When drugs are smuggled across the border it’s their duty to stop the culprits…at any cost. Forming a joint task force, Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves have one objective: take down a drug-smuggling ring trying to sell a new lethal product. But when the smugglers come after Kaylin and Hudson, this mission becomes more than just a job. Can they live … job. Can they live long enough to solve the case?
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BORDER BREACH by Darlene L. Turner is the amazing, fast paced story of Canada Border Officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves as they work together to crack a drug-smuggling ring.
Kaylin Poirier has a lot to prove, to her department, to her father and to herself. Her time living on the streets gave her determination and her time living with Diane, when she took her in, gave her hope for a future which led her to applying for the job with CBSA. The one thing she hasn’t found is faith in religion. Still feeling the after effects of her upbringing and a failed romance, Kaylin is determined to prove she has value and that she can fulfill her job with honor and skill.
Hudson Steeves has finally battled his way out of the dark tunnel after he found out his fiancé was dating two other men at the same time she claimed to have loved him. His faith was his strong hold in winning that battle. Now he must concentrate on finding the drug lords and stop the smuggling operation that landed his nephew in a local hospital hanging to life by a thread.
Can Kaylin and Hudson work together after the fiasco of the last time they worked together? After Kaylin’s life is threatened, not once but several times, can Hudson continue to keep her safe? Will the death of Kaylin’s ex-fiancé, who had escaped from prison, end the nightmare or will the terror continue? Is the abduction of Kaylin’s father and all the murders connected? Had God abandoned Kaylin in the past or was it God that sent the right help at the right time only in a form different from what Kaylin was looking for? Will the faith of Diane and Hudson and their lives by example open up Kaylin’s mind that God does exist? Can they find Kaylin’s Dad before he’s killed too? Can Kaylin and Hudson stop to drug smuggling before more people die?
Darlene L. Turner wrote a book that everyone can fall in love with. It has danger, suspense, romance and faith all rolled into a wonderfully written story that will have you turning pages rooting for not only for the good guys to win but for Kaylin and Hudson to find their way to each other. Love the way the author addresses faith – the lack of it in some and the strength of it in others. She shows that all things are answered, but in God’s way and his time. It reminds us that all we have to do is be open to God’s love and to ask.
Highly recommend BORDER BREACH to anyone that loves a great book that will touch your heart, get your adrenaline pumping and give you food for thought. I for one, will be looking for more books by this author.
This debut novel had me on the edge of my set the whole time, trying to figure out who was behind all the carnage. Unfortunately drugs crossing international borders is not something new, but the author has done a fabulous job of taking us behind the scenes to follow the law enforcement officers that are trying to quell the tide of contraband. With yet another new illegal drug on the market, more people are dying from an overdose. They need to cut the pipeline!
Kaylin Poirier is a Border Control Officer at the Windsor-Detroit border. Trained to spot inconsistencies, stopping vehicles is nothing extraordinary. This time, however, it leads to the need for a joint task force with the OPP – the Ontario Provincial Police. Working with another agency can be difficult, especially when Kaylin has worked with one of them before.
The action never stops, with shots fired, apartments broken into and ransacked, vehicles exploding, repeated threats and even a kidnapping. Will the new partners be able to set aside their distrust of each other and work together to accomplish the mission?
This incredible story was published by Love Inspired Suspense. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
In my quest to try new books, I picked up my first Love Inspired Suspense book in quite a while. (It’s been more than a decade.)
I realize and understand there’s an audience for Love Inspired Suspense novels, but I don’t think they’re for me. There were some interesting plot elements in the story, but a lot of the dialogue was predictable and there wasn’t as much deep character development as I prefer in a book. For a LIS novel, however, it was what I remembered and expected it to be: a little melodramatic (because you can’t go into too much gritty detail in LIS) and a bit cheesy at times, but it was easy to read and you don’t have to worry about anything offensive in the book.
Rated PG/PG-13 for thematic elements (though there’s nothing overly graphic).
This is the author’s debut Love Inspired Suspense book and she comes out with a bang in this head-spinning and pulse-pounding story that crosses from the United States into Canada.
Turner’s writing style was engaging and descriptive, almost putting the reader right in the center of this exciting tale. And, there is no end to excitement here!
