Member Reviews
I so very much enjoyed the first in this series, Love and Honor, and this second offering did not disappoint. This story picks up right after Honor Bound, focusing mainly on Bill Sanders, one of our wounded soldiers from the first book. He is all better now and needs to go on a mission he was not expecting. Especially a mission where he has to pose as a husband for his college sweetheart whom he has not seen for ten years. Things did not end well between them.
Lynda Culter is a special FBI agent who has seen three of the global terrorists that have become very important to the world to apprehend. She was held hostage by them in Alaska and they killed her partner/ boyfriend, Jack, in front of her. Now months later a pattern is emerging that the FBI can finally see. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she is partnered up with the man who shattered her heart and messed with her self-worth years ago, Bill.
The special ops team is back for another dangerous mission along with all of their fun nicknames for one another. Though everyone knows this is a very serious threat to all. Lynda and Bill have some major issues to get over if this mission is to be a success and not get themselves killed. Their undercurrent of anger was felt by all.
Besides the mission, the past comes back, and it needs to be reckoned with. Both Bill and Lynda need to forgive one another, and Bill needs to set right some family issues. This was a very edge of your seat read but also showed their humanity beyond the mission and the need to forgive and let go and learning their self-worth.
This book, like the first, really took me along with the team and their travels and made me feel like I was right there with them. This is a series that gets under your skin and very hard to put down. Many surprises, twists, and turns included.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Lynda and Bill have a role to play. They have to blend in in Istanbul to put a stop to a terrorist threat. They have a past so it is hard for them to put it aside and do their job well. Lynda is determined to catch the bad guys since they murdered her partner and Bill is determined to keep Lynda safe at all costs. Very suspenseful and page turning.
Bill Sanders won me over in the first book with his smooth southern charm and quirky sayings, while hiding deeper hurt and insecurities.
In Word of Honor, we were able to dig deeper into who Bill is, as well as seeing him vulnerable and seeing the whole team back in what they are good at.
“That I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am not a product of my upbringing. Instead, I am a new creature in Christ.”
The first chapter was suspenseful and heartbreaking and provided so much compassion for Lynda. I enjoyed seeing a different side to the FBI with Lynda being an analyst and not a field agent.
Lynda and Bill had a sad past and issues to work through before they could think of having a future together. There was a scene at the end where Bill spoke to Lynda’s dad which just increased my respect for him.
Add to all the above twists and suspense, all of this made for an action packed read.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Military suspense has always been, and probably always will be, my favorite form of fiction. I love a story with a formidable hero, a rich undercurrent of patriotism and brotherhood and the heart-pounding danger of missions overseas. Hallee Bridgeman delighted me with all of these things in her brand new release, Word of Honor, book 2 in her Love and Honor series.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Globe Trotting Setting · EcoTerrorism · A Second Chance at Love · A Humorous, Special Forces Hero · A Strong, Career Driven Heroine · Military Brotherhood · Faith-Based Fiction
WHAT I LIKED:
Bridgeman delivers a solid, intriguing story with mature, well-rounded, multi-layer characters in this second-chance romance. Having read book 1, Honor Bound, immediately prior to beginning this story, I found both novels to be rich in suspense, faith and military lifestyle.
Bridgeman immerses her readers into the military “family” aspect with a courageous, lovable team of special forces operators who are devoted to their job, their loved ones and their faith. The story is rich in brotherhood and camaraderie. Her characters are ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations, therefore making her novels realistic and grounded, without the “fluff” other books.
I enjoyed the beginning of this novel (as well as the first) due to the fascinating overseas locations that Bridgeman brings to life while the team is deployed on mission. There were moments of intensity, moments of suspense and then there were moments of dedicated teamwork and authentic task force action that balanced this novel out well. Bridgeman uses military terminology and language that is easy to understand but brings a level of authenticity to her books that I admired. In addition, the ecoterrorism catalyst was intriguing and kept me invested.
In this story, readers follow Bill Sanders, an enlisted Army Delta Force operator who is completing his masters degree and seeking God’s next steps for his life regarding renewing his contract with the army. Bill’s southern charm and humor made him a likable main character who knows exactly what is expected of him by his teammates and follows through without question. He is a solid, stable character with a broken past and a deep faith. His character undergoes the most personal growth.
FBI Special Agent Lynda Culter is an analyst who finds herself brought into a task force and on mission to stop an ecoterrorist organization that has ties much deeper than imagined. As she went undercover, I enjoyed her determination, her analytical mind and her reliable character. I also did not see the surprise coming that Bridgeman had planned for Lynda’s character.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
This story was squeaky-clean. The romance was sweet and the two main characters were very mature in how they approached the second chance at love, apologies and forming a relationship. Outside of the mission, the tension in this story was mild when it came to the romance.
