To Bed the Bride - Karen Ranney (Avon - Nov 2019)

Series: All for Love (Book 3)

Politics has introduced MP Logan McKnight to many fascinating people, but the lady he encounters on the lands bordering his ancestral Scottish home outshines them all. Eleanor Craig of Hearthmere seats a Thoroughbred like a queen, knows as much about world events as any of his colleagues -- and is engaged to one of the worst men Logan knows. She also seems lonely, so Logan brings her a friend. Thus should their acquaintance end, yet it's only just begun.

The puppy Logan delivers is every bit as irresistible as the man himself. How could this stranger sense the isolation Eleanor suffers among her scheming, snobbish extended family and fiancé who control her life? It's even worse in London -- until she begins meeting Logan secretly in a secluded park. Their passionate connection frees Eleanor, body and soul. But discovery threatens disgrace -- or worse.

Good book, though it did have a few spots that dragged a little. Eleanor was orphaned at the age of eleven when her beloved father died. Her life at her Highland home of Hearthmere, with its rich traditions and its long line of famous horses, had been very happy to that point. Her aunt and uncle became her guardians, but when her uncle died also, her aunt moved them to London, reducing Eleanor's time at Hearthmere to one month a year. Eleanor lives for those months when she can return home and be her true self instead of the pale version dictated by her life in London.

Eleanor's most recent visit has been reduced to two weeks by the direction of her aunt and Eleanor's new fiancé, the Earl of Westcott. She's not happy about it but has accepted that her life will change with her marriage. One of the first things she does is head out on a ride where she encounters Logan, an MP on an incognito vacation, who she mistakes for a shepherd. Something about Logan unsettles her and gets under her skin, while Logan is utterly fascinated by Eleanor's looks and intelligence. But he can also see that she is lonely.

I liked the development of the relationship between Eleanor and Logan. There were sparks between them from the start, but Eleanor is caught up in her "London Eleanor" persona and ignores them. The only feeling she allows to surface is annoyance at the way he talks to her. I liked the way that Logan recognizes that there is more to her than she allows to show. He knows he should leave her alone, but something about her calls to him. Because he senses her loneliness, Logan gives Eleanor a border collie puppy that he hopes will be a friend. Eleanor doesn't want the puppy at first, but it isn't long before Bruce wiggles his way into her heart. When Eleanor returns to London, she never expects to see Logan again. She's stunned when he shows up at a dinner party at her aunt's house, and she discovers that he is a member of Parliament.

Though she knows it is wrong, Eleanor and Logan begin to meet secretly as friends, bonding first over Bruce's training. They grow closer as Eleanor finds herself increasingly willing to be herself in Logan's company. She also begins to chafe under the treatment she receives from her family and fiancé. Her family frequently shows their selfishness and disdain for the benefits they have received from being part of her life. I detested her Aunt Deborah and cousin Daphne and the way they browbeat her. But the one who really angered me was her fiancé, Michael. The more I saw of him, the more I wanted her to get away from him. His attitude toward Bruce would have been the last straw for me, but Eleanor was still stuck in her "family first" mindset. I was so glad that Eleanor was able to call on Logan for help in that situation. I ached for them both because, by this time, they knew that the pull between them was becoming irresistible. Logan's sense of honor was incredibly strong. But when Eleanor overheard Michael's plans for Hearthmere, she knew she couldn't marry him. What she never expected were the over-the-top actions of her family to force her into the marriage. I was horrified by what they did and waited as desperately as Eleanor did for Logan to rescue her. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over. The ending was great, especially with the revelation of Logan's secret. The only thing that would have made it better would be to see her family's reaction when they found out!

 I had two favorite secondary characters. First, of course, was Bruce. He was adorable, from his attacks on Eleanor's shoes to his absolute devotion to her. He made me laugh in many places, and I could see the difference he made in Eleanor's life. I loved his part in her rescue. The other character I loved was Logan's housekeeper, Mrs. Campbell. She was so kind and warm-hearted and was precisely what Eleanor needed in her life. I liked that she was the one who brought Eleanor's absence to Logan's attention and that she involved herself in finding out what was wrong.

 

One Christmas Eve - Shannon Stacey (Carina Press - Nov 2019)

Series: Cedar Street (Book 2)

They couldn't be more different. Or more perfect for each other.

Zoe Randall is busy living her life as she damn well pleases. She's back in her favorite town, her divorce in her rearview mirror, and living out her childhood dream of running a bookstore with her cousin. She has no interest in the uptight nerd who opened his boring-ass business next to her shop…until he complains about one of her sexy window displays.

Then it's game on.

Preston Wheeler knows he takes life a little too seriously. But when the saucy bookseller next door starts pushing his buttons, he can feel that changing. Beautiful, vivacious Zoe challenges him in all the best ways, and soon he's pushing her buttons right back: teasing and flirting all the way through the holiday season.

As Preston loosens up and Zoe is treated to the man behind the suit (particularly his forearms), she realizes she's more interested than she cares to admit. And Preston comes to see the beauty -- the absolute delight -- in adding Zoe's bright splashes of color to his once very black-and-white existence.

Short, fun story about two people who have been hurt in the past, and who, in spite of their differences, turn out to be exactly what each other needs. Zoe moved to her favorite town after her divorce and opened a bookstore with her best friend. After years of suffering through her ex's attempts to stifle the more vibrant parts of her personality, Zoe refuses to bow down to anyone else's opinion ever again. This has gotten her into trouble with the town council on occasion when they object to her sometimes over-the-top window displays.

Preston is a financial planner who is tired of the rat race in the city. Looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, he finds Cedar Street to be the perfect place to set up his new office. That is until he gets a good look at the display window of the bookstore next to his office. Those racy displays are not the first impression he's looking forward to for his new clients.

I loved Preston and Zoe's first face-to-face encounter. Preston was already a little stressed over the opening of his business and being cut off by a driver that morning. Being faced with a racy store window managed to get on his last nerve. But he couldn't just take a deep breath and let it go. Since he had to get the key to his office from the bookstore owner anyway, he went in, got the key, and then made a comment about the "unsuitability" of the window. Zoe, who takes great pride in her creative displays, was not amused, especially since Preston's attitude reminded her far too much of her ex's. Words were exchanged, leaving both with bad first impressions. Unfortunately for both, underneath the aggravation were also sparks of attraction, something neither was happy about.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of their relationship. Though initially antagonistic, it didn't take long for Zoe and Preston to begin a fun sort of flirtation. I liked the way that Zoe used her windows to poke at Preston's uptightness, and how Preston quickly began to appreciate Zoe's quirkiness. I loved seeing the chemistry building between them, though each was wary of doing anything about it. Zoe was still recovering her sense of self after her ex's attempts to stifle her. She is reluctant to trust her heart to someone who has the potential to be just as judgmental. Preston's self-esteem with women has taken a beating from former girlfriends who break up with him because "he's too boring" so he's in no rush to get involved with someone so colorful. I liked watching them get to know each other and discover that they balanced each other quite nicely.

There were some cute scenes of them together, especially as the chemistry heated up. I laughed out loud at the scene after Abe's party, when Zoe took an obviously drunk Preston home and refused to take advantage of him. I ached for them both as their feelings for each other grew, but their fears held them back. The big misunderstanding at the end was heartbreaking as it played right into those fears. I liked the visit Preston received from Noah, who gave him some good advice. Preston's big moment at the end was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was terrific. I loved seeing them a year later and the changes in both of them.

 

Echo - Janie Crouch (Calamity Jane Publishing - Oct 2019)

Series: Linear Tactical (Book 7)

Sometimes the deepest scars are the ones that can't be seen.

Single mom Peyton Ward works hard to make ends meet. At Linear Tactical she's surrounded by heroes on a regular basis...but none of them are hers. She thought she'd found one in Linear's silent partner, and country music superstar, Cade Conner.

She was wrong.

Unintended wounds still cut as deep.

Cade may not work day to day operations at Linear, but he takes the mission of the company he helped create--teaching survival and self-defense skills to the people who need them most--seriously. And finding out he's wounded Peyton in the worst way possible weighs on him.

So when danger closes in on her, he will damn well be by her side, making sure they survive so he can right his personal wrongs.

He might not have been a Special Forces soldier, but Cade Conner knows how to fight. And Peyton is a woman worth fighting for.

