Someone to Love - Donna Alward (St Martins - Mar 2017)

Series: Darling VT (Book 2)

SOME WISHES DO COME TRUE

Ethan Gallagher is a firefighter in Darling, Vermont, who followed tradition and pledged his love on the Kissing Bridge to ensure lifelong happiness. A few years later, he’s a widower with two rambunctious boys who no longer believes in magic. But even he has to admit that free-spirited Willow Dunaway fills him with wonder…and an attraction he cannot deny.

Willow’s come back to Darling a different girl than the one who left after high school. Overcoming her past and owning her own business has made her into a strong, independent woman. Single dad Ethan appeals to her in a way she didn’t expect, even though settling down is the last thing on her mind. But after fire destroys the local food bank, the town rallies, and a fling between Ethan and Willow leads to unintended consequences. Can they find a way out of their heartbreak to make a home in each other’s hearts?

Emotional story of two people who seem like complete opposites but have more in common than they expect. Willow was a big part of the previous book, Somebody Like You, as Laurel's quirky best friend. She owns the Purple Pig Café, a healthy food restaurant, has colored streaks in her hair, a tattoo and a pierced nose, and does yoga and meditation. She has her life together just as she wants it to be. Ethan is a firefighter, widower, and father of two little boys. Though he has family to help, he often feels overwhelmed, guilty about taking advantage of them, and bitter about the loss of the life and dreams he'd had. Ethan frequently appears as grumpy, uptight, and brooding.

There are sparks between Ethan and Willow from the beginning, albeit unwilling ones. Their first couple of encounters don't go all that well. Willow sees Ethan as grumpy and judgmental and wonders how he can be such a grouch around his two adorable boys. She definitely gets the feeling that he looks down on her. At the birthday dinner at his parents' house, Ethan is snarky and snide about her yoga and meditation. It isn't until a little later that we get to see that it is really a bad case of envy that has Ethan behaving so badly. But as Fate finds ways to throw them together, Willow and Ethan discover that they have a connection that neither can deny.

I enjoyed seeing Willow and Ethan get to know each other, their early encounters facilitated by Ethan's sons. I loved the way that Willow stepped in to watch the boys when Hannah couldn't. She doesn't have much experience with kids, and it was fun to see her deal with the little crises that are inevitable. She was well on her way to falling for Ethan's sons. Ethan made me mad with his attitude when he arrived. I got that he was in pain, and frustrated, but he could have been at least a little grateful. One of my favorite parts was the day he took the kids to the Pig and had to eat a little crow along with the brownie. This begins a slow building relationship as Ethan and Willow acknowledge that they are drawn to each other. With each encounter, Ethan finds himself a little closer to being the man he used to be, able to smile and laugh and just be himself. But both are also wary of getting too involved. Ethan has been hurt so badly by the loss of his wife that he is reluctant to open himself up to that level of caring. Willow has issues from her past that she thought she had come to terms with, but because of her growing feelings for Ethan, she realizes that she had simply buried them beneath her surface serenity.

When the building attraction finally hit its combustion point, the result was frightening for each of them. Neither expected it to be as intense as it was, which sent both Ethan and Willow scrambling for cover. There was a lot of soul-searching and worry about being "ready" that neither was ready to face. The last several chapters were intense and emotional as something comes up that causes a collision between Willow's past and her future. I ached for her as she had to face those memories and make some decisions. I understood why she handled it the way she did, but I could see the trouble that was waiting for her. I could also understand Ethan's anger at what he saw as her betrayal. The pain that each experienced was heartwrenching, and I wondered how they were ever going to find their way back together. A scare brought on by an encounter with a bicycle opens Ethan's eyes to the truth. There was a terrific conversation between Ethan and Aiden that helped Ethan have the courage to open his heart completely to Willow. I also loved seeing Willow own up to her mistakes and take her own leap of faith. The icing on the cake was the final scene with Ethan's sons and Willow.

Somebody Like You - Donna Alward (St Martins - Feb 2017)

Series: Darling VT (Book 1)

A Kiss To Last A Lifetime

Aiden Gallagher was only five years old when he appeared in a photograph on the Kissing Bridge. The town of Darling, Vermont, has used Aiden’s image on the famed bridge―local legend has it that a kiss there results in everlasting love―as part of its tourism campaign. Now, twenty years later, Aiden is asked to recreate the moment with the woman he once kissed: Laurel Stone.

Recently divorced, there’s nothing Laurel wants less than to pretend happily-ever-after with Aiden. As teenagers, their romance was no fairy tale―and Laurel has never quite forgiven Aiden for breaking her heart. But now that she is back in her hometown, and keeps bumping into police officer Aiden, Laurel can’t deny that there’s still a strong flicker between her and her old flame. Could it be that the Kissing Bridge is working its magic on Laurel and Aiden―and that all true love ever needed was a second chance?

Very good second chance story. When they were five years old, Laurel and Aiden were photographed kissing on the legendary Kissing Bridge. When they were in high school, their brief romance ended when Aiden made a stupid mistake, hurting and humiliating Laurel, which led to some humiliation for Aiden. The town uses the photograph to promote its tourism, and someone has come up with the idea to recreate the photo. Aiden is willing, but Laurel is much harder to convince. Laurel returned to Darling after her divorce, determined to move on. She is happy and busy, reconnecting with friends and getting her new garden center up and running. The last thing she wants to do is get involved with Aiden, who she has still not forgiven.

I enjoyed the development of Laurel and Aiden's relationship. It starts out a bit rough, as their first encounter is when police officer Aiden responds to a report of vandalism at Laurel's business. Aiden is professional but friendly, ready to move past their teenage idiocy. Laurel realizes that she is still holding on to the past when Aiden makes a point of apologizing. Aiden is drawn to the grown-up Laurel's beauty, both inside and out, and wants to spend more time with her. Laurel is drawn to Aiden also, but her divorce has made her very wary of getting involved with someone else. I really loved seeing them get to know each other. Laurel is kindhearted and sweet, which sometimes works against her when others take advantage. She struggles with the effect her divorce has had on her dreams for the future and her confidence in herself. This creates a conflict in her relationship with Aiden, as she tries to deny her growing feelings for him to protect her heart. Aiden is patient, sweet and charming as he works his way past Laurel's walls. The dates he came up with showed just how much he understood her. There is also a vulnerability to him, as we see him have trouble expressing his feelings and suffer from the occasional "foot-in-mouth" moment. I loved how they slowly opened up to each other, sharing their hurts as well as the good times. I ached for Aiden when he shared his feelings for Laurel, and her fears made her push him away. It took working together to help a friend to close that divide. Laurel also had to face the fears that were holding her back. Aiden's big moment at the end was romantic and awesome.

I loved the small town setting and the characters that live there. The secondary characters were unique and well developed. I loved Aiden's relationship with his family members, with their teasing and nosiness and obvious love for each other. I loved the little bits that showed Aiden purposely doing some things to irritate his brother Rory. I also loved how the family quickly pulled Laurel into their circle. Laurel's friend Willow was a blast with her new agey style and direct attitude. She was always there for Laurel, even when Laurel didn't realize it. I loved her parts in helping Aiden. My favorite character was the homeless man, George. I loved how we first witness Aiden's kindness and sensitivity in the way that he treats George, and how that attitude rubs off on Laurel. I loved watching the changes in George as he benefits from their actions. Like Laurel and Aiden, I wanted to know more about who he was and what brought him to Darling. I loved George's interactions with them, especially the conversations that he and Lauren had. I felt Lauren's fear for him when he was missing and her determination to find him.

