Taken

Rebecca Zanetti

Apr 2019 · Zebra Books

About this ebook

“Explodes with action, spice and humor.”
—Publishers Weekly on Hidden

Hunter Holt might be the most stubborn ex-soldier ever born, but when he’s called on to help find a lost foster kid, he jumps into action. Even if it means working with the woman who broke his heart five years ago—the woman who still haunts his dreams . . .

“Fans of J. D. Robb and Karen Robards will love Zanetti's series start.”
—Booklist on Hidden

Faye Smith has spent five long years trying to get her life back on track. She knows she should’ve turned toward Hunter and not away from him. But they both had too many demons to destroy. Maybe now they’ll get another chance—and save someone else’s life too . . .

“Spicy romantic interplay; Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal on Vampire’s Faith

But first they’ll have to stop arguing long enough to trust the Deep Ops team. Hunter was a lost boy himself once. In fact, he ran away from the exact same man, their monster of a father. Now he and Faye will have to unite to find the brother he never knew—and maybe each other . . .

Ratings and reviews

When Hunter Holt is called on to help find a lost foster kid, he jumps into action even though it means working with Faye Smith, the woman who broke his heart. She’s been trying to get her life back on track, but Faye knows that she should’ve turned toward Hunter not away. Since they have to work together, maybe they’ll get another chance, but first they have to actually stop arguing long enough to trust the Deeps Ops team and find the kid. This Deep Ops novella is an emotionally gripping and moving story that holds readers hostage with lots of suspense and wonderfully, strong characters that have some scorching chemistry going on. Their chemistry is quite volatile however, so there are lots of sparks flying as they clash together which just punches the passion up hotter than ever. This second chance relationship is chock full of emotions that flows from the pages and ensures that the readers understand exactly where Hunter and Faye stand. The plot is fast paced and while on the short side packs quite a thrilling punch as Hunter and Faye try not only track but save this young man from a bad person, the law and himself. The story has all the elements of a great romantic suspense so while it is a novella, it keeps readers turning the pages until they have read every last word. And the story also holds a few surprises throughout and a delightful one that tickles readers if they have read other books by this author.

4.5 stars-- TAKEN is instalment 1.5 in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on a new Homeland Defense Department (HDD) unit known as the Requisition Force headed by FBI profiler and Special Agent Angus Force. This is ex-solider Hunter Holt, and former psychologist Faye Smith’s story line. TAKEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for history and backstory of the secondary characters. For fans and followers of Rebecca Zanetti, there is a slight cross-over with another of the author’s series-see if you can spot the ‘Easter Egg’ ;) . Told from several third person points of view including Hunter and Faye TAKEN follows the search for a kidnapper, turned robber turned serial killer, whose willing captive is a sixteen-year old boy unaware of the truth. When Faye gets a call from her former foster mother Miss Angelina that her latest charge is missing, Faye seeks out the only man capable of finding the missing boy but a man whose history with Faye is heartbreaking and dark. Enter ex-soldier turned river-tour guide Hunter Holt, and the man Faye hasn’t stopped loving. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Faye and Hunter, as they join the Requisition Force in the search for a killer whose numbers are increasing on a daily basis. Faye and Hunter’s history is filled with abuse and addiction. From dysfunctional family dynamics to drugs and abuse, Faye and Hunter would find peace and solace, along with Raider Tanaka, in the arms of their foster mother Miss Angelina. But life, and everything it had to offer tore Faye and Hunter apart, and in the ensuing time neither forgot about their history and their past. The relationship between Faye and Hunter is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose earlier lives were filled with neglect and abuse at the hands of people sworn to love and protect. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Miss Angelina, Jackson Holt and Louise Stockley. We are re-introduced to the Requisition Force leader Angus Force, and team members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten (aka Kat) in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating, high heel wearing German shepherd Roscoe; and Raider Tanaka-Hunter and Faye’s childhood friend, now a member of the Requisition Force Team. TAKEN is a story of murder, madness and revenge; of suspense and mystery; of second chances and love. The premise is intriguing and exciting; the romance is fated; the characters are energetic, sexy and spirited. TAKEN is a spirited, character driven story that is sure to catch your attention.

Taken by Rebecca Zanaetti Deep Ops 1.5 When Faye Smith shows up at Hunter Holt’s home they are given a second chance at love. They have been asked by their one-time foster mother, Angelina, to locate a young boy that just happens to be Hunter’s half brother – a brother he was unaware of. Raider Tanaka, another of Angelina’s boys and their “brother” is also asked to assist as he has access to the FBI and thus will be helpful on the chase. This story has a wicked rather messed up teacher, Louise, who has twisted Jackson around her little finger. The two are traveling across country and Louise is wanted for not only her illegal relationship with Jackson but also for robbery and murder. The questions are: * Will Hunter and Faye find a way to be together this time * Will Hunter, Faye and Tanaka find Jackson and save him What I liked: * Getting to see some of the Deep Ops team * Kit K.A.T – the kitten * Roscoe – the Deep Oops teams mascot – a German Shepherd that eats and drinks bizarre things * Wolfe – a member of the Deep Ops team that Raider also belongs to * Meeting Angus Force * Getting a hint of what the next book in the series might be about * The relationship between Hunter and Faye * Seeing a couple of characters from another series written by this author * Well...the list could go on and on since I pretty much liked everything I was meant to like ;) What I didn’t like: * Louise – I am meant to dislike her and it was easy to do so * The country sheriff – what a pompous little man he was Did I like this book? Definitely Will I read more in this series? Without a doubt Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

About the author

Rebecca Zanetti is the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over eighty romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and contemporary romances, many of which have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple bestseller lists and sold millions of copies worldwide. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and New York Times Book Review and received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Kirkus. Previously an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner, Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body—all in the name of research. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and can be found online at RebeccaZanetti.com