Little Girl Gone - Amanda Stevens (HI #2047 - Jan 2022)

Series: Procedural Crime (Book 1)

Nothing matters more to her
when a child's life is at stake.
 
Special agent Thea Lamb returns to her hometown to search for a child whose disappearance echoes a twenty-eight-year-old cold case -- her twin sister's abduction. Working with her former partner, Jake Stillwell, Thea must overcome the pain, doubt and guilt that have tormented her for years and denied her a meaningful relationship. For both Thea and Jake, the job always came first…until now.
 
The first book in the new series is a good blend of suspense and second chance romance. Thea is an FBI agent who works on cold cases involving children. As the story opens, she is headed back to her hometown in Florida to be with her estranged mother, who finds herself at the center of another missing child mystery. Twenty-eight years earlier, Thea's twin sister Maya disappeared from their bedroom without a trace. That disappearance undoubtedly influenced Thea's choice of a career. Now another child has disappeared from the same house and the same room. While she supports her mother, Reggie, Thea also questions what happened in both cases.
 
Jake heads the FBI unit CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) tasked with finding the missing Kylie. His awareness of the chances of success with each passing hour keeps his determination to succeed fueled. He will take whatever help is offered.
 
Thea and Jake have a history together. They were a couple while both worked for the FBI in DC until Jake received the promotion that sent him to Florida. A bit of pride and some lack of communication pulled them apart, but neither had forgotten the other. Both are dedicated to their careers, but their old feelings don't take long to resurface. I liked their realism, trying to keep things professional while working on the case and finding the time to reconnect. I loved the ending, as they realized that the blame for their split belonged to them both. I wasn't too surprised at the resolution.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. The similarity of the abductions of Maya and Kylie was especially intriguing, considering the time difference between them. One common factor was Reggie, and Thea's memories stir up questions she wants answered. Meanwhile, Reggie's boyfriend from during that time was recently released from prison and appears to have a grudge against her. Add in a creepy neighbor, an odd doll shop owner, and some bones found in a cave, and there are plenty of suspects to go around. The final confrontation was a nail-biter. The motivation behind the kidnapping was heartbreaking, but I had little sympathy for the kidnapper. I loved seeing Thea's confidence in standing up to the kidnapper and seeing Jake come through as backup at just the right time. While one mystery was solved, there are still unanswered questions about Maya's disappearance. I'm looking forward to learning more and hopefully getting a good result.
 
The relationship between Thea and Reggie is also a big part of the book. The tension is palpable as Thea's memories make her question things about her mother. While I ached for Reggie, I also had questions about her past actions. Thea and Reggie's interactions have been strained for many years, starting after Maya's disappearance and worsening as the years went on. Reggie has changed her life since then, and those changes seem to improve their ability to talk to one another. Things have improved between them by the end of the book, though questions remain.

Uncovering Small Town Secrets - Tyler Anne Snell (HI #2010 - July 2021)

Series: Saving Kelby Creek (Book 1)

Dodging bullets isn't the homecoming he expected.
 
When Detective Foster Lovett's pretty next-door neighbor, Millie Dean, begs him to help her find her missing brother, the other deputies warn him not to investigate the case. But Foster's gut says something is off, particularly once Millie becomes a target. Foster will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, but can he solve the most dangerous case of his career?
 
Good start to the new series. Foster returned to his hometown of Kelby Creek to help turn around the sheriff's department. A few months earlier, the town was rocked by the exposure of massive corruption throughout the local government and law enforcement. As an experienced detective, Foster is assigned to look at cold cases and others that the corrupt officials may have impacted. One of the first cases he tackles is a missing person.
 
Millie's brother Fallon has been missing for six months. Her initial reports got nowhere as deputies didn't believe her brother was missing, thanks to some trouble in his past. Millie continued to investigate on her own. She had high hopes when she learned of the arrival of a new detective.
 
