Series Week: Ben Coes' Dewey Andreas Series

The first book in the Dewey Andreas series is Power Down (St. Martin's Press, 2010).  Dewey is an ex Delta Force Army Ranger.  When his wife and son died he walked away from the Army and eventually became a roughneck on an oil rig.  This is where we meet Dewey Andreas as the Chief of Capitana Oil rig right before it gets destroyed by terrorists.  These terrorists continue to make systematic strikes at America's infrastructure and Dewey Andreas is unwillingly drawn into the confrontation.

Power Down is the debut novel of author Ben Coes.  I was really impressed.  Power Down was well written and exciting.  There were a few little moments where I was kinda like "Really??", but I chalked that up to suspending disbelief.  Generally, I was reading the book thinking that the author knows a lot of stuff or did a ton of research...or both. 

I finished Power Down and started right in on the second book on the series Coup d'Etat (St. Martin's Press, 2011) the same day.  Coup d'Etat picks up some time after Power Down.  Dewey has fled to Australia to get away from the terrorists that are out to kill him for revenge.  The same terrorist group is still trying to invoke?/commit? jihad on the rest of the world.  Now they have a democratically elected president in place in Pakistan.  A little border skirmish between India and Pakistan leads to a nuclear attack on India.  The US President and his National Security Advisor Jessica Tanzer come up with a plan with the Indian President that only one man can carry out.  Dewey Andreas.  Can Jessica get him out of Australia before the terrorists get to him?

Coup d'Etat was just as good as the first book.  Again I was marveling at how well researched it was...or at least it seemed like it was anyway.   It was one of those books I couldn't put down once I started.  The only thing I didn't care for in Coup d'Etat was the terrorist Youssef.  His mannerisms seemed a little off with me, even for one that had been in the US for awhile.  I couldn't imagine one terrorist screaming "shut your piehole" to another.  Maybe they do, but that just doesn't go with the mental picture I have.  Anyway, it was a great read.  People who like political thrillers will love it I'm sure. 

The third book in the series, The Last Refuge (St. Martin's, 2012), just came out and I'm just getting started with it.  So far it's starting out just as tense and exciting as the first two.  Ben Coes is definitely on my Must Read Authors list after reading this series.

Series Week: Heiress Series by Judy Teel

Seducing an Heiress 

Author: Judy Teel

Publisher: Golden Angel Press

Date of Publication: July 2011

An heiress changes her identity and starts a new life away from her father’s ruthless, self-serving world, only to find herself falling in love with the slick, corporate player her father sends to bring her back.

Seducing an Heiress was a pretty fun read. It's well written and has pretty steamy love scenes.  I liked Dakota a lot.  She was a strong character who finally got free from her father and decided to live her life her own way.   Her father is a despicable man who only sees her as a commodity.  Trey is his employee and has been sent to find her and bring her back.  I liked their attraction.  The peripheral characters really made the book.  The town residents who come to Dakota's aid were a lot of fun.  I wish that Chelsea would get her own story!


I was reading on Goodreads that there seem to be 2 versions of this book.  An uncensored one and one that is more appropriate for YA readers.  I'm pretty sure that I read the uncensored version, so if you are suggesting this to anyone under 18, I would make sure you have the correct one.


Instructing an Heiress

Author: Judy Teel

Publisher: Golden Angel Press

Date of Publication: April 2012

 "When a hard-nosed CEO must get married or lose everything, she hires her womanizing best friend to teach her about men, but as the lessons progress so does her alarm as she finds herself falling in love with him."


Instructing an Heiress was a fun read.  This is one of the types of romances that I love.  Two people have been friends forever and finally realize that they are made for each other.  I loved CK and Ryan together.  Ryan is such a player, but CK has been the one constant in his life.  She is his best friend.  When CK learns she must marry or risk losing her company, she asks Ryan to teach her how to attract a man.  What follows are some very funny scenes.  


I loved Ryan's friends.  They can truly see what he refuses to see.  He is in love with his best friend but is afraid to accept it.  They are some very intriguing characters and I hope Ms. Teel will write books about them.  I would love to delve into Ajax a lot more!  

The books do not share the same characters, so they can be read as stand alone books.  Pick them up for a fun read!

Series Week - T T edition - Texas! series by Sandra Brown

 

For this week's Throwback Thursday, I am reviewing the Texas Tyler Family series by Sandra Brown.  They were all originally published between 1990-1992 by Fanfare. Even though the books are set in the 90s, they aren't too out dated and are still enjoyable today.

Last May for Throwback Thursday, I reviewed the first book in this series, Texas! Lucky.  Here is what I said:

"Texas Lucky! is an earlier work by Sandra Brown that was re-issued recently. I am a fan of Ms. Brown's earlier works, but I thought this one was just OK. I didn't really like either of the characters. Neither of them had many redeeming qualities. Lucky was just too much of a player for me. Devon was kind of annoying. I didn't really buy into the relationship between Lucky and Devon. I thought it was based more on lust than anything. Frankly, I wasn't sure what Devon saw in him. I thought Devon's reasons for not wanting to alibi Lucky were kind of lame. The mystery was probably the only thing I did like in the book. The tragedy at the end killed the HEA for me. I'd rather end on a high note. I haven't read the others in the series, maybe it gets better? "

Well things did get better.  The next book, Texas! Chase was more emotional and  enjoyable.  I liked Sage and really felt for him in his dilemma about letting go of his love for his dead wife and learning to love his new one.n  For some people, I think Claire buying his house may seem a bit weird and stalkerish, but I can understand why she did it.  She felt responsible for his wife's death and wanted to make a home for him someday to try to make up for it.  Misguided?  Yes, but not weird.  I liked their relationship.  While it starts out as a marriage of convenience, they both learn to set the past aside and really care for each other.  The addition of all of family members, rounds out the book nicely. I also liked the little mystery the runs through the book.  It lent some excitement to the book.

The last book of the trilogy, Texas! Sage was the best out of the three books.  I liked Sage and Harlan the most out of the three couples.  They were both stubborn and their banter was amusing to watch.  Their attraction is very strong and it is easy to see how they end up together.  I liked the air of mystery that surrounded Harlan.  Sage was a little spoiled, but I really felt for her.  Her family still sees her as a little girl, even though she is a grown woman with a master's degree.  It was nice to see how she manages to prove them wrong.    I liked their HEA.  It was really sweet.


The series as a whole is pretty enjoyable.  All three books are on audio and are only 5 or 6 discs long.  If you missed this series, give it a shot. 

Series Week: Leo Demidov Series by Tom Rob Smith

I had never heard of this series until I got an ARC of Agent 6, the most recent book in the series.  Because I'm a little neurotic about reading books in order I decided to check out the first two books before I read Agent 6 so I would know what was going on. 

In Child 44 we first meet Leo Demidov.  Leo is the ideal MGB agent for the State Secret Police.  He's a war hero, he has a beautiful wife and because of his fierce loyalty to the country he is able to life a life of luxury.  The book takes place in like 1950s Russia so it's an interesting backdrop for a crime drama.  According to The State crime does not exist.  There is no murder, because in the perfect socialist society there would be no reason to murder anyone.  When Leo uncovers a string of child murders his perfectly constructed life starts to fall apart. 

I really enjoyed Child 44.  It was a really different sort of serial killer/murder mystery.  In addition to the whole whodunit question was the fact that the government was denying it ever occurred and all the witnesses were to scared to admit that it ever happened. 

The Secret Speech is the second book in the series.  I didn't care for this book as much as the first one.  It was more about speaking out against the Russian government and the repercussions for it.  The only thing that kept me reading this book was the story between Leo and his wife Raisa and their adopted daughters. 

The last book in the series is Agent 6.  It follows the events at the end of The Secret Speech.  Leo is trying to clear up the crimes committed at the end of that book and understand what happened.  Again, this book was just ok for me.  I kept reading it because I wanted to know what was going to happen with Leo and his daughters, but I wasn't really concerned with a lot of the other stuff going on in the story if that makes any sense.

I think I would read more from Tom Rob Smith, but I don't think I'll bother with the rest of this series.  I think I've gotten enough out of it.

Series Week - The Crooked Creek series by Molly O'Keefe

Molly O'Keefe's latest series is really enjoyable!  If you haven't had a chance to pick up either book, I urge you to do so. Can't Buy Me Love is out now and its sequel, Can't Hurry Love comes at the end of the month. I really like both books!

