Rachel Lee (1)Besprekingen

Romance

Romance

Adversity

I've been a long-time fan of the Conard County series but only started reading them once I was further into the series. I liked getting my hands on the book that began it all. The story quickly drew me in with gripping suspense and emotional turmoil.

Ransom escaped from four years in a forced labor camp, then spent several months in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Looking for somewhere to finish his recuperation sent him to his friend, Nate, who lives in rural Wyoming. In addition to the wide-open spaces Ransom craves, Nate recommends him for a ranch hand position. He never expected to find a woman whose soul spoke to his.

Mandy became something of a recluse after the death of her husband four years earlier and the latest of many losses. She's afraid of caring for someone only to lose again. She immerses herself in the books she writes about warriors and princesses. Ransom's arrival creates cracks in the walls she's built around her heart.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Ransom and Mandy. Ransom touched me from the start. He is scarred, inside and out, by his experiences, but he wants this chance at a new life. After many years of subduing his emotions, allowing himself to feel again is difficult. He has a hard time believing anyone could care for him. Mandy is drawn to the wounded warrior in ways she's never felt before. As they spent more time together and grew closer, each had to face their fears before looking to a future together.

Mandy and Ransom spend a lot of time inside their own heads. When danger threatens, Ransom's protectiveness insists that she would be better off without him. Mandy pulls back every time her relationship with Ransom moves a little forward, terrified of risking her heart. There were times when I wanted to shake her for how she treated him. There's an emotional scene where he calls her out on it but disregards his own actions. It takes some in-depth self-examination, brought on by extreme danger, to open their eyes to the truth.

The suspense of the story was excellent. It began in the prologue with someone watching Ransom in his hospital bed, thinking about how easy it would be to kill him then. But they want to make him suffer first. When unexplained incidents happen to Ransom and Mandy, he is initially reluctant to believe someone is after him. After all, he's been inactive as an agent for years, and very few people even know he's alive. But his instincts tell him he's the target and he needs to protect Mandy. Though I figured out who the killer was pretty early, I was fully invested in seeing how it turned out. The final confrontation kept me glued to the pages as Ransom used his abilities to get to Mandy before it was too late.

This book was published in 1992, so some things are a little dated. One more noticeable was the realization that when Ransom, Nate, and Micah spoke of the war they fought, they were referring to Vietnam. There are no cell phones for quick communication, and the computer Mandy uses for writing her books uses disks. But those were all minor considerations in my enjoyment of the story.

I really enjoyed this clean, love-inspired, romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given this a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers. Parts of this seemed to move a little slower but there was more sneaking around by the bad guys instead of violence. But there is definitely are bad guys. A little bit of fun with big eaters½

Very good book that captured my attention and kept me hooked. It opened with a prologue detailing a war crimes trial for a Marine who went too far in carrying out his duties. It's hard to face when one of your brothers-in-arms does something so heinous, and it's even harder when the person in question doesn't believe he did anything wrong.

Jax returned to his hometown for his best friend Adam's wedding (Mistaken Identity). The night of the wedding, the motel he's staying in catches fire and burns to the ground. The person in the room next to him doesn't survive. After interviewing Jax, Sheriff Dalton requests that Jax remain in town and sets him up in Lynn's boarding house. Jax knows that the "request" is merely a formality - leaving town is not an option until the investigation is complete.

Lynn has been a widow since the death of her soldier husband two years earlier. She has buried her grief in renovating the house he left her, turning it into a boarding house. She has three college student boarders she calls "her boys." She's happy to take in Jax, who she remembers from their school days. Neither of them expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them, and both try to ignore them. Jax will be taking up a new post in a short time, and Lynn isn't interested in a relationship, especially with another military man.

Things start to go a little south when Jax receives a phone call from the prosecutor at the war crimes trial. Two of the five jurors have died mysteriously, and he warns Jax to be alert. Complicating matters, Lynn's brother-in-law is making a pest of himself after losing his lawsuit to claim half of Lynn's house. Luke's attitude arouses Jax's protective instincts. He also must fight off the advances of Madge, a woman he has no interest in.

Life in Lynn's boarding house becomes even more interesting when her mother, Nancy, shows up for a visit. She and Lynn are like oil and water and frequently butt heads. Nancy frustrates Lynn with her heavy-handed attempts at matchmaking between Lynn and Jax, though Jax finds her endlessly amusing.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lynn and Jax. He is used to being busy, so he volunteers to help Lynn with the renovations. An easy friendship develops as they work together, but those sparks are never far from the surface. Lynn experiences some guilt over those sparks, feeling as though she is being unfaithful to Matt. Jax's experience with his parents' marriage has left him wary of relationships. When the fire investigation clears him, he's free to go, but he can't bring himself to leave with everything going on. There are some sweet scenes of them together, from working on the house to sharing their pasts. But when danger comes to Jax, Lynn panics and pushes him away. It takes some honest self-reflection to see that she's ready to love again.

