A Viking Heir to Bind Them - Michelle Styles (HH #1748 - Sept 2023)

An unexpected family
For the lone-wolf warrior
 
Nothing daunts Viking Tylir, until unassuming Melkorka Helmsdottar upends his life by revealing he has a secret heir! Mel has looked after little Katla since the girl's mother died, but now Tylir intends to claim his child. Yet this battle-hardened jarl has no idea how to be a father. Mel is the perfect person to help him. Only, spending time with the captivating Mel binds him closer to her than he ever thought possible…
 
I enjoyed the storyline of this book, though some of the execution was not as appealing. The story opens as Melkorka fulfills the deathbed promise to her friend by delivering the woman's daughter to her father, Tylir. Tylir, a former Viking berserker, has tired of war and death and now lives a quieter life. The last thing he expects is to find he is a father.
 
Tylir is a widower who has sworn off ever marrying again. He is wracked with guilt over the deaths of his parents and siblings, believing that he should have been there to protect them instead of off fighting elsewhere. He has also been unlucky in love, with his first love marrying another man, and the woman he eventually married being unfaithful and mercenary.
 
Mel is a widow whose marriage was very unhappy. Her husband was physically and emotionally abusive, and the brother with whom she lived was no better.  Mel's husband and son died of an illness, and she blames herself for not having the healing skills to save them. She is determined to take her inheritance and buy a farm where she can be independent once she delivers Katla to her father and sees her settled.
 
Their first meeting doesn't go well, thanks to a misunderstanding caused by someone else. Once Tylir realizes that Katla is his daughter, he is all in on accepting her and making her part of his life. I liked his determination to be a good father and his wish to keep Mel there to help Katla settle in. Mel didn't make a good first impression, but Tylir's opinion changed when he saw how protective she was of Katla.
 
I enjoyed the development of Mel and Tylir's relationship. The attraction between them is evident from the start, but neither wants to admit it. Each has their reasons, which we hear about over and over, but it doesn't stop their feelings from growing. However, there are outside forces working against them that could permanently end any chance they have of a future together. The resolution was a nail-biter and kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
Secondary characters played important roles. Katla was the most visible of those as the reason that Mel was there. She was a strange mixture of child (she is five years old) and preteen. Her matchmaking attempts were annoying and did more to push Mel and Tylir apart than bring them together. I liked her best when she acted her age. The maid Virin bugged me from the start with her attempts to stir up trouble. Tylir's friend Stargazer gave me creepy vibes from the get-go.

Danger in the Depths - Addison Fox (HRS #2240 - Aug 2023)

Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 1)
 
Some secrets should stay beneath the surface…
 
Working alongside Marlowe McCoy means that NYPD diver Wyatt Trumbull has to ignore his fierce attraction to the prickly safecracker. He faces a whole new set of challenges when she finally responds to his desire with her own -- and when clues in his latest case implicate her family. He wants to protect her, but will his own hidden scars make them both vulnerable?
 
Terrific book that hooked me from the start. I read it in one sitting. This is the first in a series about a little-known branch of the NYPD - the Harbor Patrol. These officers deal with everything from checking the bridges for bombs to diving for evidence recovery to water rescues. The underwater descriptions fascinated me and made me feel as though I was there.
 
Marlowe is a lock and vault technician, aka a safecracker. She has a stellar reputation and often works with the NYPD. Her path crosses with Wyatt's again when she works on a series of safes that are part of his murder investigation. I enjoyed the banter between them as Wyatt teased her with silly nicknames that got under her skin. However, underneath the irritation is an attraction that neither can deny, though both fight against it.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Both have events from their pasts that have influenced who they are, though they try to keep them in the past. That becomes more difficult when aspects of the current case bring those memories to the surface. As Wyatt and Marlow spent time together, they began to see past the façades they showed others and found they had many things in common. There are some rough patches because both are stubborn when they get an idea in their heads. Marlowe does some things that damage Wyatt's trust, causing tension between them. A dangerous situation opens their eyes to their feelings and the hope for a future together.
 
The suspense of this story kept me intrigued from start to finish. The fast-paced action and the twists kept me guessing for a long time. A few scenes from the bad guy's perspective contribute to the case's complexity, while an unexpected link to Marlowe's family adds another layer of tension and danger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was done.
 
I've already read the third book in the series and look forward to reading the second one. Though characters and workplaces connect the books, each story can be read as a standalone. 

 
 
 

Alaskan Blackout - Joanne Rock (HD #2967 - Sept 2023)

Series: Kingsland Ranch (Book 3)
 
His search leads him to the one woman he must resist at all costs -- until one storm-tossed night…
 
When Quinton Kingsley arrives in Alaska's rugged Aleutian Islands in search of his missing half-brother, he finds a brash, red-haired beauty instead. McKenna O'Brien maintains his brother's bar while he's off-grid. She has her reasons for keeping the truth from the wealthy cowboy CEO. Too many men have taken advantage of McKenna's trust.
 
Though McKenna's off-limits, Quint can't ignore their sizzling attraction. Giving into temptation the night a storm strands them together only makes Quint desire McKenna more. With the stakes high and a precious new complication, has Quint finally found the woman of his dreams? Or will he risk losing her forever?
 
Good book. Quinton is in Alaska to find his estranged half-brother but finds Clay's gorgeous red-haired stepsister instead. McKenna runs Clay's bar when he is away. She is very protective of him and refuses to tell Quint where he is. Quint and McKenna butt heads over their conflicting missions. Neither expected the intense attraction they felt for each other.
 
I liked Quint and McKenna. Quint is a good man who wants to ensure that Clay gets what he deserves from their father's estate. Though he grew up on the ranch, he left it behind as soon as he could, driven away by his tough, unyielding father and the memories of his mother's death. McKenna's childhood was tough until her father married Clay's mother, giving McKenna the stability she craved. Clay was there for her when her life fell apart, giving her a safe place to start over.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Quint and McKenna. Neither is happy about the intense attraction they feel for each other. Due to her previous relationship, McKenna has deep trust issues, and Quint feels guilty about desiring his brother's stepsister. While McKenna holds tight to her knowledge of Clay's whereabouts, she and Quint get to know each other. Quint is different than she expected, and he earns some of her trust when he offers to help her with the issue that brought her to Alaska.
 
Quint and McKenna can no longer resist the sparks when a storm strands them together. But guilt and insecurities pull them apart even when neither can forget the connection they felt. Time apart gives them perspective about their feelings, but there is still the issue of finding Clay to get past. There is some drama there, but I loved the ending and seeing how they resolved their conflict.

Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - Oct 2024)

Series: Emerald Bay (Book 5)
 
Christmas trees decked with fairy lights twinkle in every window, carolers fill the streets, and charity worker Hannah is gearing up for the season of giving in the little Irish village. But it's not just the cold winter winds that are chilling her spirits this year…
 
When twenty-three-year-old Hannah Kelly finds out that the beautiful rolling hills around her hometown could be destroyed by a new building development, she rushes back to Emerald Bay to rally the community. But arriving home at The Shamrock Inn, there's another shock in store… the handsome and sparkling-eyed lead developer, Tom Flynn, has checked in as a guest. Is this Hannah's chance to save the village?
 
Hannah tries to convince Tom the beautiful area needs to be protected: even though he's as stubborn as the donkey in the local nativity play. But when sharing that this is also where her late grandfather first met and proposed to her grandmother, his gentle hug as she sobs makes her wonder if maybe they aren't so different…
 
As sparks start to fly, Hannah decides to invite Tom to experience the joys of a Kelly Christmas Day. When Tom's hand catches hers as they peel brussels sprouts together, Hannah's cheeks start to blush. But it turns to a flush of anger as he ducks out to take a call – about work starting in the spot she's fought so hard to save. And the voice on the phone is strangely familiar…
 
Can Hannah figure out who is behind Tom's project and stop the plans? Or will following her heart be the key to saving the little Irish village and Christmas for everyone?
 
Good addition to the Emerald Bay series. This is the story of Hannah, the middle daughter of the Kelly family. In previous books, Hannah stands out as the environmentally conscious activist member of the family. The book opens with Hannah's first foray into protesting for a cause at the age of eight, then moves on to the present day. Hannah works for the non-profit group Feed the World with Bees, where she also has a massive crush on her boss, Dylan. When Dylan shows her an article about a huge garden center planned for her hometown, Hannah rushes home to rally the community. She doesn't expect to find a guest staying in the house. Tom Flynn, an architectural project manager from Dublin, was sent to do the advanced work for the proposed development. Hannah takes an instant dislike to him because of it.
 
