Homecoming Heartbreaker - Joss Wood (HD #2817 - Aug 2021)

Series: Moonlight Ridge (Book 1)

"You're the one who left, remember?"
How could he ever forget?
 
Celebrated entrepreneur Mack Holloway has come home to Moonlight Ridge to care for his foster dad and save his family's once-luxurious resort. But to accomplish either he must face his past -- the woman he left without a word, resort manager Molly Haskell. He's never admitted what drove him away, and he's not ready to confess now, even when working in close quarters ignites a fiery passion that burns away everything else. But Molly is keeping secrets of her own that could bring them to the brink…
 
Excellent second chance romance and start to the new series. Jameson Holloway, owner of the Moonlight Ridge resort, adopted three boys when they were young. Mack, Grey, and Travis were as close as brothers could be until a devastating accident split them apart. Mack blamed himself, and unable to face the guilt, left home, family, and girlfriend without a word of explanation. Mack and Molly were best friends from the time he was eight years old, their friendship turning to romance when they were teens. Molly was brokenhearted at his desertion.
 
Fifteen years later, all three sons rarely return to Moonlight Ridge, especially at the same time. But when they receive word that Jameson is ill and must give up his work for at least six months, they agree to return home to help. Each agrees to a two-month stint, with Mack taking the first shift. Mack's reluctance is immediately evident as he faces the memories of the accident and his poor treatment of Molly. Weary of the estrangement with his brothers, Mack vows to find a way to mend fences with them. He also knows that Molly deserves an explanation and an apology.
 
Molly has always been a part of Moonlight Ridge. Her father was the resort's CFO until he was caught embezzling money but died before he could be prosecuted. After the pain of losing Mack, Molly put herself through school and returned to work at Moonlight Ridge, eventually becoming the manager. Her selfish, manipulative, and lazy mother and two older brothers leech off Molly whenever they can, using a youthful mistake she made to blackmail her into cooperating. Molly thinks of Jameson as a father and will do anything for him, including work with Mack - but she doesn't have to like it.
 
The first meeting between Mack and Molly was as painful and awkward as each expected. Molly's hurt and anger over Mack's departure burns as hot now as it did fifteen years earlier. They both believe they are over each other, but the sparks that flare between them prove otherwise. As Mack and Molly work together to save the struggling resort, those sparks continue to grow. Though they can't resist giving in to the attraction, both are wary of the intensity. Mack prides himself on the tight control he keeps on his emotions, but that control falls apart when he's around Molly. At the same time, Molly resists her growing feelings for him, unwilling to trust that he won't walk away as he did before.
 
Complicating the growing feelings for each other, Mack and Molly must deal with running the resort. There are a few clashes between them when their leadership styles differ, but mostly they agree on what must be done. There are a couple of great scenes where Mack's protectiveness kicks in on the job, and it's easy to see that he's struggling with his feelings. When Molly's family starts in on her again, Mack manages to break through Molly's walls and get the whole story. I loved his support of her and his determination to help her break free. But when money turns up missing, Molly's past turns the spotlight on her. Mack makes a boneheaded move in his need for control, although his intentions are good. Understandably hurt and angry, Molly makes her displeasure known and walks away from Mack.
 
Though he realizes right away how badly he screwed up, a crisis with Jameson delays his chance to make things right. I loved the scene in his hospital room as Molly discovers her secret wasn't so secret after all. That revelation resulted in a satisfying confrontation between Molly and her family, with an added twist from Mack. Mack and Molly finally put their pasts behind them in an emotional reconciliation scene.
 
There are a few things that look like they continue through the series. First, the missing money and where it went remains unresolved. I look forward to seeing where that goes. Jameson, who drove multiple nurses away during the first part of his recovery, now has his former housekeeper riding herd on him. Jameson and Giada's interactions are a hoot, especially when it comes to his cigars. Last is the estrangement between the three brothers. There was some progress between Mack and Grey by the end of the book, but it seems that Travis is still holding out. I can't wait to see how things work out with them.

