North of Need

Book One: Hearts of the Anemoi
Laura Kaye
Entangled Publishing

From the publisher:
Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves...

Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she's recreated the very thing she'll never have.

Called to life by Megan's tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.

Megan is drawn to Owen's mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration--before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow's grief and learn to trust love again, or she'll lose Owen forever.

IMO:
I loved this story. My heart broke for Megan.  She was an endearing character devastated by the loss of her husband. Then by love and magic Owen arrived.  He was a sweet man, who  had experienced a devastating blow from his last love.  The two were a perfect foil for each other. There story just made more enchanting by the fact that it was her husband's wish for her happiness that brought the two of them together.  I liked the them of love as forever and redeeming that flowed with the story. John's love for Megan, Owen's love for Megan and Megan's love for both of them.
I can't wait for the next three stories on the series to be released.

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!