My Book Reviews

Series: Haven Point (Book 2)

McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her hometown of Haven Point. It may be small, but it's never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family's factory, leaving the town's economy in shambles. Now his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point's sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.

What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie -- its fiery young mayor -- he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it's least expected.

Very good small town romance between two people who are a lot alike, yet also very different. McKenzie was briefly introduced in Snow Angel Cove as the new mayor of Haven Point. Ben is mentioned as the hometown boy who moved away, and when he inherited the family business closed it down. His neglect of the business properties he owned in town added to the general opinion that his actions have been responsible for the town's economic woes. McKenzie is not happy to discover that Ben is back in town after so many years away.

McKenzie loves the town that she has called home since she was ten years old. As the mayor, she is determined to make it the successful town it was back then. When she discovers that Ben is back in town and living next door to her, she has no problem letting him know just how low her opinion of him is. What she doesn't expect is that the remnants of her childhood crush on him are still there, and being fanned by a very adult attraction to him. When she finds out that Haven Point is in the running for a branch of his business, she realizes that she needs to attempt to be nice and show him everything that the town has to offer.

Ben is really not happy to be back in Haven Point. He left when he finished high school and has never returned, not even for his father's funeral. He is Aidan's business partner (Snow Angel Cove) and the one in charge of checking out possible new locations. Aidan has also told him that he needs a vacation and this will kill two birds with one stone. The problem is that he can't look at the town without remembering why he wanted out. 

I loved McKenzie. She's an upbeat person who tries to keep a positive outlook on things. Even when she's dealing with grumpy neighbors/townspeople, she keeps in mind what makes them that way. I understood her grudge against Ben and how hard it was for her when she realized that she was going to have to "court" him for the town. By spending time with him, she soon learned that there was more to what happened than she knew, and her attitude began to soften. I loved seeing her show Ben the side of the town he hadn't really seen as a kid.

Ben was terrific. Through McKenzie's memories, we saw the boy who loved his sister and mourned her illness and death. We also got to see the memories of his father and how his emotional abuse affected Ben. Though he seems cold when he first comes to town, there are glimpses of the man underneath, such as when he's playing with the dog. I liked that he told McKenzie why he was there, but was also honest that his intention was not to use Haven Point for the business. He didn't mislead her there. As the days went on, I loved seeing how he started to relax and open up a bit, such as inviting McKenzie and the boys on his boat. He also began to see the town in a slightly more positive light. Then the revelation of a secret from his past changes everything he thought he knew.

I loved seeing the relationship between them develop. The attraction is hard to resist, even though they try. McKenzie will start to respond, but then is reminded of her anger with him and her mistrust of his motives, and will pull away until the next time it flares up. Ben is just plain reluctant to get involved. He knows she is tied to the town, and it is the last place he wants to be. The attraction that pulls them together begins to develop deeper roots, and sharing their pasts increases the understanding between them. Then a misunderstanding about the new facility causes a big blowup between them, with hurtful things said. It doesn't look good for the relationship or the town. Then a disaster threatens the town and Ben sees McKenzie and the people in action, showing him just what she had been trying to tell him all along. I loved his "aha" moment, when he finally understood. Even better, was when each realized that to have it all they had to risk it all. The epilogue was great, and tied up the book quite neatly.

I also liked the continuing theme of family, with all its good and bad sides. McKenzie's past shows how her arrival in Haven Point could have turned out far differently. I liked how her relationship with her father and sister were shown to be so good, but that her relationship with her stepmother was understandably strained. It wasn't made out to be a terrible thing, it just was what it was and was accepted. Ben's family relationships, on the other hand, were terrible. As each bit of it was revealed, it became more understandable why Ben was the way he was. His interactions with his mother were hard to see because he was so conflicted. I did begin to suspect what the secret was before it was revealed. I also liked that it was handled in a realistic manner, with Ben struggling to accept it all, though there seems to be hope for it all to work out.

Series: Montana Mavericks

Married in Whitehorn by Susan Mallery

Duty-bound to protect pregnant amnesiac Angela Sheppard, Deputy Sheriff Shane McBride swore he'd never give his heart. Yet, soon he hungered to call the attractive widow his own. Was it possible a wedding-with baby!-was due for Whitehorn's brooding man in blue?

Short and fast moving. Angela came to Whitehorn to interview for a job as a teacher. She was attacked and beaten by some men who are looking for some money her late husband supposedly had. They had been separated for four years and she had no idea what they were talking about. When she woke up in the hospital she couldn't remember what had happened to her. Shane is the deputy sent to question Angela after the attack on her. There's something about her that touches a part of him that has been locked up for a long time. Rather than send her to a safe house for protection, he offers to let her stay at his house.

Angela and Shane connect very quickly. Shane is protective and definitely attracted, but has some problems believing that he deserves someone as terrific as Angela. I liked the way that she showed him that his ex-fiancee was wrong about him. 

Things were left hanging about the men who attacked her and kidnapped the child. There was good news about the child at the end of the story, but no resolution.

Born in Whitehorn by Karen Hughes

Dr. Jeremy Winters discovered he was a daddy when he came to beautiful Leah Nighthawk's rescue and delivered their tiny twins. And though the hard-hearted doctor would never deny his babies a daddy this Christmas, would he give Leah the gift of his love?

This story picks up where the previous one left off. The kidnapped girl is safe, but has stopped talking. The kidnappers have not been caught and everyone is worried that they will try again. It is suspected that Sarah was mistaken for her friend Jenny as the object of the kidnapping, and Jenny has been staying with Leah for a few days to keep her safe.

Leah came back to Whitehorn and the reservation to take care of her mother. After her mother's death she was going to go back to Chicago, but her plans were waylaid by an unexpected pregnancy. She had given in to the attraction between her and Jeremy one night when her grief got the better of her. Because she felt she didn't know him, Leah hadn't told Jeremy she was pregnant. She didn't want him to feel trapped or obligated.

Jeremy was surprised to see her a few days before Christmas. He thought she had left Whitehorn months ago. Seeing that she was pregnant, he followed her to talk to her, and found her in the middle of labor. Stunned to find out that the babies were his, he was determined to help care for them. 

I loved seeing the way that Jeremy got so invested in taking care of Leah and the babies. Having lost his pregnant wife in an accident several years earlier, he finds that the hole they left in his life is now being filled. It was sweet to see everything that he did to try to make life easier for Leah. Leah is a very stubborn and independent woman. She was raised by a single mother who did everything she could to give Leah the best life she could. Now that she finds herself a single mother herself, she is determined to show that she can do the same. While she is grateful for his help, she is afraid of becoming dependent on him. I got a bit frustrated with the way that she kept pushing him away. 

The time they spent together reinforced their attraction. Jeremy proposes marriage to Leah, wanting to be able to care for her and the babies. He envisions a good life together, and can't believe it when Leah refuses him. Leah quickly came to realize that she was in love with Jeremy, but she doesn't want a marriage that isn't about love. Jeremy has to face his fear of losing again before he loses everything that he could have. I liked the ending and how they were able to come together.

There was a brief bit showing the kidnappers and what their plans are, but it was not resolved. I assume that the story line is continued in a later book.

Series: Woman's Way (Book 4)

"I SURE AS HELL KNOW HOW TO KISS A WOMAN."

-- ZANE RANKIN

Uh-oh. Nicole Beauman had overcome a lot of obstacles in her life, and she sure as heck had never backed down from a challenge. But her boss, Zane Rankin, presented an entirely new sort of dilemma. Sexy and charming, he was like chocolate -- sinfully good, but bad for her health. Nicki knew Zane didn't want to settle down, particularly not with a girl like her, and she didn't plan to lose her heart to a temporary fling. But when a friendly date got a little too friendly, things got a little bit steamy...and Nicki wound up just a little bit...pregnant. What was a girl to do?

Fantastic friends to lovers story with an interesting twist. Nicki has worked for Zane for three years and has developed a great friendship with him as well as a great working relationship. There's a lot of good natured teasing between them, but they also know that they have each other for support if it's needed. What she has kept buried deep is the crush that she has on her playboy boss.

I loved Nicki. She's smart, she's independent, and she's got challenges rarely seen in a romance novel heroine. When she was fourteen she was involved in a skiing accident that left her unable to walk, so she has been in a wheelchair ever since. She has a wonderful "can-do" attitude about almost everything, and rarely lets her handicap get her down. At the beginning of the book, Zane is giving her a hard time about her latest boyfriend, who hasn't impressed him. When she gets stood up for an office party, Zane suggests that they go together, as he's between women right now.

Zane likes Nicki. She's pretty, she's fun to be around, and he feels like he can be himself around her. When he picks her up for their "date" suddenly there's an extra kick to the way he's looking at her. In an effort to demonstrate to her what a loser her boyfriend is, he begins treating her the way he would treat any of his other dates. When he takes her home after the party, an effort to show her how a good night kiss should be done suddenly gets out of hand. 

That night together was off the charts hot, and suddenly Zane is looking at her in a whole different way. But Nicki is afraid that becoming lovers will wreck their friendship, so she backs off. She's sure that getting involved with him will end up with her getting hurt. After all, she's nothing like his usual woman. They work to get past the awkwardness and make it back to their old relationship just in time for a business trip together that sends their chemistry rocketing out of control again. Just as she's considering the possibility of continuing with the affair, she discovers that she is pregnant.

Zane is stunned by the news. He had planned to never have children. He had been blissfully married five years earlier, when he and his wife were both Marines. When she got pregnant, he insisted that she transfer back to the States, where she and the baby would be safe. When the helicopter she was on malfunctioned and crashed, he held himself responsible for her death, and swore he'd never risk his heart and someone's safety again. Having Nicki become pregnant sends him into a panic.

I have to say that Zane was pretty amusing with the way he reacted. Once he got past the shock, his first reaction is that they should marry so that he can keep Nicki and the baby safe. His protectiveness goes into overdrive and he becomes quite obsessive in that determination. At first Nicki believes it is because he thinks she can't handle it because of her handicap, and that makes her really angry as well as hurting her feelings. Once she realizes that's not it, she gets a little more patient with him, but still has to work at keeping him under control.

Nicki keeps rejecting Zane's proposals since she won't settle for anything but love as a reason to marry. She loves him, but believes that he can't love her in return. Zane's fears are overwhelming to him, and keep him from seeing the truth about his feelings for her. When he actually takes the time to face those fears, he is stunned by the realization of what he has been doing. I loved his "aha" moment, and seeing the advice he gave his friend Jeff get turned around and applied to him. Seeing him finally open his heart and show Nicki how he felt was great. I loved how the chapter ended with words of love and some of their usual banter. The epilogue was different with it taking place so far in the future.

One of the things I liked best about the book was the treatment of the heroine. I loved that her handicap was treated so realistically. She has dealt with it for a long time and has accepted it, but also has moments where it gets her down or frustrates her. I really loved her frustration as she dealt with the hassles of travel because it was so true to life. I understood her need to be seen as a person outside her handicap. Seeing the way that Zane dealt so easily with her challenges while still seeing her as a woman made him just about perfect in my eyes.

Series: Whidbey Island (Book 4)

Home is where the love is. Especially at Christmas!

Commander Jonas Scott got through a tough deployment by thinking about his family home on Whidbey Island. The same home his deceased stepmother, Dottie, had promised him. His Navy homecoming turns sour when he discovers that Dottie left his house to a stranger named Serena Delgado….

Serena, an Army widow with a young son, is fixing up her house. But as Christmas approaches and she gets to know Jonas, Dottie's plan becomes clear. It wasn't about fixing up the house, it was about fixing up Serena and Jonas!

Good story. Jonas was deployed when his beloved stepmother died, leaving the house she had promised him to her new found niece instead. All he can think about is how this interloper has ruined his plans for the future. He is determined to convince her to sell the house to him, no matter what it takes.

Serena and her son came to Whidbey Island after her Marine husband was killed in action and she found out about her biological father. Dottie was her only family on that side and she enjoyed getting to know her. Serena was also ready to get away from Texas, its memories, and her well-meaning but slightly smothering family. She hadn't expected to inherit the house, but the idea of raising her son on land that had been in her family for years was very appealing to her. While she felt a little bad for Jonas, she refused to be bullied into giving up her new home.

I have to say that I had a hard time liking Jonas for a good share of the book. I felt badly for him that he had been disappointed about the house, but his attitude seemed rather selfish. No matter how many times Serena told him that she wasn't going to sell it, he kept badgering her about it. When he realized that attitude wasn't getting him anywhere, he then decided that being nice might get him further. All of his actions seemed to be motivated by that one thing.

I liked Serena a lot. She had been through a lot with the death of her husband and trying to get herself and her son through their grief. I liked the courage she showed in giving up everything to start fresh in a whole new place. She is also a fantastic mother, doing  everything she can to make sure that he has everything he needs, physically and emotionally. I liked the way she has fallen in love with the house and is determined to fix it up. I liked the way she stood up to Jonas and his manipulations.

There are sparks between Serena and Jonas from the moment they met, and neither one is happy about it. Jonas first attributes it to his long deployment, but soon discovers that no one else interests him in quite the same way. That same attraction adds another layer of tension to that which is already there. It is kind of amusing to see the way that Jonas's feelings of attraction keep interfering with his attempts to get the house. He slowly begins to care about her and her son, though memories from his deployment haunt him and make him reluctant to get involved with Pepe. I liked seeing the changes he went through as his focus changed from the house to Serena. Serena is not very happy to discover that the first man to attract her after her husband's death is Jonas. There are too many issues between them to make a relationship possible. She doesn't want Pepe getting attached to Jonas and then have Jonas disappear from his life when the house situation is finally settled. As they spend more time together, their feelings start to change, but neither feels quite ready to make a commitment. As Christmas approaches, each of them makes a decision to help the other that is reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi, and opens their eyes to their true desires.

