Forbidden Falls - Robyn Carr

Synopsis:
The young widower arrives ready to roll up his sleeves and build a place of worship and welcome, but he needs some help. And the Lord works in mysterious ways. With her tight shirts and short skirts, "pastor's assistant" is not a phrase that springs to mind when Noah meets brassy, beautiful Alicia Baldwin. But the former exotic dancer needs a respectable job so she can regain custody of her children. So the pastor and the stripper revitalize a church . . .

Review:

It sounds like a bad joke, a stripper, a minister and a small town bar....but it is none other than the next story in Robyn Carr's Virgin River series.  Forbidden Falls is book #8 in the series.  In all of Robyn's stories, you get way more than just one love story, and that is the case for Forbidden Falls as well.  The main story is of a minister that buys the run down church next to Jack's bar from Hope McCrea.  Using his own money, he sets out to make the church his new home.  From the start he realizes he can't do it alone and interviews 3 women for the job of assistant.  Ellie is a sassy bombshell with a body that kills and brains that you don't expect.  I loved her from the start.  A young woman down on her luck looking to make some changes for herself and her two young children.  Noah isn't sure her kind of help is going to be what he needs, but he decides to give her a chance after running in to her at Jack's bar.  They become good friends way before any type of love is brought up, but he falls in love with her hook, line and sinker (and baggage).

The second story is of Vanni and Paul.  Paul ex-girlfriend dies suddenly and leaves him in her will.  The reading of the will is VERY unexpected and when he returns home from Grants Pass, things between Vanni and Paul become very strained.  Ellie befriends Vanni and becomes her friend, therapist and right hand man, so to speak.  Ellie is also the one the helps Vanni see the light and help her through the crisis that a dead woman created.

Notable Quote:

"Struggling is mandatory.  Suffering is optional."  (George, Noah's mentor, helping him see the light)

Rating:

One of my favorite things about this book are all of the quotes from Ellie's grandmother.  I felt so much emotion in this book from joy and love to pain and misery.  We get to revisit some of our old friends while making new ones.  I loved how the town of new friends came to help Ellie in the end, even if was only support.  A truly heart warming book. 

Against The Law - Kat Martin

Synopsis:
At thirty-two Dev is "mostly retired" from Raines Investigations, content to run operations from his sprawling Arizona home. But Dev has never been able to say no to a beautiful woman, so when Lark Delaney comes to him for help, the former U.S. Army Ranger from Wind Canyon gets back in the game.
Lark is sexy, successful and dedicated to tracking down the baby girl her sister gave up for adoption. It should be a straightforward case, but it's not long before Dev uncovers a shady adoption ring and worse—the child's parents have been murdered and the little girl has been taken.
As the case grows dangerous and Lark needs him more than ever, Dev can't ignore his growing attraction for her. He also can't trust his judgment with women or the emotions he's long-since buried. But there's a chance, if he gets this right and saves Lark's niece, that he'll end up saving himself, too.

Review:

Against the Law is the 3rd book in the Raines of Wind Canyon and my favorite of the bunch.  I loved the first two immensely, but there was just something about Dev's dangerous yet compassionate side that I fell in love with even from the beginning of this series.  Dev is a man that knows how to get things done and has the money to back him up.  Lark is a woman that has to change her life radically when she finds out that the child her sister gave away for adoption 5 years ago, will now be her responsibility since the adoption wasn't legal PLUS the adoptive parents were slaughtered for a drug ring gone bad.  Once they find the little girl, Lark is no longer Dev's client and they both give in to the lust they have been feeling.  Lark knows she has given Dev her heart but how can it work for them with her a new mother, plus her business is in LA and he resides in Arizona, thinking there can't be a future, she goes back to LA with her new daughter only to have the little girl kidnapped.  Needing Dev's help again and finding comfort in his arms she makes the only choice she can, she calls Dev for help....again.  Lots of twists and turns make this story interesting and you are routing for the good guy and love the whole time.

LOL Moment:

"Sassy's the name of your Jeep?"  Riggs said, his dark eyebrows climbing.  Jake shrugged his massive shoulders.  "She can be damned cantankerous at times".

Rating:

I would recommend this entire series to anyone, but this third book had it all, love, heartache, a hero that was delicious and a heroine that wasn't one to sit on the sidelines while she was rescued.  I heard that there will be 3 more books in this series highlighting some of Dev's counterparts and I can't wait!!!

Glory Glory - Linda Lael Miller

Synopsis:
Eight years ago, Glory Parsons had been forced to flee her hometown--and leave behind her first love. And Jesse Bainbridge would never know the heartbreaking price she'd paid--or about the child born of their fiery union....

