Cinderella and the Billionaire - Marion Lennox (HR #4671 - July 2019)

From different worlds…

…to the perfect family?

Entrusted to take his late colleague's young son to his grandmother, Manhattan financier Matt McLellan hires down-on-her-luck skipper Meg O'Hara to take them across Australia's Bass Strait. He might be a billionaire, but aboard Meg's boat she's the boss! The flame-haired beauty gets under the committed bachelor's skin and by the time they reach their destination, Matt's wondering if he's finally found the family he never knew he needed…

Very good book. Matt is a billionaire workaholic in New York, well known for his financial dealings. One of the lawyers who works for him is a single mother who often brings her young son to work with her. Matt frequently finds Henry in his office, reading or playing computer games. As the book opens, Matt has taken Henry with him to visit McLellan Place, one of Matt's properties. I loved how Matt tried to bring a little fun to Henry's life and ached for the little boy whose mother had imposed such control on the boy. When Henry's mother dies in an accident while he is with Matt, Matt takes responsibility for getting Henry from New York to his grandmother in Australia. I hurt for Henry, but also for Matt, who was at a loss about how to help him.

Meg is the captain of the charter boat Matt hires to take him and Henry to the island where Peggy lives. She left school at sixteen to help her grandfather after her grandmother died. They raised her after the deaths of her parents. She fished with her grandfather, and after his death, continued because that was all she knew. She has debts to pay from her grandfather's illness, so she feels stuck in a dead-end position.

I liked the first meeting between Matt and Meg. There were sparks between them from the beginning. She's pretty much forced to take the charter by her boss but accepts because the money is good. She makes it clear she's not happy and is overheard by Matt. I liked how Meg stood up to him, checking on his credentials and right to have Henry with him. He's a bit leery of her qualifications but quickly overcomes his doubts. What truly impresses him is how quickly she bonds with Henry. For two weeks, Matt hasn't been able to break through Henry's shell, but Meg manages in a few minutes. I loved watching Henry take to Meg's dog, Boof, and start to act a little bit like a normal kid. I loved how Matt was impressed and thankful for what she did.

But delivering Henry to his grandmother does not go smoothly. The boat that they are on goes up in flames, stranding them on an unoccupied island. To make matters worse, Meg's boss did not outfit the boat with the proper emergency gear. I loved how Meg and Matt worked together to make sure Henry was safe and to maximize their chances of rescue. While on the island, the attraction between Matt and Meg continues to grow. Their rescue adds further complications to the plans for Henry, as his grandmother is not in a good position to safely care for him, and Henry's father is located. Dad has demands of his own, motivating Matt to offer Peggy and Henry a home at McLellan Place. He wants Meg to come along, too, and comes up with what he believes is the perfect plan.

Oh, how I wanted to shake Matt. His belief that he can continue his lifestyle and work habits while being a part-time father and husband shows how skewed his values are. He can feel that he wants to spend more time with Meg but fights hard against admitting what his feelings are. I ached for Meg, who knew she had fallen for Matt and wanted more than what he offered. I loved seeing her reach the point where she had enough and laid into him for being selfish. It seemed to take forever for Matt to finally see the truth, but when he does, he discovers how much loving her has changed him. His big moment at the end is sweet and romantic.

Jackson - Emily March (St. Martin's - June 2019)

Series: McBrides of Texas (Book 1)
            Eternity Springs (Book 16)

Sometimes it takes a new beginning...

Caroline Carruthers married young to a much-older man. Now that he's gone, she's lost…until she dares to chase a dream all on her own. Moving to Redemption, Texas, is chapter one in Caroline's new life story. Opening a bookstore is the next. Finding love is the last thing on her mind as she settles into this new place called home. But when she meets a handsome, soulful man who's also starting over, all bets are off.

...to reach a happily-ever-after

Jackson McBride came to Redemption looking only to find himself, not someone to love. Ever since his marriage ended, he's been bitter. Sure, he used to believe in love―he even has the old song lyrics to prove it―but the Jackson of today is all business. That is, until a beautiful young widow who's moved to town inspires a change of heart. Could it be that the myth of Redemption's healing magic is true…and Jackson and Caroline can find a second chance at a happy ending after all?

Good story of new beginnings, or as Caroline puts it "starting a new chapter" in your life. At the beginning of the story, Caroline is dealing with the effects of her husband's early onset Alzheimer's. A chance encounter with Eternity Springs resident Celeste Blessing sends Caroline off to Redemption, Texas, to write a travel story. The town makes quite an impression on her, as does new resident, Jackson McBride. Jackson and his two cousins inherited some property and must decide what to do with it. When Caroline receives devastating news while in Redemption, Jackson steps in to help.

Several months later, Caroline returns to Redemption as a new widow, looking to start a new chapter in her life. She plans to open a bookstore called "New Chapters." Still grieving the loss of her husband, any new relationships are not in her plans. It isn't long before she encounters Jackson, her knight-in-shining-armor from her last visit. Jackson and his cousins decided to turn their new property into a tourist destination, with a B&B, dance hall, and saloon. Jackson threw himself into the work as a way to forget his troubles. He and his ex-wife have been through a vicious divorce and custody battle, leaving Jackson unable to see or talk to his daughter for at least six months. On top of that, he has lost his music/songwriting mojo and wonders if he'll ever get it back. However, his encounters with Caroline provide stirrings of inspiration.

I liked the development of the relationship between Jackson and Caroline. There is an attraction from the start, but neither is in a place where they want a relationship. Caroline is still grieving, and Jackson has been burned too badly to want to try again. However, both are willing to extend the hand of friendship. I liked seeing them get to know each other, sharing in the little triumphs of their days, and providing support when things don't go so well. However, underneath the façade of friendship, the attraction between them continues to simmer. Eventually, it comes to a boil, and they decide that giving in isn't out of the question. And though they intend it to be "no strings," it isn't long before it's evident that their hearts are involved after all. However, just when things look especially promising, tragedy pulls Jackson back into the orbit of his ex-wife. I was very frustrated with Jackson at this point because it was easy to see that Sharon was angling to reel him back in, and Jackson seemed oblivious to her manipulations. I ached for Caroline, who saw it happening and feared that she would lose him. I was so happy when the light went on for Jackson, though I did think that Caroline didn't make him grovel nearly enough.

The backdrop for the story was the development of the Enchanted Canyon property. I loved the vivid descriptions of the property itself and the work they were doing to develop it. It isn't just Jackson, and his cousins Boone and Tucker, either. They have help from Eternity Springs' innkeeper extraordinaire Celeste Blessing, and her misfit sister, Angelica. I haven't read any of the Eternity Springs books, but I get the impression that there is something special about Celeste by the way everyone talks about her. Angelica, on the other hand, has a much different way of looking at things which causes frequent conflict between her and Celeste. I really liked Angelica and her "dented halo" outlook. I enjoyed the interactions between Jackson, Boone, and Tucker, from their teasing to the unquestioning support when it's needed. I loved the test run of the Inn's opening, with their friends and family from Eternity Springs and Texas.

