Vipers Run - Stephanie Tyler (Signet - July 2014)

Series: Skulls Creek (Book 1)

The Vipers Motorcycle Club has strict rules for their brotherhood and the women who enter it. Now one Viper is about to find out how much trouble one woman can be...

Former Army Ranger Christian Cage Owens joined the Vipers Motorcycle Club for its sense of brotherhood. In return, he pledged to live outside the law, protecting club members and their families, as well as keeping other MCs out of Skulls Creek. But when Cage discovers that a rival MC -- one Cage has an all too familiar past with -- plans to push meth into his town, he calls an old Army buddy turned private investigator who’s helped the Vipers in the past. By doing so, Cage endangers both his friend and Calla Benson, a woman who works in the PI’s office. Now he’s made it his mission to track Calla down and do whatever it takes to protect her.

Thanks to the phone call with Cage, Calla knows she’s formed a deep connection to a dangerous man. She quickly discovers that although he may live by a different set of rules, Cage is an honorable man who wants to be more than her protector -- if only she can accept his dangerous lifestyle. But Calla comes to Skulls Creek with her own set of secrets...secrets that threaten to tear her and Cage -- and the Vipers MC -- apart. As they put their newfound love to the ultimate test, Cage will risk everything he cares about to save her...

Okay book with plenty of action and suspense and a romance that was a bit of a stretch. It opens with Calla, who works for a PI, taking a phone call from a dying man. Their conversation touches something deep inside her, and she mourns for the man. He had also given her some information that ends up putting her in the crosshairs of danger. Her boss sends her away just in time to save her life, counting on an Army buddy to keep her safe. She's stunned when the man on the other end of the phone shows up alive and determined to protect her. Cage is in the midst of a quest to take down another motorcycle club. He had been close to death when he called his friend and got Calla instead. Talking to her gave him the will to hang on until help arrived. Now he's determined to protect her from the danger he caused for her.

I understood Calla's need to mourn the man on the other end of the phone. The conversation they'd had was short but intense. I thought that her conviction that she loved him was a little far-fetched. However, I completely understood her anger when he showed up alive, and no one had bothered to let her know. Cage is slightly apologetic but adamant that he'd done the right thing. Now he's determined to take her to a place where he can ensure her safety - the home of the Vipers motorcycle club.

There was plenty of action as the Vipers are determined to keep a rival club from moving in a selling drugs in their territory. Cage has an even more personal stake in the fight, as the other club is run by his father and brother. They are determined to take Cage down for having the audacity to leave their club when he was younger. Blaming them for his mother and sister's deaths, Cage has acquired evidence that will send them to prison. Cage has also taken on the role of protector and avenger for Calla, who was assaulted as a teenager and is still being threatened by the man who did it. There are twists and turns and a surprising connection between the two missions. There are several satisfying confrontations before the final resolution. The final confrontation was intense as Calla was taken captive. I did rather like the immediate justice that was meted out to the kidnapper.

The relationship between Calla and Cage was an intense one. I felt that it began more with lust than with love, but the feelings between them did grow to be more. In spite of her assault when she was younger, Calla feels safe with Cage. She's a little leery at first, being thrown into the MC environment, but she adapts pretty well. Cage is stunned by the speed with which he develops feelings for Calla. I liked that they were able to share so much of their pasts and fears with each other, and it was that which made their romance more believable. I did like the ending, as they were honest with each other about their expectations moving forward.

I enjoyed the other characters, mostly members of the MC. Preach was especially fascinating and I liked the control he had over the club and their actions. He's also much more caring than the tough guy exterior would indicate, which really showed after the tattoo shop incident. The scene with Calla, Rocco and the cop had me laughing out loud.

Conard County Homecoming - Rachel Lee (HSE #2552 - June 2017)

Series: Conard County: The Next Generation (Book 34)

MAN'S -- AND WOMAN'S? -- BEST FRIEND

Conard County's returning war hero is a world away from the popular high school athlete Ashley Granger remembers. Zane McLaren doesn't want any fanfare -- he doesn't want any human contact at all. But it seems Zane's affectionate golden retriever has other ideas about the decorated soldier and the teacher next door!

Wounded in battle, Zane wants only to be left alone. He doesn't need anyone's pity, especially his outgoing, dog-loving neighbor's. Because it isn't just Ashley's legendary apple pie that's tempting Zane to quit hiding from life. Suddenly the Purple Heart recipient is having a hard time keeping his own heart under wraps. Has he found the woman who can help him heal the past and build a loving future together?

Fantastic book. I loved the realism of the battles that Zane was fighting, and the depth of emotion as both he and Ashley find their way to each other with the help of a furry matchmaker. Zane had grown up in Conard City but left to join the Navy after graduating from high school. Now he has returned, looking for a place where he can be alone and not inflict his problems on anyone else. The first night he is there he receives a visit for next door neighbor Ashley, welcoming him home with a freshly baked pie. He's not particularly welcoming, making no secret of his preference for solitude.

I ached for Zane, who feels broken because of both his physical disability and the PTSD that sends him into a past he'd rather forget. He feels like his only option is to avoid being around people. His service dog, Nell, is the only one that he trusts himself to be around. Thanks to his self-imposed isolation, he's out of the habit of talking to people, and his initial conversations with Ashley are rather abrupt. He knows he's coming across as a real grump, but doesn't quite know how to fix it.

Ashley is a fourth-grade teacher who has pretty much written off men. She's an independent woman, and previous relationships haven't worked out because she isn't the type to give up her own career and goals just to keep a man happy. She's content with her job and her friends.

I loved the development of their relationship. Ashley is a friendly and caring woman which is what sends her to Zane's to start with. She also has no trouble standing up for herself and lets Zane know when he crosses a line with her. I liked seeing him own up to his rudeness and apologize when it's warranted. I loved the fact that Ashley doesn't treat him with kid gloves. Zane tries to keep her at a distance, but Nell has decided that he needs company and takes it upon herself to bring the two of them together. Though Zane keeps insisting he wants to be alone, he finds himself looking forward to Ashley's visits. I especially enjoyed her attempts to get Zane out of his hermit mindset. She's not always subtle about it, and she backs off when he resists. What surprises him most is that what she says tends to stick with him and he can't just ignore her. Beneath it all is a simmering attraction that both try to resist. Ashley resists because he's made it clear he doesn't want it, and Zane because he believes he's too broken to let anyone take a risk on him. I really liked how they first built a friendship. Zane finds it very easy to talk to her, and she is a fantastic listener. I loved seeing how her influence helps him start getting out and about. It was fun to see his surprise at how easily he gives in to her suggestions. I love her matter of fact way of dealing with various crises and how she tried to make him see that it was okay to ask for help now and then. She also doesn't smother him with help that he doesn't need. The ending was sweet and deeply emotional as Zane realizes that he doesn't have to be perfect to offer his heart to Ashley.

Nell was a huge part of Zane's story. She is his lifeline when he has an episode, as she can sense when they happen and can pull him out of the dark places that his mind can take him. I loved seeing what she could do, which only added to my respect for the people who train service dogs. Nell also has a mind of her own sometimes, and it was sweet the way that she played matchmaker.

I liked the way that the people of the town honored Zane's desire to be left alone. They let him know that they were glad he was there without overwhelming him with attention. I especially loved the scene in Maude's diner.  I also liked how the town pulls together to help Mikey and how Zane's innate kindness comes out when Ashley suggests he get involved with helping Cadell (Cornered in Conard County) train a dog for the little boy. Though he worries about what may happen, he puts Mikey ahead of his own fears. 

