The Bull Rider's Valentine - Cathy McDavid (HWR #1673 - Jan 2018)

Series: Mustang Valley (Book 11)

FOREVER HIS VALENTINE

It may be the most romantic time of the year, but Valentine’s Day just brings up bad memories for Nate Truett. Because on that day six years ago, Ronnie Hartman turned down his marriage proposal and broke his heart. Ever since, he’s avoided the holiday -- and her -- completely. Now he’s returned to Mustang Valley, Arizona, for one last chance to set things right.

Ronnie hasn’t forgotten that awful day, or why she turned down Nate’s proposal, but six years is a long time. Seeing how easily the former bull rider fits back into her life is…interesting. As he is welcomed with open arms by her family, Ronnie realizes one thing. Whatever his reasons for coming back, she can’t avoid him, or the past, anymore…

Good second chance romance between two people who let their pride and insecurities come between them. Now Nate is back in Mustang Valley to do a favor for a friend, and maybe have another chance with Ronnie. But first, he has to get her to talk to him.

Six years earlier, Nate and Ronnie had been a couple in love, with good rodeo careers and a baby on the way. Then a freak accident at Nationals had caused Ronnie to lose the baby. Then Nate had put together a romantic Valentine's evening, ending with a marriage proposal. He was devastated and heartbroken when she turned him down and walked away. Neither had handled it well, causing great turmoil in both their lives.

I enjoyed the rekindling of Nate and Ronnie's relationship. Both of them had needed to do some maturing, as well as learning how to forgive themselves and each other. Nate had gone into a depression, losing his rodeo career and endorsements, leaving him pretty much broke and broken. After spending six years drifting from job to job, he's finally ready to put his life back together. That includes seeing if there's anything left between him and Ronnie. Ronnie couldn't handle the guilt she felt over the loss of the baby. Rather than face Nate and the anger and resentment she was sure he was hiding, she ran home to Mustang Valley and refused to see him again. She's not happy to see him, as his arrival stirs up emotions she'd thought were well buried.

I liked Nate. He's sweet, romantic, and a really sensitive guy. I loved his stories about the brother he had taken care of and how that influenced his future behavior. I liked his determination to talk to Ronnie and clear the air about their past, and how he knew when to push and when to back off. I ached a bit for him as Ronnie did her best to keep him at a distance. I liked Ronnie, too, although she did frustrate me a little bit. Her actions after the proposal seemed unnecessarily cruel. As her reasoning was revealed, I wanted to shake her, because so much pain could have been avoided if she had just talked to him about her fears and feelings. As they worked together to help Sam and run the recreational rodeo, they slowly began to get to know each other again. Things were looking good for them until something happened that brought back Nate's fears and insecurities, which Ronnie had trouble dealing with. I liked the way her eyes got opened by a conversation with her younger sister. I also loved Theo's surprise solution to Nate's problem. The epilogue was sweet and romantic, though not much of a surprise, in spite of the earlier agreement between Nate and Ronnie.

I liked catching up a little with Ronnie's sisters, Mel and Frankie, but I especially liked seeing more of Sam. It's great to see her settling in with the family, despite their rocky beginning. She still has her moments, especially in the lead-up to Nationals, but overall it's a vast improvement over her introduction. I also adored Theo. He's a crusty, ornery old cowboy who isn't handling his health issues very well. I could feel and understand his frustrations at his limitations. I loved how he and Nate connected and how Nate was able to help him without making him feel like a useless old man. I really enjoyed his straight-talk and advice to Nate and how they ended up helping each other.

The Proper Way to Stop a Wedding - Victoria Alexander (HQN - Apr 2017)

Series: Lady Travelers Society (Book .5)

The family of the bride is expected to revel in the joy of the upcoming wedding. Instead, Miss Celia Bromley faces the most heartbreaking dilemma of her life: she's fallen in love with the man engaged to marry her scheming half-sister. Worse, he might love Celia in return. But handsome, bookish Henry Saunders is a man of honour. He would never break his promise to his bride-to-be, no matter how horrid she may be.

Celia’s despair hasn’t escaped the notice of keen-eyed Aunt Guinevere who, along with her crafty friends are determined to see true love triumph. Unravelling a wedding takes a delicate, subtle touch, and in the mad dash to break one engagement and encourage another, the ladies may well hear the whispers of scandal instead of the peal of wedding bells…

Fun little prequel novella to the Lady Traveler Society series. In this story, we get the story that was alluded to in the first book, about Derek's parents and the family "scandal." We also get to see the three founders of the Society in the early years of their antics.

It all starts in a London bookshop, where Henry and Celia meet and connect. They spend a lovely afternoon together, but part without exchanging names. After weeks of being unable to find each other again, both Henry and Celia decide to move on, even though they can't forget each other. Henry meets a beautiful and vivacious young woman and quickly finds himself engaged to be married - though he isn't quite sure how it happened. Imagine his dismay when he discovers that the woman he really wants is his fiancée's younger sister.

I liked Henry and Celia. They are both nice people, to whom family is important. I ached for them both during this week before the wedding, as they are so obviously in love with each other. They are also products of their time. For Henry, once he has given his word, that is it. He won't go back on it, even though he has come to realize that he is making a huge mistake. The more time he spends with Katherine, the more he realizes that he doesn't even like her. Who could blame him? It is painfully obvious that she is marrying him only for his money and his connections. Celia is a sweet young woman who has always felt like an outsider with her two half-sisters. Even so, there is no way that she will do anything to ruin her sister's wedding, even though it means losing the man she loves. But each time that she and Henry are together, they can't help what they feel.

Enter Aunt Gwen and her friends. They have come for the wedding and to help with the last minute arrangements. Being an experienced and observant woman, Gwen is quick to realize that the wedding is happening between the wrong people. She adores her niece, Celia, and is determined to solve the problem facing the two young people. They are delightfully creative and devious and zero in on Katherine's weaknesses. They also have an unexpected and talented partner in Henry's brother Edward, who is the earl. He sees how miserable Henry is, and knows his brother well enough to understand that Henry won't end the engagement. He joins forces with the ladies to come up with a plan that will make Katherine the one to call it off. Katherine is a hard nut to crack though, and it takes a brilliant move by Edward to provide the last push. Their efforts were great fun to see.

The only disappointment is that, in reading this after The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentlemen, I already knew the fates of Henry and Celia. This put a little bit of a damper on their happy ever after.

The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentlemen - Victoria Alexander (HQN - May 2017)

Series: Lady Travelers Society (Book 1)

Really, it's too much to expect any normal man to behave like a staid accountant in order to inherit the fortune he deserves to support the lifestyle of an earl. So when Derek Saunders's favorite elderly aunt and her ill-conceived -- and possibly fraudulent -- Lady Travelers Society loses one of their members, what's a man to do but step up to the challenge? Now he's escorting the world's most maddening woman to the world's most romantic city to find her missing relative.

While India Prendergast only suspects his organization defrauds gullible travelers, she's certain a man with as scandalous a reputation as Derek Saunders cannot be trusted any farther than the distance around his very broad shoulders. As she struggles not to be distracted by his wicked smile and the allure of Paris, instead of finding a lost lady traveler, India just may lose her head, her luggage and her heart.

Fun book. It opens with India, spinster and assistant to Sir Martin, on a mission to discover what has happened to her cousin Heloise. Said cousin departed on a Continental tour supposedly planned and facilitated by the Lady Travelers Society. But when India stops receiving letters from Heloise, and her increasingly frantic inquiries to the Society go unanswered, she begins an investigation. She quickly concludes that the Society is, in fact, a fraud, designed to bilk older ladies with a taste for adventure out of their money. Since the three older ladies who run it seem too flighty to be behind it, India's eagle eye falls on Derek.

Derek is a young man who has enjoyed all the benefits of being the wealthy heir to an earldom. But when Derek's uncle makes it clear that it's time for him to grow up and take some responsibility, Derek turns over a new leaf. When he's asked to check on his favorite, though somewhat eccentric aunt, he's horrified to discover that she and her friends have formed a travelers society that has misplaced one of its members. In an attempt to keep the old dears out of jail and free of scandal, he's determined to track down the missing woman. Unfortunately, he has no choice but to take India with him.

I have to admit that I didn't care for India at first. She is judgmental, convinced of her infallibility, and rather obnoxious. She arrives at a Society meeting already convinced that there is something illegal going on and nothing is going to change her mind. A partially overheard conversation makes her believe that Derek is the mastermind behind the whole thing. Even though he has promised to find out what has happened to her cousin, she makes it clear that she doesn't trust him.

On the other hand, I liked Derek. He has buckled down quite nicely to becoming a more responsible man. He obviously cares quite deeply for his aunt and will do whatever he must to protect her, including taking the blame that India dishes out. I liked the way he immediately stepped up to find the missing Heloise and definitely felt his dismay at having to deal with the prickly India.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of their relationship. Though Derek has matured into a better man thanks to his uncle's efforts, he still knows how to have fun. He has made it a personal mission to get India to lighten up a bit. While taking the time to check at various hotels for any sign of Heloise, Derek also manages to insist on doing some sightseeing as well. I loved seeing the "why on earth would anyone want to leave England to visit a foreign country" India get her eyes opened to the wonders of Paris. India also makes some rather disturbing discoveries about herself, and I enjoyed seeing her evolution. The encounters between Derek and India are full of witty back and forth banter. She makes no bones about her distrust of him and her determination to reform him. Underneath it all is a growing attraction that takes them both by surprise. Just as things are looking really good for them, they receive some information about Heloise. The old India makes a return, parting the two with some harsh words. I liked that Derek gave India a little space, enabling her to get over her anger. I loved his big moment at the end - it was quite cleverly done.

The mystery of Heloise's disappearance was a fairly mild one. I liked India's worry for her cousin and her determination to find her. I thoroughly enjoyed the Paris setting and how the sights and sounds were brought to life, from the cafes to experiencing the Eiffel Tower. Derek's deceptions are a little bothersome and I had a feeling they would come back to bite him. The story behind Heloise's disappearance was a bit of a surprise. I liked seeing Heloise confess the truth, but ached a little for India.

The secondary characters all added extra life to the story. First were the three old ladies, whose desire for financial independence started the whole mess. They were delightfully naïve about the ethics of what they were doing. Their explanations to Derek were pretty funny. My favorite was Derek's stepbrother Percy, Marquess of Brookings. He was quite the unrepentant rake, charming and full of fun. His scene with India that first morning was hilarious. I loved how close he was to Derek; some of the advice that he gave was spot-on. The chaperones, Professor and Estelle Greer, were sweet. I loved Estelle's willingness to loan India clothes when India's trunk was lost. She was also especially kind considering India's early attitude toward her. India's boss, Sir Martin, was also quite interesting. He seemed like the typical absent-minded professor as India kept his life organized for him. His surprise arrival in Paris created quite a stir, especially with his attitude toward Derek. I did like India's way of dealing with him. I loved Derek's mother and the way she embraced India. Her method of convincing India to go shopping with her was really sweet. 

Twins for the Texas Rancher - Marin Thomas (HWR #1659 - Sept 2017)

Series: Cowboys of Stampede Texas (Book 2)

DOUBLE TROUBLE!

Sadie McHenry and her twin sons are heading home to Stampede, Texas. Sadie wants a chance to start over after being laid off -- and she might have found it with rancher Logan Hardell. Logan instantly bonds with her boys, especially with Tommy, whose ADD makes him a handful. But Logan seems to understand the four-year-old's needs and seeing them together melts Sadie's heart.

Logan's ranch is at risk, so Sadie agrees to help with their books -- putting Logan on twin patrol! With his fun-loving approach to the kids and his rugged appeal, Sadie can't understand why he's ruled out a family of his own. But she's not giving up on him just yet. Because Sadie's convinced Logan is exactly what she and her boys need!

Wonderfully emotional story. Sadie heads home to Stampede with her two sons, needing the support of her family as she starts over. She is the single mother of two four-year-old boys, divorced from their useless father, and has recently lost her job. Stampede will give her a chance recover from the stress before looking for a new job. She doesn't expect to be offered a job helping Logan straighten out the mess that threatens his ranch. Logan gave up his rodeo career to come home when his grandfather needed help with the ranch. It's a lot of work for one man, especially one whose inner demons won't let him ask for help.

I loved Sadie. She has had to cope with so much by herself. Twins are enough of a handful, but when one of them has ADD, the challenge is so much greater. She feels guilty because she has to spend so much time with Tommy that Tyler falls by the wayside. It doesn't help that her husband was no help at all and since their divorce has been even more neglectful. Her love for both her boys is obvious, as is her determination to do what is best for them.

I also loved Logan. He is a hardworking man who has had a lot to deal with in his life. He blames himself for his mother deserting the family, because of his wild behavior as a child. He also blames himself for the end of his marriage, because his issues were ones that his wife couldn't handle. Now the ranch is failing which he also holds himself responsible for. But there is no doubt that his family is the most important thing to him. I loved his patience with his ornery grandfather and his support for his brother Gunner and his work at the hotel. When given a chance to save the ranch, he is all in.

I loved the development of the relationship between Logan and Sadie. Though they have known each other for years, this time there is an unexpected spark between them. But both try to ignore it. Logan has written off any chance of a family of his own, and Sadie has discovered that most men are reluctant to take on a ready-made family like hers. As Sadie settles in to work on the ranch books, Logan and his grandfather take charge of the two little boys. I loved the way that Logan connected with both Tommy and Tyler. Tommy reminds Logan of himself at that age, giving him insight on the best way to deal with him. Logan also makes sure that Tyler gets equal attention that is tailored to his very different personality. Seeing Logan with her boys has a very strong effect on Sadie. But she is very wary of getting involved with Logan. His empathy with Tommy exposes the very real obstacle of Logan's own fight with ADD. Sadie is afraid that she would end up resenting having to deal with Logan's messes as well as Tommy's. I ached for Logan, whose feelings for Sadie and her boys went very deep. I loved his determination to finally get a handle on his ADD and was impressed with his commitment to making it work. I loved Sadie's reaction to his efforts, as she went from adamantly opposed to getting involved to believing that it might be possible. When Sadie is offered a job back in Wisconsin, she has to decide if she's willing to take a chance. And Logan has to decide if he's willing to risk his heart again. I loved their big moment at the end as Logan laid his heart on the line and Sadie showed him just how much she cared.

I loved the secondary characters. First of all, the boys were adorable. I could easily see what a challenge they were for Sadie. Tommy was adorable in his busyness and his worship of Logan and Emmett. It was easy to see the benefits that being on the ranch had on Tommy. I also loved Tyler. He was the quiet one who used books to escape from the chaos caused by his brother. He was a bit of a worrier and accustomed to being overlooked. I loved seeing him bloom with the attention he received from the new men in his life. It was great to see him act like a four-year-old boy instead of a shadow.

