The Bodyguard's Christmas Proposal - Charlotte Hawkes (HMED #1141 - Dec 2020)

Series: Royal Christmas at Seattle General (Book 3)

The top of her Christmas list?

A family!

Nurse Kat Steel always wanted a big family, but a childhood accident and her ex's departure ended that dream -- she's not about to lay her heart on the line again. Until Logan Connors -- ex-bodyguard and new trauma surgeon -- and his adorable son arrive! Logan's complicated past means he's not looking for happily-ever-after, either. Could a little mistletoe magic change that for them all?

Good book. Like the previous two books in the series, it takes place over the days between the auto accident that brought the Isola Verde royal family into the hospital and Christmas. This book centers on Logan Connors, the king's bodyguard, and Kat Steel, one of the ER nurses.

When Logan arrives in the ER, he makes an immediate impression on everyone around him. Thanks to his past as an army doctor, his actions saved the life of the VIP patient (most are not aware of his identity). His presence and looks earn him the nickname "Comic Book God" from many of the nurses. Kat is assigned to treat Logan's injuries, a task made more difficult by Logan's focus on his charge rather than his own well-being. I loved Kat's determination and how she finally got through to him. Underneath the practicalities, sparks of attraction flew between them.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Logan and Kat. The connection they felt in the ER grew stronger when Kat encountered Logan and his son Jamie the next day. Both are determined to resist it. Logan was burned in his marriage to Jamie's mother and preferred to keep his focus on Jamie. Kat was deeply hurt by her ex-fiancé and the reason he broke off their engagement. A second blow brought the end to another dream, leaving Kat determined to protect her heart. But when Logan starts his new job as one of the ER's doctors, they find it impossible to avoid each other. Add in one determined little boy who has fallen in love with Kat, and the connection between them continues to grow.

To protect their hearts, both Logan and Kat believe that they can have a holiday fling and keep their emotions out of it. The chemistry between them is intense, and there is no doubt about their physical connection. Neither expected the more profound attachment as they spent time as a family unit. I ached for Kat as Jamie wiggled his way into her heart, reminding her of the things she couldn't have. As her feelings for Logan grew, Kat dreamed of a life together but also believed that it was an impossible dream. Logan also found himself letting go of the past and thinking of a future with Kat. I loved his reaction when she told him about her ex. I hurt for them both when Kat pushed Logan away because of her fears. The ending was perfectly done, with Jamie playing a big part in showing Kat that they all belong together.

Something that got my attention throughout the book was some of the language. The book takes place in the US, with American characters, yet British terminology crept in. Kat wore a jumper, not a sweater; it was a doctor's shout in the ER, not his turn; and things were sorted rather than organized. It's not a detriment to the book, just something that would briefly draw my attention from the story itself.

Operation Mountain Recovery - Justine Davis (HRS #2117 - Dec 2020)

Series: Cutter's Code (Book 12)

He's sworn to protect

...until it gets complicated.

After Deputy Brady Crenshaw rescues a confused woman from a near-fatal mountain accident, he's shocked at her confession. Even more bewildered when a determined dog urges him to shield her. Ashley admits she's afraid of powerful forces pursuing her. She may need more than protection. So as the lawman jeopardizes his career to hide her, Ashley starts to trust him and bond with the sly canine pushing them together. But exactly who is Ashley Jordan, really? And who wants to silence her?

I always look forward to a new Cutter book, and this was no exception. Quinn and Haley Foxworth are on an anniversary trip when their dog Cutter lets them know there is trouble ahead. Sure enough, they come upon Brady, a deputy preparing to rescue the victim of a traffic accident. They all work to pull Ashley from the wreck, only to discover something very strange going on.

Ashley believes that she is slowly going insane, just as her father did. She has nightmares of monsters, episodes of forgetfulness, and has been found wandering with no idea how she got there. Her mother, the town mayor, moved Ashley back home to keep her safe and set her up with the local psychiatrist. During the times when she's clear-headed, Ashley is terrified of what the future holds for her. The latest accident is one more nail in her mental coffin. The only bright side is the handsome deputy who shows concern for her well-being and the dog who exudes comforting vibes.

I loved seeing Cutter do his "fix it" stare at the accident scene. Quinn and Haley are quite used to his intuitive actions now and are ready to help if asked. After reading past reports of Ashley's problems, Brady is warier, but he can't deny that something feels off to him. When he finds Ashley at a very low point, he knows he needs to get involved and takes Ashley to Quinn and Haley.

I enjoyed the intertwining of the suspense and the romance. Brady felt protective of Ashley from the beginning, even when he wasn't sure of her story. As Brady becomes more convinced that there is nothing wrong with Ashley's mind, his confidence gives her the strength to believe in herself. Sparks of attraction flare between them. Brady tries to resist, careful not to take advantage of Ashley's turmoil, while Ashley doesn't want to do anything to drive him away. Neither of them stands a chance against Cutter and his belief that they belong together.

While I suspected the truth early in the book, it was even worse than I knew. I loved seeing Quinn, Haley, and the Foxworth Foundation do what they do best - fight for those that need it. Brady is a "by the book" lawman but quickly appreciates the resources the others bring to the table. There are some interesting moments between Brady and Quinn as Brady reconciles what needs to be done with the rules he works under. I ached for Ashley as they came closer to the truth and an unexpected twist brought the last piece of the puzzle. I loved Brady's anger on Ashley's behalf and how having that support gave Ashley added confidence. I loved her anger and determination to see justice done. The final confrontation was fantastic, and seeing Ashley face down her tormentor was incredibly satisfying. I loved the ending and seeing Brady and Ashley look toward the future together.

As always in a Cutter's Code book, the dog is an integral part of the story. After sixteen months together, Quinn and Haley have accepted Cutter's unique abilities and have learned not to ignore him. It is always fun to see new people's responses to his actions, and Brady and Ashley were no exception. It was amusing to see them go from disbelief to amazement after hearing about his successes. And that was before learning about his secondary talent for matchmaking. The descriptions of Cutter's antics and his uncaninelike facial expressions were such that I could easily picture them. I especially enjoyed the "smug" looks and his depiction at the end as "utterly relaxed" because "obviously the dog considered his work done."

I liked seeing characters from previous books make appearances. They weren't tossed in willy-nilly but had specific roles to play. References to previous cases enhanced Foxworth's standing in Brady's eyes as he grew to understand precisely what they do. I especially enjoyed seeing Gavin and his reputation play a big part in the end. I can't wait for the next book - still waiting for a story for Rafe.

Neurosurgeon's Christmas to Remember - Traci Douglass (HMED #1136 - Nov 2020)

Series: Royal Christmas at Seattle General (Book 2)

Christmastime with a stranger --

A lifetime together?

Neurosurgeon Maxwell is determined to atone for the one life he couldn't save…his late wife's. Set to perform delicate surgery on a king, Max finds himself shadowed by PR director Ayanna. They must work together to keep the king's case a secret. But when Ayanna temporarily moves in to Max's apartment, they face a very different type of tension -- their undeniable attraction!

Very good book. This book takes place simultaneously with the first book in the series, Falling for the Secret Prince, but concentrating on the king's neurosurgeon and the hospital's PR director. It can be read as a standalone, but the first book provides additional background and context.

Ayanna is the new PR director for the hospital and her first day is chaotic. The hospital's upcoming fundraiser ball is way behind in its planning, a VIP patient arrived three weeks early for his surgery thanks to a car accident and his presence must be kept quiet, and she needs to pick up the patient's neurosurgeon at the airport. She's not happy to arrive at the airport and find he's already gone.

Max has no time to wait around. Max must act fast with his patient badly injured to ensure that his future surgery isn't jeopardized. He neither wants nor needs the hospital's PR person's constant attention, but he can't get rid of her.

