Power Play - Beverly Long (HRS #1977 - Jan 2018)

Series: Wingman Security (Book 2)

A security expert puts everything on the line when a woman from his past turns to him for protection…

Kellie McGarry is off-limits to Trey Riker. Building a security empire is the perfect distraction for him, but a threat against Kellie changes everything. In jeopardy and caught in a terrorist group’s web, she’s the one woman Trey will do anything to protect.

For Kellie, the sparks between her and Trey are more than inconvenient. She’s torn between the evidence that implicates him and her instinct to trust him. Determined to get the truth about Trey and save her own life, Kellie must make a choice now -- but the wrong one could be her last.

Good mix of romance and suspense. Trey is a member of the Wingman Security company. When he gets a call from his best friend asking him to check on the man's younger sister, he jumps right on it. He remembers Kellie as the gawky little sister from when he and Anthony were in college. He's stunned by the grown-up Kellie and immediately attracted, though she's off-limits as his friend's sister. Though she makes it clear that she is fine when he talks to her, Trey gets the feeling that she isn't telling the truth.

Kellie has recently taken a job in a mining company owned by another of her brother's friends. After receiving a couple of puzzling emails, she realized that there was something strange going on. Further investigation revealed irregularities involving explosives and the possible collusion by people close to her. Kellie isn't sure who she can trust, so she is suspicious of Trey when he shows up.

I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Kellie and Trey. There is an immediate connection between them that is impossible for them to deny. Trey is willing to risk Anthony's displeasure to pursue whatever it is, but Kellie is resistant. Though she is equally attracted to Trey, his connection to her boss makes her suspicious. Trey is gentleman enough not to push when Kellie suddenly pulls back, but he's also suspicious of the sudden withdrawal. I loved the protectiveness that he showed, both at the club and later, when he realized just how much trouble she was in. I loved his determination to find her and get to the bottom of the problem. It was easy to see Kellie's conflict between her suspicions and her instinctive trust of Trey. Once she took the leap of faith and confided in him, their connection grew even faster. I liked the way that Trey was protective without being overbearing and smothering and that he respected Kellie's intelligence and abilities. I liked seeing Kellie's barriers come down as she came to trust Trey. She also saw past the reputation that her brother had given him to the man that he was. They also developed fantastic teamwork that was essential for their survival at the end of the book. I loved seeing them share their dreams for the future and their confidence that they would make it happen.

The suspense of the story was really good. The seriousness of the danger Kellie was in was obvious from the beginning. Her unwillingness to trust anyone made it even more difficult. I was impressed by Kellie's resourcefulness as she tried to get away. I also loved Trey's determination to find her and protect her. I loved the scene in California when Trey caught up with her, and her attempt to get away again. Kellie's realization that she could trust Trey came just in time as the bad guys' pursuit of them intensified. I loved seeing Trey's talents in security figure out how to evade capture. The depth of their danger became more obvious as they decoded the emails that Kellie had received. Their capture and subsequent stranding had me on the edge of my seat as I followed their attempts to save themselves. I loved that it didn't go smoothly or easily, as that added an extra level of intensity. I loved the epilogue and hearing how it was resolved. I especially loved Kellie's comment that set Trey to laughing.

Ms. Calculation - Danica Winters (HI #1735 - Sept 2017)

Series: Mystery Christmas (Book 1)

Welcome to Mystery, Montana, a small town with dark secrets…

The body found in the Dunrovin Ranch stables isn't just a crisis for Wyatt Fitzgerald's family or his top priority as sheriff -- Gwen Johansen is both the victim's sister…and Wyatt's ex. And in a small town like Mystery, events of the past don't seem to fade. Maybe she'd misjudged his potential when they were younger, but now he could be her greatest ally -- and not just in the investigation. That is, if he can work his way around a broken heart. With the killer circling, the clock is counting down on more than Christmas, a time when family means everything and forgiveness is the best gift of all.

