Starlight and the Christmas Dare - Michelle Major (HSE #2948 - Dec 2022)

Series: Welcome to Starlight (Book 7)
 
She isn’t the only one looking for a fresh start…
 
Guardian of his teenaged half-sister, glassblower Chase Kent is determined to steer his sibling onto the right path. But volunteer counselor Madison Maurer knew that he was missing that path by a long shot. So when Chase is injured in an accident right before Christmas, Madi opens her home to both brother and sister. She finds herself falling for Chase—and hoping he might open his heart, if only to discover the family he didn't know he was missing…
 
Terrific book that I could not put down once I started reading it. Though part of a series, this book can easily be read as a standalone. I loved revisiting Starlight and seeing characters from earlier books and was very happy to see Madison get her own story.
 
Chase is a famous glass artist known for being anti-social and grouchy. Because of events from his childhood, he has thick walls around his heart. After the deaths of his estranged father and stepmother, Chase became the guardian of his teenage stepsister, Stella. He feels completely overwhelmed and unsuited to the task, especially when she gets into trouble at school. Then an explosion in his studio leaves Chase badly injured, needing rehab and help.
 
Madison is the chef at Starlight's popular bar and restaurant. She, too, is known for the abrasive personality that protects her heart. She grew up with a negligent mother and the need to protect her little sister, Jenna. She blames herself for failing Jenna when she needed her most. She tries to make amends by helping Jenna with kids in need at the teen center. She connects with Stella, who reminds her of herself at that age. Though Madison takes her life day-by-day, when Stella calls in a panic after Chase's injury, she is there to help.
 
I loved watching the developing relationships in this book. Chase and Madison believe they are terrible people who aren't good for those they care about. Stella is lost after her parents' deaths and needs to feel that someone cares about her. The relationship between Chase and Madison was fun to watch. Chase hates needing her help, and his initial resentment is obvious. Madison doesn't hesitate to call him out on his attitude, and their snarky interactions are amusing. Though neither one believes in love or the spirit of Christmas, they find themselves partners in their desire to give Stella a good holiday experience.
 
I loved seeing the changes in Madison as she grew to love Stella and Chase. I laughed out loud at her coworker's statement that hugging her has progressed from hugging a porcupine to hugging a hedgehog. I loved seeing her open up to her friends and Stella and let them into her heart. Acting like a family with Chase and Stella has her hoping for something she never believed possible - a family of her own. Her feelings for Chase grow stronger when the sparks between them become too much to resist.
 
Chase was a harder nut to crack. He is so convinced that he is incapable of giving Stella the life she deserves that he considers transferring guardianship to another person. His actions show that he loves Stella and wants what is best for her, but he can't see that he is it. The same goes for his relationship with Madison. He'll admit to the attraction but believes that anything more is impossible. I wanted to shake him when he let his fears come between them. It takes an honest conversation with Stella (finally!) for him to see what is really important. An unexpected event adds some drama to the ending, but Chase's big moment with Madison is sweet and adorably awkward.
 
I look forward to future Starlight books and seeing more of these characters.

Most Eligible Cowboy - Stacey Kennedy (HD #2912 - Dec 2022)

Series: Devil's Bluffs (Book 1)
 
“Yeah, cowboy, we've got a deal.”
And a very real fake engagement!
 
Being named Texas's Sexiest Bachelor is the opposite of fun for divorced rancher Colter Ward. So when old friend Adeline Harlow shows up determined to land an exclusive interview, they strike a deal to form a fake relationship. The one flaw? Everyone believes they're headed for happily-ever-after! But with Adeline returning to New York and Colter's family needing him in Devil's Bluffs, where will they end up?
 
Terrific book. Colter has been having a tough year. He's still reeling from his divorce, his father's health is rapidly declining, and since he was named Texas's Sexiest Bachelor, the women won't leave him alone. He can't even drink a beer at his friend's bar without constantly being propositioned. As the book opens, he's unsuccessfully trying to drink in peace. Just as he's chased one woman away, another appears at his elbow.
 
Adeline has returned to her hometown to write a follow-up story on Colter. Years ago, she was his little brother's babysitter and had a massive crush on Colter. She hopes to use that connection to get the story that will guarantee the promotion she wants at work. She's also happy to get out of New York for a while, away from the memories of her broken engagement.
 
The first meeting between Colter and Adeline had me laughing out loud. Colter's frustration is evident as he deals with the woman coming on to him, only to be accosted by yet another woman.  But this one is different. Her reaction to Colter's nonavailability statement was hilarious, and his response to who she was set the tone for their relationship. I loved their conversation about her determination to get the interview with him and Colter's flash of inspiration on how to help them both. It didn't take much to convince Adeline to pose as his fake girlfriend in exchange for the interview, but neither expected the surge of attraction as they sealed the deal with a kiss.
 
I loved watching their relationship develop. Thanks to the Olympic-level gossip chain in the small town, Colter and Adeline find themselves spending more time together than expected. Their friendship grows as they find they have a lot in common, and their attraction grows along with it. I liked the scenes where they opened up about their pasts, fears, and plans for the future. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to remember that the relationship isn't real and that Adeline will be headed back to New York.
 
Just as Colter and Adeline begin to realize the truth of their feelings and consider possibilities, tragedy strikes. Colter's fears and guilt come rushing back to the surface, and he pushes Adeline away. I wanted to shake Colter for his jerky behavior and felt that he deserved the misery he felt. Both have some serious thinking to do about what they want and some past issues to confront before they can move ahead.  I loved the ending and the result of those actions. It was great to see that both Colter and Adeline were willing to make changes, and I loved how they worked out the perfect solution.
 
I loved Adeline's twist in her follow-up article on Texas's Sexiest Bachelor. I didn't see that coming and laughed out loud at the results. The final chapter is a terrific lead-in to the next book, and I can't wait to read it.

Christmas Miracle on Their Doorstep - Ann McIntosh (HMED #1285 - Dec 2022)

Series: Carey Cove Midwives (Book 3)
 
An unexpected delivery…
…will change their lives forever!
 
Discovering a baby girl left on the doorstep of Carey House immediately ignites Dr. Theo Turner’s and midwife Nya Ademi’s protective instincts! But caring for this precious infant together has Nya suddenly seeing her old friend in a different light. Are they prepared to put their bruised hearts—and years of friendship—on the line to claim the second chance they both so deserve?
 
A heartwarming and emotional story of love, loss, and letting go. It all starts when Dr. Theo Turner finds a newborn baby girl on the steps of the midwife center, Carey House. He and chief midwife Nya Ademi call the little girl Hope while social services try to find a foster placement. Theo and Nya step up to share fostering duties when that proves problematic.
 
Theo and Nya have been friends for many years, but seeing him with Hope has Nya looking at him in a whole new way. Nya has been a widow for twenty years, and Jim's absence is always in her mind and heart. She closed herself off after his death, preferring not to risk another devastating loss. Instead, she has filled her life with work, friends, and community. She's not about to risk a treasured friendship with inappropriate feelings.  
 
Theo is recently divorced and still dealing with his feelings of rejection and guilt. He's spent the last eighteen months burying himself in work to avoid dealing with the emptiness of his life. His loneliness is amplified when he finds out he won't see his adult children over the holidays.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Theo and Nya. Because they've been friends for so long, their interactions are mostly easy. But the more time they spend together, the more the attraction between them grows, and the harder it is to stay in control. I loved how little Hope drew these two lonely people together. There are sweet scenes of simple actions, such as bathing and feeding the baby, that make Theo and Nya feel like a family. Each tries to fight the feeling, believing that the other is not interested in pursuing a relationship, but neither can resist daydreaming about what could be.
 