The sparks flew at the first meeting between Ayanna and Max, and they weren't all antagonistic. Once they got past that earlier unpleasantness, they discovered they got along pretty well. Perhaps too well. Both were aware of each other in ways that they preferred to avoid. Max had locked down his emotions after his wife's death - a death he blamed himself for. He deals with his loneliness by burying himself in his work. Ayanna swore off men and love after her fiancé ran off with her best friend. Now she's concentrating on her career.

When Ayanna needs a place to stay while her apartment undergoes repairs, Max offers her the second bedroom in his hotel suite. As they spend time together, the attraction between them blossoms. I enjoyed seeing Max use his love of cooking to take care of Ayanna. It was fun to see Ayanna pull Max into her family's circle by inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner with them. I loved the slow lowering of the walls around their hearts and seeing the trust build. But when each of them realizes that their feelings go deeper than expected, old fears resurface. I ached for them both when a careless comment set off an argument that ended in harsh words and hurt feelings. Though both realized their mistakes quickly, each believed that it was too late to fix it. I loved the support that Ayanna got from her family, including the advice not to give up. Max had to provide his own kick in the pants, and I loved the nod to Clarence and It's a Wonderful Life. I adored the scene at Ayanna's parents' house, from her and Max's reunion to her family's antics. 

His Last-Chance Christmas Family - Michelle Major (HSE #2805 - Dec 2020)

Series; Welcome to Starlight (Book 3)

A perfect Starlight Christmas

Is this Christmas the perfect time for their last chance?

Widowed after an unhappy marriage, single mom Brynn Hale has finally returned home to Starlight. She's ready for a fresh start for her son, and what better time for it than Christmas? Still, Nick Dunlap is the one connection to her past she can't let go of. Nick let his status-conscious parents talk him out of pursuing Brynn in high school and he's not sure he deserves a chance with her now. But the magic of the season might make forgiveness -- and love -- a little bit easier for them both…

Terrific friends-to-lovers/second chance story. Brynn recently lost her husband when he died in a crash - along with his latest mistress. After ten years of an unhappy marriage and putting a brave face on for the town, she is ready to take back her life. One part of her past is Nick, her best friend growing up, and her high school crush. Their friendship hasn't been the same since then, and she misses it. Nick is now the police chief in Starlight but still feels like he hasn't lived down his high school reputation. At that time, he was the town bad boy with a revolving door of girlfriends.

I was sucked into this story from the beginning. I liked Brynn. Her life hasn't been an easy one, but she made it work. Getting pregnant just before high school graduation and marrying the baby's father hadn't been her preferred plan. I was impressed by her determination to be a good mother and how she kept working to improve her life. I loved that she kept her head up even when she was the subject of the town's gossips. I liked Nick too. Yes, he'd been a selfish jerk in high school and not a very good friend to Brynn. But losing both his brother and his father in a short period of time changed him.

I liked the development of the relationship between Brynn and Nick. Brynn had never lost her old crush on him, and her encounters with him since Daniel's death have added to the attraction she still feels for him. Nick regretted his high school idiocy for years. He stayed friends with Brynn and Daniel during their marriage but kept his feelings under wraps. Nick feels guilty over being the one who set Brynn up with Daniel and is now determined to do everything he can to help her, however she needs it. But he also refuses to do anything about those feelings for fear of hurting her again.

Their lives take an unexpected twist when one of Daniel's girlfriends shows up with his baby, then disappears, leaving the baby with Brynn. Brynn falls in love with little Remi and wants to keep her, but circumstances place Remi with Nick as her foster parent. A fire at Brynn's house sends her and Tyler to stay with Nick while their home is repaired. As the four of them settle into a pseudo-family, the sparks between Nick and Brynn continue to grow. I loved Nick's connection with young Tyler, his unexpected bond with little Remi, and his yearning to make this temporary life permanent. I loved watching him overcome his fears and his sweet attempts to "court" Brynn. His biggest problem was his protectiveness and wanting to shield her from things that could hurt her.

