Rescued by the Marine - Julie Miller (HI #1812 - Oct 2018)

A guilt-racked hero vows to succeed

…even if it costs him his life.

Five million dollars for rescuing a kidnapped heiress? To reclusive Jason Hunt, the job's about redemption, not money. But when the troubled former marine finds megarich Samantha Eddington, opposites attract as they escape her captors. Odds are they won't survive the brutal Teton Mountains or the mercenaries after them. And if they do, will Jason's reward be redemption or heartbreak?

Fast-paced suspense coupled with a fast-paced romance. Jason is a former Marine, haunted by his inability to save the woman he loved. Between that and his PTSD, Jason finds it more comfortable to live as far away from people as he can. He has his cabin in the woods and his job with search-and-rescue, which is his way of atoning for what he sees as the mistakes of his past. When he gets the call about rescuing Samantha, it brings back unwelcome memories, but he can't refuse the job.

Samantha is a beautiful woman who is much more comfortable in the lab than at society functions. The story opens as she prepares to be the center of attention when her boyfriend proposes in front of party guests. All of that goes out the window when she finds him in a compromising situation with her younger stepsister. Furious, Samantha takes off, only to be kidnapped on her way out of the hotel.

Sam and Jase are complete opposites, but the sparks flew between them from the moment they met. There was also an unexpected connection, thanks to the tragedies both have experienced. I liked how Sam was able to get Jase to talk about his past, helping to relieve some of the guilt he lives with. The loss of Sam's mother was a significant factor in the way she holds herself back from people and is exacerbated by the betrayal of the man she thought she loved. I enjoyed seeing Sam's quirkiness, intelligence, and compassion work past Jase's walls into his aching heart. At the same time, Sam experienced what it was like to be respected and protected by a man, instead of always being put down. I liked how quickly she came to trust Jase. She also gained the confidence that she lacked before and recognized the truth of her feelings for him. I loved the scene in the hospital, followed by the epilogue that showed the difference love made in their lives.

The suspense of the story was great. It started intense with Sam's kidnapping and maintained that intensity throughout. The immediate questions that came to mind were whether the abduction was related to the kidnapping and murder of Sam's mother, was it strictly ransom-based, or does someone have a grudge against her father? I was on the edge of my seat from the moment Jase appeared next to Sam as they raced to stay ahead of the kidnappers. The imagery was vivid as Jase and Sam fought the mountain as well as the bad guys. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as they were betrayed by someone they thought they could trust. I loved Sam's part in their success and laughed at the part about the cellphone and keys.

 

Kansas City Cop - Julie Miller (HI #1768 - Mar 2018)

Series: Precinct (Book 32)

She cheated death once…But a killer still lurks.

After a gunshot rips streetwise police officer Gina Galvan from the line of duty, all she wants is to return to the front line and stop a shooter. But good guy physical therapist Mike Cutler won't back down from a challenge, or his blazing attraction to Gina. Without a badge or a gun, Mike is ready to face anyone -- including a killer -- to prove he's every inch a hero.

One of the nice things about a long-running series is the chance to see the children from previous books grow up and get stories of their own. In this case, Mike is the son of Michael Cutler, the hero in Takedown. He recovered from his injuries and is now a physical therapist who helps others the way he was helped. He and his best friend Troy have started their own PT business in one of the rougher areas of Kansas City, not far from police headquarters. They are struggling a little bit, but are determined to make a success of it. Mike is charming, generous, and kind-hearted. He will do anything for those he cares about, even when it puts him in danger.

Gina is a cop with the KCPD. She is small but fierce, thanks to having to fight every step of her journey to the career she wants. After the deaths of her parents, she and her siblings were raised by their elderly aunt and uncle. Gina is protective of them all and is their primary financial support. She is determined to find a way to move them out of their dangerous neighborhood, which is why she has applied for a spot in a new SWAT team. Things look promising until she was shot on the job. If she can't regain her abilities, her dream will go up in smoke. After six weeks and going through two therapists, Captain Cutler takes her to Mike.

I loved the development of the relationship between Gina and Mike. The sparks flew between them from the very beginning. Thanks to his past, Mike understands Gina's need to push herself. He also knows that it can be counterproductive, but convincing her isn't going to be easy. I got a little irritated with Gina at the beginning because of the way she judged Mike without knowing his history. I loved his patience with her contrariness and that he wouldn't give up on her. One of my favorite scenes was when he drove her home and was invited to dinner because he was THE Mike Cutler. It tickled him to know that she talked about him to her family. 

Mike was attracted and intrigued by Gina from the start, but she was not interested in a relationship. This was both because of her plans and because of what she saw as their differences. So Mike stuck with being friends at first as they got to know each other. Mike also gets involved when trouble comes to Gina's family. I loved his calm and quiet strength and how he used his connections with KCPD to help them. As Mike and Gina worked together to get to the bottom of that trouble, and to see if it was connected to the shootings of several cops, they grew closer. Mike didn't doubt his feelings for her, but Gina had some blind spots that had to be overcome. I loved it when she finally saw the light and admitted her feelings for him.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. There was a rash of cop shootings, including when Gina and her partner, Derek, were shot during a domestic violence call. Even though she was on medical leave, Gina could not let go of the need to investigate. There was also an attack on her family's house, and Gina's sister's boyfriend added another layer of complications. I loved seeing Gina's determination to get to the truth. The final confrontation was intense, and it was Gina's insight and quick thinking that saved the day. The culprit wasn't too much of a surprise by the end given the things said and done, but could just as easily been another suspect I had my eye on.

I also enjoyed seeing various other members of the KCPD and catching up on their lives. It was especially fun to see Mike at the station where he is well-known by most of the officers. It did make me laugh to see a grown man of twenty-eight being called "Mikey" by other men. I liked the obvious love and respect between Mike and his dad.

 

The Best Man Plan - Jaci Burton (Berkley - July 2020)

Series: Boots and Bouquets (Book 1)

Three days before Erin Bellini's wedding, her fiancé breaks up with her--in an email! Hurt and embarrassed, she decides to have a fling with veterinarian Jason Callum, who's both the best man and the hottest guy she knows. But Jason wants a lot more than just a one-night stand with the woman he's cared about for years. So he's taking things slow. And hot. And showing Erin what real love can look like.

Suddenly Erin finds herself spending a lot more time with Jason than she intended. Feelings she never planned on having again are wrapping around her heart, refusing to let go. Erin isn't sure she can trust her instincts, though. After all, she made a terrible choice with her ex-fiancé. But Jason intends to convince her that he's the best man for her, and that what they have together is a real love that will last forever.

