Even angels have their demons Jordan Reiss is well aware that if she was on fire the entire town of Oak Creek would probably go inside and make a sandwich. She can’t blame them. Her father scammed half the town out of their retirement funds, and then she… options and just wants to be left alone to live on the fierce Wyoming land she’s missed so much during her six years in prison.
Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood’s callsign may have been Angel, but he’ll be anything but to protect his sister. Especially from a pretty ex-con who has somehow weaseled her way into a job at his sister’s new bakery.
He doesn’t trust Jordan, even with her big gray eyes and quiet smile.
But when someone decides its time for Jordan to leave Oak Creek—preferably in a body bag—Gabe will have to put his distrust aside. Jordan needs her own guardian angel. And he happens to be one.
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ANGEL is a stand-alone steamy romantic suspense, set in the LINEAR TACTICAL series. Meet the former military men of Linear Tactical, and the women who bring them to their knees: The strongest fall the hardest.
A “less-steamy” version of this book (same great story but with toned down language and sensual scenes) is available on Janie’s website ~ If you like the heat level of Janie’s Harlequin Intrigue books, you’ll love the “less-steamy” version of the Linear Tactical series!
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Janie Crouch had me under this books spell at page one! Absolutely loved Jordan and Gabe’s story ! This steamy romance had action, suspense, drama, danger, heart break, and a whole cast of fantastic characters. Jordan is just an outstanding person and my heart broke for her continuously over the way she was treated and all that had happened to her. She remained strong, compassionate, and a truly good person even after everything that she went through. Gabe is like a knight in shining armor to Jordan and treats her the way she should she be treated. Loved the ending and can’t wait for the next book in the series! Hoping we get more of these two in future books!
Janie Crouch is a fabulous writer and she is so talented in her writing that you get totally drawn into her story lines. When reading her stories you can easily forget where you are and what time it is! I started reading this book in the evening while my husband was watching sports. I was so engrossed in this story I didn’t even notice that he went to bed. I looked up at the clock and it was LATE! This storyline was introduced in earlier books and I was so very excited to finally get to find out Jordan’s HEA. This book is book 4 in the series but you can definitely read this one first but I would highly recommend you read them all. This series is awesome! Jordan was just a young girl when she tragically fell asleep at the wheel of her car and killed a young mother and her child. She was put in prison and finally finished her time and the town she loved was not welcoming her back because of her mistake and her good for nothing father that cheated many of the town folks out of their life savings. Between her father and her accident she felt she deserved the terrible treatment from the town. Until things get totally out of hand. She needs a guardian angel and she gets one by the name of Gabriel. Gabe is her savior and her heartbreak. Can he trust Jordan to be who he wants to believe she is? Can she trust this outsider to help her? This story will have you staying up all night to find out! It did me! I loved it and I am so excited for the next book in the series! Janie why can’t you write as fast as I can read your stories? Janie is one of my very favorite writers and I love this book!
Plenty of action going on in this one! GREAT main characters and intense emotions too!
There is an interesting start to the story And and some intense interaction between Jordan and Gabriel, starting on Jordan’s porch. Wasn’t expecting that but it was good.
But don’t count out some of the secondary people in the story either. Jordan may not feel like she has any friends in the town but the people of Linear Tactical Unit and their girl friends definitely are in her corner.
The town of Oak Creek has quite the hate on for Jordan and her father. Since they can’t get to her father, Jordan takes all of their heat. And they do dish out quite a few problems for her. She realizes that just seeing her makes them re-live what they have lost and they just want her gone. She understands but she is so alone and it hurts.
The author did a good job of making you feel some of what she has had to deal with. It’s been so long since anyone even gently touched her.
There’s a twist that I didn’t see coming about 60% into the book. I maybe should have but the author did a good job of keeping the tension up in the book. Another reason I probably didn’t see it coming was because there was so much other trouble going on. Not confusing though which I appreciated.
There is sexual heat in this story along with fairly detailed sex. Just saying for people who want to know.
I really liked the nickname “Rainfall” that Gabriel gave Jordan and the sweet reasons behind it. That also added more tender moments to the story too!
I liked how the story ended and it had at least one or two smile-worthy surprises. I definitely would like to read more of the books from this particular series. I have read at least one other book from this author and really liked it. It was also the reason I wanted to give this book a try. This book knocked it out of the park for me. I hope in the final copies the unique chapter icon is used. It was pretty cool.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This series continues to get better and better with each book, something I didn’t think was possible after the absolute diamond that was Shamrock. Angel is a breathtakingly beautiful love story mixed with lethal suspense, a heartbreaking tale of new beginnings and forgiveness.
The first three books in this series were emotional, but Angel has completely surpassed all of them. Reading Jordan’s story was heart wrenching. My heart broke for everything she had endured and how genuinely surprised she was by even the smallest gesture of kindness was incredibly touching. And then to witness the gut wrenching scenes where trust become an issue for Gabriel, it was almost too much. Gabriel’s temper and his poor treatment of Jordan was at times hard to read. His heartfelt apologies and willingness to do anything to gain her forgiveness redeemed his character in some ways but his behavior and conduct is unforgivable in many respects. However, when the truth is revealed, he pulls out all the stops to be forgiven and does whatever it takes to keep her safe from the danger that surrounds her.
This is a gripping tale, full of emotions, intrigue and drama. There are moments that may just break your heart and moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Jordan and Gabe’s love story is a roller coaster ride that will hook you in from the start, tug at your heartstrings with its twists and turns, and captivates until the very end. I love the way all the Linear Tactical characters are integrated in each story of this series.
Linear Tactical is proving to be a must-read series with each installment as strong and powerful read as the previous one.
What a fantastic addition to the Linear Tactical Series. I have been fascinated with Jordan’s character since book one. The author has sharpened and defined her character throughout the series and as a reader, I have shared her pain and loneliness.
Jordan has been paying for her sins as well as that of her fathers since a young age. She spent 6 years in prison for killing a woman and her unborn child in a car accident. When she is released she finds she is ostracized by the people in her small town by everyone but the Linear Tactical group. The town blames her for her for her father swindling most of the people out of their savings then skipping town. Jordan doesn’t expect anything out of life, she just wants to be left alone so she can work on “The Plan” she came up with while in prison.
When Jordan gets a job in Violet’s new bakery, Violet’s brother Gage, is very upset. Especially when things start to happen that he thinks put his sister in danger. Like the town, his instincts point to Jordan. So he decides to stick around and keep an eye out. So he puts his Navy Seal training to work to protect his sister and find out all he can about the aloof Jordan, and her mysterious actions.
THis is a very exciting, intriguing romance that will have you smiling at Gabe and Jordan’s interactions and wanting to bop an entire town on its head for their stupidity. We get to catch up on the Linear Tactical gang and their women which is simply a big Plus. 5 Stars for a great storyline that keep me reading until the wee hours to find out what happens. 2 Thumbs Up for a wonderful read that I Highly Recommend. If fact, if you haven’t started it yet, I highly recommend grabbing but all the Linear Tactical Books, you won’t regret it.
I was hoping Jordan would get a story of her own because I was really curious about her since her mention in Shamrock after Violet befriended and hired her as well as her interactions with Violet’s brother Gabriel. You could just tell they were going to be combustible if they ever got together; there was definitely an attraction from the start. There were so many whispers about her and so much hostility towards her by almost everyone; I really wanted to learn her backstory to find out why. All of the Linear Tactical books have been wonderful and once again, Crouch did not disappoint with this one.
Jordan’s story was heartbreaking and I truly admired her courage, strength and resolve to stand her ground and work towards her dream for a better life. She always tried to be strong and she kept her turmoil deep inside, determined not to let anyone break her. However, she did not plan on Gabriel’s presence in her life. He became a variable she was uncertain how to deal with; especially with the way he treated her and he definitely kept her confused and on her toes bouncing back and forth between hot and cold while he tried to sort out his attraction to her. She definitely did not have an easy childhood and my heart went out to her. Aside from her horrible father and upbringing, she suffered so much at the hands of others, between open hatred, confrontations, pranks, vandalism, threats and more. Yet she was determined that no one was going to run her off or keep her from reaching the goal she set for herself or her plans for the future. She was an amazing character and wicked smart. I hated seeing the situation she was forced in to and the fallout was gut-wrenching. She was forced in a no-win situation but was determined to do whatever she had to to keep Gabriel and her new friends safe.