I felt the character flaws were surface level and could have been a bit deeper with more push/pull. I found these things to be true of the first novel in this series as well. The first half of the book was very exciting but then the second half lulled a bit and almost lost me (through interrogations), with just enough revelation there to keep me invested to the end. Both novels concluded in a quick way that didn’t support the intensity of the first portion of the book.
For me, I desired more… More action, more harrowing escapes, more heroism, more drama, more romance and passion. This novel would likely appeal more towards an older, more conservative generation of readers who border on wanting just a taste of excitement. Lastly, there was a tiny twist at the end that I didn’t love, leaving the close of the novel feeling a bit sad. I will say, I found myself very attached to this band of brothers!
SUMMARY:
This is a “yes, you should read this” recommendation from me. Despite my personal preferences, this novel stands on it’s own merit for solid, strong characters, an intriguing plot and rich faith elements. The characters are relatable and likable. There are moments of suspense, humor, brotherhood and patriotism. I believe readers who enjoy inspirational, traditional Christian fiction will find this story to be clean, exciting and authentic! I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
I have a poor habit—or bad luck—of mistakenly reading the second book in a series, only to find later that it's a sequel; thankfully, I didn't have that problem with Hallee Bridgeman's Love & Honor series. For once, I read book one, Honor Bound, before going on to book two, Word of Honor, and book three, Honor's Refuge (review coming soon).
FBI Special Agent Lynda Culter, the story's female protagonist, is tasked with looking into an ecoterrorist group operating in the remote Alaskan wilderness. Everything goes wrong as she witnesses her partner getting murdered. Following that, Lynda—the lone witness—joins a combined operation in Istanbul to dismantle the organization. It's much simpler for a woman to go about undetected in a Muslim country if she is married, and the "husband" assigned to her is Army weapons expert Bill Sanders—the same man who broke her heart in college.
Remember, this is a romance, so Bill and Lynda are rekindling some old feelings. They attempt to have a professional relationship, but no matter how much they try—they can't deny those feelings—it's a Christian romance, so my phrasing isn't precisely what you might expect.
What do you need to know about Word of Honor? It's a romantic action thriller, and it follows a rather worn-out formula: the female protagonist is in danger, and then a dashingly handsome man appears to save the day. Sounds familiar? We've all heard this love story before—the good news is that Hallee Bridgeman is an expert at developing compelling characters and uses her writing abilities to create a refreshing romantic narrative.
In conclusion, I had a great time with Word of Honor. I liked the story, the characters, and pretty much everything else. Dare I say it is better than Honor Bound? Word of Honor is a rare sequel that improves on the original. ╌★★★★★
Title: Word of Honor
Author: Hallee Bridgeman
Ch: 30
Pg: 384
Series: Love and Honor book 2
Genre: Christian Suspense
Rating: 4 stars
Publisher: Revell
While I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I did the first one in the series. But I did enjoy that the suspense kept me guessing and wanting to turn the page to find out what happened.
I loved getting to read more about Bill “Drumstick” Sanders after meeting him in the first book in the series. As well as meeting FBI Special Agent Lynda Culter. Though I’m not a fan of second chance romances this one worked for me. I think it was because it was romantic suspense was what made it work.
Even though Word of Honor is a standalone novel within a series I do recommend you read the books in series order, otherwise you will miss some things and get spoiled for others. But all in all, I did enjoy reading this one. And I think Hallee Bridgeman is becoming a new favorite Suspense author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I read this series out of order. The third book seemed to fair well as a stand alone but i would recommend reading the first book before reading this one. There are a lot of secondary characters in this story that are referenced and it got a little confusing a times (especially since each military character has a name and a nickname). I enjoyed that the primary characters in this storyline had vastly different personalities and backstories than the characters in the third book. I also enjoyed the slow growing love story and that it wasn't just focused on the physical (ie not always staring at each others lips and thinking about kissing). I also appreciated the discussion questions at the end of the book, especially addressing some of the more controversial aspects (ie going undercover in a mosque at prayer times, etc). It was good,
Hallee Bridgeman’s second installment in her Love and Honor series, Word of Honor, is a fast paced, jam-packed read from start to finish. In this story, we enter the lives of Bill and Lynda as they seek to bring down a dangerous terrorist. With a hurtful past that must be dealt with before they can move forward, this couple fights for the lives of their countrymen amid all too real danger to their own well-being.
