Angel

The people of Oak Creek, Wyoming, would not be quick to help Jordan Reiss if she were in trouble, and they have reasons. Her father cheated much of the town out of its retirement savings, and Jordan went on to commit a far graver offense of her own.

After six years in prison, she has returned with nowhere else to go. She does not expect anyone to forgive her. She wants only a quiet life on the Wyoming land she missed during her time behind bars.

Gabriel Collingwood, a former Navy SEAL known in his unit by the callsign Angel, is determined to protect his sister. That includes keeping watch over Jordan, who has landed a job at his sister's new bakery. Gabe does not trust her, though her gray eyes and soft smile make that harder.

When someone starts pressing for Jordan to leave town for good, and ideally not alive, Gabe must set his suspicion aside. Jordan needs a protector, and Gabe is the one who can provide it.

This stand-alone novel belongs to the Linear Tactical series, which follows former military men and the women who change their lives. It is a steamy romantic suspense. The author's Harlequin Intrigue novels share a similar heat level, and a toned-down edition of this story is available on her website.