Gabriel, I liked him but then I did not, then I did. He did and said some really stupid things when it came to Jordan and trying to get her out of his sister’s life. Until he got himself sorted out, he drove me crazy with his back and forth attitude towards her. I was happy to see when he finally came around. He became an unmovable force in Jordan’s life. He was a strong alpha male that would do anything to protect his sister, especially after everything she had recently been through. He was not happy at all about Jordan being around his sister and bringing trouble to Violet’s door. He was going to do anything and everything in his power to get her out of his sister’s life. Or at least, that was the plan. However, after his first few attempts at confronting her backfired, something else took root the more he was around her; the attraction he had towards her and his protective side flared to life. Despite everything he said and thought regarding Jordan, he was still fascinated with her and drawn to her on a level he did not understand and that made him even more frustrated. By the time he really considered himself involved with her, he was in too deep to pull out and yet he did not care. He decided she needed one person she could trust and depend on and it was going to be him. He would stand between her and the world if it would keep her around and keep her safe.
In the end, I loved seeing Jordan and Gabriel together and the development of their relationship. They had explosive chemistry and they formed an amazing bond. I loved seeing Jordan grow stronger under the tutelage of Gabriel, Violet and their Linear Tactical friends. I loved Gabriel’s alpha, take no prisoner attitude towards those who treated her badly in any way. When he swooped into the hospital and took over…it was awesome! I pretty much loved everything about this book and Gabriel and Jordan have become my favorites in this series, to date. However, I am sure that will probably change with the next book…ha ha ha! Crouch writes such amazing, emotional stories packed with suspense, action, drama, and romance they just keep getting better and better.
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily providing my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.
A real rollecaster of feelings, once started you won’t be able to stop until the last page. The particularity of this book, if you read the precedent instalment in the series is that it takes place at the same time as book 3 for a big part of the series so you see events you already knew about but from another point of view and i really loved that. Thanks to that it can also be read as a stand alone.
Jordan really suffered and it was far from fair, she made mistakes and paid really an hard price for that but worse when outside most people are still shunning her or worse making her life even more difficult. She is a good, loyal girl so it wasn’t easy to see her confronted to so many trouble at the same time.
Gabriel….he is a protective but stupid alpha, oh he sure can be smart in a lot of domain but in human female area he is deeply lacking….he hurts Jordan so man time i’m not sure i could have forgiven him but Jordan does see his weakness under his all bad muscles appearance. The grumpy bear is in fact a teddy bear with a sweet heart. I did appreciate how Gabriel could recognize his errors and learn from them.
Since it’s partly the same event than in book 3 that part of the intrigue was known to me since i’ve read but the the intrigue with Jordan was really well written and i couldn’t wait to read more.
We do get to see the whole linear team and i just want Dorian story even more now^^;; i need to discover the mysterious woman hunting him but still helping the team in her own way.
This is a fabulous story that i can only recommend with a lot of enthusiasm as a stand alone or read in order.
This is the author’s fourth book in the Linear Tactical series. Once again the author knocks it out of the ball park and kicks it up a notch with a spine tingling plot, along with heart wrenching moments, sizzling romance, steamy scenes, over the top intrigue with villains.
This is the story of Jordan that was mentioned in the previous books of the series.
Jordan returns home after serving six years in prison for the accidental deaths of a woman and her son.
Her prison sentence was rather harsh, because her father left town two years before after robbing many of the citizens of their life savings/retirement.
Jordan returns to her hometown to live in the house that was her mothers after her mother died.
When Jordan tries to get a job no one will hire her. She was shunned and ostracized from the businesses in town.
She was finally able to get a job at a bakery. The woman, Violet Collingwood, was new to the town and decided to hire Jordan in spite of her history.
Gabriel Collingwood, Violets brother, had her investigated and offered her a sum of money to quit her job at his sisters bakery. Jordan slams the door in his face.
