Very short prequel to the newest Texas Cattleman's Club series. Jed has come back to Royal for his high school reunion for one reason. He wants to seeVery short prequel to the newest Texas Cattleman's Club series. Jed has come back to Royal for his high school reunion for one reason. He wants to see Kim again and finally find out why she broke things off with him after he left for college. He has realized that he's never forgotten her and feels that he will never have a successful relationship until he deals with his past.
Kim is surprised to see Jed at the reunion, and not very happy when he makes it clear that they will talk before he leaves. She had loved him very much, but felt that the differences between them were too great for them to have a future together. He was wealthy and had a great future ahead of him. She was poor and the only one of her family left to take care of her ailing grandmother. She was afraid he would throw it all away to stay with her, so she broke things off.
A couple dances together and they discovered that the old attraction was still there. Those dances led to a smoking hot night together, but she left in the morning before Jed woke up. Thanks to crises at work, it was six long weeks before Jed could get back to Royal and talk to Kim. All he had been able to think of was her, and he wanted a chance to convince her that they could have it all.
Kim had run because she was scared by the intensity of the feelings she still had for Jed. She still couldn't see a future for them because she was still hung up on their differences. But she turns up pregnant, and Jed is right there, insisting on taking care of her. He wants more than just to share parenting duties, and Kim has to decide if she wants to take a chance on the future she's dreamed of.
Just as they declare their feelings for each other, the sirens go off. In the distance is a monster tornado, heading straight for Royal. They know that things are going to change far more than they had expected.
I loved Jed's determination to show Kim how much he cared. The scenes in the doctor's office were sweet, as was his care for her when she passed out on him. I really wanted Kim to have more confidence in herself and their feelings, and fortunately it did come through in the end. For such a short story I thought it did well at developing the characters and setting up for the series....more
Pretty good book. Dani had gone to the United States to go to college and while there had met and married an American. When he became abusive she divoPretty good book. Dani had gone to the United States to go to college and while there had met and married an American. When he became abusive she divorced him and returned to Oman and living at home. But her actions were considered scandalous by local custom and her father is keeping a tight rein on what she does. Visiting her favorite bookstore one day, she met Quasar, another Omani who has spent a lot of time in America. They bond over their American lives versus their Omani lives.
There is an instant attraction between them, though Dani has sworn off getting involved with another man. She can't resist his advances and starts spending time with him secretly. Quasar had been drawn to Dani's beauty first, but then to the vulnerable woman he gets to know. It wasn't until they'd been seeing each other for awhile that he learned that there was a great deal of enmity between her father and his brothers, over a piece of land. In spite of his brothers' demands that he leave Dani alone, he can't do it.
Overall, I liked Dani. She had had the courage to divorce her husband, even though she knew it would create problems at home. Once she met Quasar, her healing from the hit her self esteem had taken began. He certainly made her feel good about herself, even though she was determined to keep their relationship secret. I also liked the fact that she stood up to her father about the man he was trying to marry her off to. She did know her father and his attitudes well, and tried to explain to Quasar that his desire to meet with her father was not a good idea. Dani finally begins to gain the confidence she needs to move on with her life, thanks to Quasar's attentions, when she runs into a situation that sets her back.
Quasar is a successful business investor who is not used to having his wishes denied. In spite of what his brothers tell him about their problems with her father, he is determined to keep seeing Dani. He quickly realizes that he wants more than a fling with her and wants to begin a relationship with her in a proper fashion by speaking with her father. He doesn't listen to Dani when she tells him that it would be a very bad idea, and does it anyway. At that point he finally realizes that it's going to take something big for them to be able to be together. I enjoyed the solution he came up with and seeing how various people reacted to it. The epilogue was good....more
Wow. Fantastic book. The suspense of wondering who was after Ana was great, and the heat between Ana and Jackson was explosive. Ana has spent two yearWow. Fantastic book. The suspense of wondering who was after Ana was great, and the heat between Ana and Jackson was explosive. Ana has spent two years learning various forms of martial arts, a result of nearly being murdered by a psycho date. Now she wants to use that knowledge to get into stunt work in the movies. When she goes for an audition for Jackson's new movie their chemistry has them signing her to star instead.
When Ana is attacked in the parking lot of her hotel and her room is ransacked while she's at the hospital, Jackson takes her to his home, where he can keep an eye on her. He doesn't expect the white-hot attraction to be just as strong off the set, and it scares him to death.
I loved seeing Ana and Jackson together. Ana has her issues because of the attack she suffered. She doesn't let men get close to her anymore, and she doesn't date because she has a hard time trusting that she won't be attacked again. She finds that Jackson is the only man she feels safe with, but tries to resist falling for him because she knows that he isn't interested in a long term relationship. Jackson has issues that are just as serious. His mother was a woman whose Hollywood lifestyle killed her, then he was badly burned by a woman he was engaged to. He has a bad habit of getting hot and bothered with Ana and then pulling back and running the other way, spooked by the intensity of what he's feeling.
Added to those feelings are the scenes that they film for the movie. Those encounters are so hot that the film (and the pages) nearly burst into flame. Every single time they start with the script and action planned out it goes up in flames as soon as they touch. I loved seeing the reactions of the people around them.
Ana and Jackson's lives and relationship are complicated by his grandmother, who lives with him. She is determined that he marry soon and make her a great-grandmother, and Ana's presence just provides her with more scope for her antics. She is hilarious with all her plans and machinations. The bit with the minivan had me laughing out loud, even as Jackson was spitting nails. Another complication rears its head and sends Jackson into an even greater tailspin. He's running as fast as he can, but he can't outrun the way she makes him feel. I loved the strength of will that Ana showed, in being able to look at Jackson and tell him what an idiot he was being. She also let him know that she deserved more than he was willing to give. There were times I wasn't sure what it was going to take for Jackson to get his head out of his butt and realize the truth. He did end up coming through in a big way.
The suspense of the stalker was really good. The attacks were both on and off set. Sometimes I felt sure it was related to the movie and sometimes I thought it had to be personal. The final confrontation was intense, and the identity of the stalker came as a surprise to me. ...more
Good book, with a theme of redemption for the heroine. Daphne is the "other woman" from the previous book in the series, A Marriage of Notoriety. At tGood book, with a theme of redemption for the heroine. Daphne is the "other woman" from the previous book in the series, A Marriage of Notoriety. At the time she was a beautiful but selfish widow, who was pursuing Xavier simply because he was good looking and she thought they would look good together. After setting the Masquerade Club on fire, she left England and went to Switzerland. There she spent time at an abbey, learning to be a better person. On her return to England she was caught in a fire at an inn and rescued by none other than Hugh Westleigh, brother of the woman she wronged. Hugh is injured in the fire, concussed and blinded, and Daphne feels responsible for nursing him back to health.
Because she knows he would hate her if he knew who she was, Daphne gives him a false name. At first she tries to keep her distance from him, but she's really the only one who can spend time with him while he is recovering. The more time they spend together, the more she likes him and finds things that they have in common. There is also a strong attraction between them that Daphne tries to resist because of the guilty feelings over the harm she caused his family. But there is also the happiness that she feels over being desired for something other than her beauty, which goes a long way toward healing her spirit. She knows that she's living on borrowed time with him, because as soon as he knows who she is it will be over.
I liked Hugh. He is the second son in the Westleigh family and the one who has been stuck as the family "gofer". He really wants a chance to travel and do things he's not done before. Now that his father is dead and the Masquerade Club is helping to repair the family fortunes, he finally feels free to live his own life. Then he gets caught in the inn fire. Hugh's injuries are severe and have him very worried that he will never regain his sight. The only thing keeping him sane is the presence of Daphne, who keeps him distracted from his worries. He senses that she is hiding something from him, but hasn't been able to get her to reveal it. In spite of his fears of the future, his feelings for Daphne keep growing. He's looking forward to finding out if his sight will return so that he can see her and maybe pursue a future with her.
Daphne flees before Hugh finds out about his sight because she can't stand the thought of facing his hatred. Hugh returns to London and gets stuck once again doing his family's bidding, this time running the club. When they encounter each other, Hugh is indeed very angry over her deception, but discovers that his feelings for her haven't changed. Daphne is still trying to live her new life, but it seems that no matter what she does, people still believe the worst of her. I loved seeing the way that, even through his anger, Hugh still sees the good in Daphne and defends her to his own family, who are not in a forgiving mood. I enjoyed the ending and thought that it was realistically done....more
Fantastic book. I love this series of books and this one was no exception. Elise is the executive assistant to the Deputy Commissioner. She prides herFantastic book. I love this series of books and this one was no exception. Elise is the executive assistant to the Deputy Commissioner. She prides herself on doing her job very well. I loved seeing her do the Radar O'Reilly thing, having things ready for George before he even asked for them. In her previous job she had fallen for her boss, and when that didn't work out found herself involved with a man who was just using her. As a result, she has sworn off all romantic relationships. However, that doesn't stop her from noticing that her boss is a really sexy man.
When she starts receiving strange gifts and letters, George's protective instincts kick in. He's always been aware of her as a woman, but knows the rules regarding bosses and subordinates. He can't stand by and watch her be terrorized, so he sticks close to her. With all that time together, their attraction really starts to blossom.
I loved the fact that George is a more mature hero at the age of 50. He's got the patience and experience to deal with the search for the stalker, and also with his growing feelings for Elise. He is cautious about a relationship because of the age difference between them, but he can't deny his feelings for long. I also liked the fact that Elise is old enough to know her own mind and what she wants. Once she accepts her feelings for George, she has no problem telling him what she needs. I also loved the way that she kept reminding him that she doesn't see him as old at all.
The stalker storyline has been done frequently in the Intrigue line, but this was not a tired old story. The incidents were definitely creepy and their attempts to frighten Elise were effective. I loved seeing George dust off his detective skills and also involve other members of the KCPD, especially those we've seen in earlier books. With every incident there seemed to be another possible suspect. I often figure out who it is by the halfway point, but this one kept me guessing until almost the last minute. The tornado that hits the city just adds to the intensity of the final conflict....more
When a U.S. General’s daughter is kidnapped, Marine Staff Sergeant Josh Patterson is handpicked to rescue her. While thJaguar Night by Lindsay McKenna
When a U.S. General’s daughter is kidnapped, Marine Staff Sergeant Josh Patterson is handpicked to rescue her. While they trek through the jungle to safety, her strength and a surprise kiss change everything.
Aly is a nurse in the Brazilian jungle, helping out with a medical charity. She gets kidnapped by a drug lord who has health problems. Josh is a Marine who is sent in to rescue her.
The story is short but action packed, starting with Aly's kidnapping by a drug lord. There is an immediate sense of just how much danger she is in. Aly is terrified, but her mind continues to work as she tries to figure out how to escape. She knows she is in deep trouble.
Josh is a special forces Marine who is tasked by a general, who is also Aly's father, to go in and rescue her. From the moment he sees her picture, Josh is drawn to her and is even more determined to rescue her.
From the moment that Josh appeared in her room, Aly felt protected in a way she never had before. She lost her mother and older brother in a car accident when she was twelve, an accident that also critically injured her. Her father shut down emotionally and wasn't there to help and support her as she recovered. That recovery gave her a will of iron that will be critical in their escape.
The connection between Aly and Josh was immediate and strong. Aly felt Josh's care and concern from the beginning. His kindness and support gave her the strength she needed to get through the ordeal of their escape. Josh was incredibly impressed with the way that Aly was able to overcome her own pain to make their escape possible. Those feelings quickly turned to love for both of them.
Josh was a bit cautious about their feelings because he had been married before and his wife couldn't handle the stresses of his job. Because Aly had been raised in the military she had no doubts about being able to deal with it. I loved Josh's solution for what Aly could do once they were rescued and he went back on deployment. It continued to show the amazing sensitivity he had for Aly's needs. I also loved seeing the changes that Aly went through as Josh's love gave her a new kind of confidence.
The epilogue was fantastic. It was fun to see the camaraderie among all the guys with the way they tease. The depth of Josh's love for Aly was also apparent as was hers for him. I also liked catching up on her relationship with her father, as that had been such an important part of the story.
Amazon Gold by Merline Lovelace
U.S. Navy Chief Charlene “Charley” Dawson deftly commands the Riverine patrol boat taking an arrogant U.S. Delta Force Army Sergeant on a very personal op. As she and Jack Halliday penetrate deeper into the Amazon after a rogue ex-pat, they face danger…and unexpected attraction.
