Hidden in Amish Country - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #778 - Oct 2019)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 7)

Can she unlock her memories…so she can stay alive?

There's a bull's-eye on her back, and Englischer Sadie Standings can't remember why…but she's sure she can trust Amish widower Ben Mast. With the single dad's help, she'll hide in Amish country while trying to figure out why someone is after her. Because unless she uncovers the secrets of her past, both their lives will be forfeit.

Excellent book that sucked me in from the first page and didn't let go until I finished it a few hours later. It opened with Sadie feeling as though someone was watching her, and noticing a man that looked familiar though she didn't know why. In her rush to get away, Sadie was horrified to discover that her brakes didn't work. Her fear leaped off the page as she realized she was headed for an Amish buggy on the road, and she made a split-second decision that could have killed her.

Ben was stunned to see a car hurtling at a high rate of speed directly down his street. When the vehicle crashed into a tree, he and a neighbor raced to check on the driver. They pulled her to safety fearing an explosion. There was something about the woman that drew him, even though she was obviously Englisch. When he went to the hospital to return the cellphone he found, he was surprised to discover that she was the sister of his friend Kurt.

Ben arrived just as Sadie was dealing with the fact that she had completely lost her memory. Her brother was with her, but she couldn't even remember him. To make matters worse, Kurt informed her that she might have been in danger because of a newspaper story he is writing. Kurt begs Ben to take Sadie to stay with him to keep her safe. Ben is reluctant, as he is a single father, and it wouldn't be proper. But when Sadie shows up on his doorstep, having narrowly escaped another attack, he can't turn her away.

There are sparks between Ben and Sadie that both try to ignore. Ben is Amish, a widower with no plans to marry again. Sadie is Englisch, so a relationship between them is impossible. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep that distance between them. I loved Ben's protectiveness and his determination to keep Sadie safe. He also had a strict sense of honor that had him doing his best to keep his feelings under control. Sadie was drawn just as much to Ben, even though she knew it was impossible. Things became even more complicated when Ben took her to his parents' community, and her memories began to return, especially long-suppressed memories from her childhood.

The suspense of the story was intense from beginning to end. It seemed that no matter what they did, Ben and Sadie could not escape the man who was after her. My heart was in my throat on multiple occasions, as each time they thought they were safe, something would happen, and they would have to run again. The descriptions were so vivid that I could feel the cold, fear, and exhaustion as they made their way to Ben's family home. I couldn't read fast enough as the final confrontation unfolded. The danger was intense, and I wasn't sure how it was going to end.

My heart broke for Sadie and Ben as she had to go into hiding until the case was wrapped up. Ben knew there was no future for them, but he could not deny his love for her. Sadie had some big decisions to make once she was free. I loved her conversation with Ryder, as the police officer had become an excellent friend. I liked the link to Isaac, from Guarding the Amish Midwife, and the unexpected part he played in Sadie's life. The ending was fantastic, and I loved how Sadie and Ben came together. The epilogue was sweet and a great wrap-up to the story.

I loved the secondary characters. Ben's son, Nathaniel, was adorable. He was a typical little boy, but he also had moments of great maturity. I loved seeing the way that he bonded with Sadie. Isaac was another that I was happy to see. I loved him in the previous book, and his former life as a cop came in very handy in this one. I loved his reunion with Ben and how their friendship was so easily renewed. I also liked seeing more of Ryder and really hope that he gets his own story soon.

Seduction on a Snowy Night - Mary Jo Putney; Madeline Hunter; Sabrina Jeffries (Kensington - Sept 2019)

A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter

Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection . . .

Good story. Adam is on his way to his cousin's house for Christmas. He's not enthused about it as he is expected to announce his engagement to a woman he doesn't particularly like. However, it is an alliance thing, and he'll take one for the family. He doesn't expect to get kidnapped on his way there. As he is not wealthy, he has no idea what his captor wants. Caro is not interested in Adam's fortune or lack of it. She has far more personal plans for him.

