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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0369729854
| 9780369729859
| B09SVBLYCR
| 3.60
| 58
| unknown
| Oct 25, 2022
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really liked it
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Annie is a high-spirited young woman trying to enjoy the season and find a suitable husband. None of the men she has met appeal to her. We first see h
Annie is a high-spirited young woman trying to enjoy the season and find a suitable husband. None of the men she has met appeal to her. We first see her participating in a carriage race against a young man who disparaged "women drivers." After the race, she is invited to a gathering that common sense tells her is a scandal waiting to happen, and she plans to avoid it. Unfortunately, another young woman is determined to attend. Worried about Felicity's safety, Annie disguises herself as a maid to rescue Felicity. While there, William, Felicty's cousin, sees Felicity there and helps Annie extricate her from danger. William misunderstands Annie's role, and Annie adds to the problem with her deception. An explosive kiss complicates matters. William is back in England, recovering from wounds from the war in Spain. He has also recently inherited his brother's home and fortune. William has no interest in remaining in England and taking up those duties. He is itching to return to the war and relieve his guilt over his men's deaths. Unfortunately, he is not healing as he should, which frustrates him and leaves him feeling he doesn't know who he is. William's next meeting with Annie does not go well. She is a much better playactor, as she gives no indication they have met before. Meanwhile, William is so flummoxed that he fumbles his words and all but insults her. Annie hasn't forgotten the power of that kiss and vows to avoid William as much as possible. But they keep encountering each other, and every time, the sparks fly. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as they got to know each other. Annie comes to respect William and his devotion to his men. She aches for the pain she senses in him and wants to help him. Once William gets past his mistaken ideas of what Annie is like, he realizes that being around her lightens his guilt. It is clear that William is falling for her, but he doesn't see it. He has been stalwart in his decision not to marry, which blinds him to his growing feelings. Annie realizes she loves Will but that it is a hopeless case. Matters are complicated by the sparks of attraction that neither can deny. When Annie finds herself in the center of a scandal, William is one of the few to stand by her. I loved his kindness and compassion and his desire to protect her. He goes a little overboard, adding to the scandal. Watching Will and Annie go back and forth over his desire to do the right thing and her refusal to marry without love was fascinating. I loved the scene where Will finally saw the light on his feelings. It didn't happen the way I expected, and I laughed out loud. Will's attempt to explain his feelings was sweet and awkward, and it was fun to see Annie's reaction. Merged review: Annie is a high-spirited young woman trying to enjoy the season and find a suitable husband. None of the men she has met appeal to her. We first see her participating in a carriage race against a young man who disparaged "women drivers." After the race, she is invited to a gathering that common sense tells her is a scandal waiting to happen, and she plans to avoid it. Unfortunately, another young woman is determined to attend. Worried about Felicity's safety, Annie disguises herself as a maid to rescue Felicity. While there, William, Felicty's cousin, sees Felicity there and helps Annie extricate her from danger. William misunderstands Annie's role, and Annie adds to the problem with her deception. An explosive kiss complicates matters. William is back in England, recovering from wounds from the war in Spain. He has also recently inherited his brother's home and fortune. William has no interest in remaining in England and taking up those duties. He is itching to return to the war and relieve his guilt over his men's deaths. Unfortunately, he is not healing as he should, which frustrates him and leaves him feeling he doesn't know who he is. William's next meeting with Annie does not go well. She is a much better playactor, as she gives no indication they have met before. Meanwhile, William is so flummoxed that he fumbles his words and all but insults her. Annie hasn't forgotten the power of that kiss and vows to avoid William as much as possible. But they keep encountering each other, and every time, the sparks fly. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as they got to know each other. Annie comes to respect William and his devotion to his men. She aches for the pain she senses in him and wants to help him. Once William gets past his mistaken ideas of what Annie is like, he realizes that being around her lightens his guilt. It is clear that William is falling for her, but he doesn't see it. He has been stalwart in his decision not to marry, which blinds him to his growing feelings. Annie realizes she loves Will but that it is a hopeless case. Matters are complicated by the sparks of attraction that neither can deny. When Annie finds herself in the center of a scandal, William is one of the few to stand by her. I loved his kindness and compassion and his desire to protect her. He goes a little overboard, adding to the scandal. Watching Will and Annie go back and forth over his desire to do the right thing and her refusal to marry without love was fascinating. I loved the scene where Will finally saw the light on his feelings. It didn't happen the way I expected, and I laughed out loud. Will's attempt to explain his feelings was sweet and awkward, and it was fun to see Annie's reaction. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
not set
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Oct 13, 2023
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1488075573
| 9781488075575
| B08LBNCRKV
| 4.37
| 52
| May 01, 2021
| Apr 27, 2021
|
really liked it
|
Good book. Tanner arrived back in town on leave at the end of the previous book, The Marine Makes Amends, facing the news that he may be a father. Ele
Good book. Tanner arrived back in town on leave at the end of the previous book, The Marine Makes Amends, facing the news that he may be a father. Eleven months earlier, Tanner made the mistake of hooking up with his old high school girlfriend. Della was always a little obsessed with him, and her actions back then nearly caused a disaster in his plans for the future. The most recent encounter turned out to be more of the same, but she didn't live to carry out her plans. Instead, Della's sister Addie took over as Poppy's guardian, loving her like a mother. I ached for both Addie and Tanner at the beginning. Tanner's arrival could mean the end of Addie's dream of being Poppy's mom. If Tanner really is Poppy's father, he'll have the right to take her away and raise her himself, leaving Addie alone. At the same time, Tanner wants to do the right thing, but he is terrified of being responsible for a tiny baby. I liked how Tanner stepped up, determined to learn how to care for Poppy. I had a little harder time liking Addie at this point because she attempted to discourage Tanner. I wanted to shake her for her teaching methods and loved it when he called her out on it. Tanner and Addie came to an interesting arrangement. Tanner would help do the repairs on the house she inherited in exchange for baby care lessons. This entailed Tanner moving into the home with Addie and Poppy so that he could experience ALL of it. I felt terrible for Tanner because he was so nervous and tense that the lessons didn't go well. This was very hard on his confidence. Though Addie's attitude frustrated me initially, I understood a little of what made her that way. She lost her parents and her sister in a short period, leaving her with no family except Poppy. Then her fiancé left her at the altar. Both Tanner and Addie had past issues that influenced the way they looked at each other. Addie was a preteen when the high school drama between Tanner and Della happened and only saw it from Della's perspective. She saw Tanner as cold and uncaring and didn't want that for Poppy. Meanwhile, we learn about the hell Della put Tanner through, why he was so ready to leave town, and why he rarely came home for a visit. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Addie and Tanner. Once they moved past the initial problem of Addie's sabotaging his lessons, things got a little easier. Despite the tough Marine reputation, Tanner is a pretty sensitive man. I liked seeing him pitch in to help Addie with the post-jilting cleanup and how he supported her when she returned wedding presents. I liked seeing them get to know each other and some of the deep conversations they had. One night, aided by a bit of wine, Addie learned how deep an effect Della's actions had on Tanner. I loved Addie's take on the things he told her and his reaction when she told him. Of course, Addie's jilting affected her, and Tanner pointed out some things she hadn't considered either. Complicating the whole waiting for the paternity results issue was the attraction that grew between Addie and Tanner. Tanner is wary because Addie is Della's sister, and how can he be sure that she isn't as excessively emotional? Poppy resists because of his former relationship with her sister, plus it being so soon after her breakup. But the attraction continues to build until they can't help giving in. The experience profoundly affected Tanner, and I loved his time of introspection the next morning. The ending was terrific. I loved the thought that Tanner gave to Addie's love for Poppy, his feelings for both Poppy and Addie, and what he saw as his role. There were a couple of issues I had with the book. They did not affect my enjoyment of the story. One very minor, and one that is a consistent problem with Harlequin books. The minor issue was with the timeline of Tanner's departure for Annapolis. Unlike civilian colleges, which start at the end of August or the beginning of September, the Academy does things differently. If you are a Plebe (freshman), you report in at the beginning of July for Plebe Summer. "Plebe Summer is the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy. The program lasts approximately seven weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen" (Wikipedia). The other issue is that Tanner is a Marine, not a marine. Marine is ALWAYS capitalized when referring to a member of the Marine Corps. Harlequin nearly always gets it wrong. P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004 Marines: Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC. Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine. Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed. Merged review: Good book. Tanner arrived back in town on leave at the end of the previous book, The Marine Makes Amends, facing the news that he may be a father. Eleven months earlier, Tanner made the mistake of hooking up with his old high school girlfriend. Della was always a little obsessed with him, and her actions back then nearly caused a disaster in his plans for the future. The most recent encounter turned out to be more of the same, but she didn't live to carry out her plans. Instead, Della's sister Addie took over as Poppy's guardian, loving her like a mother. I ached for both Addie and Tanner at the beginning. Tanner's arrival could mean the end of Addie's dream of being Poppy's mom. If Tanner really is Poppy's father, he'll have the right to take her away and raise her himself, leaving Addie alone. At the same time, Tanner wants to do the right thing, but he is terrified of being responsible for a tiny baby. I liked how Tanner stepped up, determined to learn how to care for Poppy. I had a little harder time liking Addie at this point because she attempted to discourage Tanner. I wanted to shake her for her teaching methods and loved it when he called her out on it. Tanner and Addie came to an interesting arrangement. Tanner would help do the repairs on the house she inherited in exchange for baby care lessons. This entailed Tanner moving into the home with Addie and Poppy so that he could experience ALL of it. I felt terrible for Tanner because he was so nervous and tense that the lessons didn't go well. This was very hard on his confidence. Though Addie's attitude frustrated me initially, I understood a little of what made her that way. She lost her parents and her sister in a short period, leaving her with no family except Poppy. Then her fiancé left her at the altar. Both Tanner and Addie had past issues that influenced the way they looked at each other. Addie was a preteen when the high school drama between Tanner and Della happened and only saw it from Della's perspective. She saw Tanner as cold and uncaring and didn't want that for Poppy. Meanwhile, we learn about the hell Della put Tanner through, why he was so ready to leave town, and why he rarely came home for a visit. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Addie and Tanner. Once they moved past the initial problem of Addie's sabotaging his lessons, things got a little easier. Despite the tough Marine reputation, Tanner is a pretty sensitive man. I liked seeing him pitch in to help Addie with the post-jilting cleanup and how he supported her when she returned wedding presents. I liked seeing them get to know each other and some of the deep conversations they had. One night, aided by a bit of wine, Addie learned how deep an effect Della's actions had on Tanner. I loved Addie's take on the things he told her and his reaction when she told him. Of course, Addie's jilting affected her, and Tanner pointed out some things she hadn't considered either. Complicating the whole waiting for the paternity results issue was the attraction that grew between Addie and Tanner. Tanner is wary because Addie is Della's sister, and how can he be sure that she isn't as excessively emotional? Poppy resists because of his former relationship with her sister, plus it being so soon after her breakup. But the attraction continues to build until they can't help giving in. The experience profoundly affected Tanner, and I loved his time of introspection the next morning. The ending was terrific. I loved the thought that Tanner gave to Addie's love for Poppy, his feelings for both Poppy and Addie, and what he saw as his role. There were a couple of issues I had with the book. They did not affect my enjoyment of the story. One very minor, and one that is a consistent problem with Harlequin books. The minor issue was with the timeline of Tanner's departure for Annapolis. Unlike civilian colleges, which start at the end of August or the beginning of September, the Academy does things differently. If you are a Plebe (freshman), you report in at the beginning of July for Plebe Summer. "Plebe Summer is the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy. The program lasts approximately seven weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen" (Wikipedia). The other issue is that Tanner is a Marine, not a marine. Marine is ALWAYS capitalized when referring to a member of the Marine Corps. Harlequin nearly always gets it wrong. P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004 Marines: Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC. Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine. Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
not set
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Jun 08, 2021
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 0369733371
| 9780369733375
| B09TFR2512
| 3.90
| 29
| unknown
| Sep 27, 2022
|
really liked it
|
Good friends to lovers story. Shayna and Noah have been best friends since they were children. Unbeknownst to him, Shayna has been in love with him fo
Good friends to lovers story. Shayna and Noah have been best friends since they were children. Unbeknownst to him, Shayna has been in love with him for nearly as long. The book opens with a prologue where Noah is headed off to his first duty station as a Marine. He's been stood up by his long-time girlfriend, Annika, so Shayna is the one who takes him to the airport. Seven years later, Noah is back home on emergency leave, thanks to the news that he is the father of a six-year-old little girl. Isabella has been chiefly cared for by her grandmother, May, as her mother is not a very responsible person. When May is injured in a fall, she asks Shayna to care for Isabella and tells her that Noah is the girl's father. Annika and her husband have disappeared, so Shayna is all that stands between Isabella and foster care. I ached for Noah, who is floored by the idea that he's a father and angry that Annika kept him from knowing Isabella. His conversation with May is heartbreaking as he learns what happened. The first meeting between Noah and Isabella is sweet, even though she has no idea that he is her father. Even so, there is an instant connection between them. For his part, Noah feels an instant and overwhelming love for his daughter and knows his life will never be the same. That doesn't mean he isn't nervous around her and unsure of how to treat her. I liked Shayna. She is intelligent, talented, and has a huge heart. For her to take in the daughter of the woman who held Noah's heart for so long shows how much she loves Noah. She also knows that Noah doesn't see her as anything other than a friend and has to decide if she will continue to hold out hope or put him behind her and move on. When her personal trainer asks her out, Shayna chooses to give him a chance. I wanted to shake Noah for being so blind. Not only doesn't he see that Shayna loves him, but he also doesn't realize that he loves her. It isn't until he sees her going out with Blake and is jealous that he can see how much she means to him. Once that light goes on, he is determined to make her see they belong together. I enjoyed watching him pull out the stops to win her. Shayna hesitates to believe that Noah truly loves her and blames the upheaval in his life for making him think he does. I loved that he was persistent in making her understand his feelings. I loved their first actual date and his effort to make it memorable. Just when things look good for them, Annika reappears in their lives. I didn't like what I knew of her from the early descriptions of her and her actions. However, I liked seeing that she's made significant changes in her life, admitting her mistakes and working to improve her life. Noah has a tough time forgiving her, and it becomes more complicated when Shayna begins putting distance between them. I liked how Noah confronted her about it, listened to Shayna's fears, and made sure that she knew that she was the one who had his heart. Noah has some decisions to make about his future. Does he stay in the Marines and face long separations from Shayna and Isabella? Or does he get out and find something to do that will keep him in Montana? I loved the solution his commanding officer came up with and the huge difference it made to Noah and Shayna. There is a sweet bit at the end where they have plans to attend the Marine Corps Ball together, but something comes up, and it looks like Noah won't be back in Montana in time. However, he pulls off a fantastic surprise and makes that dream come true after all. The scene at the Ball is sweet and romantic and perfectly expresses his love. There were several things I loved about this book. I adored Shayna's Christmas enthusiasm and joy in preparing her Christmas displays. I loved watching her involve Isabella and how it brought them closer. I liked Noah's realistic struggle with forgiving Annika and adjusting to being a father. My all-time favorite part was seeing Noah and Shayna at the Ball. As a Marine wife myself, I have been to the Washington, DC, Ball several times and can attest to the splendor of it. My only complaint about the book is that the word Marine was not capitalized as it should be. That is a frequent issue with Harlequin's editors and doesn't reflect on the story itself. Merged review: Good friends to lovers story. Shayna and Noah have been best friends since they were children. Unbeknownst to him, Shayna has been in love with him for nearly as long. The book opens with a prologue where Noah is headed off to his first duty station as a Marine. He's been stood up by his long-time girlfriend, Annika, so Shayna is the one who takes him to the airport. Seven years later, Noah is back home on emergency leave, thanks to the news that he is the father of a six-year-old little girl. Isabella has been chiefly cared for by her grandmother, May, as her mother is not a very responsible person. When May is injured in a fall, she asks Shayna to care for Isabella and tells her that Noah is the girl's father. Annika and her husband have disappeared, so Shayna is all that stands between Isabella and foster care. I ached for Noah, who is floored by the idea that he's a father and angry that Annika kept him from knowing Isabella. His conversation with May is heartbreaking as he learns what happened. The first meeting between Noah and Isabella is sweet, even though she has no idea that he is her father. Even so, there is an instant connection between them. For his part, Noah feels an instant and overwhelming love for his daughter and knows his life will never be the same. That doesn't mean he isn't nervous around her and unsure of how to treat her. I liked Shayna. She is intelligent, talented, and has a huge heart. For her to take in the daughter of the woman who held Noah's heart for so long shows how much she loves Noah. She also knows that Noah doesn't see her as anything other than a friend and has to decide if she will continue to hold out hope or put him behind her and move on. When her personal trainer asks her out, Shayna chooses to give him a chance. I wanted to shake Noah for being so blind. Not only doesn't he see that Shayna loves him, but he also doesn't realize that he loves her. It isn't until he sees her going out with Blake and is jealous that he can see how much she means to him. Once that light goes on, he is determined to make her see they belong together. I enjoyed watching him pull out the stops to win her. Shayna hesitates to believe that Noah truly loves her and blames the upheaval in his life for making him think he does. I loved that he was persistent in making her understand his feelings. I loved their first actual date and his effort to make it memorable. Just when things look good for them, Annika reappears in their lives. I didn't like what I knew of her from the early descriptions of her and her actions. However, I liked seeing that she's made significant changes in her life, admitting her mistakes and working to improve her life. Noah has a tough time forgiving her, and it becomes more complicated when Shayna begins putting distance between them. I liked how Noah confronted her about it, listened to Shayna's fears, and made sure that she knew that she was the one who had his heart. Noah has some decisions to make about his future. Does he stay in the Marines and face long separations from Shayna and Isabella? Or does he get out and find something to do that will keep him in Montana? I loved the solution his commanding officer came up with and the huge difference it made to Noah and Shayna. There is a sweet bit at the end where they have plans to attend the Marine Corps Ball together, but something comes up, and it looks like Noah won't be back in Montana in time. However, he pulls off a fantastic surprise and makes that dream come true after all. The scene at the Ball is sweet and romantic and perfectly expresses his love. There were several things I loved about this book. I adored Shayna's Christmas enthusiasm and joy in preparing her Christmas displays. I loved watching her involve Isabella and how it brought them closer. I liked Noah's realistic struggle with forgiving Annika and adjusting to being a father. My all-time favorite part was seeing Noah and Shayna at the Ball. As a Marine wife myself, I have been to the Washington, DC, Ball several times and can attest to the splendor of it. My only complaint about the book is that the word Marine was not capitalized as it should be. That is a frequent issue with Harlequin's editors and doesn't reflect on the story itself. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
not set
not set
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Apr 11, 2023
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 0369733762
| 9780369733764
| B0BDS3Y8JJ
| 4.04
| 23
| unknown
| Apr 25, 2023
|
really liked it
|
Good second chance story with complications. Dalton and Marli grew up together in their small town, best friends from the ages of eight and seven. Tha
Good second chance story with complications. Dalton and Marli grew up together in their small town, best friends from the ages of eight and seven. That friendship grew into more when they were in high school. But Marli always had plans to get out of the small town as soon as possible, while Dalton's plan took him to the Naval Academy and the Marines. After a traumatic experience, Marli followed up on her plans, leaving Dalton behind without a word. Marli is back in Merritt, happy to be there after ending her third engagement, and looking forward to starting her new business. The last person she expects to see is Dalton, who is back in Merritt to review the court martial case of her brother Holt, accused of disobeying orders, causing casualties during a rescue mission. Marli has long felt guilty about how she left Dalton and now fears that it could hurt Holt's case. The story opens as Dalton arrives to keep track of Holt during his medical leave (Holt was paralyzed during the mission). His reaction when Marli tries to apologize is rife with anger, resentment, and residual hurt, and Marli is stunned by its intensity. I liked that she didn't give up on trying to make things right. Fortunately, Dalton's normal level-headedness returns, and he realizes he may have been a little over-the-top. He chalks it up to venting, believing he has now managed closure on their former relationship. But Marli isn't done with him - she wants them to return to some semblance of friendship, even if a relationship is no longer possible. I liked watching Dalton and Marli slowly rekindle their friendship. It isn't easy, and Marli puts more effort into it initially. But it isn't too long before their memories of the good times they had begun to outweigh the bad memories. When that happens, what were sparks of antagonism turn into sparks of attraction. There are some terrific scenes of them together as that happens, from painting her new office to having dinner in a treehouse. But Dalton has avoided relationships for years, citing his career, and makes no secret of his return to duty once he's done in Merritt. At the same time, Marli is wary of getting involved with Dalton. Her fiancés have all turned critical of what makes her who she is after they put the ring on her finger. I ached for her as she described their attitudes to Dalton. I liked his support of her and how she remembers that he was never like that when they were together. I liked watching Dalton with his brothers and grandfather and seeing how close they all are. He's surprised to see his brothers' happiness after giving up their Marine careers for love and wonders about his future. I loved his introspection as he examined his life and what he wanted from it. His conversation with Marli is fantastic as they finally admit their feelings and belief that they are now where they should be. I especially enjoyed Dalton's comments about engagements and marriage and what was most important. Marli's brother was a first-class jerk. He's had a grudge against the Camdens since he and Daltons were kids because of something their parents did, and he took it out on Dalton throughout their school days and into their time at the Naval Academy. When Holt was assigned to a mission under Dalton's command, he disobeyed a direct order, making a complicated mission even more difficult. It is also where he got hurt, and he is now looking at the possibility of a court-martial. Even now, with Dalton the one to decide his fate, he can't keep his mouth shut, and I felt his wife's and Marli's frustration with his intransigence. Dalton has a lot to consider in his decision, and it isn't easy to make. I liked how it turned out. I enjoyed the story and thought it was well-written. My only complaint is the author's inability to properly capitalize anything to do with the United States Marine Corps. The word "Marine" is ALWAYS capitalized when speaking of a member of the Marine Corps. If you shorten "Marine Corps," it is "the Corps," NOT "the corps." Dalton, his brothers, and Holt all attended the Naval Academy, not the "naval academy." This has been a consistent issue in any book she has written involving Marines. P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004 Marines: Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC. Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine. Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed. Merged review: Good second chance story with complications. Dalton and Marli grew up together in their small town, best friends from the ages of eight and seven. That friendship grew into more when they were in high school. But Marli always had plans to get out of the small town as soon as possible, while Dalton's plan took him to the Naval Academy and the Marines. After a traumatic experience, Marli followed up on her plans, leaving Dalton behind without a word. Marli is back in Merritt, happy to be there after ending her third engagement, and looking forward to starting her new business. The last person she expects to see is Dalton, who is back in Merritt to review the court martial case of her brother Holt, accused of disobeying orders, causing casualties during a rescue mission. Marli has long felt guilty about how she left Dalton and now fears that it could hurt Holt's case. The story opens as Dalton arrives to keep track of Holt during his medical leave (Holt was paralyzed during the mission). His reaction when Marli tries to apologize is rife with anger, resentment, and residual hurt, and Marli is stunned by its intensity. I liked that she didn't give up on trying to make things right. Fortunately, Dalton's normal level-headedness returns, and he realizes he may have been a little over-the-top. He chalks it up to venting, believing he has now managed closure on their former relationship. But Marli isn't done with him - she wants them to return to some semblance of friendship, even if a relationship is no longer possible. I liked watching Dalton and Marli slowly rekindle their friendship. It isn't easy, and Marli puts more effort into it initially. But it isn't too long before their memories of the good times they had begun to outweigh the bad memories. When that happens, what were sparks of antagonism turn into sparks of attraction. There are some terrific scenes of them together as that happens, from painting her new office to having dinner in a treehouse. But Dalton has avoided relationships for years, citing his career, and makes no secret of his return to duty once he's done in Merritt. At the same time, Marli is wary of getting involved with Dalton. Her fiancés have all turned critical of what makes her who she is after they put the ring on her finger. I ached for her as she described their attitudes to Dalton. I liked his support of her and how she remembers that he was never like that when they were together. I liked watching Dalton with his brothers and grandfather and seeing how close they all are. He's surprised to see his brothers' happiness after giving up their Marine careers for love and wonders about his future. I loved his introspection as he examined his life and what he wanted from it. His conversation with Marli is fantastic as they finally admit their feelings and belief that they are now where they should be. I especially enjoyed Dalton's comments about engagements and marriage and what was most important. Marli's brother was a first-class jerk. He's had a grudge against the Camdens since he and Daltons were kids because of something their parents did, and he took it out on Dalton throughout their school days and into their time at the Naval Academy. When Holt was assigned to a mission under Dalton's command, he disobeyed a direct order, making a complicated mission even more difficult. It is also where he got hurt, and he is now looking at the possibility of a court-martial. Even now, with Dalton the one to decide his fate, he can't keep his mouth shut, and I felt his wife's and Marli's frustration with his intransigence. Dalton has a lot to consider in his decision, and it isn't easy to make. I liked how it turned out. I enjoyed the story and thought it was well-written. My only complaint is the author's inability to properly capitalize anything to do with the United States Marine Corps. The word "Marine" is ALWAYS capitalized when speaking of a member of the Marine Corps. If you shorten "Marine Corps," it is "the Corps," NOT "the corps." Dalton, his brothers, and Holt all attended the Naval Academy, not the "naval academy." This has been a consistent issue in any book she has written involving Marines. P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004 Marines: Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC. Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine. Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
not set
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Aug 09, 2023
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1420155067
| 9781420155068
| B0B359YH1T
| 4.24
| 1,222
| Sep 06, 1988
| Feb 28, 2023
|
it was amazing
|
This book is a reprint of one of the author's earliest books, written in 1988. It is a wonderful character-driven story of a young French émigré who f
This book is a reprint of one of the author's earliest books, written in 1988. It is a wonderful character-driven story of a young French émigré who finds herself working as a lady's maid in the household of a Royal Navy captain. Their journey to a future together is not easy, with social expectations, secrets, and miscommunications to overcome. Christa began life as the daughter of a French comte and his wife and a comtesse in her own right. But the French Revolution ended the aristocracy and cost her father his life. Christa and her mother, Marie, led a simple and quiet life until they learned their lives were also in danger. Christa's English half-brother, Charles, Lord Radcliffe, came to France to smuggle his mother and sister to England. Unfortunately, they ran into trouble, and Christa was the only one to escape. She went to Charles's uncle, the new Lord Radcliffe, mourning her losses for a year. When the year was up, she vowed to live as they wanted her to and made plans to go to London Society. However, Lord Radcliffe told her that her fortune was gone thanks to the revolution, and she was penniless. He offered to marry her himself, which Christa found unacceptable. She ran away to London, planning to find a job as a governess, but ended up as a ladies' maid when that was all that was available. Christa was a unique young woman. Her parents raised her to be self-sufficient, emphasizing the importance of being able to do anything she asked of her people. She was very well educated, especially for a woman. Her first post as a ladies' maid was short-lived, as the lady of the house was mean-spirited, and her husband was lecherous. When Christa was forcibly ejected from the house after fighting back against his advances, she landed in a passing stranger's arms. Captain Lord Alexander Kingsley has just returned to England after fifteen years serving in the Navy. He is on medical leave, and after learning of his mother's death decided it was time to take his place as head of the household. He's worried about his younger sister, Annabelle, and younger brother, Jonathan, who he left in the hands of their cruel, selfish, and narcissistic mother. I ached for him and his worry about how they would feel about him after all these years. I loved their reaction to seeing him, but he was horrified to see the damage that their mother caused to their confidence. He's thinking about what he must do when he finds his arms full of the woman thrown from the house he's passing. I loved his concern for her and his swift action when he discovered her circumstances. Christa has undoubtedly ended up in the perfect household for her. Alex, Suzanne, and Jon are not your typical high-society aristocrats; they are warm and loving with each other and respect and are respected by those who work for them. Christa has a lot of freedom when interacting with the Kingsleys and soon finds herself fast friends with Annabelle. I loved how she used the skills she learned as a popular young comtesse to help Annabelle gain self-confidence. There are fun scenes as she assists Alex and Jon in learning to dance, teaches Annabelle how to flirt, and encourages Jon to share his dreams with his brother, all without doing anything inappropriate. Christa is equally at home below stairs and makes friends with the Kingsley servants, especially their French cook. Neither she nor Alex expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Both are conscious of the social divide between them and do their best to ignore their feelings. They mostly succeed, limiting themselves to a cautious friendship. That friendship plays an important role when Annabelle is targeted by an unscrupulous fortune hunter who tricks her into eloping with him. The pursuit scene was outstanding, and I loved the confrontation. Unfortunately, Annabelle is not the only target of a fortune hunter. We get a good look at a young woman determined to capture Alex for herself. After spending all his adult life at sea, Alex has no idea what he is up against and finds himself compromised into offering for the young woman in question. I ached for him because she was the worst possible choice for him, but honor won't let him back out. The feelings between Alex and Christa continue to grow, but neither believes anything can come of it. Forced proximity and irresistible attraction have them taking a step neither anticipated. But the social divide is still there, and Christa refuses to ruin his life by giving in to her dearest wish. Secrets and a lack of communication send Christa running while Alex finally realizes his feelings. But obstacles remain the same in keeping them apart. A surprising development