I also loved seeing more of the developing relationship between Emmett and Sadie's Aunt Amelia. It was easy to see that the bickering between them masked deeper feelings. I liked learning more about their pasts and what brought them to this point in their lives. There was an interesting little twist involving the friendship between Amelia and Emmett's late wife, Sarah. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing where their relationship goes.

Forbidden Night with the Warrior - Michelle Willingham (HH #1338 - July 2017)

Series: Warriors of the Night (Book 1)

One wicked night for an heir!

Rosamund de Courcy has always loved Warrick de Laurent, but was forced to marry another. Now her husband's dying command is that she must provide him with an heir. To do so, she will have to spend one sinful night…with Warrick!

The powerful warrior was wounded by Rosamund's abandonment years ago, and Warrick refuses to let her touch his heart again. But this illicit night is impossible to resist, and soon he is determined -- he will not only possess her, but reclaim her for his own!

Good second chance story with some interesting twists and turns. Rosamund fell in love with Warrick as a young girl. They ran away together but were caught by Rosamund's father who was furious at them. He had already promised Rosamund to Alan and had no intention of allowing a marriage with a second son who had no prospects. When Rosamund tried to resist, her father threatened Warrick's life if she didn't cooperate.

Three years later, Rosamund is married to Alan. They have no children and he is dying. He is desperate to have an heir to prevent his wastrel younger brother from inheriting. He has come up with the idea of having another man get her pregnant - and the man he has chosen is Warrick. Rosamund is horrified by the very thought.

Overall, I liked Rosamund. I thought that she was a bit naïve when she first fell for Warrick. She actually believed that her father would allow her to stay with Warrick, even though he had already made it plain that Warrick was unsuitable. I liked that she did what she had to do to save Warrick's life, even though it broke her heart. I also liked that she tried to be a good wife to Alan, even though she didn't love him. I loved her sense of honor that had her refusing to break her marriage vows by sleeping with Warrick. She is furious at having yet another man dictate the direction of her life. She undergoes some major changes as she attempts to seize control of her future.

I liked Warrick a lot. He is strong, honorable, and determined. I ached for him at the beginning as he dealt with the way that his father treated him. The defining moment of his young life was heartbreaking and affected his life for years to come. I thought it was interesting that both Alan and his brother Owen had summoned Warrick and offered him something he wanted - a chance for the land and respect he craves.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Warrick and Rosamund. In spite of everything that had occurred in the past, their love for each other had never died. One of the reasons Rosamund is so horrified by Alan's plan is that she fears the feelings she has buried for so long will come out and destroy her. Though Warrick craves the chance to be with her again, he will not force the issue. I loved his protectiveness toward Rosamund and his determination to keep her safe from Owen. As they spent time together, Warrick lost some of the anger he had felt toward her and began to respect the strength she had developed to go on with her life. He was also determined that this time he would not take a chance on losing her again. Rosamund fought her feelings for Warrick. Besides the whole issue of Alan's desire for an heir, Rosamund has some fears of her own that make her reluctant to participate in his scheme. But as the threats from Owen grow stronger, her heart admits that it is only Warrick who makes her feel safe. I loved seeing them stand together to face the threat and how their confidence in their love gains them the life they want.

The threat posed by Owen was ongoing throughout the book. His evilness is made plain from the very beginning, making Alan's plan understandable. Though Rosamund initially believed she would be safe from him, she quickly learned otherwise. There were quite a few twists and turns as Owen attempts to gain the prize he wants and the others counteract them. Alan's determination to carry out his plan, in spite of Rosamund's objections, was very creepy at times. An unexpected twist regarding Alan's illness added more strain to an already difficult situation. The final confrontation between Warrick and Owen had an unexpected player with an unusual solution to the problem. I was on the edge of my seat as I wondered how it was going to end. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up for the book as well as a lead-in for the next one. I am looking forward to getting the story behind the tension between Rhys and Lianna.

Blackthorne's Bride - Joan Johnston (Dell - July 2017)

Series: Mail Order Brides (Book 4)
            Bitter Creek (Book 15)

Two years have passed since Josie Wentworth was bought from the Sioux for a gold watch and whisked back to England by Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne. When Marcus breaks his promise to return Josie to America, she ends up as a maid in the home of his charming but neglected nephews. Once Josie’s long-lost family finds her, however, the suddenly wealthy heiress sets out to save the two boys from their indifferent uncle -- and teach the duke a lesson in honor.

Learning that Marcus is seeking a rich American bride to save his estate, Josie plots to catch his eye -- certain he’ll never recognize the beauty she’s become as the ragged captive he rescued. But Josie doesn’t wager on her marital charade taking a tender turn, as the nobleman she’s despised for years proves to be a very different man than she’s imagined. And there’s no denying his passionate caresses, as she falls deeper under the spell of a husband determined to claim her heart.

Good conclusion to the Mail Order Brides series. In the earlier books, the four sisters had all taken steps to escape the horror of their lives in a Chicago orphanage after their parents' deaths. Josie was captured by renegade Sioux warriors, and in the prologue of this book is whipped by one of her captors because she resisted. Marcus, Duke of Blackthorne, and his friend David, Earl of Seaton, happen upon the scene. Horrified by what he sees, Marcus buys Josie from the Indian, determined to save her. Unwilling to leave her behind to recover, Marcus takes her with him back to England, nursing her himself during the journey. As he is to be married to David's sister on his return home, he charges his friend with making certain that Josie is returned to her family in America once she is healed.

Two years later, Josie is practically a prisoner at one of the Duke's estates, working as a maid and caring for the Duke's two orphaned nephews. She is furious at the Duke, both for his broken promise to her and for his neglect of his nephews. She has written to him numerous times with no response and her anger at him continues to grow. Her life takes a sudden and drastic change when she is visited by a Pinkerton detective. She is stunned when he informs her that her sisters have been searching for her for two years and that she has inherited a significant amount of money. She decides to use that money to bribe Marcus to allow her to take his nephews back to America with her. That decision undergoes a change when she discovers that he is looking for a rich American to marry to save his estates. I loved Josie's spirit and determination to protect the two little boys she has come to love.

Marcus's life since his return has not been an easy one. His father died, leaving the estate in debt. His brother also died, leaving Marcus to care for his two nephews. His beloved wife also died, along with their son, after an illness she had hidden from him. Though he doesn't want to marry again, he needs an heir and the wherewithal to restore his estates. Throughout it all, he has never forgotten the girl he rescued and has often wondered how she is and why she has never contacted him. Marcus irritated me at the beginning with the way he had neglected to follow up on his promise to Josie. He also seemed far too willing to depend on other people's word instead of checking things out himself.

I enjoyed the meeting between Josie and Marcus. He doesn't recognize her as the woman he rescued, and he never knew her name. Josie is determined to dislike Marcus, based on his broken promise and neglect of his nephews. Neither expects the buzz of attraction between them. It was fun to see Marcus begin to regret the bargain that he had made, promising that he would not seek out the physical side of their marriage past their wedding night. Josie keeps the secret of her identity as she still plans to leave him as soon as she can. But as they spend their honeymoon preparing to restore his main estate, they begin to get to know each other. There are some terrific scenes as Josie's American outlook butts up against Marcus's British reserve. Josie discovers that Marcus is not the unfeeling man she thought he was. Marcus is stunned when he discovers the truth about Josie. The attraction between them continues to grow as do their feelings, though neither is ready to admit it.

