Vegas Wedding, Weaver Bride - Allison Leigh (HSE #2563 - Aug 2017)

Series: Return to the Double C (Book 13)

"I do. Wait…did I?"

Hometown girl Penny Garner is having a Vegas moment: waking up in bed with her teenage crush, a ring on her finger. Then there's the matter of the marriage certificate. How did that happen? The jury's out on whether it's Penny's dream come true or worst nightmare.

Quinn Templeton has to wonder what they actually did that night, too. And when they get back to Weaver, Wyoming, the air force pararescueman can't just ignore the real feelings for his fake bride -- especially if Penny's pregnant. Will they remember what brought them to the altar in the first place…and maybe sign up for a repeat performance?

Good book. Penny and Quinn were confused when they woke up in bed together. Neither could remember how they got there nor could they remember the circumstances leading up to the marriage certificate they also discovered. Penny desperately wants to believe that it is fake, a joke played on them by someone. Quinn is pretty sure it's real. Penny is desperate to keep the marriage quiet until they can arrange a divorce, but Quinn doesn't seem to be all that worried, as they head back home to Wyoming.

I liked Quinn. He's home on leave, recovering from injuries received during one of his PJ missions and trying to get back into fighting condition. He doesn't want to think about what will happen if he isn't able to go back to the job he loves. Quinn is also getting to know his grandmother, Vivian, a very wealthy and very eccentric woman. I really liked the way that he was so calm compared to Penny's drama. I loved his calm in a crisis personality and his sensitivity to Penny and her issues.

I had a harder time liking Penny. I understood her initial panic, but her constant refusal to acknowledge their marriage began to irritate me. Penny had a lot of issues that influenced her. Her childhood in and out of foster homes, thanks to her mother's alcoholism, made her superconscious of being the subject of gossip. She fell in love with a man who had also been a foster child with her. Unfortunately, he was killed in the war just a week before their wedding, causing her to lock down her emotions. She also had self-esteem issues, believing that it was easy for people to walk away from her.

I liked the development of Penny and Quinn's relationship. They had a history together, though not one that Penny liked to remember. She'd had a crush on him when she was fifteen, and he shot her down when she tried to make advances to him. She didn't know that he had noticed her even back then, but he was an adult, and she was just a kid, so he kept himself under control. Thanks to their unexpected marriage, those old feelings have been stirred back up again. Penny panics because Quinn makes her feel things she hasn't felt since Andy's death. She's afraid to get involved with Quinn because, especially with his job, she can't handle the idea of losing again, so she keeps pushing him away. I liked how Quinn realizes that he'd like to keep Penny in his life. I ached for him the morning after her birthday when her fears got the best of her. I liked his big moment at the end as he made another attempt to show Penny how he felt. His words are so heartfelt and emotional. I loved her surprise and shock when she finally accepted the truth.

Penny's boss and Quinn's grandmother, Vivian, was quite a character. She is blunt and outrageous with some of the things she does, but deep down, I think she just wants to be accepted by her family. I enjoyed her run at politics and attempts to get the incumbent to debate her. I also loved the part with her sons and the paintings - clever! I get the feeling that she has a lot of love to give, she just doesn't know how.

The Last Single Garrett - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2549 - May 2017)

Series: Those Engaging Garretts (Book 12)

ONE KISS

For twelve years Tristyn Garrett ignored the near kiss with family friend and current boss Josh Slater…until the confirmed bachelor shows up with three adorable little girls in his arms. Making him simply irresistible…

TWO MONTHS

But resist she must, especially when she's trapped for the summer in an RV on the car-racing circuit with the girls and the one man she can't allow herself to have. Because he broke her heart once -- she won't let him do it again!

THREE KIDS

Caring for his nieces on the road, Josh needs Tristyn. But the kiss that got away looms large in the small space…till Josh devises a plan: kiss her again and get it out of his system. With three little chaperones, what can possibly happen?

