Close Range Christmas - Nicole Helm (HI #1961 - Nov 2020)

Series: Badlands Cops (Book 6)

Their Christmas baby is on the way.

And so is an obsessed killer…

Dev Wyatt's worst fear has come true. Someone from the Wyatts' dangerous past is stalking his family -- and his best friend, Sarah Knight. When she asked Dev to help her have a child, Sarah did not expect her pregnancy would place her in danger, but now Sarah must take shelter on the Wyatt ranch. As she and Dev battle escalating threats, will they survive long enough to become a family?

Good book. Though this is the sixth and final book in the series, it is the first one I read. The author did a good job of filling in enough of the backstory that I wasn't lost. I do want to go back and read the others.

Dev is the last of the Wyatt brothers who is unattached. He worked in law enforcement until his attempt to arrest his father ended with him nearly beaten to death. Unable to continue his career, Dev feels worthless and keeps everyone at a distance while he works the family ranch. His best friend is Sarah Knight, who works on the ranch next door.

Like Dev, Sarah is the last of the Knight sisters left at home. Her sisters are all married to or living with Wyatt brothers. She is determined, independent, and has loved Dev for years. After watching her sisters start families, Sarah decides she wants a baby of her own. Who else would she choose as the father but her best friend?

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dev and Sarah. She was the only one who seemed to be able to get past the walls Dev threw up. She did it through sheer stubborn perseverance, poking and prodding Dev until he did what she wanted. She did the same thing in convincing him to be her "baby daddy." Sarah told Dev that she didn't expect anything of him and that she intended to raise the baby on her own. Though that is what she told him, deep down she hoped that he would want more. Meanwhile, Dev works hard to maintain his distance, which is increasingly difficult after their night together.

Sarah has nearly given up hope when a new threat appears against the Wyatt brothers, and by extension, her sisters. She is near the end of her pregnancy when it all begins, and Dev finds an unexpectedly intense protectiveness kicks in. As the threats intensify, Dev discovers that it is harder to maintain his previous detachment. I loved seeing his walls start to crack and crumble as his need to protect Sarah takes precedence. I also enjoyed seeing Sarah's stubborn independence soften as she faced the reality of the situation. Dev's "aha" moment in realizing his feelings comes when it's almost too late, but love wins the day. There is an awesome scene at the end between Dev and the baby and Sarah. I loved the epilogue and seeing the whole family together.

The suspense of the story was good. With their father dead, there is a great deal of confusion and worry over who sent the first threatening note. I ached for Dev, who figured it out because it added to his feelings of failure. Each successive threat ramps up the tension as the danger intensifies. There were a couple of unexpected twists, including one that involved Sarah. When the final confrontation came, I was glued to the pages as Dev faced down their foe. The ending was a nail-biter, especially with Sarah's situation. I loved Grandma Pauline and her feisty determination.

Falling for the Secret Prince - Alison Roberts (HMED #1135 - Nov 2020)

Series: Royal Christmas at Seattle General (Book 1)

Revealing his past…

is a risk worth taking!

Dr. Dom di Rossi's world literally crashes through the ER doors when his father, the king of Isola Verde, is involved in a car crash. Until now, Dom's royal connection has been carefully guarded. But when Dr. Emilia Featherstone, his old medical school rival, recognizes a previously unseen vulnerability behind his delicious eyes, she unintentionally becomes the keeper of his secret -- and his heart!

Good slow-burn romance. It wasn't quite enemies-to-lovers, nor was it friends-to-lovers but somewhere in between. Dom and Emilia first met in medical school, where they were fiercely competitive with each other. Since then, they have ended up at the same hospital, where Dom is the head of Emergency Medicine and Emilia, a talented orthopedic surgeon. Their working relationship is one of mutual respect accompanied by the same teasing banter that got them through med school.

I liked both Dom and Emilia. Emilia is determined to be the best at what she does, driven by the memories of her upbringing. Her focus is on her career, especially after her last relationship crashed and burned. Dom is also driven to be the best, especially since he feels that he is on borrowed time. Nobody around him knows that he is the Crown Prince of a small Mediterranean country and will eventually have to return home to take up his responsibilities. That day arrives sooner than Dom anticipated when his father and sister end up in his ER after a car crash.

I loved the development of the romance between Dom and Emilia. Though she doesn't know why Emilia knows Dom well enough to see that these two patients particularly shake him. When she catches him at a vulnerable moment, Dom confesses the truth to her. Initially angry and hurt at being lied to for all those years, Emilia soon understands his reasons. As Dom deals with his father's recovery, it is a great relief to him that Emilia knows the truth. For the first time in years, he can be entirely himself with someone. This creates a shift in their relationship, and they find themselves growing closer. There are some sweet scenes of the two of them together and the slow building of the sparks between them. Neither believes anything can come of it.

I ached for Dom, who dreads giving up the career he loves for a role he doesn't want. He'd rather stay in Seattle and see where things might go with Emilia. Emilia, who has no family of her own, reminds him that family is everything. I also hurt for Emilia. She realizes that she loves him, and has for a long time, but believes a woman with her background is not the type of woman he needs. I wondered how they would overcome those obstacles. Advice came from an unexpected source, and I loved seeing Dom embrace it. His big moment with Emilia was sweet and romantic. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and hope to see more of them.

The Maverick's Baby Arrangement - Kathy Douglass (HSE #2785 - Sept 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? (Book 3)

            Montana Mavericks (Book 130)

He'll do anything for his child's sake…

THE COWBOY TAKES A (FAKE) WIFE

Wealthy workaholic rancher Daniel Dubois has everything money can buy, but it's not enough. If he can't convince authorities he's worthy, he will soon lose custody of his orphaned baby niece. Event planner Brittany Brandt rejects Daniel's marriage of convenience until little Hailey wins her over. Soon they are a cozy family of three -- and Daniel's biggest problem is guarding his heart against his make-believe bride…

Good book. Daniel is a wealthy rancher who plans to turn part of his horse ranch into a dude ranch. As a newcomer to Bronco, and a horse rancher in cattle country, he feels that he's looked at with suspicion by the locals. To get his neighbors on board with his plans, Daniel wants to hold a dinner where he can explain his goals. To do that, he needs a top-notch event planner. The ones he's hired so far haven't met his needs. He decides to try a local company and see if they can do better.

Brittany, who made appearances in the first two books of the series, In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick and The Cowboy's Comeback, wants this job very much. If she does well, she has a chance for a much larger event. She is focused on her career and her plans to have her own event-planning business in the future. She's excited when she has a chance to pitch her ideas to Daniel.

I loved their first meeting. Daniel is brusque and skeptical of her abilities, and Brittany is determined to show him what she can do. The way she stood up to him and didn't allow him to blow her off was terrific and got his attention. There were also sparks of attraction that neither could deny, though both tried to resist. Daniel has more than enough on his plate between his business and caring for the niece he inherited from his deceased sister. Brittany is focused on her career and wants neither husband nor child. As the oldest in her family, she spent a lot of time caring for her siblings and doesn't intend to do it again.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Daniel and Brittany. Brittany was surprised by Daniel's revelation of Hailey's existence and Daniel's vehement desire to keep her presence secret. Their confrontation over the matter was intense. Brittany was there filling Daniel in on his dinner event when he received news that Hailey's grandparents planned to sue for custody. Desperate not to lose her, Daniel proposed a marriage of convenience to Brittany to improve his chances of winning custody. Though resistant at first, Brittany quickly came to love the little girl and agreed to Daniel's proposal.

