A Lady Never Surrenders - Sabrina Jeffries (Pocket - Jan 2012)

Series: Hellions of Halstead Hall (Book 5)

THE HELLIONS OF HALSTEAD HALL

Lady Celia Sharpe has always been wary of marriage ... but now her future depends on it.

With two months left to find a husband and fulfill her grandmother's ultimatum, Celia sets her sights on three eligible bachelors. Becoming betrothed to one of these wealthy, high-ranking men will surely prove her capable of getting married, so hopefully the wedding itself won't be necessary for Celia to receive her inheritance. Step Two of her audacious plan is hiring the dark and dangerously compelling Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter to investigate the three men she's chosen.

With Lady Celia bedeviling Jackson's days and nights, the last thing he wants is to help her find a husband. And when she recalls shadowed memories that lead his investigation into her parents' mysterious deaths in a new direction, putting her in danger, Jackson realizes the only man he wants Celia to marry is himself!

Good book and conclusion to the Hellions series. Celia is the last of the unmarried Sharpes, and the deadline to meet her grandmother's ultimatum is rapidly approaching. She doesn't want to get married and is actively working to find a way to get out of it. In the meantime, she has picked three possible suitors. The next step is to make sure that there are no secrets in their backgrounds that would derail her plans, so she hires Jackson Pinter to investigate them. Jackson is the Bow Street Runner who has been investigating her parents' deaths.

I really liked both Celia and Jackson. Celia is the youngest in the family and known best for her shooting ability. She is an expert marksman and takes great delight in showing up the men who show an interest in her. She is also haunted by her parents' deaths and the circumstances behind it, which has affected her outlook on marriage. She also has little confidence in her appeal as a woman, thanks to something that happened when she was younger. She is spirited, smart, and stubborn.

Jackson is a hard-working, honorable man. He has built an excellent reputation and is up for a significant promotion. In spite of this success, he also has some rather deep insecurities, thanks to the circumstances of his birth. He is a bit rough around the edges but can be very kind and sensitive.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Celia and Jackson. In the year that Jackson has been working with/for the Sharpes, the sparks have flown between them, and not always in a good way. Jackson isn't too happy about his attraction to Celia, as he sees no future in it, and reacts by finding ways that will keep her at a distance. All Celia knows is that something about him disturbs her, and she takes great pleasure in ruffling his feathers. By the time that Celia asks Jackson to investigate her suitors, he knows that he is in deep trouble. It was fun to see his jealousy of the other men, though I did ache for him also. I loved seeing her push him just a bit too far and him react by kissing her, starting a chain reaction of events.

The first half of the book was a little slow, but once Celia and Jackson started working together on leads regarding her parents' murders, things started to pick up. Jackson wasn't too happy about Celia's insistence on being involved, but her stubbornness makes it impossible to keep her away. The combination of danger and attraction set the scene for them to throw caution aside, and boy did they. They were quite spectacular together, but there are still obstacles to overcome. I loved how well they shared their insecurities and that they were able to support each other through them. I loved how finding out about Celia's past gave Jackson a deeper insight into what made her the person she is.  There was also an interesting twist to Jackson's life that I didn't see coming, but did a forehead slap and "of course" when it was revealed.

Throughout the series, Celia's grandmother has been a master manipulator intent on getting her grandchildren married. In Celia's case, she has been pushing hard, creating a desperate situation for Celia. Though it is obvious that there is something growing between Celia and Jackson, Hetty allows her past to influence her actions. I hated what she said to both Celia and Jackson, which preyed on both their insecurities. It took a figurative slap upside the head from his aunt for Jackson to begin to see what an idiot he was, as well as a rather enlightening conversation with Celia's brother. I really did love Oliver's comment of "It's about time" and the dumbfounded reaction that Jackson had. I also liked Oliver's not-so-subtle assistance with Jackson's apology. I also liked that Celia didn't give in too quickly, but made Jackson work a bit for her forgiveness. Seeing Jackson stand up for Celia against Hetty and give her what was coming to her was great.

This book also wrapped up the mystery of what had happened to the Sharpes' parents. New pieces of information had been uncovered, which sent Jackson's investigation in a different direction. Celia had also remembered something she witnessed as a child that opened up some more questions but also put her in danger. The final confrontation had some twists and turns that I didn't see coming, but explained a lot once they were revealed.

The epilogue was terrific. I liked seeing Jackson and Celia settled into their life together. I enjoyed seeing Hetty and the General get their own happy ending, with Hetty having learned her lesson. The best part was the final conversation between Jackson and Celia.

It's a Wonderful Fireman - Jennifer Bernard (Avon - Dec 2014)

Series: Bachelor Firemen (Book 6.5)

Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. Although he’s established himself as one of the top firefighters at San Gabriel Station 1, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for someone like gorgeous Lizzie.

Lizzie Breen is used to fighting -- from her alpha male brothers, who try to smother her in the name of safety, to the life-threatening childhood illness she overcame. She knows what she and Mulligan feel for each other is a lot more than a fling, but she can’t get him to see that. The only gift Lizzie wants to give him this season is her love, but he’s not willing to accept it.

When Mulligan is trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe … it is indeed a wonderful life.

Terrific take off on the movie It's a Wonderful Life. Dean Mulligan is the last single man on the A shift at San Gabriel Station 1. He's a bit rough around the edges and has had the reputation of being a bit of a player. He's a bit of a Grinch around Christmas, thanks to too many bad memories associated with the holidays when he was a kid. He's fallen hard for Lizzie, but doesn't believe that he's good enough for her. Lizzie is in love with Dean, but can't get him to see what they could have together. She's almost ready to move on with her life but hates to give up without a fight.

I liked both Dean and Lizzie. Being the youngest, with four older brothers, Lizzie is used to standing up for herself and fighting for what she wants. She knows that Dean has had some bad times in his life - she's seen the scars on his body - but she also sees the good and caring man under the rough exterior. Dean was terrific. He is fantastic at his job and has the respect and liking of his fellow firefighters. However, he had so many people put him down as he was growing up that he feels that he isn't relationship material.

I loved the relationship between Dean and Lizzie. There were sparks between them from the beginning, though Dean tried to ignore them. I loved some of the early scenes between them, from the baseball game where she tried to take him out to the party where she made her move on him. I ached for them both when he pushed her away because of his insecurities.

Things take a scary turn when a fire at a strip mall traps Dean in, of all places, a Christmas store. As he lays there, thinking it's the end for him, he's visited by his own version of Clarence the angel. I loved getting Dean's history and seeing the things that made him the man he is. It was especially great to see how that angel opened his eyes and gave him a new perspective on his life. While all of that was going on inside the store, on the outside Dean's fellow firefighters were working hard to get him out. I loved their support of Lizzie as she waited for news, and the way they got her involved in the rescue attempt. It's a heartwarming scene as both Dean and Lizzie come to terms with their feelings. I loved Dean's big moment - it was sweet and romantic, but also pretty funny. The ending was terrific, especially with Lizzie's Christmas gift to Dean.

I loved seeing all the firefighters from the previous books, even those who have moved on, as they showed up at the fire scene to lend a hand. It shows how tight a bond there is among them, even those that didn't know Dean. I will miss seeing this band of brothers (and sisters) and hope that maybe there will be some guest appearances in later books. I also noted that the scene with Dean and his fellow baseball player created a nice lead into the next series.

Lone Star Father - Marin Thomas (HWR #1695 - June 2018)

Series: Cowboys of Stampede Texas (Book 3)

SUDDENLY A SINGLE DAD

Reid Hardell never imagined he’d become a single dad or that he’d ever return to his family’s ranch in Stampede, Texas. But for his newfound daughter’s sake, Reid is coming home, hoping his estranged brothers can help him master fatherhood. Life in Stampede has an unexpected perk -- reconnecting with gorgeous Scarlett Johnson. Until Reid discovers she’s the new social worker on his custody case.

In working with Reid and his daughter, Scarlett finds a connection she thought was impossible. She wants more than anything to be part of their family, but a relationship could jeopardize their case and her job. How can she turn away from having everything she’s ever wanted -- even if it’s the right thing to do?

