Rivalry at Play - Nadine Gonzalez (HD #2887 - Aug 2022)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals (Book 4)
 
He was once the competition, but now that they're all grown up, who will come out on top?
“It's your move. Go ahead and finish me.”
 
Attorney Alexandra Lattimore doesn't play games, but entrepreneur Jackson Strom brings out her competitive side. Her former high school rival is all grown up -- oozing class, challenging her and tempting her in equal measure. But she's back home to deal with family business, not to revisit the past or get tangled up in messy emotions. Is a casual fling the best strategy? Maybe… Succumbing to Jackson's physical appeal is one thing; revealing her secrets is another. But she knows he won't be satisfied until he's made her his queen…
 
Good second chance romance. Attorney Alexa took a leave of absence from her Miami job to help her family back in Texas. While there, she encounters her high school nemesis, Jackson. They were competitive all through school, with Alexa frequently coming out on top, earning her the nickname "Alexandra the First." She never knew that he'd had a crush on her all through school, and his competition was a way to get her attention. Jackson is now a successful and confident man who still has a thing for Alexa.
 
I love their first meeting at the TCC charity barbecue. Alexa was manipulated into attending by her mother and would have preferred to skip it. Instead, she's hiding in a cabana by the pool when Jackson finds her. He'd seen her arrive and was determined to make her notice him this time. I loved their banter about their past as he challenged her to a chess game and later to experience the barbecue cook-off. Alexa notices that her high school rival has become a handsome and charming man but isn't interested in starting a relationship with anyone. Meanwhile, Jackson refuses to give up on getting closer to her.
 
I liked Alexa, but she frustrated me at times. She is intelligent, independent, and loyal to those she loves. But she is so hung up on being the best at everything that she misses out on life. That need to excel also hides the insecurity she experiences because she feels that she is the odd one out in her family. As the book goes on, we see how she puts up a front, even with them, as she hides the issue she has at her job. When she meets Jackson again, she doesn't expect her instant attraction to him. Though she tries to resist, citing her intention to return to Miami and disinterest in starting a relationship, Alexa can't help rising to his challenges to step outside her comfort zone. I liked watching Alexa blossom under Jackson's attention, learning how to relax and have fun. But part of her can't help but hold back her troubles, refusing to look anything but a winner. I wanted to shake her for not confiding in him whenever he tried to find out what was bothering her. When the truth came out, Alexa had to decide what was more important - her pride or her feelings for Jackson.
 
I loved Jackson. He is intelligent, successful, and determined. He remembers his competition with Alexa fondly because he had her attention. Though he thought he was over his crush, he realized he still had feelings for her as soon as he met her again. I loved his determination not to miss his chance with her this time. It was fun seeing how he knew what buttons to push to get her to follow his plans. He also paid close attention to what she said, which enabled him to pull off the sweet surprises at the cabin. The "prom night" was especially moving. Jackson could tell that something was bothering her and was frustrated by his inability to get her to trust him. I felt his pain when he discovered it and understood his hurt and anger. His need to do something was evident, and I loved what he did, even though he didn't get the reaction he wanted from Alexa. I liked that he didn't give up on her or their relationship. His big moment at the end was terrific as he faced her, and they finally talked things out.
 
There is a little progress on the series storyline of the claim on her family's ranch and that of their friends. Alexa's grandfather, Augustus, has memory problems, making getting details from him challenging. Information is uncovered about an oil survey, but Augustus claims to have no memory of it. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and getting to the bottom of the mystery. 

The Rancher's Reckoning - Joanne Rock (HD #2864 - Apr 2022)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Fathers and Sons (Book 6)
 
“All of Royal, Texas, wants to know who the father is.”
And a beautiful outsider knows the truth.
 
Rancher Colt Black is stunned to learn he has a secret son. And he owes Sierra Morgan big-time for bringing him together with baby Micah. What Colt feels for the intense reporter goes beyond gratitude, however -- and that's a problem. Indulging in the connection with Sierra is an irresistible risk, especially after she moves onto the ranch to help him with the baby. But soon Colt learns Sierra's life-changing secret…and their newfound arrangement may never be the same.
 