The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. We have the possible threat to Jax's life, Luke's determination to get Lynn's house for himself, and Madge's determination to get Jax for herself. Neither Madge nor Luke are the brightest, and when they team up, the results are less than spectacular. One of Lynn's boys plays a big part in stopping one attempt (I loved seeing him with Miss Emma!). Meanwhile, Luke becomes the unwitting dupe of Jax's stalker.

The threat against Jax is very real. We get frequent looks from the stalker's point of view, keeping the reader on edge as we see the dangers that Jax doesn't. The tension ramps up as they become increasingly desperate to complete their "mission." There was one point where I was sure Jax would figure it out, but the clue was just out of his reach (it's the walk, Jax, the walk!). The final confrontation was terrific, as the stalker was no match for Jax's strength and reflexes.

The secondary characters were plentiful and well done. Lynn's mother, Nancy, was a trip. Many of her actions and comments were cringeworthy, but she has a good heart. I liked her joy of cooking for others and could see that was one of her ways of showing she cared. I loved the three college guys, who were good kids and thoughtful of Lynn. It was fun to see the dynamics change throughout the book. Maude of Maude's diner was her usual grumpy self but still shows as one of the hearts of Conard. Characters from other books make appearances, and I am always happy to see where they are in their lives.

Good slow-burn romance mixed with suspense. Her husband John and Grace bought a ranch and started sheep farming. Then John died, and Grace was left trying to do it alone. Mired in grief, Grace pulled in on herself, refusing help from anyone and determined to do it all. She quickly discovered that it was too much for one person to do and sold her flock to the neighboring rancher, Mitch, and leased him her land. When strange things started happening on her ranch, she turned to Mitch for help.

Mitch had been friends with Grace and John since they bought their ranch and frequently visited them. He was a successful rancher and always available for help or advice. He never let on that his feelings for Grace were far from neighborly, burying them deep because of her obvious love for her husband. When John died, Mitch worried about her but gave her the space she needed to grieve. When the trouble started, Mitch's protectiveness ramped up too.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Grace and Mitch. His understanding of her grief and patience as she worked through it was stellar. I felt for Grace and her unhappiness and was happy to see that some people didn't give up on her. After two years, there were signs that she might be ready to rejoin the living. The horseback riding around the ranch together was great, and I laughed a little to see Grace's shock when she started noticing Mitch as a man. Just as that happened, the trouble on her ranch started. I loved Mitch's determination to protect Grace. He didn't have an easy time convincing her to let him help. Grace's independent streak ran deep, and it took some blunt speech from Mitch to realize that accepting help wasn't always about her.

It became a moot point when she was injured during the fire at her ranch, and Mitch took her home with him. I loved watching them get to know each other. Mitch's happiness at having her there was evident. Grace had a slower time letting go of her grief, but the closer she got to Mitch, the more she realized she was ready to move on. But both were hesitant to declare their feelings, unsure of how the other one felt. It took nearly losing each other to break through their fears and admit their love. I loved the last scene in the book, which was very true to their personalities, and looked promising for their future. I would have liked an epilogue to catch up with them later. Maybe they'll appear in a later book.

The suspense was good and kept me turning the pages. The two stooges doing the dirty work weren't the brightest crayons in the box, but their methods were effective in causing trouble. We learn early on that the perp wants Grace off her property and is determined to chase her off. Mitch and Grace suspect an industrial ranching conglomerate of trying to force the sale. I liked the instincts that had Mitch, Grace, and the others suspecting that there was something off about the ewe's shooting. The tension ramped up when the barn burned, and everyone was on edge, waiting to see what would happen next. The final confrontation was intense, and I was glued to the pages until it was all over. Though I figured out the perp long before the reveal, it didn't reduce my enjoyment of the story. However, I thought the perp's motivation was pretty lame, and their actions were as poorly thought out as those of the flunkies.

There were a couple of editing/continuity errors that irritated me, but I've seen enough authors comment that typos happen no matter how many people read it through that I try to ignore them.

I enjoyed this intriguing romance. I bought this at a local store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given it a 4.5* rating and it is not for the under 18 readers. I had time reading about the sexual encounters with the Parsen. This was beyond me preferring clean reads. It was a pull you in quick and wanting to turn the pages type read. It has a lot of action and a really love to hate bad guy who thinks he is so smart. It also had a nice Christmas theme to leave you with a good feeling.½

I've been a Conard County fan for a long time but missed out on the earliest books in the series, and I am now trying to remedy that situation. One of the things I love about these early books is getting to know the stories of the men and women who have become integral to life in Conard County. One of these couples is the team of Gideon and Sara Ironheart.

Written almost thirty years ago, there are terms and themes in the book that wouldn't be used today. The words Indian, injun, and redskin are commonly utilized but, taken in context, did not distract from the story. Discussion of prejudice is not shied away from nor the ramifications of interracial marriage. There is also some referencing of attitudes about Native religions and their suppression. Overall, I feel the story has held up well over the years.

The book opens as Gideon arrives in Conard County. He is a former steel walker, one of the men who build skyscrapers. After the tragic death of his partner, Gideon has felt lost. He came to Conard County on a quest to find a man named Micah Parrish, though we don't find out why until later in the book. Gideon's first stop is a local bar where he hopes to get dinner before finding a place to stay. Unfortunately, as soon as he walks in, he is faced with those who look down on him and told to get out. Gideon, who is a big man, simply turns his back on the haters. The loudest one immediately attacks Gideon, and the brawl is on. As the bartender calls the cops, the fight moves outside, and Gideon takes on all comers. He's on his third one when Deputy Sara Yates arrives to break it up. Sara has a lot of attitude for a small woman, and pretty soon, it's just her and Gideon left. I liked her no-nonsense attitude and willingness to help Gideon.

Sara became a deputy to help pay the bills to keep the family ranch going. She built up her tough outer shell after being left at the altar by her fiancé, who blamed her publicly for his unwillingness to marry her. It devastated her self-esteem; she hadn't been able to trust a man since then. She shares the ranch with her grandfather Zeke and her younger brother Joey. Joey has been in constant trouble for a couple of years, and Sara is at her wit's end dealing with him.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Sara and Gideon. The attraction is immediate, but they initially try to fight it. Sara has sworn off men and knows Gideon doesn't plan to stay long. Gideon has avoided getting involved with white women since a manipulative woman burned him as a young man. But when Gideon takes a job on Sara's ranch, working with her grandfather and living in the bunkhouse, that attraction grows stronger. Gideon is a man with excellent observation skills, and he quickly understands that Sara doesn't see her own appeal. I loved watching him bring Sara out of her shell. Gideon is surprised by his growing feelings for Sara and unsure of what to do about them.

Away from her work as a deputy, Sara loses some of the tough girl façade. Her love for her family is evident, and her worry over Joey is never far from her mind. She is also more sensitive and empathetic than she realizes. I loved seeing her get to know Gideon and help him through his feelings over his friend's death. I also liked how she opened up about her jilting and its effect on her. Seeing how Gideon's attention helped change how she saw herself was sweet. Their building attraction puts a strain on their self-control, especially Gideon's. When they finally gave in, it changed them both.

Two mysteries are running through the book. The first is Gideon's interest in Micah. We see Gideon observing him from a distance at first, then closer as Micah's deputy duties bring him in contact with Gideon. Gideon is torn over whether to reveal his secret or keep it to himself. It was interesting that Zeke finally pushed Gideon to take action. In an unexpected twist, Micah was already aware of the issue, and I liked his honest explanation. There was some angst between Gideon and Sara because of it, but it was overcome relatively quickly.

The second mystery involved Joey and what was causing his bad behavior. There were unexplained attacks on Zeke and Gideon and Gideon's suspicion that it had something to do with Joey. I liked the interactions between Joey and Gideon, who saw much of himself in Joey. There are some tense moments at the end when Joey goes missing, and I was on the edge of my seat until Gideon and Sara found him.

I loved the ending and seeing Gideon and Sara overcome their pasts to find a life together.

review to come

Good combination of suspense and romance. Jazz came to Conard from Miami to look after her teenage niece while Jazz's twin sister, Lily, was away on a business trip. Jazz and Iris have a good relationship, with some lighthearted teasing from Iris about Jazz "smothering" her and Jazz teasing right back. Because it's such a hassle, Jazz rarely corrects anyone when they call her Lily. Jazz gets that "I'm being watched" feeling as the book opens but chalks it up to regular people watching. She and Iris receive a visit from Adam and Sheba, Lily's neighbors across the street. Adam is a former soldier and tells Jazz to trust her instincts.

There are sparks of attraction between Jazz and Adam, but both try to ignore them. Jazz will be going home once Lily returns, so she doesn't want to get involved with anyone. Adam has PTSD and, having seen what it's done to friends' relationships, plans to avoid them altogether. When strange and unsettling gifts show up on the doorstep, followed by threatening letters, Adam steps in and moves in to keep Jazz and Iris safe. I enjoyed seeing the progress of their relationship. Adam and Jazz spend a lot of time together, giving them a chance to get to know one another. Adam does a terrific job of making Jazz feel secure. I liked the domestic scenes they shared, especially the cooking, as keeping busy seemed to make it easier to talk. As the threats intensified, their connection deepened as they worked together to protect Iris and find the stalker before Lily returned home.

