Sinful - Joan Johnston (Dell - May 2015)

Series: Bitter Creek (Book 14)

WHILE HE SEEKS A HAVEN,

SHE SEARCHES FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME

After a tragic accident leaves Delta sergeant Connor Flynn a widower, he faces the toughest fight of his life: battling his in-laws for custody of his two young children. To win he’ll need a make-believe bride to take care of the kids while he runs his Wyoming ranch. Who better than a woman he already knows and likes -- his late wife’s best friend?

Ruthlessly forced from her home by her powerful father, King Grayhawk, Eve needs somewhere to go . . . and so does the herd of wild mustangs she’s rescued. Connor’s offer sounds like the answer to a prayer. But Eve has a guilty secret she’s guarded for years: She’s always been in love with Connor.

Now forced to live under the same roof as her heart’s desire, Eve must hide the love that has never died, while Connor vows to resist his growing need for a woman who was forbidden fruit during his marriage. Can two lonely people set adrift by fate and haunted by guilt find redemption in the healing embrace of love?

Very good book and story of a second chance at love. Connor and Eve come from two feuding families. Eve's father had been married to Connor's aunt until she died of a drug overdose. Connor's father blamed Eve's father for the death and their feud carried over to their children. Connor and his brothers (the Wild Flynn Boys) and Eve and her sisters (King's Brats) spent a lot of time as they were growing up pulling pranks on each other. One prank the Eve pulled on Connor ended up with him dating and then marrying her best friend Molly. 

During his last tour in Afghanistan, Connor's wife was killed in an accident. Molly's parents took care of Connor's two kids until he came home, but then refused to give custody back to Connor. Strangely enough, it is testimony from Eve, who is also the kids' godmother, that results in Connor's success. But his kids don't know him any more, so he has to call on Eve for help getting the children settled. When it looks like he's going to need more than expected, he makes Eve an offer she can't refuse - marry him and she can have it all.

Eve is a wildlife photographer and recently rescued a herd of wild mustangs, which are currently living on her father's ranch. Thanks to the return of her estranged half brother, Eve is about to lose her home and a place to keep her horses. When Connor offers her a place for herself and her horses in exchange for her help, she can't say no. She loves his kids as if they were her own and will do anything for them.

But both Eve and Connor have a secret. Eve has been in love with Connor since they were in school, but because of their families she had never acted on it. Then he was married to her best friend, making him even more off limits. Now that Molly is gone, Eve feels guilty about being able to act on those feelings. Connor had also had feelings for Eve back during high school. He'd gone out with Molly to teach Eve a lesson, but over the next couple years had actually grown to love her. He was happy in his marriage, but there had always been something about Eve, even though he never acted on it. Now that there's no barrier between them, he has to fight his own guilty feelings. 

I really liked the way that they both admitted their attraction to each other, even though they weren't quite ready to admit their feelings at first. They had the maturity to talk to each other about it. The chemistry between them was hot, and they were very willing to give in to it, even though fate seemed to make them work for it. They also get to know each other very well outside the bedroom. Eve helps Connor to deal with some of his memories of the war and supports his work with veterans on the ranch. Connor understands Eve's love of her photography work, and what she wants to have happen with her horses. I loved how they grew to trust each other with their hearts, and wanting what was best for the other person. I loved seeing the surprise each one had for the other at the end, and how those surprises came about.

As the first book in this part of the series, there's quite a bit of time spent on set up. The book started with Eve's father, King, finding his estranged son and working to get him to come back to Wyoming. There must be reasons for what he did, but the results make him even more unlikable. His son, Matt, is another man who seems cold and selfish, especially regarding his half sisters and what's to happen to them. I'm looking forward to finding out more about what caused their rift. Then there is Connor's father and brothers, who have their own parts in the drama. His father's actions when Connor married Eve were manipulative, and I loved seeing Connor stand up to him. Angus also seem to have some kind of revenge plot going on that will affect the Grayhawks. There are also some extra tensions between one of his brothers and one of Eve's sisters that I am looking forward to finding out more about. There also seems to be some mystery involving Connor's brother Devon. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series to see how all of these play out.