Good conclusion to the Fathers and Sons mini-series. Sierra is a journalist who has worked hard from Book One to find the father of an infant boy found abandoned in the hospital parking lot. She believes she has done so but is frustrated at the lack of response to her texts and emails. In desperation, she finally sends one last bluntly worded text, hoping for a response. She never expected him to show up on her doorstep the next day.
 
Colt was stunned to find out that he was the father of an infant son. He has been in France for the last year, establishing a winery that had been his grandfather's dream. When he finds out the circumstances of Micah's birth and abandonment, he is riddled with guilt. Now he is determined to be the best father possible to little Micah, even if that means trusting a journalist to teach him.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Sierra and Colt develop. Over the past few months, Sierra has become attached to the little boy, so she is happy to help Colt while he and Micah get to know each other. This entails moving in with Colt, which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the inconvenient attraction she feels for him. Colt is just as attracted to Sierra, but his guilt over Micah's mother makes him reluctant to do anything about it. To reinforce his decision, he tells Sierra he plans to return to France and take Micah with him as soon as possible. This upsets Sierra, who thinks they should remain in Royal. She hopes she can convince him to stay.
 
I loved seeing Colt bond with little Micah. From the moment he arrived, it was obvious that Colt was all-in as a father. From feeding to teething to bedtime, Colt was sweet in his efforts to do it all. But all those "daddy lessons" meant time spent with Sierra, and the sparks between them continued to grow. Giving into the attraction is inevitable, but things get complicated when Sierra's secrets come to light. One is personal, and one is professional, and either can derail their growing relationship.
 
I ached for Sierra with her personal secret and its effect on her life and self-worth. It was easy to understand why Micah meant so much to her and why it hurt to think of him and Colt leaving Royal. I loved Colt's reaction when she told him and how much it meant to her. The professional secret wasn't as easily dealt with. While searching for Micah's father, Sierra has also been researching one of Royal's founders for a book. She has been searching for the woman's diary to get the answers she needs and believes it is on Colt's ranch. With his distrust of reporters, she delays telling him of her search until she finds the book. He doesn't take it well. I ached for both of them as their conflict pulled them apart, leaving them miserable. I liked how they faced their issues and found a way forward together.

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.

Out of the Blue - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Jan 2022)

Series: Buckhorn, Montana (Book 4)

Second-chance cowboy…or first-time love story?
 
Buckhorn, Montana, tavern owner Dave Tanner never expected to see the girl of his dreams ever again—until she walks into his bar one night. Over the moon at seeing her, he’s convinced this is a second chance to win her affection. But Melissa Herbert, Dave’s best friend and best employee, suspects his high school sweetheart might have ulterior motives for the accidental run-in. But if Melissa’s right, exposing the truth to Dave might just destroy their friendship…and break her heart…
 
A good, quick read. Dave is the tavern owner in Buckhorn, Montana, and does some construction work on the side during the off-season. He's made a good life for himself in Buckhorn. The last person he expects to see walk into his bar is his high-school girlfriend, Tanya.
 
Tanya was driving to Las Vegas when her car broke down in Buckhorn. She grew up wealthy and spoiled, and her attitude towards the "wide spot in the road" is evident until she runs into Dave. Suddenly she's all sweetness and light - or is that sweetness and lies?
 
Melissa is a good friend of Dave's, as well as both his employer and employee. He is working on renovating a building she owns, and she works for him at the bar. Over the last few months, they've gotten into the habit of having lunch together. On this day, when she walks in, Dave doesn't even notice her. She leaves the lunches she brought with Ralph and Wilbur, two bar regulars, and departs.
 
From the start, Tanya obviously has ulterior motives for cuddling up to Dave. The things she does take advantage of his trust and memories of their past together. She's not as subtle as she believes, though, and Ralph and Wilbur, as well as Melissa, are soon wise to her game. However, none of them want to hurt Dave by telling him what is happening. Things go from bad to worse when Tanya, jealous of Dave's friendship with Melissa, takes stunning actions to get Melissa out of her way. I liked Melissa and how much she cared about Dave, willing to step back if he loved another. She was also protective of him and wanted to save him from being hurt.
 
The ending had me glued to the pages as Tanya takes desperate measures to get what she wants. In a surprising twist, Dave is not as gullible as she expected. I loved the ending and seeing Dave get the happiness he deserves.

Anyone but a Fortune - Judy Duarte (HSE #2893 - Mar 2022)

Series: Fortunes of Texas: The Wedding Gift (Book 3)
 
“You say my name like it's a dirty word.”
 
Self-made woman Sofia De Leon has heard enough about the old money Fortune family to know that Beau Fortune is not to be trusted. He might be tall, dark, handsome and rich, but he's so not her type. And now that they are competing for the same business award, he is also her rival. It is just a hot Texas minute, though, before ambition begins warring with attraction…
 
A good book about two people from vastly different backgrounds competing for the same business award. Sofia is a self-made woman from a poor family. She worked hard through school and setting up her financial planning business. She watched her mother and grandmother struggle to make ends meet as she grew up while watching those with more money have all the advantages. Then she suffered through the betrayal of her wealthy college boyfriend, who disrespected her because of her past. This left her with a bad taste for anyone with money. At the top of the list are the members of the Fortune family, who seem to be taking over the town of Rambling Rose.
 
Beau Fortune and his brother Draper have opened a branch of Fortune Investments in Rambling Rose. They work hard to give their clients the best service possible. Rather than living in the exclusive section of town, they rented a house in a "normal" development. Beau is aware of his advantages growing up but hasn't let them go to his head.
 
At the end of the previous book, A Soldier's Dare, Beau and Sofia had a brief conversation at the Valentine's Day dance. As she was there with someone else, Beau backed off when the other man seemed to have a problem with him. But he has never forgotten the beautiful woman in the red dress. At the beginning of this book, they meet again while dog walking and quickly connect though still without exchanging names. Beau's subsequent encounter at the dog park is with Sofia's grandmother, who, after a not-so-subtle interrogation, invites him to Sunday dinner. In the meantime, Sofia and Beau are notified that each has been nominated for a prestigious business award. But in an awkward scene, Beau overhears Sofia complaining to a friend about how those prosperous Fortunes seem to walk away with all the accolades because of their unfair advantages. That puts a damper on the budding relationship between them. Complicating matters further, as part of the competition, they are assigned to work together on a project to benefit their community.
 
At this point, I wanted to give Sofia a good, hard shake. She is such a reverse snob, looking down on anyone who hasn't had to struggle to succeed. Beau is hurt by her attitude but doesn't let it get to him. He is determined to do his best in the competition and let his actions speak for themselves, while Sofia takes every chance to take potshots at his job, background, and lifestyle. I loved the project they decided on - teaching high school seniors about financial responsibility. They covered budgeting, saving, taxes, loans, and even investing. (I wish my school had offered something like that!) I loved watching the students get involved in the subject and seeing how Beau and Sofia brought their personal experiences into play. I liked seeing how Sofia and Beau learned a little about each other during those classes.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Beau and Sofia develop. Beau is a great guy, down-to-earth and good-hearted. He is attracted to Sofia and ready to show her that he's nothing like she thinks. Something proves her wrong whenever she thinks she has him pegged as a spoiled rich guy. I got to the point where I couldn't wait to see which preconception got blasted next. I especially enjoyed seeing her reaction when she discovered that he and Draper clean their own house, cut their grass, and make their meals. I liked how Beau and Sofia came to respect each other and their abilities during their time together. I was initially not very happy with the judging for the award but felt the judges redeemed themselves with their creative solution.
 
Their relationship is also helped by Sofia's grandmother, Maria, and her mother, Camila. From the moment she met him, Maria was sure that Beau was The One for Sofia. I loved her first meeting with Beau and her not-so-subtle interrogation before inviting him to dinner. She takes every opportunity to throw them together. She's a source of great advice for both characters when trouble arises. I ached for both Beau and Sofia when the mysterious delivery of a pink baby blanket brought Sofia's fears and insecurities back to the surface, driving a wedge between them. I felt like Sofia had earned her misery but hurt for Beau. I loved watching Beau try to find a way to show Sofia that she could trust him, but none of the "grand gestures" that other people suggested felt right. I loved the one that finally hit him as just right because of the way it showed how much he respected and admired her. I also liked that Sofia realized how wrong she'd been and that her issues, not his actions, caused the problems. I loved seeing Sofia face up to her mistakes and her scene with Beau. The ending was terrific.
 
The book has a secondary romance between Beau's friend, Dan, and Sofia's mom. I loved seeing them meet and experience an unexpected attraction to each other. Both have painful pasts, and I liked seeing them take their time to get to know each other. Maria is over the moon with happiness at having helped with two successful relationships.
 
In this third book, another mysterious gift is given to a Fortune. The first book had a sculpture; the second was a picture and a pink baby blanket in this one. No one has any idea who sent them or what they mean. I'm looking forward to reading the other books and solving the mystery.

Stalking Colton's Family - Geri Krotow (HRS #2179 - May 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 4)
 
To protect her baby…
She must share her secret
 
A stalker's lie came between single mother Rachel Colton and the father of her child. Now the man she never forgot has moved to their small Colorado town, and Rachel must tell James Kiriakis about the six-month-old daughter he never knew existed. But in pursuit of James, a deadly criminal has trailed him to Blue Larkspur and won't let the fragile family have a moment's peace -- planning on only the most lethal of reunions.
 
Terrific book that sucked me in from the start and kept me hooked to the end. Rachel is the brand-new DA for the town of Blue Larkspur, Colorado. Over the last few months, she has met the challenge of balancing her work life with her life as a single mother. As the daughter of the corrupt judge, Ben Colton, Rachel feels the extra burden of ensuring that all her cases are as air-tight and transparent as possible. Like her eleven brothers and sisters, Rachel goes the extra mile to put distance between herself and her notorious father. On the personal side, she often thinks of baby Iris's father, a fellow lawyer she met at a conference. She never told him about the baby because she later found out he was engaged and didn't want to complicate his life.
 
James needs to leave Denver and lands a new job in Blue Larkspur. A woman he dated turned out to be a stalker, and nothing he has done has stopped her. He hopes that moving away will put him out of reach. An added incentive to taking the position in Blue Larkspur is the hope of reconnecting with Rachel, whom he has not forgotten.
 
I loved the first encounter between James and Rachel. Both were in a hurry and literally ran into each other, ending up on the floor. Rachel was shocked to see James, while he was thrilled to see her. When she learns James has moved to town, she knows she must tell him about Iris and makes arrangements to have dinner with him. But when their dinner is interrupted, her confession is put on hold. I could feel Rachel's nervousness as the time drew nearer. Her second attempt involved inviting James to her home, where James received the shock of his life. As they discuss the events that led up to this moment, they discover that outside forces kept them apart.
 
Determined to make up for lost time, James throws himself into fatherhood. I loved how he immediately stepped up and insisted on being part of Iris's life. There were some sweet scenes of the learning process, and I enjoyed the hints of vulnerability as James faced situations far outside his experience. Though wary at first, Rachel quickly realizes James's desire to be a real father to Iris. And as James and Rachel spend more time together, with and without Iris, the sparks between them continue to grow.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between James and Rachel develop. James is all-in, his initial attraction developing into stronger feelings as he gets to know Rachel. I especially enjoyed how some of their interactions seemed like scenes from a courtroom with their lawyerly language but very personal actions. As strange and dangerous events occur, his protective instincts are aroused, and he is determined to protect Rachel and Iris. He also worries that he may have brought danger to their doorstep. Rachel feels herself falling for James but tries to keep some distance between them. She has trust issues with men thanks to her father, and taking that last step proves very difficult. It takes nearly losing him forever for Rachel to let go of her fears and open herself up to risking her heart. The ending was terrific.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. On the one hand, we have James's stalker issue. Though he hoped to have escaped it, we learn early in the book that his stalker has not given up. On the other hand, DA Rachel lives with the constant threat of retribution from the criminals she prosecutes. One case in particular links to her father and causes a great deal of stress for her and her family. As attacks on Rachel escalate, James is convinced that his stalker is behind them, while Rachel believes they are related to her current case. I loved James's protectiveness and determination to keep her safe. When the final confrontation came, I loved Rachel's cool head as she tried to talk the culprit out of their plans. James's fear for her safety was evident, and I loved how they worked together to protect Iris. I was glued to the pages until it was all over. Of course, while one problem was dealt with, the other continued to evade resolution. I can't wait to see how it progresses over the following books.
 
Another thing I enjoyed about this book was seeing more of Isadora (Isa) Colton, the widowed mother of the Colton siblings. I've been impressed with her strength as her story has unfolded. Since the first book in the series, it has been evident that the police chief, Theo, has a special place in his heart for Isa, though she seemed oblivious to it. I loved seeing Rachel turn Isa's advice not to let the past interfere with the future around on Isa herself. I look forward to seeing how that relationship progresses. 

