A Spy's Secret - Rachel Astor (HRS #2298 - Oct 2024)

She's wholesome as apple pie…
Or is she?
 
Bakery owner Ava Katz adores everything about her adopted hometown of Ambrosia Falls -- especially her best friend, mystery writer Zach Harrison. But the bucolic setting is hiding something -- or someone -- more sinister. The Apple Cider Festival is threatened by a series of mishaps, and Zach's young daughter goes missing -- just as the spark between Ava and her neighbor begins to explode into flames. Has Ava's mysterious past plunged them into danger? Can Zach solve the tangled mystery of just who his best friend really is -- and will Ava find his child before it's too late for them all?
 
I made the mistake of starting this book in the evening and got so involved that I didn't put it down until I turned the last page well past my bedtime.
 
The story starts with a bang as Ava, an undercover operative of some kind, discovers her partner of four years isn't what she thought he was. The intense scene ended in a fade-to-black moment, leaving the reader wondering what happened.
 
Fast forward five years, and we find Ava living in the tiny town of Ambrosia Falls, where she owns a bakery. She is cheerful and friendly to everyone she meets. But her favorite is probably Zach, a local mystery writer who hangs out in her shop to do his writing. Zach is the single dad of ten-year-old Chloe, the center of his life.
 
Ava and Zach have kept their relationship strictly in the friend zone. Ava's past keeps her from getting too close to anyone, knowing she could have to disappear at a moment's notice. For Zach, the last time he loved it ended in disaster. He doesn't want to risk his friendship with Ava, so he ignores his feelings, which have been growing for years.
 
The story opens as the town begins its yearly Apple Cider Festival. Grumpy Zach rolls his eyes at the over-the-top reactions of tourists visiting the bakery, while Ava loves interacting with them. She loves the normalcy of her new life. However, when a temporary water tower collapses in the middle of the festival, Ava has a bad feeling that things are about to change. That feeling is reinforced when the temporary stage catches fire in the early morning hours. Sure that her old partner has found her, Ava is ready to run when a panicked Zach tells her that Chloe has disappeared.
 
Warned not to call the police, it is up to Ava and Zach to find Chloe before it's too late. Zach is stunned as Ava transforms from a bubbly baker to a deadly operative in the blink of an eye. I was glued to the pages through the twists and turns of their search. The intensity ramped up with every page until the nail-biter of the final confrontation.
 
The intense situation brings Zach and Ava's feelings for each other to the surface. The question is, will they have the courage to take a chance on love?

Flirting with the Past - Kaylie Newell (HSE #3063 - Oct 2024)

Series: Hearts on Main Street (Book 1)
 
Only love can make them whole  
 
Poppy Sawyer has spent years struggling with survivor's guilt over the car wreck that killed her high school boyfriend. But when her grandfather wills her part of his antique shop in Christmas Bay, she returns home to face the pain in her past -- and Justin Frost, the deceased's brother. Neither expected their long-buried, forbidden attraction would spark at their first meeting. Nor the healing they find in each other's arms. But guilt is a hard obstacle to overcome, as is Justin's family. The only way forward together is to find forgiveness -- with their loved ones and each other.  
 
Good story about love and healing. Poppy returned to Christmas Bay after her grandfather's death to take up the conditions of his will - to run his antiques shop with her two cousins. It was a difficult decision because of the guilt she felt over the death of her high school sweetheart. Her attraction to Justin, Danny's older brother, complicates matters.
 
Justin spent the first years after Danny's death blaming Poppy, but sustaining the grief and anger is exhausting. Seeing her again creates a resurgence of his teenage feelings for her. His desire to avoid her and the grief she reminds him of wars with his need to get closer to her.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Poppy and Justin develop. Their first meeting surprises Justin when he discovers he can't sustain his anger at Poppy. He attempts to maintain his distance from her but can't stay away. Poppy is equally drawn to him, but some obstacles keep her from believing they have a future together. One is Justin's mom's continued bitterness and grief over Danny's death. An early confrontation with Poppy shows that Evelyn still blames her. However, the biggest obstacle is Poppy's self-blame and belief that she doesn't deserve love. Every time she takes a step forward in their relationship, something happens to push her back. I ached for Poppy and her struggle to forgive herself. I loved seeing them getting to know each other and working past their grief together. The ending was very emotional, with an unexpected twist.
 
I enjoyed the secondary characters also. Poppy's cousins, Beau and Cora, and Coras's daughter, Mary, were brought together by their grandfather's will after they'd drifted apart. Each is at a crossroads in their lives, and their return to Christmas Bay is the perfect time to reevaluate. I especially enjoyed young Mary. She struggles to deal with her father's death, which leads to an unexpected connection with Justin's mom. I liked how Mary helped Evelyn.

 
 

Cowboying Up - Delores Fossen (HQN - Oct 2024)

Series: Cowboy Brothers in Arms (Book 3)
 
A hotshot pilot's homecoming
takes an unexpected detour into off-limits romance…
 
Lieutenant Colonel Cal Donnelly has come home full of guilt he can't shake for events he could never control. First, he has to tell his family he's thinking of leaving the military. Second, he promised to give a Dear Jane message to his best friend's girlfriend. At least Charlotte Wilson doesn't seem heartbroken when he makes contact. In fact, she asks a favor that catches the born-and-bred cowboy completely off guard.
 
Charlotte needs a fake fiancé in order to buy a ranch to convert into a veterans' respite house. When Cal agrees, Charlotte seals the deal with a kiss -- one they both feel in the deepest part of their hearts. Cal's life might already be filled with complications, but this unexpected attraction is impossible to ignore. And with Cal's decision to return to Texas for good, Charlotte knows they'll need to figure out just where this relationship is headed. Because a future apart is no longer something either can accept.
 
Good continuation of the Cowboy Brothers in Arms series. Cal is one of four Donnelly siblings, all of whom are serving in the military. Cal is an Air Force pilot at the top of his game. But something happened that made him rethink his plans to make a career of it. He has returned to the family ranch on thirty days leave to consider his options. The other thing weighing on his mind is his promise to deliver a breakup letter to his best friend's girlfriend.
 
Charlotte and Noah were childhood sweethearts. They've been a couple for years but haven't seen much of each other because of his air force commitments. She is also an attorney in town but has big plans to buy a ranch and turn it into a rehab facility for veterans. Charlotte found the perfect place, but the elderly owner hesitates because she isn't married. She is talking with Mr. Becker about the property when Cal arrives to speak with her.
 
Matters become complicated very quickly when Charlotte begs Cal to play along with her declaration that he is her fiancé and lays a scorching hot kiss on him. He cooperates, but Becker still delays answering. After he leaves, Charlotte fills Cal in on her plans. Then comes telling her of Noah's breakup. We get the convoluted background of the friendships of Cal, Charlotte, Noah, and Harper (who is behind Cal's current dilemma). Charlotte's calmness about the breakup surprises Cal.
 
Cal's day becomes more difficult when he informs his family about his plans to resign from the Air Force. To say they are shocked would be putting it mildly, and the protests are intense. Worst of all is the reaction of his stepmother, the general who has mentored his career. I ached for Cal and the pressure he felt from his guilty feelings and his family.
 
Neither Charlotte nor Cal expected the attraction that flared up between them. They initially try to ignore it, but the sparks are too strong. They spend a lot of time together working on her plans for her facility, Port in a Storm, and their feeling for each other continue to grow. I loved the way they supported each other. However, trouble looms when Noah shows up wanting to resume his relationship with Charlotte. I loved her reaction, though Noah is more focused on his desires than what she says. I liked seeing Cal and Charlotte deal with him. Meanwhile, they continue to resist admitting their feelings for each other. When Cal gets an offer that would be hard to turn down, he must look deep to decide what he wants. I loved the ending and Cal's big moment with Charlotte.
 