Also short, but nearly as action packed as the first one. Charley is the commander of the boat that is taking Jack and his team to find a rogue Delta Force soldier. As a woman, she has faced a lot prejudice against her, including from her ex-husband. He made a bunch of false accusations about how she performed her job, and continues to spout off to anyone he meets. Jack had encountered him just before this mission and is withholding judgment on Charley until he can see for himself.
Charley and Jack are attracted to each other immediately in spite of the danger of their mission. Charley is cautious because she's been burned once. Jack is distrustful of most women because of the actions of his mother when he was a child. I liked that Charley confronted Jack about his attitude early and that they were able to move on from there.
The details of their mission were exciting to read. The descriptions of the environment really brought it to life for me and made me feel like I was there. I was on the edge of my seat as they reached each of the sites, especially the third one. I could feel Jack's conflict as he faced McMasters. Things got even more interesting toward the end of the book. I was really impressed by Charley's presence of mind during the final confrontation.
I loved the ending and the way it showed the love Jack and Charley had for each other. With the careers they both have, it takes a lot of work to have a successful relationship. I loved the bit with the other Sidewinders and how it continues to show the depth of the friendship they have....more
Very good story of opposites attracting. Whitney is a city girl who has overcome the objections of some of the townspeople to open her shop Leather anVery good story of opposites attracting. Whitney is a city girl who has overcome the objections of some of the townspeople to open her shop Leather and Lace. She is focused on getting the new store up and running, and trying not to be distracted by cowboy artist Josh. Josh has spent most of his life in Valentine Valley. He has his work on the family ranch and his leatherwork business to keep him busy.
Whitney comes from a wealthy family that is not very close. After being told by her father that there is no place for her in the family business because she is a woman, she starts her own business of high end lingerie. When she decides to open a store in Valentine Valley she meets with some opposition (see True Love at Silver Creek Ranch) but overcomes most of it with the help of some local ladies. Eight months later she's back in town to move ahead with her plans. One of those includes getting Josh Thalberg to make some things for her shop. A steamy kiss she had shared with him has been on her mind ever since, but she doesn't want to mess up their business relationship.
Josh's family has been in the valley for generations. Working the family ranch is a big part of who he is, as is the leatherwork he makes and sells. The kiss that he shared with Whitney has been on his mind a lot. Now that she's back in town, that heat is only growing.
Thanks to their business together, Whitney and Josh spend a lot of time together. Whitney starts out wanting to keep it strictly business, but Josh wants to get more personal. He's very busy with the ranch and his business, but he still finds time to relax and have fun. He is determined to show Whitney that she can do the same thing. I loved seeing him draw her into so many activities, from riding to spending time with his family. I really enjoyed the way that he understood her and used that understanding to make her life better. His feelings for her grew stronger, but he wasn't sure that she would be happy with such a different life than what she'd been used to.
Whitney discovers that she really likes the pace of life in Valentine Valley. Her growing relationship with Josh is a large part if that. She's used to her relationships being much more casual and the one with Josh is far different. While she's ready to step things up a notch, she discovers that Josh is moving much more slowly. She's both frustrated and intrigued. I loved watching her get so much more involved than she's accustomed to. She was especially drawn to Josh's relationship with his family, which is so different than her own family dynamics. It was great to see how welcoming they were to her, especially as she and Josh grew closer. I also loved seeing her become part of the Valentine Valley community. It was heartwarming to see her develop friendships with the other women, something she'd never really had before. The community feeling plays a big part in the decisions she makes later.
While helping Josh negotiate a contract for some of his leather goods, she talked him into having some publicity pictures taken (he agreed only if she would go on a date with him). The pictures turned out to be really hot and went viral, creating a bit of a frenzy around him. I loved seeing him try to cope with the fame. The teasing he got from his friends and family was good natured and he took it all really well. The fun really started when it all hit social media, and the surprise came when it was finally revealed who was behind it.
There are some complications that arise when Whitney's family comes to visit. I really enjoyed seeing her confidence in herself that comes out during that visit. They bring an offer that Whitney would have loved a few years ago but only creates conflict within her now. I loved the family dinner that the Thalbergs invited the Winslows to. The following events create some battles that Josh and Whitney have to face, both separately and together, before they can reach their happy ever after. ...more
Good second chance story. Mack is content with life as it is, taking care of his ranch and his twelve year old daughter. Zoey, however, isn't as happyGood second chance story. Mack is content with life as it is, taking care of his ranch and his twelve year old daughter. Zoey, however, isn't as happy. She's getting to the age where she'd really like to have a mom, but her dad isn't cooperating. So, without his knowledge, she enters him in a magazine contest, hoping that he'll win and get introduced to a potential mom for her.
JJ is a photojournalist for the magazine and is the one assigned to do the story about him. She's not happy about it because she and Mack were engaged back during college. But she overheard something that made her believe he'd been unfaithful, so she left him without explanation. She's determined to get through this assignment as quickly as possible, before she gets involved with him again.
Mack is stunned to see JJ again, and not very happy about the reason why. But he loves Zoey and puts his own feelings aside to do this for her. He doesn't expect to find that his feelings for JJ are still alive and getting stronger every day. But he was burned by her once before and he's not so sure that she's going to stick around this time.
I liked seeing Mack and JJ getting to know each other again. The attraction is still there, but both are wary about getting involved again. Mack seems to be especially skittish, and has a tendency to jump to conclusions. There's a scene where the ranch is threatened by a fire while Mack is away and in spite of everything JJ does to try to protect it, Mack says some really terrible things to her before he gets the facts. I was quite happy to see JJ stand up for herself and not let him off the hook easily. Things start to look a bit more promising for them, until a secret Mack has been keeping comes to light and throws another wedge between them, accentuating that they never really dealt with their past. Now they have to decide if their love is enough to overcome the problems.
I really enjoyed the part that Zoey played in the book. She knows what she wants and she has no problem with working to achieve it. I also liked the realistic way she was portrayed. Her desire for a mom is fueled a great deal by the fact that she doesn't feel like her dad really understands what it is like for her. She has a great relationship with him, but he is a clueless man after all. I liked seeing how well she and JJ hit it off. Once she discovered that Mack and JJ had once been in love, her determination to bring them back together was fun to watch. ...more
Very good friends to lovers story. There were parts that had me laughing out loud and others that had me reaching for the tissues. Abby and Jackson haVery good friends to lovers story. There were parts that had me laughing out loud and others that had me reaching for the tissues. Abby and Jackson had been best friends for a long time. They shared a lot of things, including some important firsts. But shortly after Jackson left for the Marines, Abby left Sweet behind for the big city, with no word of explanation and no more contact. Now she's back to get her parents' house ready to sell and has to confront her past.
Seeing each other again brings back a lot of emotions that have been buried. Abby had left Sweet behind because she had been in love with Jackson and he didn't appear to return the feeling. She married a man who ended up only wanting a trophy wife that he could mold and control into what he wanted. When her marriage ended Abby was left feeling pretty worthless. Now she's trying to figure out what to do next with her life.
Jackson has had a hard few years. He saw his brother die in the war, his father died shortly thereafter. He married and had a child, but the marriage didn't work out. He blames himself for all of it. Abby's arrival is Sweet has him remembering the good times, but also the hurt from when she disappeared.
I loved seeing the two of them back together. Jackson tried to hold on to his anger when he first saw her but he couldn't do it. He was too happy to see her again. At first he's determined to stay away from her but their former friendship is too strong. I loved the way that he dragged her off to get "real food" and his efforts to help her overcome her fears about being back in town. Next thing he knows he's helping her with the house and they're spending time together. Abby is loaded with guilty feelings of her own over the way she left. She's surprised by how easily she and Jackson slip back into their old relationship.
It doesn't take long before each of them really wants more out of that relationship but neither one has the courage to make the first move. Everyone around them can see that they belong together. Abby realizes her feelings pretty quickly but is afraid to tell Jackson how she feels because he is so determined that they just be friends. Jackson spends a long time refusing to admit to himself, much less Abby, that he loves her. There are some great scenes where various members of his family try to help things along, especially the one where Jesse brings her along to help find some lost cows. Abby finally gets to the point where she can tell Jackson how she feels, but his reactions show that he still has issues to overcome. It takes a near tragedy for Jackson to learn to let go of the past and embrace the future.
I also loved the secondary characters. Jackson's daughter Izzy was adorable and he was such a wonderful daddy to her. I even liked his ex-wife, Fiona. It was nice to see an ex who was not a completely nasty person for a change. I'm looking forward to reading her story. I also loved all of Jackson's family members. It was fun seeing his mom deal with all those boys, even as adults. I also can't wait to read Jesse's story, as he's obviously different than everyone thinks he is....more
Good book. Jack came to Kinclannoch to check on some property he won in a card game. He plans to sell it as soon as he can and take the money back to Good book. Jack came to Kinclannoch to check on some property he won in a card game. He plans to sell it as soon as he can and take the money back to London with him. He is surprised to find the precious owner's sister and aunt in residence, but not nearly as surprised as Isobel is to discover that she is soon to be homeless. She is determined to find a way to keep her home and protect the people who live on the land.
I really liked both Jack and Isobel. Jack did not come in throwing his weight around. When he discovered that Isobel and her aunt he was willing to give them all the time they needed to make plans. I thought he also dealt very well with the attitudes of the people, who were trying to watch out for Isobel. He was empathetic to what they were doing. He also discovers that he is quite attracted to her, but is gentleman enough to not seduce her. Isobel is the one who has been managing the estate while her brother gambles away his time in London. She fears what will happen to everyone if Jack sells the property. She makes several suggestions to him but the one that they end up going with is when she proposes a marriage of convenience to him. She will remain in Scotland running the estate, while he can return to London with the guarantee of the income from the property.
Isobel intends it to be a paper marriage, but Jack has other ideas. The time he has already spent with Isobel shows him a feisty, intelligent and passionate woman that he would like to get closer to, He knows what she intends, but lets her know that he has every intention of changing her mind. Isobel really tries to resist, but the attraction she feels for him won't be denied. Jack soon finds himself thinking less about returning to London and more about making a new life for himself with Isobel.
The relationship between them grows slowly. Jack is a gambler with an unpleasant past that he has tried to overcome. It still leaves him feeling unworthy of Isobel, even though she never purposely puts him down. I really liked how her influence has him looking at the land and people in a different way, and opens him up to the idea of love. Isobel is reluctant at first to trust her heart to Jack. She expects him to leave her behind and knows it will hurt too much if she allows herself to love him. But the more she gets to know him, the more she sees what they could have together.
Things aren't all rosy and lovey dovey though. Isobel's cousin is furious that the land has been lost to an Englishman. Her brother returns and tries to wangle himself back into her good graces, while at the same time searching for a legendary family treasure. Meanwhile, Jack experiences several suspicious accidents that have him wondering just who is out to get rid of him. Jack's mother arrives, bringing a new set of stresses for him, but also a new appreciation for the woman he married.
The secondary characters were just as well developed as the main characters. Meg and Coll were fantastic as Isobel's friends, giving her the support she needed as she adjusted to her new life. I really liked the interactions between Coll and Jack, as each of them was determined to protect Isobel from the other. It was especially satisfying to see them become friends by the end of the book. I also liked Isobel's aunt. She was a bit flaky, but her heart was always in the right place. She was also a key element in dealing with Jack's mother, who also went through quite a transformation during the book. Isobel's brother Andrew was a character that was very easy to dislike. He was immature, whiny, and selfish and I just wanted to push him into the loch. I'll be interested to see if he reappears in a later book and if he improves at all.
I enjoyed the mystery of the treasure, what happened to one of the ancestors, and who was attempting to kill Jack. It was fun to see Jack and Isobel work together to discover the truth. I kept changing my mind about who was behind the attacks, but I was glad to see I was right about who it ended up being. ...more
I've been looking forward to reading Hailey's story and this was definitely worth the wait. Hailey is the town librarian, just turned forty, and is beI've been looking forward to reading Hailey's story and this was definitely worth the wait. Hailey is the town librarian, just turned forty, and is beginning to feel like life is passing her by. When her friend Tori suggests that they try an outdoor adventure, she agrees, even though the great outdoors is definitely not her thing. They end up getting separated from their group and rescued by game warden Matt Barnett, who had been on vacation nearby. Hailey isn't impressed by the hairy, smelly mountain man who seems to be laughing at her, but she doesn't expect to see him again.
