Special Agent Julianna Jameson is a hostage negotiator for the FBI. Clay Fox is an SRO at the local high school that Julianna's sister Dottie attends. When Julianna is called out to a hostage situation at the courthouse Clay shows up because his sister is in the courthouse and communicating with him and Julianna. After the situation is resolved there seems to be a copycat hostage taker going on and his/her sights are set on getting revenge on Julianna. Is this in relation to the courthouse case or is it something from Julianna's past that has come to haunt her?

I loved both Julianna and Clay's characters. Both strong, yet both have things in their past that they would rather not deal with but yet have formed the people they have become. They mystery was exciting and the action kept the story moving along. The who-done-it was a surprise for me and I liked that! I really like Julianna's support group, love her relationship with her sister Dottie and the romance that develops between Julianna and Clay was sweet. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Extreme Measures series!

I finished this book late last night but it was oh so worth it!
A fast paced novel from Eason that I absolutely enjoyed! She never disappoints me with her stories.
She's my go to for awesome suspense thrillers. I love how she keeps my attention all the way through.
Usually I can guess all the way until the end in who the killer is but by the middle I'd already figured it out.
A little bit of everything in this book that one could ever want! Romance, 2nd chances are all wrapped into one!
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend.
The characters are pretty awesome. Very well rounded out and I did like some of the secondary ones too like Daria.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoy Eason's writing and story telling. Crossfire is the second book in her Extreme Measure series and I was hooked. I flew through this christian, suspense, romance. This story has two POVs, Julianna an FBI hostage negotiator and Clay a former Ranger and now school SRO. I felt connected to both characters and really just enjoyed the twists and turns in the story.

Crossfire by Lynette Eason
        When Julianna Jameson was in high school she witnessed a traumatic event that ultimately shaped her career path. She is now a hostage negotiator with the FBI and she always works hard to ensure the hostages go free and has maintained that record through the years.         Officer Clay Fox worked at the local high school as a School Resource Officer.  He keeps the peace, intervenes when students are bullying one another & when he is able he helps students that he sees may be going down a bad path.           On a Thursday morning in May, Julianna is called to the courthouse when the judge and jury are taken hostage in the Manchester trial,  he is a serial killer whom her friend had a hand in helping to catch. Clay is at the school catching up on paperwork when his phone starts dinging with a text, then another, when he finally takes the time to read them he sees they are from Reese, his sister, who is a juror with that trial. Then he realizes that the number is not hers. She was letting him know what was happening, they had been taken hostage and she kept sending info as she could. Clay got up and headed for the command post at the courthouse so he could give them the info. Julianna can't help but to think of her sister who is a senior at the high school, she has been living with Julianna since she turned 18. She hopes she has not heard about this, she'd rather tell her after the fact.           When Julianna and her sister become the targets of an unknown attacker she relies on Clay's strength and the Lord to get them through this.           This was a great story that I was not ready to have it end. Thank you, Ms. Eason for allowing me to be on your launch team.

This book is full of twists and turns and even a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming. There was also another story line that had me a little confused at first but does end up getting tied up nicely.

It was interesting to get to know a negotiator and how she works and does her job.

I also enjoyed the relationship between Julianna and her sister Dottie and how they had to rely on each other and strengthen each other.

Overall, another great book by Lynette.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

One of the things I love about Lynette Eason's books is that you never know what's going to happen next. In Crossfire I found myself alternately rooting for some characters and then being worried about others. It's a story of love, forgiveness, revenge, and personal growth in the midst of tragic circumstances. I highly recommend this book!!

This is the second book in the series "Extreme Measures". It is not necessary to read the first book to read this one. Julianna is a FBI negotiator who has the reputation of never having lost a hostage. Clay is a former military sniper who is now a police officer at the local high school. Clay and Julianna meet while Julianna is negotiating with a person holding hostages in a court room where Clay's sister is a juror. There's a lot of action is this book. Sometimes I thought it was almost overdone with so much happening to Julianna and Clay. But I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Julianna and Clay both had issues from their pasts to overcome which played a big part in the story.

Ms. Eason did not disappoint and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway.

Lynette Eason did not disappoint with this book. The action is just enough to keep you wanting to read more, but it is not tiring. The characters are flawed, but likable and easily relatable. The story is about Julianna who becomes a hostage negotiator - her dream job since high school. The situations she finds herself in are challenging. But when it becomes way too personal, can she keep her cool? If you pay close attention, the author drops hints about who and what is to happen throughout the book. When you see a clue, you may wonder how and why that will fit into the story. I thought I had it all figured out who the bad guy was, but I was wrong! And I'm glad I was. You think the story is about to end at 90% and wonder what else was there to tell. Well, hang on! There is more to the story. Lynette Eason explains everything in the end in a very thorough narrative, which is what I like. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series.