As Josie fights with herself over her best course of action, family crises create complications. One of Marcus's sisters disappears, and Marcus and Josie embark on a search for her. Josie receives word that one of her sisters is fighting for her life. Josie and Marcus become separated, and he discovers the truth behind what happened to Josie. I wasn't surprised by who was behind it, though the reasoning was somewhat incredible. Josie's fear for her sister causes her to act precipitously and by the time she realizes that she may have made a mistake it's too late to change course. I liked their big moment at the end as they finally admit to their feelings. I loved the epilogue as the family is reunited.

I enjoyed the occasional update on the other sisters as they waited to hear that Josie has been found and is on her way home. I also liked Marcus's sisters and their immediate acceptance of Josie into the family. There is a good secondary storyline involving one of those sisters that shows Marcus's love and protectiveness for his family, even though he sometimes has a hard time showing it.

Their Little Princess - Susan Mallery (SSE #1298 - Jan 2000)

Series: Prescription: Marriage (Book 5)
            Close to Home (Book 20)

MOMMY, M.D....?

After a devastating heartbreak, Dr. Kelly Hall had given up all hope of family and happiness. Then single father Tanner Malone breached her lonely existence with a magnetic virility that was hard to resist. His charming smiles and come-hither glances drew her like a moth to a flame, and watching Tanner cradle his infant daughter had her yearning for what she'd been missing from her life. But Kelly could never let down her defenses, especially since she harbored a secret that she'd risk all to hide. Nonetheless, she wished that Tanner's little princess was THEIR little princess, and that she could call father and daughter her own....

Very good story of love, forgiveness, and letting go. Tanner is a confirmed bachelor, happy with fleeting relationships, until one of those women ended up pregnant. Though he initially agreed to give the baby up for adoption, by the time the baby was born he had changed his mind. Even though he knows nothing about babies, he's determined to keep his daughter.

I loved the encounter between Tanner and Kelly. As the doctor who delivered the baby, she knows about the adoption, so she is surprised when Tanner shows up at the hospital. Her low opinion of him undergoes a quick transformation as she sees his sincerity about raising his daughter. I loved watching him fumble around, trying to find the words to explain how he felt. His panic was pretty amusing as Kelly started to tell him what he needed to do, and his relief was clear when she offered to help.

I loved the development of the relationship between Tanner and Kelly. They quickly became friends, bonding over the care of little Lia. I liked the way that each of them grew comfortable enough to share the shadows in their lives. I ached for Tanner and his fears that he isn't capable of the commitment needed to be a good father.  I liked the way that Kelly's support and confidence in him lessened those fears. Tanner's concern for Lia and what to tell her about her mother hits Kelly hard. She is still dealing with the guilty feelings of giving up her own daughter when she was a teenager. I loved how Tanner tried to show Kelly that she wasn't the selfish monster that she thinks she is. While all of this is going on, there is a growing attraction between Tanner and Kelly. Neither expects it, and they aren't quite sure what to do about it until it becomes impossible to resist. Their feelings for each other grew, but both of them had issues holding them back. In spite of his success, Tanner has some deep-seated esteem issues, causing him to believe that as a builder he isn't good enough for Kelly the doctor. Kelly believes that she doesn't really deserve to be happy and has been hiding from living life fully. It takes some heart-to-heart advice from those they love to open their eyes. I loved the advice that Tanner got from his brother, but what really got to me was the talk that Kelly had with her dad. I loved seeing Kelly go after what she wanted and Tanner's surprise when it was him. I loved the epilogue and seeing the family a few years down the line. There was a nice little surprise along with it.

There were quite a few emotional and heartwarming scenes throughout the book, as well as some that were laugh out loud funny. Tanner's introduction to his daughter was one that reminded me of when my daughter was born and her daddy held her for the first time. Kelly's devotion to her patients was incredible. She brought me to tears with the one emergency situation with the teenager and the talk they had afterward. I also laughed at the scenes where Tanner first dealt with the diaper and the baby shower was a riot. He was especially sweet and funny when he talked about buying Christmas presents for Lia.

Published as Baby, It's Christmas in November 2017

Curious Minds - Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton (Bantam - Aug 2016)

Series: Knight and Moon (Book 1)

Emerson Knight is introverted, eccentric, and has little to no sense of social etiquette. Good thing he’s also brilliant, rich, and (some people might say) handsome, or he’d probably be homeless. Riley Moon has just graduated from Harvard Business and Harvard Law. Her aggressive Texas spitfire attitude has helped her land her dream job as a junior analyst with mega-bank Blane-Grunwald. At least Riley Moon thought it was her dream job, until she is given her first assignment: babysitting Emerson Knight.

What starts off as an inquiry about missing bank funds in the Knight account leads to inquiries about a missing man, missing gold, and a life-and-death race across the country. Through the streets of Washington, D.C., and down into the underground vault of the Federal Reserve in New York City, an evil plan is exposed. A plan so sinister that only a megalomaniac could think it up, and only the unlikely duo of the irrepressibly charming Emerson Knight and the tenacious Riley Moon can stop it.

Very fun book to read, with classic Evanovich humor and hijinks. Riley is an ambitious young woman who isn't too happy when her dream job at a big bank turns into a job babysitting one of its biggest customers. Emerson is rich and eccentric, as well as brilliant and handsome. He is also somewhat clueless when it comes to dealing with people.

The first encounter between Riley and Emerson sets the tone for the book. All she wants to do is let him know his money is safe after some banking glitches. She doesn't quite know what to do when he insists on accompanying her back to the bank so that he can "see his own gold." At that point, the discovery that his usual bank contact has been missing for a month and is accused of embezzling from the company gives Emerson the brilliant idea that he and Riley should investigate Gunter's disappearance. Her boss tells her to keep an eye on Emerson and report back.

I thoroughly enjoyed Emerson's antics. The man is scary smart but doesn't have a cautious bone in his body. He comes up with wild plans that Riley tries, unsuccessfully, to talk him out of. Strangely enough, they nearly always work out, usually thanks to Emerson's refusal to believe that they won't. Riley is often left scrambling to keep up with Emerson, though she does have some shining moments of her own.

There is also some chemistry buzzing around Emerson and Riley. The first thing that she notices about him is how good looking he is. This frequently causes some distraction on her part. Emerson's lack of social skills become more evident in these situations as he blurts out occasional comments that could be offensive if Riley chose to take them that way. Nothing really comes of it, but the potential is there for the future.

The suspense of the story is pretty good. Emerson's missing gold leads them to uncover a plot that would wreak havoc on the world's finances. There are multiple twists and turns as our duo discovers fake gold bars, evades a sadistic NSA agent, is chased across the country to Area 51, and escapes death before saving the day. The bad guys' plot occasionally seems over the top, but parts of it are scarily realistic, especially the megalomaniac tendencies of the bad guys.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. Emerson's Aunt Myra was a trip with the way she treated Emerson. She certainly has her hands full dealing with him and his menagerie. She's no simple housekeeper though, as she proves several times throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the story of her encounter with some of the goons. Her son Vern comes across as a good ole boy, but he too is more than he appears. I liked the little bit we saw of Riley's family, and how close and supportive they are of each other. I hope to see more of them in the next book.

