Cold Case Colton - Addison Fox (HRS #1948 - June 2017)

Series: Coltons of Shadow Creek (Book 4)
            Coltons (Book 65)

The most shocking Colton family secret yet is revealed!

Claudia Colton has always felt different from her siblings. But the fashion designer doesn't expect a PI with knowledge of her family to show up in her tiny Texas hometown. The tall, blond stranger on her doorstep announces Claudia might not be the daughter of criminal mastermind Livia Colton…but then who is she?

Widower Hawk Huntley, hot on the trail of a cold kidnapping case, is stopped dead in his tracks by Claudia. He vows to protect her in any way possible -- heart, body, and soul -- as they track down the truth of her identity. But will Claudia's hidden past -- and a gun-wielding stalker -- change everything for Colton?

Good book. Claudia has returned to Shadow Creek after living in New York and pursuing her fashion design dreams. Now she has her own boutique in town, where she also tries to live down her relationship to her criminal mother. Though she hasn't told her family, she was also escaping a relationship that had turned abusive. She was surprised to receive a visit from a private investigator with the news that she might not be Livia Colton's daughter after all.

I liked both Claudia and Hawk. Claudia is beautiful, intelligent, and talented. In previous books, her love for her family is clear and that continues in this one. She is also protective of them and doesn't want her troubles to intrude on their lives. I ached for her too, because although she had the love of her siblings, she never felt like she really fit in with them.

Hawk is a man driven by the events of his past. He feels guilty about the death of his wife, haunted by the idea that he had failed to protect her. Because her murderer was never found, he has devoted himself to working cold cases, hoping to bring closure that he never had to families of other victims. He has also closed himself off emotionally, unable to deal with the pain of his loss.

The relationship between Claudia and Hawk was a fast one. From the moment Hawk appeared in her shop, the chemistry between them was hot. But more than just attraction, there was also a deeper connection that was evident from the start. I loved how Claudia could see past Hawk's public persona to the hurting and vulnerable man beneath. I really liked the way that she embraced what was happening and was honest about her feelings to Hawk. She wasn't going to let him hide behind his past and let something special slip away. I ached for Hawk, who had closed down and pushed people away for so long that allowing himself feel again was a painful process. I loved seeing him let Claudia in and start to heal. The conversation between them about not forgetting his wife was sweet and heartwrenching.

The suspense of the story was also good. There were several things going on. First, as with all the books in the series, is the missing Livia Colton and the concern over where she is and what she is doing. Second is Claudia's fear that her ex is going to show up and make trouble for her. Third is whether the news that Hawk brought is true. Fourth is whoever is behind the troubles that Claudia is experiencing, which may be linked to the others. Each attack on Claudia raised new questions about who it could be. The growing intensity of those attacks increased the fear for Claudia's safety, and the occasional glimpses of the attacker's point of view intensified those fears. My suspicions were all over the place as I tried to decide who it was. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages as I waited to see how it was going to turn out. The identity of the attacker was not one I had thought of, which made the conclusion even more satisfying. The revelation of Claudia's parentage was not a surprise and was handled very well. I especially loved Mac's reaction to it.

I enjoyed the continuing theme of the importance of family. In spite of, or maybe because of, the reality of their mother's crimes, the Colton siblings are very close. I loved the way that they watch over each other and support each other. 

Pregnant by the Colton Cowboy - Lara Lacomb (HRS #1944 - May 2017)

Series: Coltons of Shadow Creek (Book 3)
            Coltons (Book 64)

A cowboy puts his life on the line for the woman expecting his child in The Coltons of Shadow Creek!

Determined to steer clear of the horrors his villainous mother brought on his family, rancher Thorne Colton keeps to himself. That means resisting Maggie Lowell. The last time he succumbed, passion took control. But when an explosion nearly claims her life, Thorne discovers their night together yielded more than sizzling memories.

