Bachelor Unleashed - Brenda Jackson (HK #213 - Dec 2010)

Series: Bachelors in Demand (Book 2)

From playing the field to playing ... for keeps?

They had a hot, fleeting affair Farrah Langley has never forgotten. Attorney-to-the-rich-and-famous Xavier Kane was tender, sexy, attentive -- and ravished her body. Everything she ever wanted in a lover. Getting together with him again in New York is a fantasy come true. She certainly doesn't expect the footloose bachelor to change his ways. And the burned-by-love mediator isn't looking for forever.

But Xavier is.

There's something about Farrah...something that touches him deep in his soul...something that keeps him coming back. So when fate brings them together again, Xavier's ready to pick up where they left off. But this time around, he wants more. Can he convince the lean, leggy beauty that he's finished playing the field? That he wants only one woman in his bed, in his arms -- in his heart?

Good book about two people who, burned by love in the past, resist risking their hearts. Xavier is the founder and card-carrying member of his god-brothers' "Bachelors in Demand" club. They are six men who enjoy their bachelor lifestyles and have no intention of giving them up. Xavier's heart was broken in college by a woman who used him then dumped him. Since that time, he indulges in physical affairs only, avoiding any emotional entanglements. Farrah's pain over her ex-husband's betrayal made her equally determined to avoid emotional relationships.

As the story opens, Farrah and Xavier have been involved in an affair for almost a year. This is far longer than either has spent with anyone else. Farrah suddenly ends their liaison because she has become far too comfortable with their arrangement and is afraid that her heart would get involved. Six months later, neither has moved on to other people nor have they forgotten what they had. When they run into each other in New York, Xavier wants to pick up where they left off, but Farrah isn't sure.

I enjoyed the development of Xavier and Farrah's relationship. Though they looked at their initial relationship as merely physical, neither realized how close they had gotten until Farrah broke it off. Farrah saw the signs in herself, which is why she ended it but hadn't noticed how deep she already was. When Xavier made his proposal, Farrah could see the potential for trouble. She missed him, but nothing about her fears had changed. Xavier wants Farrah back in his bed, and he pulls out all the stops to convince her. It wasn't long before Xavier admitted to himself that he wanted more than just an affair.

I loved seeing the change in Xavier from the playboy to the man determined to win his woman. He knew Farrah well enough that telling her his feelings straight off would drive her away. Instead, he plotted and planned ways to show her that they belonged together. His actions slowly chipped away at the wall around her heart, but Farrah was reluctant to trust again. The ending was intense as Farrah allowed her fears to try to push Xavier away. But this time he wouldn't give in, and I loved how he stood his ground. His declaration of his feelings and understanding of her fears were great. The effect on Farrah was eye-opening, and I loved seeing what she did with it.

Storm - Janie Crouch (Calamity Jane Pub - Oct 2020)

Series: Linear Tactical (Book 10)

            Special Forces: Operation Alpha

Breathe in. Breathe out. Survive.

Marilyn Ellis is finally putting her life back together. The domestic abuse she suffered may be labeled textbook by therapists, but it's the parts she's never told anyone that haunt her.

She refuses to get trapped in that hell ever again.

Former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah Dempsey is more than capable of training the delicate single mom in moves and tactics that will help her feel safe. But his own tortured past makes him decidedly less qualified for anything more.

No matter how much her big eyes--and even bigger heart--draw him in.

However, when unexpected danger arrives in their small town, Noah knows this is a woman worth fighting for. Worth fighting beside. And he's going to be the one to do it.

She needs a hero.

He'll have to remember how to be one.

This was a fantastic book that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. It was also a little different than previous books in the Linear Tactical world. Noah is not a member of the LT team, but served with some of them and has appeared in some of the LT books. Zac and Annie (Cyclone) make several appearances in this book. In another unusual tactic, Storm takes place concurrently with the book Risk Everything, from the Bree and Tanner series, this time from Noah and Marilyn's perspectives. Having met them in that book, I loved the opportunity to get to know them both better. There is also a walk-on character from Susan Stoker's Special Forces series, which I have not (yet) read. Though I already knew the suspense outcome from reading the other book, in many ways, this felt like an entirely different story, thanks to the different perspectives.

Marilyn is the survivor of some horrific domestic abuse. She and her two children finally escaped and began a new life in Risk Peak, where Marilyn is the New Journeys abuse shelter building manager. Marilyn has PTSD and blames herself for not getting away sooner. She is still wary around men, especially those that she doesn't know. This is especially noticeable when Tanner brings in some friends to help move things into the shelter.

Tanner's brother, Noah, is one of those helping. Noah retired from the Special Forces after a devastating mission. Always a quiet, introverted man, he became even more reserved and more withdrawn after his return. While helping at the shelter, Noah was increasingly aware of Marilyn and recognized a kindred spirit. He was impressed by her quiet strength, and more so by her resilience during a later encounter. I loved his support and understanding as he helped her through that episode.

I loved the development of the relationship between Noah and Marilyn. It begins with Noah's kindnesses to her and her children and her feeling that she can trust him. Marilyn asks Noah to teach her how to defend herself, and he is more than willing to do so. I loved that Noah didn't look at Marilyn as fragile or broken, but saw a fighter and a survivor. On the other hand, Marilyn did not have a high opinion of herself, thanks to Jared's abuse. Over their months of lessons, Noah worked hard to reinstate Marilyn's belief in herself. At the same time, helping Marilyn helped Noah overcome the memories that haunt him. I especially liked it when Noah showed her how much she had learned and changed. There were some sweet scenes between them as they grew closer, and each realized that their feelings were changing.

However, before Noah and Marilyn can explore those feelings, Marilyn's past comes calling. Trouble comes in the form of a suspicious fire, followed by an interrupted camping trip and a flight through the woods. Noah is in full protector mode, but he also sees that Marilyn needed to fight her own battles. I loved seeing them work together, along with Noah's increasing love and respect for Marilyn, and Marilyn's unending trust in Noah. The tension built quickly as Jared's whereabouts came into question. The final confrontation was intense, as Marilyn's worst nightmare came to pass. I loved seeing the new Marilyn take charge of her fears and deal with the threat that faced her.

I loved the ending of this book. There is an awesome scene with Noah having a man-to-man talk with Marilyn's son, Sam, and getting advice from her daughter, Eva. Noah, who doesn't think he has a romantic bone in his body, has something special in mind for Marilyn. There's an unexpected twist that nearly ends in tragedy, but Noah's big moment happens with a little help from his friends. 

Stranger Planet - Nathan W. Pyle (Morrow Gift - June 2020)

Series: Strange Planet (Book 2)

In this eagerly awaited sequel, Nathan takes us back to his charming and instantly recognizable planet colored in bright pinks, blues, greens, and purples, providing more escapades, jokes, and p h r a s e s.

Nathan mixes his most popular Instagram comics with more than thirty original works created exclusively for this second volume to explore four major topics: traditions, nature, emotions, and knowledge. He inducts new and longtime fans into a strangely familiar world and its culture, from “cohesion” (marriage) to “mild poison” (alcohol) to the full lyrics to “The Small Eight-Legged Creature” (sung to the tune of The Itsy-Bitsy Spider).

Bright, colorful, and whimsical—yet charmingly familiar—Stranger Planet is out-of-this-world fun.

I loved the second volume of this series just as much as the first one. I especially enjoyed the panels that dealt with the pets, recognizing both the aloofness of the cat and joyousness of the dog. I also liked the literal versions of well-known songs. I look forward to seeing new panels posted online.

Strange Planet - Nathan W. Pyle (Morrow Gift - Nov 2019)

Series: Strange Planet (Book 1)

Straight from the mind of New York Times bestselling author Nathan W. Pyle comes an adorable and profound universe in pink, blue, green, and purple. Based on the phenomenally popular Instagram of the same name, Strange Planet covers a full life cycle of the planet’s inhabitants.

This is a fun look at everyday life through the eyes of a family of aliens. I love the super-literal language the beings in this book use, from mouthstones for teeth to lifegiver for parent to two-wheeled foot pusher for bicycle. The humor is layered from basic to an underlying cynicism. There is also an undeniable kindness in these aliens. I have become addicted to them.

Hostile Pursuit - Juno Rushdan (HI # 1921 - Apr 2020)

Series: Hard Core Justice Thriller (Book 1)

When ruthless killers target them,

even a safe house isn't safe.

Only twenty-four hours remain until marshal Nick McKenna's informant, Lori Carpenter, will testify against a powerful drug cartel. Nick has kept her safe for an entire year, but now all hell is breaking loose. With a team of cold-blooded assassins closing in, the by-the-book lawman decides to go rogue. He'll risk his life for duty…and put it all on the line for his irresistible witness.

