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Coast Guard Recon #1
Diverted
"I couldn't put it down. I read the whole book in one setting." From the bestselling author of the Callahan Security Series. A steamy enemies to lovers, military, second chance, protector romance.
In the heart-pounding depths of Panama, US Coast Guard leader Nick Taggert commands a squad of shattered souls, a relentless force known as Team RECON—rebuilt warriors ready to conquer demons and defy fate.
Dr. Carolina Alvarez craves the adrenaline rush of the ER, but destiny has other plans. With a coveted miracle drug in her possession, she becomes a target in a treacherous game. When sparks fly and adversaries close in, Nick and Carolina form an uneasy alliance.
From New York's glittering streets to Ecuador's untamed jungles, they race against time, hunted by an unseen terror. Suspense crackles with electric desire as love and danger entwine, leaving you breathless until the very last gasp.
In the heart-pounding depths of Panama, US Coast Guard leader Nick Taggert commands a squad of shattered souls, a relentless force known as Team RECON—rebuilt warriors ready to conquer demons and defy fate.
Dr. Carolina Alvarez craves the adrenaline rush of the ER, but destiny has other plans. With a coveted miracle drug in her possession, she becomes a target in a treacherous game. When sparks fly and adversaries close in, Nick and Carolina form an uneasy alliance.
From New York's glittering streets to Ecuador's untamed jungles, they race against time, hunted by an unseen terror. Suspense crackles with electric desire as love and danger entwine, leaving you breathless until the very last gasp.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
1609 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Lori Matthews
39 books330 followersI grew up in a house filled with books and readers. Some of my fondest memories are of reading in the same room with my mother and sisters, arguing about whose turn it was to make tea. No one wanted to put their book down!
I was introduced to romance because of my mom’s habit of leaving books all over the house. One day I picked one up. I still remember the cover. It was a Harlequin by Janet Daily. Little did I know at the time that it would set the stage for my future. I went on to discover mystery novels. Agatha Christie was my favorite. And then suspense with Wilber Smith and Ian Fleming.
I loved the thought of combining my favorite genres, and during high school, I attempted to write my first romantic suspense novel. I wrote the first four chapters and then exams happened and that was the end of that. I desperately hope that book died a quiet death somewhere in a computer recycling facility.
A few years later, (okay, quite a few) after two degrees, a husband and two kids, I attended a workshop in Tuscany that lit that spark for writing again. I have been pounding the keyboard ever since here in New Jersey, where I live with my children—who are thrilled with my writing as it means they get to eat more pizza—and my very supportive husband.
I was introduced to romance because of my mom’s habit of leaving books all over the house. One day I picked one up. I still remember the cover. It was a Harlequin by Janet Daily. Little did I know at the time that it would set the stage for my future. I went on to discover mystery novels. Agatha Christie was my favorite. And then suspense with Wilber Smith and Ian Fleming.
I loved the thought of combining my favorite genres, and during high school, I attempted to write my first romantic suspense novel. I wrote the first four chapters and then exams happened and that was the end of that. I desperately hope that book died a quiet death somewhere in a computer recycling facility.
A few years later, (okay, quite a few) after two degrees, a husband and two kids, I attended a workshop in Tuscany that lit that spark for writing again. I have been pounding the keyboard ever since here in New Jersey, where I live with my children—who are thrilled with my writing as it means they get to eat more pizza—and my very supportive husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
May 13, 2023
Military man, Nick Taggert "Tag", leads a group of misfits or should I say a group of men all recuperating from injuries down in Panama. They are Intel for US on drug trade. No action is making them crazy. Then comes Carolina, a Doctor with a shipment of vaccines to take into the jungle. Carolina, was intersected by her old boss at the train station. He tells her he dropped a package at her home and is being followed. Next he is shove down the escalator steroid. Carolina has no idea what is talking about but gets the package explain she must get the vaccine to Ecuador to save a people. She does not refuse and take off with only one person to contact and the vaccines. No other info. But Taggerts team intercepts the cargo believed to be drugs of a different sort. People show up trying to kill them and Tags team realizes she is telling the truth. They must figure out who is behind this and move the drugs.
