An Eye for an Eye

Heroes of Quantico #2

by Irene Hannon

After he accidentally shoots a teenager at a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press starts to settle. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico to resume his work on the HRT, Mark has a chance encounter with an old flame, Emily Lawson. But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he tries to strike again. But what is his motive -- and who was his intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe, and rekindle a long-dead relationship at the same time?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Romantic Suspense

381 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Reviews

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good novel from Irene Hannon!
This is book two of her Heroes of Quantico Series. I loved the storyline and the character, Emily, was so relatable.
Now, I liked book one a little more than this (book two) because it was a little more suspenseful compared to this book, but the story was still really good.
Second Chances, when received, are a blessing!

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

From page one this romantic suspense kept me turning pages and on the edge of the seat to find out what was going on. I loved the way the suspense started, with 1 shooter, 2 possible victims and no clear way to know who was the target. I enjoyed reading all the clues and following the evidence with Mark and Coop and enjoyed when suddenly everything made sense.

Irene always reveal the killer/culprit early in her books. I've come to enjoy this as the motive is only revealed later and she does a great job of taking her readers through disliking the bad guy to hating and even to feeling compassion as in this case. The killer in this book reminded me to the one in Abomination in Colleen Coble's Rock harbor series. Both twisted their beliefs to argue what they are doing is right.

I enjoyed the romance. It was a sweet build up and because of the past between Emily and Mark, the speed made sense. I enjoyed the lessons in this book as well - Mark to let go and let God in, and Emily to overcome her fears and live life fully.

Recommended for fans op Romantic Suspense.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The second installment in this series is just as good as the first! I was especially eager to read this when I realized from an ad in the back of Hannon's new book, Thin Ice, that Mark Sanders is a character in that book also. So I knew I had to read this before reading that one. Now I'm really looking forward to the last book of this series.

I always enjoy Hannon's thrillers. This one was one of my favorites so far, with spunky Emily and valiant Mark. The bad guy wasn't excessively creepy, which was nice; yet he was the guy-next-door type, which was creepy in itself. I like how she weaves in little bits from the bad-guy perspective to keep the suspense up; it's a good technique.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Irene Hannon read.

*some of the romance was a little more than I like, but I skipped over it and enjoyed the mystery.

Re-read update:
The romance was more of the plot than the suspense so I got a little bored with it the second time around. I did like that they already had history together so it felt a little less steamy, but the full page kiss was a bit much for me personally.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was disappointing. The romance was way too physical for my taste and included casual mentions of “cold showers” being needed, a “virile man,” “pecs,” and a “joke” about short-term romances (which indicated one-night stands). The sexual overtones were thick throughout. Not my cup of tea at all!

I was confused at why either lead assumed the guy was the intended target when the girl was the one shot and possibly dying. (This happens super early on in the story.)

There was enough focus on “fate” that it stood out to me. I found this odd in a Christian fiction book.

The creepy psycho who thought God wanted him to kill people was, perhaps, the best-written aspect of this entire book. I definitely felt shivers during this person’s scenes, and I was kept on the edge of my seat as to what would happen next with this bad guy.

Content: sexual overtones throughout, half an expletive phrase, bars, alcohol, skimpy clothing

[Patti · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The story itself could have been very good but I had to drop the rating because the woman, Emily, was a committed Christian and when she met up with a "lost love", Mark, he fully admitted, almost immediately, that he didn't believe anymore. It was brought up a couple more times & his response stayed the same. Yet, when Emily would think through & debate the reasons she should not get involved with Mark NEVER once did she mention their differences in belief. By the end he had started to change some (but it was very vague) and when he asked her to marry him she just said yes. No discussion, then or prior, about how his beliefs may have changed. It was very disappointing & pretty much ruined the story for me. This is not an issue on which the Bible is unclear and it should be reflected in Christian literature.

[Ariel Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye for an eye was a good. I enjoyed it maybe not as much as the last book in the series but it was still good. It of course was the normal suspense christian romance type book, which can be summed up in one word, predictable. Man and woman meet or become reunited, they are attracted to each other, something scary and life threatening to one of them, they learn to rely on the Lord, and take down the bad guys. SO if you like this type of book then you will like this, though not her best work it was still good. Personally I love reading these types of books though they are predictable and somewhat cheesy, they are clean and well written.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you might surmise from the title, book two of the Heroes of Quantico involves a villain that believes in an eye for an eye. It's certainly interesting (and frightening) to see how God's word can be interpreted by some.

An Eye for an Eye is Mark's story. Unlike Coop's story, this novel is set in St. Louis. Next up, Nick's story. I look forward to reading the conclusion of the series.

