Margaret Douglas was able to get away from a tormented past 3 years ago. That past has come back and she is caught in the middle of it. Lassiter needs her help in order to rescue a friend. He's willing to do whatever it takes to save his friend -- even if it means returning her to her horrible past. As Lassiter gets to know Margaret his perspective changes and he rethinks his plans. But Margaret can feel his friend's pain and decides she has to do whatever it takes to save him. A relationship develops between Margaret and Lassiter with some new possibilities.

I was glad to see Margaret get a book of her own! She was my favorite new character in the Taking Eve trilogy. The hero was a rich, former military guy with questionable tactics, which is pretty much standard for most of Johansen's leading men. But by the end of the book, I found myself actually quite liking the guy. I enjoyed Margaret's interactions with animals and wish there could have been more. I also wish she would have thought to do what she did at the end a lot sooner, too - although that would have made the book a lot shorter. ;-)

However, I do wish that Johansen, Koontz, and other writers would realize that there are other breeds of dogs than Labradors and Golden Retrievers. But then again, as you can probably tell from my profile picture, I am a bit biased.

I used to enjoy Iris's books much more, but not so much anymore. I don't know if I'm tired of the story lines, or what it is, but they just don't do it for me like they used to.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The story was far fetched and slow in spots but I liked the characters, the action ramps up, and in the end it was an enjoyable read.

No Easy Target by Iris Johansen a spin -off novel of the Eve Duncan series. The main character Margaret was previously in an Eve Duncan novel. I use to read Eve Duncan but I got burned out because it seemed just the same ole same ole. It really feels like this is suppose to be the replacement for Eve, especially with the ending. (that's all I'm sayin' on that, draw your own conclusions). It started off really good, very exciting a bunch of sexual tension tied with animosity. John and Margaret don't like each other at the start. Margaret is on the run from a sadistic sociopathic arms and drugs dealer and she will do anything to not go back to Nicos. To John, Margaret was just suppose to be a means to an end; the key to getting back his mentor back from Nicos who is holding him to torment John and to teach him a lesson.

John learned everything he could about Margaret, he tracked her down and planned on trading her for Patrick, the one person who understood John and helped put him on the path of special forces to CIA to multi-millionaire. But once John finally caught Margaret and understood how scared she was to go back he changed his plans to that she would never have to go back to Nicos. Margaret's empathic ability that allows her to communicate with animals also lets her feel powerful emotions from people so when she feels the terror and desperation coming from John she agrees to help, but she tells him she will never return to the island, unfortunately sometimes things can't go the way they are planned.

Margaret has to face the man who causes her nightmares. Margaret thought she learned her lesson about getting close to people but Nicos reinforces that lesson in a way she will never forget. It didn't work like Nicos planned however Margaret didn't break she got stronger. Face to face with him again she is stronger than she has ever been. She has keep people at a distance however for her to escape Nicos she must rely on John to help her out. Despite the rocky start Margaret knows she can count on John and his team of security experts to pull her out safely.

Overall, I enjoyed it but it almost felt like I had read the book before the characters reminded me way too much of Sarah Patrick and John Logan and the overall situation reminded me of The Search. I found myself asking if the Eve Duncan series was being rebooted or on an alternate timeline or something.

3.5 stars I rounded up. the ending killed it for me and not in a good way.

This was an interesting departure from the usual Eve Duncan books in that we barely even heard about Eve. The focus of the whole book is Margaret - Eve's mysterious friend who has made an appearance in many of the past books. It was interesting to get to know more about her.

The book is filled with action and every time it seemed things were complete, another problem would occur. For me, the action dragged on a little too long but it's a small complaint. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it kept me engaged.

As a long time fan of Iris Johansen and her Eve Duncan novels I was excited to read Margaret's story. As always the story is gripping and well written with strong characters. I was somewhat disappointed that Eve was only mentioned at the beginning of the book and there was no later tie in. I would recommend this work to friends as a standalone.

