Her Cowboy for the Holiday - Makenna Lee (HSE #3116 - Nov 2025)

Series: Cameron Family (Book 1)
 
Can a little holiday magic turn liars into lovers?
 
Victoria Cameron isn't looking for love -- she's too busy chasing adventure. Seeking an invite to a private art auction, Victoria doesn't hesitate to crash Cade Whitley's work event announcing herself as his girlfriend. When the "King of Dallas Nightlife" reluctantly goes along with her ruse, Victoria's intrigued. Besides, it's just a harmless fake date for one night.
 
Cade has no time for distractions, especially a carefree spirit like Victoria. But now their "date" has morphed into a Christmas weekend together to impress his boss. What starts as a charade becomes a weekend of undeniable chemistry -- which suddenly, uncharacteristically, has this cowboy dreaming of settling down. But Victoria still craves freedom and change. As the holidays approach, can what started as a fake date move from a weekend to remember into true love?
 
This was a fun fake relationship, opposites attract holiday story. Victoria is a free spirit who thrives on spontaneity and adventure. As the book opens, she's waiting for her next job, working on a riverboat in New Orleans, to begin. In the meantime, she wants to get into an exclusive art auction to get a look at her great-grandfather's journal, which is up for auction. She's investigating a family mystery. In an amusing scene, she latches onto a handsome stranger and announces herself as his date.
 
Cade is exactly the opposite of Victoria. After a childhood of upheaval, he is a planner, leaving nothing to chance. Victoria's sudden appearance intrigues him, as does her proposition. She wants access to the journal, which his boss purchases, and Cade needs to look like he's in a settled relationship to gain the promotion he wants.
 
One fake date turns into a holiday season-long ruse that quickly becomes more than they expected. As different as they are, they still have much in common. I loved watching them get to know each other. I laughed to see Victoria embrace some planning and watch Cade surprise her with something spontaneous. Sweet scenes, such as decorating Cade's apartment, show their growing closeness, while past fears and hurts make them reluctant to admit those feelings. The future looks promising until something happens that stirs up old fears and sends them retreating. I wanted to shake them both. I loved the ending and seeing Cade's boss playing fairy godfather (or Santa Claus).
 
I liked Victoria's family and look forward to reading their stories. I loved Cade's boss and his wife. Mr. Harper clearly liked Cade, and I enjoyed seeing how he encouraged him. I also liked how he connected with Victoria over the journal. The storyline of Mr. Harper's development plans was intriguing, and I adored the way it turned out. 

Desperate Justice - Bonnie Vanak (HI #2349 - Nov 2025)

His work is all that matters.
But one woman could change all that.
 
Rafael Rodriguez is determined to get his man. Especially after he narrowly escapes death on the hunt for drug kingpin Hector Hernandez. But as the FBI special agent inches closer to his prey, he didn't bargain on Allison Lexington. After infiltrating the Devil's Patrol, his onetime confidential informant's now on the straight and narrow. With her sister set to marry Hector's nephew, Allison topples headfirst into danger. Then her sister vanishes and the motorcycle-riding trauma nurse might be the one who needs saving. And Rafe's just the one to do it…
 
Fast-paced suspense with romance. The prologue starts the story with a bang, as FBI agent Rafe attempts to stop a drug lord, Hector Hernandez, and ends up shot, and two fellow agents are dead. A mysterious rescuer saves his life. Months later, Rafe is still determined to bring down Hector and will do whatever he can to accomplish his mission. Rafe's father was a police officer killed in the line of duty, and Rafe is driven by his need to avenge his father. Rafe's family, a boisterous Cuban-American group, worries about his safety and his lack of balance in life (meaning romance!). Their interactions on this subject are emotional and occasionally humorous.
 
Allie is a trauma nurse practitioner. She and Rafe have a history, stemming from her becoming a confidential informant for him on an earlier case. Allie is strong, independent, and protective of her younger sister, Diana. Diana is engaged to Hector's nephew, and Hector is providing the wedding of Diana's dreams. Allie knows what Hector is and is determined to talk Diana out of the fancy wedding, thereby getting her away from Hector's influence.
 
Allie and Rafe's lives collide when Rafe raids one of Hector's businesses and finds Allie there. Discovering Allie's link to Hector's estate gives him the perfect opportunity to get inside and investigate. Rafe pushes the envelope of proper procedures and ends up suspended from the investigation when his efforts go sideways. He is still thinking about the case and trying to remain involved on the periphery when he and his fellow LEOs participate in a motorcycle charity ride. He's surprised and not happy when Allie and Diana also show up to join the ride. Trouble is hard on their heels, and Rafe is certain that Diana is knowingly involved.
 