changes Christa's life in ways she couldn't have imagined, but her heart is still broken. Alex is still stuck with his fiancée and resigned to his fate. But Annabelle wants Alex to be happy and finds a willing co-conspirator to help make it happen. I loved watching the drama play out to free him, then reconnect him with Christa. Their reunion first must get past a misunderstanding where Alex makes a total idiot out of himself. Being locked in a room together is a unique way to make it happen, but you can't argue with success. I loved that Christa didn't stand back and take it and gave as good as she got. I loved how that storm cleared the air between them, and all the truth came out. Alex's reaction is fun to watch as he processes what he's learned and is finally able to put words to his feelings. The secondary characters were well done. The two schemers were more selfish than evil, and I had to laugh at what became of them. Annabelle was a sweet young woman suffering from the effects of an emotionally abusive mother. Her transformation into a confident young woman was a believable journey orchestrated by Christa. I loved her close relationship with Alex. We don't see as much of Jonathan, but his changes are also evident. I liked the teasing between him and Alex regarding the superiority of the navy versus the army. Uncle Lewis creeped me out initially but redeemed himself somewhat at the end. #netgalley Merged review: This book is a reprint of one of the author's earliest books, written in 1988. It is a wonderful character-driven story of a young French émigré who finds herself working as a lady's maid in the household of a Royal Navy captain. Their journey to a future together is not easy, with social expectations, secrets, and miscommunications to overcome. Christa began life as the daughter of a French comte and his wife and a comtesse in her own right. But the French Revolution ended the aristocracy and cost her father his life. Christa and her mother, Marie, led a simple and quiet life until they learned their lives were also in danger. Christa's English half-brother, Charles, Lord Radcliffe, came to France to smuggle his mother and sister to England. Unfortunately, they ran into trouble, and Christa was the only one to escape. She went to Charles's uncle, the new Lord Radcliffe, mourning her losses for a year. When the year was up, she vowed to live as they wanted her to and made plans to go to London Society. However, Lord Radcliffe told her that her fortune was gone thanks to the revolution, and she was penniless. He offered to marry her himself, which Christa found unacceptable. She ran away to London, planning to find a job as a governess, but ended up as a ladies' maid when that was all that was available. Christa was a unique young woman. Her parents raised her to be self-sufficient, emphasizing the importance of being able to do anything she asked of her people. She was very well educated, especially for a woman. Her first post as a ladies' maid was short-lived, as the lady of the house was mean-spirited, and her husband was lecherous. When Christa was forcibly ejected from the house after fighting back against his advances, she landed in a passing stranger's arms. Captain Lord Alexander Kingsley has just returned to England after fifteen years serving in the Navy. He is on medical leave, and after learning of his mother's death decided it was time to take his place as head of the household. He's worried about his younger sister, Annabelle, and younger brother, Jonathan, who he left in the hands of their cruel, selfish, and narcissistic mother. I ached for him and his worry about how they would feel about him after all these years. I loved their reaction to seeing him, but he was horrified to see the damage that their mother caused to their confidence. He's thinking about what he must do when he finds his arms full of the woman thrown from the house he's passing. I loved his concern for her and his swift action when he discovered her circumstances. Christa has undoubtedly ended up in the perfect household for her. Alex, Suzanne, and Jon are not your typical high-society aristocrats; they are warm and loving with each other and respect and are respected by those who work for them. Christa has a lot of freedom when interacting with the Kingsleys and soon finds herself fast friends with Annabelle. I loved how she used the skills she learned as a popular young comtesse to help Annabelle gain self-confidence. There are fun scenes as she assists Alex and Jon in learning to dance, teaches Annabelle how to flirt, and encourages Jon to share his dreams with his brother, all without doing anything inappropriate. Christa is equally at home below stairs and makes friends with the Kingsley servants, especially their French cook. Neither she nor Alex expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Both are conscious of the social divide between them and do their best to ignore their feelings. They mostly succeed, limiting themselves to a cautious friendship. That friendship plays an important role when Annabelle is targeted by an unscrupulous fortune hunter who tricks her into eloping with him. The pursuit scene was outstanding, and I loved the confrontation. Unfortunately, Annabelle is not the only target of a fortune hunter. We get a good look at a young woman determined to capture Alex for herself. After spending all his adult life at sea, Alex has no idea what he is up against and finds himself compromised into offering for the young woman in question. I ached for him because she was the worst possible choice for him, but honor won't let him back out. The feelings between Alex and Christa continue to grow, but neither believes anything can come of it. Forced proximity and irresistible attraction have them taking a step neither anticipated. But the social divide is still there, and Christa refuses to ruin his life by giving in to her dearest wish. Secrets and a lack of communication send Christa running while Alex finally realizes his feelings. But obstacles remain the same in keeping them apart. A surprising development changes Christa's life in ways she couldn't have imagined, but her heart is still broken. Alex is still stuck with his fiancée and resigned to his fate. But Annabelle wants Alex to be happy and finds a willing co-conspirator to help make it happen. I loved watching the drama play out to free him, then reconnect him with Christa. Their reunion first must get past a misunderstanding where Alex makes a total idiot out of himself. Being locked in a room together is a unique way to make it happen, but you can't argue with success. I loved that Christa didn't stand back and take it and gave as good as she got. I loved how that storm cleared the air between them, and all the truth came out. Alex's reaction is fun to watch as he processes what he's learned and is finally able to put words to his feelings. The secondary characters were well done. The two schemers were more selfish than evil, and I had to laugh at what became of them. Annabelle was a sweet young woman suffering from the effects of an emotionally abusive mother. Her transformation into a confident young woman was a believable journey orchestrated by Christa. I loved her close relationship with Alex. We don't see as much of Jonathan, but his changes are also evident. I liked the teasing between him and Alex regarding the superiority of the navy versus the army. Uncle Lewis creeped me out initially but redeemed himself somewhat at the end. #netgalley ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
not set
not set
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Feb 22, 2023
not set
|
Sep 24, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 148807030X
| 9781488070303
| B089MC97CK
| 4.33
| 75
| unknown
| Dec 01, 2020
|
it was amazing
|
Terrific, sweet Christmas story. Hannah moved to Sweet Briar three years earlier to start a new life after finding her fiancé in bed with her sister.
Terrific, sweet Christmas story. Hannah moved to Sweet Briar three years earlier to start a new life after finding her fiancé in bed with her sister. That was just a few days before Christmas, and she hasn't enjoyed a holiday season since then. She has a successful boutique selling the clothes she designs and has sold a few dresses to the rich and famous. She's stunned when her ex-fiancé, sister, and mother show up in Sweet Briar, expecting her to design her sister's wedding dress. Besides flat-out refusing, all she wants to do is get them out of town before they embarrass her in front of the whole town. Russell arrives in Sweet Briar to spend the holidays with his family. He faces some big decisions about his future. After twenty years in the army, a recent injury made him unable to continue his career, and he faces a medical discharge. Russell feels lost without the vocation that has defined him for more than half his life. I loved the first meeting between Hannah and Russell. He was so eager to reconnect with the woman he met briefly during the summer that he didn't even unpack his bags, just headed straight for her shop. He arrived in time to hear her confrontation with her family and jumps in, pretending to be her boyfriend. Though initially not very appreciative, Hannah quickly realizes the benefits and asks Russell to continue the charade. For reasons of his own, Russell happily accepts her proposal. I loved seeing Hannah and Russell start as co-conspirators, become friends, and then grow into something more. Russell was a sweetheart, stepping up to help Hannah in her boutique, cooking for her, and standing up for her against her family. I loved his response when Hannah's mother appealed to him for his opinion. There are plenty of sweet scenes between Russell and Hannah, like the winter festival, as they get to know each other. As they grow closer, their walls begin to crumble. After being the stoic soldier for so long, I liked seeing Russell open up to Hannah about his injuries and his confusion over his future. Hannah also opens up to Russell about what caused her lack of Christmas spirit. I enjoyed how Russell tried to revive Hannah's joy in Christmas until he pushed a little too far and too fast. I ached for both Russell and Hannah at this point. While Russell's intentions were good, Hannah felt blindsided and that he had disregarded her feelings. There were some harsh and hurtful words exchanged that each one quickly regretted. Both had some soul-searching to do, and I enjoyed seeing them each realize why their fight was so painful. I liked Russell's conversation with his parents and how it helped him accept his future and see how much he wanted Hannah to be part of that future. I loved seeing Hannah's self-examination and release of her past. The ending was fantastic. Hannah's big moment was sweet, and I loved the effect on Russell. An epilogue would have been nice, but I have high hopes of seeing them in future books. The secondary characters were well done. Hannah's mother and sister were well-portrayed as the selfish, insensitive people that they were. I loved seeing Hannah stand up to them every time. The restaurant scene near the end was fantastic, and I loved the support Hannah received from her friends. I liked Russell's family members and the obvious closeness between them. I sort of understood Russell's desire to work through his issues without them, but I think he underestimated them, too. I need to go back and read his brother's and sister's stories. Merged review: Terrific, sweet Christmas story. Hannah moved to Sweet Briar three years earlier to start a new life after finding her fiancé in bed with her sister. That was just a few days before Christmas, and she hasn't enjoyed a holiday season since then. She has a successful boutique selling the clothes she designs and has sold a few dresses to the rich and famous. She's stunned when her ex-fiancé, sister, and mother show up in Sweet Briar, expecting her to design her sister's wedding dress. Besides flat-out refusing, all she wants to do is get them out of town before they embarrass her in front of the whole town. Russell arrives in Sweet Briar to spend the holidays with his family. He faces some big decisions about his future. After twenty years in the army, a recent injury made him unable to continue his career, and he faces a medical discharge. Russell feels lost without the vocation that has defined him for more than half his life. I loved the first meeting between Hannah and Russell. He was so eager to reconnect with the woman he met briefly during the summer that he didn't even unpack his bags, just headed straight for her shop. He arrived in time to hear her confrontation with her family and jumps in, pretending to be her boyfriend. Though initially not very appreciative, Hannah quickly realizes the benefits and asks Russell to continue the charade. For reasons of his own, Russell happily accepts her proposal. I loved seeing Hannah and Russell start as co-conspirators, become friends, and then grow into something more. Russell was a sweetheart, stepping up to help Hannah in her boutique, cooking for her, and standing up for her against her family. I loved his response when Hannah's mother appealed to him for his opinion. There are plenty of sweet scenes between Russell and Hannah, like the winter festival, as they get to know each other. As they grow closer, their walls begin to crumble. After being the stoic soldier for so long, I liked seeing Russell open up to Hannah about his injuries and his confusion over his future. Hannah also opens up to Russell about what caused her lack of Christmas spirit. I enjoyed how Russell tried to revive Hannah's joy in Christmas until he pushed a little too far and too fast. I ached for both Russell and Hannah at this point. While Russell's intentions were good, Hannah felt blindsided and that he had disregarded her feelings. There were some harsh and hurtful words exchanged that each one quickly regretted. Both had some soul-searching to do, and I enjoyed seeing them each realize why their fight was so painful. I liked Russell's conversation with his parents and how it helped him accept his future and see how much he wanted Hannah to be part of that future. I loved seeing Hannah's self-examination and release of her past. The ending was fantastic. Hannah's big moment was sweet, and I loved the effect on Russell. An epilogue would have been nice, but I have high hopes of seeing them in future books. The secondary characters were well done. Hannah's mother and sister were well-portrayed as the selfish, insensitive people that they were. I loved seeing Hannah stand up to them every time. The restaurant scene near the end was fantastic, and I loved the support Hannah received from her friends. I liked Russell's family members and the obvious closeness between them. I sort of understood Russell's desire to work through his issues without them, but I think he underestimated them, too. I need to go back and read his brother's and sister's stories. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
not set
not set
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Jan 08, 2021
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 0369750837
| 9780369750839
| B0CRL5G391
| 4.38
| 13
| unknown
| Sep 24, 2024
|
it was amazing
|
Good continuation of the Cowboy Brothers in Arms series. Cal is one of four Donnelly siblings, all of whom are serving in the military. Cal is an Air
Good continuation of the Cowboy Brothers in Arms series. Cal is one of four Donnelly siblings, all of whom are serving in the military. Cal is an Air Force pilot at the top of his game. But something happened that made him rethink his plans to make a career of it. He has returned to the family ranch on thirty days leave to consider his options. The other thing weighing on his mind is his promise to deliver a breakup letter to his best friend's girlfriend. Charlotte and Noah were childhood sweethearts. They've been a couple for years but haven't seen much of each other because of his air force commitments. She is also an attorney in town but has big plans to buy a ranch and turn it into a rehab facility for veterans. Charlotte found the perfect place, but the elderly owner hesitates because she isn't married. She is talking with Mr. Becker about the property when Cal arrives to speak with her. Matters become complicated very quickly when Charlotte begs Cal to play along with her declaration that he is her fiancé and lays a scorching hot kiss on him. He cooperates, but Becker still delays answering. After he leaves, Charlotte fills Cal in on her plans. Then comes telling her of Noah's breakup. We get the convoluted background of the friendships of Cal, Charlotte, Noah, and Harper (who is behind Cal's current dilemma). Charlotte's calmness about the breakup surprises Cal. Cal's day becomes more difficult when he informs his family about his plans to resign from the Air Force. To say they are shocked would be putting it mildly, and the protests are intense. Worst of all is the reaction of his stepmother, the general who has mentored his career. I ached for Cal and the pressure he felt from his guilty feelings and his family. Neither Charlotte nor Cal expected the attraction that flared up between them. They initially try to ignore it, but the sparks are too strong. They spend a lot of time together working on her plans for her facility, Port in a Storm, and their feeling for each other continue to grow. I loved the way they supported each other. However, trouble looms when Noah shows up wanting to resume his relationship with Charlotte. I loved her reaction, though Noah is more focused on his desires than what she says. I liked seeing Cal and Charlotte deal with him. Meanwhile, they continue to resist admitting their feelings for each other. When Cal gets an offer that would be hard to turn down, he must look deep to decide what he wants. I loved the ending and Cal's big moment with Charlotte. I also enjoyed following along with Charlotte's Port in a Storm project. I loved her motivation and determination. I admired Noah's brother, Alden, the first resident of Port in a Storm. I would love to see him get a story of his own. Harper is a little harder to like after what she said to Cal, but I was more sympathetic to her after seeing what her father is like. Even grouchy old former owner Becker got in on the action. There are tense scenes with Harper and her father that are balanced by the supportive relationship Alden has with his father. I liked the realistic depiction of what some of our wounded warriors experience. Other secondary characters included Charlotte's mother, Izzie, who I thought was controlling and selfish. She was more focused on the effect of Charlotte's breakup on her own plans than on what it meant to Charlotte. We also see Cal's two brothers and their ladies from the previous two books. I liked catching up with their lives. Cal's sister, Remi, makes a brief appearance. Cal's dad, Derek, is there with his opinion of Cal's plans. He is also front and center of another family issue - Rowan Cullen, the illegitimate son of Derek and Audrey. That situation is tense, and I'm looking forward to following its progress in the next book. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
|
Sep 21, 2024
|
Sep 21, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1460394151
| 9781460394151
| B015CKJYLI
| 3.98
| 237
| Jan 01, 2016
| Jan 01, 2016
|
really liked it
|
Really fun prequel to the upcoming McCord Brothers series. Anna and Heath knew each other as teenagers, when Heath was working on the ranch. He left t
Really fun prequel to the upcoming McCord Brothers series. Anna and Heath knew each other as teenagers, when Heath was working on the ranch. He left the ranch to join the Air Force and now he's back between assignments. It only takes a few minutes together to realize that what was there never went away. I loved the opening as Anna spots Heath asleep and naked in the guest room. She can't help ogling a bit and noticing the stellar changes in him. He's surprised to see her in his room when he wakes up and, ahem, obviously notices the changes in her. Though the conversation is slightly awkward, there's a lot of heat in it also, heat that cools rapidly when Anna's brother Riley shows up. Mr. Protective has plenty to say, but Anna isn't listening. The story was short but gets in everything you need to know to leave satisfied. After nearly ten years both Anna and Heath have grown up. Heath's life is the Air Force and he's dealing with some career issues right now. Anna is getting ready for law school and dealing with the fallout from a breakup. She knows that Heath will be leaving, but she's willing to risk the hurt. Heath doesn't want to hurt her again, but she's really hard to resist. It was fun to see Anna and Heath dancing around each other. Anna was determined on her path, while Heath was trying to do the right thing. Anna has a little encouragement from the cook and housekeeper, but her brothers are definitely doing their best to discourage them. Heath gets the brunt of the "leave her alone" action, but it isn't working too well. There's a terrific scene where Anna has it out with her brothers, but ends in a pretty sweet way. When Anna and Heath finally get their time together it is fun and sexy. I loved the ending with Heath and the lockets - so sweet and romantic, I'm looking forward to seeing more of the McCord brothers in later books. Merged review: Really fun prequel to the upcoming McCord Brothers series. Anna and Heath knew each other as teenagers, when Heath was working on the ranch. He left the ranch to join the Air Force and now he's back between assignments. It only takes a few minutes together to realize that what was there never went away. I loved the opening as Anna spots Heath asleep and naked in the guest room. She can't help ogling a bit and noticing the stellar changes in him. He's surprised to see her in his room when he wakes up and, ahem, obviously notices the changes in her. Though the conversation is slightly awkward, there's a lot of heat in it also, heat that cools rapidly when Anna's brother Riley shows up. Mr. Protective has plenty to say, but Anna isn't listening. The story was short but gets in everything you need to know to leave satisfied. After nearly ten years both Anna and Heath have grown up. Heath's life is the Air Force and he's dealing with some career issues right now. Anna is getting ready for law school and dealing with the fallout from a breakup. She knows that Heath will be leaving, but she's willing to risk the hurt. Heath doesn't want to hurt her again, but she's really hard to resist. It was fun to see Anna and Heath dancing around each other. Anna was determined on her path, while Heath was trying to do the right thing. Anna has a little encouragement from the cook and housekeeper, but her brothers are definitely doing their best to discourage them. Heath gets the brunt of the "leave her alone" action, but it isn't working too well. There's a terrific scene where Anna has it out with her brothers, but ends in a pretty sweet way. When Anna and Heath finally get their time together it is fun and sexy. I loved the ending with Heath and the lockets - so sweet and romantic, I'm looking forward to seeing more of the McCord brothers in later books. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
not set
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Feb 13, 2016
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1488081530
| 9781488081538
| B0711QCT2D
| 4.31
| 134
| Mar 20, 2018
| Apr 01, 2018
|
it was amazing
|
Good small-town romance between two people who weren't looking for love but found it anyway. Navy pilot Garrek is on forced leave from his unit, with
Good small-town romance between two people who weren't looking for love but found it anyway. Navy pilot Garrek is on forced leave from his unit, with instructions to decide what to do about his future. He swore he would never return to his hometown, but the recent death of his father made it impossible to avoid. Garrek's first stop in town is the local bar where he inadvertently bid for and won a date with Harper Presley. Harper owns a local construction company and is well-known as Temptation's tomboy. She didn't choose to be part of the auction and is frozen with embarrassment when the bidding begins. She's mortified when she discovers that the winning bidder is one of the Taylor sextuplets and just wants to pretend that it didn't happen. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Garrek and Harper. Neither one was looking for a relationship, but the sparks between them were impossible to deny. Though they fought the attraction, it didn't take long before it burned out of control. Harper is doing a renovation job for Garrek's brother, which puts her in Garrek's company way too often for her comfort. They grew closer as they got to know each other, but both Garrek and Harper have secrets that keep them from fully committing to each other. They also have to deal with their friends and family continually pushing them together. It didn't take me long to figure out what Harper's issue was. I rooted for her when she finally spoke of it to Garrek and cheered for his patience, understanding, and support. I felt her hurt when he didn't open up to her in return, even though she gave him multiple opportunities. There were times I wanted to shake Garrek. He came home with the dual purpose of dealing with his inheritance and figuring out his professional future. Though the details come out slowly, the impression is that it is pretty bad. His brother Gray senses that there is something wrong, but Garrek is too ashamed to share his troubles. He keeps insisting that he is okay. Garrek had both Gray and Harper available for support, and he shut them both out. That mistake comes back to bite him when Harper stumbles across an incriminating text and runs. I loved his conversation with Gray, who had a great time pointing out Garrek's obliviousness about his feelings for Harper. I also loved it when Garrek finally broke down and confessed all to Gray, and the immediate support he received. The scene back at Garrek's base was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed how it worked out. Now all he had to do was make things right with Harper. I loved his big moment with her at the end. Merged review: Good small-town romance between two people who weren't looking for love but found it anyway. Navy pilot Garrek is on forced leave from his unit, with instructions to decide what to do about his future. He swore he would never return to his hometown, but the recent death of his father made it impossible to avoid. Garrek's first stop in town is the local bar where he inadvertently bid for and won a date with Harper Presley. Harper owns a local construction company and is well-known as Temptation's tomboy. She didn't choose to be part of the auction and is frozen with embarrassment when the bidding begins. She's mortified when she discovers that the winning bidder is one of the Taylor sextuplets and just wants to pretend that it didn't happen. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Garrek and Harper. Neither one was looking for a relationship, but the sparks between them were impossible to deny. Though they fought the attraction, it didn't take long before it burned out of control. Harper is doing a renovation job for Garrek's brother, which puts her in Garrek's company way too often for her comfort. They grew closer as they got to know each other, but both Garrek and Harper have secrets that keep them from fully committing to each other. They also have to deal with their friends and family continually pushing them together. It didn't take me long to figure out what Harper's issue was. I rooted for her when she finally spoke of it to Garrek and cheered for his patience, understanding, and support. I felt her hurt when he didn't open up to her in return, even though she gave him multiple opportunities. There were times I wanted to shake Garrek. He came home with the dual purpose of dealing with his inheritance and figuring out his professional future. Though the details come out slowly, the impression is that it is pretty bad. His brother Gray senses that there is something wrong, but Garrek is too ashamed to share his troubles. He keeps insisting that he is okay. Garrek had both Gray and Harper available for support, and he shut them both out. That mistake comes back to bite him when Harper stumbles across an incriminating text and runs. I loved his conversation with Gray, who had a great time pointing out Garrek's obliviousness about his feelings for Harper. I also loved it when Garrek finally broke down and confessed all to Gray, and the immediate support he received. The scene back at Garrek's base was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed how it worked out. Now all he had to do was make things right with Harper. I loved his big moment with her at the end. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
not set
not set
|
Apr 12, 2020
not set
|
Sep 11, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| B0D971DK45
| 4.27
| 215
| unknown
| Aug 14, 2024
|
really liked it
|
Good book. It opens with a prologue that tells of how Marie came to leave France for England as a small child, then moves on to the current day. She a
Good book. It opens with a prologue that tells of how Marie came to leave France for England as a small child, then moves on to the current day. She and her "uncle" work as servants for a London family. Unfortunately, the lady of the house is not nice and fires Marie. Her uncle finds them new positions working for Mrs. Dove-Lyon at the Lyon's Den. Marie, who has a flair for cooking, gets off on the wrong foot with the other servants when she comments on the soup. Their jealousy increases when Mrs. Dove-Lyon asks Marie to pose as a lady to keep a French-speaking visitor company. Marie also aids a soldier who suffers from a flashback while at the Lyon's Den. Samuel was badly injured during the war, and combined with other unhappy experiences, he dislikes anything French. He doesn't realize she is French and is drawn to her kindness. He returns to Lyon's Den, looking for her several times, not knowing she is a servant. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Marie and Samuel develop. He meets her again while she plays her companion role, and he continues to be fascinated by her. I loved seeing them together. Samuel is kind, honorable, and smitten with Marie. Marie is equally smitten with him but knows that anything between them is impossible because of their class differences. However, Samuel is persistent and hopes for the outcome he wants. Life isn't easy for Marie. While she enjoys her time spent with Mrs. Martin, she is continually harassed by some of her fellow servants. Items go missing and Marie is blamed, putting her job in jeopardy. She enjoys Mrs. Martin's friendship but fears what might happen when she reveals her servant status. The ups and downs of the last third of the book kept me turning the pages to the end. I loved the twist at the end. I enjoy the variety of characters in the Lyon's Den series. It is a welcome change to read about ordinary people whose lives are touched by Mrs. Dove-Lyon and not just the members of the nobility. ...more |
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not set
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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 12, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0369744209
| 9780369744203
| B0CDH76V43
| 4.04
| 48
| May 21, 2024
| May 21, 2024
|
it was amazing
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Terrific return to the author's roots as a military romance writer. It brought back fond memories of her Morgan's Mercenaries series. Instead of the w
Terrific return to the author's roots as a military romance writer. It brought back fond memories of her Morgan's Mercenaries series. Instead of the wars against the drug trade or in Afghanistan, here the setting is Ukraine in the months before the Russian invasion. In addition to the romance, I enjoyed the more personalized view of people and places. Dare is the adopted daughter of two Ukrainian nationals living in the US. She grew up visiting her parents' families in Ukraine and speaking the language. As an adult she became a combat medic and served a tour in Afghanistan. While there, she spent two years working with a Ukrainian special forces team led by Ram Kozak. She is in Ukraine teaching others how to be combat medics. Ram is known for being cold and emotionless and bringing his team home without injuries. His team is preparing for the upcoming invasion and has just returned from six months of special training in the US. He is stunned to discover that Dare is in Kyiv and is being reassigned to his unit. I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Dare and Ram. Their deep respect for each other's abilities was undeniable. They fell in love during their time together in Afghanistan, but they never shared those feelings because of their situation. However, neither has forgotten them. Drawn together by circumstances, they get to know each other and become closer. I loved the little touches of seeing them cook together, visit their friends, and try to lead a normal life in the midst of planning for war. I loved how Dare saw beneath Ram's controlled surface to the haunted man underneath. Her care and compassion break through the wall around Ram's heart. My heart broke for him as he shared his past with Dare. I loved the effect that sharing had on him. The increasing tension as the time for the invasion grew closer kept me glued to the pages. The stress of needing to keep their relationship secret, added to their fears of seeing each other in danger, made each day precious to them. Knowing what lies ahead of them creates worry for their future, but a twist at the end gives me hope for their happy ever after. I liked getting to know Adam and Lera and their two little girls. I felt Ram and Dare's fears for their safety and how it gave extra insight into the dangers that lie ahead. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Aug 04, 2024
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Aug 04, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 0369749804
| 9780369749802
| B0C81MP35W
| 4.37
| 38
| Feb 15, 2024
| Feb 20, 2024
|
it was amazing
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This is a terrific story in an unusual setting for a Harlequin Historical. In a line mainly set in the Regency or Medieval eras, this book takes place
This is a terrific story in an unusual setting for a Harlequin Historical. In a line mainly set in the Regency or Medieval eras, this book takes place in 20th-century Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. I have lived in Hawaii and visited the Arizona Memorial, so this character-centered look at the attack and its aftermath was fascinating. I especially appreciate the author's attention to the small details that made the story come alive. Wendy is a young woman from Nebraska with a spirited personality. She has a craving for adventure and promised her mother she would see the world. Becoming a Red Cross nurse's aide was her first step, followed by accepting a post in Hawaii. Though she is in a tropical paradise surrounded by men, Wendy plans to avoid romantic entanglements that could tie her down or affect her independence. She is determined to live her life to the fullest. KT is an underwater welder with the Navy. He's often amazed that a guy from land-locked Oklahoma has ended up in tropical Hawaii. KT is a serious man with a well-developed sense of honor. He has a girl back home with expectations of a future together, so he avoids any opportunities for impropriety. Wendy and KT meet on December 6 at a dance for the people stationed at Pearl Harbor. Wendy's excitement is evident in her enthusiasm for dancing, though she's a little frustrated that no one matches her enthusiasm. A handsome sailor draws her attention, but he doesn't seem interested, so she dances with others. Wendy's exuberance attracts KT's attention. He notices her talent for dancing and her apparent disappointment in her partners. He loves to dance but wouldn't feel proper dancing with anyone other than his Betty. I loved when they encountered each other. Their banter was fun, and I loved how Wendy challenged him to dance with her. Their connection was immediate, and they danced together as if they'd been partners for years, to the point where they won an impromptu dance competition. They parted at the end, not expecting to see each other again. A few hours later came the attack by the Japanese. The descriptions of the attack from the viewpoints of KT and Wendy were vivid enough that I could almost smell the smoke and hear the explosions. Their experiences in the aftermath were realistic and easy to visualize. Wendy never expected to end up with KT as one of her patients. She had thought of him often during the hours since the attack and hoped for his safety, so it was a shock to find him at the hospital. KT was severely burned while using his diving skills to rescue trapped sailors. His injuries require frequent attention, and the head nurse has requested her skills. As the days go on, Wendy and KT's connection grows deeper as they spend many hours together. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop and could see them fighting the deeper feelings that were building. There were some terrific scenes of them together, from his time in the hospital to after he was released. But Wendy is hiding a secret from KT. It began as a simple desire to save him from more pain during his recovery but went on too long. She felt guilty about not confessing but couldn't bring herself to do anything about it. Unsurprisingly, it eventually came back to bite her, creating a rift between her and KT. Each has decisions to make when unexpected career opportunities are offered. I loved the advice Wendy received from her mentor and its effect on her perception of her life. KT also had the chance to reevaluate his plans after an unexpected conversation. I loved the ending and seeing how Wendy and KT found their way back to each other. Their reunion was sweet, and their future looks bright. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Apr 30, 2024
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Apr 30, 2024
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ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1335008640
| 9780369748591
| 4.47
| 113
| Apr 23, 2024
| Apr 23, 2024
|
it was amazing
|
I loved this second book in a series about a family of ranchers who also serve their country. In this book, Blue Donnelly is an Air Force test pilot.
