Trapping a Terrorist - Caridad Pineiro (HI #2025 - Oct 2021)

Series: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Book 4)

An FBI agent puts everything on the line…
To keep a deadly threat at bay
 
When FBI agent Miguel Peters and his father land squarely in the crosshairs of a bomber terrorizing Seattle, the last thing Miguel wants is to also entangle a lovely stranger in a terrorist's web. Yet while Maisy Oliver might look innocent, her father's one of the most notorious men in Washington State. Miguel knows Maisy will do anything to help him and his team catch a killer. But does that include confronting a past she's worked far too long to forget?
 
Good book that literally started with a bang and never let up. While sightseeing, FBI agent Miguel's father, Robert, struck up a conversation with travel blogger Maisy. During one of their stops, a bomber grabbed Robert, snapping a bomb collar around his neck and taking him hostage. A tense confrontation and a nearby explosion meant the bomber got away. Meanwhile, Maisy stayed right with Robert while the bomb squad defused the collar bomb. As a witness who also saw the bomber, Maisy went into protective custody with Robert. He stayed in a hotel under guard, while Maisy stayed with Miguel in his apartment.
 
I found it interesting that Maisy stayed at the apartment and not Miguel's dad. The connection between Miguel and Maisy was evident from the start. Something about her got under his skin and roused his protectiveness. Mentally, Miguel fights the connection, not wanting to get involved in a relationship. An FBI agent herself, Miguel's mother died in the line of duty, and he never wants to put someone through that agony. He also has a job to do, and Maisy is a distraction he can't afford.
 
Maisy feels the connection as strongly as Miguel does. Part of her resists the attraction as she has plans for her future that don't include a relationship with anyone. But because of her past, Maisy understands the importance of Miguel's work. Even when she worries about him, she hides her fears and encourages him in his work. An unexpected link between Maisy's past and the current case created a situation where she had to face that past. I loved Miguel's support and the strength it gave her to make it through the situation.
 
I loved watching the relationship develop. Miguel and Maisy's concern for each other was sweet, and I enjoyed seeing them take care of one another. I laughed at the reactions of Miguel's BAU teammates who, accustomed to his solitary lifestyle, raised eyebrows at his overt affection for Maisy. The more time they spent together, the more Miguel wanted her in his life. As Maisy's feelings for Miguel grew, she didn't look forward to the end of the case and their inevitable parting. I loved the ending and the drama-free but emotional admission of their feelings for each other. Where it happened was especially appropriate.
 
The suspense of the story kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. The first bombing raised questions in Miguel's mind and partially affected the direction of the investigation. An escalation in attacks increased the tension and also brought new leads to light. I agreed with Miguel's suspicion of a mastermind behind the attacks and who it was. I loved seeing the BAU's teamwork and dedication as they drew the net tighter. The intensity of the final confrontation kept me hooked until it was over. 

Tracing a Kidnapper - Juno Rushdan (HI #2019 - Sept 2021)

Series: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Book 3)

Rescuing children is her life's mission.
Saving this one is paramount.
 
FBI agent Madeline Striker's new case feels deeply personal. The kidnapped daughter of tech CEO Jackson Rhodes is the same age her sister was when she was abducted. The kidnap specialist's fierce determination to rescue Jackson's child forges a powerful bond between them, but they can't allow their intense attraction to divert their focus. Because a vindictive enemy is threatening the child's life.
 
Fantastic book. I read it in one sitting - finished at 3 am because I couldn't put it down. The intensity of the suspense kept me turning the pages, and the sparks between Madeline and Jackson added a different kind of tension.
 
CEO and single father Jackson's daughter Emma is the center of his life, with his business a close second. His life upends when Emma is kidnapped from right under his nose at the company's Family Day. Accustomed to being in control of his world, relying on others for help is a struggle. His attraction to Madeline, the FBI's kidnapping specialist, is a distraction he doesn't need.
 
Madeline's work for the FBI stems from personal experience. Her little sister was kidnapped when Madeline was eight years old and never found, and she wants to keep other families from suffering the way hers did. Her success rate speaks for itself and her determination. Staying focused on the search takes precedence over any attraction she feels for the child's father.
 
The twists and turns of this story kept me guessing right to the end. The kidnapper clearly had a very personal motive, and their vindictive demands and taunting succeeded in tormenting Jackson. Because of his control issues, Jackson can't sit back and leave it all in the hands of the experts. He frequently gets an idea and rushes to pursue it, much to Madeline's frustration. Attempts to rein him in partially succeed, only because Madeline insists that he work with her. Every time it looks like they have a viable suspect, something proves them wrong. Meanwhile, the kidnapper alters the demands, changes timelines, and carries out attacks that serve as distractions, misdirections, or just plain taunting.
 
I was glued to the pages as the team closed in on the kidnapper's identity. The intensity picked up as Madeline went off to follow a lead while the rest of the group pursued another. Unsurprisingly, Madeline had the right one and found herself facing the kidnapper on her own. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Madeline went up against a psychopath determined to kill her. The resolution was excellent, with Jackson playing a critical part.
 
I liked the romance between Jackson and Madeline. They connected over their determination to rescue Emma. Madeline's personal experience added to that connection. As they worked together, each found a partner who understood the stresses and requirements of the jobs they do. This opened their eyes to the possibilities of the future. The sparks between them continue to grow though they work hard to keep it under control. They mostly succeed, except for one time when attraction and relief combine in an explosive encounter. I liked that both agreed on poor timing but the potential for the future. One of my favorite things about this story is that there was no three-day journey to "I love you. Marry me." However, the ending gave me a satisfying feeling that this couple has a realistic chance of a happy future together. 

The Trap - Carol Ericson (HI #2008 - July 2021)

Series: Kyra and Jake Investigation (Book 4)

Can they outplay The Player?
 
When a fourth copycat killer strikes, Detective Jake McAllister and Kyra Chase race to find the mastermind behind LA's serial murders. Now there's a new lead, but to protect the woman he loves, Jake must reveal a crucial secret about Kyra's past -- the real reason The Player wants her dead. Exposing the truth could turn this investigation on its head…and force this notorious criminal to make one final move.
 
Terrific conclusion to the series. The book opens as yet another copycat killer strikes. This time, the killer left a witness, something against The Player's rules. Jake, Kyra, and the rest of the task force are determined to put an end to his reign of terror. The tension increased with each book as they pursued not just the copycat but the one pulling the strings. In this book, we can feel that they are finally drawing close.
 
Throughout the series, Jake and Kyra's relationship grows closer and stronger. Both learned to trust each other on and off the job. At the same time, their attraction deepened to love. But to have a future together, Jake must keep Kyra alive. When Quinn's death exposes a long-concealed secret, Jake understands the depth of Kyra's peril. I understood Quinn's need to protect Kyra, but I also agreed with Jake that she deserved to know the truth. I loved that his innate need to be honest with her overcame his protectiveness and that he trusted her to be able to handle the news. I ached for Kyra's heartbreak and loved her determination to do something with the information. I loved Jake's support for whatever she wanted to do with it.
 
The further the investigation goes, the more Jake suspects that the truth is closer than anyone knew. I thought I had it figured out in the previous book, but I couldn't have been more wrong. An unexpected twist in Quinn's autopsy sends the investigation down a new path. At the same time, Kyra's search for the truth brings the Player out of hiding. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as the Player attempted to finish what he started twenty years earlier. I loved Kyra's presence of mind when she figured it out and her part in the outcome. Jake's arrival was edge-of-the-seat close and led to a great conclusion.
 
I liked the epilogue, with Jake, Kyra, and Jake's daughter Fiona discussing what happened before the subject changed to Jake and Kyra's relationship. I laughed out loud at Fiona's request and Jake's reaction.

Decoding a Criminal - Barb Han (HI #2014 - Aug 2021)

Series: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Book 2)

He needs her to solve a crime.
He wants her for so much more.
 
Dashiell West's sister is in trouble. Big trouble. And recruiting computer whiz Raina Andress to work with him in cybercrimes at the Behavioral Analysis Unit is his only hope. Raina knows her friend would never embezzle millions. But join forces with the sexy agent from her past and risk her heart again? Dangerous. Tracking a deadly mastermind willing to sacrifice them all for his nefarious plan? Deadly.
 
