An Operative's Last Stand

Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit #4

by Juno Rushdan

A kill squad is closing in…
Now this team leader must risk everything for answers

Barely escaping CIA mercenaries, ex-agent Hunter Wright is after the person he thinks targeted his ops team, Topaz, for treason. Deputy director Kelly Russell is still the one woman he can't resist, but she believes Hunter went rogue. Now she's his only shot at getting the answers they need. Can they trust each other enough to save Topaz—and each other?

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Mystery, Contemporary

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 6, 2022

About the author

Juno Rushdan is a veteran US Air Force intelligence officer and the award-winning author of romantic thrillers. Her books are action-packed, nail-biting page-turners with twists you won’t see coming. Critics from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, BookPage and Library Journal have called her work “heart-pounding James Bond-ian adventure”, “fast-paced”, “gripping”, “a thrill ride” that “will captivate lovers of romantic thrillers.” She is married to her own military hero and is privileged to have two rambunctious kids and a spoiled rescue dog. For a FREE book from Juno: http://bit.ly/JunoFREE. Be sure to follow her on BookBub for the latest on sales: bit.ly/BookBubJuno.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Operative’s Last Stand by Juno Rushdan
Book 4 of Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit. Harlequin romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Hunter and the rest of the Topaz team once again beat the odds and escape the kill team that has targeted them. They head to Virginia and their team handler, Kelly, to get answers on why they’ve been betrayed and targeted.

Intense, thrilling and explosive.
I didn’t want to like Kelly. She’s hard and cold. Until she’s persuaded to ask more questions.

A passionate series that was gripping, entertaining and well written.
I’m putting this author on my auto-buy and making sure I’ve not missed any along the way.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

AN OPERATIVE’S LAST STAND (Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit Book #4) by Juno Rushdan is the brilliant final book and ending to the Fugitive Heroes series! These books should be read in order as each member of the Topaz team gets their own romantic suspense story which will bring them all back together to prove the team’s innocence.

Topaz team leader Hunter Wright has been able to keep his team safe up to now, but he knows they must return to Virginia to get to the person he believes betrayed his ops team. Hunter knows the CIA Deputy Director is the only person who can get the answers regarding their failed op and prove their innocence.

CIA Deputy Director Kelly Russell believes Hunter and his team went rogue and has sent CIA mercenaries to eliminate the treasonous team. Not only does she believe they betrayed their country, but that Hunter personally betrayed her.

Can they trust each other enough to save Topaz and each other?

I loved this conclusion to the Topaz series! It has everything. There is an enemies-to-lovers trope, emotional discoveries and consequences, fast-paced action and thrills, believable suspense and a climax and conclusion that was both surprising and smart. Ms. Rushdan’s characters realistically come to life on each page. This book, while wrapping up the overall series arc, also gives the reader a romance between Hunter and Kelly which is both emotionally devastating with many of the revelations and smokin’ hot with explicit sex scenes. For me, this final book was perfect!

I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for more from this author!

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

CIA agents Kelly Russell and Hunter Wright shared a steamy night after a long building attraction, but Kelly cut it off and Hunter had no choice but to keep things professional.

When Hunter’s team is sent to Afghanistan on a sanctioned mission things fell apart and it’s made to look like his team, Topaz, went rogue and intended to assassinate another target for money, making them traitors to the country. Kelly is interrogated and tortured to make sure she wasn’t part of the operation and once she’s exonerated, she’s promoted. Hurt and betrayed she’s on the warpath to catch Hunter and his team.

Hunter and his team were set up and there seems to be only one person who could’ve done it: Kelly the woman he fell hard for, only to be rebuffed for her career. Now he and his team are on the run, but they have evidence to prove their innocence.

This was an action-packed story with a lot of hurt on both sides at first and I could totally understand why Hunter and his team would be livid with Kelly. However, as the story went on and all that Kelly went through was revealed I could understand why she was so hellbent to catch them. I really felt for her and was disturbed what she went through. I was happy when they all finally got together to get to the truth.

Of course, both Hunter and Kelly’s feelings of betrayal were strong as they felt passionate for each other, even if Kelly wanted to shut things down thinking they couldn’t work together and carry on with a romantic relationship as well. All that goes out the window when their lives are on the line and it becomes clear that what matters most.