I also enjoyed the secondary story, told in flashbacks, of Dottie's parents. I liked the realism of what Henry went through from the time he was shot down to the time of his rescue. It was his drive to get home to his wife and daughter that helped him survive everything that he went through. I liked Sarah's confidence in his promise to come home. Their reunion was very sweet.

Series: Coltons of Oklahoma (Book 6)

Wrongly imprisoned for murder, renowned horse trainer Greta Colton gets sprung by Tyler Stanton's falsified alibi. The incredibly handsome oil tycoon's desire has been burning for Greta ever since they met. Now that she's no longer his brother's fiancée, he wants her in his bed and working in his corral. In that order.

Throwing caution to the wind, Greta accepts Tyler's brazen invitations. And with danger mounting, they reluctantly risk their hearts. But when a shocking Colton secret surfaces, can Tyler protect Greta from a treacherous family reunion? Someone means to kill her…and take all that's hers!

Excellent conclusion to the Coltons series. In the previous book, Second Chance Colton, Greta had been held on suspicion of murder. Tyler Stanton, brother of her fiance, provided an alibi that set her free, but he lied to do it. With the end of her engagement, Tyler makes it clear that he wants Greta for himself. 

It took a little bit for me to get used to Tyler. With him, what you see is what you get. He is good looking, wealthy and confident. He doesn't play games when it comes to what he wants, and he wants Greta. She was a bit shocked when she came to thank him for his alibi and to ask him why he had lied, to find out that he had been attracted to her from the time he met her. But his brother got to her first, so he had done his best to control his feelings. I loved his straightforward telling her that he still wants her in his bed. Of course, he's not committing to any kind of relationship, just sex for as long as they want it. He also wants her to work with one of his horses and uses that to entice her to come stay on his ranch while she does so. He doesn't expect it to last, as it never does with him.

Greta is stunned by Tyler's proposition, but also somewhat intrigued. She really wants to work with the horse, but she's a bit wary about Tyler himself. Her ex-fiance had turned out to be a self-centered loser, and she doesn't know Tyler well enough to think he's any different. She can't deny the chemistry between them. He turns her on like no one else has ever done. With the threats looming against her, getting out of Tulsa for awhile seems like a good idea. So she agrees to work with the horse, but tries to resist the heat between her and Tyler.

I loved seeing the relationship build between them. They started it a bit backwards, with two really hot encounters, but then Greta insisted on keeping sex out of it. She wanted them to have a chance to get to know each other before taking it any further. I was impressed by Tyler's agreeing to her conditions, but also telling her that he wasn't going to give up on seducing her. I also liked the way he really listened to her when she talked. His confusion over his growing feelings was pretty sweet, as he realized that he wanted more than just her in his bed. I loved his protectiveness and how determined he was to keep her safe. When everything was over, he didn't know how to deal with what he felt. I loved the ending and seeing him accept and embrace his feelings. His return to the ranch and facing Greta was sweet and romantic.

Greta was surprised by her instant attraction to Tyler. Since she doesn't really know him, she shocks herself when she gives in to the passion. I loved seeing her pull herself together and take control of those feelings. Though the attraction was strong, she was hesitant to trust it, and wanted to take the time to get to know him. As she did, her feelings for him grew, but she was still wary about trusting him with her heart. I loved seeing her stand up for her needs, even when it hurt. I enjoyed her determination to make Tyler grovel a bit there at the end.

The suspense of the story was great. By the time the book started the villain is known and the only question is how and when will she attack. The first attack wasn't a huge surprise as they knew it would happen eventually. Tyler's quick reaction was all that had saved Greta. As they moved back to the Colton ranch, they felt somewhat safer but also knew that Alice was out there somewhere, just waiting to strike again. The anticipation really built as the end got nearer. I wanted to shake Greta when  she did something stupid that ended up putting her in grave danger. The final confrontation was well done, with great tension as I wondered how long it would be before it was figured out. I loved that it was Tyler who did and he who saved Greta. It wrapped up the series very well.

Series: Coltons of Oklahoma (Book 5)

When murder strikes his family's ranch, Detective Ryan Colton follows the evidence…straight to his sister. Instinct tells him she's innocent. But once her DNA is found at the scene, Ryan goes head-to-head with the forensics expert he'd hoped to avoid. Susie Howard -- the beautiful woman he once loved…and left.

Seeing Ryan again has Susie doubting everything, especially her resolution to forget the sexy, rugged cowboy cop. If her intuition is wrong, then the real killer is still at large and has the Coltons in his sights. Teaming up with Ryan is the only way for him to save his family -- and his second chance with her.

Excellent book that continues the investigation into who attacked the Colton matriarch, while at the same time giving Ryan his chance to find love. The latest batch of troubles at the ranch have the evidence pointing to Ryan's sister, Greta. Ryan is convinced the evidence has to be wrong, and confronts the CSI expert doing the tests, Susie Howard. But there's more going on with Susie than just the tests - she's also the woman he had left behind ten years earlier.

They've both been working for the Tulsa PD for the last four years, but have mostly managed to avoid each other. Ten years earlier, when Ryan was still in the Marines, he broke off his relationship with her when he left on deployment. He told himself it was for her own good, so that she wasn't putting her life on hold for him. He has never found anyone else that made him feel the way she did. Susie had been devastated by the cold breakup letter that she received from him. She had been deeply in love with him and ready to wait for however long it took for him to come home. Since then she has been wary of trusting anyone else with her heart. Now, whenever they meet, both are careful to keep all interactions short and to the point.

I liked the way they joined forces to get at the truth about Greta's involvement. Susie knows that she could, possibly even should, turn work on this case over to another. But in spite of the way things ended for them, she still has feelings for Ryan and can see the way that this case is tearing him up. She is a voice of reason during the turmoil of seeing the evidence, and also a pillar of support. Ryan can't believe that Greta is involved, but the evidence is overwhelming. Having to bring her in for questioning and hold her like a criminal hurts him terribly. It also puts him at odds with his brothers, something that has been happening more often as the troubles on the ranch continue. I liked seeing how Susie's help keeps him grounded, and also gives him another viewpoint.

As they spend more time together, Ryan has to admit to himself that he had been an idiot to push Susie away all those years ago. The attraction is still there and growing stronger every day, but he's not so sure he deserves a second chance. Both Ryan and Susie look at their past actions and have to decide if they want to move forward together. A surprise revelation adds to Ryan's turmoil, but also makes him realize what he's wanted all along. I loved his stop on his way to visit Susie, and how it helps her see that he has changed. Their final scene was romantic and emotional, and ended with just a bit of humor.

The progression of the mystery of who is behind the attacks has been very good from the beginning. From the attack on Abra to the murder of the ranch hand, it has had a very personal feel to it. From the little hints that were dropped in previous books, I had a suspicion about who was behind it. But the story behind the identity was a twist I didn't expect, and I am looking forward to the next book to see how it all ends. 

Gunfire disrupts a Christmas wedding in this 2-in-1 collection of original, connected novellas.

Rescuing the Witness by Beth Cornelison

Bullets are fired at a ranch wedding in Texas and the only witness to the unknown sniper's identity is wedding guest Kara Pearson. When the rifle turns to her, Kara runs for her life. Her only hope for survival? The man who broke her heart years ago. But Sheriff Brady McCall vows to protect Kara - and right old wrongs.

Exciting and emotional story. Kara is attending the wedding of her good friends, but at the same time her heart is breaking. One of the groomsmen is her ex-boyfriend, and all she can see is what could have been. She had broken things off when she couldn't get him to listen to her fears and concerns. She sneaks out of the ceremony to get her emotions under control, and witnesses a man shooting into the crowd. Terrified when he turns his gun on her, she hops on a horse and flees into an approaching storm.

Brady reaches the barn just in time to see her go. Afraid for her safety, he leaves his deputies in charge of the scene while he goes after her. Kara ends up trapped in rising flood waters, bringing back memories of her father's death, which only intensify when Brady is also trapped. Once they are out of that danger, they still have to face the reality of Kara being the only witness who can identify the gunman. 

Forced together to deal with the danger, both Kara and Brady have to face their past in order to move ahead. It's obvious that they both still care, but their communication skills didn't seem to be up to the challenge. I felt bad for Brady because he had no clue what it was that had driven Kara away. He knew that he loved her and was miserable without her. I could also feel Kara's frustration with him, as she constantly felt like he was ignoring her feelings. I loved seeing the way she was finally able to get him to sit down, shut up and actually listen to what she had to say. Of course, she also had to listen when he explained his side also. 

The final confrontation with the gunman was really intense. My heart was pounding at the danger Kara was in. I loved seeing how Kara and Brady's connection made it possible to survive the encounter. Even more satisfying was the way that Brady finally understood Kara's fears and they came out the other side even stronger.

I liked following along as Kara and Brady worked to discover who the gunman was and why he had been shooting at the wedding. It was exciting to see how Kara's powers of observation provided vital information and a possible link to the bride. While Kara is now safe, the mystery isn't over. The question is now about who is after April and why.

Rescuing the Bride by Colleen Thompson

After being jilted and having gunfire erupt at his wedding, bull rider turned rancher Nate Wheeler fears his pregnant bride is the intended target. But as he and April Redding try to track down the shooter, Nate uncovers the secret reason April refused to say "I do" at their ceremony.

Nate and April have bee friends since they were kids, but that friendship took a strange turn a few months earlier. Both had gotten drunk and ended up in bed together, then agreed the next morning that it had been a mistake. But when April ended up pregnant, Nate insisted on doing the right thing and proposed marriage. Unfortunately, the closer the wedding has gotten, the more convinced April is that she made a mistake. As she stands beside him at the altar, April realizes that she can't marry a man who looks at her as an obligation. Just as she starts to tell him so, shots are fired and the scene dissolves into chaos. Nate's dad is critically injured and flown to the hospital, with Nate and April following by car. Nate refuses to let her out of his sight until things are straightened out.

This story takes place at the same time as the previous one, so there is some intertwining of the details. It becomes clear that someone is out to get April, but the question is who and why. Is this linked to the work that April did as a paralegal and the threats that she and her coworkers received? Or is it related to something that April saw that she doesn't realize is important? I loved the increasing tension as April remembers more and more details and begins to connect the dots. I figured out the culprit only a little before it was revealed. The final confrontation was intense as I wondered how it was all going to turn out.

Throughout the story was also the worry about how Nate and April would be able to rescue their relationship. I completely understood April's fears, as Nate's attitude toward their marriage seemed to be one of forcing himself to do it rather than actually wanting to be with her. He may have been a champion bull rider, but emotionally he's more like a bull in a china shop. It seems like every time he opens his mouth he says something wrong. It doesn't help that he doesn't realize what his feelings really are until it is almost too late. Meanwhile, April is in love with him, but has never actually told him so. By the time the wedding comes, she has realized that she wants it all, but hasn't been able to find the courage to tell him so. Throughout the danger, their love grew stronger until they were finally able to admit it to each other.

*copy received in exchange for honest review

Series: Reckless Arizona (Book 1)

LOVE OR FAMILY LOYALTY?

Liberty Beckett was so used to watching longtime crush Deacon McCrea ride at her family's Reckless, Arizona, arena, she nearly forgot the handsome cowboy was an attorney. But it won't be hard to remember now that Deacon is representing her father in the legal battle dividing the Beckett clan and threatening the Easy Money Rodeo Arena.

This case is Deacon's chance to clear his name in Reckless. He didn't anticipate the powerful effect Liberty would have on him. Their attraction is undeniable…and a huge conflict of interest. To save his career and Liberty's relationship with her family, Deacon knows he needs to avoid Liberty. But what a man needs and what he wants are two very different things….

Good book with some really complicated family dynamics adding to the obstacles between Deacon and Liberty. Liberty has spent her life believing that she is the product of a one night stand between her mother and a rodeo cowboy, only to find out that her mother has been lying to her. So she contacts Mercer to let him know that she wants to get to know him. Mercer comes to town with more than getting to know Liberty on his mind.

Liberty had known Deacon when they were younger, before he left under a cloud of suspicion for causing a terrible accident on the ranch. Since then he has become a lawyer and returned to Reckless. He boards his horses on the ranch, so she sees him often. Her childhood crush on him is only getting stronger. But any chance of taking it further ends when Deacon becomes her father's lawyer in his looming battle with Liberty's mother.

Deacon came back to Reckless for two reasons. First, to open his own law firm. Second, he wants a chance to clear his name, and being Mercer's lawyer will give him the chance he needs. Unfortunately, he doesn't count on the strength of the attraction between him and Liberty. But as her father's lawyer, starting a relationship with Liberty would create a conflict of interest that could wreck his career.

I liked the relationship that built between Liberty and Deacon. Liberty never believed that he was responsible for the accident that everyone blamed him for, and that confidence in him helps to heal some of the hurt he still feels. Her feelings for him also motivate her to help him however she can in finding out the truth of what happened that day. I did think she was a little naive in thinking that they could be together without it affecting her relationship with her family. Deacon had been attracted to Liberty for awhile, but when the chance came to work with Mercer he took it because he needed the work. Now he struggles to do the right thing. When her father's manipulations come between them, both of them have to decide what is more important to them. 

