Daring Deception: Romance and danger collide in this riveting, page-turning novel!

Barbara Freethy

Jan 2021 · Off The Grid: FBI Series Book 9 · Fog City Publishing, LLC

About this ebook

"The action was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat! Barbara Freethy is an amazing writer who captures the reader's attention from the very first sentence, so much so, I read this book in one sitting." 5 Stars! Booklover's Anonymous

He didn't just break her heart, he broke her soul…

When a bomb exploded at her college, Caitlyn Carlson's life changed in an instant. Ten years later, she's no longer a vulnerable, trusting girl, but a tough, ruthless, FBI agent. But her hard exterior covers a deep, aching hole in her heart. 

Quinn Kelly has changed his life, too, trying to make up for the horrific mistakes of his youth. But some mistakes can't be outrun or forgiven. Some feelings don't stay buried, no matter how hard you try. 

An explosion at a local university takes them back to the past, to the one place they never wanted to go again…and to each other. They barely survived loving each other the first time around. The secrets and lies almost killed them. Will this be their second chance, or will this be the end of everything?  

A shattered love story, a fatal explosion, and a web of secrets and lies await in this exciting tale of ecoterrorism from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy! For fans of Susan Stoker, Meli Raine, Nora Roberts, Karin Slaughter, Mary Burton, and Melinda Leigh.

Note: THE FBI SERIES takes readers on thrilling, romantic, and suspenseful adventures! Every story stands completely on its own and there are no cliffhangers! The books feature complex and exciting storylines ranging from kidnapping to organized crime, terrorism, and espionage. Personal stories often play out against a bigger, broader storyline, and surprising twists will keep you up all night. Start reading today!

Also Available in the Off The Grid: FBI Series

Perilous Trust #1

Reckless Whisper #2

Desperate Play #3

Elusive Promise #4

Dangerous Choice #5

Ruthless Cross #6

Critical Doubt #7

Fearless Pursuit #8

Daring Deception #9

Risky Bargain #10

Perfect Target #11

Fatal Betrayal #12

What the readers are saying…

"Daring Deception paints a thrilling picture of a dangerous love story. Brodie and Caitlyn pull emotions into a maze that is powerful, intriguing and never ending. With Freethy there is always a twist to tie emotions up in knots and leave readers feeling breathless." Isha – Goodreads

"There were a lot of twists and turns in this series that kept me guessing about what was going to happen next, and I definitely did not see the ending coming! This book was the perfect mix of romance and suspense, a page turner from beginning to end! Kate – Bookbub

"A story that builds on revenge, kidnapping, and forgiveness. DARING DECEPTION is a definite winner in this series." Ellen - Goodreads

"Just finished this gem by Barbara Freethy...I can honestly say it was one of the best books I have read this year. This author is a genius at creating authentic characters!" Claire – Goodreads on Daring Deception

"Barbara Freethy knows how to write a beautiful, believable love story....with just the right amount of heat." Trude – Goodreads on Daring Deception

"Wow! Every time I think I can’t enjoy a book in this Off The Grid series any more than the ones I’ve already read, Barbara Freethy proves me wrong. DARING DECEPTION is full of twists and turns and two great main characters." Mary - Goodreads

Ratings and reviews

DARING DECEPTION. Barbara Freethy Caitlyn and Quinn didn’t see eye to eye, with the new environmental center ribbon cutting, assuring her there wouldn’t be protestors. Her father was head of Carleton Industries, the head of many companies, funding the project, instead of coming it was her brother. Caitlyn at thirty one and a FBI agent, seeing on the monitor a bomber again at the college. Ten years ago he almost took her life, could she get the answers she had looked for. Quinn was a scientific diver working close to San Fransisco bay doing research. Hearing of the bomb and a reminder of all he lost and how it changed him. Now this again involving people he knew, wanted answers. She’s back at Bolton, to investigate, a base ball cap was that Quinn, or her imagination. He left and never looked back ten years ago. Good flowing plot of the dynamic of family, of first love and loss. A story that builds on revenge, kidnapping , and forgiveness. A definite winner in this series. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

I received an ARC of Daring Deception by Barbara Freethy as a member of her review team for an honest review. I can truly say that I absolutely loved Daring Deception, it is an incredible second chance at love r0mantic thriller. It is the ninth book in Barbara Freethy’s Off the Grid: FBI series. Barbara Freethy has once again delivered an incredible romantic thriller with Daring Deception. Each book in Barbara Freethy's Off the Grid: FBI series continues to get better and better. I have loved each book in the series. Barbara Freethy has once again provided her readers with amazing characters. I love all the characters in Daring Deception! Who doesn't love hot, sexy men and strong, passionate women? Barbara Freethy continues to deliver all that and so much more, I absolutely loved Daring Deception. Daring Deception had me guessing throughout the story as to who was behind the bombings at Bolton College and the other thrilling events that took place in this story. It was truly a surprise villain that I did not see happening. I could not put it down. I loved every page. I really enjoy how the book is told from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. Barbara Freethy has once again proven that she is a master storyteller. Daring Deception is the story of Caitlyn Carlson, FBI Special Agent and Quinn Kelly, oceanic scientist. Caitlyn and Quinn were college sweethearts at Bolton College. A bomb goes off at Bolton College similar to one that exploded ten years prior, forever changing the lives of Caitlyn and Quinn. Caitlyn heads to Bolton College following the most recent bombing. When she arrives at the location of the bombing, she thinks she sees a familiar face. Upon further investigation she discovers that it is her college sweetheart, who she has not seen in ten years. Caitlyn and Quinn work together to uncover who was behind bombings ten years apart. They are reaching out to members of a saving the environment group, LNF that Quinn was a member of in college. After multiple attempts on their lives, the relationship between Caitlyn and Quinn changes. Caitlyn fights her feelings for Quinn because she does not want to be hurt from him again, she was almost destroyed the last time. Could Caitlyn learn to trust Quinn again? She knows that he is keeping secrets from her. I loved how the relationship between Caitlyn and Quinn changed, from hate and mistrust and that Caitlyn was willing to give Quinn another chance. Caitlyn works with the San Francisco office to help solve the recent bombing; she has been warned about investigating the bombing from ten years ago. I love how Caitlyn gets the answers from Quinn about their past relationship and why Quinn left without saying goodbye and disappeared. I love the surprise plot twists that fill this page turner which Barbara Freethy includes in all her stories. I really enjoy the poignant and bittersweet moments, the plot twists and the surprises that I have come to love and expect in Barbara Freethy's books and Daring Deception did not disappoint. One of my favorite parts of the story are the poignant moments when Caitlyn and Quinn discuss their former relationship and the death of their unborn child, and the guilt that Quinn felt over his role in the bombing and leaving Caitlyn. I loved all the secrets that Caitlyn and Quinn shared with one another. I love how all the loose ends got tied up and how the bombing from ten years ago was tied to the recent bombing. I love all the characters and the way Barbara describes the locations in and around San Francisco. It was really an incredible romantic thriller and I loved every page.

Standing in the shadows of love, you can't help but feel the heartache to come. Daring Deception paints a thrilling picture of a dangerous love story. Quinn and Caitlyn pull emotions into a maze that is powerful, intriguing and neverending. With Freethy there is always a twist to tie emotions up in knots and leave readers feeling breathless.

About the author

Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 82 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and mystery thriller. Thirty-six of her books have hit the USA Today and New York Times Bestseller Lists. More than 14 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. For more information, visit her website at www.barbarafreethy.com