As she gets to know him better, Jazz senses that Adam is troubled though he doesn't talk about it. He's haunted by what he's seen and done but only shares with his fellow vets. I loved seeing him begin to trust Jazz enough to share a little of that with her. Adam's biggest fear is Jazz's reaction if she were to witness one of his episodes. When the trouble with the stalker forces Adam to resurrect his old skills, he later withdraws into himself, thinking she would be disgusted. Jazz won my heart when she wouldn't let him hide for long. The scene at his house at the end was terrific. I ached for Adam and his vulnerability and loved how Jazz broke got through to him.

The suspense of the story was good. It was a slow build as the stalker played with Jazz (who he thought was Lily). With a good number of pages devoted to the stalker's viewpoint, we have an inside track of his motivations and intentions. Once Jazz thought about it, she had a good idea of who the stalker was. The tension built as they waited for his next move. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Jazz headed off alone (she thought) to face him. I loved watching Adam do his thing to protect her, leading to a very satisfying conclusion to the stalker problem.

A few words about Iris: she was a great character. There is just enough temperamental teen to feel natural and a good foil for her aunt's care. I laughed out loud at her attempts to get a puppy and her remarks about Jazz's cooking. I ached for her with the drama with her boyfriend and loved how Adam and Jazz helped her through it.

Good book. This one is a little different than most Conard County books in that our hero and heroine didn't start there. Allie is an accountant in California, working for a large international company. When she found a mistake, she brought it to the attention of CEO Jasper Ellis; he told her not to tell anyone about it, and that "bad things can happen." She thinks nothing of it until she tells her dad's old friend Max about it. Max is a detective whose department has been investigating Ellis for years, and he immediately tells Allie she is in danger and needs a bodyguard. Allie takes a lot of convincing, but she eventually agrees.

Hale is a former Marine who now owns his own security company. He and Max are good friends, so he comes immediately when Max calls him. Hale is a tall man with an intimidating air. As soon as he knows who Allie is up against, he knows he has his work cut out. He's adamant about taking Allie and going on the run until he "can take care of the threat." Allie is horrified by Hale's rules but knows she has no choice.

I ached for Allie, who was way out of her depth. Hale is the only thing standing between her and an assassin's bullet. While she's afraid, it doesn't stop her from trying to stand up to Hale and his demands. I felt bad for Hale because he kept having to remind her of the trouble she was in.

The suspense built over the next few days as Hale and Allie stayed on the move. He has a second-in-command who works with him, keeping Hale informed via coded conversations. Hale's frustration grows when he can't seem to shake some of their followers. He worries about a mole in his company, undiscovered tracking devices, and where the assassin is. Meanwhile, sparks of attraction grow between Hale and Allie. They do their best to resist, not needing the distraction, and there's no future in it. Max's life hasn't lent itself to believing in love, and Allie isn't the type for a fling. There are several emotional scenes when they talk about their pasts.

It isn't long before Allie starts getting under Hale's skin. Besides his care to keep her safe, there are some sweet scenes where he does little things to make her more comfortable. When Hale decides it's time to change tactics, they hole up in a small Wyoming town for a few extra hours. Allie decides she's reached her limit and tells Hale she isn't leaving. It's almost Christmas, and the small town's celebrations call to her. I loved this look at Conard City from an outsider's perspective. I liked seeing past characters as Allie made friends and her joy in approaching something normal. On the other hand, Hale's frustration with her stubbornness was understandable, and his fears for her safety were more than job-related.

The tension ramped up as the bad guys closed in. A not-so-chance encounter with Sheriff Gage Dalton eventually led to a closer conversation. I loved Allie's determination to take a stand and how she dragged Hale along with her. I could feel Hale's pride in her strength and his fear for her safety. The final confrontation was terrific. I loved seeing some familiar faces lend a hand and stayed glued to the pages until it was all over. The epilogue was excellent, with a wrap-up of the suspense. I also loved the Christmas present Hale gave Allie and the declaration that went with it.

Good book, mostly a mental suspense story, concluding with an excellent physical confrontation. Hillary is a Norwegian special ops soldier who came to Conard County to pay her respects to Brigid, a good friend who died in action. While at Brigid's grave, she noticed a man standing at Brigid's husband's grave. Trace grew up with Brigid and Allan, and they were all best friends. He refuses to believe that Allan committed suicide over Brigid's death and believes that Allan was murdered.