I loved this second book in a series about a family of ranchers who also serve their country. In this book, Blue Donnelly is an Air Force test pilot. Flying is all he ever wanted to do. As this book opens, Blue is in the hospital after crash-landing his jet. He is badly injured and feels guilty about the injuries received by some of the people on the ground. He's feeling pretty sorry for himself when he gets a surprise visitor. Marin and her six-year-old ward were spectators at the air show. Young Leo is an avid fan of Blue and believes that Blue is his father. Marin needs Blue's help to show Leo the truth without hurting him. I enjoyed Marin and Blue's first meeting. His good looks and rogueish charm stirred Marin up. Blue was blown away by Marin's beauty and stunned by the news she brought. Although Blue is not Leo's dad, I liked that he wanted to help the little boy. Marin works with abused horses, and the Donnellys had just rescued several from a neighbor, so they hired her to work with them on their ranch. This gives Marin steady work, Leo a safe and exciting place to live, and Blue needs distractions as he recovers from his injuries. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Blue and Marin. Neither was looking for anything. Marin has trust issues with men, and Blue will return to his base as soon as he is fit. As the story developed and I got to know the characters, it was easy to see how right Marin and Blue are for each other, even though the obstacles seem insurmountable. Complicating matters, Leo's real dad shows up, threatening to take Leo away from Marin. I could feel Marin's fear over what Brian would do, and I loved the support she got from Blue and the rest of the Donnellys. The more time Marin and Blue spent together, the stronger the sparks between them grew. Each knew giving in to them was a bad idea, but neither had the strength or resolve to resist. Besides his growing feelings for Marin, Blue must also face uncertainty about his future. If his injuries don't heal enough to allow him to return to the life he loves, can he be happy doing anything else? I ached for Blue and the range of emotions he experienced as he faced a possibly life-changing decision. The ending was terrific. I also enjoyed the Donnely family dynamics. The siblings are all stand-up characters with a deep-rooted sense of honor and family. Combining military careers with ranching is difficult, but they make it work. I liked seeing more of Egan (Heart Like a Cowboy) and his lady, Alanna. Blue's other brother, Cal, and his sister, Remi, appear in this book as their military duties allow. We also get to catch up with the elder Donnelly, who is recovering from a heart attack, and his wife, Audrey, an Air Force general. A twist involving them in the latter part of the book throws the entire family for a loop. I loved young Leo, whose hero worship of Blue was sweet. I enjoyed seeing him wiggle his way into everyone's hearts. #netgalley ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Apr 23, 2024
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Apr 23, 2024
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Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1426866496
| 9781426866494
| B003ZK5LXI
| 4.01
| 197
| Jan 01, 2010
| Sep 01, 2010
|
it was amazing
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This was a fascinating book that sucked me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end. World War Two is a rare setting for a category romanc
This was a fascinating book that sucked me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end. World War Two is a rare setting for a category romance, making this book doubly appealing. Here, we have an American man and a Russian woman teaming up to acquire vital intelligence for the British. Katia is the daughter of a murdered Russian prince. She and her mother fled to Germany years ago, and Katia grew up to become a celebrated actress. She puts those skills to work as a spy for the British to defeat the Nazis and protect her mother. Their secret Jewish heritage would mean their deaths if it were discovered. The story opens as she is about to meet her latest contact. Jack is deep undercover as an SS officer working directly for Himmler. The things he has done because of it have taken a toll on him, and he is deeply cynical about human nature. The initial meeting between Katia and Jack is difficult. Neither trusts the other, yet they must work together to secure the information they seek. Matters become complicated when Katia's mother shows up with her Nazi naval officer fiancé, and Jack's suspicions are further aroused. However, time is short, and Jack and Katia must find a way to work together to accomplish their mission. It isn't easy. Katia is confident in her abilities and adamant in her need to be hands-on during their mission. Jack is accustomed to working primarily alone. Their power struggle was intriguing, and I enjoyed watching them work out the details. Of course, things rarely go to plan during something like this. The twists and turns of this story kept me glued to the pages as Jack and Katia dealt with one issue after another. The complications felt realistic, and I enjoyed seeing them work through them. As the deadline drew nearer, the escalating tension kept me reading long past my bedtime as I had to know how it turned out. The conclusion was a nail-biter that had me truly worried for Katia's safety. I enjoyed watching the development of Jack and Katia's relationship. Though initially distrustful and antagonistic, there were also sparks of attraction and fascination. As much as they irritated each other, there was also a great deal of respect for each other's abilities. That respect quickly turned to caring despite obstacles to doing anything about it. The manner of the resolution was unexpected but made sense under the circumstances. I liked the author's note at the end, which replaced an epilogue. As this was a Love Inspired novel, Katia and Jack's faith was also a large part of the story. Each of them believed that they had been abandoned by their god. Katia blamed him for her father's death. Jack believed that the terrible things he'd done put him beyond redemption. Opening their hearts to each other also opened their hearts to a renewal of faith. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Mar 31, 2024
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Apr 02, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 9798989153725
| B0CQKQ237S
| 5.00
| 4
| unknown
| Jan 30, 2024
|
it was amazing
|
Short but sweet story. Marty is a young woman whose family owns a farm in Missouri during World War 2. Her oldest brother has gone off to fight the wa
Short but sweet story. Marty is a young woman whose family owns a farm in Missouri during World War 2. Her oldest brother has gone off to fight the war, and her father can no longer work the farm. A few months earlier, they hired Brian MacKenzie to help out. Mack and Marty were like oil and water from the beginning. She resented him taking over what she saw as her job, and he seemed to delight in doing things that irritated her. As the story opens, Mack is headed off to the war. The family, most of whom treat him as one of their own, have gathered to see him off. Marty stays back, holding on to her resentment until he starts walking away. Realizing he has no family of his own, she makes an unexpected show of friendship. I liked Mack's teasing and how he used it to stir Marty up. It reminds me of the little boy who pulls a girl's pigtails to get her attention. Marty can't make sense of her feelings and is stunned when Mack kisses her goodbye. There is a long period of separation as Mack is off at war. They exchange letters that initially focus on the family and the farm. But the tone of the letters slowly changes. I liked seeing the changes in Marty as she grew and matured. A family tragedy and witnessing the return of some soldiers affect her profoundly and have her thinking more about Mack. The ending was great. I would love to know more about their lives after the war. #ARC ...more |
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1
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not set
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Feb 23, 2024
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Feb 23, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 1335009485
| 9780369748157
| 4.10
| 165
| Nov 28, 2023
| Nov 28, 2023
|
it was amazing
|
Terrific start to the series. Egan is the oldest of four siblings, all choosing to serve in the military rather than remain on the family ranch. When
Terrific start to the series. Egan is the oldest of four siblings, all choosing to serve in the military rather than remain on the family ranch. When his father suffers a heart attack, Egan takes a month's leave to come home and run the ranch while his dad recovers. Egan doesn't like visiting his hometown because they consider him a hero, and he thinks he's anything but. Egan and his best friend Jack joined the military together. Jack was killed by an IED, and Egan feels responsible. Jack's widow, Alana, has mixed feelings since his death. She is grieving his loss because she loved him, but she's also angry over his infidelity. She also feels guilty because they argued about that infidelity right before his death. I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Egan and Alana. With Egan home and Alana caring for his dad at the ranch, they are thrown together often. It doesn't take long for them to realize they are attracted to each other. But there are obstacles to their relationship. Alana's mother-in-law, Tilly, believes that Alana will always be "Jack's wife" and expects Alana to play the part of a grieving widow at the upcoming celebration of Jack's wife. Egan used to be married to Alana's sister, making things a bit awkward. Add the rampant gossip in the small town, and both feel the pressure. I liked that Egan and Alana were honest with each other about their feelings and reservations. That openness prevented misunderstandings and kept the focus on what they wanted. I ached for both when Tilly's grief and mama bear blindness to Jack's faults caused problems for them. I liked how Alana stood up for Egan against Tilly's vitriol. The emotional storm came to a head with an unexpected revelation. I loved how Alana and Egan faced things together, realizing it gave them greater strength. The only question remained: what would happen when Egan's leave was up? I liked meeting Egan's siblings and look forward to reading their stories. ...more |
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1
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not set
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Feb 23, 2024
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Feb 23, 2024
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ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 142015382X
| 9781420153828
| B0C3WTTYT9
| 4.10
| 1,907
| unknown
| Jan 23, 2024
|
it was amazing
|
Terrific conclusion to the series. The Harper sisters' business, Elegant Occasions, is doing a booming business with its event planning and matchmakin
Terrific conclusion to the series. The Harper sisters' business, Elegant Occasions, is doing a booming business with its event planning and matchmaking services. Verity's sisters, Diana and Eliza, found their matches in the previous books. Verity isn't interested in a match for herself. Between an earlier betrayal and her parents' scandalous behavior, she has trust issues and feels she is better off on her own. Rafe is an army officer who is also a spy. He has a reputation as a chameleon whose disguises can get him anywhere undetected. His mission is to find the person providing military information to the French. He believes it is someone connected to the Harper family and is determined to get closer to them. He decides his best option is to fake courting Verity. He doesn't expect the intense attraction that complicates his plans. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Rafe and Verity develop. Rafe's confidence in his abilities is well-earned, but he's never encountered anyone like her. His attitude at the beginning made me laugh out loud: "He would use Lady Verity's native curiosity to draw her in, and then would charm her into giving up her family secrets...or at least showing him where to look for them. What could be easier?" He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Verity is an intelligent and observant young woman who never forgets a face. Her first thought when she saw Rafe was that he reminded her of the Phantom, a man who has crashed multiple events over more than a year wearing various disguises. After his introduction, she second-guesses herself but can't let go of the suspicion. She finds him good-looking and charming, but that lingering suspicion makes her wary. But a grand scene at the auction that night wins him some points. As Rafe increases his attention to Verity to get closer to the family, the sparks of attraction between them grow stronger. Rafe continues his investigation while fighting his growing feelings for her. It was fun to see how being near her scrambled his brain and made him feel protective of her. Verity also feels the same sparks while becoming more convinced that Rafe is the Phantom. I loved their conversations - their banter and teasing were fun and flirtatious. I also ached for Rafe as he grew closer to Verity and her family. He had a lonely childhood, brought up by his bachelor/soldier uncle, and that loneliness has continued as an adult. Some vulnerability was exposed as he experienced the close and chaotic Harper family life, and he wondered what it would have been like to have a family like that. He also has unanswered questions about his family. When Rafe rescues Verity from a sticky situation, offering marriage is the only thing he can do to protect her. But he worries about what will happen when she learns the truth about why he was there. I loved the conversation when he revealed those secrets and Rafe's surprise at her reaction. Rafe's reaction to her revelation of him as the Phantom had me laughing the loudest. His shock at how much he had underestimated her was hilarious, but it did bring them closer. Meanwhile, Rafe is beginning to close in on the traitor but lacks some vital information. I loved seeing his partnership with Verity as they collaborated on what he knew. The resolution came together quickly at this point with an unexpected twist and Verity in danger. The final confrontation was satisfying and believable. The book had an emotional ending, with all questions resolved. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved catching up with all three sisters and their families. #netgalley ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Jan 11, 2024
|
Jan 11, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 0369727991
| 9780369727992
| 4.33
| 48
| Aug 01, 2022
| Aug 23, 2022
|
it was amazing
|
Very good book that captured my attention and kept me hooked. It opened with a prologue detailing a war crimes trial for a Marine who went too far in
