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Susan's 2020 Reading Blog

Christmas in Winter Valley - Jodi Thomas (HQN - Sept 2019)

Series: Ransom Canyon (Book 8)

Cooper Holloway would take nature over people any day -- especially visiting relatives. That's why he's headed for a rustic cabin in remote Winter Valley, where he'll care for a herd of wild mustangs. But Cooper's plans are quickly thwarted by the arrival of two unexpected guests: one, a stranger in desperate need of his help, and the other, a very attractive young veterinarian.

Elliott is busy trying to keep Maverick Ranch running smoothly with Cooper gone, which is no easy task with family visiting. And when a long-lost love suddenly reappears in his life, Elliott knows he'll have more than just books to balance this season.

With a big, chaotic family Christmas around the corner and love blooming in surprising ways, the Holloway men will have to make big choices about the future -- just in time for the holidays.

A three-for-one book, with mature love, new love, and second chance love. Oldest brother Griffin and his wife are away from the ranch, visiting her sick father. He's left his two brothers, Elliott and Cooper in charge.

The book opens as Cooper is preparing to leave in a hurry, killing two birds with one stone. He needs to head into the hills and check on the wild mustangs before winter sets in. The local vet is supposed to meet him up there. He is also desperate to get away before his sister-in-law's cousins arrive. He's encountered them before and doesn't want to deal with the giggly, party animals again. Cooper gets quite a surprise when he arrives at the cabin and finds a nine-year-old runaway boy named Tatum. Cooper is too soft-hearted to immediately turn the boy into social services, which turns out to be a good thing when Cooper is badly injured in a fall. It's Tatum who finds help in the form of Hayley, veterinarian, and granddaughter of the vet Cooper was expecting.

We also meet Elliott, the middle brother, and ranch business manager. For the most part, Elliott would prefer to work with the books than the cows, but he can do both. Elliott had left college early when his father died, returning to the ranch to help run it. He left behind his fiancée, Jessica, who refused to come with him, telling him he was a fool to give up his education. He's never forgotten her and hasn't gotten involved with anyone since then. He has a lot on his plate with both Cooper and Griffin away, the cousins visiting, and the end-of-year paperwork for the ranch. Griffin hired an accountant to come to the ranch and help with the books. To say that Elliott was surprised to find Jessica sitting at the desk in the study would be putting it mildly.

Then there's the new ranch hand, Tye. He's older, a former rodeo rider and a magician with horses. At his previous job, he was contacted by a Texas Ranger who delivered Tye's "inheritance" from his grandfather, who died in prison. Tye was puzzled by his grandfather's old journal and sketchbook, which talked about a "gift" for Tye, but never comes right out and says where or what it is. He eventually figures out that it's somewhere around Crossroads, Texas, and takes a job at the ranch while he tries to decipher the journal. There he meets the ranch cook, Danielle, a plain-speaking, big-hearted woman that he's immediately drawn to.

I loved the way that the three stories were intertwined throughout the book. Each chapter alternated among the various couples, giving a chance to see the relationship develop as the days progressed. I think Cooper changed the most, from the charming, commitment-free cowboy to a man who was looking for something more. I loved his relationship with Tatum, taking the boy home with him and giving him the kind of attention he needed. I also enjoyed watching his relationship with Hayley grow. Both of them are independent, neither one taking well to being bossed. It was fun to see a little bit of protectiveness come out, though Cooper was smart enough not to push it. There's a great scene at the end between Cooper and the ex-boyfriend who doesn't realize he's an ex. I enjoyed their interactions, as Hayley has just as fun a sense of humor as Cooper does.