The Cinderella Heiress - Janice Preston (HH #1584 - June 2021)

Series: Lady Tregowan's Will (Book 2)

She's inherited a fortune
But will she realize her true worth?
 
Claiming her inheritance in London will help Beatrice Fothergill escape her bullying, belittling half-brother. When her carriage overturns, dashing Waterloo soldier Jack Kingswood comes to her aid -- setting her pulse racing! In return, believing her new fortune can help the injured veteran rebuild his life, Beatrice proposes a convenient marriage. But is this all she can offer -- or dare Beatrice believe she's worthy of more?
 
Second of three books about three women who receive an unexpected inheritance. Each one is the illegitimate daughter of Lady Tregowan's late husband, and making them her heirs is her way of making amends. There are conditions to the inheritance: they must spend a year in London, participate in the Season, and find a husband by the end of that year. If they don't, they lose their inheritance but still receive an allowance and a cottage to live in. Even that is better than their current circumstances.
 
In the first book, The Rags-to-Riches Governess, Leah finds unexpected love with the father of her charges. Leah continues to live in London to fulfill the requirements and plays an essential role in this book.
 
This book is about Beatrice, the daughter of Lady Tregowan's companion, who was married off as soon as her pregnancy was known. After her mother died, Beatrice's "father" treated her like a slave, and after his death, her brother Percy and his wife picked up where he left off. Their bullying made life even more miserable. When Beatrice received the lawyer's letter about the will reading, she had to find a way to sneak off to attend. The news of the inheritance stunned her and immediately set her to thinking how she could get away before her brother found out about it. The carriage ended up in a ditch on the way back home, where Jack Kingswood rescued her.
 
A veteran of Waterloo, where he lost part of his left arm, Jack doesn't know what to do with the rest of his life. Currently living with his brother, who cared for him during his recovery, Jack now chafes under Kit's overprotective care. He also believes no woman would be interested in him. After rescuing Beatrice and hearing her story, Jack can't forget her. When he finds out her escape plans, he vows to help her. Jack's cynical brother Kit is a fly in the ointment who believes that Beatrice has ulterior motives.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Beatrice and Jack. Both have difficult pasts but turned out to be good people. Despite Kit's attitude, Jack tends to believe in Beatrice (with a few bumps along the way). I ached for Beatrice, overworked, constantly called stupid, and made to feel worthless. Even after she escaped, whenever she did something, she heard those words echoing in her head.
 
Meanwhile, Jack's self-confidence is at an all-time low. He feels less than a whole man, hates being an object of pity, and no longer sees marriage as an option for him. But when they are together, there is a connection between Jack and Beatrice. Jack sees a kind and intelligent woman and witnesses her growth in confidence and poise. Beatrice's view of Jack as a man with one arm rather than a one-armed man (see the difference?) who she desires helps restore some of his confidence. The icing on the cake comes with an exciting scene when Jack rescues her from Percy's nefarious plans. I loved the ending, as Jack realizes that pride and fear have no place in the future he wants with Beatrice. She, too, must let go of her fears, and I liked seeing the confident Beatrice emerge as she did. I look forward to seeing more of them in the next book as Aurelia looks for her happy-ever-after.
 
The secondary characters were terrific. Percy and his wife, Fenella, were excellent villains. Their selfishness and cruelty made it easy to dislike them. The girls' chaperon Mrs. Butterby is sweet but strong enough to keep her charges on the straight-and-narrow. There are hints that she knows more of Lady Tregowan's story than she's shared so far, and I'm curious to see what it might be. I also look forward to Aurelia's story, as there are hints that it could be a forbidden romance. However, the most intriguing of the secondary characters is Jack's twin brother, Kit. They have a loving and supportive past, and Kit's care of Jack since his return is unquestioned. His protectiveness goes a little overboard, especially after Jack meets Beatrice.  Kit was highly obnoxious about and to Beatrice through most of the book, and I frequently wanted to shake him. Finding out his reason made it a little more understandable but still frustrating. I would love to see him find true love.

