In the wilds of Alaska, Assistant District Attorney Shyla Pierce is supposed to be dead, killed in the pursuit of justice. But in fact she is very much alive, quietly in hiding and slowly recovering from her near-fatal injuries.

Meanwhile, deep in mourning for Shyla, Alaska State Trooper Judd Iverson tries and fails to move on. He’s forced to take a leave of absence. But when he arrives at his secluded fishing cabin, he’s shocked when Shyla opens the door. With a killer still on the loose and their passion unextinguished, they must relearn to trust each other and figure out how to catch the man who meant to kill Shyla the first time around.

Tamara’s Review

I absolutely loved Bait from page one. I adore these men of Alaska and there ladies and what a story Judd and Shyla had to tell. Judd Iverson has been morning the death of the only only woman he ever loved for over a year. He’s tried everything to move on, but he just can’t get over Shy. His best friend and boos orders him to take some time off and get his life together. To face his past and get on with it.

Little does he know, the sneaky bastard not only knows that Shy is still alive, but he sends Judd right to her!

Shyla has had the worst year of her life. She has died twice. Once, literally, on the operating table and a second time, when Witness Protection steals he life away. Shyla was a strong woman, but the events that led up to her “death” made her question her judgement. The Alaska State Troopers, of which Judd is a member, are up to their eyeballs in corruption and even though she loves Judd, she is afraid to trust him. I had a little problem with that, because I don’t think I could ever shut the people I love out of my life. Shyla gives up not only Judd, but her father too. She goes through the pain and terror of multiple surgeries and rehabilitation all on her own. I don’t know if that makes her strong or stupid, but we all make our own choices in life.

Shyla is tired of running. She is ready to confront all her demons. With Judd back in her life, they lay in wait for the killers to strike… Can you get any more tense than that?

Bait was a great read. Emotional, heartwarming and very fast paced. My only complaint was I wasn’t ready for it to end. Bait is a short story, but it packs a full size punch. Good Characters, great storyline, a beginning, middle and satisfying end. So, it wasn’t that the story didn’t deliver, I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters!

Lastly, I need to mention this: As many of you who follow my reviews know, I have a real thing for beautiful prose. I will admit, I have been accused of having too much description in my own books. However, when I see amazing writing that paints a picture in my head I just have to share. So let me share with you a passage from Bait that blew me away.
“Fireweed stood up to his chest, their fuchsia flowers having gone to seed, and their long thin leaves curling in on themselves in a vain attempt to prolong their short summer life. The color of the grasses had leached from lush green to sallow,and they now bowed at the ground as though bidding mercy to winter’s swift advance.
It would be freezing in a few hours. For now there was a briskness to the crisp air that he preferred. Birch leaves had surrendered to gold, and high bush cranberries were bloodred and plump with sour juice.”

No, it is not integral to the story, but it is beautiful and I salute a beautiful writer. Bait is wonderful short story, and I highly recommend you check out Ms Tiffinie Helmer. If you like hot alpha men and wild Alaskan landscapes, ripe with danger, intrigue and love Bait is the book for you!

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review