The Danger of Desire - Sabrina Jeffries (Pocket - Nov 2016)

Series: Sinful Suitors (Book 3)

To root out the card cheat responsible for her brother’s death, Miss Delia Trevor spends her evenings dancing her way through high society balls, and her late nights disguised as a young man gambling her way through London’s gaming hells. Then one night, handsome Warren Corry, the Marquess of Knightford, a notorious member of St. George’s Club, recognizes her. When he threatens to reveal her secret, she’s determined to keep him from ruining her plans, even if it means playing a cat-and-mouse game with the enigmatic rakehell.

Warren knows the danger of her game, and he refuses to watch her lose everything while gaining justice for her late brother. But when she starts to delve beneath his carefully crafted façade, can he keep her at arm’s length while still protecting her? Or will their hot desires explode into a love that transcends the secrets of their pasts?

Good book. Delia is in London for the Season, with her aunt and widowed sister-in-law. While the aunt believes that the two younger women are there to find husbands, Delia has another goal in mind. She is searching for the man who cheated her brother at cards, ultimately causing his death and their financial ruin. To do so, she disguises herself as a man and haunts the gaming hell where it happened. Delia is very protective of her family and will do anything she can to take care of them. She is also keeping a secret that is another motivation for her actions.

Warren is a well-known rake and cousin to Delia's friend Clarissa (The Study of Seduction). She asked Warren to keep an eye on Delia, who she is worried about. Warren was reluctant, as he suspects Clarissa is matchmaking, but soon discovered that Clarissa was right to be worried. While out one night, Warren recognized Delia and is determined to stop her. Warren is a good man, in spite of the reputation he has earned with his late night activities. He is driven by demons from his childhood that have had a profound effect on his view of himself.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Delia and Warren. There are sparks between them from the moment they met. Warren was intrigued by Delia's forthright manner, and puzzled by why she acts the way she does. His concern is also motivated by something that had happened to Clarissa. Once he discovers her secret activities, Warren is determined to stop her. I enjoyed their confrontation, as the heat in their exchange was also exacerbated by their underlying attraction. Warren was willing to help with her search, though Delia's trust issues have her reluctant to believe in his sincerity. When both were coerced into attending Clarissa's house party, the heat and tension continued to build. Their flirtatious and frequently innuendo-laden conversations are hilarious. When the two were found in a compromising situation, marriage was the only solution. I loved how they accepted the necessity rather than fighting it. During the time leading up to the wedding, I loved their honest conversations and the increasing heat between them.

I loved the interactions between Warren and Delia. It was pretty clear that, although it had its beginnings in lust, what they had together was rapidly becoming more. Warren especially fights it because of his feeling that it is impossible for him to have a normal relationship. Delia accepted her feelings more quickly and was determined to show Warren what they could have together. I loved how she confused Warren by not reacting to his actions the way he expected. She was well on her way to figuring out the cause of the problem when they received a surprise visit from Warren's brother. That scene was intensely moving as Hart spoke of things which Warren would not. I ached for Warren and what he had been through, and his fear of how Delia would react. I adored her loving and practical response and the impact it had on Warren.

Throughout the story was the question of who had cheated Delia's brother and whether Delia would be able to find him and get her restitution and revenge. The mystery was solved in a very unexpected manner and had an unexpected link to other characters. The reasons the man had cheated were understandable, and it looked like it may have been a no-win situation on both sides. I liked that he took responsibility for his actions and was prepared to fix what he could.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters. I liked seeing more of Clarissa and Edwin now that they are married, and how happy they are together. I also liked the little bit I saw of Delia's aunt. She definitely looked out for her nieces. Her reaction to finding Warren and Delia together was not unexpected. However, her later conversation with Warren was. I thoroughly enjoyed his reaction to that conversation. The most intriguing one was Delia's sister-in-law, Brilliana. Her avoidance of Clarissa was puzzling until they were at the house party. Her reaction to Clarissa's brother explained a lot, both then and later. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and learning more about her.

 

War Brides - Helen Bryan (Montlake Romance - June 2012)

With war threatening to spread from Europe to England, the sleepy village of Crowmarsh Priors settles into a new sort of normal: Evacuees from London are billeted in local homes. Nightly air raids become grimly mundane. The tightening vice of rationing curtails every comfort. Men leave to fight and die. And five women forge an unlikely bond of friendship that will change their lives forever.

Alice Osbourne, the stolid daughter of the late vicar, is reeling from the news that Richard Fairfax broke their engagement to marry Evangeline Fontaine, an American girl from the Deep South. Evangeline’s arrival causes a stir in the village -- but not the chaos that would ensue if they knew her motives for being there. Scrappy Elsie Pigeon is among the poor of London who see the evacuations as a chance to escape a life of destitution. Another new arrival is Tanni Zayman, a young Jewish girl who fled the horrors of Europe and now waits with her newborn son, certain that the rest of her family is safe and bound to show up any day. And then there’s Frances Falconleigh, a madcap, fearless debutante whose father is determined to keep her in the countryside and out of the papers.

As the war and its relentless hardships intensify around them, the same struggles that threaten to rip apart their lives also bring the five closer together. They draw strength from one another to defeat formidable enemies -- hunger, falling bombs, the looming threat of a Nazi invasion, and a traitor in their midst -- and find remarkable strength within themselves to help their friends. Theirs is a war-forged loyalty that will outlast the fiercest battle and endure years and distance.

When four of the women return to Crowmarsh Priors for a VE Day celebration fifty years later, television cameras focus on the heartwarming story of these old women as war brides of a bygone age, but miss the more newsworthy angle. The women’s mission is not to commemorate or remember -- they’ve returned to settle a score and avenge one of their own.

Interesting book that takes place mostly between December of 1937 and August of 1944, with a prologue and ending in 1995. It is the story of five very different young women who were brought together in a tiny English village by the events of World War Two. The prologue and ending show them reunited in that same village on the fiftieth anniversary of VE Day, with more than just catching up on old times on their minds.

Alice is the quintessential English country girl. She's the daughter of a vicar, straight-laced, practical, educated, and likes the outdoors. She's been friends with Richard, son of the local gentry, all her life, and is ecstatic when he proposes to her. The engagement doesn't go as expected though when he returns from a business trip to the US with an American wife. Hurt and disappointed, she moves on with her life. She is involved in the local war effort, doing everything from planting gardens to working as an air raid warden.

Evangeline is the American southern belle who captured Richard's attention. Her story began in New Orleans, where she was in love with her cousin, a mixed-race young man. This was a forbidden relationship because of it, so they kept it a secret. But events happened to separate them, and in desperation, she married Richard to escape scandal. She is a fish out of water in the village, where they have never met anyone quite like her. Her mother-in-law detests her, and her husband is always away doing his thing with the Royal Navy. His absence also leaves her free to reconnect with her cousin Laurent.

Tanni is a young Jewish woman from a well-to-do Austrian family. She barely escaped the Kristallnacht in Austria, as her parents married her off to a Jewish professor who had a job as a professor in England. Her younger twin sisters were due to be evacuated on a children's train on its way also to evacuate youngsters to France and then to England. Her parents and mother-in-law also had papers to make their way to England. She arrived in England with her husband, pregnant, and not knowing the language. Once the war begins in earnest, her husband gets a job with the war department as a translator, and Tanni and her son are evacuated to the country for safety.

Frances is an English debutant, daughter of a brigadier, who is a bit of a wild child. After getting up to some scandalous behavior in London, her dad sent her to her godmother in the country to get her away from the bad influences there. She still manages to find trouble in the country and spends a fair amount of time sneaking out with the local young people. She becomes one of the local Land Girls but is bored silly by the job.

Elsie is a girl from one of the poorer parts of London who was also sent away for safety. She is old enough to be given a job as a housemaid, a job that she is not very good at, but gives her a chance at a better life. While there, she meets up with an acquaintance from her old neighborhood, a young man who is well known for his criminal activity.

I enjoyed the look at what the lives were like for each of the women over the course of the war. Though very different, they are drawn together by the hardships of day to day life. I liked the support they provided to each other, even during those times when they disagreed. I ached for Tanni and her fears for her family, especially as we got glimpses into what was happening to them. I will admit that Evangeline bugged me through most of the book. I thought she was selfish and blind to what her cousin was really like. She did redeem herself in the end, and I liked how she came to love Richard. Alice remained pretty stiff during her time in the village. I liked seeing her finally step out of her comfort zone toward the end of the book, and loved her first meeting with the American airman. It was sweet to see the way they connected so quickly. Elsie was quite the trip as she grew up and grew closer to Bernie. She had a way of looking at things that was very different than the other. My favorite was Frances. Once I saw what drove her to be the way she was, I became much more sympathetic to her. Her frustration with her father's attitude was understandable, though as a parent, I understood where he was coming from also. I enjoyed her determination to take a more proactive part in supporting the war effort. I also enjoyed her relationship with Oliver and loved seeing them together.

Throughout the book, there were two big stories going on. The first one was the effort taken to bring the various members of Tanni's family to England, especially her two little sisters. Official channels weren't working well, and an idea hatched during a drunken evening took a different route. I enjoyed seeing the (sometimes unwilling) teamwork among the women as each used their special talents in the plan. It was interesting to see the outcome of that plan. The other story was one with far-reaching consequences. Somewhere in the vicinity of the village was a German sympathizer who was transmitting weather reports to the Germans, making it possible for them to do their bombing runs. One of Frances's assignments was to keep her eyes open for any indications of who it could be. I was pretty sure I knew who it was early on. The motivations for some of the things he did were pretty disturbing.

The modern segment of the book dealt with the reunion and the things that the women had recently discovered. I liked seeing what they had made of their lives. Elsie's was both the most and least surprising. I enjoyed how they pieced together the story of the spy. Their confrontation with him was enlightening, but I really didn't like the actions that they took. The reporter that was covering the reunion was extremely annoying and I didn't blame the ladies for trying to avoid her.

Facing Fire - HelenKay Dimon (Avon - Oct 2015)

Series: Bad Boys Undercover (Book 3)

When his uncle is brutally murdered, Josiah King knows that business just got personal. His uncle's ties to the Alliance can mean only one thing: Josiah and his black ops team are targets, along with everyone they love. Primed for vengeance, Josiah is determined to unravel the plot--until long-legged redhead Sutton Dahl becomes a dangerous distraction.

Sutton is very good at uncovering other people's secrets -- and protecting her own. When Josiah bursts into her life she's torn between pushing him away and asking for his help. Mysterious, strong, and much too sexy, he's a puzzle she longs to solve, and a temptation she can't ignore.

Thrown together in the face of Alliance's most lethal threat, Josiah and Sutton become unlikely partners, fighting for their lives even as the attraction between them flares into real passion. Torn between his team and the woman who means everything to him, Josiah will risk it all to save Sutton, even if that decision is his last.

Good book that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Josiah is the leader of Alliance's Delta team. The team has been working to track down their nemesis, Benton, the one who got away at the end of Falling Hard. It hasn't been easy, as the man always seems to be one step ahead of them. The search became personal for Josiah when Benton brutally murdered Josiah's uncle. This was Benton's opening shot in his war of revenge against Alliance. 

Sutton is a PI who has spent the last several years on a quest to find the man she holds responsible for her mother's death. Her search has brought her to Paris and the office next door to the man now calling himself Bane. A covert trip into Bane's office revealed a puzzling file of names, photos, and code of some kind. After barely making it out of his office undetected, Sutton went to work investigating the list of names, trying to find their connection to Bane.

The action ramped up when Sutton's investigation came to the attention of the folks at Alliance - because it was their names she was searching. Josiah and Mike went to Paris to discover what Sutton knows. I loved the confrontation between Sutton and Josiah. He is adamantly convinced that she is working with Benton, as he and Mike kidnap her to find out what she knows. Sutton does not give in easily, even when they are attacked and she has to depend on Josiah and Mike to keep her safe.

The development of the relationship between Josiah and Sutton is fast and intense. Josiah is quite a jerk at the beginning with his threats and refusal to believe in her innocence. Sutton doesn't exactly make things easy either, by keeping much of what she knows to herself. It was pretty obvious that part of Josiah's extreme attitude toward Sutton is because he is fighting his attraction to her. Sutton is more accepting of the attraction and has no trouble calling Josiah out on his attitude. I loved watching the push and pull between them as the attraction deepened to something more. I really like the way that  Sutton understood Josiah and sees past his walls to the man inside. Some of the scenes between them are heart-wrenching as Josiah deals with the things that happen. I ached for both of them as Josiah pushed her away because of his feelings of being broken. I loved the conversation with Mike that helped open Josiah's eyes. His big moment at the end was pretty great, especially when he let his vulnerability show.

The suspense of the story was great. The horror of the murder of Josiah's uncle and the subsequent threats made by Benton showed just how evil the man is. The additional information that Sutton provided gave the Alliance team the boost that they needed to get closer. With some of the story told from Benton's POV, we also get to see his actions and reactions. The intensity increased with each attack, as the team faced seemingly impossible, and sometimes heartbreaking choices. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat as I wondered if Benton would slither away again.

I loved the various team members. It was immensely satisfying to have two such strong women on the team. Tasha and Ellery were awesome in what they could do and the respect that the others had for them. I also enjoyed how Benton underestimated them and Sutton.  Harlan was the one, among the men, who seemed to be the voice of reason. He was just as intense as the others, but he also had a way of cutting through the emotion and bringing them back to the reality of what had to be done. Mike was my favorite. I loved the close friendship he had with Josiah. He had a terrific way of cutting through Josiah's angst so that he could see the whole picture. Mike was also the center of some other drama that was completely unexpected.

Cowboy Blues - Delores Fossen (HQN - May 2018)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 5.5)

He promised he’d stay away…but he can’t resist keeping her close

Setting rules and following them to the letter is part of cowboy Nick Haskins’s code. It keeps life uncomplicated, and his heart intact. The love he had for his high school sweetheart is ashes in the wind, but he’s not counting on her twin, Lindsay Gavin, to show up on his ranch -- or in his dreams.

Lindsay’s got a code of her own: hands off her sister’s guy. But now that Nick is free to share his bunkhouse and his bed, she can’t help but take what he’s offering. There’s no harm in satisfying years worth of curiosity. There’s no shame in indulging in the sexiest fun of her life. Only, when Nick and Lindsay let desire set fire to the rules, will they both end up getting burned?

Short, sweet, and steamy story. Nick is a horse trainer on the Granger ranch and is stunned to find himself sharing the bunkhouse with the newest trainer - his high school girlfriend's twin sister. He has a rule about siblings of exes - don't mess with them. Except he'd broken that rule six months earlier with a beer-fueled kiss that he hasn't been able to forget. But he's determined to stick to his rules and keep his hands off Lindsay.

Lindsay has had feelings for Nick for years, even when he belonged to Carol Ann. She can't deny the attraction and doesn't want to. What she'd like is to see where it goes. But first, she has to get past both his and Carol Ann's objections.

I had fun watching Nick fight his feelings. It was a losing battle and he knew it. The only question was how long could he last. I loved watching the pot finally boil over, and the heat between them was intense. But Nick still needed to reconcile his rules and his feelings. The story finished with a conversation between Nick, Lindsay, and Carol Ann that had an unexpected twist to it.

Just Like a Cowboy - Delores Fossen (HQN - May 2017)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 2.5)

A bad-boy bull rider comes back to Wrangler's Creek to claim his ranch…and win back the woman who still owns his heart

Inheriting his uncle's ranch is a dream come true for Wynn Beck -- until he discovers that half the property belongs to his ex-wife. Carlene has been running the place for years and claims she doesn't want Wynn anywhere near it. But Wynn senses she, too, feels the intense pull that reminds him how well they fit together…in every way.

Their scalding-hot marriage fizzled when Carlene realized Wynn was more interested in winning a rodeo buckle than putting down roots. Now she intends to protect her home -- and her still-fragile heart -- by buying Wynn out. Too bad the man's as stubborn as the bulls he rides. And that her cooled desire can quickly heat right back up with the right cowboy…

Short but intense second chance story. Carlene and Wynn had been married for five years when Wynn's desire to become a bull rider took him on the road. Meanwhile, Carlene's roots were buried deep in Wrangler's Creek. Since their divorce three years ago, she has been running his Uncle Joe's ranch and had plans for what she wants to do with it. That is until Wynn shows up with the news that Joe has given the ranch to him.

Wynn has retired from bull riding and has big plans for his uncle's ranch. He knows that Carlene is there and has instructions that she is to be kept on. That's fine with him, as he has a lot of regrets about their past and would like to do something about it.

The sparks flew from the moment Wynn reappeared. Carlene wasn't happy about it; she still remembered what happened to her the last time she saw him as he drove away. Unfortunately, her resistance to him is nearly nonexistent. There is also her anger at the situation with the ranch to deal with. It quickly became clear to both Carlene and Wynn that Joe is matchmaking. 

I liked seeing Wynn and Carlene try to deal both with sharing the ranch and their rekindled attraction. Finding a way to coexist on the ranch was much easier. Dealing with their emotions was much more complicated. I loved the way that they sat down and talked things out. I ached for Carlene and what she had gone through, and for Wynn and the guilt he felt because of it. The story ended with an unexpected twist that solved a lot of their problems, along with a very personal celebration.

Lone Star Cowboy - Delores Fossen (HQN - Nov 2016)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book .5)

Money can't fix this dilemma - but love might No falling for the ex... 

Jake Monroe became the most eligible rancher in Wrangler's Creek, Texas, at the drop of an inheritance. With land, horses and a fortune to protect, he can't let gold diggers into his pockets. But he can let people believe he and his ex are back together while she's in town working on the ranch. Trouble is, faking a relationship with Lily Rose Granger isn't nearly as hard as pretending their desire isn't real. No sleeping with the boss...

Playing pretend isn't supposed to be so complicated, but Lily Rose won't give up. She's determined to prove to everyone that she's the best horse trainer around - and prove to herself that she's moved on from Jake. All she has to do is stay out of the cowboy's bed...or trust that this time around he's worth every risk.

Though I read this out of order (I've finished the Wrangler's Creek series except for a couple of the novellas), it was a nice opening to the series. Though Lily and Jake make few appearances in the future books, this did introduce a few familiar characters.

Lily's dream is to have her own horse training ranch. In the process, she has worked for several people, one of whom was her ex-boyfriend Ian. She broke things off with him when she caught him cheating on her; then he fired her. Now she's working for Jake, the ex from her teenage years and the one she's never forgotten. The problem is, she still wants him. Complicating matters is that Ian is still a pain in the butt.

Jake has finally made his dream come true thanks to a significant inheritance from his grandfather. Unfortunately, that has made him the target of ambitious women all over town. He's really tired of fending them off when he has better things to do with his time. Things come to a head when he finds a naked woman in his room and retreats to the barn for safety.

Jake and Lily still have intense sparks flying between them, but Jake is adamant about not getting involved with someone who works for him. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and he agrees to Lily's suggestion that they pretend to be back together. Playing that game is also playing with fire, and resisting gets harder every day. But Lily has also kept a secret from Jake and others, one that is about to create some complications. I ached for Lily and her fears of what it would do to her relationships with Jake.

