Series: Larkville Legacy (Book 4)
It's well-known in Larkville that "no" is pretty
much the sum total of cowboy Holt Calhoun's vocabulary ever since his
marriage ended.
Single mom-to-be Kathryn Ellis won't take no for an answer. She needs
Holt's influence, as head of the town's most powerful family, to save
the local clinic before her baby is born!
But an early arrival with Kathryn's sparkling eyes and heart-melting
smile makes it impossible for Holt to turn on his spurred heel and walk
away.…
Very good book. I liked both Holt and Kathryn. Kathryn was back home after the end of her marriage as she tries to get her life back on track. One thing she wants to do is get a new medical clinic built in Larksville. This needs community involvement and she needs some help with that. The best person is Holt, but he is being hard to get, ignoring her calls. She finally goes to the ranch and confronts him in person. Kathryn convinces him to help, but he wants to do it his own way. Kathryn needs this project to go well so that she can use it to get a job and support her baby. She had had a crush on Holt when in school and finds that the feelings are still there. She sees that he gives the appearance of not caring, but she can see that there is a caring man beneath the surface bitterness. I liked the growth she shows in learning to stand up for herself and go after what she needs. Holt had had a lot of losses in his life and developed his attitude as a form of protection. No matter what he did, Kathryn didn't give up on getting his help, and he soon found that he wanted to be involved. Kathryn and her baby had worked their way into his heart but he still felt that he had nothing to offer. I liked the way that even though he swore he wasn't interested in doing anything but work his ranch, he was the one the townspeople went to when they needed help. This showed me that he was a lot more caring than he let on. I liked the way that he choked up at the end when Kathryn gave him her gift.
Series: Fortunes of Texas: Southern Invasion (Book 1)
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
It's New Year's Eve,
and there are five Fortunes sitting at the bar-five single,
way-too-handsome Fortunes dressed in wedding attire. It's enough to make
any red-blooded single girl start thinking wistful thoughts-especially
about Wyatt Fortune. Still, Sarah-Jane Early doesn't bother to
fantasize. There's no way that wealthy, charismatic hunk would date a
plain Jane like her....
ACROSS A CROWDED ROOM
They say New
Year's is a time for new beginnings, and Wyatt Fortune is sorely in
need of one. After some startling family news, he has vowed to sever all
ties and start fresh in Red Rock. The beautiful young woman at the
bar-Savannah, she tells him-is nothing more than a momentary diversion.
But could this be a moment that leads to a lifetime?
Very good book. Loved both Sarah-Jane and Wyatt. Sarah-Jane saw all those good looking guys sitting at the bar, but knew they were way out of her league - especially Wyatt. He has also been watching her. When he sees her again the next day he asks her out - she says yes, but also gives him a fake name to give herself the courage to step outside her comfort zone. Thanks to her mother and some other things, Sarah-Jane has some serious self esteem issues. She sees herself as fat, plain and boring. After their date she confesses her deception and is stunned when Wyatt still wants to see her. As good as she always feels when she is with him, she still has trouble seeing herself the way he does. Wyatt first saw her as simply a distraction from his problems, but she soon became much more. I really liked the way that he saw her as she really was and worked so hard to convince her of it. I loved the way that he started out so slowly, with lunches in the park rather than trying to overwhelm her with fancy dates. His tunnel vision about his father was a problem between them. He enjoys being with her more and more but the idea of loving her scares him. I liked the ending. I can see that the mystery of Wyatt's dad and his intentions will be a large part of the series.
Series: Angel Falls MT
Home for Christmas by Jillian Hart
Christina Eberlee is desperate for the safe haven promised to her by the Montana man whose bridal ad she answered. Yet she can't forget the handsome marshal who helps her on the journey. Maybe venturing from her planned path could lead Christina to the home she was truly meant to find.
Good story. Christina is on her way to Angel Falls to meet the man she is supposed to marry. She is robbed on the way and meets Elijah, the local marshal. He is a kind man who is immediately taken with her, but knows she is promised to another man. They also rescue a young homeless boy. When Christina meets Tom she is worried because he doesn't seem to be the nicest of men and certainly doesn't compare to Elijah. I enjoyed seeing the way that Elijah looked out for Christina and the young boy Toby. It's always nice when the nice guy finishes first.
Series: Dry Creek
Snowflakes for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
"Maybe you could marry her." Gabe Stone's niece and nephew long for a mother just like the mail-order bride Gabe's brother sent for and then abandoned. Yet in making the children's Christmas dreams come true, Gabe and Annabelle may discover the most precious gift of the holidays is love.
I enjoyed my visit to historical Dry Creek and meeting some of the ancestors of the characters I am familiar with. Annabelle had come to Dry Creek to marry Adam and was disturbed to find out he wasn't there when she arrived. Instead she was met by Adam's brother Gabe, a big man who initially made her nervous. She soon saw his kindness to his niece and nephew and to herself. Gabe was drawn to Annabelle's inner beauty and kindness to his niece and nephew. He also discovered that he would like nothing better than to claim Annabelle for his own.
Lord Brentmore -- half Irish peasant, half
English aristocrat -- grew up under a cloud of scandal. Even money and a
title aren't enough to stay the wagging tongues of the Ton. But he's
vowed that his children will never experience the same stigma.
After the death of their infamous mother they need a reputable
governess. Anna Hill is too passionate, too alluring, but she fills
Brentmore Hall with light and laughter again -- and its master with
feelings he'd forgotten….
But a lord marrying a governess would be the biggest scandal of all!
