Vanessa's Guardian - Josie Jade, Regan Black (Calamitte Jane Pub - Jan 2023)

Series: Never Too Late for Love (Book 1)
 
Some people wait their entire life for their ship to come in, not realizing they’re standing at the airport.
 
At least that’s how Vanessa Hamilton feels when it comes to romance. In her late 40s and divorced, she’s decided the traditional happily-ever-after route just isn’t for her. And she’s perfectly fine with that.
 
When her doctor suggests a vacation to help her de-stress and get her blood pressure under control, she decides on the remote island of Heartbreak Key off the coast of Florida. Just her, the beach, and a bunch books...what could go wrong?
 
Stumbling onto drug runners? Check.
Tropical storm? Check.
Hoss, the gruff former Navy SEAL who definitely does not help her blood pressure settle? Triple check.
 
Trust hasn't come easy for Vanessa since her divorce, but Hoss—despite his scars and tragic past—is showing her heroes do still exist. Maybe her ship was just a little late coming in.
 
But it’s never too late for love...

Terrific book that caught my attention from the beginning and kept me hooked to the end. At just over one hundred pages, it was the perfect length to make a short flight go by even faster. I loved that the main characters are older (late forties and early fifties), showing that love and adventure aren't just for the young.
 
Vanessa is a successful real estate agent who has been ordered to take a vacation by her doctor. She needs rest and relaxation to destress and lower her blood pressure. Heartbreak Key should be the perfect location with its lack of internet and cell service, and she plans to lie on the beach and read. Almost falling off the boat as she arrived was not the start she wanted, but being rescued by a good-looking bystander wasn't so bad.
 
Hoss is a former SEAL who retired to Heartbreak Key after his last mission went horribly wrong. He's haunted by the memories of his lost friends and tends to keep to himself. He's unexpectedly drawn to the tourist he rescued and isn't too happy about it.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Hoss and Vanessa. The sparks were there from the moment they met and grew even stronger when they shared a dance later that evening. But Vanessa is wary and pulled back before it could go any further. Her life becomes more complicated when she witnesses some drug traffickers at work, and she suddenly finds a target on her back. Hoss is in the right place at the right time to save her life, and they take refuge in his house while a tropical storm batters the island. They know the bad guys are still out there, and Hoss is determined to keep her safe. While trapped together during the storm, the sparks between them burst into flame, and they give in to their attraction. They grow closer as they deal with the danger, and when it's all over must decide if they want to end things or see where their blossoming relationship goes. I loved their drama-free discussion and frank talk about what they each wanted. The ending was terrific, and I loved their big moment.
 
The suspense of the story was fantastic. Stumbling over the drug traffickers was terrible luck, and trying to do the right thing got her into even more trouble. I felt her fear as she tried to escape from the men determined to kill her. I loved how Hoss happened to be there when she needed to be rescued. There were some tense moments as they evaded the gunmen and took refuge in Hoss's house. They had to wait out the storm while they figured out how to get Vanessa off the island safely to report to the authorities. The intensity ramped up after the storm, and I loved how Hoss and Vanessa worked together. The twists and turns of their escape kept me on the edge of my seat as I watched them struggle to make their getaway. The final confrontation was a nail-biter.
 
Hoss's friend and fellow SEAL Cameron plays a significant role in the book. I loved how he teased Hoss about Vanessa and gave him some good advice. I liked how they used their SEAL experiences to work together during the trouble. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better during the next book.

Lost in Little Havana - Caridad Pineiro (HI #2112 - Dec 2022)

Series: South Beach Security (Book 1)
 
Each brush with death
Makes their shared desire harder to ignore
 
Detective Roni Lopez has been keeping a secret from Detective Trey Gonzalez her whole life. When his partner is gunned down in a Miami Beach nightclub, she has a new secret to keep. Trey can't know that she's working for Internal Affairs -- just like he can't know that she's always loved him. But when their lives are on the line, she has to make some tough choices about what really matters…
 
Good book that starts with a rush and keeps up the intensity to the very end. As the book opened, we had three Miami cops undercover at a Miami club. Trey and his partner Doug were there watching for drug activity and trying to contact their confidential informants. Roni is there investigating the disappearance of two young college women. Things begin to go sideways when Roni witnesses Doug talking to her suspect, and he is later killed under suspicious circumstances.
 