Good edge-of-the-seat story. Dash's sister Layla has been arrested for embezzling two million dollars from the company where she works. He knows she is innocent but lacks the proof. Luckily his team at the Behavioral Analysis Unit wants to help. Dash just needs one more person to assist - Layla's best friend, Raina. The problem is, he and Raina have a history, one he hasn't been able to forget.
 
Raina knows Layla would never steal that money and will do anything to help prove her friend's innocence. But working with Dash will take every ounce of self-control she has to keep from risking her heart again.
 
This book had a good mix of romance and suspense. Dash doesn't do relationships, but his one night with Raina stayed with him long past those with other women. He also knows that Raina has the skills to help him find the real criminal, so he'll try to put that history behind him. Raina has a more challenging time of it. I loved how when he showed up at her company, she hid rather than talk to him. Not that it stopped Dash, who knew right where to find her. Their conversation was borderline antagonistic as Dash worked to convince Raina to pool their resources and work with him. And underneath that antagonism, their continued attraction simmered. Raina agrees because she'll do anything to help her friend, even work with Dash.
 
I loved seeing how well Raina and Dash work together. Their methods mesh well, especially when they can ignore their attraction. But ignoring the sparks gets more difficult the more time they spend together. Both try to ignore their growing feelings for each other. Besides knowing that Dash doesn't do relationships, Raina must deal with her fears of loving someone with a dangerous job. Her military father died in action when she was a child, and seeing the effect on her mother influenced Raina's view of relationships. Both Raina and Dash also worry about Layla's reaction to them being together. After nearly losing Raina, Dash realizes that she is the one woman he can't walk away from and finally acknowledges his feelings for her. I loved his big moment at the end and the hint of vulnerability as he waited for her response. I enjoyed the surprise he had for her and the effect it had on her answer. The epilogue was good, too.
 
The suspense and action kept me reading late into the night. Dash is mostly confident that Layla is innocent of the embezzlement, though he feels a small amount of doubt. The BAU's involvement means that they have to proceed on the assumption that she may be guilty. The suspense picks up immediately when Dash interviews Layla's boss and learns some worrisome things about his sister. The tension increases when A motorcycle-riding gunman attacks Dash and Raina. The question is: is this related to the case, or was the attack personal to Dash? I enjoyed seeing the methods used by Dash and Raina as they tried to trace the embezzlement back to its source while at the same time looking into those who might have a grudge against Layla. The identification of several possible suspects made the search more complex. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with an unexpected twist. 

Before Summer Ends - Susan Mallery (HSE #2833 - May 2021)

A long, hot summer with her secret crush…
What could possibly go wrong?
 
Nissa Lang knows Desmond Stilling is out of her league. He's a CEO, she's a teacher. He's gorgeous, she's…not. So when her house-sitting gig falls through and Desmond offers her a place to stay for the summer, she vows not to reveal how she's felt about him since their first -- and only -- kiss.
 
Desmond should've known better than to bring temptation into his house. He decided long ago that his best friend's sister was too sweet, too good, for him. She deserves a guy who can give his heart. For her sake, he's stayed away. But as her laughter breathes life into his lonely mansion, he's not sure how long he'll be able to resist.
 
Terrific friends to lovers story. Nissa is a teacher who takes temporary jobs during the summer to earn money for her dream trip to Italy. This summer, she accepts a house-sitting job, then sublets her condo for the summer for extra income. When the house-sitting job falls through, she has no place to stay. Since Nissa can't stay with her brother, he suggests staying with his best friend Desmond in his huge house. Nissa is reluctant because she's had a crush on Desmond since he stepped in to take her to prom when she was seventeen. Desmond remains a friend to their entire family, so she has buried her feelings for years.
 
