Christmas with the Heroes - Janie Crouch, Josie Jade, Dominic Pierce (Calamitte Jane Pub - Dec 2025)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek, Resting Warrior Ranch, Citadel Solutions

Read December 30
 
A Very Linear Tactical Christmas by Janie Crouch
Approx. 90 pages
 
One Christmas gathering. Two generations. Secrets revealed, threats handled, family strengthened.
 
This was a fantastic peek at the lives of the original Linear Tactical crew and their offspring, the current leadership of Linear Tactical. They are together, celebrating Christmas Adam (the day before Christmas Eve ❤ )
 
The story mainly focuses on Lincoln Bollinger, the brilliant though socially awkward son of Baby and Quinn Bollinger. It opens with an online conversation between Lincoln and a computer friend known as Mercury. I loved their interactions and how they understand each other. It serves as an interesting introduction to the next Linear Tactical: Oak Creek book, Hero's Touch, about Lincoln and Mercury.
 
The story continues with scenes from the party, many of which involve various characters making observations about Lincoln. I loved the scene where Lincoln and three-year-old Marie organize the dessert table. Their observations are spot on, and other people's reactions are hilarious. I also enjoyed the discussions between the senior members, like Dorian, and the younger ones, like Derek, about past and present fears.
 
The evening becomes complicated by an unexpected intrusion. The old guard sensed it: "They'd all felt it. Old warriors, same radar." I laughed out loud when they were ready to handle the threat, only to realize that the younger generation had beaten them to it. "But the next generation hadn't waited for them. The kids had mobilized faster, moved smoother, fallen into roles like they'd been doing this their whole lives. Because they had." I loved their reactions, their pride in the kids, and watching them deal with the transition.
 
I enjoyed the tension of the intrusion and the surprise of its revelation. Reactions were typical of their characters, and I loved the chaos that ensued. Scenes of the party winding down, with commentary on various events, came full circle with an unplanned conversation between Lincoln and Mercury. I can't wait to read Hero's Touch.
 
 
 
Montana Whiteout by Josie Jade
Approx. 40 pages

 
They went into the storm knowing someone might not come back.
 
Christmas Eve "family" dinner at Resting Warrior Ranch. Laughter and chaos with kids running around and adults telling stories on each other. Loved the bit about Jude, the Friendly Giant. The evening becomes complicated when a blizzard hits, and Beckett and Audra hear about a dog abandoned in the snow. Along with Cooper, they brave whiteout conditions to find the animal. The tension is palpable as the weather worsens, and they barely see the dog in time, shocked to discover she has four puppies.
 
I loved how Cooper took custody of the dogs and felt the intensity of trying to find shelter from the blizzard. I laughed out loud when he showed up on Travis's doorstep. Their interactions with each other and the puppies were fun. There are flashbacks to Cooper's past that serve as a poignant lead-in to his story, due out soon.
 
The story continues in the next chapter as Beckett and Audra arrive at Pawsitive Connections, where they are caring for the animals while the owner is out of town. Their mission becomes complicated when one of the animals, Al Pacacino, has escaped into the storm. The very real danger of whiteout conditions keeps the tension high as they search for the missing alpaca. I loved the ending.
 
 
Operation Dark Tidings by Dominic Pierce
Approx. 20 pages
 
Weapons loaded. Comms tight. Target acquired. Christmas was never supposed to be the mission.
 
This is sort of a bonus epilogue to the book Duty Devoted, in which the Citadel crew rescued an American doctor from a Central American drug cartel. Here, the crew bands together to deliver Christmas to the locals she had to leave behind. I loved the crew's determination to get it right without putting the villagers in danger. The intensity kept me hooked from start to finish as I saw them carry out their mission.

 

The Marriage Plan - Christine Rimmer (HSE #3119 - Dec 2025)

Series: Bravo Family Ties: The Next Generation (Book 6)
 
When old friends become newlyweds, love isn't part of the plan.
 
Forget true love! Joe Bravo wants to marry and start a family with someone he can trust. Someone like Macy Storm, his longtime friend and business partner. Joe trusts Macy with everything. They're already a great team in life -- why not in family? No passion, no drama. It's the perfect proposal.
 
Macy has never considered marrying without love, even though she's only known heartbreak. Yet Joe's proposal makes sense on many levels. Hearts safely locked away, Macy and Joe make their vows and start a new chapter as husband and wife. But their loveless wedded bliss may be short-lived when Macy breaks the one condition of their marriage: She's fallen in love with her husband.
 
Terrific friends-to-lovers story. This is the sixth book in the series following the second generation of the Bravo family, and I love catching up on the lives of the original characters. In this case, Joe is Nate and Meggie Bravo's son (Marriage by Necessity). He has seen their long and loving marriage, as well as those of other family members. However, Joe has been burned by love twice and refuses to go down that path again. Be that as it may, he still wants to marry and have a family, if he can find a woman he can trust. Who better than his best friend, Macy?
 
Macy moved home with her daughter, Ana, after she divorced her cheating husband. She works as a bookkeeper for her mom's florist business and Joe's hardware store. Though she wouldn't mind marrying again, trusting another man won't come easily. Joe's proposal surprises her, and she initially flatly refuses even to consider it. But Joe is persistent and eventually convinces her that it will work.
 
I loved watching Joe and Macy's relationship grow. Their long-standing friendship means they know each other very well. I loved the prologue, with its sampling of letters that show they've had each other's backs all their lives. Their marriage seems to be an easy extension of their friendship, and they settle quickly into marital bliss, including an unexpected amount of chemistry. That chemistry opened Macy's eyes to her changing feelings.
 
Matters become complicated when Joe's past comes calling. Macy's acceptance and embracing of the situation showed how much she trusted Joe. But does that trust extend to confessing her feelings? And what will Joe's response be? There were times when I wanted to shake him for being so blind, but I also understood his fear. Of course, I knew everything would work out, but the journey was emotion-packed and kept me hooked to the end. The epilogue was a nice peek at their future.
 
My favorite secondary character was Ana. Her relationship with Joe was sweet, and I loved how he thought of her as his. I couldn't understand how her father was so uninterested in having anything to do with her, though at least he lived up to his financial responsibilities. 

Wyoming Bodyguard - Danielle M. Haas (HI #2338 - Aug 2025)

Series: Sunrise Security (Book 1)
 
His job is keeping her safe --
from unrelenting danger.
 
Ever since the Tremonts and the McKays had a dispute over their neighboring Wyoming ranches, they've been bitter rivals. So Madden McKay of Sunrise Security is more than surprised when Lily Tremont reaches out to him for protection after her father is attacked. Soon Madden must deal with vandalism, sabotage and revenge aimed at Lily. Why? Behind it all, he discovers a massive criminal ring. And while the investigation sparks passion between Lily and her heroic bodyguard, one shocking revelation could destroy lives on all sides.
 
Good blend of romance and suspense. Madden returned to his hometown after an IED ended his career in the Marines. Along with his friend Reid, Madden opened Sunrise Security in Cloud Valley. The business is off to a slow start, primarily due to the townspeople's grudge against Madden and his family. Circumstances forced the McKay family to sell a large part of their ranch to developers who built a resort. An influx of outsiders resulted in increased crime and economic hardship for some ranchers.
 
One of those ranchers is Lily Tremont. Her family runs a dude ranch that has suffered from the competition. She and her father blame the McKays for their troubles. The McKay and Tremont ranches are neighbors, and Madden and Lily were good friends while growing up. That friendship is now strained. But when Lily's father becomes the victim of a drive-by shooting, she turns to Madden for help.
 
I enjoyed the development of Madden and Lily's relationship. As they worked together to find out why her father was targeted, Lily's animosity gave way to the rekindling of their friendship, then to the sparks of attraction. I liked Madden's protectiveness as the mystery heated up. I loved the growing trust between them, and that Madden was able to share the reasons for the sale of the ranch land.
 
The suspense of the story was excellent. From the initial shooting to vandalism, murder, drugs, and cattle rustling, there is no shortage of danger. The puzzle of who is behind the trouble and why kept me turning the pages as I followed their investigation. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with a perp I didn't expect. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. 

 
 
 

Hero Mine - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - May 2025)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek (Book 5)
 
"Survival is always the most important thing."
 
You don't get far in Oak Creek, Wyoming, home of Linear Tactical and its gruff and rugged heroes, without hearing that motto.
 
Free-spirited Joy Davis—opposite of gruff and rugged—heard the slogan her whole life and generally met it with a roll of her eyes.
 
Until the night she was attacked and left for dead.
 
He's always been her anchor. But now, she's his reason to fight.
 
Bear Bollinger, the Oak Creek's rough-hewn mechanic, has been Joy's protector and confidant for years, waiting for the right time to make his move.
 
Watching her struggle in the aftermath of the attack breaks something inside him. Determined to see her smile again, he steps in to help her rebuild her shattered confidence.
 
But Oak Creek has danger closing in.
 
When a new threat begins to stalk the town, Bear must protect the woman who means everything to him, even as Joy fights to reclaim her life and face a danger unlike anything she's ever known.
 
I've eagerly anticipated this book, and it did not disappoint. The prologue overlaps the end of the previous book, Hero's Heart, from Joy's point of view. We see the blossoming of Joy's relationship with Bear and the hope for the future. Then comes the attack.
 
I loved Joy in both books. Before the attack, she was Miss Sunshine, with a smile or a joke for everyone. With the reputation of being a "wild child," she was full of spontaneous energy and actions. A month after the attack, she has healed physically, but mentally, she struggles. She copes as best she can, hiding her fears from those around her. The dreams she had before the attack are now buried, victims of her loss of confidence in herself. She's loved Bear for years, but not even that can break through the trauma.
 
Bear, the son of Finn and Charlie (Eagle), took over the mechanic garage from his uncle after returning from his time as a Marine. He is observant and caring and can be lethal when those he cares about are threatened. He returned from war with secrets of his own that give him insight into Joy's struggles. He has loved her since she was a teenager and wants to help her.
 
I ached for Joy and her struggle to recover. I also wanted to shake her and tell her to stop pushing away the people who want to help. Joy is fiercely independent and believes she can get through this on her own. I also hurt for Bear, who struggles to give her the space she wants. I loved seeing him finally reach his breaking point and step in after a particularly bad flashback. He won my heart with his quiet support, encouraging her to return to following her dreams and helping rebuild her confidence with his self-defense training.
 
I enjoyed watching Bear and Joy's relationship progress as she recovers. I especially liked how in tune they were, with each understanding how and when to push and when to back off. I loved their ease of communication, from serious subjects to lighthearted teasing. I liked how Joy turned Bear's encouragement to talk about what happened to her back at him when he revealed the secret he kept. As their relationship deepened, there were flashbacks to their past, especially Bear's issues with the eight-year age difference. I understood his position from their early years, but it took him a while to finally get past it. I loved Joy's growth as she healed and regained belief in herself and its effect on her relationship with Bear. I loved the epilogue, Bear's emotional speech to Joy, and his surprise for her.
 
There is a subtle layer of suspense in this book. Rather than a bad guy they have to hunt down, this occurs at home. A frequent feeling of being watched slows Joy's ability to move past her trauma. She doesn't know if the feeling is real or if she imagines it. It didn't take long to suspect the who, but the why was a mystery until the final confrontation. I loved how it turned out.
 
Another mystery affects the entire town. Someone is stealing odds and ends and junk from local businesses. This perplexed everyone; it took outside-the-box thinker Lincoln to figure it out. I loved this twist and how they handled it.
 