I can't wait to read Tucker's and Boone's books. I will also go back and read the other Eternity Springs books.

Sweet Summer Sunset - Delores Fossen (HQN - June 2019)

Series: Coldwater, Texas (Book 3)

Coldwater's most-wanted cowboy is just her best friend -- until one sizzling summer kiss changes everything…

Rodeo rider Nico Laramie may not have a squeaky-clean reputation with the women of Coldwater, but there are rules he doesn't break. No bullies. No married women. And definitely not his best friend, Eden Joplin. So what exactly is Nico thinking, kissing Eden in front of her jerk ex-husband? With the proverbial bull out of the pen, Nico is about to get gored -- hard.

Eden has secretly been writing a sex-advice blog called “Naughty Cowgirl,” but her divorce killed all her sexy inspiration. Then, when her gorgeous best friend kisses her in a way that makes her toes curl, suddenly Eden's mojo is back. And the heat isn't going away. Now something deep and long-denied is happening between them. Something that could destroy their friendship…or finally prove that this time it's the real deal.

Good friends to lovers romance. Nico is the youngest of the four Laramie brothers. All four of them survived some horrendous experiences in foster care, leaving them with varying degrees of scars and baggage. They also had some good experiences. Nico recently lost one of the foster mothers that he was close to and is still grieving the loss. In order to be a better influence on his sixteen-year-old foster sister, Nico has sworn off his one-night-stand, casual sex ways. It is suggested that he cultivate a more stable relationship with a woman who has a good reputation, such as Eden Joslin. Eden is one of Nico's best friends and is one of the "good girls" of the town.

Eden is still reeling somewhat from her divorce. She was married to her high school sweetheart until he left her for another woman. She keeps her head high but is getting tired of the pity from the townspeople. What none of them know is that besides working for the local lawyer, Eden also writes a blog called Naughty Cowgirl, where she dispenses spicy sex advice. Unfortunately, she has struggled with it since her divorce. But in one unexpected encounter, everything changes.

I loved seeing Nico and Eden's friendship grow into love. Because she and Damien had been a couple since they were teenagers, Nico had kept Eden firmly in the friend zone. I liked the way that they could always go to each other with their problems. So it wasn't unusual for Nico to help her with her blog, or to go to her when he had trouble. Nico went to Eden with the problem he had regarding his sister, and also to check on her because of a public meltdown over her ex. He was there when Damien arrived, supposedly to check on her. But when Damien started putting her down, including the statement that "no other man wants her," Nico had enough. To prove Damien wrong, Nico kissed her himself. Both of them were blindsided by the heat that flared from that kiss, and neither was quite sure what to do about it. Can they pursue it without ruining their friendship?

Doing something about the attraction proves to be complicated. Both Eden and Nico's lives are filled with enough drama to fuel a soap opera. Nico is dealing with grief over the loss of his former foster mother and trying to help his foster sister, Piper, through her. At the same time, he has to contend with Piper's current foster mother/aunt, a rigid, judgmental woman. Rayelle's interference makes it difficult for Nico to spend time with Piper. Piper has problems with more than just her grief, including the arrival of her ex-boyfriend. Piper has secrets that are going to take both Eden and Nico to help her handle.

I liked seeing Nico and Eden try to squeeze in time to be together, and felt their frustration at the number of times they were interrupted. There are some intense encounters, sometimes fueled by Eden's blog, and some that are just plain sweet. One of the things I liked best was that they were there for each other when the crap would hit the fan, ready to help; however it was needed. The ending was terrific, with an inventive way of confessing their love for each other.

The secondary characters were all well portrayed for their parts in the story. Eden's ex, Damien, was totally oblivious to anything that didn't affect him and made so many things all about himself. I honestly couldn't understand what Eden had seen in him, especially as the book went on. I loved seeing him finally get what was coming to him at the end. Rayelle was very unlikeable at the beginning, but it didn't take long to see that there was more to her than the uptight façade showed. The reasons were revealed in some interesting twists. Piper was the center of much of the drama that occurred during the book. I ached for her and her grief over Brenda's loss. It's complicated by the other things she has going on in her life. Her relationship with her boyfriend felt realistic, as did the drama that went along with it.

Colton's Mistaken Identity - Geri Krotow (HRS #2047 - July 2019)

Series: Coltons of Roaring Springs (Book 7)
             Coltons (Book 90)

The wrong twin…or the right one?

A Coltons of Roaring Springs romance

Marketing exec Skye Colton suddenly disappears, putting the Roaring Springs Film Festival in jeopardy. Enter Skye's identical twin, Phoebe, who poses as her sister. In her starring role, Phoebe catches the eye of A-list actor Prescott Reynolds, and she can't deny the electricity that erupts between them. With Skye still missing and a stalker at large, this is the worst time to fall in love, especially with danger racing toward them…

Very good book that caught my attention from the beginning and kept it to the very end. This is the seventh in the Coltons of Roaring Springs series. There is an overarching mystery in the series dealing with a serial killer labeled "The Avalanche Killer" plus a separate mystery unique to this book. Though I haven't yet read the earlier books in the series, I was not lost. There is enough background given to fill in the essential points.

The Colton resort is about to host the annual film festival. With a serial killer on the loose, the resort has experienced some loss of business and needs everything to go smoothly. As the story opens, Phoebe is out for a run and wondering where her sister Skye is. As the marketing director, Skye is the public face of the festival, and her absence would be a blow. Skye took off after a bad breakup, claiming she needed time, but it is unlike her to not return for a professional commitment. When Phoebe returns to the Chateau, her mother insists that Phoebe impersonate Skye for the upcoming events until Skye returns. Phoebe isn't happy about it, as she and Skye are very different, but she will do anything for the family.

While out for an early morning hike away from fans and press, Prescott saw Phoebe on her run. Though initially suspicious that she was stalking him, he quickly realized his mistake. Having recently been burned by a bad relationship, Prescott has become wary of trusting another woman. At the same time, he was intrigued by Phoebe, and when he saw her later at the hotel, he decided to get to know her better.

I liked the first encounter between Prescott and Phoebe. It was fun to see a confident and talented man like him stumbling over his words, "behaving like a sixteen-year-old asking a date to the prom." Even though she knows that getting involved with him, especially while pretending to be Skye, is a bad idea, Phoebe found herself saying yes. It's evident that there is already a connection between them. What neither of them knows is that Prescott's fascination was observed by his ex, Ariella, who is not pleased about it. She wants Prescott back and will do anything to make it happen.

I was glued to the pages as the chemistry between Phoebe and Prescott burned hotter each time they were together. But more than the chemistry, there was something deeper that grew even faster. I loved seeing them together, getting to know each other. However, the more she gets to know Prescott and seeing what a good man he is, the more she feels guilty about her deception. She wants to tell him the truth, but she also needs to do what is right for her family. I ached for Phoebe as she wrestled with her dilemma.  I liked when she came clean, and hurt for both of them as Prescott dealt with his feelings of betrayal. But when Ariella's obsession escalates into violence against Phoebe, Prescott realizes that Phoebe is more important to him than he had suspected. I also liked his maturity in accepting that her deception was not personal against him and that he wanted to spend more time with her.

