A former criminal turned cybersecurity expert defending against the crimes she once committed, Mackenzie finds her past catching up to her in this third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. When she tries to stop a crime and crosses paths with special agent Alex Knight, there's all kinds of sparks flying. If you haven't read the previous two titles, you can still enjoy Critical Alliance, but you may enjoy it so much you want to go back and add more layers to these characters and stories.

This was my first book to write by Elizabeth Goddard, so I'll be checking out others. She gives you high-intensity suspense with a generous side of romance in a story that doesn't slow its pace. I'm all for plenty of romance and relationship storyline along with the suspense, and the element of Mackenzie's past was a fun twist to her and Alex's relationship.

Mackenzie Hanson got herself in trouble at a young age but came our on the Sunnyside. However the past has come to haunt her. With the help of an acquaintance they struggle to find the solution.
I didnt find too much to call this a "christian" novel other than it mentioned prayer. Overall a good thrilling book but nothing in the uplifting department.
I recieved a free copy so that I can tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book

MacKenzie made a bad choices years ago.  It cost her her family and reputation.  Now was the time to reconnect and attempt to correct her past mistakes.  But the CRITICAL ALLIANCE of the past prevents this from happening. 


A fast pace story that had you on the edge of your seat.  Who was it?  Who was set to destroy everything that MacKenzie loved and touched?  


It was interesting reading about drones and cyberattacks.  It is quite overwhelming to see what can so easily happen in today's world.  The "bad guys" are always one step ahead of us.


I received this book from Revell to review.

This book is AMAZING!!! Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I found that there was just the right amount of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat and it all lead up to an explosive ending. The characters are also written very well and I would have to say that my favorite was definitely Mackenzie. She is an amazing woman who has worked hard to overcome a huge mistake she made in the past; however, her past has finally caught up with her. That's not even the worst part! The worst thing is that the figure from her past isn't just targeting her, but also her family and her family's business. With the help of special agent Alex Knight, Mackenzie decides to dive back into the cyber criminal world to defeat an unseen enemy, but was she able to do it in time, or will her past finally defeat her? Just one more thing, I absolutely loved all the technical terms that the author includes in the story, because it made the story more realistic. Overall, I wish I could give this book more then 5 stars, because I would give it like 10. Definitely a must read!! Special thanks to Elizabeth Goddard, Revell and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book – all views and opinions are my own.

Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, FBI, and a crazy twisted storyline and a great who done it! This storyline was very very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! The plot line was kind of scary because it can really happen!! I will definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I loved all the twists and turns this story took. I was guessing until the end on who the villain really was. McKenzie and Alex are great characters with amazing chemistry. I loved having the setting in Montana. It isn't your typical place to have intrigue. A very well written book. Looking forward to reading more of Elizabeth Goddard's books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Revell for the opportunity to read and review.

4.5⭐This is the third book in her Rocky Mountain Courage series. This was a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end! Mackenzie has been working as a professor of cybersecurity, and Alex is a Special Agent with the DSS- who is home in Montana on leave. The characters are well written. I enjoyed their relationships and their realistic struggles and anxieties. an engaging plot, great writing skills, well-rounded characters, and a deeply satisfying conclusion. One of the things I really liked about the story is the way Alex treated Mackenzie as an equal. I don’t like that it felt like there were so many people willing to help Mackenzie and she was a little bit selfish in trying to do everything on her own. Primarily the story is revolving around cybersecurity and hacking. yet there are physical dangers that arise for both Mackenzie and Alex, as well. Those who love a good mystery with an equally clean romance will enjoy this novel. I had expected a little more suspense since this was the main plotline throughout the series, but I enjoyed the twist at the end. I did enjoy the book and will read more from this author.
💗Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I've enjoyed this series and Goddard leaves the best one til last. Mackenzie Hanson, a cybersecurity expert with a criminal past, makes for a tremendous protagonist. She's arrived at her family's estate in Montana on a tip from an old colleague on a mission to save the family business, Hanstech.

Hanstech specialises in drone technology and is now run by Mackenzie's older siblings, Rowan and Nora. Something shocking happens on her arrival which throws Mackenzie deeper into discovering what's going on behind the scenes in the business.

Alex Knight, a DSS supervisor, is holidaying in Montana at the ranch run by childhood friends. Alex and Mackenzie have a history (a very short one) but neither has forgotten the day they spent together in DC three years prior.

Goddard sets up the suspense with a shocking death, Mackenzie being shot at while being chased by a drone while going on a trail ride. Alex takes it upon himself to be her protector before he realises the magnitude and security implications of what Mackenzie has gotten herself caught up in.

