High Country Hero

Elle James — 2023

They called him a hero… Lauded for his daring rescue of a medical team captured by Islamic State terrorists, Navy SEAL Enrico “Rico” Cortez feels like anything but a hero. His friend and fellow teammate lost his life during that rescue. Plagued by PTSD, Rico leaves the Navy. Reluctantly, he accepts his only job offer, joining the Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado. War veteran Laurel Layne came home to Fool’s Gold Colorado, the only place she’d ever felt safe. Having survived terrorist torture and captivity, she only wants to feel sunshine on her cheeks and be surrounded by beautiful flowers and the people she loves. Her happy façade hides deep scars she’d hoped to bury with the barrel in which she’d been held captive. When Laurel becomes the target of a stalker, the Brotherhood Protectors step in with a bodyguard to provide her twenty-four-seven protection until the perpetrator is caught. Enter Rico Cortez on his first assignment… How hard could it be to protect a beautiful, small-town florist? Rico is reminded all too soon that when he allows emotion to intrude, the level of difficulty and danger expands exponentially. Before he realizes what’s happened, he finds himself falling for his pretty client who is caught in a killer’s sights.

Reviews

Nicola Sarah Brooks@nikkisbooknook

Sep 19, 2023

We finally get the backstory to the trauma that Laurel, friendly local florist, faced whilst she was a nurse with the Army. She survived the many horrors she hopes she'll never fully remember. Just when she thought about dipping her toe back in the dating world - she was targeted by a serial killer trying to get to her friend!

Rico was one of the SEALS who helped save Laurel that fateful day. But he had his own trauma to face. He lost his best friend and team mate. Then he lost his commission. He's thankful that the BP: Colorado teams have taken a chance on him. When fate puts him into the orbit of the lovely Laurel, he sees how she has overcome most of her nightmares. A friendly favour, helping out in her shop whilst awaiting his first assignment, however, puts him in place when danger comes for Laurel again!

The series goes from strength to strength and this particular story tugged at all my heartstrings.

Laurel and Rico both have their PTSD to deal with but they are stronger together than apart. There are plenty of twists of turns. A Red herring or two and then bam - the big reveal actually left me stunned!