Good book that started with a rush and remained intense until the end. Lori has been in WITSEC for a year, waiting to testify against a drug cartel. Marshal Nick McKenna and his partner Ted kept her safe the entire time. With only twenty-four hours to go, a team of killers, led by one very determined assassin, is committed to stopping her from testifying. After two attempts in as many hours, Nick and Lori go on the run.

I liked both Nick and Lori. I liked that they had a year of getting to know each other. For the entire year that she was under protection, their relationship was strictly professional. They became friends, watching movies, talking, cooking together, but resisted the obvious attraction between them. After the trial, Lori would go into Witness Protection, and they would never see each other again. It wasn't until the heightened emotions of their flight from danger that cracks appeared in their control. There are some sweet moments together, where their love is evident. There is also a bump in their road when Nick learns the full details of Lori's past. He doesn't take it well, and I was disappointed by his judgmental attitude, especially when he didn't let her explain. There was a great scene where they ended up at his family's home, and his mother adjusts Nick's attitude. The ending was terrific, and I loved the epilogue.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. It was twenty-four hours of roller-coaster action. The first attack was filled with danger from many different directions, some of them unexpected. The attack at the safe house roused Nick's suspicions, which were reinforced by their next bout of trouble and the assassin who stayed hot on their heels. Nick decided to "go dark," cutting off all communication with his boss for fear of being compromised again. I loved Nick's call for his brother's help and the plans made for the next day. Lori's arrival at the marshals building the next day was full of unexpected twists and revelations. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

An unusual aspect of this book was the woman assassin, Belladonna. She was intense and unrelenting in her pursuit of Lori. I liked the book's parts that were told from her perspective, and I slowly developed a bit of sympathy for her. The final scene with her was intense and had an unexpected outcome.

Suspicious Circumstances - Rita Herron (HI #1953 - Oct 2020)

Series: Badge of Honor (Book 4)

The fire that killed his father

Also devastated her life.

Searching for anyone who might have information about the hospital fire that killed his father, special agent Liam Maverick asks nurse Peyton Weiss for help in his hunt for answers. But someone doesn’t want Peyton to share what she knows. As the threats against her escalate to attempted murder, Peyton realizes she has no choice but to work with Liam to catch the arsonist. With both of them risking everything for the truth, it becomes a daily struggle to stay alive—and to ignore the sparks flying between them that are hot enough to ignite.

Good combination of suspense and romance. The book opened with a flashback to the night of the fire at Whistler's hospital from Peyton's perspective. We see that she knew something was wrong in a case earlier that week, and that she received a threatening phone call about it. It is also clear that keeping quiet eats at her conscience, but fear for her mother gives her no choice.

Five years later, special agent Liam Maverick gets a break in the case of the hospital fire that killed his father. The man that he talks to points a finger at Peyton. When Liam questions her, he is immediately suspicious because he senses that she is hiding something. Peyton is determined to keep her secret, but she knows she needs help when she receives a new threat against her mother.

I liked the development of the relationship between Liam and Peyton. Though he was suspicious of her at first, Liam also sensed that she was scared. His protective instinct kicked in quickly, and he was determined to keep her safe. Peyton was wary of Liam at the beginning because she could tell that he didn't believe her. But when she needed help, she knew that she could trust him. Neither expected sparks of attraction, especially in the middle of such a perilous situation. I loved seeing them grow closer. Liam discovered that Peyton filled an empty space in his life, and Peyton found herself dreaming of a life she'd given up on after the fire. However, there are still some obstacles between them. Peyton kept one other secret from Liam because she was burned by others who knew it. When Liam found out, he was hurt and a bit angry that she didn't trust him. It took a push from his three brothers to make him see the truth. The ending was sweet, and I loved seeing them come together. There was a fun twist to the end of it.

The suspense of the story was intense all the way through. The threats against Peyton picked up right after Liam questioned her. Those threats escalated quickly from verbal to attempts on her life and that of her mother. Once Peyton decided to help Liam, it sometimes seemed there were more questions than answers. Several suspects had means and motive, and there were a few twists before the final confrontation. I was on the edge of my seat as it played out, especially as I did not see part of it coming.

Danger and Desire - Janie Crouch, Rachel Grant, Cristin Harber, Elle James, Maryann Jordan, Kimberly Kincaid, Cat Johnson, Caitlyn O'Leary (Various publishers - Sept 2020)

Fantastic anthology of romantic suspense authors.

