🖥️🌐⛰️ “Critical Alliance” (Rocky Mountain Courage #3) (2022) ⛰️🌐🖥️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book #3)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell (July 5, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800738004
ISBN-13: 978-0800738006
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Mackenzie Hanson's special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father's tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.
Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he's trying to relax, he's drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common--a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.
When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need--before someone silences Mackenzie for good.
USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard weaves a tangled web of nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping romance in this fast-paced conclusion to her Rocky Mountain Courage series.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books) for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews and Reviews; as well as the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required, all words are my own.
I don’t know about most readers, but I have a love/hate affair with the last book of a series. I can’t wait to see the conclusions of the storylines, but I also have a problem with that end as it is difficult to say goodbye to the characters.
Where some series books can act as a standalone – this series is best read from the first book to the last. The first two books (Present Danger #1, Deadly Target #2) establish the events of this book as well as the connection of the characters. This time, characters from the first two books play a major part in this one, and some of their storylines are mostly concluded (though it would’ve been nice to see a wedding tossed in).
💍 Jack & Terra (Present Danger) [Engaged]
💍 Erin & Nathan (Deadly Target) [Engaged]
💕 Alex & Mackenzie (Critical Alliance)
Other characters that add to the story:
❓ William (in the beginning)
🖥️ Nora (Mackenzie’s sister)
🏛️ Lynch (Alex’s boss)
🌐 Julian (someone from Mackenzie’s past, another hacker)
This book also concludes the vandalism storyline from the first two books, and it brings Alex Knight home to Montana.
The story begins with Mackenzie on a wild carnival ride with William. I knew how she felt about the “octopus” ride – I’ve never liked rides like that. She sees a “ghost” from her past, bothering her so much she wants to leave. Then again, it isn’t a big deal – she isn’t into William. I can relate – I didn’t like him either.
But, it is that encounter that leads her home. It has something to do with the company her father built, a company she is harmful to, given her past as a teen. A past that is sealed, but can come back to haunt her. She is being warned by someone she isn’t supposed to be around – the warning is enough to cause her to act on it.
Alex is home to rest after a bad mission. In addition, he wants to get to the bottom of the vandalism of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN COURAGE memorial of Terra’s mother and his father. Between him, Terra, her fiancé Jack, Erin, and her fiancé Nathan – the group is trying to find motives. Only one makes sense - revenge. Why after 15 years though? There are no clues except video which isn’t too clear. Clearly a small woman with a sledgehammer.
It is at the memorial that Alex and Mackenzie reconnect from their meeting in Washington, D.C some three years earlier. Clearly there is something there – at least on Alex’s part.
The tensions rise when someone starts shooting at Mackenzie after she takes a tumble on her bike and runs into Alex again, in addition to a drone fitted with a law enforcement camera. Alex offers to help Mackenzie with her issue. There are some things she doesn’t even know – mostly surrounding who has her sister Nora so terrified.
Mackenzie thinks it has to do with her family’s company – and that wasn’t even in question. The who and why was. Of course, Alex gets in the middle of it. Mac decides to ask her sister to get inside the company to figure things out. But, unless her sister tells her what is going on – she can’t make any progress.
On the romance angle, Terra and Erin like Mackenzie and want her around Alex more often. It is clear both Alex and Mackenzie feel something between them but are hindered by their pasts.
Since Nora won’t tell Mackenzie what is at stake, Mackenzie has to rely on her criminal past to see what is going on. She soon has an idea of who it is – her old nemesis from her past, but she needs to know what he is after and who he really is.
Mackenzie is even more determined after someone is killed in front of her on a team-building outing.
Goddard kept the suspense, motives, and suspect until almost the very end.
I ended up reading this inside of five (5) hours. It grabbed me right off and carried me right into it, leaving it hard to put down – which explains why I read it so fast. I read 178 pages (57%) in 2½ hours. I love short chapters, and it is even better when the writer keeps the pacing fast but not rushed. The story didn’t lag at all – not at any point.
There were plenty of suspects to keep an edge on the suspense.
🚨 William – because I didn’t like him
🚨 Nora – acting too hinky (even Alex was on the same page as I was)
🚨 Carson – because of Nora thinking she “needed” him all the time
Though, I have to admit – I had a feeling who it was after a particular text.
Goddard realistically highlighted a scary, but relevant scenario of newer cars that have increased amounts of technology and can easily be hacked. This was seen in an episode of FBI: MOST WANTED. It is disturbing and yet fascinating at the same time. Also, part spoiler – pacemaker. How scary that some devices could be hacked.
Despite enjoying this as much as I did, there were several “plot holes” and unanswered questions that I had. These don’t make it a bad book, but hold it back:
#1 – I felt that the memorial story was wrapped up too soon and a minor blurb. I wanted to see a more in-depth take on it. The motive was a bit weak, though slightly understandable.
#2 – On the main storyline, I wanted to know what really happened with another character (connected to Mackenzie), if only in mention. And, I wanted to see if what he told her was the truth.
#3 – Who shot at Mackenzie in the very beginning after her return to Montana? It wasn’t clear – or I read the book too fast to catch on.
#4 – The issue with Terra’s father was NOT resolved. There is no mention of him in this book as well. Those who haven’t read the first book should read it so they can understand the reference.
#5 – I wanted more background on Alex and his step-father. Knowing the Mustang wasn’t his, why did Ron say something about he hadn’t given it to Alex? He should’ve known the vehicle was Alex’s dad, and thus Alex’s when his father died. While the scene was dramatic and emotional, I wanted a bit more background on Ron and what his POV was.
There is a scene that is heavy on the “acronyms”, mostly due to law enforcement/military missions. There were some explanations that were not needed, and could’ve likely been in a glossary in the end or beginning. Then again, I have watched a lot of law enforcement and military shows (JAG, NCIS, FBI: MOST WANTED, WITHOUT A TRACE, etc), so I am definitely aware of a lot of the acronyms used and feel comfortable using them. It is almost like a second language for me. Having also watched the movie U.S. Marshals, I am familiar with DSS (Diplomatic Security Service), which isn’t an “obscure” agency.
Even the Fast and the Furious film franchise introduces a DSS agent (Luke Hobbs) portrayed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Fast Five (2011).
Getting past that …
There is also another scene that is heavy on the tech speak as well. Thankfully, both scenes were short. This didn’t hinder the story too much and is easily passed over.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book, and it has a high re-read value for me. Even getting past the issues, this did not disappoint. The title comes from a safe word between Mackenzie and Julian.
Those who enjoy action-packed, high tension, dramatic, suspenseful stories with a touch of romance are sure to enjoy this. Fans of the author are sure to enjoy it as well. I also have her LIS series Mount Shasta Secrets and her High-Risk Rescue (Honor Protection Specialists) on my TBR stack, along with the first two books of the UNCOMMON HEROES series and am looking forward to her future work.
Since this is distributed by Revell, which is a primarily Christian/faith-themed publisher, there are references to faith and God. There are not many and it is more toned down than some. The references are not integral to the storyline, but are the characters seeking guidance.
RATING:
5 (4½) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 (4½) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 (4½) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous Books in Series:
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book #1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (April 6, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0800737989
ISBN-13: 978-0800737986
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.
When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.”
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book #2)
Publisher: Revell (November 2, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737997
ISBN-13: 978-0800737993
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.
Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.
As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELIZABETH GODDARD is the USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels including Present Danger and Deadly Target. Her books have sold over one million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. Learn more at www.elizabethgoddard.com.
You can find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/
* This post contains affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment