Title: Cold Fury
Series: Cold Justice - Most Wanted #4
Author: Toni Anderson
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Serial Killer/Tortured Heroine
Band of Brothers/Woman in Peril
Release Date: May 13, 2024
BLURB
When a killer takes everything and still wants more.
Seven years ago, Hope Harper was a star defense attorney with a great life and a beautiful family—until she got the wrong defendant released, and he turned around and viciously slaughtered her husband and child. Since then, the only thing Hope cares about is locking bad guys behind bars where they can’t hurt anyone else. When the killer escapes from a maximum security prison during a winter storm, Hope refuses to run and hide.
The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team is called in to protect the handful of public figures the notorious serial killer threatened. Operator Aaron Nash draws the short straw—he’ll be heading up Assistant District Attorney Hope Harper’s close protection detail.
Much to Aaron’s frustration, the cool blonde refuses to go into protective custody. As the hours and days wear on, Aaron and Hope manage a fragile truce. He begins to understand and admire the tenacious prosecutor, and the two of them begin to work together.
As the escaped serial killer’s rampage spins on, Hope knows it’s just a matter of time until he comes for her. Except something’s changed. For the first time since losing her family, she has something to live for. But is history doomed to repeat itself?
PURCHASE LINKS
EXCERPT
“Do you have specialized combat training that I am unaware of?” He kept his voice firm, suspecting she’d scent and exploit weakness like a fox scented and exploited a rabbit.
Her eyes narrowed. “I have the fury of a woman whose child and husband were cold-bloodedly murdered by that sonofabitch.”
Emotion vibrated through the words, but he ignored it. His job was tactical, not emotional. It ran on logic and preparation. And maybe it ran a little on luck, but he wasn’t about to admit that to a principal who was this antagonistic. He needed to gain her trust and her confidence if they were to work together effectively.
“Sometimes,” he said quietly, “that isn’t enough.”
Something flickered in those icy depths before she looked away. “It’s all I have left.”
“Not true, counselor.” Lincoln Fraser produced a wide smile that showed he didn’t mind a little danger. “You also have the protection of the FBI.”
“Whether I like it or not.” The glimpse of vulnerability was gone, replaced by bitterness.
Aaron couldn’t blame her for her anger, but her attitude could make his job more difficult and put his teammates at risk. He wouldn’t stand for the latter. Their jobs were dangerous enough without a client with a death wish.
Review | 3.75 stars
The dead ex trope isn’t my favorite trope to be honest. I actually hate it. But, I’ve read all the books in the series, so I wanted to read this one too. The thing that saved this book for me is that I didn’t feel like he was second best. Usually, in a book with this trope they talk about the dead ex way too much and they are usually still way too in love with them for my liking. That wasn’t the case here. She still would talk about her husband, but it wasn’t over the top.
I loved the hero. He was a geek and I personally love the geeks.
He was so sweet and protective. And he was very gentle with the heroine which I liked.
Overall, it was a good addition to the series. I’m excited for the next.
ALSO AVAILABLE
AUTHOR BIO
Best known for her “COLD JUSTICE®” novels, perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth—Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist (Ph.D.), she still misses the ocean. Her greatest achievements include raising two kids, mastering the Tokyo subway, climbing Ben Lomond, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and surviving eighteen (and counting) Winnipeg winters.
Toni loves to travel for research and was lucky enough to visit the Strategic Information and Operations Center inside FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. She also got to shove another car off the road during pursuit training at the Writer’s Police Academy in Wisconsin. She hopes not to get arrested for her Google searches.
Find out more on her website: http://www.toniandersonauthor.com