Author needs to change up her ways of describing things. To often see the same words repeated.
Author needs to change up her ways of describing things. To often see the same words repeated.
April 14, 2022
Loved the blurb, and the first few chapters. But unfortunately this one wasn't for me, I didn't feel the connection between the main characters and I didn't like the ending🙈
April 20, 2022
This was enjoyable. A lot of action, some spice but basically zero romance. I like a bit more of a trauma bond thanks very much. Not displeased though and will likely read more from this author!
November 12, 2021
I don’t quite know what to call this book, because it’s more than simply romantic suspense. It layers in elements of political intrigue and action/adventure to make a story that’s as addictive as it is terrifying in its possibilities. I was swept up in the drama from the moment the book opened, and it carried me along until the very end. I was desperate to know what would happen next and I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough in order to find out. I liked Nick and Carolina and, really, the whole Team RECON. I’m already a fan and I can’t wait to read more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
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May 6, 202205/06/22 currently free in Dangerous Touch: Ten Utterly Addictive Novels of Romantic Suspense
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Z1R1LRF/
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February 2, 2024
This book had me invested, I couldn't stop reading it. Carolina was damn fierce, she didn't give up, she was going to do the right thing and there was that. Nick blamed for how his back was but couldn't deny their attraction and chemistry. I would have like to see more romance yes but I liked the book so much just as it was too
September 27, 2023
why do they make covers like this. let me live!
Read
May 18, 2022This is a note to myself since I have the propensity to re-read DNFs if I don’t rate or review them.
Definitely not for me. Forced myself to get to midpoint, but can’t continue.
Nick blames Dr. Carolina Alvarez for botching the surgery on his back and ruining his career. He was hacked in the back with a machete and nearly died when the volunteer MSF physician stitched him up to save his life. Maybe she should have let him bleed to death? Or he should have made sure there was a world class tertiary care health facility nearby before he got himself cut to pieces. At one point he even states that he wouldn’t have minded if she got shot. WTF?? Despite this twisted doctor-patient relationship, they still have the hots for each other? It doesn’t show. When they meet up again over Carolina smuggling vaccines into South America, they seem suspicious and resentful of each other. No love there.
The vaccine plot has a lot of holes. A lot of them. Apparently, I’m more of a burned out doctor than I realized, since I have no patience for this suspended reality right now. I understand that Carolina is trying to keep her mission a secret, but isn’t getting her vaccines confiscated as illegal drugs defeating the purpose of her being there? I kept saying in my head “stop calling the vaccines drugs!” Arrrgh! Sorry, just not for me.
Definitely not for me. Forced myself to get to midpoint, but can’t continue.
Nick blames Dr. Carolina Alvarez for botching the surgery on his back and ruining his career. He was hacked in the back with a machete and nearly died when the volunteer MSF physician stitched him up to save his life. Maybe she should have let him bleed to death? Or he should have made sure there was a world class tertiary care health facility nearby before he got himself cut to pieces. At one point he even states that he wouldn’t have minded if she got shot. WTF?? Despite this twisted doctor-patient relationship, they still have the hots for each other? It doesn’t show. When they meet up again over Carolina smuggling vaccines into South America, they seem suspicious and resentful of each other. No love there.
The vaccine plot has a lot of holes. A lot of them. Apparently, I’m more of a burned out doctor than I realized, since I have no patience for this suspended reality right now. I understand that Carolina is trying to keep her mission a secret, but isn’t getting her vaccines confiscated as illegal drugs defeating the purpose of her being there? I kept saying in my head “stop calling the vaccines drugs!” Arrrgh! Sorry, just not for me.
November 14, 2021
I received a free ARC from Hidden Gems for the promise of an honest review.
It was okay. Caroline was a doctor in the Doctors Without Borders when saved Nick's life in Yemen. Now Nick is assigned to dtug interdiction in Panama when he arrests Caroline for smuggling drugs. Turns out that the drug is a vaccine to be used to save an Amazon tribe and Ecuadorian Government wants to prevent the vaccine from reaching this tribe. Nick along with his fellow Coast Guard squad assist Caroline with retrieving the vaccine and seeing it to the final destination.
