ARC mini-Review: A HOT Christmas Miracle (Hostile Operations Team #14.5)

 A HOT Christmas Miracle (Hostile Operations Team #14.5)

by Lynn Raye Harris 

Blurb:

Twenty years ago, badass military commander John “Viper” Mendez lost the love of his life. But fate brought them back together when he discovered she was still alive. Now they live a happily married life - and Kat’s pregnant. As Christmas approaches, they’re more in love than ever and looking forward to welcoming their new baby.

But old secrets begin to resurface and old enemies might be coming back to haunt them. The only way to know is to hire rogue mercenary Ian Black to do some dirty work while Mendez stays close to his wife and keeps her safe - and keeps the investigation a secret from her.

Christmas is a time of miracles. A season of snowy promises and gifts from the heart. When the holiday lights twinkle brightest, Mendez will either go on the offensive to save his family - or discover a truth that’ll change their lives forever.

Themes:  Holiday, Contemporary

Rating: 5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

A return to our favorite couple and the love between them that just continues to grow stronger even decades and tragedy-after-tragedy later. The HOT team has stolen our hearts for years, none more so than its illustrious leader, General John Mendez, and while he is finally back in the arms of the love of his life, it never hurts to get another glimpse of their lives and love—and get to see a bit of a holiday miracle for them.  Mendez and Kat are moving forward with their lives together finally after being apart almost twenty years, and losing the child that they created together.  Kat is pregnant and about to give birth to their daughter, Mendez has been promoted to a General and has time finally to give to the life they are building together and spending the holidays together is more important than ever.  Both Kat and John are feeling the loss of their son this holiday as the look forward to welcoming their little one, but the holidays are going to bring up secrets from their past and might just offer them both a miracle that neither ever imagined could ever occur for them.  With the season of magic and miracles upon them, Mendez and Kat might just be given two of the greatest gifts of their lives if they embrace the love and light around them.  I loved this story with all the little plot twists (which I can’t hint at because it would spoil the magic) and the drama of the birth of their daughter. Kat and Mendez learn to rely and count on their HOT family as they have to cope with being new parents at the busiest time of the year, but we get to see a lot of old friends and enjoy their love for Mendez & Kat.  There were so many sweet and poignant moments in this relatively short story that I almost had to reach for the tissues to go with the chocolate supply! I am dying to see what happens next, but knowing that Mendez and Kat got two miracles to make their lives truly complete reminds us that the holidays truly are the best time of the year if we focus less on the material and more on the true importance of the season—love and family.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series, but if you have been dying for it as I have, this story is a great way to hold you over until that time.  Thank you for the holiday magic, Lynn!

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.