I liked both Adam and Caro. He is a decent guy at heart. He's made mistakes, admits to them, and wants to change. He takes his abduction in stride and is more amused than angered by it. Once he figures out who she is, he believes he knows the why. He is impressed by Caro's efforts to keep things running and, drawn to her, finds himself wanting to help. For her part, Caro is determined to make the notorious rake do the right thing. But the more time she spends with him, the less rakish he appears to be.

There are sparks between Adam and Caro from the start. Besides the attraction, Adam finds himself feeling protective of Caro, especially after the incident at the pond. He's stunned when she finally tells him why he's there and vehemently denies the charge. Caro can't believe she's attracted to Adam after what he did, but she can't deny what is between them. I liked seeing them talk and get to know each other. The more I learned about Caro's reasons for having Adam there, the more I suspected that there was additional information that she was unaware of. I was not surprised by the truth when it came out. I loved Adam's actions to fix the situation. I loved the ending, as Adam finally found his purpose in life, and Caro found the support that she needed.

A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries

Series: Duke Dynasty (Book 1.5)

Whisked away from a wintry ball by the officer she knew only through letters, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for the commanding Colonel Lord Heywood. For he, secretly a fortune-hunter, must marry for money to save his estate—and Cass, secretly an heiress, will accept nothing less than love . . .   

Good story. Cass and her cousin Kitty are at a winter ball where Cass does her best to keep Kitty out of the clutches of an unsuitable man. Though he presents well, there is something about him that Cass doesn't trust. Her suspicions are reinforced by the arrival of Colonel Heywood, who brings a message from Kitty's brother with news of the man's perfidy. Heywood arrives in time to overhear plans to abduct Kitty to Gretna Green, so he kidnaps Kitty and Cass first.

I liked both Cass and Heywood. Cass is independent, smart, and protective of her young cousin. She is also cynical about men, having been courted for her fortune in the past. Now she puts out that she is the poor relation, wanting to be courted for herself. Heywood is an honorable man who has spent many years as a soldier, but he longs for peace and a family of his own. His father left him some property, but it is in poor repair, which means Heywood must marry a woman who has money.

I liked the development of the relationship between Cass and Heywood. It begins with a bit of mistaken identity, as Cass has been writing letters to Kitty's brother in Kitty's name. Douglas shares those letters with Heywood, who has fallen in love with the writer, whom he believes is Kitty. This is convenient because Kitty is an heiress. It doesn't take long for him to realize that Kitty is not what he thought and that it is her poor cousin Cass who won his heart. Cass is equally drawn to him, but having been burned once she is wary. I loved seeing them spend time together, matching wits in some excellent banter. As their feelings for each other deepen, Heywood realizes that he'd rather give up his land than Cass. As Cass realizes her feelings for Heywood, she feels guilty about keeping the truth from him. Heywood disappointed me with his reaction when she confessed, his injured pride causing him to say some terrible things. Fortunately he sees the light in time to save her from near disaster and is properly contrite. Cass takes her share of the blame, too, which was nice to see.  I liked the epilogue also.

Heywood's family was terrific, and I look forward to seeing more of them. His mother led an intriguing life, and it affected each of her children. I loved the closeness of the family and the lovingly done teasing among them all.

My only quibble in the story was the frequent insertion of lines from modern Christmas carols as parts of conversations. I found myself rolling my eyes each time it happened, as it would pull me out of the story.

One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney

Series: Rogues Redeemed (Book 3.5)

Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now snowed in with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them?

Good second chance love story. I loved that this was Diana's tale, who was part of Rory's story in Once a Scoundrel. Diana left England seven years earlier, fleeing the memories of a love gone wrong. She became an independent woman of means thanks to an import/export business she owns with a friend. The story opens as Diana receives a letter from Rory, inviting her back to England for a visit. Diana realizes that she is homesick and makes the decision to return home to stay. The only downside is the chance that she will run into the man she loved.

Anthony recently inherited the dukedom from his late, unlamented father. The previous duke had been a cruel man, and Anthony worked hard to be nothing like him. He is a quiet, kind man who loves his two sisters. He avoids social events whenever possible, as he has become the target of every eligible miss and her mother since becoming the duke. His sisters convince him that attending a costume ball will be fun as he can maintain anonymity while there.

