Bullseye: SEAL - Carol Ericson (HI #1733 - Sept 2017)

Series: Red, White and Built (Book 3)

A navy SEAL's mission is to protect a vulnerable target, not give in to temptation…

Saving Gina De Santos from attempted kidnappings is one thing. But navy SEAL sniper Josh Elliott's assignment requires getting close to the ravishing widow to ascertain what she knows. And that feels more dangerous than combat. In her presence, Josh has to remind himself she's not to be trusted.

Gina's drug-kingpin father had been negotiating with terrorists when a CIA raid killed him and Gina's husband. Now someone is after the vulnerable single mom and her little boy. While traveling to the Caribbean in search of clues, Josh and Gina find their sizzling desire overpowering. But when they're attacked again, they must overcome their mutual mistrust to survive at the hands of an unknown enemy.

Good book. It starts with a bang as Josh was part of a team sent in to stop a drug cartel leader who was negotiating with terrorists. A year later, he was sent to get close to the widow of one of the cartel members, to find out if she knows anything about her father's and husband's activities. There's something about Gina that gets to him, which makes him wary, as he isn't sure that he can trust her. But when he saves her from two kidnappings in the space of a few hours, he does know that she needs protection.

A year after the death of her husband, Gina begins receiving texts that appear to be from him. The texts ask her about the location of the drugs and the weapons. She's freaked out by the idea that Ricky might still be alive when all she wants to do is move on with her life. She's extremely on edge when a potential new client arrives to look at a house she is showing.

I liked the first meeting between Gina and Josh. She's on edge, but not paralyzed by her fears. I liked Josh's calm reaction and inner admiration for her presence of mind. There was a spark of attraction between them also, which disturbed each of them. Gina doesn't trust her instincts about men any longer, and Josh isn't sure that he needs the distraction. But he is willing to use those sparks to get closer if he needs to. Their later meeting for drinks was very awkward, as Gina second-guessed herself with everything she said, and Josh couldn't deny his suspicions about her. He does manage to maintain his cover for a while, but that falls by the wayside after the first kidnapping attempt. It was interesting to see Josh's inner struggle with how much to tell her.

I liked both Gina and Josh. Gina is a survivor. She's smart, persistent, and determined. When she realizes the depth of the danger she is in and is ready to trust Josh, she is all in. I liked the fact that she didn't gloss over the mistakes of her past, but admitted them and learned from them. Josh is a SEAL sniper who is good at his job but isn't all cocky about it. He is very protective by nature, and that protectiveness is evident when he's around Gina, even when he was still suspicious of her. There were also a couple of really sweet scenes with Josh and Gina's son, RJ, showing a softer side of him. The development of their relationship happened pretty quickly. The sparks that were between them at the beginning continued to grow as they worked together to track down the drugs and weapons that were missing. Those sparks turn into something deeper as they learn to trust and depend on each other. Though their declarations of their feelings are somewhat overpowered by the danger they're in, they are no less meaningful.

The suspense of the story was good. The partnering of drug cartel and terrorist is believable in today's world, giving the book an extra edge of realism. The escalating attacks on Gina and Josh kept me glued to the pages as I waited to see how it would work out. There were several twists and turns on the way to the final confrontation. Their time on the island seemed to have bad guys popping up right and left, with some more unexpected than others. I was impressed by Josh's creativity during some of those situations, and also by the fact that Gina was smart enough to know when to stay back. The final confrontation was intense, and I loved the part that Gina had in it. The immediate problem was solved - keeping the drugs and weapons out of the terrorists' hands. Unfortunately, another part of the mission - capturing the leader who has a vendetta against Josh's SEAL team - remains unresolved. I expect that it will continue through the rest of the series. I'm looking forward to how it turns out.

 

From Enemy's Daughter to Expectant Bride - Olivia Gates (HD #2337 - Nov 2014)

Series: Billionaires of Black Castle (Book 1)

Rafael Salazar came back to Rio to destroy the man who stole his childhood. Then he spies the beauty across the ballroom…and passion overwhelms him. Even after the shock of discovering who she really is, he vows to make her his.

Eliana Ferreira has never met a man like Rafael -- powerful, irresistible, unstoppable. She knows something dark drives the self-made billionaire, yet she can't deny him anything…until she discovers his terrible purpose. She is expecting his baby and is days away from becoming his bride, but will his revenge tear them apart forever?

Overall a good book. The story opens with Rafael as a child. He has been kidnapped from his home and forced to use his mathematical abilities for organized crime. Fortunately, there are several other boys who make him part of their group, as they watch out for each other and plan their escape. Years later, this brotherhood has created their own business and are some of the wealthiest men in the world. The series opener is Rafael's story, as he plots his revenge on the man responsible for his kidnapping.

Rafael's focus on his mission is clear as he talks to one of his friends, but that focus is suddenly interrupted by the sight of a beautiful woman across the ballroom. Their eyes met, and she was just as instantly captivated. The sparks between them were undeniable, and passion flared as soon as they touched. Rafael is determined to make her his. The intensity is overwhelming and Eliana asks that they slow down, as she goes to find her boss and check in with him. Rafael is stunned to discover that her boss is also her father - and the man he's pledged to destroy. He rapidly backed off to process the information, while his friend Richard takes it upon himself to drive a wedge between them, in an effort to protect Rafael. Eliana is devasted by what he says and flees the party.

The strength of the attraction between Rafael and Eliana is intense. Rafael is obsessed and determined to have her for his own. I loved seeing this ruthless businessman brought to his knees by his need for her. There were some amazing scenes between them where an unexpectedly sweet and poetic side of Rafael emerged. I also loved the scene at the orphanage, as Rafael sees Eliana's love and protectiveness for the children. I loved her fierceness when she confronted him about raising the hopes of the children. An unexpected side of Rafael emerged, and I loved his scene with the nuns. Eliana is a bit naïve, but she is also good at seeing to the heart of people. She knows that Rafael is a good man at heart, but she also senses that there is a darkness that she hasn't been able to breach. The relationship between Rafael and Eliana seems to me to border on the obsessive, especially on Rafael's part. His unwillingness to go more than a few hours without talking to her was intense.  This comes to a head when Eliana is in an accident. I ached for Rafael and his fear of losing her. Their reunion was deeply emotional and brought home to them both the depth of their feelings and their desire for a permanent commitment.

But Rafael has also not given up his need for revenge. He continues his plans to destroy Eliana's father, all the while believing that he can keep his involvement a secret from her. When Eliana overhears him talking to his friends about his plans, she is devastated. I loved seeing her stand up to him and defend her father. I also enjoyed the scene with Rafael's friends, both her ability to get them to tell her about Rafael's past and their reactions to her. I had to laugh at these three tough guys falling all over themselves. I loved seeing Eliana take what she found out and use it. Her persistence revealed some interesting twists to the story of Rafael's abduction. I loved the ending, as Eliana's love for Rafael destroyed that which had driven him for so long, enabling him to become the man she believed he could be. The scenes with Eliana's father were fantastic.

I enjoyed meeting some of Rafael's friends, the members of the brotherhood. All of them have been affected by what they went through. I am looking forward to all of their stories, but especially Richard's story. There were some very interesting scenes with him, and it is going to take a very special woman to get to him.

This book would have been a four-star read except for one scene. The part where they finally came together was deeply emotional and would have been outstanding for me except for one thing. The violence of their union was very off-putting for me. With the descriptions of Rafael's "attributes" and their actual coming together, I couldn't help but feel that what followed was unrealistic. It was more likely, in my opinion, that there would have been too much pain for Eliana to enjoy, much less demand, further intimacy right away. No matter the intensity of their desire, Rafael should have taken more care with their first time.

Reluctant Hero - Debra Webb, Regan Black (HI #1746 - Nov 2017)

The news they're after isn't fake -- it's deadly

For top security expert Parker Lawton, the anonymous threat is explosive. Return the gold stolen during his intelligence unit's last Iraq mission -- or they'll each be hunted down. And when one of his men is killed just before meeting investigative reporter Rebecca Wallace, he must take her under his "protection." But her persistence in getting the real story is even more dangerous -- and irresistible.

For a dashing war hero, Parker is the most guilty-acting innocent man Becca has ever seen. Still, working with him is the only way to stay ahead of a ruthless enemy. And as her instincts and Parker's skills hone in on the truth, trusting the desire simmering between them could be their only chance -- or the last move they'll ever make.

Good book with exciting suspense. Rebecca received an email with an anonymous tip about stolen Iraqi gold. As the producer of an investigative news show, she is intrigued, but she is also cautious. She won't broadcast a report until she is certain she has all the facts, so she and one of her reporters begin investigating the people listed in the email. One of those people is Parker, who raises a couple of red flags in Rebecca's mind.

Parker recently received a blackmail letter, threatening to kill him and his former teammates if the blackmailer isn't paid one million dollars. As Parker begins his investigation into who could be behind the letter, he discovers that he and his teammates are being contacted by reporters. He's certain that there is some connection, but he can't get Rebecca to return his calls.

The first meeting between Becca and Parker was intense. She's getting ready for a date, but her mind is busy going over what she has learned so far. She knows she has been getting calls from Parker, but she won't talk to him until she has more information about him. What she didn't expect was to have him show up at her door. Parker is quite aggressive in his attempt to get Becca to give up her source in the investigation, but she won't cooperate. Underneath the antagonism between them is also a thread of attraction.

When Parker gets a call from the police that his friend and former teammate, Theo, has been murdered on his way to talk to a reporter, he realizes that there is a link between Becca's investigation and the blackmail letter. He follows Becca to the gala, intending to confront her again. Instead, he arrives just in time to see her get drugged and prevent her from being kidnapped. Determined to both protect her and get answers, he takes her to his safe room.

This is where things got a little iffy for me. I liked Parker's protectiveness and his determination to get to the bottom of what was happening. What I didn't care for was the way he kept Becca a prisoner. She was understandably scared by his actions, especially when he restrained her. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he kept doing it anyway. I felt that if he had simply told her what had happened at the gala and about the blackmail letter, from the beginning much of the conflict between them could have been avoided. I liked Becca's ability to remain calm and focused while she was trapped in the safe room. She uses the time to think about what has happened and begins to sort through her memories of that night. It doesn't take her long to figure out that Parker is her captor. I enjoyed her ingenuity as she made her escape plans. That confrontation was fun to see, especially Parker's admiration of her cleverness. It also finally brought them face to face and forced Parker to tell her what was going on.

Parker is a man who is accustomed to working alone. He doesn't like to ask for help, especially when he believes it will put someone else in danger. He's dealing with a lot of guilt over Theo's death and the attack on another teammate. Becca's refusal to stay out of it frustrates him to no end because he wants her to be safe. The action continues to intensify as Parker and Becca are faced with exploding cars, people following them and shooting at them. I loved how it was Becca that came up with the idea to draw the blackmailer out. The final confrontation was intense with the blackmailer determined to bring Parker down. I loved Becca's determination to protect Parker and her part in stopping the blackmailer. I also enjoyed seeing how Parker's friends Rush and Sam provided the help that Parker needed, even when he was too stubborn to ask for it.

The attraction between Becca and Parker was undeniable. Becca was not happy about it when that attraction would flare up during the time Parker had her confined in the safe room, but she couldn't stop thinking about him. The attraction between them continued to build as they worked together. Once they got past the whole safe room issue, the relationship between them developed quickly. I did like seeing how they were able to talk about their pasts with each other and open up about the feelings from those events. Their realizations of the depth of their feelings happened quickly. I liked the hint of vulnerability that Parker showed at the end.

Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - Sept 2018)

Series: Hamilton (Book 2)

Holly hates the yuletide season more than ever since she inherited her mother's Christmas novelty store, but her childhood pal Sean's determined to warm her up -- to Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever...

Sweet and speedy holiday story. Holly was shocked when she found out that her parents had decided to retire and move to Florida. She was even more flabbergasted when her mom turned over her Christmas and antique store to her. Holly has never been a big fan of the holiday season. Born on Christmas Eve, her birthday always got lost in the holiday season. Not only that, but Christmas was an all year, 24/7 event. As she put it "When you hear the words 'Santa is watching you', it was the literal truth. There were Santas everywhere." It was bad enough that when she graduated from high school, she went to college in England and stayed there, returning home only once or twice a year. Now she has taken time off her job to come home and decide what to do with the store. Keep it open, lease it, or sell it? Within moments of arriving at the store, she encounters Sean, her high school crush, who runs the restaurant across the street.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sean and Holly. Sean was a couple of years older and had been the popular sports star who always had a crowd of people around him. He has a large, boisterous Irish family. Holly was the quiet, nerdy, only child of older parents. She had a huge crush on Sean, but was too shy and intimidated to do anything about it. Though he'd smile and wave at her, she never felt that she was his type. Unknown to her, Sean had just as big a crush on her. He may have been popular, but always felt that he wasn't the type to appeal to someone so smart. Not wanting to risk rejection, he didn't pursue his interest. When he saw Holly arrive, he was determined not to let the chance slip through his fingers.

There are sparks between Sean and Holly from the start. Sean quickly learns about Holly's antipathy toward Christmas and is determined to show her how wonderful the season can be. Holly resists Sean's advances at first, as she doesn't expect to stay in Virginia once she deals with the store. But Sean's persistence, coupled with the sparks between them, starts to break down her defenses. I loved the sweet way he'd look out for her, bringing her meals and getting her to take breaks. Things start to heat up between them, but Holly is still not sure she's ready to risk everything by making that big of a change. The discovery of a diary containing a big secret brings them closer together as they search for the truth. I loved seeing Holly realize that staying in Willow Creek might be exactly what she needs if she can let herself take the chance. I loved the twist that gave her the push she needed.

