Against The Sun - Kat Martin

Book Blurb:
She's got the face of an angel and the body of… well, isn't that what he'd expect from an exotic dancer? But there's something about this girl that Johnnie Riggs can't shake. The former army ranger is hot on the trail of an elusive drug lord—and suddenly very hot under the collar, as well.

Amy's got her own agenda to pursue: her sister is missing and Amy seems to be the only one who cares. She'll enlist Johnnie's help and do her best to ignore her growing attraction to finally get some answers. But when the two trails begin to converge and reveal something even more sinister than they imagined, their mutual desire is the least of their problems. They'll bring the truth to light…or die trying.

In My Own Words:
While leaving the comforts of her home and her job teaching kindergartners behind wasn't easy for Amy, she knew she would do what ever possible to find out what happened to her sister.  She heads for the bright lights and big city, takes over her sister's last job as a stripper and starts working angles to see if she can dig up any leads.  When the trail is more than ice cold, Amy has no choice but to suck in her pride and ask for his help.

Johnnie Riggs' knows that Amy isn't what she appears, but what the hell does he care, right?  When Amy approaches Johnnie about helping her find her sister, he just can't say no.  As soon as Johnnie starts poking around, things seem to get weirder and weirder.  When the trail suddenly looks like it is leading them to a notorious drug lord, Johnnie is no long only afraid for only the sister, he is also worried for Amy.

Notable Quote:
And he'd have to let her go.  He was who he was and she was who she was.  A not-so-ex-Army Ranger and a kindergarten teacher.

Just another of God's little jokes.

Review:
I think this is my favorite so far of the Raines of Wind Canyon series.  Johnnie is a major hottie and a protective streak that can make you swoon.  Amy is determined and no slouch, has a get it done attitude and takes no crap from anyone.  Coming together they are almost combustable, and sparks to fly.  Amy isn't to fond of taking orders and Johnnie isn't to fond of orders not being followed, but it works.  This series seems to get better and better with each book.

Desert Heat - Kat Martin

Book Blurb:
Fear And Desire Will Find You…No Matter Where You RunFor Ph.D. candidate Patience Sinclair, leaving the ivy-covered campus of Boston University for the wide, open spaces of Texas means a chance to stop looking over her shoulder at every turn. Traveling incognito with the Triple C Rodeo will help her finish her dissertation on the American West while hiding in plain sight. But she can't hide from Dallas Kingman. The champion rider makes it clear that he's watching her…and he likes what he sees. But everything about Dallas, from his country drawl to his rugged Texas charm, is unfamiliar to Patience. And if there's anything she understands with chilling clarity, it's what it costs to fall for the wrong man. As Dallas and Patience make their way through the heart of the southwest, a series of mysterious accidents turns the rodeo into a nightmare of fear and suspicion. Someone's obsession has turned deadly, and Patience has moved closer to danger than she ever could have imagined…

In My Own Words:

Spending the summer on the road traveling on the Rodeo circuit is just what Patience Sinclair needs after the year she has had with the stalker from hell.  What she didn't expect was to find a cowboy that she "clicks" with.  Dallas is everything she never thought she wanted.  A cowboy who's life is lived on the road from one rodeo to another, but there is so much more to Dallas than she first thought.  When "accidents" start to happen to the circuit, the danger seems to come closer and closer to Patience and when the accidents end up getting someone killed, everyone is on edge.

Review:

I liked the premise of this story, and even the relationship with Dallas and Patience.  I loved watching the friendship of Patience and Shari, her travel companion.  The life on the road was an interesting on to read about, the ups and downs and from town to town.  The hang out and friendships that are made over the years.  I was a bit put off by Dallas' sleeping with other women but still having his mind on Patience.  If he couldn't get her out of his mind, why the heck was he sleeping with anything that offered?  And I didn't really understand why he was so annoyed that she was getting her Ph.D.  That was a big point of contention with them, and I don't see the issue.  All in all, I thought it was an ok book, I am on the other hand, looking forward to reading her sister's book.

Against The Storm - Kat Martin

Book Blurb:
Redheads like Maggie O'Connell are nothing but trouble. But Trace Rawlins, a former army ranger turned private investigator, takes the case anyway. After all, he knows a thing or two about women.

Trace can sense that something is wrong—Maggie isn't telling him everything. If these menacing calls and messages are real, why won't the police help her? And if they aren't real, what is she hiding?

As Trace digs deeper to find the source of Maggie's threats, he discovers a secret that no one was meant to uncover. And the only puzzle left to be solved is whether the danger comes from an unknown stalker…or from the woman he's trying his hardest not to fall for.

In My Own Words:
When Maggie can't ignore all of the weird hang-ups and notes left for her, she decides it is time to take matters in to her own hands and hire the best private investigator she has heard of...Trace Rawlins.  Trace has a sweet spot for redheads, and knows he looses his mind when they are near.  But can't help but take her case when the danger seems all to real.  As Trace begins to dig deeper in to the case, he realizes that Maggie hasn't been 100% honest with him, and he isn't sure what part of her story is real or fake.  As the calls become more frequent, and the danger becomes really close, will Trace bite the bullet and believe Maggie and help, or will Maggie be left to her own devices?

Review:
We met Trace in one of the previous "Against" books, and I loved him since then.  A rugged cowboy type that has a military background and a love for life...and redheads.  I really liked the secondary characters, I enjoyed getting to know them almost as much as the main characters.  Roxanne, the bestfriend....I sincerely hope she gets a story, she seems like she has a lot to say, I think she would be a kick in the pants.  The flow of this story was good, and I didn't ever feel like I was bored, but I also wasn't riveted to the pages like I have been with previous Kat Martin books.  So while this was a good edition to the "Against" series, I guess I look for more action when it comes to this series.  I did like it though, and am looking forward to the next book.

Against The Law - Kat Martin

Synopsis:
At thirty-two Dev is "mostly retired" from Raines Investigations, content to run operations from his sprawling Arizona home. But Dev has never been able to say no to a beautiful woman, so when Lark Delaney comes to him for help, the former U.S. Army Ranger from Wind Canyon gets back in the game.
Lark is sexy, successful and dedicated to tracking down the baby girl her sister gave up for adoption. It should be a straightforward case, but it's not long before Dev uncovers a shady adoption ring and worse—the child's parents have been murdered and the little girl has been taken.
As the case grows dangerous and Lark needs him more than ever, Dev can't ignore his growing attraction for her. He also can't trust his judgment with women or the emotions he's long-since buried. But there's a chance, if he gets this right and saves Lark's niece, that he'll end up saving himself, too.

Review:

Against the Law is the 3rd book in the Raines of Wind Canyon and my favorite of the bunch.  I loved the first two immensely, but there was just something about Dev's dangerous yet compassionate side that I fell in love with even from the beginning of this series.  Dev is a man that knows how to get things done and has the money to back him up.  Lark is a woman that has to change her life radically when she finds out that the child her sister gave away for adoption 5 years ago, will now be her responsibility since the adoption wasn't legal PLUS the adoptive parents were slaughtered for a drug ring gone bad.  Once they find the little girl, Lark is no longer Dev's client and they both give in to the lust they have been feeling.  Lark knows she has given Dev her heart but how can it work for them with her a new mother, plus her business is in LA and he resides in Arizona, thinking there can't be a future, she goes back to LA with her new daughter only to have the little girl kidnapped.  Needing Dev's help again and finding comfort in his arms she makes the only choice she can, she calls Dev for help....again.  Lots of twists and turns make this story interesting and you are routing for the good guy and love the whole time.

LOL Moment:

"Sassy's the name of your Jeep?"  Riggs said, his dark eyebrows climbing.  Jake shrugged his massive shoulders.  "She can be damned cantankerous at times".

Rating:

I would recommend this entire series to anyone, but this third book had it all, love, heartache, a hero that was delicious and a heroine that wasn't one to sit on the sidelines while she was rescued.  I heard that there will be 3 more books in this series highlighting some of Dev's counterparts and I can't wait!!!

Against The Fire - Kat Martin

Synopsis:
You can't fight what you can't see. And Gabriel Raines can't be sure just who's setting the fires in his new real-estate development. When two fires hit back-to-back, he knows it's personal, but any number of competitors or ex-employees could be the arsonist.

The police suspect Angel Ramirez, a local teen who's been in trouble before. But Mattie Baker, a volunteer at the Family Abuse center, just can't believe the kid she's been working with would go back to his delinquent ways.

Determined to convince Gabe that she's right, Mattie must get close to him and find out who's putting their neighborhood in jeopardy. And just as the arsonist's flames continue to burn, they find a heat developing between them. It might just turn into a full-fledged fire…if they can survive long enough.

Review:

Against the Fire is the 2nd book in the Raines brother's series.  Right off the bat, you are pulled into the action as the building Gabe is constructing is torched. Of course, he’s angry over the fire and determined to find the person who did it. They arrest a teen, Angel, who had a record of torching a building in the past, as Gabe goes to the police station to get it all figured out he encounters Mattie, who’s determined to prove Angel couldn’t have done it. Mattie tried very hard to convince Gabe that Angel is innocent of the charges. When another fire occurs, it becomes imperative Gabe stop them before someone is killed. 

Meanwhile, his lust for Mattie knows no bounds, and one night with her isn’t enough to dull his appetite. She pushes him away, but of course he has no intention of letting her fend him off. Their attraction is sizzling hot, with enough chemistry to prove Gabe and Mattie belong together. But she’s a hard sell, with her working to keep her heart intact from heartache and disappointment. After all, Gabe isn’t the type that should be someone she falls in love with, right?

Notable Quote:

"One of these days we're going to finish what you keep starting in here." (Mattie & Gabe in the cleaning supply closet)

Rating:

An exciting, suspenseful tale set in Dallas, you will hold your breath as each fire brings even more danger for Mattie and Gabe. I thought I had the fire bug picked out within the first few chapters.  So many twists and turns.  Finally Dev (the younger Raines brother) steps in with his own theories and adds more suspects to the pile.  A definite page turner, I am counting down the days to Dev's book, Agains The Law

Against the Wind - Kat Martin

Synopsis:
They were known as the "no-account Raines boys" but they've grown into successful, honorable men and everything they have, they've fought for tooth and nail. Now each of the three brothers has one last obstacle to overcome to claim what's eluding them: love.

Secrets don't stay buried long in cattle country. Sarah Allen, the beautiful girl who humiliated Jackson Raines in high school, is back in town. Not so long ago, she couldn't wait to leave Wind Canyon, Wyoming, in her dust. But, recently widowed, she has nowhere else to go and finds herself on Jackson's ranch. And despite everything, Jackson's finding himself reluctant to get rid of her.

Sarah brings her own kind of trouble, and he can't resist trouble. Enemies of her dead husband show up making threats, thinking she has something they're owed. They're not taking no for an answer, but what they will take is the one thing she has left—her daughter. Jackson's the only one who might be able to save little Holly and bring her home.

Review:

This was a great mix of classic down home detective work, and cowboy ranching-meets-old-flame.  It was a long road for Sarah during her marriage she was beaten inside and out.  She fears now that her husband is finally gone for good that his enemies will never leave her alone.  She retreats to her home town and from the first time she needs help with a flat tire, Jackson is there to help.  Through many twists and turns and life threatening scenarios they Jackson forgives Sarah for how she humiliated him so many years ago and falls hopelessly in love with her and for Sarah's 6 year old daughter, Holly.  Jackson is determined to have them in his life for the rest of his life and Sarah is determined not to let her past mess up Jackson's life.

Notable Quote:

"You can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, you know?"  Sarah grinned more broadly than he had ever seen her.  "I'll take that as a compliment."  (Sarah refusing to wait at the hotel when a meeting is set with an informant)

Rating:

4 1/2 out of 5.  I really enjoyed this story.  The relationships were believable and I found myself tensing up when there was trouble.  I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  I truly can't wait until Gabe's story, Against the Fire, is available in Feb. (my only issues with this book, isn't with the story, there were several typos and it really bugged me, BUT, the story was great and I will be pre-ordering the next book as soon as I can).