ARC REVIEW Unforgiven by Jay Crownover

Loveless Texas #2, I'm listing this as more contemporary then suspense because while there is a mystery and some action it falls secondary to the emotional romance between Hill and Kody. I was so excited for Kody and Hill and it did not disappoint. Hill has loved Kody from the very start of their friendship but as they got older Kody fell for his brother. Hill while happy for them was heartbroken and as soon as he could he left. Kody was torn between the two brothers, Aaron was her age and the most like her he was quick to react, moody, and so sweet. Aaron and Hill Gamble were Kody's first real friends and even after Hill left Kody would call on him for advice. But Hill could only take so much loving Kody from afar and seeing how Aaron was falling apart and sometime horrible to Hill so Hill started to back off. It wasn't fair that Aaron killed himself before the wedding and it wasn't fair that Kody spewed all her anger at Hill and Hill took it because he thought she was right it was all his fault. Now he's ready to take the brunt of her anger and hatred again because her father was murdered and he was the one who told her.

Kody starts to remember that her feelings for Hill go way back and even as mean as she has been to him since Aaron's death Hill still stands by her, he still worries about her and he still in little ways shows her he cares. Little by little Kody starts to realize her anger was misplaced and that his abandonment all those years ago is what fed her anger. But Hill his here now and although the timing might not be ideal Kody and Hill are finally getting their chance to clear the air and as long as the psycho killer doesn't get to her first they are willing to try for their HEA.

The small suspense part deals with who murdered Conrad Lawton and why. Hill while not technically on the case is helping out because the Tx Rangers believe have a local will help loosen lips and as hated as Conrad was the suspect list is endless. Now the ending is a little open ended all the major question get answered but one little detail is left which is what leads us to the next book. Overall, outstanding book. It's an emotion book about unrequited love finally coming to fruition. The suspense part was good, I enjoyed it and I kind of figured it was going to leave off the way it did.

ARC REVIEW Forever Strong by Piper J Drake

True Heroes #6, Ever since Zu walked into the room with Buck in book 4, Total Bravery, I knew that this strong, silent, intimidating man would be my next book boyfriend. It was worth the wait because this book was fantastic. Piper J. Drake is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, top ten easily, she's already an autobuy author, as in if I see the book on the shelf and I don't have it I buy it. I love her diverse characters, especially the ones in the latter part of the series. This was an action-packed edge of my seat story I didn't want to put down. It is definitely one of my favorites in the series.

Jang Ying Yue was one of the people that Zu rescued from a cargo container in the last book, for this story arc I would recommend reading at least from book 4 although it can be read as a standalone. Ying Yue was kidnapped in Singapore and brought to Hawaii for ransom and to manipulate her father into doing something bad with his international, has government contracts, corporation. Zu feels a pull toward Ying Yue, he feels more protective over her than anybody else. She questions him about the decisions he makes so that she understands what he's doing and voices her concerns and her wants and needs and it just makes Zu like her even more. Even after rescuing her from the initial kidnapping they realize she's still not safe and Zu won't have anyone but himself and Buck protecting her. When the shit hits the fan, as it always seems to do, friends old and new come to lend a helping hand, and dog.

Overall, I'm gonna cry I think this is the last book of the series...Say it Ain't So! I really loved this series and Forever Strong (if it is the last book) is a strong finish to the series. I loved that she brought in all True Heroes and their people from the previous books. It is a well paced action with plenty of emotion and romance, loveable dogs and one pig. Definitely great reads. 

ACR REVIEW Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday

Matchmaker Bay #1, An adorable, heartwarming, and sexy small town romance. Eve Abbott use to spend her summers in Moonflower Bay, she even fell in love there but the last time she was there the love of her life, Sawyer Collins, broke her heart in such a horrible way she didn't return for ten years. The only reason she did return was because her great-aunt left her the Mermaid Inn with the stipulation she had to stay there a year before she could sell the place. The Inn was in serious need of some TLC and Eve's parent convinced her to use the year remodeling the place so she could get more money when she sold.

