Pre review thoughts: These sort of books are so hard to door me to rate. I loved the on going action and the fact that this was not just a Christian book with a slight mention of faith. It was throughout the whole book, which is truly kinda rare lately. (Nothing wrong with “just a clean read, but I wish they were labeled as such. BUT the faith and plot are all so similar. Guy come to a woman’s rescue, and the faith is bc they experienced something life shattering. This is so real don’t get me wrong but there is so much more Christians deal with. Sooo what to do what do?

Ultimately I’m going to give it a 4.5*! While the basics are the same they were done super well and the plot was intriguing! This book kept my attention from the start(for a little bit it got repetitive ) and the full blown faith content over ways anything else.

Jodie goes into a home to serve a warrant when she quickly realizes it’s been a set up. After being saved from a team member; Jodie’s team of 4 people die in a house explosion. When Jodie returns to the scene of the crime months later she is meet with another unexpected experience. As a new agent ,Sam, arrives to help on the investigation he quickly has to come Jodie’s aide as more attacks are to come. Through investigation, Jodie and Sam realize the explosion was meant for her, and the attacks had to be someone she was close to. As her and her story unfold of her childhood you begin to see why she is struggling in her faith. Sam also has been dealing with the loose of his cop partner. Guilt of surviving makes holding to “God’s promise of it working together for your good”hard. This book takes you on Jodie and Sam’s separate healing journeys of their past all while trying to figure their future.

Thanks to Netgally & Dreamgate for the advance readers copy. All opinions are my own

What a brilliant book this is, written by Janice Cantore! I love her books! In this one, there were two people in law enforcement who had survivor's guilt after their partner and co-workers were killed while working. The struggles were real and life-altering. Jodie quit her job and Sam questioned his abilities to disarm any bomb, etc. Both struggled with their faith. Then they realize that someone is trying to kill them both! I will not give away the outstanding plot but will state that the ending is quite satisfying! They are reminded that God is good, even when life is not.
I appreciate being able to read this advanced reader copy, and the views expressed are my own.

Kept me on the edge of my seat:
There was a light romance which I enjoyed, however the primary focus of the book was on the suspense. I was instantly drawn into the mystery and was kept guessing until the very end. It was fast paced and and found it to flow well.
I became fond of both Jodie and Sam and liked that they were flawed but were able to overcome their challenges and find hope and healing once again. I also enjoyed the faith aspects and thought that the author handled this well.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

“God is good, even when life is not.“

Oh my goodness, One Final Target is a tension-filled ride with complex layers and surprising twists.

The story kicks off with a bang, and I was instantly engrossed in who wanted Jodie’s team – and herself – dead. I felt as though I too were trying to stay a step ahead of the danger that plagues Sam and Jodie at every turn, and I stayed firmly invested in trying to figure out who was behind the threats to her life and who could be trusted. Cantore caught me off guard more than once with a plot turn, and I only saw the final answer just ahead of our intrepid heroes.

Both Jodie and Sam are incredibly compelling main characters, and the differences in how each is coping with their traumatic on-the-job losses and subsequent survivor’s guilt made them all the more so. There are no pat answers to their authentic and raw questions for God, especially Jodie’s, and the author doesn’t give any, even as she keeps pointing them back to the truth of His Word. And while I didn’t go into this novel expecting the faith thread to be so impactful, it nevertheless resonated deeply with me – as I suspect it will for anyone who has ever wrestled with how to reconcile God’s goodness with soul-deep grief and disappointment in what He allowed to happen.

Bottom Line: One Final Target is one of my new favorites by Janice Cantore. The suspense thread kept me on the edge of my seat, the gentle romance made me happy, and the exploration of the goodness of God in the ‘badness’ of life rang true for my own journey. The author’s experience in the law enforcement field gives her novels depth and detail when it comes to police procedure, and One Final Target is no exception. I learned new things, gained new perspectives, and enjoyed myself all at the same time. An entertaining romantic suspense with meaning and insight.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This was a fantastic read! Action-packed from the very first chapter! The romantic aspects were also not too overpowering. There was a great balance between action and relationship building. Both MCs struggle with survivors' guilt and try not to let this affect their investigations to find out who keeps attacking Jodie and why. I had multiple theories throughout the book. One proved to be right, but only towards the very end. I often doubted my theory because of the mini twists the author added.

