Secret Alaskan Hideaway - Karen Whiddon (HRS #2212 - Jan 2023)

He has no name, no memory
…and a secret past.
 
Who's the man Dr. McKenzie Taylor rescued from drowning? He has total amnesia -- but senses that someone wants to kill him. Grateful that the good doctor has decided to protect him in her remote Alaskan cabin, “John Doe” joins her to delve into the mystery of his identity. As they become dangerously close, he discovers why their lives are in horrific danger.
 
Good book that kept my attention from start to finish. The book opens as Kenzie, the new doctor for Blake, Alaska, is on the road headed for her new home. A native Texan, Kenzie is a little unnerved by the remoteness and wonders what she's gotten herself into. Cautious in the pouring rain, she's following the car ahead of her when she sees it go out of control and plunge off the bridge and into the river. She stops her car to see if she can rescue the driver.
 
When the man emerges from the water, his size makes Kenzie a little wary, but her medical training overcomes it. She's stunned that he has no memory of who he is or what happened. With no other real options, Kenzie takes him home with her. Her "John Doe" doesn't remember anything about himself other than an overwhelming feeling that he is in danger.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between John Doe, whose name turns out to be Brett, and Kenzie. While still cautious, Kenzie feels Brett is one of the good guys. As they spend time together, tiny pieces of his memory return, such as his love of cooking. I liked how appreciative he was of Kenzie for allowing him to hide out at her place while he recovered and that he repaid her kindness by cooking for her. Kenzie came to enjoy having someone waiting for her when she got home. There are some sweet moments between them during those times. Sparks of attraction began to build. Then Brett's memory returns, and he knows why he was so sure he was in danger - and that he'll do anything to make sure Kenzie is safe. I liked watching them grow closer and share those peaceful evenings. I especially liked that no big misunderstanding drove them apart at the end, just the realization that they belonged together.
 
The suspense of the story was good, though low-key until the end. Kenzie and Brett keep his presence secret while waiting for his memory to return. This turns out to be a good thing when strangers come to town asking questions. The tension builds as Brett's memory starts to return, and we get a glimpse of what he's been through. There is an attack at the cabin that reveals an unexpected adversary.  There are a couple of twists leading up to the final confrontation. I loved how the townspeople supported Kenzie and shaped the resolution of that confrontation. I did find the ending anti-climactic for both Brett's and Kenzie's situations.

Against the Wild - Kat Martin (Zebra - June 2014)

Series: Brodies of Alaska (Book 1)

It's been three years since Lane Bishop tragically lost her fiancé, and she's finally ready to risk her heart on someone else. The hot look in Dylan Brodie's eyes says he's going to be that man.
 
But when Lane flies to the remote 1930's fishing lodge to help him renovate, she discovers a little girl who won't speak, eerie legends and strange sounds in the night. And when she investigates the history of the lodge, she uncovers a legacy of injustice and murder.
 
As danger stalks his daughter and the woman he is coming to love, Dylan must risk everything to uncover the shocking truth.
 
A good book that drew me in from the beginning and kept me hooked to the end. Dylan and Lane met in LA when he visited his cousin, and the sparks between them flew quickly. Dylan would like to get to know her better, but she is wary. Dylan thinks the best way to advance his cause is to hire Lane to do the interiors of the fishing lodge he is renovating. It takes some persuasion, but she finally agrees.
 
Though she's a Southern California city girl, the Alaskan wilderness has its appeal. I loved her enthusiasm as Dylan flew over the beautiful landscape on the way to the remote lodge. She's a little disturbed on arrival when she finds that Dylan has a young daughter he never mentioned who hasn't spoken since her mother deserted them three years earlier. Adding to her discomfort are the rumors that the lodge is haunted. Dylan downplays the rumors, determined to keep Lane around; he doesn't believe in ghosts anyway.
 
But someone is determined to stop Dylan from finishing the lodge. In researching the lodge's history, he and Lane uncover some disturbing information about the lodge's early years and first owner. When a ghost suddenly materializes in the upstairs hall, right in front of Lane, Dylan has had enough. I loved watching him and his friends, Caleb and Paddy, search the lodge from top to bottom. I wasn't surprised by what they found, and the story behind it was intriguing. I especially enjoyed what Lane did with the information. It feels like things should be smooth sailing from here, but that wasn't the case.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Dylan and Lane. Neither is interested in anything permanent (where have I heard that before?). Lane has her interior design business back in LA. She may be ready to indulge in a bit of hanky-panky, but that's all. Dylan wants Lane in his bed, but he won't go any further than that. He's been burned once by a city woman who couldn't take life in Alaska, and he won't put himself or Emily through that again. But the more time he and Lane spend together, the more they find they have in common. When they finally take the plunge into intimacy, their connection is far stronger than either expected. Lane quickly accepted her feelings for Dylan but kept them to herself, not wanting to risk rejection. Dylan fought hard against his feelings, almost leaving it too late, but came to his senses in time.
 