Plain Refuge - Janice Kay Johnson (HS #2076 - Apr 2017)

He's her only defense…and a frightening temptation

Rebecca Holt thinks she's doing the right thing when she takes evidence proving her ex-husband is hiding a murder. But after two attempts on her life, she flees with her six-year-old son to rural Missouri, where the pair hide among Amish relatives, dressing "plain."

County sheriff Daniel Byler was raised Amish, but his protective instincts put him in conflict with his family's beliefs at an early age and he left the faith. Yet this background helps him to recognize Rebecca as someone who is out of place, in danger…and lying to him.

Very good story. When Rebecca finds evidence linking her ex-husband to a crime, she takes it, thinking only to protect her son from the knowledge of his father's crimes. It also serves as an incentive to prevent him from fighting her for custody. When two attempts are made on her life along with threats against her son, she takes Matthew and heads to her Amish relatives in Missouri. One of the first people she encounters is Daniel, the county sheriff.

Daniel was raised Amish but left to pursue a career in law enforcement. After years in the city, he returned to his hometown to protect those he loves. Rebecca's injuries draw his attention, but it's his instincts that tell him that things are not quite what they seem.

I enjoyed the theme of this story. Both Daniel and Rebecca are caught between two worlds, feeling that they don't fit in either. Though one generation removed from Amish life (her mother was raised Amish, but left to marry Rebecca's father) it still played a big part in Rebecca's upbringing. Her time hiding with her relatives reminds her of all the good things from her childhood, but she isn't so sure that's the life she wants for her son. However, looking back on her married life, she also realizes that she hadn't felt comfortable in that world either. Daniel grew up Amish, but after witnessing a horrible crime as a teen realized that he had deep-seated need to protect rather than turn the other cheek. But leaving his Amish faith also created a divide between him and his family and friends. I ached for Daniel because he also didn't feel entirely comfortable in the Englisch world either, which often left him feeling rather lonely.

I enjoyed the development of Daniel and Rebecca's relationship. It started out rough, as Rebecca was afraid to trust him. She knew what she had done was wrong, but with the threats against her and Matthew, going to the police wasn't an option either. During their first conversation, Rebecca realized that Daniel was suspicious and was determined to avoid him whenever possible. For his part, Daniel sensed her fear, could tell she was hiding something and wasn't sure if she was the victim or not. But underneath it all, they were drawn to each other. I liked Daniel's patience as he took the time to let Rebecca get to know him, hoping she would open up. It took the danger getting close for Rebecca to take that step, and even then she held things back. I had moments of great frustration with Rebecca because she seemed more interested in protecting her ex than in dealing with the problem. Daniel realized pretty early on that Rebecca meant more to him than may have been wise, but he never gave up hope. Rebecca's fears and guilt kept her denying her feelings for a long time. There were some sweet scenes of evening conversations and growing attraction held in check by their circumstances. It isn't until they survive an extremely dangerous situation that they are willing to expose their vulnerabilities and be honest about their feelings.

The suspense of this story was really good. Though I didn't agree with what Rebecca did with the evidence she found, I understood why she did it. Her fear of losing her son to his father and grandfather was real and her desperation undeniable. The threats against her and Matthew's lives were the final straw. I was impressed with the way that she went about disappearing, making it more difficult to be tracked. Of course, it is only a matter of time until Rebecca's pursuers come looking for her. There are some terrific scenes highlighting the protectiveness of the Amish community. There is a frightening confrontation with her ex that leaves Rebecca injured and scared and with the knowledge that his partner isn't going to give up. The tension continues to build with the arrival of strangers asking questions and a case of mistaken identity putting innocents at risk. I was very impressed with Rebecca's strength and determination as she dealt with that event. The final confrontation was intense, with a real possibility of ending badly. Rescue came from an unexpected source in an unusual way that made for a fantastic conclusion.

The descriptions of the conflicts that both Rebecca and Daniel experienced because of their backgrounds made it very easy to understand what they were going through. I loved the descriptions of daily life as Rebecca remembered her summers with her grandparents. I really enjoyed some of young Matthew's reactions and seeing him adapt to his surroundings. The one that I ached for the most was Daniel as he tried to reconcile his Amish background with his need to protect and defend those he loved. I cried for his feelings of loss and isolation. I loved Rebecca's ability to understand what he was going through and her attempts to help him. I loved her description of him being a bridge between the two worlds. It was interesting to see his relationships with his family members through both his eyes and Rebecca's and their differing viewpoints. I loved how Daniel finally realized that he wasn't as alone as he thought he was.

I also enjoyed the way that Rebecca's family and their community looked out for her. From the various relatives along their journey to her arrival in Hadburg she was helped without question because she was family. The community around her was delightfully obtuse when questioned about her by strangers. I also loved how various members stepped up to offer her sanctuary when she was threatened, including Daniel's relatives. I especially loved his uncle and loved watching him with Matthew. Their methods of helping without going against their beliefs were impressive to see. Rebecca's Uncle Samuel made me tear up at the end with his understanding for Daniel and his fears. 

Along Came a Duke - Elizabeth Boyle (Avon - June 2012)

Series: Rhymes With Love (Book 1)

"A young lady with a fortune is subject to all sorts of untoward attentions by the worst sort of vagrants."

--Aunt Allegra

A lesson Tabitha Timmons, a penniless spinster, has never needed to heed. That is, until she is left a vast fortune payable only upon her marriage to the very respectable Mr. Barkworth--a match that offers little chance of discovering exactly what her aunt means by "untoward attentions."

But the same can't be said when the Duke of Preston happens along Tabitha's path. He spies a rebellious streak in her that matches his own and he makes it his mission to save her from such a passionless match, interfering in her life at every turn. All too soon, Preston -- whose very name spells ruin -- has Tabitha caught between the good fortune that guarantees her security, and his kiss, which promises an entirely different kind of happily-ever-after.

Fun book, with a slight Cinderella theme. Tabitha is a vicar's daughter who, upon the death of her father, was taken in by her aunt and uncle. They didn't want her, but she was part of the deal that enabled her uncle to take over the vicar's position. Tabitha has spent the last several years as her relatives' servant. That all changes when she is left a huge fortune - as long as she marries the man her late uncle picked for her, a paragon of virtue named Mr. Barkworth. Tabitha is informed of this on the same day she told an insufferable and rakish Mr. Preston that she had no wish ever to get married. Her relatives quickly have her on the road to London and the promise of a speedy marriage.

Mr. Preston, who is actually the Duke of Preston, met Tabitha when he and his friend Roxley had an accident while participating in a bet. Preston has quite the reputation for reckless behavior, and this is just one more example. His latest antics have caused him to be shunned by society, and his aunt and uncle to try to convince him to mend his ways.

From the moment that Preston and Tabitha meet, there are sparks between them. Tabitha is a spirited young woman who has had a hard time of it but accepts it and moves on. I loved the first meeting between her and Preston, where she has no trouble pushing back against his arrogance. For his part, Preston is amused by her and finds himself unable to forget her. A chance encounter on the road has them sharing a private dinner. I loved this scene as Preston teases Tabitha and she gives as good as she gets. We also get some insight into the past that affects Preston's behavior as an adult. Tabitha knows that she isn't being wise, but there is something about Preston that she can't resist.

