Undercover Cowboy Defender - Linda O. Johnston (HRS #2222 - Mar 2023)

Series: Shelter of Secrets (Book 3)
 
She was desperate for protection.
Could she trust a man with her secret?
 
K-9 cop Mark Martin's undercover assignment was to ensure security for an animal shelter, not fall for the new employee. But the shelter was a front to hide people in danger, and Luca and her young son certainly needed his help. With his connections, Mark confirmed the man stalking Luca was on the loose. How can the cowboy truly protect Luca without revealing his true identity…or his true feelings?
 
Good book. I have enjoyed this series that spotlights a shelter for people in trouble disguised as an animal shelter. The director (Scott) is an undercover police officer, the managers are former residents or trained professionals, and the workers are those under the shelter's protection. It is also a working animal shelter, where the workers care for and train the animals in preparation for adoption.
 
Luca, whose real name is Cathleen, came to the shelter with her four-year-old son to escape a stalker. After the death of her policeman husband, his partner became overly attentive, despite her objections. She also began to suspect he was responsible for her husband's death, not an unknown criminal. I could feel her nervousness as she waited to find out if the shelter would accept her. Her first meeting is with a man named Mark and his dog Rocky.
 
Mark is supposedly another shelter resident but is another undercover cop. His job is to investigate if a possible leak in the shelter exposes what they are. On this day, Scott asks him to talk to Luca and decide if she is a legitimate petitioner or someone with a hidden agenda. Mark is immediately taken with Luca and her son, believing they are genuinely in danger. He's surprised by the strength of his need to protect her.
 
Most of the book is taken up with Mark helping Luca and Nicky settle into life in the shelter. He introduces them to other residents, encourages Nicky to help with the "doggies," and fights his desire to be with them all the time. Luca finds it easy to trust Mark and is worried about her growing dependence on his presence in her life. Both know that when the time is right, Luca and Nicky will move on to a new life while Mark remains in Chance. Mark and Luca grew closer as the days progressed, with their simmering attraction getting stronger. It was sweet to see how Mark connected with little Nicky and the thoughts of family that seeped into Mark's mind and heart. But when everything is over, will there be a way for them all to be together? I loved the solution that Mark devised.
 
The suspense of the story was good. Her husband's partner is stalking Luca, but no one believes her when she complains about his actions. The police chief in her old town is far too willing to take his officer's word over the "hysterically grieving" widow. Meanwhile, Luca continues to receive emailed threats. Fortunately for her, Scott and Mark do believe her. I liked how Scott and Mark used their connections with the Chance PD to check on the stalker's actions and whereabouts. But another threat and the stalker's disappearance puts everyone on alert. I liked seeing Luca take control of her future and insist on being part of taking him down. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as the stalker was more devious than expected. I loved seeing Luca stay calm and focused, playing a big part in her rescue. I loved how Mark and Rocky were there at the right time to finish the job.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but a few things made me go, "Hmmm." First, little Nicky never had trouble remembering his "new" name. He's only four - realistically, there should have been a few slip-ups. Second, Luca is a new staffer, but we never saw her do any training or work. At most, she was around while Nicky helped others with the dogs. I was also puzzled by how easily Mark could leave the shelter, considering how secure it was supposed to be. However, none of it diminished my enjoyment of the story.

Dead Giveaway - Nichole Severn (HI #2059 - Mar 2022)

Series: Defenders of Battle Mountain (Book 2)
 
He vowed to never see her again
Now she needs him more than ever.
 
Deputy Easton Ford left Battle Mountain -- and the woman who broke his heart -- behind. Now District Attorney Genevieve Alexander is targeted by a killer, and there's only one man she trusts to protect her: her ex-fiancé. Easton will do everything to keep her safe. But will his past secrets get them both killed?
 
Terrific book that kept me hooked from start to finish. The action and suspense were intense, and the rekindling relationship was full of pitfalls from their past.
 
