Review of Cold Day in Hell by Jerrie Alexander

[Barbara Ann RS]

Jerrie Alexander’s Lost and Found, Inc. is a great new romantic suspense series, and the first book, Hell or High Water won me over very quickly. Now, after reading Cold Day in Hell, I’m definitely a fan.  I don’t think you necessarily have to read Hell or High Water before jumping into this second installment, but doing so will really enhance your enjoyment and appreciation of the overall scope of the series and give you more insight into the backstories of this great group of heroes and the strong women who love them.

 In Cold Day in Hell, Alexander takes us out of Dallas, Texas, and into the Columbian jungle where Tyrell (Tye) Castillo has been sent on behalf of his company, Lost and Found, Inc., a newly formed investigation firm working with the FBI to bring down an infamous South American drug lord.  His mission was supposed to be easy until his Columbian contact, Ana Cisneros, decides to take matters into her own hands, becoming a threat to Manuel Ortega’s drug empire and a prime target for elimination.

 Sparks fly between Tye and Ana when they finally meet, but they aren’t the good kind with fluttering hearts and butterflies. No, these two stubborn individuals clash from the very beginning because they both have different agendas for accomplishing this mission. While this is just a routine job for Tye, Ana has a personal vendetta against Ortega and is seeking revenge.  Instead of going it alone, she tries to convince Tye to help her, and along the way the two become more than just allies. Expect lots of sexual tension and one particularly steamy love scene that cements their bond, for better or worse.

 Ana and Tye have a lot more in common than they think, which only strengthens the connection they have. By getting both characters’ POVs, it is evident that they each carry around a lot of emotional baggage, including survivor’s guilt.  Ana’s and Tye’s background stories provide depth and lend believability to their thoughts and actions over the course of the book and helped me to identify and connect with them so that I became emotionally invested in the outcome of their story.

 Ana may be tiny in physical stature, but she has a huge heart, lots of grit, and a deadly aim, earning her Tye’s respect and admiration. He frequently calls her his “little warrior,” and Ana most definitely is a fighter. After all that has happened to her, every time she gets knocked down (figuratively and literally) she gets right back up and perseveres.  At times, I wondered if Ana’s single-minded focus on vengeance would cause her to take unnecessary risks and jeopardize the safety of others, but I was relieved to see that this isn’t the case at all.

 The plot is filled with action, danger, and suspense drawing forth themes of loyalty to family and country, the cost of revenge and betrayal, and, finally,  the need to fight for love if and when the opportunity comes along.

 I am so looking forward to the next book, No Chance in Hell, which will feature the Marcus’ story, and based on the excerpt I’ve read, I know it’s going to be good!

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. 

Review Link:

http://sunmountainreviews.wordpress.com/2013/11/28/mini-review-of-c...