Good book. Reid is the last of the Hardell boys to come home to Stampede. He had left at eighteen to join the military and escape from the abuse of his father. He had no intention of coming back, though he had his own way of supporting his family. Everything changed when he discovered that he had a twelve-year-old daughter. Now he hopes that they can help him learn to be a father.

Scarlett followed her cousins to Stampede after a romantic relationship failed and also affected her job. She's found a new job and has unexpectedly discovered that she likes the pace of small-town life after all.

I loved the first meeting between Scarlett and Reid and how it echoed a previous interaction between them. Scarlett had had quite the crush on Reid, in spite of him being one of those "wild Hardell boys" and it seems some of those feelings are still there. Reid was also affected by their encounter and looked forward to seeing more of her, which was highly likely since her cousins are married to his brothers.

The development of their relationship was not an easy one. Reid and Scarlett connected right away, finding each other very easy to talk to. Scarlett also bonded with Reid's daughter, Jessie, and wanted to help him with his relationship with her. But that all comes to a crashing halt when Scarlett is assigned to be Jessie's caseworker. She can do whatever necessary to help Jessie, but a relationship with Reid is now out of the question. Unfortunately, staying away from each other is harder than they expect.

I really liked both Reid and Scarlett. Scarlett loves helping kids of all types with any kind of problem. She's still hurting from what happened with her ex, but she puts that aside to help Reid with Jessie. I loved her patience with his insecurities, and her determination to see them succeed. She also has a terrific relationship with her cousins and her great aunt. I ached so much for Reid. The things that drove him away from home have continued to affect him. He harbors some resentment toward his brothers but also knows that he's made mistakes of his own. I loved his determination to be a good father to Jessie and understood his fear of not being what she needs or wants.

I loved seeing all the characters behave with maturity and respect for each other (okay - except for Emmett and Amelia). There are some misunderstandings and secrets that come out regarding the Hardell family that go a long way toward repairing the relationships among the brothers and with their grandfather. The problems that arise because of Reid and Scarlett's relationship are also dealt with realistically and without too much drama. I especially liked the way that the family pulled together to help both Reid and Scarlett achieve their dreams. The big moment between Reid and Scarlett, with Jessie's help, was very sweet.

Throughout the series, I have thoroughly enjoyed the contentious relationship between Emmett and Amelia. It's been fun to watch the very unusual courtship between the two oldsters. There are a couple of eyebrow-raising scenes that were quite unexpected, but also highly amusing. I loved Amelia's actions at the end and Emmett's reaction.

The Texan Duke - Karen Ranney (Avon - Nov 2017)

Series: Duke Trilogy (Book 3)

As the ward to the late Duke of Lothian, Elsbeth Carew resides at the ancestral estate of Bealadair. Fiercely attached to the manor, she loves it more than anyone else. When Connor McCraight -- the new Duke of Lothian -- arrives, Elsbeth does not quite know what to make of the American who has inherited the title but has never even set foot on Scottish soil. The tall, ruggedly handsome Texan sweeps through Bealadair with an air of authority Elsbeth has never encountered.

Connor has no intention of making Scotland his home and hopes to sell the estate as soon as possible. But his plan is jeopardized when he meets Elsbeth. A sweet, gray-eyed beauty, she tempts him in ways no other woman has. As word spreads of Connor’s intention to sell Bealadair, his life is threatened -- and the only woman who can save him may be the one he has hopelessly lost his heart to.

Good book. It opened with a very unhappy Connor, a born and bred Texan, in Scotland, in the middle of winter. It seems he is the new Duke of Lothian, something he didn't expect and certainly doesn't want. He plans to see the property and then sell it as soon as he can and go back to Texas.

Elsbeth became the ward of the late Duke at the age of eight when her parents died. She shared his love of the history and people of Bealadair and had devoted herself to its care and keeping. She worries about what will happen to them when the new Duke sells.