Pregnant and under Thorne's protection in Shadow Creek, Maggie isn't sure where the bigger threat lies. Out in the open, she's a killer's target. On his ranch, she's in close quarters with the man who's driven to keep her and their child safe, but broke her heart once and might do it again…

Another good entry into this Coltons series. Thorne is the son of Livia Colton, a criminal mastermind who has recently escaped prison. He has spent the last ten years keeping mostly to himself, away from the gossip caused by his mother. He'd rather spend his time with the horses.

I loved Thorne. He is a quiet, gentle man. Raised mostly by his father, Mac, he had a fantastic example of a parent to counteract the misery caused by his mother. Thanks to Mac's example, he also has close relationships with all of his half-brothers and -sisters. He has also had quite the crush on his father's bookkeeper, Maggie. He hasn't done anything about it for two reasons. First, his father would likely frown on him getting involved with someone who works for them. Second, he doesn't want the gossip around him to affect her life.

I loved Maggie, too. She is smart, loving, and kind. Maggie has had a crush on Thorne for several years, but she has hidden it well. She has a few insecurities that keep her from believing that he would be interested in her anyway.

I loved the development of their relationship. After all the time of them harboring their secret crushes, fate steps in and creates a chance for them. When Maggie's car dies at the ranch during a storm, Thorne invites her to his apartment to wait for the tow truck. One thing leads to another, and they spend an amazing night together. But instead of it being the start of something wonderful, Maggie discovers that Thorne is suddenly avoiding her. I liked the fact that she allowed herself a short time to be sad about it, then determined to move on. That might have continued, except that Thorne was nearby when her car exploded. It was obvious at that point that Thorne cared deeply for her. I loved how he stayed with her to the hospital. That meant that he was there when Maggie got the unexpected news that she was pregnant.

Though Maggie is quite ready to brave the trials of being a single mother, she is also very willing to have Thorne be a part of the child's life. His determination to be everything that Livia wasn't just makes her love him more. I loved the way that Thorne's protectiveness kicked in and he took Maggie home with him to take care of her. All that time together gave them a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better. I loved watching Maggie settle in to ranch life and gain deeper insights into what makes Thorne the man that he is. I loved seeing all the sweet things that Thorne did for Maggie to make her stay easier, and how they showed the depth of his feelings for her. I loved how he was able to tell Maggie about his childhood and how it influenced his actions after their night together. Their feelings for each other grew in spite of the danger around them. I loved how they got together at the end, and the epilogue was especially sweet.

The suspense of the story was great. From the moment Maggie's car exploded to the final confrontation, the intensity continued to build. Because of Livia's escape from prison, and the type of person she is, she is the prime suspect in the attacks. My heart was in my throat during the snake scene, and I wasn't sure how Thorne was going to get Maggie out of that situation. There were several instances from the attacker's point of view and I began to suspect who it was. The final confrontation was intense, and I loved Thorne and Knox's teamwork to bring it to a successful end.

The Scotsman Who Saved Me - Hannah Howell (Kensington - Oct 2017)

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen (Book 1)

From New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell comes a brand new series featuring the MacEnroys, a family of seven strong, seductive Scottish brothers who have come to America with nerves of steel -- and who will take no prisoners when it comes to love…

A brutal attack on Emily Stanton’s family has left her for dead . . . until she is found in the woods by a handsome stranger with a thick brogue who vows to protect her. There’s only one problem: As a woman with a noble English background, she has no business keeping company with such a man.

For Scotsman Iain MacEnroy, Emily’s high-tone accent is a bitter reminder of the oppressive regime he left behind. The last thing he needs is to be burdened by the needs of a beautiful, blue-eyed Englishwoman. But taking care of elegant, educated Emily begins to transform Iain in ways he never imagined. Could it be that the deep divisions from the old world no longer apply in the new -- and that Iain and Emily can share a passion as lush and wild as the Scottish highlands themselves?

Good start to the new series. Emily and her nephew narrowly escaped death when her family was attacked, but she was injured. Iain and his brothers came upon the cabin shortly after the attack and, realizing that someone had survived, track them down and take Emily and Neddy home with them. The brothers quickly discover that Emily and Neddy are in danger and are determined to protect them.

I liked both Emily and Iain. Emily is the granddaughter of a duke who gave up her easy life in England to come to America with her sister and brother-in-law when they fled from the person trying to kill them. She is smart, adaptable,  and loving. As more of her story is revealed, we see how quickly she adjusted to a simpler and harder life than that she was used to. I also loved how she had such a clear picture of the danger they were in and what they needed to do to escape it. Her relationship with her little nephew was fantastic and it was easy to see the depth of the bond between them.

Iain is the oldest of the seven brothers. He is old enough to remember the events that led to their leaving Scotland. Watching their laird and his wife kick his family off their land has given him a deep disgust and hatred for those of the gentry. As the oldest in the family, he is the one who took charge after their parents were killed after they reached America. He is stubborn, loyal, and responsible. It took years of hard work, but the brothers have established themselves and have the respect of those around them. Iain also watches out for others and has taken other people under his protection.

There were sparks between Emily and Iain from the beginning, though both try to resist it. Emily doesn't want her problems to put the brothers in danger. Iain mistrusts Emily because of who she is, but can't stay away from her. The relationship between them has a rollercoaster feel to it, as Iain and Emily give in to the sparks, but then Iain pulls away because of who, or what, she is. He does this multiple times, and each time I wanted to shake him. Emily was equally frustrated by his actions. As Emily settled in and made a place for herself there, Iain slowly started to see that not all gentry were like the ones he had known before. It wasn't an easy prejudice for him to give up, and I liked seeing the honesty of his struggle. It was very fun to see him acknowledge his feelings for her and decide that he needed to "woo" her, even though he had no idea what that entailed. His efforts were sweet and rather awkward, and it took a while for Emily to realize what he was doing. There were no major misunderstandings to drive the couple apart, just a few incidents of learning how to communicate better. There was a neat little twist at the end with an unexpected guest at their wedding.

There was a sense of danger throughout the book as Emily, then Iain and his brothers, worked to protect young Neddy from those who mean him harm. We learn early that Neddy is the heir to a dukedom and that a greedy family member is determined to eliminate him. The attacks increase in intensity as the story goes on. I loved the determination that the brothers showed to keep Emily and Neddy safe. It was nice to see that Emily trusted Iain and listened to his instructions, rather than go off on her own and make matters worse. The final confrontation brought it all to a satisfactory end.

 

Somebody's Baby - Donna Alward (St. Martin's - Apr 2017)

Series: Darling VT (Book 3)

Veterinarian Rory Gallagher chose a different path from his brothers, both of whom became first responders in the lovely little town of Darling, Vermont. Rory's always had an affinity for animals and the ladies. Known for his impressive track record in breaking hearts, Rory never meant to hurt anyone; he's just never been in a hurry to settle down. It's not as if he needs to pay a visit to the town's famed Kissing Bridge to magically find love. He'll know The One when he sees her. . . right?

Oaklee Ferguson is the kid sister of Rory's best friend and, even now that she's all grown up, remains immune to the pet-doctor's charms. When she shows up at Rory's clinic late one night devastated after hitting a stray dog with her car Rory's so-called bedroom eyes are the last thing on her mind. Still, his care and kindness toward the dog, and his concern for her feelings, catches Oaklee by surprise. . .and soon the two (and rescued dog makes three ) begin to share a deep connection that neither could have ever imagined. Could it be that love has been waiting for them by the bridge all along?

Good second chances/friends to lovers story. Both Oaklee and Rory are longtime residents of Darling and have known each other for most of their lives. Rory and Oaklee's older brother were best friends, while Oaklee was the tagalong "pest." By the time that Oaklee was in high school, she had quite the crush on Rory. But when Cam noticed Rory noticing Oaklee, he shot Rory down and pulled the "treat her like your own sister" card. Both buried their feelings and moved on. Now both are back in Darling, victims of love gone wrong, and coping in different ways. Rory has become a serial dater, avoiding any hint of commitment by only dating a woman a few times at most. Oaklee simply keeps herself too busy to date at all.

I enjoyed the development of Oaklee and Rory's relationship. They've seen each other around town, but not spent any time together. Rory still thinks of her as Cam's little sister, until the night she comes banging on his door, needing his help because she hit a dog with her car. Suddenly he's noticing how pretty she is, remembering the girl she used to be, and sensing loneliness that he can relate to. After she leaves, he can't get her off his mind. Oaklee is in the same situation. Rory decided that what Oaklee needs is a furry companion and talked Oaklee into taking care of the dog they call Buster until his family is found or they find him a forever home. Oaklee is reluctant, as she has never had a pet and thinks she's too selfish to care for one. I loved Rory's methods, and she soon finds herself with a dog. I loved those first few days as both she and Buster learned what was expected. Rory doesn't just fade away, he stays involved, finding all kinds of reasons to check up on them.

I liked the sparks of attraction that kept pulling them toward each other. But both are also very wary and make it clear that they aren't looking for relationships, though being friends is okay. However, neither one can quite keep things in the friend zone, which creates a great deal of confusion for them. Every time their attraction heats up, one or the other panics and pulls away. I ached for Oaklee, who was slowly learning to trust again but wasn't sure if she could believe that Rory wouldn't let her down. She also knew he was holding back and didn't want to risk her heart on someone who wasn't all in. I loved seeing her reach the point where she was able to completely open up about her past, and how she hoped for the same from him. Rory was a harder nut to crack. He'd suffered a double loss and really resisted the idea of taking another chance. He deals her quite a blow when his fears keep him from trusting her with his whole history. When he realizes what he has done and what his feelings are, he has to come up with a way to fix it. I loved his "go big" moment and how it showed how much he had changed too.

Baby, I'm Yours - Stephanie Bond (HQN - May 2011)

Series: Southern Roads (Book .5)

Emory Maxwell has come home to the small town of Sweetness, Georgia, with one goal in mind . . . to get his childhood sweetheart Shelby Moon to marry him. They've been in love since the second grade, but Shelby's father is determined to keep his daughter in Sweetness, not moving around the country as a soldier's wife. No matter what she chooses, Shelby knows she'll hurt one of the men she loves.

But when a tornado rips through town, will she and Emory lose their chance to be together forever?

This is a short prequel to the Southern Roads series, where a tornado all but wipes the town of Sweetness, Georgia, off the map. The series, Baby, Drive South, Baby, Come Home, and Baby, Don't Go, chronicles the efforts of the Armstrong brothers to rebuild the town they love.

The story opens with Emory on his way home to Sweetness, on a very short leave from the army. He desperately misses his girlfriend Shelby and is determined to ask her to marry him. The biggest obstacle is her father, who is equally determined to keep Shelby safely in Sweetness. And then there's poor Shelby, who loves Emory and wants to marry him, but doesn't want to hurt her father.

I felt bad for Emory, who did everything right. He saved up for a ring, has solid plans for his future, and even went to Shelby's dad to ask for his blessing. But that stubborn old man doesn't want to let go of Shelby. When Emory takes his proposal public, he sort of puts his foot in his mouth, which causes Shelby's pride to kick in and she sends him away. I ached for his pain, as he fled to his boyhood sanctuary of the town water tower.

I ached for Shelby too, as she was caught between a rock and a hard place. She immediately regrets the things she said, but can't go after him right away, because of issues at the grocery store. She also needs to be honest with her father about her wants and needs.

When Emory spots the tornado from his place on the tower, his first thoughts are for Shelby and the town's safety. My heart was in my throat at his dangerous predicament and I held my breath until I was sure he was safe. The intensity of his fears for Shelby leapt off the page. My heart melted as Emory says all the things he didn't say to Shelby when he proposed while he's trying to dig out the ruins of the grocery store. I loved her response, and that of her father. I loved seeing all the townspeople pull together to give them a special wedding day in spite of the devastation.

Colton Family Rescue - Justine Davis (HRS #1916 - Oct 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 10)
            Coltons (Book 59)

A brokenhearted cowboy finds his second chance with a single mom under siege in the newest Coltons of Texas romance!

Being rich and powerful didn't save T. C. Colton from painful betrayal. His beloved Jolie Peters walked out on him for cold, hard cash offered by his controlling mother…or so he believed at the time. Now, with a killer hunting down her young daughter -- a witness to a murder -- Jolie turns to T.C. to keep them safe.

But trusting her again isn't easy for T.C. at first…although their attraction is still hotter than a Texas summer and he's crazy about little Emma. For a short time in a remote cabin hideout, T.C., Jolie and Emma feel like family, until the killer closes in, threatening every dream they're building together…

Good second chance story with some action and suspense thrown in. Jolie and TC had been very close four years earlier until she took the money his parents offered and ran. He still has not forgotten or forgiven Jolie for that betrayal, nor has he seen Jolie since then. Until she and her daughter walk into his office asking for help.

Jolie had loved TC with all her heart, but she couldn't stand up to the threats made against herself and her daughter. After leaving the Colton ranch, she has made a new life for herself and Emma. Then Emma witnesses a murder and the killer comes after her, leaving Jolie nowhere to turn for help except TC.

The initial meeting between TC and Jolie is pretty rough. He's still bitter over her departure and not inclined to be very helpful. His walls against being hurt again are built pretty high.  Jolie is still hurt that he let them go so easily and never even came after her for an explanation. I liked Jolie's fierce mama bear persona as she let him know exactly what drove her away. Her explanation set him back a bit because it differed quite a bit from his mother's version. He's still wary though, and ready to refuse his help, when he comes face to face with little Emma. He had loved the little girl, and much of his pain was wrapped up in how much he missed her too. He can't bring himself to refuse anything that will keep her safe. TC whisks them away to his "refuge," a cabin on a distant part of the ranch where he's sure they will be safe.

It was interesting to see the rekindling of TC and Jolie's relationship. Both of them are wary at first, with too many memories and too much hurt between them to be easy with each other. Both are determined to make the best of things for Emma. There are some really sweet scenes between TC and Emma as she wiggles her way back into his heart, and opening the door for his feelings for Jolie. The chemistry between them is still as strong as it had been before, and when they are together that way, everything else fades into the background. However, the memories of what happened before are never far from their minds, making both of them a little oversensitive and prone to take remarks the wrong way. With TC realizing that his feelings for Jolie never went away, it's pretty clear that a confrontation with his mother isn't far off. I loved that face-off when it happened, especially seeing TC and Jolie stand up to her together. It will be interesting to see if those results hold. The confrontation also made TC and Jolie realize that they belonged together. The icing on the cake was their return to the main ranch house, where they were met by the rest of the family. I loved the support they received from the "good" Coltons - Reid, Zane, Piper, and Alanna. The best part was seeing Fowler and Jolie go head to head and Fowler being the one to back down.

The suspense of the story had two parts. The main one being the murder that Emma witnessed and keeping her safe. Most of that occurred at the beginning and end of the book, with the first attack and then laying low while they tried to find the murderer. Things got very intense at the end when Emma was grabbed again. My heart was in my throat as TC and his horse Flash went up against a murderer in a car. There was a surprising twist to the resolution that I hadn't seen coming at all.

The second part was the continuing question of what had happened to Eldridge Colton. Once again, Fowler has a theory and doesn't hesitate to take it to the police. His victim of choice this time is Jolie, whom he accuses of killing Eldridge because she wants more money. I liked TC's belief in her innocence on that point and his help in clearing her name. It was amusing to see his reaction to where she was and who she was with the night in question. It was satisfying for them both to be able to thwart Fowler's intent. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop him from setting his sights on someone else, which is the lead into the next book.

High-Stakes Colton - Karen Anders (HRS #1912 - Sept 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 9)
            Coltons (Book 58)

What's a cowboy to do when he falls for the woman he's investigating? Find out in the latest Coltons of Texas romance!

