Claiming His Secret Son - Olivia Gates (HD #2387 - July 2015)

Series: Billionaires of Black Castle (Book 4)

Richard Graves has long battled his dark heritage, and only one woman nearly shattered his elegant facade. Though he seduced Isabella Sandoval to take revenge on the man who'd destroyed his family, walking away from her was the hardest thing he's done. Now he's learned the truth about her son, and he won't walk away again.
 
Richard's mission of vengeance nearly cost Isabella her life. But she can't resist rekindling their dangerous passion. Can she protect her child from the man sworn to claim him -- and herself from the desire she can no longer fight?
 
Good book. Richard appeared in previous books as a secondary character. Unlike the others, Richard had been on the wrong side as a youth and young man, responsible for training the boys kidnapped and held, though he also tried to watch out for them. From the first book, From Enemy's Daughter to Expectant Bride, Rafael was especially close to Richard, though the others in their brotherhood do not trust him. Richard has a reputation for being cold, unfeeling, and ruthless. This was especially obvious eight years earlier when he seduced the wife of the man responsible for Richard's involvement in The Organization to get information from her. He never expected the feelings she stirred up in him, and he walked away, never expecting to see her again.
 
Isabella spent years as the trophy wife of a drug lord to protect her family. Her short affair with Richard was intense, but leaving with him was impossible. It took her months to figure out his motivations for their liaison, and she knew she had to escape before her husband realized it too. Eventually, she earned her medical degree and moved her family to New York to join a friend in her medical practice.
 
When Isabella comes to Richard's attention all those years later, he wants to be sure her past won't cause problems for those he cares for. Their first meeting is volatile, as he makes demands and issues ultimatums. Isabella isn't the same person she had been when he knew her last, and she refuses to be intimidated by him. Unfortunately, the attraction that still burns between them complicates matters. But that's nothing compared to the shock Richard receives when he discovers that Isabella gave birth to his son soon after her escape.
 
This is where my feelings toward Richard began to change. That cold, emotionless, and ruthless man fell utterly in love with his son. I loved seeing a different, kinder, and softer side of Richard emerge, as he was embraced not only by young Mauri but also the rest of Isabella's family. It also affected Isabella, making it harder to keep him at a distance. Richard is stunned to find that the ability to feel he thought was gone forever had only been buried. I loved seeing the changes in him as those feelings begin to grow. When it comes time to talk about telling Mauri that Richard is his father, Richard knows he has to tell Isabella everything about his past. Doing so convinces him that he's too broken to trust himself in their lives. I ached for him and the devastating feelings of loss he experienced and for Isabella, who believed in him but thought he no longer wanted her.
 
Richard's departure precipitates a crisis involving Mauri. I liked that Richard was the first one Isabella called and how he sprang into action. This was one time when the immediate and unquestioning support of the brotherhood was critical. Not only did Antonio (the doctor) drop everything, the others also came to lend their support. The effect on Richard was amazing, and I had to laugh at the teasing he endured. I loved how the crisis brought Isabella and Richard back together, and the emotional turmoil brought everything to the surface. With no more secrets or misunderstandings, Isabella and Richard have a happy future ahead of them.
 
I liked the secondary characters also. Isabella's mom was terrific with the way she pulled Richard in from the moment she met him. I think she suspected the truth from the start. Isabella's son Mauri was adorable. He's smart and funny and connects with Richard immediately. Their relationship is fantastic and brings out an unexpected side of Richard. I also liked Isabella's partner Rose. Neither of them suspected their connection when they met, and both were stunned when they found out.  One of my favorite scenes was with Numair (Pregnant by the Sheikh) after saving Richard's life. It had a profound effect on both of them. 

 

Pregnant by the Sheikh - Olivia Gates (HD #2363 - Mar 2015)

Series: Billionaires of Black Castle (Book 3)

At first sight, Sheikh Numair Al Aswad's lethal sensuality overwhelms Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi. And when he rescues her from an arranged marriage, he has a shocking price…an heir! Though logic screams no, her body and soul burn for him.

Numair has come from the darkest of pasts to exact revenge -- and to claim his throne. Jenan is vital to his plans. But his cold-blooded scheme melts under the heat of their passion. Now he must choose: his lifelong ambitions or the woman who carries his unborn child.

Good addition to the Black Castle series. Numair, the head of Black Castle Enterprises, is the latest of the "brothers" to pursue his revenge against those he holds responsible for the horrors he endured growing up. Known to be cold and ruthless in pursuit of what he wants, Numair focuses on Princess Jenan as the key to his plans.

Jenan is beautiful, intelligent, and will do anything to protect her family. Though she escaped her stifling homeland years ago to pursue her ambitions, she can't stand back and see her father and country destroyed. She consents to her father's arranged marriage to a neighboring king, but she dreads it.

Everything changes when Numair walks into the engagement party. He has a plan, and this is the first step in it. He doesn't expect the instant connection and intense chemistry that hits him the moment he sees Jenan. The feeling is entirely mutual despite Jenan's familiarity with Numair's reputation. Intrigued by his offer to get her out of the engagement, her first reaction is wariness when she hears his terms. A baby and marriage were not on her radar at all. His promises, his intensity, and the heat between them convince her to give in.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Numair and Jenan. From the moment he saw her, Numair's plans for revenge took a back seat to his complete absorption in Jenan. From the incredible home he made for her to keeping his promise to help her father, Numair's intensity is all for her. Jenan blows away the walls that kept his emotions buried within him, stunning him when he realizes he loves her. Jenan makes the same discovery, but having been burned once, hesitates to tell him so. I ached for Numair, who knows he must come clean with Jenan but wants the timing to be right. He picks a poor method of delaying that conversation, creating doubt and insecurity for Jenan just when she needs him. Add in a premature revelation of Numair's original motivations, and the devastating results are off the charts.

I ached for both of them. Jenan feels betrayed and duped and heartbroken at the thought he never cared at all. Numair realizes his mistake in keeping secrets and is devastated by the pain he caused Jenan and the fear he's lost her forever. There's an interesting twist resulting from that fear, changing Numair's view of part of his past. Help comes from an unexpected source, and Numair finally gets his chance to face Jenan. The depth of emotion as he bared his soul and his past was heartwrenching, and its effect on Jenan was no surprise. Jenan also realized that her lack of trust contributed to the problem and finally let go of those fears. The ending was great, and their future looks bright.

The secondary characters of Richard and Najeeb were great. Richard, aka "Cobra," and Numair have a rocky relationship. Richard's actions in the past had a devastating effect on Numair and his fellow Black Castle brothers. Numair doesn't trust him, and Richard seems to enjoy pushing his buttons, but they work together when necessary. Najeeb is the oldest son of the king Jenan was supposed to marry. He was originally the prospective groom, but he and Jenan feel more like siblings, so they refused the arrangement. Najeeb is a good friend of Jenan's and protective of her. The first meeting between Numair and Najeeb was hilarious, with the two pawing and snorting at each other. I laughed out loud at Jenan's comments and attempts to settle them down. Najeeb plays some important parts later in the story.

