Series: Linear Tactical (Book 8)
Adrenaline junky.
Adventure traveler.
Extreme sport sensation.
They’re all labels Riley Harrison—known to the world as
Phoenix—wears as easily as the tattoos covering his body.
But it’s his role as undercover operative for Linear
Tactical’s kidnap and ransom unit that makes his blood sing. Riley uses his
celebrity status to help infiltrate locations and situations nobody else can
get into.
In. Out. The fight is usually over before the bad guys
know it’s begun or that Riley was involved.
But his skills and celebrity status won’t help when he
discovers the woman he loves is keeping unbearable secrets and in a danger he
never could’ve imagined.
She wants Riley to stay far away from her.
That’s not going to happen.
But he’ll have to be willing to lose everything to save
her. To save them.
Phoenix will learn you have to burn before you can rise.
Fantastic book. I have been waiting to read the story of
Girl Riley and Boy Riley, who have been part of the Linear Tactical team from
the beginning, and this surpassed my expectations. As usual, Janie grabbed my
attention from the first page and didn't let go until I finished. At least this
time, I was smart enough to start reading it early in the day, so I didn't have
to pull an all-nighter to finish it. However, nothing else got done...
Girl Riley, aka Riley Wilde, aka Wildfire, is a nurse at
the local hospital and good friends with the other LT women. I've thoroughly
enjoyed her parts in earlier books as she supported her friends. There were
hints of trouble coming her way in Echo, and that trouble is identified in this
book, changing her life forever. Wildfire is devastated at the news and has a
bleak view of her future.
Boy Riley, aka Riley Harrison, aka Phoenix, is a well-known
extreme sports figure. He loves the travel and adventure of his chosen work.
Phoenix also occasionally provides help to the Linear Tactical team by
providing cover for some of their trickier operations. The story opened with
one of those operations, a gripping section that hooked me right from the
start.
The relationship between Phoenix and Wildfire was a close
one from the time they met three years earlier. I loved the part that
chronicled that meeting. Phoenix was adorable in his bid to grab Wildfire's
attention. A long-distance relationship isn't easy, but they have carried
theirs out successfully by talking almost daily by phone or video chat. All of
their friends can see how perfect they are for each other. When Wildfire
receives some life-altering news, she takes a grim look at her future.
Determined not to hold Phoenix back, she breaks up with him but doesn't tell
him why. Phoenix is confused by her actions as he noticed no looming problems
in their relationship. He returns to Oak Creek, determined to get to the bottom
of it. The annual Wyoming Adventure Race is just the excuse he needs to work
his way back into her life.
I ached so much for Wildfire. The news she received
upended her life, and the uncertainty that faces her consumes her thoughts. She
believes that staying with her would ruin Phoenix's life, but cutting him loose
breaks her heart. It's a little easier when he's at a distance, but his arrival
back in Oak Creek strains her determination to the breaking point. Seeing her
in person, Phoenix quickly realizes that something serious is going on with
Wildfire. The sparks between them are as hot as ever, giving him hope, but her
belief in herself is gone. I loved his refusal to give up on them even though
he didn't know what was wrong. The sunrise scenes were fantastic, romantic, and
yet intense with Phoenix's desire to show her that he was there for her. The
scene that started at one bridge and ended at another was heart-wrenching as
Wildfire struggled to save Phoenix, then the celebration of life and love, and
concluded with Wildfire's confession.
My heart broke for Phoenix as he struggled to come to
terms with it all. The advice he received from Wyatt, Zac, and Annie was critical
in helping him understand how best to help Wildfire. However, it took nearly
losing him, and Phoenix's refusal to give up, for her to believe that they
could be together. He completely won my heart when he said: "You're still
going to be my Riley. My Wildfire. You'll just come with a set of wheels."
By the time the ending came, there was no doubt in Wildfire's mind that she and
Phoenix belonged together.
This wouldn't be a Linear Tactical book if it didn't come
with some gripping suspense. The undercover rescue at the beginning was
fantastic. I loved seeing Phoenix's quick wits in action. That was over and
done pretty quickly, but Phoenix wasn't allowed to relax. His participation in
the WAR was unplanned and created some unexpected trouble. His abilities are
well-known and appear to have stirred up some resentment. A series of
unexplained problems escalate in danger, putting Phoenix's life at risk. Just
when I thought I had it figured out, an unexpected twist changed everything.
The final confrontation with the perpetrator was intense and heartbreaking. But
his troubles aren't over yet. Someone from the past is on a quest for revenge,
and Wildfire ends up in the middle of it. Phoenix's fear for her leaped off the
page and kept me riveted as he and the Linear Tactical team sprang into action.
Their teamwork is always amazing, and this was no exception. The final face-off
between Phoenix and his adversary was terrifying as the depths of his evil
became clear. I swear I jumped as if I actually heard that last shot, and felt
their relief as they made their escape.
And lastly, Janie, when it came to Wildfire and her diagnosis,
you nailed it. The fear, the uncertainty, the dread of being a burden can eat
away at self-confidence, as it did for her. I felt her pain as she tried to
push Phoenix away "for his own good." Her frustration on those
occasions when her body failed her was portrayed beautifully, as was her
determination to hide her struggles. Her need to prove to herself that she could
still do things was a critical step in moving forward, and resisting Phoenix's
urge to help was part of it. And finally, learning how to ask for and accept
help when she needed it would make her future much more satisfying. I also
loved Phoenix and his resolve to win Wildfire back and find out what had
changed her so drastically. His reactions were realistic and understandable.
Above all, it was his love for her and belief in her that made their future
together possible. I loved the peek into their future in the extra epilogue.
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