The pace is good, the cybercrime detail is sufficient to make it interesting without being an unwanted distraction, and the threats on Hanstech and Mackenzie ratchet up. As does the heat between Mackenzie and Alex.

It's a fun read that keeps you on your toes, the resolution perhaps ends a little too easily and stretches believability, but overall I enjoyed Critical Alliance and would recommend it for romantic suspense readers.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy from the publisher via NetGalley as part of Revell's early reader's program. This had no bearing on my review.

I've enjoyed this series set in Montana and having the Michigan connection in this story was fun for me :)

This story kept me engaged and turning pages wanting to know what was going to happen! I started to suspect a certain someone and man, were they good at what they did! I liked the characters overall but I did feel like there needed to be an epilogue or something for the story. Also, Alex's side story with the memorial seemed out of place in the story and unfinished. Like that whole storyline needs a novella or something. The other thing was that the resolution seemed too fast and rushed. But those things were minor and I really did enjoy the storyline. Mackenzie's skills and story were really interesting to me!

After reading this book, I think you're going to want to abandon your smart tech! Sometimes books are SCARY! Some of the tech stuff was also really cool as well. There are a few surprises that will catch you off guard!

~ 3/5 stars


*Many thanks to NetGalley and Revell for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.

The Rocky Mountain Courage series was the first time I have read books by Elizabeth Goddard and I am now a fan! After realizing this was the third in the series, I read the other two so that I would be familiar with all of the characters and their back stories. These books can be read as stand alone, though, which is one thing I love about this series.

In this conclusion to the series, we get to know Alex Knight as he helps Mackenzie Hanson get to the bottom of threats against her and her family. This book goes into cyber security and what is involved in the cyber aspect of threats against others. I truly enjoyed learning about this aspect of law enforcement and how agencies combat against this threat.

The hints of espionage only increases the suspense and left me reading late into the night.
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It was nice to get updates from the characters in the other books and I feel like this conclusion was very well done. I am looking forward to reading the author's backlist while waiting for her next book.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Revell. All views are simply my honest opinon.

This was one of those stories that really showed the creepy side of the technology that we all like and even depend on to make our lives go smoothly. I mean how many of us really think about the ramifications of technology and what could happen when it is used against us. Well Mackenzie has been on the wrong side of the law with technology. Now she uses her skills for good. However, due to her past she has been estranged from her family. Her father now dead and a warning concerning his business, Mackenzie heads back home. Hoping for a somewhat warm reunion with her brother and sister. What she comes back home to is so much worst. What is going on? Why is she and her family being targeted?

DSS special Agent Alex Knight is supposed to be taking it easy. But he has run into the one woman he would have liked to get to know better. He is also very perceptive and notices suspicious happenings around Mackenzie that have a certain deadly bent. He determines to protect her and now they both are in danger.

Romance, suspense, and danger, this story kept me up late several nights as Mackenzie becomes the hunted and Alex will do what he must to save her. Their best chance for survival is to work together even when the sparks fly, especially in the romantic department.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard is an amazing work of romantic suspense. When I started reading this novel, I could not stop. The cybersecurity part of this book was truly fascinating. The characters felt so real and the villain in this book was so creepy. Readers of suspense will adore this book. I think Ms Goddard is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in this genre. Amazing book! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Mackenzie Hanson returns to Montana when she receives a cryptic message from a former friend. When she gets home she finds her brother dead and her sister terrified. Her brother and sister are owners of a cyber security company and they are under cyberattack. Mackenzie is a professor of cybersecurity at a university. She puts all her knowledge in trying to discover who is behind it. Alex Knight is on vacation from Diplomatic Security Services. Mackenzie is also hiding a juvenile record that if exposed would finish her career.


There are lots of twists and turns in this book. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way,

This new release from Elizabeth Goddard is the third book in her Rocky Mountain Courage series. The novels can be read as stand-alones, however, there is a thread connecting them relating to an incident that took place with the parents of several of the characters many years ago.

Mackenzie Hanson has been working in cybersecurity, estranged from her family. Alex Knight is a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service who is home on leave. Mackenzie also heads to Montana, after she receives a cryptic message about a threat to her family's business--and possibly her family. She's worried about the cloud of her childhood crimes following her, though, and further threatening her family's business and reputation.

This was another enjoyable suspense from Goddard. There was good action, a variety of suspects, and a satisfying finish. It was interesting to have the cyber-angle played out-- technology is our friend and foe. Romantic suspense readers will find a good balance of the suspence/action and the romance in this novel, which is something Goddard excels at.

