Illicit Intent by Debbie Baldwin @debbaldwinstl

Calliope Garland is a reporter for The Harlem Sentry and her latest assignment is to infiltrate the business of a dubious hedge fund manager who is suspected to be less than what he appears. As she’s within seconds of completing her mission and ready to leave the building, things suddenly go crazily haywire. Calliope makes it out but not before encountering several others who will later recall her. Fortunately, on her way out she literally runs into Miller (Tox) Buchanan, a Bishop Security operative who’s making his own escape from a nearby op and sweeps her into his waiting getaway car.

Well, that beginning swept me up and the story never let go. Tox and Calliope met earlier in the first book when she adopted his foster dog. It was the briefest of encounters but memorable to both. It soon becomes clear that Calliope isn’t safe because there are a host of others interested in what she took from the hedge fund office, stuff she’s aware of and some she’s not. The story gets really twisty and even though we know the identity of those interested in finding her, we don’t know why.

There are so many layers here that when you think you’ve got them patched together, another hole opens up that merits consideration. It’s an international story that reaches back decades to give background. At first I thought that would be the least interesting but it didn’t take long for me to look forward to those transitions. But as fascinating as the mystery and suspense element was, the burgeoning relationship between Calliope and Tox surpassed my expectations. Both have unique personalities and backstories that make them interesting in their own right but as a couple they were off the charts. Nothing predictable with these two and their path to commitment was fun to experience.

This is one of the most imaginative stories I’ve read in a long time and I really hated seeing it end. To give more details would lessen the excitement and thrills for you that I got to experience firsthand. I normally am dying to solve the mystery, but here? I just liked being along for the most incredible ride!

Book Info

• Release Date: January 1, 2021
  
• Series: Bishop Security #2
• Page Numbers: 366
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press

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