Margot's Lawman

Debra Kayn
Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: February 13, 2012

From the publisher:

It's hard to keep a secret in the small town of Pike, Montana, but veterinarian Margot McDougal and sheriff Roy Lee Hanson managed to keep their relationship on the sly for months. Margot cares for Roy Lee, but the last thing she needs is to worry about local gossip while she's busy running her clinic and dealing with the loss of her beloved father.

Roy Lee can't wait to tell the world that he loves Margot. He respected her decision to keep their affair quiet—until now. It's time for everyone to know Margot is his gal...especially Ryan Martin, her new assistant. He's formed an attachment to Margot and Roy Lee is sure the city boy's unexplained appearance in Pike means he's up to no good.

Margot just wants to help Ryan fit in, and Roy Lee's jealousy soon drives a wedge between them. A wedge that only increases when Margot is roped into Ryan's secret, too...

IMO:

What happens when you mix two stubborn people, as passel of sisters, the new man in town and a hog named Harley?

A great romp through life in a small town!

Veterinarian Margot McDougal is the oldest of the McDougal grils in Pike, Montana and Sheriff Roy Lee Hanson is the love of her life.  But not everything on the path of love is smooth.  Margot has a secret, and though it's not hers to tell, it could tear their relationship apart.  Roy Lee and Margot grew up together, but it's a piece of his family's past that Margot holds the key to.

I liked the story by the time I got a couple of chapters in-it seemed a little stilted at first and the characters were more people on the page who hadn't formed in my imagination.  By the time Margot's sisters join the story the whole family was tumbling around in my head.  And the fire hose revenge had me falling over with laughter!

All in all I would recommend the story to others.  It makes a great winter evening or summer beach read...

Redwood Bend: A Virgin River Novel

Robyn Carr

Publisher:Mira Books

Anticipated release date: March 2012

From the Publisher:

CAN CHANGING
A TIRE CHANGE YOUR LIFE? Katie Malone and her twin boys’ trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie doesn’t have the first clue about putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct rumble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.
Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the site of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.
In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.

IMO:
The last person that Katie expects to run into when she gets a flat tire on her SUV is Dylan Childress - former child star.

The last thing Dylan expects to find on his motorcycle trip through California with his friends is an amazing single-mom with 5 year old twin boys that knocks his world off it's access.
And then the real adventure begins.  What starts out as a short term fling becomes so much more for both of them.  Katie reminds Dylan that her twins come first, Dylan reminds her he doesn't do long term...or does he!?

I really like the characters in this story, they are, well likable.  Katie and her boys rely on her older-sometimes overprotective-brother. Dylan on the other hand needs to come to terms with who he is, not who he thinks he is.

I will definitely be going back and reading the previous books in the series!

True Blue

Diana Palmer

Publisher: Harlequin Books

Release Date: December 1, 2011

From the publisher:

The eagerly awaited new installment in the Long, Tall Texans series

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Diana Palmer continues her beloved Long, Tall Texans series by delving deep into the heart of one of San Antonio's top detectives, Rick Marquez. He never met a case he couldn't solve or a woman he couldn't charm. But this smooth-talking Texan is about to meet the one woman who'll lasso him—body and soul!

IMO:

 I totally and absolutely admit to being a Diana Palmer addict!! I don't want a 12-step program, I just want to continue to enjoy her Long, Tall Texans series!  True Blue is a return to the Diana Palmer that I love.  I have been eagerly awaiting Rick Marquez's story and  I wasn't disappointed!  Rick has had parts in the last few books that Palmer has written and I was glad to see that he got his HEA with such an interesting woman.  Gwendolyn is for a sure a great match for Rick.  There was a great twist in the story that tied up some loose story ends from that last couple of novels that Palmer has written-I love the meshing of past and previous stories, I think that is the part that keeps me coming back for every title.

Extreme Exposure

Pamela Clare

I-Team Series: Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: August 2, 2005

From the publisher:

A 2005 Daphne du Maurier Finalist!

It's been years since her child's father dumped her, and since then investigative reporter Kara McMillan has kept men at bay—although every day she aches more for a lover's touch. But to get that, the hard-boiled journalist must become vulnerable—a feeling she vowed never to have again.

With his dangerous good looks, charm, and power, Senator Reece Sheridan could have just about any woman he sets his piercing eyes on. But he’s intrigued by only one. This Kara, this gutsy investigative reporter, has a sensuality that arouses him to no end. If she’s a firebrand in print, he guesses, she must be just as fiery in bed…

But this is no fling. A sudden political scandal—and attempts on Kara's life—could very well drive them apart. Or maybe, just maybe, adversity could draw them into a bond even more intense than their steamy sexual embraces…

IMO:

I have to thank my Kindle for recommending this author!!  I loved every word of it!!  Pamela Clare's characters are compelling, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the story never slows down!