The suspense of the story grabbed me from the beginning. From the moment we learn of Fallon's disappearance and the lack of cooperation from the sheriff's department, there's a feeling that perhaps not all of the corruption was stopped. When Millie shows up at the sheriff's office on Foster's first day on the job, she hopes that he will be someone without preconceived ideas and will listen to what she has to say. Unfortunately, one of the other deputies stops Foster and warns him about Millie before she gets a chance. The meeting in his office ends up going the way she expects, with Foster relying on previously recorded information. I liked Millie's rebuttal and the effect it had on Foster. Though he told her nothing could be done, something kept pulling him back to Fallon's case file.
 
The tension begins to increase almost immediately. That evening Foster, who discovered that Millie lives next door to him, noticed her leave her house carrying a flashlight and a baseball bat. He immediately suspects trouble and follows her. Millie's hopeful side sends her to one of Fallon's favorite spots in the woods, believing that he might show up there. Instead, she encounters a man who is also looking for Fallon. She barely escapes him before running into Foster. Foster begins to suspect that there is something to Millie's story. That suspicion is borne out the next night when the man from the woods breaks into Millie's house, this time with a gun. I loved Millie's presence of mind as she tried to find a way to escape. Foster's providential appearance not only saves her but convinces him that she is in danger.
 
I loved that Foster began to trust his instincts when it came to Millie. After their initial encounters, they have trust issues to overcome. As they worked together, each brought a different perspective to the hunt for the truth. The suspense intensified as Foster and Millie were drugged and kidnapped, left on a boat miles from home, and nearly shot. They continued to have questions about people who may be involved, and pursuing those answers stirs up more questions and trouble. An unexpected twist at the end provided some answers, but there are still questions left hanging. I can't wait to read the next book and see where they go.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Millie and Foster. Despite the initial antagonism, the sparks of attraction between them are evident. I loved that Foster quickly began to trust his instincts where Millie was concerned. I especially liked the scenes where he stood up for Millie against those who spoke against her or cast suspicions on her honesty. It didn't take too long for Millie to realize that she could trust Foster. There were a couple of occasions when Foster would waver, and I ached for Millie when that happened. I could feel her hurt, but I also cheered when she pushed back. The intensity of their time together made the rapid growth of their feelings believable. I loved the ending and seeing the depth of their feelings for each other. 

Disappearance at Dakota Ridge - Cindi Myers (HI #2044 - Jan 2022)

Series: Eagle Mountain: Search for Suspects (Book 1)

The disappearance of her brother's widow
Kicks off a rescue mission
 
When Lauren Baker's sister-in-law and niece go missing, she immediately has a suspect in mind and heads to Eagle Mountain to find them. Turning to Deputy Shane Ellis for help, she quickly learns there's not much they can do without evidence of a crime. Then another woman seen with her family is found dead and Lauren is terrified her greatest fears will be realized. As their pursuit becomes even more urgent, passion flares between the two searchers desperate for answers…
 
Terrific start to the new series. Lauren's widowed sister-in-law and niece disappeared. Lauren had promised her brother she would look after Courtney, a sweet young woman but rather naïve. She believes that Courtney was conned by a man claiming to be her late husband's best friend from the army. Courtney inherited a lot of money, and this man Trey claims that he and Mike were going to start a ranch for at-risk youth. Since Mike never mentioned such a plan to Lauren or Courtney, Lauren is very suspicious. She thinks Trey wants to get at Courtney's money. The only thing she's heard from Courtney is that they are looking for property in Eagle Mountain, so that is where she goes.
 
I felt terrible for Lauren because it was evident that she is worried sick about Courtney and her niece, Ashlyn. When she arrives at Eagle Mountain, she goes right to the sheriff's office, where Deputy Shane Ellis takes her information. I could feel her frustration when he couldn't do anything for her because no crime had been committed. Courtney has briefly been in touch, and there's no indication of foul play. Shane does promise to check into Courtney's whereabouts and ask her to get in touch with Lauren.
 
Shane is a great guy. He's new to the department, having taken a job as a deputy after an injury ended his pro baseball career. He's still finding his feet as a deputy, which is made a little more difficult by people still seeing him as a baseball player. I liked that he took Lauren's fears seriously and offered to help during his downtime.
 
Neither Shane nor Lauren expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Lauren tries to resist, both because she wants to concentrate on finding Courtney and because she won't be staying in Eagle Mountain. She has her job as a nurse practitioner back in Denver and only took a couple of weeks to look for Courtney. Shane doesn't fight it nearly as hard. Everything about Lauren appeals to him, and he'd love to talk her into staying in Eagle Mountain. I loved how they worked together to find Courtney and discover the truth behind the ranch scheme. Shane is protective of Lauren and sometimes gets frustrated by her tendency to go off on her own searches. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, and there were some terrific scenes of their growing friendship and more. I loved watching Lauren fall more in love with the town as well as with Shane. I liked the ending. Though things weren't entirely resolved with Courtney, Lauren makes some decisions that allow her to pursue her feelings for Shane while staying close to her family.
 
The story's suspense was excellent and kept me turning the pages late into the night. Lauren's suspicions about Trey seemed logical, and her inability to reach Courtney emphasized her fears. Everything she and Shane discovered deepened her fear for her family's safety. The addition of the man named Tom to the group upped the intensity as everyone appeared to agree that he was an unsavory character. I had a bad feeling when Tom became involved with a local young woman with a reputation of liking bad boys. When Talia turned up dead, Tom was nowhere to be found. Because Tom and Talia were seen with Trey and Courtney, the sheriff's office became much more interested in finding Courtney. Information came from an unexpected source, but I was a little leery of believing everything said. The intensity ramped up when Lauren became a hostage. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.
 
While Talia's murder was resolved, there are still questions about Trey's intentions. Courtney's conversation with Lauren at the end helped relieve a tiny sliver of Lauren's fears. I can't wait to see what lies in store for Eagle Mountain, the proposed ranch, and Courtney.

The Sunshine Club - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - Dec 2021)

Gussie, Ina Mae, and Blanche have been best friends for more than sixty years. From their humble beginnings of founding the Sunshine Club when they were girls to becoming the matchmaking queens of Newton, Texas, these three were inseparable. When Blanche passes away, Gussie and Ina Mae feel the best way to honor their dearly departed is with a shot of whiskey, some good music, and making a match for Blanche’s niece, Sissy.
 
Never mind that Sissy’s in town for only six weeks. Is there a better reason for her to stay? And is there a better prospect than handsome, charming, blue-eyed local preacher Luke Beauchamp? No and no. The attraction is already there. Now it’s up to Gussie and Ina Mae to make sure the sparks get to crackling by Christmas.
 
The Sunshine Club is back in business. Don’t underestimate two feisty women who have their hearts set on a happy ending.
 
Good story of love, friendship, and healing. Gussie, Blanche, and Ina Mae have been friends since they were children - more than sixty years. The three women were sisters of the heart, and when Blanche suddenly passes away, Gussie and Ina Mae don't know how they'll cope with their grief and loneliness.
 
The story opens on the day of Blanche's funeral, as Gussie, Ina Mae, and Blanche's niece Sissy carry out Blanche's last wishes. I had to laugh at Blanche's last bit of shenanigans as her requested "jazz funeral" shocked the townspeople, though Gussie, Ina Mae, and Sissy enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the flashbacks/memories that each of them experienced and how they provided insight into Blanche for the reader. Ina Mae and Gussie continued their celebration of Blanche's life by inviting Sissy into their clubhouse and sharing memories - and whiskey shots - for the rest of the day. The three women's grief leaped off the page, and I ached for their pain.
 
I enjoyed the story of how they began the Sunshine Club and the part it played throughout their lives. It was the support of Gussie and Ina Mae that got Blanche through her disastrous and short-lived marriage. All three were there for each other through their successful careers. They also earned a reputation as the matchmaking queens of the town. Ina Mae and Gussie agree that the best way to honor Blanche is to find a husband for Sissy. This would have the added benefit of keeping Sissy in Newton rather than returning to Louisiana.
 
Sissy had an unusual childhood, traveling the country with her rock band parents in an RV. While she loved her parents and enjoyed the travel, it was a lonely life. She enjoyed the time she got to spend with Aunt Blanche, experiencing "normal" life. Sissy now lives in Louisiana and has a job as a therapist that she loves. When Blanche died, Sissy took six weeks of leave to settle Blanche's affairs. She received quite a shock when she learned what Blanche left to her and decided to take her time deciding what to do.
 
I loved seeing the interactions between the three women. Ina Mae and Gussie think of Sissy as family since they have none of their own. They also don't bother to sugarcoat anything at their ages and are forthright with their opinions and advice. It was funny to see their plotting and planning to throw Sissy and Luke, the preacher, together. They think they are subtle about it, but Sissy figures it out right away. Sissy doesn't want to hurt their feelings, so she goes along with their efforts. She has no intention of falling in love as she plans to return to her job in Louisiana, but Luke certainly gets her attention.
 
Luke has been the preacher in town for about two years, hired when his Uncle Jimmy retired. He's a good-looking and charming young man who loves what he does. He's successfully avoided the efforts of other matchmakers but finds himself intrigued by and attracted to Sissy. I loved their conversation about the matchmaking efforts and their agreement to be friends. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop as friendship grew into more. It was easy to see that their outlooks on life and helping others were compatible, and I loved seeing them support each other. There are obstacles, however, as a few people don't approve of Luke's interest in Sissy, and they are intent on making trouble for the pair. I liked the reasoned and practical approach that Luke and Sissy took to their options and that they found a way to have each other and the life they wanted. I especially loved Luke's statement at church.
 
Ina Mae and Gussie do their best to help things along. There are some terrific parts as they attempt to run interference against the most vocal of the objectors. This woman is a real piece of work, and I wanted to see her get her comeuppance at the end. I'm not sure she did, but it all ended well anyway.
 
I also had fun watching Sissy turn the tables on Ina Mae and Gussie. After getting wind of their plans to push her and Luke together, Sissy figured that getting them involved with suitors of their own would keep them out of her hair. She also recruited Luke to help her. They were much more subtle than the two ladies. I had a great time seeing Jimmy and Paul become more involved in their lives, and none of them suspected a thing. The scenes involving them were often sweet and sometimes hilarious.
 
I liked how these activities helped all three women work through their grief. Stories of Blanche frequently came up when some action would remind them of her. In contrast to the tales of hijinks, Ina Mae and Gussie also revealed the whole story behind Blanche's marriage. Their actions to protect Blanche showed the depth of their love for her and their willingness to go to any lengths to do so. One of the things I loved about the book was how each one would hear Blanche's voice in their heads during times of stress or confusion or just needing advice.
 
One of my favorite characters in the book was Blanche's bird, Danny. His salty language and nightly drinks of vodka were hilarious. Though each of the ladies frequently seemed disgusted with him and threatened to give him away, none of them could. He reminded them too much of Blanche. I also loved his relationship with the rooster.
 
I liked hearing stories about their Sunshine Club activities, from how and why they started it to what they did during their meetings. Ina Mae and Gussie's grief over Blanche's death made it difficult for them to spend time there. I loved the decision they finally made about what they would do.

Grand-Prize Cowboy - Heatherly Bell (HSE #2864 - Oct 2021)

Series: Montana Mavericks: The Real Cowboys of Bronco Heights (Book 4)

Has he found a match made in denim and diamonds?
 
Rancher Boone Dalton has felt on the outs with Bronco Heights society since his family moved to town. Everyone sees them as rough gamblers instead of as the wealthy ranchers they are! So when a family prank lands him a makeover with Sofia Sanchez, he's determined to say “Hell no!” Until one look at the sexy stylist has him wanting to say “I do!” Sofia has designs on a career outside of Bronco, and she's not looking for a forever cowboy. But what if her heart is telling her Boone might just be The One?
 
Good book. The book opens as Boone admits that he envies his two brothers, who have found love. He's ready for a wife and family of his own but finding the right woman has been difficult. He and his family have only been in town a couple of years. His father bought their ranch after winning big at gambling. Unfortunately, the established "money" ranchers seem to look down on the newcomers, making Boone feel like he's on the outside looking in. When his younger brothers put his name in for a makeover with a local stylist as a prank, he's furious and determined to decline the offer.
 
Sofia works for a local boutique that will soon carry a menswear line, and the owner comes up with the idea for a makeover to advertise it. As Sofia reads over the entry letters, she's visited by local psychic Winona, who pulls a random letter from the stack and tells her that's the one she should pick. After reading it, Sofia agrees. That cowboy sounds like the perfect candidate for a confidence-boosting intervention.
 
