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Copper Canyon #6
Eagle's Last Stand
Mills & Boon Intrigue series brings you stories filled with secrets & seduction...
When his homecoming is rocked by an explosion, former FBI agent Rick Cloud puts R&R on hold. His undercover instincts warn him he’s the target; his Navajo gifts tell him the reason is well hidden...deep in the walls of Copper Canyon. And only local beauty Kim Nelson can lead him to it.
Concealed in the canyon is a message from his foster father that only Rick can decipher. Trapped in the line of fire, the lawman loner knows only one thing: he must protect Kim from danger...and himself from giving in to desire.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2014
15 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Aimée Thurlo
98 books151 followersAimee and David Thurlo are the authors of the Ella Clah mysteries, the Sister Agatha mysteries, the Lee Nez vampire novels all set in New Mexico. David grew up on the Navajo Indian Nation, and Aimee, a native of Cuba, lived in the southwest for forty years.
Aimée passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of February 28, 2014, after a brief struggle with cancer and related complications. She was attended by her husband of 43 years, David. Aimée was 62 years old.
Aimée passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of February 28, 2014, after a brief struggle with cancer and related complications. She was attended by her husband of 43 years, David. Aimée was 62 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 3, 2016
Former FBI agent Rick Cloud is a Navajo with 5 brothers. He used to do undercover work, but after a brutal knife fight left a long scar on one side of his face (just like Fleming's James Bond!), he now works for the police.
Kim is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and is working two part-time jobs and going to school to be a police officer.
The book starts off with a bang when Kim is catering Rick's party and the whole place is rigged to explode, and all the guests are trapped inside. It quickly becomes clear that someone is targeting Rick, but who and why? Kim and Rick team up together to find out.
...
This is one of the better of the Intrigue line for the simple fact that Thurlo was able to write a clear, easily pictured hero. Rick has a clear, strong personality that shines through, unlike the cardboard romance heroes who are nothing more than a cheeky grin and a set of 6-pack abs.
That being said, while Rick had a definite personality, it wasn't one that I was overly fond of. He's very serious, even gloomy at times, and perhaps part of that is due to the whole "Navajo spiritual one-with-nature" stuff that goes along with Thurlo's series. But there's more to him than that. He seems to think that he's not fully human, or not capable of the full spectrum of human emotions.
"I suppose I'll marry someday, but if I do, it won't need to be out of love. That emotion can change in the blink of an eye."
I have no idea why he is so anti-love. Yes, he was abandoned by his mother at the trading post when he was six, but he was adopted by a wonderful man and raised in a loving family with 5 brothers. He also is obsessed with this idea that he has a deep, dark past and that once Kim finds out about it, she will flee.
"I care for you, Kim, more than I should. I'll do whatever I can to protect you, but you should run away from me. Go as far and as fast as you can. The man you see before you - that's only half the picture."
Okay. If a man I was dating ever said this to me, I don't think I could help laughing out loud. Well, I probably could control myself since I know better than most that women who laugh at men end up shot or beaten to death, but seriously. Could he be more full of shit? Also, as Buffy would say, "Gee, can you vague that up for me?" Kim finally calls him on his bullshit and makes him tell her what happened, and it certainly isn't a nice, fluffy answer but it's far from something that would make me think the man is a monster of some kind. *rolls eyes* Such a drama king.
For some reason, throughout the entire book, I clearly and vividly pictured Rick in my mind as Johnny Depp. Since I'm not even slightly attracted to Mr. Depp, this romance wasn't really doing anything for me in the swooning department. But kudos to Thurlo for creating such a lifelike picture.
Rick wasn't ALL bad. I really liked some of the things he did. For one thing, he notices when Kim is hungry and always makes sure that if she wants food, food is available to her. Very caring.
As the waitress brought over her cup of tea, Kim eyed the piece of Rick's burrito that remained but said nothing. Pride always stopped her from asking favors or help.
"We changed our minds. How about a breakfast burrito for the lady, too," he said.
While he is solicitous in this way, it is important to note that he is NOT the kind of bastard that tells a woman what she can and cannot eat, or forces her to eat when she says she's not hungry, etc. Christian Grey, I'm looking at you, you slaver piece of shit.
