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. 

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.

 

Suspicious Circumstances - Rita Herron (HI #1953 - Oct 2020)

Series: Badge of Honor (Book 4)

The fire that killed his father

Also devastated her life.

Searching for anyone who might have information about the hospital fire that killed his father, special agent Liam Maverick asks nurse Peyton Weiss for help in his hunt for answers. But someone doesn’t want Peyton to share what she knows. As the threats against her escalate to attempted murder, Peyton realizes she has no choice but to work with Liam to catch the arsonist. With both of them risking everything for the truth, it becomes a daily struggle to stay alive—and to ignore the sparks flying between them that are hot enough to ignite.

Good combination of suspense and romance. The book opened with a flashback to the night of the fire at Whistler's hospital from Peyton's perspective. We see that she knew something was wrong in a case earlier that week, and that she received a threatening phone call about it. It is also clear that keeping quiet eats at her conscience, but fear for her mother gives her no choice.

Five years later, special agent Liam Maverick gets a break in the case of the hospital fire that killed his father. The man that he talks to points a finger at Peyton. When Liam questions her, he is immediately suspicious because he senses that she is hiding something. Peyton is determined to keep her secret, but she knows she needs help when she receives a new threat against her mother.

I liked the development of the relationship between Liam and Peyton. Though he was suspicious of her at first, Liam also sensed that she was scared. His protective instinct kicked in quickly, and he was determined to keep her safe. Peyton was wary of Liam at the beginning because she could tell that he didn't believe her. But when she needed help, she knew that she could trust him. Neither expected sparks of attraction, especially in the middle of such a perilous situation. I loved seeing them grow closer. Liam discovered that Peyton filled an empty space in his life, and Peyton found herself dreaming of a life she'd given up on after the fire. However, there are still some obstacles between them. Peyton kept one other secret from Liam because she was burned by others who knew it. When Liam found out, he was hurt and a bit angry that she didn't trust him. It took a push from his three brothers to make him see the truth. The ending was sweet, and I loved seeing them come together. There was a fun twist to the end of it.

The suspense of the story was intense all the way through. The threats against Peyton picked up right after Liam questioned her. Those threats escalated quickly from verbal to attempts on her life and that of her mother. Once Peyton decided to help Liam, it sometimes seemed there were more questions than answers. Several suspects had means and motive, and there were a few twists before the final confrontation. I was on the edge of my seat as it played out, especially as I did not see part of it coming.

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.

48 Hour Lockdown - Carla Cassidy (HI #1970 - Apr 2020)

Series: Tactical Crime Division (Book 1)

The Tactical Crime Division -- TCD -- is a specialized unit of the FBI. They handle the toughest cases in the most remote locations.

When TCD learns of a school invasion turned lockdown, every agent is ready to engage. With children in jeopardy, the stakes couldn't be higher. But it becomes personal for hostage negotiator agent Evan Duran when he learns Annalise Taylor is one of the captives holed up with the students in a school for the gifted. He'll need every resource available at TCD and every ounce of his expertise to turn this disastrous situation into a rescue mission -- and if he succeeds, maybe reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.

This was a good second chance romance combined with an intense suspense story. Annalise is a teacher at a school for gifted, underprivileged children. As the story opens, she and three students are doing some afterschool computer work. Their activities are interrupted when the school is invaded by a cult leader and several of his followers. It develops into a hostage situation when the rapid police response traps them in the school.

Evan is a hostage negotiator with the Tactical Crime Division. He is very good at what he does, and is ready to go when he hears about the lockdown. When he learns that children are involved, he knows that the stakes are high. But when he learns that Annalise is one of the hostages, the situation becomes personal.

Evan and Annalise have a history together. They were a couple for two years, then three years ago Annalise left Evan, breaking his heart. He thought their love was strong, and had no idea why she left. Though Evan thinks he is over her, it is obvious from the start that he still cares. When Annalise hears his voice, it gives her hope that the situation will be resolved successfully. As the story progresses through the lockdown and the kidnapping that follows it, the time that Evan and Annalise spend together stirs up the old emotions. A little bit older and wiser, both of them take the time to talk about what went wrong before. When Annalise learns about Evan's tragic past, it gives her insight into the issues that caused their breakup. She also has the confidence to push back against Evan when she needs to. Evan is warier. He's not sure that he wants to give his heart to her again and risk having it broken again. I loved his "aha" moment as he realized where he had gone wrong and how it opened his heart to trying again.

The suspense of the story was intense from beginning to end. The cult leader, Jacob, was one scary man. His actions during the lockdown kept the tension high from the moment it started. His refusal to talk to Evan made Evan's job even harder. I was very impressed with Annalise's ability to stay calm and her cleverness in finding a way to use her cellphone to contact Evan. The longer the lockdown went on, the harder it was to see a successful resolution. I loved the courage of the little girl, Sadie, especially when she interacted with Jacob. The rescue operation was a nail-biter and didn't go as well as they planned, when Jacob and his wife escaped and took Sadie with them. I loved the teamwork of the TCD, and how Annalise was a big part of that team. It was fascinating to follow the thoughts and procedures that went into Sadie's rescue. There were several twists, including the realization that there was someone on the inside working against the good guys. The final confrontation with Jacob was intense and led to the unmasking of the insider.

The Seaside Café - Rochelle Alers (Dafina - June 2020)

Series: The Book Club (Book 1)

For three decades, the Seaside Café has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the café -- and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes -- creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother's famous mac and cheese -- and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections . . .

After striking up conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club. Each week, they'll meet on the patio to talk about their favorite novels. But there are plot twists awaiting them in real life too. For schoolteacher Leah, this two-month sojourn is the first taste of freedom she's had in her unhappy marriage. Cherie, filled with regret about her long-term affair with a married politician, discovers a powerful new passion. And Kayana finds a kindred spirit in a reclusive visitor who's ready to make his true identity known, and fill this summer with new possibilities . . .

Good book. It has two main storylines; both centered around Kayana. She is a forty-six-year-old woman who returned home to Coates Island two years earlier after divorcing her cheating husband. She has found peace and healing in helping her brother run the family café and spending her free time reading. Part of the book is spent on the book club she started with two female customers, Leah and Cherie. The other part covers Kayana's unexpected connection with Graeme, a visitor who is more than he appears.

The book club aspect was an interesting one. A voracious reader herself, Kayana struck up a conversation with Leah about a book she was reading while dining at the café. Kayana proposed that they get together once a week over the summer to talk about what they are reading. A second customer, Cherie, was also invited to join. All three women have issues in their lives, which color their opinions of the books they read and discuss.

I was a bit put off by one of the women, Cherie, who was somewhat abrasive in her interactions. She was frequently rude and often seemed angry at everything and everyone. Leah also had her moments, especially when dealing with Cherie, leaving Kayana to play peacemaker. Though originally meant just to discuss books, the three women found themselves becoming friends and sharing their personal lives. Leah is married, but not happily, and the mother of grown twin sons. She has stayed in her marriage to provide a stable home for her boys, but living with her husband becomes harder each year. She enjoys the freedom of being on the island and contemplates her future. Cherie is filled with guilt over her affair with a married man, which makes her defensive in many of her conversations, even if they have nothing to do with her personal life. I liked seeing the three women become friends as they shared views on books and life both in general and specifically when it comes to their own situations.

The other part of the book was devoted to Kayana's developing relationship with Graeme. He has come to the island during the summer for a couple of years and was drawn to Kayana from the beginning, though she didn't take any particular notice of him. However, this summer something changes, and Kayana does take note of him. She's not too happy about it as she was burned by her cheating husband and has no intention of getting involved with another man. His betrayal of her trust made her wary of letting another man close. Graeme is a widower of several years who was burned by a spoiled wife. He carries a load of guilt because of the argument he had with her shortly before her death. Besides being a math teacher, he is also a bestselling author, though that part of his life is a well-guarded secret. There are sparks between Kayana and Graeme though Kayana is initially reluctant to acknowledge them. Graeme is more interested but is also patient enough to give Kayana time to get used to the idea. I liked seeing their friendship grow. I loved their cooking lessons, which were fun and relaxing. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, and the attraction between them becomes stronger. Kayana doesn't look forward to the end of the summer when Graeme will go back to his teaching job. But he hasn't been forthcoming about his plans, and when she finds out about them, she feels betrayed. I liked that both Kayana and Graeme are mature enough not to make too big a drama out of the issue. Graeme gives Kayana the space she needs to process what she learned, and Kayana doesn't write off their relationship. I liked the ending and seeing them come back together.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and learning more about Leah and Cherie.