One Lucky Cowboy - Carolyn Brown (Sourcebooks Casablanca - Mar 2018)

Series: Lucky (Book 2)

Jane Day is on the run from the paid assassin who had been her fiancé. In Wichita Falls, Texas, she meets Nellie Luckadeau, a spitfire of an old lady who desperately needs someone to work on her ranch. But Nellie's drop-dead gorgeous grandson "Lucky Slade" is sure he can spot a con artist a mile away. He's determined not to let some upstart like Jane fleece his granny. When his signature intimidation methods don't convince Jane to leave, he pours on the charm to make her spill what she's up to. She's happy to play along, but she's not going to let this hot, hostile cowboy run her off his land when all she needs is a lucky break...

Fun book. The day before her wedding, Jane overheard her fiancé, John, and his sister, Ramona, plotting her death so that her stepfather can retain control of her property. Now she's on the run, looking for a safe place to hide out until her birthday when that property becomes hers. After laying a false trail, Jane took a bus west and got off in a small town in Texas, hoping to find a job. There she met Nellie Luckadeau, who is the answer to her prayers. The feisty old lady hires her to help cook on the ranch and be her driver, which suits Jane just fine. Unfortunately, Nellie's grandson, Slade, disagrees with his grandmother.

Lucky can't believe his grandmother brought some stray woman home from the bus station. He is sure Jane is a con artist looking for a way to part Nellie from her money, and he won't stand for it. But Nellie is adamant that Jane stays: "I hired her. You can't fire her," so Slade tries rudeness and intimidation next. I understood that Slade was worried about Nellie, but she's a sharp old lady, and it would take real talent to pull the wool over her eyes. It bugged me that Slade didn't trust Nellie enough to give Jane a chance.

The sparks that flew between Slade and Jane were fierce but mostly antagonistic. He is flat-out rude to her, but Jane fires right back. He's convinced she's a useless city girl who will turn and run at the first sign of hard work. Jane delights in proving him wrong at every turn. For the first couple of weeks, they can't be in the room together five minutes before they're slinging barbs at each other. When Nellie gets the bright idea to visit her sister, Ellen, leaving Jane behind to manage the cooking for a week, things start to change a little. I loved seeing Jane pitch in on the ranch work, showing Slade that he's wrong. The antagonism begins to fade a little, though the snark and sniping continue.

By the time Nellie and Ellen return, there is a different kind of spark mixed in with the sniping, though neither one wants to admit it. Those two ladies have matchmaking on their minds, and nothing is going to deter them. It was fun to see them find ways to throw Slade and Jane together. Their big chance comes when Jane's past catches up to her. After spotting John and Ramona at the July Fourth celebration, Jane confesses all to her friends. Nellie wants Slade to take Jane and hit the road, keeping her moving until her birthday. Once again, Slade allows his cynicism and suspicion free reign and is a total jerk. Nellie wins the battle, though Slade takes some steps of his own to try to discover the truth. I wouldn't have blamed Jane if she'd clunked him on the head and shoved him out of the truck.

The next part of the book ranks right up there as some good romantic suspense. Slade and Jane barely keep one step ahead of their pursuers, even with the help of the FBI. Jane finally gets to the point where she's had enough of running, and they decide to turn the tables on their pursuers. I loved their plan and had to laugh at some of their antics as they pulled it off. I found it hard to believe that John didn't recognize her, but it worked. Things get a little intense when John escapes custody, and then Slade and Jane barely escape a safe house with their lives. There are a few more twists before Slade delivers Jane to her home just after her birthday.

By this point, both Slade and Jane have realized that their hearts are involved, but neither talks about it. Slade can't see why someone in Jane's position would be interested in him, so he slinks off back home to Texas. I felt like he'd earned his misery, though I did feel a little sorry for him. Meanwhile, Jane faces a slew of decisions to make regarding her future. I cheered for her at the oil company office that first morning as the new-and-improved Jane took charge. A little more self-examination showed her what she needed to do to be happy. I loved the ending and seeing Slade's reaction to her purchase. More sparks - of both kinds - fly as they work their way to settling their future together.

I loved Nellie and Ellen. Both of them have big hearts, and I liked how they took to Jane. It was fun to see them try to wiggle information out of her, though what they did with it came as quite a surprise. I was bothered a bit by their ease with Ellen driving after drinking and Nellie driving with her vision problems. At least Nellie took the steps of hiring Jane to do the driving for her. Though she only appeared for a little while, I loved the little girl, Lizzy. I liked how Jane helped her deal with the two bratty girls and loved the bit with the leprechaun's gold. That Kristy woman who tried to claim Slade was a real piece of work, and I enjoyed seeing Jane take her down. I haven't read the other three books in the series yet, but I want to read Beau and Milli's story and see what happens with Griffin and Remington.

Mountain Investigation - Cindi Myers (HI #1983 - Mar 2021)

Series: Ranger Brigade: Rocky Mountain Manhunt (Book 3)

To understand her father's disappearance…
 
She'll trust a man who vowed to bring him down.
 
Audra Trask's entire existence has been clouded by her missing father. When a vicious smear campaign and a mysterious stranger seem to also be connected to her dad, both her business and her life are suddenly on the line. Turning to Colorado Ranger Brigade specialist Mark "Hud'' Hudson for help seems like her best chance at getting answers. But Hud's plan to use Audra to locate a potential criminal soon leads to an attraction he can't deny…and a danger neither may survive.
 
Another fantastic book in the Ranger Brigade: RockyMountain Manhunt series. I picked this book up this afternoon and didn't put it down until I finished the last page. The hunt for Dane Trask heats up, and this time it's his daughter, Audra, at the center of attention, and Ranger Brigade officer Hud Hudson is determined to protect her.
 
Hud and Audra had met before when he needed to question her about her father, and the initial seeds of attraction appeared then. Another round of questions at the beginning of this book brings them back into contact, and Hud realizes his interest hasn't waned. It was sweet to see him encounter her one day and demonstrate his interest in getting to know her. He was with her when she received notice that her father's previous employer was suing her. It turns out to be the beginning of Audra's troubles. The next day she's accosted in her own home by an aggressive reporter who only leaves when she calls Hud for help. Shortly after that, she finds a threatening note on her car, and the trouble continues to pile up.
 
I loved seeing Hud and Audra get to know each other. The sparks are there from the start, and the trouble that stalks her throws them together frequently. Audra is petite, determined, and independent. Her father, a former army Ranger, taught her a lot about self-reliance, and she put those lessons to use in her life. She had a few rough spots growing up, which all helped make her the woman she is. Audra poured much of that experience and determination into the preschool she owns and runs. Hud is a man who was a bit out of step with his own family, leading to some rough times of his own. Like Audra, he overcame them and used what he learned. The attraction between them grows the more time Hud and Audra spend together, which is a lot thanks to the escalation of the attacks and threats against her. I loved that Hud was protective without trying to smother her, and respected her capabilities, though that was certainly put to the test at the end. I loved how the danger made them realize the depth of their feelings for each other.
 
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. The Ranger Brigade is still looking for Dane, as are many other people. The Brigade's frustration is palpable as they have to deal with people looking to collect the reward and putting others in danger at the same time. Then Audra finds herself at the center of a smear campaign. I ached for her as she dealt with reporters twisting facts to make her look bad, threats against her life, and the potential loss of her livelihood. She receives threats from people who believe that she knows what her father knows. The intensity ramps up when they find a child's drawing at the illegal dump site, and Audra links it to the new school construction site. I loved watching Audra draw on the things her father taught her and confront the man she believes is responsible for all of the trouble. The strength of will it took to become the bait in a trap was incredible, and she rocked it. Though it looks like the problem is solved, I feel like there are questions still to be answered. I look forward to the next book and learning Dane's story. 

