Well, this one started a little slow for me, but it could be that I didn't realize it was a series and I haven't read the first book - so I didn't have the background that might have allowed me to jump right in. But I have to say, after the first couple of chapters, I was hooked and couldn't put this one down.  

Known threat is well written with likable characters and a good amount of drama and police procedural.  There is a bit of romance, action and even a touch of suspense thrown in for good measure.

Ryan is a secret service agent detailed in the New York field office. Her work involves guarding dignitaries, catching counterfeiters, and handling whatever assorted cases that fall on her lap. She juggles her caseloads with a sizzling rollercoaster relationship with her ex and now current girlfriend Allison, another secret service agent.

This is the third book in the series, and the author has saved her best for last. Well, the latest book anyway, as there may be more adventures to come in the future, judging by the surprising ending. While it's possible to dive directly into this book, it's best to start with the first, as there are some plot developments and huge bombshell revelations that are best appreciated if you're totally invested in the main characters' relationship.

The series is equal parts secret service procedural, crime thriller, relationship drama and character study. The entire series is written from Ryan's first person point of view, normally not my preferred style as it is rather limiting and claustrophobic. It does get frustrating at times when Ryan is in one of her pissy moods, . But as a lead character, she's the perfectly delicious combo of integrity, street-smarts and doggedness in her job, yet stubborn, juvenile and sometimes, maddeningly irrational in her personal life. But no one can question her passion, both for her job and her love.

I've read many a start-of-series books and enjoyed them, yet hadn't bothered to continue the series. Even those with dangling plot lines. I've put it down to the lack of a truly memorable pairing. The thought of spending more time with a largely forgettable couple, even with the promise of more exciting times, isn't very appealing. And with so much choice of fresh reading material, and new couples with new adventures to fall in love with, it makes very little sense to follow through if the original pairing didn't impress me enough to take up a permanent place in my heart.

Ryan and Allison, from the very start of the series, have had this sizzling-hot but totally ass-backwards relationship development where they start with a crushing break-up and then work their way towards each other in the series, with many restarts and stutters along the way. Maybe because this is so different from what I normally encounter, maybe I was just so enamored with the idea of their "ass-over-teakettle, rocket-ship-to-the-moon, heart-stopping, nerve-wracking kind of love", maybe I so badly wanted to see how and even IF they were ever going make it work, when they can barely 'talk' to each other. All these kept me coming back for more... And then there are the cases. Cryptic and complex, they're not your run-of-the-mill lesfic cop crime thrillers. This series thrives on authenticity. So the pacing is more deliberate. The MC does what real secret service agents do--which is a lot of standing guard, some investigating but not a lot of action. I actually wished Ryan would be lent to another agency so she can get more action. Turns out she didn't even need to, as a sinister part of her past catches up with her. The third book is a taut, page-turning thriller. Which is great and all, but what elevated my rating was how the author dealt with the aftermath of a shockingly dark plot development. (view spoiler) The heartbreaking scene was written with such tenderness, sensitivity and dignity that it evoked some powerful mixed emotions from me. This stands in stark contrast to the melodrama of Ryan/Allison's relationship and the clinical precision of the rest of the series. I've no doubt about the author's ability to reach the readers emotionally as she has done so well with Ryan/Allison but this was on a whole different level of emotion--understated but just as powerful and disturbing.

I'd initially felt the direction of the book would lead to a rousing finale but what we got instead feels more like a TV series season ender--a lot settled but even more intriguing questions about what comes next. In other words, a perfect hook for the next book.

4.85 stars

ARC from Netgalley and BSB

P.S. I seemed to have gone on and on about the romance, but I think that's doing the books a disservice. This series is worth checking out for the simple fact the Ryan is secret service, and the author is intimately familiar with the workings of this secretive department. The series shines a light on their day to day activities, their methods, their priorities. If you like cops/mystery/crime stories, this is worth a read just for that, imho.

3rd in the series...read them in order.  I have really loved this series.  I feel like Ryan has come into her own in this book.  It's fast paced, with lots of action.  I really had a hard time putting it down.  

Definitely a 5 star read!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Known Threat is a fast paced adventure novel. It us told from the perspective of Agent Ryan O’Conner. The  main plot deals with the mistakenly kidnapping of her twin sister, Rory, by a recently released psych ward patient who thinks the President’s daughter is his wife. 
The characters are multidimensional, some  with personalities that you would like to have on your side no matter what, and  some characters  that you can’t help but strongly dislike. The dynamics of these characters either facing off, interacting in a professional manner, or even sharing emotional angst, combine to make this story very engaging. The author writes in such a way that you cannot help but read your fastest to discover what will happen next. 
Overall, this was a great read and I look forward to other books by this author.