This was a fun friends to lovers story. When I read the prequel novella The Matchmaker's Mistletoe Mission, I got the feeling that things were a little off in Erin and Owen's engagement. As this book opens, the wedding is two days away, Erin is up to her neck in last-minute details, and she gets a break-up email from Owen. Shock doesn't begin to cover her reaction and angry would be an understatement. But she refuses to look pitiful in front of their friends, so she insists on holding the reception anyway.  It's there that she decides the best revenge would be a fling with her best friend, Jason, who was also Owen's best man.

Unfortunately for Erin, Jason is not cooperative. It's not that he doesn't want to sleep with her. He does. But he wants more than that. Jason has been in love with Erin for years but lost out to Owen because he didn't want to risk their friendship. Now he has a second chance, but he wants to be careful about it. Rather than take Erin up on her offer while she is vulnerable, Jason goes the friendship route first.

I loved watching the relationship between Erin and Jason develop. Erin is hot to carry out her revenge right away and isn't too pleased when Jason resists. Instead, Jason finds ways for them to spend time together doing other things until he can be sure she isn't quite so vulnerable. Because they have been friends for so long, they are very comfortable with each other. Jason didn't hold out very long against Erin's advances, just long enough for her to convince him that she knew what she was doing. I ached for Jason because he knew that he was risking heartbreak giving in to her, but he loves her too much not to help her. Erin goes into the whole thing only wanting a short fling, then going back to friends as usual. But the more time they spend together, the more her feelings start to change. This freaks her out, and she does everything she can to resist admitting to those feelings. She also has trouble believing that what she feels is real. After all, she thought she had loved Owen, and look where that ended up.

Lingering in the background is Erin's knowledge that she is going to have to face Owen sooner or later. Something that comes up time and again is that Owen's actions were completely out of character for him. More than one person wonders what was going through his mind. When he came back and contacted Erin, I wasn't terribly surprised at the reasons he gave. He handled it badly, causing more heartache than there would have been if he'd been honest to start with. I was frustrated by Erin's actions afterward because she wasn't thinking of the effect on Jason, who was left wondering where he stood. Her kick in the pants came from an unexpected source. I liked that she saw the error of her ways and took immediate steps to fix it. The ending was sweet.

The Colonels' Texas Promise - Caro Carson (HSE #2674 - Feb 2019)

Series: American Heroes (Book 14)

A marriage pact, sixteen years in the making.

The vow was simple. If they were single by the time they made lieutenant colonel, they'd marry. On the day of her promotion, Juliet Grayson is at Evan Stephens's door to ask him to keep his promise. Juliet only needs a father figure for her son, but Evan hopes to be so much more. Can he convince a woman who's been burned before to get close to the flame once again?

Fantastic friends to lovers story. Evan and Juliet were good friends in college. Both are members of the ROTC and headed off to their first assignments as new second lieutenants. The night before graduation they promised each other that if they were still single as lieutenant colonels they would marry each other. Fast forward sixteen years and Juliet has just been promoted to lieutenant colonel. She is the single mother of an eleven-year-old son and has just arrived at the same base where Evan is stationed.

Evan got the shock of his life when  Juliet showed up at his office to collect on that pact. He had no idea she was divorced and had all but given up on fulfilling the pact. He jumps at the chance to make his dream come true. Juliet is surprised at his quick agreement, especially considering she and Matthew are a package deal.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Evan and Juliet develop. Even though they've only seen each other a few times during the sixteen years, it didn't take long to re-establish their friendship. It quickly became evident that Juliet hadn't fully thought out all of the details of her proposal as she realized what being married to Evan meant. Thanks to her ex-husband, Juliet has lost a lot of confidence in her ability to sustain a relationship. I loved Evan's patience and understanding, as he is well aware of the failings of her ex. I felt a little sorry for Evan also because he blames himself for her miserable marriage. It was sweet to see how much effort Evan put into getting past Juliet's fears. There was a bit of a hiccup thanks to the woman Evan was dating before Juliet's arrival. I was impressed by the maturity of both Evan and Juliet as they talked about it and came out stronger on the other side. There was one more crisis to get through when Juliet's ex showed up and tried to make trouble. It was so satisfying to see him get what was coming to him. This time it was Juliet's turn to help Evan get past his fears. I loved her comment about him mucking things up as she made sure he knew how much she loved him.

A big part of the story was Juliet's son Matthew. He has a rough time of it. He has moved away from all of his friends and is the new kid at school in the middle of the year. He loves his father, but the man hasn't bothered to visit him in more than three years. Now there is a new man in his mother's life (ewww - kissing!) and he doesn't know where that leaves him. Juliet knows that Matthew needs a dependable male role model in his life and believes that Evan can be that man. There are some fantastic scenes of Evan and Matthew together. It isn't easy, as Matthew is suspicious, but Evan is determined. It is a bit of a rollercoaster ride as they work out their relationship. I loved the fishing scene, but the one that really won my heart was the aftermath of the incident at the school. The epilogue was just the icing on the cake.

One of the things I love best about Caro Carson's books is her attention to detail when it comes to the military. There's nothing worse for a reader with a military background than reading a book where the author screws up the details. This is never a worry with her books, thanks to her career in the army and being a West Point grad. From the description of the promotion ceremony to the visual of the MPs making a "hole" for him to get down the hall at the station, every bit of it felt authentic. The only thing I have left to say is "GO NAVY!" (Sorry, Caro - couldn't help it!)

 

Running Out of Time - Cindi Myers (HI #196 - July 2020)

Series: Tactical Crime Division (Book 4)

When a terrorist is on the loose, the Tactical Crime Division is on the case.

To find out who poisoned medications, two of TCD's agents are tapped to go undercover posing as a married couple and infiltrate the company. But as soon as Jace Cantrell and Laura Smith arrive at Stroud Pharmaceuticals, someone ups the ante by planting explosives in their midst. Turns out that the small-town family business is hiding a million secrets. Could they unknowingly be protecting a vengeful killer?

Terrific mix of suspense and romance. A pharmaceutical company in West Virginia is the victim of product tampering and the TCD is sent to investigate. In addition to the public team that is sent, Jace and Laura are sent undercover as a married couple. Laura will be the admin assistant to one of the executives while Jace will work on the floor of the factory. Neither of them is especially happy about the assignment as they don't get along very well.

I enjoyed the interactions between Jace and Laura. The tension between them at the beginning was evident. Laura is very much a by-the-book agent while Jace tends to be a little more creative in his approach. Laura thinks Jace is a loose cannon and Jace thinks Laura is wound too tight. Both will deal with their dislike to catch the killer. I loved watching the changes they went through as they were forced into close proximity. On the professional side, there were several occasions when Laura saw the benefits of working outside the box. On the personal side, the development of their relationship was fun to watch. Previously they only saw each other as fellow agents, but living together gave them a whole different outlook. The sparks of antagonism that flew before now turned to sparks of passion. Jace notices Laura's long legs and softer appearance when she is dressed casually. Laura gets quite a surprise when she gets a look at Jace in a wet shirt. The more time they spend together, the stronger those sparks grow and the closer they get. As the case nears its end, both Laura and Jace have to decide what will happen with their relationship. A close call at the end opens their eyes to what they really want.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. It opened with a bang, literally, as a bomb detonated at the factory soon after Jace and Laura started their new jobs. Jace and Laura look for motive and opportunity from within the factory while the rest of the team looks at the broader picture of who might have a grudge against the owners or the company. There are multiple options for suspects and with each new attack, the number seems to grow. When a note is found that says "two down, four to go" the TCD is determined to find the killer before anyone else dies. The tension grew as the team closed in on the culprit. I was on the edge of my seat as my suspicions grew about one person. The final confrontation was very much a mind game between the killer and the agents until Jace figured it out. Then it was a race against time to save the last target. 

Operation Second Chance - Justine Davis (HRS #2089 - May 2020)

Series: Cutter's Code (Book 11)

His guilt tore them apart

Can the truth set them free?

Ex-cop Adam Kirk has never forgiven himself for his partner's murder. Neither has Amanda Bonner, the daughter left behind. But when new clues into the crime surface, Adam and Amanda form an unlikely partnership, which becomes their only chance to achieve justice. Duty soon leads to passion…and attempts on Amanda's life. Will Adam lose the woman he's come to love before he can expose the killer?

Very good book. The story begins on the fifth anniversary of Greg Bonner's death. His daughter Amanda is at the cemetery, remembering her father when Quinn and Hayley Foxworth arrive. Quinn was there when Greg was killed in the line of duty, a bystander who got involved, and has been a part of Amanda's life ever since. They are joined by a fourth person, but this one is not welcomed by Amanda. Adam was Greg's partner and Amanda holds him responsible for her father's death. She is vocal about her dislike and disdain for him, but it is no match for the way Adam feels about himself. Witnessing Amanda's anger and Adam's self-disgust was heartbreaking.

When Quinn and Hayley visit with Amanda later, Cutter goes exploring in the house. Somehow it isn't surprising that he points the way to a hidden flash drive, concealed by Amanda's father. The next morning, Quinn calls a meeting at Foxworth to discuss what was found on the flash drive, including calling Adam. Encoded notes indicate that Greg was working on an investigation on his own when he was killed, but neither Adam nor any of Greg's friends have any idea what it was. As Foxworth begins to investigate it, Adam and Amanda both prepare to go home. On the way, Adam witnesses a hit-and-run on Amanda's car, leading him and Quinn to believe that Amanda is in danger.

The development of the relationship between Adam and Amanda was very interesting, especially at the beginning. Amanda makes her dislike of Adam clear, and Adam believes he deserves every bit of it. I had a bit of a problem with Amanda at this point because Adam puts his life on hold to help protect her and she shows little to no appreciation for it. I hurt for Adam because he lost everything that terrible night - his friend and partner was killed, he suffered a career-ending injury and the woman he started to have feelings for said unbearably cruel things to him. As the days go on, Amanda softens a little bit as memories of her father's comments and praise of Adam come back to her, and she realizes that the sparks she felt five years ago are still there. I thought she deserved every bit of the guilt she felt when she discovered how wrong she was about the events of that night. As the days went on and they spent more time together, those sparks continued to grow. Though Amanda's belief in Adam's guilt had disappeared, Adam was still mired in his belief that he was responsible. I loved seeing Amanda's attempts to show him he was wrong, but it took an unexpected revelation to fully convince him. The ending was beautiful, with an extremely emotional scene at the cemetery.

I loved following the process of the investigation. From the first attack on Amanda onward, the intensity grew at a steady pace. There were frustrating times when leads didn't pan out, but no one gave up. I loved that it was an offhand comment that broke the case open. When Adam and Amanda showed what they found out to Quinn and the others, things really started to pop. I loved seeing Foxworth do what it does best, bringing people together to right a wrong. The final confrontation was so satisfying in the way it happened. I especially enjoyed seeing Gavin de Marco again and watching him at work.

As always in this series, outside of the main couple, my favorite character is Cutter the dog. At this point, nothing he does surprises me, though it is always fun to see other people's reactions. At one point Adam says, "I've been watching him work for a couple of weeks now. If you told me he could fly, I'd only wonder how, not if." I loved the description of Cutter giving Quinn and Haley his "fix it" look when he first encountered Adam and Amanda. He also has a well-deserved reputation at Foxworth as a matchmaker. This was amply demonstrated by his tendency to "herd" both Adam and Amanda where he thought they should be. He has an uncanny instinct for those who need help, and for approaching danger. I loved seeing him go from playful pup to snarling protector in the blink of an eye. 

Someday I am going to start at the beginning and read the whole series from start to finish. But before I do, I really want to see Rafe get his story.

In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2773 - July 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix (Book 1)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 128)

He could hold the keys to the past

“You know you're tempted.”

Men are trouble. And Melanie Driscoll has already had more than her share of trouble. She has come to Bronco seeking only a fresh start; what she finds instead is Gabe Abernathy. The blond, blue-eyed cowboy is temptation enough. The secrets he could be guarding are a whole 'nother level of irresistible. Peeling the covers back on both might be too much for sweet Mel to handle…

Terrific start to the new series, Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? Melanie Driscoll had a plan for her life. She had a great job and a handsome fiancé that she loved. Everything turned upside down when she came home one day and found him in bed with another woman. Betrayed, hurt, and angry, she called off the engagement, packed her car and left. During a brief stopover in her hometown of Rust Creek Falls, Mel attends the wedding of a friend. She was blindsided by catching the bouquet, something that she doesn't want, being done with men. Instead, she gives it to the flower girl, who insists that she take an old diary in exchange. That diary is the beginning of a puzzle, involving the Abernathy family.

Mel heads for Bronco and her new job managing one of DJ Traub's restaurants. On the way she stops along the road for a picnic, not knowing that she is trespassing on the Abernathy ranch. There she meets Gabe Abernathy and the sparks fly between them. Gabe is immediately smitten and wants to get to know Mel better. Mel is resistant on two levels. One, she is done with men for the foreseeable future. Two, she will only be in Bronco until the first of the year, after which she is going to Austin for a new job and fresh start.

I loved Gabe. He is a nice guy. He has a loving relationship with his family, even though he and his dad butt heads frequently over their visions for the ranch's future. He is also very close to his great-grandfather who has dementia and visits him frequently.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mel and Gabe. He knows that he has his work cut out for him if he wants a relationship with Mel. I enjoyed his persistence as he showed up at the restaurant night after night, sitting at the bar until convincing Mel to stop and talk to him. He wasn't creepy about it, he was just there until Mel finally gave him a chance. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, though Mel still insists she is leaving. There were times I wanted to shake Mel because she knew she was falling for Gabe but was too afraid to take a chance. Some good advice from her friends helps Mel face her fears and realize what she has to do. Her scene with Gabe at the creek was fantastic.

Mel also has that mysterious diary. Seventy years earlier, the writer of the diary, Josiah, and his girlfriend, "W", were torn apart after she gave birth to his baby. She was told the baby died, while his parents took the child and gave her to another family to raise. The question is, what happened to the baby? The only person who might know is the author of the diary. Is that Josiah Abernathy Gabe's great-grandfather? There are some heartwrenching scenes as Gabe has to face the idea that his beloved Gramps had a secret like that. It is also hard to watch his pain at Gramps' mental decline. There are quite a few twists and turns as Mel and Gabe try to find the truth, culminating with a surprise on the last page.

I loved seeing characters from earlier books. Winona plays an important part in this book, and I suspect will continue to do so in the rest of the series. I liked seeing Homer again and hearing Mel tell the story of Homer's moonshine in the wedding punch (Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding). I had to laugh at Mel naming her new kitten after him. Mel's job with DJ Traub was a great throwback to the Thunder Canyon books. I also liked that DJ knew Mel well enough to see that something was bothering her and give her some advice. He also provided a little extra incentive for sticking around!

Midnight Abduction - Nichole Severn (HI #1930 - June 2020)

Series: Tactical Crime Division (Book 3)

For the Tactical Crime Division, no case is left cold.

When Benning Reeves's twins are kidnapped, the frantic father knows who can help: the Tactical Crime Division and Ana Ramirez. Even though Ana once shattered Benning's heart, the special agent is the only one he can trust. But Ana is still tormented by the unresolved case that brought them together years before -- a case somehow entangled with Benning's children. It's up to the TCD and Ana to discover why…before it's too late.

Fast-paced suspense along with a second chance romance. The story opens as Benning's twin children, Owen and Olivia, are kidnapped from their home. Benning has something that the kidnapper wants, and the children are his insurance to get it. For some reason, the kidnapper quickly releases Olivia, but keeps Owen. Desperate to get his children back, Benning contacts the FBI and requests the only person he trusts to help him - Agent Ana Ramirez. He and Ana were a couple seven years earlier, but when the case she was working on ended badly, Ana walked away from Benning.

In the past seven years, Ana has acquired an impressive record of finding missing and kidnapped people. She has a laser-like focus on doing everything needed to find those victims. Ana is driven by the memory of her failure years before and blames herself for allowing her feelings for Benning to distract her from her job. Since that time she has kept people at a distance and keeping her emotions out of her work. She is stunned when she discovers that her new assignment is to recover Benning's son.

This story is action-packed from the beginning. The bad guy desperately wants the item that Benning found during one of his inspections and will do anything to get it. Things get complicated when Benning discovers that the item is no longer where he left it. It seems that every time Benning and Ana get a lead on how to find either Owen or the item, the bad guy is right there to stop them. They survive shootings, fires, explosions, stabbings, blows to the head, and just about any other injury imaginable while refusing to give in until they find Owen. As the case progresses, it also becomes evident that the bad guy has something personal against Ana, and it has something to do with the unsolved case from seven years earlier. By the time the final confrontation came, I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Ana would get out of it alive. The identity of the bad guy was a shock.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Benning and Ana. It is obvious from the start that the sparks between them are as strong as ever. Ana is still consumed by guilt over letting her relationship with Benning distract her from that earlier case and tries very hard to keep Benning at a distance. Benning realizes early on that his feelings for Ana are just as strong as they were before, but getting past Ana's defenses won't be easy. Her journey to forgiving herself wasn't an easy one, and the final step came from an unexpected source. With that, Ana is now able to allow her love for Benning show. The ending was sweet, with Owen and Olivia joining Benning in a surprise for Ana.

 

Irish Thoroughbred - Nora Roberts (SR #81 - May 1981)

Series: Irish Hearts (Book 1)

            Language of Love (Book 1)

"COME TO AMERICA. YOUR HOME IS WITH ME NOW."

Adelia Cunnane's uncle had written her. So Adelia had left Ireland to join him on what he had described as the finest horse farm in Maryland.

Adelia agreed with her uncle about the farm. But what should she think about its owner, Travis Grant?

She knew that he could master his strongest horse. She had seen his eyes soften at the birth of a foal. Yet his lips on hers demanded a submission that she was not yet ready to give -- at least not until he had spoken the words she had to hear.

An oldie but goodie, this was Nora Roberts' first book published. I loved the story as much as I did the first time I read it. I was also reminded of how much romance writing has changed in forty years.

Dee grew up in Ireland on a small farm. After her parents' deaths when she was ten, she was raised by her aunt, who never quite understood her. Dee was twenty-three when her aunt Lettie died, leaving her alone again, except for her Uncle Paddy, who lives in America. When she contacts him to let him know about Lettie's death, Paddy immediately invites her to come to live with him.

Dee is the stereotypical Irishwoman, red-headed, with a kind heart and a fierce temper (think a young Maureen O'Hara). She has a way with animals and makes her mark almost as soon as she arrives when she calms a feisty horse. Not one to sit around doing nothing, she convinces her uncle to hire her as a groom. While visiting the horse late that first night, Dee meets the farm's owner, Travis Grant, and the sparks fly.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Dee and Travis. Travis seems to get a kick out of riling her up, just to hear her lay into him with her Irish accent and Gaelic curses. He can't deny how good she is with their up and coming racehorse Majesty, and Dee soon finds herself accompanying Travis to races around the country. This opens a whole new world for the country girl from Ireland. The sparks continue to fly between them, and passion flares. It takes a while for Dee to identify what she feels for Travis, which she keeps to herself. After all, a poor groom and a rich horse farm owner would be an unlikely match. But when her Uncle Paddy has a heart attack, he pleads with Travis to make sure Dee is looked after. Rather than just keeping an eye on her, Travis decides to propose a marriage of convenience, at least until Paddy is healthy again. I ached for Dee, who wanted nothing more than for Travis to love her the way she loves him. I enjoyed seeing Dee tackle the job of being the wife to a man like Travis. I loved watching her win over Travis's friends and business contacts with her charm.  I also loved seeing her stand up to an ex-girlfriend of his. Then an overheard conversation sent her running. The ending was wild as they faced off in a passionate argument.

Baby - Janie Crouch (Calamity Jane Pub - July 2020)

Series: Linear Tactical (Book 9)

Baby. Don’t let the name fool you.

Being Linear Tactical's easiest-going younger brother has never been a problem for Baby Bollinger. He likes people. He likes laughing. He likes life.

But he has secrets buried deep under his charming smile that would change everything.

Quinn Harrison-Pritchard doesn’t have secrets. What she does have is a big mess of a life that's painfully public.

Jobless. Blacklisted. Broke. Alone. Exactly where nobody wants to be as they hit their 39th birthday.

Oak Creek is supposed to be a fresh start. A chance to lick her wounds and figure out a plan. One that doesn’t include Baby Bollinger. But the vigorous, mouth-watering mechanic—anything but a baby—is pursuing her with a single-minded focus.

And doesn’t seem to care that she’s twelve years his senior.

But danger has followed Quinn to Oak Creek, someone from her past who is convinced she’s wronged him. And that she needs to pay with her life.

Only Baby can save her. But to do so, he’ll have to face the secrets he’s let define him for way too long. And resurrect the warrior buried inside.

Terrific book. I love the Linear Tactical books and this one was no exception. Quinn is Riley (Phoenix) Harrison's older half-sister. After a run of bad luck that resulted in the end of her marriage, the loss of her prestigious job at Harvard, being blacklisted in the academic community, and financial ruin, Quinn arrives in Oak Creek looking to restart her life. Part of that includes a job as a waitress at the Eagle's Nest bar. At the age of thirty-nine, it has been many years since she waitressed, but she is desperate for the work. She also has a job teaching at the local college. On her first day, where she wonders if she'll last the day, she is rescued from an obnoxious customer by the hottest guy she's ever met.

Baby is Finn's (Eagle) younger brother. Twenty-seven years old, he is laid-back, always cheerful with a kind word for everyone, and ready to help wherever he is needed. He dropped out of high school at seventeen and went to work for the local mechanic. He has been a regular character in the series, most recently as one of the participants in the Wild Wyoming Adventure Race in Riley's book. Baby has a lot on his mind right now, as a secret he's been guarding for most of his life is about to put an end to his career dreams. He hadn't planned on being distracted by a fascination with the pretty new waitress at the Eagle's Nest.

I loved watching the relationship between Quinn and Baby develop. The two of them had an instant connection, though Quinn tried hard to resist it. Her life is such a mess that adding a relationship to it is not in her plans, especially one with a man twelve years younger than she is. For Baby, age is just a number. He is drawn to her humor, intelligence, and determination. Quinn is just as drawn to him, but the age difference bothers her, plus everything that has happened to her did a number on her self-confidence. Baby isn't one to give up and offers some "non-date" get-togethers as friends. Those don't go quite as he hoped, and I laughed out loud at the "help" he got from Ethan and Jess. Baby had some insecurities of his own. When his secret collided with Quinn's other life, he had to decide if he was willing to trust her. Quinn's support and belief in him made a huge difference in the way he saw himself and his future. I think some of the biggest changes were to Quinn. When she arrived in Wyoming she was still the stiff, buttoned-up professor she had been at Harvard. Thanks to Baby, she discovered the more relaxed, fun-loving woman who had been hiding inside. There was a heart-wrenching scene at the end when they allowed their insecurities to pull them apart. I loved the ending and seeing them make their dreams come true. The epilogue was great with a nice surprise for Baby and Quinn.

Baby and Quinn's friendship and growing feelings aren't all that is going on. The bad luck that led to Quinn's flight to Wyoming seems to have followed her. It's mostly little, annoying things like her credit card not working, and her ex-husband calling to accuse her of harassment. But when break-ins and vandalizing mimic things that happened back in Boston, Quinn begins to question herself. Trouble continues to intensify until her life is in danger. I was on the edge of my seat as Baby and the others raced against time to save her. I loved how Baby's challenges played such a huge part in the confrontation.

Date of a Lifetime - Lynne Marshall (HSE #2759 - Apr 2020)

Series: Taylor Triplets (Book 2)

They're wrong for each other, but the chemistry is undeniable.

It's not personal

It's business. Sort of…

But it's just one date -- a wish fulfillment -- for philanthropist and single mom Eva DeLongpre's charity and a PR opportunity for Mayor Joe Aguirre's reelection. Giving in to their mutual attraction was just a spontaneous, delicious one-off. But as the election turns ugly, Joe is forced to declare his intentions for Eva. When the votes are counted, she's hoping love wins in a landslide.

Good book. This is the story of Joe, a small-town mayor, and Eva, a single mother and the recently discovered twin sister of Lacey (Cooking Up Romance). Eva runs a charity called Dreams Come True that grants wishes to older people. She received a request from an 84-year-old woman in the early stages of dementia. Savannah wants a date with local mayor Joe, who she compares to Jack Kennedy. Joe is a little hesitant as he is very busy with his duties and his own law practice, plus running for re-election. However, his campaign manager insists it would be a good idea, so he says yes.

I loved Joe. He is an all-around nice guy. A first-generation American, he was raised by hard-working immigrant parents who passed their work ethic on to him. He is in a tough race to keep his job, against an opponent who wants to open the town to chain businesses. I loved seeing his campaign appearances, as he ran a clean, issue-driven race against an opponent who wasn't anywhere near as honorable.

The date with Joe and Savannah was adorable. Eva was there as a sort of chaperone to look after Savannah, so she tried to stay in the background. It was sweet to see the genuine attention that Joe gave Savannah and the effect it had on her. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and Savannah made regular appearances throughout the book.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Joe and Eva. Both of them had past issues that caused them to pre-judge each other. Joe was burned by a woman he loved, one with money and who ultimately decided that he wasn't good enough for her. It left him distrustful of women with money. Eva was betrayed by a boyfriend who turned out to be using her to score points with his friends. As a result, Eva is distrustful of all men. Despite all of that, the sparks between Joe and Eva flared fast and hot, surprising both of them. Neither of them was interested in a relationship, but they couldn't deny the pull between them. I loved seeing Joe's determination to get to know Eva better. However, trying to date during a re-election creates unforeseen problems. Adorable and heartwarming moments between Eva, her son Noah, and Joe, are willfully misinterpreted by his opponent. I was impressed by how well Joe handled it all. I liked watching the feelings between Eva and Joe grow stronger, and how they slipped into feeling like a family. There were some stressful moments at the end as Joe's attempt at romantic fell a little flat. The trust issues from their pasts flared up causing some heartache for both. I liked the insight into Eva's battle with those issues and loved how it turned out. The election night scene was fantastic, but one of my favorite parts was the last chapter. I shook my head a little at Lacy and Eva's actions, but Zack and Joe got through it with flying colors.

A subplot in the book was Eva and Lacy's curiosity about their birth mother. They waffle a bit back and forth over whether to pursue a search for her. I loved Joe's support and willingness to help. It looks like the two women have quite a surprise waiting for them in the next book.

The Beachcomber's Buccaneer Bounty - Kerry Evelyn (CPC Publishing - June 2020)

Series: Cats' Paw Cove (Book 14)

Will past secrets destroy their future?

Former Detective Leda Bellini, AKA Lisa Belmont, has had enough of witness protection. Determined to start a new life on her terms, she shifts into her swan form, ditches her security detail, and heads to Moon Mist manor, a resort island in Cat’s Paw Cove, Florida. Somehow, the owner knows her true identity and has been expecting her. Leda is blown away (literally) when she finds herself and a mysterious cat named Davy transported back in time to the year 1717 and into the arms of a pirate with hypnotic emerald eyes. Being trapped in the past may be just the sort of adventure she’s been yearning for.

Disgraced Royal Navy Captain Drake Reid misread a command during the Jacobite rebellion that cost him everything. His only shot at redemption is to pose as a pirate and retrieve the magical Avalon roses for the king. Blown off course by a storm, his ship misses St. Augustine where the Spanish are rumored to have brought the priceless treasure. Further complicating the matter is the scandalously underdressed woman who appeared out of nowhere and is now hiding aboard his ship.

Leda finds herself drawn to the enigmatic, Iliad-quoting pirate. On the cusp of achieving his goal, Drake is betrayed, and he and his crew are taken captive. Can Leda recover the Avalon roses before they’re executed? Or is their fate already sealed?

Fun mixture of time-travel and magic. Leda is a former detective who has been in witness protection for several years. She decided that she wants her life back and slipped away from those guarding her. Her destination is Moon Mist Manor on a island in Cat's Paw Cove, a place she heard about from her former partner. During a brief stop in the Cove itself, she makes the acquaintance of a very special cat named Davy, who follows her to the Manor. Though she made her reservation under an assumed name, everyone at the Manor seems to know her real name, something that disturbs her. Then, while exploring the island, she finds a compass which whisks her back in time 300 years when she opens it.

Captain Drake Reid is a Royal Navy captain who is on a secret mission for the king. A storm forced him to stop at Cat's Paw Cove for repairs. He is frustrated at the delay, and also by his sister. Eleanor traveled with him so she could stay with an aunt In Charles Town and look for a husband. Instead, she spends way too much time with the son of the local Indian chief. While trying to track her down yet again, Drake spots a woman sitting on the rocks.

I enjoyed the first meeting between Drake and Leda. He is determined to keep her from being seen by his crew and takes her onboard his ship. Leda isn't happy about being there at first, especially after she learns WHEN she is. If she's going to get back to her own time, she thinks she should stay put. But Drake is in a time crunch and insists she goes along. He'll bring her back when he has what he needs. Drake was amazingly accepting of Leda's time travel claim, thanks to stories heard from his grandmother. He's a little warier of her other secret, an ability to shape-shift into a swan, and fears she'd be burned as a witch if anyone else discovers it.

I liked seeing the relationship develop between Drake and Leda. There were sparks from the beginning, and an undeniable fascination with each other. But both were also aware that Leda would likely return to her own time. A fun twist enabled Drake to get a taste of Leda's world, however, the question remained. Would they find a way to be together in the past or the future, or would fate separate them forever? Both Drake and Leda had some serious soul searching to do to discover what was meant to be. I loved Leda's conversation with one of the fairies, who gave her some pretty blunt advice. The ending was sweet and romantic.

I also enjoyed the mission that Drake had to complete. He has some secrets himself, one of which adds complications to his plans. Though he and his partner-in-crime thought they had everything covered, an unexpected appearance threw those plans into disarray. There were some very tense moments when the success of the mission and their safety were in doubt. It was fun to see how the mission was saved and the unexpected and important results of it.

A Hero Comes Home - Sandra Hill (HarperCollins - Feb 2020)

Series: Bell Sound (Book 3)

Welcome to Bell Cove, North Carolina.

The famous bells in this small Outer Banks town are ringing a hero's welcome when a former army captain returns home...

After being held prisoner for three years in an Afghan prison, Jake Dawson is finally going home—except everyone, including his wife and young sons, believed he was dead. Jake has changed since he left for war, and now he isn't sure where he belongs.

Sally has changed, too. Her marriage to Jacob was on shaky ground even before his last deployment, but he's still every inch the hot, headstrong man she loves, despite his wounds, both visible and invisible. Seeing him with their three boys makes her want to fight for this unexpected second chance.

As summer winds down, all of the wacky folks in Bell Cove, which is awash with yellow ribbons and American flags, are aiming for a Labor Day Love Re-Connection. In fact, they're pulling out all the stops, in their usual outrageous style, to get Jake and Sally together again...

Very good second chance romance. Jake and Sally have been married for almost nine years, but he has been gone on deployments for most of it. Three years earlier, Jake had re-enlisted without talking to Sally about it. They fought bitterly just before he left on another deployment. Then Jake went MIA and was presumed dead.

Sally was devastated by his loss and the bitter words that were the last they shared. She pulled herself together for the sake of their three sons and moved on with her life. She started a business that she loves and became an integral part of the community. Then came a visit from some top Pentagon officials. Jake is alive after all and will be coming home soon.

Jake spent the last three years as a captive of terrorists, beaten, tortured, and maimed. He has spent several months in the hospital undergoing various surgeries and attempting to recover. Besides the physical injuries, Jake also deals with severe PTSD, which he likens to a "red tide" taking him over. He refused to let officials inform his family that he is alive, as he has no idea if he wants to go home. He feels that he is too broken to be around anyone, much less his family. As the story opens, Jake is informed that he has no choice and will go home. His rescue was kept top secret because the terrorists who had him are now high-placed officials in their country's government. But the secret is out, and Jake must play his part. He is not at all happy when he finds out about the spin being placed on his return.

I hurt for Jake and the way what he has been through is covered up. The lack of control he had as a captive is now continued by his own government. He'll go along with it for now, but has no idea what his future holds for him. His captivity changed him and has left him unsure of where he belongs. Should he take the desk job offered to him, join his father in his fishing business, or just disappear into the wilderness somewhere?

The rekindling of the relationship between Sally and Jake is not an easy one. Both of them have changed and must get to know each other all over again. Because Jake was away so much during their marriage, he has some eye-opening moments as he experiences the family's day-to-day life. One thing that hadn't changed was the strength of their love. I liked watching them fight for their marriage. I liked the flashbacks to their early years together and how those memories reminded them of the love that they shared. It was fun to see how their friends and family got involved in helping the two along. I loved seeing Sally's efforts to help Jake, especially once she began to suspect the truth about his absence. I ached for Jake and his fears of hurting his family. The singing scene was a defining moment for Jake. I loved how he took back control of his life in an unexpected way. I liked the ending as Sally made her own stand for their love.

The secondary characters were great. I especially loved Jake and Sally's three sons, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The scenes with them were fun and were a sweet relief from some of the more intense segments. I also enjoyed the scenes with Jake's father, Joe. His scheme to push Jake and Sally together was a hoot, and I loved seeing him make it happen. The parts with Jake's friend Izzie were great. Their friendship is a long-standing one, and I liked seeing how well Izzie understands his friend. He's there when Jake needs him and has no trouble giving him advice. There is an interesting scene between Izzie and his ex-girlfriend, with plenty of sparks flying. I'd like to see a book for them. There were also plenty of scenes with the assorted residents of Bell Cove, providing lots of love and laughter.

The Love We Keep - Toni Blake (HQN - Feb 2020)

Series: Summer Island (Book 3)

Suzanne Quinlan has been through a lot lately, so nothing sounds better than a peaceful winter in her cozy cottage on Summer Island. The last thing she wants is a massive lifestyle adjustment -- especially when it comes in the form of an injured Zack Sheppard, who is sullen, angry and completely dependent on her.

Zack values his independence above all else. But when he falls down his icy steps, he finds himself with a serious leg injury and in need of round-the-clock care. The only person available to help is his ex's best friend, Suzanne. It doesn't hurt that Suzanne is far more attractive than he ever realized, but he's never been one to settle, and he sure isn't going to start now.

As Suzanne and Zack grow closer, they both realize they're in this thing more deeply than they ever thought, and it's started to cause tension in their small, close-knit community, too. Will Zack be able to commit this time, and will Suzanne be able to trust him? One thing is certain: come spring, the lives and loves of Summer Island will never be the same.

Good book. I will say straight off that this is one that you should read the first two books in the series before reading this book. Those two books give the backstories that you really need to understand the relationships in this one.

Zack is a fisherman on Lake Michigan. He is on the water for weeks or months at a time. He is very much a loner who gets antsy when he's been onshore for too long. In the first book, The One Who Stays, he and innkeeper Meg have been an item for several years. He comes and goes, and she is okay with that - until she isn't. She wants a commitment, and he can't - or won't - give her one, so she ends their relationship. Zack is clueless and goes into a deep funk over their breakup. He island-bound during the winter, which makes him even grumpier. The last straw is when his Aunt Dahlia abandons the island (and him) for the winter.

Suzanne is Summer Island's florist. She came to the island several years earlier, trying to escape the grief of losing her husband. She has been adamant that she had her one chance at love and wasn't interested in trying again. But in the second book, The Giving Heart, Suzanne meets a man who shows a great deal of interest in getting to know her better. But she allows her fears to push him away, and by the time she has overcome those fears, he has fallen in love with someone else. When this book starts, she too is in a funk, trying hard not to resent the other couple's happiness and not having much success at it.

Summer Island is one of those places that becomes very isolated in the winter. When the lake freezes, the ferry doesn't run until the spring thaw. The only way on or off the island is by helicopter. Dahlia is on the last ferry off the island, which creates a big problem when Zack slips on icy stairs and seriously injures himself. Meg isn't comfortable being the one to care for him, especially now that she is in a new relationship. Out of their group, that leaves Suzanne to pick up the slack. It is awkward because Suzanne has made no secret of her disapproval of Zack and the way he treated Meg. However, as a former nurse, she can't just walk away, especially when the injury leaves Zack with a paralyzed right leg.

I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Suzanne and Zack. Things get off to a rough start. Zack is depressed because his injury likely means the end of his fishing career, and he has no idea what else he would do. Suzanne isn't happy about caring for the surly fisherman but feels she owes it to her friends, Meg and Dahlia. Zack is a real pain until Suzanne lays down the law to him. She understands why he's down, but she's not going to let him lay around like a lump all winter. Somehow she manages to convince him to let her work a little physical therapy on him. At the same time, being stuck together in the same house day in and day out, the antagonism between them begins to fade.

I liked seeing Zack and Suzanne get to know each other. It was fun to see them start to relax enough to tease each other over music and movies. I also enjoyed seeing how Suzanne worked to motivate Zack to give the PT a chance. There were a few rough patches, especially when Zack's fears about his future would overwhelm him, but Suzanne usually found a way to pull him out of it. What neither expected were the sparks of attraction that flared between them.

Suzanne was horrified at first. Getting involved with her best friend's ex felt utterly wrong, but she couldn't deny the way he made her feel. Zack was simply flabbergasted to discover that being around Suzanne helped ease his fears about his future. While any thoughts of settling down with Meg used to send him running for his boat, the idea of staying with Suzanne was curiously appealing. I hurt for them both when Suzanne's fears of what the future might hold made her push Zack away. It took an emotionally devastating event and advice from her friend Dahlia for her to realize that she wanted to keep their love. Zack also had a startling epiphany the first time he went back out on his boat. I loved that it was Suzanne that felt like home, not his boat. His big moment on the street of the town was sweet and romantic and entirely unlike him.

There was also a secondary story going on with Dahlia. Her departure from the island and refusal to come back when her nephew was injured was very out of character. Zack always seemed to be the center of her life, and to abandon him now felt off. It was hard for Zack, Suzanne, and Meg to understand it. The glimpses into her past gave a better understanding of her actions. There was an emotional twist in her story that I didn't see coming until just before the big reveal.

Duchesses in Disguise - Grace Burrowes, Susanna Ives, Emily Greenwood (Grace Burrowes Publishing - Mar 2017)

Three young, wealthy titled women decide to spend the social Season admiring the bucolic splendor of the Yorkshire Dales rather than dodging fortune hunters and scandalmongers in London. A fine plan–until the ladies’ traveling coach lands in a muddy ditch, and foul weather strands them at the estate of former officer Nathanial Stratton. As luck (or Cupid?) would have it, Nathaniel and his two friends, Kit Stirling and Greyville Trent, also have no patience with matchmaking and romance…. or so they insist.

Duchess in the Wild - Grace Burrowes

Greyville Trent and Francesca Pomponio

Francesca has been widowed for several years. Her Italian husband was extremely wealthy and exceedingly unfaithful. She returned to England, where her only remaining family lives, only to be beset by fortune hunters. She and two similarly widowed duchesses decided to leave London for some peace. When their coach is in an accident, they are rescued by three passing gentlemen. Francesca's rescuer is Greyville Trent, a scientist who recently returned from an Amazonian expedition that lasted several years. He plans to use his time at his friend's home to organize his notes and seek funding for his next trip. He didn't count on meeting Francesca.

