Primal Instinct - Janie Crouch (HI #1489 - Apr 2014)

Series: Instinct (Book 1)

On the crowded streets of San Francisco, a serial killer watches and waits. Known only as "Simon Says," he lures his next victim while the FBI grasps for answers. Desperate, they turn to Adrienne Jeffries. Adrienne has an uncanny talent for getting inside the city's most dangerous minds. But first she'll have to get past FBI agent Conner Perigo. Skeptical of Adrienne's abilities, Conner begrudgingly enlists her help…unprepared for the powerful attraction that could jeopardize their focus. With little time, and everything to lose, they must work to find Simon's next victim -- before he does.

Excellent book that had me hooked from the beginning. Conner and his partner are FBI agents working a serial killer case. It's been ten months, with five women killed, and there has been no progress in finding the killer. Conner's boss decided it was time to bring in an outside consultant, one that worked for the FBI years earlier, with an impressive record of solving cases. Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with working for the FBI ever again. Adrienne has a unique ability to get inside the mind of a killer. However, it takes an enormous toll on her, mentally and physically, and at the age of eighteen, it didn't take long for her to burn out.

I loved the first meeting between Conner and Adrienne. Conner is very skeptical of Adrienne's abilities and makes no secret of the fact. Adrienne has matured into a strong woman who has no trouble standing up for herself. The two of them strike sparks from each other from the moment they met. Conner is quite a jerk with his snarky comments, but underneath it all is an unwilling and unwanted attraction to her. I loved seeing Adrienne stand up to him, and her calling him Agent Jackass made me laugh. She is also attracted to him. I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Conner's blatant skepticism and distrust made Adrienne all the more determined to prove herself. As the case progressed, I loved seeing Conner's skepticism fade and his respect for her grow. He also became very protective. His care of her when she would have one of her visions was incredible. It was great to see the antagonism between them fade and the connection between them grow. The unexpected effect that Conner has on Adrienne's ability deepened the connection between them as she began to lean on him. Having Conner's support also boosted her strength of will as she went all out to find the killer. His fear when the killer caught her brought home to him how much he loved her. I had to laugh at the timing of his declaration, but it was beautifully said.

The suspense of the story was outstanding. From the first experience, Adrienne had with connecting "Simon" the sense of evil was evident. I felt Adrienne's frustration at the beginning when she couldn't get a read on the evidence. Once they figured out the issue, and she put her talent to use the things that she saw and felt were terrifying. I honestly don't know how Adrienne managed to retain the things she did through the agony she experienced. During the investigation of the latest murder, I got a feeling about the identity of Simon, but there were some things that made me question it. The intensity ramped up considerably when they had a chance to get to one before she was killed, but the probability it was a trap was strong. How that played out was nerve-wracking. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat with its intensity and twists, as Adrienne fought the debilitating effects of being so close to the killer. I loved her part in saving herself, and Conner's in making it possible.

Almost a Bravo - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2648 - Oct 2018)

Series: Bravos of Valentine Bay (Book 2)
            Bravo Family Ties (Book 53)

She isn’t a true Bravo --

And now she’s inheriting a temporary husband!

It’s shocking enough discovering she was switched at birth. Now, to fulfill the terms of his adoptive father’s will, Aislinn Bravo must marry Jaxon Winter or he loses his beloved ranch. Living together as husband and wife for three months only deepens Aislinn’s desire for her longtime crush. But how can she dream of a future with Jax when her whole life is a lie?

Captivating and emotional story. What do you do when you discover that everything you believed about yourself is a lie? Five years earlier, Aislinn had briefly worked as a ranch hand for Martin Durand, where she developed a huge crush on the man's adoptive son, Jaxon. Now she's been called to attend the reading of Durand's will. She is shocked and horrified to be told that she was switched at birth with his daughter, meaning that she doesn't have a drop of Bravo blood in her. To top it all off, Durand made it a condition of his will that Aislinn and Jax must marry or Jax will lose his inheritance.

The opening scene in the lawyer's office sucked me into the story and grabbed me by the heart. Aislinn's disbelief and pain at hearing the story of her birth was heart-wrenching. Her meltdown was understandable and believable. Getting the news that she also had to marry Jax was one more blow. Though she claimed that her crush was long over, it was obvious that something was still there. And as much as she hated the circumstances, she still likes and respects Jax and doesn't want to be the cause of him losing the ranch. She struggled over what to do, but the outcome was really never in question. Jax is just as stunned over the will's conditions. To lose the home that has been in his family for generations is unthinkable, and he'll do whatever he must to keep it. After all, it's only for three months.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jax and Aislinn. The sparks between them were undeniable right from the start. Jax was a bit wary at the beginning, slightly suspicious that Aislinn had found a way to get to Martin and manipulate him. Those feelings didn't last long, as he got to know and like her. I loved the way that he did everything he could to make her feel welcome on the ranch. He's also a pretty straightforward man, and as his attraction to Aislinn grew he made it clear that he wanted her. Aislinn has a harder time of it. Spending time with Jax deepens her feelings for him. Giving in to the desire isn't hard, but believing in a future together is another matter. I ached for Aislinn and the panic attacks she would have each night, and for Jax, who tried to understand but was hurt by the way she pulled away. It was pretty clear that she was fighting against the feeling that she had no control over her life, but she didn't know how to fix it. When the three months are up, both Jax and Aislinn know that they are in love, but Aislinn is still fighting for identity. I loved Jax's patience with her fears and that he never gave up hope. I admit to being somewhat frustrated with her at the end, but I also could feel her pain. Her conversation with Percy and Daffy at the end finally helped her put her fears to rest. I loved seeing Aislinn and Jax come together at the end. There was a sweet little twist involving Martin, also.

I loved the importance of family. The love and care that Jax had received from Claudia and Martin made a great foundation for the love he had for Aislinn. For all the love he had for Martin, Jax was also well aware of Martin's faults, and tried hard to help Aislinn see the good side of the man. The closeness of the Bravo family is a huge part of Aislinn's identity, and the news about her birth threw her into a tailspin. She wasn't sure what the news would do to her relationship with her siblings, and that added to her stress. I loved the unquestioning support she received from all of them, especially as she tried to come to terms with her marriage. I really enjoyed seeing her sisters Haley and Harper playing devil's advocate, to get Aislinn to see the truth. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when the family finally gets in contact with Madison.

 

Killer Colton Christmas - Regan Black, Lara Lacombe (HRS #1971 - Dec 2017)

Series: Coltons of Shadow Creek (Book 10)
             Coltons (Book 71)

Good conclusion to the Coltons of Shadow Creek series.

Special Agent Cowboy by Regan Black

When hackers strike Colton, Inc., they put executive Marie Meyers in their crosshairs. FBI agent Emiliano Ortega is charged with protecting the beautiful city girl on his ranch. But keeping their mutual attraction professional under the mistletoe is impossible…

Excellent story. Marie is the Chief Digital Officer for Colton, Inc., and works hard in appreciation of the trust her bosses have placed in her. When hackers strike at the company, Marie is the one in the greatest danger. In order to protect her, FBI agent Emiliano takes Marie out of the city to his family's ranch in Shadow Creek. As initial evidence is gathered, there is some question as to whether Marie is the victim or a participant. Part of Emiliano's job is to verify which it is.

From the moment they met, there were sparks of attraction between Marie and Emiliano, even though they are so different. Marie is a workaholic, with no family to distract her from her job. Bounced from foster home to foster home, she has developed a self-contained independence. She is also pure city girl, and the wide open spaces and quiet kind of freaked her out. Emiliano grew up on the ranch with his brother and his veterinarian parents. He splits his time between the city and the ranch. I loved seeing the development of their relationship. Emiliano is wary at first, because of her status as a possible suspect, but he quickly realizes that there is no way that she would be involved. Marie isn't happy with the situation, but she doesn't create problems in her frustration. She's understanding of the situation, and that also helps her case with Emiliano. I loved seeing the two of them get to know each other, especially as Emiliano introduces Marie to the joys of ranch life. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, but neither is sure how a relationship could work. I especially ached for Marie, who has little experience with love, only with abandonment. Her fears cause her to pull back, and it's only Emiliano's refusal to give up on her that brings them back together. I loved their big moment at the end, and the help they got from the little dog, Scrabble.

The suspense of this part was fantastic. The speed and depth of the attack were believable in this day of cyber crimes. The focus on Marie as both target and suspect kept me hooked as I waited to see how it would play out. I felt for Emiliano and Marie as lead after lead came to a dead end, even as the threats against Marie became more intense. I loved seeing them take proactive steps to draw out the bad guys. The final confrontation was intense, with a twist that I sort of saw coming, but the details surprised me anyway. I also liked the realism that the good guys aren't always supermen who come through unscathed.

One of my favorite characters in the story was the little dog, Scrabble. I loved how she took to Marie right away, cementing Emiliano's belief that Marie is innocent of the cyberattack. It was fun to see his jealousy over Scrabble's defection to Marie (Scrabble is HIS dog!). It was sweet to see how Marie went from so wary of the dog to totally in love with her. The scene with Scrabble interfering with Marie's packing was adorable. 

The Marine's Christmas Case by Lara Lacombe

When Dario Ortega meets Felicity Grant, the lovely Marine-turned-PI spurns his advances. Instead, Dario offers his tech expertise to help Felicity solve the Colton, Inc., hacking. Working the case together softens Felicity's steely heart and makes Dario rethink bachelorhood. But can they catch a killer Colton in time for Christmas?

Good story. Felicity is the newest member of Adeline's detective agency and has been put to work on the Colton, Inc., hacking case. After twelve years in the Marines, she's happy to be back in Shadow Creek where she can put down roots. Dario is Emiliano's brother and home for the holidays. He's a computer whiz and something of a playboy. I loved their first meeting. Felicity is at the ranch for Emiliano and Marie's engagement party. She's still adjusting to being a civilian, so she is hanging out around the edges of the party. Dario is watching his brother and Marie with a bit of puzzlement. He doesn't understand the whole "happy-ever-after" thing and is much happier with his casual, short-term relationships. Felicity catches his eye, and he attempts to charm her in his usual manner. He's surprised at her resistance to going out with him but doesn't give up. Felicity has no intention of getting involved with a man who just wants a fling. She's amused by his attempts but keeps up her resistance.

I liked the development of the relationship between Dario and Felicity. The sparks between them are apparent from the start, though Felicity does her best to ignore them. When she accepts her need for his professional assistance on the Colton case, she makes it clear to him that their time together will be business only. That doesn't last too long, as Felicity gets to know the man behind the reputation. I loved the scene at the Colton's cookie party, with Felicity's reaction to Dario and little Joseph. It made her realize that there was more to him than she thought. It softened her resistance a bit as her mind wandered down a fantasy route of her and Dario together. Dario was equally intrigued by her, and I loved the way he watched her and noticed little things about her. It was fun to see the committed bachelor suddenly thinking of long-term ideas. He as slightly disturbed by those thoughts and tried to shake them off.  As the two of them get more deeply involved, each has to come to terms with the changes to their feelings. Dario surprised me with his acceptance and readiness to see where it goes. I ached for Felicity, who knew she was falling but believed that Dario didn't feel the same. I liked the way that Dario didn't give up, and his big moment at the end was pretty sweet.

The suspense of this story was good also. Felicity and Dario are rapidly closing in on the person behind the hacking. Dario's abilities get him into the "dark web" spaces where he goes to search for more clues. The action heated up when the office was broken into, but questions arose when it appeared that nothing was damaged or stolen. The reason became obvious a short time later, but I found it a little hard to believe that a computer expert hadn't thought of that possibility immediately. The threat left on Felicity's car brought home the fact that, though they were closing in, the danger was also closing in. A couple more clues involving Livia and Jade came to light and had Dario going off alone to check on something. What happened then had me on the edge of my seat with the intensity of that confrontation. There were some unexpected twists as the last of the questions were finally answered.  

Billionaire's Colton Threat - Geri Krotow (HRS #1967 - Nov 2017)

Series: Coltons of Shadow Creek (Book 9)
            Coltons (Book 70)

Single, pregnant and nearly bankrupt, Halle Ford makes a deal with a sexy Scottish devil: she'll marry billionaire Alastair Buchanan. Why? For the sake of their baby -- conceived after one night of passion -- and to save her beloved Bluewood Ranch. They plan to divorce after one year, but their burgeoning Lone Star love might just surprise them!

But no sooner do the cowgirl and her Scotsman say, "I do," than their very livelihoods are threatened. Someone begins sabotaging Halle's ranch, while Alastair's family whiskey empire comes under siege. Drawn together by passion and danger, can the newlyweds protect the family they've both come to cherish?

Good book that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The effects of criminal mastermind Livia Colton continue to haunt the town of Shadow Creek. Halle's father was killed in a hit-and-run accident that she blames on Livia Colton. Her father's death brought Halle back to Bluewood Ranch and the family trail tours business sooner than planned and she struggles to keep the business afloat. When a neighbor sets up a four-day trail tour for a friend of his, Halle jumps at the chance to show Scotsman Alastair Buchanan the wild and beautiful side of Texas. Alastair is a billionaire with plans for some investments in Texas. The trail ride is his chance to learn more about the area as well as take some time to relax.

Alastair and Halle strike sparks from each other from the moment they meet. The attraction they feel is mutual, but neither intends to do anything about it. Getting involved with a client is a bad idea, and Halle has enough problems without risking that kind of trouble. Alastair only plans to be in Texas for a short time, and he senses that Halle is not the fling type of woman. I loved the interactions between Halle and Alastair during the ride. Alastair occasionally comes across as an arrogant know-it-all, but that's mostly his natural confidence expressing itself. He is polite and appreciative and has a dry sense of humor that appeals to Halle. He also likes to tease a bit, which gets him into trouble. I liked watching Halle introduce Alastair to the land she loved. Her love of that land shines through in everything she does. I enjoyed seeing her tweak Alastair about his phone habit. When that same phone causes a nearly fatal accident, the subsequent reactions result in a passionate night on the trail. But nothing can come of it, so when the ride is over, they part ways.

