Moving Target (Elite Guardians Book #3)

By Lynette Eason

When Maddy McKay and Quinn Holcombe don't show up for Quinn's surprise birthday party, his friends know that something is very wrong. Their search turns up little beyond evidence that Quinn and Maddy just decided to take off for a long overdue vacation. But it soon becomes apparent that they did not leave of their own accord.

Maddy awakens in a cement room with no idea where she is. But it's not long before she realizes she's in the clutches of a madman exacting revenge by hunting. His prey of choice? Humans. Now Maddy and Quinn must run for their lives, hoping to find their killer before the next game begins. Because if they don't win this game, they die.

Fast, furious, and flirty, Lynette Eason's relentless suspense barely gives her readers time to catch their breath in this third thrilling installment of the Elite Guardians series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Jan 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781441236791

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason lives in Simpsonville, SC with her husband and two children. She is an award-winning, best-selling author who spends her days writing when she's not traveling around the country teaching at writing conferences. Lynette enjoys visits to the mountains, hanging out with family and brainstorming stories with her fellow writers. You can visit Lynette's website to find out more at www.lynetteeason.com or like her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lynette.eason

Book preview

Cover

Prologue

. . . for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.

The words grabbed the man by the throat. He pushed the half-eaten plate of spaghetti away and studied the passage again. He had read those words before, but never had he understood them to mean what was so clear to him now.

It had been six years.

Six years and the Lord had not exacted his vengeance. And it suddenly occurred to him why.

He was to be the instrument used to ensure justice. He was the one the Lord had chosen and had just now revealed to him how he was to carry out the plans that would set the world right again.

He was the chosen one.

Stunned at the revelation, he set aside the Bible and picked up the other book he’d been studying. Just one book in the hundreds he’d read over the past six years.

Sweetheart?

He looked up. Yes?

Could you get me a glass of water, please?

Of course.

He stood and walked to the sink to fill the glass. As the water ran from the spigot, he stared at it.

And knew what he had to do.

Because he was the Chosen One.

[1]

Nine months later

Friday evening

5:30 PM

Maddy McKay smiled at the man across the table from her. Congratulations on graduating from physical therapy. Detective Quinn Holcombe wore khaki cargo pants, a long-sleeved black T-shirt that he did GQ things to—and a scowl. Be careful, your face is going to freeze like that.

He lifted a brow. A slight improvement. That’s something you congratulate someone on?

She sighed. He was always so grumpy. She smiled again. This one forced. Of course it is. Do you have no social skills whatsoever? You were almost crushed to death. You lived. You finished your physical therapy. I’d say that’s cause to celebrate—and something to offer congratulations for. Six months ago, Quinn had been investigating a case and the killer had used a backhoe to flip Quinn’s car, trapping him inside and slamming the arm of the machine down on the vehicle. Quinn’s broken legs had healed and now he walked with only a slight limp. This morning, they’d run three miles without stopping. You’ve come a long way, Quinn.

He grunted. Maybe so.

She pursed her lips and leaned back, crossing her arms.

His eyes softened. You’re right, I’m sorry.

For which offense?

He sighed. For everything. My lack of social skills for one. My surliness for another. So . . . thank you. I . . . uh . . . couldn’t have . . . uh— he cleared his throat—gotten through all of this without you. You know that, right?

The words combined with the flash of vulnerability reminded her of what she saw in the man in spite of his acerbic personality. She gave a short soft laugh. Of course I know that. She eyed him and wrinkled her nose at him. Although, with your sunny disposition, I can’t imagine why you didn’t have people lining up to volunteer to take care of you.

He blinked and shook his head. There’s no one I would have wanted there more than you, Maddy. I know I’m a bear sometimes, but . . . yeah.

Yeah, you’re a bear sometimes. She reached over and squeezed his hand. His willingness to just admit that he’d needed her, wanted her to be there, touched her. She’d been so close to smacking him in the head and walking out on their relationship—if one could call it that. Several times.

Now his words gave her hope that one day he’d open up to her. Confide in her. Let her share the pain that never left him.

I wanted to ask you something, Quinn said.

Okay. Ask.

Why do you hang out with me? he asked softly. Why did you stay with me in the hospital? Through physical therapy?

She swallowed. I . . . uh . . . well, because of your charming personality, of course.

He let out a short bark of laughter. Right. Really. Why?

We’ve been through a lot together.

Yeah.

