When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf's dedication to his job--and country--chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin's deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out for everyone.
Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the U.S.-Canadian border safe
New York Times bestselling author Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd. For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q Be sure to follow Terri on BookBub for updates on her new releases https://www.bookbub.com/authors/terri...
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Northern Border Patrol series. This book takes place on the border of United States and Canada but on the United States side of the Border. There is something killing the animals in a water way that is shared with both Countries, and they want to get to the bottom of the problem. They bring in Dr. Tessa Cleary and border patrol agent Jeff Steele to figure out if the problem is on the United States side. What they undercover is much bigger then anyone was thinking. I loved that this brings light to the fact that what we put into the water hurts animals that live in the water. There is action and romance through out this whole book. This book kept me on my toes and wanting to keep reading it. I really got pulled into this book, and I cannot wait to pick up the second book in this series. This book is not super long, and it was a quick fun read for me.
I grabbed book three in this series at a library sale for a dime, so when the big LIS sale came up, I downloaded this one just to get a start on the series. The synopsis really didn't grab me much, and the sample was okay, but because I didn't want to miss out on something, I decided to go ahead and risk it. Turns out, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It's something different, with a fish biologist and a very sudden escalation from dirty water to a drug lord's border compound.
The Christianity parts were worked in easily and gently, in a natural manner, as Tessa and Jeff grow in their trust in God during the chase after them. I did feel that their first kiss came a bit out of left field, but it didn't keep me from deciding to download book two as well.
Danger at the Border started out so well, but then kind of lost my interest. I didn't care for the romance in the end, as it just felt insta-love-ish.
The mystery was okay. I'm glad I finally read this book as it finishes the series for me, but it wasn't as great as others in the series.
All in all, I liked the book.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
"Danger at the Border" by Terri Reed is the first in a series of the Northern Border Patrol and I must say, it was one of the most riveting, suspenseful, inspirational and romantic books I have ever read on the subject! And even though it is in a series, it is also a great stand alone book. It is ironic that this book comes out just as we are having all the trouble at the southern border.....if only the actual government could solve their problem as easily as Dr. Tessa Cleary and Border Patrol Agent, Jeff Steele, does!! If you don't have this book on your to buy list, let me suggest you add it now. It is one of those "hard to lay down" books and I highly recommend it to everyone. Terri Reed is one remarkable author as well as a lovely Christian lady. Thanks for sharing your God given talent of writing with all of us, Terri. Looking forward to your next installment on the Border Patrol. God bless you.
3.5 star rating for this one. Another Ebay special like the last one. Another "love inspired" suspense story, or so they claim. I have to say this one at least had more action than the last. Still too "mushy" for me. Guess I am getting a little more demanding for a book that classifies itself as suspense. This story has Dr. Tessa Cleary called a beautiful lake where fish are dying and people that go in the water are getting sick. Her assignment is to determine the reason. At the lake she meets Border Agent Jeff Steele. Yup, sparks fly for these two love deprived/starved people. When in pursuit of the pollutant going into the water they are attacked and so begins the fight for their survival. Why are they being pursued? Who wants to stop the efforts to find the pollutant? This could have been a great story with less longing eyes, and thoughts of how kisses feel. Oh well, I am onto this genre now, and will steer clear in the future.
An innovative plot with plenty of action held me spellbound from the very start. I don't think that I have ever read a romantic suspense centered around border patrol agents before. What a great idea for a series!
Much to Jeff's chagrin, Tessa is all about proving herself despite the danger they find themselves in. And he's vexed and more than a little impressed when she shows him up a time or two. Love the connection between this hero and heroine. Charged, complex, exciting. Even funny at times. Great dynamics.
The plot is fraught with tension and danger and numerous twists and turns sure to enthrall readers. Awesome start to a new series.
Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to investigate the sudden and very mysterious death of fishes and the respiratory problems faced by people living near the border between US and Canada. What starts as a simple investigation soon turns deadly when Tessa is fired at by unknown people and forced to run for her life. Running with the border patrol agent Jeff Steele, now it is a chase of survival for her and Jeff. Who are these people? What is the source of the contamination in the river causing all these problems? How will Tessa and Jeff save themselves and will they be able to get to the root of the mystery?
Running for their lives and also from their own demons, Jeff and Tessa are so not prepared to feel the pull of attraction and protectiveness towards each other!
Firstly, I loved the cover of the book. The whole forest background called me to pick up the book and my decision to read it was sealed after checking out the blurb which instantly intrigues the reader.
Danger at the Border takes us to the area between the borders of US and Canada. With lush greenery, sweet scented air and away from the chaos of the city, this is a perfect place to relax but amidst this peace there is something dark and scary lurking which now threatens the peace and livelihood of the people living here.
I loved the chase and the thrill of trying to survive while threatened by the dangerous animals and even more dangerous unknown people. The plot is well conceived and executed. Terri has done her research which shows in her planning and execution of the story. She admirably develops characters that don't look artificial and are able to convince the readers of their authenticity.The settings are so beautifully sketched that I could visualize myself in a place like the one in the book and could feel each and every shift in the atmosphere in the forest!
I loved the characterization. Jeff and Tessa are both very strong characters who are able to withstand all the difficulties and fulfill their duty towards their country. The chemistry between them is sweet, heartfelt and touching. I could feel and relate to their doubts, concerns and denial towards their feelings for each other. Tessa is a young woman in a job that is supposed to be a man's field. Often doubted, she has much to prove to herself and others. Jeff is committed to his country and while doubtful at first of Tessa's qualification for the job, soon he is left admiring her strength, dedication and her knowledge of her work. There journey of survival and also the strengthening and reawakening of their faith in God is expertly portrayed by the author. The other characters are also very admirably sketched and developed. The villains are successful in giving the reader a chill and make him want to do whatever necessary to escape. The wild forest also has a character of its own in the book which adds more depth and feel to the whole experience.
Terri's writing style is simple and captivating. She creates characters, places and events with ease and builds a colorful picture in the minds of the readers. Preaching the benevolence of God, she tries of strengthen and reawaken the faith of the readers in God and his help that is always given to everyone when in need!
"Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our help and our shield."
The story is fast paced with enough drama, action, thrill, romance and excitement to keep the reader engrossed till the end. I enjoyed reading the book and give Danger at the Border 4.5 out of 5. Recommended to everyone, I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
I received an ARC from the publishers, Mills & Boon Love Inspired and NetGalley and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
I'll tell you that Danger At the Border is boring. Well, it isn't boring. That is the wrong word for it. (Oh, it turns out curfew is coming up soon. I guess this review is going to be a bit shorter than originally planned). I'm going to say dry. There isn't a lot of words nor fat between these pages. Sure, there is romance. But it is the cheesy kind. I've seen better romance than this. This? This is like Granddaddy and Grandmommy make out. (Gross). No chemistry. And utterly weird. (But not creepy. Good thing Terri Reed didn't hit that. I would had given up this book long time ago).
The plot is okay. There is more excitement in the plot than the romance/chemistry/that guy. I'm not kidding. I'm seriously more interested in finding out who poisoned the lake than find out whether or not Jeff and Tessa end up together.
(Which, by the way, is obvious. Books like these, they always end with "Happily Ever After." I never met a book that didn't).
You know what? I'm not even going to explain the characters individually. They are both the same. They have trust issues/relationship problems. They have parent issues (at least one of them has). They have some experience in the wild. And neither of them can truly (and correctly) read the other's expression or emotional state. At least not until the end.
(And that might not even be true).
The writing is dry. I'm not even going to explain it. Just simply use the same description I put in place at the beginning of this review (first paragraph, about Granddaddy and Grandmommy making out. I think that is a bit hint).
Overall, Danger At the Border is only a good book to read... Oh, crap. I forgot.
I should mention that there is a lot of prayer to God in this book. Yes, it is a Christian book. Somehow that slipped my mind. Somehow.
Here we go again. Overall, Danger At the Border is a good book to read only when you are desperately killing or looking for a book to read. It is like that joke with the man, the bartender, and the man's picture of his ugly wife. The man always drank a shot and then looked into his coat pocket. He did that a few times. The bartender asked why he was doing that, and the man told him that when his wife starts to look "hot," he'll go home. Just change the man into the reader. The wife, the book.
It was very interesting to have a book about the border between US and Canada! I don't remember reading one of those! I live in the Pacific Northwest myself so I could relate to many of the topographical areas the author used. I enjoyed this book immensely. Terri is one of my favorite suspense authors. Her characters are very real people yet rise to the occasions that they find themselves in! In this book, a toxin is found in a lake in Washington. Fish are found dead and people who swim in the lake are becoming ill. Tessa, who is a government scientist, comes in to figure out what that toxin is. Jeff, the border patrol agent who is assigned to that area, begins working with her to discover what is happening. Then, the bullets start flying, Tessa and Jeff get kidnapped and they are in the fight of their lives! I SO enjoy a good suspense story!!! Tessa and Jeff never dreamed they would be where they are - kidnapped and trying to escape a compound in the middle of a dense forest! It's a great book and will keep you turning the pages and staying up late like I did!