I continue to love the community of Oak Creek. They take care of their own, and I loved their support for Joy. Characters from the original Linear Tactical series and the second-generation members of this series play critical roles. Joy and Sloane remain close friends, and I loved Sloane's help and encouragement. My favorite secondary character in this book is Lincoln. His character fascinates me, and I'm excited that he is the hero of the next book. It will take a special lady to partner with him. 

 
 

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.

Wyoming Double Jeopardy - Juno Rushdan (HI #2280 - Apr 2025)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 5)
 
A cowboy detective is in a showdown with a killer to protect an assistant DA
 
Waylon Wright can almost accept that he and Melanie Merritt can't be together. Dating a detective wouldn't just destroy her hopes for career advancement; it might be the end of her job as an assistant district attorney. Then a brutal attack sends his cowboy instincts into overdrive. Finding her assailant may not be his case, but he won't let her out of his sight. As the tough prosecutor lets down her guard just enough to get close to Waylon, the killer who wants her dead inches ever closer…
 
Terrific combination of romance and suspense. Waylon, a police detective, and Melanie, an assistant district attorney, spent three years in a secret relationship. However, Melanie ended their relationship when Waylon wanted to make it public. She feared that an open relationship would jeopardize her career and future plans because of the appearance of a conflict of interest. Waylon mostly accepts it but is still in love with her.
 
When Melanie experiences a brutal attack leaving work, Waylon's protective instincts take over. He will stick to her like glue until her assailant is caught. Melanie resists at first before realizing that she really does need his help. Their forced proximity leads to a rekindling of their attraction and strengthening of their feelings for each other. However, the obstacles to their relationship still exist, and it takes some out-of-the-box thinking to find a way to make it work.
 
The story's suspense is outstanding and kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The details of the escalating attacks lead to a serial killer case that Melanie thought was closed. Unfortunately, the murderer was released because of a technicality, making him the top suspect. The twists and turns kept me guessing to the end, with a resolution I didn't see coming. 

Cold Case Murder Mystery - Nicole Helm (HI #2272 - Mar 2025)

Series: Hudson Sibling Solutions (Book 7)
 
He's retired from the protector business, but a dangerous discovery changes everything
 
Rancher Zeke Daniels left his secret agent career -- and his doomed romance with Brooke Campbell -- in the past. Until the forensic anthropologist stumbles across Bent County's sinister secret…and attracts a stalker in the process. Brooke refuses to quit the job. And there's no way in hell Zeke will leave her unprotected. But as his professionalism is challenged by their lingering feelings, his determination to protect remains steadfast -- from the stalker, the danger and the violent serial killer using the caves as his burial ground…
 
This was an intriguing mystery with a second-chance romance. Zeke and Brooke worked with the North Star Operations, where they became more than coworkers. When North Star closed its doors, Zeke walked away from their relationship and bought a ranch in Wyoming. Brooke continued her career as a forensic anthropologist. He recommended Brooke to local law enforcement when bones turned up in a cave near his home (Cold Case Discovery).
 
Brooke identified those bones and helped catch the killer, but now she has found more bones that are much older. While working on identifying these remains, Brooke believes she is being followed. Despite her past with Zeke, she contacts him about her concerns. Zeke doesn't hesitate to step in to protect her. The tension between the former lovers is palpable as both try to keep their past out of the equation. However, neither can deny the attraction that still exists.
 
Zeke is determined to keep Brooke safe even though she resists many of his efforts. Brooke is determined to protect her heart, which results in her trying to keep distance between them. This also includes keeping possibly vital information from him, making his job more difficult. During their time together, Zeke slowly realizes that walking away from her was as much to protect himself as her. The question is, can he convince Brooke that he's ready for a different outcome? Can Brooke trust that he won't walk away again?
 
The suspense of the story was great. From the unexpected identity of Brooke's stalker to the final confrontation in the cave, I couldn't put the book down. When Zeke and Brooke discover a connection to the Sons of the Badlands, a gang North Star thought they'd wiped out, Zeke calls on his old friends for help. The final confrontation regarding the cave bones was creepy, terrifying, and nightmare-inducing. Meanwhile, the blast from the past confrontation outside the cave was intense and exciting.

