Hard Edge by Pamela Clare

Gabriel Márquez is a CIA agent, undercover as a Franciscan nun in Venezuela, her family’s home country. She’s been there for a year, administering to the poor while attempting to get evidence of corruption by the current president who is tied to the Andes Cartel, along with the priest who heads the Mission. Things go terribly wrong when two US journalists visiting the mission are violently abducted along with “Sister Maria.” Cobra International Solutions is hired to extract them as current relations between the US and Venezuela won’t allow a military operation. Dylan Cruz is part of the team assigned to the mission and establishes contact with the beautiful nun. With her help, the team is able to plot an informed operation to free the hostages but Dylan and Gabriel find themselves separated and on the run in an unfriendly country.

One of the things I’m enjoying about this series is the international flavor. The settings are mostly locales I’ve never visited and some never heard of before. Of course I’m aware of Venezuela but it was vividly created here, from the internal political situation to its people and culture. It was just as fascinating as the characters and plot. The real surprise here though was Gabriel, a resourceful and skilled operative that was just as critical to the team’s success as their members. Skilled in human intelligence, she could read people and situations almost flawlessly and was equally adept at shifting to meet the new challenges. I really liked Dylan with his multicultural background and flirty nature but Gabriel brought the excitement.

Speaking of excitement, this was one thrill after another as Dylan and Gabriel make their way from San Antonio de Los Altos to safety, which was fraught with danger as both the cartel and government were searching for them. There was just as much romantic heat between the two of them once Dylan discovered he wasn’t rescuing a nun. I loved this story, even when some elements required a bit of belief suspension, which I was happy to do because it worked so well. Winsome and admirable characters, high octane thrills and steamy romance made this an extremely satisfying and enjoyable story.

Book Info

• Release Date: April 21, 2020
  
• Series: Cobra Elite #4
• Page Numbers: 250
• Publisher: Self

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(Thanks to NetGalley and the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)