Her Texas Rescue Doctor - Caro Carson (HSE #2499 - Sept 2016)

Series: Texas Rescue (Book 4)

Spin doctor meets ER doctor

Living in her Hollywood movie star sister's shadow is hard enough! But as her personal assistant, Grace Jackson is continually repairing the swath of damage the diva leaves in her wake. And now her antics have landed her in the Texas Rescue ER! What Grace needs is to find her sister the perfect man -- someone to dispel the rumor mill. Satisfy the paparazzi. But where could she find this superhero wannabe?

Enter ER doctor Alex Gregory: he's dignified, gifted…and a bit of a nerd. Still, he has an eye for genuine people like lovely Grace. So he reluctantly agrees to let Grace make him over and help salvage her sister's reputation. From geek to chic, Alex becomes a dazzling escort for a celebrity-studded charity ball. But Grace has to wonder: did she remake Alex for her sister -- or herself?

Good book. Grace has been her actress sister's personal assistant since she left high school. She is used to being in the background. The book opens with Grace attempting to get her uncooperative sister to do the right thing. Sophia has recently become involved with a man who has influenced her in all the wrong ways, and Grace is attempting to do damage control. Instead, Sophie's willfulness has resulted in a trip to the emergency room, where they meet Dr. Alex Gregory.

Alex is one of Texas Rescue's ER doctors. He came to the US as a teenager, when he and his mother fled Russia and his abusive father. He is dignified, always in control of his emotions, and very attractive in a nerdy kind of way.

I loved the first encounter of Alex, Grace, and Sophie in the ER. Alex is not at all impressed with Sophie and treats her as just another patient. This puts her in an even worse mood, which makes her even more obnoxious. Sophie claims that her PA will fix everything for her, leading Alex to expect a battle ax. Instead, he gets sweet, effacing, beautiful Grace, who knocks him for a loop from the moment he met her. I especially liked how impressed he was by her determination to help the abused woman in the next cubicle. When he arrives at their hotel room the next day, it is Grace he is most concerned with, and I loved the protectiveness that he showed. I enjoyed his shock as he heard himself offer to let them stay with him while Sophie recovered.

I loved the development of their relationship.  Alex was fascinated and intrigued by Grace, and also very protective of her. When asked to help out by escorting Sophie to the charity ball, he agreed only because it would help Grace. He drives a hard bargain as he requires that Grace spend time with him in exchange. He plans to try to show Grace her own self-worth. There were sparks between them from the beginning. Grace fights the attraction because she wants to push Alex and Sophie together to save her sister from herself. But the more time she spends with Alex, the more she wants him for herself. Alex is attracted to Grace but knows she is leaving at the end of a week. He has been hurt by so many people leaving him in the past that he has closed himself off emotionally. In his determination to help Grace, he discovers that she has worked her way past his barriers. He wants more from her but is afraid to ask for it for fear of being hurt. Grace is attracted to Alex but doesn't believe that he could want her. I liked seeing them grow closer over the week and really understand what drives each other. I ached for Grace, who was so used to putting Sophie first that she's willing to give up what she wants, though she does try to reach out to him. I also hurt for Alex, who is afraid to ask her to stay because she might reject him. I liked the ending as each puts their heart on the line.

I really enjoyed seeing the changes in both Alex and Grace as their love for each other gives them the motivation to change. Grace irritated me a little at first because she seemed like such a pushover. But the more I saw of her, the better I liked her. She had some pretty subtle ways of trying to get Sophie to see reason and knew when to push and when to find another way. She also didn't have much confidence in her own appeal. I liked how Alex's treatment of her opened her eyes.  Alex seemed to be pretty rooted in his memories of the past and the way he let them affect his life. I loved how seeing Grace's strength made him look at those memories differently.

Sophie was a character that I spent most of the book wanting to shake. She was selfish, inconsiderate, and blind to the way her actions affected others. There were a few brief moments when I liked her, but they were few a far between. I've already read her story, so I know what happens to her, but this one really showed how far she has to go.

The Night Belongs to Fireman - Jennifer Bernard (Avon - Oct 2014)

Series: Bachelor Firemen (Book 6)

Daring . . . Sexy . . . Irresistible . . .

They're the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel

When fireman Fred Breen rescues a bachelorette party after a construction crane collapses onto their limo, the media labels him the "Bachelor Hero." But all Fred can think about is the petite brunette with the sexy mane of dark curls who bolted away from him faster than a wildfire after he carried her to safety. And when he discovers she's none other than Rachel Kessler, the daughter of a tech billionaire, the girl whose kidnapping riveted the nation, he intends to learn every intimate detail about this intriguing woman who sets his pulse on fire.

Rachel can't deny the lean-muscled firefighter is smokin' hot. But after having one too many drinks at the bar where she first meets him, Rachel knows she's made a fool of herself. Yet when he rescues her from the limo, she feels safe for the first time since she was held for ransom as a child. Then her overprotective father insists Fred be her bodyguard -- and his close presence kindles a burning desire that only he can extinguish.

Good book and fun read. Fred has been a background character in the previous books in the series. He is the nice guy who never seems to get the girl. As this book opens, he and Mulligan are in a bar, celebrating Fred's second place win in a prestigious martial arts competition. He's not all that happy about coming in second but accepts it. Things start to get interesting when his trophy is grabbed by an extremely tipsy young woman from a bachelorette party. Rachel has definitely had too much to drink and it has caused her to leave her normally cautious attitude at the door. There are immediate sparks between the two, but they don't expect to see each other again. However, as the girls leave the bar, their limo is involved in an accident, trapping them in the car. Fred and Mulligan are first on the scene, with Fred taking the lead on extracting the girls. Rachel suffers from claustrophobia and Fred is able to keep her settled throughout the rescue. Rachel is amazed by how safe she feels with him. But when the media shows up at the accident scene, Rachel panics and flees.

Rachel was the victim of a kidnapping when she was a child. She was kept in a small cage for a month before she was able to escape on her own, which is the cause of her phobia. Her kidnapper was never caught, and continues to taunt her father. Since then, her super protective father has kept Rachel fairly isolated. She uses an assumed name in her career as a dog therapist and avoids media exposure that could reveal who she is.

I liked both Fred and Rachel. Fred is a nice guy who excels at his job. He's very modest and is irritated at being hailed as a hero. He considers what he did as just part of his job. He thinks hero is a title that belongs to people like his brothers and father who are all military and doesn't see that what he does is just as important. He is also a guy that doesn't like to hurt people's feelings, which has put him at a disadvantage with his ex-girlfriend. She refuses to believe that he has ended the relationship, and there are some pretty funny scenes as he tries to convince her that they are done. He's also great with kids, as is shown by his relationship with three fatherless neighbor boys. There are a couple hysterical scenes with the boys as they attempt to help Fred with his relationship with Rachel. I loved his relationship with his sister, which also shows his sweet and sensitive side, though he tries to hide it. Rachel starts out as something of a bird in a cage. She is still haunted by the memories of her kidnapping and the knowledge that the kidnapper has never been caught. Her father's over-protectiveness has begun to bother her, and she looks forward to those times when she can escape it. She feels most free when she is at the wildlife refuge, working with the animals. She can also be very determined when she wants something.

I loved the development of their relationship. There are sparks between them from the beginning, but Rachel doesn't trust easily. Fred is fascinated by Rachel, but when he finds out who she is he's convinced there's too big a gap between them. He is a bit of a jerk when he gets her full story, but quickly realizes he overreacted and apologizes (love a guy who can admit when he's wrong!). When Rachel's father convinces Fred to take on a short term job as Rachel's bodyguard, the sparks really begin to fly. One of the things I loved best about Fred was the way that he treated Rachel as an adult and was honest about why he was there. It was awesome to see them take this time to get to know each other and become friends. But the attraction was simmering beneath the surface the entire time, as both of them tried to ignore the attraction that was building between them. When they finally give in to it, it brings a whole new level of intimacy to their relationship. Fred's belief in her helps Rachel begin to believe in herself and she starts to really stand on her own. Her new independence is challenged when a kidnapping attempt snags Fred instead of her. I loved seeing her strength as she makes an unexpected decision about her life in order to help Fred. It doesn't all go smoothly as her actions run up against a couple of his issues and words are exchanged. And when Rachel's past reaches out to her, it's up to Fred to save her. I loved seeing how they both finally realized the truth of their feelings and that love can overcome a multitude of obstacles.

