Deceptions - Cynthia Eden (HI #1630 - Apr 2016)

Series: Battling McGuire Boys (Book 5)

People called Elizabeth Snow wild, and once she was. Now she's the straitlaced librarian with no interest in the wildest, sexiest McGuire…until she needs him to protect her from a murderous stalker. But former Delta Force Mac does more than protect -- he quickly unleashes her untamed side again, taking their attraction to the furthest edge of desire!

Secrets from their pasts threaten Elizabeth and Mac -- as much as"The Fixer," who seems to know their every move as they hunt this monstrous killer. Can they trust each other enough to go forward? Or will a shocking truth prove fatal?

This was a very exciting book, right from the opening pages. Elizabeth is the new librarian in town, and as she is locking up one night, she hears someone calling her name. This person makes threats against her, and she is only saved by the arrival of Mac. Mac has arrived just as the library is closing, supposedly to return an overdue book. What he's really doing is wangling some time with the woman he has a crush on, but who refuses to go out with him. He immediately steps in to protect her, not just then but also later that night when she runs toward even more danger.

I really liked Elizabeth. As a teenager she had been known as a wild child. But she had fallen in love with a boy and they were starting a new life when he was brutally murdered. After that, she took charge of her life, determined to make a better one. To that end, she has done her best to keep that life calm and controlled. Now that past has come back to haunt her. While she appreciates Mac's help, she doesn't want him to get hurt fighting her battles. 

I loved Mac. He is former Special Forces and is haunted by things in his own past, not just from his military service, but also from the murders of his parents. McGuire Security is his and his brothers' way of turning their pasts into something good. Mac is determined to do whatever is necessary to keep Elizabeth safe.

There was a connection between Mac and Elizabeth from the beginning, though she tried very hard to deny it. She was afraid that she would lose her new self-control if she let any of the passion that she felt reach the surface. Once she realizes that Mac will not walk away while she's in danger, she agrees to his protection and they begin the process of trying to find out why it is happening. As they worked together, I loved seeing how easily they understood each other's fears, and the support they provided. It was really fun to see the reactions most of his brothers had to the effect she had on him. The scene with Davis and Brodie was pretty funny. I loved the way that Mac realized his feelings first and that he had no trouble admitting them, at least to himself, and that he wasn't going to give up on trying to convince Elizabeth to take a chance. I also loved seeing the changes that Elizabeth went through, as she accepted that her past didn't have to define her present and future. She could be wild or straight-laced depending on her feelings at the time. Mac's big moment at the end was really sweet and romantic.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. The bad guy, "The Fixer", just wouldn't give up. Every time they thought they were safe, there he was again. Even when they had him in their hands, there was something creepily smug about him. I really didn't like that DA and his attitude, especially when Mac and Elizabeth tried to explain just how evil the guy was. Then came the information that the killer was just a hired gun, leaving them with the necessity of finding out who had hired him. I loved the outstanding detective work they did that brought them to that point. There was a very interesting twist to the end, that wasn't a total surprise. It certainly made for a very intense confrontation before it was all over.

There was also a very intriguing lead in to the final book in the series, dealing with Sullivan McGuire. He is the one who seems to be the most cynical and hardened of them all, and we got the briefest glimpse of what may have caused it. He also receives some information that may lead to solving the mystery of their parents' murder, a theme that has run through the entire series. I can't wait to see how his story goes!

A Winter Wedding - Brenda Novak (Mira - Nov 2015)

Series: Whiskey Creek (Book 9)

One Christmas can change your life…

Kyle Houseman believes he'll never find anyone he could love as much as Olivia Arnold, who's now married to his stepbrother. Not only did he lose her, he's been through one divorce and has no desire to go through another. He's determined to be extra careful about the next woman he gets involved with -- which is why he fights his attraction to the beautiful stranger who rents his farmhouse for the Christmas holiday.

Lourdes Bennett is a country music artist. She's only planning to stay in Whiskey Creek long enough to write the songs for her next album -- the album that's going to put her back on top. Her dreams don't include settling in a town even smaller than the one she escaped. But as she comes to know Kyle, she begins to wonder if she'd be making a terrible mistake to leave him behind…

It was great to finally read Kyle's story. Early in the series, he was one of my least favorite characters. He has been mooning after his ex-girlfriend for years, unable to get over the fact that she married his stepbrother. It has created some awkwardness within their group of family and friends. He made things worse by sleeping with his ex's sister, who ended up pregnant. He married her, but the marriage fell apart for various reasons. My opinion of him improved a bit during the last book, when he was the first of the group to show any kind of support to Phoenix. Now he's watching all his friends get married and wanting the same for himself, but he's wary of getting involved again.

Lourdes is a country music singer who has hit a bump in her career road. She has come to Whiskey Creek for some peace and quiet to work on the songs for her next album. Her manager/fiance was supposed to come with her, but he stayed back in Nashville. They've been having problems in their relationship and she suspects that there is something going on there. The house that she rented from Kyle ends up having heating problems, so she stays with Kyle instead.

I really enjoyed the buildup of their relationship. They quickly became friends, sharing some of the details of their rocky romantic lives. I liked the way that Kyle gave Lourdes the support she needed to deal with the end of her relationship, without giving her unwanted advice. At the same time, Lourdes offers her assistance in helping Kyle get his ex-wife Noelle off his back. Neither of them wants to admit to the attraction that has flared between them. Kyle has no intention of leaving Whiskey Creek, and he knows that Lourdes is only there for a little while, before she goes back to her life and career in Nashville. Lourdes grew up in a small town like Whiskey Creek and couldn't wait to leave it. She can't imagine settling down in one again. It was sweet to see how getting to know each other opened their eyes to possibilities, even if they were too wary to believe that it could happen. I especially loved the way that Kyle's growing feelings for Lourdes finally made him see that he had been hanging on to the memory of his feelings for Olivia rather than the feelings themselves. I loved seeing him ready to take a risk again. Lourdes was a tougher nut to crack. Her feelings were there, but she couldn't see a way to have it all. I hurt for Kyle and wanted to shake her. I loved seeing her mom finally get through to her. The ending was really sweet, and I loved Lourdes's big moment at Riley and Phoenix's wedding.

Kyle's ex-wife Noelle was an important character throughout the book. Kyle's continuing good treatment of her, in spite of how she uses him, shows a compassionate side to him. However, his guilty feelings over their marriage had him putting up with far more than he should have. The more I saw of Noelle, the less I liked her. She definitely gave off some really creepy stalkerish vibes. By the end, I felt a little bit sorry for her, as it was obvious that she needed some real help. Her final attack really put her over the top, and I loved seeing what Kyle did to bring resolution to it.

The House on Blackberry Hill - Donna Alward (St Martin's - May 2014)

Series: Jewell Cove (Book 1)

When a young woman inherits a rundown mansion, the last thing she expects to find is the key to her heart…

Abby Foster is a fish out of water in the Maine coastal town of Jewell Cove. The crumbling Foster estate, left to her by a relative she never even knew, has everyone’s eyes on her -- an eerie reminder of the long-buried family secrets that have haunted her…forever. Single, stunning, and sometimes too strong-willed for her own good, Abby’s plan is to sell the house and hightail it back to Nova Scotia. But another part of her is intrigued by the idea of starting over somewhere new -- and finally learning the truth about her heritage.

Enter Tom Arseneault. The best contractor in Jewell Cove, Tom is determined to restore the beauty and prestige of the Foster mansion -- and maybe even work his charms on its beautiful new heir. The attraction between him and Abby is undeniable, and the more time Tom spends on the house the more he wants to be in it with her. But Abby’s not sure she can trust him -- or anyone in Jewell Cove who seems to know more about her family history than she does. Home: Is it really where the heart is after all?

Good small town romance. Abby is a teacher in Canada when she gets word that she has inherited a house in Maine from a relative she didn't know she had. She arrives in town ready to do whatever necessary to get the house ready and sell it. But she is also intrigued by the idea of learning about the part of her family she never knew. Tom is the local contractor she hires to do the work on the house. He's always loved it and is happy to be the one to bring it back to life.

I liked both Abby and Tom. Abby is beautiful, independent, and determined. She also has a lot of anger directed at her great aunt, unhappy that there had been no contact at all from that side of the family. It didn't take long for Abby to become interested in learning more about her. There was also something about the house itself that drew her in. Tom is a pretty laid back guy who has a close relationship with his family and friends. He wants to work on the house and is determined to convince Abby that he's the only one who can do it justice. 

Their initial meeting was a bit rocky, as Tom came on a little strong in his quest to win the bid. Abby is no pushover, and I loved seeing her follow through on her threat to call the cops. That scene was pretty funny. But once they came to an agreement, their friendship started to grow. It was complicated by the fact that they were attracted to each other, but both have issues that keep them from giving in to it. Abby grew up in  a turbulent household, eventually feeling as though she loses everyone she ever cares about. This causes her to protect her heart, not giving herself a chance to grow too close to anyone. Tom had the bad luck to fall in love with the same woman his cousin loved. She picked his cousin, but that wasn't the end of the problem. Now she is dead and Tom is still grieving, as well as feeling some guilt over the rift with his cousin. I liked seeing Abby open up to Tom about what she learns about her family, and the support he gives her as she deals with it. There are a couple instances when they are on opposite sides of an issue, but even when furious with each other they eventually manage to talk it out. There is one confrontation at the end that got very emotional, but it also helped both of them see how they were running from life. I liked Abby's big moment at the end.

The mystery of Abby's family was really good. I liked the way she didn't completely freak when the ghost appeared. Abby's search for the truth of what had really happened to her aunt was intriguing and I liked the way it was handled. 

I really liked the secondary characters, most of whom were Tom's family. It was obvious that there was a lot of love there, but there were also realistic tensions. Tom's female relations are determined to fix the rift between Tom and his cousin and aren't very subtle about it. They also have that matchmaking glint in their eyes when they look at Tom and Abby. I especially liked Sarah and Jess, and the way they pulled Abby into a friendship with them. Their "slumber party" was fun. I also liked the way that they all pulled together in times of trouble. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Mission: Irresistible -- Lori Wilde (Forever - May 2005)

THIS IS YOUR MISSION AND YOU MUST ACCEPT IT...

PR specialist Cassie Cooper loves the adrenaline rush of a well-planned party. And the masquerade ball at the museum is her best yet. But one minute she's chatting with a mummy, and the next a legendary amulet is stolen practically from under her nose. There are times when a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do. To find the artifact and save her job, Cassie turns to her nemesis: Dr. Harrison Standish. Standoffish, as she likes to call him.

OR YOUR CHANCE FOR LOVE WILL SELF-DESTRUCT IN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS!

Archaeologist Harrison has all the intensity of Indiana Jones, but his no-need-for-romance attitude could use some adjustment. Who knew it would happen while he and Cassie are chasing leads, dodging bad guys, and racing against the clock? Just when he needs his full attention on their mission, he's having the damnedest time keeping his mind-and his hands-off her. They still have a shot at recovering the amulet, but when it comes to Cassie, Harrison's already a goner.

This is the story of Maddie's ditzy sister from Charmed and Dangerous. After her big part in catching the art thief in Venice, she got her old job at the Kimbell back. Her big event is the museum's fundraiser ball, this year with an Egyptian theme. The culmination of the evening is to be the joining of the amulets of two star-crossed lovers. Unfortunately, part way through the evening one major player hasn't arrived, and the other amulet gets stolen. Cassie's boss holds her responsible and gives her seventy-two hours to make it right. Cassie is desperate and enlists the help of Harrison Standish, her least favorite Egyptologist.

Harrison is one really intense guy. His search for the tomb of Kiya has taken up most of his adult life, leaving him little time or inclination for emotional entanglements. It also just so happens that the archaeologist who has the other mummy and amulet is the half-brother he always feels he has to compete with. And Adam is missing, along with the amulet he was bringing. Joining forces with Cassie is the most logical way to find them, but she is quite a distraction from his usual methods.

I really enjoyed seeing these two work together. They start out barely able to tolerate each other, with Harrison thinking she's a flake, and Cassie barely able to stand looking at the hot mess that is Harrison. It was fun to see them start to care about each other, and yet be totally confused about why they care. I loved seeing Harrison fight with himself over the emotions he didn't realize he had. It was also really sweet to see how protective he became of Cassie. On her side, Cassie was surprised to discover that his lack of style became far less important to her as she got to know the man himself.

The mystery of the missing amulet and the missing brother was really interesting. I loved the descriptive bits of the legend, and how belief or non-belief affected the way that Cassie and Harrison looked at it. The identity of the injured mummy is suspected but not known for certain, especially as there seems to be some delirium on his part. As the deadline looms ever closer, Cassie and Harrison find one clue that may hold the key, if it can be deciphered in time. Splitting up in the interest of saving time gets Cassie captured by the bad guys and in extreme danger. The resolution of that is intense, scary and creepy, with a surprise player showing up. I loved seeing everyone get together at the museum for the delayed joining of the amulets, with one last surprise provided by Harrison's mother.

Charmed and Dangerous - Lori Wilde (Forever - July 2004)

Former Olympian Maddie Cooper keeps her trim, taut body in great shape...and her heart safe from any man. Until her thrill-seeking twin, Cassie, gets in big trouble and Maddie has to come to her rescue-again!

FBI agent David Marshall has a big headache and all because of two women. He'd enlisted Cassie in a sting operation, but she's disappeared among art thieves and forgers. Now, determined to find her sister, Maddie charges furiously into the picture, sticking to his side and making him tingle in all the right places.

But David knows just how to take back control. First, locate Cassie. Second, reclaim the stolen masterpieces. Third, figure out how to put Maddie's fears about men to bed...and get her delectable self into his.

Very fun book to read. Maddie has been watching out for her twin sister since they were kids. Maddie is the responsible one, while Cassie tends to be impetuous. When Maddie discovers that Cassie is missing and has been working with FBI agent David Marshall, she is determined to stick with him until Cassie is found. David has been chasing after the same art thief for ten years, and when he recruits the thief's latest girlfriend he is going against orders from his superior. He feels a little guilty when she disappears, but all is fair in the long run.

When Cassie doesn't show up for a meeting with David, it is the beginning of a rather madcap adventure. Instead, David mistakes Maddie for Cassie, when Maddie had also been planning to meet up with Cassie. There is an immediate clash between the two, as Maddie insists on being involved in finding her sister. David isn't at all happy about the idea and makes it clear she isn't welcome. There's a great scene at the airport when David tries to keep Maddie from going with him and Maddie uses a sneaky method to get her way. David is furious, but can't help admiring her creativity.

Maddie and David are totally opposite personalities, but that doesn't stop the attraction that flares between them. It was fun to see them fight it, as the chemistry distracts them from their mission. As they chase Cassie across Europe, they argue, they try to ditch each other (the drinking scene in Paris, and the museum scene in Madrid are hilarious), and finally realize that working together is the best way to get what they both want.

I loved seeing the effect that they had on each other. David's tunnel vision on catching Shriver no matter what he has to do begins to change under the onslaught of his growing feelings for Maddie. At the same time, Maddie's rigid adherence to rules takes a big hit as she has to adapt on the fly to each new step they have to take. I also loved how Maddie's unswerving belief in Cassie's innocence began to chip away at David's belief she had gone over to the other side. Once they stopped working against each other, I loved seeing how they began to understand each other's motivations as no one else ever had. I loved seeing them come together at the end and realize that together they were a perfect balance.

The suspense of the art thefts was exciting and fun. Cassie seems like such an airhead, but as the story goes on we see that she's never had to face consequences of her actions. She really wants to overcome her reputation, and especially make Maddie see that she's not helpless, so she goes along with David's plan. That is, until she decides to take it further and starts making changes. Pretty soon she's in over her head and having to try to recover. David and Maddie always seem to be one step behind, and trying to figure out what side she's on. Then there is the involvement of a dangerous thug, who adds some complications to the whole process. By the time all the parties arrive in Venice, it's anybody's guess how it will turn out. Maddie ends up in extreme danger, with David hoping to get to her in time. Cassie's attempts to set up a sting get her in hot water, but also give her a chance to shine. And an unexpected twist at the end brings things to a dramatic close.

Tribal Law - Jenna Kernan ((HI #1639 - May 2016)

Series: Apache Protectors (Book 3)

Only the warrior from her past could save her now…

Tribal police chief Gabe Cosen would do anything to protect his people and their reservation. This sheer dedication to the law had even cost him his fiancée. Selena Dosela had never forgiven him for sending her father to prison. But with trouble back on her doorstep, Gabe vowed to keep her safe.

Only extreme fear for her family would allow Selena to accept Gabe's help. Despite all they had been through, Selena knew she could trust him with the lives of those she loved. The lawman would never break his word…but if she wasn't careful, he might break her heart again.

Very good suspense and terrific second chance love story. Gabe is the tribal chief of police and dedicated to his job, to the point where it consumes his life. Five years earlier it had cost him his fiancee, when he arrested her father. She returned his ring and has barely spoken to him since. Now she and her family are in trouble, and Gabe is the only one she trusts to keep them safe.

Selena's father has just been released from being in prison for drug trafficking. During that time, Selena has been running the family trucking business and doing a great job of it. She soon discovers that her father is going right back down the same road, and this time he's dragging her with him. If she doesn't cooperate, the drug cartel will harm the rest of the family.

A run in with Gabe puts him on alert, as she is behaving strangely. The first drug run that she is forced into goes bad, with some intense danger and a couple of surprising twists. The more that Gabe learns about what is happening, the more determined he is to keep Selena safe. 

The rekindling of their relationship was very interesting. It was obvious from the beginning that the attraction was still there, but their past history made them both wary. Gabe can't seem to get past the fact that Selena had returned his ring, without any real explanation, leaving him to believe that she couldn't forgive him for arresting her father. Selena is still hurt that he took the ring back, without any attempt to convince her to stay with him, fueling her own insecurities.

I got a little frustrated with both of them because they didn't talk to each other about their feelings, just assuming the other knew what they were. I also felt that Gabe could be a bit on the judgmental side. Gabe is so conscious of his reputation as police chief that it dictates all his actions. I loved his stunned surprise when Selena told him exactly how he had acted and how it made her feel. It was a real eye opener for him and not a pleasant one. It was great to see him looking at himself through her eyes. Selena has a few issues of her own, not the least is believing that everyone looks down on her because of her father. I really loved seeing the changes they went through as the book went on. I really liked the ending, with Gabe's big moment being sweet, romantic with a bit of humor added for good measure.

The suspense of the story was great. Everything moved along quickly, keeping me wondering what was going to happen next. After the twist in the beginning of the book, the focus was on tracking down the drug supplies and who was responsible. Things got really intense when a surprise player turned up and pulled Selena back into the middle of a dangerous situation. It was really interesting to see the interactions between the tribal law enforcement and the feds, especially Gabe's uncle's partner, Cassidy Walker. She did not make the best of impressions. I especially loved Gabe's thought that "The cavalry was coming, but just like always, it was the Apache scouts who would be there first". The final confrontation was chaotic with some very worrisome results, along with one thread left hanging. I expect that one will be tied up in the next book.

Family is an important theme in the book. Selena and how much she cares for her family is a big part of who she is. I also loved Gabe's relationship with his grandmother, who was pretty good at calling him out on his mistakes. Also included in this book is more information on the Cosen's missing little sister. She has been located, with them discovering that she was adopted by a white family. The identity of her adoptive mother is an interesting complication and I look forward to seeing how it all works out.

Deadly Obsession - Elle James (HRS #1897 - May 2016)

Series: Devil's Shroud (Book 5)

Real estate whiz Jillian Taylor thinks heroes and haunted houses are bogus. But when a series of strange events leaves her in danger, Stealth Ops Specialist Chance McCall is quick to the scene. Jillian can't resist the chemistry brewing between her and the sexy agent. But as she and Chance deconstruct her nightmares, someone becomes more desperate to keep those secrets from surfacing.

Chance knows there's more going on at the derelict Victorian manor than just ghosts -- just as he knows there's something about the blonde beauty he can't resist. If only he could help decipher the meaning of Jillian's tortured dreams…and keep her safe in his arms forever.

Very good book. I loved going back to Cape Churn. In this book, Chance McCall has arrived to serve as best man at his friend Nova's (Deadly Liaisons) wedding. He is also looking forward to a little down time after his latest mission. Jillian is the bride's best friend and maid of honor and wedding planner, as well as a busy real estate agent. Jillian has also just purchased a rundown Victorian house that she is renovating. The rumor is that it is haunted, but she doesn't believe in ghosts. But when strange things begin to happen, Chance is there to help her.

I enjoyed the relationship that built between Chance and Jillian. It got off to a slightly rocky start when Chance rescued her from a risky situation then proceeds to say some stupid things. Though she is reluctant to accept his help because of it, they manage to work together fairly well. Neither can deny that there is a strong attraction between them. As each incident happens, Chance becomes more determined to protect her. He's also tries to keep from getting too close, as he feels his PTSD makes him unsuitable for a relationship. Jillian is stubborn and independent, but finds herself willing to lean on Chance when she needs to. As she falls for him, she'd like to help him through his issues if only he would let her. Jillian also has some problems of her own to work through. Nearly losing Jillian at the end shows Chance that life without her was unthinkable and that he would find a way to overcome his problems. I loved the scene at Nova and Molly's wedding as the couples from the previous books made an appearance, and their assistance with helping Chance make a decision.

The suspense of the story is fantastic. The book begins with the story of one of the previous residents of Jillian's house. Julia is a little girl who disappears on her way home from school and reappears thirty days later with no memory of where she's been or what happened to her. She and her mother pack up and leave, with no one hearing from them again. Seventeen years later, Jillian has bought the house and is renovating it. Some people tell her it is haunted, and others that it isn't. When strange things start to happen, such as vandalism and accidents, she and Chance are determined to find out why and who. As they dig into the house's past, the attacks become more violent, leading them to believe that they are getting closer. The final confrontation reveals a secret that wasn't really a surprise, however, the truth of what really happened seventeen years earlier was unexpected. The scene on the cliff was intense. I loved Jillian ability to think under pressure and find a way to help Chance find her.