Thank you, Tyndale House and Netgalley, for a complimentary copy of this novel! I was not required to post a review; all opinions expressed are my own.

One Final Target is the first book that I have read by Janice Cantore. I liked the overall story and I really liked the two main characters Jodie and Sam. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting though. I didn’t know that it would have so much about faith and God in the story, and because of that I believe it should be reclassified as inspirational. It is about tragedy, betrayal, grief, trust, faith, and justice.

One Final Target is a very well written suspense. I loved the edge of your seat fast paced plot. I definitely recommend this book. I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

One Final Target follows Jodie, a former police sergeant who is determined to get answers about the IED that took out her team. We meet Sam when he saves Jodie from a sniper. Sam is dealing with his own trauma after losing his partner in the line of duty. They both feel responsible for the deaths of their fellow officers. They both knew how the other was feeling and it really helped them to not feel alone. It felt natural that their feelings would turn romantic. When they start working the IED case, nothing is as it seems. There are twists and turns you won’t see coming. There’s a lot of action, a little romance, and a lot of faith. I loved how everyone in Jodie’s life was nudging her to turn back to God.

A few nit picky things…a police officer would never uncuff a bad guy and hand the bad guy a gun. No matter what. Not even if another bad guy was threatening to shoot someone. Because then you’re both dead anyway. Another thing. A clip and a magazine are not the same thing. A clip is not needed, but can be helpful when loading a gun. You can use a clip attached to ammo to quickly load the magazine. Then the magazine goes into the gun and feeds the ammo into the chamber.

**Thank you Tyndale for the ARC. (I listened to the audio on Hoopla and I bought my own physical copy of the book)

Spellbinding from the opening pages to the final reveal, this narrative engrossed me completely. The heart-wrenching experiences of Jodie, witnessing her team's tragic demise in an IED explosion during a warrant operation, and Sam losing his partner when a drunk driver's plows into their patrol car, were emotionally charged. The haunting question of "Why them and not me?" echoed through their brokenness.

The storyline skillfully weaves action and misdirection, keeping readers guessing who’s behind the attempts on Jodie’s life. Amidst the uncertainties and the harsh reality that bad things happen without clear explanations, a profound truth emerges. This narrative becomes a poignant reminder that, even in the face of tremendous pain, there exists a steadfast hope in Jesus. It beautifully portrays the resilience found in faith, emphasizing that even when we can't fathom the reasons behind life's trials, the unwavering hope anchored in Jesus transcends understanding. This tale, while delivering thrills and twists, ultimately leaves readers with a profound sense of hope and faith in the midst of life's inexplicable challenges.

I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Sergeant Jodie King retired from the Long Beach Police Department after the explosion that took the lives of four members of her team. They were given intel that the subject they were after was at the address, but the building exploded and the subject was gone. Were they set up, but Jodie can’t believe that her CI would have betrayed them? As she surveys the desolation left behind, a man arrives just in time to keep her from being killed. Detective Sam Gresham was on his way to his new assignment when he noticed a glint in the trees, a sniper aiming at the woman. Sam is finally recovered from his own injuries and looking forward to working cases, but never thought he would become part of this case. Jodie is not giving up on her investigation and Sam might be someone who will find what they’ve missed. When she learns she didn’t receive a message about that last mission, who can she trust as she continues to be a target? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

One of many talents of author Janice Cantore is to pull her readers into the story in the first few paragraphs. The tension and suspense at the first of the book had me hooked and the rest of it did not disappoint. One Final Target has edge-of-your-seat suspense, the baffling mystery of who the villain is, action, and a slow-burn romance. Another talent of this author is to write in such a way that you can feel the cold, hear the bullets, and easily picture the scene. If you're reading in a public place, try not to duck when the bullets are fired! I found the main characters to be likeable and complex. They were both dealing with survivor's guilt. I enjoyed reading about their faith journeys as they struggled. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "God is good, even when life is not."
I would definitely read more from this author. I recommend One Final Target to readers of clean romantic suspense, Christian romantic suspense, Christian fiction, and Christian crime fiction.
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley from the publisher and am sharing my opinion of this very well written book.