The initial meeting between Tom and Hannah was hilarious, leaving Hannah at a slight disadvantage. In addition, she is so focused on her mission that she comes across as very judgmental. I liked seeing Tom call her out on it. They are thrown together on several occasions, and Hannah discovers that there is more to Tom than she realizes. I liked Tom. He is charming and has a sense of humor even in difficult moments. Neither Tom nor Hannah expected the sparks that flared between them, complicating their interactions. A few bumps along the road to their happy ever after are mainly caused by Hannah's distrust. Fortunately, Hannah's journey includes some self-examination and rethinking of her priorities. I loved the scene of Tom and Hannah at the cottage as they finally cleared the air. The ending was sweet, and I loved seeing the whole family together.
 
I love the Kelly family, and this book is full of Kellyisms. The teasing among the sisters is hilarious, but they have each other's backs when support is needed. Kitty Kelly, the grandmother, shows a different side of herself when the proposed development intrudes on a special place in her history. I loved the history she revealed and how it brought her past to life for the sisters. There is also a bit of intrigue involving an American woman who appears to be stalking Hannah's mother, Nora. The resolution of that mystery was a shock to everyone.
 
The village residents add humor and depth to the story. I especially enjoyed Eileen and how she roped Hannah into helping with her latest project. The scenes with the teenagers were funny and moving.

 
 
 

Hero's Prize - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - Sept 2024)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek (Book 3)
 
When a deadly accident leaves extreme sport superstar Colton Harrison questioning what his future holds, he decides to take a timeout in his hometown of Oak Creek.
 
He knows the mountains and wildness of Wyoming will help him heal.
 
But he has no idea how he’s known sweet Ella O’Conner all his life but is somehow only really seeing her for the first time now.
 
People in his world may say she doesn't measure up, but this woman—and all her sexy curves—is downright beautiful to Colton.
 
Ella is who he wants. Who he needs. Who he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
 
Although convincing her of that will be tricky. All she's ever wanted was a quiet existence, and life in the public eye can be brutal—no matter how much Colton vows to protect her.
 
Especially when a stalker is willing to do anything to keep Colton for themself.
 
I love these second-generation Linear Tactical books just as much as the originals. The characters are realistic, with believable fears and insecurities. Colton and Ella's story drew me in from the beginning and kept me hooked.
 
Ella is the daughter of Cade and Peyton O'Conner. She is content living out of the spotlight, running her bakery. She is as sweet as the pastries she bakes, calm, kind, empathetic, and supportive of her friends. She has also had a crush on Colton all of her life.
 
Colton is the son of Boy and Girl Riley Harrison (Phoenix). Like his father, Colton is an extreme sports enthusiast with a vast online fandom. He has a big stunt scheduled for the same weekend as a friend's wedding.
 
The book opens just before Theo and Eva's wedding (Hero Unbound). Ella prepares the food for the reception with the help of two friends who are bridesmaids. Right away, the reader gets a look at Ella's insecurities about her looks. She is curvy and sees herself as plain, which causes her to turn down the invitation to be a bridesmaid, too. She's happier in the background, out of the spotlight. We also see Colton as he prepares for his upcoming stunt while thinking that his activities don't give him the rush of satisfaction he used to experience.
 
We then move on to the reception after the wedding. While talking with Lincoln, his very literal, no-filter friend, the revelation that Ella has a crush on him stuns Colton. He and Ella have been friends since they were kids, and he has never allowed himself to think of her that way. Now that he knows, those latent stirrings are front and center, and he can't stop thinking about her in a whole new way. Ella doesn't know how to react when she realizes Colton is flirting with her. I loved watching him overcome her hesitation with his genuine admiration and obvious attraction to her. But after seizing the moment and giving in to her feelings for Colton, Ella's insecurities reignite when Colton mutters something as he falls asleep. I ached for Ella, but I also wanted to shake her for quickly writing off such an intense connection.
 