The M.D.'s Unexpected Family - Cindy Kirk (HSE #2415 - July 2015)

Series: Rx for Love (Book 13)

BIDDING ON DR. RIGHT

Salon owner Cassidy Kaye has always been determined to live life on her own terms. But when she kicks off the bidding at the Jackson Hole charity bachelor auction, she doesn't expect to win the doctor of her secret fantasies…or for her date with the single dad to lead to pregnancy!

Timothy Duggan is determined to do the right thing and marry the sassy stylist -- stat! After all, his twin daughters adore her -- and with a baby on the way, the widowed obstetrician knows making them a family is the ideal solution. But Cassidy will only marry for love -- and it's up to Tim to convince her that, pregnant or not, he can't envision a life without her…

Fun story of opposites attracting. Tim is a doctor and a single dad. His wife died several years earlier and he is determined to concentrate on raising his daughters. When he fills in for a sick colleague at a bachelor auction, he's concerned that he won't do well, since he's older than the other bachelors. He's relieved to see his friend Cassidy, where she is doing the hair and makeup for the bachelorettes. He expresses his concerns and she offers to bid herself if it's needed.

Cassidy owns a popular salon and loves what she does. She's always been determined to live her life her way. She likes Tim a lot, even had a crush on him when they were in school. She's happy to relieve his fears about the auction, and surprises herself when she decides to bid on him for real. I really liked Cassidy. She has a style all her own and isn't afraid to display it. She also has made an excellent life for herself, overcoming the issues of her childhood to do it. I loved seeing the way she also gives back to the community, trying to help kids like she had been.

I really enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Tim and Cassidy. They seem like such different people at the start. Cassidy is fun loving and the date she takes Tim on is an eye opener for him. Once he stopped comparing Cassidy to his late wife he really relaxed and started having a good time. Both were surprised by the attraction they felt for each other. Because he doesn't plan to get involved with anyone until the girls are older, Tim tries to resist the attraction, but he can't stop thinking about how much fun he has with her, and gives in to the urge to see her again. Cassidy knows he's not interested in anything permanent, but can't resist spending time with him. At one point their attraction gets the better of their intentions, but then they back off from each other.

Then Cassidy discovers she's pregnant. She panics because she doesn't think she has the ability to be a good mother because of her background. When she tells Tim he immediately proposes marriage, because it's the right thing to do. But Cassidy doesn't want marriage without love and turns him down, though agrees that they need to get to know each other better for the sake of the baby. Tim doesn't give up on his plan to marry Cassidy, but keeps quiet about it. Instead he just insists on dating. I loved their dates and seeing how well they really suit each other. I really liked seeing how Tim liked Cassidy for who she was, and didn't think her past was a detriment. I also loved seeing him loosen up and get less concerned with appearances. Cassidy's feelings for Tim continued to grow, but she didn't think love was possible.

As they continue seeing each other, both have some issues to overcome. Tim has had little confidence in his ability to balance his work and family, thanks to the attitude of his late wife. It takes him awhile to see that Cassidy is very different. He is also fighting the disapproval of his mother, who doesn't think Cassidy is good enough for him. I loved the way that Tim always came out on Cassidy's side and made sure his mom understood that he wouldn't put up with her attitude. Cassidy's biggest fear is that she will be a terrible mother because of the example set by her own mother. I loved seeing her with Tim's girls and how terrific she was with them. She was a great counterbalance to their grandmother's uptight attitude. I really loved the things they did the afternoon she watched them, and how it showed what a great mom she could be. It was great to see how Tim's confidence in her finally showed her what she could do, I loved Tim's big moment at the end - it was absolutely perfect, and the epilogue was great!

Wolf Haven - Lindsay McKenna (HQN - Nov 2014)

Series: Jackson Hole Wyoming (Book 9)

She's caught in her past until he shows her a future…

Some things can never be forgotten. A helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Capture. Torture. Now U.S. Navy nurse Skylar Pascal is struggling to regain control of her life after a trauma that nearly destroyed her. After losing so much, an ideal job at the Elk Horn Ranch in Wyoming offers Sky something she thought she'd never find again…hope.

Former SEAL Grayson McCoy has his own demons. But something about Elk Horn's lovely-yet-damaged new nurse breaks something loose. Compassion -- and passion. And even as Gray works with Sky to piece her confidence back together, something deeper and more tender begins to unfurl between them. Something that could bring her back to life.

But not even the haven of Elk Horn Ranch is safe from dangers. And all of Sky's healing could be undone by the acts of one malicious man….

Excellent book, full of courage and love and healing. It is also unusual in that it showcases a heroine who is suffering from PTSD. Sky was a Navy nurse who was captured and tortured for two weeks before being rescued. She spent six months in the hospital recovering from her wounds and trying to cope with her PTSD. No longer able to handle the stress of being an ER nurse, she has come to Elk Horn Ranch for another type of job. Besides being resident nurse for the dude ranch side of the business, she will also be assistant to Gray McCoy, head of the wolf rescue part of the ranch.

Gray is a former SEAL who has found his own peace in working with the animals. Besides his memories from the war, he also lost his wife when she was murdered by drug runners in South America. He's very familiar with what Sky is going through.

I loved seeing the connection that Sky and Gray had from the very beginning. Gray recognized Sky as being former military from the moment he saw her, creating their first bond. When Iris, the owner of the ranch, filled Gray in on Sky's issues, his protective instincts kicked in. He worried about making things worse for her, but having suffered from his own PTSD, he was determined to try. Sky found herself trusting Gray from the moment she met him. I loved seeing the way that he helped her settle in on the ranch, giving her the assistance she needed while not trampling on her pride.

The first night she was on the ranch, sharing the employee quarters with Gray, she suffered from one of her nightmares. Gray's immediate response and the sensitivity with which he deals with it are just what Sky needs. She had had great stores of inner strength before her capture, but the torture had destroyed her ability to cope with all the things she was feeling. Gray made her feel safe and protected. Sky had also been feeling ashamed of her reactions and emotionalism, and Gray helped her see that there is nothing wrong with what she feels. 

Over the next several weeks, being around the animals and the outdoors starts Sky on the road to healing. She and Gray rescue three wolf puppies that give her a focus for the nurturing spirit that she has been finding again. I also loved seeing her work with the autistic little boy Justin, and how her own sensitivity makes her able to reach him. 

The connection that Gray and Sky share also begins to grow in other ways. Gray has been grieving for his wife for a couple years, but meeting Sky made him realize that there was still some life left to be lived. He's drawn to her beauty, but also to the strength of the spirit he sees in her. I loved the way that he is determined to keep his feelings under control and not push her for something she's not yet ready for. On Sky's side, she was attracted to Gray early on, but feels that she is too broken for him to be interested in her that way. I loved seeing how his patience allows her to see herself for the complete woman she really is. One of my favorite things was that the relationship was built over several weeks and months, and wasn't a case of insta-love. Both of them were determined to be sure of their own feelings.

Sky was also dealing with the problems of her relationship with her father. As former military himself, he did not handle her PTSD well. In fact, he treated her very badly and I really wanted to smack him about for the things he said to her. It wasn't until she got to know Gray and listened to some of the things he had to say, that she began to think that there was more going on with him. I loved seeing how her new understanding helped them repair their relationship. I loved seeing how Gray was determined to protect her from any more hurt, and that it was his insight that made the difference. 

The suspense part of the story was actually very small. For all the buildup of the man who had triggered one of Sky's attacks, he didn't really play much of a part. There was tension that built when the attackers escaped, and I was really expecting something intense to happen because of it. But the resolution wasn't what I expected at all.

Turn Up the Heat - Lori Foster, Christie Ridgway, Victoria Dahl (HQN - Jan 2014)

Love Won't Wait by Lori Foster

Brendan "Brick" Carlisle is used to women falling at his feet, so shy waitress Merrily Loveland is a breath of fresh air--and an irresistible challenge. But before he can make his move, Merrily comes to him with an offer he can't refuse. If only their "no-strings" pact didn't leave him wanting so much more....

Good story. Brick has had the hots for Merrily since he first saw her. Just as he's trying to figure out the next step, Merrily asks for his help, which gives him the chance to get closer to her. He doesn't want to rush things, so plans to use the time building a doggie door for her to enable them to get to know each other better. Once she has him at her house, she has an additional proposition for him. She wants a no-strings chance for him to teach her what desire is all about.

