I quite enjoyed this. It started off slow, I wasn't sure I was going to like it at all for the first bit but then the story really started moving and it was great. A solid three star read. Ava was an interesting character and I liked the focus on the investigation rather than just the romance. The romance was kind of weak but not so weak as to make me hate it. I liked River and his humour. I loved DS - he was hilarious. The who wasn't particularly surprising but it was still an entertaining read. ( )

Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2023/03/foodfic-please-welcome-julie-rowe.html

See my review here: http://editrix.ca/2017/11/review-2-deadly-strain/ ( )

I really enjoy characters with scientific, brainiac type jobs. I especially love when women are in those jobs because I am always trying to convince my high school students not to sell themselves short. In Viable Threat, Dr. Ava Lloyd is a microbiologist working for the CDC, investigating an unknown outbreak. Special Forces soldier Walter Rivers is sent to be her back up/body guard. The action unfolds a bit like the tv show "24". The time/date is stamped at the beginning of each chapter because time is of the essence in an outbreak situation. More than just an outbreak, this quickly appears to be a terrorist attack at multiple locations. Right away, you are thrust into action that doesn't quite let up. If you are a fan of fast paced romantic suspense, Viable Threat is going to snag your attention right away!

Rivers is your typical military badass guy: short on words, big on action. Ava is young and fresh faced, and this job is her first really BIG assignment. These two have insta-lust for sure, but it seems even more inappropriate given their surroundings and the violent deaths people are dying from this unknown pathogen. But, its not like they jump each others bones in the middle of the outbreak site, so I was willing to overlook it! In fact, there isn't any sexual interaction at all until about the 50% point and then its only 2nd base.

There are so many threats, red herrings, and alternate agendas going on in the plot its impossible to figure out what is going on. There are simply so many people who seem suspicious!! Written in 3rd person limited, you don't get to see inside everyone's brain, so you are trying to examine actions for ulterior motives. The plot is thick and resembles an actual terror attack in the way the story progresses-multiple attack sites, booby traps, and more. I loved the science aspect right away (because #ScienceNerd), but the terror plot was fascinating! Rowe certainly knows her science and political science! I am looking forward to more in this series for sure.

Biological threats, domestic terror, a female doctor, and an Army ranger all combine to make Viable Threat a perfect read for fans of realistic suspense!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: mortal peril, terrorism


• Triggers: terrorist attacks are the theme of the book; biological pathogens are used to kill multiple people


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

The Omega Sector series by Janie Crouch, After the Dark by Cynthia Eden, The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert...then you will probably like Viable Threat!



Viable Threat


 

See full review on The Book Disciple ( )

REVIEW: An outbreak of an unknown pathogen reigns terror over El Paso. Ava and her military bodyguard, River, race against time. River is willing to give up his life and his career to keep Ava safe, for this tragic event and forever after. The suspense is intense and the twists and turns keep you glued to the book. A great book.
DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Special Forces soldier and medic Walter River would give anything to snatch more than a few seconds of down time to see if he can rattle the no-nonsense and incredibly hot Dr. Lloyd he's protecting, but dodging explosions, snipers, and student radicals who've unleashed a lethal bio-engineered microorganism have made that almost impossible. Maybe he'll get a chance—if he can figure out how to keep them both alive.
CDC microbiologist Ava Lloyd races to find a cure for a bio-terrorism organism sweeping El Paso. The few stolen moments with her very hunky bodyguard River have been explosive, but no matter how alluring he is, she can't afford to get distracted. The clock is ticking, people are dying by the hundreds, and once this crisis is solved, they'll both be off on their next assignment, thousands of miles apart. ( )