The twists and turns of the charity ride events kept me hooked and guessing. Is Diana innocent or not? Why does Allie feel like she's being watched? The action and intensity increase when Diana disappears, and Rafe and Allie race against time to find her. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with an ending that confirmed a niggling suspicion that followed me throughout the book. I loved Allie's ingenuity, and even Diana got an "atta girl!" from me.
 
I enjoyed the development of Rafe and Allie's relationship. The sparks between them are undeniable, but both try to resist. I enjoyed their bonding over motorcycles and loved the scenes during the charity ride. However, working together intensifies the attraction, and mutual respect for each other's abilities begins to break down their defensive walls. I liked seeing them finally let go of their fears.
 
Family is an important theme in this book. Rafe's mixed feelings about his family and his heritage add to the tension between him and that family. The love is obvious, but the arguments over his work add to the stress. I loved the changes that loving Allie brought to that dynamic. Allie has an interesting history with her sister that continues to affect their relationship. I will say that Diana irritated me throughout most of the book. She was self-centered, stubborn, and unwilling to listen to others' concerns. She redeemed herself a bit at the end, but she still has some maturing to do. 

One Night to Twin Surprise - Rachel Dove (HMED #1499 - Nov 2025)

THEIR CHEMISTRY HAS DOUBLE THE CONSEQUENCES!
 
Nurse Neve is determined to get her mojo back after her bitter divorce. Her plan? One night of no-strings passion! Outback helicopter doc Colton is the perfect candidate. But as her ex's best friend, he's always been firmly off-limits -- which is now fanning the flames of forbidden desire! Their steamy tryst is everything Neve imagined…until she discovers she's pregnant with twins! Yet Colton's placement is only temporary. Can Neve trust that her nomadic doc will stay and be her family's safe place to land?
 
Excellent second-chance story with unexpected consequences. Neve is a nurse at a small hospital in semi-rural Australia, where she can get close to her patients and enjoy small-town life. She recently divorced her husband of several years and, as the book opens, is celebrating with her friends. She's looking to let loose for just one night. The last person she expects to see walk in the door is her ex-husband's former best friend, Colton. There's always been something about him, but as her ex's best friend, he was off-limits. But she can't deny the sparks that flare between them. She gets her one night with him and doesn't expect to see him again.
 
A few weeks later, Colton shows up at her door. He wants to see her again, and unbeknownst to her, has taken a job as a temporary flying doctor at her hospital. She has no idea that he's always had feelings for her and is shocked to see him. The moment is even more awkward because she has just found out she is pregnant. Colton immediately goes into protective mode, making it clear that he intends to be part of the child's life. Neve is wary. Colton is a nomad, moving from job to job and never staying long in one place. Between her difficult childhood and miserable marriage, Neve has always been self-reliant. Depending on someone else is very difficult for her.
 
I loved watching Neve and Colton's relationship develop. Colton is a sweetheart. He watches over her but gives her space when she needs it. He insists he is in it all the way, but Neve has trouble believing him. Colton knows that he loves her, but he also realizes that she isn't ready to hear those words from him. His persistence and patience get past her walls, but Neve can't get past her fear that he will leave when his contract expires.
 
Things get complicated when her ex shows up and acts like the first-class jerk he is. Unexpected revelations and harsh words drive a wedge between Neve and Colton. It takes straight talk from friends and a crisis to resolve the problem. I loved the ending and seeing Neve finally achieve the happiness she craved. 

 

The Lyon Returns - Kimberly Keyes (Dragonblade - Oct 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 96)
 
A widow starting anew. A gentleman dodging the noose. Will their pretense of a marriage turn into a head-over-heels love?
 
To purchase the publishing house of her dreams, new-to-London Gwendolyn Barnes must find herself a husband. With no desire to wed again, the young widow pays an exorbitant fee to the notorious Black Widow of Whitehall for a husband who, she assures Gwen, is almost certainly dead.
 
Then her husband, shipping magnate and aloof son of a duke, Gideon Devereux, walks through the front door.
 
After reading of his marriage to an unknown bride, the date of which provides him a handy alibi, Gideon returns to London determined to discover who framed him for treason. He's content to allow his farce of a marriage to the beautiful bluestocking to stand. He only sees two problems -- Gwen's stipulation the marriage remain in name only, and an ungovernable hunger for each other that neither can quell.
 
Secretly falling for the brooding and seductive Devereux, a wary Gwen vows to avoid a repeat of her disastrous first marriage. And with his enemies circling ever closer, Gideon's inner demons whisper that their white-hot passion can never ignite into a forever love.
 
Can this made-for-each-other couple discover new heights of happiness in each other's arms, or will the echoes of their pasts tear them apart?
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the addition to the Lyon's Den series. The characters were believable and easy to relate to.
 
Gwen is a widow who relocated to London after her husband's and father's deaths. Her father was a well-known editor, and Gwen worked with him, eventually taking over many of his activities. She wants to own her own publishing house, where she can decide what gets printed. Unfortunately, as a woman, she can't do so on her own. She needs a husband, even though she doesn't want to marry again. Her friends in the Ladies Literary Society, like Lady Amelia (The Lyon Whisperer), take her to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help. For a large fee, Mrs. Dove-Lyon provides the paperwork for a husband who she believes is dead, and therefore unable to protest.
 
Except - he isn't. Gideon Devereux, shipping magnate, is surprised to read of his marriage. He's been lying low, as he is accused of treason. With his "marriage" to Gwen comes an alibi that allows him to return to London and investigate. Gideon is the illegitimate son of a duke, but was accepted and loved by his father. His backstory is heartwarming and heartbreaking, showing how he was treated by various people and the effect it had on him.
 
I loved the meeting between the two of them. There is a humorous aspect to it, as well as an immediate spark of attraction. Both Gwen and Gideon are practical people, and agree to maintain the deception for mutual benefit. Gwen gives Gideon the cover he needs to uncover the truth, while Gideon provides the male relative Gwen needs to finalize her purchase of the publishing house.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Gwen is already half in love with Gideon before she meets him, thanks to reading the journals he wrote, but she is still wary of him. Her first marriage left her with trust issues. Gideon is also wary; his experiences with women have left him quite cynical. His first marriage ended badly. They have much in common. Both are intelligent and ambitious, with kind hearts. I loved the respect they had for each other, which grew as they got to know each other.
 
Neither could deny the attraction that flared between them. Giving in to the sparks brought them even closer, though both were slow to accept the truth of their feelings. They are also protective of each other, and I enjoyed seeing how they showed their support. It takes a little time, a little danger, and some self-examination to admit their feelings for each other. That scene was the icing on the cake for this story.
 
There were also two mysteries in this book. The first was who was behind the constant nitpicking of Gwen's attempt to purchase the publishing house. Her frustration with each new requirement was understandable. The resolution of this question was not what I expected. The bigger mystery was who was behind the events that framed Gideon for treason? I loved seeing Gwen put her logical mind to work helping Gideon uncover the truth. The twists and turns of their investigation kept me hooked. Though I did have my suspicions early on, I wasn't positive until near the end. The final confrontation was intense with an excellent resolution. The book ended with a bit that wrapped things up perfectly. 

The Blind Lyon - Sandra Sookoo (Dragonblade - Oct 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 95)
 
Mayflowers might mean love, but if not, persistence, charm, and a cat will win the day…
 
Peregrine (Allan) Barrows--the eighth Duke of Masterson--has lived almost half his life mostly blind, for a fever contracted at the age of twenty ensured that. Due to the hardship, he wasn't able to enter the fight against Napoleon and neither has he had luck finding a wife. Not even the title can attract a lady, for a blind man is useless, right? Needing to do his duty by his title and estates, he turns to the tables at the Lyon's Den. There are rumors the owner has some skill in matchmaking.
 
Widowed Annette Jennings has become something of an embarrassing problem. Terrified of leaving her home after a horrible murder stole her husband's life a few years ago, she refuses to have anything to do with society or the Marriage Mart a second time. With her father dying and her mother desperate to see Anne settled, the baroness looks up an old friend who owns a gaming hell. With a promise and the exchange of coin, Mrs. Dove-Lyon consents to find a husband for Anne.
 
This was a terrific addition to the Lyon's Den series. I enjoyed the realism of the two main characters and the slow-burning development of their relationship.
 
I loved the hero of this story. Peregrine (Allan) Barrows, Duke of Masterson, is blind. He lost his sight when he was twenty, and now, almost forty years old, he has adapted well to his life. He could be a bitter old grump about it, but he has an active social life and good friends. The only thing he doesn't have is a wife, and finding one is difficult in his circumstances. His friends have found their mates thanks to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, so he heads to the Lyon's Den to try his hand at an arranged wife.
 
