Wyoming Mountain Cold Case - Juno Rushdan (HI #2172 - Oct 2023)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen (Book 6)
 
A murder spree brings a sheriff and police chief together…
 
Called to the scene of a killer's latest victim, Laramie PD chief Willa Nelson and Sheriff Daniel Clark must work together despite jurisdictional differences. But as their investigation leads to a cold case, Willa has to trust Daniel with the truth. As the bodies pile up and the pressure mounts, they find themselves facing more than one unstoppable killer…
 
Good second chance romance combined with gripping suspense. The story's prologue showed the serial killer, his first victim, and a vivid illustration of the evil in store. This is followed five years later by the discovery of a body in the woods. This is the second body killed in this manner lately, and our law enforcement duo soon discovered a disturbing similarity to some cold cases.
 
Daniel is the county sheriff and catches the recent case because it is in his jurisdiction - barely. Willa is the town's police chief and has a similar case that happened within the town limits. There is some history between Willa and Daniel that has caused tension since they took up their posts, but both agree that working together is the best way to stop the killer.
 
Daniel and Willa had carried on a short but intense affair before being hired to their current positions. Willa broke things off to protect her heart, as her relationships tend to end badly. She also wants to keep her professional and personal lives separate, thanks to the attitudes of some people she's worked with. Daniel disagreed with the breakup, but she gave him no choice. Now, they'll spend time together as they work on the case.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Willa tries hard to keep the distance between her and Daniel, but ignoring the sparks that still fly between them becomes increasingly difficult. Daniel respects Willa's abilities, but his protective instincts kick in when it becomes clear that she is the killer's next target. Sometimes, I wanted to shake Willa for pushing Daniel away even though she appreciated his comfort and understanding. I liked seeing them realize they were perfect together, professionally and personally.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. The victims are linked to the Shining Light cult featured in the previous books, adding to the problems law enforcement has with them. I enjoyed watching Daniel and Willa work through the puzzling clues, refusing to allow the leader to block their efforts to find the truth. There were several twists to the investigation that I didn't see coming, culminating with two intense confrontations. There was a final twist to the fate of the cult that caught me by surprise.
 
Willa's twenty-one-year-old son plays an important role in the book also. He and Willa have a strained relationship that weighs deeply on her. His prior involvement with the cult didn't help anything. There are some tense times between the two because of it. It was interesting to see how things changed as the book progressed. I loved his part in the epilogue.

Wyoming Cowboy Undercover - Juno Rushdan (HI #2166 - Sept 2023)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen (Book 5)
 
He must infiltrate a dangerous cult…
To prevent an impending disaster.
 
Rocco Sharp fears he's placed Mercy McCoy in peril. The undercover agent has convinced the cult leader's daughter to get him into the Shining Light's compound. With five days to thwart a violent plot, Rocco's feelings for Mercy put his assignment at risk. As the connection between them deepens, Rocco knows he'll have to be the one to tell Mercy who he really is. Otherwise, they'll never have a chance beyond this critical mission.
 
Terrific addition to the Cowboy State Lawmen series. Rocco is an undercover part of the task force investigating weapons trafficking that may also be linked to the Shining Light cult. The cult leader, Marshall McCoy, is a charismatic man who has recruited many people lately, making the task force suspicious about his intentions. The story opens as Rocco witnesses his CI (confidential informant) run off the road on the way to meet him. The CI dies right after telling Rocco they had it "all wrong" and that something big and violent would happen in a few days. The CI's death leaves Rocco with only his backup plan to get the truth - getting closer to the leader's daughter, Mercy.
 
Mercy has been raised in the cult but lately has felt restless and dissatisfied. Her happiest times are spent at the gym, where she takes self-defense lessons from Rocco. But her father is about to end those lessons and prevent her from leaving the compound. Distraught at not seeing Rocco again, she allows him to talk her into taking him to the compound with her. He claims he needs her help to get away from bad influences.
 
