Fast-paced, action romance that leaves you on the edge of your seat!

Ruby Toth is used to stress, hell, her parents work for the NSA. However, her new role undercover at the CDC is testing her limits. Not only is the CDC under attack from international terrorists, but her brother is taken hostage and the only way he'll be released is if she hands over a vial of Smallpox. As if that weren't bad enough, she's been assigned to work closely with her mentor, a broody, sexy veteran named Henry. But when their assignment comes under attack, the only way they'll be saved is if they work together; they just need to trust each other first.

The action scenes in this book had me up all night reading. I felt like I was there watching it. Rowe's detailed writing allows readers to fully escape into the action and suspense of the text. The locations, technology, politics were all well-researched and easy to follow while reading.
My one wish was the romance to be a bit more of a slow burn once it starts. The build up was set nicely, but then, it got intense quickly - which was in line with the character's natures, but left me wanting more.

Get ready because this book is going to give you one heck of a ride. This action-packed novel will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Ruby just started working at the CDC when threats from a group of terrorists escalate. Her brother is kidnapped and the only way for her to have her twin back is to steal a sample of smallpox. If delivered, the virus could kill millions of people, and finally, to succeed, she would also need to betray her mentor, Henry.

Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby enrolls in a mission with Henry that will bring her closer to the samples. But when things go south and the chemistry between Henry and Ruby heats up, they are both faced with an impossible task to protect the virus and save themselves.

WOW! This book was such a wonderful surprise. This suspense novel will transport you into a world of science, politics, mercenaries, and more. The author delivers this story with a punch. The characters face so many intense situations. I simply couldn't stop reading.

The characters were all wonderful. I was very intrigued trying to figure out where the leak came from. Ruby's family is unique and brought a new dimension to the story. I absolutely adored Ruby's brother. If there was another book, I'm hoping this book to be about him.

As for Ruby and Henry, the chemistry was off-the-charts. I loved that they both had their struggles and insecurities while being total badass characters. I would say if there were a con for me in this book (not really but if there was one) it would be the last chapter. I didn't think it was necessary.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and that I highly recommend. This book will keep you at the edge of your seat so buckle up and be ready for the ride.

That was such an exciting, nail-biting, emotional and relevant read. Considering the pandemic we’re going through I really wasn’t looking forward to reading this book but boy would I have been missing out! There was action after action after edge-of-the-seat action! I couldn’t keep up with all the villains and heroes in the story and thoroughly enjoyed every word.

Ruby and Henry were so suited for each other. I was hooked and dying to know how many ways the terrorists would be caught and killed, not to mention to find out who the main baddy was. I wasn’t disappointed. There’s even an emotional ending that had me crying.

I would recommend all of the books in this series and this one is no exception.

3.5 stars!
Such a compelling story!
I highly recommend this book, it will sweep you off your feet!
WOW!!

Ruby works with Henry and although they are both attracted to eaach other, neither of them acted on it until they are dealing with a terrorist situation at work. It seemed an odd time to get together, but will they survive?

I havdn't read any of the other books in this series and don't think it mattered too much

Probably reading about a potential terror-driven pandemic during the COVID-19 pandemic wasn't the smartest move I ever made but I love this series. It calls to my nerdy, medical history loving, romance junkie self!

OMG Henry is a gorgeous, grumpy grouch of a man. He can't abide wasters and layabouts and could easily do without interacting with 95% of the people he has to! But Ruby seems to have gone under his defences, like a sweet natures, open and viciously honest ninja. He may be smarter than the average veteran soldier but don't let that fool you, he still knows what way round a firearm goes, even though it may have been a hot minute since he was in uniform.

Ruby comes from a family of NSA spies and analysts, her brother is a rocket scientist (no really!) and she isn't a slouch in the academic arena either. She possesses the ability to get people to work together, which she has found an increasing need for when trying to get Henry to play nice with others! But when she is compromised and danger has landed on her doorstep, will she cave to pressure, seek help or come up with a novel but convoluted way to get herself out of a jam?

Henry and Ruby have been circling each other for months, verbal sparring seems to be their version of flirting, LOL. So even though the whole romance may seem to be "insta-love" they have actually liked each other for some time, just didn't have the impetus to destabilize their status quo. I loved learning about Ruby's family and Henry's backstory. DS again makes a major appearance and I dearly love that crotchety old so-and-so.