I enjoyed the mystery of the diary. This is a continuation of the secret that made its first appearance in the earlier story, Unleashed. Sean and Holly were surprised by what they found out and not sure what to do with the information. I liked the way they worked on it together. There was an appearance by Trevor and Emma from the previous story, as they discussed the ramifications. I'm looking forward to the next story to see how it all works out.

 

This story was originally published in the anthology Kissing Santa Claus (Brava - Oct 2009)

The Devil's Due - Melanie George (Zebra - Nov 2001)

Series: Sinclair Brothers (Book 3)

Gray Sinclair has spent a lifetime doing exactly as he pleases--and women are one of the things that please him most. But a fiery Scottish lass is determined to show him that indulgence has a price, and it's time this handsome libertine pay...

The Devil's Due

With four protective older brothers, Bonnie MacTavish has had little experience with romance, but she has no intention of being seduced by a black-hearted English scoundrel whose devilishly wicked smile tempts Bonnie to forget he's been charged with murder. Yet when Gray's shrewd determination provides him with the means of escape from his cell--taking Bonnie with him--she learns that this charming outlander cannot be the murderer her brothers believe him to be. Gray is no ordinary pirate, but rather an extraordinary and haunted man--one who deserves her help. If only she can convince him that the greatest adventure is love...

Good conclusion to the Sinclair Brothers series. Gray is the pleasure-seeking brother, the one with the biggest reputation as a rake. But he has left that behind at the moment to take on a quest that could save the family home. Unfortunately, a storm has interrupted that quest, damaging Gray's ship. While his crew takes on repairs, Gray spends some time drinking in a Scottish tavern and finds himself accused of murder. His accuser - a red-haired Scottish woman with a temperament that matches her hair.

Bonnie is the youngest in her family, with four very protective older brothers. Her mother died when Bonnie was born, and it was her brothers who mostly raised her. Thanks to them, she dresses and fights like a man, and has no problem standing up to her brothers. Bonnie is engaged to the laird of a neighboring clan, a marriage arranged to bring an end to a long-standing feud. She's not thrilled with the match, but family comes first.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gray and Bonnie. There are sparks between them from the moment they met. Gray is entranced by her spirit and her beauty, even though she is responsible for his captivity. Even though his circumstances are dire, he can't resist flirting with her, delighting in stirring her up. Bonnie doesn't understand why Gray has such an effect on her. But she can't deny the sparks, nor can she deny her growing doubts about his guilt in the murder. When she resolves to set him free, she ends up kidnapped by Gray and dragged along on his quest.

I loved seeing them together on the ship. Bonnie starts out fighting Gray at every step. She can get quite creative as she does everything she can think of to make her point. But eventually they reach a turning point, and Bonnie begins to see another side of Gray. Once she stopped fighting him, she realized just how attracted she was to him. She also began to see past the surface rogue to the vulnerable man underneath. I loved seeing her try to break through his barriers and show him that she cared. I hurt so much for Gray. As the book went on, we learn so much about the heavy burdens he carries. The horrible things that his mother told him, that tear at the very fabric of who he is, make him believe that he is not worthy of anyone's love. It was so hard to see Gray continually push Bonnie away, even though he loved her so much.

The events on the island gave Gray's protectiveness quite a workout and reinforced Bonnie's love for him. There were times when I thought she had finally gotten through to him, but something would always pull him back. I was on the edge of my seat as they made their escape, and wondering how it would turn out. I did not expect their rescue by the person who found them, which added another layer of trouble to what was already there. Though Gray's quest was over, his troubles are not. Being returned to Scotland to face the music there put Gray right back where he started. This time, however, Bonnie is on his side, though she also has some battles to face. I loved seeing her stand up to her brothers to care for Gray. She is also determined to find the truth about the murder and to find a way out of her engagement. Her pursuit of the truth puts her in extreme danger, and the final confrontation has an unexpected twist to it. Gray gets a surprise visitor, whose arrival is perfectly timed. I loved the eye-opening (and amusing) conversation between the two of them, and the difference it made to Gray's entire outlook.

I enjoyed the prologue and epilogue, which took place thirty years in the future of the main part of the book. Gray is still a charming rogue, and I loved seeing what had become of him. The epilogue portion was terrific and an excellent wrapup for the series. Several parts of it had me laughing out loud.

 

Handsome Devil - Melanie George (Zebra - July 2001)

Series: Sinclair Brothers (Book 2)

It is whispered that Nicholas Sinclair is rogue enough to put his notorious brothers to shame. But one spirited female will discover that a passionate heart is hidden beneath the wicked charm of this...

HANDSOME DEVIL

Boston-bred Sheridan Delaney has yet to live down "The Incident" when her old schoolmate Jules Thornton invites her to London for the season. Ready for more adventure, Sheridan has no idea that her dear friend has matchmaking in mind--or that Nicholas Sinclair, Jules' devastatingly handsome uncle, will quickly decide that even his infamous hell-raising pales in comparison to what Sheridan considers innocent fun. Nicholas's suddenly saintly guidance through London society is far from comforting, however--especially when Sheridan longs to assure him that the most satisfying indulgence is love.

Fun book, with a tortured hero and a firebrand heroine. Sheridan "Danny" Delaney is an Irish girl living in Boston with her family. Danny is rather high-spirited and is a magnet for trouble. Her latest antics have her family at their wits' end, and her older sisters furious. They're convinced that she's responsible for their inability to find husbands. The only thing Danny can do is try to talk her parents into letting her visit her friend Jules in England. It isn't easy, as her parents have hard feelings toward the English after being thrown off their land in Ireland. But succeed she does - as long as she takes her aunt and uncle along as chaperones.

Jules has just returned to England from her honeymoon, married to her cousin Nicholas's best friend. When she finds out that Danny is coming to visit, she informs Nicholas that she and her guests will be staying with him, as her terror of a mother-in-law has the London house. Nicholas isn't looking forward to having to curtail his bachelor ways for his cousin and her undoubtedly prim and stiff-necked Boston socialite friend. Though he doesn't understand why Jules laughs every time he makes that complaint.

The initial meeting between Nicholas and Danny is funny, emotional, and steamy. Nicholas is in the docks area, extremely intoxicated, and resisting the efforts of his coachman to get him home, when he spots a beautiful woman dancing a jig on the deck of a ship. He's immediately fascinated by the passion he sees in her. A short time later he rescues her from an inebriated sailor's advances (though not in the usual manner). I enjoyed their banter as he works to charm her and she sees through it. But Danny feels an immediate connection to him and gives in to the passion that flares between them. When she disappears before he awakens, Nicholas is angry and hurt, not knowing she left to try to save her drunk and belligerent uncle from the local law. Once again, trouble has found Danny, and it's up to Nicholas to rescue her.

