Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Outbreak Task Force #4

Search & Destroy

Rate this book
Dr. Carmen Rodrigues, CDC's Outbreak Task Force director, is on the hunt for a killer--an airborne virus spreading from Florida across the States, gaining traction with each passing moment. Although she'll never forget her one night with sexy bodyguard John Dozer in Afghanistan, his protective nature is one distraction she doesn't need right now. Ex-Army Intelligence officer John Dozer will put his life on the line for beautiful, independent Carmen. Every. Time. Even when she pushes him away. And now, with her struggling to contain an outbreak likely triggered by domestic bio-terrorists, maybe even insiders at the CDC, she needs him more than ever. He lost her once. He'll never let that happen again. Contains mature themes.

Runtime: 7. 17 hours. Unabridged, 6 library CDs.

327 pages, ebook

Published August 26, 2019

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Julie Rowe

55 books1,978 followers
Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “No one would believe them!” A double Golden Heart finalist 2006, Julie’s writing has appeared in several magazines such as Today’s Parent, Reader’s Digest (Canada), and Canadian Living. She currently facilitates communication workshops for her local city college. Julie enjoys hearing from her readers. You can reach her at www.julieroweauthor.com or on Twitter @julieroweauthor .

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
94 (42%)
4 stars
97 (43%)
3 stars
26 (11%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,133 reviews910 followers
May 14, 2022
I think Search & Destroy is the last book that I have for this series. Anyway... again, not very impress with the overall of the book. It was OK read. Reminds me so much of Susan Stoker.

The plot if pandemic is surreal. Reminding me of the world we live right now. Covid and now mysterius hepatitis.
While on the book itself, I was expecting more steamy romance.

3 stars
August 29, 2019
Search & Destroy is the fourth book in Julie Rowe’s Outbreak Task Force series. I would generally say that this could be read as a standalone but so much has happened that I just don’t think it would be as enjoyable without getting the full history of the series at this point. Each book focuses on the CDC’s Outbreak Task Force members and the romances that form within each two person team. In addition, the Task Force has been dealing with homegrown terrorists who launched their initial assault in book one, Viable Threat, and continue their reign of terror throughout the series, affecting each team.

We finally get to find out about the leader of the Task Force in this book. Dr. Carmen Rodrigues is the Director of The Outbreak Task Force and she is a strong woman. She also just so happened to have had a prior relationship with her Homeland Security Liaison John Dozer back in Afghanistan a lifetime ago. Things ended abruptly and John never thought he would see her again until he was assigned to her team. They keep each other at arm’s length until Dozer is almost killed and Carmen takes it upon herself to keep him safe. The terrorists have shown a special interest in getting rid of both of them which causes Dozer and Carmen to be in close quarters as they work to eliminate the threat. Of course, feelings get brought out into the open and they have to decide if they can overcome their past and fall in love again.

I really loved Search & Destroy. Rarely do you get the opportunity to see what happens with the leader of the team in this type of series. It appears that Julie is making it a point for us to get to know everyone involved. In addition, there is a lot of intense action in this book. Search & Destroy is by far the best one yet. I don’t want to give too much away so I will just say that we really learn a lot more about the terrorists in this book than we had before.

**Received a copy of the book from the publisher and reviewed voluntarily.**
Profile Image for Marta Cox.
2,688 reviews204 followers
July 27, 2019
Yet another intense story from this author that had me absolutely glued to my kindle ! As this particular story begins John Dozer is still in hospital recovering from his recent injuries when a would be assassin working for a terrorist group tries to kill him and John isn't exactly sure why or what they think he knows. Carmen doesn't care why John is a target but she is sure that if he can't or won't protect himself than the best thing is to keep him by her side. Yes they have history but it's a complicated mess.
You would think tip toeing around their feelings would be angst enough but no this author continues this series with an even more deadly disease on the loose and its clear Carmen has her work cut out trying to prevent wide spread death and mayhem. The trouble is this epidemic and it's origin are very close to home with terrorists seemingly getting the upper hand. Carmen and John are up against the clock and still have to work through their past but when lives are on the line it's time to simply try to live !
I never know what to expect and can truthfully say this story was absolutely gripping. Bio terrorism is a new enemy to me and I thought the author did an amazing job of making the reader feel just how pervasive and intense it would be. I did like the couple but question their steamy romance or if precise it was the timing initially that surprised me.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Profile Image for Bea .
2,011 reviews135 followers
August 23, 2019
Well, I didn't DNF but I have such mixed feelings about this book. I liked the mystery and suspense but the romance didn't work for me. Parts of this were fascinating, parts were infuriating, and parts were confusing. This one would not work as a stand alone. Full review to come.
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books1,975 followers
September 17, 2019
Search and Destroy is book four in the Outbreak Task Force series and honestly, it isn't a standalone. There is so much that has happened leading up to this point, you really need to have read the previous books. That being said, I freakin' LOVED this book. I've watched Carmen and John dance around each other but in this book, I get to explore the reasons why. They spar with each other and work well together. Their love, though, makes them fiercely protective. The "outbreak" is a deadly strain of the measles and I loved how Julie Rowe incorporates the inoculation debate into her plot. I whipped through the story as fast as I could. The emotional angst was a little high but Julie Rowe balances it well. The ending blew me away.

If you like high-adrenaline romantic suspense, you'll love Search and Destroy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in the hopes I'd review it.

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

My Rating: 5 stars
Profile Image for Jypsy .
1,524 reviews55 followers
August 18, 2019
Search and Destroy is actually a frightening story. The bioterrorism threat is very real, and the scenario presented in this book is entirely plausible. While I found the plot engaging, thrilling and sharply written, I lacked some background information that would have been helpful. I don't recommend reading this book as a standalone because it's like you're thrown into the middle of something you don't understand. The story is good, but I wish I had read the series in order. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,675 reviews178 followers
August 6, 2019
In ‘Search and Destroy’, Julie Rowe amps it up with a serious but sudden outbreak of measles, the mobilisation and the rush to contain yet another outbreak. In a straight, unapologetic continuation from the previous book (those who haven’t yet started from scratch might find themselves in a bind here), there’s finally a sense that something bigger and more sinister is brewing. Bioterrorism? Political wrangling? All of the above? There’s more than what meets the eye, but it isn’t all clearly laid out just yet.

What I did find questioning though, was the forced chemistry and sex between Carmen and Dozer very early on—all of which would have been alright, except that it left Carmen alternating between being a simpering wimp when it came to Dozer’s supposed masculinity and being the strong, take-charge boss as the action wore on. Dozer’s less-than-appealing alpha behaviour in contrast, made him walk a dangerously close line to being a possessive alpha arse, and oddly enough, a side player in the bigger scheme of things.

In fact, I thought Rowe put Dozer’s and Carmen’s relationship on the backburner along with the questions that the reader typically has in favour of the action, which I found more believable than their relationship. As a result, Carmen/Dozer was a questionable pairing despite their very, very brief history 9 years ago and that their reunion suddenly sparked off Dozer's sudden need to only keep Carmen now (why not any time sooner despite all the regret?) was bewildering.

Instead, the memorable character that stood larger than life throughout the series turned out to be the Drill Sergeant whom I found hilarious but also charismatic the moment he appeared on the pages and that alone you could say, makes every book in the series worth reading.

This isn’t to say that ‘Search and Destroy’ isn’t smartly and well-written…it certainly is, even if it’s the rare book of Rowe that has gotten me a little more disappointed than excited. Rowe makes it very clear that the series has a mini arc within a larger narrative arc that will keep going for some time with the sequels to follow. Yet because of this, ‘Search and Destroy’ felt incomplete and particularly rushed with Carmen/Dozer’s relationship that went from zero to a hundred in a space of a few days, carved out in small pockets that frankly, did feel like blippy speed bumps in the otherwise pacey and thrillingly consistent storytelling.

*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Profile Image for Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans .
1,440 reviews429 followers
July 22, 2019

I have been a huge HUGE fan of Julie Rowe's "Outbreak Task Force" series since day one and book after book I have fallen in love with not only the characters but also the continuous storyline that moves book to book with new fresh new leads and writing style hat can easily grip any reader to become immerse in the novel. And needless to say, "Search & Destroy" is no exception. From page one all the way to the final lines the novel had been a endless charade of action, romance, and suspense. I loved how Carmen and John already had had some sort of romantic history together and seeing them trying to figure themselves out while dealing with an airborne epidemic left me wanting more. Julie Rowe impressed me once again and I can't wait to see what else she has in sort for us!