However, Fate has something else in mind. Alastair hasn't been able to forget Halle, though his attempts to stay in contact with her are shot down. That is until the stick turns blue, and Halle knows that she has to tell Alastair that he's going to be a father. He's shocked, and not too happy with Halle's stated plan to raise the baby on her own. His inability to forget her runs into his natural protectiveness, and he rushes back to Texas with a plan in place. He'll propose a temporary marriage that will give the baby his name and legitimacy and provide Halle with the funds she needs to keep her ranch going. I enjoyed the back-and-forth as Alastair needed every bit of his negotiating skills to convince Halle to agree to his plans.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of Alastair and Halle's relationship. Halle is feisty and independent and doesn't like the idea of being indebted to Alastair. Alastair is protective and determined to make things as easy as possible for Halle, a feeling that only increases when strange things begin to happen on the ranch. A trip to Scotland removes Halle from immediate danger and gives the two of them more time together to get to know each other. Alastair's protectiveness leads him to keep his growing business troubles from Halle because he doesn't want to worry her, but Halle can see that he is keeping something from her. As her feelings for him grow stronger, that lack of sharing/trust makes her believe that his feelings are not as strong. After their return to Texas, Alastair compounds the problem with a business deal that goes against everything Halle believes.  I ached for her and her feelings of betrayal but also wanted to shake her for not letting him explain. When Halle's temper puts her in a dangerous situation, Alastair finally realizes the strength of his feelings. His feelings of helplessness were hard for him to face, and I loved the way that Halle helped him through it. I loved the scene at the hospital when he saw the baby on the sonogram and the effect it had on him. The final scene at Christmas was fun, with the gender reveal and Alastair's wedding gift to Halle.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. There seemed to be two different issues going on, both of which tied to the hard-to-believe possibility that Livia Colton is still alive. Right after the wedding, there were attacks made that appeared to be intent on making Halle sell her property. I ached for her at the discovery on her front porch and loved her determination not to give in to the threats. The booby trap on the trail was frightening, especially for Alastair who feared for Halle's safety. At the same time, Alastair has been trying to fight off a hostile takeover of one of his businesses. The increasing feeling that it was personal made Alastair even more intent on getting to the bottom of it. The security breach on his estate added another layer of questions to the puzzle. The final confrontation back in Texas was an intense series of events that had me on the edge of my seat wondering how it was all going to be resolved. There were several twists involved as the link between Halle's and Alastair's troubles became clear. I loved Halle's part in bringing the confrontation to a successful end. There is still one element left unresolved, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

The only problem I had with the book was a minor one, but every time it happened it pulled me a little bit out of the story. In Scotland, they distill and drink whisky, not whiskey. So every time Alastair's company, Clyde Whiskey, was mentioned, it grated on my nerves.

 

Cowboy SEAL Homecoming - Nicole Helm (Sourcebooks Casablanca - Jan 2018)

Series:  Navy SEAL Cowboys (Book 1)

Three former Navy SEALs

Injured in the line of duty

Desperate for a new beginning...

Searching for a place to call their own.

Alex Maguire never thought he'd go home again. The perfect soldier, the perfect leader, he's spent his whole life running away from Blue Valley, Montana―but when a tragic accident bounces him and two of his men out of the SEALs, there's nowhere left to turn but the ranch he used to call his own...and the confusing, innocently beguiling woman who now lives there.

Becca Denton's like nothing he could have imagined. She's far too tempting for her own good, but when she offers to help turn the ranch into a haven for injured veterans, he can't exactly say no. He'll just need to keep his distance. But something in her big green eyes makes Alex want to set aside the mantle of the perfect soldier and discover the man he could have been...safe and whole within the shelter of her arms.

The Prodigal SEAL has come home.

Fantastic, emotional start to a new series. Alex is a former SEAL, retired from the service because of his injuries. He joined the Navy right out of high school, and in the sixteen years since then has rarely been home. With the recent death of his father, Alex and his step-sister, Becca, have inherited the ranch. With the loss of their careers, Alex and his two friends, Jack and Gabe, have come to the ranch to heal and to make it a place for other wounded vets to heal. Each of them needs a new focus for their lives and a way to deal with the unexpected changes. This is Alex's story.

Becca is also dealing with major changes in her life. Her stepfather was the only father she had known, and his loss has left her reeling. She barely knows Alex, as he had already left home for the navy by the time her mother married Burt. Thanks to a life-threatening illness as a child, her life has been very sheltered. Her mother homeschooled her and kept her away from most social events, afraid that she would become sick again. This has left her socially awkward and very nervous around strangers. She is also determined to do something about it, and with a lot of effort has finally established some independence. The men's plans for the ranch dovetail nicely with her desire to start an equine therapy program.

The contrasts between Alex and Becca are pretty significant. Alex is a leader, a planner (overly so), and keeps his emotions under strict control. He is haunted by the events that caused his injuries and the death of a friend, but insists that he is "fine." He is certain that with enough hard work and time, the nightmares will fade. Becca is quiet but determined to become more outgoing. She wants to live her life to the fullest, and because she was sick for so long, lives each day as it comes. She has goals, but she doesn't do much planning because she knows that those plans can change in an instant.

I enjoyed the development of Alex and Becca's relationship. Because they are technically step-siblings, their initial attraction to each other freaks them both out - especially Alex. Becca gets over it much faster because she realizes that they spent no time together growing up as siblings. Alex is protective of Becca from the start, and it's fun to see him pretend it's brotherly, while Jack and Gabe insist it's anything but. Becca is quiet, but she is no pushover, and I loved how she stood up to Alex from the start when it came to the therapy side of the ranch. I liked that they became friends first, bonding and sharing their grief over Burt's death, and working together on getting the ranch set up. All during that time, the sparks between them continued to build. I liked the way that Alex wanted to take things slowly and loved the whole date scene. Becca was in a bit more of a hurry, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her take charge of her wants and needs. Once they took that final step, the feelings between them grew quickly. But it was not all unicorns and rainbows. Alex's PTSD symptoms get worse instead of better the more he tries to deny them. His refusal to admit he needs help, or even to share what is happening with Becca, drives a wedge between them. I loved the way that Becca refused to allow him to shut her out if they were going to have a relationship. I ached for them both as Becca made it clear that something had to give. The intervention by Jack and Gabe was heart-wrenching as they tried desperately to get through to Alex. I was moved to tears by the reconciliation of Becca and Alex and the emotion of his big moment at the end.

I loved Alex's friends and partners, Jack and Gabe. The bond among the three men is tight, thanks to everything they have been through together. I loved how they have no problem reminding Alex that he is no longer responsible for them. Both Gabe and Jack also have issues stemming from the same attack that injured Alex, and each deals with them differently. I also liked how they were loyal to each other, always having each other's' backs. There were a couple of times that created issues with Becca, but they were understandable and easily dealt with. I had fun watching both Jack and Gabe adjust to ranch life. The development of the friendship between them and Becca was pretty sweet. They were all awkward at the beginning, but it didn't take long for them to grow to like and respect each other. I loved the scene at the bar when Jack and Gabe so clearly saw the sparks between Becca and Alex. I loved their part in bringing Alex and Becca back together.

Becca's mom was a character I had a little more trouble with. I understood why she had been so protective when Becca was younger. But her attitude now, when Becca has been well for so long, was too much. I really hated her attitude toward the guys, especially Alex. The dinner scene was awful, and I ached for Becca and the stress she was under. I was definitely rooting for her as she gained confidence, and I loved seeing her finally confront her mom.

Though the book was emotional and frequently gut-wrenching, there were also some lighter moments to break it up. I laughed out loud during the scenes with the goat. Jack and Gabe were especially hysterical as they dealt with the roof-climbing animal. Having to get help from a rooster named Rasputin made it even better.

I've already read Jack's book (Cowboy SEAL Redemption), which got me hooked on this series. I can't wait to read Gabe's story, as it will pair him with the therapist, Monica. It should be a fantastic read.

Texas Hold 'Em - Christie Craig (Forever - Feb 2014)

Series: Hotter in Texas (Book 3)

The last thing veterinarian Leah Reece needs is a man in her life. They're nothing but trouble-and not even the fun kind. But when her apartment is broken into and Leah suspects Rafael, her dangerous half-brother, of foul play, she can't deny she could use a little help. She just never expected that help would come with twinkling blue eyes and a sexy smile...

All PI Austin Brook wants is to nail Rafael DeLuna, the man who framed him for murder. He'll do anything for information-even lie about his identity to charm Leah, DeLuna's half-sister. But her sweet dimples and fiery spirit soon make her more than just his only lead. Leah becomes his every desire. As Austin closes in on DeLuna, it's clear he won't go down without a fight. Now the only way Austin can protect Leah is to reveal all of his secrets and risk losing her for good.

Good conclusion to the series. Austin and his partners have spent the last several months trying to find a way to bring down the man who got them wrongfully convicted of murder. Even though they were exonerated, Rafael DeLuna is still on the loose, and they are determined to bring him to justice. But with his partners having found love in the previous two books (Don't Mess With Texas and Blame it on Texas) Austin feels like Tyler and Dallas have lost a little bit of their drive. He is convinced that DeLuna's half-sister, Leah, knows where he is and is determined to do whatever it takes to get that information out of her. He moves in next door to her with plans to charm her into revealing all.

Leah is a veterinarian with one thing on her mind - keeping her younger brother safe by keeping her older brother out of their lives. She isn't interested in having a man in her life. Between the father who abandoned her and the ex who cheated on her, it will take a lot for her to trust one again.

I loved the development of the relationship between Austin and Leah. Their first meeting did not go according to Austin's plan. Between the episode with the car horn and the broken bottle of wine, Austin's trademark charm turns out to be an epic failure when it came to Leah. Even his attempts to make it up to her faced stiff resistance. However, Austin is persistent and slowly works his way into Leah's life. One thing he did not count on was his unexpected attraction to her. She's nothing like the women he usually dates, but something about her gets past his own defenses. Leah is just as attracted to him, but his overt charm is a strike against him. She prides herself on her independence and fights that attraction as hard as she can, but it is a losing battle. I loved the interactions between Leah and Austin. He tries so hard to charm her and her comebacks shoot him down every time. As he works his way past her walls, he realizes that she is innocent of any knowledge of her brother's actions and that he really likes the woman she is. That puts him at a disadvantage because he has told her so many lies. I liked the fact that he felt guilty about those lies, and that he wanted to come clean before their relationship went too far. Unfortunately for him, fate didn't work in his favor. Leah's hurt and anger over those lies are understandable, though her stubbornness in the midst of the attack was not very smart on her part. I did like the way that she made Austin work to get back in her good graces.

There are a lot of laugh out loud moments in this book, but some of the best ones come at Austin's expense. Austin is terrified of cats, thanks to a bad encounter when he was a little boy. Leah is a vet who specializes in cat care, plus she has four cats of her own. The scene during which Austin attempts to plant bugs in Leah's apartment is hysterical. Austin is faced with four cats who he is certain are about to attack him. Even the most innocent of their actions send him into a panic. When an intruder traps Austin in the laundry room with cats and litter box, his reactions are priceless. One of Austin's lies to Leah is that he likes cats, which adds to his difficulties later when she brings him a "gift."

The suspense of the story was well done. Throughout the series, the three men have been intent on bringing down Rafael DeLuna, the man who framed them for murder. In this book, we have Austin's attempts to get information from Leah, Rafael's threats to Leah, and the efforts of informant  Roberto to force DeLuna out of hiding. Roberto's actions are effective, but dangerous, and bring unwanted attention to Leah and Luis. The intertwining of Austin and Roberto's efforts created a final confrontation that had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

There was a secondary romance involving Roberto and Leah's vet tech, Sarah. The attraction was obvious and reciprocal, though each has obstacles to making a success of it. Roberto is still grieving the loss of his wife and son, who were murdered by Rafael DeLuna, hence his involvement in bringing DeLuna down. His growing feelings for Sarah create a sense of guilt in him, as he feels he's being unfaithful to his wife. On top of that is his involvement with the DeLuna case, and he doesn't want to bring that danger to Sarah's door. Sarah's priority in her life is her young son, and she is reluctant to get involved with a man who seems to have an issue with her motherhood. The attraction can't be denied, and they slowly get to know each other. I liked seeing them open up about their pasts, and see that being together is healing for them both. There's some unexpected excitement toward the end that brings them closer together, including a scene with doggie pain pills that had me laughing out loud.

The French Maid - Sabrina Jeffries (Pocket - Apr 2012)

Lady Eleanor Langston has a problem: her husband Henry, prime-minister-in-the-making, is too caught up in his work to notice her. Despite her involvement in his various public appearances, she feels shut out of his life, especially with their one-year anniversary looming. When Henry hires a highly recommended French lady’s maid without consulting her, Eleanor’s anger can't be contained—until she meets her. With Babette’s help, Eleanor arms herself with the one weapon that will make Henry notice her as a woman—her inner siren.

Short and sweet story. Eleanor and Henry have been married for almost a year. Eleanor is very much in love with her husband, but he is oblivious to her feelings. He is a workaholic, devoting most of his time to his political career. He appreciates her presence when he needs her to support him, and her willingness to amuse herself when he's otherwise occupied. When her lady's maid leaves to get married, Henry hires a new maid without any input from her. Eleanor is ready to pitch a fit until she meets Babette.

Babette sees the problem very quickly. Eleanor loves her husband and wants more from him, but is afraid to ask. She fears rejection and would rather muddle along as is than to risk losing what she has. She doesn't have any confidence in her ability to gain and retain her husband's interest. Meanwhile, Henry is intent on protecting himself from losing control and focus and does so by keeping Eleanor at a distance.

I loved Babette's motivational abilities. Her speech to Eleanor, telling her that if she wants more from Henry, she has to be willing to risk it all, gave Eleanor the boost she needed. The addition of the sexy nightgown was a great attention-getter and served its purpose very well. But though the night proved promising with its heat and the amazing connection between Henry and Eleanor, there are still issues to be resolved. That same connection that gave Eleanor such hope sent Henry running. He suffers from his own fears and insecurities, and in his attempt to protect himself he breaks Eleanor's heart. I was happy to see him suffer a bit as he tried to deal with the intensity of his feelings. I loved the eye-opening lecture he received from Babette and the effect it had on him.

