Trapped With the Tycoon - Jules Bennett (HD #2424 - Jan 2016)

Series: Mafia Moguls (Book 1)

One snowbound night with the boss…

Braden O'Shea needs access to Zara Perkins -- to her life, to her house. So he hires the stunning event planner to keep her close. But after one magical dance, he finds himself driving her home in a snowstorm -- only to be stranded by her side. And now that he's had a taste of her, seduction is his only goal… Zara stirs his blood like no woman he's ever known.

But the commitment-shy beauty knows she must keep her distance from a man with such a risky reputation. He's her boss! He's off-limits. Now if only she can keep her hands to herself until the snow melts…

Very good story about a man who gets more than he expects when he schemes to get close to a woman, and the woman who discovers that love really does exist. Braden became the head of his family after the death of his father. The O'Sheas have been known to be ruthless in business, and not always on the side of the law, but Braden is determined that things will be different now. One thing that he promised his father was that he would find the set of scrolls that once belonged to the family but went missing years ago. Their last known location was in the house that Zara now owns.

Zara owns a party planning business that is just starting to take off. She was thrilled to be hired by Braden to plan their holiday party, knowing that if she did well it could open doors for her. Being attracted to her boss is not something she wants, but she can't deny its existence. She's determined to resist because sleeping with the boss is a bad idea all around.

I loved seeing the relationship develop between Braden and Zara. Braden was attracted to her from the moment he met her, which made his goal of getting close to her that much easier. Actually getting his hands on her during the dance was more intense than he expected, but he was sure that he could handle it. He thought that luck was really with him when, after driving her home during a snowstorm, he ended up getting stranded in her house with her. It's just the opportunity he needs to look for the missing scrolls. Zara is very nervous about having Braden staying at her house. She's not sure she can resist the temptation he offers for very long. 

As the hours went on, Braden found himself more and more drawn to Zara and feeling more and more guilty about his deception. Zara is no longer just a means to an end. I loved how he learned more about her past and how that made him want to protect her and take care of her. Zara has never witnessed the kind of love and caring that Braden shares with his family. The closest she came was her relationship with her grandmother. Though she tries to resist his advances, Braden slowly wears her down. She tries to convince herself that she can give in to his advances without risking her heart, but the connection between them is too strong. 

The pain that both experience when the truth is revealed just about destroys them. Braden had hoped that his love would be enough for her to forgive him. Zara is devastated by her feelings of betrayal when she finds out what he did. She had started to believe in him and the feelings she thought they shared. I ached for her, but also loved seeing her stand up to him and blast him for his actions. I liked the ending, especially seeing Braden have to grovel a bit to get back in Zara's good graces. 

The mystery of the scrolls is not answered in this book, so I can only assume that it will be a theme in the series. I loved seeing how the determination to find them shows how important family and tradition is to the O'Sheas. I loved seeing how they are always there for each other, though they also have their moments of disagreement. I especially liked Braden's protectiveness toward his sister, and how that was woven into this story. I have a suspicion about who she is going to end up with, and I can't wait to see if I'm right. There was also a hint of what will be going on with Braden's brother Mac. I'm looking forward to his fall after the way he gave Braden a hard time over his.

A Very Crimson Christmas - Michelle Major (HSE #2441 - Nov 2015)

Series: Crimson CO (Book 4)

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR

For years there'd been only one woman in Liam Donovan's life -- his beloved nanny, who'd raised him as her own. But someone is clearly taking advantage of Ruth, which brings the studly CEO back to Crimson, the place he was all too happy to have left behind. And there Liam finds Ruth has live-in help -- in the form of his high school love, Natalie Holt, and her adorable son… He better not fall for Nat a second time -- because what if she is the cause of his nanny's missing money?

If Natalie had time for any guy besides her son, it would not be Liam Donovan, who'd broken her heart once, and now seems to think she could add thief to her long list of job titles! She could prove easily enough that she can be trusted with the money -- but can Natalie trust Liam with her heart…again?

Lovely story of Christmas and second chances. Liam has come back to Crimson to check up on his old nanny. He believes that someone is stealing from her and wants to put a stop to it. He doesn't expect to find his old girlfriend and her son living there, too, and possibly the source of the missing money. Natalie is equally unhappy to see Liam, especially when she finds out about his suspicions. She's far too busy trying to make ends meet to deal with him right now, but he isn't going away any time soon.

Liam and Natalie each blame the other for the end of their high school romance. Both had had reasons for their decisions that the other either didn't know or didn't understand. Now that they are back in contact, all those old memories and feelings are coming back, but neither is ready to trust their hearts again. 

I liked Liam a lot. I felt badly for him because he has always felt that Ruth was the only one who ever really loved him. He spent years working for his father, trying to win his approval, and has now decided to go out on his own. Even now he thinks that people are only nice to him because they want something from him. Though he is initially suspicious of Natalie, he really doesn't want to believe that she is guilty of stealing from Ruth. Liam is also dealing with a bunch of guilty feelings, from the death of a friend ten years earlier to feeling like he's been neglecting his relationship with Ruth. The walls that he's built up over the years start to crumble under the influence of her love and from being around Natalie again. There were times when he seemed to be trying too hard, such as decorating the house, and others when things seemed to come naturally. I really liked seeing him with Natalie's son Austin and how easily they got along. He also has to face his fear of whether other people in town hold him responsible for his friend's death. I loved seeing him reconnect with old friends, and his surprise at how they treat him.

Natalie was great. She has dealt with so much over her life that she feels that she can only really count on herself. She divorced her husband when he became controlling and abusive, but is still dealing with him and his demands because she wants to protect her son. She works multiple jobs just to make ends meet. She also has a neurotic mother to contend with, one whose influence on her she only started to recognize recently. Liam's return has her looking at her past decisions with different eyes.

Neither Liam nor Natalie expected their old feelings to make a comeback. Both were determined to protect their hearts from being broken again and tried hard to resist what they were feeling. Liam tried very hard to believe that Ruth was the only reason he was staying in Crimson for so long, but it was obvious to everyone around that Natalie still meant something to him. His growing feelings for her scare him, especially when he's sure that she's hiding something from him. When it comes out, what he feels is her lack of trust in him makes him feel rejected all over again. Natalie's feelings for Liam are also growing, aided by the way he treats her son. But she's ashamed of the mistake she made by marrying her husband. She also suspects that her problems with him have something to do with Ruth's missing money, which is something she really doesn't want to admit to Liam. The confrontation between them leaves them both hurting. I loved seeing Liam's friend Tanner be blunt with him about what he sees Liam doing. I loved Natalie's big moment at the end and seeing both of them move forward with their future together.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

His Housekeeper's Christmas Wish - Louise Allen (HH #1257 - Nov 2015)

Series: Lords of Disgrace (Book 1)

'Tis the season for mischief!

Accidentally colliding with Tess Ellery on the icy streets of Ghent is definitely not how resolute bachelor Alexander Tempest, Viscount Weybourn, intended to start the festive period. He may have mistaken her for a nun, but there's nothing innocent about his reaction to Tess's delicious curves…

When Tess is left stranded, Alex is honor-bound to take her home…as his housekeeper! And despite his long-held rule of spending Christmas alone, Tess's vivacity soon has this brooding lord determined to make all her Christmas wishes come true!

Good book. Tess went to live with her aunt at a convent in Ghent when her parents died. It wasn't a pleasant upbringing, but her needs were met. When her aunt died, it was made clear to her that if she wasn't planning to become a nun herself, it was time to go. She was given the option of returning to England where a job would be found for her. As she was making her way to the docks and the ship that would take her there, she was run into and injured by Alex Tempest.

Alex felt guilty about hurting the lady he first thought was a nun. He took her back to his inn and his friends to take care of her injuries. In his attempts to take care of her, he caused her to miss the boat she was supposed to be on, so he promised to get her where she was supposed to be. Though he's trying to do the right thing, he doesn't think about the consequences of a young woman traveling with a single man. When the convent in London refuses to help her because of it, Alex promises to help her.

I liked Tess a lot. She's a very practical young woman thanks to her time at the convent, but she also looks for the good in people. She accepts Alex's help because she really has no choice, but plans to start looking for a position after the holidays. When she ends up filling in for Alex's ill housekeeper, her strengths really start to show. She is incredibly organized and soon has Alex's household running smoothly. She also has her own agenda, having discovered that Alex is estranged from his family and doesn't celebrate Christmas at all. She is determined to bring him into the Christmas spirit and is relentless in that pursuit. She is also attracted to him, but knows nothing can come of it. Her parents may have been well born, but she is illegitimate and therefore not eligible for a man like Alex. 

Alex is something of a self made man. At the age of seventeen he had a falling out with his father over a buildup of events culminating in the death of a friend. He hasn't been home or spoken to his father since. Instead he has a thriving art dealer business, good friends, and an absolute distant for the fuss of the Christmas holidays. Though he's a bit cynical, at heart he is a good man, and when he collides with Tess he is determined to take care of her. He knows he has to be careful of her reputation, and does everything he can to protect her. He is also attracted to her, but tries to control himself around her.

I loved seeing the relationship grow between Alex and Tess. He is determined to help and protect her, especially from himself. He is known for keeping his cool under all circumstances, but something about Tess really gets under his skin. It was fun seeing him agree to do things with and for her that he never would have done before. In spite of her innocence, Tess has a way of seeing what people really need, and she sees that, contrary to what he says, Alex really misses his family. She's determined to give him a real Christmas because of it. And though she knows nothing can come of it, Alex finds a way into her heart.

Things get really interesting when Alex receives a letter from his mother, begging him to come home. His father is ill and Alex is needed on the estate. He's more nervous about going home than he will admit and asks Tess to go with him. Next thing he knows, the entire household is going, with Tess no longer the housekeeper but a friend he is helping. I loved seeing how they rearranged everyone's roles. Once they arrive at Tempeston, the reader begins to get the background of the issues between Alex and his father. It was fun to see Alex's satisfaction in showing off his success. With a few little prods from Tess, he makes progress in repairing his relationships with his father and brother. 

The attraction between Tess and Alex grows stronger. I loved seeing the way that Tess tries to draw him further into the Christmas preparations. Both are fighting the attraction but it is a losing battle. Tess doesn't want to miss out on the experience she could have with him, so she goes after what she wants. Alex doesn't resist too hard, but there are still some guilty feelings over what he sees as his less than honorable actions. In his attempts to take care of her he makes some rather significant mistakes, causing a rift between them. How he makes up with her is unusual, and almost makes things worse before it gets better.

I liked the realistic view of what kind of life Tess could expect as an illegitimate woman. Life wasn't easy for women such as her. I liked her rescue of Dorcas and Daisy, as her kind heart saw a way to help them at the same time they could help her. I also enjoyed the look "below stairs" during the time Tess was acting as housekeeper. Alex was also honest about what might happen after they marry.

Evergreen Springs - RaeAnne Thayne (HQN - Oct 2015)

Series: Haven Point (Book 3)

Christmas is the last thing on Cole Barrett's mind this year. He's barely hanging on trying to care for his two grieving children since his ex-wife died in a tragic accident. For the reclusive Cole, this is no time for gift-giving and celebration -- and certainly not for a sunny-natured optimist to blow into his screwed-up life.

Physician Devin Shaw has long researched the curative powers of Lake Haven's mineral waters. Unfortunately, the hot springs are on Barrett property, forcing Devin to strike a bargain with the ranch's attractively gruff owner: she'll give Cole's children a magical Christmas, and Cole will allow her patients access to the springs. But can she work her holiday magic to heal the Barrett family's battered hearts -- and her own?

Very good book about redemption and second chances. Devin is one of Haven Point's doctors and is working in the ER when Cole brings in his very pregnant sister. She has fallen and is in premature labor, so she is ordered to bedrest at the hospital. This leaves Cole, a single father who has recently gained custody of his children, without any help. Devin steps in to give him a hand.