Another thing I like: here's a scene where Kim starts to call Rick on some of his bullshit:
"It's hard to trust a perpetual stranger, Rick. I want to know the man who'll have my back."
"Fair enough," he said after a beat. "Ask me whatever you want."
I absolutely love when men do this. So sweet and it makes her feel so safe and cared for. Actions like this really help to earn a woman's trust, and I was glad he was using this tactic.
I also felt like he was a man who takes sex seriously (well, he takes everything seriously) and that he wasn't the kind of guy who jumps in bed with various women just to scratch an itch. This was a refreshing change from the playboys I am used to reading about.
He also does this:
Once the fire was going, he glanced up at her. "You're freezing, aren't you?" he asked, standing to full height again.
She'd wrapped her arms around herself tightly; her gloves were still on. "Guilty," she said with a tiny smile. "My heavy coat is still at my apartment."
He came over and, opening his own jacket, pulled her against him.
Wow, I love when men do this. It is so sweet and also snuggly. :)
One of the things that pissed me off most about Rick was the way he deals with his facial scar. He judges people completely on how they react to the scar the first time that they meet him. The only acceptable way to react is not to react at all - not look at it at all, to only look him in the eye, and to never mention it or acknowledge it. And I feel like he's being completely unfair. Not everyone who reacts to the scar by looking at it or wincing or asking him about it is a horrible person. I mean, it's just human nature to be curious or sympathetic. I can see why it would be annoying or even a bit painful for him when people look at his scar or comment on it, but he judges them very harshly for this, too harshly in my opinion.
The other thing that was making me rabid was the way Rick deals with an important side character - a homeless man who is a veteran and someone who Kim has been feeding for a long time. While Kim is respectful of the man's wish to be anonymous (she calls him Mike because he reminds her of Michael Oher), Rick runs the guys prints after getting them off a food container and then shows up calling the guy by his real name. Way to go, dipshit. You just spooked a valuable asset. Even if you felt like you HAD to run a background check, you could've kept that info to yourself and not let the guy know you did that. Don't you think he's been living on the streets for years anonymously and silent for a f***ing reason!?!?!? F***ing moron.
Also, he does this thing where he tells her he loves her, and then is all: "I shouldn't have said that. Pretend I never said that." WTF? And after they have sex, he goes through this guilt thing like "We shouldn't have done that. Oh, no! Doom!" etc. I was like: o.O Get over yourself, man! Pull yourself together! Grow some balls for crying out loud!
...
The sex was very disappointing. I was like this: :(
In the flickering firelight, a world of light and shadows, they came together. Heat became a living force. The roughness of his touch drove her wild. This was love - and their destiny.
She knew Rick struggled to maintain control for as long as he could. Yet the fire coursing through him seemed to increase with each second. With a groan, he surrendered and completed what was meant to be.
That was pretty much the one and only sex scene in the book in its entirety. Lame! So lame.
...
Tl;dr - A surprisingly well-constructed and well put-together hero. A solid story. Not without it's flaws, and pretty much a failure from a romance angle.
3 REAL STARS, 1 ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Intrigue December 2014
Kim is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and is working two part-time jobs and going to school to be a police officer.
The book starts off with a bang when Kim is catering Rick's party and the whole place is rigged to explode, and all the guests are trapped inside. It quickly becomes clear that someone is targeting Rick, but who and why? Kim and Rick team up together to find out.
...
This is one of the better of the Intrigue line for the simple fact that Thurlo was able to write a clear, easily pictured hero. Rick has a clear, strong personality that shines through, unlike the cardboard romance heroes who are nothing more than a cheeky grin and a set of 6-pack abs.
That being said, while Rick had a definite personality, it wasn't one that I was overly fond of. He's very serious, even gloomy at times, and perhaps part of that is due to the whole "Navajo spiritual one-with-nature" stuff that goes along with Thurlo's series. But there's more to him than that. He seems to think that he's not fully human, or not capable of the full spectrum of human emotions.
"I suppose I'll marry someday, but if I do, it won't need to be out of love. That emotion can change in the blink of an eye."
I have no idea why he is so anti-love. Yes, he was abandoned by his mother at the trading post when he was six, but he was adopted by a wonderful man and raised in a loving family with 5 brothers. He also is obsessed with this idea that he has a deep, dark past and that once Kim finds out about it, she will flee.
