Review : Dire Distraction by Dee Davis (CR)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15756567-dire-distraction

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Book Blurb

As the commander for A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, Avery Solomon is the best of the best. He'll stop at nothing to ensure the safety of his team, but when a mystery from the past resurfaces, he puts himself directly in the line of fire.

PUSHED TOO FAR

After years of covert missions, Avery harbors regrets that continue to haunt him. He still blames himself for his wife's death fourteen years ago-until an A-Tac operative finds a photo that suggests Avery's wife may still be alive. Determined to discover the truth, Avery heads deep into the hostile territory of Southeast Asia, ready for danger and violence-only to find himself captured by desire . . . 

Wilderness guide Sydney Price never backs down from a challenge. She has her own reasons for wanting revenge against the men being hunted by Avery. Though she tries to deny her attraction to the tough, handsome warrior, the spirited Sydney soon finds him impossible to resist. Now she and Avery must work together to uncover the truth-and stay alive. But as the enemy closes in and old secrets unravel, the line between partners and lovers vanishes like mist in the jungle . . . 

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Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala

This is Dee Davis’s newest installment of her A-Tac series. This story involves Avery, leader of A-Tac. His past is coming back to haunt him. The leader of the Consortium is gunning for him. A picture surfaces of Avery’s dead wife, and according to the picture she isn’t dead. Avery travels to Laos in search of an old friend looking to see if his wife, Evangeline, is indeed still alive. His mission is unsanctioned so he is without his team. He enlists the help of fellow CIA operative Sidney Price. She has been in the area for three years establishing her cover as a guide taking tourists down the Mekong River. They enter the dangerous world of drug cartels while searching for Avery’s past friend and possibly his dead wife. Avery knows this could be a trap set up by the Consortium but he needs to know the truth.

Sidney also has her secrets. She purposely hides who she really is and has her own agenda for finding Martin Shrum, Avery’s estranged friend. They enter a partnership to find answers. The mission takes a wrong turn when Sidney’s true identity becomes known and the Consortium tries to kidnap her along with kill Avery. They have to stay one step ahead to survive as it is revealed that the leader of the Consortium has a personal vendetta against Avery.

This story was full of suspense and non-stop action. I couldn’t put it down. This was the first book of her A-Tac series I have read. I really liked it and I will definitely be checking out the others. She writes about the great teamwork among her characters. They have a family-like atmosphere within their team. I also liked knowing the name of the villain but not really understanding why he was gunning for Avery until almost the very end. It kept the reader guessing.

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 I give this book 4 out of 5