Series: Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove (Book 2)
Forever a wanderer?
From the moment Noah Crocker steps into Amy Tuttle
Tolliver's bakery, the self-made baker's a confection he can't resist. The
stunning entrepreneur needs help…and the pararescue medic is more than happy to
share his hidden baking talent! When he realizes his unexpected link to the
husband Amy lost in combat, the instant connection to her -- and her two
adorable sons -- intensifies. Noah's always been searching for home. Could it
be that he had to come all the way to tiny Coho Cove to find what he was looking
for?
Terrific story. Amy is a war widow with two young boys.
Her dream was to own her own bakery, which she has achieved. It doesn't matter
that it consumes all her life outside of caring for her sons. However, she
sometimes yearns for something more, even if she doesn't know what. That
changes when a visitor arrives in town.
After an injury ended his career as an Air Force pararescue
jumper, Noah isn't sure what to do with his life. He is doing a 50-state tour,
looking for a place and a reason to put down roots. On his way to his last stop
in Alaska, Noah stops in Coho Cove to visit his friend Jax (The Soldier's
Refuge). He impulsively stops at the bakery, where he meets Amy. There is an
instant connection.
I enjoyed watching Noah and Amy's relationship develop. The
connection is there, but Amy is wary, not just for herself, but also worried
her sons might get hurt if they get attached and Noah doesn't stick around.
When Amy has a crisis at the bakery, Noah jumps in to help. This allows them to
get to know each other. There are some great scenes of Noah and Amy together as
their friendship grows and becomes more. There is a surprise connection between
Noah and Amy's late husband that could have ended things before they got
started, but honesty and compassion got them over that hurdle. I loved how
sensitive each was to the other's difficult past. The ending was fantastic.
I loved the bakery scenes and seeing how happy Noah was
when he was there. Not only was he with Amy, but it also brought back some of
the few happy memories from his childhood. I also loved seeing Noah with Amy's
sons. The scene at the fair was heartwarming, with Noah's joy at experiencing
it with the boys.
Susan's 2024 Reading Blog
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Tuesday, October 15, 2024
A Naval Surgeon to Fight For - Carla Kelly (HH #1814 - Sept 2024)
Series: Channel Fleet (Book 4)
Return to her respectable life…
Or take a scandalous path to marriage?
As her snobbish aunt's companion, penniless vicar's
daughter Jerusha Langley is sent to take a donation to the local naval
hospital. There she meets dashing surgeon Jamie Wilson and embarks on a secret
mission -- sneaking out to help him care for injured sailors!
With his life in peril fighting Napoleon, Jamie has never
considered taking a wife, yet he's impressed by Jerusha's nursing ability --
and beauty inside and out. Jamie knows she's risking a scandal by helping him.
Can he risk his heart and save her reputation with a marriage offer?
Terrific book. One of the things I like most about this
author is her use of ordinary people instead of members of the nobility. It
makes a refreshing change of pace. In this book, we have Jerusha, the penniless
daughter of a vicar, and Jamie, a surgeon with the Royal Navy.
Jerusha's prospects are slim in her small hometown. Her
mother sends her to Plymouth to be a companion to her aunt, where she looks at
a dismal future catering to grouchy old women. Her aunt is selfish, snobbish,
and mean-spirited. Things begin to change when chance takes her to a naval
hospital nearby. She encounters Jamie, a navy surgeon she knew as a child, and
discovers a calling to help the injured.
Jamie joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon's mate when he
was thirteen. He eventually studied and passed the exams to become a surgeon.
He spends most of his time either at the hospital in Devonport or onboard
various ships. Because of the war with Napoleon, he is very busy. The last
person he expects to see is the little girl from fifteen years earlier.
Jerusha quickly becomes involved with Jamie's work at the
hospital. Her aunt would disapprove, so she sneaks out. Experience tells the
reader that this will eventually cause a problem. I loved Jerusha's
interactions with the patients she helped. Their stories are frequently
heartbreaking, but some are filled with hope. I liked seeing how her confidence
grew as she took on more responsibility.