I felt really bad for Liberty and the things she had to put up with from her family. Both her parents were selfish and manipulative, even though they claimed they were doing things for the right reasons. Liberty had every right to be angry about the way her mother lied to her. However, her father also used her as a way to get back involved with the ranch. I thought he was a bully as well, with the way he would force everyone to go along with what he wanted. I liked the way that Liberty at least wanted to give him a chance. That was quite a contrast with the sheer stubbornness of her mother and her sister. Though there was some progress made in repairing the relationships, I feel like the two parents still have a long way to go.

I liked the fact that the mystery of the bulls was solved by the end of the book. As Deacon's investigation progressed, there were some interesting facts that came to light. Liberty seemed to put the pieces together faster than Deacon did. I loved seeing that Deacon's honorable nature had him helping his accuser, even though he didn't have to. It certainly helped him in the end.

One night with consequences…

A week in Bali was accountant Zoe Summers's dream vacation. But when the tropical island paradise is hit by an earthquake, she's trapped -- alongside Mitch Bailey, sports star and blast from her past! High on the thrill of survival, they seek comfort in each other's arms…

It was only supposed to be one night, but Zoe soon discovers an unexpected souvenir -- she's pregnant! Now Zoe and Mitch will have to ask themselves…can one night lead to parenthood and a lifetime of love?

A sweet and heartwarming reunion story. Zoe is on vacation in Bali when she is caught in an earthquake. The last person she expects to see there is her old high school crush Mitch Bailey. Zoe is surprised that Mitch remembers her, especially now that he's a famous soccer star. But Mitch had never forgotten the girl that helped get him through his English poetry class, and often regretted the teenage jerkiness that ended their friendship. This is his chance to finally apologize and try to make things right. 

The attraction between Mitch and Zoe is strong from the moment they see each other again, but both try to resist it. Zoe has the outlook that Mitch is way out of her league, thanks to his fame and good looks. There's no way he'd be interested in anything long term, and she wants marriage with a man she loves and who loves her. Mitch is focused on his career. He's just coming off a bad injury and needs to concentrate on playing, not be distracted by a woman. When an aftershock hits, Zoe suddenly realizes that she'd never forgive herself if she passed up this chance to fulfill a dream. With the understanding that this is a "one and done", they take their night together and part ways in the morning.

Two months later, Zoe is back at work when she gets a surprise visit from Mitch. She hadn't expected to see him again, and she isn't sure if she's happy or not. She hasn't been able to forget that night, but nothing has really changed. Mitch can't either, and when the chance comes to visit Sydney again he can't pass up the chance to see her again. That meeting is a bit awkward until they find a way to relax with each other again. I loved seeing how they had the maturity to talk out the reasons for their discomfort and find a way to be easy again. 

I was a bit frustrated with Mitch at this point because he's trying to find a way to continue with Zoe without making any changes to his life. He expects her to come to Madrid to see him, but isn't willing to find a way to go see her. He's basically looking for a way to continue to have sex with her without making any commitments. I had a lot of respect for Zoe at this point, because she has the courage to stick up for her own convictions, even though it hurts to deny him.

It's at this point that Zoe discovers her pregnancy and is torn over what to do. She hasn't forgotten about Mitch's determination to remain entanglement free. She doesn't want to tell him and have him think that she is trying to trap him, or get money from him. She also can't imagine keeping him in the dark and denying him the chance to be a father to their baby. When she waffles about telling him and sends him away, Mitch suspects there's something she's not telling him. He doesn't get far before turning back to confront her.

I loved his protectiveness when he comes back to find her sick, and how he takes charge to care for her. He has a few moments of jerkiness when she finally tells him, but he recovers pretty quickly. Some of the things he says definitely play into Zoe's fears, and she's afraid to risk her own heart if he doesn't feel the same. Mitch has his own fears to face before he can accept that he can have it all if he can only find the courage to grab hold of it. The epilogue was fantastic and gave a great view of what you can do when you have the support of the one you love.

Series: Cowboys of the Rio Grande (Book 2)

UNEXPECTED FAMILY…

After a tour in Afghanistan and years as a trauma surgeon, Alonso Marquez needs to get out of Albuquerque and away from his past. A trip seems like the perfect solution, but he doesn't make it far. Sparks fly when Alonso stops to help a gorgeous rancher fix her car, and just like that his road trip is cut short by one very hot night…with some very real consequences.

Hannah Buck didn't plan on starting a family that night. Her hands are already full managing the ranch and helping her troubled half brother. But Hannah sees the good in Alonso and knows he will be an incredible dad to their baby -- if only he could see it, too. Alonso has spent his life saving others. Now, with Hannah at his side, can he finally save himself?

Very good book. Hannah is a young woman who is running the family bison ranch after the death of her father. She also has custody of her sixteen year old half brother. Luke hasn't dealt well with his father's death and has been running wild, getting into trouble. She's at her wit's end, trying to keep up with the ranch and ride herd on her brother. She's on her way home from picking Luke up at the jail when she nearly runs over a hitchhiker.

Alonso is a trauma surgeon from Albuquerque. After time as an army doctor, and now working in a big city hospital, he is feeling burned out. He is tired of fixing people up just to have them go back to doing what got them hurt in the first place. He has taken a leave of absence from the hospital and is hitchhiking aimlessly around the state, trying to get himself back together. His journey is interrupted when he stops to help Hannah change her tire and is invited to stay for dinner.

I really liked Hannah. She has had a lot of responsibility dumped on her from the time she was young. She's the one who has practically raised her brother and is frustrated by the problems she is having with him. She is also trying to bring the ranch back from the brink of disaster, after her father ran it into the ground. When she meets Alonso she is attracted to him, but she is also wary. She's been hurt once, and doesn't want to risk it again. But she's also been lonely, and is seriously thinking about giving in to the attraction just once.

I ached for Alonso. From his early life trying to stay out of the gangs in his neighborhood, to the losses he has experienced as a doctor, he has a very pessimistic view of life. He has avoided any kind of relationships, always expecting that they will end and preferring to protect himself from more losses. His attraction to Hannah is unexpected, as is his reluctance to leave as planned. I loved the way that he saw so much of himself in Hannah's brother Luke, and helped Hannah find a place for him with the people who had helped him. I also loved how Alonso decided to stay at the ranch and help Hannah while Luke was away. 

The relationship between Alonso and Hannah grew pretty slowly. The physical side happened fast and burned hot, but trusting their feelings took awhile. Hannah doesn't want to fall for a man who is leaving, but his actions find their way past her walls. When she becomes pregnant she worries about how she'll manage, but refuses to doing anything to make Alonso feel like he has to stay. She sees that he has the ability to be a terrific father, but until he can believe she has to let him go. Alonso is surprised by the peace he starts to feel the longer he stays with Hannah. The constant stress of watching his work go for nothing is gone, but other fears are still with him. When he learns about her pregnancy, those fears make him want to run, but he also finds any number of reasons not to leave quite yet. I loved the unexpected opportunity that showed him the life that he could have away from the city, and the event that opened his eyes to what he would be leaving behind. Accepting Hannah's confidence in him helped him overcome those fears and believe that they could have that future together.

