Are you ready for some heart thumping suspense? Do you like crime fighting by kick-ass heroines? If so, you need to read this book. I am a big fan of just about any Harlequin Intrigue series book. There are several series now that feature the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit. This one is based in Seattle and they are working with tech CEO, Jackson Rhodes because his daughter was kidnapped from a work event. Madeline Striker runs point on this investigation and it means a lot to her because she had a sister who was kidnapped at the same age as Jackson’s.
The romance in these Intrigue books tend to be on the slow burn side, which makes sense because the kidnapping and suspense is the focus of this book (and this series). Both characters have to battle their demons. Jackson, who is used to being in charge, cannot control this situation. But he refuses to be left out of the investigation. Madeline is who she is today because of the loss of her sister. Both are vulnerable in different ways, which brings them closer together. Expect some twists and turns. This is a quick read that is hard to put down.

Action-packed. Edge of your seat. Strong-willed heroine. Doting single father.

All this combines for a great story.

TRACING A KIDNAPPER is the newest release in the Behavioral Analysis Series, an excellent and gripping multi-author series from Harlequin Intrigue. Rising Star, Juno Rushdan pens this worthy addition to the series and maintains the heart-pounding suspense in the previous books.

When the ten-year-old daughter of tech CEO Jackson Rhodes is kidnapped, he is devastated. FBI agent Madeline Striker, a kidnap specialist, heads the investigation and one which affects her personally. She is reminded of her sister’s own kidnapping at the same age, and she is determined to find Jackson’s daughter.

Madeline’s response to the case allows us to see glimpses of her vulnerability but despite this, we are always aware of her ability to do her job and to do it well. Her passion for her work drives her, and her own personal tragedy spurs the determination which is so much a part of the woman and agent she is. Jackson, on the other hand, is so accustomed to being in charge that not being able to control the current situation, frustrates him. The loss of his daughter allows us to see that, like Madeline, he has his own vulnerabilities. Because of the situation, he refuses to be left out of the investigation and in the process, the passion between the two threatens to get in the way as both are forced to reckon with their unwanted and reluctant feelings for each other.

I love Ms. Rushdan’s writing. TRACING A KIDNAPPER, with its gripping suspense and tense pace kept me turning the pages. The hero and heroine complement each other and are likable despite their flaws. The villain, too, is a well-developed character whose vindictive nature is almost palatable. Ms. Rushdan keeps the suspense the focus and never allows the romance to overshadow the main conflict of the story. However, at no time, did I feel that the romance was forced and unrealistic.

By the end of the book, after several twists and turns, we find out the who and the why. It is the journey to get there that makes this story so satisfying. Possessing, the right blend of suspense and romance, TRACING A KIDNAPPER, the latest effort by Ms. Rushdan, should not be missed. You will love it!

Rating: A
Reviewer: Wayne Jordan

Gripping, heart-rending romantic suspense

Madeline is the BAU agent assigned to lead the investigation to find Jackson's kidnapped daughter, Emma. The romance that builds along the way is deliciously steamy and intense, nearly overshadowed by the intensity of the search to rescue Emma before it's too late.

Jackson is no bystander in his story; his insights are integral to the case and I loved the way these two worked together. I was drawn into this story right from the start and I couldn't put it down until I got to the stunning and triumphant conclusion. I loved every bit of this story and highly recommend it for any reader who loves action and intrigue alongside the romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

As Harlequin Intrigue goes, this is a fabulous read. Juno Rushdan can write a romantic-suspense like few authors can and she excels at the shorter versions that Harlequin favors. The plot isn't unique, but the suspense is seat of your pants and the romance seems to flow naturally between two people who have put their romantic lives on hold for far to long.

Madeline Striker became an FBI agent because she didn't want other families to suffer like hers had. Her newest case strikes to close for comfort and the instant attraction she feels for a tech giant CEO is so not good. Returning his kidnapped daughter is the only thing that she should be interested in, not the tall, buff, smart and devastating Jackson Rhoads. Madeline can't seem to keep Jackson out of the investigation and she certainly can't control the passion he ignites.

Jackson Rhodes has lived for is daughter, Emma, since the day she was born. Emma and his company make up his entire world. When Emma is kidnapped, Jackson will do anything to get her back, even resign as CEO. He never expected the sexual attraction he felt for the FBI's kidnap specialist and it makes him feel guilty while Emma is in such danger. Together they sift through the leads, and one by one, they come to dead ends. But, even when Jackson complies with the kidnapper's request, Emma is still not safe.

Madeline the FBI agent on the case on CEO Jackson's missing daughter. She was kidnapped in plain sight and her father will do everything she can. Madeline is doing everything she can to find the kidnapper but the father isn't helping much when he decides to go off on his own and she must reign him in.

I really enjoyed this book. Seeing the process of who they thought the kidnapper was, trying to narrow down suspects and figure out who is behind the kidnapping was interesting. There was plenty of moments where the kidnapper was making sure to make things difficult and cause that father to go off and do his down thing when he was supposed to wait for the FBI's in charge of this case. The amount of love he had for his daughter was sweet he was willing to risk everything. Then it comes down to why was the daughter targeted in the first place. There was just more to uncover with each page and it really kept me hooked till the very end.

Tech CEO Jackson Rhodes daughter has been kidnapped. FBI agent Madeline Stryker is assigned the case. The book had suspense and romance and it held my interest. I didn’t guess the ending. My main problem was the romance between the 2 main characters. I had trouble with the concept that the Father could be distracted from his worry about his daughter to engage in a romance. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I liked Tracing a Kidnapper, though I did think it could have had more romance. I think it should have had more of a romantic element to it instead of it being just a background to the suspense element. Both main characters were interesting and I wanted to learn more about them.

3 stars