A Conflict of Interest - Barbara Dunlop (HD #2204 - Jan 2013)

Series: Daughters of Power: The Capital (Book 1)

She tried to stay away from him….

More than once, White House PR specialist Cara Cranshaw has considered that reporter Max Gray might want her only because he can't have her. Given their work, a relationship is dicey -- and impossible now that the president has taken office.

For Max, their relationship may be a lark, a fling -- maybe she's just another woman in the long line that forms a part of his bachelor lifestyle. But for her, what they have is different. She's all but given him her heart. And now she is having his baby.

Very good book.  Cara and Max had been involved for a short time but they can't be now.  With her job at the White House and his as a reporter there is too much risk to them both (reminds me a little of CJ and Danny in West Wing).  The problem is that their attraction is too strong and they can't resist it whenever they find themselves together.  Cara is very good at what she does and doesn't want to risk her position.  She also can't stop thinking about Max and now that she's pregnant she doesn't know what to do.  Max has made no secret of the fact that he doesn't do commitments and he never wants children.  This upsets her but she doesn't want to trap him into something he will come to resent, so she doesn't know whether to tell him or not.  Max is used to brief flings but finds himself not wanting to let go of Cara.  Even though a relationship could mean the end of both of their jobs he can't stop trying to be with her.  This creates a conflict in him because of his decision to be relationship and family free.  He feels he is a bad bet because of his father's actions.  But the more that they try to do the right thing the more that Max wants to be with her.  Cara is also dealing with a crisis at work as a previously unknown illegitimate child of the president is made public.  She and Max are both trying to find out the truth.  This question is not resolved in this book and I expect it will continue through this series.  There are several great scenes in this book but my favorites are Max and the snowboarders and Max's appearance at Cara's apartment at the end.
 
 

Secret Intentions - Paula Graves (HI #1378 - Oct 2012)

Series: Cooper Security (Book 6) 

AS A MAN OF ACTION, HE'D NEVER BREAK PROTOCOL. BUT HE'D NEVER BEEN SO TEMPTED...
Although he was trying to crack a global conspiracy, former Marine Jesse Cooper had an even more important mission: keep new hire and girl-next-door Evie Marsh safe. Shocked to learn Evie could be the key to bringing down this secret plot, the head of Cooper Security had to stifle his attraction to her. After all, the case was on the line-and so were their lives. But between dodging bullets and staying one step ahead of the enemy, temptation became impossible to resist. As a man made for danger, Jesse thought sweet Evie had no place in his world. Then, in the heat of the moment, she proved she'd always have his back-or die trying.... 

Very good book.  Jesse is working to help solve the secret of the coded journal.  Evie Marsh's father is one of the men with the code.  At her sister's wedding Evie is abducted in an attempt to coerce her father.   Jesse was there to rescue her and took her into hiding to protect her.  They began working together to find out more about who is behind the plot.  This brings Evie more to Jesse's attention as a woman, and increases his attraction to her.  I liked both Jesse and Evie.  Jesse had once been engaged to Evie's sister, but the engagement didn't work out as they didn't want the same things out of life.  Jesse had always liked Evie, but she was always Rita's little sister.  When she came to work for Cooper Security he was impressed with her intelligence and her coolness under stress.  During their time together his attraction grew stronger, but he was having trouble getting past the little sister part.  As the search grew more intense he also realized that he wanted more than just to keep Evie safe.  By the end he understood that what he felt for Evie was far more than he had ever felt for Rita.  Evie had had a crush on Jesse from the time she met him.  This crush had developed into love, even while he was engaged to Rita.  After the breakup she didn't see him again until she started working for Cooper Security.  She discovered that her feelings had never gone away, but thought that Jesse was still in love with Rita.  I loved the way that she was able to think on her feet and was able to get herself out of a couple jams.  She was also able to keep up with Jesse when they were working their searches and made significant contributions to their efforts.  I really liked the way that things worked out for her and Jesse.  I felt like there is still more to be done with tracking down SSU people.  There was also mention of a Briggs Cooper, which makes me think there may be more Cooper stories down the line.  I sure hope so - I love the Coopers!

A Precious Inheritance - Paula Roe (HD #2186 - Oct 2012)

Series: The Highest Bidder (Book 4) 

Vanessa Partridge has a good reason for wanting the priceless manuscript being offered at auction—it is her twin babies' legacy. But she doesn't count on the winning bidder, financial guru Chase Harrington, showing up on her doorstep. 

Chase has a new obsession—Vanessa. There's more to the former-socialite-turned-working-single-mom than meets the eye…and he's going to find it. He's got secrets of his own—secrets threatened by the sexy Vanessa. More than anything, Chase wants to give in to their sizzling attraction…but can he afford to play with fire? 

Very good book.  Vanessa has tried to get the manuscript, but failed in her bid at the auction.  When Chase showed up at her home, she felt an immediate attraction to him.  Chase also felt the attraction and is fascinated by Vanessa.  He senses that she has secrets and is determined to find out what they are.  As they spend time together, the attraction grows and changes.  I really liked both Vanessa and Chase.  Vanessa has left behind her wealthy but judgmental family and is working at a job she loves and raising her twin daughters.  She really wanted that manuscript since it was written by the girls' father.  She doesn't like Chase at all at first since he is accusing her of rigging the auction.  She is also very attracted to him, but doesn't want to be.  She finds that they have things in common and enjoy spending time together.  His ease with her children surprises her and makes her fall for him a little more.  Chase is a pretty terrific hero.  He has his secrets that he tries to protect, mostly about his early life.  He had bad experiences with rich kids when he was a teenager and it affects his outlook on other people.  He initially thought that Vanessa was like them and it took awhile before he really saw the differences.  I loved the way he was so good with kids and how much he liked them.  He had a good heart and I really liked the way that he eventually opened up to Vanessa.  His proposal at the end was fantastic.

Undercover Soldier - Linda O. Johnston (HRS #1714 - July 2012)

Her long-lost hero, back from the grave 

Computer tech-and expert hacker-Sherra Alexander doesn't give up easily. Yet her dig into military records has placed her under federal scrutiny. In too deep, she knows anything can happen. What she doesn't anticipate is finding her presumed-dead ex-lover, army lieutenant Brody McAndrews, alive and in her apartment. 

On a covert mission to uncover the truth behind a suspicious explosion that killed a comrade with a similar name, Brody must stop Sherra's research-and protect her. The only way to do that is to keep her extremely close, whether she likes it or not. As a battle of wills brings on the passion in full force, an unknown threat zeroes in, determined to silence them both-permanently. 

Good book.  I liked both Sherra and Brody.  Sherra had one of those inquiring minds that just wouldn't let go when she found something that puzzled her.  When she went hacking into government computers and uncovered some things that didn't make sense, she ended up getting a visit from a government operative.  That man was Brody, the man who supposedly was dead.  Now he and Sherra were both in danger from those who had tried to kill him.  I loved Sherra's tenaciousness, even though she kept doing things that she was told not to do.  In the long run, it worked out for the best, as it kept  her and Brody safe.  Brody was frustrated by Sherra's unwillingness to play by the rules he made.  He had to keep her close to keep her safe, but it was playing havoc with his mental state, as he was still attracted to her.  And he needed to keep his mind on the mission, to find out who had killed his friend. I really liked the way they finally started working together, and the ending was definitely heart pounding.

Captain's Call of Duty - Cindy Dees (HRS #1684 - Dec 2011)

Series: Kelley Legacy (Book 6)

"Mendez? What happened to you?"

Captain Jim Kelley was thunderstruck. Suddenly Alexandra Mendez had gone from one of the guys, kid sister and tomboy to all woman. Alex was under his command on a dangerous undercover mission, but Jim had to keep reminding himself they were only pretending to be lovers.

Alex had loved Jim all her life, but they'd always been just friends. Now working together to thwart an assassination plot, their cover required her to unearth her femininity. Jim's sudden attention was unexpected...and thrilling. But was Jim just infatuated by her looks, or was it her he wanted?

Fantastic conclusion to the Kelley Legacy series.  I loved the way that Alex was so very good at what she did.  Jim and Alex had know each other for most of their lives, but Jim had never really looked at her before.  When Alex got assigned to his unit, she found herself being treated as "one of the guys", even though she longed to be seen as a woman.  Jim was floored when she appeared for a DC fundraiser all dolled up.  As they got further into their investigation of the assassination plot, their relationship moved into a whole new level - one Jim wasn't sure he was comfortable with.  I loved the way Alex was able to do so many of the things that needed to be done that she constantly amazed him.  The climax of the story was suitably tense, and I loved the way it went down.  I also enjoyed the interweaving of the Kelley and Colton families throughout the series.

Baby Battalion - Cassie Miles (HI #1317 - Dec 2011)

Series: Daddy Corps (Book 6)

"Dying" had been his best chance at protecting her. Coming home was the only way to keep her alive.

Nolan Law is a dead man. Five years ago, his pregnant wife buried him -- a soldier cut down in a desert war, a man who would do anything to protect those he loved. Even fake his death. His beloved Tess was safe as long as he was gone. Now a new assignment thrusts him back into her life -- and puts her at risk once more. When Tess looks at him, Nolan knows she sees a ghost. Tess deserves to know why this stranger stirs her passion so intensely, why her husband's eyes stare back at her from his unfamiliar, scarred face. Yet discovering the truth will only resurrect the danger Nolan "died" to protect her from....

Very good book and conclusion to the Daddy Corps series. I really enjoyed seeing the way that Tess pulled her life together after her husband died, and the way she was such a fantastic mother to her son. When she met Nolan Law for the first time, she couldn't believe that she was instantly attracted to him, when no one had appealed to her in the five years since Joe's death. Meanwhile, in his identity as Nolan Law, Joe wanted nothing more than to be a family again, but was intent on keeping Tess and Joey safe. I loved seeing how the team worked to find and rescue Bart, and seeing how other members of the team were doing. The conclusion was great, and I thought the gifts from the office manager were perfect.