Recusing Macie by Susan Stoker

Rating:
Rescuing Macie by Susan Stoker
Genres: Military Romance, Romantic Suspense

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Susan Stoker comes a new story in her Delta Force Heroes series…

After years of estrangement, Mercedes Laughlin has finally reconciled with her older brother. It should be the happiest time of her life, getting to know Truck and his new wife…and it would be, if an ex wasn’t causing her trouble. Add in Truck’s boss, Colonel Colton Robinson, an amazingly distracting man whom she met under embarrassing circumstances, and Macie’s got a bit more on her plate than she can handle.

From the moment they met, Colt was fascinated by Macie, and helping her through an anxiety attack at her brother’s wedding didn’t diminish the appeal. He’d do his best to sweep her off her feet, if not for a little voice telling him to tread lightly—until a frantic phone call changes the plan. Macie’s being targeted, and Colt’s determined to keep her safe while he and her brother eliminate the threat.

Colt isn’t about to let his friend lose his sister again so soon…or miss his own chance at a happy ending with Macie before they’ve barely had a beginning.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

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Susan Stoker never disappoints. Every book she writes is full of emotion and action. This one is certainly no exception.

I was sad when Delta Force Heroes came to an end so getting to catch a little bit more of the guys plus their commander was awesome! I love that this story is about Truck’s sister Mercedes (Macie) and Colt. We have seen Colt in all of the previous books in the background commanding the guys. He has an authority that speaks years of service but in this book we get to see the softer side of him. Macie and Colt met in the previous book at Truck and Mary’s wedding. They hit it off but there was some miscommunication and they haven’t spoken in a while.

This book begins with action! I mean poor Macie with her anxiety has to climb out of her bedroom window then hide. She was smart enough to have practiced jumping from the window to the tree and to take her cell phone where she calls the one person who can help her. Her brother, a Delta Force team member, who happens to be with his entire team and the commander. It is in the moment that Colt realizes Macie is in danger that we see just how much he feels for her after a brief encounter.

Macie has severe anxiety and while that could have been a problem in a relationship Colt doesn’t let it come between them. She was such a lovable character. I felt for her with the anxiety she had to deal with but I think she did the best she could. She knew she had issues and we see her come out of her shell. All in all this was a wonderful book and I am so glad that we got to see everyone again.

READ AN EXCERPT

“Everything good?” he asked.

Macie nodded.

“No, Macie,” he said as he put a hand on the side of her neck and leaned in. “Are you good?”

She couldn’t help the small smile that broke out. “I’m good,” she told him. “Really. I liked them. Annie is hysterical, and I loved getting to know Emily and Casey more.”

“And Mary? Did she behave?”

Macie must’ve hesitated a moment too long, because Colt sighed and pulled back. He reached for her hand and pulled her into the living room. He sat on the couch and tugged Macie down onto his lap. He put his arms around her waist and held her firmly.

Macie stared at him in shock. They’d slept curled up next to each other every night, and Colt never hesitated to touch her, to caress her cheek or run a hand over her hair. But he’d never simply hauled her around before—at least, not since the night of the break-in—and she hadn’t sat on anyone’s lap since she was five years old.

Not sure where to put her hands, she rested them in her lap awkwardly.

“What’d she say?” Colt asked.

“Nothing.”

“Mace,” he said more gently. “I can tell she said something. I mean, it’s Mary, she can’t help herself, it’s part of her charm.” He smiled. “Now tell me, so I can reassure you about whatever it was, and then I’ll go get us some dinner. I’m hungry.”

It was the last bit that made Macie change her mind about telling him. She had a feeling he would sit there all night if she didn’t spill. He was that stubborn. But his stubbornness was one of the many reasons she was crazy about him.

Pushing those feelings to the back of her mind, refusing to think about them right now, she said, “I’m sure she was exaggerating, or that she simply doesn’t know the truth.”

“About what?”

Taking a deep breath, Macie said, “She was just trying to make sure I knew what this was. What was happening here. And she told me about you killing a bunch of people when your friend was captured.”

She felt Colt’s thigh muscles tense under her butt, and it seemed as if the air in the room thickened with emotion.

Oh shit. Why had she told him? She should’ve made something up. She was such an idiot! Now he was going to tell her she couldn’t stay at his house anymore, that he couldn’t help her. She should’ve kept her big mouth shut!