Chasing Shadows

Shadow Ops #1

by C.J. Lyons

An undercover agent risks his life to take down a drug lord in this romantic suspense thriller by the New York Times-bestselling author of The Next Widow.

Going undercover, playing the part of a disgraced former Marine, is easy for Chase Westin--until a Christmas Eve mission takes him back to his hometown and face to face with his estranged brother.

When KC, an undercover FBI agent, flies into Chase's life with her Doc Martens, purple, punk-rock hair, and Hollywood-hype leather and chains, Chase realizes that falling in love is more dangerous than catching bullets . . .

Praise for New York Times-bestselling author CJ Lyons

"Everything a great thriller should be--action packed, authentic, and intense." --Lee Child, #1 New York Times-bestselling author

"CJ Lyons scores a major triumph . . . Totally absorbing and impossible to put down." --Douglas Preston, New York Times-bestselling author



"A heroine you'll never forget and a story that whips by at bullet speed. It's easy to see why CJ Lyons is a perennial on the bestseller lists." --Tess Gerritsen, New York Times-bestselling author

"A high stakes adventure with dire consequences." --Steve Berry, New York Times-bestselling author

"I love how the characters come alive on every page." --Jeffery Deaver, New York Times-bestselling author

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2009

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels, former pediatric ER doctor CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

Two times winner of the International Thriller Writers coveted Thriller Award, CJ has been called a "master within the genre" (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as "breathtakingly fast-paced" and "riveting" (Publishers Weekly) with "characters with beating hearts and three dimensions" (Newsday).

Learn more about CJ's Thrillers with Heart at www.CJLyons.net

Reviews

[(NurseLisa) Square Granny from Ohio · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars....looking forward to continuing this series!

[Niusa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valoración 7/10

Una lectura entretenida, aunque me molesto un pelin que las distancias las digan en yardas y millas, el peso en libras y me pongan la altura de los personajes al describirlos en pies y pulgadas. ¿Que tal en kilómetros, centímetros y kilos? Seguro que el lector español así no tendría problema alguno ;)
La trama aunque en algunos momentos me resultó predecible, gracias a la acción, que transcurre a buen ritmo, no da lugar al aburrimiento. La historia romántica, aunque se sucede a lo largo de la lectura de modo suave, el tiempo que transcurre desde que el chico ve a la chica y se enamora de ella no son mas que unos días, ¿demasiado rápido? Puede, aunque dentro de las situaciones extremas en las que se ven envueltos los protagonistas no que queda descabellado.
Leeré los siguientes libros.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was tough at first learning all the characters but then it took off & I could not put it down. It was a thriller & a love story. It was action packed & full of suspense. Great read!

[Stacy Juba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very enjoyable book by a talented author. I recently read Nerves of Steel by C.J. Lyons and found that book equally engrossing. Chasing Shadows: Shadow Ops Book #1 has a fast pace and well-drawn characters. Romantic suspense fans will enjoy the chemistry between the lead characters set against tense action scenes and high stakes. If you haven't discovered C.J. Lyons yet, start with this book.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, like the others I have read by this author, had a fairly-interesting plotline. It also had the same weaknesses that the other books had: poor copy-editing - resulting in lots of typographical, grammatical, and structural errors; a plot so loosely-woven as to be hard to follow.

[Jo-Ann Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series.

If you want to know more about the book, please read the blurb above the reviews.

This is an interesting book because you get to know where everyone comes in at and what the plan is. However, the plans are all torn to pieces bit by bit. The main character is undercover and ends up back in his hometown with everyone who hates him. At the time of the list is his brother who never forgave him for ending up in jail.

When the hero meets his brother's friend and pretend girlfriend, he starts to feel things for her and a stirring he's never felt before. He's upset because not only is she his brothers, but the age difference is quite a bit. This does not help his mission he's on.

Before long as much headway they are making on the case they are also going backwards at the same rate. At the end the main characters are all set straight on what's what and no matter what the hero cannot keep away or keep his feelings from the heroine. She's been battling the exactly the same thing as she's undercover and needs to keep her cover solid as everyone's lives depend on it.

