Against All Odds (Heroes of Quantico Series, Book 1) by Irene Hannon

Her life is in danger--and so is his heart. For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, beautiful but determined Monica Callahan isn't making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father--who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East--she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States. That is, until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real--and escalating.

As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, the threat against Monica is rising. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever breached the walls around his heart are dropping. After all, terrorists aren't known for their patience--or their mercy.

My Review:
Do you know of anyone who has trouble relating to a family member? Most of us have or have had problems in this area. Monica, one of the characters in this tale, won't even take her father's phone calls! Communication and the lack of it is one of the themes in this suspense-driven novel. As Monica says, "As important as it is for people to talk the walk, it's just as important to learn to listen with the heart as well as the ears." Sometimes people communicate by doing, rather than by talking.

Another theme is forgiveness, and the damage involved when a person refuses to forgive. Another character states, "Forgiveness is hard, honey. But it's what God calls us to. Besides, as some wise person once said, holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It hurts you a lot more than it hurts them."

I can't say much about the compelling plot because I don't want to ruin it for you. Romance, terrorism, Middle East, Afghanistan, FBI, kidnapping, hostage rescue team, diplomat, murder, relationships, women in distress, safe house, and bombs are all included in this Christian Fiction. This will keep any reader's attention.

I do not agree with the theology that has one person asking God for forgiveness for someone else. Other than that, it is an exciting book to read.

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