Lost in Shadows

Shadow Ops #2

by C.J. Lyons, Joe Jung (Narrator)

Just your average Pittsburgh soccer mom, baking brownies and carrying a loaded forty-caliber Glock...

Until recently Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino was a shining star in the FBI's roster. But after killing a man and disobeying orders, Lucy's been sidelined, chained to her desk. When a mysterious letter arrives hinting that, thanks to Lucy, the wrong man was blamed for a string of serial rapes, kidnappings, and killings four years ago, Lucy jumps at the chance to re-open the case--despite orders to leave well enough alone.

Her unofficial investigation takes her back to the small town that thrust her into the spotlight four years ago when she saved the killer's last victims--before the killer took his own life and the life of one final victim, a mother who left a ten year old son and loving husband behind.

What Lucy doesn't know is that what happened four years ago was all a lie, fueled by sacrifice and betrayal, designed to shield the real killer.

With the lives of her family, a group of innocent children, and the future of one desperate boy at risk, Lucy races to stop an innocent from killing and a killer from butchering more innocents.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Military Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2009

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels, former pediatric ER doctor CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

Two times winner of the International Thriller Writers coveted Thriller Award, CJ has been called a "master within the genre" (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as "breathtakingly fast-paced" and "riveting" (Publishers Weekly) with "characters with beating hearts and three dimensions" (Newsday).

Learn more about CJ's Thrillers with Heart at www.CJLyons.net

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt somewhat cheated when the author repeated whole chapters from the first book as a way of giving background for this one. Actually, this story is the very same story as the first book in the series. In both books a super-macho man meets an equally macho woman and they fall in love at first sight. They save the world together and take turns saving each others' lives while being totally preoccupied with their lust for each other. The main characters of the first book traded places with the secondary couple and served as "supporting cast" in the second book. The third book of the series will, no doubt, be a retelling with the third couple taking over the leading roles. The third macho couple were "barely there" characters in #1 and strong supporting characters in #2, so it's a pretty good bet that their turn is coming up next. Pretty interesting story-lines and very likeable characters populated both novels; but the haphazardly-constructed plots make it hard to actually follow the action, and the poor copy-editing allowed numerous structural, grammatical and typographical errors to make it through to publishing. I'd like to see these characters and basic story-lines be developed more carefully into a really good novels.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Received this book from the author for the purposes of writing a review.

Creating a sequel to a brilliant book is tough, but Lyons far exceeded expectations with Lost in Shadows. The second Shadow Ops book is set only a month after the fast paced action of Chasing Shadows and picks up right where the first book left off. This fast paced novel grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go.

Lucky has returned to the lab following the aftermath of his near catastrophic first encounter with The Preacher. Lucky is thankful to just be alive and has no interest of going back into the thick of danger with the Special Threats Response Team. But when a supposed routine mission goes horribly wrong, and once again puts him in the path of danger, Lucky will need every possible advantage to come out alive.

Vinnie’s strength of personality, her stubbornness and intelligence, make her the perfect partner for Lucky as he once again faces The Preacher. Together they must not only face the enemy men, the treacherous mountain, and their own emotions. Also, KC and Chase, along with the rest of the STR team, play a major part of the story as everyone races against the clock to stop the latest terrorist plot. It will take everyone at their best to triumph.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was full of action, adventure and romance. This was the story of Lucky and Vinnie but I enjoyed all the characters. The Preachers plot to cause death and destruction kept me rooting for the good guys. The cliff hanger ending had me wanting more. I'll admit it I'm hooked. I want more!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente la trama fue movida desde el principio sin perder la intensided del deseo de seguir leyendo a ver que pasa despues.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first book in the series, Lost in Shadows continues to trace the actions of the Shadow Ops team as they try to uncover the conspiracy involving several terrorist organizations plotting to overthrow the government on the night of the State of the Union address.
After being tortured in Chasing Shadows, Lucky Cavanaugh has recovered and accompanies a fellow agent who believes he is taking part in a first meeting with some gun runners. Before he even realizes what is happening, Lucky is running for his life and his fellow agent is dead. When Vinnie Ryan, local Forest Service Biologist, saves him after his car crashes, their adventure in the wilderness trying to escape killers begins. Once again, Lucky is at the mercy of "The Preacher," who is the mastermind of the plot and his torturer.
This story is much improved over the first book in the series. The action is almost nonstop as the story alternates between a wilderness survival story and a geopolitical thriller involving clandestine paramilitary organizations. Overall, a very good read.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I just wondered up and down a neverending snowy mountain after reading this book. I liked the team of Lucky and Vinnie, it’s a different take to the usual fast paced dangerous ops of team missions. This one was more danger from the environment than other people - not so much close range combat stuff.

I enjoyed the appearance of Chase and KC in this book but sadly, Chase seemed to be more of an inconvenience in this book with his broken ankle.

[Carol McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Storyline

CJ Lyons has done as awesome job with the Shadow Ops series. The characters are colorful and highly memorable. I especially like the team aspect of the storyline and how team equals family in all their thoughts and interactions. This book was a page-turner from the beginning and good thing I started it on a Friday night and didn't need to get up for work because I read all night! Don't miss this great series!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyed this book. It had humor, suspense and romance. The characters were believable and the writer kept you in suspense until the end. Ions of the main reasons I enjoy this authors books is she does not rely on foul and vulgar language and blasphemy to make her points. Her story and dialogue is Stong enough and such and enjoy,England to read.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost in Shadows review

Lost in Shadows is the second very exciting romantic suspense book in the Shadow Ops series written by w C. J. Lyons.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dark, but a good story.