Meanwhile, Brynn had been working hard at taking charge of her life. Her feelings for Nick continue to grow, fed by his care and belief in her. She's just beginning to believe that they have a future together when an unexpected visitor blows a hole in that dream. I ached for Brynn and her feelings of betrayal and hurt. Her anger was believable, and I liked how she confronted Nick over it. I felt a little sorry for Nick because he hadn't realized what he was doing and is devastated by what she said. Their misery oozed off the page, and I could feel their pain. I liked how their friends supported them while also pointing out some things neither Nick nor Brynn had considered before. I liked Nick's big moment in the end and his heartfelt declaration of his feelings.

I liked the secondary characters. Brynn's son Tyler was terrific. He's a good kid with a big heart who is portrayed as a relatively normal ten-year-old boy. I loved his fascination with the baby, and he was adorable with her. He also had a few instances where he wasn't quite so sweet, adding to the story's realism. I also liked Brynn and Nick's friends and both the support and the tough love they need.

After reading the book, I was a little confused by the back-of-the-book blurb. Brynn wasn't returning to Starlight; she's lived there her whole life. This is part of her self-confidence issue as she felt judged by others her entire life. As for Nick, I recall nothing about his parents discouraging him about Brynn. He blames it all on his selfishness and stupidity.

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.

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.

The Marrying Kind - Glenna Finley (Signet - July 1989)

ROMANTIC ENCOUNTER 

When red-haired beauty Jessica Webster arrived on secluded Orcas Island, the only thing she had on her mind was a little rest and relaxation -- a peaceful getaway from the pressures of her high-powered public relations job. But that was before met wealthy Cal Sloane. And before she began to have a series of mysterious life-threatening encounters.

Jessica couldn't help but notice that the more involved she became with Cal, the more it seemed that someone was out to get her. Was he drawing her into a deadly conspiracy? Or was a web of intrigue closing in on both of them? In her heart, Jessica knew there was no way this irresistibly attractive man could be the deadly kind…for she was counting on him to be…

THE MARRYING KIND

Old but enjoyable read.  Jessica headed to Orcas Island from Dallas for a bit of time away, and to decide what to do with her grandmother's house. It's currently rented to a scientist at the Institute, but that may not be a permanent solution. After an eventful trip to the island on the ferry, including an encounter with an unpleasant stranger, Jessica looks forward to some peace and quiet. Fate has something else in mind as she discovers that the house burned down, and her brother's friend and tenant, Henry, is in the hospital. Then an emergency at work sends her back home, and it's six weeks before she gets back.

The unpleasant stranger on the ferry turned out to be another friend of her brother's and Henry's. Cal is still on the island, apparently enjoying an extended vacation. Or so Jessica thinks until she discovers his unconscious body in the water near her property.  This begins a series of events that throw Jessica and Cal together, frequently under questionable circumstances.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jessica and Cal, which was intertwined with the mystery of what was happening on the island. To start with, there were sparks between them from the moment they met, though they began with antagonism. Neither forgot the other during the time Jessica was away from the island. The sparks were still there, though the antagonism was too. I loved watching Jessica stand up to Cal over his injuries, and see her take care of him that night. Sparks of a different kind began to overcome the antagonistic ones. But there was frustration, too. Jessica knew there was something fishy going on, but getting a straight answer out of Cal was nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, Cal tried to keep Jessica safe, but she kept turning up in awkward places. There was a great scene on Cal's sailboat, as he combined a date of sorts with Jessica with a surveillance opportunity. The passion that flared between them left Jessica reeling at the same time she wondered about his feelings.

It was easy to see that Cal tried to protect Jessica from what was going on. However, he tended to be high-handed about it rather than telling her why. I could feel her frustration at his tactics, and I enjoyed the way she kept after him for answers. The ending was good as Cal came clean. His confession of his feelings was sweet and funny.