I loved this book. The series gets better with each installment. Peyton has been a character hovering in the background during the earlier books, with her adorable daughter Jess getting far more page time. I had a feeling that Peyton's story would be an interesting one when it was her turn, and I was right.

Peyton and Cade knew each other in high school when she was a freshman, and he was a senior. Both were involved in the high school's arts program, Cade on the music side, and Peyton on the film side. Peyton did her best to keep a low profile because she wasn't in that high school's district, and had pretty much lied her way in. She saw the arts program as her only way out of her abusive family life. Cade knew the truth but kept her secret. He graduated and went off to Nashville to pursue his singing career, while Peyton continued her efforts. By the time she graduated, she had won a full scholarship to a London film school. A few weeks after she graduated from high school, her car broke down, and she took refuge in Cade's lake cabin. He showed up and the attraction they'd fought for years became too much. There were consequences to that night together, but miscommunication and outside interference kept them apart, leaving each believing that the other had turned their back.

Five years later, Cade returns to Oak Grove for a visit and runs into Peyton, the woman he's never been able to forget. Something in that encounter seems off, and it takes some effort for him to track down Peyton and find out why. Peyton is terrified to see Cade, afraid of him finding out what she hid all these years. I was impressed by Cade's determination to get to the bottom of the mystery, and his patience and kindness as he tried to get through to Peyton. I ached for Peyton, who truly believed that he had turned his back on her when she needed him most. I loved that, once she understood what happened, she didn't keep the truth from him. Cade's reaction was priceless, and I loved seeing his joy in the news.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Peyton and Cade. There was no doubt that the attraction and feelings between them were just as strong as they'd been before. Cade is determined to show Peyton that she and Jess belong in his life. It was sweet to see how well he still understood her and the confidence he had in her. His insistence that she be in charge of his music video and documentary gave her confidence quite a boost, once she believed it was really happening. I loved watching her bloom, especially standing up to the guy who always put her down. I also adored the scene in the bar during the girls' night out, as he and the LT guys watched their ladies have fun, though it didn't take long for Cade to stake his claim. It was easy to see that Cade was all-in, but Peyton was still a bit wary. She wasn't sure if Cade wanted her, as well as Jess, and was hesitant to fully trust him with her heart. It took two brushes with death for her to finally accept the truth. The ending was fantastic.

Peyton's daughter Jess has been one of my favorite characters throughout the series, and I loved getting to know her even better. She is an adorable mixture of little girl and teenager/young adult. Her relationship with Peyton is fantastic, and the love they share leaps off the page. I loved her stated intention of becoming the "Empress of the Elementary School" and her apparent confidence in her ability to do so. I loved watching her wrap Cade around her little fingers, and laughed out loud at their bonding over bad choices. Her friendship with Finn's son Ethan is as strong as ever. I love Ethan's protectiveness toward Jess, even more so since the events in the previous book. Ethan totally stole my heart with his man-to-man talk with Cade at the end, and I loved how seriously Cade treated Ethan's concerns. I can't wait to see the two of them grow up.

This wouldn't be a Linear Tactical book without danger coming to the main characters. In this book, the threat comes from two directions. Cade has picked up a stalker, one that has escalated from nuisance attacks to something more dangerous. He and his security team have tried to find out who it is, but the stalker seems to stay one step ahead of them. It is disturbing to realize that the stalker seems to know far more of the inside workings of Cade's life than any of them are comfortable with. As the story went on, I had several suspects in mind, but it took me almost to the end to figure out who it was. The final confrontation was terrifying, as the stalker seemed utterly convinced of the necessity of his actions. The second danger focused on Peyton. Five years earlier, her stepfather had nearly killed her and went to prison. Unfortunately, she and her mother learn that Dennis will be released early from prison. Though there is a restraining order to keep him away from them, we all know how that usually works out. When Peyton is attacked, there are questions about whether it is Dennis. Peyton's mother, an alcoholic, believes it is, but there is no evidence. I was on the edge of my seat when Dennis made his move, as there were so many things that could go wrong. I loved Peyton's ability to keep a cool head, and Jess's quick thinking also helped. The deciding factor was the help from an unexpected source, which surprised both Peyton and me. Another surprise was the connection between the two dangers.

I always love the secondary characters. As always, the LT members wander in and out of the book as needed, and have our characters' backs in times of trouble. I liked seeing more of Baby in this book and loved the close friendship between him and Cade. I liked how he gave Cade a kick in the seat when he needed it. I enjoy his self-deprecating humor, his way with the ladies, and have the feeling that there is something important going on with him. I liked seeing more of Girl Riley and loved her support of Peyton. I liked the way she tore into Cade at the beginning. I can't wait for her story because I think she has some trouble ahead of her from a few hints that were dropped along the way. I liked Peyton's mother and felt terrible for her, as her fears of her ex created deeper problems with her alcoholism. I was impressed that she held it together as well as she did during the final confrontation. But it was Cade's Aunt Cecilia that had the most significant secondary role, in my opinion. I did not like her at all at the start of the book. She came across as a snob, cold, and without an ounce of human kindness in her soul. I hated the way she treated Peyton, even more so as her role in keeping Peyton and Cade apart was revealed. She grew on me a little during the scene at the gas station and redeemed herself at the end.

 

The Bake Shop - Amy Clipston (Zondervan - Nov 2019)

Series: Amish Marketplace (Book 1)

Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship.

When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father.

When Jeffrey’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy—including Christiana’s bake shop. Christiana, however, can’t deny how she feels about Jeffrey despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?

Good story about love, friendship, and forgiveness. Christiana is a wonderful baker and runs a bake stand from her family's home. It is such a success that it nearly takes over her entire life and that of her family. When customers start knocking on her door at all hours of the day and evening, Christiana's mother suggests that she look at opening a booth at the local farmer's market. Her two cousins, who also have shops there, are all for the idea, but Christiana's father worries that being around so many Englischers will pull her away from the Amish faith. With a great deal of effort, Christiana convinces her father to give her a chance. She's excited for the opportunity to grow her business, and with the market only open three days a week, she may have enough free time for a social life too.

Her first day gets off to a rough start when she collides with a young Amish man, spilling his coffee on him. Jeffrey doesn't react well, and both are dismayed when they realize that their shops are next door to each other. The situation becomes even more contentious when the lines to her shop block the entrance to his. There are some harsh words spoken between them, as neither wants to admit to being the problem. Cooler heads encourage Christiana and Jeffrey to talk through the issue and find a compromise.

I found both Christiana and Jeffrey a little on the stubborn side. Christiana seems to be quick to judge and slow to forgive, something unusual in Amish books. She doesn't seem to like to admit when she is wrong and digs in her heels. Jeffrey started his wood and leather business as a new beginning after a huge disappointment. He is low in self-confidence in his abilities but blames Christiana's shop for his lack of sales. But under the antagonism are sparks of interest. Unfortunately, Jeffrey's heart was broken when his fiancée left him for another man, and he is reluctant to trust his heart to another. Christiana falls foul of his distrust several times, causing her to pull away from any interest she might have in him.

Slowly, Christiana notices that there is more to Jeffrey than his attitude and becomes curious about the sadness she senses in him. With patience on her part, they become friends, sharing lunches and laughs. Jeff's depression begins to lift a little, but the past continues to haunt him. Christiana works hard to show him that she can be trusted. But just as each begins to think that there could be something more between them, Christiana's father discovers that Jeffrey uses electricity in his shop. Furious, and convinced it's just the first step on the road to leaving the Faith, he forbids Christiana from spending any more time with Jeffrey. Both are heartbroken.

I ached for both Christiana and Jeffrey, as it looked like they would be separated for good. I was also angry at Christiana's father for his refusal to listen to either of them. I became a little more sympathetic to him after Christiana's conversation with her grandmother, but I wasn't sure if he would ever let go of his fear and anger. I loved Jeffrey's determination to find a way to reach him and make him understand his intentions and the depth of his faith. A near tragedy almost ends Jeffrey's hopes altogether, but love wins the day. I loved the way things worked out and what finally brought Christiana and Jeffrey back together.

The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - July 2015)

Series: Cadillac Texas (Book 3)

Stella's mama never should've put Stella on the church prayer list. With Stella's twenty-seventh birthday coming up fast, Nancy desperately wants to see her daughter married and giving her grandbabies. Petitioning heaven seems like a surefire way to get it done. But in Cadillac, Texas, where the gossip's hotter than the city's famous jalapeño peppers, it isn't long before all hell breaks loose.