Can't Buy Me Love ( Crooked Creek Ranch Book #1)

Author: Molly O'Keefe

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Date of Publication: June 2012

A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tara Jean Sweet knows that opportunity will never knock; she’ll have to seize it. Elderly Texas rancher Lyle Baker has a dying request: He will give Tara Jean a stake in his leather business in exchange for a little family subterfuge. All Tara Jean has to do is play the part of a gold-digging fiancée to lure Lyle’s estranged children home. The mission is soon accomplished.

I really enjoyed this first book in the series. There is so much going on in this book that I don't want to give too much away.  Luc and his sister have never really loved or been loved by their father and when he it look like he is marrying a gold digger, they come back hoem to protect thier in heritance.  Their fahter gets the last laugh though.  When he dies, they find that their inhertcanv come with a price. Cant' Buy Me Love is Tara Jean and Luc's story.

Both Tara Jean and Luc are having a hard time figuring out who they really are and who they want to be.  Is it ever too late to change yourself? Luc's hockey career is coming to and end.  It is all he has evefr known and he is a little lost.  He is also a natural caretaker that I think he has forgotten to take care of him self.  I loved Tara Jean and really felt badly for her for what she had gone through in her life.  I think when we are told over and over that we are nothing, it is hard to believe in ourselves. I'm not sure I liked them together at first.  They seemed to hate each other, despite their attraction.  But as the book progressed, I came to realize how good they were for each other.  I loved their HEA.

Can't Hurry Love ( Crooked Creek Ranch Book #2)

Author: Molly O'Keefe

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Date of Publication: July 31, 2012

Tori Baker, the penniless widow of a disgraced financier, is ready to stand up, be counted, and make a new life for herself and her beloved son in Texas. She’s taking over Crooked Creek ranch, her birthright, and turning it into something special. All that stands in her way is Eli Turnbull, a rugged, too-handsome cowboy who wants the land just as badly.

I think I liked this one a bit more than the first.   I can't quite put my finger on why.  I think it might have to do with the fact the Tori and Eli have known each other a while.  It could also be that I felt like they took more time to fall in love with each other. I also liked that there was an epilogue of sorts that gave me a greater sense of closure for the couple that I didn't get in the first one. 

Both Tori and Eli have abandonment issues.  This makes it harder for them to trust each other and trust in their feelings.  Tori's dead husband was involved in a Ponzi scheme that isolated her from everyone when he died.  She feels responsible and takes a long time to get over her guilt.  I have to say, I loved how she stands up for herself in the end.   Eli and Tori were great together and I was really rooting for them.  There is also a very sweet side romance involving Luc's mother, Celeste and a very handsome contractor.  


Both books were very engaging and well written.  I had a hard time putting them down.  I know you will too!

Series Week: Lorien Legacies

A year and a half a go I read the first book in the Lorien Legacies series, I Am Number Four.  I reviewed it back in February 2011.   The basic gist of the review was that I liked it. 

The Power of Six is the next book in the series.  It picks up at the end of I Am Number Four.  This book however focuses on different characters.  It tells the story of Six and her life. 

Again, I really liked this book.  I think this series is a really good "gateway" series for teens to get interested in the adult thrillers.  There aren't really a lot of really good contemporary YA thrillers, at least not that I've read.  They're either dystopian or post apocalyptic.  Adult thrillers tend to be more mysteries or political in nature and this sort of combines that in a very light way that still appeals to YA readers. 

The next book in this series comes out later this year.  It's called The Rise of Nine.  Looks like the current release date is late August so there won't be too much longer to wait.  I know I'll definitely be picking up The Rise of Nine whenever it comes out!

Series Week - The Ash Trilogy by Shiloh Walker

If You Hear her (Ash Trilogy Book #1)

Author: Shiloh Walker

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Date of Publication: October 2011

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood-she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. 

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can't escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman's screams, his instincts tell him that Lena's life is also at risk-and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.
  
This is the first in a recently published series by Shiloh Walker.  I haven't read much by her, but this series looked good, so I gave it a shot.  If You Hear Her was really good.  I loved Lena and Ezra together. Neither one is looking for a relationship, but it is almost too hard to resist. Lena is a great character.  Even though she is blind, she lives a relatively normal life.  When she hears a woman scream in the woods late at night, her investigation sets off a series of events that rocks the whole town. The mystery isn't really solved in this book.  It seems that it is a story arc through the whole trilogy. There are a lot of other interesting characters that round out the story nicely and probably appear in the other books. In all, not a bad start to the series.

