Intersection by Nancy Ann Healy

Intersection by Nancy Ann Healy is the first in the Alex And Cassidy series.

FBI Agent Alex Toles is assigned to protect the ex-wife and young son of Congressman Christopher O’Brien, and quickly finds the attractive blonde teacher more alluring than she can ignore. Cassidy O’Brien gets under the Agent’s usually tough exterior, but when Agent Toles finds there is more to her assignment than first appearances, their budding romance is tested in more ways than one.

This political thriller offers a simmering new romance underneath a dramatic and suspense filled storyline not unlike those in popular TV shows like 24. With twists and turns with every new page, the reader is left on the edge of their seat until the end, and Healy does an exceptional job of building complex characters and a plot that will draw you in, and leave you wanting more. Thankfully this is only the first of the Alex and Cassidy series.

The Characters

The lead characters of Alex and Cassidy are more complex than the stereotypical FBI Agent and defenseless victim. From the start of this book Healy builds layer upon layer of lead protagonist Alex Toles’ character and history, and as Cassidy gradually peels these layers away, the reader is provided with a deep understanding of Toles’ motivations and secrets.

The obvious complexity of Alex is balanced by the subtle complexity of Cassidy’s character, whose strength and intelligence is woven into the storyline in such a way that the reader is left in no doubt as to why Alex falls so hard for her.

The supporting characters are well written, including Alex and Cassidy’s respective families, Alex’s present and former colleagues, and the antagonists, who leave you guessing throughout the story about their true motivations. Healy is a masterful character builder, with something for every reader to grow to love or hate about each character, and characters who grow throughout the book.

The Writing Style

While the romance aspect of Alex and Cassidy’s story is fast paced, their romance is not completely central to the story, and the pace of the political thriller subplot is mostly good, although slightly stunted at times by the romance storyline.

There are a number of twists and surprises throughout the book, and just when the reader starts to think they understand where Healy is taking them, she shifts the ground beneath them and the story moves in another direction, providing suspense until the last pages of the book.

Despite being a storyline where politics and the American political system is central to both the characters and the plot, Healy describes this with simple language that is easily understood by those outside of the US, engaging readers who might otherwise be turned off.

Healy’s writing flows easily, and there is much to like about the ease of reading this thriller, knowing that there is more to come with the next book in the series.

The Pros

For fans of political intrigue and suspenseful thrillers, this book has everything. The complex heroine, her intelligent and resilient love interest, well written characters and underlying plot twists and storylines that leave you guessing right until the end. Easy to read and hard to put down. Slightly lengthier than a lot of thrillers I have read, but this adds to the value for me.

The Cons

The romance between the lead protagonists can sometimes get in the way of the plot, with Healy taking time to build that aspect of her characters. It is clear that while this can be read as a stand-alone novel, Healy is setting the reader up for a series of books about these two, which takes the readers focus away from the underlying political intrigue and suspense a little.

If you are looking for a storyline where romance is a far distant second to the suspenseful thriller plot, this probably isn’t for you.

The Conclusion

If you are looking for a great start to a series of books you can sink your teeth into, absolutely give this a go. A definite must-read for those who enjoy a strong subplot of intrigue and suspense, and don’t mind the light and fluffy romance that sits on top of that.

Excerpt from Intersection by Nancy Ann Healy

Alex took a right onto Cherry Circle and was met with the sight of what she considered mini-mansions. “What the? Big Apple my ass. 1215…”

The GPS spoke. “You are nearing your destination.”

“Holy crap,” Alex looked out the windshield as she slowly pulled into the driveway of 1215 Cherry Circle. It was a large white colonial style home on the end of a cul-de-sac. “How many people live here?” she muttered to herself as she turned off the engine. She pulled a file from the passenger seat and opened it. Clipped to the top was a small picture. She slid it out from underneath the paperclip and studied it for a moment. The picture showed the congressman. On his hip sat a little boy with blonde hair smiling broadly. Next to him stood a woman with blonde hair similar to Dylan’s – a stark contrast to the congressman’s dark brown waves. She was attractive, and there was a gentleness in her smile that made Alex sigh unknowingly. “Here we go, Cassidy O’Brien.”

Get This Book On Amazon

 

 

 


[tweetthis]The warmth of Alex’s body against her simultaneously comforted and unsettled her[/tweetthis]

Alex And Cassidy Series

Intersection

Betrayal

Commitment

Conspiracy

Untold

Bits and Bobs

  • ISBN number: 9780615934181
  • Publisher: Bumbling Bard Creations

Nancy Ann Healy Online