Terrific start to the new series. The book gets off to an intense start when a toddler disappears from a family wedding. The owner of the hotel, Antonio Ruiz, offers to do whatever he can to help. Police chief Melissa Colton is grateful for his help but wary also. She and Antonio have been at odds since they clashed over a murder case several months earlier.

Melissa is the police chief of the Grave Gulch PD. She worked long and hard for the position and still puts the job first. But there are times she finds herself wishing for a family of her own. However, experience has shown her that most men aren't willing to put up with her work's uncertainties, and Melissa won't slack off on her job for anyone.

Like Melissa, Antonio puts work before everything else. Twenty years earlier, he lost his wife and their child during childbirth and buried his grief in work. Unwilling to risk his heart again, Antonio settles for the occasional fling with like-minded women.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Antonio and Melissa. Both of them are determined, strong-willed people who also care about the people around them. The disappearance of little Danny in his hotel stirred up memories for Antonio, and he wanted to help. Perhaps, he was a little more forceful in his insistence than Melissa cared for, but he had good instincts. There was a fair bit of antagonism between them at first, thanks to his vocal opinions of the GGPD's abilities. But as they spent more time together, an unexpected attraction began to simmer beneath the antagonism. I liked seeing Antonio's opinion change as he watched Melissa and the others work. When the cases turned into personal attacks on Melissa, Antonio discovered an unexpected protectiveness toward her. It was pretty sweet to see how he tried to take care of her, something Melissa didn't quite know how to deal with. She spent so long struggling to prove herself that Antonio's ease with who and what she is scares her a little. She can see herself falling for him, but she knows his reputation. Meanwhile, Antonio realizes that thoughts of a future with Melissa don't scare him at all. There are a few bumps along the way, as both Antonio and Melissa have to learn how to give a little, but the ending was terrific.

The suspense of the story was outstanding. The kidnapping of little Danny was the opening volley in a battle that could destroy the GGPD. Danny's abduction was a desperate attempt to get the department to reopen a murder case against a young woman most people believe is innocent. Though Melissa stands by her people's work, she won't rest until she's positive everything is right.

This case mirrors the same complaint that Antonio had about the one he brought to their attention during the summer. The intensity ramps up with attempts against Melissa and Antonio's lives that he swears are the work of the man he accused. The escalation of the attacks made it seem like they couldn't catch a break in capturing Drew. The final confrontation with Antonio's wannabe partner was a nail-biter.

I ached for Melissa as the evidence in both cases began to look bad for her department. I liked her determination to get to the truth, no matter what, though it seemed that no matter what she did, there were more questions than answers. Melissa's methodical ways sometimes irritated the more impatient Antonio, but he quickly learned to trust her instincts. There were times when I thought I knew what was going on, only to have the story turn in a different direction. The twists kept me on my toes right to the very end. Though some questions were answered, others were not. It will be interesting to see how it plays out through the series. ( )