Dangerous Games

Starred review from February 20, 2017
Diamond’s outstanding debut is pure romantic suspense gold. Maggie Kincaid is a survivor—a killer attacked her and her sister, Erica, and only Maggie escaped. Determined to battle evil, she became an FBI profiler, but after failing to save a young girl in a hostage situation, she left her job in disgrace. Two years later, her FBI mentor calls in a long-overdue favor, and Maggie joins the effort to save a prominent senator’s 14-year-old daughter, Kayla Thebes, who’s been kidnapped. Kayla is an insulin-dependent diabetic, so the clock is ticking; Maggie’s determined not to have another death occur on her watch. Enter former Army Ranger and current gray-ops security expert Jake O’Connor, who quickly realizes that not everything is as it seems—including the questionable dealings and priorities of the seemingly distraught senator. Maggie and Jake work well together, and their chemistry is off the charts, but even this dream team may not be able to rescue Kayla in time. Diamond ably draws readers into a gripping tale full of twists and turns. Just when the path to the ending seems clear, Diamond throws in another red herring. Kayla’s fate is known by the end of the book, but the author leaves another tantalizing mystery unsolved, which readers will eagerly interpret as a sign that more Maggie Kincaid tales are on their way. Agent: Rebecca Friedman, Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency.

February 15, 2017
Maggie Kincaid, a former FBI negotiator working a sensitive kidnapping case, finds herself clashing with Jake O'Connor, a security expert also working the investigation, but as evidence of secrets and corruption emerge, he becomes her most trusted ally.Maggie has a "once-in-a-lifetime kind of talent" as a hostage negotiator, but she turned her back on her FBI career after a tragic mistake led to the death of a teenage girl. Now her mentor is asking her to come back to work a case that involves another teen, the daughter of a senator who proves to be less than forthcoming in the investigation. Jake, a former Ranger who consults on special cases, is also helping out. At first Jake thinks Maggie is mishandling the negotiation, but he soon comes to admire just how strong and smart she is and how well she's navigating the various players, most of whom have sexist chips on their shoulders. As Jake and Maggie dive further into the mystery, they realize the senator has a lot to hide, much of it illegal, and there are some powerful people who are far more concerned with keeping their secrets than with saving the girl. Maggie, who was abducted as a child, is infuriated by their interference and determined to save her, but when she doesn't know whom she can trust, Jake becomes a valuable ally. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, their attraction is sizzling, and the danger is rising. Maggie and Jake weren't looking for love, but now that they've found each other, they have to survive in order to consider a future together. Debut author Diamond writes a taut, compelling romantic thriller with believable villains, smart heroes, and a fresh plot that keeps readers engaged while keeping the door open for a sequel. Some details--particularly occasional D.C.-area geography and descriptions and the main sex scene, which seems out of character for laser-focused Maggie--miss the mark. A solid, appealing debut.

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Starred review from April 15, 2017

Struggling with the aftereffects of a kidnapping gone bad, former crack FBI negotiator Maggie Kincaid leaves the bureau and is not about to go back. Then a senator's insulin-dependent teenage daughter is snatched, and Maggie's shrewd former boss and mentor talks her into returning--temporarily, of course. Yet Maggie is determined to save the girl and without interference from arrogant Army Ranger Jake O'Connor. Jake is a covert missions expert on special assignment as the senator's security adviser, and his ideas are already conflicting with hers. Heat builds and awareness smolders from the start, but they soon learn that they need to keep their growing passions at bay in order to unmask a villain and save a girl whose time is running out. VERDICT Insightful character development, a smart and complicated plot, and sizzling sexual tension make this stunning debut a heart-stopping, stay-up-all-night read. Diamond lives in Colorado Springs.

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