Kiss That Cowboy/How the Sheriff Was Won - Gayle Kaye, Anne Gracie (Harl Duets #60 - Sept 2001)

Kiss That Cowboy - Gayle Kaye  

Kiss That Cowboy!

And hug him twice...

Candy, er...Candace Porter, a hotshot magazine writer, is out to prove that the image of the sexy irresistible cowboy is just hype with no basis in reality. But as Candy finds out, Tanner Carson sure is real -- all six feet of the hunky, loyal, straight-talkin' Texas cowboy. He's a horse rancher who's out to tame a pretty filly from Manhattan. But as East meets West in the toughest battle of wills the great state has ever seen, will Candy and Tanner find enough middle ground to let true love win out?

Cute story about two people who are very different finding their way past their own prejudices to be together. Candace is a magazine writer from Connecticut who has gone to Texas to write an article about the cowboy mystique. She believes it is a bunch of hooey and is determined to prove it. She's also very down on men, having been jilted recently by her fiancé. The story opens with her sitting in a cowboy bar, watching the people. As expected, not one of the cowboys produces so much as a flutter in her pulse. That is until she lays eyes on Tanner.

Tanner is a local rancher, just out for an evening of relaxation. His eyes are drawn to the woman in the pink cowboy boots, sipping a glass of wine. That tells him right there that she's an outsider, but that doesn't stop him from looking. Or asking her to dance. He had a bit of fun flirting and teasing her, but giving in to the attraction would be a bad idea. He'd been there and done that with a city woman and still had the scars to show for it.

Candace doesn't expect to see him again, but of course, she does. Accompanying her friend Darcy, the vet, she ends up at Tanner's ranch. It was funny to see Darcy trying to shove these two people together. Tanner finds himself disregarding his better judgment and trying to talk Candace into going out with him. Candace tries to resist, sensing that Tanner is going to throw a monkey wrench into her research for her article.

Candace was the stereotypical city slicker. Afraid of horses, disturbed by the bull riding at the rodeo, and believing that city life is the best life. She gets herself into a couple of amusing predicaments, from which Tanner rescues her. Spending time with him opens her eyes to some of the good qualities that can be found in a cowboy, and suddenly her article isn't looking like such a sure thing.

Tanner is the quintessential cowboy. He's charming, considerate, and protective. He's worked hard to establish his ranch. His softer side is highlighted by his care for his horses, and I loved seeing him with the new foals.

I liked the development of Tanner and Candace's relationship. There was no doubt of the attraction that flared between them from the beginning, but both had been hurt in the past, and they were wary of getting involved. It was fun to see Candace push back some of her fears when she thought Tanner needed help, and I liked Tanner's surprise when she did so. Candace was dismayed when she realized she was falling for him, especially since she hadn't been honest with him about why she was there. I ached for Tanner when he did find out, as it left him feeling even more betrayed than the last time. I also ached for Candace, who loved him but still believed that she didn't belong there. I liked Tanner's big moment at the end as he laid his heart on the line for her. The epilogue was pretty cute too.

How the Sheriff was Won - Anne Gracie 

The Wild West is about to get a little more wild!

One year. That's how long Jassie McQuilty has to stay in Bear Claw, Montana, before she can sell her great-uncle's newspaper. So while she's here, she might as well have some fun! When she literally runs into Sheriff John T. Stone, he has the word fling written all over him. He also doesn't want anything to do with Jassie or her big-city ideas. He was burned once by a woman, and doesn't plan on going through that again. But Jassie's determined to get her man!

Fun story. Jassie is a big city journalist who has inherited a small town newspaper from a previously unknown relative. But to claim the inheritance, she has to stay and run the newspaper for a year. She's not happy about being stuck out in the sticks for a year, but figures that she'll take her friend's advice and find someone to have a fling with. She's not looking for anything serious, having just been burned in a relationship, but some male companionship would be nice.

