End Game by Rachel Dylan – Fast Paced and Filled with Suspense, Intrigue and Likable Characters

When I saw that author, Rachel Dylan had published a new book, End Game – Capital Intrigue Book 1, I was excited to read it.

When FBI Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini were called in to investigate the murder of Navy Petty Officer Sean Battle little did they know that they would be drawn into a complicated, ever-widening case that would prove to be dangerous and deadly. Where would it end? Just who was involved? How deep did the corruption go? Who can they trust? Where would their investigation lead?

I loved this book. It was filled with suspense and intrigue from beginning to end. What I liked most about this book were the characters. They were nice, decent, honest people who sought the truth, no matter where their case led. I liked the lead characters Bailey and Marco as well as the secondary characters Isabella (Izzy) Cole, Jay Graves, Lexi Todd, Tobias Kappen, and Derek Martinez. They were people of integrity whom I liked and cared about. They worked together in pursuit of the truth. They considered the evidence and when things didn’t make sense or didn’t look right, they dug deeper. Even when it meant risking their own lives.

In today’s culture where we’ve seen the compromise and dishonesty from prominent government officials, it was refreshing to see the integrity of these characters.

I appreciated how the Christian faith was woven into the storyline and supportive friendships. I liked seeing the cooperation and teamwork between the various military branches and the legal system. I enjoyed the friendship, trust, and romance that developed over time as Bailey and Marco got to know one another.

If you like intrigue and suspense, mixed with good characters, an interesting story and a little romance, be sure to read End Game by Rachel Dylan. You won’t be disappointed. End Game – Capital Intrigue Book 1 will be published on January 7, 2020. When Rachel Dylan writes a book, I want to read it!

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of End Game and the opportunity to read it. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

This book involves several different areas of government agencies to solve a horrible crime. Bailey is with the FBI and she was assigned to this case with Marco from NCIS due to one of the victims being from the Navy. Little did they know how far they would have to reach to truly find answers for the innocent victims. I really liked how strong Marco's faith was. His references to God and his faith throughout the book warmed my heart. I also really likes the fact that there is a lot of support among the women within this book. My favorite quote was “As awful as this life can get, there’s an eternity ahead of us. This is just our temporary situation. A fallen world, and we’re all broken people.”
The reason for 4 out of 5 stars is because the storyline sometimes was a little hard for me to follow all of the different agencies that were incorporated and all of the different characters who were mentioned. That could have also been difficult for me because I wasn't able to dedicate long periods of time to read the book, I had to do it in short increments.
All in all, I would recommend this book if you like contemporary inspirational love stories I received a copy of this book from the author and Netgalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was an ok read for me. There were two characters I’d say were the main characters, and quite a few supporting characters that had a lot of attention. They all tied together for a case, but following so many people was a bit much for me. With such a large “cast” it was hard to be very deep for any of them. The mystery kept me intrigued, but the three side romances took up a chunk of the story.

End Game by Rachel Dylan gave her readers a very fast-paced episode of suspense, romance, adventure, and a fight for justice.  I absolutely loved this book and with the intensity of the plot, the flawed but human characters, the complex mystery behind the murders, as well as the insight into the justice system as well as the various branches of law enforcement. I have had the pleasure of reading at least one or two other books by Ms. Dylan in her Atlanta Justice series and have greatly enjoyed all of her tales of adventure and justice. This book looks to be the start of another excellent series (Capital Intrigue). 

End Game begins with a crime, a murder in Washington DC, which pulls several different agencies together to work collaboratively in order to solve the crime. FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini are an unlikely pairing, yet despite their initial disagreements, they end up teaming up well.  Bailey has an interesting and somewhat atypical background for an FBI agent, a law degree. Her knowledge of the justice system helps Bailey to respect the suspects and also better understand the political moves of the lawyers involved.  Marco is a funny guy, but serious about his job and quickly respects Bailey's work ethic and insights. Both Marco and Bailey quickly learn to trust each other and work towards the end goal of catching a murderer. Can their friendship and even their relationship prove the test of the stress of the case and the dangers involved?   
When another and yet another military member is discovered murdered during Bailey and Marco's investigation, something doesn't seem to add up.  Even though all the physical evidence from the crime scenes clearly lead to a Navy SEAL sniper of the same team as the murder victims, Bailey cannot believe his guilt. Although Marco is skeptical of Bailey's gut feeling, as more strange things happen in the case, he cannot disregard Bailey's opinion.  Bailey and Marco dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of several elite military members. Some of Bailey and Marco's digging must be coming close to uncovering a shocking truth when they are faced with attacks, suspicious accidents, threats, and all out attempts on their lives.   
What could be the truth behind all of this?  Marco and Bailey think that there might be a defense contractor performing some illegal activities that they don't want uncovered. But how deep is this corrupt company into their evil...does it go as far as the government?  Could the CIA or other agencies be involved too?  Where will it end? Can they discover the truth before they end up another victim in this horrific crime spree? 