This novel is a good combination of suspenseful action and character development. The main characters, Julianna and Clay, both have deadly events in their past that haunt them. We read how they struggle with guilt and responsibility for actions years ago that were ultimately beyond their control.

Eason provides a good balance of character revelation, personal and relationship healing and action. I appreciate learning about negotiators, some of the philosophy and techniques they use. There are good examples of forgiveness and reconciliation woven into the plot, even forgiveness of one's self. There is a good faith message present as well.

This novel is a good romantic suspense. I appreciate Eason establishing the budding romance but not to the extent it interferes with either Julianna's or Clay's work. While this is the second in a series, it reads well on its own with characters from the previous novel having only periodic supportive roles.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Julianna’s job as a hostage negotiator means she takes calls at all times. Being called into a courthouse case starts out this story and it doesn’t slow down. Julianna meets Clay at the courthouse, who is an SRO at a school. His sister is one of the hostages. Julianna has an anniversary coming up that is tied to a traumatic event in her past, which always has her more on edge as the day approaches. The other main characters are Clay, Dottie and Reece. We see Penny, Raina, Grace and Holt briefly. Other minor characters are Hector, Daria, Kara, Felicity, Tommy, Gwen, Mary Ann and a few others. Page turning story, with good characters and fast paced til the end.
A complimentary copy was provided by Revell via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Crossfire
Lynette Eason
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

FBI Special Agent Julianna Jamison is a hostage negotiator who prides herself on never losing a hostage. She's also looking after her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unexpectedly and is living with Julianna while finishing out her senior year of high school.

Clay Snyder is a former Army Ranger turned school resource officer who can't move past a tragic event during his last tour of duty. When Clay's sister is taken hostage, he's impressed by the calm and capable negotiator who saves his sister's life.

When Clay invites Julianna to speak at the high school where he works, he's unaware of a school shooting from Julianna's past. As the anniversary date approaches, it becomes clear that Julianna's perfect record will be tested and that Dottie is at risk. Julianna and Clay must work together to find out who's behind the attacks, before more innocent people die.

This was Eason’s second installment in her Extreme Measures Series and included her trademark suspense with a surprising ending. While the main character was mentioned in the first book, Life Flight, this second story can be read as a stand alone novel.

A prominent theme in Crossfire was how destructive unforgiveness and bitterness can be in a life. We often think of these as outward manifestations directed negatively toward other people. However, we can also direct these harmful beliefs inwardly and allow them to keep us frozen in the past and cut-off from the future God desires for us. We only need to be willing to see ourselves as God does to unlock his blessings

We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.

Although Julianna Jameson is a skilled FBI agent and hostage negotiator, she is still vulnerable when targeted by someone who blames her for a past incident and longs for revenge. Her younger sister, Dottie, also faces danger as this sweeping plot unfolds. The rapid series of incidents displays the escalation as Julianna and Clay Fox, Dottie’s high school resource officer, and his sister, Reese, also get caught in this hazardous web. The suspense feels palpable as the intensity heightens and readers wonder if these realistic characters can escape the impending doom. Get ready for an emotional journey as you dive into this exciting drama. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own. #Crossfire #NetGalley

The life of a hostage negotiator gets suddenly more interesting when a hostage negotiation introduces her to what might be the man of her dreams - if only they didn't each have so much baggage. Unfortunately, when her next hostage negotiation situation nearly mimics the first, but with dead bodies - and in a way that feels aimed at her specifically - it also grows suddenly more perilous. What secrets hidden in her past are coming back to haunt her? And will she be able to discover the truth before she or those she loves join the body count? As Julianna and Clay work to discover and catch the perpetrator, who always seems to be several steps ahead, can they overcome past hurts to develop a future together?

Julianna has great taste in pizzas! Okay, that wasn't really the highlight of the story, but I did appreciate the minor point. What was the highlight? Well, I really enjoyed the whole thing enough that picking a single highlight is probably impossible. It was definitely interesting to learn more about the life of a hostage negotiator, the mystery was managed well, and I loved watching Julianna and Clay unpacking and working through their respective baggage, together and separately, to come to a realisation that forgiveness is possible and God's love freely offered. A great mix of romance and suspense, with plenty of action but also plenty of time for character growth. A great story and I look forward to more by the author. Recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

The action starts quickly in Crossfire, yet Lynette Eason develops her characters well during it. I loved Julianna and her high school senior sister Dottie and Clay and his sister Reese. The friendship that developed between Dottie and Reese just added a little something extra special to the story. Julianna and Clay both have baggage from their pasts that they need to unload. They are great characters, and I definitely wanted an HEA for them, which of course meant that they had to survive! I liked reading about the faith of the characters and how it develops. The author writes their faith in the story very naturally.. The plot has twists and turns that are nail-biting. Crossfire has lots of action and suspense and a great romance.
I received a copy through NetGalley and am sharing my opinion of this very well-written romantic suspense novel

I enjoyed this book. Julianna was such a great character: dedicated to her job while also committed to her family. It was interesting to see how the mystery unfolded and there are a couple of twists which kept things interesting.

Readers will be reminded that though everyone has the freedom to choose, it is God who is in control.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through Just Read Tours and NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

Once again Lynette Eason has provided an action packed story!

I love the action and romance that Lynette Eason packed into this story.

Julianna Jameson has never lost a hostage. She is driven by an event from 15 years earlier that haunts her, especially now as the anniversary of that fateful day approaches.

Clay Fox carries his own dark secret. But as he and Julianna work together to find a killer they both have to come to terms with the past to move forward in the future.

The story has some nice twists that I didn't see coming. To tell you how good it is, I read it in about 2 1/2 days!

This is a book two in the series and utilizes characters from book one, however, it stands independently. This book is action backed and suspenseful, however, it is not as intense as book one.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is book 2 in the Extreme Measures series, however I believe it is a stand alone book, as I have not read book one and had no problem following along, I do however feel like I missed not only a good read but probably some history on some of the sub characters.
This book is full of mystery, drama, suspense and so much more, Eason does a great job in developing her characters and their dialogue. FBI agent Julianna James is an amazing negotiator, when she first meets the handsome Clay Snyder, she is not real sure what to think of him. Clay and Julianna find themselves working together on more than they ever imagined. When both their past come to haunt them they must learn to face them before they can move forward.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

This book was so good! I was immediately drawn back into the lives of this group of girls who have been friends since their time in juvie. I was hooked from the very first page and did not want to stop reading.

Crossfire
by Lynette Eason
Pub Date: August 2, 2022
Revell
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Recommended for adult collections and fans of romantic suspense, especially fans of Lynn Blackburn, and Dani Pettrey.
FBI negotiator Julianna James is the focus of the second in the series. She applauds herself for staying calm under pressure. A past event from high school haunts her though. That past event and any harm that threatens her younger sister Dottie seem to be the only things that rattle her.

Favorites about this novel:
- I didn't figure out who the villain was
- A minor thread that was cloudy on tie-in, but engaging turned out to be a great addition
- The inclusion of a high school girl bully and some high school students disdain for police/FBI added realism
- Main male character Clay Fox was a great role model in his position as School Resource Officer

Another well-done suspense novel by Lynette Eason! Now to wait for book three. I am happy to recommend this book and have purchased it for our library.
5 stars

Award-winning author Lynette Eason returns with the second book in her new romantic suspense series.

In Crossfire, school resource officer Clay Fox witnesses FBI Agent Julianna Jameson in
action as a hostage negotiator when his sister is in a courtroom hostage situation. Clay later invites Julianna to speak at his school, the same school where Julianna’s younger sister attends.

But someone wants to use an incident from Julianna’s past (a school shooting) to bring out their own brand of justice. This puts her sister and others in the crossfire while Julianna and Clay try to figure out who is behind the attacks. Can they stop the mastermind behind the attacks before it is too late?

Eason is known for creating an action-packed story filled with imperfect characters, light-handed faith elements, clean romance, tightly-written suspense, an appropriate level of violence, and a few plot twists. Both Clay and Julianna have things in their past to forgive and seek forgiveness before they can move forward together.

Readers will eagerly look forward to the next Extreme Measures book, Critical Threat (January 2023), as well as the Elite Guardians Collection (a collection of full-length books co-authored by Eason and debut authors) and Targeted (a collection of 3 romantic suspense novellas by Eason and others).

Recommended for adult collections and fans of romantic suspense, especially fans of Lynn Blackburn, and Dani Pettrey.

Disclaimer: Book reviews are my honest opinion of books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write reviews, nor to even post positive reviews.