Good book that had me hooked from the first chapter. A bodyguard situation went horribly wrong, leaving Kelli a widow and Mark suffering from intense guilt over not being able to save Victor. It was so bad that Mark left Orion Security, and cut himself off from his former friends. He never expected Kelli to show up at his door two years later, asking for his help.

Kelli grieved for her husband but made a new life for herself and her daughter Grace. When she found a hidden journal belonging to Victor, she realized that his death was more than just an accident. After a disturbing meeting with Victor's former editor, Kelli went to Mark. Mark was suspicious of the circumstances of Victor's death from the beginning but had never been able to prove anything. He was reluctant to get involved again, but when Kelli was attacked his protective instincts awakened.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mark and Kelli. There were sparks between them from the first, though Mark tried to ignore them. The guilt he still felt over what he saw as his failure made him think that he was not good enough for her, though he was determined to keep her safe. The more time that he spent with Kelli and Grace, the more the walls around his heart began to crumble. I loved seeing him interact with Grace - the scene with the building blocks was adorable - and ached for him and the loneliness he felt. Kelli seemed to be more open to the feelings she experienced. She still grieved for Victor, but she also knew that it was possible to love again. I liked how Kelli was able to break through Mark's bonds of guilt and show him that he deserved a happy future. The ending was sweet, funny, and romantic.

The suspense of the story was excellent. From the moment Kelli discovered the journal the questions multiplied. As Mark and Kelli investigated, it was clear that someone wanted them to stop and would do anything to make it happen. I loved seeing Mark reconnect with his Orion friends and how they helped. The closer that Mark and Kelli got to the truth, the more the danger to them grew. The final confrontation was intense, with several surprises. I especially loved Kelli's strength and resourcefulness. Bad guys watch out when Mama Bear gets cornered! The resolution was highly satisfying.

The secondary characters were terrific. I loved Kelli's friend Lynn, who was always there when Kelli needed her. She was a lot of fun and provided some light-hearted moments, especially in her interactions with Grace. She could also be as fierce as Kelli when it was called for. I liked seeing more of Mark's Orion friends and their support of him. Nikki irritated me at the beginning with her attitude towards Mark's pursuit of answers, but she came through in the end. ( )