Collision Force

Crossing Forces #1

by C.A. Szarek

FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING ROMANCE AUTHOR C.A. SZAREK ‘...the romance and suspense were incorported so well, I not only did not want to stop reading this, but I could not put it down…’ ~ BTS Book Reviews Book one in the Crossing Forces series. A bad boy FBI agent and a feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small-town Texas on their way to true love. Bad boy, married-to-his-job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren. Cole doesn't do small towns and doesn't get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn't want to acknowledge. With two murders, her partner shot, and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong. Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory. Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she'd left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole's heart, and Cole starts contemplating things—family, love—that he'd never planned for himself. Can being forced to work together make them stronger, or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Romantic Suspense

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2013

About the author

USA Today Bestselling, award winning author of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it's a good story, she'll write it, no matter where it seems to fit!

She's a hopeless romantic and always will be. Risking it all for Happily Ever After is what she lives by!

C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She's happily married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

She's always writing, and helps small business owners by writing their websites, and she loves it!

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Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

FBI Agent Cole Lucas is on the trail of a human trafficker, winding up in the small town of Antioch, Texas. Detective Andi MacLaren will be working with him and neither of them seem happy about it.

Lucas does not get involved with the women he ha to work with and it disturbs him at how much she intrigues and attracts him. Andi sees him as cocky and being a widow and single mother,the last thing she needs is to have a man in her life.

Andi's 3-year-old son takes a liking to Cole and now he's contemplating all the things that are not in his life .... family, children, a wife, someone to love way beyond the one night stands.

There is some suspense, but mainly this story involves the relationship between Lucas and MacLaren. The characters are well drawn with hot chemistry between them.

Many thanks to the author / CrushStar Multimedia LLC / Paper Dragon Publishing /Netgalley for the digital copy of this Romance. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Book Lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looks like I’m going to be in the minority here.

Andi MacLaren is a detective with the police department and a widow with a 3 year old son. She is confident and good at her job (so we are told).

Pete has been Andi’s partner for the last 5 years. He was shot and is currently in the hospital. Pete has been a large part of Andi’s personal life as well. He fluctuated between being a close friend, almost brother, and other times I wasn’t so sure he didn’t want more. He was definitely very protective of Andi and her son.

Cole Lucas comes across as a cocky, good looking (and he knows it), arrogant, over competent jerk when he arrives in town. He’s in town because Andi and Pete’s current case overlaps one he’s been working on for close to 2 years. He’s a manwhore and he is instantly attracted to Andi. Andi notices him as well, but she’s still grieving 3 years later and isn’t the fling kind of woman.

Cole loses his hotel room and ends up on Andi’s couch.

The story is told in dual POV from Cole and Andi. So much talking in their heads. Sometimes pages at a time. It got old quick. Because of the constant soliloquies in their heads, the story drags in places.

The suspense gets lost in the romance, and isn’t very suspenseful.

I read an ARC of this book. There are a lot of missing pronouns and grammar issues that I hope are corrected before publication.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
Quick easy read.
Would have been more enjoyable if the characters were better thought through. A lot of ridiculous portrayals at times.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.A Szarek wrote a well paced, romance suspense that readers won't be able to put down.

While the story from the bad guys to the romance are not much of a surprise the author is able to pull readers in with her ability weave romance, loss, passion, family and love. Cole Lucas and Andi MacLaren will come alive as readers start from page one to the last page drawing them into a world of romance filled with passion and a chance at finding love after loss.

Collision Force is a well crafted romantic suspense that everyone will want to get their hands on.

I can't wait to read more by C.A. Szarek.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Paper Dragon Publisher



#CollisionForce #NetGalley

[Cecilia Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading Collision Force late last year. One thing is for sure: The reader is in for a ride with this one.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collision Force
By C.A. Szarek

First off, did I enjoy this book? Yes. It was a good solid read. A 3.5 star read for me. But since Amazon and Goodreads have a 5 star scale, I gave it a four. This is mostly due to personal reasons.

For one, I grew up with tame romantic suspense. More focus on the plot and a bare mention of the sex. In this, the sex is fully described. A bit uncomfortable for me, especially since my sister's name is Andi and I just don't want to go there in my mind. :) if you are a lover of a more erotic sex scene, this is definitely for you.

I had planned to have this read by the beginning of the year, but the awkwardness I mentioned above and actually loathing the main character guy, Cole Lucas, made me not want to continue reading. But enough of my excuses.

The plot is solid and easy to follow. The bad guy was the other brother in Dumber and Dumber and I couldn't fathom how he kept getting away from our heroes The sex scenes are closer to erotica and if that is your cup of tea, great. If not, skim man, skim. You will still get enjoyment out of the read.

I would have liked the plot to be more complex, the sex scenes left to the imagination and a bad guy worthy of the protagonists. But like I said, I have my own preferences. I am sure you do too.

