Cold Cruel Kiss

by Toni Anderson

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Toni Anderson is an author who I have heard great things about, but never had the chance to read her work until now. I cannot believe I waited this long to read her work. Cold Cruel Kiss was hands down one of the best books I have read this year. It is the fourth book in the Cold Justice Crossfire series, however it works well as a standalone. The only issue is my having to go back and read the previous books in the series.


The story introduces Lucy Aston and FBI Special Supervisory Agent Max Hawthorne. Lucy works as an assistant to the PA of the US Ambassador to Argentina. Max, a former member of the British SAS now works as a negotiator for the FBI. The story began with the abduction of the US ambassador’s daughter on Christmas Eve while she was out shopping with friends. The FBI sent Max, one of their top negotiators, to take control of the situation and ensure the safe return of the Ambassador’s daughter.


Lucy tried not to bring attention to herself and has been doing an outstanding job until Max came on the scene. He saw what no one else did. A smart and beautiful woman. She knew she needed to avoid him, especially given her attraction to him. However, when circumstances forced them into working together, professional lines got crossed and feelings developed between them. However, Lucy harbours a secret, which if discovered could destroy her growing relationship with Max and posed a major threat to the security of the United States.


Lucy intrigued me. I wondered at every page turn what made her tick. The deeper I went into the story, the more of an enigma she became. One thing for sure, she was not the frumpy, weak and unattractive woman everyone thought her to be. I loved how well she and Max worked together, both professionally and romantically.


The story started strongly, and it never let up with the suspense. It hooked me from the start and held me captive to the end. It made me eager to know how it would all unfold and anxious I had many questions while reading. Who were the kidnappers, why did they target the ambassador’s daughter, and did it have anything to do with Lucy’s secret? The story answered all questions, some of which had a surprising outcome.


If choose to read Cold Cruel Kiss, which I strongly recommend, then prepare to be plunged into a world of kidnapping, corruption and espionage. The events tied up in a neat little bow and have me looking forward to reading more from the author.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading