Welcome to Harmony - Jodi Thomas

Book Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old runaway Reagan has always wanted a place to belong. She's never had a real home of her own, but perhaps she could borrow someone else's. Under an assumed name and identity, she moves to Harmony, Texas, but keeps her distance from the welcoming townsfolk. Until prairie fires threaten Harmony-and Reagan learns the true meaning of family, friends, and home.

In My Own Words:
Harmony is a town that was founded by families that preferred to feud then get along.  And many years later, that seems to be the theme their current day family has decided to follow.  Reagan comes to Harmony hoping to make a new life for herself.  She convinces most of the town that she is the niece of the meanest man in Harmony, but the brother of her only friend that passed away.  Saying she was the granddaughter of her beloved friend gets her passage into the town and a home, for now.  Alex, the town sheriff, is the best sheriff that Harmony has ever seen, until Saturday nights roll around and she ends up at the local bar drowning her sorrows in the bottom of a bottle.  When her brother was killed in the line of duty 3 years prior, Alex blames herself.  The only person that can get through to her, that isn't scared of her, she hates with all the passion she can muster is Hank (her brother's bestfriend).

Notable Quote:
"So this falling off is part of it, win or lose. Noah, doesn't that seem strange to you? Seems like if you make the time, they should train the bulls to stop at the bell and let you off."
"I'll put that in the suggestion box" Noah laughed.

Review:
There was so much going on in this book that you would think you would be glued to the pages.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case for me.  This book was brought to me and said it was like Robyn Carr's Virgin River series, and I couldn't find that further from the truth.  While in the VR series, you get to meet lots of interesting characters, you meet them slowly, they aren't all thrown at you.  There is flow, where in this book, in my opinion, it was kind of thrown at you from all angles.  I did, finally, get in to the story line, but it was almost 3/4 way through the book, and that was because of the firebug that showed up.  Unfortunately, it was almost to easy to figure out who the fire-starter was which kind of took the fun out of it.  I don't see book 2 in my future.

Only Yours - Susan Mallery

Book Blurb:
Montana Hendrix has found her calling—working with therapy dogs. With a career she loves in a hometown she adores, she's finally ready to look for her own happily ever after. Could one of her dogs help her find Mr. Right… or maybe Dr. Right?

Surgeon Simon Bradley prefers the sterility of the hospital to the messiness of real life, especially when real life includes an accident-prone mutt and a woman whose kisses make him want what he knows he can't have. Scarred since childhood, he avoids emotional entanglement by moving from place to place to heal children who need his skillful touch. Can his growing feelings for Montana lead him to find a home in Fool's Gold, or will he walk away, taking her broken heart with him?

In My Own Words:
Montana is the free spirit of the triplets and took a while for her to find the place she belongs in the world. Not in the location sense, cause everyone knows, Fools Gold is home for her.  Montana started working with Max helping with the therapy dogs and fell in love, with each and every dog and with helping train them to become better at what they do best, making people happy.  Montana's first meeting with the new surgeon in town was when one of her therapy dogs got loose on his burn ward.  Not the best first impression and Simon was only to happy to let Montana know exactly what he thought of her and her dirty dog.

When Simon comes across a patient that might benefit from Montana's expertise, he swallows his pride and asks for her help.  Simon doesn't become attached to anyone, only staying for short periods of time at one hospital, no matter how good of an offer he gets.  No emotional entanglements, has always been his motto.  Something about Montana calls to him, no matter how much he fights it, he is loosing his mind and his heart.

Notable Quote:
"I thought all surgeons has huge egos."
"I have my moments too." One corner of his mouth twitched. "Plus, that stick up my butt takes a lot of room."

Review:
The more and more we meet people of Fools Gold, the more I want to move there.  This was another hit for me.  I loved that Montana and Simon had to work for their HEA.  Both head strong, and both with hearts of gold, hidden behind all the sarcasm and cynicism.  The secret of the "Max" tattoo on Montana's mom may have been solved, for now, but the intrigue has made me almost giddy, to think she may also get a HEA soon.  Reading a Fools Gold book, is like catching up with old friends, getting to get little glimpses of old characters, and meeting new ones.  Can't wait for Only His.

From This Moment On - Bella Andre

Book Blurb:
For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings after their father died when they were children. But when the perfectly ordered future he's planned for himself turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.Nicola Harding is known throughout the world by only one name - Nico - for her catchy, sensual pop songs. Only, what no one knows about the twenty-five year old singer is that her sex-kitten image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal by a man who loved fame far more than he ever loved her, she vows not to let anyone else get close enough to find out who she really is...or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub, even though the hunger - and the sinful promises - in his dark eyes make her want to spill all her secrets.One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But nothing goes as they plan when instead of simply tangling limbs, they find a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated. And even though they both try to fight it, growing...

In My Own Words:
After a betrayal from the woman he thought he would marry, Marcus decides that he is going to throw caution to the wind and ease some of his pain by going to a club and taking a woman home to never see her again after the morning.  The same night Marcus goes to the club, Nico decides if she is going to be tagged as a loose, wild woman, she might as well act the part.  When she walks in to the club, the moment their eyes meet, nothing else exists.  Things move along at a fast pace, and before you know it, they have both been hit by the love bug.  When Nicola realizes that her lifestyle isn't what she would wish on the man she loves, she tries for a clean break.  Marcus has never had to work for something this hard in his life, but decides it is worth it, and moves full steam ahead.

Review:
While I enjoyed the premise of the book, the execution wasn't up to a Bella Andre book.  Marcus is a 36 year old man, who walks in on his girlfriend of 2 years having sex with someone else, then that night he goes to a club and falls in love....really?  Nicola is a 25 year old that wants nothing more than to be a star, but dresses up like a slut and takes the first man home that she sees....really?  The only thing that I thoroughly enjoyed, was the interaction between the family.  I looked forward to Marcus' book, a strong business man that has spent his life taking care of everyone else, but this book made him seem like a pushover and sap, not a strong man.  I am not sure book 3 is in my future.

Wedding Survivor - Julia London

Book Blurb:
When a pair of A-list movie stars decides to combine a wedding with an extreme sport outing, ex-stuntman Eli McCain isn’t too happy. One of the Thrillseekers Anonymous founders, he was jilted at the alter a year ago—and he has no interest in hearing wedding bells. Unfortunately, hes’ been outvoted, and now there’s a crazy wedding to stage with a bridezilla from hell.

In comes wedding planner Marnie Banks to save the day—and, she hopes, make some romantic connections with Hollywood’s jet set. Only one problem stands in her way: Eli McCain, who may look like a movie star, but has no appreciation for the finer things in life. 

In My Own Words:

When her life is falling apart, what more can Marnie do but plan weddings?  With her old life as a computer programer behind her, she is forced to move in with her parents until she gets back on her feet.  While at a wedding seminar, she overhears rumors about a wedding planner being needed to produce the wedding of the century for two of the biggest stars in the world.  When she finagles an "audition" to try out as the planner, she is unmoved by the Thrillseekers Anonymous' methods of trying out a planner.

When she finally gets the job, she realizes really quickly that she will be working very closely with Eli, one of the founding members of TA.  When she is forced to confront her attraction to him head on, the way she is going to confront the wedding.  With emotions on high, between her and the bride, Marnie has no other choice than to put aside what she thinks she feels for Eli and move forward.  Eli has been jilted once before and he has no plans to let any woman get close enough to him to break his heart again, but a little affair can't hurt....right??

Notable Quote:

"this is just about the coolest dress on the planet, thankyouverymuch, and please don't be offended when I say that I'm not about to take any fashion advise from Howdy Doody who thinks workout clothes are the same as bangin' around clothes."

Review:

This was my first Julia London book, but I can promise it won't be my last.  The banter between the two main characters was hilarious.  The "book club" with Marnie's mom and her friends cracked me up, a book club where they drink and gossip and don't read any books, brilliant.  I loved Marnie determination and grit, she wasn't afraid to take the bull by its horns and make the most of a situation even when the wedding turned in to a cliche of what could go wrong will.  My only issue with the book was that it seemed to go on and on about the same things.  It was kind of repetitive in places.  That being said, I can't wait to read more about the guys in TA and hopefully revisit Marnie and Eli.

Good Girls Don't - Victoria Dahl

Book Blurb:
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

In My Own Words:
There are few things that Tessa knows for sure, but she would do anything for her brothers, and that is a fact.  When Jamie messes up a deal, Tessa knows she can't let their eldest brother find out about the mess until she can fix it.  She can't stand to see them fight, and they fight a lot.  The only thing her brothers agree on is, Tessa is something that needs protection, at all cost.

When the bar is broken in to, Detective Luke and his very pregnant partner Simone, come to secure the scene.  When Jamie realizes he knows the detective, Tessa is instantly intrigued.  When it turns out that Luke might be useful in her ploy to keep her family together, she befriends him.  One date turns in to two...When the brothers find out about her dating Luke, all hell breaks loose.  Not only is he not worthy of their "baby" sister, he has a ton of baggage and it appears he has a baby on the way.  Secrets have gotten Luke in to many sticky situations and his heart of gold isn't helping, if people would just see past the rumors, they would find out, he isn't what they expected....and neither is Tessa.

Notable Quote:
"You're just using me for my body," he joked in defense.  "I know." She sighed. "It's so great."

Review:
With all of the drama all around them, I wasn't sure there would be a HEA.  The book wasn't what I thought it would be.  There was a ton of family drama on Tessa's side, but when the chips were really down, she had a strong support system, those brothers would do anything for her.  One scene closer to the end where Tessa is crying in Eric's arms, literally brought tears to my eyes.  I thought the "if Eric finds out he will flip" was a little over played.  As for Luke, he was the kind of guy that you could bring home to mom, if you had a truck to carry all his baggage.  The chemistry between Tessa and Luke was great and their banter was funny and sexy at times.  I enjoyed reading the book, and each time I put it down, I would wonder what the heck she would think of next.

SWEET Justice - Christy Reece

Book Blurb:
Honor Stone is a young, idealistic FBI agent when her path collides with Seth Cavanaugh. For a girl who has never walked on the wild side, the dark and dangerous Seth is a temptation she can’t refuse. But then Seth walks out the door and out of her life. Five years later, Honor is an operative with the elite Last Chance Rescue organization and Seth is a desperate ex-cop searching for his missing niece—one of many young women who have mysteriously vanished from college campuses. Going undercover, Honor will attract the maniacal cult leader behind the kidnappings and find a way to work with Seth—while steering clear of the passion and need that’s just one touch away from explosion. Seth knows he had all the right reasons for the wrong he did five years ago. And from the moment he sees her—and takes her in his arms again—this former undercover man will risk everything for one more chance with Honor.

In My Own Words:
After a bad break up and a boyfriend that ended up on the wrong side of the law, her heart broken, Honor decided to dive in to her job with the FBI missing persons, head first.  After a case almost cost her her life, she decided it was time to make a change.  After working with the LCR team on several cases, her decision was a pretty easy one and found herself in Paris working for Noah McCall.  When Noah approached her about taking her first lead, she jumped at the chance, until she knew she would be coming face to face with the one man that she could never forget, Seth Cavanaugh.  Seth's niece had been taken several weeks back and with no where else to turn, he comes looking to LCR to help him, but he wanted permission to be on the team as well, which meant working very closely with Honor.  While Seth and Honor delve in to the motivation of missing college students all over the country, their passion is just below the surface.  How long before they explode?  It has been 5 years since they have spoken, and in the span of a few weeks, will they find themselves in each others arms or will the evil past and present win?

Notable Quote:
"I'm a prick."...... "Well they say the first step is admitting the problem."

Review:
I have been a fan of the LCR (Last Chance Rescue) series since it first arrived on the book shelves.  All of Christy's books are filled with hope, love and loss and Sweet Justice was no different.  I loved getting to know Seth and Honor and also getting to revisit some of our past friends from LCR as well as becoming better acquainted with some of the newer members.  Christy promised a sick and twisted villain and she totally delivered.  I don't know if I was more disgusted by him or his slimy daughter and then there was his son...sheesh, it was a family of madness.  This was a book I had a hard time putting down!!!

The heat between the couple was right on, the suspense was edge of your seat and the ending, was happy.  What more can you ask for from one of your favorite authors?  Oh yeah, don't end the series??  Yes you heard me right, these are the final 3 LCR books...that is enough to make one cry.  I am looking forward to  Dylan & Jamie's story which hits book stores on October 4, 2011.

Deep Disclosure - Dee Davis

Book Blurb:
After spending years in prison under deep cover, black ops agent Tucker Flynn joins A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college.Nothing can shake him-except a vulnerable young woman marked for death.

DUAL DECEPTION

When Tucker is assigned to protect-and secretly investigate-Alexis Markham, he expects a routine mission. But this mysterious beauty has a past even darker than his: her father created a horrifying new biochemical weapon-and was murdered to keep it secret.

Alexis has spent the last decade racing to stay one step ahead of the shadowy operatives who will stop at nothing to possess her father's formula. She can trust no one, not even her handsome new bodyguard. But the heat that flares between them is impossible to resist. Will giving in to passion bring her the safety she's always craved, or will her love for Tucker draw him into a killer's sights?

In My Own Words:
Talk about being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  When Tucker figures out he has become a creature of habit, he figures one last cup of coffee won't kill him.  As he sits in his favorite booth, at his favorite coffee shop, he can't help but think of how far he has come since his break from the prison.  Breaking in to his thoughts, a beautiful woman comes in to meet with an older man and they seem very happy to see each other.  Soon, Tucker can tell the conversation has goon awry, and the woman stalks out of the coffee shop angry.  Before Tucker can even begin to process what just happened, a bomb is detonated blowing away the man and part of the coffee shop.

While watching the TV, a news alert informs Alexis that George, he one time friend and father figure, has been blown up.  Being on the run her whole life, she sees this as a sign that it is time to move on, and change her name, again.

When A-Tac sees this as an opportunity to put some very bad guys away, they seize the opportunity and assign Tucker as Alexis' protection.  But with so many bad guys on the loose and all of them intent on killing or kidnapping her, who can she really trust?

Review:
This is the 5th book in the A-Tac series.  I am not sure how Ms. Davis can top this one.  The book has it all.  Bad guys coming from each direction, even so far as to kill each other, you have a formula that everyone wants, but no one knows where it is.  There is an amazing love story that seems so fragile yet so meant to be.  Then you have all of the A-Tac players back and helping keep justice, still reeling from their own betrayal.  When I first started reading, I was SURE I knew who done it, but I was completely wrong.  I was also SURE I knew what the key was to the formula, and again....wrong.  I love when I find out along with the team, makes the book more enjoyable to me.  I really can't wait for Hannah and Harrison's book, coming April 2012.

Check out A-Tac and other books by Dee Davis.