Lots of familiar characters in the background make this a comfortable read for those following the series, but it also works as a stand-alone. Whilst the story itself is of crime, it is softened around the edges by a human-interest line running concurrently. There are some tense moments, especially near the end, but this book does have an identity crisis : whether it is a thriller or a romance. Cleverly written & well-researched, yet it does not quite fit in either category. Deaths are treated too lightly - & certainly commissioned too casually. (And I don’t like how the lead female character always gets injured!) I remain a fan of Irene Hannon, but if this was the first of her books that I had read I am not so sure...

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

Another great book by Ms Hannon. Rick is a hero who doesn't like that label. He would just as soon for get about his war experiences. When he finds blood on his property and a coin from one of his former team mates he knows he has to find out what has happened to him. He turns to Heather Shields. I like how we get another look at the Private Justice group. As I was reading, I thought I had the mystery solved as to who was hiring hit men. I had it all wrong. It was a mystery all the way to the end. I loved the book and am looking forward to Ms. Hannon's next book.

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

From page 1 until the conclusion, the final book in Irene Hannon's Code of Honor series is action filled and suspense driven. It's great to meet the characters of the Phoenix PI company once again, and this books focuses on the newest member of the group, Heather Shields. Rick Jordan, her client, has found items left in his storage shed as well as drops of blood that indicate his military buddy, Jackson Dunn, had been on his property. When he can't find him or contact him, Rick hires Heather to find his friend.

This book has so many fantastic twists and turns with multiple villains and an absolutely shocking ending. It was difficult to put it down until I reached the last page; and, even then, I was shaking my head and going what??? Definitely one of Hannon's best suspense books that contained a wonderful set of characters, a superb plot, a good faith element, and a romance that didn't overwhelm the suspense. I hate to say good-bye to the Phoenix PI group and hope that Hannon will bring them back in another series!

Irene Hannon is one of my favorite suspense authors and she does not disappoint with her latest book. Dark Ambitions is a real edge of your seat roller coaster suspense. I couldn’t put this book down. Suspense fans will not want to miss this book. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This is a good romantic suspense addition to the Code of Honor series. A great deal of sleuthing and although it's not difficult to figure out the identity of the villain, how everything plays out will keep the reader turning pages.
I thought that this offering was a bit heavier on the romance and lighter on the suspense than others in the series. I would have liked a little more "getting to know you" instead of instant, constant attraction, and the epilogue was totally cliche, I almost didn't need to read it because I knew exactly what it was going to contain.
Overall, this is a decent romantic suspense novel, but lacks a little bit of the character development that I have come to expect from this author.

I have read nearly all of Hannon's romantic suspense books, but I think Dark Ambitions might just be my favorite!

I really liked both of our main characters. Heather Shields, former homicide detective turned private eye (Yay for the return of the Phoenix, Inc. crew!). And Rick Jordan, former Night Stalker turned youth ministeries worker. Both of these characters had a lot of depth and chemistry that made them great together and individually. Of course, the romance got to be a bit much for my tastes, but I enjoyed the story so much I was able to ignore that for the most part.

The story starts with Rick trying to find an old army friend and hiring Heather to help him, and the plot quickly deadly. Many twists and turns keep Heather and Rick--and the reader--on their toes. Hannon also includes her trademark action and suspense liberally throughout. With so many leads and so many potential "bad guys," you are kept guessing until the end.

All in all, I greatly enjoyed this newest release from veteran author, Irene Hannon! I highly recommend this book to all fans of romantic suspense!


FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

A third story for the third member of the Treehouse Gang. We also get to get back with our favorite PI firm and the guys (plus Nikki). I forgot how hilarious she is, especially with Devlin.

Rick Jordan gets a surprise visit from an old army mate under mysterious circumstances. But Rick never actually sees the guy and so, in trying to locate him, Rick enlists the help of Phoenix Inc. under the recommendation of Colin. Assigned to his case is the newest member of the firm, Heather Shields.

There are "accidents" that Rick and Heather suspect are connected murders, documents and evidence that seem to point to a cover-up, and enough suspicious activity to make your head spin. I suspected Brad, Lindsay, and Ellen at different times and for different reasons. It's really sad what the women did in their misguided attempts for happiness.

It's not often in a series that you get to see all the couples further on in life. This ending was particularly fun because it tied back to New Year's Eve AND, not only are all couples married, but Heather and Rick are going to have a baby! Fun!

Dark Ambitions was a book that really kept you guessing right up to the end. It features suspense and romance which is a wonderful combination.

Heather Shield is a former police officer who has become a PI. She is hired by former Army Night Stalker, Rick Jordan, to find his friend who has mysteriously shown up at his home and left clues. As they begin to uncover the clues, it leads to more and more people one one is running for political office and has a lot to lose if the truth of his past comes to light. As Heather and Rick get closer to the truth, the danger factor escalates. But their feelings for one another also escalate.

I had no trouble staying engaged in this book and was eager to see how it ended. I was surprised in the end and I liked that. It was not predictable.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

I was ready for a good romantic suspense novel and Hannon's fit the bill. The book continues the Code of Honor series but reads very well on its own. The plot centers on an ex-army helicopter pilot, Rick, who now owns a youth camp. When he finds a bloody trail on his property leading to a couple of items left behind, he knows an old army buddy had tried to get in touch with him. He hires a PI firm to find his missing buddy and is immediately attracted to the female put on the case, Heather. The romance develops but so does the mystery about the missing man. Soon the investigation expands to a potential candidate for governor who may have a past he wants to hide.

Hannon's strength is psychology and she does well in developing the characters of Rick and Heather. Both have issues from their previous work, Rick in the army and Heather as a detective. I appreciate Hannon keeping their budding romance within proper professional guidelines while Heather is working the case.

This is a good romantic suspense novel for readers who like ones dealing mainly with character development. There is a good deal of suspense too. The Christian faith aspect is a bit weak. Hannon's writing style is a pleasure to read and kept me engaged from beginning to end.

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

Although 'Dark Ambitions' was not amongst my favorites of Irene Hannon's novels, there is no question she's a stellar writer of both suspense and contemporary fiction. I enjoyed the rapport between private investigator, Heather Shields, and former Night Stalker, Rick Jordan, but the storyline didn't interest me as much as I had wished. However, the unpredictable twists and turns caught me by surprise and my stomach did a literal nosedive at the climactic conclusion!

I received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Phoenix Agency has another case. Heather Shields is assigned the lead on this one. The client is Rick Jordan, who fans of Irene Hannon will recognize as one of the Treehouse Gang. Of course there are immediate sparks between Heather and Rick, but they will have to wait until the case is solved, a case that quickly morphs from concern over a missing Army buddy to much more.

Dark Ambitions is classic Hannon, and will thrill her fans. If she is a new-to-you author, and you are a mystery or suspense fan, I highly recommend you check out this book, this series, and this author. Hannon will appeal to both Christian and non-Christian readers. Just when you think you have the solution all worked out, Hannon will pull out a reasonable surprise.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Dark Ambitions from Revell via Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Code of Honor series is one of my favorite Irene Hannon series. In this book we meet Ryan Jordan, a member of the Treehouse Gang. He’s searching for a friend and Heather Shields, PI, is tasked to help him.

I loved the romance between the two. There was just something about it that was sweet and also one that had sparks flying. And the suspense was great! There were multiple povs in here and I was trying to figure out which one of those extra povs was the bad guy. I’m glad that it kept me guessing and turning the page.

All in all, another satisfying read from Ms. Hannon.

*I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.

In her latest romantic suspense, Dark Ambitions, Mrs. Hannon takes her readers on a wild ride to the finish. This is the third book in this series (and I really recommend the entire series) that focuses on Rick. Rick is a former Army Night Stalker who runs a camp. He noticed he missed an old friend and he seeks him out to determine what is going on to cause him to secretly seek out Rick. When Rick has trouble determining what is occurring, he seeks the help of a private investigator, Heather. Together they seek to find the answers to what is happening and who is behind it. They also discover they enjoy each other’s company. You will have to read this great conclusion to determine what happened. This book will keep you engaged and content to just sit and enjoy. I highly recommend this book and know that you will not be disappointed to read it! Also, if you have read Mrs. Hannon’s previous books, you will get a glimpse into some of her previous characters’ lives when you read this one.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

Dark Ambitions is book three of the Code of Honor Series by Irene Hannon. This is a series that keeps getting better and better. The main characters, Rick Jordan and Heather Shields may a wonderful investigation team in this murder/ accident mystery. The plot is structured but not forced as they go about solving the case.

I have always been a fan of Irene Hannon’s contemporary romance but this book sealed it for me to also be a die hard fan of her psychological suspense novels. There are significant twists and turns in this story that kept me guessing. Best of all, there is romance too.

I was so glad I started reading this late Friday evening, as I spent most of the weekend completely wrapped up in the book. The story was intriguing and well-written; although, it’s often sad when a good person ends up being a victim. The story was told with little clues as the book went on, and interesting background information about the characters in the book. The employees of the Phoenix PI firm work well together and look out for each other, and the main characters in this story, Heather and Rick, were the kind of people I ‘d enjoy knowing.

The ending was a bit of surprise. The culprit behind the murders was not who I thought was behind them; although, it was all neatly wrapped up and explained in a way that was believable.

As with other Christian fiction books, the romance is told in a way that would not upset anyone; there aren’t any sex scenes, and no cursing either! I would love it if all fiction books were like that!

DARK. AMBITIONS. ... by Irene..Hannon
It this book 3 of the Code Of Honor series, we find out more about Rick. He deals with a camp for foster kids, and when he finds a trail of blood. His secrets , his past, his promise to help repay, comes back. Getting help from a private investigator bring Heather into his life. Setting out
figure out the clues, is one thing, when someone else is determinded to stop them.
Her books are always many layers, bringing in the characters, and who they are, the secrets, and their past. With a touch of romance, and a lot of suspense, she has brought us another compelling story. Given ARC. by Net Galley and Revell for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

I think most of us reviewers can agree with each other on how awesome Irene Hannon is!!
I try not to miss any of her books simply because I love her stories!! They are just so exciting!
In this 3rd installment Rick gets to tell his story. I really enjoyed reading about him!
Irene does such a wonderful job with her characters in this book that I felt like I was in the story with them!! While she adds dome twists and turns along with some excitement this story is sure to be an awesome add to your bookshelf!
It was mine!! I now have most of her book and if not I know I've read most of them!!
If you're a fan of hers be sure to check out some of her other book too!!
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own!!

On a cold winter day Rick Jordan finds blood on the ground outside of his cabin. Soon he finds evidence that someone who rescued him in the past must be trying to cash in on Rick's promise to help him if he was ever in need. Rick goes to Phoenix Inc. hoping to enlist the help of an investigator to find his fellow Night Stalker.



Heather Shields is the newest member of the Phoenix team. A former detective for the police department, Heather is used to men thinking because she is a woman she isn't capable of doing her job. After a bit of a rocky start Heather and Rick come to an agreement that the Phoenix group will take Rick's case. Can both of them shelve their mutual attraction to get the job done?



DARK AMBITIONS had so many layers to it and so many characters. I really enjoyed trying to figure it all out. There was a lot of suspense because the stakes were pretty high for some of the players in the story. I also enjoyed Rick and Heather's relationship. They trusted each other and they worked well as a team. Rick was the last of the Treehouse Group with his best friends both married it was now his turn to find a Happily Ever After. It almost didn't happen with the danger both he and Heather were in at the end of the book. Exciting and fast-paced, DARK AMBITIONS was what I have come to expect from author Irene Hannon and I highly recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.

Irene Hannon writes some of the best suspense/thrillers, I never pass by one of her books - ever. This one was no different. I enjoyed reading about Rick's story and the foster kids he helps. With a dose of romance and plenty of suspenseful twists and turns, this story was difficult to put down once I had started it.

Irene Hannon is one of my top three favorite authors, so naturally any book she releases- be it romance or romantic suspense- goes right onto my TBR list! I had very much enjoyed the previous books in this series, so I especially looked forward to this one. Being the third book in the series, I would certainly recommend reading the others first, but if you haven't it can be read on it's own too. You'll miss a bit of the background on a few minor characters, but not to a point where the story doesn't make sense.

Now, if I were to be completely honest, I must admit that whereas normally I find myself drawn in within the first few pages of her books, this one did take several chapters in to really connect to this one. There were a lot of key players in this story that needed introduced, and it wasn't completely clear in the beginning how it all would go together. This was rather confusing at first. Once I caught up on who was who and how it related, I was hooked!

As I said, we were introduced to a lot of key players in this particular story. We were given the knowledge that each one was keeping secrets, but were never fully given the full details. This cast suspicion in several different directions and really kept me guessing. It had a surprise ending that I thought was absolutely fantastic, and rather unique too. I will say I figured it out closer to the end, but truly it was only moments before the big reveal that it truly clicked. It's always fun when reading a suspense novel to- well, be left in suspense--- and this book certainly did that well.

Of course, if there is anything Irene Hannon does better than suspense, it is most certainly romance and I really enjoyed the love story between Rick and Heather. We had been introduced to Rick in the first books of this series, and it was great to revisit the Treehouse Gang and get to know his character even better and watch him fall in love. I loved the romance between them, and wanted to read more.

Overall, this was a fantastic read and well worth the wait since the previous Code of Honor novel. If you enjoy a good romantic suspense, this is certainly one I would recommend.


**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.