🚧🚦🚓 "Border Breach (#1)" (2020) 🚓🚦🚧 - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Series: Border Patrol (Book #1) 

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 7, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335402772

ISBN-13: 978-1335402776

⬅️Click Picture for Purchase Information

 

“When drugs are smuggled across the border

it’s their duty to stop the culprits…at any cost.

 Forming a joint task force, Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves have one objective: take down a drug-smuggling ring trying to sell a new lethal product. But when the smugglers come after Kaylin and Hudson, this mission becomes more than just a job. Can they live long enough to solve the case?”

 

This book has an interesting story to it and it’s not what is contained in the pages either.

 

Last year, I participated in a social blitz for this book, as a result I ended up winning the “host” prize, a gift card from the author. It wasn't until I became a part of her Border Patrol that I decided I should get the first book. 

I had put it on the TBR list – which is never-ending – and hoped to get to it. And, sadly I didn’t get to it. 

 

When I got the chance to be a part of the author’s launch/review team the “Border Patrol” for her second book Abducted in Alaska, I jumped at it. The cover for that book is stunning and ominous – check it out if you’re in doubt. 

 

Getting back to this book – the cover? The couple – and forgive me here – isn’t your typical “gorgeous” swoony-type couple, they’re actually far more realistic. Kudos to the design team for that aspect. The bottom scene, showing a border crossing, is definitely intense; almost foreboding. You can almost feel “something bad” is about to happen simply by looking at it. 

 

This is the author’s debut Love Inspired Suspense book, and she comes out with a bang in this head-spinning and pulse-pounding story that crosses from the United States into Canada. 

 

Turner’s writing style was engaging and descriptive, almost putting the reader right in the center of this exciting tale. And, there is no end to excitement here!

 

There will be some trigger warnings – drug overdose and suicide.

 

Kaylin and Hudson find themselves in the middle of a drug smuggling case that involves car chases, car explosions, arson, shootouts, and test of their faith – or rather Hudson’s faith. Kaylin, given her past with her father – who also happens to be Chief Marshall Poirier – she doesn’t seem to be too in touch with God, actually she’s not even on speaking terms with him. 

 

But, what Kaylin and Hudson do have in common – their fight to get the drugs off the streets. For Kaylin, it is because of her late brother, Todd. For Hudson, his nephew is fighting for his life. This isn’t just a case – it is a personal mission. But, they also have to watch their backs due to the mysterious messages that threaten Kaylin and the investigation. 

 

There is a character that when I FIRST saw him I had my doubts about his sincerity – that waffled, but I was so sure about him. And, I was right. But, I did have my doubts. In addition, one of the “kids” (Benji), I had some reservations about. I didn’t like him, felt sorry for him – this one was all over the place. Though what eventually happens to him is tragic, but not unexpected. 

 

What is interesting is chapter five (5) sets up the events of the second book, Abducted in Alaska, and readers should definitely take notes here – Layke Jackson and Hannah Morgan are introduced. Layke is Hudson’s friend, and ironically Hannah is Kaylin’s. We learn a little of their pasts which includes being homeless at one point. It shows the characters’ tenacity and determination to rise above their circumstances. 

 

And, the end to chapter five is a figurative heart-stopper. 

 

There are multiple family dynamics going on here – Kaylin and her family, Hudson and his, along with them coming to terms with their pasts. Hudson doesn’t want a woman with secrets, those are all Kaylin has. The build up to the romance is slow and sweet – natural, given the circumstances. And, those circumstances are explosive.

 

While they are investigating the drug ring, someone is targeting the task force. Everywhere they turn – they’re being ambushed. 

 

Kaylin and Hudson are forced to talk to her ex-boyfriend. And, Hudson learns his nephew’s overdose wasn’t an accident – it was intentional. But, Matt survives and is able to tell Hudson what he knows, which involves not-so-innocent Benji. 

 

After Kaylin is abducted and rescued they come to realize there is a mole either in Hudson’s group or Kaylin’s. I suspected one person as the mole/leak and I was SO WRONG! Turner blindsided me on this one! 

 

The action never stops with this and even the climatic end has its own drama woven in. During the middle of a shootout, and fighting for their lives, a tornado threatens everyone. Talk about suspense! 

 

It comes to a heart-breaking, thrilling, and beautiful conclusion that gets further wrapped up at the end of Abducted in Alaska. And, the one character I suspected of being the bad guy, I was right about that. 

 

I could barely take notes when reading this. And, I honestly could not put this book down. And, I finished it in less than 24 hours. It is has been a VERY LONG time since I’ve done that with one of these books. I used to do it all the time back between 2000-2002 with the Harlequin Intrigue line. It was interesting to experience that again. But, I also needed to take breaks as even the mid-chapter scenes were intense. At times I had to stop to catch my breath. 

 

This definitely didn’t plod along, and the chapters seemed relatively short given the series. Of course, it could’ve just been that I didn’t notice due to the intensity of the action. 

 

One thing I wanted to know – why did Hudson’s “ex”, Rebecca, keep popping up and saying they were engaged? 

 

I loved the action, the suspense, and the mystery. I also learned something I didn’t know – that Canada also has 9-1-1. Most countries are different with the emergency code so I stopped to look it up. Also, the author’s use of weapon terminology is spot on. She really did her research on everything. 

 

As this is Love Inspired Suspense; there will be themes of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. There are also references to God and prayer which are key elements to the characters and the story. This book was definitely stronger on the faith theme than most books of the line, which I didn’t mind.

 

Fans of the genre and those who enjoy the Love Inspired Suspense books are sure to love this book!! I honestly couldn’t wait to read Abducted in Alaska next. In fact, I already read it by the time I drafted (and posted) this review.  I can’t wait to read her future books! 

 

 

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders. 

 

 

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darlene.turner.902/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenel.turner/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darlenelturner/

 

Website: https://darlenelturner.com/

 

 

 

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