I've always like Rachel Lee as a writer and this book was a good one. A little too much repetition on some things (Kerri's problems) keep this from a 4 star rating but I did like how she handled disability issues. I thought it would have rounded out the book more if we heard a little more about Stu's problems but with a series romance you only get so many pages. ( )

Terrific book that grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me hooked right to the end. It isn't just fantastic romantic suspense; it is also an emotional look at Kerri's struggles with her disability. Kerri lost her career as a cop when an on-the-job injury left her with seizures. Determined to break out of the spiral of self-pity, she left her home in Florida to take a job teaching criminal justice at Conard County's community college. Adjusting is more challenging than she expected, from losing full independence to a dread of relationships. But she is one determined woman.

The story opened with a peek at the rapist, then jumps back two weeks to Kerri and Stuart's first meeting. Kerri's request to the sheriff's department for a guest speaker for her class netted her Sergeant Stuart Canady. There is an immediate connection between them, bonding over police work stories and something else neither wants to identify. I loved how easily they became friends. Because of the nature of her seizures, Kerri tells Stuart about them early on, fully expecting him to pull away. Instead, he expresses his admiration for her strength and resilience.

I loved watching the relationship between Kerri and Stuart develop. Initially, it is merely friendship - dinners at Maude's, walking Snowy, Kerri's service dog, and getting the Florida native ready for a Wyoming winter. But along the way, things start to change. I loved watching them grow closer, though Kerri did her best to resist it. Her greatest fear is that of becoming a burden. I ached to see her continually apologizing for her "zone outs" and her inability to do certain things. I loved Stuart's patience and understanding and his determination to make her see that her disability didn't need to define her. Stuart, a former MP, has some issues of his own, so he understands her fears.

When the first rape occurs, Kerri's feelings of frustration hit a new level. In her old job, she was a victims advocate and used to being in the thick of things. After the second one, she found herself inadvertently involved, much to Stuart's dismay. He worried about her safety, while the feeling of being useful again worked wonders on Kerri's self-confidence. I loved seeing the changes in her outlook and the difference those changes made in her relationship with Stuart. But when his fears come to pass, Stuart must find a way to get past Kerri's inhibitions and convince her that his love is there to stay. I loved the ending.

The suspense of the story was great. From the first glimpse into the rapist's mind to his capture at the end, the tension was incredible. I could feel law enforcement's frustration at the lack of leads to follow and his glee at using what he'd learned in his classes against them. The rapid escalation of his activities heightened the tension, and the fear that gripped the town was palpable. Seeing the rapist track Kerri's work with the victims was nerve-wracking because he made it clear what his plans were. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages until it was all over.

One of the things I liked about this book was the look at the day-to-day struggles of life with a disability. It's different for everyone, but the frustrations are real. Having the kind of support Kerri has with Stuart is vital.

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