I liked both Connor and Elsbeth. Connor is a good man. He treats everyone the same, from servant on up. He's definitely out of his element but does the best he can while hanging on to his personal values. It was fun to watch his reactions to some of the differences. I enjoyed his reaction to the Highland cows. Though a bit close-minded at the beginning, some of his attitude changed as Elsbeth showed him around the property. Elsbeth is kind of stuck between two worlds. She has never felt truly part of the family outside of her relationship with the late duke. She gets a great deal of satisfaction out of the work she does for the estate.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Connor and Elsbeth. Connor was fascinated and smitten from the moment he met her. I loved watching him find any opportunity to spend time with her. Elsbeth was a little warier. She was equally fascinated by him, but knowing that he has no intention of staying in Scotland makes her determined not to give in to those feelings. I liked seeing her efforts to show him the beauty of Bealadair and its people. As they spent time together, the feelings and attraction grew. I loved their protectiveness toward each other during and after the shooting, and Connor's respect Elsbeth grew even more. I ached a bit for Elsbeth, who believed that there was no future for her with Connor, even as she gave in to her desire for him. Connor knew what he wanted, but he was a bit of a bonehead and didn't say anything to her about his feelings, wanting to get all his plans in place. This nearly backfired on him as she went about her plans. The ending was good, though not quite the romantic scene that Connor had planned. I would have liked an epilogue showing her reaction to Texas. I will say I wasn't surprised by Connor's solution to the problem of selling the estate, though there was an interesting twist included.

There was also a bit of suspense to the story. Connor's plans to sell don't sit well with everybody. After a couple of so-called "accidents," he and Elsbeth have to admit that someone is trying to kill him, though they don't know why. He's made it clear that the place will be sold no matter what happens to him. There are several possibilities as to who is behind it. It was interesting to see that it was Elsbeth who figured out the who and the motivation. 

Desperately Seeking Fireman - Jennifer Bernard (Avon - Jan 2014)

Series: Bachelor Firemen (Book 4.5)

Fire Captain Jeb Stone and incredibly successful press secretary Nita Moreno have both been burned by love before. That's why neither of them is looking for more than a few steamy nights of passion.

When circumstances find them stranded on an island together, babysitting a cross-dressing senator and the very pregnant wife of San Gabriel's most famous captain, they allow the sparks they feel to take center stage. But as their feelings grow, can they each allow the other past the barriers both have built to protect their hearts?

Good story about new beginnings. Nita and Jeb met at the wedding of Brody and Melissa (The Fireman Who Loved Me). There was a zing of attraction, but Jeb was married and Nita was with someone, so they didn't pursue it. Three years later, Jeb has been divorced for six months (very interesting backstory on his marriage) and his eighteen-year-old daughter is pushing him to get out there and date.

Jeb is simply enjoying life as it now is. We see him driving a rented sports car on a gorgeous day, headed on vacation to nowhere special. Then he gets a phone call from his good friend Brody, asking for a favor. It seems that his wife Melissa has gotten a hot tip for a story on a scandalous senator and has taken off to pursue it. The problem is that she's eight and a half months pregnant and Brody is out of his mind with worry over her. So he begs his buddy Jeb to follow Melissa to Santa Lucia Island and just keep an eye on her. He does not expect to run into Nita on the island.

Nita is the press secretary for the senator, who is hiding out on Santa Lucia. She's talked him into giving an exclusive to the only reporter she trusts - Melissa. However, she didn't know that Melissa was pregnant. Nita's work with the senator has pretty much become her whole life. Her relationship with her ex ended when she got pregnant. She was devastated when she lost the baby and has been fighting feelings of failure ever since. She is surprised to see Jeb get off the ferry with Melissa.

It's obvious from the start that the zing between Jeb and Nita is still there - and now both are free to pursue it. I loved how Jeb made his interest clear from the beginning. Not just to get her into bed, but also to get to know her. He was an amazingly sensitive and observant guy, and I loved how he saw the sadness in her eyes. His ability to get her to open up to him was fantastic and I loved how he was immediately on her side regarding the situation. Nita is a woman who likes to stay busy and there wasn't much for her to do on the island. She got involved with helping the old lady who owns the inn and quickly involved Jeb in helping also. There's a terrific scene involving Jeb, the tea room, and an apron that had me laughing out loud.

Jeb and Nita spend a lot of time together, and the heat between them continues to grow. The intensity freaks Nita out a little bit, as she doesn't have a lot of confidence in herself as a woman. Everything comes to a head on a wild boat ride during a storm when Nita tries to tell Jeb she isn't worth his time. I loved Jeb's reaction, which gave Nita a lot to think about. Nita's "aha" moment was deeply emotional. The ending was fantastic, with a solution that I did see coming, but was perfect nonetheless.

I liked the secondary characters also. Catching up with Brody and Melissa was great. It was sweet to see Brody's overprotectiveness for Melissa during her pregnancy. I loved seeing him as a brand new daddy. Nita's boss, the senator, was a real piece of work. At first, I thought he was just a bit on the clueless side regarding his extracurricular activity, but he turned out to be obnoxiously selfish. I was very happy to see Nita stand up to him. My favorite was young Charlie, the island firefighter, and an all-around good guy. I loved his respect for Jeb as a firefighter and his determination to get Jeb to help out the young crew at the fire station. He was amazing during the effort to get Melissa off the island and to the hospital. 

In the Lawman's Protection - Janie Crouch (HI #1806 - Sept 2018)

Series: Omega Sector: Under Siege (Book 6)
             Omega Sector (Book 16)

An agent will do anything to take down a terrorist.

Even if that means using a woman as his weapon.

To locate a terrorist, Ren McClement must find the criminal’s “dead” wife Natalie. His plan: use the innocent beauty as bait. But when his duplicity leads them into grave danger, Ren reveals his secret to Natalie...and his passion for her. Will furious Natalie be able to forgive his lie? And will they get to the mastermind before he unleashes mass destruction?

Do not start reading this book until you have a chunk of time to devote to it. I read it in one sitting, absolutely unable to put it down. At the end of the previous book (Armed Response) the team learned that Natalie Freihoff, the dead wife and motivation for Freihoff's vendetta against Omega, is actually alive. The head of Omega, Ren McClement, makes it his personal mission to find her and use her to draw out her husband. His only question is whether she is innocent or part of his scheme.

Six years earlier, Natalie had used the confusion surrounding a bank robbery to escape from the terror of an abusive marriage by faking her death. She has been looking over her shoulder ever since, terrified that he will find her.

I loved Natalie and Ren, though it took a while for me to warm up to him. Natalie's inner strength is amazing, as is her determination. As the details of her marriage emerged, the depth of Damien's depravity becomes even more obvious. In spite of all the trauma she has endured, Natalie is still a kind and caring person. Ren bugged me at first. Because of what he has seen and done over the years he is very cynical and is convinced that Natalie is working with Damien. He seems completely unwilling to believe that she is innocent.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Though understandably wary at first, Natalie quickly felt that Ren was a man she could trust. I loved watching her open up and share some of her story with him. It was fun to watch Natalie's effect on Ren. Though his mind tells him she could be guilty, I loved his internal horror as he finds himself telling her things about himself that are true, rather than the carefully crafted cover story he was going to use. By the time they escaped from the train accident, Ren had begun to realize that he had been wrong about her. I loved his growing protectiveness as they got to know each other. There were some really sweet scenes at their cabin hideout as Ren's attentions helped build up Natalie's confidence. But Ren was also fighting the guilt of his deception and knows he has to come clean, though fate and a mountain lion seem to have other plans. I ached for Natalie with the way the truth came out. I loved the ending as Ren showed how well he understood her and gave her what she needed, but also didn't give up on them. The final scene was sweet and romantic and perfect for the two of them.

The suspense was fantastic. The tension has been building through the entire series as Damien tried to destroy Omega and the team worked to stop him. The tension built as Ren tried to decide if Natalie was on the side of good or evil. There are also sections told from the viewpoint of Damien, which added to the worry about Natalie's safety. The action goes from zero to sixty as the team puts their plan into action. I ached for Natalie and her realistic fears and fully believed that she had a much more realistic view of Damien's deviousness than the team did. My heart was in my throat as her fears came true. But in spite of her terror, she was able to do something to help bring him down. The final confrontation was an amazing piece of teamwork. Ren was fantastic with his outwardly calm and focused intent, and I loved his final statement to Damien. It was extremely satisfying to see the team members from the previous books in on the takedown. I ached for Ren and his fear that they wouldn't be able to save Natalie and I was on the edge of my seat until they did.

