One Wish - Jodi Thomas (Kensington - Nov 2019)

It’s the week before Christmas in Kasota Springs and Maggie Allison is sweeping the floors before closing her shop for the night. But out in the cold darkness three men are keeping a close watch on her movements. Local farmer Sam Thompson is also there in the shadows, ready to step in if need be. Sure enough, when Maggie finds herself cornered by Boss Adler and his men demanding her money and more if she doesn’t cooperate, Sam comes to the rescue. Trouble is, Boss Adler gets away and everyone in town expects he’ll be back for revenge. Forced into hiding on Sam’s ranch, Maggie and Sam discover their distant memories of a childhood friendship promise something more in the present. But the Thompsons are famous for keeping to themselves, and Maggie knows it’ll take more than a moment under the mistletoe to bring Sam to his senses . .

Short and sweet holiday story. Maggie is cleaning up her store, preparing to close for the night, unaware that she is being watched. Outside are three outlaws, intent on robbing her and more. All of them are unaware of Sam's presence. He'd heard the men talking in the saloon and was ready to step in if necessary. While waiting, he remembers back to his childhood. He and Maggie were friends in first grade before her parents sent her away to school. He's never forgotten her and will do what he must to protect her. I loved seeing him take two of the three outlaws out, and felt his frustration when the third got away. That particular outlaw is bad news, and both Sam and the sheriff think that Maggie is in danger until he is caught. Sam insists on taking Maggie to his home for safekeeping.

I loved both Maggie and Sam. Both of them are outsiders in their town. Maggie is a combination of bossy and shy and has no friends. She works in her store, and that is her whole life. For years she has kept a journal, chronicling her hopes and dreams, though they have dwindled over the years. Now she has just one wish - to spend a day with a good and loving man. Sam is the strong, silent type. He is a private man who doesn't share much of himself with anyone, even the relations who live in the same canyon. Neither he nor Maggie has ever had a genuine relationship with anyone and have no idea how to go about it.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sam and Maggie. Their childhood friendship made it easier for them to give in to their yearning for a connection. I laughed at the idea that they would pretend to be married for the time they were together, as that was surely tempting fate. It was sweet to see Sam's gentleness as he gave in to the urge to kiss Maggie. I loved Maggie's surprise at the feelings he aroused in her, and her willingness to explore them further. Each day they were together, the feelings between them grew stronger.

When danger comes knocking at the door, Sam must find a way to hold it off long enough for Maggie to get away. The confrontation is vicious and dangerous. Sam's life is spared only by the arrival of an unexpected ally. I ached for Maggie, who is left wondering first about his safety, then about whether there is a future for her with Sam. I loved that she knew him well enough to understand that anything more would have to come from him. The ending was sweet and romantic.

The secondary characters were not as well developed, but each had an essential place in the story. I liked the old lady, Nina, and her care for Sam and his son. She was quite the character, and I loved how she also took to Maggie, providing her with excellent advice. The sheriff rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and proved my instincts right by the end. My favorite was Sam's little boy, Wes. He was an adorable child, and I could see that he was Sam's entire world. I loved how Wes and Maggie took to each other so quickly.

This was my first book by Jodi Thomas, but it won't be my last. She has a fantastic way with descriptions. From the blizzard to the description of Sam's home, it was incredibly easy to picture them as I read. I could feel Maggie's fear as she fled with Wes, and I felt each blow as Sam was beaten by the bad guys.  

*Originally published in A Texas Christmas (Oct 2011)

Behind Closed Doors - Betina Krahn (Kensington - Nov 2019)

Series: Tudor (Book 2)

UNDER THE QUEEN’S EYE . . .

As Queen Elizabeth’s prized new lady-in-waiting, Corrina Huntington is beautiful, innocent, and eager to know the world beyond her sheltered home—especially the mysteries of love. Despite the queen’s vow of protection, Corrie soon finds herself swept into the intrigues of the court, rampant with plots and pleasures—and discovers more than she ever imagined . . .

