Daisy's Back In Town - Rachel Gibson

Book Blurb:
Daisy Lee Monroe thought she'd brushed the dust of Lovett, Texas, off her high-heeled shoes years ago, but she's come back home only to find that little has changed. Her sister is still crazy, and her mom still has pink plastic flamingos in her front yard. And Jackson Lamott Parrish, the bad boy she'd left behind, is still so sexy it hurts. She'd like nothing better than to avoid this particular man, but she can't. Daisy has something to say to Jackson, and she's not going anywhere until he listens.

Jackson learned his lesson about Daisy the hard way, and now the only word he's interested in hearing from Daisy's red lips is good-bye. But she's popping up everywhere, and he doesn't believe in coincidence. It seems the only way to keep her quiet is with his mouth, but kissing Daisy had once been his downfall. Is he strong enough to resist her now? Strong enough to watch her walk out of his life again? Is he strong enough to make her stay?

In My Own Words:

Daisy Lee has done her best to stay away from Lovett Texas, but since her husband died, the one thing she hasn't wanted to do, she must.  She will have to travel to Lovett, and talk to Jackson and give him a letter from his best friend.  The only problem is, Jackson hates her, and hates her deceased husband, and she isn't so sure this mission will actually be possible.  

From the moment he saw her, he knew he didn't want to hear anything she had to say, he was done with her and had been over her for many years....right?  One thing for sure, he was still incredibly attracted to her.  After spending a little time together, he knows he needs to listen to what she has to say, just so she will leave.  When tragedy strikes and "the talk" doesn't happen, he thinks he dodged a bullet, until Daisy's son comes to visit.

Review:

This wasn't my favorite book of Rachel's.  I guess my biggest problem is that Jackson was hurt in the worst way, the love of his life married his best friend, while she was pregnant with his kid.  Comes back to town to tell him about the kid 15 years later, after the husband is passed, and Jackson is mad at first, but comes around to terms with it, and pretty easily too.  I just didn't buy in to that.  I thought some of the story was a little redundant and over written, and the characters weren't all the believable.  That being said, I am actually looking forward to the second book in this series, and hoping that since some time has passed, the kinks have been worked out.

Any Man Of Mine - Rachel Gibson

Synopsis:
What happens in Vegas . . . doesn't always stay there.

Autumn Haven's Las Vegas "to-do" list said to catch a show and play the slots—not wake up married to a sexy jerk like Sam LeClaire. The first moment she saw him eyeing her like a luscious piece of the dessert buffet, her usually responsible self told her to run. And she did—right into the wildest fantasy weekend of her life. But Monday morning jolted her back to reality, and before she could say "pass the coffee," Sam was gone.

Now a successful wedding planner, Autumn hasn't clapped eyes on the heartbreaking hockey superstar for over two years . . . until she organizes his teammate's "Special Day," where Sam makes a big play to pick up where he left off! But she has vowed any man of hers plays for keeps. Is Sam the man for her or does she banish him to the sin bin forever?

Review:

Any Man of Mine is the 5th book in the Chinook's Hockey Series.  Autumn has built a successful business of party planning.  When she is tapped to plan Faith and Ty's wedding, she runs in to Sam again after 2 long years of no contact.  Sam is the father of Autumn's son, but that is about as far as their bond goes.  She could really care less about him, his hockey or all the bimbos that he beds, or so she says.  

After a little epiphany, also known as a big ol' ass chewing from Autumn, Sam decides he wants to be a better father and tries his best to get to know his son, and spend more time with him, thus seeing Autumn more.  Soon, he realizes that he wants more, not just her to be his kids' mom, he wants it all.  His goal now, make it happen, but Autumn can't get past the hurt of all those years ago when he left her alone, and pregnant in Vegas.  Can she get past her hurt to see the love in front of her is real or will she keep going back to what is comfortable, being a mom, sister and business woman.

Notable Quote:

Any Man of Mine: Doesn't have other girlfriends (especially skinny girlfriends)

Rating:

While I found this book enjoyable, I was left wanting....more.  There wasn't any real drama.  There was more of a yo-yo affect going on.  I liked the characters more or less, but I just felt that if there was chemistry there wasn't a lot of it.  It was great to see some of the past characters, Mini Pit and Pit Boss also plan a wedding during this book.  Getting to visit with Faith and Ty was enjoyable but Autumn and Sam....just felt rushed.