I felt terrible for Colton, who was shocked to discover Ella was gone when he woke up. He is hurt and confused but also has a stunt to perform and must concentrate on. His focus becomes critical when the stunt goes terribly wrong. I was on the edge of my seat during this part because, though I knew he would live, I had no idea what the long-term effects would be.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Colton and Ella develop. It has its bumps while both work through their issues. I loved Ella's empathy and support as she sensed the turmoil he suffered while dealing with the aftereffects he didn't want to admit to. At the same time, Colton must get past Ella's self-doubts to convince her of his feelings for her. There are lovely scenes of them together, from working together at her bakery to helping out at Bear's camp. There is a bump in their progress when an incident causes Colton to question Ella's motives. He deserved a kick in the pants for what he said and did, and I loved seeing it delivered.
 
Dealing with a stalker complicates Colton's life. From slightly creepy letters of adoration, it soon escalates into more threatening communications. I could feel Colton's determination to stop the stalker before it could escalate further. It felt like old times to see the Linear Tactical people of both generations come together to help. Figuring out the stalker's identity was convoluted enough to keep me guessing until the end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter.
 
A secondary story dealt with the camp that Bear ran for siblings of kids with cancer. He intends to give the kids who frequently get overlooked because of their siblings' medical needs a chance to have something that is all theirs. My heart broke to see how they step back and don't make waves for their families. I loved watching them lean into the various aspects of the activities. I especially enjoyed seeing the effect it had on Ella and Colton. Colton found it particularly valuable as he contemplated the changes he wanted to make in his life.
 
The ending was fantastic. I loved watching Colton try to make it up to Ella for his idiocy. The ending scene was adorable. 

 
 

Only a Lyon Will Do - Sherry Ewing (Dragonblade - Sept 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 64)
 
Can a chance encounter turn desire into love?
 
Asher Tyler, Earl of Rowley, has guarded his life as a carefree bachelor by avoiding romantic entanglements and the debutantes of each Season. When his world is turned upside down by a mysterious woman who saves him from a fall, Asher wishes to know her better but she refuses to reveal her identity. Asher cannot forget the woman at the Lyon's Den and remembers every delectable detail about her.
 
Mrs. Patience Moore, a widow with a complicated past and ties to the Wicked Widow's Club, was disowned by her merchant father when she married without his consent. Now a widow, she lives with her friend, Cassandra, who pays the matchmaking fees of the infamous Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Widow of Whitehall, to find a husband for Patience.
 
But Patience doesn't want an arranged marriage. She wants to fall in love but not with the man who stumbled into her one night at the Lyon's Den who appears only interested in one thing. She knows his type. She should stay far away from him. Her heart tells her differently.
 
Mrs. Dove Lyon's matchmaking brings Asher and Patience together, but the road is complicated. Asher insists he isn't interested in marriage, his brother is vying for Patience's affection, and an enemy from Asher's past is seeking revenge.
 
Only time will tell if love will win over a woman who is afraid to trust and a man who refuses to see that the perfect woman is right before his eyes.
 
Good book. Asher Tyler has maintained his carefree bachelor life by steering clear of each Season's marriage-minded misses while watching two of his best friends fall to Mrs. Dove-Lyon's matchmaking efforts. He and his friend Lucius are the only ones unwed and are determined to stay that way. Then Asher encounters a woman who catches his attention, and he can't forget her.
 
Patience is a widow and member of the Wicked Widows Club. She is not particularly wicked, but her reputation suffered when she eloped with her late husband and her father disowned her. She lives with her friend, Cassandra, who pays Mrs. Dove-Lyon's matchmaking fees to find Patience a husband. Patience is willing but wants to find a man she can love, a man very different than the one she encountered at the Lyon's Den.
 
I enjoyed watching Asher and Patience's relationship develop. The sparks between them are evident from the start, but Asher stubbornly hangs on to his bachelorhood while Patience is wary of trusting him with her heart. Mrs. Dove-Lyon does a masterful job of throwing them together without them realizing her involvement. Each encounter increases the sparks between them. Complications occur when Asher's brother, Gideon, expresses his interest in her. The possibility of losing Patience to another man opens his eyes to his feelings for her. I liked his efforts to win Patience's heart and earn her trust.
 
There is some trouble when an old enemy of Asher's seeks revenge. His actions add an element of danger that threatens to come between Asher and Patience. Some tense moments occur near the end, but the resolution is very satisfying.
 
The ending is excellent. I enjoyed Lucius's comments about preserving his freedom, especially in view of the epilogue. There, we see that Mrs. Dove-Lyon has him in her crosshairs. I can't wait for the author's next Lyon's Den book. I'd also like to see Gideon get a happy ending himself. 

 

The Duke's Rapier - C.H. Admirand (Dragonblade - Sept 2024)

Series: Duke's Guard (Book 10)
 
A lecherous lord out for revenge and the black sheep of the O'Malley family complicate this Regency Romance on the Duke's Guard's latest assignment—to find a missing woman.
 
O'Malley doesn't believe in coincidences, nor that his cousin has somehow managed to stumble upon the missing woman he has been sent to find. He arrives at the inn to discover O'Ghill has locked the vicar's niece in her room at the inn and left him to face the fireworks.
 
When O'Malley opens the door, a winsome lass with eyes the color of morning mist—magnified by her spectacles—wild red curls, and freckles falls into his arms. Her expression of wonder and attraction goes to O'Malley's head like three fingers of the Irish on an empty gut. But it is a kiss in the garden at midnight that has O'Malley falling hard for the enchanting lass.
 
Caroline Gillingham has lost everything: her older brother and his best friend—the man she promised to wait for—on the battlefield on the Iberian Peninsula, and her parents, both of whom succumbed to illness. In order to pay their mountain of debt, she is forced to sell their home and its contents.
 
She journeys to Summerfield-on-Eden to stay with her uncle the vicar and his family, but ends up a few hours away stranded at an inn with her mother's locket, her father's pocket watch, and three shillings in her reticule.
 
O'Ghill may have saved her from the crooked pawnbroker, but it is the blond-haired, green-eyed giant of a man who captures her heart when she tumbles into his arms.
 
Danger stalks in the night, but it will have to get past the Duke's Rapier before he will let harm come to those he has sworn to protect with his strength, his honor, and his heart.
 
Another fantastic entry into the Duke's Guard series. Just when I think it can't get any better, a new book proves me wrong. This book picks up where The Duke's Mercenary leaves off. Prudence Garahan and the vicar's and blacksmith's daughter have been rescued and returned to their families. But word comes that the perpetrator of their abduction was released because he has friends in very high places. Baron Summerfield and the Guard members believe he will be looking for revenge. When the vicar's niece, Caroline, disappears on her way to stay with her uncle, Thomas O'Malley is sent to find her.
 
After her mother's death, Caroline is penniless and jilted by her suitor. On the journey to live with her uncle, she runs out of money for the coach and visits a pawnbroker. O'Malley's cousin O'Ghill saves her from the unwanted attention of the shopkeeper and locks her in her room at the inn while he waits for Thomas's arrival. When Thomas arrives and lets her out, something about him speaks to her heart.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Caro and Thomas. After seeing so many of his brothers and cousins fall hard and fast, it doesn't take long for Thomas to recognize his feelings. But he also knows his duty to the baron and must subdue those feelings while carrying out his duties. I enjoyed seeing Caroline and him get to know each other while the sparks of attraction grew with each encounter. Thomas's arguments with himself are amusing, and I laughed out loud at the teasing he endured from his cousins. There is also a terrific scene where Thomas deals with Caro's former suitor.
 
The story's suspense is intense as Baron Summerfield and the Guard members prepare to protect their loved ones. Matters are complicated by the headstrong actions of the vicar's daughter, who unthinkingly puts herself and others in danger. The tension builds as the danger draws nearer, and Thomas is injured. The conclusion is somewhat anticlimactic but satisfying.
 
Each book can be read as a standalone, but the backstory and family dynamics are best if you start from the beginning. I love these men and their loyalty, commitment, and support for each other. Their interactions are frequently funny, especially when accompanied by their stubbornness and competitiveness. I also recommend reading the author's Lords of Vice series to understand the relationships of the Duke of Wyndmere and his family.