The plot was great because just as you think nothing else can happen there's another twist that happens. Although the partner of the hero and his actions at the end of the book are pretty out there and not believable at all. The ending, in parts, was good but got many "Uh not believables" out of me as well.

The hero and heroine weren't bad, but at times their interactions, to me, had slowed the story down and I wondered if some of the confrontations were really needed. They are strong characters, but didn't seem to have many weaknesses either.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chase Westin is in the middle of an undercover operation in his hometown to capture the leader of a local paramilitary group with designs on overthrowing the government, when he meets his brother's girlfriend, KC. She turns out to be an undercover operative for the FBI posing as Jay's girlfriend after he witnesses the local arms trafficker committing a murder. When the two operations cross paths, Chase and KC spend most of their time not trusting the other.
I found this book frustrating. The story was well written, but there was very little action until the end of the book. Most of the middle of the book was spend on internal monologues - each character doubting the motives of the others and then randomly throwing those doubts aside. The resolution of the story was also very quick and seemed improbable.
I looked long and hard to find a paper copy of this book thinking that this was going to be the beginning of an amazing series. Now I don't know if I even want to read the rest. Overall, quite disappointing.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this had good potential, but I just couldn't follow the story much of the time. There were lots of characters and at least three different organizations (maybe more, not sure). Plus the main characters' names sounded too much alike. On paper they look different enough I suppose, but on audio they were much too similar and sounded a lot alike.
Also the sexual situations were just too cringey and gross! I have also listened to the first two books in the Hart and Drake series by this author and felt the same way. I think maybe Ms. Lyons should just stick to the action and intrigue and leave the sex behind closed doors.
I wanted to try out this author because one of my coworkers is from her hometown and wanted me to read her books. I will probably try at least one more in this series, and maybe another of her series with more of a medical theme, but I'm starting to think that this isn't an author for me.

[Carol McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Chasing Shadows is the first book in CJ Lyons' Shadow Ops series. This is a first time read for this author, and I assure you it songs the last. Action, intrigue, and mystery abound in this tale. The characters came to life on the pages, vivid in detail. You gotta love KC, a heck of a strong female lead, brains, street smarts, and hot, too, even with purple hair and leather covered in chains! Chase, a disgraced marine, recovering from a disastrous betrayal in Afghanistan that killed his team and the civilians they were escorting, shows up at the worst possible time to visit his brother Jay. When KC and Chase clash there's a fireworks display you won't want to miss. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. KC was the right amount of female kick ass, mystery and sensuality whilst playing the innocent teenager and had the right moves to take on Chase. Great character development through. They make the perfect couple and it’s reading books like this that make me realise I really need to get a move on and actually read these books on my TBR! I can’t believe I left this sitting on my Kobo for so long. 4 stars because there was the typo/ missing word and I had to reread the sentence over again to work out what it’s suppose to say but nothing so severe that it detracted from the story.

[Ansunet Van Wyk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is about two undercover agents meeting on a mission. The situation makes it hard to trust anybody and not compromise the deep cover situations. I didn't like the book as the story is dragged out. The whole book plays out in 2days. Chrismas Eve and Christmas Day. And in these two days the characters fall in love?? Seriously.. The book is very slow and only in the end does something happened. The story is very jumpy - does he trust her. No, Yes, No. And double crossing is there norm. Do not think I would continue with the series.

[4rocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast but good read

The storyline was good and moved at a fast pace. There were a lot of characters, at times, it got confusing. Some of the main characters needed to be fleshed out more. Some plotlines were left hanging, hopefully to be answered in upcoming books.

[Sandra Berryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrill Ride

From start to finish this book is non-stop action. It has it all from great characters, complex plot line, and just the right amount of romance to keep my interest all the way through. Can't wait to start the next book in this series.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Shadows review

Chasing Shadows is the first exciting romantic suspense book in the Shadow Ops series written by author C. J. Lyons.

[Cheryl Pata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable from start to finish.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ripper of a story. Loved it!!