No One But You - Brenda Novak (Mira - June 2017)

Series: Silver Springs (Book 2)

Struggling to make ends meet after a messy divorce, Sadie Harris is at the end of her tether. Her waitressing gig isn't enough to pay the bills let alone secure primary custody of her son, Jayden, a battle she refuses to lose. Desperate, she accepts a position assisting Dawson Reed -- the same Dawson Reed who recently stood trial for the murder of his adoptive parents. Joining him at his isolated farm seems risky, but Sadie is out of options.

Dawson has given small town Silver Springs plenty of reasons to be wary, but he's innocent of the charges against him. He wants to leave his painful past behind and fix up the family farm so he can finally bring his dependent sister home where she belongs.

As Sadie and Dawson's professional relationship grows into something undeniably personal, Sadie realizes there's more to Dawson than the bad boy everyone else sees -- he has a good heart, one that might even be worth fighting for.

Very good book about two people who are trying to put their lives back together. Sadie is in the midst of a difficult divorce from her controlling and abusive husband. Her job as a waitress isn't enough to make ends meet and desperation has her accepting a job working for Dawson. Dawson has spent a year in prison as he stood trial for the murder of his parents. He's been acquitted, but the people of Silver Springs still believe that he is guilty. He is trying to get the farm and house fixed up so that he can bring his disabled sister back home. Sadie is the only one who has agreed to work for him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Sadie and Dawson. Sadie is understandably nervous about her job. The justice system says that Dawson is innocent, but it's difficult not to be influenced by the constant negativity of the people around her. I loved that Dawson is patient and understanding of her fears. It doesn't take long for Sadie's heart to convince her that Dawson is innocent. They quickly move from employer/employee to friends, and then more. I ached for Sadie, whose soon-to-be-ex doesn't want to let her go and does everything he can to sabotage her efforts at independence. I loved the way that Dawson stood behind her and gave her the support she needed to fight back. I also hurt for Dawson, who had never truly had a chance to mourn the loss of his parents. He buries his pain in his determination to bring the farm back to life and bring his sister home. I loved Sadie's faith in him and how she stands up for him against his detractors. I especially loved the scene with Sadie and the social worker who came to investigate for Dawson's sister's release. Neither Sadie nor Dawson had started out wanting or expecting any kind of relationship. Sadie is reluctant to trust her judgment after what she has been through with Sly and now believes that love is just a fairytale. Dawson is just too busy with fixing the farm to have time, plus he believes that his trashed reputation will prevent any woman from wanting him. I loved watching them grow closer as they spent time together. It was especially sweet to see Dawson with Sadie's son, Jayden. It was clear that Dawson would be a terrific father. I liked that they didn't fight their growing attraction too hard. Giving in opened their hearts to the possibility of a future for them. I liked the epilogue and how it brought Dawson and the town back together.

The book had two suspense storylines - Dawson's search for his parents' true murderer, and the problems that Sadie was having with Sly. I liked Dawson's determination to prove his innocence and his persistence in pursuing each lead that he got. It really seemed like finding a needle in a haystack until one particular connection was discovered. The problems with Sly were much more intense. He is an abusive, controlling man, who enjoys the power trip of being a police officer. From the beginning, he uses intimidation to prevent Sadie from getting the jobs that would enable her to earn more money. When that doesn't work on Dawson, he steps up his attempts to drive Sadie back to him. His actions escalate, becoming more and more dangerous to both Sadie and Dawson. It was frustrating to see the way that he had the support of his fellow officers, who not only refused to see what he was doing but also participated in some of the intimidation. I loved the support that Dawson gave Sadie and seeing the steps she went through to solve the problem. The final confrontation was intense with a surprise twist to its resolution.

Amish Christmas Abduction - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #649 - Dec 2017)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 3)

KIDNAPPED IN AMISH COUNTRY

After catching a glimpse of something she wasn’t supposed to see days before Christmas, Irene Martello is run off the road and barely survives. More shocking is the backseat whimper of an Amish toddler stowaway and the familiar sight of their rescuer -- the man who’d let her down years earlier. Police chief Paul Kennedy fears Irene stumbled onto a kidnapping ring with two dangerous agendas: retrieving the girl and silencing the witness for good. Only Paul can keep them safe for the holidays. Guarding Irene means risking his heart -- and his secret -- but to save the child and the woman he never stopped loving, it’s a risk he has to take.

Good second chance romance combined with excellent suspense. The action began immediately as Irene accidentally stumbled into a child kidnapping ring. One of the kidnappers, determined to silence her, chases after her, shooting at her car and running her off the road. If not for the timely arrival of police chief Paul Kennedy, Irene would likely have died. Both of them were shocked to discover a little Amish girl in the backseat of Irene's car.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Paul and Irene. There is tension between them from the very beginning. Irene was Paul's high school girlfriend and is also the widow of one of his officers. He still cares for Irene but believes that he isn't good enough for her. He is determined to keep her safe, even as he struggles to keep his feelings in check. Irene is dismayed to realize that she still has feelings for Paul. It is difficult for her to trust him after the way he broke her heart. On top of that, getting involved with another cop, with the risk of loss to herself and her sons, is something she isn't willing to do. As they worked together to find the parents of the little girl, Paul and Irene had the chance to put the past behind them. I ached for Paul, who had continued to love Irene, but believed she could never forgive that which drove him away from her. I loved his protectiveness toward Irene and little Mary. He melted my heart with how sweet he was with Mary as well as Irene's sons. I liked seeing Irene get to know Paul as the man he has become. She still sees some of the boy she loved, and the man he has become appeals to her more every day. But when Paul is injured, Irene's fears come crashing back, and she pushes him away. I ached for her and wanted to shake her, all at the same time. I loved her big moment on Christmas Eve, as she finally put her past behind her and seized her chance at love. I loved seeing Paul go from despair to joy. The epilogue was a beautiful wrap-up.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. From Irene's first encounter with the bearded man to the final confrontation, the menace from the kidnappers leapt off the page. Each attempt on Irene's life increased the intensity until that final encounter. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Paul to find Irene. I also loved the fact that Irene wasn't a passive victim but had a hand in her own rescue. I was also wholly invested in Paul and Irene's search for Mary's parents. Each lead had me holding my breath to see if that would be the one, and oh, the happy tears when they found the right one.

I also enjoyed catching up with characters from previous books. Irene's brother Jace and his wife Melanie were a big part of this story. There were also Dan and Maggie, Jess and Seth, and Miles and Rebecca. I look forward to seeing more of Paul and Irene in future books, as well as getting to know new couples.

The Stranger in Her Bed - Janet Chapman (Pocket - Feb 2007)

Series: Knight Family (Book 2)

When Ethan agreed to work at a sawmill his family is purchasing, he didn't foresee getting fired on his first day. He should be mad at the fiercely outspoken female foreman, but something about her seems disconcertingly familiar -- even though Ethan is sure he'd remember meeting a stunning beauty like Anna Segee before.

Anna has never forgotten Ethan -- or the schoolgirl crush she had on him before her father whisked her off to Canada. Now the shy, gangly girl is grown up and back in Oak Grove with a new name, new confidence, and a newly inherited mill of her own. Her superb reputation in a male-dominated industry hasn't come easy, but even harder will be ignoring the sexy man Ethan has become. . . .

