The Cottage on Pelican Bay - Brenda Jackson (HQN - Sept 2024)

Series: Catalina Cove (Book 7)
 
Sometimes one hot night simply isn't enough.
 
Two years ago, Zara Miller found herself heartbroken and stranded in a New Orleans hotel bar with a sexy stranger named "Saint." One thing led to another and to a night of unforgettable pleasure. Though contact info wasn't exchanged -- no strings attached -- Zara hasn't been able to stop thinking about him or that one scorching night ever since. Now she's returned to her hometown of Catalina Cove only to discover that her brother's new hire is Evans "Saint" Toussaint, the one-night man she can't forget.
 
Though Saint, like Zara, grew up in Catalina Cove, they'd never crossed paths. Now all of a sudden they can't seem to avoid each other. Despite an enduring attraction, Zara and Saint decide to keep their spicy secret in the past. Everybody knows everybody's business in Catalina Cove, and they don't need everybody knowing theirs -- especially since they've both been burned in the past.
 
But when their intense desire becomes impossible to ignore, they escape to Zara's secluded cottage on Pelican Bay, where they're free to explore whether their casual connection might actually be the lasting love they've both been missing.
 
From one night stand to forever. The story opens two years earlier than the main story. Zara is stranded in New Orleans while she waits for a storm to pass before traveling to Catalina Cove, nursing a broken heart and swearing off men. But the sparks between herself and a sexy stranger at the bar are too much to resist, and she and "Saint" spend a passionate night together.
 
Fast forward two years and Zara is back in Catalina Cove to visit her brother and some friends. She is stunned when she walks into a gathering of friends and sees the man she hasn't been able to forget. Saint is equally shocked to discover that Zara is his boss's younger sister. The chemistry between them is still off the charts, and they can't stay away from each other. Neither is interested in a relationship. Zara is not ready to risk her heart again, and Saint is still recovering from his own disappointing love life. They are content to hook up whenever Zara visits the Cove.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Zara and Saint develop. It starts as purely physical and casual, as they agree that emotions will play no part in their encounters. But over several months, they find themselves enjoying time spent together outside of the bedroom. When Zara comes for a more extended stay in the Cove, she and Saint begin spending much more time together. It is easy to see that they develop feelings for each other but are wary of confessing them. Their avoidance of talking about the future frequently frustrated me. Matters became more complicated when Saint's ex showed up looking to rekindle their relationship. I liked those scenes between Zara and Mia and Saint and Mia. I liked the ending, seeing them face and share their fears and look to the future with open hearts.
 
There was also the beginning of a secondary romance between two of the older characters. I loved Levi's patient pursuit of Margie as she became accustomed to the idea of falling in love again after her husband's death. I look forward to seeing more of them in later books, as well as some of the other new arrivals in Catalina Cove. 

 
 

Pregnancy Surprise with the Greek Surgeon - Luana DaRosa (HMED #1414 - Sept 2024)

REUNITED…AND REVEALED AS HER BABY'S FATHER!
 
After Nikolas's intoxicating encounter with cardiologist Camila at a medical conference last month, bringing her to his cardiac institute in Athens is the best and worst decision the Greek surgeon could make. Professionally, her groundbreaking research could cure his patient. But as his colleague, she's now otherwise completely off-limits… The confirmed bachelor just never imagined that Cami would surprise him with the news that she's pregnant!
 
Good book. Niko and Cami met during a medical conference and were immediately attracted to one another. They spent one night together and went their separate ways. A few weeks later, Niko asks her to come to his cardiac institute to consult on a case. It is a difficult decision for Niko. He needs her help with his patient, but resisting his attraction to her is impossible, despite her now being a colleague. Matters become more complicated when she tells him she is pregnant with his child.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Their attraction is undeniable, but neither planned on anything more than that one night. With a baby on the way, they are permanently linked and must find a way to co-parent. However, both have major trust issues that keep them guarding their hearts. Niko's problems with his late father affect him personally and professionally. He has difficulty separating Cami's need for publicity for her work and his father's narcissistic craving for fame. Cami's father deserted them when she was a baby, leaving her mother bitter and passing her distrust of men onto Cami.
 
Niko and Cami give in to their attraction, but neither looks ahead to what will happen when her time in Greece ends. I wanted to shake them for avoiding such a critical discussion. Their feelings for each other grow past physical attraction, but their trust issues keep them from admitting those feelings. Misunderstandings brought on by their insecurities threaten to derail what could be a happy future. I liked seeing how straight talk from friends and family opened their eyes to their mistakes and finally allowed them to trust themselves and each other.
 
I enjoyed the medical aspects of the story. I always learn something new from these books, and this was no exception. The technical details were a bit more involved here than in others I've read, but they added to the intensity of the work Nico and Cami did together. 

Cinderella at the Duke's Ball - Bronwyn Scott (HH #1815 - Sept 2024)

An extraordinary dress
To change her ordinary life!
 
Cora has one Season to find a husband and save her family from poverty! So, when her modest dress order is accidentally replaced with an above-her-station gown, she grabs the opportunity to wear it. The Duke of Harlow's ball is ideal for meeting a perfectly nice gentleman. Until the duke himself asks her for the first dance! Their connection is undeniable, but she knows Declan must "marry well," and she doesn't reach the high echelons expected of his position. As the clock strikes midnight on their time together, will this Cinderella get her happy-ever-after…?
 
Enjoyable rags-to-riches story. Cora is the oldest of an impoverished vicar's five daughters. Her aunt takes her and her next sister, Elise, to London, giving them a Season to find husbands. Since her mother's death, Cora has become the family's caretaker, putting everyone else's needs before hers. So when a mix-up occurs over her dress order, Cora subdues her qualms and wears the beautiful dress to the Duke of Harlow's ball. She never expected to catch the eye of the Duke himself!
 
Declan is under pressure from his mother to marry. She carefully selected several young women for him to choose from, with the proper breeding to be suitable matches. But when he sees Cora, all thoughts of those women disappear. He bypassed them all to dance the first dance with Cora.
 
I enjoyed the development of Cora and Declan's relationship. Their connection is immediate and strong. But Cora doesn't talk about her family circumstances, knowing that her background is not what he needs. Matters become more complicated when he invites her to the house party his mother has arranged. Declan finds every opportunity to spend time with her, and it is obvious that he is falling hard for her. Cora's feelings match his, but she doesn't believe they have a chance to be together.
 
I liked Declan's determination to have the woman he loved. He does an excellent job of standing up to his mother. But when the truth comes out, he doesn't react well. As I expected, Cora's decision to wear the dresses came back to bite her, and she must face the consequences of her actions. Once Declan realizes his mistake, he must work to earn Cora's trust before convincing her that they belong together. The ending was sweet and emotional, and the epilogue was a chance to catch up with them a few years later. 

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.