Bodyguard with a Badge - Elizabeth Heiter (HI #1717 - June 2017)

Series: Lawmen: Bullets and Brawn (Book 1)

            Lawmen (Book 4)

Take the shot…or take a chance?

FBI sniper Andre Diaz saved Juliette Lawson from a deadly hostage situation. But only hours later, he receives the surprise of his life when she takes him hostage in order to escape Quantico. Now the federal agent knows just how desperate Juliette is to stay hidden from her dangerous cop ex-husband.

Putting her trust in another law enforcement officer is difficult. Yet Juliette senses Andre is definitely one of the good guys. Perhaps he truly can protect her from the secrets she's been running from -- unless her deadly past catches up with them both first.

Fantastic story with intense suspense and a good romance. Andre Diaz and his team were called to a hostage situation where he saved a woman from being abducted and murdered. Imagine his surprise when later that day, she takes him hostage to help her get away unseen.

Juliette is desperate. She is certain that the men who tried to kidnap her were sent by her ex-husband, a cop with secrets to hide. All she wants is enough of a head-start to disappear again. She has been on the run from Dylan for three years and had hoped she was finally safe. She's afraid that if the FBI discovers who she really is, they'll turn her over to her ex.

Andre was intrigued by the pretty woman he saved and thought about asking her out. He changes his mind when he learns she is using a fake name, assuming that she is a criminal. Andre is convinced of it when she holds him at gunpoint. Yet, something tells him that there may be more to the story, so he takes her to his place.

Juliette knows that she needs to trust someone, and has a good feeling about Andre. Andre is wary as he listens to her story until he receives a phone call that backs up her assertions. Uncovering the truth by himself is unlikely, so he enlists the help of his brothers, Cole and Marcos, and his partner, Scott.

This story is full of twists and turns as Andre and the others try to unravel the truth. Did Dylan really accept a bribe to throw a murder investigation? The man's reputation in the department is squeaky clean, but Juliette is pretty sure about what she saw and heard. Further questions come up when Dylan appears to have an alibi for the shots fired at Juliette. Attacks continue to plague their investigation, as other possible suspects are uncovered. Cole, Marcos, Scott, and Andre walk a fine line between legal and illegal as they search for answers. Meanwhile, Juliette feels guilty over the risks that they take on her behalf. When the pieces finally start to come together, Juliette becomes determined to do anything to bring the threat to an end. The final confrontation is intense as she faces off against the man who wants her dead.

I liked the development of the romance between Juliette and Andre. The attraction between them is immediate but still felt realistic. Juliette is wary of jumping into a relationship with Andre too fast. She fell for her ex-husband quickly, and now has trouble trusting her judgment. I liked how Andre didn't try to rush a relationship but gave Juliette the space she needed to process her feelings.

Andre also has some personal issues going on from an event that happened when he was a kid. He is haunted by memories of a fire at the foster home where he, Cole, and Marcos lived. He remembers more about that fire, things that cause him to question what he has believed in the years since the fire. I loved the backstory of how they became brothers, and the depth of love and respect they had for each other. Neither Cole nor Marcos hesitated to put their lives and careers on the line to help Andre.

Captivated by Love - Brenda Jackson (Madaris Publishing - Dec 2016)

Series: Grangers (Book 4)

After being locked up for a crime he didn't commit, Sheppard Granger is back to take over the reins as CEO of Granger Aeronautics. On top of that, he intends to totally romance his wife Carson and make up for the time they couldn't share together. When their idyllic marriage is threatened by someone from Carson's past, the Grangers unite and prove that when it comes to protecting those they love, they are more than prepared to meet trouble head on.

Terrific book. I read the Granger brothers' books when they first came out and loved them. At the time, I really wanted to know more about Shep and his story. That desire was magnified when I read the follow-on Protectors series. I had no idea, until recently, that Ms. Jackson had written Shep and Carson's story, and was thrilled to get a copy. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the rest of the story.

The book opened one year after Shep's exoneration and release from prison, and on the first wedding anniversary of he and Carson. Their love for each other is evident, as is their appreciation for everything they went through to get to that point.

