She’s spent her life concealing her identity.

Now she must trust an undercover agent to survive.

Willa Zimmerman grew up as the daughter of spies, so she’s always known her life could be in danger.

That’s why, when North Star undercover operative Holden Parker follows her to her home, seeking a lead on a hitman, she captures him.

But soon they learn they’re actually on the same side—and they’re being pursued by the same relentless foe.

Together, can they stop a deadly hunter before they end up as the next victims?

Titles in the A North Star Novel series include — Summer Stalker – Shot Through the Heart – Mountainside Murder – Cowboy in the Crosshairs – Dodging Bullets in Blue Valley (April 2022) – Undercover Rescue (May 2022) –

*This team was first introduced in the Badland Cops series.  Those titles include —South Dakota Showdown – Covert Complication – Backcountry Escape – Isolated Threat – Badlands Beware – Close Range Christmas

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

 

Title:  Shot Through the Heart
Series:  A North Star Novel #2
Author:  Nicole Helm
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Published:  May 25, 2021
Publisher:  Harlequin Intrigue
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Shot Through the Heart is the second title in the A North Star Novel series – and it grabbed me from start to a very satisfying finish.  And had me in both laughter and tears at different points in Willa and Holden’s story.  Their story is as unique as each is individually, and I cannot remember another story quite like this one, so it was not only an enjoyable read that kept me glued to the pages but one where I was often left waiting for that “other shoe” to fall for that is the vibe I got throughout… and I was right to be waiting for that mic drop moment.

What do you do when your parents are in the spy business but you want no part of that world and suddenly someone is stalking you?  Well, if you’re Willa you capture them (before they can get to you) and leave them chained up while you figure out what to do next.  Her parents had always prepared her, trained her for the eventual moment when their operative career would impact her personally.  She might have mentally been taught what to do but Holden will surprise her in so many ways as their time together unfolds.  He’s looking for a hitman… not knowing that a hit is coming but not from the direction he suspects.

Shot Through the Heart is action-packed, highly intense, with trust being on the short side but passion definitely on the high side of this relationship.  It’s a story where I was constantly being surprised by something – at times huge, at others very small – but always with the frustration of the number of things Willa held back from Holden, even when their lives were in danger.  Part of me understood that with spies as parents being paranoid and secretive comes naturally, yet I wanted to see her trusting Holden before she was ready (and that was on me, not the character).

I also understood Holden’s hesitation at acknowledging how he felt about Willa.  If he admits his love for her (not only to her but himself) then his life will take a sharp turn because of the underlying commitment and condition required among his North Star teammates.  Yet, he cannot imagine his life without her now but I enjoyed watching him work that out along the way… this guy who never believed love would come for him got quite the surprise of his life.

That twist.  Oh, my goodness – I never saw or imagined that coming.  And that is the mark of a good storyteller.  By the story’s ending, everything made perfect sense, in perhaps an unusual way, but I got the answers I needed.  If you love an intense story with a puzzle to put together, a couple who spark frustration and passion off of each other, and a few surprises along the way then you’d love Shot Through the Heart.  There are new releases coming soon in this series so I need to get caught up with the members of the North Star team.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

Available in print or for your favorite e-reader