Soul-scarred Texas Ranger Jake McCord is no stranger to hardship and heartache. Assigned to solve a kidnapping case, Jake enters Colton Valley Ranch as a horse whisperer…and watcher. His primary suspect? The victim's daughter, Alanna Colton.

Alluring Alanna is the picture of competence and compassion as she trains horses and helps troubled teens work the ranch. Jake is immediately drawn to her, and their mutual attraction only intensifies as he struggles to keep a clear head on the case. But his troubles are just beginning, as others on the ranch arouse suspicion and threaten all Jake and Alanna hold dear.

The search for the missing Eldridge Colton goes on. Jake McCord is a Texas Ranger who has been sent undercover to the Colton ranch as a horse whisperer. His assignment is to keep an eye on Alanna Colton, daughter of the missing man and possible suspect.

Alanna runs the horse training section of the ranch and has started a program to help troubled teens. She butts heads constantly with her older brother Fowler, who has purchased a horse that Alanna believes is dangerous. She is skeptical of anyone who claims to be a "horse whisperer" and isn't happy that Fowler has hired Jake.

There are sparks between Jake and Alanna from the moment they met. First up is the fact that Alanna doesn't want Jake there and doesn't believe in what he does. She is bluntly honest and has no trouble telling him so from the beginning. Jake is equally honest when he tells her that she's wrong and that she will soon see it. There are also the sparks of attraction that fly between them. Jake takes advantage of those sparks and lays the cowboy charm on thick, flirting with Alanna. He has no trouble using those sparks to get closer to her. Alanna feels the sparks also, but she has no intention of getting involved with a footloose charmer. She has enough on her plate.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship. I liked the banter between Jake and Alanna as they got to know each other. Though his flirtation had started as part of the job, Jake quickly found it turning real. I liked the way that he paid attention to what was going on around her and saw how she was treated. It was sweet to see how he tried to be there for her, giving her a shoulder to lean on if she wanted to and encouraging her to believe in her dreams. It doesn't take long before he believes in her innocence, though he needs evidence to satisfy his superiors. He also feels increasingly guilty about his deception. Alanna is intelligent and determined to make her programs work. I liked her dedication to her teen program and the compassion and kindness she shows them. She is wary of Jake, but can't deny the attraction she feels to him. She is also surprised at how easy it is to open up about her dreams and frustrations when she talks to him. The heat between them is intense, and when they are together their problems fade into the background. I ached for them both when the truth came out. Alanna felt betrayed and used. Jake believed that what they had together had been destroyed by his deception. I loved Alanna's big moment at the end as she went after what she wanted most. Her surprise for Jake was awesome.

The suspense of the story was very good. Jake has his work cut out for him as he watches the various members of the Colton family, especially Alanna. His suspicions are aroused when someone accuses Alanna of having threatened her father, and he has to weigh the evidence against his personal feelings. After witnessing several confrontations among assorted Coltons, Jake realizes that most of them have the motivation and capability of being involved in Eldridge's disappearance. One character, in particular, seems especially motivated to deflect suspicion onto Alanna, which rings my alarm bells. But nothing is resolved, leaving everyone still wondering what happened to Eldridge.

There is a second issue giving Jake fits. There is a ranch hand there who Jake believes was involved in the death of his partner. Though told to focus on his assignment, Jake still keeps an eye on this man. Problems with him escalate as he involves Alanna's teens in whatever is going on. The final confrontation was intense, and I was glued to the pages until it was all resolved.

There are some deeply emotional parts to the book also. Jake is dealing with the death of his younger brother and his partner, which have had him tied up in knots for months, to the point where it affected his work. He is drowning in guilt over both. I ached for him as he finally confronted those issues and put them to rest. His conversation with his father was especially emotional for both of them. Alanna has tried burying her pain in her work with the horses. It is difficult when she is constantly undercut by her obnoxiously controlling brother. I liked how Jake helped her face the things that were holding her back, giving her the strength to go after what she wanted. I ached for her the day that she thought she saw her father in a crowd and chased after him.