The story then goes back six years to when Shep and Carson first met. He is ten years into a thirty-year sentence for murdering his wife, a crime he did not commit. Rather than bemoaning his fate, Shep has used his abilities as a businessman to mentor other prisoners. He has received accolades for his successes and a quiet satisfaction from making a difference. The prison warden introduces Shep and Carson, asking them to work together to help one particular prisoner. Carson is a successful lawyer who does pro bono work with young men who were wrongly convicted.

The sparks between them were apparent from the beginning, though both tried to resist at first. Shep, because there is no future in a relationship, and Carson because it would be unprofessional. I loved seeing them get to know each other while fighting against injustice. Though understandably wary at the beginning, thanks to her past with an abusive husband, it didn't take long for Carson to see Shep as the honorable man that he was. I ached for both of them as their feelings grew stronger, despite the obstacles they faced. I loved the help that their relationship received from the prison guard, Ambrose. I hurt for Shep when his hopes for a new trial were dashed by the death of the PI investigating what really happened. It was Carson's love and willingness to wait that made the next five years bearable. Once the truth finally came out, he did as promised and married her immediately.

The story then moves to the present day. Shep and Carson's love grows stronger every day. I loved watching Shep adjust to being free again and look toward his future. There were some terrific scenes with his sons, Jace, Caden, and Dalton, as they make up for their years apart. There were also beautiful scenes of Shep and Carson together as they discussed their plans to continue helping those who need it most. Life gets complicated when Carson's ex-husband, Pence, shows up, angry over an inheritance that Carson received that he thinks should be his. I loved Carson's strength in standing up to him, and also her ability to confide her trouble to Shep. It made me grin to see how Shep used his contacts to get the low-down on the ex. I laughed out loud at Shep's confrontation with the man, and the fear he inspired without laying a finger on him (though he was tempted). I cheered at the visit that immediately followed, when Jace, Caden, and Dalton, as well as Striker, Stonewall, and Quasar, showed up and put the fear of God into Pence. It showed the deep love and respect that all six had for both Shep and Carson that made the men determined to protect them.

The tension isn't quite over, though. Carson receives some unexpected news that she isn't sure how to handle. I ached for her fear that Shep would be unhappy and wanted to shake her for not just coming out and telling him. It was clear that Shep is deeply attuned to her moods that he knew right away that something bothered her. I loved his patience in getting her to open up and tell him what had her so worried. His reaction was priceless, and I wasn't at all surprised by it. The family meeting that they all attended later that day was fantastic, as Shep finally shared his plans for the future. The book ended with a hilarious scene of multiple revelations, and Dalton catching grief from all sides.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the influence that Shep had on so many lives. It wasn't a unicorns and rainbows sort of thing, but a realistic look at the effect life on the "inside" could have on people. Shep's frustration when things went badly was real, as was his happiness when they went well. An excellent testament to that influence was the way so many stayed in touch with him when they got out. I enjoyed getting a little of the background of Shep's relationships with Striker, Stonewall, and Quasar. I read their stories when they came out and saw that he remained a part of their lives.

 

One Perfect Moment - A.C. Arthur (HKR #583 - Aug 2018)

Series: Taylors of Temptation (Book 3)

He thought he'd escaped his notorious history -- Now she could thrust him back in the spotlight

TV producer Ava Cannon is stunned to discover that the secret lover who briefly shared her bed is one of America's most famous sextuplets. But Dr. Gage Taylor now shuns the spotlight. As they rekindle their sizzling affair, will Ava have to choose between a game-changing career move and the man she loves?

Good book. Gage and Ava met when she hired him to be a consultant on a television show. The story opened as filming for the show finished. For the entire time the show was filming, Ava and Gage behaved with perfect professionalism, even though the attraction between them grew stronger by the day. On the last day, they gave in to the sparks, "just this once."

Three weeks later, Gage is back to his full-time gig as a doctor, and Ava is back in Los Angeles. Gage is ready to hear that he's been selected for a big promotion, thanks to his work in infertility and research. So he is stunned to find out that he was passed over for someone he feels is less qualified. I must say that I was impressed with Gage's ability to keep calm and to think on the fly. I loved his split-second decision to take a vacation and go back to Temptation to visit Gray and Morgan (One Mistletoe Wish). I could already see the wheels turning as he contemplated his future.

Ava is back in LA, where she is working up a proposal for another show. She also has to deal with an obnoxious mother whose vision for Ava's life doesn't match her own. After one of those conversations, Ava is more than ready to pitch her proposal to her bosses. She doesn't expect to be put off on that show with a demand that she prepare a script for a reality show called The Taylors of Temptation: Remember the Times. Ava is horrified but feels that she has no choice. She plans to go to Temptation, scope out the town, and get to know the family before she tells them why she is there.

At that point, the potential for disaster is crystal clear. Ava has no idea that Gage is there when she manages to get invited to Gray and Morgan's for dinner. The mutual shock was obvious, but so were the sparks. Ava has to think fast to keep from blowing her cover, especially since Gage appears to be somewhat suspicious of how she ended up in his hometown. One thing neither can deny is the strength of their chemistry, and their "just this once" becomes more.

Like his brothers before him, Gage has a love-hate relationship with the town, thanks to the memories from their years in front of the camera. Being around Ava, showing her around, and spending time with her, starts to heal some of those feelings. I enjoyed seeing them both get caught up in the small town activities, from wine festivals to pumpkin contests. The more time they spent with each other, the deeper their feelings grew. Neither wanted to admit it. Ava feels guiltier by the day about keeping her real reason for being there from Gage. Gage has too many bad memories of the failure of his parents' marriage to want to go there himself. There are a few funny scenes involving his denials and Gray's reactions to them, a "been there, done that, but believe what you want" attitude. I liked the changes that both Gage and Ava experienced, thanks to the time they spent together. I especially enjoyed seeing him get involved with Gray's work at the hospital. I also liked the support that Gage gave Ava during one of her bouts with her mother. His words gave her the ability to stand up to Eleanor's words and actions.

I knew the ax was going to fall sooner or later. I hurt for both Ava and Gage when it did. Gage was blindsided, and his feelings of betrayal were devastating. I wanted to shake him when he wouldn't let her explain. I ached for Ava because she had fallen hard for Gage. Her time spent with him had changed her and her plans, but she couldn't get him to listen. Both Ava and Gage had a lot to think about and decisions to make. I loved the ending and seeing what those decisions were. Gage's big moment at the end was sweet and heartfelt.

 

One Mistletoe Wish - A.C. Arthur (HKR #502 - Dec 2016)

Series: Taylors of Temptation (Book 1)

All she wants for Christmas…

Everything schoolteacher Morgan Hill loves is in her hometown of Temptation, Virginia -- her twins, her students and the charming community center where she's staging their holiday play. But now the building's new owner, Grayson Taylor, is putting sexy visions into Morgan's head, making the young widow long for a future even Santa couldn't deliver.

As the oldest of sextuplets, Gray grew up in the media spotlight. His family's fame once helped Temptation thrive, but drove his parents apart. Coming back is just a bittersweet necessity until he meets petite firecracker Morgan. Somehow she gets the handsome tech guru to forget about big business in favor of small-town delights…and steamy winter nights. It's a life he never knew he wanted, but can he put his past aside to turn a festive fling into the sweetest forever?

Good book. Gray is the oldest of the six siblings, the famous Taylor Sextuplets. As the oldest, he took his responsibilities seriously and figured he should be the one to handle settling his father's estate. He's not looking forward to being in Temptation again after all these years and plans to get in and get out as quickly as he can. He didn't count on meeting the fascinating Morgan Hill.

Morgan is a widow with five-year-old twins. After her husband's death, it was her ties to the community that kept her going. She's a good mother and a well-loved teacher. She still grieves for her husband and hasn't met anyone who has made her want to move on. That is until Grayson arrives in town.

I liked both Gray and Morgan. Gray is smart, charming, and good-looking. And like his siblings, he has a love-hate relationship with his past. Because of the multiple-birth, his family became the stars of a reality tv show from the time they were born until they were seven years old. It was great for the town and the family at first, but it eventually drove his parents apart. Though he doesn't want to admit it, he does still have some good memories of that time. Morgan is generally a sweet woman, but she has a feisty side that shows up on several occasions. She loves her town and its people and will fight for them if she thinks they are threatened.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Morgan and Gray. There are sparks between them from the start, though not all of them are from attraction. I liked their first meeting when Gray seems to expect her to jump to his bidding and show him around the community center and is surprised when she makes him wait. In the meantime, her kids, Lily and Jack, take to him right away. I was impressed that Gray related so well to them right away. As soon as Morgan found out who Gray was and why he was there, she was determined to open his eyes to the importance of the community center and hospital to the town. His interest in Morgan herself gives him a little extra motivation to hear her out, and Gray soon gets to see them through her eyes. Some of the things he learned made him take a closer look at his father's life and activities and gave Gray a new appreciation for him.

At the same time, Gray and Morgan spent a lot of time together, and the attraction between them grew stronger. Morgan is wary of the appeal because it makes her feel a bit disloyal to her late husband. She also knows that nothing can come of it because Gray's life and business are in Miami. Gray himself is flummoxed by how quickly he feels at home in Temptation, and his growing feelings for Morgan. There are some charming scenes with Gray, Morgan, and the kids, as well as some very steamy ones between Morgan and Gray. There are a few bumps in their road to happiness. Gray has an admin assistant, Kym, who wants to be more and is aggressive in her pursuit of him. I thought he was too easy on her from her first appearance, which led to more significant troubles at the end. Morgan has her own problems with her childhood friend, Harry. I loved seeing the changes in Gray as he fell deeper under Morgan's spell. I ached for him when Morgan's fears hold her back. I loved his big moment at the end as his patience brought him his heart's desire.

I did have a few minor quibbles with the story. The author described Gray as a runner who's run in the 5K marathon in 15 minutes. No, just no. A 5K is a race, and a marathon is 42K. There's a big difference. The average time for an experienced runner to run a 5K is about 26 minutes for a man. Fifteen minutes would be an Olympic class runner. The description of his running routine at home was also unbelievable. There was also a regular lack of protection used during their love scenes, with predictable results. Those issues aside, I still enjoyed the book. I've already read Garrek's book, One Unforgettable Kiss, so it's on to Gage's story.

One Unforgettable Kiss - A.C. Arthur (HKR #568 - Apr 2018)

Series: Taylors of Temptation (Book 2)

A bid on passion

All navy pilot Garrek Taylor ever wanted was to fly far from his family's notorious past. But now, with his wings temporarily clipped, the famous sextuplet is back in his Virginia hometown to live down a scandal and unload his family's historical antebellum mansion. His plan is sidetracked when he becomes the winning bidder at an auction for a date with Temptation's most reluctant and gorgeous bachelorette.

The only child of a retired army colonel, Harper Presley is haunted by the secret that forced her return to the comfort of her Southern town. The unconventional house restorer is mortified to be paired off with an infamous Taylor -- until desire blindsides them. As a slow burn of passion heats to a combustible connection, Garrek confronts a mistake that could end his military career. Can Harper help them both rebuild their lives…and build an everlasting future?

Good small-town romance between two people who weren't looking for love but found it anyway. Navy pilot Garrek is on forced leave from his unit, with instructions to decide what to do about his future. He swore he would never return to his hometown, but the recent death of his father made it impossible to avoid. Garrek's first stop in town is the local bar where he inadvertently bid for and won a date with Harper Presley.

Harper owns a local construction company and is well-known as Temptation's tomboy. She didn't choose to be part of the auction and is frozen with embarrassment when the bidding begins. She's mortified when she discovers that the winning bidder is one of the Taylor sextuplets and just wants to pretend that it didn't happen.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Garrek and Harper. Neither one was looking for a relationship, but the sparks between them were impossible to deny. Though they fought the attraction, it didn't take long before it burned out of control. Harper is doing a renovation job for Garrek's brother, which puts her in Garrek's company way too often for her comfort. They grew closer as they got to know each other, but both Garrek and Harper have secrets that keep them from fully committing to each other. They also have to deal with their friends and family continually pushing them together. It didn't take me long to figure out what Harper's issue was. I rooted for her when she finally spoke of it to Garrek and cheered for his patience, understanding, and support. I felt her hurt when he didn't open up to her in return, even though she gave him multiple opportunities.