Trey received a tip from his CI about women being trafficked, so he and Doug went to check it out. Trey felt something strange was happening, and Doug's actions added to that feeling. In the ensuing shootout, Doug was killed, and Trey was injured. While in the hospital, Trey discovers that Internal Affairs is investigating Doug.
 
Roni, who is best friends with Trey's sister and has been friends with the family for years, is asked to help IA with their investigation. The thought makes her uncomfortable, but she agrees, mainly to ensure they don't suspect Trey. Telling him is not an option, but keeping it secret eats at her because she had a crush on him as a teen, and those feelings have grown in the years since then.
 
I liked watching the development of the relationship between Trey and Roni. Trey had always looked at her as his little sister's friend, but that had changed since the shooting. He's a little freaked out by his sudden attraction to her and does his best to keep it under wraps. When Trey asks Roni to help investigate Doug's death, she's happy to help. This throws them together, and it isn't long before the sparks between them grow stronger. I liked how Trey was protective of Roni while still respecting her abilities as a cop. But their budding relationship hits a bump in the road when Trey learns of Roni's work with IA, and he wonders if he can trust her. I ached for them both as they faced this issue. I liked seeing them overcome this obstacle and realize the importance of their feelings. I loved the role reversal at the end.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. I could feel Trey's anguish at Doug's death and his rock-solid belief that Doug was innocent of any wrongdoing. As he and Roni began investigating, they quickly realized they didn't know who they could trust. The deeper they dug, the more complex the case became. Dead witnesses, a growing number of suspects, and attacks meant to stop their investigation kept me glued to the pages as the book progressed. An unexpected twist sent the investigation in a slightly different direction, and a nail-biting confrontation brought it to a fantastic conclusion.

 
 

Cinderella's Last Stand - Michelle Lindo-Rice (HSE #2934 - Sept 2022)

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Book 2)
 
If she wants a happy ending
 
She'll have to write her own story
 
Working as Hollywood heartthrob Axel Harrington's personal assistant isn't exactly a fairy tale come true for Maddie Henry. Despite crushing on his Prince Charming looks, Maddie has had enough of Axel not recognizing her value. Well, this Cinderella is shattering the glass slipper to pursue her dream career! The "Sexiest Man Alive" has two weeks to find a new assistant. And to realize that Maddie is the key to his happily-ever-after.
 
Good book. After reading the beginning of this book, I wasn't sure how Axel would redeem himself. He is a Hollywood heartthrob who is all about what he wants, no matter if it inconveniences someone else. The person he most inconveniences is his personal assistant, Maddie. Both characters frustrated me at the start.
 
Alex thinks nothing of dragging Maddie into whatever he thinks he needs, from mattress shopping to buying gifts. She was hired to manage his schedule and other career-related activities, yet he always manages to make any request about his career to get around her objections. She is on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
 
Maddie lost any romantic ideas about Axel early in her career with him. She's frustrated by his thoughtlessness and lack of respect for her time. She is ready to leave on a long-planned and awaited vacation, during which he's promised not to contact her. When he gets into trouble, the next thing Maddie knows, he is on her doorstep, begging to stay with her, completely blowing off his promise. Maddie did what she always does - caved in and gave him what he wanted.
 
After a few days, Maddie finally has enough. I loved seeing her stand up to Axel and tell him she quit. He has two weeks to find another assistant. In the meantime, his brother Lynx (Rivals at Love Creek) asks Axel to fill in as the drama teacher at his school for a couple of weeks. I enjoyed this segment. Axel and Maddie are great with the kids, and Axel gets a taste of "normal" life. He also begins to see Maddie in a new light after hearing his brothers talk about her. At the same time, Maddie sees a different side of Axel, one that she likes. I liked seeing them grow closer, though both fought against putting a name to their feelings.
 
Maddie has some self-esteem issues because of what she perceives as her model mother's disappointment in her "plain, ordinary" daughter. There is no way she can believe that Axel would be interested in her. But Axel has deep-seated fears about committed relationships, thanks to his birth father. Maddie and Axel move on when the two weeks are up, each pursuing new career opportunities after sharing a fantastic night. I loved seeing Maddie come into her own, doing what she loves with a boss/mentor who appreciates her. I loved the boost to her confidence and what came out of it.
 