Annette Jennings is a young widow. Her husband died in a horrible murder. The trauma left her afraid to leave her room, much less her home, and she has no interest in risking her heart in another marriage. However, her father is dying, and her parents want to see her securely settled before he does. Annette's mother is friends with Mrs. Dove-Lyon and appeals to her for help in matching Annette to a suitable husband.
 
I enjoyed the development of Allan and Annette's relationship. They were open and honest with each other from the moment they met. He accepted Annette's fears and patiently gave her time to adjust to her new role. I loved how he sat outside her door and talked to her, giving him time to earn her trust and get to know each other. Day by day, she grew more comfortable with him. When she finally emerged from her room (thank you, Romeo, the cat!), it was easier for her to overcome her fears. Both were surprised by the depth of their connection, and I loved seeing it deepen and grow. I liked the ending, with an interesting proposition to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

Lyon of Scotland - Susan King (Dragonblade - Oct 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 94)
 
Bound by scandal, rescued by love.
 
When Alasdair "Dare" Drummond, Viscount Strathburn and Lord Lyon, head of Scottish heraldry, arrives in London on royal business, he encounters the one Scotswoman he tried to forget. Beautiful, spirited Hannah Gordon is a gifted artist now engaged to another. But when Dare uncovers a threat to her, his protective instincts—and long-hidden love—surface.
 
In London, Hannah hoped for independence and artistic success, not heartbreak. Abandoned by her fiancé and burdened with his debts, she works as a heraldry artist under the cruel eye of Sir Frederic Dove, who loathes Scots and resents the girl's talents. Scheming with his notorious cousin, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, he traps Hannah in a scandalous marriage contract to ruin her—and blackmails Lord Lyon as the unexpected groom.
 
Reluctantly wed, Dare and Hannah navigate deceit, secrets, and the past even as the bond between them grows more powerful.
 
Yet love alone won't be enough to free them, if they can't unravel a treacherous web of lies before it's too late.
 
Sweet story with a hint of heat and a bit of suspense. Dare, Viscount Strathburn, has been appointed the new Lord Lyon, head of Scottish heraldry. It is his responsibility to verify tartans, coats of arms, and other bits of Scottish culture and history. With the new King preparing for his coronation, it is up to the British and Scottish heraldry offices to design new coats of arms for him. On a trip to London to consult with his British counterpart, Dare encounters the daughter of a friend.
 
Hannah traveled to London with her fiancé, a man her father didn't approve of, but she was convinced he loved her. Unfortunately, he quickly abandoned her, leaving only his debts behind. A talented artist, she took a job at the heraldry office to earn the money to repay the debts. The man who claimed the debt also works at the heraldry office and takes every opportunity to threaten Hannah with debtor's prison. Sir Frederic is a vile man who loathes Scots and resents Hannah's talents when compared to his son's.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Dare and Hannah develop. Dare was surprised to encounter Hannah at the heraldry office. He's known her for several years and immediately senses that something is wrong. His protective instincts kick in. He has been drawn to her for a long time, but is a bit shy and reticent. Before he could work up the courage to say anything, she was engaged to someone else. Now that she is free, he hopes to make his case.
 
But before that can happen, the devious Sir Frederic drugs both Hannah and Dare. He convinces his cousin, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, to contract a marriage for her. Using Dare's honor against him, he blackmails Dare into being the groom. I liked the honest conversation between Dare and Hannah as they discussed the ramifications of Sir Frederic's threats and their marriage. I liked the respect that Hannah and Dare had for each other, personally and professionally. It took them a little time to realize that their growing feelings were love, not just attraction. I enjoyed their journey back to Edinburgh as they got to know each other a little better.
 
However, their return to Scotland did not completely remove them from danger. Sir Frederic followed them with more havoc in mind. The final confrontation was intense, featuring unexpected revelations and a satisfying ending. I liked the epilogue, especially the bit about Hannah's artwork.
 
I didn't care for the portrayal of Mrs. Dove-Lyon in this book. I thought she had more honor than to go along with Sir Frederic's plans for Hannah and Dare, but she carried through with it. She suspected Hannah hadn't signed the contract willingly, but she held to it anyway.
 
I enjoyed the background information on the designs of the coats of arms and what went into creating them.