Very good follow-on to The Seduction of His Wife. In this book, the Knight family has decided to purchase Loon Cove Mill from its retiring owner. Ethan is tagged with getting a job at the mill to learn the business while the purchase is negotiated. Unfortunately for him, he makes a really stupid mistake the first morning he is there and gets himself fired by the foreman.

Anna has been the foreman for Loon Cove since her return to Oak Grove a few months earlier. She had lived in Oak Grove with her mother until she was eleven when her father took her to live in Canada with him. She never forgot Ethan and how he rescued her one day. That shy girl has grown into a woman with a great reputation in the industry, the confidence to go with it, and a run-down mill inherited from her maternal grandfather.

I loved that first encounter between Ethan and Anna. Ethan's inattention nearly got him flattened, and if Anna hadn't been as good as she is, he would have been dead. As it was, she wrecked the loader she was driving trying to avoid him and was hopping mad when she got out of the damaged vehicle. All Ethan saw was a mad driver in a hard hat and carrying a tire iron, and decked her before he realized she was a woman. He was horrified at what he had done (both parts), but she was in no mood to listen and fired him immediately. They didn't recognize each other, but Anna quickly learned who he was. A few weeks later, they met again, this time with Ethan being one of the new owners. That encounter was good also, especially when Anna realized that it was Ethan who would be renting one of the cottages on her new property. There are definite sparks between the two of them, as Ethan is instantly attracted to Anna, the spitfire, and Anna is still drawn to her childhood crush. Matters get more complicated when Anna's truck slides off the road on the way home and Ethan saves her. It was an intense scene as he raced to get her out before the truck slid down the ravine. It was followed by the fun of seeing Ethan's determination to take care of her, and Anna's equal determination to take care of herself. I also laughed out loud at Ethan's introduction to those who shared her house.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. The first few days, as Ethan takes care of Anna after her accident, are great fun as they constantly butt heads. Ethan is a bit old-fashioned and isn't used to a woman who is quite so independent. Anna, having spent the last eighteen years with an overprotective father and four equally smothering brothers, is determined to prove herself. As the weeks went on, Anna and Ethan learned to work together, with Ethan gaining a great deal of respect for Anna and her abilities, and Anna separating her girlhood crush from the man he is now. Underneath it all, the chemistry between them continued to build. I loved the heat generated when Anna decides to go after what she wants. The next morning is hilariously complicated by the unexpected arrival of two of Anna's brothers. I enjoyed Ethan's reaction to their treatment of Anna and the insight it gave him to the woman she is. Their feelings for each other grow, but neither is ready to admit to them. When Anna's past comes out, Ethan is there to support her. I loved how he surprised himself by his need to protect her and his realization of just how much he cared. I also liked the way that Anna didn't just go along with his plans but stood up for her own needs. The scene at the end where she went looking for him was an excellent portrayal of the dynamics between them. I loved Anna's description of their relationship to her stepmother: "We are like Oil and Vinegar most of the time. But when you shake us up real good, the combination is heavenly."

There is also a bit of suspense running through the book. Ever since Anna arrived, she has had problems with intruders on her property, as well as persistent attempts by resort developers and the local historical society to buy her property. There's a great scene with Anna going after the intruders and nearly getting Ethan too. I liked the teamwork as Anna and Ethan figured out what the intruders were looking for and why. An intense confrontation at the end brought answers and sadness.

When I first started this series, I was a bit puzzled as to why there were only two books when there were three brothers. That was answered when Paul found his own love during this book. I liked Anna's support of Jane and how she encouraged her to tell Paul the truth and his reaction. The scene when Paul and Jane arrived at Anna's house was great. I loved how Ethan so quickly relieved Jane's fears and welcomed her to the family.

The Seduction of His Wife - Janet Chapman (Pocket - July 2006)

Series: Knight Family (Book 1)

He set out to seduce her for all the wrong reasons -- but found himself falling in love with her for all the right ones.

Alex Knight is dead -- or so everyone thinks. A widowed logger baron with a risk-taking streak, he took on a South American engineering project and was reported dead after a rebel attack. So when he turns up back in Maine very much alive, his grieving family is shocked. But the biggest shock is Alex's, when he discovers he's now married -- to a woman he's never met.

Sarah Banks is ready for a change from running a quiet Bed & Breakfast, and working for the Knight family offers not only a bigger opportunity, but also the family life she yearns for. So she's glad to help secure custody of Alex's orphaned children, whom she's come to love, by marrying their father by proxy before he's legally declared dead. But when Alex returns, the sexy, determined woodsman upends all of Sarah's plans. Because suddenly she's married to a passionate stranger with an easy smile...and tumbling headlong into a fiery dance of seduction.

Another fantastic book by Janet Chapman, full of her trademark humor, heat, and family. Alex has been away in South America working as an engineer. Unfortunately, he was caught in a rebel attack and reported to his family as being killed in the attack. Imagine his surprise when he makes it out of the jungle and home again, to find himself married to a woman he's never met.

Sarah grew up on an isolated island where she ended up running her family's B&B after her parents' deaths. She also married quite young to a bully of a man. After his death and that of her mother-in-law, she was very happy to accept Grady Knight's offer of employment as housekeeper and nanny. Quickly growing to love the family, she was happy to marry the deceased son by proxy to protect the children, gaining the children she's always wanted without the inconvenience of a husband. Alex's surprise resurrection plays havoc with her plans - and her emotions.

The first meeting between Alex and Sarah was funny and a little heartbreaking. Alex's confusion over being confronted by his "wife", and held at bay by gunpoint, had me chuckling, while Sarah's fear at being confronted by a wild-looking and angry man made me ache for her. With the rest of the family away, Alex and Sarah are left to deal with explanations on their own - with the help of some whiskey-laced lemonade and the resulting poor decisions. One romance novel inspired dream results in an alcohol-enhanced passionate encounter, and equally passionate regrets a short time later. Alex makes a first class idiot of himself, shouting wild accusations and kicking Sarah out of the house. I loved his father's reaction when he showed up in the morning and how he made Alex feel like the jerk he was. All Alex has to do is find her and convince her to come back so that they can then figure out what to do. I loved that Sarah didn't make it easy for him,  setting the tone for the development of their relationship.

I liked both Sarah and Alex. Both have been hurt in the past, making each of them reluctant to marry again. Finding themselves married to each other is not what either wants, but they have to let it play out for a little longer. Alex is actually a pretty nice guy, a terrific father, and feels guilty for the way he treated Sarah. He'd really like to change her opinion of him, but he'll have to get her to trust him first. That's going to take a little doing because he has a hard time keeping his hands off her. Sarah doesn't have much in the way of life experience, having been isolated for most of her life. She tends to base her thoughts and actions on the characters in the romance novels she reads, which gets her into trouble when Alex doesn't quite fit that mold. I found it especially amusing that the romance novels that Sarah quotes are other books that Janet Chapman wrote. I laughed out loud at this: "He's not even real," Sarah ground out "He's the figment of some demented woman's imagination."

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of Alex and Sarah's relationship. Both of them get a great deal of enjoyment out of pushing each other's buttons, creating sparks of all kinds. Sarah is determined to resist the attraction she feels for Alex, fearing the loss of her hard-won independence if she gives in to him. Alex quickly realizes that he doesn't want to lose her, and tries to seduce her into staying. I also liked how quickly Alex came to understand Sarah and what made her tick. She was an intriguing mix of naïve and worldly. I ached a bit for her cynicism over the way men treat her and her wish for a romance hero of her own. From driving lessons to ice fishing, so many of their encounters had me laughing out loud because they didn't go the way they expected. But there were also some really sweet times, such as the way that Alex cared for Sarah when she was injured and Sarah insisting that they accept her help when it's needed. An unexpected complication gives them extra motivation to work things out, but even that isn't enough for Sarah if Alex can't convince her that he really cares. I loved the ending, as both of them finally take the risk of confessing their feelings.

