Wilderness Search

Eagle Mountain: Unsolved Mysteries #2

by Cindi Myers

A child disappears in the mountains
And reunites two people looking for answers…

Nurse Willa Ryan is shocked to discover Aaron Ames is a sheriff’s deputy in Eagle Mountain. Aaron had been the love of her life—until a tragedy tore them apart. But with a child missing in the Colorado wilderness, they must put aside the past and focus on bringing the girl home. As the high-stakes investigation leads them down one dark path after another, Willa and Aaron find comfort in their rekindled attraction. And when Willa also disappears, Aaron will scale every jagged rock to find her and make their reunion permanent.

Genres: Category Romance, Harlequin

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Pseudonym: Cynthia Sterling

Cindi Myers worked as a newspaper reporter, travel agent and medical clinic manager before turning to writing full time. She's written both historical and contemporary romance, as well as dozens of short stories and nonfiction articles. Cindi thinks writers have the best job in the world.

Former president of San Antonio Romance Authors, Cindi is a member of Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc., and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

She and her husband and their two dogs live in the mountains Southwest of Denver. When she's not caught up in creating new characters and stories, Cindi enjoys reading, quilting, gardening, skiing and hiking. She's also in demand as a speaker, teaching workshops and making presentations to both local and national writing groups.

Reviews

[Karen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. The second chance trope made the romance believable. The mystery was interesting but I thought the culprit was rather obvious.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book that grabbed my attention from the start and kept me hooked to the end. Willa and her brother moved to Eagle Mountain from Vermont, escaping the rumors that followed her brother after being accused of a crime he didn't commit. That false accusation also ended her relationship with Deputy Aaron Ames, one of the investigating officers. Willa is a nurse and part of the Eagle Mountain Search and Rescue team. The last thing Willa expected during a rescue mission was finding Aaron at the scene as an Eagle Mountain deputy.

Attraction still sparks between them, but Willa can't forget that Aaron was one of Gary's accusers. When a young girl disappears from a nearby camp, Aaron and Willa find themselves working together to find the girl. Aaron had never stopped caring for Willa, but was sure she would never forgive him for suspecting her brother. With a bit of time and distance from the events surrounding their breakup, and the feelings that continue to grow between them, Aaron and Willa had the opportunity to talk through the past and realize they'd never stopped loving each other.

The suspense of the story was excellent. First was the suspicious death of a motorist who was also an employee of the camp. Then the disappearance of the girl, Olivia. Questions about whether she left on her own or was taken directed the investigation. The intensity ramped up with the revelation of disturbing information. I was glued to the pages when an unexpected twist followed Willa's disappearance. A very satisfying resolution led to the epilogue and the answer to one final question.

I look forward to seeing what is in store for the other two Ames brothers, Carter and Dalton.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging audiobook will have the listeners on the edge of their seats throughtout the story.
Willa Ryan and her brother moved to Eagle Mountain, Colorado after her brother had been a suspect in a crime he didn’t commit. That arrest broke up her relationship with deputy Aaron Ames.
When a girl from a camp goes missing in the wilderness, and a man is killed in a crash, Willa, part of a volunteer search and rescue, is called to helped. Whom she never expected to see again was Aaron who was now living in Eagle Mountain and working as a deputy.
It’s obvious that in the midst of the danger, the feelings are still there. Will these two find their way back together?
Meanwhile, the devastating news of what has been happening to the girls in the camp will be revealed, as well as the culprit.
This was a suspense romance with some dark moments.
The narrator Steve Campbell did a good job with the various voices bringing the story to life.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Laurensliterarylair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley, Harlequin audio, and Cindi Myers for a chance to listen to this audiobook arc of Wilderness Search.

I thought the couples love for each other was quite evident and the logic behind the second chance aspect of the romance made a lot of sense. He worked in the police department and believed her brother was guilty in the case of a murder. Willa believed her brother was innocent and had trouble forgiving Aaron (MMC) for not believing them. As a result of all of this Willa and her brother faced backlash that made it hard for them in the years that followed. This reasoning makes a lot of sense and I felt like it was done really well.


I got confused at some parts in the story as to why certain characters were and at some points what was happening overall. However, I was definitely on the edge of my seat for a while there trying to figure out what was coming next. Overall I would recommend this audiobook to people who like suspense romance books.


Tropes
-second chance romance

This is a Romantic suspense

[Susie (DFWSusie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilderness Search
Cindi Meyers

Willa and Aaron were in love. But when Willa's brother became the main suspect in a case Aaron was working on the couple had a very bad breakup.