The ending was pretty good. I liked the support Lily got from Lawson and enjoyed the sibling interactions. I loved seeing Lily's response to Ian. Once Jake got over his initial reaction, he came through nicely for Lily. I enjoyed how the author brought in Logan McCord from the previous series and the plans that he and Jake have for Ian. I also liked how Jake and Lily cleared the air between them and admitted their feelings.

The Last Rodeo - Delores Fossen (HQN - July 2018)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 6)

The most important two words for this Wrangler’s Creek rodeo cowboy? I do...

Lucian Granger isn’t winning any Mr. Cowboy Congeniality awards. Known in his small Texas town as “Lucifer” thanks to his surly nature and knack for scaring people away from getting too close, the handsome rancher has no trouble ignoring the gossip. But when he’s in danger of losing the land he’s put his blood, sweat and tears into maintaining, Lucian sets out to prove he’s a changed man -- by claiming he’s about to settle down with his invaluable assistant, Karlee O’Malley.

Their pending nuptials may be just for show, but from the moment they kiss, the proverbial fireworks start going off in his head -- and in his heart. Before long, the man who’s usually as emotional as a brick wall is tired of pretending and wants to share a real future with Karlee. With his world suddenly turned upside down, Lucian will risk losing the business and the ranch if it means holding on to the one woman worth becoming a better man for.

Good conclusion to the Wrangler's Creek series. Lucian, aka Lucifer, is the last of the unmarried Grangers. No one is surprised by this because Lucian can be a real SOB, in and out of the business world. He's well known for his short relationships - thirty-four days is the record. Women take second place to work and he has no intention of changing that. That is until his life begins to implode.

Karlee is Lucian's assistant and has been for ten years. She keeps his life and business organized, often knowing what he needs before he does. She has also been in love with him for years, though he is quite oblivious to it. Karlee has finally realized that nothing will come of it and has decided to move on with her life, giving Lucian her notice and getting ready to start her own business.

I liked both Lucian and Karlee. Though Lucian has been something of an ass in the previous books, it was always because he thinks he's doing what is best for the family. Lucian took over the business, the ranch, and caring for the family at the age of eighteen when his father deserted them. It was his hard work that turned it around from the debt-ridden mess that Jerry left to a multi-million dollar success. Karlee has done the same for her family, ever since her mother ran off with Lucian's father. She took over care of the home and her younger brothers while her father sank into an alcoholic mess. She had to step up even more when he killed himself when she was seventeen.

Lucian's hard-nosed business ways have put him at odds with the town. That becomes a huge problem when Jerry comes back to town and takes back control of the family business. Jerry's actions put the financial future of the businesses and the family in jeopardy, all because of his own bad decisions. Lucian needs help to stop his father from destroying everything he's worked for, and that means he needs to change his reputation. Regina comes up with the idea of Lucian showing that he's a new man by becoming engaged to Karlee, whom everyone likes.

I liked the development of the relationship between Lucian and Karlee. They have been friends for a long time. Lucian has also felt the sparks of attraction for Karlee but has kept them well buried, not wanting to screw up an excellent working relationship and friendship. He has also been oblivious to Karlee's feelings for him. But the fake engagement has opened the door and now he doesn't know how to cope. I loved seeing how he can't keep Karlee out of his mind, which freaks him out quite a bit. He's kept himself away from any long-term relationships because of one failed one when he was younger - a relationship that still has a hold on him. Karlee has tried to protect her heart, but the "engagement" activities remind her of all the things that she wants to be real. One of the things that she wants is the chance to experience what all his other women have enjoyed - time in Lucian's bed. But just when things look like it could happen, Lucian's ex comes back to town. Lucian's emotions are in a turmoil as nothing feels the way he thought it would. I loved seeing Karlee stand up for herself and tell Lucian that he has to figure out his feelings first, then he could find her. Even with that obstacle, the connection between Lucian and Karlee is unmistakable. I loved how well each of them understood the other. I loved Lucian's protectiveness when it came to her new business and his understanding about her father. It took time for him to sort through his feelings, especially with everything else that was going on. I loved his big moment at the end, as he opened himself up in a scene that was both emotional and funny.

A large part of the story is the family drama that takes place with Jerry's return. He has wrenched back control of the family business for reasons of his own, which takes some time for Lucian to uncover. In the meantime, Jerry's ongoing feud with his ex-wife (Regina) creates some ridiculously funny moments (the taping off of the house into his and hers is hysterically described). There are also some very emotional scenes, as Karlee's mom returns, knowing that it was the affair between her and Jerry that caused so much trouble. I ached for Lucian as he watched everything he had worked so hard for fall apart under his father. An abundance of twists and turns makes the business troubles a convoluted problem to solve. I loved the solution that Lucian came up with, as once again, he is the one the family relies on when there's trouble.

The secondary characters were great, too. Jerry was the biggest presence. Mostly, he was the one I loved to hate for what he did, but there were a couple of times I felt a little sorry for him. Regina was a trip with her snarky comments to Jerry and his fiancée Candy. Candy was a bit of a surprise. She definitely gave off the clueless bimbo vibes for a good part of the story but showed herself to be a little more savvy than expected at the end. Karlee's mom, Glenda's return was unexpectedly complex. I liked her acceptance of the harm she did to her kids, and that she didn't try to give any excuses for it. Her other reasons for returning were quite a surprise. One of my favorite characters was the family cook, Abe. I was intrigued by his mysterious paper bag deliveries to Lucian and truly moved when Lucian told Karlee about them.

Cowboy Heartbreaker - Delores Fossen (HQN - Mar 2018)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 4.5)

This bad-boy cowboy doesn’t know what to do with a good girl—but after one night together, he sure isn’t ready to let go…

Commiserating over a mutual friend leaving town, best pals since childhood Ryder Crowley and Allie Devlin wind up drowning their sorrows in booze—and each other. For Allie, Wrangler’s Creek’s resident good girl, it’s a secret fantasy come true. She’s been aiming to finally change her straitlaced reputation and knows a night with Ryder will do the trick. She just didn’t count on wanting so much more…

Bad-boy ranch hand Ryder is no stranger to one-night stands, but this is different. This is Allie. She’s not the kind of girl you love and leave, and that’s all he knows. But when Allie tempts him with a naughty, no-strings-attached weekend, Ryder can’t resist, soon realizing Allie might have his heart more tied up than he ever thought possible.

Quick and fun story. Ryder and Allie have been best friends for years, along with Ryder's sister Bree and their friend Curt (aka the CRAB posse). Now Curt has married and will be leaving the area, breaking up their gang of friends. In their efforts to drown their sorrows over this, Ryder and Allie wake to find themselves naked and hungover in the hayloft of the ranch where they both work.

Allie has had feelings for Ryder for a long time but has kept them to herself until now. I loved the way she took the bull by the horns and made her move on him. Ryder's shock was obvious, but it didn't keep him from participating fully in the hottest kiss he'd had in a while. I also loved the way she nipped his backtrack in the bud with "If you want to cross any more lines, you know where to find me." 

It was great to see how Ryder was unable to get Allie off his mind, no matter how he tried. I loved the scene in the barn as their newly admitted attraction bursts into flame once again. Ryder still fights hard against it, and Allie throws down the challenge of meeting her after work at her place. After a delayed arrival caused by Bree, Ryder finally showed up, still fighting the inevitable.

I loved Allie's way of showing him that just being friends wasn't possible any longer, and Ryder's realization that she was right. Nature took its course in ways that were better than either expected. The morning after was pretty funny, involving an unexpected visitor and cans of cheese spread. I liked how it helped both Ryder and Allie admit their feelings.

Lone Star Blues - Delores Fossen (HQN - Apr 2018)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 5)

Wrangler’s Creek’s most eligible bad boy has just become its most eligible single dad

Dylan Granger could always count on his rebellious-cowboy charm to get his way -- until the day his wife, Jordan, left him and joined the military. The realization that during a wild night he got her cousin pregnant is shocking enough. But the news that Jordan has come home to Texas to help raise the baby is the last thing he expects.

Raising a baby with Dylan in Wrangler’s Creek is a life Jordan might’ve had years ago, but she doesn’t want regrets. She wants what’s best for the child -- and to find out if there’s something deeper between her and her ex than blazing-hot chemistry. Getting closer means letting down her guard to Dylan again, but will he be able to accept the emotional scars on her heart?

This is a second chance story with as many ups and downs, twists and turns as a premium rollercoaster. Dylan and Jordan had been married for a brief time fourteen years earlier. It didn't work out, and Jordan left to join the military, and Dylan stayed to work the ranch. Since that time, Dylan has cut a swath through the female population but never spending long with anyone. The book opens with him waking under circumstances he doesn't remember and finding out about a taking a very public vow of celibacy. About that time, a social worker arrived, bringing a toddler to him that she says is his son. His mother is in jail and has given him custody - a mother who is also his ex-wife's cousin.

Meanwhile, Jordan is on her way back to the US after a harrowing experience on duty. She suffers from nightmares and flashbacks and has been transferred to San Antonio where she can get some help. She is stunned to get a message from Adele about Corbin because Adele had never told her about the boy. She heads to Wrangler's Creek to confront Dylan because she feels he's not capable of being what Corbin needs.
I really liked both Dylan and Jordan. In previous books, Dylan has been the charming playboy, always ready for some shenanigans. When faced with possible fatherhood, after the initial stunned disbelief, he steps up to the job. I loved his immediate connection with little Corbin, and his determination to prove everybody wrong. Jordan is trying to get her life back on an even keel after what she'd been through. She is strong and loving but also has some insecurities. 

I liked the development of Dylan and Jordan's relationship. After fourteen years, they are surprised to discover that the attraction between them is just as strong as ever. Both try to resist it because the issues that tore them apart before are still there. Dylan is rooted in Wrangler's Creek, and Jordan is still a wanderer, but they will work together to give Corbin what he needs. Unfortunately for them, the attraction between them flares hot every time they are together and continues to grow.  I liked watching them grow closer as they supported each other through the mayhem caused by Adele. As they did, it became clear that each of them had matured and changed in the years since their divorce. Events continued to push them toward each other, but Jordan's fears especially keep her from believing that they can have a future together. Dylan's solution was unique and an interesting way of approaching the issue. I'm looking forward to the next book to see if there are any changes.

The issue of Corbin's paternity and custody is the central theme of the book. Dylan settles right in to fatherhood, but there are others who may have an equal claim. The ups and downs are highly emotional, and I ached for Dylan as it all happened. It was interesting to see Dylan's mom, who wasn't a very good mother to her own kids, get so deeply involved in this situation. Jordan also feels that she should have custody, but her work situation works against her. I liked seeing the three of them become a team in caring for Corbin. Some interesting dynamics were going on, but they made it work. There were several unexpected twists before someone finally made the right choice.

The secondary characters added plenty of drama on their own. Various ex-girlfriends of Dylan's did their best to cement relationships, get into his bed, or just stir the pot. The local judge, who has an ax to grind on behalf of his daughters, makes threats regarding the custody battle, and also eggs on Regina. Then there is Jordan's fellow officer, Theo. He was involved in Jordan's rescue and seems intent on making sure that she doesn't forget her ordeal or his part in it, all under the guise of being concerned about her. He also wants to take their relationship to the next level, while Jordan seems more interested in stepping back. There were some pretty funny scenes where she really lets him have it, especially when he's pulled some rather questionable stunts. I still think he was actually involved in the press fiasco at the rodeo. Last but not least is Dylan's brother Lucian. He is a grumpy, cynical, pain in the neck who seems to think it is his right to interfere in anything regarding his family. He definitely oversteps his bounds several times, gets confronted, then continues to do as he wants. His assistant Kaylee is Jordan's best friend and keeps Lucian's life and business running smoothly. She is also in love with him. He has no clue, and I am looking forward to the next book and seeing her bring him to his knees.

One Good Cowboy - Delores Fossen (HQN - Feb 2017)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 1.5)

The most honorable cowboy in Wrangler's Creek is about to get an offer he can't refuse…

Carson Rowley expects Granger Ranch office manager Evie Martin to do any number of things when he breaks the news that her “on again, off again” boyfriend has eloped with a stripper. Cry, maybe. Curse, probably. Kiss him senseless? Nope…didn't predict that. Now that Evie's offering what he secretly craves, there's only one question: Just how bad should a good cowboy be?

Evie's nowhere near as heartbroken over her unreliable ex as everyone in Wrangler's Creek expects. Especially once it's clear that her long-simmering crush on Carson is mutual. Carson's not the casual type, and inviting him into her bed means inviting him into her heart. But once he's there, she may never want him to leave…

Short, face paced and fun story. The story opens with the aftermath of a bachelor party, with good guy Carson passed out on the bar with a pair of red panties laying on him. Not what Evie expected to find when she stopped by her father's bar on the way to work. Even less did she expect to hear that her sort-of boyfriend had run off to Vegas with a stripper. Carson was cautious giving her the news, as he wasn't sure how she would take it. He certainly didn't expect her to smile, then haul off and kiss him.

Evie is sick and tired of everyone pushing her at Bennie. Their mothers had been doing it since they were kids, and nothing Evie says will convince them she isn't interested. She also hates the way everyone treats her with kid gloves just because she'd had cancer. She's well now and determined to live her life the way she wants to. And what she wants is Carson.

I completely understood Evie's frustration with the fact that nobody listens to what she says. I loved how she took action and made her interest in Carson known to him - and anyone else who would listen. Carson was stunned, but wary, as he thought maybe it was just reaction to what had happened. It was fun to see Evie's attempts at convincing him, and his final acceptance of the truth. The dinner that wasn't was terrific, and the heat between them was intense. The scene afterward, as Bennie, Gigi, and the two mothers converge on Evie's house had me laughing out loud. Bennie was a bit of an idiot, but I think Gigi will be the making of him. Seeing Carson and Evie try to get through to their mothers was hilarious as they finally saw the truth.

Cowboy Dreaming - Delores Fossen (HQN - Dec 2017)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 3.5)

How to lead a Texas cowboy into temptation…

Despite his parents’ pressure to be a doctor, ranch hand Josh Whitlock has everything under control. That is, until Hope Applewood—his boss—trades in her dusty jeans for a sexy little red dress. Now Josh’s self-control has gone up in smoke…taking his common sense with it. That must be why he’s agreed to fake a relationship so they can prove something to both their families.

Sure, there’s always been a bit of a simmer between them. Now the simmer is up to full boil as their new “relationship” sets the tongues of Wrangler’s Creek wagging. Even as their little scam works its magic, Josh knows he’s just opened Pandora’s box—filled with feelings he’s been hiding since meeting Hope. But when a cowboy makes a deal, he always sees it through…

Quick little read as friends and partners discover that there's much more between them. Both Josh and Hope are happy with their work on the ranch, in spite of their parents' unrelenting nagging that there's something better that they should be doing. In Josh's case, they wanted him to be a doctor, even though he has no interest or calling for it. Hope's parents would prefer that she join them in their business and marry someone in their social class. Each of them has become pretty good at avoiding their parents for sanity's sake.

That is, until the day of the Granger's holiday party. Hope has to go because she's meeting a business contact there, which means she also has to dress up. Seeing her in the little red dress blows Josh's mind, and helping her zip it up fuels the heat he's always felt for her. The steam between the two of them boils over in a hot-blooded kiss.

I loved seeing the two of them commiserate over their parental troubles. Hope tries to get Josh to go with her to the party as her date to head her parents off. He declines, since he doesn't want to deal with his own parents at the party - until they show up there at the ranch. Their attitude pushes him right into Hope's arms and he and Hope pretend that they are together. This continues as they attend the party together and fend off the matchmaking attempts of both set of parents, while setting off the local gossips.

It was fun to see them deal with the feelings that had been stirred up. Josh seemed a bit reluctant to believe that it was anything more than lust at first. In a pretty funny comparison to silencing the alarm on fast food French fries, they try to see if giving in will make it go away or make it stronger. I laughed as their afterglow was interrupted and how they handled it. I loved seeing them admit what is between them and look to their future together.  

Texas-Sized Trouble – Delores Fossen (HQN – Jan 2018)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 4)

A local girl comes home to face the cowboy from her past—and finally claim her future…

Lawson Granger loved Eve Cooper once, but her dreams were grander than anything his Texas-cowboy destiny could provide. Letting her walk out of his life and into television stardom was a mistake he made eighteen years ago. Now everything’s changed. Eve is back—pregnant and desperate for someplace to hide. And their desire is just as stubborn as they are.

Escaping to the comforts of home is Eve’s one shot at giving her baby a safe life. Earning Lawson’s trust is her one chance at making amends for the past. But the long-buried secrets and unintentional damage she fled from aren’t far behind. When the truth finds her, she stands to lose the man she loves and the only place she’s ever called home…this time forever.

Good second chance story. Lawson and Eve had been high school sweethearts until they were driven apart by the death of a friend and Eve’s departure for Hollywood. He hasn’t seen her in eighteen years. Then he finds out that Eve has moved back to Wrangler’s Creek.

Eve has been having a bad year. She’s pregnant from a one night stand with her former costar. Her adopted daughter isn’t speaking to her. She just wants a place where she can get her life back on track, and when she’s offered the house in Wrangler’s Creek, she jumps at it.

The book started with a bang and just kept going. Lawson was confronted by local fortune-teller and resident nutcase, Vita, and informed that he had a bunch of curses on him. He blows her off, but soon has reason to regret it, as he’s told about Eve’s presence on the ranch. He comes face to face with her just in time to deliver her baby, in a vastly amusing scene. It’s also quite clear that the sparks between them aren’t dead. Lawson copes by leaving town for as long as he can get away with it. Eve was grateful for his help, but she’s glad he’s gone. It gives her a chance to figure out what she is going to say to him.

I liked both Lawson and Eve. Lawson is a good man. He loves his family, even though they frequently irritate him. He works hard on the ranch. He’s very careful not to lead women on during those occasions when he cuts loose. He is also racked with guilt over the death of his friend Brett, and blames himself for what happened.  Having Eve around is a double-edged sword – she reminds him of that loss, but he’s also still attracted to her.

Eve has worked hard to be a good mother to Tessie, keeping her out of the Hollywood spotlight. But Eve has also kept a huge secret from her – a secret that caused a big rift with Tessie when it was discovered. Eve also feels guilty about Brett’s death, feeling that she could have done something to prevent it. Eve is a good person who made the choices that she believed were best at the time, but they are now creating more problems for her. But no matter what happens, she faces up to the consequences.

I liked the rekindling of Lawson and Eve’s relationship. Delivering her baby adds a layer of intimacy to their new reality. Lawson also discovers that he is unexpectedly protective of both Eve and little Aidan, a situation that is very disturbing to him at the beginning. He wants to keep his distance to protect his heart, but he just can’t do it. Eve is equally drawn to the man that Lawson has become, but the secrets she is keeping make that attraction hard to accept. It was fun to see how they fought their feelings, especially when everyone else could see that they belonged together. I especially enjoyed the identical housewarming gifts that Dylan gave to both Lawson and Eve.

I loved seeing Lawson get more involved in Eve’s life. It took him a while to realize how strong his feelings for her were. Those feelings took quite a hit when he discovered the secret she had been keeping. I understood his anger, and I also liked when he accepted that she had done what she thought was best. I did get a bit frustrated with Eve as she kept putting off the talk she had to have with Lawson, afraid that it would ruin their healing relationship. But whatever else was going on, I loved that they worked together to weather the crisis involving Tessie. Eve still had some obstacles to face, thanks to her former costar. Thankfully, with Lawson’s support, she finally saw that she and Lawson belonged together. I liked Lawson’s big moment at the end, even though it didn’t go quite the way he planned.

The secondary characters were terrific. Vita’s involvement with Lawson’s “curses” was pretty funny, especially the scene with the chicken. Cassidy was a terrific friend and had no problem telling Eve when she was being an idiot, but also backing her up anyway. Kellan was the character who was the biggest influence on the story. His total involvement in his own wants and activities, regardless of anyone else, made him especially irritating. I loved seeing Eve push back, getting blunter as the book went on. I loved seeing her finally get her point across. There was a terrific scene at the end, with Lawson, Tessie, and one of the show fans, that was especially heartwarming.

Branded as Trouble – Delores Fossen (HQN – July 2017)

Series: Wrangler's Creek (Book 3)

Every town needs a bad boy, and Wrangler's Creek's has been gone far too long

Getting his high school girlfriend pregnant was just one square in Roman Granger's checkered past, but it changed him forever. When his son's mother skipped town after the birth, Roman decided to do the same, baby Tate in tow, hoping for a fresh start.

Now Roman fears his teenage son is following in his wayward footsteps, so he returns home to Wrangler's Creek, aiming to set him straight. It's there he encounters Tate's aunt, Mila Banchini, the good-girl opposite of Roman who's had a crush on him since childhood. The old spark between them undeniably never died, though Roman worries it'll only lead to heartache. But if falling for Mila is such a bad idea, why does everything about holding her feel so right?

Good book. Roman is the third of the Grangers and the one who is actually the owner of the ranch, even though he wants nothing to do with it. Instead, he concentrates on his own rodeo business and takes care of his son. Things aren’t going smoothly on that front, and Roman came home from a business trip to find that Tate was in trouble at school.  The only thing to do is pack up and finish out the school year in Wrangler’s Creek, the very last place he wants to go.

Tate’s aunt Mila has stayed in Wrangler’s Creek, where she is the good girl to Roman’s bad boy. She’s had it bad for Roman for years and no other man has been able to compete. Though she knows there’s no chance of a future, maybe she can finally fulfill one of her dreams.

I liked both Roman and Mila. Roman is a good man who has been burned one too many times, causing him to do what he must to protect his heart. There was his first love, Valerie, who deserted him and Tate and still can hurt them both with her selfish behavior. Then there’s the contentious relationship he has with his mother. In this book, we finally learn what is behind it, and the betrayal he felt by her actions was completely understandable. Roman protects himself by avoiding any commitment – “three and done” is his motto and way of preventing any woman from getting ideas. However, he does have a deep love for his family, and I enjoyed seeing him spend more time with them. I also loved his determination to be a better father to Tate than his was to him. I ached for his feelings of helplessness as he tried to help Tate through his issues.

Mila is another one who has a love of family. She has a close relationship with Tate and is sympathetic to his problems with his mother. She has spent her whole life dealing with her mother, who is quite the piece of work. Mila is stunned by a secret that Vita reveals and which causes Mila to question things she thought she knew about herself. I liked the way that she faced it and made plans to deal with it, without turning it into a majorly dramatic situation.

I liked the development of the relationship between Roman and Mila. The sparks are there and intense, and Mila is ready to take advantage of them. Roman is a good man who believes that he can’t give her what she needs but finds it increasingly hard to resist her.  I liked seeing Mila wear him down, though he certainly fought hard. Roman was definitely not happy to find himself thinking about Mila and about spending more time with her, even after their agreed upon encounters were over.  I liked the way that Mila gets past Roman’s walls and helps him make peace with his past, just as Roman supports Mila in her search for her father. But Roman’s fears are still there, holding him back. The proverbial smack upside the head came from an unexpected source, and I loved how it happened. Roman’s big moment at the end was pretty sweet, with a side of sexy.

There was also a sweet side story with Tate and a girl from school. I liked the way that Arwen wanted to help him, having been through something similar herself. I felt bad for her with her home situation and loved the way that Roman and Mila stood up for her.

Diary of a War Bride – Lauri Robinson (HH #1386 – July 2018)

The land girl and the US officer

July 1942

Dear diary, despite the war raging around me, I find I can’t stop thinking about the American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson. I’ve never known anyone as brave, kind and handsome! But I promised myself I wouldn’t care this much about a man again, especially when he could be transferred at any time. Yet that only makes me want to relish our time together. Now fighting my heart feels like the biggest battle…

Sweet romance between an American GI and an English woman during WW2. Kathryn is a young woman who was sent out of London by her parents to keep her safe. She has been helping with the evacuated children and anything else that is needed. The Americans have just built an airbase nearby, which disturbs her very much. She is afraid that the base will draw German attention, putting everyone in danger.

Dale is a young man who joined the war effort shortly after his older brother did. The family hasn’t heard from Ralph since he left and they are worried. Dale plans to use his spare time to search for his brother. He is a mechanic who works on the planes and is also a flight engineer who sometimes participates in missions.

I liked both Kathryn and Dale. Kathryn grew up in an upper-class family and had little to worry about. At the beginning of the war, she fell for a man who was only using her to get to her Brigadier father, leaving her determined to stay away from men. Since her arrival in the countryside, she has matured a great deal and learned the pleasures of independence. She also has a bit of a blind spot regarding Americans, thanks to a family scandal and her mother’s reaction to it. I liked how good Kathryn was with the children and how much she cared about the people around her. 

Dale is a kindhearted and honorable man. He watches out for the men under his command and does his best to do the right thing. He’s moved by circumstances of the evacuated children and wants to do something to make their lives better. He is also determined to find out what has happened to his brother to bring peace of mind to his mother.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dale and Kathryn. They met under difficult circumstances when a pilot did a low-level buzz on Dale and a friend as a joke, but it also frightened Kathryn. I liked how Dale tried to make amends, even though Kathryn was pretty rude to him. Her stubbornness only increased his determination. I loved the solution he came up with and the way it led to a growing friendship between Dale and Kathryn. 

The more time they spent together, the closer they grew. Dale was conflicted because he really liked her, but the Americans were also discouraged from forming relationships with the locals. A run-in with one of his superiors emphasized this and caused him to pull back. Kathryn was also wary because she knew that Dale could be transferred at any time, or lose his life during one of the missions. I ached for them both when that separation came and the truth of their feelings became obvious to each of them. I loved Kathryn’s decision to step outside her comfort zone and the determination with which she pursued her goal. There was a great scene involving Dale and Kathryn’s father that emphasized Dale’s sense of honor and also showed the depth of his feelings for her.

There were some heart-pounding moments during one of Dale’s missions that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved Kathryn’s determination to join him after he was transferred. There were a lot of twists and turns involved in making that happen, including some surprising actions by Kathryn’s father. I loved the ending and Dale’s reaction to everything he found. I would have liked an epilogue from a couple of years into their lives to see how they are doing.

A theme throughout the book was Dale’s search for his brother. I really liked how it showed the love that Dale had for his family. I loved how Kathryn used the search for Ralph as a way to feel closer to Dale during his absence. The resolution of that search was fun and showed the ripples caused by one small action. I enjoyed the way that Kathryn found Ralph and the effect it had on her actions. The ending was terrific and made me smile and cry at the same time.

I loved the World War Two setting, which is rarely seen in historical romances. There was a realistic look at what life was like, especially regarding Kathryn’s initial fears. I ached for the children who had been evacuated for their safety and loved seeing the various ways that Dale and Kathryn tried to make their lives easier. I also liked the glimpses of Dale’s activities, from his downtime to the intensity of his missions.

Invitation to Ruin - Bronwen Evans (Brava - Feb 2011)

Series: Invitation to (Book 1)

One Good Lady Is About to Go Bad...

The only thing Miss Melissa Goodly has ever wanted out of a marriage is love. But any hope of that dissolves one wild night, when she loses herself in the arms of the most irresistible -- and unobtainable -- man in all of England. For when they are discovered in a position as compromising as it is pleasurable, she has no choice but to accept his proposal.

Avowed bachelor Anthony Craven, Earl of Wickham, never meant to seduce an innocent like Melissa. Yet now that the damage is done, it does seem like she'd make a very convenient wife. After all, she is so naive he won't have to worry about ever being tempted. Or so he thinks, until the vows are spoken and they are left alone -- and his new bride reveals a streak just as brazen and unrestrained as his own...

Good book with some deeply emotional scenes. Anthony is a well-known rake who has made it clear that he will never marry. His reputation has earned him the name Lord of Wicked. When we first see him, he is making a bet with his brother as to which of them will sleep with a particular woman first. Even more disturbing is his intention to "stir the pot" by dancing with the woman's innocent cousin.

Melissa wants nothing more than to find a husband she can love and who will love her. But her wastrel brother is determined to sell her off to the highest bidder for his own benefit. Though she knows that Anthony is not the man for her, she can't deny her attraction to him. Her dance with him leaves her flustered and even more enamored of him.

Thanks to interference and a bit of trickery, Anthony ends up in Melissa's bed instead of Cassandra's, which he doesn't realize until it's too late. Anthony may be a rake, but he is also an honorable man and proposes marriage. He's a little surprised when she resists, but he prevails. The dilemma he faces is how to resist his attraction to her.

Overall, I liked both Melissa and Anthony, though Anthony took a while to win me over. He comes across as very cold and manipulative at the beginning, as he deceives Melissa about his plans for their marriage. I began to soften toward him as more of his background was revealed, and how the horrors he experienced made him fear treating his own child the way he was treated. Avoiding the prospect altogether seemed his only option. Melissa was a terrific heroine. She is feisty and independent, determined to get the outcome she wants. She is also a kind and caring woman, as shown by the type of charity work she does. I liked the way she doesn't just sit back and accept others' decisions but stands up for her own needs.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Anthony and Melissa. The sparks between them are strong from the beginning. Anthony is determined to keep Melissa at a distance, but she doesn't make it easy on him, to the point where he uses some truly cruel methods to drive her away from him. I loved that Melissa isn't quite so easy to drive away. It takes her a few days, but she realizes that while his words say one thing, his body says something entirely different. I loved the way she used her intellect to learn the ways of love to win him over. It was great fun to see Anthony tormented by his desire for his wife, to the point of being unable to carry on the way he had planned.

There were several misunderstandings between them, brought about by their differing outlooks on life. Melissa tends to see the good in people first and foremost, and acts accordingly, while Anthony always sees the worst. The first major misunderstanding, regarding the London slave market, ended up showing that they had more in common than they knew. Sometimes their misunderstandings caused them to behave badly toward the other, but eventually, they would learn the truth and find ways to make amends.

One of the things I loved best about Melissa was her refusal to give up on Anthony. The more she learned about his past, the more she admired the way that he had overcome it, even if he didn't think so. I was in tears for her as he pushed her away in ways that did his best to destroy her dreams and make her hate him. Even though it broke her heart, she still couldn't stop loving him. I ached for Anthony, who was so consumed by guilt over things in his past that he couldn't see the things that he did right. He really wanted to be the husband that Melissa deserved, but believed that he was unredeemable. I loved that it was his friends Samantha and Freddie who finally broke through his walls, and how they showed him that he would never be like his father. Having seen the light, Anthony has to find a way to win back Melissa. I loved seeing him expose his vulnerability to her. Even more, I loved how she was able to make him see that it wasn't her forgiveness he needed. I loved the epilogue and seeing the huge difference in Anthony and the happiness that radiates from them both.

One of the most unusual things about this book is that it deals with a subject rarely seen in Regency romances - slavery. I don't think I've ever read a book that talked about the selling of black slaves in England during that time period. I loved that both Melissa and Anthony were involved in fighting it, though in vastly different ways. There was an element of suspense in the book also, as Anthony's fight became far more personal than he ever expected. My heart was in my throat as Melissa became the focal point of Anthony's greatest enemy. The final confrontation was intense with several twists before the ultimate resolution.

I thoroughly enjoyed Anthony's friends and relations and their determination to save him. Though Richard and his mother's methods were underhanded, they were effective. I liked Richard's obvious love for his brother and his efforts to help Anthony and Melissa after their marriage. Rufus intrigues me and I look forward to reading his book, as well as Richard's.