Rating: 4.5 Stars

Readers looking for a romantic suspense novel that will keep them up all night need look no further than K D Richards’ latest page-turner, Shielding Her Son.

Single mom Erika Powell is a woman with a secret. Eight years ago, after her husband died in a car crash, a determined Erika had vowed to do whatever it takes to protect her son from his tyrannical grandfather, so she had left her life behind and moved to the small town of Carling Lake. Always looking over her shoulder, Erika knows that if her true identity is ever revealed, then she would lose her son forever and she isn’t prepared to do that. Keeping most people at bay and not letting anyone get too close to her are sacrifices she is willing to make – until James West moves in next door and feelings Erika had thought she would never experience again quickly come rushing to the fore. Will Erika’s resolve crumble the more she gets to know James? Or could trusting James end up costing her everything?

James West had come to Carling Lake with one goal in mind: to find Erika Overholt and inform her late husband’s family that she is living in the small town with her son. Fully aware of just how important this assignment is to West Investigations, James is not about to mess this job up and the more time he spends with Erika, the more he is convinced that his next-door neighbor is the woman he has been sent to find. However, when attempts are made on Erika’s life, a protective James vows to do whatever it takes to keep her and her son safe – even if it means putting his mission and his family business in jeopardy.

As the campaign of terror on Erika’s life escalates, James becomes even more determined to do anything he possibly can to protect the woman he has grown to love and the son who means the world to her. Can James and Erika defeat this dangerous enemy together? And will Erika reciprocate James’ feelings for her when she finds out that he’s been lying to her all this time?

An exhilarating rollercoaster ride that will leave readers barely able to catch their breath, romantic suspense fans are going to love K D Richards’ latest novel, Shielding Her Son. A fast-paced and action-packed chiller full of shocking twists and turns readers won’t see coming, Shielding Her Son is a captivating tale about a mother’s love, dangerous secrets and the lengths people go to for their nearest and dearest that is an absolute struggle to put down.

K D Richards knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats desperate to find out what is going to happen next and with Shielding Her Son, she has written a superb romantic suspense novel that shouldn’t be missed.

I have enjoyed each book in the West Investigations series and this release, Book #4, is as good, if not better than, as the others. It is my favorite of the series so far. Though the story is set in the quiet town of Carling Lake, there is a familiarity which is common with series. However, SHIELDING HER SON can be read without reading the previous books, but I would advise any new readers of the series to go back and read the others. They should not be missed.

About ten years ago, Erika Powell moved to Carling Lake to start a new life. Since the death of her husband, and rejection by her rich father-in-law, her move had been inevitable, especially after she realized she was pregnant. She knew that if her father-in-law had discovered that she was pregnant he would do everything to get his grandchild. The story begins with a bang and immediately readers are drawn into a sense of foreboding. Someone is out to scare Erika. James West, her closest neighbor, comes to her rescue but there is a reason James is renting a nearby cabin. He is on a mission to find out if Erika and her son are the missing heir he is searching for. Who is trying to harm Erika? Is she the person he is looking for? Or is she in danger because of the investigation she is carry out as an editor for the local newspaper? By the end of the story after several twists and turns, the readers get their answers, but the journey there is definitely intriguing.

I love the two main characters, Erika and James. Erika is a strong single mother who has made a comfortable life with her son and herself, despite all she has endured at the hand of her in-laws. Focussed on that aspect of her life, she has no time for romance or relationships, so she does not trust James. After an injury, James has retired from the military as he can no longer continue his career as a sniper. Like Erika, he is not looking for romance, but focussed on discovering if Erika and her son are the missing ears. I enjoy books with kids, and Marcus is a welcomed addition to the story. He is an adorable kid who sees himself as the man of the house. At ten years old, he is as protective of his mother as she is of him.

SHIELDING HER SON has a tense pace which intensifies when Marcus goes missing. The main characters are complex, and the small-town setting has its appeal. However, it is the compelling mystery which drives this terrific romantic suspense. SHIELDING HER SON is a terrific addition to the West Investigation series. I highly recommend this book to fans of Ms. Richards and those readers who love a great romantic suspense. You won’t be disappointed.

Good book with terrific suspense and a quick romance. James West recently left the military, medically retired after an injury made it impossible to continue as a sniper. He's working for the family security firm while he decides what he will do with the rest of his life. His current assignment is to check out Erika Powell and ascertain whether she and her son are the missing heirs of a New York businessman. It's going slowly because Erika is very private and seems wary of strangers.

When Erika's rich, spoiled, and emotionally abusive husband died, his controlling father kicked her out of her home. She had just discovered that she was pregnant and was afraid her father-in-law would do anything to take her child if he knew about it. So, she changed her name and moved away from the city, landing in the small town of Carling Lake. When the story starts, she's been there for almost ten years and has begun to put down roots. She bought a house that she is turning into a B & B.