I’d been looking forward to One Final Target by Janice Cantore since I first heard of its existence. The novel has the perfect amount of mystery and thrill, flavored with a dash of romance. When I say a dash, I mean a dash. A sprinkle. Janice Cantore does not focus on a growing relationship—instead, the novel centers on the threat. In this case, an IED killed Jodie’s team several months ago. It looms over her, as Sam struggles to overcome the loss of his partner. When a sniper tries to shoot Jodie, Sam is in the right place to intervene. The case quickly becomes more complicated—and more dangerous—as details are revealed. Jodie and Sam can only hope they solve the case before Jodie loses her life.

As a former police officer, Janice Cantore provides novels that make sense. She pursues every lead and motive. Cantore marvelously portrays the plot from the beginning to the end. One Final Target is filled with twists, suspects, and speculation. Everything about Cantore’s newest novel is believable. I was left with no questions, no plot holes. Like a master investigator, she covers every detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the story. One Final Target does not need any of the romance. The novel’s description calls it ”pulse-pounding,” and that is the perfect word for it. Exhilarating. Suspenseful. Real.

Grief is a heavy burden on the mind and soul. Jodie and Sam both struggle with it but in different ways. One Final Target depicts the war against despair so vividly. So poignantly. Being a Christian is not easy. Life after salvation is not sunshine and roses. The “prosperity gospel” is nothing but lies. The easiest time to be a Christian is during the good times. The darkest hours, however, it can be hard to find the light. It is hard to trust God when there are no answers. When survivor’s guilt kicks in. When God stays silent.

But, as Cantore wrote in the book: “God is good, even when life isn’t.” And “No one in this life is immune from bad things. Trusting God doesn’t mean no trials. Trusting God means an ever-present help when trials come.” God is there. He’s in the lions’ den. He’s in the fiery furnace. He’s there in our celebration and our pain. One Final Target by Janice Cantore offers comfort to the broken-hearted and weary. It provides a message of hope and closure. It is a wonderful novel for all readers and one I recommend whole-heartedly.

Explosive, bone-chilling suspense make this book a must read for suspense lovers. This book had everything I crave and love in a thriller including realistic investigative procedures, addictive characters that I loved and edgy suspense that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Sgt. Jodie King and her team are tasked with serving a warrant which goes horribly wrong. Jodie is the only survivor, and she has a severe case of survivor's guilt and the blame game. Jodie decides to retire. While visiting the scene where her team was lost, someone starts shooting at her. Detective Sam Gresham happens to riding by and sees what is going on. He saves her life. Coincidentally he has been set up to work her case.

Sam and Jodie are more alike than they realize. Sam lost his partner in the line of duty. He is also suffering from survivor's guilt and plays the blame game with himself daily. You have two heroes who have suffered a life altering tragedy, but they are so set on blaming themselves for the loss that they cannot see the forest for the trees.

As the story continues to play out, it is evident that someone wants to take Jodie's life. The action was just right with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. I suspected everyone at one time or another. Then another twist would be thrown into the mix that left me scratching my head. I felt such empathy for both Sam and Jodie. They were both true heroes, but their grief had robbed them of any further joy in their lives. The suspense and intrigue will keep you glued to the pages with eye opening reveals that you will not see coming. Their faith has also been tested, and there are people in their lives who want to reopen their eyes to their need to lean on their faith. This is all while Jodie has no idea who she can trust as there seems to be a killer in their midst. Now I can breathe.

