Detective Defender - Marilyn Pappano (HRS #1957 - Aug 2017)

"Someone knows, Martine. And they're coming after us."

Martine Broussard has never forgotten the terrible night years ago that drove her and her best friends apart. Now a vengeful someone is brutally killing each woman involved. Martine has one chance at survival -- and that's the one person she distrusts most! And the passion flaring between them is anything but safe…

Rule-breaking New Orleans detective Jimmy DiBiase wastes no time putting Martine under his 24/7 personal protection. His bad-boy ways caused them to fall out years ago; now all he wants is to guard her and end this nightmare. With every lead they follow, every secret they can't hide sparks a hunger neither can resist -- even as a killer's vicious end game turns desire into a devastating trap.

Good second chance romance mixed with some pretty intense suspense. Martine is surprised when she gets a phone call from an old friend she hasn't seen in twenty-four years. Pauline wants to see her and tells her that someone is killing their group over a teenage prank. Martine is reluctant to believe it until Pauline ends up dead also. Jimmy is the lead detective on the case. He and Martine have a history together, one that he regrets and would like to change.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Martine is still angry at Jimmy over the fact that he had still been married when he made a pass at her. She's made her feelings known every time they encountered each other over the year, which was fairly often, as Jimmy's partner is her best friend's husband. But she can't deny her relief at his presence now. Jimmy has had a bad boy reputation for a long time, especially with the ladies, but now he's ready for something different. He just has to convince her that he has changed. Martine remembers how attracted she was to him before she found out he was married and discovers that she still is. She's wary of trusting him again. I loved their conversations as Martine begins to see and accept that Jimmy has changed for the better. His protectiveness and sensitivity showed her a side of him she had never seen before. Their attraction simmers away as Jimmy sticks close to her until it finally comes to a boil. One of the things that I loved about them is that both are mature enough to talk about the things that caused their problems and work through them. I loved seeing how their coming together made him realize how deep his feelings for her really were. Martine also accepted her feelings for him but wasn't ready to risk telling him. Nearly losing each other in the final confrontation opened their eyes to what was important. I loved their big moment in the end, especially Martine's final line.

The suspense of the story was very good. Martine's first contact with Pauline brought back the memories of the event that had driven them apart. Martine could see Pauline's fear and wanted to help, but Pauline ran before she could. The discovery of Pauline's body and what was done to it gave a good indication of just how creepy and evil this killer was. I wanted to shake Martine the first time she talked to Jack and Jimmy for not telling them everything and loved that they both knew she wasn't. She wasn't fully convinced she was in danger until her first contact from the killer. Several people became possible suspects, and just as I would settle on one, something else would make me lean towards another. As the tension built, I kept waiting for the killer to find a way to get to Martine in spite of Jimmy's efforts to keep her safe. The final confrontation provided a couple of surprising twists, including who ended up taking down the killer.

From Kiss to Queen - Janet Chapman (Jove - July 2016)

Jane Abbott knows that she's nobody special, so instead of looking for romance she's hunting partridge in the Maine woods when a plane crashes into a nearby pond. Diving in to save the pilot, Jane instinctively gives him air by way of a lifesaving kiss, and leads him to safety through a barrage of gunfire.

The handsome stranger returns the favor by kidnapping her.

Clearly no ordinary man, and insisting Jane's life is in danger, Mark spirits his stubborn guardian angel to an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean. Only then does she discover that the mysterious Mark is actually Prince Markov Lakeland.

Soon to be crowned king of the young country of Shelkova, can Mark persuade Jane that she has what it takes to be his queen?

Fantastic book. Classic Janet Chapman, with a strong female and very alpha male, who strike sparks off each other from the beginning. I laughed out loud so many times during this book, as Jane and Mark would go head to head, each trying to get their own way. Jane is hunting in the woods when she witnesses a plane being shot out of the sky. It lands in the water, and she immediately dives in to save the pilot. She has to give him air a couple times via a lifesaving kiss before she can get him free of the wreckage. She leads him through the woods to safety, evading their pursuers along the way. Jane, who is quite confident in the woods that are her home, has no trouble bossing Mark around. Mark, who is obviously more accustomed to bossing rather than being bossed, has no choice but to allow it while he recovers from the crash, but he obviously doesn't like it. By the time they have reached safety, he has recovered and refuses to leave his "guardian angel" behind, at the mercy of those who are after him. When she resists, he simply kidnaps her.

