A Dance with Her Forbidden Officer - Lauri Robinson (HH #1783 - Mar 2024)

Nurse Wendy Smith promised her mother she'd see the world, starting with beautiful Hawaii. Her promise to herself -- to never depend on a man -- is harder to keep when Navy Officer K.T. McAllister jitterbugs into her life. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked and, as Wendy nurses injured K.T., she learns he too has promises to people back home. Yet as K.T. grows stronger, so do her feelings, and her longing for the forbidden…?
 
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.

It Started with a Secret - Tif Marcelo (HSE #3046 - May 2024)

Series: Spirit of the Shenandoah (Book 1)
 
When one unforgettable night…
Leads to a whole new life…
 
When Jared Sotheby arrives in Peak, Virginia, to search for his identity -- and his Filipino roots -- he doesn't anticipate an instant connection with a stunning woman he meets on his first night in town. And he certainly doesn't expect her to be managing the B & B owned by the biological family he's searching for! 
 
One passionate night aside, Matilda Matthews needs a cook, and Jared, a chef, needs a way in. She'll give him the job if he keeps his identity a secret -- for now. Their subterfuge quickly grows complicated as Jared yearns for a connection -- not only with his family, but also with the once-bitten Matilda. But first he'll have to convince her to let a younger man into her heart… 
 
Overall, this was a good book. Jared is the result of a one-night stand; his father never knew about him. Jared wondered about him but didn't have much interest in connecting with him until he had a crisis of identity. Jared is a chef, and devastating criticism of his ethnic cooking sent him looking for his Filipino roots. He arrives in his family's town with no plan of action. The first night, he connects with a beautiful woman.
 
Matilda loves her job managing the B & B. The owner gave her a job and a chance after Matilda left an unhappy marriage. Her organizational skills are unparalleled, and she has a finger on every pulse of the business.
 
Jared chickens out of confessing who he is when he arrives in Peak. Instead, he takes a job as a fill-in chef at the family B & B, using the time to get to know his father's family. He connects easily with his half-sisters and is sweet with his nephew. He feels guilty about keeping his identity secret but can't decide the best way/time to come clean.
 
Meanwhile, he and Matilda continue spending time together. Matilda is wary of getting involved after losing herself in her marriage. She doesn't want to risk the same thing happening again. She tends to keep tight control of her emotions, feeling that is her only way to protect herself. She is also a bit of a control freak when running the B & B. She, too, begins to feel guilty about keeping Jared's secret and the effect it could have on her relationship with the family.
 
I liked the development of the relationship between Jared and Matilda. Jared is upfront about his interest in her. Matilda is more hesitant, as she is bothered by the ten-year age difference between them. I liked seeing Jared and Matilda spend time together and discover their compatibility. But when the secret comes out, the reactions are all over the place, and Matilda and Jared must deal with the fallout. I ached for them all as everyone came to terms with the revelations. The ending was emotional and well done, and the epilogue was sweet.

Defender After Dark - Charlene Parris (HRS #2278 - May 2024)

Series: Night Guardians (Book 2)
 
A Nordic beauty…
Might hold the key to his case!
 
When a ruthless CEO is assaulted at his own construction site late at night, Detective Mark Hawthorne is determined to catch the person responsible. He finds a welcome distraction from the case in captivating bakery owner Britt Gronlund, who rebuffed the CEO's threat to take over her business. But when the CEO winds up dead, Mark needs to find out who killed him. Can he defend Britt from the accusations that she is behind the murder? And can the two of them find the real killer?
 
This was an action and drama-filled mystery with a bit of romance to lighten the mood. The story opens with Mark being called to investigate an assault. A local businessman with a ruthless reputation was attacked and left for dead. The victim is disliked by many people, which creates a plethora of possible suspects. The case became more urgent when the victim was later murdered. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me intrigued, and trying to figure out the killer kept me guessing. The shoe clue was fascinating. Complications arose when the woman Mark was dating became both a victim and a suspect. The suspense intensified as Mark and Britt closed in on identifying the killer. The final confrontation was a shock and kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
I enjoyed watching Mark and Britt's relationship develop. They first saw each other the night of the assault, as Britt's bakery is across the street from the scene of the crime. They didn't speak, but their connection was lust at first sight. They met officially a short time later when Mark came to question the employees about whether they'd seen anything. There was no hesitation on either side about getting to know each other, though neither expected their feelings to develop so quickly. I liked how Britt was sensitive to Mark's stress during the investigation and how she helped him balance his work and life. Mark is fascinated by Britt, and I loved seeing how he treated her. He is also very protective of her when she becomes the victim of vandals. Their relationship hits a bump when Britt becomes a suspect in the murder, though that is resolved quickly. I liked the ending and hope to see more of them in future books.

Island Refuge - Regan Black (Kindle Scribe - Feb 2024)

Series: Brookwell Island (Book 2)
 
Have old secrets followed her home?
 
Lila Copeland seized her chance for a fresh start and never looked back. After years of school and training, she’s coming home to put her stamp on the family bakery.
 
Unfortunately, trouble follows...in the form of Travis Upton. The security expert isn't just the man she's been crushing on for months, he's the man accusing her of a major jewelry heist.
 
When Travis’s investigation reveals a serious threat to the gorgeous baker, the easiest way to protect her is to pose as her doting boyfriend.
 
Their talk of love may only be white lies, but the kisses are as real as the danger closing in.
 
As the thief applies more pressure, putting the people and town she loves in the crossfire, Lila will do whatever it takes to help Travis close his case. Even confess her ugly secrets.
 
Travis, undaunted by her past, is determined to give the woman who holds his heart the safe haven she needs and the happy future she deserves.
 
It was a good book that kept me involved from start to finish. Lila was mostly raised by her grandparents and went on to become an accomplished chef. After spending time as a chef for a celebrity couple, Lila is headed home to work in the family bakery. The night before she leaves the yacht to go home, Lila stumbles across a cache of stolen jewelry. Before she can report it to Travis, the yacht's security expert, he appears at her office door with suspicion in his eyes.
 
Travis is a security expert with the Guardian Agency. He had just received notification of the theft before he appeared at Lila's office and found her with the stolen goods. It looks terrible, but his gut tells him she isn't the thief. He's worried that she might be the victim of a setup, so he follows her home.
 
It quickly becomes evident that Lila is in danger. Travis feels guilty that he may have put a target on her back, but he is determined to keep her safe. Lila is shocked when he suddenly appears and is stunned when he claims to be her boyfriend. I loved how she jumped into the scenario and actively participated in the investigation. I was glued to the pages as the threats against Lila intensified. Someone is determined to retrieve those jewels from her and they don't care how they do it. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages long into the night. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that included a blast from Lila's past.
 
I enjoyed watching Travis and Lila's relationship develop. Each had been crushing on the other while on the yacht, but neither did anything about it. Lila was headed home, and Travis was a man who had never stayed in one place long. Pretending to be a couple allows them to spend time together and get to know each other. It doesn't take long for the pretend kisses to turn real and thoughts to turn to the future. The ending was terrific. I especially enjoyed seeing Travis convince Lila of his feelings.
 
The secondary characters were fantastic. I loved Lila's feisty grandmother. It was easy to see her influence on Lila and their deep love for each other. I laughed at her comments to Travis. I also enjoyed seeing characters from other books and look forward to reading more of the Guardian Agency books. 

Secretly Married to a Prince - Ally Blake (HR #4899 - May 2024)

Series: One Year to Wed (Book 1)
 
THEIR REUNION WITH A ROYAL TWIST… 
 
To claim her inheritance, Matilda Waverly must be wed within the year. But Matilda has a secret: she's already married! She hasn't seen Henri since she fled their wedding night, so tracking him down is essential­ -- but exciting and terrifying in equal measure. Especially when she learns Henri is actually a prince! And the undeniable spark between them has never gone away…
 
Matilda and her three sisters get an unwelcome surprise when their father dies. To inherit his vast Australian estate, each daughter must be married within a year of his death; otherwise, it will go to their family rival. None of the women are currently involved in romantic relationships. Complicating matters, Matilda is technically already married, though she has no idea where her husband is.
 
The backstory of Matilda's marriage was interesting and a bit sad. She fell in love with a young man she met while traveling, and they married without sharing any real information about themselves. When she learned of her mother's illness, she rushed home, leaving Henri behind and hoping he'd follow. He never did, which broke her heart. She has since moved on with her life. But with this complication, she knows she must find him, and returning to where they met is her only option to begin her search.
 
Matilda didn't know that Henri was a prince in disguise, taking a summer off before beginning his duties. He fell for Matilda, her vivacity, and how she made him forget his troubles. When she left, he tried to put her out of his mind and moved on to take up his royal duties.
 
Their reunion was pure chance. Matilda was happy to see him again and explained her reason for seeking him out. She was shocked to find out who he was. Neither expected the sparks between them to be as strong as before. When Henri invites her to stay at the castle while they figure things out, Matilda agrees.
 