[Isabel María Sierra García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro que te tiene en tensión desde el principio a fin, deseando un desenlace que nunca llega, pero claro, llega al final.
Nos cuenta el desarrollo de una operación en cubierta por el FBI y por agentes secreto, cuyo objetivo es atrapar a unos traficantes. Ambas organización se cruzan en la misma operación, originando un encuentro con sus agentes principales, Chase y Kc, ninguno saben quien es quien, convirtiendo al lector en cómplice de ello.

Chase, ex marine, le ofrecen la oportunidad de entra de nuevo en circulación, pero lo que no esperaba es que su hermano pequeño iba a estar en medio. Es un hombre fuerte, seguro, y difícil de controlar.

Kc, agente del FBI, su misión proteger a Jay, hermano de Chase. Ella es una mujer decidida, segura, y su principar objetivo, es proteger a los suyos.

La historia es todo el desarrollo de la operación, mezclada con la atracción fulminante entre Chace y KC. El tiempo que transcurre son apenas días, pero son días eternos, se recrea mucho es la explicación de lo que sucedía, y de la historia de los personajes. Había momento que me cansaba de leer, pero de repente llegaba la acción que me llenaba de emoción.

No es un genero que leo, no me va las operaciones encubierta, pero a quien le guste este mundo lleno de adrenalina, de poner en peligro la vida para salvar a tu país, pues entonces este es tu libro.

[Ivonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

No se que pensar a respecto, al principio fue un poco confuso no sabia lo que estaba leyendo, se pasa de un lado para el otro sin razón.
La historia va avanzando y es un misterio, muchos secretos y no hay confianza entre ellos.
Vemos a un Chace sin sentido de seguir viviendo, ha perdido todo después de su regreso y la perdida de sus compañeros pero todo cambia con una propuesta, de el sabemos un poco mas pero sin atraparnos tanto.
Y en la otra parte tenemos a KC (nombre quee ha confundido) es una agente encubierta que esta centrada en su misión pero todo cambia con la llegada de su "cuñado".
Los protagonistas ni su relación amorosa me ha atrapado, todo ha sido tan rapido que no me han dejado disfrutar de ello, mas que todo se centra en la misión, acción, aventura, lucha y confianza.
El final queda abierto pero no me gusto lo que hizo KC la decisión que tomo sin hablarlo con Chace, no tengo un buen presentimiento de lo que puede pasar y presiento que habra problemas entre ellos por esa situación, quisiera saber como continuara esta historia y si mejora un poco en lo que sigue.
Se quedaron muchas cosas inconclusas ya veremos que tal, gracias como siempre por la oportunidad.

[Evelyn Cuellar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una novela con buen ritmo y que desde el principio tiene mucha acción y tensión.
Puede ser en ocasiones muy predecible e incluso obvia estilo película de acción gringa. Corre demasiado en la historia por el tiempo en que sucede un poco por lo que hay cosas que se ven muy forzadas.
Y algo que si me incomodó es la traducción o falta de traducción mejor dicho ya que las medidas que usan para distancia, medida, peso... hasta donde yo sé no se acostumbra en habla hispana, libras, pulgadas,pies, millas, no la acostumbramos y si queremos entender hay que buscar un convertidor y de igual modo tiene muchas siglas que terminas por ignorarlas en la lectura porque en ningún momento nos explican que significan.
Pero se consigue una lectura entretenida que no ayudara a salvar al mundo pero te hará pasar un buen rato.

Reseña completa en Felin Dreams

[Rjsmommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of twists and turns...most of which the reader knew but the characters were unaware but that made it just as good. I kept chanting for everyone to just tell the truth but of course they didn't and understandably when you consider that people lives were at stake and there was a known leak. Lyons just wove a great story where these lies just kept twisting and morphing into even more impossible yet plausible situations. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the characters. Chase and KC were believable as a couple that want to trust each other but can't. Jay seemed just the right amount of torn between disgust and longing for his his big heroic yet disgraced ex-Marine brother. Even the villian Deacon was multilayered with a penchant for protecting children yet willing to blow up a church processional to get what he wants. Definitely going to read the next.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Received this book from the author for the purposes of writing a review.