I also enjoyed the scenes on the ranch, as Luke got the guidance and discipline that he needed. The change in him was wonderful. Alonso's reunion with Cruz (A Cowboy's Redemption) was great, as was catching up with how things are going for Cruz and Sara. There was also a brief scene with their third friend, Vic, that was a nice lead in to his book. The mystery of who was doing the vandalism on Hannah's property was solved in a rather surprising way, as the culprit was not who I expected it to be.

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding (Book 5)

UNDERCOVER COWBOY

RUST CREEK RAMBLINGS

Greetings, merry readers! As the holidays approach in Rust Creek Falls, we are marveling at the number of couples who have been brought together by this summer's infamous wedding punch. And then there is Kristen Dalton, our town's resident actress/romantic. Since July, she has been pining over the "perfect cowboy," Ryan, whom she met at the wedding. But he left town soon after -- for good, or so we thought.

Now Ryan has returned, and folks are betting he and Kristen will be engaged before we can hang the holly. Not so fast, romantic revelers! Our out-of-town cowboy may not be exactly as advertised. Will they still meet under the mistletoe when Kristen finds out who Ryan really is?

Very good book. It begins at the summer wedding when Kristen meets Ryan. He had been in town for a brief visit with his sister, and had stopped by the wedding reception to meet up with her. He had changed into casual clothes, like so many of the other attendees and blended in with them. He and Kristen catch each others eyes, meet and begin to talk.

Kristen has just come off a bad relationship with a man who lied and cheated on her. She's decided she's done with "city slickers" and will stick with cowboys like the ones she's grown up with. The man she meets at the wedding seems to fit the bill. He admits he's not from around there, but is looking at relocating. His kisses are hot, but he's not pushy, even though she's ready to melt in his arms. He doesn't have much to say about himself, but Kristen thinks she's got him all figured out. She's got him pegged as a rodeo cowboy who's ready to settle down, and is determined to show him what Rust Creek Falls has to offer. 

Ryan is actually a high-powered entertainment lawyer from LA. It's true that he's become somewhat jaded with his life. He's tired of the women who just want what they can get from him, and the hectic, superficial life he has. The beautiful brunette is just one more positive thing in the appeal of Montana. He's not sure what it is, but being with her just feels right. He'd like to get to know her better, but he has to be back home the next day.

I loved seeing the two of them together the day of the wedding. The immediate connection was awesome. It was great to see Kristen trying to sell life in Rust Creek Falls, and how fascinated Ryan was with it all. Ryan felt so right with her that he even told her about his early life, and being abandoned by his mother. He has never told any other woman about any of it. I also liked the way that he was so into Kristen, and paid such close attention to everything she said. I really liked the way he was such a gentleman at the end of the evening. By the time it was done, he knew he wanted to spend more time with her, but getting back was going to take some doing. He meant it when he promised to come back.

After he left, neither he nor Kristen could forget each other. Ryan wanted to go back, but things kept getting in the way. Then he convinced himself that Kristen would have forgotten him by then and moved on. Meanwhile, Kristen keeps looking for him and has made up a whole life for him in her head. She gets more and more sad the longer he's away. Ryan's sister overhears her talking about Ryan and figures out who she's talking about. Ryan is stunned to hear from his sister about who he supposedly is. 

His return to Rust Creek Falls is quite eventful. He desperately wants to see Kristen again, but he's also afraid to tell her the truth about who he is. His mother's abandonment of him has part of him believing that he's unlovable and that Kristen would also walk away from him if she knew the truth. I loved their reunion and how it was so obvious that they belonged together. But I ached for Ryan as, instead of just coming out with it, he chose to reveal small pieces of the truth at a time. Every time that Kristen spoke of what she believed he felt worse. The time they spent together drew them closer together, but the truth was a sword hanging over Ryan's head. 

I loved Kristen's pride in her hometown and the way she wanted Ryan to share it with her. I was a bit frustrated with the way she created a life for Ryan without having anything to base it on. She does have a sensitive and loving heart, and it really showed when Ryan told her about his past. I loved her joy when he came back, and how she scooped him right into her life. The only thing she hadn't told him about was going to be a surprise for him, since she gave him the credit for her motivation.

I hurt for both Kristen and Ryan when the truth came out, because it got all tangled up in Ryan's fears. He said some horrible things in the middle of his own pain, hurting Kristen even more. Seeing what he went through afterwards, as he realized what he had done was great, as I felt he deserved every minute of it. He made up for it quite well with his "go big" moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic and showed just how much he had changed.

Series: Made for Matrimony (Book 1)

A FLURRY OF REIGNITED PASSION IS IN THE FORECAST!

What would the holidays be without joy and cheer? A regular Christmas for Mack Lawless. Along with the first snow come regret and confusion when his ex-wife, Darcy Kramer, returns to Holden's Crossing. Even seven years later, her abrupt decision to file for divorce burns deep. And it doesn't help that he's practically forced to bump elbows with her at a Christmas tree farm during the most festive time of year…

Why did she leave? Darcy's deeply buried secrets still hurt, just as much as seeing Mack again does. But time and distance have done nothing to help her forget about their love. Now, with the holiday spirit on her side, she can try to make amends. Can a sprig of mistletoe lead to a real forever family?

Very emotional book. Seven years ago a tragedy tore apart Mack and Darcy's marriage. Unable to explain her feelings, Darcy filed for divorce and fled to Chicago. Now she's back for a short time, to help her aunt and uncle with their Christmas tree farm, not knowing that Mack has been helping too. Seeing him again brings all the pain and guilt back, but she's committed to staying.

Mack had no idea Darcy was coming back until his brother told him he had seen her. He's tried to convince himself that he's moved on and gotten over the devastation of her leaving, but one look proves him wrong. His heart starts pushing to try again, but his head knows that she's planning to leave again. Why put himself through all that pain again?

Mack and Darcy had married because she was pregnant and Mack wanted to do the right thing. There was no doubt that he loved her and was sure that their lives together would be great. But when a terrible accident caused her to lose the baby, everything fell apart. Darcy shut him out and Mack didn't know how to reach her. She filed for divorce, left for Chicago, and hadn't been back since. Now they have to find a way to work together without hurting each other more.

The attraction between Mack and Darcy is even hotter than it was before. Put the two of them in the same room and the sparks really begin to fly. However, they still aren't able to talk about their past and what went wrong. I ached for Mack and how he's still bewildered about why she left. I also hurt for Darcy, who is carrying a tremendous amount of guilt over what happened and how she dealt with it. Their youth had contributed to their inability to actually talk to each other, and even now they both avoid having the hard conversations.

