This was the first time I have read a book by this author. It was very interesting. A premise based on mass shootings and how to respond to them, along with assassination attempts and international intrigue. The book kept me on my seat wondering how it would resolve. I could feel for the characters and rooted for them to be able to end on a happy note.
I enjoyed this and would read another by this author.

Do you ever wish that certain characters in books were real? Let me introduce you to the Saint Squad (if you don't already know them.) Every time I read one of their stories, I wish that they were my neighbors. Since that isn't possible, reading their stories comes in a close second.

This story doesn't actually focus on any of the Saint Squad, but they do play a pretty major secondary role, especially Tristan and his wife, Riley. We even get to see Jay up in a tree again! :) This is a standalone book, but if you wanted to read Lockdown first, it wouldn't hurt. (Plus, it's a great story, so why wouldn't you?)

This story is all about, well, redemption, and I think the author does a great job of letting the reader feel all of the emotions that the characters are going through, especially Gage and Tristan. Learning how to move past mistakes, learning how to forgive, it's all in there, and I feel like it is presented in a very real way. The struggles aren't glossed over, and they're not solved in an easy, unbelievable way. I'm happy to add this book to my (ever-expanding) library.

Best read as part of a series:
This was the 11th book in the series and whilst it was listed as being a standalone I found myself wishing I'd read the prior books in order to have more fully understood the dynamics between all of the team members. The cast of characters was quite extensive and it was a little tricky keeping track of everyone. One thing I did like was the close connection between the Saint Squad members.
The plot and pacing was compelling and I found myself eagerly turning pages in order to find out what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed the overall theme of seeking and finding redemption, however would have liked more of an emphasis on the fact that it is a gift from God and not something to be earned. Nevertheless it was lovely seeing both Gage and Skylar grapple with their pasts and find hope, love and a future together.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This was a great book by Traci Hunter Abramson. This was actually my first book in the Saint Squad series that I have read and it made me want to read the other ones in the series to learn more about the other characters. I liked the suspense and the little bit of romance. I also loved seeing how a person could change and how that can effect how others view them. This book kept me engaged the whole time I was reading it that I even forgot to eat dinner because I was so engrossed in the story. Wonderfully done and I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Redemption
by Traci Hunter Abramson
Book 11 in the Saint Squad series
Rating: 4/5

As a fan of the author, I was excited to read this romantic suspense book from her. I have not read the other books in the series but never felt like I needed to. I now want to after reading this story but I was still able to follow along without having read the other books. I really enjoyed getting to know Skylar and Gage. I found the premise of the book super unique and interesting and was glad the author had the courage to go there with her writing. The main characters are so interesting and authentic and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know their stories and past while seeing how they dealt with their own feelings. I liked the emphasis on having a support system because no one should have to deal with past trauma alone. The author has a way of writing that just sucks you up into the story and you can tell she knows what she’s talking about regarding all the action scenes.

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean contemporary romantic suspense.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Redemption (Saint Squad #11) by Traci Hunter Abramson, 314 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Five years ago, Gage was a confused sophomore in high school who threatened classmates with a gun; now he wants to put all that behind him and build a new life for himself. Riley sees value in him and hires Gage despite her knowledge of his past, but others are not as happy to see Gage around. When a mass shooting occurs, will Gage be a hero or a villain?
While this is technically the eleventh in a series, readers don’t have to read all of them to enjoy this story. I’ve read a couple of the other books in this series, and I don’t feel like knowing any or all of the backstories to the related characters impacts much beyond a couple scenes. Abramson balances explaining enough for new readers while being conscious of not boring fans of the series. Reading Gage’s story was hard for me to put down because Abramson is able to set up conflicts without overdramatizing the situation to be unrealistic. Watching the believable conflicts build in conjunction with coming to dread bad things for the main characters made the waiting more suspenseful.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I must confess that this is the first Sant Squad book that I’ve read. It wont be the last, but I did feel like that gave me a bit of a disadvantage. Traci did a phenomenal job of developing her characters. Even though this was my first encounter with them, by the end of the book I felt like I knew them. However, I think there were little moments, inside jokes if you will, that may have added a little bit more to the book had I read the others first.

The pairing of Gage and Skyler was really well written. Traci gave us two people who were perfect for each other in personality, but whose background naturally brought out challenges making for a really interesting dynamic.

I appreciated that the book was told from so many different points of view. No one deals with trauma in the same way and watching how those who were familiar with Gage’s past and those who were just learning about it came to accept his redemption was really compelling. It added a layer of emotion to the the story that I loved.

The suspense, the romance, the humor and the redemption were all weaved together into a great read.

4.5 stars!

