All Consuming - Jaci Burton (Penguin - Mar 2021)

Series: Brotherhood by Fire (Book 3)

When firefighter Kal Donovan transfers to the Tactical Rescue Team, he's determined to succeed by giving work one hundred percent of his attention. This proves more difficult at his ten-year high school reunion when he runs into Hannah Clark, his first love. She's still the smart, funny, beautiful girl he loved in high school, but everything has changed. She's divorced, has a son, and has zero interest in exploring an old romance.
 
Hannah has moved back home after a disastrous end to a marriage that never should have been. Now her only focus is getting her hair salon up and running, and making sure her son is happy. She doesn't have time for love -- especially not with Kal. She intends to look forward, not backward, and Kal is most definitely part of her past.
 
However, as Hannah and Kal start spending time together, Hannah realizes that what she's feeling for him isn't nostalgia, but red-hot attraction. Kal's intent on showing her what it's like to be cared for, romanced, and consumed with passion -- and Hannah loves it. But she wonders if she has the courage to risk her heart again, even as Kal vows not to lose her a second time.
 
Good second chance romance. Kal is the youngest of the three firefighter brothers and recently transferred from firefighting to the Tactical Rescue Team at another station. He loves what he does and is determined to give it one hundred percent of his attention. That is especially necessary as two of his new teammates seem determined to find fault with everything he does. After a rough shift, he's happy to go to his ten-year high school reunion and hang out with some of his friends. Then his high school girlfriend walks in the door, and distraction becomes the name of the game.
 
After she and Kal broke up, Hannah ended up marrying someone else and moving out of state. After years of a miserable marriage, Hannah and her son returned home. She plans to concentrate on getting her new hair salon set up and focusing on her son Oliver's needs. The last thing she's interested in is rekindling her old relationship with Kal. She's learned that the only person she can depend on is herself.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Kal and Hannah. From the moment they saw each other again, the sparks flew. Kal never forgot his feelings for Hannah, and he likes the idea of getting to know her again. Hannah makes it clear she's not interested but spending a little time together as friends would be okay. Kal is such a sweet, laid-back guy that it doesn't take long to start breaking down Hannah's walls. Hannah is wary of getting deeply involved with Kal. She doesn't trust her judgment any longer, but Kal is hard to resist. I loved how he connected so quickly with Hannah's son, which warmed her heart and made her very nervous.
 
I enjoyed seeing Hannah and Kal grow closer the more time they spent together. There were some terrific scenes of ordinary, day-to-day activities that showed how right they were for each other. Kal is fantastic at showing Hannah the love and respect she deserves, but she worries that depending on him opens her up to the possibility of more heartbreak. When Kal's patience wears a little thin, and he pushes for more, Hannah panics and pushes him away. It takes some deep soul-searching for Hannah to let go of those fears and trust Kal with her heart and Oliver's. I loved Hannah's big moment of sharing those fears with Kal and admitting her love. The epilogue was excellent, with a terrific look at the futures of all three couples.
 
I liked the parts of the book that showed Kal on the job. His love of his work is evident, as is his frustration at his issues with his two coworkers. I wondered how Kal would resolve those problems and loved that he did it by simply doing his job.

Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom - Vanessa Kelly (Zebra - Apr 2014)

Series: Renegade Royals (Book 2)

Some men are born into scandal. Others pursue it with a passion. Griffin Steele, secret son of the Duke of Cumberland, is guilty on both counts. Yet somehow London's most notorious scoundrel has been saddled with an abandoned baby boy--and with the unflappable, intriguing spinster summoned to nurse him. . .
 
Justine Brightmore may be a viscount's niece, but she's also a spy's daughter, determined to safeguard the infant when his suspected royal parentage makes him a target. Yet how to protect herself from the rakish Griffin? Marriage might shield her reputation, but it can only imperil her heart, especially with a groom intent on delicious seduction. . .
 
Excellent book. Griffin Steele, the illegitimate son of one of the Royal Dukes, made a name for himself out of nothing. Abandoned by his mother and unacknowledged by his father, Griffin was raised by a cold and uncaring uncle. Because of that past, Griffin is seen as cold, ruthless, and dangerous by the society he despises, but the few that know him well know that he is loyal, caring, and protective of those he considers his. As the story opens, Griffin prepares to sell off the last of his businesses before leaving England to tour the world, searching for something he can't name.
 
Those plans hit a snag when a baby boy shows up on his doorstep, with a note entrusting the child to his care and protection. Griffin sends for his friend and mentor, Dominic, expecting him to take the child off his hands. Instead, Dominic insists on leaving young Stephan with Griffin but promises to provide a caretaker for the child. Meanwhile, he will investigate the note and ring found with Stephan.
 
Justine is the daughter of a spy and Dominic's goddaughter. Between her father's chaotic life as a spy and the bluestocking antics of the aunt who helped raise her, Justine craves a calm and peaceful life. She believes she has it as the companion to an elderly woman in the country. Dominic disrupts that peace when he requests Justine's help with the baby, thrusting her into the house of one of London's most notorious men.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Griffin and Justine. She makes no secret of her dislike, and Griffin delights in pushing her buttons. However, underneath the antagonism burns an undeniable attraction. Griffin hates having Justine there, and her stubbornness and attitude drive him crazy, but he can't stop his need to know everything about her. The feelings Griffin stirs up disturb Justine, and she does her best to ignore them, but it's impossible to resist his pull.
 
When Justine's attempt to protect someone puts her reputation at risk, Griffin's sense of honor insists that he do the right thing and propose marriage. Justine is horrified but eventually sees that there's no other option. Though they initially plan to live separate lives, as they get to know each other, their growing feelings make that less desirable. I loved watching the trust build between them and Griffin share his past with Justine. It was also fun to watch Griffin's roguish ways get past Justine's walls and change her mind about peace and solitude. But it isn't until Griffin thinks he's lost her that he realizes he's able to love after all. I loved his big moment at the end and seeing the change in him.
 
The mystery of the baby was good and played a big part in bringing Griffin and Justine together. I liked Justine's devotion to the baby and laughed at some of Griffin's reactions. Dominic's investigation kept me intrigued and invested in the outcome. There was a twist near the end that I suspected well before its revelation, and I thoroughly enjoyed the reactions when it was. The situation intensified with the involvement of a mysterious stranger. I was disgusted with Dominic and Griffin when they didn't take Justine's fears seriously, forcing her to take matters into her own hands. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with Justine showing her strength and courage.

Reunited with His Long-Lost Nurse - Charlotte Hawkes (HMED #1190 - Aug 2021)

Series: Island Clinic (Book 4)

An unexpected reunion…
…in paradise!
 