Caroline and Nick are likeable characters. The book is well written but isn't a nail-biting thriller. It is suspenseful in parts but yet a little predictable.
It was okay. Caroline was a doctor in the Doctors Without Borders when saved Nick's life in Yemen. Now Nick is assigned to dtug interdiction in Panama when he arrests Caroline for smuggling drugs. Turns out that the drug is a vaccine to be used to save an Amazon tribe and Ecuadorian Government wants to prevent the vaccine from reaching this tribe. Nick along with his fellow Coast Guard squad assist Caroline with retrieving the vaccine and seeing it to the final destination.
Caroline and Nick are likeable characters. The book is well written but isn't a nail-biting thriller. It is suspenseful in parts but yet a little predictable.
June 5, 2022
not a romance novel!
This Coast Guard team of injured guys was not believable. And as far as “romance “ or “sex” because thats what we all wait for.. i was 68% done the book ( i know that because if Kindle) before the 2 characters got together and the sec was not at all descriptive. Totally boring story!
This Coast Guard team of injured guys was not believable. And as far as “romance “ or “sex” because thats what we all wait for.. i was 68% done the book ( i know that because if Kindle) before the 2 characters got together and the sec was not at all descriptive. Totally boring story!
June 10, 2023
I'm so Confused
There are so many plot holes and missing information. And it was really boring, I struggled getting through this book. Hard pass.
There are so many plot holes and missing information. And it was really boring, I struggled getting through this book. Hard pass.
June 14, 2023
Sophomoric writing
Long, dragged out passages of no real importance. I did a heck of a lot of skimming to get to anything interesting. Won't be following this author.
Long, dragged out passages of no real importance. I did a heck of a lot of skimming to get to anything interesting. Won't be following this author.
November 5, 2021
A word of advice: do not begin this book unless you have plenty of reading time at your disposal. I started reading it in bed last night, continued until I fell asleep at 2:00 AM (still holding my Kindle), and dove right back in as soon as I awoke this morning. It's compelling, action-packed, edge-of-the-seat romantic suspense that grabbed from the get-go and refused to let go. I loved it!
Lori Matthews has become one of my favorite authors writing romantic suspense. Her stories are tightly crafted, with fully-developed characters who engage my emotions. She brings them to life on the pages and then places them in impeccably-detailed settings that put me in the heart of the action. I didn't just read about Carolina's, Nick's, and the Coast Guard team's journey through Panama and Ecuador, I felt like I was walking through the jungles with them, dodging gunfire, deactivating bombs, and balancing undeniable attraction with necessary caution, all while fighting for my life. It's an interactive experience Matthews brings with each book she writes. She fully immerses me in each of her stories, leaving me eager for more of the same each time I reach the final page.
Diverted is the first book in what I hope will be a new series. I'm already invested in the entire Coast Guard Special Ops team. They all deserve stories!
Lori Matthews has become one of my favorite authors writing romantic suspense. Her stories are tightly crafted, with fully-developed characters who engage my emotions. She brings them to life on the pages and then places them in impeccably-detailed settings that put me in the heart of the action. I didn't just read about Carolina's, Nick's, and the Coast Guard team's journey through Panama and Ecuador, I felt like I was walking through the jungles with them, dodging gunfire, deactivating bombs, and balancing undeniable attraction with necessary caution, all while fighting for my life. It's an interactive experience Matthews brings with each book she writes. She fully immerses me in each of her stories, leaving me eager for more of the same each time I reach the final page.
Diverted is the first book in what I hope will be a new series. I'm already invested in the entire Coast Guard Special Ops team. They all deserve stories!
November 6, 2021
Signed. Sealed. Ms. Matthews Delivers!
Lori Matthews has the power to trap you in her suspense, keep you on the edge of your seat, and deliver a killer romance with her creativity, remarkable competent characters, tension that builds, and a slow burning romance that you can’t help but love her heroes & heroines. They are fierce yet gentle and her plot pulls you into an intriguing story of what kindness can do.
