Lyon's Roar - Tabetha Waite (Dragonblade Pub - Dec 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 50)
 
Rowan Scott, the Laird of Garrison wasn’t in the market for a wife, but when he received a summons from the widow of a man he’d long admired, he wasn’t about to deny her. If nothing else, he owed it to the colonel’s memory. However, when he made the journey from Scotland to London, he hadn’t been prepared for the gaming hell owner and matchmaker to approach him with a proposition. He considered leaving right then, but he wondered if it was time to put the ghosts of his past to rest and listen to what she had to say.
 
Miss Beatrice Bookbinder was a woman long past the blush of youth. She had devoted her life to taking care of her ailing father while dealing with a stepfamily who cared nothing for her. On the heels of a devastating loss, Beatrice is sent to a private asylum by her stepbrother who is determined to get rid of her. She feels as though her fate is sealed, until Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers her a choice—continue the path that has been set before her or embark on a marriage to a complete stranger.
 
She chooses the latter, not knowing that it might just be the best thing that has ever happened to her.
 
Good book. Once again, Mrs. Dove-Lyon brings together two people who need each other. Forty-nine-year-old Rowan has led a somewhat lonely life after losing the woman he loved many years earlier, but he isn't interested in risking his heart again. He's surprised to receive a letter from the widow of an old mentor, asking him to come to London. The last thing he expected was a request for him to marry a woman in desperate circumstances. He's wary but listens to what she has to say.
 
Beatrice spent most of her thirty-seven years taking care of her ailing father while doing her best to avoid her obnoxious stepmother and stepbrother. When her father dies, her stepbrother wastes no time sending Beatrice to a private asylum to get rid of her. She feels hopeless about her future until Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers her a way out - marriage to a stranger.
 
Bessie Dove-Lyon has incredible insight when it comes to finding the perfect mates for her customers. She somehow knew that Beatrice's plight would arouse Rowan's protectiveness and that her strength of will would stand up to his occasionally overbearing nature. I liked that both insisted on meeting before making a final decision. When they did, Beatrice's beauty and something in her eyes made Rowan believe they would suit, but the kiss he requested sealed the deal. Beatrice was also profoundly affected by it and thought their marriage wouldn't be terrible after all.
 
And so they set off on the trip to Scotland via Gretna Green. Their constant proximity over the long days of carriage travel gave them time to get to know each other. I loved how well they connected, finding it unexpectedly easy to talk to each other. Neither expected the growing attraction that made it increasingly difficult to keep their hand off each other. Rowan and Beatrice are wary of the speed of their growing feelings, uncertain if the other feels the same. They have some obstacles to overcome on their journey, including an unexpected encounter with Beatrice's nasty stepbrother, but they face them all with humor, teamwork, and passion. I loved the ending and the romantic way Rowan welcomed her to his home.
 
My only disappointment was that her stepbrother did not get the comeuppance he deserved. Hopefully, that will happen at some point in the future.

Riding Shotgun - Barb Han (HI #2139 - May 2023)

Series: Cowboys of Cider Creek (Book 2)
              
He must protect her
Even from his own secrets…
 
The minute Emerson Bennett arrives in Cider Creek, Texas, asking about her missing mother, she's in someone's lethal sights. And rancher Rory Hayes isn't about to let her face his suddenly hostile hometown alone. An outsider since childhood, he knows the damage secrets can do -- especially his own. But will helping this beautiful stranger uncover the truth be enough to keep them alive?
 
Terrific book that intrigued me from the first chapter to the end. An over-protective single father raised Emerson. After his death, she discovered that her real mother was not who she thought she was. Determined to find the truth, she heads to Cider Creek and starts asking questions. This puts her in the crosshairs of someone who doesn't want her to know. When the first man she questioned became aggressive and uncooperative, a stranger stepped in to help.
 
Rory has returned to Cider Creek for the first time in thirteen years. He left right after his high school graduation, along with his pregnant girlfriend. His unpleasant and controlling grandfather made staying impossible. Since then, he built a successful business and is raising his twelve-year-old daughter on his own. He has never told his family about Liv and is nervous about doing so. When he stops at the convenience store for snacks, he's astounded to witness the rudeness that the woman experienced and steps in to help.
 
This begins a roller coaster ride of suspense and emotion. Emerson's questions have stirred up a hornet's nest. She is run off the road and rescued by Rory. Her damaged car was broken into at the garage, where it was taken for repairs. Attacks increase in intensity as Emerson gets closer to the answers she seeks. The final confrontation had a twist that kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
Emerson and Rory's relationship developed quickly. Rory's protectiveness was aroused immediately, quickly followed by unexpected sparks of attraction. Meanwhile, Emerson feels those same sparks and a deep appreciation for his help. Over the next few days, Rory doesn't let Emerson out of his sight, preferring to watch over her himself. I liked the trust that quickly built between them. With Rory, Emerson shared her hurt, anger, and betrayal over her father's actions. Rory used Emerson as a sounding board to help him solve his dilemma of looking for his ex-wife. Neither expects to fall as hard and fast as they do. I liked the ending.
 
