Lessons in Fatherhood - Makenna Lee (HSE #2925 - Aug 2022)

Series: Home to Oak Hollow (Book 5)

More surprising than being a father
Is what it takes to be a dad
 
Nicholas Weller is stunned to discover the adorable baby abandoned in the middle of his art gallery is his son. Asking teacher Emma Blake for help is a plea of desperation -- he barely knows her, after all -- and clearly, she has her own misgivings. But under Emma's tutelage, Nicholas is soon juggling diapers, formula…and unexpected feelings for her. He's passing the lessons on fatherhood, but is he ready to graduate to family man?
 
Terrific book. Emma is a kindergarten teacher working in the shop she co-owns with a friend on summer break. She is still recovering from the devastating loss of her husband and daughter. Nicholas is a wealthy newcomer to town who is turning the shop into a combination art gallery and wine tasting room. He rubs Emma the wrong way with his expensive clothes and fancy car.
 
She is furious when she sees him leave his shop and shortly afterward hears a baby's cries coming from it. How could he go off and leave an infant unattended? But nobody is more shocked than Nicholas when he returns to find Emma and the baby. The infant wasn't there when he left and had no idea who it was until he read the enclosed letter. Stunned to discover that the baby boy is his son, Nicholas asks Emma for help. I had to laugh at his panicked reaction to his sudden fatherhood - it reminded me of the movie Three Men and a Baby.
 
Emma takes pity on Nicholas and offers to give him lessons, even offering him the apartment over her garage to live in while he learns. Emma was a bit wary of what she got herself into, believing Nicholas to be the wealthy bachelor playboy his appearance suggests. She is pleasantly surprised by his determination to be a good father.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Nicholas and Emma. Each had preconceived ideas about the other, and spending time together smashed them to pieces. Nicholas was adorably determined to be a better father than his own, and his commitment was fantastic. Emma is patient and helpful with his first fumbling attempts, and it isn't long before he's handling things like a pro. Simmering underneath their rapidly growing friendship is an undeniable attraction. But as much as Emma adores baby Jax and likes Nicholas, she is wary of risking her heart again. Nicholas won my heart with his patience and caring as he learned of her past losses.
 
The more time they spend together, the deeper their connection grows, and the more Emma thinks she may be ready to risk her heart again. Nicholas also looks at his plans for the future and realizes that being a father has given him a better understanding of what he wants for his son. But when his parents unexpectedly show up in Oak Hollow, Nicholas has some decisions to make. Emma, expecting the worst, pushes him away to protect her heart, leaving Nicholas lost and wondering what happened.
 
I loved the ending and seeing Nicholas get unexpected help from his sister as he reevaluated his priorities. Though I still don't like his parents, they did redeem themselves somewhat in the end. Meanwhile, Emma also had to consider whether she wanted to take another chance on love. I loved Nicholas's big moment, which was sweet and romantic.

It Started with a Puppy - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2926 - Aug 2022)

Series: Furever Yours (Book 12)

The matchmaker wore a collar…
 
Elise Mackenzie is committed to making the Furever Paws fundraiser a huge success. She's even roped in her landlord and new boss, Harris Vega, for help. But spending so much time with Harris, especially around an adorable puppy named Pancake, is giving the usually shy Elise ideas she shouldn't be having. Could a man like Harris really think twice about a woman more comfortable with flour on her face than lipstick?
 
This was a sweet, heartwarming story that was fun to read. Elise is a young woman who lived with her aunt after her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and moved to assisted living. After his death, Elise remained with her aunt, who lost no opportunity to tell Elise how grateful she should be for having her aunt take care of her. Aunt Regina was the town socialite and a bit of a flake, frequently leaving Elise to pick up the slack when Regina moved on from a project. Now, Regina has disappeared, along with the money for a local fundraiser. Elise is doing her best to make the fundraiser happen.
 
Elise also has no money of her own and prefers being around animals to people. She moved out of her aunt's house and into a fixer-upper, where she is trading repairs for reduced rent. Her landlord is Harris, a local contractor, and house-flipper. Harris is kind and charming and a bit of a flirt.
 
I loved the opening scene, as Elise and Harris arrive at the house with cat food for the previous owner's feral cat colony. I laughed at Harris's nervousness around the cats and Elise's instructions to him. When they found a little girl's missing cat among the colony, their immediate attempts to catch it were funny. One thing that was evident was that Elise and Harris were attracted to each other but hadn't done anything about it.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Harris and Elise develop. Elise is very shy and tries to stay in the background of whatever she does. Harris is much more outgoing. I loved watching him draw her out as he involved her in the design work of the houses he was renovating. Elise's aunt constantly put her down, so Harris's compliments and confidence in Elise made her bloom. There are many scenes of them working together and connecting over their partnership. Their attraction continues to build until they can no longer resist it.
 
As their feelings for each other grow, neither Harris nor Elise says anything to the other about it. Harris recognizes Elise's wariness and doesn't want to push things too fast and scare her off. Elise finds it hard to believe that the handsome and charming Harris would be the least bit interested in her for the long term. When Regina turns up back in town, she picks away at Elise's confidence, causing her to doubt herself even more. I loved Harris's reaction, and though I ached for them during their time apart, it allowed Elise to see who she was and what she wanted. I loved seeing her take charge of her life and enjoyed her big moment at the end.
 
Watching Elise put together the Furever Yours fundraiser was one of my favorite things. Her cleverness and enthusiasm came out in everything she did, including going outside her comfort zone as emcee. I especially enjoyed seeing more of the puppy, Pancake, and Elise's connection to her.
 
There was a bit of a mystery involving Regina and her disappearance. The more I learned about Elise and her background, the more I began to suspect what had happened/what was going on. I enjoyed seeing Elise deal with the surprising truth and loved that Harris was there to support her. I look forward to seeing more of them in later books.

