Courage Under Fire (Silver Creek, #2) by Lindsay McKenna

Courage Under Fire (Silver Creek, #2) Reviews

• 
  PamG

  COURAGE UNDER FIRE by Lindsay McKenna is the second book in the Silver Creek contemporary romantic suspense series. The protagonists are Carissa (Cari) Taylor and Chase Bishop. Cari has her own beekeeping consulting business in California and loves it. However, when she gets a call from the county sheriff, her life is about to change. Her stepbrother, who has vowed to kill her, has escaped from prison. Luckily, Cari lands a job on a large range in Silver Creek, Wyoming. Ex-Marine Corp sniper, Chase Bishop runs the 80,000 acre family ranch. He is trying to add organic honey production to the ranch’s diverse operations. When his initial beekeeper suddenly leaves, he hires Cari.
  
  Both Cari and Chase are likeable characters with a lot of chemistry. They have similar values but have approached life very differently. Cari is strong, intelligent and believes in herself. She is used to working in a field that is dominated by men. Chase shows respect for others and treats women as equals. He is diversifying the ranch by including honeybees for honey, a raptor rehabilitation center, organic vegetables and much more. The secondary characters played a background role and weren’t as well developed. However, they may show up in future books in the series.
  
  The writing and discussions gave me a strong sense of the Three Bars Ranch and the people of Silver Creek. While the dialogue felt natural, there was some repetitiveness in some areas; especially around Chase’s attitudes and treatment of women. While it was important to the story to acknowledge this, it seemed to be repeated a little too often.
  
  This book has a lot of details in it on topics as diverse as beekeeping, raptor rehabilitation and military sniping. I felt this added depth and made the book more realistic. Additionally, I learned a lot while reading the novel. While it may have been a little over the top in some respects, it left me feeling good that people are finding innovative ways to save family ranches.
  
  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was an entertaining book that was emotionally intense at times. The author did a good job of meshing the romance and the suspense without either suffering. If you are a fan of contemporary romantic suspense without instant love, then you may want to check out this series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
  
  Kensington Books – Zebra and Lindsay McKenna provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 23, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
• 
  Jennifer

  ARC received for review
  
  There was chemistry between Cari and Chase but it was weighed down by all the talking and talking and thinking. Plus there was all the explaining about bees and raptors and snipering and his mom...way too much. Then there was the bad guy...how the heck did he find her....no real explanation, just a vague idea from the sheriff. I had to speed read a lot of parts cause it was boring. They finally hook up at about 80% in and it was over in a couple pages. Sweet epilogue.
• 
  Susan

  Fantastic blend of suspense and a sweet, slow-burn romance. The story opens as Cari, a beekeeping expert, dreams of a life-changing childhood moment. It is quickly followed by a phone call from the local sheriff, warning her that her stepbrother, a sociopathic killer, escaped from prison. Cari is terrified because Dirk threatened to kill her for her part in putting him in jail. Taking the sheriff's advice, Cari immediately leaves town, quits her job with the state of California, and applies for a new job in Wyoming. She lands that job at the historic Three Bars Ranch in Silver Creek.
  
  Rancher Chase Bishop is a former Marine sniper who came home to heal after losing his first love. A man with a deep love for the land, his ranch is well-known for its natural growing practices and diversity. His latest project involves the production of organic honey. Unfortunately, the beekeeper he hired quit after his neglect killed almost all of the hives Chase set up. Determined to try again, Chase hires Cari to restore the hives and run the honey business.
  
  Cari is conscious of the threat Dirk poses to her and those around her and tells Chase about the issue, sure he will send her packing. Much to her surprise, Chase listens intently to her story and clarifies that not only does he want her to stay, but he also promises to keep her safe. Between his training, the abilities of his ranch hands, many of whom are vets themselves, and the involvement of local law enforcement, he feels that the Three Bars Ranch is the safest place she can be.
  
  I loved the development of the relationship between Cari and Chase. They connected immediately over their shared love of the land. I enjoyed the tour of the ranch and seeing Chase's love and pride for it. The conversation between him and Cari about the importance of the bees and the land was fascinating. I loved her first visit to the bees and Chase's reaction to seeing her with them. Over the next few weeks, they form a solid friendship, sharing many of their world views and life experiences. With Dirk's threats always at the back of her mind, Cari is especially fascinated by Chase's sniper training and asks him to teach her some of his escape and evasion techniques.
  
  In addition to her beekeeping skills, Cari also has a keen interest in raptors. Chase has a raptor rehabilitation and education center on part of his land, and in her free time, Cari spends some time with one of the young red-tail hawks recovering from an injury. I had to laugh at the descriptions of this hawk, named Valkyrie, as the center's "wild child." Once again, intriguing information about a vital subject became an integral part of the story.
  
  Underneath Chase and Cari's friendship simmers a growing attraction that both are reluctant to acknowledge. Cari is cognizant that Chase is not just a friend but also her boss and doesn't want to do anything to ruin either relationship. Meanwhile, Chase also recognizes the hazards of doing anything about the attraction. He's a modern man, raised to respect women and treat them as true equals. He doesn't look at Cari as a prize to be won or a sex object to be conquered. Eventually, they get to the point where neither can deny the growing feelings. Rather than ignore them any longer, Cari and Chase sit down and talk about them, covering everything from pet peeves to expectations. I loved their honest exchange and desire to see where it goes without rushing anything.
  
  Meanwhile, Dirk's vendetta is never far from Cari's mind. We get a couple of dips into his point of view, which only emphasizes the danger she is in. There is an intense scene in which Dirk unexpectedly appears in Silver Creek. Cari's fear leaped off the page as she uses her newly learned skills to evade his notice. I loved seeing her handle the situation despite her fear. I could feel the frustration of both the sheriff and Chase as Dirk evaded capture. The intensity picks up later when Chase and Cari are attacked while taking Valkyrie to her new forever home. I was glued to the pages as Chase used his training to evade their attackers. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with critical intervention coming from an unexpected source.
  
  The ending was terrific as Chase and Cari moved forward together. Chase's big moment was sweet as his love for her was expressed in an incredibly beautiful and unique way. I hope they make appearances in future books.
  
  Of all the secondary characters, Chase's mother, Mary, is my favorite. She is a woman of incredible foresight and determination and a force to be reckoned with in the community. She is the CEO of her own organic grocery business and has been the inspiration, and frequent financial backer, of similar enterprises in the area. She also has a loving heart and a way of making anyone feel welcome and safe. Her influence on Chase made him the man he is today.
  
  One of the things I loved about this book was the detail that added depth to the characters and the story. The information on bees and beekeeping was intriguing, and I loved the emphasis on the importance of those tiny creatures. Various raptors have been included in others of the author's books, and Valkyrie's inclusion in this one was fascinating. Again, the information provided was an integral part of the story and not just thrown in to make word count. The descriptions of Chase's time as a sniper were both amazing and heartbreaking. He didn't downplay the effects of that time on his psyche, but he could also use those skills when needed.
• 
  Marti

  Courage Under Fire by Lindsay McKenna is the second book in a new series by Lindsay McKenna. The new series is called Silver Creek and once again takes place in Wyoming. I found this author with her series Wind River Valley and enjoyed her writing. I did like how she shared information to help teach people about soldiers and PTSD, without being overwhelming.
  
  Chase Bishop owns a huge ranch in Wyoming. His family has focused on sustainable and organic farming for the ranch. Unfortunately his old bee keeper was not able to maintain healthy hives, so Cari (Carissa) is hired to salvage the operation.
  
  Carissa Taylor is a famous beekeeper and has found jobs over the world helping save and then plan for safe and well cared for bees. Her love of bees is documented in the book by a flashback (in a dream) to when she saved her first hive. Cari’s life is just where she wants it when her step brother breaks out of prison threatening to find and kill her. Cari accepts a job living on the ranch under an assumed name to help protect her. Then one day she sees her brother in the small town.
  
  Cari and Chase have some chemistry and the ramping up of the step brother presence and threat being nearby increases the tenor of the story. However, as much as I found the straight storyline as interesting and enjoyed reading it, I found parts of the book long winded and “lecturey” on beekeeping, organic farming and a stronger matriarchal society. As much as I personally have beliefs that line up with the story, I felt they did not add to the story and as a matter of fact - took away from the story and may turn off readers. I also was unclear about how the step brother found them. Where there was a supposition about it, I was not satisfied with the explanation.
  
  Lindsay McKenna's newest book, Courage Under Fire, will be enjoyed by many.
  
• 
  Gale

  I’m thinking that ‘grab you in the first pages’ is going to be a thing with this series. And I’ll be rethinking moving to a small town, that’s for sure. In Courage Under Fire, Cari (Carissa Taylor) and Chase (Bishop) have their own story of intrigue and suspense and a sweet, budding relationship.
  
  In this book two of the series, the story starts out about bees on the Bishop ranch. It’s a pretty interesting storyline, too. For me, learning about how important bees are to our very life was pretty cool. Of course, though, there is a much bigger part of the book that involves Cari, and her mother, and how they are being stalked/hunted by a predator – of the human kind.
  
  Love the growth of the relationship between Chase and Cari. It plays a huge part in keeping Cari safe from harm. And I loved all that I learned, about Mother Nature and our environment. The story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book! Can’t wait to read what comes next in this small town.
  
• 
  Jane

  I want to thank Lindsay McKenna, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the eBook Kindle copy of Courage Under Fire that I won in the Giveaway.
  
  Beekeeper Cari comes to the Silver Valley in Wyoming to help Chase with the problems he has with his hives and to help start a honey production business on his ranch. She comes with baggage and a special problem because her stepbrother just broke out of prison and is hunting her to kill her for testifying against him when he shot his girlfriend and murdered her.
  
  I liked the maturity, mutual respect and happy ending to the exciting and suspenseful romance in Courage Under Fire, plus the raptors help too.
• 
  Christine

  This is the second book in the silver creek series. Cari is running from her stepbrother who has escaped from a California prison. She flees to Three Bars Ranch in Wyoming. She meets the owner of the ranch, Chase Bishop. I really like Cari as a character. Chase was a likable hero and I loved his mother, Mary. I liked the suspense scenes and the storyline of Cari's stepbrother hunting her. However, I feel that the book was repetitive at times and while I liked the beekeeping facts as they were thrown in here and there, I didn't care to have half a chapter of Cari and Chase talking about what he carries in a go bag and why. Overall the story was good. I received this book from netgalley and Kensington publishing in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Nancy

  The next book in series hasn’t been released yet.
• 
  Char Davis

  This is a suspense filled thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat an the characters are captivating. Dark is a professional bee expect when he goes away to not be home in case her step brother Who she testified against an helped put in prison has escaped an he said he was going to kill her an her mom.So when she get an offer to go to a large ranch to help save their bees an set up more hives she's excited after she talks to Mary who is so sweet she reminds Cari of her mom.She flys out but feels she needs to tell them that having her there could put them in danger.When Caring meets Chase she is instantly attracted to him .Chase thinks Cari is the most beautiful woman he's ever laid eyes on.He sees she's troubled she asks if they can talk at first suggests a coffee shop but he says lets go to the ranch we can have coffee an discuss whatever it is that is bothering you .Cari and Chase are talking about her knowledge of bees.When they sit down Caring tells Chase her step brother escaped prison an ran a gang he said he was going to kill her and then her mom. Seeing Cari that upset sets off the protector in Chase.He tells her that he wants her to stay he calls his mom Mary an she tells Mary what's going on Mary says we protect our own.Chase takes Cari out to check the hives when she goes up with just a bee keepers hat an stands talking then it looks like she's mentally taking to the bees he sees several bees land on her shoulders an Chase is afraid they are going to attack her but soon they fly back to their hive an Cari walks up looking at the hives.He thinks Cari looked like a other worldly being.Like a fae..Then he takes her back to the ranch tells her to rest an he'll make dinner.He tells the men an women on the ranch what's going on with Dark an everyone votes to help her.There are so many twists an turns to this story you will be riveted until the very last page an leave you begging for more. I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain. I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author.
  