I liked Rory's daughter, Liv. At almost thirteen, she's entering the volatile teen years. The author did a great job of making her realistic - not too sweet and not too dramatic, just a typical mix of the two. She clearly loved Rory, even when she was rolling her eyes at him. I liked how well she and Emerson connected.

The Fearless One - Lori Foster (HQN - Jan 2024)

Series: Osborn Brothers (Book 2)

He had it all planned…until she showed up.
 
Jedidiah Stephens came to the Colorado Rockies for one reason: to uncover the truth behind the fire that killed her family. She's been chasing down clues, and everything has led her to an isolated campground. Her plan is to get a job there so she can investigate who comes and goes. Getting involved with her boss, Memphis Osborn, the ruggedly handsome groundskeeper, is definitely not part of the plan.
 
When Jedidiah arrives on the scene, Memphis just knows she's up to something. He can see the desperation in her eyes and warily agrees to hire her. As they work side by side, Diah triggers his deepest protective instincts -- and the chemistry between them ignites.
 
But the more Diah digs into her family's past, the more secrets she unravels…and the more afraid she becomes. She lost everything once before. She'll never forgive herself if now she loses Memphis, too.
 
Terrific blend of action, suspense, and romance. It can be easily read as a standalone, but reading the first book will fill in some of the gaps regarding the secondary characters in this book.
 
Memphis is a tech geek who purchases a rundown campground notorious for the shady characters who used it. He secretly plans to use his over-the-top security to identify and stop illegal activity. The site was still under renovation when Jedediah (Diah) showed up looking for a job. He's reluctant to hire her, but his brother insists she's perfect for the job. I loved that conversation between the two men. Memphis appears to be a laid-back guy, but there are moments where an unexpected intensity shines through.
 
Diah has been on the run for ten years and on her own for two, always looking over her shoulder for the danger she left behind. She is looking for the truth about the deaths of her family, and that search leads to Memphis's campground. All she needs is to get hired so she has the opportunity to search for it. I liked Diah a lot. She is much stronger and braver than she thinks she is. She is also intelligent and intuitive.
 
I loved the first meeting between Memphis and Diah. Memphis is unflustered at being caught in the outdoor shower while Diah brazens her way through her surprise. The banter between them was funny as each tried to hide their immediate attraction. Neither trusts easily, and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other. Memphis senses that Diah is hiding something but he's willing to give her the space and time she needs. From the start, he feels protective of her, and that protectiveness doesn't always sit well with the very independent Diah.
 
I liked the slow building of Memphis and Diah's feelings for each other. The chemistry is there and acknowledged, but there needs to be trust before they are ready to do anything about it. I loved their interactions, from arguing over Memphis's protectiveness to Diah needling him about the way they met. But once they've earned each other's trust, there is no holding back.
 
The suspense of the story was good. Diah is looking for information about the fire that killed her family. Unfortunately, she doesn't know exactly what she is looking for. At the same time, the local crime boss has plans for the campground. This guy is seriously creepy and evil in how he runs his business in town. The tension builds slowly until it explodes in a nail-biting confrontation at the end.
 
My favorite secondary character is Diah's dog, Tuff. Like Diah, he is wary of strangers and is as protective of her as she is of him. He has excellent instincts and takes to Memphis right away. Tuff's trust in Memphis is sweet and helps Diah trust him, too. Remmy runs a close second as a favorite. He is a former thug, so he still gives off bad-guy vibes but tries to live a better life. I liked the growing friendship between him and Memphis and his surprise that Memphis trusts him. After getting off to a rough start, Remmy and Diah also become friends. I laughed out loud at Diah and Remmy's conversation about her relationship with Memphis.
 
I liked seeing Hunter, Jodi, and Madison from the first book. Hunter and Memphis have a terrific relationship as brothers, and I liked their mutual respect. I liked the teasing between Jodi and Memphis. Madison fascinates me. I need to find that series and read it. 

Claiming the Drakos Heir - Jennifer Faye (HR #4669 - June 2019)

Series: Greek Island Brides (Book 2)
              
The rebel bachelor is back…
To claim her baby!
 
In this Greek Island Brides story, pregnant surrogate Popi Costas is faced with raising her late sister's child alone until the baby's wealthy uncle arrives to take charge! Apollo Drakos is distractingly handsome, but Popi won't let that stop her from fighting to keep the baby. Yet as she gets to know the man behind the wild card reputation, Popi's reconsidering welcoming Apollo into her new little family…
 
Good book about two people who overcome their antagonism to make a difference in an orphaned infant's life. Popi agreed to be the surrogate for her sister and brother-in-law, never expecting them to die in a tragic accident. She is determined to raise the baby on her own and is shocked when the baby's globe-trotting uncle shows up to claim the baby. Apollo is determined to raise the baby as his brother's heir. He expects Popi to be relieved to escape the responsibility and is shocked when he learns otherwise.
 
Sparks fly between Apollo and Popi as each stands up for their right to raise the baby. But attraction simmers under the antagonism, and neither is sure how to deal with it. Matters become complicated when they are trapped alone on the island during a storm, and Popi goes into labor. I was impressed by Apollo's ability to suppress his fear and help Popi. During those long hours, they begin to realize that first impressions and others' opinions are not always accurate. This makes it easier for Popi to accompany Apollo back to Athens after Seb's birth.
 
Apollo and Popi are dealing with much self-inflicted guilt over their relationships with their siblings. This creates a deep-seated belief that they don't deserve the chance to be happy. Added to his responsibility are Apollo's unhappy memories of his childhood in the home he inherited. I liked seeing him use his love of gardening to work through his issues. His true nature came to the surface as the garden blossomed. I liked how Popi found a way to help change Apollo's memories of the house.
 
I especially enjoyed seeing Apollo and Popi bond over their love for little Seb. Both were determined to ensure that Seb received all the love he needed. I enjoyed seeing Apollo grow into his role as a father, especially the sweet scene in the nursery (gotta love the diaper bit!). But miscommunication and a lack of self-worth nearly drive them apart. The ending was emotional as each realized that they belonged together. I loved the surprise Apollo had for Popi. 

River Strong - B.J. Daniels (Canary Street Press - Jan 2024)

Series: Powder River (Book 2)
              
For two rival families, the only thing that matters more than land…is love.
 
There’s a lifetime of tension between the McKenna and Stafford ranching families, and Oakley Stafford has the bullet scar to prove it. Defying the bitter rivalry between their families, Oakley grew up thick as thieves with Duffy McKenna. But now the Staffords and the McKennas are competing to buy a neighboring property. Both need that land desperately—and the reasons are more dangerous than Oakley knows.
 
But there’s another unspoken rivalry, too, between Duffy and Pickett Hanson, the McKenna family’s ranch hand. Once upon a time, Oakley ignored the way the two handsome cowboys playfully flirted with her, but now she’s untangling complicated feelings that could upend years of friendship. And when a body is found on the contested ranch, their secrets will be forced into the open at last…
 
Terrific second installment in the Powder River series. It can be read as a standalone, but you'll get more nuances if you first read Dark Side of the River. That book ended with a cliffhanger, and this one picks up where it left off.
 
Oakley Stafford has been friends with Duffy McKenna and Pickett Hanson since they were teenagers, despite the feud between Holden McKenna and Charlotte Stafford. The three friends have been secretly working together to stop a gas company from drilling for methane gas in the Powder River Basin. Oakley's vocal opposition to the drilling puts her at odds with her mother and her oldest brother, CJ. Oakley is still trying to regain her memory from when CJ "accidentally" shot her in the previous book.
 
There is a great deal happening in this book. Oakley and the rest of the anti-drilling group are fighting hard against the drilling company, which isn't going down without a fight. Oakley is convinced that there was more to her shooting if she can only remember. CJ is up to his neck in dirty dealings and secrets and will do anything to get his way. A private investigator is nosing around about Charlotte's second husband, who disappeared years ago. The sheriff is involved with a woman who isn't what she seems. Pickett has been keeping a big secret that's about to come out, and he and Duffy are looking at Oakley in a new way.
 
The twists and turns of this book kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I worried about Oakley's safety as her memories began to return. I wondered what kind of havoc CJ was planning and discovered that he was worse than I suspected. The tension around the drilling continued until an intense final confrontation. A questionable suicide from the first book gets stirred up again when new information comes out.
 
There is some romance here, also. Oakley suddenly finds herself looking at Pickett and Duffy differently, just as they are looking at her. Oakley is confused at first because she isn't sure what she feels for each of them. I liked the realism of her struggle because it was clear she cared for both. I was rooting for Pickett because he understood her. There were some sweet scenes between them as they explored those feelings. I like Duffy, but he still has some growing up to do.
 
I liked catching up with Cooper and Tilly as they prepared for their wedding. The Romeo and Juliet vibe is strong because of Charlotte's fury at their relationship. I ached for Tilly because of Charlotte's cruelty. I like the support that Tilly and Oakley give each other.
 