She is surprised to find a cleaned up and extremely hot Matt has been assigned as the new game warden for Whitford. Not only that, he is also her new next door neighbor. But in spite of their chemistry, she figures there are just too many differences between them for a successful relationship. She is a girly-girl who has a nice neat house, is looking for a man with regular hours who has fairly refined tastes. Matt is a rugged, outdoorsy guy with a dog named Bear, whose idea of a good time is camping, fishing and hiking. He's not interested in a relationship with a woman who looks down on who he is. He'd been through one of those already and it affects everything he does with Hailey.
The chemistry between them is really strong and pretty soon they decide to just go with enjoying each others company, knowing that neither has expectations of forever. They were honest with each other about their expectations, which gave them the freedom to just be together. I loved seeing them get to know each other, and how even though they are different those differences complement each other. I loved seeing Matt get Hailey to do things outdoors with him, and how she actually enjoyed some of it. It made it that much more frustrating when he was such a complete jerk when she tried to get him to do something she wanted to do. I thought that Hailey did a much better job at being openminded about what life with Matt would be like. When Matt was such an idiot my heart just broke for Hailey because she had been doing everything right. I loved the scene up at the cabin when Matt's dad was pointing out the error of his ways: "You know I love you, right? But you're an idiot." Matt really did come through in the best way at the end, redeeming himself in a spectacular way.
One of the things I loved about Hailey was her love for her job as a librarian. I could see her joy in her work with every scene that took place there. I also loved seeing how her love of reading blended in with her time with Matt. I also really enjoyed seeing how hard she worked to keep her relationship with Matt out of the gossip crosshairs, but how the people of Whitford saw the truth anyway....more
This was a really fun book. Phoebe is the daughter of an American Quaker father and and English earl's daughter. The marriage caused her mother to be This was a really fun book. Phoebe is the daughter of an American Quaker father and and English earl's daughter. The marriage caused her mother to be estranged from her family. Both of her parents have died and Phoebe is living with her Quaker half brother and his family when she receives a letter from her grandfather inviting her to England. Phoebe is happy to go, as she feels that she doesn't quite fit in with her brother's family. She arrives in England only to discover that her grandfather has died and she is now the responsibility of the new earl.
I loved Phoebe. She is a young woman caught between two worlds. She has never quite fit in with the Quaker life she grew up in. She has a bit too much spirit and passion for them. But when she arrives in England she is dismayed to learn of her grandfather's death, and that his wish was for her to marry the new earl. Lucas is far different from the men that she knows and she doesn't know what to make of him. She is also nervous about meeting her new family members and worried about fitting in with them. I loved the way that the family was so warm and loving to her. I also enjoyed seeing her reactions to everything from the houses to shopping for clothes. She is quite feisty at times, and I loved seeing her Quaker upbringing pop out in unexpected places. She had a lot of things to adjust to, but Lucas always seemed to be there to support her.
Lucas is surprised by Phoebe. His initial impression had been that she was meek and quiet and pretty colorless, but that doesn't last long. He quickly sees her yearning for family and puts his mind to making her feel comfortable in her new world. He also starts to see hints of the fire and passion that she tries to keep buried. He begins to think that she is just the woman he needs as his wife. Lucas is also trying to adjust to his duties as the earl. It is far different than what he did in the military and he is having a difficult time of it.
There is chemistry between Phoebe and Lucas from the beginning, but both have different goals for a relationship. Phoebe wants to marry for love. Lucas was burned long ago by a woman he thought he loved and wants nothing to do with such strong emotions. He can't help his protective feelings, and when he rescues her from an awkward situation he also ends up putting them in a compromising position. This forces them to marry quickly and head off to his country estate. Alone together, their attraction draws them closer together, at least physically. But their differences also put a strain on them. Phoebe has a kinder, gentler way of dealing with people whereas Lucas's military background has him seeing things as a more black and white issue.
Phoebe has accepted that she has fallen in love with her husband and she wants his love in return. Lucas refuses to allow himself to experience that "excess of emotion" that got him into so much trouble when he was younger. He doesn't see that what he feels for Phoebe is far different than his previous obsession. I loved watching the progression of his feelings, and that everyone could see it except for him and Phoebe. I loved seeing her stand up to him and make her opinions known, and Lucas trying so hard to protect his heart, not realizing that Phoebe had already stolen it. It was great when Lucas finally figured out where he'd been going wrong and the difference it made to his entire outlook.
I also enjoyed all the family dynamics. It was fun to see the reactions each had to Phoebe and she to them. The feud between Silverton and Lucas was an interesting addition to the story. Their sniping at each other was quite a contrast to the rest of the family's loving attitudes. I loved it when the old lady locked them in a room and told them she'd let them out when they fixed their relationship. It was great to see what happened when they actually had to talk to each other....more
Lovely romance between a man with a dark past but an honorable heart and a woman who is vulnerable but determined to protect her family. Caleb arrivedLovely romance between a man with a dark past but an honorable heart and a woman who is vulnerable but determined to protect her family. Caleb arrived in Salvation Falls bringing the body of Rachel's husband home to her. Robert had been killed during a high stakes poker game after losing the ranch to Caleb. All Caleb wants to do is deliver the body, give the deed back to Rachel, and get out of town before his past catches up to him. But when he discovers that Rachel also owes money for her husband's gambling debts to a devious neighbor, he feels compelled to protect her and her brother and adoptive son.
Rachel is devastated to learn that her husband has gambled away her family's land. Her marriage had not been what she expected or hoped, but she had done her best. She doesn't know what will happen to her and the boys now. When Caleb offers her a job and the chance to stay on the ranch until they can figure it out, she takes him up on it.
There is a sizzling attraction between Caleb and Rachel, but both try to resist it. Rachel is stubborn and determined to protect her family, which gets her into a couple sticky situations. Caleb is haunted by the abuse he suffered as a child, and its effects have turned him into a loner and a drifter. But in spite of it all, he still is an honorable man, with an inner core of kindness and practicality. He really wants to protect Rachel from the consequences of her husband's actions, but her stubbornness and pride are making it difficult. I loved the conversations between them as humor, attraction and sheer stubbornness have them growing closer than either expected.
Caleb finds that his desire to move on is disappearing the longer he stays on the ranch. He starts to think that maybe he's ready to put down some roots with Rachel, but there's still a big secret that he's keeping from her. He knows he has to come clean before that can happen, but he's afraid of what her reaction will be. This secret adds an interesting twist to the story and a point of conflict between Caleb and Rachel that nearly ends their relationship.
The secondary characters are as complex as the main ones. Young Ethan's back story is heartbreaking, but his intelligence and curiosity are a great comparison to the unhappiness of Caleb's youth. Yet the two of them connect in a way that shows what a wonderful role model Caleb could be. Rachel's teenaged brother Brody is another matter. His moodiness and impulsiveness give Rachel fits, and sends him into a danger he has no experience to deal with. The neighboring rancher, Shamus Kirkpatrick, is determined to have Rachel's land and Rachel herself, and will stop at nothing to get it all. The final confrontation was nerve-wracking as things went bad quickly and I wasn't sure how it would all turn out.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, this one about the sheriff of Salvation Falls....more
Really fun book with a kind hearted and strong willed young woman matching wits with an equally strong willed and determined gentleman. Abby is workinReally fun book with a kind hearted and strong willed young woman matching wits with an equally strong willed and determined gentleman. Abby is working as a governess when she gets word that her younger sister has been kidnapped and imprisoned in a brothel. With the help of a brothel maid, Abby rescues Jane and another girl, Damaris, but in the process loses her position as a governess. The four girls have plans to leave London, but must first find the means to do so. When her sister falls ill, Abby decides to break into a nearby mansion in hopes of finding something worth stealing. Finding Lady Beatrice was a surprise, and she ended up spending time just talking to her.
Abby's kind heart was horrified by the conditions she found Lady Beatrice in. In another late night chat she and Lady Bea came to an agreement that found Abby and her "sisters" taking up residence with her. I loved the whirlwind that Abby and the girls created when they took over the household. It was fun to see Beatrice return to her feistiness as her health started to improve.
In the meantime, Beatrice's nephew Max had received a letter telling him that something strange was going on back at home. He had been in the Orient for nine years, working to repair the family fortunes, under the impression that his aunt was being properly cared for. By the time he makes it back to London, he's worried sick and furious over the idea of his aunt being taken advantage of. His arrival at the house created a really fun to read confrontation involving mistaken identities, protective instincts from both Abby and Max, and what seems to be an interest in stirring the pot from Lady Bea. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't stand a chance against the plans his aunt has to make the girls a permanent part of her life.
Max feels terribly guilty over what happened to his aunt while he was gone, and having Abby rub it in doesn't help his attitude toward her at the beginning. It doesn't take long for him to realize that his initial suspicions were wrong, but he is still unwilling to trust her. He knows that they are no relation to his aunt, and he is certain that they are up to something. He also suspects that Abby is hiding something, a suspicion proved correct when something from the past puts her in danger.
Max also finds himself caught in quite a dilemma. He entered into a betrothal at the age of eighteen as part of his efforts to repair the family fortunes. It is now time for him to follow through on his promise. He is a man of his word, but his heart is becoming more and more set upon the fascinating and frustrating Abby. He is also a methodical man who must have everything in order before he is comfortable declaring himself, which creates a whole host of misunderstandings before he is able to redeem himself.
Abby is just as enamored of him, but her experiences have shown her that men like Max aren't interested in women like her in any respectable way. When threats are made against her, promising that her presence would bring disgrace to Max and his aunt, Abby feels that leaving is the only thing she can do to protect those she has come to love. Once again it falls to Lady Beatrice to play the part of fairy godmother, and she does so in a most amusing way.
I loved the mix of characters, from the irrepressible Lady Beatrice to "sister" Daisy, the brothel maid. Max's friend and business partner Freddy is very funny with his fear of the young ladies or "muffins" as he calls them. Each of them has a unique part of the story, and the way they blend together made this a really fun read. The dialogue is fantastic all the way through, teasing and loving and never mean. I can't wait for the next installment....more
Excellent and emotional story of two wounded souls. Jonah has returned to Rust Creek Falls for an extended stay after eight years away. He left becausExcellent and emotional story of two wounded souls. Jonah has returned to Rust Creek Falls for an extended stay after eight years away. He left because of the bad memories caused by the end of his marriage and has made only short visits home since then. He has made quite a name for himself as an architect and has the job of designing the new resort being built in town. Now that it's almost done, he is here to take care of any last minute problems that come up. He's not real happy to discover that not only has Vanessa been hired to paint a mural in the new resort, she is also living in his cabin. He's ready to kick her out, but something about her makes him change his mind.
Vanessa came to Rust Creek Falls to try to recover from a devastating loss that has affected her ability to paint. She is spending her time teaching art to children and working her way through her bucket list, a list she shared with her best friend. When she meets Jonah there is a spark that she hasn't felt for a long time.
I loved the chemistry between Jonah and Vanessa. It's obvious right from the beginning that there is something special between them, but both are holding back. It was great fun to see Vanessa pull Jonah out of the shell he had been in since his divorce. I especially liked their first date when she sucked him into trying zip-lining. The more time they spent together the better they started to understand each other. I loved seeing Jonah help Vanessa see that her art wasn't gone, it was simply changing. His way of helping her was so sweet and romantic, and just added to the connection that was building between them.
One if their problems was that they had started their relationship as a temporary thing. Jonah has every intention of returning to Denver and Vanessa isn't planning to leave Rust Creek Falls. They are also trying to protect their hearts. Jonah feels that he had his one chance at love and blew it, and doesn't deserve another shot. Vanessa is suffering from survivor's guilt. She is torn up over the fact that she is still alive and doing all the things that her friend wanted to do. She is afraid to take a chance on the future because she knows that it can end so easily. Both of them have to let go of the past before they can see their future together. The scene at the end was so emotional for Vanessa, but also freeing. I was so happy to see Jonah share it with her....more
Terrific friends to lovers story. Nick came to Rust Creek Falls to help rebuild after the Flood and Cecelia came not long after. They grew up togetherTerrific friends to lovers story. Nick came to Rust Creek Falls to help rebuild after the Flood and Cecelia came not long after. They grew up together in Thunder Canyon and have been friends for a long time. Another reason that Cecelia came to Rust Creek was in hopes of finding love, after ending a relationship back home. She's not having much luck here either and is about ready to give up and go home, until Nick offers to help her find a match.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Nick and Cecelia. They've been friends for so long and they know each other very well. Nick likes having his friend around and isn't happy with the idea that she is thinking about leaving. He figures that if he can find her a local man then she won't go anywhere. Since he's a man who really likes the ladies he thinks he has a good chance of teaching her what it takes to get a man's attention. Cecelia doesn't think she should have to change who she is to do so, but she's willing to give it a try.