"I care for you, Kim, more than I should. I'll do whatever I can to protect you, but you should run away from me. Go as far and as fast as you can. The man you see before you - that's only half the picture."
Okay. If a man I was dating ever said this to me, I don't think I could help laughing out loud. Well, I probably could control myself since I know better than most that women who laugh at men end up shot or beaten to death, but seriously. Could he be more full of shit? Also, as Buffy would say, "Gee, can you vague that up for me?" Kim finally calls him on his bullshit and makes him tell her what happened, and it certainly isn't a nice, fluffy answer but it's far from something that would make me think the man is a monster of some kind. *rolls eyes* Such a drama king.
For some reason, throughout the entire book, I clearly and vividly pictured Rick in my mind as Johnny Depp. Since I'm not even slightly attracted to Mr. Depp, this romance wasn't really doing anything for me in the swooning department. But kudos to Thurlo for creating such a lifelike picture.
Rick wasn't ALL bad. I really liked some of the things he did. For one thing, he notices when Kim is hungry and always makes sure that if she wants food, food is available to her. Very caring.
As the waitress brought over her cup of tea, Kim eyed the piece of Rick's burrito that remained but said nothing. Pride always stopped her from asking favors or help.
"We changed our minds. How about a breakfast burrito for the lady, too," he said.
While he is solicitous in this way, it is important to note that he is NOT the kind of bastard that tells a woman what she can and cannot eat, or forces her to eat when she says she's not hungry, etc. Christian Grey, I'm looking at you, you slaver piece of shit.
Another thing I like: here's a scene where Kim starts to call Rick on some of his bullshit:
"It's hard to trust a perpetual stranger, Rick. I want to know the man who'll have my back."
"Fair enough," he said after a beat. "Ask me whatever you want."
I absolutely love when men do this. So sweet and it makes her feel so safe and cared for. Actions like this really help to earn a woman's trust, and I was glad he was using this tactic.
I also felt like he was a man who takes sex seriously (well, he takes everything seriously) and that he wasn't the kind of guy who jumps in bed with various women just to scratch an itch. This was a refreshing change from the playboys I am used to reading about.
He also does this:
Once the fire was going, he glanced up at her. "You're freezing, aren't you?" he asked, standing to full height again.
She'd wrapped her arms around herself tightly; her gloves were still on. "Guilty," she said with a tiny smile. "My heavy coat is still at my apartment."
He came over and, opening his own jacket, pulled her against him.
Wow, I love when men do this. It is so sweet and also snuggly. :)
One of the things that pissed me off most about Rick was the way he deals with his facial scar. He judges people completely on how they react to the scar the first time that they meet him. The only acceptable way to react is not to react at all - not look at it at all, to only look him in the eye, and to never mention it or acknowledge it. And I feel like he's being completely unfair. Not everyone who reacts to the scar by looking at it or wincing or asking him about it is a horrible person. I mean, it's just human nature to be curious or sympathetic. I can see why it would be annoying or even a bit painful for him when people look at his scar or comment on it, but he judges them very harshly for this, too harshly in my opinion.
The other thing that was making me rabid was the way Rick deals with an important side character - a homeless man who is a veteran and someone who Kim has been feeding for a long time. While Kim is respectful of the man's wish to be anonymous (she calls him Mike because he reminds her of Michael Oher), Rick runs the guys prints after getting them off a food container and then shows up calling the guy by his real name. Way to go, dipshit. You just spooked a valuable asset. Even if you felt like you HAD to run a background check, you could've kept that info to yourself and not let the guy know you did that. Don't you think he's been living on the streets for years anonymously and silent for a f***ing reason!?!?!? F***ing moron.
Also, he does this thing where he tells her he loves her, and then is all: "I shouldn't have said that. Pretend I never said that." WTF? And after they have sex, he goes through this guilt thing like "We shouldn't have done that. Oh, no! Doom!" etc. I was like: o.O Get over yourself, man! Pull yourself together! Grow some balls for crying out loud!
...
The sex was very disappointing. I was like this: :(
In the flickering firelight, a world of light and shadows, they came together. Heat became a living force. The roughness of his touch drove her wild. This was love - and their destiny.
