The Shadow
Aimee Thurlo
Harlequin Intrigue, Jan 12 2010, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373694488

Jonas Slowman left the Navaho to fight as a Ranger, but has come home after leaving the army to enlist as a member of the secret Brotherhood of Warriors. His current assignment is tougher than any other even while deployed in war. The tribal leaders direct him to do whatever he must to keep Emily Atkins safe.

Knowing she is going blind from macular degeneration and grieving the recent death of her father Powell, Emily continues to build her bed and breakfast in spite of vandals sabotaging her project and funding crisis. To complicate matters he is attracted to her, but knows the timing is bad as he must be at peak performance to accomplish his mission. She is attracted to her guard, but has other problems besides a persistent hooligan destroying her property; trusted Brotherhood member Jonas’ Uncle Dinetsoh has vanished along with bearer bonds Emily needs immediately.

This is a superb romantic suspense anchored by the Navaho Brotherhood (see Navaho Courage and Council of Fire) and the courage of the lead couple. The assault on Emily comes from several fronts as someone is wrecking her project and a developer wants her property at a time she needs funding. However the angst comes from her courageous outlook as she knows she is going blind and that Jonas “attacks” her heart. Readers will root for this brave woman and hope Jonas can protect her from her enemies while offering his soul to her. Aimee Thurlo is in top form with this great intrigue.

Harriet Klausner