Manly and magnificent, Count Rugar Kalisson swears vengeance on the insulting, overbearing English who scorn him for his Swedish heritage. He vows to best the vain queen’s knights in contest, and her ladies in seduction—including her latest pet. Love is not part of his plan, yet he and the sheltered English rose are soon drawn together by a reckless passion—a forbidden bond that will not only inflame the wrath of a jealous Queen, but provoke a diplomatic scandal . . .

Good book. I especially enjoyed the setting of this one. Historical romances are overwhelmingly Regency era, but this one takes place mostly at the court of Elizabeth I with a little bit in Sweden. I felt that the portrayal of the intrigue and attitudes of the time were very well done. That said, the first 20% or so of the book dragged a little for me, but once Corrie and Rugar met, the story picked up quite nicely.

Corrie is eighteen years old and has been kept very sheltered by her parents. That comes to an end when Queen Elizabeth stops while on her progress around the country and takes a liking to Corrie. She insists that Corrie becomes one of her maids of honor. This horrifies her parents who are very familiar with the Queen's court and its ways, but they have no choice. Meanwhile, Corrie is thrilled with the opportunity to experience a wider world. It isn't long before Corrie becomes the queen's favorite. There are drawbacks to this, as Elizabeth is very possessive and warns off anyone who threatens her relationship with Corrie - especially the men. In spite of her intelligence and extensive education, Corrie is oblivious to the queen's machinations.

Meanwhile, Rugar is named ambassador to England by the king of Sweden and sent to establish good relations with the queen. This suits him to a T as he has personal reasons for going. As a lad of twelve, Rugar visited the court with his father, who was sent to propose a marriage between Elizabeth and the Swedish king. They were not treated kindly but mocked and derided for their differences. Rugar's father never recovered from the shame he felt at his failure, leaving Rugar burning with the desire for revenge. He arrives at the court determined to beat all the men in their manly contests and to seduce the queen's ladies.

It's at this point that the story picks up interest for me. Rugar is bowled over by his first sight of Corrie and makes her the target of his attentions. He is certain that she is just as immoral as all the other women of the court. Corrie is overwhelmed by Rugar's attentions, having never experienced anything like it. Her forthright nature supports Rugar's assumptions and his single-minded pursuit of her. I really enjoyed their interactions. Corrie's innocent reactions and questions draw Rugar closer to her. He is enchanted by her inquisitive nature and the passion he senses below her surface. As Rugar's attention stirs her senses, Corrie is determined to experience everything that she can. But as she becomes bolder, Rugar has to face the fact that he misjudged Corrie's experience, and tries to pull away. I ached for both of them at this point, because Corrie has fallen hard for Rugar, even though she feels that there is no future in it. Rugar, who has reasons for avoiding innocents, is determined to stay away from her but finds it impossible to do so. Dismayed to realize that he has fallen in love with her, Rugar is determined to protect her, even from himself.

There are outside forces that are determined to interfere. Elizabeth is angered by Rugar's attention to Corrie, even though she warned him off. She sets one of her spies on him, looking for a reason to send him away. Unfortunately, her spy has his own agenda. He has harbored a grudge against Corrie's parents for many years and looks on this a  chance to even the score. When Corrie and Rugar are discovered in a compromising position, Elizabeth's rage knows no bounds.

The last part of the book flew by for me, as Corrie and Rugar escape the queen's attempts to keep them apart and flee to Sweden. I loved Corrie's joy in being there and ached for her as she faced resistance from Rugar's people. It was interesting to see Rugar's reaction to what happened and the effect it had on his view of the past. I was glued to the pages as the queen's fury continued to build and ripped Corrie and Rugar apart. I loved Rugar's determination to get her back, no matter what he had to do. The final showdown with the queen was a nailbiter. I loved Rugar's reaction to her demands and how he regained the upper hand. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the story.