Good book. I liked both Brent and Anna. Brent has spent most of his life fighting the shame of his birth and then the scandal of his late wife's behavior. He is determined to be the best gentleman he can be so that his children do not have to suffer the way he has. When their elderly governess dieshe must hire a new one. Enter Anna Hill. She has been raised as a companion to her friend Charlotte but has been let go. She applies to be the children's governess, but Brent is initially reluctant because she is so young and attractive. He decides to give her a chance and sends her off to Brentwood Hall where she immediately bonds with the children. She is dismayed by the dismal life they are leading there and sends for Brent. He has had no idea what things were like, but doesn't know how to relate to the children. Over the next few weeks Anna helps him and they all grow closer. Brent and Anna know that they are falling for each other but that it is impossible. Anna is very practical and pretty much suffers in silence. Brent is pushed into looking for a "respectable" wife but is miserable because all he wants is Anna. When things come to a head Brent must decide which is more important - love or respectability. All the characters were very well done. I could feel Anna's pain over her loneliness and her love. Brent's desire that his children not suffer like he did was obvious, but his feelings for Anna were heartbreaking. The children felt very real with problems and feelings appropriate for their ages. The rest of the supporting cast also felt realistic.
Series: Millworth Manor (Book 1)
Camille, Lady Lydingham, knows precisely what she
wants for Christmas -- an official engagement to a handsome, dashing
prince. Her very proper suitor expects a proper English family and the
perfect Dickensian Christmas, which leaves the lovely widow with a
slight problem. The last thing Camille wants is for the prince to meet
her unconventional relatives. But with the aid of a troupe of actors,
Camille intends to pull off a Christmas deception of massive
proportions. At least until Grayson Elliot shows up. A dozen years ago,
he declared his love on the day before her marriage to another man, then
vanished from her life. Now he’s back, gate-crashing Camille’s already
chaotic house party, playing absolute havoc with her scheme -- and
with her heart. Because for Grayson, losing Camille once was quite bad
enough. Losing her twice? Unthinkable. And he’ll find a way to show her
they belong together -- for this season, and every Christmas yet to
come…
Very fun book, with a theme of second chances. Camille is well known in her family for her impulsiveness and the fact that it usually gets her in trouble. This one has the potential to do the same. Camille is very stubborn once she makes up her mind and nothing is going to stop her. She has the chance to land a prince as her next husband. The catch is that he wants to experience an old fashioned English Christmas. Most of her family is away, and they're rather unconventional anyway, so she hires a troupe of actors to fill in. What can go wrong? Well, the actors are not the best and seem to have some trouble remembering their parts. Then Camille's old friend Grayson shows up. They had been close friends as children, then the day before she married someone else he told her he loved her. She was stunned as she had loved him for a long time. But she thought it was too late and they said some things to each other and Grayson took off for America. After eleven years he is back. He walks in on the production and decides to "help" by sticking around as her cousin. Camille now has to cope with his reappearance which stirs up old feelings. She also begins to feel that maybe being a princess to a man she doesn't love isn't what she wants after all. I loved seeing her try to manage her actors who weren't doing quite what she asked them to do, and trying to adjust to all the changes that happen. It gets even more interesting when her real family shows up. Grayson has finally come home after making his fortune. When he sees Camille again, he realizes that he still loves her and is not about to lose her again. I loved the way he was there for Camille even though his "help" at times purposely stirred things up. I also liked the way that he was trying to protect her from herself. Both he and Camille had to finally talk about the events of their past in order to move on with their future. I liked the fact that Grayson admitted his mistakes but also wasn't going to give up. Some of the situations that cropped up were so funny that I could hardly read because I was laughing so hard. I loved the secondary characters - Grayson's cousin Win who is the one who got Grayson home, Camille's twin Beryl who is snarky and sarcastic, but supportive, the troupe of actors who just can't seem to keep in character, and Camille's mother and sister who show up and have to be fitted into the play in some manner.
Adam Stark had found gold. In the confusion of the mesas and canyons near Rockinstraw Mountain, Stark, his wife, Consuelo, and his sister, Miriam, were quietly working a rich vein while keeping their presence a secret from raiding Apaches. Worried that his wife might leave him, Stark wanted to make enough money to take her to San Francisco, where she could enjoy the style of life she craved.
But when Taggart, a stranger on the run from a vicious bounty hunter, enters their camp, tensions soon mount. Consuelo, against all good judgment, cannot resist testing Taggart. Is he the man who can make her happy? Will he give her the life her husband cannot? With thousands of dollars of gold in his packsaddles, the Apaches are now no longer Adam Stark’s only threat.
Good book. Adam and his wife and sister were trying to stay out of the way of the Apaches who were raiding in the area. Adam had found a rich vein of gold and was trying to get as much of it out as he could. He has dreams of a ranch of his own and the money to give his wife and sister a better life. Taggart had had his own ranch before a larger outfit ran him off of it because they wanted his land. He had tried to protect his land and was now accused of murder. While he's trying to outrun a bounty hunter he stumbles on Adam's camp. He's drawn to Miriam but knows that between the bounty hunter and the Apaches there is trouble coming. There is a battle with the Apaches, an escape with the gold, and a gun battle with the bad guy. I always like reading L'Amour's books. His heroes are honorable men who usually find themselves in the position of having to protect someone - usually a girl. I loved the way that he shows what the people are thinking and how it affects their actions. He also has a wonderful way of describing the land where his books take place. In this one I could feel the heat and dryness of the desert and see the canyons and hills that he was describing.
Series: Fool's Gold (Book 10)
The unrelenting cheer in Fool's Gold, California,
is bringing out the humbug in dancer Evie Stryker. She learned early on
that Christmas miracles don't happen, at least not for her. And this
year seems like no exception. An injury has forced her to return to the
family fold, no matter that they're estranged. She won't add to the
awkward scenario by being seduced by the bad-boy charms of her brother's
best friend, the last man she should ever want to date. Even when she's
recruited to stage Fool's Gold's winter festival, she vows to do as
promised, then move forward with her life anywhere but here.