This was a fun suspenseful read. I really enjoyed "An Unlikely Pair" from Traci Hunter Abramson and I know she has a lot of books. It was intimidating to not know where to start or if it needed to be read in order. This is the first book in this series that I've read and while I could see reading it in order could be beneficial, I had no problem being thrown into this world right in the middle.

And thrown in you get! The beginning starts out with action right away that I wasn't expecting. It could be triggering for some who have issues with school shootings.

I liked how it had multiple POV and how you could see the assassins POV too and how it would eventually collide and go down. I liked the family aspect and how they invited others into their family. The Navy Seals were a little gruff on the outside to Gage but it makes complete sense that they're so protective.

Can't wait to read more in the series to see the other character's stories. I received a e-arc copy from Net Galley and the publisher, these are my own thoughts and opinions.

This has been a highly anticipated book for me (and many others)! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I loved being able to join up with all my friends from The Saint Squad series and see more of the happenings in their lives. But, what I was most excited about was being able to see one character in particular. Eric from Lockdown, book #2. Eric now goes by Gage and is the main male character in this book. I was so happy to know there was something positive and good happening for him, especially after all the struggles and heartache he experienced in Lockdown.

This book's topic could be hard for several readers as it deals with an active shooter. I had an event from my past that makes this sensitive for me to read. I'll admit that reading Lockdown was hard. But at the same time, time has passed as well as me healing. I've read a couple other books on this subject which I think really helped. Thinking about different perspectives has definitely helped with the healing. And I have to say that I loved that aspect about this book. I loved seeing Gage being able to have Redemption and find himself in this book. I loved seeing he was able to heal himself and move forward and find peace and joy and hope in his life.

Skyler is also trying to make her own way in the world and not having to be in the shadow of her family name and all that entails. I loved watching her story and then Gage's story, then seeing their stories come together and their ability to help each other. It was great! And the sweet love story between them was wonderful as well.

Don't worry all you Traci Hunter Abramson fans out there who love the suspense aspect of her books. There is plenty of that in this baby! And it was intense! Wowsers! I didn't want to put this book down at all. But I had to read it in small sections because of life right now. But you better believe that I thoroughly enjoyed everyone of those moments that I was able to read it. I had to close the book sometimes during those nail biting moments, the ones where you're not sure what's going to happen but you really should read the next couple pages in the chapter (or the whole chapter) just to find out that everyone is ok. Yeah, I couldn't read the next chapter and find out. So I'd have to wait hours sometimes to discover if all ended well in that particular scene. Ugh. The suspense was killing me!!!!

Thanks Traci Hunter Abramson for the heartburn. ;-) Just kidding!!! I love when a book can pull me in and have me wondering what is going to happen, how is a scene going to play out, will everyone be ok, or is this the moment when we say goodbye to a beloved character? And this book definitely caused me to wonder all of those. Plus, I kept trying to figure out how many times Jay would end up in a tree. Hahahahaha!!!! You'll need to read the books to understand that comment. I'm so grateful for this author's sense of humor. These Saint Squad guys and their ladies are seriously the best. The suspense is great but there are so many fun moments. The author writes with a nice balance of both.

If you haven't read the previous books, no worries. This book was written so as to be a stand alone. And if I didn't know who all these characters were beforehand, I would have been pulled right in and not been wondering about all these previous books and such. So, know you can read it as a stand alone. Yay! But honestly, you're gonna enjoy it that you'll want to go back and read them all. I had read the books in the companion series, The Guardians but not the books in the Saint Squad series. I knew somewhat about these characters because of their appearance in the Guardians series. But when this book was announced I quickly listened to all of the previous books so I was up to date. They were AWESOME!!!!! I listened to them on Deseret Bookshelf Plus if you're looking for a good platform for doing so.

My final thoughts...FABULOUS!!! A must read for clean suspense fiction readers.

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril and death. The author writes those moments very tastefully and not overly graphic. Some sweet and clean romance. The characters are Christian and so there is some mild talk about them going to church or praying before missions for help and protection. There isn't any detail in the church meetings or prayers, just that they went and say them.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I've only read the first book in this series, and I'm glad I did because it helped give me some background on some of the secondary players. There were some things I could tell I'd missed from not reading the other books, but I felt like I could still follow the story and enjoyed it. I am not used to reading books with some many POVs, but it helped set up the suspense in this book. I really liked Gage and Skyler. They were young, but both had a good head on their shoulders and they'd been through a lot. I enjoyed how easily their relationship developed, even the very bumpy road they had later. This was a great book and now I want to go back and read the other books I missed. My only complaint was I felt the ending was rushed. I wish there had been more resolution to it, but maybe that will come in future books. I don't know. I can hope we'll get a glimpse of these two in the future.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

