Matt Culver goes into black ops mode creating an opportunity to meet Dr. Dara McKinley after a USO performance for the troops in Bagram just before Thanksgiving. Her belly dance performance mesmerizes him, but there is more than just a primal attraction between them. Matt and Dara connect on an emotional level as well. With a few days off after a mission, Matt volunteers to be her personal security detail for the next week while she volunteers at an orphanage in Kabul. Her sister Callie works at the orphanage, and Dara has been volunteering one week a year of her time for the past two years to give medical care to new mothers and their babies.

During the week, the Taliban attack the local market in Kabul, but when they try to attack the orphanage, Matt takes them out single-handedly. Dara never saw anything like this on her previous visits and now fears for her life as well as her sister's. On her last day in Bagram, Dara, Callie, Matt and Beau, a buddy of Matt's, go out to a village for Dara to administer healthcare to the mothers and children. Before arriving at the village, the mission goes sideways. The Taliban attack, overturn their vehicle and kill their driver. Matt and Dara separate from Callie and Beau as a strategy to divide the Taliban. Can Matt keep Dara safe and get them back to the base? What will happen to Callie and Beau?

FORGED IN FIRE is Lindsay McKenna's second installment of her new Delos series. Ms. McKenna tells Matt and Dara's story, giving us a lot more insight into this complicated global family that she has created and explores their charities and their purposes in a lot of detail. McKenna is a master at describing details and gives us a vivid reality check as to what really goes on in a war-torn country. Matt and Dara are both strong, realistic characters that also have a humorous and charming soft side. The story is very fast-paced and will have you riveted to the page.

Matt is just four months from being out of the military and will take over the Search and Rescue branch of Delos Charities' new Artemis Security Company. Artemis is housed just outside of Alexandria, Virginia, where Dara is finishing up her residency as a pediatrician. This makes a perfect setting for them to continue their relationship. It isn't necessary to have read the prequel or first book, but why miss the rest of these treasures in this great new series? Ms. McKenna also promises to add novellas to expand each of her characters and complete their stories. Can't wait to read number three!