The latest FBI Romantic Thriller from New York Times bestselling author Toni Anderson. FBI negotiator Charlotte Blood is at the top of her game. In an effort to halt a tension-filled, armed standoff before anyone else gets hurt, Charlotte is determined to unravel the mystery of a young woman’s death on a remote mountainside. Pity she has to fight her sexy, stubborn, Hostage Rescue Team … stubborn, Hostage Rescue Team counterpart every step of the way.
As a highly skilled operative, HRT Gold Team leader Payne Novak doesn’t have time to play detective or make nice with killers who flout the law. His focus is on getting inside the compound and ending the siege as quickly as possible.
Forced to work together to prove the tactical and negotiation arms of the FBI can cooperate, the battle-hardened HRT team leader and the quietly determined negotiator figure out they might have more in common than they realized.
As the clock ticks, Charlotte discovers there are some dangers she can’t talk her way out of, and the race to unearth long-buried lies becomes a matter of survival for everyone on the mountain.
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Another fabulous book by Toni Anderson!! The heat between Charlotte and Payne is scorching and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat with twists I never saw coming. An absolute must read!!
When it comes to combining propulsive thrillers with can’t-walk-away-romance, Toni Anderson is at the top of the genre–and COLD WICKED LIES is no exception. The combustible chemistry between uneasy allies Charlotte Blood and Payne Novak makes the latest entry in the Crossfire Series completely addictive from the first page to the last.
Loved this story which is full of sexual tension, humor, suspense, and FBI agents. What a great idea that Steve McKenzie, the Incident Commander, had of requiring SSA agents Blood (Negotiator Commander) and Novak (Tactical Commander) to be joined at the hips and get along. Needless to say, neither of them were happy about the arrangement as they wanted to be with their own teams. But over time they both found that there were some benefits to the arrangement as far as looking at things from the other’s point of view.
The story is very well written and you will not want to put the book down until you find out who killed Brenna and why. Of course, some things weren’t as they seemed at first and that only added to the story.
A terrific addition to this stellar romance suspense series. A thrilling mystery set in the formidable mountains of Washington State with a dead girl, a survivalists compound, a couple of teens on the verge of love, and a couple of SSA agents of the verge of…well something. Blood and Payne are frenemies forced to work together at close quarters by their boss. Charlotte Blood is a blonde cutie with a soft outside and hard center. She prefers to use words to solve problems but has no problem getting physical. SSA Blood is at odds with her counterpart Payne Novak who prefers to go in hard and get the job done. He’s a former military badass that heads the Hostage Rescue Team while Blood is in charge of the negotiators. One wants to use force and the other wants to use words to solve the standoff with the survivalists as the Feds are maintaining a tight grip on the situation that the country is watching. After a few bad outcomes with compound groups the government doesn’t want another disastrous outcome. In addition to a intriguing, suspenseful storyline with lots of characters in play and a few behind the scenes villains there is also the slow-build romance between antagonists, Charlotte and Payne. It’s not long before they come to appreciate each other in work and when forced to room together they soon recognize the hotness also. Their sizzling chemistry turns steamy as the two join forces to end the standoff, catch a killer, and live to fight another day. The writing is outstanding, the setting harsh, the suspense killer and the romance sexy. Worth the read! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
OMG, I freaking loved this book!
Cold Wicked Lies is the third book in Toni Anderson’s Cold Justice: Crossfire series, a spin-off of her Cold Justice series, but if you’ve never read anything at all from any of them, it’s not a problem–this one could work just fine as a standalone. It’s always fun to encounter favorite series characters again, of course, but you don’t have to know anyone in the universe before you start this one.
Maybe because even if you do know everyone in Ms Anderson’s books so far? Novak and Charlotte might make you forget them even exist…
Yeah, they’re that good 😀
Seriously, this book is managing to single-handedly get me through one of the crappiest weeks I’ve had in quite a while. Being able to escape into Blood (her last name) and Payne (his first)’s world made me forget all the BS that was happening in mine, if even for a little while. Focusing on their relationship problems (and boy, did they have problems! This is one time the non-communication thing actually worked, and wasn’t dragged out needlessly) distracted me from mine. And the danger that they inevitably got into put everything else out of my head, at least until they were safely out of it.
Heck, this book makes me want to go grocery shopping again. And that’s saying something. Maybe not right now, mind you, but someday.