I loved watching Daniel and Brittany spend time together, with and without Hailey. It wasn't long before their fake marriage began to feel all too real. There were some sweet scenes of them as a family, and it was easy to see that the feelings between Daniel and Brittany grew. Neither realized what was happening between them until the visit from the social worker brought it into focus. I ached for them both as they avoided confessing their feelings and hid behind their agreement rather than risk rejection. Daniel and his friend's conversation gave him the push he needed to go after Brittany and tell her the truth. The ending was great as both Daniel and Brittany realized they could have the future they both wanted.

My only disappointment was that there wasn't much time devoted to the ongoing search for Beatrix. Hopefully, there will be more progress in the next book.

Rookie Instincts - Carol Ericson (HI #1959 - Nov 2020)

Series: Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book 1)

Two women dead…with the same ID?

Time to call the Tactical Crime Division.

New TCD team member Aria Calletti is determined to find out why women are turning up dead -- especially since an infant was left at the most recent crime scene. Fortunately for the TCD's newest operative, the baby's uncle, Grayson Rhodes, has sacrificed everything to discover the truth following the disappearance of his half-sister. But can a civilian-turned-undercover-dockworker and a brand-new agent take down a formidable drug kingpin?

Good story that had me hooked from beginning to end. Aria is the newest member of the Tactical Crime Division team and arrived just in time to participate in their most recent case. Young women have turned up dead, each bearing identical IDs. In a strange turn of events, a baby was found with the most recent victim. While investigating that murder, Aria learns of a missing person report filed for a woman and her baby. This puts Aria in contact with the woman's brother, Grayson.

Grayson is worried about his half-sister, Chloe, and her son, Danny. They never showed up for Thanksgiving dinner. Chloe may be an addict, but when she makes a promise, she keeps it. The last time he talked to her, she mentioned Port Huron, so he is now pretending to be a dockworker and hopes to learn something about her disappearance.

I liked both Aria and Grayson. Aria is very good at what she does. She began her career as a Detroit street cop and did some undercover work before the TCD recruited her. She has excellent instincts, and though she was a little nervous at first, she fit in with the team very quickly. Grayson is a successful businessman who loves his younger sister. He blames himself somewhat for Chloe's problems and is determined to do whatever he must to find her and Danny.

I liked the first meeting between Aria and Grayson. There was no doubt about the immediate connection between them, though Aria was careful to be professional. I ached for Gray when he was so hopeful that she was in jail, only to find out that she was dead. The scene at the morgue was heartbreaking, and Gray's determination to find her killer was understandable. As Gray carried out his plans and Aria worked the FBI side, they spent more time together. The sparks between them continued to grow, sometimes at inconvenient moments. Aria tries to resist, aware that her job makes relationships difficult, but she can't deny her growing feelings for him. It was interesting to see Gray interact with Aria. He knows that she is a fully capable FBI agent, but his innate protectiveness makes him worry over her safety. He tried her patience a few times with that protectiveness until one event brought the reality into focus for him. I loved the ending and seeing how Gray and Aria took a realistic look at their prospects for the future. I hope to see them in future books and catch up on their romance.

The suspense of the story was excellent. From the moment of Chloe's shooting to the end of the book, I was hooked on the story. I loved seeing each of the TCD agents put their unique talents to work to solve the case. Aria's instincts in thinking outside the box were excellent, and she arrived at some interesting conclusions. I understood her skepticism over Gray's "undercover" intentions, but she quickly learned that his instincts were also good. As Gray's actions led to an arrest, the intensity steadily increased, and more information came to light. The search for the "kingpin" took an unexpected twist, and the final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

I enjoyed meeting the other members of the team and look forward to reading their stories. Max and Alex both have fascinating histories, and I am intrigued by the relationship between the two sisters, Ophelia and Selena. There was a heartbreaking scene with Aria and the team's leader, Alana, that made the book's theme even more poignant.

Their Christmas Baby Contract - Shannon Stacey (HSE #2802 - Nov 2020)

Series: Blackberry Bay (Book 2)

Striking the deal was the easy part.

He'll help her make a beautiful baby.

Brady Nash is handsome and anti-marriage. And with IVF completely out of her financial reach, Reyna Bishop is running out of time to have the child she so very much wants. Theirs is a practical baby-making deal: no emotion, no expectation, no ever-after. They'll even “date” through Christmas to silence their hometown gossips. It's foolproof…till the time she spends with Brady and his warm, loving family leaves Reyna wanting more than a baby…

Good friends to lovers story. Brady and Reyna have known each other since first grade and have watched each other crash and burn on many relationships. Reyna is unaware that Brady has loved her for years, which has affected his ability to maintain a relationship with another woman. She and Brady have an embarrassing bit of history between them. A night together that didn't turn out as expected created lingering awkwardness whenever they meet. But when Reyna's latest relationship comes to a humiliating and public end, Brady is there to help.

I liked both Brady and Reyna. Brady has a reputation for being unable to stick with any relationship for long. No one realizes that Brady is searching for the one who can give him the family he wants. Brady's terrific scenes with his nephews show how wonderful he is with them and his yearning for a child of his own. Reyna is in a similar situation. She has a reputation for being "hell on men" because her relationships don't last. Reyna wants a child and has been searching for the perfect husband and father, but none of them measure up. So she decides to do it on her own.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Brady and Reyna. Reyna is upfront with Brady that she wants him to be the father of her baby. She doesn't want a relationship, just the baby. Brady is taken aback by the proposal. Yes, he wants a child of his own, but he also wants the family that goes with it. However, this may be the only way to get that child, so he accepts Reyna's offer. Because both are tired of being the subjects of gossip, they plan to "date" publicly, then break up sometime after Reyna gets pregnant while agreeing to co-parent the baby.

Brady jumps at the chance to spend time with the woman he loves. He knows she doesn't want a relationship with him, but he feels a small flicker of hope that maybe he can change her mind. As they spent time together on their "dates," they got to know each other's hopes and dreams. There are some sweet scenes between them, and it is obvious that their feelings have deepened. However, having made their "no relationship" demands initially, neither one knows how to go about changing it. Afraid of rejection, each keeps their feelings to themselves until Reyna gets scared of how real everything feels and forces the breakup. I ached for Brady, who had started to believe they had a future. I wanted to shake Reyna because she was rather cruel in the way she did it. I loved the ending as both of them faced their fears (with a little help). I loved Brady's bravery in laying his heart on the line and how that gave Reyna the courage to reveal hers. The scene in the gazebo was beautiful, and I loved the epilogue.

Investigation in Black Canyon - Cindi Myers (HI #1962 - Nov 2020)

Series: Ranger Brigade: Rocky Mountain Manhunt (Book 1)

            Ranger Brigade (Book 11)

The more clues they uncover, the more deadly the investigation becomes.

After Cara Mead's boss disappears on a hike, and money is discovered missing from the company they work for, Cara enlists the help of Ranger Brigade officer Jason Beck. But once the manhunt is set in motion, Jason and Cara find themselves embroiled in a fearsome conspiracy involving an abandoned mine deep in Black Canyon -- and someone who will do anything to keep them from finding out the truth. As the danger escalates, Jason must choose between upholding the law…and following his instincts to protect the woman he won't live without.

Fantastic return to the world of the Ranger Brigade. Cara's boss, Dane Trask, is missing. Reporting it to local law enforcement gave her no confidence that they took it seriously, so she took her concern to the Ranger Brigade and Ranger Jason Beck. Though somewhat leery of her story at first, there is something about Cara that tells Jason she is telling the truth. I liked the first meeting between them. Cara has good reasons for distrusting law enforcement, and she isn't about to sit back and accept what they say. She stands up to Jason's skepticism and insists on staying in the loop.

I enjoyed the development of Cara and Jason's relationship. There are sparks of attraction between them from the start, and it isn't long before Jason wants to earn Cara's trust. His protective instincts kick in when Cara experiences an attempted break-in, and Cara can't deny that she feels safer with him. The more time they spend together, the stronger the attraction grows, and deeper feelings grow right along with it. Jason knows he has it bad when he risks his career to keep Cara safe. A future together becomes a close-run thing when Cara nearly loses her life at the bad guys' hands, and Jason barely arrives in time to save her. When it was all over, I loved seeing them look forward to what was ahead of them. As Cara said, "a future that included putting a lot more trust in law enforcement than she had ever thought possible."

The suspense of the story was terrific from the very beginning. From the first chapter's opening lines and what is obviously Dane's attempt to disappear, the tension steadily increases throughout the book. Each new piece of information uncovered led to more questions. Cara and Jason's suspicions were further aroused by questionable actions taken by company leadership. Cara's determination to discover the truth led to unexpected consequences and a narrow escape. As she and Jason came closer to the truth, the intensity of the suspense ramped up even further. I was glued to the pages as they fought their way through gunfire, drenching rain, and a nearly fatal attack. In the end, some questions are resolved, but still others are left unanswered. I can't wait to read the next book and see where it goes.

The Cowboy's Comeback - Melissa Senate (HSE #2779 - Aug 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? (Book 2)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 129)

He's the one who got away…

You never forget your first…

Anyone can see why Amanda Jenkins fell for Holt Dalton way back when; the hunky rancher and former bad boy is all kinds of adorable. So is his son, Robby, their dog, Bentley, and their cat, Oliver. When Holt asks her for a second chance, it is awfully tempting to imagine them as a happy family. First, however, the charming cowboy will have to convince her that he's playing for keeps…

Very good second chance story. Shy Amanda and handsome Holt fell in love ten years earlier when both worked at a summer camp. They spent a lot of time sharing hopes and dreams of the future. But Holt hadn't been entirely open with Amanda, avoiding the fact that he was there performing court-ordered community service. He made some poor decisions that landed him in trouble and didn't want her to see that side of him. When the end of the summer came, Holt broke things off with her rather than chance her rejection of him. Amanda was stunned and brokenhearted by the way he walked away from her.

Ten years later, they unexpectedly encounter each other. Amanda is a marketing professional specializing in social media and online marketing. It is a perfect job for her since she is still uncomfortable around a lot of people. Holt is a divorced father of a seven-year-old boy who works on the family ranch with his father and brothers. From the moment they met, it was clear that the sparks between them were still there. But both of them had been burned by past relationships. Holt's marriage broke up because his wife had no interest in being a mother, while Robby was the center of Holt's world. Amanda still hurt from Holt's actions years ago, plus she was recently left at the altar by her fiancé.

The development of their relationship was not an easy one. Holt never forgot his feelings for Amanda and wants a second chance with her. Amanda is very wary, remembering the pain from him walking away the first time. Holt's cause is helped by his son Robby, who needs the reading help Amanda can provide. I loved seeing how quickly Amanda and Robby bonded. There are some adorable scenes involving the two of them and the effect their relationship had on Holt. I liked Holt's determination and his patience with Amanda's fears. Things moved along quite nicely until an unexpected encounter with Holt's ex-wife brought his fears and insecurities back to the surface. I wanted to shake him for pushing Amanda away, and I hurt for Amanda, who had begun to trust again. Holt earned every bit of misery he felt. I loved how he finally came to understand how he sabotaged his relationship with her. I loved the unexpected events that showed him what he needed to do. I also liked that Amanda didn't sit around waiting for Holt to see the light and was ready to take things into her own hands. The ending was terrific as Holt finally put his fears to rest in an emotional scene with Amanda. 

I also liked the secondary characters. I loved the friendship between Amanda and Brittany. They are very different personalities, and I loved seeing the contrast between the two. Brittany is also observant and level-headed and gives Amanda good advice. Holt's father, Neal, is another important part of the book. He doesn't make a good impression at the beginning with his attitude and impatience with Robby. I hurt for both Holt and Robby when they had to deal with him. Neal surprised me at the end with some of the things he did. I have great hope for his relationships with his family.

Part of the book was also spent on the series question of "What Happened to Beatrix?" At the end of the previous book, In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick, Melanie asked Amanda's help to search for clues. At the end of the book, Amanda receives a response to one of her online queries that gives Melanie and her fiancé a possible answer. I look forward to the next book and seeing what comes of it.

Just a Little Bet - Tawna Fenske (Entangled Amara - Oct 2020)

Series: Where There's Smoke (Book 2)

After a night of too many drinks, smokejumper Tony Warren and his best friend, photographer Kayla Gladney, come to the realization that they’re both bad at love. They even tried dating each other, but that crashed and burned, too. Now he’s got the hangover from hell and the certain conclusion he’s just a shit boyfriend. But Kayla thinks he’s a straight-up commitment-phobe.

So they make a bet—they’re going to hunt down his exes and decide once and for all why he’s so unlucky in love. Terrible boyfriend or commitment-phobe. Why does either answer feel like he’s still losing?

But between roadside burgers and late night detours, they discover some fires never burn out—like the one slowly smoldering between them. And suddenly losing feels a whole lot like winning again.

Good friends-to-lovers/second chance story. Tony and Kayla were a couple for a short time before they decided they were better friends than lovers. Since then, they have become best friends, sharing movie nights and romantic woes. After yet another break-up, Tony drinks a bit too much and confesses to Kayla that he wants more from his life but doesn't know how to get it. He's convinced that he is a crummy boyfriend, while Kayla thinks he's afraid of commitment. Kayla has a similar problem. She is a successful photographer, but she also wants a husband and kids of her own. None of her love interests have worked out either. Her sister gave her a self-help book to help Kayla figure out how to stop sabotaging herself.

Kayla has a road trip planned to photograph old burn sites for a book. As a smokejumper, Tony worked many of the fires that she wants to document and had girlfriends there too.  Kayla suggests that Tony accompany her and visit some of his ex-girlfriends to find out which it is. They have a small bet going as to the reason he's so unlucky.

I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Kaylan and Tony. The night that Tony got drunk and she took him to her place to sleep it off, something shifted a little in their friendship. There was a new awareness of each other that both were determined to ignore rather than risk their friendship. The trip started with snacks and general conversation, and Kayla reading out loud from the self-help book. I liked how each chapter that she read from tied in somehow to what they experienced that day.

Early in the book Kayla acquires a pup she names Fireball, who provides some comic relief when things start to get a little dark. Fireball also instigates a scene that brings out Tony's deeper, caring side that he often keeps hidden. As the trip continues, and they meet with several of his exes, Tony takes more ownership of his mistakes. I liked his determination to change his ways. The more time that he and Kayla spend together, the more the sparks of attraction between them build. And with the attraction comes deeper feelings.

Kayla sees a link between life and the fire sites that show new growth and wonders if it could be the same with her. Tony finds himself wondering "what if..." but his history makes him believe that he can't have it. Just when it looks like he might take a chance, that history comes roaring into his present. I ached for Tony and the pain he had to face. I wanted to shake him for pushing Kayla away, but I also understood that it was something he needed to confront. I liked the conversation between Tony and his brother and how it gave Tony the courage he needed. I loved the scene at his childhood home and the difference it made to his feelings about himself. While Tony faced his past, Kayla had some significant revelations of her own. A timely phone call from her mother helped her realize that she was harder on herself than she should be. I loved her mom's statement: "We're family. Awkward comes with the territory."

The ending was fantastic. I loved Tony's sweet, awkward apology and their acknowledgment that a relationship takes work. Perfect isn't possible, but owning up to mistakes and doing better is what counts. The epilogue was awesome, from the description of the exhibition (I LOVED the "Bloopers and Bonus Shots) to Tony's surprise for Kayla. 

A California Christmas - Brenda Novak (Mira - Oct 2020)

Series: Silver Springs (Book 7)

Up-and-coming TV anchor Emery Bliss can't imagine anything more humiliating than the sex tape her ex revenge-posted online. That is, until it causes her to lose her job on top of her self-esteem. Seeking solace -- and anonymity -- in Silver Springs, Emery isn't looking to get involved with another man any time soon. But when she's thrown back into contact with Dallas Turner, she sees something that his many detractors have missed. 

Being home for the holidays and his adoptive mother's wedding isn't where mountain climber Dallas feels most comfortable. Thanks to his troubled childhood, he'd rather be on a rock face alone than trying to connect with people. Emery, however, makes him want to overcome his past…somehow.

Both Emery and Dallas had been planning on a quiet, solitary Christmas, but the sparks between them are lighting a fire strong enough to last -- possibly forever.

Good book that takes place at the New Horizons ranch in Silver Springs. Aiyanna started the ranch many years before to help at-risk young men. Some of those boys she adopted, and they have grown into fine adults. Aiyanna is about to marry her long-time love, and her adoptive sons have returned to Silver Springs for the celebration. One of those men is Dallas Turner.

Dallas witnessed his father murder his mother and sister when he was a boy. After years in the foster system, he ended up at New Horizons. Even after all these years, Dallas bears a tremendous amount of guilt, feeling that he should have saved them. He prefers to spend his time on his solo mountain climbing career, where he can hide from his memories, than around people he has to talk to. The last person he expects to encounter when he comes home for his mother's wedding is his high school crush, Emery.

Emery left Silver Springs after college and moved to LA, where she became a television news anchor. Her career was going well until her secret relationship with her co-anchor ended. When she wouldn't get back with him, Ethan posted a revenge-porn video on the internet, causing an end to her career and a hit to her self-esteem. Sinking under the weight of despair and depression, Emery ends up at New Horizons, staying with her mom's friend, Aiyanna. Silver Springs is the perfect place for her to lick her wounds and decide what to do about her future. The last thing she wants is to get involved with another man.

I liked the development of the relationship between Emery and Dallas. His protective instincts are aroused when he hears what happened to Emery. I loved that he immediately believed her story and that he wanted to do something about it. It was sweet to see how Dallas made a point of helping Emery overcome her embarrassment and fear of appearing in public. Though there were sparks between them from the first, they tried to stick to being friends. Neither felt they were in a place for more than that. Emery questions her judgment when it comes to men after being so wrong about Ethan. Dallas is too haunted by his past to believe that he can give Emery the stability she needs. I loved the support Dallas gave Emery as she made decisions about her future. There were some fun scenes where that support was a bit more involved than I expected. The more time they spent together, the stronger their attraction grew until they couldn't help but give in to it. As they grew closer, I liked seeing Emery chip away at Dallas's walls and help him work through his guilt, but there are still obstacles that face them. An unexpected visitor from his past brought back his pain but also helped him confront it. I liked the effect it had on him and his hopes for a future with Emery. I liked his big moment at the end, and the epilogue was terrific.

Brandon - Melody Anne (Amazon - Oct 2020)

Series: Anderson Billionaires (Book 17)

Air Force pilot turned electrician Brandon Anderson never thought he’d have money or security, so the inheritance he and his brothers receive from his billionaire uncle seems too good to be true. Brandon can’t help but wonder if there are strings attached. After all, his uncle loves to meddle…

Working alongside his brothers to build a new veterans center, Brandon just wants to get the job done. That all changes when his uncle asks Chloe—the beautiful and confident daughter of a famous chef and food critic—to design the center’s kitchen. Brandon and Chloe have a steamy chemistry, but he struggles with allowing himself happiness, and Chloe is a perfectionist determined never to be in a long-term relationship. Now Brandon has to convince her to finish this job with him.

Brandon and Chloe are used to putting work first, but as they grow closer, they’ll learn that even a real-life love story can have a fairy-tale ending.

Good story of love, friendship, and family. This is the seventeenth overall in the Anderson Billionaires series and the third in the subset of these brothers. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I never felt lost. The author did an excellent job of filling in the backstory without bogging down the story. The book starts with Brandon's Uncle Joseph, patriarch of the Anderson family, and self-confessed meddler, plotting to bring Brandon and Chloe together. He has a reputation within the family, so he has to be devious in his machinations. He plans to use the veteran's center to further his plans.

Chloe is the chef and owner of a local café. As the daughter of a food critic (mom) and a famous chef (dad), Chloe was raised to expect perfection from herself. She frequently feels that she doesn't live up to expectation - theirs or hers - but she loves what she does. Chloe avoids relationships, preferring to concentrate on growing her business. She also believes that relationships are "messy," especially when they inevitably end.

Brandon and his four brothers grew up poor and only recently discovered that they were part of "that" Anderson family. He likes being part of the veterans center project, which is important to him, but looks forward to its being done. In his Air Force days, Brandon had a playboy reputation, with no interest in settling down. But with two of his brothers now married, he finds himself thinking more of the future.

Joseph wants Chloe to design the center's kitchen. She is reluctant because she knows it means working with Brandon. They had a steamy night together a couple of years earlier, and neither has forgotten it. Chloe prefers to pretend it never happened, while Brandon wants more. I loved how Brandon never gives up on Chloe. He starts slowly, using their need to work together on the center, to get his foot in the door. Brandon knows Chloe well enough not to push too hard, or he could push her away. Instead, he uses the things they have in common to chip away at her walls. Helping his goal is the attraction that burns so hot between them. Chloe works hard to convince herself that it is casual while Brandon knows that he's fallen hard for her. There were several times when I wanted to shake Chloe for being so darn stubborn and thought that Brandon had the patience of a saint to wait her out. I loved it when she finally realized that she couldn't fight her feelings any longer and allowed herself to admit her love for Brandon. I loved Brandon's big moment at the end, and the epilogue was great.

Two important themes in this book were friendship and family. A big part of Chloe's life is her friendship with Brooke and Sarah. They have supported each other through big and small problems. Chloe was there for them during their romances with Brandon's brothers, and now it is her turn. I loved their determination that nothing would come between them, even if her relationship with Brandon didn't work out. They could also see the truth of Chloe's feelings for him and didn't back off from pointing out what they'd observed. They gave her the kick in the pants she needed to overcome her fears.

I also liked the importance of family. Joseph's search for and inclusion of the "lost" Andersons shows his dedication to his family. While his meddling isn't usually appreciated, it is fun to see how well he knows those family members he "helps." I liked the respect they all had for each other and their abilities and loved how they came together to build the veterans center.  Chloe had a complicated relationship with her parents. She never doubted their love for her or hers for them, but she frequently feels that she has disappointed them with her choices. There were a couple of awkward encounters with both her mom and her dad early on. As the story went on and Chloe opened her heart to Brandon, she also found her relationship with her parents changing. I enjoyed her mom's later visits and the effect they had on Chloe. I loved the surprise they had for her at the end of the book.

Charming the Skeptic - Wynter Daniels (CPC Publishing - Oct 2020)

Series: Cat's Paw Cove (Book 18)

Will love open his heart to magic?

Paranormal investigator Wade Preston is so sure that anything supernatural is fake, he even hosts a TV series that debunks so-called haunted places. But when the show is in danger of being canceled, he must wow his producers by exposing the most convincing occult phenomenon he can find -- Tales bookstore in Cat's Paw Cove.

Bookworm Astor Carmichael knows magic is real, because she has the power to step into the world of any novel, and her mischievous cat often joins her. Ever since her mom abandoned the family, Astor's frequent jaunts into fiction are a lot more interesting than caring for her siblings and father.

When Wade sets his sights on the supposedly-haunted bookstore, he gets way more than he ever could have imagined. He'd never counted on the possibility that ghosts might actually be real -- or that he'd fall for Astor -- the beautiful woman who manages the bookstore.

Fun book. In magical Cat's Paw Cove, you never know if you're talking to a witch, a fairy, or, in this case, a bookworm. Astor's magical talent is the ability to step into the world of any book. As the oldest of her siblings, Astor has had the responsibility of caring for her family ever since her mother left them. It's no wonder that escaping into the worlds of Little Women or The Great Gatsby is more interesting. It's the perfect magical talent for the manager of a haunted bookstore.

Wade is the host of a television show called Haunted Hoaxes, where he exposes fake supernatural events. He believes that there is no such thing as paranormal activity. When his show is about to be canceled, Wade plans to win renewal by exposing Tales bookstore as a fraud. Things don't go quite the way he expected.

I loved following Wade's conversion. The book opened with a prologue from Wade's childhood detailing a traumatic event that goes a long way toward explaining his obsession. When he arrived in Cat's Paw Cove, he simply observed the bookstore and noticed Astor right away. When they met, there was no doubt about the sparks that flew between them. Neither planned to act on them because Wade is only there for a short time, and Astor can't imagine getting involved with someone like Wade. However, they can't resist spending time with each other, and because of that, Wade is around as ghostly activity in the bookstore begins to escalate. It was funny to see him try so hard to explain away the things that happened. There was also a terrific scene involving Astor's cat, Pickles, and a compost bin that also chipped away at his disbelief.

The real kicker came when Pickles disappeared into a damaged journal, and Astor followed, vanishing right before Wade's eyes. The intensity was fantastic as Astor dealt with obstacles to her return, including an unexpected quarantine. On the other side, Wade and her family were desperate to find a way to get her back home. Help came from an unexpected source that made it possible for Astor to get back and answered questions about Wade's past. The ending was terrific.

The Merriest Magnolia - Michelle Major (HQN - Oct 2020)

Series: Magnolia Sisters (Book 2)

Home for the holidays has always meant cozy small-town traditions…but this year all that may change…

Carrie Reed has always been known as her hometown’s good girl, yet she still loves Magnolia, North Carolina—after all, this is where her newly discovered sisters, Avery and Meredith, live. But Christmas is on its way, and with it her first love, Dylan Scott—back in town and planning on changing everything she’s ever loved about Magnolia with his real estate development project…but not without a fight.

Returning to Magnolia was never in Dylan’s plans—it holds too many reminders that he would never be good enough…and memories of the girl he left behind. But when a tragedy leaves him as the guardian of a grieving teenager, Dylan returns, ready to remake the town into something only money can buy, small-town traditions be damned. But with Carrie determined to stop him, he finds himself wondering if redeeming his teenage reputation is worth losing out on his second chance at love.

This is the second book in the Magnolia Sisters series and easily as good as the first book (The Magnolia Sisters). It can be read as a stand-alone, as the backstory is deftly handled, but I recommend reading the first book before this one for a more satisfying experience. The background is that three young women discover that they are half-sisters when their father dies. Carrie and Meredith are Magnolia natives, though they didn't know of their relationship while growing up. Avery arrived after learning of her inheritance. Though initially shocked by the news, it didn't take long for them to become friends. I loved watching them band together to deal with the fallout from their father's death.

Carrie was the legitimate daughter and looked at as the town princess (though she hated the idea). When her parents divorced, she stayed with her father and looked after him, giving up on her dreams of an art career. Carrie loves her hometown and was heartbroken at the mess her father left behind. She and her sisters are determined to rebuild the town and made good progress toward that goal in the previous book. They have great plans for the holiday season, hoping to lure back the tourists who used to be the town's mainstay. Those plans run into a snag when Carrie's high school boyfriend, now a hotshot real estate developer, returns to Magnolia with plans of his own.

Dylan was Carrie's boyfriend in high school, the bad boy to her good girl. It all came to an end when Carrie's father bribed him to leave town. Dylan has two purposes in returning to Magnolia. The first is to give his grieving teenage ward a change of scenery. When Dylan's cousin and his wife died in a plane crash, Dylan was left to pick up the pieces. He struggles with knowing the best way to help Sam. His second purpose is to carry out his plan to turn Magnolia into a destination for the wealthy by building luxury condos and high-end shops. It would also serve a secondary purpose of destroying her father's legacy.