As the weeks go by Gabriel starts noticing how the townspeople treat her.
Misunderstandings, heart breaking words, and teary eye scenes will definitely keep you on the end of your seat.
In several scenes you want to slap the snot out of Gabriel and take a frying pan to his dome.
Throughout the book there is an undercurrent of mysterious things happening that the team Linear Tactical is trying to investigate.
There is so much action going that you are sorry you reached the end of the book–it is that good.
After you read this book don’t forget to check out the first three books in this series Linear Tactical: “Cyclone”, “Eagle” and “Shamrock”. After reading those books why not check out her Omega series. She is definitely my favorite author–hands down. I have enjoyed all her books. Check out the Harlequin Romantic Suspense genre and I am sure she will become a favorite author for you.
f I could give this book a 10 Star review, I would. This great addition to the Linear Tactical series will grasp your attention from the first page until the last.
We met Jordan Reiss in a previous book. She is the young lady who killed a mother and child after falling asleep while driving, and served 6 years in prison. A tragedy she will always carry in her heart.
Now back in the only home she knows, Jordan is ostracized everywhere she goes. Not only because of the deaths she caused, but also because her father embezzled the town.
Thanks to the bakery owner Violet, she has job in the back of the bakery. But Violet’s brother , former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood, thinks she’s out to take advantage of Violet. Once he gets to know Jordan, he realizes she is really innocent, and is a sweet, young woman. As the attraction and relationship develops, so does the trust. But the past comes back to haunt Jordan, and everyone is put in danger.
This is another engaging story, with complex characters, bad guys, hunky good guys and romance. But will Jordan and Gabe/Angel find their HEA or will circumstances keep them apart?
Can’t wait to see what else thios talented author has for us.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
I love the Linear Tactical series, the first three books were phenomenal, but I was really looking forward to reading Jordan’s story. My heart just went out to her in the previous books. She screwed up, people got hurt and she knows she has to live with that for the rest of her life but to live with her father’s deceit on top of it – just wow. She gets knocked down but jumps right back up. Then came Gabriel, I wanted to reach into the book and smack him a couple of times, but he finally proved to her he can be trusted and his love is true.
I received an ARC for this book. I have read Shamrock, Eagle and Cyclone and loved each of the books. In these books, Janie Crouch has introduced the main characters in Angel. She has another hit with this book. Jordan is an outcast in her home town. Mostly due to her father steeling retirement money from the residents. She is shunned and has to drive to the next town for groceries because the merchants in the town refuse to serve her. When she is injured while putting out a fire in the bakery where she works, the nurses in the hospital put her in a supply closet and fail to tell the doctor that she is there to be treated. When Gabriel finds her in the closet, he demands that she be treated. Jordan calls Gabriel her angel! He continues to look out for her, helping her when he sees that she needs it. This story interweaves the characters we met in the prior books into this story. Jordan is a strong person and tries not to let her loneliness take her over. She has a plan and is working towards it. Gabriel and Jordan develop feelings for each other but each is afraid to voice them. I would highly recommend this book to mature readers. Can’t wait to read the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This one might be ever better than the previous books in the series though I thought that wouldn’t be possible. Well, Jordan really has her share of literally bad Karma. Being punished from the townspeople for the things her father did and then of course the accident that took two lifes were the top of the cake. But when her so called father shows up out of the blue and demands her help or else…everybodys trust in her is in jeopardy. My o my. This story really is amazing. You get a quite good impression of Jordan herself – dealing with all the shit thrown her way and still wanting to stay in the place she grew up in. It’s a very good thing Angel’s there to support her – or won’t he? Fabulous!
I have readed all books in this serie and this one is my favorite.Gabriel’s and Jordan’s relationship was at first full of doubt and trust issues.After Jordan got away from prison almost everyone hated her.Mostly because her dad stole money from them.They thought she is same as him.Gabriel didn’t want her sister near Jordan,just because of that.They start build their relationship.Gabe do his best to keep her safe. When things start happen and things start fall apart,who you can trust?I cannot stop reading and this book was worth of waiting.Cannot wait next book.This book continues there where last book Shamrock ended.
