Wow, I really enjoyed this book! A fun ride and I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed the story and the characters. A fast paced fun read!

This book had me from the beginning, There were so many twists and turns that I truly didn’t see who the villain was till the end. I couldn’t put the book down.


Thank you NetGalley, Baker Publishing, and Elizabeth Goddard for this advance read.

Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage #3) by Elizabeth Goddard is another suspenseful book in the cyber security series. Mackenzie is a professor in the field of cybersecurity. She has had some troubles in her past with 'hacking' and has tried to use her talents and knowledge as a source of information. She is alerted that her father's company has been hacked and she returns to the home she left years earlier to avoid a scandal. Her family has not been close, but she wants to help. There is no warm reception at the homecoming, but Mackenzie wants to prove her worth to her sister and brother. As I read further into the book, the mystery with Nora became intriguing.
There is more information revealed from the past when a mission went very wrong and other agents were compromised and killed. Critical Alliance wraps up some loose ends from the past and reunites a family that had faced conflict.
" Sometimes the door God opened for a person to walk through had more to do with the greater good.”
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!

In true Goddard fashion, the author had my heart beating fast from the first chapter. This is the second series I have read from this author and I am not sure how she always grabs me so quickly. One of my favorite Christian suspense authors ever.

Mackenzie is in trouble so she heads home to Montana where she meets up with Alex. And now the ride begins.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Wow! This book grabbed me with the first chapter and didn’t let go until the end! I really like Mackenzie and Alex. Goddard did a great job with these two characters. Mackenzie is smart, especially when it comes to cyber attacks, and all the way computers can be hacked. It was scary just thinking about some of these things happening. One of the things I really liked about the story is the way Alex treated Mackenzie as an equal. And the romance was good too. Not too much, but enough to have you rooting for them to get together.

In addition to protecting Mackenzie, Alex wants to find out who is vandalizing the monument that was erected in honor of his dad and two others who gave their lives to rescue the survivors of a plane crash. I love that characters from the first two books show up in this story. And the setting–Goddard made me want to move to Montana!

This conclusion to the three-book series is full of twists and turns and surprises.

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard was my favorite in this series; the Rocky Mountain Courage. Maybe because it was very different. This is Alex’s story. If you have been following the series. Three friends lost their parents in a rescue attempt. Someone has been vandalizing the memorial for them. We finally find out who and why.

The main story is focused on Alex and Mackenzie. They met briefly when she was trying to get into his organization; the Diplomatic Security Services. They turned her down based on her past. She has exceptional skills as a hacker and as a teen used them for nefarious purpose. She has learned her lesson and now teaches cybersecurity. What made it worse was that her dad owned a Security company.

She has been warned that someone is after her and / or her family. I found this part of the story fascinating. There was also good chemistry between her and Alex.

Alex is dealing with an assignment that did not end well as he tries to keep Mackenzie safe. He is also balancing how much he can help her without calling his supervisor.

I was very pleased with the action and romance balance in the story.

Kissing
Violence - although this is mostly a cyber crime story there are a couple deaths and threats

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

This books was an amazing standalone. Mackenzie has a tainted past. She got mixed up with the wrong people and created a cyber crime. Turned herself in but the guy pulling the strings was never found. Now her fathers company is in trouble and she thinks it’s the guy from the past. Will she be able to save the company before the guy takes her out?

From the first chapter, the cryptic, enigmatic undertones of this story captivated me! Elizabeth Goddard never disappoints with her romantic suspense stories and this third, final installment of the Rocky Mountain Courage series is no exception!

From the beginning, Goddard created a pace for this novel that flowed smoothly throughout the story with crucial moments of danger, action and riveting suspense that kept me turning the pages as quickly as I could. I loved the mystery she created with a focus on cybercrime and the hidden threat that it posed to her main character, MacKenzie Hanson and her family’s company. I haven’t read many romantic suspense novels with this theme and found Critical Alliance to be exciting, dramatic and even eerie at times!