His Best Friend's Girl - Christine Rimmer (HSE #3081 - Mar 2025)

Series: Bravo Family Ties: The Next Generation (Book 5)
 
True love might be patient…but how long is too long?
 
Ethan Bravo had been in love with Matilda Hunt since…well, since before she was Matilda Hunt, actually. Because he and Gabe Hunt had been best friends since high school. So Matty was off-limits to Ethan. Even now, after Matty has been a widow for three years, he considers her forbidden fruit. It was easy when she lived in LA, but now Matty's moved home for good. And instead of betraying his best friend's memory and revealing his heart, Ethan settled for being her confidant.
 
Except Matty is pregnant with the child from her now ex-boyfriend -- a man who wants nothing to do with Matty or the baby. So Ethan is stepping up, becoming the one man Matty can trust. Sharing his true feelings now would shatter that trust. And Ethan can't risk losing Matty -- again. He can be the one man she deserves, even if keeping his secret could break his heart.
 
Terrific friends to lovers story. Three years after the death of her husband, Matty heads home to Wyoming. Her attempt to move on after Gabe's death leaves her pregnant with the child of her ex-boyfriend, who has no interest in the baby or Matty. She moves back to Medicine Creek to raise the baby in her hometown and run her mother's bookstore.  She looks forward to seeing her best friend, Ethan.
 
Ethan was Gabe's best friend throughout school, and that friendship extended to Matty when she and Gabe became a couple. They hung out together in college, with Ethan a frequent visitor after Gabe and Matty married. He returned to Wyoming to attend law school and set up his practice in their hometown. He never let on to them that he was in love with Matty. To him, she was, and still is, off-limits.
 
The first person Matty wants to see when she gets home is Ethan. She feels overwhelmed, and Ethan is her anchor. They spent more and more time together, from cooking to watching movies. Ethan insists on helping her prepare for the baby, including volunteering as her labor coach. Ethan realizes quickly that his feelings for Matty have grown. He keeps quiet about them because Matty is emphatic that she will not marry again, and he doesn't want to ruin their friendship.
 
Matty does her best to ignore the attraction she feels for Ethan until the day the sparks burst into flame. Once they recover from the shock of the experience, Matty suggests a pre-baby fling. Take advantage of the lull before the storm, and when the baby arrives, go back to being friends only. She firmly believes that she can keep her heart safe. She was clearly fooling herself, and I ached for Ethan, who wanted so much more. I cheered for him when he stood up for his needs and hoped Matty would finally realize the truth of her feelings for Ethan. I loved the emotional ending and seeing her let go of her fears.
 
There was a secondary story about Matty's cousin Heather and her husband Billy. Heather frustrated me through most of the book - I just wanted to shake her. I liked that Matty didn't give up on her, but I could feel her frustration.

Hero's Heart - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - Feb 2025)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek (Book 4)
 
He was out of the game.
He should've stayed that way.
 
When a former FBI colleague asks Callum Webb to rescue the kidnapped daughter of an American bigwig in Eastern Europe, Callum's just got one word for him...
 
No.
 
Okay, actually two words: hell, no.
 
Callum is out of the international law enforcement game and has been for a long time. He's happy in his role as gruff sheriff of the tiny town of Oak Creek, Wyoming. Even if the job doesn't keep his nightmares at bay.
 
Plus, rescuing a spoiled heiress is not high on Callum's bucket list.
 
When he ends up being the only viable option, Callum knows he's not going to let a young woman die so he prepares for one last daring mission.
 
But nothing is what it seems, and this mission will change Callum's life forever in more ways than one...
 
