“Enthralling… Readers won’t want this adrenaline-rich story to end. “—Booklist (starred review)Thief. Manipulator. Con artist. Call it what you will—Bianca St. Ives is the best in the business. Growing up, Bianca St. Ives knew she was different from all her friends. Instead of playing hopscotch or combing her dolls’ hair, she studied martial arts with sensei masters and dismantled explosives with … sensei masters and dismantled explosives with special-ops retirees. Her father prepped her well to carry on the family business. Now a striking beauty with fierce skills, the prodigy has surpassed the master.
She’s known as the Guardian. Running a multinational firm with her father, she makes a living swindling con men out of money they stole—and she’s damn good at it. She does things on her own terms. But her latest gig had a little hiccup—if you count two hundred million dollars and top secret government documents going missing as little. Her father also died on the mission. The thing is, the US government doesn’t believe he’s really dead. They’ll stop at nothing to capture Richard St. Ives, a high-value target and someone who has been on most-wanted lists all over the world for over two decades, and they mean to use Bianca as bait. With only a fellow criminal for backup and her life on the line, it’s up to Bianca to uncover the terrifying truth behind what really happened…and set it right, before it’s too late.
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Fast action adventure with a kickass heroine!
This is one fun read!
The story opens with a beautiful woman in the middle of a fancy soiree planning to perform a complicated heist that goes sideways. Cue some fast thinking, acrobatic manoeuvres, and the requisite sexy secret agent bent on capturing our thief and you have the makings of a book that reads like an action movie.
Bianca St. Ives grew up in the shadow of her infamous father who taught her everything he knows- or at least she thought he had.
When an explosion kills her dad, Bianca goes undercover to grieve and decide on her next move. But, things are not what they seem and soon she’s in a life and death race to save those she loves and unravel the mystery of her past.
The Ultimatum is the start of a fast-paced new series and I look forward to seeing where the author takes us next!
I give The Ultimatum 5+ lovely kisses- A highly recommended read!
The first book in Robards new Guardian series starts off fast and exciting and then slowly moves away from the action. The novel is about Bianca St. James, which of course is not her real name and her lifestyle working with thieves and con men in a company with her father. Bianca’s father has taught Bianca martial arts, working with explosives and assorted skill sets to keep her safe and secure during the many operations the company jobs place in their path. Then one of the thefts goes wrong and Bianca now finds herself heading up a security company without her father. The storyline has no big surprises with counter moves between Bianca and her enemy and of course a male on the other side who becomes a possible love interest. An interesting book with a few thrillers to add to the plot.
This was a TERRIFIC read. I love female protagonists and this one has the potential to be another Lizbeth Salander or Vanessa Michael Monroe. Just great stuff. I know there are a couple more in the series. Like Stuart Woods’ “Stone Barrington” character who Stuart Woods has written 60 novels of him, you’ve got long range potential with Bianca St. Ives. Bravo! Well done!!
A great opener for The Guardian Series. Look out Mission Impossible!
Kept you wonder what was next
I could not put it down, it was like watching a James Bond movie, action packed.
Had me on the edge of my seat. Already purchased and started second book in series, and am pre-ordering third book! When done with this series, I’m going to re-read some Robards books I read years ago – great reading for chilly nights at the cabin!
What a surprise ending!
The ending leaves you hanging but I’m sure it will pick up in her 2nd book, as this is listed as book 1.
Loved this series! Where’s the next one???
This book was ultimately good, but took a long time getting started. Really seemed to drag in the beginning.
The Ultimatum starts off at a racer’s pace. Then …it…slows…down.
Way too much description of places (buildings, rooms, etc.), people (what they looked like, what they wore, etc.), what the characters were thinking. It could have been done more succinctly with the same results. The premise was good, but it never rose to the level of what it could have been. And the ending was shockingly disappointing.
I really enjoyed this book. There’s a cliffhanger ending so I can’t wait for the next one!
I liked it….can’t wait for the next one!!!
Love Karen Robards and this one was fun. Can’t wait for next book in this new series.