Peril
by Alexandra Ivy, Rebecca Zanetti, and Kat Martin
Release Date: May 23, 2023
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 304
Source: ARC from Net Galley
Romantic Suspense
Ages 16 and up
CW: threats of rape, kidnapping, violence,
sexual harassment
———————
IN THE PATH OF A KILLER . . .When a cop killer resurfaces in Denver, enlisting the help of a pair of local lowlifes, it marks the beginning of a violent crime spree that will wreak havoc and endanger lives. Law enforcement is on alert from the first sighting of the cold-blooded trio. To take down this brutal gang, only those willing to risk everything they hold dear stand a chance . . . First, a pair of Denver police officers facing each other for the first time after one night of abandon find themselves working together to stop an ambitious bank heist. In Wyoming, a string of robberies marks the gang’s arrival, and the local sheriff springs into action when the criminals discover his estranged fiancée can identify them. Finally, in the mountains of Colorado, the gang takes shelter on a peaceful guest ranch, where a fiercely protective rancher is hellbent on roping the fugitives up for good. Trusting their sharply honed instincts, three rugged men will fight to stop the rampage before the women they’d die for become the next victims . . .
Another compilation, another ARC requested because I can’t not read every Rebecca Zanetti story I can get my hands on. Especially the one included here. While I’ve had luck with the stories I’ve read by Alexandra Ivy, my experience with Kat Martin has been hit or miss. These stories are interconnected to a certain extent so I decided it would be best to read them all and see how it goes.
Redemption by Alexandra Ivy
From what I can tell, the MFC in this story is from this author’s Pike, Wisconsin series. It seems it could be a great introductory novella to a new series, too. This short story has a great flow, good chemistry, and likable characters. Seeing as both Tessa and Ian are police officers and they teamed up after receiving a tip that the guy who killed Tessa’s partner is back in town, this story is very cop-centric. Something that is harder for me to swallow the last few years and some problematic things pop up.
Ian and Tessa haven’t seen each other for 5 years and it seems they weren’t particularly close before she left town, although they were both harboring feelings for the other. I usually don’t have a problem with insta-love, especially in novellas, but it seemed these two jumped from near strangers to marriage in half a heartbeat and that seemed strange to me. ~ 3 stars
Rescue: Hero Style by Rebecca Zanetti
This short story takes place in the same universe as this author’s Rescue: Cowboy Style short story. (You don’t have to have read that to read this.) From what I can tell, these are prequel novellas to a new series called Redemption Wyoming. I am super excited about this series and delving into the world of the Cattleman Club, so I was a bit disappointed this story doesn’t deal directly with them. They still make an appearance, but they are not the main characters. That being said, I still enjoyed the story and getting to know the people in town better.
Ella and Caden have good chemistry, but this is a second-chance romance with Caden having broken their engagement a couple of months prior and there is not the right kind of grovel for me. Caden had a good reason to leave the way he did. I fully understand him not having his head on straight and thinking he was doing right by Ella. But once he returned with a new outlook, he was a bit too dismissive of Ella’s reluctance to jump back to where they left off. Yes, she was digging in her heels and being stubborn. I’d even say a bit too stubborn. Yet there was no wooing to be seen.
There was enough with the mysterious robberies and the snippets of tenderness between the couple to keep me engaged. ~ 4 stars
One Last Kiss by Kat Martin
Libby is a poor little rich girl, having lost her parents when she was young and been raised by a rich uncle. He adored her and she him, but when he passes away he puts conditions on her inheritance. Not because she’s a bad person, but because she needs to expand her horizons. Of course, she’s not happy to be sent off to a ranch in the middle of nowhere, but she’s ready to do what needs to be done. Sam, the owner of said ranch, has his reservations. Libby quickly dispels any doubts that she can pull her weight, which makes the attraction between the two even harder for them to resist.
The bank robbers that have made an appearance in each story show up on the ranch, of course. And that’s my only real issue with this story. Even if I put aside the “bad feelings” about the guys everyone seemed to ignore and not talk about with each other, when things come to a head and good triumphs over evil, the story is abruptly over. It was very disconcerting. Technically the HEA is there and feelings are expressed, but it just ended oddly for me. ~ 4 stars
Summary: These are all quick reads. You really don’t have to read them all, the way the bad guys tie into the plots doesn’t require that. All in all, I found this book to be entertaining.
Overall Rating = 3.66 stars
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
All In Good Time 