Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently–leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn’t convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets … sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn’t want them to succeed–and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.
With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.
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In the third and final book in her Code of Honor series, Irene Hannon takes readers on a ride with so many twists and turns, even the most experienced readers will need to hang on at some point. Dark Ambitions features Rick Jordan and Heather Shields (fans of Hannon will enjoy the return of Phoenix, Inc.) as they scramble to discover the truth behind the deal of one of Rick’s former Army team members.
With many suspects, a political race, and clues stacking up, the layers of this book stack on top of one another, making digging out the truth seem impossible. Even if you think you know who the person behind it all is, Hannon will have you second guessing yourself more than once.
The attraction between Rick and Heather is immediate. I appreciated that they were both professional and adult enough to discuss it instead of shoving it aside and ignoring it.
From the opening pages to the last, Dark Ambitions will leave you white knuckled as you immerse yourself in this story that grabs hold of the reader and doesn’t let go.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
f you enjoy good clean Christian mystery and suspense, this one is a must! From the first page the author drew me in and didn’t let go, and held me right though the epilogue!
There is almost non-stop action here, and I found myself holding my breath, more than a few times. You will find surprises here and as the facts begin to unfold, a bit of sweet romance.
I was, tongue in cheek, blown away when the bombshells began falling!
I have read many books by Irene Hannon, and this one rates right at the top, and now I can’t wait for the next!
I received this book through the Publisher Revell blogger program, and was not required to give a positive review.
I flew through this one! Could not put it down!
First things first….”Dark Ambitions” by Irene Hannon is book 3 in the “Men of Valor” series. I had not read either of the first two books, and had no problem jumping right in with this one. The author does a fabulous job of catching the reader up on everything you need to know without making you feel overwhelmed or confused.
Now, on to the substance of this book itself. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed “Dark Ambitions”. This is a Christian Romantic Suspense title, and it lives up to the genre in all three senses of the phrase. The two main characters are clearly Christians, and live their lives as such. However, they never come across as preachy in any way. They are just good people, living out what they believe. As such, both characters provide great role models for living out your faith in your everyday life.
Of course, there is a budding romance between the two, and it is written beautifully. I cannot express how much I appreciate the author writing a clean, believable, honest, trope-free romance between two people who are obviously meant for each other. There are no silly misunderstandings, no overhearing-something-and-misinterpreting plotlines, no hate-at-first-sight-leads-to-love unrealistic changes of mind. Two people meet, like each other, get to know each other, and fall in love. So refreshing!
As for the suspense part of the story….it’s excellent! What starts out as a simple missing persons case quickly grows into so much more. Multiple murders, old overseas crimes, stalking, and more all add to the complexity of the investigation without leaving the reader feeling overwhelmed. I was able to guess part of the end result, but part of it surprised me (which is always a good thing). To me this is optimal…it means the reader has been given enough clues to figure out part of the mystery, but the author still has a couple of surprises up her sleeve.
On a final note, the epilogue was lovely! I enjoyed learning more about what happened to Heather and Rick after the main story ended.
All in all, I highly recommend “Dark Ambitions”. It is the perfect mix of romance and suspense, with just the write tone of Christian undercurrent.
Five out of five chunks of nice, creamy Camembert!
Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon is exactly what fans of romantic suspense novels are looking for. A sweet romance developing while a high-octane chase for their lives threatened their every move. Hannon definitely creates tension with the fast moving plot. Her romance develops slowly over the course of the book to the happily-ever-after ending. The suspense kept me guessing and wowed me with the identity of the villains. The writing is top-notch. I enjoyed spending a couple of hours with this novel. While it is labeled for the Christian market, there really isn’t that much mention of God or spirituality in the story. Overall, Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon is a delightful attention to my library and fans of romantic suspense like Colleen Coble, DiAnn Mills, and Lynette Eason would enjoy this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
This is another book I have been anticipating from one of my top favorite authors. I have read every suspense novel this author has written, and I have never been disappointed. And she keeps getting better.
Code of Honor was a neat series. Each book was about a different trio of friends who had been closer friends since childhood, drawn together by not-so-great family situations. They made a vow to grow up and do something to make the world a better place….if only more people did that in real life. Dark Ambitions centered on the last of the three friends, Rick.
An added cool factor to this book: Hannon used characters from her Private Justice Series, which was two series ago in her roster of books.
Dark Ambitions had a fairly complex plot, with ties to something that happened five years previously in Afghanistan. The book was written in third person point of view, but there was a mystery person who would pop up occasionally in the first person point of view. All through the book, I tried to figure out who the person might be, and it was a total surprise when the identity of that “I” was revealed.
Rick and Heather were both great characters, and very likable…..especially Rick, who ran a camp for foster kids and flew rescue missions in helicopters.
