Falling for Her Forbidden Bodyguard - Hana Sheik (HR #4972 - Sept 2024)

RESISTING HER OFF-LIMITS PROTECTOR…
 
Independent and strong-willed Anisa is furious. Her estranged brother has hired a bodyguard to follow her all the way to Madagascar, supposedly to protect her from hidden enemies! But as their eyes lock, she can't deny it would be easy to fall for the gorgeous stranger. Clearly Nasser feels the same, yet he's grappling with guilt from a painful past. Anisa knows they mustn't give in to their forbidden attraction…only their connection is too powerful to ignore!
 
Good book in a beautiful setting. Anisa is a production assistant for a film company shooting a picture in Madagascar. She is stunned and angry when she arrives and discovers that her estranged brother has hired a bodyguard without her permission. But no matter how vocal her objections are, nothing dissuades him from sticking close. Anisa would find it much easier to ignore him if he wasn't so good-looking.
 
Nesser agreed to guard Anisa in exchange for her brother's help on a private matter, but nothing would keep him from carrying out his plans. Anisa's stubborn resistance is both frustrating and amusing. However, the job would be much easier if he wasn't so attracted to her.
 
The sparks flew between Anisa and Nasser from the moment they met. The first few days were rough as Anisa made her displeasure known and tried hard to ditch Nesser whenever possible. Her frustration was evident as he foiled her at every turn. I liked that Anisa realized she was being unreasonable and changed her attitude. I liked seeing her and Nasser get to know each other. As they did, the attraction between them grew. But guilt from a devastating event in his past keeps him from giving in to his feelings.
 
A twist involving Anisa's brother adds new tension to their relationship. Nesser's need for revenge drives a wedge between them. I ached for what he went through in the past, its effect on his life, and what it was doing to his relationship with Anisa. I liked the ending and seeing that Anisa's words and care brought him unexpected peace. The epilogue was good, but left me wondering about Anisa's brother. I'd like to see a story about him.
 
I enjoyed the parts about Anisa and her history. I ached for her and the pain she felt over her relationship with her brother, Ara. There was some stubbornness on both sides that added to the strain. Seeing them mend that relationship with honesty and love was a lovely secondary storyline.

Wyoming Ranch Justice - Juno Rushdan (HI #2239 - Sept 2024)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 2)
 
In these parts
He's the law
 
The cowboy code is Matt Granger's trademark as a rancher and law enforcement officer, protective instincts inherent to a man like Matt. So when a serial killer targets students in his small Wyoming town, he's prepared to do what has to be done to deliver justice. What has him confounded, though, is undercover detective Hannah Delaney, a complex woman and excellent investigator he's known for years. Hannah's fearless, a force to be reckoned with and at odds with Matt. Despite professional differences and lingering attraction, they'll have to find a way to combine forces to catch a killer.
 
Wow. This was a fast-paced, spine-tingling hunt for a serial killer with a touch of romance. This book had such a grip on me that I read it in one sitting.
 
Hannah is a detective with the local police department. A serial killer who has plagued the university for more than a decade is active again. Hannah is undercover on the campus, posing as a student to draw the killer out. As the book opens, she witnesses the killer's attempt to abduct his latest victim and intervenes. The killer gets away, leaving Hannah frustrated and dealing with campus security chief Matt.
 
Matt is a former special ops soldier who went into law enforcement after leaving the military. He worked for the police department for a while but left for the university job after his partner was killed. He is determined to stop the killer and isn't happy with Hannah taking so many risks.
 
Matt and Hannah worked together in the first book of the series and butted heads over their differing methods. That antagonism continues here, as Matt considers Hannah reckless and far too ready to take unnecessary risks. However, the best way to stop the killer is to combine forces and so they agree to work together. It takes some serious effort to overcome their differences, but they make a terrific team once they do. Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. I liked seeing them get to know each other as they worked together and developed a mutual trust they didn't share with anyone else. Both have past experiences that have made them who they are, and opening up about those experiences brings them closer still. But before they can explore their growing feelings, they must catch the killer who has Hannah in his crosshairs.
 
The suspense of this story kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. It opens with a prologue from the killer's point of view, giving an immediate glimpse of what is to come. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me guessing to the end. Is it a faculty member? One of the law enforcement officers? Or someone unrelated to the university? The tension ramped up as it became apparent that the killer had chosen Hannah as his next victim. His actions are chilling as he finds ways to torment her as he closes in. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Hannah risked herself to save another. I was on the edge of my seat until it was over. 

 

Road Trip Rivalry - Mona Shroff (HSE #3058 - Sept 2024)

The road to romance begins with…one wrong turn.
 
Researcher Poorvi Gupta is desperate to reach her medical conference in Dublin on time to secure grant funding with her presentation. But when her flight is diverted due to bad weather, Poorvi agrees to share a rental car with a fellow passenger -- a man as hot as Madras curry…and just as vexing.
 
Ophthalmologist Kavan Shashane is traveling to Dublin to head off a researcher whose study puts his family's practice at risk. Until then, he's content to ride with the enigmatic woman he met on the plane. Soon, sparks are flying like Holi colors! Their attraction is real, but will they still have eyes for each other when they discover the truth?
 
Fun book with an interesting twist on the enemies-to-lovers theme, in that Poorvi and Kavan don't know they are enemies until near the end of the book.
 
Poorvi is a medical researcher on her way to present a paper at a conference in Dublin. She is under much pressure from her boss - the man who got a promotion instead of her because of unfounded rumors about her. She is determined to do well despite those trying to undermine her.
 
Kavan is an ophthalmologist whose family practice relies heavily on the procedure Poorvi's presentation refers to. His brother sent him to intercept the researcher and talk them into backing off. Kavan feels indebted to his brother, so he gives in to his request even though he disagrees.
 
Poorvi and Kavan first encounter each other before their flight to Dublin during a conflict over a power outlet. Sparks fly, and they aren't all sparks of anger, though neither wants to acknowledge the attraction. They put their differences aside - mostly - to help an older woman who doesn't speak English. When bad weather diverts their flight from Dublin to Cork, they are thrown together again to share a rental car. Complicating matters, they agree to help the older woman, whom they call "Ba" (grandmother), get to her family in Dublin.
 
Ba is a piece of work. She clearly sees the sparks between Poorvi and Kavan and sets about making sure they spend enough time together to see it themselves. I liked how she incorporated seeing the sights of Ireland by appealing to their sympathies over the loss of her husband. She is a feisty granny, and I laughed out loud at her blatant attempts to push them together. She has no trouble calling them out when she thinks they need a kick in the pants. I loved her part of bringing them together.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Poorvi and Kavan. Poorvi is very independent and doesn't accept help easily. Kavan is a nice guy whose attempts to be a gentleman Poorvi frequently rejects. Poorvi loosens up a little as they spend time together, and they discover that they enjoy their interactions. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, but they are hesitant to say anything, resulting in misunderstandings. When their identities are exposed, each feels betrayed. It takes a determined Ba to break through the hurt and bring them back together in a fun and heartwarming reunion. 

Stranded with the Island Doctor - Annie Claydon (HMED #1264 - Aug 2022)

A storm is raging…
…between them!
 
With her daughter now grown up and married, dedicated doctor Mel is finally taking some me time. Until a tropical storm interrupts her much-needed Maldives break. She doesn't hesitate to help. But working alongside the only other doctor on the island -- insufferable yet handsome widower Rafe -- isn't without its challenges. Especially when the tension between them turns into chemistry. Neither expected a second chance, but will that stop Mel from taking a leap of faith?
 
Good book with atypically older characters. I liked seeing older characters get their happy-ever-afters. Mel is a doctor who has dedicated her life to her daughter and work. Now that her daughter is grown up and married, Mel feels comfortable taking the long vacation that was a gift from that daughter and is looking forward to three weeks in the Maldives. The last thing she expected was a tropical storm to hit the island. She partners with another doctor to help the victims of the storm. Rafe is a widower with a grown son who is also a doctor. Rafe works out of a hospital on a nearby island and provides care to other islands.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Mel and Rafe. Their first encounter was a bit rough, with Rafe recruiting Mel to help with a pregnant resident. He was brusque and short on details, which rubbed Mel the wrong way. She didn't realize that his attitude covered up an instant attraction that disturbed him. Mel was equally disturbed by the distraction Rafe created in her. I liked seeing them work together and appreciated how they melded their differing action styles.
 