The conclusion was sweet and romantic. I loved Henry's big moment as he admitted his feelings and confessed his fears. The gift he had for Eleanor was perfect and showed his commitment to making their marriage work.

It's Hotter in Hawaii - HelenKay Dimon (Brava - Apr 2009)

Series: Men of Hawaii (Book 2)

Aloha, Gorgeous...

Cassie Montgomery was in no mood for messing around--until she got an eyeful of the sizzling-hot miscreant breaking into her half-brother Dan's Hawaii home. Turns out he's not a criminal, but a friend who's just as suspicious of Dan's "accidental" death as she is. Cassie's beyond tired of bashing heads with thick-skulled local law enforcement, so there's only one thing for it: team up with Caleb Wilson, and try to keep her secrets--and hands--to herself...

Having a gun trained on him is nothing new for Cal. But when said gun is brandished by a goddess sporting short-shorts, a bad attitude, and a hidden agenda? A man should consider his choices very carefully. Option one: Seduce first, ask questions later. Option two: Find out why she's in his Air Force buddy's torn-up house, then seduce her. Option three: Let the islands do their work and let the woman behind the weapon seduce him...

Fun book that started out with a bang and kept right on going. Caleb arrived in Hawaii to see his Air Force buddy, Dan, after receiving a puzzling letter asking for his help. After unsuccessfully trying to find his friend, Cal showed up at Dan's house in the middle of the night and tried to let himself in a window, only to find himself facing a woman with a gun. After an amusingly confrontational encounter, Cal was stunned to find out the woman is Dan's sister and that Dan is dead. Just as Cal begins to get some of the details, someone shoots into the house.

Cal and Cassie strike sparks off each other from the beginning. Much of it is antagonistic, with an undercurrent of attraction. Cassie has a very confrontational personality, aggravated by the runaround she has been getting from the local cops. She is convinced that Dan's death was no accident and has made no secret of that fact. Cal is inclined to believe her, as he is well aware of Dan's flying ability. That belief is reinforced by whoever shot at them. The two of them agree to work together to search out the truth, but it's an uneasy partnership. Both Cassie and Cal are strong personalities, and each wants to be in charge. The bickering between them was pretty funny.

I liked the development of Cal and Cassie's relationship. The bickering remains pretty constant, but it doesn't take too long before they are leaning on each other for support when grief hits them. I liked Cal's protectiveness toward Cassie. He also experiences some unexpected jealousy when other men pay attention to her, which surprises him and freaks him out. He has quite a talent for making her mad, but he doesn't learn his lesson about when to keep his thoughts to himself. He's also keeping some secrets about Dan's past that he knows will create more trouble with her when they come out. Cassie is drawn to Cal and isn't happy about it. She thinks he's too cocky for his own good, and his take-charge attitude pisses her off. He also reminds her of her ex, which put him at more of a disadvantage. When the sparks between them burst into flame, the results are inevitable, as is Cal's rapid retreat. He deserved every bit of the anger she threw at him. The intensifying danger also boosted the feelings that grew between them, though neither was quite ready to admit it. It took nearly losing each other for them both to realize that they belonged together. I liked their big moment at the end, as well as Cassie's plan for their future.

The suspense of the story was good. It started with the first page and never let up until the end. The big question was whether Dan's crash was an accident or something else. If it wasn't an accident, what really happened? Cassie's certainty that local law enforcement was jerking her around appeared to be the truth, as both Ted and Josh appeared to blow off all of her concerns. Once Cal arrived and got involved, he agreed that they were hiding something. As Cal and Cassie continued their attempts to investigate, Josh's frequent appearances were very suspicious. As the attacks escalated, Cal and Cassie were determined to get to the bottom of everything they had discovered. Cassie pulled a really stupid trick that put her in extreme danger. The final confrontation was intense, and I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over. I wasn't too surprised at who was behind it all, as I had my suspicions from their first appearance.

 

Falling for the Highlander - Lynsay Sands (Avon - Feb 2017)

Series: Highlands (Book 4)

Lady Murine Carmichael has known her share of bad luck. But when her debt-ridden half-brother tries to sell her off in exchange for a few Scottish horses, it’s the final straw. If keeping her freedom means escaping through harsh countryside alone, so be it. She has barely begun her journey when she lands an unlikely escort -- the brawny Highlander who just refused to buy her virtue.

Dougall Buchanan was disgusted by Lord Danvries’ shameful offer, but Murine tempts him beyond measure. Even bedraggled and dusty, the lass glows with beauty and bravery. Dougall wants to do more than just help her flee. He wants to protect her -- with his life and his heart -- if she’ll only let him. For Murine may be pursued by a powerful foe, but nothing compares to the fiery courage of a Highlander in love.

Fun book. We first met Murine and Dougall in the previous book, The Highlander Takes a Bride. Murine and Saidh became good friends, with Murine having a big part in saving Saidh's life. Dougall is one of Saidh's seven brothers. He and his brothers were fun characters, especially with the way they had influenced Saidh while she was growing up. The closeness of the family impressed me in that book, and I hoped to see some of the Buchanan brothers get their own books. This one is a good start to that wish.

Murine has had a rough few years. Her beloved younger brothers and one older half-brother have died. Her mother became ill and also died. Though her father had been sick, he was getting better just before she went on the journey in the previous book. Unfortunately, her father died suddenly while she was gone, leaving her in the care of her remaining half-brother, Montrose. Montrose is weak, lazy, selfish, and a gambler. As the book opens, he is attempting to talk the owner of some Scottish horses into giving him credit so he can purchase the horses. Failing that, he offers up Murine for the Scotsman's pleasure instead. The Scotsman in question is Dougall Buchanan, brother to Saidh. He is disgusted by Montrose and his attempts to weasel out of paying, and even more so by the attempts to sell his sister. He can't get out of there fast enough to suit him or his brothers.

Horrified by her brother's plans for her, Murine immediately packed a few things and left, determined to go to her friend Saidh for help. Next thing we see is Murine riding her pet bull up the road as Dougall and his brothers overtake her. Recognizing her right away, Dougall and his brothers hide her when her brother's men come looking for her. Unfortunately, their methods brought on one of her fainting fits, leaving them no choice but to take her with them. By the time she finally comes to, they are well away from her home. I liked Dougall's decision to help her even before he found out about her connection to his sister. That connection made it even more important to all of the men. Dougall did not expect his attraction to her, and that attraction made him even more protective of her. It was sweet to see the way that he worried about her and her fainting fits. It was fun to see all the guys falling over themselves to take care of her, especially once they figured out the reason for her fainting.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Murine and Dougall. He was attracted to her from the moment he saw her but tried to resist due to differences in their stations. However, that resistance was futile as the sparks between them continued to grow. Murine was attracted to him also, but having heard him say he had no plans to marry any time soon, also tried to resist the sparks. It didn't take long for the idea of marrying her to gain in appeal for Dougall, though it took a while for him to let her in on that decision. When the sparks became overwhelming, the passion between them was pretty intense. I loved how good they were together, with no regrets afterward.