Fun story and terrific conclusion to the series. Tristyn and Josh have known each other for twenty years. He is her cousin's best friend, and also her boss. Josh is also the subject of her girlhood crush. He stepped in and took her to her senior prom when her date came down with the flu. It was a magical evening for her until the end, when he broke her heart by backing away from her kiss. Josh has never forgotten the kiss that almost happened. But Tristyn was his best friend's cousin and just a kid. Since then he's done his best to keep his distance.

I loved the opening of the book, as Tristyn became more irritated with Josh's disappearing act, leaving her to deal with the results. However, her irritation turned to worry as she continued to be unable to reach him. I loved seeing her show up at his house and her determination to find out what was wrong. It was fun to see Josh try to deflect her with his innuendos only to be exposed by one of his nieces. I loved how Tristyn jumped in to help the obviously overwhelmed Josh. That whole scene was fun, from the cellphone to the explanation of the number of dirty dishes.

Over the next few days there are several more encounters, including July Fourth celebrations with her family. I loved how Josh and Tristyn's attraction is obvious to everyone else, but they try to ignore it. Because it's the height of the racing season, Josh's need to care for his nieces presents some interesting challenges. But the biggest challenge comes when Daniel suggests that Josh use an RV to travel the racing circuit with his nieces and Josh insists that Tristyn come along to help. Tristyn is reluctant because she knows that protecting her heart will be hard if they're together that much.

I loved watching the development of their relationship. They had to work together to care for the girls, and underneath it all was that simmering attraction for each other. Eventually that attraction comes to a boil and they have to decide what to do with it. Wanting to protect themselves, both Tristyn and Josh insist that they aren't up for anything permanent, but giving in and "getting it out of their systems" is possible. Of course, each is lying through their teeth, because their feelings are already involved, though neither will admit it to the other. I especially enjoyed seeing Josh realize that what he had was more than just physical, that he also craved the closeness of talking about anything and nothing and just being together. Tristyn knows that she loves Josh, but is afraid risking rejection once again.

When Josh's sister returns earlier than expected and their road trip comes to an end, Josh and Tristyn have to decide what to do. I ached for Tristyn as she allowed her fears to push Josh away. I also hurt for Josh, who really wanted to see where the relationship might go, though he still isn't quite ready to admit his feelings. Josh's big moment at the end was so sweet and romantic and perfect for the two of them. The epilogue was great, and I loved Ren and his checkered flag.

Besides the fun of seeing Josh and Tristyn together, I loved the three little girls. It was so sweet to see "Uncle Josh" turn into a puddle of goo around them. I loved his patience with their food foibles and seeing him cope with car sickness and potty emergencies (oh, that shower scene!). The one that melted my heart was when Hanna had her nightmare. Each of the girls had their own realistic personalities and behavior for their ages. I especially loved Charlotte and her "it's in the book."

 

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.

Expecting a Lone Star Heir - Sara Orwig (HD #2554 - Nov 2017)

Series: Texas Promises (Book 1)

Former army ranger Mike Moretti is finding it hard to remember that Vivian Warner is forbidden. She's his late buddy's widow and his new boss. Mike hired on at the Warner ranch to help Vivian, not to seduce her.

But playing the role of pretend suitor leads to irresistible temptation…and an unexpected pregnancy. This cowboy's code of honor demands he do the right thing, but Vivian won't say, "I do," for anything less than love.

Good book. In the midst of battle, Mike promises his dying buddy Thane that he will take the job of ranch foreman and look after Thane's wife Vivian for at least three months. He already regretted the promise as he arrived at the ranch six months later, not happy about working for someone who knew nothing about ranching. But a promise is a promise. He's surprised by Vivian's beauty when he meets her and jolted by the zing of attraction he feels when they shake hands. For him, being attracted to his late friend's wife is a definite no-no.

