Cowboy's Redemption - B.J. Daniels (HI #1779 - May 2018)

Series: Montana Cahills (Book 1)

He gave her his heart.

She gave him a daughter.

Eighteen months ago, Colt McCloud experienced an unforgettable night of passion. Now his onetime lover is at his door, pleading for help to save the daughter they conceived. Lola Dayton knows Colt is her only hope to infiltrate the kidnapper’s compound and save their baby. His military -- and father -- instincts kick in. And Colt secretly vows…if they survive, he’ll make this threesome a forever family.

An exciting book, loosely tied to the Cahill family in Gilt Edge, Montana. Colt is an army helicopter pilot home on leave to settle his father's estate. Not interested in following in his father's footsteps as a rancher, he plans to sell the ranch and return to his unit. Those plans take a back seat when a woman from his past shows up at his door.

Lola was in Montana to get her parents' remains from the cult they had joined. The cult leader refused to hand them over and insisted that Lola had been promised to him by her parents. One escape attempt sent her into Colt's arms before she was taken again. After she was recaptured, Lola discovered she was pregnant with Colt's baby, but she was too closely guarded to escape. After the baby's birth, she was able to make her escape only by leaving Grace behind. Determined to rescue her daughter, she went to Colt for help.

The story opened with a bang, as Lola flees through the woods to get away. It was easy to feel her fear and desperation during that flight. Colt's surprise at finding her at his door in the middle of the night was obvious, but nothing compared to the news that he was a father. I liked the fact that he believed her story and was determined to help her, taking her first to the doctor, then to Sheriff Flint Cahill.

I have to say that I was extremely disappointed in Flint. After hearing her story, and accompanying Colt and Lola to the cult compound, I thought he was far too easily swayed to the cult leader's point of view. With as much publicity as cults have gotten in recent years, any lawman worth his salt should have been far more skeptical. I was a bit disappointed in Colt also, as Jonas's words created some doubt in his mind, but that doubt was quickly erased, and his determination rekindled.

I was glued to the pages as I watched Colt and Lola plan and carry out their rescue of Grace. With frequent glimpses of Jonas's point of view, it was obvious to me that he wasn't going to give up easily, though Colt and Lola thought they were safe. The final confrontation was intense. I liked how Lola actively participated in saving herself and Grace. You definitely don't mess with Mama Bear and her little one!

I liked the development of the relationship between Colt and Lola. There was a deeper connection than just physical attraction between them in their first encounter, and neither had forgotten the other. I liked Lola's instinctive trust of Colt, and her happiness at the way Colt took to being a father. It doesn't take her long to fall for him, but her independence refuses to allow her to accept anything given out of obligation. There were a few times when I felt like she carried that independence a bit too far, but eventually she realized that accepting help didn't make her weak or dependent. I liked Lola's support of Colt as he battled his feelings over Julia's betrayal.

Colt is a little warier of his feelings for Lola, having been burned by his fiancée's betrayal, but he can't deny that he has them. There was a terrific scene between Colt and his ex, which helped him clarify his feelings for Lola. His big moment with Lola was sweet, and I loved the bit about the ring. I wasn't too surprised by his decision regarding his future plans, and loved his decision about some of the ranch lands.

The Chesapeake Bride - Mariah Stewart (Pocket - Sept 2017)

Series: Chesapeake Diaries (Book 11)

Architect Cassidy Logan has sworn off good-looking adventurers. Newly divorced, she’s focused on building ecologically friendly, historically accurate homes on the Chesapeake Bay for her father’s construction company. Traveling to Cannonball Island -- where there has been no new construction in nearly one hundred years -- Cass is sensitive to the heritage of the island, and has come up with plans so perfect she’s determined to buy a home for herself. Even the fact that Owen Parker -- a local who she dismisses as a lightweight and a player -- seems to be everywhere isn’t enough to deter her from building her dream house.

Owen Parker is and always has been sinfully handsome and wickedly clever, a magnet for mischief as well as girls. He’s a rolling stone, going and doing whatever appeals to him, from flying a mail plane in Alaska to working on a cattle ranch in Australia, a shrimp boat in Louisiana, and surfing and diving in Costa Rica. When an old friend offers him a job salvaging a sunken ship on the Chesapeake Bay, Owen gladly accepts. Something’s been telling him it was time to head home to Cannonball Island, and a job is as good an excuse as any. And he’s totally smitten by the pretty architect on the scene, but it seems he’s finally met a woman who’s immune to his charms. Sooner or later, Owen will have to face the reason why he always runs, because this time, leaving just might be harder than staying.