I had to laugh when Boone went into the boutique to turn down the makeover in no uncertain terms. Instead, Sofia's beauty bowled him over, and he decided to go along with it so he could get to know her better. Sofia is equally entranced with Boone, who showed up in his work clothes, straight from working with his horses. She sees a somewhat scruffy, slightly shy man who she knows she can help. She has no idea that he's one of "those" Daltons.
 
I liked watching Boone and Sofia get to know each other. There are some sweet scenes between them before Boone's guilty feelings force him to confess the truth. Sofia's anger and hurt are pretty intense at first, but Boone eventually wins her over. Their feelings for each other grow, but there are obstacles. Sofia has dreams of a career in fashion design and has plans to go to New York. She's honest about those plans and that marriage is not in her immediate future. But Boone made up his mind that she was the one for him and proposed anyway. I felt as frustrated as Sofia did with the way he didn't listen to her. Then when he tries to make it up to her, he digs himself deeper into the hole of her frustration with him.
 
Sofia has some baggage of her own that makes her resist her feelings for Boone. She is convinced that there is no way she can combine her career and a family of her own. Like Boone, she didn't truly listen to his point of view. It took an eye-opening conversation for her to realize the power of compromise. Boone also received a reminder that setting the right priorities makes a world of difference. I loved the ending and seeing both give a little to find a way forward together. 

 

The Most Eligible Cowboy - Melissa Senate (HSE #2857 - Sept 2021)

Series: Montana Mavericks: The Real Cowboys of Bronco Heights (Book 3)

If Brandon Taylor wanted to be married, he would be.
 
But the oh-so-desirable, oh-so-wealthy rancher has zero interest in tying the knot -- until his unexpected fling with ex-girlfriend Cassidy Ware. Now she's pregnant -- and he proposes. Cassidy, however, is not jumping at his practical proposal. She remembers their high school romance all too well, and she won't wed without proof that Brandon 2.0 can be the real husband and co-parent she longs for.
 
Terrific enemies to lovers story. Brandon and Cassidy have a history together. They dated for a while in high school when she was a freshman, and he was a senior. They broke up over a misunderstanding on her part, but Brandon was a jerk about it, so they've avoided each other ever since. Then they ran into each other at his brother's wedding while avoiding all of the people talking about why neither was married yet. Too much champagne and high school reminiscing led to a quick roll in the hay, and now Cassidy is pregnant.
 
Brandon and Cassidy's outlook on love couldn't be more different. Thanks to watching his thrice-married father, Brandon doesn't believe that love lasts. He's very careful to date only women who understand his position. Being wealthy and good-looking, Brandon never has trouble finding female companionship and certainly has never had to work for it.
 
Cassidy is an intelligent and independent woman. Raised by a single mother, she has worked for everything she has. She owns the very popular and successful Java and Juice coffee shop and is finally ready to expand her business to a second location. Though she's had several unsuccessful relationships, she hasn't given up on love and finding The One.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Brandon and Cassidy. Their encounter in the stable went beyond anything either expected. Cassidy felt a little hope in her heart until Brandon talked about being together for as long as it lasted. Disappointed and a little hurt, she turned him down flat, surprising Brandon. Over the next couple of weeks, Brandon couldn't get her off his mind, so he was pleased when he got a text from her to come to see her. Pleasure turned to shock when she told him she was pregnant.
 
I was pleasantly surprised by Brandon's reaction. Instead of denial or insisting it wasn't his, he stepped right up and took responsibility. But then he went a step further with a business-like proposal of marriage. Of course, Cassidy turned him down, letting him know she wouldn't marry without love. Cassidy won't give in on that subject no matter how hard he tries. They do agree to get to know each other better to be good co-parents. I loved watching Brandon demonstrate that he has all the right instincts. There are sweet scenes of his efforts to take care of Cassidy, from food to a coat she'd been dreaming of. I loved their trip to the parenting class.
 
