Deadly Double-Cross - Lena Diaz (HI #2004 - June 2021)

Series: Justice Seekers (Book 4)

He runs an organization dedicated to pursuing justice for others, but can he do the same for himself?
 
Someone is trying to destroy former chief of police Mason Ford, but he won't go down without a fight. Neither will crime scene analyst Hannah Cantrell, who's convinced he's become a killer's target and will do whatever it takes to help Mason survive. However, that doesn't mean she's ready to risk falling in love with him. Can Mason and Hannah discover the truth before a killer strikes again?
 
Fantastic conclusion to the series. This book is about Mason Ford, leader of the Justice Seekers, and how the past is about to repeat itself. Mason is an intriguing character who inspires intense loyalty in the people who work for and with him. Previous books hinted at Mason's backstory, and this one reveals all.
 
The story opens as Mason deals with the anniversary of his older brother's murder. Landon was wrongly convicted of killing his girlfriend and murdered in prison before Mason could prove his innocence. After exposing the corruption in the police department and winning a lawsuit against the town, Mason moved to Tennessee and began the Justice Seekers. He never gave up his quest to find the true killer. An unexpected visit from his ex-fiancée preceded an attack and kidnapping that left Mason awakening in a house he didn't recognize and his ex dead on the floor. Almost immediately, the police burst through the door and arrest him for murder, and he discovers he's back in his hometown.
 
This was an attention-grabbing opening, and the intensity never let up. The accusations against Mason eerily mirror those that sent his brother to prison, and Mason has no intention of going down the same path. I loved his presence of mind and steely determination as he found a way to escape custody. Having previously been the town's police chief, Mason has some tricks up his sleeve that he puts to good use. However, he didn't expect to find the chief's office occupied when he burst into it.
 
Hannah Cantrell is a crime scene analyst, the current chief's daughter, and a cool customer. I loved the conversation between her and Mason as she held him at gunpoint. Though she's never met him before, Mason's sister Olivia is a good friend, and she's heard all about him. It doesn't take long for her to listen to and believe Mason's story and offer to help him. Though reluctant to involve her, she leaves him no choice. The intensity of the escape included a few lighter moments that showed an unexpected connection between Hannah and Mason.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Hannah and Mason. Hannah's hero-worship/crush from Olivia's stories quickly turned into deeper feelings as she got to know the real Mason. At the same time, Hannah's support and understanding filled a hole Mason never realized was there. But even though the desire to be together was there, so were obstacles. I ached for them both when everything was over, and they went their separate ways. All was not lost, though, as Mason discovered that advice once given tends to come home to roost. I loved the impact of (Agent Under Siege) Bryson's words and what Mason did about it. I loved Mason's big moment, his heartfelt words to Hannah, her response, and the (to him) stunning reaction of her family.
 
The mystery of the murders, the framing, and who is behind them kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I enjoyed the intensity of Mason's escape from the police station, facilitated by Hannah's level-headed consideration of his story and convincing arguments with her father (which made me laugh, too). Mason's determination to keep her from the consequences set up an interesting "rescue," followed by a meeting at the police station. I cheered that meeting when I saw that ALL of Mason's Justice Seekers came to help clear their boss. There were also quite a few surprises. A near tragedy involving Hannah's father gave further impetus to the search for the truth. I loved watching the Seekers work, their attention to detail, and determined digging unearthing some surprising information. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as the killer faced off against Mason. The complexity of the scheme the killer concocted over the years was mind-boggling. The tension had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

Killer Conspiracy - Lena Diaz (HI #1997 - May 2021)

Series: Justice Seekers (Book 3)

To rescue the son he never knew
 
He'll protect the woman he can't forget.
 
Six years ago, First Daughter Harper Manning destroyed Gage Bishop's Secret Service career. Now his beautiful charge is back with shocking news: their baby lived and is being held hostage. Gage vows to find and protect the child, even as Harper threatens his professional restraint. As they peel back the layers to get to the truth, can they also uncover why their baby's life became such a gut-wrenching conspiracy?
 
Good second chance story mixed with intense action and suspense. The story opens as the Justice Seekers provide extra security for an appearance by the former POTUS. Gage, who used to be a Secret Service agent assigned to that same president, foils an assassination attempt. The scene between Gage and Manning, who Gage does NOT like, led to a meeting between Gage and Manning's daughter Harper. Six years earlier, Gage was part of Harper's protection detail while she was at college. Gage's honor refused to let him act on the attraction between them, so when she claimed she was pregnant with his baby, he didn't believe her. It also cost him his job.
 
Current day, Harper needs his help. Though told that their baby died, Harper recently received a ransom demand claiming their son was alive. I ached for Gage as he learned the truth and dealt with the emotions stirred up. He was determined to help though Harper had some issues with his take-charge attitude.
 
This book is full of twists and turns and unrelenting tension. Gage enlists the other Seekers to help discover the truth. While he is at her home questioning Harper and collecting information, they barely escape an attack that seems intent on ending her life. I was glued to the pages as Gage put his life on the line to keep her safe. The attack brings up questions about whether it is related to the ransom or the attack on the former president. As the Seekers delve deeper into both events, they uncover disturbing connections. I ached for Harper over the revelations that ensued. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat and my heartbreaking for Harper.
 
I liked how Gage and Harper reconnected. Both of them had done things in the past that they regretted and needed to earn forgiveness for. I thought Harper's actions that night were especially bad considering how they would be viewed were the tables turned. Gage's refusal to believe Harper was understandable considering he had no memory of the event, but he also should have trusted her enough to listen to her explanation. Once he knows the truth, Gage's guilty feelings are overwhelming. It doesn't take long for either one to realize that their old feelings had never died. There were still a couple of rough spots when information uncovered rouse Gage's suspicions, and he doesn't react well. Fortunately, that doesn't last long, and he redeems himself well. The ending was sweet but heart-wrenching, with Gage and Harper putting the past to rest and looking forward to the future. 

Cowboy Under Fire - Lena Diaz (HI #1967 - Dec 2020)

Series: Justice Seekers (Book 1)

A Justice Seeker known for getting answers is about to face the ultimate test...

With his black Stetson and nose for the truth, former cop Dalton Lynch is the perfect addition to the Justice Seekers organization. Then a case lands in his lap that puts him right in the line of fire -- and has Hayley Nash leaning on him for answers in the death of her friend. They might share a tense past, but Dalton pushes that aside to do what he does best: get the facts. Only problem is, with their history, Dalton finds working with the spirited web expert to be an exercise in restraint -- especially when it comes to keeping his hands to himself.

Good book. The Justice Seekers is a private investigative company made up of former law enforcement personnel. Each of them was pushed out of their job because they were framed, accused of wrongdoing, or pushed back against the wrong person. The only thing they were guilty of was being honest cops. Now they help others who have been let down by law enforcement.

The Seekers recently lost one of their own in a gruesome murder that may be linked to the murder of a local woman. Dalton, a former Montana cop, has been working hard on the case but is hampered by a local blogger, Hayley. She believes that Dalton murdered her friend Bethany himself. She stalks and hounds Dalton, using Bethany's notes and diaries to try to prove his guilt, but no one believes her. Then Hayley takes it a step too far by breaking into his home, searching for evidence, and ends up in jail for breaking and entering.

Strangely enough, Dalton isn't angry with her. He even offers to help her if she helps him. Hayley hesitates to trust Dalton, as she believes he may be playing her, but it's the only way she can get out of jail. I wasn't thrilled with Dalton's methods, though they were effective. It helped that he felt guilty about it. I liked watching him try to make amends. Dalton likes Hayley's loyalty to her friend, her determination to get answers and can't deny that he's attracted to her.

I enjoyed the development of Dalton and Hayley's relationship. Once they get past the mutually suspicious stage, they connect over their determination to get at the truth. Dalton is a little handicapped by his boss's cynical nature and over-the-top methods of trying to get answers. I ached for Hayley, who was jerked around by Mason's heavy-handed methods, and for Dalton, who was forced to participate. I was glad when Dalton finally put his foot down and stopped the harassment. I thought that Hayley was pretty forgiving once she knew that Dalton had confidence in her innocence. She and Dalton grow closer as they pursue the truth. When Hayley ends up in danger, both she and Dalton realize the depth of their feelings. They just have to stay alive long enough to do something about it.