[Candice Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what you want in a Christian romantic suspense. I really enjoyed the romance plot line coinciding with the action packed suspense. 
I appreciated getting the bad guys POV as well.
Overall definitely recommend for all Christian romantic suspense readers!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Eye for an Eye is my first Irene Hannon read, and it definitely won’t be my last. A couple of years ago I absolutely fell in love with Dee Henderson’s romantic suspense novels, particularly the O’Malley Series, which featured a set of siblings, each involved in a high-profile, intense, fascinating career. It’s been a bit of a search for me to find other books that match the “gold standard” set by the O’Malley series - comparable, equally absorbing romantic suspense novels that feature just the right balance of high-profile jobs, swoon-worthy heroes, and fast-paced, intense action that doesn’t let go until the final page. Hannon is definitely on the right track with her FBI-centered Heroes of Quantico series. Though Eye is the 2nd book in the series, it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Mark and Emily’s story opens with a bang, literally. It’s a superbly executed sequence that sets up the unknown assailant and the threat against Mark and Emily. After being involved in a standoff situation that resulted in the accidental shooting death of a teenager, Mark was temporarily reassigned from his duties as a member of the HRT (Hostage Response Team) in Quantico to a less high-profile job in St. Louis as a field agent. A chance encounter with a former flame, Emily, quickly tailspins out of control when a sniper takes two shots at them and then disappears, leaving Emily wounded. Mark is left reeling – has one of his former cases come back to haunt him, or was Emily the intended target? And if so, how can he protect a woman scarred by past loss and intent on protecting her heart?

From Mark’s reaction to the shooting and the subsequent investigation, it’s obvious Hannon’s done her research into FBI protocols. The investigation clips along at a pace worthy of shows like 24 or its British equivalent, MI-5. The pacing slows down a bit once the imminent threat seems to be removed and Mark and Emily begin to reconnect. I loved how their relationship plays out – they have an actual history with each other which you rarely see in this type of story, and when they reconnect the chemistry is electrifying. The camaraderie between Mark and his friends and coworkers is also extremely well-executed – Hannon does a good job of nailing the male point-of-view and illustrating the depth of the bonds that develop between individuals in high-risk, life-or-death jobs. And even though Emily has her own fear and trust issues to work through, I really like how Hannon illustrates the strength of her faith – and how that unshakeable faith, even in the face of death, prompts Mark to re-evaluate his own faith walk. Well-researched, masterfully plotted, and with a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming, An Eye for an Eye is not to be missed for fans of romantic suspense.

[Cheryl Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Heroes of Quantico series- "An Eye for an Eye" by Irene Hannon follows along the same vein as her first book in this series. There's FBI agent Mark Sanders working as a field agent in St. Louis after accidently shooting a teenager in a robbery gone wrong and taking some time away from Quantico to deal with some of the emotional fallout from the shooting. While in St. Louis, he accidently runs into an old girlfriend, his first love in fact, Emily Lawson. Unfortunately during this chance encounter they find themselves smack dab in the middle of a shooting. All of this brings them together again and the old sparks are rekindled. But a lot has happened in both of their lives since their 20 year old "first love" romance, complicated by the fact that the shooter is not done with his mission.
I think Irene Hannon does a nice job in this book- she manages to mix suspense with romance and add in a dose of faith to her stories. With this story, I really liked the backstory on the "bad guy"- it made you really understand why he was doing what he was doing and even feel sorry for him- it made the character feel rounded out and greatly added to the story. I really liked the fact that she explored the whole chemistry of returning to your first love as well- that just worked. All in all It was a good read- suspense, romance, and an easy plot to follow.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one but honestly, the whole book was a waste of time. There was some excitement in the beginning with them being shot at by a sniper and not knowing who was the target but then no more excitement. The whole book was them going back and forth with does she like me or does he like me or his work is dangerous, can I be with someone like that again. And that was over and over and over until the end of the book where the sniper story wrapped up. I was very disappointed in the lack of action that went on. Mark was a likable character and I wished for more from his story.

[Sarah Grace Grzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't love the romance so much in this one, but I LOVED finally getting to read Mark's story! And I really loved Emily's character too.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I grabbed a book without realizing it was a series but man what a read! Didn't feel like i was lost without reading the first book.
Really good story and writing. It kept me hooked. Can't wait to read more by her.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day that Mark meets an old flame is the day that a sniper takes a shot at them. When it was discovered that the shooter was really after Emily he is determined to get him down. Emily sure that the would be killer is a very sick man and wants offer compassion. This was a very interesting story.

[Isis Ray-sisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good installment in this series. I like this author so far and will continue to read her books when I find them.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: AN EYE FOR AN EYE
Author: Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell Publishing
October 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3311-7
Genre: Inspirational/suspense


FBI agent Mark Sanders has been transferred to the St. Louis office to allow the dust to settle following the tragic conclusion to a hostile robbery attempt. While there, he reconnects with his “first love,” Emily Lawson, just seconds before a sniper turns his rifle in their direction.

As Agent Sanders and his fellow operators work the case with their usual professional demeanor, Mark finds himself revisiting, and rediscovering, the relationship that he and Emily shared “that one incredible summer.”

Emily, a clinical psychologist with her own private practice, and enough volunteer work to classify as a second job, is still recovering from the devastating loss of her firefighter husband. Married only six months, Grant died trying to rescue an infant from a burning structure. Emily tells herself that she is not ready to get involved in another relationship with someone in a high-risk profession, even as the embers of the old flame with Agent Sanders spark into a consuming fire.

But there is a sniper on the loose. A sniper who feels that he is the tool that God is using to bring justice to an unjust world. A sniper who lives by the Old Testament passage, “an eye for an eye.” Will Mark and Emily survive the ordeal? And if they do, will they be able to face their own insecurities to forge a relationship not only with one another, but with the true God who can bring all things to pass for good?

Irene Hannon has done it again! This is the second book I have read by this author in as many weeks, (I read book three, In Harm’s Way, before book two, AN EYE FOR AN EYE) and her mastery of characterization and plot, combined with an incredible smoothness and clarity of scene shift will keep the reader on the edge of the seat until the final resolution. Reading Ms. Hannon’s novels is tantamount to actually being there. You experience the highs and lows, the successes and failures, of each of the characters as they work their way through the challenges that face them. To borrow a phrase from Scripture, one will “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Irene Hannon is an author that I will look for anytime I am in need of a “good book.” In fact, I hope to get book one in the series soon. Don’t miss AN EYE FOR AN EYE. $12.99. 303 pages.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was the dreaded 'fine'! Not bad not great! The worse thing an author can probably hear, but I didn't love love love it, and I didn't hate it! It had some good elements, but Isn't an all time classic read over and over type of story! Having said that, it is a light read that doesn't take a lot of concentration to be apart of!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eager to see if this book was able to match the caliber of "Against All Odds" - it did so and then some! One thing that I liked from the start is that the three main characters (the "Heroes of Quantico") are again all featured throughout the novel.A surprise reunion after a twenty year absence, the loss of a loved on "in the line of duty", and feelings of guilt following two horrific accidents all are central to the development of this story. Mark's shooting accident (which occurred after "Against All Odds" ended but before the beginning of "An Eye for an Eye") was explained in detail at the beginning to allow the reader to understand the reasons for Mark's self-recrimination. The targeted person of the park shooting is kept well under wraps until I started to figure out who the shooter was and how he was connected to the boy Bryan. The twists in this rivaled a "Law and Order" episode.Coop has the opportunity to repay Mark for allowing his relationship with Monica to bloom by encouraging the interaction between Mark and Emily. Monica must have been successful in getting Coop to talk more, as he is quite chatty with Emily in the role of matchmaker. I was pleased to find that Coop and Monica are going to be parents...I'm sure they will be good ones as they avoid their fathers' mistakes.I'm suspecting the final book in the series will focus on Nick Bradley and a special lady for him...I am very anxious to read it as I am sure it will be equally as good as the other two books!

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene Hannon has done it again. AN EYE FOR AN EYE, the second book in the Heroes of Quantico series, continues where AGAINST ALL ODDS leaves off.

Mark Sanders, a member of the FBI Hostage Rescue Team finds himself in St. Louis recovering from an accidental shooting. While he debates his future and the emotional fallout from a botched rescue attempt, he runs into Emily Lawson, his childhood sweetheart. Their chance meeting in a park turns from nostalgia to sniper fire. Both Emily and Mark are hit, but evade the shooter. The only question now is . . . who was the shooter's intended target?

As Mark takes all necessary precautions to keep Emily safe, Emily does the same with her wounded heart. Both Mark and Emily feel the attraction they once had for each other, but for Emily it is a feeling she knows she must ignore. She took a chance on love once and lost her firefighter husband in the line of duty. She refuses to open up her heart once again to a man who puts his life on the line every day. Mark feels Emily's apprehension and deals with some of his own, but he knows logic will not have the final say. He is falling in love with Emily all over again, but will he be able to keep her safe? Will he and Emily find love again?

AN EYE FOR AN EYE is a great follow-up to AGAINST ALL ODDS. I don't care how old the damsel in distress plot is. When written this masterfully it is anything but boring.

[Julie Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and Emily haven't seen each other for 20 years. They fell in love the summer they both spent at Wren Lake. They lost touch with each other after that summer, but never seemed to forget their first love.

A chance meeting in the park brings them together again. While making arrangements to get together someone shoots at them. The shooter injures Emily.

The question is who was the shooter's actual target. Was it Mark who is on the Hostage Rescue Team? Could it be a criminal that he had put behind bars, or someone's family member out for revenge? Or could it be Emily who's job as a psychologist brings many troubled souls to her office?

