Braving the Heat - Regan Black (HRS #2002 - July 2018)

Series: Escape Club Heroes (Book 4)

One man wants her dead.
 
Another will do anything to protect her.
 
Firefighter Kenzie Hughes never thought saving lives would make her a target. When someone rigs her car and sexy Stephen Galway offers to be her bodyguard, the flames of danger burn red-hot. Stephen lost his fiancée to violence years ago, but he can't resist Kenzie. Can he keep Kenzie safe and out of his arms when they're forced to confront what they fear most?
 
Beautiful balance of romance and suspense. I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down until I finished it. The all-too-believable premise gave the story an extra layer of realism. Kenzie, a female firefighter, is stuck on administrative leave while being sued by a recent victim. The man claims that she screwed up his rescue because she was a woman trying to do a man's job. While on leave, she works as a waitress at Philly's Escape Club, whose owner helps off-duty law enforcement and first responders, as well as those let down by standard justice. After work one night, her car won't start, and a firefighter coworker calls his brother Stephen to help.
 
Stephen is a man mired in grief and guilt. Three years earlier, his fiancée was murdered while leaving her work at the local community center. Angry that the man who shot her was found not guilty of her murder, Stephen deals with his grief by haunting the area where she died and photographing the criminal activity that takes place, and sending anonymous tips to the cops. He can't imagine ever being interested in giving his heart to another woman.
 
When Stephen arrives to tow Kenzie's car, he also notices her suitcases in it. When he finds out she's essentially homeless while her apartment building undergoes fumigation, he offers her the camper he lives in behind his garage. Kenzie, whose second love behind firefighting is cars, offers to help Stephen around the garage when she's not at the Escape Club. As they work together and bond over their love of cars, Kenzie's determination and ability to still laugh draws him in. His growing attraction and feelings for her surprise him, and he fights hard against admitting them. Kenzie tries to resist falling for the man who is clearly not ready to move on, but it's a losing battle. I loved seeing Stephen's walls crumble the more time he spent with her. Giving in to the attraction complicates matters, especially when Kenzie tells Stephen how she feels. I ached for both of them as Stephen froze when his fear of losing her kept him from saying anything back, and Kenzie felt her heart break when he just stood there. I loved seeing him realize his mistake and rush to fix it. He gets a slight assist from both Grant and Jason, but it's his emotional confession that wins the day. An unexpected interruption delays the rest of their big moment, but it is sweet and touching when it comes.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. The irrational behavior of Kenzie's accuser kept me glued to the pages as I waited to see what he would do next. Just when things started to look up, Murtagh began a new campaign of intimidation while hiding his involvement. I loved Kenzie's strength of will as she refused to give in. The escalating attacks led to a terrifying final confrontation. Kenzie's calmness in the face of danger showed her strength as a firefighter. The resolution was heartbreaking but not unexpected.
 
One of the other things I enjoyed about this book was seeing Kenzie and Stephen's bonding over cars. From his surprise at her talents to her appreciation of his skill, you could feel their love of classic cars. I loved their joy at test driving the Camaro at the race track and seeing the buyer's over-the-moon happiness when he picked it up. I liked how working on the cars provided Kenzie with stress relief and how she even liked helping with the office work. I foresee a lot of happy together time for them in Stephen's garage. 

Stalked in Silver Valley - Geri Krotow (HRS #2153 - Oct 2021)

Series: Silver Valley PD (Book 9)

Hunting a ruthless enemy, revisiting her darkest fears
 
Forced marriage to a Russian gangster left Kit Danilenko with PTSD. Now she devotes all her time to taking down organized crime. When Kit is paired with undercover agent Luther Darby on a covert mission, she's wary of the attraction simmering between them. Their work requires trust, though, and Kit and Luther forge a connection—fragile and tentative, but unlike anything she's ever known. Can it withstand the haunting threats of mobsters on their trail?
 
This book hooked me from the first chapter, and didn't let go until I turned the last page. Kit escaped from the abuse of a forced marriage to Russian Organized Crime leader Vadim Valensky. At the same time, she found a way to help the Silver Valley PD take him down for his sex-and-drug trafficking crimes. In the two years since then, she divorced him, dealt with her PTSD, and took a job with SVPD and Trail Hikers using her language skills to continue the fight against ROC. Her latest assignment involves working with Trail Hikers agent Luther Darby to find two ROC members intent on resurrecting the local ROC then listen in on their plans.
 