There will be some trigger warnings – drug overdose and suicide.
Kaylin and Hudson find themselves in the middle of a drug smuggling case that involves car chases, car explosions, arson, shootouts, and test of their faith – or rather Hudson’s faith. Kaylin, given her past with her father – who also happens to be Chief Marshall Poirier – she doesn’t seem to be too in touch with God, actually she’s not even on speaking terms with him.
But, what Kaylin and Hudson do have in common – their fight to get the drugs off the streets. For Kaylin, it is because of her late brother, Todd. For Hudson, his nephew is fighting for his life. This isn’t just a case – it is a personal mission. But, they also have to watch their backs due to the mysterious messages that threaten Kaylin and the investigation.
There is a character that when I FIRST saw him I had my doubts about his sincerity – that waffled, but I was so sure about him. And, I was right. But, I did have my doubts. In addition, one of the “kids” (Benji), I had some reservations about. I didn’t like him, felt sorry for him – this one was all over the place. Though what eventually happens to him is tragic, but not unexpected.
What is interesting is chapter five (5) sets up the events of the second book, Abducted in Alaska, and readers should definitely take notes here – Layke Jackson and Hannah Morgan are introduced. Layke is Hudson’s friend, and ironically Hannah is Kaylin’s. We learn a little of their pasts which includes being homeless at one point. It shows the characters’ tenacity and determination to rise above their circumstances.
And, the end to chapter five is a figurative heart-stopper.
There are multiple family dynamics going on here – Kaylin and her family, Hudson and his, along with them coming to terms with their pasts. Hudson doesn’t want a woman with secrets, those are all Kaylin has. The build up to the romance is slow and sweet – natural, given the circumstances. And, those circumstances are explosive.
While they are investigating the drug ring, someone is targeting the task force. Everywhere they turn – they’re being ambushed.
Kaylin and Hudson are forced to talk to her ex-boyfriend. And, Hudson learns his nephew’s overdose wasn’t an accident – it was intentional. But, Matt survives and is able to tell Hudson what he knows, which involves not-so-innocent Benji.
After Kaylin is abducted and rescued they come to realize there is a mole either in Hudson’s group or Kaylin’s. I suspected one person as the mole/leak and I was SO WRONG! Turner blindsided me on this one!
The action never stops with this and even the climatic end has its own drama woven in. During the middle of a shootout, and fighting for their lives, a tornado threatens everyone. Talk about suspense!
It comes to a heart-breaking, thrilling, and beautiful conclusion that gets further wrapped up at the end of Abducted in Alaska. And, the one character I suspected of being the bad guy, I was right about that.
I could barely take notes when reading this. And, I honestly could not put this book down. And, I finished it in less than 24 hours. It is has been a VERY LONG time since I’ve done that with one of these books. I used to do it all the time back between 2000-2002 with the Harlequin Intrigue line. It was interesting to experience that again. But, I also needed to take breaks as even the mid-chapter scenes were intense. At times I had to stop to catch my breath.
This definitely didn’t plod along, and the chapters seemed relatively short given the series. Of course, it could’ve just been that I didn’t notice due to the intensity of the action.
One thing I wanted to know – why did Hudson’s “ex”, Rebecca, keep popping up and saying they were engaged?
I loved the action, the suspense, and the mystery. I also learned something I didn’t know – that Canada also has 9-1-1. Most countries are different with the emergency code so I stopped to look it up. Also, the author’s use of weapon terminology is spot on. She really did her research on everything.
As this is Love Inspired Suspense; there will be themes of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. There are also references to God and prayer which are key elements to the characters and the story. This book was definitely stronger on the faith theme than most books of the line, which I didn’t mind.
Fans of the genre and those who enjoy the Love Inspired Suspense books are sure to love this book!! I honestly couldn’t wait to read Abducted in Alaska next. In fact, I already read it by the time I drafted (and posted) this review. I can’t wait to read her future books!
Great story set in the modern day fight against drugs. The story is set in Canada which was fascinating for me since I’m in the states. I love to see how the various law enforcement agencies operate.
Kaylin and Hudson have to learn to forgive and move on in this story as well (which is always a huge lesson for everyone involved) and I loved seeing their happy ending!
Kaylin Poirier is a border patrol officer on the US/Canadian border with a particular passion to stop the import of illegal drugs after her brother died. Kaylin knows something is off when she stops a suspicious-looking van on the border and finds the driver has a photograph of her. But she doesn’t expect to become a target after the van crosses the border illegally …
Hudson Steeves is a police constable assigned to work with Kaylin to find the missing van, which belonged to a local florist. He’s attracted to her, but she’s not a Christian. And some of the things she says and people she knows point to an unexpected history.
This is Darlene L Turner’s debut novel, from Love Inspired Suspense. LIS books tend to be plot-driven and fast-paced, and Border Breach is no exception. It’s a fast read with plenty of action that barely gives the reader a chance to draw a breath as Kaylin and Hudson overcome their initial animosity and agree to work together to find the person behind the drugs entering the country and circulating through the schools (I did guess the evildoer’s identity early on, but my logic turned out to be 100% wrong!).
The one problem with such a fast-paced approach is that it can sometimes feel like the character development is lacking. Kaylin and Hudson have plenty of personal history as individuals and together. There’s almost too much history for such a short novel—but I’d much rather read a book and wish it could have been longer than the opposite!
I particularly enjoyed the fact the novel was set in Canada, as that provided a new perspective on the war against drugs. A solid debut, recommended for romantic suspense fans.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a free ebook for review.
Hats off to author Darlene Turner for keeping me in suspense until the end.
The story of Kaylin Poirier and Hudson Steeves took me on an action packed ride of constant danger and intrigue. I simply had to root for them to not only catch the mastermind behind the drug smuggling, but find their way into each other’s trust and into each other’s hearts.
Cleverly plotted, fast paced, and delightfully romantic!
Will stopping drug smugglers cost their lives?
It’s always fun to try a new-to-me author, especially when it’s their Love Inspired Suspense debut. These slim little novels are always a quick enjoyable read and Border Breach was very much so. The action starts out on page one and doesn’t let up for readers or for Kaylin and Hudson. Of course, the romantic sparks are pretty lively, too.
I think one of my favorite things about the story was the setting. How many Love Inspired Suspense books, or any other Christian novels for that matter, are set in Canada? Outside of Janette Oke, not many. Which is another thing I really appreciated about Border Breach, author Darlene L. Turner is Canadian herself and it really lends authenticity to her story and her characters.
Whether you love romantic suspense or love to try new authors, Darlene L. Turner has you covered in this thrill-a-minute novel from north of the 49th Parallel….Don’t miss it a single exciting page!
(I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
This was a great book!! It’s the first one I’ve read by this author, but it sure won’t be the last!!! I finally figured out who did it when they did!! Kaylin and Hudson’s story was great, too!!! I especially liked that it was Hudson who helped Kaylin figure a few things out, but Diane had started years ago. It took a few nudges in the right direction to get her to really open her eyes!! This book reminds me of books by Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey, V B Tenery, H L Wegley, and others. Great suspense with a little romance, too! What more could you ask for!!
Kaylin Poirer takes her job very seriously. Being a border patrol police officer has been something she has done very well, keeping criminals and contraband from passing back & forth over the US and Canadian border. She is proud of the work she has done, but wishes her father truly saw her for her accomplishments and not the “failings” he perceives. And since he is the police chief in her hometown it adds an additional stress to her. Now they are dealing with a drug called DoDa that has been responsible for numerous hospitalizations and multiple deaths. She needs to do more to put a stop to this drug and its pushers, her father has assured the public that his daughter will work tirelessly to put a stop to this drug, she hopes to make him proud.
Constable Hudson Steeves works for the Canadian Mounties and had worked with Kaylin Poirer 6 months ago on another drug case, they butted heads from the moment they met and now they will need to work together again. He really hopes that this time they can get along so as not add more stress to another stressful situation. This case is personal for him, his nephew is in the ICU in a coma from DoDa. He knows that the Lord will take care of his nephew, he wondered if Kaylin had had a change of heart in reference to God. She made it clear that she had no time for God.
Will they be able to work together this time? Will they be able to get past the past?
This was a great story that I wished had not ended. Thank you Darlene Turner for allowing me to participate in this read and review. I cannot wait to read more from you.
Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner is a fast-paced, action-packed ride through the dangerous ranks of a drug ring stretching across the Canadian-United States border. The first few pages explode with action and set the scene for the entire book. As Kaylin and Hudson navigate through the investigation, the danger escalates and lives are lost. The tension of this story is palpable and keeps you turning pages until the end!
Kaylin struggles with painful issues in her past, but I loved her tenacity and unwillingness to let fear rule her. Her journey, both physical and spiritual is a remarkable one. The budding romance between her and Hudson is sweet and genuine. They are one tough couple!
Hudson has such a big heart. From his work at the homeless mission to how he handled learning Kaylin’s past and how close he is to his family…he’s just an all-around amazing guy! Plus, he’s handsome and a constable. There’s not much to dislike about this hero!
I loved Kaylin and Hudson as a team. They complimented each other well during the investigation and as they became more than partners at work.
If you like Christian suspense, you will like this book. It gives a different perspective being in Canada, and it was interesting to learn about their Border Patrol and law enforcement agencies. If you want an exhilarating ride, then pick up this book!
I was given a copy of this book by the author with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Darlene shows off her creative skills in this well-written romantic suspense novel. The opening pages drew me in and kept me on my toes. Kaylin and Hudson’s backstories give them relatable emotions as they struggle with inner turmoil. The plot will have your head spinning with the realities of a drug made from poppy straw called Doda, and a deadly cartel who will stop at nothing to obtain this drug.
Kaylin is assigned to team up with Hudson and find the cartel who breached the Canadian border. She is reluctant to work with him but has no alternative. What the boss wants, the boss gets, so they must succumb to his demand. Their clash a year ago had her dreading working with him again.
Bullets start flying, and people die. The table turns, and the drug smugglers come after them. They put their lives on the line to protect each other. During their search for the cartel and their near-death situations, Kaylin and Hudson dissolve their differences and realize they like each other. But, now that they’ve finally become a real team, will they live long enough to locate the cartel and stop the border’s drug trafficking, to work on a relationship?
You won’t be disappointed. I give this book five stars, and I look forward to reading more of Darlene L. Turner’s novels.
There is absolutely no place to stop and catch your breath at any point in this book. Kaylin is never out of danger until almost the last page of this story. She and Hudson are determined to stop the drug ring that’s targeting teenagers, but their job is made more difficult when they realize they don’t know who to trust. Someone close to them Is betraying them, and it’s only by God’s help that they can survive. Kaylin is not sure she can trust her own father, who is the police chief.
As this dangerous situation is going on, both Hudson and Kaylin have personal issues they need to surrender to God’s grace. Kaylin especially needs to acknowledge the way that God has worked in her life during the times she felt abandoned by Him.
This book kept me guessing until the very end as to how it would end. Darlene Turner has proven with this book that she has much to offer the Christian suspense genre.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Trouble at the border
Darlene L. Turner is a new author for me. Intrigued by the description of Border Breach, I decided to give it a read.
I grew up in Southern California and experienced border checks anytime we traveled between Orange and San Diego Counties and had never really considered the various things the agents were looking for. Honestly, I mostly just considered the checks an inconvenience. I now have a new perspective about the function of these “annoying” checks and admire the men and women who attempt to keep drugs and criminals out of their countries.
Kaylin and Hudson had previously worked together – it was not a good experience! He had allowed his personal drama to affect his work. But he was determined to not allow that to happen again!
I enjoyed the mystery of the identities of Valentino, the one who was controlling the drug rings, and of the one who was providing him with information of Kaylin and Hudson’s whereabouts. I had a hunch about Valentino, which did end up being correct, but was way off on who the mole was!
I enjoyed watching Kaylin’s perspective about God change as she came to the end of herself and turned to Him. In some ways, the change was abrupt and could have been developed more (had this been a longer story) and yet it worked. While the name of Jesus was not mentioned, the spiritual lessons learned were consistent with Christian teaching.
I never did understand Hudson’s ex-fiancé’s motivation for what she did in this story, nor did the change in Kaylin’s father seem to be explained. Yet those things were minor and didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book.
If you enjoy light romantic suspense with a spiritual focus, I encourage you to give Border Breach a read.
