Good story.
Typical Susan stoker novel though this series has a darker side, being willing to cross lines to keep people safe.
Deaf character which added a little extra.
Hero and heroine have an issue at the start as Hero messes up due to difficult experience in his past.
Loyal, protective Hero.
Strong heroine.
HEA.
Secondary characters that could have possible future storylines developing through the series and updates of previous characters in series.


ARC. ( )

Good story.
Typical Susan stoker novel though this series has a darker side, being willing to cross lines to keep people safe.
Deaf character which added a little extra.
Hero and heroine have an issue at the start as Hero messes up due to difficult experience in his past.
Loyal, protective Hero.
Strong heroine.
HEA.
Secondary characters that could have possible future storylines developing through the series and updates of previous characters in series. ( )

Wow Ball is definitely a unique man. The lengths he went to make things easier for Everly and Elise was beautiful to read. It took a while to get there and even once they did, it wasn't smooth sailing but not one of them gave up or quit. Loved It! ( )

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: As tough as Everly Adams may be, the Colorado Springs SWAT officer is near a breaking point. Her fifteen-year-old half sister, Elise, has disappeared from Los Angeles without a trace, and the window to find her is closing fast. Committed to the search is Mountain Mercenary Kannon “Ball” Black. He and Everly already have a history—of rubbing each other the wrong way.
Still, Everly has to admit the man is heart-stopping. His brash alpha swagger takes her breath away. And most importantly, as a former Coast Guard first responder, Ball has what it takes to bring Elise home.
Nobody’s buying the LAPD’s “runaway” theory. And the fear that Elise is the victim of a human trafficking ring is a gut-punch that Everly and Ball can’t ignore. If only the trail were that clear cut. Because the one they’re following is more insidious and intimately dark than they could have imagined.
Now as the bond between Everly and Ball grows stronger, so does the heat. And as the stakes rise, so does the danger. ( )

Defending Everly by Susan Stoker
Mountain Mercenaries #5

Starting out a new partnership on the wrong foot is NOT the best idea. Nope, the words that Kannon”Ball” Black used in the hearing of Everly Adams were definitely not the ones that would endear her to them as they set off to find her teenage half sister missing in Los Angeles. But, as time passed the two began to have a grudging admiration for one another and their first impressions changed. Yes, by the end of the book they had changed so significantly that they ended up with their very own happily ever after. BUT before that could happen they had to find Elise and free her from the kidnapper, keep Elise safe since the kidnapper was not found and get on with their burgeoning romance.

This book was a fairly straightforward romance for that part of the story but the kidnapping, finding of Elise and that part of the story was educational and also fraught with some very tense moments. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have to say that coming in on book five was no problem at all as I followed easily. That said, I enjoyed this book so much that I would love to find and read the previous books whenever I can.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )