Disappearance at Dakota Ridge - Cindi Myers (HI #2044 - Jan 2022)

Series: Eagle Mountain: Search for Suspects (Book 1)

The disappearance of her brother's widow
Kicks off a rescue mission
 
When Lauren Baker's sister-in-law and niece go missing, she immediately has a suspect in mind and heads to Eagle Mountain to find them. Turning to Deputy Shane Ellis for help, she quickly learns there's not much they can do without evidence of a crime. Then another woman seen with her family is found dead and Lauren is terrified her greatest fears will be realized. As their pursuit becomes even more urgent, passion flares between the two searchers desperate for answers…
 
Terrific start to the new series. Lauren's widowed sister-in-law and niece disappeared. Lauren had promised her brother she would look after Courtney, a sweet young woman but rather naïve. She believes that Courtney was conned by a man claiming to be her late husband's best friend from the army. Courtney inherited a lot of money, and this man Trey claims that he and Mike were going to start a ranch for at-risk youth. Since Mike never mentioned such a plan to Lauren or Courtney, Lauren is very suspicious. She thinks Trey wants to get at Courtney's money. The only thing she's heard from Courtney is that they are looking for property in Eagle Mountain, so that is where she goes.
 
I felt terrible for Lauren because it was evident that she is worried sick about Courtney and her niece, Ashlyn. When she arrives at Eagle Mountain, she goes right to the sheriff's office, where Deputy Shane Ellis takes her information. I could feel her frustration when he couldn't do anything for her because no crime had been committed. Courtney has briefly been in touch, and there's no indication of foul play. Shane does promise to check into Courtney's whereabouts and ask her to get in touch with Lauren.
 
Shane is a great guy. He's new to the department, having taken a job as a deputy after an injury ended his pro baseball career. He's still finding his feet as a deputy, which is made a little more difficult by people still seeing him as a baseball player. I liked that he took Lauren's fears seriously and offered to help during his downtime.
 
Neither Shane nor Lauren expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Lauren tries to resist, both because she wants to concentrate on finding Courtney and because she won't be staying in Eagle Mountain. She has her job as a nurse practitioner back in Denver and only took a couple of weeks to look for Courtney. Shane doesn't fight it nearly as hard. Everything about Lauren appeals to him, and he'd love to talk her into staying in Eagle Mountain. I loved how they worked together to find Courtney and discover the truth behind the ranch scheme. Shane is protective of Lauren and sometimes gets frustrated by her tendency to go off on her own searches. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, and there were some terrific scenes of their growing friendship and more. I loved watching Lauren fall more in love with the town as well as with Shane. I liked the ending. Though things weren't entirely resolved with Courtney, Lauren makes some decisions that allow her to pursue her feelings for Shane while staying close to her family.
 
The story's suspense was excellent and kept me turning the pages late into the night. Lauren's suspicions about Trey seemed logical, and her inability to reach Courtney emphasized her fears. Everything she and Shane discovered deepened her fear for her family's safety. The addition of the man named Tom to the group upped the intensity as everyone appeared to agree that he was an unsavory character. I had a bad feeling when Tom became involved with a local young woman with a reputation of liking bad boys. When Talia turned up dead, Tom was nowhere to be found. Because Tom and Talia were seen with Trey and Courtney, the sheriff's office became much more interested in finding Courtney. Information came from an unexpected source, but I was a little leery of believing everything said. The intensity ramped up when Lauren became a hostage. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.
 
While Talia's murder was resolved, there are still questions about Trey's intentions. Courtney's conversation with Lauren at the end helped relieve a tiny sliver of Lauren's fears. I can't wait to see what lies in store for Eagle Mountain, the proposed ranch, and Courtney.

Code Name: Aries - Janie Crouch (Calamittie Jane Pub - Sept 2021)

Series: Zodiac Tactical: Rescue Unit (Book 1)

My code name is Aries. The stars say I'm aggressive, dominant, first in line to lead.
 
The stars aren't wrong.
 
Zodiac Tactical is my company. It's run by those I've chosen for their skills and ability to outmaneuver adversaries. We guard, protect, rescue…assist on the side of the angels.
 
We eliminate the threat when nobody else can.
 
My pastime of putting bad guys out of business has created powerful enemies, but I've always made sure there was nothing in my life I couldn't live without.
 
Until now. Until her.
 
She's not a warrior, she's an artist. She sees colors everywhere and greets the world—and me—with a smile. I knew I shouldn't come near her from the beginning, but she's everything I've never been able to be.
 