Carrie isn't happy to see Dylan, especially once she learns of his plans. Their opposite visions don't bode well for a smooth process. Their confrontation at a town meeting ends with the mayor assigning them to work together on the Merry Magnolia Christmas festival. Dylan, who hates everything Christmas, does his best to avoid following through. But when Sam gets in trouble for vandalizing the school, he is assigned community service with Carrie.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Carrie and Dylan. Brought together by their concern for Sam, it doesn't take long to re-establish their earlier friendship. As long as they don't talk about their plans for the town, they enjoy spending time with each other. There were some terrific scenes as their friendship deepens and grows. Dylan hasn't forgotten anything about Carrie, and he uses that knowledge to push her toward thinking about herself sometimes instead of always putting others first. I loved seeing him try to boost her confidence in her painting. At the same time, Carrie helps Dylan with Sam, aided by a dog and a kitten. Carrie has high hopes that she will succeed in showing Dylan that Magnolia doesn't need "upgrading" while he plows ahead with his plans, driven by his insecurities. Carrie's pain and heartbreak were palpable when she discovered the truth. I ached for Dylan, too. His kick in the pants came in an unexpected conversation with an old foe. I loved the ending and the surprise that awaited Carrie when she returned to Magnolia.

The secondary characters were wonderful. I liked seeing how the sisters grew closer as they worked through their plans for the town and their feelings about their father. There were some especially poignant moments as they continued to work through their father's estate. I also loved how they had each others' backs when things were difficult. I loved Sam. Besides being a fantastic character himself, he was a shining example of how good a man Dylan is. I liked the realism of how his parents' deaths affected him, from acting out at school to lashing out at Dylan.

The Magnolia Sisters - Michelle Major (HQN - Mar 2020)

Series: Magnolia Sisters (Book 1)

An inheritance brought her to Magnolia, but love just might keep her there…

Avery Keller arrives in Magnolia, North Carolina, with one aim: collect her inheritance and quickly put the quirky town in her rearview mirror. But the father who didn't acknowledge her when he was alive has left Avery a mess to sort through -- along with two half-sisters she's never met and a gorgeous single dad living next door. Soon her plan to keep this colorful, close-knit community at a distance gets complicated….

Grayson Atwell has rescued plenty of people in his firefighting career. His work and his little girl, Violet, are his entire world and there's no time for anything -- or anyone -- else. But the vulnerability beneath Avery's prickly facade brings out a fiercely protective side of him. Despite her protests, Gray can see that Avery's falling under Magnolia's spell -- just like he's falling for her. Now the only question is: How can he convince her to give them both a chance at forever?

Terrific story set in a small town and full of love, laughter, family, and friendship. It is the story of three half-sisters who knew nothing about each other until their father died, and they attended the will reading. The main focus of this book is on Avery, the oldest of the three girls.

Avery grew up in California, the daughter of a single mother. She always thought she was the result of a one-night stand and sometimes wondered about her father. Her mom was a successful surgeon who was not very affectionate and had high expectations for Avery. Avery had an excellent job in risk management, but she is only too happy to escape California for Magnolia, North Carolina, when the story opened. Her life imploded because the man she loved turned out to be married. The description of how she found out was painful, not just for how it happened, but also for how she was treated. I ached for the undeserved guilt she felt. As she neared Magnolia, all she wants is to get her inheritance, whatever it is, and get on with her life. She's not in a good mood and takes it out on an unsuspecting stranger at a gas station as she enters the town.

Avery receives quite a shock at the reading when she finds out about her sisters. They aren't any too pleased to see her either. Things become even more complicated when each woman's inheritance is turned about from what is logical. Then there are their father's debts to deal with. Avery sees her quick escape fading fast as it is obvious she will have to stay longer. She takes her sister Carrie up on her offer to use Carrie's apartment while she's there, and Carrie stays at their father's house. She gets another shock the next morning when she finds out that her landlord is the hot stranger from yesterday's confrontation.

Grayson is a single dad whose four-year-old daughter is the center of his universe. He has a career he loves as a firefighter. The last thing Grayson needs is a prickly neighbor getting under his skin. But he can't deny his attraction to her - or the unexpected bond she forms with his daughter Violet.

I admit that I wasn't sure I was going to like Avery. First impressions were that she was a bit of a snob, rude, and only out for herself. But she made me laugh with her first encounter with Violet. I loved the whole "I don't like kids, but sure I'll braid your hair for you." Violet is an interesting little girl who appreciates Avery's bluntness and returns it with the same. I loved watching Violet worm her way into Avery's heart.

I also liked seeing the relationship develop between Grayson and Avery. It's a little rough at first, but anyone good to Violet is a winner in his book. There are sparks of attraction between them that they consider pursuing temporarily. But as Avery gets caught up in life in Magnolia, leaving becomes less appealing. I liked seeing her and Grayson grow closer, from shared meals to town events to a growing feeling of family with Violet. There are some issues with Grayson's ex-wife, and trouble comes when Stacy carries tales about Avery's past. I wanted to shake Gray at that point for being such a bone-headed jerk. I thought he deserved every bit of misery he experienced. I ached for Avery and her renewed feeling of failure. I cheered at the support she received from Carrie and Meredith and loved how they backed her up as she faced her past. Avery's return to Magnolia gave her the feeling of home that she was looking for. I loved the surprise that waited for her and laughed out loud at all of the "help" that Grayson received with it.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the three sisters, Avery, Carrie, and Meredith, became each other's best friends. Things were a little rough at first with Avery's intention of leaving. I liked the dynamics of the trio. Carrie and Meredith grew up together but never knew they were sisters until after their father's death. They are very different personalities and spend a lot of time arguing with each other. Avery is a buffer between them and does well at defusing tensions. I loved seeing how both Carrie and Meredith worked to make Avery see the good side of Magnolia. Meredith was a bit sneaky in her methods, which involved getting Avery to "foster" an overweight dog. I loved seeing Avery fall under the dog's spell.

I loved the town of Magnolia. It is the typical small town where everyone knows your business, which took Avery a while to get used to. It was interesting to learn about the strange relationship between the town and its famous citizen. The more I knew of the women's father, the less I liked him. I liked how the various townspeople worked to convince Avery to stay. It wasn't too long before the town began to grow on her. I loved it when she made her choice and what she decided to do about it. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing how the progress goes. 

Scandal and the Runaway Bride - Donna Alward (HR #4732 - Oct 2020)

Series: Heirs to an Empire (Book 1)

The tycoon's forbidden flirtation…

With the heiress!

Will Pemberton's plan was simple: find Gabi, his brother's runaway bride, and protect his famous family from the press. Until their dangerous attraction threatens a bigger scandal! Gabi's wedding might have been fake, but Will's growing feelings for the misunderstood heiress are dangerously real. Falling for Gabi risks his family and the life he's worked hard to turn around… Is it one risk he's willing to take?

Very good book that I read in one sitting. I loved the depth of the conversations between Will and Gabi, the wonderful supporting characters, and the vivid descriptions of the setting. It opens at the wedding of Will's brother Stephen and his fiancée Gabi. Except that the bride didn't show up. Determined to protect his family, Will comes up with a cover story and then takes off searching for the missing bride. He's the only one in the family who knows the truth of their engagement.

Gabi's arrangement with Stephen was purely business. Stephen's father recently died, putting him at the head of the family and business. Gabi's father is ill, and she is in charge of their family business while he recovers. Stephen makes a business proposal that includes Gabi marrying him and providing an heir. Gabi panicked on the wedding day and realized that she couldn't marry a man she didn't love, even to help her family. So she ran.

