The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey

From helicopter crashes, break-ins, fires, murder and mayhem, THE CRUSHING DEPTHS keeps the reader turning the pages quickly to the very end. I enjoyed it very much and loved the characters! Mason and Rissi were destined for each other from the time they were in foster care together. They helped heal each others wounds and made a miserable experience more palatable. Now they have found each other after a 10 year separation. On the same team for the CGIS and partners on an investigation of a death on an oil rig. With suspects spanning the rig, an environmental group and on land I found myself bouncing from one person to the next in an attempt to figure out "who done it." I also loved the side story of their team leader Noah protecting a, I hope, soon-to-be love interest. The second book in the Coastal Guardians series was everything I expected and more...so much more!

Dead Even by Susan Sleeman

This is the last book in the Truth Seekers series. Maya Glass is the head of the Veritas Group, the one that has brought them all together. I was so happy to get to read her story! When Maya gets a call from her reclusive friend Fletch she goes to see him at his private island. What she finds is Fletch missing and his assistant murdered. But what Maya also finds is that she may potentially have been exposed to a dangerous form of botulism. The only person that Maya can think to call for help is Special Agent Hunter Lane, a man who couldn't commit to her years before, but a man that she is still in love with. Maya desperately hopes that Fletch is not dead, but knows that they are racing the clock to keep this fatal toxin from falling into the wrong hands.

While reading DEAD EVEN I felt like I was in a race against the clock! So much excitement, danger and suspense kept me turning the pages quickly to see what was going to happen next and also kept me holding my breath in anxiety for what would happen to the characters. I loved Maya and Hunter's characters and of course catching up with the rest of the Veritas Group is always fun.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"God didn't have to explain anything to her. She didn't need to know His reasons. Just needed to know that He was all powerful, and He was in control." One of the things I love about author Susan Sleeman's books is that she always infuses a spiritual lesson for her characters. I loved this moment that Maya had in realizing that God is in control. It was a great reminder.

"She looked up, half expecting a change in Hunter right there. Like God might've flicked him on the head and said Get with the program, and that would be all it took. She knew that was wrong."This had me chuckling because I have so done this. I have prayed for someone and thought to myself alright that's a done deal! ha! God doesn't work in our timing and this was another instance that Maya grew in. 

DEAD EVEN was an exciting conclusion to the series and I am definitely looking forward to the spin off series NIGHTHAWK SECURITY featuring the Byrd brothers.

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

This is the first book in the Hanger's Horsemen series. We are introduced to Matthew Hanger the leader of the group. After serving in the Calvary, Matthew and his men are on a mission to do some good with their skills. They hire out to people who are in need of help. Their goal is to bring justice to those that are trod upon. When one of the men is shot they bring him to Dr. Joe. Upon arrival they find that Dr. Joe is a woman not a man! Josephine has an established practice Purgatory Springs, Texas. It isn't easy being a woman doctor, but she has paved her way. While Matthew is surprised that the doctor is a woman he treats her with respect and accepts her abilities to help his friend.

Matthew and Josephine have an instant attraction for each other, but Matthew knows nothing could ever come of that attraction because he is destined to be on his own. After all, no wife could live with a man of war.

When Josephine needs to hire the horsemen, Matthew is willing to drop everything to help her in her mission.

I love love loved this story! A great start to the series and definitely has me excited about what is to come for Hanger's Horsemen. I loved that Dr. Josephine was not a shrinking violet. She was a strong woman. She needed to be strong in order to gain Matthew's attention! I loved that they fit together so well. Josephine was strong enough to handle his past and he was strong enough to protect her from a dangerous enemy and both were tender enough to see that God had brought them together and love can heal many wounds. I enjoyed the action of the story. There were good, old-fashioned shoot-outs, kidnappings and dire situations that grew the characters and gave them depth. I'm a fan of The Horsemen and looking forward to see what happens next for them!