You didn’t leave my side last year when that lunatic slit my throat and left me to die.

He looked away. That was a bad time, Maddy. I really didn’t think you were going to make it.

I know. I didn’t think so either.

He caught her gaze. Is that why you stayed with me? Because you felt obligated?

No.

Then why?

Because, Quinn. Just . . . because. She sighed. I don’t know. Maybe obligation was part of it, but . . . not really. Silence descended. She took a sip of her water. So, how’s the puppy doing?

He shot her a look that said he didn’t want to let her off the hook that easily and she tensed. His scowl deepened. Sherlock is a pain in my neck.

But you like having him there.

He shrugged and sipped his water.

Oh just admit it, you do. She and her co-workers Olivia Savage, Katie Matthews, and Haley Callaghan had all gone in together and gotten him the puppy. A black lab with massive amounts of energy. Quinn had a large fenced-in yard, and she knew the two went jogging every morning and evening.

Maybe. The scowl faded and a small smile played at the corner of his lips.

Not a resounding yes, but I’ll take it. She also knew if he hadn’t wanted the dog, he’d have given him back with a simple Thanks, but no thanks. And he hadn’t done that. She cut into her steak and took a bite. The savory piece nearly melted on her tongue. She swallowed. Have you made any progress on finding the serial killer?

"No. I mean, I don’t even know if there is a serial killer."

But the messages keep coming and the people keep disappearing, right?

Yes. He shook his dark head. So maybe it’s just a serial kidnapper? We’re missing something. Why can’t we find them? Alive? Or even dead?

He’s got a good hiding place.

Unfortunately. Quinn’s scowl deepened. It’s like they’ve just fallen off the face of the earth. We’re stumped.

That’s the way it always seems to go, doesn’t it?

Yes. Usually. Until he makes a mistake.

How many victims now?

Eight. That we know of—over a six-month period of time. He ran a hand through his hair. Or maybe none. I don’t know.

She shuddered. I worked several serial killer cases when I was with the FBI. I don’t miss it.

Well, that’s not what I was hoping to hear.

Wary, she eyed him. What do you mean?

He reached across the table and took her hand. I need your help on this case.

She shook her head. You’ve turned it over to the FBI. Let them handle it.

I’m part of the task force and I want to recruit you.

She pulled her hand from his and ignored the flutter in her pulse at his touch. It was her turn to scowl. I’m a bodyguard now. I quit the FBI for a reason, remember? She shrugged. And besides, I’d have to be sworn back in as a special investigator or analyst or something, go through the whole background check thing, et cetera. Is it really worth it?

That wouldn’t take any time at all. You’re just trying to come up with excuses.

She grimaced. Maybe so.

He leaned back and studied her. She resisted the urge to squirm and took another bite of the steak. While she chewed, her gaze went from person to person in the restaurant. No one alarmed her or caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end.

When she realized what she was doing, she let her eyes lock back on to Quinn’s. He was simply waiting. She sighed. Why me?

Because you can get in his mind, he murmured. Just like you did with the Butcher.

The serial killer who’d dismembered his victims and cooked them on the gas grill in his backyard. She still got nauseous thinking about him. I don’t want to be in his head, Quinn. It’s too . . . damaging to my own peace of mind. We’re not meant to think stuff like that.

Unfortunately, we have to have people like you to catch people like him. That’s why you studied psychology, right?

Partly.

He sighed. He’s going to kill again.

Of course he is. They always do. The steak now sat like lead in her stomach.

Unless you help me catch him.

She was losing her appetite. Did you get another note or something?

Yes. The notes came to the station with the victims’ names and pictures attached—and then the victims disappeared. And no matter how fast the cops moved, the victims were always already gone.

And what did it say?

He drew in a deep breath. ‘Judgment Day is coming.’

And whose name and picture were attached to this one?

No one’s.

She frowned. That’s odd. Out of eight letters, he’s never deviated from his pattern. Are you sure you didn’t miss the name and picture?

I’m sure.

She rubbed her forehead, the idea of helping grabbed hold. He was right. She was good at her job. Correction. Had been good at her job. She’d tell him about her note in a moment. Right now, her thoughts were spinning as to who might be sending the notes. Could be a copycat, she said. I know you released information about the notes to warn the public, but there was nothing about the kind of stationery or if it was handwritten or typed and you never revealed that the victims’ names were on the notes, right?

Exactly. I thought the same thing. A copycat.

So, it could just be someone getting his kicks by emulating what he learned from watching the news. It wouldn’t take much to figure out who the lead detective on the case was and that’s why you got the notes.

Could be. He shook his head. But this feels weird.

I’ll think about it.

Thanks, that’s all I ask. Now do you mind if we talk about something else?

Actually, I was going to tell you—

Seriously, no more work stuff tonight, okay?

She shrugged. She’d tell him about the note tomorrow. Okay then, I have something I’d like to discuss.

What?

Your birthday party tomorrow. You want to come by and pick me up or you want me to meet you there?

His fork thunked on his plate. She raised a brow and he shook his head. I don’t need a party. Why would anyone want to throw me a party? Do I look like a party person? When have you ever known me to attend a party? I don’t party. He picked the fork back up and viciously jabbed his own piece of meat. Then he pointed it at her. They obviously know nothing about me and are not my friends if they’d do this.

Right. Because they want to celebrate your birthday with you and went to all the trouble to set this up. I can see how you would come to that conclusion. Maddy could no longer find her smile. Her irritation was easy to locate though. And anger.

Now wait a min—

No, I won’t wait. Look, Quinn, apparently they see something in you to care about. She tossed her napkin down. I’ll tell them to cancel it. In fact, why don’t I just tell them to cancel their friendship? If you want to be alone the rest of your life, then so be it. Enjoy your dinner. Alone. She stood and gathered her purse.

Maddy—

His shocked expression was gratifying, but she’d had enough. More than enough. I’m getting off the Quinn Holcombe roller coaster. Congratulations. You’ve managed to push me away. In fact, I think you’ve managed to shove me straight over the edge of the cliff. Goodbye and have a nice life.

She headed for the door and she felt his eyes on her back. Her heart nearly broke in two, but she was done. She loved him, she freely admitted it, but he was too broken, too damaged to ever fully trust her, and she couldn’t live with the stress of loving him anymore. So she’d live with the stress of loving him and losing him.

Because the fact that he let her walk out the door, get into her car, and drive away spoke volumes.

divider

The Chosen One stood about ten feet from the house and, aided by the gibbous moon, read the directions he’d printed from the internet one more time. How to disable a home alarm system. He’d done his research. He knew the kind of alarm system she had. It was a good one. A pricey one. And a wireless one. And as he’d found out, all wireless alarm systems rely on radio frequency signals. The signals bounce between the door and window sensors. When the system is breached, the alarm sounds and sends a silent alert to the monitoring company.

But what most people didn’t know was that the signals could be jammed using radio noise. Radio noise prevented the signal from getting through the sensors and to the control panel. Easy peasy.

Within seconds, he had the alarm disabled and was through the back door. He smiled. Now that he’d found his calling, everything was falling into place.

From watching the house over the last several days, the Chosen One knew she’d enter through the kitchen. Every time she’d come home, she’d parked in the garage, shutting the door behind her.

Now. He looked around. Where to hide? He would have to act fast. She was very skilled in self-defense. He’d never beat her in a hand-to-hand fight. He hefted the canister in his right hand. She’d be no match for the friend he brought along.

After studying her house plans, he knew she had a small closet off the great room. When she came in through the garage, she would enter the laundry room, pass the small utility room and into the open kitchen and dining area. No place to hide there. Now that he was actually in her house, he could see that the closet was his best option. As long as it wasn’t packed to the brim. He walked over and opened the door.

He smiled. Two coats, two filters that probably fit the ceiling vent in her kitchen, two tennis rackets, and a box of children’s toys. His smile slipped. She didn’t have children, but she catered to the mass of nieces and nephews she had. They would miss her.

For a brief moment remorse flickered. He snuffed it out. He was fulfilling his calling, living out his destiny. Just two more and his work would be done. He could go back to living his quiet, simple life and no one would ever know of his greatness. And that was fine.

Because he would know and the raging need for vengeance would be satisfied. His phone pinged and he glanced at the screen.

What do I do about the pits?

What do you mean?

You wanted changes. Should I have some driftwood or a tree limb lying around for them to use to get over some of the pits safely?

Do that for several pits around the perimeter. But space those out so that they have to find the right ones to cross to live. Camouflage the others. Wrong area = death. Right area = they live.

Good idea. Thanks.

Anytime.

He tucked his cell phone into his coat pocket, then slipped inside the closet to wait for Maddy McKay to arrive home.

