The Key - Lynsay Sands (Avon - Dec 2012)

Series: The Deed (Book 2)

Iliana Wildwood would do anything to escape from the depraved baron who sought her lands -- including marrying a barbarian. Fleeing to the Highlands, Iliana was wedded to Duncan, laird of Dunbar Castle. Certainly, there was something about the virile warrior that made her weak in the knees --but she refuses to allow him into her bed until he agrees to become more civilized.

Determined therefore to resist her handsome husband, Iliana found a way to keep her secrets safe. Employing a belt of chastity, the spirited beauty managed to thwart his determined advances. But then her husband changed his tactics and begins a sensual assault that sent her intentions up in smoke. And as the air cleared, Iliana found that it had been her heart she had locked away, and that this stubborn Scot had finally found...The Key.

Very good book and lots of fun.  Iliana knew she had to marry Duncan in order to keep herself and her mother safe.  But she was dismayed and disgusted by the condition of the keep and the people.  The keep was filthy, the people dirty and dressed in rags and her new husband was the worst of the lot.  The first thing she did was to put on the chastity belt she had brought along as a curiosity to protect herself until she could convince her husband to bathe.  Then she rolled up her sleeves and got to work cleaning the keep.  It was hard at first getting the people to cooperate with her, but she won over the women pretty quickly by be willing to participate in the work herself.  Duncan was not very happy about being married without the benefits of it.  But he refused to change his ways just for her when it had worked for him for most of his life.  He also didn't like the way that everything around him seemed to be changing.  I loved the confrontations between the two as both are strong willed and determined that the other be the one to give in. There are also some wonderful scenes involving other people in the keep.  I loved the part where Iliana was passing out new plaids and the women lined up to get them and also for a chance to bathe, but the men were still being stubborn and following Duncan's lead.  I also loved Iliana's creativity when they were under attack and how she helped defend them all.  There was some very good character growth in both Iliana and Duncan as they learned that to have a good marriage involves both love and compromise.  I really enjoyed Duncan's father and how he was always ragging on Duncan about his "randy ways" when Duncan wasn't getting any at all.  I also enjoyed seeing him and Iliana's mother together and the way they tried to help Duncan and Iliana.  I also loved the insights into Duncan's character that came out in various places in the book that helped Iliana see that he wasn't quite the barbarian the she thought he was.  The ending was fantastic.  

The Other Side of Us - Sarah Mayberry (HS #1824 - Jan 2013)

The making of a good neighbor

The best thing between Oliver Barrett and Mackenzie Williams is a fence. Ever since Oliver's new-neighbor gestures were met with unfriendly responses, he's decided to keep his distance. After all, he's in this seaside town to get his life on track again. That doesn't include working hard to get on Mackenzie's good side-no matter how intriguing she may be.

His intentions are put to the test, however, when his dog becomes infatuated with hers. The two crafty canines do their best to break down the barriers between the properties. And where the dogs go...well, the humans must follow It doesn't take long for a powerful attraction to build between Oliver and Mackenzie. They soon discover that the worst of first impressions can lead to the best possible outcomes.... 

Good book.  Oliver has come to clear out his late aunt's house and try to get himself back together after finding out about his wife's unfaithfulness.  He tried a couple times to make friends with Mackenzie, especially since their dogs were certainly enamored of each other.  Both times he'd gotten the door slammed in his face.  Mackenzie was staying in the cottage next door as she recovered from a car accident  that nearly killed her.  She hadn't meant to be so rude to Oliver but he had caught her at really bad times.  When she made up her mind to make amends she discovered that they had a lot in common.  As they spent time together their attraction grew.  They also learned a lot about each other.  Oliver has some real trust issues with other people and also his own feelings.  He spends a fair amount of time in self reflection trying decide how he really feels about Mackenzie.  Meanwhile Mackenzie is trying hard to recover from her accident so she can go back to her highpowered producer job.  As she spends time with Oliver she also does some self reflection and realizes that she has some dreams that she had buried that might be worth dusting off.  I really liked the fact that both were older and self aware enough to know what was happening between them.  There were no major conflicts but a steady growing of their love.  I liked the way that Mackenzie was able to go after what she wanted at the end.  I also loved the two dogs and the parts they played in their owners' relationship. I thought they were pretty adorable and loved their ending also.

All He Ever Needed - Shannon Stacey (HQN - Dec 2012)

Series: Kowalskis (Book 4)

He won't stay put for a woman, and she won't chase after any man...

Mitch Kowalski lives out of a suitcase-and he likes it that way. Traveling for work has the added bonus of scaring off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. But when he's called home to help with the family lodge, he's intrigued by the new girl in town and her insistence that she doesn't need a man. If there's one thing Mitch can't resist, it's a challenge.

After a nomadic childhood, Paige Sullivan is finally putting down roots. Determined to stand on her own two feet, she lives by the motto "Men are a luxury, not a necessity." But when Mr. Tall, Dark and Hot pulls up a stool in her diner and offers her six weeks of naughty fun with a built-in expiration date, she's tempted to indulge.

They're the perfect match for a no-strings fling. Until they realize their sexy affair has become anything but casual...

Excellent book.  I loved the New Hampshire Kowalskis and the Maine Kowalskis look like they will be just as fun.  Mitch has returned to Whitford to help at the family lodge after being away for three years.  He hates coming back because the townspeople never forget that he and his brother were hell raisers when they were younger.  It doesn't matter that he owns one of the top demo companies in the country, he's still that Kowalski boy that has a way with girls.  He makes no apologies for his actions with women now.  He has no intention of settling down any time soon and makes sure that the women he hooks up with know it.  He is immediately attracted to Paige and challenged by the fact that she doesn't date and has no desire to get involved with a man.  Paige spent her childhood traveling with her mother who was always looking for a man to love and be loved by.  She has found a community she can love and where she can put down roots.  She has no interest in getting involved with a man who doesn't have any desire to stay in one place.  She does eventually decide to take Mitch up on his offer of no strings fun.  

I liked the way that the relationship developed.  Mitch started out resenting being there but looking at Paige as a fun distraction.  Pretty soon his playboy ways were being overshadowed by how good he was at his business, how much he cared about Josh and Rosie, and how good he was with Paige.  What he couldn't understand was why she seemed to different.  She was constantly in his thoughts, he couldn't wait to see her again and his subconscious kept putting thoughts of forever in his head.  Every time that happens he pulls away some, but can't stay away.  He was pretty clueless in the relationship department and was stunned when Paige walked away first.  Paige really enjoyed being with Mitch including the times out of bed.  When she realized she had fallen for him and started thinking about following him when he left, it scared her that she might be thinking about giving up her independence and dreams for a man.  So she made the decision to walk away even though it hurt.  I loved Mitch's grovelling at the end.

I also loved the secondary characters that were part of the story.  I loved the housekeeper Rosie and how she treats the Kowalski guys.  The townspeople are wonderful at looking out for each other, but I also love their part in Paige and Mitch's story - especially the stories they tell on Mitch.  There's a secondary story with Drew and Mallory that I hope has a happy ending.  Of course I'm really looking forward to Ryan and Josh's stories, as I expect them to have their problems too.

Beach House No. 9 - Christie Ridgway (HQN - Feb 2013)

Series: Crescent Cove CA (Book 1) 

When book doctor Jane Pearson arrives at Griffin Lowell's beach house, she expects a brooding loner. After all, his agent hired her to help the reclusive war journalist write his stalled memoir. Instead, Jane finds a tanned, ocean-blue-eyed man in a Hawaiian shirt, hosting a beach party and surrounded by beauties. Faster than he can untie a bikini top, Griffin lets Jane know he doesn't want her. But she desperately needs this job and digs her toes in the sand. 


Griffin intends to spend the coming weeks at Beach House No. 9 taking refuge from his painful memories-and from the primly sexy book doctor who wants to bare his soul. But warm nights, moonlit walks and sultry kisses just may unlock both their guarded hearts....

Fantastic book.  There's always a lot of humor and emotion in Christie Ridgway's books and this was no exception. I loved both Jane and Griffin.  Jane has been sent to get Griffin back on track in writing his book about his year with the troops in Afghanistan.  After the trouble she had reaching him by phone or email she wasn't expecting to find him in the middle of a party at his beach house.  She also wasn't expecting the immediate zing of attraction she felt for him - something that was very unwelcome.  She had just ended a job with another author with whom she had developed a relationship and then gotten burned.  She needs this job with Griffin to work out.  Griffin hasn't done any work on his book since he returned home.  The memories of his time there, of the things he saw and the people who were lost, are too painful for him to revisit.  He surrounds himself with people and noise trying to drown them out.  He has also shoved his emotions deep so that he won't feel the pain.  He lets Jane know that he doesn't want her around and does everything he can to drive her away.  I really liked the way that Jane refuses to be dismissed.  She is determined to make this job work and is very creative in her ways to try to prod Griffin into doing what needs to be done.  I loved the way that she got to him with her unpredictability and refusal to be ignored.  Besides her need to make this job work, she is also dealing with some issues stemming from her relationship with her family.  She was raised by her father, an emotionless scientist who was constantly putting her down, calling her silly and emotional.  She decided to take advantage of her attraction to Griffin and enjoy the physical relationship but keep her emotions out of it.

Griffin doesn't want to face his memories by writing his book.  He tries to drive Jane away, but she won't go.  He also discovers that she has invaded his thoughts and he can't get rid of her there either.  She has read all the articles he wrote while he was in Afghanistan and knows that he has the ability to write a fantastic book, but tells him he has to put his emotions into it.  When he finds out why she has to be successful in getting his book done he decides to go ahead and do it.  He also realizes that having her there has made the process more bearable for him.  He is still trying to convince himself that their relationship is just physical, but spends a lot of time doing things for her and to her to try to counter the effects her father and others have had on her.  I loved the way that he was verbally so gruff and rude at times but if you watched his actions you could see the true Griffin that was under the ice.  His final facing of his life and emotions was excellent and he was able to go after what he really wanted.  I also loved all the secondary characters and stories.  His sister Tess and her husband were having problems that had to be faced and I loved how real it felt.  There was also a storyline with Skye and Griffin's twin Garrett that I suspect will be the focus of book three.  The second book with one of Griffin's friend and the daughter of the other soldier looks to be fantastic.  I also hope that we'll see more of the firefighter "Tee-Wee". 

Native Cowboy - Rita Herron (HI #1396 - Jan 2013)

Series: Bucking Bronc Lodge (Book 5)

PROTECTIVE CUSTODY FOR THE CHILD HE NEVER EXPECTED

There was no man more dedicated to his job than Detective Mason Blackpaw. Yet when he discovers a dead body at the Bucking Bronc Lodge, he's forced to confront his moment of greatest weakness - and a reunion with the very pregnant Dr. Cara Winchester....

AND THE WOMAN HE COULDN'T FORGET

Cara fell for the sexy Comanche officer the moment she laid eyes on him, captivated by his loyalty and fiercely protective instincts. Their romance was brief but intense, and when it ended, he left part of him with her. Now a killer was kidnapping her patients' babies, and Mason was on the case to stop him. But how would he react once the killer targeted her...or when Mason found out her child was also his? 

Very good book with fantastic suspense.  I really liked both Cara and Mason.  Cara runs a women's clinic where she assists women who are pregnant and helps them find homes for their babies if they want to go the adoption route.  Someone has started murdering and mutilating these women and Mason is the detective assigned to the case.  He and Cara had had a brief romance before he walked away from her.  He was stunned to find her pregnant and even more so to find out that the baby is his.  Cara is very independent and had planned to raise her child on her own.  Mason had made it clear he didn't want a relationship with anyone so she hadn't told him about the baby.  Seeing him again makes her realize that she had never stopped loving him and she wanted him back in her life.  Mason had walked away from Cara because the intensity of his feelings spooked him.  He was also aware of the prejudice that still existed against Native Americans and he didn't want to expose her to that darkness.  Seeing Cara again and knowing that she is in danger shows him that he still cares about her.  He doesn't want to walk out of her life again.  He also wants to be a real father to his child unlike the man who deserted his mother.  Before he can do that he has to keep Cara safe and find the man who is targeting her.  The action never stopped from the first pages to the last.  There are some fantastic twists and turns to the mystery that really kept me guessing.  

Courting Cate - Leslie Gould (Bethany House - Nov 2012)

Series: Courtships of Lancaster County (Book 1)

When Amish farmer Pete Treger moves to Paradise Township, Pennsylvania, seeking a better life, he meets sisters Cate and Betsy Miller. Both are beautiful, but older sister Cate is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Betsy, on the other hand, is sweet and flirty--and seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

However, the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard and fast rule: elder sister must marry first, before the younger can even start courting. Unfortunately for poor Betsy, and for the men who want to court her, her older sister, Cate, doesn't have any suitors--until Pete comes to town, that is.

Though he finds both sisters attractive, something about Cate's feisty demeanor appeals to him. Soon the other bachelors in the district convince Pete to court Cate. She hardly seems receptive to his overtures, though. Instead, she's immediately suspicious of his interest. 

I loved this book - it was an Amish version of Taming of the Shrew which is my favorite Shakespeare play.  Cate is an unmarried Amish woman who would rather work in her father's business than marry.  Her younger sister Betsy is just the opposite.  She is an excellent homemaker and really wants to marry her beau.  Their father is worried that Cate, who is sharp-tongued and has a  temper, will never find a mate, so he decrees that she must marry before Betsy can do so.  When Cate meets the new man in the neighborhood sparks start to fly.  Pete seems pretty determined to court her and she is suspicious of his motives.  I liked the way that they got along when she forgot to be so prickly.  They had a lot in common.  He also was pretty laid back when she got her temper up.  Her suspicions and some other events caused some major misunderstandings.  We learn more about why Cate is the way she is and how Pete came to his current situation.  There are some unexpected twists in the story that had Cate questioning her future.  Her journey from Contrary Cate to Sweet Cate was wonderful and very emotional.  I loved the ending. The characters in this story felt very real to me and ones I could relate to easily.  I wanted to smack Betsy many times.  I'm not sure that she learned her lesson by the end, but time will tell.  Pete's mother was a piece of work, but definitely had her place in helping Cate to grow into her role.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Doctor's Dating Bargain - Teresa Southwick (HSE #2234 - Jan 2013)

Series: Mercy Medical Montana (Book 1)

FROM EXILED HEIRESS...TO DOCTOR'S FAKE FIANCEE?

Handsome doctor Ben McKnight is everything the marriageable women of Blackwater Lake, Montana, want in a man-except willing What he needs is a decoy: someone sweet and sexy to play the role of bride-to-be. Someone like the gorgeous new girl in town....

The last place Camille Halliday wants to be is Montana. But she won't be going anywhere unless she wins over the mutinous staff and salvages the business at the local hotel. So when gorgeous Dr. Ben makes his proposal-pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for his help with her staff-she jumps at the offer. It's the answer to all her problems...until the fake hand-holding and kissing soon add up to much more than either of them bargained for!

Fun book.  Ben is trying to do his job as a doctor, but the single women in town aren't leaving him alone.  They're even faking injuries so they can pursue him at work. He thinks that if he can show them that he isn't available they will leave him alone.  Camille is stuck in Montana trying to fix what is wrong at one of her family's hotels.  She has never had to develop any kind of people skills and is having a rough time getting the employees to cooperate.  She also had a reputation as a wild child when she was younger but no one seems to be able to see that she isn't like that any more.  When Ben comes to her and offers to help her if she'll help him she can't pass it up.  It was lots of fun seeing Camille become more comfortable dealing with people and also with being in Montana.  She started out wanting nothing more than to do her job and get back to a city.  She had some serious self esteem issues because of the way her parents treated her after the death of her brother.  She felt that she wasn't able to do anything well enough to suit her father.  She also had to deal with tabloid reporters who kept trying to create scandals about her because of mistakes she made when she was younger.  Ben treated her like the intelligent woman she was which gave her more confidence in her work.  She also discovered that she was beginning to like Montana.  She also found that she was coming to care for Ben for real.  Ben was a desperate man when the pursuit by the local women started to get really out of hand.  He had been attracted to Camille from the time he met her.  Knowing that she would not be staying in Montana he felt that they could be of use to each other for the time she would be there.  He quickly found that he really liked Camille and enjoyed spending time with her.  He had fun showing her around the area and exposing her to a different kind of life.  I loved the way he was so supportive of her especially when her parents showed up and he stood up for her when her father was being a pain.  I also loved seeing him finally realize that he wanted their fake romance to be real.