As expected, Goddard created a tense fear of the technological unknown in this novel and delivered it in a manner that was easy to understand and yet, felt very sophisticated and advanced. Having a reformed cyber-criminal as a heroine was a unique twist that added layers of intrigue!

For me, all the points for this story go to the plot, the suspense and the creativity in creating such a unique story line. The characters were likable, skilled and intelligent. The romance in this novel displayed a clear attraction with a bit of hesitation and tension which I enjoyed. There were also some mild faith-based elements, as each character sought God’s help and wisdom in different situations.

The climatic ending was fantastic with a surprise revelation that left me stunned. For those who have read this series, there is a subtle background mystery happening and Critical Alliance neatly tied up the ends of that mystery as well, another fun surprise! This story was clean, without profanity or gruesome details and a very entertaining read!

Though part of a series, this novel reads easily as a standalone and was extremely exciting. I recommend reading all three books in this series though to fully immerse yourself if the wonderful suspense Elizabeth Goddard had masterfully created in the Rocky Mountain Courage series!

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Critical Alliance was my favorite of the Rocky Mountain Courage series! The focus is on Alex and Mackenzie, but we also get to catch up with characters from the first two books. I would recommend reading the series in order, but you won't be lost if you start with this one!

The action and suspense in this story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat! The ruggedly beautiful Montana setting is the perfect backdrop for the twists and turns Alex and Mackenzie face as they race to find out who is behind the threats to her life. The cybersecurity angle was a unique element, and not hard at all to understand or follow. The blend of character development and action kept the story moving at just the right pace. If you enjoy inspirational romantic suspense, I highly recommend Critical Alliance and the whole Rocky Mountain Courage series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love a book that starts out with danger and never lets up. The author is very gifted in writing stories that keep you guessing and has you on pins and needles as the journey becomes more intense. When a book is about cybersecurity I know that I will not be able to put the book down. The details are chilling as the author surpasses my expectations with her ability to deliver a book worthy of a movie.

Mackenzie is one of those characters that just jumps off the page. Her intelligence is impressive and will be an asset as she tries to figure out what is going on with her family’s company. Her past seems to follow her when some of her family still holds a grudge against her. How sad that they could not swallow their pride and forgive her. When someone gets a message to her that screams of eminent danger she needs to act fast. Who is shooting at her and why?


Alex is back home in the beautiful state of Montana. The mountains are beautiful and there is a calmness that surrounds him. He is there to relax but a situation arises that has his full attention. Mackenzie needs his help and he will have to decide if he can trust her enough to keep her safe. Danger , secrets, and unexplained deaths keep these two on high alert and gives us a journey into a dark world where greed and power come out to cause destruction. Is Alex prepared to put his life on the line to protect Mackenzie?

I loved the technology that the author uses throughout the story. It is evident that she did extensive research in this area to make the story so realistic. I was beginning to have my doubts about a certain person, yet I wasn’t totally convinced that they were a threat to Mackenzie. Oh how the twists are plenty as drones start popping up in the sky. I could see how drones would be valuable for some but to others it could be a way to spy or be intimidating. It reminds me of the saying, “big brother is watching.” Oh my was I getting more intrigued as the author draws me into a explosive espionage scheme complete with technology that uses drones and threatens people so they can get the information they needed. Mackenzie is using everything she knows to stop the secret technology from controlling the world. It was very scary to think that this very thing could happen in real life. Cybersecurity is very much needed to take down the threat and Mackenzie may be the only one who can stop it. Get ready to fasten your seatbelt everyone as we take off on a mission that will take smart hackers, quick thinking and God to stop a threat that could damage more than just a company.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Whew this was an intense Cyber Security mystery and Romance Novel.

Mackenzie and Alex met briefly in DC when Mackenzie was there for a job interview. Alex knew he would never forget her so when he sees her again in Montana he knows he can’t let her slip through his fingers again.

This is an intense mystery with lots of action and people too close to Mackenzie or people who know too much are dying.