 

Their Second-Time Valentine - Helen Lacey (HSE #2816 - Feb 2021)

Series: Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune (Book 2)

Sometimes love is a package deal...
 
Two sweethearts for the price of one!
 
Rugged builder Kane Fortune has never had any trouble attracting women -- he's just never been the type to stick around. Until he meets widowed mom Layla McCarthy and her adorable toddler, Erin. But just as Kane feels safe enough to let his guard down for the first time, Layla puts on the brakes. She's worried he's not up to being a lifetime valentine. Kane will have his work cut out for him proving he's right for the role.
 
Good book about two people who are wary about risking their hearts. Kane is a member of a newly discovered branch of the family. He moved from his home in New York to Texas to help his new cousins with their hotel project. Kane is handsome, charming, and an all-around nice guy who has his pick of women, but his relationships never last long. That is until he meets Layla and her daughter, Erin. Layla is a widow who still grieves the loss of her husband. She is beautiful, determined, and very protective of her daughter.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Layla and Kane. They met at the daycare center where Kane picked up his nephew at the same time Layla arrived to get Erin. Kane was immediately smitten and wanted to get to know her better. Layla felt the same sparks but doesn't feel ready to do anything about it. Kane's patience pays off when she accepts an invitation to the hotel's grand opening. I loved seeing Kane with little Erin, who took to him immediately. It's that connection that helps soften Layla's resistance to spending more time with Kane.
 
I loved watching them spend time together, both with and without Erin along. It's obvious that the feelings between them grow stronger, but neither one is quite ready to admit it. Kane has some insecurity issues related to a secret he hasn't shared with Layla. He's wary of opening up completely for fear of being judged. It takes him a while to get to the point of trusting enough to share. At the same time, Layla worries about how fast things are moving between her and Kane, afraid of the effect on her and Erin if he ends the relationship. Those fears come to a head when Kane confesses his feelings and Layla pulls back.
 
I ached for Kane and the hurt he felt by Layla's withdrawal. I liked that he stood up for himself and refused to deny what he felt just to make her comfortable. In an emotional confrontation, Kane lays out his feelings and pushes back against Layla's excuses, leaving a lot for her to think about. I loved how a little kick in the pants provided by Kane's brother opened her eyes to what she was doing. The final scene was fantastic as Layla let go of her fears and allowed herself to be happy.
 
There is also a brief mention of the collapsed deck from last month's book (Her Texas New Year's Wish) and the uncertainty about its cause. Was it an accident, or was it sabotage? No conclusions have been reached, and there is an underlying worry that something else could happen.

Forbidden Night with the Prince - Michelle Willingham (HH #1388 - Aug 2018)

Series: Warriors of the Night (Book 3)

A lifetime of being good…
 
One night of sin!
 
Virtuous Joan de Laurent is fated never to marry. Three betrothals, each ending in the groom's death, have convinced her she's cursed! But only her hand in marriage can help darkly brooding Irish prince Ronan win back his fortress. To break the curse, Joan must risk all to spend one forbidden night with the royal warrior…
 
Good book about two emotionally scarred people brought together by chance and destined for love. Joan is a young woman who believes she is cursed. Betrothed three times, each man died before the marriage could take place. The latest betrothal, near her brother's lands in Ireland, leads her brothers to ask MacEgan's King Patrick's advice.
 
Ronan is on the run to save his life and his kingdom. His stepmother and stepbrother betrayed his father and stole the crown. He has no idea if his father lives, but Ronan knows he needs help to reclaim his lands. His best option is to appeal to King Patrick. The king promises some men to help and advises Ronan to marry a woman whose family has the resources to help him. A woman such as the one whose brothers sit at the other end of the table.
 
Neither Joan nor Ronan wants to be married. Ronan won't marry with no home for a bride. He also feels that he has no right to marry and be happy. He feels responsible for his brother and his nephew's deaths, and the guilt he feels overwhelms him to the point of refusing to have children of his own. Joan doesn't want another man's death on her conscience. Her belief in the curse is unshakable, and nothing anyone says will change her mind.
 
I liked the development of the relationship between Joan and Ronan. Each feels caught in a no-win situation. Joan is certain that Ronan will die if she marries him, but without it, he won't have the men he needs and will likely die anyway. Ronan needs those men, but he won't give Joan the child she wants so much. Joan believes the only solution is to break the curse. Instructions from the local wise woman entail Joan giving herself to Ronan in one passion-filled night. But it doesn't go quite as Joan planned, and she soon finds herself married to Ronan after all. The attraction that burns between them may not be enough to overcome the obstacles between them.
 
Meanwhile, plans go on for Ronan's attempt to regain his lands. The intensity ramps up as Ronan discovers the depths his stepbrother went to in order to secure the cooperation of Ronan's people. Ronan is determined to succeed and will take any chance he can to tilt the odds in his favor. Several twists and turns lead up to the final confrontation, but the biggest one involved Joan herself. I loved her decision about the curse and what she did with it. There were still some loose ends to tie up afterward and some healing to do, but the outlook is bright for the kingdom.
 
All that was left was for Ronan and Joan to work past their fears. Fortunately, both had some eye-opening moments during that last battle and were finally able to open up about their feelings. There is one last fight to endure, and it's one that Ronan can't do. I felt his fear as Joan struggled to survive and hoped for a happy outcome.
 
One of the things I love about the author's books is the attention to the minute details of daily life in medieval times. Those descriptions give an added depth and reality to the story that is hard to match. I also enjoyed revisiting the MacEgan Brothers from her series of the same name. Those were my introduction to her writing, and I've been a fan ever since. 

 

His Secret Starlight Baby - Michelle Major (HSE #2821 - Mar 2021)

Series: Welcome to Starlight (Book 4)

Coparenting this baby
 
Is going to take teamwork
 
Former professional football player Jordan Schaeffer's game plan was simple: retire from football and set up a quiet life in Starlight. But when Cory Hall arrives with their infant son, Jordan not only gets a surprise but has to devise a new life strategy. And Cory finds herself agreeing to be his fake fiancée until they work out a co-parenting plan. Jordan may have rewritten the dating playbook…but will it be enough to bring this team together?
 
Good friends to lovers story. Cory and Jordan knew each other when Jordan was on the same football team as Cory's boyfriend, Kade. Kade was a jerk, interested mostly in what she did for him. All Cory wanted was to be loved; she didn't care about his fame or fortune. During Kade's parties, she often found herself finding a quiet spot to hide out. She frequently encountered Jordan doing the same thing, and they struck up a friendship. When Kade broke up with her, she had nowhere to go, so she went to Jordan. Neither expected the passion that flared between them.
 
Jordan was recovering from a career-ending injury at the time. When Cory left without a word the next day, he was hurt because he had started to have feelings for her. Jordan moved across the country to Starlight, where he bought a bar and made a new life for himself. He never expected to see her again, much less with a baby she says is his.
 
I liked both Cory and Jordan. Both have some serious baggage resulting from crummy childhoods. Cory was raised by a single mother who resented her and blamed all of her problems on Cory. Her mom was always on the lookout for her next rich boyfriend. She was thrilled when Cory landed Kade as a boyfriend and furious when Cory broke things off. Cory's only support came from her grandmother, who made Cory promise to find Jordan and tell him about Ben before her death. When she arrives in Starlight, she's all but broke and unsure of her reception.
 
Jordan is a nice guy. Growing up, he was continually pushed, bullied, and berated by his father, who lived vicariously through Jordan's athleticism. Jordan enjoyed the game but hated all of the stuff that went with it. At team parties, Jordan frequently went off someplace by himself, so he could be present without putting up with the BS. He often found himself hanging out with Cory, whom he liked, but she was his teammate's girlfriend. Their night together gave him hope, which was dashed when she left.
 
I loved the reunion between Cory and Jordan. She was so nervous about telling Jordan about Ben, but after one look at the baby, he knows she's telling the truth. I loved watching him step right up to being a father, despite his nervousness. A family emergency causes Jordan to ask Cory to pretend to be his fiancée for the weekend, a deception that they must continue when his mom comes to Starlight for a visit. Thrown together "playing house," it isn't long before both Jordan and Cory start wishing that their relationship was real.
 
Unfortunately, both Cory and Jordan have issues that make it difficult to believe that the other would want anything permanent. Cory's years of being dependent on others left her with a desperate need to stand on her own two feet. She works hard at keeping Jordan at an emotional distance, afraid of being seen as "needy." Cory hides many of her fears behind a sunny disposition but always thinks she won't measure up to others' expectations. I loved seeing her make friends and begin to develop confidence in herself.
 
Because of his relationships with his family, Jordan doesn't think he can make anyone happy. He is also terrified that he won't be a good father, thanks to his experiences with his father. There were some sweet scenes with Jordan and little Ben, and I loved seeing him start to believe in himself. The scene where he took Ben to the meeting with him was fantastic.
 
I ached for both Jordan and Cory as their feelings grew, and so did their fear of rejection. Cory had the added issue of needing to believe in her ability to stand on her own. Both of them were so mixed up emotionally when Cory moved out that neither could see its effect on the other. They were so miserable apart, and everyone around them could see why. It was sweet to see how Cory's friends supported her and helped her see past her fears. I loved Jordan's conversation with his mother and its effect on him. His big moment at the end was sweet and perfect for them. 

The secondary characters were terrific. Jordan's mom was fantastic in the way she rebuilt her life after his father's death. I liked her efforts to repair her relationship with Jordan and how she took to Cory. I adored Cory's new friends - Madison, Ella, and Tessa. It was fun to see Cory push past Madison's prickly exterior and find a good friend. All three of them appear to have interesting backstories, and I hope they all get stories of their own.

 

Colton's Dangerous Liaison - Regan Black (HRS #2120 - Jan 2021)

Series: Coltons of Grave Gulch (Book 1)

The clock is running out to keep her safe

Can he intervene in time?

By-the-book police chief Melissa Colton prides herself on putting justice before all else. That means work first -- and no passionate affairs. But she finds herself severely tempted when teaming up with hotelier Antonio Ruiz to figure out who's tracking her. As the case yields more questions than answers, Melissa and Antonio must resist their growing attraction...and capture the criminal targeting them!

Terrific start to the new series. The book gets off to an intense start when a toddler disappears from a family wedding. The owner of the hotel, Antonio Ruiz, offers to do whatever he can to help. Police chief Melissa Colton is grateful for his help but wary also. She and Antonio have been at odds since they clashed over a murder case several months earlier.

Melissa is the police chief of the Grave Gulch PD. She worked long and hard for the position and still puts the job first. But there are times she finds herself wishing for a family of her own. However, experience has shown her that most men aren't willing to put up with her work's uncertainties, and Melissa won't slack off on her job for anyone.

Like Melissa, Antonio puts work before everything else. Twenty years earlier, he lost his wife and their child during childbirth and buried his grief in work. Unwilling to risk his heart again, Antonio settles for the occasional fling with like-minded women.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Antonio and Melissa. Both of them are determined, strong-willed people who also care about the people around them. The disappearance of little Danny in his hotel stirred up memories for Antonio, and he wanted to help. Perhaps, he was a little more forceful in his insistence than Melissa cared for, but he had good instincts. There was a fair bit of antagonism between them at first, thanks to his vocal opinions of the GGPD's abilities. But as they spent more time together, an unexpected attraction began to simmer beneath the antagonism. I liked seeing Antonio's opinion change as he watched Melissa and the others work. When the cases turned into personal attacks on Melissa, Antonio discovered an unexpected protectiveness toward her. It was pretty sweet to see how he tried to take care of her, something Melissa didn't quite know how to deal with. She spent so long struggling to prove herself that Antonio's ease with who and what she is scares her a little. She can see herself falling for him, but she knows his reputation. Meanwhile, Antonio realizes that thoughts of a future with Melissa don't scare him at all. There are a few bumps along the way, as both Antonio and Melissa have to learn how to give a little, but the ending was terrific.

The suspense of the story was outstanding. The kidnapping of little Danny was the opening volley in a battle that could destroy the GGPD. Danny's abduction was a desperate attempt to get the department to reopen a murder case against a young woman most people believe is innocent. Though Melissa stands by her people's work, she won't rest until she's positive everything is right.

This case mirrors the same complaint that Antonio had about the one he brought to their attention during the summer. The intensity ramps up with attempts against Melissa and Antonio's lives that he swears are the work of the man he accused. The escalation of the attacks made it seem like they couldn't catch a break in capturing Drew. The final confrontation with Antonio's wannabe partner was a nail-biter.

I ached for Melissa as the evidence in both cases began to look bad for her department. I liked her determination to get to the truth, no matter what, though it seemed that no matter what she did, there were more questions than answers. Melissa's methodical ways sometimes irritated the more impatient Antonio, but he quickly learned to trust her instincts. There were times when I thought I knew what was going on, only to have the story turn in a different direction. The twists kept me on my toes right to the very end. Though some questions were answered, others were not. It will be interesting to see how it plays out through the series.

Courage Under Fire - Lindsay McKenna (Kensington - Mar 2021)

Series: Silver Creek (Book 2)

Seeking an escape from her dark past, Carissa Taylor heads to Silver Creek to build a new life. For Cari, landing a job at a historic ranch just outside town is a dream come true, and a chance to put her beekeeping expertise to work. Not only does she feel at home in the ruggedly beautiful landscape, but she's intensely drawn to rancher Chase Bishop, whose strong, steadfast nature quiets her unease. Maybe here she can finally be more than a hunted woman fleeing a vengeful killer—a man who's been after her nearly all her life...

Chase didn't dare open his heart again after losing his first love. Until Cari entered his life. Her gentle beauty and nurturing spirit call to him like no other. So when her enraged stepbrother breaks out of prison and comes prowling around Chase's ranch, the former Marine goes into full protective mode, offering Cari the shelter of his home. But as the murderer's deadly threats draw ever closer, suddenly Chase is calling on his own killer instincts, knowing he will stop at nothing to keep safe the woman who has captured his soul...

Fantastic blend of suspense and a sweet, slow-burn romance. The story opens as Cari, a beekeeping expert, dreams of a life-changing childhood moment. It is quickly followed by a phone call from the local sheriff, warning her that her stepbrother, a sociopathic killer, escaped from prison. Cari is terrified because Dirk threatened to kill her for her part in putting him in jail. Taking the sheriff's advice, Cari immediately leaves town, quits her job with the state of California, and applies for a new job in Wyoming. She lands that job at the historic Three Bars Ranch in Silver Creek.

Rancher Chase Bishop is a former Marine sniper who came home to heal after losing his first love. A man with a deep love for the land, his ranch is well-known for its natural growing practices and diversity. His latest project involves the production of organic honey. Unfortunately, the beekeeper he hired quit after his neglect killed almost all of the hives Chase set up. Determined to try again, Chase hires Cari to restore the hives and run the honey business.

Cari is conscious of the threat Dirk poses to her and those around her and tells Chase about the issue, sure he will send her packing. Much to her surprise, Chase listens intently to her story and clarifies that not only does he want her to stay, but he also promises to keep her safe. Between his training, the abilities of his ranch hands, many of whom are vets themselves, and the involvement of local law enforcement, he feels that the Three Bars Ranch is the safest place she can be.

I loved the development of the relationship between Cari and Chase. They connected immediately over their shared love of the land. I enjoyed the tour of the ranch and seeing Chase's love and pride for it. The conversation between him and Cari about the importance of the bees and the land was fascinating. I loved her first visit to the bees and Chase's reaction to seeing her with them. Over the next few weeks, they form a solid friendship, sharing many of their world views and life experiences. With Dirk's threats always at the back of her mind, Cari is especially fascinated by Chase's sniper training and asks him to teach her some of his escape and evasion techniques.

In addition to her beekeeping skills, Cari also has a keen interest in raptors. Chase has a raptor rehabilitation and education center on part of his land, and in her free time, Cari spends some time with one of the young red-tail hawks recovering from an injury. I had to laugh at the descriptions of this hawk, named Valkyrie, as the center's "wild child." Once again, intriguing information about a vital subject became an integral part of the story.

Underneath Chase and Cari's friendship simmers a growing attraction that both are reluctant to acknowledge. Cari is cognizant that Chase is not just a friend but also her boss and doesn't want to do anything to ruin either relationship. Meanwhile, Chase also recognizes the hazards of doing anything about the attraction. He's a modern man, raised to respect women and treat them as true equals. He doesn't look at Cari as a prize to be won or a sex object to be conquered. Eventually, they get to the point where neither can deny the growing feelings. Rather than ignore them any longer, Cari and Chase sit down and talk about them, covering everything from pet peeves to expectations. I loved their honest exchange and desire to see where it goes without rushing anything.

Meanwhile, Dirk's vendetta is never far from Cari's mind. We get a couple of dips into his point of view, which only emphasizes the danger she is in. There is an intense scene in which Dirk unexpectedly appears in Silver Creek. Cari's fear leaped off the page as she uses her newly learned skills to evade his notice. I loved seeing her handle the situation despite her fear. I could feel the frustration of both the sheriff and Chase as Dirk evaded capture. The intensity picks up later when Chase and Cari are attacked while taking Valkyrie to her new forever home. I was glued to the pages as Chase used his training to evade their attackers. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with critical intervention coming from an unexpected source.

The ending was terrific as Chase and Cari moved forward together. Chase's big moment was sweet as his love for her was expressed in an incredibly beautiful and unique way. I hope they make appearances in future books.

Of all the secondary characters, Chase's mother, Mary, is my favorite. She is a woman of incredible foresight and determination and a force to be reckoned with in the community. She is the CEO of her own organic grocery business and has been the inspiration, and frequent financial backer, of similar enterprises in the area. She also has a loving heart and a way of making anyone feel welcome and safe. Her influence on Chase made him the man he is today.

One of the things I loved about this book was the detail that added depth to the characters and the story. The information on bees and beekeeping was intriguing, and I loved the emphasis on the importance of those tiny creatures. Various raptors have been included in others of the author's books, and Valkyrie's inclusion in this one was fascinating. Again, the information provided was an integral part of the story and not just thrown in to make word count. The descriptions of Chase's time as a sniper were both amazing and heartbreaking. He didn't downplay the effects of that time on his psyche, but he could also use those skills when needed.

Wild Nights in Texas - Delores Fossen (HQN - Oct 2020)

Series: Lone Star Ridge (Book 3)

She can make Lone Star Ridge's sheriff break every rule…

Former child star "Badly" Hadley Dalton can't shake the nickname she got on Little Cowgirls, the reality show that made her famous. Another thing she can't shake: her attraction to hometown heartthrob Leyton Jameson. After their teen make-out session was televised, Leyton ended their relationship, and Hadley left town. But when she learns her beloved Granny Em has gone missing, Hadley returns home and immediately lands in hot water…

Leyton has wanted Hadley since he first knew what desire was. Searching for Em together makes all that heat -- and all their differences -- impossible to ignore. Hadley's past is riddled with bad decisions -- ones that are suddenly rearing their ugly head. Believing she's too much trouble for a good-guy cop, Hadley doesn't think Leyton can ever overlook her faults. But Leyton will sign up for a lifetime of trouble if it means this wild ride never ends…

Good second chance romance. Hadley is the third sister in the trio that starred in the reality show Little Cowgirls. While her two sisters were the sunny-natured, good girls, Hadley got stuck with the nickname "Badly Hadley." Never one to resist a challenge, Hadley did her best to live up to the name, especially as she got older. When an overzealous cameraman caught Hadley making out with her boyfriend, Leyton and the producers televised it, Leyton broke off their relationship. The show was canceled soon after, and eventually, Hadley left town. She became a successful costume designer until a customer's reaction to a wardrobe malfunction tanked Hadley's business. Combined with a strange call from her grandmother, Hadley rushed home to Texas.

Leyton stayed in Lone Star Ridge and eventually became the sheriff. He has a reputation for maintaining a cool head in a crisis, as shown in this series's previous books. That cool head will come in handy when Hadley's arrival in town blindsides him. To complicate matters further, Granny Em has disappeared, and no one knows where she is. It's up to Hadley and Leyton to find her.

I loved watching the rekindling of the relationship between Hadley and Leyton. Truthfully, there wasn't much rekindling to do. The attraction that burned between them back then is still there and growing fast. From the moment they saw each other again, they couldn't deny the sparks. Leyton was all for seeing where it would take them, but Hadley was much warier. She made so many bad decisions in her past that she can't stand the idea of her reputation damaging Leyton's, especially when some of those decisions come back to haunt her now.

One of the first things on their plate is finding Granny Em and making sure she isn't in danger. Em is an interesting woman and sometimes claimed that she used to be the girlfriend of a mobster. When Leyton and Hadley find out that she really was, their worries for her increase. It was quite the eye-opener for both of them when they tracked Em down and found her with her former boyfriend (now fiancé). Finding out that Tony's brother is out of prison and looking for them sends Leyton and Hadley into protective mode as they take the two lovebirds back to Lone Star Ridge.

To protect Tony and Em, Leyton and Hadley spend a lot of time together. Leyton uses the time to show Hadley how good they could be together. Every chance he gets, he emphasizes that her past doesn't need to dictate her future. I loved his patience as Leyton shows her time and again that she is a good person who has made some mistakes. Hadley wants to believe him until another piece of her past shows up.

The TV show's former producer wants to do a reunion show, and neither the girls nor their brother are interested. In fact, they flat-out refuse to even think about it. This time, the producer brings along his partner, a former cameraman, to up the pressure. He doesn't know that Hadley and the man have a history, and Dempsey has a little blackmail in mind to get his way. I ached for Hadley because of the guilt she felt and loved the support she got from her family and Leyton. I also liked Leyton's protectiveness and the points he made in a private chat with Dempsey.

The end gets a little intense when Tony's brother, Marco, shows up. There was an interesting twist to that situation that I did not expect, and it threw a different light on the issue. After a somewhat humorous beginning, the final resolution was good but left Leyton with a bunch of paperwork to do. I loved how Leyton surprised Hadley and himself by telling her how he felt before having to leave her. Unfortunately, that confession scared the heck out of Hadley because she was sure that loving her would come back to bite him. She planned to put some distance between them by leaving Lone Star Ridge, even though everyone tried to tell her it was a mistake to go. I loved seeing Leyton chase her down and how he convinced her to stay. The epilogue was a sweet wrap-up to the story.

Heart of Gold - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Aug 2020)

Series: Montana Justice (Book 3)

A cold case leads to present danger

Charlie Farmington has been blaming herself for her stepsister Lindy's unsolved murder for fifteen years. Then, through the twinkling lights and pine-scented air of a Montana Christmas, she glimpses Lindy -- alive -- standing on the street. Shocked and afraid, Charlie turns to the only person she can trust to help her: William "Shep" Shepherd, her first love, who knows all of Charlie's secrets…except one.

The intriguing girl Shep fell hard for has become a breathtaking woman -- and now that she's back in his life, he'll do whatever he can to help her uncover what really happened to her sister. But when Charlie finally reveals the secret that ripped them apart all those years ago, Shep realizes how much danger is still lurking. For the truth about that night isn't just dark -- it's deadly. And their second chance together could end before it's even begun…

Very good combination of second chance romance and intriguing suspense. Charlie has turned her life around since her years as a troubled teenager. She is a talented and successful graphic artist with a good job, friends, and a boyfriend. Life is good until she spots her dead stepsister across the street, bringing back all of the horrible memories of that time. After her mother's death, Charlie's father remarried a woman with her own daughter. Lindy was a vicious bully whose mother thought she could do no wrong. On the night of Lindy's murder, Charlie had had enough and locked her out of the house. Her father died in a car accident that same night, leaving Charlie at the mercy of the foster system. Charlie's guilty feelings about the night of the murder came out in destructive behavior that eventually landed her in front of a judge. Judge WT Landusky sent her to a boot camp for troubled teens rather than juvie.

William "Shep" Shepherd was another of the judge's boot campers. He was drawn to Charlie and set out to help her make it through the camp. The two of them became fast friends, circumventing the judge's no fraternization rules whenever possible. By the time they finished with the camp, Charlie and Shep were in love. Shep wanted them to get married, but Charlie thought they were too young. She left without a word to him about where she was going, breaking his heart. Both went on with their lives, never expecting to see each other again.

When Charlie saw Lindy that day, she called the judge for help, though she later tried to walk that back. By then, the judge had called on Shep to help Charlie find out what was going on. As a middle school math teacher, Shep was on holiday break, so he rushed right to her. He was eager to see her again. Charlie was stunned to find Shep on her doorstep when she came home from work. She's ready to send him away until she sees Lindy again, and Shep insists on getting to the bottom of the mystery.

I loved watching the relationship develop between Shep and Charlie. Shep never forgot Charlie and discovers that his feelings for her are even stronger. Charlie has a boyfriend but quickly realizes that her feelings for Daniel don't come anywhere close to those she still has for Shep. She fights those feelings hard, believing that she doesn't deserve happiness after what she did. Shep has an uphill battle convincing Charlie that she isn't responsible for Lindy's death. Shep is determined to protect Charlie and uses his time to look into the circumstances surrounding the murder. As the sightings escalate, Shep's protective instincts come out. There are some sweet scenes of him taking care of Charlie, showing her how he feels without pressuring her. Charlie isn't sure what to do. Her feelings for Shep keep growing, but she's sure that she's bad for him. Slowly, his steadfast belief in her chips away at her fears. I loved the patience Shep had at the end, as he waited for Charlie to deal with everything that happened. The epilogue was fantastic.

The suspense of the story was terrific. The appearance of a person Charlie knows is dead throws her life into turmoil. Being stalked by a ghost is enough to put anyone on edge. Shep is just as confident that the stalker is no ghost. I loved his attention to detail as he performed his investigation. It seemed as if each person he talked to raised more questions than providing any answers. There were several twists to the story as Shep and Charlie got closer to the truth. I figured out one of them right before they did, but the last one I never saw coming. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Charlie ended up at the mercy of her tormentor. I loved seeing her take charge of her own rescue, aided by a perfectly timed arrival by Shep.

There were added complications thanks to some issues Charlie had at work. Her boss is a little too appreciative of her work, and his fiancée, who is also the office manager, doesn't take it well. Amanda spends far too much time getting in Charlie's face when it's Greg she should take issue with. Things got even stranger the closer they came to the wedding day, while the wedding itself didn't go as anyone expected.

The Billionaire's Demands - Addison Fox (Createspace - Feb 2014)

Series: Boardrooms and Billionaires (Book 3)

Booth Harrison has made a habit of getting what he wants, be it a new addition to the Harrison media empire, or a better relationship with his half-brother. But meeting his brother's new sister-in-law, Camryn McBride, poses a new challenge. The savvy CFO of McBride Media has a brain he wants to pick...and a body he needs to claim.

Camryn has spent the past few years helping to rebuild her family's magazine company, focusing on that rather than her disastrous personal life. But when Booth Harrison invites her to be the keynote speaker at a sales conference in Hawaii, she's tempted to combine business with pleasure. But meeting the billionaire's demands won't be easy, because someone doesn't want a merger between them to happen.

Very good book. It is the third book in the Boardrooms and Billionaires series but can easily be read as a standalone. Camryn is one of three sisters who banded together to rebuild the family magazine business. She is the company's CFO and eats, breathes, and sleeps everything financial for the company. She is supremely confident in herself when it comes to anything business-related, but it is a different story in her personal life. So she uses business to stay too busy for relationships.

Camryn's brother-in-law's half-brother, Booth, is the head of a successful financial newspaper. Wealthy, intelligent, and known for getting what he wants, Booth has been drawn to Camryn since he met her. Unfortunately for him, she shuts down every attempt to pursue her, claiming it would be "too messy" because of their family connections. Booth refuses to give up.

I enjoyed the development of Booth and Camryn's relationship. Though I haven't read the first two books in the series, it's clear that the attraction between them has been simmering for quite some time. Booth becomes more intrigued by Camryn every time he sees her. When one of his speakers bows out of an event in Hawaii, Booth asks Camryn to fill in, hoping that a change of location will help his cause. One of Booth's event staff, Sinclair (who reminded me of the guys from What Not to Wear), insists on assisting Camryn to prepare for the event in a hilarious scene involving the fashion samples closet at her magazine.

Booth is not the typical billionaire hero who pulls out all the stops to seduce the heroine. He has far too much respect for her and instead works to show her that respect. I loved their stop in San Francisco, where Booth included her in a business dinner he had scheduled. His enjoyment at seeing her wit and intelligence shine was real and made him want her even more. Meanwhile, Camryn sees that Booth isn't like most of the other men she knows, and her resistance to him begins to slip. An encounter with an old boyfriend emphasizes the difference between the two men.

Once they arrive in Hawaii, things begin to heat up. Booth's patience and perseverance start to chip away at the walls Camryn erected. There are some outstanding scenes of them together, where it's obvious that their attraction has grown into something more. But there is a snake in Paradise, in the form of Booth's father, West. He had unsuccessfully attempted to ruin the relationship between his son, Nathan, and Camryn's sister, Keira. Now he seems intent on doing the same to Booth and Camryn. Camryn stumbles onto something that looks like unethical, if not illegal, actions at Booth's paper. Unfortunately, her fears get in the way of her telling Booth of her suspicions, and it all blows up in her face.

