The Texan Takes a Wife - Charlene Sands (HD #2551 - Nov 2017)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail (Book 11)

A temporary tryst with a sexy Texan…no problem, right?

All it takes is a daring out-of-character ride on a mechanical bull to send Erin Sinclair straight into the arms of one fine-looking cowboy. With Royal, Texas, on edge over the criminal targeting their secrets, she needs to blow off steam.

Dan Hunt is happy to give the ex-nanny the time of her life, but the rich rancher insists he doesn't do relationships. With Erin leaving Royal in a matter of weeks, why not have a no-strings affair? Even if it feels like it could be the commitment of a lifetime…

Good book. Erin came to Royal from Seattle to work as a nanny. That job ended when her employer fell in love, so Erin is at loose ends until she returns to Seattle at the end of the year.  After a night out with friends at a local bar, Erin decides to try a ride on the mechanical bull. She quickly finds herself flat on her back, staring into the eyes of a big, hunky cowboy.

Dan was more than happy to be the one to pick Erin up. He'd noticed her earlier and been drawn to her. As he walked her to her car, they witnessed a dog get hit by a car. As they work together to care for the dog, attraction simmers between them. They fall into bed together for a night of passion, but reality hits the next morning. Dan makes it clear that he doesn't do relationships and since Erin is leaving soon, they leave it at that.

But neither can forget the other. When Erin agrees to help her friend Chelsea in her investigation into the person blackmailing members of the Texas Cattleman's Club, she discovers that Dan is Chelsea's brother. As the two work together to help Chelsea, they find themselves combining investigation with passion as the attraction burns between them.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dan and Erin. Besides the obvious physical attraction, it was clear that they liked each other. I loved their time together riding, taking care of Dan's many rescued animals, and just being together. As time goes on, Erin realizes that her feelings are more than a fling and that she wants more from Dan. A pregnancy scare brings home just how far apart they are. Dan likes being with Erin, and he's happier than he's been in a long time. But he doesn't believe in happy-ever-afters thanks to his mom's abandonment of the family. I ached for them both on Thanksgiving Day, as Dan witnesses Erin's joy at her friends' engagement and her happiness holding baby Faye, and realizes that he can't give her what she needs. As his guilty feelings over hurting Erin begin to build, he distances himself emotionally. I liked Erin's strength as she left early for her new job as a way to end things with Dan quickly and cleanly. I hurt for them both as their unhappiness at being apart was obvious. I loved Chelsea's sneaky way of getting Dan to face his fears and realize the truth of his feelings. His big moment at the end was awesome, especially considering his strong and silent personality.

There is more progress on the search for the blackmailer known as Maverick. Though a couple of leads didn't work out, at the end there is one that looks quite promising. I am looking forward to the next and final book in this series and the resolution of the mystery.

Tempted by the Wrong Twin - Rachel Bailey (HD #2534 - Aug 2017)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail (Book 8)

Harper Lake can't believe she bedded her boss after a wild night at a masked ball. But then she finds out it was actually his identical twin, Nick Tate! And she's carrying his babies!

With his own set of twins on the way, Nick knows that proposing to Harper is the only next step. Yet the former navy SEAL is battling some deeply buried demons. Welcoming Harper back into his bed is the easy part. Finding true love and wedded bliss will be the ultimate test…and temptation.

Good book. Harper is normally very quiet and reserved, but the night of the TCC masquerade ball she found herself unexpectedly attracted to her boss, Malcolm Tate. Even more confusing, on the next work day, she felt none of those sparks and Malcolm behaved as if nothing happened. That is until she gave him the news that she was pregnant. The resulting conversation was puzzling - until she opened her door that evening and found Malcolm's twin brother Nick on the other side.

Nick is a former SEAL who is now his brother's silent partner in their company. He works from home because he has some PTSD issues that have turned him into something of a hermit. He is also battling his ex-wife, who wants to keep his daughter Ellie from him. When he hears Harper's news, he is determined to be a part of his babies' lives.