1,394 reviews13 followers
July 31, 2019
Wow, just wow! Search and Destroy, is an awesome addition to the Outbreak Task Force series. Dr. Carmen Rodrigues finally gets her own story. I loved it. My favorite parts were the banter between Dozer and DS. It was really hard to put this book down.
Profile Image for Ayekah.
1,119 reviews
August 12, 2019
Julie Rowe is always a sure bet when it comes to writing edge of your seat suspense with the perfect amount of romance thrown into the mix. Her characters, along with the plot have made this series an absolute must read for me. This was yet another 5 star plus read.
Carmen Rodrigues MD heads up the CDC Outbreak task force and she's dealing with yet another mystery outbreak in Florida. Cases of measles are being reported, people are dying at alarming numbers putting Carmen and her team at the ready. Add to the mix is John Dozer, her liaison with Homeland Security who is still recovering from an attempt on his life with a delicious subplot of his history with Carmen. The banter between the two is endless, throw in a new addition a man known as Drill Sergeant and the dialogue will have your glued to the pages. DS is protective of Carmen, as is John along with the rest of the team. The known bio-terrorist group FAFO is of course suspect and Carmen is called to the site in Florida with a team, while dealing with a not only the patient population, but attempts now on her life as well as Dozer's and a traitor in the CDC. This story just spun in so many directions it was the perfect intense suspense and I love the medical aspects of the story as well.
Carmen waits while her lab gives her a definitive of what they are looking at and the possibilities of treating it meanwhile the disease is spreading to major cities. I love Carmen, she's brilliant, speaks well, does not deviate from her goal (even while dealing with her feelings for Dozer) and her ability to problem solve-except maybe with Dozer but that's a story you have to read. I'm not giving anymore details of this over the top book, read it! It does not disappoint. Julie Rowe really blew this right out of the water! And the end.......

Profile Image for Rinou.
991 reviews38 followers
October 11, 2019
Once again the plot with the virus is frightening and really interesting. This time the scale of the epidemic is huge, with a starting point in an amusement park but it spread nation (and world) wide. The author criticizes with slightly veiled words anti-vax and pharmaceutic companies, the first for helping diseases thought extinct to spread again, the later for only wanting to make money and going to extreme measures in order to achieve it.

I'm more skeptical about the couple. I understand their past but I couldn't understand the heroine's behavior. She clings to her anger against the hero because 9 years ago when they were in the middle of a life or death situation that lasted 3 days he didn't tell her he was married (and he was actually divorcing his wife). Girl, you didn't tell him about your story back then either. And now that she's been targeted by assassination attempts he is going caveman trying to protect her, a fact that annoys her even more and makes her distrust him because she think he doesn't respect her strength. Sigh... Her change of mind arrives very late in the book (near the end in fact), too late for me.

The general plot with the terrorist group doesn't really progress even if some information has been discovered, and one of the secondary characters met in the previous books that I thought could be a mole wasn't at all (he was just a jerk lol) so good surprise!
Profile Image for Linda.
1,246 reviews
August 14, 2019
'She had told him in no uncertain terms she didn’t want him to take care of her, yet here he was doing it anyway. Instead of feeling angry, she felt guilty.'

That pretty much was the tone of the whole story. John has loved Carmen since they 1st met 9 years ago on duty in Afghanistan. They have one night together while in an extremely desperate situation where both thought they might not survive but the next day, Carmen ups & disappears when a jealous colleague spitefully informs her that John is married. He was then in the midst of a divorce. Nothing much in the story on his 1st marriage or why it failed. Thought that was a huge gap in the story.

FF 9 years later & Carmen is the competent, independent Director of the CDC’s Outbreak Task Force. Forced to work closely with John when he is assigned as her bodyguard, she keeps things purely professional and businesslike. When a virulent virus starts an epidemic of massive proportions and both John and she are somehow being assassination targets, John’s protective instincts go on overdrive – he would never let anything hurt the woman he loves – but Carmen keeps reacting in anger. Which after a while got tiring.

A little too much easy profanity for my taste as well. The previous book (#3 which I absolutely loved) was so much better.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,291 reviews165 followers
July 24, 2019
And the mayhem continues in this 4th part of Outbreak Task Force series. John Dozer hasnt even recovered from his injuries from a bomb in the 3rd book when he's thrown in the middle of another outbreak – this time deadly strain of the measles.

This series really needs to be read in order as its one long plot continuation from book to book – yes the couples are different and a new virus/pathogen is unleashed in each book – but the over all plot is continued through each book. Each story has you on the edge of your seat from all the suspense, deadly infectious diseases, and sizzlin romance. 

One of the things that makes this series so fascinating to me is that even though its fiction its liberally sprinkled with real life situations. An out of control measles outbreak is no so far fetched in the USA.


Search and Destroy finally gives us CDC Director Dr. Carmen Rodrigues and Homeland Security agent John Dozer's story. These two have a history going back nine years when they both were in Afghanistan. That didn't end well but while trying to stop the latest outbreak triggered by domestic bio-terrorists they work through their past issues.
Profile Image for Rochelle.
1,594 reviews
August 26, 2019
This is the first book by this author that I have read and it was a good story. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. It is a continual story but you won’t miss anything if you don’t read the others in the series first. This book will keep you on the edge of your seats with the action packed world of fighting bioterrorism. Carmen and John are fighting to keep a virus from spreading across the whole United States. They shared one night together that neither will forget but she can’t handle that right now. She needs to control this crisis. John still wants her and will always be by her side even if it is only to keep her safe but he will not stop wanting her. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book that will keep you engrossed in the story.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Linda Quick.
1,260 reviews26 followers
July 24, 2019
Loved this book! This is the fourth book in the Outbreak Task Force series and is just as good, if not better, then the prior books in the series. This novel focuses on Carmen and John's story as they investigate a horrific illness that is rapidly killing people and seems resistant to everything they try. Carmen is the CDC physician tasked with leading the investigation and John is the Homeland Security agent tasked to protecting her.

This is fast paced romantic suspense at its best. If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. This is a stand alone novel, however, it's so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all. The author is on my must read authors' list and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Marija.
493 reviews43 followers
September 2, 2019
Another great addition to CDC’s Outbreak Task Force. It is a story with lot of action, romance and suspense that gives a nice flow to the story.
It kept me interested from the first page till the very end.
It was so easy to fall in love with the characters in this book and the authors style of writing grips and holds your attention.
This book in the series is about a CDC doctor named Carmen and a homeland security agent John Dozer that are fighting against deadly strain of the measles, and I enjoyed in their fast paced story.
Can't wait to read the next of the series
Profile Image for Regina Kiddy.
286 reviews
July 24, 2019
Loved it, loved it. This book is about a CDC doctor named Carmen and a homeland security agent named Dozer. How a terrorist organization is trying to kill them and how an outbreak of a dangerous disease might end a love that’s is just getting restarted. If you like medical/military type romances this is the book for you. It’s so good I went back and bought the 1st three books of this series.

I read this book as an arc from NetGalley. I gave it 5 stars
Profile Image for Megan.
635 reviews56 followers
August 4, 2019
I seriously love this series SO. MUCH. Every time I love the story, and every time I can hardly wait for the next one. This one was so great, and I loved learning more about the task force boss lady!

Dr. Carmen Rodrigues is the director of the Outbreak Task Force at the CDC in Atlanta. She is always, calm, efficient, and trying her best for her people, and for the world at large. And her best is worth quite a lot. She's brilliant, hardworking, and dependable, which is why she's running this unit at 30 years old. When she was an aid worker in Afghanistan 9 years ago, she met, and fell for, her bodyguard, John Dozer. They had one night together, but then she left, and took some bad information, and anger, with her. When he showed up in her office less than a year ago, as the CDC's liaison agent from Homeland Security, both of them were shocked, to say the least.

John Dozer retired from the military, and took a job with Homeland. He volunteered for the liaison position, but had no idea that Carmen would be his contact there. She's been acting all-business since they met again, and he's followed her lead, but he's SO tired of that garbage. He still wants her, and he thinks it's finally time to make that apparent, and clear the air between them about the past. Especially since someone keeps trying to kill him. He's worked well with the task force, and he hates being physically unfit for duty while they need him. But, he won't let Carmen go investigate a new outbreak alone without protection. All her team works in pairs, and he is her pair. He's going with her as her bodyguard only, since he's not supposed to be working the investigation.

