After the Climb, Fatal Intrusion, and Love Me Today

Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing three books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!

After the Climb by Kristen Ashley

dual pov, vaguely descriptive heat, second chance contemporary romance
They were the Three Amigos: Duncan Holloway, Imogen Swan and Corey Szabo. Two young boys with difficult lives at home banding together with a cool girl who didn’t mind mucking through the mud on their hikes.

They grew up to be Duncan Holloway, activist, CEO and face of the popular River Rain outdoor stores, Imogen Swan, award-winning actress and America’s sweetheart, and Corey Szabo, ruthless tech billionaire.

Rich and very famous, they would learn the devastating knowledge of how the selfish acts of one would affect all their lives.

And the lives of those they loved.

Rating -

After the Climb is a heartbreaking tale full of heartbroken characters. I loved the way they loved each other but the struggle was real. All it took was one lie, some insecurity, and everyone was left devastated. While I felt Duncan's pain, and even found a crumb of sympathy for Corey (dude needed to grow up), my greatest empathy was for Imogen. She was hit the worst and the hits didn't stop coming for her.

When the truth came out, I liked that Imogen and Duncan didn't waste any time and how on board their children were with the new plan. Even stepping in to help things along. Can these characters be any cuter?

I know I'm supposed to have some sort of feelings for the exes, but they made their beds, didn't they? And I don't think it's possible to redeem either of them, especially Tom. Spoiler Alert, but he's a cheater. Can we really forgive that he put Imogen and their children through that?

I'm just saying that the only happy endings I cared about were Imogen's and Duncan's. And maybe their kids because they were awesome.

Fatal Intrusion by Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado

multiple pov, thriller

Carmen Sanchez is a tough Homeland Security agent who plays by the rules. But when her sister is attacked, revealing a connection to a series of murders across Southern California, she realizes a conventional investigation will not be enough to stop the ruthless perpetrator.

With nowhere else to turn, Sanchez enlists the aid of Professor Jake Heron, a brilliant and quirky private security expert who, unlike Sanchez, believes rules are merely suggestions. The two have a troubled past, but he owes her a favor and she’s cashing in. They team up to catch the assailant, who, mystifyingly, has no discernable motive and fits no classic criminal profile. All they have to go on is a distinctive tattoo and a singular obsession that gives this chillingly efficient tactician his nickname: Spider.

Over the next seventy-two hours, Sanchez and Heron find themselves in the midst of a lethal chess match with the killer as they race to stop the carnage. As the victims mount, so do the risks. Because this spider’s web of intrigue is more sinister—and goes far deeper—than anyone could possibly anticipate.

Rating -

If I never read the word intrusion again in the near future, I'll be a happy person.

But seriously, this was such an intriguing whodunit thriller. As the reader, we got to know who committed the crimes, but we were blind as to why. Not as blind as the investigators, possibly because Carmen couldn't help being in the way and Jake just let her ruthlessly run rough-shod over everyone, but still. Trying to figure out the motives for each crime was its own sort of fun. And crazy. I enjoyed myself and where this story left off, with the possibility of future books. And maybe a little romance between these characters thrown in?

Love Me Today by A.L. Jackson

dual pov, forced proximity, single parent, contemporary romance, descriptive heat

I should have known I was in trouble when I backed my old, beat-up truck into the shiny Range Rover.

The driver looked like a gorgeous fallen angel – one who’d been booted right out of paradise for being a giant prick.

Good thing I’ll never have to see him again.

Except when I show up for my new job to teach a little girl how to ride her horse, I find the same icy blue eyes glaring back at me.

Paisley Dae is completely reckless. She’s also the best trainer in this small town. And Evelyn gets the best.

Protecting the little girl is my one focus.

Only the sassy trainer in her cut-offs and cowgirl boots quickly gets under my skin. Distractions are dangerous, but she soon becomes everything I crave.

One reckless night of giving in, and Caleb and I spiral into a web of passion.

But when I begin to unravel the secrets hiding in this place, I find there is more riding on this job than I thought.

Caleb and Evelyn are worth any sacrifice – only Caleb has to decide what he will sacrifice for me

Rating - 1/2

Caleb was a tough nut to crack, but as the reader, we got some insight into why he was such a grumpy sourpuss. Paisley had to figure it out for herself and I admired her perseverance because I wouldn't do it. The romance would be over if I were in the lead.

This story led me on a path of sweetness and I never expected how sinister and dangerous it would become. The author really took me there and I loved that added bit of suspense.

It was the heartwarming moments that made this book worth reading. The relationship that grew between Paisley and Caleb and that sweet little girl made all of the scary bits worthwhile.