Critical Alliance

Written by Elizabeth Goddard

Narrated by Cynthia Farrell

She's seeking answers. He's seeking respite. The past is seeking both of them.

Mackenzie Hanson’s special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic
message about her father’s tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and protect her father’s company.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he’s trying to relax, he’s drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and
whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common—a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need—before someone silences Mackenzie for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705015926

Elizabeth Goddard

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels and novellas. A 2011 Carol Award winner, she's a double finalist in the 2016 Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and a 2016 Carol Award finalist. Elizabeth graduated with a Computer Science degree and worked in high-level software sales  before retiring to write full time.

Reviews for Critical Alliance

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

This is a fantastic book and my favorite one in this series. I loved the suspense and the romance. I love how Alex and MacKenzie work together. I love that Alex is the muscle that knows some about cybersecurity and Mackenzie is great at cybersecurity. This story is fast paced and keeps you wanting more. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the third book in this series, and we do get, actually surprising, answers to some lingering questions from the beginning of this series!This is Mackenzie and Alex's story, but it goes deeper, and your mind will be all over the place, and switching back again.As the bodies fall, the need for answers, and whom can they trust? This is deep in artificial intelligence, we are dealing with cybersecurity and we need answers before it is to late!We are given some sweet romance, along with a roller coast ride for answers! Yes, you will be page turning for answers!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elizabeth Goddard has become a go-to author of romantic suspense for me. Her current novel, Critical Alliance just solidified that for me. There’s a lot to like about this quick-paced book filled with close calls and a twisty plot. First the characters are real and relatable even though they have some major skills. Mackenzie is former hacker turned cybersecurity specialist and Alex provides high level security for the Diplomatic Security Services. (As a bonus I learned a little bit about this little known federal agency.) While their training and knowledge is well above what I’ve experienced they are down-to-earth characters with doubts and struggles common to all. They join in an off-the-books search for a deadly cybercriminal. The techie side of Critical Alliance, with its info on drones and hacking, is a fun and frightening addition to the plot. It’s scary what someone can do with current technology. Romance between the two is a big part of the story, and I enjoyed their growing relationship. Faith is naturally woven into the narrative. While Critical Alliance is book 3 in the Rocky Mountain Courage series, it is not necessary to read the first two to enjoy the book. There is a plot thread that has continued throughout the series, though. My advice, is to read the first two books. They are so good you won’t want to miss them!Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for a complimentary ebook. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard is the third book in her Rocky Mountain Courage series. Mackenzie Hanson heads to Montana to help protect her father’s tech company from a cyber-attack. She joins forces with Alex Knight when her life is threatened. Together they race to find the answers to many questions before someone silences Mackenzie for good. This was a very fast-paced book with twists and turns in every chapter. I couldn’t put it down! The suspense kept you turning the pages to find out what surprise was next.I received this book from the author for my honest review.

[squiresj_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You need excitement in your life. Escape to this book. Danger, cyber attack, murder and romance. Mackenzie is a professor at a University. Her sister calls her as she needs her help. She arrives home and her brother is found dead. Is it natural of murder is the question. Alex is a special agent supposed to be on a break from work. He is drawn into MacKenzie's situation. A drone shoots at her in the woods. God offers help and brings Mackenzie and Alex together for a second time. Alex discovers a family secret in his family while trying to find out who is destroying memorial of his Dad. A very good mystery, suspense and Romance all in one.

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This might be the best in the series, although the other two were excellent. Lots of mystery, lots of adventure, and lots of suspense kept me turning pages through the night when I should've been sleeping. This isn't one of my go-to genres, (usually a slower paced women's and christian fiction) but I love a clean, swift read every now and then. Highly recommend.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Critical Alliance is book three in the Rocky Mountain Courage series by Elizabeth Goddard. This is a great stand alone story which references characters from the earlier books, so it is best to read them in order. This is a nice Christian suspenseful romance story that is full of action, suspense and mystery with touches of romance. It is well written and very descriptive, I was able to imagine what was happening and was kept guessing as to who was attacking her father’s company. I was kept guessing untilt he end of the story as to who was attacking the company.The things that stand out for me in this book are the family dynamics and how serious Cyber threats are. It is hard for me to imagine a family turning their backs on a family member for what they did while young. Even with not seeing her family, when she suspects they are in danger, she rushes to help them. I enjoyed how stressful Mackenzie and Alex’s jobs are, yet when needed they push on for the good of others.I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book through LibraryThing. This is my honest review.

