Liberating the Lady of Loughmoe - C.H. Admirand (Dragonblade - Aug 2024)

Series: Ladies of the Keep (Book 1)
 
A marriage arranged for freedom…
Saxon beauty Lady Jillian and her mother lost everything when her father fell at Hastings beneath a Norman blade. Forced into a life of servitude, she accepts her life until her mother dies. Without the worry of protecting her mother, she looks for a way to change her circumstances and no longer live as a slave to the lady of the keep. When renowned warrior Garrick of Merewood's brother is imprisoned at the keep, Jillian hatches a bold plan to offer marriage in exchange for helping to free his brother. Marriage to him will set her free while his strength and prowess will help her reclaim her birthright—Loughmoe Keep. She never expects to fall in love.
 
A dowry not of gold, but honor…
Garrick needs no help freeing his brother, and he refuses the bold beauty's plan. But treachery abounds, and to save his brother's life, he must swallow his pride and seek Jillian's assistance. After they wed he learns that Loughmoe Keep is no longer hers. Rumors of her duplicity threaten to tear them apart, while sinister forces are at work threatening to destroy them. Jillian and Garrick's mother are captured, and a ransom is demanded.
 
Garrick of Merewood's people need the coin to survive another winter; he cannot pay the ransom. He must devise a plan to rout the baron responsible for the kidnapping and ransom. He needs to rescue them to free his mother and the woman he fell in love with, before the greedy baron steals Loughmoe and Merewood Keep.
 
Good beginning to the new series. The story drew me in from the start and kept me hooked to the end. Jillian and her mother lost their home when her father was killed at Hastings. They took refuge with a neighbor who treated them as servants instead of the ladies they were. After her mother's death, Jillian looks for a way to escape the servitude and abuse she experiences. That chance comes when the baron captures the younger brother of a local warrior. Gillian offers to help Garrick rescue his brother in exchange for marriage and possibly reclaiming her heritage.
 
Garrick inherited his family's keep but doesn't have the funds to care for it and his people. He believes he doesn't need help to rescue his brother, but circumstances prove him wrong. Garrick accepts Jillian's bargain. It isn't until after they are married that he discovers her family's keep has been given to another.
 
I liked Jillian and her strength of will. She doesn't give in to despair and works to improve her circumstances. She is clever, determined, and has a loving heart.
 
I had a harder time liking Garrick. He carries a lot of guilt over the death of his father and the condition of their property. He has tunnel vision when it comes to restoring his property and is so focused on it that he has become something of an arse. His honor compels him to carry through with his marriage to Jillian, but he doesn't react well to discovering she doesn't actually possess the Loughmoe property.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jillian and Garrick. The sparks between them are there from the beginning, though Garrick does his best to ignore them. He is torn when his attraction to her runs up against his distrust. I liked how Jillian used her skills in running the household to get past his walls and try to win his care. I became frustrated with his plans and wanted to shake him for his short-sightedness. It is only when he nearly loses her that he realizes his mistake. Garrick must regain her trust before he can have the future he wants with her.
 
There was a lot of action in this story. It took place a few years after Hastings, and there is still a lot of unrest in the country. The maneuvering over the balance of power in the neighborhood was intriguing and kept a feeling of uncertainty throughout the book. There is treachery afoot, and when Jillian and Garrick's mother are kidnapped, he must find a way to rescue them. This was a complicated endeavor, politically and physically, and it kept me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The resolution was well done and made sense.
 
I liked seeing the familiar O'Malley name and the glimpse of the ancestors of the Duke's Guard. I look forward to seeing more of them in the following books. 

 
 

Protecting the Amish Child - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #1127 - Sept 2024)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 19)
 
A killer in pursuit…
and a little boy's life is at stake.
 
When Francesca Brown discovers a dead body, bullets start flying her way. Soon FBI agent Tanner Hall arrives -- only to find an autistic Amish boy hiding nearby. As a witness to a crime, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to silence the little boy -- permanently. With assailants on their trail, can Fran and Tanner unravel a lethal conspiracy before the murderer strikes again?
 
Terrific addition to the Amish Country Justice series. The books are connected by common characters, themes, and locations, but each can be read as a standalone. As with the author's other books, this one grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me hooked until the end (when I should have been asleep!).
 
Francesca is a forensic artist and the widow of an FBI agent. One stormy night, she discovered a dead body in her yard. While reporting the body to the police, someone started shooting at her. Besides the arrival of the local police, Special Agent Tanner Hall is also on the scene. Tanner worked with her late husband, and she avoids him whenever possible. He brings up painful memories.
 
Tanner is on the case because of the identity of the dead man. Francesca's husband, Sean, had been a colleague and a friend, and Tanner believes Sean would want him to watch out for her. Tanner suspects that Sean's death wasn't an accident, and he needs to talk to her about it. But the current crisis has priority.
 
The dead man was connected to a case that Tanner and Sean worked on and had been in witness protection until he disappeared. Now he's turned up at Sean's house, raising questions about where he's been. Matters become complicated when they find a young Amish boy who is also autistic. What follows is a roller coaster of twists and turns, ups and downs, as they fight off attacks and search for Joey's family. Little clues unknowingly dropped by Joey lead them in an unexpected direction. A discovery at Fran's house provides another surprise and answers a few questions while raising more. The resolution was a nail-biter with a perpetrator I didn't see coming.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Francesca and Tanner. Each has some things from their pasts that make them wary of getting involved. But the more time they spend together, the more they get to know each other. I liked the respect they had for each other's work. Their attraction and feelings grew, but what would happen when the case was over and Tanner returned to his home base? I liked the soul-searching each did as they decided whether to pursue those feelings. I loved the ending and seeing them get the happy-ever-after they wanted. 

 
 
 

No Turning Back - Lindsay McKenna (HI #2217 - June 2024)

On the edge of war,
a country needs its protectors.
 
Captain Ram Kozak is steeled to defend his country against all those who would hurt it. His only weak point is Darina “Dare” Mazur, a US Army Special Forces combat medic. She has a confidence -- and loving touch -- that brings him to his knees. But with the fate of his team and his country at stake, is Dare's love a deadly distraction…or the only thing that can save him?
 
Terrific return to the author's roots as a military romance writer. It brought back fond memories of her Morgan's Mercenaries series. Instead of the wars against the drug trade or in Afghanistan, here the setting is Ukraine in the months before the Russian invasion. In addition to the romance, I enjoyed the more personalized view of people and places.
 
Dare is the adopted daughter of two Ukrainian nationals living in the US. She grew up visiting her parents' families in Ukraine and speaking the language. As an adult she became a combat medic and served a tour in Afghanistan. While there, she spent two years working with a Ukrainian special forces team led by Ram Kozak. She is in Ukraine teaching others how to be combat medics.
 
Ram is known for being cold and emotionless and bringing his team home without injuries. They are preparing for the upcoming invasion and have just returned from six months of special training in the US. He is stunned to discover that Dare is in Kyiv and is being reassigned to his unit.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Dare and Ram. Their deep respect for each other's abilities was undeniable. They fell in love during their time together in Afghanistan, but they never shared those feelings because of their situation. However, neither has forgotten them. Drawn together by circumstances, they get to know each other and become closer. I loved the little touches of seeing them cook together, visit their friends, and try to lead a normal life in the midst of planning for war. I loved how Dare saw beneath Ram's controlled surface to the haunted man underneath. Her care and compassion break through the wall around Ram's heart. My heart broke for him as he shared his past with Dare. I loved the effect that sharing had on him.
 
The increasing tension as the time for the invasion grew closer kept me glued to the pages. The stress of needing to keep their relationship secret, added to their fears of seeing each other in danger, made each day precious to them. Knowing what lies ahead of them creates worry for their future, but a twist at the end gives me hope for their happy ever after.
 
I liked getting to know Adam and Lera and their two little girls. I felt Ram and Dare's fears for their safety, which gave me extra insight into the dangers that lie ahead.

 

The Lyon's Golden Touch - Sara Adrien (Dragonblade - July 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 61)
 
A duke in hiding falls for his cousin's intended bride—will he reveal his secret for love?
 
In the heart of Regency England, where secrets lurk behind every opulent door, Lady Alexis Wentworth "Lexi" is about to uncover the most thrilling secret of all.
 
Dustin Fitzwater, Duke of Duncan, has concealed his true identity. Haunted by his father's scandal, he seeks solace and anonymity as a skilled dentist on Harley Street. But his meticulously constructed world unravels when he encounters the enchanting debutante.
 
Lexi must marry quickly to save her reputation from her sister's scandal. Mrs. Dove-Lyon has the perfect duke in mind, but there's a catch. Before Lexi can fulfill the condition, she is irresistibly drawn to a charismatic dentist. Entangled in emotions and intrigue, Lexi's heart aches with forbidden love. When she uncovers Dustin's true identity, the stakes are even higher. She hasn't just fallen for the wrong cousin; she's fallen for a man who could shatter her future and break her heart.
 
Mrs. Dove-Lyon's ultimate challenge: Can her skills unite the real Duke of Duncan and the imposter with their perfect matches?
 
Good book. I have enjoyed the author's other Lyon's Den books with their medical settings. It is a nice change from other Regency romance balls and house parties. This is the first time I have read one with a dentist as the hero, and I found it very interesting.
 
Dustin is a duke in hiding. Rather than take up his duties as duke, he lives under an assumed name and works as a dentist while trying to find the man who betrayed his father. He intends to leave for America and cede the dukedom to his cousin. I liked Dustin. Besides being too focused on revenge, he is kind, compassionate, and professional. I love that he cares for everyone, rich or poor. It bothered me that he was so willing to leave his heritage behind to pursue revenge.
 
Lexi is in a hurry to marry. Thanks to her sister's liaison with Prinny, Lexi is also tainted by scandal. This doesn't sit well with her obsession with being perfect. She asks Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find her a titled husband as quickly as possible. Mrs. Dove-Lyon, realizing that Lexi is suffering from a bad toothache, sends her to the dentist before she will arrange anything. I had a hard time liking Lexi. Her naiveté isn't unexpected, but she is self-centered, paranoid, and judgmental. She epitomized the worst stereotype of a romance reader with her obsession with one of the books she read.
 
When Lexi arrives at Dustin's office, she is terrified of what will happen. She's heard plenty of horror stories about pulled teeth, and none fit her self-perceived perfection. Instead of sitting and waiting for the dentist, she starts poking around the room and handling the instruments as though she has the right. She and Dustin are gobsmacked by the other's good looks, distracting them from the matter at hand for a little while. I liked Dustin's patience with Lexi's fears. Once she gets past her fear, Lexi's curiosity kicks in. I enjoyed Dustin's explanations and Lexi's interest.
 
Over the next few days, Dustin and Lexi grow closer. There's an amusing scene where Lexi and the nurse, Wendy, extoll the virtues of their favorite book characters while Dustin listens with amazement. I thought it was sweet how he read some of the book to see what was so special to Lexi.
 
Complicating matters, Mrs. Dove-Lyon has found a duke for Lexi. The dinner with him is awkward at best, as all Lexi can think about is Dustin. An unexpected twist throws a wrench into Dustin's plans, while his growing feelings for Lexi cause him to reevaluate his priorities. Lexi also discovers something about herself and what is important. It takes Mrs. Dove-Lyon to unravel the issues keeping Dustin and Lexi apart. The resolution didn't surprise me, but I look forward to reading the cousin's story. 

Her Grace's Daring Proposal - Joanna Johnson (HH #1734 - July 2023)

The wife everybody wants
Will choose the husband nobody expects!
 
Widowed duchess Isabelle Sherborne's wealth has made her the talk of the ton -- but also the target of fortune hunters! So, when they threaten to hold Isabelle to ransom by destroying her young sister's reputation, Isabelle asks mercenary Joseph Carter for help. To save everything that Isabelle holds dear, she must convince him to marry her. Yet whilst their convenient vows will protect her, they could put her heart in danger…
 
Good book with an interesting premise - duchess marries hardened mercenary. Both characters had heartbreaking pasts that influenced the direction of their lives. Widowed Isabelle has inherited a great deal of wealth from her late husband, making her the target of fortune hunters. When a particularly desperate one threatens to destroy her younger sister's reputation if Isabelle doesn't cooperate, she hires a mercenary to rescue her sister.
 
I liked Isabelle. She has a loving heart and is intelligent, courageous, and stubborn. The deaths of her parents when she was eighteen made her the guardian of her younger sister. But she was in a desperate situation without a home and the funds to support them. A convenient marriage to one of her father's best friends gave them the home they needed until his death. Isabelle has no desire to marry again but knows she might have to. I liked her determination to protect her sister and her courage to gain the desired help.
 
Joseph's past was also heartbreaking. Abandoned at a workhouse as an infant, he grew up feeling unloved and unwanted. Other boys bullied him, and his lone attempt to run away resulted in a life-long hatred of the upper classes. He has the reputation of being ruthless, cold, and emotionless.
 
The initial meeting between Isabelle and Joseph doesn't go well. Sensing her Society ties, Joseph is purposely as obnoxious and rude as possible. Isabelle immediately regrets her plan and leaves. Though Joseph doesn't want to admit it, something about her sticks with him, and he follows her to ensure she is safe. After rescuing her from an attack, they reconsider their options.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Seeing Joseph steamrollered by Isabelle's refusal to go along with his edicts was amusing. I enjoyed watching her get under his skin. Though they are antagonistic initially, under that antagonism are sparks of attraction neither wants to admit. Joseph is convinced that he is unlovable and unworthy of any kindness. Meanwhile, Isabelle sees the good in him that he refuses to acknowledge. When it becomes evident that Isabelle needs to marry to protect herself and her sister, she asks Joseph to marry her. He's stunned at the trust she shows him, and an unexpected encounter with a fellow mercenary shows him the way forward.
 
I loved watching them grow closer after their marriage. Isabelle brings out the good in Joseph, though he still believes he is unworthy of her. Trouble at an event brings Joseph's fears and insecurities to the surface, and he pulls away from the deepening relationship. I loved that Isabelle didn't just accept his withdrawal. Her method of solving the problem was unexpected, and the result was life-changing for him. The ending was sweet and emotional. I would have liked an epilogue to follow up on what he learned. 

 

The Gentleman's Gambit - Evie Dunsmore (Penguin - Dec 2023)

Series: League of Extraordinary Women (Book 4)
 
Bookish suffragist Catriona Campbell is busy: An ailing estate, academic writer's block, a tense time for England's women's rights campaign -- the last thing she needs is to be stuck playing host to her father's distractingly attractive young colleague.
 
Deeply introverted Catriona lives for her work at Oxford and her fight for women's suffrage. She dreams of romance, too, but since all her attempts at love have ended badly, she now keeps her desires firmly locked inside her head -- until she climbs out of a Scottish loch after a good swim and finds herself rather exposed to her new colleague.
 
Elias Khoury has wheedled his way into Professor Campbell's circle under false pretenses: he did not come to Oxford to classify ancient artefacts, he is determined to take them back to his homeland in the Middle East. Winning Catriona's favor could be the key to his success. Unfortunately, seducing the coolly intense lady scholar quickly becomes a mission in itself and his well-laid plans are in danger of derailing...
 
Forced into close proximity in Oxford's hallowed halls, two very different people have to face the fact that they might just be a perfect match. Soon, a risky new game begins that asks Catriona one more time to put her heart and wildest dreams at stake.
 
Good conclusion to the series. In this story, we have Catriona, the quiet one of the four women. She is an introvert who can only handle being around people for so long before she needs some alone time. This can be difficult when you serve as a hostess for your father, are involved in the women's rights movement, and have activities you are committed to at Oxford. As the book opens, Catriona enjoys the solitude of the family estate in Scotland despite the imminent arrival of one of her father's colleagues, which adds to her stress. She's horrified when she emerges from a swim in the loch and finds herself exposed to that same colleague.
 
Elias came to Scotland on a mission. He wormed his way into Professor Campbell's life to get access to some ancient artifacts from his homeland. He is determined to return them to their rightful place by any means necessary. Elias doesn't need Catriona's distraction, but he can't get her off his mind. Matters become complicated when they are forced to work together at Oxford.
 
Catriona is an interesting character. While she would like a chance at love, her romantic history has her convinced it isn't in the cards for her. She must also balance her idea of love with the realities of relationships in her time, which don't seem compatible. She struggles with balance in her life with competing activities of her writing, her suffragette work, her friends, and her studies. I could feel her stress when her life became too "peopley."
 
I liked Elias. He's a good man who loves his family and his homeland but is also frustrated by the limits placed on him. I liked his determination to resolve the issue of the stolen artifacts. Elias has also been burned in a romantic relationship.
 
I enjoyed the development of Catriona and Elias's relationship. The sparks of attraction are present from the moment they meet, but both are determined to resist them. At first, they try to avoid each other whenever possible, but Fate continues to throw them together. I liked watching them get to know each other. I loved how in tune Elias was with Catriona and how he understood when she needed space and when she needed him. I liked seeing Catriona's connection with Elias grow and deepen. It was sweet to see her attempt to cook for him. When she discovered his real reason for being in London, not only did she understand, she wanted to help. There is trouble when her desire to help runs up against his pride, especially when Elias's heart is also involved. Catriona must face her fears before she can open her heart, but the results are terrific when she does.
 
I enjoyed the continuation of the suffragette storyline from the other books in the series. The behind-the-scenes look at the activities and work that went into changing the laws was interesting. A few times, it felt a bit heavy-handed and slowed the story's pace. I loved the epilogue and seeing our intrepid ladies admiring their handiwork years in the future. I liked that it included all of the couples, but I would have liked more about Catriona and Elias's lives. I was slightly disappointed that there was no follow-through about the woman they encouraged to sue her husband. I would have liked to see how that turned out. 

 

River Justice - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Aug 2024)

Series: Powder River (Book 3)
 
When you look for the truth, there's no telling what you'll find…
 
Brand Stafford has long felt he didn't quite fit in with his siblings. Now he has the DNA evidence to prove his real father is the Staffords' ranching rival, Holden McKenna. That secret does more than complicate his family -- it's also made him the prime suspect in a kidnapping. His unlikely ally in clearing his name is Birdie Malone, newly arrived in Powder Crossing in search of answers of her own.
 
Impetuous and stubborn, Birdie has a knack for pulling Brand out of his comfort zone. Suddenly this rule-following cowboy is determined to do what he knows is right, whether that's tracking down a kidnapper or finally giving away his heart. Even if he has to put everything on the line to do it…
 
Terrific book, as the saga of the Staffords and McKennas continues. Brand Stafford has always felt a little disconnected from his siblings and wondered why. When his sister Oakley does a DNA test, he does one and gets the shock of his life. His father is Holden McKenna, his family's nemesis. He's unsure how to deal with the information but drops a copy of the results in Holden's mailbox, which lands him in unexpected trouble. The following day, he catches a strange woman lurking around the ranch.
 
Birdie Malone came to Powder River looking for answers about her father's disappearance and death. She's convinced that Brand's mother, Charlotte, killed him to get rid of the second husband she regretted marrying. Birdie is determined to find proof of Charlotte's guilt.
 
Birdie and Brand's meeting was amusing and not what either of them expected. Seeing the usually quiet, attention-avoiding Brand lose his cool around Birdie was fun. There are sparks of attraction between them, but they try to ignore them. Birdie talks him into helping her investigate, but before they can get started, Brand is accused of kidnapping Holden's teenage ward, Holly Jo.
 
Meanwhile, we witness Holly Jo's kidnapping and the terror she faces as she's held for ransom. Holden is beside himself with worry, and others are determined to help find the girl. We learn that the kidnapper has a grudge against Holden and is bent on revenge. Holden must figure out who it is before it's too late.
 
A lot is going on in this book. The search for Holly Jo and trying to identify the kidnapper is the most critical. The sheriff is frustrated with Holden's uncooperative attitude and the shortage of leads. That frustration increases when Birdie and Brandon get involved, putting themselves in danger. Birdie is one determined woman, and her impulsive actions do not endear her to the sheriff. There are plenty of tense moments and twists as the search continues. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was terrifying and had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved.
 
Throughout the story, Birdie searches for answers about her father's death. I liked her determination and her faith in her father. The progress of her investigation was intriguing, and the conclusion was much more convoluted than I expected.
 
I ached for Brand as he dealt with the results of his DNA test. He's unsure if he's happy to know the truth or wishes he'd never done it. Should he be angry at his parents, who were married to other people at the time? I also hurt for Holden, who was blindsided and shocked by the news. The backstory between Holden and Charlotte is heartbreaking, as is what started the feud and their lives since then. I'm interested to see what else plays out between them.
 
The relationship between Brand and Birdie happens fast. The sparks are there from the moment they meet. I enjoyed seeing Birdie's influence on Brand as he took chances and allowed himself to risk his heart. I laughed at Brand's disbelief that he goes along with her schemes. I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
 
The book finishes with a scene between Bailey McKenna and the sheriff. Something has been happening with her, but Stuart can't get her to confide in him. I suspect that they will be the focus of the next book.