Fatal Exchange, Southern Crimes Series #2

Fatal Exchange, the second book in Harriss Southern Crimes series, features the second Hunt sibling, Emily. Emily enjoys living a simple life as a school teacher trying to make a difference in the lives of the students she teaches at an elite private school. However, she is unwittingly thrust into a volatile situation when one of her students pulls a gun on his classmates holding them hostage. Mason Taylor, an undercover cop and former best friend to Emilys brother, Michael, has been mentoring the at-risk young man now holding Emily and her students hostage. He discovers that Rafaels actions stem from a desperate attempt to raise ransom money for his brother who has been kidnapped by a drug cartel threatening to kill him if the ransom is not paid. Although Emilys detective sister, Avery, suspects Mason is somehow responsible for their brothers death, Emily feels she can trust Mason and leans on him to walk her through the hostage situation. Mason not only has to earn both Emily and Rafaels trust in order to end the hostage standoff, he also has to use his detective skills to get to the bottom of who is behind the drug cartel crimes.

The plot of Fatal Exchange had many twists and turns that I wasnt expecting creating a very exciting read! Harris did a noteworthy job detailing the high-strung, intense emotions felt by all during the hostage and kidnapping scenarios. I also liked that Mason had an opportunity to regain the Hunt familys trust after having his integrity slaughtered by Avery in Dangerous Passage. And of course, I have to mention the romance between Mason and Emily. I thought it was sweet that Mason still had feelings for Emily after all these years even after she rejected his request for a date in college. I was glad to learn the reason behind Emilys earlier rejection was because of Masons lack of faith, and that now that he became a Christian it was revealed that Emily still had feelings for him, too. Cue the awe, how sweet now!

This review contains my own thoughts and opinions. I have not been compensated for this review in any way.

Excellent book, I couldn't put it down or wait for the chance to pick it up again!

This book just had so many twists and turns. Something new happened almost every page. Just love the characters and I couldn't put it down. I am looking forward to the next southern crimes novel. I received this from bookfun.org for a fair and honest opinion.

Fatal Exchange is Book 2 in the Southern Crime series. It can definitely be read alone but is much better understood and appreciated if read as a series in order. This book deals with a school teacher who comes from a family of policeman. She has a student who is having family problems and has been coming to talk to her about them. The book deals with kidnapping, hostages, faith and trust. This book contains mystery, suspense, and romance. It deals with the life of being a teacher and law-enforcement agent in today's world. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

I received this book from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book by Lisa Harris that I have ever read. After reading it I will definitely be looking for her other novels.

Both of the main characters, Emily Hunt and Mason Taylor, are Christians. As they are thrown together in a very tense and suspense filled situation it is wonderful to see how each of them copes. Emily has no personal training and so she relies mainly on God to get through. Mason is a trained police officer so he relies on his training and yet he also seeks Gods guidance. They were both so well fleshed out and presented that I quickly connected with them and found myself pulling for them to figure out who the bad guys were so that they could safely resolve the life threatening situation.

There are a lot of secondary characters that are important to the storyline as well. They are also well developed and their interactions with each other, as well as, with the main characters do a wonderful job of moving the story along.

I received a free copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.