This was my first book by Mariah Stewart, but it will not be the last. Even though this is the 11th book in the series, I never felt lost, only intrigued. I will definitely add the other books to my "want to read" list. I loved the setting of the islands of the Chesapeake Bay in the early autumn, with the descriptions of the warm days and cool nights. The homes and businesses were ones I'd love to visit, from having tea with Grace at the Inn or ice cream at One or Two Scoops in St. Dennis, to visiting with Ruby at the general store on Cannonball Island.

I was immediately drawn into the lives of the two main characters, Cassidy and Owen. Cassidy is an architect with her father's construction company. She has designed a series of houses to be built on the island, ones that retain the style and history of the originals, to the point of using materials saved from the old houses in the new ones. I loved her enthusiasm, as every day seemed to give her new ideas on ways to bring the past and the future together. Something not in her plans is getting involved with Owen Parker, local playboy and rolling stone.

Owen is one of the island's more notorious residents. He is handsome, fun-loving, and hasn't run very fast when the girls chased him, though he doesn't stay caught for long. He's spent years going where his whims take him, from Alaska to Australia, but lately, he's felt nostalgic for home. When a friend offers him a job as a diver helping to excavate a sunken ship, he jumps at the chance. It doesn't take long for him to be drawn to Cass, but she doesn't want anything to do with him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Owen and Cass. Both of them have failed marriages in their pasts, making them wary of getting involved. Cass was married to a man who was never home, having decided that his military career was more important than their marriage. She's determined not to get involved with another rolling stone. Owen married the girl who was always there when he came back from one of his trips, thinking it was time for him to settle down, but friendship and habit weren't enough to sustain the marriage and keep him from wandering. Owen was attracted to Cass from the moment he met her, but she wouldn't give him the time of day, no matter how hard he tried. Fortune smiled on him, though, when the ship excavation disrupted her construction plans, giving him the chance to offer his assistance. I loved seeing Owen approach his goal of getting to know her from a different angle, and being very smart about it. Instead of making it personal, he offered to help her find another solution, and at the same time show her around the island. Cass is, of course, skeptical at first, but relaxes when he behaves himself.

I loved the way that Cass's enthusiasm for the island and everything about it made Owen look at her as more than just another conquest. It didn't take long for him to realize that he had gone past wanting her to needing her in his life. I loved seeing him find multiple little ways to help her learn about the island, from showing her the little cemeteries to taking her crabbing. Even when his attempts went wrong (the trip on the schooner), his sensitivity to her needs was amazing. It was fun to watch Cass realize that she was fighting a losing battle when it came to resisting Owen. In spite of frequently reminding herself that he was a player, she discovered that there was much more to him than she expected. But just when things looked especially promising for them, an unexpected twist turns Owen's life upside down. I ached for Owen, who didn't know how to handle it and feared becoming a man like his father. I also ached for Cass, who believed that her dreams were crumbling in front of her. It took some blunt talk from family members for each of them to overcome their fears and realize that they could handle anything if they did it together.

I loved the importance of family and community in the book. Owen's great-grandmother, Ruby, was my favorite of the secondary characters. She's one hundred years old, with the Southern grace and steel to go along with those years. She also has the "sight" but doesn't use it to interfere in people's lives, though she will occasionally make a comment to get someone thinking. Thanks to her age, Ruby also has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area, and the stories she told gave extra depth to the magic of the island. I loved how various people in the community embraced Cass and her ideas for ways to preserve and showcase the island's history. There were some terrific scenes of that support, from Grace's teas to a possible collaboration with Owen's sister. I can't wait to go back and read the earlier books.

When You Love a Scotsman - Hannah Howell (Zebra - Jan 2018)

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen (Book 2)

New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell sweeps readers away with the passion-filled adventures of the MacEnroy brothers, seven daring Scotsmen who take on America in her most turbulent days -- and capture the hearts of the ladies each is destined to wed...

With danger closing in from all sides, Abigail Jenson works tirelessly to protect her small Missouri farm. She doesn’t require saving -- but a handsome officer appears on horseback just as ruthless marauders set her cabin ablaze. With nowhere else to turn, Abigail allows the soldier with the seductive Highlander’s gaze to escort her to shelter in a nearby town.

Matthew MacEnroy was reluctant to join his adopted nation’s conflict -- until an enemy attack wounded two of his brothers. Bravely doing battle has its price when a proud, independent beauty comes under his watch -- no military man can risk the powerful emotions their attraction has unleashed. But when Matthew himself is caught in the crossfire, Abigail leads their long journey home to MacEnroy valley ... and her caring touch sparks the promise of a bold future together.

Good book. Matthew is a Union officer out on patrol when they are attacked by Confederates. Racing to find a defensible position, they take shelter in a cabin on a small farm, occupied by a couple and their daughter. Abigail has been working to care for the farm since the last attack when her brother was taken, her father beaten, and her mother assaulted. She quickly realizes that these soldiers are her best defense, and joins them in defending the cabin.

The opening scene was a real attention grabber. The danger was obvious and intense, with a real possibility of injury or death. There is also a quick introduction to Abigail's background and the circumstances behind her situation. I loved the way that Abbie joined in the defense of the cabin, and Matthew's reaction. I ached for Abbie when the fight was over, and she had to face the loss of her home and her parents. I liked Matthew's protectiveness, as he insisted on taking her back to the town they were based in, to stay with other women in similar circumstances.

I liked both Abbie and Matthew. Abbie is strong and independent, and also kind and loving. I enjoyed watching her settle in at Beaton House and make friends with the other women. She also wasn't the kind to sit back and moan about her circumstances or ignore things that she thinks are wrong. I especially enjoyed the way that she took the children under her wing - Noah was adorable. I also liked how she quickly became the one that the other women looked to during a crisis.

Matthew was a great guy. He joined the army when two of his brothers were injured by Rebel marauders. He's done his duty, but he's tired of the war and the killing and ready for his time to be up. He's protective of his men and watches out for their interests.

I enjoyed the development of Matthew and Abbie's relationship. There were sparks between them from the beginning. Once they arrived in the town, they began meeting in a fairly traditional way, with Matthew calling on her at the house and taking her walking. I liked how they talked and got to know each other. The attraction between them was strong, and Matthew was pretty quick about making his move on her. I was a bit surprised by how quickly they became intimate, especially for that time. Abbie falls for Matthew, but isn't about to be the first one to say anything about her feelings. Matthew waffles back and forth. He definitely likes being with her, but he isn't sure what he feels. When he and another man are injured close to the end of their enlistments, the commander send them, along with Abbie, to Matthew's home. The journey has its challenges, and also gives Matthew more time to think about what he wants. I loved their arrival at his home, and how quickly Abbie was accepted. I was a bit frustrated with Matthew, as he made it clear that Abbie was with him, but he still couldn't make up his mind about their future. I liked seeing his brothers call him out on his attitude. I liked that Abbie was fully prepared to leave him behind and make her own way. I liked their big moment at the end, especially how Abbie made sure that she got what she needed to be happy. The epilogue was good, with a great look at their married life. There was an interesting twist at the end.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, too. My favorite was Noah, the four-year-old boy who immediately took a shine to Abbie. Some of the things he said were highly amusing and often made me ache for what he had been through. Mrs. Beaton was a woman who was very rigid at the beginning, but as time went on, she loosened up quite a bit. Julia, who was the one that Abbie became closest to. She was an interesting character, and I ached for everything she went through. I liked Matthew's friend and fellow soldier, James. There were some good scenes of him trying to give Matthew advice.

I really liked the setting of the Civil War, which doesn't happen often. It was good to see that the effects of war were not glossed over or romanticized. The frustration of the soldiers over the frequent skirmishes that didn't have any definitive result was clear and realistic.

Fast Burn - Lori Foster (HQN - Mar 2018)

Series: Body Armor (Book 4)

For the woman who’s his perfect match, he’s willing to break the rules…

The moment Brand Berry meets beautiful, driven Sahara Silver, the connection between them is electric. It’s also something he can’t pursue. Sahara wants him, sure -- to join Body Armor, where his MMA skills, size and cocky attitude make him perfect for her elite crew of bodyguards. For Sahara, the agency always comes first, and Brand needs more. Yet when she’s kidnapped by men searching for her missing brother, he doesn’t hesitate.

Somewhere along the way, flirting with Brand for the sake of business turned very personal. Despite his refusal to join Body Armor, it’s Brand who steps up when Sahara needs him most. Now there’s no more time for games, and no point denying the hunger they both feel. They’ll escape together or not at all. But if they survive, can Sahara finally surrender control to claim this blazing passion?

Good conclusion to this series. Though it can be read as a stand-alone, the experience is richer if the previous books are read first.  From the moment that Brand and Sahara met in the first book, there has been an undeniable connection that is more than just physical attraction.  However, both resist it.  Sahara wants Brand to join the team at Body Armor and she pulls out all the stops to make it happen, but Brand isn't having it.  He knows he couldn't work for her, as that would cause too many problems in the workplace, as the heat between them wouldn't be contained for long. Besides, she is bossy. Good in a boss, not so much in a relationship. So he keeps turning her down, and she keeps pushing for him to say yes. But things change the night she is kidnapped.

I liked both Sahara and Brand. Sahara is a strong, intelligent, sassy, and dedicated to the business. She inherited Body Armor when her brother disappeared and was presumed dead. She's certain he's still alive and is determined to make the business bigger and better while she tries to find out what happened to him. I loved her interactions with all the fighters. She's a little over the top at times, but it's obvious that she respects their abilities. She also appears supremely confident at all times, though occasionally there is the smallest hint of vulnerability, which she immediately hides with attitude. And though she would never admit it, she was also a bit lonely, at least until the fighters came into her life. I loved seeing the friendships that developed, not just with them, but also with their ladies. There were some really terrific scenes that took place outside of work, where Sahara discovers that she doesn't always have to be the strong one.

Brand is an MMA fighter at the top of his game. He is honest, protective, and honorable. He isn't going to put himself in a position where he will have to compromise his values, so he keeps his distance from Sahara and her wiles. There are times when he isn't sure if she just wants him for the agency, or if she is interested in him for himself. Brand also has some things going on in his personal life that are a bit of a distraction for him. He needs to make a decision about his fight career - is he going to keep fighting, or move on to something else? Fighting gives him the money he needs for his other problem - taking care of the woman who gave birth to him, then dumped him with her sister to raise. There's a bit of resentment and bitterness there that eats away at him.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Brand and Sahara. Throughout the series I have laughed at seeing Sahara work so hard and get nowhere with him, and at Brand's amusement as he resists all her ploys.  I liked his honesty as he made it plain to her that he wants her, but not as a boss. As much as he's determined to stay away from the agency, he wastes no time stepping up when Sahara gets kidnapped. I loved seeing him stand up to his friends and insist on being involved. I loved his controlled determination to get to her, and his care for her once he did. With the threat still out there, there was no way he was going to leave her unprotected. I liked the push and pull between them, as Brand insisted on having his way, and Sahara equally insistent that she could take care of herself. Being together 24/7 brings their attraction front and center and giving into it is just as incendiary as they expected. It is also much deeper than just physical. It was fun to see the two of them as they adjusted to both of them wanting to be in charge. Their time together also gave them time to really get to know each other. I liked how Brand appreciated Sahara's strengths, but he also saw past those to her vulnerabilities. I especially liked his attitude toward the things he learned about her brother. Sahara employed her usual tactics as a way to get past some of Brand's walls. Her methods of trying to make things easier for him with his mother were not exactly appreciated by Brand, and I wanted to smack him for not seeing what she tried to do. With both of them being such strong personalities, learning how to compromise was not an easy road, but it was a fun one to observe. I loved the ending as they both gave a little to get a lot.

The suspense of the story was really good. The mystery of her brother's disappearance was on Sahara's mind throughout the series. She was the only one who believed that he was still alive. When she is kidnapped, it is because the kidnappers believe that she knows something. The kidnapping and rescue scenes are very intense. I loved Sahara's attitude throughout, even though she puts herself at risk. There is also something very creepy about the boss of the kidnappers. His apparent obsession with Sahara adds an extra layer of intensity to the situation, as do the scenes from his point of view. The attempts on Sahara continue to escalate and she becomes more convinced that Scott is alive. The final confrontation was a real page-turner as I waited to see just how it was going to play out. There were some very interesting twists, turns, and revelations before it was all over. I loved the last scene at Body Armor.

Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy - HelenKay Dimon (Brava - July 2007)

Series: Men of Hawaii (Book 1)

Her mouth should be a dangerous weapon. So should his--but for different reasons. Thrown together by chance--and a pair of handcuffs--they're about to make Hawaii even steamier...

Never Let Me Go

Annie Parks came to Hawaii to gather information and settle a score, not spend time handcuffed to a sexy stranger's bed. Okay, so this particular stranger saved her from drowning after she was pitched overboard by some goons. And he's about six feet of hard, Hawaiian muscle and gorgeous cool that's making forgotten parts of her say, "A-lo-ha!" She needs to stay focused, but a side dish of Kane Travers is awfully tempting.

Kauai Police Chief Kane Travers is not a vacation kind of guy. So it figures that when Internal Affairs suspended him, he'd end up rescuing a sarcastic, dishonest, extremely hot redhead who is clearly hiding something. Amnesia? Yeah, right. Kane's got half a mind to give Miss Whoever She Is something she'll never forget. His cop senses tell him that the lady's in deep and needs his protection. But how can he get her to tell him anything when all he wants is to take her home and do everything?

Fun romantic suspense book.  Kane is the local police chief who is on a forced leave of absence thanks to a drug bust gone bad. He's not the kind of guy who enjoys time off and after a few days is bored out of his mind. Instead of being relaxing, a walk on the beach turns up a red-headed firecracker of a woman with a smart mouth and a lot of secrets.  His instincts can't decide if she's crook or victim, but his body tells him to keep her close.

Annie is a nature photographer who has come to Hawaii to find the man who scammed her mother and sent her over the edge mentally. She isn't going to give up just because someone tried to drown her.  Telling the hunky police chief who rescued her what she has planned doesn't seem to be the best idea, but she can't deny that she feels safe with him.

The sparks between Kane and Annie were evident from the beginning. I loved the rescue/shower scene, as Kane works to revive Annie, but can't help his very male reaction to her. Annie isn't too happy about her own reaction - she doesn't need the distraction, and his bossiness really gets on her nerves. I loved watching her use every trick she can think of to keep her secrets and see Kane call her on every one of them. Though Kane's friend Josh accuses him of thinking with something other than his brain, Kane quickly realizes that Annie is in a heap of trouble and his protective instincts kick in.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Kane and Annie. The push and pull between them is fun with sarcastic banter and attempts to resist the sparks that continue to flare between them. But underneath the snark, each of them also recognizes a similar pain. Kane has closed himself off emotionally after too many losses have battered his heart. He doesn't want to risk the pain again, but he's also a man to whom family means everything and he misses it. Annie blames herself for what happened to her mother, and that guilt is one of the driving forces behind her quest for revenge. Letting Kane in risks losing that drive.  I loved seeing Annie work her way past Kane's walls and see him start to feel again. I also loved how Annie became so protective of both Kane and Derek. The final scene was fantastic as both had to open up their hearts all the way to get what they most desired.

I enjoyed the suspense of the story also. There were two things going on. First was Kane's suspension while he was under investigation. He was suffering enough from what he'd had to do without having to put up with the vendetta from the Internal Affairs guy. On top of that was the frustration that the person running the drug ring hadn't yet been identified and caught. I liked that Kane's officers respected him so much, which led to some pretty interesting confrontations with the IA guy.

The second was Annie's search for the con man and trying to stay ahead of those who were trying to stop her. Once she finally let Kane in on the whole story, things seemed to move pretty quickly.  The final confrontation was very intense with some unexpected twists and turns before it was all over.  I ached for Annie and the demons she had to face and loved that Kane was with her all the way.

Absolute Trust - Piper J. Drake (Forever - Dec 2016)

Series: True Heroes (Book 3)

LOVE IS THE GREATEST RISK OF ALL

After multiple tours of duty, Brandon Forte returns to his hometown on a personal mission: to open a facility for military service dogs like Haydn, a German shepherd who's seen his share of combat and loss. It also brings him back to Sophie Kim, a beacon of light in his life . . . and the one woman he can't have. But Forte's success means he's made enemies in high places. Enemies who are now after Sophie . . .