I loved the meeting between Diana and Anthony. She and Rory dressed as Indian dancers and performed for the ball's attendees. Anthony was intrigued by the veiled dancer and requested a dance. The sparks between them led to an explosive kiss. To say they were shocked to discover who was behind the masks was putting it mildly. Though Anthony let Diana get away once, he is now determined not to let it happen again. Diana is still insistent that there is no chance of anything between them. I loved Anthony's spur-of-the-moment plan to get Diana to himself long enough to get to the bottom of her resistance, though Diana took a rather stupid risk to get there quickly. Once they were together, Anthony's patience and understanding broke through the guilt that had driven her away and kept her away. Those moments between them were emotional and heartwarming. Their happy ending was great. I loved their arrival at his sister's house and how Diana was embraced by them.

One of my favorite things in the story that had me in giggles was the creativity of the names they had for the cats' species. I also liked seeing Will and Athena again (loved their costumes for the masquerade ball) and Rory and Gabriel. I loved the fun that Rory and Diana had planning and doing their dance.

Wrapped Up in You - Jill Shalvis (HarperCollins - Sept 2019)

Series: Heartbreaker Bay (Book 8)

It’s love. Trust me.

After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary—schools, friends, and way too many Mr. Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy’s reinvented life is on solid ground. And she’s guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she’s worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O’Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren’t so delightfully naughty and irresistible.

Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy’s a spicy reason to give his short-term plans a second thought. Best of all, she’s a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy’s past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she’s told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy’s willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story.

Terrific story of two people who find it hard to trust. Ivy has been on the move her entire life. Raised by a flaky mother, and with a troublemaker brother, Ivy set out on her own when she was sixteen. After years of moving from place to place, she's ready to put down some roots. She has made some friends, owns a successful taco truck, and is saving up for a place of her own. I loved her determination to succeed, her independence, and her kind heart. I ached for her and the vulnerability that made her reluctant to open herself up completely. She's been burned multiple times and trusting people is hard to do.

Kel is a sheriff in Sunshine Idaho (Animal Magnetism series). He is in San Francisco visiting his cousin Caleb (Playing for Keeps) and helping Caleb with his business. Kel was recently injured in the line of duty at the same time he was betrayed by someone close to him. Added to family issues, Kel also has trouble trusting. Keeping his emotions closed off protects him from being hurt.

Ivy and Kel meet through mutual friends when they come to Ivy's Taco Truck. I loved their initial meeting and the banter that they exchanged. Ivy was still on his mind that night when he found her at her vandalized taco truck. I loved their back-and-forth as he insisted on helping her, her "prickly as a porcupine" attitude drawing him in rather than turning him off. I loved Kel's determination to get closer to Ivy, and the charm and patience he used to do so. I loved watching Kel chip away at Ivy's walls, not realizing that she did the same to his. Both Kel and Ivy resisted the idea that there was more than chemistry between them, even though everyone around them could see it. They had just started admitting that there might be something special growing between them when Ivy's brother made an unwelcome appearance. I ached for Ivy, who could see her beautiful new life disintegrating in front of her. I wanted to smack Kel for his boneheaded actions and words. Though I hurt for Ivy and the pain he caused her, I loved how she stood up to him. I enjoyed the way that Ivy's friends rallied around her and the effect it had on Ivy's entire outlook. A lecture from Caleb made Kel realize that he had to face his past before he could pursue the future. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was a nice touch. I loved seeing the changes in their lives and the surprise that Kel had for Ivy.

I love how earlier characters wander in and out of the story. As Kel's cousin, Caleb has a significant role, but he's also a good friend to Ivy. I loved the morning kickboxing classes and the comradeship it built. Tina made me laugh with her "inspirational" statements and her ability to motivate her students. I loved the closeness of the friendships and how they are there for each other when needed.

