The Duchess Deal - Tessa Dare (Avon - Aug 2017)

Series: Girl Meets Duke (Book 1)

When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir -- which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:

- They will be husband and wife by night only.

- No lights, no kissing.

- No questions about his battle scars.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:

- They will have dinner together every evening.

- With conversation.

- And unlimited teasing.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love… 

Fantastic start to the new series. This is a Beauty and the Beast type of story. Ash is terribly scarred physically on one side of his body from injuries received during the war, and emotionally because of the cruel words of his ex-fiancée. He is holed up in his house, seeing no one but the servants, and trying to figure out how to get the wife he needs, when Emma bursts in on him. Emma is a vicar's daughter turned seamstress who is at the end of her rope. She is the one who made his ex-fiancée's wedding gown, but with the wedding canceled she hasn't been paid for the dress, and she has rent due. Ash is taken with the brilliant idea that Emma is the perfect solution and proposes a marriage of convenience.

I loved Ash and Emma. I ached for him and the physical pain that he still endures, and for the emotional pain caused by his fiancée's rejection. But even though he believes that he will never have a normal life, he hasn't let it destroy his humanity. On his late night walks, he steps in to right several wrongs. His relationship with his butler is that of a friend as well as an employer. Plus, his sense of humor is still very much intact, though sometimes its very dryness makes one wonder. One of my favorite things was the advice he had gotten from his father, that an educated gentleman should not use vulgarities to express himself. Ash is very creative with his Shakespearean epithets.

I hurt for Emma also. All her life she had tried to earn the approval of her vicar father. Her search for approval led her to make a decision that caused her father to turn his back on her and kick her out of the house in the middle of winter. I was impressed by her strength and resilience as she made her way to London on her own and carved out a place for herself. Through it all, she still tends to see the good in people, which has on occasion come back to bite her. I also like the way that she has no trouble standing up for herself, hence her trip to get Ash to pay the bill for the wedding dress.

I loved the development of their relationship. The sparks between them are intense from the start, even though both try to resist. Ash does everything he can to keep Emma at an emotional distance but fails miserably. With each passing day (and night) the walls he has built around his heart begin to crumble. He doesn't go down easily, but the fall is inevitable. I loved seeing his confusion as the more he tried to push her away, the more trouble he had keeping her off his mind. It wasn't long before he felt an intense protectiveness toward her. I loved what he did when he found out about her father's actions. His tenderness and care after the confrontation with his ex at the opera were incredible. It was obvious by then that he was a goner.

Emma knows that Ash doesn't want any emotions between them. She's okay with that because she's had her own run-in with love and it didn't turn out well. But she can't deny that the man behind the scars pulls at her heartstrings. She sees a man capable of great caring who refuses to believe that there is any good left in him. I loved the way that she teased and bullied him into taking the first steps back out into society.

The heat between them was intense. In spite of his intention to bed Emma without emotion, he was completely unable to do so. I loved how he was so careful to make sure that he didn't hurt or frighten her. His surprise at how passionate she was made it even more difficult to maintain his distance. I ached for him and his fear of letting her see all his scars. Emma's ability to look past his scars was fantastic. She was curious but didn't make a big deal out them. They certainly didn't impact the way she burned for his touch, and how she slowly worked her way past his guard. But all that intensity also created a belief in them that it couldn't last. I ached for them both as secrets revealed hit both of them in their deepest fears. I liked Emma's strength of will that made her continue with what she felt was right in spite of Ash's reaction. I loved how it was Khan that made Ash see the error of his ways. I was on the edge of my seat as Ash was determined to make things right, but ended up being waylaid. His big moment at the end was incredible as he faced his biggest fears all because of his love for her.

I loved the secondary characters in the book. Khan was fantastic with his lifelong devotion to Ash. He was another person who would stand up to Ash when he was an idiot. I also loved the way that he and the other staff members could see that Ash and Emma belonged together. Their attempts to throw the pair together so that they would fall in love were funny and heartwarming. I really liked the three women who included Emma in their group. The scene with Emma and Alex as they were fixing all the timepieces in the house was hilarious. I loved their support of Emma and their suggestions for what Emma should call her "cat" was great. The cat was another grand addition to the story, from the way he became part of the family to his intrusion into their bedroom. Last but not least was Trevor, the "apprentice" to the Monster of Mayfair. I loved his complete devotion to Ash and his absolute refusal to be run off. 

The Wily O'Reilly - Patrick Taylor (Forge - Feb 2014)

Series: Irish Country (Book 9)

Long before Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly made most readers’ acquaintance in Patrick Taylor’s bestselling novel An Irish Country Doctor, he appeared in a series of humorous columns originally published in Stitches: The Journal of Medical Humour. These warm and wryly amusing vignettes provide an early glimpse at the redoubtable Dr. O’Reilly as he tends to the colourful and eccentric residents of Ballybucklebo, a cozy Ulster village nestled in the bygone years of the early sixties.

Those seminal columns have been collected in The Wily O’Reilly: Irish Country Stories. In this convenient volume, Patrick Taylor’s legions of devoted fans can savor the enchanting origins of the Irish Country series . . . and newcomers to Ballybucklebo can meet O’Reilly for the very first time.

An ex-Navy boxing champion, classical scholar, crypto-philanthropist, widower, and hard-working general practitioner, Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly is crafty and cantankerous in these charming slices of rural Irish life. Whether he’s educating a naive man of the cloth in the facts of life, dealing with chronic hypochondriacs and malingerers, clashing with pigheaded colleagues, or raising a pint in the neighborhood pub, the wily O’Reilly knows a doctor’s work is never done, even if some of his “cures” can’t be found in any medical text!

I love the Irish Country series and have been reading the books since their beginning in 2007. I have lost count of the number of times I have laughed until I've cried. It was intriguing to read at the beginning of this book of how the novels came to be. Each chapter is about three or four pages long and is made up of one of Dr. Taylor's columns from the Canadian medical magazine Stitches: The Journal of Medical Humour. They are chronological, and it is easy to see the development of the author's writing style.

In these stories, Dr. O'Reilly's assistant is the author himself, rather than the Dr. Laverty we come to know in the series. Each one shows Dr. O'Reilly in his role as doctor, mentor, friend, and occasionally the hand of justice. In some stories, there are the seeds that come into full flower in the novels, where the situations and characters are further developed. Some of the characters have undergone significant changes between the columns and the books, most notably (in my opinion) Donal Donnelly. In the columns, he is rather simple and not overly bright, while in the novels he has a unique cleverness that gets him into and out of all kinds of trouble.

I thoroughly enjoyed the early looks at Bertie Bishop, Kinky the housekeeper, and other residents of Ballbucklebo. The heart of the small village is the same, from columns to novels. This Dr. O'Reilly is a bit more rough around the edges, but the essence of him is the same. I loved seeing his ease and kindness with the children, even those that tried his patience, such as his nephew, Willy. I laughed out loud at the two little ones who came to him for pre-marital counseling, and again at Willy's portrayal of the innkeeper during the Christmas play.

