So much better than the first one in this series. Sharon Sala is one of my go to authors, usually penning a solid read. This one was tightly plotted and there were consequences for people's actions I was glad to see. The last one, [b:Next of Kin|12397581|Next of Kin (Rebel Ridge, #1)|Sharon Sala|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1321941722s/12397581.jpg|17378841], had a few problems along that line. You can check out my review if you like.

I enjoyed the romance here although it was not center stage but it was fairly well developed. There was a good balance between the romance portion of the story and the suspense portion. It gave me the warm fuzzies when Quinn called Mariah 'pretty girl' probably because that's what my husband calls me. I felt like their relationship was mutual and evenly balanced and developed well from where they had been as lovers in Afghanistan to the fuller relationship that developed in the book. Quinn was a wonderful hero who did everything he could to help Mariah and show her that he was in it for the long haul.

I particularly enjoyed how strong the heroine was without being a snarky ball buster. She had vulnerabilities that made her sympathetic but she was strong and never TSTL. I loved seeing her save Quinn at the end in a realistic way not in an OTT shoot 'em up scene.
The book was very well written in the way that diverse elements tied together in a big spiral of cause and effect. Things that seemed to have no relation to other things eventually were shown to have a domino effect on character actions and reactions in the story. Like I said, tight plotting.

Looking forward to the next one. ( )

Really good romantic suspense dealing with multiple issues in it's exciting action. I especially liked the heroine's behavior and character that was challenged both mentally and physically. Ranger Quinn brings his wounded army buddy Mariah to his wilderness home to recuperate.
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Classic Sala. Fast paced, interesting characters, mostly implausible plot. Always fun to read. Heavy on the effects of war -- PTSD, death toll, etc -- in a way that makes you remember to thank those in the military. ( )

Very good book. Quinn has been home from the war for three years and is still fighting the aftereffects. He still has nightmares and flashbacks, but he's better than he was. He has a job as a backcountry park ranger so he doesn't have to deal with too many people. When he hears that Mariah was wounded and has no place to go when she gets out of the hospital he brings her to his place to finish her healing. They had had a hot and heavy romance back when they served together and she was the one who saved him when he was injured. He has never forgotten her and is looking forward to being with her again.

Mariah is surprised to see him, but happy to have someplace to go. As a foster child all her life she is used to depending on no one except herself and finds being dependent extremely frustrating. Her attraction to Quinn is as strong as ever, but until she feels like she is truly recovering she won't allow herself to think of a future with him.

I really liked both Quinn and Mariah. Quinn knows his strengths and weaknesses and is able to work his life around them. He still fights his PTSD, frequently waking with nightmares. He's close with his family, and appreciates that they've been there for him throughout his recovery. When he hears about Mariah he doesn't even think twice about bringing her back to his home. I loved seeing how his own experience made him so much more sensitive to her needs. It was quickly obvious how much he still cared for her, and how that love was shown in everything he did for her.

I also loved seeing Quinn doing his work as a ranger. He loved his job and it showed. The scenes with the rogue bear were very intense and his determination to find the poacher who created the problem was there throughout the book. It also showed that he would see a problem through to its end no matter what.

Mariah was a terrific character. I loved her independence and her sassiness. She had cared for Quinn back when they were together and that caring had never disappeared. Having him show up when she was at a pretty low point gave her a boost that she really needed. I loved the give and take teasing between them and how it helped keep Mariah grounded. Her flashbacks and nightmares scare her because she doesn't know if she'll ever feel normal again and she won't commit to anything with Quinn until she she does. I loved her determination to fight her fears, including going into the forest that is an alien world to her. Her confrontation with the rogue bear was heartpounding as she dealt with it and then the following flashback. I also enjoyed seeing her get to know Quinn's family. Having no family of her own she is fascinated by their interactions and also by their immediate acceptance of her. I loved seeing her improve physically and mentally thanks to her own determination and Quinn's love.

The suspense part of the book was great. The rogue bear at the beginning seemed to be unconnected until later in the book when it was explained. The appearance of the local "bad boy" who had moved on to bigger things started the ball rolling on the trouble that came to Rebel Ridge. It was interesting to see things from his point of view and follow along as things began to unravel. The various members of the supporting cast for his "business" were well drawn and provided additional dimension to the bad guy's actions. The buildup to the showdown was excellent. I loved seeing how everything came together. I really loved the strength of will that Mariah showed and the reactions of the people around her. ( )

Don't Cry for Me by Sharon Sala
5 STARS Don't Cry for Me is a A REBEL RIDGE NOVEL. I could not put the book down. Stayed up till 2:00am till I had finshed. Warning thier are a few sex scenes but by far thier was a full engaging story in Don't Cry for Me. I did not obey the title, I cried a little. Quinn Walker has shown up in a previous book helping to save his brother's future wife Beth. Quinn has been home from the war three years and still has nightmares. He works as a Ranger in the back country in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. He lives at the top of a mountain in a new small house. The land was his grandparents home. The old home was destroyed by hired killers trying to kill Beth so she would not testify. Quinn got a call from a friend from his unit about another friend that was hurt bad and does not have family or any place to go when the milatry releases her from the hospital. Quinn said he would take care of it. Mariah Conrad has spent her whole life before Afghanistan in foster care. She is afraid to be homeless again. She has a lot of recovery time before she will be well enough to hold a job. Mariah is surprised when Quinn comes to take her home with him to his small cabin with no neighbors for miles. Mariah has had a brain injury and some of her memories are not thier. She is not in a good place to start up a relationship again with Quinn. Quinn's family is welcoming her back and are grateful because over in Afghanistan she had helped save Quinn's life. Quinn now that he sees Mariah wants to help her like his family was thier for him when he came home imjured. Quinn has lots of reasons why he brought Mariah home to heal. Sharon spins a dramatic story that draws you into her stories and makes you care what happens to the characters. It is also nice to see what the characters from a earlier book are up to now. Mariah is in a fragil state but she is a fighter,caring women, stubbern and not used to seeing a family working together. She is still saving lives on the mountain. I enjoy reading Sharon's novels and will continue reading them in the future. I was given this book to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 09/25/2012 PUB Harlequin Imprint HarlequinMIRA ( )