Terrific book that, like the author's other books, hooked me from the first page. Callum is a former FBI (Omega Sector) agent who moved to Oak Creek after the death of his wife. He enjoys the calmer life of a small-town sheriff with the occasional assist to the Linear Tactical crew. A call from a former teammate interrupted that calm when he asked Callum to do an overseas ransom drop and kidnappee retrieval. Callum requests the help of two LT friends, Theo and Bear, to back him up. Plans change when Callum learns there are two women, not just the one he knew about.
 
Sloane is a modern-day Cinderella. Treated like dirt by her stepmother, half-sister, and father, Sloane's history is heartbreaking. Her sister, Marissa, is a spoiled, selfish, and manipulative piece of work. When Marissa goes to Paris, Sloane is sent as her "personal assistant, " where they are kidnapped and taken for ransom.
 
Callum's plans go sideways almost as soon as they are on the ground in Moldova. The action and suspense are intense and nonstop as Callum and Sloane become separated from Theo, Bear, and Marissa. I was glued to the pages as they went on the run, sometimes barely a step ahead of their pursuers. I loved how impressed Callum was by Sloane's ability to handle everything they faced. Callum and Sloane grow closer over the several days it takes them to make their way to safety. When they are separated after their escape, Callum wonders if he will ever see her again.
 
Callum is shocked when she appears at his cabin in Oak Creek two months later. She is in rough shape, malnourished and desperate, and hiding secrets. Callum won't blow this second chance and vows to care for her. I loved watching their relationship develop. Callum spent many years unable to let go of the past and risk his heart after the loss of his wife. I loved his protectiveness toward Sloane as he learned more about her life. That life with her family was miserable to begin with and got worse after her return. I loved her arrival in Oak Creek, Callum's care and support, and her happiness with her new life.
 
But danger strikes again, and it's up to Callum to save her. The intense final confrontation was a nail-biter with a revelation-filled twist that confirmed my suspicions about a couple of the characters. The epilogue was a great wrap-up, especially when it came to revealing consequences.
 
There were some fantastic scenes with characters from other LT books. Bear (Finn's son from EAGLE) and Theo (HERO UNBOUND) accompanied Callum on the mission to Moldova, with Lincoln providing intel support. Zac and Dr. Annie (CYCLONE) play significant roles, and Electric Smurfs also make an appearance.

Wyoming Christmas Conspiracy - Juno Rushdan (HI #2260 - Jan 2025)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 4)
 
For as long as he could remember,
She was his North Star
 
With adjacent ranches, Monty Powell and Amber Reyes were always together. First as childhood friends and later as…more. Much more. But a family legacy and a bigger secret kept them apart. Until a killer strikes and casts suspicions on Monty. Revenge or reckoning, someone is out for blood. Monty and Amber now set out to find evidence to expose a deeper criminal plot before gunfire erupts again and threatens the new family of three they are about to become.
 
This was a fast-paced, action-packed story with intense suspense and a second-chance romance. Growing up on neighboring ranches, Monty and Amber's childhood friendship grew into more when they got older. While Amber was in love with Monty, he was more interested in following his own path. Family interference and a big secret drove them apart until Amber's father's death when manipulation from beyond the grave brings them together again.
 
The book opens with a bang as Amber stumbles onto a murder scene where Monty is the prime suspect. She may have trust issues with him, but Amber knows he isn't capable of murder. It is soon evident that someone has it in for Monty and the entire Powell family. The twists and escalating attacks kept me glued to the pages as the intensity built. The final confrontation was a heart-pounding nail-biter with Amber in extreme danger.
 
I loved watching Monty and Amber navigate through their relationship. Because of their past, Amber is reluctant to trust him with her heart again. This puts her late father's demands on shaky ground, risking both ranch properties. She also has a big secret she is keeping from him that will change their future. Monty freely admits his past mistakes and insists he's learned his lesson. He wants a chance to make things right. I liked that they took the time to discuss the past and hopes for the future, ensuring they were on the same page.
 
I liked seeing characters from earlier books and catching up with their lives. I'm looking forward to more stories about the Powells and their connections.