It isn't long before the attraction gets the better of them. That opens a tiny crack in the door between them, and they tentatively start getting to know the people they are now. It becomes obvious that they are falling for each other all over again, but until they can be honest about those feelings, it can only end in heartbreak. Mack is still pretty clueless until his mom says something that makes him look at their past from a different angle. Darcy also realizes that until she can make Mack understand why she had left, nothing is going to change. The satisfaction of seeing them finally face those demons and talk about them made the ending just right.

Besides her feelings for Mack and what had happened in the past, Darcy also has to deal with her feelings about what is going on with the tree farm. By staying away for so long, she lost touch with her connection to the land. Her reactions to what is going to happen reinforce the truth about her life in Chicago, and force her to decide what she really wants to do. Of course, there was really no doubt about what it was going to be, but her journey to get there was a painful one. I loved what she decided.

I also loved seeing the softer side of Mack as he worked his veterinarian magic with the various animals. There was no way that Darcy was going to be able to resist a man who treated animals the way that he did. I hope that a future book includes what happens to the two dogs that were such a big part of the book.

Series: Those Engaging Garretts (Book 8)

"You don't know me…but will you marry me?"

It strikes him like a lightning bolt when he lays eyes on Jordyn Garrett. Just like his grandma always says, You'll know her when you see her. Now restaurateur Marco Palermo knows he's just met his wife -- if only she'll date him!

Jordyn's heard every line…and deflected them all. She's walked through heartbreak and come out stronger, albeit lonelier. She'll never love again. But the scrumptious Italian with the melted-chocolate eyes is nothing if not persistent. And sexy. So sexy. Just her luck to find the only man in the world who wants marriage and a family. Things Jordyn can't give. But can he convince her that he's everything she's ever wanted…forever?

I loved this book. The guys in books are usually the ones who are avoiding marriage, have been hurt in the past, or are just plain cynical about love and marriage. Marco is part of a big Italian family with lots of examples of happy marriages, and he wants that for himself. His grandmother has always told him that he'd know the right woman when he saw her, but he's been wondering how long he'll have to wait. He's even stopped dating because they all seem to be dead ends. Then he sees Jordyn and his grandmother's prediction comes true. He just has to find a way to get her to go out with him.

Jordyn has avoided men and relationships for three years, ever since the death of her fiance. She had her love and lost him, and isn't interested in risking that pain again. She tries to make that clear to Marco, but he won't give up.

I loved the development of this relationship. Marco knows that Jordyn is the one for him. He understands her reluctance, but he's determined to convince her. He starts out slow and easy, just by showing up where she works and talking to her. She enjoys his company and begins to miss him when he isn't there. I loved the way he got her to go out to dinner with him by telling her it wasn't a date. The whole time the attraction between them is building and there is an explosive kiss after the non-date. I loved seeing how his patience slowly broke down the walls she had around her heart. There were some terrific scenes with him easing her back into enjoying life. I also loved the way that he gave her so much encouragement about her art and the results of that encouragement. It was wonderful to see a man who has no trouble expressing his emotions, and I rooted for him to be able to break through her resistance.

Jordyn had locked her emotions away for three years. Though she admitted to be lonely, and envious of her sister's family, she resists all attempts to get her back in the dating pool. She's attracted to Marco when she first meets him, but she can tell he wants more than she's willing to give. As the attraction grows and they spend more time together, she's more than ready to get physical with him, but that's as far as she's willing to go. The closer they get the harder it is for her to deny her feelings, but the fear won't let her go. After pushing him away almost as much as she wants to hold him close, she nearly pushes once too often. I loved seeing her grab her courage and ask for help to show him that she's willing to fight for their relationship, even though she can't quite take the final step.

I loved seeing their relationship really start to move forward from there. Marco continues to support and encourage Jordyn, and just be there for her. I also loved her support of Marco and his family as they get the new restaurant ready to go. There's a not too surprising twist to her job at O'Reilly's that changes some of her plans. And when trouble hits Marco's family, she's reminded that life is short. I loved the ending and seeing them both embrace their future.

I also loved the strength of the family ties in this book. Jordyn and her sisters are close, and are there to support each other. I really enjoyed seeing the way that Tristyn added her voice to getting Jordyn to give Marco a chance. I also loved seeing Jordyn do what she can for Lauryn, who has a stinker for a husband. Marco's family is also lots of fun. I really loved his two nieces and seeing how good he was with them. His grandmother is sweet and sassy at the same time. I loved her part in helping Jordyn. I liked the teasing among them, and that they also always have each other for support.

Series: Lucky Harbor (Book 11)

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It's the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she's rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she's ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to "save" him. In fact, he'd like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He's just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole's heart, or will it be the end of Olivia's days in little Lucky Harbor?

Another fun and emotional trip to Lucky Harbor. Olivia is relatively new to Lucky Harbor, where she came to escape from her past. She runs her vintage shop and pretty much keeps to herself, though I'm not quite sure how she's managed to avoid the small town nosiness for so long. She's been pretty successful until she's out walking on the pier one morning and sees a man fall into the freezing water of the harbor. She immediately jumps in to try to save him.

First of all, Cole can't believe that he fell in the water, then he has to deal with a woman jumping in on top of him in an effort to "save" him. But once they're out of the water, he doesn't mind getting up close and personal with Olivia. There's something about her that reaches places in him that haven't seen the light in two years.

But both Olivia and Cole have gotten very good at keeping their secrets. Cole was hurt two years ago when he discovered that his fiancee was actually in love with one of his best friends and both had hidden it from him. He found out when she fell apart at his friend's funeral, and now he's not so sure that he can believe in love again. He's never told anyone what happened, but it has made him reluctant to trust. Cole also expects the best from himself and everyone around him, and isn't very forgiving of those who he feels let him down. Olivia hasn't told anyone in Lucky Harbor that she used to be a child television star. She had liked the people she worked with and was devastated when the show was cancelled, so much so that she had quite the meltdown. Now she has reinvented herself, but she is getting pressure from her family, her agent and the network to do a reunion show, but she doesn't want to risk the new life she has built for herself. But when the truth comes out, she almost loses it anyway.

I loved the way the relationship developed between Cole and Olivia. The attraction was strong and hot between them, but the connection went deeper than that. Olivia sees past the front he shows everyone else to the pain that he is hiding. She's also pretty good at showing him that life's events can't be reduced to black and white, right or wrong, and that there are reasons that people do the things that they do. Because he doesn't know who she used to be, Cole shows Olivia that the person that she has become is someone that can be loved as she is. When the truth is revealed, both Cole and Olivia have to face up to their deepest fears before they can move on. I was impressed by the way Olivia took control of her future. I loved seeing Cole finally see the truth of the way he'd been living his life. His big moment in front of the entire town was sweet and romantic and the perfect ending for the book.

Series: Lucky Harbor (Book 10)

ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER

Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart?

