wasn’t visible, there’d be no harm. What the hell. With one hand, she pulled her shirt down exposing her cleavage and she snapped a photo. Then sent it before she could change her mind.

Zach: Mm. That will work just fine. Thank you.

Work? Was he? Would he tell her?

Jessie: Work? What are you doing?

A second photo of Zach came through of Zach with the sheet still barely covering his lower half. It was clear he was gripping himself. But it was the look on his face that got her. Pure desire.

💖💖🔥 The Details 🔥💖💖

Sub-genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Opposites Attract/Dark Secret/Crime Family

Release Date: October 20, 2020

Saving Her Target is Book Three in the Dare to Surrender series. If can also be read as a standalone.

Blogger/Bookstagrammer Sign-Up: https://forms.gle/8X8ZMNmTpsDF2USi8

[Stox4story · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It….. so what was there to love? Try drama, action, emotions, good guys, bad guys and LOVE. Oh yeah, throw in a psycho and cheating ex too. It’s all here, all wrapped up in a page turning storyline.

👁👄👁 Random thoughts jotted down while reading 👁👄👁

❗️ Zach really needs to work on his game. His playboy lines just aren’t working….

😱 Tsk, tsk …. mixing business with pleasure usually will backfire.

🤔 Dang…. you will question just about everyone in this book. Just who are the good guys? Are the good guys really the bad guys incognito?

😳 Okay, for all this brave girl facade Jessie puts on, when it comes to matters of the heart, she’s scarred, naive and scared. She makes bad choices and consequences follow.

❣️Zach had learned a lot when it came to the school of hard knocks. He very easily could have been one of the bad guys. But as Kenny Rogers would say: he knows when to hold ‘em and knows when to fold ‘em …. well, that is, until it comes to love. When he loved, he loved hard and always got back up, with a little help from his friends.

🙁 I almost took a star away due to really disliking G_d’s name written in a cursed form. It didn’t happen often, but it did happen here. Our language is full of words that can be substituted to get the same point across without cursing G_d.

[Deborah Cantillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like the excitement of riding on a roller coaster, not knowing which way it's going to go; right, left, up, or down? Well this book, Saving Her Target, book three in the Dare to Surrender series by Danielle Pays, will take you on a reading roller coaster of a ride, with all its twists and turns, its highs and lows. If you enjoy the stories you read to pull you in and keep you turníng page after page because they have some mystery, suspense, action, great characters, and a steamy romance, or they might have you chuckling at the characters' antics, shedding a few tears on their behalf, and leading you to the anticipated happily ever after that just has to happen, then this book will do all of the above. Zach Brannigan is a local business owner, barkeeper extraordinaire, who has that bad boy persona going with a beard and those sexy tattoos, but Zach is also a dedicated friend to those closest to him. Jessie Doyle is an FBI agent, who always gets her man, even by tackling them, but in this story, even if she's tackled the wrong man professionally, unbeknownst to her, she has tackled the right man personally. ❤️
I certainly enjoyed reading this story and many others by this author, she has not disappointed me at all. I highly recommend this book, this series, and several of her other books. I want to acknowledge that I received an ARC from the author in turn for my honest review and now you have it.

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars!!

Well written with interconnecting plot lines that dealt with bar owner Zach’s mysterious identity and family ties as they conflicted with his love for FBI agent Jesse and her ongoing investigation.
Their meet cute with tiny Jesse flattening him on the ground to arrest him got his attention and admiration, something he lacked when it came to women.
Lots of mystery and content in this totally interesting story where lines were crossed with betrayal, false family loyalties, and corrupt power plays.
Their relational growth, connection and super steamy scenes were my favorite parts even though I didn’t like Jesse’s stubborn cautiousness as she repeatedly pushed Zach away.
One of those books where you want to read every word as you savor the content.
Wonderfully void of cheating with a feel good ending for the main couple!
Will be reading more of this series and this author’s work!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in this amazing series and is Zach and Jessie’s story. Zach managed to escape from his crime family years ago and is now the owner of a small pub. Jessie is a special agent who is insecure, and has made some questionable decision in her past, and when she mistakenly tackles Zach for someone else, she places herself firmly in his radar. Zach needs to up the ante as his usual charming playboy lines are having no effect of Jessie, and she is certainly making him work for it. When his family manage to find him will his secret be the end for them? This is a well written story which is filled with betrayal, family, suspense, secrets, and is a fun, entertaining, humorous, and steamy read. I was captivated throughout this riveting page turner, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend for all.