The wily Dr. O'Reilly had many opportunities to demonstrate to young Dr. Taylor that not all cures came out of a bottle. Some of the best stories came from just knowing your patient and understanding where they were coming from. I especially loved his encounters with Miss Maggie MacCorkle and how he never made her feel foolish. He also did not suffer fools gladly, and there were several occasions where he found interesting ways to deliver rough justice to those who offended him.

There were several stories that would have been right at home in James Herriot's All Creatures books. There were a couple of amusing stories involving pigs, the doctor's least favorite animal. My favorites were those involving his cat, Lady Macbeth, and his black lab, Arthur Guinness. The best were the two stories where first, Dr. O'Reilly decided that taking Lady Macbeth out on his boat was an excellent idea. It did not end well, for either the boat or the doctor. The subsequent trip, with Arthur, was equally hilarious.

The book finished with a short story "Home is the Sailor" about O'Reilly's return to Ballbucklebo after being away at war for six years. It is the beginning of his career as village's doctor, full of his fears about whether he can make a go of it. The maturing of the author's characterizations is clear, and I loved O'Reilly's encounters with his early patients.

One Snowy Night - Jill Shalvis (HarperCollins - Nov 2016)

Series: Heartbreaker Bay (Book 2.5)

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

Short, sweet, and a little bit sexy, this is the story of  Rory and Max. Rory works for Willa (see The Trouble with Mistletoe), who rescued Rory from a bad situation. She has made a good life for herself in San Francisco, but the things she did as a teenager dampen her pride in who she is now. She was the target of a witch of a girl in high school and still ended up being the one in trouble when she fought back. She ran away from home at seventeen and hasn't been back since. Now Rory has finally gathered the courage to go home for Christmas, and her only way to get there is to ride with Max - her high school crush.

Max knew Rory in high school but has resented her for something she did that threw his plans into turmoil. Now he works for a security firm in the same building. He has a crush on her that is unaffected by their past. He uses his dog Carl as a bridge and takes him to the groomer's shop every week so that he can see Rory. He leaps at the chance to give Rory a ride home for Christmas.

I liked seeing the relationship between Rory and Max. The beginning of the trip is really awkward, with Max still carrying a grudge over what happened in high school, and Rory feeling the tension but not knowing why. Plus, she still has this overpowering attraction to him. Though normally the trip to Tahoe is pretty short, the weather has turned nasty and progress is slow. Trapped in the truck together, along with lovable dog Carl, Rory and Max finally have a chance to clear the air between them. Both of them discover that there was more to the story of what happened, which changes the way they look at each other.  

It was fun to see them each dance around their attraction to each other until they had to take refuge in a motel for the night. I loved seeing Rory take matters into her own hands. It was also sweet to see Max hold off until he was sure that it was what Rory wanted. The heat between them was really intense, and I loved how it brought them even closer together.

I ached for Rory and her nervousness about going home. She was especially nervous because they had been delayed. I wanted to smack her stepfather at first because of his attitude toward her. It was awesome to see Max's protective side come out and show how great she was. He also stepped up and told her how he felt, which helped Rory admit her own feelings. I would have liked a little more of the reunion, but overall it was okay. I hope that we get to see more of Max and Rory in later books.

Letters to Love - Soraya Lane (Montlake Romance - Nov 2015)

When her sister Lila and brother-in-law Gray are killed in a tragic accident, Bella is named as guardian to her two young nephews. Then she discovers that she’s expected to co-parent with Gray’s best friend, and grief turns to shock. Noah has always driven her crazy, and Bella’s sure the arrogant, handsome Navy SEAL is the last person she wants to share a life with.

Just as it seems they’ll never see eye to eye, letters from Lila start to arrive -- letters she wrote in case they ever ended up in this situation. And so the reluctant couple follows her instructions, spending ever more time together as part of their unexpected, unconventional family.

Forced into an impossible situation, will these letters from the past bring them together? "Life as We Know It" meets "P.S. I Love You" in this heartwarming story of loss, grief, family and love.

Fantastic book that had me laughing and crying all through it. The story opens as Bella's sister and brother-in-law are killed in a car accident, leaving Bella as guardian to her two nephews. A second shock follows as she learns that Gray's best friend Noah has been named as co-guardian. He is the last person that she wants to share a house and a life with.

Bella and Noah have rubbed each other the wrong way since the moment they met. Bella sees the handsome Navy SEAL as an arrogant, too charming for his own good playboy, and Noah thinks that Bella is rigid and uptight. Though I ended up loving both characters, at the beginning I didn't like either of them very much. Bella is downright bitchy to Noah, and he seems to delight in doing whatever he can to set her off. But as I got to know them my opinion changed.

Noah has a very tough exterior that he has built up over a long time and it only seems to soften around Will and Cooper. I loved the way that he stood up to Bella and insisted on being part of the boys' lives. He knows that his job will make it difficult, but he's determined to do the best he can. His past has caused him to lock his emotions up tight, and avoid commitments of any kind. The only exception is the depth of his friendship with Gray and Lila and his commitment to his brothers in arms.

Bella is independent, and a bit on the controlling side. She has dealt with her sister's death by devoting herself to her nephews - selling her own home, putting her business on hold, and trying to create a routine for the boys. A bad past relationship has caused Bella to have some issues that she will need to overcome.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Noah and Bella. The sparks fly from the start as Bella's insistence on routine runs up against Noah's more laid back methods. But beneath the surface arguments on parenting styles is an attraction that neither can deny and neither is happy about. They maintain their animosity until they start receiving letters written to both by Bella's sister Lila before her death. Because she and Gray were both military, she always knew there was a chance that something could happen. Well aware of Noah and Bella's attitudes toward each other, Lila used these letters to encourage them to get to know each other and gave them guidance on how to do it. I loved her creativity and how well she obviously knew them both.

Over the next few weeks, with Lila's beyond-the-grave guidance, Noah and Bella learned to look past the surface and see the people behind the masks. I loved how Bella began to see that Noah had a big heart and so much love to share, but that he didn't know how to show it. She saw the man whose commitment to his teammates and his country were a huge part of who he was. I loved how Noah saw that Bella's need to plan and keep to routine stemmed from times when she couldn't control her life. Their attraction continued to grow and became something that pulled them together but also pushed them apart. Bella could feel herself beginning to care for Noah, to depend on him and to need him, which scares her to death. She doesn't want to love a man who could be taken from her at any time. Noah is torn by his passion for his work and his desire to be the man that Bella and the boys need. He also has a bone-deep belief that he isn't good enough for a woman like Bella.

Things come to a head when Noah has to go back to work and Bella's fears come boiling back to the surface. I ached for her as she pushed Noah away, afraid to believe in what could be. I hurt for Noah, who was grappling with some hard decisions and wasn't able to share the load with anyone. I loved seeing each of them finally confront their fears and realize what was holding them back. I loved the ending and that it was realistic enough to show that there will still be challenges to overcome.

