Twins on the Doorstep - Marie Ferrarella (HWR #1681 - Oct 2017)

Series: Forever Texas (Book 17)

THIS MIRACLE'S A MYSTERY

When newborn twins mysteriously appear on Cole McCullough's doorstep, everyone at the Healing Ranch, including Cole, starts to think…could they be his? Why else would someone leave them there? Cole knows there must be another explanation. Unless…

The only woman that Cole's been that close to is Stacy Rowe -- the one he cared for deeply, and deeply regrets losing. But Stacy hasn't been in Forever in…forever. Eight months, to be exact. And while the math adds up, nothing else does! She would never abandon two little babies that way -- she's said as much. But she does seem awfully keen to help him care for them. And the closer their odd little family grows, the more Cole has to wonder…

Very good book. It opens with Cole feeling restless, that his life doesn't really have direction. He helps his brother, Connor, on the family ranch, and two or three days a week he also helps out at the Healing Ranch, a place for at-risk teens. It's not that he's unhappy, it's just that he not sure where he's headed. Then, on his way out of the bunkhouse, he nearly trips over a basket with two babies in it. There's no note and no indication of why they were left there. He is pretty sure they aren't his unless his old girlfriend had kept something from him. Stacy and Cole had been as close as could be, until she up and left town without a word eight months earlier.

Stacy has just returned to Forever, after accompanying her aunt on a months-long tour of Europe. When her aunt suddenly died, Stacy was left to bring her ashes back to Forever and settle Kate's estate. The last thing she wants is to see Cole again after the way he broke her heart. But when he needs help caring for the two babies, she can't say no.

I loved Cole. He's an all-around nice guy. He has a terrific sense of responsibility, as shown by the way he immediately steps up to take care of the twins. He has a fun sense of humor and is considerate of those around him. I loved the way that he bonded so quickly with the twins.

I loved Stacy, too, though it took me a chapter or two to really warm up to her. I ached for her loneliness after losing her only relative and how she wanted to leave Forever and her memories there as soon as she could. She is stubborn and feisty, but she also has a keen sense of responsibility and a kind heart. Though reluctant at first, she agrees to help Cole take care of the babies.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Stacy and Cole. Both of them were still hurting from the end of their relationship, which came about because of a lack of communication between them. Each blames the other for the breakup, making both of them reluctant to risk their hearts again. Cole also isn't entirely sure that the babies don't belong to Stacy. As they work together to take care of the twins, it quickly becomes apparent that their feelings for each other haven't died. It takes several weeks, but eventually they open up enough with each other to straighten out their past and realize that both of them made mistakes. I loved what brought them together at the end, just in time for the surprise revelation of the mother's identity.

The secondary characters were all terrific too. I loved Connor's easy acceptance of Stacy's return and her presence on the ranch. It was also sweet to see him help with the babies. Rita, the housekeeper, was a fun mix of soft and stern. I especially enjoyed the way she took care of Stacy and kept Cole and Connor in line. But my favorite Forever character is still Miss Joan. I love the way she seems to know what people need, even before they do. I loved her part in the epilogue.

A Baby for Christmas - Marie Ferrarella (HWR #1669 - Dec 2017)

Series: Forever Texas (Book 18)

He’s fighting for them

When Amy Donavan married the town playboy and left Forever, Texas, Connor McCullough wished her well -- no matter how much it hurt. He got past it, but never really over it. Now the one that got away is back and needs his help…in more ways than one!

Recently divorced and fleeing her abusive ex-husband, Amy needs a safe place to hide and someone she can trust. And she’s not alone. Her fussy six-month-old son needs sanctuary, too…and Connor is determined to protect them both. It’s not his family, but it’s the family -- and the woman -- he’s always wanted. So when Amy’s jealous ex tracks her down, hell-bent on reclaiming his “property,” Connor’s ready to fight this time…

Very good second chance story. Connor is the last of the unmarried McCulloughs. He has watched his brothers and sister find love and start their own families. He's happy for them, but sometimes the loneliness gets to him. It's one of those evenings until a knock on the door brings a blast from his past. On the other side is Amy, the girl that he loved and lost, desperately in need of his help.

Amy had left town five years earlier, eloping with the town playboy. But the marriage didn't turn out the way she hoped, leaving her vulnerable to Clay's abuse. With nowhere else to go, Amy heads for Forever and the man who had been her best friend, hoping to find sanctuary for herself and her son.

I loved Connor. He could have told Amy that she was on her own, but he is not that kind of guy. His protective instincts kick in as soon as he sees her at the door, looking exhausted and scared. He's also quite the baby whisperer, as he soothes little Jamie at the same time he looks after Amy.

I liked Amy, too. She owned up to her mistake of marrying Clay in the first place. I liked that she got out when she realized how toxic the relationship would be for the baby. She does have some self-esteem issues, thanks to her treatment by Clay.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Connor was honest with himself from the start. He was still in love with Amy and he was going to do his best to make sure that he didn't lose her a second time. I liked how sensitive he was to her nervousness about going into town, and that he eased her into it after she'd been at the ranch for a while. Amy realizes pretty quickly that she'd been an idiot not to see Connor as more than a friend before she'd taken up with Clay. Now her feelings for him are growing stronger, but she doesn't want to risk messing up their friendship by asking for more. At the same time, Connor tries to be patient because he doesn't want to take advantage of Amy while she's vulnerable.  I loved how the two of them, plus little Jamie, quickly felt like a real family. I was on edge as the book went on, waiting for Clay to show up and make trouble. I enjoyed the confrontation at the end, especially seeing Amy stand up to him with the support of a good part of the town. I loved the ending and seeing all the McCulloughs happy at last.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Connor's brothers and sisters were all there for him as he made Amy and Jamie part of his life. I especially enjoyed the teasing he got from his brothers as they watched him fall for both Amy and Jamie. I also loved the housekeeper, Rita. She was such a pushover for the baby while at the same time being a force to be reckoned with in keeping Connor in line. I liked the way she pushed him and Amy together. As always, Miss Joan was one of my favorites. I loved the way that she pulled Amy right back into being part of the town.