Police Chief Sawyer Collins as much as it hurt he knows he did the right thing ten years ago and now she's back and he can't help but want her. Eve has every right to hate him but there's a fine line between love and hate. Sawyer has one year with her and he isn't sure he wants to risk is heart again only to have her leave again, but his Evie is hard to resist especially when all the little old biddies keep trying to put them together.

Eve's plan isn't just to fix the inn she going to finally get over her fear of water and learn to swim and she's finally going to get over Sawyer. She, at first, tries to hate Sawyer. That doesn't last long it's hard to hate him when he's such a good guy and then she finally gives in and thinks one last time get it out of their system but Sawyer is remarkable. Between raising his little sister protecting her from their erratic father, taking care of the townspeople, and not-so-covertly helping her renovate she slowly realizes she still loves him. Eve has a life back in Toronto a job and a promotion waiting for her she can't run the inn on her own, and this thing with Sawyer is supposed to be casual, right?

Overall, it was such a sweetly sexy read. I enjoyed all the characters especially the old matchmaking biddies. Jake's story is next and I do love a strong silent type. I also can't wait for Maya and Law they are going to combust! This is a well written well paced second chance romance and a great start to a new series.

ARC REVIEW Cowboy Courage by Carolyn Brown

Longhorn Canyon #6, Yay! It's Hud finally. A second chance romance. Rose, Hud's middle school crush, shows up in town to help her great aunt run her B&B and gift shop while she's on vacation with the Fab 5. Rose is at a crossroads in her life right now she can either re-up in the Army or do something else with her life as long as it's not going back to her family in the commune. One thing she knows for sure she's not going to make a decision based solely on a guy, not even a guy she's never stopped thinking about since she left without saying goodbye. Hud knows it's her choice whether to stay or not and seeing how there is not a opportunities for a multilingual language specialist he's worried he's going to lose her before they even get the chance.

In a funny Murphy's Law sort of way Rose and Hud are pushed to their limits. Both Rose and Hud have to face some truths before they can finally admit their feelings but when they do nothing will keep them apart not even a tornado in January. I really enjoyed this book. I loved Hud and Rose. I would love to see more of Great Aunt Luna she's my kind gal. Overall, this is a fun read Hud is a real sweetheart and Rose is a bright head strong woman  who picks her battles wisely. I am really looking forward to Pax's story next.

  

ARC REVIEW My One and Only Cowboy by A.J. Pine

Meadow Valley Ranch #1, A nice start to the series. A.J. Pine delivers yet another wonderful story. Sam Callahan his younger brother Ben and their friend Colt all chipped in and bought Meadow Valley Ranch a sort of B&B Ranch. Sam and Ben choose Meadow Valley, California because the close proximity to their Dad's care facility. After two years they are still trying to get into the black when Delaney Harper shows up saying her ex-husband forged her signature and sold the ranch without her permission. Delaney wasn't going to leave town until this got figured out but with the whole town being shut down for the festival she was stuck for over a week and then she crashed her car and ended up stranded at the ranch. Sam who was fascinated with her from the start offers that she stay at the ranch, not one to take advantage she offers to work in exchange. No stranger to hard work Delaney starts right in and she offers help with advertising at the festival she was able to give the guys ideas they hadn't thought of yet. Delaney is no stranger to the hospitality business either after growing up in her parents hotel in Las Vegas. Delaney had bigger dreams she went to school to be a vet tech and had originally bought the ranch to open up an animal rescue and saw that dream disappear when she found out the ranch had sold.

Sam and Delaney start off shaky but soon give into their sexual attraction. A steamy romance that also deals with Sam and Ben's relationship with their father and sets up what I hope is Ben's story. With a bit of action thrown into it at the end makes the whole story a nice read. Overall, well written with memorable characters and one very sweet dog.

