Crossfire - (Extreme Measures) by Lynette Eason (Paperback)

Lynette Eason has just added another fabulous read to her repertoire! Crossfire is the second book in the Extreme Measures series and it features Juliana Jameson, hostage negotiator, and Clay Fox, school resource officer. They are drawn together during a bizarre court house hostage situation. Juliana is of course the negotiator but Clay is only there because his sister is inside and one of the hostages. As the story unfolds it becomes apparent that Juliana and her younger sister Dottie are being targeted by a deranged criminal. But who is behind it and why? We're allowed to see events from the past that have been thrust into the present as a looming anniversary draws near. What's always thrilling with an Eason book is that you don't have all the pieces of the puzzle until the very end. If you've never read a book from Lynette Eason this would be a good series to start with. It features interesting characters and complex plots that we have all become accustomed to. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her stories. In fact I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

This book starts off with a terrifying hostage situation and this is just a preview of what's to come! Crossfire is an exciting, pulse-altering story filled with danger, suspense, and great character development. I was fascinated with the methods of skilled hostage negotiator Julianna Jameson, but I also admired her efforts to provide a stable home for her teenage sister. Clay Fox is a school resource officer haunted by his tragic past but still determined to make a difference. Especially when a hostage situation occurs that is Julianna's worst nightmare! Realistic characters and events that could be torn from today's news make Crossfire totally believable, and there is also a powerful faith message woven into the plot. Trust and forgiveness are lessons that need to be learned, as Julianna and Clay struggle to determine their feelings for each other. Crossfire is the second book in the Extreme Measures series, but it can easily be read alone. Lynette Eason demonstrates her ability to captivate readers and I highly recommend Crossfire to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense. I received a copy of this book through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review.

The action starts quickly in Crossfire, yet Lynette Eason develops her characters well during it. I loved Julianna and her high school senior sister Dottie and Clay and his sister Reese. The friendship that developed between Dottie and Reese just added a little something extra special to the story. Julianna and Clay both have baggage from their pasts that they need to unload. They are great characters, and I definitely wanted an HEA for them, which of course meant that they had to survive! I liked reading about the faith of the characters and how it develops. The author writes their faith in the story very naturally.. The plot has twists and turns that are nail-biting. Crossfire has lots of action and suspense and a great romance. I received a copy through NetGalley and am sharing my opinion of this very well-written romantic suspense novel

While Crossfire is the second book in the Extreme Measures series, it can easily be a stand-alone novel. I am not sure where to start with my review. There is SO much going on in this novel. I don't know of any other author who can pack so much in one story and make it all come together so seamlessly! Lynette Eason is truly a queen of suspense! Crossfire is fast-paced. Exposive. Difficult to put down. Julianna is a hostage negotiator who is good at her job. It shows in how often she is called out. This gave me a small glimpse into what a hostage negotiator does. I would not want such a high-stress, intense job, but I am thankful for those in this role. Clay is a school resource officer, who meets Julianna when he comes to the courthouse, where his sister is a hostage. They meet under intense circumstances and continue to find themselves in other charged situations as the story unfolds. They build a solid friendship. I enjoyed the character development, the flawed characters, the fast-paced story, the beautiful friendships that formed, and the twists the story took. It was also interesting to see the point of view of the antagonist. The only thing I did not like was the "I have a secret I am not going to reveal, but it is going to keep me from pursuing a relationship." I am tired of that troupe; it is overused. We all have trust issues, so I get it, but I am just over it. Overall, I really enjoyed this physiological thriller, with its themes of revenge, hope, and redemption. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good suspense novel. Thank you to Net Galley and Revell for the opportunity to read Crossfire. I was not required to provide a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I could not wait to get my hands on this book! Lynette Eason keeps me turning the pages way too late into the night, and I couldn’t love it more. Crossfire is full of twists and turns that I couldn’t see coming. I love books that keep me on the edge of my seat, and Eason is great at that. This story focuses on Julianna and Clay as they fight an unknown evil. Julianna is an amazing woman. She loves her sister, and works hard at her job. Working in such a high stress job would get to most people, but Julianna loves what she does. On the outside everything seems great in her life, but her past has a hold on her and she can’t seem to get over it. Meeting Clay just might make her realize there is more to life, but he has a past of his own. Will they be able to move on and see what’s right in front of them? Or will a killer take that chance away from them? I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing, and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Getting to see the story of Julianna Jameson and how her mistakes as a teen were turned from tragedy to triumph made this such a great book. The subplots were well done, giving an air of mystery and suspense, and the masterful telling of the story had all of the pieces fit together with a satisfying conclusion. I was happily surprised by some and saddened and surprised by other parts of the story. I really enjoyed the characters of courageous Julianna, her love interest Clay Fox, and her tough yet compassionate little sister, Dottie. Julianna had what it took to be a hostage negotiator: calm, clear-thinking, and cool under pressure when things were tense. Clay is a steadying force in the lives of Julianna and his students. He was a wonderful influence on the students who needed someone to care. Dottie had faced a great number of difficulties growing up, but she chose not to let them embitter her. She was one of my favorites and hopefully she will be in future stories. This is the second book in the Extreme Measures series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, you would enjoy the first book too! If you like suspense with some mystery and romance, and a faith element, this is one to read. I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This second book in Lynette Eason's Extreme Measures series is as good as the first. This story focuses on FBI Special Agent Julianna Jameson, a hostage negotiator, and her sister Dottie. They both carry a lot of baggage from their childhood and youth, but are trying to do their best as Dottie reaches her eighteenth birthday and comes to live with Julianna for her senior year of high school. Unfortunately Julianna's past isn't satisfied with staying in the past, and has come to place them both in danger. The major theme of the book revolves around forgiving oneself as well as others, both of which are important to one's spiritual and mental health. Once forgiveness is embraced, life can be lived abundantly. Eason does a wonderful job of developing this theme in the context of a romantic suspense story that is heavy on the suspense. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Crossfire from Revell without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Crossfire is book two in Lynette Eason’s action-packed Extreme Measures series. This book can be read on its own, but I’ve loved the whole series and strongly recommend you read book one just because it is also excellent. I have to admit that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get into this book – not because it isn’t great but because I’ve had so much going on in life lately that I didn’t see myself being able to stop and concentrate long enough for it to draw me in. I was so wrong. By the second chapter it had sucked me in. It is a fast-paced story that will grab you from the beginning. Julianna James is a hostage negotiator with a stellar record and Clay Fox is a former Army Ranger unable to let go of past mistakes. When a specter from Julianna’s past returns to seek revenge, they find themselves working together to eliminate the threat. I was fascinated that the killer turned out to be ---- well, you’ll just have to read it to find out. There were just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing up to the end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, there’s more! Eason also does an excellent job of weaving faith throughout the story. Julianna has never been able to move past a traumatic experience from high school. She struggles with guilt and hasn’t been able to let herself fully live. Clay is struggling to forgive himself for past mistakes and to trust God once again. Eason seamlessly interweaves their struggles to trust God, to forgive and be forgiven. I loved watching the characters grow and develop as the story progressed. And of course, you know there’s going to be some romance! I highly recommend this book (and the whole series). I will note that this book deals with an active school shooter situation so be aware if that’s a difficult topic for you. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Wow! What a great story! This is an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense that I enjoyed from page one. Julianna Jameson and Clay Fox have excellent chemistry. I enjoyed both their stories and the growth of their relationship. I also really enjoyed the sibling relationships in this book. It's very well written! A truly excellent read! I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own

Lynette Eason captured my heart years ago. This latest release is no different. If clean, wholesome, suspense is what you're looking for, then start with this series. With enough romance and suspense to keep the pages turning, I'm sure you will enjoy this latest addition.

I had to stay up late to finish this great book. Lynette Eason keeps you involved and moving in this atory. she keeps things realistic and fun while also keeping you on the edge of your seat.