In the Ring with the Maverick - Kathy Douglass (HSE #2924 - Aug 2022)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Brothers and Broncos (Book 2)

Anything he can do
She can do better
 
Rodeo riders Jack Burris and Audrey Hawkins are both at the top of their game -- except when it comes to love. Competing against each other in the Bronco Summer Family Rodeo, they are so determined to win they've put blinders on, tamping down their mutual attraction. In this battle of the sexes, the real victory may lie in surrender, but who will get off their high horse first?
 
Good enemies to lovers story. Audrey is the third generation of a rodeo family. She's proud of what she and her sisters can do and frustrated at the lack of respect given to women in rodeo. The Hawkins sisters came to Bronco for the Bronco Family Rodeo.
 
Jack is also part of a rodeo family. He and his three brothers all compete. Jack doesn't think women belong in rodeo, that it is too dangerous for them. He has a woman friend who was paralyzed in a rodeo accident. Jack grew up in Bronco, and he and his brothers are in town to compete also.
 
The rodeo promoters have latched on to the two families as the faces of the rodeo. During a photo shoot, the sparks between Jack and Audrey are intense and evident to everyone around them. Their chemistry comes out in the photos, too. The promoters suggest a Battle of the Sexes exhibition between the two families. Audrey sees it as a great way to show what the women can do, while Jack thinks it's a bad idea.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Jack and Audrey. The chemistry between them is explosive, as are their opposing views of women in rodeo.  Seeing them poke at each other while trying to make their points was fun; neither one was willing to give an inch. Both found that despite their antagonism, getting each other out of their minds was impossible. Jack tried telling Audrey that he needed to concentrate on preparing for the rodeo and that they needed to keep things professional rather than personal. That didn't last long, so they decided to see where things would go between them.
 
The promoters also started pushing a blossoming romance between Jack and Audrey while they tried to keep anything between them private. The more time they spent together, the more their feelings for each other grew. Both try to resist because maintaining relationships on the rodeo circuit is complicated. They also must reconcile their differing opinions on women in rodeo. I liked seeing Jack's prejudices change the more he gets to know Audrey and see how good she is. Things look promising until Audrey overhears a discussion between Jack and his brother Geoff. Jack made a boneheaded comment, leaving Audrey devastated and furious.
 
It was exciting to see the competition between the two teams during the rodeo. They were evenly matched, and I liked seeing how each event turned out. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the outcome of the rodeo competition, as it seemed as though the announcer had his desired result and wouldn't settle for anything different. All Jack wants is the chance to make things right with Audrey, but he doesn't get the chance. I ached for both and their unhappiness. I laughed when Jack got obscure advice from Winona Cobb. But when he finally figured it out, he found a fantastic way to demonstrate his feelings to Audrey. The ending was terrific, and I loved Jack's bib moment.
 
I loved Jack's brothers and the close relationship they had. They tease and argue but are there for each other in times of trouble. Audrey's sisters were great too. One urged Audrey to be cautious with her relationship with Jack, while the other two were all for it. But all of them supported her when she needed it. There was also a secondary relationship between Jack's brother Mike and Audrey's sister Corinne. It will be interesting to see if anything comes of it. 

Compromised Into a Scandalous Marriage - Lydia San Andres (HH #1670 - Aug 2022)

From island scandal
To dutiful vows!
 
When heiress Paulina Despradel is banished from the family quinta in a storm, she seeks shelter with her dashing new neighbor, Sebastian Linares. Their attraction may be as electrifying as the lightning outside, but the night they spend together is totally innocent. Barely more than strangers, they must now marry. But left alone with their simmering chemistry, can they build a true union from the ashes of scandal?
 
Good book with an out-of-the-ordinary historical setting. The story takes place on a sugar plantation on a small Caribbean island in 1904. I enjoyed the exotic location and the look at a different lifestyle than the more plentiful Regency/Victorian settings.
 
Paulina is a twenty-one-year-old woman who has lived under the thumb of her older brother Antonio since their parents died when she was much younger. He is extremely controlling, keeping her a virtual prisoner on their increasingly deteriorating estate. Antonio is driven by what other people think, so he talks big and gives the impression of great wealth. He is actually deeply in debt, but that doesn't stop his gambling and spending. He chooses Paulina's clothes and dictates where she may go and who she may talk to.
 
As the book opens, Paulina has been permitted to go to a store in town to purchase things for a party her brother is giving for her birthday. There she meets their new neighbor, Sebastian, who lives on the plantation next door and purchased the sugar mill that belonged to her family. They make quite the impression on each other, and Paulina invites him to her party. Sebastian turns her down because he spends most of his time working and has reasons to avoid romantic entanglements.  But when Antonio arrives and sees them talking, he says terrible things about Sebastian and drags Paulina forcibly from the store. Sebastian suddenly changes his mind about the party and tells her he'll be there.
 
I ached for Paulina because it became evident that Antonio is abusive, selfish, and just plain mean-spirited. The party that night was not all that great, and Paulina spent most of it watching for Sebastian to arrive. I loved how he paid attention to her. Their interactions were respectful and respectable, but he didn't stay long. After the party ended, Antonio made wild accusations and threw Paulina out of the house in the middle of a storm. With nowhere else to go, she went to Sebastian. I loved how he took her in and cared for her. It was easy to see that there were sparks between them, but Sebastian is an honorable man. Unfortunately, they were caught in a compromising position the next morning by Antonio and two guardsmen. Again, he made wild accusations against Sebastian, ending with Sebastian being thrown in jail.
 
Then Antonio's diabolical plan comes out. He claims that Sebastian has dishonored Paulina and must marry her or stay in jail. Though Sebastian tries to refuse, eventually, he gives in because he worries about what will happen to his mill employees and those he's responsible for. He is furious, believing that Paulina was in on the setup. Though they are married, he is determined to find a way to annul the marriage.
 
I liked seeing the relationship between Sebastian and Paulina develop. Sebastian refuses to believe that Paulina wasn't involved and tells her not to expect anything from him. Paulina is hurt that he thinks she would do such a thing. I liked seeing Paulina's sweet nature slowly win Sebastian over, eventually convincing him that she is innocent. I enjoyed seeing her get involved in life there, fitting in as if she belonged. I especially enjoyed seeing her constantly surprise him with the things she could do. Sebastian, hurt by a deceptive woman in a previous relationship, resists the idea of risking his heart again.  But the more he gets to know Paulina, the more she gets past his walls. He warmed my heart when he took her to town and gave her all the decision-making power. It was easy to see the feelings growing between them, but Sebastian resisted giving into them.
 
Trouble comes when Antonio first tries blackmail to get money from Sebastian. When that doesn't work, his desperation leads him to other attempts. I was glued to the pages as his actions took a dangerous direction. I ached for Paulina as she discovered how low her brother would go. Sebastian's protectiveness for the woman he realizes he loves puts his life in peril. The scene between him and Antonio had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.
 
I loved the ending and seeing where they were two years later. I enjoyed seeing how happy Sebastian is and that Paulina has the life she could only dream of before her marriage to Sebastian.

Shielding Her Son - K.D. Richards (HI #2089 - Aug 2022)

Series: West Investigations (Book 4)

She thought she'd escaped her past…
Has it caught up with her?
 
Erika Powell has lived in hiding for years to protect her son from his wealthy, tyrannical grandfather. Wary of strangers, she's suspicious of James West, who's renting a neighboring cabin, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when attempts are made on Erika's life, James fears he may have endangered her -- because the undercover PI's investigation of Erika may have led someone dangerous right to her.
 
Good book with terrific suspense and a quick romance. James West recently left the military, medically retired after an injury made it impossible to continue as a sniper. He's working for the family security firm while he decides what he will do with the rest of his life. His current assignment is to check out Erika Powell and ascertain whether she and her son are the missing heirs of a New York businessman. It's going slowly because Erika is very private and seems wary of strangers.
 
When Erika's rich, spoiled, and emotionally abusive husband died, his controlling father kicked her out of her home. She had just discovered that she was pregnant and was afraid her father-in-law would do anything to take her child if he knew about it. So, she changed her name and moved away from the city, landing in the small town of Carling Lake. When the story starts, she's been there for almost ten years and has begun to put down roots. She bought a house that she is turning into a B & B.
 
The story starts with a bang as Erika is injured in a fall on her property. Her hiking companion runs for help and brings James, who lives in the house next door, to Erika. He helps her while they wait for an ambulance, but the circumstances seem suspicious to him. When he foils an intruder attempting to break into her house, he suspects something untoward is going on.  When she hears about the intruder, she has two suspects in mind - that her father-in-law has found her or that a rival B & B owner is attempting to keep her from opening her inn. Erika, a part-time reporter for the local paper, is also investigating some possibly missing grant money, which is also motivation for trouble. Erika reluctantly accepts James's offer to help with the house renovations while simultaneously serving as protection against whoever is behind the trouble.
 
Neither Erika nor James expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Both try hard to resist, but it does no good. James isn't ready for a relationship when he has no idea what his future looks like. Erika isn't going to enter a relationship when she can't be honest with the other person about who she is. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist. I liked watching James and Erika get closer. James's support helps Erika restore the self-confidence that her late husband damaged. At the same time, Erika helps James see an unexpected path to his future. It doesn't take long for James to realize that he wants Erika and her son in his life permanently, but he's reluctant to say anything because he still has no plan for his future. Erika can't look at a future with James until she faces her past - which comes sooner than expected. I did not see that twist coming. I loved James's sweet and romantic big moment at the end.
 
The suspense of the story was excellent. The "accident" on the rope bridge was nerve-wracking, and I loved how James's suspicions were immediately raised, which led to his watchfulness. I could feel his frustration at not being able to catch the intruder. Erika's confrontation with Ellis, the other B & B owner (and town mayor), moved him to the head of my list of suspects. The story that Erika was investigating also provided a possible motive for the attack, as there was clearly some cover-up happening. The family connection was low on my suspect list. The tension built as Erika's son Marcus disappeared. Erika did what any mom worth her salt would do, even if it complicated matters. The final confrontation came from a previously unknown player. I was glued to the pages watching Erika's mama bear protectiveness take over. The resolution was very well done.
 
I liked the secondary characters. Erika's son Marcus was terrific. He's just as protective of Erika, and it was sweet to see the ten-year-old as the man of the house. I also liked how he and James connected so quickly. I also liked the sheriff, Lance, who was such a good friend to Erika. I suspect he may have been romantically interested in her, but she never saw him that way. Other people in the town played small but significant roles and gave the town some of its personality.

 

One-Night Fling in Positano - Ann McIntosh (HMED #1263 - Aug 2022)

 

Can one night of passion…
…change her whole life?
 
Nurse Kendra lives a jet-set life. Who needs a home and family when they only let you down? So when meeting gorgeous Massimo in Positano results in one unforgettable night, Kendra has no regrets -- until he turns out to be her new boss! Continuing their fling is risky, but also irresistible… Under the red-hot Mediterranean sun, will Kendra realize it's not her fling that's at risk but her no-strings-attached relationship rule?
 