Vanquishing the "ghosts" of the lodge wasn't the end of the trouble for Dylan and Lane. They discovered that someone was prowling around the lodge and watching it. When a young woman was murdered and Caleb was accused of the crime, Dylan and Lane were determined to clear him. The deeper they got into their investigation, the more they suspected that the two things were connected. I figured out pretty quickly what was going on, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment. The person they were up against wasn't going to make it easy, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.
 
I liked getting to know Dylan's brothers, Nick and Rafe, a little bit. Nick played a significant role in solving the second mystery despite his issues. I'm looking forward to reading their stories too.

Alaskan Christmas Escape - Juno Rushdan (HI #2041 - Dec 2021)

Series: Fugitive Heroes: Topaz Unit (Book 2)

With a death squad in pursuit…
A fugitive needs the help of a wounded warrior.
 
An elite CIA kill squad has located hacker Zenobia Hanley's Alaska wilderness hideout. With commandos hot on Zee's heels, she's saved from capture by her neighbor John Lowry. Zee has kept her yearning for the SEAL, who has a disability, in check to shield him. But, despite her secrets, John's determined to protect Zee regardless of the risks. Because there's more at stake this Christmas than just their lives.
 
A fantastic book full of non-stop action, many twists and turns, and a terrific romance between two hurting people. Zee is the computer hacker member of Topaz Unit, a former CIA unit whose last mission didn't go as planned. It quickly became apparent that they were set up, and the only questions were who and why? To make matters worse, the CIA sent a hit squad after them, determined to stop them from asking questions. In this book, Zee has settled in a remote cabin in Alaska, where she keeps to herself. The only exception is the wary friendship she's built with her next-door neighbor, John.
 
John is a former Navy SEAL, injured in the line of duty, and medically retired. He has PTSD and prefers to live his life away from people. The Alaskan wilderness suits him perfectly. He first got to know Zee as he helped the city girl learn to deal with the Alaskan challenges. He senses that she has secrets, but he doesn't pry since he does too.
 
The story's suspense was outstanding and kept me hooked from beginning to end. Zee uses her hacking skills to search for what went wrong with Topaz Unit's last mission. As good as she is, a too-long dip into the CIA's system raised flags and gave away her location. The latest kill squad has an unexpected complication. The group leader also has personal reasons for wanting Zee dead, and nothing will stop him. His ruthlessness is evident the first time we see him and his horrific actions at the computer club. The intensity ramps up when John spots the squad as they arrive near Zee's cabin, warns her and immediately jumps in to help her escape. I was on the edge of my seat as I wondered how they would get away, but Zee's abilities and John's SEAL skills made it happen. Though Zee tried hard to push John away to protect him, including a harsh exchange of words, John refused to give up on her.
 
The action never lets up as Zee and John struggle to stay ahead of the kill squad. An added complication came when Zee insisted on retrieving her daughter, Olivia, from her school. The shocking revelation of Olivia's father's identity added to the tension of the pursuit. The twists, turns, and intensity of the killers' intent kept me glued to the pages as each confrontation increased the pressure. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Zee faced off against her pursuer. The conclusion was not unexpected as Zee, John, and Olivia used team leader Hunter's "parachute" to get away. The epilogue indicates that a showdown is coming and that the team is ready to bring the fight to their accusers.
 
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Zee and John. After months of sharing dinners, watching movies, and just spending time together, their attraction continues to grow. Neither one does anything about it because they don't want to risk their friendship. When trouble comes, Zee tries to put distance between them to protect John from those who are after her. However, John refuses to be pushed aside. I loved his protectiveness and how he insisted on helping her. Once Zee accepted that he wasn't going anywhere, their partnership was fantastic. I loved seeing them trust each other enough to share their secrets and depend on each other to have their backs. Burned by a past relationship, Zee resists the feelings stirred up by John. I loved watching John's unwavering care begin to break down her walls. John's instant connection with Zee's daughter, Olivia, also went a long way toward helping Zee trust her feelings for him. I loved the epilogue and seeing how much closer John and Zee are. There's an adorable scene between John and Olivia, followed by an emotional one with Zee and John.