Against the Mark (Raines of Wind Canyon, #9) (Raines of Wind Canyon (Large Print))

by Kat Martin

[kimbacaffeinate]

After meeting Tyler Brodie in the last book I was excited to begin Against the Mark by Kat Martin, the ninth book in the Raines of Wind Canyon series. Martin delivered with so many of the elements I love. There were swoon-worthy characters and enough heat and suspense to a have me flipping the pages. Three word review: hot, suspenseful and sweet.

Tyler Bodie is a P.I. who runs an investigative firm with his friend in San Francisco. When a dear friend asks him to take on a case involving her niece, Haley Warren, he agrees to look into it. Haley’s father died in a boating explosion that the police are calling an accident. Haley and her father’s wife are convinced foul play was involved. Haley has flown in from Chicago and plans to help with the investigation despite not wanting to meet the woman who took her Dad away. The tale that unfolds brings danger as they uncover clues and the sexual tension heats up.

Tyler Brodie is Texan born and raised, a retired military man and so yummy and sweet, you just want to bite him. He has done a tour overseas, and has a few demons but is enjoying the life he is building. In the romance department he does OK, and still remains friends with the girls he has dated but none have been serious. He is immediately attracted to Haley both intellectually and physically but as his friend’s niece she is a no fly zone. Haley hasn’t had much luck in the relationship department and even less luck in the bedroom. They were both fleshed out and I immediately felt a connection to them. The attraction they felt for each other was electric and the air around them sizzled. What starts out as physical slowly develops into more as they learned to trust and respect what the other offered. It was wonderful watching it unfold. Martin provided just enough conflict to be resolved to keep me enthralled in the romance. We see other characters from past books and meet some new characters who I hope get a tale of their own.

Martin weaved a fantastic tale of suspense and wrapped it in a smexy romance that curled my toes. I literally consumed this in a single sitting. Haley’s Dad worked for an insurance company and a case involving stolen art had always bothered him and in his spare time he investigated. The case involved priceless art being replaced with forgeries. Whatever he learned got him killed and has put Tyler and Haley directly in the killer’s path. Martin created a captivating cast of villains even giving one his own POV. Action-packed with thugs, guns and chase scenes I was totally caught up. The romance was sweet, incredibly hot and totally believable. Add in likable secondary characters and a meddling Aunt and you get a highly entertaining escape. I cannot wait for the next book.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer