A by-the-book Fed…gone rogue for justice
To stop the drug epidemic ravaging Midnight Pass, FBI
agent Ryder Durant reluctantly takes matters into his own hands. Poised to set
a trap at Reynolds Station, he has to contend with Arden Reynolds -- who
prefers Ryder's K-9 to the Fed protecting her family. As Ryder and Arden spar,
embers spring into flame. And those flames are as dangerous as the crime ring
lurking too close to home…
Good conclusion to the series. Though it is the fourth
book, there is enough backstory woven in that it works well as a stand-alone. Ryder
is the new senior FBI agent in Midnight Pass, tasked with stopping the drug
runners using Midnight Pass ranchlands to move their drugs. He focuses on Reynolds
Station, the most likely location of that route. Ryder wants to use their land
to set up a trap and needs their agreement. The first person he encounters on
his quest is Arden Reynolds.
Arden is the youngest of the Reynolds siblings and the
only girl. In addition to helping on the ranch, she owns a yoga studio in town.
She learned early how to hold her own against testosterone-driven arguments
with three older brothers. After a romantic relationship goes bad, Arden is
wary of good-looking, charming men. She also resists giving her heart to anyone/anything,
preferring to avoid the chance of heartbreak.
Arden and Ryder met one day when she confronted him about
tying his dog up in front of a store while he was inside. The encounter ended
amicably, with Arden falling hard for Ryder's dog, Murphy, but wary of Ryder. Neither
one can stop thinking about the other.
I loved the family meeting where Ryder presented his case
to the Reynolds family. He's honest about his needs and his desire to ensure
their safety. I could feel his frustration when they refused to let him do his
thing without their involvement simply. There is a lot of interesting
back-and-forth negotiation over the next few days before both sides are
satisfied. I especially enjoyed the time that Arden and Ryder spent together.
Though Arden tries to keep him at arm's length, Ryder finds himself unexpectedly
drawn to her. Though he tries to talk himself out of it, he quickly realizes
that he is falling for her. There are a few clashes as Arden doesn't always
appreciate his insight into what makes her tick. She also can't deny that he
makes her feel safe amid the danger that stalks the ranch. But it takes nearly
losing her life for Arden to let go of the past and embrace a future with
Ryder.
The suspense was good though it started slowly. Ryder has
his plans for a trap to catch the smugglers, but it takes a backseat when a ranch
hand is murdered. A disturbing encounter while Ryder and Arden are on a date
gives him the feeling that something is off. That feeling intensifies when a
friend of Arden's expresses concerns about her current boyfriend, and Arden
shares them with Ryder. I liked seeing Ryder team up with his predecessor to
determine the truth. I was on the edge of my seat as the bad guy kidnapped
Arden. Her calmness in the face of danger was fantastic, and I loved seeing her
fight back. I could feel Ryder's fear when he realized she was missing and his
determination to find her. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with
rescue coming from an unexpected source. My only disappointment was that there
were a couple of threads left hanging. Perhaps there will be a second series
dealing with those.
I loved the family dynamics with the Reynolds clan. The
men are the rough and tough rancher stock, with one having also been in Special
Forces. They are protective of their ladies and their land. Their wives have
all been through traumatic events before finding their happy endings. Those
events gave them all a core of strength that comes in handy when dealing with
the current trouble. I also enjoyed seeing them side with Arden and work to get
their men to see that action now will make the future safer. The epilogue was
great.
No comments:
Post a Comment