A Summer to Start Over - Sera Taino (HSE #3092 - May 2025)

Series: Soledad Bay (Book 1)
 
She needed help…
He needed to begin again.
 
Single mom Indya Linares has always been Ms. Independent -- especially when her family's hurricane-ravaged resort is at stake. But when Indya's boat breaks down at sea, she's forced to accept help from a handsome stranger who immediately makes her heart beat faster. Who would have imagined that he's also her stubborn mother's pick for a new facilities manager extraordinaire? After Santiago Pereira left Venezuela to begin again in Soledad Bay, he's got something to prove to his family…and a mission to bring his daughter back to him. But when Santi just can't stop thinking about his new boss, will hospitality take on a new meaning for them both?
 
Good story about new beginnings. I liked the Gulf Coast setting, the diverse cast of characters, and the role reversal of the main characters.
 
Indya returned to her hometown to help her parents with their resort after it was heavily damaged during a hurricane. She is a single parent with a somewhat tense relationship with her ex, whom she divorced when she discovered her independent businesswoman persona didn't mesh with his expectations of a traditional wife. Her efforts to carry out the needed repairs are hampered by the unexpected departure of her facilities manager.
 
Santiago left Venezuela looking for a better life after a business betrayal left him with nothing. His goal is to bring his daughter and her mother to join him in the US. Landing the job at the resort will give him the income and stability to make that happen.
 
I enjoyed watching Indya and Santi's relationship develop. They first met when her boat broke down, and Santi towed her back to the marina. The sparks of attraction flared as soon as they met, but both tried to resist. Indya isn't interested in a relationship after being burned by her time with her ex. Santi doesn't need the distraction from his goal. Matters become complicated when Indya hires him as the new facilities manager - Santi is now her employee. Working together brings them closer; shared experiences as single parents help them bond. There are some bumps in the road on their way to a happy ending, especially when something Santi does runs up against Indya's insecurities. I liked seeing them work through the issues and develop a stronger relationship.
 
I liked the secondary characters. The kids in the story are well done, with age-appropriate actions and reactions. I liked Indya's mom and could also understand Indya's issues with her interference in resort matters. Santi and his father have a strained relationship due to Santi's past actions, and his dad has trouble letting go of the past. I loved Indya's spirited defense of Santi and its effect on him.
 
I look forward to further books in this series. 

 
 

Hazardous to a Duke's Heart - Sabrina Jeffries (Kensington - May 2025)

Series: Lords of Hazard (Book 1)
 
Napoleon's war has ended, and English captives detained for years in a French fortress are finally released. Returning to a London he no longer recognizes, and facing astonishing changes in his own family, Lord Jonathan Leighton learns he has inherited a dukedom. But the new nobleman carries the guilt of having wronged his late mentor. Now, he vows to fulfill his promise to find a suitable match for the man's daughter, Victoria -- even if it takes offering a nonexistent dowry to spark her interest in matrimony . . .
 
Sharp-witted Victoria would just as soon sculpt the Greek god who has come to take charge of her future. In fact, she has her sights set on founding a school for women artists. As Jonathan matches wits with the talented beauty, revelations from his past -- and their connection to her father's demise -- threaten to unveil both of their closely held secrets and thrust them into a danger they can only escape together.
 
Good start to the new series. I especially enjoyed learning about a little-known part of the Napoleonic Wars - the imprisonment of British men of fighting age found on French soil immediately after the declaration of war. These civilian men remained in prison for up to eleven years before being released at the end of the war.
 
Eleven years ago, Jon was the third son of a duke, with little to do but get into trouble. Fed up with his antics, Jon's parents hired Professor Morris to accompany him on a tour of Europe to get him away from bad influences. Unfortunately, Jon and Professor Morris got caught up in the sweep and spent the next eleven years in prison. Those years left a deep mark on Jon's soul, including an intense sense of guilt over the professor's death. He promises to find a husband for the professor's daughter. When Jon finally returns home, he discovers his father and two brothers are dead, leaving him the dukedom. Not only must he adjust to being free, he must also learn how to be the duke. To fulfill his vow, he invents a dowry to assist in finding a suitable match.
 
After her mother's death, Victoria became a governess for Jon's sister, Chloe. Now that Chloe is grown, Tori has become her companion instead of governess. This also gives Tori time to pursue her love of sculpting.
 
I enjoyed watching Jon and Tori's relationship develop. The beginning is a little rough, as Jon doesn't expect Tori's independent nature. He plans to find her a husband, while Tori isn't interested in marriage. She wants to use her dowry to fund a school for women artists. I loved their interactions as each fights for their own plans until they work out a compromise. I liked how Tori held Jon to his promise. I laughed out loud at some of the art lessons.
 
