Diamond Legacy by Monica McCabe

This was my first experience with this author, so I had no idea what to expect. What I found was an exciting story set in Africa. The author's descriptions made the location seem real and beautifully untamed. Miranda is a veterinary dentist who was commissioned to travel with her intern to an animal preserve in Africa to work for several weeks. Before she even gets to the presence, she is confronted with the violence of the country and also the presence of Matt who works with local law enforcement. When she later sees Matt acting as a janitor at the presence, she realizes he is undercover. Fearing his investigation will in some way harm the prestige she is coming to love, Miranda uses Matt's fear of having his cover blown in order to work her way into his investigation of diamond and gun smuggling. Miranda tends to just plunge in and look later, so Matt has his hands full trying to protect her.  The more time the two spend together, the more they realize they might have something that could last if they can survive the investigation.

I enjoyed the story and the lighthearted banter between Matt and Miranda. There were also several endearing and funny animal moments. Overall, it was a great relaxing read.

I received a copy from Net Galley for review.

Midnight Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but when I had the opportunity through Net Galley to read an advance copy of this story, I was hooked by the description. Once I started reading, I was immediately intrigued by the portrayal of two broken characters. One was pushing himself and healing, but the other was overwhelmed by grief and couldn't seem to get back on her feet. Despite his injuries, Joe has been looking out for Isabel both with and without her knowledge. She allows it but keeps herself isolated and distant. Isabel has a big secret. She has changed her name and hidden, but someone knows who she is and is just waiting to strike if her memories begin to return. Once Joe and the security team he had been hired to work for discover the truth, they pull out all the stops to help Isabel and maybe even save the nation in the process. The chemistry was great in this story. I also loved how Isabel regained her personality and her courage. The secondary characters were well written and had enough depth to have me adding this whole series to my wish list.

Sinclair Justice by Colleen Shannon

This story features a couple slightly older than typically found in this type of novel. Ross was a never before married Texas Ranger in his early fifties. He has some silver in his hair, but he still came off totally alpha, completely confident, and undeniably sexy. Emm was fast approaching forty having never focused on a family of her own, just living vicariously through her sister and her niece. When first her niece and then her sister disappear, Emm fears they have been taken by a human trafficking ring located in Texas. A recent job assignment takes her not only to Texas, but also to Ross, surprisingly the focus of her assignment and her personal investigation. The two don't hit it off at first, but attitudes quickly change as they realize the attraction between them is strong. When Ross catches on to Emm's dangerous little side investigation and her determination to do whatever it takes to get her sister back, he has to make some tough choices in order to protect her.

As you might deduce from the description of the book, it does deal with human trafficking, so expect some violence including sexual violence. While it wasn't overly graphic, it did try to portray a realistic view of the situation. I liked the story and the more realistic happy but not quite perfect ending.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley for review.

Treasured by Thursday by Catherine Bybee

This is the final book in the Weekday Brides series, and I am really hating that fact. I have enjoyed every book in this series and literally squealed with excitement when I was able to get an advance copy of Treasured by Thursday from Net Galley. Gabi was such a great character. I felt such sympathy for her in the last book and curiosity as to what would happen to her in the future and how she would recover. To see her on her feet working through her problems and making friends was great...until Hunter threatened it all. He was completely ruthless in his hostile takeover of Gabi's life. How she handled him was masterful. I loved all the little barbs and death wishes she threw Hunter's way and his pithy responses. Hunter grew on me quickly despite his less than honorable beginnings. He also grew on Gabi despite her efforts to keep him at a distance.  As the couple fights a losing battle to resist their obvious chemistry, secrets they have both kept closely held begin to unravel and threaten not only their fledgling relationship but also Gabi's life. Hunter increases security and begins to realize how much he actually has to lose if anyone gets to Gabi.

All my favorite characters from the previous novels step up throughout the story to confront Hunter and protect Gabi. Overall, this was probably my favorite book in the series. I've already gone back and re-read my bookmarked sections a couple of times and wished this wasn't the last of the Weekday Brides. I certainly hope a new suspenseful series is in the works and can't wait to read whatever Catherine Bybee writes next.

Every Step She Takes by Jannine Gallant

This is the second book in a series by an author I wasn't familiar with. I liked the cover and the synopsis, so I requested an advance copy from Net Galley despite not having read the first book. I did not find myself lost at all and really enjoyed the story. I now want to go back and read book one. I'm guessing it is Rachel's story. This book focused on Grace. She is a very intrepid reporter with a long slew of previous bad relationships. Shew heads of too Alaska in portrait of the story of a lifetime and ends up chasing her story with private protection specialist Travis. His job is to protect the story Grace is desperate to find. The two have instant chemistry and connect pretty quickly. Finding the source of Grace's story has them dodging bullets and also managing to bring back to life an assassin's need for retribution against Grace. With danger coming from two fronts, the couple heads back to the lower forty eight to see whether a long distance relationship between them can work. Things seem calm at first until the killer begins taunting Grace. Travis puts everything on hold to travel to her home and protect her. The only problem is whether Grace will also put him first, or will her career win out?

Travis and Grace had a lot of amusing dialog. Grace's personality was stuffed full of spunk while Travis was defined by his loyalty. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait too check out more by this author.

Covert Evidence by Rachel Grant

This book is the fifth in a series. While it can be read as a standalone, it certainly makes more sense of you have read the other books in the series. The whole series is great, so you might as well start from the beginning. The series is a blend of archeology and suspense. Cressida is an underwater archeologist working on her dissertation. She has a theory which has her looking for undiscovered tunnels in terrorist controlled countries. She believes herself safe until she discovers the translator she hired has placed her in grave danger. Ian is a covert operative who believes Cressida is knowingly working with the terrorists. He happens to save her from an attack then ingratiates himself into her life and trip while lying about his identity. In the end, the two discover they need each other's help to survive and possibly thwart further terrorist actions. Unfortunately, they both have secrets, and Ian's is a big one. When all the lies blow up in their faces, it will take everything they have plus the help of Cressida's friends at Raptor to get them out alive.

As was the case with all the other books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was very excited to be given an advance copy for review from Net Galley.

Leverage by Janie Crouch

Shelby and Dylan are two loners thrown together by unusual circumstances. Dylan agrees to take on what he believes will be a brief and simple mission to pick up and deliver computer codes to his sister in law via his charter plane. When the codes arrive, however, he discovers he will be delivering a person. Shelby is a loner with some social anxiety issues. She discovered codes indicating a terrorist attack embedded in a video game. She now needs to input the codes from her memory into her friend's ultra powerful computer in order to help divert the impending attack. Dylan finds himself immediately attracted to Shelby. He leads her on then freaks when he realizes she is his cargo. Dylan kind of blows hot and cold throughout the story. I felt bad for Shelby who was pretty straightforward. When a mole is discovered inside the agency where Dylan's family works, the agency supposedly helping Shelby, her life is placed in danger. Shelby is the only one who can stop the terrorists...if they don't stop her first. Dylan steps up to the plate and vows to protect her.

I enjoyed the story and the secondary characters. I do feel the need to read the other books in this series and have the next one available for pre-order on my wish list. I appreciate Net Galley providing a copy for review.