Her Private Security Detail - Patricia Sargeant (HRS #2282 - June 2024)

Series: Touré Security Group (Book 2)
 
Philanthropist Symone Bishop is the most desirable woman Jeremiah Touré has ever met. She's also way out of his league, and he can't get involved with his client. Jerry knows how to protect Symone from the external threats menacing her nonprofit and her life. Can he save her from the devastating secrets the Touré Security Group uncovers? He knows he has to stay close to keep her from harm, but is he in danger of getting too close?
 
Good book with an intriguing suspense plot. Symone is the head of her family's philanthropic foundation. She is under attack on two fronts. The board is attempting to push her out, and she and her stepfather are being threatened. She hires the Touré Security Group to protect her stepfather but initially doesn't believe she needs it. That changes when it becomes evident that she is the main target of the attacks.
 
Jerry is the youngest of the three brothers and the one who handles personal protection cases. But he is suffering from a crisis of confidence after a protection assignment went wrong. Jerry blames himself and intends to leave the business before he creates another problem. He is reluctant to protect Symone for fear of failing again. However, something about her arouses his protective instincts.
 
The sparks between them are immediate, but both try to keep things professional. Their attraction continues to grow as the escalating attacks force them into closer proximity. I liked how both Jerry and Symone could see past the surface to each other's insecurities. However, every time they seemed to grow closer, Jerry would back away. It takes letting go of his fears for Jerry to allow himself to care finally.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. The investigation into who would be motivated to kill Symone had many twists. The number of potential suspects made weeding them out a challenge. I enjoyed following their progress. I had suspicions about the probable culprit, and though I was right, there were a couple of unexpected surprises. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.

 
 

Unbuttoning the Bachelor Doc - Deanne Anders (HMED #1394 - June 2024)

Series: Nashville Midwives (Book 1)
 
MEDICS IN THE SPOTLIGHT!
 
Life has been one big bump in the road after another for midwife Skylar. After moving to Nashville for a fresh start, she immediately clashes with grumpy bachelor Dr. Jared. So she's unimpressed when they must feature together on their patient's reality TV show! On-screen, they're strictly
professional. But off camera, she discovers there's more to Jared than meets the eye. Can she convince this buttoned-up doc to let loose for once?
 
Good start to the new series. Skylar moved to Nashville for a fresh start and is settling into her role as a midwife. She is drawn to serious, uptight Jared, one of the doctors. She enjoys teasing and flirting with him, trying to get under his skin and shake him up. Jared isn't sure what to make of Skylar. Her antics stir him up, but his early life made him wary of getting involved.
 
Skylar and Jared are assigned to work together looking after a country music star during her pregnancy. This also involves participating in the star's reality show. Spending time together pulls Jared out of his comfort zone and brings his growing feelings for her to the surface.
 
I grew frustrated with Jared and how much time he spent thinking about his difficult childhood. He believes he is better off not relying on someone else. At the same time, Skylar wants to see where this connection might lead. I could feel her frustration as they moved two steps forward and one step back whenever Jared's fears got the better of him. I liked the ending and seeing Jared finally let go of those fears. His big moment to show Skylar how he felt was sweet and romantic.
 
I also enjoyed the medical aspects of the book. This line always has intriguing situations, and this was no exception. 

 

Cold Case Investigation - Nicole Helm (HI #2218 - June 2024)

Series: Hudson Sibling Solutions (Book 3)
 
Protecting her ranch has always come first.
Until she learns about her unborn baby.
 
After almost losing her life in a fire, Wyoming PI Anna Hudson wakes up to the sight of a familiar stranger. Anna and Hawk Steele shared one passionate night. Now the arson investigator will go to any lengths to protect Anna and their baby-to-be. But as they search through cold cases,
exposing a tangled family history, a killer after revenge for past sins could steal Anna and Hawk's future.
 
Terrific combination of romance and suspense. Anna is the youngest of the six Hudson siblings and a private investigator like the others. She occasionally helps with the family's cold case investigations but primarily works for another firm. As the book opens, she is injured during one of her investigations caught in a deliberately set fire.
 
The arson investigator assigned to the case is Hawk Steele, the man she had a one-night stand with a few months earlier. She has been putting off telling him that she is pregnant, but the cat is now out of the bag. Hawk, a loner by choice, is stunned but determined to be a father to his child.
 
Neither has forgotten the night they spent together. Hawk wants marriage, but Anna will only marry for love. With Anna in danger, Hawk's protective instincts are aroused, and he is determined to keep her safe. As they investigate the fire and subsequent attacks on Anna, the feelings between them strengthen.
 
I enjoyed watching loner Hawk deal with the Hudson family, their closeness, and their involvement in each other's lives. The scene with Mary and the puppy was hilarious.
 
The suspense of the story was fantastic. I was glued to the pages as the attacks on Anna intensified, and the entire family and Hawk searched past cases to see who might be behind the attacks. The twists and turns were incredible. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. I especially enjoyed Anna's part.
 
I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I'd like to know if they find out what happened to their parents. 

A Little Bit of Love - Synithia Williams (HSE #3050 - June 2024)

Their first meeting changed her life
Their second one changes everything
 
Sheri "Li'l  Bit" Thomas will do anything to help revitalize the community she loves-even work with Lieutenant Deandre King, the cop who once
arrested her after a stupid breakup stunt. Opening her new restaurant is a great first step. Partnering with the handsome widowed dad on an outreach event for at-risk youth and businesses is an even better one. But neither counts on the attraction simmering between them-or the potential problems with Deandre's teen son. Is Sheri's past a bad example for him, indicative of drama to come? Or is she the mom-and wife-they never knew they needed?
 
This was a good book that was full of romance and family drama. Sheri recently returned to town and opened a restaurant. She loves her community but also admits that it has its problems. She is involved in revitalizing the area and works with the police lieutenant assigned to the project. She and Deandre have a history- Deandre was the officer who arrested her after she vandalized her ex's car.
 
Deandre is a widower with a teenage son. He moved to town after his wife's death so his in-laws could help with his son. He is determined to succeed with the revitalization project that he hopes will solve the problems of bored teenagers.
 
Neither Sheri nor Deandre anticipated the attraction that flared between them. I liked their connection and how well they understood each other's lives and challenges. Their growing feelings for each other are complicated by his son DJ's attempts to keep them apart.
 
I liked how the author handled the issue of the teens and DJ. It was a realistic look at the attitudes of the teens and the adults around them. There were some tense moments with DJ that Sheri dealt with well.
 
The problems with DJ cause Sheri and Deandre to step back from their growing relationship. I liked their honesty with each other. I loved seeing what brought them back together and their look toward the future. 

 

A Second Summertime Courtship - Sandra Sookoo (Dragonblade - May 2024)

Series: The Hastings Sisters (Book 2)
 
She is full of doubt. He has been created by confidence. Obstacles are naught but stepping stones to a future they are trying to deny.
 
Miss Cora Hasting—middle daughter of Baron Landover—is not happy. Having lived with reduced circumstances for a few years, she aspires to so much more than making her position as a companion to the elderly Mrs. Bromington. This is her lot, especially after being jilted at the altar, but when a handsome navy man—the very same man who left her years ago— captures her attention and makes an appearance, her malcontent doubles.
 
Captain Peregrine Wetherford has tried for the past three years to put his mistakes behind him. Decorated naval officer, left with scars and wounds for his service, he’s made a passable living attending various social functions and accepting coin for speaking engagements. However, during one fateful evening when he accidentally runs into his former fiancée, his past and his future collide, and this time he refuses to run.
 
Sparks—and words—fly between Cora and her former beau, but while she might be willing to forgive, she can’t forget, and neither will her cantankerous employer allow her time for a romance. To say nothing of the fact the captain is supposedly courting someone else. Despite that fly in the ointment, old desires flares anew, and as scandal becomes their constant companion, they both must puzzle out what—and who—they want the most despite the problems that threaten to tear them apart…
 
…lest history repeat itself.
 
Good second chance romance. The story begins three years after Cora’s fiancé left her at the altar to continue his naval career. Family circumstances have forced her to take a paying position as a companion to a grouchy old woman. She hasn’t forgotten Perry or the heartbreak he caused her.
 
Perry has returned to London after a medical retirement from the navy. He is scarred, physically and emotionally, by what he has been through. He has never forgotten Cora and regrets his actions.
 
Their first encounter after Perry’s return is volatile, to say the least. There is no doubt that the chemistry between them is as strong as ever, but their path to a future together is full of challenges.
 
I had a difficult time liking Perry. I thought he was selfish. He never considered what leaving Cora at the altar would do to her reputation and went on his merry way. On his return to London, he couldn’t be bothered to check on her or apologize for his actions. It wasn’t until he mistook her for another woman that he was forced to face up to his actions. He then proceeded to be just as uncaring of propriety as before. Yes, he decided he wanted to marry her, but he was more concerned with his feelings than hers.
 
Cora is reluctant to trust Perry after his earlier betrayal but can’t deny her attraction to him. She has also taken her family’s financial burdens on her shoulders and stubbornly clings to that responsibility as her mission in life. She is loyal to her employer but can’t see how manipulative the woman is.
 
Perry determinedly pursues Cora. She is torn between her growing feelings for him and her self-imposed vision of her future. I liked his persistence and grew frustrated at Cora’s blindness. I ached for both when Perry issued his ultimatum. He is stunned and hurt by her decision. Cora has to face the consequences of her decision, especially when she learns the truth about her employer.
 
The ending was a little frustrating because I didn’t like Perry’s attitude when Cora showed up to talk to him, especially considering what a jerk he’d been before. I was happy they worked things out, but both still have some growing up to do.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cold Case Identity - Nicole Helm (HI #2193 - Feb 2024)

Series: Hudson Sibling Solutions (Book 2)
 
Unlocking the secrets of her past
Puts their present in danger.
 
Palmer Hudson is considered the bad boy of the family. But he never allows his roving eye to wander in Louisa O'Brien's direction. Because his sister's best friend is off-limits. Then Louisa begs Palmer to secretly investigate her hidden past, and their search triggers a series of attacks. How can Palmer unearth the truth and protect Louisa, while keeping his desire for her under control?
 
Good book. Palmer was surprised when Louisa came to him with an investigation request. She is his little sister's best friend and a woman he has tried to avoid for a long time. He doesn't know when she went from being that pesky friend of Anna's to a beautiful woman but it is playing havoc with his life.
 
Louisa receives some disturbing information, and Palmer is the only person she trusts to keep her secret while they investigate. The hard part is keeping a lid on her crush on him since she was a kid.
 
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. Who is the person claiming Louisa is her kidnapped sister? What do her parents know about this? I could feel Louisa's confusion and worry over the truth. When she and Palmer look into her past, it becomes evident that someone doesn't want her to discover the truth. Escalating attacks put Louisa's life in jeopardy. I did not expect the perpetrator to be who it was. The final confrontation was a nail-biter.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Louisa and Palmer. He has quite the reputation, and it was fun to see people warning them away from each other. Both tried to fight their feelings but love won out. 

Secrets in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - May 2024)

Series: Emerald Bay (Book 4)
 
Grace Kelly can't escape the draws of Emerald Bay; the sweeping cliffs, the sparkling sea… and her gorgeous new flatmate. The problem is, she has to keep him a secret from her family. And she isn't the only one in the village with something to hide this summer…
 
Grace really needs someone to help cover the rent for her London flat, but Christopher Dorrance? Everyone in the little Irish village of Emerald Bay knows about the feud between their families, though no one knows how it started. But, both being in a tight spot, they try and make it work, swearing to tell no one back home. Until a mutual friend and her son in the bay are left homeless after a storm. Grace and Christopher must head back to Ireland to help… together.
 
As they flesh out their idea to raise money for their friend with a village charity concert, Chris's blue eyes light up. Even though they have to hide out for every planning session, and after all her father has said about the Dorrances, Grace can't believe how kind he is. Soon sparks are flying as they laugh together, chasing dairy cows from a field to set up the stage. Could Chris be more than just a flatmate?
 
But their hopes that a good cause will soften the hostility between their dads are dashed. The two men still argue constantly. And with a happy future for their friend depending on the concert running smoothly, the truth behind the feud threatens to come out and destroy everything…
 
Could the events of the past destroy any chance of a future for Chris and Grace? Or, if Grace follows her heart, could she finally heal the rift between their families?
 
The fourth book in the Emerald Bay series focuses primarily on Grace. Though she loves her hometown of Emerald Bay, she loves her life in London. She and her twin settled into their lives there until Ava fell in love and married in the previous book. Grace has a tough time making ends meet after Ava moved out until she found a new flatmate, Chris. The only downside is that she has to keep him a secret from her family. Chris is an old friend from Emerald Bay, but their fathers have been in a feud for many years.
 
When Grace learns that a devastating storm has damaged her best friend's house in Emerald Bay and significantly damaged the local school, she and Chris plan to hold a music festival to raise money to help. Their fathers' feud complicates their planning sessions back in Emerald Bay, but it is impossible to keep their partnership a secret.
 
A lot is going on in this book. Grace and her father have words about her involvement with Chris, but her father refuses to discuss the cause of the feud. This puts a strain on their usually close relationship. Liam is stubborn, and Grace's frustration with him is evident throughout the book. However, a near tragedy makes her wonder if the issue is worth the stress. My curiosity about the cause of the feud was nearly as great as Grace's, and I was glued to pages waiting for a resolution.
 
Grace and Chris work together and involve friends and family in their festival plans. I loved seeing the variety of personalities and how their quirks create a unique blend of teamwork to make the festival happen. I laughed out loud at some of the actions and reactions, from Hannah and her bees to the scooter controversy between two older residents. They encountered a few bumps in the road of making the festival happen, and I enjoyed seeing them work through the obstacles.
 
Complicating matters are Grace's growing feelings for Chris. Their childhood friendship has remained strong, and their time together is easy and comfortable. However, Chris has a girlfriend and has shown no romantic interest in Grace, so she keeps her feelings to herself. It doesn't help that everyone around her can see how she feels, but he seems oblivious. I occasionally saw a glimmer of possibility, but I often wondered if he would ever open his eyes. A misdirected text puts Grace on pins and needles as she worries about repercussions. Chris's reaction was not what she expected, and I loved the result of his face-to-face response. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.
 
One of my favorite parts of the book was the adventures of Napoleon, the kleptomaniac kitty. He's been a regular character in the series, but he outdoes himself in this book. The hilarity that results from his habit of stealing underwear (clean, thank goodness!) had me in stitches, especially at the end.
 
I loved catching up with family members and village residents. Family relationships can be complicated, but there is no doubting the love they feel for each other. Liam's health issues add layers of worry and fun as the family tries to help him heal, from resting to changing his eating habits. The sisters' love and support for each other is undeniable, but they also have no problem teasing or calling out questionable behavior. I'm looking forward to the next book, which should be Hannah's story.

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.