When Forte enlisted and left without saying goodbye, Sophie did her best to move on. But with her first love back in town, looking sexier than ever, she's constantly reminded of what they could have had. Then after he risks himself for her, Sophie realizes she'll have to put her life in the hands of the man who broke her heart, knowing the danger -and the sparks between them- could consume them both.

Good second chance/friends to lovers story with some excellent suspense to go along with it.  Brandon and Sophie had known each other since they were in school, becoming more than friends when they were in high school. But after graduation, Brandon left for the military without a word to Sophie, not even a goodbye, breaking her heart. When he left the military, he came back to Hope's Crossing to open a training facility for military dogs. And right back to Sophie, who has been his anchor, even if she didn't know it.

When Brandon left, Sophie went on with her life. She went to school, got a good job, everything to live up to her parents' expectations. But she drew the line at settling down with one of the "nice boys" that her parents pushed at her. When Brandon came back to town, they slid right back into their old friends routine.

It is clear to everyone that there is still something there between Brandon and Sophie, but neither one can see it in the other. Brandon loves Sophie and always has, but has never felt good enough for her. This feeling was reinforced when he was a teenager by Sophie's parents' attitude toward him. The things that happened during the war only added to his need to keep his darker side away from her. Sophie has always loved Brandon, in spite of her parents' feelings about him. With Brandon back in town, she will try to content herself with friendship, but she really wants more.

I liked the development of the relationship between Brandon and Sophie. Because they've known each other for so long, there aren't many secrets, yet it is still a journey of discovery for them. Alone together in a place where Brandon hopes to keep her safe, both are forced to face their feelings about themselves and each other. No more hiding behind the façade of friendship. I loved seeing Brandon's protectiveness after the car bomb, and the depth of caring he showed as he took care of Sophie. I especially loved the scene with the cat café, as it showed how well he knows her. When they reached their cabin hideout, the heat between them really kicked in. Though Brandon tried to hold back, Sophie had had enough and went after what she wanted. I also liked the fact that she also took a hard look at her life and saw that she had just been going with the flow and took steps to change it. I really liked how one of the first things she did was demand answers from Brandon about why he had left her. I ached a bit for Brandon, as he admitted his insecurities to her, and how they had driven him to make the choices he had made. He still feels that he isn't good enough for her, but he's reached the point that he is going after what he wants anyway. I loved the ending, as both Brandon and Sophie admitted their mistakes and took that final leap of faith.

The suspense of the story was really good. The car bomb was a real attention getter, especially since the only thing that saved Sophie was the chance meeting with Brandon and Haydn. From there, the race was on to see if Brandon and the others could find out the who and why before it was too late. There were several possibilities, from someone trying to get to Brandon by using Sophie to some potential funny business going on at Sophie's workplace.  I enjoyed the buildup to the confrontation at the cabin and seeing the steps Brandon went through to keep Sophie safe. The confrontation was a nail-biter to the end. I especially liked seeing Sophie's active participation rather than just waiting for rescue. At the end of the confrontation, there were still some unanswered questions. I loved Brandon's effort to get answers to those questions. There were some unexpected connections that became clear, as well as an unusual hero who helped get those answers.

Two of my favorite characters were the dog, Haydn, and the cat, Tessa. I loved how Brandon and the crew at Hope's Crossing Kennels gave Haydn a new purpose after the loss of his leg and his handler during the war. From the moment he alerted on the explosives in Sophie's car, I could see his determination and his enthusiasm for what he was doing. I was not at all surprised by his participation in Sophie's rescue. I also loved how it was him and the dogs from the previous books who gave Brandon ideas and motivations for the future of the kennels. I also adored the kitten, Tessa. Her rough start in life tugged at Sophie's heartstrings, leading to her adoption. It was amusing to see her reactions to Haydn, and his to her. I was a bit surprised that Brandon and Sophie took her along to the cabin, considering what they expected to happen. Probably the funniest moment with her was her encounter with Raul Sa after the cabin incident.