3.5 stars "It had been fifteen years since her life had gone terribly wrong. Most days, she managed not to think about it, but as the date grew closer and closer, it was all she could do to not think about it." F. B. I. Special Agent Julianna Jameson was a professional negotiator; words were important to her. But she couldn't seem to talk herself out of the guilt and regret over the shooting death of one of her best friends nearly fifteen years ago. Answering the call to provide assistance when a courtroom scene turns deadly, she meets a brave young juror whose older brother is the School Resource Officer at the high school where Julianna's younger sister Dottie attends. What a coincidence! In the process of expressing gratitude for ensuring his sister's safety, Clay Fox finds himself intrigued with the beautiful, composed F. B. I. agent. Unfortunately, his former life as an army sniper has left him with some pretty heavy emotional baggage, making him hesitant to form emotional attachments . . up until now. Following the courthouse incident, an inexplicable turn of events throws Clay and Julianna together once again. Has a copycat criminal risen to the surface or is something far more sinister going on? "Tick tock, the time has come. Tick tock, the hands have spun. . . . . . Blood stains your hands, death haunts your soul, Your empty words, a vast black hole." Enjoy this masterful tapestry of romantic suspense where being in the crossfire is a mighty dangerous place to be, and yet . . . . "Hope is good. Hope is very good."

This was one of the most thrilling, enjoyable suspenseful books that I’ve read in a long time! Great characters with a steady plot and lots of action from beginning to end. “Crossfire” is definitely one of those books that you won’t want to stop reading once you’ve started. I really enjoyed this clean Christian suspense book, maybe even more than Extreme Measures book one. There were lots of twists and turns and although we hear from the killers point of view at times, it is not graphic or disturbing. I can’t wait to read more from this outstanding series! My mom also read this book and agreed it was incredible with non stop action! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

Julianna is an FBI hostage negotiator and is proud of the fact that she has never lost a hostage. She is fearful of relationships and is responsible of taking care of her younger sister Dottie, an intelligent and precocious teen who frequently makes Julianna take a hard look at her life. When Julianna meets Clay, an SRO at the local high school, she is attracted but won’t allow herself to trust him because of an incident in her past when she trusted the wrong man. In this story, the threats against Julianna are the central focus and finding out who is behind the threats provides the suspense and the mystery. Julianna has a painful secret in her past that has led to her successful career as a hostage negotiator, but she is not willing to share that secret with others so that she can possibly overcome it. The pacing in this book is absolute perfection, going from one hostage negotiation scenario to another and with the villain seemingly always a step ahead of the FBI. There are some really tense moments that take place that had me on the edge of my seat and almost biting my nails as I hoped for a good outcome. The characters are well-developed and realistic microcosms of society, flawed human beings trying to do their best in a flawed world. Clay, the romantic interest in the story, has his own past that is keeping him from moving forward, a traumatic incident that he has to deal with. The way the characters and plot move together makes the story believable and thoroughly entertaining romantic suspense. Faith is woven into the story and is an integral part of the lives of the characters. The themes of forgiveness of self and others, learning to trust God and people, and forming relationships that last are timeless and presented in an honest way that is also thought-provoking at times. Fans of romantic suspense will devour this latest book by Eason and enjoy the time spent with hostage negotiation and with teens exploring all life has to offer. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for the Revell Reads Blogger Program via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Crossfire is an intense, fast paced clean romantic suspense that sets a whirlwind pace from start to finish! FBI negotiator, Julianna James and Former Army Ranger, Clay Fox will have to work together to stop an unexpected threat to Julianna. This book kept my attention riveted to the pages with excellent and well balanced suspense and unexpected twists. Lynette Eason has written a great story that combines all of the elements of a great romantic suspense with faith woven into the fabric of the story. Thank you to Revell and Lynette Eason for providing me with an ARC of Crossfire. I was asked only for an honest review. The opinions stated here are mine alone.