Danger At The Border by Terri Reed was an excellent book. Something is killing the fish at the border between United States and Canada. Dr. Tessa Cleary is sent there to take samples to see why the fish are dying. Jeff Steele is the border patrol agent. Jeff and Tessa take off in a boat to go further in the water to take more samples. Bad guys are after them. They run for their lives. Lots of suspense. The book holds your interest. Don't want to put it down. A very good read.
This was a very good book and the plot thickens just when you think you know how it's going to end. I loved the twist and turns and the mystery that abounds here. I liked how Terri Reed brought the good Dr. together with the Border Patrol of US and Canada. You like action, mystery, A little Romance, suspense. You'll be guessing to the end. I highly recommend it and will read it again and have.
Good story! Took a little bit to get into but then bam!! Action! I liked the different plot. Not a big fan of the lets suddenly kiss in the middle of a life or death situation but it's ok :)
Title: Danger at the Border - Northern Border Patrol Book 1 Author: Terri Reed Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Published: 9-2-2014 Pages: 220 Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance; Police Procedurals; Inspirational ISBN: 9780373446186 ASIN: B00JH0R86 Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin Reviewer: DelAnne Rating: 4.5 Stars
UNSAFE TERRITORY
When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf's dedication to his job—and country—chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin's deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out for everyone.
Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the U.S.–Canadian border safe
If you enjoy clean inspirational stories that rely on good story lines and strong characters then this is a story for you. Terri Reed has yet to disappoint her readers in either category. "Danger at the Border" moves at a quick pace and is filled with suspense and enough twist and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.
My rating of "Danger at the Border - Northern Border Patrol Book 1" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Terri Reed you outdid yourself again in this cross border suspense. Can Dr. Cleary and border patrol Agent Steele figure out what is killing fish and causing people to have respiratory issues after swimming in the USA/Canadian lake before the bad guys get them. What is really going on in this northern border lake town and forest? Kidnapping, escaping, and then getting recaptured by dogs and very evil people cause Dr. Cleary and Agent Steele to wonder how they will survive to take down the bad guys destroying the lake and livelihoods of the shop owners around the lake and stop the contamination of the lake. Will they survive or will they die? The twists and turns in this book are so suspenseful I hoped all would end well. Get the book so you can read what happens and the final outcome. #terrireed #drugs #courage #faith #northernborderpatrol
I'm actually glad that I was provided with a free copy of this book by the publisher as part of the Goodreads First Reads program, in return for an honest review. I would hate to have bought it for myself. Why? Let's just say that I really did not like this book.
It's boring, poorly written, and there is no romance at all. I knew going in that it was a clean romance and I was cool with that, but I still expected some level of interaction beyond "Where are you from?" between the romantic leads. There really wasn't. Well, that's not completely true. There was some interaction. It was more in the form of "How do we not get killed?" and the pages dedicated to Tessa asking Jeff why he had kissed her. I was confused about why he kissed her, too. There was no chemistry between them at all. Sure, there was the whole fear that they could be killed by a drug kingpin type dude--or a couple of them, but there was no romance. I'm pretty sure that once the adrenaline wore off that they would both be wondering what they had gotten themselves into.
As a clean romance, I probably should have expected the references to modest clothing and all the talk about God and prayer. I didn't, though. I didn't realize that almost half of the book would be prayers. If I wanted to read a book that was half full of things that you shouldn't do in life and half full of prayers, then I would have read the Bible. That probably would have been more exciting. If you're skiddish about religion or you don't want to be preached to, then you probably should avoid this book.
Other people who should avoid it include anyone who doesn't like a gratuitous threat of rape. Yes, this is one of those books that puts an attempted rape scene in the book just to add conflict. Writers should really stop doing that. There are other ways to add conflict besides trying to rape or, as this author calls it, "abuse" the (usually) female characters. And, while we're at it, if you are going to put a rape or rape attempt scene in a book, then you should be willing to call it what it is. I know that rape is an ugly word, but it is an important word to use when it comes to this sort of situation. People need to be able to recognize it for what it is. While rape is a form of abuse, not calling it rape diminishes that ability. This leads to people acting callously toward rape victims or towards victims being in denial of what they have actually suffered through.
