Her K-9 Protector - Kimberly van Meter - (HRS #2226 - Apr 2023)

Series: Big Sky Justice (Book 2)
 
A K-9 hero answers the call
For one special assignment…
 
When Kenna Griffin returns to Montana with her son, she believes she's outrun her past. Having escaped her abusive ex-husband, the single mom is eager to make a fresh start. But nothing feels safe except the protection offered by K-9 officer Lucas Merritt and his fearless police dog. Because danger has followed Kenna to Cottonwood. Against all her instincts, she lets Lucas into her life…though that just might kill them both.
 
Good book about two people with painful pasts who have come to Cottonwood to rebuild their lives. Kenna is a single mother who moved back to her hometown to get away from her dangerously obsessive ex. She blames herself and her poor judgment for her situation and is too ashamed to confess to her sisters what she experienced.
 
Lucas is the town's new K-9 officer. He is looking for a new start after his brother's tragic death. He blames himself for not seeing how far Brock had fallen before it was too late.
 
Both Kenna and Lucas have put relationships on the "no go" list while they get their lives together. However, neither anticipated the sparks of attraction that flared between them. They try to ignore their feelings and avoid each other, but Fate conspires to throw them together. I liked the trust that slowly built between them as they got to know each other. Matters become complicated when a past relationship comes back to haunt Lucas. A little distance helped him put some things in perspective but also stirred up some unresolved feelings.
 
The suspense portion of the story was well done. Kenna kept her past secret from her sisters (bad idea). She wants to believe that her ex either can't find her or isn't interested in doing so. But when a feeling of being watched combines with some odd happenings, Kenna wonders if she is being paranoid. It isn't hard to reach the correct conclusion and expect a confrontation. The twist in the resolution surprised me, but I loved how it happened. Unfortunately, Lucas's reaction to some of Kenna's revelations disappointed me, and I ached for Kenna. I liked the butt-kicking he got that set him straight. The ending shows promise for the future, and I look forward to seeing them in later books.
 
The best secondary characters were Lucas's K-9 partner, Noble, and Kenna's ten-year-old son, Ty. Noble was a terrific partner for Lucas, on and off duty. I enjoyed his reactions when Lucas talked to him about personal issues. Noble also served as a great ice-breaker when Lucas worked with young people like Ty. The story opens with Lucas dealing with Ty, who is committing vandalism. Ty isn't handling the move well, and along with the trauma he experienced before the move, he acts out in destructive ways. I liked seeing his changes as Lucas became a bigger part of his life. 

 
 
 

How Not to Propose to a Duke - Louise Allen (HH #1791 - May 2024)

Series: A Season of Celebration (Book 1)
 
Miss Danby's daring proposition for the duke
 
First, wealthy ironmaster's daughter Jessica Danby needs a titled husband. So, upon learning that Alexander, the Duke of Malvern, needs a rich wife, she makes a convenient proposal… Next, her impetuous marriage offer is swiftly rejected by Alex, who wants to marry for love! Now Jessica accepts his help in finding another suitor. But as they spend the Season by each other's side, she realizes that their unlikely friendship is becoming something more thrilling!
 
This was a good role-reversal story. Usually, the man picks a bride using practical reasoning, while the woman wants to marry for love. In this book, Jessica is a wealthy ironmaster's daughter. He hopes to gain a titled son-in-law and provides Jessica with a hefty dowry. Unfortunately, this attracts the wrong kind of suitor. Jessica looks around her and decides the honorable Alexander, Duke of Malvern, would suit her well. He has a good reputation, and he needs the money. The opening scene is intriguing, as she proposes to him.
 
Alex is surprised by Jessica's proposal, and though her reasoning is sound, he wants what his friends have - a marriage of love. He's kind but adamant in his refusal, and she leaves disappointed. However, they frequently cross paths in social settings and soon form an unusual friendship. Alex still hopes that that bolt of lightning will hit, but he discovers that he can't keep his mind off Jessica. There's a terrific scene where he comes to the rescue in an awkward situation.
 
Eventually, Alex realizes he can't wait any longer - he needs the cash influx to restore the castle and take care of his tenants. So he proposes to Jessica, believing they will get along well enough. Jessica is a little wary, worried that he will find his "soul mate" after they are married. Immediately after the wedding, they leave for his castle. Only after they arrived did she find out about the fires that devastated the village, and she believed that was why he proposed. It is a misunderstanding that dents their trust in each other.
 
I liked how Jessica rolled up her sleeves and got to work helping handle the crisis. This enabled her and Alex to get to know each other and deepen their friendship. That friendship grows into more, but Alex is still fixated on the lightning bolt and doesn't recognize that he's fallen in love. Jessica, too, has fallen for her husband but hesitates to say anything.
 
When a young woman from Alex's past shows up, Jessica fears her worst nightmare has come true. After the conversation she overheard, I ached for her and understood her need to get away. Alex doesn't know what sent her running and is hurt and confused by her actions. I loved the ending, where a combination of good advice and honest communication gives them the marriage both wanted and neither thought they could have. 

 

Dreaming of a Lyon - Sandra Sookoo (Dragonblade - Oct 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 65)
 
When a Lyon is restless, Mrs. Dove-Lyon is on notice…
 
In search of excitement… Though Captain Simon Henry Huxley lost an eye in the naval war with America in 1812, it hasn't slowed him down the past six years. Since his contemporaries are falling into parson's mousetrap with alarming regularity -- manipulated by Mrs. Dove-Lyon no doubt -- and with yearning to return to the sea thrumming through his veins, London is a bit dull. But after a spontaneous visit to the infamous Lyon's Den gaming hell one winter night, his life will change in every conceivable way.
 
Dreaming of freedom… Lady Hattie Anne Russell, youngest daughter to the Earl of Stonewycke, has been intimate with scandal since the day she turned sixteen. She dislikes rules, labels, or the ton's boring dictates for proper ladies, and through it all she's been bedeviled by dreams of an adventurous lion. Frustrated, her mother turns to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help in marrying Hattie off before further disgrace follows; no stake is too high, and any Lyon will do, but Hattie won't be tamed, and neither will she submit to marriage without a fight.
 
A matchmaker's interference may provide both… After a hasty marriage of convenience, the newly wedded pair is forced to make the best of their reality. As the calendar marches toward spring, the two accidentally find common ground by bonding over the silliest of things. Secrets and dreams are shared, and emotions prompt surprising heat between them, yet an unexpected complication has the power to destroy what they're building. It will take daring heroics and exceptional mettle to prove they are worthy of a love -- and a life -- for the ages.
 
…which goes to prove, once again, the owner of the Lyon's Den is never wrong.
 
Mrs. Dove-Lyon succeeds again at matching two unlikely subjects for a happy marriage. Hattie has been a scandal magnet since she turned sixteen. Society's rules frustrate her, so she ignores them. Now twenty-nine, her parents are fed up with her antics and hire Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find her a husband who will take her off their hands. Hattie doesn't want to be married, but she's given no choice.
 
Simon is a retired Navy captain who lost an eye in the war with the Americans a few years earlier. He's stayed busy since then, including spending time with his friends. However, many of them have fallen prey to Mrs. Dove-Lyon's manipulations and are now married (albeit happily). He's somewhat envious of their happiness, but not enough to step into that trap himself - until the night he wins a drinking wager at the Lyon's Den. The next thing he knows, Mrs. Dove-Lyon threatens to reveal his secret unless he marries the scandal-ridden Hattie immediately.
 
I liked the development of Hattie and Simon's relationship. Honest communication from the get-go smoothed the way as they decided to make the best of their situation. Hattie is stubborn and impulsive but not stupid, and she quickly sees the benefits of her marriage. Simon understands her and doesn't try to push or control her. I liked watching them get to know each other and discovering that they like what they have together. And that's before they give in to the sparks of attraction that grow stronger by the day.
 
But there are some obstacles between them and the future they want, obstacles caused by the trust that is difficult to bestow. Simon keeps his professional singing career to himself because he wants to be appreciated for who he is, not his celebrity. Hattie knows he's keeping something from her and is hurt by the lack of trust.
 
Meanwhile, it takes a while for Hattie to confide in Simon about her propensity for prophetic dreams. She has been dreaming about lions, and some of those dreams terrify her. Complicating matters is a rejected suitor who refuses to give up his pursuit of Hattie. The resolution of that matter was very well done.

Festive Fling with the Surgeon - Karin Baine (HMED #1423 - Nov 2024)

Series: Christmas North and South (Book 1)
 
WRAPPED UP…IN EACH OTHER!
 
Transplant surgeon Tamsin is determined nobody will suffer the post-op complications her sister faced. She certainly doesn't have capacity for romance. So, succumbing to passion on a visit to Edinburgh with handsome pediatrician Max is a one-night indulgence… Max has his own reasons for being anti-commitment, but when he and Tamsin are thrown back together again temporarily, their snow-melting attraction leads to a whirlwind fling. Only, their feelings are deepening along with their desire. This festive season, will they be brave and embrace the gift in front of them?
 
This was an emotional story about two people whose pasts cause them to believe that romance and love are not in their futures. Their journey from fling to forever was filled with attraction and anxiety.
 
Tamsin is a transplant surgeon who chose her career because of the effects of her own transplant on her and her sister, Emily. The backstory is heartbreaking and leaves Tamsin blaming herself for what happened to Emily. While romance is not welcome, the occasional one-night stand is okay. So, when sparks fly between her and pediatric surgeon Max during a working trip to Edinburgh, she gives in. But the deep connection she feels freaks her out, and Tamsin quickly distances herself.
 
Max has his own reasons for avoiding commitment, but there is something about Tamsin he's unable to forget. When aftercare for her transplant patient brings her back to Edinburgh, Max wants to pick up where they left off. Tamsin is wary but sets her doubts aside when they agree to a short-term, no-strings fling.
 
I enjoyed watching Max and Tamsin's relationship develop. It's evident from the start that their connection is more than just physical, but neither wants to admit it. They soon spend just as much time outside the bedroom, enjoying being together. The scenes of ordinary activities of being a couple raise red flags in Tamsin, but she doesn't want to lose what they have. She knows she's getting in deep when Max introduces her to the children at the orphanage where he grew up.
 
I liked watching Max open up and reconsider his no-commitment stance. But Tamsin is still mired in her guilty feelings, which drives a wedge between them when he wants more. I ached for both as harsh words were exchanged. Can Tamsin take Max's advice and mend the rift with her family before it's too late? I loved the ending and the intervention that brought Max and Tamsin to their big moment.
 
The medical theme of this book is transplants and what happens before and after. I loved how Tamsin's past made her so passionate about her work. The transplant patient at the center of the story was a terrific way to explain the process without feeling like a med school lecture. 

 

Under Lock and Key - K.D. Richards (HI #2249 - Nov 2024)

Series: West Investigations (Book 11)
 
The man who broke her heart…
Must now be her protector.
 
Maggie Scott has worked hard to become an assistant curator at the Larimer Museum. But following the theft of a rare, priceless jewel and the murder of her fellow employee and friend, Maggie is suspected of complicity. Only investigator Kevin Lombard believes in her innocence. But thanks to their shared history, he's hardly objective. In fact, this may be the second chance he never thought possible. First, though, he must prove Maggie's innocence…and protect the woman he never forgot from whoever is out to get her.
 
Another terrific book in the West Investigations series with a gripping mystery, second-chance romance, and an interesting art museum setting. It starts with a bang when the famous Vipere ruby is stolen from the Larimer Museum.
 
Maggie is one of the curators at the museum and the force behind the special exhibit. The night of the donor's preview, Maggie is attacked, and the ruby is stolen. Later that night, she discovers that her best friend and fellow curator has been murdered. Complicating matters, the investigator for the security company is Kevin, the college sweetheart who left her without looking back.
 
Kevin recently started working for West Investigations. This is his first case with them, and he's determined to excel. The last person he expects to see is Maggie, the girl he's never forgotten.
 
The suspense of this story had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The search for the ruby is a rollercoaster ride of promising clues and dead ends, with a twist at the end that I never saw coming. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with a terrific ending.
 
I enjoyed the rekindling of Maggie and Kevin's relationship. Maggie still feels hurt and resentful over how Kevin walked away from her, while Kevin realized long ago that he'd made a terrible mistake. I liked how Maggie insisted on being part of the investigation, which meant spending more time with Kevin. It quickly became evident that the sparks between them were as strong as ever, but Maggie was wary of getting her heart broken again. I liked Kevin's protectiveness and his support of Maggie during the turmoil of the investigation. I liked seeing that they could talk about their past, mistakes, and hopes for the future, taking things slowly to ensure they get it right. 

 
 

When Christmas Comes - Christine Rimmer (HSE #3066 - Nov 2024)

Series: Bravo Family Ties: The Next Generation (Book 4)
 
Could a wild Wyoming summer bring healing for the holidays?
 
Divorced workaholic Maddox Hale is ready to be the dad his kids deserve. But when a visit to his injured father's ranch brings the jaded tycoon face-to-face with nurse Sarah Bravo, his plan goes awry. She's fresh from running a free clinic in the wilds of Bolivia -- too young, too independent and too beautiful by far. She's not interested in Maddox's alpha rules or attitude. In fact, their only commonality is their off-the-charts chemistry. Mixing business with pleasure is a terrible idea. Until Maddox and his two children worm their way into Sarah's heart…
 
Terrific book. Maddox Hale grew up on the ranch next to the Bravos but couldn't wait to leave Medicine Creek behind. He's now a successful businessman, thanks to his workaholic ways. For the same reason, he is divorced and hasn't been much of a dad to his two kids. He plans to right that wrong by spending the summer on the family ranch with his kids. Those plans alter when his father breaks his leg, and Maddox goes home early to care for him. First on the agenda is to hire a nurse to supervise Fergus while he heals.
 
Sarah Bravo is home recovering from an injury sustained while running a free clinic in Bolivia. She is saving money to get her Master's in nursing, and when she hears of the opening at the Hale ranch, she applies.
 
The story starts with a bang as Maddox and Fergus interview potential nurses. Feisty Fergus isn't thrilled with any of them until Sarah shows up. He knows Sarah well and likes her. Maddox is not as enthusiastic. She's too young, too pretty, and too much of a possible distraction. I laughed out loud at the conversation between Maddox and Fergus as they debated hiring her. Obviously, Fergus wins.
 
I enjoyed watching Maddox and Sarah's relationship develop. Their attraction is evident from the start, but there are obstacles. Nursing ethics prohibit Sarah from getting personally involved with a patient or a patient's family member. Maddox has no plans to marry again. However, discussions during late-night swims encourage a closeness neither expected, and the attraction becomes harder to resist.
 
Giving in to the attraction for the summer is one thing, but what happens when Sarah wants more? Maddox's past convinces him that he is unworthy of love, and nothing will convince him otherwise. I loved seeing Sarah stand up for herself and her needs. Maddox earned his misery when he walked away from what he had with Sarah. Some well-meaning interference from Fergus leads to an unexpected twist that motivates Maddox to take a chance. I loved the ending.
 
Fergus was my favorite secondary character. Nothing gets him down for long. The story behind his broken leg is hilarious, and I loved seeing him deal with the consequences. Maddox's kids were great. I liked the realism of RJ's issues with his father's neglect and Maddox's determination to redeem himself. 

Fa-la-la-la Faking It - Teri Wilson (HSE #3067 - Nov 2024)

Series: Comfort Paws (Book 2)
 
It's beginning to look a lot like kiss…er…Christmas!
 
Matchmaking services as a Christmas gift? No thank you! It's bad enough that, to save her grandmother's feelings, Adaline Bishop fibs and says she's seeing someone. It's worse when Jace Martin, her grade school crush turned nemesis, volunteers that he's the someone. Now Adaline will have to fake it until Jace's flannel-shirted, piney-scented goodness leaves town in a couple of weeks.
 
Jace would like to make up for his past transgressions and for his elderly uncle's meaner-than-the-grinch behavior during Adaline's therapy dog visits. In the spirit of peace and goodwill toward all, Jace will happily be her fake boyfriend. It's just that what began as a lie as big as Texas is starting to feel like the magic of a Christmas wish come true.
 
Sweet story. Adaline owns the local bakery and is an active member of Comfort Paws, an animal therapy group. As the book opens, she takes her dog, Fuzzy, to the local assisted living facility to visit the residents. Adaline meets Gus, who could give the Grinch a run for his money. On the way out of his room, she encounters Gus's great-nephew, Jace, her fifth-grade nemesis.
 
Jace lived with Gus for a year while his dad was undergoing cancer treatment. Then he went back home to his parents. He's never forgotten the time he spent with Gus. When he learns that Gus is ill, Jace packs up his life and returns to the small town. Gus is the only family Jace has left, and he's determined to spend Gus's remaining days with him.
 
Jace is happy to see Adaline again. He fondly remembers the bubbly, larger-than-life girl from school. He doesn't understand why she is so cold to him.  The strain continues when Jace unknowingly interferes with a planned Comfort Paws fundraiser.
 
I liked Jace and Adaline. Jace is a good guy. When he finds out about the fundraiser, he finds a way to help them. I liked how he cleared the air with Adaline about the past and opened the door to renew their friendship. Adaline loves helping her friends and tends to go all in on any project she takes on.  
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Jace and Adaline. Once they got past the initial antagonism, they quickly discovered that they liked each other. When Adaline's grandmother signs her up for a matchmaking service, Adaline panics and claims she has a boyfriend, even though she doesn't. Jace comes to the rescue and claims that it is him. As they spend time together, their feelings for each other grow, but neither is ready to risk rejection by saying so,
 
Things get complicated when Jace and Adaline discover a secret about Gus's past. This causes a rift between Jace and Gus, stirring up Jace's insecurities. Instead of staying and working it out, Jace runs. I hurt for him and the loneliness he feels. I also hurt for Adaline, who had other bad news. Jace's departure was a final blow that hurt more than she expected. I loved that she didn't let it stop her for long. I laughed as she read Gus the riot act and hoped it would have the necessary effect on him. The ending was terrific. I loved Jace's big moment and the surprise he had for her. The epilogue was sweet and emotional, with a happy outlook for Jace, Adaline, and Comfort Paws.