Amish Christmas Emergency - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #712 - Nov 2018)

Read 25 November 2018

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 5)

There’s nowhere to hide from a deadly stalker…

Can Amish Country Justice save her?

The peaceful Amish community seems like the perfect refuge for nurse Alexa Grant -- until her stalker returns. And when menacing gifts and threats turn into attempts on her life, she knows she’ll never be safe without the help of police officer Gavin Jackson. Yet Gavin’s growing closeness to Alexa enrages the stalker, who is determined to cancel Christmas for them…permanently.

Action packed story that sucked me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end. Alexa moved to LaMar Pond from the city, trying to find peace after the loss of her fiancé. She was also running from a stalker, one who seems to have tracked her down, as she has been receiving odd texts. She has found contentment in her job as a physician's assistant at a clinic that also serves the Amish community, and has become close to many of her Amish patients. The book gets off to an exciting start when one of those patients is shot on his way into the clinic. When she received a message that indicated there was a connection between the shooting and her stalker, police officer Gavin Jackson got involved.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gavin and Alexa. Neither of them had any intention of getting involved with each other. Between the death of her fiancé and her childhood, Alexa was reluctant to risk her heart again. Gavin had cut himself off from any idea of future relationships, thanks to a devastating betrayal. But Gavin found it impossible to stop thinking and worrying about Alexa. It was both interesting and frustrating to see him argue with himself every time he found himself thinking about her or envisioning a future with her, then pulling back. But each time he found it harder to do. Alexa was equally drawn to Gavin but didn't believe she had what it would take to keep someone like him interested in her.

Gavin also has some other issues, notably self-doubt in his ability to truly protect someone he cares about. I loved the protectiveness he exhibited, both in keeping her safe from her stalker and in his attentiveness to her diabetes. There were so many sweet things he did for her that he easily won my heart. It was fun to see the effect that his kindness and charm had on Alexa. She got rather adorably flustered around him. It didn't take long for her feelings for him to grow. I liked the way that she worried about his safety as he protected her. She also understood his pain when he told her about his past, but didn't know how to show him that it wasn't his fault. I ached for them both when Gavin let his fears caused him to push Alexa away. I loved the ending and seeing both Alexa and Gavin overcome their fears.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. The action was nonstop from the start, with the threats against Alexa escalating rapidly. I was on the edge of my seat multiple times as the stalker attacked Alexa's patients. It seemed as though he was always one step ahead of Alexa and Gavin. Just as it looked like they had it figured out, there was an unexpected twist. The final confrontation was intense, and I was glued to the pages until it was resolved.

Family was also a big part of the story. Alexa's childhood had been difficult, with the result that she never expected anyone to stick around in her life. I liked how Gavin's influence helped her reconcile with her brother. There was more detail on Gavin's life. I ached for him and the way he was treated by his parents. I just couldn't understand how they could be that way. Then the way he was betrayed by his fiancée and his brother was absolutely devastating. I loved that he had his uncle Leo in his corner, and loved the influence Leo had on Gavin's life. I ached for the loss that Gavin felt when Leo died, and the guilt that he felt over how it happened. Gavin's bitterness toward his brother and parents was believable and realistic. I liked how Alexa called him out on it and pointed out that it was Gavin that it was hurting the most. The interactions between Gavin and Sam during the book were well done, with the ending being particularly satisfying.

Amish Country Ambush - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #695 - Aug 2018)

 Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 4)

Hidden in Plain Sight

An Amish Country Justice story

After police dispatcher Elise St. Clair’s home is invaded by her murderous brother-in-law, her nephew is hidden in Amish Country by her cleaning lady. Now relying on police officer Ryan Parker is Elise’s only hope of reuniting with the child…and evading the killer. And Elise and Ryan quickly discover their temporary partnership has long-term potential -- if they can stay alive.

Terrific book that grabbed my attention from the first page and didn't let go until I'd finished it. Elise is a 911 dispatcher whose worst nightmare comes true. She's at work when a call comes in, describing a home invasion and attack - and it's her house. By the time she gets home, her babysitter is dead and her nephew and the cleaning lady have disappeared, and her brother-in-law is waiting for her. My heart was pounding as he attacked Elise, screaming about something she has and wanting his son. My relief was intense when he was chased off by the sound of approaching sirens. This was just the beginning of a roller coaster ride of action and emotion.

Ryan was the first officer on the scene. I liked his calm intensity as he took care of Elise and started the search for Mikey and Leah. That sense of calm was exactly what Elise needed later when he came to question her at the hospital. In spite of everything she'd been through, Elisa quickly came to trust Ryan and believe in his desire to help her.