Meanwhile, Axel gets caught in the manipulative claws of his ex-girlfriend. I understood why he caved in to her blackmail, but the effect on Maddie was devastating. I liked the support Maddie received from her friends, family, and Axel's family. I rooted for Axel to find a way to free himself. The ending was well done. Axel's emotional conversation with his adoptive father opened his eyes to the truth of his feelings for Maddie. I loved seeing them find their way back together. I look forward to seeing more of them in later books.

Rivals at Love Creek - Michelle Lindo-Rice (SSE #2922 - July 2022)

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Book 1)
 
Her biggest rival
Is also her greatest temptation…
 
Shanna Jacobs has ambitions to be the next superintendent. But when a cheating scandal rocks her school, she's put under the supervision of her sexy ex, Lynx Harrington. Also a school principal, Lynx has his eye on the same job. Working to clear an accused cheater's name -- albeit a beautiful one -- only complicates the plan. But their attraction is undeniable. And Shanna's kisses are a perfect ten. Maybe their fledgling partnership will make the grade after all?
 
Good enemies to lovers story and start to the new series. Shanna is a high school principal with ambitions to become the next superintendent. Those plans hit a road bump when several students and teachers are caught cheating on the SATs. Though she had nothing to do with it, Shanna is under intense scrutiny while the investigation continues. This includes being placed under the supervision of rival principal Lynx Harrington. Not only is he her former high school boyfriend, but he is also in the running for the superintendent job.
 
Lynx is not happy to be in charge of Shanna. His memories of their high school breakup make it difficult for him to trust her. His attraction to her only complicates matters.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Shanna and Lynx develop. Their antipathy toward each other is evident in every word of their initial encounter, but they have no choice in working together. Lynx, who had plans to attend an out-of-state auction that week, invited Shanna to go along and make it a working vacation. Shanna was wary but willing to try. The trip started a little rough, with Lynx and Shanna sniping at each other until the subject of their high school relationship came up. They finally cleared up that misunderstanding, leaving Lynx to realize what a jerk he'd been. With that out of the way, the door is open for Shanna and Lynx to rekindle their friendship and maybe a little more.
 
I liked how Lynx helped Shanna see the benefits of a life/work balance by planning fun activities for when they weren't working. Not only did they get to know each other better, but their attraction also grew until they could no longer resist it. It is clear that their feelings for each other grow stronger. But the investigation hanging over Shanna's head raises some issues between them. Lynx is a fixer and wants to do anything he can to help her with her situation. Unfortunately, he tends to jump in with a solution instead of talking to Shanna about it. Shanna is intelligent, independent, and stubborn, and she sees his actions as a lack of trust or belief in her.
 
When Lynx takes his "fix it" attitude too far, Shanna is furious. Their relationship had been going well until then, with both thinking about a future together. This blow splits them apart. I ached for Shanna but felt she was being a bit unreasonable. A conversation with her best friend brought up some ideas Shanna hadn't considered. I liked that Shanna's self-examination showed her that Lynx wasn't the only person in the wrong. Meanwhile, Lynx misses Shanna. He's had an eye-opening conversation with his mother, showing him he has a lot to learn. I enjoyed seeing him search for the best way to show Shanna how he felt. I loved his solution - it was a beautiful expression of his feelings and understanding. The ending was terrific.
 
Family is an essential theme in this book. Shanna has her mother and her younger sister. Mom has dementia, and the scenes of Shanna's visits with her are heartbreaking. Shanna's biggest worries during this book are losing her job and being unable to provide for her mother. She also helps support her younger sister, Yanni, who is in college. I liked the closeness between Yanni and Shanna.
 
Lynx is part of a large family. When they were young, he and his brother Hawk were adopted by the Harringtons. Lynx and Hawk are white, and the Harringtons are Black, but that never made a difference when they were growing up. He is also close with his five other brothers. I enjoyed the scenes with the brothers together. There is a lot of teasing, but the support is unquestioning. I look forward to reading their stories.
 