Jaded lawyer Dante Jefferson is getting used to the backwater town he
now reluctantly calls home, but the pounding of little dancers' feet
above his temporary office is more than any man should have to take!
When he confronts their gorgeous teacher, he's unprepared for the
attraction that sears him down to the soul. Evie is his best friend's
sister -- off-limits unless he's willing to risk his heart. Dante has
always believed that love is the most dangerous force in the universe,
but that was before he had to reckon with the magic of a certain small
town, where miracles do seem to happen...
Loved the book. Loved Evie and Dante. I have been waiting for their stories since I first met them in Summer Days, but never suspected at that point it would be their story. Evie was brought to Fool's Gold by her family after a devastating injury. She doesn't want to be there as she has always felt like an outsider in her own family. She was emotionally neglected by them, especially her mother, left home at seventeen and never looked back. Evie finds herself spending more time with her mother and has to decide if she wants to let go of her anger. Now she's marking time as a dance teacher until she can leave again. Then she gets the winter dance show dumped in her lap and is feeling overwhelmed. She is also not much in the holiday spirit and finds a like-minded soul in Dante, her brother's best friend and business partner. They form an alliance to get them through the holidays and discover that besides their developing friendship there is a growing attraction. Dante doesn't do relationships and makes it clear that if they start something there will be no commitment. Dante has his own issues in his past that have contributed to his attitude and acts the playboy to protect his heart and feelings. I liked the way that he helped Evie see that it was possible for her to have a new relationship with her family. He was also wonderful at being there whenever she needed any kind of support. You can see that he is falling for her, but that he doesn't want to admit it. There are a lot of great scenes where the nice guy in him shows through. There is also a wonderfully hilarious scene dealing with her brothers letting themselves into her house and not expecting Dante to be there. I loved the ending and how he finally comes through.
One of the best things about the Fool's Gold books is the sense of community and family. Being from the city, both Dante and Evie have no experience with the way that the town provides support. When Evie gets the winter dance program dumped on her she has no idea where to even start to make it happen. When she goes to Charlie for help, she can't believe that there are people who will just show up and do what is needed. I loved her surprise at how many people came to help with the sets. I also enjoyed the way that Dante made sure that her brothers were part of the group. I loved the way that people kept getting Evie involved in different activities and how much she ended up enjoying it. I loved the ladies' party when they all showed up to make Evie feel better. I like seeing the characters from previous books. Most make brief appearances, like running into a friend at the grocery store. Just enough to see what they're up to without getting bombarded with too much information. I'm looking forward to next year's books s lot.
Series: Highest Bidder (Book 6)
Nothing will stop him....
In his Arabian kingdom, Crown Prince Raif Khouri commands, and women do
his will...but then he meets headstrong American Ann Richardson. To get
back the priceless statue he's convinced her minions stole, Raif kidnaps
her!
Held captive by the sexy prince and mired in scandal at her auction
house, Ann has her hands full. How can she convince Raif she's
innocent...and convince her traitorous body to resist his sultry kisses?
But after one night with the woman his duty will never let him have, it's Raif who realizes the high price of ransom-his heart!
Very good book and terrific conclusion to the series. I really liked both Raif and Ann. Ann has been at the center of scandal since the first book. The controversy over the statue and accusations of theft have made her life very difficult. Now Raif has taken her and won't let her go until he has the statue. In every encounter with him the attraction gets stronger. Once they get past the issue of the statue Ann finds that there in a lot in Raif that she respects and likes. She soon realizes that she has fallen in love with him but that it can't go anywhere. He will soon be king and cannot marry her. I liked seeing her time in Rayas and how she managed there. I liked her determination to help find the statue and how she wanted to help Raif's cousin Kalila. I also liked the way that she was so willing to give him up so he could do the right thing. I loved Raif. He has that whole alpha male confidence thing going on, and the certainty that duty is more important than anything else. Watching him realize that love matters was very satisfying. He was so sure that he was right and willing to do anything to get his statue back. He had great interactions with his cousin Tariq over his actions with Ann. He was very focused on his goal and couldn't understand why he could not get Ann out of his mind. I liked his protectiveness when he decided that whatever was going on with the statue might be a plot against Ann and that he needed to keep her safe. He was miserable over the fact that he couldn't have Ann. I loved the conclusion and his methods. The mystery of who was behind the trouble was solved. Also solved was the identity of the man who helped each of the six couples find their happy endings.
A SEASON OF SCANDAL
Richard, Lord Ledbury, has had his fair share of adventure on warring
battlefields, but even this seasoned soldier isn't prepared for the
outrageous escapades going on in London's ballrooms!
Lady Jayne Chilcott is under orders to find a husband, and Lord Ledbury
has caught her eye. But nothing is simple when courting under the
glittering spotlight of the ton.
Richard has always risen to any challenge, but Lady Jayne might just be the first to get the better of him….
Let the games begin!
Pretty good book. For the most part I liked Richard and Jayne. Richard has inherited the title after his older brother's death. He has spent most of his adult life in the military and is unprepared for the battlefield of the ton's ballrooms. He needs to find a wife, but he feels hunted. As the middle son he was also pretty much ignored by his parents, creating a feeling of not being good enough for them, and feeling unlovable by anyone else. He is drawn to Jayne, but initially feels that she is a scandal waiting to happen. The more time he spends with her the more he appreciates her for what she is. When he finally realizes he loves her he has to find a way to convince her. Jayne was a little harder to like at first. She seemed pretty selfish and flighty with her determination to not do as her grandfather wished and by carrying on with the penniless soldier. She is angry at Richard when he first interferes, but soon sees that he was right. As I saw more of her I realized she had a good heart, she just made poor choices in her activities. She also had issues of self-esteem that needed to be overcome. By the time the story moved to his home, Jayne seemed to be maturing somewhat and making better choices. She finally realized that she was in love with him, but was under the impression that he loved someone else. The culmination was something of a comedy of errors, but I liked the way it ended.
Lady Harriet Devere travels to Oxfordshire with
her two younger siblings for their annual family holiday gathering. Now
orphaned, the trio has recently lost their eldest brother Nicholas, who
died serving his country in battle. Before his death, Nicholas had
entrusted Harriet with a secret: he was working as a British spy,
recruited to follow in their father's footsteps. Nicholas uses Harriet
as an accomplice, expecting her to relay simple messages to his contacts
while he was abroad. After his death, Harriet is suddenly asked to
fulfill a request much more in-depth than those of the past.
Harriet must keep an eye on Julius Forsythe, Earl of Marbury, who, while
also a spy for the British, is believed to be a double agent also
working for the French. Harriet is expected to follow his every move to
determine his status as a traitor. But before long, she begins to admire
the Earl, and her romantic feelings are reciprocated. As the adventure
unfolds, Harriet must do her best to honor the wish of her dearly loved
brother, while attempting to keep the man she loves from harm.
Pretty good book. I liked both Harriet and Julius. Harriet was surprised to be asked to watch Julius and determine if he was a double agent responsible for her brother's death. When she met him at her grandfather's home she was attracted to him. She also found him to be easy to talk to and very good with her younger brother and sister. She saw things that made her think he was working for the French, but her heart told her that he wasn't. Her waffling back and forth irritated me a little. I did like her decisions at the end. Julian was a complex man. At the beginning we see the operative side of him which can be cold and calculated. But while he is at Harriet's home we see the likeable gentleman that he is underneath. He is surprised at his feelings for Harriet as nothing like that has happened to him before. He is puzzled by her hot and cold attitude toward him, but something about her fascinates him. The more time he spends with her the more he wants to let her see all of who he is. I liked the way he helped her with the twins and how protective he was of her happiness. I found it interesting, and a definite sign of his feelings, that he was willing to tell Harriet as much as he did. The end of the story was fairly satisfying though I think it would have been better were it longer with a bit more depth. We never did find out exactly why Nick was killed or what Julius's personal mission was.
THE OTHER TWIN BROTHER
Marine Captain Luke Brand has come home with one mission on his mind: to
make amends with his identical twin brother's widow. They've never
gotten along, but for the wounded soldier, establishing a connection
with his yet-to-be-born nephew is a top priority--and failure is not an
option. Still, he has to make peace without revealing his secret--that
he's madly, completely, head over heels in love with Sophia Lee Brand.
The last person Sophia wants to see this Christmas is Luke! She is too
vulnerable and, well, too pregnant for the disruption. So why does she
blush when he smiles, or her heart quicken when they touch? His looks
are all too familiar--but he stirs up emotions she has never felt
before. Perhaps a kiss under the mistletoe will make both of their
Christmas wishes come true?
Excellent book with plenty of emotion. I loved both Luke and Sophia. Luke was home to recover from an injury and also to make up with his brother's widow. He has spent the last ten years hiding the fact that he's in love with her. Now that his brother is gone Luke is the closest her baby will have to his father. He spends the first week he is home alone with Sophia as they learn to deal with Daniel's death and try to forge a new friendship. Luke is a man who has never been good at sharing feelings and Sophia is a psychologist who talks a lot. Many of their conflicts deal with his not talking to her. I really liked the way he was so careful about trying to not upset her. You could see how much he loved her and how hard he was trying to not give in to his feelings. Sophia had spent years trying to figure out why her husband's twin didn't seem to like her, why they couldn't get along. Now that she and Luke are alone together they are finally starting to put their past animosity behind them. At first she thinks the feelings she is having are just because Luke is Daniel's twin. Then she starts noticing more of the differences than the similarities, and this makes her very nervous. She doesn't want those kind of feelings for Luke and feels terribly guilty about them. She is stunned when she accidentally finds out about Luke's love and it takes her mother-in-law's talking to her for her to understand. Luke and Sophia spent so much time dealing with the issues that were keeping them apart that it was so very satisfying when they did finally get together. I loved the closeness of the family and how they were there for each other. The kitten was a great little critter and I loved seeing him with Luke. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in future books. I found it interesting that in the first half of the book Harlequin's typical refusal to capitalize Marine was evident, but for most of the second half it was properly capitalized. Go figure. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Brennan Henry doesn't have time for holly and
jolly. He's been too busy boosting the bottom line for the family
business. That is, until his eccentric grandfather hands over a lot of
money to a stranger on the street. Some nonsense about her being the
true spirit of Christmas. Yeah, right. All Brennan can see is he's now
got a situation on his hands with one Mary Paige Gentry.
Then he meets Mary Paige. And no matter how deep he searches, it seems
she's the real deal. Kind, compassionate and just enough sass to keep
him very intrigued. The spark of attraction between them could land him
on the naughty list! But his is still a dollars-and-cents world…unless
she can prove there's more to the season -- more to life -- than money.
