Review: Lethal Protector by Kaylea Cross

Author: Kaylea Cross

Publication Date: January 2021

She unknowingly threatens his control.
Single mom Tala Baldwin is no stranger to sacrifice. After losing her leg while serving her country, she’s now training to become a competitive biathlete. With her daughter off to college, she’s able to shoot for her dream of making the national masters team. Even her Christmas break in Rifle Creek doesn’t slow her down. She’s asked her trusted friend Braxton to help her train—all while trying to pretend she doesn’t ache for him. Braxton was there for her during the darkest day of her life and he’s been there for her since…but only as a friend. In fact, he seems more determined than ever to hold her at arm’s length—until a deadly blizzard traps them in the mountains with a wanted killer hot on their trail. Now Tala once again finds her life in his hands as they face the lethal threats together.

Now he’s at his breaking point.
Sgt. Braxton Hillard is a master sniper, renowned for his ability to operate without emotion. Except with Tala. She’s all he’s ever wanted—but can’t have. For four long years he’s kept his distance. She’s way too good for him and she would realize that if he ever made a move. But the attraction between them is too powerful to deny, and once she makes it clear she wants him, he can’t keep his distance any longer. As they fight to survive in the mountains, all bets are off. Braxton is ready to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves—even his own life.

Lethal Protector is the third book in the Rifle Creek.  I was really looking forward to Tala and Braxton's story.  It was hinted at a bit in the last book.  Tala and Braxton have been really close friends for years.  They have also both been secretly pining for each other just as long.   This is exactly the type of friends to lovers stories that I love to read.

The story was wonderful.  I loved the slow burn and build up to the (finally!) declaration of feelings.  The deep friendship between the couple made their romance that much better.  Of course there is a bit of danger in the story.  The scenes in the blizzard had me holding my breath.  The book works well as a stand alone.  I highly recommend this one.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Lethal Temptation by Kaylea Cross

 by Kaylea Cross

Available Now | Rifle Creek Series, #2

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

She’s got her guard up. Detective Avery Dahl finally has her life back on track after a painful divorce. She’s not going to risk her heart again, especially to a sexy veteran with heartbreak written all over him. Due to extenuating circumstances at an upcoming family wedding, she reluctantly agrees to bring him as her fake boyfriend—and soon realizes her mistake. Because Mason is as lethal with seduction as he is with a weapon, and keeps pushing her boundaries until her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. Her instinct is to push him away, but when a mysterious enemy targets her, Avery has a choice to make. Face it alone, or take a risk and let him in. He’s determined to get past it. After a horrific accident ended his military career, Mason Gallant has struggled to fit into the civilian world. Now that he and his buddies are opening a business together in Rifle Creek, he’s finally found his footing again. But he never counted on meeting a woman like Avery. He can’t stop thinking about her, so when she needs help, he steps up. Except posing as her boyfriend makes things even worse—because he soon realizes he wants way more than just her body. Now that he’s seen the caring, sensual woman inside the tough cop, he wants to protect her from whoever is threatening her. As the attraction between them heats up, the danger escalates. Mason must prove to her that she can trust him with her heart as well as her life—or risk losing her to the bullet of a stone-cold killer.

Add the book to Goodreads

My thoughts:

Lethal Temptation is the second book in the Rifle Creek series.  It is the first one that I have read and it worked very well as a stand alone book.  I have not read the fist book, but I really want to read Tate and Nina's story.  This one is Avery and Mason's story.  I really enjoyed that romance between Mason and Avery.  While it was a quick romance, I felt like it was believable and they just clicked.  They had great chemistry both in and out of the bedroom.    There is kind of a mystery.  Even though I (as the reader) knew who was targeting Avery, it was still enjoyable to watch her figure it out.  I definitely recommend this one.  Tala and Braxton story is next.  There were hints to their relationship in this book and I can't wait for their friends to lovers story.

  Excerpt:  

“Avery Dahl,” she said, handing over her ID to the clerk. “Checking out Sunday.”

“Welcome, Ms. Dahl, we’re glad to have you.” The clerk typed something into his computer. “Okay, we’ve got you in the Ponderosa cabin. It’s got an incredible view of the lake from the loft bedroom.”

Avery frowned. “Cabin? No, I’m in the main lodge with the rest of my family. We’re here for the wedding—”

“I upgraded us to a luxury cabin,” Mason said, aware of her relatives watching and listening nearby.

Avery snapped her head around to gape at him. “What? Why would you—”

He settled his hands on her hips and tugged her close, aware of the eyes on them. “Nothing but the best for my lady,” he said, loud enough for the others to hear him, then dropped a kiss on her lips, which were still parted in surprise.

She tensed and sucked in a breath but he was already lifting his head and curling an arm around her to pull her into his side. It was no hardship for him to play this role, and it felt eerily natural to claim her publicly. He liked it. Maybe too much.

“How many beds does it have?” she said to the clerk.

“A king-size.”

She frowned and lowered her voice, maybe hoping her relatives wouldn’t overhear. “Is there a pullout couch? He snores.”

Mason grinned and nuzzled the hair next to her temple, breathing in the clean vanilla scent of her. “You’re gonna find out whether I do or not soon enough,” he murmured, and choked back a laugh at the tiny jab of her sharp elbow in his ribs.

 

About the author

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

Website: http://kayleacross.com/v2/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KayleaCrossAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayleacross

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylea_cross_author/

Newsletter: http://kayleacross.com/v2/newsletter/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2902054.Kaylea_Cross

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2V6iyQs

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/KayleaCrossBB

Blog Tour: Review of Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross

Author: Kaylea Cross

Publisher: Kaylea Cross Inc.

Date of publication: September 2018

An elite warrior struggling to find his place in the civilian world.

Weary from his years on the battlefield, SF Captain Beckett Hollister has returned home to Crimson Point to take over the family business for his dying father. But adjusting to life outside the military is harder than he imagined, and being back home forces him to confront things he’d rather not face. Including the one woman he shouldn’t want and can’t have—his best friend’s little sister.

A love that was always meant to be.

Town vet Sierra Buchanan has known Beckett her entire life. She’s crushed on him for years, but because of his relationship with her family, the stubborn man refuses to see her as more than the girl he grew up with. As tragedy brings them together, neither of them realizes that the sins of Beckett’s past have come home to haunt him. When Sierra becomes the target of his unforeseen enemy, Beckett must vanquish his demons to save her. 

Fractured Honor is the first in a new series about retired Army Veterans trying to get their life together after the horrors of war. Beckett is back home and has taken over the family business. His father's health is failing.  Sierra has loved him forever, but she is his best friend's sister and therefor off limits. 

I always love to read a friends to lovers stories. There is just something about the history between the couple that makes their HEA that much sweeter.  I loved this couple.  Beckett and Sierra were so good for each other.  Beckett has a lot of baggage from his time in the army.  That opening scene was heartbreaking.  I loved that she was a soft place for him to fall.  The other characters added so much to the story.  I can't wait to read their stories.  It's not a straight romance, There is a good mystery to keep things interesting.  I highly recommend this one.  This is a new to me author.  I look forward to the next book!

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

Connect with Kaylea:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram