Blackthorne's Bride - Joan Johnston (Dell - July 2017)

Series: Mail Order Brides (Book 4)
            Bitter Creek (Book 15)

Two years have passed since Josie Wentworth was bought from the Sioux for a gold watch and whisked back to England by Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne. When Marcus breaks his promise to return Josie to America, she ends up as a maid in the home of his charming but neglected nephews. Once Josie’s long-lost family finds her, however, the suddenly wealthy heiress sets out to save the two boys from their indifferent uncle -- and teach the duke a lesson in honor.

Learning that Marcus is seeking a rich American bride to save his estate, Josie plots to catch his eye -- certain he’ll never recognize the beauty she’s become as the ragged captive he rescued. But Josie doesn’t wager on her marital charade taking a tender turn, as the nobleman she’s despised for years proves to be a very different man than she’s imagined. And there’s no denying his passionate caresses, as she falls deeper under the spell of a husband determined to claim her heart.

Good conclusion to the Mail Order Brides series. In the earlier books, the four sisters had all taken steps to escape the horror of their lives in a Chicago orphanage after their parents' deaths. Josie was captured by renegade Sioux warriors, and in the prologue of this book is whipped by one of her captors because she resisted. Marcus, Duke of Blackthorne, and his friend David, Earl of Seaton, happen upon the scene. Horrified by what he sees, Marcus buys Josie from the Indian, determined to save her. Unwilling to leave her behind to recover, Marcus takes her with him back to England, nursing her himself during the journey. As he is to be married to David's sister on his return home, he charges his friend with making certain that Josie is returned to her family in America once she is healed.

Two years later, Josie is practically a prisoner at one of the Duke's estates, working as a maid and caring for the Duke's two orphaned nephews. She is furious at the Duke, both for his broken promise to her and for his neglect of his nephews. She has written to him numerous times with no response and her anger at him continues to grow. Her life takes a sudden and drastic change when she is visited by a Pinkerton detective. She is stunned when he informs her that her sisters have been searching for her for two years and that she has inherited a significant amount of money. She decides to use that money to bribe Marcus to allow her to take his nephews back to America with her. That decision undergoes a change when she discovers that he is looking for a rich American to marry to save his estates. I loved Josie's spirit and determination to protect the two little boys she has come to love.

Marcus's life since his return has not been an easy one. His father died, leaving the estate in debt. His brother also died, leaving Marcus to care for his two nephews. His beloved wife also died, along with their son, after an illness she had hidden from him. Though he doesn't want to marry again, he needs an heir and the wherewithal to restore his estates. Throughout it all, he has never forgotten the girl he rescued and has often wondered how she is and why she has never contacted him. Marcus irritated me at the beginning with the way he had neglected to follow up on his promise to Josie. He also seemed far too willing to depend on other people's word instead of checking things out himself.

I enjoyed the meeting between Josie and Marcus. He doesn't recognize her as the woman he rescued, and he never knew her name. Josie is determined to dislike Marcus, based on his broken promise and neglect of his nephews. Neither expects the buzz of attraction between them. It was fun to see Marcus begin to regret the bargain that he had made, promising that he would not seek out the physical side of their marriage past their wedding night. Josie keeps the secret of her identity as she still plans to leave him as soon as she can. But as they spend their honeymoon preparing to restore his main estate, they begin to get to know each other. There are some terrific scenes as Josie's American outlook butts up against Marcus's British reserve. Josie discovers that Marcus is not the unfeeling man she thought he was. Marcus is stunned when he discovers the truth about Josie. The attraction between them continues to grow as do their feelings, though neither is ready to admit it.

As Josie fights with herself over her best course of action, family crises create complications. One of Marcus's sisters disappears, and Marcus and Josie embark on a search for her. Josie receives word that one of her sisters is fighting for her life. Josie and Marcus become separated, and he discovers the truth behind what happened to Josie. I wasn't surprised by who was behind it, though the reasoning was somewhat incredible. Josie's fear for her sister causes her to act precipitously and by the time she realizes that she may have made a mistake it's too late to change course. I liked their big moment at the end as they finally admit to their feelings. I loved the epilogue as the family is reunited.

I enjoyed the occasional update on the other sisters as they waited to hear that Josie has been found and is on her way home. I also liked Marcus's sisters and their immediate acceptance of Josie into the family. There is a good secondary storyline involving one of those sisters that shows Marcus's love and protectiveness for his family, even though he sometimes has a hard time showing it.

Their Little Princess - Susan Mallery (SSE #1298 - Jan 2000)

Series: Prescription: Marriage (Book 5)
            Close to Home (Book 20)

MOMMY, M.D....?

After a devastating heartbreak, Dr. Kelly Hall had given up all hope of family and happiness. Then single father Tanner Malone breached her lonely existence with a magnetic virility that was hard to resist. His charming smiles and come-hither glances drew her like a moth to a flame, and watching Tanner cradle his infant daughter had her yearning for what she'd been missing from her life. But Kelly could never let down her defenses, especially since she harbored a secret that she'd risk all to hide. Nonetheless, she wished that Tanner's little princess was THEIR little princess, and that she could call father and daughter her own....

Very good story of love, forgiveness, and letting go. Tanner is a confirmed bachelor, happy with fleeting relationships, until one of those women ended up pregnant. Though he initially agreed to give the baby up for adoption, by the time the baby was born he had changed his mind. Even though he knows nothing about babies, he's determined to keep his daughter.

I loved the encounter between Tanner and Kelly. As the doctor who delivered the baby, she knows about the adoption, so she is surprised when Tanner shows up at the hospital. Her low opinion of him undergoes a quick transformation as she sees his sincerity about raising his daughter. I loved watching him fumble around, trying to find the words to explain how he felt. His panic was pretty amusing as Kelly started to tell him what he needed to do, and his relief was clear when she offered to help.

I loved the development of the relationship between Tanner and Kelly. They quickly became friends, bonding over the care of little Lia. I liked the way that each of them grew comfortable enough to share the shadows in their lives. I ached for Tanner and his fears that he isn't capable of the commitment needed to be a good father.  I liked the way that Kelly's support and confidence in him lessened those fears. Tanner's concern for Lia and what to tell her about her mother hits Kelly hard. She is still dealing with the guilty feelings of giving up her own daughter when she was a teenager. I loved how Tanner tried to show Kelly that she wasn't the selfish monster that she thinks she is. While all of this is going on, there is a growing attraction between Tanner and Kelly. Neither expects it, and they aren't quite sure what to do about it until it becomes impossible to resist. Their feelings for each other grew, but both of them had issues holding them back. In spite of his success, Tanner has some deep-seated esteem issues, causing him to believe that as a builder he isn't good enough for Kelly the doctor. Kelly believes that she doesn't really deserve to be happy and has been hiding from living life fully. It takes some heart-to-heart advice from those they love to open their eyes. I loved the advice that Tanner got from his brother, but what really got to me was the talk that Kelly had with her dad. I loved seeing Kelly go after what she wanted and Tanner's surprise when it was him. I loved the epilogue and seeing the family a few years down the line. There was a nice little surprise along with it.

There were quite a few emotional and heartwarming scenes throughout the book, as well as some that were laugh out loud funny. Tanner's introduction to his daughter was one that reminded me of when my daughter was born and her daddy held her for the first time. Kelly's devotion to her patients was incredible. She brought me to tears with the one emergency situation with the teenager and the talk they had afterward. I also laughed at the scenes where Tanner first dealt with the diaper and the baby shower was a riot. He was especially sweet and funny when he talked about buying Christmas presents for Lia.

