Liz Cantrell's peaceful life running the family antique shop on Hilton Head Island is disrupted when her sister Jillian marries Travis who is a little on the shady side. While Jillian and Travis are on their honeymoon, Liz receives a phone call from her sister telling her to bring their mother's antique jewelry box and the necklace that's in it to Niagara Falls. Jillian is being held for ransom by international contraband smuggler Idris Santini.

Liz is met by two federal agents as she de-boards the plane. Nathaniel Longhorn is with the Canadian Boarder Services, and Blake Fallon is a US Federal agent. Both are a part of IBETs (Integrated Border Enhancement Teams), which is a joint effort to keep crime along the border of the two countries at bay. Liz learns they are trying to take down Santini, and they enlist her help in doing so. It seems this necklace, which was a gift from Travis to Jillian, is made up of stolen uncut diamonds Santini is smuggling across the border. Liz has no choice but to help them; she's holding stolen goods. But what transpires thereafter is a harrowing experience for everyone. Can she really trust that they are interested in getting her sister back, or are they just interested in bringing down this criminal? Can she keep her heart from falling for Federal Agent Blake Fallon?

RANSOM is a fast-paced inspirational novel that is another installment in Terri Reed's Northern Border Patrol series. It is action-packed and full of suspense from start to finish. Blake is a strong, serious character who is all business. He has never met anyone quite so challenging as Liz. She's an extremely strong character who doesn't take anything at face value. The story line takes several unexpected turns that will keep you glued to the pages. RANSOM is a story about faith and trust, about revenge and redemption. Terri Reed incorporates some of her previous characters from this series and updates us on other characters as she revisits their stories. But any of these books in the Northern Border Patrol series are good stand- alones, so why miss out on such good reads?

Book Summary

"WE HAVE YOUR SISTER."

Liz Cantrell is terrified when she receives a call from a man holding her newlywed sister captive—and she's convinced her sketchy brother-in-law's involved. Willing to pay any price for her sister's freedom, Liz flies to Niagara Falls with the ransom: an uncut diamond necklace worth millions. But the moment she lands, a handsome, world-weary Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent takes her into custody.

Blake Fallon's determined to catch a ruthless diamond smuggler—and the pretty antiques dealer trying to save her sister could be just the break his case needs. But as they team up to rescue Liz's sister and trap the criminal mastermind, a desperate standoff will threaten everything they hold precious—including their lives.

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the US-Canada border safe.

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