Received an ARC but was awaiting its arrival. This story shows us the pain and suffering that a young girls goes through because of her father as well as an accident of her own. It shows us the judgmental attitude of even good people and the effect that they just can’t see. We can hope for some kindness to be shown yet can we understand the prejudice? The love story builds but there is so much they need to learn about each other and a trust that seems to be just out of grasp. Of course we will get our happy ending but not before plowing through all the crap. Can’t wait for Ghost.
Jordan has been a recurring character from the beginning. She’s an ex-convict after a terrible accident and when her dad stole the townfolks retirement funds and disappeared, Jordan found herself as the town pariah. This chick had a steel backbone to endure the crud she did! She took the backlash of her father’s idiocy and swallowed the town’s insults and horrid treatment down with her head held up. I felt terrible for her! Bless the girls and their protective guys at Linear Tactical for giving Jordan a chance!
Now Gabriel…I liked him. He was a really sweet guy; proactive, decisive, and protective of those he cared for. Now if he could just quit jumping to conclusions!
Jordan and Gabriel had oodles of chemistry! Their fireworks in Shamrock are still present and exploding here! He was the experienced older guy and she was a virign pupil, but their sexy romps…this particular education was smokin’ hot! The emotional intimacy took a a touch longer to establish..ahem, Gabriel…but once things clicked, it made their relationship that much stronger.
Overall, Angel was a good read. I did have a couple of issues with Gabriel, but thankfully he did the right thing or we’d have had words! Seeing Jordan bloom was the best and I loved getting to learn more about her. The suspense was spot on and getting to catch up with the Linear Tactical family is always a highlight! I do hope Dorian’s up next because I am itching to learn what kind of secrets Dorian and his Ghost are keeping….
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
WOW!! This book just blew me away. This is absolutely one of the most emotional, suspenseful and romantic books I have read and I can not stress enough that you have to read it. I am a total fan of the Linear Tactical series. I love the characters. They are strong, compassionate and so likable that you want to be a part of their group. With that said, Jordan is probably my most favorite of heroines. She is incredible. Her strength, perservance, vulnerability and dedication to her beloved Oak Creek make her one of the most endearing of characters. Jordan certainly has Gabe’s attention and they are so good together that it makes you smile. Gabe is gentle and romantic with Jordan trying to give her all the things she has missed out on while in prison.
The drama of that goes down in Oak Creek with Jordan and her father has you on pins and needles and not just for what transpires between them but, Gabe’s reaction as well. Their delicate and sweet romance is put to the ultimate test…one of trust that has you mesmerized to the end. I am in awe of Janie Crouch’s ability to suck you into her story and hold you there for the amazing ride.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Janie Crouch, you will be the death of me yet! I downloaded this book a little before midnight on Monday and told myself I could read a couple of chapters, then go to sleep. Yeah, right. Next thing I knew it was 4 am, and I was on Chapter Seventeen and face-planted on my e-reader. Up again a few hours later and champing at the bit to start reading again, I could not put this book down. I’ve been intrigued by Jordan since her first appearance and hoped that she would get her own story. When she and Gabe (brother to Violet in Shamrock) met in the previous book the sparks flew, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened.
The beginning of this book overlapped with the end of Shamrock, but this time from Gabe and Jordan’s points of view. Gabe is protective of his sister and suspicious of ex-con Jordan and her motives for working at Violet’s bakery. He was pretty obnoxious in his attempts to bribe Jordan to leave. I loved seeing her stand up to Gabe and do what was right for her. Underneath all that antagonism was attraction, and it burst into flame with an explosive kiss that neither knew how to deal with. Nor could either one forget it. Though he tried, Gabe couldn’t stay away, intrigued and curious to find out more about her. There was a sweet, romantic scene involving a sunset and good conversation that exploded into unexpected passion. But when Gabe’s desire to treat Jordan the way she should be treated ran into the demons of her past and present, his frustration caused some very boneheaded actions on his part. I ached for Jordan and the hurt she experienced, and even for Gabe because he knew he’d been a jerk.
