Hard Line by Pamela Clare

A crashed satellite has the Cobra Elite team, led by Thor Isaksen, headed to the South Pole in Antarctica to retrieve sensitive data before enemy forces reach it. When they arrive at the Amundsen-Scott station, they learn one of the astronomers has died under strange circumstances so they make a quick decision to return her body with their transport. Her best friend and fellow astrophysicist, Dr. Samantha Park works with the team on their satellite retrieval mission. However, they have to alter their plans and extend their stay when they learn that the astronomer’s death wasn’t accidental.

I absolutely love that this series takes me to places I’ve never even imagined and vividly creates settings that have me feeling as if I’m there. I know it’s cold in Antarctica but it’s described in a way that goes beyond just illustrating subzero temperatures. Thor is of Danish descent and served on an elite dog sled patrol so he was a perfect choice for the assignment. He and Samantha made a striking couple, both having an appreciation for all things intelligent and thought provoking. Their romance was skillfully meshed with the mission and subsequent investigation, which was extremely dangerous and confounding.

Thor and Samantha were wonderfully developed characters and may just be my favorites in the series, which is surprising as I had zero interest in him before this story. It speaks to the great writing and character development. The mystery kept me guessing and the climax was thrilling. I had a hard time putting this one down. It was a perfect balance of suspense and romance.

Book Info

• Release Date: August 18, 2020
  
• Series: Cobra Elite #5
• Page Numbers: 316
• Publisher: Self

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