John T. Stone has been sheriff of Bear Claw for five years. He came to Bear Claw after being a cop in both Chicago and New York. He's been chased by just about every single female in the area, but he isn't interested. After finding out his wife had been having an affair with his partner, he isn't going there again.

The sparks fly between John T and Jassie from the moment they met when she literally fell into his arms. His reputation for avoiding commitments (I laughed out loud at the conversation between Jassie and Don about floozies) makes him the perfect subject for her fling, so she sets out to pursue him with single-minded focus. Meanwhile, John T is sick of being the focus of all those marriage-minded women. Unfortunately, his resistance to Jassie is pretty low, thanks to the attraction he feels for her. I had a great time seeing the lengths that Jassie went to to get John T's attention, and those he used to avoid her. I loved the scene of Jassie's first night in Bear Claw, and her attempts to come on to the sheriff when he thought she was a burglar in the newspaper office. There were also some pretty hilarious scenes involving donuts and vegetarian meals. Some of Jassie's stunts were a bit on the juvenile side (the robbery article in the newspaper, and its follow-ons) but I laughed out loud anyway. But she also showed a much different side the night of the bus accident. John T's resistance was pretty effective until that night, but his fears couldn't stand up to his protectiveness and admiration. I ached for both of them, especially John T, because he realized that he had fallen for her and her reaction was not what he'd hoped. I did like Jassie's big moment when she realized what her feelings really were, and her creative way of showing John T.

 

No Kissing Under the Boardwalk - Kate Angell (Kensington - Sept 2018)

Series: Barefoot William (Book 7)

Will a first love get a second chance?

Zane Cates has fallen in love twice—once with flying, and once with Tori Rollins, the girl who stole his heart in high school. For a brief, shining moment, their future looked bright. Then the offer of a place at the Air Force Academy got between Zane and his beautiful young wife, and he found his marriage over as abruptly as a wave washing back to sea. After taking comfort in the wide open skies, he’s ready to return to the sunlit beach town of Barefoot William—and the woman he never wanted to leave behind. Starting over with Tori is the plan—if only his stubborn ex will have him . . .

A vagabond childhood left Tori shy and withdrawn, but after her family arrived in the pretty resort town, she made the first real friend she ever had—Zane. Opening up to him was a risk she didn’t regret taking, but she never looked back once she decided to end their brief marriage. Seeing him again now is a startling shock—and an irresistible temptation. Can she let him back into her life—and finally find joy in their love?   

This was my first book by Kate Angell, but it definitely won't be the last. I've already put the first six books on my TBR list. The setup of the book was interesting. I expected, from the blurb, that the early part of Tori and Zane's romance would be covered in a chapter or two, with the larger part of the book devoted to them getting back together. Instead, it was evenly divided between the two. While I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them fall in love, I would have liked a bit more time and depth to their reconciliation. This was especially noticeable because Zane and Tori shared page time with their friends Race and Blu.

Be that as it may, I loved the relationship between the young Zane and Tori. He is practically town royalty, descended from the town's founders. He's handsome, charming, and a really nice guy. He has big plans for his life - go to the Air Force Academy, become a fighter pilot, then a hurricane hunter, before retiring back to Barefoot William. Tori is new to town, the daughter of vagabond parents, with big dreams of her own. She wants to be an interior designer and works hard to earn both the grades and the money needed to attend the school of her choice. Their meeting was adorable, facilitated by a mischievous dalmatian dog who stole Tori's bikini top while she snoozed on the beach. Zane was cute with his teasing as he returned it, and flirted with the girl he'd noticed in school but hadn't yet met. I loved his pursuit of her, as he hung out at the pizza place where she worked, just to be close to her. Their connection was quick and deep; they could and did talk about anything and everything. Zane's big heart was also obvious in the way he acted toward Tori's grandmother. I loved watching her bloom under his attention.

