A Hero's Heart: Resolution Ranch (Flint Hills Military Heroes) Book 2, Tessa Layne

A competition between children, a rivalry between teenagers, a feisty partnership between adults.  Their relationship grows and evolves into something full of sparks and spice.  Whether it will last beyond the fundraising events that brought them together this time around will depend on if Emma can let herself fall for a charmer.  But none of that will matter if Sterling can't let go of the end of his buddy's story.

Emma is on her way up.  With immense success in her career and a drive to see her hometown healed from the tornado's devastation she gets to work with promoting Prairie's businesses using her professional talents and connections.  One of those projects is helping Resolution Ranch get the funding it needs to really get off the ground.  Emma is a bright breath of fresh air.  She's fiery, quick-witted, fiercely intelligent, and incredibly motivated.  Sterling always provided the bait needed to push that much harder to achieve success.  He's also kind of an ass.  A hot one.  She can't seem to keep her libido in check around him anymore and he's doing nothing to stop that fire.

Sterling is coming home from the Army Rangers a bit broken.  An injury has left him only fit for desk duty and a buddy's suicide has left him reeling.  Determined to never fall in love and get married, he heads back home to help with Travis' Resolution Ranch as the ranch foreman where he hopes to find solace.  What he finds not long after starting is a stunning blond, Emma, all grown up.

When Sterling and Emma come together in a somewhat reluctant partnership things heat up between them quickly.  It isn't long before they give into temptation and add sexy times to their heated bickering.  Feelings nip at their heels but Emma reins it in because Sterling is clear with his intentions.  He's determined for their relationship to remain a fling and to end by returning to just friendly rivalry.  But matters of the heart can't be dictated.

The relationship angst is predictable but really well-written here.  It's believable and we feel for both of the characters.  It's clear who's "at fault" but we understand the motivations behind the actions and we're left hurting for both of them.  But what was unexpected was the purse theft and the fall-out from that.  One video was bound to be leaked but the way it was done was surprising and has implications for the next story, A Hero's Haven.

Hearing Sterling's heart while he bumbles his way through his confession and intentions is endearing, sweet, and makes me believe in his commitment to his own healing and their future together.  I loved the graveside moment because it was from the heart, honest, sad, and yet so very full of hope.  This is probably the best story from Tessa Layne that I've read yet.  I'm really looking forward to Cash and Kaycee's story and seeing more of Emma and Sterling in their periphery.

$3.97 on Amazon!

*Travis' project is what brought Emma and Sinclair together in the beginning.  

But how did it all come about?  

Find out in A Hero's Honor where Travis and Elaine find their own HEA

Police Chief Travis Kincaid Has Rules….
· Never leave the door unlocked
· Never mix work and pleasure
· And Never, Never kiss the object of your affection

Years ago, the former Navy SEAL learned the hard way that breaking the rules only leads to disaster. Since then, he’s followed strict rules to stay focused on his career and keep his heart locked away where it won’t cloud his judgment.

Too bad the woman he’s fallen for was a born rule-breaker.
In spite of her shady past, Travis finds himself bending the rules… repeatedly, for single-mom Elaine Ryder. In the aftermath of Prairie’s devastating tornado, Travis must come to a decision about his future. More importantly, he’ll have to decide whether breaking the rules one last time will cost him everything he holds dear… or give him his heart’s desire.