Vivian loved Thane and deeply mourns his loss. She is an artist with no knowledge of ranching, so she is happy to have Mike take over as ranch foreman. She isn't as happy about the flare of awareness she feels with him. However, that doesn't stop her from asking for his help in discouraging the attentions of a neighbor.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mike and Vivian, though there were several times I really wanted to shake Mike or bash him on the head with something. From the moment they met there was a connection between them. Though they had never met, they knew each other a bit through Thane and the way he talked about each of them. I liked the way that Vivian felt she could trust Mike as soon as she met him, which made it easier for her to ask his help with the Clint problem. I liked Mike's protectiveness and how he stepped up to help her. The scene at the art gallery was especially good. With each "date" they went on, the attraction between them built until they could no longer resist, though it was fun to see them try.

But both are resistant to the idea of something permanent, at least at first. Vivian is still reeling from Thane's death and is afraid of losing again if she allows her heart to get involved. Mike has made it clear that he is unlikely to stay past the three months that he promised Thane he'd stay. On Mike's side, he can't get past the idea that Vivian is the heir to billions and has already inherited Thane's millions. He is adamant that a real man doesn't take money from a woman. He went on and on about this so much, and all I could think was that he was going to miss out on what could be a wonderful future because of it.

When Vivian ends up pregnant, she realizes that she has fallen in love with Mike, even though she never intended to. She also knows that Mike's code of honor means that he will want them to marry, and she can't bear the idea of marriage without love. I liked Vivian's confidence in her ability to be the kind of mother she wants her baby to have. I also liked that she was willing to stand up to Mike's attempts to convince her that love could come later. It took almost losing her for Mike to realize just what she meant to him and what was truly important. I enjoyed his big moment at the end and seeing how they worked out their issues. There's a little bit of a lead-in for the next book, and I can't wait to see what is in store for Noah.

Charming the Firefighter - Beth Andrews (HS #1962 - Dec 2014)

Series: In Shady Grove (Book 5)

Look who she attracted!

One glance at the hot firefighter who responds to a misguided 911 call and Penelope Denning knows she's out of her depth. Leo Montesano is a charmer with an exciting career. She's an accountant focused on getting her son through his teenage years. Yet Leo is definitely pursuing her. How can she possibly resist?

As the attraction between them ignites, Penelope discovers a wild side she never knew. The passion makes her think about a future beyond this affair…until her real life interrupts. And when she's convinced she must choose her son over romance, Leo does something she never expects!

Good book. Penelope is the single mother of a teenage boy. They moved to Shady Grove from California to start over after her divorce. Her son, Andrew, isn't happy about the move and leaving his friends behind and has been a royal pain in the behind. One day, after another exchange of words with Andrew before he storms off, Penelope indulged in a little too much wine, then attempted to use the gas grill. Leo is one of the firefighters who responded to the neighbor's 911 call.

Once he realized that she was alright, Leo was pretty amused by Penelope. Her precise speech and habit of talking with her hands fascinated him, especially once he realized she was drunk, not injured. He was also attracted to her. I enjoyed seeing him make excuses to stick around a little bit longer to make sure she was okay.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Penelope was shocked when Leo showed up at her work to ask her out. He's younger than she is and very good-looking, but she doesn't see any point in their going out. It was a rather painful scene, especially for Leo. He's not used to be turned down flat when he asks a woman out, and Penelope was pretty blunt. I also thought she was a bit obnoxious in her response to him; it seemed like she had no interest in even being polite. It got even worse when Penelope discovered that Andrew had lied his way onto the school football team, for which Leo is the coach. That confrontation among the three of them was loud and antagonistic, at least from Penelope and Andrew. I had a lot of respect for Leo because he kept his cool. It was interesting to see the deal that they ended up working out among the three of them. It also gave Leo his chance to get to know Penelope. It was pretty sweet to see how much they did have in common and how the attraction and feelings between them grew.