Elliott had spent years remembering the way that he and Jess split, still hurt and angry over the way she refused to give even a little when he had to leave school. He remembers her as the one with all the plans, each step of the future all mapped out. When she shows up at the ranch, it's clear that she stuck to those plans and is precisely where she wanted to be. I have to say that Jessica irritated me a bit at first with the way she went on and on about her place in her father's firm and her coworker fiancé. She was cold to Elliott and barely polite to anyone else. But the longer she stayed, the more she loosened up, especially once she and Elliott cleared the air over their breakup. It also became evident that the sparks between Jessica and Elliott were still there. The question was, would Jessica see that sticking to her plan wasn't making her happy? I liked her "aha" moment and seeing her go after the future she wanted.

Tye and Danielle's story was the sweetest. Tye's life has been a transient one with no desire to settle down. He won't even commit to staying long at the ranch, never sure when the urge to leave will hit. But the moment he met Dani, something changed. Dani is the single mother of two adult sons. Her marriage hadn't been a good one and she has no desire ever to marry again. Her boys are not the brightest bulbs in the box, and she took the job as a cook at the ranch to get away from enabling their dependency on her. Dani is surprised to discover that when Tye looks at her, he actually sees her and who she is. She has been used to blending into the background most of her life. I loved watching her bloom under his attention and see herself as a desirable woman. I also liked the way that Dani's attention gave Tye the feeling he could put down roots. Some interesting moments between Tye and Dani's sons created some problems, but peace was restored thanks to a little unexpected interference. I liked the way that Dani helped Tye with his search and loved the surprise that was waiting for him at the end of it.

I loved the wrap-up of the story at Christmas. The family meeting among the three brothers produced a surprise for Tatum and an especially heartwarming moment for Cooper. I loved seeing each couple face the future in their unique styles. None of the women are slackers in making their desires known, and their men are smart enough to follow through.

 

A Mistletoe Kiss for the Single Dad - Traci Douglass (HMED #1062 - Oct 2019)

Second chance…

…under the mistletoe!

GP Nick Marlowe returned to his hometown to focus on raising his young son. The last person he expects to see in Bayside is high-flying Beverly Hills surgeon Belle! The childhood sweetheart he'd let go so she could pursue her dream of attending medical school. Only, now they're working side by side to reopen her late aunt's free Christmas Eve clinic, their magical connection returns… Could a mistletoe kiss spark another chance -- just in time for Christmas?

Good second chance romance. Nick and Belle were childhood friends and then high school sweethearts. Belle, who orphaned young and raised by her aunt, wanted to become a doctor like her parents and aunt. Nick also planned to be a doctor. Nick was afraid that being in a relationship with him would distract Belle from her goals, so he broke up with her, breaking both of their hearts. Belle went on to become a plastic surgeon in California, while Nick became a pediatric surgeon in Atlanta.

Moving ahead eighteen years, Belle is back in town for her aunt's funeral. She and Nick have not stayed in touch and are stunned to discover that they share an inheritance from Belle's aunt - equal ownership in her medical clinic. Marlene's last wish is that they run her annual Christmas Eve free clinic one more time. Nick is all for it, but Belle is resistant. She only has three days before she's supposed to return to Beverly Hills, her patients, and her upcoming partnership. She finally agrees but doesn't plan to spend any more time than necessary with Nick.

Belle irritated me at the beginning. I thought her big-time success had gone to her head. But as I got to know her, I realized that she was trying to protect herself from the feelings that being around Nick again stirred up. There was actually a kind, warm-hearted woman under that polished exterior. Nick was a terrific guy, but he had his own burdens. After his wife's death, he moved back to Michigan, looking for a better place to raise his son. He's carrying a load of guilty feelings, which are exhibited in his overprotectiveness around Connor.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Nick and Belle. As they work together to prepare the clinic, they discover that the sparks between them are still there. Talking about the past helped them move forward and see each other for who they are now. Besides the time they spend together at the clinic, Belle and Nick also spend free time together, alone and with Connor. I liked seeing the changes that both Nick and Belle experienced. Belle began to realize that there was more to life than she had allowed herself to experience. Nick also accepts that he's been lonely and wonders if he can keep his vow as a father and still have a life of his own. I ached for Belle and Nick as he panicked over an accident and pulled away. Both he and Belle have life-changing decisions to make, decisions that don't come easily. I especially liked Belle's self-examination and her attitude about her decision. I liked the conversation that Nick and Connor had and the effect it had on Nick. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.

 

Cornered at Christmas - Barb Han (HI #1882 - Oct 2019)

Series: Rushing Creek Crime Spree (Book 1)

He'll do whatever it takes

To keep his family safe.

Mitch Kent is shocked when he sees his wife, Kimberly, just before the anniversary of her supposed death. He learns she faked her own death to protect her family from an ominous threat and came back to see her husband and her young twins one last time. But she was followed, and now she's desperate for her husband's help. Mitch will need a miracle to reunite his broken family…if Kimberly's dark past doesn't kill him first.

Good start to a new series. This is a second chance love story. It's been almost a year since Mitch's wife's death left him to raise their twins alone. Because her body was never found, Mitch never lost that little bit of hope that she was still alive, but he's still shocked when she shows up at his house. After hearing her story, he's also angry and hurt that she didn't trust him enough to tell him the truth from the start. He's not sure he believes her tale, but he's not willing to risk the lives of his children if he's wrong.

I liked both Mitch and Kimberly. I loved how Mitch is devoted to his children. I ached for him and his worry over Andrea's health issues. He also still grieves over his wife's death and how the twins will grow up without a mother's love. I also hurt for Kimberly. She didn't want to abandon her babies, but their safety and Mitch's was more important than her feelings. I loved the strength of her determination to keep them safe.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Mitch and Kimberly. Mitch's anger at Kimberly at the beginning was believable and understandable. He could also see her love for the babies and that she believed she did the right thing, which softened his anger a little. He was surprised to discover that his feelings for her hadn't died, but he was also wary of trusting her with his heart again. Kimberly regrets her deception and the way she left, but she was still convinced she did the right thing. She never stopped loving Mitch, but leaving was the only way she could protect him and the babies. As she and Mitch went on the run, the intensity of their situation amplified the attraction they felt for each other. But could Mitch forgive her enough to let her back into his life, and can Kimberly believe that his love is enough to overcome her past?

The suspense of the story was terrific. Kimberly's fear for Mitch and the babies leaped off the pages. I could see how desperate she was to convince Mitch that she was telling the truth. The rapid escalation of the danger that they were in kept me glued to the pages. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and I couldn't wait to see how it would be resolved. Also, there was an incident involving a mutilated cow at the beginning of the book that I suspect is a hint of something that will come up in the following books.

I liked how the rest of the Kent family rallied around them and joined forces to find the truth. I especially enjoyed how they welcomed Kimberly back and didn't judge her over the things she revealed. There was a sweet scene at the end where the Kents showed how important family is to them.

Ho, Humbug, Ho - Kate Angell (Smashwords - Sept 2012)

Series: Richmond Rogues (Book 5)

Big city ballplayer meets small town sweetheart. Richmond Rogues baseball star Alex Boxer speeds through a school zone on a Sunday in Holiday, Florida. He gets a ticket and faces forty hours of community service. That service includes playing Santa Claus at a local mall. He's one unhappy man, until he realizes local Holly McIntyre could be the best Christmas present ever. She's sugar and spice and all things nice.

Fun story, but too short. Alex got caught speeding through a school zone in a small town. It was Sunday, but the judge didn't care. Even if it weren't a school zone, it would have been speeding. The judge gave Alex a fine, plus forty hours of community service.

Alex did not make a good first impression on me. He is full of himself, just shy of creepy with his innuendo-laden remarks, and unwilling to put any effort into being Santa. I spent a fair amount of time wanting to kick him in the butt.

Holly is the local resident assigned to ride herd over Alex and keep him in line. She loves Christmas and is involved in many events around town. She also owns the local ice cream shop. She is one of Santa's helpers and dresses as a nutcracker.

The development of the relationship between Alex and Holly is fast. It starts confrontational, as Holly is the court-appointed monitor of his community service. Alex makes no secret of the fact he doesn't want to be there and his unwillingness to perform his role. He looks at Holly as a potential bedmate who can make his stay there bearable. Holly is not impressed with his attitude, nor his attempts to hit on her. Neither can deny the sparks that fly between them. I liked watching the effect that Holly had on Alex as he learns the spirit of Christmas. There were some sweet scenes where Alex demonstrates that spirit, including fun cookie decorating with some senior citizens. When Alex earns an early release, he's a bit freaked out to realize that he's going to miss Holly, and is determined to force his life back on track. Holly is sad to see him go and realizes that she fell in love with him. I liked Alex's big moment at the end. Admitting his feelings wasn't an easy thing for him to do, and his condition showed what he'd been through on his journey of self-discovery.

Originally published in Santa, Honey (Oct 2009)

 

Snowed in With the Cowboy - Maisey Yates (HQN - Sept 2018)

Series: Gold Valley (Book 3.5)

Christmastime in Gold Valley, Oregon, means hot chocolate, snowy nights and one very sexy cowboy holiday surprise…

There's only one thing Chloe Nolan wants for Christmas this year -- and he wears a cowboy hat and is completely off-limits. When her mom married into the Reid family, Chloe found her calling, working with horses on the ranch. How could she risk that newfound stability by revealing her crush on her stepbrother, Tanner? But when Chloe and Tanner get snowed in on their way to a family gathering, it's just the chance to extinguish the flame that's been burning for too long. One night. One wish. One bed…

She's the woman Tanner's always wanted -- and vowed he'd never touch. Yet when Chloe reveals her secret wish, all those years of pent-up longing erupt with life-changing force. Now it's Tanner's turn to take a risk, and turn one magical Christmas night into the beginning of forever…

Short and steamy story. Years ago, Chloe's mom married Tanner's father, giving Chloe three new brothers. The problem is, the oldest brother, Tanner, never felt like a brother to her. She's always had feelings for him, and they've gotten stronger the older she is. She has a great job working with the ranch horses and terrific relationships with Calder and Jackson and their wives. She doesn't want to risk those relationships by revealing her feelings for Tanner.

Tanner is caught between a rock and a hard place. The family is gathering at a cabin in the mountains, and he and Chloe are the only ones who haven't left yet. Bad weather has made it inadvisable for Chloe to drive her car, which means riding with him. Tanner is not looking forward to being cooped up in his truck with the woman who has driven him crazy since she turned eighteen. Lusting after his stepsister is all kinds of wrong...

I liked the relationship between Chloe and Tanner. They know each other well and have had a good influence on each other. Tanner taught Chloe everything she knows about horses and gave her the confidence to work with them. Chloe's arrival at the ranch and her wide-eyed wonder and appreciation for it opened Tanner's eyes to everything he took for granted about it. This made him appreciate it more. Neither has let on to the other about their "inappropriate" feelings, unwilling to rock the family boat.

Then Chloe and Tanner get trapped by bad weather on their way to the family get-together. They get the last room at the hotel - a room with only one bed. Chloe can't take it anymore and confesses to Tanner about how badly she wants him. Tanner is stunned, but there's no way that he can resist her. Both agree that it's just one night because neither wants to deal with family reaction. The problem is that once just isn't enough. Tanner realizes that Chloe is it for him and is willing to take a chance. But Chloe is afraid to trust that Tanner's feelings will last. I loved Tanner's determination and laughed when he sought advice from his younger brothers. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic, as he systematically countered all of her fears. I also loved the epilogue - especially Chloe's Christmas present for Tanner.

 

A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas - Maisey Yates (HQN - Oct 2018)

Series: Gold Valley (Book 4)

It's Christmas in Gold Valley, and this wounded widower is about to get another shot at love…

Grant Dodge didn't expect to find a woman sleeping in an abandoned cabin on his family ranch. Or to find her so intriguing. Unlike every other woman in town, McKenna Tate doesn't know Grant's a widower. There's no pity in the looks she gives him. McKenna wants him, and Grant has forgotten what it's like to feel like a man. A no-strings fling for Christmas might be the kind of holiday cheer Grant needs…

With only a suitcase to her name, McKenna came to Gold Valley to confront her birth father. She didn't plan to work at the Dodge ranch or fall for the gorgeous cowboy who keeps his heart roped off. But there's no denying the way their broken pieces fit together. Hope brought her to Gold Valley -- but will it be the gift that could finally heal Grant, and McKenna's own wounded heart?

Good story about two emotionally wounded people. Grant finds McKenna sleeping in an abandoned cabin on the family property. Both he and McKenna have had rough pasts that have affected the way they deal with other people.

Grant is a bit of a loner, even in his own family. He lost his mother when he was young and dealt with the pain by taking it out on other people. He was an obnoxious bully until he met Lindsay, who was assigned to tutor him. Her belief in him helped him change. They fell in love and married right out of high school, even though Lindsay's cancer had returned. For years, Grant was a caregiver rather than a husband. Eight years after her death, he is still grieving, but also frustrated. Everyone in town, including the women, always treats him as "that poor widower," and Grant is sick of the pitying looks, but he doesn't know how to move on either. When he meets McKenna, something about her gets to him, but he isn't sure what to do about it.

McKenna has had a rough life. Her mother gave her up when she was two, and she ended up in the foster system. She moved from home to home, never connecting with anyone. All she wants is a family of her own. When she left the system at the age of eighteen, one of the things she received was her birth certificate. Several years later, she tracked down her birth father and has arrived in Gold Valley to see him. Thanks to a run of bad luck, McKenna ends up homeless and finds herself sleeping in an abandoned cabin on a local ranch.

The first meeting between Grant and McKenna isn't very pleasant. He's not happy to find a squatter on the property, but he's not going to kick her out either. There's something about her that draws him, so he takes her to his brother and sister-in-law, who give her a job and a place to live. Grant is assigned to show her the ropes around the ranch. There are sparks of attraction between them from the start. Because she doesn't know about his past, McKenna treats Grant like the hot cowboy he is, and he isn't quite sure how to deal with that. Grant has a surprising secret that affects how he handles his attraction to McKenna. Eventually, those sparks that fly between them burst into flame. Neither Grant nor McKenna claims to be interested in a relationship, so no-strings sex is their agreed-upon solution.

Of course, that doesn't last. I liked seeing the way that they were able to share their pasts, hard though it was. Grant held out the longest because he liked that McKenna didn't know. She didn't give him those pitying looks, just the ones that said she wanted him. However, he can't deny that she reaches him in a way that no one else does. I liked how he supported her when it came to her desire to connect with her family. McKenna is upfront about her life and what she wants from it. Even though she has no confidence that it will happen, she still allows herself to hope. I liked watching her with Grant. She constantly reminds him that life isn't fair and that you do the best you can. I liked that she finally dared to tell him her feelings, and ached at the way he pulled away. One of my favorite things about McKenna is that she stands up for her own needs and wants. She lets him know that she deserves more and won't settle for less. It took a while for what she told him to sink in, plus additional input from his brother, Wyatt, but eventually, Grant saw the light. I like their big moment at the end, especially Grant's exposure of his vulnerability. I loved McKenna's reaction and seeing them come together as they are. The epilogue was terrific.

I also ached for McKenna in her search for family. All she wanted was someone that would love her. I liked her conversation with her brother, Gabe, and the hope that it gave her. Her first visit with her father was emotional. Both McKenna and I had high hopes, and I felt her pain at the way the visit ended. I loved how she stood up to him. Fortunately, he did redeem himself in the end.