Good book about two people who feel that love has let them down, so they keep their emotions under lock and key. She keeps any romantic encounters superficial and physical only - no emotion allowed. Kendra is a nurse who has spent the last several years going from job to job as she traveled the world. Her newest job is at a small clinic on the Amalfi coast.
 
I liked the first meeting between Massimo and Kendra. Before starting her new job, Kendra visited a beach at Positano. Halfway down the path, she stopped to admire the view and was passed by a man who struck her speechless. They teamed up a short time later to save a boating accident victim. After dinner together, they indulged in a passionate encounter, never expecting to see each other again. Fate had other ideas, and Massimo was stunned when he discovered that Kendra was the new nurse at his clinic. While both agreed to act as though nothing had happened, neither could forget their night together.
 
Though they initially manage to keep their distance, when a housing disaster makes Kendra homeless, she ends up staying at Massimo's grandmother's home. Forced into close proximity, Massimo and Kendra soon find it impossible to maintain their distance. The attraction between them continues to grow the more time they spend together. They also find that their emotions are getting involved, which scares them both. After her father's death when she was ten, Kendra spent her childhood being passed from relative to relative. She never felt wanted or loved, no matter how hard she tried to fit in. Since then, she hasn't allowed herself to get close to anyone. A few years earlier, Massimo fell in love with a woman who eventually left him, calling him stodgy and boring. Hurt by that experience, he no longer believes that love is possible for him. Both have a great capacity for caring, as shown in their interactions with their patients, Massimo's grandmother and the boy Pietro.
 
After an incredible weekend away together, the intensity of the experience causes them to pull away from each other. Each fights the knowledge that they've fallen hard for the other one. I enjoyed seeing their self-reflection and struggle to open themselves to the emotions they fear. It takes an event that endangers them both to break through the walls that keep them apart. The scene on the beach was very emotional as both Kenda and Massimo exposed their vulnerabilities before admitting their love and need for each other.  The epilogue was great.
 
As much as I enjoyed the romance, my favorite thing about the book was the setting. The descriptions of Positano, the Amalfi coast, and Capri were vivid and made me feel like I was there.

The Princess and the Single Dad - Jessica Gilmore (HR #4816 - Aug 2022)

Series: Princess Sister Swap (Book 2)

When a royal escape…
leads to off-limits love
 
Princess Arrosa is about to become the Crown Princess. Facing pressure to marry, she's escaped to Cornwall, courtesy of her half-sister, Clem. But Rosy never expected her much-needed getaway to become a summer romance… She certainly never meant to fall for former bad boy turned single dad Jack and his adorable daughters -- or he with her! They don't belong in each other's world, but can they let each other go?
 
I love a royalty-in-disguise story, and this was no exception. Princess Arrosa, aka Rosy, is at the end of her rope. She desperately needs a chance to escape the pressures of her royal duties, and her half-sister Clem gives her that chance. No one in the tiny Cornish village of Polhallow knows that Clem's "cousin" is a princess, and Rosy cherished her brief summer visits to Clem and her mother when she was growing up. So when Clem offers to go to Asturia and impersonate her so that Rosy can have a few weeks break, Rosy takes her up on it. She never expected to meet and fall for a local single father.
 
Jack grew up in Polhallow, the son of the local drunk and thief. By the time he was a teen, his father was gone, and his mother worked three jobs to support them. Looked down on by the villagers, as a teenager, Jack was determined to live down to their expectations. A too-close brush with the law changed the direction of his life, and he was determined to make something of his life. When his rebellious rich girlfriend got pregnant, he married her, moved to London, and spent the next few years working doubly hard to support his family. Lily never took to motherhood or being married, just spending Jack's money. As the book opens, Jack had been a widower for two years and moved from London back to Polhallow to get Tansy and Clover away from bad influences.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Jack and Rosy. It started as friendship when Rosy offered to help Jack with the girls when he had to work. Tansy and Clover took to Rosy right away, and she to them. Neither Jack nor Rosy wanted to acknowledge the sparks that flared between them. Rosy knows she has only a few weeks of freedom before she must go back to her real life. Jack has been burned by instant attraction before and doesn't want to experience that disaster again. The more time they spend together, the stronger the attraction grows. I loved seeing them get to know each other and discover how much they have in common.
 
But the closer they grow, the more Rosy's secret weighs on her. She tells Jack the truth when she and Jack are on the verge of taking their attraction further. It doesn't go well, as Rosy's situation brings back bad memories of Jack's late wife. I understood his need to think about what she said, but I ached for Rosy and her feelings of rejection. I was happy when they finally sat down and talked things out. The impact on their relationship was significant, and I loved watching them fall harder for each other.
 
But reality intrudes too soon, and Rosy gets called back home early.  She and Jack are torn apart by her duty to her country and Jack's insecurities over the differences in their stations. Then the revelation of Clem's true relationship with Rosy wreaks havoc in Polhallow. I liked Rosy's solution to helping her friends deal with the fallout and her hope of reconnecting with Jack. I ached for her as he kept some distance between them, still intimidated by their differences. A slow breakdown of his walls was accelerated when a crisis showed Jack that his place was at Rosy's side. I loved seeing them come together and realize they could handle anything together. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up for both Rosy and Clem. I haven't read Clem's story yet, but it looks like it will be just as good.
 
The secondary characters were terrific, too. I loved Tansy and Clover, who were portrayed realistically for their ages. I could feel Jack's worry about Tansy and her reactions to Lily's death. I liked how Rosy's influence helped her. I initially wasn't very fond of Rosy's parents, finding them cold and aloof. But by the end of the book, they had redeemed themselves, and it looks like their relationship with Rosy has improved. I also liked Clem and her love for Rosy. It is clear that the two have a close and loving relationship and are there for each other when needed.

