Flirting With Danger

In Flirting With Danger by Claire Baxter, Jasmine does everything she can to downplay her feminine side.  Jasmine is a fire fighter, so she works with a lot of men and is just 'one of the guys' - which is how she likes it.  Jasmine hasn't been in a relationship for a while.  Since finding out her ex was cheating on her, she's not too confident in men.

As a bridesmaid at her friend's wedding though, Jasmine dresses up really nicely...in fact she's gorgeous!  When Jasmine looks in the mirror though, she sees her mother and the last thing she wants is to be compared to her mother.  Another reason she usually hides behind her tomboy image and unattractive clothing.

Some of the guys she works with who attend the wedding are shocked when they see her in all her finery.  Especially Aaron...the last person Jasmine wants to be attracted to.  He's one of the guys, she works with him, and she's heard a lot about his revolving bedroom door!  She definitely does not want to be another notch in his bed post.  She definitely does not want to admit to herself or to Aaron that she is attracted to him... that he brings her feminine parts to life!  But he is not an option - he's not interested in a one woman relationship, plus she has to work with him.

Aaron is stunned by Jasmine!  He is just as shocked by his attraction to her, she is not his usual 'type', and he definitely isn't looking to settle down.  All the same, Aaron wants to explore these feelings with Jasmine, even if she thinks she doesn't want to.  When Jasmine is injured and Aaron feels responsible, Aaron sees it as the perfect opportunity to spend more time with her.  The more time they spend together, the harder it's getting for Jasmine to resist her desires, and the more Jasmine sees that Aaron is not the shallow womanizer that she has always thought he was.  There is much more to Aaron than what's on the surface, and Jasmine is liking what she sees more and more.

Can Jasmine risk her heart on Aaron?  Is there any chance for them?

Both Jasmine and Aaron have issues from their pasts that they have to get past, both very different, but both just as important to them.  They are a fun couple to get to know, as a reader I could imagine them as real people struggling to come together.  I loved seeing Jasmine start to embrace who she was too.

There was just enough interaction with the secondary characters in Flirting With Danger so that they didn't take over the story with their stories.  I loved that Jasmine has such good friends and a family who wants to be there for her, if only she'd let them!

Flirting With Danger by Claire Baxter is a sweet, fun romantic read.  I had a lot of enjoyment watching Jasmine and Aaron come out of their shells and get to know each other outside of work.  The banter between them was hilarious at times!  It was really great to watch their relationship evolve as they started to trust not only each other more, but their feelings towards each other.  Will it be enough though to make a relationship work?  As I read further into Flirting With Danger, I found myself really hoping that they could make it as a couple.

Claire writes a romance that will draw you in and make you really feel for Jasmine and Aaron.  I loved how they got to know each other so well outside of the bedroom, and grew from there.  I'd recommend Flirting With Danger to any romance reader looking to lose yourself in a fun, fast paced romance that won't leave you bored!

4/5 stars

Nowhere Safe

In Nowhere Safe by Nancy Bush,  September "Nine" is back on the job after an injury sustained in the line of duty.  With her partner still on leave, and the department short staffed, September is immediately back in the thick of things.
When her former stepbrother is attacked and left bound to a flagpole with a sign around his neck, the crime is uncannily similar to another case September worked on.  But on that case, the victim died.  September and her colleagues at first can find no link between the two victims until slowly the pieces start to fall into place.  They think they've unravelled the why...but by who?  And how are the victims being chosen?
At the same time the next victim is being stalked women are going missing...is it all somehow connected?  In a race against time, September and her colleagues must investigate all possibilities, even when things are becoming more and more personal.  Can they catch a killer before the killer strikes again?
While September is hard at work desperately trying to solve the crimes, she is also moving forward with her relationship with Jake.  She is nervous about it ... Jake comes with a past she's not always too sure he's over.  When Jake's past collides with their future though, they both might find out what's real and what's important.
Nancy Bush gives us another great read with Nowhere Safe.  I would highly recommend reading the other books in this series so that you have a better understanding of the characters and the past and present events.  Some of September's background is easier to understand if you read the other books.
I thought Nowhere Safe was a fantastic, fast moving, captivating suspense.   Nancy manages to write an intricately woven plot, and I loved the subplots that added character and depth to Nowhere Safe.  September is a strong, independent woman.  She is confident in her job, but less so in her personal life.   Jake seems like a good guy, he obviously loves September and wants nothing more than to be with her.  He's having a little trouble letting go of guilt around his previous relationship though, and I think he's going to have to get over this!  I loved how he and September were so honest with each other.
The romance of Jake and September did take a bit of a backseat to the mystery September has to unravel so if you're expecting pure romance and all that comes with it you might be disappointed.  I did love Nowhere Safe, I found myself quickly immersed in the story wondering what would happen next!

