Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I'm sorry for the late review, life's been a bit crazy this fall.

I've read the trilogy "Final hour" by the same author and enjoyed them but this novel was not to my liking. It didn't feel thought through and kind of sloppy done. I'm sorry I can't use better words for describing the novel.

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres, and Rogue Christmas Operation is packed with both. If you're looking for a few hours of escapism, this one is great for that. I liked the chemistry between this couple, and Hope's determination to find out what really happened to her sister tugs at the heartstrings. The story is over the top, but it's intense and it grabbed my attention from the very beginning. This is also the start of new series, and after the heart-racing suspense I found here, I'm excited to see what comes next. To sum it up, Juno Rushdan has penned an exciting romantic suspense that is well-written, fast-paced, and entertaining.

Gage Graham was in the right place at the right time. He sees a car going under water and saves Hope Fischer's life. Hope is in the town of Benediction trying to discover what happened to her sister. Benediction is no usual town and answers most certainly will not come easy for Hope. Her sister was said to have committed suicide but Hope refuses to believe it. Hope will go to any extreme to get to the truth and Gage feels impelled to help her.

In this thrilling story, part of the suspense involves the town of Benediction, which is in itself is like a character in this story. The town is very unusual which play into the difficulties that Hope faces while looking for answers. All while Gage does try and help Hope, he has secrets involving his past with the CIA. In fact, the danger that faces Hope is not the only danger at hand. Gage faces his own share, especially as he pushes the envelope while helping Hope.

Rogue Christmas Operation is an exciting first story in a new series. I look forward to future installments.

Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Juno Rushdan’s Rogue Christmas Operation is a brilliant tale of danger and desire readers will have a hard time putting down.

When she heard that her sister had died, Hope Fischer had vowed to do whatever it takes to find out the truth. Hope was not going to let anyone or anything come between her and her quest for justice – even if her search for answers was going to put her in terrible danger and end up costing her everything! When she is saved from drowning by the mysterious Gage Graham, Hope finds herself determined not to let her attraction to the enigmatic and mysterious Gage distract her from her mission to uncover the secrets behind her sister’s death.

Gage is a man with plenty of secrets. He knows that he should not let anybody get too close, but from the moment he rescued Hope Fischer, Gage had found himself unable to stop himself from wanting to get close to the woman he simply cannot stop himself from desiring. Gage knows that he should keep Hope at arms’ length, but when he hears of how far she is willing to go to find her sister’s killer, he vows to protect her – even at huge personal cost.

With a killer baying for blood, will Gage and Hope manage to evade a dangerous criminal and build a future together? Or have they already run of time?

Juno Rusdan is a fantastic writer who will keep her readers on the edge of their seats desperate to find out what is going to happen next. With a brooding hero, a strong heroine, twists and turns galore, red-hot romance and nerve-jangling tension, fans of high octane romantic suspense are going to lap this book up.

If you're looking for a fast paced and thrilling romantic suspense, this one definitely fits the bill. While the connection between Hope and Gage was pretty instant, it wasn't instalove which was nice. Hope's dishonesty was understandable but also kind of disappointing but other than that I really enjoyed both of them as characters. Since this was so fast paced and kept moving it was easy to consume in one sitting and a great time. I liked the two different lines of suspense and how they worked against Hope and Gage while also helping them grow closer. Since this is the first book in a series I would be excited to see what comes in the future to connect to this one.

Hope is on a mission to find out what really happened to her sister, when an accident lands her in a lake with little time to spare. Thankfully Gage was there to help her out, after finding out why she's really there he wants to help her out knowing he got the skills to help her out being that he was a former employee for the CIA who apparently is on the hunt for him.

This was such a action packed ride. Once I started this book it was straight up hard to put down. I loved seeing them work together to put the pieces together on why her sister ended up dead. There was so much on the line when it came to these two, I mean she put herself in harms way nosing around the place and Gage was no better I mean the guy had the CIA looking for him and it was only a matter of time. Then there was the bit of connection between the two and you can be sure that things do get a bit steamy. Overall great book I really enjoyed it.

An excellent romantic suspense, action packed and gripping.
The author is a good storyteller and this story kept me reading as I couldn't put it down.
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the romance. The suspense part is solid, full of twists, and mixes well with the romance side.
It's an excellent start for a new series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

ROGUE CHRISTMAS OPERATION (Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit Book #1) by Juno Rushdan is an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense. This book is the start of a new Harlequin Intrigue series by a new-to-me author. While Christmas is in the title and when the book is set, it is not really a holiday read, but it is an excellent romantic suspense.

Hope Fischer is a globe-trotting photojournalist who is notified that her sister, Faith has committed suicide. Hope finds everything about the supposed facts regarding her sister’s death unbelievable and she is willing to do anything to get to the truth.

Gage Graham rescues Hope from drowning as her car crashes on the rode to the Benediction, which is a rural Virginia closed town, locked down by the government. Gage feels compelled to help Hope find what truly happened to her sister even as it may cost him his safe sanctuary and expose him to his former CIA employer.

Can Gage and Hope trust each other enough to uncover the truth, find a killer and escape with their lives?

I read this book in one sitting. It is exciting and has two fast-paced suspense plots which are both equally intriguing. You get the main suspense plot of the H/h searching for the truth of Faith’s death and the secondary suspense plot featuring the Topaz Unit hiding out while they attempt to figure out why they have been targeted for elimination. Hope and Gage are engaging main characters who both love family, are intelligent and resilient. The danger they are in speeds up their connection and trust, but I never felt like it was forced or unbelievable in this story. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. This new-to-me author gave me everything I am looking for in a Harlequin Intrigue and I will definitely be looking for more of her stories.

I highly recommend this romantic suspense and I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the Topaz Unit series!

This is the first book in the author’s new series. A series about the Topaz Unit. A team made up of CIA agents who by doing the right thing, are now fugitives. Each doing what they can to stay alive while being hunted.
Gage Graham is one of the members of TOPAZ. He’s been hiding in plain sight in Benediction. A town that has isolated itself, not allowing strangers and where his sister and her son live.
Gage meets Hope Fischer, a photojournalist who is investigating her sister’s death when she almost drowns in the river after being run over on her way to Benediction . The place where planned to secretly enter.
From that point on, this action packed story, has the reader on the edge of their seat. Who is foe and who is friend? Can they survive the investigation? Is the sheriff that was in love with Faith, Hope’s sister, an enemy?
Add some romance into the story, and you have an intriguing start to this series.
Though it was very good, I am still on the fence on how I feel about the plot.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin Intrigue. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I have no idea why Christmas is in the title of this book. Bar a fleeting mention, it has absolutely nothing to do with the book and doesn’t feature in the narrative at all.

Hope Fischer is determined to break into a town kept under lock and key and find out what happened to her sister who died within its walls. It just so happens that it is the same town that Gage Graham is hiding in, trying to escape his own demons. However, when he witnesses Hope being rammed off the road one night, Gage cannot ignore his instincts and stops to help. Before he knows it he is pulled into a conspiracy which is bigger than both of them.

This one was a little “meh” if I’m honest. It was ok but there's is far fetched and then there is Rogue Christmas Operation. Perhaps I’m just annoyed that I was looking for a little festive action and intrigue and instead got a title that just fell a little short for me.

Hope Fischer is on a quest to find out what happened to her sister Faith since she doesn’t believe the story about her suicide. Headed to an off-the-grid town named Benediction, she has to be saved from drowning by a rogue intelligence agent named Gage Graham. Gage is off the grid and hiding and promises to help Hope find out what really happened to Faith. Together, these two define romantic suspense. They fall into and out of danger throughout the course of their undercover investigation, making the book a fast-paced and exhilarating read. I really enjoyed the fire and determination in the main characters as well as the plot that was non-stop action. I also liked getting to know the sheriff of the nearby town. Ryan was a hero nursing his own broken heart but willing to risk his life for fighting for what’s right. The grit and sheer courage of Gage and Hope led to several times when I’m pretty sure I was holding my breath or at least gasping. Intense intrigue and sweet romance combine to make this book a winner for me!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Harlequin Intrigue, Netgalley, and Juno Rushdan for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

The Intrigue line is one of my favorites because of how suspenseful the stories are. What makes this one even cooler is that it’s Christmas themed! Can you imagine having a suspenseful Christmas season? I couldn’t, but reading books like these allows me to live vicariously through the characters dealing with it. It also makes me long for the relaxation with family and loved ones that I would hope to have during the holiday seasons.

Hope Fischer is trying to find out the truth surrounding her sister’s death, and she was lucky enough to be saved by Gage Graham from a near drowning. That near drowning wasn’t a coincidence either, as it seems like Hope was run off the road by someone wanting to make sure that she wouldn’t get anywhere near the truth. It was a close call, which made Hope even more determined to find out what happened.

“She had failed her sister once. Not again.”

Gage, on the other hand, is on the run from his former employer… the CIA. Why is he on the run? And will he jeopardize his own safety for this woman that he feels compelled to help? Why do they both have these strong feelings towards one another, and what does that have to do with the case?

I thought this was a fun read, as fun as trying to solve a murder can be. Of course, with Harlequin, we will have that romance involved, which I think was a good balance between the mystery. I wanted Gage and Hope to be able to develop some sort of relationship – whether romantic or partnership – and as long as it didn’t get in the way of them finding out the truth and staying alive, I was all for it. Luckily it worked out that way, and I was happy with the result. This is my first time reading Rushdan, and I believe that she did a great job with this. I’m curious to read the rest of the series and see what other kinds of suspenseful stories she will have in store for me.