Mark and Emily seem to fall right back into the chemistry they had as teens. Emily is afraid to open her heart though to another man in a high-risk job. Her fire-fighter husband died while saving a baby from a burning building. Mark too is tentative about a relationship with Emily. After all his job is miles away from her at Quantico.

While Mark and Emily explore their new relationship a killer is plotting revenge. Will the FBI be able to track him down before he makes his next move?

I enjoy a good suspense/romance novel and An Eye For An Eye did not disappoint!

[Tammy Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irene Hannon's style is thoroughly enjoyable for someone who likes suspense and mystery. The back cover blurb presents the plot as a question of which one the killer is after - Mark or Emily? The opening shooting scene sets it up perfectly for either one to be the target. But it becomes clear very early in the story which one the killer is after. His reasons come out slowly, there is no information dump with his story. For Mark and Emily, sometimes information comes in chunks but flows naturally so that the pace is not slowed.

In general, I don't like novels that tell you right off who the bad guy is but Irene Hannon has proven to be an exception in the past and again with this novel. Part of the fun of a suspense is figuring it all out along with the protagonist(s). In AN EYE FOR AN EYE, the killer is known to the reader very early on in the story. It's his reasons and how he handles the climax that make this novel stand out.

As with other novels by Irene Hannon that I've read, the protagonists are well-developed. I liked Emily and Mark. It was easy to root for their romance and caring for them kept me turning pages toward the end, hoping for all to work out for their good.

I strongly recommend AN EYE FOR AN EYE for anyone who likes romantic suspense.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of 'An Eye For An Eye' is about Mark Sander who after an accidental shooting in a cafe, which kills the cashier, is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent while the bad press settles. While there he meets his first love, Emily Lawson who is now a psychologist, during a jog in a park. Their reunion is cut short...by a sniper. Emily is shot but it's not clear who was the intended target - Mark or Emily.

The book continues with both Emily and Mark feeling attraction for each other but Emily has loved and lost and doesn't want to go down that road again. Evan Cooper is sent down to St. Louis to "shadow" Mark in case the shooter was after him and decides to try again.

Overall this was a great book that I didn't want to put this book down - it was that good! The suspense stayed throughout the entire book, and I loved the ending.

This is the third book I've read by Irene Hannon, I have also read 'Fatal Judgment' & 'Against All Odds'. I plan to read 'In Harm's Way' next. I recommend this is you're like me and love reading suspense/romance books.

[JaneReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reread for me, but this time I listened to it and would recommend the audiobook. I enjoyed the pace of the story and connected with the characters. I enjoyed that they were open about their feelings from the start. Ms. Hannon had me feeling for the villain and near the end I was holding back tears for their situation.

I found this story easier to follow than the first book in the series. After the shooting incident at the beginning the police are left to figure out whether it was Mark or Emily who was the target. As readers we find out fairly early on who was the intended target and as you get deeper into the story you find out why. The police however have very little leads to go on and you begin to wonder if they will ever be able to catch the person responsible. I felt the story moved at a good pace and accurately showed the time it takes working a case.

[Ashley Nikole · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, the only thing I really enjoyed about this book was the romance between our two MC's. I enjoyed them together and would have read a book just about them falling in love, outside a suspense environment.
I'm a huge suspense fiction fan, but honestly, Hannon's psychotic killers who think they are doing God a favor- I've had enough of them. It's gotten old, and it takes suspense fiction to a different level, that I just don't jive with. To me, it's annoying and not at all amusing, entertaining or complex. I realize sick people like the villains in her books exist, but I almost feel that creating a psychotic killer who is beyond insanity- is a very poor writing crutch, and apart from that- grotesque on multiple levels.

Full content breakdown review including sexual content, violence, plot & age recommendation is on my blog www.bookssheloves.blogspot.com

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the other books from this author, but I barely got through this book.

The story starts off interesting enough, but then falls flat. If you are looking for alive story, this is it it. The main characters don't even kiss until almost the end of the book. There's also way more talk of God and believing than the other books, which wasn't overwhelming in her other books but I found it overwhelming in this book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Irene Hannon. She is one of my favorite authors. I really liked Mark and Emily. They are well developed characters and the story line has intense suspense. I really wasn't sure who they were shooting at. It is one of those books you do not want to put down once you start reading...
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

[Charity U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I didn't like that the main girl was named Emily...not a strong enough name. However, other than that, I enjoyed it! Flying through all the Irene Hannon books I can get my hands on... <3

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story line... for the most part. Timing is a bit off. Moments after the shooting everyone is on scene talking. The dialog is a bit cheesy as well. I am all for Christian based books. But this one is very unrealistic.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice light read. I got 3/4 of the way through and took a break (it had gotten a little ho hum). I picked up a completely different genre book. After finishing that one, I continued An Eye for an Eye and thoroughly enjoyed the last 1/4.