Snowflake Bay - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - Sept 2015)

Series: Brides of Blueberry Cove (Book 2)

There's no place like seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, at Christmas--and there's nothing like a wedding, the warmth of the holidays, and an old crush, to create the perfect new start...
 
Interior designer Fiona McCrae has left fast-paced Manhattan to move back home to peaceful Blueberry Cove. But she's barely arrived before she's hooked into planning her big sister Hannah's Christmas wedding--in less than seven weeks. The last thing she needs is for her first love, Ben Campbell, to return to neighboring Snowflake Bay...
 
As kids, Fiona was the bratty little sister Ben mercilessly teased--while pining after Hannah. But Fi never once thought of Ben like a brother. And that hasn't changed. Except Fi is all grown up. Will Ben notice her now? More importantly, with her life in a jumble, should he? Or might the romance of the occasion, the spirit of the season, and the gifts of time ignite a long-held flame for many Christmases to come...
 
Something old might just become something new...
 
I loved this friends-to-lovers story. Fiona sold her interior design business in Manhattan and returned to Blueberry Cove to get back to her design roots. In the previous book, Sea Glass Sunrise, she was involved in planning her brother Logan's wedding to Alex and had a front-row seat to sister Hannah's romance with Calder. Now Hannah wants Fiona to plan her Christmas wedding, which is only seven weeks away. This is on top of setting up her new business. The last thing she needs is for her schoolgirl crush, Ben, to reappear in Blueberry Cove. Ben, her brother's best friend, only had eyes for her sister Hannah back then.
 
Ben has a successful landscaping business in Rhode Island, but when his father's health issues force an early retirement, Ben comes back to run the family Christmas tree farm for the holidays. One of his first stops is to see Logan and his wife, Alex, where he also runs into Fiona. He always thought of her as Logan's bratty little sister, who he teased unmercifully. He still refers to her by the nickname "Fireplug Fi," a name she understandably hates.
 
The first meeting between Fiona and Ben was funny and sad. Poor Fiona was tangled up in her coat and scarf, and who came to her rescue but Ben? She's already embarrassed, then he calls her by that horrible name, making it even worse. Having been in the same predicament with a coat and scarf, I laughed in empathy with Fiona, but I also ached for her mortification at Ben's comments. I wanted to shake Ben for being unconsciously cruel. He gets quite the wake-up call a few days later when he runs into her at the local antique store and is rendered nearly speechless by the sight of Fiona in a clingy sweater. Suddenly "Fireplug Fi" has become a beautiful and sexy woman and his reaction flummoxes him.
 
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Ben and Fiona. It gets off to a rocky start when he overhears her complaining about the nickname to her other sister, Kerry. He's horrified to realize how much he hurt her and rightly ashamed of himself. While Fiona wants to pretend that none of it happened and ignore Ben, he wants to find a way to make amends. Fiona's brother Logan gets involved by forcing Ben to set up his Cove tree lot next door to Fiona's new shop. Thrown into frequent proximity, there is no denying the sparks that flare between them.
 
I loved their interactions. Because they've known each other for so long, they have plenty of ammunition for teasing each other. Fiona is quick-witted and gets in some good zingers on Ben, while he has an amusing way of flirting with her. They have more in common than expected, including facing significant life changes. The more time they spend together, the closer they grow, but neither is sure where it will go. Ben's business is in Rhode Island, and Fiona is just settling into Blueberry Cove and has no intention of returning to a city.
 
I loved seeing how deeply involved they became in each other's lives. I loved Ben's invitation to Fiona to come to his business's holiday party in Portland. Their trip on the train was intense, and I loved seeing how well Fiona fit in with his coworkers. There was also a terrific scene that involved Ben's ex-girlfriend, who clearly didn't want to let him go. Fiona dealt with her brilliantly. Ben has always been part of Fiona's family, and his involvement becomes even more important when a family member has a medical crisis. His caring and support are critical, not just for Fiona but for the whole family. But as Christmas draws closer, Fiona and Ben wonder what the future holds in store for them. The ending was fantastic as Ben finds the perfect way to manage both of his businesses and get the girl.
 
Once again, family relationships are a huge part of this series. Fiona's siblings play essential roles in the romance between our main characters, as they have no problem butting into each other's business. Their love and loyalty to each other are never in doubt, but it doesn't stop them from relentless teasing and interference when deemed necessary. Wedding planning is a source of stress and hilarity, while Uncle Gus's illness reminds them of life's fragility. I loved Ben's closeness with his parents and his desire to do what is right for everyone. His conversations with his mom are great - especially the one at the end of the book. I liked seeing more of Fiona's sister, Kerry. Something is up with her, and I can't wait to read her book.

Montana Mystery - Josie Jade, Janie Crouch (Calamittie Jane Pub - July 2022)

Series: Resting Warrior Ranch (Book 4)

Some nightmares you don’t wake up from.
 
Noah Scott spent two months in an enemy prison camp but made it out alive—unlike most of his SEAL team. He’s one of the lucky ones but doesn’t always feel that way with his scarred body and daily fight against PTSD.
 
Working with the animals at the Resting Warrior Ranch helps. So what if he trains service dogs, fosters a couple of kittens, and has an alpaca as one of his best friends?
 
He’ll take whatever holds back the darkness.
 
When beautiful Kate Tillbeck arrives at the Resting Warrior Ranch neck-deep in danger, Noah knows he can’t stand by silently. Especially when the threat centers around a dog fighting ring—and some of the pups he trained may be involved.
 
But to save the animals he loves and the woman he can’t get out of his mind, Noah will have to embrace the darkness he’s pushed down for years.
 
And hope he doesn’t lose himself in the process.
 
Another fantastic Resting Warriors Ranch book that hooked me from the first page and kept me turning the pages long into the night. 
 
Kate is an independent woman who owns a successful business. She has a younger brother, Brandon, who returned from his time in the military suffering from PTSD. She's done her best to help him, but he resists her efforts. As the story opens, she receives a call from the hospital that Brandon is there, badly beaten and covered in dog bites. While looking through Brandon's clothing to find a clue about who did this to him, she finds a piece of paper with Noah's name and number. She is certain that Noah is responsible for Brandon's condition, so she rushes off to confront him.
 
Noah and his SEAL buddies started the RWR as a place for them to heal from their wartime experiences. They've expanded the ranch and opened it up to help others who need healing. Noah, who spent two months as a captive, finds the most peace while working with the animals on the ranch. They train everything from dogs to horses to alpacas to be service animals. For him, the darkness of his memories is never far away. Noah is stunned when Kate arrives and accuses him of being behind Brandon's injuries. He remembers Brandon, who came to the ranch but stayed only a few days before leaving. Though he has no idea what Brandon was involved in, he promises Kate he will look into it.
 
I liked watching the relationship between Noah and Kate develop. The sparks of attraction were there from the moment they met, despite the confrontational attitude. Noah couldn't imagine NOT helping her, but his initial investigation turned up nothing other than a possible link to dogfighting. Kate was embarrassed by her accusations, so when Noah came to fill her in, she thanked him but let him off the hook rather abruptly. But when she returned to her apartment that night, she found it had been broken into and trashed. She also narrowly missed being caught by the perpetrators. The first person she thought of was Noah, so she packed a bag and drove to the ranch. Noah's protective instincts were aroused, and he promised to help and keep her safe.
 
As they worked together to get to the bottom of what happened to Brandon, their attraction grew stronger. Noah tries to keep Kate at an emotional distance, reluctant to expose her to his issues. Thanks to her experiences with Brandon, Kate isn't scared off by exposure to Noah's episodes. I loved how she stuck by him, giving him warmth and support when needed. The scenes after the fight he took on and later the "family" dinner showed her strength and understanding. Their chemistry is fantastic, but Noah stubbornly resists admitting his growing feelings for Kate. I loved how the other guys saw the truth long before he acknowledged it and teased him about it. Kate knows how she feels but refuses to push Noah into something he isn't ready for. It isn't until he nearly loses her that Noah can admit his feelings. The emotional ending had me crying and laughing as they looked to their future together.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. I could feel Kate's fear during the apartment break-in and her anger as she learned what led to Brandon's injuries. The men of the RWR's anger as they discovered what was happening near their ranch and their determination to stop it was evident in their actions. Noah's fear for her as Kate purposely put herself in danger led him into a situation that had me glued to the pages as it played out. I could feel the frustration as their efforts to stop the bad guys were constantly thwarted. The tension was incredible as I waited for the bad guys to resurface. When they did, Kate's life was in extreme danger. I loved seeing her keep her head and hold on to her faith that Noah would save her. I was on the edge of my seat, watching Noah and the others race to find her. The final confrontation was heart-poundingly intense with an excellent resolution. A couple of threads are left hanging, so I suspect they will turn up in a later book.
 
I loved seeing more of the couples from the previous books, as well as the unmatched men. With every book, we learn more about each of these incredible characters. I love the camaraderie, as well as the support these men give each other. With shared experiences, they know when someone needs sympathy or a kick in the pants. But as much as I love the RWR guys, in this book, my favorite secondary characters were the kittens, Garfield and Salem (loved the names!). They were adorable, and I loved how sweet Noah was with them - tough SEAL with a marshmallow heart!
 
I can't wait to see what's next for these incredible warriors.

Christian Seaton: Duke of Danger - Carole Mortimer (HH #1252 - Oct 2015)

Series: Dangerous Dukes (Book 4)

The declaration: "You don't have a choice. You will return with me to England."
 
The deed: In the dark of night, British spy Christian Seaton, Duke of Sutherland, abducts Lisette Duprée and flees French mercenaries in a race against time. Christian must protect her at all costs -- Lisette is the answer to everything in the Dangerous Dukes' work for the crown.
 
The difficulty: Innocent Lisette is an enticing temptation who's increasingly hard to resist!
 
Terrific conclusion to the series (most of which I read years ago but still remember fondly). Christian, a British spy with a French background, is in Paris investigating the sister of a known French spy. While watching the woman, a Paris tavernkeeper, Christian is distracted by one of the serving girls. His attraction to Lisette is immediate and intense. When he learns of Lisette's connection to Helene, he wants to learn more. Lisette notices the handsome nobleman and is equally drawn to him. She is wary of his interest in her but can't resist his request to meet with him.
 
Lisette tries to warn Christian that Helene has ill intentions toward him, but he blows off her warning. When Lisette witnesses an attack on him, she rushes to the rescue and, in a slightly hair-raising scene, gets Christian back to his home and tends his wound. I loved watching the petite Frenchwoman boss the hardened spy around. The novelty so flummoxes Christian that he finds himself giving in to her demands. Knowing both are now in danger, Christian insists, forcibly, that she accompany him back to London.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lisette and Christian. Lisette is fiery, independent, intelligent, and more than a little stubborn. She and Christian butt heads often throughout the book. She doesn't take well to being told what to do and lets him know it. Christian knows he needs to take Lisette to England to be questioned, but he's convinced she is innocent of any wrongdoing. He is determined to protect her, not just from any French that pursue them but also from those in his government who might mean her harm.
 