Read my review of Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I will be totally honest and state that I’m not 100% certain if I have ever read a novel by Darlene L. Turner. I have been reading Love Inspired Suspense for years so I have lost track of what I have and have not read. Based on Border Breach I plan to remedy that and plan to read more by this talented author.
Action began quickly during the very first chapter and the suspense escalated throughout the book. The plot was riddled with hints but not only were the characters misled by many of them but I was also thoroughly surprised by the revelation near the end. I love it when I don’t have everything all figured out by the middle of the book.
The characters were real and easy to identify with. Kaylin’s past that caused her to doubt God and Hudson’s experiences had left him with nothing but his faith in God and distrust of women. It was fun to watch the sparks fly between them as they fought to stay alive while attempting to bring down a drug ring operating both in Canada and the U.S.
Border Breach is an excellent book that illustrates Kaylin’s journey to faith and forgiveness. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Canadian Border Agent Kaylin Poirier and Constable Hudson Steeves must join forces to stop a deadly drug ring, with a lethal new product on the market. Kaylin and Hudson have worked together in the past, to disastrous results, but as they work on the case they become targets themselves and have to catch the culprits before they become the next victims.
Kaylin is a strong and capable young woman, and draws inspiration and motivation from the pain of her past. She is very conscientious and devoted to her job, though at times she feels like she is constantly proving herself again and again, which eats at her confidence. She doesn’t like to think about faith, and I liked how Hudson challenges her in that way.
Hudson is devoted to finding the kingpins of the drug ring, and he knows that he made mistakes last time he worked with Kaylin. He is strong in his faith, and aware of his failings. I liked his honesty and how he really does work hard to be more conscious of how he treats others.
A high stakes, action packed adventure from debut author, Darlene L. Turner. I liked how both Kaylin and Hudson make an effort to open up the lies of communication, leading to a stronger partnership, and great interaction throughout. I loved the strong backstory, as well as the secondary storyline of Kaylin and her father’s difficult relationship. Fantastic read from beginning to end, I didn’t want to put it down! Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In Border Breach, Darlene L. Turner takes readers into the world of Canadian law enforcement officers and their joint tasks forces while taking readers on an adventure they won’t forget.
Kaylin and Hudson have met before and neither has a pleasant memory of their previous work together. But when someone takes a shot at her, the two are thrust back into each other orbits to find the head honcho of the drug-smuggling ring.
High energy and fast paced, Turner’s first Love Inspired Suspense book hits all the high notes of this line. Just when you take a breath, another bomb (sometimes a literal one) is dropped into these two people’s lives. And I there are plenty of suspects to keep you guessing as to who the true villain is.
There are a couple names mentioned in this book that I really hope to see in a future book from this author, as well, because one story from her is not enough.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Border Breach by Darlene Turner will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you’re reading it! Every time I started to relax a bit, something unexpected would happen! I loved that this story was set in Canada! I haven’t read many books set there and the different setting made for a nice change!
I really liked both main characters and that they each had interesting backstories. I also liked that they had worked together in the past so they already knew each other. As for the bad guy, I was totally and completely taken by surprise!
I’m looking forward to reading whatever Darlene Turner brings us next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Great debut book by Darlene L. Turner! Border Breach has non-stop action from the first page that make the book hard to put down. Great hero and heroine characters that you would want protecting you. In addition, the characters have real struggles including the need to forgive and to trust. The drug smuggling storyline fits into current events. I hope this is the first of many inspirational suspense books from Darlene L. Turner.
I received a free e-copy of this book from the author. I was not required to review it. All opinions are my own.
Border Breach is a fast-paced and interesting read. I have heard about border patrol and knew that it can be dangerous but I wasn’t prepared for the nonstop action that Kaylin Poirier and Hudson Steeves had to face.
Filled with twists and turns, trying to keep one step ahead of the bad guys would get to anyone but I’ll give it to Kayla and Hudson, they were on their game at all times.
Overall, I thought the writing was fantastic, the storyline was informative and action-packed. I am looking forward to more of the authors work. If you are looking for a new author and a fast read tan you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of this novel written by Darlene L. Turner.
I voluntarily reviewed and e-copy of this book. Opinions are completely my own.