Police officer Sam Lucas is working in a small British village during a severe winter storm. She ends up in a precarious situation while answering an alarm triggered by a robbery. Kate Myles is a medical doctor who lives in the village and works at the local hospital. She valiantly volunteers to tend to the injured hostage while the police try to resolve the crisis.

This novel seems to have a little bit of everything. In particular, it has the first responders, medical and action/thriller tropes with an underlying romance. All these elements were well written but I will admit I was surprised at how well the romance came through. The main characters were constantly under duress but somehow their connection did not seem forced nor the romance a leap. The organic evolution of the relationship without being obvious about it is, in my opinion, great writing. The medical details were also great, providing the story with instant credibility and showcasing the author’s knowledge on the subject.

The weather is an ever present element in this book. The frigid temperatures and snow worked well to help set the mood and enhance the feelings of hopelessness that prevailed through some key scenes. The cover by Bold Strokes Books’ Sheri further enhances the cold, desolate beauty of winter.

‘Snowbound’ was released in 2011 and was Ms Hunter’s first published book. Now a highly regarded author, her debut novel is fantastic and worthy of her current acclaim.

Overall an excellent story that will appeal to fans of medical and action themes. 5 stars