Wyoming Undercover Escape - Juno Rushdan (HI #2255 - Dec 2024)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 3)
 
He once promised to protect her
Now he'll face the devil to keep his vow.
 
Rip Lockwood, former Marine Special Forces and president of the Iron Warriors motorcycle club, swore to protect Deputy Ashley Russo years ago. When she targets her brother's killer -- the dangerous leader of a rival club -- he fulfills his promise. Their undercover ruse exposes a drug operation…and an unexpected attraction. And they'll risk everything to bring a murderous crime ring to justice.
 
Terrific book that drew me into the suspense quickly and kept me hooked until the end. Rip and Ashley are connected by a tragic event that happened years ago. Ashley blames Rip, and he accepts the guilt. Now a deputy, Ashley is determined to bring her brother's killer to justice. Rip left the Marine Corps to take over leadership of the local motorcycle club and finds out about Ashley's plans.
 
Rip and Ashley have been at odds ever since her brother's murder. However, Rip has never forgotten his vow to protect her and is determined to keep her safe. This entails attempting to rein in her plans (not happening) or going along with her. Sometimes, I wanted to shake her because of the risks she took. The scene at the bar had me on the edge of my seat as she walked into the lion's den. The consequences of that excursion led to a rollercoaster of action that kept me glued to the pages until the end. The twists kept me guessing what would happen next, all the way to the nail-biter of an ending.
 
I enjoyed seeing Ashley and Rip's relationship develop. Underneath the antagonism and guilt is a strong attraction neither wants to admit. They've managed in the past by avoiding each other. Now that they spend so much time together, those sparks are more difficult to ignore. Trust grows between them, and their feelings grow stronger, but there are obstacles, too. Rip believes a relationship between the president of a motorcycle club and a deputy would be detrimental to her career, plus the after-effects of their actions make it impossible for Rip to remain there. I loved the resolution and the neat little twist at the end.
 
My only complaint with the book is that Harlequin editors consistently neglect the proper capitalization of the word Marine when referring to a member of the United States Marine Corps. 

Cinderella's Billion-Dollar Invitation - Michele Renae (HR #4888 - Feb 2024)

Series: If the Fairy Tale Fits (Book 2)
 
A DATE UNTIL MIDNIGHT…
 
Scientist Ivy's dreams are derailed following her brother's devastating illness. Now, she's working as a barista to make ends meet. So, when billionaire Wolf -- Ivy's most charming customer -- invites her to be his fake date at a glamorous ball, stepping out of her ordinary life is impossible to resist…as is his kiss! But what happens when Wolf wants her to be his Cinderella for more than just one night?
 
Good book. Ivy is an entomologist who has taken a break from her career to help her brother deal with an unexpected illness. She works as a barista in a local coffee shop to make ends meet. One charming but quiet customer catches her eye.
 
Wolf is a workaholic billionaire who built his company from nothing. A difficult childhood taught him to guard his heart, with multiple unsuccessful relationships reinforcing the necessity. He envies his business partner, Skyr, who has found love and happiness. Skyr gives Wolf a day-by-day calendar with challenges to get Wolf out of his rut. He first laughs it off but then decides to try it.
 
Wolf is a regular at the coffee shop, and we learn early that Ivy is the draw. Wolf is too reticent (maybe shy?) to speak to her, so he gets his coffee and cake and enjoys being in her presence. He orders the same thing every time until this day when the calendar challenges him to "try a new to you food." I laughed because he was not a lemon fan but chose lemon cake anyway. I laughed at his reaction and loved seeing Ivy take him a piece of his usual chocolate chip cake. They chatted for a few minutes, which he had never done before. The next day, it happened again.
 
Within a few days, Wolf involves Ivy in his daily challenges. I loved their connection and their growing friendship. I loved how Ivy encouraged Wolf's pursuit of the challenges. It doesn't take long before each feels more than friendship, but both are wary of saying anything. Wolf's invitation to his company's ball allows Ivy to step out of her everyday life and experience Wolf's. The ball scene was terrific. I enjoyed seeing Wolf's employees' reactions to Ivy and loved the promise it showed for their future.
 
However, obstacles stand in their way. Wolf's past comes back to bite him when an action taken early in their friendship damages Ivy's trust. Her reaction stirs up his insecurities. Ivy pulls away out of guilt when her brother has a medical episode while she is off with Wolf. Both must let go of the past before opening their hearts to a future together. The ending was sweet and emotional, and the epilogue wrapped the book beautifully.
 
Ivy's brother Ivan played a critical role in the book. He is the reason Ivy is in New York. His illness adds an uncertainty to their lives that both must adjust to. Ivy is a little overprotective and tends to hover more than Ivan likes. I felt that Ivan handled his diagnosis better than Ivy did. I liked their close relationship and their support of each other.