 

Patriot Games - Tom Clancy (Putnam - Aug 1987)

As an American in London on vacation with his family, Jack Ryan never imagined his quick thinking would prevent an assassination attempt on Britain's royal family and earn him the gratitude of an entire nation—and the scorn of an ultra-left-wing faction of the IRA. Irish terrorist Sean Miller and his followers in the Ulster Liberation Army intend to make sure Ryan pays for his interference in blood. But he's not the only one they're after...

With the lives of his pregnant wife and young daughter in mortal danger, Ryan accepts a role as a CIA analyst in order to find Miller and shut down the ULA. Going head to head with a ruthless terrorist is a fool's errand, but Jack Ryan is the kind of man who will do whatever it takes to protect his family.

This was a reread of a book I read when it first came out, and several times since then. It starts with a bang as Jack, on a working vacation in London with his family, witnesses a kidnapping attempt on the royal family. His instinctive reaction stopped the attack and put him in the bullseye of revenge.

One of the things I enjoy most every time I read this book is the deft mixture of action, darkness, and humor. The opening attack sucks me into the story immediately, on the edge of my seat as Jack rushes into action. Clancy's descriptions are vivid enough that I can picture the events as they happen. The confusion at the scene felt realistic, and I could feel Jack's worry that he'd end up "stuck like a pig" when the good guys showed up. I always laugh at the scenes in the hospital as Jack deals with the doctors (including his wife) and other medical personnel. The scenes with various law enforcement personnel show Jack what he inadvertently got involved in and reveal his razor-sharp mind as he processes what he learns. The scenes with multiple members of the royal family are good, but my favorite is when he helps the prince work through his feelings about what happened. Though not particularly realistic, it is still a great scene.

As the book continues we get the viewpoints of both the bad guys and the good guys. Jack and his family return home, secure in the knowledge that the bad guy is in jail and terrorists have never attacked on American soil. But the tension ramps up as the bad guy escapes and assorted good guys get a bad feeling about what might happen. Jack is lured into the CIA's sphere as he tries to get a handle on the group behind the attack. Their fears are realized when Jack's wife and daughter are nearly killed in an attack, and only luck prevents Jack from being attacked too. I ached for Jack as he dealt with his feelings of guilt and fear by getting more involved in the case. Jack goes through a lot of self-examination as he tries to reconcile his need for justice with the anger and desire for revenge that he also feels.

The tension continues to build as the book follows the terrorists as they make plans for their next attack. The attention to detail was intriguing and as were the insights into the various players' motivations. At the same time we see the good guys as they try to assemble the pieces of the puzzle in time to stop whatever is planned.

The final confrontation was a nail-biter. It started easy, with the royal visit and some amusing banter between Jack, Robby, and the prince. The chaos of the attack was described so vividly that I felt as though I was there. The escape by boat was exciting, and their arrival at the Academy was tense but also had a few lighter moments. The pursuit of the last of the bad guys had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over. Jack faced a crossroads in his life, and it was interesting to see how he handled it. I loved the ending.

One of my favorite lines is as the Superintendent asks Robby who is aboard the ship: "Chief Znamirowski and the duty boat section, Captain Peters and some Marines, Doctor Ryan, and, uh, Captain Wales, sir, of the Royal Navy" "Is that where he is?..."

Naughty or Nerdy?/The Husband Hotel - Elise Title, Darlene Gardner (Harl Duets #68 - Jan 2002)

Naughty or Nerdy? by Elise Title

His inner Don Juan is itching to get out...

Judd Turner hated college. He'd been a geek, and had been in love with the gorgeous -- and taken -- Lucy Walker. Things have changed, though. His 10-year reunion is fast approaching, and Judd's now a hot and sexy P.I. But when he has to go from naughty to nerdy to bust Lucy's fiancé for embezzlement, he's not thrilled. It's hard enough keeping his mind on work in this getup without fantasizing about the girl of his dreams. His only hope? Lucy sees past the disguise and falls for the new and improved him!