His Dry Creek Legacy - Janet Tronstad (LI #1360 - June 2021)

Series: Dry Creek (Book 28)

Earning her trust could be his hardest job yet
 
Helping a single mother find a home could give him the family he needs.
 
In his years as a ranch hand, Joshua Spencer's done difficult work, but nothing's harder than convincing Emma Smitt to claim the home her unborn child inherited. Betrayed by a fake marriage, Emma is determined to make a home on her own. But now, as Joshua's steadfast help and quiet caring earn her reluctant confidence, can they somehow secure happiness together?
 
Good book. Emma married Junior Rosen in good faith, only to discover upon his death that he was already married and a father. Though her unborn child could inherit half the family ranch if its paternity is proven, Emma looks at it as charity and declines the test, leaving her almost destitute. Her pride carries her through the funeral, where she refuses to fall apart.
 
Joshua, a ranch hand at the Rosen ranch, wants to help Emma after seeing her at the funeral. Several months later, at the behest of Bailey Rosen (the real wife), he tracks down Emma to invite her to come to the Rosen ranch. With a past that haunts him, Joshua looks at helping Emma as a chance for redemption.
 
Joshua and Emma are two people with deep-seated trust issues. As a child, he spent years bouncing around various family members and foster care, learning how to use a glib tongue to get what he wanted. After using those same "talents" as an adult, he turned his life around but still has trouble trusting others. Emma grew up with a mother and grandmother who constantly hammered home how untrustworthy men are, and Junior's actions proved it. Their situations sometimes forced them to accept charity, something they found personally repugnant. Now alone in the world, Emma is almost phobic about anything that smacks of charity.
 
Horrified by her living conditions when he arrived at her home, Joshua was determined to get her to the ranch. Considering her situation when he arrived, Emma's denials of her need made no sense to him. Convincing her to go was an uphill battle until an emergency with her seven-year-old stepbrother tipped the scales in Joshua's favor. I loved Joshua's reaction and how he jumped right in to help.
 
I liked seeing the relationship between Emma and Joshua develop. Once Emma and Tommy arrive at the ranch, a whole new world opens for them. Joshua wants nothing more than to fix things for them, but Emma's pride often gets in the way. Despite the occasional conflict, Joshua and Emma become friends, each of them eventually sharing their painful pasts. As she gets to know the residents of the ranch and town, Emma slowly loses some of her distrustfulness. The scenes between Emma and Joshua are sweet, and it's easy to see the feelings that spring up between them. I loved the surprise he prepared for her and his determination to make it perfect. I loved the scene at the hospital and held my breath when it looked like miscommunication might spoil things. But Joshua's former sweet-talking ability reappeared enough for him to show Emma the depth of his love. The epilogue was terrific and a nice wrap-up for the book.
 
The secondary characters were wonderful. I loved Max and his parrot Cupid. Ma's protectiveness of Emma at the beginning came through until he got Joshua's measure. He and Cupid provided some fun moments that helped relieve some tension. I loved that Mark and Bailey didn't blame Emma for what happened and encouraged her to feel part of the family. The two kids, Rosie and Tommy, were adorable. Rosie seems the type who could rule the world, and I'd love to see her with her own book twenty years down the line. Tommy was a sweet boy, and I loved the sensitive portrayal of his Down Syndrome. 

Their Rancher Protector - Sasha Summers (HSE #2855 - Aug 2021)

Series:: Texas Cowboys and K-9s (Book 2)

Will Operation Dog Delivery
 
Become Operation Family Found?
 
Skylar Davis is grateful to have the dog her husband nursed back to health on his last deployment. But the struggling widow can barely keep her three daughters fed, much less a hungry canine. Kyle Mitchell's soldier's instincts won't leave them behind -- they'll all come live at his ranch. Her husband was his best friend, after all. And Skylar? He'll give her the love she deserves…if she'll forgive him when his secrets are exposed.
 
After years away in the military, Kyle is on his way home to Granite Falls, Texas. But before that, he must keep his promise to his best friend, who died while they were deployed. Chad made Kyle promise to take his dog, Jet, who he rescued over there, to live with his family. Kyle also pledged to make sure Chad's family was okay. What he finds when he gets there disturbs him greatly.
 
When Kyle arrives, Skylar is in a desperate situation. Struggling to make ends meet thanks to the unscrupulous relative that took them in when her daughter Mya was sick, there's no way she can take care of Chad's beloved dog. It's all Skylar can do to take care of her three daughters and try to save for the surgery one of them needs. But she tries to put a brave face on it for Kyle.
 
I loved the first meeting between Kyle and Skylar. Skylar is wary until she connects him with his nickname in Chad's letters and then feels she knows him. Skylar bowls over Kyle as he discovers that Chad's letters and pictures didn't do her justice. Equally affected, Skylar buries her reaction and tries to make everything look normal. I loved seeing Kyle connect with the little girls; he was so sweet and easy with them. At the same time, his observant gaze didn't miss anything about their living conditions.
 
Driven by his promise to Chad and his guilty feelings over Chad's death, Kyle quickly comes up with a solution. He knows where Skylar can find a job, and there's room for them to live on the family ranch. Overwhelmed by the idea, Skylar isn't sure what to do. Getting out is so tempting, but thanks to the insidious comments by her uncle, she also doesn't want to come across as needy. Fortunately, common sense overcomes her fears, and she accepts Kyle's offer.
 
I loved watching Kyle and Skylar together as she began her new life. The sparks of attraction between them continue to grow, but both of them fight it. Kyle's guilt weighs him down, and he's certain that she'd want nothing to do with him if she knew the circumstances of Chad's death. Skylar's feelings for Kyle grow, but she is convinced his feelings are only friendship and the need to keep his promise. I enjoyed how everyone around them could see that Kyle and Skylar belonged together. Some sound advice from his brother Hayden, and an emotional scene under the stars with his memories of his friend, helped Kyle release his guilt. All he can do now is tell Skylar how he feels and hope she feels the same. I had to laugh at all the "help" he had along the way. I loved how Kyle didn't wait for the perfect moment but grabbed the opportunity when it came.
 
I enjoyed watching Kyle with Skylar's daughters. He related to them so easily, even learning sign language so he could talk to Mya. Seeing him with her daughters was one of the things that contributed to her love for him. Brynn, Mya, and Greer all accepted him into their lives right away. There were so many adorable scenes of them together, but one of my favorites was the French toast breakfast. I loved how he included them in his big moment with Skylar.
 
I liked the secondary characters of the various townspeople, all of whom play a part in getting Kyle and Skylar together. I especially enjoyed Kyle's reactions to the men who showed an interest in Skylar. I also liked seeing Hayden and Lizzie again. After seeing Hayden's regrets over his estrangement from his brothers in The Rancher's Forever Family, I wasn't surprised by Kyle's nervousness about seeing Hayden again.  It was great to see that Kyle also had regrets and was ready to mend fences.

Bombshell - Sarah MacLean (Avon - Aug 2021)

Series: Hell's Belles (Book 1)

After years of living as London's brightest scandal, Lady Sesily Talbot has embraced the reputation and the freedom that comes with the title. No one looks twice when she lures a gentleman into the dark gardens beyond a Mayfair ballroom…and no one realizes those trysts are not what they seem.
 
No one, that is, but Caleb Calhoun, who has spent years trying not to notice his best friend's beautiful, brash, brilliant sister. If you ask him, he's been a saint about it, considering the way she looks at him…and the way she talks to him…and the way she'd felt in his arms during their one ill-advised kiss.
 