Their next encounter is two weeks later. Preston hasn't been able to forget Tabitha. He is stunned when they meet again, and he learns of her upcoming betrothal. He is dismayed by what he sees as her relatives' attempts to turn her into another "Bath miss" and is determined to save her from such a fate. I loved his appearance at the same function that night. His outrageous behavior is great fun to watch as he pokes at the so stuffy Barksworth. I loved seeing Preston's protectiveness as he tries to save Tabitha from a miserable marriage without realizing why he feels so strongly about it. In spite of his rakish reputation, there is a very sweet side to him also. I loved the scene with the bluebells. Tabitha can't help but compare the two men, and each encounter makes it more obvious which she would rather be with. The tension picks up when Preston learns the details of the betrothal and becomes determined to save Tabitha. His methods are effective in one way, but she isn't in the clear quite yet. There is still excitement to come as Preston finally realizes why he's so protective of Tabitha. The final scenes are great fun as both Preston and Tabitha do what they must to get the future they want.

I liked Tabitha from the start. She is feisty and independent even while stuck with her miserable aunt and uncle. I enjoyed her quick wit as she traded barbs with Preston over dinner and again in London. I would have liked to see her stand up to Barksworth and her relatives a bit sooner, but she did come through in the end.

I wasn't as sure about Preston at first. He came across as spoiled and uncaring, especially when it came to the bet that started the book. I ached for him as his past was revealed and felt that maybe there was some hope for him after all.  Tabitha's effect on him was huge as she inspired him to change.

I also enjoyed the supporting characters. Preston's friend Roxley is a terrific friend and is there to support him when he's most needed. I had to laugh at his fear of his Aunt Essex and the lengths he took to avoid her. I'm looking forward to seeing his story. Preston's aunt was quite a force to be reckoned with, and I really enjoyed seeing her try to save him from himself. I'm also looking forward to seeing how Preston's uncle deals with the results of the prank that Preston and Roxley have played on him. I also liked Tabitha's friends, Harry and Daphne. Harry is forthright, and some of the things she says and does are pretty amusing. There is a history between her and Roxley, and I look forward to finding out more about it. I wasn't sure about Daphne at first because of her support of Barksworth, and her dislike of Preston. As that seems to be the result of some kind of family feud, I have a feeling that she has some surprises in store for her. 

The Unlikely Wife - Debra Ullrick (LIH #122 - Jan 2012)

Series: Bowen Family (Book 2)

The arrival of Michael Bowen's bride, married sight unseen by proxy, sends the rancher reeling. With her trousers, cowboy hat and rifle, she looks like a female outlaw -- not the genteel lady he corresponded with for months. He's been hoodwinked into marriage with the wrong woman!

Selina Farleigh Bowen loved Michael's letters, even if she couldn't read them herself. A friend read them to her, and wrote her replies -- but apparently that "friend" left things out, like Michael's dream of a wife who was nothing like her. Selina won't change who she is, not even for the man she loves. Yet time might show Michael the true value of his unlikely wife.

Good book. Michael is twenty-seven and ready to settle down with a wife of his own. He admires his sister-in-law Rainee and wants a wife like her - sweet, genteel, educated. He corresponds with a woman back East who seems to fulfill his every dream and marries her by proxy. But when she arrives, Selina is far from what he expected.

Selina is a woman from the hills of Kentucky. She was ten when her mother died and left her father sunk in grief. She took it upon herself to care for the family, learning to hunt, fish, cook, clean, and do many other things. This left her with no time to go to school herself, though she made sure that her brothers went. Because she can't read, she depends on her friend to read Michael's letters to her and respond to them for her. Selina falls hard for the man who wrote such wonderful letters and can't wait to join him. Their first meeting is quite a shock for both Michael and Selina. Michael is stunned that she is the complete opposite of everything he wanted and doesn't hide his disappointment and anger. Selina is hurt that the man she has come to love so obviously doesn't want her. Michael is an honorable man, however, and will abide by his vows.

I have to say that I did not care for Michael at first. I thought he was judgmental and snobby and had no consideration for Selina's feelings. He won back a few points when he stood by her to introduce her to his friends and family. But he still has his vision of the perfect wife stuck in his mind and spent a fair amount of time and energy trying to get Selina to change to meet his expectations.

I liked Selina from the start. She is a strong and capable woman who has adapted to all the curveballs life has thrown at her. She is comfortable with who she is and refuses to be bullied into making changes just to please a man. She is kindhearted and sweet most of the time, but she can be stubborn when the situation calls for it.

I enjoyed the development of Michael and Selina's relationship. They are determined to make their marriage work; they just have to figure out how to deal with each other. I loved seeing Selina make a place for herself in her new world. It didn't take long for everyone else to accept her just as she was. It was great fun to see Selina refuse to change who she is inside. At the same time, she wanted Michael to come to love her. I liked the ways that she found to adapt to his ideals without losing her own. Her vivacity and uniqueness slowly began to work past Michael's tunnel vision, and he began to appreciate her. There were several sweet scenes where he does something that shows he's beginning to understand her, but he doesn't see that his feelings for her are growing and changing. It takes an unexpected visitor to show him that he has had what he wanted all along if he had just opened his eyes and heart to see it. The epilogue was a terrific update on their lives a few months later..

Outlaw's Honor - B.J. Daniels (HQN - June 2017)

Series: Cahill Ranch (Book 2)

She never expected this Cahill to be her hero -- or the only man she'd need

It's hard to forget a beautiful woman who picks your pocket the first time you meet. Darby Cahill recognizes Mariah Ayres the moment she walks into his bar looking for a job. He shouldn't hire her…or crave more after one impulsive kiss. But what starts as curiosity about her motives turns to concern when he senses how much danger she's in.

Mariah has been running ever since she left her fiancé at the altar. Now she's playing the part of the perfect employee, terrified that her past will catch up with her. But Darby has already seen through her act. He's the kind of guy who saves people. And even if Mariah's given him no reason to trust her, he's determined to protect her -- and he'll risk his life to do it…

Terrific second installment in the Cahill Ranch series, about six siblings in the tiny Montana town of Gilt Edge. The first book, Renegade's Pride, was the story of Lillian, the only girl. This book is mostly about her twin brother, Darby. Darby has been feeling restless, not sure that the bar he co-owns with his sister is enough for him anymore. Then, during the annual Chokecherry Festival, a beautiful young woman tries to steal his wallet and ends up leaving a valuable family heirloom behind as she flees. When she shows up at the bar looking for a job, he knows he should just give back the bracelet and send her on her way. But he is intrigued by her, so he hires her.

Mariah has been running for months, never staying long in one place before moving on. She's heartbroken at the loss of her grandmother's bracelet and is determined to get it back. She plans to hire on, figure out where the bracelet is and take it back, then get out of town. She knows that her ex won't give up looking for her. But there is something about Darby that has her lingering, not quite ready to move on.

I loved the interactions between Darby and Mariah. They both play it cool when she shows up at the bar, pretending that they don't know why she's really there. Darby is watchful, just waiting for Mariah to make her move, while she tries to wait him out. Their conversations, actions, and reactions have a fun cat and mouse lightness to them, but there is also attraction simmering under the surface. It doesn't take Darby long to realize that he has fallen hard for Mariah and that there is something bad that is driving her. I loved his protectiveness as he convinces her to stay and fight. Mariah is equally taken with Darby, which causes her to linger far longer than she intended. She knows that the best thing to do is leave before she puts Darby and everyone else in danger, but she lets him talk her into staying.

The suspense of waiting for her ex to show up had me on the edge of my seat. From the moment Mariah confessed all to Darby, I could feel the tension start to build. The scenes from Rafael's point of view were chilling, and I completely understood Mariah's fear. The confrontation was intense, with so many twists and turns I wondered how it was going to work out. Both Mariah and Darby were amazing, but it was an unlikely hero who came through at just the right moment. I liked the realism of what Mariah went through afterward, and that Darby was there to help her through it. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic and perfect for them. I also loved Lillie's reaction and her suggestion for the wedding.