Thank you Tyndale House and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There is no question that being a police officer is a dangerous job, the not not knowing what could go wrong in the line of duty. Long Beach Sergeant Jodie King and her team never expected the IED that detonated when they went to serve a warrant. Jodie was the only survivor. Feeling guilt and grief, no clues as to who was responsible, Jodie leaves the police department. She decides to revisit the crime scene and unbeknownst to her a sniper is waiting for her. Coincidentally, also at the scene is Detective Sam Gresham. Sam also has gone through a devastating loss, he has lost his partner and friend in a crash that was caused by a drunk driver. No sooner do Jodie and Sam begin to talk than bullets start flying. Who is behind all this? This is what Jodie and Sam work together to find out.

Janice Cantore has written another excellent romantic, suspenseful, faith based, police procedural. Cantore, as a former police officer, brings insight into the intricacies of police work. Her characters are well developed, and her plots keep the reader engaged. This is a book you will not want to put down, but rather, keep turning the pages to it's satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend it! I also recommend Cantore's other books, all of them are excellent.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, for an ARC. The review is my own.

PRE-READ THOUGHTS
i went from so excited to “oh god what have I done”, I’m pretty sure the genres were updated after I requested this 😭

STATS
⚠️ Stay Safe, Friends: violence, death, murder, genre-typical warnings for cop-based thrillers
⛰ Cliffhanger: no
🌶 Spice Check: water
⭐️ Rating (?/5): 2/5
🔂 Re-Readability: no

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Let me just say that, although my rating is low, this book wasn’t necessarily bad or poorly written! It’s just not a genre that works for me (I swear this wasn’t listed as Christian fiction when I requested it or else I would never have picked up a book in a genre that is best suited for other readers 😭). While reviews are for readers, they’re also for the reviewer to sort their catalogues and libraries and reading history. So I’ll put my personal rating, but I’ll list my pros and cons below and you can determine if this would work for you!

SUMMARY + BASIC CHARACTER INFO, THOUGHTS, AND/OR DYNAMICS
After suffering great losses, two people are thrown together in another crisis. Working together to heal and to bring justice to those they lost, a retired officer and a detective have to consider everyone a suspect.

WHY YOU SHOULD PUSH THIS ONE UP/DOWN YOUR TBR

UP
•This book is well written! If you’re able to ignore things you don’t like in books (or if the things in this book are exactly what you’re looking for), I really see no reason why you shouldn’t at least give this one a shot. The reveal wasn’t immediately obvious, so if that’s important to you, there you go!

•The author is a former police officer! What this means is that you get an involved and detailed experience from two characters who are also involved in the police force. While this is not a requirement for an author to produce fantastic police-focused suspense, it usually helps and adds a bit of credibility to the processes and procedures described within.

•Even though the faith is a push down for me, this does portray people suffering from deep loss and grief and they rely on their faith to help ground them and heal. For anyone that may need to see a faith-based healing process, this might be a good one to pick up to help you feel like you have someone sitting next to you who knows what it’s like. Even if they’re just characters.

DOWN
•Faith and God are truly lines of lifeblood in this story. While it’s great for those who are looking for this in their books, it does not work for me and is actually one of the biggest reasons for my low rating. I am spiritual, but I do not enjoy reading about it in my fiction because it’s just such a individual and specialized experience for each person who participates. Some could read it and feel like there isn’t enough faith or God, others can read it and completely relate and feel connected because it’s mentioned a perfect amount and in the perfect places, and others can read it and find it overwhelming, unrealistic, or too prominent; I unfortunately fell into the latter category.

•The characters can be a bit frustrating to read. Jodie and Sam did not really make me want to root for them and the self-loathing, self-pity aspect of the healing was a bit too much for me. I understand it’s a common thing, especially in circumstances like theirs, but it was pretty annoying to read regardless. I also did not find their romance believable or something I really cared about, but that might be an unpopular opinion.

