Always Faithful - Julie Miller (Love Spell - Apr 2000)

Series: LadyTech (Book 3)

True Love

When Jonathan Ramsey disappears in a covert operation on the dark isle of Tenebrosa, nothing can keep him away from his family--not even death. But the guardian angel who gives the Marine his life back blunders: Jonathan Ramsey is born again as someone else.

Can See the Soul

Emma never questions that she will again see her beloved husband. But the man who comes to her has a different face and an unknown name. Suddenly, Emma knows this wonderful stranger is the man she's waited for. But to rediscover the man who won her heart so long before, Emma has to learn that true love never dies--and that the greatest hearts are always faithful.

Very good book and possibly my favorite of the three. Jonathan is introduced in Shadow of the Hawk, as the man that Hawk had been unable to save. At the beginning of this one we see what happened to him and the effect it has on others' lives. 

Jonathan loves his wife and daughter and when his life ends prematurely he begs for it to be restored. The guardian angel who was in charge was new to the job and made a mistake when she snatched him. In trying to remedy the error, she messes up again. Fast forward five years and things are about to get really strange.

Emma Ramsey has spent the last five years raising her daughter and running LadyTech, the software company she owns with two friends. She has never given up hope that her husband is still alive. A chance encounter with a man gives her renewed optimism that Jonathan is out there somewhere. 

Drew Gallagher is a PI working on the case of a child molester. He spots the man at a museum, just as he lures a little girl away from her school group. He steps in to get the girl away, and in the process meets her mother, Emma. Something about the woman seems familiar, but he doesn't know why. Drew has no memory of his life past five years ago, when he woke up in a hospital recovery from injuries received in an explosion. He's determined to get to know Emma and figure out the connection. 

Emma is leaving the museum when she is grabbed by a man who says he knows where her husband is and will tell her for $25,000. But before she can get more details, he is taken by the stranger from the museum. When she explains why the man had stopped her, Drew offers to find out more for her. Not being a very trusting person, Emma is wary, but desperate for information. And there is something about Drew that tells her she can trust him.

Drew discovers a connection between the man with the information and a shadowy figure who is trying to buy up shares of Emma's company. As he delves deeper into his investigation, he starts to get a really bad feeling about who is behind it. He is determined to keep Emma and her daughter safe, even at the risk of his own life.

The connection between Drew and Emma is immediate, but Emma fights it. She is still in love with her husband and loyal to his memory. She doesn't understand why she is so quick to trust Drew and allow him into her life and her daughter's. But his kindness and gentleness fill a void in her life and she finds herself growing closer to him. Drew is quick to fall for her, but knows that he has no chance with her, since she still loves her husband. Because he wants her happy, he will do his best to find Jonathan and then he will bow out of her life. Fate has other ideas, and I really liked seeing the way that Emma's trust and growing feelings have her turning more and more to Drew. 

The suspense of the story is fantastic. I loved seeing Drew use his talents to help Emma, both with the search and with what is happening in her company. His early encounters with Brodie, the security man for the company and one of Jonathan's friends, were pretty amusing. As Drew uncovered more information, the intensity grew. I liked seeing the way that Jonathan's old team came together when it came time for the rescue mission, and how it was Drew who was the leader. As the rescue and its aftermath played out, more questions were raised than answered. Though it's obvious to the reader what happened, the people in question have a harder time with it. The conclusion was gripping, and I couldn't wait to see how it all worked out. I loved how it was done.

Emma's daughter Kerry was a huge part of the story, from her part in bringing Drew and Emma together, to the "imaginary friend" that seemed to be directing her actions. She was a sweet kid, center of her mother's world, but also determined when she was trying to make a point. Her quick acceptance of Drew puzzled Emma, especially Kerry's insistence on who Drew was. I loved Kerry's conversations with her "friend" and their frustration when the adults wouldn't pay attention to what she was trying to tell them.

Shadow of the Hawk - Julie Miller (Lovespell - July 1999)

Series: LadyTech (Book 2)

A DANGEROUS FIELD TRIP

Sarah McCormick had one last shot at adventure. Resigned to the life of a spinster, the prim schoolteacher planned to lead five teenage girls to the shadowy isle of Tenebrosa. There, in a tropical paradise, they would study an ancient people and perhaps learn something about themselves. But a mountain of a man upset her plans--a handsome Indian who claimed she and her students would be in peril. And when the virile ex-Marine swore to protect them, Sarah wondered what's in jeopardy--her body or her heart

LESSON IN LOVE

Hawk had to admit that he longed to be enlightened by the brainy beauty. He'd seen the shy schoolmarm cut a man to ribbons with her sharp tongue, and he was haunted by visions of schooling her lush, surprisingly soft lips in passion. He'd touched her only as a protector, but in those moments he'd discovered how delicate and decidedly feminine her long, lithe body was. Now, threatened by an evil as old as Tenebrosa itself, Hawk knew that her kiss could stave off the shadows and their love could light the way to paradise.

Good book with terrific chemistry between the hero and heroine, and some really spooky stuff going on also. Sarah has been stuck in her small hometown for all her life, thanks to taking care of various family members. When she is offered the chance to take five of her students on an archaeological field trip to a Caribbean island, she jumps at it. It will be a great learning experience for her students, and the chance of a lifetime for her.

Hawk was very disturbed when he learned of the upcoming trip. He had been on Tenebrosa several years earlier on a military mission. There his unit lost one of its members - the man had disappeared completely. Hawk is haunted by his failure to find him, and the sense of evil he had felt on the island. If he can't stop Sarah from going on the trip, he will go along and try to protect them.

Though their first meeting is rough, Hawk comes right out and tells Sarah that the trip is a bad idea, there is something that draws them to each other. Hawk is protective, and is there when Sarah is accosted by her ex. I really liked seeing him intimidate Walter. Sarah isn't quite sure what to make of Hawk's actions given his objections to her plans. There is something about him that both appeals to her and scares her. Sarah is inexperienced with men and her ex did a number on her confidence around them. Hawk is a Native American  who is also a shaman. He is experienced in reading people and sees Sarah's vulnerabilities. He is attracted to her, but has had enough bad experiences with women that he sees no chance of any relationship between them.

The group's arrival on Tenebrosa immediately confirms Hawk's worst fears. He feels an evil presence and worries about the safety of Sarah and her students. His worries are compounded by the men leading the expedition, who don't appear to be as professional as they expected. Upon arrival at the dig site, Hawk is caught up in a trance that nearly turns deadly for Sarah when she tries to pull Hawk out of it.  

Though Sarah is excited about the trip, once they arrive she begins to get an inkling of what Hawk had been trying to tell her. Some of the men running the expedition seriously give her the creeps, especially when one of them tries hitting on her. She is grateful for Hawk's presence and protection. She is also drawn to him in a way she doesn't understand, having never experienced it before. Her confidence in herself and her appeal to the opposite sex is nonexistent, thanks to the ex, who constantly put her down because of her inexperience. She tends to blow a bit hot and cold with Hawk, because those doubts will intrude just as she and Hawk start to get closer. One of the things I did like about her is the way that she came to accept Hawk's abilities and that she didn't withdraw from him because of them.

When Sarah discovers that the expedition is merely a cover for the leaders to steal the treasure from the tomb, they are all placed in danger. Hawk is knocked unconscious, Sarah and the girls and the teenage boy from the leader's group are abandoned in the jungle to die. At this point, Sarah discovers a well of strength she didn't know she possessed. With Hawk's help, the group begins their trek out of the jungle.

The presence that Hawk has felt, and been possessed by, is determined to protect its treasure. It follows the trucks driven by the bad guys, and the things that happen are chilling. It is focused on them, but has a connection to Hawk. Because of who and what he is, Hawk feels a responsibility to send the presence back where it belongs. That scene is intense and scary and also incredibly moving as, once again, it is Sarah who pulls him back from the edge.

I loved Sarah's return home and the new confidence she has in herself. The scene at the town meeting with her ex was fantastic and showed just how far she has come. I also liked Hawk's return, and how he has finally let go of his past enough to go after a future with Sarah.