Each of these authors is new to me and I'm excited to dive in. Let's get to it!
Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo
This romantic suspense was high adrenaline from start to finish. I read it in one sitting! It was packed full of action and interesting characters like:
Grey - hero in a wheelchair, ace with science experiments that can be used to thwart bad guys, man enough to wheel next to his battle buddy even though he thinks she's having second thoughts about marrying him. He has a quick mind and brings a smile or laugh to those around him.
Christina - bodyguard with a handsome retired canine unit, proud aunt, ready to settle down with her hero but waiting patiently as he recovers from his experimental surgery and learns to walk again. She's analytical and a great planner, putting everyone around her at ease.
Boss - the aforementioned handsome canine unit. His mission in this story is to work as an undercover camel for the local Christmas pageant and keep tabs on Rocco, Christina's nephew.
Rocco - smart as a whip, ready to take on his Christmas role, and even steps up to be a hero even as he struggles through an illness that .
What's It About?
Grey and Christina are looking forward to seeing her sister's son rock his role as one of the Wise Men in the Christmas pageant. Boss is her trusty canine enduring an adorable camel costume to partner with nephew Rocco on stage.
The night takes a serious turn when a foreign militia group crashes the event to take the church grounds hostage and demand a ransom in return. Christina's first thought is that they are here for Boss, as he is considered a high-value asset. They soon learn that this act is, instead, a retaliation.
The pair make a plan with an outside agency handling the negotiations to quietly neutralize the bad guys and make a path for assistance to enter the building.
My Take
There was a great balance of suspense and banter. The scenes were full of action, but not stressful to me as a reader. The pacing was quick and kept me going the whole story.
My favorite scene was when Grey needed a way to draw the bad guys out and he asked Christina to fake an argument with him. It was a perfect way to get to a much needed conversation and bring a moment of vulnerability from both of them so they were finally able to see the others' point of view.
Additionally, I loved the dynamic between Rocco and Boss. The well-trained companion held his ground and listened to Rocco, rather than causing chaos and reacting as a good boy must want to in such a situation. Boss was also able to provide comfort as Rocco stood up in the face of terror.
This was a great read!
Silent Night Siege by Kelly Underwood
Laila is and Elite bodyguard that needs to stay 100% focused when on the job, sometimes for weeks at a time. Preston, her billionaire boyfriend, plans an extra special getaway so they can reconnect and he can pop the question.
After their private jet loses power and crash lands on the side of a mountain in Colorado, the pair find that it was no accident and work together to get out of the sticky situation. Preston admires that Laila can take action and save the day, but he also wants to show her he can be there for her and that they can be equals - that she doesn't have to do it on her own.
The "bad guy" is a maniacal madman and just so happens to be Laila's former fiance. Is he back for revenge? Is he back for her? Each scene brings more clues. But I found that work was the real antagonist of the story. Their schedules leave little time to be with each other, though they both want to make it work.
Each pause in the chase sheds light on the internal conflict that Laila has trouble rusting and her doubts that maybe they're not meant for each other. We get to see Preston grow as a leader and protector, and his bravery in each situation. He never gives up hope! Through that, Laila realizes that she is willing to make changes so she can be with the man she loves and they promise to make a path forward together.
I love that this story leads straight in to the next story! A great, quick read with the promise of more to come so you don't have story hangover :)
Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams
Lizzie and Charlie are ready to tie the knot at a gorgeous ranch in Montana. Unfortunately, a snowstorm has delayed their friends and family from arriving to share in their celebration.
Unexpected guests have no trouble crashing the party, however. Charlie's ex-fiance gets stranded on the way to find him and is followed by a gunman. Charlie and Lizzie make it to her in time and get her to safety. She fears her trouble has followed her from Seattle where she witnessed a murder.
Ranch owners Harold and Mary bring hospitality and humor as they protect their place with the Elite Guardian partners.
The ranch foreman Phil gets caught in the crossfire (but toughs it out), the ranch loses a barn, and a few windows need to be replaced in the lodge before Lizzie and Charlie capture the culprit and the snow clears enough to get backup on the way.
Whew! I was happy to see the characters from the other stories make appearances and for all the arcs to be touched on in this anthology. I can't wait to dig in to the series!
Enjoy this taste of the Elite Guardians!
For my honest opinion, Sunrise Publishing provided me a digital advanced copy to review. Grab your copy here. #HolidayRomance #SuspenseNovels #MustReads