I ached for both as their fears kept them from believing in the possibilities. Giving into the attraction brings those fears to the surface and causes each of them to pull back. All awkwardness falls by the wayside when a medical emergency with Hope unites them in their worry for her. An unexpected twist removes Hope from their care, and Theo and Nya are forced to accept that their idyll is over. Nya's pain was overwhelming, but I liked how it caused her to look at her life and realize how much she'd hurt herself. Her big moment at the end was terrific and led nicely into the epilogue. I liked how the epilogue brought everyone back together the following Christmas. I especially enjoyed seeing the big changes in Theo and Nya's lives.

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.

 
 

Ambush at Heartbreak Ridge - Colleen Thompson (HRS #2193 - Aug 2022)

Series: Lost Legacy (Book 2)
 
A deadly foe…
Meets a lawman's secret weapon
 
When a family is brutally attacked in Texas Hill Country, Sheriff Hayden Hale-Walker knows exactly who he needs: search-and-rescue expert Kate McClafferty. Sure, his disgruntled former deputy cracked open his heart years before…but she's the best of the best. It's only with Kate's help that the lawman can foil a killer and kidnapper attempting to ensnare them both!
 
Excellent suspense combined with a second-chance love story. When the sheriff is called to the scene of a car crash that rapidly turns into a murder and missing persons scene, he knows he needs expert help. But calling in SAR expert Kate opens a whole raft of complications, as he and Kate have a turbulent personal and professional past. As high school sweethearts, tragedy tore them apart. Years later, they were fellow deputies until competition for the sheriff's job caused their work relationship to implode. Any interactions since then lean on the acrimonious side.
 
The story's suspense sucked me in from the start, and didn't let go until the end. The search scene had me on the edge of my seat as Hayden and Kate searched for the mother and two little girls, only to discover them in extreme danger. I could feel Hayden and Kate's determination to save the children and injured woman. I liked the realism of this encounter, as Hayden and Kate did not emerge injury-free. The effects of those injuries are also realistically portrayed and influence the rest of the story. Following the investigation kept me glued to the pages as changing information altered perceived suspects and motivations. Several twists led to an exciting ending.
 
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Hayden and Kate. Eighteen years have passed since their high school romance, and neither has truly moved on. Memories of their time together and the circumstances that tore them apart are never far from the surface. It is evident that sparks of attraction still burn underneath the animosity they exhibit, but both try to ignore them. However, as they work together on the investigation and have a chance to get to know each other again, those sparks become harder to resist. Each also begins to see how youth and grief contributed to their parting. I ached for Hayden, the first to acknowledge his feelings, because Kate feared risking her heart again. It takes a deeply emotional revisiting of their past for them to be able to look to a future together.

Resisting the Single Dad Next Door - Louisa George (HMED #1289 - Dec 2022)

Series: Rawhiti Island Medics (Book 1)
 
New doc in town?
Irresistible!
 
Carly lost her husband years ago and it's finally time to move on from the beautiful island they called home. Until she meets new neighbour, GP Owen and his adorable son. Carly hasn't felt sparks like this in a long time, but Owen's still reeling from his ex-wife's abandonment. Since neither can commit to anything long-term, she must resist their undeniable attraction -- but that's easier said than done after he kisses her under the stars!
 
Good story about starting over. Carly lives on a small island off the coast of New Zealand, where she runs an outdoor camp for children. Several years ago, she lost her husband in a boating accident, and she has been grieving ever since. She's decided that the only way to move on is to sell the camp and fulfill the dream of traveling she gave up when she married.
 
After his wife left him and their son, Owen sold his medical practice in the city and came to Rawhiti to be the island's doctor. With less stress and shorter hours, he can spend more time with his son, Mason. He hopes to become a better father.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Owen and Carly. They got off to a rough start when Carly called him out on what she saw as reckless behavior on the water. But underneath the antagonism that flared between them were sparks of attraction neither was happy to feel. Carly only has a few weeks left on the island before she leaves, possibly for good. She doesn't want anything to derail her plans. Owen is still dealing with the fallout of his ex-wife's departure and doesn't want to get involved with another woman who isn't going to stick around.
 