Can Alex and Mackenzie figure out who is behind the attacks and killings before they are next?

This is the third novel in a series but reads relatively well on its own. People from previous novels do appear in this one but the focus of the plot does not require having read the earlier novels in the series.

The plot structure is such that this novel got off to a rough start for me. The first chapter introduces us to a very traumatized Mackenzie. The next chapter takes us to another character and another setting. Later chapters do return us to MacKenzie and we get a little of her background and find out for some reason she is experiencing a great deal of guilt and fear. It is not until 23% into the book we get a little insight into her past actions causing current anxiety. It is not until 40% into the book we finally find out what it is she fears and what caused it. I would have rather had some foreshadowing, some memories, something to give us an idea much earlier about what was plaguing Mackenzie.

The central focus of the suspense is cyberterrorism and hacking. I liked learning about it. It is a little scary what hackers might do to a pacemaker, for example, or a modern car with all its computer technology.

Goddard's writing style focuses on character thought and reflection. There is lots of that kind of prose interspersed with periodic suspense. This is a good novel for readers who do like lots of characters thinking of possibilities or ruminating on past experiences. There is a good budding romance.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

2 stars for this book.

I really enjoyed the previous book in this series, Deadly Target, with its mob theme and intense action. This one? Not so much, sadly.

This book has a internet crimes and hacking theme and it is highly action-packed as well. The bulk of this book was clean, but there were a couple of things (after I'd already promoted it, being a part of Mrs. Goddard's launch team) that ruined it for me.

The characters weren't bad, but Alex's brief but jealous train of thoughts was unnecessary and the main reason for this low rating.
See below.

1. Great. He leaned against his rental vehicle. The car was completely unse*y— especially when compared to a Lexus and Mercedes-Benz."

2. "Once he was back in his vehicle, he punched the gas, wishing he’d rented something entirely more elegant and se*ier. Fast."

I mean, we're talking about a stupid CAR people!! :-(
As long as a car does what you need, who cares what it looks like, or how expensive or not it is?!? And those terms should be never used in reference to anything other than your spouse, and only when speaking privately to them. Seriously, this is supposed to be Christian fiction, which her other books always have been before this one.
I read Christian fiction for these reasons-

1. I love a clean read that I can enjoy, and can pass off to my younger siblings without worrying about what they may be reading or learning.
2. I'm a Christian. I love stories that lead us back to our need for God, and how truly dependent upon him we really are.
3. What we read matters. The world is watching to see what we read, watch and put our approval on in general. If we don't seem any different from them, why would they feel a need to change or be convicted at all? Why would they need Jesus?

Some reviewers may consider this overeacting, but this kind of language, though it may be brief, is completely unnecessary and uncalled for.

I received a paperback copy of this book from the author and publisher as part of her launch team for my review. I also received a e-book copy from Netgalley for my review. I thank you both. A positive review was not required from either party, and the thoughts above are my very own.

The third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series is a nonstop action ride that will pull readers in and keep them glued to their seats.

It’s been a long time since Mackenzie Hanson used her hacking skills for evil. When things went too far, she went to the authorities herself and now has a career as a professor of cybersecurity at Michigan University using her skills to help others. A blast from her past comes back to warn her about a danger to her and her family leading her to return home to try and save her father’s tech company from a cyberattack. Alex Knight has been working for the Diplomatic Security Services and needs time to recover after a mission that ended badly. He returns home to Montana and runs into Mackenzie, a girl from his past he has never forgotten. He is pulled into her mystery and together they work to try and save lives and the company her family has poured so much into before it is too late.