Good book. I loved the theme that there is more to life than making money - a kind of A Christmas Carol story. Brennan's grandfather had had a heart attack several months earlier and realized that his life sucked, so he decided to do something about it. While posing as a homeless man, he was helped by Mary Paige who he then asked to be the face of his "Spirit of Christmas" campaign. He used this campaign to get the people of the city to start being kinder to each other. Brennan was an all-business kind of guy who saw his grandfather's plan as a bunch of hooey, but decided to humor him. I liked Mary Paige a lot. She was a pretty down-to-earth person who was also very compassionate to those less fortunate. She also tended to see the good in people. She wasn't sure she wanted to do the promotion but was willing to try because of the good she thought she could do with the money she was offered. She wasn't happy at first at having to work with the cynical Brennan, but hoped that maybe she could open his eyes a little. She was worried about her attraction to him, but was pretty sure that he'd have no interest in her. The more time they spend together the more they like each other and things start to take off. Brennan is still something of a hard nut to crack and I love some of the things Mary Paige does that show him how she feels. Brennan doesn't like the Christmas season. His parents died at Christmas and he has worked very hard to protect his feelings ever since. He thinks his grandfather is growing senile but humors him anyway. He doesn't quite know what to think of Mary Paige, but she intrigues him because she is so different than anyone he has ever known. The more time he spends with her, the more he finds himself changing. There is a huge misunderstanding where he really blows it with her, but manages to see the light before it is too late (of course). I liked Brennan's grandfather a lot, and his romance was sweet.
Series: Desert Knights (Book 3)
The marriage seduction
He has found his destiny. But to claim the throne of Azmahar, Rashid Aal
Munsoori needs Laylah Aal Shalaan. Seducing her into marriage will
defeat his rivals-and if she becomes pregnant with his heir, his hold on
his homeland will be complete.
Laylah has always secretly loved Rashid. Her sexy sheikh might be
scarred inside and out, but that only makes her love him more...until
she discovers his true motives. She may never again trust her lover, but
how can she walk away from the father of her unborn child-a baby
destined to ally their two desert kingdoms forever?
Excellent book and conclusion to the Desert Knights trilogy. I really liked both Rashid and Laylah. In his appearances in the previous two books it was hard to decide if Rashid was a good guy or a bad guy. I was pretty sure he would turn out to be a good guy and that there would be quite a story behind his scar and his attitude. At the beginning of this book Rashid is trying to decide the best way to get Laylah to marry him so he can cement his claim to the throne. When he rescues her from a kidnapping attempt they are thrown together and their attraction is off the charts. Rashid had been expecting her to be as twisted as her mother and is astounded by her honesty and goodness. He is also stunned by her acceptance of him as he is. I loved the way that he is continually surprised by her and the way her love opens his heart and starts to heal him. Laylah was perfect for him. She had loved him her whole life, but never expected to actually be with him. I love the way she stands up to him at the beginning, basically bullying him into doing what she wants him to do. I loved the way she was so fierce in the way that she showed him that his scar didn't matter to her, that her love went beyond that. Even through her feelings of betrayal toward the end of the book, she never stopped loving him. The feelings expressed by both characters were intense and had me in tears at one point, I was so involved. I also liked the way that the loose ends were tied up. I have also enjoyed the richness of the descriptions of the people and places - they make the story so much more real to me.
Series: Journey Through the Outback (Book 1)
ON A TRAIN THROUGH THE OUTBACK...
Hugo Thurston, big-shot billionaire and heir to the Thurston Empire,
prefers to keep a low profile. But when traveling on the grand Ghan
Railway, he finds himself sharing a dinner table with beautiful
ex-ballerina Amy Cotton, who threatens to seriously derail his icy cool!
She may be alluring, but Hugo has no time for distractions. This trip
is about making life-changing career decisions... not succumbing to
Amy's charms. But when Amy turns up in his suite, dressed in pink satin
pajamas and begging him for help, it might just be too late....
Very good book. I really liked both Amy and Hugo. Amy and her sister are on a cross-country train trip. Rachel is recovering from a devastating tragedy and Amy has given up her career as a ballerina to be with her. She has no intention of getting involved with Hugo, but has to appeal to him for help in the middle of the night. This also puts her under the influence of Hugo's grandmother who is a force to be reckoned with. She wants to be able to continue on their trip as planned but grandmother has other ideas. I liked her independence and strength of character. She isn't the type to cave in easily though Hugo has trouble seeing this at times. She is also full of surprises - there's a great one during their rock hunting trip that had me laughing out loud. I loved the way she handled her notoriety at the end - very well done. I liked Hugo a lot also. The first thing I noticed was how much he cared for his grandmother - to the point of doing things he didn't really want to do but did for her. He is very much of a loner who has kept himself away from emotional involvement. He has spent nearly twenty years as an army commando, but thanks to his grandfather's death he has to decide whether to give it up to run the company. He doesn't really want to but he sees what will need to be done. His exposure to Amy really rattles him. There is so much about her that appeals to him but he has seen what his world does to people who aren't used to it and doesn't want that to happen to Amy. The more time he spends with her the more he wants to keep her in his life. It was hard to watch him struggle with his feelings. I loved his grandmother and how hard she tried to make him see what was needed. The ending was beautiful - Hugo really came through in the romance department. I also enjoyed the scenes around Uluru and learning more about it.
This Christmas, the McCabe brothers are coming home to Texas…
Virgil by Julie Miller
Detective Virgil "Bull" McCabe hadn't been back on the J-Bar-J Ranch in
more than a decade. What he finds is his family in turmoil and his
childhood friend, Tracy Cobb, all grown up…and more beautiful than ever.
Morgan by Dana Marton
It took a lot to bring ex-soldier Morgan McCabe home. But when his
brothers sent out a call for help, that was all the incentive he needed.
Once there, though, it's his former flame, Dakota Dayton, and her
toddler son who might just convince him to stay.
Wyatt by Paula Graves
Sheriff Wyatt McCabe has faced a lot of criminals, but none as ruthless
as the one holding his sister hostage. Now, forced to work with Elena
Vargas, Wyatt has to ensure his family's safety without giving in to his
burning attraction to the gorgeous agent.