There was some more ignorance thrown in the other parts of the book. The male lead (a Border Patrol agent) kept explaining the science to the female lead (a fish biologist), which was really annoying. It felt like she should be the one explaining science to him since she was the science person. There were also references to poor communication with their families. There was judgment of divorce and couples who choose that option. The male lead was able to tell just by meeting the female lead that her intelligence and gender made her high maintenance. The bad guy in the book threatens to sell the female lead to make money; an exact quote from this interaction was "There are men who would pay top dollar for a red-haired American woman."
Speaking of ignorance related to the bad guy, the drug kingpin was forcing his "employees" to stay and work for him on his marijuana grow. This was recognized and identified as slavery. It was even mentioned that sometimes he kept the employees drugged so that they would work for him. All in the name of keeping his operation going and keeping the profit margin high. These are acts that most people would recognize as signs that this bad guy is really bad. Well, not our female lead. She didn't realize just how horrible of a human being he was until he tried to sell her for a profit. At the end of the paragraph after that last quote, she made the following remark, "So you're going to move from illegal drugs to human trafficking?" He was already involved in human trafficking, hun. Human trafficking is defined as, "a. sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or b. the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery." That she didn't know this was horrifying. It disgusted me that she thought that her education or social status or anything else somehow made her more of a victim than these people who had been "recruited" into slavery because of their addictions or their poverty.
There was the "all drugs are bad" feeling that the book gave off. It also had a tendency toward the pro-nationalism that you sometimes see on the right. I don't know if that was intentional, but that's definitely how certain parts came across.
The book also followed some religious stereotypes. You have the strong male lead with the deep Christian faith. You have the weak female lead who has her doubts; she also has red hair, which is common amongst religious characters who have been objectified in some way. And you have the bad guys, who don't believe in God and who have scarred bodies and faces. They have nothing to live for except their greed. Basically everything you learned in Sunday School. Not really imaginative. Not really ground-breaking. Not any good.
Guilty of reading this series out of order. Hey, sometimes, when getting from the library, you do what you gotta do! This was a particularly intriguing read for me, as I am interested in the preservation of our lakes, streams and rivers. And I'm a northern girl. But, this was a bit contrived. A LOT of situations that the MC's seemed to just stumble on. Plot pretty much relied on they get kidnapped, get out. Run. Get kidnapped again, get out. Run. And so on. However, the setting and the information on the area were enough to get me to give it a 3 star rating.
I found Tessa an engaging heroine because of her focus on solving biological problems. I appreciated that she and Jeff were trying to put up blocks from romance. That said, the ending was overly cheesy for my taste (and that's saying something). I liked the Pacific Northwest setting, but the drug angle felt a bit forced.
I enjoyed Danger at the Border. It was full of suspense, danger, heroics, romance, clean read and beautiful scenery. I liked the characters. The good guys are willing to stop the bad guys but they have weakness to. Most of the bad guys you want to hate and they get stopped.
Dr. Tessa Cleary has come to find what is killing the fish and making humans sick too. Tessa has been hurt before and is protecting her heart. She came as soon as she could. Her team will come in two days. She likes to be prepared.
U.S. border patrol agent Jeff Steele takes his job seriously. He does not believe in commitments and love. Or that is what he believes his actions say different. He looks at Dr. Tessa Cleary when they first meet and thinks she will want to be pampered.
They are going in a small boat to take samples of the lake and try and find the source of what is leaking in the lake and killing the fish. They find the source pretty quick where it is going into the lake. While they are checking what it is they are shot at and boat inflates. They take to the woods.
It goes from one problem to the next. Every time they solve one thing they have to face more trouble. You don't want to put the book down. The pacing of the story was fast.
Jeff teaches Tessa to rely on faith and prayer again. That you pray then do all you can and rely on God for the rest. Tessa learned the lesson very well. I thought the book did not come across preachy just part of their lives. It is a good lesson for me to remember too.
The setting was Washington in the cascades mountains close to the border in Canada.
I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give honest review of it. Received book from Net Galley and Harlequin.
Like: Well written and fast paced. Dislike: Nothing.
Would I recommend it? Yes I would definitely recommend this book. I'll be honest it took me a long time to start reading this book, but once I did I couldn't put it down.
Jeff and Tessa's characters were very realistic and their love story didn't seem rushed or fake in any way. I really liked the setting in Washington, and I like that the author gave Tessa a job that isn't a super girly job. The secondary characters were also a great addition to the story and they only added to the story.
