Sweet Treason

In Sweet Treason by Gail Ranstrom, the year is 1779, the American Revolutionary War is going on, and Emily is at the family estate in Oak Hills, England, struggling to keep it going and find the money to do so.  If she can make it a few more months she will inherit free and clear, and she will resort to almost anything to make sure she doesn't lose the estate.

When an American 'spy' (Ryan) shows up in her home and Emily doesn't out him to the soldiers who come knocking, Ryan convinces her that if she says anything now, she will be implicated as a co conspirator.  Even with a heat and attraction to him that is fully unexpected, Emily is glad to see the back of him.  She has her own secrets to protect, she does not want to risk being assocaited with a traitor!

Forced to go to London by the trustee of the family estate, who Emily does not trust one bit but she is determined to figure out his ulterior motive, Emily starts running into Ryan more and more.  Coincidence or something more?  Emily does not want to trust the spy, but the desire they feel for each other can't be denied.  Emily knows Ryan won't be staying around, but she can no longer resist him or how he makes her feel.    She takes big chances to be with him.  Not only could her heart be broken when he leaves, but the secrets they both harbor could end up harming them.  With the war going on, clandesine meetings, unexpected and frightening happenings, Ryan and Emily are going to have to trust someone.  Can they trust each other?  Are they really that different?  And what could possibly become of them?

I have to admit I don't read a lot of historical romance books, but I am so glad I read Sweet Treason!  I loved it!!!  Emily was such a strong woman, especially for the era Sweet Treason took place in.  She was not going to sit quietly for anything or anyone and I loved that about her.  She is so busy taking care of everyone else though, who will take care of Emily?  I really enjoyed the relationship between her and Ryan, and seeing it evolve.  Ryan played tough, but when it came to Emily he definitely has a soft spot!  He is standing up for what he believes in...and they might not be as different as they think.

Gail's descriptives are so well written that I could feel the cool air and smell the salt water...see the busy streets, and be at the parties.  All of the characters were well written and came together nicely to pull you into the story.  I loved it too because even though it was hundreds of years ago, feelings are the same no matter what century and those are what makes you relate to the characters, especially Emily

I am so glad I read Sweet Treason and recommend it to any romance reader, especially if you like historical romance, intrigue, and heat!

Marry Me, Cowboy

Not only do I love the stories of The Cooper Mountain Rodeo novellas, but I absolutely am loving the covers!

In Marry Me, Cowboy by Lilian Darcy, Tegan makes the rodeo circuits barrel racing.  Originally from Australia and her visa about to expire, Tegan is all set to marry her fellow rodeo rider Chet so that she can stay in the country.  There is no romance involved, it is pure practicality.  So when Chet suddenly calls off the wedding (at the wedding!), Tegan is not heart broken, but disappointed...she's not ready to go back to Australia yet.  She'd like nothing more to blame Chet's good friend Jamie for that fiasco!

As far as Tegan can tell, her and Jamie are complete opposites with nothing in common.  They only seem to antagonize each other.  Tegan is flashy, likes to talk, and not at all the kind of woman Jamie wants to be with.  When he finds himself offering spur of the moment to marry Tegan so she can stay in the country, neither of them really take his offer seriously.  Both of them choose to ignore the little sparks the other can set off.  But when Chet comes clean with his secret, Tegan sees a whole new side of Jamie...one she just might like.  They've known each other for almost two years, but just now, while in Marieta,  they are suddenly spending more and more time together.  Both of them have pasts, hurts and issues they struggle with, things they want to do.   They just might have way more in common than either of them thinks, and maybe being together will be more than either of them thought possible!

Marry Me, Cowboy is another fun romance in The Cooper Mountain Rodeo series.  I loved being back in Marieta.  Tegan and Jamie are both people you can relate to, and the way they come together shows that sometimes facing the past is the only way to move forward.  I liked the way they were able to get past their perceived differences and finally talk to each other!  They are a bit younger than what I usually like to read about, but they are strong enough characters that I really enjoyed them!  Marry Me, Cowboy is a great example of how many times there is way more to a person than you first think, and if you go a bit deeper you might like what you find!  Lilian managed to draw me in quickly to Tegan and Jamie's story and keep me there, not only for them but for the secondary characters also - more people that I wouldn't mind finding out more about, really letting your imagination take you where you want them to go!  