She knew Rick struggled to maintain control for as long as he could. Yet the fire coursing through him seemed to increase with each second. With a groan, he surrendered and completed what was meant to be.
That was pretty much the one and only sex scene in the book in its entirety. Lame! So lame.
...
Tl;dr - A surprisingly well-constructed and well put-together hero. A solid story. Not without it's flaws, and pretty much a failure from a romance angle.
3 REAL STARS, 1 ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Intrigue December 2014
January 1, 2015
Excellent conclusion to the Copper Canyon series. This one is about Rick, the brother we've only heard about, as he has been away doing undercover work for the FBI. He's back home now, after he was injured on duty, leaving him with a scar that makes continuing undercover work impossible. When his homecoming party is interrupted by an explosion, he suspects that he was the target and is determined to find out who and why. Kim is the niece of the building's owner and the one who helped him get everyone to safety.
I really liked both Kim and Rick. Kim has been working two jobs to put herself through school, after which she plans to become a police officer. She remembers Rick from when they were in school and she had a crush on him. As they work together she finds herself attracted to the man he has become. I liked the way that she saw past the scar on his face and focused on the inner man. She also sees how he holds back, never opening himself completely to people other than his family. I loved her involvement with the investigation, and how she and Rick work so well together. As they get deeper into their search, Kim gets to know him better, and understand some of his fears. Her feelings for him got stronger and she worked to show him that together they were stronger than by themselves.
He has spent so much time undercover that he has lost sight of who he really is. He is drawn to Kim from the beginning, and they team up to investigate who is after Rick. He is impressed with Kim's abilities and coolness under stress. He is attracted to her, but feels that he would be a bad match for her. Rick doesn't believe that love is an emotion that lasts, and prefers to base relationships on friendship and respect. But there is something different about Kim, and the way she treats him gives him a different outlook. I loved his protectiveness toward her, and the ways that he showed it. His realization that he loved her was a slower one, not a blinding flash after being in danger, but it was just as moving.
I really liked that we finally got the answers to what happened to his foster father. There had been questions from the very first book in the series. All of the brothers had suspected that there was more to his disappearance than was believed by most people. It was pretty clear who was behind his death as the investigation went on, but the how and the why were longer in coming. I really enjoyed the additional information on the Navajo practices that came out during the story. The final confrontation was well done, though not as intense as in some of the earlier books. I loved seeing all the brothers come together at the end and get the closure that they needed.
I really liked both Kim and Rick. Kim has been working two jobs to put herself through school, after which she plans to become a police officer. She remembers Rick from when they were in school and she had a crush on him. As they work together she finds herself attracted to the man he has become. I liked the way that she saw past the scar on his face and focused on the inner man. She also sees how he holds back, never opening himself completely to people other than his family. I loved her involvement with the investigation, and how she and Rick work so well together. As they get deeper into their search, Kim gets to know him better, and understand some of his fears. Her feelings for him got stronger and she worked to show him that together they were stronger than by themselves.
He has spent so much time undercover that he has lost sight of who he really is. He is drawn to Kim from the beginning, and they team up to investigate who is after Rick. He is impressed with Kim's abilities and coolness under stress. He is attracted to her, but feels that he would be a bad match for her. Rick doesn't believe that love is an emotion that lasts, and prefers to base relationships on friendship and respect. But there is something different about Kim, and the way she treats him gives him a different outlook. I loved his protectiveness toward her, and the ways that he showed it. His realization that he loved her was a slower one, not a blinding flash after being in danger, but it was just as moving.
I really liked that we finally got the answers to what happened to his foster father. There had been questions from the very first book in the series. All of the brothers had suspected that there was more to his disappearance than was believed by most people. It was pretty clear who was behind his death as the investigation went on, but the how and the why were longer in coming. I really enjoyed the additional information on the Navajo practices that came out during the story. The final confrontation was well done, though not as intense as in some of the earlier books. I loved seeing all the brothers come together at the end and get the closure that they needed.
November 6, 2014
I was shocked to read the In Memoriam pages at the start of this book...Aimee Thurlo's passing will leave a huge hole in the literary world.
This was another excellent Navajo romance. Her understanding of the Navajo Way, and her obviously gentle soul combined to make for fantastic romances.