This begins a roller coaster of action, suspense, and emotions. The twists and turns of this case kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Rocco is determined to discover what the attack entails and who is behind it and is willing to risk himself. The intensity ramps up as the deadline grows nearer. The cult leader is a master manipulator and doesn't hesitate to use Mercy to further his aims. But just when it looks like Rocco has identified the who, if not the where and when, an unexpected twist throws everything into question. The new player is determined and without any redeeming qualities in his quest. I was glued to the pages as Rocco fought for his life and to prevent a horrifying attack. I loved watching the task force and law enforcement come together in a well-planned and executed defense. My only frustration was that the cult leader managed to weasel out of any consequences.
 
A secondary suspense plot involved Mercy, her father, and his supposed heir to the cult leadership. Mercy was allowed more freedom than others as her father tried to keep her from leaving altogether. He has plans to marry her to Alex, keeping the leadership within the family. He uses subtle and not-so-subtle manipulations to keep both under his thumb. But as Mercy grows closer to Rocco, her father uses those feelings against her. Complicating matters, Alex becomes more obsessed with her, and his jealousy comes out in dangerous ways. The final confrontation between Alex, Mercy, and Rocco was a nail-biter, and I ached for Mercy when it was over.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Rocco and Mercy. He fell for her more each day over the months he taught her self-defense. But he was also cultivating her as an asset; getting emotionally involved with an asset is never good. Meanwhile, Mercy also falls for him. Rocco listens to her when she talks about her life and doubts, giving her a safe place to vent. Besides his friendship, she becomes increasingly aware of him as a man but believes he would never be interested in someone like her. She feels hurt and betrayed when she discovers the truth about who he is, and it takes some effort for Rocco to regain her trust. I liked Rocco's support of Mercy as she deals with the truth about her father. Mercy sometimes frustrated me when she made questionable decisions in the belief she was protecting Rocco. I liked the ending and seeing Mercy embrace life outside Shining Light and her developing relationship with Rocco. 

Wyoming Mountain Murder - Juno Rushdan (HI #2148 - June 2023)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen (Book 4)
 
His only link to a killer
Is a stranger with secrets…
 
When self-defense trainer Charlie Sharp is nearly killed by an explosion, Wyoming detective Brian Bradshaw finds himself with a murder investigation on his hands. And worse, it involves one of his own. Now bodies are turning up, and Brian suspects Charlie knows more than she's telling. Trusting each other is hard enough. But knowing her secrets might be more danger than he bargained for…
 
A fantastic, fast-paced, and action-filled book I read in one sitting. Charlie owns USD (Underground Self Defense), a gym that teaches self-defense to women. Charlie also has a lesser-known activity of helping women escape their abusers. It is a cause near and dear to her heart for heartbreaking reasons, and those reasons left her with a deep-seated distrust of cops.
 
As the book opens, Charlie gets a call from one of her clients, Haley, who says her cop husband, Seth, is going to kill her. Charlie races to Haley's rescue, only to find the kitchen spattered with blood and no sign of Haley. No sooner does Charlie leave the home to search for Haley than the house explodes. She escapes before the fire department arrives and asks her ATF agent cousin, Rocco, for help. Rocco is tied up with work and sends his friend Detective Brian Bradshaw to her, warning him about Charlie's attitude.
 
Brian first met Charlie a year earlier and was immediately taken by her beauty and feistiness. Unfortunately for him, Charlie won't give him the time of day, no matter how hard he tries. So, when Rocco asks Brian for help, he can't say yes fast enough. But nothing prepares him for what she has to say.
 