If You See Her  (Ash Trilogy Book #2)

Author: Shiloh Walker

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Date of Publication: January 2012


Hope Carson may not look like a survivor, but she has escaped an abusive ex-husband and recovered from a vicious assault. 

 As Hope’s past catches up with her in the worst way, Remy is determined to break through her defenses, earn her trust, and keep her safe in his arms—before it’s too late.

I liked the second in the series.  Hope and Remy are adorable together.  I loved how Remy courts her and takes his time earning her trust.  Hope had been through so much in her life, yet in the end she was a really strong person.  Her ex-husband learns of her whereabouts and is back to stalk her.  There were some pretty tense moments in the end.   The mystery of the who killed the girls is still not solved in this one.  While it is pinned on someone, that person so obviously did not do it.  I was pretty sure I had it figured out by the end of this book. 

If  You Know Her (Ash Trilogy Book #2)

Author: Shiloh Walker

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Date of Publication: February 2012  


Nia Hollister doesn’t scare easily. She’s returned to Ash, Kentucky, with a vengeance—and with a mission: find the killer who brutally ended her cousin’s life. What she didn’t count on was trembling with desire every time she sees Law Reilly. If any man can help her escape the nightmares for a while, it’s him. But can she allow herself to take comfort in those strong arms when her sister’s killer still roams free?

This is the conclusion to the series.  I was happy to see that I was correct in my guess as to who the killer was in book #2.  I love it when that happens.  That said, it was a satisfying wrap up to the trilogy. 


 While I ultimately liked Law and Nia together, I wasn't sure I really bought their attraction at first.  It was really more like a lust at first sight, not love.  I felt a little forced to me.  But, I loved Law so I hoping for his HEA!  


I definitely recommend this trilogy.  I would recommend reading them in order to make the mystery arc flow better.  I know I'll be seeking out more by Ms. Walker!

Series Week- Donovan Brothers Brewery Trilogy by Victoria Dahl

Book 1:

Good Girls Don't

Author: Victoria Dahl

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of Publication: August 2011

Too much of a good thing…

With her sun-kissed hair and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heart breaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight-knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.

This was a great start to the trilogy.  Tessa is the youngest of 3 siblings who run their family brewery business.  For Tessa, she has felt for years that it is her job to keep the family together.  She has always wanted to be in control of everything and tries to constantly make things right for her brothers.  If it means she has to lie, she will.  Luke is a former college friend of Jamie's who comes into investigate when there is a break in at the brewery.  He has no room in his life for commitment, but he also didn't count on Tessa. Jamie and Tessa were great together.  I liked that Tessa was the forward one in the relationship.  You don't see that much in romances.  

I love the characters in this series.  While they are all smart and great people, they are all far from perfect.  The family isn't as close as it is in most books.  They all love each other, but they have major issues to overcome before they can be close again.  Since they are siblings, there are some really funny scenes, especially when it comes to the brothers trying to protect Tessa's virtue. Definitely recommend this one!

Book 2:

Bad Boys Do

Author: Victoria Dahl

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of Publication: September 2011

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That's what her ex-husband said. And that's what her smart bob and glasses imply. So with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She's going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble--in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan--may be too tempting to avoid.

Jamie Donovan doesn't mean to be bad. Sure, the wild streak in his wicked green eyes has lured the ladies before. Now it's time to grow up. He's even ready for a serious romance. But how can that be when Olivia, the only right woman he has ever met, already has him pegged as wrong?

Bad Boys Do was a bit more emotional than the first book.  I felt so badly for Jamie.  Yes, he has been a major screw up in the past, but he is now trying so hard to change and become a more responsible person.  He just can't get his siblings to see it.  Also, he just can't seem to catch a break.  When he decides to quit the business, it was heartbreaking.  I thought that Olivia was good for Jamie.  Although her thinking she was old at 35 made me want to slap her.  Really?  I know her husband did a number on her by making her think she was boring, but still.  Despite that, I liked her.  She was strong and in the end figured out that she could make it on her own and trust her heart to another again.  I thought that Jamie and Olivia were good for each other.  They both helped each other grow up a little. They also had tons of chemistry.  The mirror scene was pretty hot!  There is some healing between the siblings' relationship in this one.  Definitely recommend!

Book 3:

Real Men Will

Author: Victoria Dahl

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of Publication: October 2011

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.

But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back .