The suspense of the story was good. It was apparent early on who was involved, but Cal needed more information. There were times that I thought Jessica was oblivious to what was happening around here. That was especially true at the end. The intensity ramped up when she was taken, and I was on the edge of my seat as I wondered what was going to happen. Her rescue was a relief, and I liked finding out the truth of what was going on. The ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I would have liked, but it was still good.

The Last Man She Expected - Michelle Major (HSE #2786 - Sept 2020)

Series: Welcome to Starlight (Book 2)

How could being so wrong suddenly feel so right?

Falling for her arch-nemesis

Isn't going to happen.

Moving to Starlight was Mara Reed's first step forward after her devastating divorce. But had she known she'd find Parker Johnson, her ex-husband's ruthless divorce attorney, there, she might have gone in a different direction. Away from the big city, Mara is seeing Parker in a new light -- but is it enough for her to set aside her anger?

Good book. Mara and her daughter moved to Starlight after her divorce. Staying with her aunt and working in her coffee shop gave Mara a chance to connect with people without risking her emotions. Her divorce had been ugly, with her ex-husband and his lawyer destroying both her personal and professional reputations and leaving her with nothing except her daughter. She is understandably angry and bitter.

Mara's daughter Evie made friends with another little girl, Anna, while Mara became good friends with Anna's father, Josh. They connected over their daughters' activities and the problems of single parenthood. Mara is especially happy that there are no sparks between them, as she swore off men after her divorce. What Mara doesn't know is that Josh's brother is coming to town to help Josh with his current construction project. She has no idea that Josh's brother is her ex-husband's divorce attorney.

I loved the first meeting between Parker and Mara. She recognized him immediately while he only felt a vague familiarity. That is until she blasted him for everything he enabled her ex to do to her. Of course, his first reaction was that it was just his job, not anything personal. The sparks fly between them, but underneath the antagonism are sparks of another kind. When Josh enlists Mara's help with the project, too, she finds herself working closely with Parker.

I liked watching the relationship develop between Parker and Mara. The attraction between them is undeniable, but neither wants a relationship. Parker is only in Starlight for a short time. His memories of growing up there with an abusive father caused him to leave Starlight behind years ago. He visits his brother and niece very rarely, and can't wait to go when he does. Mara is done with marriage. She doesn't trust her judgment any longer, nor does she have any confidence that a man would want her. She is content to have left city life behind her and has no intention of leaving Starlight. However, both agree that spending some no-strings adult time together would be acceptable.

The more time that Mara and Parker spent together, the more she saw a different side of him. He can be kind and funny. He gets involved in helping Josh with the girls' soccer team and unexpectedly connects with Evie. There are some great scenes between the two of them as Parker acts more like a father than her own did. I loved watching them start to feel like a family, something that worried both Parker and Mara. Though they have grown closer and been able to share some of their more painful moments, neither can see a future for them. When an unexpected visitor stirs up old fears in Mara, Parker suffers the backlash. I wanted to shake Mara for not letting Parker explain. I hurt for Parker, who had finally begun to recognize his feelings for Mara. An unexpected and eye-opening conversation helped Mara see the truth. Parker got an equivalent kick in the pants from his brother, making him realize that he'd allowed his fears to run his life for too long. I loved the ending.

Secondary characters were just as enjoyable. Evie and Anna were adorable. Opposites in many ways, they balanced each other's strengths and weaknesses. I loved Josh and his friendship with Mara. I ached for him and everything he'd been through with Anna's chemo and his wife's desertion. I liked Mara's friend Brynn and the support she gives Mara. I also hope to see her get a happy ending of her own.

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

Series: Cutter's Code (Book 11)

His guilt tore them apart

Can the truth set them free?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beachside Beginnings - Sheila Roberts (Mira - Apr 2020)

Series: Moonlight Harbor (Book 1)

Moira Wellman has always loved makeovers -- helping women find their most beautiful selves. Funny how it's taken her five years with her abusive boyfriend, Lang, to realize she needs a life makeover. When Moira finally gets the courage to leave Lang, the beachside town of Moonlight Harbor is the perfect place to start over.