I really liked this book. There are three brothers whose stories are written by three different authors. I enjoyed the way it was written with each story building on the previous one rather than three completely different stories. The main thread is the kidnapping of the half-sister they didn't know they had. She has been taken by a drug lord who wants some of their father's land for his drug operation. Wyatt puts out a call to his brothers to come home and help. First to arrive is Virgil. He's not happy to be there, remembering the conflicts between him and his father, and plans to leave again as soon as Brittany is home safe. Then he meets up with Tracy and his feelings for his old friend grow more intense. He tends to be like his nickname "Bull" and plows right into the search. He is also suspicious of the apparent changes in attitude his father has gone through. Next to arrive is Morgan. He has spent most of the last several years as a special forces soldier. He is very good at controlling his emotions and locking them down until he is reunited with Dakota, the girl he used to love. She and her son are living on his father's ranch and he finds that he has never forgotten the way he felt about her. He puts his training and contacts to work in helping to locate his sister. His skills are needed when an assassin comes looking for the witness they are protecting at the ranch. The last story is Wyatt's. He stayed around and is working as the sheriff of the town and is on a task force with Elena. They are attracted to each other but also tend to butt heads a lot. At this point the drug lord is after her because she killed his brother. She also has the contacts needed to find Brittany and finds herself in the position of being able to set Brittany free. The final confrontation brings the story to a very satisfying end.
Series: Fairbrook (Book 5)
This Christmas, come home to Fairbrook, the
setting for Judy Duarte's uplifting, heartwarming novels, where
friendship, faith -- and some extra-special providence -- will make it a
holiday to remember...
Fairbrook is a town tailor-made for Christmas, with beautiful old houses
dotting quaintly named streets like Sugar Plum Lane and Nutcracker
Court. But not everyone is eager for the holidays to arrive.
Cash-strapped single mom Carly Westbrook worries about providing a merry
Christmas for her boys. It doesn't help that they've been having
run-ins with neighbor Max Tolliver, an aspiring novelist stricken with
writer's block. Then there's Grant Barrows, a formerly wealthy
businessman whose heart seems to have shrunk along with his bank
balance.
Some folks are still determined to make the season sparkle. Like The
Diamond Lils, a ladies group who meet weekly to play poker and
socialize. This year, they're looking to do some good deeds -- and
wealthy widow Lynette thinks that a little matchmaking between Grant and
Carly would be a perfect place to start.
Yet Christmas is a season for surprises. And sometimes, the gifts we never expected turn out to be the most precious of all...
Good book. I liked the main characters of Carly and Max. Carly is a single mom who is doing her best to provide for her two sons, but she just can't seem to catch a break. When she has another confrontation with Max over her boys and his dog she's not sure what to do. I love the way that she stands up to Max when she thinks her boys are in danger. I also like the way that she's able to make amends when she needs to. Max has taken a leave of absence from his job in order to work on his book. It isn't going very well right now and he hasn't been able to figure out why. I like the way that he works out a trade with Carly where she helps him by reading the book, and he helps her with her sons. This gives them a chance to get to know each other and see where their friendship might go. Both of them also are struggling to find their Christmas spirit. There is also a pretty good cast of secondary characters, all of whom are having their own holiday challenges. Carlos and Rosa are over committed on the volunteering front, not taking the time to enjoy the season. Susan is a widow who would like to marry again, but doesn't seem to have the social skills to make the best of herself. Lynette grew up poor and with low self esteem, but married well. Now she's a widow too, but still thinks poorly of herself and worries about material things. They are joined by Maggie, a woman who is house-sitting for a friend. Maggie sees the best in people and is able to make people see what the holiday season should be about.
Series: Mustang Ridge (Book 1)
A TEXAS SHERIFF IN NEED OF A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
Sheriff Jake McCall is about to break the law. To find a bone marrow
donor for his ailing baby girl, he'll hack into WITSEC to track down
Maggie Gallagher-the only person who could be a genetic match. Yet by
doing so, he is jeopardizing not only his badge, but Maggie's life, as
well. Expecting to have to force Maggie against her will, Jake is
unprepared for her willingness to help-and for the desire and hunger she
arouses in him. Still, those forbidden feelings could make Jake
reckless, and losing focus now isn't an option. With time running out
and a killer on their heels, Jake has to keep Maggie alive-and give his
daughter a Christmas miracle.
Good book. I really liked both Jake and Maggie. Jake was willing to do anything to save his daughter, even track down Maggie who he held responsible for his wife's death. He didn't expect her to be so willing to help, and he sure didn't expect to be attracted to her again. When they were attacked almost immediately Jake knew he had to keep her safe. I liked the way that Jake put his family first and was willing to do whatever it took. He also knew that getting involved with Maggie was a bad idea, but he wasn't able to resist her. I liked the way that he began to see that his wife's death wasn't Maggie's fault and that they were eventually able to move on. Maggie was fantastic. She had done what she felt was needed to keep everyone safe before she disappeared. When Jake came to get her she wanted to do what was needed and disappear again to keep the family safe. I liked the way that she was determined to do whatever was needed to save her niece. Maggie also had to cope with her feelings for Jake. She didn't think there was any way that they would be able to be together. The showdown at the hospital was very intense and I couldn't read fast enough to find out how it was going to turn out. I also liked the brief appearance of Kade Ryland from the Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Series: Secrets of Eden (Book 1)
When Wade Mitchell finds himself face-to-face
with Victoria Sullivan, he has to reconsider his usual tactics. Wade
needs to buy something she owns, and he needs it now. Since he and Tori
have enough heat to melt ice, it should be a done deal.
But melting
Tori's resolve is a harder task. She's not giving in to the man who once
fired her. Yet Wade has to keep trying, because if he doesn't, he risks
exposing a secret that could destroy his family. When all proper
negotiation fails, seduction may be his only option.
Good book. I liked both Wade and Tori. Wade is a self-made millionaire. He and his foster brothers were raised by the Edens and he would do anything for them. When he finds out that they sold a piece of land that holds a dangerous secret he is determined to get it back. He doesn't expect the new owner to be Tori, who he had fired from his company several years earlier. He also doesn't expect the heat of an instant attraction. He is surprised when she refuses to sell, even for an insane amount of money. After thinking about it he decides that getting to know her and trying to soften her up, possibly even seducing her may be his best option. I loved seeing some of the things they did together and how Wade began to enjoy being with her. I liked how his conscience began to bother him and he had to try to reconcile his need for the land and his need for Tori. I really liked the way that he went to her at the end. Tori was great. She had overcome her firing and started her own company as a green architect. She had bought this land to build a home of her own after living a gypsy-like childhood with her parents. She still felt the effects of her firing because she had done nothing wrong and caused her to be less trusting of men. Seeing Wade again brought that all back. It also brought back the attraction she had felt for him. I loved the way that she stood up to him even when he tried to intimidate her. I really loved the scene in the bar when she refused to be smirked at. I liked the way that she went ahead with going out with Wade even though she knew she might be setting herself up for heartbreak. Tori was devastated at the end when she thought Wade had betrayed her trust. I liked the way that they came together at the end. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. There is a great sense of family and the other brothers are all so different from each other their stories should be great.
What do a Blue Angels pilot, a bounty
hunter and an ex-NFL football player have in common? The three bad-boy
bachelors of Snowdon, Maine have to make it to a friend's Christmas Eve
wedding on time or die trying! — They're willing to risk anything to
make that happen -- even dashing through the snow in the goofiest bus on
Earth, bright red and
filled with a bunch of merry, meddling senior citizens known as the
Santa Brigade. All too soon, these men will have met their matches in
three special women: a woman from their past, a forest ranger so hot she
ought to be declared a fire hazard, and a woman on the run. Ho, ho, OH!
Three roguish St Nicks are hoping what they truly want for Christmas
will be nestled in their beds after the stockings are stuffed and the
gifts placed under the tree. Come along for the ride, as three
unforgettable couples discover who's naughty and nice while serving up
holiday cheer with the Santa Brigade.
I loved this book. I was expecting an anthology of three stories, but what I got was one story written in a round-robin style with each chapter starring a different hero. All three men - Sam, Kevin and Stan - grew up in Snowdon at an orphanage. Each was a hell-raiser who was put back on the straight and narrow by George, whose wedding they are trying to get to. Their only option, because of a blizzard that has shut down the roads is hitching a ride with the Santa Brigade a group of feisty senior citizens who bring cheer to homeless shelters around the region. Sam is a Blue Angels pilot who makes a splashy connection by jumping out of a helicopter to join the bus. There he meets up with Reba the girl he loved and left. He would like nothing more than to pick up the relationship again. Sam has some issues with his past that he's going to have to deal with before that can happen. Kevin is a private investigator who has been looking for Callie who is supposed to testify in a trial in New York. When he finds her, she is not what he expected. Now he has to decide what to do with her. Finally, there's Stan, the ex-football player. George had asked him to stop and pick up Dana and bring her to the wedding. She isn't what he expected in a forest ranger and he would really like to keep her around. Now that his football career is over he has to decide what to do with the rest of his life. This story involved the trip back to Snowdon via several shelters. I loved all the senior citizens on the bus and the way they tried to help the guys with their love lives. I also absolutely loved the purpose of the Santa Brigade and times they were in the shelters. I really enjoyed watching the guys and gals as they got more deeply involved in what the Brigade was doing. I could also see how each person was individually affected by the trip. The romances were fantastic and perfectly written for each guy. I loved the conclusion and the way they worked out their plans for the future.
The coffee's not the only thing that's hot...
The last thing Claire Murphy wants is a man in her life. Things work
best with just her and her son, Grey, a solid team of two. Yes, some
days are chaotic, but she's confident Grey doesn't know why she needs
that chaos-until he brings home the local cafe owner, Lucas Williams, to
help. How could Grey? Having someone as good-looking as Lucas around
doesn't feel right.
Or does it? It turns out there's more to Lucas than the ability to brew a
great cup of coffee. And sure, she knows she's benefiting from his
knowledge about recovering from trauma. But she also knows that she's
falling for Lucas and she's not sure she's ready for that!
This book was okay. I liked Lucas a lot. He is a very nice guy who is strong but also caring enough to want to help people. He has people working in his cafe that are helped by having a job with him. He has noticed Claire and her son Grey when they come in every day, and recognizes that Claire is fighting something. He first gets involved with Grey who is having a hard time with his mom's frenetic lifestyle. He recognizes the symptoms of PTSD and doesn't want to lose someone else to it. As he spends time with them he comes to care for them very much, but Claire's refusal to accept that she needs help drives him nuts. Every time he tries to help her she pushes him away. I loved the fact that he stuck with her and that he was so wonderful with Grey, especially during the crises at the end. I had a much harder time with Claire. I just couldn't understand how she could go on like she was even though she could see what it was doing to her son. I got to the point where I wanted to smack her and tell her to do something for God's sake. I really didn't like her mother and sister at all. She had tried to tell her mom what happened and was blown off. If her mom had been supportive Claire might not have suffered the way she did.
The odds are about a million to one. But after
eleven years, P.I. Maria DiMarco jumps at the possibility that her
brother might still be alive. And when she makes a wish on a rare
pre-Christmas shooting star, well, it could be a sign. Logan Collier
doesn't think so. Not that Maria should put her trust -- or hope -- in
her ex-love, who long ago left her heart in pieces.