Except someone has to keep Sesily from tumbling into trouble during her dangerous late-night escapades, and maybe close proximity is exactly what Caleb needs to get this infuriating, outrageous woman out of his system. But now Caleb is the one in trouble, because he's fast realizing that Sesily isn't for forgetting…she's forever. And forever isn't something he can risk.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was more than a little over-the-top and somewhat anachronistic, but it was FUN. At the end of the book, the author's note indicates that the real Forty Elephants gang of women inspired the Hell's Belles. Other things have their roots in history also, so the women and events aren't entirely unbelievable. The author's note is worth reading, and I wish I had read it before the book.
 
Sesily Talbot is one of five sisters and the only one left unmarried. The daughters of a coal merchant who earned a title, Society never truly accepted them. The sisters didn't care, and therefore did things their way. Sesily is the most brazen of the bunch, and at thirty years old, independent, and rich, she revels in her reputation. Two years earlier, after the man she wanted rejected her, Sesily took her heartbreak and joined others like herself, helping rescue abused women from all walks of life.
 
Caleb Calhoun, American, owns multiple taverns in Boston and co-owns one in London with Sesily's sister Sera, who is also his best friend. That makes Sesily off-limits to him. After a passion-filled kiss, Caleb knew the only way to protect Sesily from him was to put an ocean between them. That didn't help much, and when Caleb returns to London at Sera's request, he's sucked back into Sesily's orbit.
 
The book starts with a bang as Sesily and her three friends prepare to rescue a young lady from being betrothed to one of the more notorious abusers. Unknown to Sesily, Caleb observes the preparations, follows her, and nearly ruins everything. I enjoyed watching her blast him and reminding him that she doesn't need him. An honorable man, Caleb worries that these intrepid women will land in deep trouble. He takes it upon himself to keep an eye on them, finding plenty of trouble for himself. I loved some of the scenes Caleb encounters and enjoyed seeing his eyes opened to the talents of these women and their friends. I laughed out loud at the fight scene in the tavern and Caleb's shock at Sesily's actions. And that is only the beginning. Surprising himself, Caleb soon accepts and appreciates Sesily's unusual abilities, supporting her with minimal interference.
 
I loved the development of the relationship between Caleb and Sesily. They've known each other for two years and have a love-hate relationship. Sesily delights in stirring Caleb up with her actions as a way to make him pay attention to her. He is the one man in London who appears to be immune to her charms and advances. She has no idea how much he wants her, too. But the more time they spend together, the more his resistance begins to fail. I loved the push-and-pull of their banter, from teasing to flirty, and how it fueled the flames of their attraction.  
 
When a rain-soaked kiss turns into more, Sesily's hopes for the future reawaken, only to be dashed when Caleb walks away. For Caleb, the secret of his past keeps him from offering Sesily what she wants. After one of the Hell's Belles' actions leads to the exposure of Caleb's secret, Sesily becomes the catalyst for revenge. Caleb will do anything to keep her safe, even turn himself in to Scotland Yard. Sesily, of course, won't accept his sacrifice and comes up with her own plan. In a hilarious scene, Sesily, aided by the other Belles, assembles a cast of dozens to save him. An unexpected twist adds to the danger, but the final confrontation shows what can happen when Caleb and Sesily work together. The Belles give the Yard's detective inspector a bonus that puts the icing on the cake.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters of the other Belles. Each of them has unique talents. The Duchess is their leader, with contacts and organizational acumen. Adelaide excels at being unnoticed, practically invisible to those around her, making her perfect for spying or slipping away for searches. Her one drawback presents when she witnesses abuse that sets off her formidable temper. Imogen is the group's scientist, with a particular penchant for explosives. I can't wait to read their stories. 

 
 

A Yuletide Kiss - Sabrina Jeffries, Madeline Hunter, Mary Jo Putney (Kensington - Oct 2021)

The reigning legendary queens of Regency Romance, bestselling authors Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney, deck the halls with this delightful Christmas collection of three sparkling holiday interconnected romances, as stranded travelers find merriment, mistletoe, and holiday romance awaiting at a quaint country inn…
 
I enjoyed this trio of novellas, centered around a group of stranded travelers. Each author provides the story of a different couple and alternate viewpoints of the same events. I liked seeing the diverse group come together to create a unique holiday experience. I especially liked the various Christmas traditions included. Funny moments go side-by-side with heartwarming ones and results in a lovely Christmas tale.
 
WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries 

Series: Duke Dynasty (Book 4.5)

When Flora Younger first met Konrad Juncker, she thought she'd found her match, only to have her hopes dashed. Konrad is now a famous playwright whose plays Flora has secretly panned in reviews. But a chance meeting in a secluded inn may help them rewrite this star-crossed romance…
 
I loved this follow-on to the Duke Dynasty series. On his journey to spend Christmas with friends, a sudden snowstorm strands him at a closed-for-the-holidays inn. When more travelers arrive, he umps in to help the innkeeper and is pleasantly surprised when one of those travelers is Flora Younger, the woman he loved and lost. Years earlier, they met and fell in love, but he bailed on her when he realized he couldn't support her as she deserved. Since then, he has become a famous playwright who is now at a crossroads in his career. Flora became a paid companion for Lady Whitmarsh and anonymously writes reviews for London plays and consistently bashes his.
 
The feelings between Konrad and Flora remain strong, but can they overcome their pasts to have a future together? Stuck together as they are, Konrad and Flora use the time to clear the air between them. I enjoyed Konrad's determined pursuit of Flora, even as he fears that he still can't give her what she deserves. At a crossroads in his career, Konrad's future depends on the secrets involving his plays. Flora finds herself falling for Konrad all over again but fears the same heartbreak. I loved seeing Konrad finally trust her with the truth and Flora's protectiveness for the man she loved. The ending was funny and sweet.

 
THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter

Jenna Waverly has closed her inn, anticipating a blissfully quiet Christmas, until a snowstorm brings the first of several strangers to her property. Lucas Avonwood, as charming as he is secretive, is on a mission to track down a scoundrel, but the inn's lovely owner is giving him a more compelling reason to stay…
 
Jenna closes her inn every year at Christmas to give her staff the time with their families and herself a chance to spend some quiet time. But when her stableman stumbles across an injured and feverish man, she can't turn him away. His arrival precedes that of several more stranded travelers whom she makes room for. Jenna spends her time going back and forth between nursing the stranger and taking care of her unplanned guests. I loved how she got the diverse group to work together, freeing her to spend more time with her patient.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lucas and Jenna. She's a practical woman but also one with a caring heart, and she's determined to pull him through his illness. Once he begins to recover, the sparks between them start to burn brighter. With the fate of her inn uncertain, her growing relationship with Lucas induces dreams of more. But Lucas is a man on a mission, and that mission may have unexpected ties to Jenna. When Lucas finds what he's looking for, he must find a way to solve the problem without hurting Jenna. Though I found the solution a little improbable, it worked to give them the future they wanted.

 
WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney

Kate Mcleod is shocked to find that her fellow guest in the snowbound inn is the dashing soldier who may or may not be her husband. Daniel Faringdon barely remembers that long-ago night when he rescued her from disaster, but the desire they discover now will be impossible to forget, or to ignore . . .
 
When Daniel returned to England to claim his inheritance after many years in India, he never expected to encounter the young woman he rescued. He barely remembers that night, just the fear of the young woman being auctioned off by her uncle. He remembers the drunk preacher who "married" them before Daniel turned her over to a friend who helped her return to England and her family. He gets the shock of his life when one of the other stranded guests is none other than the woman he rescued.
 
Kate MacLeod never forgot the handsome soldier who saved her from disaster, though she hasn't heard from him since then. Once she recovers from the shock of seeing him, she informs him that she was about to have him declared dead so that she can marry again. Stunned to discover that their marriage was valid, Daniel finds he's in no hurry to end their connection.
 
I liked the development of the relationship between Daniel and Kate. Kate is practical and competent in many areas and fits in well with the rest of the stranded travelers. Daniel worries about his return home after all these years, having left under trying circumstances. His time in India transformed him from a heedless boy to a mature and honorable man. Within a short time of talking to Kate, Daniel realizes that Kate touches something in him. He proposes that they consider remaining married. Kate is wary but willing to get to know him before deciding.
 
I loved watching Kate and Daniel spend time together. Kate is upfront about her life and plans for the future, including continuing to work. She hunts (loved that scene!) and willingly pitches in around the inn. Impressed by her abilities, Daniel makes it clear that he fully supports her while asking pointed questions about her almost fiancé. At the same time, Kate finds herself questioning her feelings for Edmund and considering staying with Daniel. Besides the fun encounters, they also spend some time sharing the less pleasant memories of their pasts. But when it's time to leave the inn, Kate isn't quite ready to commit until she can talk to Edmund. I ached for Daniel, who left wondering if he'd see Kate again.
 
I loved the ending. Kate gets her concerns addressed unexpectedly, freeing her to follow her heart. Daniel receives the loving support he needs to face his past in a heartwarming scene at the family home. 

Tracing a Kidnapper - Juno Rushdan (HI #2019 - Sept 2021)

Series: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Book 3)

Rescuing children is her life's mission.
Saving this one is paramount.
 
FBI agent Madeline Striker's new case feels deeply personal. The kidnapped daughter of tech CEO Jackson Rhodes is the same age her sister was when she was abducted. The kidnap specialist's fierce determination to rescue Jackson's child forges a powerful bond between them, but they can't allow their intense attraction to divert their focus. Because a vindictive enemy is threatening the child's life.
 
Fantastic book. I read it in one sitting - finished at 3 am because I couldn't put it down. The intensity of the suspense kept me turning the pages, and the sparks between Madeline and Jackson added a different kind of tension.
 
CEO and single father Jackson's daughter Emma is the center of his life, with his business a close second. His life upends when Emma is kidnapped from right under his nose at the company's Family Day. Accustomed to being in control of his world, relying on others for help is a struggle. His attraction to Madeline, the FBI's kidnapping specialist, is a distraction he doesn't need.
 
Madeline's work for the FBI stems from personal experience. Her little sister was kidnapped when Madeline was eight years old and never found, and she wants to keep other families from suffering the way hers did. Her success rate speaks for itself and her determination. Staying focused on the search takes precedence over any attraction she feels for the child's father.
 
The twists and turns of this story kept me guessing right to the end. The kidnapper clearly had a very personal motive, and their vindictive demands and taunting succeeded in tormenting Jackson. Because of his control issues, Jackson can't sit back and leave it all in the hands of the experts. He frequently gets an idea and rushes to pursue it, much to Madeline's frustration. Attempts to rein him in partially succeed, only because Madeline insists that he work with her. Every time it looks like they have a viable suspect, something proves them wrong. Meanwhile, the kidnapper alters the demands, changes timelines, and carries out attacks that serve as distractions, misdirections, or just plain taunting.
 
I was glued to the pages as the team closed in on the kidnapper's identity. The intensity picked up as Madeline went off to follow a lead while the rest of the group pursued another. Unsurprisingly, Madeline had the right one and found herself facing the kidnapper on her own. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Madeline went up against a psychopath determined to kill her. The resolution was excellent, with Jackson playing a critical part.
 
I liked the romance between Jackson and Madeline. They connected over their determination to rescue Emma. Madeline's personal experience added to that connection. As they worked together, each found a partner who understood the stresses and requirements of the jobs they do. This opened their eyes to the possibilities of the future. The sparks between them continue to grow though they work hard to keep it under control. They mostly succeed, except for one time when attraction and relief combine in an explosive encounter. I liked that both agreed on poor timing but the potential for the future. One of my favorite things about this story is that there was no three-day journey to "I love you. Marry me." However, the ending gave me a satisfying feeling that this couple has a realistic chance of a happy future together.