How do you defeat an enemy that’s inside your head?Heath Kavanaugh lost years of his life working for a covert agency that ended up being the enemy. Knowing they put something inside his head–constant, incomprehensible whispers–is driving him crazy.He needs answers, but they’re nowhere to be found.What he definitely doesn’t need is to fall hard for his Linear teammate’s younger sister, … need is to fall hard for his Linear teammate’s younger sister, Jacquelyn–the adorable linguistics doctoral student who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Especially when Heath’s attention puts her directly in the path of a danger he thought was gone for good. To stop it, they’ll have to figure out what’s in his head. And hope it doesn’t destroy them all.
more
Loved this book from beginning to end. It had its moments of laugh out loud. But endearing moments. Some tears and heart grabbing times.
It truly was a fantastic book and I couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend it.
Heath is an undercover operative who’s been on the right and wrong side of the law (unknowingly). He’s tasked with going undercover at his old university and jumps at the chance as he’s a bit bored after some shocking events recently. He’s trying to find out who’s selling secrets to another country and he runs into Lyn, a doctoral student in languages. He’s attracted and so is she, but he really shouldn’t pursue her as she could be a suspect. Lyn is really Jacqueline, the sister of one of his best friends. She’s a very strong character but her family over protects her and quodos to her for doing what she did to become “Lyn” and not Jacqueline. I love “Dad and The Brothers” tag through the book, it’s hilarious. You never break the brother rule, but Heath didn’t do it on purpose. Things quickly get out of control and with all kinds of twists and turns. It’s a page turner and I do recommend this book and definitely this author. I would also recommend reading Ghost, the previous story in this series, you can read without, but there is a lot of background that you can pick up from that chapter.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
This is another wonderful fast-paced action packed story in the Linear Tactical series, Heath aka Shadow goes undercover for the FBI to catch the buyer and seller of a microchip that can’t get into the wrong hands and along the way he meets spunky brilliant Lyn and she slowly works her way into his heart but soon danger follows her and now Heath will do anything to protect the woman he loves.
Wonderful story, well thought out storyline. The characters are amazingly likable and strong. Loving this series.
4.25 stars—SHADOW is the sixth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult LINEAR TACTICAL romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former Special Forces soldiers who own and operate Linear Tactical, an Oak Creek, Wyoming business specializing in survival skills, security and protection. This is Heath ‘Shadow’ Kavanaugh, and linguistics specialist Jacquelyn ‘Lyn Norris’ Zimmerman’s story line. SHADOW can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout. There is a slight cross-over with the inclusion of characters from the author’s BREE AND TANNER romantic suspense series.
Told from several third person perspectives including Lyn and Heath SHADOW follows the search for a mole in the biomedical engineering department at Wyoming Commonwealth University. Heath Kavanaugh’s latest assignment comes from the FBI as they hunt for the person(s) responsible for ‘selling’ secrets about the latest government projects but Heath finds himself attracted to PhD undergrad Lyn Norris who will find herself targeted for something she knows nothing about. What ensues is the building relationship between Shadow and Lyn, and the potential fall-out as secrets are revealed, the past comes full circle, and our heroine finds herself in a precarious position when her life hangs in the balance as she struggles to uncover a secret code known to very few.
Heath Kavanaugh was once a part of an unsanctioned government project that resulted in the death and destruction of people he knew. With the continuous messages filtering through his mind, Heath knows that whatever brainwashing experiment was used on his brain is about to come unglued with recent discoveries. Lyn Norris struggles with a life-threatening illness but that hasn’t stopped our heroine from going for what she wants. Battling issues of self-image and low self esteem, Lyn becomes suspicious when Heath begins a slow seduction in an effort to uncover the truth.
The relationship between Lyn and Heath is one of immediate attraction. Heath is unaware of Lyn’s true identity, and her relationship to people Heath already knows. Lyn finds herself on the outside looking in when Heath’s ‘cover’ is blown in an effort to protect Lyn from further harm. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples and Linear Tactical agents, as well as Tanner Dempsey from the author’s Bree and Tanner series.. We are introduced to Lyn’s University co-workers and fellow professors; the requisite evil has many faces.
SHADOW is an action -packed story of family, friendships, betrayal and love; a story of secrets and lies, power and control. The premise is captivating and intriguing; the characters are sassy and colorful; the romance is seductive and sexy. SHADOW is an energetic and fast paced story of romance and suspense.
A best friend’s little sister romance done Janie Crouch style. The trope has been done and done again but add the Linear Tactical crew for some suspense and danger from the past for an unputdownable read. Heath is more talker than fighter, unlike so many of the Linear Tactical family. That’s not to say he doesn’t know his way around a sparring ring or how to handle himself in dangerous situations. Of course, he gets plenty of chances to show off more than one kind of skill in Shadow. Most of the family that makes up this crew, and make no mistake, this is a family, have seen their share of trouble, and several have been affected by Project Crypt, a less than aboveboard organization, but Heath is unique with the constant whispers in his head. Whispers that seem like nothing more than gibberish. In addition to Heath’s need for answers, we get a new case for him to work on, one that leads him right to his teammate’s little sister. There are lots of secrets in this one as well as a delicious romance, and of course, plenty of danger to keep us on our toes. The story can be read as a standalone, but once you’ve met the crazy bunch of characters who make up Linear Tactical, you’ll want more of them. We do get a little bit of a hint about the next great romance for this series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
This is book 6 in the Linear Tactical series and it features Heath “Shadow” Cavanagh and Jacquelyn “Lyn” Norris Zimmerman. If you recognize that last name, you are correct in thinking that she is Gavin “Redwood” Zimmerman‘s sister. Heath is undercover at her university. She wants to succeed on her own, without the “Zimmerman” name, so she changes it. She shortens her first name to Lyn and drops the second last name. When he met her, he had NO idea she was Gavin’s sister until the “morning after” and she was already in danger. She has a heart condition that is pretty scary. It had me holding my breath a few times during some exciting moments.
I love that these men fall hard and no matter what, stick by these women through good and bad. This plot is on-going through this series and it is brilliant! The characters are all people I wish were a part of my circle of friends. Bravo! I can’t wait for the next one.
Shadow is a blend of undercover ops, espionage, and treason. Heath once worked for a black ops arm of the US government-or so he thought. Turns out, it wasn’t aboveboard at all and now he has a chip in his head. While the Linear Tactical guys are helping him figure out what to do, he takes an undercover mission for the FBI at a nearby college. His mission? Find out who is leaking biomedical tech info before its too late.
Lyn Norris is a PhD candidate in linguistics. She is a bookworm with a heart condition and I think readers, my self among them, will relate to her. She is a bit overweight, a lot self conscious, and frustrated with her over protective family (ok, I can’t relate to that last one). Lyn’s family think she is studying hospitality management; I’m not sure why she lied because how much danger could a linguist get into? But, she does keep her major hidden. She and Heath, aka Shadow, meet by chance and they enjoy each other’s company. She figures out he isn’t ‘just’ a janitor pretty quick. She is in danger though-someone broke into her office and her home and she can’t figure out why. I liked the mystery aspect of Heath searching for the leak. Running parallel to this is the mystery of who is targeting Lyn and why-mistaken identity? Wrong office? Frame job? There were lots of questions throughout the story that keep you reading and I appreciate that!
Shadow has a brother’s friend kind of vibe as well since Heath work’s with Lyn’s brother Gavin. However, Heath didn’t know “Lyn” was Jackie, Gavin’s sister. And Lyn didn’t know Heath worked for Linear Tactical. So, Heath didn’t know he was falling for his friend and coworkers sister (the sister said brother is SUPER protective of BTW).
Janie Crouch does a great job blending her characters together across series without making the reader feel lost. You don’t have to have read the previous Linear Tactical books to enjoy Shadow, even though some of the characters are mentioned. You don’t have to know that Noah is part of Crouch’s Bree and Tanner thriller series to enjoy his cameo. But, for die hard fans of Crouch like myself, these gifts are gold!
YES !!!!! Just when I thought this author couldn’t top the last book….she does it once again. The first book in this series Cyclone blew me away and then came Eagle, then Shamrock, then Angel and we can’t forget Ghost, each book blew me away, and each book easily became my favorite and once again this author doesn’t disappoint…except for the fact that now I have six books vying for the top spot and six hero and heroine couples vying for the #1 spot of all time favorite couples. An AMAZING read that had me flipping the pages and not wanting to put it down till I was done…devoured it.