ARC REVIEW Lethal Redemption by April Hunt

Steele Ops #2, Another stellar book from April Hunt. This can be read as a standalone the first book has no connection to this other than characters and a few mentions but you miss nothing by not reading it except skipping a really good book. After Grace's father died when she was five her mother moved them into a commune the older Grace got the more she realized it was a cult. When she was thirteen something drastic happened and she ended up with her aunt and three cousins. Cade Wright and his sister were part of the Steele family by choice, Cade was there when Grace showed up at their doorstep. Grace and Cade started as friends but soon became more they fell in love, they even had their future all planned out but then Cade changed the plan without a word and left Grace heartbroken. It's been almost a decade and not a day goes by that Cade regrets his decision but Grace still hurts they can't even be in the same room together without verbally sparring.

Steele Ops the private security firm run by her cousins get hired to do a job she gets pulled in for her expertise on the subject, the subject of the Order of the New Dawn, the cult where she spent her childhood. Unfortunately the only way in is to play the prodigal daughter and there is no way her cousins it Cade is letting her go in alone so Cade poses as her fiance. Now Grace has to face all the terrors of her past while dealing with this mission and her and Cade's relationship. What they find out about OND goes deep and gets very personal for Grace. But Grace has Cade he's always been there for her in the past and he wants to be there for her now he just has to convince her he's not going to run away this time. 

Overall, this was such a great book, the characters were so likeable Grace is smart quick with an insult, Cade is sexy, strong, and over protective but he knows Grace can handle herself; the plot is engaging and if life had let me I probably would have finished in one sitting, the romance was emotional and hot I love them together, it was all so good. I can't wait for the Steele brother's to get their stories.     

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason

Christmas Colorado #5, Originally published in 2015 this reissue has a nice new cover. This is a great series from Debbie Mason, I've only read 3 out of the 7, not including the novellas, but each book I've read is so great. I love her writing, Christmas, Colorado seems so real in my head with all it's quirky residents and idyllic scenery.

Cat O'Connor loves her hometown she loves her family's ranch especially the people who go out of their way to help and then there is her sister Chloe, pampered and protected since she was an unhealthy baby who grew up into an entitled and selfish actress for a daytime soap. Cat became a police officer until she fell for the wrong man and it ruined her career. Needing to get out of Colorado she moves to LA to work as her sister's.... well everything. After some time Cat realized she was ready to go back home she already told Chloe she was leaving when an "accident" happened. Cat knew one thing for sure it was no accident someone just tried to kill her sister and she wasn't going to leave her sister alone until she found out who.

Grayson Alexander was on a well deserved vacation when his cousin recruited him for a job working undercover on a daytime soap to find out who is trying to kill the lead actress. Unfortunately his grandmother got kicked out of another nursing home and he was stuck with her posing as his manager; a great actress back in her day she fit right in with everyone. Gray himself posing as Lord Harry Halstead a new leading man, opposite Chloe. First off he assumes Cat is the primary suspect until he meets them and after talking to the crew his suspect list grows pushing Cat farther down the list. The more time he spends with them the more he likes Cat but Chloe is under the delusion that Lord Harry and her are a couple. Things don't any easier when they move the shooting to their hometown it just gives the would be killer more opportunity to go after Chloe.       

This is my favorite so far. Overall it was a great read it had several laugh out loud moments and the characters were so amusing. It was fun seeing the process of how Cat and Gray finally got together. Chloe, loved to hate her I so wanted to smack her upside the head. Ty is hysterical along with some of the other Christmas, Colorado residents. Such a fun Christmas Rom-Com I recommend to my book loving friends.

