Book Review: The Rancher's Christmas Song by RaeAnne Thayne

This is another charming Thayne Christmas romance.

The Rancher's Christmas Song 
(The Cowboys of Cold Creek)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 2274 KB
Print Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition (November 1, 2017)
ASIN: B06XZN6DLC
Genre: Clean, Holidays, Sweet Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Keep a song in your heart this holiday season…
Music teacher Ella Baker’s plate is already full. But when single dad Beckett McKinley’s wild twin boys need help preparing a Christmas song for their father, Ella agrees on one condition: they teach her to ride a horse. She’s hoping that’ll help mend her strained relationship with her rancher father; it certainly has nothing to do with the crush that’s lingered since her one and only date with Beck.
It isn’t disinterest spurring Beck to keep his distance—if anything, the spark is too strong, with Ella reminding him of his ex-wife. Soon what started as an innocent arrangement is beginning to feel a lot like family. But with the holidays approaching, Beck and Ella will have to overcome past hurts if they want to keep each other warm this Christmas…

Review:
Ella is a music teacher who spent summers on her father’s ranch before returning to the town as an adult to help care for him. She loved the ranch and would love the opportunity to learn and manage the business. Unfortunately, Ella had suffered a severe injury as a child on the ranch and her father can only view her as fragile and needing protection. He believes she will return to her mother’s big city environment as soon as she can. Meanwhile, the neighbors, particularly Beck, help run the ranch.

Beck and Ella are cautious of each other. Beck’s first wife was a city girl and could not manage ranch life, even leaving her twin boys behind when she left Beck. Beck isn’t ready to trust another city girl.

Beck’s twin seven-year-old boys are a handful as everyone, including Ella, knows. They ask to join the Christmas program and then ask a very special favor from Ella. As she directs the program and works closer with the boys, she begins to defend them and begins to warm up to their sometimes intimidating father.

I really liked the strong, sweet chemistry between Ella and Beck. Their growing attraction could certainly have benefitted from some open communication but that is part of the story conflict of course. This read quickly as, once again, Ms. Thayne delivers a heartwarming, clean romance that is a delight to read at holiday time or anytime. I do recommend Ms. Thayne’s books to romance readers who enjoy clean, wholesome and heartwarming stories.

This is another Christmas read from NetGalley. It qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point) by RaeAnne Thayne

This has fun characters and a fun romance.
Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 3039 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (October 1, 2017)
ASIN: B071CJZ1H6
Genre: Clean, Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!
Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…

Review:
Julia appears to be a quiet and seemingly unexceptional young woman (by her own assessment). She is a caring and conscientious librarian and a good friend. She has agreed to help a friend by allowing her brother, Jamie, to rent an upstairs apartment in the big family home she has inherited.

Jamie is a sexy pilot who turns the heads of most women in town. Jamie tends to foster carefree relationships. He has a past experience that caused him to believe he doesn’t deserve to have a true relationship with any ‘good’ woman. Julia tries to be immune especially since she doesn’t want to be heartbroken as his next conquest.

Julia finds two young boys in the children’s section of the library. She sees them there several days and makes friends by sharing her lunch with them. One day she insists on taking them home in the cold weather and learns that they are living alone. Julia ends up fostering the two boys and is glad when Jamie steps in to help.

The boys, Julia and Jamie become close during the Thanksgiving and days leading up to Christmas. Jamie begins to see the beauty under Julia’s quiet exterior. When he accidently finds her ‘bucket list’ he decides to help her fulfill some of those dreams. Julia sees a caring, family side of Jamie and wonders if maybe there could be ‘kisses under the mistletoe’ like she put on her list.

Ms. Thayne has the ability to create real characters and carry them through warm, and sometimes obstacle ridden, scenarios. I enjoyed the push and pull between Julia and Jamie which was set off nicely with the addition of handling two young, frightened but adventurous boys. Both characters have a certain fragility to get beyond if they want to find a happy Christmas together.

I enjoy Ms. Thayne’s writing which makes for warm and easy reading. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet to sensual, small town romance.

I received this through NetGalley and it qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon) by Jodi Thomas

This is a fun contemporary romance with the plus of a mystery and touch of danger.

Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon)
by Jodi Thomas

File Size: 2546 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (February 1, 2017)
ASIN: B01GZVCUBO
Genre: Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In the heart of Ransom Canyon, sometimes the right match for a lonely soul is the one you least expect
Dan Brigman may not lead the most exciting life, but he's proud of what he's achieved: he's a respected lawman, and he's raised a bright, talented daughter on his own. But finding a lone, sparkly blue boot in the middle of a deserted highway gets him thinking maybe the cowgirl who lost it is exactly the shake-up he needs.
After losing her baby girl, Brandi Malone felt like her soul died along with her daughter. Now singing in small-town bars to make ends meet, she's fine being a drifter—until a handsome sheriff makes her believe that parking her boots under his bed is a better option.
College grad Lauren Brigman has just struck out on her own in downtown Dallas when a troubling phone call leads her back home to Crossroads. Her hometown represents her family, friends and deepest hopes, but also her first love, Lucas Reyes. Will Lauren's homecoming be another heartbreak, or a second chance for her and Lucas?

Review:
This is a fun, easy read, small town romance. Dan is a great character who brought smiles to my face from the very first pages.

Dan is a respectable lawman whose wife walked out on him years ago. At least he had his wonderful daughter, Lauren, to watch over, raising her on his own and even allowing her to study and work at the sheriff’s office. Dan hasn’t had much to do with women since. When he finds a sparkly, fancy cowgirl boot in the road he wonders what it would be like to meet the kind of wild woman who would wear those boots. He tracks her down and finds Brandi Malone mesmerizing the locals with her singing in a local tavern. It is lust, if not love, at first side.

Thatcher, a young man who has been adopted by the town as an abandoned boy, has been accused of shop lifting and assault. He didn’t steal the groceries but was really returning them. But he did punch the grocer and he is not going to tell the sheriff the rest of the story. Lauren gets word that Thatcher is in jail and feels she must come home to watch over him and get matters straightened out. Because things look dicey, Lauren calls on the one lawyer she is sure she can count on, at least for law, if not for commitment. Lucas is a successful lawyer but was Lauren’s cowboy, high school sweetheart before college and life took them on separate paths. There is still a strong ember between them but they are both a little gun-shy feeling abandoned by the other.

Cody Winslow is haunted by his last gun fight as a Texas Ranger. He has not been able to out run his demons and nightmares. Riding hard along the canyon at night he ends up thrown from his horse into the canyon. Lucky for him, Tess, a park ranger, and her handful of 5 and 6 year old campers, find him and get him aid. Now Tess is taking charge of his house while he is healing in the hospital and Cody is thinking he might have something to live for if he can just keep hold of this bossy, strong minded woman.

All three character lines converge as the book progresses and drug thugs try to kidnap Thatcher from jail. Thatcher is actually protecting a little girl but didn’t want to tell Dan about it until it was clear the child is in more danger.

I have read historical romances by Ms. Thomas and enjoyed them a lot. She writes with reasonable, well flowing plots that include a little mystery, a good dose of humor, likeable characters and sweet to sassy romance. I was, of course, rooting for the HEA for Dan and Brandi, Cody and Tess, and Lauren and Lucas. The relationships that resolve are sweet and heartwarming. I recommend this as a fun romance for readers of contemporary romance and for mystery readers who like romance.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley; it qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11) by Robyn Carr

This is a sweet little romance that showcases the needs of single mothers.

Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11)

by Robyn Carr

File Size: 246 KB

Print Length: 74 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases (April 30, 2010)

ASIN: B003JTHMO6

Genre: Romance Novella

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoë Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women’s efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons's story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.

Review:
Dory Finn is a single mother who was able to escape her abusive and controlling husband with the help of the Zoe Institute, a women’s shelter. She was also fortunate to inherit a small home from her uncle on the outskirts of Fortuna, near Virgin River. Dory works hard as a grocery clerk to pay household bills and take care of her eight-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. Dory has little extra time since she spends her spare time and energy at the local women’s shelter group that she helped to establish in her community.

Dory has a new neighbor, handsome firefighter Clay, who is eager to be friendly. Dory doesn’t trust any man’s motives and pushes Clay away to the point of rudeness. Finally she realizes that her kids adore him and he has been nothing but nice and kind. She decides it is okay to be friends and allow things to develop from there.

Actually, I thought the beginning of the book was confusing although it was intended to introduce the real life person who was the founder of the Zoe Institute and the inspiration for this story. Although Dory may have helped establish the local support program she still has a ways to go to becoming healed of her own negative reactions. There is a sweet story as the relationship develops for Dory and Clay. Clay is a wonderful guy and steps right into a role with the children even though he has to learn to be patient with Dory.

Much of the energy of the book is spent promoting the need to help all single mothers, and lauding the program that helps especially those with no support structure. I liked the cameo appearances of a couple of characters that I recognized from the first Virgin River that I read earlier this year. The romance is sweet and the tone is typical small town, down-to-earth Robyn Carr. But clearly the whole plot is a platform for the chosen cause. Still, I enjoyed the quick read and give credit for the author’s effort to shed light on the difficulties faced by single mothers.

This is Book 9 for my TBR Pile Challenge (three more after this one). It is a free novella which has been on my Kindle shelf since 2010.

Book Review and Giveaway: Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1) by Susan Sleeman

I enjoyed this quick read romantic suspense.

Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1)

by Susan Sleeman

• Series: Love Inspired Suspense
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired (June 5, 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0373444953

Genre: Inspirational, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Photographer Jennie Buchanan unknowingly captures a drug-cartel meeting on film. And now she has become a killer's next target. Even worse, her only protection from the danger that threatens her life is the man who threatens her heart. Dodging bullets almost seems safer than facing the feelings stirred up by seeing former FBI agent and ex-boyfriend Ethan Justice again. Ethan vows to safeguard Jennie from the deadly men on her trail. And for a second chance at Jennie's love, he's willing to risk anything to expose the truth—about the drug smugglers, the past and the future together he still wants.

Review:
Jennie Buchanan came from a home of poverty and has learned to depend on no one but herself. She has focused her photography career on documenting the lives of poverty stricken children in other countries bringing their plight to the public eye to gain support of her charity foundation for those children. Jennie is scheduled to have a new gallery showing but suddenly the preliminary set-up is vandalized and she and gallery are threatened if she doesn’t cancel the show. The gallery owner calls in a former FBI agent, Ethan Justice and his family of private security agents. They may be the best available but Jennie is threatened now by her heart an memories as Ethan was her first love. She rejected and abandoned him many years ago rather than wait for his rejection upon learning secrets of her past.

Ethan always loved Jennie but was devastated by her rejection. Recently his fiancé called off their marriage so now he has been twice burned. He has no intention of putting his heart on the line again even as he struggles with the chemistry and rekindled feelings he has for Jennie. But his feelings won’t matter if he can’t keep her safe.

This short book is full of action from beginning to end. As enemies try to get Jennie’s film prints and negatives the attacks escalate from vandalism, snatch and grab tactics, and ransacked housing to shootings, arson and kidnapping. There is good chemistry between Jennie and Ethan and human feelings they have to manage. Jennie has to overcome a lifetime of guilt and inferiority insecurities while Ethan has to be willing to forgive and trust.

I like Ms. Sleeman’s easy style of writing that makes for quick reading. I enjoyed the brief prayers offered in times of need or thanks and the spiritual lessons portrayed through the growth of the characters. Some of those lessons are shared in creative descriptions or comparisons that worked very well and were woven in cleanly to fit the situation.

Hunter and Hope by Lenora Worth: There is a second, novella story shared in this volume. It is another second chance romance that is nicely handled in 40 or so pages.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy quick read, inspirational romantic suspense. There are a five brothers and sisters in the Justice family who are good characters and apparently will have stories of their own so this is a good place to start the series.

I won this in 2012 so it is from my TBR shelf.

ONE (gently read) personally autographed PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) August 24, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 24, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review: Lace & Lead by M.A. Grant

I highly recommend this action packed, strong romance novella.

Lace & Lead, a novella

by M.A. Grant

• File Size: 692 KB
• Print Length: 102 pages
• Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd (November 1, 2013)
• ASIN: B00FB3MWN4

Genre: Sci Fi Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2013
Breathtaking action, startling originality and polished story-telling combine in this futuristic Sci-Fi novella about a rough mercenary, a pampered daughter, and the lies they both believe.

Blue-blood Emmaline Gregson survived one of the most brutal mining accidents ever recorded in the Republic, but she's never been in a firefight. So when unknown assailants circle the family estate, the only man she can rely on is Peirce Taggart. A former Lawman turned mercenary, Peirce has a simple job: protect Emmaline until her father can collect her and sell her to sex trafficker Richard Stone to pay off his debts. But when Arthur Gregson tries to cheat his way out of the contract, Emmaline seizes the opportunity to hire Peirce for herself, regardless of how crude, dangerous, or appealing he may be. Given the chance for redemption, he promises to help her escape both her father and Stone. But Peirce soon realises that hiding her in his apartment until the storm has passed may be more dangerous than looking down the barrel of a gun...

Review:
Emmaline is a pampered daughter of a wealthy man. She has always had maids and has never had to take care of herself or perform simple household chores. She did however survive a terrifying, brutal mining disaster that left her with nightmares. Her wealthy father has hired a ruthless team of mercenaries to protect Emmaline as she is now his most valuable asset. Emmaline doesn’t know it yet but her father has agreed to sell her to a known sex trafficker in satisfaction of all of his debts.

Emmaline became smitten with the head ‘bad boy’ mercenary, Pierce Taggert, as soon as she saw him. He is a ruggedly handsome ex-Lawman with a confident swagger, a foul mouth and oozing sexuality.

Pierce and his men face an unexpected attack and the clues lead back to a double cross by Emmaline’s Father. Pierce takes Emmaline into hiding as he tries to figure out what to do - first to protect her and then what to do with her! He’d like to treat Emmaline as just another paycheck but there is something about her fresh, naive trust and her willing determination to survive that makes him pause. He remembers another young lady who followed his example working in mechanics and war service. He wasn’t there to save her and the loss has left an emptiness filled only with his guilt. Perhaps he can redeem himself by saving Emmaline from those who would use her, including her father.

This is a quick, fast-paced story with action from beginning to end. The setting isn’t completely fleshed out although there is enough to keep it interesting. The strength of the story is in the characters who are likeable and grab your attention, the action packed plot and the vulnerable romance. The strong combination outweighed the bad language and I enjoyed the story reading through it in practically one sitting. I would be interested in trying other works by Ms. Grant. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy romance and action.

I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Review: Christmas Promises Anthology

This is a delightful collection with a child in each story.
Christmas Promises: The Christmas Eve Bride\A Marriage Proposal for Christmas\A Bride for Christmas
by Lynne Graham, Carole Mortimer, Marion Lennox

• File Size: 544 KB
• Print Length: 316 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0373837674
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases; Original edition (October 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 

Genre: Holiday Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description (See blurbs below in review.)
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
The Christmas Eve Bride by Lynne Graham
A Marriage Proposal for Christmas by Carole Mortimer
A Bride for Christmas by Marion Lennox

Review:
Each of these lovely stories includes a single mother with a sweet child and a rich bachelor who decides he wants 'the whole family' for Christmas.

The Christmas Eve Bride by Lynne Graham

Rocco thought he was done with Amber after her betrayal two years earlier. But when he unexpectedly runs into her, the attraction is still strong—so he asks her to become his mistress! Amber only accepts so her baby boy can have a better Christmas. But Rocco's plan for revenge changes as he begins picturing a future with Amber…and their son. 

Amber is working as a gardener on an estate so she can that she can  live in a gatehouse with her young son.  This allows her to be outside of her sister’s home. although she still receives help and shares child care duties with her sister and brother-in-law who live nearby.

One day Amber is confronted in the garden by her old lover, Rocco. Amber was a young innocent working girl when they met.  She was swept off her feet by his gifts and jet-setting lifestyle. But Rocco felt betrayed and dumped her when he believed that she disclosed details of their affair to a news reporter. 

Rocco doesn’t understand why Amber is working as a servant but, even as he suspects her of some treachery, he is drawn to her and wants her again. He finally convinces her to come to him but when she arrives he is surprised to discover she has a son. Can Rocco accept the child or will he put them both out?

The writing in this flows well and the attraction is strong and sensual. It was difficult to feel Amber’s struggle with low esteem. I enjoyed both characters and the plot as it developed. Individual rating 4.5.

A Marriage Proposal for Christmas by Carole Mortimer

Cally Turner thinks Noel Carlton is an egotistical playboy! The only reason she's agreed to work for him is so she can give her daughter a Christmas to remember. But as she spends more time with Noel, she begins to wonder what's more irritating—his infuriating arrogance or unexpected tenderness?

Cally, an excitable, red-head, has been doing fine as an abandoned, single mom living in an estate carriage house with her 7 year old daughter. Cally and her sister are working together to build their event planning business and are particularly busy at the holidays.