Desmond became friends with Nissa's brother Shane when they attended the same boarding school. Desmond was tutored at home until he was sent away to school, so though he was book smart, his social skills were nonexistent. He was raised by parents whose marriage was more business merger than marriage and actively discouraged expressing emotions. Shane immediately befriended Desmond and absorbed him into his family, showing Desmond what a loving family looked like. Shane's family treated him as one of their own, and there is nothing Desmond wouldn't do for them. Inviting Nissa to stay with him is a no-brainer, but it also makes his life more difficult. He's never forgotten their goodnight kiss, but she deserves better than him.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Nissa and Desmond develop. Their friendship is strong already, thanks to knowing each other for so long. I loved how easily they talked and laughed and teased. But underneath the comfortable friendship, the sparks of attraction simmer and grow. Nissa believes that if Desmond had been interested in her all those years ago, he would have done something about it. So she keeps her unrequited feelings buried. Besides the fact that, at the time, Desmond felt he was too old for her, Nissa's brother made it clear it was hands-off his little sister. Having Nissa there now stirs up feelings Desmond doesn't know what to do with.
 
There are many sweet scenes of the two together, and it's easy to see that they get closer. I ached for Desmond as he shared his family life with Nissa and his conviction that, like his parents, he has no heart. He truly believes that he is incapable of love. No matter what she said, Nissa could not convince him otherwise. And yet, his obvious care for Nissa's friend Marisol and her daughters on their boat trip showed that there was more to him than he knew.
 
Desmond and Nissa's relationship undergoes a considerable change when she slips and confesses her attraction to him. I loved seeing how Nissa's frustrated rant led Desmond to prove that he was just as attracted, and things snowballed from there. The connection between them burned hot until interrupted by an emergency call from Marisol. I loved the effect that seeing Nissa drop everything for her friend had on Desmond. Though he's always been someone who supported charities and good causes, always ready with his checkbook, this is the first time Desmond experiences helping first-hand. He warmed my heart with how he brought Marisol's daughters to his house for Nissa to take care of them. He's so good with them, yet he can't see that it's because of his big heart. Even better, he involved himself even more deeply in their lives, planning a massive surprise for Marisol.
 
But when Nissa can no longer hide her feelings and tells Desmond of her love, Desmond panics and sends her away. His conviction that he has no heart and is incapable of love is too firm for Nissa to overcome. I ached for Nissa as she tried to deal with her broken heart. I also hurt for Desmond, who couldn't understand why he was so miserable. An unexpected call from his mother spurred Desmond's "aha" moment and a call to Nissa's father. I loved that conversation and the one in person a few hours later. Because Nissa's dad was almost a father to Desmond, too, he gave some fantastic advice. I especially loved the bit about groveling. Desmond's big moment was terrific. I liked the ring's description and would love to see a picture of the author's inspiration for it. 

Zane - Christie Ridgway (Christie Ridgway - Nov 2017)

Series: 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers (Book 3)

Ex-soldier Zane Tucker is perfectly happy with his single life and his adventure watersports business. A gambler by nature, he figures the odds of finding a woman for forever are a lot longer than finding a woman for right now. And as a man of action and not emotion, he believes a woman with lasting romance on the mind would want someone with less hard muscle and more soft sentiment. But then his dog hurtles toward the new county librarian, yanking Zane into her delicate, pretty presence. Will they both scare her away? And why does that worry him so?
 
Harper Grace has a bucket list of goals to tick off and is determined to live every moment to the fullest by overcoming her usual shyness. No one will call her too timid and too boring ever again. But then a giant of a man and his equally large dog charge into her life and she can't decide if she wants to take a step back…or step fully into Zane's strong arms. She's been brave enough to change her life, but does she have enough courage to risk her heart?
 
Good book. Zane came home to Eagle Ridge after his Army Ranger career ended in injury. Along with his brother, Adam, he started an adventure watersports business. He enjoys his bachelor life and sticks to women who don't expect commitment. That all comes to an end when his dog, Gambler, crashes into the new librarian, Harper, and knocks her over. Something tells him that his life will never be the same.
 
Harper moved to Eagle Ridge from San Francisco, determined to change her life. Naturally shy and introverted, she's been called boring once too often. She has a list of goals, and getting distracted by Zane wasn't in the plan.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Zane and Harper grow. Though the chemistry between them runs hot, both have been burned in the past. As a young soldier, Zane fell for a Southern girl who allowed him to woo her, but when he got serious, she called him too big, too clumsy, and too rough around the edges for any woman. Thanks to her, he feels like the proverbial beast and destined to be alone. He often feels like a bull in a china shop, along with his neurotic dog, who really is. Risking his heart again is not in the cards. Zane also has lingering issues over his mother leaving the family after he outgrew his childhood asthma. Harper, too, has been hurt. Engaged to an attorney for two years, he suddenly broke their engagement when she reserved the church for their wedding. Not only did he claim she was too boring, but he cheated on her for six months with one-night-stands. She's not interested in another relationship.
 
