I’ve been a fan of Cynthia Eden for a long time, and I was excited to read her newest romantic suspense novel, When He Hunts. It’s the second book in the Protector and Defender series, and it’s just so good. Eden maintains a genre-spanning, prolific publishing schedule that sometimes delves into supernatural stories I mostly skip, but when she’s in her romantic suspense groove, I’m a happy reader.

Luna Black is a middle school drama teacher in the wrong place at the wrong time in downtown Atlanta. After the first attempt on her life in A-Town, she hits the road and doesn’t stop until New Orleans. But being constantly on guard is exhausting, and being on the run is lonely. After a brief lapse in the self-imposed safety protocols that’ve kept her alive for weeks, Luna soon finds herself in the crosshairs of four hitmen.

Ronan Walker is the anti-hero hitman sent to take out Luna who quickly learns she’s no simpering victim. After trailing her from an ill-executed secret visit at Café du Monde back to her safe house, he steps out of the shadows in time to save her from a trio of hitmen who have, like him, tracked her from Atlanta. He deals with this ancillary threat in short order and wastes no time in revealing the true nature of his momentary gallantry: he’s the one that’s gonna claim the million-dollar prize for her elimination. But Ronan isn’t one for theatrics or bloody scenes, so when Luna asks him for a kiss, he happily claims it – along with her life. Or so it seems …

Imagine Luna’s surprise when she wakes up handcuffed to a bed. Waking up at all is a surprise, especially since Ronan administered her ‘death blow’ in the form of an injection during their kiss – but to discover the hitman who stole a kiss and obviously faked her death is the handsome giant who saved her before? Bananapants. It’s no surprise that she fails to accept his explanation of being someone who helps the feds disappear targets like her for the witness relocation service. So she fights him tooth and nail and opts instead to take her chances in the bayou with the gators and snakes.

As usual, Eden crafts an exciting world full of robust characters and high stakes at a breathtaking pace. Luna and Ronan are so compelling and relatable, equally flawed, and equally suitable. Ronan is bewitched by Luna’s hutzpah and bravery in the face of certain death, and Luna is captivated by Ronan’s strength and protectiveness and willingness to abandon everything in his life to keep her safe. Their combined survival relies on cooperation and hiding in plain sight, and I’ll tell you that at times, it was touch and go.

In conclusion, when you’re life’s on the lam and it’s nearly impossible to know who to trust, trust your heart. And trust me: When He Hunts is a great story. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, I think you’ll enjoy this series.