Charlie remembers Brian very well. He's the only man who has stirred her emotions in years, but trusting him doesn't come easily. She isn't happy to see him show up at her house, but she realizes she needs the help. There are some tense moments when Brian learns that a fellow officer is the suspected murderer, but when someone shoots at her house, he is determined to keep her safe. Brian is very protective of Charlie, but she isn't someone who can sit back and let him do it all. Because of her trust issues, she isn't exactly upfront about her plans and gets into some risky situations. The deeper they get into their investigation, the more complicated it becomes. There were unexpected twists, players who weren't what they seemed, and a final confrontation that could have easily gone sideways.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Charlie and Brian. Because of his feelings for her, Brian does an excellent job of not pushing too hard and lets his actions speak for themselves. I loved seeing him let her barbs roll off his back because he knew he had the patience to wait for her to trust him. I knew he was getting closer when she shared her past with him. Their chemistry was intense, and here again, Brian practiced patience, waiting for Charlie to be ready for more than a fling. However, they have to survive to have the relationship he wants. I loved the ending and Brian's surprise for her.

Wyoming Mountain Hostage - Juno Rushdan (HI #2142 - May 2023)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen (Book 3)
 
The toughest negotiation of his FBI career
Includes her and their unborn baby
 
When tough-as-nails FBI agent Becca Hammond becomes an unwitting hostage, top negotiator Jake Delgado faces the toughest crisis of his life. Becca's not only a trusted colleague, but she's also pregnant -- with his child. Jake's got to figure out why the kidnappers are so desperate. Can he do that before it's too late for the town, Becca…and their future together?
 
Terrific book that kept me hooked from beginning to end. It was fast-paced, with a believable scenario and sympathetic characters. Though the action took place over 24 to 36 hours, it did not feel rushed. In addition to the main characters, Jake and Becca, previous characters Nash and Lynn (Wyoming Winter Rescue) also play significant roles in this book.
 
Jake and Becca are FBI agents who have a friends-with-benefits relationship. They've known each other since they attended the FBI Academy, where a simmering attraction underscored an intense rivalry. After meeting again recently, they began a no-strings, no-commitment relationship, indulging their passion without risking their hearts. But that is about to change.
 
As the book opens, Becca breaks the news that she's pregnant with his baby. She wants to know where he sees their relationship going. Stunned by the news, Jake isn't sure how to react. He tells her he likes things the way they are, sticks his foot in his mouth about the baby, and is distracted by a drive-by shooting. They are at the local library waiting to pick up Becca's nephew. As gunmen approach the library, Becca rushes in to attempt to get her nephew and his friends out but gets taken hostage along with the others.
 
Jake, an FBI hostage negotiator, steps up to help local officials deal with the situation. He's still reeling from Becca's news but has to bury those feelings to do his job. However, knowing she is in danger makes him realize how much he cares for her. He's avoided commitment because of a disastrous past relationship, but his feelings for Becca are strong enough to overcome those fears. He just has to keep her alive long enough to tell her.
 
I loved the depth of detail in the book, from the actions taken by the characters to their thoughts and motivations. Jake's patience and determination are stellar, and I loved seeing him work his magic with the head hostage taker. He has to deal with outside influences, and I enjoyed seeing him shut them down. Jake's fear for Becca is palpable as the negotiations go on. Meanwhile, Becca, who has not disclosed that she is an FBI agent, is determined to do whatever she can to help Jake and the others succeed. She took several risks that could get her killed and drew the attention of the least stable of the gunmen, and I held my breath at several close calls. The final confrontation at the library was a nail-biter.
 
Then an unexpected discovery reveals that the threat isn't over. The time to prevent a disaster is short, and the agents are left scrambling to get the information they need. I loved that Becca knew where to find the weakest link, thanks to her time as a hostage. Her methods of getting the required information were precisely what was needed. The intensity was incredible as she, Jake, and other agents raced to the scene. Of course, Becca was the one who found what they were looking for and had the training to handle it.
 
I loved the ending. I liked seeing how the events they experienced affected Jake. Initially, though he knew Becca was excellent at her job, he constantly questioned her judgment and actions. This frustrated her, and I sometimes wondered why she stayed with him. I liked how she called him out on it. I liked how he finally gave her the respect she deserved, though he still had a little work to do. His confession of his feelings was emotional, awkward, and sweet. I hope to see more of them in later books.