Killer Countdown - Amelia Autin (HRS #1909 - Aug 2016)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 8)

TV reporter Carly Edwards has the scoop of a century! She's discovered that Senator Shane Jones was diagnosed with a life-altering illness, but she can't help but be drawn to his courage. So when Shane saves Carly's life from a killer, she resolves to keep her story -- and the irresistible politician -- alive…

A politician and a media personality are a recipe for romantic disaster. The last thing Shane wants is to endanger Carly. But how can he prevent her from getting close when the very air between them sizzles? As their lives are threatened, Shane realizes Carly's the one woman he wants forever -- if he can keep them both safe!

Amelia has done it again - written a story that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I saved it to read on a seven hour trans-Atlantic flight, and I have never had a trip pass so quickly. Shane is the oldest of the Jones kids and has the super-protective attitude of many firstborns. His life hasn't exactly worked out the way he planned. He had been a Marine, planning to make a career of it, when an injury ended those dreams. He transferred his sense of duty to the political side, and is now the junior Senator from Colorado. He's had loss in his life also, losing his father when he was younger, then his pregnant wife was killed in a terrorist attack. He has plans for his current career that may be in jeopardy once again. He has been diagnosed with a condition that could end those hopes. When the story opens, he is at the Arizona Mayo Clinic, where he has just received the results of all his tests. He spends a few minutes feeling sorry for himself, but in true Jones tradition, tries to shake it off and figure out how to move forward. He doesn't expect a visit from his "fiancee", and is intrigued enough to go along with it.

Carly is a television reporter with an outstanding reputation. She has reported on wars, police actions, disasters and any number of hot stories. Right now she is trying to find out why Senator Jones is at the Mayo Clinic. She's resourceful, and pretends to be his fiancee to get access to him, and is stunned when he allows her in. Her reputation precedes her, and Shane strikes a bargain with her, that if she will keep his secret for now, he will give her the exclusive when he's ready to talk. Carly has had her own trials and tribulations, including losing her fiance in an accident for which she blames herself. That memory has her accepting Shane's deal.

Things start to go a little crazy when someone shoots at Shane on his way out of the hospital. Carly is there and takes off after the shooter, using her cellphone to capture video of him. Shane is on her heels and protects her when the shooter turns his sights on her. Shane is furious that she took the risk, but also impressed by her presence of mind. When another attack happens back in DC, Shane realizes that Carly is at risk because she can identify the shooter. He is determined to keep her safe, not just because it's the right thing to do, but also because she rouses feelings in him he hasn't experienced since he lost his wife.

I loved the development of their relationship. Shane is super-protective, even though he is well aware that Carly is capable of protecting herself. He is also a straight shooting man, who doesn't play fast and loose with the truth. I loved the fact that he made up his own mind about issues without allowing outside influences. This is one of the things about Shane that really draws Carly to him. Likewise, Carly is an honest journalist who doesn't make things up to create a more sensational story. Shane appreciates that honesty, which makes it much easier to ask her to do the story on his illness. There is also an undeniable attraction between the two of them, but both have been badly hurt in the past, making them reluctant to risk their hearts again. The attraction grows stronger every day, but Carly especially is in denial. She tries to convince Shane that they can be together while keeping their emotions under control. I loved that Shane was already fully invested, but pretended to go along with her until he could convince her. Even though she makes that claim, she already suspects that it is too late to claim emotional distance.

I loved Carly's strength as she holds it together through each attack. She is determined not to crumble, and to fight against whoever has targeted them. She is also just as protective of Shane as he is of her. There were a couple of great scenes where she lays into him for taking risks - hello pot, meet kettle. She also slowly learns that it is okay to lean on someone now and then. I loved the scenes where she broke down and Shane was there for her. It was obvious that she felt deeply enough for him that she could trust him that way, even though she wasn't ready to admit it. 

