REVIEW: Targeted by Marissa Garner

In Targeted (FBI Heat #2) by Marissa Garner, Marissa is an undercover FBI agent in a very dangerous situation. Infiltrating a terrorist cell to stop a bombing, the consequences will be dire if the terrorist plot goes ahead. When Ameen, an unknown to her, appears at the right time and saves her life, she’s not sure if she can trust him or not. They have similar agendas and a common goal, but Marissa can’t risk anything. Ameen is determined to help her and protect her though, and soon both of them are in deep, and the only way out is to win. But can they? As they fight for good, the attraction they feel for each other also intensifies and develops at a natural pace, even given what they are facing. They are different people, and when all is said and done can there be more?

Targeted is a very modern day, relevant suspenseful story with romantic undertones. It is a bit scary at times because it is so realistic and everything Marissa Garner writes about could happen. Her research and knowledge of the subject she is writing about really makes you think, and at times shiver in fear. I liked the realistic feel, and the characters help bring it to life.

Marissa is brave and determined, and what she could pull off amazed me. She had just the right amount of fear, but powered on. Ameen is an unknown for the first part of the plot, and to trust him or her feelings was an issue Marissa had to deal with quickly. I liked the development of their relationship both romantically and within the suspenseful plot. The conflict, uncertainty and dreams made Ameen and Marissa a couple of people who felt real. I liked who they were separately and how they came together, I felt like it worked well with the suspenseful plot.

The multiple POV’s Marissa writes in helped me feel like I really knew these characters, and some of the secondary ones. There are some strong secondary characters in Targeted that add a lot to the plot, from Ben, to Ameen’s ‘friend’, and his uncle.

Within the suspenseful plot Marissa manages to explore a variety of different relationship dynamics and how the characters worked with them. I liked how this was done, making the characters multi dimensional.

Targeted by Marissa Garner is a fast paced romantic suspense that will at times give you goosebumps with the uncanny realism, and at times give you so much hope for the future. Book two of the FBI Heat series, Targeted can definitely be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any romantic suspense reader.

Book Info:

Published: June 7th 2016 by Forever Yours | FBI Heat #2

For San Diego’s elite FBI agents, risking their lives is standard procedure when it comes to capturing the city’s most dangerous criminals-but falling in love is the greatest risk of all.

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES . . .

FBI Special Agent Marissa Panuska faces the most explosive case of her career when she impersonates a female terrorist to infiltrate an al-Qaeda cell. Her dark hair, olive complexion, and Arabic fluency make her the perfect imposter, but each passing hour raises the risk of discovery. Can she stop the dirty-bomb plot-alone-when the Feds don’t even know the target? And should she trust the mysterious man who bursts into her life when her cover is blown?

SO CLOSE TO REALITY . . .

Former Navy SEAL Ameen Ali has a very personal reason for hating the terrorists and vowing to stop them. But when a beautiful woman joins the sleeper cell spreading death-to-America propaganda at his mosque, he doesn’t want to believe she shares their evil goals. Can he convince her to join forces before it’s too late?