She definitely Walked In Beauty...may she rest in peace.
This was another excellent Navajo romance. Her understanding of the Navajo Way, and her obviously gentle soul combined to make for fantastic romances.
She definitely Walked In Beauty...may she rest in peace.
January 8, 2026
The action starts almost straightaway with the gas leak, barred doors and subsequent explosion. Rick rescues Kim and her Uncle while his brothers and their wives manage to get out of the front doors. Rick and Kim set about looking for the attempted murderer. Multiple attempts on their lives later, they get to the bottom of the explosion and other attempts but then decide to look for the body of Heston Silver, foster father of all the boys, who they think was murdered. By the time all these crimes have been solved, Rick and Kim are in love and marry in the epilogue. All told, an exciting romp with an HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2022
A fitting end to a wonderful series!
This novel pulled together the last threads of the complete series, though it was a stand-alone story on it’s own. Aimée Thurlo was a powerful author and her books always brought her readers satisfaction and joy. Aimée will be forever missed by her devoted fans!
This novel pulled together the last threads of the complete series, though it was a stand-alone story on it’s own. Aimée Thurlo was a powerful author and her books always brought her readers satisfaction and joy. Aimée will be forever missed by her devoted fans!
April 6, 2015
In Thurlo’s romantic suspense novel, former FBI agent Rick Cloud had planned on some much needed R&R. But when he’s greeted by an explosion, his instincts tell him he’s the target and his Navajo gifts tell him the reason is well hidden in Copper Canyon. He saved Kim Nelson from the explosion and his senses insist she can lead him to answers. Hidden somewhere in the canyon is a message from his foster father that only Rick can decipher. But someone is determined to keep him from finding it and is willing to kill to ensure it. Trapped between danger and his growing affection for Kim, he is determined to keep her safe while restraining himself from giving in to the call of desire.
Another solid addition to the Copper Canyon series.
Another solid addition to the Copper Canyon series.
February 20, 2015
End of the series
I have loved each of the 6 books in this series. I enjoyed re-reading this last one as much as I did reading it first in my paperback copy. Although I have all the series in paper, I wanted them on my reader so I could enjoy reading them wherever I had my tablet. I so looked forward to each new book from Aimee. I shall miss seeing her personality in each book she wrote. I know she must have been a truly wonderful, a truly nice person.
I have loved each of the 6 books in this series. I enjoyed re-reading this last one as much as I did reading it first in my paperback copy. Although I have all the series in paper, I wanted them on my reader so I could enjoy reading them wherever I had my tablet. I so looked forward to each new book from Aimee. I shall miss seeing her personality in each book she wrote. I know she must have been a truly wonderful, a truly nice person.
Read
January 12, 2016"Readers will find the story not only well crafted, but bittersweet, especially the In Memoriam tribute to Thurlo, who passed away earlier this year. Eagle’s Last Stand, a strong addition to an awe-inspiring writing legend, has everything that makes for a Top Pick" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK!).
Miniseries: Copper Canyon
Miniseries: Copper Canyon
September 16, 2015
This series of books (Copper Canyon) were OK to read, but very formulaic and predictable. Also, the writing was simplistic and not very life-like. Each book in the series (there are 6) was a variation on the same story. I read them all because I am a fan of series books and wanted to find out what happened to all the characters, but I basically just skimmed the last couple of books.
June 24, 2016
I don't know what makes Aimee Thurlo a fantastic writer but, she has a way she puts words to paper. She brings you in to the story so your part of the story. She brings in naleagde of Navajo people and the Culture of their ways and family and love. Aimee Thurlo has got my 100% stars and my love of all her books. Thank You So Much.
August 14, 2015
Interesting read
All the Indian information was more interesting than the romance. I was glad to receive all that information but the romance became an afterthought, and the book suffered.
All the Indian information was more interesting than the romance. I was glad to receive all that information but the romance became an afterthought, and the book suffered.
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK! @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Copper Canyon
Miniseries: Copper Canyon
March 6, 2015
Sadly, a final book for this late author. Luckily she finished her stories about the foster sons of Hosteen Silver with this book. Good.
May 28, 2015
great book, but was sad reading it knowing Aimee was gone
September 30, 2015
loved the story, fast paced nice twist and turns, with an explosive end.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews