Power Play

Thrilling and Inspirational Romantic Suspense! Loved it!

This is the third book in the Capital Intrigue Series, and oh my! I think this one was the best of all! And I loved the previous two!
I love that this series is about three best friends: Bailey, Layla and Vivian. This is Viv’s story and wow! It was a total page turner. I couldn’t stop biting my nails until the last page! There was so much fast paced action, danger, intrigue, intel information to digest, and the characters -Vivian and Jacob- were so well developed, complex, so opposite to each other, but they complemented so well! They were made for each other even if they started clashing because of different views in how to approach the investigation.
State Department attorney Vivian Steele witnesses a crime when two ambassadors, from Egypt and Belgium, collapse -probably poisoned- at a diplomatic dinner in Washington, DC. After this, she is recruited along with Jacob Cruz to join the FBI task force assigned to investigate the case. Special agent Jacob Cruz, a former Navy SEAL, the man in charge of the event’s security takes the attack personally and immediately takes charge of things, breaking more than one rule, which makes Vivian nervous. Worse, the ambassador from Belgium, Penelope, is Vivian’s friend from working together in the past, and she’s shocked when she waves to her at the dinner and then immediately collapse. Zidan, the Egyptian diplomat is declared dead arriving at the hospital, and Penelope’s condition is very serious, with little possibilities of survival. Viv is affected and vows to discover who attempted to murder them. Jacob suspected of Vivian at first, since he saw her near both of the ambassadors before collapsing. But then he is asked to join forces with her in the investigation. He’s not thrilled because Viv plays by the rule, and that will only slow things down. Jacob doesn’t hesitate to take risks when he deems it necessary, and that means not always playing by the book to surprise your enemy. Viv, who thought she was safer as an attorney than her friends who worked at the CIA and FBI, now finds that her life is on peril, as she suddenly becomes a target herself. Nobody knows why she’s being targeted, but Jacob wants her near to protect her.
The plot is full of unexpected twists and with danger right around the corner the whole time. You are always wondering who is behind all this, what their motivations are, and what terrorist and of what country might be after something powerful that evades them. Always looking for connections, I love that part of the story, trying to tie all the events, actions, past actions, with extreme attention to detail. A small thing overseen might be what uncovers the criminals and the persons or terrorist group behind them.
The character development was very well done. I think, both Viv and Jacob grew during this story, especially Jacob. Trying to live their faith and trust God under these uncertain circumstances is no joke. And I loved the way they navigated through it all with God being their ultimate strength and the One who will always have their backs. It was a very inspiring book. Even after all the suspense, the author managed to thread in the faith elements in a very natural and even attractive way.
I also loved seeing Bailey and Layla again. And I loved meeting Delaney, she was a brave woman and had an important part in the uncovering of the truth.
Viv and Jacob both had issues from the past that needed to be dealt with. I loved how they supported each other and even sought counseling from experts, because it was not a simple issue to overcome. But they had each other’s back in the process.
The romance, which was not the main focus of the story, was really sweet. I loved the way they changed from not quite enemies, but opposites, to being there for the other and their feelings gradually changing to attraction, admiration, and then love. Clean love.
I definitely recommend this book to Romantic Suspense lovers. I assure it will keep you at the edge of your seat since page one and probably until the last page! An amazing read!
The book can be read as a standalone, but I strongly suggest to read the series in order. You’ll love the group of friends, and how they have each other backs from the start.
I received a complimentary copy of this book form the Publisher and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.