An Operative’s Last Stand was an exciting, fast-paced read full of heated emotions. The was a lot of anger between Kelly and Hunter, understandable when such strong feelings are in play. I knew that would flip the minute they realized the truth. The passion they once had was never extinguished. These two were crazy for each other and I just wanted Topaz to be cleared so they all could go back to a normal life. This was the fourth book in the series, but I didn’t read the previous and it worked well as a standalone. I really enjoyed this one!

A copy was kindly provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina Loves To Read]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the fourth book in the Fugitive Heroes series. I have to say I did not care about any of the characters. The storyline just could not pull me into it. I think books with CIA is just not books for me. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Love the fantastic ending for this awesome series. Juno Rushdan can craft a Romantic-Suspense that has everything and do it in less than 300 pages without any deficiencies in any way. She is a must read for me and I have never been disappointed. "An Operative's Last Stand" is fast paced, steamy hot and loaded with non-stop action, just the way I like my Romantic-Suspense to be.

Hunter Wright is a CIA operative on the run. His team has been accused of treason and a hit squad is after each of them. He finally has intel and knows that he was set up by a woman he trusted with his life. He's beyond furious and he wants answers. He is willing to lay is all on the line in order to clear his name and the names of his Topaz teammates. Ther is only one person who has the answers, and he means to get them, even if it means he may not survive.

Kelly Russell was Topaz team's handler, and she has no idea what could have made them turn traditor and kill and innocent Afghanistan official. As the new Deputy Director of the CIA, she has sworn to hunt them down and eliminate them, even Hunter, the one man she has ever has feelings for. Getting Topaz Team is proving difficult and when Hunter turns the tables on her, they finally get to the truth of what really happened and the undeniable passion they have for each other.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific conclusion to the series. For the last eighteen months, the members of the Topaz Unit have been on the run. Accused of betraying their country for money, they know they are innocents of the charges and are desperate to clear their names. Meanwhile, the powers-that-be at the CIA have sent hit squad after hit squad to silence them. Hunter Wright, Topaz's team leader, has done his best to protect his teammates who have barely escaped their pursuers. All of them and their significant others have joined Hunter on his sanctuary island, where they decide it is time to return to the US and get the answers they need.

Two years earlier, Hunter and the team's handler, Kelly Russell, grew very close. After one passion-filled night, Kelly pulled back, insisting on returning to a professional relationship. Not long after that, Topaz Unit was sent on the mission that started their troubles. They suspected something was off but carried out their orders, only to discover that they had killed the wrong person. When they were declared traitors, Hunter believed that Kelly had set them up, and when he learned of her promotion, he was sure of it. In previous books, we have seen Kelly's determination to exterminate the team vehement in her characterization of them as traitors. Hunter is understandably hurt and angry that she could believe him capable of such heinous behavior.

Thanks to discovering a tracking device at the end of the previous book, the team knows their days on the island are numbered. As the story opens, they await the next attack. I was on the edge of my seat as they lay in wait, trap baited. I loved watching them kick butt while Kelly and the others followed the events in horrified disbelief. Kelly's frustration is palpable, and her frustration with her coworker is evident. That was my first inkling that everything might not be what it seemed. I loved seeing the team make a clean getaway, and advance their plans to discover the truth.

The story's suspense built from event to event, chapter to chapter, as the team grew closer to uncovering the truth. Hunter's first step was a confrontation with Kelly, and I loved how he set that up. Face-to-face for the first time since that fateful mission, their exchange was heartbreaking and satisfying. Though she was skeptical of Hunter's claims, he raised just enough doubt that she promised to look into it. Those inquiries stirred up a hornets' nest, and the team worked hard to protect themselves and, eventually, Kelly. Bombs, snipers, mass shootings, made for non-stop action as Hunter and Kelly raced to uncover the who and why of the set-up. Just when I thought I knew who was behind it, an unexpected twist proved me wrong. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with Kelly caught in the clutches of the mastermind. The motivations behind it all shocked me, and the steps taken to ensure success were horrifying. I was glued to the pages as Hunter, the other Topaz members, and some of John's SEAL friends arrived in time to save the day.

Much of the relationship between Hunter and Kelly happened off-page at the beginning of the book. Despite her being his boss, their time together deepened the attraction that grew between them. I was as frustrated as Hunter was at Kelly's lack of faith in Hunter's honor. I'm not sure I could be as forgiving as he was. I could feel Hunter's pain when he kidnapped Kelly and tortured her to get her to listen. Kelly's guilt was evident as she uncovered the manipulations that made her believe in Hunter's treachery. Once she saw the truth, she allowed herself to pursue her growing feelings for him. The epilogue was terrific with finding out the results of their work and seeing the happiness of the four couples. I loved the twist in the big moment between Hunter and Kelly.

#netgalley

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it were possible to read a book from cover-to-cover in one breath, An Operative's Last Stand would be that very book. Hunter Wright is an ex-CIA agent with a price on his head. In fact, it is the CIA that wants him dead and they will not stop at anything until the job is done. Why is Hunter's previous team, Topaz, determined to wipe him out? What of Kelly Russell, Deputy Director and the one leading the charge against Hunter?

Run. Kill or be killed. What will Hunter to in order to save his life, prove his innocence that got him marked and resist his growing feelings for Kelly? A quandary on every level. Trust becomes key because Hunter must trust at least one person to stay alive and that proves to be Kelly. Can they work together to prove his innocence and pull together enough facts to determine why things are at a dangerous level?

Utterly exciting. So much so that I now want to make room in my schedule for the previous books in this series. Juno Rushdan never once let the tension go in this book, all while the story between Hunter and Kelly developed despite the odds against them.

Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Rellim · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the storyline for Hunter & Kelly’s relationship is completely covered in this book – there’s an overall arc to the Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit series that makes these best experienced in order.

I loved this wrap up to the series. Finally all the answers the unit has been seeking since book 1 (Rogue Christmas Operation) are found. Definitely a lot of twists and surprises along the way. Covert ops and clandestine missions kept me on the edge of my seat.

Of course, Hunter & Kelly find their way back to each other and discover that the one night over a year ago was more than just a fling. Kelly becomes an integral part of the investigation. Learning they were all betrayed at the highest levels leaves them with few options.

Such a fantastic conclusion to an enjoyable series. I loved the epilogue too. The Topaz Unit deserved their happy ending.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Operative's Last Stand is the last book in this amazing series by Juno Rushdan. A action-packed thriller that can be read as a stand-alone, but I feel you gain a lot by having read the previous books in the series also. I found myself not liking Kelly in the beginning of the book but by the end I had changed my thoughts on her. I most definitely recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect ending to a totally absorbing series about CIA agents forced to go rogue when they are suspected of treason. Hunter Wright is the leader of the Topaz unit and feels responsible for the fact that they are being hunted down by a kill squad. In this last book of the series, Hunter decides to take the fight back to the home turf of the CIA and confront his team manager, Kelly Russell, the woman he is more than a little attracted to and the one whom he suspects of betraying and setting up the team. The action is non-stop and fast-paced, with bombs, mercenaries with high power rifles and subterfuge on the highest levels of the spy agencies of the U.S. I was able to figure out who the real villain was, but not until very close to the end. The suspense was riveting and built from chapter to chapter, with the entire team involved in a life or death struggle against an unknown enemy. There were some really steamy bedroom scenes, but I just skimmed those since they neither added nor detracted from the story for me. I enjoyed the fact that there was romance in the midst of all of the danger and that realistic details about the characters were part of the story. With three-dimensional characters and a plot that was engaging, this book is one not to be missed. It is the last book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Book Funnel. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down! Fantastic way to wrap up this series, which is perfect for those who love romantic suspense with gripping action.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit (Book #4)

[Lauren loves llamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needless to say, after the last book, I was dying to know what was next for Topaz unit, especially after that tantalizing hint about who Hunter’s love interest would be. Let’s just say that she didn’t come off so great in the last book, so when I read the blurb and saw that my suspicions were confirmed? Whoa. Needless to say, the author knocked it out of the park with a rollercoaster ending to the series.

Bound by the intensity of their missions, the Topaz unit was closer than family, with their handler, Kelly, as an honorary member, though the feelings Hunter, the team’s leader, had for her were anything but familial. After the fiasco that led to Topaz being disavowed and hunted, Kelly was somehow promoted to deputy director of the CIA. To Hunter, it can only mean one thing: she’s the one who sold them out. When the CIA finally tracks the team to their island hideout, Hunter knows it’s time to change up the game. They’re going to return to the US and confront Kelly and clear Topaz’s name once and for all. And if Hunter still has feelings for Kelly, even after everything? His team is more important, and his team is all that matters.

“Kelly Russell had ruined his life and the lives of the people who meant the most to him. Those standing in this room, shoulder to shoulder with him.
That sin was unforgivable.”

Kelly is an absolute ice queen with fiery red hair. Raised by her career CIA father and, after his death, a woman who’s now the head of the NSA, her job is her life. She doesn’t have time for anything else, though she did make an exception – once. Hunter and Kelly had a one night stand while on a temporary assignment a year and a half ago, not too long before the botched mission. While they both wanted more, Kelly shut down any talk of a repeat the following morning, worried that the possible conflict of interest would torpedo her career. With his own career firmly in tatters and his team in danger, Hunter still can’t quite understand why she betrayed the team – betrayed him. But Hunter knows his responsibilities are clear, even if seeing her again is like a punch to the stomach. His ability to think three steps ahead, to consider problems from fresh angles have allowed them to stay a few steps ahead of the CIA, and now he’s putting that same intellect to figuring out how to beat the CIA on their home turf. Like Kelly, he holds honor – and protecting the US – above everything else, and it’s not just his teams’ lives at stake if the true perpetrator remains at large.

“He was betting on Kelly and that she would come through. In the event he was wrong, no one else should have to suffer for his error in judgment. They all had others who loved them, needed them to survive this.
If Kelly betrayed him, he would be the only one to pay the price.”

While all of the books had a pretty high kill count, this one had a few more content warnings and was a bit harder to read. Enemies to lovers doesn’t even touch the depths of animosity between the two of them at the start of the book, and it was heart-wrenching watching each of them figure out how they were deceived. There’s a good balance between the action and the romance, and also the bonus of watching the whole team (plus significant others) working together. Zee’s book was my favorite in this series, so I was very happy to see that she played a large part in this book. Both Hunter and Kelly comment that she’s the glue of the team, and she really is. She’s a good sounding board for Hunter when he’s trying to work through his feelings about Kelly, and good at talking down the other team members when they question his plan of attack.

Overall, this was a great end to an action-packed series, and I’m very much looking forward to whatever the author writes next!

I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Content notes: violence (including death), torture, kidnapping, misogyny, toxic family, death of parents (in the past)

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After an op gone wrong, CIA Agent Hunter Wright, and his ops team, Topaz, were disavowed and falsely accused of committing treason in Juno Rushdan’s An Operative's Last Stand, Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit #4. I was drawn into the novel by vivid descriptions and interesting and relatable characters from the first scene. Interactions between Hunter and Kelly are fiercely emotional because of perceived betrayal on both sides, but also because of the depth of their feelings, strong personalities, and intense, fiery attraction for each other. A determined, relentless survivor, Kelly is ruthless and ambitious. But she had to choose between Hunter and her dream job with the CIA. And, so she did. Hunter, a former delta force soldier, is an intelligent, forward-thinking, resourceful, formidable adversary. Rushdan’s writing is concise with deft plotting, nail-biting action scenes, taut suspense, and angsty romance. The author keeps you guessing, trying to figure out who’s behind setting up Topaz and wanting the team dead and why. Fast-paced with a nice balance between romance and suspense, the novel is a quick, entertaining read. Reading this novel is like watching an excellent romantic suspense/spy/action movie.

Eighteen months later, ex-CIA agent Hunter and his team are still on the run from their own government and agency. Hunter now knows for sure someone set his team up, especially after they barely escape a CIA mercenary strike team targeting Topaz with a kill order. He’s tired of running. They all are. He owes it to his team to clear their names so that they can get their lives back. More than anything else, he wants answers. One night was all Hunter had with Kelly Russell before his whole world turned upside down, but he never stopped thinking about her or wanting her. He needs to know why she betrayed and set them up, and he’s going to find out the truth. Deputy Director Kelly believes Hunter and Topaz have gone rogue even though she should know them—him—better than anyone else. Because she's the only person who can give him the answers he needs, he’s going to have to rely on her help. When the search for answers jeopardizes her life, too, she will have to rely on him and Topaz now. But can they trust each other?

Full of action, suspense, angsty romance, and twists and turns that you never see coming, An Operative's Last Stand is a thrilling romantic suspense novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Rushdan.