I liked the first meeting between Hillary and Trace. They recognize each other for what they are: the best of the best. Therefore, it is no surprise that Hillary understands Trace's concerns when he explains them to her. Hillary feels that the best way to honor Brigid is to help Trace uncover the truth, but it won't be easy. Allan may have left Trace all of his passwords in his will, but his files were a disorganized mess. Brigid's handwritten letters were the same. But as Hillary and Trace read through them, it became evident that Brigid stumbled on something dangerous. I could feel Trace and Hillary's frustration as they tried to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I could also feel their relief and concern when they found something that led them in the right direction.

It didn't help that both Trace and Hillary felt that they were being watched. In this book, we also get the viewpoint of the person watching them, who is also the one behind Allan's death. Following his thoughts and actions showed that Trace and Hillary found something that went far deeper than expected. It was also evident that he felt in over his head but had no way out. The more fearful he became of discovery, the greater the danger to Trace and Hillary. The final confrontation was terrific, with fantastic teamwork and a well-done resolution.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Trace and Hillary. They connected quickly thanks to their similar careers. I loved watching them together, from their long-distance running to their meals at Maude's diner to searching for the truth. I loved how neither beat around the bush when it came to feelings and desires. Their attraction grew quickly even though neither believed there was any future in it. One of the greatest things was Trace's respect for Hillary, both professionally and personally. I especially liked that he could be protective while still believing in her ability to take care of herself. As they spent more time together, Trace and Hillary realized that what they felt was more than casual but didn't know what they could do about it. I loved how the danger they experienced showed them what was important. The ending was terrific.

Good series romantic suspense. I just wanted more of something -- either more romance, which was pretty quick and not much part of the book, or more action. The ending was very unsatisfying since the individual(s) leading the conspiracy were never identified.½

I've always like Rachel Lee as a writer and this book was a good one. A little too much repetition on some things (Kerri's problems) keep this from a 4 star rating but I did like how she handled disability issues. I thought it would have rounded out the book more if we heard a little more about Stu's problems but with a series romance you only get so many pages.½

Terrific book that grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me hooked right to the end. It isn't just fantastic romantic suspense; it is also an emotional look at Kerri's struggles with her disability. Kerri lost her career as a cop when an on-the-job injury left her with seizures. Determined to break out of the spiral of self-pity, she left her home in Florida to take a job teaching criminal justice at Conard County's community college. Adjusting is more challenging than she expected, from losing full independence to a dread of relationships. But she is one determined woman.

The story opened with a peek at the rapist, then jumps back two weeks to Kerri and Stuart's first meeting. Kerri's request to the sheriff's department for a guest speaker for her class netted her Sergeant Stuart Canady. There is an immediate connection between them, bonding over police work stories and something else neither wants to identify. I loved how easily they became friends. Because of the nature of her seizures, Kerri tells Stuart about them early on, fully expecting him to pull away. Instead, he expresses his admiration for her strength and resilience.

I loved watching the relationship between Kerri and Stuart develop. Initially, it is merely friendship - dinners at Maude's, walking Snowy, Kerri's service dog, and getting the Florida native ready for a Wyoming winter. But along the way, things start to change. I loved watching them grow closer, though Kerri did her best to resist it. Her greatest fear is that of becoming a burden. I ached to see her continually apologizing for her "zone outs" and her inability to do certain things. I loved Stuart's patience and understanding and his determination to make her see that her disability didn't need to define her. Stuart, a former MP, has some issues of his own, so he understands her fears.

When the first rape occurs, Kerri's feelings of frustration hit a new level. In her old job, she was a victims advocate and used to being in the thick of things. After the second one, she found herself inadvertently involved, much to Stuart's dismay. He worried about her safety, while the feeling of being useful again worked wonders on Kerri's self-confidence. I loved seeing the changes in her outlook and the difference those changes made in her relationship with Stuart. But when his fears come to pass, Stuart must find a way to get past Kerri's inhibitions and convince her that his love is there to stay. I loved the ending.

The suspense of the story was great. From the first glimpse into the rapist's mind to his capture at the end, the tension was incredible. I could feel law enforcement's frustration at the lack of leads to follow and his glee at using what he'd learned in his classes against them. The rapid escalation of his activities heightened the tension, and the fear that gripped the town was palpable. Seeing the rapist track Kerri's work with the victims was nerve-wracking because he made it clear what his plans were. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages until it was all over.

One of the things I liked about this book was the look at the day-to-day struggles of life with a disability. It's different for everyone, but the frustrations are real. Having the kind of support Kerri has with Stuart is vital.

#netgalley

Romantic suspense story involving three kidnapped teenage girls. This enjoyable read kept my interest and had two likable lead characters. Allan was an animal control officer who really cared about the animals he watched out for. I liked how he went out of his way searching for stray or missing animals who might get caught up in bad weather conditions. Kelly’s a K-9 officer who’s really letting this case get to her, and she’s got a wonderful canine partner in her dog, Bugle. There was good suspense concerning the search for the missing teens, especially as weather conditions continued to get more brutally cold with an impending snowstorm on the way. An entertaining read.