[2]

Quinn stared at the napkin Maddy had tossed down only seconds before. He felt the startled gazes of the other diners on him and didn’t care. He closed his eyes and blew out a slow sigh. He was an idiot. A complete and total jerk. He admitted it.

Slowly, it dawned on him that he didn’t want to push her away like he did everyone else in his life. He wanted to grab her and hold her close, look into her sapphire blue eyes and tell her how much she meant to him. But there were things she didn’t know. Things he couldn’t share with her. With anyone. Not even his partner, Bree Standish. Things he wouldn’t even admit to himself.

Only now he was truly afraid he might have lost Maddy for good.

And that couldn’t happen.

He’d lost everything and everyone that had ever mattered to him. What would he do without Maddy? The thought terrified him.

The black hole of his life had widened considerably when the door shut behind her, but he’d been so shocked he hadn’t been able to move. What should he do? He absently watched the television attached to the wall above his head. Closed captions played across the bottom of the screen as the announcer spoke. Three men are still missing from Key West. Gabriel Clemmons, an architect, disappeared approximately nine months ago. Pictures flashed and he noted their faces absently while he tried to decide the best way to proceed. Two construction workers from Henry and Roach Construction Company still haven’t been heard from for the past two months. Lamar Henry and Jason Roach were thought to have met a client for lunch, then disappeared shortly after they left the restaurant. The client they met with has yet to be identified, and authorities have stated foul play is suspected. If anyone has any information, please call the number at the bottom—

Go after her, you idiot.

Quinn grabbed his phone and car keys from the table, tossed three twenties on the table, and bolted out the door.

divider

After punching in the code for her alarm, Maddy slammed the door that led from the garage into the laundry room. It made her feel only slightly better. How could he? Tears threatened, but she held them back. Crying would only make her stuffy and Quinn wasn’t worth crying over anyway. Okay, he was worth it, but she wasn’t going to do it.

She exited the laundry room, passed the small utility room, and made a right into her kitchen, where she slipped out of her light jacket and unhooked the shoulder holster. Maddy set it on the counter, her weapon still in the holster, and took a mental inventory. She needed coffee. Or something. She needed to go running or pound on a bag for a while. Instead, she pulled a mug from the rack and popped a K-Cup into the machine. As she waited for the water to heat, she filled the empty hole in her K-Cup tree with a fresh pod, then walked into her bedroom and slipped into her jogging pants and a short-sleeved T-shirt. She pulled a long-sleeved tee over that and grabbed her running shoes.

Maddy sat on the bed and thought about the note she’d received.

Divine perfection is overrated. The small index card had been on her car windshield when she’d walked out the door to meet Quinn at the restaurant. Now that she knew he’d received one as well, chills shivered up her spine. It could be the same guy, even though there were some subtle differences in the style. Or was it a copycat? The other victims had notes, but the notes had gone straight to the police department, not to the victims themselves.

She needed to send it in and have it analyzed, even though it only faintly resembled the notes of the other victims. She’d planned to mention it to Quinn tonight and hadn’t because he said he didn’t want to talk about work stuff anymore. She sighed. She’d give it to him tomorrow.

For now, she’d go running.

Thunk.

She straightened from tying her shoes and stilled.

What was that?

Maddy rose from the bed and her hand went to the weapon that wasn’t there. She’d left it in the kitchen on the counter. Her pulse rate skyrocketed.

She took several deep breaths. It was probably just the ice maker. It was always loud. Although she had to admit, she didn’t remember it sounding quite like that. She peered out of her bedroom door into the great room. It looked like it always did. Calm and peaceful. Maddy crossed the room, looked into the dining room and then the kitchen.

Nothing. She grabbed her Glock 21SF from the counter, feeling slightly foolish at the comfort it brought her in her own home. Her empty home. But still . . .

Her phone pinged and she rushed back into her bedroom and grabbed it from where she’d tossed it on the bed.

A text from Quinn. I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you. I’m coming over.

She ignored it and slipped the device into the armband she used when she ran. He could come over, but she wouldn’t be here.

A floorboard creaked.

Maddy froze. That was not the ice maker.

Was someone actually in her house? She gripped the weapon. But how? She had her alarm on. Didn’t she? Had she rearmed it when she stomped inside, still fuming about Quinn and his behavior? And her reaction to it?

She couldn’t remember.