Very good book that captured my attention and kept me hooked. It opened with a prologue detailing a war crimes trial for a Marine who went too far in carrying out his duties. It's hard to face when one of your brothers-in-arms does something so heinous, and it's even harder when the person in question doesn't believe he did anything wrong. Jax returned to his hometown for his best friend Adam's wedding (Mistaken Identity). The night of the wedding, the motel he's staying in catches fire and burns to the ground. The person in the room next to him doesn't survive. After interviewing Jax, Sheriff Dalton requests that Jax remain in town and sets him up in Lynn's boarding house. Jax knows that the "request" is merely a formality - leaving town is not an option until the investigation is complete. Lynn has been a widow since the death of her soldier husband two years earlier. She has buried her grief in renovating the house he left her, turning it into a boarding house. She has three college student boarders she calls "her boys." She's happy to take in Jax, who she remembers from their school days. Neither of them expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them, and both try to ignore them. Jax will be taking up a new post in a short time, and Lynn isn't interested in a relationship, especially with another military man. Things start to go a little south when Jax receives a phone call from the prosecutor at the war crimes trial. Two of the five jurors have died mysteriously, and he warns Jax to be alert. Complicating matters, Lynn's brother-in-law is making a pest of himself after losing his lawsuit to claim half of Lynn's house. Luke's attitude arouses Jax's protective instincts. He also must fight off the advances of Madge, a woman he has no interest in. Life in Lynn's boarding house becomes even more interesting when her mother, Nancy, shows up for a visit. She and Lynn are like oil and water and frequently butt heads. Nancy frustrates Lynn with her heavy-handed attempts at matchmaking between Lynn and Jax, though Jax finds her endlessly amusing. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lynn and Jax. He is used to being busy, so he volunteers to help Lynn with the renovations. An easy friendship develops as they work together, but those sparks are never far from the surface. Lynn experiences some guilt over those sparks, feeling as though she is being unfaithful to Matt. Jax's experience with his parents' marriage has left him wary of relationships. When the fire investigation clears him, he's free to go, but he can't bring himself to leave with everything going on. There are some sweet scenes of them together, from working on the house to sharing their pasts. But when danger comes to Jax, Lynn panics and pushes him away. It takes some honest self-reflection to see that she's ready to love again. The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. We have the possible threat to Jax's life, Luke's determination to get Lynn's house for himself, and Madge's determination to get Jax for herself. Neither Madge nor Luke are the brightest, and when they team up, the results are less than spectacular. One of Lynn's boys plays a big part in stopping one attempt (I loved seeing him with Miss Emma!). Meanwhile, Luke becomes the unwitting dupe of Jax's stalker. The threat against Jax is very real. We get frequent looks from the stalker's point of view, keeping the reader on edge as we see the dangers that Jax doesn't. The tension ramps up as they become increasingly desperate to complete their "mission." There was one point where I was sure Jax would figure it out, but the clue was just out of his reach (it's the walk, Jax, the walk!). The final confrontation was terrific, as the stalker was no match for Jax's strength and reflexes. The secondary characters were plentiful and well done. Lynn's mother, Nancy, was a trip. Many of her actions and comments were cringeworthy, but she has a good heart. I liked her joy of cooking for others and could see that was one of her ways of showing she cared. I loved the three college guys, who were good kids and thoughtful of Lynn. It was fun to see the dynamics change throughout the book. Maude of Maude's diner was her usual grumpy self but still shows as one of the hearts of Conard. Characters from other books make appearances, and I am always happy to see where they are in their lives. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Feb 11, 2023
|
Feb 11, 2023
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ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 0369714199
| 9780369714190
| 4.58
| 53
| Jun 01, 2022
| Jun 28, 2022
|
it was amazing
|
Terrific book that kept me hooked from start to finish. Ezra is home on thirty days' leave from the army and stops at the senior care center where his
Terrific book that kept me hooked from start to finish. Ezra is home on thirty days' leave from the army and stops at the senior care center where his Aunt Alice lives. She is the one he went to as a kid/teen when his family life was too much for him to handle. Even though she no longer knows him, he still visits whenever possible. As the book opens, he remembers the good times with her and is saddened by her unresponsiveness. Then a dog bursts into the room and makes a beeline for her, followed by two little girls. Ezra, who has no experience with children, is enchanted by the two girls. He is also amazed to see his aunt respond to the dog. I loved watching the girls interact with Ezra. They are followed closely by their mother, Theresa. Theresa lost her husband a year earlier and is coping with being a single parent. Her daughters, Neve and Claire, are the center of her life. She is dealing with a lot of stress because her in-laws, doomsayer conspiracy nuts, have filled the girls' heads with their fears. She's stopped allowing them to take the girls on outings, only allowing visits she supervises. However, she's become aware of them hanging around and fears they may try to kidnap the girls. The early part of the book was filled with interactions between Ezra, Neve, Claire, and Theresa. I loved watching the two girls wrap Ezra around their little fingers and how he enjoyed every minute of it. For a man who believes that he is not a family man, Ezra has a fantastic rapport with them. At the same time, he is puzzled by his reaction to Theresa. The attraction he understands, but the closeness and feelings of protectiveness confuse him. He does his best to bury them because he will leave in a month, and he thinks she still grieves the loss of her husband. Theresa feels the same attraction but refuses to consider giving her heart to a man with a dangerous job. She's lost one husband and refuses to put herself and her daughters through that pain again. The action soon picks up when Theresa's in-law's stalking picks up. Ezra sees her fear and uses the excuse of painting her house to keep an eye on things. But when the unthinkable happens, and the girls are taken, Ezra jumps into action. First, I loved that he immediately used his contacts with family and friends to get help in the search. Brother Dominic, the FBI agent, plays a crucial role in the search, both in feeding information to Ezra and trying to keep Ezra from going too far. Theresa refuses to be left behind and is by Ezra's side every step of the way. I loved the trust that she placed in him and her willingness to do whatever it took to save Neve and Claire. The intensity ramped up the closer they came, and I could feel their frustration at every dead end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that had my heart pounding until it was over. All that was left was for Theresa and Ezra to figure out they belonged together. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of communication that has each thinking the other doesn't care. Theresa must also decide if Ezra's job is the deal-breaker she's considered it for the entire book. At the same time, Ezra has slowly realized that what drove him to stay away from his family for so long no longer drives him. The emotional conversation between Ezra and Theresa at the end was heartwarming and promising. I look forward to seeing them in later books. I can't finish this review without mentioning the adorable Neve and Claire. They are twins but have distinct personalities. Both fell hard for Ezra, and I had a lot of fun watching them vie for his attention. They are sweet girls with big hearts, and I loved how they visited the people at the senior center. I ached for them and the fears that their grandparents instilled in them. They are also smart for their age, as evidenced in their actions during their kidnapping. Ezra will have his hands full when they get older! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Oct 2022
|
Sep 30, 2022
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 1335759719
| 9781335759719
| 1335759719
| 4.43
| 72
| Apr 26, 2022
| Apr 26, 2022
|
it was amazing
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Terrific book that sucked me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end. The story opens as Gia provides surveillance support to a special o
Terrific book that sucked me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end. The story opens as Gia provides surveillance support to a special operations team on the ground in the Middle East. As the op concludes, she witnesses some suspicious behavior, but before she can report it to the team, her secure location is breached, her computer stolen, and her life threatened. When next we see her, she is hiding in a small Montana town while her boss tries to figure out what is happening after she barely escaped two attempts on her life. She works as a manicurist at the local salon and takes fly-fishing lessons. Her enthusiasm exceeds her skill, and she hooks another fisherman instead of a fish. Marcus, her "giant trout," turns out to be a Navy SEAL, staying with a friend and recuperating from an injury. Marcus is intrigued and attracted to the unusually fit woman, even more so when he senses a hint of fear and wariness. With his protective instincts aroused, he follows her and notices that he's not the only one doing so. Her evasion skills pique his curiosity, as do her non-answers to his attempts to get to know her. Gia is initially leery of Marcus, unsure if he is one of the men trying to kill her. I liked seeing how she figured out he was okay and her tentative trust when she needed help. In the face of Marcus's probing questions, she struggles to keep secret her identity as a member of the Medusas, an all-woman, top-secret special operations unit. When they decide to look for the man following her, it's all she can do to keep quiet during Marcus's somewhat condescending instructions. I laughed out loud as she more than kept up with him. The action and suspense heat up as Gia and Marcus, along with his friends, come together to lay a trap for her pursuer. There were some tense moments as things didn't go entirely to plan. I ached for the person they caught and the reasons for his presence. The intensity ramped up as Gia, and the others realized they needed help to carry out the next step. Some lighter moments relieved the tension as Marcus's SEAL friends were introduced to Gia's Medusa teammates and learned their capabilities the hard way. The team they built was fantastic. The final confrontation was intense, though the outcome was never in doubt. There were a couple of threads left hanging that I hope will be addressed in the next book. I loved watching the development of the relationship between Gia and Marcus. I loved some of the scenes between them, as Gia gives as good as she gets in their interactions. Marcus isn't used to women who push back, and he loves it. The sparks between them were instant and intense, but both tried to resist them. They are aware of the dangers of being emotionally involved with someone you work with and the distractions it can cause. Despite their initial unwillingness to take that step, the results are explosive when they do. With their determination to continue their careers, I wondered how they would make it work. I hope to see them in future books. Though this is the third book in the Runaway Ranch series and related to the two Medusa series, it worked fine as a standalone. It did, however, make me want to read those books as soon as I get a chance. #netgalley ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Apr 20, 2022
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Apr 19, 2022
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Mass Market Paperback
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my rating |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 3.60
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really liked it
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Oct 13, 2023
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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| 4.37
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really liked it
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Jun 08, 2021
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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| 3.90
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really liked it
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Apr 11, 2023
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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| 4.04
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really liked it
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Aug 09, 2023
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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|||||
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| 4.24
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it was amazing
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Feb 22, 2023
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
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|||||
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| 4.33
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it was amazing
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Jan 08, 2021
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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| 4.38
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it was amazing
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Sep 21, 2024
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Sep 21, 2024
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| 3.98
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really liked it
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Feb 13, 2016
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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| 4.31
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it was amazing
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Apr 12, 2020
not set
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Sep 11, 2024
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| 4.27
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really liked it
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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 12, 2024
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|||||
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| 4.04
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it was amazing
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Aug 04, 2024
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Aug 04, 2024
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| 4.37
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it was amazing
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Apr 30, 2024
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Apr 30, 2024
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| 4.47
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it was amazing
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Apr 23, 2024
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Apr 23, 2024
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| 4.01
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it was amazing
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Mar 31, 2024
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Apr 02, 2024
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| 5.00
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it was amazing
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Feb 23, 2024
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Feb 23, 2024
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|||||
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| 4.10
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it was amazing
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Feb 23, 2024
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Feb 23, 2024
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| 4.10
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it was amazing
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Jan 11, 2024
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Jan 11, 2024
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| 4.33
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it was amazing
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Feb 11, 2023
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Feb 11, 2023
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| 4.58
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it was amazing
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Oct 2022
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Sep 30, 2022
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| 4.43
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it was amazing
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Apr 20, 2022
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Apr 19, 2022
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