I liked the development of Nick and Harper's relationship. Neither had been able to forget their encounter, and they quickly discovered that the chemistry between them was still strong. Harper had planned to go home to her mother for help in caring for the twins, but Nick doesn't want her to leave and proposes that they get married instead. Harper is hesitant, but Nick brings up some good points. First, she'll have the support she needs because he will be there. Second, if they are married, there is little chance that they would become targets of the unknown blackmailer known as Maverick. Third, their marriage will protect the company from any scandal resulting from their relationship. And fourth, being married will help Nick in his custody suit for his daughter Ellie. Though they agree that their marriage is business only, the attraction between them burns hotter each day.

Both Harper and Nick have some issues that have to be dealt with. The biggest is Nick's PTSD and the way he handles it. I ached for him and the pain and guilt he was carrying. As the strong, silent type, he was determined to keep his problems away from his relationship with Harper. I loved her strength of will and compassion as she refused to be shut out. Her solution was brilliant, and I loved seeing what a difference it made in Nick's life. Harper has her own fears to deal with. A childhood in a broken home has created abandonment issues, and Nick's methods of dealing with his PTSD aggravate those issues. But Harper has discovered that she's stronger than she thinks and stands up against Nick's attempts to pull away.

I loved the way that they took the time to get to know each other. Though they did things backward - first baby, then marriage, then getting to know each other, it worked for them. Nick's idea of dating, even though they were married, was inspired, and I loved the things he did. There was such a deep well of romanticism in that man and Harper was lucky to be on the receiving end. I also liked how Harper was able to get Nick to open up to her. Though each of them fought their feelings, it didn't take all that long for love to grow between them. Though Nick almost let his fears win, in the end, he trusted in Harper and her strength. The scene at the waterfall was sweet and romantic.

There was a little talk of the blackmailer, Maverick. His identity is still unknown, and in this book, there is no activity from him. Nick's ex-wife's scumbag fiancé tries using the threat of giving Maverick information about Nick to turn the custody battle. I was a little surprised at the way that turned out, but Melissa redeemed herself a little bit in that scene. I am looking forward to seeing who the blackmailer is and what drives him.

Lone Star Baby Scandal - Lauren Canan (HD #2528 - July 2017)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail (Book 7)

One night changes everything…

It's bad enough that straitlaced Sophie Prescott fell for her boss Clay Everett's charms the night of Royal's masked ball -- now she's pregnant with his baby! Too bad the former rodeo star turned billionaire entrepreneur's emotional defenses are impenetrable and Sophie doesn't stand a chance of breaking through. So where does that leave her? And with a blackmailer hounding the town's A-list, is their secret the next to be revealed? Or is an even bigger surprise in store -- that maybe, just maybe, Sophie has discovered the chink in Clay's armor…?

Good entry in the Blackmail series. Sophie has been the secretary/personal assistant for Clay for more than five years, since before the accident that wrecked his rodeo career and has had a crush on him the entire time. The story opens at the TCC masquerade ball, where Clay convinces Sophie to dance with him. The sparks between them are incendiary, and Sophie finds herself in his arms and in his bed that night. But she also knows that nothing can come of it, and to try to protect her heart she refuses to give in again.

Both Clay and Sophie have things from their pasts that have made them wary of relationships. Sophie was involved in an incident as a teen that resulted in the death of a man, and she has never forgiven herself. She wants a husband and family, but she's not so sure that she deserves it. Clay was engaged to a woman who dumped him after his accident, making him believe that he's not cut out for relationships. Instead, he devotes himself to his business, with the occasional no-strings encounter.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. They have been friends since he hired her. When he had his accident, she was the one who stood by him, alternately encouraging him and bullying him into working toward his recovery. What she doesn't know is that he's been attracted to her also. When they give in to the attraction the night of the ball, Sophie is determined not to give in again, and Clay is equally determined to get her back in his bed. That determination succeeds occasionally, but Sophie always puts her walls back up. When she discovers that she is pregnant, she doesn't know what to do. She knows she has to tell him, but he's made it clear he isn't the settling down type. She doesn't want an offer of marriage from obligation. Clay is drawn to Sophie in ways he hasn't been to any other woman. He's a little freaked out by the depth of his need for her. I really liked how their feelings showed in their support of each other. Not only was Sophie there for Clay during his recovery, but she is also right there with him during his business troubles, and not just because it's part of her job. I loved her sensitivity to his moods and how she tried to make things better for him. I also liked how Clay tried not to push too hard when Sophie would withdraw from him, even though he wanted to. I also liked what he did for her father, without telling her about it. Though they hit a rough patch when Sophie finally tells him about the baby, Clay does see the light and go after her. She just needs to get over the hurdle of her past to believe that she can have the future she wants. I liked his big moment at the end, as he is finally able to lower his own walls and take a risk on telling her how he feels.