Jesse had once wanted Glory with all the passion in his soul--until she walked out on him. Now she was back with shocking news that would change his life forever. Could he trust the woman who'd betrayed him--the only woman he would ever love?

Review:

I didn't think I would ever find a LLM book that I didn't like, until Glory Glory.  I liked the idea of the story, since it was done with a twist.  Glory gave up her daughter for adoption at the insistence of Jesse's meddling grandfather only to be adopted by Jesse's brother and sister-in-law.  Flash forward several years and the brother and sister-in-law both die in a crash.  Jesse is then raising his own daughter without knowing it is his kid.  Glory comes back after a bad breakup to heal and to be with her mother while she marries over the holidays.  Glory comes face to face with a child that can be none other than hers, just on sight she knows Liza is hers.  Glory sets out to become friends with Liza against Jesse's wishes.  The parts that just don't jive with me, is the fact that he despises her, wants nothing to do with her, but the next moment they are in bed together?  Then once he does find out that his grandfather set up the whole scheme she just says...its okay, I have loved you forever.  Just seemed that the whole story was rushed.

LOL Moment:

"Aunt Ilene sewed in one of her past lives, but she doesn't know how anymore"

Rating:

As much as I hate to admit it, this was my least favorite book that I have read of LLM.  The story seemed rushed and the relationships between Jesse and his almost fiance just kind of ended with no sadness or drama.  The relationship between Jesse and Glory was not believable and I didn't feel like I had a vested interest in any of the characters.

Into The Fire - Suzanne Brockmann

Synopsis:
Vinh Murphy-ex-Marine and onetime operative for the elite security firm Troubleshooters Incorporated-has been MIA ever since his wife, Angelina, was caught in a crossfire and killed during what should have been a routine bodyguard assignment. Overcome with grief, Murphy blames the neo-Nazi group known as the Freedom Network for her death. Now, years later, Freedom Network leader Tim Ebersole has been murdered-and the FBI suspects Murphy may have pulled the trigger. To prevent further bloodshed, Murphy's friends at Troubleshooters scramble to find him and convince him to surrender peacefully.
Murphy himself can't be sure what he did or didn't do during the years he spent mourning and lost in an alcohol-induced fog. He does know he occasionally sought solace from Hannah Whitfield, a former police officer and the very friend who'd introduced him to his beloved late wife.
But Hannah, still grappling with the deafness that resulted from an injury sustained while on duty, was fighting her own battles. For years Hannah had feelings for Murphy, and one painful night their suffering brought them together in a way neither expected-and both regretted.
Murphy is ready to rejoin the living. As always, he finds himself knocking on Hannah's door, and as always, his longtime friend welcomes him back into her home. Yet even as Murphy slowly rebuilds his splintered life, hecontinues to fight his growing feelings for Hannah.
Then he learns of Ebersole's murder and comes to believe that the Freedom Network has targeted him-and Hannah-to avenge their leader's death to violence. Now Murphy must face the terrifying prospect of losing another woman he loves.
As the Troubleshooters desperately search for him, Murphy races toward a deadly confrontation with the Freedom Network and ultimate choice: surrender his life in hopes that Hannah will be spared, or risk everything to salvage whatever future they may have together.

Review:  

Into the Fire is the 13th book in the Troubleshooter series.  FINALLY, we have gotten back to the basics that is the Troubleshooters.  I almost gave up on this series, the last few books have been filled with nothing to do with the Troubleshooters but were listed in the series, but this book brings us back to whats important.  Vinh lost his wife and his grip on reality at the same time.  His best friend and rock, Hannah, seems to be the only thing helping him keep it together, but she has been in love with him since she was young keeping that to herself when he chose Angelina over her, choosing to keep her feelings to herself.  The man that was believed to have killed Murphy's wife is found murdered and Murphy doesn't know if he actually did it.  Hannah along with the help of the Troubleshooters set out to prove Murphy's innocence.  I loved getting to see how their relationships all came together.  Very complex and yet simple all at the same time.  The action was jam packed in this book and we got not one but 2 love stories that appeared in this book, plus one of our favorites relationship is going down hill fast.  Throughout the book, we get to see clips of all of the different relationships.  The beginning of the book is like a flashback of when Hannah and Angelina meet...then skip to when Vinh and Angelina are introduced.  It was great to be back in the land of the Troubleshooters and see all of the dynamic relationships, even when a team member doesn't necessarily care for another member, they are still willing to die for them.

Notable Quote:

"Careful, I feel myself slipping back to actively not liking you." (Nash and Dave)

Rating:

The beginning of the book was a little hard to follow jumping back and forth in time, but that would be my only gripe with this book.  I loved the story line and how it all came together in the end, even if I wasn't completely happy with the turn out of who gets whom.  I would recommend this book, as I would many of the Troubleshooter series.  Looking forward to Dark of Night.  

A Creed In Stone Creek - Linda Lael Miller

Synopsis:
When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match in the opposing counsel—beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. It'll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected to win any man's heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he's truly found home.

Review:

This is the first book in the new Stone Creed trilogy.  Even if you have never read any of the Creed or McKettrick books, you will love this new series.  Steven Creed is a stand up kind of man that takes on his best friends son when both the child's parents died.  Deciding that working the hours of a normal criminal attorney in a fancy firm is not in the best interest of Matt, he buys a spread in Stone Creek where his cousin that he recently reunited with also lives.  While in Stone Creed, Steven runs in to the town prosecutor, Melissa and sparks fly until they end up on the opposite side of the law, her the prosecutor and him the opposing counsel, then tempers flare.  Steven is very close with his twin cousins (Brody & Conner), who have their own issues to work out and having seen just a smidge of them in the first book, I can't wait to read their own.  Of course there is a little who-did-it and it is fairly obvious who actually did the do-ing, but I don't think that took away from the story at all.

Notable Quote:

..."What a lot of gobbledegook..." (Melissa's sisters trying to set her straight on men)

Rating:

I fell in love with Steven from page one.  He has everything a great hero has, but he is the best of the best since he actually doesn't know he is a hero.  The love story was great, and Matt stole the show in several scenes with his 5-year going on 50 speeches.  I would highly recommend this book as I would any of the Creed and McKettrick series books.  I can't wait for Creed's Honor, Connor's story, in June.

Unspeakable ~ Laura Griffin

Synopsis:
Elaina McCord’s dream of being an FBI profiler is threatened by her very first case—investigating a string of murders near a Texas beach resort. The victims, all young women, were drugged and brutally murdered, their bodies abandoned in desolate marshland. Elaina’s hunch—met with disbelief by local police—is that these are only the latest offerings from a serial killer who has been perfecting his art for years, growing bolder and more cunning with each strike.
True-crime writer Troy Stockton has a reputation as an irresistible playboy who gets his story at any cost. He’s the last person Elaina should trust, let alone be attracted to. But right now Troy, along with the elite team of forensics experts known as the Tracers, is her only ally in a case that’s turning dangerously personal. A killer is reaching out to Elaina, taunting her, letting her know how ruthless he is and how close he’s getting. Now it’s not just her career that’s in jeopardy—it’s her life. . . .

Review:
Unspeakable is the 2nd book in the Tracer series.  Elaina is a green FBI agent and was told to obtain her goal of being a profiler with the BAU, she needed more field experience.  She is shipped to the middle of nowhere, Texas.  While there she becomes the fixation of a serial killer known as the Paradise Killer.  While investigating and meeting with no help from the local police, she meets Troy Stockton who has taken a personal interest in the case she is currently working on.  Troy would like nothing more than to have his cake and eat it to, per se, but Elaina is working on her career and has decided to focus solely on her career but needs Troy to help her with the case as he is the only one that seems to believe her theories.  This is a non stop thriller.  You are introduced to the killer and his neurosis early on, but he isn't identified by his character until the end.

Notable Quote:
..."and why did you decide to stay?"  "I don't know," she said.  "I guess because they wanted me to leave."

Rating:
This was my first Laura Griffin book and it won't be my last.  There was non stop action and intrigue.  I thought I had the killer pegged early on then I changed my mind a dozen times.  I loved the chemistry between Elaina and Troy not only in the bedroom, but also on the case.  The story is more suspense than romance but I enjoyed it from cover to cover.  Through this story we met and got to know Ric a cop and Mia a scientist with the Tracer group who are in the next book and I can't wait to read it.

Sam's Creed - Sarah McCarty

Synopsis:
Known for making up his own rules of right and wrong, Texas Ranger Sam "Wildcard" MacGregor takes what he wants when he wants it, especially when it comes to women. But seduction is the last thing on his mind when he stumbles across a beauty crouching in fear beside a burned-out wagon.
Isabella may look feminine and unassuming, but she's hell in a bodice with gunslinging skills to match any man's. The woman the townsfolk call "cursed" is hiding secrets too dangerous to face alone. Luckily, she sees in Sam what he can barely glimpse in himself—a virtuous man in a hard country bent on breaking him. A man who, under it all, craves a passionate woman willing to risk everything….

Review:
Sam MacGregor is out on a mission searching for a Desi's missing sister (Ari, sister of the heroine in book 1) when he stumbles upon a caravan that was attacked by bandits. He thinks all were killed when he finds a woman still alive and hiding. Isabella (Bella) Montoya is on the run to keep her freedom. Cruel, immoral Tejala is determined to have her as his, but Bella wants no part of him so she goes on the run. Sam offers his protection until Tejala can be dealt with. So the two start traveling together. There is attraction between them and Bella, who believes capture by Tejala is inevitable, decides she'd rather give her innocence to Sam by her own choice. Sam doesn't go alone so easily. He wants her, but his conscience argues with him. Eventually he gives in, but Sam believes that once Bella is free of the threat of Tejala she'll no longer want him. It's up to Bella to convince him otherwise.  One of the things I disliked most about the book was that it's a Hell's Eight story, yet I felt like the author did a really poor job integrating that theme. Except for Tucker's involvement in the last chunk of the book, the extent of it is just Sam saying "I'm Hell's Eight" or something to that effect numerous times. From reading book 1 I knew in general what that was, but if I'm remembering right, there's no explanation at all as to what exactly Hell's Eight is in this book. That didn't make sense to me.  And for a group that is supposed to be very tightly bonded, it was weird that the rest were so completely uninvolved. For a book in a series, I want it to feel more like part of the series.

Notable Quote:

..."Do not miss".  She was a bossy little thing.  "I'll do my best."  It would be best if you succeeded."

Rating:

I liked this book generally, but it would have benefited from a stronger editorial eye for sure. I mean, there's suspense, there's gunslinging, there are macho cowboys in unlikely situations, it's a good ride and all that, but there are also long passages of dialogue that are tedious and repetitive and characters have a tendency to forget what happened on previous pages (Isabella spends a good portion of the book trying to get into Sam's pants, and every damn time she propositions him, he's shocked, shocked, like she hadn't just told him she wanted him on the previous page), etc. Also, and I realize this is a function of the drama, but I was kind of tired of the sex scenes by the end of the book. Like, yeah, yeah, I get it, they're in love, they want to do it all the time, but sometimes it's better to gloss over it and get to the action, you know? I mean, Isabella was being chased by very bad people, so rather than run, you're going to stop and have sex in public? Yeah, that's smart.

Caine's Reckoning - Sarah McCarty

Synopsis:
The Hell's Eight is the only family he's ever needed, until he meets the only woman he's ever wanted . . . Caine Allen is a hardened Texas Ranger, definitely not the marrying kind. But when he rescues a kidnapped woman and returns her to town, the preacher calls in a favor. One Caine's honor won't let him refuse. From the moment he beds Desi, Caine knows turmoil will follow. Desi might have the face of a temptress, but she also has a will of iron and while she needs his protection, she's determined that no man will control her again. They establish an uneasy bond, but it isn't enough for Caine. He wants all Desi has to offer. He wants her screams, her moans, her demands . . . everything. Yet there's still a bounty on Desi's head, and keeping her sexually satisfied is proving easier than keeping her alive.

Review:

From the very first chapter I was in love with Caine and Desi.  She was firecracker that was about self preservation and he is a Ranger that is about upholding the law and rescuing the lady in distress.  It soon becomes plain to Cain and his Hell's Eight brothers that Desi not only needs to be rescued from her kidnappers but also the town that wants her back.  The only way that Caine can release her from her guardian is to marry her...so he does.  Thus begins the story of their relationship and the trials and love that blossoms from that fateful decision.  She tries so hard to fit in to his world so that he will find her useful and not send her away.  She has lots of laugh out loud moments with the rooster, the mounting of the horse and just trying to be a rancher's wife and fit in.  Caine doesn't leave things unfinished and the Hell's Eight want nothing more than justice for what Desi endured.  While going back to town to inflict their brand of justice, they learn that the 3 men that held her captive have sent a ruthless half breed indian to fetch her and bring her back.  Desi has learned a lot while being at the ranch, and one is to keep her wits so when Jack comes after her, she is ready.  She learns from Jack that her twin sister is alive and is determined to stay alive long enough to find her.  When she is rescued by Caine and the Hell's Eight boys, they realize how much they mean to each other and the bond that has been formed is now unbreakable.

Notable Quote:

She rested her cheek on her hands. "why do you always have to be right?"  Caine replied Because it beats the heck out of being wrong!"

Rating:

I am addicted to this series.  I was brought in by the harsh men with morals, and a sassy lady.  The story is written so well and flows.  The love scenes are hot and well written, you feel like you are in the room with them.  The grit that Desi has most women can relate to.  The devotion that Caine has is what most women would kill to have.  I am moving on to Sam's Creed, the second in the series, can't wait!!

Live Wire - Lora Leigh

Synopsis:
Meet Captain Jordan Malone. For years he has been a silent warrior and guardian, operating independent of government protocol or oversight, leading his loyal team of Elite Ops agents to fight terror at all costs. A legend in the field, Jordan’s true identity has remained a mystery even to his own men…until now.

Tehya Talamosi, codename Enigma, is a force to be reckoned with. A woman this striking spells nothing but trouble for Jordan. Armed with killer secrets—and body to die for—she’ll bring Jordan to his knees as they both take on the most deadly mission they have ever faced. Because this time, it’s personal…

Review:
Live Wire is the 6th book in Lora Leigh's Elite Ops series.  This was the story I was looking forward to the most.  Jordan who is the leader of the team has always kept to himself.  There has always been an underlying need for Tehya, but he has never acted on it in the 8 years he has known her.  He took her in to the organization and taught her to be part of their team.  She fell in love with him almost on sight, but he has kept her at arms length for her own safety.  Tehya has become an important part of the team, and as the team has begun to disband, she begins to wonder if they will stay close.  She moves to a small town, buys a failing business and a house and starts to LIVE!!  It is a few months before her sixth sense starts to prickle her neck telling her she is being watched.  Through many twists and turns, the team all comes to her aide.  Who is trying to kill her?  What do they want?  Will she ever live a "normal" life?  Will Jordan ever realize that he is what she wants?

Notable Quote:
..."where's your two cents?"  Nik's expression didn't change as he continued to watch the other vehicle and the driver in it.  "Inflation sucks," he drawled.  "The price is a buck fifty now."

Rating:
This was the book I was most looking forward to and I was so disappointed.  My issues with the book are numerous.  It is hard for me to believe that after 8 years of diligently trying to keep Tehya at bay, Jordan will just take her, then let her go.  The story itself was  good, but it seems that anytime there is a lull in the story, they end up in bed.  For someone that doesn't want to be tied to her, he sure didn't mind it after a while.  I had an issue with being told that we needed to buy the prologue because it was to long for the book, then it was included in the book anyway.  The book is very short, compared to the others in the series and the typos are horrendous.  It seems this story was rushed but it has been over a year since the last Elite Ops book was released.  I sincerely hope this is the last in the series, as I don't know that I will buy another.

A Game of Chance - Linda Howard

Synopsis:
Undercover agent Chance Mackenzie knew that the best way to capture an elusive terrorist was to use the man's daughter as bait, so he cleverly seduced Sunny Miller and set out to discover her father's whereabouts. Sunny's own innocence was questionable, and gaining her trust was nearly impossible. And even with all his experience and training, Chance found it difficult to overlook her beauty.
However, Chance soon realized that Sunny wasn't running from him—she was running for her life, and she needed Chance's protection. But keeping Sunny safe would involve telling her the truth—about his mission and what she'd done to his heart.

Review:
A Game of Chance is the 5th book in the Mackenzie series and in my opinion the best of the bunch.  I fell in love with Chance throughout the series.  He was fiercely loyal and loved his family without question, even though love didn't come easy to him because of his early childhood.  Sunny kept him on his toes from the first meeting.  She is witty, and quirky and takes none of his crap.  To find out if she is aware of her fathers link to terrorism, Chance sets up a plane crash to make sure they can only be found when he wants them to be found.  It is in this "crash" site that they fall in love, but it is also where his lies get wound tighter and tighter.  When they are "rescued" and she finds out the truth, will she decided forgiveness is worth his love?

Notable Quote:
"...If I would could have had my pick of all the kids in the world to adopt, I sill would have chosen you."  (this line....its hard for me to put in to words, but not having this....made me wish...)

Rating:

I loved the entire series.  The family dynamics of each character were great and their mates were perfectly written.  Each story was filled with love, romance, intrigue, suspense and family.  The Mackenzie family is one that you wish you were a part of, no matter how crazy and loud they were, you would always know that no matter what, they would be there for you.  And Wolf is the father that every little girl dreams of!  A good book, in my opinion, makes you feel and get involved in each character, that is exactly what happens when reading this series.  You become a Mackenzie.