The Separatists by Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart

Erica Sparks is becoming more and more popular in the journalism world. With that fame brings more insecurities to her. She and Greg are now married, but Greg is without a job, and let's face it, he was unfaithful once before will he remain faithful now? Erica's latest news drama is a group of people in North Dakota starting a movement to secede from the United States. When people start dying Erica becomes suspicious and starts investigating. What do the secessionists who claim to be non-violent have to hide?

While I liked the news story I did find myself getting frustrated with Erica's insecurities and paranoia and ego. I found her to be bit whiney and too self-involved. Her relationship with her husband and daughter suffers throughout the whole story. Her drive to find the truth goes above and beyond the call of duty and places her in danger constantly. She gets the job done for sure and is cutting edge in news, but the toll it takes on her family doesn't seem worth it to me. As we are left with a big "uh oh" at the end of this book I would say there will be another Erica Sparks book coming out. Despite all of the things that irritate me about her I do look forward to the next book.

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

Grace saw her father shot and killed and now she is hiding out in Harper's Station so that the man that had her father killed cannot find her. Grace is now a telegraph operator in Harper's Station, the all female community that gives women seeking refuge a safe place to live.

Amos and Grace have started up a relationship across the wires. They visit with each other after hours, but have never met. When Amos hears that Grace is in trouble he immediately rushes to her aid. Not as big and burly as some men, Amos has a steadfast character that draws Grace to him. Will Amos be able to help Grace in her hour of need?

I loved HEART ON THE LINE! The romance was sweet between Grace and Amos, and whew, the kisses were smouldering! The suspense was pretty gripping and kept me turning the pages way too long past my bedtime. I loved catching up with all of the other people in Harper's Station from the first book NO OTHER WILL DO. I love the way that all of the women take care of each other. I also really enjoyed the side story of Helen, another woman in Harper's Station. A wonderful read and I definitely recommend it!

Code Triage by Candace Calvert

Nick and Leigh are days away from their divorce being finalized. With their marriage already on shakey ground Nick sealed it's fait by having a one night stand with his best friends sister Samantha while mourning the death of his friend. Leigh knows how to run. She's been running away from situations all of her life because she knows that relationships don't last. Her mother's many boyfriends has shown her that. Leigh has even chosen a career as an ER doctor so that it is easy to pick up and leave when she needs to. Nick has repented his actions and is desperate to reconcile with Leigh but it seems at every turn their relationship is thwarted. Leigh has no desire to work things out, as long as she has Frisco her horse she believes she can walk away. Sam also has other ideas for Nick. Sam is raising a daughter on her own and having Nick in her arms has shown her that she wants him in her life and will do just about anything to keep him away from Leigh, including using her daughter to snare him. When all three of them are brought together in the ER emotions run high and there's no escaping their entertwined lives.

First the problem I had getting through the book. When I read that Nick had had an affair I pretty much just wanted to close the book! I have no patience for cheating spouses, especially one that is supposed to be the hero of the story! I totally get that people make mistakes and I totally love how God restores marriages, BUT it is just one of those instant dislikes that I have in my reading. So throughout me reading this book that was a constant sour note in the experience. The rest of the story was GREAT! I loved the suspense, the danger that was portrayed, and I even liked Sam's character as an almost "Fatal Attraction" type woman. I loved the lessons that Nick and Leigh learned about themselves and the growth they had through their situation. I enjoyed Frisco's drama as well and his relationships with a little girl who wouldn't speak and a wounded little donkey. This is the 3rd book in the Mercy Hospital books and as par for the course for me, I have read them out of order, but I don't think it mattered in the understanding of the story. If you are a fan of hospital drama's then I would recommend checking the series out.