Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Another fantastic book in the Ranger Brigade: RockyMountain Manhunt series. I picked this book up this afternoon and didn't put it down until I finished the last page. The hunt for Dane Trask heats up, and this time it's his daughter, Audra, at the center of attention, and Ranger Brigade officer Hud Hudson is determined to protect her.
Hud and Audra had met before when he needed to question her about her father, and the initial seeds of attraction appeared then. Another round of questions at the beginning of this book brings them back into contact, and Hud realizes his interest hasn't waned. It was sweet to see him encounter her one day and demonstrate his interest in getting to know her. He was with her when she received notice that her father's previous employer was suing her. It turns out to be the beginning of Audra's troubles. The next day she's accosted in her own home by an aggressive reporter who only leaves when she calls Hud for help. Shortly after that, she finds a threatening note on her car, and the trouble continues to pile up.
I loved seeing Hud and Audra get to know each other. The sparks are there from the start, and the trouble that stalks her throws them together frequently. Audra is petite, determined, and independent. Her father, a former army Ranger, taught her a lot about self-reliance, and she put those lessons to use in her life. She had a few rough spots growing up, which all helped make her the woman she is. Audra poured much of that experience and determination into the preschool she owns and runs. Hud is a man who was a bit out of step with his own family, leading to some rough times of his own. Like Audra, he overcame them and used what he learned. The attraction between them grows the more time Hud and Audra spend together, which is a lot thanks to the escalation of the attacks and threats against her. I loved that Hud was protective without trying to smother her, and respected her capabilities, though that was certainly put to the test at the end. I loved how the danger made them realize the depth of their feelings for each other.
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. The Ranger Brigade is still looking for Dane, as are many other people. The Brigade's frustration is palpable as they have to deal with people looking to collect the reward and putting others in danger at the same time. Then Audra finds herself at the center of a smear campaign. I ached for her as she dealt with reporters twisting facts to make her look bad, threats against her life, and the potential loss of her livelihood. She receives threats from people who believe that she knows what her father knows. The intensity ramps up when they find a child's drawing at the illegal dump site, and Audra links it to the new school construction site. I loved watching Audra draw on the things her father taught her and confront the man she believes is responsible for all of the trouble. The strength of will it took to become the bait in a trap was incredible, and she rocked it. Though it looks like the problem is solved, I feel like there are questions still to be answered. I look forward to the next book and learning Dane's story.
Hud and Audra had met before when he needed to question her about her father, and the initial seeds of attraction appeared then. Another round of questions at the beginning of this book brings them back into contact, and Hud realizes his interest hasn't waned. It was sweet to see him encounter her one day and demonstrate his interest in getting to know her. He was with her when she received notice that her father's previous employer was suing her. It turns out to be the beginning of Audra's troubles. The next day she's accosted in her own home by an aggressive reporter who only leaves when she calls Hud for help. Shortly after that, she finds a threatening note on her car, and the trouble continues to pile up.
I loved seeing Hud and Audra get to know each other. The sparks are there from the start, and the trouble that stalks her throws them together frequently. Audra is petite, determined, and independent. Her father, a former army Ranger, taught her a lot about self-reliance, and she put those lessons to use in her life. She had a few rough spots growing up, which all helped make her the woman she is. Audra poured much of that experience and determination into the preschool she owns and runs. Hud is a man who was a bit out of step with his own family, leading to some rough times of his own. Like Audra, he overcame them and used what he learned. The attraction between them grows the more time Hud and Audra spend together, which is a lot thanks to the escalation of the attacks and threats against her. I loved that Hud was protective without trying to smother her, and respected her capabilities, though that was certainly put to the test at the end. I loved how the danger made them realize the depth of their feelings for each other.
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. The Ranger Brigade is still looking for Dane, as are many other people. The Brigade's frustration is palpable as they have to deal with people looking to collect the reward and putting others in danger at the same time. Then Audra finds herself at the center of a smear campaign. I ached for her as she dealt with reporters twisting facts to make her look bad, threats against her life, and the potential loss of her livelihood. She receives threats from people who believe that she knows what her father knows. The intensity ramps up when they find a child's drawing at the illegal dump site, and Audra links it to the new school construction site. I loved watching Audra draw on the things her father taught her and confront the man she believes is responsible for all of the trouble. The strength of will it took to become the bait in a trap was incredible, and she rocked it. Though it looks like the problem is solved, I feel like there are questions still to be answered. I look forward to the next book and learning Dane's story.