Real Men Will was the best for me out of the trilogy.  This one deals with lies, both those we tell ourselves and those we tell others, and how they can spiral out of control.  Eric and Beth are awesome together. Their story actually starts in the novella, Just One Taste.  It is included in the book, The Guy Next Door ,which I reviewed last year.  At the time that I reviewed it, I was frustrated with the novella. I am happy to say that Beth and Eric's story was worth the wait.  I just needed to trust the author more. Their attraction is definitely steamy.  It's always fun to watch 2 uptight people loosen up with each other.  There is also some very humorous scenes in the book.  I couldn't help but giggle when Beth finally figures out that Eric isn't who he said he was. There is a lot of family resolution in the story and I was left with a sense that the Donovans will be OK.  Their relationships seemed stronger in the end. This was a great end to the trilogy.  I highly recommend the 3 books.  Definitely worth reading! 

Series Week TT edition: Long Tall Texans I by Diana Palmer

These 3 are the first in the Long Tall Texans series by Diana Palmer.  Before I delve into each book on its own, I have a couple of comments.  The books did seem dated to me.  Especially with the clothing descriptions as well as the way the women are treated in the books.  I wasn't surprised it was written in the 80s.  The other comment is that I seem to be finding a running trend in Ms. Palmer's books.  Every woman is a naive virgin.  What's up with that?  OK onto the books:

First up:

Calhoun

First published in 1988 by Harlequin

SWEET DARLIN' 

Although Calhoun Ballenger had raised Abby since childhood, she was now nearly twenty-one years old. How dare he keep her under his thumb, protected like a hothouse flower! Abby had to teach Calhoun a lesson. With the fury of a South Texas twister, she devised a plan to prove her independence - and capture his attention. 

But Abby's scheme backfired. She wasn't like the diamond-studded sophisticates Calhoun chose as his companions. She was just a simple country girl who craved the love of a good, strong man. How could she make Cal see that his young charge had blossomed into a rose...and was now ripe for the picking?

For the most part, I liked this one.  Calhoun and Abby have known each other for a while and so I did believe their feelings in this one.  Abby has been in love with Calhoun for a while, but he still sees her as a little girl.  I could understand Calhoun's reluctance at first to enter into any type of relationship with the woman who has been his "ward" for the past 5 years.  Even though Abby is extremely naive and inexperienced, I ended up liking her in the end.  She seemed to find her voice and became a stronger person.  I had a hard time with the "virginal" blush and shock at an "intimate kiss" thing but I guess if you have been sheltered for so long, you wouldn't know what to do either. In all not a bad start. 

Next: 

Justin

First Published in 1988 by Harlequin

SWEET DREAMS... 

Sweet dreams had been all that lovely Shelby Jacobs had ever given Justin Ballenger. He'd loved her, wanted to marry her....and his sweet dreams had blown away. A Ballenger wasn't good enough for Shelby...she'd broken their engagement and flaunted her rich society lover in Justin's face. He vowed never again to be vulnerable to his beautiful Texas rose. 

Shelby had never stopped loving dark, intense Justin, and seeing him only deepened her feelings. She was sure he despised her, but she knew he needed to hear the truth about the past. She was risking everything, but the heart of her lonesome cowboy was more than worth it...

This one was a bit better than the first one, but not by much.  Justin and Shelby have a past.  They are still in love but both refuse to let the past go and move on.  I thought that Justin was a jerk through pretty much the whole book.  Even when she had proof that she didn't lie about what happened to break them up, he still didn't trust her.  I didn't blame her in the least for leaving him.  Although, I probably would have done it a lot sooner. I also probably would have made him grovel a little more, but that is me.  I liked their HEA though.  It was nice to see two loves find their way back to each other.  

Last, but not least:

Taylor

First Published in 1988 by Harlequin

SWEET-TALKIN' TEXAN 


With only a quick glance at Nell Regan, a man might miss the beauty in the shy face, or the sexy figure hidden beneath the shapeless clothes. Nell had learned the hard way the she had nothing to offer a man. Her future was here, running her Arizona dude ranch...alone. 


Then Tyler Jacobs arrived...a man who knew what it was like to be alone and alienated. He yearned to kiss away the pain he saw in Nell s deep brown eyes. 


But Nell wasn't about to mistake kindness for love. Not again. Yet would denying her own desire destroy her one chance for happiness.

