Amish Witness To Murder - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #1108 - June 2024)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 18)
 
To identify her father's killer…
she must stay alive
 
After finding her family's barn in flames and witnessing her father's murder, Beth Troyer becomes the killer's next target. She narrowly escapes death when the murderer turns on her, but now she's left temporarily blind. She'll have to rely on former family friend Gideon Bender to keep her safe until her eyesight returns. But with a killer who'll stop at nothing to find her, staying alive might just be impossible…
 
A fast-paced story that kept me turning the pages from start to finish. Beth returned home after some errands to find the barn on fire and her father locked in a struggle with an unknown assailant. She watched in horror as the man pulled a gun and shot her father, then turned his attention to her. Only the arrival of the fire department saved her life, but his attack left her temporarily blind. One of the volunteer firefighters found her and her father.......
 
Gideon is a former family friend. He and Beth were good friends until her sister set her sights on him. After Miriam's betrayal, Gideon cut himself off from Beth and her father. Now, he realizes what a mistake that was and regrets that he will never be able to make amends to the man who treated him like a son. He is determined to do everything he can to protect Beth and help bring the killer to justice.
 
I ached for Beth. From watching her father get murdered to being dependent on someone else for everything, it was hard for someone as independent and self-sufficient as she was. Harder still was being dependent on Gideon after the way he abandoned their friendship. Her reluctance to trust him was understandable. Gideon is determined to win back her trust and quickly realizes that Beth has always held his heart. It takes some time for Beth to come around and trust him with her heart again. I liked the ending and how she waited to be sure her feelings weren't affected by the danger they experienced.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. Beth's fear was intense, but so was her determination to catch the murderer. The twists and turns involved in staying one step ahead of the killer's intention to eliminate the only witness to his crime kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The intensity increased with every attempt the killer made as he became more desperate to stop Beth from identifying him. Though I knew it would work out in the end, there were times when I wasn't sure how they would survive.
 
I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books in the series. Gideon's police officer brother-in-law, Steve, played an essential role in this book. I also enjoyed seeing Micah, Zeke, and Isaiah again and catching up on their lives. Now that we are done with the Bender family, I can't wait to see what the author has next! 

The Lyon's Gambit - Ruth A. Casie (Dragonblade Pub - May 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 56)
 
In a world bound by rules, love becomes the ultimate gambit.
 
In the glittering world of London, where society dictates everything, Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, learned the hard way that playing by those rules doesn't always guarantee a happy ending. Jilted by a woman chosen for him by his father, Nathaniel swore off marriage and embraced the life of a steadfast bachelor.
 
Louise Hartfield is a talented seamstress with a disdain for the ton's rigid expectations. Trapped by her mother's antiquated insistence that as the elder daughter she must wed before her younger sister, Louise scoffs at the idea of conforming to such a preposterous rule.
 
When Nathaniel and his friends bet on whether love can transcend class, they turn to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, whose Lyon’s Den hosts their daring experiment. As Nathaniel and Louise navigate society’s expectations, they find themselves drawn together in a quest for true love.
 
Will they defy tradition or succumb to its demands? In this high-stakes gamble for love, who will emerge victorious?
 
Good book with an unusual premise. Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, believes that people can connect honestly if they can meet without class expectations. He had a bad experience from following society's rules and is determined to do things his own way. His friends aren't convinced that a successful relationship is possible outside society's boundaries. They bet on whether it can be done.
 
Nathaniel is a family connection of Mrs. Dove-Lyon and asks her for help setting up the experiment. She recruits Louise, a seamstress who works with the modiste she uses. Louise also has no use for most of society's rules. Her old-fashioned mother insists that Louise marry before her younger sister, something she has no interest in doing. Louise is intrigued by the experiment and agrees to participate. Neither she nor Nathaniel know anything about the other's background.
 
I enjoyed the experiment's process. Nathaniel and Louise were paired for four challenges to see how they interacted with others who had no idea who they were. The situations were interesting. I especially enjoyed the gallery visit and seeing how Nathaniel and Louise interpreted the various pieces of art. They were very compatible in attitudes and personality, and feelings didn't take long to develop between them.
 
Though neither knows the other's social status, Louise suspects Nathaniel is well above her, so she doesn't allow herself to hope for anything more than friendship. On the other hand, Nathaniel knows how he feels about Louise and will let nothing come between them. I loved seeing confidence in their love overcome fears despite knowing the challenges that face them. Things become complicated when a woman from Nathaniel's past appears and makes her intentions known. Assistance comes from a surprising source, and that scene made me laugh out loud. The ending was terrific. I hope to see Nathaniel and Louise appear in future books.
 
I liked Nathaniel's cousin Richard and would love to see him get his own story. I also like Louise's sister, Christina. I think it would be fun to see a match between them.

What Ales the Earl - Sally MacKenzie (Zebra - Aug 2018)

Series: Widow's Brew (Book 1)
 
Scandal does not define the “fallen” ladies of Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home. Instead, it's a recipe for an intoxicating new future as the women combine their talents -- to operate their own brewery and alehouse...
 
When Penelope Barnes arrived at the Home with her young daughter, she discovered a knack for horticulture -- and for cultivating the hops needed to produce a superlative pint. She put her scandalous affair with Harry Graham firmly in the past, along with the wrenching pain she felt when he went off to war. After all, she'd always known a farmer's daughter had no future with an earl's son. Now she has the pleasant memory of their passion, and she has little Harriet, for whom she would do anything -- even marry a boring country vicar...
 
Harry went off to fight for the Crown unaware that his delightful interlude with his childhood friend had permanent consequences. Now he's back in England, catapulted into the title by his brother's untimely death. He sorely misses his former life of unfettered adventure, so when he has reason to explore Little Puddledon, he jumps at the chance. But what he finds there is something -- and someone -- he never knew he'd lost, and a once forbidden love whose time has come, if only he can persuade Pen he's home to stay...
 
Good second chance love story. Pen and Harry were childhood friends who became lovers during one memorable summer. But at seventeen and eighteen, neither gave any thought to the possible consequences of their actions. Harry went off to war, and Pen discovered she was pregnant. She never expected an earl's son to marry a farmer's daughter, so she and her aunt devised a fictional husband to protect Pen's reputation. After her aunt's death, Pen and little Harriet ended up at the Benevolent Home. Pen's farming background came in handy as she took over growing the hops for the Home's signature product, the Widow's Brew ale. Ten years later, she realizes she needs a better way to keep her secret and protect Harriet. With a dearth of eligible men in the village, she settles on the vicar as her best bet for a husband. But when a newcomer to the Home spills her secret, the vicar turns out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, and Pen finds herself in a precarious situation. Rescue comes from an unexpected source.
 
Harry is called home after ten years in the British army when his older brother dies. Harry never expected to become the earl and is overwhelmed by the changes in his life. One of those changes is the need to marry and have an heir. After settling on Lady Susan, he is called away to help a friend before he can propose. He's shocked to encounter Pen and discover that he has a daughter. He's happy to see Pen and wants to get to know Harriet.
 
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Harry and Pen. The chemistry between them is even stronger than before, and neither can resist the pull. Both are cognizant of the class divide between them. Harry is ready to make Pen his mistress and move her and Harriet close to him, but Pen won't put Harriet in that situation. I loved that Pen had the strength and resolve to stand up against a situation that would not be good for them. I was disappointed in Harry and his inability to see the wrongness of his plan, though it is typical of his class and time. It isn't until an unexpected confrontation that he realizes he needs to use his heart rather than his head to make the right decision for everyone. All he has to do is convince Pen, which will be challenging. I loved her surprise visitor and the advice she received.
 
There were some terrific scenes between Harry and Pen outside of their chemistry. Their connection is still strong, and the friendship they shared in the past was quickly revived. I liked Harry's protectiveness and cheered at his confrontation with the vicar. Harry's joy at learning that he has a daughter was sweet, and I loved his interactions with Harriet. I also liked Pen's friends, Jo and Caro. They are terrific support for Pen as she deals with everything that happens. I look forward to reading their stories.

Beauty and the Playboy Prince - Justine Lewis (HR #4890 - Feb 2024)

Series: If the Fairy Tale Fits (Book 4)

SOMETHING THERE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE?

Simone's quiet life in her Parisian bookshop is upended when best friend, Prince Edouard, arrives on her doorstep to hide from a royal scandal! Despite her embarrassing teenage crush on the playboy prince, she's always seen the man beneath his facade. Trapped together until the storm blows over, their friendship unexpectedly gives way to indescribable passion! Simone knows it's only temporary, but can't help dreaming of a happy-ever-after...
 
This was a nice friends-to-lovers story with the added twist that one of them is royalty. Simone and Edouard grew up together in the tiny kingdom of Florena as the only two children in the palace. Edouard is a prince and the heir to the throne, while Simone is the daughter of the palace chef. They were inseparable as children, but they rarely see each other as adults. Edouard is busy with his royal duties, and Simone moved to Paris, where she runs a bookstore.
 
Simone is shocked when Edouard appears on her doorstep, looking for a place to hide from a family scandal. Simone thought she was long past her teenage crush on him until the forced proximity brought those feelings back to life. Meanwhile, Edouard notices that his best buddy has grown into a beautiful woman, and spending time with her raises feelings he doesn't want after watching his parents' marriage. But when he suddenly becomes king, Edouard desperately wants Simone to return to Florena with him. She's the only one who sees the real him behind the royal façade.
 
Simone is reluctant because she knows she needs to protect her heart, but she goes anyway. I liked seeing Simone give Edouard the support he needed but ached for her as her feelings for him grew stronger. She knows that the gap between them is too wide for anything to come of it. She also has a heartbreaking incident in her past that affects how she looks at life in the royal spotlight. I liked Edouard's appreciation for everything Simone does for him. He is oblivious to her feelings for him for most of the book. It isn't until his feelings for her change that he believes she cares for him, too. Both must face their fears before they can hope to find happiness together.

The Gift - Julie Garwood (Pocket - Jan 1991)

Series: Crown's Spies (Book 3)
 
England, 1816. A child bride, Lady Sara Winchester had grown into a winsome beauty, joyfully anticipating the day when her husband, Lord Nathanial Clayton, Marquess of St. James, would return to claim her at last. Charmingly innocent, she dismissed the ancient feud that divided her and Nathan's families... and she was totally unaware of his past exploits as the notorious pirate, Pagan. The man who now stood before her was perplexing, arrogant and powerfully handsome... a warrior-gentleman whose gentle touch aroused her to the wildest, deepest pleasures of love...
 
Nathan had never bared his soul to any woman, but he was soon beguiled and exasperated by Sara's sweet, defiant ways. Aboard his ship, The Seahawk, she was brave, imperious and determined to win his heart completely... yet upon their return to England, her love would be sorely tested as a most desperate conspiracy sundered them from one another. Now as their future trembled in the balance, they would discover the true destiny of their passion... for all time!
 
It has been thirty years since I last read this book, but it was just as much fun as I remembered. The story opens with a unique twist - King George III facilitates a marriage between two feuding families to end the conflict. The prize is a fortune in cash and a piece of disputed land when the marriage is consummated, and an heir is born. The groom is Nathan, Marquess of St. James, and the bride is Lady Sara Winchester. The twist - Nathan is fourteen and Sara is four. Obviously, consummation will have to wait.
 
Fourteen years later, Nathan is ready to bite the bullet and claim his bride. He's not enthusiastic about it but needs the cash to help establish the shipping company he and his friend Colin formed. There's a fun scene between him and Colin as they discuss Nathan's plan to retrieve his bride. Meanwhile, Sara is impatiently waiting for Nathan to come for her. Her life with her family has been miserable, and now she needs help to rescue her aunt. Letters to Nathan have gone unanswered, so she takes matters into her own hands.
 
Sara is something of a ditz. She is typical of the young ladies of the period - overprotected, undereducated, and utterly naïve about the real world. The opening scene of her planned rescue shows her oblivious to the danger around her. I laughed out loud as I watched her actions, completely understanding Nathan's disbelief as he followed her. This is just the beginning. I liked Nathan's protectiveness as he followed her, rescued her, and got her aboard his ship. The shipboard scenes with Sara were frequently hilarious as she tried to win over the crew, whom she called her staff, with often disastrous results.
 
Watching this pair's relationship develop had me laughing out loud throughout the book. Nathan, a man of his time, is arrogant, certain of his place in the world, and convinced that he knows best. He has no intention of falling in love, as women are not to be trusted. Sara, on the other hand, is bluntly honest in expressing her thoughts and feelings. She tells Nathan she is everything he could possibly want in a wife. She lets him know when she is angry or disappointed in him. She also tells him that she loves him and gets frustrated when he doesn't reciprocate. I enjoyed watching Sara wriggle her way into his heart with him all the way. His 'aha' moment was great, and I loved watching him try to fix his mistakes. His method of doing so was a fantastic ending to the book.
 
There is also tension because of the underhanded actions of Sara's father and uncle. Nathan's protectiveness toward Sara was needed to counteract their actions. Things became complicated when a lie ran up against Nathan's distrust of women, which caused him to make a stupid mistake. Sara's love for Nathan never faltered, though she questioned her belief about his feelings for her. There's a terrific scene where her Nathan-instilled confidence enabled her to come out on top of a confrontation with her uncle. I laughed out loud at the men's reactions. The resolution of that problem was excellent. 

 

Smoky Mountains Graveyard - Lena Diaz (HI #2213 - May 2024)

Series: Tennessee Cold Case (Book 5)
 
Six bodies. No suspect.
And a serial killer on the loose.
 
Working a cold case, investigators Faith Lancaster and Asher Whitfield unearth a secret burial ground. And when a young woman goes missing, it's clear that the same person is to blame. Then he turns his rage on Faith. Now, as they race to protect others in danger, she is torn between keeping things professional and resisting the attraction she and Asher share.
 
Excellent book that sucked me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end. Faith and Asher are partners at Unfinished Business, which investigates cold cases. They have been partners for two years and best friends for most of that time.
 
The pair have been working to find the body and killer of a young woman who disappeared five years earlier. As the book opens, they believe that they have discovered where the killer buried her. They didn't expect to find six bodies in that location and are suddenly looking at a serial killer situation. Matters become complicated when the state investigators take over and kick them off the case. Faith and Asher, with the encouragement of their boss, continue investigating on their own, determined to stop the killer before he strikes again.
 
The suspense of this story was intense. When their victim's sister is also taken, Asher and Faith suspect the same person. I was on the edge of my seat as they threw themselves into finding the girl before it was too late. I was intrigued by their methods of identifying the killer. The twists and turns of their investigation kept me reading long past my bedtime. The final confrontation had an unexpected and terrifying complication that kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Faith and Asher. It is evident from the start that Asher is in love with Faith. He wants more, but Faith is determined to keep him in the friend zone. Faith ignores the signs as she doesn't want to risk losing his friendship if something goes wrong. But when Asher is injured during their investigation, she realizes the depth of her feelings for him. There were some great scenes as they worked their way through them while maintaining their working relationship. I loved the ending, especially the reactions of their coworkers.

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.