Over the Line

Written by Kelly Irvin

Narrated by Hayley Cresswell

“You have something we want. We have something you want.”

Gabriella has never forgiven her former fiancé, homicide detective Eli Cavazos, for breaking her heart. Then a man she’s never met shows up at her restaurant, a bullet in his chest and her brother’s name on his lips. Gabby soon realizes this man is connected to a powerful ring of criminals who know far too much about her.

Against her better judgment, Gabby turns to Eli for help in finding her brother. When she receives a cryptic text from her brother’s cell phone, she realizes she is in deep and may be dragging Eli down with her. With her brother nowhere to be found and pain from her past threatening to overwhelm her, Gabby wonders how she will make it through this unexpected quest unscathed—or alive.

Taking us into the heat of Laredo, Texas, the secrets of a gun-smuggling ring, and the tensions on both sides of the border, Over the Line will keep you guessing until the very end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jun 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9780785232377

Kelly Irvin

Kelly Irvin is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty novels and stories. A retired public relations professional, Kelly lives with her husband, Tim, in San Antonio. They have two children, four grandchildren, and two ornery cats. Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com; Instagram: @kelly_irvin; Facebook: @Kelly.Irvin.Author; X: @Kelly_S_Irvin.

Reviews for Over the Line

[lamb521 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Title: Over the LineAuthor: Kelly IrvinPages: e-bookYear: 2019Publisher: Thomas NelsonMy rating is 3 out of 5 stars.Eli Cavazos is a detective with a big secret. He and his former fiancée broke up because of this secret. Now, he is on the scene when a college student confronts his ex-fiancée, Gabriella Benoit, as she is leaving her restaurant. The guy says her brother’s name and then dies in her arms, having been gravely injured minutes prior. Gabriella is puzzled as to why this guy would utter her brother’s name with his dying breath. She tries repeatedly to contact her brother with no answer and becomes worried. She reluctantly enlists Eli’s help to find her brother.As they work together trying to unravel what her missing brother has gotten himself in to, they spend time together and Eli tries to tell Gabby that he wasn’t cheating on her. That is what Gabby has thought all this time but has refused to allow Eli to explain. In her mind, there is no need to explain what she saw with her own eyes. Eli has longed to explain and reconcile but now wonders if he will ever have the chance to have a relationship with Gabby as they discover a gun running scheme along the Texas-Mexican border that puts their lives in danger.I found this story average. There were moments of suspense and action, but I didn’t really like the two main characters, Eli and Gabby. Gabby was childlike in her refusal to allow Eli to explain what happened as it was not what it appeared to be. Eli was not much better in not telling Gabby something very important about his life. There were a lot of people to keep track of as well, causing me to have to re-read some passages to get everyone’s storyline straight. I really liked her first foray into the romantic suspense genre, Tell Her No Lies. If she writes another novel in this genre, I plan on giving this author another try.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[harley0326 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you are looking for a book filled with intrigue and heart pounding action, look no further. The author has really outdone herself with this story that could easily be front page news. I really liked the locations of the story since I live in Texas. It was easy to picture the characters in Laredo or San Antonio with ease by the descriptions. What I liked about the book was the intensity of who was the bad guys and who were the good guys. There is some back history between Gabriella and Eli that did take a while to get to. I liked that because it gave readers time to know each one and see where their flaws were. I loved how they each were a bit stubborn and neither one was willing to give in. Eli certainly tried but Gabriella was harboring unforgiveness which was obvious by her sass and attitude towards Eli.The story centers around a gun smuggling ring and at the forefront is Jake, Gabriella's brother. With him working undercover it became dangerous for the entire family when he comes up missing. I liked the investigation into his disappearance and the author gave us just enough to suspect many people. There was definitely some shady people in the story. At times I wasn't sure who was behind everything. There are many secrets throughout the book and the best part of the book for me was between Eli and his father. It is worth reading just for this part because it deals with forgiveness in a way that humbles both characters.Overall the story is good and definitely action packed. Finding Jake will put lives in danger and I was surprised at who was the head of the gun running operation. Fans of intrigue will not be disappointed in this story that has twists that put you on the edge of your seat.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The action starts fast and furious in Kelly Irvin’s romantic suspense novel, Over The Line, and does not let up until the very end. Set primarily in the border city of Laredo, Texas, this book is full of all the things to get your heart racing — drive-by shootings, fire bombs, home invasions, and the perfect chemistry between main characters Gabriella Benoit and Eli Cavazos. The two ex-fiances are brought together when Gabriella discovers a gun-shot victim with ties to her missing ATF agent brother. I enjoyed the non-stop suspense and the romantic tension between the two main characters. They are joined in their hunt by secondary characters who are just as endearing and have a romantic sup-plot as well. Is there a sequel in the making? I hope so! Laredo and the issues of the border are presented in a relevant manner — from the author’s depiction, I felt I was right in the middle of things. Bad guys are very bad; you just aren’t sure who they are! Forgiveness is the main theme and more than one character struggles with letting go of past hurts and self-recriminations. Irwin is a new-to-me author who I will definitely be on the look out for. I already have another of her novels, Tell Her No Lies, waiting impatiently on the TBR shelf.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Over the line by Kelly Irvin is a fast-paced suspense story straight from today’s headlines. Restaurant owner, Gabriella Benoit is confronted by a college student who whispers her brothers name and then dies at her feet! Turning to her ex-fiancé, homicide detective Eli Cavazos, for help in finding her brother, was her only hope of finding Jake alive. The suspense storyline was very action packed. You never knew who you could trust. Gabriella was not your typical storybook heroine that faints at the first sign of danger and never fights back. She jumped in with both feet so to speak and wasn’t afraid to face the bad guys. I liked this strength about her. She wouldn’t be pushed around. She knew how to handle a gun but yet she was still feminine. I didn’t care so much for Eli. He needed to communicate more instead of shutting people out. The romance part of the book seemed a little stilted and you never got the whole back story. But overall the story was one I would read again.I received this book from Celebrate-Lit in exchange for my honest review.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! Just try to put this book down before you finish! The author has done an incredible job of detailing Laredo and the surrounding areas, giving one the feeling that you are in the midst of all the excitement. Try to imagine dealing with kidnapping, murder, arson as well as gun smuggling and hoping to come out of it all without further death or injury. Eli - a homicide detective, Gabby - a pastry chef, Deacon - a reporter, Natalie - a psychologist and various other personages make up the ragtag team of investigators that are attempting to unravel this scenario. Intertwined in all of this is the hurt and betrayal that will only be resolved through forgiveness. I must admit I sat on the edge of my seat wondering how this story would end. Was it possible that they would finally learn to trust the Lord enough to put everything in His hands?I received an ARC through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own.