I loved the protectiveness that Prescott felt toward Phoebe and his determination to keep her safe. His plans to do so were fantastic, and I liked the way he stood up to her parents to make them happen. I also liked how Phoebe broke out of her comfort zone/good girl reputation to go after what she wanted - him. Their trip to his hometown reinforced what a good, grounded man Prescott was. His interactions with his parents and his old friends were refreshing, being warm and loving instead of arrogant and entitled. Though both Prescott and Phoebe realize the depth of their feelings, there are still some obstacles to overcome. Phoebe especially has trouble believing that Prescott could love her after the way she lied to him.

Though Prescott hoped that leaving Colorado behind would throw Ariella off his trail, we soon see that it didn't. The buildup to the final confrontation was intense. The more I saw of Ariella, the creepier and more unbalanced she seemed. The escalation of the attacks had me on the edge of my seat as I wondered what she would do next. The final showdown was a nail-biter, requiring both Prescott and Phoebe to keep cool heads. I especially enjoyed how Ariella's intentions were thwarted. I loved the ending, with their return to Roaring Springs, and Preston's determination to be there to support Phoebe. His big moment at the end was great.

There wasn't much progress on the serial killer story, as it mainly took a back seat to the stalker side of the book. There is also now the question of what has happened to Skye. Is she still missing of her own volition, or is her disappearance linked the Avalanche killer? I can't wait to see how this series is going to turn out.

Hot Texas Sunrise - Delores Fossen (HQN - Mar 2019)

Series: Coldwater Texas (Book 2)

Love was the last thing on this untamed cowboy's mind…until she stole his heart away.

Cleo Delaney will do anything to keep her promise and raise her best friend's sons -- even if it means telling a little white lie to the state to keep them. So Cleo turns to the only person she can trust to help her -- her first love, Judd Laramie. If he fosters the three young brothers in name only, she'll do all the heavy lifting. It's a foolproof plan…but she never imagined that the feelings they once shared would return. With a vengeance.

Texas deputy Judd Laramie is stunned by Cleo's request. Being a dad -- even on paper -- is the last thing this cowboy needs right now. But no one knows better than Judd how flawed the foster system is and how much these brothers need Cleo's protective love. What starts as a simple lie becomes so much more, and soon it's clear Judd needs Cleo and the family they've created as much as they need him. Now he'll do whatever it takes to win Cleo's heart and claim the future they all deserve.

Good second chance romance that is full of love, family, hope, and fear. Cleo's best friend passed away, leaving her three boys to Cleo to raise. Unfortunately, the official paperwork didn't get done before Miranda died, putting the three boys in the custody of their drunken, abusive grandmother. Cleo wants to foster them, but has some strikes against her - mainly that she's had some trouble with the law and owns a bar. To get around the problem, she contacts fellow foster survivor and friend Judd to ask him to go on the record as their foster parent while she does the actual work.

Judd is stunned by Cleo's proposal. While he is empathetic to the boys' plight, having had a truly horrifying experience in the system, he's not ready to take on that responsibility. His memories sent him down a dark path, one he used alcohol to deal with. He's been sober for a year, but every day is a struggle and he doesn't think he can handle the extra stress.

The central theme of this book is getting the boys away from their grandmother and in a loving home. The relationship between Cleo and Judd takes a bit of a backseat, but is bolstered by their joint involvement in protecting the boys. Though I understood his reasons, I was disappointed in Judd's refusal. I thought that he was a lot stronger than he and others believed he was. I liked how oldest brother Kace stepped in to fill the breach and how the rest of the family also became part of the solution. I did like that Judd didn't avoid involvement. There are some heartbreaking scenes of him with the oldest boy, Beckham. Judd sees a lot of himself in Beckham and develops a pretty solid connection with him. The path to saving the boys does not run smoothly. The grandmother is a piece of work. She doesn't want the boys herself, she just wants to be sure that Cleo doesn't get them. There is also a social worker who has an agenda of her own and is not as impartial as she ought to be. I liked seeing the effect that the love of the whole Laramie family had on Beckham, Isaac, and Leo. However, there were still obstacles to overcome, including a chance that they would lose the boys completely. The scene at the end with the social worker was a nail-biter with an ending that had an unexpected twist to it.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Judd and Cleo. The chemistry between them dates back to when they were teenagers and both fostered with Buck. Even though they haven’t seen much of each other in the intervening years, the pull between them is still strong. Judd doesn't do commitment, however, as he has so many issues he doesn't want to inflict on anyone else. As he and Cleo are thrown together more frequently, the more difficult it is to keep their hands off each other, until they finally give in. It's easy to see that their feelings for each other deepen, as each one becomes more concerned with how things affect the other one than in protecting themselves. I felt bad for Cleo, who kept apologizing to Judd for getting him involved, and for Judd, who felt guilty because he felt like he was letting her down. I felt like both of them needed a good shove to get them headed in the right direction. Those shoves came about in unexpected ways, making for a very satisfying ending.

The secondary characters added to the fun and feelings of the story. Beckham, Isaac, and Leo were the most important of these. The misery and pain they endured made my heart ache for them. Little Leo was adorable, and I loved seeing Isaac and his joy at helping Rosy in the kitchen. But my favorite brother was Beckham. He is so intent on protecting his brothers, even though it's clear that he's just as scared as they are. I liked the way that he connected with Judd and began to lose a little of his distrust of adults. I hope to see more of him in the upcoming books. Buck and Rosy were fantastic with their willingness to do whatever needed to help make a home for the boys. I still get a little creeped out by Rosy's taxidermy efforts. Billy the armadillo is still a presence, plus there's a funny scene involving some frogs. I also loved Judd's sponsor. She is quite a character, and I laughed out loud at her safe words and distraction objects. I liked seeing more of Judd's brothers, Kace and Nico, and can't wait to read their stories.

Steel Resolve - B.J. Daniels (HI #1863 - July 2019)

Series: Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy (Book 1)

Sometimes you can go home again

It's just not always safe...

Mary Cardwell Savage never meant to send that letter to her ex, Chase Steele. How could she know her words would bring the gorgeous cowboy back to Big Sky, Montana -- with an unstable and dangerous stalker following close behind? Now Chase wants to prove that their love deserves a second chance. And this time, nothing will keep him from his heart's desire…not even a killer.

This was a good second chance romance combined with several elements of mystery and danger. Mary and Chase were friends and sweethearts through high school and college. Their youth worked against them when Chase left Big Sky, breaking Mary's heart. They never forgot each other or their love. When Mary received a box to deliver to Chase after his mother's death, it gave her the excuse she needed to write to him, though she never meant to mail that particular version of the letter.

Chase left Big Sky to find out who he was. He never knew who his father was, which left a huge hole in his heart. Even on her deathbed, his mother refused to reveal that information. He lived and worked in Arizona while caring for his mother, and was in bad shape on the day he picked up her ashes. After having too much to drink, he ended up spending the night with Fiona, something he recognized as a mistake the next morning. Even after explaining that he was in love with another woman, Fiona wouldn't leave him alone, convinced that they belonged together. Mary's letter gave Chase the push he needed to return to Montana, escape from Fiona, and hopefully win back Mary.

Meanwhile, back in Big Sky, Mary attempts to move on with her life. When she doesn't hear from Chase about her letter, she's hurt. She tries dating one of her father's deputies, but he doesn't measure up to her memories of Chase. She stays busy with her work and frequent visits to her parents' ranch. She's stunned when Chase appears at the ranch declaring his love and wanting a second chance. Things got complicated when Dillon showed up. It was interesting to see how different the two men handled it. I loved how Chase made it plain to Mary that he wasn't going anywhere.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Mary and Chase. Chase is determined to win her back, but Mary is a bit hesitant. She isn't sure that she's willing to trust her heart to him again. I liked that Chase was ready to give her time, but also wasn't going to back off from showing her how he felt. One thing that brought them together was Chase's search for his father. The contents of the box Mary gave him contained some clues, and Mary offered to help him figure it out. I loved how she understood how important it was to him and how she supported him. I ached for Chase as the search continued and he met various potential fathers. It didn't take long for Mary to realize that her love for Chase is as strong as ever and to want a future together. But there is someone who has vastly different ideas on the subject.

From the very beginning of the book, there is a front row seat to the bane of Chase's life. Fiona's obsession with Chase and what she believes is a scary thing. Watching the lengths she went to in getting close to Mary was terrifying in its complexity. I was glued to the pages as I waited for Chase to get a clue and hoping that it wouldn't be too late. The final confrontation was intense, with Mary in a fight for her life. It had a satisfying ending, with later revelations giving context to Fiona's actions.

There was a minor storyline about some cattle rustling that was intertwined with some of the characters. It gave vital information about the motives of one of the characters. Though the mystery was resolved, it did not go the way I expected it to.

I am a long-time reader of B.J. Daniels' books and it was fun to see that we are now moving on to a new generation of Cardwells. Dana and Hud's story was told in Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch, and over the years we have seen their family grow. I've always enjoyed the glimpses into the lives of previous characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

 

Her Favorite Maverick - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2701 - July 2019)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Six Brides for Six Brothers (Book 1)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 122)

A single mom, her baby girl…

And maverick make three!

Logan Crawford might just be the perfect man. From the top of his Stetson to his pointy-toed boots, he is 100 percent cowboy. A girl would have to be a fool to turn him down. Or a coward.

Sarah Turner thinks she might be both. But the single mom has no time for love and no inclination to be the sexy rancher's “just for now.” Logan, however, is determined to steal her heart!

Fantastic story that sucked me in from the first page and kept me enthralled to the very end. Sarah is an accountant and a single mother. As the story opens, she's working with the local wedding planners on trying to find a way they can come up with the money they need. She's there when newcomer Max Crawford arrives with a business proposition for them. He'll pay them a million dollars if the wedding planners can find brides for his six sons. Sarah is appalled, as is his oldest son, Logan when he arrives in time to overhear his father's plans. Well aware of Max's tendency to manipulate, Logan is far more interested in Sarah than his father's latest plot.

I loved the first meeting between Logan and Sarah. The attraction between them is immediate. Logan is all in with getting to know her and seeing what kind of fun they can have together. He's a bit taken aback when he finds out she has an infant daughter, but that doesn't hold him back. Sarah, on the other hand, plans to ignore the attraction. She's been burned twice and has no intention of trusting a man ever again. It was fun to see Logan working so hard to get past her initial objections. When he hires Sarah to set up the books for the family ranch, she tries to keep things on a business-only basis, but Logan is a force to be reckoned with. I loved watching him pop into the office regularly to check on her, never really pushing but just being there. It wasn't long before he broke through part of her defenses by letting her know he isn't looking for anything permanent. That matches her own feelings, so they start spending time together.

I loved seeing Logan go from fun-and-games only to thinking long term. He's carrying some baggage from his mother's desertion of the family when he was a kid, so belief in happy-ever-after hasn't been there. But the more time he spends with Sarah and little Sophia, the more his thinking changes. I loved the way he reacted to Sarah's past, wanting to do things that showed her how special she was. He was a master at doing things to make her life easier, even though he often had to work to get her to accept that help. I loved how Sophia had him wrapped around her little fingers. The scene with the two of them the night that Sarah fell asleep was beautiful. As time goes on the attraction between Logan and Sarah continues to burn hot, and they spend as much time together as they can. I loved seeing Sarah let Logan into her and Sophia's lives and how happy they are. Sarah feels herself getting in deeper, but won't let herself believe that it could last. I cried for both of them when she allowed her fears to push Logan away. The depth of his heartbreak made my heart hurt for him. I hurt for Sarah too, but I also wanted to shake her for not believing in Logan or herself. It took an eye-opening conversation with her mom to break down the last of her walls, but it was a conversation with an unexpected visitor that gave her the push she needed. I loved her big moment at the end. The epilogue was great. I especially loved its location.

The secondary characters were great. First among them was Max, father of six boys and master manipulator. There is some mystery to why he is so determined to marry them off after years of discouraging any thoughts of settling down. I had some trouble liking him because of his attitude toward Sarah. I loved seeing Logan push back and stand his ground against Max's interference. It will be interesting to see his actions over the rest of the books. Sarah's parents were interesting with their extreme difference from the way they were when she was growing up. That influence on the young Sarah affected who she became and she didn't know how to deal with the changes. I liked the growth of the relationship between Sarah and her mom. I'm intrigued by Sarah's best friend, Lily. I loved how she was always there for Sarah and helped push her along into getting to know Logan. She also seems to have some self-esteem issues. I would love to see her end up with one of Logan's brothers.

 

Once Upon a Wedding - JoAnn Ross (HQN - Oct 2018)

Series: Honeymoon Harbor (Book 1.5)

Weddings are an occasion for joy, but Desiree Marchand is a bundle of nerves. She doesn’t have time for complications ahead of her friend’s wedding—especially not her ex-boyfriend. She doesn’t know what Bastien Broussard is doing in Honeymoon Harbor, but she wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, the wedding is down a singer—and whether Desiree likes it or not, rock star Bastien is the perfect man for the job.

After years traveling the world, the only place Bastien wants to be is by Desiree’s side. He’s ready to fight for her, even if he has to serenade himself past her defenses—but can he finally prove to her that their love is worth the risk?

Sweet second chance novella with a bit of steam. It's short and fast but does an excellent job of giving Desiree and Bastien's history together before delving into their reunion. Desiree is the owner of Honeymoon Harbor's bakery. She's a bit stressed as she makes the final preparations for her friends' wedding cake. The last thing she expects or needs is the sudden appearance of her ex-boyfriend. Her efforts to chase him off are thwarted when the hired musician cancels at the last minute and Bastien offers to fill in - if Desiree will sing with him.

Desiree and Bastien have a history together. Back when Bastien first started his band he talked Desiree into being their lead singer. Five years of touring and loving later, Desiree was tired of the constant travel. She left Bastien and the band to follow her dream of becoming a pastry chef, but never forgot him or the love they shared. Bastien went on to become famous for his rock-blues music before he was called home to help his grandmother with her restaurant. Now he's ready to put down roots with the only woman he ever loved.

Bastien knows what he wants and will do whatever he can to get it. It was fun to see him breeze in with utter confidence in his ability to win the day. However, Desiree isn't so sure that she can trust his rolling stone to stay put. I enjoyed hearing all about Bastien's plans for his restaurant and how he sees him and Desiree working together. He's upfront about how his feelings for her never went away as is Desiree. There is no false drama between them, just an acknowledgment of the fire and love they still share. The ending was great, and I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

I also enjoyed the beginning of the story with the description of Kaylee and Mai's wedding. The story of how they met was heartwarming as was their obvious love for each other. I loved the vivid pictures of the wedding itself with its Hawaiian touches.

 

Summer on Mirror Lake - JoAnn Ross (HQN - May 2019)

Series: Honeymoon Harbor (Book 3)

Summertime is the best time to lose yourself in the romance of Honeymoon Harbor…

When he lands in the emergency room after collapsing at the funeral of a colleague and friend, Wall Street hotshot Gabriel Mannion initially rejects the diagnosis of an anxiety attack. But when warned that if he doesn't change his adrenaline-fueled, workaholic lifestyle he could end up like his friend, Gabe reluctantly returns to his hometown of Honeymoon Harbor to regroup.

As he adjusts to the sight of mountains instead of skyscrapers, Gabe discovers advantages to this small Pacific Northwest town he once couldn't wait to escape. But it's irresistible librarian Chelsea Prescott who, along with the two foster children she's taken under her wing, makes slowing down seem like the best prescription ever.

Over the course of their summer romance, Gabe gets a taste of the life he might have had if he'd taken a different path. But with his return to New York City looming on the horizon, he'll have to choose between the success he's worked tirelessly for and a ready-made family who offers a very different, richly rewarding future…if he'll only take the risk.

It's been a while since I read a JoAnn Ross book, and this one reminded me why I like them so much. This one takes two people who are very different and shows how right for each other they are. The story opens with the youngest Mannion brother, Gabe. He couldn't wait to get out of his small town and test himself in the city. He has become so immersed in his Wall Street life that he doesn't even go home for family events. But when he collapses at a friend's funeral, the doctor makes it clear that if Gabe doesn't change his workaholic ways, he's likely to follow in his friend's footsteps. Reluctantly, Gabe heads back to Honeymoon Harbor for the summer. After three weeks, he's slowly going nuts with boredom when his brother suggests he dust off his high school boatmaking skills. So Gabe immerses himself in building a Viking faering and ignoring any and all interruptions. Until Chelsea shows up, looking for his help with her library's summer kids' program. He's quite rude to her, a reflex to push her away because he feels an immediate attraction to her.

Chelsea has lived her whole life in Honeymoon Harbor. Her childhood was difficult when her little sister got sick and died, with the stress and grief tearing her parents apart. Chelsea coped by spending as much time as possible at the library. The librarian became a friend and mentor, and now Chelsea is the head librarian. She loves encouraging people, especially children, to read, and is full of ideas for her summer programs. When she hears about Gabe and his boat, she's determined to get him on board. She doesn't expect a Mannion to be so cold and rude, and leaves the workshop furious with him - and unexpectedly attracted. But she's not about to give up on getting him involved.

I loved the development of Gabe and Chelsea's relationship. The sparks flew between them from the beginning. Gabe is reluctant at first to pursue anything because he sees her as the forever type and he plans to be gone again after Labor Day. Chelsea is attracted, but not interested in a relationship. She keeps herself closed off, determined to guard her heart against pain and loss. I loved the scene where Chelsea rowed across the lake to beard the dragon in his den and found a meeting of the minds (and bodies) instead. I had to laugh at Gabe's description of her as a velvet bulldozer, able to roll right over any of his objections to her program. They then moved on to a frank discussion of their attraction and, realizing that neither wants anything permanent, decide to go for a summer fling. I loved watching them start the getting to know each other process while at the same time respecting each other's boundaries. Those boundaries get blurry very fast when two young girls come into Chelsea's life.

Chelsea befriended two young foster girls who hung out in the library every day after school. She saw a lot of herself in the older girl, Hannah, and found herself getting more and more involved in their lives. When circumstances led to the loss of their current foster home, Chelsea stepped in to become a foster parent herself. Gabe is stunned to find himself just as involved, in spite of frequent self-doubts about what he is doing. I loved seeing how deeply Hannah and Hailey touched both their hearts. There were fantastic scenes of the four of them together, of Chelsea doing "girl things" with them, and them slowly becoming a family. I loved Gabe and Chelsea's attempts to find time for themselves and laughed out loud at "The List." Gabe totally melted my heart when he got Hannah involved in helping with his boatbuilding. I ached for Hannah, who found it very hard to trust the adults in her life, as she slowly opened herself up to Gabe and Chelsea.

Though Chelsea embraces her new reality and looks to making the girls a permanent part of her life, Gabe still has his eyes set on his return to New York. There were the occasional moments when I had high hopes that he would see how much happier he was now, but he would always fight them off. Then he goes and pulls a genuinely boneheaded move, at his sister's wedding of all places. I cried for Chelsea's heartbreak and cheered when she blasted him for it. Even Hannah got into the act, capped off by his own brother. I liked Gabe's big moment at the end, though I'm not sure that Chelsea made him work hard enough to dig himself out of trouble.

I loved the small town vibe and the way that everyone looks out for each other. It was great to see how many people got involved in Chelsea's library program. I also loved the scene at the fire when so many people stepped up to make sure that Chelsea could take care of Hannah and Hailey. The foster moms' support group was another example of people helping each other, with a great mix of serious and fun advice.

 

Sisters of Summer's End — Lori Foster (HQN - June 2019)

Series: Summer Resort (Book 2)

As the summer ends, friendship begins…

When single mom Joy Lee abandoned her old life to take a job at a lakeside resort, she found something that her family's wealth and influence could never buy: peace of mind. Not easy to come by for the once-burned divorcée who keeps everyone at a distance. But when her new friend, Maris, dares her to take a chance with the drive-in's charismatic new owner, everything changes for Joy and her young son.

A difficult childhood has left Maris Kennedy with definite priorities. Her job running Summer's End, the camp store and café, comes first. Always. Nothing could ever make her risk that hard-won security -- especially not her free-spirited colleague. But the more she encourages Joy to open herself up to new experiences, the more Maris begins to wonder what she, too, might be missing.

Learning how to trust will bring Joy and Maris together. And soon they form a friendship that leaves them as close as sisters -- and open to love where they least expect it…in Summer's End.

This was a terrific story of friendship and love. Both Joy and Maris have worked at the RV resort for several years. Each of them has concentrated on their work, preferring to keep people at a comfortable distance. But as this season winds down, both Joy and Maris feel a little lonely. I loved the scene where they drop their walls a little bit and reach out to each other. It was great to see how easily they connected once they allowed themselves to open up. Theirs was the sort of friendship I like to see between women, one where they encourage and support each other. There were some hilarious moments between them, especially when it came to their conversations about their men. There were also some deeply emotional ones as they shared the ups and downs of their pasts and presents. One of the things I enjoyed the most was seeing them give each other the push needed to take a chance on love.

I loved Joy. She grew up as the spoiled only child of affluent parents, then she rebelled and married against their wishes. When she got pregnant and her husband deserted her, they disowned her when she refused to give up the baby and come home. I was amazed at her strength and determination as she turned her life around to make a good life for her son, Jack. He and her job are her whole life; she has no plans to enter any relationship. Then the drive-in theater next door is sold, and the new owner stirs up feelings that have been dormant for six years.

Royce was great. He purchased the drive-in as a new start to his life. He spent the last several years caring for his ill mother, and while he grieves her loss looks forward to being unencumbered. He has big plans for renovating both the theater and his house. He didn't expect to have his plans upended by a pretty single mother and her adorable son.

The sparks flew between Royce and Joy from the start. With Maris's encouragement, Joy took a chance on reaching out to Royce. Both of them made clear that they weren't looking for anything permanent, but that a physical one was definitely on the table. I liked seeing that fall by the wayside very quickly. Royce won my heart very quickly when he came to the rescue of the injured stray puppy, and sealed the deal when he made the puppy part of his life. Joy was a little wary of letting Royce get too close to Jack, but he won her over with the way the two of them bonded. I loved the development of the relationship between Royce and Joy as they spent time together, both with and without Jack. Though both realized that their feelings had changed, because of their earlier agreement, they kept those feelings to themselves. When Joy's parents reappeared in her life, Joy found herself with some decisions to make. I ached for Royce, who had some insecurities flare up, causing him to pull away. I laughed out loud at the scene where all his friends ganged up on him to tell him what an idiot he was being. Royce's big moment at the end was great.

I ached for Joy and everything she went through with her parents. Her mother was a piece of work, and I understood why Joy had avoided them since Jack's birth. Joy had matured quite a lot in those years, and she did a grand job of standing up to her, especially the scene that Royce got caught up in. I loved seeing how all of Joy's friends at the resort banded together to support her when she needed it. Her parents did redeem themselves pretty well by the end, especially her father. Mom may still need a little work. The scene at the end, where they were all together at the resort was both funny and heartwarming.

I also enjoyed Maris and Daron's part of the story. Maris's life had been almost the opposite of Joy's. She grew up poor with a difficult childhood, which greatly influenced how she led her life. She worked and scrimped and saved, determined that she would never have to depend on anyone again. She tends to be a tad prickly in her independence and keeps people at a distance. Joy is the first person she allows herself to get close to. One thing on her "someday" list is a relationship, but there's one guy at the resort who isn't content to wait. Daron is the resort handyman, a friendly, cheerful, and flirtatious guy who manages to get under Maris's skin. When Maris pushes Joy to give Royce a chance, Joy does the same to Maris, challenging her to give Daron a chance.

Maris bugged me a little at first with her attitude toward Daron. He's a little younger than she is, and she looks down on his more relaxed attitude and believes that he doesn't take anything seriously. I loved his persistence and the way he would tease her. They joined forces to help Joy, and at the same time, got to know each other a little better. Maris completely redeemed herself in my eyes when she took a good look at Daron and who he really is and apologized for her judgmental attitude. I laughed out loud when Maris laid down her rules to Daron and then got all bummed when he actually followed them. The sparks flew when they finally gave in to the attraction. They still had a couple of bumps to get over, but it was fun to watch it happen.

I loved seeing these two women become sisters of the heart, and along the way, open up their hearts to love. I hope to see more stories at the resort so I can catch up on their lives. Now I need to go back and read the first book and see how Cooper and Baxter found their loves.

 

It Started with a Pregnancy - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2698 - June 2019)

Series: Furever Yours (Book 6)

It isn't puppy love.

But when one night leads to babies on the way, is a forever family far behind?

Animal rescue director Rebekah Taylor isn't a pet person -- or the family type. But now she's pregnant and a newbie parent to an adventure-loving stray dog nobody can catch. Kind of like Grant Whitaker, the fancy-free tech consultant who's not your typical daddy-to-be. Except this dude's sticking around. Can Grant persuade Rebekah to trust in him and the future they've started creating together?

Very good book. Rebekah is the director at the Furever Paws animal rescue. She loves her work, even if she isn't an animal person herself. She has also written off the possibility of relationships after wasting six years on one that ended badly. Which is why she is shocked to find herself pregnant after a one-night encounter with her bosses' nephew Grant, a man who is her polar opposite.

At first glance, Rebekah and Grant look like the most unlikely of couples. Rebekah is a super-organized rule follower who comes across as pretty uptight. She also keeps people at a little bit of a distance, never getting really close to anyone. Grant is a laid-back, committed bachelor who is always ready to have some fun. He is constantly on the go.

The development of their relationship is a bit rocky. Grant was drawn to her when he met her, but it wasn't until he saw her with her friends at a happy hour that he felt like they connected. He was surprised that he hadn't heard from her since then but looked forward to seeing her again now that he was back to see his aunts. Rebekah was not as happy to see him. She is still coming to grips with her pregnancy and hasn't yet figured out how to tell him. He is equally stunned by the news, but I thought he handled it much better. I loved that he immediately wanted to be thoroughly involved in every step. In fact, he was rather put out that Rebekah was so surprised. Having been burned by her ex, Rebekah finds it hard to trust that Grant will stick around the way he says he will, especially when he never seems to stay long in one place. I got a bit frustrated with the way Rebekah looked down on Grant because of his different way of doing things. She also is somewhat paranoid about anyone finding out about her pregnancy, while Grant would like to be able to share the news.

I did ache a bit for Rebekah, who is utterly convinced that she will be a terrible mother. Even though her parents were long-time foster parents, she never felt motherly toward any of the children they cared for. I did wonder a bit, right along with her, until the advent of the little dog Angus. Though she'd never had the desire for a pet, nor did she get involved with the ones at the rescue, she was drawn to this skittish little stray. There were some emotional scenes as she tried to lure the dog out of hiding with food, at the same time confiding all her fears to him. When she and Grant finally caught the little guy, she ended up as the pup's foster mom, with Grant along to help. I enjoyed seeing the softer side of Rebekah come out around the dog. Angus also served as a catalyst to the discussions she and Grant needed to have, as she looked at their differing attitudes with the dog and saw the same issues cropping up as parents.

