Ignited

Hunter (31) never got over the death of his best friend Scottie on their last mission—the mission that opened this story. Though he doesn’t want to revisit the place of that fateful day, he agrees to a new detail mission. Only the client is the daughter of the man who caused the riots that cost Scottie his life.

Khalia (28), high school math teacher and daughter of a philanthropist recently killed by the Taliban for his efforts to bring education to women, knew the risks of taking up her father’s cause. Though she didn’t want to be in the volatile region, she felt a responsibility to finish what he’d started and to let his death have been in vain.

I absolutely loved and didn’t put it down until I’d cleared the last page. This was my first Kayla Cross book, and I was blown away by the writing, the level of action and suspense and the fantastic, mature characters. Khalia and Hunter had chemistry in spades, but the mutual attraction wasn’t just physical. Hunter was smart, brave, loyal and honorable. Khalia was smart, courageous, and she had a big heart. I remember making a note around 66% into the story that were was no unnecessary conflict—the hero was not an overbearing jerk, and the heroine didn’t stubbornly try to claim she was capable of taking care of herself. When Hunter told her to do something for her safety, she did it without hesitation. Hallelujah!

OMG, they actually communicated like adults *swoon*. When the subject that haunted him most inadvertently came up, he knew his knee jerk reaction was a douche move, but he opened up and told her about it. Also, he was honest with her about their future, namely that he didn't foresee them having one at the time the subject came up. I really like it when characters throw their baggage out there for the sake of being open and upfront about things, whether the other person wants to hear it or not. The sex was scorching hot! Their first time together in the shower was amazing. It was rough, passionate, carnal. But right after, he was so tender with her. She was content and comfortable and trusting.

The vividly described action scenes played out in my mind like a movie scene. It's saying a lot when an author can make an escape from a burning hotel, and a gunfight in a stairwell feel like almost claustrophobic for a captive reader. One trained ex SEAL, a high school math teacher, two pistols and armed insurgents, fire and smoke…not a problem for those two. The main villain wasn't caught, so it seems he will be a part of the bigger picture throughout the series.

The HEA ending for these two was perfect. I loved his surprise, but I especially loved the thoughtfulness of her project that she wanted Hunter involved in. That was just one more thing that conveyed how well these two fit.

I love this book. It was non-stop action from page one. This happens to be my favorite genre of books to read and it was well written. Most important, it was an amazing read while paying tribute to how much our military service member sacrifice for the love of country.

Lots of action, foreign geographical detail, and romance. Well mixed plot.