An Alaskan Arrangement - Michelle Lindo-Rice (HSE #3083 - Mar 2025)

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Book 4)
 
It was smooth sailing
Until they tied the knot.
 
When cruise ship assistant manager Kaylin Sampson is passed over for a promotion, she takes a break to regroup. And when her sexy ex offers to reignite their old fling and accompany her on an Alaskan adventure, Kaylin can't say no. Ethan Harrington knows how to get her out of her funk. Fun is the theme for the week, down to the white water rafting and their fabulous old-timey fake wedding. Except the paperwork is genuine -- and now two commitment-phobes are married. The real question is, will it be for better or for worse?
 
Good second chance story. Kaylin and Ethan met when her sister married his brother. The sparks between them were instant and intense, and they had a good time giving in to them. Neither is interested in anything permanent. Ethan isn't ready to give up his bachelor ways, and Kaylin's childhood left her determined not to depend on anyone other than herself. But when Kaylin realized Ethan occupied her thoughts more than she liked, she broke things off to protect her heart.
 
Back on the cruise ship where she works as an assistant manager, Kaylin learns that she was passed over for the promotion she wanted. Disappointed, she takes a well-deserved vacation, a cruise to Alaska. Meanwhile, back in Florida, Ethan hasn't been able to forget his time with Kaylin. When he hears about her disappointment and her cruise plans, he decides to show up on the cruise and see if they can pick up where they left off.
 
Kaylin is not exactly pleased by Ethan's arrival. She has buried herself in work, trying to drive him from her thoughts. Unexpected circumstances result in them sharing a suite on the ship, and Ethan convinces her to participate in excursions with him. One excursion results in them missing the boat and being stranded in a small town. Matters get complicated when the only available inn requires couples to be married if they share a room. (Okay, that's a bit of a stretch, but it was a cute concept). Unfortunately, the wedding they thought was pretend for appearances was legit. Now what?
 
Though they plan a quick divorce after the trip, they spend the rest of their time in Alaska playing newlyweds in all ways. After the "honeymoon" ends, they are in no rush to end things. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer and eventually admit their feelings for each other. But Kaylin's insecurities flare up over career decisions. There is trouble in paradise when her needs run into Ethan's pride. I understood Kaylin's decision and wanted to shake Ethan for being so blind. I loved the ending and seeing both realize their mistakes. Their reunion was sweet and emotional, with a nice little surprise.
 
Family is a big theme in this book. Kaylin and her sister Courtney had an awful childhood, and their bond is undeniable. They have had only one another to depend on for most of their lives. I loved how they supported each other through good and bad times. Ethan's family of seven brothers are also very close. Their interactions are terrific, whether they are teasing each other or providing support. 

 
 
 

Till the End of Time - Elise Title (HAR #377 - Feb 1991)

Series: Century of American Romance (Book 9)
 
A CENTURY OF AMERICAN ROMANCE 1890s--1990s
 
Her love hasn't got a chance. David Nichols has always been practically family. But while it may not be cool for David to dig his best friend's little sister, there is nothing sisterly about the way Annie Magill feels about him.
 
Now stationed at an evac hospital on David's base in Vietnam, Annie is David's link to happier times. Sultry nights ignite the flames of their passion, but Annie's heart is chilled when David reveals his dream of putting the war behind him.
 
Bravery, fear, camaraderie and risk--all are part of what Annie and David have come to mean to each other in Vietnam. How will their love survive if David denies what they lived through and what they rose above ...together?
 
This was a terrific book. The author's note at the back of the book speaks of her motivation for writing this story. How she watched the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and saw the women in uniform, women whom she'd never thought about before. Driven to understand their courage, she went on to read books and articles, many written in their own words. They had a profound impact on her life.
 

"These unique and remarkable women remain a haunting presence in my mind. I wanted to write a story that would show not only their valor and sacrifice, but one that would also capture their humor, their vulnerabilities, their passion, and their loves."

 
I believe that she succeeded far more than she could have imagined. I'm old enough to remember the Vietnam War. I was ten when my dad spent a year there as a combat correspondent for the Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN). He didn't talk much about it, but I remember the few stories he could share. Annie and David's story brought that time into vivid focus.
 
Annie and David grew up in the same town. David was her brother Turner's best friend, along with their other friend, Hawk. Annie was the typical pesky little sister, tagging along whenever she could. While "the boys" were all family to her, her feelings for David were always a little more. When the war came calling, Hawk was the first to go - and to be sent home with a devastating injury. David is next to go and assigned to a special operations unit. Feeling a need to do her part, Annie joins the Army Nurse Corps as soon as she graduates.
 
Annie works at an evac hospital in Long Binh, the same base where David is stationed. While he is unhappy that she is in Vietnam, he can't deny that her presence reminds him of happier times. It also emphasizes the horror of his experiences in the field. I ached for David as he tried to separate the two parts of his life, but as the book goes on, you can see the strain he is under.
 
I loved following Annie as she experienced life as a military nurse. Her caring and compassion for "her boys" leap off the page. We can see her struggles as she patches them up to send them back into danger. She forms friendships with other women, such as Sue Ellen, one of the Red Cross workers. There is girl talk, mutual support when things get tough, and a few fun times squeezed in. Another friend is Jessie, a freelance journalist reporting on the war. She brings a new perspective to Annie, showing her the human side of the war and introducing her to Luong and Tai, two Vietnamese orphans. Jessie also sees something special in Annie, and I loved what she did with that knowledge.
 
I loved the development of Annie and David's relationship. It begins as friends, familiar faces in an ocean of stress. But Annie never let go of her crush on David, and the more time they spend together, the more her feelings grow. David fights his feelings, refusing to think about the future, fearing he won't have one. But as the months go on, he can no longer deny those emotions. As their love for each other grows, Annie dreams of a special future for them, knowing that their time in Vietnam has had an enormous impact on them. But David wants to forget everything about Vietnam, and Annie fears their love won't survive if he doesn't acknowledge what brought them together.
 
There is another significant reason that Annie refuses to forget her time in Vietnam. I loved her determination to make this journey and ached for her as David refused to participate. All she could do was hope he could overcome his bitter feelings and come back to her. The ending was a rollercoaster of emotions, surprises, and the prospect of having everything she dreamed of. 

 
 

The Duchess Charade - Emily E.K. Murdoch (HH #1847 - Mar 2025)

Series: Wallflower Academy (Book 3)
 
A wallflower breaks free…
Only to fall hard -- for the duke!
 
Adventurous, free-spirited Sylvia Bryant has no intention of entering the London marriage mart -- she plans to return to Antigua and her mother, whom she was forced to leave. But first that means breaking free from her prison of a finishing school! Only when she makes her daring escape, the last thing she expects is to literally land in a duke's lap! Now Sylvia and Theodore are forced into an engagement, which Sylvia certainly doesn't want to make permanent. Yet if their union is just for show, why does her attraction to Teddy feel dizzyingly real?
 
Good book. Sylvia has been at the Wallflower Academy for several years. She was sent there, not because she was a wallflower but because she didn't fit into her father's expectations. She was born in Antigua and forced to leave her mother to go to England. Determined to avoid the London marriage mart, she plots her escape from the Academy and return to Antigua, never expecting to find herself engaged to a duke.
 
Teddy Featherstonehaugh was doing a favor for a friend when a beautiful woman jumped into his carriage and attempted to convince him to aid in her escape. No matter what he says or does, she talks over him, refusing to give up her plan. Her plans are foiled when the headmistress, Miss Pike, finds her in the carriage in an awkward position. Miss Pike declares her compromised and insists that Sylvia and Teddy marry.
 