Maddy moved slowly, gun held in front of her. She stepped to the door of her bedroom and peered around the frame. Seeing nothing, she slipped out of her bedroom, then looked at her front door. It was shut. Her gaze moved to the closet to the left.

It was cracked. She never left her closet doors cracked. She liked them firmly closed. Heart thundering in her chest, but her training overriding her fear, she moved closer.

She reached for the knob.

A spray of liquid caught her in the face.

She gasped and dizziness immediately hit her. The weapon fell from her hand with a thud.

Maddy stumbled to brace herself against the wall, heart racing, fear choking her. She reached for the gun, but weakness invaded her, and she sank toward the floor while flashes of the last time she’d been attacked raced through her mind at warp speed.

She felt the hard floor beneath her knees. The room seemed to tilt, nausea swirled. Maddy tried to stop the darkness, to push it back, even while she knew it was a losing battle. She saw the masked face hovering above her and tried to order her muscles to cooperate, but the face quivered, then faded to black.

divider

Quinn pulled to a stop in front of Maddy’s home. He didn’t see her car but knew she usually parked in the garage. Darkness was falling quickly. He and Maddy had shared a late dinner—or at least a part of one—and he wasn’t ready for the evening to end. At least not the way it had.

He grabbed his Yankees ball cap from the dash and slipped it on his head. He was using it as a figurative barrier he could hide behind should he need it when he ate his plate of crow, and he couldn’t bring himself to leave it in the truck. It gave him the nerve he needed to climb out and shut the door. He scanned the area and noticed the gray van two doors down and the green pickup across the street. He took note of the next-door neighbor on her front porch talking on her cell phone. She saw him and went inside.

He glanced at his phone. Still no text from Maddy. He climbed the front porch steps and knocked on the door.

No answer. Come on, Maddy, he muttered, then raised his voice. I know you’re home. I just want to talk to you.

He knocked again, then rang the bell.

Maddy’s home backed up to a small man-made lake. He knew she loved the water and had always dreamed of having a back porch where she could sit and hear the water lapping against the dock. Maybe she was out back.

Quinn walked down the steps of the house and around to the back. The light was on, but she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He took the two steps up to her porch, then rapped his knuckles on the sliding glass door. Maddy? You here?

Again, no answer. He dialed her number and paused when he heard the ringing from inside the house. Now he knew she was home. She wouldn’t go anywhere without her cell. He knocked again, even as an uneasiness slithered through him. Maddy? You okay?

The blinds in front of the glass doors blocked most of his view of the inside, but he found a gap and looked through. Maddy lay on the floor, her hand outstretched, eyes closed. Maddy! Quinn grabbed the handle to the door and yanked.

Locked. He fumbled for his phone to dial 911.

A rustling sounded behind him. He spun, caught a glimpse of a figure in dark clothes, then caught a face-full of some liquid spray. He choked and dizziness hit him. He tried to backpedal and weakness flooded him. What—?

Darkness that had nothing to do with the time of day closed in on him, and he lost his balance and hit the ground. He rolled and stared up at a shimmering, fading figure.

The time of judgment has come, it whispered.

Quinn struggled to stay awake, to verbalize a response, but finally had to give in. His last thought was that he’d failed yet another person he cared about.

[3]

Maddy groaned. Her head pounded a painful rhythm and she lifted a hand

Reviews for Moving Target (Elite Guardians Book #3)

[sarahgracegrzy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Characters - 5 stars, amazing, I wuv dem so much, I want to wrap Quinn up and bubble wrap and keep him safe from his emotions and those mean people, and GAH!

Storycontent - 3 stars, hmmm, ehhh.

I wanted to like this book a lot, because of the characters, but the story was a lot creepier than the other ones, which I didn't like.

Favorite character - Quinn. I don't know why, because he really isn't that likable of a guy, but I just loved him! There's something about the irritable, sarcastic, smart detective that makes me like him even though he isn't that nice. (Cyril from London in the Dark, anyone?) I knew there was a lot of emotional baggage he was carrying around, which is perhaps why I was drawn to him. There were plenty of times I just wanted to wrap him up in bubble wrap and protect him from the world, and his inner accusatory voice. His storycharacter arc was phenomenal. Kudos, Eason! I also liked Maddy, although I felt that her character was a little under-devoloped. Which, I actually didn't mind so much, because Quinn's was therefore more prominate, which I was more interested in.

The storyline was fairly well done, although for my personal preferences and tastes, it was a little overmuch on the creepy side. People being kidnapped and brought to a tropical island to be hunted like animals? Ummm . . . O:O Also, the whole premise of a serial killer is just super freaky to me. You could have basically ended the story in the first third, which I found oddslightly annoying. The story had a lot of ebb and flow to it, which I wasn't totally partial to.

The ending was so sweet though! I absolutely loved it!

Recommended for ages 17-18 for creepy stuff and content such as mentions of a serial killer who kidnapped, raped, then killed his female victims, violence, people being hunted like wild animals, dead bodies, etc.

[lcarter11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whew, what a ride. This one had me guessing until the end. Oh, the clues and hints allowed me to narrow it down, but I still wasn't quite sure I knew "whodunit"--and it turned out that I didn't. Maddy and Quinn recover from their recent injuries (hint: read the first two books first) just in time to be targeted by a clever lunatic. Even with all of their training and experience, they temporarily become push-button people, able only to react, hoping against hope that they're not too late. In the end, it's their shared experiences that save them both. That allow them to come to terms with the past and make plans for the future.

[Tamela Mackenzie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic read! I was pretty sure who the killer was on this one!

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars (rating shown may vary depending on whether the site allows half star ratings). Somehow on the list of Eason books I saw, this book and the fourth one in the series were swapped, so I actually read the next book in the series before this one. Though some of the actions are probably true-to-life, things like Quinn's retreating into his "silence" or "distance" got tiresome to me after a few instances.

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Moving Target (Elite Guardians #3)Author: Lynette EasonPages: 318Year: 2017Publisher: RevellMy rating is 5 stars.I enjoyed the first two books in this series, Always Watching and Without Warning so much that when I saw the third book was being released, I quickly grabbed a copy. The first two books focused on Olivia and Katie while this story focuses on the third member of the Elite Guardians security/protection firm, former FBI agent, Maddy McKay.Maddy McKay and Quinn Holcombe have been friends for about four years. About two years ago, however, Maddy’s feelings for Quinn deepened to love. She has been waiting for him to express his feelings for her, but fears he will eventually push her away like he has done with everyone else in his life. They both have baggage from the past with Maddy leaving the FBI under a dark cloud and Quinn seemingly guilty of his sister’s death. Quinn also has been angry with God over his sister’s death while Maddy still has a close relationship with God. Maddy is pretty sure Quinn loves her, but will he ever admit it? Can he learn to trust God again and be emotionally healed?Now, however, they are in the clutches of a madman and their situation is dire. They might not make it to see another day alive. This insane guy has been systematically kidnapping people, hunting them and then killing them. He has an agenda and Quinn and Maddy are definitely at the top of his hit list. Why? Quinn and Maddy try to discover who this killer is, why they have been targets now and why he has targeted his other victims. They receive protective assistance from other members of the Elite Guardians, but their stalker still seems to know intimate details about their lives.I think this is the best book in the series so far. There is great tension, danger and suspense that lead to an exciting peak with a great twist in the plot. I really liked both of the main characters and their emotional struggles with their family relationships as well as their relationship with one another. There is a fourth book due to be released later this year and I can’t wait to read it! This series has got of suspense, romance, faith and more to keep readers interested and invested in each of the main characters of the Elite Guardians.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This review does come with a warning, once you pick this book up your not going to be able to put it down, action packed from the beginning to the end. I even thought once we were off the roller coaster, and guess what, not!We are back with the Elite Guardians, and this is the third book in the series, and it is just as good as the other two thrillers, and you are not going to be disappointed. Now you don’t have to have read the first two to enjoy this one, but once you read one of them you are going to be hooked and want more.This one is a personal one, with Maddy McKay, a member of the Elite, and Quinn Holcombe a FBI investigator, and someone wants these two dead, and it has to be in the right order. Wow, we go from one terror scene to another and then quickly to another, this evil person seems to be brilliant and uses his smarts to hurt others, will these two be able to survive all that is about to happen?I for one cannot wait for the next book in this series, and it can’t come soon enough, I loved reading this thrilling page-turner.I received this book through Revel Publishing Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.

