The Call of Bravery - Janice Kay Johnson (HS #1770 - Apr 2012)

Series: A Brother's Word (Book 3) 

No emotional connection means zero risk of being hurt. DEA agent Conall MacLachlan has learned that the hard way. And it's been the key to his survival. So why is his latest assignment getting to him? Could be that he's back in the town he rejected years ago. But he suspects the real reason is Lia Woods.

He's instantly and powerfully attracted to Lia -- something that's never happened to him. And running a surveillance operation from her house has them too close -- he can't catch his breath. Between her and her foster kids, Conall feels the domestic ties tighten...yet it's not so bad. He just needs to be brave enough to take what Lia offers. 

Very good book.  Conall is my favorite of the three brothers.  Duncan and Niall had had each other growing up, but Conall had been younger and not as physically fit.  When their mother walked out, he acted out the most, and felt the brunt of Duncan's control.  Once he graduated from college he swore he would never come back.  He also never contacted Duncan, though Duncan kept track of him.  When Conall's job brought him back to town, he ended up using Lia's house to run surveillance on one of her neighbors.  His immediate attraction to her, and his desire to help her foster kids, scares him to death.  He has had a lock on his emotions for so long he doesn't think he's capable of a relationship.  Lia is just as attracted to him.  She can also see past his mask to the hurting man underneath.  She knows he is capable of great love -- she sees it in his dealings with her foster kids.  She just has to get him to see it too.  The emotions in this book were intense.  Conall wanted to help the kids, and knew how to reach them because of his past.  Seeing what he went through at the end, when Brendan was in danger was heartpounding. When he walked away from them I wasn't sure what it was going to take to bring him back.  I really liked the way it worked out, and seeing Duncan at the end brought it all together.

From Father to Son - Janice Kay Johnson (HS #1764 - Mar 2012)

Series: A Brother's Word (Book 2) 

Is an independent cop the best family man?

Niall MacLachlan's one priority is the law. He fought his way from the wrong side of the tracks to earn his badge and won't jeopardize it for anything. After all, trusting his family nearly cost him everything as a kid. So, no. This loner has no desire for a wife and children to call his own.

So why is his entirely too attractive landlady, Rowan Staley, slipping past all his defenses? She and her young family—complete with noisy dog—are everything Niall thinks he doesn't want. But he can't keep his distance when she turns to him for protection from a neighborhood threat. And in the end, letting her go might be impossible. 

An excellent book.  I really liked Niall when I met him in Duncan's book.  I could tell he was a good man, but like his brother, didn't know how to love or be loved.  I loved the way he was with Rowan's two kids -- he was great at taking care of them, playing with them, protecting them.  He just didn't know how to deal with his feelings for them and for Rowan.  Every time he would get closer, he would get scared and back off.  Rowan's marriage had not been very good.  Physical intimacy with her husband was not all that it should have been, and she didn't know if what she read about in books was even possible.  I loved the way Niall and Duncan got closer, and the way Duncan helped him understand his feelings.  I am really looking forward to the third book and seeing how that one turns out.

Between Love and Duty - Janice Kay Johnson (HS #1758 - Feb 2012)

Series: A Brother's Word (Book 1)

There's a right way, then there's the wrong way

Nobody knows that better than police captain Duncan MacLachlan. He has served and protected for years without bending to a middle ground he doesn't believe in. And he's not about to change. Certainly not for stubborn -- and sexy -- court advocate Jane Brooks. Her shades-of-gray view of the world clashes with his black-and-white one.

Then a mission to save an at-risk teen has Jane's life on the line. Now she and Duncan must join forces despite their differences -- and the flaring attraction that's too hot to ignore. It's Duncan's toughest challenge yet. Because keeping Jane safe is one thing...and keeping her out of his arms is another.

Very emotional book.  Duncan had taken over raising his brothers when his mom walked out when he was eighteen.  In order to do that, he had developed a right vs wrong attitude, with no middle ground.  That attitude stayed with him.  When confronted with a teenage burglar, he stepped out of his usual role and took a hands on approach, spending time with the boy.  When he was approached by Jane, he didn't approve of her viewpoint of the boy's father.  He ended up participating, with her, in the supervising of their visits.  This gave him the chance to get to know her.  It also resulted in him beginning to lose the ice around his heart and starting to feel something for her.  Meanwhile, Jane was fighting her own demons, trying to maintain her independence.  Her father had been very controlling, and her mother and sisters very compliant, where she had been a rebel.  Duncan's attitudes pushed her buttons, especially when she was faced with a stalker.  There were a lot of strong emotions in this book.  I did like seeing the way Duncan was able to mend some fences with his brother Niall.  The final chapters with Jane were fantastic also, and kept me on the edge of my seat while reading them.