When a meet-up with a confidential informant from a terrorist group goes wrong, CIA agent Brandon Hale's plan to resign and work in publishing in London is put on hold. Meanwhile, CIA financial analyst Kimber is abruptly pulled from her desk job at Langley to go undercover as a debut novelist in NYC. Having already written three unpublished novels as a hobby, the assignment into the world of publishing is Kimber's dream come true. Brandon and Kimber must discover who is funding the terrorists and shut down the operation before the next devasting attack. As an avid reader, I found the foray into a publishing company and its processes interesting, and the story had a quick pace. My main quibble is that Kimber is an overt CIA employee (she can tell people she works there), but when they have her "quit" to be undercover as an author and make her take a pen name, her first name remains the same. Kimber isn't a common name. They also allow her to be seen in public with her sister at high-profile events. You would think if they didn't want to tip off the terrorists, they might try a little harder to conceal her true identity. Other than that, I definitely recommend!

As the author’s bio suggests, there are apparently multiple CIA operatives with second career dreams of being writers and using their literary arts degrees instead of demonstrating multiple ways to kill an enemy with a pen. They want their pens to only commit murder in thrillers. Brandon Hale is expecting to switch from his undercover career and use his degree for a real life job in the publishing world. Kimber Seidel, a desk bound CIA employee specializing in finance, would love to get her agency-approved novel published. Brandon doesn’t quite get his planned escape, but he does get to infiltrate the publishing world in pursuit of an assassin. And Kimber’s novel will assist him.

The bad guys, known as “Labyrinth,” an international terrorist organization, are somehow connected to a large New York publisher, Monroe. Brandon sort of gets his career change wish — inserted into a publishing house as an assistant/errand boy to a powerful editor. He’s already had a chance encounter with Kimber on a plane, so when he realizes it’s her actually-very-good novel that will be used to advance him (and her) deeper into the company, it’s eventually a pleasant surprise. Brandon and Kimber immediately seem like an easy-going couple, even before any undercover shenanigans began.

OK, the reveal that they are sharing the same banana bread baker neighbor was a bit over the top (surely that makes any romance progress inevitable). The tale is a bit autobiographical for the author. I’m not familiar with her previous works, but the CIA agent turned author premise was intriguing. Even though “You should know that a lot of what happens in the publishing world is more luck and timing than anything else.”

Using ARCs with secret messages to communicate was, indeed, clever. I noticed an advanced cover said “A Pen and Dagger Novel” so I hope it’s a good sign that we’ll see more of Kimber and Brandon tackling espionage via the publishing world. 4.5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Darragh Byrne has green eyes. Although his deep set green eyes of the assassin would not “blend into a crowd”.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s late winter in New York and most everything is dormant.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Great read.
Brandon and Kimber ate both CIA agents who meet on a plane and feel a connection with
no idea each other is an agent. When they are both assigned to undercover work at Monroe Publishing,
she as a new writer and he as assistant to the director, they are immediately drawn into the dangers of
terrorist money laundering and espionage.
Murder and mayhem follow as they navigate the dangers and threats of exposure in their undercover
roles, as a traitorous mole works to uncover their identities.
Interesting and intriguing story line with strong characters and great suspense.
Definitely 5 star.

Two CIA agents find themselves working together undercover on a case to catch and stop a terrorist agency. First of a series. Enjoyable and look forward to the next installment.

Wow. I really enjoy Traci's books, but this one is something special. It felt more realistic, I guess, than some of the others. It was engaging and I kept wanting more the whole time!

Novel Threat (Pen and Dagger #1) by Traci Hunter Abramson, 320 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $28.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
His employers might not know it yet, but it’s Brandon’s last night in the CIA—he’s resigning tomorrow to work for a publishing company. But his last night goes all wrong and his boss won’t let him resign, instead sending Brandon undercover at a different publishing company, Monroe. Kimber works in finance for the CIA and secretly dreams of being a published author one day—one day that the CIA is making come sooner than she ever imagined in order to get close to terrorists at Monroe Publishing.
The rom-com plot points are amusing and add the lighthearted scenes needed to balance out the terroristic acts and suspense in tracking down the perpetrators. Fighting to move forward—professionally to catch the bad guys and also romantically—encourages readers to turn just one more page through to the happy ending we all want. Overall, Brandon’s and Kimber’s story is an action-packed and entertaining read.
The majority of characters are implied White (American and British), and the main antagonist is implied to be Middle Eastern. The mature content rating is for kissing. The violence rating is for assault, mentions of drugs, illegal activity, gun and bomb use, terrorism, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I have to admit to be intrigued by the clever play on word in the title, and then once I read the book’s blurb I was doubly intrigued. Two book-loving CIA agents conducting an investigation via a publishing house? This one sucked me in from the opening. The writing is very cinematic, can easily see it being translated into a movie/series. Our heroes are likable, decent chemistry, and the plot is wonderfully twisting. This is the first book in the Pen and Dagger series, and I’d say it is off to an excellent start. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next installment. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to an ARC of Novel Threat.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/novel-threat-traci-hunter-abramson/1145992123?ean=9781639933846&bvnotificationId=bac63719-117a-11f0-9f3c-0edb87cf5ef1&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/341840593

Brandon and Kimber,

What an adventure you two went on in Novel Threat! Exactly what I expect from a Traci Hunter Abramson novel, but still I’m always surprised at how she keeps me guessing until the end. Full of suspense from page one, I loved it all!