Nick Taggert, Coast Guard team leader, is rebuilding a team to do what they do best—kick ass! He lives for the risk, the danger, and the doctor he blames for his injury because he can’t get her out of his fantasies.
Dr. Carolina Alvarez had worked in research before Doctors Without Borders, where she saved Nick’s life and developed feelings for him. Not expecting to see him again, her old boss from her research days has thrown her into a mix of danger to transport a vaccine to a dying tribe that could lead to their extinction.
Perfect romantic suspense blend—strong enough to stand as a thriller on its own, but filled with sexy tension between the hero and heroine. Signed. Sealed. Ms. Matthews delivered!
Lori Matthews has the power to trap you in her suspense, keep you on the edge of your seat, and deliver a killer romance with her creativity, remarkable competent characters, tension that builds, and a slow burning romance that you can’t help but love her heroes & heroines. They are fierce yet gentle and her plot pulls you into an intriguing story of what kindness can do.
Nick Taggert, Coast Guard team leader, is rebuilding a team to do what they do best—kick ass! He lives for the risk, the danger, and the doctor he blames for his injury because he can’t get her out of his fantasies.
Dr. Carolina Alvarez had worked in research before Doctors Without Borders, where she saved Nick’s life and developed feelings for him. Not expecting to see him again, her old boss from her research days has thrown her into a mix of danger to transport a vaccine to a dying tribe that could lead to their extinction.
Perfect romantic suspense blend—strong enough to stand as a thriller on its own, but filled with sexy tension between the hero and heroine. Signed. Sealed. Ms. Matthews delivered!
November 13, 2021
This is the first book of Lori’s that I have read and let me tell you, it is suspenseful. You must keep reading because you cannot put it down. I would categorize this as more suspense than romance even though romance is present. Of course, we know who the bad guys are but how was the RECON team going to get around them to get to their goal and the why’s of the what was happening. therein lies the reason why this is such a good story. I loved this story if you cannot tell already with all of my gushing. I also really liked that they are a little older (not 20 something) which makes how they see and handle things a little different. Three little things that I wanted more of: (1) why didn’t Nick tell Carolina of his anger regarding his back, (2) I wanted more development of their romance, and (3) the ending was too abrupt, I needed more but I am sometimes greedy like that. Other than that, this is a fantastic suspense/thriller and I definitely want to see the rest of the RECON team get their own stories. Who knew Coast Guards were such badasses.
I received a complimentary copy from Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary copy from Hidden Gems Books.
November 20, 2021
This author has become a favorite of mine since being introduced to her by Hidden Gems ARC service. This new series shows why! After her Callahan Security series, I could not wait to see what she did with the Coast Guard in the new series! Have to say it was even better than expected. So much action and adventure in an uncommon background.
The story focuses on Master Chief Nick Taggert and Dr Carolina Alvarez, who meet while she is working with Doctors without Borders, and he is in bad shape. Months later Nick is surprised to see Carolina in the last place he expected and involved in what appears to be shady business. Once revealed that Carolina is on a quest to save an indigenous tribe, Nick sees it as his mission too. As they are reunited and working together, it puts Nick and his team of recovering Coast Guard operatives back in the middle of the action. The book has so much action and adventure that it keeps you reading. Great story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to how it will all turn out! This makes for a great start to an exciting new series.
The story focuses on Master Chief Nick Taggert and Dr Carolina Alvarez, who meet while she is working with Doctors without Borders, and he is in bad shape. Months later Nick is surprised to see Carolina in the last place he expected and involved in what appears to be shady business. Once revealed that Carolina is on a quest to save an indigenous tribe, Nick sees it as his mission too. As they are reunited and working together, it puts Nick and his team of recovering Coast Guard operatives back in the middle of the action. The book has so much action and adventure that it keeps you reading. Great story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to how it will all turn out! This makes for a great start to an exciting new series.
July 5, 2022
While I enjoyed this story I felt the premise for the story line was lacking. Who would get themselves into this situation based on a request from a past employer that abused their employment situation? Yet Dr. Carolina Alvarez takes on the job of delivering a vaccine to a small group of indigenous people living in a rain forest in an effort to save their lives. Saving lives is great but who the request came from wasn't.