I felt bad for Pete, Andi's partner. He obviously held a torch for her but she was too devastated by her husband's death to even notice. (it's okay though because book two in this series features Pete called Chance Collision. )

This is the first book in a series of romantic suspense titles so it had a second job of introducing us to a plethora of characters we might meet in future books.

Would I recommend this book? Sure. It is good. Solid plot that is not complex. But be aware the sex scenes are pretty blatant. As I said it was a solid 3.5 star read for me. I will definitely pick up Pete's book and see how he fares the love game.

Right now this book is 99 ¢ on Amazon. Check it out.

I received this as an ARC from the author in return for an honest review.

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to a series! FBI Agen Cole just wants to catch his guy not fall in love though maybe have some fun wouldn't be bad. Local policewoman Andi wants to catch the guy who shot her partner and get home to her son not get involved with the FBI agent passing through. As everyone knows nothing ever goes as plans.

This is a great book! You get the know all the characters. You laugh with them, and at them, feel the heat coming off the pages and yell them also. With all of this the reader gets a great story! Can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every single aspect of this book! The FBI, the detectives, the partners and the kid! What a wonderfully written novel. The series starts off really promising. I am invested in Andi and her life in general. She has had some difficult speed bumps thrown at her. She survived a lot, I cant be a spoiler, but she is a great woman! as for Cole, well he too has had a lot thrown in his way, but I really do love the character. Next up Pete, well I know book 2 is about him and I can not wait

Lovers of suspense romance novels will really appreciate this. Thanks to the author for her entertainment

[Amee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to start by saying that I am so excited for Ms. Szarek with this book. I am so happy that Cole and Andi are finally out there for the world to read and totally fall in love with! It is impossible not to fall for these characters as you become part of their life and their world. Cole Lucas is an FBI agent from NYC who's case takes him into a small town in Texas. Cole is confident and a bit of a play boy. He is as HOT as it is there in Texas and by golly he knows it...LOL. He is also very professional, knows what he is doing and is a fabulous FBI agent, which he also is quite aware of...did I mention he is self confident??? HAHA I don't say it as a bad thing either cause his self confidence is a total turn on!!! When Cole it taken to the small town of Antioch, TX and partnered up with Detective Andi MacLaren he is ready to hurry up and get his case solved so he can go back to NYC where he thinks he belongs. Andi as I stated is a Detective but she is also a widowed mother, and her spirit matches Cole's head on. When the two of them see each other and begin to work together there will be no escaping the FORCE that is pulling them together, no matter how hard each of them tries.

Every single character in this book will draw you in! Not just Cole and Andi, but wait until you meet Andi's son Ethan you will totally fall in love. Bella and Matt, you will be longing to read more about. Andi's partner Pete, and Cole's FBI buddy Lee are just as awesome! And if you love a good villain then Carlo Maldonado will NOT disappoint you! This book is full of action and romance! There is suspense at every turn and you will be turning the pages faster and faster to find out what happens between all of the wonderful characters.

After reading Collision Force I feel like I have been brought into their world, that I am part of their story! I can not wait to see what is next for all of them! I really really enjoyed this book, I fell deeply in love with Cole and I can only hope that for Cole's sake you will too!

[Vickie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started out well with a shooting of a police detective and the arrival of an FBI agent who is seeking a ruthless human trafficker. But that was basically the whole sum of the plot. The reader can guess at what is going to happen, so there was little suspense. The love scenes between characters were graphically portrayed, complete with extremely vulgar and offensive language. The redeeming quality was that the characters were likeable, so I would like to read more about them. But I will not read more of this series due to the sex scenes that were offensively and tasteless lly portrayed.

[Toni Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is NOT my usual genre but once I picked up Collision Force I could NOT put it down! Andi and Cole had me from the first spark of aggravation that turned into so much more. And Bad Guys.....pfft! No chance in the face of this duo! What I liked most about this story is that it was very plausible in the world that Ms Szarek has created for us. I cannot wait for next installment, which will be downloaded onto my Kindle the MINUTE I can get my dirty little hands on it! Congratulations Ms. Szarek, I know you have a long and prosperous carrer ahead of you.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story ,Cole who really is married to the job (FBI) and a widowed Andi with a young son who works as a Detective. Worlds apart in there outside work lives really,but are attracted to each other almost straight away.the fact that there is a little boy in the picture makes the story perfect in my eyes . This is a book I will read over and over again.looking forward to the next one :)

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andi and Cole have incredible chemistry and the characters are so deep and strong. Collision Force is an action-packed, sexy novel that is the first in what is sure to be a successful series. So ready for the next!

[Vickie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many sex scenes with graphic descriptions and vulgar language and not enough plot and action. The characters are likeable, but I won’t be choosing to read this author again unless she cleans up her scenes that are like a bad r-rated movie and adds some real plot.

[Cayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My New Favorite book. loved every min of this book and can not wait for the next one.

[Susan Sheehey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed, and incredibly steamy read! Can't wait for the next in the series! Great job, Szarek!!

[Maggie Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. The characters show realistic emotions, the suspense is tight and I loved the story. I'll be getting book 2 when it comes out!

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is the beginning of a new series titled Crossing Forces. A series revolving around law enforcement individuals.
This one centers around Cole Lucas and Andi MacLaren.
Cole is an FBI agent driven to get a human trafficker that has escaped him numerous times. He follows him to Antioch, TX. Here he meets Andi. She is a detective, widow and has now been partnered with Cole.Her police partner, was injured by the Maldonado, the man Cole is after. Cole resents having a partner and she resents his cockiness and disregard of her. But in the midst of this collision, there is an attraction.
Andi ends up having to house Cole where he sees another side of her , as a mother. Needless to say, her boy, Ethan , steals Cole’s heart , as does his Mother.
The plot thickens while the two of them not only work together to get the trafficker, but also as their relationship develops. The main characters are complex and the secondary ones are interesting with potential stories all of their own.
All that said, I have to confess that I disliked Cole during the first 20% of the book. His attitude towards Andi, and disregard of her as a professional rubbed me the wrong way. He redeemed himself, but it did take a while.
A promising series that promises to keep the readers entertained.
I was gifted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a small town deputy is paired with a cocky FBI agent . Well sparks do fly . When Cole Lucas has a criminal evade him, he is out to find him . Which takes him to Anitoch Texas where he has to work Andi Maclaren, a small town deputy who is working on her own case . Will the sparks fly or will their differences push them apart .

Wow is what I say about the characters in this story . Cole well he is cocky and sexy . He is one hundred percent a man's man . There is something under Cole's gruff exterior a sweetness that Andi pulls out of him . Andi is sweet but tough as nails she is good at her job but not so good at feelings . She has been a widow and a single mom for so long . She doesn't know what to do when Cole comes and stays on her couch . You can feel the sparks fly with these two .

This is the first book I have read from this author and I am going to continue reading the series . The author us on an adrenaline fueled roller coaster ride . The characters are well written and complex you will love them and want to slap them upside the head through out the book . I love strong female character and this book has one Andi is that character . The only down side to this book that it seemed to drag a little in the middle of the book . I felt like it seemed just to be a little slow . Over all i really enjoyed this book and going to dive right into book two . So if you like a good romantic suspense and this book to your summer reading list .

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all the rest of these books in the series and yet for some reason I never read book 1!
I really liked Andi and Cole's story.
Poor Andi has already been through heartache. She lost her husband in the line of duty and was left to raise their six-month old son on her own. She isn't looking to add anymore heartache to her card and yet when she runs into Cole Lucas she can't help the feelings developing for him and can't help but want him.
Cole Lucas is a one man band, he doesn't do partners. Not in his personal life and most definitely his professional career. Yet his biggest case, one he's invested so much time in he's forced to take partner in 'Podunk' Texas. Andi is the kind of woman that screams forever and Cole knows he can't offer that to her and her young son.
And yet both Ethan and Andi stir up feelings Cole didn't believe he would ever feel...especially for a woman with a child. Family life never appealed to him. But what's left for Cole after his case wraps up?
Will Andi and Cole finally realize that they are perfect for each other? Or will Cole break Andi and Ethan's hearts and leave them behind?

[Christine Mize · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a ride! Collision Force starts with a bang and never let's up! Packed full of action, with the perfect amount of heat, the perfect amount of sweet - this is one of the best romantic suspense books that I have read. Andi MacLaren is a Detective with the Antioch police department. Thrown together with FBI agent Cole Lucas when the cases they each are working cross-over each other, sparks fly. As they chase their case across the city and bodies stack up, I was kept on the edge of my seat. I adore strong female heroines and Andi was a great combination of intelligence and strong will. Cole was a lot of fun to read but there were times I just wanted to box his ears. In the end, I got my happily-ever-after but will warn that there is a bit of a cliff hanging ending that leads to the perfect segue into the next book in the series. Grab a blanket and some hot chocolate and settle in on the couch for the perfect weekend reading because once you start this series, you will not be able to put it down!

[Nancy Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fourth book I have read by this author. Actually I am just on chapter 12. So far it’s following the same formulary as the other 3, or they followed this one. I don’t know the order they were written in. Main characters meet, fall instantly in LUST, same description of physical and mental reactions, and the same self talk. Very predictable. The women whimper and moan and the men always have an erection. In my opinion there is very little romance in these supposed romance books. The author does start what might be a romantic scene but it is always interrupted by commentary about the lust or the actual lust. You CAN have both. The story takes second place to the constant mental gymnastics/self talk as the characters try and fail to control their pervasive lust for each other. Why can the characters NEVER understand their emotions/feelings?