And now a monster has taken her, caged her, to get even with me.
 
My code name is Aries. And I will burn the world to the ground to get her back.
 
Wow. Just wow. Outstanding start to the new series. As an avid fan of Janie Crouch's books, I couldn't wait to read this book. Wavy is a familiar character from the Linear Tactical series, where she is Finn (Eagle) and Baby's (Baby) sister. Ian popped up in Blaze to help the LT crew.
 
Ian is the owner and leader of Zodiac Tactical, a private company that provides security, hostage rescue, and other things that the government/law enforcement can't or won't get involved with. At the core of his mission, personal and professional, is the need to wipe out the group Mosaic once and for all. Ian is an intense man, brooding, guarded, and super-protective of those he cares about.
 
Wavy is an artist. She sees the world through a kaleidoscope of colors and brings that light to everyone she knows. She is cheerful and friendly and occasionally a bit mischievous (Electric Smurfs).
 
Code Name: Aries grabbed me from the first pages and didn't let go until the end. Between the suspense of not knowing what would happen from one moment to the next and the romance between two incredible people, I was glued to the pages from start to finish. I loved the first meeting between Wavy and Ian. Who else but Wavy would take on a suspected Mosaic operative with a tray of pie? Ian's reaction was pretty mild considering the circumstances, and I laughed out loud when Baby and Zac showed up. Even better, I loved the effect Wavy had on Ian, "Especially when I didn't understand it myself. It was something about her smile." Right there, you know Ian is toast. Wavy isn't much better. After dreaming about painting him and remembering the feelings he stirred the day before, Wavy decided to "accidentally" encounter him in the city the next day. She never expected to get caught up in his latest op and end up rescuing him.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Ian and Wavy develop. Ian tries to resist, but it's impossible. Something about Wavy, her smile, and the way she sees the world brings out a softer side of him. At the same time, Wavy sees Ian the man, not the wealthy, dangerous operative. She senses his torment and does what she can to relieve it. The chemistry between them is off the charts, but so is the sweetness of some of their time together.
 
A revenge-seeking man from Ian's past sets his sights on using Wavy to get to Ian. The terror Ian felt when Wavy disappeared broke my heart as he threw everything he had at finding her. Seeing what Wavy endured brought to mind Ray's story in Ghost and emphasized Wavy's determination to survive. The twists and turns of the search kept the intensity high as every minute counted to get to her before it was too late. I cried at her condition when Ian found her and felt his heart ache for her. The author's description of Wavy's "bubble" existence vividly showed the depth of her trauma. Ian's experience made him the perfect person to help Wavy recover, and I loved seeing her respond to him.
 
I loved how Wavy eventually calls Ian on his excessive protectiveness. She fights hard for her recovery and pushes herself, desperate to provide the information Ian needs. A stunning twist puts Wavy back in danger. I loved watching Ian unravel the clues that Wavy unknowingly left behind and know exactly what they meant. I ached for Ian, who had to face the nightmares of his past to rescue her. The intensity of his confrontation with his nemesis kept me glued to the pages straight through to its fantastic resolution.
 
I ached for Ian and Wavy because they still had some obstacles to overcome. Ian won my heart with the depth of his love for Wavy and his understanding of all she endured. My heart broke for Wavy as she struggled to regain the ability to trust herself and pushed Ian away while she did it. Their reunion at the end was fantastic. I laughed when Wavy threw everyone into chaos by ditching her security so she could finally face Ian. I loved how Ian showed, once again, that he understands her: "They're all pieces of you" and "these allowed me to feel like you were with me, even when you weren't." I loved seeing Wavy finally see that their love and trust will see them through anything as long as they are together.

The Marine's Mission - Deb Kastner (LI #1365 - July 2021)

Series: Rocky Mountain Family (Book 3)

This Marine doesn't want anyone's help …
until an unlikely match changes his life.
 
Wounded ex-Marine Aaron Jamison always follows orders -- and the assignment to take on a service dog is just that. Still, trainer Ruby Winslow is definitely barking up the wrong tree when she insists a beauty-parlor poodle is his perfect match. But Ruby and her clever canine are determined to melt the heart of this battle-hardened Marine. And they'll teach him an unforgettable new trick -- love.
 
Terrific book. Ruby and her family own and run A New Leash on Love, a place that takes rescue dogs and trains them as service animals. They don't charge for their service dogs, instead working on a donation basis which often leaves them scrambling for the funds they need. When Ruby gets the chance to win a contract providing service dogs for veterans, she jumps at the opportunity. Her "try-out" is to provide a dog and training for a wounded former Marine.
 