Good book. It opens in the past with the murderer(s) before they have started killing. The premise behind it is more than a little disturbing, especially the way it evolved. After the prologue, the book moves to the present day, when Blaire hears a gunshot in the night. As a park ranger, it is her job to investigate. At the same time, Gus was out for a late-night ride, brought on by an uneasy feeling. He was partway to Blaire's cabin when he, too, heard the shot, so he joined Blaire. What they found was deeply disturbing. A man was murdered inside his tent while he was sleeping, with his young son in the tent with him.

I liked both Blaire and Gus. Both of them are veterans, and each struggles with PTSD. Their work as rangers suits them perfectly, as it keeps them mostly out of crowds, and lets them spend time in the outdoors. Both have good relationships with their coworkers.

I liked the development of the relationship between Blaire and Gus. They've known each other for a couple of years, as their park jurisdictions are adjacent. They bonded over their time in the military, often meeting for coffee. On occasion, one or the other will share something that happened in the past or something that is bothering them. Sometimes they just talk about their day, or sit and enjoy the quiet. What neither mentions to the other is the growing attraction they feel, fearing that giving voice to it will affect their friendship. But with the murder, Gus can no longer deny the protectiveness he feels toward Blaire. What I really liked about him was that, even though he felt protective, he never doubted Blaire's ability to take care of herself. Though Blaire was confident in herself, she couldn't deny that it was comforting to have Gus nearby. The more time that they spent together investigating the murder, the stronger that the attraction between them grew. I loved that first kiss and seeing the passion between them explode. One of my favorite things is that they both knew the value of communication and honesty between them. They were also aware of each other's problems and knew how to support each other. I loved the ending, as nearly losing each other made them realize what they wanted from the future. The last scene was sweet as they discovered they had friends and found love and a new way of life.

Both Blaire and Gus suspected that the murder was more than a random event. Thanks to their time in the military, they saw the potential that it was a highly planned event. Those feelings deepened when they heard rumors that there had been other seemingly random murders over the last several years, all at parks. At the same time they tried to put the pieces together, the reader also got the point of view from the other side. Two of the men were clearly psychopaths, and their words and actions were definitely creepy. As for the third man, I wouldn't go so far as to call him a victim of circumstances, but he got caught up in something he didn't know how to get out of. His redeeming feature was the heavy dose of guilt that he felt, which I thought affected his later actions.

Sweet romance between two people whose pasts keep them from moving forward. Vanessa and her family left Conard County when she was a child after her father lost his money and his ranch to a scamming friend. That same friend also scammed many of the other townspeople, leaving her dad feeling responsible that they had followed his lead. Those feelings of guilt haunted her father and destroyed his will to live. His attitude also affected Vanessa and her view of the town; she never wanted to go back and face the expected scorn. Then she inherited a house from the man who caused all the trouble.

Tim was a local contractor who was hired to inspect the house and make the repairs necessary before the house was listed for sale. He is a widower with a young son and still grieves the loss of his wife.

I liked Tim. He's an all-around nice guy who was sensitive to Vanessa's feelings about being back in Wyoming. He is a terrific father to Matthew. Some wonderfully realistic scenes between the two of them reminded me of my own kids when they were young. I liked Vanessa, too. She had survived a rough childhood brought about by her parents' inability to deal with what had happened to them. She was buttoned up emotionally at the beginning but went through some pretty significant changes by the end.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Tim and Vanessa. There were sparks between them from the beginning though they tried to ignore them. Vanessa had no intention of staying long enough to get involved, and Tim wasn't sure about risking his heart again. Tim was protective of Vanessa from the moment he met her. I liked the way that he invited her to stay with him so that she wouldn't be alone or in a sketchy motel during the blizzard. He wasn't sure why he felt that way but was willing to go with it. I liked how he encouraged her to open up about her feelings regarding the house and her fears about encountering people affected by the scam, and how he helped her face those feelings. He got her involved in working on the house which enabled her to resolve some of her feelings about it and its previous owner. He didn't expect her to wiggle her way past the walls around his heart. I loved how the time spent with her helped him move past the grief and to see that he was ready to move on with his life. Vanessa had some deeper issues to resolve. Thanks to her childhood, she had learned to keep her emotions locked up, though she hadn't realized that was what she did. The time spent with Tim and Matthew made her realize that she had been hiding for most of her life. Her journey of self-discovery was sometimes painful to see, and it occasionally created some awkwardness between her and Tim. I liked Tim's patience as she worked through those feelings. The ending was sweet as they pursued their growing connection, though I am a little confused as to their future path. Hopefully, they'll make appearances in later books so I can see how it turns out.