I loved both Jane and Mark. Jane is an intriguing mix of confidence and insecurity. In the woods, and working as a guide, she is confident in her abilities. But outside of that, she sees herself as less than a nobody. She is an orphan, raised first by nuns, then by an older couple who weren't especially loving. She limps from a childhood injury and doesn't consider herself attractive at all. This isn't helped by the way she is treated by the men she encounters. She is also stubborn, kind, smart and curious. Mark is the oldest son of the king of a newly emerging country, who is soon to become the king himself. He was in America looking for a bride when he encountered Jane. He is just as stubborn as she is. And extremely protective of his "angel."

I loved the relationship that developed between Mark and Jane. He was intrigued and captivated by her from the very beginning. She also frustrated the daylights out of him. He is determined to keep her safe and drags her off to Shelkova to do so. He is also determined to make her his queen, but convincing her is an uphill battle. Jane doesn't believe that she is the type of woman a man like Mark would want. She's certainly attracted to him, and believes that he's attracted to her, but that it will end as soon as she gets him to safety. Once she finds out exactly who he is, she is doubly certain that she has no place in his life. She fights against his plans with all her might, feeling completely out of her depth. I loved their interactions, as she stands up against his bossiness, treating him just like any guy who gets on her wrong side. At the same time, Mark really wants to win her over. I loved the way that he slowly begins to understand her and how her mind works. There are some fantastic scenes on the aircraft carrier, with the push and pull of their relationship heating up. I also loved Jane's down-to-earth attitude around all the pomp and circumstance, and the reactions of those around her to her treatment of Mark. She also had incredible compassion and kindness in the midst of adversity that drew Mark to her even more.

Once they arrive in Shelkova, the pressure really heats up. Mark is determined she'll be his wife, and Jane is equally certain that she is not what he needs. His family gets into the act, with his father leading the way. Reynard is just as much a rogue and charmer as his son and is enchanted by Jane. I loved his efforts to show Jane how wonderful she is. Mark's three brothers are great, and I loved them all. Mark's aunt Irina is fantastic, as she becomes a true friend and confidant for Jane. All of them together work hard to show Jane that she's loved, wanted and needed by them and by the country. Jane still has her doubts, and I loved Mark's understanding of those and her actions as she tests those doubts. The story doesn't end with the fairytale wedding, but we also get to see them settle in to married life and Jane into being Queen. There are awesome scenes of Jane as she breaks traditions right and left and helps move the country into the modern age.

But not everything is sunshine and roses, and trouble strikes a few months into the marriage. Jane and Irina are kidnapped, then kidnapped from the kidnappers. The following days are tense, but also have some lighter moments. There's a fun twist to the end, once Mark arrives on the scene. The epilogue is fun, as Jane plans her revenge on one of the second kidnappers. There was one question left hanging (the sex of the expected baby) but I have a feeling I know the answer. I can't wait for the next book.

Colton Undercover - Marie Ferrarella (HRS #1939 - Apr 2017)

Series: Coltons of Shadow Creek (Book 2)

On the hunt for escaped criminal mastermind Livia Colton, FBI agent Josh Howard knows just where to start: the fugitive's family. Namely, Livia's eldest daughter, Leonor Colton, who was very close to her criminal mother. Could the alluring museum curator be hiding the Colton matriarch? Maybe.

Undercover as a billionaire art collector, Josh is invited into Leonor's life. He's surprised to find that the heiress, betrayed by an ex and at odds with her siblings, needs a strong shoulder, and there Josh is all ears. But when an attempt is made on Leonor's life, Josh finds his cover is about to be blown along with his unexpected true feelings for his Colton connection.

Very good book. Leonor first appeared in the previous book, Colton's Secret Son, when she showed up at her stepfather's ranch, looking for a place to stay for a little while. At the beginning of this one, we learn that she is trying to get her life back together after being betrayed by the man she thought she loved. Instead, he took her confidences about her family and plastered them across the internet, then helped himself to her bank account. Her siblings are mad at her for spilling family secrets. I loved her stepfather, Mac, who is awesome in not judging and just being there for her. He also finally tells her to stop hiding and get out of the house for a while. As she prepares to eat lunch at a restaurant, she is accosted by another lone diner, who asks if they can eat together. Leonor is wary, still reeling from her ex's betrayal.

Josh is an FBI agent who has been assigned to get close to Leonor. He and his boss believe that Leonor is the one who helped her mother escape from prison, and Josh is determined to find the proof. He is posing as a billionaire art collector who was to display some of his art at the museum where she is a curator. He senses that she needs someone to talk to and he is more than willing.