Leading heart surgeon Liam Miller has come to St. Victoria to perform lifesaving surgery. He never imagined the distraction of bumping into the woman who loved him and then left him without a word! Avoiding nurse Talia Johnson is far harder than he thought -- especially when their inconvenient but still-burning attraction keeps boiling over! As their painful secrets come tumbling out, are they ready to finally confront the truth?
 
Good second chance romance. Talia is a nurse at the prestigious Island Clinic on St. Victoria Island, the small Caribbean island where she grew up. When she was younger, she couldn't wait to leave the island and spent some time at Duke Hospital in North Carolina. There she met and fell in love with Liam, a leading heart surgeon. But breaking through the walls around his heart proved to be impossible, and when her mother became ill, Talia went home without a word to Liam.
 
Liam is a man driven by the guilt he feels over his mother's death in childbirth. His father blamed him and hammered home his opinion of Liam's worthlessness at every chance. As a result, Liam has no experience with love and doesn't believe in it. Talia's departure reinforced his beliefs.
 
When the heart surgeon at the clinic is injured in an accident, Talia suggests Liam as a temporary replacement, knowing he's the best choice for an upcoming surgery. Talia plans to do a month's rotation at St. Vic's Hospital on the other side of the island to avoid seeing him. She's never forgotten how he broke her heart. There's no way Liam would refuse the invitation to work at the clinic. He knew it would be good for his reputation and career. He tried convincing himself that the chance to see Talia again had nothing to do with it.
 
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Liam and Talia. Their reunion got off to a rocky start, with Liam confronting Talia over the way she left three years earlier. Though he wouldn't admit it, he still hurt over what he saw as her abandonment. Talia gave as good as she got, calling him on his inability to share anything of himself with her. But underneath the antagonism were the undeniable sparks of an attraction that had never died. Talia and Liam agree to put their hostility aside for the sake of their professional relationship and attempt to resume at least their friendship.
 
I loved watching Talia show Liam around her island home, seeing it through fresh eyes as she does. Spending time together allows their simmering attraction to grow until they can no longer resist it. Liam believes giving in will give him a chance to get Talia out of his system, but instead, she moves further past his walls. Talia knows she's falling for him all over again and attempts to get him to open up to her. Even when he does, his belief in his inability to love prevents him from seeing what they could have together. When Talia slips and confesses her feelings, Liam freaks out. After saying many hurtful things, Liam flees back to North Carolina, where he buries himself in his work while trying to forget. Meanwhile, Talia undergoes some soul-searching before going after what she wants. I loved the ending and seeing her show Liam how she feels and what is essential. Liam's "aha" moment was heartwrenching but opened his eyes to his feelings. I loved his big moment, and the epilogue showed a beautiful future for them.
 
As usual with the medical romances, there were several intense medical scenes. In this case, I liked the emergency they encountered on their island tour and their smooth teamwork under pressure. I also liked the detail provided on the heart surgery.

Falling for His Practical Wife - Laura Martin (HH #1595 - Aug 2021)

Series: Ashburton Reunion (Book 2)

A viscount-in-waiting
 
Finds a convenient wife
 
To claim his inheritance, Leo Ashburton needs a bride who accepts that he can offer her a title and a house, but not love. Annabelle Hummingford -- whose scarred face has made her hide from society -- seems like the perfect match. But as his shy wife blossoms into a confident, mesmerizing woman, Leo is torn. Falling for her risks being hurt again -- but will burying his feelings mean losing her altogether?
 
Good book about two lonely people whose past hurts hold them back from living full lives. As a young child, Annabelle was badly scarred on one cheek. Since that time, Annabelle's mother told her over and over that she must stay at home to spare others the sight of her scars. After years of this treatment, Annabelle believes that her scars are who she is and that no one would see past them. On those rare occasions Annabelle left the property, she always wore a veil to hide her face. If it hadn't been for her sister, Beth, her life would have been miserable indeed. Then Beth married and left for India with her husband, leaving Annabelle with only her selfish, shrewish mother.
 
Leo, the heir to a viscount, needs a wife. The current (dying) viscount insists that Leo marry if he wants to inherit the funds necessary to maintain all of the properties. Leo is a very private man who keeps everyone at a distance. After the deaths of his parents when he was a child, he and his brother were separated. Josh went to India with his guardian, while Leo lived with a different guardian. She was a cold, unfeeling woman who made sure he was cared for but showed no affection. His one attempt at a loving relationship ended in disaster. He hides behind a mask of aloofness, certain that if he comes to care for someone, sooner or later, that person will be taken from him.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Leo and Annabelle. With her sister married to his brother, they know each other a little bit. When Leo needs to find a wife, he knows what he needs - a woman who accepts that he cannot offer love. Annabelle seems to be a perfect choice - a woman uninterested in Society, content to stay at home. When he lays his proposal in front of her, Leo is honest about his expectations. While Annabelle longs for a marriage like her sister's, she knows it is unlikely. Marrying Leo provides a way to escape from under her mother's thumb and have a home of her own.
 
Neither Annabelle nor Leo expected the attraction or the feelings that grew between them. Leo planned that he would spend most of his time in London while Annabelle lived in the country, rarely spending time together. But when he became ill right after their wedding, Annabelle cared for him. The more time they spent together, the more they discovered they liked each other. Though wary, Leo agreed with Annabelle that friendship and companionship were possible. Unfortunately for his plans, Leo found the walls around his heart crumbling.
 
I liked how Leo saw past Annabelle's scars to the fascinating woman she was. Disgusted by how her mother treated her, Leo showed Annabelle that she was more than her scars. I liked how he encouraged her to leave off her veil and face people head-on. I liked seeing the changes in Annabelle as her confidence grew. For Annabelle, the more time she spent with Leo, the more she wanted their marriage to be real. When they were together, she watched him begin to relax and enjoy their time together. I liked how she encouraged him to talk about his good memories and his relationship with his brother. But letting go of their fears isn't easy, and both Leo and Anabelle have moments of backsliding. When one of those moments sends Annabelle running back to safety, both of them must face their fears and their feelings and decide which is more important. I loved the ending and seeing them both choose love over fear. The epilogue was fantastic, with a peek into the lives of both Ashburton couples a few years into the future.

 
 

An Absence of Motive - Maggie Wells (HI #2018 - Aug 2021)

Series: Raising the Bar Brief (Book 1)

He was an outsider
 
And the only man she could trust.
 
Attorney Marlee Masters's brother was murdered. Proving it means working with Sheriff Ben Kinsella and facing down the nasty whispers in their rural Georgia town. Although the gossips accuse Marlee of being the real threat, there's a stalker vowing retribution if the two don't end the investigation. Ben won't abandon Marlee in her hour of need, but will she have to place herself in even more peril to catch the killer?
 
Good start to the new series. Marlee is a newly minted attorney who looks forward to finding a job in the city. She grew up in a small town where her father runs the town's most prominent business and the town. She knows he wants her and her brother to take over the company, but she wants nothing to do with it. When her brother dies, the pressure is on for Marlee to return home. That pressure increases when a second young man dies by suicide.
 
Marlee's brother Jeff's death was ruled a suicide, but Marlee believes he was murdered. That suspicion is reinforced when she unearths some suspicious land transactions in the company's files. Proving those suspicions means working with Ben, the town's new sheriff.
 
Ben took the job as sheriff after his career as a DEA agent came to a violent end. With Ben's undercover identity blown, Atlanta's drug kingpin vowed revenge if Ben showed his face there again. Since most of the town's law enforcement was caught up in a vast meth bust, Ben has to rebuild the community's trust. Not an easy task for an outsider. The last thing he needs is to get involved with Marlee.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Marlee and Ben. The sparks flew from the moment they met, but Ben tried to resist them. His past as an inner-city kid and undercover agent and her plans to leave town as soon as possible are strong deterrents to involvement. Marlee, on the other hand, is quite willing to see where the attraction takes them. I liked seeing them get to know each other, from sharing their pasts to sharing onion rings. I also enjoyed seeing Marlee stand up to her father when he had other ideas. When everything was all over, Ben and Marlee had to decide if they wanted to find a way to be together. I liked the hospital scene at the end as Ben laid it all on the line for her. Marlee's response was excellent.
 
The suspense of the story was good. The second suicide, whose details were disturbingly similar to Jeff's, roused Ben's suspicions. Marlee's questions about the land sales around the lake offered a possible link between the two. The difficulty was figuring out who pulled the strings and why. I found Marlee's deductions intriguing and the twist over the land ownership a surprise. Complicating matters, Marlee had a stalker who threatened retribution if they didn't stop investigating. I thought I had the stalker figured out, but even that had an unexpected twist. The showdown at the end didn't go the way I thought it would, but it was satisfying nonetheless. 

A Nurse and a Pup to Heal Him - Kate Hardy (HMED #1041 - July 2021)

A nurse, her puppy…
 
And the family he never thought he'd have?
 
After losing his wife and baby to his best friend, guarded GP Ben Mitchell's sworn off love. But nurse Toni Butler and her adorable therapy dog, Archie, are drawing him out of his shell. When a romantic weekend in Vienna leads to an unexpected pregnancy, Ben's painfully reminded of the family he lost. What will it take for Ben to believe this family's for keeps?
 
Terrific book about two people who have been hurt in the past and are reluctant to risk their hearts again. I enjoyed seeing both Toni and Ben overcome their fears and open their hearts.
 
Ben moved to the small village of Great Crowmell for a fresh start. After finding out that his wife and the baby she carried belonged to his best friend, he needed to get away from the memories and the pitying looks. He has no interest in entering any new relationships.
 
Toni moved back to Great Crowmell to care for her grandmother and stayed after her grandmother's death. After a series of relationships with men who turned out to be selfish jerks, Toni no longer trusts her judgment and has sworn off men.
 
Ben and Toni got off to a rough start when he tripped over her therapy dog, Archie. After Ben comments about dogs not belonging there, and Toni snaps back, both retreat to their corners. Fortunately, neither one holds a grudge, and they clear the air the next day. Toni is a friendly and kind-hearted woman and wants Ben to feel at home in the village. After inviting him to dinner, where he gets to know both her and Archie, the beginnings of a friendship form. I loved watching Toni and Ben spend time together, getting to know each other, and sharing the hurts of their pasts.
 
Neither expected the sparks of attraction they felt. After an evening of Ben comforting Toni after losing a friend turned into much more, they had to make a decision. Do they allow past hurts to rule their lives, or take a chance and explore whatever is between them? I loved how they were open and honest about their wants and needs and decided to move their relationship ahead slowly. It was sweet to see the things they did together, from dinners to sightseeing to quiet movie nights. Their romantic weekend away was incredible.
 
Everything moved along quite nicely, then Toni became pregnant. I wanted to shake Ben, who let his past get into his head and cause him to make a boneheaded mistake. I ached for Toni, who suddenly felt her past happening all over again. Fortunately, Ben's idiocy didn't linger too long, helped along by an emergency with his sister's family. I loved Ben's big moment at the end, with his heartfelt apology and admission of his feelings. I didn't blame Toni for being wary at first and making him work for her forgiveness. The epilogue was fantastic, with a nice little twist at the end.
 
I loved the view of life in Great Crowmell. Like small towns all over, everybody seems to know everybody else and all of their business. I loved how quickly Ben felt at home. I would love to live/visit there myself, especially during their nineteen-forties weekend. Archie was another big part of the book. His obvious joy at being around people and ability to sense what they needed made him an excellent therapy dog. I loved how he turned Ben from an anti-dog person to a dog lover.
 
On a personal note, I loved Ben and Toni's trip to Vienna. Having been to the SiSi Museum, I agree entirely with Toni's love of what she saw. From their carriage tour to the concert to the pastries they ate, it all brought back wonderful memories. 

 

Rescued by the Colton Cowboy - Deborah Fletcher Mello (HRS #2144 - Aug 2021)

Series: Coltons of Grave Gulch (Book 7)

She's on the run with a baby
 
Only a cowboy can help her…
 
Fiercely loyal, Soledad de la Vega would do anything to help her loved ones. So when her best friend, Annie, is murdered, Soledad vows to keep little Lyra safe -- by running from a killer…and hiding out in Palmer Colton's barn. The cowboy has never really wanted a wife and kids of his own. Something about Soledad and Lyra, though, tugs at Palmer's heart like never before. Will he be able to keep his heart intact -- even as he keeps them safe from a deadly threat?
 
Good book. The story opens as Soledad prepares to help her best friend escape her abusive husband. Just when they think they've gotten away, Gavin appears behind Soledad's car and starts shooting, then rams the car with his SUV. Annie makes Soledad promise to take care of baby Lyra and keep her safe from Gavin if something happens to her - a prophetic request, as Annie dies of a gunshot wound. Desperate to escape, Soledad takes Lyra and runs into the woods, eventually hiding in a barn.
 
Palmer Colton is one of the few Grave Gulch Coltons not involved in law enforcement. He owns an 800-acre ranch where he raises cattle, sheep, and chickens. When he heads to the barn to check on a sick horse, he finds Soledad and Lyra and barely gets her story before Gavin shows up. Gavin pretends to be a cop with the GGPD, immediately making Palmer suspicious. I loved Palmer's immediate protectiveness and determination to keep the two safe.
 
I loved watching Palmer jump right into caring for Soledad and Lyra, something highly unusual for him. Palmer cherishes his solitude and rarely has anyone other than family in his home. After listening to Soledad's story and reasons for avoiding the police, he insists that he is their best option for staying safe.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Palmer and Soledad. Her sister is engaged to his cousin (Colton Bullseye), and Palmer has had a crush on Soledad for months. However, he is more than a little shy and never got up the courage to ask her out. Soledad noticed his interest at the engagement party and is equally interested in him. The main drawback for Palmer is that he has no intention of ever marrying or having kids, and he overheard Soledad talking about both.
 