Genevieve is the DA for another town. Fifteen years earlier, she left her fiancé, Easton, at the altar, moved three hours away and started a new life. After finding a dead body in her home and discovering that the serial killer she thought she had put away was only a copycat, Genevieve knows she needs help. She returns to Battle Mountain and the only man she trusts to keep her safe - Easton.
 
After the disaster of his failed wedding, Easton joined the military to escape the memories and the heartbreak. He returned to Battle Mountain a year ago after losing his team left him with flashbacks and PTSD. Locking himself away in his cabin and avoiding everyone, he began reconnecting a few months ago, after his father's death and helping his brother catch a serial killer (Grave Danger). The last thing he expects is to find Genevieve on his doorstep asking for help.
 
Though their first encounter doesn't go well, Easton can't deny his need to protect Genevieve. As they work together to identify and stop The Contractor, it becomes evident that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. But can they overcome the hurts and insecurities of the past to find a new life together? I ached for Easton, who is wrapped up in survivor's guilt, grief for his father, and unresolved feelings about Genevieve's desertion. He hasn't been able to open up about his pain with any of his family, so it has festered inside him. Somehow, he can share those memories and the pain with Genevieve. I liked how she acknowledged his feelings, then showed him that the events weren't his fault, setting him on the road to healing.
 
Genevieve still feels guilty about the way she left Easton, admitting that she took the coward's way out. Her need to know herself outside of her relationships drove her away, and she worked hard to establish that identity and likes the life she has now. But seeing Easton again stirs up the old feelings and causes her to worry about losing herself again.
 
I loved watching Easton and Genevieve grow closer as they worked together. But neither one appeared to have learned from their past mistakes. Though Easton realizes he still loves Genevieve, his way of showing it brings back Genevieve's fears and insecurities. I ached for Easton but wanted to shake him for slipping back into old habits. I hurt for Genevieve, too, because she loves him but is afraid to trust herself. I liked how she stood up for herself and her needs. It takes nearly losing each other permanently to be ready to put the past behind them.
 
The suspense of this story had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The first pages set the scene of a ticked-off serial killer because someone else has been convicted of his crimes. He takes his anger to the DA responsible in a very personal and grisly manner, making it clear that he expects her to do a better job by giving her a "second chance." Genevieve's fear is palpable, as is her dismay at the mistake and her determination to get it right. It doesn't help that the local police chief indicates that he believes she is the guilty party. When Genevieve and Easton begin working together to unmask the killer, they return to the beginning. However, no matter what they discover, the killer always seems to be one step ahead of them.
 
The tension ramps up as the information Easton and Genevieve unearth draw them closer to a shocking revelation. Just when they think they have solved it, an unexpected twist puts Genevieve in mortal danger. I was shocked by the revelations I didn't see coming, and I put an unusual spin on the usual serial killer scenario. Genevieve impressed me with her fortitude and determination, making the final confrontation one of the best I've ever read.
 
There are two epilogues. A mini one at the end of the last chapter, updating Genevieve and Easton's lives three months later, and the main epilogue is the lead-in to the next book. 

Lady Helena's Secret Husband - Elizabeth Beacon (HH #1680 - Oct 2022)

Her secret husband…
Is back from the dead!
 
When Lady Helena Snowe eloped with Captain William Harborough six years ago, they had one glorious week together before he went to war -- only to die in battle. Yet, the man in front of her now is very much alive! The darkness behind Will's eyes makes Helena wary of letting him back into her life. With Will's enemies threatening their chance of a fresh start, can their marriage ever be reclaimed?
 
Good book. It opened with a prologue where the young Lady Helena Snowe eloped with a nearly as young Captain William Harborough because her family disapproved of their romance. They had a one-week honeymoon before Will returned to the war and was shortly thereafter reported as killed in action. Because they had married secretly, Helena could not show her grief and had to keep it buried.
 
Six years later, Helena is still unmarried, though not through the lack of her mother's effort. Helena has no intention of marrying again and instead plans an extended stay with a recently widowed friend. Those plans come to a screeching halt when she receives a summons to her brother's home and finds her assuredly not-dead husband waiting for her. To say that she was angry that he'd been alive all that time without telling her would be an understatement. She barely recognizes the cold, stone-faced man in front of her and, in a fit of temper, talks about a legal separation.
 