Another great Saints Squad! So full of adventure, intrigue, suspense. This story deals with Eric, a high school student that took a gun to school to kill his father. The circumstances which could cause this situation, are real and frightening. But the story is so well crafted, you are sucked in before you know what’s happening. A defiant page turner, some of the situations are a little disturbing, but again so well written you are totally engaged. Your heart hurts for those involved and you are praying right along for a good resolution. The characters are written as if they are so real, they could be your friend or neighbor. If you haven’t read any of the Saints Squad prior books. You may get confused with so many characters, I would recommend reading them for the beginning. They are all great reads. They are clean, Christian, adventures with a little romance. I love that the author worked with the CIA. She has experience and done a lot of research to make her books come to life. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Redemption is one of my favorite themes in books and is well-developed in this one. Gage wants to move forward with his life and not be held back by his past. Skyler wants to be her own person, not just the controlled daughter of a rich father. The dialogue flows well and feels natural. The action is full of tension. The villains are believable. I love the Saint Squad and hope to be able to go back and read more of this series, but Redemption definitely stands on its own. There's a happy for now ending. I would gladly read more of Ms. Abramson's books and recommend them highly to readers that like clean suspense with some romance.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this well-written book.

Traci does not disappoint with this latest installment of the Saint Squad series! Warning you will lose sleep because you won't be able to put it down!

*note can be read as a stand alone but best enjoyed when read in order.

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Okay, I started this book with the intention of only reading a few chapters…..I couldn’t put the book down and had to finish it the same day!
I loved it! You can definitely read it without reading the other Saint Squad novels first but I do feel like it’s better to read the others, at least the second book “Lockdown”, before for the whole experience.
The main characters are Gage and Skyler, who come from very different backgrounds. The ups and downs of their relationship have some typical woes but also deal with much bigger issues.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading (I don’t ever read book descriptions 😉) but I loved that it was different than what I anticipated in the beginning. The story is well written and definitely leaves you wanting more once it’s over!

Redemption is a fast paced, action packed, romantic read that’s hard to put down! I’m embarrassed to say that this is my first Traci Hunter Abramson book. (Why has it taken me so long to read her books?!) At first, I thought I would go back and read all the books in the Saint Squad series since this is the 11th. However, I thought it might be good to read this book not knowing much about the series to offer a different perspective. I mainly wanted to see if it could be read as a stand alone.

The main focus of this story is Gage aka Eric Rhodes. Five years ago, at the age of 15, he was shot by a Saint Squad member while attempting to carry out a school shooting. Most people including members of the Saint Squad think he’s irredeemable, however after five years of therapy and a college degree in criminal psychology, Gage is ready to move on with his life. He’s been hired by Riley (the wife of Tristan -Saint Squad member) to work for her Palmetta Institute, an organization that trains educators and first responders in shooting scenarios. Riley has always believed in Gage and his ability to change and recover. She’s offered him not only a job but a second chance to help others learn from his unique insights.

Skyler, the daughter of a wealthy hotel chain owner, is working in one of her father’s hotels where the Palmetta Institute is currently holding training classes. Skyler wants very little to do with her family’s lavish and paparazzi followed lifestyle. She’s trying to fly under the radar and have a more normal life. She sometimes participates in the mock shooting trainings at the hotel which is where she meets Gage. They form a fast friendship that quickly begins to turn into something more. However, both are keeping secrets about their past and when a date goes horribly wrong and they’re involved in a mass shooting, things begin to get even more complicated. Was this just an isolated incident, or were the shooters targeting someone? With shooters on the loose and an unanticipated visit to the hotel from Sen. Whitmore, an up and coming Presidential candidate, Gage, Skyler, Riley, and the entire Saint Squad must do everything they can to keep each other and the Senator safe.

This book was amazing and surpassed my expectations. Not only can it be read as a stand alone, but I felt like I got a good glimpse of all of the main characters and am intrigued enough that I’ll definitely go back and read the other books in the series. I’m sure fans of the previous 10 books will appreciate this book even more as they are familiar with the characters and their backstories.

Loved Gage! He’s very sympathetic and you can’t help but want him to succeed. Skyler is delightfully sweet and a good match for Gage. I enjoyed the camaraderie and fun dynamics between the Saint Squad members and their families, which definitely made me want to read the other books in the series.

While this story resolves nicely, there are a few questions left that point to future storylines. With a clean romance, action (no graphic details), humor, mentions of faith, and a message of redemption, this is a must read for clean, action/adventure, romance fans! I look forward to reading more of this series and more books by Traci Hunter Abramson. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

While this is the eleventh book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.
Obviously, by reading the other books you will understand some of the character's backgrounds better. This is the first book that I have read in the series and I do not feel as though I missed anything.

Redemption starts with a pretty intense scene, immediately drawing the reader into the action. However, I felt the story was fits and starts, the story would flow quickly, then drag a bit, then flow quickly again. Overall, the storyline was good and it fit the title.