But Penelope has a major stumbling block to anything serious with Leo, and that is Andrew. Because of his serious illness as a child, Penelope has become extremely overprotective. Andrew is the be-all and end-all of her life, and she lets him walk all over her. There was a horrible scene when Andrew realized what was going on between his mom and Leo. I liked the way that Leo dealt with Andrew and his attitude. He also had some blunt words for Penelope about her attitude. I wanted to shake her until she saw the truth, and ached for Leo when she walked away. I loved the event that opened her eyes and her reaction when she did. It was great to see her finally stand up for herself. It was nice to see that it was the woman having to admit to being an idiot, and Penelope's big moment at the end was great.

Now, for Andrew. No doubt about it, he was a brat for most of the book. His crappy attitude toward his mom was really obnoxious, especially considering how she had cared for him when he was sick. Yes, she was overprotective and a bit controlling, but a better attitude might have been able to change some of that. He was also manipulative, and I loved seeing Leo call him on that instance of it. At first, I thought his friendship with Gracie was going to have a good effect on him, but he even managed to screw that up. I loved seeing her confront him over his actions. He got a real wakeup call from his mom at the end, and it was encouraging to see the effect on him.

The Billionaire in Disguise - Soraya Lane (HR #4443 - Oct 2014)

"So much for staying out of trouble…"

Nathan Bell left his high-flying London life for the rolling green hills of New Zealand to shake off the shadows of his past and start again—under the radar. He should not be getting distracted by a feisty blonde who spells nothing but trouble!

Jessica Falls has her own reasons for keeping things with Nathan commitment-free…yet every kiss erodes her defenses. And when she discovers how much pain he's hiding, Jessica knows only she has the power to heal her broken billionaire!

Good story about two grieving people who find comfort and healing together. Jessica has returned to New Zealand to settle her grandfather's estate and finish healing from a devastating riding accident. There she meets Nathan, a sexy Englishman, who has been renting her grandfather's guest cottage. Nathan fled halfway across the world to escape the memories of the events that upended his world. Neither expected the attraction that flared between them.

I ached for Nathan. He is still haunted by the circumstances of his wife's death and his feeling of responsibility. He blames his workaholic ways for not seeing how unhappy she was. During his time in New Zealand, he has begun to make some changes in his lifestyle and attitudes, determined not to make the same mistakes in the future. The last thing that he wants before he's ready is to get involved with any woman.

I hurt for Jessica, too. Her grandfather's death was unexpected and happened right after her accident. She was stuck in the hospital in England and couldn't even get home for his funeral. Now she is home, not knowing if she'll ever be able to ride competitively again, and desperately missing the only family she'd had left. Having recently been burned in love, she's not too thrilled to be attracted to the guy in the guest cottage.

I liked the development of Jessica and Nathan's relationship. It started out a little rough, as Jessica's pain and exhaustion caused her to be less than polite and welcoming to Nathan. Fortunately, he was pretty laid back and understanding, and didn't fight back. As he had become good friends with Jessica's grandfather, they were able to bond a bit over their memories of the man. Nathan also found himself feeling rather protective toward Jessica. When Jessica expressed her doubts over the lawyer's news about her inheritance, Nathan offered to help her discover the truth. I liked watching them grow closer over their shared memories and enjoyment of the peace and solitude of the farm. I also liked the way that Jessica noticed the sadness in Nathan's eyes and wanted to help him. The scene at the market was pretty sweet as she got him to open up a little, though I had a feeling that the information he didn't share would come back to bit him later. Neither expected the passion that flared between them from one kiss. With Nathan's departure coming fast, they decided that giving in would not be dangerous to their plans to avoid relationships.

Then Nathan realized that he didn't want to be apart from Jessica quite yet. Just being around her made him feel better than he had since his wife's death. Though he has to return to get some work done, he invites her along, promising that he won't return to his workaholic ways and they will spend time together. I ached for Jessica because that's exactly what he did. I wanted to shake him so hard because he knew what he was doing and still kept doing it. Then his worst fear came to pass, and Jessica found out the truth about his wife's death. I liked that Jessica held onto her pride and stood up for her own needs. Her loneliness when she arrived home was eased somewhat by the surprise that Nathan had arranged for her, but she couldn't forget about her feelings for him. I liked his big moment at the end, as he made the changes in his life that were truly needed for him to have the future that he wanted. I also loved the surprise that Jessica had for him, regarding her inheritance. 

