Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
This emotional, action-packed book kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Two months earlier, Isla, an EMT, was shot in what appeared to be a random shooting. Since then, she has become a BMPD reserve officer, the better to protect herself and her daughter, Mazi. As this book opens, someone takes another shot at her, and she is tackled simultaneously. The bullet could have been fatal if she hadn't been wearing her vest. Then she is stunned to discover that the person who tackled her is her late husband's best friend, Adan - the man she holds responsible for Clive's death.
Adan feels guilty about being unable to protect Clive on their last mission in the army. Clive's last request was that Adan protects his wife and child, and when he hears rumors that Isla is in danger, he drops everything to watch over her and Mazi.
The twists and turns of this story kept me hooked to the end. The BMPD is in a tough place thanks to the crime that has plagued the town for the last year. The townspeople are scared and questioning the department's capability, and the mayor uses them as a political football. Another shooting has Adan and Ilsa joining forces to investigate. Neither expects the web of lies, secrets, betrayal, and murder that confronts them. I could feel their confusion and horror at what they discovered. The threats against them never let up, and there were times when I wondered how they would resolve the problem. The ending was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages as the action unfolded. I loved the resolution and seeing the bad guys get what they deserved.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Isla and Adan. They had always been friends because of Clint, and Mazi adored her Uncle Adan. But when Clint died, Isla blamed Adan and shut him out of her life. She wasn't happy to have him show up in Battle Mountain, but she couldn't refuse his help when the shooting started. I loved Adan's protectiveness toward both of "his girls." After years of being alone, spending time with Isla and Mazi made him realize what he was missing - and that he'd been in love with Isla for years. The attraction Isla feels for Adan makes her feel guilty, as though she is betraying Clint, and she tries putting distance between them. But in the end, she admits that life and love go on.
The epilogue is a teaser for the next book, which involves the quirky police dispatcher Macie. She appears to have been hiding a big secret, which is about to show up on her doorstep.
Adan feels guilty about being unable to protect Clive on their last mission in the army. Clive's last request was that Adan protects his wife and child, and when he hears rumors that Isla is in danger, he drops everything to watch over her and Mazi.
The twists and turns of this story kept me hooked to the end. The BMPD is in a tough place thanks to the crime that has plagued the town for the last year. The townspeople are scared and questioning the department's capability, and the mayor uses them as a political football. Another shooting has Adan and Ilsa joining forces to investigate. Neither expects the web of lies, secrets, betrayal, and murder that confronts them. I could feel their confusion and horror at what they discovered. The threats against them never let up, and there were times when I wondered how they would resolve the problem. The ending was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages as the action unfolded. I loved the resolution and seeing the bad guys get what they deserved.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Isla and Adan. They had always been friends because of Clint, and Mazi adored her Uncle Adan. But when Clint died, Isla blamed Adan and shut him out of her life. She wasn't happy to have him show up in Battle Mountain, but she couldn't refuse his help when the shooting started. I loved Adan's protectiveness toward both of "his girls." After years of being alone, spending time with Isla and Mazi made him realize what he was missing - and that he'd been in love with Isla for years. The attraction Isla feels for Adan makes her feel guilty, as though she is betraying Clint, and she tries putting distance between them. But in the end, she admits that life and love go on.
The epilogue is a teaser for the next book, which involves the quirky police dispatcher Macie. She appears to have been hiding a big secret, which is about to show up on her doorstep.