5/5 stars :)

The Protected

In The Protected by Shiloh Walker, Vaughnne is a psychic FBI agent, part of a little known specialized group of FBI agents. She has been off on medical leave, recovering from her last case which was very traumatic for her. Now Vaughnne is back and her boss Jones has her heading back to the last place she wants to go - back to Orlando, Florida, to 'babysit' a boy who may or may not have people after him and who may or may not have special gifts. Read More

In Secrets and Sins: Malachim by Naima Simone, Malachim is in danger of losing not only his law practice, but his license, after a decades old secret is revealed.  When Danielle Warren applies for one of the jobs he's had difficulty filling because of his troubles, Malachim senses she is not who she seems to be...he senses secrets and a past he can relate to.

Danielle fled an abusive husband, changing her name, changing who she is.   A job at Malachim's law firm as a para legal is just what she wants and needs to start moving forward again.   From the moment she sees Malachim though, she feels things she has no business feeling..."The zooming-too-fast-down-a-hill sensation in her belly labeled him a danger - a danger to be avoided at all costs."  Danielle doesn't want to trust Malachim, but she will have to trust someone.

When danger lurks and people Danielle care about start being hurt, Danielle feels like the nightmare is starting all over again.  Her ex-husband is out of prison and after her, all Danielle can think to do is run and disappear again.  But she is tired of running and letting her ex win...and some things and some people just might be worth fighting for.  Can Danielle trust in Malachim and their feelings towards each other?  Or is it too late as her past creeps closer and closer?

Danielle and Malachim have pasts that can do them and those around them damage.  Malachim has come clean about his, and right or wrong he is now suffering the consequences.  He also has to deal with the cold, angry man he's called father his whole life who has had nothing but contempt towards Malachim.  Malachim can't ignore his feelings for Danielle though, and right or wrong, he wants to be with her and protect her.  I found Malachim really easy to like and feel for.  While I felt for Danielle - she has had a horrible life experience so far and never felt loved...I could not understand why she continued to keep her secret when they were so obviously affecting those around her.  She needs to dig deep and find the strength to fight before it's too late...she can't run forever.

Both Malachim and Danielle were great characters that worked well together.  They were similar enough and yet at the same time worlds apart.   I think they are two people struggling to find their way in the world, and I found myself really hoping they'd find it together.

Naimi gives us a fast paced, dangerous and thrilling journey of personal growth and romance in Secrets and Sins.  I got through Secrets and Sins really fast because I could not put it down!  Naimi really made me feel a variety of emotions for the general plot and for the characters, really bringing Secrets and Sins to life.  Naimi's descriptions, while graphic at times, were so realistic.

I did not read the first book in this series, but Naimi gave enough background so that I knew what was going on.

4/5 stars

The Hero

Welcome back to Thunder Point! The Hero is book 3 in this series, and it's a winner!

In The Hero by Robyn Carr we not only meet new people, we continue with the people we've already met. Spencer has just moved to Thunder Point with his son Austin. Who is also Cooper's son that he never knew about. Spencer and Cooper have a remarkably good relationship, both of them loving Austin. But Spencer is lonely. His wife was sick for a few years before she died, and slowly the woman he married no longer was. As much as he loves her and misses her, Spencer is lonely. 