[Lori Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read an arc of this book for an honest review. Wow this book was totally freaking awesome! I’ve said it before and it bears repeating. Danielle Pays keeps you guessing. Zach is super sexy and Jessie is a kick but FBI agent. I loved their first meeting I seriously laughed out loud. This book will keep you guessing and then some. This author has a gift of keeping you in suspense. The chemistry is amazing, the characters are super likable and the suspense is well...suspenseful lol. Seriously though read this book you’ll love it!

[Ruth Gowan]

Full of all the ingredients you'd expect from Danielle, romance, suspense, mystery , action. No forgetting hot romance mixed with a little humour. All beautifully written. I received an ARC copy gratefully as I have become a big fan of this wonderful romantic suspense writer. And as before I really enjoyed this slightly unusual take on an FBI agent falling for a barman. Note I said barman. Read it and enjoy for yourself…

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach had been caught up in a case that FBI Agent Jessie Doyle was investigating. Hard decisions needed to be taken leaving people heartbroken.
During all the sleuthing involving the FBI, local police and informants, Danielle Pays kept the angst levels bearable and the heat levels hot.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew! I am still burning up from this. This is not only a little suspenseful with mystery and danger thrown in, but I am still fanning myself because it is scorching! I can't say more but Jessie and Zach are my new favorite couple. Just typing out the review I am blushing. You're welcome

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had it it all suspense action and love. Zach and Jess had instant attraction but they had and up and down relationship. I recommend reading it you will get drawn into it. I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

[Elana Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book of Zach and Jessie’s romance! The bad boy Vibe from Zach was hot. Jessie didn’t know what to do with her feelings for him. The story sucks you in and makes it tough to put down until you’ve read every single word. Highly recommend this book! The whole series!! Love it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has pulled us into the lives of Zach and Jessie and does not let go. Their attraction to each other tries to pull them together, but their past may be their undoing. The story keeps you turning the pages with suspense, action and love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Reitnauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this page-turning, suspense. Zach Brannigan has secrets that come to light. FBI Agent Jessie Doyle doesn't know what to do about her attraction to Zach when he becomes involved in her current case. The story is full of drama, betrayal, and love. The characters are well-developed and believable. I was hooked from page one. I received a copy and I am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well if Zach isn't my favorite bad boy I don't know who is! Talk about dreamy. A rough exterior with a troubled past but a soft and gooey center that you can't help but love.

Jessie straight laced and by the book has made some poor decisions in her past and ends up suffering for them.

Despite their pasts these two are strong and fight for what they want and need in the end.

A great story with enough twists and turns to keep you drawn in until the very end!

[Jessica G · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW...I loved Saving her Target. I've really liked Zach since he was first introduced and his story didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed reading Zach and Jesse's story. There were times where I wasn't sure where the story would take us and I have to say I was surprised at some of the turnout because I hadn't been expecting it to go quite that way. There was plenty of smiles, laughter, hot steamy scenes, friendship and love. It didn't take me long to read the book, because I just couldn't put it down.