Back in New York, heartbroken, Camryn faces the fact that she may have sabotaged herself. Booth is both hurt and furious at her actions, and it takes him a few days to calm down enough to check out her suspicions. I loved his response to his father and that he left right after it to go to Camryn. At the same time, Camryn knew she had to apologize to Booth. I loved how she recruited Sinclair to help her show Booth that she was ready to "get messy" with him. The ending was great, and the epilogue was a fantastic wrap-up to the series.

Rescued by the Viscount's Ring - Carol Arens (HH #1487 - Feb 2020)

An unexpected proposal…

For the runaway heiress!

After escaping to avoid an arranged marriage, American heiress Madeline Macooish stows away aboard a ship bound for England. She's rescued by Rees Dalton and spends the night in his cabin. Knowing her reputation is compromised, she accepts Rees's offer of a temporary marriage. Drawn to his honest heart, Madeline begins to imagine wearing his ring forever. Until she learns her new husband has a secret identity!

Good book. This is a companion to The Earl's American Heiress. Their grandfather raised Madeline and her cousin Clementine after their parents' deaths. Now that they are grown, James Macooish wants them to marry titled men. He arranged a marriage between Madeline and a British earl, but Madeline wanted nothing to do with it. Rather than marry someone she doesn't love, she ran off with another man, leaving Clementine to fulfill the bargain James made.

As this book opens, Madeline realizes that Bertram was more interested in her dowry than her and has made her escape. Feeling guilty about the way she deserted her family, she plans to follow them to England. Through an unexpected series of events, Madeline ends up stowing away on the ship, where she comes to the attention of Rees Dalton, Viscount Glenwood.

Rees is an unusual man. As the ship's new owner, rather than hire men to investigate conditions, he does it himself in a very unorthodox manner. Rather than board the vessel as himself, he takes a job as one of the firemen - the men who stoke the boilers that make the ship run. It is hard, dirty work, but it gives him a ground-level view of life on board. The only one who knows the truth is the captain. Rees saw Madeline's attempt to board and instructed the captain to let her on, expecting that she would be taken care of. Instead, the captain let her on board and then left her on her own.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Madeline and Rees. Because she had no room, Madeline hid in one of the lifeboats, an uncomfortable place to be in December in the Atlantic Ocean. Rees found her one night, soaked, shivering, and nearly unconscious, and took her to his room to care for her. I loved his determination to save her and his tender treatment of her. Rees knows that Madeline's reputation would suffer because of it and, as an honorable man, intends to marry her immediately. He also admits to himself that marrying Madeline will solve a couple of problems for him.

I liked seeing Rees and Madeline get to know each other. Madeline has a sweet and sunny nature, with a bit of sass that appeals to Rees. He hears all about her cousin and grandfather and the events that led to her arrival on his ship. The one thing that gives him pause is her dislike of men with titles, as Rees hasn't told her about his. She believes he is a working man and is quite content with that future. Rees feels guilty about the deception and knows that he must come clean before they arrive in England. However, a shipboard emergency prevents it, and Madeline gets quite the shock when she hears her husband greeted as Lord Glenwood, and she runs away from him.

I was impressed by Rees's determination to find her and cheered as he finally tracked her down. I liked how he apologized and explained what happened, and asked for her help. He needs a mother for his two little girls and a reason not to marry his fiancée, who is in love with Rees's brother. There's quite the brouhaha when they arrive at Rees's home, but Madeline quickly finds herself part of the family. There are sweet scenes with Rees's girls, and Madeline finds herself dreaming of making the marriage a real one. But Rees had offered a temporary marriage of three months, and Madeline believes her feelings are one-sided. She has no idea that Rees fell for her at the start and only suggested a temporary marriage to keep her from running scared.

I liked seeing Rees's attempts to convince Madeline to stay married to him while still making sure she knows it is her choice. Madeline also takes a close look at herself and isn't sure she likes what she sees. She realizes that she is a runner - someone who runs away rather than face her problems head-on. As she and Rees move toward admitting their feelings for each other, she promises herself and him that she won't run again. Then she's faced with what looks like another deception by Rees and has to decide what to do. I ached for both Madeline and Rees as they struggled to determine the right way to proceed. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue was fun.

I liked Rees's brother Wilson. He's a good man and would have kept quiet about his feelings for Bethany to protect Rees. I wasn't sure about Bethany when I first saw her, but she turned out to be great once the whole marriage thing was settled. On the other hand, her uncle was a horrible man who didn't care about her, just what her marriage would do for him. I loved the scene where Rees and Madeline confronted him about his plans. I loved the reunion between Madeline, Clementine, and their grandfather. There was also an interesting little twist involving James at the end that made me smile for him.

That Night in Texas - Delores Fossen (HQN - May 2020)

Series: Lone Star Ridge (Book 1.5)

Few things can shake a tough, bull-ridin' cowboy quite like finding an abandoned pregnancy test, and Harley Garrett is definitely shakin' in his saddle. Someone's knocked up at Rustler's Ridge ranch, but who? Little does Harley know that Amelia Wade—his longtime, sexy friend with benefits—has kind of a secret she needs to tell him…

Amelia has always had a thing for Harley—and wanted more. He's a delicious combination of strong, silent cowboy and Viking sex god, so how could she resist? Only now Amelia might be pregnant, and their "uncomplicated" relationship just landed in the "complicated as all heck" zone. But when Harley decides to cowboy up, almost anything can—and will—happen…

Super short (50 pages) side story in the Lone Star Ridge series. It opens with Harley in a panic, trying to figure out who at the ranch might be pregnant. His sister? His mom? A random guest? Then his friend-with-benefits, Amelia, arrives looking for her mother. Her parents are fighting over her mom's indiscretion (i.e., one-night-stand) with a guest at the ranch, and Amelia wants to get to the bottom of it. She also needs to talk to Harley.

There are all kinds of shenanigans going on. Amelia's mother, Nadine, wants Harley to leave Amelia alone and isn't above trying to involve Harley's mom. Nadine has also been hanging out with ranch guest Marty Jameson, a country music star with a reputation for not keeping his zipper zipped. In the midst of Amelia's conversation with her mother, her dad arrives to join the fray. I had to laugh at the sight of the two men taking swings at each other, then have to deal with the sheriff. I loved Leyton and his ability to bring calm out of chaos.

Then there were Amelia and Harley. Harley is stunned when Amelia tells him she might be pregnant. He may not have had plans to marry, but there's no way he'll walk away. Harley and Amelia have had a satisfactory arrangement for years, and he has no idea that Amelia wanted more. I liked watching Harley's thought processes as he comes to grips with the idea of being a father and husband. It doesn't take him long to realize that the concept doesn't scare him. Amelia doesn't want him out of obligation, and it takes some work for him to convince her that his feelings are real. There's an unexpected twist at the end, but Harley sticks to his guns.

I would have liked the story to be a little longer and more depth given to the characters.

Chasing Trouble in Texas - Delores Fossen (HQN - June 2020)

Series: Lone Star Ridge (Book 2)

They've got each other -- and a whole lot of trouble.