Published as Baby, It's Christmas in November 2017

Curious Minds - Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton (Bantam - Aug 2016)

Series: Knight and Moon (Book 1)

Emerson Knight is introverted, eccentric, and has little to no sense of social etiquette. Good thing he’s also brilliant, rich, and (some people might say) handsome, or he’d probably be homeless. Riley Moon has just graduated from Harvard Business and Harvard Law. Her aggressive Texas spitfire attitude has helped her land her dream job as a junior analyst with mega-bank Blane-Grunwald. At least Riley Moon thought it was her dream job, until she is given her first assignment: babysitting Emerson Knight.

What starts off as an inquiry about missing bank funds in the Knight account leads to inquiries about a missing man, missing gold, and a life-and-death race across the country. Through the streets of Washington, D.C., and down into the underground vault of the Federal Reserve in New York City, an evil plan is exposed. A plan so sinister that only a megalomaniac could think it up, and only the unlikely duo of the irrepressibly charming Emerson Knight and the tenacious Riley Moon can stop it.

Very fun book to read, with classic Evanovich humor and hijinks. Riley is an ambitious young woman who isn't too happy when her dream job at a big bank turns into a job babysitting one of its biggest customers. Emerson is rich and eccentric, as well as brilliant and handsome. He is also somewhat clueless when it comes to dealing with people.

The first encounter between Riley and Emerson sets the tone for the book. All she wants to do is let him know his money is safe after some banking glitches. She doesn't quite know what to do when he insists on accompanying her back to the bank so that he can "see his own gold." At that point, the discovery that his usual bank contact has been missing for a month and is accused of embezzling from the company gives Emerson the brilliant idea that he and Riley should investigate Gunter's disappearance. Her boss tells her to keep an eye on Emerson and report back.

I thoroughly enjoyed Emerson's antics. The man is scary smart but doesn't have a cautious bone in his body. He comes up with wild plans that Riley tries, unsuccessfully, to talk him out of. Strangely enough, they nearly always work out, usually thanks to Emerson's refusal to believe that they won't. Riley is often left scrambling to keep up with Emerson, though she does have some shining moments of her own.

There is also some chemistry buzzing around Emerson and Riley. The first thing that she notices about him is how good looking he is. This frequently causes some distraction on her part. Emerson's lack of social skills become more evident in these situations as he blurts out occasional comments that could be offensive if Riley chose to take them that way. Nothing really comes of it, but the potential is there for the future.

The suspense of the story is pretty good. Emerson's missing gold leads them to uncover a plot that would wreak havoc on the world's finances. There are multiple twists and turns as our duo discovers fake gold bars, evades a sadistic NSA agent, is chased across the country to Area 51, and escapes death before saving the day. The bad guys' plot occasionally seems over the top, but parts of it are scarily realistic, especially the megalomaniac tendencies of the bad guys.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. Emerson's Aunt Myra was a trip with the way she treated Emerson. She certainly has her hands full dealing with him and his menagerie. She's no simple housekeeper though, as she proves several times throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the story of her encounter with some of the goons. Her son Vern comes across as a good ole boy, but he too is more than he appears. I liked the little bit we saw of Riley's family, and how close and supportive they are of each other. I hope to see more of them in the next book.

No One But You - Brenda Novak (Mira - June 2017)

Series: Silver Springs (Book 2)

Struggling to make ends meet after a messy divorce, Sadie Harris is at the end of her tether. Her waitressing gig isn't enough to pay the bills let alone secure primary custody of her son, Jayden, a battle she refuses to lose. Desperate, she accepts a position assisting Dawson Reed -- the same Dawson Reed who recently stood trial for the murder of his adoptive parents. Joining him at his isolated farm seems risky, but Sadie is out of options.

Dawson has given small town Silver Springs plenty of reasons to be wary, but he's innocent of the charges against him. He wants to leave his painful past behind and fix up the family farm so he can finally bring his dependent sister home where she belongs.

As Sadie and Dawson's professional relationship grows into something undeniably personal, Sadie realizes there's more to Dawson than the bad boy everyone else sees -- he has a good heart, one that might even be worth fighting for.

Very good book about two people who are trying to put their lives back together. Sadie is in the midst of a difficult divorce from her controlling and abusive husband. Her job as a waitress isn't enough to make ends meet and desperation has her accepting a job working for Dawson. Dawson has spent a year in prison as he stood trial for the murder of his parents. He's been acquitted, but the people of Silver Springs still believe that he is guilty. He is trying to get the farm and house fixed up so that he can bring his disabled sister back home. Sadie is the only one who has agreed to work for him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Sadie and Dawson. Sadie is understandably nervous about her job. The justice system says that Dawson is innocent, but it's difficult not to be influenced by the constant negativity of the people around her. I loved that Dawson is patient and understanding of her fears. It doesn't take long for Sadie's heart to convince her that Dawson is innocent. They quickly move from employer/employee to friends, and then more. I ached for Sadie, whose soon-to-be-ex doesn't want to let her go and does everything he can to sabotage her efforts at independence. I loved the way that Dawson stood behind her and gave her the support she needed to fight back. I also hurt for Dawson, who had never truly had a chance to mourn the loss of his parents. He buries his pain in his determination to bring the farm back to life and bring his sister home. I loved Sadie's faith in him and how she stands up for him against his detractors. I especially loved the scene with Sadie and the social worker who came to investigate for Dawson's sister's release. Neither Sadie nor Dawson had started out wanting or expecting any kind of relationship. Sadie is reluctant to trust her judgment after what she has been through with Sly and now believes that love is just a fairytale. Dawson is just too busy with fixing the farm to have time, plus he believes that his trashed reputation will prevent any woman from wanting him. I loved watching them grow closer as they spent time together. It was especially sweet to see Dawson with Sadie's son, Jayden. It was clear that Dawson would be a terrific father. I liked that they didn't fight their growing attraction too hard. Giving in opened their hearts to the possibility of a future for them. I liked the epilogue and how it brought Dawson and the town back together.

The book had two suspense storylines - Dawson's search for his parents' true murderer, and the problems that Sadie was having with Sly. I liked Dawson's determination to prove his innocence and his persistence in pursuing each lead that he got. It really seemed like finding a needle in a haystack until one particular connection was discovered. The problems with Sly were much more intense. He is an abusive, controlling man, who enjoys the power trip of being a police officer. From the beginning, he uses intimidation to prevent Sadie from getting the jobs that would enable her to earn more money. When that doesn't work on Dawson, he steps up his attempts to drive Sadie back to him. His actions escalate, becoming more and more dangerous to both Sadie and Dawson. It was frustrating to see the way that he had the support of his fellow officers, who not only refused to see what he was doing but also participated in some of the intimidation. I loved the support that Dawson gave Sadie and seeing the steps she went through to solve the problem. The final confrontation was intense with a surprise twist to its resolution.

Amish Christmas Abduction - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #649 - Dec 2017)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 3)

KIDNAPPED IN AMISH COUNTRY

After catching a glimpse of something she wasn’t supposed to see days before Christmas, Irene Martello is run off the road and barely survives. More shocking is the backseat whimper of an Amish toddler stowaway and the familiar sight of their rescuer -- the man who’d let her down years earlier. Police chief Paul Kennedy fears Irene stumbled onto a kidnapping ring with two dangerous agendas: retrieving the girl and silencing the witness for good. Only Paul can keep them safe for the holidays. Guarding Irene means risking his heart -- and his secret -- but to save the child and the woman he never stopped loving, it’s a risk he has to take.

Good second chance romance combined with excellent suspense. The action began immediately as Irene accidentally stumbled into a child kidnapping ring. One of the kidnappers, determined to silence her, chases after her, shooting at her car and running her off the road. If not for the timely arrival of police chief Paul Kennedy, Irene would likely have died. Both of them were shocked to discover a little Amish girl in the backseat of Irene's car.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Paul and Irene. There is tension between them from the very beginning. Irene was Paul's high school girlfriend and is also the widow of one of his officers. He still cares for Irene but believes that he isn't good enough for her. He is determined to keep her safe, even as he struggles to keep his feelings in check. Irene is dismayed to realize that she still has feelings for Paul. It is difficult for her to trust him after the way he broke her heart. On top of that, getting involved with another cop, with the risk of loss to herself and her sons, is something she isn't willing to do. As they worked together to find the parents of the little girl, Paul and Irene had the chance to put the past behind them. I ached for Paul, who had continued to love Irene, but believed she could never forgive that which drove him away from her. I loved his protectiveness toward Irene and little Mary. He melted my heart with how sweet he was with Mary as well as Irene's sons. I liked seeing Irene get to know Paul as the man he has become. She still sees some of the boy she loved, and the man he has become appeals to her more every day. But when Paul is injured, Irene's fears come crashing back, and she pushes him away. I ached for her and wanted to shake her, all at the same time. I loved her big moment on Christmas Eve, as she finally put her past behind her and seized her chance at love. I loved seeing Paul go from despair to joy. The epilogue was a beautiful wrap-up.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. From Irene's first encounter with the bearded man to the final confrontation, the menace from the kidnappers leapt off the page. Each attempt on Irene's life increased the intensity until that final encounter. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Paul to find Irene. I also loved the fact that Irene wasn't a passive victim but had a hand in her own rescue. I was also wholly invested in Paul and Irene's search for Mary's parents. Each lead had me holding my breath to see if that would be the one, and oh, the happy tears when they found the right one.

I also enjoyed catching up with characters from previous books. Irene's brother Jace and his wife Melanie were a big part of this story. There were also Dan and Maggie, Jess and Seth, and Miles and Rebecca. I look forward to seeing more of Paul and Irene in future books, as well as getting to know new couples.

The Stranger in Her Bed - Janet Chapman (Pocket - Feb 2007)

Series: Knight Family (Book 2)

When Ethan agreed to work at a sawmill his family is purchasing, he didn't foresee getting fired on his first day. He should be mad at the fiercely outspoken female foreman, but something about her seems disconcertingly familiar -- even though Ethan is sure he'd remember meeting a stunning beauty like Anna Segee before.

Anna has never forgotten Ethan -- or the schoolgirl crush she had on him before her father whisked her off to Canada. Now the shy, gangly girl is grown up and back in Oak Grove with a new name, new confidence, and a newly inherited mill of her own. Her superb reputation in a male-dominated industry hasn't come easy, but even harder will be ignoring the sexy man Ethan has become. . . .

Very good follow-on to The Seduction of His Wife. In this book, the Knight family has decided to purchase Loon Cove Mill from its retiring owner. Ethan is tagged with getting a job at the mill to learn the business while the purchase is negotiated. Unfortunately for him, he makes a really stupid mistake the first morning he is there and gets himself fired by the foreman.

Anna has been the foreman for Loon Cove since her return to Oak Grove a few months earlier. She had lived in Oak Grove with her mother until she was eleven when her father took her to live in Canada with him. She never forgot Ethan and how he rescued her one day. That shy girl has grown into a woman with a great reputation in the industry, the confidence to go with it, and a run-down mill inherited from her maternal grandfather.

I loved that first encounter between Ethan and Anna. Ethan's inattention nearly got him flattened, and if Anna hadn't been as good as she is, he would have been dead. As it was, she wrecked the loader she was driving trying to avoid him and was hopping mad when she got out of the damaged vehicle. All Ethan saw was a mad driver in a hard hat and carrying a tire iron, and decked her before he realized she was a woman. He was horrified at what he had done (both parts), but she was in no mood to listen and fired him immediately. They didn't recognize each other, but Anna quickly learned who he was. A few weeks later, they met again, this time with Ethan being one of the new owners. That encounter was good also, especially when Anna realized that it was Ethan who would be renting one of the cottages on her new property. There are definite sparks between the two of them, as Ethan is instantly attracted to Anna, the spitfire, and Anna is still drawn to her childhood crush. Matters get more complicated when Anna's truck slides off the road on the way home and Ethan saves her. It was an intense scene as he raced to get her out before the truck slid down the ravine. It was followed by the fun of seeing Ethan's determination to take care of her, and Anna's equal determination to take care of herself. I also laughed out loud at Ethan's introduction to those who shared her house.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. The first few days, as Ethan takes care of Anna after her accident, are great fun as they constantly butt heads. Ethan is a bit old-fashioned and isn't used to a woman who is quite so independent. Anna, having spent the last eighteen years with an overprotective father and four equally smothering brothers, is determined to prove herself. As the weeks went on, Anna and Ethan learned to work together, with Ethan gaining a great deal of respect for Anna and her abilities, and Anna separating her girlhood crush from the man he is now. Underneath it all, the chemistry between them continued to build. I loved the heat generated when Anna decides to go after what she wants. The next morning is hilariously complicated by the unexpected arrival of two of Anna's brothers. I enjoyed Ethan's reaction to their treatment of Anna and the insight it gave him to the woman she is. Their feelings for each other grow, but neither is ready to admit to them. When Anna's past comes out, Ethan is there to support her. I loved how he surprised himself by his need to protect her and his realization of just how much he cared. I also liked the way that Anna didn't just go along with his plans but stood up for her own needs. The scene at the end where she went looking for him was an excellent portrayal of the dynamics between them. I loved Anna's description of their relationship to her stepmother: "We are like Oil and Vinegar most of the time. But when you shake us up real good, the combination is heavenly."

There is also a bit of suspense running through the book. Ever since Anna arrived, she has had problems with intruders on her property, as well as persistent attempts by resort developers and the local historical society to buy her property. There's a great scene with Anna going after the intruders and nearly getting Ethan too. I liked the teamwork as Anna and Ethan figured out what the intruders were looking for and why. An intense confrontation at the end brought answers and sadness.

When I first started this series, I was a bit puzzled as to why there were only two books when there were three brothers. That was answered when Paul found his own love during this book. I liked Anna's support of Jane and how she encouraged her to tell Paul the truth and his reaction. The scene when Paul and Jane arrived at Anna's house was great. I loved how Ethan so quickly relieved Jane's fears and welcomed her to the family.

The Seduction of His Wife - Janet Chapman (Pocket - July 2006)

Series: Knight Family (Book 1)

He set out to seduce her for all the wrong reasons -- but found himself falling in love with her for all the right ones.

Alex Knight is dead -- or so everyone thinks. A widowed logger baron with a risk-taking streak, he took on a South American engineering project and was reported dead after a rebel attack. So when he turns up back in Maine very much alive, his grieving family is shocked. But the biggest shock is Alex's, when he discovers he's now married -- to a woman he's never met.

Sarah Banks is ready for a change from running a quiet Bed & Breakfast, and working for the Knight family offers not only a bigger opportunity, but also the family life she yearns for. So she's glad to help secure custody of Alex's orphaned children, whom she's come to love, by marrying their father by proxy before he's legally declared dead. But when Alex returns, the sexy, determined woodsman upends all of Sarah's plans. Because suddenly she's married to a passionate stranger with an easy smile...and tumbling headlong into a fiery dance of seduction.

Another fantastic book by Janet Chapman, full of her trademark humor, heat, and family. Alex has been away in South America working as an engineer. Unfortunately, he was caught in a rebel attack and reported to his family as being killed in the attack. Imagine his surprise when he makes it out of the jungle and home again, to find himself married to a woman he's never met.