There were times I wanted to shake Garrek. He came home with the dual purpose of dealing with his inheritance and figuring out his professional future. Though the details come out slowly, the impression is that it is pretty bad. His brother Gray senses that there is something wrong, but Garrek is too ashamed to share his troubles. He keeps insisting that he is okay. Garrek had both Gray and Harper available for support, and he shut them both out. That mistake comes back to bite him when Harper stumbles across an incriminating text and runs. I loved his conversation with Gray, who had a great time pointing out Garrek's obliviousness about his feelings for Harper. I also loved it when Garrek finally broke down and confessed all to Gray, and the immediate support he received. The scene back at Garrek's base was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed how it worked out. Now all he had to do was make things right with Harper. I loved his big moment with her at the end.

 

Under a Firefly Moon - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - Feb 2020)

Series: Firefly Lake (Book 1)
            Blue Hollow Falls (Book 4)

Blue Hollow Falls may be a small Blue Ridge Mountain town, but it's big on love -- and second chances . . .

When former barrel racer Cheyenne McCafferty left the circuit, she left her past behind too. Now, as part owner of Lavender Blue farm, she's content rescuing and rehabbing horses, and growing a new business. She's only got one regret: letting go of Wyatt Reed. When he professed his love, she was too young and foolish to know her heart. After that he disappeared. But when his beloved horse turns up on the auction block, Chey makes a bid and wins more than she bargained for . . .

Chey believed she was ready to face Wyatt again, to explain herself. But seeing the man he's become, she's unsure. Gone is the quiet, gentle boy she knew. In his place is a rugged, confident adventurer who's seen the world. Yet the longer Wyatt sticks around, the clearer it is that the feelings of their youth aren't so easily dismissed now that they're adults. In fact, the timing may be just right to make the dreams they've shared under a firefly moon come true . . .

Good story of second chance love, friendship, and family. Chey and Wyatt have a history. They were rodeo kids at the same time, best friends, along with Chey's brother, Cody, and later, Tory. As they grew older, Wyatt's feelings for Chey changed, but when he expressed those feelings, she shut him down. Wyatt left the rodeo soon after before Chey realized the truth of her own feelings, and they haven't seen each other since.

Years later, grieving the death of her bull-rider brother, Chey became friends with three other grieving women. Putting their pasts behind them, the "fearsome foursome" now runs a lavender farm. Chey also rescues and rehabs horses, and when her friend Tory calls with an urgent rescue, Chey can't resist. She also talks Tory into coming to work at Lavender Blue farm when she finishes her current job. Chey does not expect to see Wyatt arrive with Tory.

I thoroughly enjoyed that first meeting. Tory remained friends with both Wyatt and Chey and is sick of being stuck in the middle. The story of what brought them back together was heartbreaking and explained so much about what drove Wyatt. Things were a bit awkward between them at first, with both of them needing to forgive each other for the past. Though each of them has changed from the kids they knew, the core of their friendship is still there and is quickly augmented by the sparks of attraction. I loved watching them get to know each other as adults and appreciate the changes that time has caused. As they realized the depth of their growing feelings, Wyatt and Chey also knew that their current lives were not exactly compatible. Was there a chance for them that didn't involve one or the other sacrificing everything? I loved that they kept the lines of communication open and were willing to take the time to see what happens. Chey gets some good advice from Vivi, and an unexpected offer helps Wyatt make some decisions.

There is a secondary romance between Vivi and an old flame. She is quite a force of nature, and I enjoyed both her antics and her warmth, intelligence, and love. Her scene with the rowboat was fantastic and gave me a good idea of what to expect from her later in the book. I loved how her romance progressed. Grant was awesome and obviously head-over-heels for her. I also liked the parallels between her situation and Chey's.

There is also some excitement when Vivi discovers the town council plans to sell Firefly Lake to a resort developer. While these plans are portrayed as helping the town, in reality, they are more likely to destroy it. I loved how the Lavender Blue people and their friends pulled together, with a couple of surprise additions, to come up with a  viable alternative. Things got a little tense at the end as corruption and threats raised their ugly heads. The resolution of that scene had me glued to the pages until it was resolved. I did have to grin at Chey's strength of will combined with a bit of deviousness, resulting in a very satisfying conclusion.

This was my first trip to Blue Hollow Falls, but it won't be my last. I will go back and read the stories I have missed to learn more about the others. I'm also looking forward to future stories. Hopefully, there will be one for Bailey when she grows up, as she made quite an impression on me.