This was a fun story. Judd is really looking forward to his ten-year reunion and a chance to reconnect with the girl he loved back then. He's ready to show her that he's no longer the shy, awkward geek she knew, but had matured into a fit and sexy PI. So he's not at all happy when his boss informs him that he's attending his reunion undercover, and back in geek mode. One of his classmates is an embezzler, and it is up to Judd to get the goods on him. The fly in the ointment? The man is Lucy's fiancé. She'll be even less inclined to give him the time of day if Judd busts the man she loves.

I felt so bad for Judd getting stuck in a fat suit, fake braces, and nerd glasses after working so hard to leave that persona behind. The scene with his boss, Roz, as she explained, was a riot as Judd tried desperately to rescue his plans. It was especially painful for him as his mark, Kyle, was still the "golden god" that he'd been in college. Kyle got on my nerves from the beginning with his condescending treatment of Judd. I was immediately ready to see him go down.

Lucy was not all that happy about going to the reunion. She's an investigative reporter leaving on an assignment and not very interested in reliving the past. But Kyle guilts her into going, so she makes the best of it. The one plus is getting to see her old friend, Judd again. She's a little surprised at his appearance, but he's still the same terrific guy she knew in school.

I enjoyed the development of Judd and Lucy's relationship. Poor Judd. He feels terribly guilty about deceiving Lucy about his appearance and about who he is. As circumstances throw them together, keeping his secret gets more difficult. Lucy is happy to see Judd again and remembers how good a friend he was, especially during her frequent breakups with Kyle. It's easy to see the sparks between Lucy and Judd, but there are obstacles that stand between them. There is Judd's deception and his investigation of Kyle. There is also the slight chance that Lucy is as involved as Kyle in the embezzlement, though Judd doesn't want to believe that's true. Lucy is engaged to Kyle and comfortable with their relationship most of the time. Lucy is also somewhat suspicious about Judd, and her imagination goes a little wild as she tries to put the pieces together. As the investigation takes off, misunderstandings abound. Judd may be a hottie now, but when it comes to Lucy, he still carries some residual insecurity, making it hard for him to believe that she wants him. Lucy's world comes crashing down when everything is revealed, and she has to face up to her mistakes. I ached for Judd, who stepped back to give Lucy the time she needed, and for Lucy, who had conflicting feelings. The end was sweet and fun as they finally put the past behind them.

The suspense part of the story was hilarious. There was Kyle, the embezzler, who was convinced of his own superiority. He had no morals whatsoever, both in his professional and personal lives. Danielle, Kyle's ex-girlfriend, was more than just the class vamp. Rico, the local mob boss, had his fingers in a lot of pies. Judd had to sort out all of their roles while maintaining his cover. And Lucy, whose reporter senses told her there was something fishy going on, was on the right track but had some of the essential parts mixed up. I laughed out loud so many times as Judd tried to get the information he needed without revealing the truth. Once Lucy's suspicions were aroused, there was no holding her back. The scene in Judd's room, as Lucy hid under the bed, was hilarious. Things did get a bit intense when Rico's thugs got involved, and Judd was in extreme danger. Even that part had its fun moments with Lucy trying to explain the unexplainable to the cops. I liked the final resolution, though it did seem a bit anti-climactic.

 

The Husband Hotel by Darlene Gardner

The fix is in!

Jay Overman, inventor of the Impeccabra, has a job to do: keep eligible fellas away from hotel manager Tara Patterson. No way was she to get distracted from climbing the corporate ladder. Sounds easy enough, but not for Jay! It turns out that undercover work is not his thing, 'cause the only thing this would-be maintenance man can maintain is a healthy male interest in his sweet 'n sexy boss. And little does Jay know that he'll become Tara's biggest distraction...ever!

Fun book. Tara recently graduated with a degree in hotel management and scored her first job running a hotel near Washington DC. She likes making the visitors feel at home, even flirting a little bit with the men while still remaining professional. The only fly in her ointment is her father, who pushes her to stay focused on her career and leave romance until she is at least thirty. She's so fed up with his nagging that she informed him that she uses the hotel to shop for a husband.

Jay is a civil engineer who used his engineering skills to design a better bra. He's helping his sister with the family lingerie business when he gets a call from their father's old friend. Cliff wants Jay to go undercover at his daughter's hotel and keep her from latching onto any eligible men. Jay will be onsite as the maintenance man, ready to discourage any man who gets too close.

This was clearly a disaster waiting to happen. Jay may be a civil engineer, but as a maintenance man, he is awful. It doesn't help that, from the first moment he met her, Tara is one huge distraction. Though he has no plans to marry anytime soon himself, he quickly finds that he's all too willing to scare off any man showing interest in Tara. There are some pretty funny scenes of those attempts because Jay isn't the kind of guy who likes to intimidate people. It isn't long before his attraction to Tara has him feeling guilty about the deception. At the same time, Tara feels drawn to Jay, which puts her in a quandary. She is attracted to him, but he is an employee, which means that a relationship is out of the question. Things get even more complicated when Tara becomes suspicious of Jay and discovers the truth. Her reaction and subsequent actions add another layer of hilarity on top of what was already there. I did like Jay's efforts to make everything right again.

One of my favorite characters was Tara's assistant Sadie Mae. She was delightfully klutzy, with a huge heart. I liked the way that she stepped in to help Jay with his repair duties, without betraying him to Tara. I also enjoyed her attempts to stop Tara's revenge scheme, even though she also helped set it up. She had more common sense than was apparent at the beginning.  

Master of Love - Glenna Finley (Signet - Apr 1978)

The Lure of Love.

When beautiful Jennifer Rogers set off for a well earned European vacation, she arrived in Paris to find her brother Jeremy in the hospital and desperately in need of her help. So Jenny bid a temporary good-bye to sightseeing and flew to Madeira to explain Jeremy's predicament to his boss, Dr. Reed Whitney. It should have been a simple errand, taking up no more than a day of her vacation. But Jenny hadn't bargained on a man like Reed. Handsome, stubborn Reed insisted that if Jeremy couldn't assist him, Jenny would have to take her brother's place.

So what could Jenny do? She had to help Jeremy, and, besides, Reed could be quite charming and persuasive. But when Jenny boarded the plane to join Reed on his expedition to Malta and Egypt, she didn't realize she was embarking on a rendezvous with unexpected terror and breathless romance.

Oldie but goodie. I read all of Glenna Finley's books many years ago, and when I found this one, I was excited to revisit the past. Though the story is dated, I thought it held up pretty well considering the time it was written in. The suspense is pretty mild when compared to current offerings but still held my interest.

Jennifer was on vacation when she stopped in Paris to visit her twin brother. He was in the hospital recovering from appendicitis and worried about a job he was supposed to begin. He talked Jennifer into personally delivering his apology to Dr. Whitney, so she flew off to Madeira to deliver the news. She did not expect to be shanghaied into taking her brother's place.

The first meeting between Jennifer and Reed did not go well. Determined to cram as much sightseeing as possible into her day, Jennifer seriously underestimated the effects of travel on her body and decision-making skills. This is why she reacted so strongly to what she took as romantic overtures by a fellow tourist at one of the sites she visited. In spite of her somewhat rude attitude, the gentleman in question came to her assistance when she didn't have local currency. Imagine her dismay when she discovered her rescuer was her brother's boss. Reed did not win any points with his hard-nosed attitude about Jeremy's absence, or his comments about what he saw as Jennifer's shortcomings. His attitude grated on Jennifer's nerves, causing her to allow her pride to goad her into pushing her physical limitations. The day was capped off by Reed insisting that Jennifer take her brother's place.

The development of the relationship between Jennifer and Reed was quite a rollercoaster. There was no doubt about the sparks that flew between them, but pride threw a few obstacles in their way. Reed had a habit of making comments that irritated Jennifer, and she reacted by doing something that would annoy him. It didn't help that a fellow member of their group made comments about Reed's reputation that had Jennifer pushing him away. On the other hand, there were times when they got along very well. The picnic scene on Malta was pretty sweet and showed a different side to Reed. He also proved to be very protective and caring when Jennifer was injured during their picnic. That protectiveness intensified as they spent more time together. There were also a couple of incidents of blatant jealousy on Reed's part that seemed to go right over Jennifer's head. I ached a little for Jennifer as she realized she was falling for Reed, but believed that there was no future in it. I loved the ending as Reed arrived just in time to save Jennifer. I loved the bit where he admitted his "feeble excuses for needing a secretary" had been a ploy to keep her with him. Her response was equally enlightening. Reed's wedding present to Jennifer made me laugh.

