Montana Rain - Josie Jade (Calamitte Jane Pub - Sept 2023)

Series: Resting Warrior Ranch (Book 8)
 
Psychiatrist Rayne Westerfield has found purpose in helping patients, especially those with PTSD, heal at the Resting Warrior Ranch. For her, there’s no greater calling than equipping people to fight the worst of their demons.
 
But she’s never allowed anyone to help her fight her own.
 
She’s kept her distance. Kept herself buttoned up tight. Even the people in the small Montana town she’s known for years—the ones she calls friends—don’t know who she really is, and the fears she hides.
 
And that’s okay.
 
But it’s not okay to Cole Phillips.
 
The FBI agent’s first interaction with the Resting Warrior Ranch a few months ago wasn’t under the best of circumstances, but he’s determined to make up for that now.
 
Where everyone else sees ice in Rayne, he sees fire. And he’s not going to let her fears keep him at a distance.
 
Especially not when Rayne witnesses something she shouldn’t and a killer comes after her. Cole will battle the criminal determined to silence her, and the fears she’s buried so deep.
 
The healer has fought for everyone else. Now this warrior will fight for her.
 
Terrific ending to the series. Cole first appeared in Montana Freedom, where he was part of an FBI team. He didn't know then that his partner was in cahoots with the bad guys. Now, he's dealing with the mistrust of his fellow agents, so he takes a leave of absence to deal with his feelings and get some distance from the workplace stress. He's also determined to mend fences with the men at the Resting Warrior Ranch and see if there is anything to his feelings for Rayne.
 
Rayne is the psychiatrist who works with the wounded warriors at the ranch and anyone else who needs her help. Though she has become close to the people of RWR, there are parts of her past she keeps locked away. Though she is equally attracted to Cole, she refuses to do anything about it because she believes terrible things happen to those she cares about.
 
Rayne is able to maintain her distance from Cole until a chance encounter in Chicago brings them together, and the sparks are stirred up again. While she's relieved to go home and put distance between them again, she has no idea that Cole is headed to Garnet Bend for the next four months. I loved her first encounter with him and how he puts her on notice that he's determined to pursue their attraction. He won't pressure her but lets her know he isn't going anywhere.
 
Things change when she sees a news story about a Chicago murder, and then her office is broken into. The team at RWR is looking into it and is not convinced it's a coincidence. When her home is broken into, Rayne barely escapes discovery. The first person she calls is Cole, who rushes to her side. It doesn't take long to figure out what has happened and that Rayne is in danger. I loved seeing Cole's protectiveness come out.
 
Cole whisks Rayne off to his cabin, hoping to keep her safe while the team at RWR works their way through the possibilities. Rayne is wary of being alone with Cole, afraid that her resolve to resist him won't last. Things get complicated when a freak blizzard snows them in. All of this alone time gives the attraction between them time to build. At the same time, Cole's understanding and patience enable Rayne to finally open up about the trauma in her past that keeps her from allowing herself to care about anyone. Breaking free of that guilt lets Rayne give in to her attraction to Cole, and they find plenty of ways to stay warm.
 
But their peace doesn't last long, and with the end of the blizzard comes the end of their safety. The action picks up as those looking for Rayne find their hideout. There were some tense moments as Cole and Rayne avoided detection, but they knew their options were limited. The only thing to do is to return to Chicago and deal with the issue. The action was intense, with threats, kidnappings, and a ticking clock. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages with its twists and turns. I loved the ending, especially Cole's plans for the future. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up for the book and series. I'd love to see a return to the ranch sometime in the future.

Montana Silence - Josie Jade, Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - July 2023)

Series: Resting Warrior Ranch (Book 7)
 
Raised in a cult where opinions and freedom in women were not tolerated, Mara Greene narrowly escaped a life as a child bride—one where she would’ve been shared and owned by all the men in the compound.
 
Her testimony helped put the cult leader in prison, but she’s never truly gotten past the horrors inflicted on her. Despite having found a safe haven at the Resting Warrior Ranch, her conditioning to keep silent persists.
 
Here she’s safe, but still always alone and trapped in her silence.
 
Liam Anderson is always the first team member to crack a smile or a joke. No one—not even his Navy SEAL brothers—knows about his painful past or the truth he hides behind his charming mask.
 
He’s captivated by fragile Mara and wants to help her heal. Watching her find her voice is the most amazing thing he’s ever known. And it doesn’t take long to realize she’s healing him just as much.
 
When Mara’s past resurfaces, Liam won’t let her face it alone. He’ll be her personal protector no matter what it cost.
 
No one is going to steal her voice again.
 
I started reading this book at about 9 pm last night and was so engrossed in the story I didn't put it down until I turned the last page at 2 am. Mara has intrigued me since the first book, and I've eagerly awaited her story. I've also been waiting for Liam's tale, the last of the seven founders of the Resting Warrior Ranch.
 
It was obvious that something in Mara's past had turned her into an almost ghost-like figure. She is so quiet and self-effacing that she frequently blends into the background. Throughout the previous six books, she has somewhat emerged from her shell. However, she's been experiencing more flashbacks to her childhood as a cult member. I ached for her as I read about her abuse and her narrow escape from becoming a child bride. I loved the inner strength that helped her provide the testimony that put the leader in prison. I'm not sure how she came to Resting Warrior Ranch, but it has been a safe haven for her. She has become part of the RWR family even though she doesn't realize what that means.
 
Quiet, beautiful Mara captivated Liam from the moment she arrived at the ranch and was the first to step up if she needed something. He understands her skittishness even if he doesn't know what caused it and is careful to maintain his distance. I've enjoyed watching his feelings for her grow during the previous books as he wishes for the chance to tell her how he feels. Liam is there for her when he witnesses one of her flashback/panic attacks. I loved his gentleness as he helped her through it. I could almost feel his hug as he gave her the comfort she needed. I loved watching him take a chance and ask her to dance and his relief and happiness when she said yes. He has no idea she is just as attracted to him but doesn't know how to clue him in.
 
Mara's life is about to get complicated as her past becomes part of her present. When an item from that past is delivered to her at the ranch, all of the old fears come rushing to the surface. Rather than facing them alone, Mara discovers she has all the support she can want. Liam steps up as her protector. I loved the scene where he brought her to his home, where only one other person had ever been inside. Liam's nervousness and vulnerability were endearing as he opened his home and his heart to her. I loved their deep connection, ability to communicate without words and the growing love that makes it all possible.
 
The story's suspense kept me as glued to the pages as the romance. It revolves around the imprisoned cult leader and whether he should be paroled. Is he the one sending the creepy packages to Mara, or is someone else involved? I ached for Mara as she contemplated testifying before the parole board. I loved her determination to prevent what happened to her from happening to others. I felt her fear as she faced him and cried at its effect on her. But that isn't the end, and as Mara gathers her courage for a second round, an unexpected twist puts her in extreme danger. I loved watching the men of the RWR band together to pull off another incredible rescue. Even better, I loved that Mara found her voice, inner strength, and courage to fight for herself. The final confrontation was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
 
As always, I love the close relationships among the characters of this series. In this book, it was great to see Mara become closer to the other women of the RWR. I especially enjoyed the scenes with her and Lena at the coffee shop and the fun teasing as her relationship with Liam became known. The men have been through so much together that they rarely have to speak of their feelings to know that their comrades have their backs. In previous books, Liam was quick to tease the others about their burgeoning relationships, and it was fun to see him realize that he would now be on the receiving end.
 
I thought this might be the end of the series now that all seven have found love, but another book that stars the psychiatrist Rayne Westerfield is coming. I love how she has helped our warriors and their ladies, and I'm excited to read her story.

Montana Freedom - Josie Jade, Janie Crouch (Calamittie Jane Pub - Mar 2023)

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.