Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting bestselling and award-winning author Tena Stetler’s latest release Security Force of Two, book one in the Mountain Town Mysteries, a paranormal romance.  Be sure to read my review.  And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: Security Force of Two
Series: Mountain Town Mysteries, Book One
Author: Tena Stetler
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery Romance
Release Date: March 20, 2023
Length: 266 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:  Miacoh Zane, a Special Forces veteran, returns to Aspen Ridge, Colorado a small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains, to settle his beloved grandmother’s estate. But the town holds painful memories and family secrets he wants to leave behind for good.

Candle Bearclaw, a gifted computer analyst recruited out of college by the CIA, resigns her position after fifteen years. She returns to her sleepy hometown only to discover her childhood crush has also returned and a violent crime has been committed.

Due to their covert operations experience, Candle and Miacoh are thrown together to assist Homeland Security and her father, former chief of police, with a murder investigation. As they search for the perpetrators, the case takes an unusual twist that could blow the case wide open.

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When she drove up the circle driveway, a chill shot up her spine, then a strange feeling came over her, almost like someone was watching. Reaching under the seat of her SUV, she pulled out her handgun, checked the weapon to make sure it was loaded, chambered a round, and tucked it in the back waistband of her jeans, covering it with her shirt and jacket. She backed out then drove the entire driveway more slowly, checking the perimeter. Nothing. The cell phone hadn’t chirped to alert her of a breach, but she checked her outside surveillance cameras, then the ones inside her home anyway. Again nothing. She shrugged off the feeling and stepped out of her SUV. Gun drawn, she flicked off the safety and turned on the laser. It didn’t hurt to be safe rather than sorry.

Peeking in the window, she saw the alarm keypad was still set and secure. Then she walked around the house, entered through the back door, closed and relocked it, deactivated the alarm. Nothing was out of place. Part of her wished she’d brought Terrabyte along. Though still young, the pups tracking ability was well-developed. Terra would know if someone were in or around the cabin since they left. Back to the wall, she moved carefully through each room, nothing. When she was sure the house was clear, she sat down at the computer, laying the gun next to it. Warning windows were popped up everywhere on the screen. Someone had tried to hack into her system but hadn’t gotten very farHer throat went dry as she read the message. “Poking around where you don’t belong is dangerous business. Carl’s death was unfortunate but an accident. Leave it be or pay the consequences.”

Fingers posed over the keyboard. She started to X out of the message but stopped. If this was a disintegrating message, she would have no proof it ever existed. Taking out her cell phone, she took a picture of the screen. The handle on the front door jiggled. She grabbed her gun and jumped up, making her way to the front bay window.

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I previously read and reviewed another novel by the author, so when this came up for review, I was in, especially since it’s romantic, paranormal suspense.

Since you’ve read the blurb, I’ll get straight to the review.  First off, I enjoyed Candle.  She’s a strong heroine determined to stand her ground, no matter what.  So when she decides to resign, nothing can sway her.  And she’s this way throughout the story, something I liked.  Not that she’s stubborn.  Far from it.  But she’s confident and knows what’s best for her own good.

As for Miacoh, he wants to do his business and get out of town, pronto.  Things are happening that he’s not happy about, but his run-in with Candle might change his mind.  Especially because her strong attraction to him is mutual.

The romance part is a wonderful slow burn as the duo assists one another with the mystery, while also connecting on many levels.

As for the mystery, there are a few.  The murder of the new chief of police, the death of Candle’s former boss at the CIA, and suspense that brings in the FBI and Homeland Security.  These two have their hands full.  The plot for this was easy to follow.  But because this is a series, don’t expect all of your questions to be answered.

The book does get off to a slow start but picks up pace about seventy-five pages in.  Once the suspense kicks in, so does everything else.

I really enjoyed the setting of Colorado.  There’s something about the mountains that brings forth an eeriness to the suspense part of the novel.  The paranormal aspect of the novel is minimal, but I didn’t mind.  It was refreshing to see the two main stars tackle the mystery using their own talents.

There’s also a great cast of secondary characters.  I must admit I adored Candle’s BFF.  Maybe she will get her own novel?  That’d be awesome to see.  The same could be said for Miacoh’s former special ops partner.

The dialogue is true to each character.  The writing is smooth.  It’s a wonderful read, one that I recommend.  Do yourself a favour and start the series.

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Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award-winning paranormal tales. Some call her crazy others creative. She deals with the voices in her head by writing them down and creating a fantasy world and characters you won’t soon forget.  Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

Follow Tena:  Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Linked In | Tumblr | Tribber | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter Sign-Up

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