Danger on Dakota Ridge - Cindi Myers (HI #1813 - Oct 2018)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 4)

Her enemy. Her protector.

And yet he’s the last man she wants to see….

Paige Riddell never expects her relaxing hike to end in gunfire…or in Rob Allerton’s strong arms. The handsome DEA agent arrested her troubled brother years ago. Now he suspects a connection to a prominent Colorado developer’s death. The feisty blonde vows to prove her brother’s innocence, until she becomes the murderer’s target. But when her greatest adversary becomes her live-in bodyguard, protecting her 24/7, Paige wonders what will be the cause of her undoing: the killer…or her fierce attraction to Rob.

Fantastic conclusion to the series. Besides being the owner of the local B & B, Paige is also an avid environmental activist. Her group was responsible for halting the development of the Eagle Mountain Resort and forcing them to allow access to a historical hiking trail. After finding out that the trail has been blocked again, Paige heads up, bolt cutters and hacksaw in hand. But just as she gets started, she spots two men carrying a mysterious crate. Curious, she follows them, then has to run for her life when they shoot at her. The last person she expects to run into (literally) is DEA agent Rob Allerton. Rob and Paige have a contentious history. Several years earlier he had been the one to arrest her younger brother on drug and robbery charges. Sparks flew during their disagreements over suitable punishment, and Paige still holds a grudge.

Though his official investigation into the lab found at the resort in Avalanche of Trouble is over, Rob has returned to Eagle Mountain on a personal quest to find out more about Henry Hake's death. There are more questions than answers when the autopsy report comes in. He's in the right place at the right time to lend a hand to the sheriff in checking out the resort property, before heading to his lodgings - Paige's B & B.

I loved the development of the relationship between Paige and Rob. The sparks between them are strong. Rob admits to himself that he's very attracted to Paige. Her loyalty to her brother and her passion for her causes are very appealing to him, as is her independence. Paige has a harder time accepting that she's attracted to Rob. I loved how her brother saw what was between them so clearly, and that he found it amusing. When Paige is shot at a second time, Rob makes it his mission to keep her safe. It was fun to see the interactions between them, as Paige tries to assert her independence and Rob won't budge. I liked seeing Paige and Rob's attitudes toward each other change now that they have some distance from Parker's arrest. Working together on the mystery of what is going on at the resort property brought them closer together. Surviving a deadly confrontation made them realize that they belonged together. I liked their big moment at the end, which was fun and sweet and romantic.

The suspense of the story was outstanding. The tension has built from the very first book, with the murder of the lawyer and the disappearance of the developer. Each subsequent book has added to the questions of what is going on at the abandoned resort. The sale of the property and the new owners' plans look like a good thing on the surface, but there is definitely a feeling that there is something else going on. I also had some concerns about what Parker and the professor were up to. I was on the edge of my seat during the final confrontation as several unexpected twists had me wondering who was really the mastermind. I especially enjoyed Paige's part in bringing down the bad guy.

 

Deputy Defender - Cindi Myers (HI #1807 - Sept 2018)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 3)

He’s always had her back…

Now can he earn her love?

Deputy Dwight Prentice has secretly loved Brenda Stenson since they were teenagers. Now the auctioning off of a rare book has thrust the widowed museum curator into harm’s way. Keeping his Colorado town safe is the lawman’s most heartfelt mission. But protecting the innocent Brenda from a deadly threat will test Dwight’s limits as a law officer and as a man.

Terrific continuation of the series as trouble continues to plague the small town of Eagle Mountain. I was hooked from the first page until I finished it, well after midnight. The book opens with Brenda receiving an anonymous threat regarding a rare book that is due to be auctioned during a museum fundraiser. A quick trip to the sheriff's office pairs her with Dwight, who is with her when she receives a second threat. Dwight is determined to protect Brenda and find out who is behind the threats.