Zane and Tori's lives were turned upside down at the end of their senior year when Tori's parents were killed in a plane crash, leaving her alone except for her grandmother. I cried for Tori as she gave up her dreams to stay home and care for her grandmother. I loved how Zane was there for her, a rock she could lean on. Zane's own dreams were falling apart as he waited in vain for his appointment to the Academy. Instead, he takes a different path, marrying Tori and providing a home for her and her grandmother. I smiled at their sweet, young love as they settled into married life. But fate wasn't done with them. One short week into their marriage, a late acceptance arrives for Zane. But cadets can't be married, leaving Zane and Tori with a difficult decision to make. I ached for them both. Zane doesn't want to leave Tori, but he's spent his whole life dreaming of that moment. Tori doesn't want to let him go, but she can't stand the idea of killing his dreams. So they divorced, with Zane having every intention of remarrying Tori after graduation.

Fast forward eighteen years. Tori still works at the pizza place, takes care of her grandmother, and barely makes ends meet. She's bitter about the way her life has turned out. She has seen Zane occasionally on his visits home but wants nothing to do with him. Then Zane returns to Barefoot William for good. He's retired from the Air Force and is ready for the next stage of his life. And part of that stage is trying to win back Tori. He has never stopped loving her. I ached for him as he tried and tried to get her to talk to him. He could see the changes in her, and they made his heart hurt. I ached for Tori also. She had never forgotten Zane, but she has spent years nursing her anger and hurt. Having him back in town scares her because she can tell that her feelings for him are still there, but she won't risk trusting him with her heart again. It's harder and harder for her to resist him, as he tries to show her that he never stopped loving her.

Zane's last ditch effort was a suggestion for counseling.  I ached for him on the drive there, as Tori's attitude was so negative. I wanted to shake her because of it, and tell her to open her eyes and see how much he cared. I felt like the attempt could go either way. I loved seeing them open up to each other, with Zane finally seeing just how much he had hurt Tori. I also loved seeing Tori finally let go of the past and consider the future. That scene between Zane and Tori was heart-wrenching, but also sweet as Zane helped Tori through it. I loved seeing them actually communicate with each other about their hopes and dreams for the future. The final scene of the book was sweet, romantic, and very satisfying.

A big part of the book was also spent on the relationship between Zane's cousin and friend, Race, and Tori's friend, Blu. In the first half of the book, we saw the young Race - handsome, charming, flirtatious, and determined to pursue Blu. He's quite brash in his attitude, and he treats her as if a relationship is a matter of when not if. Blu is two years older than Race and recovering from another relationship. She isn't about to get involved with a flirt like Race. Their relationship is pretty funny, as Blu shoots down every attempt that Race makes to get to know her and Race refuses to be discouraged. This adversarial relationship continues for years, as Race pursues Blu whenever he comes home on leave. In the second half of the book, their relationship begins to change. Blu's reasons for resisting come out, as do Race's motivations for some of his actions. It was interesting to see Blu finally say yes to a date with him, then panic and sabotage the date. I ached for Race at that point, because he was truly into her and didn't understand what was happening. I loved the aftermath of that date and seeing them make progress in understanding each other.

I also loved the dog, Ozzie. His mischievousness brought Tori and Zane together. I also loved the way the dog took to Tori's grandmother. His protectiveness and devotion to her were awesome. I was amazed by the way he brought her out of her shell. I loved how Zane was sweet enough to leave Ozzie with Tori and her grandmother when he left, and laughed at his "visitations" when he was home on leave.

Battle Tested - Janie Crouch (HI #1686 - Jan 2017)

Series: Omega Sector: Critical Response (Book 6)
             Omega Sector (Book 10)

Someone WAS always watching her…

Everywhere she went, Rosalyn Mellinger had eyes on her. The Watcher followed her everywhere. It seemed hopeless, inescapable…especially when she met Steve Drackett on vacation. Another person to be hurt by her stalker. But Rosalyn didn't know Steve was part of Omega Sector -- there was literally no one better to protect her, if she'd just open up to him. He had years of experience, and while the Watcher preyed upon Rosalyn, Steve would beat him at his own game.