I loved seeing the relationship between Jamie and Jerusha
develop. It started in a fun manner, as Jamie referred to the day they met.
There is a sweet part that refers back to that day, and Jamie won my heart
right away with how he comforts her. I liked seeing them together. Their
interactions are real and relatable, from the discussions of their work to the
lighter moments of teasing. It is an unusual relationship in that they spend
more time apart than together because of Jamie's long periods spent at sea.
However, the often difficult and extreme circumstances of their time together
bring them closer than a more traditional relationship is likely to do. The
scene where Jerusha joined Jamie on the ship was especially intense. The ending
was great, with a twist that would affect their future.
One of the many things I loved about this book was the
detailed descriptions of the hospital and its patients. They weren't just
nameless props for the story but portrayed as real human beings. Their lives
and personalities were realistic, and their injuries and actions were
believable. This book gave me a different perspective on the Napoleonic War's
naval blockade, the effects on people, and the Battle of Trafalgar.
As a side note: The name Jerusha is unusual and
memorable, and it took me a while to remember where I had heard it before. I
finally recalled that Jerusha was the preacher's wife's name in James
Michener's book Hawaii.
Or take a scandalous path to marriage?
Friday, October 11, 2024
Bargaining with the Lady of Merewood - C.H. Admirand (Dragonblade - Oct 2024)
Series: Ladies of the Keep (Book 2)
Widowed Viking beauty Lady Eyreka learns that the king
plans to gift Merewood Keep to one of his Norman warriors…
Merewood Keep is just beginning to earn revenues with Garrick as its overlord. When the king decides to gift the keep to one of his favored knights, Garrick's mother is devastated until she hears rumors that the Norman is widowed.
Lady Eyreka seeks an audience with the king without her
sons' knowledge. She offers marriage, and the continued stewardship of the
profitable keep if Garrick remains on as seneschal. She never intends to fall
in love again.
Norman Warrior Augustin de Chauret cannot refuse the
king…
De Chauret has no desire to marry or live in England. But cannot refuse his liege lord. They marry and Lady Eyreka retains her family's holding, but she must convince her sons and the keeps' people to accept de Chauret.
De Chauret knew he would battle to win his wife's loyalty
and that of her keeps' people. He never expected to have to battle to convince
his men or his young daughter to accept his wife.
Though the Saxons were defeated in the Uprisings, small
militant groups remain, striking out at the new Norman lord by capturing his
daughter and wife.
Norman and Saxon must work together to rescue them. De
Chauret will move Heaven and earth to save his daughter and the woman he has
fallen in love with.
This book picks up where the previous book (Liberating the Lady of Loughmoe) left off. The keep does well under Garrick and Dunstan's
management, and life is somewhat more settled. Then word arrives that King
William intends to give the keep to one of his warriors. Widowed Lady Eyreka fears
for the safety of her family and her people, so when she learns that the Norman
is a widower, she develops a plan. She sneaks away to see the king and offers
marriage to the Norman in exchange for her family's cooperation in running the
keep.
Augustin loved his late wife and had no desire to remarry
or stay in England. However, no one says no to the king, and Augustin quickly
finds himself married and on the way to Merewood. He is an honorable man though
also a bit arrogant and does not realize how unprepared he is to take over
Merewood.
I loved watching the relationship between Eyreka and
Augustin develop. They get off to a rough start, as Augustin is accustomed to
having his orders obeyed, and Eyreka is used to a full partnership with her
late husband. Their clashes of will are fun to watch as each strives to come
out on top. Unexpected attraction complicates their interactions.
Melding Saxon and Norman into a cohesive unit doesn't
come easy. The antagonism, both overt and subtle, keeps everyone on edge. Eyreka
and Augustin realize that their resistance to the sparks between them adds to
the tension. I liked seeing them get to know and respect each other before
giving in to their attraction. The bigger question is whether they can let go
of the past and make a future together.
I loved watching the Normans and Saxons learn how to work
together. The initial distrust between them is evident and understandable.
There are stronger undercurrents with some of Augustin's men, and I ached for Eyreka,
who found herself the target of some of those resentments. There are some
terrific scenes of Augustin as he settles into life at Merewood and begins to
make progress.
But there is trouble looming. When Eyreka and his
daughter become the targets of revenge, Augustin must bring together both sides
if he will save them. The confrontation was intense, and I was on the edge of
my seat until it was over. I loved the depth of emotion displayed at the end
and what it meant for their future.
Merewood Keep is just beginning to earn revenues with Garrick as its overlord. When the king decides to gift the keep to one of his favored knights, Garrick's mother is devastated until she hears rumors that the Norman is widowed.
De Chauret has no desire to marry or live in England. But cannot refuse his liege lord. They marry and Lady Eyreka retains her family's holding, but she must convince her sons and the keeps' people to accept de Chauret.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
The Stranger I Wed - Harper St. George (Penguin - Apr 2024)
Series: Doves of New York (Book 1)
New to wealth and to London high society, American
heiress Cora Dove discovers that with the right man, marriage might not be such
an inconvenience after all. . . .
Cora Dove and her sisters' questionable legitimacy has
been the lifelong subject of New York's gossipmongers and a continual stain on
their father's reputation. So when the girls each receive a generous,
guilt-induced dowry from their dying grandmother, the sly Mr. Hathaway vows to
release their funds only if Cora and her sisters can procure suitable husbands
-- far from New York. For Cora, England is a fresh start. She has no delusions
of love, but a husband who will respect her independence? That's an earl worth
fighting for.
Enter: Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a no-nonsense
member of Parliament whose plan to pass a Public Health bill that would provide
clean water to the working class requires the backing of a wealthy wife. He
just never expected to crave Cora's touch or yearn to hear her thoughts on his
campaign -- or to discover that his seemingly perfect bride protects so many
secrets...
But secrets have a way of bubbling to the surface, and
Devonworth has a few of his own. With their pasts laid bare and Cora's budding
passion for women's rights taking a dangerous turn, they'll learn the true cost
of losing their heart to a stranger -- and that love is worth any price.
Good book. I enjoyed the author's continued foray into
the less-used period of the Gilded Age. This was when American heiresses came
to England to find husbands - usually men long on pedigree and short on cash.
Cora and her sisters Eliza and Jenny are the illegitimate
daughters of a wealthy New Yorker. Their mother was his mistress for many years
while he promised to marry her. Then he caved to family pressure and married a
society woman. As the story opens, Cora tries to get her father to comply with
the terms of his mother's will that provided dowries for her and her sisters.
He finally agreed, provided they find husbands far away from New York.
Fast forward to the Doves' arrival in England. Camille Thorne
(The Duchess Takes a Husband), a family friend, takes the girls under her wing
and promises to help them with their quest. She set up a house party and
invited eligible men to attend. Camille gives the girls a preview by stopping
by the local football pitch (soccer for the US), where some of the men are
playing. Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, makes an impression on Cora when
he collides with her. The attraction between them sparks immediately.
Cora must marry to claim her inheritance. A husband is
the last thing she wants, but she has a plan. She will make a business
arrangement with someone who needs her money with the understanding that it
will be in name only, with the option to separate or divorce after two years.
Cora wants the independence to pursue her interest in women's rights and other
social issues.
Leo doesn't want to marry, but he is financially in a
precarious position. His younger brother has large gambling debts, the family
estate is crumbling, and Leo needs the funds to continue his work in the House
of Lords. He's been burned once in love and has no intention of risking his
heart again.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Cora
and Leo. They are more socially conscious than many peers and willing to do
something about it. I especially liked seeing them work together as Cora helped
Leo polish his presentation on the Public Health bill. They grow closer and
discover that they actually like each other. Their feelings for each other grow,
but Leo is reluctant to admit his feelings even to himself. Giving in to their
attraction only complicates matters.
Also a problem, neither Leo nor Cora has been entirely
honest with each other about their backgrounds, and those secrets can
potentially destroy what they are building. I loved the sharing of those
secrets and the effect of those revelations on their feelings for each other. Some
drama at the end brings everything to the surface, and they finally put the
past behind them.
I enjoyed the segments dealing with women's rights and
public health issues. I loved Cora's passion for her beliefs and cheered for
her when she confronted Bolingrave at the dinner party. She wasn't afraid to
stand up for her opinion. I loved it when Leo backed her up. I also liked it
when Leo asked Cora for help with his speech. He didn't hesitate to incorporate
her suggestions. It was sweet to see how moved he was by her interest.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
A Viking Heir to Bind Them - Michelle Styles (HH #1748 - Sept 2023)
An unexpected family
For the lone-wolf warrior
Nothing daunts Viking Tylir, until unassuming Melkorka
Helmsdottar upends his life by revealing he has a secret heir! Mel has looked
after little Katla since the girl's mother died, but now Tylir intends to claim
his child. Yet this battle-hardened jarl has no idea how to be a father. Mel is
the perfect person to help him. Only, spending time with the captivating Mel
binds him closer to her than he ever thought possible…
I enjoyed the storyline of this book, though some of the
execution was not as appealing. The story opens as Melkorka fulfills the
deathbed promise to her friend by delivering the woman's daughter to her
father, Tylir. Tylir, a former Viking berserker, has tired of war and death and
now lives a quieter life. The last thing he expects is to find he is a father.
Tylir is a widower who has sworn off ever marrying again.
He is wracked with guilt over the deaths of his parents and siblings, believing
that he should have been there to protect them instead of off fighting
elsewhere. He has also been unlucky in love, with his first love marrying
another man, and the woman he eventually married being unfaithful and
mercenary.
Mel is a widow whose marriage was very unhappy. Her
husband was physically and emotionally abusive, and the brother with whom she
lived was no better. Mel's husband and
son died of an illness, and she blames herself for not having the healing
skills to save them. She is determined to take her inheritance and buy a farm where
she can be independent once she delivers Katla to her father and sees her
settled.
Their first meeting doesn't go well, thanks to a
misunderstanding caused by someone else. Once Tylir realizes that Katla is his
daughter, he is all in on accepting her and making her part of his life. I
liked his determination to be a good father and his wish to keep Mel there to
help Katla settle in. Mel didn't make a good first impression, but Tylir's
opinion changed when he saw how protective she was of Katla.
I enjoyed the development of Mel and Tylir's
relationship. The attraction between them is evident from the start, but
neither wants to admit it. Each has their reasons, which we hear about over and
over, but it doesn't stop their feelings from growing. However, there are
outside forces working against them that could permanently end any chance they
have of a future together. The resolution was a nail-biter and kept me glued to
the pages until it was over.
Secondary characters played important roles. Katla was
the most visible of those as the reason that Mel was there. She was a strange
mixture of child (she is five years old) and preteen. Her matchmaking attempts
were annoying and did more to push Mel and Tylir apart than bring them
together. I liked her best when she acted her age. The maid Virin bugged me
from the start with her attempts to stir up trouble. Tylir's friend Stargazer
gave me creepy vibes from the get-go.
For the lone-wolf warrior
Monday, October 7, 2024
Danger in the Depths - Addison Fox (HRS #2240 - Aug 2023)
Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 1)
Some secrets should stay beneath the surface…
Working alongside Marlowe McCoy means that NYPD diver
Wyatt Trumbull has to ignore his fierce attraction to the prickly safecracker.
He faces a whole new set of challenges when she finally responds to his desire
with her own -- and when clues in his latest case implicate her family. He
wants to protect her, but will his own hidden scars make them both vulnerable?
Terrific book that hooked me from the start. I read it in
one sitting. This is the first in a series about a little-known branch of the
NYPD - the Harbor Patrol. These officers deal with everything from checking the
bridges for bombs to diving for evidence recovery to water rescues. The
underwater descriptions fascinated me and made me feel as though I was there.
Marlowe is a lock and vault technician, aka a
safecracker. She has a stellar reputation and often works with the NYPD. Her
path crosses with Wyatt's again when she works on a series of safes that are
part of his murder investigation. I enjoyed the banter between them as Wyatt
teased her with silly nicknames that got under her skin. However, underneath
the irritation is an attraction that neither can deny, though both fight
against it.
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Both have
events from their pasts that have influenced who they are, though they try to
keep them in the past. That becomes more difficult when aspects of the current
case bring those memories to the surface. As Wyatt and Marlow spent time
together, they began to see past the façades they showed others and found they
had many things in common. There are some rough patches because both are
stubborn when they get an idea in their heads. Marlowe does some things that damage
Wyatt's trust, causing tension between them. A dangerous situation opens their
eyes to their feelings and the hope for a future together.
The suspense of this story kept me intrigued from start
to finish. The fast-paced action and the twists kept me guessing for a long
time. A few scenes from the bad guy's perspective contribute to the case's
complexity, while an unexpected link to Marlowe's family adds another layer of
tension and danger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued
to the pages until it was done.
I've already read the third book in the series and look
forward to reading the second one. Though characters and workplaces connect the
books, each story can be read as a standalone.
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Alaskan Blackout - Joanne Rock (HD #2967 - Sept 2023)
Series: Kingsland Ranch (Book 3)
His search leads him to the one woman he must resist at
all costs -- until one storm-tossed night…
When Quinton Kingsley arrives in Alaska's rugged Aleutian
Islands in search of his missing half-brother, he finds a brash, red-haired
beauty instead. McKenna O'Brien maintains his brother's bar while he's
off-grid. She has her reasons for keeping the truth from the wealthy cowboy
CEO. Too many men have taken advantage of McKenna's trust.
Though McKenna's off-limits, Quint can't ignore their
sizzling attraction. Giving into temptation the night a storm strands them
together only makes Quint desire McKenna more. With the stakes high and a
precious new complication, has Quint finally found the woman of his dreams? Or
will he risk losing her forever?
Good book. Quinton is in Alaska to find his estranged
half-brother but finds Clay's gorgeous red-haired stepsister instead. McKenna
runs Clay's bar when he is away. She is very protective of him and refuses to
tell Quint where he is. Quint and McKenna butt heads over their conflicting missions.
Neither expected the intense attraction they felt for each other.
I liked Quint and McKenna. Quint is a good man who wants
to ensure that Clay gets what he deserves from their father's estate. Though he
grew up on the ranch, he left it behind as soon as he could, driven away by his
tough, unyielding father and the memories of his mother's death. McKenna's
childhood was tough until her father married Clay's mother, giving McKenna the
stability she craved. Clay was there for her when her life fell apart, giving
her a safe place to start over.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Quint
and McKenna. Neither is happy about the intense attraction they feel for each
other. Due to her previous relationship, McKenna has deep trust issues, and
Quint feels guilty about desiring his brother's stepsister. While McKenna holds
tight to her knowledge of Clay's whereabouts, she and Quint get to know each
other. Quint is different than she expected, and he earns some of her trust
when he offers to help her with the issue that brought her to Alaska.
Quint and McKenna can no longer resist the sparks when a
storm strands them together. But guilt and insecurities pull them apart even
when neither can forget the connection they felt. Time apart gives them
perspective about their feelings, but there is still the issue of finding Clay
to get past. There is some drama there, but I loved the ending and seeing how
they resolved their conflict.
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