I liked both Dwight and Brenda. Both made regular appearances in the first two books, Saved by the Sheriff and Avalanche of Trouble. Brenda is the widow of the lawyer murdered in the first book. Dismayed by the fact that she had known nothing about what he had really been like, Brenda is reluctant to trust any man. She guards her independence, but she is also smart enough to ask for help when she needs it. I liked her devotion to the town's museum and her enthusiasm in showcasing the area's history. Dwight is one of the deputies who has been present throughout the series. He's protective of the people in his town, but also not blind to people's faults. He tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to trusting people.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dwight and Brenda. They have known each other most of their lives. Brenda noticed him in high school, but he never seemed to pay much attention to her before they both went off to college. Unknown to her, Dwight had quite the crush on her but was a bit intimidated by her popularity. By the time they were both back in Eagle Mountain, Brenda was married. Since her husband's death, Dwight has kept an eye on her but hasn't had the courage to ask her out. Brenda has kept her emotions pretty well locked up and is surprised to discover that Dwight so easily gets past her walls. I loved the scene where she finally allowed herself to cry thanks to Dwight's understanding. Letting go of some of those feelings helped open her up to others, including the attraction that she could no longer deny.  Though she had a few instances of second-guessing herself, I loved seeing the changes she went through as her feelings for Dwight grew. I loved his patience as he waited for her to work through those feelings. The ending was great.

The suspense of the book was fantastic. From the moment the first threat was received to the final confrontation, the tension built steadily. The center of this mystery was a rare book detailing some World War Two biological weapon research that took place somewhere in their county. There is a lot of interest in the book from collectors, as well as those with more nefarious motives. Someone is very determined to get their hands on the book, while someone else wants the book destroyed.  Is there a connection between the research described in the book and the lab discovered at the abandoned resort? What about the still missing developer, Henry Hake? There are multiple people who could be involved. There is Parker Riddell, recently released from jail after serving time for drugs and armed robbery. Is his interest in volunteering at the museum legit, or does he have his eye on more than just helping Brenda with the displays? Then there is Eddie Carstairs, former reserve deputy and all around pain in the neck. Why is he so determined to play security guard at the museum? And who is Robert Brownley, really? Is he the wealthy businessman/collector he claims to be?  I could not put the book down as I waited to see what would happen next. As the auction grew closer, the threats against Brenda also escalated. The final confrontation was intense with a couple of unexpected twists. While the immediate issue was resolved, the mystery surrounding Eagle Mountain Resort continues to grow. I can't wait to read the next book and see if those questions are finally answered.

Avalanche of Trouble - Cindi Myers (HI #1799 - Aug 2018)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 2)

A child witnesses a murder

And becomes a killer’s target…

Murder doesn’t belong in the peaceful town of Eagle Mountain, Colorado. Yet Deputy Gage Walker has a brutal double murder on his hands and a missing deaf child. Gage’s only hope to find the little girl is her aunt, Maya Renfro. But nothing has prepared Gage for the intense chemistry between them…or just what happens when love gets mixed with murder.

Terrific continuation of the series. When Gage and his partner had been called to check on a campsite, they didn't expect to find two people brutally murdered. The town was just starting to get over the murder of a young lawyer (Saved by the Sheriff). It wasn't until Gage contacted the female victim's sister that he found out the couple's five-year-old daughter had been with them and was now missing. Devastated by the news and terrified for her niece, Maya immediately drove to Eagle Mountain, determined to join the search for Casey. There she delivered the complicating information that Casey was deaf, making finding her that much more difficult.

The first meeting between Maya and Gage was a little tense. Maya has a city dweller's disdain for small-town life and lets her attitude show. Gage is a bit taken aback by the young woman with the blue hair and flamingo earrings. But Maya quickly recognizes Gage's determination and capability, and he sees past her prickliness to the worried aunt. And underneath it all is an unexpected spark of attraction.

 I liked both Gage and Maya. Gage is a good man who is devoted to keeping the people he cares about and his hometown safe. He has a good heart and would like to have a family of his own, but thanks to a woman who broke up with him because of his job, he believes it would be unfair to commit to someone. He's well known for his varied dating, but he wants more. Maya rubbed me a little wrong at the beginning because of her attitude about small towns, but that changed pretty quickly. I loved that she had a close relationship with her sister and that Casey was her niece first and deaf second. She is smart and determined and won't let anything or anyone get in the way of finding Casey.