• 
  Stephanie Panach

  If you have ever dreamed of reading a western/cowboy romance that is the antithesis of toxic masculinity - this is your dream come true! I honestly never thought I would actually find one that embraces those concepts so whole heartedly. Silver Creek is definitely a bit of a shangrila - organic produce company with a female CEO, a ranch that employs men and women - with a woman foreman. Cari is definitely a woman in a male dominated field. But she is incredibly strong - especially given what she has been through with her sociopathic brother. Chase is - as Cari says at one point - a rare type of man. He is a military trained sniper now running his family's ranch. He could very easily be a classic example of the alpha male - but he is expressly the opposite. Conscious of his behavior towards women, respectful, and treating women as his true equal. He is immediately smitten with Cari - but being deeply conscious of #metoo he doesn't approach her as a prize to be won or a sexual object - but as a professional woman first. All of this was seriously refreshing.
  
  The thing is - I think maybe Lindsay McKenna overdid it a little. I can't even imagine the research she did on bee culture or military sniper training for this book - because the detail is pretty intense. At times I felt more like I was reading a manual more than a romance. The romance is sweet and I loved seeing Cari and Chase come together - but I admit to skimming some of the details about bees, snipers, law enforcement, and even feminist culture (which I am so much in favor of in romance - like so much). At times I felt like I was getting hit over the head with it. I get that Cari was pretty surprised by Chase's forward thinking and behavior - but I think after the initial interactions - it was enough to show us that he walked the walk - not just talked the talk. The constant surprise and discussion could have been left out. So - yeah - I had mixed emotions about that. We need more of this in romance - but maybe this was too much? Please don't hate me. My feminist flag flies high!
  
  Overall - I liked this and I am kind of anxious to read the next book. The preview for it is included in the end and I really want to see where it goes.
  
  I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
• 
  Robin

  Cari Taylor was living her dream life. As a bee keeping consultant for the state of California, she traveled the state helping farmers, and traveled the world as well. It all came crashing down the night she received a call that her step brother had escaped from jail. She had helped put him there and he swore he would kill her if he ever got the chance.
  
  Scared and unsure, she accepts a job from Chase Bishop. The Wyoming ranch owner ran a natural organic ranch, raising a variety of crops free of pesticides and chemicals. He's looking to add bees and natural honey to his list of crops and he needs a professional bee keeper to get the project up and running. Worried that trouble may end up following her, she shares her concerns with Chase who seems unconcerned. As a former marine sniper, Chase assures her he can keep her safe.
  
  Cari enthusiastically settles into her new job, feeling at home on the ranch, making friends with the ranch hands, and gaining confidence studying self defense techniques with Chase. She finally feels safe enough to head into the small town of Silver Creek on her own only to have the past catch up with her in the form of her step brother Dirk. Fighting the panic, she makes her way back to the ranch, ready to run again. But Chase is determined to keep her safe, and keep her close.
  
  I have read Lindsay McKenna's cowboy stories for years. She always imbeds in her stories her strong love of the earth, of natural and spiritual healing, and the importance of protecting the land. Cari is a bee keeper because Ms McKenna wants the reader to grasp the importance of raising bees, protecting them and working to increase the bee population. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm sometimes over takes the story and Cari and Chase get lost in the background. When returning to the plot, it took me a few pages to switch gears out of lecture mode and back into the suspense of the story. That being said, the story finishes strong, the last third of the book being a page turner.
  