One of the best things about this series is the relationships among all the firefighters. The teasing is constant, always fun and occasionally blush inducing. I loved the scene where Fred, Rachel, and the others help Double D and his wife with the packing. Fred becomes the target of quite a bit, but also holds his own with some snappy comebacks. Underneath it all is the knowledge that your fellow firefighters have your back when it's needed. The wives are just as tight as the firefighters. I loved the ending as Fred wants to make sure that Rachel knows what she's getting into, and asks the wives to fill her in. I loved what they had to say and Rachel's reaction to it all.

The Maverick of Copper Creek - R.C. Ryan (Forever - Oct 2014)

Series: Copper Creek Cowboys (Book 1)

First love always burns hotter . . .

Ash MacKenzie broke his share of hearts when he left Copper Creek all those years ago and struck out on his own. Tall, tough, and proud. That's how Brenna always remembered him, and from the looks of things, he hasn't changed much. Once, she thought he could save her-whisk her away from her rough childhood home and start fresh together. Now she knows better . . .

Ash isn't planning to stick around town long. As soon as he uncovers the truth about his father's death and makes sure the family ranch is safe, he'll be back out on his own. And then he runs into Brenna Crane. It broke his heart to leave her once-a herd of stampeding horses couldn't make him do it again. But Brenna has made a new life for herself, one that doesn't include him. Now he just has to convince her to give their first love a second chance.

Terrific start to the new series and great second chance story. Ash is the oldest son of Bear MacKenzie. The story opens when he is nineteen years old, and shows a young man trying his best to earn his father's respect and approval. Unfortunately, he seems to be fighting a losing battle, and the latest confrontation is the final straw. Ash leaves home after a blowup with his father, determined to make his own way in the world. The story then picks up a decade later. Ash has his own ranch in Wyoming, and though he is struggling, he is proud of what he has accomplished. Then he gets word that his father has been murdered and immediately makes plans to go home. The first person he sees when he arrives is Brenna, his former best friend and the girl he'd loved and left behind.

Brenna had grown up with an abusive drunk for a father, living on the ranch next door to the MacKenzies. She met Ash when she was eight years old, and he became the most important thing in her life. She was heartbroken when he left without a word and worked hard to move on with her life. Her father deserted the family when she was young, leaving just her and her mother to keep the ranch going. Her mother died when Brenna was sixteen, leaving her alone to keep the ranch going. Brenna is also a talented sculptor who is slowly making a name for herself. She has recently become engaged to a "city fella."

When Ash is informed of his father's death, he is in shock. He always thought that he had time to reconcile with Bear and show him what he had done with his life. He immediately goes home to be with his family. I loved seeing his realization of how much he had truly missed his family and his home. Though his initial intention is to stay as long as he is needed then return to his own ranch, he begins to realize that his heart belongs in Copper Creek. I loved his reactions to how much things have changed since he's been gone. He's almost shocked that Whit is no longer the kid he left behind, but a grown man. Like the rest of the family, he's stunned by the news that Bear had another son that no one knew about. His reactions are understandable. He also carries a lot of guilt for staying away so long and allowing his pride to keep him from staying in touch with his family. As the days go on, Ash is determined to make amends with them.

I loved seeing the renewal of Ash and Brenna's relationship. He had thought of her often, expecting that she was probably married and had children by now. He's stunned to find out that she's still single (though engaged). I loved their first meeting as he first saves her puppy, then saves her from being hit by a speeding truck. Both of them experience a flare of their old attraction. Knowing that she's engaged to someone else, Ash tries to resist it. Brenna is not happy about the resurgence of her feelings, because of her engagement and because she wouldn't want to risk getting her heart broken again. When they experience another near miss, Ash's protectiveness kicks in, and he is determined to keep her safe. I enjoyed seeing them first renew their friendship as they shared memories from their past and caught up on each other's lives. Brenna has some issues with her fiancé, whose jealousy is pretty blatant. He exhibits some uncomfortably controlling behavior, and a confrontation with him makes Brenna realize the truth about her relationship with him. I loved seeing the differences between her fiancé and Ash and adored Ash for his support of her. I loved seeing them grow closer as they work together to discover who is after her and why. I loved Ash's big moment at the end as he makes a huge decision about his future. His awkwardness and vulnerability show just how much Brenna means to him. The epilogue was sweet and romantic.

The suspense of the story was really good. There were two mysteries going on. The first involves the murder of Bear MacKenzie. There are no witnesses and no clues, leaving his family searching for answers. Is it someone from his past with a grudge against him? Could it be one of their friends and neighbors or someone further back in Bear's past? Then there is the problem of the attacks on Brenna. She isn't the type of person to have enemies, so who could it be and why? Does it have something to do with her father, who recently contacted her, claiming to want a reconciliation? I loved Brenna's compassion for her father and her desire not to hold onto the past. There are several possible suspects, and there are good reasons to suspect each of them. I had an idea of who it was, and I turned out to be right, but the story behind it was unexpected. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved. I loved seeing how everyone pulled together to make it happen.

A theme that ran throughout the book was the importance of family. The family is stunned to discover the existence of another son, and Ash and Whit's reactions are completely understandable. Bear's wife Willow seems to arrive at acceptance much faster than her sons, thanks to some discussion with her father-in-law. Griff's arrival at the ranch is especially shocking when they see his resemblance to Bear but also makes it easier for them to accept him. I ached for Griff and his feelings of loss and confusion. I really enjoyed seeing the family come together. There are some pretty fun scenes of the three sons together as the work out their relationships. The bar scene was fantastic as they stood together against outsiders. I also loved seeing the way that Brenna had become part of the family since the first time Ash brought her home when they were kids. The MacKenzies were so different from her own experience. I loved the way that they all came together to help Brenna after the attack at her ranch. I also loved how Ash and Griff and the rest learned more about Bear and the person he was and how it changed their perceptions of him.

Though I read the books out of order, it made no difference to my enjoyment of each story. Though I knew the identity of the killer by the time I read this book, I was still able to get involved in the search for the truth.

The Love Letters - Beverly Lewis (Bethany House - Mar 2015)

Marlena needed time to let things sink in. It was beyond her how all this could possibly work out--adding the care of an infant to her daily routine. Fortunately, it would just be until Luella returned home from the hospital and was stronger.

No more than a couple weeks, surely.

Marlena Wenger's life takes an unexpected turn on the day she learns she must care for her estranged sister's baby. Spending the summer in Brownstown, Pennsylvania, to assist her Mennonite grandmother, and miles from Marlena's Old Order Amish beau, she feels out of her element in nearly every respect. Yet Marlena determines to do her best and stay focused on her future, even as those hopes become drastically altered.

A good book that deals with several deep issues. Death, special needs children, Alzheimer's, and religious differences are all tackled in a moving story of love and healing. Marlena's life is about to undergo some drastic changes. She leaves her home and her beau to spend the summer with her grandmother, whose husband has recently died. Mammi feels a bit lost and having Marlena there gives her a reason to get up in the mornings. A short time after Marlena arrives the family gets word that Marlena's older sister has been in an accident. Luella left the Amish church years ago and married a man who is a soldier and is away at war. Marlena's mother asks her to take charge of caring for Luella's infant daughter, Angela Rose.