Not sure if I will finish this book much less the series.

Made it to chapter 20. So far no change from the formulary. Different characters, same words, same actions, same, same, and more same.

Chapter 24. PLEASE STOP with the possessiveness. His detective, her lover, his lover, her FBI agent. OMG just use the characters name. All 4 books same use of possessive references.

Get a thesaurus.

I actually finished this book. Predictable, overuse of phrases, and the ending was anticlimactic since it was predictable what would happen.

[Andrzejewski Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collision Force is the first book of CA Szarek that I've read. I love both the main characters, Cole and Andi. This book was a definite page turner and made me shed a few tears. There is more romance then suspense/action. As I got close to the end of this book I was bummed that it was almost over. That I purchased the next book in the series Chance Collision. I'm looking forward to reading Pete's story next in this series.

Oh, I loved the part where Cole knocks on her bedroom door and catches her pretending to be reading with the lights off. The book she is reading is one I want to read. I love how she explains that Highlander is about history.

"Thank God she had something else to focus on. The paperback was a Historical Scottish Highlander romance novel that Andi didn’t let leave the house. The guys at work would never let her hear the end of it. “It’s about history.” She cringed at her defensiveness."

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first CA Szarek's book. This the first book in the Crossing Forces Series, a Romantic Suspense. The two main characters, Cole and Andi, are great together and they share a strong chemistry. The story is well written, fast-paced, action packed, entertaining and steamy! Andi, a Detective and a widow, is a strong woman and a good Mom. Andi, a FBI Agent, is a handsome man, possessive and protective, who cares about Andi and her son Ethan. I absolutely love their beautiful HEA. I loved the bonus! I can't wait to listen to the next book in the Series, Chance Collision, Pete and Nikki's story. The duet narration was really great, easy to listen and entertaining. I'm looking forward for more books written by this author and narrated by these narrators.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collision Force is a suspenseful romance featuring Andi and Cole. Andi is a widower, her beloved husband died in the line of duty. With a career and a 3 year old son to care for love has taken a backseat in her life. Cole is a cocky FBI agent she is forced to work with on a case. Cole is a love them and leave them type married to his job. Their relationship is the center of the novel while they are "catching "the bad guy". Since their relationship was more about sex, the secondary characters were more interesting to me. Andi's son Ethan is adorable and her partner Pete is awesome and I loof forward to reading more about them. This page turner is not what I expected , however it was an enjoyable read. If you like steamy romances this is for you.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collision Force by C.A. Szarek is an awesome read. Ms. Szarek has delivered a well-written book. She gets an A for her characters and their interaction and dialog. Well done Ms. Szarek! Cole is an FBI agent following the trail of a criminal. Andi is a police detective forced to work with Cole. There is plenty of action, suspense, humor and sizzle to keep readers glued to this fantastic book. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover and look forward to my next book by C.A. Szarek. Collision Force is book 1 of the Crossing Forces Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not used reading about female police officers/detectives so Andi and Lee made me proud to be a female. This author did an excellent job describing the females' response in the action scenes where they were shoulder to shoulder in not in front of their fellow officers.

Cole, an FBI agent, joins forces with Andi to take down a child trafficker. This a romantic suspense novel which hits all the high notes in romance (The love story is outstanding) and suspense (some of the scenes are spine tingling).

I received this book as a gift and I am voluntarily reviewing it. I can't wait to read the next one!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Collision Force by C.A. Szarek that I read and reviewed.
This book was just okay for me. It just did not have the "it" factor that I look for in a book. I really could not relate to Cole at all. He was a bit of a jerk at first and I really did not like him at all. As for Andi she was very weak at first and I was not that fond of her either.
The language was over played as well. I don't mind swearing in a book but I just did not feel it in this book. Overall, the story was good, but the people in the book not great.
I am giving Collision Force three out of five stars.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want an exciting book that will keep you constantly reading it until the very end , Collision Force is for you. When FBI agent Cole Lucas is chasing a human trafficker's trail and he end up in a small town in Texas. But when he has to work Detective Andi MacLaren , neither of them are happy about it at all. Both of them may not want to have anything to do with each other , but there is something between them they can't deny. I couldn't put this down until I finished the whole thing, it makes me a happy reader , but a very tired person the next morning. Never a dull minute , with amazing chemistry between the two main characters.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collision Force is a sweet romantic suspense. Small town Texas detective and single mother Andi MacLaren has to work with cocky bad boy FBI agent Cole Lucas to catch a human trafficker. The attraction between the two is combustible but she isn’t into short term flings and he doesn’t do long term but Andi may just be the one to change his mind. That is if they live long enough.
If not for his interaction with Ethan I would have written Cole off as a jerk and not good enough for Andi but watching him interact with the little boy melted my heart.
I really enjoyed this sweet and sultry story.