  This is the second book of the Silver Creek series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. The characters from the first story are alluded to, but most of the characters are either new or reintroduced. Despite some of the issues with this story, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to the next book in the series set to come out in the Fall.
• 
  Judy

  This is the second book in the Silver Creek romantic suspense series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, I enjoyed reading the first book as it gave a lot of background about the setting in and around Silver Creek, Wyoming. Chase Bishop, the hero of this book, was also introduced in the first book. Chase is a former Marine sniper who has returned home to run the family ranch in central Wyoming. The ranch is very diversified and follows environmentally friendly ranching practices. One of the branches of the ranch is a honey producing business. The current beekeeper has resigned after leaving the ranch hives in deplorable condition. Chase's mother, Mary, goes in search of another beekeeper and comes in contact with Cari Taylor of California, a professional beekeeper and bee consultant. The timing is perfect for Cari as her stepbrother who vowed to kill her many years ago has escaped from prison. She is thinking that rural Wyoming might be a good place to hide out until he can be caught and returned to prison.
  
  I thought the book started off a little slow and was a bit repetitive, but it picked up towards the middle and then the suspense element really kicked in. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
  
  Thank you to Kensington Books and Goodreads for the gift of this book that I received in a giveaway.
  
  
• 
  Char Davis

  This suspense filled story will keep you on the edge of your seat and the characters are captivating you. The story of the bee expert Carl was invited to help save the bees at a huge ranch but she's not sure they will want her when they find out her being there could put everyone in danger.Chase is the owner that runs the huge ranch everything is natural no unhealthy practices for the animals and fruit and vegetables plus honey grown there they also have a rescue center for raptures and other animals in need .When Chase watches Cari communication with the bees he's beyond impressed.There is danger,suspense,hot chemistry between Carl an former recon Marine sniper Chase is off the charts.But the attraction between them is way !ore than just sexual.Can Chase keep Caris drug dealing escaped prisoner step brother who wants to kill het?There are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author.
• 
  Rosie Trzewik

  There was a lot I did like, the story line, the interesting facts on beekeeping, the naturalist way of running a ranch and giving women positions in a basically mans’ world. Cari a beekeeping consultant who goes into hiding from her escaped convict step brother that has vowed to kill her. She winds up in Wyoming on Chase’s ranch, who is into natural resources in running his ranch. Having been brought up to respect the land and respect women, his ranch has always welcome women to work on the ranch. He is in need of a Beekeeper and that is how Cari winds up there. Afraid for her life she does tell Chase about her brother, is most likely hunting her down. As a ex-sniper, Chase is ready to protect Cari with his life if need be.
  Feeling developed between the two, but is awkward.....Boss...employee. They decide to discuss their feelings.....this was very long winded. Which after a while turned me off, I was almost was to the point of not finishing the book. I am glad I did get thru that part, the rest was action packed and very good. If it wasn’t for that one part I would have given 4 stars.
  I received this book from netgalley and Kensington publishing in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Kim

  Cari Taylor is on the run from a murderer. She comes to Silver Creek looking to change her life and hide. Chase Bishop is the owner of the organic ranch Three Bars Ranch. He’s an ex-military sniper who employs former military men and women as ranch hands. When the new beekeeper reveals her dangerous situation, a smitten cowboy will jump to be the protection she needs. Cari & Chase will face Courage Under Fire when the face fear and danger.
  