There is also a bit of suspense running through the book. Strangers in the woods and vandalized equipment have everyone on edge. I loved Alex's protectiveness toward Sarah when she runs afoul of those strangers. But it is Sarah who saves the day in an intense, though somewhat amusing, rescue mission to keep Alex from walking into a trap.

The secondary characters are terrific, too. Alex's kids, Tucker and Delaney are adorable. Tucker is the little boy who is thrilled to have Sarah as his new mom. Delaney is Alex's eleven-year-old daughter who is smarter and more observant than he realizes. I loved some of the things she said, and the way she helped take care of Sarah. Alex's father, Grady, is something of a schemer. He has multiple plans goings, most of which he keeps to himself until he's ready to spring them on the family. From the sports camp to the mill, he has his reasons. I also liked Alex's brothers, Ethan and Paul. There is plenty of teasing, but the love and support are also evident. There's a bit of a teaser for the next book, with a contentious encounter between Ethan and the mill foreman (forewoman?).

Mint Juleps and Justice - Nancy Naigle (Montlake - Feb 2014)

Series: Adams Grove (Book 5)

Welcome to Adams Grove…where wrongs are righted with just desserts.

Luck abandoned Brooke Justice during her nasty divorce. Desperate to escape her malicious ex-husband, she relocated to the small town of Adams Grove, Virginia. When someone breaks into her new house, she suspects her ex bears the blame for the crime. With no evidence and little help from the police, she asks a private investigator to take her case -- a private investigator whose sexy broad shoulders and stunning blue eyes make her question her decision to swear off relationships forever.

Mike Hartman fled Adams Grove when a devastating loss left his heart in pieces. After years overseas in the military, he’s finally returned home, determined to start anew as a private investigator. Then Brooke walks into his office, awakening something he hasn’t felt in years. Can they both move on…into each other’s arms? Or will the pain of the past -- and the dangerous threat lurking in the present -- destroy their new beginning?

Good book. Brooke has moved to Adams Grove to get away from her soon-to-be-ex-husband. He cheated on her but now claims to want her back. She has noticed some odd things going on at her house which make her think that he has found out where she is and has found a way into her house. When she comes home one day after work to find things moved around and her little dog trapped in her hot tub, she has had enough. Her complaints to the police have gone nowhere, so she hires a private investigator.

Mike is left Adams Grove to join the Marines after his wife was murdered. Eight years later he has returned and set up shop as a private investigator. He enjoys the variety of the work and not being stuck behind a desk all day. Brooke's case is the kind he can sink his teeth into.

I liked the development of the relationship between Mike and Brooke. Both have been hurt and neither is looking for a relationship. Mike is still grieving for his wife and feeling guilty about her death, thinking that if he had been home, he could have stopped it. Brooke has sworn off men, as she now doubts her judgment when it comes to picking one. But neither can deny the sparks that they experience whenever they are together.

I liked Mike. He is strong, protective, and quite the romantic. I liked seeing how quickly he came to understand Brooke and all her little quirks. He is surprised by the way that she brings some light back into his life after the darkness of his grief over his wife's murder. He accepts his growing attraction to her pretty quickly and makes no secret of his interest. He isn't perfect though and makes at least one boneheaded mistake that puts his budding relationship in jeopardy. However, he realized his mistake quickly, and I loved seeing what he did to try to fix it. I liked his persistence and determination to win Brooke in the end.

I liked Brooke also, though she did frustrate me on occasion. She is strong and independent, but also a bit stubborn. She is also a big believer in good luck charms and lucky signs. I liked the way that she took charge of her life, moving away from the toxic relationship with Keith. She is afraid of him and what he might do, but she also refuses to let him influence her new life. She can't deny her attraction to Mike, but she is also wary of trusting it. Having made one big mistake, she isn't in any hurry to risk her heart again. She slowly opens her heart to him, but she also seems to keep one foot out the door, never quite believing that what they have is real. I understood her hurt when Mike pulled back, but I also felt that she could have been a little more understanding. Once she accepted her feelings, I liked her support of Mike and felt her frustration when he tried to end things "for her safety." I liked the ending and seeing just how much they were meant for each other.

The suspense of the story was two-pronged. First was the stalking by Brooke's ex. Keith was definitely creepy and I fully understood why Brooke wanted to get away from him. His actions escalated quickly after Mike got involved. The final confrontation with him was intense and I could feel Brooke's fear. I loved Mike's rescue. The second part involved Mike's past. This one was even more intense because you could feel the malevolence with every scene involving this guy. I ached for Mike when he found out about this guy's presence in town and felt his fear for Brooke's safety. The final showdown kept me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Mike's friend/former brother-in-law, Rick, was a nice guy. I liked the way that he had stayed friends with Mike and worried about him. I liked the way that he became friends with Brooke so quickly. He also turned out to be a stand-up guy in his relationship with Brooke's best friend, Jenny. Jenny was terrific. She is the complete opposite of Brooke, being a woman who does things on impulse and always seems to see the best in people. I loved how she was always there for Brooke and had no trouble pointing out when Brooke was being pigheaded. I also loved the two dogs in the story - Mike's puppy Hunter, that he is training as a support dog, and Brooke's dog, Stitches. Both animals show the softer, caring sides of Mike and Brooke.

Devil May Care - Melanie George (Zebra - Feb 2001)

Series: Sinclair Brothers (Book 1)

Every woman of quality knows that Damien Sinclair, Earl of Blackstone, is a notorious rogue. Every woman knows that he's called the Devil. Only one woman is about to discover that the...

DEVIL MAY CARE

Lady Eden Spencer has been educated in a convent--and she has every intention of taking her vows. But opposition from her uncle and even the Mother Superior convinces Eden that she cannot dedicate her life to goodness when she has no idea what it is like to be...well, bad. Eden knows only one man can teach her the ways of the wicked--Damien Sinclair. Tall, dark, and quite sinfully handsome, Damien agrees to introduce her to London's every vice--but Eden never suspects that she will introduce this disreputable rake to something even more tempting...love.

Good book. Lady Eden is just shy of eighteen years old and experiencing her first Season. She has spent the last six years, since the deaths of her parents, being raised in a convent. She intends to take her vows and become a nun. However, her guardian and uncle is adamantly opposed to the idea and has insisted that she look for a husband. Even the Mother Superior has told Eden that she needs some life experience to know what she really wants. So Eden and her cousin Reggie have decided to ask Damien Sinclair to show her the other side of life.

Damien has quite the reputation as a rogue and a rake. He has recently inherited the title and a nearly bankrupt estate, swimming in the debts his father left behind. He has been gambling with a purpose, to gain the funds to clear those debts. He also has a shipping company that is his hope for a better future. He is intrigued by Eden the first time he meets her and agrees to her request, though he has some less than honorable intentions of his own.

I enjoyed the development of Damien and Eden's relationship. Eden is sweet and innocent but also has a stubborn streak. I liked the first meeting between her and Damien, as she puts forth her plan and he does his best to prove Society correct in their characterization of him. Though Damien knows he should refuse, his fascination with her leads him to agree. The two events he took her to were real eye-openers for Eden as to what people could be like, but she never really lost her ability to see the good in people. I especially liked the way that she saw past Damien's reputation and the façade he showed the world to the honorable and somewhat vulnerable man that he kept hidden. I ached for him with each confrontation with his mother and the memories he had of his father. It was easy to see the effect they had on his ability to believe in love. The more time he spends with Eden, the more she brings out the softer side of him. I loved the protectiveness that comes out as less savory characters make their presence known. It comes as quite a shock to Damien when he realizes that he has fallen in love with Eden, and must decide what to do about it. Eden has some demons of her own that drive her, namely the reason that has motivated her to become a nun. I ached for her when that came out and loved that Damien was the one who was able to reach her and relieve her misery. There are outside forces that do their best to keep Damien and Eden apart, but in the end love wins all. I loved Damien's big moment at the end, as he risked it all to gain the prize.

The secondary characters were well done. There were brief appearances by Damien's two brothers, who have stories of their own that I am looking forward to reading. Each of them also seems to have something driving their own reputations. Eden's uncle appears to want what is best for Eden but seems to be oblivious to the way he is played by those who have their own agendas. I liked seeing Eden go from being a little too eager to please him at the beginning to being able to stand up for herself at the end. Damien's mother was weak and selfish, as well as manipulative, and I did not like her at all. Lord Myddleton was flat out creepy. I hated his smarmy attitude when he talked to Eden. His vicious attempts to ruin Damien had me worried for a while as I wondered just how things were going to turn out for Damien. But, by far, my favorite of the secondary characters was Eden's cousin Reggie. He reminded me of Sir Percy in The Scarlet Pimpernel, with his over-the-top dandyism. I'd love to know just what it was that caused him to want to irritate his father so much. I loved how much he cared for Eden and his way of playing fairy godmother for her. He had an amazing way with words. His banter with Damien was hysterical at times, and absolutely on point at others as he worked to bring Damien and Eden together. I also loved his encounters with Myddleton and the scene in the park had me laughing out loud.

The Texas Ranger's Family - Rebecca Winters (HWR #1593 - May 2016)

Series: Lone Star Lawmen (Book 3)

TEXAS COURAGE

Texas Ranger Kit Saunders is not about to let any harm come to Natalie Harris on his watch. The widow of a dangerous career criminal, Natalie needs protection 24/7. But going undercover in the home of the courageous single mother arouses feelings that could jeopardize Kit's mission.

It was a shock to discover her husband was one of the FBI's most wanted felons. Now Natalie is perilously close to falling for the lawman investigating his murder. But with Kit safeguarding her and her little girl, she knows she can stand up to every threat…even falling in love with her very own Texas Ranger!

Good book and sweet romance. Kit has been assigned to investigate the murder of Natalie Harris's husband. He quickly realizes that she is innocent and that she and her daughter are in danger. The best way to protect them is to go undercover and be with them 24/7. He doesn't expect to find himself falling under the spell of both lovely ladies.

Natalie was stunned to discover that her husband was a hardened felon. When she returns home from his funeral to find her house ransacked, the Texas Ranger who comes to investigate immediately makes her feel safe. All too soon Natalie wishes that Kit could stay there forever.

I really enjoyed the development of Kit and Natalie's relationship. Besides being an excellent Ranger, as we've seen in other books (The Texas Ranger's Bride, The Texas Ranger's Nanny, and Her Texas Ranger Hero), he is also a kind and considerate man. I loved the gentle way he filled her in on her late husband's history and let her know that nothing would happen to her on his watch. As they worked together to piece together what happened, Kit and Natalie grew closer and the attraction between them built. He fights feelings of guilt as he believes that those feelings may jeopardize his focus on his mission. I ached for him, too, because he had lost one woman who couldn't handle his job and he feared falling for another who might feel the same way. Natalie's feelings for Kit are just as strong. His strength and compassion give her the strength to deal with the threat against her. Seeing him with her daughter melts her heart even further. I loved seeing how her love for him gave her the courage to support him. The ending was especially sweet. I also liked the realism of Kit's recovery time and issues.

I liked the bit of suspense of the search for the killer of Natalie's husband. I liked Kit's determination to solve the case quickly. Having Natalie fully involved in the investigation provided some unexpected leads and helped the search progress. I liked the support Kit received from the other Rangers, especially at the end. 

Twins on the Doorstep - Marie Ferrarella (HWR #1681 - Oct 2017)

Series: Forever Texas (Book 17)

THIS MIRACLE'S A MYSTERY

When newborn twins mysteriously appear on Cole McCullough's doorstep, everyone at the Healing Ranch, including Cole, starts to think…could they be his? Why else would someone leave them there? Cole knows there must be another explanation. Unless…

The only woman that Cole's been that close to is Stacy Rowe -- the one he cared for deeply, and deeply regrets losing. But Stacy hasn't been in Forever in…forever. Eight months, to be exact. And while the math adds up, nothing else does! She would never abandon two little babies that way -- she's said as much. But she does seem awfully keen to help him care for them. And the closer their odd little family grows, the more Cole has to wonder…

Very good book. It opens with Cole feeling restless, that his life doesn't really have direction. He helps his brother, Connor, on the family ranch, and two or three days a week he also helps out at the Healing Ranch, a place for at-risk teens. It's not that he's unhappy, it's just that he not sure where he's headed. Then, on his way out of the bunkhouse, he nearly trips over a basket with two babies in it. There's no note and no indication of why they were left there. He is pretty sure they aren't his unless his old girlfriend had kept something from him. Stacy and Cole had been as close as could be, until she up and left town without a word eight months earlier.

Stacy has just returned to Forever, after accompanying her aunt on a months-long tour of Europe. When her aunt suddenly died, Stacy was left to bring her ashes back to Forever and settle Kate's estate. The last thing she wants is to see Cole again after the way he broke her heart. But when he needs help caring for the two babies, she can't say no.

I loved Cole. He's an all-around nice guy. He has a terrific sense of responsibility, as shown by the way he immediately steps up to take care of the twins. He has a fun sense of humor and is considerate of those around him. I loved the way that he bonded so quickly with the twins.

I loved Stacy, too, though it took me a chapter or two to really warm up to her. I ached for her loneliness after losing her only relative and how she wanted to leave Forever and her memories there as soon as she could. She is stubborn and feisty, but she also has a keen sense of responsibility and a kind heart. Though reluctant at first, she agrees to help Cole take care of the babies.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Stacy and Cole. Both of them were still hurting from the end of their relationship, which came about because of a lack of communication between them. Each blames the other for the breakup, making both of them reluctant to risk their hearts again. Cole also isn't entirely sure that the babies don't belong to Stacy. As they work together to take care of the twins, it quickly becomes apparent that their feelings for each other haven't died. It takes several weeks, but eventually they open up enough with each other to straighten out their past and realize that both of them made mistakes. I loved what brought them together at the end, just in time for the surprise revelation of the mother's identity.

The secondary characters were all terrific too. I loved Connor's easy acceptance of Stacy's return and her presence on the ranch. It was also sweet to see him help with the babies. Rita, the housekeeper, was a fun mix of soft and stern. I especially enjoyed the way she took care of Stacy and kept Cole and Connor in line. But my favorite Forever character is still Miss Joan. I love the way she seems to know what people need, even before they do. I loved her part in the epilogue.