Abducted (Lizzy Gardner, #1) by Theresa Ragan


Elizabeth Gardner (Lizzy) is seventeen-years old when she tells her parents she's going out with her girlfriends. Instead, she meets up with Jared Shayne, her boyfriend of two years. As she walks home beneath an inky black sky, her perfect night becomes her worst nightmare.
 
Fourteen years later, Lizzy is a licensed PI known as the "one who got away." When she's not searching for runaway teenagers, working on insurance scams, or talking to her therapist, she's at the local high school teaching young girls to defend themselves. But her world is turned upside down for the second time after she receives a call from Jared Shayne. He's an FBI special agent now and he needs her help. Lizzy has no plans to get involved. Not until Jared tells her the kidnapper left her a personalized note.
 
Escaping from a madman should have been the end of her nightmare...but it was only the beginning.

This thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. Having burned through this book in one sitting; it’s fast-paced and gripping. Lizzy Gardner is a damaged female heroine that can be a role model, on many levels. She survived something as traumatic as a kidnapping and is still finding her way back. Yet she doesn't let that stop her from help people.
Abducted (Lizzy Gardner, #1) is the second book of Theresa Ragan’s that I have read. I was impressed with her first book and surprised that this was one of her. It’s published under T.R. Ragan. I usually purchase books based on their premise not by the author; until I find one that I loved.
I found this to be better than Taming Mad Max, but they are two different genres. Where Taming Mad Max is a romance novel, Abducted is a thriller. I’m more inclined to like thrillers anyway.

I give Abducted (Lizzy Gardner, #1) 5 out 5.

Taming Mad Max

Taming Mad Max by Theresa Ragan


Max Dutton, a starting NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Condors, is certain he’s going to die young since his father and grandfather both passed away at an early age. Believing his life will be cut short, Max lives every moment to its fullest. For this reason, Max also shies away from forming close relationships. What would be the point of falling in love and starting a family only to leave them as his father left him and his sisters? Nutrition expert, Kari Murphy, used to think Max Dutton was to die for. She's older and wiser now, but then she’s hired by the NFL franchise to follow Max around for a couple of weeks and give him healthy-eating advice, foolproof facts about carbohydrates and tasteful tips on cooking and shopping smart. Kari Murphy must work side by side with the guy she spent one spectacular night with during high school…the guy she pined after for way too long. Too bad he doesn't remember her.


When I found Taming Mad Max, it was from Pixel of Ink, their daily email of free books on Kindle is awesome. I wasn't sure what to expect. I usually read science fiction stories but the premise peaked my curiosity. This is my first romance novel. It was surprising more interesting than some of the romantic comedies I have watched, even if it was just as predictable.

I usually purchase and read books that their descriptions speak to me and this one did. I could easily visual the action from Theresa Ragan writing. It’s something that all my favorite writers have in common. Having purchased this sole based on its description I was surprise that I had already purchased another one of her books, Abducted (Lizzy Gardner, #1). I'm definitely eager to read it now.

I give Taming Mad Max 4 out 5.