There was also more going on than just the romance between Darby and Mariah. The Cahill patriarch, Ely, still insists that he has had encounters with aliens, while Flint tries to convince him that it was military related. A health scare keeps him out of the mountains for a short time. Meanwhile, sheriff Flint has his hands full with a rash of burglaries. I loved seeing his detective work as he figures out who the culprits are. With it being such a small town, he knows everyone, and I really enjoyed watching him set and spring his trap. His love life is still in trouble also. In the previous book, his ex-wife's antics had succeeded in driving Flint's girlfriend away, thanks to Flint's reluctance to believe what was happening. He has finally seen the light, but without hard proof, there isn't anything he can do. I liked seeing his patience pay off as he and Maggie get back together. Unfortunately, Celeste is still up to her old tricks. I definitely agree with Maggie that Celeste's actions are not harmless and expect to see them escalate further. I liked Flint's discussion with Celeste's husband and wasn't surprised at how it turned out.

Claiming His Highland Bride - Terri Brisbin (HH #1334 - June 2017)

Series: A Highland Feuding (Book 4)

Safe in her Highlander's arms!

After discovering her role in her father's plot to destroy another clan, Sorcha MacMillan risks her life to go into hiding. Her safety relies on her disguise, but she is drawn to a man who could see through her…

Unknown to Sorcha, Alan Cameron has been sent to track her down. He's attracted to the woman in disguise. Even after learning her true identity, he can't overcome his instinct to protect her. No matter the danger, he will keep Sorcha safe…and claim her as his bride!

Good book. Sorcha is betrothed to a cold and cruel man who is just like her father. Before her death, Sorcha's mother discovered that Sorcha is also a pawn in her father's plan to destroy another clan. She and Sorcha devise a plan to enable Sorcha to escape and go to a convent. With the help of a trusted servant, Sorcha makes good on her escape, but the servant dies before they reach their destination. Sorcha is on her own and finds her way to a relative in another village. Clara Mackintosh and her husband provide Sorcha with a place to stay and a cover story to explain her presence.

Alan Cameron is the nephew of Sorcha's fiancé and considered to be the best tracker in the highlands. When Sorcha goes missing, Alan is assigned to find her. Based on the evidence he finds, he tells her fiancé and father that she is dead, drowned in a flooded river. Though sorry for the girl's death, Alan is relieved that she will not have to marry his uncle, whose previous two wives died under suspicious circumstances. Alan also suspects that his uncle is involved in something dishonorable, though he doesn't know what it is. Alan is also good friends with many of the Mackintoshes and spends a lot of time in their village. When Alan meets Sorcha, he is immediately drawn to her.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Alan doesn't know why he is so strongly drawn to the mysterious beauty, but he can't deny the strength of it. It was fun to see the way that he is confused and distracted by her whenever she is near. Alan knows that he is not free to choose his own bride because of his relationship to the Cameron laird, so he tries to keep his distance. Sorcha is equally drawn to Alan, though it takes her awhile to realize what her feelings are. She knows that nothing can come of them because she cannot stay in Glenlui. The more he gets to know her, the more Alan realizes that Sorcha is hiding something. He also becomes increasingly protective of her. When Sorcha discovers Alan's connection to Gilbert, she knows she must leave to protect Alan and the others she has come to care for. But there are other things that come to light, and Sorcha realizes that to save the man she loves she must face her past. There are some interesting twists that occur before Alan and Sorcha achieve their hearts' desire.

There are some very interesting dynamics going on throughout the story. The biggest is the relationships among the clan leaders. There is definitely something fishy going on between Sorcha's father and Alan's uncle. As bits and pieces are revealed, the scope of their betrayal becomes more obvious. There is also something strange going on between Alan, his father, and his uncle. Alan doesn't understand why his father is not the laird, as he is older. His uncle's treatment of Alan's father and Robert's acceptance of it also puzzles him, as does Gilbert's attitude toward Alan. I liked Alan's growing disgust of his uncle and his increasing desire to call him to account. When Alan discovers Sorcha's identity, that is the catalyst for him to act. The confrontation is intense, especially when Sorcha shows up to share what she knows. I loved her courage and conviction. I liked Alan's reaction to the secrets revealed and the difference it made to his future.

I enjoyed the glimpses into the village life as Sorcha settled in. It was fun to see her learning all the little things she missed out on in her sheltered life. I especially enjoyed the porridge and breadmaking scenes and the way they illustrated Sorcha's determination and also her sense of humor. Alan's scenes with both Brodie and Jamie also revealed much about the man he was.

The Lady Most Willing - Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway (Avon - Dec 2012)

Series: Lady Most... (Book 2)

At the behest of three of the most talented historical romance authors writing today, you are cordially invited to a ball. No, a party. No . . . a kidnapping.

Taran Ferguson, laird of his clan, is determined that his ancient (if not so honorable) birthright be secured before he dies. When both his nephews refuse to wed, the old reprobate takes matters into his own hands: he raids a ball and makes off with four likely brides . . .

Miss Marilla Chisholm -- the bonniest lass in Scotland, and an heiress to boot.

Miss Fiona Chisholm -- her older sister, another fine choice (but for that tiny stain on her reputation).

Lady Cecily Tarleton -- true, she's an English beauty, but very, very rich.

Miss Catriona Burns -- without name or fortune, clearly someone made a mistake.

Oh, yes. And one very irate duke.

Because somewhere there must be one lady most willing to love a Scottish lord.

Good book with a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers type of theme. Taran Ferguson, older, stubborn, and rather unique laird of his clan is determined that his two nephews marry soon to secure the family legacy. They aren't cooperative, so one night he raids a neighboring estate, kidnapping four young women from a ball. And, unintentionally includes one highly irritated duke. The two nephews are horrified by their uncle's actions and try to make the best of things. Thanks to the weather, they are cut off, with no way to return the ladies to their homes.

The four women deal with the issue as befits their personalities. The first part of the book concentrates mainly on Catriona.  Catriona is a local woman without much in the way of name or fortune, and according to Taran was taken by mistake. She is practical, familiar with Taran and his antics, and takes things as they come. John, Duke of Bretton, who was also an unintended captive, goes from irritated to amused pretty quickly, helped along by his growing interest in Catriona. I enjoyed their interactions, which were fun with a definite undercurrent of attraction. Catriona doesn't expect anything to come of it, as he is a duke and she is a nobody. John is smitten immediately and acts accordingly. The catalyst to his big moment was pretty funny, but the moment itself was sweet and romantic.

The story then moves on to Lord Oakley, one of Taran's nephews. Taran immediately starts in on Byron, haranguing him for not making any obvious attempts at winning one of the heiresses. Having been burned recently by discovering his fiancée in the arms of another man, Byron is in no hurry to try again. He is also accused of being too stuffy to appeal to a woman, and compared unfavorably to the other men. He isn't too happy to find himself the target of the determined Marilla, and at one point hides in the library to escape her. This brings him into contact with Marilla's sister, Fiona, a much quieter woman. Fiona has her own history to deal with. Her fiancé fell to his death while trying to climb to her window. She has been blamed for it and her reputation ruined. She has given up fighting to get anyone to believe the truth and resigned herself to spinsterhood. Enter Byron, disturbing her refuge in the library. I loved their encounter, as Fiona has an enjoyable time poking holes in his stuffiness. Byron begins to understand why he is the way he is and becomes determined to change, spurred on by his attraction to Fiona. She has realized that she is attracted to him also, but that her reputation makes anything between them impossible. A cruel comment from Marilla puts a hitch in Byron's plans and hurts Fiona. I liked that Byron recovered quickly from his shock and his attitude and actions proved to be worthy of Fiona. Things got a little heated in the cold stable when he finally shared his feelings.

