Tour Review - - Fatal Chaos

Fatal Chaos

By Marie Force

Publisher: Harlequin HQN

Release Date: February 27, 2018

Reviewed by Janga

  

Samantha Holland, homicide lieutenant, her husband, Vice-President Nick Cappuano, and their son Scotty may have escaped the pressure cooker of Washington, D.C. for a vacation at the beach with their extended family during the last days of summer, but as soon as they return, the pressure escalates. As rumors circulate about the president’s son’s murderous plan to end Nick’s political career (Fatal Threat) and speculation rises concerning whether Congressional hearings will end in the president’s impeachment or resignation, the media relentlessly pushes Nick and Sam to comment on the possibility of Nick’s ascension to the highest office in the land.  Sam has not yet officially returned to work when she gets a call that a teenager has been killed in a drive-by shooting. His death is the first in a series of apparently random attacks that terrorize the city. Sam and her team work endless hours and follow every lead as they try to find and stop the killer.

Sam and Nick try to avoid thinking about the changes that will occur in their lives if Nick should become president. The detective Sam hired to replace A. J. Arnold, who was killed in the line of duty, joins the crew, and the change is an emotional one for Sam and her colleagues, particularly Gonzo, Arnold’s partner. Sam is still dealing with old enemies. On the lighter side, Scotty is bummed about going back to school. Everyone looks forward to the upcoming wedding of Sam’s partner and his long-time girlfriend, and Sam does a bit of matchmaking between her White House assistant and one of Nick’s oldest friends.

Fatal Chaos is the twelfth book in Force’s popular series that is a mix of politics, police procedural, and romance. I fell in love with this series with Fatal Affair, the first book, back in 2010. From the beginning, I was fascinated with Sam and Nick—their relationship, their families, and their friends. Force’s books typically have a higher sizzle factor than most of my favorites, but I am so invested in these characters that I keep reading this series regardless. 

Although these books are not conventional romances, Sam and Nick’s relationship is their heart, and theirs is a complicated, passionate love story that never gets stale. Sam is a strong, independent woman and a dedicated professional. Nick is an alpha-beta mix who understands that his need to protect Sam has to be balanced with her need for independence, especially in issues related to her job.

Fatal Chaos has all the elements that have made the other books in the series keepers—a central romantic relationship that continues to be dynamic and meaningful, intriguing bits of national politics and power struggles, a mystery that keeps me turning pages, and a complex of secondary characters whose stories, personal and professional, are interwoven with the main plot. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a high sensuality level, if you like romance mixed with action, or if you are a fan of mysteries in which continuing relationships are as important as the plot, I recommend Fatal Chaos. It can be read as a standalone, but readers who are familiar with the series will more fully appreciate all the familial, collegial, and friendship ties that are part of the book’s appeal. I suggest reading at least Fatal Threat, the book that immediately preceded this one, if the political threat interests you. I’m already looking forward to Fatal Invasion, a November 27 release. 

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Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception. 

All together, her books have sold 6.5 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigelbestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction. 

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news. 

Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.