Friday, June 15, 2012

Featured Ebook : Hard Target by Barbara Phinney

Ebook : HARD TARGET
Genre : Romantic thriller/espionage
Author :  Barbara Phinney


ISBN: 978-0-9878404-2-4 


Reviews :  5 stars

SYNOPSIS :  Under siege, her life and her heart...
Sgt. Dawna Atkinson has worked hard for her South American embassy posting. She'd also taken the blame for a shared indiscretion with her instructor, Tay Hastings. But when her embassy is bombed, she comes under the microscope all the more. Worse still, her unit sends Tay to search for any mistakes she's making. Things go from bad to worse when a sniper tries to eliminate both Dawna and Tay within hours of Tay's arrival.
    
Tay had tried to take the blame for that one night of passion, but when that failed, he quit his instructor's post. But circumstances force him not to reveal any of this. Dawna has her own secrets. She inwardly questions if Tay is somehow linked to the sniper, who later is discovered murdered. Did Tay panic when the sniper called Dawna and promised to reveal all to her?    

As the investigation heats up, and danger lurks around every crowded corner, Dawna and Tay find their relationship is also heating up. And with a killer who can create bombs, use a sniper rifle, and poison the embassy staff, Dawna must set aside her hurt or risk many lives. And Tay must set aside the distrust deep within him.
    
What Dawna and Tay can't set aside is their growing attraction. And that may just get them both killed.


By Diana M. Hockley
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
  I am the first to review this novel, so I will start out by saying that the author obviously knows her stuff, having done the hard yards with research.

The pace of the plot is fast, and I thought the sex angle was well handled - pages of endless sexual content is not my "cup of tea" and the history between the main characters made sense to a point. I wasn't convinced that Dawna's commanders had anything to "get" her on in the beginning. Although the "crime" was definitely committed, it seemed that the hierarchy was out to discredit her right at the start, but unless I missed something, there was no real explanation of why she was so severely punished. I don't want to give any spoilers here, but the followup "get Dawna" orders were not fully explained either. It just seemed like spite.

It is rare when I don't figure out "who's who at the zoo" but the perpetrator's identity fooled me this time. I liked that the cats were safe! All in all, it was a good read, but IMO, the romance between the main characters lacked a little sparkle. I was impressed by the heroine and hero NOT being perfect!

I shall be reading more of this author's works.

By Norah Wilson
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
  Barbara Phinney really knows how to tell a story! She combines romance and suspense/mystery very deftly, and the pacing just carries you forward. This one kept me guessing all the way. Very atmospheric, too, and the details ground you wonderfully. It's almost like being there.






3 comments:

Mystery and Mayhem said...

Thank you Shaun, this is well appreciated. I hope loads of people drop by.

Kate said...

I love Barbara Phinney's books! She always keeps you guessing until the last minute. Can't wait to read this one.

Payal said...

Thanks Barbara :-) We will keep up the work!

Kate, thanks for visiting our blog and looking at the featured books!

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