THE ROOKIE by Kimberly Kincaid
Series: The Intelligence Unit (Book 1)

Police recruit Xander Matthews has two goals: to keep his head down and his dark and dangerous past where it belongs--behind him. He never thought he'd see brash, beautiful ADA Tara Kingston again. But now they must catch a brutal killer before it's too late.

My first romantic suspense by Kimberly Kincaid, and it won't be the last. The action and tension started quickly and never really let up. Tara gets a call from the confidential informant who is the crucial witness in an upcoming trial. Amour was severely beaten and threatened. Xander and his partner are the first on the scene. Tara arrives shortly after, and the sparks begin to fly. She and Xander have a history, and neither one can forget it. I loved the hospital scene, especially the part with the rubber ducks, and how it began the changes between Xander and Tara. Xander has put his dark past behind him and now wants nothing more than to serve and protect. He and Tara work together to protect the witness and take down the man responsible, bringing them closer. The sparks change from antagonism to attraction. Xander believes that he is nowhere near good enough for her, while Tara knows that he is all she wants. I loved watching the two of them open up to each other. Xander's compassion when Tara talks about her best friend's murder is heartwarming. Tara takes Xander's arguments about why he isn't a good man and demolishes them one by one.

The tension of keeping Amour safe while looking for the proof against Sansone remained high throughout the story. I ached for her and the fear she felt after the attack. I loved how Xander connected with her by telling his story and helped her regain the courage to testify. The team's protectiveness grew tighter as the trial neared. There was an unexpected twist in the attempt to stop the trial, and I was on the edge of my seat as it played out. I loved the scene in the ER at the end as Xander and Tara admitted their feelings.


NIGHT OWL by Rachel Grant
Series: Raptor

Jenna O’Donnell wants only three things: to live in Tamarack, Alaska for the rest of her life; for Ted Godfrey to fall into a glacial crevasse; and Brad Fraser.

Brad Fraser wants only three things: to leave Tamarack, Alaska and never return; for his coworker, Ted Godfrey, to be fired; and to never, ever fall in love.

But Brad tempts fate when he takes Jenna out for a night of owl watching, and once he spends time alone with her, his carefully planned escape from both frigid north and fiery waitress is no longer simple…

Good book, mostly straight romance with a hint of suspense. Jenna is born-and-bred Tamarack. She has no interest in leaving her hometown. In addition to her photography hobby and the pictures she sells, she works at the local bar. As the book opens, she serves drinks to a table of men from the local training facility. One of those men, Brad, is the object of her crush, though he doesn't appear to return the interest. That is until he offers to show her a nest of baby owls. There in the Alaskan twilight, he gives in to the attraction that burns between them. Brad insists it's a one-time thing because he will be leaving Tamarack and doesn't want to hurt her by starting something he can't finish. However, the heart wants more, and I loved seeing Brad and Jenna get to know each other over the next few weeks. Eventually, Brad must decide if he's going to stay or go. I loved his big moment at the end and how he felt about his decision.

There is a bit of background suspense. Jenna's friend Isabella is convinced that her brother, one of the Raptor operatives, was murdered, not killed in a training accident. She is determined to prove it. Meanwhile, another operative, Ted Godfrey, makes threatening remarks to Jenna. Brad is sure that something is going on with Godfrey and plans to watch him carefully. This mystery continues in the book Incriminating Evidence.


DESIRE IN D.C. by Cat Johnson
Series: Hot SEALs Origin Story

They couldn't be more different, but sometimes opposites attract so strongly, there's nothing that can keep two people apart. Not even a deadly terrorist hijacking . . .

Nice story about the parents of Missy Greenwood (Saved by a SEAL) and how they met. Peter is an up and coming legislative aide who has political aspirations for his future. One night at a bar with his friend, Peter spots Marty Vanderbilt, who immediately catches his eye. While their first meeting doesn't go as he hoped, their second encounter is very different. Marty attends a Greenpeace rally as a reporter and supporter and runs into Peter, who is friends/roommates with one of the presenters. Marty is somewhat suspicious of Peter, but he gets her away safely when the rally turns violent. Sparks of attraction flare and Marty learns that first impressions aren't always the right ones.

I enjoyed their blossoming relationship as they get together whenever possible. Then Marty goes on vacation, and their worlds are turned upside down. She ends up on a hijacked plane, held hostage for days. Peter's fears for her prod him into actions he would never have considered before meeting Marty. I loved his vigil and the conversations he had. Both Marty and Peter take the time to consider their choices. I loved the assistance that Peter received from his SEAL friend Tim. The ending was terrific, especially Peter's "meet the parents" moment.