[Kerry Boulanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in advance for a voluntary honest review. Loved it! Third in the series, Zach and Jessie’s story is sweet, sexy and funny. Gotta love a man with tattoos and a beard the owns a bar. Zach wants to go out with Jessie, Jessie thinks Zach is a playboy, but he’s determined to prove her wrong. What starts as a one night only for Jessie is the beginning of Zach’s mission to make her his. It’s a story with betrayal, family history, best friends, steamy bed sheets and the love of a good man. Definitely recommend reading.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in the Dare to Surrender series. Zach and Jessie's story has challenges and complications written all over it. This is not a bad thing, I loved the characters, their layers and individual baggage. All of these things plus the explosive chemistry they share make for a great, entertaining story. Enjoy!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danielle Pays is a new author to me, but I'll definitely be looking for her other books! I was hooked from the first scene and couldn't put the book down. Plenty of suspense, drama, and hot sex. This story pulls you in right away. I fell in love with the main characters, felt their emotions and rooted for them, and there were plenty of teasers related to earlier books in the series so readers can "catch up" with favorite characters. If you love romantic suspense, you won't be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever Danielle Pays grips you from page 1 and defies you to try putting the book down without finishing it.
Bringing together Chase and Nick from the earlier books we follow Zach who finds the past he had tried to put behind him come rushing back to mess with his life and business and an FBI agent who turns his life upside down.
Following Zach and Jessie as they battle with mobsters,a demented ex boyfriend and fight their attraction for each other is z roller coaster thrill ride you'll never forget

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I FREAKING LOVED this story!! Since meeting Zach in Chasing Her Trust: Dare to Surrender #1 I’ve wanted to know his story and boy was the wait more than worth it. I’m totally loving this series and can’t wait for more. 🖤🖤

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

and1515
Sizzling, sensational an oh so good two characters who most definitely attracted to each other from the moment they clapped eyes on one another.
Thrilling, intense drama and tons of wonderful "mmm" moments.

[WyoGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars rounded up

So the suspense element of the story is sufficient to keep the pages turning, but there are rough patches that need editing.

The female protagonist starts off spunky but then evolves into a passenger character who is carried along without much agency.

The antagonists are present but lack depth and believable motivation for their actions. The reader finds out later, almost as an after thought, what drives their choices.

The male protagonist supposedly has an accent when he’s nervous, but it is poorly written. He seems like a good guy, but he has some flaws—drinks away his problems and talks dirty at times.

The two protagonists have sex rather early in the story, and while it’s supposedly the best they’ve ever had, without believable emotional connection and depth of feeling based on history together, the sex scenes read like average quickies.

There is a lot of busyness in the story and a lot of secondary characters dropped in that are obviously set ups for spin-off novels. Instead of making me want to read about them, they dilute the intensity of the novel by drawing attention away from the main characters. Cody, who appears in the middle of the book, is mysterious and seems more alpha male and sexy than the leading man, but he does little to help the plot. Then he disappears to wherever.

There are action scenes that end too quickly or are handled off-page, thus rendering the overall plot anticlimactic. Bummer. The angsty bit at the end seems junior-high-ish. And whatever is going on with the hockey sub-plot? Why even throw it in? More spin-off nonsense? Ugh.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie is an FBI agent tasked with investigating a money laundering ring in the region.  Zach is a bar owner trying keep his business afloat but Zach has a past.  Jessie and Zach met when Jessie tried to arrest Zach for a crime he didn't commit.  It was a case of mistaken identity.  Zach was immediately attracted to Jessie and made a point to get to know her.  Zach was raised by his mother until the age of fourteen when he was thrown into his father's crime organization.  He hated it so when he turned eighteen, he disappeared, changed his name, and made a new life for himself.  Now over a decade later his past has found him.  His family wants him back in business which just so happens to be a part of the laundering ring.  Now Jessie must find a way to get to the bottom of everything going while trying to keep herself and Jessie safe.  Jessie looks to his two best friends who happen to be in law enforcement.  He comes clean about who he really is and enlists their help to watch over Jessie and himself.  Can these two find love with all the lies and turmoil going on?  Will Jessie still want to be with Zach when she finds out his past?