Complicating matters, Zane's brother Adam and his sister Bailey have both recently found love interests. Though he won't admit it, Zane feels a little out-of-sorts. The townspeople say he's moping because he's still single and keep trying to set him up with various women. In a convoluted series of events, Zane claims that he and Harper are an item, forcing them to spend time together. I loved watching them get to know each other - the big, tough guy with a hidden soft spot and the petite librarian with an unexpected adventurous side. I loved seeing Zane's softer side come out as he showed Harper how wrong her ex was about her. I ached for him and his insecurities as his feelings for Harper grew, but he had trouble believing she would want him. I liked seeing Harper blossom under Zane's attention, discovering she's stronger and braver than she knew. There's a terrific scene when her ex shows up in Eagle Ridge expecting to pick up where he left off, and I loved seeing her disabuse him of that notion, aided and abetted by Zane. I loved their "aha" moments when each one realized the depth of their feelings. Zane's big moment was sweet and emotional, and I loved how it happened.
 
There was a secondary romance between Zane's father, Sam, owner of the local diner, and the diner's manager, Brenda. I especially enjoyed his reaction to her makeover.

Profiling a Killer - Nichole Severn (HI #2009 - July 2021)

Series: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Book 1)

He can psychoanalyze any serial killer,
 
But can he protect her from one?
 
Special Agent Nicholas James knows serial killers up close and personal. After all, he was practically raised by one and later became a Behavioral Analysis Unit specialist to put them behind bars. But Dr. Aubrey Flood's sister's murder is his highest-stakes case yet. His professional history with the beautiful medical examiner is legendary. So is their attraction. But the clock is ticking…and Nicholas has every intention of making sure Aubrey doesn't become another victim.
 
Good start to a new series, this one about a Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI. This book is about Nicholas, the team's profiler. He has a fantastic record of identifying serial killers, starting with the X Marks the Spot killer. That one was hard on Nicholas because the killer turned out to be his next-door neighbor and like a second father to him. During that case, a crucial piece of evidence was uncovered by the medical examiner, Dr. Aubrey Flood.
 
Three years later, Aubrey's sister died at the hands of a copycat serial killer. Aubrey insists that Nicholas be the agent to work this case because she knows he's the best. She also refuses to remain uninvolved in the investigation.
 
The action in this book stayed intense from beginning to end. This case stirs up some hard memories for Nicholas with its resemblance to the original X Marks the Spot's MO. It also makes him even more determined to catch the killer quickly. When the killer strikes again, using the MO of a different serial killer, Nicholas knows he has a challenge on his hands. I could feel his frustration as he realized that this killer has an agenda, and Aubrey is his focus. The detective work fascinated me, from Nicholas trying to get inside his head to Aubrey using her ME skills to notice minute details that may help identify the killer. The part I found frustrating was the number of times the killer outwitted and physically bested the agents. The ending was a nail-biter as the killer almost got away with his plan, but for Aubrey's and Nicholas's determination to save each other. The twists and turns of the case kept me glued to the pages. I did figure out the killer's identity before the end but wondered how they would stop him.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nicholas and Aubrey. The sparks have been there since the first time they met, though neither did anything about them. When they come together on this case, the time they spend together gives those sparks time to strengthen and grow. I liked that they respect each other's work and can admit when they need help. Both Nicholas and Aubrey have issues that keep them from developing lasting relationships. Aubrey tends to put everyone else's needs before her own, leaving her with nothing for herself. Nicholas's ability to trust disappeared when he realized how his neighbor had manipulated him for so many years. Thanks to Nicholas, Aubrey made changes in her life, but he let her down when it counted most. I wanted to shake Nicholas when he allowed his trust issues to come between him and Aubrey. It was lucky he saw his error as quickly as he did, or things would have turned out very differently. I loved the scene at the hospital as he opened his heart fully to Aubrey. 

Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts (Mira - May 2021)

Series: Moonlight Harbor (Book 5)

Jenna Jones has been standing on the shore of the Sea of Love for too long. Even with two good men interested in her, she's been afraid to wade in. According to her best friend, Courtney, she should. The water's fine. Life is great! Practically perfect, if you don't count Courtney's problems with her cranky ex-boss. Maybe Courtney's right. It's time to dive in.
 
When tragedy strikes, everything changes and Jenna's more confused than ever. But this fresh heartache might help her figure out at last who she can turn to when times get tough.
 
Good story of love, friendship, family, and loss. The book takes place in Moonlight Harbor, a small beach town in Washington, full of ordinary people with real lives. This one centers mainly around Jenna Jones, one of the characters in the previous book (Beachside Beginnings), though her family and friends also have prominent roles.
 
After divorcing her husband, Jenna moved to Moonlight Harbor and took over managing her elderly great-aunt's Driftwood Inn. She poured heart and soul into bringing the vintage motel back to life, and it is doing quite well. Besides the motel, Jenna fills her time with her massage therapy business, raising her teenage daughter, and watching out for Aunt Edie. As if she weren't busy enough, Jenna also ran for and won a seat on the town council. There are only two real downsides in her life: the alimony she's stuck paying her ex-husband for another year and trying to make up her mind about the two men in her life, Brody and Seth.
 
Brody is the local real estate agent, handsome, charming, wealthy, and determined in his pursuit of Jenna. He's a nice guy, sensitive to Jenna's wariness about getting involved, and willing to be patient as she works through her fears. Seth is an ex-con who works as a handyman. He's a loner who avoids getting close to others, but he's there when Jenna needs him. Jenna spends most of the book arguing with herself about which man before making a decision. But what happens when she receives a devastating blow that upends her life again? From the outside looking in, I easily guessed why it happened that way, but Jenna was left in the dark. It all became clear at the end, but it changed her relationships with both men.
 
The book takes place over a year, and we get a good look at Jenna's life and the lives of her friends and family. Besides her man troubles, Jenna must also deal with her town council duties, including a problem with an exploding deer population. She gets accosted by people on both sides of the issue, and finding a workable solution is a challenge. I liked getting to know Jenna's family. Aunt Edie may be slowing down, but she's sharp as a tack. She has plenty of advice to give whether the recipients want it or not, but she also has a big heart. I loved the scenes where she cooks for everyone. Jenna's mother, Melody, is at a crossroads. The grocery store she works at was sold, so she's out of a job. I loved seeing her gather her courage and move from the house she's lived in for so long to Moonlight Harbor, where she's close to her family. She also faces the question of whether she's ready for a new romance after so many years as a widow. Jenna's sister, Celeste, wants to move down to be with the rest of her family but has trouble convincing her husband to take that step. There are a few scenes where she comes across as somewhat selfish but shows some growth by the end.
 
Jenna's friend, Courtney, also faces some significant changes in her life. She quit her job with her cranky boutique owner boss to concentrate on designing her own clothes. When that boutique goes up for sale, she dreams of buying it, but there are obstacles. I liked how her friends rallied around her when an unexpected twist put it within reach. She also has her handsome firefighter boyfriend in her life and a mother dropping heavy-handed hints about marriage and grandbabies. I liked Jonas a lot and had fun with the surprise he had for Courtney.
 
An unexpected loss devastates Jenna's family but hits her especially hard. A perceived betrayal complicates her grief and leaves Jenna questioning her judgment. I ached for her as her dreams for the future fell apart. There were times when I wanted to shake her for her lack of trust, but it also opened her eyes to feelings she'd ignored before. I wasn't surprised by either twist at the end of the book though I liked how they happened.
 
I've read the book before this, which I enjoyed. This one reminded me I want to read the others in the series. 

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.

 

The Vineyard at Painted Moon - Susan Mallery (HQN - Feb 2021)

Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all -- a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There's just one problem -- it's not her family, it's her husband's. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him -- his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she's ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She's on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.

Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews -- but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon.