[hes7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another high-stakes suspense from Kelly Irvin, Over the Line starts with a bang, quickly delving into gun smuggling, a brother’s disappearance, and a broken romance.When a young man dies on her doorstep, Gabriella Benoit becomes caught in quite a bit of danger, somehow connected to her brother, and the only person to whom she can turn for help is her ex-fiance, homicide detective Eli Cavazos. As the pair determines to find the truth—behind what’s currently happening, as well as what broke them apart—the danger provides a number of twists and turns, even pulling Gabby’s sister and reporter-friend into it all.Over the Line definitely delivers its promised suspense. It’s hard to know what will happen next, but it’s an exciting ride, to be sure. Still, because of all this excitement, the backstory between Gabby and Eli becomes drawn out and ill-paced, so their ending feels rushed and not entirely genuine (at least, it did to me). These characters intrigued me—and I rooted for them—but I would have appreciated just a tad more from them throughout the story.Nevertheless, Over the Line is an interesting story and could be just the book fans of romantic suspense are looking to read right now.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[sn11386 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Over the Line" is an action-packed novel. As Gabriella Benoit was locking up her restaurant her police officer ex-fiance, Eli Cavozos shows up to make sure she gets to her car okay when a young man staggers up to them mumbling about Gabby's brother and collapses to his dealth. Gabby now turns to Eli to find her missing brother. The bad guys believes she knows about the gun smuggling over the Mexican border. She must stay one step ahead of them in order to protect her and her families lives. To top it off an ATF agent fell for the wrong woman causing a domino effect thats puts many peoples' lives in danger. It wasn't intentianal. Will she be able to protect her sister and family? Who are the good guys and the bad guys? This book brings up the topics our country is facing gun control and border security. The genre for "Over the Line" should have been Christian Political Suspense Romance instead of just Romance Suspense. There are two romances going on in "Over the Line". You have Gabriella's and Eli's relationship than you have her sister, Natalie's relationship. Natalie is a widowed paraplegic with two children. There is a lot of back-story between Gabriella and Eli. The reason why Gabriella broke up with Eli was because she thought he was being unfaithful. Eli tried to explain, but Gabby just wouldn't listen to him showing she hasn't grown up yet. Kelly Irvin did an amazing job of creating a fast moving plot and likeable characters. However there is a lot of characters causing me at times to get confused. Some characters actions didn't fit their character. Some of the dialogue throughout the book didn't sound very natural. The theme throughout the book is forgiveness. You will not find "Over the Line" a preachy religious story. Many of the characters get on their knees praying to God she can find her brother and no one else will get killed or hurt. Irvin made this a clean read. There isn't any sex scenes just mostly kissing and romance. It isn't filled with filthy language. There is violence and blood. It is mainly about family and forgiveness. "Over the Line" isn't perfect, but I sure enjoyed reading it. I am a huge fan of thriller suspense books. I would recommend reading it. I learned many things about gun trafficking and the Mexican border. I recevied a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. This review is my honest opinion.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good mystery/romance. I really liked the twists and the turns. Both Gabriella and Eli had some problems when they originally dated and now they are working through what happened to them. They both had problems and I liked how they got through everything that happens to them. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have read many books by this author, and have never been disappointed, and I will say that my previous reads have mostly been about the Amish. This read did not leave me wanting, and it quickly became a page turner.If you enjoy non-stop action this is a book for you, you will travel around Texas with your heart in your throat, and really not know what is around the next corner.I received this book through NetGalley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.