The story is rounded out by Robin, Taran's other nephew. He is known throughout London as the Prince of Rakes. He is half-French, with an inherited title of Comte and little else. He hides behind his reputation so that he doesn't have to deal with the rejection of those who look down on him. He is struck dumb at the sight of Cecily, feeling that bolt of lightning that tells him that this is the woman for him. Except, she isn't. Cecily is the daughter of a wealthy earl, with a great fortune coming to her. She is young, beautiful, and seems to be the shy and retiring type that all the mothers want for their sons. The difficulty is that Cecily doesn't want one of those staid and boring men. She wants someone she can love and luckily has parents who have given her the freedom to choose. She also has much more confidence in herself than anyone realizes. She doesn't panic during the kidnapping, looking on it as something of an adventure. An adventure that becomes so much more when one look at Robin convinces her that he is the man she is meant to marry. But it isn't going to be easy because Robin is determined to do the honorable thing and stay away from her, while Cecily is equally determined to win her prize. It was great fun to see Robin fall more and more under her spell. I ached for him because he was so certain he was unworthy of her. Their scenes together were wonderful as they got to know each other, with the snowball scene being one of my favorites. I loved how Cecily really understood Robin and finally took matters into her own hands.

I really liked all the characters except for Marilla. I found her incredibly annoying. She treated her sister horribly and completely ignored Fiona's attempts to guide her into proper behavior. She was selfish and spoiled. She set her sights on a man and behaved very inappropriately in an attempt to win him. When she would lose out to another woman, she would simply move on to the next one in line. She was totally oblivious to the way the men did their best to avoid her. I kept waiting for her to realize that none of them wanted anything to do with her.

The epilogue was great, rounding out the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers theme with the arrival of the outraged fathers once the pass was clear. The confrontation in the chapel was terrific, especially when the pairings were revealed with one slightly surprising twist.

 

The Major Meets His Match - Annie Burrows (HH #1345 - Sept 2017)

Series: Brides for Bachelors (Book 1)

The major must wed

Wastrel, rebel, layabout…just a few of the names Lord Becconsall has hidden his quick intellect and sharp wit behind over the years. Recently titled, ex-military and required to wed, Jake views ton ladies with a cynical eye… Until he falls upon -- quite literally -- Lady Harriet Inskip.

After years of being overlooked, Harriet cannot believe that Lord Becconsall is the only person to truly see her. But between his taunts and her fiery disposition, it's soon clear that the major has finally met his match!

Good book. Harriet and Jack appear to be opposites at first glance. Harriet is young, innocent but also spirited, and rather stubborn. Raised in the country, she has had no training in what is expected of girls when they enter Society, instead experiencing a somewhat unusual upbringing. She has come to London with her aunt and cousin to participate in the Season but finds herself chafing at the restrictions placed on her by her aunt. She sneaks out one morning for a rousing ride, which is where she meets Jack.

Jack has recently and unexpectedly inherited the title, making it necessary for him to leave the army career that he liked. He has a reputation for being lazy and rebellious, and with the ascension to the title "encouraged" to marry as soon as possible. He has no intention of doing so, as he likes his life just as it is. He has recently reunited with three friends from school, though getting to know each other as adults has been a challenging undertaking. An all-night, drunken carouse and ill-advised wager has Jack literally falling at Harriet's feet.

Jack and his friends do not make a good first impression on Harriet. She is disgusted by his apparent disregard for the horse or the safety of those he encounters. She is stunned when he grabs her and kisses her, though she can't deny that he stirs up an unexpected reaction. His equally intoxicated friends make untoward comments to and about her. I enjoyed seeing her stand up to them, before fleeing their company. She has made a completely different impression on Jack, however, who defends her to his friends and is determined to find out who she is.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Harriet and Jack. They meet at various Society events where the sparks between them fly. Jack insists on teasing her, gaining great enjoyment from making her lose her temper, while Harriet gives as good as she gets when she can no longer hold back. But there is more going on than appears. Jack's seemingly juvenile teasing hides a lack of confidence in himself. As the youngest and smallest of three brothers, he was bullied by his brothers and regarded with disgust by his father, who called him "the runt of the litter." This continued through school, where he used humor and clowning around to distract those who tormented him. Even as an adult and military officer, he hid his emotions and intelligence behind a wall of foolishness as a way to avoid being rejected. Even his friends occasionally forget which is the real Jack. Harriet also feels out of her depth. As the only girl with three older brothers, she has felt ignored and invisible for most of her life. Her father has only been interested in his three sons. Her mother, who has a brilliant scientific mind, is oblivious to her obligations, leaving Harriet to fend for herself. She is stuck taking care of the household until her aunt sweeps her away to London. Though her aunt means well, her words frequently add to Harriet's feelings of inadequacy. Once Harriet and Jack begin to spend time together their teasing turns to friendship. I liked seeing them recognize their similarities and how that added to their growing feelings for each other. It was a little amusing to see Jack panic a bit when he realized that he was thinking about her far more than he was comfortable with. He is also surprised by the protectiveness he feels toward her. I loved his insistence on helping her with her quest, and his rather ingenious method of convincing her to let his friends help. I liked the ending, as they easily slipped into sharing hopes and ideas for their future.

I liked seeing the various relationships among the characters in the story. Jack's relationships with his three friends are at times close and at others quite awkward. His friend Zeus was especially irritating with his cynical attitude and arrogant behavior. I would have thoroughly disliked him, except for one incident that made him much more human and sympathetic. There was a scene involving the stakes of a wager that had Harriet dissolved in laughter and Jack's friends looking rather sheepish. I ached for Jack and the effect his father's attitude had on him. Harriet's mother annoyed me a lot. She was self-absorbed and rude. She had one brief instance of standing up for Harriet, but even that seemed to have selfish undertones. I wasn't too sure about Harriet's Aunt Susan at first, but she turned out to be pretty sweet. I liked the way that she wanted to give Harriet a chance to find a good husband. I liked Harriet's determination to repay her by clearing her name. Harriet's uncle was obnoxious through most of the book. I thought he was a terrible bully, to both Harriet and Aunt Susan.

There was an interesting secondary story regarding some missing jewels that contributed to Harriet's issues with her aunt and uncle. I liked the way that Harriet wanted to help, though her initial attempts got her into trouble. I liked Jack's protectiveness as he insisted on helping her and getting his friends involved also. There are some good leads that come to light, enabling Harriet to help her aunt. However, the mystery is not fully resolved, so I expect there will be more revealed in the next book.

I do have one concern that lingers after finishing the book. This is the first of a trilogy involving Jack and his three friends. Four men, three books - who gets left out and why?

The Art of Taming a Rake - Nicole Jordan (Ballantine - Feb 2016)

Series: Legendary Lovers (Book 4)

Despite his notorious reputation, Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne, has mostly honorable intentions. So when beautiful Venetia Stratham boldly enters a gentlemen’s club, demanding that Quinn stop courting her sister, he does what any bachelor would do: He kisses her. With her sharp wit, intoxicating passion, and surprising vulnerability, Venetia is irresistible -- except for all this nonsense about threatening to shoot Quinn. But when clandestine enemies make an actual attempt on the earl’s life, Venetia is implicated. To save her good name, Quinn does what any true gentleman must do: He proposes.

Thus Venetia finds herself wed to arrogant, wickedly sensual Quinn, whose devilish ways are as legendary as his rumored skills as a lover. Yet vexingly, her body rebels against her vow to remain immune to his many charms. If only she could reform the infuriating nobleman -- without diminishing his undeniable allure. As Venetia discovers that a true rake is hard to tame, Quinn faces an even greater challenge: winning his wife’s fragile trust . . . while defending both their lives.