Neither wants to marry, but they recognize they are in a tough spot. After a short private discussion, Teddy and Sylvia agree to an engagement for their own reasons. Being engaged to Teddy frees Sylvia up for visits to London, enabling her to make arrangements for her voyage to Antigua without interference. Teddy, who isn't really a duke, can use Sylvia's help in his search for the identity of his father.
 
I enjoyed the development of Teddy and Sylvia's relationship. Both are illegitimate and know what it feels like to be an outsider. I loved how they found it easy to talk to each other and share their hopes and fears. Their conversations are fun, with neither one afraid to be honest with the other. I laughed at Teddy's frequent state of befuddlement around Sylvia, often losing his train of thought. Neither expected the sparks of attraction or the feelings that grew between them.
 
But until Teddy knows who he is, he cannot ask Sylvia to marry him. Unfortunately, once his identity is confirmed, Sylvia's fears keep her from accepting her heart's desire. It takes a great deal of effort for Teddy to overcome those fears, but the results are fantastic when he does. The story doesn't end there. I loved seeing Teddy and Sylvia continue their unorthodox relationship with a wedding that is not the usual Society event. I loved the surprise wedding gift Teddy had for Sylvia.
 
The epilogue was terrific. I loved seeing that their new status hasn't changed Teddy and Sylvia significantly. 

 

Hostage Security - Lisa Childs (HRS #2316 - Mar 2025)

Series: Bachelor Bodyguards (Book 14)
 
He'll risk anything
To save the child he didn't know he had…
 
After five years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit, Josh Stafford gets a fresh start as a security specialist. When work takes him to his ex-fiancée's jewelry store, he does everything he can to keep his distance. And then the son he's never met is kidnapped… Josh understands why Natalie Croft doesn't trust him. He broke his promises to her and couldn't tell her why. He's ready to push emotions aside until their little boy is safe -- no matter how much he still loves her.
 
Terrific second chance romance with intense suspense. Five years ago, Josh and Natalie were in love and planning their future together. Then Josh went to prison after pleading guilty to a crime he didn't commit, all to protect those he loved. He went so far as to tell Natalie that he didn't love her and to forget him, not knowing that she was pregnant.
 
Now, Josh is out of prison and working as a security specialist with Payne Protection. His first assignment is to monitor the security at Croft Jewelry, Natalie's family business. The store has had many diamonds go missing, and the insurance company insists on upgrading security.
 
Natalie has spent the last five years raising her son with her parents' help and working for the family business. She is shocked to discover that Josh is part of the security team and suspicious of his presence. But not nearly as shocked as Josh when he receives a note telling him to find the diamonds or he'll never see his son and Natalie's mother again.
 
The action and suspense are intense as Josh tries to bury all his emotions while searching for his son. He and Natalie must work together to discover who is behind the thefts. The emotional rollercoaster kept me glued to the pages as Josh dealt with the news he's a father and worked to regain the trust of the woman he never stopped loving. Natalie struggles with the resurgence of her love for Josh and her fear of trusting him with her heart. I was frustrated by her lack of faith in him before she learned the truth but happy when she finally admitted the depth of her feelings. I liked seeing them come together and lay the past to rest and plan for the future they should have had.
 
The mystery of the missing diamonds kept me intrigued from start to finish. The lack of clues frustrated Josh and Natalie and kept the team scrambling for leads. Attacks and threats from the thief/kidnapper increased the intensity as they began to close in on the truth. Several edge-of-the-seat confrontations led to my suspicion of the perpetrator's identity. There was one twist I didn't see coming until almost the end. The final confrontation was an eye-opener on several levels, bringing the mystery to a terrific conclusion.
 
I enjoyed meeting Josh's half-sister, Sylvie. She had a fascinating past that made her a strong and resilient woman. She plays a crucial role in the story, and I loved her interactions with other characters. The end reveals an unexpected connection with the newest branch of Payne Protection, ensuring that she will likely turn up in a later book.