I loved the development of their relationship. It starts out slow, with Leonor very wary of Josh. She's been burned by her ex and trusting another man isn't going to be easy. Josh is also suspicious of her because of who she is and his belief in her complicity with her mother. But the more time they spend together, the more Josh comes to believe that she is innocent. He sees a woman who is protective of her family and hurting from the things that have happened. At the same time, Leonor starts to lose her wariness and believe that Josh is just what he seems - a nice guy with the same interest in art that she has, though she still gets the occasional twinge of doubt. But as the attraction between them builds, Josh starts to feel really guilty about his deception.

Then two attempts are made on Leonor's life, and Josh is suddenly much more interested in keeping her safe. But can he do that and still keep his cover? I ached for them both when the truth comes out, because Leonor had finally started to believe in herself again and the betrayal really hit her hard. I loved that Josh 'fessed up properly, and still insisted that he was going to protect her whether she wanted him to or not. I loved the whole "Go to hell" and his response that after she's safe he'll "look into hotter accommodations". I really enjoyed his protectiveness and refusal to back off. Leonor does her best to resist him, but her heart won't let her hold on to her anger. I loved Josh's big moment at the end and his combination of confidence and vulnerability.

The suspense was great as Josh and Leonor try to figure out who has it in for her. The logical assumption is that her mother, Livia, is trying to get even for Leonor not helping her. An attack at the museum's fundraising gala nearly succeeds, leaving Leonor fighting for her life and Josh fighting for her. An unexpected visitor to Leonor's hospital room shines a different light on what happened, and stuns Josh when he finds out about it. The identity of the attacker isn't a complete surprise, but it wraps up this book quite well. 

Manhunt on Mystic Mesa - Cindi Myers (HI #1728 - Aug 2017)

Series: Ranger Brigade: Family Secrets (Book 3)

A rule-following ranger finds himself on the hunt for a killer -- and falling for a woman who should be off-limits…

On the hunt for a serial killer, ranger Ryan Spencer can't afford any distraction. But Jana Lassiter, sister to one of the missing women, won't let Ryan investigate Mystic Mesa alone. Even though the seasoned officer has always been by the book, something tells him it wouldn't be so bad to break a few rules for Jana.

When Jana's life is suddenly jeopardized, the lawman is forced to face his darkest fears. He's allowed desire to overshadow duty. Now he has to rein in his emotions to save Jana from becoming the next victim. Because losing this woman he's inexplicably fallen for will destroy this warrior forever.

Good book. Questions continue about just what a man calling himself "The Prophet" is up to. Three young women are missing, each of whom may have had some connection to him. The sister of one of those girls, Jana Lassiter, has come to town to find out what has happened to her sister. She insists on following ranger Ryan Spencer, even though he tries to tell her it's against the rules. But something about Jana has Ryan reconsidering his position, and when she is attacked keeping her safe is more important than the rules.

There are sparks between Ryan and Jana from the beginning. Ryan finds her quite distracting, but also admires her determination. Jana is equally attracted to Ryan, and better yet, comes to trust him. Ryan's protectiveness really comes out when she is targeted, though he also has to balance it with her need for independence. There were some really good scenes of the push and pull between them as they learned to compromise over their needs. I also really liked Ryan's support of Jana when her fears for her sister would overwhelm her. He never tried to sugar coat things, but he wasn't unnecessarily harsh either. I liked seeing Jana fall for Ryan's kindness and sensitivity. I loved seeing them give in to their attraction and how it brought them even closer. I liked their big moment at the end, as they confessed their feelings and that they wanted to see where it would lead.

The mystery of the three missing young women was really well done. The Rangers' first suspect is the Prophet because of the way that young women are so drawn to him. Through the previous books and into this one, there's still the feel that the man is up to something unsavory. There is also the head of the archaeological dig taking place at Mystic Mesa. He was the last one to see Jenny, and was known to be carrying on with her, even though he is married. The question is, is there any connection with the other two missing girls? Then there is Eric, the newspaper reporter who claims to be engaged to Jenny. He is brash, cocky, and insists that he is just the person to break the case wide open. I ached for the members of the Brigade, each time another body was found and the clues seemed to go nowhere. I started to get a feeling for who was behind it, but it still came as a bit of a shock when the final confrontation came. I loved that Jana kept her head and refused to give in to fear. My heart was in my throat as I waited for Ryan to connect the dots and get to her in time.

The Maverick Fakes a Bride! - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2557 - July 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 1)

Do You Take This (Faux) Fiancée?

Rust Creek Ramblings

All the single ladies in Rust Creek Falls know Travis Dalton. And they all know the sexy, rascally rancher is not the marrying kind. So how is it that our town's most notorious bachelor has wound up engaged on a Western reality TV show?

We here at the Gazette are pleased The Great Roundup has chosen our hometown heartbreaker as a contestant. And we are definitely rooting for Travis's unexpected union with childhood friend Brenna O'Reilly, the one girl we believe can keep this cowboy on his toes. But is it true this betrothal is strictly a fabrication for the cameras? Pass the popcorn, dear readers. We suspect this made-for-TV romance could be headed straight for a Hollywood happy ending!

Very good book. It had me hooked from the first page to the last, and has me hoping to see more of Travis and Brenna in later books. Travis is determined to win a spot on The Great Roundup reality show. The winner gets a million dollars and he has plans for that money. But he runs into a snag when the producers want to know if he has a girlfriend. So he stretches the truth and says yes, not expecting them to insist on meeting her. Not only that, they turn said girlfriend into a fiancée. Desperate to make the final cut, Travis goes to Brenna and proposes a deal: she pretends to be his fiancée and he'll split the money with her if they win.

Brenna has loved Travis since she was six years old, but he always considered her too young for him. Helping him out with this will do two things for her: earn the money to make her future plans happen, and give her the chance to show Travis that she's a grown woman.

I loved the development of their relationship. From their appearance at the Ace in the Hole and Brenna's "audition" for the show, to the very end, their chemistry is fantastic. Spending as much time together as they do, thanks to the show, just confirms to Brenna that she loves Travis and nothing is going to change that. For Travis, his attraction to Brenna comes as a surprise and he does his best at the beginning to fight it. It's a losing battle, and I loved watching him fall. There is some drama provided by a rodeo queen who has set her sights on Travis, and some terrific scenes of Brenna staking her claim. There's a sweet scene involving Travis, a bottle of whiskey, and some alcohol induced confessions, that brings hope to Brenna that they may have a future together, even though he is still fighting his feelings. I loved seeing them give in to their attraction as it deepened their connection. Their night back at the Lodge was steamy and funny too, and I loved their appropriation of some of the room's "amenities". The end of the filming, including the agreed upon special event, brought everything to a thrilling conclusion. I loved their big moment at the end, with Travis finally realizing his feelings. His sensitivity to her fears opened the door for them to really talk. I loved what they decided and would love to be a fly on the wall when they are finally able to talk about it.

I really enjoyed the reality show setting. It was fun to see Travis's preparations and how he dealt with the audition process. Once the filming started, I loved the various challenges and seeing how they were handled. The diverse personalities made things even more interesting. I loved the friendships that were made, especially with Steve and Roberta. I even enjoyed the rodeo queen, Summer, because her actions helped show what a great guy Travis was. I'd love to see reactions when the show airs.

*copy received in exchange for honest review

A Son for the Cowboy - Sasha Summers (HWR #1650 - July 2017)

Series: Boones of Texas (Book 5)

IT'S TIME TO DADDY UP!

For retired rodeo queen Poppy White, settling down in the picturesque little town of Stonewall Crossing, Texas, had seemed ideal. Until Toben Boone showed up on her doorstep. It had been a lifetime since their explosive one-night encounter in Cheyenne. Her son Rowdy's lifetime. And she hadn't heard a word since.

Toben was still easy on the eyes, still able to set her pulse racing -- and still breaking the hearts of buckle bunnies all over the circuit, she had no doubt. But if he thought his boyish cowboy charm, dangerous dimples and baby blues were going to sweep her off her feet again, he was in for a big surprise. A big six-year-old surprise!

Good book. After years of traveling on the rodeo circuit, Poppy is looking forward to settling down with her son and her new business. She had fallen in love with Stonewall Crossing during one of her rodeo trips and can't wait to settle in. That is, until she recognizes the cowboy peering in her shop window. She hasn't seen Toben Boone in almost seven years - since the night he snuck out of their hotel room, and ignored every attempt she made to contact him.

Toben left the rodeo circuit several years earlier and now works on the family ranch. He's never forgotten Poppy, though he certainly tried. He's surprised to see her in Stonewall Crossing, but stunned at the news that he's a father. At first he's angry that she hadn't told him, until he realizes that it's his own fault that he didn't know. Now he's determined to be a good father to Rowdy.

There is a whole bunch of emotion flying around during this book. Anger, hurt, fear, and ultimately, love. Poppy is justifiably angry at Toben for not being there for her when she discovered she was pregnant. She was also hurt by what she saw as his rejection, causing her to build up walls around her heart so she wouldn't suffer like that again. She is also very protective of Rowdy, and lets Toben know in no uncertain terms that if he can't commit to being the father Rowdy deserves he'd best just stay away. She will not let Toben hurt Rowdy the way he hurt her.