 

Snow Kissed - RaeAnne Thayne (Canary Street/HQN - Oct 2025)

Series: Shelter Springs (Book 3)
 
'Tis the season for a little white lie…
 
Christmas has always been single mom Holly Goodwin Moore's favorite time of year. The twinkly lights on the tree, the cookies in the oven, the snow on the ground. But she's just not feeling it this year. The wedding in her ex's family is almost here, her daughter, Lydia, is bursting at the seams to be a flower girl…and Holly couldn't be dreading it more. She told a little white lie about having a new boyfriend as her plus-one, hoping to save face. She needs a date for the wedding…and she needs it now.
 
Ryan Caldwell wants to be free this holiday season. So even he isn't sure how he landed in Shelter Springs, looking after his niece, Audrey, with his estranged father down the road. But when he meets Holly, she makes him want to belong for the very first time. So they make a deal: he'll be her date if she'll help him give Audrey a true Christmas to remember while her mom is away.
 
This was a sweet, small-town Christmas romance with realistic and relatable characters. Holly is a single mother of a five-year-old daughter, Lydia, with special needs. She usually loves the Christmas season, but this year presents some challenges. Though her ex-husband was a less-than-stellar husband and father, Holly is still close to her ex-in-laws, which led to Lydia being recruited as a flower girl at her ex-sister-in-law's wedding. Lydia is beyond excited, but that means Holly will need to attend the wedding, where she will undoubtedly encounter her ex-husband and his new family. In a moment of self-preservation, she tells the in-laws that she already has someone to bring as a plus one, even though she doesn't. Now she needs to find someone to bring.
 
Ryan is a Navy helicopter pilot stationed in San Diego. After a leg injury grounds him, he's looking for peace and distraction during the holidays. What he gets is a plea for help from his sister in Shelter Springs. She's headed to rehab and needs someone to watch her fourteen-year-old daughter, Audrey. He can't say no to Kim, but he's not looking forward to spending time near his estranged father. Holly's sister, Hannah, approaches him about being Holly's date for the wedding, and after meeting Holly and Lydia, he's willing. They make a bargain: he'll take her to the wedding if she will help him decorate his sister's house for the holidays.
 
I liked watching Holly and Ryan's relationship develop. Neither one is looking for a relationship, but it's clear that there is something there. Ryan won my heart quickly with the way he interacted with Lydia. He was immediately enchanted with her sunny personality. He's also great with Audrey, just the right mix of adult and friend. Ryan and Holly spend time together in a variety of ways, both with and without the kids, and discover an unexpected attraction. They try reminding themselves that it is all pretend, but it quickly becomes obvious that something real is growing between them. I loved how Ryan was there for Holly when she needed support, especially during that scary situation on Christmas Eve.
 
Complicating Ryan's stay in Shelter Springs is his strained relationship with his father. He has legitimate reasons for his bitterness and resentment, and his father is well aware of those feelings. It is also clear that Ryan's dad wants to repair the relationship but has difficulty breaking through Ryan's walls. I liked seeing how Holly's influence helped Ryan let go of some of that pain and start on the road to healing.
 
I loved the ending and seeing Ryan and Holly take a chance on a relationship neither knew they wanted. They still have to face the challenges of a long-distance relationship, but are willing to put in the work to make it happen. I loved the epilogue and seeing how they do it.

Hero's Touch - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - Feb 2026)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek (Book 6)
 
He's spent his whole life knowing everything.
 
Every variable. Every angle. Every threat he could calculate faster than most people could blink. Lincoln Bollinger built two fortunes before thirty, mastered the dark web, and designed systems that made governments nervous.
 
But the one thing he couldn't solve?
 
People.
Emotions.
Her.
 
Mercury—the brilliant stranger he's traded secret coded messages with for two years—vanished months ago. The quiet mind hidden inside poetry and algorithms was suddenly gone… until she sent him a desperate SOS encoded inside Emily Dickinson. A message only he could read.
 
Rescuing her is easy.
Surviving what comes next won't be.
 
The trafficking ring wants her silenced. Corrupt officials want her erased. And the only person she trusts is a man who barely knows how to hold a conversation without someone telling him to use his "inside voice."
 
But with Mercury beside him—quoting poetry when she's scared, reorganizing his library when she's overwhelmed, matching his brilliance with her own—Lincoln finds himself facing something he's never been able to compute.
 
A woman who sees him.
A woman he'll burn the world to protect.
 
And the enemy closing in fast.
 