Devin is a woman who is a fixer at heart. She is a cancer survivor who has found meaning in helping other people. There is something about Cole and his children that has her getting really involved in their lives. I loved seeing how she mobilized her friends to make meals that she delivered to him, and how she stayed to build snowmen with the kids. She sees that Cole is overwhelmed by everything going on and offers to help him prepare for his first Christmas with the kids. Though he seems rather cold and grumpy at the beginning, she soon discovers that there's a good man underneath, one she'd like to get to know better.

Cole came back to Haven Point to try to put his life back together. When his mother died and his father abandoned him and his sister, Cole reacted by going a bit wild. He became a rodeo cowboy, and lived a life filled with booze and women. He married a buckle bunny who got pregnant, later divorced and had to deal with her erratic behavior. He ended up spending some time in prison for an event he can't even remember. Since getting out, he has worked to get his family ranch back in working order, avoiding most people while he was at it. When his ex-wife is killed in an accident, Cole gets custody of his children, but is at a loss on how to deal with them. Losing his sister's help makes things even more difficult. He's stunned when Devin shows up at his door and doesn't understand why she is so determined to help him.

I loved seeing the relationship develop between them. Devin has found an outlet for all the love and mothering she has in her heart. She is cautious at first, knowing that she could get really attached to the whole family. Her attraction to Cole is strong, and she finds herself unable to resist getting closer. The more time she spends with him, the deeper she falls. Devin has doubts about her ability to win the love of a man because of her inability to have children. Cole is very attracted to Devin, and also drawn to the love she shows his children. But he believes that there is too big a gulf between the beautiful town doctor and himself, as a recovering alcoholic and ex-con. When the strength of his feelings gets to be too much, he tries to drive her away. It was an emotional scene, as Cole does everything he can to make his point. Devin is initially devastated, but I loved seeing her natural optimism and intelligence come through as she realizes the truth of what happened. The ending was sweet as Devin finally gets Cole to accept that he's a much better man than he wants to admit. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in later books.

There were a couple of secondary stories in the book also. First is the story of Cole's sister Tricia and why she is staying with Cole. They are very protective of each other, as is shown by her concern over what will happen to Cole and the kids while she's in the hospital. Cole is also worried about her and her separation from her husband during her pregnancy. There were times I wanted to shake her and tell her to suck it up and talk to her husband. As the story went on, her reasons and motivations are explained. It all came to a head as she went into labor for real, and the drama was quite riveting. I liked seeing how it worked out. There was also the story of Cole's father, who returned to the ranch a few months earlier. He wants to mend his relationship with Cole, and Cole wants nothing to do with him. Cole harbors a lot of bitterness about his father, and he doesn't believe the man can change. I loved seeing the slow thaw of the ice between them, and how it's the kids who start the process.

I liked the group of seniors that Devin brings to Cole's hot springs. They are a very fun group. Devin's friends "The Helping Hands" were also great. All of them showed the positive aspects of life in a small town, where everyone watched out for everyone else.

At the Rancher's Request - Sara Orwig (HD #2361 - Mar 2015)

Series: Lone Star Legends (Book 3)

Pregnant, abandoned and stranded in a Texas blizzard, nurse Savannah Grayson is grateful when billionaire rancher Mike Calhoun rescues her. The widowed father offers shelter -- and only shelter -- at his vast ranch.

Determined to never love another woman again, Mike tries to do the right thing and resist his attraction to his vulnerable guest. As they spend cold days building snowmen with his son and long nights talking and kissing by the fire, Mike fights the thaw of his heart…a battle he just might lose.

Good book about two people whose past hurts keep them from wanting to risk their hearts again. Mike is the widowed father of a three year old boy. The death of his wife hit him hard and he doesn't want to go through anything like that again. Savannah was engaged to a man who didn't bother to tell her he doesn't want kids until she gets pregnant. Devastated by the realization that she hadn't really known the man she thought she loved, she breaks their engagement and leaves home to go visit her aunt in California.

Mike and Savannah meet during a rainstorm where Mike and his son Scotty have pulled into a gas station to wait out the downpour. Savannah pulls in because her car is making noises and just as she stops the engine erupts into flames. Mike puts the fire out and invites Savannah to stay at his ranch until her car is fixed. He even tells her she can call the local sheriff for a reference if she needs one. She accepts his offer, hoping it will just be for a couple days.

Neither of them expected the strength of the attraction between them. Savannah insists that they do not give in to it, as she is still healing from her previous relationship and doesn't want to make another mistake. Mike doesn't want another relationship either, but feels that they can enjoy each other without making an emotional commitment. 

Because it will take time for her car repair, Savannah ends up staying longer than she expected. She started getting really attached to Scotty and liked taking care of him when Mike had to be out on the ranch. She also began developing feelings for Mike as she got to know him better, realizing that he's nothing at all like her ex. She has to keep reminding herself that she isn't staying and that she's not ready to risk her heart again. But she also finds it very easy to give in to his kisses and doesn't trust herself to be able to keep her heart protected.

Mike bugged me a little bit. He knows he doesn't want a commitment and that Savannah is still hurting from her previous relationship. She has told him repeatedly that giving in to their attraction would be a bad idea. But he keeps finding excuses to kiss her and every time he pushes for more, trying to convince her that they can keep their emotions out of it. However, even though he can't deny that his actions may cause her more hurt, he keeps doing it. It does come back to bite him though, as he discovers that being with Savannah has begun to change him more than he expected. 

A medical crisis with her pregnancy delays Savannah's departure, and also brings Mike to the conclusion that he has lost his heart to her after all. Both he and Savannah have to find a way to let go of their past hurts if they want to have a chance to have a future together. I liked the way it worked out for them.

Scotty was an adorable little boy and had a big part in bringing Mike and Savannah together. My biggest issue with him was that he did not talk or act like a child just turning three. He was way too articulate and able to be reasoned with. I thought he was more like a five year old.

Smoke River Family - Lynna Banning (HH #1256 - Oct 2015)

Series: Smoke River (Book 2)

A baby to bring them together…

When Dr. Zane Dougherty swept Winifred Von Dannen's sister off to Smoke River, Winifred was resentful, but now she wants to be part of her late sister's baby's life. That means dealing with Zane and the shadows of loneliness -- and incredible hunger -- she sees in his eyes.

Zane knows he and his infant daughter are truly blessed. But he wants more. He wants Winifred! Is there a way he can mend this broken family and care for them forever?

Sweet, slow-moving romance. When Winifred's sister ran off to marry Zane, she wasn't happy. She and Celeste had an excellent career as a concert pianist duo and she didn't understand how her sister could just throw it all away. She was heartbroken when Celeste died before they could make up, and knew that she wanted to be part of her niece's life. That means a trip to Smoke River and dealing with Zane. Zane isn't sure what to make of Winifred at first. She's cool and composed and very different than his late wife. There's something about her that wakes up the emotions that have been buried since Celeste's death, but he has no intention of following through on them. He doesn't intend to marry again. 

But Winifred has come to Smoke River with more than just getting to know Rosemarie on her mind. Her desire is to take the little girl back to St. Louis with her, as she feels that Smoke River is no place to raise a little girl. Taking her back to the city will give her many more benefits than growing up in such a backward place. She is stunned by Zane's reaction, as she thought he'd be happy to see her have all the advantages. But Rosemarie is the center of Zane's life and losing her would remove his will to live. After exchanging harsh words, then avoiding each other for a few days, Zane and Winifred come to an understanding. Winifred has some time before she has to return to St. Louis, and that time is spent getting to know both Rosemarie and Zane. 

I have to say that Winifred really irritated me at the beginning. She had the stereotypical Easterner/city dweller attitude toward the West. Nothing was as good as what the city had. I didn't like the way that she looked down on the town, or questioned Celeste's reasons for marrying Zane. By the time she left to go back home, her attitude had begun to change enough that she wanted to come back for Christmas. On the other hand, I loved Zane from the start. He obviously loves his little girl. I loved the way that he cares for her himself when he isn't working, rather than leave her to a servant. He also cares for the people that he doctors, paying attention to more than just their medical needs. He is still mourning the loss of his wife, and because of that doesn't see ever caring for someone else.

By the time Winifred leaves, she and Zane have begun a tentative friendship. They exchange a few letters while she's gone. Over the holidays, Zane begins to notice Winifred as a woman, but the guilt prevents him from doing anything about it. Winifred has also taken more notice of Zane, but she has her career to think about. More letters are exchanged over the spring, and both find themselves thinking about each other quite a lot. Zane especially starts to think of what it would be like for Winifred to stay. Her return for the summer months starts out rough, as she arrives quite ill. As Zane labors to save her, he can no longer deny his feelings for her. Their attraction draws them closer together but unfortunately for him, Winifred is still focused on her career and refuses to consider giving it up to stay in Smoke River. But this time, when she heads back home, she can't stop thinking about Zane. I loved seeing the way that she started looking at her life in St. Louis differently, and accepting that maybe there is more to life than she had believed before. When a crisis sends her speeding back to Smoke River, she has a decision to make about her future. I loved seeing her come into her own as part of the town and Zane's life.

The secondary characters were good too. I especially loved Zane's servant Wing Sam and the way that he took Winifred under his wing. He had his own ways of working to see that Zane and Winifred ended up together. I also really enjoyed seeing him get his own happy ending. He was really adorable with his nerves over the arrival of his bride. I also liked seeing how Winifred helped the young lady, even though she didn't speak any Chinese herself. The other doctor was great, especially at the end when Zane needed him so badly. There was also the woman who wanted Zane and wasn't going to let anyone get in her way. I loved seeing Winifred deal with her.

Special Forces Savior - Janie Crouch (HI #1613 - Jan 2016)

Series: Omega Sector: Critical Response (Book 1)

He has to shut down the terrorists or lose everything. Including the woman he can't admit means the most to him.

Omega Sector: Critical Response agent Derek Waterman is hunting the architects of a lethal terrorist bombing. After weeks of chasing cold leads, he has finally found the evidence that could expose the perpetrators. But in order to take them down, he needs help from Dr. Molly Humphries, Omega's lead forensic scientist.

Shy Molly works to retrieve the data--and overcome her debilitating crush on the sexy agent. Derek carefully suppresses his mutual smoldering attraction, sure that his dark past will drive Molly away if she knows. But when Molly's kidnapped, he will stop at nothing to save her. Even if a lethal enemy will do everything to keep him from doing so.

Good mix of romance and action. Derek and his fellow agents Jon and Liam have been working hard trying to find out who is behind a recent terrorist attack, but every lead so far has been a dead end. Then they find some evidence that could be just what they need, if someone can recover the data. This is where Molly comes in. She is the lead forensic scientist for Omega Sector and brilliant at what she does. 

I loved Molly. She is fantastic at what she does, but she is also a bit shy and especially awkward around Derek. She has had a crush on him for years that has her stuttering and stumbling whenever she is around him, and that really frustrates her. But there's little she won't do for him and she promises to work on his project as soon as she can. She and Derek had had a fantastic night together three years earlier, but ever since then Derek has kept his distance. She's not sure he even remembers it.

I liked Derek too. He is just as attracted to her, but is determined to protect her from getting involved with someone like him. He is very protective of her, and I really enjoyed how he fussed at her about eating and also at his friends for their teasing. He cares about her, but doesn't want his past having an effect on her.

Derek's feelings for Molly become obvious to everyone when there is an explosion at the lab and then she is kidnapped. I loved the look at the methods used to find her, and the intensity of Derek's determination. The rescue itself was exciting and Molly really showed how strong she was. When they return it is to discover that Molly is still being targeted, and Derek's protective instincts continue to show. As much as Derek wants to keep Molly safe from others and from himself, Molly is equally determined to show Derek that who he is now is different than the one that haunts his dreams. 

The suspense of the story was great. Derek, Jon and Liam's frustration is obvious as all their efforts come to nothing. I could feel their excitement when they found that one piece of evidence, and their confidence that Molly would be able to get the necessary information. The lab explosion and Molly's kidnapping ramped up the intensity, as did the bad guy's attempt to frame Molly for it. It was pretty clear from the beginning that there was someone on the inside working against them, and following along with the investigation kept me hooked. There was an unexpected twist at the end that brought more danger to Molly and some intense action before it was all over. I'm looking forward to Jon and Liam's stories.