Heath, the alpha man who hears voices in his head ever since working for a covert agency that turned out to be evil and went against everything he stood for. Jacquelyn aka Lyn, a woman who’s family is full of very over protective alpha men and a woman who has had a life threatening condition all her life meets Heath when he’s undercover at her University as a janitor. Lyn treats Heath with respect and notices him, even though he is “only” the janitor and Heath notices Lyn, the one person who sees him as a person and not as a “janitor”. When Lyn gets tangled up in what Heath is investigating he goes in protective mode, not knowing that she is the sister of one of his best friend’s. Lyn is tired of the alpha men in her life and never wants to get involved with a man who is the line of work as her brother’s and cousins….when the two figure out who the other is….a read NOT to be missed.
My my my my my…..I don’t want to give any spoilers as this is a book that has to be read. This read has it all, steam, some humour, suspense, action, danger, steam, no over the top drama, an alpha man to drool over and want for yourself and a woman who is adoring, determined, kind, and strong. I LOVE LOVE that Heath didn’t run away from his feelings, didn’t deny them or try to “get over” them, he wanted Lyn and that was that and not even her brother was going to stand in his way….refreshing and sigh swoon sigh. The story flowed beautifully, the banter was spot on, the characters were AMAZING, and we got to see some past characters and how they were doing…LOVED IT!!….5 stars not enough !!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
This story gives you everything! Intrigue, action, camaraderie. A hero and heroine that are both slightly broken in their own way.
I couldn’t put it down and am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
This is another great addition to the Linear Tactical Series. It is Heath and Lyn’s story. There is action, suspense, danger and e endearing characters in this thrilling, suspenseful read. I can’t wait to read the next book.
This was one ride I didn’t want to get off. I loved Heath and Jacqueline together. I just wanted more of them.
No shadow to hide behind here
Lyn, doctoral language student, and Heath, Linear Tactical operative, interact carrying secrets of their true identities. As the story progresses more secrets are exposed, danger follows them, and the key to safety could come at great cost. Janie Crouch has given more light to this series with Shadow, making the family even closer and leaving no shadow to hide behind here. I can’t wait to see if she has something planned for Blaze after this.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
I just finished reading this book and loved it so much that I hardly know where to start. I do know that it rates a 5+ Star rating from me when Amazon opens up for the reviews.
Let me start with the woman in this story….Lyn Norris. Well, there’s more to her name just like there is more to this story. I’m not going to ruin it by explaining that because you can discover it just like I did. Just let me say that this woman was one interesting person and I can say that I have never encountered a main character like her.. Because yes, she will be a main character in this story as well. Boy, can she keeps secrets and she has been keeping them from her overprotective family. She was so shy and bookish in the beginning but just watch her grow. She can be my best friend any day!
Heath now there was another great main character. Every time he thinks he’s getting close to the answers he needs “Poof” something happens to the source and he’s right back where he started. Which is frustratingly nowhere.
There is plenty of secrets, action, twists and turns and the surprises just keep coming. You won’t get confused but you will stay involved.
I enjoyed the game of how many languages can we swear in game that played out between Lyn and Heath. That was fun and different. I also enjoyed how Lyn picked up on the non-verbal code that the was second nature to both her brother Gavin and the guys with all the specialized training. That included her cousin Noah and some of the team members who were all working together to make things right.
What about the romance, you ask? Sweet, tender and a relationship that is growing even amidst all the danger.