But Rosalyn had a secret even Steve couldn't see coming: a baby from their vacation romance…

Another entry into the "why did I start this at 10 pm?" category. Started reading this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it at 3 am. The tension began right from the first page as Rosalyn deals with the mental and physical exhaustion created by being constantly watched. She is about at the end of her rope, ready to call a permanent halt to the torment.

Steve is taking the first vacation he's had in years. After the death of his wife twelve years earlier he has devoted his life to his career, most recently as head of Omega Sector's Critical Response Division. The last few months have been especially stressful and he's enjoying the luxury of no responsibilities. He's also intrigued by the young woman who just walked into the beach bar.

I loved the protectiveness that Steve has for Rosalyn from the moment they met. His first impression of her, after her beauty, was that she was trouble. He couldn't stop watching her, even though she wasn't his problem. He was doing well until a couple of guys started pestering her and he could see her discomfort when they wouldn't leave her alone. Then "He hadn't become the director of one of the most elite law enforcement groups in the country by walking away from trouble." I loved how it just took a few words to resolve the problem. I really liked the instant connection they had, shown by their long conversation on the beach. It was sweet to see how surprised Steve was by how easy it was to talk to her. One thing led to another and passion took over. Then, in the middle of the night, another note from the Watcher appeared. Horrified by the threat to Steve, Rosalyn took off without a word to Steve.

I ached so much for Steve, who came back from his vacation feeling betrayed and used. He also couldn't stop thinking about her, still certain that she was in trouble. I loved seeing him get "profiled" by Brandon, who was scary accurate at diagnosing Steve's problem. The news from Pensacola of an unidentified body that looked like Rosalyn sent him zooming back to Florida. After identifying the body, Steve is shocked when he runs into a very much alive - and pregnant - Rosalyn. After hearing her story, Steve isn't sure whether or not to believe her until an attempt is made to run them both over. He can't deny that something is going on and is determined to protect both Rosalyn and the baby.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship, but there were several times when I thought that Steve was a major jerk. After learning the details of what has been happening to her, he's still not sure whether he can trust her. Rosalyn doesn't have that problem, and for the first time in more than a year feels safe. The attraction between them burns hotter and hotter, which creates some problems for Steve. He wants her, but he's also super-protective, not wanting to take advantage of her when she's vulnerable. I loved when she called him on it, as "idiot" was accurate in more ways than one. Steve's years in law enforcement have left him pretty cynical, and he tends to see the worst in people. He makes several terrible mistakes with her, and one in particular was heartbreaking. I hated the way he treated her and cried for Rosalyn and the way it hurt her. His remorse and guilty feelings were well earned, though I thought that Rosalyn forgave him a little too easily. I was glad when he finally got his head out of his butt. The ending was pretty sweet, and I liked his scene on the beach.

The suspense was incredible. To have a stalker like that, one whose actions don't appear threatening so that the police don't take it seriously, would be terrifying. It was bad enough before, but the escalation of the Watcher's actions after Rosalyn and Steve were reunited, kept me glued to the pages. Every time it looked like they had finally escaped the net, he would pop up again with a note, an attack, or both. I loved seeing the entire Omega team work together to figure out how it was happening. I must admit that I figured out the basics of it by the second time Rosalyn entered the Omega building, but the details had some interesting twists. I loved Rosalyn's courage and determination to help draw him out. The final confrontation was intense, with the race against time to find Rosalyn and the Watcher before it was too late. I absolutely loved the way it went down, showing how much Steve loved Rosalyn, and also how much his team cared about Steve.

Overwhelming Force - Janie Crouch (HI #1861 - Dec 2016)

Series: Omega Sector: Critical Response (Book 5)
            Omega Sector (Book 9)

He lost her once. He won't lose her again.