Chasing Shadows has everything I love in a romantic suspense novel. The action was non-stop without feeling forced and the romance between the main characters was the perfect counterpoint. The twists throughout the story keep it from becoming too formulistic. This was a brilliant start to a new series.

Chase and KC are both strong, independent characters who fit well together. Not only did Lyons create two fabulous main characters, but the supporting characters shine in their own ways. Lucky and Jay add depth to the story, and even the bad guys are compelling in their own way. I can’t wait to see what Lyons comes up with for the next book.

[Emmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a pretty good story line, with plenty of intrigue and suspense, but it just wasn't for me. I like my RS steamy and intense. It was lacking both. The characters basically "fell in love" from afar over a 20 hour period. Now, I read plenty of books where characters meet and fall hopelessly in love within 10pages, and it makes sense even while it's unbelievable. This didn't make sense, their "love story" was supposed to be a main plot line but it felt like a forced after thought.

Overall, someone into romantic suspense for the latter part would probably appreciate this one more than I did.

[Shelley]

I really liked this book and highly recommend it. It is the first book in the series of Shadow Ops, so far there is only two books in the series
and I made the mistake and read Lost In Shadows first which by the way is an excellent book also. This book has everything action,romance, and suspense. The characters are very well written and likable. The sex scenes are good. The dialogue is smooth. The concept is realistic. The book hooks you and kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. Lost In Shadows was my first Cj Lyons book and I have since bought several more of her books. She is an excellent author.

[Germaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really thought I was going to like this book. The plot involves two secret agents working independently undercover whose missions are at cross purposes. Unfortunately, the author's writing is so disjointed that the plot never really flows smoothly and the action jerks from the hero to the heroine to the buddy who is being held captive and is is mortal danger to the hero's little brother to the evil mafia-type who controls the town to the even eviler head of a supremacist organization. There was so much going on that I never did invest emotionally in any of the characters. At about 60% of the book, I just quit.

[ci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this first book in the series! I loved all the twists and turns and how it made me try and figure out what was going to happen next. I loved KC and her attitude, but Lucky is my favorite because of all he endured and overcame. I liked that the reader knew who the good guys were, who the bad guys were, and to watch them battle with each other. If your looking for HOT sex than this book isn't for you, but if your looking for a great plot, lots of kick-ass action, and some really cool characters, than this book is for you. I'm looking forward to the next 2 books in this series.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

CJ Lyons does not disappoint in this novel, apparently the first in a new series. The pace is fast and the plot intricate. The characters are not invincible - though KC is pretty tough - and Chase Westin is an interesting hero.

I enjoyed this well written novel very much, and I was pleased to see that the ending allowed for a future novel, presumably with the same main characters.

Good stuff!

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going undercover is easy for Chase Westin until a Christmas Eve mission takes him back to his hometown and face to face with his estranged brother. When KC, an undercover FBI agent, flies into Chases life with her purple, punk-rock hair, Hollywood-hype leather and chains, and Doc Martens, Chase realizes that falling in love is more dangerous than catching bullets.

I really enjoyed this book. Am now starting the next one in the series.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and fast paced from the start. Chase and KC are characters with depth; personalities that draw you in to the story. The story line is obviously well researched and scarily detailed. The main draw for me was that once I had found this book there were more linked books to follow - the characters overlap and it helps to read them in order (which I did), although it is not necessary. Definitely an author I will buy more from. Congratulations CJ Lyons, on a story well told.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

HARD TIME

I had a hard time getting engaged in this book. I have loved all of C J LYONS books but this one seemed unrealistic to me. K.C. and Chase fell in love at first sight or touch. They couldn't seem to concentrate when times were critical but ultimately acted out of fear of losing on another. Poor brother Jay seemed left out in the cold. No background on mobsters son Neil. He just followed orders.

[Kathryn Guare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read with appealing characters that are more three-dimensional than one usually gets with books in this genre. I like the whole concept of inserting romance into the thriller genre and CJ Lyons really knows how to fit her books into that sub-category like a sexy, snug-fitting leather glove!