What neither expects is to suddenly start seeing the other one in a whole new way. Cecelia has always known that Nick is a sexy guy, but she's starting to notice it more in relation to the way she feels about him. She's not happy about it because she doesn't want it to ruin their friendship. She also knows that he is about as anti-commitment as a guy can get. I loved seeing her give herself a stern talking to every time her mind started to stray that way. I also liked the fact that she has a non-traditional kind of job. Her work in construction has made her comfortable around men in an everyday way, but she's still a bit uncomfortable in social situations. Her fallback to playing darts with them sets up some interesting dynamics. She gets frustrated with herself when none of her dates seem to measure up to Nick.
Nick starts out helping Cecelia for purely selfish reasons. He doesn't want her to leave town because he would miss her too much. She is the only woman that he can really be himself with. As a carpenter and handyman he has a lot of business come his way and a lot of it is from women who want more than just his carpentry skills. He likes playing the field because he has no intention of giving his heart to anyone. He saw how his dad fell apart after his mother died and he wants no chance of suffering that kind of pain and loss for himself. So when he offers to help Cecelia, noticing her as a woman was not part of his plan. I loved seeing him start second guessing himself when he'd set her up with a guy, and try to talk her out of it. He gets more and more jealous, especially when she starts to get some dates on her own, but he refuses to admit it to himself.
I loved the secondary story of Will and Beth and how their romance made both Nick and Cecelia look at their own relationship. I was happy to see that Cecelia finally realized that she deserved more than what she was getting and took the action she felt she needed. Nick needed a bit more of a smack upside the head, but he finally got it. I loved the ending - it was a wonderfully romantic touch. As an aside, I really liked having Nick be a blond hero. So many are the typical "tall, dark and handsome" that his being blond makes him stand out just a bit more....more
Good book. Mallory moved to Rust Creek Falls from New York City six months ago, along with her niece Lily. When Lily's parents died in an accident, MaGood book. Mallory moved to Rust Creek Falls from New York City six months ago, along with her niece Lily. When Lily's parents died in an accident, Mallory decided they needed a fresh start. They've both settled well into their new lives. Having recently ended a relationship, Mallory isn't interested in putting herself or Lily through that heartache again. Getting involved with her boss's son Caleb is not in her plans, but Lily has different ideas.
Caleb is a commitment shy cowboy. He witnessed the painful end of his cousin and best friend's marriage and has no intention of going there himself. Everyone in town knows what he is like. He is enchanted by Lily the day he stops by his dad's office and meets her, but meeting Mallory was like being struck by lightning. He knew that he needed to get to know her better.
Poor Caleb was doomed from the beginning, he just couldn't admit it. His relationship got off to a pretty rough start when, on his first date with Mallory, she had to witness other women coming on to him. He had to work hard to get her to accept a second date. Mallory was cautious about getting involved with Caleb because she worried about what effect it could have on Lily when it ended. Their second date threw them a little closer together than they expected, and they had to decide how to deal with their changing feelings. Caleb and Mallory spend a lot of time insisting that they are only friends, but people around town constantly treat them as a couple. It seems that the harder they fight it, the closer they get. I also loved seeing Lily and her effect on Caleb. For a guy who was a confirmed bachelor, he was wonderful with her. It even affected his relationship with his sister - there was a great scene with Caleb and his newborn nephew. Both Caleb and Mallory have to overcome their fears before they can get the future they both want, and it's with Lily's help that they are finally able to do so.
I loved Lily and her straightforward way of looking at things. She had no problem letting people know what she wanted. She was determined to get Caleb and Mallory together. I loved some of the situations she got them into, There was a really fun scene where she hauls out the "Where do babies come from?" question and makes some pretty interesting statements. I loved seeing her help Caleb see the truth....more
Wonderful return to Mitford, though I did find it a bit of a slow start. Father Tim and Cynthia are back in Mitford after their travels. Cynthia is deWonderful return to Mitford, though I did find it a bit of a slow start. Father Tim and Cynthia are back in Mitford after their travels. Cynthia is deep into her next book, but Father Tim is at loose ends. His friend and doctor is retiring and headed off to do charity work in the Sudan, leaving him feeling that he should be doing something useful with his time. But when trouble comes to his old parish, he realizes that he is not the one best suited to dealing with it, leaving him wondering what he should be doing.
The people of Mitford don't leave him wondering for long. Father Tim soon finds himself involved in many aspects of peoples' lives. I loved seeing his patience with Sammy, one of Dooley's younger brothers. Sammy is still dealing with his anger over his mother's treatment of him and acts out in many ways. He has an explosive temper, resents his oldest brother's success, and does his best to push everyone away. Even when Sammy wrecks Father Tim's car, he doesn't wash his hands, but continues to show his love. Though there isn't a complete turnaround, progress is made by the end of the book. Hopefully there will be more of Sammy in another book.
One of Father Tim's favorite places in town, the Happy Endings bookstore, is in danger of closing. The owner is newly pregnant and having problems that have sentenced her to bedrest. To prevent that from occurring, he offers to open the store for her one day a week, leading others to do the same. I loved seeing him get so involved in the running of the store and helping people find books. The support from the various townspeople is wonderful to see, and I loved the various book quotes they posted on the bulletin board. Father Tim seems to have found a perfect place to influence many lives.
Running throughout the book is the local paper's campaign to name the town's "Leading Citizen". The frontrunner is Father Tim, who is not at all happy with the idea. He doesn't feel worthy of such a title, and doesn't like being held up as such a role model. And yet, he finds a way to help so many. I enjoyed seeing his relationship with Coot, the local handyman, and how he was there for Coot during a heartbreaking loss and then helped make a dream come true. I loved seeing the "Turkey Club" back together, and hearing their observations on life in Mitford. Father Tim also has a wonderful way of listening to people who come to him, allowing them to work out their own problems with only some guidance from him. This especially shows in his relationship with Dooley and his struggles with his love for Lace. So much support, but also trust that Dooley will do what is right for both.