Soon Moira is right at home, working at Waves Salon, making new friends and helping her clients find new confidence. When she meets a handsome police officer, she's more than willing to give him a free haircut. Maybe even her heart. But is she really ready for romance after Lang? And what if her new friend is in hot pursuit of that same cop? This is worse than a bad perm.

Terrific book. The main character is Moira, a stylist with a knack for finding just the right cut and color for her clients. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the same knack in her personal life. Though her boyfriend seemed perfect at first, the abuse has worsened over the five years they've been together. She could take it herself, but the last straw came when he kicked her cat. With the help of her boss, she found a haven in the tiny town of Moonlight Harbor. Michael sent Moira to his friend Pearl, the owner of Waves Salon. Pearl isn't too sure she needs another stylist, but she also realizes that if she doesn't bring in some younger customers, her salon will be toast. Moira is young, hip, and enthusiastic, and Pearl quickly realizes what a treasure Moira is.

I loved watching the people of this small town, especially the women, embrace Moira and help restore the confidence that her life with Lang had ripped from her. Enough of the ladies had experienced troubles of their own that they recognized what she was going through. It isn't a one-way street, as Moira also helps her new friends on their own journeys. I loved Pearl and Edie, the older ladies who became like grandmothers to Moira. Pearl experienced some heartbreaking losses in her life and has been merely going through the motions of living. Moira is like a breath of fresh air blowing through the salon, reinvigorating Pearl's joy in what she does. It was fun to see how the salon's makeover paralleled Pearl's. Edie is the owner of the local hotel, in her eighties, and with a heart as big as the ocean. I loved seeing her pull Moira into her family's life, treating her like another niece. I loved the cooking scenes that gave Moira a taste of the life she'd always wanted and another boost of self-confidence.

I also enjoyed seeing the other friendships that Moira built, reminding her of what she'd given up thanks to Lang. She used her talent with color and style to help other women make changes in their lives. I especially enjoyed seeing Annie's journey, which was somewhat like Moira's. Just like Moira, Annie is in a toxic relationship. Her husband's drinking is so out-of-control that she feels she has no choice but to take their daughter and leave him. I loved how her friends gave her the support she needed and the encouragement to follow her dreams. There are many wonderful scenes of the way that the women back each other up with support, advice, or just listening when someone needs to vent.

When Moira arrived in Moonlight Beach, she had every intention of staying away from any romantic entanglements. She doesn't trust her judgment any longer. But when local cop Victor King stops her for speeding, her heart speeds up too. Victor is terrific. He takes pride in his efforts to care for the people of his town. He is friendly and sweet and adorably tongue-tied around women. I loved watching the relationship between them develop. Victor makes no secret of his interest in Moira, but she is wary. She is interested in him, too, but it is difficult for her to trust her judgment. I liked how she explained her fears to Victor and that he cared enough to be patient while she worked through her fears. They ran into a snag when Moira discovered that her new friend Courtney is also interested in Victor. I ached for him when Moira seemed to pull away for no reason. I also wanted to shake Moira, but I understood her reasons. The resolution of that triangle was emotional and also showed the strength of true friendship. Things finally looked up for Victor and Moira, until her past made an unwelcome appearance. I loved seeing Moira's new strength and confidence as she confronted Lang and feared for her life at his reaction. I cheered at the unexpected help she received and loved the final resolution. Victor's big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.

This was the first Moonlight Harbor book that I have read, but it worked well as a stand-alone. That said, I want to go back and read the earlier books to learn the stories of the other residents of the town. I am especially interested in reading more about Jenna and her relationships with Brody and Seth. I'd also like to know more about Hyacinth and the story leading up to her interference in the preacher's wedding.