There were some terrific moments scattered throughout the book. I loved Noah's reaction to having the boys to himself all day, and the respect for Bella that came with it. I adored the realism of Bella's exhaustion from being a working mother, and that sometimes she just wanted to chuck it. There were outpourings of grief from the boys, Bella, and Noah as they all came to terms with their loss that had me in tears also. There were also good times when the grief faded and life was good. There was also an unexpected twist that explained so many actions and reactions. The epilogue was sweet and a wonderful wrapup to their story.

I also loved how important family was in this story. The closeness of Bella and Lila was heartwarming and heartwrenching at the same time. I loved the letters that Lila wrote and the obvious love and respect she had for both Bella and Noah. I also loved how close Bella's family was and the support that was always there, not just for Bella but for Noah also. Learning more about Noah and how he came to be part of Gray's family was another one of those tearjerker episodes. Best of all was seeing Bella, Noah, Will, and Cooper become a brand new family without forgetting the old.

Peacekeeper - Marisa Carroll (HS #655 - Aug 1995)

Series: 4 Strong Men (Book 4)

MAJOR NICK APOSTALIS REPRESENTED EVERYTHING SHE'D CAST OUT OF HER LIFE

He was used to danger. He was a risk taker, a man who put his life on the line for a cause. Kara Hartman had been widowed by on such man. She would never get involved with another.

But as a strange odyssey threw them together, she began to care for Nick more than she'd expected -- or wanted to. And once they were home, back in their respective worlds, she found she had one more tie to this man she wished she could forget. She was having his baby...

This was an older book, but the challenges that faced Kara and Nick were much like those that face many of today's couples. It also had a very interesting beginning. Kara is on a Greek islands cruise with her older sister. Both of them are widows and enjoying getting away from their lingering grief. Nick and his father, Peter, are on the same cruise. Nick is an officer in the Canadian armed forces, who has served as a peacekeeper all over the world. His father had been a soldier during World War II and had served not far from where they will be touring. Peter has a special reason for being on this cruise, one that Nick doesn't approve of. Peter has also spent a lot of time with Kara's sister Lynne, and they have grown very close. Both Nick and Kara are worried when Peter and Lynne disappear during a shore excursion, though Nick has a good idea where his father is.

This part of the book was very exciting. Nick is a take-charge kind of guy and knew just what he had to do. He was not happy when Kara insisted on coming along. I liked seeing Kara stand up to Nick and how she was more intrepid than Nick expected. They certainly ran into some challenges before they caught up with Peter and Lynne. It was fascinating to hear Peter's stories of what happened during the war and what had brought him to this point.

Besides the obvious connection between Peter and Lynne, there was also a simmering attraction between Nick and Kara. This had been building for several days and finally came to a head that night as Kara watched over an ailing Nick. What they shared was intense and somewhat overwhelming. Nick had never felt like that with anyone else and found himself thinking about ways to build on their budding relationship. But Kara's reaction was the opposite. She wanted nothing to do with someone whose life is constantly at risk. Her husband had been an adrenaline junkie who died because of one of his adventures. She refuses to put herself through that kind of pain again, and lets Nick know that in no uncertain terms.

But Fate isn't done with Nick and Kara. While Nick returns to his peacekeeping duties, Kara and Lynne return to their lives in Baltimore. With Lynne and Peter continuing their relationship, Kara can't help hearing about Nick from time to time. Then she discovers that she is pregnant with his baby and doesn't know what to do. She won't allow herself to get closer to Nick for fear that she wouldn't survive if something happened to him. But she also knows that she has to tell him about the baby. I ached for the two of them when they met again. Nick wants to have Kara and the baby in his life, but to do so, he will have to give up something that is a huge part of who he is. I wanted to shake Kara for being so blind to what a huge sacrifice that would be for him. When he was called away on a mission, she was so bitter and unyielding in her attitude that I hurt for Nick. I wasn't sure how they were going to work things out. I loved seeing Nick in his element as a peacekeeper and the respect he had of the people around him. It was great to see Kara finally understand the importance of his work and realize the difference between Nick and her husband. I loved their big moment at the end and the prospects for their future.

I also enjoyed the parallel story of the relationship between Peter and Lynne. Their connection was obvious right from the start, though they also had their challenges. Peter is Canadian and Lynne is American. She has her businesses in Baltimore and can't just pack up and move to Canada to be with him. Making a success of a long distance relationship isn't easy. They also have to deal with their grown children and their opinions about the relationship. Lynne's daughter Lydia was especially obnoxious and added a great deal of strain to the relationship. I loved seeing what finally brought her around.

I thoroughly enjoyed the look at the role of peacekeepers in today's world. The dangers were intense, and I was on the edge of my seat during Nick's mission in Africa. The rewards were also realistically portrayed, and the scene with Nick and the child were especially moving. I liked the solution that Nick found that would enable him and Kara to be together.

Balancing Act - Lilian Darcy (SSE #1552 - July 2003)

Four days ago, Libby McGraw had never even heard of Brady Buchanan. But if his claim was true, her carefully constructed life was about to be blown apart. One glance at the silky-haired baby cradled in Brady's arms told Libby more than any blood test could. Her adopted daughter had an identical twin sister!

Libby wanted to believe she was only marrying Brady to keep the girls together, but her heart wasn't buying that malarkey. Not when the feel of Brady's lips on hers told her they might be destined for a more powerful union...

Good book. Libby got the shock of her life when she discovered that her adopted daughter had a twin sister. The other little girl's adoptive father was just as stunned. After meeting, they agreed that they wanted the two girls to get to know each other. This would require Libby to move from her home in Minnesota to Columbus, Ohio, where Brady had his home and business.

This was an interesting predicament that Libby and Brady were in. It was no one's fault and pure Fate that they even knew it had happened. Both Libby and Brady are very wary of each other and how they are going to manage the situation. Complicating matters is the attraction that has sparked between them.

The development of the relationship between Brady and Libby was not a smooth one. Brady's wife had died in a car accident with another man. She had been a woman who had no trouble keeping secrets and lying to Brady. This has made him very sensitive when it comes to communication. Libby had married young to a man who was older than she was. He turned out to be rather controlling, one who didn't listen to her or pay attention to what she needed. She learned quickly to keep her thoughts and emotions to herself. Since his death from cancer, she has worked hard to build her independence.

Libby and Colleen moved into Brady's house while she looked for a job and a place of her own. Being that close gave them all the chance to get to know each other, but it also emphasized their issues. It was very easy for Brady to feel a sense of family. He enjoyed the feeling of having someone to come home to. But he was also constantly on the lookout for signs that Libby was keeping secrets or lying to him. Libby had spent so long keeping things inside that she doesn't know how to break the habit. She is also afraid of being rejected or put down if she does say something. The only place they don't seem to have any issues is in the bedroom when they leave everything else outside. Their decision to marry is a practical one, made for the sake of the children. But there is still one big thing that Libby has kept from Brady, and when it comes out, they have to decide if they can overcome it, or if it will pull them apart.

