I think it's tough to do romantic suspense well in the page limit of Love Inspired Suspense, but this one did a good job. The pace of the romance is mitigated by the fact that Amy and Jordan have known each other for a long time and are somewhat reviving a dating relationship that was derailed at some point in the past. The suspense takes off almost from the beginning and continues through most of the book.

The "classified" aspects of their work (SEALs, DEA, and Ambassador) means that they don't connect all the dots behind the whys until at about 2/3rds of the way through the book. It also creates a gulf between Amy and Jordan that he can't explain. Both had problems with fathers leaving them as kids. Amy's father made promises that he rarely kept. Jordan's father was a police officer who died in the course of duty, prompting his mother to descend into a depression that she never came back from. So they're both struggling with issues that influence their relationship with each other. . ( )

Title: Christmas Captive (Love Inspired Suspense)
Author: Liz Johnson
Pages: 224
Year: 2017
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
My rating 5 out of 5 stars.
Christmas Captive is the 6th book in the Men of Valor series from Love Inspired. The other titles are: A Promise to Protect, SEAL Under Siege, Navy Seal Noel, Navy SEAL Security, and Hazardous Holiday all written by Liz Johnson. Like her other works of fiction, this story is attention-grabbing and heart-pounding action throughout the whole book!
A special wedding is about to take place on a ship that carries only the wedding party. When trouble breaks out, the only ones prepared are the terrorists. Though the maid of honor is a DEA agent named Amy Delgado and the best man is a SEAL named Jordan Somerton, no one on the cruise is prepared for the danger. What makes the now unforeseen mission tougher is that army and Jordan have a past that they either must put behind them or allow to keep them from rescuing a little kidnapped girl and catch those responsible.
Each book is a standalone and very entertaining to read. Whether one has a little or a lot of time, these books are worth reading and sharing with family and friends! ( )