Series:
Resting Warrior Ranch (Book 6)
Daniel Clark is the leader. The one who ensures everyone
makes it out alive.
He took that responsibility seriously when he and his
team served in the Navy SEALs together, and he takes it seriously now at the
Resting Warrior Ranch.
When he and his men broke up the Riders -- the vicious
dogfighting gang who also kept some human captives -- they got everyone to
safety.
Except for the woman who'd been caged -- Emma. She
disappeared into the night.
So when she shows up in his tiny Montana town -- in bad
physical shape, begging not to be taken to the hospital -- Daniel can't believe
it. He does the only thing he can: brings her home.
He's a warrior, not a caregiver, but he'll have to be
both in this case. The people after her don't just want to put her in a cage
this time. They want her dead.
But if they want to get to Emma, they're going to have to
go through Daniel. And that's not going to happen.
I've been waiting for Daniel's story, and it was worth
the wait! The suspense is intense, the romance is sweet and sexy, and the
people are realistic and relatable. It can be read as a standalone, as the
essential background is provided, but the experience is richer if you start at
the beginning. This book takes place six months after
Montana Mystery, where
Daniel and the others rescue Noah and Kate from a gang called The Riders.
Another one of those rescued was Emma, who Daniel released from a cage, but she
disappeared right after the rescue.
Daniel is the manager of Resting Warrior Ranch, the
oldest, and the one the others look to for leadership. Daniel suffers from PTSD
from his time as a SEAL and has added nightmares about Emma's fate after her
disappearance. I ached for Daniel, whose innate sense of responsibility won't
allow him to let go of things that were beyond his control. As a result, he
built walls around himself and felt he was too broken to be good for anyone. He
realizes he is lonely as he watches his friends pair off and find love. Then
Fate brings Emma back into his life.
Emma is an IT specialist with an eidetic memory. After
stumbling across incriminating information, she wound up in the crosshairs of
The Riders' leader, Simon. He ensured she knew he planned to kill her, and she
knew her lucky escape wouldn't stop him for long. She hides out in a cabin off
the grid, trying to put the information she learned together while dreaming of
the man who rescued her. Staying hidden is the only way to keep safe, but when
a minor injury forces her out, she finds herself again saved by Daniel.
I loved seeing the relationship develop between Daniel
and Emma. The connection between them was evident from the moment they locked
eyes the night he freed her from the cage, and neither could forget the other
in the six months since then. Daniel's care for her as she recovered from her
injury was sweet, and the sparks between them are undeniable. But Daniel feels
that he is too old for her (his 37 to her 22), and his issues make him too
broken for her. Emma doesn't see a problem with their ages, but she does have
trust issues that hold her back for a time.
With Emma and Daniel having traumatic pasts, it isn't
surprising that they understand what the other has gone through, which draws
them closer. I loved how Daniel used logic to show Emma that she wasn't
responsible for the things she blamed herself for. It was lovely to see
Daniel's shock when she turned the tables and used his own arguments to break
through the guilt that tormented him. I loved seeing them overcome the real and
imagined obstacles that kept them apart and realize they belonged together.
The suspense kept me glued to the pages from start to
finish. The men of RWR have been on edge for six months, waiting for the Riders
to carry out their threat of retribution. Emma's appearance is one more thing
that could add to the cards stacked against them. Matters become complicated
when the FBI shows up looking for Emma and lets slip a shocking connection
between Emma and the Riders. The FBI wants her help drawing Simon out and isn't
afraid to use pressure to make it happen. I loved Daniel's determination to
keep Emma safe and seeing the others unquestioningly step up to help. The final
confrontation was a nail-biter, with several twists that kept me glued to the
pages. The resolution was well done with a perfect blend of recklessness and
determination.
I loved the close relationships of the men of RWR. I like
how they give each other the space needed to deal with their issues but are
there when anyone needs to talk. Daniel is especially good at helping them see
past whatever is giving them grief but not so good at applying it to himself.
There are some great scenes between him and Liam. I also love the ladies who
are warm and welcoming to Emma, quickly making her feel part of the ranch
family. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up for this book and a lead-in for the
next one. I can't wait to read Liam and Mara's story.
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