What a great action packed story.  With the plot twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat and had a hard time putting the book down.  This book has a little bit of everything from murder and money laundering to budding romance and getting second chances.  This was my first time reading this author and I will definitely be reading more by her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, excitement and romance. A triple threat to an awesome book. Nail bitingly good. I love Danielle Pays books. They get right to the heart of the matter and just double and double into excitement until you think you’re going to explode.  What a fantastic imagination. And this book, incredibly entertaining. When Zach meets Jessie, an FBI agent... actually when she takes him down to the ground, he is immediately attracted to her. Jessie thought he was Carl, the man she was after with an arrest warrant. She is playing hard to get, but he is willing to wait it out. He has never been so attracted to a woman and he finds the chase exhilarating. Women have always just fallen into his lap or come on to him.  Jessie is not going to make it easy. She is all about business and her career. You will be biting your nails and fidgeting in your seat. So much happens so fast. You will read it in one day, because you won’t be able to put it down. Magnificent storyline, characters and storytelling. Heart pumping excitement all the way through. SUPERB!!!!!. This would make a great movie.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach comes from a crime family, but he never wanted any part of it so he managed to escape them years ago, and is a happy small pub owner these days. Jessie is a special agent for the FBI, who has a past littered with bad decisions that have scarred her with the consequences & hurts. She sees Zach, mistakes him for another criminal, and tackles him as she tries to arrest him. Now that's what I call a meeting. From the jump they have sparks shooting everywhere, and Zach is actually trying to get with her with some lines that need to be improved as Jessie isn't having any of him. This starts quite a push & pull journey filled with awesome chemistry, so just when he's starting to get through to her, his family tracks him down, and they aren't leaving him behind. That makes for some intense twists since his huge secret has the power to destroy anything he has with Jessie. In order to see how it all pans out, you'll have to hit those one click buttons! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!  

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

When FBI agent Jessie Doyle tackled bar owner Zach Brannigan in a case of mistaken identity, she was wrong but only he knew he hadn’t lived with the identity he’d been born with over a dozen years. He cared more about their mutual attraction. Meanwhile, Jessie’s ex, an interoffice romance, only seemed to take no for an answer as he transfers to her new office, works at building an anti-Jessie faction and notes Zach’s pursuit. r. As Jessie pushes the men to the back of her mind, Zach gets an unwelcome reminder of his past.

Zach decides to come clean to his friends, local law, Nick and Chase. They’re shocked and advise him to bring Jessie in on things but Zach refuses convinced she wouldn’t be as understanding. Because Jessie’s done an abrupt about face, Zach is suspicious of her motives as he’s being squeezed on all sides and Jessie develops more suspicions.
Rating: 4.25stars

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
This is the third book in the Dare to Surrender series and it is a whirlwind of a small town, opposites attract romance. Zach is a bar owner/bartender who is a typical looking bad boy that can have any woman he wants. Jessie is an FBI agent who recently moved back to Seattle. She is working a case that has her cuffing Zach as she believes he is the perpetrator. After their initial interaction, neither one can forget the other which leads to a highly engaging storyline that brings them, repeatedly, back into contact. Filled with mystery, betrayal, and steam, this is one book that will have you salivating. I volunteered to read a copy of this book.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all starts with a pair of handcuffs....and then the fun begins

Saving Her Target is the third book in the Dare to Surrender series. This story is about Jessie Doyle and Zach Brannigan. Jessie is an FBI agent who with her partner tries to arrest Zach in a case of mistaken identity. As luck would have it for Zach the petite beauty is just the woman who he wants to be her man for. Jessie however has other ideas as she needs to get home to clean her carpets. And so the fun begins for this pair in this entertaining and suspenseful story.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was extremely fortunate to receive a arc copy of this amazing book. Danielle Pays is a new author to me . I cannot wait to read her other books .this book is filled with suspense , Drama , and Hot sex . I was hooked from the very first page . There is absolutely nothing that this story is missing , it has it all . Being able to feel everything the main characters are feeling , going through all the ups and downs with them strengthens the connection they have as well as their relationship. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it ❤️💜📚