LEVI by Maryann Jordan
Series: Lighthouse Security (Book 6.5) Novella

Heading from Wyoming to Maine to take on his new position with Lighthouse Security Investigations, Levi was ready to get off the highway and take the backroads. Offering to help a stranded woman seemed like a good idea until he discovered the secrets she was hiding. With the help of the LSI Keepers, can Levi untangle Claire's problems in time to save her life?

Good story by a new-to-me author. Levi embarks on a new stage in his life as he leaves the FBI to work for Lighthouse Security Investigations. He plans to do a little sightseeing on his trip from Wyoming to Maine but doesn't expect to see a stranded woman along the way. There is an immediate connection between Levi and Claire, but he asks his new coworkers to run a check on her before he gets too involved. The results are disturbing, but he rescues her from an attack before he can ask her about them. I liked Levi's willingness to listen to her side of the story and how it rang true for him. Levi's protective instincts kicked in, and he asks for help from his LSI folks. The tension remains high as more information comes to light during their journey to Maine. The intensity picks up when an attempt is made on their lives. I was on the edge of my seat during that confrontation and loved how it went down.

I liked the development of the relationship between Levi and Claire. Levi left Wyoming looking forward to an uncomplicated trip. What he got with Claire was anything but uncomplicated. Claire was understandably wary at first, but she and Levi connected quickly. There was also an instant attraction, though Levi tried to resist it at the beginning, not wanting to take advantage of her. They grew closer quickly, and I liked their ability to talk honestly about plans and expectations. I loved the welcome they both received from the LSI people. The ending was terrific, and Claire's surprise for Levi was great.


THE GUARDIAN by Cristin Harber
Series: Aces

After a rollercoaster of headline-grabbing family tragedies, Roxana Carter couldn’t have said yes any faster when her perfectly predictable boyfriend proposed marriage. But the arrival of a mysterious gun-wielding couple reveals that Roxana’s steadfast man isn’t who he seems.

Good read. Jason and Roxana are already a couple at the beginning of the story. They've been together long enough that Jason is ready to propose. Roxana is thrilled. She loves her nice, boring CPA boyfriend, who is unlike her adrenaline junkie brothers. She's had enough excitement in her life. Her brother Dylan died in the line of duty, her father died shortly after of a heart attack, and her mother had an incapacitating series of strokes. She'll take boring any day of the week.

But there are things she doesn't know. Jason kept a huge secret from her, and it is about to blow up in their faces. Jason goes to break it to his boss that he's quitting, and it doesn't go well. He escapes with his life because the boss is drunk. Meanwhile, two gun-wielding people show up at Roxana's house, asking questions about Jason and making claims about what he really is. I felt for Roxana and her shock and adored the way she kept her cool. She did a great job of standing up to Spiker and Vanka, all while her heart was breaking. I didn't blame her at all for her thoughts on what she would do to Jason when she found him. I loved the bit about the basement, especially Jason's hidden-in-plain-sight instructions on escape.

It was sweet to see how desperate Jason was to show Roxana that he loved her and didn't want to lose her. He had to work hard to convince her, and she didn't make it easy for him. Confronting Spiker and Vanka was up next on the list. That didn't go at all as I expected. I thought the ending was a bit anti-climactic for everything that went on before.


SCOUT by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical

Linear Tactical’s Wyatt Highfield is running for his life with intel that will break up a human trafficking ring. The last thing he wants is to bring danger to Nadine Macfarlane’s door. The gentle beauty has been through enough, and has the scars—physical and emotional—to prove it. But she’s his only option.

Nadine is a virtual personal assistant, enabling her to maintain her hermit-like life while still making a living. She first appeared in Survival Instinct as Chloe's best friend and was rescued from a dire situation by Wyatt. In the year since that event, Nadine has worked on healing from the emotional and physical trauma she experienced. Part of that healing is the email friendship she enjoys with Wyatt. Wyatt has waited patiently on her recovery as he longs to spend more time with her.

When Nadine encounters Wyatt at the local farmers' market, she thinks Fate has brought them together. She's finally ready to let Wyatt know of her interest in him. But Wyatt is in deep trouble, on the run for his life with information crucial to stopping a human trafficking ring. He dreads bringing danger to her door but desperately needs her help.