I am at a loss now that this series has ended but I'm hoping that Ruby's brother and his "rocket scientist spy" persona may appear in a new series, pretty please?!?!?!

3.5 stars rounding up...

'Hell & Back' is Julie Rowe's high-octane, medical-science thriller that, well, probably sits all too uncomfortable in this virus-ridden world at the moment. Still, it provides some mighty fine hours of escapism, non-stop action and rides the all-engulfing wave of bioterrorism which is pretty much what this entire series is all about.

I typically have a great time with the books in this series and the subject-matter of lab tech works and their military protectors being the front-line of defence is personally one that's fascinating and relevant. It's an exciting and exhilarating peek into an albeit quasi-fictional world that I've never been a part of and probably never will be, which is probably why I've always had a soft spot for this series.

Henry Lee's book is one that's a long time in coming and Rowe has written both him and Ruby as generally likeable and brave protagonists who do have the hots for each other...only that they seem to realise it at the absolute worst time. There's a huge measure of instant lust that is slotted in too hurriedly; their attraction is something I can understand but most bewildering perhaps is the insertion of the sex scenes at the most inappropriate times when the enemy was quite literally knocking down the front door.

I think that the rushed romance (with a HEA that literally ended up with flying towards their sunset) tempered my enthusiasm a little somewhat. It isn't also too much of a surprise that there the destruction is politically-driven when Rowe made it easy to guess who was behind this huge conspiracy given the number of hints that have been dropped throughout the book.

That said, I had a fun time with this - it's solidly written and researched with secondary characters that go on to fill their roles more and more as the series goes on. It'll probably does rank somewhere near the top of pile of my best-loved Rowe suspense reads, but probably isn't quite my favourite.

Julie Rowe’s ‘Hell & Back’ is an action-filled dose of escapism, with a plot line that feels all too real during an actual pandemic.

Ex-Special Forces medic Henry Lee partners with microbiologist Ruby Toth to aid the CDC in cataloguing and securing the world’s most deadly diseases. When Ruby’s twin brother is kidnapped, she’s faced with a horrible choice: steal a vial of Smallpox or watch her brother die. Can she trust the inscrutable Henry with her secret?

This is the first time I’ve read a novel by Rowe, and it was definitely a “read in one sitting” type of book. The action is pretty fast-paced and doesn’t really let up until the end. There’s not a lot of depth to these characters, which is kind of a shame, because I think that exploring Henry’s injury and his trauma would have made the plot more layered and substantive. Peripherally addressing it felt like a missed opportunity. Also, you do have to employ a healthy amount of “suspend disbelief” to buy into certain plot points, and you do have to overlook the caricaturization of the majority of the villains in the story. That being said, if you’re already into this style of storytelling, you’re going to enjoy this book.

I received an ARC of this novel courtesy of NetGalley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Hell and Back is a fantastic read. I would recommend reading the Outbreak Task Force in order so you get the full picture of what is going on and because it is a fantastic series. Hold onto your seats and enjoy the ride. This is Henry's book and you will just love him so much. If you've read these books then you know that what makes up the Task Force is a member of the CDC and an ex military person. Henry is an ex special forces medic and Ruby is a member of the CDC. Protection is the key and Ruby is under Henry's. They working hard together to find who is behind the attacks on the CDC. I love the chemistry between Henry and Ruby. There is such a spark and such a bond between them. Ruby can hold her own when it comes down to a fight and I just love how protective Henry is of her. You get all your favorite couples from the series in this one as they get closer to solving who is funding the terrorist. I really couldn't put this one down and was sucked right in from the very start. I really love this book and series. Go one click this one.