[prairiegirl1986 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thank you to LibraryThing, Baker Publishing Group and Revell for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book.To be honest it took me a long time to get into this book. I didn’t really connect to the characters until halfway through. Despite my slow start, I ended up really liking the story. The intrigue and suspense were done very well and were quite nail biting at times. I found the cybersecurity and hacking storyline interesting especially in todays world were everything is so controlled by electronics and being connected. Overall it was a good book and well worth the read!

[tabrowne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was another great one by Elizabeth Goddard. You don’t need to have read the first two books to understand this one but having read them gives you background for some of the character’s relationships. The addition of some tech stuff and company secrets made it exciting and interesting. This book is clean without bad language, explicit sex or violent scenes. Highly recommend this book. And her others.

[polarmath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mackenzie and Alex have to work together to save lives and find out what is going on. Mackenzie has turned her life around and now helps others to learn about the life she used to have by teaching cybersecurity. She has to put her skills to use when her father's company is threatened. She gets help from Alex, a diplomatic security agent. He has to work around who she used to be to see what she is now so that they can find out what is really going on and how to fix it. I received a copy to read, the review is mine.

[milibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a teenager, Mackenzie made the mistake of becoming involved in a computer hacking scheme. Now she and her family are being threatened, and she must use her hacking skills to find whoever is terrorizing them. She soon realizes that she needs help and asks Alex, a federal agent, for protection. As the threats escalate, so do their feelings for each other, but does she dare to reveal her past?This page-turner holds lots of surprises. Readers will be kept guessing until the very end as to the identity of the cybercriminal. The only disappointment is that this is the last installment of the Rocky Mountain Courage series.

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Suspense and mystery abound in this story from beginning to end! I really liked the characters in this novel, especially Mackenzie, who is flawed but realistic and demonstrates strength despite difficult circumstances. I love how the author takes time to create characters with depth while still creating a plot that is full of action. The romance is believable and well integrated into the fast paced story. I had a really hard time putting the novel down as the suspense kept my attention easily. The setting is well written into the story and makes it easy to visualize the scenes. I liked the spiritual themes interwoven into the plot. I have really enjoyed this series and thought this novel was a great addition! Highly recommended!I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[amybooksy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books from Elizabeth Goddard’s Rocky Mountain Courage series, and was excited when I was given access to the newest installment, Critical Alliance. I was far from being disappointed. It may be my favorite of the series. It was full of twists and turns, action, adventure, mystery, suspense and romance. I loved every single page and could not put it down until I was finished in one sitting. Critical Alliance will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean romantic suspense. As always, I will be looking for more like this by Elizabeth Goddard in the future. I received an advanced reader paperback copy of Critical Alliance from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.  