However, it doesn't take long for her to realize that the Will she knew is still inside the stranger she's married to and still loves. I ached for her as he explained his reasons for the deception (to protect her) and that there was still danger from the enemies he had made. After years of independence, Helena is no longer the naïve young woman he married and refused to be packed off somewhere safe while he deals with the threat. I loved watching her stand up to Will, insisting they stay together.
 
What follows is their journey to his lands in Wales, taking every precaution to keep danger off their trail. Will is convinced that the threat is real and has already cost his mother her life. Helena has the advantage of being on the outside looking in at the events and has her doubts.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of their relationship. Neither Will nor Helena has forgotten the intense attraction from their honeymoon, and the sparks are just as intense now. Both have changed a lot over the six years they've been apart, and getting to know each other again is filled with challenges. Will is haunted by what he has seen and done and refuses to burden Helena by sharing them with her. Helena has spent years helping her brother with his estates and refuses to be treated as a frail flower. Their chemistry is explosive, and Will struggles to maintain the control he needs to stay aware of their surroundings. I laughed out loud at their first night back together as Helena created a very amusing scene upon their arrival.
 
Their power struggle continued during their journey, and I laughed at several places where one or the other would get the upper hand. But through it all, Helena saw more of the old Will emerge from behind the shadows in his eyes. I liked their arrival at his property and seeing them settle in. But trouble is on the horizon, as Helena has taken steps to prove her belief that there was no danger following Will. I ached for Will as he learned the truth, and I understood his feelings of betrayal. Knowing he'd been deceived was terrible enough, but for Helena not to have told him her suspicions hurt even more. I hurt for both as harsh words were exchanged, and Will stormed away. It takes some serious self-examination for them to see the mistakes made and promise to do better. I loved Will's return and seeing him ready to move forward with Helena.
 
The epilogue was terrific, and I loved catching up with them a few years down the road. 

New Beginnings in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - May 2023)

Series:  Emerald Bay (Book 2)
 
Thirty-two-year-old Imogen Kelly is meant to be living her best life in Dublin but the bright lights of the city aren't making her truly happy. So she leaps at the chance to take on an interior design job at the big country manor at the edge of Emerald Bay. It also gives Imogen an excuse to return to the place where she spent an unforgettable summer with her first love, Lachlan Leslie, the heir to Benmore House.
 
Imogen's heart is full of hope at the thought of seeing her childhood sweetheart but on the way there she nearly has an accident on the winding, muddy country road. She arrives at Benmore House late and flustered, only to discover the builder working with her on the renovation project is none other than Ryan O'Malley - the class prankster who was forever pinging her bra strap at school.
 
Within seconds it's clear he's still a cheeky charmer, even if he's transformed into a gorgeous guy who unexpectedly sets her pulse racing. Forced into close proximity with relentlessly cheerful Ryan, who's forever (badly) singing rock ballads at the top of his voice, Imogen at first finds him an annoying distraction.
 
With St Patrick's Day celebrations in full swing, Imogen has her work cut out to keep the job on track. Spending more time with Ryan, she discovers that, behind his warm smile and generous ways, he's nursing heartache. But when she finally sees blue-eyed Lachlan again,Imogen has to face up to the truth about the secret summer romance they shared.
 
Will she leave Emerald Bay broken-hearted? Or will Imogen realise that home really is where the heart is?
 
Sweet story of coming home, family, and new beginnings. Imogen left her home village of Emerald Bay and moved to Dublin, where she has a successful interior design business. While she has friends and an older boyfriend, Nevin, there are days when she feels something is missing. When offered a job doing up several rooms at Benmore House, the big manor in Emerald Bay, she jumps at the chance, hoping to see her childhood sweetheart again. Not that she wants to start anything up again; after all, he broke her teenage heart, but it would be nice to finally close the door on that chapter of her life.
 