I fully enjoyed the action, romance, and message of healing Bridgeman depicted. This book certainly kept me on my toes! Bridgeman knows how to spin a story that brings to life the peril of those fighting for our country’s safety. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I loved book one of the series and this one was just as good.
From the first page to the last, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat.
Lynda Culter, an FBI Special Agent, is investigating an ecoterrorist in Alaska when her partner is taken hostage and killed in front of her.
She then is sent to Turkey but in a Muslin country, women do not travel alone so a fake husband is assigned. Much to her distress, the man that is assigned is none other than the one that crushed her heart when she was young, Bill Sanders.
As they work together, and the violence and danger intensifies, so do their feelings. Will they survive the danger? If they do, will they find their way back to each other?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Riveting from the very beginning, this book picks where the last one ends with the wedding of Cynthia and Rick. This book launches into a brand new adventure that works as a stand alone, as Bill and Lynda go deep into foreign territory to root out terrorists, posing as husband and wife despite their history together.
A fantastic read, that pulled me in and I didn't want to put it down. Excellent tension, pacing, filled with action and laced with danger. I also liked how Bill showed that he had truly changed from the man that he was back in college, to a man of faith, action, and purpose.
Great character development and relationship building throughout, I liked how they had to rebuild trust between them, as well as how Lynda came to see Bill for the man he became rather than who he was.
Overall, a book that was impossible to put down, with characters that I became attached to and could cheer for all the way through. This book definitely cemented Ms. Bridgeman as one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I got to read the first book in this series through NetGalley, and was excited to read the second book, Word of Honor. It was a great read! The author begins a new story with some of the same characters from before. We get in dig a little into the life of Bill Sanders, also known as Drumstick. Get it?
The story begins with the main character, Lynda tragically losing her partner but she's rescued before the terrorists kill her too. Because she has seen their faces, Lynda is brought into a military op to help identify the key players of the organization. What follows is one heart-stopping adventure after another as Bill and Lynda race to stop the terrorists and maybe find love along the way!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Ronie Kendig or James Hannibal. It has likable characters and a great plot line!
BOOK BY: Hallee Bridgeman
A suspense-filled follow up to Hallee Bridgeman’s explosive Love & Honor series.
Word of Honor finds the Green Berets called to a new mission a year after book one ends. The story follows Bill Sanders and Lynda Cutler as they work to find the leader of an ecoterrorism cell, in the Middle East. Bill and Lynda have a history together which brings a lot of personal conflict into the story as they’re working undercover as husband and wife.
The opening scene is fast-paced with just the right amount of action to keep readers turning the page. Then, as the story jumps ahead a few months, the pace slows considerably, allowing readers opportunity to get to know the hero and heroine.
Readers have the chance to re-visit the characters from book one, observing that the camaraderie and personalities of each wasn’t hasn’t changed all that much. Lots of brotherly jibes and jokes continue amidst the seriousness of their mission.
If you enjoy second chance romances and military stories, pick up a copy of Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the first book I have read by Hallee Bridgeman but it will not be the last! Hallee delivered on everything I expected in this story. To get to the bottom of terrorist activity and prevent future attacks, FBI Agent Lynda Culter is forced to work with Army specialist Bill Sanders, the man who broke her heart in college.
Putting aside their past, Lynda and Bill must work together to uncover the truth before future bombings take more lives. Bridgeman fills Word of Honor with all the action, international intrigue and romantic suspense that will keep the reader coming back for more.
While this is book 2 in a series, I didn’t have any trouble following the story.
I received a copy of this book for review and the opinions are strictly my own.
The riveting tale began in the compelling first book of the Love and Honor series now continues in this dramatic thriller. I found Book 2 even more captivating than the first one, which was plenty exciting. The Special Forces team faces another threatening assignment, this time stopping terrorists. The deployment leads them across the globe as dangers explode and keeps the reader racing to discover what will happen next. The personal stories of the main characters continue too, adding a depth and emotional journey to the action plot. Yes, there is another romance with characters having to overcome past hurts to face their futures. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #WordofHonor #NetGalley
The second book in the Love and Honor series is just as explosive and entertaining as the first! Readers will not want to miss this one!
Lynda Culter is a Special Agent with the FBI and has been investigating an eco-terrorist close to the Alaskan wilderness. Her partner is taken and murdered while she watches, leaving her the only witness. Before she can take down the group responsible for killing her partner, she gets a new assignment and is sent to Istanbul, a country that is not conducive for a female to be going around alone. She is assigned to work with Army specialist Bill Sanders who pretends to be her husband. The two have a past, he broke her heart many years ago and she has tried to move on. They must learn to put their past behind them and work together in order to solve the case and see what happens when their feelings come to the surface.
