Catalyst

By: Rachel Grant

Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

When a food storage depot in famine-struck South Sudan is torched, American aid worker Brie Stewart flees, only to land in a market where she's the next item up for auction. Is the attack on the aid facility another assault upon the war-torn fledgling democracy, or has her family set her up as a pawn in their quest for oil rights?

Chief Warrant Officer Sebastian Ford crossed paths with Brie years ago when she was a shill for her family's company, pushing a pipeline that threatened his tribe's land. Determined to lead the rescue operation to save her, he won't let her abduction - or the attraction that flares between them - get in the way of settling their unfinished business.

The Green Beret's skills are put to the test in the flooded grasslands of South Sudan, where they must battle nature and dangerous factions who are after more than oil. Bastian and Brie put their hearts on the line as they find themselves embroiled in a conflict that extends beyond country and continent. Together they must douse the spark before it reaches the flashpoint and engulfs everything they hold dear.

©2017 Rachel Grant (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The second novel in Grant's Flashpoint series offers intelligent romantic suspense that moves with the urgency of a thriller." (Kirkus Reviews)

My new favourite author

I love everything about Rachel Grants writing - its fast paced, interesting, well written and all the characters are developed in such a way that you really care about the outcome and want to know what’s next for them.
These books are amazing in their richness and layers, especially around humanitarian and social justice issues. I love the way that the patriarchal biases and sexism is called out by both the men and the women. This is done respectfully and as part of the story which just makes the books even more enjoyable to read because it is challenging stereotypes rather than justifying them.
The narrator was fantastic and the sex scenes were hot and enhanced the story.
Would highly recommend this book.

These books should be their own category!

Would you listen to Catalyst again? Why?

Like "Tinderbox", "Catalyst" is a real story of action and suspense with real sex. These books should be their own category. I am so tired of "Romance" books with thin story line, character development, cliche dialog and full of High School-like drama and fairy tale relationships that are written around careful sex. I want more books like these! I will definitely try her other books hoping they will also be good reads full of adult situations, conversations and sex.

Suspense, Sex and Love ia a third world war zone

enjoyed the story, enjoyed Brie, who she was, her determination to become who she is, the Green Beret, Chief Ford, and what he learns about himself and her as they move and live thru the real terrors going on here and now in the Third World War zone. Good Narrator!

Princess Prime

Fleeing armed men in South Sudan American aid worker Brie Stewart lands in a slave market, only to be rescued by the Green Berets. Including one hot and infuriating man she shouldn't want but does anyway.

Chief Warrant Officer Sebastian Ford has mixed emotions where Brie is concerned. Despite his feelings being coloured by her past and his heritage nothing will stop him from rescuing her from a fate worse than death.

On the run Bastian discovers that ''Princess Prime' the oil tycoons daughter has changed. The girl that he both despised and lusted over is now a beautiful strong and compassionate woman.

As Bastian and Brie find themselves embroiled in a conflict that extends beyond country and continent. They find more than their hearts are on the line. Failure is not an option!

Rachel has crafted an intriguing romantic political thriller that I really enjoyed listening to and thoroughly recommend to all readers.

Catalyst

Wow! As usual i am bowled over by the sheer courage the heroine shows. I o be rach so grant!!

Exciting, suspenseful read

If you like romance entwined with suspense this book is for you it was very well written. I did not read her other books in the series and it was still a very good standalone book . And yes there was an HEA.
Story 5/5
Steam 4/5
Narration 5/5
Overall 5/5

Great series, but had a few issues with this book.

Through Audible Escape I've listened to 3 of the 4 books in the series, and I really love them. I have some trouble remembering names and places, so it's difficult to follow along sometimes, but the social commentary in these books is worth the trouble. I think Rachel Grant does a great job of bringing up real and horrifying issues people of the world face, while simultaneously giving readers a compelling stoyline about characters we want to root for.
However, I did have a couple of issues with the hero in this book, Sebastian Ford. As well as what I felt was an unrealistic choice he and the heroine, Brie Stewart made.