I liked Marlena. She is a caring young woman who is happy to care for her grandmother. She's a bit uncertain about her ability to care for a baby, but expects it will only be for a couple weeks. At the beginning of the book, Marlena is not as happy about being separated from her beau, Nat, for the summer. She is focused on leaving her parents' more progressive Amish church and joining Nat in his Old Order Amish community, and being apart may delay their chance to marry.

Marlena's religious life becomes quite complicated. She grew up in the Old Order church, which is where her beau is, but her parents left the church to join the more progressive Beachy Amish. As an unmarried woman, she was still under her parents' roof, so she went also, though somewhat unwillingly. While staying with her grandmother, she is exposed to yet another church, as Mammi is Mennonite. The more time she spends with Mammi, the more drawn she is to the personal faith that Mammi expresses. As she questions her commitment to the Old Order church, she also has to deal with Nat's disapproval. I loved seeing her stand up for her own beliefs and ultimately do what was right for her.

When Luella dies from her injuries, Marlena continues to care for Angela Rose. Though reluctant at first, Marlena quickly comes to love the little girl. I loved seeing the bond between the two grow so strong. I ached for Marlena, who frequently reminded herself that her custody was only temporary, until the baby's father returned from Vietnam and/or his parents were able to take the girl. She is also hurt and confused when Nat also expresses his disapproval of her intentions to take care of Angela Rose for as long as necessary. There are several twists and turns to the story of Marlena and Angela Rose, and the solution was unexpected and heartwarming.

I loved seeing Marlena's world expand during her visit to Brownstown. She has extended time with Mammi, who shares her faith and her memories with Marlena. I especially enjoyed some of the stories of her grandfather and their effect on Marlena. She also meets a young woman and her brother, members of a New Order Amish church, with whom she becomes friends. Just down the road is an Old Order Amish family, the Bittners, who also provide help and support for Marlena.

There is a secondary story involving the Bittner's son Jake or "Small Jay". Jake is fourteen, but very small for his age and what today would be called special needs. He is the only boy in the family and aches for his father to accept him the way he is. Instead he spends his days exploring the area around his home. One day he comes across an old man and his dog living in an old mill. Jake befriends Boston, who can't remember how he got there. I loved Jake's compassion as he endeavors to convince his parents to take Boston in. I loved the way that Boston treated Jake as an adult and the effect that it had on Jake's self-confidence. Jake is also determined to help reunite Boston with his family. One of the things in Boston's bag is a package of love letters that he asks Jake to read to him. Through those letters, Jake begins to assemble clues to who Boston is. I loved the resolution of Boston's story, as a bit of music unlocks the missing piece to his puzzle. It was also interesting to see the effect that Boston had on the rest of Jake's family, especially his parents.

I loved the ending of this book as it shows Marlena's progress in finding a home for her faith and her heart. I really appreciated that it wasn't a sudden bolt of lightning, but a slow process of learning to listen to her heart. The epilogue catches us up on her life and that of the other characters several years later. 

Arizona Heat – Linda Lael Miller (HQN – Jan 2017)

Series: Mojo Sheepshanks (Book 2)

After years spent trying to remember her past, Mojo Sheepshanks just wants to put it behind her. She's finally got the life she always wanted -- sisters she loves, a career that keeps her on her toes and Tucker Darroch, the handsome cop who's stuck by her against all odds. But for the people around her, moving on is hard to do. Tucker can't seem to let go of his past, while Mojo's sister Greer is being blackmailed for secrets in hers. And Mojo's stuck in the middle again.

Meanwhile, danger is stalking the citizens of Cave Creek, Arizona, Mojo's adopted home. And even as she and Tucker work to keep everyone safe, Mojo will discover that there are mysteries in Cave Creek that someone is willing to protect at any cost.

Good sequel to Arizona Wild.  This one picks up where the previous book left off, just after the murder of seven-year-old Gillian. Mojo is attending the funeral for the little girl, which feels especially odd to her, as the child's ghost is sitting next to her. Mojo is determined to do her best to find out who murdered the child, with or without the help of her cop boyfriend, Tucker.

This investigation isn't the only thing Mojo has going on in her life. She is also worried about her sister, Greer, who is being blackmailed over something in her past. Greer also has a philandering husband who is missing. Mojo's other sister, Jolie, is in the midst of a career change that doesn't make much sense, so she worries about that, too. Add in random other dead people that pop in and out of her life, and it's no wonder that she frequently doesn't know which way is up.

Mojo also has a stressful relationship with Tucker. The chemistry between them is smoking hot, which means they have a hard time keeping their hands off each other when they are together. But Tucker's divorce wasn't that long ago, and Mojo isn't all that certain that Tucker is completely over his wife. When his two children freak out over the death of their friend Gillian, Tucker moves back into the family home to reassure them. Unfortunately, that just adds to Mojo's fears.

I liked the relationship between Mojo and Tucker much more in this book. Mojo is able to express her fears to him, rather than just push him away. I thought that Tucker was pretty darn patient with her fears, and that he did everything he could to show her where his heart belonged. I liked the teasing that went on between them, especially over her addiction to the "Damn Fool's Guide" books that she constantly refers to. I loved the fact that he believed her about seeing dead people, and that he would listen when she would tell him what they said. His protectiveness was great, and he had an excellent track record of showing up just when he was needed. I hurt for him at the end, when his son ended up in the hospital, and he needed Mojo so badly. I loved how it worked out, and the end was pretty sweet.

The suspense of the story was really good. A fair amount was going on. There was Gillian's murder, and the search for who did it. When Danny was also hurt, the question became one of whether the two were connected. I had my suspicions about the culprit, and the final confrontation was intense and very scary. If it hadn't been for one of Mojo's other ghosts, it would probably not have ended well. Then there was Greer's story. She was being blackmailed over something from her past before she joined Mojo's family. She didn't know who was behind it. To meet the blackmailer's demands, she was sucking her husband's accounts dry. He had also spent money himself, trying to buy off the blackmailer. Then he turned up dead, shot multiple times and left in the desert, and Greer was a suspect. At least, until his ghost showed up in Mojo's house, wanting to clear her name. Though he didn't know who did it, he had some ideas. There was also some surprise information provided by his first wife, which sent Mojo off to Greer's hometown, just in time to save Greer's life. That confrontation had a couple of interesting twists to it that I didn't see coming.

I loved the various ghostly characters (okay, MOST of them). The teenager, Justin, just about broke my heart with the way that he was so worried about his mom and his dog. I loved that he took little Gillian under his wing and was able to interpret her signs for Mojo. I laughed a bit at the way he teased Mojo about her relationship with Tucker. The security guard who took care of Mojo's dog was cute with the way he enjoyed sitting in her car and pretending to drive. But the one who surprised me the most was the one who showed up at the end and offered to be her partner at the bar. I didn't realize he was a ghost the first time he appeared - and neither did she!

I'd really love to see another Mojo book!

Arizona Wild - Linda Lael Miller (HQN - Aug 2016)

Series: Mojo Sheepshanks (Book 1)

Starting over has never looked so good

Mojo Sheepshanks knows a thing or two about new beginnings. After a long-ago tragedy she's never fully remembered and a childhood spent moving from place to place, she's making a home in the small town of Cave Creek, Arizona, and finally taking charge of her future. But Tucker Darroch, a sexy cop with baggage of his own, keeps complicating the life she's trying to simplify…

Tucker has been fascinated by the enigmatic Mojo from the beginning, and try as he might, he can't ignore the sparks that fly between them. So when a wealthy man shows up in Cave Creek claiming to be Mojo's long-lost uncle, and her shady brother begins dogging her footsteps, Tucker decides he's sticking close as he and Mojo work to solve a decades-old crime…and prevent history from repeating itself.

