Over dinner, Detective Quinn Holcombe and Maddy McKay discuss a case: eight people have disappeared over six months; Maddy, a bodyguard for Elite Guardians and former FBI agent, agrees to work with Quinn on his case. Maddy and Quinn have been friends for a long time, and truth be told, Maddy has been somewhat in love with Quinn, but she isn't sure where she stands with him, but that particular evening, he becomes even more surly and unpleasant than usual, Maddy has had it, and she leaves the restaurant without looking back. Still, Quinn will get the surprise party he doesn't want. In a way, Quinn gets his wish, because he and Maddy get kidnapped before the party!

The Elite Guardians started well enough, but Lynette Eason has seriously upped the excitement quota with MOVING TARGET! We're in the thick of things almost right from the start, and Ms. Eason creates a truly terrifying atmosphere. The victims don't appear to have anything in common, even counting Quinn and Maddy; and the killer's MO doesn't appear to follow any specific pattern. Maddy and Quinn have to work together if they want to stay alive, and in spite of their issues, they are friends and they work well together: Quinn's a thinker, Maddy's a doer; she's a martial arts expert, and she shows us indeed! I love the banter between Maddy and Quinn, whether they are arguing or agreeing. I enjoyed how the author kept a healthy balance between the suspense and the romance, and the latter is almost as nail-biting as the chase for the killer. The romance never intrudes on the intrigue, but complements it, as Quinn and Maddy face some of their issues while running for their lives and looking for the perpetrator. It also gives the reader a welcome occasional breather from the tension. The inspirational part is also very cleverly written in the story. Newcomers to the Elite Guardians series, or readers with faulty memories will appreciate the author's subtlety in dropping essential information as needed.

It's truly wonderful to read a romance with a heroine who has a very grown-up and healthy attitude towards relationships and romance; it was easy to relate to Maddy as a character and as a romance heroine as well. Both Quinn and Maddy are exceptionally interesting characters, with very complex backstories, and I believed in them, together and separately. Readers who are forever lamenting the eternal damsel in distress syndrome need to read MOVING TARGET: Maddy is truly who she is supposed to be, she definitely does not need a man to save her; she does a lot of the saving! And wonder of wonders, she never, but never, does anything stupid. Never! Do you think I liked Maddy! Lynette Eason also writes superb secondary characters, such as Sheriff Danvers, a favourite of mine as characters go, and the killer will make your skin crawl, in a believable way.

MOVING TARGET will keep you on your toes until the last page with its thrilling suspense, a very intricate plot, and a romance that rings true ever step of the way. On a side note, I love the Elite Guardians stunning and minimalist covers; this one in particular perfectly reflects Maddy's personality and strength; this is Maddy, and in this series the women really are the stars!

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