Kimber, your character was so fun. I related to your reserved side, but loved how you weren’t afraid to step up and protect when it mattered. I thought the way you are accomplishing your dreams, while not quite what you planned, was great. I think that’s life. Not quite what we plan, but somehow it works out. To top it all off, you’re juggling life as a CIA operative, being a sister, falling in love, and saving the world! You’re amazing.

I loved how you handled everything too, Brandon. You continually show up at work and in life, even though you lost your asset and your life got thrown off course. It’s no wonder that you and Kimber are such a great team as you each adapt with all that comes your way. I think my favorite part about you is how you care for Kimber though. The moment you two meet, you are always supporting and encouraging her. To fall in love in between was the perfect addition to this fast paced suspense.

I have to mention how awesome it was to get a glimpse at Traci’s worlds of being a former CIA agent and a fantastic author. Seeing the two worlds blend together was so fun. I can’t wait to see where she takes you two in this series!

Sincerely,
A Very Happy Reader

I received a complimentary copy. A positive review was not required.

Tracy Hunter Abramson is a master storyteller. The effortless way she blends romance, intrigue, and edge of your seat suspense is second to none!

Reading this book feels like getting a behind the curtain peek at both the CIA and the publishing industry. I love the mixture of the two worlds, it makes for an interesting and unique setting.

Novel Threat is a fascinating, page-turning, well paced story, that masterfully balances the romance and the suspense. Be prepared to lose a night of sleep because once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Traci Hunter Abramson is just so stinking good. Her books are full of action, adventure and romance and now this one also includes publishing and writing! How incredibly perfect.

If you like THA, bookish books, suspense and just generally good books, read this one! Plus, look how pretty that cover is. It's gonna look so good on your shelf

Captivating!

This story pulls you in from the start and never lets go. The plot is fast paced, intriguing and suspenseful. Brandon and Kimber are very likable and genuine and have a beautiful bond.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This book is one of my favorite recent reads! It was full of action and I seriously could not put it down. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a CIA suspense read. It was so well done. The story line was just perfectly paced. I think this is now my new favorite book by Traci Abramson and I cannot wait for another book in this series!!

I have read many books from this author and enjoyed them. I thought the story had a charming beginning, two people randomly meeting on an airplane, not knowing how their lives would connect together. I was intrigued with the idea of mixing espionage with the publishing world, and I enjoyed the storyline. The characters were well defined, and the chemistry between them was sweet. About midway through I thought it began to drag a little bit. I was still not quite sure who the connection in the publishing company was, so I was curious to continue on. I was a little surprised in the ending, but not shocked like I hoped to be. My opinion of the overall book is entertaining intriguing, sweet romance, but not one of my favorites. We can’t always hit a home run. I certainly enjoy the author enough to continue reading her books. This one fell just a tad bit short. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“You hacked into secure financial systems in less than an hour, but you don’t know how to connect your laptop to a printer?”

Things I loved:
Trudy & her treats
All Kimber and Brandon's Meet Cutes
The Author/Writer experience
Book Lovers
Library
Fake Dating
Suspense
Central Park
Mark and Tessa
Microdots & ARCs
Elevators

He stared down at her, and his heartbeat quickened, not from fear and stress, but anticipation. “Maybe I need to replace the bad memories with a good one.”

Brandon and Kimber both work for the CIA. They don’t know each other, but their paths are destined to intertwine…a lot, especially when they go undercover. Kimber as an author and Brandon an assistant to a publisher. What happens when their worlds intertwine and they have to race against time to find the bad guys?

“Kimber gripped her steering wheel a little tighter. She’d already told him she worked in finance, so did she lie to him about who she was interviewing with?”

One of my favorite things was the peek into the publishing and author world. It was fun to read it along with their CIA world. Traci’s perspective was fun, suspenseful and fascinating. This book will keep you on your toes…even if you guess the bad guys early on. If I could, I would spend my life listening to spy stories… but I definitely don’t have clearance. 😉

‘You don’t have to walk me home.” Brandon shrugged. “It’s what the men in the romance novels would do.”

Danger, suspense, CIA agents, swoony romance, & books! Traci Hunter Abramson pulls out all the stops in this exciting start to a new romantic suspense series! Novel Threat’s impossible to put down & I found myself reading it in one sitting. I had to know what happened next!

