Claimed by the Rancher - Jules Bennett (HD #2524 - June 2017)

Series: Rancher's Heirs (Book 2)

Just how far is this wealthy rancher willing to go for his pregnant lover?

Their years apart haven't diminished Nolan Elliott's desire for Pepper Manning. Even knowing she's pregnant with another man's baby, the rancher can't stay away. He didn't claim her when she needed him so long ago and the sting of losing her, and their child, still resonates.

With custody of her unborn baby now in jeopardy, Nolan vows to use his wealth and power to give Pepper everything she wants. That means proposing a marriage…in name only. But is that a vow the rancher stands any chance of keeping?

Very good second chance story. Nolan made his first appearance in Twin Secrets, as the oldest of the Elliott men. There's something in his past that gives him the experience to help Colt through his romantic difficulties. In this book we get his story. Ten years earlier, Nolan and Pepper had been young and in love, making plans for a future together. But an unexpected pregnancy followed by a miscarriage drove them apart. Now Pepper is back in town, pregnant with another man's baby.

From the moment they meet again, it is obvious that the sparks are still there between them. In the years since they parted, Nolan has dedicated his life to his work with only superficial relationships outside it. He's never forgotten her and his regrets for the way he handled the loss of their baby. Pepper has been drifting through life, looking for her place and purpose in life. With her unexpected pregnancy she has come back to Stone River to rebuild her life. She hadn't expected to run into Nolan so soon, and it's quite a shock to both of them. When her apartment catches fire that night, Nolan happens to be in the area and saves her. His protective instincts kicking in, he steamrollers her into coming home with him that night. But fate isn't done with her yet, and the next day the parents of the baby's father show up, telling her they are going to sue for full custody. I ached for Pepper and her fear of losing this child she wants so much. Nolan can't stand to see her hurting like that and decides that the only way to make amends for the past is to help her now. Pepper doesn't want to accept his help, but doesn't really have any choice if she wants to keep her baby.

I loved the development of their relationship. Nolan has convinced himself he is only helping her because of his guilt over how he had treated her before. And because the attraction is still so strong that he wants her in his bed again. But he doesn't want anything permanent because he's not about to open himself up to that kind of hurt again. He even goes so far as to marry her to ensure that the custody suit goes her way, still insisting that it is only temporary. I loved seeing that, no matter what he says, his feelings are getting involved. There  are some really sweet scenes of him doing anything he can to make her happy, from shopping for baby things to indoor picnics. He's also super protective and I loved seeing him take care of her. Pepper is very reluctant to accept his help because she can see herself falling for him all over again. She doesn't want to risk that kind of devastating pain again. I loved watching her try to maintain her independence, reminding herself that it's only temporary. But his care and consideration work their way past her walls, and she can't deny that she's never stopped loving him. When the need for their marriage ends and Pepper leaves, Nolan finally faces the truth about his feelings. I loved his big moment at the end when he finally opens his heart to her.

The family is also a central theme to the story. Though medicine is his calling, being part of the family ranch is a big part of who Nolan is. I liked seeing his bit of envy over Colt and Annabelle's happiness together, reminding him of what he could have had. I loved seeing how quickly Pepper and Annabelle became friends. We also see a bit more of Hayes, the military brother, as Colt and Nolan prepare for his homecoming. The epilogue is a lead-in to his story as we get a glimpse into the pain that is driving him. I can't wait for his book.

Twin Secrets - Jules Bennett (HD #2506 - Mar 2017)

Series: Rancher's Heirs (Book 1)

This wealthy rancher is about to meet his match…and her two little secrets!

Colt Elliott is as handsome as he is cunning. And he wants his neighbor's ranch. So when the owner's beautiful daughter begs him to save her family's home, he gives her a job so she can pay off her debt…and he becomes consumed with a new goal: seduce the fiery virgin.

But Annabelle is the guardian of her infant twin nieces and all three ladies begin to pull at his heartstrings. Colt will go to any lengths to get what he wants -- but will his hidden agenda cost him Annabelle?

Emotional start to the new series, full of passion, betrayal and love of family. Annabelle has returned home with her heart battered and bruised. She recently lost both her sister in a car accident - after discovering that her fiancé had been cheating on her with her sister. Annabelle is now the guardian of her sister's twin daughters and is determined to give them the best home possible. Then she finds out that her father has gambled away his life savings and his home, the same home that she has dreams of turning into a B & B. She blames his rich neighbor for taking advantage of her father's weakness.

Colt has wanted the ranch next door for years. His father's dream was to turn it into the best dude ranch in Texas and Colt plans to make that dream come true. He has an ironclad plan to make his dream come true, but he doesn't count on his neighbor's daughter and her desire to save her family home.

I really liked Annabelle. She has had the rug pulled out from under her in so many ways, but she refuses to let it break her. She is passionate about her dream and about her family. Finding out that her father has borrowed money from their rich neighbor infuriates her and has her racing to his ranch to give him a piece of her mind. I loved her determination to save her home, and her willingness to work for the enemy to do it.

I had a harder time liking Colt. I really felt that he had been terribly underhanded in his methods of acquiring the ranch. Then to agree to Annabelle working for him to pay off the debt, knowing that he would still own the ranch at the end, was even sneakier, all because he wanted to sleep with her. His extreme confidence that he could have her in his bed for as long as he wanted her, then just walk away when the secret was out just made me mad. He did start to grow on me as his attitude changed.

The development of their relationship was fiery to say the least. There is no doubt that they are attracted to each other from the moment they meet. Colt is determined to get her into his bed and makes no secret of it. Annabelle is equally determined to resist him. There is some fantastic banter between them as Colt pushes and she resists. What Colt doesn't expect is to be impressed and moved by Annabelle's care for her father and her girls. There are some really sweet scenes where his growing feelings for her and the girls are evident. The more time he spends with her, the guiltier he feels about what he is doing, but he suppresses that guilt to continue with his plan. As Annabelle spends more time with Colt, she begins to see a different side to him than the ruthless businessman she first encountered. She's moved by his obvious love for his family, and her heart melts seeing him with her girls. She knows she's falling for him and hopes that he feels the same. But when bad timing reveals the truth of the fate of her home, his betrayal cuts deep. I ached for her and her pain, and loved seeing her tear into him for what he did. Only when it was too late did Colt realize what he had thrown away. It was really satisfying to see his brother point out what an idiot he was and give him some good advice. Colt's big moment was pretty sweet as he laid out his heart for her in hopes of her forgiveness.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. Though all the brothers are different, there still seems to be a solid core of love among them. We only hear a little bit about Colt's twin, Beau, and the military brother, Hayes, but the oldest brother Nolan is fully present. I liked his attempts to talk sense into Colt, giving him the benefit of his own experience. I ached for his loneliness and regrets over the mistakes of his past, and am looking forward to his story.

I will say I was a little confused by the title and blurb. There was nothing secret about the two little girls. The only real secret was that which Colt was keeping from Annabelle.