As an FBI agent and then a Trail Hikers agent, Luther spent years going after ROC. After his last op, his determination became personal as well as professional. The last thing he wanted was to be paired with a civilian who wasn't even allowed to carry a weapon.
 
Luther and Kit got off to a rough start. Kit didn't appreciate Luther's lack of belief in her abilities, and Kit stirred up some unpleasant memories from Luther's past. Sparks of attraction added unexpected complications. Neither one is interested in a relationship. Kit felt zero interest in men after her time with Vadim, and she's not sure she can trust the feelings Luther causes. After the betrayal Luther experienced from the last woman he cared for, getting involved with another work-related woman is not an option. He's determined to stay unencumbered for as long as he works undercover.
 
I liked seeing the relationship between Luther and Kit develop. The more time they spend together, the closer they get, settling into a friendly partner role. The attraction between them continues to grow while each of them fights the yearning to get closer. An unexpected attack brings out Luther's protective instincts and Kit worries that she's put him in danger. When the operation ends, both must decide whether to take a risk. I wanted to shake Luther for walking away despite his feelings. I loved the ending as he realized the future he expected was no longer what he wanted. I loved his big moment and Kit's response.
 
The book had a double-barreled suspense story going on. The main one followed the story arc of the last several books, the partnership of the Trail Hikers and the SVPD as they worked to shut down the East Coast ROC. The remaining two leaders intend to reestablish the ROC's hold on the area, though each harbors plans of their own that are mutually exclusive. We get a look at the interactions between the two bad guys as each tries to get the upper hand. An unexpected twist ends up putting Kit in danger. I was on the edge of my seat as she took on the bad guys and won (with a bit of help).
 
The second story involved Kit's past coming back to haunt her. Her ex-husband's adult son wants her, not just for himself but also to use as a bribe to get back into the ROC. From her feelings of being watched to his attempted kidnapping of her in the woods, I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. I was glued to the pages as I saw Kit's struggle and her fear for Luther. I loved seeing Kit's response to the danger and Luther's confidence in her.

Her Unlikely Protector - Regan Black (HRS #2137 - June 2021)

Series: Escape Club Heroes (Book 5)

She keeps her heart to herself
But a new case changes everything…
 
Officer Aubrey Rawlins has learned the hard way -- trusting people only ends in disaster. So when Leo Butler shows up in her precinct, claiming his sister has gone missing, she remains sympathetic but detached. As danger stalks the investigating pair, she's unsure if what's growing between them is real. But can Aubrey open up to let in her unexpected protector?
 
Good book. Police officer Aubrey Rawlins is a beat cop who works the area around a college campus, including homeless camps and shelters. She loves what she does and believes that she makes a difference. Aubrey also has the reputation in her precinct of having a soft heart, one that gets her into trouble. That soft heart is entirely in evidence when she and her partner respond to a disturbance at a local soup kitchen. There they find a very agitated man looking for information on his missing sister.
 
Leo Butler and his sister Lara are very close despite the nine-year age difference between them. Though he lives in Cincinnati and she goes to college in Philadelphia, they talk or text every day. He hasn't heard from her in a week and is desperately worried about her. Leo has already created one disturbance at her dorm and has been lectured by campus security. His only lead is Lara's work at the soup kitchen.
 
I liked the first meeting between Leo and Aubrey. Her kindness and compassion shine as she talks Leo down from his agitation and convinces him to file a missing person report. Leo listens to her but also doubts the willingness of the department to conduct a proper search for Lara. What neither of them expected was the instant attraction that flared between them. Each tried to resist the feelings at first thanks to emotional baggage from their pasts, but it wasn't long before it became too strong to deny.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Aubrey and Leo. As they work together to find Lara, they get to know each other. Aubrey begins to understand the close relationship between the siblings and the abundance of love Leo has to offer. Leo learns of Aubrey's devotion to the people of her city and her belief in making a difference. I liked his growing respect for her abilities, even as his protectiveness reached new levels. I also liked Aubrey's understanding of Leo's need to do something even when she disapproved of his methods. As their efforts continued, their feelings for each other deepened even though they knew Leo would eventually leave Philadelphia. I ached for Aubrey as she let her fears push him away. I hurt for Leo and his feeling of rejection. His solution was fantastic, and I loved his big moment at the end.
 
The suspense of the story was good. Leo's desperation to find Lara gave the story intensity from the start. The use of the homeless community and its many issues added heart to the search. When it becomes clear that Lara is in danger, Aubrey bites the bullet and agrees to involve Grant at the Escape Club (I didn't agree with her issues and dislike for him, but I understood where she was coming from). There were some tense moments in the story, from confrontations in a coffee shop and with a homeless man to the final showdown. I was on the edge of my seat as bullets flew, and Aubrey and Leo raced to save Lara. I wasn't terribly surprised by the truth when uncovered, but the journey was great. 

The Jam and Jelly Nook - Amy Clipston (Zondervan - May 2021)

Series: Amish Marketplace (Book 4)

Since her husband died seven years ago, Leanna Wengerd has done her best—tending to her son, Chester, and running her Jam and Jelly Nook at the Amish market. Though she enjoys seeing her cousins and customers at the marketplace, she wishes she could find more time for her rebellious teenage boy.
 
When Chester gets into trouble for trespassing, he winds up at the police station with his friend Maggie, who was riding with him to a youth group gathering. Leanna comes to the police station to fetch Chester and happens to meet Emory, Maggie's father. Emory is also a widower, raising Maggie alone—and both he and Leanna have similar burdens and problems.
 
Over time Emory and Leanna become closer friends, discovering how much they have in common. As single parents, they struggle with the limits of what they can provide for their children and feel somewhat responsible for what happened to their respective spouses. The two eventually realize they have feelings for each other—but when they try to date, their children resist. Will God pave a way for them to build a family together, or will hurdles block the path to a second chance at happiness?
 
Good book. This is the fourth and final book in the Amish Marketplace series about four cousins who have shops in their local marketplace. It is the story of the oldest cousin, Leanna, a widow with a teenage son. Chester has gone from being a sweet boy to a sullen, contrary, young man, leaving her at her wit's end. Her worries come to a head when she receives a late-night call to pick him up from the police station. When Leanna arrives, she discovers he was trespassing with friends, one of whom is a young Amish girl named Maggie.
 
Maggie's father, Emory, is a widower struggling to raise his daughter on his own. Maggie is shy and would rather stay at home working on her sewing and taking care of her dad instead of going out with other young people.
 
Leanna and Emory meet at the police station and quickly connect over their shared troubles. Grateful to talk to someone who understands their challenges, a solid friendship forms between them. There are some sweet scenes between them as they share their troubles over coffee or a quick conversation in her jelly shop. As Leanna and Emory spend time together, Maggie and Chester aren't ready to see their parents moving on and make their displeasure known. When Emory discovers that Chester doesn't like his job, he offers Chester the opportunity to work with him at his shed business. Leanna is thrilled to see Chester with such an excellent role model and soon notices a change in his attitude.
 
Meanwhile, Emory's family pressures him to start dating, claiming that Maggie needs a mother's influence. His brother and sister-in-law are especially vocal with their opinions and quite pushy with their attempts to set him up. Justin also does his best to discourage Emory from spending time with Leanna. When Emory gives in and starts seeing Madelyne, he feels guilty because he feels more for his friend Leanna than he does for her. Meanwhile, Chester tells Leanna that Emory is seeing someone and tells Emory that his mom isn't interested in dating. Their friendship becomes awkward as each struggles to hide changing feelings.
 
When Leanna gets an offer to expand her shop, she invites Maggie to join her and sell her items. I loved Maggie's excitement and seeing Leanna take her under her wing. It was sweet to see how Leanna's cousins make Maggie part of their group. Leanna becomes very protective of Maggie, especially when Sarah Ann attempts to stir up trouble. Sarah Ann has been a thorn in the cousins' sides since the first book, and I loved seeing Leanna snap and read her the riot act when she started in on Maggie.
 
Meanwhile, Emory feels increasingly guilty over his relationship with Madelyne. He knows he doesn't love her but feels like he may have gone too far to back out. Besides, he thinks Leanna is only interested in friendship. At the same time, Leanna's feelings for Emory continue to grow, even though she thinks it's useless. If Emory were interested in her, he wouldn't be dating Madelyne. A crisis in Leanna's family forces both Leanna and Emory to do some soul-searching about what is important. I loved the ending, as both Chester and Maggie do what they can to make things right for their parents. The scene with Emory and Chester warmed my heart, and I loved the difference it made to Emory. Leanna's conversation with her grandmother gave her the confidence she needed to talk to Emory. I loved Emory's big moment as he shared his feelings and Leanna's unique way of showing him hers.
 
I loved the epilogue and getting a chance to catch up on the lives of all four couples.

The Coffee Corner - Amy Clipston (Zondervan - Dec 2020)

Series: Amish Marketplace (Book 3)

Alongside her cousins who have booths of their own, Bethany Gingerich runs a busy and successful coffee and donut stand at the Amish market. Since she has café-style tables and chairs, her regular customers enjoy purchasing a morning treat so they can sit and talk to their friends.
 
Micah Zook and his grandfather, Enos, visit Bethany every Saturday morning to purchase coffee and donuts before going to work at Enos's custom outdoor furniture shop. Bethany enjoys talking to Micah and Enos, and she's always thought Micah was handsome -- but she doesn't think her crush will ever result in anything more.
 
When Micah and his grandfather don't come to see her one Saturday morning, Bethany begins to worry. And when she learns that tragedy has struck, she wonders how to help Micah in his time of need. Turns out he needs a friend now more than ever, and Bethany may be just the kind of friend that God has provided for him.
 
Good book. This is the third in the Amish Marketplace series, about four female cousins. Each one has a booth at the Marketplace where they sell their goods to Amish and non-Amish customers. Bethany runs The Coffee Corner, a coffee and donut shop with an ever-changing variety of flavored coffees. This is her story.
 
Bethany is a cheerful young woman who makes all visitors to her booth feel welcome. She and her three cousins are very close and used to eat lunch together on the days they worked at the Marketplace. But two of those cousins, Christina and Salina, found boyfriends and married recently and haven't been as available for their visits. Bethany is happy for them but wonders if she'll ever find a love of her own. I liked Bethany a lot. Her kind heart shines through in everything she does. She also frequently frustrated me because she is so pessimistic about her appeal as a possible wife and mother.
 
Micah and his grandfather, Enos, come to Bethany's booth every Saturday morning. Micah came to live with Enos to help his grandfather and also learn the carpentry business. He also wanted to get away from his father, who was constantly critical of Micah and his desire to be a carpenter rather than a farmer. His father's lack of sympathy over the death of Micah's fiancée was the final blow to Micah's relationship with his family. His father's attitude affected Micah's belief in himself, and his grief over his fiancée's death left him unwilling to risk his heart again.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Bethany and Micah. Over the months that Micah visits the Coffee Corner, Bethany developed quite the crush on him. Lost in his grief, Micah remains oblivious to her for the longest time, reinforcing Bethany's belief in her lack of appeal. Unfortunately, once he does begin to notice her, his shyness and lack of confidence prevent him from doing anything about it. Bethany believes she'll have to settle for friendship, though her cousins encourage her to be more proactive. Just when things start to look up a little, a more brazen Amish woman makes a play for Micah. Sara Ann knows just what kind of sly digs will hurt Bethany, and she uses them to great effect. Meanwhile, Micah doesn't know how to handle Sara Ann's aggressiveness, complicating his growing interest in Bethany.
 
Then tragedy strikes and Enos's death leaves Micah feeling adrift and alone. Besides their family relationship, Enos was Micah's best friend. Micah's grief overwhelms him; then, he discovers that their business was in serious financial trouble. I ached for Micah, who saw no way out of the mess other than selling everything and leaving. Meanwhile, Bethany seems to be the only person in the community who worries about Micah. I loved seeing her try to get him to open up to her, share his grief and worries, and ached for her when he pushed her away. When Micah's despair carries him down a destructive path, it is up to Bethany to find a way to bring him back. I loved the way she did it, enlisting the kind of help that would be hard to turn down. Once Micah sees hope for his future, he's more willing to offer Bethany his heart. Her happiness when she discovered he returned her feelings was a joy to see.