Golden Lord - Mary Jo Putney (Kensington - Nov 2024)

Series: Dangerous Gifts (Book 2)
 
Allies of the heart and soul . . .
 
England, 1803. The oldest foster child of the Earl and Countess Tremayne, Caden Tremayne was one of several abandoned children rescued into the fold of the “Tribe of Tremayne,” each bearing a special gift. Now that he is grown, Cade's superior investigative abilities and talent for preventing violence -- or when necessary, executing it -- are urgently required by the Home Office. For after an all-too-brief peace, Britain and France are about to be at war again. But it isn't the dangerous mission that concerns Cade. It's his secret love for his sweet, bright, spirited accomplice . . .
 
Will their love be the victor?
 
Tamsyn Tremayne has always felt a deep connection to Cade, whose very presence warms her heart. Yet though they are not blood, their family relationship has led her to suppress her love for him. Still, their mental bond is undeniable -- and only grows stronger, along with their feelings, when Cade is captured by the French. Tam knows that Cade will not be easily broken, yet only their meeting of minds can truly save him -- and hopefully free them to be together at last. But first, she will have to navigate a treacherous maze of enemies and allies to find him, they will have to escape France -- and block a devastating plot against Britain . . .
 
Terrific second book in the Dangerous Gifts series. The Earl and Countess of Tremayne and their natural and foster children are blessed with certain "gifts." Those abilities make them valuable assets to the Home Office. On the eve of the resumption of the war, the oldest foster son, Cade, and the oldest daughter, Tamsyn, go to Paris to escort the Ambassador back to England. The mission is dangerous, but Cade is more concerned with keeping his unsiblinglike feelings for Tamsyn under wraps.
 
The action in this book was fast-paced and intense, keeping me glued to the pages. Cade and Tamsyn must ensure that the ambassador and his people get safely out of France before the French government can stop them. The trip to Calais from Paris is mostly uneventful, except for the feeling of being watched. Trouble rears in Calais when French troops try to prevent them from leaving. Unfortunately, Cade is captured, necessitating Tamsyn effecting a rescue. Unexpected developments make this an extremely complicated process, which, though successful, has unintended consequences. Their work for the Home Office continues when they uncover a plot that could devastate Britain's naval capabilities. The resolution of this plot was a nail-biter as they raced to prevent disaster.
 
I enjoyed the development of Cade and Tamsyn's relationship. They have shared a special connection since Cade arrived in the family. As he grew older, Cade realized the truth about his feelings for Tamsyn but buried them deep. For a long time, Tamsyn looked at her feelings for Cade as a more intense connection than she felt with the others, ignoring any hint that it could be more. However, the events of this mission bring those feelings to the surface, and they must face them. I ached for them as they tried to resolve their love with the possible consequences to their larger family. The resolution of their dilemma is well done and believable.
 
One of the most fascinating things about this book is the idea of the "gifts" and how their use. Each sibling has something unique that sets them apart. Their parents have worked hard to train them to use and appreciate those gifts properly. The ability to combine their powers intrigued me, as did the emergence of new skills when they did so. I loved how they always had each other's backs, even when far apart.

 

Snowbound Christmas with the Italian Doc - Annie O'Neil (HMED #1353 - Nov 2023)

A snowy Christmas…with her gorgeous boss!
 
Spending Christmas working in the Italian Alps following another(!) breakup, Dr. Natalie is focused on keeping herself busy -- with work only! What she hadn't factored in was sexy, charismatic and caring GP Gio. Gio really is the complete package, but Natalie's on her guard this time. Until an infant abandoned in a Nativity manger temporarily needs their care, giving them a reason to embrace the spirit of the season…together!
 
Natalie, a British-Italian emergency room doctor, has just experienced the ending of yet another romantic relationship. Her Italian grandfather invited her to spend Christmas with him and his friends in the Italian Alps. This gives her a chance to reevaluate her life. She's about to turn forty, and her dream of marriage and children hasn't come to pass, so she decides to concentrate on work. Natalie also has another challenge: she has ADHD,  which frequently complicates her relationships and work.
 
I felt bad for Natalie. She's always honest about her ADHD with the men she dates, but it doesn't take long before they start trying to change her behavior. She takes short-term jobs as a substitute doctor, believing that once her coworkers get to know her, they, too, will try to change her. It makes for a lonely life. She signed on to help at the family clinic in the village where she and her grandfather are staying.
 
Gio is the doctor at the clinic. He also owns the house where Natalie and her grandfather are staying and has his own rooms there. Natalie's grandfather and his friends were Gio's professors back in medical school, so he enjoys having them stay. He's taken with Natalie when he meets her but is wary of getting involved. His last relationship also ended badly.
 