Jordan is amazing. She has been through so much, but she is determined to have the life she wants. A tragic mistake, when she was seventeen, sent her to prison for six years. Added to the fact that her father stole the retirement funds of most of the people in town, she wasn’t surprised by the way she was treated when she came back. All she wanted was the chance to live in peace on her little patch of Wyoming paradise. I ached for her over all the acts of bullying, large and small, that she endured, believing that she doesn’t deserve to be treated kindly. I loved how the men and women of Linear Tactical slowly worked past her defenses and gave her the love and friendship she craved.
I loved the development of the relationship between Gabe and Jordan. Though he was suspicious and antagonistic at first, it didn’t take long for Gabe to admire Jordan’s strength, intelligence, and humor. Jordan was wary. It took a little while for her to trust him, especially when he made some stupid mistakes. He came through brilliantly after the fire at the bakery. I loved seeing him in all his protective glory at the hospital, from the alpha avenger after he saw how she was treated, to the sensitive, observant man who was there when she needed him most. I loved seeing Gabe take care of her, showing her through his actions that she deserved everything he could do for her. The depth of thought and feeling that went into the date he took her on showed just how much he was starting to care about her. I loved watching Jordan blossom under his attention and support.
Just when it looked like life couldn’t get any better, Jordan’s past comes back to haunt her. With her friends’ lives threatened, Jordan found herself in a position that would test Gabe’s trust in her. I was on the edge of my seat as I watched Jordan forced to betray him. Intensified by the memory of another recent betrayal, Gabe’s reaction was extreme, and I wanted to clobber him with a baseball bat. It was so satisfying to see him realize how big of an ass he had been when he found out what had actually happened. I was glued to the pages as Gabe, Jordan, and the Linear Tactical guys teamed up to bring an end to the threat. The final confrontation was a complex dance that had the potential for either disaster or success. Of course, you know it will be a success, but the process was intense. All that was left was for Gabe to regain Jordan’s trust and get her to believe in a future together. I loved his “go big” moment at the end. That hint of vulnerability made it so much sweeter as he found a way to make all of Jordan’s dreams come true.
I have to say Angel is my all time favorite book of all the Janie Crouch books I’ve read so far. Jordan’s story is one I have been waiting for since she was first mentioned in Cyclone. We get more snippets of her in Eagle and Shamrock, so to finally get her story I was ecstatic!
Jordan has endured a lot in her 24 years; her mother passes away when she was a child, her father cheated and stole money from many people and businesses in town and after a horrible tragedy she was sentenced to prison for 6 years, all before she was even 18 years of age. She has been out for the past 3 months and life has not been any easier for her. Because of what her father had done, she is seen as a pariah in the eyes of many of the townsfolk of Oak Creek and they don’t hide their disdain for her, but she refuses to move away. Even with the difficulties she is facing, she is home and she has a plan in motion that she is adamant about achieving.
Then we have Gabriel, former Navy Seal, and older brother of Violet, Jordan’s new boss. And as the overprotective older brother, Gabriel has some reservations of Jordan working for his sister and he lets her know it. But something about Jordan pulls at him and he can’t seem to stay away. As he gets to know her, he sees the strength and fortitude it took to carry on with everything she had faced and his feelings for her continued to grow. So when he personally sees all the bullying and hateful actions towards her, he is so angry on her behalf, he decides to take on the role of Jordan’s guardian angel and be the one to care for her and stand by her side.
I’ve mentioned in the first three books in this series that they were emotional, but Angel completely surpasses all of them. I shed many tears reading Jordan’s story. My heart broke for everything she had endured and reading how genuinely surprised she was by even the smallest gesture of kindness. And then to witness the gut wrenching scenes where trust becomes an issue for Gabriel, it was almost too much. But when the truth is revealed, he pulls out all the stops to be forgiven and do whatever that needs to be done to keep her safe from the danger that surrounds her.
This was an excellent book and I loved everything about it! I highly recommend!
I love this one. Jordan has always been a supporting character but handles the starring role with grace and dignity. Gabe is such a strong character but has trouble with trust. Together they make it work. After all the bad times these two have experienced, it’s great to see them get their HEA.
Enjoy!