If you haven't read Tempt Me, Cowboy (the first book in the series), Marry Me, Cowboy can certainly be read as a stand alone novella.  I highly recommend reading them both though!

Country Roads

In Country Roads by Nancy Herkness, Julia, a famous artist, has fled the home she shares with her uncle to finally strike out on her own.  Between miscommunication, over protectiveness and their different ideas regarding Julia's career, it's time for her to be independent. Julia is heading to Sanctuary, WV in a beater truck she bought with her paintings in tow.  When she gets a flat and is rescued by Paul, her life as she knows it is about to change.

Paul tries to, but just can't drive by the woman on the side of the road.  Little does he know when he does how much she will change his life too.

Julia is just looking to get an outside opinion on her paintings - which are so different from all her other work - and hopefully sell them.  She's half terrified and half excited.  Up until now she's been under the protective umbrella of her uncle, but circumstances have forced Julia to take a stand and start managing her own career.  Paul takes Julia where she was going - to the gallery in Sanctuary - and despite the owner's enthusiasm over Julia's new paintings, Julia is still filled with doubt.  Deciding to stay in Sanctuary a little longer, Julia slowly builds her confidence.  No one in Sanctuary knows about the medical condition she had that contributed to her family's over protectiveness, and Julia is finally free to do what she wants, what makes her happy without anyone trying to wrap her up in cotton and keep her safe.  She paints what she wants to paint and gets to know Paul a lot better.  Soon they are more together than not, and the relationship is much more than client/lawyer or even friends.  Even knowing she will be leaving, Julia allows herself to lose herself in Paul...and before she knows it she's lost her heart.

Julia truly finds her muse in Sanctuary...between both Paul and Darkside, her whisper horse she discovers; both help her feel whole.  Julia has her secret though, and Paul has some of his own.  Julia wants to move on though and comes clean with Paul.  Paul is less willing to let his go though.  When Julia helps him see who he really is and wants to be, he pushes away...has he pushed Julia too far?  Will they both be brave enough to discover that secrets are most powerful when hidden away?  Will they find the freedom to be with each other, finding a way to make a relationship work in different worlds?  Paul might need to revisit who he really is and what makes him happy if he is going to have any chance with Julia. 

Country Roads is a great romantic read!  Nancy delves into not only the relationship between lovers, but the family relationships hidden in the background too.  With this, Nancy gives us some great characters in Country Roads...realistic people you can easily picture walking down your street.  The relationship between Paul and Julia, as quick as it evolves, is dynamic...pulling them and the reader in all directions!  Julia is a lot stronger than the people she's previously surrounded herself with give her credit for.  She's strong, smart, and quite capable of being independent!  She's willing to take chances and put herself out there...despite her fear of rejection.  I really loved watching Julia become more and more confident, less worried about what others' think, but at the same time still thoughtful of others. Paul has always been someone everyone goes to and looks up to...he never wants to let anyone down and puts others' needs before his own, even if it's making him unhappy.  Inside of serious Paul, I can see the carefree, fun loving guy that Julia can too.  Hopefully he can find a way to do what he wants to do, what makes him happy. 

I haven't read the first book in this series, but Country Roads can definitely stand alone!  Fast paced and never bored, I loved Nancy's writing!  Her descriptives of Darkside in particular were so vivid I could picture him easily in my mind, and feel his breath as he reached for a carrot!   Country Roads was a real page turner, a really sweet romance between two people not looking for love...who might find it anyway, and it will be up to them what they do with it.

I highly recommend this romance!

4/5 stars :)

For Love or Vengenace

 For Love or Vengeance by Caridad Pineiro, FBI Special Agent Helene is actually the goddess Nemesis.  She is on earth with one mission - to exact justice.  Helene is happy to do this - especially if it means she can escape the abuse of her father Zeus, god of Olympus.  Failure is not an option for Helene - if she fails, her time on earth as a goddess will come to an end.

When Helene is reassigned to a different office and city of the FBI, her reputation precedes her.  For Helene, things are black and white and serving justice is the only option.  She is seen as cold and calculating, with no hesitation to take down a perpetrator.  She is also gorgeous and smart, and despite her immortality, she hides a lot of hurt on the inside.  Helene is partnered with Miguel, who is also a reassigned FBI agent.  Miguel has had his share of struggles, and he is definitely all mortal!  As soon as he sees Helene he is fascinated and drawn to her...but once they are partnered he convinces himself he can maintain a strictly professional relationship with her.  That will prove to be a very difficult thing to do when they're together for hours at a time for days on end as they hunt for a serial killer...hoping to catch him before anyone else is killed. 

Helene is just as attracted to Miguel...even though she does not have intimate relationships with humans!  What starts out as a release for her soon could turn into much more if she's not careful.  She's starting to feel things she's never felt as a goddess before, things she doesn't think she should be feeling for someone who she can't be with.  As awed by Helene as he is, Miguel does notice some oddities about Helene, her social skills are lacking and her drive for 'justice' is almost frightening.  He is wary of working with Helene, especially when it starts looking like she's more out for vengeance than justice.  But the passion between them cannot be denied...nor should it!  With both of them fighting their growing feelings and seeing life through such different eyes, can they stay focused on the case and catch a killer before it's too late?  Can they accept the differences between them?

Will Miguel and Helene be able to have any kind of relationship?  How does one tell a lover that you really are a goddess?  Most importantly, will justice be served or will Helene's time as a goddess on earth end?

For Love or Vengeance takes us on quite a romantic journey!  I really liked the interactions between Miguel and Helene...they were so different but worked so well together.  It was really fun to watch Helene try to become more thoughtful of others...more 'human' like. There is something about Miguel that really makes her want to be that way.  The way they struggled with the inevitable and then finally came together was so realistic of a lot of couples!  I was really intrigued to keep reading, wondering where Caridad would go with a seemingly impossible relationship.  Because Helene had such a black and white out look on life, she really does help Miguel put a lot of things in perspective too.  Despite their differences, they bring out a lot of good in each other and really make the other think about things. I really enjoyed both of these characters!

There were a few secondary characters I'd love to read more about who added just the right amount of flavor to For Love or Vengeance and had you wondering what was up with them!  I'm hoping to see more of them in the future books of this series (which I will definitely be reading!)

I loved everything about For Love or Vengeance!  I really enjoy a bit of paranormal in romance, and Caridad gives us a perfect blend of both!  I really liked the mix of mythology in the modern world.  I haven't done much reading about gods and goddesses, so this was a wonderful new adventure for me!  This is the first book I've read by Caridad, and it definitely won't be the last!  I highly recommend it to anyone who loves romance, paranormal and suspense all woven together in a riveting book!

5/5 stars

For The Love of Magic

In For The Love of Magic by Janet Chapman, we get Rana and Titus Oceanus’s magical story. We have met Rana and Titus in previous Spellbound Falls books, but For The Love of Magic gives us a close up look at a couple who have been married for 40 years.Read More

3.5 stars

The Memory of You

The Memory of You by Laurie Kellogg tells us the story of 'Mac'.  Mac was in the Vietnam War and ended up being taken prisoner.  He is a POW for years, one day waking up with absolutely no memory of himself or his past.  He doesn't know who he is or where he came from.  He remembers things like math and everything to do with his Engineering degree, but the personal stuff?  Nothing.

When Mac is finally back in the USA and in the hospital, he is identified as Lieutenant Matthew 'Matt' Foster.  He was also married to Abby.  He remembers her name, but nothing else.  When his dog tags were found in rubble, he was presumed and declared dead.  But now Mac is back.  He is relieved to have an identity, even if it's one he can't remember, and he doesn't even look like his old photo.  He does know that the man he is now can be nothing like the boy he was.

Not remembering Abby, Mac still feels the need to find her and check on her.  He's convinced by now she'll have moved on with her life, and he has no intention of disrupting it.  That changes though, when he realized that Abby has a child.  His child.  Without telling Abby who he is, because she doesn't recognize him, Mac manages to integrate himself into her life and the child's life, slowly getting to know them.  Abby must be very trusting and have a heart of gold, because soon Mac is doing work for her and living in her guest room.  Mac has decided he wants to see if there's any chance they are still compatable and can fall in love before he tells her who he is, if he even will - he still doesn't remember much.  To complicate matters, Abby has recently become engaged to Rob, a dentist.

Engaged or not though, Abby finds herself drawn to Mac and reacting to him physically in a way that she never does with Rob.  She also sees, and sometimes envies, the bond that Mac has made so quickly with her son - something Rob has not managed to do.  But Abby is determined to have stability and compatability - something she's sure she'll get with Rob despite the lack of sparks.  She's not too sure anything she has with Mac can last, when she really doesn't know him and he can't remember anything.  When the sparks start though, fire is sure to follow!  Will Abby take the chance on a man she hardly knows?  Or will she stick with what she knows, even with the lack of excitement?

I loved The Memory of You by Laurie Kellogg.  I was really intrigued with the plot, wondering when and if Mac would admit to who he really was, wondering if he's ever remember anything.  Some things you should be able to forget, such as being a POW...but there's always the hope he'll remember his love and time with Abby.  Laurie kept me engrossed in The Memory of You with her smoothly flowing writing, the emotional journey of Mac and Abby, and the hope that Mac and Abby can have their happily ever after.  I really liked Abby despite the fact that she opened her home to a virtual stranger.  Otherwise I found her to be a strong, independent woman who has managed to move on with her life after the death of her husband in war.  Even though she was engaged to Rob, I loved that she stood up to him when she needed to, and did what she thought was best, not what anyone else thought she should do.  I loved Mac!  I can only imagine the horror that he went through.  Even though in The Memory of You it's a fictional account, everyone knows things like this happen in war and it's awful.  He's trying his hardest to move on from that and even though I felt he shouldn't keep such a big secret from Abby, I think he's going to be ok.

This is the first book I've read by Laurie Kellogg, but it definitely won't be the last!  I loved her style of writing and I loved this story.  Highly recommend for all romance readers!

5/5 stars

Tempt Me Cowboy

In Tempt Me Cowboy by Megan Crane, Chelsea Crawford Collier, history teacher,  is happy and comfortable with her life in Marietta, Montana.  Yes, she's still living with her mother and the whole town knows she caught her boyfriend cheating on her, but she's happy and Marietta is where she wants to be. Her family is one of the founding families of Marietta, but slowly their wealth has withered. Chelsea would like nothing better than to turn the old train station into a museum, and has been actively fundraising to purchase the building.

She is shocked and upset when the train station is suddenly sold, and the new owner has aspirations of turning it into a micro brewery!  

As soon as Jasper saw Marietta, he knew it was the place for him.  He's made a fortune in the oil business and is now ready to retire, to enjoy a quieter life.  When he first sees Chelsea waiting determinedly to talk him out of his plans, he is thrown for a loop!  She is dressed too old and unflattering for her age, but she is as hot and fiery as her red hair!  Chelsea is convinced Jasper has no plans to stay and make Marietta his home, and she is horrified by the idea of a micro brewery in 'her' train station!  Jasper is used to women chasing him, not him having to chase a woman.  But the attraction between them is too intense to ignore and Jasper sets out to pursue Chelsea.

Chelsea is used to being a good girl, doing what everyone expects of her (especially her mother!).  When Jasper convinces Chelsea to let her hair down (literally!) and take a chance with him, Chelsea decides maybe she can have a quick fling with him after all...maybe it's time to make herself happy.  She has no intention of getting her heart involved and hurt again, and she's still convinced a man like Jasper will never settle down in Marietta.  But Jasper has finally found a place that feels like home, especially if he can convince Chelsea to give a relationship with him a real try.

Does Chelsea have the courage to give her heart to Jasper?  Can she trust what she feels to take the chance?  Will Jasper be able to convince Chelsea he has every intention of sticking around - with her?

Tempt Me Cowboy by Megan Crane is a fantastic novella introducing us to the Copper Mountain Rodeo Series.  I loved Jasper and Chelsea!  Jasper brings out the best in Chelsea, encourages her to break out of the mold she's stuck herself in, and have fun!  He genuinely cares about her and wants to be with her...maybe because she's completely opposite from the women he usually sees?  There's nothing like a hot, motorcycle riding man pursuing his woman!  Chelsea was a lot of fun!  Even in this short novella her character really grew, I watched her become more confident as she finally did things for herself, not because it was expected of her!  I really hope she can take a chance on Jasper.

Megan gives us a fun, hot romance with Tempt Me Cowboy.  It was really fun to be introduced to Marietta, Montana.   Through Megan's descriptive's I could really see Copper Mountain in my mind, feel the wind on my face, and hear Jasper's drawl!  Jasper and Chelsea are both strong characters, and I'm really hoping we'll catch glimpses of them in future books in this series!  Tempt Me Cowboy was a quick read, and the length was perfect for Jasper and Chelsea's story with smoothly written script, love, and laughter!

5/5 stars