There is a fair amount of time spent showing the issues Shanna faces as a Black woman in her profession. Her anger and hurt at her treatment are understandable. The incident at the convenience store was well-portrayed and disturbingly realistic. I was happy to see Lynx wanted to understand - his conversation with his mom was especially enlightening.

Looks That Kill - Amanda Stevens (HI #2092 - Sept 2022)

Series: Procedural Crime (Book 3)
 
She’ll uncover the truth of her childhood
even if it gets her killed
 
Private investigator Avery Bolt has secrets -- and not just about the attempted murder she witnessed. But revealing her true identity to prosecutor Max Winter could cost her the information he has that she desperately needs. Max has no idea their investigation into a cold case kidnapping victim will lead to Avery herself. Or that the criminals are still targeting the woman he’s falling for…
 
Good conclusion to the Procedural Crime trilogy. While it can be read as a stand-alone, reading the previous books gives an added depth to understanding events and motives. Also note: in the cast of characters in the front of the book and the book's blurb, the female main character is called Natalie. However, in the book's text, her name is Avery, which is how she is referred to in my review.
 
Avery is a private investigator from Houston. She came to Black Creek looking for answers about her childhood. She gets caught up in an attempted murder and saves the life of ADA Max Winter. When she discovers he's investigating the same cold case kidnapping that drew her attention, she proposes working together. Max is a by-the-book prosecutor known for his winning record. He isn't sure he trusts what Avery tells him, but something about her draws him in.
 
I enjoyed following their investigation. Avery is more of a risk-taker than Max and gets into some tense situations though she always manages to get out of them. Max is more restrained, but as a local, he is more familiar with the subjects of the investigation. There are some interesting twists as Max and Avery uncover long-held secrets, not the least of which is a link to Avery herself. The intensity increases as it becomes clear that someone doesn't like their attention. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that I didn't see coming.
 
The romance between Max and Avery was mainly in the background. There was a connection between them from the moment they met, though trust took a little longer. Along with the connection was an attraction neither could deny, though they agreed to put it on hold until their investigation was over. I liked seeing Avery trust Max with the reason she came to Black Creek and Max's belief in her. The resolution of that reason was emotional and believable. I liked that there were no insta-love declarations between Avery and Max but a good solid plan for future time spent together.

John Doe Cold Case - Amanda Stevens (HI #2053 - Feb 2022)

Series: Procedural Crime Story (Book 2)
 
A shocking discovery just turned a cold case red-hot.
And for one detective, it strikes way too close to home...
 
The discovery of skeletal remains in a Florida cavern sends cold case detective Eve Jareau on a collision course with her past. Concealing the truth from her boss, police chief Nash Bowden, becomes impossible when the spark between them reignites. And now a killer hell-bent on keeping decades-old family secrets hidden forever is lying in wait…to bury Eve and Nash alive.
 
Good book. The suspense was excellent though I felt it was a little light on the romance aspect. At the end of the previous book in the series, Little Girl Gone, a set of remains was found in a cave. The remains were determined to be those of an adult male, and police detective Eve was assigned the case.
 
I liked Eve. Her early life was rough because the father she adored abandoned her and her mother when Eve was five years old, leaving her mom struggling to make ends meet. He left Eve with a good luck memento and the visual of him getting into a car with two other people. Other than a few postcards at the beginning, she never heard from him again. She grew up having a close relationship with her mother and an independent spirit. Eve has had feelings for her boss since she started working for him six years ago, but except for one kiss has kept those feelings under wraps.
 
Nash is still reeling from the events of the previous book. He never expected to discover that his ex-wife was capable of kidnapping a small child. He's plagued by guilt for not realizing what she was up to. He's attracted to Eve but feels he's not a good bet for a relationship because of that guilt and the PTSD he still suffers from his time in the military. He's never forgotten their kiss but buries his feelings deep.
 
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. The autopsy of the remains revealed a stunning link between the body and Eve, but she kept that information from Nash. She told herself she wanted to be sure first. When she and Nash are sideswiped by a car on their way home from the autopsy, they first write it off as bad driving. But as they delve deeper into their investigation, both receive warnings to stop. Each step of the investigation was fascinating, though Eve did some things I found questionable, especially for an experienced cop. I was glad when she finally came clean with Nash. There were some exciting twists in the investigation, including an almost deadly visit to the cave where the remains were found, culminating in a confrontation I did not expect. The mystery of the bones in the cave was solved. The series question of what happened to little Maya Adams became a little clearer, but there are still unanswered questions.
 
The development of the relationship between Nash and Eve didn't occupy much space in the book. Because of their work relationship, they already know each other very well. Eve feels sympathetic toward Nash and longs to comfort him but feels the attention would not be well received. But as they work together on the investigation, the feelings that have simmered under the surface come boiling up. Eve's secretiveness creates a bit of a trust issue with Nash, but they get past that once she comes clean. They acknowledge their growing feelings for each other while putting off acting on them until after their investigation is finished. Even then, their big moment is quiet rather than overtly emotional.

What Happens in Miami... - Nadine Gonzalez (HD #2813 - July 2021)

Series: Miami Famous (Book 2)

Will one night be his undoing?
 
Alessandro Cardenas isn't stepping out on the Miami art scene only for the hottest parties. Someone is forging his late grandfather's paintings -- and he's determined to uncover the culprit. But when he crosses paths with gallerist Angeline Louis, the boundaries between mystery and seduction become blurred. Does Angeline suspect his ulterior motives…even as she surrenders to his kisses? Does she have secrets of her own? Or can Alessandro trust that their once-in-a-lifetime connection is real?
 
A good book that combines the art world and Miami's vibrant, multicultural city. It is the beginning of a big week of art events in the city, and Angel is sent to deliver a painting to the art gallery's mysterious client. She arrives to discover that the mystery man is none other than up-and-coming Hollywood star Alessandro (Sandro) Cardenas. She's a little star-struck and attracted to the sexy star, but she holds it together enough to deliver her spiel about the painting.
 
Sandro, who usually spends all his time either in Hollywood or on the set, came to Miami mainly to find out who is forging and selling his late grandfather's paintings. His sudden attraction somewhat hinders his concentration on this delivery to the woman delivering the artwork. After agreeing to purchase the painting, he invites Angel to stick around for the party he's giving, hoping to get her into his bed.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Angel and Sandro. Still recovering from the end of her last relationship, Angel gives in to the chemistry, thinking it is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. After a passionate night together, she sneaks away before Sandro awakens, preferring to avoid an awkward morning after. Sandro is disappointed that she's gone but has plans to see her again. Seeing him find ways to "accidentally" run into her at various art events was rather sweet. It doesn't take long before they spend all their free time together.
 
But both Angel and Sandro have baggage that keeps them from being fully open with each other. Angel is an artist who has lost confidence in herself, primarily due to the lack of support from her family. Being with Sandro boosts her self-esteem, even though she knows it will end all too soon. Sandro enjoys the results of years of hard work and often seems full of himself, but sometimes feels like an imposter. Acting comes easy to him, so he isn't always sure he deserves the fame. He can't forget his past - abandoned by his parents and raised by his grandfather, he feels compelled to uncover who is forging the paintings.
 
I enjoyed seeing Angel and Sandro together as she introduced him to the "real" Miami. It was fun to see them participate in neighborhood events far from the glittering affairs he was used to. The more they got to know each other, the stronger their attraction grew, followed by feelings neither was ready to admit to. Sandro's guilty feelings over not telling Angel the truth about his interest in the paintings begin to wear on him, but he isn't sure how to come clean. When the truth comes out, Angel is devastated by the betrayal. It takes time apart and some emotional self-examination for them to see that they belong together. I liked the ending and seeing the compromises on both their parts.
 
Family plays a big part in both Angel's and Sandro's lives. Angel is an artist at heart, but family expectations have her questioning her talent and future. I ached for her as she mourned the loss of her dreams, but I also wanted her to tell her parents to back off and let her live her own life. Sandro has his memories of his grandfather, but he also has a brother and niece who live in Miami. He and his brother aren't close, and no matter how he tries, the gulf between them is too wide. They disagree vehemently with each other over the disposition of the paintings. Sandro's niece seems spoiled, flighty, and more than willing to take advantage of her uncle's fame and fortune. Both of them rubbed me the wrong way.
 