Things are quiet until wealthy Noel Carlton moves into the estate house and a helicopter wakes Cally at 6:30 one morning. Cally reads him the riot act and heads off to work. A short time later Noel shows up at her business seeking assistance to prepare his home for a family Christmas visit. In spite of Cally’s animosity Noel is willing to engage the firm for the services he needs. Cally reluctantly takes on the duties and is doing a wonderful job of decorating the main home. She is soaking off the day’s dirt in his decadent tub when she is discovered by Noel’s brother and mother. They mistake her for Noel’s fiancé and now she has to get Noel to get her out of the mess before everyone gets hurt. But Noel has other ideas!

I enjoyed Cally’s smart and sassy, if impulsive, character. Noel is actually not a playboy but a man ready to settle down with a family. I particularly liked Noel’s warm personality and his friendly family. I feel the writing could use some tightening and tweaking but there is fire and fun in this enjoyable story. Individual rating: 4.25.

A Bride for Christmas by Marion Lennox

Wealthy businessman—and contented bachelor—Guy Carver is in Australia to take ownership of Jenny Westmere's wedding salon. It's strictly business. So no one is more surprised than Guy himself when he realizes that the deal he really wants to ink is making Jenny and her little boy his family by Christmas!

This story has good humor. Guy Carver is a man who has walled off his emotions and built an empire of exclusive, high-end wedding salons. He doesn’t understand why his partner has arranged to purchase a salon called Bridal Fluff even if it is in a rising resort community. Guy is intent on stripping away the fluff and removing the complication of the business director who is to remain to make the transition smooth.

Jenny and her mother-in-law have operated the business in a fashion that promotes friendly relationship with their community. They often give discounts to the locals who don’t have enough money for costly services. Guy doesn’t approve and isn’t about to have a local ‘hick’ wedding called a “Carver wedding”.  But Jenny has scheduled a big celebrity wedding to take place at Christmas. The only way Guy will manage to pull off the big event is to agree to the friend’s wedding so Jenny will help arrange the celebrity wedding.

I totally enjoyed the way the two functions had to be planned and how it worked out. Meanwhile it was beautiful how Guy came to recognize the family that Jenny had and that he wanted to be part of. This story points out that money is not the measure of success of a life. Individual rating: 4.5.

I received this title from Harlequin through Netgalley.

Book Review: One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf

This is a thriller presented in an interesting fashion with varying views and a focus on emotional drama.

One Breath Away
by Heather Gudenkauf

• File Size: 470 KB
• Print Length: 375 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: B008CK8XXG
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (June 26, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0080GUZDS

Genre: Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2012

In her most emotionally charged novel to date, New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf explores the unspoken events that shape a community, the ties between parents and their children and how the fragile normalcy of our everyday life is so easily shattered.

In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.

Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town's children in her hands. Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again. Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care. And thirteen-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.

As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.

Review:
This is certainly an engaging thriller although not quite what I expected. This suspenseful tale is presented from the rotating viewpoint of five characters: Augie, Holly, Will, Evelyn and Meg.

A strange man has walked into the Broken Branch elementary school with a gun and is holding a classroom  hostage. No one really knows where the danger exists and most are too frightened to make an escape especially since their teachers are enforcing the lock down rule of staying in their own rooms.

Augie is a 13 year old ‘tough’ girl who is anxious to protect her younger brother, P.J.  A terrible accident put their mother, Holly, in the hospital and the children have been transplanted to live with the maternal grandparents they have never met. What can Augie do to protect P.J. from the terror of the situation, especially when she discovers that it is his classroom that the kidnapper has taken hostage?

As Holly floats in and out of the pain medication she recalls why she was so eager to leave the hard life of the farm.  She wonders if her children will fare all right with her parents. Then she receives a muffled phone call from Augie that has her panicking.  What can she do to help her children when she is thousands of miles away in a hospital?

Will never understood why Holly left home without a word and made no contact for fifteen years. What did he do or fail to do? He wants to build a good relationship with his grandchildren, Augie and P.J.. But first, how can he help get them safely out of this school crisis?

Evelyn has always loved her third grade students just as her own children. Why must her last few weeks before retirement be spoiled by a gunman threatening her young charges?  She is prepared to die to protect them even as she imagines the kind and sensible things her husband would say to her.