I enjoyed the development of Maya and Gage's relationship. The attraction is there from the beginning, though both try to ignore it. Maya has no intention of sticking around once Casey is found, so getting involved with the local Romeo isn't in her plans. Gage knows she isn't staying, and figures that she wouldn't be interested in a small town cop anyway. But, Gage also can't deny that the protectiveness he feels toward Maya feels a lot more personal than anything he has felt before. I loved the way that he watched out for her, and could sense when she needed comfort and when she needed to feel like she was doing something. I also loved how Maya's feelings toward Gage changed as she got to know him. The scene with the photo album was great. I loved the ending as both of them realized that all they needed was the right person to overcome their fears.

The suspense of the story was just as much of a page-turner as the first book. First was the intensity of the search for Casey and the fears of what might have happened to her. Once she was found, knowing that she had seen the men who killed her parents had put a target on her back. It was fascinating to see the various methods used to help Casey recover and for her to help Gage and the others figure out who the murderers were. The intensity of the attacks on Casey increased, and the last one had me glued to the pages until it was all over. I wasn't terribly surprised at the identity of the killers, but there are still questions that need to be answered. There were a couple of things that I think might hint at what is happening, and I can't wait to see if I am right.

Saved by the Sheriff - Cindi Myers (HI #1792 - July 2018)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 1)

He’ll protect her back.

But will he win her heart?

Sheriff Travis Walker doesn’t blame Lacy Milligan for hating him -- he jailed her for murder. But now he’s exonerated her, and the handsome lawman needs her to find the real killer. Will she overcome her hatred to help? As she relents, violence explodes -- someone wants her dead. With time running out, their investigation deepens…and ignites sparks of attraction neither ever expected.

Fantastic start to the new series. Three years earlier, Lacy was convicted of killing her boss due to the investigative work of a young deputy. He later went on to become sheriff, in part because of that investigation. Then Travis found evidence that proved she was innocent and worked just as hard to set her free. While she's grateful to be free, she wants nothing to do with him.

Travis had done his best back then, but now the guilt is eating him up. First, for causing Lacy to be imprisoned to start with, and second, because the real killer is still on the loose. He wants nothing more than to find out who it is and put them away, and he thinks Lacy can help him - if she's willing.

This book caught my attention from the beginning and didn't let go until I'd read the last page. I completely understood Lacy's feelings toward Travis and didn't blame her at all. I loved the fact that Travis understood also, but was still hopeful that she would help. It quickly became obvious that someone did not want Lacy involved and would do anything to stop her. It was intriguing to see the various steps that Lacy and Travis went through, with each one bringing some new piece of information to light. It also seemed that every time they appeared to get closer to something important, there would be another attack, each one more intense than the last. My mind was also caught up in trying to figure out who it was. There were several possibilities, and each one had the motive and/or the capability to carry it out. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat, and though it solved the immediate puzzle, there are still some unanswered questions. I can't wait for the rest of the series to see how it all works out.

I also enjoyed the development of the relationship between Lacy and Travis. There were sparks between them from the start, though neither wanted to admit it. Lacy began the story hating Travis for what he had done. She also couldn't help noticing how attractive he was, which didn't make her happy at all. Travis remembered Lacy from when they'd been in school and seeing each other around town. He'd even thought about asking her out until everything went bad. Now he's attracted to her but figures she won't want anything to do with him. When the attacks started happening, Travis became very protective of Lacy. It was also sweet to see how Lacy was protective of him. I loved how, as they worked together and got to know each other, both of them were able to let go of the past and see where the new feelings would take them. The danger they were in acted like a booster rocket to those feelings and their attraction intensified. Even more, I liked how they plan to take their time to explore their feelings and give Lacy a chance to adjust to her new future.