I have been waiting for this particular story for a long time, and I was not disappointed! Margaret Douglas has played a role in a number of Johansen's books over the past few years, but for the first time the focus is on her and her mysterious history. Always more comfortable with animals than humans, Margaret is using her unique abilities at a local zoo. A phone call from an old friend quickly set her on the run though, and with good reason...she's being pursued and is soon caught (but doesn't give in without a fight). While initially her captor seems on the wrong side of the fight, we quickly realize there's more to this story than there seems. Before long, he and Margaret are working together, at least to the best that Margaret can work WITH anyone, to fight a common enemy from Margaret's past. Evil exists, and Margaret is willing to put herself in danger to put an end to this one particular evil.

Crossing borders and with Johansen's regular ability to craft a good story with interesting characters, a hint of paranormal, and just enough action to keep things interesting, this was a fun, easy and quick read that provided me the story of a character I've enjoyed over the years and was always left wondering. Now that we have this, the door is open for more interactions between Margaret and John, as well as the rest of Johansen's other key characters.

From Goodreads: Margaret Douglas has worked hard to put her painful past behind her. Raised off the grid in an abusive home, her only escape was the nearby forest where she sought refuge whenever she could. There, in the peaceful woods, she discovered a strange gift: the ability to understand animals and to communicate with them. And so those creatures became her only friends, her only joy during a desolate childhood. Now Margaret wants nothing more than to live a quiet life, close to the animals and under the radar. But her abilities have not gone unnoticed and there are those who would use them for their own purposes. Determined not to be a pawn in anyone’s game, every time someone gets too close, Margaret uproots her life and outruns them.

When John Lassiter breaks into Margaret’s apartment, she vanishes again, but Lassiter has good reason to be persistent. As a CIA operative, he owes his life to his men , one of whom is being held captive by an unrelenting enemy—an enemy who has set his sights on Margaret. Which means that Lassiter must control her to use her as bait.

With danger in hot pursuit, Margaret finds herself matching wits with a man who refuses to stop or be stopped. Turning from the hunted to the hunter, Margaret must use everything she has ever learned to not only survive, but to defeat a great evil. And to prove once and for all that she’s no easy target.

I have every single Iris book and have already added this one to my collection as well. She is better than a tv show. She keeps you coming back for more. Thank you Iris for the years of books

Thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for a review copy of this book.

I always enjoy the mystery/thriller aspect of Johansen's novels and always wish the whole dark handsome stranger/romance piece could just be edited out. It rarely adds to the story and often, as in this case, detracts.

The whole telepathic connection that Margaret makes with the animals in the story really adds great interest. Aside from that, however, this was a quick, mostly enjoyable read (aside from the proscribed romantic interest). If you are a fan of Iris Johansen, this was one of her better novels.

I love her books! This one had an interesting twist that I hadn't seen before in her Eve Duncan books, but it worked well with the plot. Highly recommend it if you enjoy a hint of the paranormal.

Have read this author's Eve Duncan series from the beginning, and it was in one of those that the lead character in this makes her appearance. Found her abilities and back story fascinating, that she can communicate with animals, escaped from the head of a drug cartel, a novel approach.

A usual Johansen has multiple characters wanting opposing things, a little romance, sexual tension, adventure and much running from the various bad guys. Her books are easy to read, they flow quickly, and though I found some parts better than others, on the whole I got tired of the constant dialogue, back and forth nature of conversations and was disappointed. Or maybe that is not the correct phrase, since she does what she always does, what her fans expect from her writing. I think maybe the correct phrasing may be that I have outgrown this author. Though I expect next time an Eve Duncan novel come around I may attempt her once more.

ARC from NetGalley.

This was entertaining romantic suspense, not very realistic, but interesting anyway. I liked the main characters, Margaret and Lassister. I thought the animal communication and empath aspects were a little strange, but they worked pretty well for this book. The suspense and romantic parts of the storyline both kept me interested.

Iris Johansen is one of my favorite authors She did not disappoint in this book. You want to keep reading it in one sitting. Margaret has a gift she understand the animals and can communicate with them. The CIA needs her help. It is a great thriller very readable

Disappointing book from a usual favorite author. Shallow characters and unrealistic dialog and action.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and net-galley for an honest review.

