Crossfire is the second book in the Extreme Measures, but also works as a standalone story.

As with other Lynette Eason books, Crossfire starts by dropping readers straight into the action. Julianna Jameson is an FBI Negotiator, called to a hostage situation in a bank. She manages to talk the hostages out with the help from Reese, who’s trapped inside but able to text her brother Clay. Former Army Ranger Clay Fox left the military after tragedy struck. He’s guarded his heart ever since, unable to forgive himself for taking an innocent life.

Clay and Julianna work together on a project but soon get sucked in to a fight to stop whoever is threatening Julianna and her teenage sister, Dottie. As the two work together and draw closer, both must struggle to put the past behind them. Julianna’s involvement with a stalker and school shooting races back into her present. Meanwhile Clay must move beyond being betrayed by a colleague.

The plot was certainly unpredictable, with a new twist about eighty percent of the way through that I did not see coming. Clay and Julianna were both very likable and had me rooting for them from the first chapter. I especially loved the themes of forgiving oneself and forgiving others and the blessings that comes from doing so. Unfortunately, we also see the consequences of not being able to forgive.

Highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense who enjoy a good dose of hope along with the action.