Nicole Helm

Cold Case Kidnapping by Nicole Helm is the debut of the Hudson Sibling Solutions series. I thought the story was well-written with developed characters. I enjoyed getting to know Dahlia Easton as well as Grant Hudson and his siblings. Dahlia needs HSS to search for her sister, Rose who has been missing for a year. Everyone has given up on Rose except Dahlia. I admit that I did not understand why Dahlia felt her sister had been kidnapped. The evidence was underwhelming. Dahlia was not close to sister, yet she felt the need to continue hunting for her even when their parents along with everyone else had given up. The story is heavy on the romance with suspense and a touch of mystery mixed in. The twist is expected as well as a connection to figures involved in the case. I wish the story had more action and tension. I thought Grant and Dahlia’s romance progressed too quickly (they went from first base to a home run faster than you could say cold case). Cold Case Kidnapping left me wanting more (more suspense, more action, and a more complex mystery).… (mere)

Terrific start to the series. The Hudson siblings started their cold case investigation firm, motivated by the disappearance of their parents without a trace. Each of the six siblings takes turns when a new case comes in while running the family's successful ranch.

Dahlia came to Wyoming in search of her missing sister, Rose. She has few solid clues, but what she does have leads her to believe that Rose is nearby. She meets with Grant Hudson, who promises to investigate but refuses to believe Dahlia's conclusions.

Grant is still adjusting to being home after his years in the military. His experiences changed him, and the memories created a distance between himself and others. Even though he believes Rose won't be found
, he promises to do his best.

The twists and turns of this case kept me hooked from start to finish. I ached for Grant as a nightmare from the distant past is resurrected, and he is forced to face painful memories. Dhalia's determination to follow her instincts puts her in the crosshairs of a dangerous cult. Finding Rose creates further complications. I was on the edge of my seat during the final confrontation as Grant and Dahlia fought for their lives and Rose's. The resolution was intense and satisfying. I do wonder if there will be any more about the Hudson's parents' disappearance and if it is somehow linked to the cult.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Grant and Dahlia. There is antagonism in the beginning, as Dahlia's belief in cult involvement butts up against Grant's insistence that it no longer exists. But underneath the antagonism are sparks of attraction that cannot be denied. Grant is surprised by the extreme protectiveness he feels for Dahlia and tries to explain it away. Dahlia, who is usually very independent and self-sufficient, is unexpectedly willing to lean on Grant for support. I liked seeing the trust develop between them and seeing them share their fears and pasts. I liked the ending and seeing them look toward a future together.

I liked getting to know the other Hudson siblings and can't wait to read their stories.

#netgalley… (mere)

Terrific book that I read in one sitting. This is the first book in this series I have read, but there is enough backstory provided that I didn't feel lost while reading it. I plan to read the earlier books and get the details I've missed.

Quinn recently escaped her dangerous cult family after decades of abuse and fear. She now lives on the Thompson ranch with her twin sister, whose life she saved and is recovering from the injuries she received. Quinn has trouble adjusting to "normal" life and uses biting wit and sarcasm to hide her discomfort. She also has her share of pride and hides her inability to read from everyone except her eleven-year-old niece, who is teaching her. Quinn's life in the cult has taught her many skills, including observing and recognizing patterns.

Dunne Thompson is one of the brothers whose ranch this is. Former military, he is still recovering from an injury on his last mission. He isn't as able to do ranch work as the others because of it, leaving him too much time for his latest obsession. After spending years trying to atone for his serial killer grandfather, Dunne is now trying to track down a copycat killer. He's dismayed when Quinn finds his "murder board" and stunned when she spots patterns neither he nor his brothers saw.

A keen observer of human nature, Quinn quickly realizes that Dunne plans to go off on his own to stop the killer. I loved watching her foil his attempt to leave her behind and make a case for going with him. It doesn't take long for Quinn to prove her worth and for Dunne to accept her help. It doesn't come easy for him, as he knows the danger and fears for her safety.

From here to the end, the action is fast, furious, and creepy to terrifying. I loved seeing the teamwork between Dunne and Quinn, balancing each other's strengths and weaknesses. The twists and turns led to a development I never saw coming. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

The romance between Quinn and Dunne was pretty mild. Quinn has noticed Dunne among all the brothers but doesn't recognize the feelings he stirs in her at first. Dunne is surprised by his reaction to her and tries to bury it. But the more he gets to know her, the more he sees the vulnerability beneath the attitude, which speaks to his lonely heart. Despite his recognition of her abilities, he is very protective of her. Neither expects the attraction that flares between them, but Dunne is careful to keep it slow and easy. I loved the ending and her surprise at being asked for something as normal as a date.

#netgalley… (mere)