Redeeming the Maverick - Christine Rimmer (HQN - Aug 2024)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Trail to Tenacity (Book 1)
 
The return of the prodigal rancher…
 
Hayes Parker swore he would never return to Tenacity, a town that had given him nothing but hard feelings and heartbreak. Now his father's illness has beckoned him home to the family ranch, bringing him face-to-face with…her. Chrissy Hastings, the one who got away. Hayes has changed a lot since he was a hotheaded teen. But he can't just pick up where they left off. First, he must prove he's a man she can count on…for keeps.
 
Terrific start to the new series. There is a new town and new characters, with cameos by some old friends. Hayes left town when he graduated from high school after butting heads with his father for years. Though he swore he'd never go back, he went when his mom called, needing help. He didn't expect to come face-to-face with his high school girlfriend minutes after arriving in town. Chrissy was just as shocked to see him. Each plans to keep their distance from the other, but Fate has other plans.
 
When Chrissy's condo gets flooded, she needs somewhere to stay while it is repaired. She could move back in with her parents, but Chrissy doesn't want to deal with her mom's controlling nature. She's surprised when Hayes offers her a place at the ranch. She's hesitant because of their history, but Hayes swears it's only as friends.
 
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of their relationship. They find it just as easy to talk now as back then, but that also brings back memories of their deep feelings for each other. Every time one of them starts feeling stirrings of attraction or closeness, they pull back, afraid of being hurt again. But those feelings become harder to resist the more time they spend together. When they finally give in to the attraction, each tries to convince themselves that it is just "friends with benefits" instead of acknowledging the truth.
 
I ached for both Hayes and Chrissy as they fought their feelings. I especially wanted to shake Hayes as he continued to deny the truth even after Chrissy dared to speak up. He earned every bit of the misery he felt after they parted. I loved the ending and seeing Hayes face the fears that kept him from accepting Chrissy's love. The epilogue was terrific, and I look forward to seeing more of them in later books. 

Operation Rafe's Redemption - Justine Davis (HRS #2268 - Mar 2024)

Series: Cutter's Code (Book 17)
 
To bring down a traitor…
She needs the man who betrayed her love!
 
Years ago, Foxworth Foundation operatives walked into a trap that almost annihilated them all. So when Charlie Foxworth -- the firm's cool financial mastermind -- finds the man responsible, she'll stop at nothing to take him down. But to do it, she needs unflappable former sniper Rafe Crawford -- the man who shattered her heart -- plus K-9 Cutter. Little does she know, they also might be key to keeping her alive!
 
At last, we get Rafe's story. The taciturn, closed-off, former Marine sniper has intrigued me from the start, and his ongoing feud with Charlie seemed out of character. Here, we look at Rafe's past and the experiences that affected him so profoundly, including his problems with Charlie.
 
Quinn's sister, Charlie, is the financial genius who ensures that Foxworth has the resources it needs. Her life appears to revolve around the foundation and its needs. She's always calm, logical, and focused - except when around Rafe. It was interesting to see these two get under each other's skin.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. Three years earlier, an ambush nearly wiped out Foxworth operatives. Since then, they have unsuccessfully searched for the person responsible. No matter what, they refused to give up, and Charlie has finally identified him. Though she isn't a trained operative, she maneuvers her way into becoming the man's girlfriend while searching for the proof they need to take him down. When Max Flood invites her to Seattle with him, she knows this is the time to get Quinn involved.
 
I loved watching the team go all in to bring down their quarry. It isn't easy, and a lot of undercover work is going on. Each step kept me riveted and impatient to see results. The intensity kept ramping up the further they got into the investigation. An unexpected twist brought an old case into the mix and complicated the mission. I was on the edge of my seat when Charlie was in mortal danger and gripped by the intensity of the rescue scene. The "gotcha" scene with Max Flood was fantastic and the perfect culmination of their investigation.
 
As wonderful as the suspense was, watching Rafe and Charlie together was terrific. Each is known for their stoic calm and attention to detail, but that all goes out the window when they must deal with each other. The sparks between them were explosive, with their attraction hidden beneath a barrage of snide remarks. You know it isn't good when Quinn has to intervene. I felt for Cutter, who was determined to bring the two together. Even he showed frustration at their stubbornness. Despite his problems with Charlie, Rafe is very protective of her but consistently puts his foot in his mouth when attempting to express his worries. Charlie is determined to stick with her plan despite its dangers.
 
In the meantime, she tries to break through Rafe's walls and find out why he pulled away from her. I liked seeing her chip away at him until he finally caved. I ached for him as he revealed the tragedy that had haunted him. Their conversation was intense and emotional, and it was exactly what was needed to break the chains that kept Rafe from believing he deserved to be happy.
 
Cutter had his work cut out for him in this book. While the professional work was intense, he handled it all with ease. But when it came to his other mission of getting Charlie and Rafe together, he had to work extra hard. It's always fun to see those skeptical of his talents, such as Charlie, experience his matchmaking determination. Rafe is well aware of Cutter's proclivities but tries hard to resist. Seeing even Cutter frustrated and annoyed by their uncooperativeness was amusing. I laughed out loud at Cutter's effective way of getting Rafe to stop running away. The epilogue was a funny depiction of an exhausted Cutter.
 
I'm not sure if this is the last of the Cutter's Code series. I know it was intended to be, but hopefully, the author will listen to her many fans and pen new adventures for Foxworth and Cutter. 

How the Wallflower Wins a Duke - Lucy Morris (HH #1811 - Aug 2024)

Marina Fletcher's Rules:
Rule 1: Spend life composing music in peace. Do not worry about finding a husband. Rule 2: If must worry about finding a husband, marry for love only or commit to becoming a spinster. Rule 3: Resist urge to spend time with the sinfully sexy Duke of Framlingham, who clearly does not believe in love. Rule 4: Never ever say yes to said duke's wicked plan for us to silence society's expectations with a fake engagement…
 
But what happens when this wallflower breaks every single rule?
 
Good book. Marina is the daughter of a prominent architect. She is also a talented musician, though her confidence took a hit several months earlier thanks to a deceitful man. Since then, Marina has decided to concentrate on her music and not worry about finding a husband. Though she wants a family of her own, she won't give up her hope for a love match. As the book opens, she and her parents arrive at the Duke of Framlingham's home for a house party and audition for an architect to build a new house. Also present is her father's greatest rival and his family. The tension between the two families is evident from the start.
 
Brook, the Duke of Framlingham, recently inherited the title after his father's and older brother's deaths. As the "spare," he spent most of his life feeling second-best and ignored. He made his life in the army and was happy there. Since taking up the title, Brook has felt weighed down by his responsibilities to the estate and cleaning up his mother's messes. He wants to have the opportunity to live life on his terms finally. He plans to leave England to travel the Continent and enjoy the privileges he now has. Unfortunately, his mother is equally determined to keep him in England and see him married.
 
After spending some time talking to Marina, Brook has the idea of asking her to enter into a fake engagement with him. That will get his matchmaking mama off his back and allow him to do the traveling he wants. Brook proposes that she would then be able to concentrate on her music without the added distraction of husband-hunting. The encounter did not go as he had hoped, but he remained intrigued by Marina. She eventually gives in to his proposal.
 
The development of their relationship was interesting. Brook is falling for her but refuses to see it. He is focused on his desire to leave England. Marina's feelings for Brook also grow, but she believes she isn't suitable for him. There are interesting twists involving Marina's brother, her music and insecurities about it, and the ever-obnoxious Moorcroft family, but none diminishes the strengthening attraction between them.
 
My favorite part was the support that Brook gave Marina the night she performed her music. I loved his appreciation of her talent and his determination to give her the confidence she deserved. But fears and insecurities pull them apart. It takes Brook facing his past before he can look at the future. I loved the ending and the depth of emotion as Brook and Marina looked at the future together. 

 

Campus Killer - R. Barri Flowers (HI #2234 - Aug 2024)

Series: Lynleys of Law Enforcement (Book 5)
 
The stakes of this case were intense.
And the killer was closing in.
 
Deep into the investigation of a serial killer at her small town's university, Detective Paula Lynley can't refuse the help of a renowned profiler. Special Agent Neil Ramirez's expertise could help catch the Campus Killer before another woman falls victim. Though Neil is deeply talented and easy on the eyes, Paula senses the profiler has his own dark secrets. Getting close to Neil might be good for the case, but what will it do to her heart?
 
Good action-packed mystery and romance. Paula is a campus detective at a small college. There has been a series of murders of female professors that they believe is the work of a serial killer. Neil is an ATF profiler working as a visiting professor in their Criminal Justice department. Paula decided to take advantage of Neil's presence and ask for his help in profiling the killer.
 
I liked Neil and Paula. Both are dedicated to their jobs. Paula is recently divorced. She isn't bitter about the end of her marriage but is cautious about getting involved again. She has noticed Neil and is intrigued by him. Neil is on hiatus from the BATF. Between the death of his partner during an op and the end of his relationship with his girlfriend, he wanted some time to clear his head. Besides his gig as a professor, Neil also aids in investigating weapons trafficking. They work well as a team while they attempt to identify the killer.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Neither Neil nor Paula is actively looking for romance, but when they realize they are drawn to each other, they don't shy away. I liked seeing them get to know each other and discover how much they have in common. I loved that Neil greatly respects Paula and her abilities while still being protective of her. The progression of their relationship was realistic and involved no silly games. The only obstacle/question was what would happen when Neil's stint as a professor was over. I liked the way their future worked out.
 
The suspense of the story was fantastic. I was fully involved in the search for the Campus Killer from the prologue to the epilogue. I could feel their frustration at the lack of clues and the intensity of their desire to stop the killer before he claimed another victim. The occasional glimpse into the killer's mind was chilling and added to the growing tension. The author kept me guessing about the killer's identity until that final twist. 

The Lyon and His Promise - Sherry Ewing (Dragonblade - June 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 59)
 
A gentleman's lifetime regret. A widow's tarnished reputation. Can they repair the past to create a bright future together?
 
Gyles Hawley, Marquis of Wickes has spent years regretting that he promised a good friend not to woo the man's sister. Not that the regret shows. Between his duties to his father and the estate as heir to a duchy, he sometimes wished he could live a simpler life as a gentleman-about-town. Inside, though, he still yearns for a girl he could never forget.
 
Mrs. Josephine Bouchard understands that she must live with her bad choices. Foolishly running away with a man who only desired her money, was only the first. After she became a widow, she continued to make decisions that cost her any possibility of a return to Society. Then a chance glimpse of Gyles makes her wonder if maybe she could find a way.
 
When Mrs. Dove-Lyon arranges a meeting between Gyles and Josephine, the past and present collide. Only once they resolve their own mixed emotions, can they combat all that Society will try to do to stop them being together.
 
A ruined widow and a duke's heir must find a way, for love has once more entered their hearts.
 
Good second chance/best friend's sister story. Several years earlier, a young Josephine was in love with her brother's best friend, Gyles. Devastated when he spurned her affection, she eloped with a man who only wanted her for her money. After his death, she compounded her mistake by becoming a nobleman's mistress, ending any hope of returning to Society.
 
Josephine didn't know that her brother, Simon, had made Gyles promise that he would not court her. He regrets rejecting her and, even more, not going after her when she eloped. As his father's heir, Gyles is busy helping his father, leaving him no time for the simpler life he craves. He often thinks of Josephine and wishes he knew where she was.
 
Josephine's friend, Cassandra, has made it her mission to find a way to restore Josephine to the life she should have. She enlists the help of Mrs. Dove-Lyon, who is known for arranging matches for unlikely pairs. She arranges a meeting between Josephine and Gyles.
 
It is evident from the beginning that the feelings between Josephine and Gyles are still there. I enjoyed watching the development of their relationship as they navigated Society's strict rules. I liked that Gyles freely admitted his regret and apologized to Josephine for his lack of action. I liked that both were mature enough to clear the air in a reasonable manner. They have a tough road ahead to bring Josephine back into Society's good graces, and it isn't easy.
 
I liked seeing Gyles initiate the attempt to repair his relationship with Simon and bring him on board to help Josephine. I was happy that Simon saw the error of his ways. Having them team up was a good start. Complications arose as the attraction between Gyles and Josephine grew stronger, potentially wrecking their goal. There was a terrific scene that could have ended badly but brought a strong ally to Josephine's side. It was amusing to see Gyles's frustration build as he had to toe the line while Josephine made her return to Society. I loved the ending and seeing them happy at last.
 
The epilogue was good and alludes to two more upcoming matches. I can't wait to read them. 

 

Threats in the Deep - Addison Fox (HRS #2288 - Aug 2024)

Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 3)
 
They shared one unforgettable night
And now they're partners in more ways than one
 
NYPD diver Gavin Hayes can't stop thinking about the woman he rang in the New Year with. Assistant District Attorney Sera Forte needs to find the man she spent the night with and break the news of her unexpected pregnancy. When they learn they've been paired up for a new criminal task force, they realize they need to solve more than the mystery they've been given. The burning attraction that brought them together still smolders. But the case Gavin and Sera are working is a dangerous one. Can he protect the woman he loves and their baby?
 
Good mix of romance and suspense. Gavin and Sera spent an unforgettable but anonymous New Year's Eve, exchanging only first names and small details about who they were. Neither has been able to forget the other. Sera is pregnant and has no idea how to find him to tell him.
 
As the story opens, Sera, an assistant district attorney, is invited to participate in a special task force with the police department, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies. It's a good career move and an intriguing opportunity. The last thing she expected was to encounter Gavin, the father of her baby. Gavin, a diver with the NYPD's Harbor Unit, was equally surprised to see Sera. Their first meeting was awkward, with Gavin being a bit of a jerk and Sera unsure how to deal with him.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gavin and Sera. Though it got off to a slightly rough start, they didn't take long to get to know each other. I liked that Sera trusted her instincts and realized Gavin's attitude wasn't like him. I liked their connection and how Gavin's interest in her and her work made Sera feel good. I liked how easily they talked together and how sensitive they were to each other's moods.  Sera's confession of her pregnancy shocked Gavin, but he quickly embraced the idea. The obstacle they face is that each is freaked out about the intensity of their emotions and hesitant to admit them. I enjoyed seeing how their time together brought them closer and helped them overcome their hesitation.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. I was intrigued by the diving aspect of the case and the discovery of the weapons cache. Gavin and Sera's teamwork was terrific, and I loved the involvement of the other Harbor team members. The escalating danger caused by the person behind the guns had everyone on edge, and it intensified when the team came under attack. I could feel their frustration as lead after lead turned into dead ends. A twist at the end brings insight and danger to Sera, with a final confrontation that had me on the edge of my seat.
 
This is the first of this series I have read, but I will definitely read the others. 

Wyoming Mountain Investigation - Juno Rushdan (HI #2230 - Aug 2024)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 1)
 
His past has left him scarred
But then comes a chance at redemption…
 
Rescuing teenage campers from a fire left Liz Kelley scarred for life. But her Wyoming town isn't all she left behind. Fire marshal Sawyer Powell can't forgive himself for failing to protect her that terrible night. Fifteen years later, a string of suspicious fires brings Liz -- now an FBI agent -- home. Working the case together gives the former lovers a second chance -- but also makes them a killer's target.
 
Terrific series opener, with intense suspense, plenty of action, and a second chance romance. The story opens in the past, as teenagers Liz and Sawyer rescued fellow campers from an arsonist's fire. The fire left Liz scarred, physically and emotionally, and she soon moved away with her family. Neither forgot that night, and it changed their lives.
 
Fifteen years later, Liz is an arson investigator with the FBI. Her boss sends her back to her hometown to help investigate a series of suspicious fires. She's surprised to encounter Sawyer, who never left his hometown and is now the fire marshal. Working together at first is awkward, as Sawyer is still hurt at how Liz disappeared from his life all those years ago. But it doesn't take long to realize their connection is still there.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Liz and Sawyer. The sparks of attraction are there, but the effects of that long-ago trauma still linger. Sawyer has been unable to forgive himself for not keeping Liz safe that night. Liz's scars make her feel unlovable and self-conscious about letting anyone close to her. I loved watching them work together, get to know each other as adults, and discover their feelings for each other haven't died. I loved Sawyer's patience and understanding as he worked through the walls Liz built around her heart.
 
The suspense was the driving force of the story. The fires seem random and there are no clues to give Sawyer a direction. I could feel their frustration as they reached dead ends. The arsonist's attacks begin to escalate, driving their determination higher. The investigations themselves were interesting, and the details were realistic and informative. I was glued to the pages as Sawyer and Liz came closer to finding the arsonist. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. I stayed awake far later than I should have because I couldn't put it down.