When Will catches up with Gabi, he is extremely angry with her. Not so much for what she did but because of the timing. Because he knows the truth and disapproved, he understands Gabi's feelings. I loved watching him come up with a plan that would protect both Stephen and Gabi. However, he never expected the turn his plan would take.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Gabi. Will is determined to protect the family, and Gabi feels guilty enough to go along with his plans. Will spirited her away to the family chateau in France where they planned to wait out the media frenzy. Once Will got over his anger, he respected Gabi's bravery in doing the right thing by calling off the wedding. During the time they spent together "hiding out," Will and Gabi became friends. Neither expected the growing attraction that sprung up between them. Though both of them fought their feelings, it was no use.

I ached for them both because of the obstacles that made a relationship difficult, if not impossible. The biggest was Gabi's former engagement to Stephen. Both she and Will felt that it would be disloyal to him to pursue their feelings. On Will's side, there is the gratitude he feels toward Stephen for saving him from a destructive path when he was younger. There is also the business relationship between the two families' companies. Gabi's fears about her abilities to run the family business were a motivating factor of her actions during the book. I loved how Will's support helped bolster her confidence. It also made her love him even more. When their relationship is discovered before they are ready, both Will and Gabi decide to face it head-on.

The scenes at the Pemberton estate were heartbreaking. I hurt for both Will and Gabi as they dealt with his family's attitudes. It was especially painful to witness Stephen's actions as they struck at the heart of Gabi's insecurities. I didn't blame her for what she did then and loved the strength that she showed. The ending was fantastic. Once the truth was out, I loved how Will's sisters got involved in bringing them back together in a sweetly romantic scene.

It was interesting to see the differences between Will's family and Gabi's family. There was no doubt about the love that existed, but the differences in the expression of that love were significant. I much preferred Gabi's family and their exuberance to the more reserved Pemberton's. And I ended up detesting Stephen. It will be interesting to see if and how he redeems himself.

Bachelor Undone - Brenda Jackson (HK #261 - Dec 2011)

Series: Bachelors in Demand (Book 3)

Every woman wants him. But he only wants her.

When Darcy Owens leaves snowy New York for some Jamaican fun in the sun, the city planner isn't expecting to meet the hero of her fantasies. But the sexy, sun-kissed man she sees her first day on the beach comes pretty close. Until he turns out to be York Ellis, the drop-dead-gorgeous but supremely arrogant ex-cop who thinks she needs his protection...and his passion.

When York looks at Darcy, he knows she's the woman he'd give his life for. So when Darcy finds herself in peril, the security expert vows to safeguard her. Now it's not only his body at risk. It's his heart he's in danger of losing when she tempts him with the one thing the sworn bachelor never dreamed he'd find: passionate, glorious love.

Another Bachelor in Demand bites the dust. York and Darcy have known each other for a couple of years since her best friend, Ellie, is married to his godbrother, Uriel (Bachelor Untamed). However, they don't get along and avoid each other during gatherings they both attend. York hit on Darcy at Ellie's wedding and got shot down in no uncertain terms. This put a dent in York's pride and colored the way he looked at her. What he didn't know was that Darcy had just ended a terrible marriage and was cynical about all men, and he got hit with the results.

Neither one expected to run into each other in Jamaica. Darcy was there on vacation and looking for a vacation playmate. York was there on business, investigating a movie piracy scheme. I had to laugh when Darcy first saw York because she didn't recognize him, and her dismay was hilarious when she did. It only got worse when he later confronted her about a man she talked to a hotel party. He had excellent reasons to warn her against Damien, but she didn't want to hear it. At the same time, the attraction that bubbled beneath their antagonism finally boiled over.

I enjoyed watching the development of Darcy and York's relationship. It started as purely physical, with Darcy intending that it end when she leaves Jamaica. York, on the other hand, sees no reason that they shouldn't continue. He doesn't expect to find that he wants more than just an affair. This quickly becomes evident to him when he hates to see her with someone else, and when his protective instincts are thoroughly aroused by the time she spends with Damien. I was a bit frustrated with Darcy's refusal to listen to York's warnings. I somewhat understood her reasons, but his experience should have made her more receptive.

I liked watching them grow closer the more time that they spent together. Darcy began to suspect that her heart was in trouble, but did not want to admit it. When the issue with Damien grew more intense, York made a boneheaded move that protected Darcy but made her feel betrayed and used. I hurt for her, but I also wanted to shake her for being so stubborn. I liked Ellie's conversation with Darcy and her attempt to talk sense into Darcy. The ending was good, as York showed up on Darcy's doorstep. I enjoyed how he took the wind out of the sails of her anger with a few words. The epilogue was fun, especially York's conversation with the three remaining bachelors' club members.

Return to Virgin River - Robyn Carr (Mira - Oct 2020)

Series: Virgin River (Book 21)

Kaylee Sloan's home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother's recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead she has terrible writer's block and a looming deadline.

Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives north through the mountains and the majestic redwoods, she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack's Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she's surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend -- or a stranger -- in need.

Kaylee's world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there's the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee's dread turns to wonder. Because there's no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River.

Terrific book. It has been many years since I last read a Virgin River book, other than My Kind of Christmas. It didn't take me long to slip right back into the comfort of Jack's Bar and the warmth of the town. I loved seeing them take a lost young woman under their wings and help her heal.

Kaylee lost her mother to cancer on Christmas Day the previous year. Since then, she has been drowning in grief, unable even to lose herself in her writing. With her latest book's fast-approaching deadline, Kaylee escapes to Virgin River and the cabin where she and her mom spent some time. She's devastated when she arrives to find the house engulfed in flames. She heads to Jack's to regroup and decide what to do. Jack, who is the town's "Mr. Fixit," immediately offers her a place to stay for a few days, and various other people offer their assistance. But it's local artist Landry who rents her his guest cabin.

Landry is a little bit of a loner. He grew up in Virgin River, left for a while, and returned when city life didn't work out for him. His father's death hit him hard also, and he lost himself in his art as he coped with his grief. In addition to his art, Landry also works as a dog trainer.

I loved watching the relationship between Kaylee and Landry grow. It started slowly, with drinks or coffee on one porch or the other, as they talked about anything and everything. Landry and his dog helped Kaylee overcome her fear of dogs. The more time that they spend together, the more that the sparks between them intensify. I loved seeing how they supported each other's careers and respected the other's need for space. Though they acknowledge their feelings, some obstacles keep them apart. Landry's biggest obstacle came as quite a surprise and was a bit harder to overcome than expected. I loved how they were honest with each other about their needs and that both were willing to compromise to bring them the future they wanted.