She nearly has an accident on her way to Benmore House, stopping quickly to allow a family of ducks to cross the road. Then she's almost hit by another vehicle as she attempts to help a straggling duckling join the rest. The other driver is Ryan O'Malley, her school nemesis and class prankster, who has grown up to be a very handsome man. I loved their encounter, with Imogen trying to be the sophisticated city girl and Ryan being his usual teasing self. Then she discovers that Ryan is the builder also working on the project.
 
Though there is some tension between them initially, it doesn't take long for them to form a friendly working relationship. Ryan is a nice guy who rarely lets anything rile him up. He left behind his job and his girlfriend in London to come home when his dad had a stroke and has happily settled back into village life. As they spend time together, Imogen discovers there is more to Ryan than she expected.
 
I liked seeing Imogen readjust to village life. Her observations about the other residents were fun and realistic, as life in a small village means everyone seems to know what is happening with everyone else. I enjoyed seeing Imogen cope with everything from riding on the back of a scooter to being commandeered as Ms. Leprechaun for the St. Patrick's Day parade. She's also nervous about introducing her boyfriend to her family - not least because of the age difference between them.
 
There's no end of drama as Imogen deals with decorating issues at Benmore House, seeing Lachlan again for the first time since she was sixteen, and dealing with Nevin. Imogen has terrific self-confidence regarding her work, and I enjoyed seeing her deal with everything from delays to messed-up deliveries. Her meeting with Lachlan was quite an eye-opener for her. The author did a marvelous job of giving him the right amount of smarminess to make him unlikeable. The descriptions of Nevin and his attitudes made me wonder what Imogen saw in him, especially the more I saw of Ryan.
 
One of the things I liked about Imogen is her big heart. She isn't rude or obnoxious, even when she's frustrated by gossip and nosiness. I enjoyed seeing her empathy for Ryan over his worry about his father. When Mr. O'Malley's illness worsens, Imogen finds a way to help the family. I also loved how close she was with her family. There is plenty of love to go around, along with a fair helping of advice, wanted or not. I enjoyed catching up with Shannon and James (Christmas in the Little Irish Village) and the antics of Napoleon, the cat. I also liked seeing more of the family, especially the grandmother, Nan.
 
I liked watching Imogen and Ryan grow closer as they worked together. It's easy to see their friendship becoming more even though Imogen was blind to it for a long time. There are some sweet scenes of them together, from sharing lunches to escaping too much family drama. I loved the auction at the end of the book and seeing Imogen go after what she wanted.

One Christmas Night - Jules Bennett (HD #2911 - Dec 2022)

Series:  Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals (Book 8)
 
They're in for a little holiday surprise…
 
Morgan Grandin has bickered with Ryan Carter for years…until one night of passion changes everything. Now she's having his baby! The wealthy rancher insists on preserving his family legacy by proposing marriage, but can Morgan trust that their sizzle will last? Ryan is a rival she can't resist, especially when he challenges her to live on his ranch for one month -- where he will do everything he can to convince her to say yes. As sparks fly and Christmas approaches, will he give Morgan the gift she wants most of all?
 
Terrific enemies to lovers story. Morgan and Ryan have known each other for years and can't be in the same room without finding something to argue about. But underneath their antagonism is a simmering attraction neither wants to admit. Then the night of the TCC Halloween ball (Cinderella Masquerade), each overheard a conversation about the sparks between them and decided that one night together would get it out of their systems.
 
This book starts a month later with Morgan's discovery that she is pregnant with Ryan's baby. She is shocked and overwhelmed by the changes facing her, but she knows she wants the baby. She also knows she must tell Ryan, which won't be easy. Despite their agreement that they were one and done, she hasn't been able to stop thinking about their night together, so she has avoided him. Fate being what it is, Ryan chooses to stop by Morgan's store that day to ask her why she's been dodging him. Like Morgan, Ryan hasn't been able to forget that night either.
 