Yet here Logan is in Key West, helping Maria chase down leads and, like
her, trying -- and failing -- to ignore the attraction heating up
between them. Even if her search takes her nowhere, Maria isn't giving
up. Not on finding her brother…or on a second chance with Logan.
Good book. I liked both Maria and Logan. Maria has never given up hope that her brother is still alive, so she heads to Key West to follow up on a lead. As a PI she never gives up until she has checked out every possibility. Logan is far more pragmatic, but follows her there to help even though they were over long ago. Both of them are trying to ignore the attraction that still affects them both. Maria follows lead after lead, always hoping they will bring the result she wants. Whenever she is disappointed Logan is there for her. Logan is very sure that Mike is dead, but hates to see Maria hurt each time. He doesn't want to get involved with her again as he still remembers his feelings after their breakup, but he can't stop wanting to be there for her. Both of them were hurt by their breakup, but each blamed the other one for it. Neither seemed to be able to see that it was a lack of being willing to compromise on both their parts - most likely because they were so young at the time. I liked the way that they were able to work together even though they had differing viewpoints. The conclusion was terrific. I also enjoyed the secondary story with Kayla, the rookie PI that Maria was helping. She had some good instincts and the motivation and enthusiasm that she needed. I liked the way she solved her case and dealt with the perpetrator.
Series: Men of Hawaii (Book 5)
Trouble In Paradise...
Katie Long was supposed to be undercover. She was just supposed to watch
Deputy Prosecutor Eric Kimura at his ex's wedding and gather intel on
his campaign for prosecutor. But he's a lot hotter in person, and the
kind of intel they accidentally shared in the hotel bathroom might lose
both of them their jobs. Especially since it seems to be a recurring
incident. Is it possible for a one-night stand to last ten days?
Kimura isn't usually the impulsive type. He's driven, he's ambitious,
and he knows what he wants -- a respectable future in Hawaii politics.
Which means wild half-public sex with a beautiful stranger in a short
little caterer's skirt is just tabloid fodder waiting to happen.
Conveniently, just as his campaign is coming under attack. Sabotage,
media gossip, and an insatiable desire for a woman he just met? If he's
not careful, Counselor Kimura might lose all control...
Really good book. Katie and Eric just can't stay away from each other. I really liked both of them. Katie was a wild child that is finally getting her life on track. She didn't expect the immediate attraction to Eric. She also didn't expect to actually like him. She wants to end her job following him so she can just be with him on her own, but ends up staying on to keep someone else from doing it. She finally confesses to Eric what is happening which naturally creates some conflict between them. Because of things in her past she has some trust issues which feed into her relationship with Eric. I liked the way that they always managed to talk things out. Katie started out seeming kind of immature, but did a lot of growing up in this book. Eric is older and more settled. He is also a nice guy at heart. He has political ambitions and is worried that his encounters with Katie could be a setup. Their chemistry is incredible and he just keeps going back for more. He really likes her and when some bad stuff starts happening he doesn't want to believe she is behind it. They figure out that there is someone else is and they need to find out who it is. The final confrontation was very good. I loved the dialog between the two of them. She is pretty sassy, which is something that Eric is not used to. Their relationship also causes Eric to look at his workaholic ways and realize that he wants more balance in his life. This was a really fun book to read.
Series: MacEgan (Book 7)
In The Bleak Midwinter
It's a year since Brianna MacEgan's husband was killed, and she remains
coldly obsessed with avenging his death. But Arturo de Manzano is intent
on distracting her with his muscled fighter's body -- and the ice
around her heart is soon in danger of melting….
Brianna has been unable to move past her grief over her husband's death and is planning to avenge him. When Arturo, who is part of the group escorting his sister and Liam home, arrives he is immediately drawn to her. Having lost his wife he understands her pain and wants to help her through it. Brianna has a tremendous amount of guilt to overcome as she falls for him. Arturo is wonderfully patient as he tries to show Brianna the happiness that could be hers.
The Holly and the Viking
Lost in a snowstorm, Rhiannon MacEgan is rescued by a fierce Viking. Her
lonely soul instantly finds its mate in Kaall, but can they ever be
together? For not only is Kaall blind, he's also her beloved cousin's
most hated enemy….
Rhiannon really wants to find a love of her own, but her father is extremely overprotective. When she gets lost in a snowstorm she is rescued by Kaall. She is immediately attracted to him, but there are obstacles to her happiness - he is blind and is also the warrior responsible for Brianna's husband's death. For all of his blindness he has an inner strength that is just what Rhiannon needs. And Rhiannon is able to see the caring man under the surface of the warrior and is able to help him cope with his blindness.
A Season to Forgive
Adriana de Manzano is betrothed to Liam MacEgan, a man she absolutely
adores. But she's hiding a terrible secret. To save Liam's life in the
Holy Land she was forced to betray him. If she tells this proud warrior
the truth, can he ever forgive her?
Adrianna and Liam are very much in love. Since leaving the Holy Land to return to Ireland Liam has sensed that there is something bothering her. She has terrible nightmares and he sees pain in her eyes whenever he touches her. Liam is also feeling guilt over the loss of his men in battle and doubts that he can take his father's place as king when the time comes. When the secret comes out Liam has to decide if he can understand and forgive. I loved the help that Adrianna got from the other wives in this one as they showed her how to deal with a MacEgan man.
All three stories were closely related. They took place during the same period with overlapping events. I enjoyed the glimpses of their holiday traditions and their way of life. I also liked the strength of the women who could hold their own without losing their identities as women. The men are the perfect blending of strong and sensitive.
Series: Larkville Legacy (Book 4)
