Stay with Me - Jules Bennett (Zebra - Apr 2018)

Series: Return to Haven (Book 1)

Small-town Haven, Georgia, is home to generations of families, plenty of Southern charm, and an airport that’s seen better days. But as three friends are about to discover, love gives everything wings...

At eighteen, Olivia Daniels left Haven behind and never looked back. Doggedly climbing the corporate ladder, she’s finally nearing the top when her father dies -- leaving her part-owner of the run-down airport that was his first love. It’s a complication Olivia intends to wrap up quickly -- buying out her co-owner and selling the land. Good thing her childhood best friends are with her for moral support. Because one look at her new partner is proof that her tidy plan has hit turbulence...

Jackson Morgan practically grew up in Haven’s airport, and no one could have been a better mentor than Olivia’s dad. Flight is in Jackson’s blood, but his roots are firmly planted, and there’s no way he’s giving up the airport -- not even for sassy, headstrong Olivia, his childhood crush. Coming to an agreement won’t be easy, especially when the attraction between them soars to new heights every day. Love definitely wasn’t on the itinerary, but is it enough to keep them together for a lifetime trip?

Very good book with a nice mix of deep emotion and humor. Olivia has reluctantly returned to Haven after the death of her father. She had left at the age of eighteen, along with her mother, when her parents divorced. She hasn't been back since then. Instead, she's made a good life for herself in Atlanta, and is up for the promotion she's been working her butt off for. Now she's discovered that she is half-owner of her father's airport - what she sees as the cause of all her family's heartache. She plans to buy out her partner, then sell the land as quickly as she can - "Get in. Get out. Get the job done." Olivia soon discovers that it isn't going to be that simple.

The last time Jax saw Olivia, he was a thirteen-year-old boy spending every free minute at the airport. Her dad was like a second father to him, and responsible for Jax's love of flying. After leaving Haven for the Air Force, he came home when he became the sole parent of his daughter, Piper. He has no intention of giving up his share of the airport. It isn't just his livelihood; it's part of who he is.

The sparks flew between Olivia and Jax from the moment she appeared at the airport. I have to admit that Olivia did not make a good first impression on me. Her condescending attitude toward the town and Jax grated on my nerves, and I hated her attitude that all it would take was to offer Jax enough money. I loved seeing Jax stand up to her cynical attitude and refuse to even consider her offers. And, yes, I got a teeny bit of satisfaction out of his stunt with the greasy handprint. But underneath the antagonism is an attraction that neither one can deny - though Olivia certainly tries to.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jax and Olivia. Both of them have issues that keep them from wanting a relationship. Olivia has no intention of staying in Haven. She has a job in Atlanta she wants to get back to, and memories from Haven that are painful. Jax has been burned by a woman before, and opening up to that kind of hurt again is not what he wants. But they are bound together by the airport and have to find a way to make it work. Their chances to do so improve when Olivia's friends, Jade and Melanie, come up with an idea to improve and expand the airport, giving Jax a more secure future and Olivia the ability to go back to Atlanta and forget about it. However, first Olivia has to pin Jax down long enough to convince him of the feasibility. As they were forced to spend more time together, the attraction between them continued to build. I also enjoyed seeing the way that they were constantly being nudged together by Olivia's friends and Jax's daughter. I loved how they gave in to the passion, even though they knew that Olivia still planned to leave. She was willing to give Jax a chance, and he was determined to remind her that there were just as many good memories for her in Haven, if she would let herself remember them. With 20/20 hindsight, Olivia realizes that there were things about her parents' relationship that she had been unaware of, and that now have her reassessing what she believes about her relationship with her father. This is reinforced by a few things that Jax lets drop. As Olivia's time in Haven comes closer to its end, both she and Jax realize that their feelings are stronger than they want to admit, but neither one is willing to risk rejection by talking about them. I was so frustrated with them both at the end because they allowed their fears to push them apart. I also ached for them because they were hurting so much, both for themselves and because they knew the other was hurting, too. The ending was very emotional, as Olivia's friends found a way to force them to face each other. I loved that Jax, even though he wanted Olivia to stay, supported her need for her career. I ached for him and how much it hurt to see her leaving, and cheered when he finally opened up about his feelings. I ached for Olivia, too, because she was so conflicted over what to do. She had worked so hard for her promotion, but she also didn't want to leave. I loved how her feelings burst out of her, how she confessed her fears and admitted her love.

The secondary characters were great. I loved Olivia's friends Jade and Melanie. Both of them had come to Haven with Olivia, to support her as she dealt with her father's estate. Each also has her reasons for wanting to leave Atlanta for a while, though we don't get too much of their backstories yet. As they are the stars of the next books, I'm sure we'll get them then. I loved the way that they teased Olivia about Jax but were also there for her when she needed them. They also had no trouble telling her when she was being an idiot. It was neat to see that they were the ones who came up with the plan for the airport and that they were just as invested in making it work. I laughed out loud at some of their conversations with Olivia, especially when it came to Jax. It was also easy to see that both Jade and Melanie were striking sparks with Jax's cousins, Cash and Tanner. I loved the close relationship that Jax had with both Cash and Tanner. They had been there for him through all his marriage troubles and really stepped up when Jax took on being a single parent to Piper. They teased Jax a lot about what was going on with Olivia, but they also had no trouble showing him that he couldn't deny his feelings for her. I also enjoyed their interactions with Jade and Melanie, especially what was going on between Tanner and Melanie. I laughed at the whole ticket issue.

My favorite secondary character was Jax's daughter, Piper. I'm not sure that I bought that she was only four years old, but overall she was a great character. I loved the close relationship she had with Jax. The love they had for each other was obvious. It was sweet to see some of the things he did with/for her - I laughed out loud at the reason he didn't take his boots off around his cousins. I loved how quickly she connected with Olivia, and the effect she had on Olivia and her views of her future. It was especially sweet to see the parallels that Olivia saw between her relationship with her father and Piper's relationship with Jax. The birthday party scene with Piper, Olivia, Jade, and Mel was sweet and fun.

My only disappointment was a lack of attention to what happened between Olivia and her father. There were a few nuggets of information, such as the few things that Jax told her. Olivia also began to see that maybe she hadn't had the full picture of the relationship between her parents. A fairly big deal was made about Olivia finding her dad's journal, but we got practically no information about what was in it. A few excerpts would have been a nice touch. I did like the way that being back in Haven helped Olivia remember the good times with her dad.

Highland Wolf - Hannah Howell (Kensington - Nov 2018/Zebra - Jan 2008)

Series: Highland - Murray (Book 16)

Annora MacKay senses a disturbing evil in Dunncraig Keep, the estate acquired by her cousin, a cruel and ruthless man. Only her affection for the tiny girl he claims is his daughter stops her from fleeing. Then a mysterious woodcarver arrives at the castle, and she cannot stop thinking--or longing--for him...

James Drummond, once a laird now an outcast, wants what was stolen from him--his good name, his lands, and his child. His disguise for getting into Dunncraig is step one of his plan, but the enticing raven-haired woman who cares for his daughter is an unwelcome surprise. For he has come seeking justice, not love...

I read this book when it first came out in 2008 and loved it, so I was very happy to win a review copy from NetGalley so that I could reread it. This is the story of James Drummond, the adopted son of Eric and Bethia Murray (Highland Promise), all grown up and with troubles of his own. He was the laird of Dunncraig Keep until he was betrayed by his wife's cousin. Accused of murdering his wife and declared an outlaw, James fled for his life, hiding out for three years. Now he's had enough and is determined to clear his name and regain his home, his lands, and his daughter. He disguises himself as a one-eyed woodcarver to gain access to the keep, where he meets Annora.

Annora MacKay is the poor-relation cousin of Donnell MacKay, the man who stole Dunncraig Keep. She was brought to Dunncraig to care for Meggie, the little girl that Donnell says is his daughter. Her cousin is ruthless and vicious, and Annora does what she can to protect Meggie from him, frequently suffering abuse because of it. The longer she is there, the more suspicious she becomes of just how Donnell acquired the property. These suspicions are reinforced by her ability to sense the feelings of others, and she feels the evil that surrounds Donnell. She soon senses a new emotion in the keep - rage - and it is centered on the woodcarver who has taken up residence there.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between James and Annora. There was no denying the sparks that flew between them from the moment they met, though both tried to ignore them at first. James doesn't want the distraction from his goal of finding proof of his innocence, plus pursuing the attraction could make him vulnerable to discovery. Annora is closely watched by her cousin and his second-in-command, Egan. Egan wants Annora for his own and would kill any man who touched what he considered his "property." But James and Annora can't stay away from each other, especially after James saves her from Egan's advances. James grows to trust Annora, and when she stumbles onto him out of his disguise, he takes her into his confidence. The more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings for each other become, but there are big obstacles to their being together. The biggest, of course, is James's being an outlaw. Another is Annora's conviction that she is not good enough for James, with him being a laird and her being a landless, bastard-born orphan. I loved how James's Murray upbringing made it easy for him to recognize that Annora is his other half, the mate that was destined to be his. They are also responsible for his easy acceptance of her "gift," something that she did not expect at all. I did get a little frustrated at Annora's refusal to believe that James would want her for more than a brief fling.

The storyline of James's search for proof of his innocence was well done, with plenty of tension, twists and turns, and action. Donnell was a villain who was very easy to hate, with his cruelty, selfishness, and deceit. I liked how James and Annora teamed up, with Annora's "gift" and knowledge of both Donnell and James's late wife, Mary, providing new and startling insight into what had gone on. I loved the arrival of Sir Simon Innes and James's brother Tormand, and their intent to assist James. Sir Simon's presence is especially significant. When the danger to Annora becomes too high, James attempts to get her and Meggie to safety, but their escape is thwarted. I was on the edge of my seat from there to the end, as both their lives were in extreme danger. I ached for Annora and everything she went through. I was incredibly impressed with her determination and strength of will in spite of her pain and loved what she was able to do. James's situation was even more dire, and I was glued to the pages during that final confrontation. The resolution was extremely satisfying and brilliantly executed.

The only thing left was for James to win his fair lady. Annora was determined to avoid him and leave as soon as she could. She couldn't bear to see him marry another, and was certain he would marry for wealth and position. James's frustration was obvious, and his brother's teasing made me laugh out loud. James's big moment at the end was sweet and romantic, and definitely worthy of being a Murray. The epilogue was great, with Tormand once again providing both support and torment in James's hour of need.

The secondary characters were terrific, with the best ones being Big Marta and little Meggie. As the longtime cook at Dunncraig, it wasn't surprising that she quickly saw through James's disguise. I loved her support of both James and Annora. Meggie was quite the little piece of work. She was very observant for a five-year-old, but the life she'd lived for the past three years had made her so. I loved her instant connection with James, even without connecting him to her vague memories of her real father. I loved her relationship with Annora, and the obvious love they had for each other. I liked that she wasn't perfect - there were a few instances of more typical childish behavior, but she was never mean or purposely naughty.

Hope at Christmas - Nancy Naigle (Griffin - Oct 2017)

Sydney Ragsdale is looking for a fresh start far away from her controlling ex-husband and the self-doubt that has plagued her since the divorce. Returning to her childhood home in Hopewell, North Carolina is just what her soul needs. Praying some Christmas magic will follow her she moves with her daughter to a farmhouse that once belonged to her grandparents. While there Sydney finds solace working at The Book Bea, her favorite bookstore.

Single dad Kevin MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local high school history teacher and baseball coach. He is also the town's best kept secret―he has been playing Santa since his son was born twelve years ago. Mac loves the enchantment of the season and wants his son to share in his joy.

When a catastrophe forces The Book Bea to close before the end of the year, everyone in the small town is feeling the loss. While Sydney is already off-balance by the bad news, her ex-husband breaks a promise to their daughter that sends her running away and threatens the relationship that she has begun with Mac.

As Sydney and Mac try to figure out what their next steps are together they will soon discover that there’s always hope at Christmas.

I really enjoyed this sweet, heartwarming Christmas story. Sydney and her daughter Rayanne have come to Hopewell for a fresh start. The house her grandparents left to her is the only thing that was completely hers, and the happy memories of her visits to Hopewell made the decision a fairly simple one for her. It isn't so easy for Rayanne, who misses her father, her friends, and the life she had before. Sydney has a new job waiting for her after the start of the new year, and in the meantime is relearning her way around town. One of the first places she stops is the local bookstore, The Book Bea, which had been one of her favorite places as a child. I loved seeing Sydney reconnect with Miss Bea, the store owner, and she soon found herself with a part-time job helping Bea with the store.

I really liked Sydney. She is strong, resilient, and has a big heart. The divorce had come as a total surprise to her. She had been unaware of her husband's infidelity and was stunned to find out that it was common knowledge among their friends. It wasn't until she was away from him that she realized how controlling, selfish, and demeaning he had been. Staying in Atlanta left both her and Rayanne vulnerable to his manipulative ways, so she took the best option she had. The problems she had with Rayanne's attitude were realistic for the circumstances, as were Rayanne's complaints. I loved the sense of peace that Sydney had the moment she walked into the bookstore. It was easy to see that she and Bea were kindred spirits, and that connection played a huge part in turning Sydney's life around. Bea's eternal optimism about love and romance frequently exasperated Sydney since she had no intention of letting another man into her life. That is until she met Mac.

Mac is the high school history teacher and baseball coach, and also a single parent. His wife had deserted him and their son ten years earlier, leaving Mac to raise Seth on his own. I liked the one scene of Mac in his classroom which showed his love for what he does and his enjoyment of his students. Mac also has a closely held secret - he is the town's Santa Claus. I loved seeing how happy Mac was when he played Santa. His ability to connect with each child was amazing. I loved his close relationship with Seth. It was obvious how much they loved each other. The only conflict between them was because of Seth's dislike of Christmas, thanks to his mom's abandonment of them on Christmas Eve. Mac is happy with his life as it is and has successfully avoided the town's matchmakers.

I loved the development of the relationship between Mac and Sydney. Their first meeting at the bookstore produced a few sparks, igniting an unexpected interest in each other. This freaks Sydney out a bit, so she tries to squash the sparks. Mac is a little bit more open to the idea, but he knows how Sydney feels having been through it himself. I liked his suggestion that they just be two parents who are friends as he shows her the ins and outs of Hopewell. I liked the growth of that friendship and seeing them enjoy themselves with their kids. It quickly becomes clear that Mac's feelings are more than friendly, but he's also careful not to push too hard or too fast. I especially enjoyed seeing him help Sydney open up to the joys of small-town life. Stronger feelings creep up on Sydney, and she panics a bit over whether she can trust those feelings. In the midst of all of this are some issues that crop up with Sydney's ex and their daughter. An especially bad confrontation results in nearly tragic consequences for Rayanne. I loved Mac's understanding when Sydney blamed him, and his support of her when she needed it most. Their big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.

I really liked both Rayanne and Seth, though it took a little bit for Rayanne to grow on me. She was so whiny and rude at the beginning that I just wanted to shake her. But it didn't take long for the magic of Hopewell to make a difference. She turned out to be a sweet and thoughtful girl, though not perfect by any means. I loved how quickly she became friends with Seth, and it was fun to see how much alike they were. She is also as clever and creative as her mom. She came up with some terrific ideas for the bookstore, and her enthusiasm was adorable. I also liked her close relationship with her mother, where when she'd been a pill she owned up to it and apologized. Seth was a terrific boy and I could see so much of Mac in him. He's thoughtful and kind, as shown by his sympathy for Hayley and his desire to help Rayanne. I loved the scene where he snuck out to see Santa, not knowing that Mac is Santa. I ached for him and his fear for Rayanne and was totally impressed with his presence of mind during that terrifying event.

I think that even more than Mac and Sydney, my favorite character was Bea. She immediately senses that Sydney is searching for something and knows just what to do. I adored all of her little nudges to get Sydney and Mac together. She seemed to have the perfect nugget of wisdom or experience for any occasion. I loved her little stories of life with her husband and how she used them to open Sydney's eyes to the possibilities. I also enjoyed the way that she got Sydney so deeply involved in the bookstore, and her obvious enjoyment of all of Sydney's ideas. I could see what it all was building toward, so I was not at all surprised by what happened at the end.

The villain of the story was Sydney's ex. I detested him from the very beginning, with his choice to tell Sydney about wanting a divorce on Valentine's Day of all things. Hearing about all his put-downs of Sydney made me mad. His use of expensive gifts and trips to try to manipulate Rayanne was awful. Even worse was the way he kept bailing out on his commitments to her. I was a little disappointed that it took Sydney so long to let him have it, but she came through at the end. I think he deserved everything he got.

Gunfire on the Ranch - Delores Fossen (HI #1755 - Jan 2018)

Series: Blue River Ranch (Book 2)

Ten years ago, he was a suspect in her parents’ murder. Now he’s back to protect the family he never knew he had.

DEA agent Theo Canton may have been the town bad boy but murder was never his MO. Too bad his girlfriend at the time didn’t see it that way. Now Ivy Beckett isn’t just the girl who broke his heart -- she’s the target of a killer. Theo vows to keep the blue-eyed beauty safe, even as he meets the son she never told him about. But will it be enough to catch the perp and give their family a second chance?

This book started with a bang and kept up the tension all the way to the end. Ivy has returned to Blue River for her brother Gabriel's wedding (Always a Lawman). She hasn't been back to the ranch in ten years, ever since her parents were murdered by her boyfriend's father. Obviously, that put an end to their relationship. Theo also hasn't been back to Blue River since then. He left town and went into law enforcement, becoming a DEA agent. He's come back to warn Ivy that someone is planning to kill her that night.

The scene at the ranch was intense as the shooter showed up practically on Theo's heels. There was barely enough time to fill in Ivy and Gabriel about the threat that had brought him there. There was added tension because of the history between Theo and Ivy, and the unexpected and unwelcome punch of attraction that both of them felt. Theo then got the shock of his life when he met Ivy's son - and it was like looking in a mirror.

I had some issues with Ivy at this point. Yes, she hadn't been able been able to find Theo to tell him. But she hadn't told anybody. She hadn't even told her own brothers that she had a child, or asked them (both are law enforcement) to try to find Theo after her husband died. Then she makes the ridiculous comment to Theo that she doesn't expect anything from him. At least she finally realized that she would have to deal with having Theo back in her life.

I liked Theo. He'd been a bit of a bad boy as a teen, which put him at odds with Ivy's sheriff father. But murder would never have occurred to him, so being suspected of it was a blow, especially when Ivy didn't stand up for him. But in spite of their turbulent past, Theo was determined to protect Ivy from the danger. I also thought he handled the news of his fatherhood pretty well. He was understandably angry, but he also knew that the fault wasn't entirely hers. I liked his determination to be part of Nathan's life.

The rekindling of the relationship between Theo and Ivy happened very quickly. There was no doubt about the attraction that still burned between them, but there were obstacles that needed to be overcome. First was the fact of the murders of her parents by his father. That's not an easy thing to get over. There are some trust issues that also need to be handled, but they do a pretty good job of actually talking to each other about their problems. The biggest obstacle is trying to find out who wants Ivy dead and why. I liked Theo's protectiveness toward Ivy, and his happiness at the being a father. I was a little disappointed in Ivy's tendency to fall apart so easily. I would have liked to see a bit more steel in her spine. The attraction between them was strong, but I was a bit surprised to see them giving in to it when they did - it was not a good time for that kind of distraction. I liked their big moment at the end, with a good solution for their future.

The suspense of the story is complicated and convoluted. My biggest question at the beginning was why was some San Antonio CI contacting a DEA agent (Theo's partner, Wesley) about the hit out on Ivy? This was complicated by the fact that Theo is investigating Wesley because of something that happened during Theo's last case. Something isn't sitting right with Theo, but how could that have anything to do with Ivy? Another possible suspect is Ivy's adult stepdaughter. Lacey is furious with Ivy because Ivy and Nathan inherited the bulk of the family estate, and Lacey believes that she was the only one who should have gotten anything. There are several things that make her a likely suspect, but are they real or is she being set up? Then there is Theo's uncle August. He has been insisting that Theo's dad is not guilty of the murders and that the Becketts railroaded the case through the courts. He has plenty of motivation to cause harm to the Beckett family. The constant and escalating attacks on Ivy and Theo had me glued to the pages as I waited to see what would happen. Ivy's determination to draw out the attacker drove both Theo and Gabriel crazy as they just wanted to keep her safe. The final confrontation was intense as it seemed that every precaution that they had taken was overcome by the bad guy. I wasn't too surprised at who the bad guy turned out to be, but there was an unexpected twist to the details. The overarching story of Theo's dad's guilt is still going on, and I'm looking forward to finding out the truth.

Will's True Wish - Grace Burrowes (Sourcebooks Casablanca - Feb 2016)

Series: True Gentlemen (Book 3)

It's a dog's life...

Will Dorning, as an earl's spare, has accepted the thankless duty of managing his rambunctious younger siblings, though Will's only true companions are the dogs he's treasured since boyhood. When aristocratic London is plagued with a series of dognappings, Will's brothers are convinced that he's the only person who can save the stolen canines from an awful fate.

But the lady's choice...

Shy, bookish Lady Susannah Haddonfield has no patience with loud, smelly beasts of any species, but must appear to like dogs so as not to offend her sister's only marital prospect. Susannah turns to Will, an acquaintance from her most awkward adolescent years, to teach her how to impersonate a dog fancier. Will has long admired Susannah, though he lacks the means to offer for her, and yet as they work together to rescue the purloined pets, it's loyal, dashing Will who steals Susannah's heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though it dragged a little bit in a few places, the rest more than made up for it. Will and Susannah have a little bit of a history before the start of this book. Seven years earlier, Susannah was in her first Season and the victim of a pair of particularly nasty fellow debutantes. Will, being the truly nice guy that he is, stepped in to give Susannah a bit of confidence. They parted ways not long after, but Susannah never forgot Will's kindness.

Fast forward to the present, and Susannah is back in London, this time as a chaperone for her younger sister, Della. Susannah would rather spend her time reading her beloved Shakespeare than spend time in Society, but she is determined to help Della land a husband. Then she can go back to her books and be content as the maiden aunt. Unfortunately, her sister's one beau is a self-avowed dog lover, and Susannah most definitely is not. So she went to Will to ask him to teach her how to look like a dog lover.

Will is the second son of the cash-strapped Dorning family. He has taken on the responsibility of watching out for his younger brothers, a headache of major proportions. His preferred activity is the training and breeding of dogs, and he prefers their company to that of humans. He has also never forgotten Susannah, and over the years has found himself watching her from a safe distance.

I really liked both Will and Susannah. Will is a nice guy. He is honorable, kind, and loves his family, even though they frequently exasperate him. I loved watching him with the various dogs, his patience and understanding of their varied temperaments were obvious. He was equally patient with the various owners, who were much harder to train. Susannah is strong and determined. She no longer worries too much about what people say about her. She's comfortable with her old maid status. She also loves her family and is determined to do her best to make Della's season a successful one. I did get a little frustrated with her focus on shoving Della and Effington together, especially since it is so clear that he isn't a good man.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Susannah. There are sparks between them from the beginning, as well as an undeniable connection. Will tried very hard to resist the attraction, making it very clear to Susannah that he is in no position to make an offer for her. While Susannah would like to have forever, she will try to be content with having him for as long as she can. I enjoyed their interactions, especially when Susannah put her mind to distracting Will from his honorable position. I did get a little frustrated with Will at times because he was so convinced of his unsuitability when he actually had a lot going for him. I also thoroughly enjoyed her "dog lover" sessions and the clear evidence that she wasn't as "anti-dog" as she thought she was. I liked the way that Will brought Susannah out of her shell and the time spent with Susannah helps Will let go of some of his control issues with his brothers. I loved the ending and seeing Will realize that a future with Susannah is possible after all. His discussion with his brother-in-law, Worth, about his finances and his plans was pretty funny, but quintessentially Will. His big moment with Susannah was sweet, with an additional twist for him.

The secondary story with Susannah's sister, Della, and her suitor was interesting. Susannah's determination to get Della married off quickly seemed a little extreme to me, and a bit selfish. It was especially annoying as more of Effington's personality was revealed. I had a great deal of fun watching Will's brother, Ash, stir that pot whenever he could. It was no surprise to see him show such protectiveness toward Della the more time he spent with her. I thought Della was a little naïve about her relationship with Effington, especially once her true feelings and intentions were revealed. I thought that Effington was creepy from the beginning and those feelings grew stronger as the book went on.

The mystery of the missing dogs was a good addition to the story. I was a little disappointed in Will's reluctance to get involved at first, though his reasons were logical. His brothers, Cam and Ash, had no such qualms and I loved watching the two of them and their attempts. Even Susannah got into the act of trying to convince Will to take action. The final confrontation was fantastic, with an intensity that kept me on the edge of my seat until it was over. I loved seeing how it all came together, with Susannah playing a significant part. I laughed out loud at her actions once the dognapper was captured.

Out of all the secondary characters, my favorites were the dogs. I loved Will's Georgette and her obvious affection for both him and Susannah. Each of the other dogs had their own personalities and unique relationships with their owners. I loved watching the various interactions between owners and pups, and between owners and Will as he tried to train the owners along with the dogs.

A Night of Secret Surrender - Sophia James (HHS #476 - May 2018)

Series: Gentlemen of Honor (Book 1)

He was her first love…

Now she’ll risk all to save him.

Celeste Fournier once gave her innocence to the man she loved. Years later, that same man, Major Summerley Shayborne, is in Paris, and in danger! Celeste’s world has changed beyond recognition, but she knows she must help Shay flee. Yet their scorching reunion makes her wish she could reclaim something of herself -- to be the girl she was, the girl that Shay deserves.

Good story about two people reunited by war, deeply changed by their experiences. Celeste and Shay had known each other as teenagers in England, where they had one night together before she left for France with her father. Years later, Shay is one of Wellington's best spies, currently working in Paris. The book opens with Shay receiving a warning from a young Frenchwoman, letting him know that he is in immediate danger of being captured. There is something familiar about her, but she disappears before he figures it out. Celeste is a French informant, working for the same organization that wants Shay. Warning him that he is in danger puts a target on her own back, but she would never forgive herself if something happened to him.

The action is intense from beginning to end. With Napoleon's departure in his attempt to take Moscow, the rest of France is in turmoil as various factions fight for control. Shay and Celeste are in constant danger of discovery as they try to make their way to safety. Rather than fancy houses, balls, and parties, this book shows the darker side of Paris and the war. Both Shay and Celeste have been affected by the things they have seen and done. In the past six years, Celeste has lived through unimaginable things, making her quite cynical. She is blunt in words and actions, but there are also hints that there is more to her than meets the eye. Shay is also rather cynical, having seen what people are capable of. He is wary of trusting Celeste at first. But trusted or not, he can't leave her behind. Neither one expected the passion that flared between them in the midst of all the danger, and the feelings between them grew just as fast. The intensity of their escape bid kept me turning the pages as they made their way out of Paris and across the French countryside. Constantly changing disguises barely kept them ahead of their pursuers. I ached for them both as Shay tried to convince Celeste to return to England with him, and she was just as insistent that it wasn't possible. My heart broke for Celeste as I saw what she did to ensure Shay's safety.