I liked Brady. He was a good man and a loving father who had been burned once. He was reluctant to risk his heart again, but he couldn't deny his growing feelings for Libby. He was a bit more aware of his issues, knowing that he is a little oversensitive to any hint of deception. I found it a little harder to like Libby. I understood her need to be in control of her feelings, but her unwillingness to really connect with little Scarlet drove me nuts. She knows she is holding back, and is even somewhat aware of why, but she can't seem to make herself change. I ached for her when everything finally came out. I liked their determination at the end to completely clear the air and how they were both able to share their fears before moving on to the future.

Miss Murray on the Cattle Trail - Lynna Banning (HHSS #471 - Mar 2018)

Series: Smoke River (Book 6)

A cattle drive is no place for a greenhorn

But this city miss is here for the ride!

Cowboy Zachariah Strickland should put Alexandra Murray on the first eastbound train home. But he has no choice except to take her on his cattle trail. She hasn’t ridden a horse to death, or shot anybody, but she does drive him furious with longing… Is it possible Alex belongs right here in the Wild West -- with Zach?

This was a fun book to read. Alexandra has come to Smoke River from Chicago, where she works as a newspaper reporter. She intends to accompany her uncle's crew on their cattle drive and write about it for the newspaper. Ranch foreman and trail boss Zach Strickland is completely against the idea. A cattle drive is no place for a city woman, but he doesn't have much choice in the matter.

I really enjoyed this battle of the sexes. Zach is sure that Alex won't last twenty-four hours before she'll be ready to high-tail it back to her uncle's ranch. Alex is equally determined that she will make the entire journey. From the start, Zach does not treat Alex and differently than the rest of the crew. She rides as long as they do, takes her turn riding at the back in all the dust, eats the same food, and sleeps on the ground. For the first week or two Zach waited for the crying and complaining to start, and each day was surprised at Alex's fortitude. That isn't to say that she didn't want to complain. Alex didn't expect the dust, the extreme temperatures, or the sometimes mind-numbing boredom. But she wasn't going to give Zach the satisfaction of saying "I told you so."

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. After a while, something strange happened. Zach found himself admiring Alex's ability to adapt to her surroundings. He was impressed by her ability to get the other cowboys to talk about themselves for her stories. It wasn't long before he noticed a lot more about her too. I loved seeing the protectiveness kick in, such as how he cared for her after the river incident and when she had problems with Cassidy. For her part, Alex stopped looking at Zach as the enemy and saw the man who cared for each member of his crew, and who could be depended on in any crisis. That isn't to say that they didn't still butt heads from time to time. I loved the scenes with the Indians when Alex insisted on going along. There were also a couple of great scenes where they opened up about their pasts, and the effects on their lives now. The feelings and attraction built between them until they could no longer be denied. I ached for them as they reached the end of the drive and couldn't figure out a way to be together. It took going their own ways alone for each of them to realize what was most important. I loved Alex's big moment at the end. It was fun to see the way that she pulled it off.

I loved the descriptions of the cattle drive. The sights, sounds, and smells were described so vividly that I felt as though I was there each step of the way. The flooded river, the stampede, and the storms were exciting and nervewracking. The confrontation with the rustlers had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

I also loved the characters of the other cowboys. Each one was a unique personality, with their own little quirks. It was sweet to see the way that they all accepted Alex and were so excited to be interviewed for the paper. I laughed out loud when they reached the end of the drive and she joined them for dinner in the restaurant. It was also fun to see them fall all over themselves and each other when she wanted to go to the saloon and to play poker. I loved their excitement as they read each of her stories once they were back home.

His Pretend Fiancée - Victoria Pade (SSE #1564 - Sept 2003)

Series: Manhattan Multiples (Book 3)

KISSING ROOMMATES...

Suddenly homeless Josie Tate felt fireworks during her passionate three days with firefighter Michael Dunnigan, but she wouldn't live with him unless she paid him back...like be his pretend fiancée so that his mother would stop her matchmaking. Although Michael made her heart hammer, Josie didn't want strings in the relationship. Then a sweet little development ruined her best-laid plans.

The moment he saw Josie, Michael wanted her. He even agreed to their "platonic roommates" status because as a risk taker, he didn't need serious attachments. But the nights were torture, and soon, both he and Josie couldn't fight the truth...that nothing felt better than being together, and that their pretend arrangement should involve a real walk down the aisle...

Good book about two people who, after years of avoiding commitments, discover that maybe there's something worth risking their hearts for. Josie is a free-spirited young woman who takes life with both hands. She has had all kinds of different jobs, moving on when she gets too comfortable. She is fun-loving, nearly always cheerful, and easy-going. She had also decided that marriage and family aren't for her after her risk-taking parents died when she was a child, leaving her an orphan. Burned once again when the man she loved decided he didn't love her, she decided that depending on herself is the only way to live.

Enter Michael, good-looking, charming, and a firefighter. He loves his work and his mother and sister. He had never wanted to be anything other than a firefighter, even though he lost his firefighter father when he was twelve. Between the memories of that time and the more recent witnessing of the devastation caused by the loss of so many first responders on 9/11, Michael has decided that he will hold off on any serious relationships until after he retires from firefighting.

Michael and Josie met at a poetry reading at a local bar. The chemistry between them was instant, and they spent the Labor Day weekend together before parting, not expecting to see each other again. I loved their second encounter. Michael has just suffered through another blind date set up by his mother, who is determined to get him married off. He realized that she isn't going to give up and came up with a crazy plan. He asked Josie to become his "pretend fiancée" and move in with him, long enough to get his mother off his back. This came at a perfect time for Josie, who has been kicked out of her apartment for having an unauthorized dog. Though she is wary because he still makes her heart pound, they agree to a "platonic roommates" arrangement.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Michael and Josie quickly became friends over shared meals and movie nights. But underneath it all was a simmering attraction that kept getting stronger, no matter how they tried to fight it. I loved seeing them grow closer as they shared the house and their lives. I especially liked how sensitive each was to the other's moods. It was heartwarming to see the way that Josie was there for Michael when he'd had a particularly rough day. Each of them began to think more about making their pretend engagement real, but getting past their fears was a challenge. Then Josie has a double event that makes her realize just how deep her feelings for Michael are, and that she has to talk to him about them. On his side, Michael has an epiphany about what he's really doing by avoiding relationships. I loved his big moment at the end when he was able to share that revelation with Josie. Her response was great, especially with her own revelation.

I also enjoyed Michael's mother. She was definitely pushy and determined to get Michael married off. I loved their conversation about all the dates she had arranged for him. Her surprise when he announced his "engagement" was priceless. It was fun to see how Josie was amused by her antics rather than put off. Michael's love for his mom was obvious, even though she frustrated him on a regular basis. 

The Texas Valentine Twins - Cathy Gillen Thacker (HWR #1629 - Feb 2017)

Series: Texas Legacies: The Lockharts (Book 3)

A Sweetheart Deal

Wyatt Lockhart is bound to regret moving in with Adelaide Smythe. She's broken the Texas rancher's heart before, and their last spontaneous reunion resulted in a couple of surprises -- twin babies! Wyatt won't shirk his fatherly duties, but being this close to Adelaide makes it hard to remember why he should stay far away.

Adelaide knows she hurt Wyatt, and she's determined never to do it again. Once they figure out how to share parenting duties, she'll give him enough space to keep both their hearts safe. But life together at the Circle H is already growing on her. For the sake of their family's future, can Wyatt forgive Adelaide for the past?

Very good book about trust and forgiveness. Adelaide and Wyatt have a tumultuous history. They had been high school sweethearts who eloped on Valentine's Day. But Adelaide panicked after the deed was done, breaking Wyatt's heart. They spent the next nine years trying to avoid each other until one chance encounter fanned the flames between them. Again, Adelaide pulled away, with still more reasons that they couldn't be together. Add in the bad blood caused by her father, and it's no wonder that Wyatt has trouble trusting her. When Wyatt puts a private investigator to work on her, to protect his mother, what he uncovers is quite a shock.

The annulment they applied for all those years ago never went through, so they are still married. In the course of trying to straighten out that mess, they discover that Adelaide's twins aren't the product of her artificial insemination, but that chance encounter with Wyatt. Now they have to figure out how to deal with that and each other.

I liked Wyatt a lot. He's been burned by Adelaide before, so he is understandably cautious around her. When he finds out that he is the twins' father he is shocked but surprisingly happy. I loved the way that he immediately stepped up to be part of their lives. He is protective of those he cares about and will do whatever necessary to keep them safe.

I liked Adelaide too. She has had a hard time lately. Besides the exhaustion of being the single parent of twins, she is still dealing with the fallout of her father's crimes. She is very independent and doesn't like to ask for help from anyone. She is also a cautious person, who likes to think out the ramifications of any action before she takes it. The times she hadn't have led to disaster, so now she keeps a tight hold on her emotions. The only exception is the love that she feels for her babies, for whom she will do anything.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Wyatt and Adelaide. They move in together to learn how to share parenting the babies. It was so sweet to see the way that they worked through the everyday challenges of taking care of the babies, which drew them closer together. I loved the scene at the doctor's office when the twins' had their immunizations. The enforced togetherness also fans the flames of attraction that still flare between them. Though each attempts to believe that they can indulge without risking their emotions, it's soon obvious that their feelings for each other have deepened. Wyatt really wants a life together, but has a feeling that Adelaide is holding something back, which triggers bad memories of their past. Adelaide wants the same, but the secret she's been hiding is tearing her apart. When it all blows up, both Wyatt and Adelaide have to face up to the mistakes of past and present and decide if they can overcome the obstacles and move on together. I loved seeing them finally be open and honest with each other, risking everything to have it all. The epilogue was pretty sweet, too.

The storyline with Adelaide's father was good and underscored the issues that Wyatt and Adelaide had. With her father on the run, Adelaide had to deal with the constant feeling of sharing his guilt. The odd messages that she continued to receive didn't help. I ached for her and the conflict that she felt between her anger at what he had done and the love for him that she still had. It made what she did at the end doubly hard. 

The Cowboy SEAL's Christmas Baby - Laura Marie Altom (HWR #1666 - Nov 2017)

Series: Cowboy SEALs (Book 5)

HIS UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS SURPRISE…

A baby's cry was the last thing former SEAL Gideon Snow expected to hear on an Arizona mountain trail. Nor was he prepared for the sight of the young mother suffering from memory loss. Gideon has plenty of reasons for avoiding people -- and his painful past -- but two fragile people now depend on him to survive. Can he just fall for the lovely Jane Doe?

Jane doesn't deny the pull of the gruff-yet-sweet cowboy who saved her and her baby. He's more than a cowboy hero -- Gideon's given them a chance at a new life and love. But Jane knows that any day, her memory might come back. And the woman Gideon is falling in love with might disappear forever…

Very good book that had me hooked from the first page to the last. Gideon was surprised to find a woman who had just given birth in the middle of a snowstorm. To make matters worse, she had no idea who she was or how she got there. To top it all off, the horse he was riding was spooked by the storm and ran off, leaving them to make their way out on foot. I was on the edge of my seat as I followed their journey off the mountain, to where Gideon could call for help.

I liked both Gideon and Jane. Jane's fear when she couldn't remember anything about herself was clear, but she did a good job of trying to keep a brave face. She had a terrific sense of humor and used it to hold her fears at bay. I loved her determination to make the best of things until her memory returned. Gideon was a man who I wanted to hug and to smack, frequently at the same time. I ached for all that he had lost and wanted him to stop taking it out on everyone else.

I enjoyed the development of Gideon and Jane's relationship. Though Gideon tried to stay away from her, his protective instincts kicked in when he found out that she had nowhere to go. It was sweet to see him shopping for her and baby Chip, and making a place for them in his house. There were some very adorable scenes of him with the baby. He was also very attracted to Jane but resists that attraction. His ex-wife had done a number on him when she rejected him after his injury, and now he feels like he isn't a whole man. His pride won't let him risk another rejection, and he is frequently rude and mean when he feels himself getting too close. Jane initially tries to resist the feelings that she develops for Gideon. Without her memory, she can't be sure that she isn't married, though eventually bits of returning memories convince her she is safe on that score. I loved how she did her best to take care of him, especially feeding his sweet tooth. It amazed me that she didn't hit him with a frying pan on those occasions when he was so horribly rude.

I loved seeing the three of them start to form a sweet little family unit. It was obvious that Gideon loved both Jane and Chip, but he let his fears win. It didn't take long for Jane to fall hard for Gideon, especially when she would see him with Chip. As her memories started to return, she kept quiet, not wanting to ruin what they had. I ached for her when it all came out. Gideon's reaction was pretty extreme, thanks to fear and hurt pride. I loved Jane's solution. I loved Gideon's "aha" moment and how he exposed his vulnerability. Jane's reaction was perfect. The epilogue was good, though I was a little disturbed by her "family" comment. It was fun to see the role reversal.

I also liked the secondary characters. Mrs. Gentry was a trip with the way she treated Gideon. I loved that she didn't put up with his attitude very often. I also enjoyed the way she pulled Jane and Chip into her heart also. I especially enjoyed her part in bringing Gideon and Jane back together. I also liked West and Sherrie. They were excellent friends to Gideon. I loved that West also didn't pull punches when he talked to Gideon. The relationship between West and Sherrie was great, and I enjoyed their banter regarding their professional relationship.

The Cowboy SEAL's Jingle Bell Baby - Laura Marie Altom (HWR #1621 - Dec 2016)

Series: Cowboy SEALs (Book 4)

A BABY FOR CHRISTMAS?

Tiffany Lawson promised herself that she would never, ever give her heart to a man again. Now she's a pregnant former rodeo queen and ex-debutante struggling to support her mother and grandmother. She's already picked out the perfect adoptive parents, but cowboy Navy SEAL Rowdy Jones isn't letting anyone take his child.

Rowdy loves the rush that comes from being a Navy SEAL, but finding out he's about to become a dad? That trumps everything. While he and Tiffany shared only one night, Rowdy's determined to do right by her and their baby. His next mission -- to win Tiffany and keep his son -- might be his toughest yet…

Tiffany and Rowdy "met" when both were more than a little intoxicated. Rowdy was home on leave and looking for some action. Tiffany was attempting to forget the mess that her life was, with a father who had just gone to prison and a husband who filed for divorce because of it. The sparks between them were immediate and intense. They didn't expect to see each other again, as Tiffany went back to her life and Rowdy left on another deployment. When he returned, Rowdy was shocked to find out that Tiffany was pregnant and planned to give the baby up for adoption.

Rowdy is an honorable guy, and he heads home to make things right with Tiffany. He comes on very strong, insisting that the best thing to do is marry and raise the baby themselves. He doesn't take into account that he and Tiffany don't know each other, that she has her own life to live, and that he is gone more than he is home. Tiffany is shocked to see Rowdy after such a long time, and pretty skeptical of his reasons for not getting in touch. She has enough on her plate, supporting her mother and grandmother, and a baby is more than she thinks she can handle. She has put a lot of thought into her options and isn't happy to have Rowdy trying to interfere.

Both Rowdy and Tiffany irritated me through a good share of the book. Rowdy is pushy and doesn't seem to pay much attention to the reasons Tiffany wants to give the baby up at first. Then he thinks about the changes it could mean to his life, and suddenly he starts waffling back and forth over what he wants to do. Unfortunately, it seems more about the effects on him than what is best for the baby. My problem with Tiffany was her lack of confidence in her ability to handle raising a baby. She also let her pride get in the way. Even when Rowdy made it clear that he would provide support, even if she didn't want to marry him, she looked at that as a cop-out. The redeeming factor was that neither one wanted to give up the baby, they were just letting their fears dictate their actions.

I did enjoy the development of their relationship. It was fun to see Rowdy insert himself into Tiffany's life, making himself indispensable to her mother and grandmother. He was also sweet and protective of her. I liked seeing him take her shopping, then care for her when she had problems. Tiffany is wary of letting herself fall for Rowdy. She's been let down before and doesn't want to risk it again. But being around Rowdy scrambles her brains and her insides, and he is starting to convince her that maybe they can make it work. There are still some challenges that come up, such as when he gets called for a mission and doesn't bother to let her know he has to leave town for a while. And when Rowdy loses a friend on that mission, he starts to wonder if Tiffany was right all along. I did like how they made up their minds at the end. The epilogue was good.

The secondary characters were interesting. I liked Rowdy's family. They weren't shy about giving him advice, but they also gave their support no matter what his decision was. Both his dad and his brother made some very good points. Tiffany's mom and grandmother were both pretty odd. Both of them latch on to the idea of Tiffany and Rowdy getting married and nothing will convince them otherwise. Tiffany's mom, Gigi, seems to be in a world of her own most of the time, ignoring their changed circumstances. Grandmother Pearl had her own quirks and was pretty talented at finding ways to keep Rowdy close to Tiffany. I also liked Rowdy's SEAL friends and ached for their loss. 

A Proposal for the Officer - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2607 - Mar 2018)

Series: Sugar Falls, Idaho (Book 7)
            American Heroes (Book 3)

She was used to flying solo…

But that was before Kaleb came on board!

Temporarily grounded combat pilot Molly Markham didn’t come to Sugar Falls to get serious about a man she barely knows! But when Kaleb Chatterson becomes her unexpected hero, she agrees to date the billionaire software developer to keep their secret from getting out. Except the sexy brainiac -- and her pretend boyfriend -- is fast turning into the man of her dreams…

Very good book. Molly is in Sugar Falls on medical leave from the Air Force. She is a combat pilot in the Air Force, but some devastating news has thrown her plans for the future into turmoil. She is trying to come to terms with everything that it means without her family's interference, so she hasn't shared her news with anyone. When she has a problem while at the grocery store, Kaleb comes to her rescue. Kaleb is a bigtime software developer who is also in Sugar Falls visiting family. He is something of a workaholic, and though he loves them dearly, they do tend to get on his nerves. His errand to the grocery store was just what he needed for a few moments of peace.

I loved both Molly and Kaleb. Molly is independent, loyal, and confident. But that confidence has taken a hit with the diagnosis of her diabetes. Without her career as a pilot, she's no longer sure of who she is or her place in the world. I ached a bit for her because her family dynamics make it difficult for her to open up with her sister. She is also stubborn, confrontational, and something of an adrenaline junkie (occupational hazard, I suspect). That stubbornness results in her resisting Kaleb's attempts to help her.

Kaleb was terrific. He is super smart, geeky, and just plain nice. He is a billionaire, but you wouldn't know it, with his geeky t-shirts and jeans and easy approachability. He is also a "Mr. Fix-It" kind of guy, who will go to great lengths to take care of the people he loves. His relationship with his family is complicated. There's no doubt of the love, but Kaleb sometimes feels out of step with his super-competitive siblings. This results in the occasional moment of insecurity when he compares himself to them.

I loved the development of the relationship between Molly and Kaleb. It got off to an interesting start, with his rescuing her during a diabetic episode. Her independence and pride make her somewhat less than gracious to him. She is also a bit paranoid about anyone noticing her and reporting to her sister. Kaleb was amusing with his squeamishness over her needle, his panicked call to his assistant for information and his desire to keep the encounter from his own family. When they discovered that their sisters were good friends, Molly was afraid that her secret would come out. In return for keeping the secret, Kaleb asked Molly to be his pretend girlfriend to keep his family off his back.

That pretend relationship fans the flames of attraction into something bigger than either expected. I loved Kaleb's protectiveness toward Molly. He was so sweet in his attempts to watch out for her, from swiping her cinnamon roll to cooking for her to providing an (over) abundance of information. I loved seeing the two of them together, with Molly's zest for life and Kaleb's more cautious approach. The whole jet ski episode was hilarious, especially when Molly took over the driving. I also enjoyed seeing her jerk Kaleb's chain about the way he was attached to his gadgets, though she also stepped on a few of his insecurities. I liked seeing how their feelings for each other grew, though neither was quite sure what to do about it. Molly isn't ready to think about a deeper relationship until she knows what her future holds in store for her. Kaleb has ideas, but acting on them gets him in a world of trouble. I loved their big moment at the end when both of them were able to admit their fears and insecurities, and that being together was more important. The epilogue was awesome, especially the bit with the name on the simulator.

I loved the importance of family in the book. I ached for Molly, whose family wasn't exactly dysfunctional, but it wasn't a warm one either. Because of their childhood, each of the siblings was very independent and self-reliant. The sharing of emotions wasn't something that had ever been encouraged. This made it especially difficult for Molly to open up to her sister about her diabetes. Thanks to Maxine's recent marriage (see A Marine for His Mom), she has gotten much better, and I loved seeing her and Molly get closer. Kaleb's family is almost the polar opposite. They are loud, tactile, competitive, and there's no doubt about how much they love each other. Even when Kaleb complained about them, it was obvious that he'd do anything for them. I ached for him and how his early medical issues made him feel like an outsider sometimes. I understood his need to get away from them at times, and I also loved that he had his ways of getting even. It was great to see how much Molly liked his family and that maybe hearing about hers gave him a little more appreciation of them.

Not My 1st Rodeo - Donna Alward, Sarah M. Anderson, Jenna Bayley-Burke (Samhain - June 2015)

Series: Not My 1st Rodeo (Book 1)

This was a fun anthology of stories about what happens when three lonely ranchers join the world of online dating.

Nothing like a Cowboy by Donna Alward

Brett isn’t anxious for another go-round at marriage. But when he’s matched with Melly, he seriously considers getting back in the saddle.

Melly is thrilled to find a dyed-in-the-wool cowboy on NotMy1stRodeo.com—until she discovers he’s got his eye on more than just her curves.

Brett has been divorced for a couple of years and has no intention of going there again. He is stunned and angry when his twin sister signs him up on an online dating site and has gone so far as to set up his first date. He doesn't want to go, but he's too much of a gentleman to be a no-show. Melly is also divorced and has been on several dates and so far has been unimpressed.

I enjoyed Brett and Melly's first meeting. Both are a little wary, but there is definitely a connection. It was fun to see them indulge in a little bit of flirting along with sharing their histories. A steamy kiss before they parted showed the attraction that had them agreeing to a second date.

I liked the quick connection between Brett and Melly and how easy they found it to talk to each other. They discovered that they had a lot in common. Both also have some trust issues stemming from their previous relationships. When they discover an unexpected link between the two of them, Melly jumps to conclusions and says some pretty harsh things. Brett is understandably angry and hurt by her accusations.

I ached for Brett, who thought that they had the start of something special. I liked how he was able to talk to Melly calmly about the reasons for his actions. Melly just made me mad. She seemed far more concerned with how it was affecting her. She was very stubborn about seeing him as the bad guy in the whole situation. I loved the solution that Brett came up with. It was sweet and thoughtful and perfect for the situation. I liked that Brett didn't give up on Melly and that they were able to move ahead with their relationship. 

Something About a Cowboy by Sarah M. Anderson

Mack is furious when his grown sons sign him up for NotMy1stRodeo.com, but Karen’s profile intrigues him enough to drive three hours to Billings to meet her.

Burned by her cheating ex, Karen figures no one could be more trustworthy than a strong, silent, widowed cowboy. But after one steamy night, Mack realizes that it may be too much, too soon.

Steamy story of grief, loss, and healing. Mack had lost his wife to cancer six years earlier. He's been pretty much lost in his grief ever since. He's not too happy when his sons sign him up on the NotMy1stRodeo dating site and set him up with a date. He's not interested in marrying again, but Karen's photo and profile entice him into going through with the date.

Karen has been divorced for a couple of years. Her husband cheated on her constantly and treated her like crap, leaving her with doubts about her appeal. She looks to the dating site for a man who will help her feel like a real woman again.

I liked the connection that Karen and Mack had from the beginning. They found it very easy to talk to each other, even about their pasts. The sparks between them were pretty incredible too. I liked the honesty between them, as both admitted that they weren't looking for anything permanent, but they were willing to go with the "right now." Their night together was intense, which left Mack reeling with conflicted feelings. I ached for Karen, as she felt him pull away from everything they had shared. I also hurt for Mack, who felt horribly guilty, as though he had betrayed the memory of his wife. I liked getting to see Mack's thoughts as he worked his way through his feelings. I especially enjoyed seeing his youngest son read him the riot act and help him see that it was okay to move ahead. Mack's big moment at the end was really sweet. 

Anything for a Cowboy by Jenna Bayley-Burke

Despite NotMy1stRodeo.com’s promises, Ray doubts he’ll find any woman willing to move to his remote ranch.

To his surprise, Jacy is different. She actually enjoys talking irrigation, getting her hands dirty, and getting down and dirty. But then her little white lie comes out…

My favorite of the three stories. Ray has signed up on the dating site to get his mother off his back. He is divorced and not in any hurry to try again, especially since it's hard to find a woman interested in the isolation of a ranch. Plus, he is still dealing with his feelings over many ways his ex-wife lied to him. He's promised that he will go on a date a month for a year, and then she has to leave him alone. After looking at profiles on the site, Ray "tips his hat" to Jacy.

Jacy is almost thirty and has no real experience in the love department. She was too busy studying in school to be bothered with guys and too busy getting her career going after that. Then there are the family problems. She has four overly protective big brothers who have managed to intimidate every man in a three-county radius. Plus, he family is wealthy and well-known, so she's never sure if her date is more interested in her or her connections. So she signs up on the dating site, claiming to be divorced, listing a different town as home, and altering her name. All little lies, meant to give her a real shot at finding someone compatible for her desired experience.

I loved the first meeting between Jacy and Ray. Both were a little wary, but they hit it off right away. I enjoyed their flirty banter and the attraction the sparked between them. Though originally each meant it to be a one-time meeting, a second date was inevitable. With both having busy lives, the time between the two dates is filled with phone calls, texts, and selfies. Jacy finally gets her wish, and it's better than she could have hoped (though how Ray didn't figure out the truth, I don't know). Another planned date turned into an emergency with a pregnant horse, but also provided some awesome moments between Ray and Jacy.

Unfortunately, Jacy's lies come back to bite her. She had planned to come clean, but the emergency interfered. An uncalled-for bit of interference from Ray's mom blew the lid off, leaving Ray hurt, furious, and feeling used. While I understood his feelings, his refusal to let Jacy explain was pretty harsh and the things he said were pretty vicious. I wondered what was going to happen, as everyone was telling Jacy to give up. The ending was fantastic, as Jacy stands up for herself, Ray gets lectured by his father, and both have to decide whether to move forward with their relationship. I loved how Ray was honest about his feelings. The epilogue was great.

The Right Cowboy - Rebecca Winters (HWR #1682 - Mar 2018)

Series: Wind River Cowboys (Book 1)

RIGHTING THE PAST

When Cole Hawkins left Whitebark, Wyoming, nine years ago, he couldn’t tell a soul the real reason why -- not even the love of his life. It had killed him to keep secrets, but he’d made a promise to his father to never share the truth. Now after nearly a decade, Cole is back. And he has every intention of reclaiming Tamsin Rayburn.

When her family’s ranch is targeted by an arsonist, Cole, working for the local fire department, wants to help catch the culprit. Tamsin has moved on -- but she’s conflicted when she sees Cole. Could she consider giving him a second chance? That is, if the truth behind why he left doesn’t break her heart all over again.

Good second chance story. When Cole left town nine years earlier without any explanation, he left behind a broken-hearted Tamsin. Now he's back and determined to convince her that they belong together. It isn't going to be easy, as it looks like Tamsin has moved on with her life.

The road to Cole and Tamsin's happy ending was not a smooth one. Tamsin was not happy to see Cole come back to town. His arrival stirred up a bunch of old feelings that she thought she had put behind her. She was dating another man and things were getting serious, but Cole's arrival made her question how she really felt. I liked that she was honest with Dean and didn't keep stringing him along. It took some pushing from her sister before Tamsin would allow herself to spend any time with Cole because she was too afraid of risking her heart again. I liked that she agreed to hear what Cole had to say about what happened back then. Her compassion for what he went through was great, but she still didn't want to give them a chance. I ached for Cole, who had to relive everything he'd been through as he told her about it and then had her shut him down when he wanted to spend more time with her. However, he wasn't entirely blameless, as he didn't share his feelings with her.

I liked that Cole persisted in his pursuit of Tamsin. I was a bit frustrated by her waffling on what she was going to do, and was happy when she finally went out with him again. This time there was more communication between them, and things looked more promising. There were some really sweet and romantic moments between them as they finally shared their feelings. Unfortunately, Tamsin has a big problem with Cole's work as a firefighter. Because of something that happened to a friend of hers, she is terrified of loving someone with such a dangerous job. I hurt for Cole when he offered to give up something so important to him, once the arsonists are caught, so that they could be together. I wanted to shake Tamsin for being so selfish. After Cole is injured while on duty, Tamsin has something of a light-bulb moment, but fails at communicating her feelings to Cole. I loved her big moment at the end and the steps she took to show Cole just how much she loves him.

The arson and what was behind it was very interesting. It was fascinating to see how Cole's past drove his actions over the time he was away. The things that he learned and the experiences that he had put him in a unique position to help solve the arsons. I loved seeing how his mind worked and how he put his ideas into practice. I was glued to the pages during his stakeout, waiting to see if it would pay off. It was terrific to see how much he was appreciated by all the people he had been working with. I'm looking forward to reading Wyatt's story.

Bound by Their Secret Passion - Diane Gaston (HH #1325 - Apr 2017)

Series: Scandalous Summerfields (Book 4)

A forbidden attraction… A hidden desire!

Years ago, penniless Lorene Summerfield wed for duty, giving her siblings the chance to marry for love. But now the generous-hearted countess finds herself widowed…and the man she's loved in silence for years is falsely accused of her husband's murder!

Although he closed his heart to love long ago, the Earl of Penford has always found Lorene irresistible. Their newly ignited passion may be scandalous, but now he'll stop at nothing to clear his name and win Lorene's hand!

Good conclusion to the series. Lorene has been a key character in all of the books. Years earlier she had sacrificed her own happiness by marrying a much older man. She did so in exchange for him providing for her sisters and half-brother. It was not a happy marriage, as the Earl of Tinmore could be a cruel and controlling man, but Lorene made the best of her circumstances. Then, at Christmas, she defied his order to stay away from her family and walked five miles through the snow to spend the day with them.

At the end of the day, Dell, Lord Penford, escorted her back to her home. She was confronted by her furious husband, who accused her of carrying on an affair with Dell. Horrified by what he heard, Dell tried to reason with Tinmore. Unfortunately, Tinmore was beyond reason and attempted to attack Dell, and instead fell down the steps and died. The butler accused Dell of murdering Tinmore, forcing an inquest. Though the death was ruled accidental, it is pretty obvious that the butler is not going to give up and go away quietly.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Lorene and Dell. It was a lengthy process, due to their circumstances and the challenges that faced them. Lorene had a secret crush on Dell from the time she met him. He was everything that her husband was not - young, kind, handsome. She was very careful not to let any indication of her feelings show. Dell, too, had been drawn to Lorene from the beginning. He was impressed by the sacrifice of her happiness to ensure that of her siblings. I liked the way that, after her husband's death, he wanted to help but also knew that he had to be cautious in the way he did it. I loved how he offered to let her stay in her childhood home and to supervise the renovations. I loved how they followed the customs of the day and that he didn't see her for more than a year after her husband's death.

When they did see each other again, it was obvious to each that their feelings were as strong as ever. But there are also issues holding them back. Lorene is part of the "Scandalous Summerfields" family, tainted by the actions of their parents. She fears adding to the talk by having a relationship with Dell. On his side, Dell still grieves the loss of his family, who died in a fire at their home while he was away at war. He has promised himself that he will never allow himself to care that deeply for anyone ever again, unwilling to risk the pain of losing someone he loves. I liked seeing the friendship between Dell and Lorene deepen as they saw each other more often in London.

Lorene's desire to avoid scandal is upended when her mother shows up on her doorstep, along with the man she ran away with. Hetty immediately takes Society by storm with her outrageous behavior, horrifying Lorene and her sisters. I was a bit torn by this part of the story. Yes, Hetty was outrageous, but I also felt like she was driven to that behavior by her own ghosts. I would have liked to see a bit more regret for the actions that affected her family so badly. But I also liked the way that she stood up for her own wants and needs in spite of what people were saying about her. I ached for Lorene, but I also wanted her to stop letting what other people said and thought dictate her actions. It was sweet to see Dell's protectiveness toward Lorene as he tried to help her cope with her mother's behavior. It didn't take long for the feelings that were simmering under the surface to erupt into unexpected passion. I found Lorene's attitude to be a little hypocritical as she wanted to do as she wanted regarding Dell but denied her mother the right to do the same.

Dell fights his feelings for Lorene. He is attracted to her, and cares for her, but is afraid to love her. Instead, he considers a "suitable" marriage with a woman that won't engage his feelings. I wanted to shake him for even thinking of marrying someone else, but fortunately, he figured it out in time. He, too, was influenced by what people thought, though not as severely as Lorene was. He was driven more by the memories of his family and what he thought they would want. I ached for him and the grief that would frequently overwhelm him. I liked how Lorene saw that grief and wanted to help him through it.

Lorene and Dell's relationship was progressing nicely when their past was made public. The vindictive butler made another appearance, this time selling his story to one of the London tabloids. The resulting scandal was huge, creating all kinds of difficulties for the couple. Lorene reacted in her usual way, by wanting to withdraw. She felt she could protect Dell best by making herself scarce, and removing her influence on people's attitudes toward him. Dell has more backbone. I loved seeing him stand up to the scandal and take steps to counter it. I loved the support he received from his friends. I ached for him over Lorene's departure and his unhappiness over her absence. I liked seeing each of them reevaluate their lives and finally realize that love is more important than anything else.

I liked seeing all of the couples from the previous books and how their lives are going. Their reactions to Lady Summerfield's arrival were an important part of the story, with each one showing different feelings. I especially liked the way that they stood behind Dell against the accusations of murder. The epilogue was terrific, bringing them all together in a most satisfying way.