Hannon does suspense very well, and Dark Ambitions had me turning the pages as fast as I could read the words on those pages. I started the book on my work lunch break, and finished it at home.
She also does romance well. I enjoyed seeing how the romance played out between Rick and Heather as they dodged dangerous people out to stop their investigation.
Great conclusion to this series.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
With nonstop action and incredible plot twists, award winning author Irene Hannon takes readers on a thrilling ride filled with danger, intrigue, and romance. Dark Ambitions, the third installment of Irene Hannon’s Code of Honor series, is the perfect novel for readers of romantic suspense who enjoy a good romance in the midst of fast-paced action and a highly compelling storyline.
Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan discovers a trail of blood and clues left behind that indicate someone he knows is in extreme danger. He enlists the help of private investigator Heather Shields, and suddenly they are both in the fight for their lives as their investigation takes a deadly turn.
This is my first book by Irene Hannon, but it won’t be my last! Dark Ambitions is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. The fascinating storyline and the close group of childhood friends featured in this series made Dark Ambitions so enjoyable that I also plan to read the rest of the Code of Honor series.
Irene Hannon authentically weaves the faith thread into the storyline as the characters demonstrated their beliefs and values in their daily actions. The chemistry between Rick and Heather is evident from their very first meeting, and their developing attraction is realistically portrayed as they work to maintain a professional relationship during their investigation.
Dark Ambitions is highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense, and especially readers who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Rachel Dylan. I am definitely looking forward to Irene Hannon’s future releases and delving into the backlist of her previously published books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I think most of us reviewers can agree with each other on how awesome Irene Hannon is!!
I try not to miss any of her books simply because I love her stories!! They are just so exciting!
In this 3rd installment Rick gets to tell his story. I really enjoyed reading about him!
Irene does such a wonderful job with her characters in this book that I felt like I was in the story with them!! While she adds dome twists and turns along with some excitement this story is sure to be an awesome add to your bookshelf!
It was mine!! I now have most of her book and if not I know I’ve read most of them!!
If you’re a fan of hers be sure to check out some of her other book too!!
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own!!
Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon is the third book in her Code of Honor series. Private Investigator, Heather Shields is hired to find Rick Jordan’s missing army buddy. The plot thickens when he is found dead. Rick doesn’t believe it was an accident. As he and Heather dig deeper, their lives are threatened. Someone doesn’t want their secrets exposed and they will stop at nothing to keep them buried. This book was intense. Just when you thought you had it figured out there would be a plot twist! I was kept guessing who the bad guy was until the end. I loved how Rick stuck to his values and his old-fashioned charm. The mixture of suspense and romance was perfect.
I received this book from LibraryThing for my honest review.
DARK. AMBITIONS…. by Irene..Hannon
It this book 3 of the Code Of Honor series, we find out more about Rick. He deals with a camp for foster kids, and when he finds a trail of blood. His secrets , his past, his promise to help repay, comes back. Getting help from a private investigator bring Heather into his life. Setting out to figure out the clues, is one thing, when someone else is determinded to stop them.
Her books are always many layers, bringing in the characters, and who they are, the secrets, and their past. With a touch of romance, and a lot of suspense, she has brought us another compelling story. Given ARC. by
Net Galley and Revell for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Heather Shields left the police force to work as a private investigator with Phoenix, Inc. Rick Jordan, former military, is searching for his friend who is missing. Rick was not at his camp when his friend visited and the only thing that he left behind was a small trail of blood. When his friend turns up dead, he and Heather are both suspicious that the death has been classified as an overdose. When they find a key clue, they realize that someone does not want them investigating and that same someone wants the past events to stay that way…in the past. When their investigation turns up another recent death that may not have been an accident, will they be able to solve the case before they become the next target? A suspenseful read all the way to the amazing end. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Although ‘Dark Ambitions’ was not amongst my favorites of Irene Hannon’s novels, there is no question she’s a stellar writer of both suspense and contemporary fiction. I enjoyed the rapport between private investigator, Heather Shields, and former Night Stalker, Rick Jordan, but the storyline didn’t interest me as much as I had wished. However, the unpredictable twists and turns caught me by surprise and my stomach did a literal nosedive at the climactic conclusion!
I received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.
In her latest romantic suspense, Dark Ambitions, Mrs. Hannon takes her readers on a wild ride to the finish. This is the third book in this series (and I really recommend the entire series) that focuses on Rick. Rick is a former Army Night Stalker who runs a camp. He noticed he missed an old friend and he seeks him out to determine what is going on to cause him to secretly seek out Rick. When Rick has trouble determining what is occurring, he seeks the help of a private investigator, Heather. Together they seek to find the answers to what is happening and who is behind it. They also discover they enjoy each other’s company. You will have to read this great conclusion to determine what happened. This book will keep you engaged and content to just sit and enjoy. I highly recommend this book and know that you will not be disappointed to read it! Also, if you have read Mrs. Hannon’s previous books, you will get a glimpse into some of her previous characters’ lives when you read this one.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.
Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently–leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn’t convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn’t want them to succeed–and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.
Another great book by Ms Hannon. Rick is a hero who doesn’t like that label. He would just as soon for get about his war experiences. When he finds blood on his property and a coin from one of his former team mates he knows he has to find out what has happened to him. He turns to Heather Shields. I like how we get another look at the Private Justice group. As I was reading, I thought I had the mystery solved as to who was hiring hit men. I had it all wrong. It was a mystery all the way to the end. I loved the book and am looking forward to Ms. Hannon’s next book.
I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
SPECTACULAR!
Former Army Night Stalker turned foster children Camp owner has a problem. He believes one of his teammates from the Army has been to his Camp, has left him a message, and disappeared. When he finds a trail of blood, he decides to hire a PI to help him look into the situation. He wasn’t expecting the PI to be such a gorgeous but capable woman. She wasn’t anticipating her client being such a man of mystery. Somehow they must learn to open up & trust each other in order to find out any leads on the mystery visitor. They can’t even begin to imagine where there search will lead them and how many lives will be affected.
Hannon is truly a master at this genre. You can always be guaranteed a plot full of suspense, characters that you can identify with, stories that are believable and a romance just begging to blossom even in the midst of the worst circumstances.
I was provided an ARC of this book by Revell Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
‘He might never have needed a gun in the four years he’d called this rural Missouri acreage home, but it was better to risk overkill than be killed.’
I never miss an Irene Hannon book. She writes two each year and I’ve always got them on my list of books to read. She is quite skilled at her psychological suspense novels and she keeps the reader guessing throughout.
Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan, now running a camp for foster kids, finds blood on his property one evening and evidence that someone has broken into a shed. He needs to find out what has happened to a former Army buddy who saved his life and so he hires Phoenix Inc., an elite group of private investigators. He is given as an investigator Heather Shields, former police detective, who is eager to take his case. Together, they discover that someone is willing to kill, not just once, to keep them from finding the truth and Rick’s buddy. All the while they must keep their attraction from one another on the back burner.
Hannon creates intrigue with a good dose of romance to keep her readers coming back for more. She never disappoints with her ability to start a bit slow, though very interesting, then builds layer upon layer as the story progresses, until finally the book is racing toward a surprising, yet satisfying conclusion. I never manage to guess the culprit, either. That’s the mark of a good suspense writer. I enjoyed every minute, staying up late to finish the book. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to Revell Publishing for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
3.5 stars
“There was blood on the ice.”
When former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan finds evidence that human blood has been spilled on his rural Missouri property, his instincts go on high alert. After careful reconnaissance, he knows exactly who made him a surprise visit, but obviously something went terribly awry.
Soon after Rick Jordan hires private investigator Heather Shields to locate his missing friend, several coincidences appear to intersect; making the case much more difficult to solve and much more dangerous to pursue. Someone out there has dark ambitions, and is more than willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
“All we can do is make the best choice we’re capable of with the information we have in the present. . . . . and sometimes we make mistakes.”
The strength of this story is in its ending, which the author spins perfectly out of control. Fans of high octane romantic suspense will enjoy every bend and twist of this riveting conclusion to the “Code of Honor” series.
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always exciting to read.
Love her story
Rick Jordan is a former military man who runs a camp for foster kids in the summer. In winter, there is little activity usually. However, Rick spots something out of the ordinary and investigates. He finds that someone has visited his property recently and left something behind. This leads him to contact a firm of private investigators. He is assigned an investigator, Heather Shields, who he comes to admire. Will investigating Rick’s case put her in danger, perhaps even leading to her death?
Heather Shields is a former cop who now works as a PI. Her newest case teams her with an attractive client named Rick Jordan. Rick knows the identity of his trespasser, but soon learns of that person’s death, which was ruled an accidental death by the police. Rick isn’t so sure, and Heather agrees the death looks suspicious. As the work together on the case, it is obvious to everyone else that these two are attracted to one another as they often seem to meet for coffee or something similar to see each other when a phone call or text would suffice.
I was disappointed that there was not more action in this novel. There was too much emphasis on the romantic aspect of the story, which slowed the story down. I also didn’t really connect with either of the two main characters. I wasn’t as involved in what was happening to them as in the first two noels in the series. The opening scene was really good and got me to continue reading. I did appreciate the Christian values that were portrayed, with a line that was not crossed. With that said, there did seem to be more of a focus on the physical aspect of their relationship, which is also something I have noticed trending with some other Christian authors. I look forward to this author’s next series, as I have enjoyed her other writings. This one was just meh, for me.