Title: Singed
Author: Kaylea Cross
First published July 2, 2013
213 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9780991905041
Rating: 4.12
Overview
After walking away from the only man she ever loved, FBI agent Mia Mitchell is forced to confront her past when she’s assigned to work with her ex on a high-stakes mission. As they hunt down a dangerous group of hackers threatening national security, Mia realizes her feelings for him never truly went away.
But when the hackers target her as their next victim, she must trust Gage with not only her heart, but her life. With time running out and the stakes higher than ever before, Mia and Gage must work together to stop the hackers before they unleash chaos on the country.
Can they put their past aside and save the day, or will their love be the ultimate casualty?
About the Author
Kaylea Cross is a renowned author, known for her captivating military romantic suspense novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including nominations for the Daphne du Maurier and National Readers’ Choice Awards.
In addition to writing, Kaylea is a Registered Massage Therapist and has a passion for gardening, art, Civil War history, Special Ops, belly dancing, and softball. She currently resides in Vancouver, BC with her family, and always loves to hear from her readers.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello!
Editoral Review
In “Singed,” Kaylea Cross presents readers with a thrilling romantic suspense novel that is not only expertly plotted but also richly characterized. Cross is an accomplished writer in the genre, having written more than twenty books since 2012.
Her latest book is a standalone novel published on July 2, 2013, that will captivate both romance and suspense fans with its perfect blend of action and romance. The novel takes place in Afghanistan, ten years after the 9/11 attacks.
The main protagonist, Dr. Chelsea Sterling, is a trauma surgeon who is sent to Afghanistan to work with a medical team helping those affected by the ongoing conflict. At the beginning of the book, Sterling finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a group of insurgents who want to use her as a hostage for their nefarious deeds.
She is rescued by a Marine named Hawke, who pulls her out of the car and takes her to safety. Subsequent events lead them on a cross-country journey through war-torn Afghanistan, facing dangers that test their wits, bravery, and trust in each other.
With “Singed,” Cross paints a vivid picture of Afghanistan, the beauty of its landscape as well as the scars of the ongoing conflict. Moreover, the author masterfully wove a tale of suspense that kept me guessing until the very end.
The pacing of the book is excellent, keeping the suspense high without sacrificing character development or romance. Cross does an excellent job of portraying the tension and stress faced by those on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan, giving readers a glimpse into the harsh realities of the situation.
The most significant strength of “Singed” is the well-developed characters of Sterling and Hawke. Both characters are multi-layered, each with their own demons to confront.
The romantic chemistry and tension between the two created a connection that provided the necessary emotional depth and motivation to move the plot forward. Additionally, the secondary characters were diverse and well-drawn, with their contributions to the story vital in understanding the book’s themes.
However, there were a few weaknesses in the novel. The climax was built up to be explosive but felt rather anticlimactic to me.
Overall, though, the book’s strengths more than made up for this drawback, leading to an enjoyable reading experience. In conclusion, “Singed” is an exciting and well-crafted romance suspense novel that will appeal to fans of both genres.
Cross expertly blends together suspense, romance, and action in a way that will leave readers breathless until the end. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling outdoorsy adventure and a steamy romance.
I give it four and a half stars out of five, with my one critique being the slightly underwhelming climax.
