A tenacious forensic anthropologist needs protection from an elite FBI HRT operator as they search for a ruthless killer in this Romantic Thriller by New York Times bestselling author Toni Anderson.
When forensic anthropologist Zoe Miller stumbles across a murder victim in the blisteringly hostile Sonoran Desert, she triggers a chain of events that puts her in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer.
FBI HRT operator Seth Hopper is on secret assignment near the Mexican border when he suddenly finds himself on a rescue mission. The former Navy SEAL is ordered to protect Zoe, whether she likes it or not, which sets them off on a cross-country journey back to Virginia.
Zoe has good reason not to trust a man like Seth, but there is no denying the scorching heat that flares between them, hotter than the desert sun. Can Zoe find justice for the murdered woman? Or will the killers close in to destroy them both…
All Toni Anderson’s books can be read as standalone titles. Hot romantic stories with thrilling plots and guaranteed happily ever afters—they do contain strong language and steamy times.
Review:
Is it possible that the spin off series Cold Justice: Most Wanted is even better than the original? Because OMG, this book is… [chef’s kiss]
I loved Seth and Zoe’s story. It had everything I love about Toni Anderson‘s books–kick butt MCs, off-the-charts chemistry, steamy scenes, pulse-pounding suspense, and secondary characters who you want to get alllllll the future books. (Seriously, tell me Ryan and Meghan are getting the next book, because if they’re not I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself…) Somehow her villains feel 95% more real than in other romantic suspense books, and about 99% more threatening…and can we talk about the plot twists? Because every single book has at least one or two that I seriously did NOT see coming. Honestly, it’s like she’s a writing wizard or something.
As usual, I can’t give away too much of the plot, so I’ve got to be vague here. But what I will tell you loud and clear is that if you like well-written romantic suspense, drop everything right now and read this book.
As much as I enjoyed Seth’s former-Navy-SEAL-current-HRT-member studly self, I thought Zoe’s job as a forensic anthropologist–not to mention how she spends her free time–absolutely fascinating. It’s clear that Ms Anderson really puts in the research for her books, and she manages to use what she learns to give us characters that feel layered and real, grounded in the suspenseful world that she created for them. They’re dedicated to (and really good at) their jobs, but have personal lives that are…complicated. Her characters are always fighters though, and just like they always (eventually) uncover the real antagonists, by the time we get to the last page of their book they have also more than earned their right to their HEA.
(But RYAN. Ryan and MEGHAN. PLEASE tell me they’re going to get theirs next! Please!!!)
Cold Deceit is the second book in the series, and though it *could* be read as a standalone, the HRT members are still reeling from some of the events from book 1 ( Cold Silence ) so those who are reading the series in order will have a better understanding of the team’s motivations. Plus, trust me. These characters. You’re going to want to read all of their books, so why not start from the beginning? That way maybe you’ll have a shorter wait for Ryan and Meghan’s book…which will be next, right? 😉
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.