Critical Alliance is the third and final book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. It had been a little while since I'd read the previous books in the series, and I found that this read just fine as a standalone as well...though characters from the previous books do make an appearance.

This book deals a lot with cyber crime and cybersecurity, which I must admit isn't a topic I know much about, or have much interest in typically... still, it was written well and certainly had me thinking about all the ways that we are reliant on the internet, and how that can be used as a weapon in many ways too. That certainly added to a creepy factor in this story for me! It was quick paced and had a nice blend of romance and suspense... admittedly, I might have liked just a bit more romance, but that is definitely just a personal preference.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is certainly one worth checking out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard – Focus is on Action and Intrigue Over Character Development

Critical Alliance is Elizabeth Goddard’s third book in the, Rocky Mountain Courage series. I’ve read the first two books, Present Danger and Deadly Target, enjoyed them and was excited to read her newest novel.

The story centers on two main characters, Mackenzie Hanson and Alex Knight. Mackenzie has been doing well in her cybersecurity career at a university in Michigan. Yet it seems like she can’t get away from her youthful criminal past when she receives a warning about cybersecurity issues with her family’s business. Though she’s been estranged for many years, Mackenzie feels compelled to go home and try to help with the hope of redeeming her past mistakes. Mackenzie’s path will once again cross with Alex Knight a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Services. Alex has come home to Montana to get some rest following an assignment that went wrong. But cases seem to find him even when he’s on vacation.

There were some elements that I liked about this book. Cybersecurity is an interesting theme for a mystery novel. I liked Alex and his friends in Montana that were carried over from the earlier novels. The backdrop in Montana was a beautiful setting, the descriptions were well written so the reader could imagine what the settings were like.

Where I struggled with this book was the main character, Mackenzie. I found her to be arrogant with delusions of grandeur to the point of irritating. I couldn’t see why Alex was attracted to Mackenzie, much less why he would risk her career for her or go along with her schemes. The characters were shallow and the focus was on action and intrigue. The characters were not well developed. I enjoy reading Christian fiction especially when faith is included in the characters’ lives. But this book didn’t include much regarding faith.

Not sure if I recommend Critical Alliance because the characters were not well developed. It’s shallow and relies on action and intrigue over a richer and deeper story. The book focused on lots of details about cyber security instead of characters. I will read more books by Elizabeth Goddard because I’ve enjoyed her earlier novels.

I would like to thank Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Elizabeth Goddard has written another fantastic romantic suspense. A real edge of your seat page turner plot. I highly recommend this book. Many thanks to the publisher for my advance book. I highly recommend this book.

This was a solid, good story with really good main and supporting characters too.

Speaking of main characters, I liked both Alex and Mackenzie. Both were really skilled in what they did, each with their own share of pain. In fact Mackenzie was brilliant when it came to computer cybersecurity and hacks. Part of the reason she had gotten into such serious trouble as a young woman.

It was pretty clear fairly early on that Alex was one of the good guys. He was also pretty much by the book kind of guy. Makes you wonder how that's going to work out for them.
Nora is Mackenzie's sister and she was pretty hard to figure out for a long time. Because yes, she was sending mixed messages to Mackenzie.
There were plenty of unpredictable things that are happening and it kept me on my toes. The only downside for me was all of the scientific, computer stuff. I only understood a tiny bit of it and at times felt like for me, that it slowed the story at times. But I have to give the author credit for doing her homework. And for keeping the mystery up as to who the cyber-criminal was.
It comes to a good ending with some of the people having a new future.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

A speed course into the world of cyber criminals and all that they're capable of doing. This book might just make you want to get rid of all technology, "smart" anything's, and go off grid! This story is pretty fast paced, although all of the cybersecurity explanations and abbreviations made parts of the story drag a bit. But if you love that kind of stuff, this book is for you! The characters are well written. I enjoyed their relationships and their realistic struggles and anxieties. The plotline of the vandalized memorials was wrapped up pretty quickly in this last book of the series. I had expected a little more suspense, since this was the main plotline through the series, but I enjoyed the twist at the end. An enjoyable read if you like romantic suspense...especially if you enjoy the cyberworld.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

There was just the right amount of intrigue and cybersecurity, plus a touch of romance, to really enjoy this book by Elizabeth Goddard. The pacing and characters drew me into the story. Special Agent Alex Knight and cybersecurity expert Mackenzie Hanson worked well together to solve the deadly puzzle of who is messing with her father’s tech company. Recommended for lovers of suspense.