Toben knows he screwed up big time. That night he spent with Poppy had affected him deeply and that scared him to pieces, so he ran. Then he missed her so much, and felt so guilty, that he ignored all her attempts to contact him. He tried to forget her using drink and women, but that didn't work either. So now he works, doesn't allow himself to get close to any woman, and tries to deal with the hole in his heart.

I loved the development of their relationship. Toben is determined to show Poppy that he can be trusted with Rowdy. I loved the immediate bond between father and son. They were so awesome together. There is also no denying that the chemistry between Toben and Poppy is as strong as ever. Poppy is determined that she will not fall for him again, not trusting that he won't leave again. Toben is equally determined to show her that he has changed and that he wants them to be a family. It isn't easy, and he stumbles a couple times, but he's hopeful that love will conquer all.

Toben had some really sweet scenes as he gets to know Rowdy. There are also some pretty steamy ones as his feelings for Poppy keep growing. I was really impressed with everything he did to show Poppy how much he wanted to be with them. I understood Poppy's fear of being hurt again, but there were times that I wanted to shake her and tell her to give the man a chance. I did like seeing her relax around the Boone family and realize that they wanted to be her family too. I was happy to see her finally realize that she loved him and could trust him. The epilogue was really sweet, and I loved how Rowdy was keeping them in line right before the wedding.

A Cowboy to Call Daddy - Sasha Summers (HWR #1635 - Mar 2017)

Series: Boones of Texas (Book 4)

A DISTRACTION HE DOESN'T NEED!

Archer Boone's whole life revolves around his work at his family's ranch and horse refuge. Animals are just so much less complicated than people. But he needs to get the refuge's financial paperwork in order so he can secure his funding. When Eden Caraway arrives to work on his books, Archer can't afford to be distracted by the beautiful single mom and her two adorable daughters.

Eden Caraway is really Eden Monroe, and she is determined to earn her father's respect. So if he wants to pull funding from Archer Boone's horse refuge, she'll make it happen. But Eden is falling for Archer, and she dreams of staying at Boone Ranch. How can she reveal her real reason for being there and risk losing her heart?

Good book. Archer runs the horse refuge on his family's ranch. He much prefers dealing with the animals rather than people. He is in the middle of trying to get the refuge's financial paperwork in order before one of their donor's board meetings so that he can secure more funding. It isn't going so well, as his surly attitude has driven away every temp accountant who has tried.

Eden is on her way to the ranch to check the paperwork. Her father is one of the board members and is determined to pull the funding from the refuge. She's been trying to earn his respect for years, and maybe finding the information he wants will do it. But when she arrives at the ranch, Archer mistakes her for the next temp and puts her to work right away, and she doesn't enlighten him.

I liked the development of their relationship. There are sparks between them from the start, but both try to resist. Archer because she's an employee and because he just doesn't do relationships. Eden because she is lying to him about who she is and has no intention of staying around. But Eden finds herself admiring the work that Archer is doing and more and more reluctant to go along with her father's plans. Add in the softer side of him that she sees when he is around her daughters and she knows that she is in trouble. Archer discovers that Eden and her girls have worked their way past the walls he has around his heart. He doesn't quite know what to do with the feelings he has for them. It was sweet to see him with little Ivy. I especially enjoyed the scene at the vet hospital with the kitten. I liked the way that Archer's appreciation of Eden's abilities with the paperwork and her girls gives her a boost of confidence she never gets from her hypercritical father and ex-husband. The more they are together, the more Archer wants Eden to stay around. Eden wants to stay also, but her guilt over her deception is tearing her up. She knows she has to come clean before they can move forward, but she's afraid of his reaction. I ached for her when she did and it was as bad as she expected. Luckily for Archer, his dad had some very good advice for him. I liked his big moment at the end, as a bit of his vulnerability showed through the gruff exterior.

As for the funding of the refuge, Eden discovered that there was much more going on there than she had expected. She didn't understand her father's attitude, especially considering her late mother's support of the refuge. Some conversations with Archer's father, and the chance to read her mom's letters to Archer's mom, brought about some new insight. There was an unexpected appearance by Eden's ex, who tried to apply his own pressure. There was a surprising twist at the end, which answered many of Eden's questions. It also gave her the ammunition she needed to present to the board in Archer's favor. I loved seeing her stand up to her father, and disliked him even more by the end of the book.

I also enjoyed the secondary story involving Eden's nanny and Archer's father. Teddy is a great guy and I loved his support of Eden, as well as the close relationship he has with his family. It was sweet to see him with the little girls, and finding a second chance at love.