Aaron doesn't believe he needs a service dog, but his superiors have ordered it, so he'll obey. He was wounded while saving the life of one of his men when an IED exploded. He has a brain injury that sometimes causes temporary confusion and can affect his balance. He has lung damage that makes some activities impossible and pain from shrapnel still in his body. All of this led to early retirement from the Corps, leaving Aaron with no idea what to do with his future.
 
Aaron and Ruby got off to a rough start. He arrived with a chip on his shoulder, bluntly informing Ruby that he's there under duress. It gets worse when he discovers that, instead of a "manly" dog like a German Shepherd or a lab, he is paired with a poodle! How can he hold his head up with a frou-frou dog named Oscar? Ruby has never dealt with someone who doesn't want a service dog. All of their previous clients came because they wanted the help. Ruby must find a way to break through Aaron's wall of denial.
 
I loved Ruby's strength of will as she refused to back down on her choice of dog for Aaron. She knows what Oscar can do if Aaron will give him a chance. Aaron isn't very cooperative until he finds out about the contract riding on his success. He then approaches the training as though it were a military mission. I ached for Aaron because, without his career as a Marine, he feels adrift. I liked seeing him begin to bond with Oscar, though the learning curve was a bit steep at first. It took a little time for Aaron to accept that Oscar could and should go everywhere with him, but once he did, their progress improved. I loved Aaron's surprise when he realized that they were now a team and that he was happy with his frou-frou dog.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ruby and Aaron. After witnessing the effects war had on her father and her high school boyfriend, Ruby never intended to get involved with a military man. However, she couldn't deny either her attraction or her growing admiration for Aaron. While he was on active duty, Aaron never planned to marry, believing the Corps was all he needed. Once he got out, he thought he was too broken for a wife and family. But the more time he spent with Ruby, the more he grew to like her. I loved the time they spent together, not just working on the training but also doing other things. Ruby helped Aaron see that there were many options for him if he let go of his fears.
 
Neither Ruby nor Aaron looked forward to the end of the training cycle. Ruby realized that she'd fallen for Aaron but didn't want to say anything to him. Aaron felt the same, but he wasn't ready to commit without a plan for his future. I loved what he came up with, both for his "side hustle" and a regular job. His desire to help his brothers and sisters in arms was fantastic and was showcased brilliantly in his demonstration for the person from the VA. I loved Aaron's big moment at the end, especially with the "trick" he taught Oscar. The epilogue was great, and I loved the surprise that Aaron had for Ruby.
 
I've never read this author before but was drawn to this book because of the title. The Marine Corps has played a significant part in my life, with my father, husband, brother, son-in-law, and nephew all "bleeding green." That said, I must point out a major quibble with this work, and that is the lack of proper capitalization of the words "Marine," "Marine Corps," and "Corps." The term "marine" has to do with the water, such as "marine life." When referring to the United States Marine Corps, it is always capitalized. Harlequin books are notorious for ignoring this.
 
P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004
 
Marines:  Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces:  the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations.  Do not use the abbreviation USMC.
Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit:  He is a Marine.
Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army.  Use troops if a generic term is needed.

Presumed Deadly - Cindi Myers (HI #1991 - Apr 2021)

Series: Ranger Brigade: Rocky Mountain Manhunt (Book 4)

He needed someone on his side…
 
She vowed that person would be her.
 
Dane Trask will do anything to bring down an international drug ring, but he knows his first step is getting Ranger Brigade officer Faith Martin's help. Faith can't deny Dane's unwavering determination -- nor her attraction to the desperate fugitive. But when their investigation means eluding Faith's fellow cops and an unknown killer, will the rugged Colorado terrain help them…or ensure their demise?
 
This was the exciting conclusion to the Ranger Brigade's hunt for the elusive Dane Trask. In the previous three books, the Brigade searched for the elusive former army Ranger, never quite catching up to him. It became increasingly evident that Dane had an agenda, one that his former employers were determined to stop. I've been looking forward to Dane's story, and it did not disappoint.
 
The members of the Brigade have grown increasingly frustrated by Dane's elusiveness. The newest member of the team, Faith Martin, acts as their liaison with the press and other agencies. She is not impressed by Dane's actions and believes that he should turn himself in and get their help. It turns out that Dane half agrees, but instead of turning himself in, he kidnaps her as she leaves work one night.
 