Good book with a slightly slow start as all the characters get introduced. The book is categorized as a romance, but I feel it is more a romantic suspense, with more emphasis on the suspense than the romance. Still, I really enjoyed it. Mojo is trying to get her life together again. She is currently living above a biker bar and eking out a living doing medical billing from her home. Her divorce from her cheating, now dead, ex-husband Nick left her with a lot of debt that she's still paying off, and a lot of resentment toward Nick. She is beginning to remember details from witnessing the murder of her parents when she was five. Her babysitter from that period kidnapped her to keep her safe, and they spent years moving from place to place. Along the way she acquired two foster sisters, with whom she has interesting relationships. That same babysitter/foster mother is now in a nursing home after suffering a stroke, with Mojo and her sisters visiting often. She also has an on-again off-again relationship with undercover cop, Tucker, who has his own issues to deal with.

The fun starts when she wakes up in the middle of the night with the ghost of her dead ex-husband in bed with her. Understandably freaked out, she's incredulous when he explains that he has to earn her forgiveness before he can move on. Other things from her past are catching up with her. Her uncle, a state senator, reappears in her life, claiming that he's been looking for her for years. Her half-brother, Geoff, who went to prison for the murders of her parents, has been released and has been making random appearances. An ex-boyfriend's ex-wife is stalking her. And someone is trying to kill her.

I liked Mojo. She's a loyal friend who will go out of her way to help you. She's resilient, which she has had to be to survive all the upheaval she has had in her life. She has a rather quirky sense of humor which can come out at inopportune moments. She is smart, though she doesn't think so, using a whole series of "Damn Fool's" guides to educate herself on many subjects. Not satisfied with her job in medical billing, she is thinking about becoming a private investigator.

Mojo's life becomes quite the roller coaster ride. She becomes a person of interest when her friend and landlord is nearly killed during an attack at his bar. Her sister, Greer, hires her to investigate her husband, who she believes is cheating on her. Her long lost uncle wants to be part of her life, but his bodyguard and his wife don't seem to be on the same page. Then there are the death threats that she's receiving.

There's plenty of wild action as Mojo copes with everything that is happening to her. It's great fun to see Nick's ghost popping in at awkward times, though he also comes through with a few well-timed warnings. The threats against her escalate with an attempted poisoning and the murder of her foster mother. Returning memories have Mojo reliving the deaths of her parents, and questioning what really happened. Everything builds to a final confrontation that provides some surprises along with the truth of what occurred that night.

There isn't really much shown of the relationship between Mojo and Tucker. There are definitely sparks between them. He is still dealing with his divorce and Mojo isn't quite convinced that he's over his ex-wife. She's a little wary of letting herself fully commit to him, having been burned once before. I liked that Tucker was understanding of her reluctance and didn't push. I also liked the way that he believed her when she told him about Nick's ghost.  Tucker the cop was also very good at being there when she needed him. I liked the ending as they seemed to be ready to pursue what they have a little more deeply.

The ghost storyline was fun. I enjoyed seeing Nick pop in and out. For someone that was so selfish and self-centered in life, he seems to have undergone some vital changes. I loved how he brought the cat to her and the effect it had on her. There are some really fun scenes when he and Mojo are together, and his revelation that she's about to become private investigator to murder victims' ghosts was hilarious. The book ends with her next case sitting in the back seat of her car. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Rich Man's Fake Fiancée - Catherine Mann (SD #1878 - June 2008)

Series: Landis Brothers (Book 1)

            Beachcomber (Book 3)

Convenient proposal

Everyone is talking about the surprise engagement between Matthew Landis and Ashley Carson. Seems the oldest son of one of South Carolina's most powerful families is engaged to someone...ordinary. Could this announcement--conveniently leaked to the press--have to do with Matthew's quick exit from Ms. Carson's home very early in the morning? One wonders what chance such a match made in media heaven could have....

I really enjoyed this book. Matthew is an up-and-coming politician from a well-to-do family. He has been spending a lot of time with local restaurant owner Ashley while working on various fundraisers for his campaign. One night the growing attraction between them bursts into flame and they spend a passionate night together. But the next morning he can't get away fast enough, and only a forgotten briefcase brings him back in time to save Ashley from being trapped in a house fire. Unfortunately, they were also caught by a photographer, leading to a publicity firestorm. Anxious to protect Ashley's reputation as well as his own political prospects, Matthew proposes a temporary fake engagement. Though reluctant at first, Ashley changes her mind when she learns something about his political opponent.

I really liked both Matthew and Ashley and enjoyed the progression of their relationship. Matthew is a good man, whose tragic loss of his fiancée made him wary of risking his heart again. Though he came across as selfish at first, his concern for Ashley was undeniable. He won my heart with his reaction to her parents' treatment of her. I liked Ashley even better. She grew up in foster care, and with two of her foster sisters, has made a successful life for herself. She suffered from scoliosis throughout her school years, and the teasing and cruel remarks from other kids helped her build up an incredible inner strength. As she and Matthew spend time together on his campaign, their attraction continues to grow. Though Matthew stubbornly resists thinking of what they have as anything deeper, he can't deny how right it feels to have her by his side. He even considers asking her to make the engagement real. I enjoyed seeing Ashley become part of Matthew's life. It was especially satisfying to see the way that she stands up to his campaign manager just by doing what she feels is right. Ashley quickly realizes that her heart is fully involved and the thought of entering a marriage where she isn't loved back is too painful. When another potential scandal erupts Matthew, having finally realized that he loves her, is ready to do what he thinks is necessary to protect Ashley, while she wants what is best for him. I loved her big moment at the press conference as she blows everyone away with her poise, grace, and humor.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters and the closeness of those relationships. Ashley's sisters (whose stories are told in the Beachcomber series) are there for her after the fire, and also during her engagement to Matthew. It was great to see that, though they had their suspicions, they fully supported her in whatever she did. The Landis family is equally wonderful. Though they are all wealthy, each of them has a calling to do something for the benefit of others rather than just living the lives of the idle rich. I loved Matthew's mother, Ginger, whose story was told in Holiday Heroes. She is loving, intelligent and down-to-earth. I adored the way that she accepted Ashley right away, just as she was, and helped her see her own potential. I also liked Matthew's brothers and the way that they had his back through all the trouble. There was also a good amount of realism in their relationships, as shown by their competitiveness and less than perfect lives. I have previously read Kyle's story and still want to read those for Sebastian and Josh.

In Bed with Her Boss - Brenda Jackson (HKim #53 - Aug 2007)

Series: Three Weddings and a Reunion (Book 1)

From boardroom to bedroom...

D'marcus Armstrong was demanding, autocratic and cranky as a boss. But as the star of her feverish nighttime fantasies, the man was simply divine. Still, Opal Lockhart had no chance with Detroit's self-made millionaire. What would a high roller like him want with a buttoned-up, naive secretary like her?

Enter the Lockhart sisters--for some attitude adjustment and a wardrobe makeover. With some decolletage and come-hither heels, they have the sex kitten in Opal downright purring.

Now she's giving D'marcus notice--he'd better watch out!

Good book. Opal is the administrative assistant to D'marcus, an internship position she has held for several months. She likes the job, even though her boss can be a grumpy pain in the butt. She also finds him incredibly attractive even though she knows nothing can come of it. What she doesn't know is that D'marcus is just as attracted to her.

The book opens with D'marcus calling Opal into work on a Saturday afternoon while she is with her family and friends. Her sisters let her know what they think of the way he treats her. When their meeting is over, the caring part of Opal comes out as she offers to return with some food for him, as she knows he is likely to skip dinner. His reaction is harsh and rather over the top rude, but she still shows up later with said meal. I loved her reaction, as she doesn't meekly accept his rudeness.

