Stranded with the Detective

Tennessee SWAT #4

by Lena Diaz

A routine investigation turns deadly
Now they’re running for survival

SWAT officer Colby Vale and horse rancher Piper Caraway are left to die in the remote wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But for Colby, death is not an option. He vows to protect Piper as they navigate the treacherous way home. Surviving against nature is difficult. Fighting their attraction is harder. But when their tormentor makes his move…living to tell their tale may be impossible.

Genres: Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 17, 2018

About the author

Romantic suspense author, Lena Diaz, is a four time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She's also a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist and has won numerous other awards.

Reviews

[Paula Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper Carraway has tracked down Todd Palmer, who has used deception to steal her prize horse Gladiator and try to sell it, all while making it look legal. She's in the process of confronting him when law enforcement becomes involved. Namely Colby Vale, who is instantly attracted to Piper (of course). When she attempts to take off with Gladiator, he chases her down, only for Todd and his thugs to intervene, drive them into the mountains, dump them and leave them to the elements! Not only must they fight to survive the freezing temperatures, those who want Piper dead are still after them!

This was fast-paced and exciting, with good plot twists, so an easy 4 stars. Thankfully, the excitement was enough to overcome some dumb moments. I can never understand why villains in books like this just choose to dump their targets in a location, or tie them up, and just hope they don't try and escape! It makes no sense! If you want them dead, shoot 'em in the eyes! Of course, we wouldn't have a book, but it undermines the villain's believability. The other scene that took me out of the story was when Piper takes off her bra - in the freezing cold - and puts Colby's hands on her boobs. Presumably to warm him up. I don't think it works that way, Lena! It made me cringe.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this. Plenty of suspense, a couple of good twists, and it all ties up neatly at the end.

[Bonnie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of greed and murder and of steeling a prized horse so he could make the owner of the ranch shut down but then came a very sexy Detective/Swat to rescue her and himself from more danger in the mountains and survive more when they reach her ranch.

[kay reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.
The thing about these books is that they just provide you with a little of suspense and romantic tension, they are just about the fun times and vibes. They mostly play out like a SWAT episode or like an NCIS or any police investigation based series but some romance in it.

For me they are a good palate cleanser, they provide a bit of excitement.

For this story, it is another one where both characters are just so goofy and fun to read about, I prefer them to the other characters in this standalone series, they are kidnapped and stranged together in the middle of nowhere which is one of my favourite tropes of all times because it gives the couple the chance to discover each other under stress and rely on each other and trust each other. This one was a bit of an insta lovey but it was fine. I loved their interactions and the way they were the most unserious fun couple.

The only thing I don't like is that the romance pace in the end was too fast I wanted them to get to know each other more and stuff but it was good nonetheless.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Colby Vale, of the Destiny Police Department, was not even on duty when he noticed a person hanging around the horses’ tents at the local fair, and of course, he cannot help himself but have a look to see if anything nefarious is going on. Piper Caraway is hoping to bring back home the horse that was stolen from her, but she couldn’t stop thinking that the good-looking guy she had spotted earlier looked like a cop, so she had to act quickly. Still, it was not quickly enough, Colby surprised her, and did not quite believe her story. Piper is not one to be deterred so easily, but Colby still caught her, and things did not quite turn out how either of them expected. That’s how they became stranded in a forest.

What an aptly chose title, because our heroine is really STRANDED WITH THE DETECTIVE! While this is the fourth book in the Tennessee SWAT series, it stands perfectly on its own. And isn’t Lena Diaz the clever one! I’m not particularly a fan of the “close proximity” trope; it often seems too contrived, but this is brilliant! STRANDED WITH THE DETECTIVE is very compelling because while the story, at first, seems rather cut-and-dried, it’s definitely not the case. The plot is very complex and solid, and so well-written and so well-balanced that the romance feels entirely organic, and what a gorgeous romance it is! Both Piper and Colby are very appealing characters, people I would love to have as friends, and they are so very well-matched. I loved that a lot of the “detecting” was done through conversations between Colby and Piper; it felt natural, and it was a very clever way to bring the characters closer. STRANDED WITH THE DETECTIVE is such a smooth and pleasant ride, that it’s over before you know it!


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 STARS!

Fast paced, full of action and sexual tension! With the next book in her Tennessee SWAT series, Lena Diaz brings us Colby's story. He's dedicated to his job and isn't really looking for more until he meets Piper and with a quickly escalating situation, finds himself smack dab in the middle of falling her when they're in the worst danger of their lives. The story line is quick to draw us in, and easily keeps our attention throughout. Very entertaining!

Horse rancher Piper Caraway has gotten herself into a situation she can no longer control! All she wanted was to have her horse safely home, but this trip to Destiny, TN has turned into one disaster after another. Who is to blame for all of the secrets and lies that she's stumbling across?

SWAT officer Colby Vale doesn't know Piper from the next person, but he certainly won't sit by and let her walk into danger alone! Abandoned in the mountains with no hope in sight of getting out before they freeze to death, Colby is determined to see this through and get Piper back to civilization ... the attraction they start to feel for each other on intensifies that desire!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pipers ranch has been be having a series of problems lately and has the horse that just might help with her problems with the money it can make. But when its stolen she tries to go after the thief but ends up kidnapped with officer Colby when they are stranded in the moutains after behind kidnapped and left for dead and Colby will do everything in his power to make sure they get safe.

There was so much going on on with this book that it will keep you on your toes. I loved that there was so much going on and getting to see the connections as they progressed. I kept wondering what else could go wrong with the two because just when it seems that things might end up getting better things take a turn for the worse and it's interesting seeing how everything gets resolved in the ending. I loved the connection between Colby and Piper and there are plenty of moments that shes gets down right steamy. Overall I found myself really enjoying this book.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life was pretty good for Piper Carraway. Her horse breeding business was doing great, except for the strange accidents that had started happening on her ranch. Then Todd Palmer stole Piper's prize stallion. She tracked him down and was just about to take the horse back when detective/SWAT member Colby Vale stepped in. Piper didn't trust anybody, not even the police, so she took off on the horse. With Colby close behind. Too bad she played right into Todd's hands. He and a bunch of men working with him grabbed the pair, drove for hours into the mountains, and left them there. With no shoes and only Colby with a coat, there wasn't much hope they would survive the freezing cold.

Piper and Colby were a level-headed pair whose skills and resourcefulness were put to the test getting off the mountain. This started out very exciting. I wanted to know if/how they would get home before freezing to death. But it got a little far-fetched when they ran into the mountain people.

This suspense had a few surprises that I didn't see coming.

3.5 stars

[Romantic Intentions Quarterly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest in Diaz’s Tennessee SWAT series, this outing sees burly, surly Colby Vale as the detective – and also SWAT team member – with whom our heroine, perky horse rancher Piper Carraway, is indeed stranded (it’s right there in the title) after a ruffian with a tie to her past makes off with her prize stallion for confusing reasons. The action and romance are both fast-paced in the extreme, the mystery is absorbing and our leads are both likeable and frustrating in equal measure. (What were you thinking trying to run away home, Piper? They have your address!) A pleasurable, occasionally even pulse-pounding, diversion. -- Rachel Hyland

3 1/2 stars

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #1.

[Cindy Reifel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper is at the fair, trying to steal her illegally sold horse back when she runs into Colby, a SWAT team member. When he agrees to help her investigate the theft if she goes with him, she agrees. Problem is that Piper is her own woman and, she doesn't trust Colby to do what she needs so, she attempts to bolt. Colby tries to help, only to end up stranded in the freezing wilderness with Piper. The storyline is a convoluted mash up of quite a few people trying to find and eliminate both Piper and Colby, after they realize that these two have managed to survive. This is not the type of book you're going to be able to put down easily, if at all, until you're finished! Non-stop action with fascinating twists and turns.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book #4 in The Tennessee SWAT

A book about money, greed, murder, and mayhem. SWAT Officer Colby Vale
was not expecting to be going to a fair, and then end up chasing a women
by horse. The next events were a bit fuzzy for him. Piper Caraway wanted her horse
back. She never sold him to anyone. She was feeling really guilty now getting Officer
Vale in the middle of this. He was going to help her, and she takes off. Now he’s out cold
And it’s all her fault.

What does Palmer want she doesn’t know? When he leaves her and Colby alone in the Blue
Ridge Mountains they have nothing. She will do anything to help him. He’s already helped her.

The excitement has just begun. But it’s life and death for Colby and Piper.

See what happens and buy the book. You won’t regret.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all started with a stolen horse. Piper has found her stolen horse. The problem is, the guy claims that he bought the horse and even has a bill of sale. When the police step in, he backs away quickly. Making his behavior very suspicious. When Colby discovers that Piper has taken off with the horse, he goes after her. But, not only is the horse stolen again, Piper and Colby are kidnapped. They are dumped in the middle of nowhere only to be found by some survivalists. Will they ever see home again? As the danger mounts, they grow closer but they know that they live far apart and long distance relationships do not work well. Will they be able to survive with their lives and will their relationship survive?

[Shirley Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another thrilling read in the Tennessee Swat series. What this book has in common with the other books in this series is non stop action, suspense, mystery, intrigue and danger. It has in depth and realistic characters that go from one dangerous situation into another. What this series doesn't have in common with other book series is they are all original stories that pull you in and keep you turning the pages and guessing until the end. I would definitely recommend this book and this series.

[Linda George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded with the Detective was a real page turner. Piper Caraway, a rancher had just found her stolen horse when Detective Colby Vale caught her trying to recover Gladiator from the thief. In a matter of hours the two were fighting for their lives against merciless thugs, the winter elements, a band of survivalist squatters, and more. Little by little with the assistance of his SWAT team, Colby and Piper found out why Piper was the center of a series of mishaps at her ranch. During this intense time, they found themselve wildly attracted to one another.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

A confrontation over a stolen horse draws off duty Detective Colby Vale into the situation at the County Fair. Later the horse is again stolen and its owner Piper Caraway and the Detective kidnapped. Driven deep into the mountains they are left to die. It seems there is a lot more going on here when they run into a group of squatters who also seem out to get them. Lots of action while trying to figure it all out and protect horse and own. Not as good as some others in series.