I also enjoyed following along with Charlotte's Port in a Storm project. I loved her motivation and determination. I admired Noah's brother, Alden, the first resident of Port in a Storm. I would love to see him get a story of his own. Harper is a little harder to like after what she said to Cal, but I was more sympathetic to her after seeing what her father is like. Even grouchy old former owner Becker got in on the action. There are tense scenes with Harper and her father that are balanced by the supportive relationship Alden has with his father. I liked the realistic depiction of what some of our wounded warriors experience.
 
Other secondary characters included Charlotte's mother, Izzie, who I thought was controlling and selfish. She was more focused on the effect of Charlotte's breakup on her own plans than on what it meant to Charlotte. We also see Cal's two brothers and their ladies from the previous two books. I liked catching up with their lives. Cal's sister, Remi, makes a brief appearance. Cal's dad, Derek, is there with his opinion of Cal's plans. He is also front and center of another family issue - Rowan Cullen, the illegitimate son of Derek and Audrey. That situation is tense, and I'm looking forward to following its progress in the next book. 

 
 
 

The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams - Karen Hawkins (Gallery Books - Aug 2024)

Series: Dove Pond (Book 4)
 
When an antique tin of love letters is found hidden in her family home, noted historian Tay Dove rushes home to Dove Pond to investigate. Tay is still reeling from a romantic betrayal, so she's relieved to refocus her energies on her latest project: a biography of her great-great-grandmother Sarafina, a star reporter who began her career in Dove Pond in the late 19th century before abruptly leaving town.
 
Tay believes the letters could be the key in solving what happened, but they only add to her questions -- especially when they reveal a forbidden love affair with William Day, a wild youth who took part in a notorious train robbery. Some answers might be found in eighty-year-old Rose Day's bookshop, which doubles as a town archive, but Rose is curiously resistant to give Tay access. Just when Tay thinks she's reached a dead end, she finds an unlikely ally in Rose's grandson, Luke, a fellow puzzle lover. Together, they set out to uncover what really happened all those years ago…and find the truth behind a love story that could be more precious than gold.
 
Good book about love and family. Taylor Dove is the middle sister of seven sisters. Each of them has a special gift. In Tay's case, she can touch someone's handwriting and instantly experience the feelings, sights, and sounds of the person writing. This talent enhances her career as a noted historian, frequently guiding the direction of her research. When her sisters find an antique tin of love letters written by their ancestor, Sarafina, Tay rushes home to investigate. She's happy about the distraction from her recent breakup and intends to focus on writing Sarafina's biography.
 
The letters reveal a secret relationship with William Day, a wild young man later convicted of participating in a notorious train robbery. Tay's best chance of finding answers lies in the Day family archives in Rose Day's bookstore. But Rose resists giving Tay access until Rose's grandson, Luke, gets involved.
 
Luke returned to Dove Pond after he became the guardian of his niece, Lulu. Luke is one of those people for whom life comes easy. He's handsome, brilliant, and charming. He had a good computer job he gave up to take care of Lulu. Now, Luke works with Rose and does some computer consulting. There is a lot of tension between him and Rose as he tries to bring the store into the twenty-first century and meets resistance from his technophobe grandmother. He is also easily bored, so he begs Tay for the opportunity to work with her, solving the puzzle of the letters.
 
The plot intrigued me and kept me turning the pages. Tay researches her ancestor's career as a journalist in New York, but some of the information doesn't make sense to her. The letters from William open new paths of investigation into Sarafina's past. The reader is helped along by chapters told from Sarafina's point of view. Tay and Luke's teamwork is terrific with each bringing a different set of skills to the search. The tension rose as they closed in on the "family secret." While the secret wasn't a complete surprise, learning how they accomplished it was interesting.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Luke and Tay. She reluctantly accepts his help initially, but as time passes, she realizes he isn't the hindrance she expected. There are some great scenes of them working together and learning to appreciate the other's insights. Neither expected the feelings that developed between them, leaving Tay to decide if she would stay in Dove Pond or return to her job.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cinderella's Deal with the Colonel - Jenni Fletcher (HH #1727 - June 2023)

A penniless Cinderella
And a tempting offer from the colonel…
 
When a marquess's scheme leads to the debt and demise of Abigail's father, she wants retribution! Only, her plans at confronting the scoundrel go awry when his handsome younger brother Colonel Theodore Marshall offers her a job as his secretary. Theo's deal helps Abigail restore her family from financial ruin, but working so closely with him isn't as easy as she expected. Especially when each encounter sparks with tension!
 
Good book. Abigail has had the worst few weeks of her life. An only child, when Abigail's father died of a heart attack, she had to deal with everything by herself. The will reading reveals that he lost all his money in a bad investment, and the bank is repossessing her home, leaving her homeless. Then, her fiancé, who promised to stand by her, dumps her after discovering there is no dowry left. After learning that the financial disaster was caused by investing in the Marquess of Salway's building venture, the furious Abigail heads off to confront the Marquess. She feels he owes her at least a recommendation for a job. Unfortunately, Abigail discovers that she is yelling at the wrong man. Her target has left the country, and she is facing his younger brother.
 
Colonel Lord Theo Marshall sold his commission after the war and intended to start a new life in America. But first, he stops in London to check in with his brother and his family. There, he finds that Fitzwilliam has fled the country. Theo is an honorable man who believes he must clean up his brother's mess before moving on. He is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problems and initially can't see a way to help Abigail. I liked seeing how his conscience kicked in, and the scene where he finds and hires her was great.
 
Abigail has her work cut out for her as she serves as secretary for Theo, companion for Sabrina, his sister-in-law, and governess/chaperone to his two nieces. Meanwhile, Theo tries to bring order out of chaos so that he can move on with his life. Neither expected the attraction that flared between them, especially as both had vowed to remain unmarried. There are some terrific scenes of Theo when his innate kindness and protectiveness kick in. I liked seeing the friendship between them and watching as it grew into love. However, there are obstacles, especially Theo's issues with the estate. An unexpected discovery and the twist that came with it throws a wrench into their plans. I liked Theo's "aha" moment and the emotional ending. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up for the story.
 
Theo's valet, Kitchen, is my favorite of all the secondary characters. He was Theo's sergeant-major during the war and now runs his civilian life. I loved their relationship, which is far more like friends than employer/employee. Kitchen's interactions with Theo were fun, especially when he tried to guide Theo along a particular path. He and Theo warmed my heart with their determination to help his men after they returned from the war. 

Colorado Kidnapping - Cindi Myers (HI #2242 - Oct 2024)

Series: Eagle Mountain: Criminal History (Book 2)
 
With his little girl missing…
One lawman will stop at nothing to bring her home
 
The disappearance of his young daughter sets sheriff's deputy Ryker Vernon on the trail of desperate kidnappers. Complicating the single father's mission is the search and rescue volunteer who joins the lawman's team. Harper Stanick was Ryker's high school sweetheart…until she vanished from his life. As past secrets surface, the hunt leads to someone close to Ryker. Now he and Harper must stop a ruthless criminal with a deadly agenda if they are to bring his lost little girl home. 
 
I really need to stop starting these books late in the day if I want to get any sleep. I started reading after dinner and couldn't put it down until I finished it, well after midnight. Once again, the author penned a story that sucked me in at the beginning and kept me hooked to the end.
 
Harper moved back to Eagle Mountain after her divorce, ready to move on with her life. She joined the Search and Rescue team to stay busy and meet new people. The last person she expected to see was her high school sweetheart, Ryker.
 
Ryker left Eagle Mountain after being accused of murdering his young cousin. He was cleared, but many people still looked at him as if he were guilty. After settling into a new town, the woman he was dating got pregnant, and they married. Then she left him, abandoning their daughter. Ryker returned to Eagle Mountain, where his parents could help him care for four-year-old Charlotte while working his new job as a deputy. He was shocked when he ran into Harper at an accident scene.
 
Harper and Ryker have a history together. They were teen sweethearts despite Harper's mom's disapproval. When Harper became pregnant, her parents sent her away and prevented her from contacting Ryker. At the same time, Ryker was dealing with the murder of his cousin without her support. Neither had a way to find each other. They were wary when they met again, remembering the past pain. I liked that they were mature enough to talk and clear the air about their past, setting the stage for renewing their friendship. They didn't expect to discover their enduring attraction.
 
Before they can explore those feelings, Ryker's daughter is kidnapped. I was glued to the pages as the sheriff's department, search and rescue team, and volunteers kicked into high gear to find the little girl. I loved how Ryker and Harper teamed up, first to figure out who took Charlotte and then later to search. It was a roller coaster of successes and disappointments with a nail-biting conclusion.
 
There are still some things Ryker and Harper must deal with before they can look to a future together. I ached for Ryker, who believes he's made too many mistakes with Harper for her to trust him. I loved their conversation and openness with each other as they put the past to rest. The epilogue was terrific.

Castles - Julie Garwood (Pocket - July 1993)

Series: Crown's Spies (Book 4)
 
England, 1819. Orphaned and besieged Princess Alesandra knew that only hasty marriage to an Englishman could protect her from the turmoil in her own land. To the amusement of her makeshift guardian, Sir Colin Hallbrook, younger brother of the Marquess of Caineswood, the bold raven-haired beauty instantly captivated London society. But when Alesandra was nearly abducted by her unscrupulous countrymen, the fighting instincts that won Colin a knighthood for valor were rekindled.
 
Deceiving himself that he wanted only to protect her, Colin swept her into a union meant to be a marriage in name alone... yet Alesandra's tender first kiss and hesitant caress ignited a wildfire in his soul. As the lovely princess dashed headlong into unforeseen dangers, Colin would follow, knowing he must claim her as his own forever. Now he would risk life itself before he would lose this sweet, tempestuous angel...
 
This is my first reread of this book in many years, and I still love it. It had a few issues, such as using the word "sexy," which didn't come into use until the 1890s. All of that aside, it was a fun book with likable characters and Garwood's trademark humor.
 
Alesandra was orphaned at the age of 12 and spent the next several years being raised by the nuns at a convent. Her high spirits and unique perspective made her life with the nuns very interesting. Alesandra's conversation with the mother superior when told she would stay with her guardian was a good preview of what would come. Matters become complicated when she arrives at the Duke's house to find that his family and his oldest son's are ill. She is sent to stay with the Duke's younger son, Colin.
 
Colin spends his days working to make his shipping business a success. He has a five-year plan that doesn't include marriage. That hasn't stopped his parents from pushing him to get married. When Alesandra shows up at his house, Colin is sure it is another setup by his father. He's unhappy that the need to protect her is real and that he is stuck with her. He's not entirely out of the woods, though, because she needs to be married quickly, and he is at the top of the list of recommended suitors.
 
The sparks between Colin and Alesandra are evident from the start. Each tries to ignore the attraction. But when Colin becomes ill, Alesandra nurses him back to health, and the attraction grows. When she is nearly abducted, the need for marriage becomes urgent. The Duke calls a meeting at his house, which includes the entire family, and they attempt to decide on an appropriate husband for her. One of the book's best parts is this scene, as Colin consistently finds something wrong with each suggestion while resisting the suggestion for him to step up. Everyone around Colin can see the truth that he refuses to admit - he cares for her. I laughed out loud at the outcome. I loved watching Colin continue to fall under Alesandra's spell after they married and got to know each other. They finally admitted their feelings for each other in a sweet and humorous way.
 
The book is filled with how Alesandra gets around some of Colin's stubbornness. She is frequently in cahoots with Colin's butler, Flannaghan, who is starstruck around "their princess." From her financial dealings through her "Uncle Albert" to colluding with Colin's doctor about his leg injury to her deception about the shares in his company, Alesandra finds a way to help without fighting him over it.
 
There is also a bit of intrigue as Alesandra worries about a missing friend. Her refusal to accept the consensus keeps her pushing for more information. I figured out the answer early in the book, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment. The final confrontation was intense.