The Reluctant Warrior by Mary Connealy

Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He's come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children.

When danger descends on the cabin where they're huddled, Cam is hurt trying to protect everyone and now finds Gwen caring for him too. He soon realizes why the kids love her so much and wonders if it might be best for him to move on without them. When she sees his broken heart, Gwen decides to help him win back their affection--and in the process he might just win her heart as well.

This is the second book in the High Sierra Series.  It can be a stand alone book but some of the details from the first book help fill in the gaps in this book. The Reluctant Warrior starts off several months after The Accidental Guardian ends.  They have been trapped in the mountains all winter by snow.  Snow so high it covers the doors and windows.  We see the first attempt on their lives in the opening pages where someone plugs the chimney's in hopes they will die from the smoke. 

Gwen does not like Cam.  The reason being that he is there for the sole purpose of taking his daughter and nephew back with him when the snow melts.  There's a problem with that.  The kids don't like Cam.  They don't know him and he's loud and gives orders.  Against her better judgement, Gwen helps  Cam learn how to soften up so the kids will like him.  During all this time they are being drawn together.  As well as someone is trying to kill everyone.

This is a typical Mary Connealy book. That said I loved it and can't wait for Penny's story.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.