Surgeon Erika Sheraton can't remember the last day she had off from work. When the medical board finally mandates a vacation, she decides to return to her childhood home of Wild River, AK, to reconnect with best friend Cassie during the holidays. Cassie's brother Reed Reynolds tends bar in the evenings, but his real passion is for his job with the Wild River Search and Rescue team, which fulfills his love of an adrenaline rush and a desire to help people. Intrigued by Reed's commitment to his work, Erika tags along on one of his calls and finds herself in the right place with the right medical skills to assist. Reed can't deny Erika's expertise any more than he can deny their growing attraction. Erika is only in Wild River for vacation, though, and eventually must return to her busy life in Anchorage. Neither is willing to give up what they love, and the affair seems doomed to be just that, no matter the feelings involved. VERDICT This latest series launch from Snow ("Colorado Ice" series) is a sexy and swift read enhanced by the beauty and perils of the Alaskan landscape. A great addition to romance shelves, both for the holidays and as a kickoff for future installments.—Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Two professional helpers save lives while falling in love in this exciting contemporary with a light holiday gloss. Erika Sheraton, a surgeon in Anchorage, is forced to take a two-week Christmas vacation by a hospital board concerned about burnout. She reluctantly visits her childhood best friend, Cassie, in her hometown, Wild River, Alaska, for a long-overdue reunion. Erika has a habit of isolating herself from both patients and friends, something she learned from her father, a brilliant surgeon who withdrew emotionally after her mother's death. Cassie's older brother, Reed, is a leader for the town's search-and-rescue team; he understands being detached during emergencies, but he teaches Erika it is okay to open up afterward. The big-city girl choosing between her career and loving a small-town boy is a romance staple, but the nail-biting search-and-rescue scenes save Erika and Reed from being a cliché. Readers will enjoy the mix of sexy love scenes, tense missions, and amiable banter. This entertaining introduction to Wild River will encourage fans of small-town contemporaries to follow the series. (Oct.)