Power Play
by Rachel Dylan
Published June 1, 2021

This is the third book in this series and I have loved every one! Intriguing and interesting every page of the book.
I highly recommend this author and series.
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

5 star

This book was truly amazing. I was hooked from the beginning and when I had to put it down, I would find myself counting the time until I could pick it back up.
I loved the way this awesome series ended. Viv was a great way to end it, and her chemistry with Jacob was intense.
I highly recommend this book to anyone

I just could. To get into this story the way I usually do. It was sent to me on Kindle by Netgalley for review. It is character driven with some not so loveable characters. However, others might enjoy it.

An engaging story with multiple threats and teams working against the clock to solve the murders and stop the terrorists. You’ll love seeing characters from earlier books as well as getting to know Viv in her own story. Add in a great hero and this is a story to fall into.

I enjoyed this conclusion to the Capital Intrigue series. Vivian, a State Department lawyer, is drafted to work on a task force after tragedy strikes at a diplomatic dinner. She happens to be paired up with Jacob, the handsome man who was watching her at the dinner. His good looks do not translate into a genteel manner as he shows how unhappy he is to be paired with her. Vivian's insights and intelligence soon change his mind.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Jacob and Vivian grow and change. I appreciate when people are open and don't try to play games with each other. Mark was an interesting, surprising character to add to the mix.

The story was fast paced. It was hard to put down. I liked the excitement and the action. It was fun seeing how different people worked on their assignments. I find the whole mix of CIA/FBI/DSS to be fascinating. It was nice to see characters from the other books in the series and to have a nice sense of closure. I will look forward to what comes next from this author.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Power Play by Rachel Dylan is an intriguing, engaging story that brings the Capitol Intrigue series to a dramatic conclusion. This book tells the story of Vivian (Viv) Steele, who is an attorney for the State department. When two diplomats, one of which is a friend of hers, end up dead at a dinner where she is attending, she finds herself on the task force to figure out what has happened. Jacob Cruz is the head of security at the dinner, so when two people end up dead, he is also put on the task force. Despite tension when they first meet, he and Viv must work together to get the answers their looking for. With compelling characters this fast paced plot is sure to please lovers of Romantic Suspense!

I received a complementary copy of this story through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

While attending a state dinner, Vivian "Viv" Steele, an attorney for the state department, witnesses the Egyptian ambassador collapse and die in front of everyone. Then not long after that Viv sees Penelope King, the US Ambassador to Belgium and within moments the Ambassador collapses in Viv's arms. This is not how the state dinner was supposed to go.
Jacob Cruz, SSA (Supervisory Special Agent) of diplomatic security, is at a loss as to how not one, but 2 diplomats have gone down at this function, on his watch.  But unlike the Egyption Ambassador, Mrs. King has not died so hopefully the task force that has been put together will be able to figure out what happened and why it happened. Hopefully Mrs. King will be able to help in figuring that out.
The task force is made up of FBI, CIA & local law enforcement along with Viv. Although she is not law enforcement, the FBI feels she will be helpful since she will be able to advise what they will be able to do legally in their investigation.  It quickly becomes personal when Viv is attacked on her way home a few nights after the dinner. Then other things happen making it clear to the task force that there are 2 investigations that need to happen, the one to determine why the Ambassadors were attacked and why multiple agents are being attacked in various ways.
After Viv was attacked Jacob took it upon himself to be her personal security along with upgrading her security system. As they work together they are both realizing they care about the other and wonder if something good would come of this situation for them.  But both are very cautious about letting the feelings get in the way of their job and neither is sure if they are able to have a solid relationship while doing this job. But maybe God has  other plans. 
Thank you Rachel Dylan for allowing me to be a part of your team. I think this may have been my favorite of the 3.

This is Rachel Dylan at her best! A story with spies, action, danger, faith, love and characters that pull the reader in and don't let go until well after the final page is flipped. Viv loves her job and the interesting people she gets to meet. But when her friends and colleagues start to die under very mysterious circumstances she has to start questioning everything she thought she knew. Now people are trying to kill her, spies are following her to try and get information she is sure she does not have, and she is now partnered with a former soldier who doesn't like lawyers. The weeks are going to be long, until the partners get to know each other and discover how deep their feeling are. Viv and Jacob are digging for answers to the mysterious death of a US Ambassador while trying to keep Viv alive. Are the cases linked? What do they think Viv knows, when she is sure she knows nothing of great importance? Then a deep seated spy is found in close contact and Viv needs to jump from lawyer to spy to find out what the other side knows. This is a fast paced page turner that will keep the reader up late to get to the end. What a great book to finish of the Capital Intrigue series. Rachel Dylan is always on my TBR pile, can't wait for the next story! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Why would someone kill two ambassadors at the same diplomatic dinner party? Vivian Steele, an attorney for the State Department, is appointed to a task force find out what happened. Jacob Cruz is also appointed to the task force. Jacob was in charge of security for the dinner party. He wants to find out what happened as he feels responsible. While investigating one of Vivian's past assignments comes to light. She is also being targets by assassins'.


This is a fast paced book with lots of action and suspense. I highly recommend it to all mystery buffs.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

This fast-paced tale of multiple FBI and CIA teams working around the clock to solve murders and stop terrorists opens with two people collapsing at a diplomatic dinner that sends the country into international commotion and turmoil.