I loved this story. It was a tight, gripping tale of suspense, healing, and romance. I loved how comfortable Nadine and Wyatt were with each other, talking easily, and sharing activities. I felt bad for both of them when Nadine told Wyatt of her feelings, and he couldn't respond the way he wanted to because of the guilt he felt over what he was hiding. When danger comes calling, Wyatt has to come clean about those secrets. I ached for Nadine because she had just started to trust her judgment again, and now wonders if she was taken for a fool again. I loved how Wyatt worked so hard to show Nadine what an amazing woman she is. She soon learns that she's much stronger than she thinks she is, and I loved seeing her blossom under adversity. The ending was great with love and laughs, and happiness.

The suspense of the story was terrific. It began with Wyatt's arrival at the market and hurtled forward at a breathtaking pace. I could feel Wyatt's worry about bringing danger to Nadine while dodging the bad guys at the market and trying to keep the truth from her. That all fell apart the next morning when she dropped him off at a hotel but then got worried when he didn't answer her call. I thought she was incredible as she pulled off an unexpected rescue - loved the bear spray! - right under the bad guys' noses. From a house on fire to a chase through the woods, my heart rate never got a chance to settle. It was great to see the Linear Tactical folks get involved - a terrific scene at the diner - with their incredible teamwork. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, especially the last part. I can't wait to see what's up next.


LAWSON AND JILL by Caitlyn O’Leary
Series: Night Storm Legacy (Book 1)

When Marine Raider, Lawson Thorne is goaded into grief counseling by his Navy SEAL brother, he never expected to meet the woman of his dreams. When he and Jill decide to ditch the group and form a group of their own, sparks fly. But what happens when Lawson realizes Jill has been targeted by a madman?

Excellent story of love and loss and healing. The story opens as Marine Raider Lawson Thorne very reluctantly heads to grief counseling. He lost one of his brothers to suicide and has a hard time overcoming his guilty feelings. The opening is sweet as Law encounters a seven-year-old escapee from an arts-and-crafts class who schools him on talking about his feelings. This is followed by making it into the counseling meeting where he meets Jill. They connect right away and go out together after the meeting. Over the next few weeks, they spend every possible minute together, growing closer by the day. I loved that Law was a big, tough alpha Marine, yet had an old-fashioned sense of honor. As much as they were into each other, they got to know each other before moving to the next level. There were some emotional scenes as they shared their stories, and I loved how being together helped ease the pain.

But their lives get very complicated. A strange encounter with a man in her neighborhood puzzles her but doesn't trip any warnings right away, even after talking with her neighbor. It isn't until the neighbor rats her out to Law that she starts to get nervous, especially after a conversation with the grief counselor. Law's protective instincts roar into action when he finds out what happened. I loved seeing him get his friends and his other brother involved, though their arrival at Law's house to help came at a hilariously awkward time.

I was on the edge of my seat as Law and the others pulled out all the stops to keep Jill safe. I was very impressed with Jill's ability to stay calm and do what she needed to do to protect herself. I felt I was there as Law had his "gut feeling" and had to laugh when his friend stepped in to help. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I cheered to see the teamwork that made it happen.


BREAKING AWAY by Elle James
Series: Delta Force Strong

Delta Force Operative navigates dangerous territory when he’s assigned to protect a hotshot war correspondent with a price on her head, who also happens to be the girl who got away.

Good second chance story in the midst of war. Mac and Kylie knew each other years earlier. She was a young college student, majoring in journalism, and he was a fresh-out-of-boot-camp soldier. They fell fast and hard for each other, but when Mac proposed, Kylie turned him down. She had too much she wanted to accomplish first and knew that Mac had big dreams also. As the story opens, Kylie and her cameraman are caught in the middle of a firefight in Afghanistan. As she defends herself, Josh, and the soldier assigned as a "minder," Kylie succeeds in killing three Taliban attackers before a Delta Force team rescues them. The last person Kylie expected to see was Mac.

Kylie and Mac are thrown together when she needs protection from retaliation because of the men she killed. I liked watching them reconnect. It's clear that the sparks between them are still there and that neither has forgotten their love. During a harrowing time of escape and evasion, Mac and Kylie take time to talk and realize that they are older and wiser now. I liked the honest communication about their feelings and the possibility of a future together. I loved the ending and the fun twist on the team's homecoming.


All of these stories were very good. Many of them are new-to-me authors who have now been added to my TBR list.