Moonshell Beach - JoAnn Ross (Signet - July 2012)

Series: Shelter Bay (Book 4) 

HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS...

J.T. Douchett has returned home to shut out the world and escape the memories from his final mission as a Marine that haunt him. When he reluctantly agrees to provide security for a town event, the last thing he expects is to experience unwanted feelings for Irish movie star Mary Joyce. 

 Mary has surprised everyone -- including herself -- by accepting an invitation to a film festival in Shelter Bay. The Oregon coastal town immediately charms her, and an even larger surprise is encountering the stoic man who could be everything she's dreamed of.

As J.T. struggles to keep her at arm's length, Mary reminds herself that she's never been attracted to the strong, silent type. And having known so much sorrow, he's wary of getting close to anyone. But in Shelter Bay, even the most guarded heart is no match for love.  

Excellent book.  JT is back home and still trying to escape the effects of his last job as a Marine.  He isn't thrilled when Kara asks him to provide security for Mary Joyce, but he does it.  He wasn't expecting to be attracted to her and did his best to ignore the feelings. Mary is in Shelter Bay, sister city to her Irish town, to participate in their film festival.  She has been seeing JT in her dreams for several nights, and is stunned to see him in the flesh.  As a writer she senses his inner turmoil, but has never before been attracted to his type.  Over the next several days they spend together they grow closer and closer.  I loved both JT and Mary.  JT was so burned out from his last mission as a Casualty Officer that he felt numb to everything.  The only things that made him feel better were running and drinking which helped him escape.  He was in that dark place when he first met Mary and didn't make the best impression on her.  I loved the way that she stood up to him and snarked back when he was being obnoxious.  She had accepted the invitation to Shelter Bay because she was feeling a bit burned out herself.  Once they get past their first impressions, they find that they actually like each other.  JT finds that Mary is not the spoiled Hollywood type that he expected and Mary sees the man behind the pain that JT is still carrying with him.  I really enjoyed the conversations between the two of them as they got to know each other.  I also liked the way that JT was there for Mary when she needed him.  I really liked the way that he got his life back on track before he went back to Mary in Ireland. I also loved seeing more of the previous characters, one of my favorite parts of ongoing series.  
 

On Lavender Lane - Joann Ross (Signet - Jan 2012)

Series: Shelter Bay (Book 3) 

Sometimes the second time is the charm. . .

After seeing enough of war, former Navy SEAL Lucas Chaffee is settling back into civilian life when he accepts a job refurbishing a farmhouse for an old friend, who plans to turn it into a culinary school.

Celebrity TV chef Madeline Durand was badly shaken when her husband's illicit video went viral, so she jumps at the chance to reevaluate her life in Shelter Bay while helping her grandmother turn the family farm into a new business. Little does she know that the man who broke her heart year ago is already on the job.

Having Maddy leave Shelter Bay once, Lucas isn't about to let her get away this time. But rekindling their romance won't be easy, as she still hasn't forgiven him for a fateful night ten years ago. But Lucas is a man on a mission, and with the help of some Shelter Bay matchmakers, he plans to come up with a very special recipe of passion, patience, and perseverance to win her over. . .

Another fantastic visit to Shelter Bay.  Lucas is a terrific character.  He is, of course, an alpha male, being a former Navy SEAL.  But he is also a basically nice, sensitive guy, though that came through learning some things the hard way.  He knows he isn't going to have an easy time of getting back into Maddy's good graces.  She has returned to Shelter Bay to recover from her marriage and try to get her life back on track.  She has spent the last several years repressing her goals and desires to support her husband's.  She doesn't start out planning to stay, but as she and Lucas settle their past, she is ready to look at the future.  I loved the way they started talking, trying to regain their friendship first, and discovering that they have even more in common now.  They also have the maturity to work through any remaining issues.  I loved the way they developed the restaurant plans.  I also enjoyed seeing the old characters, and meeting new ones, to see where future romances might come to be.  There were several scenes I loved, including the beach scene with the champagne and the morning after, and the cooking lesson at the women's shelter.