Didn't actually read the first two books (yet! They are absolutely on my TBR now) but had no trouble picking this series up at #3. Under the Rancher's Protection is a second chance romance, heroine in danger story that I found very readable. The characters were likable (even when their pigheadedness had me shaking a mental fist at them) and the suspense was nicely done. The evil mastermind was a bit of a surprise (we see some scenes from two bad guys' POVs but not the big bad's) but not outside the realm of possibility. Overall, this was an entertaining weekend read, and I will definitely keep an eye out for a fourth book (there had better be a fourth book! It is hinted at in a single scene here) and probably grab the first and second too.

Rating: 4 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book..

Under The Rancher's Protection is a second chance romance by Addison Fox. The story is well written Harlequin romance with likable characters who struggle with strong opinions. The suspense in the story really doesn't happen until the last part of the book.
The story is a quick romance for a person on the run. It doesn't stand out but it doesn't fall flat either. It is you Harlequin Suspense Romance.

Dr. Veronica is running from from issues as well as a failed marriage and now back to her home town. Its there she meets her first love and due to their career paths its hard to avoid one another and now it seems the past flame never went out. When Ace sees someone peeping into Veronicas place of business as well as a couple other sketchy things clearly she isn't safe and he well do everything he can to protect her.

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting getting to know both main characters history and how life had lead them to were they are currently at. Veronica is still dealing with her failed marriage and figuring out what went wrong, while Ace is still mad over her leaving in the first place and marrying someone other them him. There was some issues they both needed to work out and since the attraction is still there they will have to work on it. Then there was the issue of the peeping tom as well as some of the other sketchy business it was defiantly interesting seeing how things played out there. Overall pretty good book I really enjoyed it.

UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION – Addison Fox

Midnight Pass, Texas, Book 3

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

ISBN: 978-1-335-75948-1

October 26, 2021

Contemporary Series Romance



Midnight Pass, Texas – Present Day

Veterinarian Dr. Veronica Torres and rancher Ace Reynolds were once in love, but their arguments soon caused them to end things and she moved away. She is now back—and divorced after an unhappy marriage to another man. She is the main veterinarian in the area, and one day she is called to the Reynolds ranch to treat a sick animal. Ace knew things would be awkward between them, but he didn’t expect the sparks to still be there. Veronica is cool toward him, trying to maintain professionalism, but Ace can’t let it go. He knows that their relationship all those years ago was volatile, and he can’t help trying to prod her just a little bit. But beneath all this are the unresolved feelings for each other. Then the danger which Veronica thought she had left in Houston follows her to Midnight Pass. Will it be Ace who steps in to protect her?

Veronica and Ace dance around each other at first in UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION as the old hurts from their broken relationship rekindle the pain. Yet, there is still this sizzling attraction between each other that won’t die. Like when he steps in to protect her when he spots a strange man peeking into her veterinary office. Ace will deny it, but he is still in love with Veronica. But they do soon make nice with each other, which leads to a date or two…and much more. Just as they are settling into rediscovering their love for each other, the danger appears. Veronica had left Houston after she was held hostage by drug dealers trying to get into her drug supplies. She was rescued by the police, but the trauma of it broke up her marriage and she returned to her hometown of Midnight Pass. Now, one of the men from the failed robbery (and who had escaped capture) is out to finish the job, which may include killing the woman he blames for his partner’s death…Veronica.

There are a few tense moments in UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION, but the main focus of the tale is the rekindled romance between Veronica and Ace. Trust between them will have to be rebuilt, but the foundation of love still exists to help make that possible. UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION is part of the Midnight Pass, Texas series but can easily be read as a standalone. An exciting and intriguing romance that will fill your reading wish for romance and suspense, don’t miss UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION.

Patti Fischer

Romance Reviews Today
http://romrevtoday.com/

Good second chance love story combined with gradually intensifying suspense. Veronica and Ace were a couple for a while after she finished vet school. Their volatile relationship could go from happiness to screaming anger in the blink of an eye. They had a talent for pushing each other's buttons but usually managed to make up quickly. That is until the day Veronica had enough, certain that their constant battles meant they didn't belong together. She packed her bags, moved to Houston, started her own practice, and married another man. Devastated by her departure, Ace buried himself in his ranch work.