  Lindsay McKenna takes you back to Silver Creek with the story of a woman facing the murderer she put in prison and her fear for those around her. An ex-military sniper turned rancher will become the help she’ll need to face the danger coming her way. Courage Under Fire takes the reader on a suspenseful, nail biting trip that will have you hoping these two characters will make it out alive. Along the way they’ll come to realize that their lives need to be entwined to continue past the fear and danger. Lindsay McKenna brings two characters together that you wouldn’t think to have anything in common but have a lot more than you realize at first. She lulls you into thinking that these characters just maybe are in the clear, then the surprises come. She even gives this wonderful Wild Child that may just wing their way to being the hero of the entire story. A story that keeps you on the edge with the danger. Courage Under Fire that is that book, you won’t be able to put down until the end. Lyndsay McKenna doesn’t disappoint with the second story in her Silver Creek series. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series Strength Under Fire. Lindsay McKenna’s Courage Under Fire and Silver Creek in her Silver Creek series are must read books for any and all of her fans as always or if you’re looking for a new author is a wonderful entrance into one of the Lindsay McKenna worlds.
• 
  Phoebe

  Courage Under Fire has a background story of a girl on the run from her killer step-brother. An opportunity appears to use her degree and knowledge on a ranch. Luckily for her the rancher used to be a sniper and the ranch is surrounded by former military personnel who can protect her from her step-brother. I learned so much about bees and animal conservation. Luckily for me, beekeeping is a fascination for me as are the efforts to save animals. McKenna gives plenty of information about both areas that sometimes it feels as if the romance and the action are the subplots. Chase and Cari are sweet and sometimes too adorable as they tread so carefully towards each other that they stand still. I do love how McKenna has both characters learn from each other...a true partnership. Courage Under Fire is a great read for a snowy day.
  
  I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
  
• 
  Linda George

  I received this title from a Goodreads contest and was tickled to get it since I alread had it on my want to read list. This was an enjoyable story of two rather insecure people finding their way together. Carissa Taylor flees to Silver Creek when her step brother escapes from prison and she knows that he will kill her if he can find her. She testified as a witness that he murdered his girlfriend. Rancher Chase Bishop has hired Cari as a beekeeper to develop an organic honey business. Cari confides her dangerous background to Chase so he has a clear idea of the threat that she may bring to his ranch and employees. He is struck by her courage and hires her. Unfortunately, her brothers crime connections lead him to Silver Creek and Cari. Chase's sniper training may be all that stands between them and death.
• 
  Moira

  Full of action, suspense, and a bit of romance. Once again though, there's too much focus on a topic. In this book the author keeps harping on the proper way to treat a woman, as a person not a thing. Support her, don't smother her in her actions and profession. Once was enough, reiterating it over and over detracts from the story. It's important to understand based on the circumstances, however continued discussion is unnecessary.
  
  That being said, this book is good and I enjoyed the story. The first half moves a bit slow. The information about beekeeping and raptor rehab was interesting, adding to the suspense. I would rate it between 3.5 and 4 stars.
  
  I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
• 
  Kathyk21

  Courage Under Fire by Lindsey McKenna is entertaining and enlightening. Lindsey McKenna stuffed her novel with delightfully written information about beekeeping and care. She almost made me want to have a few bee pets of my own. She wove in microclimates, soil, birds of prey, and mythology info-bits while she built the tension of Cari Taylor’s step-brother’s threat to kill her. Silver Creek, Wyoming and the Three Bar Ranch become desirable places to visit and live in with McKenna’s skillful descriptions. The romance between Cari and Chase is gentle and believable. Courage Under Fire is an enjoyable if tense escape into adventure and romance.
• 
  Nancy Ku

  Courage Under Fire (Silver Creek, #2) by Lindsay McKenna
  This the second book in this series and I did like Cari and Chase and wanted to love this book ... but there is to much about toxic masculinity and other "political" stuff like the first Silver Creek book. I liked the bee stuff but some of seemed far out like her experience with the swarm when she was a child. Some things were repeated way to many times and I speed read through them after a while. The was danger with the step brother and fun with Valkyrie "wild child" and their relationship. If this is the kind of book that interests you it is a fine read.