Re-uniting with old flames is never easy – especially when said flames broke apart in the most awful ways.
Caitlin Malone returns to her hometown after taking a forced extended leave from her job in Northstar Security for messing things up. She’s already upset as it is – finding her dad’s been keeping secrets from her, and that her first love is the one helping her old man and being very present in her home is not what she needs right now. John MacAlistair is not ready to face the one woman who truly mattered for him – not after the way he destroyed their relationship. But Caitlin’s dad needs him to protect her – and despite trying to keep his distance, he’s not about to let her get in danger on his watch. When both of them are trapped on a burning mountain, tension is running high, and they may have no time to clear things up between them…

Honestly, this was an interesting read. I liked the characters – well, sort of – and the pace was quick. Full of suspense and action, it was filled with tension and had the adrenaline levels go through the roof. However, I got here hoping some hot romance as well, and that’s what I didn’t get. Understandably, the two leads were running for their lives, but even still, after everything was said and done, me thinks a small boon of steamy loving wouldn’t have hurt – but that’s just me. And I didn’t care much for Mac’s attitude towards being with Caitlin – this hot and cold style really grates on my nerves, and didn’t suit a grown-up man who’s supposed to have his shit together!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Enjoyed this first book of the Northstar security series with Caitlin and Mac solving the biohazard threat. Good storyline and characters.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers however bought copy of book since liked it so much. Opinions are entirely my own.

A new security agent, full of insecurities and the weight of being a legacy, is on a stakeout at an airport and then follows her prey to an illicit meet, where everything of course goes wrong. Wouldn’t be much of story if it didn’t, right?
There’s decent surveillance tradecraft in the opening chapter. . . until the end, of course. Unfortunately that’s pretty much the end of that stuff as the plot settles into a mostly usual “girl back in town dealing with family and ex” story. Then it’s about survival.
From the beginning the stubbornness is off the charts. Though there might be such people here and there in the world, most really don’t behave this way in real life, become they end up doing something that teaches them better. . . or gets them killed! Stuff like this makes me like the characters a lot less. For instance, at one point toward the end, when she’s about to do the job she’s been trained for, he again tells her she shouldn’t be doing this. I actually screamed—inside my head—“Dude, shut up! She’s doing this, so either help her or get out of the way!” I was actually wondering if there was anyone in this book who wasn’t stupidly stubborn.
But the absolutely worst moment—trying not to spoiler—happens when she’s rescued but neglects to tell anyone about (something really bad) that’s going to happen. Argh! Why didn’t she? Because then she couldn’t be the hero at the end! This sacrificed any chance I could have had of finding her competent. Also, the cool and calm bad guy, as he was established early on—and what a coincidence that she ends up in exactly the same place he does—is shown being anything but at just the right time for her to notice. Very contrived scene.
Although I enjoyed the writing, I couldn’t help but feel there was too much introspection, in what is a short book anyway. There’s always some, of course, but there was so much thinking here, often hashing out the same ground, that it probably took up half the book. And everyone’s stubbornness didn’t make me feel like rooting for them.
2.5 pushed up to 3/5

Proving Ground is a terrific suspense/romance. The plot is full of riveting suspense that kept me glued to the book. Could not put this one down. I highly recommend to fans of suspense.

3 1\2 out of 5

NorthStar Security is an interesting series. It is a clean romance which is wonderful for those looking for romance and mystery with out sex scenes.
The story moves quickly but the characters spend most of the time in their heads. There is almost to much inner monologue. Towards the end of the book readers will find themselves reading what amounts to a teenage love story inside the characters heads. It just gets to be a little much and the author pulls away from the suspense and forces to much on the odd romance. The story revolves around Caitlin Malone. She is suppose to be tough as nails but she is all marshmallow which doesn't work with the imagine the author is trying to paint for readers. USDA Forest Ranger, John ‘Mac’ MacAlistair the love interest is the typical too good looking, too handsome and tons of baggage.

Proving Ground could use a little more cleaning up by an editor to make it a great start to a sereis.
Thank you to Netgalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc publihsing for the copy of Proving Ground The Northstar Security Series, 1

I enjoyed the story for the most part. Good writing with only a few issues.

Another great book in a amazing series that I really enjoyed reading. It has some nice twists which will have you glued to your page and never want it to stop. It’s a page turner which readers are going to love. Would recommend

I absolutely loved this book it had action, love, mystery and I just didn't want to put the book down

I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed the storyline however I did not feel a great connection with the characters.

Proving Ground is the first book in The Northstar Security series written by author Stanalei Fletcher. Thanks to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc. for the complimentary copy.