There are still some loose threads hanging. Treyton McKenna is up to something. There are still questions about Charlotte's second husband. A missing person/body is still missing. I also still wonder what the story is about the teenager, Holly Jo, who Holden became the guardian of after her mother's death. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

Watchers of the Night - Charlene Parris (HRS #2262 - Jan 2024)

Series: Night Guardians (Book 1)
              
Looking for clues
They found each other
 
Haunted by the tragedies in her past, forensic investigator Cynthia Cornwall risks everything to keep Detective Adam Solberg informed about the explosion that led to his father's death. Open, attentive and undeniably gorgeous, Adam seems too good to be true. But Cynthia will have to trust him if they're both going to survive this case. And she'll have to decide if the connection they've forged is real enough to last.
 
Terrific start to a new series from a debut author. The story drew me in from the start and kept me hooked to the end. The blend of suspense and romance was well done.
 
The book started with a bang as a local motorcycle club's building exploded, killing at least one person. The club members were all retired police officers who worked hard to keep the neighborhood safe. The dead man's son, Adam, is a detective with the local police. Devastated at the loss of his father, he is not happy when he is forbidden to take part in the investigation.
 
Cynthia is a forensic investigator assigned to investigate the explosion. A similar tragedy in her past motivated her rise in her field. It also gave her a degree of empathy for Adam's situation, so she promised to keep him informed about the progress of her investigation. I liked her determination and attention to detail. She is a complex woman, and I loved the slow reveal of the things that made her who she is.
 
It doesn't take long for Cynthia's investigation to draw the wrong people's attention. Threats against her life rouse Adam's protective instincts, and he invites her into his home to watch over her. Cynthia is a very independent and self-reliant woman and is wary of trusting Adam's protectiveness. But the more time they spend together, the more she realizes that Adam's kindness and respect are the real deal. Adam is surprised by the depth of his growing feelings for Cynthia. I loved how quickly he understood her and her quirks. Neither expected the strength of their attraction or the brain-scrambling effect it had on them. I liked watching them work through the issues that could keep them apart. The ending was terrific.
 
The suspense of the story was excellent. Leads are few, and those that Cynthia has are slow to reveal their connection. As she and Adam get closer to the truth, the danger to them intensifies. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me intrigued throughout the book. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and kept me glued to the pages until it was over. There was a surprise at the end that I didn't see coming, and it served as an excellent wrap-up of the story. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Falling for Dr. Maverick - Kathy Douglass (HSE #3007 - Oct 2023)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Lassoing Love (Book 4)
                                                                
She's got an acute case of heartthrob!
 
Rodeo rider Corinne Hawkins has had a thing for Mike Burris for years. Now their on-again, off-again relationship might be off -- for good. Mike is in medical school, and their attempts at long-distance romance have been a disaster. Corinne doesn't want to walk away from her brainy, sexy cowboy but feels she has no choice. Luckily for Corinne and Mike, their meddling, matchmaking families are on the job!
 
Good book. I have been looking forward to Mike's story since he first appeared. Unlike his brothers, he is a rodeo cowboy who didn't intend to make the rodeo circuit his career. Instead, he earned enough money to follow his dream of becoming a doctor. I loved his dedication to his dream. The complication was his relationship with fellow rodeo rider Corinne. Observation has shown him that long-distance relationships don't work, so he tries to keep things "friends only."
 
Corinne has crushed on Mike for years. They've been good friends all that time, but Corinne wants more. Unfortunately, Mike's dedication to his studies brings back unpleasant memories of a previous boyfriend she felt relegated her to second place in the relationship.
 
I loved seeing Mike and Corinne together. Their connection is terrific and their chemistry is undeniable. When they are together, it is obvious that they are made for each other. But when they are apart, doubts creep in. These issues come to a head when Corinne visits Mike in Chicago. Things go pretty well as Mike shows her around his adopted city, and Corinne realizes she's made some unwarranted judgments. But when Mike gets a call inviting him to observe a surgery (quite an honor!), he jumps at the chance, leaving Corinne feeling forgotten.
 
I had a problem with Corinne through most of the book. She seemed to expect M ike to drop everything and pay attention to her and was angry and hurt when he couldn't. She didn't understand the depth of his commitment to his studies and career plan and only paid attention to how it affected her. I was very disappointed in her lack of support for the man she claimed to love.
 
Mike is a little obsessed with his goals.  He could have spared a little time to at least call Corinne once in a while and maintain their connection. But he allowed his fears and insecurities to push her away. With his family's encouragement, he learns from his mistakes and plans to show her how important she is to him. But will it be enough to overcome Corinne's fears? I liked the ending and have high hopes that they will have the happy future they want if they stick to their plan.
 
I liked the support and encouragement Mike and Corinne received from their families. Seeing more of the previous couples and how their examples and advice helped Mike and Corinne through their problems was great