GRR Reviews Redemption River: Men of Mercy, Book 1 by Lindsay Cross

Redemption River tried to craft a "hero undercover woo former lover" story, but various patently absurd ideas that can't possibly happen in reality, a total doormat FMC who allowed people to push her around, and a totally sociopathic villain who is evil "just because", means the plot points are mostly wasted.

To recap, Hunter James left the town for the military, leaving behind his love Evangeline "Evie" whom he believed betrayed him. A mission gone bad sent him home to his hometown Mercy, to inform a woman that her man is dead, and for Hunter to get back to Evie... For there is evidence that Evie may be involved in a serious drug and gun smuggling operation... and a threat to national security. Evie is being threatened by her former fiancee, who basically bashed her down to nothing, and left mark on her in several ways. Her father, the former sheriff, was dead, and the current sheriff is corrupt. Her militia group is voting to accept the smuggling job from her former fiancee, and Hunter's appearance was not helping her concentration. But Hunter is trying to learn whether she's involved in the smuggling, not just trying to get into her good graces... When he learned the truth, they need to face down a ruthless killer...

This book, first of all, falls into the "I don't read the law" problem, in that it sends active duty military folks doing "undercover" work in the US. This is against the *posse comitatus act*... No military units may operate in the US to enforce domestic policy. Undercover makes no difference. If he's retired, a law enforcement agency can recruit him, but he's clearly active duty, and not on leave, complete with a handler... his own CO!

Second, Evie was a TOTAL doormat. Sure, she managed to grow a backbone and left the SOB of a fiancee, but basically, a few words from him and she's back to quivering, and only Hunter can save her, both from herself and the UBG (that's Ultimate Bad Guy).

Third, the UBG was too evil, with absolutely ZERO redeeming qualities. HOW did she fall for such a creep in the first place?

Fourth, why was the UBG sticking around this pissy little town, not plying his trade elsewhere? He's got reach across the state, calls up mercenaries at will, but he's just there to mess with the FMC and MMC's plans. That's "cardboard heavy"... not a real nemesis.

Add it all together, and you got the signs of an amateur plotter who doesn't even know those points don't really fit together.

Category: Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Man must go back home and befriend his ex to find out if she's smuggling bad stuff, finds a conspiracy and danger instead

Tropes: evil ex, disguise, return, reunion, woman in perill, protector, conspiracy, mafia

Overall Rating: 2/5