At the same time this is going on, someone is doing his best to destroy Clay's business. Rumors have been spreading that his company has had major data breaches and customers are leaving. I loved seeing Clay and Sophie working together to do damage control. Clay's efforts reveal that someone named "Maverick" is behind the troubles, the same name that has been causing problems for other residents of Royal. Clay's frustration is obvious as is his determination to find out who it is. I liked how he got the other business owners together to compare notes and the support that they offered him. I am more and more curious about who this Maverick person is and what his problem is.

The only issue I had with the book was that the editor/proofreader did a terrible job. Sometimes the hero's name was Clay, sometimes it was Cole, which could be very confusing and would pull me out of the story. There were also several instances of the wrong word being used, which would do the same thing. 

Triplets for the Texan - Janice Maynard (HD #2516 - May 2017)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail (Book 5)

Simone Parker will soon be a single mom, thanks to a sperm donor. But when the doctor tells her not one but three babies are on the way, Simone is floored. Especially since the good doctor is none other than the first love who broke her heart, Troy "Hutch" Hutchinson.

Touched by tragedy on an overseas humanitarian mission, Hutch has returned a changed man. What hasn't changed is the fiery chemistry he shares with Simone. But will Simone's secret reason for conceiving destroy their second chance?

Good book. Simone is pregnant by a sperm donor for reasons that seemed important to her. When she goes to her doctor's appointment, she discovers that he has left for another job. The new head of the department fills in at her appointment. Simone is shocked to see him, as it is her former love, who has returned to Royal after years away. She is even more shocked when Hutch tells her that she is having triplets.

Hutch has returned to Royal after serving several years as a doctor in Africa. He has returned a different man after loving and losing someone there. But is he ready to face Simone again?

From the moment they saw each other again, the attraction between them burned as hot as ever. However, neither one is happy about it. Both had suffered from broken hearts and blamed the other for it. Getting involved again is just asking for trouble. But Simone is having a difficult pregnancy and Hutch can't stop himself from stepping in and taking care of her. Spending time together just fuels their desire for each other and it isn't long before they give in. That isn't all that grows. It isn't long before each realizes that their love had never died, but neither one is ready to say anything and risk rejection.

Simone has also been getting threatening messages from someone named "Maverick", who has been threatening several people around town. He seems to know about her initial motivation for getting pregnant. When he confronts Hutch at a charity ball, Hutch's feelings of betrayal run deep and he says some harsh things to Simone. I liked seeing him struggle with himself over what happened and see where he went wrong. It still takes a scare for him to realize that he wants her in his life. I did like his big moment at the end. He was especially sweet about the babies, and I loved his willingness to grovel if she wanted it. I liked seeing her finally open up to Hutch about her reasons and loved her decision about her inheritance.

I liked both Simone and Hutch, though neither was perfect. Simone's reasons for getting pregnant seemed selfish at first. But her reasons became more understandable as we learn about her relationships with her father and grandfather. Understandably, she also had qualms about her decision, but once she was pregnant she was all in. I loved how she became so focused on the babies and being a good mother. I really enjoyed the scene with her assistant. I was a little bit disappointed that she never seemed to clear the air with Hutch about why she sent him off to Africa.

I liked Hutch, too. His devotion to serving those at risk overseas was admirable. I ached for the loss he suffered, and how it made him think less of himself. He also suffered from a bit too much pride, I think. He believed he had been rejected by Simone all those years ago, and allowed his pride to keep him from contacting her. If he had, they might have avoided the long separation. I really liked how he took care of Simone when she was so sick. I liked his attitude toward the babies.