It's a very convoluted story with situations that were avoidable but created to add excitement to the story. I was okay with this to a point, but it didn't overcome the weak premise for the story.
There is adventure, a bit of romance, some tense situations and this makes the story readable and it does hold your interest. However who and why the story is set in motion was ridiculous.
To add to that, Nick Taggert, the Coast Guard guy, whose life she saved when he was hacked with a machete, blames Carolina for his inability to return to full fighting condition. Perhaps she should have let him die instead of operating on him in a field hospital to save his life?
Suspend your common sense and you may enjoy this more than I did.
It's a very convoluted story with situations that were avoidable but created to add excitement to the story. I was okay with this to a point, but it didn't overcome the weak premise for the story.
There is adventure, a bit of romance, some tense situations and this makes the story readable and it does hold your interest. However who and why the story is set in motion was ridiculous.
To add to that, Nick Taggert, the Coast Guard guy, whose life she saved when he was hacked with a machete, blames Carolina for his inability to return to full fighting condition. Perhaps she should have let him die instead of operating on him in a field hospital to save his life?
Suspend your common sense and you may enjoy this more than I did.
November 14, 2021
Grabs hold of you:
I really enjoyed this exciting and unique medical suspense story. It was a wonderful start to what looks like is going to be an exciting and intriguing new series. I thought it was interesting learning about the different things that the US Coast Guard does and I enjoyed getting to know this ragtag team of operators. There was plenty of fast paced action and it kept me guessing until the end as to how it would all play out.
I felt a connection to both of the main characters but would have personally liked to have seen their relationship develop more. Carolina and Nick took a while to connect and I would have liked to have witnessed them talking to one another more as most of their conversations were brief and focused on their mission. I was nevertheless glad things worked out for them and am intrigued as to how the rest of the series is going to continue.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I really enjoyed this exciting and unique medical suspense story. It was a wonderful start to what looks like is going to be an exciting and intriguing new series. I thought it was interesting learning about the different things that the US Coast Guard does and I enjoyed getting to know this ragtag team of operators. There was plenty of fast paced action and it kept me guessing until the end as to how it would all play out.
I felt a connection to both of the main characters but would have personally liked to have seen their relationship develop more. Carolina and Nick took a while to connect and I would have liked to have witnessed them talking to one another more as most of their conversations were brief and focused on their mission. I was nevertheless glad things worked out for them and am intrigued as to how the rest of the series is going to continue.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
September 24, 2022
The last person Dr, Carolina Alverez expected to see was her old boss at the train station cryptically begging her for help. Neither did she expect to witness her boss being knocked down a talk escalator minutes later then lapsing into a coma. Arriving home Carolina finds her boss had left her information on a vaccine that needed to get to a tribe in Ecuador ASAP!
Coast guard team leader Nick Taggert didn’t want to believe the far-fetched tale Dr, Carolina Alverez was telling him and his
team. Since Nick still wasn’t 100% after Carolina had worked on his back, he wanted to believe she was a drug dealer and not trying to hurriedly get a vaccine to a remote tribe in the amazon, plus he was still interested in her as a woman.
Carolina’s ecstatic to see Nick after her shipment is stolen. That is until Nick accuses her of smuggling illegal drugs. But when huge numbers of bodies seem to follow anyone who seems to know about the vaccine, Carolina, Nick and his team are more invested and want to help the tribe but they are thwarted everywhere they turn.
Rating: 4stars
Coast guard team leader Nick Taggert didn’t want to believe the far-fetched tale Dr, Carolina Alverez was telling him and his
team. Since Nick still wasn’t 100% after Carolina had worked on his back, he wanted to believe she was a drug dealer and not trying to hurriedly get a vaccine to a remote tribe in the amazon, plus he was still interested in her as a woman.
Carolina’s ecstatic to see Nick after her shipment is stolen. That is until Nick accuses her of smuggling illegal drugs. But when huge numbers of bodies seem to follow anyone who seems to know about the vaccine, Carolina, Nick and his team are more invested and want to help the tribe but they are thwarted everywhere they turn.
