Spurred to Justice - Delores Fossen (HI #2121 - Feb 2023)

Series: Law in Lubbock County (Book 4)
 
A lawman confronts his past and a predator in the Texas heat…
 
A taunting text from a serial killer gives FBI agent Nolan Dalton only minutes to save the next victim. Former cop Adalyn Baxter -- and Nolan's ex-girlfriend -- receives the same message. That's just the beginning of a cunningly orchestrated plan that unearths a shocking secret about Nolan. As the Texas lawman struggles to come to terms with his past and protect Adalyn, a madman's end game could bury them both.
 
Terrific conclusion to the series. The book starts with a rush as Nolan and his partner race to save the next victim of a serial killer after receiving a disturbing text from him. Someone had gotten ahead of them when they arrived at the scene. Adalyn, a former cop and current security specialist, had received the same text. The three saved the terrified woman together, but the surprises weren't over. Nolan was stunned to see Adalyn there. They were together until a murderer out to get her shot and killed his father by mistake. Their relationship couldn't survive the guilt and trauma, and they parted ways. Now Adalyn and Nolan are the targets of that same serial killer and his mind games.
 
I liked watching the rekindling of the relationship between Adalyn and Nolan. It is evident from the beginning that their attraction is as strong as ever, but neither can forget the circumstances that drove them apart. Adalyn still feels overwhelming guilt about Bill Dalton's death, and though Nolan doesn't hold her responsible, he hasn't been able to get past it. That won't stop him from keeping her safe while they look for the killer. The more time they spend together, the more he realizes he'd never stopped loving her. Meanwhile, Adalyn is sure they have no future together because of her connection to his father's murder. Both need to face that obstacle before they can move on. I loved the ending and seeing them look forward to a fresh start together.
 
The story's suspense had me glued to the pages from start to finish. Nolan and his partner, Cody, have been chasing the serial killer known as the Grave Digger for months. Adalyn's involvement added another layer of complexity, further complicated by the identity of the latest victim - Jeb Mercer's housekeeper, Caroline. When Jeb shows up, also having received a text from the killer, it becomes clear that the Grave Digger is playing a complicated game with them. Nolan is hit with a shocking secret about his past that throws everything he believes about who he is into question.
 
As Adalyn and Nolan dig deeper into the leads they uncover, the attacks against them escalate. Twists and turns and attempts at misdirection kept me turning the pages as they closed in on the identity of the Grave Digger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with Adalyn and Caroline in mortal danger and Nolan and the others racing to save them. The shocking identity of the killer and his motivations and manipulations added an extra layer of emotion to the conclusion. 

Lawman to the Core - Delores Fossen (HI #2115 - Jan 2023)

Series: The Law in LubbockCounty (Book 3)

 
A Texas lawman will do anything to protect a woman and baby.
 
The woman who broke into ATF special agent Nick Brodie’s home and aimed a gun at him isn’t a stranger. Neither is the baby with her. Seven months ago, the lawman and former ATF agent Hallie Stanton rescued the newborn from a black market ring. Now on the run, they must join forces to escape the abductor hot on their trail. As their taboo attraction heats up, can Nick and Hallie keep the baby safe and stay one step ahead of a merciless killer?

Another wild ride of a story from this author. There was nonstop action from the first page to the last as Nick and Hallie raced to keep a black market baby ring infant safe.
 
The book starts with a rush as Nick arrives home to find Hallie aiming a gun at him, desperate to discover if he was responsible for an attack on her and baby Davy. Several months earlier, they had been involved in shutting down a weapons/drug/baby trafficking ring and were wounded in the process. Hallie left the ATF to become a PI and is in the process of adopting Davy, but someone has other plans for the boy.
 
I loved the balance of romance and suspense in this book. Nick and Hallie worked together in the ATF for several years, and their sparks were undeniable. But as the team leader, having any relationship with Hallie was out of the question, so he suppressed those feelings. Like Nick, Hallie felt the same attraction but never acted on it. With that barrier gone, anything is possible - once the threat to them is gone.
 
I liked watching the relationship between Nick and Hallie develop. Because they already know each other well, the rapid progression is believable. I liked how moved Nick was by Hallie's obvious love for Davy and how quickly Davy wiggled into Nick's heart. Nick and Hallie grew closer as they worked together to discover who was behind the attacks, but it took nearly losing each other for them to realize how deep their feelings were.
 
The story's suspense had me glued to the pages from start to finish. From the beginning, the attacks clearly have something to do with the black market baby ring, but what is behind them? And why are Nick and Hallie being set up to look like they are involved in a cover-up? I could feel their frustration as every trail they followed led to a different suspect, and the attacks on them escalated in intensity. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Nick and Hallie fought for their lives against someone determined to keep his secret.
 
I liked seeing more of Leigh and Cullen from Sheriff in the Saddle, as both played significant roles in this book. Now I can't wait to read the next book in the series.