With the amount of time Grant and Rebekah spent together, it was no surprise that the attraction between them continued to grow. Plus, with their prospective parenthood and their work with the animal rescue throwing them together, they also had a chance to get to know each other better, and the attraction turned to deeper feelings. However, there are still two things working against them. First, there is Rebekah's fear of trusting Grant to stick around and then having him leave. On Grant's side, there is the constant pull of family, as he rushes hither and yon whenever someone seems to need him, which feeds right into Rebekah's fears. With both of them, it's their mothers who provide the insight that opens their eyes to the truth. I especially liked Grant's "aha" moment and what he did about it. The epilogue was great, and I loved how Angus had a starring role in it!

I enjoyed the secondary characters. Rebekah's parents were great. I loved their technological ineptitude, which reminded me so much of my mother. There was a terrific scene between Grant and Rebekah's dad before Grant knew who he was. It did create a bit of trouble when he made the connection, but it all worked out. Grant's aunts, Bunny and Birdie, were adorable. I loved their big hearts in their work with the shelter. Though they sometimes gave the impression of being quite scatterbrained, there were also times when I thought they were much sharper than anyone gave them credit for. I laughed out loud at the airport scene at the end. Angus was fantastic. He broke my heart at the beginning with all he'd been through. I loved how he connected with Rebekah, and the changes in them both.

Wicked and the Wallflower - Sarah MacLean (Avon - June 2018)

Series: Bareknuckle Bastards (Book 1)

When Wicked Comes Calling . . .

When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a husband, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees to his suspicious terms--on one condition. She's seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won't accept a marriage without it.

The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain . . .

Bastard son of a duke and king of London's dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.

For the Promise of Passion . . .

But there's nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she'd rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil's carefully laid plans are in chaos, and he must choose between everything he's ever wanted . . . and the only thing he's ever desired.

Very good book with fascinating characters that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Felicity is a twenty-seven-year-old woman who appears to be firmly on the shelf. She went from having glittering possibilities to being stuck on the fringes of society thanks to a couple of poor decisions that nobody will let her forget. As the story opens, Felicity is verbally attacked by those who used to be her friends. Felicity wants nothing more than to get back to being part of the in-crowd once again and show up those who have treated her so badly. Her mouth gets the better of her, and she claims to be engaged to the Duke of Marwick, even though she has never met him, and knows that when the truth comes out, she'll be Finished Felicity for sure. What she doesn't expect is a late-night offer of help from a mysterious stranger.

Devil is the bastard son of a brutal and manipulative duke, one of three brothers and a sister. In a childhood pact, the brothers swore that they would ensure that there would be no heirs to their father's line. Now one brother, Ewan, who brutally acquired their father's title, has broken that pact and is looking for a wife. Devil is determined to thwart Ewan's plans, and Felicity is the perfect tool for him to use. He promises her that he will help her land the duke, while at the same time intending to sabotage the engagement to prove to Ewan that he won't get his way. Devil has no thought for what his plans would do to the girl in question.

I loved both Felicity and Devil. Though Felicity seemed to be a typical empty-headed society miss at first, it doesn't take long to see that there is more to her. I liked seeing her lay down her own conditions with Devil.  She also isn't content to sit back and wait for him to take action. She has a very unique talent that she regularly uses to invade his space. She has a sharp mind and isn't afraid to use it, which sometimes gets her into trouble. Devil is a man who made my heart ache. He had a terrible childhood but has made a place for himself, with his brother and sister, as the king of Covent Garden and head of the local crime ring. Though Devil is a hard man who rules his kingdom with an iron fist, there is also another side of him that, though not precisely soft, shows a depth of caring for the people around him. It is especially evident in the treatment of his "employees."

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Felicity and Devil. The connection is there from the moment they met, though both try to ignore it. Felicity is intrigued by Devil and takes every opportunity to spend time with him. I loved her first appearance in his world, his shock at how she got there, and her refusal to back down. Devil's reaction is priceless, as is his trouble in figuring out how to deal with her. As Felicity found herself drawn deeper into Devil's world, her outlook underwent some significant changes. I loved seeing her take a good look at the life she was trying to get back to and realize that it was no longer what she wanted. I loved seeing her confidence in herself grow the more time she spent with Devil, and discover that he and the Covent Garden life was what she wanted. All she had to do was break down his walls and get him to let her in. Devil was in trouble from the minute he met Felicity. He was fascinated by her and increasingly reluctant to inflict the inevitable hurt that his plans would cause. He was dismayed by the protectiveness he felt for her, suspecting that it will cause him greater problems with his intentions for the duke. He fought hard against his feelings for her, convinced that he is unworthy of her because of who and what he is. The dialogue between Felicity and Devil spotlights their connection and their growing feelings and emphasizes the attraction that continues to simmer and bubble between them. I ached for them both when the truth came out and was glued to the pages to see how they would find their way back to each other. Their big moment together was fantastic and perfect for the two of them.

The revenge portion of the story was well done. There is enough of the backstory to show why Devil goes after Ewan, with details revealed piecemeal through the book. The parts involving Ewan and Grace are particularly intriguing and leave me with many questions about what is between them. The tension built slowly as Devil helped Felicity in her desire to captivate the duke, while at the same time planning his part. There were also some questions as to whether Ewan is somehow involved in the trouble that Devil and Whit are having with their business. The confrontation between Devil and Ewan at the end was intense and did not go the way I thought it would. I loved Felicity's part in it. There are still unanswered questions, and I can't wait to see what is in the next book.

The secondary characters in the book were vital to the story, too. There are Devil's siblings, Whit and Grace/Dahlia. Whit is quiet but intense. His relationship with Devil is close, and their business is successful because of it. I enjoyed seeing him try to keep Devil focused on the plan, yet also support him in his love for Felicity. There were some funny moments between them because of it. I loved their sister, Grace. She is a strong woman who has made an interesting life for herself. I look forward to her story because of it. Nik was another strong and independent woman. I especially enjoyed seeing how the men respected her. My least favorite characters were Felicity's family. They were incredibly selfish, looking to Felicity to sacrifice herself so that they can maintain their position in society. Her brother was perhaps a shade better because he at least felt guilty about what they were doing. He redeemed himself a little bit at the end.

 

His Amish Teacher - Patricia Davids (LI #1052 - Mar 2017)

Series: Amish Bachelors (Book 3)

The Teacher's Choice

For Lillian Keim, instructing children in her one-room schoolhouse is as close to being a mother as she'll ever get. Lillian has a calling to be a teacher, and she won't give it up to marry. But her plans -- and her heart -- are at risk when she begins to feel more than friendship for lifelong pal Timothy Bowman. When Tim rescues Lillian and her class from a fire, the volunteer firefighter suddenly sees what he's been blind to all his life: he wants his friend as his wife. But something beyond her professional goals is holding Lillian back. He's got to unlock her secret before he loses his friend -- and his forever love.

This was a sweet romance with a touch of suspense for added excitement. Lillian is the teacher for forty young scholars in their Amish community. It isn't just her calling, it is the closest she'll ever get to having children of her own, and the reason she will never marry. She accepts that it means occasional loneliness, though that loneliness is often alleviated by her best friend, Timothy. Besides being her friend, Timothy is also a volunteer firefighter for their community. When a fire threatens the school, Timothy is among those that come to the rescue.

I loved both Lillian and Timothy. Both are good people who live up to their faith and the traditions of their people. I liked seeing their interactions with both Amish and Englischers. Timothy is an especially friendly and cheerful young man, which occasionally gets him in hot water with the powers-that-be, who wish that he would be a little more standoffish with outsiders. I loved seeing Lillian with her scholars and how important they were to her. There was a fun twist to her teaching when she finally got a second teacher to help her out.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Lillian and Timothy. Their friendship has always been a strong one and very close. I loved their ability to tease each other, and also how much they had in common. I especially liked that they shared a love of reading. They have always looked at each other as friends, until the day of the fire. The danger that they experienced made each of them realize that there was more than friendship between them, but both tried to deny their feelings. Timothy was afraid that giving voice to his feelings would ruin their friendship. Lillian was harboring a secret that made her feel that marriage was not an option for her. I ached for them both as their feelings continued to grow and their fears right along with them. I liked how Timothy tried to find a workaround for what he thought was the problem and cried for him when she told him the truth. I felt that both had realistic reactions, which made them even more emotionally charged. I loved the ending as both of them realized that they belonged together and that as long as they had each other, their lives would be blessed.

As a complication to their growing relationship, their community is dealing with an arsonist. The torching of property owned by both Englisch and Amish families puts a strain on the relationships between the two groups. Each side believes that the attacks come from the other group, and suspicion runs rampant. It is especially disheartening for the Amish when it begins to look like the arsonist may be someone in their own community, and the fires continue to escalate. I ached for the community as the frequent fires brought devastating losses. I had a suspicion of who it was and was happy to see that I was right, even though there were doubts about another character.

I liked the various secondary characters. The nurse, Debra, was my favorite. I loved how easily she and Lillian became friends. She has as big a heart as Lillian does, and I enjoyed seeing her come to know and love the Amish people. She was terrific during the fire that threatened the school, and I liked how she stayed close afterward. Her appreciation of the Amish and how they look out for each other ran deep, and I loved how she found a way to help them all at the end. I also liked the insights into Amish culture, from their relationships with the outside world to the way they supported each other in times of trouble. There was a neat twist to that support at the end, and the surprise that was in store for one of those affected by the fires. I was impressed by the view of special needs children as being a gift rather than a curse, and the focus in this book on people with dwarfism. This was my first book by Patricia Davids, but it won't be my last. I definitely want to go back and read the other books in this series.

 

The Ladies' Room - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - Sept 2012)

Secrets told in the church ladies' room are supposed to stay in the ladies' room. But that doesn't mean that what Trudy overhears there during her great-aunt Gertrude's funeral won't change the rest of her life.

Trudy has a daughter in the middle of a major rebellion; a two-timing husband who has been cheating for their entire married life; and a mother with Alzheimer's residing in the local nursing home. She doesn't really need a crumbling old house about to fall into nothing but a pile of memories and broken knickknacks.

Billy Lee Tucker, resident oddball in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, lived next door to Gert, and in her will she leaves him the funds to help Trudy remodel the old house. That's fine with Billy Lee, because he's been in love with Trudy since before they started school. And just spending time with her is something he'd never ever allowed himself to dream about.

A beautiful home rises up from the old house on Broadway, and right along with it rises up a relationship. But is Trudy too scarred from what she heard in the ladies' room to see a lovely future with Billy Lee?

A fun story of what happens when a cheated-on woman decides to take charge of her life. In a funny, but also emotional scene, Trudy is at her Aunt Gert's funeral when a trip to the ladies' room results in an unexpected revelation. Any woman can empathize with Trudy's trials involving pantyhose and bathrooms, which made the first part of the scene pretty darn funny. Laughter turns to tears though, when Trudy overhears her gossipy cousins talking about her husband's frequent infidelities. It seems that everyone in town except Trudy knew about them, and no one bothered to tell her. When the reading of her aunt's will provides Trudy with a slightly rundown house, and the funds to do something about it, she wastes no time dumping Drew for a new start.

I liked Trudy a lot. She's almost forty years old, not in the best of shape, but accepts herself the way she is. After twenty years of Drew putting her down and stifling her personality, she's ready to break out, and she does so with great enthusiasm. I loved watching her do her makeover, from hair to clothes, to please herself and to hell with anyone else's opinion. I laughed out loud when she stood up to her blustering bully of a husband, especially when he came to take back her car. I liked how she stood up to the people who had hurt her or made her mad, but she also didn't hold a grudge for long (except for Drew). Her determination to restore Gert's house to its former glory was great. I loved the parallels between the house and Trudy herself, as the true beauty of each were revealed. A big part of those transformations was Billy Lee.

Billy Lee was Gert's next door neighbor and a childhood friend of Trudy's. He's very laid back and friendly, and most of the town thinks he's weird and a bit slow. He'd had a close relationship with Gert, who left him the money to fix up the house if that's what Trudy wanted to do. As the book went on, it became clear that there was more to Billy than anyone suspected, even Trudy. He has a kind and compassionate heart, which is especially evident in his dealings with Trudy's mother.

I loved seeing the relationship between Trudy and Billy blossom right along with the house. It starts slowly as a friendship that deepens as time goes on. I loved their insistence on honesty with each other, believing that burying issues would only lead to resentment - as Trudy well knew from her marriage. I loved watching how Billy's belief in her abilities and support of her actions gave Trudy new confidence in herself. It was easy to see how much he cared for her in the things he did, from the "Gone With the Wind" trip to the motorcycle rides to the furniture he made for her. I thought he had the patience of a saint as he waited for her to feel the same way. I loved how Trudy stood up for Billy to the people who talked badly about him. As their friendship grew, Trudy realized that she had also been one of those who underestimated him before she got to know him, and knew she'd never look at him the same way again. She didn't realize how her feelings for him had changed until a New Year's kiss opened her eyes. It was fun to see her frustration as she wanted more and Billy went back to normal. The tension built to a sweet ending as they finally came together the way they were meant to be. I loved the epilogue, especially the surprises that it revealed.

The secondary characters were terrific. Trudy's mother was a sweetheart, and I ached for her and for Trudy as they dealt with her Alzheimer's. Her good days did a great job of showing the loving relationship that they had. There were some lovely scenes with her and Trudy. I also loved seeing her with Billy, especially the scenes at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I didn't like Trudy's cousins at all during the first parts of the book, especially with the way that they treated her. But Trudy's changes helped motivate some changes in them, and by the end they redeemed themselves quite nicely. Trudy's daughter, Crystal, started as a whiny, spoiled brat. I definitely didn't like the way that she talked to Trudy, especially when it came to Drew. I cheered when Trudy laid down the law to her, firmly but kindly. The changes in her by the end were very impressive, thanks to Trudy and Billy's compassion and support. Drew, on the other hand, was a complete ass from start to finish. He deserved everything he got.