***Mild Spoilers Below***

I really like Sebastian, but I can't help but feel like he never really proves his trust in Brie, nor does he seem to fully understand the problem with things he has done/said to her. There was a point in the story where he was basically given the choice of manipulating her, or being honest with her and trusting that she'd be forthcoming because it's the right thing to do. He chose manipulation despite his feelings for her, which shows his lack of trust in her character. You see his remorse over it, but he doesn't seem to understand why it was so wrong. Later in the story, after realizing that he's in love with her, he makes a snap judgment about her excitement over something, assuming it's about her wanting to be wealthy again. It just seems like he has a chip on his shoulder and although it doesn't appear to be an issue later, it's like the part of the book where it shows his character's growth in regards to Brie is missing. There should have been a discussion between them about this. Brie spent her whole life being manipulated, used, and underestimated by the men in her life. She was a victim who picked herself up and started over, becoming a truly giving and caring person who used every tool available to her to help those in need. She was thrust into horrific situations and handled them with strength and dignity. She's a truly admirable human being. Sebastian may not know or see all of this right away, but he knows enough, and still uses and manipulates her; never taking opportunities to come clean. That betrayal is a really big deal for someone who's gone through what she has. He apologizes and they seem to get over it, but when he then basically accuses her of only caring about money, it shows he really didn't learn anything. He claims to be in love with her, but assumes the worst of her again, like he does in the beginning of the book. It just seems like he agrees with her inner thoughts that she'll never be able to put the past behind her. She deserved better from him. His inner monologue at the end of the book shows how much her loves her, but they never get to the root of his thoughts and actions and resolve them. Saying you're sorry doesn't take it back, especially if you can't stop doing it. It would've been nice to give his character an opportunity to believe in and trust in her. Her character deserves a love interest who shows her how much he believes in and trusts that she is good, that her past doesn't matter. Sebastian never gives her that and it sucks.

The last thing is that I find it really unrealistic that they would still choose to go somewhere when they suddenly learn a dangerous enemy will be there unexpectedly. I would at least expect them to tell someone. It's idiotic that they don't.

Perfect Romantic Suspense

Catalyst is really a good example of one perfect romantic suspense - at least for me ;-)
The hero and heroine are believable and likable, there is clearly a lot of chemistry between the two and the back-story is really suspenseful. There are some misunderstandings between the main characters and while I would have liked them to be not warmed up quite so often, I can understand that it is not easy to let go of the perceived picture of yourself or someone else.
The suspense part of the story takes place at an unusual locale (Africa) and is not swiftly resolved but really keeps you at the edge of your seat.
While this is the second book in the series, it can be read - or listened to - as a standalone.
The reader can distinguish the characters well and is genuinely a joy to listen to.

Flashpoint Series

Book two is just as good as book one. It continues with two other characters in the flashpoint series.

Brie Steward and Sebastian Ford have their own demons to fight and their own identities to repair and protect. This story carries on in Djibouti, the start of all the books in the series. It makes you want to set up a small army to protect all the civilians in the African countries struck by famine, human trafficking and terrorism. This book brings its own issues to light which are again, real and present. The characters story again is filled with true feelings a person can associate with. You feel for each and every one of them.

I was extremely impressed with the narration. Mr Tremblay kept the voices in sync with the first book. Each character kept their own identity. REALLY WELL DONE!!

If you read the first book, you would not actually need a review on the second book. You would most definitely finish the series.

Fantastic Romantic suspense!!!

Again, I must say this author's ability to write is truly awe inspiring!!!
Fabulous, lovable characters facing the horrors in South Sudan.

The truth about South Sudan's atrocities about starvation and the much needed menstrual panties for women who drop out of school due to the problems of not having a way to manage their menses is eye opening and heart wrenching.

Something, I honestly have never even considered.

I appreciate the authors honesty and knowledge about such things that we, not in 3rd world countries, take for granted e.g. Basic Food, pads, running water, electricity, beds etc.. That most people are not even aware of or care to acknowledge.

The story was truly a roller coaster ride of danger, intrigue and I could not stop listening till the end!!

Lots of twists, turns, terror and just so well written.
Highly recommend this series and her "Evidence" series!

Narration was well done. I'm on to the next in this wonderful series.

Thanks again, to the author, for the hours of audible entertainment.