[frank maugham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review

Amateurish story line and writing style. Second one I have read and they get no better, worse than the first

[Beachbaby]

In boxed set - "Unconditional (A Love Without Limits Anthology)"

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story. Amazing writing. This author can do no wrong in my eyes.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, romance with terrorist and thriller elements.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. It is my first Cj Lyons book.After reading it I bought several more of her books. She is a highly talented author. This book is the second in the series of Shadow Ops, the first is Chasing Shadows. I wish I had read that one first, though it's not completely necessary as the book does give a brief review of what happened prior. Though I would recommend you read Chasing Shadows first so that you understand all about the organization and the other characters better and also what's going on with the big picture. You can piece things together what's going on but its better if you read the other book first, I wish I had.That being said. This book had everything, action, a good plausible storyline, sex, romance, great characters, and perfect villains. There are some twists and turns in the story. The hero Lucky isn't your typical alpha male but he's very likable and will have you falling for him and you will know why they call him Lucky. Vinny the heroine also isn't the typical heroine which is probably why they suit so well. This book is a definitely a good read that I highly recommend, I just hope that Cj Lyons continues this series and doesn't stop at two books.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply love this book!!! I have read it now 3 or 4 times. It gets better with each read. This time i alternated the kindle book & Audiobook. It was nice listening to it this time. I picked up things this time around that I missed with previous reads. CJ Lyons is an awesome. novelist!!! I was sad to see this series end after book 3. This is an excellent romantic suspense with humor, action, adventure, blackop intrigue, & erotic sizzling sex scenes. It also has a very very BAD villain you won't have any problem hating. The characters are well rounded. I loved both Vinnie(heroine) & Lucky aka "mama Cavanaugh's baby boy". There are characters from book 1 that carry over into this book, it is best to read this series in order. I haven't read book 3 yet, I have owned it since it came out but keep putting it off(if I don't read the finale,then the series hasn't really ended, right?). I highly recommend this book to any CJ Lyons fans, also anyone who enjoys romantic suspense, especially the type of romantic suspense novels that have blackop or military characters. I will continue to read books by CJ Lyons & recommend if you haven't yet read books from this author, you should!

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second entry in the Lost in Shadows series. The unit is a shadow, dark-operating unit working in the US.

Lucky Cavanaugh is a unique ATF agent in that he went up against the shadowy militia leader called The Preacher and lived. His heart will never be the same due to the man's prowess with a reworked stun gun, but Lucky is alive. He is the only one around in the office late on evening and a fellow ATF agent wants backup for a buy and bust sting from the Crusade, Preacher's group. They are immediately made for government agents and the lead is killed. Lucky escapes and is saved by a local biologist who lives in the woods.

She happens to be beautiful and resembles a woman Lucky had seen in a dream (she saved him). They are caught in a storm of great intensity and they need to escape, outflanked, outgunned and outmanned as they are. Implausible as it seems, Luck'y ingenuity and Vinnie's knowledge of her forest, help them. A wrecked rescue effort and more damages to friends leave this on a cliffhanger in every way. Good one and good HEA for two people who really needed someone and really found each other.

[Rjsmommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to Chasing Shadows...plenty of action, suspense and another couple that just seems perfect for each other. Lucky and Vinnie had both closed off emotionally after devastating events. I loved the previous connection they shared on the bus with Lucky's mom. Vinnie and Lucky balanced each other well and I loved that Vinnie was just as strong willed as KC. I enjoyed reading the Shadow Ops books and only wish that Lyons had continued on with series since there were so many loose ends left. Who was the leak? Was the CDC doctor really part of the plot or trying to stop something? Was she going to be Hollywood's match? Was Billy and Rose ever going to admit their feelings for each other?

[ci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky is my Favorite Shadow Chaser!!!! I loved his character in the first book and I love him even more in this book. Vinnie is my favorite character in all 3 books. She is one tough lady and together they made a great team. This book was filled with action, pain, love, and downright evil characters. There is not a lot of hot sex, but there are some very interesting twists and turns. I loved trying to figure out what the bad guys were up to and how the good guys were going to stop them. I love it when a book can make me feel like I'm right there in the middle of the action and this book did that.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

C J Lyons has an amazing talent for writing detailed, in-dept, riveting stories that hold on the reader from the first pages. I was unable to put this book down. The main characters of Lucky and Vinnie are well written and will draw the reader into their lives. Wonderfully tied to the first book, although there is enough overlap with the story that it is not necessary to have read the first book. Looking forward to reading the final of the trilogy.... Again, well done on a fantastic book, CJ Lyons.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this was an adventure and a half...

bomb makers, snow, mountains, skiing and poor lucky never stood a chance...lucky for him though he met someone who could get him off the mountain..thats if the preacher doesnt kill him first..

rather tense adventure this one...all the elements i love, skipped over the romance part always spoils a good movie that as well...but i would recommend this trilogy..

now onto the finale

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love action and adventure and this had plenty of that. I think that the romance angle is just somewhat too obvious, but I do like happy endings. I've read the first two in the series and enjoyed them, but not sure I'll give in to the 3rd one.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense if top notch, real, and scarily believable. Ms. Lyons never ceases to please the thriller in us all!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but I didn't like how the first couple chapters were repeated from the 1st book.

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great followup to the first one. They seemed to fit really well together, and loved the connection from years before with his mom:)

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I wish there was a next book with Rose & Billy

[Ileana Tsai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot was quite confusing to me and half way through I had to skipped it to the end so that I could read the ending.

[Gina Basham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as thrilling as the first book. Can't wait to see the characters evolve into the 3rd book. Very attached to this gang.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good book. All the way through the book you are waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am now reading the last book in the series.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

first of 3 books in series