I liked both Ryan and Elise. Ryan is a truly nice guy who is a cop because that's what he really wants to do. He isn't Supercop, with perfect instincts, but he is smart enough to know when he needs help. He has a deep love for his family, even though there is some tension with his father. Those tensions create occasional bouts of self-doubt, but those don't last long. Elise is an amazingly strong woman. She and her sister made it through a difficult childhood by supporting and watching out for each other. It was Elise who gave her sister the courage to get out of her abusive marriage. I ached for Elise's pain over her sister's murder, and loved the way that her nephew Mikey became her focus. Elise also has some self-worth issues thanks to a jerk of an ex-fiancé.

I loved the development of the relationship between Ryan and Elise. It began with Ryan's natural protectiveness, which quickly became personal. He was surprised at how she moved into his heart and mind. I loved how well he understood her and her need to stay involved in the search for Mikey. Elise was equally drawn to Ryan. For her, just being able to trust him was a huge deal. I loved seeing them open up to each other about their fears and vulnerabilities, and how sharing those things made them stronger. It was sweet to see Ryan start to think about a future with Elise and Mikey in it. I ached for Elise as she let her fears push Ryan away, believing that it was for his own good, and for Ryan as he tried to figure out what was wrong. A pep talk from an unexpected source gave him the courage to go after what he wanted. I loved seeing him confront Elise and her stunned reaction at what he told her. The epilogue was sweet and romantic with Ryan's big moment. I also loved his conversation with his father. 

The suspense of the story was outstanding and had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The fear for the safety of Leah and Mikey was palpable and always at the forefront of every step that Ryan and Elise took. There were also several twists and turns that kept them on their toes. The final confrontation was heart pounding as I wondered how it was all going to end. Now I can't wait for the next book!

I also enjoyed catching up a little bit with characters from previous books. I especially liked seeing Miles and Rebecca and the important part they played.

Amish Christmas Abduction - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #649 - Dec 2017)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 3)

KIDNAPPED IN AMISH COUNTRY

After catching a glimpse of something she wasn’t supposed to see days before Christmas, Irene Martello is run off the road and barely survives. More shocking is the backseat whimper of an Amish toddler stowaway and the familiar sight of their rescuer -- the man who’d let her down years earlier. Police chief Paul Kennedy fears Irene stumbled onto a kidnapping ring with two dangerous agendas: retrieving the girl and silencing the witness for good. Only Paul can keep them safe for the holidays. Guarding Irene means risking his heart -- and his secret -- but to save the child and the woman he never stopped loving, it’s a risk he has to take.

Good second chance romance combined with excellent suspense. The action began immediately as Irene accidentally stumbled into a child kidnapping ring. One of the kidnappers, determined to silence her, chases after her, shooting at her car and running her off the road. If not for the timely arrival of police chief Paul Kennedy, Irene would likely have died. Both of them were shocked to discover a little Amish girl in the backseat of Irene's car.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Paul and Irene. There is tension between them from the very beginning. Irene was Paul's high school girlfriend and is also the widow of one of his officers. He still cares for Irene but believes that he isn't good enough for her. He is determined to keep her safe, even as he struggles to keep his feelings in check. Irene is dismayed to realize that she still has feelings for Paul. It is difficult for her to trust him after the way he broke her heart. On top of that, getting involved with another cop, with the risk of loss to herself and her sons, is something she isn't willing to do. As they worked together to find the parents of the little girl, Paul and Irene had the chance to put the past behind them. I ached for Paul, who had continued to love Irene, but believed she could never forgive that which drove him away from her. I loved his protectiveness toward Irene and little Mary. He melted my heart with how sweet he was with Mary as well as Irene's sons. I liked seeing Irene get to know Paul as the man he has become. She still sees some of the boy she loved, and the man he has become appeals to her more every day. But when Paul is injured, Irene's fears come crashing back, and she pushes him away. I ached for her and wanted to shake her, all at the same time. I loved her big moment on Christmas Eve, as she finally put her past behind her and seized her chance at love. I loved seeing Paul go from despair to joy. The epilogue was a beautiful wrap-up.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. From Irene's first encounter with the bearded man to the final confrontation, the menace from the kidnappers leapt off the page. Each attempt on Irene's life increased the intensity until that final encounter. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Paul to find Irene. I also loved the fact that Irene wasn't a passive victim but had a hand in her own rescue. I was also wholly invested in Paul and Irene's search for Mary's parents. Each lead had me holding my breath to see if that would be the one, and oh, the happy tears when they found the right one.

I also enjoyed catching up with characters from previous books. Irene's brother Jace and his wife Melanie were a big part of this story. There were also Dan and Maggie, Jess and Seth, and Miles and Rebecca. I look forward to seeing more of Paul and Irene in future books, as well as getting to know new couples.