Not too many authors handle the task of taking on and telling the stories of military men and women returning from active service and in many cases battlefront conditions as well as Lindsay McKenna. It is a special talent -- a knack so to speak -- to put these heroes back into mainstream America. McKenna is fair and kind but spot on accurate and honest. NIGHT HAWK in the tenth book in her Jackson Hole, Wyoming series.

In NIGHT HAWK by Lindsay McKenna being honest about her characters doesn't necessarily translate into complimentary. NIGHT HAWK centers on a ranch being run by various ex-military men. I guess the big question is whether they are ever really ex-military. These heroes never fully extricate themselves from the discipline of their previous experience no matter what arm of the military they belonged to. Around the Triple H the ranch hands blend in very well with the neighboring ranchers and are committed to the welfare of theirs. Difficult goal to be sure.

Many ranchers returned from military service to personal problems and that is the case with Triple H. Kai Tiernan has no place to go after leaving the Army but she has great attributes as a mechanic. Surely unusual for a female but Kai's life has been non-conforming. Basically raised by an older brother and a detached father Kai lacked that female influence. Joining the Army was a big step for Kai. It was a break from the harsh reality of living with a father who had no room in his life for a daughter.

So once released from active duty Kai was searching for a job and hopefully a place she could call home. Talon Holt owned Triple H. He was willing to give Kai the chance to start her new life. Kai couldn't have been happier.

Sometimes our past has a way of catching up with us at unexpected moments and Kai wound up facing a part of her past that she truly felt was better behind. Gil Hanford was part of her past. Kai's husband Sam died in service and Gil was his best friend. The three of them shared a wonderful friendship but Gil had carefully hidden a powerful attraction to his best friend's wife. Now both Gil and Kai find themselves at Triple H. Would they face their past and be able to move forward towards something that would benefit each of them. Or would their shared experiences prevent any hope for a future.

Gil is a remarkable guy -- in the beginning he seemed uncharacteristically needy. Kai on the other hand showcases her independence. Kai was blooming at the Triple H. She loved being part of this amazing family. She was willing to put her angst with Gil aside in order to stay put. On his part Gil knew he owed Kai explanations but he was reticent to reopen old wounds. These two people needed time to mend. Perhaps it was a bit of luck or fate that had them both wind up on the same doorstep so to speak.

NIGHT HAWK is the absolutely correct title for this love story written by Lindsay McKenna. It was unexpectedly a very touching tale about love and lost. The ongoing theme affected more than just the two main characters with the supporting cast lending itself perfectly to the message.

Book Summary

ONCE UPON A RANCH IN WYOMING…

After losing his comrade, Sergeant Gil Hanford thought a visit to the man's widow would be the decent way to honor his late friend. But Gil found more than comfort in Kai Tiernan—he had always secretly desired beautiful Kai, but a sudden, mutual passion helped assuage their grief…until duty reared its head, removing him from her arms, seemingly forever.

Four years later, Kai is starting over at the Triple H Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born a rancher, she is looking for a new beginning—but her new boss is unforgivably familiar. Kai has tried to move past the memory of what happened between her and Gil, even though she's never forgiven him for leaving her. But even as they begin their journey toward something new and oh-so-uncertain, a shadow emerges, determined to claim Kai for itself.

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