Rating: 4stars
April 14, 2022
Wow! Once Carolina makes up her mind she is all in!
The first time they met Carolina saved Nick's life, can he return the favour this time? Does he even want to?
Nick has a whole boatload of emotional baggage, especially when it comes to Carolina. Seeing her again causes a tug of war on his emotions, he is still attracted to her, but he blames her, wants to hate her and really doesn't trust her...unless he actually listens to his gut and his heart...they are telling him she is his, his to protect, his to love. Carolina really does bring Nick to his knees, I loved seeing him so rattled and unsure of himself and the verbal sparring between them was highly entertaining.
The first in the series this book is intriguing, dusturbing and has you invested for more in the series, despite the team being together a short amount of time they have become a family, a dysfunctional and interfering family, but family when it counts.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
The first time they met Carolina saved Nick's life, can he return the favour this time? Does he even want to?
Nick has a whole boatload of emotional baggage, especially when it comes to Carolina. Seeing her again causes a tug of war on his emotions, he is still attracted to her, but he blames her, wants to hate her and really doesn't trust her...unless he actually listens to his gut and his heart...they are telling him she is his, his to protect, his to love. Carolina really does bring Nick to his knees, I loved seeing him so rattled and unsure of himself and the verbal sparring between them was highly entertaining.
The first in the series this book is intriguing, dusturbing and has you invested for more in the series, despite the team being together a short amount of time they have become a family, a dysfunctional and interfering family, but family when it counts.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
July 3, 2023
Dr. Carolina worked with Doctor without Borders for a while, and help Nick with his battle injury. After several months, they met again during unexpected circumstances.
Listen, this book is very much focus on suspense element. In every turn you can expect suspense, gunfire, and boom. Although this book lack of romance element, plus Nick is kinda ass. He was injured in a war-prone country with a machete, saved by a doctor that joined Doctor without Borders in a middle of nowhere with limited resource. Then he proceed to hate the doctor because her stitches are sloppy and leave scar tissues? How about you thank her for saving you life huh? What kind of romantic feeling is that?!
During Nick and Carolina's time together, Nick is hot and then cold then hot then cold, without leaving any explanation. It is annoying and confusing at the same time.
The ending of the book, somewhat cliffhanger and boring.
Listen, this book is very much focus on suspense element. In every turn you can expect suspense, gunfire, and boom. Although this book lack of romance element, plus Nick is kinda ass. He was injured in a war-prone country with a machete, saved by a doctor that joined Doctor without Borders in a middle of nowhere with limited resource. Then he proceed to hate the doctor because her stitches are sloppy and leave scar tissues? How about you thank her for saving you life huh? What kind of romantic feeling is that?!
During Nick and Carolina's time together, Nick is hot and then cold then hot then cold, without leaving any explanation. It is annoying and confusing at the same time.
The ending of the book, somewhat cliffhanger and boring.
November 2, 2021
This book was so good. The fire and passion between these two was almost enviable, but it also was their passion for their jobs.
Nick belonged to a team of ex soldiers who helped out where needed in protection and Carolina was working for Doctors without borders but ran into some trouble.
The non stop drama was telling in this story. Fast paced and wired with intensity that had the characters on the go from start to finish.
I loved how Nick and Carolina didn't want to give into the attraction that was there and how they were with each other. Pussy-footing around each other for the most part till they got their act together. They were professionals after all.
Well written with great attention to detail, and characterisation that was believable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.
Nick belonged to a team of ex soldiers who helped out where needed in protection and Carolina was working for Doctors without borders but ran into some trouble.
The non stop drama was telling in this story. Fast paced and wired with intensity that had the characters on the go from start to finish.
I loved how Nick and Carolina didn't want to give into the attraction that was there and how they were with each other. Pussy-footing around each other for the most part till they got their act together. They were professionals after all.
Well written with great attention to detail, and characterisation that was believable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 3, 2023
When Dr. Carolina Alvarez is asked by her former boss to take a vaccine down to Ecuador, she doesn’t have an idea what her decision will ensue and the surprises that lay ahead.