As the group continued their journey, they ran into unexpected trouble. Though they were worried about Montrose attempting to reclaim Murine, there was also something else going on. From strangers in the woods to Murine being shot with an arrow to a fire that nearly killed them all, it seems that someone has it out for either Murine or the Buchanans. I was on the edge of my seat when it came to the fire. Murine was fantastic in her efforts to save Dougall. All of this worked to convince Dougall that he needed to marry Murine sooner rather than later.

The suspense built when they got to Saidh, and they anticipated finally getting to confront Montrose. While waiting for that to happen there were some interesting discussions among the men regarding Murine and her troubles. It was all stuff that was blazingly obvious to a reader, but I enjoyed seeing the men work it all out. The final confrontation had a couple of unexpected twists to it, but in the end, Murine was safe. I was a little dissatisfied with the ending, as I felt that it left the fate of the Carmichael clan up in the air. In his fears for Murine's safety, I loved seeing Dougall finally admit his feelings for her.

I loved seeing more of the Buchanan brothers. They were quite an impressive group. It was fun to see them falling all over themselves to take care of Murine. I especially enjoyed Conran and the way he gave Dougall such a hard time over his interest in Murine. Alrick was fun as the youngest and his occasional cluelessness. I'm most interest in Aulay and what happened to him. I look forward to reading his story.

 

Notorious Pleasures - Elizabeth Hoyt (Grand Central - Jan 2011)

Series: Maiden Lane (Book 2)

THEIR LIVES WERE PERFECT...

Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .

UNTIL THEY MET EACH OTHER.

Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - a desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?

Good book, though I liked the first book, Wicked Intentions, better. In this book, we have Lady Hero, her fiancé, Thomas, and Thomas's brother, Griffin. The story opens at a ball where Hero's engagement to Thomas is to be announced. Hero stumbles upon a couple in a very compromising position, considering the lady's husband is close by and looking for her. I thoroughly enjoyed Hero's way of getting the man's attention, and that she helped the woman. The sparks flew between Hero and the man, as she read him the riot act for his behavior, and he refused to be the least bit ashamed of it. He, of course, cements his reputation with her by stealing a kiss. Both are horrified a short time later when she discovers that he's her fiancé's brother, and he discovers that she is going to marry his brother.

These three characters were very interesting. First, there was Lady Hero. She comes across at first as very prim and proper. She is quite proud of her reputation and works hard to protect it. Her match with Thomas has been arranged by her brother. Though she doesn't love him, there is respect that she hopes will grow into love. Behind the façade of "Lady Perfect", there is also a caring, kind, and stubborn woman. As one of the patronesses of the Foundling Home in St. Giles, she is currently in charge of supervising the building of a new residence for the orphans. Unbeknownst to her brother and fiancé, she regularly goes into St. Giles, an extremely dangerous place for a woman.

Then there is Thomas, Hero's fiancé. I'll say right out that I didn't care for him at all. He is a boring, stuck-up prig. Hero's biggest appeal for him is her brother, the duke, and that she always behaves with grace and dignity. He doesn't love her and has no intention of loving her. He'd been married before to a woman who betrayed his trust, and he won't risk that again. Thomas also spends a great deal of the book lusting after another woman, though we don't find out about their history until near the end. Thomas also does something that, to me, is so terrible that I could not forgive him. He deserved far worse than what he got. His relationship with Griffin is strained because of something that he believes happened several years earlier. I didn't like the way that Thomas treated Griffin, especially considering everything that Griffin was doing for the family.

For the most part, I really liked Griffin. He is charming, flirtatious, and there is more to him than expected from the initial meeting. Griffin has the reputation of being an unrepentant rake. He carouses at night and sleeps the day away. He is also the unsung hero of his family. When his father died, he left the family in dire financial straits, and Thomas is no better when it comes to managing money. So Griffin took over managing the family estates and used his own inheritance to start a gin distillery in London to make money as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, gin distilling is illegal. Griffin is also very protective of those he cares about. I loved his relationship with his mother and sisters. He's very sweet with them. That protectiveness extends to Hero.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Griffin and Hero. Though it started out as a contentious one, with him sneering at "Lady Perfect" and her looking down her nose at "Lord Shameless", there was no denying the attraction that was also there. Their confrontations continued when Griffin insisted that she no longer go into St. Giles alone. She would allow him to accompany her or he would rat her out to her brother and his. Hero was horrified when she found about his gin distillery and made it her mission to get him to stop. During their times together, Griffin tried very hard to break through Hero's prim exterior to the passionate woman underneath. The attraction between them built until it could no longer be denied and became explosive. I loved that Griffin accepted his feelings and knew what he wanted right away. Hero made me want to shake her, repeatedly and hard. She let expectations rule her actions longer than she should have. I ached for her when she did finally stand up for herself because of what both Thomas and her asshole brother said and did. I loved Griffin's reactions to Thomas and Wakefield. His heartfelt words to Wakefield showed the depth of his feelings for Hero. I loved his big moment at the end as everything came together.

A big part of the story was the gin distilling. There was Griffin's use of it to repair the family finances. He also is fighting off attacks from a rival distiller whose actions have deadly consequences for some of those on Griffin's team. Those attacks grow more intense as the book goes on. On the other side is Hero's vehement dislike for anything having to do with gin. She sees the effects on the people of St. Giles, especially the children. I loved seeing her efforts to turn Griffin away from his part in it. Then there is Wakefield. He blames gin for the death of their parents and has set his considerable influence on ending the presence of gin completely. It's obvious there will be trouble when he and Griffin collide. The way that confrontation was handled was clever, exciting, and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

The secondary characters were well done and had important parts in the story. Hero's brother, Wakefield, was a royal pain in the tail. He was such a stiff, judgmental man. I hated the way that he treated Hero after she tried to break her engagement. I expect that there will be a story for him, and hope to see a woman that will break that stick up his butt and bring him to his knees. I liked Hero's sister, Phoebe, and Griffin's sister, Meg. Both of them obviously love their siblings and know them quite well. Each of them has a talent for making those siblings see past the difficulties to what is possible. Though we didn't see much of her, I really liked Mrs. Tate. I loved how she stood up to Thomas and stuck to her principles.

 

Danger on Dakota Ridge - Cindi Myers (HI #1813 - Oct 2018)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 4)

Her enemy. Her protector.

And yet he’s the last man she wants to see….

Paige Riddell never expects her relaxing hike to end in gunfire…or in Rob Allerton’s strong arms. The handsome DEA agent arrested her troubled brother years ago. Now he suspects a connection to a prominent Colorado developer’s death. The feisty blonde vows to prove her brother’s innocence, until she becomes the murderer’s target. But when her greatest adversary becomes her live-in bodyguard, protecting her 24/7, Paige wonders what will be the cause of her undoing: the killer…or her fierce attraction to Rob.

Fantastic conclusion to the series. Besides being the owner of the local B & B, Paige is also an avid environmental activist. Her group was responsible for halting the development of the Eagle Mountain Resort and forcing them to allow access to a historical hiking trail. After finding out that the trail has been blocked again, Paige heads up, bolt cutters and hacksaw in hand. But just as she gets started, she spots two men carrying a mysterious crate. Curious, she follows them, then has to run for her life when they shoot at her. The last person she expects to run into (literally) is DEA agent Rob Allerton. Rob and Paige have a contentious history. Several years earlier he had been the one to arrest her younger brother on drug and robbery charges. Sparks flew during their disagreements over suitable punishment, and Paige still holds a grudge.

Though his official investigation into the lab found at the resort in Avalanche of Trouble is over, Rob has returned to Eagle Mountain on a personal quest to find out more about Henry Hake's death. There are more questions than answers when the autopsy report comes in. He's in the right place at the right time to lend a hand to the sheriff in checking out the resort property, before heading to his lodgings - Paige's B & B.

I loved the development of the relationship between Paige and Rob. The sparks between them are strong. Rob admits to himself that he's very attracted to Paige. Her loyalty to her brother and her passion for her causes are very appealing to him, as is her independence. Paige has a harder time accepting that she's attracted to Rob. I loved how her brother saw what was between them so clearly, and that he found it amusing. When Paige is shot at a second time, Rob makes it his mission to keep her safe. It was fun to see the interactions between them, as Paige tries to assert her independence and Rob won't budge. I liked seeing Paige and Rob's attitudes toward each other change now that they have some distance from Parker's arrest. Working together on the mystery of what is going on at the resort property brought them closer together. Surviving a deadly confrontation made them realize that they belonged together. I liked their big moment at the end, which was fun and sweet and romantic.

The suspense of the story was outstanding. The tension has built from the very first book, with the murder of the lawyer and the disappearance of the developer. Each subsequent book has added to the questions of what is going on at the abandoned resort. The sale of the property and the new owners' plans look like a good thing on the surface, but there is definitely a feeling that there is something else going on. I also had some concerns about what Parker and the professor were up to. I was on the edge of my seat during the final confrontation as several unexpected twists had me wondering who was really the mastermind. I especially enjoyed Paige's part in bringing down the bad guy.

 

Deputy Defender - Cindi Myers (HI #1807 - Sept 2018)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 3)

He’s always had her back…

Now can he earn her love?

Deputy Dwight Prentice has secretly loved Brenda Stenson since they were teenagers. Now the auctioning off of a rare book has thrust the widowed museum curator into harm’s way. Keeping his Colorado town safe is the lawman’s most heartfelt mission. But protecting the innocent Brenda from a deadly threat will test Dwight’s limits as a law officer and as a man.

Terrific continuation of the series as trouble continues to plague the small town of Eagle Mountain. I was hooked from the first page until I finished it, well after midnight. The book opens with Brenda receiving an anonymous threat regarding a rare book that is due to be auctioned during a museum fundraiser. A quick trip to the sheriff's office pairs her with Dwight, who is with her when she receives a second threat. Dwight is determined to protect Brenda and find out who is behind the threats.

I liked both Dwight and Brenda. Both made regular appearances in the first two books, Saved by the Sheriff and Avalanche of Trouble. Brenda is the widow of the lawyer murdered in the first book. Dismayed by the fact that she had known nothing about what he had really been like, Brenda is reluctant to trust any man. She guards her independence, but she is also smart enough to ask for help when she needs it. I liked her devotion to the town's museum and her enthusiasm in showcasing the area's history. Dwight is one of the deputies who has been present throughout the series. He's protective of the people in his town, but also not blind to people's faults. He tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to trusting people.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dwight and Brenda. They have known each other most of their lives. Brenda noticed him in high school, but he never seemed to pay much attention to her before they both went off to college. Unknown to her, Dwight had quite the crush on her but was a bit intimidated by her popularity. By the time they were both back in Eagle Mountain, Brenda was married. Since her husband's death, Dwight has kept an eye on her but hasn't had the courage to ask her out. Brenda has kept her emotions pretty well locked up and is surprised to discover that Dwight so easily gets past her walls. I loved the scene where she finally allowed herself to cry thanks to Dwight's understanding. Letting go of some of those feelings helped open her up to others, including the attraction that she could no longer deny.  Though she had a few instances of second-guessing herself, I loved seeing the changes she went through as her feelings for Dwight grew. I loved his patience as he waited for her to work through those feelings. The ending was great.

The suspense of the book was fantastic. From the moment the first threat was received to the final confrontation, the tension built steadily. The center of this mystery was a rare book detailing some World War Two biological weapon research that took place somewhere in their county. There is a lot of interest in the book from collectors, as well as those with more nefarious motives. Someone is very determined to get their hands on the book, while someone else wants the book destroyed.  Is there a connection between the research described in the book and the lab discovered at the abandoned resort? What about the still missing developer, Henry Hake? There are multiple people who could be involved. There is Parker Riddell, recently released from jail after serving time for drugs and armed robbery. Is his interest in volunteering at the museum legit, or does he have his eye on more than just helping Brenda with the displays? Then there is Eddie Carstairs, former reserve deputy and all around pain in the neck. Why is he so determined to play security guard at the museum? And who is Robert Brownley, really? Is he the wealthy businessman/collector he claims to be?  I could not put the book down as I waited to see what would happen next. As the auction grew closer, the threats against Brenda also escalated. The final confrontation was intense with a couple of unexpected twists. While the immediate issue was resolved, the mystery surrounding Eagle Mountain Resort continues to grow. I can't wait to read the next book and see if those questions are finally answered.

Causing Havoc - Lori Foster (Berkley - Feb 2007)

Series: SBC Fighters (Book 1)

Sexy, sculpted extreme fighter Dean "Havoc" Conor has knee-melting good looks--and thick skin. But not from. his brutal sport's enclosed rings. Orphaned and torn from his sisters as a boy, he has no family. That is, until he gets a letter revealing how much the once-little girls want him back in. Harmony, Kentucky.

To stop one of his sisters from marrying a man as sleazy as he is wealthy, Dean finds himself teaming up with her pretty-but-smart-mouthed friend Eve--who's heard of "Havoc's" reputation and doesn't need some hunk trampling on her heart. Now all Dean has to do is protect his sisters, win Eve over, and expose a devious criminal. And he thought winning the heavyweight cage fighting belt was hard...

Good book. I've seen Havoc appear in later books but hadn't read his story before. I enjoyed going back to the beginning of the fighter franchise. There are several intertwining storylines in the book. The two biggest are Dean and Eve's romance and Dean's relationship with his sisters.  When Dean's parents were killed in a car accident, Dean was taken in by his uncle, while his sisters stayed with his aunt. He's always had the feeling he wasn't wanted, so he's shocked when he gets a letter from one of his sisters asking him to come home. Though he considers ignoring it, he takes a break from his fight training to see what's up. I ached for him and his memories of his parents' neglect and the other memories that came flooding back as he drove to his old home. His first meeting with Cam was heartbreaking. She was so happy to see him and he had no idea how to react. All of the things he thought he knew were turned upside down and he's left floundering. I also loved his meeting with his other sister, Jacki. Unlike Cam, Jacki has a wild side and a smart mouth. I loved how that didn't bother Dean at all; instead, he was amused. The real piece of work was their aunt, Lorna. She was a first class witch, and the more I learned about her the less I liked her. It was interesting to see the changes that Dean went through as he got to know Cam and Jacki. He talked a good talk about being a hands-off brother, but in reality, he was very protective of them. For every nice thing he did for them, he would rationalize it to himself, but it was easy to see just how much he had started to care. I loved seeing him finally accept his feelings and make them part of his life.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dean and Eve. The sparks between them were hot from the moment they met. His first evening in Harmony, before he even sees his sisters, he meets Eve, who turns out to be Cam's best friend. He is intrigued and attracted by her, and disgusted by the man who appears to be attempting to intimidate her. The meeting between Dean and Roger was pretty amusing with Roger's attempts to provoke, and Dean's complete disinterest. That made quite an impression on Eve. Their second meeting was also fun, as Dean overheard a conversation between Eve and Cam as he arrived to meet his sisters. His focus is much more on Eve and what he wants to do with the attraction between them than on spending time with his sisters. I loved how Eve is determined to avoid getting between them but also wants to pursue the attraction. Dean's arrival at her house that evening was hilarious, as it didn't start out the way he expected. I liked seeing the connection between Dean and Eve grow. Dean was surprised by his need to just be with her, even when there was no sex involved. The ice cream scene was especially sweet. I loved how Eve saw the caring man under the tough guy exterior and encouraged him to show it. There were times when Dean was a little freaked out by what was happening to him, but it couldn't keep him away.  I laughed at the way his feelings were outed and his reaction. I loved his big moment at the end, especially that having an audience didn't bother him.

The relationship between Roger and Cam was a bit strange through most of the book. I didn't like him at all at the beginning. He was creepy and controlling and I really wanted Cam out from under his influence. It surprised me how often she stood up for him, especially given her refusal to commit to an engagement. There was an interesting twist involving him that was revealed at the end of the book. He did redeem himself somewhat, but I'm not entirely convinced that theirs is a lasting relationship.

There was also a slight mystery of missing money, though it was pretty obvious what had happened to it. Someone was also very determined to get Dean to leave town, resulting in some very tense situations. The revelation of who it was and the resolution of the attacks was intense. I liked how Eve had an active part in it.

I also enjoyed meeting Simon and Gregor. Gregor was especially fun from the moment he arrived in Harmony. The scene in the bar with Jacki was hilarious. I loved how it set the stage for their relationship. The banter between them was great, but there was also an unexpected layer of sensitivity in Gregor that I didn't expect. Jacki has a couple of hot-button insecurities and Gregor deals with them beautifully. I loved the friendship between Dean and Gregor. It surprised me a little that Dean didn't freak out over the relationship between Gregor and Jacki, but that said a lot about his respect for Gregor.

His Last Defense - Karen Rock (HB #935 - Apr 2017)

Series: Uniformly Hot (Book 70)

Semper Paratus. Always ready.

Years ago, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Dylan Holt left Kodiak, Alaska, with his heart in pieces. He thought Nolee Arnauyq and her mouthwatering curves were behind him -- until he's sent to rescue the crew of a capsizing boat…including Nolee. And Dylan is definitely not ready for the too-familiar way his body aches at seeing her again.

Nolee's always gone after what she wanted, and to hell with the risks. Now she's a rookie ship captain taking on the deadly waters of the Bering Sea. But out on these treacherous waters, there's no way to avoid the sizzling sexual tension between them -- or the dangerous pull of emotions that could leave both their hearts lost at sea…

Good second chance story. I liked getting Dylan's story, as he intrigued me in His to Protect. At the end of that book, he's just been transferred to Kodiak, Alaska, his hometown, and he isn't at all happy about it. In this book, we learn that he left Kodiak almost a decade earlier, swearing he would never return. His memories of his father's emotional abuse and his mother's disinterest still affect him today. On top of that, the girl he loved broke his heart, so he walked away from it all.

Nolee's father left before she was born. She grew up with her and her single mom moving from relative to relative, house to house. She swore that she would never need or depend on someone else ever again. After years of hard work, she is now the captain of her first boat, with a crew that respects her. Fishing for crab in the icy Alaskan waters isn't easy work, but she loves it.

The book opens with Nolee's boat in trouble from a fast-moving weather system. When they start taking on water, she has no choice but to call in the Coast Guard. The last person she expects to see come out of that helicopter is Dylan. At the same time, he is shocked to find Nolee trying to keep her boat afloat.  This was a scene that had me on the edge of my seat as it all went down. I could almost feel the icy water as it rose further in the ship and the waves as they knocked it around. I could feel Nolee's desperation as she tried to save the boat and Dylan's frustration as he tried to get her to leave.

I liked both Nolee and Dylan, though each of them frustrated me too. Nolee is tough, caring, and has a good sense of humor. It takes a strong will to compete in such a male-dominated field, and she has what it takes. She also has a softer side, that can be seen in the way she tries to take care of her mother, and also in several scenes with various crew members. She can also be very stubborn, which especially shows in her refusal to ask for help when she needs it. Dylan can be just as stubborn, hence his refusal to return to Kodiak until ordered to do so. He loves his career with the Coast Guard, but he still has some trouble trusting people outside of his work environment.

I really enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Dylan and Nolee. Even though each of them believed that they had put their past behind them, from the moment they saw each other again the sparks flew. They quickly decide that the best way to deal with it is to indulge in a no-strings fling. All they have to do is keep their emotions out of it - something neither is willing to admit is easier said than done. To top it off, Dylan finds himself very protective of Nolee and fearing that she could take too many risks, signs on to help her while he's on leave.

The scenes on the boat were terrific. It doesn't take long for Dylan to see just how capable a captain Nolee is. It was fun to see him get back into the swing of crab fishing, reliving some of the better memories of when he and Nolee were growing up. It isn't all smooth sailing with them, though. Nolee's stubborn independence causes her to resist asking for help, and it takes some effort to get her to ask for it. Nolee can see that while Dylan has changed some, he is still as stubborn as ever when it comes to his family. Each of them can see what the other's issues are, but are willfully blind to their own. And whenever one of them tries to bring up a painful subject, the other is quick to use sex as a distraction. Over their time on the boat, they still manage to grow closer, with their feelings growing stronger. But once again, communication isn't their strong point. Misunderstandings about their future plans cause harsh words and accusations that split them apart. The question becomes one of whether they can unload that emotional baggage to make room for each other. I liked seeing each of them make peace with their pasts, which then opened up greater possibilities for their future. I liked their big moment at the end and seeing what was possible when they listened to each other. I will admit that I would have liked an epilogue showing where they are a few years down the road.

I was fascinated by the look at the crab fishing industry. I had never really thought about how it was done. The intensity was incredible and had me on the edge of my seat in several places. I also liked the very human elements shown by the personalities of the various crew members. I especially liked the newbie, Tyler, and seeing the changes he went through during those three weeks. I loved the conversation between him and Nolee. She treated his questions, fears, and dreams with respect and that made a huge impact on him.