I loved how Palmer did everything he could to make Soledad and Lyra comfortable in his home. The shopping scene was hilarious as he bought everything a baby could need while feeling entirely out of his element. Matters got a little tricky when he ran into his brother, Detective Troy Colton, while doing it and had to do some fast talking about who it was for. For a man who claims no interest in a family of his own, Palmer is fantastic with little Lyra. There are some awesomely sweet scenes between the two of them. The longer Soledad and Lyra remain in his home, the more Palmer starts to rethink his views on family.
 
Soledad could see herself falling for Palmer despite his views on a family of his own. With every day she stayed there, she lost a little more of her heart to him. She couldn't understand his resistance to a family since she could see how much he already cared for Lyra. While their feelings for each other grew, so did the sparks of attraction. Though she knew it could lead to a broken heart, Soledad couldn't resist giving in to the heat that burned between them. I liked watching each of them come to terms with their feelings and open up to each other about them. I felt terrible for Palmer when his date-night plans were so rudely interrupted, but he made up for it in the end.
 
The suspense of the story was good. It began with intensity as Soledad tried to rescue her friend Annie and then ran for her life to protect herself and Lyra. There were a couple of more intense moments early on as Gavin tried to get to Soledad. Then it became a waiting game as Gavin disappeared and the GGPD searched for him. There was a constant feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop, wondering if he would show up at the ranch again. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Soledad struggled to get Lyra to safety, and Palmer raced to be in time to save them.
 
One of my favorite characters was Palmer's dog, Jack. From the very beginning, he appointed himself Lyra's bodyguard and best friend. I can't count the number of times the two of them made me laugh at their antics. Jack also played a part in bringing down the bad guy at the end.
 
I also liked how the Coltons continue to support each other through everything that happens. Palmer doesn't fool anyone when he denies that Soledad and Lyra are with him, but they go along with it because she should be safe with him. I ached for Chief Melissa Colton, who has to deal with the fallout from the tampered evidence scandal, and for the rest of the GGPD, who work to regain the town's trust. I can feel everyone's frustration as both the escaped serial killer and the corrupt CSI chief remain at large.

Reawakened by the Italian Surgeon - Scarlet Wilson (HMED #1172 - May 2021)

Series: Double Miracle at St. Nicolino's Hospital (Book 2)

Top surgeon, devoted single dad… the doctor to open her heart?
 
Flying to Rome to separate conjoined twins is just the fresh start that Autumn needs. Her latest breakup has proved that her heart belongs only to surgery. But lead surgeon and widower Giovanni Lombardi has her pulse racing, and his adorable daughter awakens a longing for a family Autumn never thought she wanted -- until now…
 
Good follow-on book to A Family Made in Rome. Giovanni and Autumn are part of a team of doctors brought together to treat conjoined twins. In the first book, Leon and Lizzy's part involved in utero surgery to repair a hole in one girl's heart. Giovanni and Autumn's jobs are to surgically separate the twins after they are born and do the surgery necessary for each girl to live.
 
As the book opens, Autumn and her boyfriend have parted ways, realizing that they are not in love. Giovanni's call to Autumn came at the perfect time to give her a fresh start. Autumn looks forward to the challenge of the surgery and exploring the city of Rome. She never expected to be drawn to her fellow surgeon and single father, Giovanni.
 
Autumn is a woman who keeps tight control of her emotions. Raised by academic parents, Autumn and her brother were discouraged from showing excess emotion and expected to focus all their energy on being the best. Autumn never had the typical childhood activities of playing in the dirt or the rain or doing any other impulsive things kids do. Being around Giovanni and his daughter stirs up feelings she's never experienced before.
 
Giovanni has been a widower for four years. His daughter, Sofia, is the light of his life and the center of his universe. He also carries around a feeling of guilt because his marriage was falling apart before his wife's death. Getting involved with another woman was not on his radar until he met Autumn.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Autumn and Giovanni. The connection between them was immediate and undeniable. I loved seeing the little things Giovanni did for her, from helping her find the right places to replace her wardrobe to showing her around the city. Autumn even met Sofia, who immediately treated her like a best friend. Autumn is more than a little freaked out because she can only think of the bad things that can happen with kids. There are some sweet scenes where you can see Sofia wiggling her way past Autumn's walls and into her heart.
 
The more time Autumn and Giovanni spent together, the more they got to know each other, and their feelings grew. But when Giovanni tells Autumn the truth about his marriage, she pulls back, accusing him of lying to her. Autumn fears that by letting go of control, she's opened herself up to heartbreak. I liked the conversation she had with her brother, who gave her much to think about. The awkwardness between Autumn and Giovanni takes a back seat when the twins experience a crisis. I loved Autumn's "aha" moment and what she did about it. I laughed at Giovanni's shock and surprise and cheered at seeing Autumn let go of her fears. The epilogue was sweet.
 
I enjoyed getting the rest of the story about the conjoined twins. The separation surgery and follow-on were intense and made more vivid by the details provided by the author. 

 
 

Good Twin Gone Country - Jessica Lemmon (HD #2816 - Aug 2021)

Series: Dynasties: Beaumont Bay (Book 4)

"Please show me how to break a few rules…"
 
Hallie Banks is done being "the good twin," living in her superstar sister's shadow. But what does she know about letting loose and having fun? She needs a teacher, and fortunately, gorgeous bachelor bad boy Gavin Sutherland is up for the job. Soon Hallie bursts out of her comfort zone and loses herself to Gavin's sizzling touch. But living on the edge always comes with a cost…and now the moment of reckoning is nine months away!
 
Fun conclusion to the series. This is the story of Gavin Sutherland, youngest of the four brothers and unrepentant playboy, and Hallie Banks, the quieter, "good" twin to her superstar sister Hannah.
 
Hallie has always preferred living in the background, avoiding the spotlight, which works well as her sister's career manager. However, lately, she's felt as though something is missing in her life. She longs to break free of her fear of breaking the rules and do something outrageous and fun. Just talking to Gavin would be a start, but she feels like she turns into a blithering idiot whenever she's near him.
 
Gavin likes his bachelor life. He makes sure the women he's with know not to expect anything serious from him. He works hard as a music industry lawyer with his brothers' music studio, and he plays hard. He frequently sees Hallie thanks to her sister being married to his brother and their work together on Hannah's career. Gavin believes that Hallie doesn't like him because she won't meet his eyes and avoids him whenever possible.
 
The story gets off to a rough start between Hallie and Gavin as she steps out of her comfort zone, and Gavin mistakes her for her sister. Gavin sticks his foot in his mouth with some observations about Hallie (he thinks he's talking to Hannah), and Hallie doesn't react well. I enjoyed the scene the next day as the truth came out, and they cleared the air. Hallie makes up her mind to ask Gavin to teach her how to break free of her rut. When he confesses to needing help with the interior decorator for his house, Hallie offers up a trade - lessons in rule-breaking for her assistance with his home.
 
I enjoyed watching Hallie break out of her shell. Gavin does a terrific job of starting her out slow and working up to more daring things. I loved how she thought she was doing great when she drove the sports car a whole eight miles per hour over the speed limit. Neither expected to discover their attraction reciprocated. I liked seeing Hallie take the initiative, though I must admit that her rule-breaking in that instance was asking for trouble. Gavin is honest about his attitude toward relationships which suits Hallie just fine.
 
I loved watching the development of the relationship between Hallie and Gavin. They have fun together, and their chemistry is undeniable. Gavin is sweet in his determination to help Hallie fulfill her goals, and sometimes she surprises him. I loved the skinny-dipping scene at the lake and his shock at her actions. Hallie's insights into Gavin made helping the interior decorator a breeze. The more time Gavin and Hallie spent together, the deeper their connection grew. Hallie suspected early that she fell for him, but Gavin resisted admitting his feelings for a long time. His brothers see it and call him on it, but Gavin refuses to give in.
 
Hallie is shocked when she gets pregnant (no idea why she's shocked considering the rule she broke). She knows Gavin's views on marriage and children, but she finds she wants more than he's willing to give. She breaks off their relationship without telling him why, leaving Gavin wondering what went wrong. He spends several miserable days before Hallie's friends and sister confront him and point out his idiocy (without giving away her secret). I loved how he saw the light and immediately set out to make things right. I loved his big moment at the end, and his heartfelt "I was convinced loving someone meant missing out on life. You taught me being in love made life better" and "I'm about to break the biggest rule in my world and beg you for forever." One of the things I loved about Gavin was that he saw past her resemblance to her sister and loved Hallie for herself. I also liked how Hallie gained more confidence in herself as she stepped out from Hannah's shadow.
 
The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the series. I enjoyed seeing all four couples together and catching up with their lives. I had to laugh at Gavin poking at Cash about who has the better house. Hallie's happiness and contentment are evident, as is Gavin's joy in his life. 

 

K-9 Hideout - Elizabeth Heiter (HI #2011 - July 2021)

Series: K-9 Alaska (Book 4)

Dirty cops, hidden identities and a deadly stalker…
 
Police handler Tate Emory is thankful that Sabrina Jones saved his trusty K-9 companion, Sitka, but he didn't sign up for national media exposure. That publicity unveils his true identity to the dirty Boston cops he took down…and brings Sabrina's murderous stalker even closer to his target. With their covers blown, Tate will risk his life -- and his guarded heart -- to save Sabrina from a fatal end.
 
Terrific book. Sabrina came to Desparre six months earlier, the latest home in her two-year-long flight from a stalker. It is the longest she's stayed anywhere, and she began to feel comfortable there, even making some friends. Then Sabrina found a note on her porch - the stalker found her! Should she run again, or is it time to make a stand? I loved that Sabrina decided that it was tie to stop running and went to the police.
 
Tate is a K-9 officer on the Desparre police force. He and his dog Sitka take the lead on Sabrina's case. Tate understands Sabrina's need to run from her stalker and his threat to her family. He did the same thing. No one on the force knows Tate was a cop in Boston before joining them as a rookie. He brought down several dirty cops back in Boston, though two went free due to lack of proof. Those cops threatened revenge, so to protect his family, he changed his name and fled as far as he could.
 
This story grabbed me from the first chapter and kept me hooked to the very end. I could feel Sabrina's fear and her difficulty believing that her nightmare could finally end. With Desparre being such a small town, Tate and the others thought they had a good chance of figuring out who the stalker is. Tate, who understands her fear on a personal level, is determined to set Sabrina free. Neither of them expected the feelings that grew between them.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Tate and Sabrina develop. Though previously aware of each other, neither did anything about it because of their secrets. Now that they're spending so much time together, the attraction grows stronger. Tate tries to resist because a) he doesn't want to be distracted from protecting her, and b) because of his past and what he is hiding. Meanwhile, Sabrina knows that if they catch her stalker, she'll be able to go back to her life in New York, so getting involved wouldn't be wise. As they pretend to be a couple to draw out Sabrina's stalker, Tate and Sabrina find it feels all too real. I liked seeing them get to know each other. Sabrina opens up now that Tate knows the truth about her. Although Tate shares a few things about himself, he keeps the truth to himself, wanting to protect her. When the truth comes out, Sabrina understandably feels betrayed. It takes some deep self-examination for each of them to overcome the obstacles to being together. I loved Tate's heartfelt apology at the end. I would have liked an epilogue at the end because I still had a few questions about their future.
 
The suspense of the story was outstanding. Sabrina's fear of the stalker and his attacks on those she cared about leaped off the page. I could feel Tate's frustration at the difficulty of finding someone they had no information about. I loved seeing his use of social media to attempt to identify the stalker. It was a reminder that nothing is truly private. The case became more complicated when an attack that risked Tate's K-9, Sitka, made the local paper and national news. Tate feared that the men who wanted revenge would be able to find him. But he refused to run while Sabrina was still in danger. When an attempt to draw out the stalker went horribly wrong, Tate's fears became a reality. I was on the edge of my seat during that confrontation, wondering how Tate would pull off Sabrina's rescue. The intensity kept me glued to the pages until it was all over. And lest the stalker is forgotten, that also had a page-turning resolution - though having both Tate and Sitka sleep through his arrival strained my credulity a little.
 
I can't leave without mentioning Tate's K-9 partner Sitka. I loved her backstory on how she came to be with Tate. I loved that she went from shelter-rescue pet to trained police dog. It was also a great deal of fun to see her personality. When off duty, she was a beloved pet and a playful pup; while on duty, she was all business. I also loved how quickly she took to Sabrina and Sabrina to her. I loved seeing Sitka in action taking down the bad guys.

 

A Cinderella for the Viscount - Liz Tyner (HH #1590 - July 2021)

Will this shopkeeper's daughter
Become belle of the ball?
 
Rachael Albright's future is going up in flames—first her betrothal ends, then she learns she's about to become penniless! Thank goodness for Devlin Bryan, Viscount Montfort, who vows to help save her family's suffering jewelry shop. As a friend, of course—she's a most unsuitable match for a viscount…and anyway, her employees need her. But when sparks flare, will her attraction to the dashing Devlin mean getting burned again?
 
Rachael is the daughter of a jewelry store owner. Thanks to her mother's childhood friendship with a countess, Rachael and her mom were invited to a ball. Due to a disastrous series of events, Rachael's dress caught on fire. Devlin, attending the ball at his mother's request, doused the flames quickly. While recovering at the Countess's home, Rachael and Devlin became friends.
 
Rachael started the story engaged to Mr. Tenney. They courted for several years and engaged for two years, with no progress toward a wedding. While recovering, Rachael received an obnoxious letter from her fiancé, detailing all of the things he found wrong with her and angling for her to break the engagement. I ached for Rachael because Mr. Tenney blindsided her with his attitude. Her heartbreak grows when he implies that her father's business isn't doing well.
 
Devlin is a light-hearted man, well-known for his ability to defuse tense situations. He is one of those men who can tell a person to go to hell and have them look forward to the trip. His relationships with women are just as light, as he ensures that none of them get too invested in him. To all appearances, Devlin doesn't seem to have any interest in more serious matters.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Rachael and Devlin. From the moment he doused the flames of her dress, Devlin felt unexpectedly protective of her. I liked his support of Rachael over the broken engagement. His fury and disgust at Mr. Tenney's actions helped ease some of the sting of the rejection. Devlin and Rachael had some interesting discussions about their opposite life views - his light, not-too-serious attitude versus her practical one. When Rachael decides she needs to help save the jewelry shop, Devlin is right there with some advice on doing it.
 
Because she is not part of that world, Rachael frequently feels out of place at the Society events she attends. I liked how Devlin attempted to boost her self-confidence. Even after she went home, there were late-night visits where they talked. It was during these times that the flames of attraction began to grow. While Rachael gets more involved in the family business, she puts the idea of marriage behind her. This led to a somewhat surprising action on her part. I loved how Devlin realized his growing feelings for Rachael and his determination to make her his. Rachael was a harder nut to crack, worried about whether his feelings would change the way Mr. Tenney's did. It took some effort by Devlin to convince her.
 
I liked seeing them come together at the end, as Devlin's love helped Rachael see another side of herself. I liked the confidence she developed because of him and how it helped her with the efforts to save her father's business. The ending was sweet as their decision to marry was based on love and respect for each other's strengths. I liked the last bit that showed after their marriage and the look at the Devlin behind the public façade.
 
I was a little disappointed in the Mr. Tenny storyline. He spent a lot of time being an obnoxious jerk and making threats about the business. His last confrontation with Rachael was pretty intense. I waited to see what would happen with him, but he just faded away. I hoped to see some kind of justice come his way.  

Colton's Covert Witness - Addison Fox (HRS #2140 - July 2021)

Series: Coltons of Grave Gulch (Book 6)

When his witness comes under fire
This detective must protect her at all costs
 
Detective Troy Colton trusts assistant district attorney Evangeline Whittaker when she says she's witnessed a brutal crime…but why can't CSI find any evidence? To get to the truth, the cop must investigate why someone might gaslight the sole witness…while trying -- and failing -- to keep his professional distance. As the threats to Evangeline escalate, Troy realizes both their hearts and lives are at stake!
 
Terrific book.  Troy is a detective with the Grave Gulch Police Department and is dedicated to his job. Evangeline is an assistant district attorney for Grave Gulch and is just as devoted to her job. Several months earlier, the GGPD discovered that the head of their CSI division faked or ignored evidence according to his own agenda. This resulted in some innocent people going to jail and guilty ones going free, including a serial killer. Because she worked on the serial killer's case, using (unknown to her) corrupt evidence, Evangeline is currently on leave from her job.
 
For the past few weeks, Evangeline felt as though she were being watched, even in her own home. One evening as she walked to the local diner, she glanced down an alley and witnessed a couple arguing, then the man shooting the woman. Though she immediately called 911, when Troy and his partner arrived, there was no evidence that there had been a murder there. Though Troy's instincts tell him to believe her, others are not so sure. An escalating series of similar events makes Evangeline wonder if she's losing her mind. Meanwhile, Troy suspects that someone is gaslighting her and is determined to find out who.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Troy and Evangeline. Both of them tend to be workaholics with little interest in dating. Troy's dedication to his job stemmed from the unsolved murder of his mother when he was a child. Making sure that others don't suffer the same drives Troy's focus on every case. On the other hand, Evangeline suffers from a feeling of never being quite good enough, thanks to the emotional abuse of her father. Evangeline and Troy have known each other for years through their jobs and have noticed each other on a more elemental level but have done nothing about it. Troy's protective instincts flare up over the strange events, and he insists on providing close protection. Spending time in close proximity gives their attraction a chance to grow.
 
Neither Troy nor Evangeline wants to admit the feelings that grow alongside the attraction. Both fight to maintain a professional relationship, though it's clear they are losing the battle. But when Troy pushes Evangeline away, believing that he can't be his best as a cop and have a family too, Evangeline has to take a good look at her baggage. I loved when she decided to go after what she wanted. The scene at the police station was fantastic. I loved the conversation with Police Chief Melissa Colton, especially when she told Evangeline, "I hope you brought your boxing gloves" and "No mercy." Seeing Evangeline push against Troy's walls was very satisfying, as was seeing those walls crumble.  The epilogue was fantastic.
 
The suspense of the story was excellent. From the moment Evangeline started feeling like she was being watched, the question became by who, and why? With the serial killer still on the loose, could he be coming after the person who prosecuted him? Could it be Randall Bowe, the CSI chief who is still on the run? I ached for Evangeline because she reported attacks so many times, yet the evidence disappeared before the cops arrived. Though Troy believed her, other members of the force did not, and that created some tension between Troy and the others. I loved when they got a crucial bit of evidence and ran with it. But the person behind it all was desperate, and the final confrontation was a nail-biter. 

 

The Highlander's Irish Bride - Vanessa Kelly (Zebra - Aug 2021)

Series: Clan Kendrick (Book 4)

Meet the most respectable member of the Kendrick Clan and the independent woman who has stolen his heart...
 
Miss Kathleen Calvert may be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but she has no intention of acting like one. All she desires is to return to her family's estate to raise horses and manage her father's magnificent gardens. But when a scandal threatens her reputation, her parents order her to a remote Scottish estate, hoping she will finally learn to behave like a proper lady. To make matters worse, her escort is a handsome Highlander who just happens to be the most boring man in all of Scotland...
 
After a youth of dangerous and wild escapades, Grant Kendrick surprised his family--and himself--by becoming a successful businessman and the most respectable Kendrick brother. But does that matter, when the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen deems him a stodgy bore? Luckily, he gets the chance to prove her wrong when their carriage is ambushed by thieves. But it will take all his ingenuity to protect the beautiful lass who has stormed her way into his heart--and to convince her that a life with him will be a love-filled adventure...
 
Another fun entry in the Clan Kendrick series. This is the story of Graeme Kendrick's (The Highlander's English Bride) twin brother, Grant. Though Graeme and Grant were hell-raisers when they were younger, both have changed and matured. Grant took to the family business and surprised everyone with his success. Much to their dismay, however, Grant shows no interest in marriage, seemingly content with his bachelor status. He occasionally feels that his life lacks something, though he isn't sure what. That is, until the day a feisty Irish visitor arrived.

 
Kathleen is the daughter of an Irish baron who longs to return to Ireland and the family estate, horses, and gardens. Instead, she's stuck in London, bored stiff by Society activities. Her latest attempt to relieve that boredom, carriage racing on Hampstead Heath, landed her in the midst of scandal. Her parents decide to send her to her cousin Sabrina in the Scottish highlands to let the scandal die down and hopefully expose Kathleen to more ladylike behavior. Accompanied by her friend Gillian, Duchess of Leventon, they stop in Glasgow to visit Gillian's cousin, Countess of Arnprior. The trip becomes more complicated when they discover that Kathleen's sixteen-year-old stepsister, Jeannie, stowed away.
 
From the moment Kathleen and Grant met, the sparks between them were obvious. However, their first impressions of each other don't bode well. Kathleen thinks he is boring and humorless, and Grant believes she is flighty. Besides, neither is looking for a relationship; they are too different. Kathleen intends to return to Ireland as soon as possible, and Grant isn't interested in marrying. Grant's family thinks they are perfect for each other and find every opportunity to throw the pair together. It isn't long before Kathleen and Grant start to see each other differently, but they still fight their feelings.
 
When another scandal accelerates Kathleen's departure to Sabrina and Graeme's home, Grant is tagged with ensuring Kathleen and Jeannie arrive safely. Grandfather Angus goes along to help and spends much of the trip telling stories about Grant's past exploits. Shortly before their arrival, highwaymen rob the coach, and Kathleen sees yet another side of Grant.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Kathleen and Grant started with dislike, then moved to friendship. I liked their time in Glasgow as they began to get to know each other. Their visit to Castle Mugdock with Jeannie and Grant's youngest brother Kade was hilarious as they teamed up to keep Jeannie out of trouble. But their changing relationship hits its stride when they arrive in the highlands. Grant agrees to stay to help Graeme track down the men who robbed them but worries about his ability to resist his attraction to Kathleen. His fears are well-founded as he finds himself more and more drawn to her. Kathleen discovers that returning to Ireland holds less appeal than it used to, displaced by the vision of a life with Grant. 

I loved the teasing, light-hearted banter, and flirting between them as the feelings they tried to resist take over. Some Jeannie-induced drama accelerated their attraction, while Kathleen battled fears about the future. I loved seeing her work things out in her mind and then explain them to Grant. His reaction was fantastic, and his understanding of her fears was terrific. The library distraction scene made me laugh out loud a couple of times and ended perfectly. There's a dangerous foe to face before they get their happy ending. The epilogue was a grand wrap-up.
 
The suspense of this story involved a gang of bandits terrorizing the area. From their attack on the carriage that brought Kathleen to the final confrontation, I could feel the frustration as Grant and Graeme fruitlessly searched for their hideout. From thievery and vandalism to arson, the growing threat created fear and tension among the villagers. I began to suspect the truth near the end, a suspicion that proved to be horrifyingly true. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, and I certainly never suspected who would be responsible for the capture. That scene was intense but also had some unexpected moments of humor.
 
As for secondary characters, I enjoyed catching up with other members of the Kendrick family. Kade was one of my favorites. He was kind to Jeannie despite her over-the-top actions. I felt terrible for him when she cornered him at Mugdock, but he handled it well. Grandfather Angus is always a hoot with his matchmaking attempts, conveniently revised memories, and willingness to interfere in almost anything. The secondary character with the most prominent part was Kathleen's sister Jeannie. I still have mixed feelings about her. For most of the book, she was a brat. She refused to listen to anyone who disagreed with her desires, putting herself and others into awkward and sometimes dangerous situations. While she supposedly hero-worshipped Kathleen, that certainly didn't translate to listening to her advice. She did redeem herself in the end, but it was a close-run thing.
 
My only question now is: will there be a story for Kade?

An Officer and a Fortune - Nina Crespo (HSE #2835 - May 2021)

Series: Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune (Book 5)

His homecoming was temporary.
Until he met the woman who changed everything.
 
Captain Collin Waldon is on leave from the military, tending to his ailing father in his final days. Knowing his stay in Rambling Rose will be short, Collin is not looking for romantic entanglements -- especially not with Nicole Fortune, the beautiful, free-spirited executive chef of Roja Restaurant in the struggling Hotel Fortune. Yet these two unlikely lovers seem perfect for each other, until Collin's reassignment threatens their newfound bliss…
 
Excellent book. Nicole Fortune is the head chef of the restaurant Roja in the family's hotel. The story opens as she shops at the local farmers' market, looking for fresh ingredients for the restaurant and contemplating ideas for new dishes. While there, she notices a handsome man who is also picking out fresh herbs and veggies. After a brief conversation, Nicole invites him to Roja to sample the dish she's experimenting with.
 
Collin is an army officer home on leave to care for his terminally ill father. Matters are tense between the two men, and cooking is one way that Collin destresses. Encountering the beautiful Nicole proves to be another. The last thing he expected or wanted was to get involved with a woman in his hometown when he's only there for a short time.
 
I loved watching the relationship develop between Collin and Nicole. Neither is looking for a relationship. Nicole is too busy with her restaurant, and Collin's experience with long-distance relationships holds him back. I loved how the two of them connected over food. Their lunch together as Collin sampled Nicole's new dish only deepened their connection while exchanging stories about their foodie experiences. Nicole, who has been struggling with her upcoming summer menu, invited Collin to help her develop the recipes. I enjoyed watching them cook together, beautifully matched in skill and enthusiasm.
 
Collin needs this time away from his dad as they butt heads over Sam's upcoming move to assisted living. I ached for Collin, who wants these weeks with Sam to be a return to the closeness of his youth. It's evident that something deeper bothers Sam, and he takes it out on Collin. I loved seeing Nicole reach out to help Collin deal with his problems with Sam. Her insight goes a long way toward assisting Collin and Sam regain their closeness. I loved the depth of emotion displayed as Collin and Sam find their way back to each other. I loved the sweet reminisces expressed by Sam.
 
Meanwhile, the attraction between Collin and Nicole continues to grow. Though they know there is an expiration date, eventually, they can no longer resist the pull. Neither one expects the attraction to deepen into more. Both dream of a future together, but neither can see a way to make it happen. I ached for them both as they struggled to find a way to turn "for now" into "forever." I loved Collin's big moment at the end and the epilogue that hinted at their future.
 
Throughout this series, the Hotel Fortune has struggled with suspicious accidents and other strange happenings that impact the business. In this book, someone sabotaged the hotel's big fundraiser for community charities. They messed with the foods that Nicole worked so hard to provide, making them not only inedible but, in one case, dangerous to consume. I ached for Nicole and the devasting blow this was to her professionally and personally. This was on top of a local diner using questionable tactics to entice patrons and staff away from Roja. I've had my suspicions about the culprit, which strengthened in this book. I look forward to the next book, which should reveal whether I am right. 