This one ended up being a did not finish for me.  It was just too ridiculous or maybe I had had enough of women who get to their 20s and know NOTHING about even kissing a man.  Really? I know it was written in the 80s but, come on.  Did a woman like Nell really exist in the 80s?  It was something I just couldn't get past so I didn't really feel the relationship between Tyler and Nell.   I'm this close to calling it quits with this series.  If they are all like this, it could get a little tiring.

Series Week - Fool's Gold Trilogy by Susan Mallery

Today, I have the first 3 books ofeaturing the town of Fool's Gold by Susan Mallery.  I have the next 3, Only Mine, Only Yours, and Only His in my TBR pile!

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Book1:

Chasing Perfect

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: May 2010

Welcome to Fool's Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There's lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there's just one tiny problem in Fool's Gold: the men don't seem to stick around. Maybe it's the lure of big-city life, or maybe it's plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.


Charity's nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer--everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she's not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he's perfect just the way he is. But maybe that's just what he needs--someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he's just "chasing perfect."

This is a great beginning to the series. Josh and Charity are great characters. I love to see when two people learn how to trust and fall in love. I really was hoping they would figure out that they were perfect for each other.  I loved the town and how close the residents are. Any town that rallies around it's people seems like a great place to live.  

Book 2:

Almost Perfect

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: June 2010

Back in high school, Liz Sutton was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Then she’d stolen the heart of the most popular boy in town, and their secret romance helped her through the worst of times. Until Ethan Hendrix betrayed her and everything they’d ever meant to each other. Devastated and pregnant, Liz left Fool’s Gold, California – forever, she thought…

Now Liz must return to town and face the man who doesn’t know of their son’s existence. And this time she won’t have the option of making a quick getaway. Ethan and Liz can’t deny their passionate attraction, even after all these years. But will their desire be enough to spark a second chance at love?

This one was very heartbreaking to read. I felt so badly for Liz and how everyone treats her when she comes back.  I had to give her a lot of credit for being able to hold her head high when everyone is keeps saying horrible things to her.  While I felt for Ethan and understood his anger over having missed 11 years with his son, I thought he was a total ass through most of the book.  Both characters are so obviously right for each other.  It just takes them a while to put past hurts aside and admit it to themselves.  I loved how Ethan sets things right in the end.

Book 3:

Finding Perfect

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: May 2012

When Pia O'Brian's best friend dies, Pia expects to inherit her cherished cat. Instead, the woman leaves Pia three frozen embryos. With a disastrous track record in the romance department and the parenting skills of a hamster, Pia doesn't think she's meant for motherhood. But determined to do the right thing, Pia decides to become a single mother. Only to meet a gorgeous, sexy hunk the very same day.
A former foster-care kid now rich beyond his wildest dreams, Raoul Moreno runs a camp for needy children in Fool's Gold, California. After his last relationship, Raoul thought he was done with women and commitment. Still, he can't get sweet, sexy Pia out of his mind—and proposes a crazy plan. But can such an unconventional beginning really result in the perfect ending?

I'm not sure I liked this one as much as the first two books.  I thought that Pia jumped into her decision to have the babies implanted was a bit rushed, so I'm not sure I bought it. Despite that, I thought  Pia was a great character. I did sympathize with her over her fears of becoming a mother.  I loved how she was able to admit how much of a stuck up witch she was in high school and understand how wrong she was.  Raoul was very sweet and I thought they were great together.  I loved the scene where the older ladies of the town rally around him to save him from a stalker fan.  That scene had me giggling.

A great trilogy!  I look forward to reading more adventures in Fool's Gold!

Series Week:The Creed Cowboys Trilogy by Linda Lael Miller

This trilogy came out last year by Linda Lael Miller.  It is a continuation of a series that has been around for a while, but I  never felt out of the loop.

First up: A Creed in Stone Creek

Publisher:  Harlequin
Date of Publication: February 2011

When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match in the opposing counsel - beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. It'll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected to win any man's heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he's truly found home.

I have never read any of the preceding books in either the Montana Creed series or the Stone Creek series, but after reading this first one, I know I will be seeking them out.  I enjoyed this first in the Creed Cowboys trilogy.  Steven Creed is definitely a beta hero, but that just makes him more lovable.  I liked him and Melissa together.  While they did seem to rush into things a bit, in the end, I believed their HEA.  In each other, they found the home they were seeking.  My only criticism is that some parts of the book were a bit repetitive.  The author used a lot of the same phrasing throughout the book as well as restating things that had already been established. In all a good first intro to the Creed family for me!