While I enjoyed this book a lot, I find that I prefer the Conard County books from the suspense line more. There seems to be more intensity to both the stories and the relationships. However, it won't stop me from reading all of the Conard County books.

A sweet little romance. Vanessa returns to her home town after inheriting a house. She meets widower Tim and his adorable son Matt. Vanessa faces her feelings about her past and how it affected her life. Everyone gets to live happily ever after.

Love the Conrad County series and Miss Emmaline and her Archangel....

Firstly, despite being named The Crimson Code, there is no crimson code in the entire novel, there's a crimson codex however I guess the publisher felt codex lacked pizzazz so they went for code like Da Vinci Code.

Why do I mention that? As this entire book seems like a poorly written low budget Da Vinci Code rip off, so I was not exactly surprised to find that Mira Books is in fact an imprint of Harlequin Books aka the cheesy romance publisher. Nor was I surprised to note Rachel Lee's main forte is romance novels.

There's a few problems with this story, the main one of which is that really it's just not that interesting - there's a big terrorist attack then a super secret UN team do a really budget break in to steal information at a bank which has less security than a shopping centre, but magically they have high level encryption which takes the super secret UN team wizards weeks to crack which leds to a rather bland troop through Europe for the backers of the terrorists. The ending is pretty much just forward selling to get you to buy the next one in the series.

If it were the only book in a newsagent before you had a long flight, it would fill in your time but beyond that it's not worth your time.½

Good book. Desi is the senior game warden in the Conard County area. There has been a growing problem with poachers and trophy hunters, with the latest being the death of a bighorn sheep. After months of reporting incidents, Desi receives help from an undercover investigator. Kel has been sent to pose as a hunting guide to draw out members of the poachers ring operating in the area. Neither expects the instant attraction that flares between them.

I liked both Desi and Kel. Desi is a woman who has worked hard to earn her place. She is liked and respected by those she works with and the people around her. This is evident in the interactions we see, including some interesting encounters with hunters. But she is also haunted by things in her past that prevent her from trusting people or allowing them to get too close. Kel is a former army ranger who works with the investigative unit. He is smart and intuitive, and as determined as Desi to stop the poachers. His past has also made him a bit of a loner, reluctant to let anyone close.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. It started out strictly business, with them working together to figure out the poaching situation. Both Desi and Kel try to keep their attraction under control while still getting to know each other. As part of his cover, Kel had been instructed to make it look like he is cozying up to the warden, but the cover story he comes up with brings up some bad memories for Desi. I ached for her because she knew she wasn't fair to him, but she couldn't help it. I also hurt for Kel, because he already liked her and didn't know what had happened. I loved that he had the patience and sensitivity to wait until she was able to talk to him. Desi also can understand some of what Kel suffers during a hunting emergency. I loved seeing how their growing feelings helped them both heal from their pasts and how danger enabled them to see what they meant to each other. Their confessions at the end were pretty sweet.

The suspense of the story was more mental than action for most of the book. Kel believes that his mission is pretty straightforward - pose as an illegal outfitter and try to flush out the poachers. But the more time that he and Desi spend together trying to track down clues, the more they become suspicious that things are not what they seem. Some glimpses of the bad guys' viewpoints prove that their suspicions are correct, but Desi and Kel are working blind. It is obvious to them that they no longer know who they can trust, which adds to the danger they are in. The final confrontation was an exciting bit of action. I especially loved Desi's cool head and nerves of steel. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the resolution, as some things were left hanging, but it was probably more realistic than having everything wrapped up neatly.

Fantastic book. I loved the realism of the battles that Zane was fighting, and the depth of emotion as both he and Ashley find their way to each other with the help of a furry matchmaker. Zane had grown up in Conard City but left to join the Navy after graduating from high school. Now he has returned, looking for a place where he can be alone and not inflict his problems on anyone else. The first night he is there he receives a visit for next door neighbor Ashley, welcoming him home with a freshly baked pie. He's not particularly welcoming, making no secret of his preference for solitude.

I ached for Zane, who feels broken because of both his physical disability and the PTSD that sends him into a past he'd rather forget. He feels like his only option is to avoid being around people. His service dog, Nell, is the only one that he trusts himself to be around. Thanks to his self-imposed isolation, he's out of the habit of talking to people, and his initial conversations with Ashley are rather abrupt. He knows he's coming across as a real grump, but doesn't quite know how to fix it.

Ashley is a fourth-grade teacher who has pretty much written off men. She's an independent woman, and previous relationships haven't worked out because she isn't the type to give up her own career and goals just to keep a man happy. She's content with her job and her friends.