Devon and her daugher Mercy arrive unexpectedly and somewhat mysteriously in Thunder Point, alone with shattered illusions and dreams...and afraid. She finds shelter and help from Rawley, a Vietnam Vet who is used to being on his own. Slowly Devon finds herself again and starts to feel secure. The last thing she wants or is looking for is a relationship...but that's exactly what she finds in Spencer. They take it slow, both of them need a friend too, but there is no denying the attraction between them. But Spencer has lost more than his wife lately, and soon is feeling overwhelmed. Not just by his relationship with Devon, but by everything. Is he as ready to move on with Devon as he thought? At the risk of hurting and losing Devon, Spencer needs some time. When Devon's past catches up with her and Mercy though, Spencer just might realize what he stands to lose now. Can they heal each other and move on, or is it too late?

I loved The Hero! Once again Robyn gives us realistic characters that are easy to relate to. People you'd want to hang out with! A place you'd love to live! She manages to write about feelings and situations that bring the characters to life like they're sitting right next to you. I loved all of the characters in The Hero, but I think Rawley is one of my favorites. He is way more than most people give him credit for, in his silent way, and Devon and Mercy really manage to get into his heart. When the going gets tough you know he is someone you can count on. All of the characters in The Hero, actually the whole series, are refreshingly mature, dealing with adult situations in a realistic and honest manner. I love this!

I highly recommend The Hero and this series, you won't be disappointed. Robyn writes a romance that will have you staying up way too late!

5/5 stars

The Newcomer

The Newcomer by Robyn Carr is book 2 of the Thunder Point Novels, and I love it there!

In The Newcomer by Robyn Carr, we are taken back to Thunder Point and the great mix of people who live there. Although there are many characters in The Newcomer, the plot focuses on two relationships. 

Sarah and Cooper, who we met in The Wanderer, continue their relationship, and it is still not a for sure thing! Cooper was never one to settle down, but now it looks like he's doing just that between his beach bar and relationship with Sarah. Sarah is still relationship shy after her divorce. She not only has herself to think about, but her high school age brother Landon who she is raising. Just when things seem to be settling down and they start enjoying a true relationship together, both of them have to deal with unexpected surprises. These surprises have the power to test their growing relationship and their trust in each other. Can their relationship survive what the past has brought and the future might bring? 

The Newcomer also brings us deeper into the relationship of Mac and Gina, and all the complexities of that! Mac and Gina have been circling each other for years. Their daughters are best friends, and Mac and Gina are good friends. But Gina has always felt way more than friendship for Mac, and at the end of book one (The Wanderer) she is ready to throw in the towel on that idea, because Mac was just not getting it! By the time we see them again in The Newcomer, they are in a comfortable and happy relationship. They both have pasts that have made moving forward difficult. Gina was a single, teenage mother at a time when few were, and Mac's wife left him and their 3 children, never looking back. The stronger their relationship becomes, the more obstacles are getting thrown up at them, potentially coming between them and taking them away from each other. With unexpected events and people from the past showing up, will Mac and Gina ever get their happily ever after?

I loved this visit back to Thunder Point! Robyn brings her characters to life and writes about real life events that any romance reader can relate to, whether it be teenage pregnancy, divorce, depression, complicated relationships, and of course love! I loved all the characters in The Newcomer, I got a real small town feel when I read The Newcomer and started really looking forward to what would come next for who. Robyn describes Thunder Point so great, I could feel myself out there on a paddle board and smell the ocean mist.

Robyn will manage to surprise you with what happens next, and I love the maturity of all of the characters and how they handle what comes there way. It is so nice to read about characters who are a bit more mature without a lot of relationship drama, who are open and honest with each other. 

I highly recommend this series!

5/5 stars

High Passion

In High Passion by Vivian Arend Alisha is a highly skilled Search and Rescue worker working for Lifeline out of Banff, Alberta. She is from a life of privilege and expectations, but has struck out on her own to do what she wants to do – what makes her happy. Alisha’s colleagues and friends have no clue about her background, and that’s how she likes it. She wants to be judged on who she is and how she does her job free from the shadow of her family.Read More