Some of my favorite aspects of Ms. Dylan's writings are her informative and intriguing insights into the justice system, which she weaves into her books cleverly without boring her readers. I also greatly enjoyed the clear underlying themes of faith and friendship as Bailey had a close group of friends as well as a strong faith portrayed by each of the main characters. I would highly recommend this book and would definitely read another of Ms. Dylan's works.  

Disclaimer: Bethany House Publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

When a book gets my heart pumping, I know the suspense is off-the-charts! End Game by Rachel Dylan had that effect often throughout, and added in a hefty dose of breath-holding.

FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan gets called in when a Navy SEAL is found murdered. As she arrives on scene, so does take charge NCIS agent, Marco Agostini, who informs her that NCIS will be taking over the case. Since the SEAL's murder was actually the second with very similar MOs, Bailey informs Marco that she is there to stay. All evidence in the case points to another SEAL, but Bailey is unconvinced of his guilt. Working together, they uncover a conspiracy that seems to reach into the Department of Defense and the CIA. As the body count mounts, and attempts on their lives grow increasingly desperate, can Bailey and Marco stay out of the crosshairs long enough for their team to solve the puzzle?

If you are looking for a great suspense book with a side note of romance and faith in the God who sees, pick up End Game. Rachel Dylan's knowledge of the workings of the law brings a strong background to the story.

I just finished this book so I'm still processing a lot. In the end I really enjoyed the story. Dylan is creative and intelligent. While her style of writing in this book isn't what made me start following her I still ended up wrapped up in the characters and the story line.
There are a lot of people to track in this story. The relationships that are woven through the pages seem to go deeper more quickly than the story allows. This is the reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5.
Dylan took a chance in choosing to tackle characters from several big agencies. I think she pulled it off but I had to wrestle with my expectations of who the characters would prove to be verses who she created them to be.
All in all, it's worth the time to engage with this new series. I'm looking forward to book #2!
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

End Game has the perfect blend of exciting action and tender romance. The main characters are likable and well-developed. Even the supporting characters are very well fleshed-out. There were so many things that I loved about this book: the romance that develops between Bailey and Marco, the godly Christian man that mentors Izzy, the way that the team worked together, Bailey's close relationship with her two best friends and their support for her, the way that the faith of the characters is seamlessly woven into the story line, the many twists and turns of the plot, the author's writing style, and the way the US military is portrayed. There wasn't anything that I didn't like about the book. I highly recommend this book and plan to read the rest of the series as it becomes available. I received a complimentary copy. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this thrilling romantic suspense.

This latest romantic suspense thriller from Rachel Dylan is the first in her Capital Intrigue series. In this book, we're introduced to Bailey Ryan, FBI agent, and Marco Agostini of NCIS. When a serial killer strikes and the 2nd victim is a Navy SEAL, the 2 agencies must work together to find the killer. This book had a lot of twists and turns and I had no idea who the killer was until the very end.

As this is a romantic suspense, we see a romance begin to bud between Baily and Marco. While I prefer my books to be more suspense and less romance, this one had a romance that occasionally had me rolling my eyes (hence 4 stars intead of 5), but fans of the romance element of the romantic suspense genre will be sure to enjoy it.

This book had a full cast of characters, with Marco and Bailey being primary - there was also a host of secondary characters. In spite of the large number of characters, I never got confused on who was who. So, kudos to Ms. Dylan on fleshing out those characters so well! The characters were likable and relatable and as stated, well fleshed out. There was a solid faith thread as the main characters relied on God for protection and guidance throughout. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue as well as romance (and not JUST among the main characters), so there's a little something for everyone here. I would recommend this one to fans of inspirational romantic suspense. I'd also recommend to those who enjoy watching shows like NCIS as that helped me to picture some of the set-ups and even some of the characters.

Special thanks to Rachel Dylan and Bethany House publishers for an advance E-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

....END. GAMES ...Rachel Dylan
A similar case in three days, bring Marco from NCIS and Bailey from the FBI. to be working together on the case.A common labor worker and an elite military person. They disagree on the evidence pointing to a sniper in the navy as the killer. Things heat up in romance, and when a target is aimed at her. It is a tense tight plot with the different branches. Along with 3 women are friends, in high demanding jobs. From this first book one can tell it will be a series readers will want to read. Given Arc for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and Bethany House.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bethany House for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review!

I am always excited to see a new book release in Christian fiction, especially when romance is involved. I'm thrilled to see Christian authors write on romance and action, and when I say this book, I couldn't wait to read it. And I'm stoked to see so many positive reviews on this novel, but, sadly, mine is not to be among them.

I wanted to love this book! I have never read Rachel Dylan before, but I was excited to check out her work and to read END GAME. While I think the plot of this novel is great, I wish it had been executed better. I found the transitions from action to action jarring, and the sense of time a bit skewed as I was reading. While I always love a love-at-first-sight story, I did want to see and feel more of that romantic development. The initial attraction was good, and the inciting incidents to further the characters' feelings were appropriate, but I still felt as if the characters' romantic feelings escalated too quickly into serious relationship territory.

The dialogue at times felt too stiff, too forced, and it pulled me out of the story. Even having gotten to know one another, the characters were too formal with one another, despite the sometimes vulnerable and matter-of-the-heart content they discussed.