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage #3)Author: Elizabeth GoddardPages: 352Year: 2022Publisher: RevellMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsWhat a finale! The Rocky Mountain Courage Series grabs the attention of readers from the start and doesn’t let up until the very last word. If you aren’t familiar with the series, the previous two books are Present Danger and Deadly Target. While each book can be read as a stand-alone, I did enjoy reading them all in order.Critical Alliance tells the story of Mackenzie Hansen and Alex Knight. Mackenzie is now a professor of cyber security. Alex works for the Diplomatic Security Services and is now back in Montana to recoup after a mission went south. Mackenzie’s past threatens to take away her family and the business her dad started, Hanstech. Mackenzie heads back home with the hope she can save them before it is too late. Alex is trying to work through the heartache his last mission brought but finds himself involved in another case when his father’s memorial is vandalized. Is what is happening to Mackenzie tied with what Alex finds when he returns to Montana?Nora is Mackenzie’s sister and while she is overjoyed at seeing her sister, she wants her to go home. Mackenzie stays after they discover that the head of their family’s company is dead. While dealing with grief and many unanswered questions, Mackenzie takes out her mountain bike for a ride with the hope of being able to catch her breath. While she is riding, she hears someone coming up behind her and then bullets start flying!Alex comes to protect Mackenzie and wants to figure out who is after her, but these two have a past, looking to a future. Now, once again, the sparks between the two are zipping in the air, but is there time to explore their relationship with so much danger dogging their heels? Alex needs to deal with what he sees is a recent failure to do his job, while also hoping to make amends with his mom who he hasn’t seen in years.With so much is going on in the novel, you better hold on to something as you read! The suspense is off the charts and what is exciting too is the romantic element between the two main characters. There are also appearances from characters in the first two books in the series and that energizes the novel even more. I hated to see the series end, but I also look forward to her new series coming out next year that is set in Alaska! Don’t miss the exciting conclusion and share the fun with others!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

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

I have to begin this review by saying there is a lot of information in this book that was very technologically advanced and went right over my head. So, I felt a little stupid at my ignorance, but still enjoyed the story very much.The main character, Mackenzie Hanson, is a whiz at computers and hacking. As a young teen, she got into trouble trying to play a modern-day Robin Hood. After paying her debt to society, she now a stable and well-adjusted adult. When she hears that her father's company is in trouble, she heads home to Montana to see if she can help. Right after her arrival, her brother dies. Was it an accident or murder? Alex Knight has also come home to Montana to take a break. Mackenzie asks Alex to protect her after strange and dangerous things begin to happen to her. Mackenzie has to determine who she can trust and figure out who is after her family.I have read the first two books, and was glad to finally solve the mystery of who is vandalizing the memorial. A new reader should finish the first two so it all makes sense.

[peggy.s · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the third (and final) of Ms. Goddard’s Rocky Mountain Courage series. It is a well written romantic-suspense – light on the romance, heavy on the suspense. The characters are well rounded and (most of them) are likeable. The setting is spectacular. The plot flows and keeps the reader wanting to continue reading to find out what will happen. This might very well be the best of the series. I got this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer’s program.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cybercrime is an ever-increasing occurrence in our world today and author Elizabeth Goddard gives us a scary and compelling peek in this book. Former hacker Mackenzie Hanson thinks that she's left her criminal past behind until she finds herself a target of someone who's after her and her family. After saving her life, Alex Knight becomes her bodyguard and joins her in a perilous race to identify the hacker who's determined to destroy her family's tech company. Will Mackenzie succeed in finding the identity of this very talented hacker? Is it just one person or a group masquerading as one? Mackenzie may be a master in this game, but can she outwit more than one person?This is the third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series and Goddard gives readers an exciting and satisfying conclusion. Well-developed characters, a thrilling plot, the beauty of Montana, and the addition of faith and prayer make this an enjoyable and compelling read. We're also treated to the return of two couples from the previous books. Jack and Terra are happily engaged, as are Erin and Nathan. Does this mean that romance may be in the cards for Mackenzie and Alex?If you're looking for non-stop action and a story that leaves you guessing, search no more! Critical Alliance is intriguing romantic suspense!I received a copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You’re vulnerable to deadly attacks. I’ll come for you when you least expect it.It is comments like this that grab your attention and will not let go. Prepare yourself for an incredible ride in this third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. The action takes you to the cyber world, and sets you on the edge of your seat, wondering if you will ever use any electronics again!Mackenzie is very familiar with this world, having spent years as a cyber security expert. This threat, however, is much too close to home. Alex is a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service - in other words, he protects. But will he manage to protect Mackenzie and those important to her through various and numerous attacks?This early copy was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and Librarything. These comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.