Next: Creed's Honor

Publisher:  Harlequin

Date of Publication: February 2011


Conner Creed knows exactly who he is: a hardworking rancher carrying on his uncle's legacy in Lonesome Bend, Colorado. Maybe a small-town cowboy's life isn't his dream, but he owes the man who took him in as a kid. Until the identical twin brother he's been estranged from for years reenters his life. 
Conner struggles with identity issues as he gets to know his wilder brother. And then he meets Tricia McCall, a beautiful woman who knows a thing or two about living someone else's dreams. Together, they just might find their own dreams right here in Lonesome Bend....




I'm not sure I liked this one as much as the first.  I probably wouldn't classify it as a straight romance because there is very little romance in it.  In fact, I'm not sure when Connor and Tricia fell in love.  They have so little interaction in the book.  It didn't seem real to me.  IT was more like there had to be a happy ending, so she stuck them together and called it love.  While I liked both characters on their own, I just didn't see them together.  On the upside,  I did enjoy the interaction between Connor and his brother.  Reconciliation and healing is on the horizon for them.  Characters from the first book make an appearance in this one and it is always nice to catch up with them.  So, in all, not the best in the trilogy, but worth reading.


Last, but not least: The Creed Legacy

Publisher:  Harlequin
Date of Publication: February 2011

Rough-and-tumble rodeo cowboy Brody Creed likes life on the move. Until a chance encounter with his long-estranged twin brother brings him “home,” for the first time in years. Suddenly Brody is in Creed territory—a rootless bad boy among family with deep ties to the land and each other. He’s half-ready to bolt when he meets a copper-haired beauty more restless than he is. 

Carolyn Simmons is living a temporary life in Lonesome Bend, waiting to light out for the glamour of a metropolis. Then she falls for gorgeous Brody Creed, the opposite of everything she wants. But taming his wild heart might just become everything they both need…

The Creed Legacy was by far my favorite of the trilogy.  It is also the most heart wrenching.  You finally get to know what caused Brody Creed to leave Caroline six years before and what kept him away.  This book isn't all happy go lucky as you watch Brody work his way back to his family.  But, as family is meant to do, they welcome him back with open arms.  The scenes between Brody and Davis are very touching.  Both Brody and Caroline grow so much in this book and you find yourself just rooting for their HEA.  Brody is such a great guy.  I loved the date that he plans for Caroline.  It was so sweet.  Caroline finally  has a chance to find the home she has been searching for her whole life.  This was a great end to the trilogy!

Series Week: Ruth Galloway Mysteries

Way back in August of last year I listened to the audiobooks for the first two Ruth Galloway books by Elly Griffiths, Crossing Places and The Janus Stone.  I really enjoyed both.  I thought that Ruth Galloway was a great character and I couldn't wait to read the next book.

The next book is here and it is called The House at Seas End.

A team of archaeologists, investigating coastal erosion on the north Norfolk coast, unearth six bodies buried at the foot of a cliff. How long have they been there? What could have happened to them? Forensics expert Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson are drawn together again to unravel the past. Tests reveal that the bodies have lain, preserved in the sand, for sixty years. The mystery of their deaths stretches back to the Second World War, a time when Great Britain was threatened by invasion. But someone wants the truth of the past to stay buried, and will go to any lengths to keep it that way...even murder.

All of our favorite characters are back in this book.  Reading this book was like settling in with some old friends.   There was an addition of a new friend of Ruth's Tatjana that I didn't quite understand as much, but she played her part I guess.

If you've been keeping track Ruth was pregnant in the second book.  In this book she's had her baby and she's struggling with being a single parent.  Kate, Ruth's daughter, is bringing out a whole new side to Harry Nelson.  And, the last paragraph of the book leaves a tantalizing clue about what's going to happen in the next book regarding Kate, Ruth, and Harry.

As usual, Elly Griffiths created a fantastic whodunit.  There's a horrific murder to solve that took place during World War II.  Interwoven in the story is Tatjana's tale of genocide in Bosnia.   I was biting my nails wanting to know how both stories were eventually going to play out. 

I can't wait for the next book to come out in this series and looks like maybe it won't be too long.  The next one is called A Room Full of Bones, not sure what the US release date is.