Good story of two people, burned by love, who find themselves joined in a marriage of convenience. Two years earlier Venetia broke off her engagement on the steps of the church when her fiancé showed up for their wedding drunk, disheveled, and straight from his mistress's bed. Thanks to the resulting scandal, her parents banished her to France and refused to have anything to do with her. She has returned to England after hearing that Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne and notorious rake, is courting her younger sister. She is determined to prevent Ophelia from suffering the same heartbreak that she did. To that end, she disguises herself and confronts Quinn in the gentlemen's club where he is playing cards. But it does not go quite as she expected.

Quinn has earned his reputation as a rake. Years ago he fell in love with a woman who only wanted him for his title and his wealth. Since that time, he has avoided allowing his emotions to get involved, limiting his liaisons to women who know what to expect. In this instance, he has the best of intentions. He has long felt guilty for his part in Venetia's disgrace and has decided that appearing to court Ophelia will raise her up in Society's eyes. He is surprised by Venetia's appearance and somewhat amused by her demands.

I enjoyed this initial confrontation. Venetia is bold and determined to do what she must to protect her sister. Unfortunately, she gets into a bit of trouble when she is accosted by a drunken gambler. Quinn, who recognized her almost immediately, comes to her rescue by claiming her as his own with a searing kiss. A short discussion and agreement to meet the next day has them leaving by a discreet back entrance. Things go a bit sideways when Quinn is attacked by three thugs, but he fights them off and gets Venetia to safety. A second attack the next day delays his meeting with Venetia, and impatient; she shows up at his home, angry at being stood up. During another contentious discussion, Venetia pulls a pistol on Quinn at the same time someone takes a shot at him. Initially implicated in the attack, to protect Venetia's name, Quinn proposes marriage.

Venetia is not easy to convince. She had resigned herself to the life of a spinster thanks to the scandal of her non-wedding. Plus, the thought of marrying a man cut from the same cloth as her ex-fiancé does not make her happy. However, to keep her sister from suffering from the effects of another scandal involving Venetia, she agrees to a marriage in name only. Quinn had never seen himself entering into marriage but finds himself very protective of Venetia. Besides wanting to save her from more scandal, he is also afraid that whoever is trying to kill him would also hurt her.

I loved the development of their relationship. Venetia is determined not to trust Quinn. Because of her attraction to him, she can see herself being hurt when his inevitable infidelity occurs. Quinn is attracted and fascinated by Venetia but refuses to allow himself to fall in love. As they leave London for a time to allow Quinn's injury to heal and his friend to investigate the attacks, Venetia and Quinn are given the opportunity to get to know each other. As they do, Venetia discovers that Quinn is not the unrepentant rake that she thought he was. Instead, she finds an intelligent, charming and amazingly kind man that slowly overcomes her trust issues. For his part, Quinn finds Venetia to be honest, vibrant, and fun to talk to. Underneath it all is a simmering attraction that draws them even closer together. Though both resist the idea that they are falling in love, they don't deny the ever-growing passion. When they finally give in to it, the result is a far deeper connection than either expected. I loved seeing the mutual protectiveness, as Quinn worried about the assassin going after Venetia, and Venetia concerned that Quinn is putting his life at risk in attempting to draw the attacker out. It's rather fun to see them try to deny the feelings that are driving them while at the same time trying to figure out how to make the other one want to continue their marriage. It isn't until Venetia is in danger that Quinn can admit his feelings to himself. I loved his big moment at the end when he exposes his vulnerability to Venetia. It was a sweet and romantic beginning to the rest of their life together.

The mystery of the attacks on Quinn was very well done. The intensity of the attacks built with each incident, along with the puzzle of who is behind them. Quinn wonders if the attacks have something to do with the jewels that were supposedly lost during his parents' shipwreck deaths, but one of which is being worn by a former mistress of his. Or perhaps it is related to his work in building a steam-powered ship. Personally, I suspected the scorned mistress. The final confrontation was fast-paced and intense. One of my favorite things about it was that Venetia wasn't the helpless damsel in distress, but took an active and quite clever role in it. I did ache for Quinn when the motives behind it all were revealed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the various family dynamics. Quinn's relationships with his family members are close and loving, but also realistic. I loved his dual motivation in "courting" Ophelia - help her, and also get his cousin and sister off his back regarding getting married. I loved that they were there for Quinn when he needed them, both in making Venetia welcome and later in catching the bad guy. Venetia's relationship with her parents was starkly opposite. Their rejection of her because she refused to marry her cheating fiancé was so wrong. Even after she married Quinn, it took some not-so-veiled threats from him to get them to loosen up even a little bit. I did like her sister Ophelia, who was sweet and loving.

Once a Soldier - Mary Jo Putney (Zebra - July 2016)

Series: Rogues Redeemed (Book 1)

As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel's enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they'd dared imagine. . .

Terrific start to the new series. The book begins with Will a prisoner along with five other men, awaiting execution by the French. Thanks to a bit of luck brought on by a thrown wine bottle, Will discovers a way for all six men to escape. Drawn together by their experience, they make a pact to stay in touch.

Five years later the war is finally over and Will looks forward to going home to England. Before he leaves, his commanding officer asks him to escort a group of soldiers from San Gabriel back home and to check on the conditions in the small country. Upon his arrival, he discovers a country heavily damaged but determined to recover. Their king and prince are missing, having been taken prisoner by the French, and the country is led by their young princess, Sofia, aided by her friend and companion, Athena.

I loved the meeting between Will and Athena, as he is held at gunpoint until she is sure he is not another marauding soldier. Will is immediately smitten by the tall and fiercely protective Athena. Athena is attracted to him, but thanks to her past feels she is too far beneath him for anything but friendship. I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. First comes a deep friendship, aided by their work to help the people of San Gabriel. I loved their ability to talk honestly with each other. The scene where they shared the trials of their pasts was fantastic. Learning of Athena's past does nothing to dim Will's determination to win her heart. The attraction between them heats up with the sharing of some pretty intense kisses. I loved Will's patience as he works to overcome Athena's fears. There were a few times I wanted to shake her for letting her mother's reputation keep her from accepting Will's love for her. The danger of their situation brings some clarity to Athena's thinking and their attraction moves ahead. Their HEA is artfully engineered by Princess Sofia when Will and Athena nearly lose each other, though Athena still has her doubts. There is a delightful twist at the end that finally ends her fears.

There is a secondary romance between Princess Sofia and Will's friend Justin Ballard. Justin has come to help Will with the rebuilding of San Gabriel. He and Sofia experience the lightning bolt of love at first sight, but know that nothing can come of it. Sofia is a princess and will be Queen if her father and brother are not found. Justin is a Scottish merchant with great wealth but no pedigree. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other, deepening their feelings for each other yet accepting the reality of their circumstances. I couldn't wait to see how things were going to work out for them and I was not disappointed. It was especially fun to see Sofia take the lead in that scene.

The setting was a very important part of the whole story. I loved reading a Regency romance that did not take place in the ballrooms of London. Instead, we are treated to the Peninsula during and after the war. There is a realistic look at the ravages of the war upon the land and the people as we see how the people of San Gabriel coped with the devastation caused by the French. The descriptions of the land and the people were vivid, and I could easily picture them as I read. I could feel the hope blossoming after Will's arrival and the promise of the supplies they needed. The various repairs and projects were interesting and worked well to further the connections among the main characters. There was also the growing tension as Will felt the sense of impending danger. The scene by the river was fast-paced and exciting as Will, Athena, Sofia, and Justin faced down the French scouts. I loved seeing Sofia and Athena take the lead in a solution quite different than Will would have come up with. As Will discovers that his instincts were right, I was enthralled reading of their plans and preparations. The final confrontation was intense and felt realistic in the way it was portrayed, including the injuries. 