Speaking of Raul Sa, I was very happy to discover that this is not the last book in the series. Raul's presence in this book, and his need for a working dog, is the lead-in to the next book. I liked what I saw of Raul and am looking forward to reading his book.

Cowboy SEAL Redemption - Nicole Helm (Soucebooks Casablanca - June 2018)

Series: Navy SEAL Cowboys (Book 2)

Three former Navy SEALs

Injured in the line of duty

Desperate for a new beginning...

Searching for a place to call their own.

Jack Armstrong's been slowly piecing his life back together after a career-ending injury bounced him from the SEALs. The only trouble is, his family's on their way to his new haven in Montana...and Jack refuses to let them know he's still hurting. Desperate, he makes a deal with local bad girl Rose Rogers: in exchange for some extra security, she'll play the perfect loving girlfriend.

Rose doesn't trust any man, much less some tough-as-nails former SEAL. But the more they settle into their ruse, the more things start to feel real, and the more Rose's true fear surfaces--that she'll never be good enough for love. But Jack isn't about to lose Rose. He's done running when things get tough, and he's determined to prove--once and for all--that even the most troubled hearts can find their way to redemption.

Good book. After having his life turned upside down by injury, Jack has joined his Teammates Alex and Gabe at Alex's ranch in Montana. There the men plan to create a place for other veterans to come to transition back to civilian life. Jack has been indulging himself in something of a pity party for one. Physically he is still recovering from his injuries. Mentally he is a bit lost, because if he isn't a SEAL, who is he really? He also still feels sorry for himself, as well as angry, over the fact that his fiancée slept with his brother, got pregnant, and married him while Jack was deployed. There is also the anguish and guilty feelings over the death of a friend in the same attack that injured Jack and his friends. As the icing on the cake, his family, including his cheating ex and brother, are coming to visit, and Jack doesn't want to deal with the pitying looks. This is where Rose comes in.

Rose is the owner and bartender of the local watering hole. She is tough as nails, puts up with nobody's attitude, and is haunted by her own demons. She is the second of five girls in her family, all of whom survived their childhoods with abusive parents. But Rose blames herself for some of the things that happened to her sisters, and as a result, considers herself to be unworthy of anyone's love.  Though she thinks of herself as selfish, her driving force seems to be to protect those around her. When she overhears Jack talking to his mom about their visit, she offers to help, by trading favors. She will pose as his girlfriend if he acts as a bouncer at the bar.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jack and Rose. While it starts as complete fiction, the sparks between them are obvious from the beginning. Jack realizes quickly that Rose is someone special, and also that she is going to resist any attempt to make it real. I loved his attempts to do so by making them "practice" for when his family arrives. Rose fights hard against Jack's appeal, constantly reminding herself that it's all fake, that he wouldn't like her if he really knew her, and that she's bound to ruin it anyway. Meanwhile, Jack shows an amazing amount of patience and sensitivity as he tries to get past Rose's walls.

One of the things I absolutely loved about Jack was that he loved Rose for exactly who she is. When she tries putting on a sweet façade, he calls her on it right away, making it clear that he wants to see the real Rose. Though Rose puts on a really good show of being only in this as a favor to Jack, she admits to herself that her feelings for him are growing. That scares her to death because all she can see is pain in the future for both of them. Because of those same feelings, Jack has become one of the people that Rose will protect any way she can. There is a terrific scene involving a confrontation between Jack and his brother, where Mike gets what's coming to him and it isn't from Jack! This scene was the catalyst for another great scene where Jack can open up to his family, and some old hurts are finally laid to rest.

While the need for a fake girlfriend has passed, Jack doesn't want to let go of what he has with Rose. I loved how he was there for her when an unexpected crisis arose. Her fears were real and deep-seated, and I loved seeing him be the support that she needed. However, those fears, on top of a confrontation with her parents, have Rose ready to run.  But her friends and her family have her back and step in to show her the truth. That scene was heartbreaking and heartwarming as so much of Rose's past is revealed. I loved the way that her sisters gave her a new perspective and the effect that had on her relationship with Jack. It's not all immediately unicorns and rainbows, as both realize that they still have things to overcome, but they do see that they are much stronger together than they are alone.

Having read this book, I want to go back and read Alex's story and have put Gabe's story on my want to read list also.