Despite an illustrious career as a top hostage negotiator, Joe Matarazzo is haunted by the past. It was a year ago that three innocent lives were lost under his watch. But Joe isn't the only one who remembers that day. When Joe's exes begin to fall victim to a violent stalker, Joe seeks the help of Laura Birchwood -- a lawyer and the woman he once loved. Despite old wounds, Laura agrees to help Joe find out who's framing him. And while they expect to be met with danger, they're unprepared for passion that still burns strong, and their determination to give what was between them a second chance.

Very good second chance romance combined with intense suspense. The story opens with Joe and the Omega team on the way to a hostage crisis. Joe is the target of some teasing because of his playboy reputation. He mostly ignores it because his mind is taken up with another hostage situation that didn't end well. He is haunted by the thoughts of the people who died and blames himself for not being good enough to save them. This situation turns out much better, and I loved seeing how Joe's mind worked as he talked circles around the bad guys. Joe was surprised to see that one of the hostages was a former girlfriend, one he hasn't been able to forget. He has deep regrets about the way he ended that relationship and wants a chance to apologize and maybe try again.

I liked Joe and Laura, though in this book it took a while for Joe to grow on me. He has a well-deserved reputation as a playboy, and it doesn't seem to bother him at all. He is very wealthy, which gains him a lot of attention from paparazzi, which he attempts to ignore. As the history between Joe and Laura came out, I was really disgusted by the way he broke things off with her and didn't blame her at all for not wanting to see him ever again. But as the book went on, I could see the way he changed and matured, which made me somewhat more sympathetic to him. In spite of his wealth, good looks, and charm, Joe also has some insecurities that he keeps well hidden. I ached for him and his feeling that he wasn't a full member of the Omega team. I liked Laura. She's strong and feisty and can hold her own when dealing with Joe. Unfortunately, she also has her own insecurities that were aggravated by Joe's words six years earlier. She has worked hard to get where she is, an attorney with an excellent reputation. I didn't blame her at all for not wanting anything to do with him when she first saw him again.

I enjoyed the rekindling of Joe and Laura's relationship. I liked his determination to apologize to Laura for being such an idiot, and how he wasn't going to give up. Laura was determined to protect her heart from being crushed again, but she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him. I liked the fact that, despite her personal feelings toward him, she knew he was innocent of the charges against him. As they worked together to prove Joe's innocence, Laura got a chance to see the man Joe has become. I loved seeing his protectiveness and how he understood her caution. The last chapter was sweet and romantic, as Joe found the perfect way to show Laura that she could let go of her fears.

The suspense of the story was outstanding. There's the quick realization at the beginning that Joe's problems are connected to the case that haunts him. The look inside the mind of the stalker is truly frightening as their obsession with revenge becomes clearer. I did have some moments when I wanted to smack Joe upside the head and ask what he was thinking. The first murder should have made him cautious. When the second had the same MO, he should have been suspicious about going. When the third happened the same way, I wondered how he could be so stupid. I also ached for him as he tried to go it alone, believing that the Omega people would not support him. I loved his stunned shock as first one, then another, and another of his team members stepped up to help. The intensity increased as it became obvious that Laura was the next target. I was on the edge of my seat as they raced to find the stalker before they could strike again. The final confrontation was gripping as Joe pitted his skills against the twisted mind of a psychopath. The action was heart-pounding as I wondered how they would get out of it, and my relief was huge as the Omega team pulled it all together.

Armored Attraction - Janie Crouch (HI #1643 - June 2016)

Series: Omega Sector: Critical Response (Book 3)
            Omega Sector (Book 7)

One secret can change everything

It's been eight years since Liam Goetz has seen his ex-fiancé. Vanessa Epperson had everything: beauty, brains…and a family fortune. He chose her, while she chose a life of luxury and never imagined their paths would cross again. An unexpected phone call from Vanessa -- desperate for his help in a human trafficking case -- resurrects old longings. As they work together to save hostages and catch a predator, Liam begins to learn some shocking truths -- about himself and the woman he thought he once knew so well…

Very good book with intense suspense and a roller coaster of emotions as Liam and Vanessa reconcile their pasts and their present. I was hooked on their story from the very beginning. Vanessa was out for a walk on the beach, trying to decompress after a stressful day at work as a social worker, when she stumbled on a young girl washed up on the beach. It didn't take long to find out that she was most likely a victim of human trafficking. When she also discovered that local law enforcement might be involved, she can only think of one person who might be able to help her, and she hasn't talked to him in eight years.