The mystery of the forged paintings was easily solved once Sandro and Angel put their minds to it. Since several of the paintings were sold through the gallery where Angel worked, the detective work wasn't all that hard. I felt terrible for Sandro, but I was slightly irritated that he let the culprit get away with it.

Shot Across the Bow - Julie Ann Walker (Limerence Publications - Dec 2021)

Series: Deep Six (Book 5)

Former Navy SEAL Spiro “Romeo” Delgado is six-plus feet of high-octane charm, and he has two hard and fast rules. One, always come to the rescue of those in need. And two, never give up his fast and furious bachelor ways. But when Mia Ennis joins Deep Six Salvage on the hunt for the Santa Cristina, her mesmerizing blend of brains, beauty, and bravery makes him question everything he thought he wanted in life.
 
Mia’s traumatic past has taught her to keep everyone she meets at arm’s length. But Romeo, with that body that is forever tensed for action and that dark gaze that tracks her every move, makes her feel safe in a way she never expected. Yet the secret she carries compels her to keep her distance—even as the past comes back to haunt them.
 
A harrowing plane crash ends with Romeo and Mia marooned on a desert island. When a boatful of men bent on murder drop anchor, Mia discovers her only hope for survival depends on her letting her guard down around Romeo. But surrendering to the passion she feels for him might be the most dangerous thing of all...
 
Terrific Friends to lovers story as the Deep Six team moves closer to finding the elusive treasure of the Santa Cristina. As the book opens, Romeo, Mia, and Doc prepare to return to Wayfarer Island while waiting for Alex and Mason to search the Spanish Archives for the key to the recently found code that might reveal its location. They need to collect the newly hired maritime lawyer who will hopefully protect their interests when they find it.
 
Romeo and Mia have been striking sparks since she first arrived on the island but firmly put each other in the friend zone. Romeo's reputation as a permanent bachelor is well-known, though the reasons behind it are heartbreaking. He'd love to get involved with Mia, but he believes that she has relationship written all over her, so he sticks to being friends. Mia doesn't let anyone get too close. A traumatic past has her convinced that she doesn't deserve anyone's love. I've loved watching their friendship develop, from their mutual love of a paranormal author's books to the fun banter and teasing between them. As time goes on, both Romeo and Mia realize they want more but fear of ruining their friendship and that the other doesn't feel the same way keeps them quiet.
 
The action picks up quickly when the lawyer, Cami, arrives at the airport, and Doc discovers she's his one-night-stand from the night before. Doc detests lawyers, and the zingers that fly between the two are like watching a rapid-fire tennis match. Add in the events of the night before, and their interactions are full of snark and sarcasm.
 
Complicating matters, during their flight, an explosion on board causes Romeo to have to crash land the plane in the ocean. The tension-filled moments as he struggled to keep control and as they fought to escape the sinking plane had me glued to the pages. A tiny deserted island gives them someplace to wait for rescue. They don't know that the explosion was no accident, and someone is unhappy that their target survived the crash. Though the reader is privy to the bad guys' plans, our intrepid foursome is clueless, though the SEALs' instincts warn there may be trouble.
 
In the meantime, the close call has been a wake-up call for Romeo and Mia. I loved that they finally admitted their attraction. It was wonderful to see them opening up to each other. Romeo is stunned to discover that Mia sees past the SEAL persona and his looks to the inner man, something nobody else has done. Mia shares her past with Romeo, her guilt over her brother's illness and death, and that he's the only person she's ever felt safe around. The chemistry between them is eclipsed only by the depth of feeling that goes with it, and each of them realizes they may be in a little deeper than expected.
 
The tension ramps up when the people responsible for the crash attempt to finish what they started. Going up against a pair of trained SEALs is never a good idea, and this was no exception. It's not a walk in the park, though, and there are some nail-bitingly intense moments before they are safe. It's not over, though, as Romeo ends up in the hospital, and one of the bad guys is still on the loose.
 
I had great hopes for the future of Romeo and Mia as they finally admitted to their feelings. I ended up wanting to shake Mia as she walked away from Romeo. She was positive that he would see her differently if he knew everything, so she didn't even try. I hurt for Romeo, who couldn't understand what happened. I loved his determination not to let her get away and couldn't wait to see what he would do. But it was Mia who made a discovery that broke the hold the past had on her. I loved her big moment when she arrived back on Wayfarer Island and the change it meant for both of them.
 