But with Carly being the island's first responder, she and Owen are frequently thrown together and soon develop an easy working relationship. They also live near each other, and Owen's son takes an immediate liking to Carly and her to him. There are plenty of sweet scenes of the three as Carly and Owen do their best to give Mason the attention he needs. At the same time, the attraction between Carly and Owen grows stronger. I ached for both as Carly fought her feelings. Part of her wants to stay and see where it goes, but the other part feels the need to get away. Owen wants to ask Carly to stay but doesn't want her to resent losing her chance to travel. Additionally, he is afraid that her "itchy feet" would cause her to leave after a while anyway. Each of them allows their fears to get in the way of going after what they want. It takes a dangerous situation for them to come to their senses and realize that they belong together. I loved the epilogue and seeing how they overcame those fears.
 
As always, I enjoyed the medical aspects of the book also. Seeing how a big city doctor dealt with the differences of working in a small, isolated clinic was intriguing. There were a variety of medical emergencies that called on Owen's capabilities, and I liked seeing him rise to them all. I also enjoyed the small island setting. The descriptions of the land and animals (I loved the living alarm clock!) made it sound like a neat place to live or visit.

Wyoming Christmas Stalker - Juno Rushdan (HI #2113 - Dec 2022)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen (Book 2)
 
The wrong place, the wrong time…The right man to protect her.
 
After Grace Clark accidentally witnesses a brutal murder, she tumbles headlong into a world of motorcycle gangs, cults and a young girl's secrets. Dogged chief deputy sheriff Holden Powell's determined to help discover what's wreaking havoc on their idyllic western town this Christmas. The rancher-turned-lawman has something to prove, and he won’t let anything happen to Grace—not on his watch.
 
Terrific book drew me in from the first page, and didn't let go until I'd read the last one. The balance of suspense and romance is excellent. This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone, though a deeper understanding of the dynamics comes with reading the first book, too.
 
Grace is a nurse taking a break after a tough case. She is also distancing herself from her mother and ex-fiancé by moving to Wyoming near her older brother, the sheriff. While taking online classes for her master's degree, she works as the manager/bartender of Delgado's,  a local bar. One night she witnesses an altercation at the B&B across the street - an argument that ended in murder. This put Grace in the middle of a dangerous situation.
 
Chief Deputy Holden Powell was the responding officer. Holden is a secondary character in the previous book (Wyoming Winter Rescue) and is dealing with the fallout from the events of that book. The sheriff supports him, but Holden feels the pressure of public opinion and is determined to redeem himself. Solving the murder and keeping Grace safe is personal as well as professional.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Grace and Holden. He has been sweet on her since she arrived in town but feels unworthy of pursuing her thanks to what happened. Instead, he worships from afar through daily appearances where she works. When she's in danger, Holden's protectiveness kicks in. He will do anything to keep her safe. Grace has noticed Holden but is off relationships after a recent breakup. However, she can't deny the sparks she feels around him. There are sweet scenes between them when Grace needs him, and Holden steps up to provide the comfort she craves. As they spend more time together, Grace sees the vulnerable man Holden is hiding behind his professional demeanor. I loved watching her overcome his insecurities and show him the good man that he is. At the same time, Holden's support shows Grace that she's stronger than she knew. I loved the ending and seeing them agree that they belong together.
 
The suspense had me glued to the pages from start to finish. After Grace witnessed the murder of the young woman, she became the victim of multiple attacks. Holden works to solve the murder and keep Grace safe at the same time. The victim was linked to a cult and a local motorcycle club. What did she know about either or both that was enough to get her killed? Grace's attempt to help identify the killer drew unwelcome attention. The twists and turns of the investigation and the attacks on Grace kept me guessing. There were a couple of things I didn't see coming, which made the intensity even stronger. There is a slight cliffhanger involving one character, and a story arc I expect will run through the series. I can't wait to read the next book.