That said, I really did find the plotline intriguing and the characters individually interesting. Will I pick up another Rachel Dylan novel? I'd like to think yes! Everyone is raving about her prior series, and I'll definitely give this loved author another chance. But I was disappointed with this particular book.

Rachel Dylan’s novel End Game promises Dylan’s fans yet another exciting plot with relatable characters. It’s one of those novels you just can’t put down because you’ve got to know what happens next. After finding some elite members of the military murdered in D.C., FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan finds herself working with NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini to get to the truth. They don’t always see eye to eye on how to go about the investigation, and inter-agency cooperation isn’t always easy. As the team digs further and further and personal attacks get close adn closer, will the team be able to get to the truth in time? Those who love FBI/CIA/NCIS type novels will find a good read in Dylan’s End Game, which sounds like the first of a new series for readers to enjoy. And, while there is a love story, it’s not over the top, and it’s a good, clean book without any untoward scenes or bad language. Fans of suspense novels will certainly find what they’re looking for in this one.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

If you are looking for edge of your seat action and multiple plot twists the Rachel Dylan's End Game is the book for you. Multiple agencies and their agents come together to solve the murder of an elite member of the military and a common laborer. Throw in a bit of romance and it is a story to keep you engaged from beginning to end. End Game moves Rachel Dylan into the realm of authors Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Terri Blackstock. So grab a pot of coffee and cuddle up in your favorite chairs for a fantastic read. You might want to plan on pizza and a babysitter so you can read straight through!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Rachel Dylan does it again in her all new romantic suspense End Game. Edge of your seat suspense, action packed, light romance, amazing characters from different government agencies, and of course trusting God to get them all through. Can FBI agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS agent Marco Agostini along with their great team, stop a killer/s who seems to be targeting military personnel? Is it really a government conspiracy?

'Even those we believe are heroes can sometimes be villains.'

Rachel Dylan starts a new series with End Game and if the first book is any indication of the caliber of the series, it's going to be awesome! Dylan starts out on the ball and doesn't let up. Readers get to see inside the FBI, CIA and NCIS as events play out that will take you along on a fast and suspenseful ride. Tightly written, with great characters, even secondary ones, this is one book you'll want to read! I loved how she included the stories of some secondary characters as well. I truly can recommend this book.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Great new series with a variety of intelligence.characters. When special ops soldiers are killed, NCIS and FBI join forces to find the cause. The more they look, the more tangled the web becomes. Add romance and faith to the mix, and you have something for every reader.

Legal drama/suspense at it's best! End Game, which is set in Washington, DC, uses all the government and military agencies that we have heard about in the news - FBI, CIA, DoD, NCIS - and gives us an almost "behind the scenes" look at how they operate to solve a crime. In this first book of the Capital Intrigue series, a NCIS agent Marco Agostini and an FBI agent Bailey Ryan work together to try and decide if a murder was committed by a Navy SEAL. As the case progresses, they end up with more questions than answers and attempts on their lives show that they must be getting closer to solving this case. Can they figure it out before someone else dies? And can they figure out what their relationship is going to be going forward - if they survive? This story shows how the different agencies work together and how it take a team effort to solve a case since more people than just Marco and Bailey work on this. Suspense, a little romance, faith and lots of action - everything you need for a great page-turning mystery.

This book was amazing! I was hooked from the first page and had a terrible time putting it down. I love how this series is focusing on three women who went to law school together and each work for different government agencies. It's going to be an intriguing series.

The suspense of this story definitely takes center stage in this book. There's some romance sprinkled in and of course faith is woven throughout. All of these meld together to make an outstanding story.

These characters are so easy to relate to and are the kind of people you wish you knew in real life, tough and courageous.

I highly recommend this book. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

End Game is a modern-day novel written by Rachel Dylan and is book one in the Capital Intrigue series.
Summary: Elite military personnel are being murdered and it is up to Special Agents Bailey Ryan and Marco Agostini to figure out why.
As the mystery unravels, the agents find themselves targeted as well. Will they be able to solve the case-and their own lives in the process?
My Thoughts: This was very enjoyable read. The story is well-written, full of suspense, action, and drama. I liked the characters, and the overall plot is full of twists and turns.
If you enjoy action/suspense novels with a little romance thrown in, you are going to like this book.
I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series-it was a fun read from beginning to end, and I recommend it!
As always, I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Suspense. Intriguing. Thrilling. A touch of romance. You get it all when you read this series. First book of the Capital Intrigue Series by Rachel Dylan. She knows her stuff and you won’t be disappointed.

Bailey is called to the morgue, along with her partner, where they are shortly thereafter introduced to NCIS agent Marco. Bailey is put on the joint effort of the NCIS and FBI in trying to find clues to the homicide and whether it ties in with another homicide, or a stand alone attack. We meet Izzy, Vivian (Viv) and Layla, along with Lexi, Derek, Tobias and Jay. As is typical with this author, I take each person introduced and try to figure out if they are as trustworthy as they seem. The puzzle pieces in this story come together with a lot of interaction between them. Set primarily in the DC area and southward, this is a book that won’t be put down until you reach the satisfying conclusion.
A complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.