Sarah grew up on an isolated island where she ended up running her family's B&B after her parents' deaths. She also married quite young to a bully of a man. After his death and that of her mother-in-law, she was very happy to accept Grady Knight's offer of employment as housekeeper and nanny. Quickly growing to love the family, she was happy to marry the deceased son by proxy to protect the children, gaining the children she's always wanted without the inconvenience of a husband. Alex's surprise resurrection plays havoc with her plans - and her emotions.

The first meeting between Alex and Sarah was funny and a little heartbreaking. Alex's confusion over being confronted by his "wife", and held at bay by gunpoint, had me chuckling, while Sarah's fear at being confronted by a wild-looking and angry man made me ache for her. With the rest of the family away, Alex and Sarah are left to deal with explanations on their own - with the help of some whiskey-laced lemonade and the resulting poor decisions. One romance novel inspired dream results in an alcohol-enhanced passionate encounter, and equally passionate regrets a short time later. Alex makes a first class idiot of himself, shouting wild accusations and kicking Sarah out of the house. I loved his father's reaction when he showed up in the morning and how he made Alex feel like the jerk he was. All Alex has to do is find her and convince her to come back so that they can then figure out what to do. I loved that Sarah didn't make it easy for him,  setting the tone for the development of their relationship.

I liked both Sarah and Alex. Both have been hurt in the past, making each of them reluctant to marry again. Finding themselves married to each other is not what either wants, but they have to let it play out for a little longer. Alex is actually a pretty nice guy, a terrific father, and feels guilty for the way he treated Sarah. He'd really like to change her opinion of him, but he'll have to get her to trust him first. That's going to take a little doing because he has a hard time keeping his hands off her. Sarah doesn't have much in the way of life experience, having been isolated for most of her life. She tends to base her thoughts and actions on the characters in the romance novels she reads, which gets her into trouble when Alex doesn't quite fit that mold. I found it especially amusing that the romance novels that Sarah quotes are other books that Janet Chapman wrote. I laughed out loud at this: "He's not even real," Sarah ground out "He's the figment of some demented woman's imagination."

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of Alex and Sarah's relationship. Both of them get a great deal of enjoyment out of pushing each other's buttons, creating sparks of all kinds. Sarah is determined to resist the attraction she feels for Alex, fearing the loss of her hard-won independence if she gives in to him. Alex quickly realizes that he doesn't want to lose her, and tries to seduce her into staying. I also liked how quickly Alex came to understand Sarah and what made her tick. She was an intriguing mix of naïve and worldly. I ached a bit for her cynicism over the way men treat her and her wish for a romance hero of her own. From driving lessons to ice fishing, so many of their encounters had me laughing out loud because they didn't go the way they expected. But there were also some really sweet times, such as the way that Alex cared for Sarah when she was injured and Sarah insisting that they accept her help when it's needed. An unexpected complication gives them extra motivation to work things out, but even that isn't enough for Sarah if Alex can't convince her that he really cares. I loved the ending, as both of them finally take the risk of confessing their feelings.

There is also a bit of suspense running through the book. Strangers in the woods and vandalized equipment have everyone on edge. I loved Alex's protectiveness toward Sarah when she runs afoul of those strangers. But it is Sarah who saves the day in an intense, though somewhat amusing, rescue mission to keep Alex from walking into a trap.

The secondary characters are terrific, too. Alex's kids, Tucker and Delaney are adorable. Tucker is the little boy who is thrilled to have Sarah as his new mom. Delaney is Alex's eleven-year-old daughter who is smarter and more observant than he realizes. I loved some of the things she said, and the way she helped take care of Sarah. Alex's father, Grady, is something of a schemer. He has multiple plans goings, most of which he keeps to himself until he's ready to spring them on the family. From the sports camp to the mill, he has his reasons. I also liked Alex's brothers, Ethan and Paul. There is plenty of teasing, but the love and support are also evident. There's a bit of a teaser for the next book, with a contentious encounter between Ethan and the mill foreman (forewoman?).