Time has passed and the two happened to be working together in a new town. But when a similar crime happens, will Aaron again put his sights on Willa's brother?

———
Harlequin Intrigue (Sep 2025)
Genre/Subgenre: contemporary romance

Standalone/Series: series, Book #2 Eagle Mountain Unsolved Mysteries, can be read standalone

Themes/Tropes: missing teen, second chance romance, nursing, outdoorsy people being extra outdoorsy

Steam/Spice Level: open door, in the room, on page single love scene, medium low spice

Setting: Colorado mountain town

POV: third person, past tense POV

Cops/LEO: yes, MMC is a cop

Children (under 18 characters): yes, lots of secondary character kids at the camp, but neither main character has children
__________
Thank you Harlequin Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a mix of mystery and romance. Willa and her brother Gary have moved to a new place after having to change their names due to him being falsely accused of murder. It comes as a shock to Willa to come across Aaron on her first search and rescue volunteer job. Aaron had been one of the cops accusing her brother of murder. Both still have feeling for the other but there is bitter feelings also. They end up uniting on a case where a young girl has gone missing. The mystery and how it is all connected only plays out at the end. I was thinking it would go in a different direction so it was a bit of a surprise when the author went decided to change it. It was nice to see the romance and forgiveness play out as the past was still affecting them. I listened to the audio and the narrator was good.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine easy read short romantic suspense novel. A quick read that has a storyline but not an overabundance of detail.

A child disappears in the mountains
And reunites two people looking for answers…

Nurse Willa Ryan is shocked to discover Aaron Ames is a sheriff’s deputy in Eagle Mountain. Aaron had been the love of her life—until a tragedy tore them apart. But with a child missing in the Colorado wilderness, they must put aside the past and focus on bringing the girl home. As the high-stakes investigation leads them down one dark path after another, Willa and Aaron find comfort in their rekindled attraction. And when Willa also disappears, Aaron will scale every jagged rock to find her and make their reunion permanent.

[Amber Rothermel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

This audiobook wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either.

It just seemed basic and nothing particularly enjoyable about it. It was short, so it was able to hold my attention. I feel like the story didn’t have a lot of detail or explanations, which is why it was short. Nothing was twisty either. Some of the dialogue of the children seemed to be too mature for their ages as well.

The romance wasn’t particularly spicy or electric either.
Just eh.

The narrator was decent, I do like how he changed his voice a bit for other characters. I listened at 1.5x.

This was a 2.5 star audiobook.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This needed a listed trigger-warning of C-SA

This was an easy read, you could figure out who the suspect was, it had a sprinkle of romance in the story. There wasn't much depth given to anything, it almost felt like a made for tv show, you got the POV's but not much depth.

The audiobook was okay, the narrator didn't use too many voices to distinguish between characters, which gave it more of the classic audiobook listening feel.

I'd probably give another book in this series a chance, but borrow it from my library.

2.5 ⭐️

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilderness Search by Cindi Myers, narrated by Steve Campbell. This is the second book in her Eagle Mountain unsolved mystery series. With a missing child, relocations. Hidden identity and falsely accused this mystery romantic suspense will draw you in. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Harlequin Audio for this Arc. This is my honest review. Released Aug 26, 2025

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa was a little annoying. While I understand her feelings, if her brother was able to let it go, I feel like she could have put more effort into doing the same. On the other hand, it was nice to catch up with Bethany, Ian and the Twin's even if just briefly.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Action & Adventure Romance
Miniseries
Eagle Mountain: Unsolved Mysteries (Book #2)

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Action & Adventure Romance
Miniseries
Eagle Mountain: Unsolved Mysteries (Book #2)

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

promptly ordered the other books in the series

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the second book in the Eagle Mountain: Unsolved Mysteries series. I have not read the first book in this series before picking up this book. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I enjoyed the narrator for this audiobook. It took me a little bit to get into this book. I did enjoy this book after I got pulled into the story. I find this book to be slower moving and not have much action. I also found that sometimes it went over the same stuff. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Mandy Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought I was getting a book set in Colorado. Imagine my surprise when out of nowhere I hear the name of my teeny, tiny, nobody knows it home town! So many references to Waterbury and Hunger Mountain. Five stars just for that haha. The book was good too. Nice pacing, enaging story, and my favorite - a FMC who is capable, competent and intelligent. Will listen to as much from this author as my library has.