I'm sorry to see this series end. I love the cameo appearances by the leads from the earlier stories and it was so fun to have Viv have her own heart-stopping story! Her swoony protector is a former Navy Seal, with a troubled past. Excellent romantic suspense!

I highly recommend Power Play and all the books in the Capital Intrigue series! Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the third book in this Christian Romantic Suspense series but can be read alone. I really enjoyed this book and this author does a great job of creating likable characters. There were a lot of twists and turns and I did not see this ending coming.

She wasn’t sure whether the terror was over or just beginning.

Vivian Steele, lawyer, works in the Office of the Legal Advisor in the State Department - a behind the desk kind of job. Somehow that all changes in this incredible conclusion to the Capital Intrigue series. A state dinner, the death of two ambassadors and suddenly Viv finds herself in a dangerous position she would not have chosen!

The author has done a fabulous job of taking us behind the scenes as the FBI, CIA, State Department and others try to unravel the mystery behind these deaths. The non-stop action will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering who can be trusted. Don’t expect to put this one down until you reach the end.

This ARC was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. These impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

Rachel Dylan never disappoints. She wries engaging political suspense with intriguing characters and exciting plots. I always enjoy her books. She is on a list of authors whose books I automatically buy without reading the synopsis, they are that good! So grab a sweet tea and settle in a comfy spot for a terrific book!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

This third installment in Capital Intrigue series starts out with a bang as two ambassadors at a diplomatic dinner collapse, triggering domestic and international turmoil. As always, Rachel Dylan combines suspense, action, and intrigue with just the right amount of romance to create a gripping, can't-put-down tale. Fans of romantic suspense will absolutely love this book.

There are two plots in this book - one involving the death of an Egyptian ambassador and another involving the murder attempt of a US ambassador to Belgium. Vivian, a lawyer for the State Department, and Jacob, diplomatic security agent, are on a task force to dig into the Egyptian ambassador's demise when Vivian finds herself a target of multiple attacks. Their path to finding answers is convoluted and often confusing but their attraction is undeniable. The murder attempt on the US ambassador is headed by Delaney who is a laser-focused FBI agent. This second plot has some fascinating twists and turns and I was definitely surprised at the conclusion of this thread. Seeing how faith lives out in these brave, crime-solving patriots was quite encouraging.

I received the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

"Power Play" is a Christian romantic suspense. It's the third in a series, but it works as a stand alone. While the task force initially believed that the deaths of the two ambassadors were connected, soon the story split into two separate investigations. We followed events in both investigations, though the focus was more on Vivian. The FBI partners investigating the death of the American ambassador worked well together and had a mentor/mentee relationship. Vivian and Jacob investigated the death of the Egyptian ambassador because Viv had contacts with the Egyptian Embassy due to a past assignment. They soon discovered that she (and others) had become the target of terrorists due to that past assignment. While Jacob initially didn't trust Viv and resisted her slower, diplomatic approach, he soon came to admire her and found a way to pair their strengths and weaknesses to solve the case.

The main characters were likable, interesting people that reacted realistically to events. They supported and built each other up. The suspense came from the danger to Viv. I wondered why Jacob wasn't really suspicious of the Good Samaritan since he usually didn't trust people easily and the motives behind that attack weren't certain at that point. Anyway, Viv felt like her relationship with God was strengthened through the events she endured. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting story.

'Experience told her that sometimes security could only do so much if people were intent on inflicting terror.'

Rachel Dylan brings her explosive Capitol Intrigue series to a gripping conclusion with Power Play. Intrigue most definitely is the way to describe this series. She adds more compelling characters with this book and brings back ones from the last two books and the action is nearly non-stop. You will be captivated all the way through!

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I was not required to leave a positive review and the opinion here is my own.

Rachel Dylan’s Capital Intrigue series just keeps getting better! Power Play has everything you want from a romantic suspense novel. Action that starts from page one and doesn’t let go, sparks flying between our MCs and an ending you can’t predict.

As most of you would know, I’m always impressed when I can’t figure out what’s happening in a suspense novel & this one definitely kept me guessing!

I highly recommend!! Look for it when it releases on June 1!

Also, as a side note, I reread books 1 and 2 before reading this one, and while each can easily be read as a standalone, they’re really good read one after the other!

Thanks Rachel for having me on your launch team! I loved every second of this book!! And how beautiful is that cover?!

Thanks also to @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the review copy.

.Power Play is the third and final book in the Capitol Intrigue series and it ended the series with a bang. This book has two story lines with two romantic mysteries. The main story featured Jacob a former NAVY seal and Viv an attorney for the State Department. I really enjoyed the characters and the story lines.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

A.wonderful romantic suspense novel! This was a fast paced suspense read! The character development was amazing and on point! The other books in this series was a good quick read also this series is one you won't want to miss!

This is the 3rd book in Rachel Dylan's Capital Intrigue Series. Vivian is a State Department attorney that gets embroiled into some shady goings on in Washington DC. She is in danger when some international thugs think she is really a CIA operative. A former Navy SEAL that does security, Jacob Cruz, is pressed into duty to protect her until they track down the bad guys. I have really enjoyed this whole series. There's plenty of crazy stuff going on in the Federal government to provide plots for a lot of suspense novels. Rachel Dylan makes it exciting and fun.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.