Kara and Reese are definitely a hot together!!  They both have tempers, baggage and expectations-a definite recipe for tension and excitement.  *Spoiler Alert*  The danger that both Kara and Reese are in due to the news story she is investigating both pushes them apart (Kara's doing) and pulls them together (Reese's persistence).  

The story also introduces some colorful characters: Kara's free-spirited mom, Tom - her curmudgeon editor, other members of the I-Team, and her sweet little boy.

I have already started the second book in the series - Hard Evidence and am eager to catch up with the rest of the series.

Loving Our Heroes

Jessica Hart/Amy Andrews/India Grey

Publisher: Mills & Boon

Release Date: November 2011

From the Publisher: They risked their lives for their country… Now their hearts are on the line!

Included in this anthology: Last Minute Proposal, Mission: Mountain Rescue & Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire's Pleasure 

 IMO:
I admit it, I am a sucker for a story about a military man!  It must be all those Harlequins that my grandmother gave me as a teen!  I have to admit, I loved all three of the stories in this anthology.  
Last Minute Proposal was a great play on the insanity of reality television.  I loved the story of Cambell and Tilly and was eager to see where they would end up and if the ice around him would ever shatter.  Not sure why, but that icy facade almost always seems to appeal to me.


Mission: Mountain Rescue: what is it about the men who think they know best!?  I loved the growing up that Holly did in the story.  It was something that she needed to do for herself, but it also brings her closer to the man she loves.  Richard needed time to accept that it was his future to be with Holly and that yes, she is old enough.  This story reminds me of the story The Passionate Escape (set in Africa) which is never a bad thing as it was a favorite of mine as a teen.

Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire's Pleasure: two people learning to grow and cope with life-him with a progressive deterioration of sight, her with growing up and finding her backbone.  Orlando and Rachel were extremely likeable characters and I was glad to see the evolution of their relationship as they learned to deal with what life has dealt them...and little Felix is a heart melter!

All in all this a great anthology made even better by the portion of the proceeds from sales going to Help for Heroes.

Smart Novels

Publisher: Spark Publishing (Yes, the maker of Spark Notes!)

I found a series of books-quite by accident at Half Price Books the other day- that benefit high school students enrolled in U.S. History or preparing for SAT or AP tests.  The novels I found focus on U.S. History material, but there is a series that relates to English and uses SAT vocabulary to help students review.

I am currently reading A Time for Witches, and I am caught up in the story line.  I also like the fact that there is, at the end of every chapter, two - three of pages of facts that relate to the time period in the book.  It doesn't take away from the story in any way and makes for some interesting things to learn.  I have been to Salem and there are things I didn't learn on my visit that I discovered in my reading of this novel.

From the publisher: This series of young adult fiction novels follows Mindy, a teenage girl from modern-day Salem, as she time travels to key moments in American history to fight off alien invasions. Each book highlights approximately 500 historical facts about the period in which the book is set with humorous, engaging lists interspersed throughout.

Salem Witch Trials - Book 1:  Mindy Gold observes the Salem Witch Trials from a front-row seat-the one where they put the accused witches.

Shades of Blue and Gray - Book 2: Mindy travels to the Civil War Battle of Bull Run to rescue the cutest guy in her high school.

 

 

 

 

 

Revolution - Book 3: Mindy faces rabble-rousing Whigs, smallpox outbreaks, and carnivorous pigs as she plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse in 1775 Philadelphia.
 

 

 

 

Gilded Delirium - Book 4: As Mindy searches Gilded Age Chicago for her arch-rival Veronica, she’s pursued at every turn by the sinister Pinkerton detective agency.

 

Touch of Power

Healer #1
Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Mira

Anticipated Publication Date: December 20, 2011

From the publisher:
Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

IMO: 
I loved this story!  

I can't wait for the next book to be available!!  

Avry is an endearing character and works hard to use her gift to the best of her ability.  She is self-sacrificing (her skill requires it), caring and courageous.  One thing she isn't is a pushover as Kerrick, the leader of the band of rogues, finds out.  I seem to have an affection for gruff alpha-type heroes who are stumped by the women they grow to care about.
The world building in this story takes up a good portion of the writing but it isn't to the detriment of either the characters or the story line.   I can't wait to see how the war for the 15 realms evolves, and how Avry, Kerrick and their band of brothers contributes to the events as they unfold.