 

Lady Armstrong's Scandalous Awakening - Marguerite Kaye (HH #1642 - Apr 2022)

Series: Revelations of the Carstairs Sisters (Book 2)
 
Hers was a body of marble…
Until he brought it to life
 
After her tyrannical late husband ruined her reputation, Lady Mercy Armstrong is longing to reinvent herself. The perfect opportunity presents itself when rebellious self-made man Jack Dalmuir has a daring proposition -- a fake dalliance that will change society's view of her! Only, cavorting with the handsome Scotsman ignites a passion that could change both their lives forever…
 
Terrific friends to lovers story. Mercy endured seventeen years married to an autocratic bully of a man who trashed her reputation in a codicil to his will. After the required year of mourning, Mercy is more than ready to live her life as she wants. A chance meeting with Scottish engineer Jack Dalmuir gives her the perfect method to do so.
 
I loved Mercy's first meeting with Jack. Lost in her thoughts, she stepped in front of Jack as he was driving to the local inn. While neither was hurt, both were shaken, and Jack invited Mercy to join him for tea (or something stronger) to recover. The sparks between them were immediate though both tried to ignore them. Mercy uncharacteristically found herself telling Jack about her husband, marriage, and desire to experience the life she was denied during her time with her husband. I loved how Jack listened to Mercy's dreams and offered to help her achieve them by being her escort.
 
I liked both Mercy and Jack. Mercy is a kind, thoughtful, and loyal woman who did everything she could to make her marriage a success. Her husband was only interested in one thing - getting an heir. So while their marriage looked perfect to the outside world, he made Mercy's life miserable behind closed doors. After his death, Mercy was determined to avoid another marriage at all costs, having no desire to lose her newfound freedom as a widow. Jack is a self-made man. He grew up poor but was fortunate enough to be given an education thanks to his mother's employer; he discovered a talent for math and science and, by his mid-thirties, made a name for himself as an engineer of steam engines. He has great plans for expanding his business and devotes his time to that goal. Marriage is not in his plans for many years yet.
 
I loved watching the development of the relationship between Jack and Mercy. He understands that she wants to "kick over the traces" and stands ready to help her in any way. I loved her introduction to "polka the way it should be danced." She was pretty nervous about her first venture outside Society's norms, and Jack quickly put her at ease. Mercy's enthusiasm was evident as she enjoyed the experience and Jack found her enchanting. Every time they got together, they were drawn closer together. But Mercy worried about their activities' effect on Jack's life and business because she knows the viciousness of the gossip rags. I liked Jack's confidence in himself and his business and how he refused to let gossip deter his time with Mercy. The icing on the cake came when they showed up at her brother-in-law's ball, uninvited, with Mercy's desire to face down her former family and "friends." I loved her strength as she stood up to him and her "swan song" as she and Jack danced a polka no one would ever forget.
 
During their time together, the attraction between Jack and Mercy continues to grow, as do their feelings for each other. But each has been honest about their feelings about marriage, so they continue to attempt to ignore the sparks. Mercy is especially wary, thanks to her late husband's treatment, but eventually, her attraction to Jack wins out. As they give in to the passion, each finds themselves thinking about a different future than initially planned, but neither says anything to the other. I admit to getting frustrated at their stubborn unwillingness to believe they can have a future together. They each earned their misery when they ended their relationship, trying to stick to their original intentions. A not unexpected surprise brings them back together, when both Jack and Mercy have to face their pasts and decide if they will allow those pasts to run their lives. I liked seeing them examine the issues that hold them back and realize that real happiness comes from being together.
 
I loved seeing Victorian London and Glasgow shown from a different viewpoint than the usual aristocracy. The detail about Jack's pumps showed the importance of something rarely mentioned in other books. I also enjoyed seeing Mercy's involvement with the women's and children's charities and the problems that are frequently glossed over. Having been to Glasgow, I loved learning about Jack's background and a bit of the history of that city and its impact on him.
 
The ending was terrific, and I loved seeing what was in store for them a few years later. I wish Mercy's former in-laws had experienced real consequences of their treatment of Mercy.