Unfortunately, Nicholas has some pretty deep-seated trust issues when it comes to women, thanks to a faithless mother and the effect she had on his father. Those trust issues come roaring to the surface in both a heartbreaking and funny scene at the Southwark jail.  Nicholas's accusations and attitude were unfounded, vicious, and cruel, but Danny doesn't sit back and accept it. I loved seeing her stand up for herself and gives as good as she gets. By the time she is settled at his house, both of them are wound up tight, and the sparks are flying. Nicholas has decided that it's time for him to settle down, and he has settled on a prim and proper London miss, who fits his requirements. Unfortunately for him, he can't keep Danny out of his mind. But every time they are together, he manages to put his foot in his mouth and gets her riled up again. He wants her, but she should be off limits, though he can't convince his body of that fact. Danny is certain that she's in love with him, that their souls are entwined for all time. His hot and cold attitude is frustrating to her since she knows that they belong together. She has her own insecurities, thanks to her Irish heritage, and believes that her Irishness is what is keeping them apart. I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Nicholas was tortured by his feelings for her, as he brought it on himself because of the way he treated her.

Though Danny's actions often seemed a bit childish and over-the-top to me, it was still great fun to see the effect they had on Nicholas. But there were also some very sweet moments between them. The scene in the stables when she helped deliver the foal brought them closer together. I liked seeing the way that Danny was able to get Nicholas to open up some about his mother, and how that helped her to understand him a little. I loved how Nicholas finally realized his feelings for her. His expression of those feelings to himself was awesome: "Whether asleep or awake, Sheridan's face haunted him. When she hurt, he hurt. When she was happy, he was happy. When she was angry, he...ducked." But those demons of his wouldn't let him tell her his feelings, as he didn't know how she felt. The depth of his feelings scared him, especially considering his family history. He was also quick to jump to conclusions. He does that one too many times, and his jealousy causes him to say some truly mean and hurtful things. I hurt for Danny as her hopes for her future die a painful death. The depth of the pain that both suffered was heartbreaking, and I wasn't sure how they would get through it. Even in her pain, Danny still loved him enough to try to ensure that what had happened didn't come between Jules and Nicholas. I loved the advice that Nicholas got from Ho Sing, that opened his eyes. The ending was exciting and intense. I loved seeing Nicholas finally let go of the pain of his past so that he could accept the love that would fill his future.

The secondary characters were also great. Jules was another strong woman. I liked her obvious love for her cousin Nicholas. It was clear that she knew him very well and saw beneath the rakish Sinclair reputation. She could also see that Nicholas and Danny were perfect for each other and was determined to bring them together. I also liked Danny's aunt Aggie and uncle Finn. Aggie was a trip with her melodramatic claims of imminent death, but she was there for Danny when she was needed. Finn was a riot. He came across as a few bricks short of a load with his over-the-top dramatics, but there were also times that he didn't seem so crazy after all. The ancient butler, Emery,  was a riot with his misunderstandings of what people said to him. Ho Sing was terrific at showing Nicholas when he was being an idiot.

The Maverick's Midnight Proposal - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2588 - Dec 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 6)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 113)

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?

Rust Creek Ramblings

Sighting confirmed! That handsome, brooding cowboy about town is Luke Stockton -- Rust Creek Falls’s long-lost son. It’s been over a decade since his parents’ tragic death…and Luke’s sudden departure. Our guess is he’s here to reconnect with his estranged siblings. Why, then, is Luke spending so much time at Daisy’s Donut Shop? The coffee’s great but…

Perhaps beautiful baker Eva Armstrong has him in her thrall! Careful, Eva, you’ve had enough heartbreak. Despite the sizzling kisses, Luke isn’t the marrying kind. Still, we encourage a little mistletoe mischief…after all, Christmas is the season of love. Perhaps Luke and Eva will “ring” in the New Year together. Get it? All we want for Christmas is a happily-ever-after!

Good book. Luke is the oldest of the seven Stockton siblings, and one of the three who left Rust Creek Falls after the deaths of their parents. No one has seen or heard from him in twelve years - until the PI hired by Hudson Jones tracked him down. But it wasn't until Luke found out that Hudson is married to Luke's sister, Bella, that Luke returned to Rust Creek Falls. He's willing to spend some time reconnecting with his siblings, but then he plans to high-tail it back to Wyoming. They wouldn't want him around anyway if they knew what he'd done. But if he's planning to leave, why can't he stay away from Eva?

Eva is one of the baker's at Daisy's Donut Shop and caught Luke's eye when he first arrived. He caught hers, too. But Eva hasn't had much luck in the romance department, most lately being one of Zach Dalton's potential brides, and losing out to Lydia Grant (The Maverick's Bride-to-Order). In spite of everything, she hasn't let it get her down. She still believes that there is someone out there for her.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Luke and Eva. There's no doubt about the attraction between them. Luke keeps finding his way back to Daisy's Donut Shop to spend time with Eva. She's easy for him to talk to, and a good distraction from the awkwardness of being back in town. He can't resist when she invites him to dinner, and the way they connected over that meal was undeniable. But Luke is wary of getting involved and makes it plain that he isn't staying past Christmas, and he doesn't do relationships. On the other hand, Eva has no problem making her interest in him clear. I enjoyed the way she made the first move and the heat that flared between them. I also liked Luke's surprise at her offer of friendship and "hanging out" together while he was in town. Eva knows that there's a good chance that she'll end up with a broken heart, but that doesn't stop her. Over the next couple of weeks, they spent a lot of time together. Sure enough, Eva falls hard for Luke and finds herself hoping that he'll change his mind and stay in Rust Creek Falls. Luke is more and more tempted to stay but is haunted by his past and certain that his family wouldn't want him around if they knew. I loved seeing Luke get more involved with his family, and closer to Eva. Seeing him open up to her about what drove him away, and her understanding and sympathy gave me great hope for them. It was going beautifully until the arrival of a surprise guest at Danny's wedding. I ached for Luke as he suddenly had doubts about both his feelings and Eva's, and allowed his fears to pull them apart. I loved seeing Eva stand up for herself and her feelings. It took a bit for Luke to come to his senses, but he definitely redeemed himself at the end. His big moment was romantic and reminded me of my own engagement, which also happened on New Year's Eve.

Another big part of this book was the importance of family. There has been a lot written over the past several books about the fracturing of the Stockton family. I have enjoyed seeing the efforts to find the missing siblings and reunite the family. I loved the acceptance and support that Luke received, and his eventual realization that love was what was most important. I would have liked a bit more interaction and resolution between Luke and Jamie, but hopefully, that will be addressed in a later book. I am looking forward to getting the stories for the other two siblings, Bailey and Liza.

The Maverick's Snowbound Christmas - Karen Rose Smith (HSE #2582 - Nov 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 5)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 112)

COZYING UP WITH THE COWBOY

Rust Creek Ramblings

Aah, wintertime in Rust Creek Falls! It's the perfect time of year to snuggle up by the fireplace and indulge in some juicy gossip. Speaking of snuggling, did you hear that Eli Dalton and Hadley Strickland were forced to spend the night together in an abandoned barn during our recent snowstorm?

While it may have been a horse in distress that brought the lovely veterinarian out to the Circle D, we're betting handsome, steady Eli will draw her back. We believe the rancher could melt fair Hadley's frozen heart -- if she can find the courage to reveal her past. So hang the holly, dear readers, and remember that this is the season for miracles. Could a holiday proposal soon be in the works?

Good story. Hadley is in Rust Creek Falls for the Thanksgiving holiday, spending time with family and friends. She also has to endure the gentle nagging about finding the time for marriage and family. When she gets a call from a local vet asking her to check on a horse, she jumps on the chance to escape for a little while. While large animals aren't her specialty, she knows enough to help and expects to be back before the incoming snowstorm gets too bad. Eli is grateful that Hadley is there, but also a bit disturbed by her presence. He's noticed her before is attracted to her. But he is also wary. Hadley is a career-minded and educated woman, just like the one that broke his heart years ago. He has avoided getting serious with any woman since then.

Hadley and Eli's initial time together was mostly taken up with the care of the horse, but it's also evident that there are sparks between them. Eli is truly intrigued by Hadley, and those feelings only increase when they find the kitten and mama cat. Hadley is just as attracted to Eli, but she has her own demons that have caused her to lock her emotions up when it comes to men. As they spent time together waiting for the foal to be born, it was interesting to see their interactions. Both of them are a little insecure in their own ways. I ached a bit for Eli when Hadley said something that he took wrong, thinking that she was looking down on him. Things became even more tense when they realized that they were snowed in at the barn. Hadley panicked because of her attraction to him, and her actions upset him again. I liked that she realized what she had done and took steps to fix it. As the evening went on, I liked the way that Eli worked to put Hadley at ease. There were several very sweet moments between them where the connection was obvious, but one or the other would panic over the closeness and pull back.

Once they were rescued, Hadley figures she's safe because she's not likely to see much of him during the rest of her stay. But fate and Eli have something else in mind. I liked seeing how their relationship developed. With Rust Creek Falls being a small town, it doesn't take much for them to encounter each other. Eli can't deny that there is something that pulls him toward her, even though he knows she won't be there for long. He can't stay away from her and often ignores the inner voice that reminds him how different they are. Hadley is equally drawn to Eli, but her past experience has colored her view of men. I liked how often she was surprised by something Eli said or did, and how it made her realize that he's different than most of the men she knows. It was clear that Eli was falling and falling hard, and also that Hadley was fighting it as hard as she could. I ached for both of them when Hadley's secret came out and she couldn't trust him or herself enough to tell it all, instead running away to protect her heart and her pride. I liked the support and advice she got from her sister that opened her eyes, and her determination to overcome it. I also liked that Eli didn't give up and was intent on fighting for her love. I liked the ending and how they worked through Hadley's revelations.

 

Riverbend Road - RaeAnne Thayne (HQN - June 2016)

Series: Haven Point (Book 4)

Protecting the streets of Haven Point isn't just a job for police officer Wyn Bailey, it's a family tradition. But lately she's found herself wanting more, especially from her boss -- and overprotective brother's best friend -- sexy chief of police, Cade Emmett. The only problem is getting Cade to view her as more than just a little sister.

Cade's hands-off approach with Wyn isn't from lack of attraction. But his complicated past has forced him to conceal his desire. When Wyn is harmed in the line of duty, Cade realizes the depth of his feelings, but can he let his guard down long enough to embrace the love he secretly craves?

Good romance with a bit of suspense to up the tension. The story grabbed me from the opening pages and didn't let go until I finished it. Wyn is a police officer in Haven Point, a job she took after losing both her twin brother and her father in the line of duty. She likes helping the people of her hometown and knows that she is pretty good at it. But she has also had a feeling of restlessness lately, of wanting more out of her life. When she is suspended for a week for disobeying a direct order from the police chief, those feelings gain strength, including her frustration with the chief himself.

Cade is the current Chief of Police. He trained under Wyn's father, a man who was his friend and mentor. It was thanks to Chief Bailey that Cade ended up on the right side of the law, in spite of the way he grew up. Cade's father was an abusive drunk, so the chief included Cade and his brother in as much as possible with his own family. Cade and Wyn's oldest brother Marshall became best friends.

When Wyn rushes into a dangerous situation, Cade's reaction is a bit stronger than it might be for another officer. The sparks that flew between them were strong and unexpected. Wyn has had feelings for Cade for years but believes that he only sees her as his best friend's little sister. But the strength of his reaction makes her wonder if maybe there is something there after all. Their emotions are still running pretty high later that evening when she goes to talk to him about another matter, and Wyn takes matters into her own hands. The passion that flares between them is intense, and freaks Cade out. He's been attracted to Wyn for a while, but she's his employee and his best friend's little sister, and he can't go there. But putting those feelings back in the box he's had them locked in proves to be much harder than he expected.

I liked the development of the relationship between Wyn and Cade. They already know each other well and have a great deal of respect for each other. Cade's attempts to fight his feelings for her seem doomed to failure when every subsequent encounter increases either his desire or his admiration for her. I loved his observation of her self-defense class and laughed out loud when she roped him into helping demonstrate some moves. There was a look in her eye that told him that he was in trouble, and he was right. Cade also holds himself back because there are things in his past that he thinks would make it impossible for her to care for him. Once Wyn gets the idea that Cade isn't as disinterested as she had thought, she seems to enjoy pushing his buttons. She also decides that now is the time to make some changes in her life. There are things in her past that had altered the course of her life, and she's ready to take it back. Those changes will also put an end to at least one of the obstacles that Cade has thrown up between them. Wyn also has a feeling that Cade is keeping some kind of secret from her. When she stumbles on some information about her father's death, she is sure of it. I ached for both of them, but especially for Cade, because of the guilt that was eating him up. I liked the courage that Wyn had in going after what she wanted. It took nearly losing her for Cade to realize how deep his feelings for Wyn were. I enjoyed seeing them come together at the end, including some rather amusing scenes with members of her family.

There is a bit of suspense involving a woman and her children who move in near Wyn and Cade. Wyn's instincts tell her that the woman, Andrea, is in some kind of trouble. I loved the way that Wyn's innate kindness and empathy enable her to get through to Andi. What was happening was so much worse than what I had initially suspected. It was interesting to see that Wyn's instincts were also right on the money when it came to a phone call she received and what she did with the information she got. I especially liked that she didn't try to keep it from Cade, and got him on board also. The ending was very satisfying, and not just because the bad guy got what was coming to him. I loved that Cade and Wyn worked together as a team, thanks to the respect they have for each other's abilities.

 

Mommy and the Maverick - Meg Maxwell (HSE #2564 - Aug 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 2)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 109)

And Daddy Makes Five

Rust Creek Ramblings

In a town as small as Rust Creek Falls, it would be hard not to notice the new millionaire on Main Street, even if he wasn't drop-dead gorgeous. But bachelor Autry Jones does not disappoint -- he's every bit as handsome as his settled-down brothers Walker and Hudson. However, this business-minded CEO not only shies away from commitment, he's also heading for Paris in a month. So why is he keeping company with Marissa Fuller, a young widow with three daughters?

Marissa and Autry have made a "no-strings/just friends" agreement, but Abby, Kiera and Kaylee clearly have other ideas. Can a dedicated tycoon find happiness with a mom and her kids? We here at the Gazette are hopeful. Some contracts were made to be broken!

Good book. Autry is the third of the Jones brothers to come to Rust Creek Falls. His brothers Hudson (The Maverick's Holiday Surprise) and Walker (Maverick vs. Maverick) have already left the big city for life in small-town Montana, motivated by the love they found there. Autry is the jet-setting brother, who travels the world carrying out the family business. He's come to Montana for a couple of reasons. One, he has some vacation time and wants to use it to spend some time with his brothers. They haven't been close and he has come to regret that and would like to change it. Two, his father has charged him with getting Walker and Hudson back to Tulsa "where they belong."

It was interesting to see Autry's first impressions of Rust Creek Falls. He doesn't understand the appeal of the town, or what kind of hold it has on his brothers, but he's determined to find out. He's especially confused about their involvement in the daycare business. He's a little freaked out when he arrives at the daycare to meet his brother, as he has cut the possibility of kids out of his life. After a bad breakup with a woman who had a child, one that he had come to love, Autry has decided that there will be no more single moms in his dating future. Having missed his brother at the daycare, he arrives at the Ace in the Hole just in time for the premiere of the reality show The Great Roundup, where his attention is grabbed by Marissa Fuller.

Marissa is a widow with three daughters, who moved in with her parents after her husband's death. Her girls are the center of her life. She is very independent and is sometimes frustrated by having to rely on her parents. She also has to deal with her nine-year-old daughter's frequent attempts to find her a boyfriend. The latest choice is the good-looking man who just entered the bar with Hudson and Walker Jones.

It was fun to see the immediate attraction between Marissa and Autry. She's embarrassed to be caught staring, while Autry is definitely intrigued. He has the idea that getting to know her would be a pleasant way to spend the next three weeks before he has to leave for Paris. He gets quite the shock the next day when he runs into her at the grocery store. Once he finds out she's the mother of three, his head tells him to back away slowly and leave. Instead, he finds himself accepting the little girl's invitation to their picnic. I loved seeing him with little Kaylee, where he shows himself to be a much nicer guy than I had expected. Autry's head continues to tell him to make the encounter short and quick, but he can't make himself walk away.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Autry and Marissa. Both of them admit to the attraction that has flared between them, but each is aware of the pitfalls of getting involved. Autry does not want to risk getting his heart smashed again by getting attached to the family. Marissa knows it would be all too easy to fall for Autry, then be brokenhearted when he left. But because they enjoy each other's company, they agree to be friends. I loved seeing how easily Autry fit into Marissa's life. He was fantastic with the girls. The way he jumped in to help Abby when she wanted to be in the kids' version of The Great Roundup was awesome, as were all his other sweet and thoughtful actions. Marissa loved having Autry around and seeing the happiness he brought to her daughters. But she also worried about what would happen if they got too attached and then had to see him walk out of their lives. She realizes that it's too late to protect her own heart when she gives in to the attraction between them. I ached for both of them because they knew what they wanted but couldn't figure out how to make it happen. I loved the bit of advice that Autry got from Travis and the effect it had on him. I liked Autry's big moment at the end and wasn't at all surprised by the solution he came up with. The epilogue was sweet.

 

The More Mavericks, the Merrier! - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2517 - Dec 2016)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Baby Bonanza (Book 6)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 107)

OH, BABIES!

Rust Creek Ramblings

We here at The Gazette just love a happy ending, and if anyone needs a little Christmas, it's Jamie Stockton. The stoic rancher has been raising his triplet babies alone since his wife died. Thanks to Rust Creek Falls's volunteer "baby chain," Jamie has had many helping hands. But his bed is still empty, and so is his heart.

Could family friend Fallon O'Reilly be the one to brighten his holiday? Babies Henry, Jared and Kate surely love having Fallon around, but their lonely dad may take a little more convincing. Hang the holly, dear readers, and deck the halls as our cautious cowboy rediscovers his Christmas spirit -- and the "girl next door" gets a present she will never forget!

Good friends to lovers story. Jamie is a widower and father of triplet babies. His wife died when they were born. The people of Rust Creek Falls came together to form a volunteer group that helps care for the babies. One of the members of that group is longtime family friend, Fallon. As Christmas approaches, Fallon wants to see Jamie enjoy the season with his children and attempts to push him out of the rut he is in.

Jamie's children are the center of his world. Though unknown to the general public, his marriage had not been everything he had hoped for. His wife had been unhappy living on the ranch. She hadn't wanted children and was angry when she got pregnant, even more so when it turned out to be triplets. She made Jamie's life miserable, and the only one he could confide in was his friend Fallon. He's not overly thrilled with Fallon's plans for the holidays, as he always feels that people look at him with pity when he's out with the kids, but eventually he gives in.

Fallon loves the triplets almost as much as she loves their father. She kept that love hidden while he was married. Now she can't help dreaming that he would wake up and see her as something more than a friend.

I enjoyed the progression of Jamie and Fallon's relationship. Jamie has always looked at Fallon as a friend he could depend on. He got quite a shock the day that he accidentally saw her changing her shirt and suddenly realized that his good friend was also a very attractive woman. But he's also very wary of doing anything about it. He's had so much loss in his life that the idea of doing something that could screw up his friendship with Fallon is something he doesn't want to think about. He tries very hard to forget about the feelings that she's stirred up, but he just can't do it. Fallon was surprised by what she had seen in Jamie's eyes that day, which gave her hope that maybe she had a chance with him after all. But after days of him treating her the same as always, she realized that she needed to do something to make Jamie see her as more than just his friend. It was fun to see his reaction to her makeover, especially when someone else started paying her attention. He still fought his attraction until he couldn't fight it any longer. I loved seeing them finally come together, and what they had was fantastic. But Jamie still has some deep-seated fears that cause him to pull back. I thought that Fallon was amazingly understanding, even through her hurt. I loved seeing Jamie finally realize the truth of his feelings. He had two big emotional scenes at the end; one when Fallon came back from her trip and the other at her parents' anniversary party. Fallon also provided a very interesting twist that made a huge impact on Jamie's life.

Knox - Christie Ridgway (Christie Ridgway - Nov 2016)

Series: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Book 4)

When super-wealthy father of seven Colin Brannigan dies and leaves each of his sons a bequest, Knox Brannigan believes he scored big and best with his legacy—a vintage Indian motorcycle. He’s made a life out of rebelling against his father’s focus on high-powered business and high-powered people, but this time Knox follows the old man’s edict and takes it for a spin up the Pacific coast. When the machine breaks down he brings it to the shop listed in the owner’s manual—the closest place in California that can find the right part and repair the bike. It means three days of loafing at a rundown surfside motel, but that means three nights of getting under the skin—and with hopes, the clothes—of the lovely but disapproving owner of the yoga studio next door.

Erin Cassidy practices yoga to discipline her heart, mind, and body. But all three go wild in the presence of confident, charming, and much-too-handsome Knox Brannigan. She knows his type. He claims to be a part-time bartender but Erin’s sure that’s code for fun, flings, and never settling down. After being burned before, she set strict guidelines about the men she lets into her life. Knox, with his sexy smiles and laid-back attitude breaks every one of them. It’s only three days, she tells herself. If only they weren’t followed by those three steamy nights…

Knox has always been a man who takes his pleasures where and when he can find them and to hell with the rules. Yet when it comes to his feelings for Erin, he discovers he’s much more traditional than he ever imagined. It won’t take deep breathing or mindful meditation but only being in her arms to turn the rebel into a lover.

Good book with lots of humor mixed in with the romance. Knox is the fourth of the Brannigan brothers to accept his inheritance from his father and try to figure out what it means. The story opens on New Year's Eve, a few months after Knox's father died. Knox is known as the carefree, fun-loving Brannigan, but lately, he hasn't felt like himself. After a New Year's Day conversation with his brother Max, Knox finally checks out his legacy and is stunned to discover a vintage motorcycle. There's only one thing to do - hit the road and see if he can lose the dark feelings and resurrect his happy self. He stops for a break at a local bar/café, where he meets Erin.

Erin and her two (married) best friends are at the bar celebrating Erin's birthday. They are fussing at her over her lack of a social life. Erin was burned pretty badly by a previous relationship which has left her with some pretty big trust issues. It was fun to see them teasing and pushing her to put herself back out there. Their efforts take a pretty hilarious turn when her pregnant friend really gets into the act, sending Erin to try talking to the hot guy who just sat at the bar - Knox.

The first meeting between Knox and Erin was hilarious. The attraction between them was instant and strong, which flustered Erin. Erin's first words to Knox are taken as a pick-up line, which flusters her even more and amuses Knox. What follows is a very funny exchange about cheesy pick-up lines, and moves on to an evening spent in fun conversation. The sparks between them also flustered Knox, who is a bit surprised at the strength of the attraction. After a superhot kiss, they parted ways, not expecting to see each other again. However, Fate had different plans for them. When his bike breaks down, Knox shows up at Erin's yoga studio, in another very amusing scene, looking for help contacting the repair shop. In an unexpected twist, the owner of that shop is Erin's dad.  With the discovery that the bike needs a part that will take a few days to arrive, Knox is stuck in town, and in a perfect position to explore whatever it is that has flared between them.

I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Knox and Erin. The attraction was instant and strong, which surprised both of them. One of the things I liked best was that neither one tried to deny it was there. Erin is wary, knowing that Knox is not interested in anything permanent and she's had enough of people walking out on her. But as she spends time with him, she realizes that there is more to Knox than his good-time, party animal reputation. I loved how she saw that he was still grieving for his father, even though he couldn't see it himself, and that she helped him see it and deal with it. Knox is continually surprised by how deeply Erin has gotten under his skin. It was sweet to see his patience as he waits for Erin to overcome her fears of getting involved with him. He also senses her insecurities about herself, and his actions when she talked about her mother were great. I loved how he realized the depth of his feelings for her, but in typical man style, he isn't so good about sharing those feelings. She's still trying to protect her heart when his bike is fixed, and can't bring herself to believe that he really wants her. I loved his big moment at the end, and how he enlisted her friends to help him pull it off.

I liked Erin's friends and their husbands and the way that they all connected so easily with Knox. It was pretty easy to see the wheels turning in Knox's head as he got to know them. I loved how he got so involved in helping Erin when her friend when into labor. His natural charm and kindness really came through. I also liked the scenes between Knox and his various brothers as they all deal with their father's death. I love how they grow closer with each book, being there to support and encourage each other.

Hunter - Melody Anne (Eternal Dreams - Nov 2016)

Series: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Book 3)

When Hunter Brannigan loses his father and is sent a map, he doesn’t know what to think. Is it a joke? Was the old man going senile at the end? The attorney sending the map assures him the piece of paper was definitely from his father and he must follow the clues to find himself.

Hunter has been running from anything even remotely resembling responsibility for a very long time. He’s a world renowned Photo Journalist, traveling the seven continents in pursuit of the next great shot. He’s been in the heart of the trauma during war time, natural disasters, and life-altering moments, always on the other side of the lens, never getting emotionally involved. His father’s last wish for him is to put himself within the pictures he’s famous for.

Deciding to humor his father’s last request, he stumbles upon Rebekah Kingsley III, an uptight History Professor who desperately needs to let her hair down. Though he has his doubts she can get dirty long enough to help him, something about her won’t let him walk so easily this time. Will she be enough to make him settle down, or will he leave her with nothing but a picture of what could have been.

The third book in the series, and another second chance story. In this book, Hunter, who is Gabe's twin brother, receives a treasure map as his inheritance from his father. He's not sure what to make of it, or the instruction to seek the assistance of a college history professor to solve the clues on the map. Hunter is shocked to discover that the history professor is none other than Bekka, the girl he'd had a summer romance with ten years earlier. Bekka had fallen hard for Hunter during that summer and had been heartbroken when he left without looking back. She moved on with her life, following her detailed one-, five-, and ten-year plans, and was not too happy to have Hunter burst back into her life.

Hunter and Bekka were interesting people. Hunter is just as much of an adrenaline junkie as his brother Luke, with no situation too dangerous for him to go into looking for the perfect photograph. He's constantly on the move, never getting too deeply involved with anyone or anything. Thanks to his father's withdrawal after his mom's death, Hunter doesn't trust anyone, except maybe his brothers. Bekka is very intelligent and had been raised by her mother not to trust emotions, encouraged to pursue academics. She had one brief summer of rebellion, where she allowed adventure into her life, falling in love with Hunter as they shared those adventures. But when he broke her heart, she locked adventure out of her life.

The development of the relationship between Hunter and Bekka was interesting. The attraction between them was still as strong as ever. Hunter was more than willing to give in to it and see what happened. He made no secret of that to Bekka, showing her at every chance how much he wanted her. Bekka was far more interested in protecting her heart. She knew it would be way too easy to fall for him again, and she wasn't sure she could survive another heartache. As they followed the various clues on the map, they couldn't help but grow closer. Hunter found himself more and more willing to put off his next photography jaunt if he could spend the time with Bekka. This made him both happy and scared to death. I liked how he could see under her buttoned up exterior to the girl he used to know, and how much he enjoyed bringing that girl back to the surface. I also liked the way he showed how much he cared, even though he wouldn't admit it to himself. The scenes following the snake bite were awesome at showing the depth of his caring. Bekka spent a fair amount of time fighting against the attraction she still felt for Hunter. She's afraid to trust that, if she gives in to him, he won't walk away and break her heart again. It was interesting to see her slowly loosen up and begin to enjoy life again, including giving in to the heat. But she also had trouble holding back the hope that this time it would be different. I ached for her when they came to the final clue, and what Hunter found sent him running again. I thought he deserved every bit of the misery he felt, and was thoroughly delighted by the advice he got from his brother. He redeemed himself quite nicely with his big moment at the end.

I loved seeing more of Luke and Lizzie, and Gabe and Josie in this book. It was great to see how they have both changed for the better since falling in love, without losing who they are. I also enjoyed seeing how the brothers have gotten closer since their father's death, and how they are there for each other. Their interactions are fun, especially when they get a little snarky. 

Luke - Barbara Freethy (Barbara Freethy - Oct 2016)

Series: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Book 1)

Luke Brannigan lives for the adrenaline rush, which makes his job as a filmmaker of extreme sporting adventures the perfect career choice. He loves to travel the world, risking life and limb to capture the most amazing shot. Some might say he's running away from something…or someone.

When Luke's billionaire father Colin Brannigan dies unexpectedly, Luke is shocked to receive title to the mountain lodge where his parents first met. Having been estranged from his father for years, Luke has no idea why his dad picked him to inherit this very personal piece of property…until he realizes the pretty blonde manager is Lizzie Parker, his former college girlfriend.

Luke and Lizzie have an emotional and heartbreaking past, but will they have a future? Will love be Luke's greatest adventure yet?

Good first book in the series. The beginning sets up the backstory of the seven brothers, where the death of their mother fractured the family, especially when it came to their relationships with their father. The brothers are all shocked by the unexpected death of their father, and more so by their inheritances. This book is about Luke.

Luke is big into extreme sports, both doing them and making films about them. For the past ten years, he has been all over the world and done just about everything. He is stunned when he receives a mountain resort as an inheritance. He's the last person who would want a piece of property tying him down. He has no idea why his father left him this property - until he arrives to check it out before deciding whether or not to sell it. There he discovers that the resort manager is his former college sweetheart, Lizzie.

That first meeting was quite a shock to both Luke and Lizzie. They had been deeply in love while they were in college until Luke's restlessness caused him to quit school to pursue his dreams. He wanted Lizzie to come with him for the summer, joining in his adventure. Hurt and angry when she didn't show up, Luke forged ahead and never looked back. Lizzie had been on track for a career as a concert pianist. She was just as in love with Luke but chickened out of going with him, afraid that if she did she would end up giving up her own dreams to follow his. Though she later tried to contact him to explain, he refused to listen. Though Luke's career is going strong, Lizzie's came to a dramatic end when her sister died, leaving Lizzie as guardian of her thirteen-year-old niece, Kaitlyn. Luke's dad gave Lizzie the job at the resort so she could better care for Kaitlyn.

I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Luke and Lizzie. Luke has kept his emotions bottled up for a long time. The attraction that still burns between the two of them starts to break down the walls around Luke's heart. Likewise, Lizzie had thought she was long over Luke and is dismayed to discover otherwise. It isn't easy for them to spend time together at first, but Lizzie is determined to show Luke the benefits of keeping the resort. I enjoyed the scenes of Lizzie showing him around. The descriptions were vivid enough for me to be able to picture them. As the chemistry between them continued to grow, they needed to come to terms with their past before they could move on with their lives. Though each tended to bring up the same points multiple times, they were able to discuss them in a relatively adult manner. But it was a crisis involving Kaitlyn that opened their eyes to the other's point of view and served to finally bring them together. I liked the solution they came up with, and look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

I liked both Luke and Lizzie. Luke is a good guy, whose success has not gone to his head. I enjoyed the scenes with him interacting with various people at the resort. I also liked the way that he connected with Kaitlyn and understood her grief over the deaths of her parents. I loved the way that Lizzie willingly gave up her career for Kaitlyn. Her patience with Kaitlyn and her attitude was fantastic, especially with some of the horrible things Kaitlyn said. Though there were times I wanted to shake Kaitlyn until her teeth rattled, I also ached for her, especially as more of her story came out. The scenes with her on the trail had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

 

Unleashed - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - Sept 2018)

Series: Hamilton (Book 1)

A raging winter storm and a holiday spent pet-sitting reveals there’s more than one kind of animal in the house . . .

When Emma Lafferty is hired by a billionaire CEO to watch his pets over the holidays, she expects to enjoy a quiet Christmas in opulent surroundings. What she doesn’t expect is to spend the week trapped in the mansion with Trevor Hamilton, the CEO’s sexy great-nephew—and heir—whose motives are as shady as his desire is crystal clear . . .

This was a sweet and funny story with a bit of heat to warm up the winter chill. Emma has been hired to watch over the pets and house of billionaire Lionel Hamilton. It's just the boost her fledgling pet sitter business needs. She walked away from her perfectly good, but extremely boring accounting job, but it's a slow process to build up her clientele. I enjoyed Emma's running commentary to herself as she drove through the ice storm, then once she arrived at the house. I loved her happiness at being with the animals. The dogs were adorable and the parrot was a hoot! But Emma got quite a shock when she discovered that she wasn't alone in the house.

Trevor got quite a shock too. He knew his uncle and the staff were gone but didn't know that there was going to be someone staying at the house. He had hoped to have the place to himself to find what he was looking for and get out, with no one the wiser.

The development of the relationship between Emma and Trevor is very fast. There were sparks between them from the moment they met, but there was also a real connection. It was fun to see Trevor try to talk his way around why he was there, and Emma not fall for it. There were some pretty funny scenes as he tried, and I loved the moment in the library as he finally realized he'd have to come clean. I felt for him as he explained it all to her, and loved the way that she understood how important it was to him. The attraction between them also grows quickly, and it doesn't take long for them to stoke their own flames. Trevor is fascinated and enthralled by Emma, who isn't the least bit impressed by or interested in his bottom line, something he isn't used to. Emma has a little trouble believing that rich and sexy Trevor is interested in more than just a quick fling, but is eventually convinced.

My only disappointment is that the answers Trevor was looking for were left hanging. I did get the feeling that they will come up again in the next book, so I will definitely be on the lookout for it.