Tempering the Viscount's Envy - C.H. Admirand (Dragonblade - July 2021)

Series: Lords of Vice (Book 3)

Pride, Lust, Envy and Greed…vices that could lead a gentleman down the road to ruin. Unless he meets his saving grace in the form of a virtuous poor relation.
 
A chance meeting at dawn on Hogmanay brings a tall, dark, and handsome man into Lady Calliope's life. Will he bring good fortune and the promise of love, or disaster?
 
Viscount William Chattsworth is envious of his cousin, the duke. The duke's good fortune and lofty position in society has been well-earned. The viscount's circumstances have been drastically reduced after his father, the earl, mysteriously disappears. Thinking to make the most of the distant familial connection, he seeks an audience with the duke. The audience does not go as planned, and the half-truths he tells the duke are exposed as angry words are exchanged.
 
Lady Calliope Harrington has been enjoying an extended stay at Wyndmere Hall with the duke's sister, Lady Phoebe, and their good friend, Lady Aurelia Coddington, as she prepares to marry the duke's brother. Distracted by the raised voices coming out of the duke's upstairs study, she pauses at the top of the stairs to listen.
 
The viscount storms out of the study and barrels into Lady Calliope, catching her before she falls headlong down the staircase. Breathless from having the wind knocked out of her, Calliope cannot speak, only cling to her rescuer's arms.
 
The duke rushes out of his study and sees Lady Calliope in the viscount's arms, the butler and housekeeper at the bottom of the stairs staring at the couple, and immediately demands his cousin marry Calliope to save her reputation.
 
The viscount is saddled with a bride-to-be, who has no fortune or family to speak of, and is on shaky terms with his benefactor, the duke. Calliope is about to marry a man who is blinded by envy and desperately in search of an heiress, while she has nothing to offer him.
 
Living apart, the viscount in London at the behest of the duke, and Calliope at Chattsworth Manor, the couple slowly realize the instant attraction they had felt on Hogmanay has only grown stronger, while Calliope's frustration over their hasty marriage to protect her name, and the viscount's need to marry an heiress, lessen over time.
 
Will the viscount let go of the crippling envy that keeps him from seeing the inner strength beneath Calliope's quiet beauty and come to love her? Will Calliope learn to trust the viscount and finally find her true place in life—at the viscount's side?
 
Good book. I haven't read the first two books in the series, but this one worked fine as a standalone. The book opens with William bemoaning his dire financial state. A year earlier, his father lost a lot of money gambling, invested more in a questionable venture, and disappeared without a trace. Most of the estate staff quit when William couldn't pay them, except for four rather elderly retainers, and the house and tenant farms desperately need repair. As he sees it, his only option is to ask his cousin, the Duke of Wyndmere, for financial help. William can't help feeling envious of the duke's current good fortune and well-earned respect. On his way to the duke's estate, William stops for directions at a church, where he meets the lovely Lady Calliope.
 
Calliope and her friend Lady Aurelia arrived at the church before dawn on Hogmanay for the finishing touches in preparation for Aurelia's wedding later that day. The last thing she expected was for a tall, dark, and handsome man to step over the threshold, stirring visions of love and good fortune. After spending years as an unpaid servant and poor relation, abused by her cousins, Calliope was rescued and taken in by Aurelia and her uncle, Lord Coddington. He and the duke work to regain Calliope's inheritance which her cousins stole, but as yet, she is still poor.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Calliope and William. During that first day, neither one can take their eyes off the other. Thrown together during the wedding festivities, the seeds of attraction find fertile ground. But William needs to marry an heiress to gain the funds to repair the estate, and Calliope doesn't qualify. Fate intervenes when an unintended collision ends up with Calliope in William's arms and the duke insisting they marry to save her reputation. As he doesn't have the means to support a wife, William is aghast, and Calliope knows he didn't want to marry a poor woman. Meanwhile, the duke separates the two, sending William to London and Calliope to William's home.
 
I wasn't sure I liked William at the beginning. His envy of the duke ate at him, and he tried to lie his way into gaining the duke's support. I liked his concern for his employees and tenants, which gave me hope that he was redeemable. I also appreciated William's determination to fulfill the duke's task list to the best of his ability. Some of those tasks included actions geared toward finding out what happened to William's father. The more time he spent in London, working on the duke's charges, the easier he found it to overcome his envious feelings and think about what was good in his life. He also found himself thinking more often of Calliope and worrying about her time at Chattsworth Manor.
 
Calliope seemed a bit faint-hearted to me at first with her constant worry about doing something wrong. I felt terrible for her feelings of rejection over William's attitude toward their marriage, especially since she already had started falling for him. She impressed me upon her arrival at Chattsworth with the way she jumped right into making things better. Because she spent so many years as a servant, Calliope had no problems rolling up her sleeves and doing things herself.
 
I loved how it became apparent that absence made the heart grow fonder when it came to William and Calliope. When nasty rumors circulated about her, William's first thought was protecting her, then dealing with the person responsible. I loved the scene where he showed up at Chattsworth long enough to check on her and his surprise at what he found before heading back to finish what he started. Meanwhile, Calliope has found her strength and refuses to allow William to put himself in danger for her. I laughed at the departure scene and cheered on her determination to have her way. A duel and an injury bring them closer together, but then Calliope's fears and insecurities send her running. I loved William's pursuit and the advice he receives that helps him prove his love to her.
 
There is a bit of suspense worked into the story regarding William's father's disappearance. William must deal with people who think he had a part in the earl's disappearance while at the same time trying to uncover the truth. The duke's assistance was invaluable, and I enjoyed seeing the various steps taken to make it happen. The resolution was well done, and I liked the results.
 
I also liked the secondary characters. The duke and his wife, as well as Edward and Aurelia, were good friends to Calliope. I gathered that there was trouble in their stories, and I can't wait to read them. One of my favorite things about the duke was his motto of "family first." I loved that he doesn't throw money at a problem but instead helps William help himself. He also seemed a little more human/normal when faced with his impending fatherhood. Edward and Aurelia were good friends to Calliope, and I liked how they showed up at Chattsworth to check on her.
 
Some of my favorite characters were the various men who made up the duke's guards. All of them were large Irishmen, prone to fighting but with soft hearts when dealing with the ladies. I also like Calliope's maid, Mary Kate, whose backstory was as heartbreaking as Calliope's. Her unwavering support and friendship with Calliope were great. I'm still up in the air over William's cousin Marcus, whose actions when he stopped at Chattsworth were not those of a gentleman. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Calliope deal with him. I suspect the fourth book is about him, and I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for him.