🚙🚅⚠️ “Sabotaged Mission” (2022) ⚠️ 🚅 🚙 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335587179
ISBN-13: 978-1335587176
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Framed and on the run…
With nowhere left to hide
When a failed mission leaves CIA operative MacKenzie “Mac” Sharp injured and her partner presumed dead, going off-grid is the only way to survive. But her old flame, CIA officer Gabe Denton, has tracked her down and led a well-connected enemy right to her door. Now with someone trying to frame and kill her, working with Gabe is the only way to clear her name…and stay alive.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Tina Radcliffe, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Right off, Tina Radcliffe is better known for her Love Inspired “cowboy” romances (notably the Big Heart Ranch and Hearts of Oklahoma series). This is her first foray into Love Inspired Suspense.
It is a stellar introduction to the author’s ability to weave a non-stop suspense story with a hint of romance. Some authors can bounce back between romance and suspense within a publisher effortlessly. Irene Hannon is one such one. As of note, she too had once written for Love Inspired. So, this isn’t as surprising as some may thing.
Naturally, as someone who gravitates to the suspense genre – this was definitely on my “to read” list. The ominous and heart-pounding cover was eye-catching. My heart pounds every time I look at it.
I’ll give it to the team at LIS – those covers are excellent!
In her debut, Radcliffe introduces us to:
✳️ MacKenzie “Mac” Sharp
✳️ Gabe Denton
🐶 Winston (a bulldog, and bonus points if you know where he got his name from)
✳️ Ben Denton (Gabe’s brother)
✳️ Todd Shipman (Mac’s boss and handler)
As of note – there are little to no trigger or content issues to be concerned with.
The action begins right off with Winston growling. Mac knows someone is coming to her home.
She’s been injured on her last mission, which ended in disaster – she was injured, another person presumed dead.
Gabe Denton shows up. He’s there to take her to Denver per her boss’ orders. She hasn’t seen Gabe in five (5) years, and there are lingering feelings on both sides. Though, being in the business they’re in – it isn’t easy. And, with what lies ahead – it definitely won’t be easy. She isn’t sure she trusts him.
She’s been off grid in Phoenix since a gunman tracked her down to a rehab facility. There’s intel that her partner, Liz might be alive. But, just as she’s about to leave with Gabe and Winston – the SUV Gabe showed up in explodes. I read that early in the morning (about 2 am), so it definitely woke me up!
Of course, that leads to a drive from Phoenix to Denver due to Gabe’s hearing injury. (As of note – this is something I would not have known and love the author’s inclusion of it).
The two drive off before the police get there to avoid the “who are they, what happened” questions. I had to laugh at poor Gabe having lost three phones already. Reminds me of Gibbs’ issue on NCIS.
On the way, Shipman contacts Gabe over some bad intel on Mac that could make her complicit in Liz’ death. Gabe isn’t sure what to believe – but he cannot believe Mac is responsible.
They then realize someone is tracking them. And, they’re being traced in a way that is technologically unique. It is an indicator there is someone on the inside working against them. Though who it is is another question. At one point they both suspect someone I thought.
They continue on to Denver, at one point with Gabe driving and talking with Winston. (There is a comment about him driving like a little old lady that made me laugh pretty hard).
Gabe gets them to a temporary safe house owned by his ex-fiancée, Avery. Though, I had to laugh at all the mis-names Mac gave her – Anne Marie, Addy.
Of course, not knowing what or who they’re up against – or why – Gabe calls in his brother Ben as back-up.
There are tense moments of “trust” issues, near-misses, and will they/won’t they that will have you reading until the last page. These are mixed in with some elements of humor that are not out of place, but seemingly blend in well with the story.
This was one of those “I can’t put it down” reads, and I stayed up well past my bedtime reading it.
Radcliffe expertly held my attention with this fast-paced, head-spinning, twisted, edge-of-seat, unpredictable read. By the end of the book, it felt as if she was always writing suspense.
And, I’m wondering – why not sooner?
That’s not to say I don’t like her cowboy romances, I do – but, she’s definitely a writer who can manage both. Maybe she could do like Irene Hannon does – spring is romance, fall is suspense.
The characters were a well-mixed bunch. To be blunt, I was a bit neutral on MacKenzie as she reminded me of Mac from J*A*G. In fact, there is a comment from Ben that no woman should be called Mac. In an episode of J*A*G, this was also said and why one character called her Sarah. Though, this Mac definitely became a bit more likeable in the end, showing the character’s progression.
Winston, despite not uttering a word (and barely barking), was definitely a character of his own and stole some scenes. Being a bulldog, I think we know where he got his name from (I figured it out before it was mentioned). He is part of the most delightful aspect of the story – the relationship between him and Gabe. How Winston immediately takes to Gabe is heart-warming, sweet, and often laugh worthy.
Ben, Gabe’s brother, was something else and I didn’t get enough of him. I love how he kept pitching the security team he ran as an option for Gabe to leave the CIA. At times, it became a running giggle for me – like a sales pitch. As soon as I met him, I thought that the guy definitely needs his own story.
Gabe was my favorite. His faith and how he lived his life in the moment was definitely refreshing. His love of turkey legs definitely gave me the giggles. The comment about the star on the wall is perhaps a brutal recognition of how many analysts will not be named to keep the majority of us safe.
At times, Gabe reminded me of either a young Pierce Brosnan or Julian McMahon. I leaned more to McMahon.
I wasn’t sure of Shipman for most of the story. He did remind me of Jameson Parker from his stint on J*A*G as CIA deputy director Harrison Kershaw. Telling y’all which way Shipman leaned would be a spoiler, so … I can’t.
Some of the “baddies” were easy to recognize almost right off. There were a lot of false leads and some were solid, but needed the final connection.
That said …
I have read Radcliffe’s Hearts of Oklahoma series and have the Big Heart Ranch series on my TBR list. I have it on pretty good authority there is another book coming in the suspense line. And, if I’m right – Ben’s story is next. So, this might not be as standalone as it would seem.
As it is from the Love Inspired Suspense line, there will be obvious Christian and faith themed moments. These are more so with Gabe and integral to his character, though not elements of the story per se.
Those who enjoy reading Elizabeth Goddard, Darlene Turner, and Virginia Vaughan will want to check this out.
And, as of note – the author stuck two of her pets’ names in the book: Milo and Chloe (her cats).
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
Tina Radcliffe has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the US Army Security Agency stationed in Ausburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her past careers include certified oncology RN, library cataloger, and pharmacy clerk. She recently moved from Denver, Colorado, to the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she writes heartwarming and fun inspirational romance.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinaradcliffeauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinaradcliffe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TMRadcliffe
Website: http://www.tinaradcliffe.com/
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Yea, that cover is “heart-pounding” and the book filled with action! Great story by Tina Radcliffe, which takes the reader on a wild “excursion” through Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Thanks for your review!
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