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Dane finally admitted he could no longer do it alone. He lucked out when he picked Faith as his target, as she was enough of a loose cannon to agree to help him. It wasn't an easy sell at first, as she wanted him to turn himself in, but she soon understood his reasons for going it alone. I enjoyed seeing them work together, as they had two different styles of taking action. Dane is more of a seat-of-the-pants guy, coming up with his efforts on the fly. Faith is a planner who lays out her objectives and lists needs, possible problems, alternate actions. I loved watching her call him out on his less-than-successful results doing things his way and convincing him to try it her way.
 
Neither Dane nor Faith expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Dane has spent so much time alone that he's surprised by how quickly she comes to mean something to him. I liked that he felt guilty about involving her and tried to get her to leave, and also that he appreciated her help and listened to what she said. Faith's attraction to Dane grew along with her belief in his innocence. I loved that she saw him clearly even through her love for him: "But for all that Dane challenged her and even annoyed her - or perhaps because of that - she belonged with him. He was the home she'd been searching for all these years."
 
The suspense of the story was outstanding. When the previous book ended and Dane still hadn't reappeared, it became clear that there must be something more going on. An attack on him emphasized that his bosses weren't going to give up trying to stop him. Dane's decision to kidnap Faith surprised me, as it seemed out of character for him. I could feel his intensity as he explained the problems to Faith. Her disappearance intensified the Rangers' efforts as they suspected Dane's involvement. I was glued to the pages as Dane and Faith went from one attempt to the next to get the evidence they needed to bring the bad guys down. The scene at the bad guy's house was wild, and I could feel Faith's fear for Dane. I loved that her fellow Brigade members trusted her enough to follow their instincts on that episode and its unexpected result. The final confrontation with the bad guy had me on the edge of my seat as Dane and Faith faced a desperate man. The resolution was a nail-biter, and I loved how it went down. I had to laugh at Dane's explanation of his knife-throwing skills - I'm well aware of the hazards of mixing Scouts and pocket knives.

Mountain Investigation - Cindi Myers (HI #1983 - Mar 2021)

Series: Ranger Brigade: Rocky Mountain Manhunt (Book 3)

To understand her father's disappearance…
 
She'll trust a man who vowed to bring him down.
 
Audra Trask's entire existence has been clouded by her missing father. When a vicious smear campaign and a mysterious stranger seem to also be connected to her dad, both her business and her life are suddenly on the line. Turning to Colorado Ranger Brigade specialist Mark "Hud'' Hudson for help seems like her best chance at getting answers. But Hud's plan to use Audra to locate a potential criminal soon leads to an attraction he can't deny…and a danger neither may survive.
 
Another fantastic book in the Ranger Brigade: RockyMountain Manhunt series. I picked this book up this afternoon and didn't put it down until I finished the last page. The hunt for Dane Trask heats up, and this time it's his daughter, Audra, at the center of attention, and Ranger Brigade officer Hud Hudson is determined to protect her.
 
Hud and Audra had met before when he needed to question her about her father, and the initial seeds of attraction appeared then. Another round of questions at the beginning of this book brings them back into contact, and Hud realizes his interest hasn't waned. It was sweet to see him encounter her one day and demonstrate his interest in getting to know her. He was with her when she received notice that her father's previous employer was suing her. It turns out to be the beginning of Audra's troubles. The next day she's accosted in her own home by an aggressive reporter who only leaves when she calls Hud for help. Shortly after that, she finds a threatening note on her car, and the trouble continues to pile up.
 
I loved seeing Hud and Audra get to know each other. The sparks are there from the start, and the trouble that stalks her throws them together frequently. Audra is petite, determined, and independent. Her father, a former army Ranger, taught her a lot about self-reliance, and she put those lessons to use in her life. She had a few rough spots growing up, which all helped make her the woman she is. Audra poured much of that experience and determination into the preschool she owns and runs. Hud is a man who was a bit out of step with his own family, leading to some rough times of his own. Like Audra, he overcame them and used what he learned. The attraction between them grows the more time Hud and Audra spend together, which is a lot thanks to the escalation of the attacks and threats against her. I loved that Hud was protective without trying to smother her, and respected her capabilities, though that was certainly put to the test at the end. I loved how the danger made them realize the depth of their feelings for each other.
 