What Opal doesn't know is that D'marcus is very attracted to her and not at all happy about it. First of all, she is his employee, which makes getting involved a bad idea. Second, after the death of his fiancée six years earlier, he has avoided getting close to another woman. He feels that he had his one shot at love. But Opal makes him feel things he hasn't felt since then, and he doesn't like it.  A couple of weeks of late workdays and his attraction is taking over not just his waking hours but his dreams also. He decides to take her on an upcoming business trip and hopes to talk her into an affair at the same time.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Both are intent on doing their jobs, but their attraction is constantly simmering in the background. It was fun to see the way that Opal tries to deny her attraction to him, but her family can see the truth. It was fun to see how they shanghaied her into a makeover, wanting to force D'marcus into seeing Opal as the desirable woman that she is. His reaction is everything that they could hope for, and I loved seeing him try to deal with it. When they reach California, Opal has finally realized that what she feels for him is more than just attraction; she is in love with him. D'marcus makes his move on her, letting her know that he wants an affair, but that anything more is not possible. I liked that he had the patience to give her time to consider, and ached for Opal as she realized her love was not returned. She decides to accept whatever he can give. The next few days are spent in a combination of business and pleasure, as Opal's feelings for D'marcus grow even stronger. At the same time, D'marcus finds that his time with Opal is far different than anything he's experienced before. He resists the idea that it can be anything more than lust. By the time they have both returned to Detroit, Opal is head over heels, and D'marcus is freaking out over what he feels. To protect himself, he pulls away. I liked Opal's strength of character here as, even though heartbroken, she carries on with her life. It was satisfying to see D'marcus struggle with accepting why he's so unhappy since he brought it on himself. Once he sees the light, he acts in his typically decisive manner. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic.

My only dissatisfaction with the story is that the issue with the basketball player was left unresolved. He made several appearances as D'marcus dealt with the trouble he was causing. The player made threats against D'marcus and it was all just left hanging. I would have liked to see a satisfactory conclusion to it.

The Legacy of Copper Creek - R. C. Ryan (Forever - Aug 2015)

Series: Cowboys of Copper Creek (Book 3)

When Love Walks Through the Door . . .

Like all MacKenzie men, Whit respects three things: hard work, his family, and the wild beauty of the Montana land he calls home. The solitude of the high country is a welcome respite to a loner like Whit. So when a powerful spring snowstorm hits as he's tending the herd, Whit heads to one of the family's isolated cabins. The cold winds don't trouble him. The gorgeous mystery woman waiting inside does.

All Cara Walton wanted was a chance to clear her head. And the forgotten cabin on the outskirts of the MacKenzie ranch seemed like the perfect place to do just that-until Whit arrives. The rugged cowboy quickly melts Cara's defenses and she's powerless to resist his strong arms or his tender touch. She desperately wants to trust him, but there's so much Whit doesn't know, so much she hasn't told him. She lost everything once-can she find the courage to risk her heart again?

Good book. It opens with Whit needing to get away from his big, boisterous family and be alone for a while. He is still trying to deal with the pain of his father's murder. With a blizzard bearing down, he finished feeding the cattle and heads to one of the family's range cabins. The last thing he expects is to find a beautiful blond already there. Cara has had a rough life, and the latest disasters are just icing on the cake. A good job and promising relationship implode when the man turns out to be overly controlling, and breaking up with him also leads to the loss of her job. To top it all off, she stumbles upon a well-dressed man with "evil eyes" threatening an old man. The evil-eyed man chases her, and she barely escapes, but gets lost and runs out of gas. Stumbling onto the deserted but well-stocked cabin is a life saver.

I loved the meeting between Whit and Cara. He bursts into the cabin, accompanied by snow and wind, and scares Cara half to death. She threatens him (with a broom handle in the back) as he makes his own threats about the intruder on his family's property. But with the blizzard trapping them together, they have to make the best of the situation. I loved the banter between "Goldilocks" and "Cowboy". Whit is intrigued by Cara and finds his protective side coming out the more he is around her. When the storm is over, he invites her back to the ranch.

I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. Whit has been the brother determined to stay single. In the previous books, he is the one who teases his brothers about their lovesick demeanors. It isn't long before he is just as crazy about Cara. He sees the way her ex-boyfriend has destroyed her confidence in herself and can't stop himself from showing her what a strong and capable woman she is. Cara is wary of getting involved with Whit. Thanks to the previous relationship and her trouble with "evil eyes" she has a hard time trusting her judgment. All the while there is an intense attraction simmering between the two of them. It comes to a full boil the day that Cara's innate empathy reaches out to comfort Whit over his father's death. Their relationship continues to build as Cara becomes an integral part of the ranch. But she continues to be wary of becoming too comfortable, always looking over her shoulder for the trouble that she feels is still pursuing her. When that trouble succeeds in finding her, both she and Whit realize that life can be short and trying to protect themselves from hurt also keeps them from fully experiencing life. But there are still some vulnerabilities to overcome, as Cara receives a surprise offer and Whit puts his own feelings on hold not wanting to stand in her way. I loved their big moment at the end as Cara, especially, puts her heart on the line.  Truly a romantic and heartwarming scene.

The suspense of the story was really good also. Continuing from the first book is the question of who murdered Bear MacKenzie and why. Cara still doesn't know who "evil eyes" is, and becomes more afraid when she hears of the old rancher's murder. She also has to deal with the continuing threats from her ex-boyfriend. Lastly, there is also the creepy feeling that Lance, the family lawyer, is up to something. The final confrontation is intense and scary. I really wasn't sure how some of the events were going to turn out. I loved how Cara kept a cool head through it all. I also loved how the family came together to deal with the threat, and also believed in her.

One of the best parts of this series in the MacKenzie family itself. They are close, loving and supportive. Ash and Griff were featured in books one and two, with their own demons dealt with, and HEAs achieved. I loved the grandfather, Maddock or "Mad" as he's called. He has quite a sense of humor and a great way of delivering advice to the younger members of the family. The mother of the family, Willow, is still grieving the loss of her husband but has the strength necessary to carry on with the ranch. She is warm and loving and has a heart big enough to encompass everyone she comes in contact with. I especially loved the way that she pulled Cara into the heart of the family. There was also a nice little romance developing between her and Brady, the ranch foreman. Ash and Brenna, and Griff and Juliet and her two boys, all had their parts in supporting Whit and bringing Cara into the family. 

The Scottish Duke - Karen Ranney (Avon - Dec 2016)

Series: Duke Trilogy (Book 1)

Though raised as a gentleman’s daughter, Lorna Gordon is obliged to take a position as an upstairs maid at Blackhall Castle when her father dies. Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross, is the most tempting man she’s ever seen -- and completely unattainable -- until, at a fancy dress ball, Lorna disguises herself as Marie Antoinette and pursues an illicit tryst…with scandalous consequences.

Months after his mysterious seductress disappears, Alex encounters her again. Far from the schemer the distrustful duke assumed her to be, Lorna is fiercely independent and resourceful. She’s the one woman capable of piercing his defenses. But when danger threatens Lorna, Alex must prove himself not just the lover of her fantasies, but the man who will fight to protect her.

Good book with an unusual plotline. Lorna is the daughter of a gentleman who has fallen on hard times since her father's death. She takes a position of a maid at Blackhall Castle where she becomes intrigued by the Duke. She takes advantage of a costumed ball to dress up and meet him, and maybe have a chance to dance with him. Alex is in a rotten mood the night of the ball. He has just suffered a professional disappointment and is well on the way to drowning his sorrows when he spots Lorna. There's something about her that immediately draws him to her.