Advanced review copy provided by Harlequin Intrigue via Netgalley for review.

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finale!!!!!! Really The author managed to keep us on edge until the last page and even if we were supecting the right one , the reason is astounishing ...really so many twists it really needs to be read in one sitting .

I Loved it, i loved to see the team work together , and i loved how John did become part of it even when not in person team topaz is great but their allies are not to be overlooked. I really like Hunter and it was interesting to see his conflict between his love feeling and the feeling for his team and how he put the security of others first always he is a great strategist but we do see how Zee is the heart of the team.


Kelly.....she disappointed me a little but then she won points, what she went through sure was not easy but i still regret she did not trust Hunter more.

Lot of action, tension, a good dose of romance this is the perfect finale for this series where we felt the tension building more and more in each book. This is a great suspense romance to be be read in order

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

In order for a romantic suspense to really work, you need to believe the romance within the suspense, and it needs to move seamlessly from the romantic portions to the guns blazing and being chased portions.

This book worked in some places and not in others.

I believed in the relationship between Hunter and Kelly, but I thought too much credibility was given to the idea that she was his mark during the prologue...and that colored the way I felt about them at the end of the story.

There was a lot of action, and it was interesting, but I am not sure it was well-balanced throughout the story and I thought the ending/resolution was a little rushed and somewhat out of the blue.

Overall, I was engaged enough to finish the book, even with the issues noted above, and I do recommend this title.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter and his team was set up and now seen as the enemy. Kelly and Hunter once has a thing but after finding out about the betrayal she's on a mission to take them down when she finds out there is more then she was told and now doesn't know who to trust. Clearly someone wants to silence Hunter and team and they need to find out who and why.

If you love a good suspense novel then look no further. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into but I love a good intrigue novel and this was perfect for that. I loved seeing how everything played out. There was a bit of action, plenty of suspense and a load of confusion as to wondering who was behind everything. It was interesting seeing the suspicion take place once they realized that that someone was playing a trick on everyone and it had some deadly consequences. It was hard to figure out who was to trust and I enjoyed seeing how the whole mystery played out. Overall great book I really enjoyed it.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

CIA had been his life, now on the run from them forced to go rogue, accused of treason. Betrayed by a woman, now to clear his name
and his team. For her she cared about this team, until they made
a mockery of what she stood for and believed in. This op would be a success, yet terrified, it may not.
To get answers and catch the real traitor, could they work together.
A captivating plot, trust was broken, and knowing love was still there.
A stand alone read, a good series to read and enjoy
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Emabubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operatives Last Stand is the last book in Juno Rushdan's Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit # 4 series. Like all of the previous books in this series this book is also a standalone however, this one ties all of the earlier books together thus concluding this electrifying series. Ed-agent, Hunter Wright barely escaped the CIA mercenaries who are out to get him. He is trying to clear his name and capture the man who really betrayed his ops team, Topaz. His former lover and now enemy, deputy directory Kelly Russell believes he has gone rogue. Can Hunter convince Kelly he is one of the good guys and get her to support him in his quest for the real traitor before it is too late? Do these two star-cross lovers have a chance at HEA? For the answer to these and other questions, you must read this thrill-a-minute romantic suspense novel.

Do These Star-Cross Lovers Have A Chance At A HEA?

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

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is somewhat unusual for romantic suspense as Hunter and Kelly do not start working together until over halfway through the book. However, that does give the reader more time with Team Topaz and appreciate how well they work together. Rushdan did a great job keeping the overall mastermind under wraps and their identity came as a surprise when it was revealed. This series is perfect for fans of Burn Notice.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! The last book in this series is EVERYTHING. It sucked me in from very beginning and didn't let go. Although the other books in the series can be read as standalone, An Operative's Last Stand brought them all together in such an exhilarating way. Wow! I blew through this, reading it in a day. Lovers-to enemies-to lovers. Edge-of-your-seat suspense. Thrilling action. Emotional. A smart romance that was hard-earned. This was a fantastic conclusion to Fugitive Heroes!

[Git · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter Wright is the team leader for Topaz unit, a CIA ops team that is being pursued for treason. They may have found clues to their unfair predicament but important pieces of the puzzle have eluded them.

The Deputy Director, Kelly Russell, had a different position when Topaz had been sent on the ill-fated operation. She had been the team’s handler. Now, she is in Hunter’s sights and he intends to get answers. Their complicated past makes for an even more complicated present. Each is suspicious of the other regardless of the depth of their feelings.

Our hero is certainly tough and a leader, but Hunter is also deeply caring for all whom he loves. His team is his family and he is clearly ready to bring down his wrath upon those who have been trying to hurt them.

Kelly is a warrior and I so enjoyed that about our heroine. She is intelligent, canny and just what I wanted to match with Hunter.

I understood the sheer anger and deep sense of betrayal he felt towards Kelly in the beginning of this story and had a bit of worry that the author wouldn’t be able to satisfactorily portray a romance between these two. Happily, I was wrong. There was a realistic feel to some disquiet between the two remaining for a time after so many months with each feeling betrayed by the other. But this also highlighted the sense of longing between them and the moments of tenderness. It presented great nuance and chemistry.

An Operative’s Last Stand is the fourth and final book to the Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit series. As usual for this author, I was in the story’s grip from start to finish. The suspense, fight scenes, planning and action by the characters was wonderfully exciting. This tale is a great second chance romance with well fleshed out main and secondary characters. The team members and love interests from the previous books are all of them woven into this last story. I believe it can be read as a standalone but heartily recommend reading the series in sequence. It has been a pleasure to go through each instalment and be swept up in the momentum that culminated with this book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Topaz is my new favorite color and gemstone now! What an explosive read from the beginning to the very end! An Operative's Last Stand (Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit #4) by Juno Rushdan brings all the characters together for a final stand to find truth and justice. The truth is scary believable with a sociopath and a psychopath both thinking that they are above the law.

The story has spins that I didn’t expect early on with more twists right up until the final action scene. The author has given this read a plot that keeps the reader on their toes as much as it does the characters. Speaking of characters, there are the team members, each one worthy of admiration on their own but together they are an unstoppable found family team. Then there are villains to loath and fear, especially since they believe that they are the unstoppable ones. While I believed that the Topaz Team would prevail, I was unprepared for the how far the evil would go to win. In addition there is a romance that the couple are willing to die if needed to protect one another. Wow, just Wow!

Highly recommend to romantic suspense readers or actually to anyone who enjoys a thrilling action packed novel. Juno Rushdan does for the CIA what Toni Anderson has done for the FBI and Marliss Melton has for the Navy SEALS. Fans of Anderson and Melton will LOVE Rushdan’s CIA Team. Each book may read okay as a stand-alone. However, like the old potato chip ad one is just not enough. Plan to be hooked, wanting to read them all and hoping that this author is writing a new series right this very moment.

The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Juno Rushdan can always be counted on to deliver a high stakes tale of danger, desire and suspense and she is on top form with her latest novel, An Operative’s Last Stand.

Hunter Wright had barely emerged unscathed from the clutches of CIA mercenaries, but the former agent refuses to sit quietly and hide in the shadows. He wants answers and he will go to the ends of the earth to find them and to find out who had targeted his ops team, Topaz, for treason. Hunter will leave no stone unturned in his search for the truth – even if it means coming face to face with the one woman he never could resist. The woman who still haunts his thoughts and dreams: deputy director Kelly Russell.

Kelly had been forced to put her personal feelings for Hunter aside after believing that he had gone rogue. Yet, something is telling her that there is more to this story than meets the eye. When Hunter comes back into her life, Kelly wonders whether she can trust him again – or whether his return could put her in danger and jeopardize her work.

With the two of them working very closely together, temptation quickly proves impossible to resist. But can they trust each other enough to save both Topaz – and one another?

An action-packed romantic suspense novel where the pace never flags and the twists and turns come thick and fast, Juno Rushdan’s An Operative’s Last Stand is a nail-biting sizzler readers will not be able to put down.

Fast-paced, sensuous and wholly captivating, An Operative’s Last Stand is another winner by Juno Rushdan.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Operative's Last Stand (book #4 of the Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit Series) was a terrific ending to a great series. Although you can read this as a stand-alone, I suggest that they are read these books in order. You will learn more about each member of the Topaz Unit and their significant other.

Topaz Unit has been accused of treason and has been on the run for the last 18 months. CIA Mercenary Hit Squads have been sent out to kill them but so far each of them has escaped. Hunter Wright, team leader of Topaz, has kept his team safe so far but he believes that the team handler, Kally Russell, is the one who has set them up. And he is determined to get face-to-face answers from her. So, the team heads to Virginia!! After kidnapping Kelly and taking her to the motel where they are hiding, they begin interrogating her with a truth serum to try to get answers. After Hunter places a few facts in front of her, Kelly promises to find out the truth!

I was totally surprised at the ending but have to admit the ending was perfect! I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes romance, intrigue, murder, bombs, bullets, etc. I know that I will be reading more of Juno Rushdan's books.

[NICUnurse Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a self-proclaimed romantic suspense junkie, I’m officially a hard-core Juno Rushdan fan at this point. An Operative’s Last Stand is the final book in her Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit series, and I have officially loved them all!

This book literally hits the ground running with the action, and it’s pretty much nonstop from there. With plenty of suspense, a good bit of romance, and a twist at the end that’s not quite what I thought it would be, it’s what I always look for in this genre. I’ve loved each couple’s individual stories, but with the series beginning with the team separated and on the run, it was fun to see how they functioned as a team and why they are considered elite. This will be a well re-read series for me going forward.

With a fast-paced plot that keeps you guessing until the end, this book is just one more reason I reach for Juno Rushdan’s books when I’m looking for well-written romantic suspense. She’s thoroughly cemented herself as a great romantic suspense author and ranks among the top of my automatic 1-click authors’ list.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the “Fugitive Heroes Topaz Unit” and CIA agent Hunter Wright and deputy director Kelly Russell who are former lovers. This book is a fast paced easy read, suspenseful, thrilling, action packed, pager turner, entertaining, awesome characters, great worlding and romantic all the makings of a suspenseful great read.

Hunter is a target for the kill team and he barely escapes with life. Hunter is trying to clear his name and find the trader on his ops team. Hunter thinks that Kelly has gone rogue and he is doing his best to get Kelly on his side so the two can get to the heart of the betrayal.

Can Hunter convince Kelly that he is not the bad guy, will Kelly come to her senses and the two work together for the good of unit, will these two former lovers have a second chance at an HEA?

I received an ARC via Juno Rushdan and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four of the Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit series and the last of this series. It can be read as a standalone, but I think it's better as part of the series (that way you understand the other characters and what has happened). Hunter is the team leader of the Topaz Unit and he's managed to keep his team safe so far but it's been a struggle. He knows that they must return to Virginia to finally find out who has betrayed his team and to prove that he & his team are innocent. CIA Deputy Director Kelly Russell believes that Hunter and his team are traitors and went rogue. She ordered CIA mercenaries to eliminate them. But once Hunter comes to her for help in finding out who betrayed them she starts to reconsider her belief that they went rogue. This book is an amazing end to a great suspenseful series. It has suspense, romance, action, and amazing characters. I voluntarily received an ARC of this book from the author. But the thoughts and opinions are mine and no one else's.

[Felice Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in the series and WOW! It was everything and more that what I hoped.

The leader of the Topaz Unit, Hunter, is tired of running and wants answers. The only person that can give him those answers is his former boss Kelly. His biggest question of course is how could she betray the Unit and more importantly how could she betray him?

I just knew after finishing book 3 that I knew what was going on and had for the most part figured out Kelly’s role in this whole thing. Boy was I WRONG! And am I glad I was. This story was epic. The twists, turns, and ultimate reveal were so worth the wait.

The scenes between all of the characters were so intense and emotional. Someone needs to make this a limited series or something. Great, great book.

Favorite Scene: Chapter 12

The hotel room.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Emily C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

CIA deputy director Kelly has authorized Operation Cujo in order to wipe out everyone in team Topaz, including Hunter Wright, her one-night situation a year and a half ago, thinking that they have gone rogue! Hunter, on the other hand, thinks that Kelly has betrayed him and the whole Topaz unit, and ferociously determines it’s time to confront her in order to get an answer to clear his name and Topaz unit’s!
Juno Rushdan has cleverly plotted this intriguing, suspenseful and action-packed FUGITIVE HEROES : TOPAZ UNIT that flows smoothly and merges seamless throughout the whole series.
I would like to thank Juno for all the ARCs which I truly am satisfied reading them, and I definitely enjoyed this adrenaline-driven ride!