•This could be added under the faith bullet but, separately, the continuous use of prayer as a sort of protection or the “giving it to God and everything will be solved” mindsets really bothered me. Personally, I won’t go into why. Narratively, however, it takes away any kind of responsibility or motivation of the characters, which likely lead to my finding them not very dynamic or interesting. This also leads the reader to not find much actually suspenseful since we’re reminded over and over again that everything will work out, which is not a great thing in a suspense genre.


OVERALL
This book is written well, but it is too heavy in the Christian vein for me to have enjoyed my time. While it’s not for me, this book definitely does have an audience and if you’re looking for a good romantic suspense based in Christian faith, this one could be a consideration.

Until next time!

One Final Target by Janice Cantore is a brilliantly plotted novel. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them, but this book might be the best she has ever written. This book had me spellbound from the beginning. The characters were vivid and real, grappling with serious questions stemming from traumatic events. I think the romance in the book felt so real because of the bond the characters formed over similar trauma. Readers of suspense will enjoy this book greatly. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This book drew me in right away! I was so excited to see what happened next. It was hard for me to put the book down to eat meals and help my mom when she needed my help. I ended up reading into the early morning hours the next day because I needed to know how the book ended as soon as I could. I always enjoy Janice’s books and get hooked on the stories right away.

This cover caught my attention. Then I read the blurb. I am intrigued by this book for a couple of reasons. First - I worked in Long Beach, CA where the heroine was a cop. Second - I have been camping in the San Bernardino Mountains for more than 60 years. So, like I said, I'm intrigued. It is rare that I read a book and know, first-hand, every scene site. This book more than met my expectations and the narration by Jeannie Sheneman was a delight. I love the organic references to these character's faith in God. I know a lot of cops and most of them have a deep-seated faith. That faith helped both Jodie and Sam cope with the tragedies they endured and sustained them through the tumultuous investigation.

Two tortured, grief ravaged souls come together with a new purpose: find the bomber who killed Jodie King's team before he can kill Jodie also. While serving a warrant an IED in a cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains killed her team and Jodie is having trouble coming to terms with what happened. Three months after the blast, she takes a trip to the site and a sniper opens fire on her.

Sam Gresham has suffered the loss of his partner and is just now returning to the San Bernardino Sherriff's Department. He has just been assigned to the IED case and decided to take a look at the site. What he encounters is a sniper trying to take out Jodie. With the shooting, the focus of the investigation is renewed and refocused. This time on Jodie and if the attack could have been personal. Now Sam and Jodie must find the person responsible.

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

This was a fast-paced, suspense thriller, with romance and faith mixed it. The two main characters work together after both experiencing signifiant loss. Lots of twists and turns!
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

** “If you choose to live in the past, regretting things you can’t change, it will destroy you. God is sovereign. Lamenting the past is denying his control, saying you know better than God. That’s not possible. God can fix what is ugly; you need to let him.” **

Once again Janice Cantore delivers a high-intensity thriller with “One Final Target,” a story that reminds us that “God is good, even when life isn’t.”

Still reeling from her team being killed in an explosion, Jodie King has left the Long Beach Police Department to attempt to move on and away from all that offers painful reminders. But when she’s drawn back into the fire, she must use her policing skills to figure out who seems to be after her.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Detective Sam Gresham is still recovering from his own nearly fatal experience when he’s pulled into Jodie’s case. As the two work together to solve the string of deadly events, they must both overcome their guilt over each of their own experiences and find healing and forgiveness … all while trying to stay alive.

Cantore always creates intense plots filled with twists and turns, heart-thumping action and just enough romance to curl your toes. She develops amazing characters that have real issues that readers can relate to and root for.

She also filled “One Final Target” with several great themes, like sometimes you have to just say “But God”; dealing with guilt and blame, especially survivor’s guilt; God can turn any evil into good; when you feel like there is a barrier between you and heaven; don’t stay stuck in the past or let bitterness take root; and the concept of Romans 8:28 (“It’s hard not to see God’s hand in things when everything goes well. You have to look harder whey they go sideways. Remember, God works all things out.”)

Fans of authors like Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason and Terri Blackstock will love “One Final Target,” which is due out Feb. 13.

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.