[claudia.castenir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Moving Target is the third book in Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardians series. Each book in this series is better than the last. Eason is hard for other mystery/suspense writers to top, so it is amazing that she continues to top herself. Her writing is fast paced, believable, and engaging. I had lots of things that needed to be accomplished over the last two days, but very few of them were as I was totally engrossed in Quinn and Maddy’s story. Over the past few years, Quinn, a police detective, and Maddy, a former FBI agent turned body guard, have found themselves working cases together. A friendship developed in spite of Quinn’s prickly personality, with Maddy realizing that she has fallen in love with him. Quinn is much slower to embrace the turn in their relationship as he is holding onto a complicated past. While he may have eventually come around, having his world rocked by their becoming the targets of a serial killer certainly worked as a catalyst. Even so, Maddy comes to the realization that both she and Quinn have family issues that are best rectified before they take their relationship any further, not to mention Quinn’s tenuous relationship with his heavenly Father. Quinn had hoped to convince Maddy to join the task force searching for a serial killer. Maddy, while interested in once again working with Quinn, was reluctant to use the skills to get inside a murderer’s mind; getting back out was not easy. The decision of Maddy’s involvement was made for them when both she and Quinn were targeted by the madman, or was it madmen? Who exactly was it who had whisked them off to an island of terror? What connection did they have to the previous victims? Even when it appeared that answers were in hand, more questions were just around the corner. I highly recommend Moving Target to mystery and suspense fans. Fans of romantic fiction will also delight in this most recent offering by Lynette Eason. I thank the publisher for making a copy available to me in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for my review.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whew! Readers hold their breath along with the characters in Lynette Eason’s latest book, Moving Target. This adrenaline-laced romantic suspense has it all — fast-paced action, a twisty-turning plot and characters that will make a place in your heart. I could not put this one down!Maddy and Quinn are plunged into a fight for their lives when they are kidnapped and forced into a deadly cat and mouse game. But this game has serious consequences — one false step and its over and so are Maddy and Quinn’s lives. But these two are up for the challenge as they try to get inside the killer’s head and discover his identity.The action never lets up in Moving Target. From the beginning Maddy and Quinn (and readers) are kept off-kilter. While readers are given a bit more information than the two main characters, this novel keeps you guessing and puzzling over who is really behind all the mayhem. Main characters, Maddy and Quinn, are real and relatable. They both have relationship issues: with family and with God. Quinn, especially, has serious trust issues that impact his faith. It’s hard to forgive when others don’t believe you are innocent. I liked that both characters worked on their baggage before committing to each other. But the chemistry! Fans of the romance side of romantic suspense will love this book. Moving Target is book 3 in the Elite Guardians series. And while it can be read as a standalone, characters from previous books made appearances. This is not a problem, unless you are like me and keep trying to figure out all the relationships. After a while, I just focused on the story at hand and soon was turning pages as fast as I could.Moving Target is another winner from Lynette Eason. If you love romantic suspense, definitely check this one out.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Moving Target (Elite Guardians #3)Author: Lynette EasonPages: 318Year: 2017Publisher: RevellMy rating is 5 stars.I enjoyed the first two books in this series, Always Watching and Without Warning so much that when I saw the third book was being released, I quickly grabbed a copy. The first two books focused on Olivia and Katie while this story focuses on the third member of the Elite Guardians security/protection firm, former FBI agent, Maddy McKay.Maddy McKay and Quinn Holcombe have been friends for about four years. About two years ago, however, Maddy’s feelings for Quinn deepened to love. She has been waiting for him to express his feelings for her, but fears he will eventually push her away like he has done with everyone else in his life. They both have baggage from the past with Maddy leaving the FBI under a dark cloud and Quinn seemingly guilty of his sister’s death. Quinn also has been angry with God over his sister’s death while Maddy still has a close relationship with God. Maddy is pretty sure Quinn loves her, but will he ever admit it? Can he learn to trust God again and be emotionally healed?Now, however, they are in the clutches of a madman and their situation is dire. They might not make it to see another day alive. This insane guy has been systematically kidnapping people, hunting them and then killing them. He has an agenda and Quinn and Maddy are definitely at the top of his hit list. Why? Quinn and Maddy try to discover who this killer is, why they have been targets now and why he has targeted his other victims. They receive protective assistance from other members of the Elite Guardians, but their stalker still seems to know intimate details about their lives.I think this is the best book in the series so far. There is great tension, danger and suspense that lead to an exciting peak with a great twist in the plot. I really liked both of the main characters and their emotional struggles with their family relationships as well as their relationship with one another. There is a fourth book due to be released later this year and I can’t wait to read it! This series has got of suspense, romance, faith and more to keep readers interested and invested in each of the main characters of the Elite Guardians.