The story starts with a bang as Erika is injured in a fall on her property. Her hiking companion runs for help and brings James, who lives in the house next door, to Erika. He helps her while they wait for an ambulance, but the circumstances seem suspicious to him. When he foils an intruder attempting to break into her house, he suspects something untoward is going on. When she hears about the intruder, she has two suspects in mind - that her father-in-law has found her or that a rival B & B owner is attempting to keep her from opening her inn. Erika, a part-time reporter for the local paper, is also investigating some possibly missing grant money, which is also motivation for trouble. Erika reluctantly accepts James's offer to help with the house renovations while simultaneously serving as protection against whoever is behind the trouble.

Neither Erika nor James expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Both try hard to resist, but it does no good. James isn't ready for a relationship when he has no idea what his future looks like. Erika isn't going to enter a relationship when she can't be honest with the other person about who she is. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist. I liked watching James and Erika get closer. James's support helps Erika restore the self-confidence that her late husband damaged. At the same time, Erika helps James see an unexpected path to his future. It doesn't take long for James to realize that he wants Erika and her son in his life permanently, but he's reluctant to say anything because he still has no plan for his future. Erika can't look at a future with James until she faces her past - which comes sooner than expected. I did not see that twist coming. I loved James's sweet and romantic big moment at the end.

The suspense of the story was excellent. The "accident" on the rope bridge was nerve-wracking, and I loved how James's suspicions were immediately raised, which led to his watchfulness. I could feel his frustration at not being able to catch the intruder. Erika's confrontation with Ellis, the other B & B owner (and town mayor), moved him to the head of my list of suspects. The story that Erika was investigating also provided a possible motive for the attack, as there was clearly some cover-up happening. The family connection was low on my suspect list. The tension built as Erika's son Marcus disappeared. Erika did what any mom worth her salt would do, even if it complicated matters. The final confrontation came from a previously unknown player. I was glued to the pages watching Erika's mama bear protectiveness take over. The resolution was very well done.

I liked the secondary characters. Erika's son Marcus was terrific. He's just as protective of Erika, and it was sweet to see the ten-year-old as the man of the house. I also liked how he and James connected so quickly. I also liked the sheriff, Lance, who was such a good friend to Erika. I suspect he may have been romantically interested in her, but she never saw him that way. Other people in the town played small but significant roles and gave the town some of its personality.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the fourth book in the West Investigations series. The suspense was so good in this book, and there was a little bit of romance and it moved super slow. I loved the characters in this book, and I loved that this book kept me guessing what was going on. This was a great read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (K.D. Richards) 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.

I will leave a review on July 26, on Amazon and B&N

This was the first book I have read by this author, and I loved it. This is one of my favorite genres to read, and it didn't disappoint. I loved the chemistry between Erika and James and hated to see this book come to a conclusion. I certainly would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and the opinion expressed here are my own.

When Erika's husband died and her father-in-law threw her out with nothing, it was the excuse she needed to create a new identity and protect her yet unborn child. Years later, having worked to build a life for herself and her son, she is suddenly being targeted by someone. James, newly out of the military and sent by his brothers to track down Erika and confirm her identity, is in the right place at the right time to help.

A little bit of mystery helps move this light, quick read along. This would be a great book to pick up and unwind after dealing with a hectic life.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher.

As an avid Intrigue reader, I'm always looking for new authors to try in the line. I'm so glad I read Shielding Her Son by K.D. Richards! First, I just want to say I love a cover that features only the heroine! It makes me want to read it immediately, which is what I did as soon as it landed on my Kindle.

Erika has secrets, and she's hiding them in Carling Lake. Her biggest secret is ten and his name is Marcus. Why she's keeping him a secret and from who, well, that's the bigger question.

James West is at Carling Lake as a PI trying to sus out if Erika is really who she says she is, or if she's the woman they've been hired to find. What he doesn't expect to do is rescue her from a bad fall she takes on her property and then save her B&B from an intruder while she's in the hospital. He still doesn't know if Erika is who they're looking for, but he's starting to think she's exactly who HE'S looking for in his life.

Nervous and under fire from an unknown person, though Erika suspects it's the competing B&B owner who has it in for her, Erika is grateful for James's help finishing the painting on her B&B. James is just happy to get inside the house to look for evidence of her true identity.

When push comes to shove, James is there for Erika and her son, Marcus, not because he has to be but because he wants to be. When Erika's past comes to light and the truth is revealed, the twist that K.D. Richards throws at the reader is sublime.

If you love a strong heroine and single mom who will do anything to protect her child, you're going to love Shielding Her Son. Erika and James have excellent and engaging chemistry that makes you root for them from page one. Don't miss this installment of the West Investigations Series!

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.