Cover Image: Search & Destroy

Search & Destroy

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I like to read Julie Rowe's books because they are very different from anything else I read. I'm not a typical fan of medical stories, but Rowe includes non-stop suspense, lots of sexual tension, and no shortage of action to keep things interesting. On the medical side, her books are just believable enough to make them a bit unsettling for me. Since I've read the other books in this series, some of my favorite characters reappeared and made me happy. John and Carmen were a bit of an odd match to me even though they had history, but they totally gelled by the end and made a very powerful couple. Carmen was a bit too wound up in everyone needing to know she could take care of herself, but John made up for it by by being a totally take charge alpha who was determined to take care of her anyway. In the end they have to accept that they must take care of each other or risk not surviving

I've received an ARC for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I did not know that this was the fourth book in a series. The story continues on from the third book after John Dozer is recovering from the bomb explosion. Since I did not know about it, it made the beginning of the book difficult to get into. There was a lot of mystery and suspense however there was little in the way of romance. This book is full of drama and intrigue. This can be read as a standalone just know that it will take a bit to get into the book to know what it going on.

Was this review helpful?

in search & destroy, the world is one viral outbreak away from destruction and dr. carmen rodrigues is the cdc's outbreak task force director and is trying to keep the world from falling apart while also not allowing herself to fall back into feelings with former homeland security liaison john dozer.

back in afghanistan they shared a moment. but it was sullied by lies and misinformation. and too much time has gone by to heal the wounds from that time. wounds that they both carry.

but they're also under constant threat from a terrorist group that remains one step ahead of them in the game. no matter how hard they try to hide or stem the flow of disease that is spreading, they keep hitting roadblocks.

this is another thrilling installment, and these two characters sort out their difficulties under duress, but it's satisfying. and clear that there is more to come.

**search & destroy will publish on august 26, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (amara) in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Having read this author before I knew I was in for a treat with this one. I sure was right on the penny.
Carmen and John are the center of this one with danger and action rounding them at every corner it seems. Having to get ahead of death per say you will have romance pushing them also the chemistry that sparks. Time is the enemy also with you urging the couple on. Did not miss a beat from start to finish.

Was this review helpful?

Search & Destroy is the fourth book in Julie Rowe’s Outbreak Task Force series. I would generally say that this could be read as a standalone but so much has happened that I just don’t think it would be as enjoyable without getting the full history of the series at this point. Each book focuses on the CDC’s Outbreak Task Force members and the romances that form within each two person team. In addition, the Task Force has been dealing with homegrown terrorists who launched their initial assault in book one, Viable Threat, and continue their reign of terror throughout the series, affecting each team.

We finally get to find out about the leader of the Task Force in this book. Dr. Carmen Rodrigues is the Director of The Outbreak Task Force and she is a strong woman. She also just so happened to have had a prior relationship with her Homeland Security Liaison John Dozer back in Afghanistan a lifetime ago. Things ended abruptly and John never thought he would see her again until he was assigned to her team. They keep each other at arm’s length until Dozer is almost killed and Carmen takes it upon herself to keep him safe. The terrorists have shown a special interest in getting rid of both of them which causes Dozer and Carmen to be in close quarters as they work to eliminate the threat. Of course, feelings get brought out into the open and they have to decide if they can overcome their past and fall in love again.

I really loved Search & Destroy. Rarely do you get the opportunity to see what happens with the leader of the team in this type of series. It appears that Julie is making it a point for us to get to know everyone involved. In addition, there is a lot of intense action in this book. Search & Destroy is by far the best one yet. I don’t want to give too much away so I will just say that we really learn a lot more about the terrorists in this book than we had before.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book by this author that I have read and it was a good story. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. It is a continual story but you won’t miss anything if you don’t read the others in the series first. This book will keep you on the edge of your seats with the action packed world of fighting bioterrorism. Carmen and John are fighting to keep a virus from spreading across the whole United States. They shared one night together that neither will forget but she can’t handle that right now. She needs to control this crisis. John still wants her and will always be by her side even if it is only to keep her safe but he will not stop wanting her. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book that will keep you engrossed in the story.

Was this review helpful?

This is an edge of your seat romantic suspense and so much of it is frighteningly possible. The story concerns bio-terrorism, using a triggered measles-type outbreak. The person leading the efforts to bring this rapidly spreading airborne viral outbreak under control is Dr Carmen Rodrigues. She needs to help find a way of stopping the spread and treating its victims without succumbing to it herself. This brings her back into contact with John Dozer, with whom she spent one unforgettable night whilst serving in Afghanistan. He's no longer in the Army but is acting as her bodyguard. He's unsure just why she left him all those years ago but now he's found her again, he's determined to keep her safe . . . .

The descriptions of the dangers of this viral infection spreading, the thoughts behind possible treatments, the steps necessary to help contain the outbreak and explanations about each of them are an integral and worrying aspect of this story - it could so easily really happen! I found it a fascinating read, though it would truly be a nightmare to experience anything like it. There are plenty of suspects and discovering the perpetrators is a detective story in itself. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending it.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Was this review helpful?

Crazy!

Intense, action packed and emotional with some great twists.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

I love what Julie Rowe brings us with Search and Destroy. This book is full of suspense as Dozer and Carmen work together to solve the next outbreak the outbreak task force faces. I love these two together. They work so well together. Carmen is in charge and knows how to handle any man. Even with the history Carmen and Dozer share it is still evident that the chemistry has never gone away. Dozer he is almost unstoppable and put through the wringer and still comes out even stronger in the end. I love that we still get some comedy in the form of DS throughout this book and series. If you don't know who he is then you really need to start from the start. I couldn't put this one down and was glued to the pages from the very start. I'm hoping there are more Outbreak Task Force books to come yet. Go one-click this one.

Was this review helpful?

I really loved this book and the story reminded me of the tv series “24” especially season 2. I loved that series so how can I not love this story.
It is the first book I read by Julie Rowe but the 4. book I believe in this series so I shouldn’t be able to follow the plot because they are chasing the same enemies throughout all the books. But I was a goner from the first page and I wasn’t confused at all by the contents or the characters. Julie Rowe makes it easy for you to follow along and even though the men are very alpha, the women are just as strong, stubborn, smart and strong willed.
It is a second chance romance about a doctor at the CDC and her liaison from the Homeland security.
They met in Afghanistan under the war and fall in love but after an attack on their camp she leaves and they don’t meet again until he becomes her liaison at the CDC nine years later.
Their romance evolves while they are under attack again by terrorists who release a strain of measles on the American public. While they try to contain the measles outbreak they figure out that they have a mole in their midst but who is it and can they stay alive long enough to figure out how to save the many people dying and take down the bad guys?
I can definitely recommend this book if you like exciting plots, thrilling storylines, alpha males, strong women, romance and amazing side characters.
I received this book from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Dr. Carmen Rodrigues is in charge of the CDC just as the biggest outbreak of a lethal viral infection in US history is taking place. She also has to deal with a terrorist threat to her people including John Dozer who she first encountered in Afghanistan. We follow them as they battle against the many threats to themselves and public health. It’s nail bitingly scary and just keeps building. I like the scientific accuracy that threads through the narrative as well as the sparks between Carmen and John. Complete thriller. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is the fourth book in the Outbreak Task Force series and should be read as a continuation of the others. Julie Rowe provides a high paced action novel with steamy romantic scenes thrown in. Her characters are well-crafted and her subject knowledge is spot on. The multifaceted plot included everything from relationship quandaries to bioterrorism threats and kept the reader engaged the entire time. Enjoyable read. 4 stars.

A big thank you to #NetGalley and #EntangledPublishing for this ARC. I read and reviewed #SearchAndDestroy voluntarily. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Search and Destroy is the 4th book in the Outbreak Task Force series by author Julie Rowe. I would absolutely recommend reading the previous books in this series so you can get the most enjoyment from this one…Carmen and Dozer’s story.

This book, as in previous books in the series, has an outbreak, an underlying budding relationship, and a continuation of an attempted murder. The author writes a wonderful, well-written storyline, great characters, and I love the slightly different twists...outbreaks.

I love the way the author “times” the story. Throughout the book she puts clock times in the timeline, which gives you a view of when/how long the situations have taken in real time. The love story part of this is kind of on the back burner of the story, but seems to progress somewhat rapidly from the start to finish of the book, which was my only real hang up in this one.

Overall…I really enjoyed Search and Destroy (Outbreak Task Force) by Julie Rowe. Very fun to read, great characters, the setting and storyline were great. 4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

This is the fourth book in the outbreak task force series and picks up shortly after book 3 ended. John Dozer is in hospital recovering from injuries received when an assassin tried to kill him. They obviously think he knows something but he isn't sure what they want Meanwhile Dr Carmen Rodriguez has never forgotten her one night stand with John while they where in Afghanistan and figures the safest place for him is by her side while he recovers What they both don't know is that someone has released Measles in an attempt to cause widespread panic and it is quickly spreading across the USA Is it Bio terrorism and will they be able to contain it. Meanwhile John as sworn to keep the woman that he loves safe at any cost even if that cost is his life. Do these two have any chance at a future together You will have to read to see

Was this review helpful?

I gave this one a valiant shot but I always felt like I was missing something because I hadn’t read any other books in this series or by the author. It meant I was lost, and I didn’t care for that feeling as a reader. I skimmed most of it because it didn’t resonate with me at all. Pity because it had some great action to it.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love this series. From the first page you have to dive right into the chaos and adrenaline and it never lets up until the end. John is recovering from his third instance of someone trying to assassinate him. Carmen is trying not to pull her hair out trying to get him to stay safe and to control all the attacks around them. Things heat up when coupled with the outbreak bombs start going off around them.

The cast of characters are phenomena. There is non stop action and suspense. Through all this John and Carmen are trying to fix a relationship that went of the rails 9 years ago. You will want to read the previous books in the series to get caught up and because you will be hooked on this fast paced and immersive story.

Was this review helpful?

Search and Destroy was a good book. That picks up pretty much from where Sleight of Hand left off with Homeland Security liaison officer John Dozer recovering in hospital from injuries he sustained when a bomb went off during a previous investigation, and when facing more threats to his life CDC doctor Carmen Rodrigues decides the only way to keep him safe is to keep him close. However, this is complicated by the fact they have history together and someone is out to finish what they started, someone who knows more than they should about them and the CDC.

But that was only the start of this enjoyable story. As an outbreak of measles and more bomb threats throws Carmen, John and the rest of the team right into the action. And this is when I got really hooked and the story got more interesting. As at the beginning, it was a little slow and hard to get into. Plus, I was having to remember what had previously happened. As this story does continue a plot started in the very first book.

Yet there was a nice mix of action and suspense. Not to mention an engaging romance and I would happily recommend it to others.

Was this review helpful?

This is the 4th book in the Outbreak Task Force series and I would absolutely read the books before this one. I didn't realize this was part of a series and ended up going back and reading those books as I didn't understand parts of this one without those previous books. In this one we get Carmen Rodrigues and John Dozer's story. Carmen is a doctor that works for the CDC and is in charge of the Task Force. John is a bodyguard tasked with keeping her safe while they hunt for the person or people who have unleashed a virus on the US. They haven't seen each other in years, not since she left after something happened that she never explained to him. But now he will find out what happened and will hopefully not have to let her go in the end all while keeping her safe.

This was a new to me author, and honestly I not sure that I really liked it. The writing itself is good. I just had a really hard time getting into the story and the interactions between Carmen and John seemed forced at times. Almost like they aren't really supposed to be together. It started off slow for me, and I am not sure I liked how the chapters were broken up? It seemed to be along the lines of that tv show 24 with how things were labeled. And I definitely didn't like that. I don't know, normally I really like romantic suspense but I just couldn't get into this one. It was a struggle to finish it for me. I honestly think it's just a preference for the books and how they are written to me. But this one just wasn't for me.

Was this review helpful?

Outbreak Task Force #4, I love this series! So far all the books can be read as a standalone this book picks up right after the events of book three and even though I have read it it took me part of chapter one to reacquaint myself with the characters and the situation but then again I saw this arc up for grabs and I grabbed it didn't read the blurb or anything it was book four I had to have it so I went into this completely blind as to who the main characters were going to be. There is an overall story arc that links all the books together but each book is independent from the others. There is quite a bit of mention of the events in the last books but I don't think enough to get the reader lost.

The main characters of this one, head of the Outbreak Task Force Dr. Carmen Rodriguez and the Homeland Security liaison John Dozer. The benefit of reading the previous books is that you can tell there is something between the two of them but it never lets on to what it is, the way the acted in situations you could tell they cared about each other. Carmen was a wunderkind she finished medical school at 19 after that is when she first met John Dozer in Afghanistan. For Dozer it was instantaneous; the attraction, the respect he knew without a doubt this brilliant beautiful woman was for him but after their life and death situation she just walked away and he didn't see her again until the formation of the Outbreak Task Force.

Due the the events of the last book Dozer is on medical leave but due to an outbreak of the measles in Florida that the terrorist group FAFO is behind he's not leaving Carmen without protection, especially since the FAFO has targeted them specifically. The FAFO is now doing more than just infecting people they have attempted to bomb one of the hospitals and and airplane causing even more widespread panic it's scary enough that this weaponized strain of the measles is spreading quickly across the US. Carmen and Dozer have a lot on their plates with the outbreak, a mole, and dodging would-be-assassins but they also manage to deal with their past and what went wrong and fall in love all over again.

Overall, this was intense. Reading this series always makes me want to rewatch Outbreak. I love the narration and the characters, intense action and drama, hot romance, seriously I love everything about this book. I can't wait until the next book because the overall story arc was left open ended for more books (fist pump) and I really hope it's Henry's book next.

Was this review helpful?

Search and Destroy is actually a frightening story. The bioterrorism threat is very real, and the scenario presented in this book is entirely plausible. While I found the plot engaging, thrilling and sharply written, I lacked some background information that would have been helpful. I don't recommend reading this book as a standalone because it's like you're thrown into the middle of something you don't understand. The story is good, but I wish I had read the series in order. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?