Harlequin books have come along way. This book had so much action and suspense and angst.

Amanda Hawthorne after work comes to her brother Vince's home where her and her 5 year old son have been living to find her brother murdered and her son hiding and traumatized after witnessing his uncle being killed. Before he died he told his nephew Ethan to tell him mom to go to Blake Redmond. But before she get away she is shot by the person that killed her brother.

Blake Redmond used to be Vince's best friend and they both served on the Austin police force. That was before Vince set him up to take a fall and his ex-wife and son were killed. He is now a sheriff in a small Texas town.

Amanda manages to make it Blake's before passing out from the gunshot wound. Blake doesnt quite know what to make of her showing up with her son but once he realizes they are both in danger he protective instincts kick in and he vows another child will not be killed on his watch.

The people after Amanda and Ethan are ruthless. This forces the three of them on the run but they just cant seem to get away.

Amanda and Blake had been attracted to each other in the past but due to the death of his son and being framed by her brother Blake left.

The attraction between these two is still very strong and with Blake constantly going all alpha on her its not long before she cant resist him.

As the story progresses we find out things with Vince were not as Blake had thought but the ones responsible for everything are dirty cops that will do anything to make sure they are not found out.

There were some secondary characters that I hope will get there own books in the future. ( )

In Perini’s romantic suspense novel, Sheriff Blake Redmond was once a big city cop. Unjust accusations and personal loss send him home to Texas where he take’s his father’s place in the sheriff’s department. When Amanda Hawthorne and her five-year-old son come running to him with killers hot on their trail, Blake swears on his life that he will protect them both. With twists and turns, Blake and Amanda find themselves outsmarted each time they think they have the answers. Fighting the passion flaring between them, they team together for answers both their lives need. ( )