Christmas with the Marine - Candace Havens (HB #915 - Nov 2016)

Series: Uniformly Hot (Book 68)

Subject: Major Ben Hawthorne

Mission: To make one sexy civvy's Christmas wish come true

Christmas is almost here, and guys are the last thing on personal shopper Ainsley Garrett's list. But her icy resolution melts when she sees an incredibly hot Marine shopping for toys. A man in uniform with a hot bod and a heart of gold? Maybe a gal can believe in Santa after all…

Major Ben Hawthorne has his career to think about, but when it comes to Ainsley, he's willing to break his own rules, at least for one night -- provided they can get this insanely wicked attraction out of their systems. Only, once isn't enough. Now Ainsley's checking her list twice…before she falls for a Marine who's naughty and nice.

Terrific story. I loved the way it started out and how Ben and Ainsley met. Ben lost a bet with his friends, which left him doing the Christmas shopping for his unit's Toys for Tots donations and the local retirement homes. He was in way over his head as he stood in the Barbie aisle at the toy store. I loved seeing him talking to himself and all but pulling his hair out. Luckily for him, a fellow shopper came to his rescue. Ainsley is a professional shopper, and Ben's situation tugs at her heart. I loved seeing her step in and walk him through it all.

Both Ben and Ainsley are career-focused, with no plans for any serious relationships in their immediate futures. But they can't deny the attraction that flares between them. They also suffer from over-zealous friends and family who keep throwing potential dates and mates at them. They form a quick friendship and mutual support team, as they promise to be each other's "plus one" during the holidays. I loved seeing them get to know each other and discover just how much they had in common. Both are hard workers who have plans for their futures. Both of them are big into helping other people. Their conversations are fun and flirty, and they really seem to understand each other. But each of them has a hot-button issue. Ben is a little bit insecure about his background. He grew up poor and joined the Marines right out of high school as a way to take care of his mom and sister. He's a little bit intimidated by the wealth that Ainsley comes from. Ainsley's problem is that of trying to prove and maintain her independence, especially against her father's machinations. She tends to get pretty huffy with anyone who wants to "take care of her."

There were some terrific scenes of Ben and Ainsley together. I especially enjoyed the night of the bachelor auction and watching Ben go all out to help Ainsley make her goal. I liked seeing Ainsley with Ben's friends and how well she fit in with them. But I could also see that there was trouble brewing as the night of her family's Christmas party drew nearer. I ached for Ben, whose insecurities got quite a workout when he saw her parents' house. I liked how Ainsley did her best to put him at ease. I was furious at her father's interference and the terrible things he said to Ben. Ben might have gotten through that okay, but he then had to listen to some pretentious jerk putting the moves on Ainsley. His insecurities collided with his jealousy, and he said some really boneheaded and hurtful things to her. I ached for Ainsley who was blindsided by his words and actions.

I liked seeing how both of them dealt with what had happened. I cheered when Ainsley had it out with her dad, and loved the support she got from her sister. I also liked seeing her brain start to work again, and how she thought about the things said and what may have driven them. I laughed at Ben's arrival home and how his mom and sister pried the story of what happened out of him. I especially enjoyed the insight of his seventeen-year-old sister. That same sister had a very effective way of getting Ben and Ainsley back together. I loved their big moment at the end and seeing the calm and cool Ainsley totally lose it. The epilogue was a terrific wrap up to the story.

I liked Ainsley's friend Bebe and Ben's friend Jake. I especially enjoyed Bebe's unexpected arrival the evening Ben and Ainsley were "cooking" in the kitchen. Her unflappable reaction was hilarious. I liked the close friendship between Jake and Ben. It was great fun to see Jake tease Ben about how much he was into Ainsley. 

Protector's Instinct - Janie Crouch (HI #1752 - Dec 2017)

Series: Omega Sector: Under Siege (Book 2)
            Omega Sector (Book 12)

He knows he failed her once before. This time he’s determined to protect her by any means necessary…

Former police detective Zane Wales won’t let history repeat itself. He couldn’t save the woman he loved from a brutal assault, so he left the force -- and Caroline Gill’s life. But now a psychopath has her in his vengeful sights. And the only way Zane can keep the strong-willed paramedic safe is to stay close 24/7 -- even as their reignited desire burns out of control.

Caroline can finally face down her past by helping Zane catch this perp. And she’ll give Zane all the passionate healing he needs to show they have a future together. But a danger they never saw coming will turn their second chance into a lethal, inescapable trap…

Excellent second chance story combined with riveting suspense. Eighteen months earlier Zane and Caroline had had a passionate and volatile relationship. Zane was a police detective, and Caroline was an EMT. Then Caroline was brutally assaulted, and in a fit of guilt, because he hadn't been there to prevent it, Zane quit the police force and his relationship with Caroline. Now she's in danger again and he'll do whatever he must not to fail her.

Caroline has worked hard to overcome the effects of her assault. She's back on the job and has taken steps to prevent becoming a victim again. Though she wants to think she has put Zane behind her also, seeing him again proves that her feelings for him are just as strong as they ever were. But, what happened that night has changed both of them.

I liked both Zane and Caroline from their first appearance in Fully Committed. Caroline is a lot stronger than she thinks she is. I loved the reality of seeing the ongoing effects of the assault, such as the fear of a knock on the door, or being reluctant to go home to an empty house. But she's also determined that it won't completely derail her life. I loved seeing her back doing the work she loved. I also understood her frustration with the way people still treated her with kid gloves when she wanted them to stop seeing her as a victim. Zane is a man who is haunted by what he sees as his failure. I ached for him as he gave up the work he loved because he'd lost confidence in his ability to do it. However, his innate protectiveness can't be denied, especially when it comes to Caroline. At the first hint of danger, he's right there with her.

I loved the rekindling of their relationship. Zane's determination to keep her safe makes him come on a little strong at first, which makes Caroline dig in her heels about the trip she has planned. Not to be dissuaded, Zane horns in on her camping trip. In addition to the protection, it gives Caroline a chance to confront Zane about what had happened after her attack. I loved her honesty as she explained to him exactly what she needed from him. I ached for Zane, who had allowed his guilty feelings to drive him away from Caroline. I loved that he understood her feelings when she explained them. It wasn't easy for him to let go of the guilt and give his feelings free rein. I loved seeing them grow closer as they fought the danger they were in. The passion is still there but without the volatility thanks to the maturing of the characters and the relationship. I loved the ending, especially the gift that Caroline had for Zane.

The suspense was fantastic. As was shown in the first book (Daddy Defender), the villain in this series has a very convoluted and devious mind. We know from the start that he has it in for Zane and Caroline, but you never know exactly how he will carry out his plans. The attack on the trail and subsequent sabotage of Zane's plane had me glued to the pages as they raced to stay ahead of their attacker. The attacks continued after they got home, increasing in intensity. I was on the edge of my seat through several twists and turns, as just when I thought they were safe, something else would happen. The final confrontations were amazing in their proof of the bad guy's twisted and manipulative ways.