Heather, the bossy leader of the church's Prayer Angels, thinks a summer ball will get Stella and the town's other single gals paired off. But nobody can tell redheaded spitfire Stella what to do -- not her mama, not Heather, and not even the sexy beau Stella's been seeing in secret. Together, Stella, her best friends Charlotte and Piper, and the loyal customers of the Yellow Rose Beauty Shop hatch a good old-fashioned scheme to sabotage the ball. But will it wreck Stella's relationship with her mama forever? And what will the church folk think when Stella reveals the identity of her mystery man?

Fun book. I loved going back to Cadillac, Texas, with its friends, family, and fun. The story opens as Nancy attends a meeting of the "Prayer Angels" at church. She's frustrated with her daughter Stella's apparent indifference to finding a husband, which had delayed Nancy's chances of being a grandmother. Desperate, she asks to put Stella on the prayer list, not realizing that she is about to create a firestorm. Heather, the head of the Prayer Angels, and niece to self-proclaimed town matriarch Violet, has a bit of a grudge against Stella. She takes the opportunity to both get back at Stella and to make a name for herself in the town hierarchy by planning a husband-finding ball.

Stella is furious at her mother for getting her into this situation, and with Heather for using her to promote her own plans, and she isn't going to take it lying down. Stella already has her man but has reasons for keeping the relationship under wraps for a little while longer. Even her best friends, Piper and Charlotte, don't know about him. But with their help, and that of the eighty-year-old, red-headed spitfire, Agnes, they plan to make sure that it is an event that will never be forgotten.

I love Cadillac and the depth of love and friendship found at the heart of the relationships there. The main focus of this book is Stella, the red-haired, wise-cracking hairdresser with a slightly tarnished reputation. Her relationship with her mother has been a bit strained, with Nancy's constant pressure to find a man. It takes a severe hit when Nancy goes a step too far and puts Stella's name on the prayer list. Stella spends a good part of the book working on forgiving her mother for opening this can of worms. I liked the honesty of feelings here, as Stella admits that while she loves her mom, it's going to take a while to get past the anger. I ached for Stella because she was so worried that her reputation, combined with this new trouble, would be too much for her man to take. I loved the viewpoint that he took, his bone-deep support of her, and his willingness to do whatever it took to make her happy. Their scenes together were sweet and hot, and it was easy to see that they belonged together though I would like to have seen more of how they got together to start with.

I loved Stella's relationships with her two friends, Piper and Charlotte. They've been friends for a long time and can be very frank with each other. It was interesting to see the two weigh in on Stella's rift with her mom, and how each comes at it from her own maternal relationship. I loved their unwavering support for each other, from their having Stella's back during the whole prayer fiasco, to Piper's problems with her ex, and keeping Charlotte on an even keel as her wedding to Boone gets nearer. Stella felt guilty for keeping her secret even from them, and it was hilarious to see the number of times they nearly stumbled over the truth. There were some terrific scenes as their support enabled Piper to stand up to her jerk of an ex, and put him in his place. He got what was coming to him, and I cheered right along with the patrons of the beauty shop. Charlotte's fears as her wedding day grew nearer were real, and I was especially moved by the way that Stella's mother Nancy, was able to help her overcome them.

But the main focus of the story was the Yellow Rose Barbecue Ball and the shenanigans that led up to it. Heather is one of those women that, when she gets the bit between her teeth, is impossible to stop. It didn't take long for Nancy to regret the impulse to put Stella on the prayer list once Heather started coming up with her ideas. Stella knew there was no way to stop it; her only thought was to find a way to minimize the damage. But once Agnes got involved, the defense took on a life of its own. It was great fun to see Agnes, Stella, and the others put their plans into motion. The anticipation built as I watched Agnes mastermind the perfect way to sabotage Heather's plans without damaging the reputations of her friends. I couldn't wait for the revelation of Stella's secret, and I must say that it was everything that I expected from a Carolyn Brown book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes between Stella and her secret man. The chemistry between them was hot. I loved his support of her during the process and his willingness to give up their secret to save her embarrassment. For all of her brashness and bluntness, Stella was also a bit insecure because of her past. I loved her worry over how her past could affect her man's job, and her insistence that keeping their secret until things were secure. There were some adorable scenes between them as they found ways to be together. There were also some hilarious scenes as the frustrations of being apart come home to roost and people would unknowingly interfere with their assignations. They had to do some quick thinking to keep their secret as long as they did.

 

His Surgeon Under the Stars - Robin Gianna (HMED #1059 - Oct 2019)

Series: Doctors Under the Stars (Book 1)

The lone-wolf doc…

…meets his match!

Only when exploring the Antarctic's freezing waters can marine biologist Dr. Zeke Edwards forget the heartache of losing his family. Until an unexpected, passionate kiss with new colleague Dr. Jordan Flynn starts to break through the barriers around his heart. Having both sworn off relationships, they agree to a temporary fling. Then danger strikes…and they're forced to realize their feelings are anything but temporary!

Good book. One of the great things about it was its unusual setting. There aren't that many romances that take place in Antarctica. From the opening pages, I was caught up in the author's vivid descriptions of life on an Antarctica science station. It started with a description of the difficult trip through the Drake Passage, which caused me to look up some YouTube videos of ships going through it. I'd say the author nailed it, making Jordan's experience very realistic. Likewise, the description of Jordan's first under-ice dive was amazing, sending me back to YouTube once again. The dangers that lurked were not minimized, and there was a truly frightening description of an encounter with a leopard seal that clearly illustrated one of those dangers. All of these served to enhance Jordan and Zeke's story.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jordan and Zeke. They met on the ship that took them to Antarctica. There are sparks between them from the moment they met, but both have reasons to avoid a relationship. Jordan grew up traveling the world with her doctor parents but longs for a settled life where she can put down roots. She feels the attraction to Zeke the moment she sees him but is determined to stick to her plan. The attraction flares hotter when he comes to her rescue in a scene that showcases her stubbornness and independence, though she eventually admits she needs his help. Zeke is also drawn to Jordan, but he is even more resistant to relationships. After tragically losing the grandparents who raised him, he blames himself and refuses to open himself up to caring for anyone again.

The science station is small, so Jordan and Zeke encounter each other often. They start by agreeing to be friends. They see each other frequently, and their connection deepens. The diving scene is fantastic as Zeke introduces Jordan to the underwater beauty. It's there than Zeke begins to realize that Jordan is a real danger to his heart. When Zeke goes along on a medical run, Jordan appreciates his support and help. Their attraction gets another boost as they witness the Southern Lights together in a sweet and romantic scene. But it's when Jordan observes Zeke's reaction to a news story about a hurricane, that the passion between them explodes. Though both insisted that what they had was a fling only, both soon realized that their feelings for each other had changed. But when something occurs that brings all of Zeke's fears back to the surface, he pushes Jordan away. It takes a near tragedy, and a lecture from his friend, for Zeke to take a hard look at himself. I loved the ending as both Zeke and Jordan realize they are ready to take risks if it means being together.

There was also an intriguing bit with Jordan and her best friend, Lia, whose fiancé has disappeared. A surprise discovery by Jordan looks like a lead-in to the next book in the series.

Murdered in Conard County - Rachel Lee (HI #1878 - Sept 2019)

Series: Conard County: The Next Generation (Book 40)
            Conard County (Book 60)

They can only solve the perfect murder

If they work together.

After a shot rings out in the night, park ranger Blaire Afton knows her hard-won serenity is in jeopardy. But when she's faced with a murder with no motive and no clues, US forest ranger Gus Maddox agrees with her suspicion that this is no random crime. With their shared military past, Blaire and Gus become close. But will their need for each other hinder their quest for justice?

Good book. It opens in the past with the murderer(s) before they have started killing. The premise behind it is more than a little disturbing, especially the way it evolved. After the prologue, the book moves to the present day, when Blaire hears a gunshot in the night. As a park ranger, it is her job to investigate. At the same time, Gus was out for a late-night ride, brought on by an uneasy feeling. He was partway to Blaire's cabin when he, too, heard the shot, so he joined Blaire. What they found was deeply disturbing. A man was murdered inside his tent while he was sleeping, with his young son in the tent with him.

I liked both Blaire and Gus. Both of them are veterans, and each struggles with PTSD. Their work as rangers suits them perfectly, as it keeps them mostly out of crowds, and lets them spend time in the outdoors. Both have good relationships with their coworkers.

I liked the development of the relationship between Blaire and Gus. They've known each other for a couple of years, as their park jurisdictions are adjacent. They bonded over their time in the military, often meeting for coffee. On occasion, one or the other will share something that happened in the past or something that is bothering them. Sometimes they just talk about their day, or sit and enjoy the quiet. What neither mentions to the other is the growing attraction they feel, fearing that giving voice to it will affect their friendship. But with the murder, Gus can no longer deny the protectiveness he feels toward Blaire. What I really liked about him was that, even though he felt protective, he never doubted Blaire's ability to take care of herself. Though Blaire was confident in herself, she couldn't deny that it was comforting to have Gus nearby. The more time that they spent together investigating the murder, the stronger that the attraction between them grew. I loved that first kiss and seeing the passion between them explode. One of my favorite things is that they both knew the value of communication and honesty between them. They were also aware of each other's problems and knew how to support each other. I loved the ending, as nearly losing each other made them realize what they wanted from the future. The last scene was sweet as they discovered they had friends and found love and a new way of life.

Both Blaire and Gus suspected that the murder was more than a random event. Thanks to their time in the military, they saw the potential that it was a highly planned event. Those feelings deepened when they heard rumors that there had been other seemingly random murders over the last several years, all at parks. At the same time they tried to put the pieces together, the reader also got the point of view from the other side. Two of the men were clearly psychopaths, and their words and actions were definitely creepy. As for the third man, I wouldn't go so far as to call him a victim of circumstances, but he got caught up in something he didn't know how to get out of. His redeeming feature was the heavy dose of guilt that he felt, which I thought affected his later actions. 

Sea Glass Island - Sherryl Woods (Mira - June 2013)

Series: Ocean Breeze (Book 3)

With her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she'd rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it's hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won't open this jaded doctor's heart. It's going to take a sexy, determined woman -- one who won't take no for an answer.

Very good conclusion to the series. Samantha is an actress who lives in New York and is headed home for her sister Emily's wedding. In the previous book, Wind Chime Point, her career was slowing down, so her sister Gabi, a PR specialist, helped give it a boost. That boost didn't last, and now Samantha realizes that she's lost the passion that drove her early career. Going home will give her the chance to look at her options and come up with a plan. Getting involved with her teenage crush was not in the plan.

Ethan came home from the war after losing part of his leg and opened a clinic in his hometown. After being dumped by his fiancée because he wasn't "whole," Ethan became jaded and cynical about love. As the best man for Emily and Boone's wedding, he's surrounded by people that do believe. This puts him at a disadvantage when the bride's family seems determined to push him into Samantha's arms.

I liked both Samantha and Ethan. Samantha is independent and focused, even when she's having a career crisis. Her family means everything to her, which shows in her determination to do whatever her sister needs. She is also very observant, a side effect of her work as an actress. Ethan is a good man whose heart was stomped on by his ex. It did a number on his confidence in his appeal to women, and as a result, he built up some pretty solid walls around his heart. The only ones who get through them are the kids he works with. I loved seeing him use his experiences to help children adapt to injuries like his.

I loved watching the development of the relationship between Samantha and Ethan. As maid of honor and best man, they need to be able to work together. Because her family is well aware of that teenage crush, they are determined to push Samantha and Ethan together whenever possible. Though the sparks fly whenever they are together, Ethan is particularly resistant. It doesn't take long for Samantha to be ready to see where those sparks take them. She knows that she is risking heartbreak, but if she can break through his walls, it will be worth it. I loved seeing how well she understood Ethan and his fears and knew when to push and when to back off. Ethan knew he was fighting a losing battle, but his fears went very deep. Just when things looked very promising, they found themselves in the middle of a minor scandal. I wanted to shake Ethan because he used what happened as an excuse to push Samantha away, convincing himself that she would leave anyway. I was also mad at him for failing to support her when she needed him. He did finally redeem himself in a very satisfying manner, but he still let his pride hold him back. I loved Samantha's strength as she stood up for herself and her needs. I liked his big moment at the end as he finally let go of his fears and his pride. The epilogue was a great wrap-up for the book.

A good part of the story was spent on Samantha's career crisis and what she was going to do about it. I loved watching her at the high school and how the drama kids inspired her. I especially liked her connection with Cass. I ached for Samantha when she had to deal with Ethan's attitude and lack of belief in her plans. It was hard to see Samantha's insecurities over her chances to make those plans work, especially when she hit that bump in the road. It was great to see the support she got from her family. When they talked about bringing in guest actors, etc., I immediately thought of Bree from Flowerson Main. It would have been fun to see her provide some advice to Samantha.

Cooper's Charm - Lori Foster (HQN - July 2018)

Series: Summer Resort (Book 1)

One summer, two sisters and a chance to start over…

Before the burglary that shattered her confidence, Phoenix Rose had a fiancé, a successful store and a busy, happy existence. After months spent adrift, she takes a job at the lakeside resort of Cooper's Charm. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, friendly colleagues and a charismatic, widowed boss, Phoenix is slowly inching her way back into the world.

Visiting Cooper's Charm to check up on her little sister, Ridley Rose impulsively agrees to fill in as housekeeper. Still reeling from an ego-bruising divorce, she finds satisfaction in a job well done -- and in the attention of the resort's handsome scuba instructor.

For Phoenix and Ridley, Cooper's Charm is supposed to be merely temporary. But this detour may lead to the place they most need to be, where the future is as satisfying as it is surprising…

Terrific story about two sisters who want to take back their lives, and the men who help them do it. It's also a story of family, support, and love, letting go of the past and taking chances.

Phoenix had a happy life until a burglary and assault threw it all into turmoil. After months of drifting, she's determined to find her independence and reclaim her life. Taking a job as the groundskeeper at Cooper's Charm will get her back into the career she loves with enough physical activity to keep her distracted from her past. She doesn't expect the bigger distraction of her sexy, widowed boss. Cooper purchased the resort several years earlier, after the murder of his pregnant wife. The first two years were spent just trying to make it from day to day, but he's slowly found peace in his surroundings and the varied life of the resort. He still grieves for his wife, but he's more at peace, until a sexy, hurting Phoenix starts to get under his skin.

I loved the development of the relationship between Cooper and Phoenix. I loved their first encounter, the sparks that were there between them, and the wary way they danced around them. Cooper is aware of Phoenix's past, which brings out the protectiveness in him. Phoenix is still dealing with the aftermath of the robbery and the effect it had on how she sees herself. Cooper is patient in the way he lets Phoenix get to know him and become comfortable around him. She is surprised by the fact that, in spite of his size, she is never afraid of him. I liked the slow and steady growth of their relationship, as the chemistry between them builds. One of the things I liked best was their ability to communicate, not just the everyday job-related stuff, but also those things that were more personal. I loved their honesty, as both agreed that they weren't into playing games with feelings. Phoenix also has some self-esteem issues about her body because she is quite curvy. Cooper finds her very sexy and has no trouble letting her know the effect she has on him. After a bit of excitement at the end, both Phoenix and Cooper were able to admit their feelings for each other and move on together.

Phoenix's sister, Ridley, had recently been through a painful divorce, leaving her cynical and a little bitter. When she arrives at Cooper's Charm to check up on Phoenix, she is at loose ends and impulsively offers to act as the resort's housekeeper. This also puts her near Baxter, the resort's scuba instructor. The sparks between them flew fast and furious. I loved the back and forth between them. Baxter is commitment-shy after a bad breakup and is known as quite the player, but there is something about Ridley that gets under his skin. Ridley is only looking for a fun time, however Baxter blasts right through the walls she has erected around her heart. It was fun to watch these two chase each other and try to keep their emotions out of it. An unexpected development forces them to face their feelings and make some decisions.

There was a bit of suspense involving Phoenix. It appears that someone is targeting her, and the question is who and why? There are several suspects, but I was pretty sure who it was from the beginning of the incidents. The resolution was a nail-biter with Phoenix's life on the line. I loved how it turned out, especially seeing Phoenix regain that last piece of herself.