This is the first book in Kaylea Cross’ romantic suspense series, but I read it out of order. It is a little different to those that follow it - which are military romance - but it is one amazing story.

Christa is a talented softball player who has noticed a man following her, watching her play, even calling out to her and hanging around her car. Former US Marine Rayne is now an ERT officer, and is a friend of friends. The two have known each other for a couple of years, but just as their relationship begins the stalker’s behaviour escalates rapidly, and terrible things start to happen.

I like the balance Cross has in her romantic suspense stories. There’s the perfect amount of action, romance, family and friends. The suspense is never just glossed over - if something’s creepy or disturbing it’s going to be that way. The ugly stuff isn’t just there to make the hero look tough when he comes to the rescue!

Something else I like is that the characters are not stupid. If they end up in danger it’s for a reason - people aren’t running around doing idiotic things simply to move the plot in the right direction. Christa was smart and interesting, and Rayne was such a wonderful, wonderful hero. Every time I think I’ve found the perfect man in this series another one turns up!

I really would have liked to read this book before the later books in the series. Each book absolutely, definitely stands up on its own, but you get a deeper understanding of characters and situations by reading in order (duh).

Much of this book takes place in and around Vancouver, while the next two - Cover of Darkness and No Turning Back are in the Middle East. The fourth book - Relentless - returns to Vancouver. We meet people from the Navy, the Army, the CIA. The characters are all connected, the stories leading one into the other. Put together they are a great, dark adventure - and the story isn’t finished yet. This really is a fantastic series, incorporating many different kinds of romantic suspense. It’s always taking me by surprise - I love it. ( )