There was also a secondary romance between Corrie's cousin Anne and Rugar's friend Torgne. The sparks flew between them from the start. Torgne, like Rugar, had a low opinion of English morals. Anne, a relatively recent widow, is not ashamed of her needs and gets a great deal of satisfaction out of tempting him. When an unexpected mix-up throws the two of them together, the sparks burst into flame. I loved the scene on the ship as Anne goes all-out to break through Torgne's resistance. With both of them caught up in Elizabeth's outrage, there was some question as to their chances of a future together. I loved the scene at the end, as Rugar suggests the perfect "punishment" for Torgne's crimes.

*Originally published in September 1991

Santa in a Kilt - Donna Kauffman (Zebra - Oct 2019)

Series: Hot Scot Trilogy (Book 3)

The wind-whipped December sands of the isle of Kinloch invigorate Kira McLeod as she sets out to tame rugged Shay Callaghan, a Scottish bachelor as wary of a wedding ring as a snowman is of the hot sun. It'll take all the wiles of the canny islanders to weave a perfect Celtic Christmas for all....

Good story.  Shay is a lawyer who specializes in divorce cases.  As a result he sees the worst of what can happen to a relationship and has sworn that he will not succumb to one himself.  The difficulty is that he has been attracted to Kira for awhile and knows that she isn't the fling type of woman.  When the attraction becomes mutual and overwhelming Shay's thoughts begin to contemplate the future but he is still scared of what could happen.  I loved Kira's acceptance of his feelings and the way she was able to wait so patiently for him to come to terms with his love for her and what it means to him.






*originally published in the anthology Unwrapped by Donna Kauffman, Erin McCarthy, and Kate Angell

His Pregnant Christmas Bride - Olivia Gates (HD #2483 - Nov 2016)

Series: Billionaires of Black Castle (Book 6)

Can a pregnant bride heal this tycoon's tormented past?

Russian billionaire Ivan Konstantinov spent decades struggling with the treachery that almost destroyed him. But when Anastasia Shepherd, the only woman he's ever loved, suffers a near-fatal injury, he risks everything -- even exposure to his betrayers -- to save her.

He intends only to heal her then walk away again, but their explosive passion can't be denied. Then she gives him the ultimate Christmas gift: she's expecting his child. Will the promise of a holiday wedding and a perfect future erase the scars of Ivan's past…or will darker secrets ruin all they hold dear?

This was an intensely emotional book. Ivan is one of those who was taken as a child and raised by "The Organization" to do their bidding. Ivan has spent many years struggling to overcome the feelings of betrayal from his years there. Strangely enough, unlike his "brothers," he doesn't look for revenge against them, he just wants to be able to move on.

The book opens as Ivan watches over Anastasia, who is recovering from an attack that left her brother dead. Ivan and Anastasia have a history together. Seven years earlier, they were lovers until Ivan disappeared from her life without a word. Devastated by the loss of the man she loved, she has devoted herself to the work that she and her brother Alex did together. She had no idea that Ivan watched over her carefully, and was distraught over arriving too late to prevent the attack.

It was evident from the opening pages that Ivan still cared deeply for Anastasia. She is wary around him, knowing that to get close again risked having her heart destroyed. She has no idea of the terrible secret that drove him away seven years earlier. I ached for Ivan, who wants nothing more than to protect Anastasia from anything that could harm her, even himself. I loved seeing the way he supported her through her recovery at the hospital, and the actions he took that ensured those responsible paid for what they did. It didn't take long for Anastasia to realize that her feelings for Ivan had never died and that she would take the risk of being with him for as long as possible.

I loved watching the development of their relationship. Even though to the rest of the world Ivan was a ruthless businessman, around Anastasia he was kind, caring, sweet, and anxious to do anything to make her happy. The passion between them was intense, but Ivan kept rigid control over himself, worried that he would hurt her. I loved watching Anastasia regain her strength and independence under his care. I ached for her as she felt him holding back and had to laugh when she finally had enough of his overprotectiveness. I could also feel her frustration as he resisted every attempt by her to get to know all of him - especially his past. I hurt for Ivan, who was caught between his feelings for Anastasia and his unwillingness to hurt her by telling her everything. He was also afraid that if she knew the full truth about the things he'd done that she would be disgusted and grow to hate him. The depth of her love for him made her persistent in her need to know it all. I cried for them both as she finally succeeded, and he was blown away by her reaction. Just the act of finally having someone to share those feelings with enabled Ivan to let go of those feelings of betrayal and ultimately move past them. But now it was Anastasia who couldn't move past what had been done to him. I loved watching her confront his betrayers on his behalf, her love for him craving justice for what he'd been through. I was stunned by the unexpected twist in the story of his past. The effect on Anastasia was devastating. I loved the support and understanding from Ivan and how it helped her deal with what she learned.

I loved the ending, as five brothers and their wives arrived for Ivan and Anastasia's wedding. I loved seeing all the previous couples together, happy in their marriages and no longer as profoundly haunted by what was done to them. I laughed out loud over the argument over who was the happiest man in existence. The book ended in a cliffhanger about a seventh brother. This is the last book written by Olivia Gates that I know of, and I am dying to know if this brother will ever get his story told.

 

The Highlander's Christmas Bride - Vanessa Kelly (Kensington - Oct 2019)

Series: Clan Kendrick (Book 2)

Being thrown over by the man she expected to marry was humiliating enough. Now that Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick, has also proven a failure as a nun, she has no choice but to return to her family’s estate. The brawny Highlander sent to escort her is brash, handsome, and the only thing standing between Donella and a gang of would-be kidnappers. But the scandal in her past can’t be so easily outrun . . .

Wealthy widower Logan Kendrick was expecting to meet a plain, pious spinster—not a gorgeous, sharp-tongued lass who can hold her own in any ambush. Though she’s known as the Flower of Clan Graham, Donella is no shrinking violet. In fact, she might be the perfect woman to bring happiness back to his lonely little son’s life, just in time for Christmas.  But first he must protect her from ugly gossip and a mysterious threat—and convince her that their wild, unexpected desire is heaven sent.

Fun book about two people who need to overcome guilty feelings about past events before they can accept that they can have a happy future together. From the moment they met, the sparks flew between Logan and Donella. Logan wants the Earl of Riddick to enter into a business relationship with him, so he agrees to escort the man's grandniece from a convent to her family's home. He's stunned to find a beautiful and feisty woman instead of a plain and pious spinster. Donella entered the convent three years earlier after a series of events that caused a scandal. A month from taking her vows, the Reverend Mother has told her she's unsuited to being a nun (cue "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Donella?).

I liked both Logan and Donella. Donella is feisty and independent. She also loves her family and wants to keep them from having to deal with the fallout from her scandal. She can be brash and blunt and has no problem expressing her opinions to Logan. Having lost her place at the convent, she's not sure what's in store for her future. I ached for her as bits of her story were revealed throughout the book, leaving her doubtful of her worth. Logan is a good man with a painful past. He desperately wants to be a good father to his son, but events from his past make it awkward for him as he tries to reconnect with Joseph and the rest of his family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Logan and Donella. The banter between them was snappy and fun to follow. When their carriage was attacked by another clan who wanted to kidnap Donella, Logan refused to cooperate. I loved seeing them have to work together to escape. As the circumstances threw them together, the sparks between them flared hotter, but neither was willing to give in to them. Logan has no intention of marrying again, and Donella hopes to find another convent to go to. It was exciting to see their escape play out, especially with the lengths that Logan went to to disguise her identity. I laughed out loud when help finally arrived, and they had to do some fast talking to avoid a forced marriage. They parted, thinking they wouldn't see each other again.

But Fate wasn't done with them. Donella's uncle refuses to let her run away to another convent just yet and sends her off to Glasgow to help with family Christmas preparations. Since she needs a chaperone, she's sent to stay with her cousin Victoria - who just happens to be Logan's sister-in-law. From the moment they meet again it's evident to everyone around them that there is something between them. When Logan's son and grandfather arrive unexpectedly from Canada, Logan is surprised by how quickly Joseph and Donella bond. As Logan discovers that Donella brings light and laughter back into his life, he decides that he'd like to keep her in his life.

Meanwhile, Donella is surprised by the effect that Logan has on her, but she has secrets that keep her from believing that she is suitable for him. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, first building something of a friendship in their mutual care of Joseph. The attraction also continued to build. I enjoyed seeing Logan try to work past Donella's walls. The scene at the ball, where he and Donella were caught together was pretty funny. I loved Logan's support of Donella when she finally confessed all of her secrets.

Though Logan and Donella are ready to embrace their future, her past isn't quite done with her. When a man with a grudge succeeds in kidnapping her, it's up to Logan to find her before it's too late. The final confrontation was both intense and funny, as the kidnapper's plans are foiled by a surprise twist. The actions of several highly volatile Highland men left me laughing and shaking my head, especially when it took a woman to bring them under control. I loved the epilogue and seeing the happiness that both Logan and Donella found together.

I will definitely go back and read the first book in the series as soon as possible and look forward to further books about the Kendricks. They are sure to be just as fun. The only issue I had with this book was the occasional use of anachronistic words or phrases, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment by much.

 

Personal Protection - Julie Miller (HI #1873 - Aug 2019)

This undercover mission was clear…

until one life-altering moment changed everything.

Ivan Mostek's visit to Kansas City should have been a camera-friendly bit of international diplomacy -- except someone wants him dead. And Carly Valentine pretending to be his girlfriend might be the only thing that can keep him safe. But this is a mission like none the experienced cop has ever trained for. One in which fake feelings could turn into something all too real.

I love Julie Miller's books. They consistently manage to suck me in and keep me enthralled from start to finish. That said, this one has quickly become one of my favorites, with the unlikely pairing of a royal prince and an undercover cop. Ivan recently took over leadership of his country after the former regime was finally overthrown, ending decades of brutal leadership. Ivan is committed to bringing prosperity back to his country, but someone is equally determined to stop the changes he tries to implement. When a bomb derails his plans for an economic summit in his country, Ivan moves his talks to Kansas City. Ivan suspects that someone inside his circle is behind the attacks, and meets privately with the head of KCPD to request some unusual help. He would like to borrow an undercover cop who can expose the traitor. The catch is that he wants a female who can play the part of his girlfriend while conducting the investigation.

I liked both Carly and Ivan. Carly is a kick-ass undercover cop. She is in her element when she is on the street, helping to keep her city safe. She also has a close relationship with her father and brothers. What she doesn't have is much confidence in herself in social situations, where she always feels awkward. Ivan is a great guy. He feels very strongly about his duty to his country and has given up a lot to fulfill his new role. He is kind, often sweet, and has an endearing geekiness that occasionally makes an appearance. He also has no problem asserting his authority when he needs to.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Carly and Ivan. They first met in an elevator at the police station when she was bringing in a criminal. Ivan was impressed with how the relatively small woman handled the perp's attitude and attempted escape, and thought that she was exactly what he needed. It was funny to see her reaction to his request. Even more fun were the reactions of her father and brothers when her "date" showed up at her house. It's clear that not only are there intense sparks between Carly and Ivan, there is also an unexpected connection. I loved Ivan's strength and support when her brother ends up in the hospital and seeing Carly lean on that strength. I also enjoyed seeing the push and pull between them as Carly asserts herself as his bodyguard, and Ivan wants to protect her. As they worked together to find out who is behind the threats and attacks, the attraction and feelings between them grow stronger. I ached for Carly as she realized her feelings and that there was no chance of a future for them. Ivan, too, had fallen for Carly, but obstacles were keeping them apart. I loved the ending as an unexpected twist changed everything. Ivan's big moment at the end was fantastic as he finally got his wish of being loved for himself.

The suspense of the story was great and kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. From the prologue and the attempted assassination to the final confrontation, I was wholly invested in trying to figure out who had it in for Ivan. Was it his head of security, Filip, who had the most opportunities and was often overzealous in his actions? Perhaps his chief of staff, Galina, whose fiancé died in that first attempt, and who always knows where Ivan will be at any time? Or perhaps Danya, Ivan's bodyguard, who has some serious attitude problems? Then there was Ivan's best friend, Aleks. Do his flirtatious and lighthearted ways hide something darker? Not knowing who they could trust made things much harder for Carly and Ivan. As written threats appeared out of nowhere and attacks escalated the closer they came to the embassy ball, Carly and Ivan had to depend on each other. They made a fantastic team. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat as the assassin made their final play. Unexpected revelations changed some of the dynamics, and kick-ass Carly got in the last licks.

 

Military Grade Mistletoe - Julie Miller (HI #1751 - Dec 2017)

Series: Precinct (Book 31)

She saved his life when everything was hopeless. He's determined to return the favor.

Not even Master Sergeant Harry Lockhart's military expertise could stop the IED that killed his team and left him injured. Only Daisy Gunderson -- a pen pal he'd never met -- and her kind letters helped him survive. But Daisy in the flesh is the surly Marine's polar opposite. She's outgoing, talkative and putting his military training on high alert. A stalker named Secret Santa is targeting the kindhearted teacher…and the pranks are growing deadly.

In Daisy, Harry's finally found the safe haven he needs. And he'll be damned if anyone is going to take her from him.

Terrific book that I read in one sitting. It opens with Harry, who was injured by an IED, being told by his doctor that he needs to take some time off to deal with everything that has happened to him. Once he has gotten "his head on straight," the Marine Corps will decide if he is ready to go back on duty or if he will be discharged. I ached for Harry because, other than his sister Hope, the Marines have been his home and his family for seventeen years. He can't picture his life outside the Corps. One thing that he believes will help is meeting Daisy, the pen pal whose letters were an integral part of his survival. He has a mental picture of the "angel" who he believes can help him heal.

Daisy is a high school English teacher. She is outgoing, friendly, and has a huge heart. She loves bringing out the best in her students and helping them achieve their goals. She has also received creepy gifts from someone who calls himself "Secret Santa." These gifts stir up old memories of the ex-boyfriend who tried to kill her several years earlier.

I loved the first meeting between Harry and Daisy. He showed up on her doorstep just as she had spotted suspicious footprints in the snow outside her home. Though initially nervous about the stranger at her door, once she found out who he was, her attitude changed completely. I loved her joy at finally meeting him, and how she hugged him so fiercely. Poor Harry was confused and overwhelmed. She wasn't anything like his mental picture of her, which upended his plan to have her help him. But even as he worked to extricate himself from her, he could see that something bothered her. I liked that she was comfortable enough with him to ask for his help. What he found made his protectiveness kick in.

I loved the development of the relationship between Daisy and Harry. His protectiveness won't let him leave her vulnerable, and he insists on staying close to her. That closeness also opens him up to her caring nature, and it isn't long before the walls around his heart start to crumble. I loved her empathy for the things he's going through and how she shares her experiences to help him work through his pain. Thanks to the letters they had exchanged, there was already a deep friendship between them. Added to that is their intense attraction to each other. I loved seeing that attraction bloom and with it a deeper connection. Harry has some trouble believing that Daisy would want a physically and mentally messed up guy like him, but Daisy is unwavering in her belief in him. The ending was deeply emotional, and I loved Harry's gift to Daisy.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. The creepiness of the "gifts" that Daisy received was chilling, and the fear they caused her was palpable. The escalation of the stalker's activities added to the tension. The scene after the basketball game showed the danger that Daisy was in. The identity of the stalker came as a surprise as it was not the one I thought it was. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and had me glued to the pages until it was all over. Harry's part in it was fantastic, and I loved his unexpected partner.

I loved all of Daisy's rescue dogs, but the one who really had my heart was Caliban. I loved the way he took to Harry, which also helped Harry with his grief over the loss of his dog. There were some terrific scenes with Harry and the dogs. I also loved seeing various characters from previous books show up in this one. First and foremost was Harry's sister, Hope, and her husband (Task Force Bride). Assorted members of the KCPD made their appearances during the investigation into the stalker.