There are plenty of updates on old friends, and the introduction of new ones. I loved the surprise visitor to town and the incredible news she brings to a resident. There are interesting developments with Esther's Orange Marmalade Cake, and also with the former mayor of Mitford. I enjoyed the arrival of Fancy's sister Shirlene, and the effect she has on the morale of many residents. There are some things left hanging, which I hope means that there will be another visit to Mitford soon....more
This was a very fun book. Joe is the typical alpha male, appealing to women, protective when necessary, and anti-commitment. But his tough guy image iThis was a very fun book. Joe is the typical alpha male, appealing to women, protective when necessary, and anti-commitment. But his tough guy image is a little tarnished at the beginning of the book as he is recovering from being pretty badly beaten. When Luna shows up at his place to ask for his help she finds him being molested by a couple of women, and has no problem running them off.
Luna has been made guardian of two children in a small town that is making a lot of trouble for the kids. She knows that Joe is the perfect person to help her protect the kids until she can get things settled. She's attracted to Joe, but knows better than to get involved with him. He's not into commitment and she doesn't want her heart broken. Joe is glad to help Luna out. He lets her know straight out that he's also going to use the time to try to get her into bed with him.
Luna has never spent any real time around kids, but she is determined to give Willow and Austin all the love and stability that they need. I loved seeing how nervous she was, but her instincts were good and she seemed to know pretty well what they needed. Her own family life had not been all that great, and it gives her great insight into how the kids feel. She is also determined to resist the womanizing Joe, but soon sees a different side to him. I loved seeing her stand up to him when she thought it was important, but pay attention when she knew he was looking out for them. I loved seeing her attitude toward him soften as he got more involved with the kids.
Joe has never had to work for a woman's attention before he met Luna. He wants her bad, but she isn't cooperating at all. He's more than happy to help her out with the kids because it gives him the chance to try to talk her into his bed. He doesn't expect to find himself settling in to domesticity and liking it. I loved seeing how good he was with the kids. He has just the right touch with Austin to keep him out of trouble. He was also incredibly sweet with the teenage Willow - I loved his reaction to the errand she asked him to run. As much as he had been resisting the idea of ever settling down, it was so much fun to see him take to family life.
There were some really fun things that happened throughout the book. It was always great to see Joe dealing with any kind of domestic issue. I loved watching him with the ever curious and very talkative Austin. He was surprised by how much he enjoyed what he did and that the thought of making things permanent with Luna didn't send him running scared. I also loved seeing Luna as she resisted Joe's advances, even though she wanted him. She had a couple great scenes where she was dealing with the women who were constantly after him.
The two kids in the book were wonderful. They had had it really rough since their mother died and were very wary of Luna, who was the most recent in a long line of guardians. Their actions seemed perfectly logical for their ages and what had been happening to them. My heart broke for them as they were so cautious about accepting that Luna was there to stay.
There were a couple of mysteries that went throughout the book. There was the question of who was causing the "accidents" that were happening to the kids, and why it was happening. The who was pretty obvious, but the why was something of a surprise. There was also the identity of who was following Joe and why, and was it just one person or were there more. Joe's protectiveness toward his new family sometimes came in conflict with what he wanted to do to get to the bottom of it. Both mysteries got solved at once with a good amount of action and some pretty funny encounters....more
Good friends to lovers story. Jack and Leah have been friends for a long time. They grew up as neighbors, always there for each other. Jack was Leah'sGood friends to lovers story. Jack and Leah have been friends for a long time. They grew up as neighbors, always there for each other. Jack was Leah's refuge when her father's abuse got to be too much. Meanwhile, Leah was there for Jack when his father died doing his job as a firefighter.
Now Leah is back in Lucky Harbor to help out her grandmother at her bakery while she tries to decide what to do next. She had left culinary school in the last semester in order to participate in a baking competition show. She can't talk about how the show turned out, but you definitely get the feeling it didn't end well for her. With the whole town watching the show, Leah is determined to leave again before the final episode airs, but things aren't as easy as she thought they'd be. Her friendship with Jack is going strong again, but there's something else going on also. Then she tells Jack's mom. who is fighting cancer, that she and Jack are together in an attempt to give Dee more motivation to get better. And then their pretending gets a little out of hand.
Jack spent his early years idolizing his father and determined to follow in his footsteps. He is now head of his station in the fire department, and living his life the way he wants. He has plenty of time for the ladies, as long as they know he doesn't do commitments. When Leah comes back to town, their friendship picks up right where it left off, until she makes that claim to his mother. He understands why she did it, but it is making his life hell. As much as he tries to keep a lid on their attraction, it's just too strong to deny.
Both Leah and Jack are intensely attracted to the other. Their close friendship over the years has enabled them to see each other just as they are, faults and all. Their love for each other is obvious to everyone else, but Leah and Jack refuse to admit it. Both of them have issues that keep them from believing in a happy future. Leah's father's abuse destroyed her self-esteem. He expected perfection from her and belittled her constantly for not achieving it, telling her if it isn't perfect don't bother doing it. As a result, she has trouble finishing anything she starts. She can't believe that Jack would want more than friendship with someone as screwed up as she is. Jack has spent his adult life avoiding any sort of emotional commitment. He saw what it did to his mom when his father died and is determined that he won't put anyone through that kind of pain. He has also been trying to live up to his father's hero status by following exactly in his footsteps, even though his own interests lie along a slightly different path. When Jack and Leah start their charade they try to keep it all under control, but it's a losing battle.
I loved seeing the two of them dancing around their feelings. Neither wanted to admit to themselves or others that they really weren't pretending to care. Jack is still trying to protect his heart, but he ends up breaking every rule he sets up, getting in deeper with Leah every time. I loved seeing the cool and calm Jack lose it whenever he is with her. Leah has fallen for Jack, but figures she blew her chance already and won't get a second shot at it. It takes her almost too long to realize that love doesn't expect perfection, and that Jack is everything she wants.
Besides the drama of the developing relationship between Leah and Jack, there is plenty going on with the rest of the town. Old lady Lucille is still posting everything that is going on in town on facebook, with Jack and Leah one of her favorite subjects. Jack's mom is battling her cancer, but also coming to realize that she is partly responsible for Jack's issues. In her attempts to fix it she also learns more about herself. One of the best characters is Jack's Great Dane Kevin and his antics. He adds some great comic relief with his eating habits and other things he does. There is also an issue with a series of suspicious fires that draws Jack's attention over and over. I loved the way that he tried to figure out who it was. There were a couple of very interesting twists before that mystery was solved....more
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