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this intriguing romance and I bought it at a local library sale. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I've given it a 4.5* rating . It is not for the under 18 readers. Besides the sexual content, there is a lot of violence and just plain meanness. There is a lot of action in this that pulls you into the story pretty quickly and keeps a hold on you till the end. Both the hero and the heroine are pretty tuff and go through a lot. I'm on to my next.

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as a one-off, not as part of the series. I read this book as I needed something light and quick to keep myself entertained after finishing a heavier read. The story is okay- somehow it manages to avoid most tropes in romance literature- but the pacing gets weird at the end. After the drawn-out scenes in the middle of the book, the story wraps up too neatly for me.

[Jean Boe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters and the settings are developed well. It's a good, fast, easy read.
I will be looking for the rest of the Tennessee SWAT series.

I won this book in an author giveaway.

[Mary Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranded with the Detective
Lena Diaz

Action packed from beginning to end! Couldn’t put it down until the end.
Strong characters who had to learn to work together to survive.
Another great book in the miniseries Tennessee Swat which are full of tension packed adventures of Piper and Colby.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, this HI had more "romance" for an Intrigue then found in other previous books so I was able to enjoy it little more....

[Jennifer Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting loved every word of it, definitely picking up another book.

[Girl Reading Books Too · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded With The Detective starts off with a bang and continues at an adrenalin-fueled pace as Colby and Piper are faced with endless dangers as they attempt to get to the bottom of who's after them and why. It's non-stop action to the very end that will have you breathless.

I didn't even realise until I was writing this review that I've started this series at book four. I had guessed I might have started the book in the middle of the series when other couples were mentioned but at no point in the story did I feel I was missing something from previous books. This story is fine as a standalone. Of course, the OCD part of me would like to go back and read the previous books if I had that but that's more because I enjoyed this one and I want to read the others rather than any need to fill gaps in my reading knowledge.

Colby is exactly the kind of hero I love. Protective, strong, noble, and selfless. At every point in the story, whether it was keeping Piper from danger, rescuing her, keeping her alive, or fighting (and giving into) his attraction to her, Colby's protective nature shines through. Most importantly, his tenaciousness and skill kept them alive in some seemingly hopeless situations. He's an overall great guy. The kind of guy you can fall for and know he'll catch you and be there with you every step of the way.

At the start of the book, I wasn't entirely sure about Piper. She seemed to be doing something questionable at the time, but as the story progressed, I got to know her and really what I learned about her. She's feisty and sassy and determined, but underneath her strong exterior is a woman with a soft and trusting heart. She's all too ready to believe the best of people and give them the benefit of the doubt. She's a better person than I am because I was instantly suspicious of everyone who crossed their paths. I loved that she cared about her friends and employees, and was genuinely trying to do the right thing for them. Her strength and resilience meant she held up surprisingly well through extremely trying and difficult circumstances. I'm not sure I'd have managed as well as she did.

Now the bad guy, wow, he was awful. The start of the story kind of shook me up with how terrible he was and what a dire situation it put Colby and Piper in. I almost didn't persevere with it from feeling my stomach turn from all the rottenness, and what he put Colby and Piper through. Gotta give Ms Diaz credit for creating such a nasty, hateful character. He was definitely someone you'd love to hate.

This is my first time reading one of Ms Diaz's books, and I must say, I enjoyed it a great deal. The suspense was gripping, the action was heart-thumping, and the romance between Colby and Piper sizzling. I’ll be seeking out more of her books.



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[Denise H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded with the Detective was great! I loved that it was full of humor and romance in the midst of danger. More often than not the men are always the hero and strong leads with level heads. I really enjoyed that in this book the hero had an equal. Colby and Piper were a good match and bonded in an unusual way. They shared a strong connection through the fight for survival, along with shared strength and resolve. They were left in an unusual life and death situation and both kept level heads and relied on each other to survive. I liked that Colby was not too alpha to let Piper take the lead and help when needed. This story had many edge-of-your-seat moments and kept me guessing until the end. It was full of twists and turns and action to keep you engaged and wondering who the bad guy was, how many there were, if both Colby and Piper would survive and if everything would be resolved and work out in the end. There was a lot going on...danger and potential enemies at every turn. Definitely a pulse-pounding read.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1\2 stars out of 5
While the story is pretty straight forward I wasn't able to really connect with the characters. The story would drag on and just when it would pick up again it would stop for them to have sex. While I know that is how Harlequin Intrigue have been I have found others that have strong stories with the romance there but not stopping and starting. Piper is a stronger character I just wish there had been less sex and more character development as well as deeper story that readers could really hang on to.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher Harlequin Intrigue for the advance copy of Lena Diaz Stranded with the Detective

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Tennessee SWAT

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Tennessee SWAT