 
 
 
 

Best Friend to Husband? - Louisa Heaton (HMED #1447 - Mar 2025)

Series: Cotswold Docs (Book 1)
 
WERE THEY ALWAYS MEANT TO BE?
 
GP Lorna has spent years healing from a divorce and the end of her fertility journey by throwing herself into her work at Clearbrook Medical Practice. But when Oliver -- her onetime best friend and secret crush -- takes a job as a doctor at her surgery, life suddenly becomes more complicated! After the breakdown of his difficult marriage, Oliver isn't looking for romance, either. Yet old feelings soon begin to resurge. Can they risk their friendship in the hope of something more?
 
Good friends-to-lovers story with the bonus of older characters discovering it's never too late for love.
 
Lorna and Oliver were study partners and friends in medical school. Underneath their friendship were sparks of attraction, but neither gave in to them. Oliver had a girlfriend whom he cared for through her cancer treatments, and Lorna was determined to concentrate on her studies. Though they intended to stay in touch after graduation, their careers took them in different directions, and they drifted apart. Each went on to marry, then later divorce.
 
Many years later, Lorna works as a GP at a thriving village medical practice in the Cotswolds. Several fellow doctors have either retired or moved away, and new doctors hired to take their places. Excited that Oliver is one of those doctors, Lorna looks forward to catching up with her old friend.
 
I enjoyed seeing Oliver and Lorna's relationship develop. They picked up their friendship like they'd never been apart, spending time together cooking, running, and hanging out. While catching up on their past lives, they discover similar relationship breakdowns have made them reluctant to risk another romance and reinforce their "just friends" intentions.
 
However, the more time Lorna and Oliver spend together, the blurrier those lines between friendship and love grow. I ached for both as the desire for more fought with the fear of ruining their friendship. The emotional ending showed what is possible when you let go of the past.
 
I liked the small village setting and the look at the lives of the doctors there. There was a nice variety of medical scenes, and I enjoyed the personal touch Oliver and Lorna provided to their patients. 

The Lyon's Legacy - Sara Adrien (Dragonblade - Feb 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 73)
 
Sometimes, passion is impossible to ignore.
 
Lady Melissa Thumbridge knows how to move through high society but refuses to play by its rules. When she's summoned as the Prince Regent's mistress, she finds herself trapped in a world of luxury and duty. Yet, her heart beats for another—John Stonebridge, who's everything she's ever wanted. Loving him, though, could cost them both everything. With her sister's duchess title and the survival of the dukedom on the line, Melissa must summon all her strength to break free, with a little help from the infamous matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon...and a meddlesome kitten named Angus.
 
Can Mrs. Dove-Lyon help her win her heart's desire?
 
John Stonebridge thought he'd lost everything. Once the presumed heir to a dukedom, he's been reduced to watching someone else wear the title, all while carrying the weight of his family's legacy. After the loss of his first wife, John swore that he'd never allow his heart to hope again. But Melissa changes everything. She awakens something in him—a fire he can't control and a future he yearns to grasp. The problem? Claiming her could ruin everything he's sworn to protect.
 
But what use was love if it burned all else to ash around him?
 
When fate and duty threaten to keep them apart, Melissa and John must risk everything for a second chance at an impossible love they were always meant to find. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of a castle, their steamy romance is a passionate blend of courage, scandal, and the ultimate test of devotion.
 
Good addition to the Lyon's Den series. Melissa is a beautiful young widow who caught the Prince Regent's eye. He summoned her to be one of his mistresses, an honor she did not want. Unfortunately, she can't say no without risking the livelihood and reputation of her family. Her love for another man complicates matters. She appeals to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help in untangling her life.
 
John Stonebridge was the Duke of Duncan until his missing cousin, Dustin, returned to London (The Lyon's Golden Touch) and married Lexi, Melissa's sister. He spent years repairing the estate's finances and caring for the property. Now, he attempts to teach his cousin what he needs to know to take his place as Duke. Dustin would rather continue his work as a dentist than deal with estate matters.
 