He is stunned, but willing. I liked seeing him ease into things, giving her the chance to get to know him first. I liked the way that, even though he starts out as a no commitment kind of guy, as Brick gets to know Merrily better he realizes she's everything he could want. She's sweet, loves animals, and is straightforward about what she wants. All he needs to do is convince her.

Merrily had been engaged to a guy who seemed to especially like the idea that she was a virgin. She wasn't ready to go further with him, especially while she was caring for her sick mother. He dumped her because of it, and after her mother passed away she moved away, determined to do things her way. After a month of waiting on Brick and hearing others talk about him, she decided to ask his help with her "problem". She's surprised by his desire to take things slow, but his way of doing things has her falling for him quickly, even though he had said he doesn't do long term relationships. I loved the confrontation with her ex and the push it gave to them both.

Besides the heat between Brick and Merrily, there was a lot that was fun in the story. I really liked Merrily's critters and how they and Brick took to each other right away. There was also a great friendship between Brick and Jesse. It was fun to see the way that Jesse teased Brick about his preoccupation with Merrily, but he was also supportive of Brick when he needed it. I also liked the growing relationship between Jesse and Tonya and would like to see a story starring them.






Beach House Beginnings by Christie Ridgway
Series: Crescent Cove CA (Book .5)

She might have avoided Crescent Cove, California, for years, but no-nonsense Meg Alexander is confident she can handle a brief trip home. What she doesn't count on is the spark of desire she feels for Caleb McCall. Can a weekend in paradise convince her to give love a second chance?

Meg has gone back to Crescent Cove after ten years away, in order to help out while her sister is away. Ten years earlier she had lost Peter, the young man she loved when he drowned while kayaking. Since then she has relegated all thoughts of love to the realm of fairy tales, refusing to believe that it really exists.

On her first day there, Meg meets Caleb, who is Peter's cousin. Caleb has come back to Crescent Cove in an effort to make some changes to his life. He is recovering from major surgery, during which he experienced what he calls a vision. He saw Meg at the Cove with him, and sees it as guidance on what he's supposed to do. There are sparks between them that Caleb wants to pursue and Meg wants to ignore.

Caleb is gently persuasive and soon Meg agrees to spend some time with him. The chemistry between them is hot, and she decides that giving in for one night is just what she needs. She doesn't intend to let it go further than that, but Caleb is persistent.

Meg's fear of loss has caused her to close off her heart from ever experiencing love again. At first, her memories of Peter at the Cove just bring pain, but with a neat little twist from the dog, she is reminded of all the good things. Caleb's new zest for life helps bring happiness back into her life. Her fears nearly keep her from embracing the future she could have, and it isn't until she faces those fears that she can accept the love that Caleb has to offer her.






Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl
Series: Jackson Hole (Dahl) (Book 1.5)

Photographer Eve Hill had always told herself that sexy Brian Stewart was off-limits. But now he's back in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Eve can't resist their long-denied attraction. When the reality turns out to be hotter than the fantasy, Eve might end up getting more than she bargained for....

Two years ago Eve had had feelings for her boss, feelings that she couldn't do anything about. Brian was married, although separated from his wife (for the third time). Their friendship had started to change. But when Brian's wife wanted to try again, he left Eve behind, feeling honor bound to make the attempt. Eve was devastated and has still not really recovered.

Now Brian has returned, finally divorced, and wants a chance with Eve. He knows that he hurt her, but hopes that they can move past it. Eve is afraid to let herself believe that he won't hurt her again. The way he makes her feel is too intense and she fears that she wouldn't be able to recover a second time. She thinks that if she gives him one night, she can get him out of her system and move on. I really understood her reluctance to get involved with Brian again.

I had mixed feelings about Brian. I respected the fact that he didn't give in to his feelings while he was still married. But I hated the way that he went back to his wife even though he knew he cared for Eve, After three separations it should have been obvious that the marriage was over. Telling Eve that he cared for her but was still leaving did a number of her self confidence, as she felt that she wasn't good enough for him to want to stay. I would have liked to see him have to work a little harder to get her back.