This is the last book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series and readers get Mackenzie and Alex’s story along with some answers tying up the rest of the series. I love how this series can be read in order or even as stand-alone novels if a reader happened to pick one up without realizing it was in a series. Even so, the reader might enjoy going back and reading the others to catch up on the story. Mackenzie is a great character for this story, and I loved the way her past was brought back in and showed how much she has grown as a person. Alex was a good male lead but had a few moments that I felt disconnected from him, I can’t say for sure what it was exactly that made me feel that way about him as a character except I found him a tad annoying. None of that was enough to turn me off the story though, the action was top-notch and the romance between the two worked really well, especially towards the end of the story. I think fans of romantic suspense will definitely want to add this one to their collection!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This is the third and final book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. Now this can be read as a stand alone but I do recommend reading the others in this series as there is some character carry over from previous books.
I'll admit to having never read a book quite like this before. It borders on sci-fiction but the author has done an excellent research job and everything cyber that happens in the story could actually happen. Now cyber intelligence is not my kind of thing that would be my first choice of reading material but I love this author's books so I knew I had to give this book a try and I loved it. I read the book all at once over a several hours period.
It is feverishly paced with basically no down time at all.
In this book you'll find a woman who is a cyber security expert hiding a past that she's trying to forget about but will she have to go back to her old ways to save not only herself but those around her.
Angsty romance, that part was take it or leave it for me. I read it for the action not the romance.
To think of the things people with cyber intelligence can do is pretty scary as evidenced in this book. They control so much more than we are even aware of.
There was a part in there that hits you like a lightning bolt as it's so unexpected.
I'll be stepping up to the plate as soon as I know she has another book releasing.

Pub Date 05 Jul 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Rating 3.5

Though there was a lot of action at crucial points, this book was not as suspenseful as expected or more to my preferences for suspense. I think a lot had to do with all the cybersecurity explanations which was needed, but it made the book slow and a bit boring.

I did not expect who the cyber criminal was - so I was glad to be surprised there, but the ending felt a bit resolved too quickly.

The plot about the vandalized memorial wrapped up in this book. I wanted and expected a more mysterious suspenseful plot here as well, and again this plot’s conclusion felt a slightly bit rushed.

I did enjoy the book and will read more from this author.

I think Critical Alliance just might be my favorite book of the series.

With the heart-pounding suspense I’ve come to expect from Goddard, Critical Alliance starts with a bang, plunging the reader into a mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Goddard tosses in red herrings that kept me on my toes. It’s no wonder I devoured this book so quickly.

Mackenzie and Alex’s romance is well developed, and I loved their chemistry and teasing banter. I also liked the glimpses of Erin, Nathan, Terra, and Jack. Their cameos were like catching up with old friends. This is why even though Critical Alliance can be read as a standalone, I think the series is best enjoyed in order.

Though the cyberworld is not my wheelhouse, Goddard provides organic explanations between Mackenzie and other characters that helped me follow what was happening.

The faith element is subtle but present throughout. Both characters pray and work on trusting God in tough situations.

Overall, Critical Alliance is another gripping suspense paired with sweet romance. Romantic suspense fans don’t want to miss it.

This was my favorite book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. Alex Knight must protect Mackenzie Hanson who is trying to protect her sister Nora from a criminal they cannot see. A cyber criminal from Mackenzie's past is trying to destroy her and her family and will not stop until he has succeeded. This story is action packed with espionage, murder, drones, hacking into all kinds of systems to cause havoc among the characters. Very fast paced.

This is a fantastic book and my favorite one in this series. I loved the suspense and the romance. I love how Alex and MacKenzie work together. I love that Alex is the muscle that knows some about cybersecurity and Mackenzie is great at cybersecurity. This story is fast paced and keeps you wanting more. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This is a fast paced romantic suspense novel. It is the third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. I had not read any of the previous book in the series and so had a little catch up to do on characters. I think the story is self-contained enough that Critical Alliance could be read as without having read the others in the series.
Mackenzie has secrets from her past. These are compounded by the secrets her brother and sister are keeping.
Alex, our hero, has pain from his recent past that has put him on leave from his federal job and brings him to Montana where he can be a help to Mackenzie.
The cyber crime in this book has me wishing I had kept my 1999 Honda Accord and further convinced me that a smart house is a very bad idea. There is a great deal about computers, code and hacking that I have no idea about.