Traumatic events change us. We either let them break us, or we grow stronger because of them.

There was not a lot of character development or real depth to the story (as far as the characters went). I struggled a bit with the relationships between characters simply because they were not as believable as they should be. I could not relate to any of the characters and some of the situations they found themselves in and how they got there were a little far-fetched.

The premise of the book was good with Riley teaching classes on how to handle mass shootings and the care in which it was all handled. The scenes that addressed this were done well and those who have been in this type of situation might find comfort in the story.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The title of this book perfectly fits the story. This is a story of redemption. I loved getting to know Gage and seeing his growth. I also enjoyed seeing the Saint Squad in action again. This story is very compelling. Once I started reading I could not put it down.

Redemption is the 11th book in the Saint Squad series. This can be considered a standalone. However, if you want a deeper understanding of Gage’s past, and a chance to look into the relationship dynamic between him & the Saint Squad, I highly recommend reading “Lockdown.”

Traci Hunter Abramson’s “Redemption” follows Gage Stewart and Skylar Prescott, like-minded souls who crave a sense of normalcy. Gage is trying to move on from his troubled past while Skylar is trying to learn from her sibling’s mistakes and hide from the pressure of her last name. Gage and Skylar quickly become friends after they meet at the Prescott hotel after he accepts a job he isn’t quite sure about at Palmetta Institute. Gage now works for Riley, who is married to Tristan, one of the Navy Seals in the Saint Squad. Riley owns a company that helps to prevent tragedy that occurs from shootings. While Gage and Skylar are on a date trying to make their friendship into something more- they are quickly caught up in a shooting. While dealing with the aftermaths, secrets from Gage’s past come out that force Skylar to come to terms with how she feels about him. While she is coming to terms with this, Gage ends up working with the Saint Squad when he realizes that the shooting he was involved in is related to Senator Jim Whitmore’s presidential campaign.

I was so excited when I found out who the main character is. As Gage was in Tristan & Riley’s book, Lockdown. It was so interesting to see how much Gage has grown up. I think it was also interesting that working with Riley helped him deal with his past head on.

I loved that I got to see more perspectives than just Gage & Skyler’s. I love how open and trusting Riley is. She was such an incredible part to helping Gage heal from a terrible part of his past. Tristan’s actions were interesting, I understand and I love how protective of his family he is. Still, it was nice to see when he realized just how much Gage has changed, and for the better. Gage’s interactions with the Saint Squad were also interesting, especially when he worked with them to help save both Skylar and Senator Whitmore. I also enjoyed seeing all of the Saint Squad members with their families. It’s been a while since I’ve read these books so I think I need to go back and reread them. I can’t wait for Brent & Amy’s turn with children.

One thing that I was confused about is who exactly Ilina was working for. The Russians? I was also confused about Tarquin Yahovitov and why he allowed hostages to see him. I look forward the next book in which we (hopefully) see Senator Whitmore becoming president.

I think that this was a lovely addition to the Saint Squad series with a very sweet romance between Gage and Skylar.

I had the opportunity to read an e-book version of Redemption courtesy of Covenant Communication via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

Traci's books are always a good time.

Even though this is Saint Squad #11, i'm here to tell you that you don't need to have read any of the previous ones in order to enjoy Redemption. This was my first and it read as a standalone.

What I loved about this book is that I could feel Traci's personality in these pages, and her love for her background in the CIA.

She combines themes of first love, old love, found family, remorse, action and yes REDEMPTION all in one book. Probably my favorite part of this book was the theme that you are more than the worst thing you've done. The past doesn't define our present and we can work to make our lives what we want. Also I feel like traci must be hungry when she writes books because her characters are always eating delicious food in them.

This is the kind of book your grandma to your teen could read and all would enjoy without any darker content.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: attempted school shooting, mass public shooting/assassination. I don't get triggered often but I did get a little anxiety from these chapters. I did experience a little anxiety after the batman shooting in aurora CO and wasn't able to visit theaters for years after without watching movement and exits. This is one of my worst fears. BUT I did find it really uplifting that the program described within the book taught law enforcement how to respond to these certain situations.

While this book stands alone I do feel you will enjoy it far more if you have read at least some of the other books in the series because there is a huge cast of characters that you need to know about

Gage is the latest addition to the team though we have met him in previous books He was actually "Saved" the by the saint squad when he took a gun into a school now he teaches people what to do in that situation. The team is currently based at one of the Prescott hotels that puts Gage in contact with Skylar Prescott he daughter of the mogul who owns the hotel She just wants a normal life and these two soon become friends and it starts to develop to be more but what happens when Gage's past comes out will she walk away or will she stand beside him You will have to read to see