Meg is a local police officer who has had to push her way to gain respect. Her own daughter would be in the third grade classroom except she is spending the day with her father, Meg’s ex-husband. Meg is trying to figure out the best way to keep everyone safe in this explosive situation while she struggles to figure out what man in town might do something so cruel.

Through the life antidotes for each character Ms. Gudenkauf  weaves the connected relationships and exposes human emotions and different thought processes. I did appreciate this interesting technique and acknowledge how the author portrays the difference it makes when one steps outside of a relationship and views circumstances from another’s perspective.  The writing is strong and clear.  I suppose I prefer fast action suspense novels but I think any reader who enjoys emotional drama would enjoy this presentation as it weaves the characters lives, past and present, until the madman is revealed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Will’s revelation:

In the scheme of the world, in this day, the life of one cow and her calves didn’t mater much, not in comparison to the live of his grandchildren and daughter in-law. Location 2601.

I saw this book on several other blogs and it caught my attention.  I appreciated receiving the opportunity to review it from Harlequin, Mira Division, through NetGalley.

This story is set in Broken Branch, Iowa for the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author and Suspense challenges.

Book Review: In the Doctor's Bed by Brenda Jackson

This is a nice, light "Doctor" romance story.

In the Doctor's Bed

by Brenda Jackson

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Kimani (July 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373862202
• ISBN-13: 978-0373862207

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2011

The skills of a surgeon…

Having a crush on her drop–dead–gorgeous boss could get Hopewell General intern Jasmine Campbell fired…especially with the prestigious Virginia hospital reeling from a shocking scandal. But head resident Lucien De Winter is impossible to resist. And he's arousing a healthy dose of desire as the good doctor wages an all–out war to make the sheltered Southern belle his own…

The heart of a lover

Head over heels for Jasmine, Lucien vows to keep their relationship a secret. He knows they're playing a dangerous game, but he can't live without the sensual sister. Even if it means putting his hard–fought career on the line, the seduced surgeon is ready to risk it all. Because Lucien knows that the only thing to cure his acute condition is a lifetime of love.

Review:
Jaclyn Campbell is an attractive, caring and clearly smart intern at Hopewell General. She has worked hard to get where she is so she shouldn’t be thinking about risking all she has planned just because she fell for her handsome boss, Lucien DeWinter, the first time she saw him.

Lucien DeWinter is a talented surgeon and the head resident overseeing the intern program.  He has a strong future and surely it isn’t worth the risk of dating one of his beautiful interns. But his efforts to resist her are failing after months of trying to avoid her.

The hospital has a strict non-fraternization policy and the chief of staff and head nurse are sticklers about enforcing rules. Jaclyn and Lucien have separately struggled with their attraction to each other.  When circumstances finally put them together they don’t want to fight the draw anymore.

Jaclyn and Lucien in this story are both very likeable: attractive, smart, hard working and compassionate. Too bad that they are stuck in a not so likeable dilemma and a weak story. The beginning of the book focuses on their denied desires. After they get together the book focuses on their lovemaking and sneaking to avoid their relationship being discovered. In my opinion, this isn’t a great storyline.  Not only is this not ‘likeable’ behavior, but it doesn’t seem likely to me as it seemed their careers should out weigh their sexual attraction until they could find some other solution - like one moving to another hospital position. I don’t tend to read many ‘doctor’ romances as it is not a field that draws me. I think I could have enjoyed this story if I wasn’t turned off by the sneaking around.

This is the second book I read by Brenda Jackson. I have to say that I like the characters she creates. Even the gorgeous, could-be stuck up and obnoxious males turn out to have good,  likable qualities.  I like Ms. Jackson’s writing style which is crisp and smooth flowing.  The sexual attributes of this book are a little on the heavy side for my tastes– an aspect other romance readers might enjoy more. I have to classify this as a nice romance but it would never be a favorite of mine.

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Quotes I liked:

It had taken all of his control to keep his features neutral, void of expression.  Each and every time he was around her he risked the possibility of giving something away. Page 35.

There was something in his gentle and understanding tone that pushed her to the edge. There were so many emotions she was trying to deal with. Page 42.

I received this from Harlequin Romance.

This story is set in Washington, D.C. for my Where Are Your Reading Challenge.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Proposal and Solid Soul by Brenda Jackson

Two 'solid' and engaging romances in one package!