Like Mel, Rafe devoted his life to work and raising his son after his wife died. He felt he'd had his one true love and ignored any stirrings of feelings for other women. But the feelings Mel arouses in him are more potent than anything he's felt before, and they scare him. Meanwhile, Mel feels the same stirrings but reacts differently. She experiences high levels of anxiety when she feels out of control, and between the oncoming storm and her reaction to Rafe, she's on edge.
 
I enjoyed seeing them grow closer as they worked together. They made a terrific team and, at the same time, developed great respect for each other. The attraction between them continued to grow until they could no longer resist. Their connection continued to grow, as did their feelings for each other. But fears and insecurities came between them when they contemplated a future together. Each had to face and overcome their issues before they could have that future. The ending was a good example of communication and compromise. 

Last Mission - Lisa Childs (HRS #2292 - Sept 2024)

Series: Hotshot Heroes (Book 12)
 
Even the best-laid plans
can go up in flames…
 
Mack McRooney is retired from military special ops, but there's one final mission he has to take on -- catch the saboteur targeting his brother-in-law's firefighting team…even if that means becoming a firefighter himself. Partnering with state trooper Wynona Wells, however, was not part of the plan. Mack and Wynona are fighting their fiery attraction to one another and a deadly saboteur. And if they lose this fight, they might just also lose their lives…
 
Fantastic conclusion to the series. Throughout the series, the hotshot team has been plagued by a saboteur who has caused many dangerous "accidents." Though the field of suspects has diminished, team leader Braden Zimmer is frustrated by the inability to identify them. As a last resort, he asks his brother-in-law Mack to join the team and investigate.
 
Mack recently retired from a career in military special ops. While deciding what to do with the rest of his life, he trains as a hotshot and takes a place in the team. Mack is suspicious of everyone, including local state trooper Wynona. He feels she is hiding something. Wynona is equally distrustful of Mack. He isn't law enforcement and has no business interfering with her investigation.
 
With their mutual distrust, neither is happy about the sparks of attraction that affect them. They fight against them, but ultimately, their feelings are too strong to resist. However, each has baggage from their past, making it difficult to open their hearts. I enjoyed seeing them get past each other's walls and take a chance at love.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. Mack has a target on his back from his first day as a hotshot. Only his quick reflexes saved him from being crushed by a falling tree. Wynona also finds herself in the crosshairs when someone shoots at her and Mack. There are scenes from the saboteur's point of view where we see his frustration at Mack and Wynona's ability to escape his attacks. There are also hints of his motivation. The attacks intensify as they begin to close in on his identity. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
The epilogue was an excellent wrap-up for the books and series. I liked catching up with the couples from earlier books. 

In Service to a Lyon - E.L. Johnson (Dragonblade - Aug 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 62)
 
A lowly servant who may be French nobility. A scarred English lieutenant who hates all French. Can these two find love in the Lyon's Den?
 
Marie Cadough is a French servant who's learned to hide who she is. Sent to England as a child to flee the French Revolution, she and her uncle escaped suspicion by working as servants in a London household. But when she is dismissed at the hands of an unreasonable mistress, her uncle finds them new positions in the household of Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Black Widow of Whitehall.
 
Lieutenant Samuel Gage is scarred by war. Having lost his closest friend to a duel and seen hearts broken by heartless Frenchwomen, he has developed an irrational dislike of all things French. But when he suffers painful memories from loud music at the Lyon's Den, a kind servant takes pity on him. He never expected her to be French.
 
Marie wants to do well at her new employer's, so when Mrs. Dove-Lyon asks her to pose as a lady and act as a French-speaking companion to a visiting Frenchwoman, Marie agrees. She never expected to fall for an Englishman in the process.
 
But not all is well. The other servants are jealous of Marie's rise to success, and Marie's new friends are keen to discover her origins. A mutual attraction begins to simmer between Samuel and Marie, but their different backgrounds and the stiff social hierarchy of Regency London pose formidable barriers to their blossoming love.
 
He is the third son of a baronet—she is a maidservant in a gambling den. Their worlds could not be more different. But as their desire increases, so does the danger, for scheming servants and Marie's old employers may ruin all their hopes and dreams for the future.
 
Will Marie and Samuel find love or remain worlds apart?
 
Good book. It opens with a prologue that tells of how Marie came to leave France for England as a small child, then moves on to the current day. She and her "uncle" work as servants for a London family. Unfortunately, the lady of the house is not nice and fires Marie. Her uncle finds them new positions working for Mrs. Dove-Lyon at the Lyon's Den.
 
Marie, who has a flair for cooking, gets off on the wrong foot with the other servants when she comments on the soup. Their jealousy increases when Mrs. Dove-Lyon asks Marie to pose as a lady to keep a French-speaking visitor company.
 
Marie also aids a soldier who suffers from a flashback while at the Lyon's Den. Samuel was badly injured during the war, and combined with other unhappy experiences, he dislikes anything French. He doesn't realize she is French and is drawn to her kindness. He returns to Lyon's Den, looking for her several times, not knowing she is a servant.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Marie and Samuel develop. He meets her again while she plays her companion role, and he continues to be fascinated by her. I loved seeing them together. Samuel is kind, honorable, and smitten with Marie. Marie is equally smitten with him but knows that anything between them is impossible because of their class differences. However, Samuel is persistent and hopes for the outcome he wants.
 
Life isn't easy for Marie. While she enjoys her time spent with Mrs. Martin, she is continually harassed by some of her fellow servants. Items go missing and Marie is blamed, putting her job in jeopardy. She enjoys Mrs. Martin's friendship but fears what might happen when she reveals her servant status. The ups and downs of the last third of the book kept me turning the pages to the end. I loved the twist at the end.
 
I enjoy the variety of characters in the Lyon's Den series. It is a welcome change to read about ordinary people whose lives are touched by Mrs. Dove-Lyon and not just the members of the nobility. 

 

Mile High Mystery - Cindi Myers (HI #2236 - Sept 2024)

Series: Eagle Mountain: Criminal History (Book 1)
 
His secret could get him killed…
Unless she can protect him.
 
Search and rescue volunteer Zach Gregory thought his sister had been killed years ago after testifying against notorious killers. But when she's found murdered, FBI agent Shelby Dryden reveals Camille was actually in the WITSEC program. Shelby is convinced Zach is hiding something that's made him a target. As threats against him escalate, Shelby must control her smoldering attraction to Zach while protecting his life.
 
Exciting start to the new series. The story is told with a mix of current action and flashbacks to flesh out the history of the unfolding events. I started reading and couldn't put it down until I finished.
 
Zach is a relative newcomer to Eagle Mountain. Four years earlier, his sister was murdered, and his grief caused him to lose focus for a while. Since arriving in town, he has had a steady job with the mining company and volunteers with the Search and Rescue group. As the book opens, he and the others are on a call to evacuate some campers caught in a flood. When they find the body of a dead woman, Zach is stunned to discover it is the sister he thought was dead.
 
Shelby is an FBI agent who was one of Camille's contacts. Camille was in WITSEC after she witnessed a murder, but it wasn't enough to convict the perps. Camille disappeared from her new life, and Shelby was looking for her. Shelby believes Camille was looking for Zach to warn him about something, but she doesn't know what.
 
The suspense of the story kept me glued to the pages. Zach doesn't believe he is in danger, while Shelby is sure he knows something that puts a target on his back. I liked the persistence she showed in getting him to open up. The twists of their investigation kept me wondering who was behind it. The final confrontation took me by surprise and wasn't what I expected.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Zach and Shelby. The sparks were there from the start, but Zach's grief and anger over Camille's death overrode them initially. The more time they spent together, the more they connected. I loved seeing them together and how Shelby helped Zach through his grief. There are some obstacles, including Shelby's job, but the biggest one comes at the end. That was a twist I didn't see coming.