Two CIA agents meet serendipitously on a plane home from London. Brandon Hale witnessed the unthinkable & is hoping to retire & embark on a publishing career. Kimber Seidel’s a CIA financial officer & an aspiring writer about to have her dreams come true. Neither knows the other is an agent, but their paths cross again when unbeknownst to them, they’re both assigned to go undercover at the Monroe Publishing Agency to stop a terrorist attack.

From intense elevator scenes (Seriously, I think I’ll take the stairs from now on.), a fascinating insiders look at a New York publishing agency, terrorist plots, delightful humor, & a lovely romance, this book had it all! I loved Brandon & Kimber. I enjoyed how their instant attraction grew as they face one dangerous moment after another.

Unraveling the terrorist plot was intense, especially with having the villain’s POV too. There are several suspects who kept me guessing until the end. The non-stop threats & clever ways they use the publishing agency as a front for their despicable plans had me on the edge of my seat.

I also loved the side characters in this story. Friends at the CIA, Kimber’s sister, their darling treat baking neighbor Trudy who has a secret all her own, & even some celebrities add to the enjoyment of this intense read. I loved finding little Easter eggs representing the author herself hidden in the story.

This is definitely a must read & a new favorite! Highest of recommendations. Can’t wait for the next book. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

Traci Hunter Abramson is one of my favorite authors and I could not recommend her books more. Novel Threat is the first book in her new series, Pen and Dagger. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I did not want to put it down. I just loved everything about it.
I loved both Kimber and Brandon. They were so relatable, they were both CIA agents but they still had to figure out what their undercover experience would look like. They felt real and I was cheering for them as they sought to protect others while staying true to themselves.
It was cool to read about them connecting but also learning to talk with each other. They had met briefly but their undercover positions brought them closer together. Although the romance wasn’t necessarily the main part of the book, it was still really cute and sweet. They understood each other especially as they worked together.
The writer and publishing stuff were really cool to read about. I loved getting to see a little more of that side of things through this book. The side characters were a lot of fun and I hope that they eventually get their own happy endings.
I am so excited for this new series and I could not recommend Novel Threat more. The characters drew me in the and the plot held me captive. I just loved this book! Novel Threat is a clean romantic suspense novel.

Book Highlights:
Writer FMC
Editorish MMC
CIA
Supsense
Falling in Love
Fish out of water vibes

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

After a meeting with a contact goes tragically wrong, CIA operative Brandon Hale goes undercover at Monroe Publishing to find a traitor funneling money to a terrorist organization.

Kimber, a CIA finance officer who dreams of being published, is shocked when the CIA shops her novel to a publisher and asks her to use her cover as a new author to investigate behind the scenes. While on assignment, she reconnects with Brandon, a man she met briefly on her last trip overseas but as the attraction between them grows, she finds it difficult to hide the truth from him.

Brandon and Kimber's search to uncover the traitor and the terrorist's plans grows desperate as they realize that innocent lives are at stake and the clock is about to run out.

I really enjoyed this book. The twist was very enjoyable and I loved the two main characters. It had my attention quickly after chapter 1 I was hooked.

Tracy Hunter Abramson masterfully blends espionage and publishing intrigue in Novel Threat, a fast-paced thriller where the written word becomes a deadly weapon. With a clever premise and well-drawn characters, the novel keeps readers on edge as CIA operatives Brandon Hale and Kimber Seidel infiltrate Monroe Publishing to unravel a terrorist plot hidden in the pages of a book.

Brandon, a seasoned CIA officer contemplating retirement, is pulled back into the field when a critical intelligence source is assassinated, leaving behind a clue pointing to a New York publishing house. Meanwhile, Kimber, a CIA finance officer with a secret passion for writing, unexpectedly finds herself at the center of the mission when her manuscript becomes a key piece in the agency’s strategy. As the two navigate their dangerous assignment, their professional and personal lives collide, sparking an undeniable chemistry that adds an emotional depth to the high-stakes action.

Abramson’s storytelling shines in its ability to balance suspense, romance, and intricate plotting. The coded messages, covert operations, and unexpected twists keep the tension high, while the literary setting adds a unique and compelling layer to the espionage narrative. Readers will be drawn to Brandon and Kimber’s dynamic—both as operatives and as two people struggling to reconcile duty with personal aspirations.

With sharp dialogue, well-researched intelligence work, and a gripping pace, Novel Threat is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Fans of both spy fiction and romantic suspense will find themselves hooked by this clever and exhilarating read.

Wow! This book is exciting from page one! It takes you on an action adventure that will make you hold your breath! Traci is a wonderful, immersive author, who puts you right in the midst of the action. There are no swears or alcohol and level 1 kisses only. There are people getting shot and killed. Dual POV. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.