Neither one expects the desire that hits them, and they are helpless to resist the passion that overtakes them. But Alex has been burned by passion before and his ability to trust women severely damaged. He accuses Lorna of using her innocence to trap him. She flees, but not before telling him exactly what she thinks of him. Alex is unable to forget her, and spends a fair amount of time looking for her, never noticing that she lives under his roof. However, their encounter has consequences, and when Lorna discovers she's pregnant, she leaves Blackhall, determined to raise her child on her own.

Lorna is very stubborn and independent. Her life after leaving Blackhall is not easy, especially as she is not married. I loved her friend and fellow maid, Nan, who worries about Lorna's safety. I loved how she took matters into her own hands and ratted out Lorna to Alex's mother. The scene between Alex and his mom was hilarious, as she takes him to task. He doesn't want to believe what he's told but eventually, goes to see Lorna. It doesn't go well for him, and I loved how Lorna stood up to him, his attitude, and his accusations. But she is also guilty of a bit too much pride and doesn't want to admit she needs help. That becomes especially obvious when she runs afoul of the more puritanical townspeople. Alex arrives just in time to save her from danger.

I loved the development of their relationship. Alex's fascination with her has not abated, and it has him rather freaked out. He moves her into a cottage on the estate grounds to take care of her. He can't stay away from her and finds himself spending more and more time with her. He's intrigued by the way her mind works, her independence, and the talent he sees in her artwork. He discovers that he likes spending time with her and wants to share so much of his life and thoughts with her. What disturbs him the most is that the emotions he had walled off since his late wife's betrayal and death are starting to resurface. Lorna also finds that her feelings for him are changing. Before she had been infatuated, but what she feels now is deeper and stronger. When Alex's mother convinces them both that they should marry for the sake of the child, they agree.

I got a bit frustrated with Alex here because as soon as the wedding was over (just in the nick of time), he runs away. He can't handle the torrent of emotions that he's experiencing and leaves to bury himself in his work. This leaves Lorna to deal with her new circumstances without his support. I loved that she had his mom and her maid thoroughly on her side. She spends the next several weeks settling in, and I loved the changing and maturing that she experienced. I completely enjoyed that Alex was miserable. He redeemed himself a little with his reaction to what his gossipy valet told him. The surprise arrival of his uncle was an additional motivator.

There are great changes once he arrives back at Blackhall. I loved seeing Alex become enchanted by his son. There are several really sweet moments between the two of them as Alex's emotions continue to reassert themselves. He and Lorna grow closer as he begins to accept the way she makes him feel, though he still refuses to put it into words. I also liked that Lorna lets him know that disappearing again isn't an option.

But there is someone at Blackhall who isn't happy about Lorna's place there. Someone destroys her supply of herbs and so on, and later tries to poison her. Alex is determined to discover who it is. There are several possibilities. Could it be Thomas, angry that he is no longer Alex's heir? Maybe Matthew, Alex's valet, who has made no secret of his disdain for the maid turned duchess? Or could it be Mary, sister of Alex's late wife, who was hoping to snag Alex for her own? Things get very intense when the baby disappears, and they must find him before it's too late. The final confrontation was the catalyst that opened Alex's eyes at last.

The secondary characters were all very well done. Thomas was an interesting character that kept me guessing as to his real intentions. I love to see him get a story of his own. I loved Alex's mom, Louise. She was a such a warm-hearted woman, and her immediate acceptance of Lorna was great. I also liked the way that she had of straightening Alex out. Mary was a straight up bitch of the first order. She was selfish, mean-spirited, and ultimately quite vicious. Definitely a character I loved to hate. Lorna's friend and fellow maid Nan was wonderful. She was a good balance to Lorna at the beginning, trying to keep Lorna out of trouble. She also proved herself to be a true friend when she overrode Lorna's wishes and informed the duchess of Lorna's pregnancy.

Christmas on Crimson Mountain - Michelle Major (HSE #2520 - Dec 2016)

Series: Crimson Colorado (Book 7)

LOVE ON THE MOUNTAIN

Peace and quiet -- that's all Connor Pierce wanted from the rented cabin on Crimson Mountain. Yet the caretaker turned out to be lovely April Sanders -- a total distraction. As were the two little girls she was caring for. Connor's plan to forget his painful past soon detoured into giving the ladies a Christmas to remember.

Being named guardian of two motherless girls has upended April's world. Add to the mix a mysterious, brooding writer claiming he wanted to be left alone while going out of his way to bring a little joy to the girls, and she has quite the quandary. April had counted herself out of a happy ending. But maybe Santa still had a few surprises up his merry old sleeve…

Fantastic story of loss, love, and healing. Connor, April, Shay, and Ranie have all been beaten down by life. Connor, who suffers from writer's block ever since the tragic deaths of his wife and son, has come to Crimson Mountain for the peace and quiet he feels he needs to finish his book. April is the caretaker of the cabin where he is staying and is tasked with providing his meals and whatever else he needs. She has also recently lost a good friend to cancer and is caring for that friend's two little girls. Twelve-year-old Ranie and five-year-old Shay are dealing with the loss of their mother and the uncertainty of their future.

The pain is evident from the beginning. April is on her way to her cabin with the girls. A breast cancer survivor herself, she is reeling from the loss of her friend and her fear of caring for the two girls. How can she commit to raising them when she can't be sure she won't get sick again? Both girls are suffering from the loss of their mother, though little Shay seems to be handling it well. Ranie, on the other hand, is snarky and sullen and determined to be as contrary as possible. When they arrive on the mountain, April discovers that Connor has gotten there first. To say that he isn't happy when he sees the girls is putting it mildly. Connor comes across as a veritable Scrooge, wanting the girls gone, and only reluctantly agreeing to their staying if they stay quiet and don't disturb him.

I hurt for Connor. He had lost his wife and young son in a car accident several years earlier. He blames himself for their deaths and has shut himself off from the world because of it. Just hearing Shay's laughter brings all that pain to the surface and he lashes out at April because of it. I loved that April stood up to him and forced him to see that he was unreasonable.

I ached for April, too. She comes across as having her life all put together. She's organized, friendly, warm and caring. She has made a place for herself in Crimson, and yet she holds a part of herself away from everyone. Her past has shown her that it hurts to care too much. The one person who should have stood by her, her husband, instead walked away in the middle of her treatment, unable to deal with her disease and its consequences. She's afraid that if she gets sick again, the next person to walk away will destroy her.

I loved the development of their relationship. April's innate kindness and compassion have her wanting to help Connor see that withdrawing from the world is not the way to honor his family. I loved seeing her and the girls slowly draw him out of his shell. It isn't easy on him, and his occasional panic attacks are believable and understandable, as the emotions he has buried for so long begin to reappear. There is also an unexpected attraction that flares between them. Connor is a bit freaked out by the depth of his need for April, as he still considers himself too broken, but he accepts April's declaration of "it's right for right now." In spite of his feeling broken, there's a tremendous amount of sensitivity in him. I loved how he showed April that she is beautiful even with the outward scars of her disease. Over the next few days and their stolen moments together, the feelings for each other deepen, but neither is ready to believe in a future.

Part of their growing relationship is the way they work together to make Christmas special for Shay and Ranie. Connor's initial antagonism is breached by the adorable Shay, who refuses to let his grumpiness keep her down. He is also drawn to the sulky Ranie, whose grief is so like his own. The two of them bond over an ice skating lesson. Connor fights it at first, but both girls wiggle under his defenses. I love his gentleness with Shay and his way of teasing Ranie. April is awed by his ability to help them and saddened by his refusal to believe that he can love again. April fights her own fears regarding the girls. She knows their mother wanted her to raise them, but she thinks that she is unfit to do so. She has come to love them and isn't looking forward to giving them to their aunt. As Connor and April accuse each other of being unwilling to risk their hearts again, a crisis with Shay causes a ceasefire. I loved that April finally saw the truth of her feelings for both Connor and the girls and that she embraced what needed to be done. I ached for both her and Connor as his fears sent him running. I loved his return and seeing him finally open his heart completely. The little bit with the pinecone figure was especially sweet. The epilogue was a wonderful opportunity to see how much life had changed for all four of them.

