Wind River Protector (Wind River Valley #8)

In the enjoyable eighth Wind River Valley contemporary (after Home to Wind River), McKenna once again displays her understanding of the challenges facing military veterans who return to civilian life. Former Air Force pilot Andy Whitcomb returns home to Wind River Valley, Wyo., to take a job flying helicopters with the sheriff’s department. She learns that her boss will be Dev Mitchell, the former Army lieutenant she served with in Afghanistan. Andy and Dev explore their friendship, learning to keep their work and personal relationships separate. Andy opens up to Dev about how her difficulty trusting others, rooted in her abandonment by her birth mother and later adoption. Dev discloses that his wife, Sophie, died unexpectedly from a heart attack when she was 20 years old. Before their romance can go anywhere, they agree they need to figure out how to be friends. Andy is an independent, forthright heroine who is the perfect match for kind-hearted, respectful Dev. This novel will appeal to fans of stories that rely on friendship as the basis for a lasting romance. Agent: Claire Gerus, Claire Gerus Literary. (Aug.)