Soldier's Rescue - Betina Krahn (HHW #199 - Sept 2017)

Series: Single Father (Book 33)

He has to find good in the world again…

Warmhearted Kate Everly is a veterinarian with a special love for dogs. But she's about to find out if her inner strength and unique "puppy whisperer" skills extend to healing wounded humans, too.

Florida state trooper Nick Stanton, a struggling single dad, is former military, and his army exploits led him to avoid dogs with a passion. Then a fateful rescue on a lonely back road brings the veteran and the veterinarian together over a gravely injured dog. Before long, Kate has her hands and heart full with a man coming to terms with his traumatic past…

Fantastic book. Kate is a veterinarian with a special affinity for dogs. We first see her with some puppies that have been dropped off at the shelter by an unknown person, setting the stage for later events. Her warmth and compassion for the animals she cares for is obvious. Her skills are needed when a state trooper arrives with a dog that had been hit by a car.

Nick came across the injured golden retriever while out on patrol. Standing guard over the golden was a German shepherd who was very protective. The injured dog resurrects some hard memories for Nick, but he does what he needs to do. I loved his gentleness with the golden and the way he handled the German shepherd. It was fun to see the way that he talked to the dog.

Nick and Kate's first encounter was awesome. I loved the teamwork as they worked together to treat the golden. There were also some definite sparks flying between the two of them. Kate is wary, having recently ended one relationship and feeling too busy with work to want another. Nick is busy raising his son and dealing with his memories from his time in Iraq. Thanks to a mutual desire to put an end to a puppy mill and a dog-fighting ring, and the enthusiasm of Nick's son Ben when it comes to dogs, Nick and Kate find themselves spending a lot of time together.

I loved the development of their relationship. It is a slow process of getting to know each and learning what makes them who they are. Nick especially has some serious issues to overcome. I loved Kate's sensitivity and compassion as Nick opens up about some truly heartbreaking things that happened to him. It was awesome to see how sharing the pain helped lighten the burden of those memories. I also loved the way that Nick was there to support Kate during the heartbreaking hours of the puppy mill rescue operation. There were some conflicts when Nick's protectiveness toward Ben ran up against Kate's more relaxed style. It was fantastic to see that they were able to talk things over without resorting to dramatics. I liked how they embraced their deepening feelings for each other as a crisis tested them both. Nick's plans for the future were a perfect complement to Kate's work. The epilogue was great and I loved catching up with both two- and four-footed characters.

The concurrent story of the puppy mill and dog-fighting ring was intense and heartbreaking. I loved the bravery of Miguel and Alejandro as they took steps to help as many pups as they could. The rescue scene was scary and heartwrenching as Nick faced down the old woman who owned the dogs. The descriptions of the conditions of the dogs made me want to cry. The situation became even more intense later, when young Miguel went missing. My heart was pounding as Nick and the others searched for him. The confrontation with the dog fighters was fierce with an unexpected hero saving the day.

The secondary characters were all wonderful. I loved Nick's son Ben. He is bright and enthusiastic, and an endearing mix of kid and adult. I really liked the closeness of the relationship between Ben and Nick. Kate's grandmother was quite a trip with her farm full of rescued animals and unconventional views on raising kids. My favorite of all was the German shepherd, Soldier. I loved the way he protected Goldie and continued to watch over her. What was especially moving was the way he connected with Nick. I loved the way that Soldier helped Nick break free of the chains his memories of Iraq had on him. At the same time, Nick's attention to Soldier gave the dog a purpose to live again. I loved seeing Soldier come through for Nick at the end. There was also a brief mention at the end involving Kate's brother, Jace, and her vet partner, Jess. I will keep my eyes open to see if there will be a story for them.

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband - Julia Quinn (Avon - June 2017)

Series: Bridgerton Prequels/Rokesbys (Book 2)

While you were sleeping...

With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie...

I told everyone I was your wife

When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is even if he does not recall her face and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.

If only it were true...

Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself completely to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.

Good book. Cecilia is alone in the world after her father's death, except for her brother, a Captain in the army who is posted in the Colonies, and a very unpleasant cousin. When she receives word that her brother has been injured and her cousin makes unwelcome advances, she takes ship for America to nurse Thomas back to health. Unfortunately, when she arrives, Thomas is missing, and no one can tell her anything about him. She does discover that Thomas's best friend, Edward Rokesby, is in the hospital in a coma. If she can't help Thomas, at least she can help his friend - except that the powers-that-be won't allow anyone but family into the hospital. Desperate to help, she declares that she is Edward's wife, not thinking what will happen when he wakes up and exposes her lie.

When Edward regains consciousness, he's very confused. First, he's missing a large chunk of his memories from the last several months. Second, he recognizes Cecilia as his friend's sister, thanks to a miniature that Thomas had, but he doesn't remember marrying her. But with everyone around him treating her as such, he allows himself to be convinced.

I enjoyed the development of Edward and Cecilia's relationship. They had already become friends thanks to a long-running correspondence through sharing Thomas's letters. I loved the excerpts from those letters included at the beginning of each chapter. Each one showed a little bit more of the progression of their friendship. With Edward's release from the hospital, they are thrown into constant contact with each other. They are brought closer by their shared concern for Thomas and their determination to discover what had happened to him. Proximity also brings out other things. Edward is attracted to the woman he believes he is married to, but can't do anything about it until he is more fully recovered. I also loved his protective streak, as he found himself wanting to save her from worry over her brother. It was also sweet to see his realization that he had started to love her through her letters and to get to know her had finished the job. Cecilia has a rougher time of it. There is no doubt in her mind about how deeply she cares for Edward, but she feels horribly guilty about the lies she has told. First, she worries that telling him the truth could cause a relapse. She also fears what will happen to her once she does. Then the lies keep building up, and she continues to put off telling him the truth. She knows she has to tell him before he regains his memory, but she just can't bring herself to do it. I ached for Edward when the truth came out, first for his sense of betrayal and then for his fear that she doesn't really care about him. Cecilia's love for Edward has her wanting what is best for him, which she feels is not her. She can't bring herself to tell him face-to-face and tries to escape on her own. Edward's big moment is romantic and amusing, thanks to Cecilia's cabinmate and the ship's captain. The epilogue was great and has me anxiously awaiting Andrew's story.

The concurrent story of Thomas's whereabouts and what led to Edward's injury and memory loss was interesting. Edward's frustration over being unable to remember what had happened to him was obvious and heartbreaking. I fully understood his anger with his commander once his memories did return. I ached for both Edward and Cecilia as they learned more about what had happened to Thomas. Thomas's letter to Edward just about broke my heart.

I loved the setting of the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War. It is a time period rarely used during historical romances which is too bad. It seems to me that there is great opportunity for some more unusual storylines.

Wicked Cowboy Charm - Carolyn Brown (Forever - Feb 2017)

Series: Lucky Penny Ranch (Book 4)

ONE BLIZZARD, ONE BUNKHOUSE, AND A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE . . .

Josie Dawson is new in town, but it doesn't take a local to know that Deke Sullivan is trouble--in a smokin' hot package. He's sweet, sexy, and has charmed just about every woman in Dry Creek, Texas. Well, Josie won't be next. She'll keep her distance, even if he is great with babies and makes a mean cup of homemade hot chocolate.