Good start to the new series. Wyatt is called to his family's ranch to investigate a suspicious death and to notify the victim's next of kin. Unfortunately for him, there is some history with that next of kin. Gwen is his ex-girlfriend, plus her mother still blames Wyatt's family for the death of her husband on the Fitzgerald ranch. Gwen is devastated by her sister's death but puts her grief aside to help Wyatt investigate Bianca's death.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Wyatt and Gwen. They had been high school sweethearts until Gwen broke things off, not because she didn't love him but because she loved him too much. She believed that he was better off without her. Wyatt went off to the city to pursue his dreams and has only recently returned to Mystery. Though they live in a small town, he and Gwen have managed to avoid each other until now. Both are surprised to discover that the attraction between them is still alive. Wyatt is wary of getting his heart broken again, and Gwen isn't so sure that she deserves another chance. There were times when I wanted to shake them both, as they contemplated past mistakes and dreams I wanted them to talk to each other not just think about it. Eventually, the sparks started to burn away the walls between them and they began to realize that they belonged together.

The suspense of the story was very good. It's clear from the beginning that Bianca had known the person who killed her and it's up to Wyatt and Gwen to figure it out. As they delved into Bianca's life, Wyatt and Gwen discovered that Bianca had had more secrets than either had known. Each secret that they uncover leads to more questions. Did her murder have to do with her affair with a married man? There is definitely something off about the man, but is he capable of murder? Could it be his wife, tired of his philandering ways? Or is there someone else with a grudge against her? I loved seeing Wyatt and Gwen work together through each step, coming closer and closer to discovering who it is. The final revelation comes as a bit of a surprise, and while the mystery is solved there are still some things left unresolved. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Stone Cold Christmas Ranger - Nicole Helm (HI #1742 - Oct 2017)

Series: Stone Cold (Book 3)

"You don't have to trust me, Texas Ranger. You just have to stay out of my way."

Bennet Stevens will do anything to prove himself. But the ranger never expected a cold case lead like Alyssa Jimenez, a wild-card bounty hunter. Or that someone would target her. The only safe place she can hide is in Bennet's elite world. But Alyssa's gutsy maneuvers and surprising vulnerability are putting Bennet's heart at passionate risk…

Alyssa barely survived her drug-cartel family's machinations. She knows all too well that trusting anyone can get you dead. Still, Bennet is the only way she can finally put her mother's unsolved murder to rest. But posing as his lover is seductive -- and risky. And exposing the truth could guarantee they won't live to celebrate Christmas.

Good opposites attract story. Bennet is a Texas Ranger who comes from a wealthy, politically active family. He has advanced quickly in the Rangers but isn't sure if it is on his own merits or not. He has decided to solve a sixteen-year-old cold case as a way to prove himself. His only lead is Alyssa, who may be linked to a drug cartel family.

Alyssa had been a captive of The Stallion (Stone Cold Undercover Agent) where she was a bit of a loose cannon. Since her rescue, she has been working as an unlicensed bounty hunter. She had worked hard to keep her distance from her crime-ridden family, who she felt abandoned her when she was kidnapped. She isn't too happy to be contacted by Bennet until she discovers that the cold case he is working on is that of her mother's murder.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Bennet and Alyssa. There are sparks between them from the moment they met. Bennet isn't quite sure what to make of the blunt, brash and independent Alyssa, but he is definitely intrigued by her. Alyssa is wary of Bennet and the things he makes her feel. She can't see anything good coming of getting involved with him. They are too different and she'll only get her heart broken. As the danger heats up, Bennet comes up with the idea of them staying at his parents' guesthouse where security is better. Pretending that they are involved starts to feel all too real to both of them. I loved how protective Bennet was, while at the same time he was confident in her ability to take care of herself. Alyssa's feelings for Bennet grew quickly, and she found herself as protective of him as he was of her.  I loved seeing them figure out that they were a perfect balance for each other.

The suspense of the story was really good. The action started quickly and maintained a level of intensity that kept me hooked. From the moment that Alyssa discovered that her mother was the victim in Bennet's cold case, she was determined to be involved in every step of the investigation. The number of attacks on Alyssa and Bennet made it obvious that someone didn't want them pursuing their leads. It became increasingly clear that Alyssa's brothers were involved, with the question becoming whether it was one or more, and why? There also seemed to be a link to Bennet's family, which increased the stakes for him. There were several unexpected twists and turns before everything was revealed. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

Happy New Year