Solid Soul
by Brenda Jackson

• File Size: 547 KB
• Print Length: 414 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 037383764X
• Publisher: Harlequin Desire; Reprint edition (June 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XDXETY

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 (both books)

The Proposal
Book DescriptionPublication Date: May 24, 2011 | Series: Westmorelands
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson brings you the story of Jason Westmoreland. With one convenient proposal, he could have a Southern beauty in his bed and her birthright in his hands. If only the lovely lady would say yes….

Plus a Brenda Jackson classic—the first in the Steele family series, Solid Soul. (See below)

Review of The Proposal:
Bella Bostwick is a Southern beauty who has been sheltered by her wealthy, society parents. They have a plan for her to marry a man from their “set” and they are very unhappy when she decides to move to the Denver ranch that her grandfather left her.  Bella has had to put up with her controlling parents for years. Now she is even more angry with them since she discovered that she had a grandfather whom she was never allowed to know. And she is not about to sell out the land or the prize stallion that her uncle and others are trying to get.

Unlike her Uncle who turned his back on her when she wouldn’t sell out, Jason Westmoreland has made a fair offer for the land and horse but has been gracious to offer her help as well.  Bella plans to use her trust fund monies to cover expenses until she can manage the ranch. Her parents block her efforts when they discover a clause that requires her to marry by a fast approaching deadline or lose the funds.

Jason proposes marriage as a solution. She’ll get to keep her trust fund, he’ll help her with the ranch and he’ll get the stallion.  After a year they can part if she wants. That’s not to say it won’t be a real marriage...after all he has wanted the beautiful lady since he first saw her. Now he has to learn how to woe her to accept his proposal because the more he is around her the more he realizes that his intentions are serious and not just for the short term.  When the time comes how will he convince her that he wants her and not just a business deal?

I received two Brenda Jackson books (three stories in all) for Harlequin survey. I am glad to “meet” Brenda Jackson as I can share that she is clearly a talented romance author. She creates likeable characters, plots interesting dilemmas and conflicts, and builds good tension.  Although The Proposal isn’t based on a new theme, Ms. Jackson’s story is handled well with warmth and integrity. There is plenty of sensual tension in this one and just a bit of steamy intimacy. The writing flows well and all in all this is a nicely engaging romance.

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Bella’s early awareness of attraction to Jason:

Every cell in her body started to quiver under the intensity of his gaze. 22.

A kiss:

He lowered his head and kissed her, letting his tongue tangle with hers, reaquainting himself with the taste of her, a taste he had not forgotten and had so desperately craved since the last time. He kissed her deeply, not allowing any part of her mouth to go untouched. Page 130.

Solid Soul

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2009

In the real world there was no way flower shop owner Kylie Hagan would ever meet up with millionaire Chance Steele. But the world of single parents and teenage hormones brought them together the first time--and a simmering passion they both tried to deny wouldn't keep them apart for long.

Chance made her think of hot, sultry Southern nights. Kylie had him imagining satin sheets and soul-stirring kisses. But in the cold light of day, they had to resist each other. There was no way they'd let uncontrollable desire ignite their carefully protected hearts.

But some things they couldn't ignore....

Review of Solid Soul:

Kylie Hagan is a beautiful, single mom with a 15 year old daughter, Tiffany. Since Kylie got pregnant and abandoned at 16 she is determined to protect her daughter from repeating her mistakes and experiencing the same shame. Kylie has wrapped her heart and world around her daughter and sheltered herself by staying away from men all together.

Chance Steele is a handsome, wealthy businessman. He has been widowed for seven years and set to raise his 16 year old son, Marcus, to have the advantages of college rather than marrying young, like Chance did.  

Kylie almost never dates and Chance hasn’t dated much either.  The teens decide that their parents need to get a life other than watching over them so they cook up a plan.  The kids pretend to be head over heals to bring their parents together to figure out how to control them.  The stage for conflict is set with Kylie and Chance drawn by attraction but reluctant to move into a relationship.

The plot is a cute premise and the characters, adult and teen, are likeable: sweet, strong, and  honorable. Ms. Jackson uses sensual images to build lots of warm desire into intense passion. The romance is sweet and the lovemaking plenty spicy.

The writing is smooth and engaging. Chance has brothers and cousins and Kylie has a good friend. I bet the stories of these other interesting characters would be good reading too.  If you like a strong romance story I suggest you try a  Brenda Jackson book!

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Some conflicting scenes:

His conscience gave him a hard kick. He shouldn’t be standing in the middle of her kitchen ogling her this way. The truth of the matter was that he couldn’t help it. Page 260 (67 into this story.)

She was fighting the chemistry between them. He knew that just as sure as he knew it was a fight she wouldn’t win. But he would let her try up to a certain point. He’d give her until the end of the week and if he didn’t hear from her by then, he would take some necessary action. Page 275 (82 in this story.)

This book was received from Harlequin.

These stories are set in Denver, Colorado and Charlotte, North Carolina for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add this to my New Author challenge list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the Review Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest. This is required for entry.

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It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 20, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 21.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement. 

Book Review and Giveaway(s): Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne

I think this story would make a really nice Hallmark movie.

Blackberry Summer

by RaeAnne Thayne

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373775938
• ISBN-13: 978-0373775934

     Genre:  Contemporary Romance
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Series: Hqn | Publication Date: May 24, 2011

Claire Bradford needed a wake-up call.
What she didn't need was a tragic car accident. As a single mom and the owner of a successful bead shop, Claire leads a predictable life in Hope's Crossing, Colorado. So what if she has no time for romance? At least, that's what she tells herself, especially when her best friend's sexy younger brother comes back to town as the new chief of police.
But when the accident forces Claire to slow down and lean on others—especially Riley McKnight—she realizes, for the first time, that things need to change. And not just in her own life. The accident—and the string of robberies committed by teenagers that led up to it—is a wake-up call to the people of Hope's Crossing. The sense of community and togetherness had been lost during those tough years. But with a mysterious "Angel of Hope" working to inspire the town, Riley and Claire will find themselves opening up to love and other possibilities by the end of an extraordinary summer…

Review:  This is a very warm and engaging romance.

Claire is a divorced mother with two children. He ex-husband was her high school sweetheart but after 10 years of marriage he decided he had fallen out of love. Shortly after their divorce he married his young, beautiful secretary.  Claire keeps herself busy with the children and by operating a beading business.

Riley is the new Chief of Police. He has returned home after leaving LA where he served as an undercover cop and saw an unsavory side of society.  Riley is three years younger than Claire and the younger brother of Claire’s best friend. He has always had a secret crush on Claire but now he thinks that she is too good for someone with his disreputable reputation and his rough experiences. Yet he is drawn to her sweet, fresh and loving spirit.

Claire and Riley meet in her store after a break in. She is surprised to feel interest in him as a man but she figures he would not be interested in a divorced woman. His reputation says he is not one to settle down. There is some coming together and walking away between the pair and I was pulling for them to get over their fears and get together already.

Tragedy strikes the community when Chief Riley pursues teenage thieves.  There is an accident that results in the death of one teenage girl and leaves another teenage girl in a comatose state. Riley blames himself as the town council questions whether they should release him after his probationary time. Claire comes up with an event to pull the town together and give them hope. It is nice to see the neighbors pull together to help each other after the tragedy brings sadness and guilt to the community.

The characters are very likeable and could be real people. Even the unlikeable characters are developed appropriately with the circumstances explained. The writing style flows well, is natural and real to life. The dialog has some sass to it yet is very natural. The romance has just a little zing to make it interesting but not overtly sexual. 

There are one or two questions remaining at the end of the story - maybe there is a sequel? - but still this was entertaining.
This is an engaging story that I recommend for a light, easy read. I would be interested to read more by this author.

This book was sent to me by TellHarlequin to read for a survey. I am glad to have read it and hope it's okay that I pass it on to another eager reader to enjoy.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE PRINT COPY and TO ENTER for a ***BONUS giveaway to another commenter a Kindle ebook copy of the author's Christmas book:

Christmas in Cold Creek (Harlequin Special Edition)

Alternative win would be one of the author's other Christmas 

books for Nook from B&N.

***PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ENTERING ONLY FOR THE PRINT, ONLY FOR THE KINDLE/NOOK CHRISTMAS BOOK (Open Internationally) OR ENTERING FOR BOTH.
1.Mandatory entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there. DON'T FORGET TO read the instructions in green at ***.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* The print portion of this contest is open to US and Canada only; but the Kindle or Nook copy is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 25, 2011.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 26. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.