Neither expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them. Tori doesn't intend to marry, as experience has convinced her that men are unreliable. She has another compelling reason to avoid marriage that she has kept secret from everyone. I understood her concerns and loved her protectiveness. At the same time, Jon finds himself increasingly drawn to Tori. However, he is wracked with guilt over her father's death and fears that she will hate him if she learns the truth. I liked seeing both finally trust each other and themselves enough to open up.
 
The ending was excellent, and I loved seeing how everything worked out.
 
There is also a hint of mystery in this book that I suspect will run through the entire trilogy. When Jon and his friends were captives in France, they planned an escape. Unfortunately, they were betrayed and recaptured. Now, they want to find out who was responsible. There is an interesting twist involving one of their suspects. 

 

Hardly a Gentleman - Eloisa James (HarperCollins - May 2025)

Series: Accidental Brides (Book 2)
 
Desperate after her Season comes to a spectacularly disastrous end, the Honorable Miss Clara Vetry jumps into a carriage hired to take a housekeeper to Scotland.
 
The laird of Castle CaerLaven has no interest in a wife, especially a love match -- but when Caelan sees his new housekeeper, he changes his mind. Marriage to a delectable bookworm strikes him as a perfect arrangement.
 
To his surprise, Clara refuses his proposal once…and again…yet again.
 
When her true identity is revealed, and they're forced to marry, Caelan realizes he has a far more crucial challenge.
 
He finally has Clara's hand -- but how will he ever win her heart?
 
Fun book about two people who are very different than their peers. I enjoyed the story's premise and the two main characters' interactions.
 
Caelan is a widower whose wife died two years ago. He's not interested in remarrying and prefers simply to be left alone to write his books about whisky and fishing. His family and the villagers believe that he is lost in grief over his wife's death. Most of his staff are gone, and his castle is a filthy mess. He doesn't care. However, his sister insists that he needs a new housekeeper and sends to England for one, as no one locally will touch the place.
 
Clara is a young lady whose fourth Season comes to a disastrous end. A beautiful and curvy young woman, she unfortunately drew the attention of the (married) Prince Regent. Matters come to a head when a drunk Prince makes a spectacle of himself and her, ending with him groping her and ripping her dress in full view of a ballroom full of people. I thought her reaction was great, but it didn't go over well with the Prince. Clara's mother, who is far more concerned with appearances than her daughter's feelings, banishes her to stay with a distant relative in Scotland.
 
However, Clara isn't about to roll over and accept her mother's plans for her. At a coaching inn, she bails out of her carriage and jumps into one taking a housekeeper to Scotland. She looks at it as an adventure despite having no experience. Her arrival at Castle CaerLaven is an eye-opener, as she stumbles on Caelan while he is fishing (kiltless) in the loch. The encounter is highly amusing and sets the tone for the book.
 
While Clara attempts to pass herself off as the new housekeeper, no one believes her. That doesn't slow her down, and I enjoyed seeing her put everyone to work - including Caelan. I loved the cleaning scenes and seeing Clara steamroll over his reluctance.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Caelan made no secret about his desire not to remarry. Clara is off men, thanks to her recent experiences. However, there is no doubt about the sparks that fly between them. After spending lots of time together cleaning and getting to know each other, Caelan realizes he wouldn't mind marrying again as long as Clara is the bride. Clara fights her feelings for Caelan because, like everyone else, she believes he's still in love with his late wife. She won't risk her heart on someone who can't love her back.
 
I got frustrated with Caelan's refusal to talk about his wife and the truth of their relationship, which allowed the misunderstanding to go on way too long. Caelan keeps proposing, and Clara keeps turning him down until an unexpected twist forces them to marry. The misunderstandings continue until a crisis forces them to face that which keeps them apart. I liked the ending and have high hopes for a happy future for them.
 
The secondary characters provided additional humor to the book. From Caelan's sister, Fiona, who ignores his protests to hire a housekeeper and has a matchmaking glint in her eye, to Elspeth, the maid, and Cobbledick, the driver, each one provides lighthearted moments and occasional serious advice. But my favorite was Fiona's son, Alfie, and his pet chicken, Wilhelmina. Alfie is adorable, and his unfiltered comments are fun. 

 

Corralled in Cutthroat Creek - Juno Rushdan (HI #2286 - May 2025)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 6)
 
She was looking for evidence
What she found was him
 
Logan Powell never expected to see Summer Stratton again. He definitely hadn't imagined a reunion under fire. After he scares off an intruder who seemed bent on killing her, Logan's instincts -- as a cop and as a cowboy -- demand that he keep her safe. But the persistent lawyer won't stop asking questions about her best friend's death, which means that protecting Summer involves helping her find a murderer. The threats against their lives seem to come from every direction… And Summer's grit and courage prove as irresistible to Logan as her undeniable beauty.
 
Terrific conclusion to the series. The story opens with a bang as Summer searches for proof that her best friend did not die in an accident. Summer believes Dani was murdered because they were investigating a link between suspicious deaths and pollution caused by a local company. While searching Dani's house, an intruder fires shots at Summer before Logan's arrival scares him off.
 
Logan is Dani's cousin, and his uncle sent him to assist Summer. As Wyoming law enforcement, Logan initially is skeptical of Summer's claims that Dani's death was murder. However, subsequent attacks soon convince him.
 
The story's suspense was fantastic. It hooked me from the first page and kept me hooked to the end. As Summer and Logan delved deeper into their investigation, the intensity of the attacks increased along with the number of suspects. The snake scene had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. Several twists kept me guessing to the end, with an unexpected final revelation.
 
I liked Summer and Logan. Summer is focused and driven by her quest for the truth. She can be impulsive, which sometimes gets her in trouble. Logan is the Powell brother who is a little out of step with his siblings. While he grew up on their ranch, he doesn't consider himself a rancher.
 
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. They met a few years earlier and connected, but nothing came of it. When Logan's uncle asked him to help Summer, he jumped at the chance to see her again. Though their reunion got off to a rough start, there was no denying the sparks between them. But Summer is wary of forming a long-distance relationship with someone and insists on "friends only." I ached for Logan, who wants more but accedes to her wishes and backs off but doesn't give up. I loved the ending and seeing how they worked it out.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has next. 

 
 

Hero Mine - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - May 2025)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek (Book 5)
 
"Survival is always the most important thing."
 
You don't get far in Oak Creek, Wyoming, home of Linear Tactical and its gruff and rugged heroes, without hearing that motto.
 
Free-spirited Joy Davis—opposite of gruff and rugged—heard the slogan her whole life and generally met it with a roll of her eyes.
 
Until the night she was attacked and left for dead.
 
He's always been her anchor. But now, she's his reason to fight.
 
Bear Bollinger, the Oak Creek's rough-hewn mechanic, has been Joy's protector and confidant for years, waiting for the right time to make his move.
 
Watching her struggle in the aftermath of the attack breaks something inside him. Determined to see her smile again, he steps in to help her rebuild her shattered confidence.
 
But Oak Creek has danger closing in.
 
When a new threat begins to stalk the town, Bear must protect the woman who means everything to him, even as Joy fights to reclaim her life and face a danger unlike anything she's ever known.
 
I've eagerly anticipated this book, and it did not disappoint. The prologue overlaps the end of the previous book, Hero's Heart, from Joy's point of view. We see the blossoming of Joy's relationship with Bear and the hope for the future. Then comes the attack.
 
I loved Joy in both books. Before the attack, she was Miss Sunshine, with a smile or a joke for everyone. With the reputation of being a "wild child," she was full of spontaneous energy and actions. A month after the attack, she has healed physically, but mentally, she struggles. She copes as best she can, hiding her fears from those around her. The dreams she had before the attack are now buried, victims of her loss of confidence in herself. She's loved Bear for years, but not even that can break through the trauma.
 
Bear, the son of Finn and Charlie (Eagle), took over the mechanic garage from his uncle after returning from his time as a Marine. He is observant and caring and can be lethal when those he cares about are threatened. He returned from war with secrets of his own that give him insight into Joy's struggles. He has loved her since she was a teenager and wants to help her.
 
I ached for Joy and her struggle to recover. I also wanted to shake her and tell her to stop pushing away the people who want to help. Joy is fiercely independent and believes she can get through this on her own. I also hurt for Bear, who struggles to give her the space she wants. I loved seeing him finally reach his breaking point and step in after a particularly bad flashback. He won my heart with his quiet support, encouraging her to return to following her dreams and helping rebuild her confidence with his self-defense training.
 
I enjoyed watching Bear and Joy's relationship progress as she recovers. I especially liked how in tune they were, with each understanding how and when to push and when to back off. I loved their ease of communication, from serious subjects to lighthearted teasing. I liked how Joy turned Bear's encouragement to talk about what happened to her back at him when he revealed the secret he kept. As their relationship deepened, there were flashbacks to their past, especially Bear's issues with the eight-year age difference. I understood his position from their early years, but it took him a while to finally get past it. I loved Joy's growth as she healed and regained belief in herself and its effect on her relationship with Bear. I loved the epilogue, Bear's emotional speech to Joy, and his surprise for her.
 
