Renegade Reunion - Addison Fox (HRS #2320 - Apr 2025)

Series: Wyoming Warriors (Book 1)
 
Their differences once tore them apart
Now they're the only things keeping them alive
 
Former CIA operative Trace Withrow traded a high-risk career in DC for a ranch in Wyoming, leaving behind the partner he couldn't forget. But when Nicola Miles discovers an inside hit on a missing teen, she turns to Trace, stirring up emotions he'd buried for years. Nicola never liked his "toss the rule book" attitude. In fact, their differences ultimately ended their affair. Yet that very character trait could be the lifeline Nicola needs -- especially since she doesn't know who she can trust at her own agency. Or if she's the ultimate target…or Trace…
 
Terrific start to the new series, with great action, suspense, and an emotional second chance at love. Trace was a CIA operative until he became disillusioned with the trustworthiness of his employer. He bought a ranch in Wyoming and, along with his brother, Garner, a former SEAL, and their friend, Jake, a former Vegas cop, trains horses. They also occasionally took on activities that utilized their skills. Trace specializes in finding missing persons. The last person he expected to show up was his former partner and the woman he can't forget.
 
Nicola is desperate to find a missing asset. Olivia is a teenage girl with mad computer skills and a connection to an investigation Nicola is part of. Olivia disappeared, and Nicola, unlike in the past, doesn't know who she can trust. Trust was never an issue with Trace, so she tracks him down to get help.
 
I knew this would be a terrific book when Trace and Nicola's reunion started with her holding a gun on him. As details of their past emerged, I could see the conflict that complicated their relationship. Nicola is a by-the-book agent who believes their agency has the world's best interests at heart. Trace had no problem thinking outside the box regarding the rules. He also had/has a cynical view of his coworkers' trustworthiness. The end of their affair coincided with Trace's departure and harsh words exchanged.
 
Each believes that they have moved on. However, seeing each other stirs up old feelings, even though they try to resist. Working together to find Olivia allows them to face their past and acknowledge mistakes. Their feelings continue to grow, but what happens once they find Olivia? I loved the full-circle ending.
 
The suspense kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Nicola's worry about Olivia sent her to Trace for help. The intensity ramps up when they become the target of attacks. As Trace and Nicola dive deeper into Olivia's disappearance, the question becomes, are these attacks related to her disappearance, or are they personal? And if they are personal, who is the target - Trace or Nicola? I loved how they made Olvia's rescue their top priority, even as the truth of what they are up against becomes clear. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with a twist I didn't expect. I loved how it turned out.

The Warrior's Bride Alliance - Denise Lynn (HH #1848 - Mar 2025)

Series: Warrior Wolves (Book 3)
 
She needs a husband…
So she captures one!
 
Lady Gillian of Rockskill desperately needs a husband -- one strong and wealthy enough to protect her castle. So she has warrior Rory of Roul captured and blackmails him into marrying her!
 
Awaking in a dungeon to a marriage proposal, Rory stuns his beguiling captor with a counteroffer: to free his men and complete his mission for the king, he agrees to a temporary chaste marriage. One that can be annulled when his quest is over.
 
But despite their stormy beginning, their attraction grows, and so does the temptation to claim their wedding night!
 
Terrific enemies to lovers story. Gillian needs a husband, fast, to save herself and her people. After her older, cruel husband died, her cousin schemes to take Rockskill for his own. The property has been in her family for a long time, passed down from mother to daughter. Cousin Albert plans to marry her to one of his horrible friends and take over the property. Only someone strong and wealthy enough to stand up to Albert can help her, so she takes matters into her own hands.
 
Rory of Roul is the youngest of the Roul brothers and one of King David's wolves. He has been charged with capturing Rockskill and ending the shenanigans going on there. The last thing he expected was to wake up in a dungeon, chained to the wall, after being drugged and captured by a woman. Capping the indignity, Gillian then blackmails him into marrying her by threatening the lives of his men. But is he really so unwilling? Marrying Gillian gets him into Rockskill without a battle, making it easier to fulfill his mission. But Rory has his own conditions: the marriage will be in name only and annulled once his mission ends and Gillian is safe.
 
I loved watching Rory and Gillian's relationship develop. The first obstacle to overcome is their mutual distrust. Gillian's past has shown her that men are not to be trusted. Her protectiveness toward her people causes her to keep certain information from Rory. He senses that she is keeping secrets and wonders how deeply she's involved in the activities he's there to stop. The intense attraction between them complicates their plans. As they spend time together, Rory and Gillian's attraction grows into something deeper. Their banter and arguments were fun to witness, and the push and pull between them as they tested boundaries kept me turning the pages. But when they work together, the results are terrific. I loved the changes in Gillian, as Rory's presence and protectiveness gave her confidence in her abilities. The confrontations with those who want Rockskill for their own purposes were intense and kept me glued to the pages until resolved.
 
But Rory's past haunts him, convinced that his actions made the future he dreams of impossible. I ached for Rory; his pain and guilt leap off the page. Much of his pain is wrapped up in his relationship with his three brothers. Regardless of his fears for the future, he knows they will have his back in supporting Gillian. Their appearance near the end of the book is an emotional revelation of the depth of love and support these brothers share. I laughed out loud at his oldest brother's way of getting Rory's attention and cheered when he finally broke through the walls Rory erected.
 
I loved the ending and seeing Rory finally let go of the past. Their reunion was emotional and sweet but also showed the changes they experienced. I liked seeing more of Rory's brothers. I hope Edan gets his story soon.