A Firefighter's Hidden Truth - Tara Taylor Quinn (HRS #2245 - Sept 2023)

Series: Sierra's Web (Book 11)
 
The woman he can't remember
…is about to become unforgettable
 
Who is he? Hotshot firefighter Luke Dennison has no memory…until a beautiful blonde reporter reluctantly identifies him. Unknown to Luke, Shelby is the mother of his son. Their brief affair ended badly. But now, Luke and Shelby are running from a killer while rekindling a rocky romance. As danger grows and Luke's memory gradually returns, will Shelby's secret add fuel to the fire?
 
Terrific book that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Luke is a hotshot firefighter who was found unconscious and injured near a fire, with no memory of who he was or how he got there until a woman came to the hospital to identify him.
 
Shelby had known Luke five years earlier when she had an interview with him. They had an irresistible attraction that they gave into until the morning she awoke, and he was gone. No goodbye, just a thank you note and an envelope of cash. Hurt and furious, she wrote him off until she discovered she was pregnant. When she confronted him, he called her a liar and slammed the door in her face. She has raised her son on her own.
 
But when Shelby left the hospital, she never planned to see him again. Unfortunately, on her way home, someone ran her off the road in such a way that she could have died. When the police investigated, they discovered her car had been tampered with.
 
Thus began a roller coaster ride of action and suspense mixed with the emotions of dealing with their past. Luke's memory begins to return, but some events remain MIA. An investigation into Luke's life reveals some financial irregularities and actions he can't believe he did. Luke and Shelby, along with the people of Sierra's Web, work to keep them safe and try to figure out what is going on. The action and suspense are intense as the bad guy stays on their tail no matter what precautions they take. I began to suspect part of the truth, but the twist at the end shocked me. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
 
The rekindling of the relationship between Luke and Shelby was full of obstacles. Shelby is understandably wary of trusting Luke but can't deny the sparks that still fly between them. Luke adamantly denies he would have treated her the way she claims. As they spend time together, Shelby sees the man she thought she knew but also knows what he did to her. I ached for Luke and his emotional turmoil when he learned about Carter. They have much to overcome, and it takes honest conversations to make it happen. The ending was terrific, and I loved the scene with Carter. 

Last Chance Investigation - Tara Taylor Quinn (HRS #2252 - Nov 2023)

Series: Sierra's Web (Book 12)
 
Haunted by his last case…
And his first love!
 
When a message in a bottle points to the possible copycat case of a just-solved crime, Detective Levi Griggs is determined to find closure and the potential new victim. Even if at the case's center lies Kelly Chase -- the woman who shattered his heart.
 
Renowned psychiatrist Kelly certainly doesn't expect to find herself pursuing a mystery with the high school love she left behind. But as she and Levi untangle the past, they're running out of time in the present…
 
Good book with an unusual storyline. Levi was the detective who solved a fifteen-year-old case, ending the life of a man who had kept a woman prisoner for many years. Unfortunately, the man killed his victim before Levi could free her and shot Levi. As the book opens, Levi is recovering from his injury and dealing with the guilt he feels about the victim's death. He's surprised when the sheriff shows up with a new clue like the ones in the case he just closed. He's stunned when he finds out who discovered it.
 
Kelly returned to Idlewood for the first time in thirteen years to clean out and sell the cabin she inherited from her grandparents. She has mixed feelings about the house, many tied up in the memories of her high school boyfriend, Levi. Kelly left the town and Levi behind when she went to college and pursued her dream. Now, she is a psychiatrist who works with law enforcement in Arizona. The last thing she expected was to get involved in chasing a mystery with Levi.
 
This was an intriguing story. As Levi and Kelly get into the investigation, they explore multiple possibilities. The notes could be from a copycat, with another victim hidden in the hills. It could be a stalker focused on Kelly, either by chance or as retribution for a case she has worked on before. It could be another victim reaching out for help. Levi and Kelly have differing ideas of who it is and must keep their minds open as they work together to uncover the truth. The conclusion had a twist I didn't see coming and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of Levi and Kelly's relationship. Neither had forgotten the other, and their chemistry was evident from the moment they met. However, Kelly has her life and career far from small town Idlewood, and Levi has never wanted to live elsewhere. They couldn't deny the attraction that still flared between them or the connection they felt. Both fight their feelings, knowing nothing can come of it. I liked seeing them get to know each other as adults, and especially liked Levi's growing respect for Kelly's abilities. I ached for them both when the case was over, knowing they each had lives that were far apart. I loved the ending and their plan for the future. 

Their Secret Twins - Tara Taylor Quinn (HSE #2993 - July 2023)

Series: Shelter Valley (Book 16)
            Sierra's Web (Book 8)
 
He showed up on her doorstep with a surprise…
 
The lure of big-city finance launched Jordon Lawrence away from Shelter Valley -- and broke the heart of his fiancée, Mia Jones. But the once picture-perfect couple donated embryos while they were together, and they live on…in the form of orphaned four-year-old twins! When Jordon is tapped to be the girls' guardian, the first person he thinks to turn to is Mia. Finally, the dream of motherhood is within her grasp…if they can mend the wounds of the past!
 
Very good book with an unusual theme. Ten years ago, Mia and Jordan were a couple. They'd been together all through college with big plans for their future. Mia studied business to help her run her ranch, while Jordan studied finance and planned to make his mark that way. During that time, Mia made it clear that she had no intention of leaving Shelter Valley. But when graduation came, Jordan expected her to go to New York with him. Heartbroken, Mia watched Jordan walk away.
 
Jordan is a successful financier in New York with a busy life. That life comes crashing down when he becomes the guardian of four-year-old twins. Back during their college days, he and Mia donated embryos to a couple with fertility problems. Jordan is shocked to discover that the couple has died and made him guardian of the little girls. At a loss for handling it, Jordan turns to Mia for help.
 
Mia was stunned to see Jordan again after all this time and flabbergasted by the news that they were the parents of four-year-old girls. Thrilled at the idea of being a mother, she is wary of getting attached to the girls. She knows Jordan will take them back to New York in a few weeks.
 
I enjoyed seeing how this unusual situation worked out. Jordan feels out of his depth as the father of two little girls but is determined to do right by them. I liked his willingness to listen to Mia and take her advice. I loved seeing his transformation from business-focused to daddy. It wasn't always easy, but they had some adorable scenes together. I loved the quick connection between the girls and Mia. It was easy to see her lose her heart to them and want what was best for their future. I loved seeing her introduce them to ranch life and how much they loved it. I ached for all of them as the time grew closer for Jordan and the girls to leave for New York.
 
I liked watching the rekindling of the relationship between Jordan and Mia. The first thing they had to do was clear the air about the past. That was an interesting conversation, as Jordan was utterly clueless about the real issue. I loved that he learned from his mistakes and used that knowledge well. Mia wasn't entirely without fault either, and as they grew closer, had to look at what she was willing to compromise on. I liked watching them get to know each other as they are now and discover that the old feelings were still there. Both were hesitant to risk their hearts again, and it took being apart again for them to realize what was important. The ending was terrific.
 
The little girls, Ruby and Violet, were adorable. I ached for their loss, but they adjusted pretty well. It helped that they had Jordan and Mia to care for them. I loved their enthusiasm for the ranch and everything on it and laughed at its effect on Jordan. I loved their name for Mia and how it came about. I also loved seeing how their relationship with him changed his outlook.