This is the first book in the final trilogy of Lucky Harbor books, and I am going to miss the whole crew. In this book, Becca is a newcomer to Lucky Harbor. In need of a change in her life, she packed up everything and drove until she stopped in Lucky Harbor. She'd always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean, and finally doing so soothes her soul. Something that isn't so soothing, but is equally intriguing, is the sexy surfer she meets on the beach. Between the two she decides to stay in Lucky Harbor for awhile and see where it takes her.

Sam is co-owner of Lucky Harbor Charters, a business he owns with his two best friends. He's the money guy in the business, with a knack for increasing their income. The cute and sexy brunette he meets on the beach is a complication he doesn't need in his life, but he can't seem to stay away from her.

I loved Becca. She's smart and feisty and determined to get her life back. She grew up as part of a very musical family and is talented on the piano. She also suffers from terrible stage fright, and after years of fighting it in order to help her younger brother and meet parental expectations, she's had enough. She quit touring with him and took a job writing jingles for an ad agency. That went well until she lost her "muse" and now she's struggling, and hopes that a fresh start will help her. I loved her upbeat personality that has her making the best of her crappy living quarters, and her attempt at waitressing was great. She finally finds the perfect job as the office manager for Sam's company, a job that creates some trouble for the relationship that is growing between them. 

Sam is a man who keeps his emotions locked up pretty tight. His childhood was rocky with no mother and a father who was irresponsible. Sam grew up quickly, learned how to manage what money his dad did bring home, but still ended up in foster care on a regular basis. Fortunately for him, the foster mother he ended up with was wonderful, and her son became like a brother to him. But his father's easy use of "love ya" without any action to back it up gave Sam a distrust of the words, preferring to judge people by their actions. 

Sam and Becca are attracted to each other from the moment they meet. The chemistry between them is hot. Becca is ready to seize the moment with him, but Sam is a little more wary. He senses that she could get past his walls and is soon proved right. I loved the way that their relationship develops. There's a great deal of teasing between them, with his nickname of "Peeper" for her because of the way he catches her watching him, and her calling him "sexy grumpy surfer" because he is. Sam is protective of Becca (loved the spider scene!) and wants to help her get past the things that have been dragging her down. I loved the way that he sees that she hasn't had much fun in her life and is determined to bring it to her now. At the same time Becca is drawn to Sam's confidence, but also sees the neglected boy underneath. In spite of the issues she has with her own parents, she tries to help Sam deal with his own father issues. The feelings they have for each other deepen and grow, but their ways of expressing those feelings are so different that it nearly drives them apart. I loved Sam's big moment at the Summer Bash, when he comes through for Becca in so many ways. I look forward to seeing more of them in the next books.

I also loved the secondary characters. Sam's two friends and partners are terrific. They know Sam and all his foibles and love him anyway. I also liked the way they had no trouble giving him a hard time about anything from Becca to answering the phones. They are also always ready to support him, and are there when he needs help with Becca or his father or anything else. I enjoyed the stories they told from when they were all kids, and also their time on the rigs and when they started their business. It gave a good insight into what made them all the way they were. Sam's dad was an interesting guy, and though I didn't like him much at the beginning, by the end I could see that he really was trying to change. Becca's family members were harder to like. Her brother Jase was selfish and immature and made me very glad that Becca had gotten away from his life. It said a lot about her that she didn't give up on him, but she also developed the strength to stand up to him, thanks to Sam. I didn't like her parents at all. Their appearance at the end, all contrite about the way they had treated her, didn't feel real. I had the feeling that they were just playing her a different way. Her new friend and neighbor Olivia seems really nice, and I liked seeing the friendship that developed between them, something that Becca hadn't ever had before. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in the next book.

Series: Shadow Force (Book 3)

With danger closing in, all they have is each other.

Haunted by a mission he barely survived, Delta Force operative Mace Stevens still carries a soldier’s burden. Running a small bar in upstate New York, he remains a stone cold warrior who guards dangerous secrets and stays ready for anything. Anything except beautiful, vulnerable Paige Grayson, who shows up at his door, demanding answers about her heroic stepbrother’s death under his command.

Paige bears burdens, too. She’s plagued by demons unleashed by an older brother who committed mass murder before her eyes. But here in this snowy haven with Mace, she almost feels safe from the menacing promises of her insane sibling. As a nurse whose hands can read the deepest thoughts of anyone she touches, Paige knows Mace needs her as desperately as she needs him. And when a faceless killer begins unleashing fresh terror, Mace proves just how far he will go to save the woman who means everything to him.

Good book with some excellent suspense. This book starts a few months after Promises in the Dark. The Delta Force guys participated in a mission that went bad and are on temporary leave as they deal with what happened. The team was captured and tortured, and Gray was killed. Mace is staying at the bar he owns in upstate New York, along with Caleb who has lost his memory. They are taking things one day at a time while they wait for Caleb's memory to return, when Paige Grayson shows up.

Paige has had a rough life. She watched her older brother murder her friends right in front of her. She grew up to become an ER nurse and just had the husband of a patient try to kill her. The resulting media frenzy brought her past back to the present. She decides it's a good time to get away, and go ask Mace for some answers about her brother Gray's death. 

Both Mace and Paige have secrets that haunt them. Mace feels guilty about not being able to save his friend or prevent the torture that caused Caleb's amnesia. He is determined to be there for Caleb as his memories return. Events from his childhood have also caused him to keep his feelings locked away. Paige is haunted by what her brother did and the feeling that she could have done something to stop him. She has a psychic ability that allows her to read someone's feelings when she touches them, and knew that her brother was up to something, but no one would believe her.

The relationship between Mace and Paige was an interesting one. They had met several years earlier when Mace was visiting with Gray. Paige had accidentally picked up a knife that belonged to him and got a sense of him that both scared and intrigued her. Mace was attracted to her even then, but as Gray's sister, the "bro-code" made her off limits. When she shows up at the bar, the heat between them is even stronger. But Mace is very wary of letting her get that close to him. I loved the slow build up of trust between them, as they are careful that Paige's hands do not touch him until they are both ready. I loved how that was shown when it happened and the effect it had on both of them.

The suspense of the story was excellent, as trouble followed Paige to Mace's. There are a couple of grisly murders, and Paige starts getting frightening messages from her imprisoned brother. The suspense builds as Paige and the guys try to figure out who is behind the murders and if they are connected to her brother. The final confrontation was intense with one character I expected and one who was a complete surprise to me. It definitely kept me glued to the book until I was all the way through.

The secondary story involving Caleb was very good. He had also been in the previous book, and seeing what he was going through in this one was heartbreaking. He had no memories of his past, just flashes of things that made him worry that while under the influence of the torture he had been the one to injure his friends. When his girlfriend from the previous book, Vivi, shows up he tries to keep her away because of it. I loved the way that she didn't give up on him, and showed him that she had confidence in his innocence. I loved seeing how their part in helping Paige also ended up helping him. We also get to see a little bit of the other members of the team, along with a lead in to the next book.