The story comes to a rip-roaring conclusion with a very good Epilogue. Which to be honest I ALWAYS want to see.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Holy wow. This book led me though more twists, turns, double-crosses, and red herrings than I knew would fit in a single book. Much like Ghost’s story, my highly suspicious nature kicked in and I suspected everybody. Turns out, I wasn’t quite wrong – I wasn’t quite right either. Heath has flown under my radar in this series. I wasn’t paying any kind of attention to him until the previous book, and obviously I was missing out. This man is the same kind of alpha protector, with the same kind of noble heart as the rest of the Linear Tactical crew. The biggest difference is that Shadow doesn’t trust everything in his own mind after learning the truth about Project Crypt. Enter Lyn; a woman with a similar facility for languages as Heath, who (initially unknown to him) also just happens to be his best friend and teammate’s little sister. Their chemistry burns up the page while also being sometimes comical. I loved that Lyn’s fighting spirit shows us that physical limitations don’t always have to restrict us as she worked to carve a life out that wasn’t confined by her heart condition. And that was the sweetest, silliest, most adorable ending. It left me all the warm fuzzies while I wait for the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
Someone has plans to steal and sell it a microchip that has been developed for the government. Heath Kavanaugh, aka Shadow, has been recruited to work undercover, at the university, to discover who plans to steal the chip as well as the unidentified buyer. He knows that Gavin’s sister studies at the university, in the hospitality department, but has not met her. He has however met Lyn Norris, a linguistics doctoral student, who he rescued from an elevator and is fiercely attracted to. She is shy, sweet and so sexy without meaning to be. Lyn is also attracted to Heath, not knowing that he is working an undercover assignment. Heath is still dealing with the “whispers” in his head as a result of his past experience in Project Crypt. Danger follows him and Lyn when it appears that her work in linguistics could be what may release the information trapped in his mind. Previous characters from Ms. Crouch’s earlier books make this an amazing, complex and heart pounding story as they work together to find the buyer before the chip is made viable. What an exciting read! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author. (by paytonpuppy)
Janie Crouch’s Linear Tactical series is so consistent with non-stop drama, heart-pounding suspense and amazing chemistry and in book 6, Shadow, is no different. This book is a standalone but you read a little about Heath in the previous book. Ever since Heath was introduced in Ghost I was so curious of what role he played in the now defunct Project Crypt and why he was so important. In Shadow, we learn it all and its fascinating and Lyn’s role in solving it all was fantastic.
The beginning of Heath and Lyn’s relationship was probably not the best way to start, there were so many secrets that both were keeping from each other and it wasn’t until almost half way through the book until the secrets were revealed. Once they both found out their connection, one was slightly horrified and one very angry. But with the danger involved and the intense chemistry they had with each other, it did not take too long for them to find their way back to one another.
Once again, there are some intense scenes and heartbreaking moments, but the strength of everyone involved was fantastic. It was so wonderful to see so many of the characters from the other books and also the connection to Bree and Tanner!!
Another fabulous addition to an amazing series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The first thing that I loved about this book was that the female wasn’t the perfect lefty blonde. She was slightly plump with curves. Not fat by any definition,
Just curvy. Which is me in a nutshell and reading that a hot alpha male found this attractive just made my love of this book greater
I have read quite a few of Janie Crouch books and I have enjoyed every one. The Linear Tactical series is just full of the alpha males and kick as females right at their side. To me, that is the perfect romantic suspense.
Another suspenseful, sexy wild story from Ms. Crouch. Previous members of the team, with a few additions, make the story jump.
Heath Kavanaugh is an operative who formerly was a member of Project Crypt. He was recruited from college and with other members was sent on missions they thought were government sanctioned. Turns out not so much, and all the members were being manipulated into super soldiers. When Crypt was eliminated, Heath was left with gibberish sounding like voices in his head. The one person who could explain was assasinated right before his eyes. With a request from a local FBI Agent, Heath agrees to go undercover at a university to search out faculty members who are selling government secrets. Little did he know he was going to be a janitor.
Lyn Norris is working on her Ph.D in linguistics while her family believes she is studying hospitality services. She loves languages and loves saying “naughty” words in several dialects. She meets the new janitor, Heath, and something about him catches her attention. He seems to always be around when she needs a helping hand. Little does she know he is an operative from her brothers company, Linear Tactical.
The action is like a roller coaster ride that doesn’t end, and the sizzle between Lyn and Heath is amazing. This is a great addition to the Linear Tactical Series, and I hope there is more! Shadow can be read as a stand alone, but the first five books in the series are equally exciting, suspenseful and enjoyable!l
Pat Fordyce
I love the Linear Tactical Series and each book gets better and better. This story has plenty of action, teamwork, and romance. I love how Ray (Wraith) comes and helps Lyn and Heath even though she is still in danger. I love the team support when one is in trouble. Having Lyn know languages, archaic languages, help Heath make sense of his head was an awesome addition to this story. All the characters are wonderful and believable. I received a copy and am voluntarily giving this review. I look forward to the next one. I highly recommend this series.
Very exciting. Another awesome story. I love how the author puts in all the little things. Like the way all the people at Linear Tactical have one another’s backs. They are like a family. They love one another like they are a ll related. And for who they are the good and the bad times. Lyn’s heart problem I don’t know if it is a real thing or not but it made the story that much more real. I loved it. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.