Liam couldn't believe it when he received a forwarded voice mail from Vanessa. He's not too keen to see her, but he hoped it would enable him to finally put the past behind him. He was also curious about what kind of situation would cause her to reach out to him after so many years.

I loved their first meeting after so many years. Liam gets quite a shock when he sees her, as nothing is like what he expected. Vanessa is no longer the naïve, carefree, party girl that he left behind. Unknown to him, words he spoke to his friends before leaving town made their way to her, convincing her that she wanted to make changes in her life. No longer heedless of other's feelings, Vanessa has become a caring and compassionate social worker, turning her back on her wealthy lifestyle. Liam sees signs of pain and loss in her eyes, but she won't talk about it to him. Liam has gone through some changes of his own. After his breakup with Vanessa, he became quite the playboy, flitting from woman to woman, but never getting close to any of them. However, he's recently backed off from that life, after seeing some of his friends and coworkers finding love and settling down. But before he can find that for himself, he has to let go of his past.

I really enjoyed the rekindling of Liam and Vanessa's relationship. It's obvious from the start that the physical attraction between them is still alive and well, but neither one is happy about it. Liam is still hurt and angry over what he saw as her betrayal, and Vanessa is equally certain that if he had truly loved her, he never would have walked away so easily. I liked seeing Liam get to know the new Vanessa as they worked together. I loved his growing respect for her and his admiration of her strength. He was also determined to earn her trust so that she would tell him whatever it is he is sure that she is hiding. Vanessa is surprised by the depth of caring and protectiveness that Liam shows toward their young victim. It goes a long way toward softening her attitude toward him and encouraging her to tell him the truth of what had happened eight years earlier. I ached for Liam when he found out the details and how he blamed himself for not fighting for her. Once their pasts were dealt with, it became easier to give in to the growing feelings between them. I loved Liam's big moment as he confessed his feelings and showed Vanessa just how deep they were. The ending was fantastic with a couple of unexpected but wonderful twists.

The suspense of the story had me riveted throughout the entire book. Discovering Karine on the beach, then finding out that someone in law enforcement might be involved, made it imperative that Vanessa find help that she could trust. The arrival of the deputy practically on Liam's heels created quite a desperate situation, and I loved the way that he handled it. The tension of the encounters with law enforcement, wondering who could be trusted and who couldn't made their job more difficult. Knowing that there were seven more girls out there somewhere, in imminent danger, kept me on the edge of my seat, as Liam and the other Omega members worked feverishly to locate them.  The final confrontation was intense, with an unexpected complication adding to the danger. There was a surprisingly sweet moment with the youngest of the girls, in the middle of all the action, that really warmed my heart. I especially liked Vanessa's strength and courage as she stood up to the bad guys and then protected Karine in the aftermath. The ending was terrific, and I loved following what happened with the girls.

 

Leverage - Janie Crouch (HI #1579 - July 2015)

Series: Omega Sector (Book 4)

He'd been hired to transport precious cargo--and it put a beautiful twist in his solitary life

Computer game developer Shelby Keelan has a gift: a photographic memory of anything concerning numbers. When she inadvertently discovers a code linked to terrorist attacks within a popular Internet game, she's called in by the government to help piece together what she knows.

.

Pilot Dylan Branson finally has his life the way he wants it: simple, quiet and alone - as far from his covert operation past as he can get. He knows when he's asked by his previous boss to deliver one tiny package to Omega Sector headquarters that his answer should be no. Especially when that tiny package ends up being a cute and quirky redhead he's instantly drawn to.

.

But what should've been a routine trip turns into a desperate fight for their lives when someone is determined to see that Shelby and Dylan don't make it anywhere alive and that the codes in her head are destroyed along with her.

Terrific book and conclusion to the initial Omega Sector series. I loved the romance between Dylan and Shelby, and the buildup of suspense was excellent. Dylan used to work for Omega Sector, just like his siblings, but left when his wife and unborn child were murdered. Now he runs his own chartered flight business, lives out in the boonies, and spends as little time with people as he can. He's not happy when his former boss asks him to deliver some computer codes to DC, but he gives in.

Shelby is a genius at anything having to do with numbers. She has a photographic memory for them, no matter how many there are. She develops computer games for kids, and when she discovered some terrorist-linked code in a game, she called on her friend Megan Fuller-Branson, who works at Omega. She needs to get those codes to DC, where Megan can decipher them, and that means leaving her safe haven and depending on someone else.

I loved both Shelby and Dylan. Shelby is very much an introvert and always has been, which made her childhood with an extrovert mother miserable. She needs her space, and being around other people and (gasp!) having to talk to them, freaks her out. She isn't much for social chit-chat and tends to be very direct when she does talk. She is also pretty insecure about her ability to relate to other people. I loved being able to get to know Dylan better. He has appeared in earlier books, usually in support of one of his siblings, even though he's no longer an operative. His love for his family is obvious, but so is his reluctance to let anyone else get close to him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Dylan and Shelby. There were sparks between them from the start. During that first dinner at the diner, their connection was obvious. Shelby found it amazingly easy to talk to Dylan, something that never happens to her. Dylan enjoyed talking to her, even indulging in a little flirtation, thinking that she would be gone in a couple of hours, after giving him the codes to deliver. His dismay at finding out that the codes were in her head, and he had to take HER with him, caused a sudden chilling of his attitude. I ached for Shelby, who was certain she had done something to deserve it. He knows he's being a jerk, but can't seem to help himself. This happens several times throughout the book, as they draw closer, then he pulls back again. Shelby's frustration with him is understandable, and I wanted to shake him senseless. In spite of his conflicted feelings, Dylan's protectiveness was pretty sweet. I loved how he understood her quirks and stepped in whenever he saw her begin to be overwhelmed. I ached for Shelby as her feelings for Dylan grew, and he continued to fight his. He was unintentionally cruel at one point near the end but redeemed himself quite nicely. His big moment at the end was super sweet and romantic in his way.

The suspense of the story was great. The idea of terrorist codes embedded in a computer game doesn't seem far-fetched these days, so that felt real. Shelby's gift of a photographic memory for numbers also seems quite possible. The tension began quickly with the two attempts on Shelby's life before she even got to Dylan. His quick thinking over her stay in the motel gave added impetus to their need to get to DC. With the sabotage of the plane, Dylan's suspicions about a mole at Omega appeared to be confirmed and reinforced by what happened a short time later. I loved the way the Bransons and their other halves banded together to get Shelby where she needed to be. I was on the edge of my seat as she and Megan worked to solve the puzzle, all the time wondering about the mole. The final confrontation was intense, as was the threat to Shelby and Megan's lives. I loved Shelby's role in saving them both. Though the mole's identity wasn't a surprise, some of the details were pretty amazing.

I loved having all of the couples from the previous books involved in this one. The friendship between Megan and Shelby was great. They are so different, and yet their understanding and acceptance of each other was beautiful. The love and respect between the siblings was strong, yet none of them had any trouble calling each other out when they were being idiots. Dylan (deservedly) was the focus of that most often in this book. The best scene with any of the siblings was the one between Sawyer and Megan as he left to help get rid of the bomb. It was one of the most romantic things I've seen in any book.