There is a subtle layer of suspense in this book. Rather than a bad guy they have to hunt down, this occurs at home. A frequent feeling of being watched slows Joy's ability to move past her trauma. She doesn't know if the feeling is real or if she imagines it. It didn't take long to suspect the who, but the why was a mystery until the final confrontation. I loved how it turned out.
 
Another mystery affects the entire town. Someone is stealing odds and ends and junk from local businesses. This perplexed everyone; it took outside-the-box thinker Lincoln to figure it out. I loved this twist and how they handled it.
 
I continue to love the community of Oak Creek. They take care of their own, and I loved their support for Joy. Characters from the original Linear Tactical series and the second-generation members of this series play critical roles. Joy and Sloane remain close friends, and I loved Sloane's help and encouragement. My favorite secondary character in this book is Lincoln. His character fascinates me, and I'm excited that he is the hero of the next book. It will take a special lady to partner with him. 

 
 

Beauty and the Lyon - Tanya Wilde (Dragonblade - Apr 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 77)
 
A heart hidden in shadows. A beauty who dares to see.
 
Eternal optimist Lady Rosilee Fairchild refuses to let fate -- or scheming rogues -- dictate her future. When her brother is tricked into gambling away their estate and held prisoner by a ruthless man determined to force her into marriage, she takes matters into her own hands. Her solution? Find a husband of her own choosing before one can be chosen for her. And there's only one place daring enough to help her do it without question -- Mrs. Dove-Lyon's infamous matchmaking den.
 
Hardened recluse Blake Faiththorne, Duke of Crane, has long been withdrawn from society, content to live in the shadows of his past. But when he learns that the woman who once saved him is now in danger herself -- not only menaced by the worst sort of ruffian but on her way to the Lyon's Den, a place dripping in scandal -- he cannot stand idly by.
 
There is only one, big problem -- though Blake has vowed never to marry himself, helping Rosilee find a husband leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. She is a flame in the dark, and he, despite all reason, is doomed to seek her radiance.
 
Can he break free from his haunted past and claim the woman who has always been his light? Or will old wounds and new dangers keep them apart forever?
 
The story opens with a prologue where we see Blake, the future Duke of Crane, as a boy desperately trying to escape his abusive father. Just as he's certain his father will catch him and beat him, a young girl pulls him to safety and hides him. Though he never saw her again, he never forgot her.
 
Fast forward about fifteen years. Blake is now the Duke, but he is also a recluse. He is bitterly ashamed of his father and convinced that because of his "bad blood," he has the potential to be just as bad. His only option, in his opinion, is to avoid people altogether. His only friend is his butler/valet/man-of-all-work, Bishop. When he hears that the little girl, all grown up now, is in trouble, he vows to help her.
 
Rosilee is eternally optimistic and cheerful. But when her brother falls prey to an unscrupulous card player and loses everything, the rogue takes Leo prisoner. He attempts to coerce Rosilee into marrying him to set Leo free. Rosilee takes matters into her own hands and heads for London to ask Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find her a husband.
 
Blake decided to help Rosilee find a husband without involving Mrs. Dove-Lyon. The problem is that he loves her, and thinking of her with someone else is difficult. Though Rosilee doesn't recognize him at first, she instinctively trusts him. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. She senses his pain and doesn't push. Once she realizes who he is, she understands him much better. As her feelings for him grow, Rosilee wants him to marry her, but she can't get past his fears. When faced with his rejection, she again takes matters into her own hands. It takes a kick in the pants for Blake to realize what he is throwing away. The confrontation at the Lyon's Den was intense and emotional, and I loved how it worked out.
 
I loved Blake's friend and butler, Bishop. He is about the same age as Blake and takes it upon himself to break Blake free from his past. I loved their interactions. There is nothing servant-like about Bishop, and I loved watching him call Blake out on his stubbornness.
 
In an unexpected twist, Blake encounters one of seven illegitimate half-brothers. This man is determined to help Blake whether he wants it or not. There are some terrific scenes with him. The other brothers show up at a critical time. I hope these brothers will get their own stories.
 

The story was good, but it didn't keep me as engaged as other Lyon's Den stories have.

 

The Summer That Shaped Us - Lori Wilde (HarperCollins - Apr 2025)

Series: Hobby Island (Book 1)
 
In the Gulf of Mexico, near South Padre, sits a private island with a bit of a magic about it: the colors are brighter, the food tastes better, and turtles and cranes find sanctuary there. The billionaire heiress who built the thriving resort on Hobby Island exclusively for crafters, Eloisa Hobby, is as much a mystery as she is a mentor. Those with troubles are invited in the aftermath of an emotional turmoil, and with help from the other crafters on the island Eloisa acts as a sounding board while she gently and unobtrusively guides the visitors toward healthy resolutions in their lives. Only a few receive the honor of a golden ticket.
 
Luna, ever the pragmatist, is reeling in the wake of tragedy: she's just moved with her fierce, opinionated teenage daughter Artemis to her mother's house, after they lost their husband and father. But her mother, Jeanie, artistic and sensitive, has faced her own troubles recently, and her home may not be the stable sanctuary the three women so desperately need.
 
When Jeanie receives one of the coveted tickets, inviting her and her family to Hobby Island, the blessing is one they can't turn down, though both Luna and Artie remain skeptical of their eccentric host and benefactor. Together, the three of them will have to learn to trust one another again, accept help from those who love them, and embrace life -- during a summer they'll never forget.
 
The premise of this book was interesting. It is a private island, a place for crafters of all kinds to get together, share their projects, and learn from each other. It is peaceful and beautiful, with people who look out for each other. The owner, Eloisa, has a knack for helping struggling people. She invites a few special people to an all-expenses paid vacation on the island each year.
 
Jeanie is a quilter who received one of those invitations, which includes her daughter Luna and granddaughter Artemis. The entire family has had a rough time lately. Luna's husband was murdered, and she discovered that he had lost everything gambling. She and Artie had to move in with Jeanie. Artie is struggling with grief over her father's death. Meanwhile, Jeanie fell victim to a scam artist and is on the brink of losing her home.
 
I enjoyed watching the changes the three women experienced. Artie is almost sixteen and none too thrilled to be there. There is no internet, and cell phone service is practically non-existent. She's quite the brat at the beginning of the book, but meeting a new friend opens her eyes to a life outside a screen. There is some typical teenage eye-rolling and snark, but Artie is, at heart, a good kid. I loved seeing her and the other girl, Orion, get to know each other. Their collaboration on an art project for the contest was intriguing.
 
Jeanie is a people pleaser. Her backstory was heartbreaking, between her unstable childhood and her alcoholic husband. She and Luna have a strained relationship, but they need each other. She must win the craft contest's grand prize to save her home. I loved her confidence in her quilting skills and ached for her lack of belief in her design skills for a contest-worthy quilt.
 
Luna has difficulty trusting people.. Her difficult childhood, combined with her husband's betrayal, makes allowing anyone to get close a challenge. She is overprotective toward Artie, which strains their relationship. Luna also looks sideways at how easily Jeanie makes friends with total strangers. She is wary of the exuberant residents of Hobby Island, wondering what darkness lies beneath the smiles. The last person Luna expects to encounter on Hobby Island is her high school boyfriend, Paul.
 
I liked Paul. A single dad, he moved to Hobby Island to be near his Aunt Eloisa and have her help raising his daughter, Orion. He's in charge of the landscaping, the golf carts (no cars), and security. His past with Luna is an integral part of the book as they reconnect and deal with that past. Paul is a great guy, a terrific dad, and has an excellent outlook on life.
 
I enjoyed the story's progression as the island works its magic on Jeanie, Luna, and Artie. I especially liked seeing Jeanie and Luna work together to design the quilt Jeanie will make for the contest. Their time together brings them closer than they've been in years but also stirs up some unwelcome memories.
 
I enjoyed watching Paul and Luna reconnect. It doesn't take long to resurrect their feelings from the past, but Luna is wary of believing a future is possible for them. I loved Paul's patience with her fears and his steady encouragement to let go of them.
 
The story's intensity built as the competition's time grew closer. A crisis with Artie resurrected Luna's fears, causing her to push Paul away. I liked the advice Luna got that helped her move past the obstacles that were holding her back. Twists and turns add intrigue to the contest with a surprise conclusion. I loved the epilogue.
 
The island itself was one of my favorite characters. The little village of craft shops has something for everyone and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages creativity. The descriptions of the flowers were so vivid I could practically smell them, and the scene with the butterflies was fantastic. Wicked Martha, the left sock-stealing tortoise, was a surprise. I also enjoyed the quirky residents, such as the knitting-while-riding-a-unicycle Eloisa and "Auntie" Dot. I'm looking forward to another visit to Hobby Island.