Cindi Myers

This was one of the most interesting and enthralling books I have read in quite a while. The book opens as Caleb is about to descend into a mine shaft to retrieve a skeleton recently discovered. Though a little creeped out at first, as a historian, Caleb soon finds himself wondering about the victim's story.

The story then switches to Danielle, a forensic reconstructionist in Denver. When she ends her relationship with the assistant district attorney she's been dating because of his reaction to her pregnancy, she also quits her job with the Denver coroner's office. Her mentor has invited her to visit him in Eagle Mountain. The last thing she expected was to be asked to help identify the Jane Doe from the mine. I was fascinated by Danielle's work as a forensic reconstructionist. I did not know the science and artistry behind giving a victim a face. Danielle clearly enjoys the challenge of her chosen occupation, in addition to being emotionally committed.

Like Danielle, Caleb has a failed relationship in his past. I ached for him and his feelings of shame over being taken in by a con artist. His backstory was heartbreaking, and I understood his reluctance to talk about it. When he learns that the bones belong to a young woman, he wonders if they could belong to the wife he hasn't seen in two years. He has a PI looking for her so he can serve her with divorce papers.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Danielle and Caleb develop. Neither is interested in anything more than friendship, as Danielle is wary of trusting her judgment, and Caleb is technically married. I liked watching them get to know each other as Danielle worked on the reconstruction and hung out together. It doesn't take long for trust to build between them or for sparks of attraction to appear. I liked how their similar relationship woes made understanding each other's issues easier and ultimately made them realize they were perfect for each other.

When Danielle's reconstruction was complete and the "face" was released to the public, it was interesting to see how many people thought she looked familiar, but no one could positively identify her. In the meantime, Danielle gets to know a neighbor woman who is also pregnant. I liked how she and Carissa bonded; they looked like they would become good friends.

A lot is going on in the story. Caleb's search for Nora turns up surprising results with a shocking resolution. Danielle finds her talents in demand and contemplates remaining in Eagle Mountain. She becomes worried about her friend Carissa, who she suspects is being abused by her husband. And the identity of the Jane Doe is on everyone's mind. I was glued to the pages as the pieces started to come together, but I did not expect what happened next. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

The epilogue was a great wrap-up to the book and detailing of what was in store for the various characters. I hope there will be more Eagle Mountain stories.

#ARC… (meer)

Terrific book that kept me hooked from start to finish. I've wondered about the SAR team member severely injured in the previous series and was very happy to see that this book was about him. Tony was hurt when his climbing rope was sabotaged, and he had severely broken legs. He spent months in rehab and physical therapy and is slowly regaining his strength and abilities. The slow pace frustrates him. Tony is a great guy but something of a loner. When he was sixteen, he was sent to live with his older brother because his parents weren't interested in being parents. This has affected Tony's interest in long-term relationships.

Kelsey came to Eagle Mountain to learn more about her older sister's death. Ten years younger than her sister, Liz, Kelsey didn't know her well, but her unsolved murder has weighed on her. Liz's death had a lasting impact on her family, and Kelsey grew up practically ignored by her parents, who never recovered from the tragedy. Kelsey has always kept a distance between herself and others because of it.

The first person Kelsey talked to about Liz was Tony. He was a classmate and worked with the SAR crew. Tony was the one who found Liz's body and has never forgotten anything about that day. I loved how Tony and Kelsey connected from the moment they met. With their similar childhoods with disconnected parents, it wasn't a surprise that their fast-growing feelings for each other filled a hole in their lives. There are a few bumps in the progress of their relationship, such as Tony's belief that he's too old for her. Kelsey also needs to learn to open her heart. I loved seeing them grow closer and open their hearts to each other.

The suspense of the story was terrific. I liked how helpful everyone was to Kelsey, from the sheriff letting her read the case file on Liz's death to Tony introducing her to people who knew Liz. I could feel her frustration as she ran into so many dead ends. When she and Tony were nearly run down by a truck, they realized that someone was disturbed by their investigation. As the book progressed, one person aroused my suspicion, and I wondered about the connection. I wanted to shake Kelsey when she went off to meet a mysterious informant by herself. The confrontation between her and the killer was heartbreaking and intense, with Kelsey in extreme danger. The resolution was fantastic and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

A side story involved Tony's twenty-year-old nephew, Chris, coming to stay with him. Chris initially came across as immature and irresponsible, but as he spent more time with Tony, he began to change. I loved the eye-opening experience that made him reassess his actions. I especially enjoyed Tony's reaction to Chris's decision about his future. There were several fun scenes involving Chris and Tony and the trials and tribulations of sharing Tony's house. I'd love to see Chris get his own story later.… (meer)

Terrific book. Anna and Lucas first met two years ago, on one of the worst days of Anna's life, as she watched her husband slowly dying of cancer. Lucas was there visiting his girlfriend, who was also dying. Lucas was surprised when he ran into her in Eagle Mountain, where he was filling in for another deputy.

Anna is a member of the Eagle Mountain Search and Rescue team, along with her dog Jacqui. They were called out to look for Dave, a missing bakery owner. I never considered a poodle a search dog, but Jacqui was fantastic at her job. She quickly found the missing man hanging from a tree in an apparent suicide. But something about the scene didn't sit right with Anna, who shared her suspicions with Lucas.

The suspense of this story kept me hooked from start to finish. Lucas takes their suspicions to the sheriff, who tasks Lucas with investigating. Anna's concern for Dave's wife, Sandy, also has her asking questions. The more questions they ask, the more confusing things become, as answers don't add up. Several twists kept me guessing as I bounced from one suspect to another. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with Anna in danger and the killer determined. The resolution was terrific, with an unexpected player saving the day.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Anna and Lucas develop. In addition to seeing each other again, they are surprised at the sparks of attraction they feel. Up until now, Anna's grief has kept her from moving forward, but her reaction to Lucas reminds her that she's still alive. I liked their first date, which had some realistically awkward moments as they dealt with their past connection. There are a few bumps in the road as they work to put their pasts behind them, but ultimately, love overcame them all.

I loved the scenes that took place in Anna's yarn shop. It's always easy to spot an author who participates in fiber arts because it comes through in their writing. The comment about a tricky knitting action and the satisfaction of mastering it resonates when you've experienced it yourself. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the various yarns, the effects of touching or "petting" them, and the stress relief of knitting. This gave Anna added depth and relatability.

#ARC… (meer)