*copy received in exchange for honest review

My Fair Princess - Vanessa Kelly (Zebra - Sept 2016)

Series: Improper Princesses (Book 1)

Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?

Fun book. Gillian is the illegitimate daughter of one of the princes. She was raised in Sicily by her mother and stepfather on the fringes of society. After participating in a dangerous bout of revenge that puts her life at risk, her mother and grandmother decide it's time to go home to England and find her a husband. Before they can do that, they need to find a way to smooth her rough edges. Enter Charles, Duke of Leverton and paragon of virtue. Much to his dismay, he is enlisted to provide the transformation.

I liked Gillian. She has dealt with the scornful attitudes of others all her life. Outwardly she doesn't care what they say about her, but she is very protective of her mother. It hurts and angers Gillian to see the effect the gossip has on her. She is outspoken and blunt, but never intentionally mean. She is a bit naïve in her belief that her actions in Sicily won't have long term repercussions and that she can eventually return there. She is stubborn, certain that her way of doing things is the best way for her. She can be sweet and charming when she wants to be. She also has a definite idea of what is right or wrong and feels that it is up to her to fix those things that are wrong. This can and does get her into trouble.

I liked Charles, too. At the beginning, he comes across as quite stuffy and rigid, but it doesn't take long for that to go away. His issues with his father and a love affair gone wrong have turned him into a man with the reputation of always doing the right thing. He's also well known for his unshakeable composure under any circumstances. Gillian's grandmother uses that reputation and family connection to recruit him to provide the polish that Gillian needs.

I loved the development of their relationship. Gillian challenged Charles and his composure from the very beginning. He is horrified by her outspokenness and lack of feminine accomplishments. He is used to people doing what he says and is confounded by Gillian's resistance to his instructions. I loved seeing them butt heads as he tried to bend her to his will and she refused to give in. As much as she fights him, Gillian admits to herself that she may have met her match in stubbornness. The more time they spend together, the more they are drawn to each other, which confuses them both. Gillian is not the type of woman he had seen himself with as a wife, but her honesty, character, and liveliness grow on him. In spite of her frequent success in irritating him, Gillian finds that his opinion of her matters more than she thought it would. When a public confrontation with a gentleman at a ball results in some very bad gossip, Charles whisks Gillian into the country while the furor has a chance to die down. Away from the stresses of the Season, Charles and Gillian can relax a little and get to know each other and begin to understand what makes each other tick. As Charles learned more of Gillian's background his admiration for her resilience grew. As the attraction between them grew, so did their feelings for each other. I loved Charles's confusion as all his beliefs in what he wanted in a wife went out the window, but he's still trying to protect his heart. Gillian worries about her feelings for Charles because she can't believe that a woman with her background would be an acceptable match for him and fully expects to get her heart broken. I loved when they gave in to their attraction. Gillian surprises him once again in a scene that is sweet, hot and romantic and Charles comes through in an awesome way when she shares a big fear with him. There are still some fireworks to come as Gillian and Charles try to work out their future. An encounter with smugglers brings some clarity to them both as they realize what is truly important. I loved his big moment at the end when he told her how he felt.

One Night with a SEAL - Tawny Weber, Beth Andrews (HB #943 - June 2017)

Series: Uniformly Hot (Book 71)

All Out by Tawny Weber

Navy SEAL Zane Bennett can't walk away from a challenge. He's determined to win a bet with his brother -- until he collides with the luscious Vivian Harris. Their attraction is immediate and searingly hot, but Zane can't bring himself to bow out of the bet. Now the game is really on…and Zane is embroiled in a wicked matchup he can't resist!

Good story. The book opens with Zane getting ready to head home for his ten-year high school reunion. He's doing some last minute training and pondering the fact that he works best when he's competing with someone else. He admits he doesn't like to lose, though losing to a fellow SEAL is bearable. One of his greatest competitors has always been his twin brother, Xander, who is also a SEAL working on the east coast.

Once back in his home town and hanging out with Xander and their high school buddies, talk turns to old times. Zane and Xander both have reputations for engaging in outrageous dares. One of their friends challenges them to win a date with Quinn Oswald, their high school princess, for the reunion dance. Zane can't turn down a challenge, even though he suspects that his brother has more interest in the lady than he does. Zane gets distracted from his goal when he meets Vivian. The attraction between them is immediate and explosive. Though he doesn't know it at first, Vivian is the little sister of one of his friends and has had a crush on him for years. Vivian has been working in the family bakery but has dreams of branching out on her own with her naughty treats. She gets no support for her dreams from her family and is hesitant to step outside her comfort zone and commit fully to those dreams.

Zane and Vivian settle into a hot and heavy fling that they don't expect anything to come of other than a few days of fun. Both are surprised to discover that they have more than just chemistry in common. Zane is a bit freaked out by the way that he suddenly realizes that what he feels for Vivian means more than winning a silly dare. Vivian wonders if her feelings for Zane will give her the courage she needs to take the chance of a lifetime. And what will happen when Vivian finds out about the challenge? I loved the scene between Vivian and her brother when he found her and Zane together. I also liked seeing Vivian stand up to Zane about the challenge and what she did about it. The scene at the reunion dance was pretty awesome.

All In by Beth Andrews

Of the Bad Boy Bennett twins, Navy SEAL Xander is always the gentleman. That is until he's challenged to go against his brother for a date with Quinn Oswald -- the girl Xander's wanted since high school! It takes only one kiss for Quinn and Xander's deliciously sexy chemistry to explode. But how much is Xander willing to gamble…before he goes all in?

Sweet and spicy second chance story. Xander is the quieter one of the twins. He just rolls his eyes at the latest challenge from his high school buddies, until the subject of the challenge becomes Quinn. All through high school he had crushed on her but had never tried to pursue her. The thought of losing her to his brother is unbearable and provides the kick in the pants he needs to go after her. Quinn has come back to town after her divorce to get her life back together. Her marriage had done a number on her confidence and her ability to trust.

I loved the start of their relationship. Xander is quite the gentleman and insists on escorting Quinn home after her shift at the bar. He's a bit awkward about it and sticks his foot in his mouth a couple of times, but eventually, convinces her to let him. Quinn really wants to refuse. She is intensely attracted to him but doesn't want to be. The sparks are flying between them, but Xander's scruples won't let him follow through when he senses that she isn't really ready. I loved seeing him show up the next day with a bolt for her door and a plant to teach her self-defense.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship as the attraction between them takes off and is enhanced by the way that they spend time getting to know each other. I especially liked Xander's opinion of her ex and the way that he was determined to show her how strong she is. Quinn realizes that she is falling for him and that against her common sense she has come to trust him. Xander is surprised by the way that he is looking past the reunion and staying in touch with Quinn. When she finds out about the challenge, she is hurt and furious at what she sees as his betrayal. Their confrontation exposes some deep vulnerabilities that both need to face. I loved Quinn's big moment at the reunion and seeing her take a chance on her happiness.

In both stories, I really liked the relationship between Zane and Xander. They are competitive with each other and have typical sibling interactions. But they are also always there for each other. I liked how Zane sensed that Xander was more interested in Quinn than was conveyed to their buddies. I also loved the scene where they were wrestling with each other and then their nephews, before Xander said something really stupid to their sisters. It made me laugh to see two big strong SEALs running scared from her.