Melissa flees to her sister's country home to visit Lexi and stay out of Prinny's way while Mrs. Dove-Lyon works her magic. I enjoyed watching John and Melissa's relationship develop. When Dustin and Lexi depart for London, John and Melissa step up to keep things going at the estate. Spending time together intensifies their feelings for each other, but until Melissa is free, they can't do anything about it. John and Melissa each have insecurities that make their situation more complicated. There are several deeply emotional scenes involving John's son, Herbert, that hammer home Melissa's fears. In the end, Mrs. Dove-Lyon comes up with an interesting solution. The epilogue was good, with a look at a unique future.
 
I enjoyed the story of John and Melissa, but I freely confess that my favorite character was Angus, the kitten. His appearance emphasized John and Dustin's challenges in handling their duties. Angus's antics were adorable and lightened some of the more intense scenes. I especially enjoyed the scene with the yarn. 

 
 

Stateroom for Two - Glenna Finley (Signet - Apr 1980)

The Business Of Romance
 
In love with a boss who didn't seem to know she was alive, pretty Pippa Gordon had had enough. When Blake Harrison returned from England, she was going to hand him her resignation.
 
Then all Pippa's plans were turned upside down by a message from Blake telling her to meet him in London as soon as possible. Suddenly Pippa found herself embarking on a whirlwind journey from New York to London to Amsterdam, where she was informed that she must temporarily pose as Blake's fiancée on a pleasure cruise that included a jet-set beauty with designs on Blake. Pippa would have liked to refuse to join the whole charade, but when Blake stole her passport, she didn't have much choice. Yet…with or without a passport…Pippa would have jumped ship immediately if she could have foreseen the dangerous course she would soon be sailing through the stormy seas of love…
 
An oldie but goodie. Glenna Finley wrote more than forty romantic suspense books in the 70s and 80s. She was a frequent traveler, and many books are set in locations worldwide. One of the things I enjoy about her books is the way she slips information about the location into the story, making it a vital part of the story.
 
In this book, Pippa works for Blake as his secretary. During the year she's been there, she has felt like part of the furniture, unnoticed and unappreciated, while she has quietly fallen for him. Giving up on making him notice her, Pippa plans to give him her resignation when he returns from his latest trip. Those plans change when she gets a message from Blake ordering her to meet him in London, then Amsterdam. After an exhausting journey, Blake shocks Pippa by introducing her as his fiancée.
 
Stan, a fellow classic car enthusiast, invited Blake on a canal cruise on his newly purchased barge. Unfortunately, one of the other passengers is a young woman determined to get her hooks into Blake. Pippa resists the job of decoy but has to cooperate after Blake swipes her passport. Further complications arise when they must share a small stateroom on the boat.
 
I enjoyed watching Blake and Pippa's relationship develop. Pippa reminds herself frequently that this is pretend, but the forced proximity to Blake makes it challenging to remember. Meanwhile, Blake enthusiastically embraces the deception, playing the doting fiancé to the hilt. There are some good scenes of them together, where Pippa feels a spark of hope for more than pretend. However, in other scenes, Blake is standoffish, or Pippa pushes him away to protect her heart. As the book went on, I suspected Blake had feelings for Pippa that he didn't know how to express. I liked the ending and the hint of vulnerability in Blake's big moment.
 
Strange things are happening aboard the boat. Stan is very protective of the storage room across from Blake and Pippa's room, rousing Pippa's curiosity. Blake confides in her that Stan has a sketchy past and has drawn the interest of law enforcement. An attack on Pippa arouses Blake's protective instincts and worry about her safety, and a narrow escape on the water puts Blake's safety in question. The anti-climactic resolution of the mystery takes place off-page, confirming my suspicions about the perpetrator and methods.