ARC REVIEW Forever and a Duke by Grace Burrowes

Rogues to Riches#3, Even though I really didn't care for the second book in the series I did enjoy a book from another series written by Grace Burrowes so I thought I'd give this one a try, unfortunately it wasn't as good as I hoped. I did like it a bit more than the previous book the synopsis sounded good but once again just fell short for me. I liked the idea that a woman could be the best auditor in all of London and that a competing bank would seek her help. Beauty and intelligence are not mutually inclusive so I had no problem that she happened to be both, Elenora puts no stock into her appearance with her family's background she's just trying to remain respectable enough to work for a living. The Duke of Elsmore, Wrexham has been so busy keeping up appearances and taking care of his mother and sisters and the Dukedom the bank that his family owns has fallen on to some issues and it turns out his family finances are also a bit mucked up. Elenora agrees reluctantly, with her family history she doesn't really like titled lords. The more time they spend together the more they realize there is more to each other than meets the eye. It not hard to see why Rex fell for Elenora but she needs a bit more, she likes him and sees that he's loyal to his family but she still doesn't know if she can trust him. Little by little she opens up and hopes he doesn't break her heart and ruin her reputation.

Overall, it was a nice read. The romance between Elenora and Rex just fell a little flat for me. 

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Christmas in Harmony Harbor by Debbie Mason

Harmony Harbor #9, I love this book. It's the last book of the series, or at least it plays out like it is the last. It works as a standalone but there is quite a bit of back story along with the Gallaghers and Greystone Manor. I enjoyed the entire series this one made me bawl at the end. It really is the perfect ending heartwarming and just a little bittersweet.

Evangeline Christmas left her NYC psychiatric practice behind to run the all year round Christmas store, Holiday House, in Harmony Harbor. A store that has been in her family for about a century and now it's being threatened by international real estate developer, Caine Elliot. Holiday House is Evie's haven and she will do anything to save it even make a deal with the devil. The devil being Caine and the deal more like a bet. Evie has an Angel Tree where people put up wishes that aren't easily done. She bets Caine that he can't do three Angel Wishes before Christmas, if she wins Caine takes his development of Wicklow Tower somewhere else and if she loses then she leaves no arguing, no more protests and convinces the rest of the town too. Evie plans it to where it's very much like a Christmas Carol and these acts of kindness will turn Caine from Scrooge at the beginning of the book to Scrooge at the end of the book.     

It wouldn't be so hard if Evie and Caine weren't also fighting their attraction to each other. The first wish brings Caine into close proximity to Evie daily which allows the both of them to get to know each other better. The more they find out about each other the more they like each other until they both give in to the attraction and fall in love. Caine's Grandmother is not an easy woman and she is dead set on ruining the Gallaghers and if she has to scare away Evie to move things along she will.

Overall, this was a great story this is one of my favorites. What am I going to do without this series?

via GIPHY

ARC REVIEW Cowboy Brave by Carolyn Brown

Longhorn Canyon #3, Yay this isn't the last one! Longhorn Canyon Ranch is a working ranch that in the summer takes on some city kids on the verge of being troublemakers and teaches them about ranching and other stuff. We've already seen the oldest of the Maguire brother's find true love and their best friend/foreman find true love, Justin wasn't looking he didn't even think he was ready to settle down but the moment he set eyes on Emily Baker everything changed.

Emily is the events coordinator at a retirement community and one group she deals with heard about the Longhorn Canyon Ranch and their work with kids and asked Emily if she could arrange a special trip for them to the ranch. By all appearances Emily is a city girl but there is more to her than meets the eye. The attraction between them is instant but Emily is determined not to fall for a cowboy. Justin has never felt this way about anyone and he's determined to show Emily he means it. Aside from Emily's family that she hasn't told him about another obstacle is Justin's mother who took an instant dislike toward Emily automatically assuming she's a golddigger.

Overall, this was another really good read from Carolyn Brown. I loved Emily and Justin and all the hyjinks that the Fab Five get into are hysterical. Even though Justin's mom kind of plays the part of the bad guy in this book Emily really is her own worst enemy. The Bonus Book Second Chance Cowboy by A.J. Pine is a book I have previously read it's the first book of the of Crossroads Ranch series and is really good. So as a two for one deal this one is really good one both books are entertaining and fantastic reads.