Beyond Control

April 9, 2018
Bestseller Martin brings her Texas Trilogy contemporary romantic suspense series (Beyond Danger, Beyond Reason) to a hair-raising finish with the gripping tale of a single mother on the run and the Marine veteran who offers her a second chance at happily-ever-after. With her four-year-old daughter, Ivy, in tow, Victoria “Tory” Bradford is trying to stay one step ahead of her abusive ex-fiancé, Damon Bridger. She bounces around the Southwest before landing at Iron River Ranch in Iron Springs, Tex. After returning stateside from tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, retired sniper Joshua Cain bought Iron River and planned for a more placid lifestyle. But when Tory shows up on his doorstep, desperate for a job that will allow her to support her daughter and stay off her rich ex’s radar, he’s plunged right back into danger. The dynamics of abusive relationships and obsession ring true throughout, as does the redemptive power of love. Martin has a consummate skill for developing the most lovable and the most despicable characters; readers will cheer when sadistic Damon meets his well-deserved end. Martin’s finely described Texas is a delight. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM.

Narrator Jack Garrett enlivens this audiobook with his exemplary portrayals of both Josh Cain and Tory Bradford. This story speeds along in an almost seamless fashion for its listening audience. Redheaded Tory, who is characterized in a soft, throaty voice, runs from an abusive ex-fianc�. Her trail intersects with Josh in Texas, where he is rebuilding the Iron River Ranch. Josh is a military hero with a deep, low Western drawl that seems to caress Tory whenever he interacts with her. That whiskey-rough voice conceals a man who is recovering from war but is no less willing to fight to protect Tory. This romantic suspense is well worth listening to. A.M.G. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine