Into the Fire

Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is recuperating as a field agent in St. Louis after a shooting in which a teenage boy lost his life. In four weeks he’s due back at Quantico. Physically he’s in good shape, but emotionally he’s not faring so well. On an early morning jog in a quiet park he recognizes a woman he hasn’t seen in 20 years. At the shock of their unlikely reunion and remembrance of their “first love” experience, they share some smiles and good conversation until a single shot pierces the air and the arm of Emily Lawson. Mark grabs her and scrambles for limited cover as one more shot is fired. He’s on his cell phone giving detailed instructions as the blood pools and Emily’s color begins to fade.

Some of you might remember my review of Irene Hannon’s first book in this Heroes of Quantico series Against All Odds. In that review I noted that Irene hit her target audience with a bulls-eye. Score another direct hit for the author with An Eye for an Eye. Romantic suspense with just enough of each to keep the multi-age spanning female audience enthralled and engaged without any graphics, this story gives you appealing characters with a faith perspective.

Mark Sanders is irresistible, charming, and committed to his work. Dr. Emily Lawson’s counseling work absorbs her waking moments in the aftermath of tragedy. Her devotion to helping hurting people is genuine even though she struggles to follow her own advice to them.

It’s assumed Mark is the target, but when the usual leads to that possibility seem to evaporate, the investigation shifts indirectly to Emily. Given the opportunity to spend time “protecting” her, he realizes the empty places in his life he has previously chosen to ignore.

An Eye for an Eye is pure and simple romantic suspense for the focus group of CBA female readers. Score another good effort for Irene Hannon with the clear emphasis on story.

Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Father, please continue to fill Irene’s head and heart with stories for her to tell. Bless her efforts done to honor you. Encourage her and remind her of your love for her. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.