Carmen and John's underlying attraction, led to steamy chemistry, and finally to them both divulging their truths about the past, and how they wish it happened differently. I really enjoyed their honest communication in working through their issues. But Carmen carried a lot of anger about the past, in addition to her worries that John's overprotective behavior towards her must mean he doesn't trust her to be a competent, capable adult. And if he can't trust her, then she can't trust him. Their connection was tenuous, but they worked to strengthen it, and I adored watching them attempt it, amidst all the things happening around them.

There's been a building suspense plot throughout this series of a homegrown domestic terror group inflicting harm across the U.S., via bombs, guns, and general mayhem, as well as the spread of infectious diseases in certain areas. The Outbreak Task Force has been dispatched to these areas to investigate, and has gotten caught up in it every time. I've really loved getting to know this team, and falling for them amidst the ongoing drama. The suspense plot is always smart, engaging, and keeps me coming back for more, and that was true in this story as well. It feels like every time they get closer to pinning this group down, the next bad thing will happen and they'll be back to the beginning.

Most of the side characters here were characters from prior books, so that's always fun. The Drill Sergeant is an especially hilarious and satisfying character. I really enjoy this entire team, and I loved finally digging into the boss, after meeting her only peripherally in the last few books. She and Dozer's connection has been a remarked upon mystery in the other stories, so it was awesome to finally get some answers. I really enjoyed this one and, as always, I'm SO EXCITED for the next one. I'm REALLY hoping it's going to be CDC lab tech Henry. He seems like a delicious, grumpy puzzle, and I'm anxiously awaiting his story.

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
description description
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,007 reviews31 followers
August 19, 2019
ARC REVIEW

Outbreak Task Force #4, I love this series! So far all the books can be read as a standalone this book picks up right after the events of book three and even though I have read it it took me part of chapter one to reacquaint myself with the characters and the situation but then again I saw this arc up for grabs and I grabbed it didn't read the blurb or anything it was book four I had to have it so I went into this completely blind as to who the main characters were going to be. There is an overall story arc that links all the books together but each book is independent from the others. There is quite a bit of mention of the events in the last books but I don't think enough to get the reader lost.

The main characters of this one, head of the Outbreak Task Force Dr. Carmen Rodriguez and the Homeland Security liaison John Dozer. The benefit of reading the previous books is that you can tell there is something between the two of them but it never lets on to what it is, the way the acted in situations you could tell they cared about each other. Carmen was a wunderkind she finished medical school at 19 after that is when she first met John Dozer in Afghanistan. For Dozer it was instantaneous; the attraction, the respect he knew without a doubt this brilliant beautiful woman was for him but after their life and death situation she just walked away and he didn't see her again until the formation of the Outbreak Task Force.

Due the the events of the last book Dozer is on medical leave but due to an outbreak of the measles in Florida that the terrorist group FAFO is behind he's not leaving Carmen without protection, especially since the FAFO has targeted them specifically. The FAFO is now doing more than just infecting people they have attempted to bomb one of the hospitals and and airplane causing even more widespread panic it's scary enough that this weaponized strain of the measles is spreading quickly across the US. Carmen and Dozer have a lot on their plates with the outbreak, a mole, and dodging would-be-assassins but they also manage to deal with their past and what went wrong and fall in love all over again.

Overall, this was intense. Reading this series always makes me want to rewatch Outbreak. I love the narration and the characters, intense action and drama, hot romance, seriously I love everything about this book. I can't wait until the next book because the overall story arc was left open ended for more books (fist pump) and I really hope it's Henry's book next.



description
Profile Image for Teresa.
1,256 reviews3 followers
July 30, 2019
**I received a copy of Search and Destroy from Entangled Amara Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions below are mine and not solicited in any way**

Search and Destroy by Julie Rowe is the fourth book in her Outbreak Task Force series and I can sum up this latest addition to the series in one sentence... "You'd better hold on honey because it's going to be a bumpy ride" Search and Destroy is one thriller that grabs hold of you from page one to the very last one and you're going to love it. With much of the country last year and this one under the Measles outbreak umbrella I can totally relate to the pathogen reeking havoc in Search and Destroy, but it's Dr. Carmen Rodriguez, John Dozer and the undeniable sarcastic snark from our beloved DS that will have you from the first page. He will also sum up the best line in the book:
“Don’t think of me as old,” DS said, his tone mild. “Think of me as skilled, experienced, and irritated.”

We find Dr. Carmen Rodrigues with a measles outbreak in Florida at an amusement park spreading like wildfire and John Dozer still recovering from the IED from the last book insisting that he go with her to set up mobile units. But when they find out from Henry where the virus came from and who possibly weaponized it so that the usual medicines don't work it will take everyone to find a cure especially when both of them become one of the infected. But we finally get to see if Carmen and John can get beyond their issues to see if their feelings can become a HEA.

John Dozer has loved Carmen since their first meeting in Afghanistan when she ran from him before they could see if if there was something more for them in the cards. But when someone tries to kill both of them which in turn stalls his healing from previous attacks even the Surgeon General won't be able to keep him from keeping her safe. But when the person started the outbreak it will take everyone at the CDC, DS, SG and John to get her well when she becomes a patient after taking on the former employee determined to kill everyone. But how deep does the betrayal go and will they find out who is helping the FAFO with their Bioterrorism attacks? How deep within the government does their reach go?

I loved this book and can't wait for the next one except when will my beloved DS get his story?
Profile Image for Olivia.
3,254 reviews94 followers
July 29, 2019
SEARCH AND DESTROY continues the story of the CDC task force as they fight against bioterrorism- and find some romance. John Dozer is in the hospital, healing from massive injuries, and his life is in danger from whatever they think he saw before the explosion. His boss, Carmen, who leads the task force, wants to keep him safe, and the best way to do that might be by having him come with her.

They are investigating a new case, potentially of measles. However, Carmen and John also have a romantic history that makes working together romantically dangerous. As the case heats up, so does their romance.

This is an action-packed romantic suspense which is great for fans of the other books in the series. It moves quickly from the start, which makes it helpful to have read the previous books so you know what is happening and who everyone is. The romance is equally as big a part of the book as the case. I found this couple a little hard to get into- surly and slow to reveal details to make you like them together. For me, I didn't get the same chemistry that lit up the pages of the past books, but this one does have a place for people who like a bit of push-and-pull and emotionally-laden history in their couples.

The CDC cases are fantastic- I could really get into that plot and wanting to know more. It definitely keeps the pages turning! Recommend for anyone looking for a different type of procedural mystery/suspense with a heavy dose of romance. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,639 reviews119 followers
August 25, 2019
This is an edge of your seat romantic suspense and so much of it is frighteningly possible. The story concerns bio-terrorism, using a triggered measles-type outbreak. The person leading the efforts to bring this rapidly spreading airborne viral outbreak under control is Dr Carmen Rodrigues. She needs to help find a way of stopping the spread and treating its victims without succumbing to it herself. This brings her back into contact with John Dozer, with whom she spent one unforgettable night whilst serving in Afghanistan. He's no longer in the Army but is acting as her bodyguard. He's unsure just why she left him all those years ago but now he's found her again, he's determined to keep her safe . . . .

The descriptions of the dangers of this viral infection spreading, the thoughts behind possible treatments, the steps necessary to help contain the outbreak and explanations about each of them are an integral and worrying aspect of this story - it could so easily really happen! I found it a fascinating read, though it would truly be a nightmare to experience anything like it. There are plenty of suspects and discovering the perpetrators is a detective story in itself. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending it.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Profile Image for A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog.
2,814 reviews164 followers
August 16, 2019
5+ Stars

Wow! This book is FULL of drama and intrigue. The twists and turns, threats upon threats and fast-paced action just kept my mind occupied the whole way through. I was hooked and couldn’t get enough. I held my breath and was worried sick for the whole of humanity; we live in such a dangerous world that I can absolutely believe that something like this biological terrorism act could be a serious possibility. It is certainly very thought provoking.

Carmen Rodrigues works for the CDC and is totally in command of herself and those around her. John Dozer is just fantastic. I felt I had a connection with them both and DS; that man just makes me smile. I met him in the previous book, he’s just so Army. I could picture him and kind of want to hug the prickly Drill Sergeant. He is hilarious but deadly but he certainly commands respect. John is such a fantastic character; super protective and alpha; I’m very in love with him. He gives the story such emotion and his strength makes me swoon and smile.