In short, Cold Wicked Lies made me remember why it is that every time a Toni Anderson book crosses my path, I pounce on it like a lion on a gazelle. They’re made to be devoured, and I can only hope it did it justice (pun maybe intended?) this time!
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Steamy suspense – another fantastic read from Toni Anderson!
If you read or follow any of my reviews, you know that romantic suspense is my favorite subgenre of romance. And I’ve been a fan of Toni Anderson’s writing since I stumbled upon her Cold Justice series a while back. And now the Cold Justice Crossfire series has totally hooked me. I’m like a junkie waiting for their fix as I not-so-patiently wait for each release. And she totally delivers…each and every time!
Cold Wicked Lies is book three in the series, but each book can absolutely be read as a standalone. (Side note: this is true for her Cold Justice series books as well.) But I’m a series junkie, and a fan, so I’ll always recommend grabbing all the titles and devouring them!
NICUnurse’s Rating: Seriously…I feel like I say the same thing over and over about Toni Anderson’s books, but it still holds true with Cold Wicked Lies. It’s romantic suspense at its best. Fast-paced, with a great plot with twists and turns I did NOT see coming (always a plus for me!) that kept me up long after I should have been asleep, and just enough romance to keep my HEA-loving heart happy, I’d definitely categorize this book as a page-turner. If you love a good romantic suspense, you’re sure to be satisfied with this book, and with any other books by this author. I’m a fan for a reason!
I give Cold Wicked Lies by Toni Anderson 5 out of 5 stars!
Along with great main characters the author also does such a great job of combining different groups together with large cast of characters that just adds to the greatness of the book.
This time its FBI negotiators and HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) that team up when a murder happens not far from compound on a remote mountainside and the compound shoots a Federal Wildlife Officer and goes on lock down.
HRT Tactical Commander Payne Novak and FBI Negotiation Commander Charlotte Blood and their teams are called in to try and both solve the murder and and to get the group in the compound with surrender peacefully. First problem is Charlotte and Payne do not get along and have completely different views about how to handle a situation. The Incident Commander (Steve McKenzie) decides to make them be attached at the hip to get along and to make sure that both sides (tactical and negotiations) are given equal time.
These two butt heads left and right and think they cant stand the other and its almost comical when the “aha” moment hit and they realize its really attraction,
This wasn’t a face paced thriller like some past but it was very intriguing and kept your attention along with a few surprises and twist at the end. Looking forward to may more in the series.
Toni Anderson’s Cold Wicked Lies is an exceptional book! I couldn’t put it down until I finished it!
The murder of a young woman and shooting of a US Fish and Wildlife Officer brings the “The Critical Incident Response Group” together to face off with a compound that holds the key to solving the murder. The tension between Negotiator SSA Blood and HRT’s SSA Novak over how to move forward on the case causes the Incident Commander to take drastic steps to bring unity to the groups’ leaders. The conflict provides humor, frustration and admiration while both officers learn to work together. The twists and turns that take place to resolve the stand off and solve the murder are intense and suspenseful to the very end.
Believable characters, distracted by their attraction, the friction of each trying to accomplish the mission by focusing only on their individual job. Intrigue, action, twists, intense heat, politics, weather, love, rough country and time running out. A story that will pull you in and keep you reading late into the night. Toni is a master storyteller and you should buy this book.
Payne and Blood, what a combination. Sparks fly upon their first meeting, especially with each of them grumbling part of … “Yipee-Kai-yay”. One follows the rules, one doesn’t and imagine being told to be hip to hip for 72 hours straight or go back to Quantico. The plot is complex with twists that I was not expecting, even at the end of the book. It’s a definite page turner as you would expect from Ms. Anderson, the characters are complex and lovable at the same time. My first ever naked rescue, strip poker and charms … “Whey did you get me a kitten charm? Is that some dubious reference to … ?” Hilarious, and so sweet at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter of the Cold Justice series and I highly recommend it.
I received this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Unpredictable is an understatement when it comes to this new addition. I like both, Blood & Payne they exemplify the tenacity, grit and empathy needed for successful crime agent careers. Their story is irresistibly compelling, the mystery solving is intense, detail-orientated with momentum and shocking, jaw-dropping twists that kept me deeply engaged as they find a killer and their own happiness. As usual, the love interest is the icing on the cake. Romantic thriller at it’s best!
I was provided a free advanced copy without obligation and I am voluntarily reviewing.