Wow! This was really good, like really good. I’m a little blown away right now. What happened to McLeod? I mean I liked her writing before, but it improved so much over the span of these three books. Well whatever she is doing, she needs to keep doing it because this book was damn good!

This is the third book in this series, and to answer the question do you really need to read these in order? Yes, I highly recommend it. I think you might still enjoy this book if you just picked it up, but this is an ongoing series and this book would not be as powerful without reading the others. Book one is an okay book. It’s a 3, 3 ½ star book. It absolutely has some issues, but I still enjoyed it. Book 2, was much better and just hit the 4 star mark for me. But this third book is so much improved and just better, I’m really impressed. I did not want it to end.

I’m not going to go into a description; I don’t want to spoiler anything. This is a pure action romance book. I was hooked from page one, and could not stop reading. The action was great, especially at the climax of the book. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat gripping my Kindle.

I thought the romance part was good for an established couple in a series. We had a good steamy scene, but also some relationship angst. A big secret finally comes out, that many of us readers were waiting for. And even though you could kind of see it coming, I still did a mouth dropping “Oh my God”.

The main character who’s POV we are in is Ryan. She is slowly becoming one of my favorite lesfic characters. It’s getting to the point where you are connecting with her to the point you can almost feel what she is going through. And I think what I like about Ryan, is a lot of the time she reacts how I think I would. Have you ever yelled at a character after they did something you don’t agree with? Or wish they would have said something different? Well, I don’t have to yell at Ryan. Most of the time I think to myself, yep I would do or say that. It’s a funny thing but it makes me like her even more.

I only had one little issue simmering with this book. I thought there was one point things were a little too unrealistic and I was going to take a few points off for it. But then what happens… McLeod actually explains a little later in the book why it happened. Why it was not unrealistic and actually makes perfect sense. She damn well outsmarted me before I could even complain. I’m impressed!

I know this is getting long but I also have to mention, not only does this book have some heart pounding action, it also makes you feel. Between the “OMG” moment of the secret, to the heartbreaking brutal truth near the end. The last few chapters my insides were squeezing so much I thought I was going to be nauseous. I always love a good book that makes you feel, and this absolutely did. I just hope McLeod can make things look better in book four.

If you have read the first two books, absolutely grab this one, it’s by far the best of the series. If you are new to this series, start at book one. It does have issues, but the rest of the series is so worth it. McLeod, if you read these, please don’t make us wait long for book four.

From Kara A. McLeod's first book to her now third book, there has been such a progression from really good to phenomenal. I was enthralled by her third installment of her Agent O'Connor series. She made my heart race, my emotions jump all over the place, I was taken right into the book, real life be damned. 

McLeod has become a master in on writing a fantastic story with main characters that exude fortitude, strength kindness and underneath it all, raw vulnerability. It hard not to be captured by this series, I can easily say this is one of the books I have been most excited about this year.

Like I have said before this is a series, each book building off of each other. Do not start here, you want to pick up Actual Stop and then Worthy of Trust and Confidence. Without a doubt, this is a damn good series and you will not be disappointed have three amazing books to devour. 

Special Agent Ryan O’Connor returns to action after being somewhat physically and emotionally recovered from her bullet wounds. Back to active duty and dealing with the craziness that life continues to throw her way. When we ended the second book, we knew that Ryan's girlfriend, Special Agent Allison Reynolds was having some type of an issue with her boss Beau Byers. Well, get ready for that onion to be peeled. It's picked right off the headlines of today's papers and it is enough to make your blood boil for both of the Agents.

The Beau debacle is just one iron in the fire. Ryan has another monstrous disaster to put out. Her sister has been captured by a madman. Remember the paranoid schizophrenic from the last book who thinks the president's daughter is his wife. Well, Adam Royce Walker is back and has taken Ryan's sister as a way to meet up with Zoey Carmicheal.

This is a heart-stopping adventure that will drag so many emotions from you. My heart broke for all the ladies involved. There are parts of this book that will crack your heart into tiny fragments. One part, in particular, will cause you true anguish.
While I say this, I'm also saying its worth it because this book is so, so good. You are there every moment, McLeod transports you into the story and never takes you out of it until the very last page is turned. The book will stick with you and have you impatiently waiting to meet up with these characters again.

This one surpasses the first and the second in the series. Not an easy feat to do. The best of the series so far! I cannot wait for the next one. Kara A. McLeod, you have stolen my heart with this series. If you read this review, thank you!