I have been looking forward to Lincoln's story since the LT: Oak Creek series began. The way his mind works intrigues me, and has from his first appearance as a kid in the LT epilogues. I loved how his family and friends accept him exactly as he is, while finding ways to help him navigate social situations. Their guidance comes from love and respect, accompanied by a fair amount of good-natured teasing. The story of the birthday party made me laugh out loud.
 
For two years, Lincoln, AKA Binary, has had an online friendship with a woman he knows only as Mercury. I loved how each chapter began with one of their online exchanges, illustrating how they understand each other. They "meet" every night at 9 pm. Then, one night, Mercury is gone - no goodbye, no explanation. Lincoln's confusion and dismay are evident as he worries that she has ghosted him.
 
Mercury, AKA Morgan, is a librarian with an eidetic memory. She never forgets anything she has seen, heard, or read. She, too, has had her social challenges and is more comfortable behind a screen than dealing with people. She considers setting up an in-person meeting with Binary, but is kidnapped before she can follow through.
 
The suspense of this book drew me in from the start. I could feel Morgan's terror from the moment she awoke and learned what her captor's demands were. Her desperate attempt to contact Binary left her with the faintest stirring hope of rescue. I loved seeing how Lincoln transformed from the behind-the-scenes geek to the tactical operator with the training he's never had to call on before. The intensity of the rescue scene nearly broke my heart when Lincoln found Morgan. The tension continued as Lincoln and Morgan worked to uncover the motive for her kidnapping, with a final confrontation that blew me away.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Lincoln and Morgan develop. They already know each other well through two years of daily online conversations. They understand each other's challenges and have built an enduring trust. Their first in-person meeting, when Lincoln rescues her, was awkward, sweet, and incredibly emotional. Lincoln was so worried about her and so cautious in caring for her, afraid of doing something wrong. When he's with Morgan, he feels that he can be himself without worrying about censoring himself. For Morgan, Lincoln is the only man she trusts. Neither expected the chemistry that drew them even closer. I loved how they were perfect for each other.
 
I loved the involvement of the other residents of Oak Creek. Their support was immediate and unquestioning when Lincoln needed them, and not just for the rescue. It was terrific to see how they accepted Morgan as she was because she was important to Lincoln. The scenes at the Eagles Nest were great, and I especially enjoyed the epilogue. 

 

Big Sky Safe House - Juno Rushdan (HI #2328 - Dec 2025)

Series: Ironside Protection Service (Book 2)
 
Can he stop the killer who has found her again?
 
The only woman to escape the notorious Yuletide slayer, Nora Santana wants to stop running and put down roots in this tight-knit Montana town. But a chilling holiday message from her Secret Santa tells Nora her carefully constructed cover has been blown. Out of options, she must rely on Ironside Protection investigator Bo Lennox to keep her alive. With the fatalities rising, Bo and Nora confront their taboo attraction as they unearth long-buried secrets…and a killer who's closer than they could ever imagine…
 
This book started with a bang and kept the tension going from start to finish. Nora has been running and hiding from the Yuletide Killer for years, after escaping the man who killed her three friends when they were teenagers. She has kept a low profile and changed her name, but he always finds her. She thought she was finally safe in the small town of Bitterroot Falls, Montana, until a mass shooting gained national attention (Big Sky Slayer). A terrifying message from the killer tempts her to run again. But she's tired of looking over her shoulder and decides to stay and fight.
 
Nora goes to Ironside Protection Service for help. Investigator Bo Lennox helped her after the shooting and is the only man she knows who makes her feel safe. Bo is initially reluctant because he is attracted to Nora and feels that it would be a distraction. But Nora insists, and Bo's boss agrees that Bo is the best option.
 
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. From the killer's reappearance to the final confrontation, I was hooked on finding out who the killer was. I could feel Nora's fear as he went after her friends, and Bo's frustration as they tried to figure out his identity. I loved Nora's determination to do whatever it took to stop the killer, but I wanted to shake her when her fear for Bo and the others led her to make a stupid decision. The final confrontation and revelation was a twist I didn't see coming, yet it disturbingly made sense.
 
I enjoyed the development of Bo and Nora's relationship. The mutual attraction is undeniable, though both try to keep it professional. I loved how Bo cares for Nora, taking care of her after near misses with the killer. I liked seeing them connect over painful pasts and how sharing their pain leads them toward a future together. Though they declared their feelings for each other quickly, I liked seeing that they took time to get to know each other. I look forward to seeing them in later books and tracking the progress of their relationship.