A quote (from ARC):
“I’ve got scars on my scars…” (Henry)

3.5 stars.
“Hell & Back”, by Julie Rowe (Entangled Publishing), has an exciting beginning with a fast-paced suspense plot about bioterrorism and the romantic couple both hiding their mutual attraction and a closed-off, grumpy wounded hero, who shows some interesting, unexpected facets to his character.
Henry and Ruby are likeable, relatable protagonists, both displaying the predictable genre traits, yet showing also some refreshing, humor infused deviations.
Henry is a different kind of wounded hero, an odd combination of alphaness (he’s a former Special Forces soldier, injured in the line of service) some nerdiness and scientific competences (nowadays he’s a virologist). He’s alluring, although besides the powerful physique I kind of forgot how he looked like throughout the story. The self-confidence is interesting, even though sometimes Henry seemed to assume some superman features.
Ruby’s sense of humor and self-deprecating posture mixed with her geeky characteristics make for an interesting heroine.
I liked how the couple danced around each other initially, trying to conceal their attraction, although that didn’t take long.
I found the suspense plot appealing and well-researched and liked the secondary characters (I hope Nate will have his own story).

Ruby is a microbiologist and works for the CDC on the Outbreak Operation Taskforce. Ruby has been there for two months and works under Henry, ex Special Forces turned virologist. He is grumpy and pushes people away but Ruby is the only one who can put up with him. A terrorist group is coming after the employees of the CDC and they kidnap Ruby’s twin brother Nate. They want the smallpox virus or they’ll kill her brother. Henry and Ruby are checking out facilities that hold some of the world’s dangerous viruses and the terrorist’s seem to be one step ahead and know things they shouldn’t, along with ways to break into the facility. Can help arrive in time before they can steal the virus? First time reading this author and WOW! Easy to read and understand, suspense, action, and sex. I loved this fast paced story and can’t wait to check out her other books. * Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley

H&B by this author is the fifth book in her Outbreak Task Force Series and picksup right where the previous book was left off.
For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
Ruby Toth and her family are in the spy business and they're good in what they do.
Meet Henry Lee and his partner Ruby Toth. The ex-special forces medic and Ruby are racing against the clock to keep the virus away from enemies.
H&B is a fast paced, contemporary romance with thriller elements, action packed, unputdownable, suspense read that made me read it, cover to cover, in one sitting. I loved the story and the writing, 4,5 stars.

I was hooked on this one at first. A lot was going on... and somewhere along the way it lost my interest and I found myself skipping around hoping I could get back into the story. It never did happen. So I skipped to the end to see how it ended...

**I received a copy of Hell & Back from Entangled and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited.**

Hell & Back by Julie Rowe is the fifth book in her Outbreak Task Force that's the series end, I'm hoping still for DS get his own story someday. I have to say that Henry Lee has nothing on the SEALs when it comes to his the traps that he surprises the mercenaries with. There's a conclusion of the FAFO Bio Terrorist story line that's the wild ride to the finish line. It will take everyone including Smoke, River, and DS to find Henry and Ruby before it's too late.

Ruby Toth is Henry Lee's new partner at the CDC Outbreak Task Force but little does he know that while racing to lock down the lab that stores the dangerous Smallpox viruses that FAFO wants to steal. When Ruby's brother Nate is kidnapped by FAFO want her to steal smallpox virus for his release. Will she do it or will Henry catch her? When the lab is attacked by the Merc's everything he has to repel the attack will be used to keep the most dangerous viruses out of the FAFO's hands. But will it be enough? They will have to really put all the cards on the table to find out who is behind the money funding the group and why they have inside knowledge to the CDC.

Henry Lee is not only a scientist, ex-special forces and proves he can take on a terrorist group with just his wits and backpack full of surprises. When FAFO releases the measles vaccine he knows the level 4 lab must be the next target and Ruby will need to be with him to make sure the viruses stored there are safe. FAFO soon attacks the building and get through the recent upgrades he'll do anything to keep the lab and Ruby safe but will it be enough?

Yeah, I realized a few pages into the first chapter that I’d dropped into this series without some background info, but that didn’t matter. Everything and everyone important was introduced in a way that caught me up, but also wouldn’t bore anyone who’s read the first four books like I should have. That said, Henry and Ruby (and even Nate) had my interest and mind wondering how this could possibly end even marginally well from the start. Henry and Ruby were an unlikely, yet somehow perfect, team for this endeavor and Nate brought so much more to the table than anyone expected of him. I’d recommend this a read, and probably this whole series, to anyone looking for a lot of substance, action, mystery, and some romance in their books.

I can absolutely say that I liked this but didn’t love it as much as I had anticipated and I would honestly generalize this as a decent followup to the ‘Outbreak Task Force’ series.

This time around, we follow ex-Special Forces medic Henry Lee and his partner Ruby Toth who are racing to lock down the CDC's deadly virus samples from terrorists. It has all the notable elements that Julie Rowe is known for: romance, suspense, and brooding heroes who like to get the heroine's panties in a bunch.

The characters were extremely likable. Ruby just seems like a sweetheart but the girl has claws if the wrong buttons are pushed. And our smothering hero? Yummy. He is an ex-veteran that doesn’t let his disability get in the way. Obviously the instant love *cough*instant marriage*cough* is always a downer for me but it was an overall joy to read even though I just had to tilt my head, and squint real hard to pretend I didn’t read see those instant I love yous being thrown around.

Nonetheless, not bad. Now my fingers are crossed that we get Nate’s story next!

Just finished Henry and Ruby's story from Julie Rowe! I wouldn't say that you have to read the previous books in the series, but I would recommend it so you get to know the other characters and the past events that play into this storyline.

Bioterrorists are trying to steal something that can wipe out half the world's population. Henry and Ruby find themselves taking a stand to guard bugs and viruses in a CDC secure facility. Bad guys are super bad and cause trouble. Lots of action and some sexy times. This story was a little different from the others in the series in that they weren't fighting a bioterrorism event but rather trying to prevent one. I was also a little surprised by the ending.

Tell me it isn't so. I've been waiting for the conclusion of this series for so long. Now that it's here, I almost cried. This is a series that should be read in order.
I was so glad that Henry got his own story. He has been a main part of this whole series. Who better than the daughter of a NSA analyst and the head of NSA to be his partner. It surprised Henry at the beginning to find that is how he sees Ruby, as his partner.
This series is fantastic, I hope there will be a spin off series also soon.

Ex Special Force, Henry Lee works for the CDC On the Outbreak Task Force and is mentoring Ruby Toth. Terrorists attack and they seem to have a lot of inside information. There is plenty of action throughout this book along with a romance. There were a couple of scenes that defied credibility. It held my interest but the reason for the 3* is the scenes I mentioned. I don’t want to put in a spoiler so I am not going into detail. THANK you to net galley for an advanced copy.

Hell & Back lives up to its name. It's shootings, explosions, danger and terror. It's everything I've come to expect from Ms Rowe and more. Non-stop heart-thumping suspense with a dose of romance and passion. If the action doesn't get you excited, the sexy times will.
I've loved all the books Ms Rowe has written on her bio-terrorism books from the start. This one is no exception. I knew I was going to love it, but I didn't realise I would love it as much as I do as my heart was in my throat for most of the book as Henry and Ruby races against time to stop the theft of a deadly virus. Ms Rowe has definitely upped her game on this last book of the series, particularly in light of current times and what's going on in the world with the pandemic front and centre.
I accidentally read one line of a review that started with "Henry is a whole lotta man," and yeah, I get it. Henry IS a whole lotta man. Henry has been a favorite from the moment I read about him in the early books. His dedication, his clever brain, his problem-solving abilities, and the fact that he's overcome so much to be the man he is today. He hasn't let his disability limit him, instead he's trained so he can use it to his advantage. That's turned out quite handy in this instance since the bad guys tend to underestimate him. Henry is not a man to be underestimated. He's smart, strong, resourceful, and determined. He's also honorable and protective. And who knew Henry had such alpha and dominating hidden depths. Henry's packing a lot of firepower in more ways than one. Remember, he's a whole lotta man!!! **grin**
I liked Ruby. She's smart, hardworking, insightful, and brave. She's also been put into an impossible situation where she doesn't know who she can trust and is suspicious of everyone, and that trust comes a little too late in a certain situation. I admit I was very anxious when Ruby was faced with a terrible dilemma and wasn't sure how she would behave. It had the potential to create a lot of drama and drag on painfully, but I needn't have worried. Ms Rowe is a wonderful storyteller and she handled the one situation I was dreading wonderfully. Ruby also has a great wit and a lot of sass to her which she doesn't show very often. She's cautious when she speaks but when she decides to let loose, her words are dagger sharp and incisive.
I'm sad this is the end of the series but I'm looking forward to what else Ms Rowe might do next. I know I'll definitely pick up and read whatever she decides to write and publish next.