Hallee Bridgeman surprised me with her the first book in this series, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The second in the series is full of just as many, if not more, twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. While this is a Christian fiction book and readers can expect an element of faith, there is also a great message of forgiveness throughout. There are lots of twists and turns but not as much military action as the first in the series; readers will have to find the tension in other ways with the characters interactions and not the high-stakes drama. This is the usual formula that several of the authors I read go about with series, have different main characters throughout the different books in the series but keep others from previous books as secondary characters. This is good in a way but has to have a balance to keep from becoming repetitive and monotonous. I did enjoy this book and think readers that enjoy romantic suspense novels will not want to miss this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Bridgeman just keeps getting better! I loved getting to read Bill and Lynda's story. The beginning snagged my interest and didn't let go until the end! I absolutely loved these characters and the plot kept me guessing. I don't always love global threat\terrorist storylines but I really enjoyed this one! I also loved Bill and Lynda's relationship; Lynda took on more of the "Hero" role in the storyline as opposed to Bill, which was a nice change from your typical romantic suspense. But it was also not feministic in any way and I loved how he supported her skills and abilities so well. All in all, highly recommend!
Don't start reading Word of Honor unless you are ready to stay up late! This book is full of action and high-stakes suspense, and almost impossible to put down! While this story also features the Special Forces soldiers we met in Honor Bound, the addition of Lynda, an FBI agent, makes it feel a bit more like traditional romantic suspense.
Lynda is a strong heroine, full of the grit and determination it takes to work with the elite group of warriors. The hurts that resurface when she reconnects with Bill, the man who broke her heart, make her story relatable. They both have to earn each other's friendship and trust again in order to work together. I love how the author works the spiritual themes into the story in such a compelling and authentic way. This book is one that will capture both your mind and your heart! I highly recommend both Word of Honor and the Love & Honor series to fans of authors like Ronie Kendig and Susan May Warren.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love it
Halle Bridgeman somehow manages to include complex topics in her books while being respectful of people who are different from the protagonists. Agent Lynda Cutler has to go undercover as a Muslim woman while pretending to be married to a man who dumped her ten years earlier. Lynda deals with the interface between her Christian faith and the requirements of her job with grace and sensitivity. I respected that.
One of my favorite things about Word of Honor is how human the characters were. Bill Sanders' journey was so very relatable. I could totally understand him not wanting to bring a bring doctor's daughter to a home he was ashamed of. Or him dealing with his shame by lashing out. Watching their relationship grow was beautiful.
I really enjoyed this book. It had enough adventure to make it interesting. It was well written and the only reason I did not finish it in one day is because I had to go to work :-(.
This is the first book I have read by this author! Military/suspense/romance is a genre I really love reading and I'm always on the lookout for these kind of books with the romance on the sweeter side. This one happens to be Christian Fiction as well. Just as a note in case you care about that.
This is the second book in this series but I didn't ever feel like I was missing anything. The characters and the story were easy to follow and understand. I liked Lynda a lot. She had moxy and courage and held her chin up even when she wanted to shrink away. She was smart and stood up for herself. I liked it. Bill? I didn't really like him much at first. I thought he treated Lynda poorly for the first half of the book, expecting her to get over the hurts because he wanted her to. He was dismissive. I didn't like that at all. The second half of the book went better with him and I ended in a better place but it was slow getting there.
This is a bit tamer than a lot of other action/suspense novels I've read in this same genre. The action was spread further apart and had a bit of a slower build to it. I liked it though. The story was interesting and well thought out. I will definitely be coming back to this author for another book to read!
This book (and this series!) is on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.
Content: violence, peril, kissing, talk of God and praying.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Word of Honor
Hallee Bridgeman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Working in Alaska to investigate an ecoterrorisr organization, FBI Special Agent Lynda Cutler is taken captive and her partner, Jack, is murdered. As the only person who can identify those responsible, Lynda is assigned to a joint operation in Istanbul stop the terrorist group.
The undercover assignment pairs her with a fake husband, US Army weapons specialist Bill Sanders, who broke Lynda's heart when they were in college. In spite of the hurt and baggage between them, the pair must play their parts perfectly in order to bring down the ecoterrorism group.
Truthfully, we weren't sure how we'd feel about this second book in Bridgeman’s Love and Honor series when we saw Bill was the male lead. We did not have a favorable opinion of him after reading Honor Bound. However, those feelings quickly changed as more of his internal character was revealed. This book held even more scripture references and personal conversations with God. There is nothing more appealing in a man than godly character and spiritual depth. This book was about reconciling the past in order to move forward into the future. It illustrated how God can transform a life and bring beauty from ashes.
We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.