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. The Ranger Brigade is still looking for Dane, as are many other people. The Brigade's frustration is palpable as they have to deal with people looking to collect the reward and putting others in danger at the same time. Then Audra finds herself at the center of a smear campaign. I ached for her as she dealt with reporters twisting facts to make her look bad, threats against her life, and the potential loss of her livelihood. She receives threats from people who believe that she knows what her father knows. The intensity ramps up when they find a child's drawing at the illegal dump site, and Audra links it to the new school construction site. I loved watching Audra draw on the things her father taught her and confront the man she believes is responsible for all of the trouble. The strength of will it took to become the bait in a trap was incredible, and she rocked it. Though it looks like the problem is solved, I feel like there are questions still to be answered. I look forward to the next book and learning Dane's story. 

 

A Nice Day for a Cowboy Wedding - Nicole Helm (Kensington - Sept 2018)

Series: Mile High Romance (Book 4)

As the oldest of three brothers, Shane Tyler takes his responsibility to the family ranch seriously -- and it's clear to him that the younger man who wants to marry his widowed mother is only looking for a meal ticket. He's determined to stop the nuptials whatever it takes, but the shy wedding planner his mom hired is harder to intimidate than he expected.

When Cora Preston worked up the nerve to leave her abusive ex and move with her young son to Gracely, it was a huge step. Accepting the position as wedding planner at brand-new Mile High Weddings took even more courage. But Cora's biggest challenge is turning out to be the bride's handsome -- and stubborn -- oldest son, Shane, and the way the strong-willed cowboy makes her feel.

Can the heat crackling between them warm two hearts suspicious of love?

Excellent and emotional book that sucked me in from the start. Cora is the single mother of a twelve-year-old boy and the survivor of an abusive relationship. With the help of her sister, Cora began a new position as a wedding planner. Her first job is to plan the wedding of Deb Tyler, the Tyler ranch matriarch. Unfortunately, she must deal with Deb's oldest son, Shane, who is very much opposed to the wedding.

Shane became the man of the family at the age of twelve when his father died in a ranching accident. He helped raise his younger siblings and still takes his responsibility to family and ranch very seriously. He doesn't trust his mother's fiancé, a man a decade younger than his mother, and makes his feelings very clear.

I loved the first meeting between Shane and Cora. While they disagree about the wedding, there's no doubt about the sparks that fly between them. Cora needs to succeed at this first wedding gig, and Shane and his siblings want to stop the wedding entirely. I liked how Cora refused to give in to Shane's attempt at intimidation, reminding him that Deb is a grown woman who knows her own mind. Shane can't let go of the idea that Ben wants the ranch more than Deb and will do anything to prove it.

I liked the development of the relationship between Cora and Shane. Though ostensibly on opposite sides of the issue, they connect over their common need to do anything to protect their loved ones. When Cora has problems with her son, Micah, Deb insists that Cora bring him to the ranch. She knows a thing or two about rebellious sons and that hard work and horses are an excellent remedy. Micah quickly bonds with the entire Tyler family, and Cora is pulled in also. The attraction between Cora and Shane continues to grow, and their flirty banter is fun to watch.

Cora is wary of letting things go too far with Shane. The abuse by her ex left Cora with some confidence problems. She works hard to be independent but frequently second-guesses her decisions. She keeps her past to herself, fearing that Shane and the others would look at her differently if they knew. This tends to make her relationship with Shane something of a yo-yo because she pulls back, then moves forward, then pulls back again. Shane suspects the truth and has a fantastic amount of patience. He often finds himself walking a fine line between pushing for answers and giving her space.

At the same time, Shane has his own demons to fight. His protectiveness frequently puts him at odds with his family. I ached for him when he shared the reasons behind that protectiveness with Cora and waited for her to do the same. Their joint issues come to a head when a crisis forces them to look at how they let their pasts control their presents. I wanted to shake Cora for pushing Shane away just when she needed him the most. It takes some straight talk from an unexpected source to open her eyes to the way she sabotages her own happiness. Shane gets similar advice and must decide how best to repair things with Cora. I loved the ending.

The secondary characters were great. I loved Cora's son, Micah. He was a realistic blend of sweet and sullen, typical of that age. The reader also gets a good look at the effect of his father's abuse on Micah and his view of the world around him. The dynamics between Shane and his siblings were interesting. Even though they are now all adults, Shane still tries to tell them what to do "for their own good." This especially doesn't sit well with his youngest brother, Boone, who joined the rodeo circuit in rebellion. One of the most interesting characters was Deb's fiancé, Ben. Initially, I understood Shane's reservations. Ben's attitude was annoying, smug, and "in your face," and I wondered what Deb saw in him. But as the book went on, there were hints that there was more to him. I liked how Cora encouraged Shane to speak honestly and without animosity to Ben and see if it made a difference.