I loved this story. We met Margaret Douglas in the Eve Duncan series and I have been wanting her story since then. we get to see

I love how she is able to communicate with animals. Margaret is a strong character. My heart broke for what she has gone through in life. She has been through so much but she is a strong woman because of it.

This story is fast paced, and will keep you wanting more. We meet new character Lassiter and I hope we get more books with his.

I have been hooked on this author since I read The Killing Game. I have read all but one of the Eve Duncan books and I will be reading that one. I highly recommend this author and this book to readers.

A great quality read I found hard to put down once I got into it. Looking forward to reading more from this author

"No Easy Target" by Iris Johansen is a very entertaining read. Margaret Douglas is the protagonist of the story and has had a disturbing childhood with an abusive father. She has been on the run for most of her life. Unfortunately, she ends up as a prisoner for Nicos, a drug lord who has built himself a fortress in the Caribbean. Margaret has telepathic powers with animals, which is a useful tool for Nicos' drug smuggling operation. Eventually Margaret escapes from Nicos and spends the next three years hiding from him.

All that changes when Lassiter, an ex CIA operative, kidnaps Margaret to use as bait to trap Nicos. While Margaret initially resists Lassiter, she eventually agrees to work with him to stop Nicos and his cohorts. She also learns that Lassiter's mentor and friend from the CIA, Sean Patrick, is being held and tortured by Nicos' men. This has become very personal for Lassiter and Margaret. Nicos had killed her friend Rosa; a vision Margaret can't get out of her sight.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a fast-paced exciting story that had me rooting for Margaret as the hunter instead of the hunted. I think I devoured this book in two nights. This should be on everyone's must read list for the summer.

My thanks to NetGalley, St. Marin's Press and Iris Johansen for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

An incredible elaborate storyline with much action and suspense…

As a child Margaret Douglas survived a horrendous childhood using her own wits and special gifts, as an adult she survived being the prisoner of a Columbian arms dealer and drug lord, now she has to survive a man who only wants to use her as bait to free another, placing her back in the sights of the man she managed to escape three years ago. What makes this woman different than most and sought after is that she’s an animal communicator and an empath who feels deeply the pain of others. She’s highly independent, a fighter to the core; she does things in her own way, it’s the only way she knows how. Used to living off the grid she wants to be free to live life as she sees fit but the man who tracked her down won’t take no for an answer and he has no idea what he’s asking of her.

John Lassiter, ex-special forces and former CIA operative, owes the man who saved him when he was a troubled young hacker, the man who afterwards became his mentor. The psycho who holds him captive wants one thing, the woman who escaped him and Lassiter has no qualms about using this woman to obtain his friend’s freedom. Upon meeting the woman he realizes it won’t be so easy to use her, she has an unrelenting determination to be free; she’s unique and has already suffered greatly. He’ll have to convince her to help him and protect her from being taken again, both are easier said than done.

One thing I can count on from this author is an incredible elaborate storyline with much action and suspense. This reader has no problem suspending credibility and enjoying the explosive ride. In this story we see the horrors some men will perpetrate on others and how far some will go to rescue a friend. Would you let ethics get in the way of saving a life? That’s a question both of the protagonists will have to answer. These two intriguing characters have emotional depth and you can’t help but get invested in them. Both needed a measure of closure and they find it in different ways. The hero is an alpha who walks the gray areas between what is right and wrong, the heroine needs to face the past and take back the power she ceded to another; sometimes the prey needs to become the hunter.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

Margaret has been running for three years. Lassiter has been looking for her for three years and has finally found her. Lassiter needs her for leverage to get his friend back from Nicos. He ha no idea what Margaret endured at the hands of Nicos now he must convince her that he can keep her safe and still get his friend away from the man she hoped never to see again. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy. I found this book to be a little confusing to read the plot was not as developed as it could have been. It was hard to follow at times because parts of the story seemed to be missing and jumping all over the place.