There were sparks between Grey and Francesca from the moment they met. As a scientist, Grey tends to be inquisitive, and his curiosity is aroused by Francesca and the slight air of mystery around her. Francesca's attraction to Grey surprises her, as no one has stirred her interest since her husband's death. I enjoyed their first evening together, as Francesca unknowingly appropriated his supper, comments upon his notes (that she was told not to touch), and ends up making herself quite useful to Grey. I loved how he freely admitted that his French wasn't very good and that he is terrible at writing letters asking for funding. Francesca's offer to help (I loved his reaction to her first letter) opened the way to them spending their days together. I loved their interactions as she helped him organize his notes, both of them being plain-spoken.

They also got to know a little about each other's lives. Grey was less than complimentary about how Francesca's husband treated her. He is fascinated and attracted by her, but feels unable to do anything about it. In his eyes, he has nothing to offer her. Francesca is equally outspoken as she learns more about Grey's family. I loved her pithy comments about their lack of support for him. She has ideas to help him, but suspects he won't accept.

I liked watching the development of their relationship. The attraction continues to build each day that they spend together. Though she has never done so before, Francesca decides to take advantage of her status as a widow and propositions Grey. They connect so deeply that it scares both of them, and they start to pull back. I ached for both of them as they each realized their feelings, but hesitated to say anything. When the coach was finally repaired after two weeks, the ladies left. Francesca still had one ace up her sleeve to help the man she loved. I loved the ending, with Grey's surprise and Francesca's intentions. I especially enjoyed it when she gave up on her disguise and flipped back her veil to confront him.

To Tempt a Duchess - Emily Greenwood

Kit Stirling and Olivia Thorpe

Kit is an earl's heir who has a reputation for gambling and keeping questionable company. He already regrets joining his friends in the country as he misses the activity of his life in London. The quiet of the countryside leaves him restless. When the three men happen upon a coach accident with three stranded ladies, Kit takes the middle one, a Miss Olivia Thorpe, to transport to the house.

Olivia, aka the Duchess of Coldbrook, joined her friends for a holiday away from London. All three are tired of dodging fortune hunters and are traveling incognito to avoid trouble. Olivia is a woman who enjoys quiet pleasures such as long walks, reading by the fire, and the peace of the country. She considers herself unattractive and is a little on the prim sides. She is familiar with Kit's reputation though they have never met before.

Their initial interactions do not bode well for a pleasant time while the ladies are stranded. Kit is a touch sarcastic in his responses to the things she says, and sees her as a dried-up spinster with multiple cats, living in a cottage in the country. An encounter in the library later that evening begins the process of opening their eyes to the truth that first impressions are not always the whole truth. I ached for Olivia, whose fear of water revealed a vulnerability she preferred to keep hidden. Kit surprised me a little with his patience and understanding, though he also stayed true to his reputation with some of the things he said. I was a little surprised by their actions, as they seemed out of character for the time.

From this point, Kit finds himself seeking out Olivia whenever he can, ostensibly to get under her skirts again. Olivia was disturbed by the way he made her feel and is equally determined to resist him. Sparks fly between them as Kit pushes against her primness, and Olivia discovers that Kit isn't quite the rogue he pretends to be. There are some moving scenes between them, such as when Olivia cares for Kit after he hurts his ankle. I liked seeing the changes in Kit as his time with Olivia made him take a new look at his life. I hurt for Olivia when he told her how he felt. His reputation was tangled up with her memories of her father, and she was afraid to trust him. I loved the steps she inspired him to take that helped him put his past behind him. At the same time, Olivia was able to look at her fears and admit that Kit was different. I loved the ending and the surprise he had for her. I admit that I would like to have seen an epilogue of Society's reaction to the pairing of Kit and Olivia.

The Love of His Life - Susanna Ives

Colonel Nathaniel Stratton and Mary Alice Pymworth

This was the most emotional of the three stories. Mary Alice is a widow with three children, the youngest of whom is autistic. She loved her late husband deeply and still grieves for him. She reluctantly allowed her two friends to talk her into going on holiday with them but felt guilty about leaving her children. The fates seem to agree with her when the coach is involved in an accident. Three passing gentlemen stop to offer assistance. Mary Alice's friends each leave with one of the men, leaving Mary Alice to be rescued by the last man. She is horrified when she discovers that her rescuer in Colonel Stratton, the same man whose cruelty made her first season miserable.

Nathaniel knows he deserves every ounce of the disdain that Mary Alice throws at him. In his younger years, he was an arrogant, entitled rogue who went along with his friends when they behaved badly. Then Nathaniel joined the war against Napoleon. The things that he saw and experienced destroyed that arrogance and made him ashamed of who he had been. Then he discovered that he had an illegitimate daughter. Horrified by the conditions he found her in, he took her home to his country estate. Finding Mary Alice in the wrecked coach brought him full circle to face his past.

Mary Alice's anger when she recognized her rescuer was completely understandable. Unfortunately for her, he was her only option for rescue, especially considering she was injured. I was impressed with Nathaniel's patience and his belief that her attitude was justified. I ached for him as he realized the seriousness of her injuries, as he saw many head injuries during the war. His fear for her was evident, and I liked his determination to save her. His apology to her for his past actions was emotional, and his confession of his reasons was surprising. Though she tried to maintain her anger, Mary Alice couldn't help but be moved by his sincerity.

As Mary Alice and the others settled in to wait for their coach to be repaired, she had the chance to spend more time with Nathaniel. He previously witnessed her love and patience with her youngest daughter, Anna, and begged for her help with his daughter. Eleanor had suffered through terrible abuse before he found her, and Nathaniel has a hard time trying to break through the walls around the little girl's heart. He won my heart with gentleness and patience. It was so sweet to see how she opened up when introduced to Mary Alice's story world, and the joy it brought to Nathaniel's heart.

As they spent time together, the love he had always felt for Mary Alice continued to grow. He desperately wanted to have her and her children in his life.  Mary Alice's feelings for him were changing and growing, but the strength of those feelings scared her. She also felt guilty because she had loved her husband, and loving Nathaniel felt like she was betraying Jonas. I liked the advice she received from her friend Francesca, but overcoming her fears was difficult. I liked that Nathaniel gave her the time she asked for, and ached for him when it seemed like all was lost. The ending was a nail-biter as young Anna disappeared. I loved Nathaniel's level-headed response and following his method of finding her. The ending was heartwarming and beautifully described.

I enjoyed all three stories very much. There were a few inconsistencies among them, which grated a little but did not dim my enjoyment by much.