The book finished with Mason and Alex revealing what they'd learned from the deciphered code. But just when they think they can finally retrieve the treasure, lawyer Cami insists they hold off until she can finish her research on who gets dibs on the treasure - Deep Six or the Feds. I ached for the crew, who were so close to their goal but stuck having to wait even longer. I can't wait to read the next book and see how it all turns out.
 
I'm also looking forward to the next book and seeing more of Doc and Cami. The antagonism between them in this book does little to hide the sparks of attraction. I loved watching their interactions and how they thrived on their snarky exchanges. They are well-matched in intelligence and stubbornness, and I enjoyed how they pushed each other. 

A Bee in Her Bonnet - Sharon Buchbinder (CPC Publishing - Nov 2021)

Series: Cat's Paw Cove (Book 24)Not all that buzzes is a bee…
 
Elva Boyd, an extroverted elf, uses bees and honey to treat patients in pain. Art Klarastos, an introverted demi-god, beekeeper, and inventor is her best friend. When Elva’s beehives disappear, Art beelines to her to deliver the news. Distressed, Elva pleads for his assistance with the mystery of the missing boxes. Kit Kat, his matchmaking talking cat, makes a deal with Elva: Art will help her in exchange for a real date.
 
Art is mortified, but Elva agrees without hesitation. While they attempt to deduce why someone might want to steal her bees’ homes, a couple arrives and claims to be Elva’s long-lost parents. An orphan raised in Cat’s Paw Cove by her aunt and uncle, Elva is ecstatic. Suspicious of these unknown elves, Art shares his concerns—but Elva tunes out his buzzing.
 
When her parents declare they have come to take her home to Scotland for her contractually obligated wedding, Art is devastated. Will his best friend leave with her newfound family and soon-to-be-husband? Or will he be able to convince her that he is the beekeeper of her heart?
 
A fun novella that I read in one sitting. Elva is an elf who her aunt and uncle raised in Cat's Paw Cove after her parents disappeared. She's the only kid at the Feline Fine Retirement Home, which she describes as "like living with dozens of grandmothers and grandfathers." When she's ten years old, she meets ten-year-old Art, who has just arrived in town with his parents. They buy a home to use during the summers, and Art and Elva immediately become best friends. I loved that first meeting, with Art's astonishment at everything from Elva's pointy ears to the talking cats.
 
When Art was eighteen, he permanently moved to Cat's Paw Cove and set up his inventing business. Elva became a healing elf who uses bees and honey to treat her patients. Art is just as shy now as he was twenty years ago. He's in love with Elva but doesn't think she feels anything more than friendship for him. He's about to get a little help. When Elva's beehives are stolen from her yard, Art is the one she looks to for help. Art's feline companion, Kit Kat, tells her to go on a date with Art if she wants his help, while her cat, Romeo, mutters, "About time..." Art is shocked but thrilled when she agrees since he has no idea that she is in love with him too. Just as he's leaning in for a long-awaited kiss, they are interrupted.
 
At the door are two people claiming to be Elva's long-lost parents. Stunned but happy, Elva is full of questions. Art is skeptical and has reservations about this couple. I loved his protectiveness and how he watched out for Elva from the very beginning. Elva received another shock when her parents claimed that she is betrothed to Prince Scott and the wedding is in two weeks. I loved her reaction when she met Prince Scott, who turns out to be something of an over-age frat boy.
 
We quickly learn that things are not always what they seem. Something fishy is going on, and it seems to have something to do with the King of the Dark Elves. I was fascinated by the twists and turns and revelations as Art and Elva looked for the truth. I loved watching Elva's family and friends go all-in in protecting her while Art's Uncle Hermes looks into the missing hives and whether her parents are dead or not. Later on, combining Prince Scott and too many bottles of mead led to the whole thing falling apart. I loved watching everything unravel and laughed out loud at many parts.
 
I loved the ending. The truth is exposed, and Elva stands up for her choice of husband. I loved the surprise waiting for Elva after delivering some hives to some friends at the retirement home.