Cassidy fought hard against falling in love with him when he obviously cared. The evening they babysit for a friend was tough because Brandon was a natural with little Maeve. Her biggest problem with him, besides his anti-love stance, was his tendency to take control. The purchase of the coat was bad enough, but when he interfered in her request for a bank loan for her business, she hit the roof. Her confrontation with Brandon was hard enough, but when his dad overheard and stuck in his opinion, she'd had it. When she attended a family dinner a few days later, I loved watching her tear into Cornelius. Unfortunately, Brandon froze when she faced him with what she really wanted.
 
The ending was terrific as Brandon finally realized the truth of his feelings. I loved seeing his emotional declaration to Cassidy and her belief in what he said. I hope they pop up in later books so I can catch up with their lives.
 
I also enjoyed the part that Winona Cobb played in their relationship. Her "readings" and comments are always enigmatic until her subjects look back and see what she meant. Her statements to Brandon and Cassidy are no different.

Moonlight, Menorahs and Mistletoe - Wendy Warren (HSE #2880 - Dec 2021)

Series: Holliday, Oregon (Book 1)

Is she the one who can bring new love into his darkened heart?
 
As a new landlord, Dr. Gideon Bowen is more irritating than ingratiating. Eden Berman should probably consider moving. But in the spirit of the holidays -- and curiosity about Gideon and his enigmatic past -- Eden offers her friendship instead. As their relationship ignites, it's clear that Gideon is more mensch than menace. With each candle of Hanukkah burning brighter, can Eden light his way to love?
 
Good enemies to lovers story as two apparent opposites find out they have more in common than they thought. This is the first book in the aptly named Holliday, Oregon series, where the town goes all-out for holidays. In this story, Hanukkah traditions form the background of Eden and Gideon's romance.
 
Thirty-six-year-old divorced Eden is finally ready to consider marriage again. Scarred from an accident when she was a teenager, she hides her insecurities under a determinedly cheerful attitude. She lays it on especially thick when dealing with her new landlord, whose grumpiness challenges her.
 
Gideon recently moved to Holliday and took over a retiring doctor's practice. He's not the warm-hearted, house-call-making, barbecue-giving doctor his predecessor was, so he has the reputation of being cold and aloof. That's fine with him since emotions and medicine don't mix. If only he could stay that way around Eden.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Eden and Gideon. They start as antagonists, with Gideon irritated by her excessive cheerfulness and Eden bugged by his refusal to loosen up. When he comes to her rescue after a medical incident, she begins to suspect there's more to him than meets the eye. Instead of continuing her provocations, she offers him friendship instead. I liked seeing her pull him into her world at the same time as she learned more about him. As they move from enemies to friends and then to more, both begin to develop stronger feelings for each other. I loved how Gideon's attention helped Eden past her insecurities about her scars. He didn't ignore them, but he didn't make a big deal of them either.
 
Gideon had a more challenging time with it. He still hurt so much from what happened with his wife that he swore he wouldn't let his emotions get involved in his life ever again. There were times when his true nature surfaced, such as when he treated Charlotte or his conversation with the teenager, Jude. When he gave in to his attraction to Eden, the feelings she stirred up scared him, and he tried to pull away. I ached for Eden because she'd fallen so hard for him, and it hurt to have him end things. I liked how her friends and family rallied around her. I had to laugh when Gideon finally realized what an idiot he'd been and had to bare his heart in front of all of them. His big moment was sweet and emotional, and I could feel his love for her as I read it. I hope to see more of them in future books and see how their lives progress.
 
I enjoyed meeting Eden's friends. Barney and Charlotte were adorable in their love for each other and Barney's sweet care of Charlotte. I laughed at Charlotte's comments about Eden's cooking abilities. Eden's best friend Nikki was a trip. I'm not sure if I want her current engagement to prosper or not, as I don't care for the way he makes her feel about herself. I'll have to wait and see what happens. I loved Eden's brother Ryan and his fiancé, Ollie. I like Ryan's support of Eden and the loving and teasing comments they exchange. The pair that really intrigue me are Jeremy and Sophie, the constantly arguing members of the two feuding families. The story of the jewels sounds interesting, and I can see it running through several books in the series.
 
I liked seeing Hanukkah as a theme in the book. There aren't that many, and I appreciate getting a look at other traditions. I laughed out loud at the description of Eden trying to make challah, especially her comment about the dough as a weapon.