I wasn't sure how Celeste and Shay were going to manage their happy ending with the way things were looking at that point. I feared for Celeste's life as she fulfilled the promise that she had made. The story fast forwarded for more than a year, and neither Shay nor Celeste knew if the other had made it to safety. Celeste's next appearance comes as she follows through on something that Shay had told her in France. I felt her worry as she took her chances that he had been right. She receives a much more unpleasant surprise when she hears that part of her past has followed her and she knows that she must warn Shay. I loved that reunion and the depth of emotion it brought out. The final confrontation with the bad guy went as expected, followed by some unexpectedly light moments that were an excellent antidote to the darkness. I loved the revelation of the rest of Celeste's secrets and seeing her and Shay finally get their chance at a future together. The epilogue was excellent and left me wanting a story for Lian. 

To Love a Duchess - Karen Ranney (Avon - Aug 2018)

Series: All for Love (Book 1)

Undercover as a majordomo, spy Adam Drummond has infiltrated Marsley House with one purpose only -- to plunder its mysteries and gather proof that the late Duke of Marsley was an unforgivable traitor to his country. At the same time, Adam is drawn to a more beguiling puzzle: the young and still-grieving duchess -- a beauty with impenetrable secrets of her own. For Drummond, uncovering them without exposing his masquerade will require the most challenging and tender moves of his career.

That a servant can arouse such passion in her is too shocking for Suzanne Whitcomb, Duchess of Marsley, to consider. Yet nothing quickens her pulse like Drummond’s touch. It’s been two years since the duke lost his life in a tragic accident -- and even longer since she’s been treated like a woman. But when Drummond’s real mission is revealed, and the truth behind Suzanne’s grief comes to light, every secret conspired to tear them apart is nothing compared to the love that can hold them together.

Good book with a different kind of romantic pairing. In this case, we have a commoner hero and titled heroine. Suzanne is the Duchess of Marsley. Her husband had died two years earlier, and since then she has just been going through the motions of daily life. When her father orders her to act as hostess for him, she does it, no questions asked. When her maid gives her a "tonic," she takes it. She goes through her days feeling detached from everything around her. Then an encounter with her majordomo shakes her out of her apathy.

Adam is a former soldier who now works for the War Department's Silent Service. His current assignment is to go undercover to Marsley House as the majordomo. This gives him the opportunity to search the house for evidence that the late duke was a traitor to his country. Everything was going smoothly, if slowly, until the duchess returned to London from her country home. He doesn't expect to be intrigued by and protective of the lovely widow.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Adam and Suzanne. It began with a bang, as Adam stopped her from what he thought was a suicide attempt. There were sparks of attraction from the start. Those sparks lit the fire in Suzanne that helped her break out of the daze she had been in. Both Adam and Suzanne are intrigued by the other and find it impossible to stay away. I loved Adam's protectiveness and how he took care of her when she was hurting. His sympathy and understanding when he found out the reason for the depth of her grief was one more thing that helped Suzanne break out of her fog. I loved seeing him support her as she began to take back control of her life. Suzanne was just as intrigued by Adam and found herself taking every chance she could to spend time with him. The feelings between them grew stronger the more time they spent together. I loved the fact that Adam told Suzanne the truth about why he was there and then listened to what she had to say afterward. I ached for him as he walked away at the end, believing that there was no chance for a future with Suzanne. I loved seeing her go after what she wanted, in spite of the obstacles before her. I hope we see more of them in later books.

The mystery of the missing journal and the guilt or innocence of the late duke was very interesting. With Adam's experiences in India and his knowledge of the duke's activities, Adam was convinced of the duke's guilt. This case was personal for him and gave him extra motivation to complete it. There were times when I felt that it blinded Adam to other possibilities. That changed as he got to know Suzanne, and questions were raised in his mind. There were some interesting twists and turns that came out once Adam and Suzanne began to work together to find the truth. The revelations at the end had some unexpected elements as well as confirming a couple of my suspicions.