Customer Reviews

Against All Odds (Heroes of Quantico Series, Book 1)

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I absolutely LOVED this book! As a huge fan of Dee Henderson, I was enthusiastic to note that she endorsed this book as similar to her own series. I couldn't agree more! The plotline is suspenseful and intelligent. The characters are extremely well developed - so much so that you are very disappointed when their story ends. The romance is tender but believable. And the message of forgiveness is a tremendous and inspiring reminder to all. I am so excited that this is but the first in the series - I eagerly await book #2!

First, this is not necessarily a Christian woman's girly book. Yes, it has the bible and God sprinkled through out but it is not in your face, down your throat!
Second, I love spy stories, fiction and non-fiction stories about terrorism and such. I have read all of Vince Flynn's books and I am a female (not his target audience) but this book was a good read. It was free when I got it so I figured I would try it but I will pay for future books.
That being said, it did not go into the battles and history of the characters as far as the motivating factors but did give enough information to keep my from questioning the basic story line.
Worth the read!

Do you know of anyone who has trouble relating to a family member? Most of us have or have had problems in this area. Monica, one of the characters in this tale, won't even take her father's phone calls! Communication and the lack of it is one of the themes in this suspense-driven novel. As Monica says, "As important as it is for people to talk the walk, it's just as important to learn to listen with the heart as well as the ears." Sometimes people communicate by doing, rather than by talking.

Another theme is forgiveness, and the damage involved when a person refuses to forgive. Another character states, "Forgiveness is hard, honey. But it's what God calls us to. Besides, as some wise person once said, holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It hurts you a lot more than it hurts them."

I can't say much about the compelling plot because I don't want to ruin it for you. Romance, terrorism, Middle East, Afghanistan, FBI, kidnapping, hostage rescue team, diplomat, murder, relationships, women in distress, safe house, and bombs are all included in this Christian Fiction. This will keep any reader's attention.

I do not agree with the theology that has one person asking God for forgiveness for someone else. Other than that, it is an exciting book to read.

Against All Odds
Heroes of Quantico
Irene Hannon
2009
Revell
Fiction/Christian Suspense/Mystery

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

A hardened, experienced FBI agent, a hard headed woman and terrorist bent on teaching someone a lesson. Evan Cooper (Coop) and his partner have a assignment that is the hardest one they have ever faced. A diplomat's daughter had been targeted by a terrorist group, as a bargaining tool for hostages.

Sparks fly between the lovely diplomat's daughter Monica, and Coop. The attraction between them is immediate and obvious to everyone involved in the case. Monica has the ability to shake Coop us, as no other woman ever has. Her faith, vitally important to her, is fascinating to Coop. Will this case bring Coop to a spiritual journey?

Coop and his partner try to convince Monica that her safest position would be in a safe house. She was not convinced, until a horrible experience shook her to her core. Whisked away to a safe house, she assumes she is safe, but is she? Coop, Mark and the other FBI agents are doing all they know to do, for her safety. The terrorists are smart and have done their job and have her in their sights. Follow along with the story to see what will happen to Monica.

An awesome suspense and mystery, Irene Hannon has brought us a book that will capture your attention from the first page. She presents a story that is truly the stuff best selling novels are made of. 334 pages [...]

I love that this book spotlighted something I had never thought of before - the Hostage Rescue Team division of the FBI. The HRT is responsible for rescuing people that have been kidnapped or taken hostage - or in this case - been threatened.

Monica is in danger through no fault of her own, but her estranged dad deals with terrorists and they don't like him. Since he doesn't take threats to himself seriously they decide to threaten his daughter. By pulling some strings he gets the HRT involved to proactively protect his daughter, but what if she doesn't love that idea? Well, she doesn't but finally relents. Even with her cooperation can Evan and his partner actually protect Monica?

This is a great start to a new series that even Dee Henderson compares to Dee Henderson!

I have to admit that I was a little concerned about reading ANOTHER free Kindle book after my last one. What a difference! No one is perfect, just the right amount of conflict, and the plot is believable! So often Christian mystery/romance is watered down, not this one! This was a page turner for me, it just didn't last long enough. I guess I'll have to buy book 2. I've never read anything by Irene Hannon before but I'll be looking at her other books now.

I'm getting very tired of downloading books that I suppose to be mainstream only to find that they are Christian literature. This heavy-handed, unsubtle genre does not appeal to everyone, and should be properly advertised as religion-based in the synopsis. Instead I have to read customer reviews, if there are any, to find out if my mystery novel is going to preach at me. I'm sick of getting sucker-punched. No offense to those who enjoy these books, but I think the free downloads are not being described honestly by Christian publishers so they can drop-kick God onto people who would never read the books if they knew what they were getting before they got it. I consider this practice deceptive and delete the books.

I "bought" this ebook when it was free for my Kindle. I just finished reading it and I LOVED it. Much better than I anticipated. I found I didn't wanted to stop reading. Plenty of suspense, a touch of romance and one of those endings that can bring a tear. I highly recomend this book and will look for more by this author even if I have to pay for it.

"Against All Odds" by Irene Hannon is an incredible read. This masterpiece of Christian fiction employs intrigue, romance, suspense, politics, communication and basic Christianity with finesse and skill. The meticulously laid out terrorist-political plot of this intricate tale of suspense grabs the reader's attention and holds it hostage while the beautifully developed romance between protector and charge blossoms. And the reverse is also true. The romance fan hangs on every word of this unfolding political drama.

Hannon has a smooth writing style that is both intelligent and emotional. Her talent for bringing the reader through the various sub-plots of this story of the protection of a dignitary's daughter from a terrorist threat appeals to the romance reader, the suspense booklover, and the political thriller fan. I will absolutely read this novel again...and again...

The book was inspirational and suspensful. I look foward to reading the next in the series.