4.25 stars--COLDER THAN SIN is the second instalment in Toni Anderson’s contemporary, adult COLD JUSTICE: CROSSFIRE romantic suspense series-a spin off/crossover with the author’s COLD JUSTICE series. This is FBI Negotiator Quentin Savage, and business woman Haley Cramer’s story line. COLD THAN SIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line/series is revealed where necessary. Quentin Savage was first introduced in book one Cold and Deadly.

NOTE: Due to the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quentin and Haley) COLDER THAN SIN follows in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on Nabat Island in the Flores Sea, Indonesia during a security conference where most of the attendees were former military or security specialists. Running from a personal nightmare Haley Cramer finds herself in the arms of FBI crisis negotiator Quentin Savage, the man with whom she would fall in love. As our couple struggle to break free of the carnage at the local hotel, they will find themselves prisoners of a rogue band of guerrillas, barely surviving through the Indonesian jungle, and volcanic activity of the nearby islands. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Haley and Quentin as our couple struggle to stay one step ahead of a dangerous terrorist cell, and the potential fall-out as Quentin battles memories from the past, and the possible connection to someone involved with the hotel massacre.

Quentin Savage had flown to Indonesia to negotiate the freedom of several American citizens currently held hostage by a militant group of soldiers. With no ransom demands on the horizon, Quentin finds himself struggling to locate the people in charge but never expected to be caught up in an attack at the local hotel. Haley Cramer was hoping to make contacts for her security business but finds herself the victim of unwanted advances by a business colleague. Making her escape, Haley lands in the arms of FBI negotiator Quentin Savage, the man who would save her life on multiple occasions.

The relationship between Quentin and Haley is one of immediate attraction but Haley doesn’t do relationships, and Quentin is warned away by a confidant and friend. The attack against the hotel pushes Haley and Quentin closer together but it remains to be seen whether the adrenaline rush for the for fight of their lives will continue or be accepted back home. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Australian billionaire businessman Cecil Wenck: former military operatives Grant Gunn, Chris Baylor, and Nick Karlovac; FBI agent Alex Parker; business woman Tricia Rooks and partner Sean Logan; operator Logan Master, Eban Masters, and volcanologist Darby O’Roarke. I am looking forward to Eban and Darby’s story line.

COLDER THAN SIN is a story of betrayal, revenge, terrorism and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, suspenseful and gritty; the characters are animated, strong and resilient; the romance is captivating and seductive. COLDER THAN SIN is a spicy, timely and edgy addition to Toni Anderson’s COLD JUSTICE: CROSSFIRE romantic suspense series.