The suspense was outstanding. Hayley's belief in Dalton's guilt wasn't easily overcome, and Mason's threats didn't help. Things started to change when Hayley showed them Bethany's pictures with the link to the one Seeker's death. The tension ramped up when Hayley's websites contained photos of the murder scenes, and she went from investigator to suspect. It quickly became evident that someone wanted Hayley to take the fall for the murders. As more and more evidence points to Hayley, can they convince the other Seekers that she is innocent? The twists and turns kept me glued to the pages until the end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that I didn't see coming. I loved seeing Hayley use her computer skills to help save the day, and Dalton risk everything to save her life.

I liked getting to know some of the other Justice Seekers. Each of them appears to have a specialty, and I look forward to seeing more of them. I liked Brielle and her support of Hayley, as well as the way she teased Dalton. Mason was my least favorite because of his cynicism and the way he treated Hayley. He did appear to change some by the end of the book, so I will keep an open mind about him.

Agent Under Siege - Lena Diaz (HI #1973 - Jan 2021)

Series: Justice Seekers (Book 2)

Can they outsmart a killer

...who's already escaped justice?

The Kentucky Ripper is in prison...or is he? When no one will help Teagan Ray find the man who really abducted her, former profiler Bryson Anton agrees to investigate. But soon their search takes two jolting turns--brutal attacks from a cunning suspect...and a powerful mutual attraction.

This was a complex suspense story with a bit of romance to brighten things up. Teagan was kidnapped and tortured two years earlier before managing to escape. Even though she is in Florida, she's convinced that the man who abducted her is the Kentucky Ripper. Everyone insists that the Kentucky Ripper is in prison, but Teagan thinks they locked up the wrong man. She put her studies in Criminal Justice on hold while she works to prove it. Now she wants to discuss her research and theories with Bryson, the former FBI profiler who worked the case.

After leaving the FBI, Bryson went to work for Justice Seekers. A few months earlier, he was injured while working a case and is on an extended leave of absence while he recovers. Bryson blames himself for his coworker nearly being killed on that case. He also blames himself for how his Kentucky Ripper profile was handled, allowing another woman to die before he was captured and jailed. Bryson's boss, Mason, wants him to meet with Teagan, and Bryson flat-out refuses, throwing her information in the trash.

I loved the first meeting between Teagan and Bryson. Bryson is none too happy when she shows up on his doorstep the next day. He is rude and obnoxious to her, but she refuses to back down. I loved how she kept after him until he agreed to listen to her. I ached for her as she recounted what happened to the "victim" without revealing that it was her. With his skill at reading people, Bryson soon figured out the truth. He continued to rub me the wrong way with his abrasive attitude toward Teagan, but he did make some valid points. I hurt for her when he refused to help and sent her away. An added complication was the sparks that flared between them. Those sparks made it hard for Bryson to put her out of his mind.

This is where the story intensifies. Without telling her, Bryson heads to Florida to check out Teagan's account and do some investigating on his own. He has no intention of contacting her at all. Just his luck, Bryson encounters her as he checks out the site of the abduction. They end up working together, setting in motion a chain of events that puts them in extreme danger. I was on the edge of my seat when the first stop in their investigation went terribly wrong. Teagan's terror leaped off the page as she and Bryson found themselves at the mercy of a madman. I loved seeing the two of them work together to save themselves. Bryson's kindness and understanding of Teagan's trauma went a long way toward redeeming him in my eyes, and I liked how he kept her focused. Several twists made me wonder how they would make it out alive.

Determined to keep her safe, Bryson takes Teagan back to Kentucky. They team up with the rest of the Justice Seekers and go all out to find the attacker and the truth about the Kentucky Ripper. I was fascinated by their actions and discoveries and stunned by the revelations. The final confrontation was a terrifying nail-biter, and I loved seeing Teagan take control at the end.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Teagan and Bryson develop. There were sparks between them from the minute they met. Bryson is very conscious of the age difference between them. There was also his belief that he's a screwup who would get her killed because of his failures. Teagan refuses to accept his self-condemnation. I liked her teasing and flirting as a way to get him back to living again. Bryson kept trying to push her away, but she refused to go. With the intensity of their situations, it's no wonder that the feelings between them developed and grew quickly. The ending was terrific, and I loved Bryson's big moment.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book, and I know it will sound weird was that people got injured. They didn't just brush it off and go on. Bryson's original injuries were severe enough that he was still in pain during this book. His confrontations with the bad guy were realistically portrayed, as were the injuries received. I can't wait to read the other books.