A stand-off between a mysterious group in a heavily fortified bunker and the FBI brings together two agents that appear as different as night and day. Charlotte Blood and Payne Novak go into this operation with preconceived opinions of each other. Not of the good kind. Forced to work together the tension and angst these two generate is at first witty and then smoking. But their priority has to be the case, and they prove to us and each other they are both qualified and capable. With clues coming one little bit at a time the suspense is palpable. The breakneck pace of the story keeps us entranced from beginning to end. And the end is one sweet sexy HEA, sigh .
I love the kind of story where the last person you thought you’d be attracted to draws you in until you know you can’t let go. Throw in plenty of drama, suspenseful action, intrigue, and some pretty good surprises and you have the perfect romantic suspense. Charlotte and Payne may not be able to work together when it appears it’s only going to cause conflict. But based on the sparks they strike off each other there’s certainly chemistry there. When they’re forced to work and live side by side those sparks are only going to cause an inevitable combustion that will either blow them apart or fuse them together.
This is an exciting, edge of your seat page turner that will keep you involved from start to finish. The characters are so well-drawn and engaging that you form an immediate attachment to them. The storyline is a fast-paced and extremely entertaining one that you’ll find hard to put down. It’s a wonderful addition to this highly enjoyable romantic suspense series.
Loved this one. Payne Novak is an excellent character, and this story really starts off running on page one. It will also keep you guessing. This is really a page turner and along the way Charlotte and Payne fall in love too. This is a great series and I can’t wait to read more.
Blood and Payne, ha ha ha 😉 That fits the both of them perfectly. “Forced” by their boss to be “joined at the hip” for the next 72 hours while attending a Situation in Washington State they try to manage not to get on each others throats too often. While they barely get by, the situation on site dies not solve itself and with the leader of the group being holed Up in to mountains not wanting to speak to the FBI things seems to be taking some time. But when said time runs out and secrets are revealed, it’s about to get ugly. Toni Anderson very much knows her stuff. I’ve been expecting an excellent story, but she’s always managed to throw me for a loop. Very great story.
This is a great read. It’s one of those “I’ll just read one more chapter” books that you don’t put down. Twists and turns and surprise endings. Payne and Blood are two great characters. Loved watching them warm toward each other.
WOW. I loved this book. This author hit it out of the park with this one. Lucy and Max were a terrific couple. This story had so much suspense and chemistry and everything in between. I kind of thought I knew who was behind all of the chaos but the ending definitely surprised me. I loved it so much. will definitely be reading more from this author.
If you haven’t read anything by Toni Anderson, what are you waiting for? She is an absolute genius of romantic suspense and FBI thrillers. I’ve read her entire Cold Justice series, and now the first three books of the Crossfire spinoff series. Gritty, detailed, believable suspense that will have you turning pages faster than you ever thought possible. Anderson drags you along on her wild roller coaster ride, kicking and screaming and eating up every word on the page.
FBI hostage negotiator Charlotte Blood has appeared in several other books, and I was glad to see she finally got her own story. The book takes on he said/she said dueling POVs, with several chapters sprinkled throughout in other character POVs to forward the plot. The instant antagonism between Charlotte and Payne Novak is palpable and feels justified, although their situation commander’s solution seems contrived. Making the two pair so tightly wouldn’t seem to be the most efficient way for anyone to get their jobs done. It does, however, give the pair insight into each other’s motivations and drivers, and help them each see past the external face the other presents to the world.
With a ripped from the headlines plot, this fast-paced story kept me engrossed and engaged, with writing that crackled off the page and characters you wanted to root for. Totally recommend and give 5 shiny stars. Despite the fact that I’ve read all her books – and recommend all of them – I think this would easily work as a standalone read.
(4.5) Auto buy and no regrets. I purchased this book and I received an arc. I have never read a book by Toni Anderson I didn’t like. I would highly recommend any book she writes. Cold Wicked Lies delivered on the suspense, the intrigue, the romance. The prologue made my heart hurt for this young man and I wrapped my heart to protect it as I read. The premise takes you in one direction and the twist at the end was so unexpected. The bickering between Novak and Blood was tempered with respect which enabled them to learn from each other and the relationship seemed real to me, with the one step forward and two steps back. I freely share my thoughts and opinions and recommend this to anyone who likes suspense with some romance with our law enforcement personal.