Austin Jameson's life is complicated enough. With twin girls he adores and a ranch he's dedicated to, the widower and cowboy is more than busy. But when his former flame arrives in his hometown, his world is thrown off balance.

Former child star McCall Dalton wants to run away -- from her image and the scandal that has engulfed her. Brokenhearted and humiliated, she's come back home to Texas to escape.

Austin doesn't find peace and McCall doesn't get refuge -- instead they rediscover every delicious inch of one another. Before long, their budding romance must face a custody battle with Austin's in-laws and yet another scandal. Determined not to let each other go a second time, they set out to prove that it's true what they say: love really does conquer all.

Good second chance love story, with lots of love, laughter, and family drama. McCall is one of a set of triplets who spent from the age of three to fifteen as one of the stars of a reality show. It all ended when her sister Hadley got in trouble for joy-riding, and the show was canceled. All three sisters, Sunny (Tangled Up in Texas), McCall, and Hadley, as well as their brother, Hayden, were happy to see the end of it. Their parents - not so much, and ended up creating all kinds of trouble for years. McCall, who was known as the good sister, went on to get a degree in counseling and recently started a charitable foundation with her boyfriend.

Though the relationship with Cody ended, they pretended it was still on to protect their latest fundraiser. That comes to a screeching and humiliating end when McCall catches Cody knocking boots with Miss Watermelon during the fundraiser. After making her displeasure known, McCall heads home to Lone Star Ridge to regroup and avoid the media. Not wanting to worry her grandmother, McCall stops at her old friend Austin's ranch for help in calming down before seeing Granny Em.

Austin is the widowed father of three-year-old twins Gracie and Avery. He still struggles with grief over his wife's death two years earlier. His girls are the center of his world. They and his horse ranch keep him hopping, but he wouldn't have it any other way. His biggest problem is his nosy, manipulative mother-in-law, Edith, who regularly threatens to sue for custody of the girls.

The first chapter was a hilarious start to the book. Austin opens his front door (in a pink tutu and tiara) to find a strange man (Cody) demanding to see McCall, who isn't there - yet. Cody's demands and whining steadily increase until McCall makes an appearance. McCall isn't happy to see him and threatens a particularly sensitive portion of his anatomy with her pointy-toed shoes. Matters become more complicated with the arrival of reporters and a cop determined to arrest Cody, bringing Sheriff Leyton Jameson, Austin's brother, into the mix. The icing on the cake is Edith's arrival and blatant disapproval of the whole ruckus.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Austin and McCall. They have a history together. Austin was an extra on the tv show, brought in to play a teenage McCall's crush. That wasn't too hard, as each was unknowingly crushing on the other. McCall's crush continued into high school, where she competed with her friend Zoey for Austin's attention. Dice may have been involved 😉, and Zoey came out the winner and ultimately married him. Years later, proximity brings back the old feelings with added intensity.

Austin quickly realizes he wants to spend more time with McCall. She the first woman to break through his grief, and he likes how he feels around her. McCall feels the same way, but she has some secrets that could make things more difficult for him. There are some wonderful scenes between them as their feelings strengthen, and Austin does his best to convince her to take a chance. There are some sweet scenes with Avery, Gracie, and their "fairy lady" as McCall falls just as hard for the girls as she does for their father.

Meanwhile, McCall's secrets do come out, causing a series of twists and turns and hilarious and emotional situations. I loved Austin's support as McCall faces varying levels of repercussions. It all comes to a head when Edith makes good on her threat, and McCall has to decide whether to run or fight. The ending was great as love finds a way.

The secondary characters were wonderful. Avery and Gracie top the list out of sheer adorableness. I loved their enthusiasm for just about everything they encounter. It was fun to see them playing "cops and bobbers" with their aunt Cait (a deputy) and "nukle" Leyton, and "fairy tale rules" with McCall. I ached for them at the end when "cussody" became an issue. Edith was a piece of work. Her judgmental attitude was uncalled for because Austin was a wonderful dad. McCall's assistant Mo was great. I loved her background, her support for McCall, and her snarky sense of humor. Granny Em was a hoot, and I loved her reverse strip poker games with Mo. Hadley made a brief appearance, and I can't wait to get to her book.

Cowboy Under Fire - Lena Diaz (HI #1967 - Dec 2020)

Series: Justice Seekers (Book 1)

A Justice Seeker known for getting answers is about to face the ultimate test...

With his black Stetson and nose for the truth, former cop Dalton Lynch is the perfect addition to the Justice Seekers organization. Then a case lands in his lap that puts him right in the line of fire -- and has Hayley Nash leaning on him for answers in the death of her friend. They might share a tense past, but Dalton pushes that aside to do what he does best: get the facts. Only problem is, with their history, Dalton finds working with the spirited web expert to be an exercise in restraint -- especially when it comes to keeping his hands to himself.

Good book. The Justice Seekers is a private investigative company made up of former law enforcement personnel. Each of them was pushed out of their job because they were framed, accused of wrongdoing, or pushed back against the wrong person. The only thing they were guilty of was being honest cops. Now they help others who have been let down by law enforcement.

The Seekers recently lost one of their own in a gruesome murder that may be linked to the murder of a local woman. Dalton, a former Montana cop, has been working hard on the case but is hampered by a local blogger, Hayley. She believes that Dalton murdered her friend Bethany himself. She stalks and hounds Dalton, using Bethany's notes and diaries to try to prove his guilt, but no one believes her. Then Hayley takes it a step too far by breaking into his home, searching for evidence, and ends up in jail for breaking and entering.

Strangely enough, Dalton isn't angry with her. He even offers to help her if she helps him. Hayley hesitates to trust Dalton, as she believes he may be playing her, but it's the only way she can get out of jail. I wasn't thrilled with Dalton's methods, though they were effective. It helped that he felt guilty about it. I liked watching him try to make amends. Dalton likes Hayley's loyalty to her friend, her determination to get answers and can't deny that he's attracted to her.

I enjoyed the development of Dalton and Hayley's relationship. Once they get past the mutually suspicious stage, they connect over their determination to get at the truth. Dalton is a little handicapped by his boss's cynical nature and over-the-top methods of trying to get answers. I ached for Hayley, who was jerked around by Mason's heavy-handed methods, and for Dalton, who was forced to participate. I was glad when Dalton finally put his foot down and stopped the harassment. I thought that Hayley was pretty forgiving once she knew that Dalton had confidence in her innocence. She and Dalton grow closer as they pursue the truth. When Hayley ends up in danger, both she and Dalton realize the depth of their feelings. They just have to stay alive long enough to do something about it.

The suspense was outstanding. Hayley's belief in Dalton's guilt wasn't easily overcome, and Mason's threats didn't help. Things started to change when Hayley showed them Bethany's pictures with the link to the one Seeker's death. The tension ramped up when Hayley's websites contained photos of the murder scenes, and she went from investigator to suspect. It quickly became evident that someone wanted Hayley to take the fall for the murders. As more and more evidence points to Hayley, can they convince the other Seekers that she is innocent? The twists and turns kept me glued to the pages until the end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that I didn't see coming. I loved seeing Hayley use her computer skills to help save the day, and Dalton risk everything to save her life.

I liked getting to know some of the other Justice Seekers. Each of them appears to have a specialty, and I look forward to seeing more of them. I liked Brielle and her support of Hayley, as well as the way she teased Dalton. Mason was my least favorite because of his cynicism and the way he treated Hayley. He did appear to change some by the end of the book, so I will keep an open mind about him.