There was more going on in Kaylee's life than her growing relationship with Landry. Her main reason for coming to Virgin River was to reclaim her writing mojo. I hurt for her and her fear that it wouldn't happen and loved her determination to keep plugging away. It was interesting to see the effect the people of Virgin River had on her thought processes and the "writing exercise" that became so much more. Kaylee also needed to deal with her grief, and besides her time with Landry, it was a conversation with Mel that put her on the right track: "You know what I learned about grief? It's always there, and it's always at the center of your life, and then one day, you realize with some surprise that you had a fairly good day, and you wonder if grief left. Or if it got smaller. It didn't - - your world got bigger." Something that helped make Kaylee's world a little bigger was her rescue of a tiny kitten, and later a mama dog with puppies. I loved the scenes with them, and with Landry's dog, Otis. As the weeks passed, her world got even bigger as she made friends with Virgin River's people, and she had more good days than bad. I loved how she used her grief to help another and the unexpected twist that help took.

I enjoyed being able to check in with previous Virgin River couples. There were plenty of scenes with Jack and Mel, the ones who started it all. I especially liked that these characters didn't get dropped in willy-nilly, but were logical parts of the plot. It all makes me want to reread the series.

Bachelor Untamed - Brenda Jackson (HK #157 - Oct 2009)

Series: Bachelors in Demand (Book 1)

One mind-blowing kiss. That was all Ellie Weston shared with her neighbor and crush one summer, before he angrily discovered she'd approached him on a dare. Ten years later, Ellie is back at her great-aunt's lake house, and so is Uriel Lassiter -- still wildly sexy, single and happy to stay that way. When Ellie finds her great-aunt's never-completed romance novel, she decides to finish the manuscript -- but first she needs some real-life inspiration: a sultry summer fling.

Uriel hasn't forgotten Ellie, and their sizzling chemistry is starting to make him reconsider his tried-and-true bachelor status. But when the truth about her motive emerges, can Ellie convince him that make-believe has turned into sweet reality?

Good book. The story opens when Ellie is sixteen, and Uriel is twenty-one. Their families own neighboring lake houses, and they have known each other for years. Ellie has a huge crush on Uriel, who is about to graduate from college. Afraid she'll never see him again after this summer, Ellie accepts her friend Darcy's dare to walk up and kiss him for at least a minute. Uriel has just started noticing that Ellie is growing up, and when she plants one on him, he can't help but respond. But when Darcy interrupts, yelling about the dare, he gets mad and stalks off.

Fast forward ten years. Ellie's beloved Aunt Mabel, the lake house owner, has died and left it all to Ellie. She arrives at the lake house to settle her aunt's affairs and clean out her aunt's things. She is shocked when she finds a partially written romance novel and is fascinated by what she read. While still processing that information, she sees Uriel arrive at his parents' place. Ten years on, he has grown into a handsome man.

Uriel arrives at the lake, looking for some peace and quiet while also doing a little work. He knows Mabel has died, but not that Ellie is staying in the house. Otherwise, he would never have started his morning with a skinny-dip in the lake. Feeling a bit guilty about that, Uriel went to apologize to her and was floored by what a beautiful woman she'd grown up to be.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ellie and Uriel. The sparks between them are intense from the moment they saw each other again. Uriel proposes a month-long fling between them, making it clear that's all it could be. He has been burned on the idea of marriage by the disintegration of his parents' marriage and has no intention of taking that risk himself. Ellie is wary of the proposal. She remembers her crush very well and sees the potential for heartbreak. But she also needs inspiration if she is going to finish her aunt's book, and knows that he would provide it. Once again, her friend Darcy pushes her into it, telling her Uriel need never know.

It was fun to see Ellie and Uriel together. There are some great scenes of them together, sharing everything from fish frys to movie nights. Uriel is the one who continually insists that it is just a fling, but he sure does get bent out of shape when his godbrothers show up and take notice of her. I had to laugh because they all knew her from when they were kids and look on her as a sister. They all get a little protective of her and give Uriel a hard time. Uriel refuses to admit that what he's feeling is more than a fling.

Meanwhile, Ellie knows her instincts were right and that she is falling for him all over again. She also feels guilty about not telling him about the book. When he overhears part of Ellie and Darcy's conversation, history repeats itself, and he goes away mad. I thought he deserved his misery for not letting Ellie explain. I hurt for Ellie because she was right about the heartbreak. I loved the ending, though, as Ellie took matters into her own hands and forced a confrontation with him. I loved watching her get his attention and keep it while she made him listen to her explanation.

 

Agent by Her Side - Deborah Fletcher Mello (HRS #2107 - Oct 2020)

Series: Colton 911: Grand Rapids (Book 4) 

She’ll do anything to track a killer

And he’ll do anything to keep her in line…

If PI Kiely Colton must work with FBI agent Cooper Winston, she will. But to solve a cold case, she won’t change her break-the-rules style to accommodate the single father’s by-the-book principles. As the investigation progresses, Kiely finds herself inexplicably attracted to her exacting partner and enchanted by his adorable son. Will a ruthless killer put an end to their possible future before it really begins?

Good book with a nice blend of romance and suspense. Kiely is a PI with her family's business, Colton Investigations. She has a reputation for getting the job done, and also for pushing the envelope of legality. This has put her at odds with Cooper Winston, a by-the-book FBI agent. Because of her family's excellent reputation, they frequently work with local law enforcement, including the FBI. She currently assists with a case that also has a personal connection for her. When a tip comes in that she thinks is legit, she wants to follow up on it immediately - alone. Cooper, the lead agent on the case, disagrees.

Cooper is skeptical about the tip, but doesn't want her to follow up on it by herself and insists on going with her. Kiely irritates him with her disregard for the rules, but he doesn't want her to be in danger. Before they can leave to check it out, Cooper receives a call from his son's daycare that little Alfie is missing. Cooper and Kiely rescue him through a fortuitous series of events, but Cooper is injured in the process. Cooper is a single dad, and Alfie is his world. Because the boy may still be in danger, Kiely steps in to help protect him and also take care of Cooper.

I loved the development of the relationship between Cooper and Kiely. Together 24/7, each of them discovers a different side of the other. Kiely sees that the cold, rigid FBI agent is also a warm, relaxed, and loving father. Cooper finds that the go-for-broke PI has an unexpected soft side that connects quickly with his son. There are several terrific scenes as he and Kiely get to know each other, and show them becoming a temporary family. Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flew between them. Cooper didn't think that he'd be drawn to another woman after his wife's death, but can't deny his growing feelings for Kiely. Kiely was wary of love because of things she had seen in her parents' marriage. I enjoyed seeing Kiely discover new facets of herself and laughed at her family's reactions. It was nice to see that both Cooper and Kiely were upfront about their feelings. There's an event at the end that solidifies those feelings. Cooper's support and understanding as Kiely dealt with the aftermath was awesome.

The suspense of the story was terrific. The book starts with a rush when Alfie is kidnapped and maintains the intensity throughout. Both the FBI and Colton Investigations are determined to find their quarry. Alfie's kidnapping adds a new set of questions as they try to figure out its connection to the case. As Cooper and Kiely delve deeper into their search, the attacks on them intensify. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was a nail-biter with a satisfactory conclusion. However, an unexpected twist showed that the danger wasn't over yet. This one had me glued to the pages (and up way too late) as Kiely faced a frightening foe. Some progress is made in the overall investigation, leaving me ready for the next book and whatever happens there.