Untraceable - Janie Crouch (HI #1573 - June 2015)

Series: Omega Sector (Book 3)

Posing as a married couple to save the world was easy compared to the very real feelings between them...

As Bob and Lisa Sinclair, Omega Sector agents Evan Karcz and Juliet Branson were a formidable couple--until a brutal attack left Juliet traumatized. But with a powerful crime boss selling military secrets, the safety of millions depends on the undercover operatives. It's up to Evan to rehabilitate Juliet...and not fail her as he did on the mission that still haunts him.

Evan's strategy is to be near Juliet night and day to practice posing as a loving couple. But soon he realizes there's a sizzling passion between them. And it's being threatened by forces stronger than they ever realized. With a killer stalking Lisa Sinclair, her "husband" knows he'd risk his cover--and his life--to protect her.

Good book with a well-done romance and terrific suspense. Evan and Juliet have known each other most of their lives, as Evan is friends with her brothers. All of them work for Omega Sector. Evan and Juliet were a great undercover team until a brutal attack left Juliet unwilling to go back undercover. She still struggles with the effects of that attack, though she puts up a good front. Evan also suffers from intense guilt because the attack happened on a mission together.

I ached so much for Juliet. What happened to her destroyed her confidence in herself and her ability to do the job she loved. She's convinced she would only be a liability if she went back undercover. Her fears were real and understandable and aggravated by something else that was going on in her life. I hurt for Evan also. He cares so much for her, and it kills him to see her so afraid. He believes that she is much stronger than she thinks, but supports her in whatever she needs. There's a terrific scene at the beginning where their boss tries to convince Juliet to go back in the field, and Evan and her brothers stand up for her wish to stay in the background. Her brothers aren't as convinced as Evan about her ability, and one brother attempted to prove his point. It didn't go well for him. And when unexpected trouble puts Evan in danger, Juliet takes a deep breath and does what she must to save him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Evan and Juliet. Evan is understanding and supportive as Juliet works her way through her fears. It helped that there was always an underlying trust in Juliet's relationship with Evan. As they prepared for their undercover roles, Evan's gentleness and patience were heartwarming to see, and Juliet's growing ease with him was encouraging. Underneath it all was an attraction that Evan tries to resist until Juliet makes it clear that she feels it too. The connection between them deepens with the intimacy and the need to rely on each other during the mission. Evan's timing for his declaration of his feelings was pretty amusing as was her reaction.

The suspense of the story was terrific. There are two things going on. The biggest is the need for Omega to keep the codes from falling into the wrong hands. A wrench was thrown into Evan's plans to go it alone when the bad guy made it clear that Evan's "wife" was to be there or there would be no deal. I was on the edge of my seat during the warehouse scene, wondering how Evan was going to get out of it. What happened was impressive and a complete shock to Evan. The intensity continued to build with the unexpected changes to the plan. Evan and Juliet's ability to adjust and adapt was fantastic. I cheered for Juliet when she dealt so decisively with the creepy son. Juliet's brilliance during the auction scene was amazing, and I loved how Evan turned it completely over to her. What happened next had me glued to the pages until it was resolved, afraid for both Juliet and Evan. I thoroughly enjoyed the way it played out.

Adding to Juliet's stress are the frightening emails that she has received. For a year she, as her undercover persona, has been electronically stalked by someone who knows all about what happened to her. He makes claims of taking care of her, providing the protection that her "husband" didn't and that he would see her soon. I ached for Juliet and her fear, and how it has made her a prisoner of those fears. I was frustrated with her for not going to anyone for help with those emails when Evan or her brothers would have jumped to help her. I was so happy when she finally opened up to Evan about what she was going through. Though Evan was certain that the emails had nothing to do with their current case, I wasn't so sure. That feeling strengthened when they were on the yacht. Though I suspected who it was from the moment he appeared, the details were pretty convoluted. I could feel Juliet's fear during their confrontation, and Evan's desperation to find her before it was too late. The teamwork displayed in finding and saving Juliet was great.