Danger At The Border is book number one in the Northern Border Patrol series by Terri Reed, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. I'm actually looking forward to reading the next book, I'm not sure when it will be released, but it shouldn't be much longer considering this book was released in September.
Overall, I really liked this book and I'll definitely be reading more from this author. I really loved how fast paced this book was, it was well written, and I didn't want to put my phone down and go to bed!
Thank you Harlequin via Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review!
A mysterious toxin has appeared in the lake. Fish are washing up dead, and swimmers are having respiratory problems.
Biologist Dr. Tessa Cleary and Border Patrol Agent Jeff Steele team up and take to the lake to discover the source of the problem ~ and discover a whole lot more than they bargained for.
A simple trip around the lake doesn't go as planned as they experience a shoot-out, have to abandon the boat and escape into the wilderness. There begins the trust they need in each other to survive the wilds of the outdoors and the terror chasing them.
I enjoyed this fast-paced, action filled story and I liked how Jeff and Tessa, with the wounds of their pasts, through this experience grew to trust and heal despite all the problems they encountered.
I've read several books that have featured border patrol agents, but they have been in Texas protecting the southern border. It was nice to read a story with the hero protecting the northern border. I'll be looking out for the other books that will be coming in this series.
I was very pleased to win a copy of this book from the Soul Inspirationz blog ~ another great book to add to my large Love Inspired Suspense collection!
This one was pretty good. Dr. Tessa is called in to find the source of water contamination in a lake up on the US/Canada border. Jeff Steele is a border patrol agent and is determined to stick with Tessa during her investigation. When they get close to the source of the toxin, they get pulled into a mess that no one expected even existed. Though each have been hurt in the past, Tessa and Jeff feel a pull toward each other that makes them each think the other just might be trustworthy. I liked Tessa and Jeff. I thought his protective streak was great and understood why it endeared him to her. I also liked that both of them were determined to not let the attraction go anywhere. When they were in danger, both looked out for the other. The bad guys were twisted and creepy. Overall, the couple trusted each other and God to get them out of the mess they were in and nothing happened like expected but happened in His time. This is a 4/5 for me. It was a good romance with some suspense.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
I really liked this intelligent suspense novel about a polluted lake and two people who are determined to track down the cause.
Dr Teresa Cleary is a biologist who comes to a lake in the Pacific northwest, on the Canadian border. Locals are distraught at fish kills and swimmers in respiratory distress. Tourism could be affected. They doubt the lady can be of much use. But Teresa teams up with the local forest patrol agent and heads out to track the source of the chemicals.
Agent Jeff Steele is from the Customs and Border Patrol. He gets caught wrong-footed when two men in camouflage gear shoot at them; the intrepid investigators get stranded on a forested shore a long way from anywhere. What could someone be so keen to protect? Will finding out cause worse problems?
Read this fast-moving book, learn a lot and have fun.
I received this book through the First Reads giveaway program on Goodreads.
11/10/14 - So far so good! This book wastes no time jumping into action!
11/12/14 - Finished this last night and I have to say, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best book either. Sure, we have near non-stop action as Agent Steele and Dr. Cleary try to escape a very bad situation that they find themselves in, but come on... professing their love for the other after a few days. Emotions are running high but they are complete strangers who certainly don't love each other. They are grateful to each other, as they have saved each other, but not in love... but I guess the book wouldn't have been as good if they were professing their like for each other instead of their love.
Danger at the Border is a fast paced novel filled with unexpected twists and turns.... and maybe some romance! Right from page 1 the reader is introduced to the main characters as they begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the lake. As much as Tessa desires to work alone, Agent Jeff Steele states he will be joining her on her investigation. What begins as a search for the poison ends with Tessa and Jeff fighting for their lives. My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
A
I enjoyed the book and was sad when it ended. Terri Reed did a wonderful job weaving the action, suspense, mystery, and romance throughout the story. I look forward to reading her future books - the Capitol K-9 Unit book April 2015 and more Northern Border Patrol series books.
Great mystery set on the U.S./Canadian border in Washington. Tessa Cleary, a biologist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, has been called in to find out why fish are dying and swimmers are having respiratory issues in a lake on the Border. Partnered with Border Patrol Agent Jeff Steele, they begin research. When they find where contaminants are entering the lake, things begin to get dicey.
"This is the first installment in Reed’s Northern Border Patrol series. As the danger increases, the reader is pulled further into the story. The secondary characters are well integrated, and the suspense and romance are evenly balanced" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).