I liked Matilda. She is a mostly upbeat person with a fascinating career. She's up for the prospect of getting to know Henri. I could feel a little frustration from her at the lack of time she initially spent with him but she understood the press of his duties. I had a more challenging time with Henri. Thanks to his upbringing, he seems to be an odd combination of control freak and insecure.
 
As they spent time together, they discovered that their connection was still there. There were some sweet scenes of their activities and how Matilda fit into his life. However, Henri's issues with his past complicate his vision of Matilda becoming a permanent part of his life. He tended to project his fears onto what he thought she felt instead of talking to her about her feelings. Matilda wasn't much better about being honest about her feelings.
 
Things come to a head when they finally talk about their past. I never understood why neither went looking for the other sooner. Matilda's delay was somewhat logical because she knew so little about Henri. Henri did not have that excuse. For heaven's sake, he's a prince with plenty of resources that would make finding her reasonably straightforward, but he couldn't be bothered. The method of their separation ticked me off, but was redeemed in the end. I liked Matilda and Henri's "aha" moments, and his big moment at the end was well done. 

 

Always a Maverick - Delores Fossen (Canary Street Press - Apr 2024)

Series: Cowboy Brothers in Arms (Book 2)
 
Even a real-life hero needs a little healing sometimes…
 
Air Force test pilot Blue Donnelly has the greatest job in the world…until his F-22 crashes during a demonstration flight, leaving him with a busted body and a ton of guilt. Then horse whisperer Marin Galloway walks into his hospital room, snapping him out of self-pity with a shock of desire and some surprising news: her six-year-old ward thinks Blue is his daddy.
 
Leo isn't really Blue's son, much as the little boy wishes it. Still, he needs a father figure, and Blue is willing to help…at least until it's time to report for duty. The longer Blue spends getting closer and closer to Marin and to Leo on his family's sprawling Texas ranch, the more he questions his need to return to the sky. But when a secret is revealed, leaving his entire future uncertain, Blue must decide who he is outside the cockpit -- and whether his new dream is big enough for two co-pilots.
 
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. 

 

Danger in Big Sky Country - Kimberly van Meter (HRS #2213 - Jan 2023)

Series: Big Sky Justice (Book 1)
 
To catch a killer
…will she risk a life?
 
When a childhood friend and her family are killed on their Montana ranch, Detective Luna Griffin finds it especially gut-wrenching. To solve the case, she must work with the victim's brother, Benjamin, who'll do anything to get justice for his sister. But the by-the-book cop must bend the rules­ while not falling for the ex-Marine. Until one bullet -- and long-buried secrets -- threatens everything…
 
Terrific book that sucked me in from the first pages and kept me hooked to the end. It all started when police detective Luna did a wellness check at her childhood friend Charlotte's house, only to discover that Charlotte and her entire family had been brutally murdered. She is grief-stricken at the loss of her friend, feels guilty that they had drifted apart, and is determined to find the person guilty of the heinous crime. The last thing she needs is for Charlotte's brother, Ben, to interfere in her investigation.
 
Ben and Charlotte's childhoods were miserable, and he left town as soon as possible, rarely returning. He feels even more guilty now that there is nothing he can do to repair his relationship with his sister. All he wants is for the killer to be brought to justice, and he has no confidence that the local police are up to the job.
 
The first meeting between Ben and Luna was rough. Both are attempting to deal with their grief over Charlotte's death, and Ben's accusations of incompetence don't go over well. Luna realizes it is better to have Ben working with her than going off on his own. Neither expected or wanted the sparks of attraction that flared between them. I enjoyed how they connected over their shared grief and determination to catch the killer. They try to resist their growing feelings for each other. Luna feels guilty about being happy with her dead friend's brother. Additionally, Ben has no desire to live in Cottonwood again, and Luna's roots run deep there. There is a lot to overcome if they are going to find a way to be together.
 
The suspense of the story was great. I was glued to the pages from the discovery of the bodies to the end of the book. I felt Luna and Ben's frustration at the lack of clues. Those they did find were rife with contradictions that made it difficult to discern the truth. A twist at the end and an unexpected connection finally set Luna and Ben on the right track. A tragic confrontation and its aftermath answered some questions but left others hanging, likely to be addressed in subsequent books.
 
There is a secondary mystery happening that involves Luna and her sisters. Their biological parents died in an explosion that is now raising questions in the girls' minds. The book ended with them having no answers. I expect that this will continue to be a theme in this series.