What He Wants for Christmas - Brenda Jackson (HD #2839 - Dec 2021)

Series: Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws (Book 3)

When a holiday blizzard traps him with his ex, things really heat up!
 
It's been ten years since she broke his heart, but Leslie Cassidy's elegance still stuns rugged Alaskan executive Sloan Outlaw. Now, thanks to a ruthless enemy targeting Leslie's company, Sloan can use his wealth and influence for something nice -- and something naughty. He'll save her company -- if she'll spend a week with him at his luxurious winter retreat! But when a snowstorm keeps them cabin-bound, this notorious Outlaw will discover that getting what he wants for Christmas might be more than he bargained for…
 
Good second chance story. Ten years after they broke up, Sloan and Leslie met again at a friend's wedding. The sparks are still there, but Sloan hasn't forgiven the way she left him without explaining why. However, when he hears that her company is in danger of a hostile takeover, he can't resist stepping in to help, though with conditions.
 
Leslie was surprised to run into Sloan at their friends' wedding and shocked when he showed up at her office to offer his help.  She's reluctant to accept when she hears that he wants her to spend a week alone with him at his remote cabin. But when the takeover attempt becomes critical, she gives in to Sloan's demands.
 
I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Sloan and Leslie. There was no doubt about the sparks of attraction that still existed between them, but both have serious trust issues that need to be addressed. Ten years earlier, they were driven apart by lies told to Leslie. Though she found out the truth a few years later, she never contacted Sloan to explain or apologize. I liked that they talked about what happened and admitted that both were at fault for their actions. Once that was dealt with, both had to face the attraction that still burned between them. Sloan is all for giving in, but Leslie fears losing her heart again.
 
I liked seeing Leslie and Sloan spend time together. They are different people than ten years ago, and they discover a mutual admiration. There are some sweet times together, such as their trip to visit the Yule family. There are also some steamy moments as their attraction continues to burn hot. Resistance is no longer an option when a blizzard traps them in the cabin. The intensity of their connection scares Sloan, and he pulls away when Leslie calls him out on what they have together. I ached for both as each had to face their fears. I wanted to shake Leslie for running and Sloan for not talking to her about his feelings. After an unexpected revelation, I loved seeing Sloan go after what he wanted and finally open up about his feelings, past and present. His big moment at the end was sweet and emotional. I loved the bits at the end with the other Outlaws and Westmorelands, and the epilogue was great.
 
The story of the hostile takeover, its reasons, and Sloan's actions to prevent it from happening were fascinating. As more information surfaced, I was amazed at what one man would do for revenge. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Sloan go up against him and the results of that battle. 

The Marriage He Demands - Brenda Jackson (HD #2797 - Apr 2021)

Series: Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws (Book 2)

This ranching heir wants it all, including the woman who stands in his way!
 
Businessman Cash Outlaw has inherited almost all of his late mother's Wyoming ranch…but still needs the fifty acres left to her former caretaker. As negotiations with beautiful, determined Brianna Banks become much more intimate, she reveals she'll only sell him the property…if he gives her a baby! Cash's counteroffer? That the mother of his child must become his wife!
 
Good book. Another Outlaw/Westmoreland bites the dust. Part of the Alaska Outlaw branch of the Westmoreland family, Cash never knew his mother. His father, Bart, a ruthless and manipulative man, refused to allow his wives any custody of his children after they divorced - and they always divorced. He also refused to allow them to have contact with their children. While growing up, Cash believed that his mother abandoned him and never tried to contact him, so he was surprised to be called to hear her will after she died. He certainly didn't expect to inherit her vast dude ranch, minus 100 acres left to her former caretaker, Brianna.
 
Brianna loved Ms. Ellen. She grew up on the ranch where her father had been the foreman and took over when he died. Learning of her inheritance was a relief for her because it meant she had a home that was all hers. After an earlier heartbreak, Brianna doesn't intend to marry, but she wants a baby. Now she can continue her plans.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Cash and Brianna. Brianna intrigued and attracted Cash from the moment he saw her. Brianna had crushed on Cash since she saw his picture years earlier, and meeting him in person increased the feeling. Cash initially intends to sell the ranch as soon as possible, as he neither needs nor wants it. However, Brianna is equally determined to convince him to keep it. Her efforts gain traction when his brother suggests he and their brothers and cousins might want to invest. Cash, who can't stop thinking about Brianna, invites his family members to the ranch to see it. He also plans to spend an extended time on the ranch and get to know Brianna better.
 
I liked Cash a lot. He's confident but not arrogant, and he spends a great deal of time with Brianna. He listens to what she says and gives her the respect she deserves. As they work together, going through his mother's effects, the sparks between them continue to build. When his decision about the ranch requires him to purchase the land closest to the river, Brianna offers him a bargain - she'll sell him the land if he provides the sperm for her artificial insemination. Because of the situation with his mother, Cash insists on marriage and being involved with his child.
 
I liked Brianna, too. She fell hard for Cash. I liked how she wants Cash to understand what happened with his mother but doesn't want to push too hard. I loved that she pushed back on his offer to buy her land with requirements of her own, though his demand for marriage surprised her.
 
I enjoyed watching Cash in the time leading up to the wedding. He threw himself into doing everything possible to make the day perfect for Brianna. He's thoughtful and sweet and gives the impression that it's not just attraction that motivates him. I loved watching the connection between them deepen after the wedding. But trouble rears its head when Bart's interference comes between Cash and Brianna. Cash's fury vibrated off the pages, and Brianna's hurt and anger were right there with it.
 
I loved the ending and seeing Cash fight for Brianna. I also loved the confrontation between Cash and Bart, who still believes he's always right. There is also a reminder that none of the Outlaws knows why Bart refuses to admit their connection to the Westmorelands. I'm looking forward to the answer to that question. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up for the book.
 
I like the importance of family to the Outlaws and the Westmorelands. Cash counts on his brothers for their honest opinions about the ranch, and they don't let him down. The same goes for the cousins who also came along. I liked the cameo appearances by characters from previous books.