Nichole Severn

Excellent start to the new series. The story was fast-paced, with nearly non-stop action and a hint of romance, taking place over a few days. The story opens as Elena's small town is under attack by a cartel. Homes are in flames, and Elena is desperate to protect her eight-year-old brother. Elena's fear leaped off the page as they encountered cartel members determined to stop them. Her ferocity in trying to protect Daniel was incredible, but they managed to overcome her in the end. Elena was saved from a similar fate by the arrival of a stranger who whisked her away to safety.

Cash is a member of the military contractor firm Socorro Security. A former Marine and DEA agent, a past betrayal drives his need to protect. Guilty feelings over that same past have locked up his emotions. He also feels guilty for not seeing the imminent attack and warning the town. Saving Elena is the least he can do, but that doesn't explain his intense compulsion to protect her.

I enjoyed watching the beginning of Cash and Elena's relationship as it fights for life amid the dangers of their search for Daniel. Cash and Elena each have baggage relating to the cartel that has deeply affected them, but they decide to work together to save Daniel. As they spend time together, bits of that baggage are unpacked and shared, and they begin to heal. There are some obstacles for them to overcome, such as Elena's connection to a cartel lieutenant and the secret Cash is keeping about the night of the attack. In the end, love wins out.

The story's suspense was intense, with an explosive beginning and barely time to breathe. The twists and turns of the action and a shocking revelation at the end kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I got frustrated with Elena's tendency to rush into action without thinking about potential difficulties. On the other hand, Cash tended to go the other way by attempting to plan for every detail and possible problem. Cash and Elena got into several situations that had me on the edge of my seat until they were safe. The final confrontation was intense and terrifying, and I honestly didn't know how they would get out of it. Kudos to the author for a gripping finish.

I loved the relationship between Cash and his K-9, Bear. The story of how they became partners was heartbreaking, but their closeness is undeniable. I enjoyed their "conversations," which showed another side of Cash. I also liked how Bear immediately connected with Elena - it was a good sign for the future.

My only complaint about the book was one line: "Tell Ivy that Echo got off his leash" from a man who helped Elena escape. But we never see Elena give Ivy the message or see Ivy's reaction.

#netgalley… (plus d'informations)

Terrific story. I've been hoping for Macie's story from the beginning of the series. She has always been an intriguing character with her attitude and especially the snark she directs toward Easton Ford. At the end of the previous book, we discover that Macie has been hiding from something and is preparing to run again.

This book opens with Macie's preparations to run from whatever in her past has been stalking her. But before she can escape, someone else from her past appears at her door. Riggs was one of her best friends as a child, along with a girl named Hazel. When Hazel was murdered, Macie and her parents left town, fearing for her life. Macie has been on the run for twenty-five years but is also looking for the man who wrecked her life.

Detective Riggs Karig was devastated when Hazel was murdered, and Macie disappeared. I ached for him as his story was revealed over the course of the book. His life afterward wasn't easy, but it motivated him to become a police detective. His tough exterior hides pain and issues he barely recognizes, much less admits.

Riggs shows up in Battle Mountain while investigating his ex-partner's death. He's stunned to find his childhood friend living under an assumed name and wonders why his partner had Macie's name and address on a note in his pocket at the time of his death. The initial meeting between Riggs and Macie was contentious, with Macie wanting to run and Riggs insisting she stay and help him. Words are exchanged about Hazel's murder and the effect on both their lives. All debate comes to an end when Macie is attacked. Now, Riggs not only wants her help, he wants to keep her safe. A surprise discovery links Hazel's murder to another case and brings them together to investigate.

The tension goes up when a child close to Macie disappears. She is determined to find Penny before it is too late. The action, twists, and turns kept me glued to the pages as I rooted for Riggs and Macie to succeed. They were foiled every time they got close, and I could feel their fear and desperation. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The final twist of the killer's identity was a chilling revelation.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Macie and Riggs develop. They had been so close as children but no longer knew each other. The slow revealing of each other's painful pasts made them realize that neither had escaped the effects of Hazel's murder. Working together brought them closer together. Still, despite their intense attraction, trust didn't come easy. Even when each accepted their feelings, belief in a future together was difficult. Macie would prefer to stay in Battle Mountain, where she finally feels at home. Riggs intends to return to New Mexico - his reaction to the Colorado environment was hilarious. There is a rough patch when Macie reveals the final part of her past, and Riggs reacts badly, driving a wedge between them. It takes nearly losing her for Riggs to realize how much he loves and needs her. The scene in the hospital was deeply emotional, and the later scene at the Ford ranch was the perfect ending to the book and series.… (plus d'informations)

Demi Shepherd breaks hearts for a living—and she learned long ago that love just isn’t worth the pain. But when one of her clients ends up dead, Demi is going to have to put her heart on the line to save her own life.

A professional breakup artist, Demi is hired to end other people’s romances. When one of her clients is murdered—with Demi’s fingerprints on the murder weapon—her only hope for clearing her name and finding out who framed her is Jack Austin, a world-weary hunk who’d just as soon let her rot in jail.

Jack is a hard-bitten undercover agent, driven to expose and bring down a money-laundering organization, and he’s not willing to risk his life or career for Demi. Until Demi proves she’s innocent of the crime—but far from innocent in the bedroom.

With cops and killers on their trail and a smoldering romance ready to ignite, Jack and Demi have to fight together to save their lives, as well as their damaged hearts



Received from Netgalley.

This is a novella, so the story is short, with little backstory and filler. It's is fast paced, with guns, murder, blackmail, sexy strangers, and Demi being framed by corrupt cops for the murder of one of their own. Her only hope is the sexy and very untrustworthy Jack who turns up in the most unexpected places, and has her soon wondering what it would be like to have him undressed and in her bed! (yes, she and we get to find out!).

As I pointed out it's a novella, so if you're looking for exposition and purpose, it's not going to be the book for you.

However, if you want a fast read (say on the commute home), with a fast romance, then this is the book for you!… (plus d'informations)

Demi Shepherd breaks hearts for a living—and she learned long ago that love just isn’t worth the pain. But when one of her clients ends up dead, Demi is going to have to put her heart on the line to save her own life.

A professional breakup artist, Demi is hired to end other people’s romances. When one of her clients is murdered—with Demi’s fingerprints on the murder weapon—her only hope for clearing her name and finding out who framed her is Jack Austin, a world-weary hunk who’d just as soon let her rot in jail.

Jack is a hard-bitten undercover agent, driven to expose and bring down a money-laundering organization, and he’s not willing to risk his life or career for Demi. Until Demi proves she’s innocent of the crime—but far from innocent in the bedroom.

With cops and killers on their trail and a smoldering romance ready to ignite, Jack and Demi have to fight together to save their lives, as well as their damaged hearts



Received from Netgalley.

This is a novella, so the story is short, with little backstory and filler. It's is fast paced, with guns, murder, blackmail, sexy strangers, and Demi being framed by corrupt cops for the murder of one of their own. Her only hope is the sexy and very untrustworthy Jack who turns up in the most unexpected places, and has her soon wondering what it would be like to have him undressed and in her bed! (yes, she and we get to find out!).

As I pointed out it's a novella, so if you're looking for exposition and purpose, it's not going to be the book for you.

However, if you want a fast read (say on the commute home), with a fast romance, then this is the book for you!… (plus d'informations)