This book was a complete page turner and I had a really hard time putting it down! The second installment to the “Extreme Measures” Series delivers a thrilling, edge of your seat suspense that will keep you late into the night reading! Julianna James is an FBI Hostage Negotiator, and she can proudly acclaim she has never lost a hostage, but this achievement is about to change. The hostage taker asks for her and seems to have a personal vendetta against her. And when her sister Dottie gets in the middle, she will do anything to keep her safe. Former Army Ranger Clay Fox’s younger sister Reese is taken hostage in a courtroom, when the criminal about to be sentenced takes over the courtroom and takes many people hostages. Julianna is called in as a negotiator and his sister contacts him, which aids Juliana and the law enforcement to guess their plans of escape and capture them. Clay and Julianna start a friendship at the same time as their sisters form a strong bond too. This will bring them constantly together, and Clay’s desire to keep Julianna safe, even if she doesn’t seem to need it, and Dottie too, will make their budding friendship quickly grow into something deeper. But they both carry a baggage in their past that has left them scarred and that they haven’t been able to overcome. And it influences in their relationships. Will they be able to forgive themselves -God has already done so- and move on with a free heart? Or will their past continue to have power over them and shadow their lives? This book was amazing in every way! The plot was fast paced and had unexpected twists that kept me guessing for the most part of the book. The romance was slow burn, sweet and clean, and not the main focus of the book, just like I love it in this genre. The characters were well developed and likeable. Julianna was a strong determined woman, eager to sacrifice and serve others. She had a rough youth, and I admired how she became a better person because of it and not the other way around. I loved her relationship with Dottie and their love and how protective they were of each other. I would like to see Dottie or Reese’s story in another book. They were good secondary characters. Clay was a swoon-worthy hero! I loved his protectiveness of Julianna and their sisters. I loved he was courageous, yet humble enough to learn from others. The faith inspired theme of healing past mistakes and accepting God’s forgiveness and true freedom, so they could start anew without the weight of the past was touching and inspiring. I also loved the way they asked God for help in small and big needs. The villain’s point of view helped me understand what was in his/her head and his/her motives to target Julianna. It was a bit scary though. All in all, an amazing story I highly recommend to any kind of readers! It’s so intriguing you will not be able to put it down! I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

This novel carried several hostage situations and FBI negotiator Julianna does her job well and she knows it, no conceit on her part. She is grace under pressure, except when family and loved ones are involved. Past history from fifteen years ago haunts her every year on the anniversary. Will this tie in to current hostage situations or are they separate incidents? Julianna had a tough childhood and her sister Dottie now lives with her as she finishes high school. Dottie is friends with high school resource officer Clay and he is brought into the mystery and suspense that is Julianna’s life. This was so intriguing and made it a fast read for me. I got tangled up in the story just like I was there, fast heartbeat and all! This is the second book in this series but certainly can be read as a stand-alone. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

Crossfire was a complex plot filled with action and suspense with a bit of light romance. Multiple characters' points of view were threaded throughout the storyline, which I love. One character's POV in particular was confusing and a little distracting, but it all came together in the end. There were scary moments, exciting moments, and sweet moments. Crossfire keeps you guessing until the end. All elements of a good suspense read! I received a complimentary copy of this story from Lynette Eason and the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.

Another great suspense from Lynette Easton. This one is about a hostage negotiator, Julianna Jameson who has never lost a hostage until someone makes it personal. There are lots of twists and turns and plenty of action in this story. Julianna's sister, Dottie, moved in with her for her senior year of high school. Clay Fox a former sniper is now a school resource officer. When it looks like Dottie is being targeted, Clay and Julianna work together to keep her safe especially when the anniversary of a school shooting that Julianna was involved in years ago is coming up.

Crossfire by Lynette Eason is the second book in her Extreme Measures series. This story opens up with intense action, bringing the characters together under extreme circumstances. And while the story is fast-paced and full of action, it is also not rushed or unrealistic. I literally did not want to put this book down. One more chapter is not an option! Not when you NEED to know what happens next. I felt part of the action as I pieced together one clue after another. This story was just plain fun and a perfect summer escape. I also enjoyed all the characters in this story. They were so well written and fully developed. Their backgrounds were complicated but revealed slowly with perfect timing to keep the story flowing. Their personalities were rock solid and added to the complexity of the suspense. I especially loved Julianna and her role as a hostage negotiator. It was interesting to see how hard they work to remain calm and defuse a situation. I loved watching her in action. But I also enjoyed Clay, his calm and compassionate personality. He was an example of how all law enforcement should behave–with genuine care for the people he serves. He and Julianna were brought together abruptly at a crime scene, but their relationship never felt rushed or superficial. I loved their honesty and deep connection over their pasts. If you love slow-burn romance, you’ll love them! Overall, I loved this romantic suspense. It’s everything I look for in an exciting–yet romantic–story. If you enjoy reading authors like Dani Pettrey or Susan May Warren, I encourage you to read Crossfire. It would be a perfect beach read! I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.