Master Chief Nick Taggert has been stuck in Panama with another 4 Coast Guard members who have all been injured in the line of duty and are patiently waiting to be reinstated to their former jobs when he encounters a blast from his path. The last person he ever expected to meet there is the doctor who patched him up during his last mission, but the pretty doctor is in a world of trouble and his team is the only thing between her and a Central American jail.
I’d been looking at this book form some time now on my KU ads when I finally decided I needed something different from my go to reads. I’m happy to report that this book didn’t disappoint and it was a nice read. The story is interesting and fun to read, though I figured out the motive half-way through the book, but it the writing made up for that little snag.
Ms. Matthews can deliver a fast-paced romance filled with action and hints of spice without being overbearing in any aspect. I enjoyed it enough to go back for more and hope the follow up book is as entertaining as the first.
4 stars
Master Chief Nick Taggert has been stuck in Panama with another 4 Coast Guard members who have all been injured in the line of duty and are patiently waiting to be reinstated to their former jobs when he encounters a blast from his path. The last person he ever expected to meet there is the doctor who patched him up during his last mission, but the pretty doctor is in a world of trouble and his team is the only thing between her and a Central American jail.
I’d been looking at this book form some time now on my KU ads when I finally decided I needed something different from my go to reads. I’m happy to report that this book didn’t disappoint and it was a nice read. The story is interesting and fun to read, though I figured out the motive half-way through the book, but it the writing made up for that little snag.
Ms. Matthews can deliver a fast-paced romance filled with action and hints of spice without being overbearing in any aspect. I enjoyed it enough to go back for more and hope the follow up book is as entertaining as the first.
4 stars
November 2, 2021
This book has it all with a lost tribe of people, shady foreign government officials, non stop action and romance all wrapped up in this biomedical thriller. Carolina has tried to use her medical training to make a difference in the world. After starting out in cancer research, she moved on to Doctors Without Borders and is at a crossroads on her future, when she is approached by a former mentor. Right before he is attacked, he asks Carolina to get a much needed vaccine to Central America. From page one, the action to complete the task is filled with danger and intrigue without a guideline as to who to trust. Nick and his ragtag crew of recovering military men set out to help her accomplish the mission against all odds. Great story that has it all from beginning to end.
November 15, 2021
In the first book of a new series by Lori Matthews, we're schooled on exactly what the Coast Guard does! They have an elite maritime counterterrorism unit and our hero, Nick Taggert, was one. Unfortunately he's been injured and is now 'sitting on the beach' in Panama with other wounded soldiers from various branches of the military, doing deskwork that is killing their souls.
Carolina Alvarez, the doctor who did surgery on Nick in Yemen, and saved his life, is also who he blames for his lack of ability to get back into 'real' action. She has been contacted by a former employer to help a native tribe in Central America that is dying due to a genetically modified mosquito. She wants to say no, but when her former employer is critically injured, she finds she can't say no to helping.
Drug lords, the possibility of saving an indigenous tribe from extinction, Coast Guard duties we didn't even know existed, Doctors without Borders, injured warriors from all branches of the military working together, pharmaceutical companies with no ethical compass, and corrupt politicians. This book has it all.
I've been a fan of Ms. Matthews since her first books. Her writing style is very readable and you can tell she has done her homework on all facets of the information she writes about. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!
Carolina Alvarez, the doctor who did surgery on Nick in Yemen, and saved his life, is also who he blames for his lack of ability to get back into 'real' action. She has been contacted by a former employer to help a native tribe in Central America that is dying due to a genetically modified mosquito. She wants to say no, but when her former employer is critically injured, she finds she can't say no to helping.
Drug lords, the possibility of saving an indigenous tribe from extinction, Coast Guard duties we didn't even know existed, Doctors without Borders, injured warriors from all branches of the military working together, pharmaceutical companies with no ethical compass, and corrupt politicians. This book has it all.
I've been a fan of Ms. Matthews since her first books. Her writing style is very readable and you can tell she has done her homework on all facets of the information she writes about. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!
December 10, 2021
This was my first book by Lori Matthews and will definitely not be my last. This book is awesome!! It grabs you from the first and keeps you on a wild ride all the way to the end. Dr. Carolina Alvarez was formerly a researcher who broke away and began work with Doctors Without Borders. While home on a vacation she accidently runs into her former employer and research partner who begs her to take a life saving drug to a tribe that he and his father have always had a close relationship with deep in South America. The tribe has become sick and needs the vaccine in order to stay alive. Javier is literally almost killed right in front of her and this send Carolina on a dangerous mission to Panama to try to save the tribe. Meanwhile in Panama, Nick Taggert and his crew of Coast Guard RECON team members are working on healing from various injuries before they can go back in the field full time and are working on tracking down drug shipments before they make it to the US. (Who knew the Coast Guard did so much??) Nick winds up arresting Carolina when she arrives with the drug for smuggling and realizes the she is the doctor that "saved" him and is responsible for his injury that has put him in this position in the jungles on Panama. Soon they begin working together with the RECON team to try to get the drug to the tribe deep in the jungle. With drug dealers, war lords and government officials trying to kill them and stop the delivery of the drug at all costs it is a whirlwind dangerous adventure until the end.
May 30, 2022
Diverted is my first time reading Lori Matthews and I enjoyed this book a lot. If you like romantic suspense this us right up your alley. The romance however takes aback seat to the trouble at hand.
Nick Taggert works for the US Coastguard and us stationed in Panama with 4 other men who were all sent down there to monitor the drug problem. The men are pieced together from different units all recovering from injuries.
Dr. Carolina Alvarez was tasked to save a tribe of indigenous people in Ecuador who are dying due to an exparament using mosquitos. Nothing goes smoothly and its a lot more dangerous than she expected.
Nick Taggert works for the US Coastguard and us stationed in Panama with 4 other men who were all sent down there to monitor the drug problem. The men are pieced together from different units all recovering from injuries.
Dr. Carolina Alvarez was tasked to save a tribe of indigenous people in Ecuador who are dying due to an exparament using mosquitos. Nothing goes smoothly and its a lot more dangerous than she expected.
December 19, 2022
Not Much of a Romance-DNF 37%
This book is a first by this author for me. It was recommended as a romantic suspense. It certainly had the suspense going for it it in spades, but by 37% into the book there wasn’t a speck of romance insight. Perhaps, this was because it was it is the first book in the series, so some background needed to be set up for the Coast Guard Recon group that the series will follow, but I was just getting aggravated with the lack of romance, being almost halfway through the book. I really want a good balance between the suspense and the romance in my romantic suspense books….moving onto the next.
This book is a first by this author for me. It was recommended as a romantic suspense. It certainly had the suspense going for it it in spades, but by 37% into the book there wasn’t a speck of romance insight. Perhaps, this was because it was it is the first book in the series, so some background needed to be set up for the Coast Guard Recon group that the series will follow, but I was just getting aggravated with the lack of romance, being almost halfway through the book. I really want a good balance between the suspense and the romance in my romantic suspense books….moving onto the next.
November 2, 2021
Wow, so totally not what I expected looking at the cover. I really liked this story and glad there are more books planned. This is an action packed thriller, a mystery,a romance and so much more.The main characters meet thru circumstances, and the again. Carolina a Doctor without borders and prior research Doctor. Nick and his team of "misfits" Coast guard and other branches of military special teams. Together to recuperate from injuries. How they end up together is crux of the story....I highly recommend this book
June 23, 2022
this could have easily been a 4 but the author made a big mistake and I caught it!
This story is one big surge of energy followed by a slowdown then another surge of energy. The story holds water and makes a kind of sense in a clandestine conspiracy sort of way.
The error the author made? A huge deal was made of the fact that the Doc drank tea and couldn’t abide coffee. All the sudden in the last quarter to one third of the book she’s drinking coffee? An avid tea drinker does not change her brew that easily.
This story is one big surge of energy followed by a slowdown then another surge of energy. The story holds water and makes a kind of sense in a clandestine conspiracy sort of way.
The error the author made? A huge deal was made of the fact that the Doc drank tea and couldn’t abide coffee. All the sudden in the last quarter to one third of the book she’s drinking coffee? An avid tea drinker does not change her brew that easily.
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