I also loved how quickly they got to know each other's quirks and foibles. I loved seeing Shane try to protect her without giving her the impression that he didn't think she could take care of herself. He knew her well enough to know that would push her to take more risks. And Carly understood that Shane hated the fact that his illness was something he couldn't control. When he tried to push her away to protect her from what could happen, she wouldn't stand for it. I loved seeing her stand up to him and call him on his cowardice (not something a Marine would take well!). When the danger was all over, they have to decide if they are willing to take the risks of loving each other. I really loved the proposal scene. The epilogue was great, and I loved seeing where their lives have gone.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. The first attack at the clinic is a real attention-getter, and Carly's involvement just ups the stakes. When Shane realizes that she has become a target too, he's determined to find the reason. Each attack comes a little closer to succeeding. I loved seeing the assassin's frustration as Shane's innate abilities foil every attempt. It was interesting to see who Shane suspected was behind the attacks, and those whose help he asked for in checking it out. It was also very satisfying to see Carly put her investigative reporter's brain to work and come up with a completely different scenario.  I also loved seeing Niall, the brother we haven't seen much of, and his involvement in their protection. I loved seeing Shane finally get fed up and take matters into his own hands. The final confrontation was intense, exciting, and I really didn't expect the identity of the person who saved Shane. I also loved Niall's last word and the motivation behind it! Now I can't wait to read his story!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A SEAL to Save Her - Karen Anders (HRS #1902 - June 2016)

Series: To Protect and Serve (Book 5)

Running for their lives is imperative. Falling for each other is inevitable… 

The searing pain of navy SEAL Dex "Machine" Kaczewski's injury is a constant reminder of a mission gone wrong. Only the compassionate words of visiting US senator Piper Jones, his best friend's sister, help to clear Dex's dark thoughts -- and make his heart beat faster. So when insurgents storm a military hospital and target Piper, her protection is the wounded SEAL's only priority. 

As they flee for their lives in a hostile country, their mutual attraction smolders like the Afghan sun, but Piper's tragic past overshadows her surging desire. She tries to focus on keeping Dex alive and getting home safe. But until they know who wants Piper dead -- and why -- their only hope for survival is in each other's arms.

Excellent book, action filled and with an equally emotional romance. The story opens with Dex and his SEAL team ambushed on a mission, with three of his men killed and he and another one badly injured. Piper is currently serving out her husband's term as a US senator, after his death in an accident. When she learns of her brother's injuries, she immediately flies to Afghanistan to be with him. There she meets Dex, the man who saved her brother's life. There is an immediate connection between the two of them, but both try to ignore it. Besides being a SEAL, Dex is also Tyler's best friend, which means you don't get involved with his sister. On her part, Piper is still grieving the loss of her husband and unborn baby; getting involved with a man who has a dangerous career is just a bad idea.

Shortly after Tyler is evacuated to the hospital in Germany, the military hospital is attacked by insurgents. Dex is the only one there to protect Piper, who appears to be the target of the attack. Still dealing with his injuries, Dex and Piper go on the run. The intensity of the danger they are in, and the challenges presented by Dex's injuries, kept me riveted as they tried to escape their pursuers. Piper shows some amazing fortitude as she does what she must to help Dex as he has helped her.  With no idea who they can trust, Dex and Piper rely on each other, and find themselves getting involved.

I loved these two together, with their lighthearted wordplay even in the middle of some very intense situations. But both of them are wary of getting their hearts involved as they have been hurt before. Piper devoted her life to her husband's career and carrying on for him after his death. The growing feelings she has for Dex show her that she has been hiding without realizing it. Dex is known as "Machine" for his intimidating focus on a mission, but there is a softer side of him that comes out when he's with Piper. He's fiercely protective of her, but can also be amazingly tender in his comforting of her when she needs it. One of the things I loved about their relationship was the frank way they talked about their feelings and their fears. I ached for Dex at the end, when it looked like Piper was going to let her fears win. I laughed out loud at the way Tyler got her moving, and the reactions at the other end.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. At the beginning, the ambush looked like an intelligence failure, but with the attack on Piper, the complications just continued to pile up. Each time Piper and Dex learned something new, it only added to the questions they had. As readers we also see that there are others working on the same questions. I was just waiting to see what would happen when the NCIS guys finally caught up with Piper and Dex and I was not disappointed. As the people behind the attacks got more desperate, the action became more intense. The final confrontation was fast paced with different motivations coming to light before it was all over.

I really loved the two NCIS agents, Austin and Derrick. Their interactions were great, as they had respect for each other professionally, but also were very good at poking at each other's sore spots. I really hope they get their own books, as I suspect their stories are quite fascinating.