Terrific book about love, family, and new beginnings. As the book opens, Mackenzie communes with the grapevines in the family vineyard. She is the head winemaker with a stellar reputation in the wine community. Her husband, Rhys, arrives just in time to remind her of his mother's big shindig that they can't be late for. We get the first hint that things aren't quite right between them when they retreat to their separate bedrooms to get ready. The rest of the family is introduced a short time later. Barbara, the mother/mother-in-law and head of the business, Stephanie, Lori, and Catherine (or Four as she prefers to be called) all live on the family property.

The family dynamics are quite interesting. Barbara is a control freak, and the winery is the be-all and end-all of her existence. She has a boyfriend, Giorgio, who treats her like a princess. Stephanie works the retail side of the winery. She is divorced but still friends with her ex. She has lots of ideas for the winery, but Barbara shoots them all down. Lori also works for the business but always seems to be in the background. She is a bit overweight, and Barbara never lets her forget it. The youngest is Catherine, who is an artist and free spirit. She has a happy marriage and seems to delight in pushing Barbara's buttons whenever she can. Barbara's only son, Rhys, works the vineyard side of the business with Mackenzie.

When Giorgio proposes to Barbara during the party, it stirs things up within the family. Rhys makes advances to Mackenzie for the first time in months, but when it's all over, they both realize that their marriage has been dead for a long time. Divorce seems to be the only option. Mackenzie is rattled by the whole idea and quickly discovers that more than her marriage comes to an end. Her entire life as she knows it will change. I thought that she and Rhys handled things well together. There were no arguments over finances, how to split things up, etc. Rhys was practical and straightforward, even explaining Mackenzie's options to her. I appreciated that he floated the idea of her striking out on her own.

The rest of the family did not react as well. Stephanie, who has been Mackenzie's best friend since college, took a very selfish viewpoint of how the split would affect her and didn't seem to care at all about Mackenzie's feelings. I wanted to smack her for it, but she eventually realized her mistake and made up with Mackenzie. Lori accused Mackenzie of trapping Rhys into marriage in the first place and worming her way into the business. The only one who was okay was Four, who told Mackenzie that she deserved better than she had. But the icing on the cake was Barbara. From the minute she learned of the divorce and Mackenzie's plans to leave, she turned into a raging, vengeful maniac.

I loved watching Mackenzie take control of her life. She gets some stellar advice from Rhys about finding a partner to help her make her dream come true. He even suggests the person he thinks is best for the job. Mackenzie has known Bruno for a long time, and he jumps at the chance to join her. The details of everything they went through to make it happen added a depth of realism to the story. I loved how Bruno walked Mackenzie through all of the steps, bolstering her confidence when she needed it and celebrating with her as they reached each milestone.

Just as things begin to settle down for Mackenzie, her body blindsides her. She finds out that she is pregnant with Rhys's baby. After a short freak-out where Bruno talks her off the ledge, Mackenzie realizes she's happy about the baby. It doesn't feel quite real to her, and I enjoyed watching her move through the various stages to acceptance. She had lots of help from Bruno, Stephanie, and Four. There were some sweet scenes with all of them. I loved watching Stephanie and Four jump in to help her, but the most endearing moments all came with Bruno. Though I suspected it from the first, it becomes increasingly apparent that Bruno cares very deeply for Mackenzie. She is clueless for the longest time, but eventually, she notices the sparks of attraction between them. I loved watching them grow closer, both professionally and personally.

I loved watching Mackenzie settle into the dream of her winery. She has so many ideas that she had wanted to pursue before but wasn't allowed to. Now the sky is the limit. At the same time that Mackenzie's star rises, Barbara's thirst for revenge affects her business. Her over-the-top vindictiveness does a great job of driving people away. I honestly did not feel at all sorry for her. She was a nasty, selfish, and cruel woman and deserved everything she got.

While Mackenzie makes a new life for herself, Stephanie also goes through some significant changes. She ends her "friends with benefits" arrangement with her ex after an eye-opening conversation with her teenage daughter. Stephanie finally admits that she tends to take the easy way out of problems, giving up instead of fighting for what she wants. I loved when she finally stood up to Barbara and struck out on her own. She hit a few bumps along the way but developed the confidence she needed. Though I wasn't surprised by the result, I loved how she went about it.

The epilogue was great. I liked seeing the story come full circle but with a much happier outcome.