I enjoyed watching Gio and Natalie's relationship develop. Natalie's ADHD gets worse when she's nervous, and her first encounter with Gio gets her seriously flustered. Gio quickly won my heart with his easy acceptance of Natalie's quirks and insistence that nothing was wrong with her. They make a great team at work, where Natalie's rapport with the patients shines. It doesn't take long for them to admit their attraction and give in to it.
 
They do well at communicating with each other, but each still holds back just a little, their pasts making them wary of risking everything. When an abandoned baby is found in the church nativity scene, Gio and Natalie step up to care for her. But the baby's presence stirs up insecurities in both. It takes some timely advice to break through the fears holding them back. The ending was sweet, and the epilogue was fantastic. I especially enjoyed seeing how Natalie found the perfect job for her. 

 

K-9 Defender - Julie Miller (HI #2245 - Sept 2024)

Series: Protectors at K-9 Ranch (Book 2)
 
Can one woman's K-9
Convince her to trust a determined detective?
 
After a betrayal that almost took his life, Detective Joel Standage is deskbound. A new assignment is his chance to find out if he still has what it takes to be a cop. His mission? Get close to Mollie Crane, a woman who's as guarded -- and wounded -- as he is. Her service dog, Magnus, trusts Joel before she does. When it becomes clear that his interest in her crime boss ex-husband is putting her in danger, what started as a case becomes personal, and Joel will do whatever it takes to protect her…
 
Terrific book. I was hooked from the prologue and read this book in one sitting. As the book opens, we see the heartbreaking abuse Mollie's husband inflicts on her. There is a brief flash of hope that rescue is in sight, but that hope is soon dashed. Her husband's new driver looks like he wants to help, but Mollie won't endanger him by asking for assistance.
 
Fast forward two years. Mollie has escaped her abuser's clutches. She works as a waitress and tries to put the past behind her, but overcoming the fear she has lived with for so long isn't easy. She is helped along the way by her service dog, Magnus, a goofball dog with his own ideas about his job. Also present is her ex's driver from the prologue, who turned out to be an undercover detective. Joel is trying to get his life back on track after being badly injured in an undercover op that went terribly wrong.
 
I enjoyed watching Mollie and Joel's relationship develop. The connection is there, but both are wary of getting involved, thanks to the traumas of their past relationships. They settled first on friendship, pushed together by Magnus. However, Joel's protective instincts kick in when Mollie becomes a target, and Mollie finds it unexpectedly easy to trust Joel. I loved their support of each other, especially when Joel helped restore Mollie's confidence in herself. His growing feelings for Mollie show Joel he's ready to start living again.
 
The suspense kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Mollie has something her ex wants, and he will stop at nothing to get it. The escalating attacks kept Mollie and Joel on edge while working with Joel's boss to stop him. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved how it went down.
 
Marcus was my favorite secondary character. He is Mollie's support dog and a big, loveable goof most of the time, but that can change if the situation calls for it. He seems to have some issues paying attention to his duties. I laughed out loud when his trainer diagnosed his problem and thoroughly enjoyed Magnus's solution. 

 
 

The Lyon's Alliance - Ruth A. Casie (Dragonblade - Nov 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 67)
 
In a world where love is unpredictable, alliances are everything...
 
In the heart of Regency London, amidst the glittering ballrooms and shadowy alleyways, a mystery unfolds that threatens to unravel the very fabric of high society. The intertwined fates of two men navigate a web of secrets, desire, and betrayal -- all for the love of one woman.
 
Viscount Wolfton seeks to win Christina Heartfield's heart after making a wager with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but soon finds that he is in danger of losing his own the more he spends time with her...
 
The society papers prove troublesome as they threaten to ruin all involved... including Christina's well-meaning friend Richard St. John, who strives to prove himself while protecting those he holds dear...
 
Christina Hartfield, beset by her family's recent financial woes, finds herself caught between both men: Viscount Wolfton, with his mercurial charm and mysterious past, and Richard St. John, steadfast and sincere. The stakes are high, with reputations, fortunes, and hearts on the line.
 
In a world where appearances can be deceiving, Christina must discern who she can truly trust, and the most profound alliances are often those least expected...
 
Good book whose twists and turns kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Lies, betrayals, and rumors made this love triangle more complex.
 
Viscount "Wolf" Wolfton is known for charming the ladies but moving on as soon as they start hinting at marriage. He's frustrated at the constant assault on his bachelorhood and asks Mrs. Dove-Lyon to accompany him to several charity events as protection. She declines but proposes a bet: She will find him a companion who can resist his charm.
 
Christina's family is in financial difficulties due to an investment that is the victim of an embezzler. She helps Mrs. Dove-Lyon with planning a series of charity events, and when the widow offers to pay her to take her place during those events, Christina can't say no. Christina isn't the usual society miss. She has a mind of her own, an interest in astronomy, and a caring heart.
 
Richard St. John is Christina's brother-in-law's cousin. He has been drawn to Christina since he met her. He has a quiet, steadfast personality rather than Wolf's blatant charm.
 
Christina spends a great deal of time in Wolf's company, attending the charity events. She enjoys his company but also senses that he has secrets that prey on him. I had mixed feelings about Wolf. He has charm and potential but also exhibits ungentlemanly behavior that turned me off. Meanwhile, Richard is there to help when Christina needs him, and they bond over their interest in astronomy. I loved Richard's protectiveness, Christina's worry about him, and how it brought them closer together.
 
Trouble comes when Wolf gives in to jealousy and makes a stupid decision. Meanwhile, rumors swirl around Richard, casting aspersions on his honor. Mrs. Dove-Lyons leads the charge to clear Richard's name. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me guessing to the end. There was one surprise at the end I didn't see coming. I'd like to see it followed up on in a later book.

 
 

The Maui Effect - Sara Ackerman (Mira - Nov 2024)

They say opposites attract, but are they meant to last?
 
'Iwa Young's life is high in the Maui rainforest. As a field biologist, she's happiest in the company of trees and birds and waterfalls. When a developer arrives with plans for a so-called eco-resort in the middle of a forest full of endangered species, 'Iwa puts all her energy into the fight to protect it. But a chance encounter threatens to distract her. His name is Dane Parsons, a big-wave surfer from California. 'Iwa has a few unbreakable rules, and at the top of her list: never date a surfer.
 
Dane is part of an underground group of big-wave riders, and his connection to the ocean runs deep. When he meets 'Iwa, he can't get her out of his mind. But 'Iwa wants nothing to do with Dane until he offers to help protect her beloved forest and waterfall. Always on the hunt for the ultimate ride, Dane suddenly glimpses something even greater.
 
In this thunderous love story, we travel deep into the Maui rainforest and hop across the globe from Hawai'i to California to Portugal, chasing waves the size of nine-story buildings -- where the unthinkable is always just one breath away.
 
This was my first book by Sara Ackerman, but it won't be the last. She immediately drew me in with her opening description of Dane waiting for and riding the big wave at Peʻahi, one of the islands' most incredible surfing spots. I could feel Dane's excitement at the wave's strength and his respect for the ocean.  It gave an excellent first impression of his identity and what drives him.
 
'Iwa is a field biologist, born and raised on the island. Her job is to track and protect the flora and fauna of the island. That also includes going up against a developer of an "eco-resort," which is anything but that. Her love and passion for the land leaped off the page. Spending time in the forest also brings back memories of her time with her late mother.
 
Dane and 'Iwa meet when Dane and the other surfers come into 'Iwa's dad's restaurant. They are immediately drawn to each other, but 'Iwa has a rule of no surfers and no off-islanders, having been burned in previous relationships. Dane is persistent in wanting to get to know 'Iwa better and finds a way by appealing to her love of nature.
 
I enjoyed seeing the slow build of Dane and 'Iwa's relationship. 'Iwa is wary of getting involved with another surfer whose goal is always the next big wave. But there is more to Dane than just the thrill, and I loved seeing them connect through their love of nature. There were some terrific scenes of them showing each other what was unique about each of their lives. Dane's appreciation of 'Iwa's work and his support of her efforts to protect the land went a long way toward softening her initial wariness. I especially enjoyed the scene at the waterfall. As a surfer herself, 'Iwa has a deeper understanding of Dane's fascination, almost obsession, with searching out the biggest waves. I enjoyed watching her support him, from Maui to California to Portugal.
 
However, some obstacles must be overcome to have a chance at a future together. A surfing event that goes wrong strains their relationship by stirring up insecurities on both sides. Dane and 'Iwa need to deal with their pasts before moving forward. Both journeys were intensely emotional, and I loved the realistic way they were depicted. The ending was terrific, and I loved seeing how it all worked out.
 
The secondary characters were fantastic. Dane's surfing friends, Kama, Yeti, and Hope, played significant roles in the story, from surfing to giving advice Dane didn't always appreciate. 'Iwa's friend Winston was a big part of her life, from being her musical partner to another warrior in the fight against unwanted development. However, the most important secondary character is Mother Nature herself. The vivid descriptions of the oceans as Dane and the others surfed made me feel as though I was there. The depth of the author's love for Hawaii was evident in the descriptions of the forests and animals. Seeing a rare endangered bird made my heart beat faster, just as it did for 'Iwa.

The surfing scenes and the background were fascinating to read about. I looked up surfing big waves at Peʻahi and Navare on youtube and gained a deeper appreciation for Dane's abilities.