The suspense of the story was pretty mild. It began when Jennifer arrived in Malta and unknowingly witnessed something she shouldn't have. There are hints of potential trouble as Jennifer listened to her cab driver's political views. The tension increased as Jennifer suffered an accident that may not have been an accident at all, and she and Reed discover that their cab driver was brutally attacked. Their trip to Egypt raised my suspicions about a member of their group as Jennifer ended up in danger once again. I liked the exchange of ideas between her and Reed regarding what they suspected. It seemed a bit naïve that they thought it was safe for Jennifer to go off sightseeing on her own, which made her vulnerable. The final confrontation was fairly intense. Jennifer did an excellent job of keeping her head and helped in her own rescue.

 

Cold Conspiracy - Cindi Myers (HI #1884 - Oct 2019)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery: Winter Storm Wedding (Book 3)
            Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 7)

The body count is mounting.

And a deputy is the killer's next target.

Capturing the Ice Cold Killer is the greatest challenge Eagle Mountain has ever seen. Thankfully, Deputy Jamie Douglas is determined to see justice done. Nate Hall is visiting for a wedding, and the vacationing lawman is more than willing to help. As the blizzard ravages the town, keeping everyone trapped with a killer, evidence begins to accumulate about a mysterious conspiracy. Can Jamie and Nate get to the truth before more innocent people wind up dead?

Very good second chance romance amid the growing challenge of stopping a serial killer. Jamie is the newest deputy in Eagle Mountain. She returned to her hometown when her parents were killed so that she could care for her special needs sister, Donna. She is as determined as the rest of the department to find and stop the killer. Nate also recently returned to Eagle Mountain after seven years away. He is a wildlife officer assisting with the investigation.

Jamie and Nate were a couple in high school, but when Nate left for college he broke off the relationship. He felt that it wasn't fair to Jamie to tie her to a long-distance relationship, but it broke Jamie's heart. Older and wiser, Nate would like to renew the relationship, but he can barely get her to talk to him. Jamie is focused on caring for her sister and doing her job. She has no time for a man in her life, and she definitely doesn't want to give Nate another chance to break her heart.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Nate and Jamie. The sparks are still there, even after seven years apart. Jamie is determined to resist, just as Nate is determined to break through her walls. Working on the Ice Cold Killer case throws them together, enabling Nate to work on Jamie's resistance. I liked how Nate admitted the mistakes he made and tried to show Jamie that he'd changed.  It was interesting to see him try to balance his respect for Jamie's abilities as a deputy with his desire to protect her and keep her safe. Jamie fights hard against risking her heart again, but Nate slowly works his way back into her life. Jamie continues to fight her feelings until a near-tragedy makes her realize that worrying about what might happen keeps her from enjoying the time they had together. I loved the ending and laughed a little at the part that Donna played.

The ongoing mystery of the Ice Cold Killer continued to intensify. The story opened as Jamie discovered yet another victim. It was easy to feel the frustration of law enforcement officials over the lack of clues. Things start to look up as several clues begin to come together. There's a big break when a potential victim manages to get away and provides some vital information. As the only female in the department, Jamie suggests setting herself up as bait. As they close in on the killer and unexpected twist puts more than just Jamie into danger. The confrontation at the end was terrifying and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. While it brought a resolution to the immediate problem, there are still questions that are unanswered. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I loved the relationship between Jamie and Donna. There is no doubt about the love they have for each other. Jamie struggles with the realization that Donna is an adult and that she has to learn to let go a little bit. Donna's friendship with Henry was sweet and I loved the two of them together.