This book has a great plot and demanded my complete attention. Simply fantastic and a definite must-read.
Profile Image for JG.
1,495 reviews61 followers
September 2, 2019
Search and Destroy is the fourth book in Julie Rowe's Outbreak Task Force series. If you love action adventure medical romances that are both smart and sexy then you really should start this series. The books have to be read in order to get a better understanding of the overarching plot since it’s the driving force of the books. Since this is the fourth book, the plot would not make much sense although you could get the gist of what’s going on. The main characters are Dr. Carmen Rodrigues and Homeland Security agent John Dozer, both introduced in previous books. Now readers get the real personal story between these two that was hinted in the last book. Both Carmen and John have to deal with a potential disease outbreak that could have terrorist connections at the same time dealing with their own personal history. Trust me, the romance might seem quickly dealt with but the action, the thrill of solving how to deal with outbreak virus and the informative way facts are mixed between the plot will keep you turning the pages. Plus the scenes between Carmen and John are sexy at the same time they learn how to navigate relationship goals while escaping bad guys!
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,064 reviews47 followers
August 1, 2019
We finally get to see what all sexual tension between John and Carmen has come from! One hot and steamy encounter, miscommunication, conniving sexual predators and now their weird working dynamic has stacked up against our couple but all that tension and chemistry has to go somewhere and it's about to explode!

Dozer is recovering from the injuries sustained in the previous book. Sadly I think this man has a trouble magnet and these aren't the only injuries he is going to have to suffer through. The FAFO seem determined to make him their number one target. Carmen is in charge of their unit but can she really compartmentalise her feeling when poor John keeps getting himself banged around?

Never judge a book by its cover because still waters run deep with Carmen and when the romance starts to take flight, she jumps in with both feet.

Needless to say, a certain senior citizen with the voice of a foghorn makes an appearance as the CDC factotum, he almost steals the show with his very inventive insults!
2,841 reviews
July 27, 2019
Carmen is director of the CDC Outbreak Task Force Team. A pathogen has been released and they race against the clock to find out what it is, who sent it, and a vaccine for it. Nine years ago Carmen was fresh out of medical school and working in Afghanistan when she meet John. They fell for each other but she finds out that John lied to her and she takes off. Now John is the liaison with the CDC and Homeland Security but was shot. As the outbreak grows larger, they must travel to Florida where it started. But someone is leaking information about Carmen and John and several attempts have been made on their lives. They know someone in CDC is the mole but will they be able to find them in time?
Never read a book by this author before but I could not put it down. It’s a little scary thinking this could actually happen. Sex, action, and mystery.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
Profile Image for h a y a ☽ (hayainshelves).
125 reviews45 followers
August 12, 2019
• Provided by Entangled Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review •


I’ve had my fair share of paranormal and zombie books but to be honest, this one was a breath of fresh air!!! Really.

Outbreak of measles? I’m in. But there’s more to the story than just this—the stakes are higher and there’s a cloud of gloom and doom that suggests that something far more evil is in the happening.

Carmen and Dozer were characters I enjoyed, I’ve heard that Julie Rowe’s other books are much, much better but considering that I loved even this book? I’m in for the others as well.

Witty, charming and simply—sexy!
1,721 reviews22 followers
July 21, 2019
A deadly virus has broken out and is spreading rapidly. Dr Carmen Rodrigues, head of the CDC’s Outbrak Task Force is trying to stop the virus. Former lover, John Dozer is back in the picture. He is determined to find out what happened to end their relationship 9 years ago and protect her at any cost.

This was a romantic suspense, with a fair amount of sex. I enjoyed the story, until the end. Part of the main storyline wasn’t resolved. I give this book 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. It would have been a solid 4* except for the ending. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
400 reviews5 followers
August 9, 2019
"Almost" his boss should be a deterrent.

This hospital needs a metal detector.

I wish I had that memory technique.

At least she had enough sense to be wary.

How old is she?

I had no idea measles was so scary.

Rawley, who died and made you God?

Burn. Damn, girl!

What's with the high-protein meals?

I don't think he is smothering her at all.

Poor Ketner. It was obvious, but it's still sad.

I wonder if there will be another book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lens and  Literature .
1,258 reviews13 followers
July 21, 2019
Not my favorite book lately but not horrible. Just a real basic hot and heavy love/lust story. Kinda basic but you really don’t ask books like this to be life changing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.