Ryan immediately notices something is wrong because she won't look at him. He is persistent and finally gets her to confess that she's pregnant. Ryan's first reaction is that they get married. This goes over like a lead balloon, as Morgan has no interest in marrying anyone. Even though her siblings have all found love, Morgan believes that so-called love fizzles out more often than not. While Ryan proposes marriage, love doesn't enter into it. He was burned years ago and has closed off his heart. He wants a family to pass his ranch on to but prefers a more practical relationship. Morgan is adamant that she will not marry him, while Ryan is determined that she will. He challenges her to move into his home for a month, and if she can walk away at the end of the month, he'll let her go.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Morgan and Ryan develop. Morgan knows she's risking heartbreak by moving in with Ryan, but she does it anyway, determined to show him she is right. Ryan is equally committed to showing her how good they can be together. Neither can deny their attraction, but Ryan plans to resist the pull. He wants to convince Morgan without using their attraction to overwhelm her objections. For a man who has put love behind him, Ryan has an amazingly romantic nature. I loved his effort in caring for Morgan, making her feel at home in his house, and showing her what they could have together.
 
I enjoyed seeing Morgan do her best to wreck Ryan's control over his attraction. She wants to enjoy every minute if they're only going to have a month together. Once she succeeds, she realizes that she's made things harder for herself. Between the intimacy and his attention, her heart is in serious jeopardy. She finds herself wanting more than he's willing to give. Can she show him that love will make both their dreams come true? It takes nearly losing her for Ryan to realize she's had his heart all along. I loved his big moment at the end and seeing him open his heart.
 
The series arc involving Heath Thurston's claim against the Grandin and Lattimore ranches advances significantly in this book. The final report from the private investigator is in, but Heath refuses to take the information lying down. His book is next, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. 

Gabby's Protector - Regan Black, Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - May 2023)

Series:  Never Too Late for Love: Ellington Cove (Book 3)
 
After a heart-shattering tragedy, Tony Marino bottled up his emotions and gave more than twenty hard years to the SEAL teams. Now, he’s enjoying a later-in-life career in paradise in the Ellington Cove special security office.
 
The best part? Working with their research expert, Gabby Ladd.
 
Eager for a fresh start, Gabby jumped at the offer to join the team in Key West, certain the location was out of reach of the dangerous stalker who ruined her Army career and forced her into hiding.
 
But she’s been found.
 
Determined to protect her new friends and the honorable men she works with from the stalker who has killed before, she knows running is the only option.
 
Tony’s not about to let anyone drive Gabby away. To keep her safe, to keep her close, he must let go of the painful past, open his heart, and let himself hope for the future.
 
Because it’s never too late for love…
 
Whew! Another couldn't-put-it-down entry in the Never Too Late for Love: Ellington Cove series. Tony is a character who has intrigued me from the beginning. Unlike Nick and Brent, he always seems light-hearted and looking for fun, with a reputation for flirting with many different women. But occasionally, I felt he was trying too hard to give that impression. I loved seeing the other guys call him on it at the end of the previous book, as they encouraged him to let Gabby know how he feels about her.
 
Gabby moved from being an off-site researcher for the Guardian Agency to working directly with the team at Ellington Cove. Her computer skills are off-the-charts exceptional, and I've loved seeing the incredible support she provides for them. They didn't know that part of her motivation in coming to the Keys was to get as far away as possible from the stalker who wrecked her Army career.
 
As the book opens, Gabby experiences that feeling of being watched that she hasn't felt since her last encounter with Hopkins. She knows he's found her, and she believes that the only thing she can do is run again. But she didn't count on Tony. Thanks to his keen observation skills, augmented by his feelings for her, he immediately realizes something is wrong. I loved how he pried the truth out of her and then let her know in no uncertain terms that her days of running were over. Gabby fights him initially because she doesn't want to risk his life, but she eventually agrees.
 
The tension and action were non-stop. I could feel Tony and Gabby's frustration at their inability to locate Hopkins. There was one confrontation early on where Hopkins caught them by surprise, but Tony kept Gabby safe. I loved how Tony's quick thinking got them a lead that started bringing things together. Their anger at how he got away was understandable and added to their determination. Unfortunately, a meeting that should have been safe ended with Gabby in danger and Tony terrified for her life. I loved how Gabby's familiarity with the city and confidence in Tony's abilities helped her leave a trail for him to follow. I loved the final confrontation and how it went down.
 
I loved seeing the relationship between Tony and Gabby develop. Each was attracted to the other but had their insecurities to overcome. Tony spent many years grieving the deaths of his wife and baby and didn't believe he would ever love again. Then he met Gabby, and she stirred those long-dormant feelings, but he didn't think she'll ever see him as anything but a coworker. Gabby is attracted to him but believes love isn't in the cards for her, especially with someone like Tony. I liked watching him repeatedly show her she was the woman he needed. I loved the ending and seeing them finally admit their feelings for each other.

K-9 Detectives - Rachel Lee (HI #2127 - Feb 2023)

Series:  ConardCounty (Book 71)
 
Can his wartime K-9 save him
From homeland danger?
 
Don't interfere or you're next. Army veteran Kell McLaren won't comply with the threat. He and Jenna Blair -- wrongfully discharged from the army -- mean to investigate two suspicious deaths possibly tied to a mysterious church sect…and a drug cartel. With Kell's military-trained K-9 companion, the troubled vets uncover unspeakable secrets, while finding in each other welcome respite from combat trauma and treacherous betrayal.
 
Good book with a slow-burn romance and steadily intensifying suspense. I liked Kell and Jenna, the two main characters, and their dogs, Bradley and Misty. The book opens as Jenna returns to Conard County from her service as an Army nurse. She did not leave the army willingly, and her reasons for doing so were heartbreaking. Her ability to trust has been severely damaged, and she is a bit lost about what is next for her, though her first order of business is to retrieve her aunt's dog, Misty, from where she is being boarded. I loved Jenna's close connection with Misty.
 
One of the first people Jenna met was Kell, along with his dog, Bradley. Kell is a former Marine, and Bradley was his K-9 during the war. After Kell was injured, he returned to Conard County, bringing Bradley. Bradley also has PTSD, and my heart broke for him and Kell, who tries to help Bradley through his episodes. Bradley and Misty are great friends and playmates, bringing Kell and Jenna together almost daily.
 
Because of what she'd been through, Jenna is initially very wary of Kell. He senses that wariness and wonders about its cause but is very sensitive to her feelings. I loved how careful Kell was to respect her boundaries and how that care made it easier for Jenna to relax around him. The two dogs created plenty of opportunities for Kell and Jenna to spend time together. I liked seeing them grow closer, and I cheered when Jenna could tell Kell what had happened to her. Kell won my heart with his reaction and what it meant to Jenna. Meanwhile, the sparks of attraction were growing between them, and Jenna had to decide if her trust in Kell was strong enough to give in to them. I liked what followed, and it bodes well for their future. The ending was fantastic and left me hoping they appear in later books.
 
The suspense of the story was good. It started with a prologue that set the scene for what Kell and Jenna would face - a cult leader-like preacher with secrets he'll do anything to keep. Kell and Jenna get the first inkling that something is wrong when Bradley alerts on a neighbor's body as the EMTs bring it out of the house. Kell is puzzled and worries that something is wrong with Bradley but trusts him enough to take his concerns to the sheriff. It happens again with another neighbor, leading Kell and Jenna to believe that Bradley is onto something.
 
Jenna takes a chance and uses her experiences to attempt to get close to a former cult member, but it backfires.  A threatening note accompanying a worrisome letter sends them back to the sheriff. I loved Gage's reaction and felt his frustration at his inability to do anything without solid evidence. Jenna and Kell felt the same frustration and decided to do something about it. Seeing them develop a plan and execute it successfully was highly satisfying.
 
There was another player in the drama, and I still have questions about him. We get his link to the prologue at the end, but he is not above reproach. Will he appear again in a later book?
 
I loved the two dogs almost as much as I did Kell and Jenna. Each has a distinct personality and relationship with their human. Seeing how the two pups get so excited to see each other was fun. They are terrific companions to Kell and Jenna, providing love and support when needed. Their actions and reactions are also frequently amusing and have a way of lightening a dark mood.