Deke Sullivan really is a one-woman type of guy. He just had to do a lot of looking to find that one woman. Now he thinks he's found her and he won't let a strong, sassy gal like Josie slip away. Just when he's wondering how to convince her he only has eyes for her, they get stranded in a tiny cabin during a major blizzard. If Deke can melt her heart before they dig out of the snow, he'll be the luckiest cowboy in Texas . . .

I have been looking forward to Deke's story since he first appeared in Wild Cowboy Ways. He is a smooth-talking charmer of a man with a well-earned reputation as a ladies' man. He's known for his weekend antics, but no woman has been able to tempt him into more. He finds himself rather envious of the happiness his friends have found and wonders if there is someone out there for him, but is wary of picking the wrong one.

Josie Dawson is Jud's younger sister and partner in their fledgling oil business (Merry Cowboy Christmas). She is tall, blond, and independent. She has come to Dry Creek to set up oil drilling on the Lucky Penny and look for a ranch of her own for the rodeo stock she wants to acquire. She recently ended a relationship and had no plans to get involved in another one and figures she'll be too busy working anyway.

Fate has plans for Deke and Josie. One look at each other over a couple of bags of goat feed has the sparks flying, but there are obstacles. Josie is kin to his best friends, and there are rules about that type of thing. Getting involved with her could create a whole host of problems. For Josie, she has been warned about Deke and his reputation. She's been burned once by a man who couldn't stick with one woman; she wasn't about to go down that road again.

I loved the development of Josie and Deke's relationship. From the moment they met there is a connection. Because Deke has always been like a member of the Logan sisters' family, that relationship has continued and included their Dawson husbands. There are some good scenes early on where Josie gives as good as she gets when Deke's teasing gets going. She also can't deny the attraction she feels, though she does her best to ignore it.  Deke and Josie discover that they're both headed to Montana to look at bulls for their ranches, though Josie is relieved to know that they are headed to different parts of the state. Mother Nature throws a kink in Josie's plans when a winter storm cancels her sale, so she asks around for another one she can go to instead. Sure enough, she finds herself at the same ranch as Deke, where they both get snowed in.

I loved this week with Deke, Josie, Deke's dog Rascal, and ranch owner Emmett. Emmett is a real character of a man with a pretty wicked sense of humor. Deke and Josie end up sharing a very small bunkhouse, giving them the opportunity to really get to know each other. I loved seeing a real friendship grow over the sharing of ranch chores, meals, and long hours of not much to do but talk. There is a really sweet scene where Deke's cowboy gentleman comes out as he saves Josie from a vicious spider without even a hint of laughing at her. There is also a proposition from their host that will give Deke and Josie an unexpected boost in their individual ranch plans and bring them even closer together. Simmering under all that friendship and business talk is an attraction that just keeps getting stronger. By the time they head back to Texas, together this time, neither can deny the heat. Their trip home is filled with further adventures, from trying to outrun more storms to delivering a baby.

By this time Deke knows that he has finally met the one that could make his dreams come true. The problem is trying to convince Josie of that fact. Things look pretty good until a bit of Deke's past makes her wonder if she's made another mistake. Deke is left having to work for the attention of the woman he wants. I have to say that he came through with flying colors thanks to the dates he came up with. My favorite was the first one, with the hints that led up to it and the thought he put into it. The second showed just how much he had changed, and the third was just plain smoking. I loved the reactions when he was seen sharing a hymnal at church, and walking out of the service together. Deke's big moment right before Valentine's Day was sweet and romantic.

The couples from the previous books make appearances, but my favorite secondary characters were Emmett and Martha. He is sweet, a little bit lonely, and a lot of fun.  It was so wonderful to see how quickly he became a friend to Deke and Josie. I loved his stories about his late wife and his current lady friend, Martha. His proposal to Deke and Josie about the bulls and his future was incredible. The fun really picked up when Martha arrived. Her sense of humor was even more wicked than Emmett's. She and Josie had some hilarious conversations, especially over some apple pie moonshine. I loved Martha's reaction to Emmett's plans and what she did about it. I loved the decisions they made after visiting Dry Creek and would love to see more of them. Another fun character was Deke's dog, Rascal. He was described so well that I could picture him easily. I really loved the descriptions of his reactions to the snow in Montana, and the way he kissed up to Emmett. "His" gift to Emmett when Deke and Josie and he were ready to leave was adorable.

Merry Cowboy Christmas - Carolyn Brown (Forever - Sept 2016)

Series: Lucky Penny Ranch (Book 3)

THIS CHRISTMAS, SANTA'S WEARING A STETSON

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house is the presence of one wickedly hot cowboy who's come to stay for the holiday. Fiona Logan is downright shocked to return to her childhood home and find that the tall blond stranger who came to her rescue on an icy road will be sleeping just across the hall from her bedroom. Talk about temptation . . .

Jud Dawson never believed the Lucky Penny Ranch would live up to its name until now. Fiona is gorgeous, smart, funny, and everything he thought he'd never find. Now all he has to do is convince her to stick around town instead of hightailing it back to Houston. But with wild weather, nosy neighbors, and a new baby in the family, getting her to admit that she's falling in love might just take a Christmas miracle.

Good book. The third in the series, this one is about Jud Dawson, cousin to Blake and Toby, and co-owner of the Lucky Penny Ranch. He is the last to move to the ranch as he had a previous job commitment to finish. He's looking forward to putting down roots and building a place for future generations of Dawsons. All he needs now is to find the right woman to have everything he wants. I really liked Jud. He's easygoing, sweet, and hardworking. I loved the way that he could see the fun in almost any situation.

Fiona is the third of the Logan sisters and the one who flew the nest the furthest. Now she is back in Dry Creek, but not entirely by her choice. She isn't looking forward to telling her family about her failed marriage and the loss of her career but after a year of barely making ends meet she is at the end of her rope. She has come home to regroup and reconnect with her family before looking for another job in a city. She is smart, sassy, and has a bit of that red-headed temper going for her.

I loved the development of their relationship. From the moment he and Fiona met, Jud was pretty much a goner. But instead of a full frontal assault, Jud takes things slowly. I loved seeing them develop a good friendship first. From late night talks over leftovers or cookies and milk to conspiring to rehabilitate the grouchy couple who created such trouble in the previous books, Jud and Fiona slowly get to know each other. I loved the way that Jud really understood Fiona. She has never felt like she really fit in her family or the town, but came to realize that the city wasn't right for her. With a little bit of experience under her belt, she discovers that home is much more important to her than she had thought. I loved watching her settle into life in Dry Creek. The relationship between Fiona and Jud also began to heat up, and both realized that there was something deeper growing between them. But when Fiona is offered the chance to go back to the city, she has a decision to make. Give up her new life in Dry Creek and fly away, or put down those roots she hadn't realized she wanted? I loved Jud's support of whatever decision she made and how it helped her see the truth. I loved the ending and how everything came together for them.

I loved seeing more of the previous couples and the scenes with baby Audrey were adorable. There was an interesting minor thread dealing with Jud's plans to look for oil on the Lucky Penny and the possible involvement of his sister Josie. It made a nice lead into the next book. But the most unexpected and fun was the big part that Truman and Dora June O'Dell played. The two of them had caused a lot of trouble in the previous books with their negative attitudes. In this book, their house burned down, and Fiona's mother invited Truman and Dora June to stay with them. The young people are horrified but obey Katy's "love your neighbor" directive. It doesn't take too long for them to see a different side to Dora June and I loved seeing her quickly make a place for herself. Truman was a harder nut to crack. It was hilarious to see Jud take him on as a project, and his methods were ingenious. The Santa Claus thing was a riot. Truman's Christmas gift to Dora June showed just how much he'd changed.