A few years later, Veronica came back to Midnight Pass, divorced and ready for a change. After buying her mentor's vet practice, she earned a reputation as the best large animal vet in the area while avoiding Ace. Ace did an excellent job of avoiding her, too, especially after she all but rejected his apology for past transgressions. Eventually, a sick calf brought the two together, and they discovered that their old attraction was as strong as ever.

I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Veronica and Ace, though there were also times I wanted to shake them both. Years before, Ace's father's actions nearly destroyed the ranch and its reputation, and Ace and his siblings spent years rebuilding both. Ace still feels the shame of it, unable to see the respect that he's earned. He thinks that he doesn't deserve the same happiness he sees in the rest of his family. Veronica wants him to let go of the past and look to the future. Unfortunately, issues from her past put her in a similar situation. Veronica feels guilty about the end of her marriage, believing the fault lay mainly with her. I liked seeing them spend time together getting to know who they are now and realizing that their shared connection to the land is as strong as ever. Many scenes show how good they are together, but their insecurities sometimes cause them to doubt themselves and each other. One big blow-up finally helps them share those fears and begin long-overdue healing.

The suspense of the story started slow but built steadily to the end. One of the things that drove Veronica out of Houston and back home was being attacked by drug thieves at her vet practice. After two years, she finally started to put it behind her, only to find it happening all over again. A suspicious character hanging around the clinic arouses Ace's protective instincts, while a peek into the perp's point of view shows he is right to be worried. A shooting at her family's outdoor gathering indicates an escalation in the threat and brings Ace's family together to provide protection. I was on the edge of my seat during the scene with the truck, wondering how they would get out of it. Just when I thought Veronica was safe at last, an unexpected twist put her right back in the bullseye. The final confrontation was a nail-biter. I loved Veronica's strength and ingenuity and cheered when Ace and his brother Hoyt made their move.

I haven't read the first two books but have added them to my TBR, as the bits of backstory revealed indicate they are just as good as this one. I also liked the hint of a lead-in for Arden's story at the end.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the third book in the Midnight Pass, Texas series. I have to say that it was hard to get in to this book, but I have not read the first two books in this series. The characters where not very developed. I feel that the suspense was really great, and I got pulled into this story because of the action and suspense not the characters. I enjoyed the action in this book, but I did not think the romance was great. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Romantic Suspense) or author (Addison Fox) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

This is the first book I've read in this series and the first time I've read this author. I liked the general premise of the story and the twist with the lead villain. However, I was a little disappointed in the H and h. Although they seem to care for each other it seemed that they had a long way to go before they should have reestablished their relationship. I just didn't feel they were good for each other in the end.

I enjoyed this book. It had romance and intrigue and moved at a good pace. Dr. Torres, a veterinarian, moved back to her home town and bought out and took over the retiring vet’s practice. Before returning to Midnight Pass Dr. Torres’ practice in Houston had been broken into while she was still at the the building. She had been marred at the time but with all that had happened to her she divorced her husband before her move back to Midnight Pass. Little did she know that the Rat King Ray Barnett, the trouble maker who broke into her practice, would follow her back to Midnight Pass. The intrigue that followed and how it all ended made the book interesting. Our library doesn’t purchase paperback books but if it was donated I would recommend it to others. I would also purchase this book myself when browsing through the paperback books in stores.

Under the Rancher's Protection was a fail for me. This is the third book in the series. I know this due to the repeated mentions of couples and nods to former books. I haven't read the others, but if they are anything like this one, I will give them a pass. The writing was bland and the book just bobbed about like an innertube on a lazy river. The characters weren't developed, and their relationship wasn't very believable. For a book which promised suspense, there wasn't any until the very end of the book, at which point it finally began to get interesting just to be squashed with a sappy few pages to sum it up.