The sparks of attraction between Christian and Lisette continue to grow. Christian unexpectedly finds himself thinking about marriage, while Lisette knows there's no chance for a duke and the daughter of a French tavernkeeper. When trouble follows them from France, Lisette is captured and used as a bargaining chip. I could feel Christian's fear for Lisette's safety and desperate need to find her. I had some idea of the motivation behind this event, but the bridge scene was quite a shock to Lisette and Christian. I loved seeing Lisette stand up later to everyone trying to make decisions about her life.
 
The surprising revelation about Lisette had an enormous impact on her life. I ached for Christian, whose attempts to see her were thwarted at every turn, making him one wretched man. The scene at the ball was fantastic, as he had to watch Lisette's popularity while being sure he'd lost her. Meanwhile, Lisette grew more frustrated with his avoidance of her, neither of them realizing there had been outside forces keeping them apart. I laughed out loud when Christian figured it out and found his fiery Lisette under the layer of English polish she'd acquired. The scene on the terrace was fantastic, and seeing them finally admit their feelings was great. The epilogue was terrific, and it was great to see all of the Dangerous Dukes and their ladies together.

Last of the Red-Hot Cowboys - Tina Leonard (Random House - June 2014)

Series: Hell's Outlaws (Book 1)

Ava Buchanan dreams of a career on the rodeo circuit. Winning a spot on a one-of-a-kind team would be her ticket to the life she’s always wanted. Ava won’t let anyone stand in her way—not even a stubborn cowboy whose slow-molasses smile and red-hot swagger set her senses aflame . . . and whose talents as a trainer could make her a star. Rodeo might be a man’s game, but Ava knows the right woman’s touch can tame the wildest heart.
 
Trace Carter believes his mayor’s plan to raise the town’s profile has disaster written all over it, and he won’t allow the Hell’s Outlaws Training Center to be dragged into the fiasco. Yet watching Ava’s delectable body on horseback proves too much of a temptation, and his fantasies stray to her riding skills outside the arena. Soon Trace is fighting like hell to rein in his unbridled desire for the petite brunette before it becomes a passion hotter than the Texas sun.
 
Good book, though a little confusing at times. Mayor Judy of Hell, Texas, has big plans for her little town. It is heavy on the male side of the equation and hide-bound in its traditions. So, she hires three young women to be her "team" - train to be bullfighters and be the stars of the rodeo she wants the town to host. She plans to get the men of the Outlaw Training Center to train the women, but Trace, Saint, and Declan prove to be more resistant to the idea than she planned.
 
Ava has dreams of becoming a bullfighter. The only girl with five brothers, she was devastated when her brother Liam was injured because a bullfighter didn't do his job. She intends to do her best so that no other sister would suffer the same pain. She arrives in Hell with her teammates Harper and Cameron, only to discover that Judy has somewhat misled them.
 
Trace and his former SEAL brothers came home after their time in the military, looking forward to the peace of doing the work they love. They enjoy their free, bachelor ways and do their best to stay clear of Mayor Judy's hair-brained ideas. The arrival of the Hell Belles blindsides all three. Trace is the leader who considers all the risks before making a decision and refuses to consider training the team. There is a lot of push and pull between Trace, the mayor, and the team, as each tries to get their way.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Trace and Ava develop. The sparks between them are out of control from the very beginning. Trace is old-fashioned and believes there is an uncrossable line between men and women regarding rodeo. He is also very protective, which comes out when he thinks about Ava in the ring with bulls. Neither Trace nor Ava is looking for a relationship. Trace keeps his interactions superficial, while Ava is too focused on her goals to want the distraction. But keeping their hands off each other is nearly impossible and reconciling their attraction with their goals is an ongoing battle. Both Trace and Ava are stubborn to a fault, and admitting their feelings is something neither is willing to do.
 
When push comes to shove, Trace can't give in to Ava's desire for training or admit that he needs her. Ava gives up on getting through to him and goes elsewhere for her training, believing there is no future for them. Trace earned every bit of the misery he felt after she left town. It took drastic action by Saint and Declan to finally get through his thick head. I liked the ending and seeing them finally get what they both wanted.
 
There is lots of other stuff going on in Hell also. Judy has an ongoing feud with another woman, and Judy's man Steele, the sheriff, often gets caught in the middle. It also becomes evident that Judy has more than rodeo on her mind as she sets her matchmaking plans in motion. The other two Belles are intended for Saint and Declan, and it is interesting to see the beginnings of their relationships. The Outlaws' rivals, the Horsemen, also play a significant role in the book, most notably as the ones who should not be training anyone. In one scene, the Horsemen pull a dangerous trick that could have gone horribly wrong and feel no remorse over it. I cheered at Trace's reaction and what he did. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the following books. 

The Viking's Stolen Princess - Sarah Rodi (HH #1622 - Dec 2021)

Series: Rise of the Ivarssons (Book 1)

A kidnapped royal…
Could be the Viking's undoing!
 
After Brand Ivarsson of Kald abducts Anne of Termarth on the eve of her wedding, the Viking's consumed with only one thing: revenge against her loathsome betrothed. But confronted with the stunning princess, so foreign to his world, Brand's captivated not only by her beauty, but by her spirit and her kindness. Is Anne his prisoner…or is she the one who's captured his scarred heart?
 
Very good enemies to lovers book. The story grabbed my attention from the first pages. Anne is the daughter of a Saxon king and has been kept a virtual prisoner in her home. She dreams of marrying for love and is horrified when her father bargains her hand for soldiers from a neighboring lord. The night before her wedding, she is walking alone on the castle walls when she is kidnapped by Brand the Barbarian.
 
Brand has sworn revenge against Anne's betrothed, Lord Crowe, and has spent years preparing for it. Learning of Crowe's betrothal gave him the perfect weapon. Kidnap Anne and wait for Crowe to attempt a rescue.
 
I was glued to the pages from start to finish. Anne is no pampered princess and stands up to Brand from the get-go. She only cooperates when he threatens the lives of her people. Brand has a fearsome reputation and uses it to get his way, but he is surprisingly protective of her. I loved their interactions on the journey from her home to his. Each quickly realizes that they have misjudged the other, and the more they get to know each other, the more they are drawn to each other.
 
However, Brand has put a lock on his heart. He has suffered so many losses that he refuses to allow himself to care for someone else, preferring to protect himself. Anne doesn't take long to get under his skin and find her way into his heart, but he resists the feeling. Brand also has deep-seated insecurities that make him feel he is no good for her.
 
Anne doesn't take long to see the good man behind the fearsome reputation. Brand stirs feelings in her that she's never felt before, and she isn't sure what to do about them at first. She soon feels more at home with him than she ever did at her own home. But she's a Saxon princess, and he's a Dane, so there's no way her father will allow her to marry him.
 
There are some terrific scenes of Brand and Anne together. The push and pull of their first meeting changes as they get to know each other. I enjoyed their exchanges of ideas and seeing their growing respect for each other. But when Lord Crowe shows up, Anne learns that not everything is as it seems. The fight between Brand and Crowe went pretty much as I expected, but other things were revealed in the aftermath. Brand's apparent betrayal breaks Anne's heart and makes her angry. Meanwhile, Brand must come to grips with his feelings for Anne and what it means for his people.
 
I loved seeing how Brand and Anne dealt with the fallout of Anne's kidnapping. Brand must face the unexpected results of his actions and what they mean for himself and his people. I wanted to shake him for his lack of belief in himself, but I also understood and appreciated his response to Anne's father, the king. Anne also has fears to face, and I enjoyed seeing her take her fate in hand and go after what she wanted. The ending was fantastic, and the epilogue was a stellar wrap-up.
 
I enjoyed the setting of the Dane/Northmen versus Saxon relationship. I especially liked seeing that not all Vikings were the raging barbarians that some portray. I liked seeing the everyday life of Brand's people and learning the background of how they came there. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the land's beauty and its importance to both sides. There were some internal conflicts on both sides, and I liked seeing how they were handled. Both "bad apples" got what was coming to them.
 
My favorite secondary character was Brand's sister, Svea. I ached for everything she'd been through and loved seeing her resilience. I can't wait to read her story and see her get a happy ever after for herself.

The Accidental Newlywed Game - Jaci Burton (Penguin - July 2022)

Series: Boots and Bouquets (Book 3)

Wedding planner Honor Bellini is in Las Vegas for a work convention when she runs into her sister’s ex-fiancé, Owen Stone, who’s also in town for his craft brewery business. They’re both glad to see a familiar face from home…until a night of drinking leads to waking up in bed together—and a marriage certificate from a wedding that neither of them can recall.
 
Horrified, Owen suggests an immediate annulment. Honor agrees, but when they spend the day together, their chemistry is overwhelming. Plus, Honor has a flash of memory of their steamy wedding night, and she definitely likes what she remembers. They decide to wait before canceling the whole marriage thing, though they both head back to Oklahoma determined not to tell anyone at home what happened in Vegas.
 
The problem is, Honor and Owen can’t seem to stay away from each other—or keep their hands off one another. The longer they keep their secret, the harder it gets to deny how they really feel. Even worse, this huge secret has the potential to hurt someone they both care about. They need to get an annulment before this accidental marriage turns into love.
 
A fun and emotional friends-to-lovers book. This is the third book in the series and can be read as a stand-alone, though the experience is richer if you've read the others.
 
Honor and Owen have been friends for a long time. When they encounter each other in Vegas, where both are on business trips, they get together for a drink. One drink turns into shots; the next thing they know, they wake up in bed together wearing wedding rings. Neither has any recollection of how it happened. Complicating matters, Owen is her sister Erin's ex-fiancé. Their initial reaction is to apply for an annulment immediately, but they hold off until they find out if there are consequences from the wedding night they don't remember. They also plan to keep what happened a secret from everyone at home.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Owen and Honor develop. I understood the initial impulse to keep what happened a secret. Owen walked out on his engagement to Erin right before the wedding with no explanation, creating heartache and hard feelings. It wasn't until the end of the first book that they discovered he had panicked over his cancer diagnosis. His relationship with the family has recovered, though Owen still feels a lot of guilt over his actions. Neither Honor nor Owen wants to cause Erin any distress, even though she has moved on and is happily married.
 
Keeping the secret proves to be very complicated. Owen is friends with the family and with the sisters' menfolk. Honor and her sisters run the family's wedding business together, are very close, and don't generally keep secrets from each other. Honor and Owen find themselves wanting to spend more time together, and when they do, the sparks fly. I loved seeing them together. They have so much in common; their interactions are fun, easy, and realistic. Owen is a sweet guy who enjoys taking care of Honor, from cooking for her to adopting the rescue dog she loves so much. Honor is a strong woman who has no problem standing up for what she wants but doesn't want her actions to hurt someone else. I especially liked when she went with Owen to his doctor's appointment.
 
The longer Honor and Owen go without confessing, the harder it gets. When the truth comes out, the fallout is immediate and intense. Battle lines are drawn, and the tension is off the charts. Owen, Honor, and Erin all need to face their feelings before moving on to the future. The ending was fantastic, emotion-filled, and heartfelt. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up.
 
I loved the setting of the book. The Bellini Winery/wedding business provided many laugh-out-loud moments that relieved some of the building tension. There are also more family dynamics, from Honor dealing with her sisters' inconvenient nosiness and matchmaking to Mama Bellini's cure for sisterly tension. I also enjoyed getting to know Owen better and seeing his joy in his work. He won my heart when he adopted the dog, Bettie, and she became such a big part of his life.