I loved the development of their relationship. Ashley is a friendly and caring woman which is what sends her to Zane's to start with. She also has no trouble standing up for herself and lets Zane know when he crosses a line with her. I liked seeing him own up to his rudeness and apologize when it's warranted. I loved the fact that Ashley doesn't treat him with kid gloves. Zane tries to keep her at a distance, but Nell has decided that he needs company and takes it upon herself to bring the two of them together. Though Zane keeps insisting he wants to be alone, he finds himself looking forward to Ashley's visits. I especially enjoyed her attempts to get Zane out of his hermit mindset. She's not always subtle about it, and she backs off when he resists. What surprises him most is that what she says tends to stick with him and he can't just ignore her. Beneath it all is a simmering attraction that both try to resist. Ashley resists because he's made it clear he doesn't want it, and Zane because he believes he's too broken to let anyone take a risk on him. I really liked how they first built a friendship. Zane finds it very easy to talk to her, and she is a fantastic listener. I loved seeing how her influence helps him start getting out and about. It was fun to see his surprise at how easily he gives in to her suggestions. I love her matter of fact way of dealing with various crises and how she tried to make him see that it was okay to ask for help now and then. She also doesn't smother him with help that he doesn't need. The ending was sweet and deeply emotional as Zane realizes that he doesn't have to be perfect to offer his heart to Ashley.

Nell was a huge part of Zane's story. She is his lifeline when he has an episode, as she can sense when they happen and can pull him out of the dark places that his mind can take him. I loved seeing what she could do, which only added to my respect for the people who train service dogs. Nell also has a mind of her own sometimes, and it was sweet the way that she played matchmaker.

I liked the way that the people of the town honored Zane's desire to be left alone. They let him know that they were glad he was there without overwhelming him with attention. I especially loved the scene in Maude's diner. I also liked how the town pulls together to help Mikey and how Zane's innate kindness comes out when Ashley suggests he get involved with helping Cadell (Cornered in Conard County) train a dog for the little boy. Though he worries about what may happen, he puts Mikey ahead of his own fears.

Very good book with terrific balance of romance and suspense. It opens with Dory as a child, witnessing the murder of her parents by her older brother. Twenty-five years later, she is a young woman who still suffers from the effects of what she saw. She works as a graphic artist, from her home, with little physical contact with others. She has one true friend, her high school English teacher. She avoids relationships, and trusts no one. When she hears that her brother is due to be released from prison, she flees her home in Kansas City and moves to Conard City, Wyoming, near her friend. Because of her fear, Betty suggests she gets a trained guard dog from Cadell.

Cadell is a part-time deputy sheriff and a fantastic dog trainer. He's happy to provide Dory with a dog who will help her feel safe. Intrigued by Dory, he can't help looking into the past that has her so fearful. Once he does, there's no way that he can simply leave her with the dog and walk away.

I loved the development of the relationship between Dory and Cadell. There are sparks of attraction from the start, but neither one welcomes them. Dory is too afraid to let anyone inside her walls. She has spent too many years keeping people away. Cadell was burned by marriage to a woman who turned out to be all wrong for him and destroyed his ability to trust his own judgement or to have a successful relationship. But Cadell's protective instincts are roused by what he learns about Dory's brother and the specifics of the murder. Though reluctant to let him get too close, Dory is spooked enough by her feelings of danger that she finds herself trusting Cadell as she has no other. I really liked the way that Cadell doesn't put down Dory's fears, instead letting her know that instincts can be more accurate than what the mind says. I also loved his understanding and patience with her reluctance to be around people. It was sweet to see how being around him brought her out of her shell. I also enjoyed how Dory was able to help him see that the failure of his marriage wasn't all his fault. I loved how she also worked her way past his defenses and he began to look at her as someone he wanted to keep in his life. There was a little insecurity on both their parts, as Cadell believes that Dory will leave once her brother is dealt with because there isn't much in Conard for someone like her. At the same time, Dory finds it hard to believe that Cadell could be truly interested in someone as broken as she is. I loved how, with the help of a pair of ostriches, they realized just how right for each other they were.

The suspense was really good. It was a slow build up to an exciting conclusion. Dory has her fears, which she tries to play down, but won't let go of her. She wants to believe that she is safe. Cadell believes that her fears are worth investigating, and the things that he discovers add to the feelings of impending trouble. At the same time, we also get the viewpoint of Dory's brother George. His laser-like focus on finding her and getting what he wants is definitely scary. The final confrontation was intense and exciting. It was quite satisfying to see that his plan didn't go quite as he intended, and that Dory had far more inner strength than he expected. I loved how it all ended.

I loved the animals in this story. The dog, Flash, was fantastic. His protectiveness was part of his training, but it was also easy to see how quickly he bonded with Dory. I loved what a huge effect he had on her life just by being part of it. Cadell's ostriches were a riot. I loved his descriptions of his relationship with them. I expected that they were in the story for a reason, and I was right, though I was a little off on how. I still loved their parts in the ending.