A Billionaire After Dark - Katie Lane (Forever - Apr 2016)

Series: Overnight Billionaires (Book 2)

With endless wealth comes irresistible temptation . . .

It's an undisputed fact that Nash Beaumont is the hottest of the Beaumont brothers. His slow, sensual smile charms every French Kiss employee-and tempts every woman to buy the company's lingerie. But beneath Nash's raw charisma is a dark, kinky side that he struggles to control . . . a side that may be exposed by one lovely-and unexpectedly adventurous woman.

Reporter Eden Huckabee needs a story. And when she discovers Nash's dirty little secret, she thinks she's found it. But Eden doesn't count on Nash turning the tables on her-or that she will fall so deeply for this unbelievably sexy, one-in-a-billion Beaumont.

Good continuation of the Overnight Billionaires series. Eden is a reporter who actually isn't very good at her job. To keep her job at the newspaper, she needs to find a good story. While researching a piece on prostitution (by playing the part of an escort), she discovers the identity of a patron referred to as "The Dark Seducer." All she needs is a little more information, and she'll have what she needs. She doesn't count on falling for the subject of her investigation.

Nash is the sexiest of the Beaumont brothers. His Southern charm and sexy smile have the women throwing themselves at him, But Nash has a secret life that no one knows about until one particular woman gets under his skin. Suddenly the control he is so proud of isn't as strong as he thought it was and his life is about to undergo a complete upheaval.

I liked both Eden and Nash. Eden is bold, tenacious, smart, and has a softer heart than she wants to admit. I loved the way that she threw herself into everything she did, from researching the escort business to her story on marathons. She also tends to get too close to her story subjects, which wrecks her objectivity. I loved her interactions with Madison and Chloe, who go from sources to friends. Nash is sexy, charming, loyal, and protective. I loved watching him use his charm to make things happen, from repairs at Eden's apartment to calming various crises at work.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nash and Eden. There was an immediate connection between them when they met, in spite of the deceptive circumstances. Nash is very attracted to Eden, but the secret that haunts him has made him unwilling to get close to any woman. When Eden discovers what it is, all she wants is to help him see that he is punishing himself for no reason. I loved seeing him slowly lose the haunted vibe and begin to open up to Eden. Eden falls for him just as hard, but her deception weighs on her. She knows she needs to tell him the truth but is afraid of what will happen when she does. I ached for him when that truth came out, and Nash is left feeling used and betrayed. He gets some unexpected sympathy and advice from his father, which opens his eyes to some things he hadn't considered. I also hurt for Eden, who had given up on the idea of publishing the story when she realized that she loved Nash. I loved seeing her use that tenacity to show him that she cares. I loved the marathon scene at the end, which was sweet, romantic, and pretty funny.

There were appearances of characters from the first book, as well as the introduction of new ones. Of course, the other two brothers, Deacon and Grayson, have large parts, as well as Deacon's wife, Olivia. I loved Deacon's attempts to deal with low sales on their bras, trying to keep Grayson focused on the swimsuit catalog, and dealing with his over-the-top mother-in-law. I loved the artsy Grayson and his way of getting lost in his painting and sketching. He did surprise me a bit at the end with his involvement in the rescue of the escort, Chloe. It makes me really look forward to his book. I loved Madison, with her chocolate fixation and wild ideas for her life after leaving the escort business. Chloe was a bit rough around the edges but turned out to be a good friend to both Madison and Eden. But my favorite characters were the elderly nudist neighbors from the first book - who turned out to be Eden's grandparents! They were a hoot with their "magic brownies" and their costumes for the charity ball.