One of my favorite lines from the entire book, and maybe even the series was about Lillian and her place on the team: "Nobody ever expects the ass-kicking midget dropping out of the ceiling." I will miss the Omega team and can't wait to see what is next.

Armed Response - Janie Crouch (HI #1800 - Aug 2018)

Series: Omega Sector: Under Seige (Book 5)
             Omega Sector (Book 15)

Is the woman he once loved…

The traitor they’re searching for?

Former Special Forces soldier Jace Eakin must find the mole inside Omega who’s leaking intel to a terrorist mastermind. Despite their complicated history and the fact that she is keeping a secret, he can’t believe it’s SWAT team leader Lillian Muir. As they give in to long-denied passion, Jace vows to protect Lillian with his life. But he’s been wrong about her before…

The action and suspense continue in this second chance story. I have been looking forward to Lillian's story since the beginning of the series. I love seeing a strong, capable woman doing a job that earns her the respect and admiration of the men she works with, and there is no doubt that she is a well-loved member of the team. We also saw in the previous book (Major Crimes) that the mole in the Omega team is setting Lillian up to take the fall. He has been successful enough that the head of Omega has called in a friend of his to join the SWAT team and investigate.

Jace and Lillian have a history. They knew each other as kids and teens in the slums of Tulsa where they had done what they must to survive. As soon as Lillian turned eighteen, they were going to make their escape and join the army together. But something happened that sent Jace off on his own, believing that she had betrayed him. As much as that had hurt, he has a hard time believing that Lillian could be the traitor.

I liked both Lillian and Jace. Both had rough starts to their lives and had come out successfully on the other side, though not without a great deal of pain. Throughout the series, we have seen Lillian as a respected member of the team, yet one who has kept a certain amount of distance between herself and others. I was doubly impressed by the way she overcame the physical trauma of her past, though her PTSD from it is never far from the surface. But she is a fighter and refuses to be that vulnerable again. Jace took his anger and bitterness over what he saw as Lillian's betrayal and used it in his career in the army. After a dozen years, he's had enough of the death and destruction and is ready to do something useful with his life. He has purchased a ranch where he will invite veterans to come and heal. But first he will do this favor for Ren and at the same time purge Lillian from his system.

I loved the first meeting between Lillian and Jace. Neither of them backs away or goes easy on the other during their match. I especially enjoyed the growing respect that Jace has as he realizes that he has to work to hold his own against Lily. There is also no doubt that the sparks between them are just as intense as they were in the past. I had a lot of respect for Jace when he turned down her invitation because he didn't feel right about deceiving her. Until he knows for sure that she's innocent, he won't give in to the attraction. Fortunately, proof of her innocence isn't long in coming but opens up a whole new set of problems. I cried for Lillian as she revealed everything that had happened to her, and ached for Jace and his guilt for not seeing the truth. I loved his patience and understanding, as well as his desire to protect her from further harm. I loved the advice he got, that Lillian didn't need someone to protect her physically, but someone to be there for her emotionally. And he truly got it, as he shows here: "I wouldn't fight your monsters. You can do that yourself. But I'll stand with you as you fight them. Every single time."

The suspense of this book was outstanding. The mole has his own agenda to go along with Damien's desire to destroy Omega. His desire to reinvent law enforcement for his own twisted purposes is scary as hell. The team suspects that his plans have something to do with the upcoming law enforcement conference and are intent on making sure that he doesn't succeed. The preparations and conference were a roller coaster of action, including some pretty wild twists. The final confrontation with the mole was intense as they raced against time to stop him. But the action wasn't over yet as Damien still had to be dealt with. That confrontation was even more frightening, as Damien continued his MO of involving others in his dirty work. Though I was certain that Lillian would prevail, the process was both heartbreaking and inspiring. There was some new and interesting information revealed at the end that leads into the next book.