Present Danger (Rocky Mountain Courage, Book 1)

 

ELIZABETH GODDARD

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Revell, April 2021.

How acquired: Revell Reads Blogger Program

First line: Chance Carter should have known this last delivery wouldn’t go down without a hitch.

(For Goodreads synopsis, scroll down.)

My thoughts: Elizabeth Goddard has quickly become a favorite author for me, after having read her Uncommon Justice series, and I’ve since acquired several books from her back list. So I was thrilled to get this first book in her new Rocky Mountain Courage series, set in the same area of Wyoming as the Uncommon Justice series. In fact, in one scene a couple of characters from that series make a brief and welcome appearance.

The plot hits the ground running as the story opens with a small plane losing power and the pilot desperately trying to safely land, only to crash, leaving him injured and fearful of what will happen if he’s unable to complete delivery of a package. From there we’re off and running. We’re then introduced first to Grayback County Sheriff’s Detective Jack Tanner, and then US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors (along with other characters sporting long awkward titles!).

I’ve never been to Wyoming, but Ms. Goddard’s descriptions of the landscape make me wish I could travel there some day. Terra has vast knowledge of the mountains, which makes her an asset in Jack’s investigation of the murder of a local insurance salesman whose body is found at the bottom of a cliff.

As much as I loved the book, I will admit that the plot seemed a little more convoluted than the author’s other books, as I sometimes had to reflect back on previous happenings to understand what was going on, or felt a little confused. But that may have been an issue with my own concentration, especially since work has kept me so busy lately that I often could only read two or three chapters at a time (with sixty-five chapters most of them are fairly short). But that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. Along with the evocative descriptions, Ms. Goddard does a wonderful job with characterization. I love a good character study, and prefer character driven stories over plot driven, but Ms. Goddard’s books fall into both camps.

PRESENT DANGER is a well written and suspense filled story with a second chance romance. I can’t wait for the next book!

Goodreads synopsis: Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.

When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.

Join bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard as she plunges you into a web of deceit made of hidden crimes, open threats, and long-buried family secrets in this gripping first book of an explosive new series.

Don't Keep Silent (Uncommon Justice, Book 3)

ELIZABETH GODDARD

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Revell, pub. 2020

How acquired: Revell Reads Blogger Program

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts:  And now we have the third McKade brother's story. I loved the first two books in this series, and this third story lives up to them. Liam McKade is a former DEA agent who has come home to Wyoming after having his cover blown and getting shot during his last assignment. He's mulling over his future, and whether to stay at the ranch and help his brother run things, or accept a job as head of security at a local ski resort. Rae is an investigative reporter. Her sister-in-law has disappeared, and her brother asks her to use her investigative skills to help find Zoey. Rae finds herself going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to find and question Zoey's mother. The last place she wants to be. Because that's where Liam is. But Liam saved her life once, and if anyone can help her find Zoey, it would be Liam.

Liam wants nothing to do with Rae, but is reluctantly drawn into her investigation. As the story progresses we're given little glimpses and tidbits of their shared history. Both Liam and Rae are wonderfully written characters, as all of Ms. Goddard's characters are. The plot moves along briskly, with plenty of twists into unexpected directions. I feel like my reviews of her books are just repeating the same things, but they are all truly engrossing. Her descriptions of the surroundings, in this case snow covered mountains with a chase on skis, are so evocative you feel you are there with the characters.

I'm sad there are no more McKade brothers, but I'm looking forward to her new series, “Rocky Mountain Courage”, and I really need to hunt down some of her earlier books.

Goodreads synopsis: Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her.
As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other . . .