Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
This was an incredibly intense book from start to finish. It opened with our heroine, surgeon Chloe Miles, caught in the clutches of a madman determined to bury her alive, and he'd already succeeded in doing so to one of her colleagues. She is determined to live and fights her way free, but she knows he won't give up. So, she runs.
Three months later, Chloe changed her name and became the coroner in the tiny town of Battle Mountain. She's prepared to run again if necessary but likes it there. The people are friendly, know her name, and the work isn't difficult. Then she gets a call from the police chief, Weston, about a dead body, and her blood freezes. The killer she tried to escape found her, leaving this new victim as a message. Chloe is ready to run again until Weston convinces her that together they can stop him, but to do so, she must trust him.
Weston was a mine worker until the mines shut down, and he lost his job. His wife died of cancer, leaving him wallowing in grief. When the former police chief was forced to retire after a heart attack, Weston's father convinced him to take the job. Raised to put other people's needs before his own, Weston found solace in looking after the people of his town. Though he is a one-person police department with no training, he's determined to protect Chloe and stop the killer.
The action and suspense of this story kept me glued to the pages. From the moment the body is discovered, we know that Chloe is in the crosshairs of a relentless killer. As they close in on his identity, the killer widens his reach to include anyone who helps her, especially Weston and his family. A heart-wrenching loss added impetus to Weston's determination to put an end to the killer's actions. Then an unexpected twist turned everything they had learned upside down. I ached for Chloe, whose guilty feelings over the killer's actions sent her running - right into his clutches. The intensity ramped up as Chloe fought for her life again, and Weston raced to reach her in time. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages until it was all over, and I could breathe a sigh of relief.
The development of the relationship between Chloe and Weston happened quickly. They'd had a good working relationship since Chloe arrived in town, but neither was looking for a relationship. Chloe knows she could have to run at any time, so starting anything wouldn't be fair to either of them. Weston loved his wife and had no intention of risking his heart again. Weston's protective instincts are aroused, and in protecting Chloe, he discovers she has found her way into his heart. Chloe also realizes she has fallen for Weston, making it impossible to leave Battle Mountain when the trouble ends.
I am intrigued by Weston's brother, Easton. A former special forces soldier, he isn't dealing well with the loss of his men during his last mission. After spending months holed up in his cabin and avoiding everyone, he emerges to help Weston. I ached for his losses and the guilt he felt. It takes some harsh words from Weston to break through the wall of grief he's built up. In the epilogue, we get a glimpse of the recovering Easton. I can't wait to read his story.
Three months later, Chloe changed her name and became the coroner in the tiny town of Battle Mountain. She's prepared to run again if necessary but likes it there. The people are friendly, know her name, and the work isn't difficult. Then she gets a call from the police chief, Weston, about a dead body, and her blood freezes. The killer she tried to escape found her, leaving this new victim as a message. Chloe is ready to run again until Weston convinces her that together they can stop him, but to do so, she must trust him.
Weston was a mine worker until the mines shut down, and he lost his job. His wife died of cancer, leaving him wallowing in grief. When the former police chief was forced to retire after a heart attack, Weston's father convinced him to take the job. Raised to put other people's needs before his own, Weston found solace in looking after the people of his town. Though he is a one-person police department with no training, he's determined to protect Chloe and stop the killer.
The action and suspense of this story kept me glued to the pages. From the moment the body is discovered, we know that Chloe is in the crosshairs of a relentless killer. As they close in on his identity, the killer widens his reach to include anyone who helps her, especially Weston and his family. A heart-wrenching loss added impetus to Weston's determination to put an end to the killer's actions. Then an unexpected twist turned everything they had learned upside down. I ached for Chloe, whose guilty feelings over the killer's actions sent her running - right into his clutches. The intensity ramped up as Chloe fought for her life again, and Weston raced to reach her in time. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages until it was all over, and I could breathe a sigh of relief.
The development of the relationship between Chloe and Weston happened quickly. They'd had a good working relationship since Chloe arrived in town, but neither was looking for a relationship. Chloe knows she could have to run at any time, so starting anything wouldn't be fair to either of them. Weston loved his wife and had no intention of risking his heart again. Weston's protective instincts are aroused, and in protecting Chloe, he discovers she has found her way into his heart. Chloe also realizes she has fallen for Weston, making it impossible to leave Battle Mountain when the trouble ends.
I am intrigued by Weston's brother, Easton. A former special forces soldier, he isn't dealing well with the loss of his men during his last mission. After spending months holed up in his cabin and avoiding everyone, he emerges to help Weston. I ached for his losses and the guilt he felt. It takes some harsh words from Weston to break through the wall of grief he's built up. In the epilogue, we get a glimpse of the recovering Easton. I can't wait to read his story.
