Golden Trail - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick fell in love young, hard and fast and both of them knew a beautiful life they thought would be forever.

Until Rocky left Layne, no explanation, no going back.

Layne escapes The ‘Burg only to come back years later because his ex-wife has hooked herself to the town jerk and Layne needs to make sure his sons get raised right. Layne manages to avoid Rocky but when Layne gets three bullets drilled into him while investigating a dirty cop, he can’t do that because Rocky stops avoiding Layne. They make a deal to work together to expose the dirty cop but they have no idea the strength of their enduring attraction or the sheer evil at work in The ‘Burg.

As Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick play their game and dance around the pull that draws them together, Layne has to discover the dark secrets buried so deep in Rocky’s heart she doesn’t even know they’re there at the same time untangle a sinister web of crime so abhorrent it has to be stopped... at all costs.

And to do it, Layne has to enlist everyone, including his ex-CIA mentor, Rocky’s detective brother, the town’s unpredictable informant and Layne’s two teenage sons all the while stopping Rocky from doing something crazy and keeping their game secret so Layne won't get himself dead.

In My Own Words:
Rocky and Tanner have been broken up for 17 years.  In that time Rocky has been married and became a teacher.  Tanner was married had to sons did the military thing and is back to open his own private agency.  What Tanner doesn't expect is Rocky showing up on his door step asking for him to be her partner in bringing down a dirty cop.  What Tanner doesn't further expect is to actually take the job, along with a list of others.

Working with Rocky is one thing, but pretending to be her rekindled beau may be harder than it looks because just being near her make his heart skip a beat but he knows getting involved with Rocky could be...rocky as she left him with no word and broke him in to a thousand pieces.

Trying to find out Rocky's big secret, while keeping the teen girls safe in town and keeping his ex-wife's looser boyfriend from screwing up his kids lives all the while trying to not get killed, proves to be a lot to handle, but never boring.

Review:
I loved this story.  When Rocky's secret was revealed and she broke down, I was crying right along with her.  Talk about a hard time to come to terms with.  I enjoyed that Rocky wasn't your typical romance girl, she has balls, and she was sassy when she needed to be but she didn't need to be rescued, she needed to be a part of the operation no matter what that operation was.  I enjoyed getting to see some of the past characters from the Burg series and seeing what they were up to.  Next up...Mike's story.

Skin Deep - Pamela Clare

Book Blurb:
Broken on the inside

...
Megan Hunter has worked hard to get back on her feet, leaving the nightmare of her teenage years behind. The last thing she wants or needs in her life is a man. But when she is attacked by someone from her past, a scarred stranger intervenes, saving her life and that of her little girl. Looks can be deceiving, for despite the man’s rough appearance, she feels safe with him. And for the first time in her life, she knows the stirrings of desire.



Broken on the outside

...
Nathaniel West paid a high price serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. He returned to his family’s ranch in the Colorado mountains to heal—and be alone. Disfigured as he is, he has put all thoughts of sex and romance aside. But something about Megan brings him back to life, heats his blood, makes him feel like a man again. As danger pursues her, and the truth about her past is revealed, he vows to protect her—and to heal her wounded spirit.

But confronting the past is never easy—especially when it’s carrying a gun. Megan will have to learn to trust Nate to survive and to claim a passion that is much more than … Skin Deep.

In My Own Words:

Megan Hunter overcame a dark and scary world to land on her feet with a beautiful daughter a loving brother and friends that she considers family.  The one thing she wasn't prepared for was Nate West.  A vet that is overcoming his own inner and outer demons.  Being visibly scarred, he comes home to Colorado to heal and move on.

When Megan's creepy and dangerous ex shows up and demands money, it is Nate that is there to rescue her, and from there, the relationship and trust begins to grow...slowly.  With the initial rescue, comes a feeling of worth and a fierce protection for Megan that Nate can't explain even to himself.

When Megan feels the need to get out of town for just the day, to clear her head and get away from the mess of police, ex boyfriends, and gangsters the first person she calls is Nate.  Neither of them imagined  a day trip would lead to passion, honesty and trust. 

Review:

I am a HUGE fan of the I-team series, and have come to expect a lot of the author, and I wasn't disappointed.  Skin Deep has it all, and from cover to cover it was impossible to put it down.  Knowing of Megan's troubles from reading her brother, Marc's, story, it was refreshing to be able to see a woman who has had so many wrongs happen in her life to see it being righted.  The connection between Nate and Megan was evident from their first meeting and his gentle touch with her and her daughter was a treat to watch play out.  The story had an amazing flow, and I can't find one criticism about the story.  I do have to add, I REALLY enjoyed my man Julian in the Beer Run short story at the end ::sigh::

The Comeback of Conn MacNeill - Virginia Kantra

Book Blurb:
Val Cutler’s restaurant, Wild Thymes, is in trouble. As a condition of her father’s loan, she is forced to accept the advice of Yankee business consultant Conn MacNeill...but she doesn’t have to like it.

Conn is determined to prove himself after his recent firing from a high-stakes, high-profile venture capital company. Wild Thymes is small potatoes. But the recommendation of Val’s father could be just what Conn needs to get started on the comeback trail.

Neither Val or Conn is prepared for the attraction that flares between them, quick and fierce as a kitchen fire. But things get even hotter when they begin to uncover the secrets behind the restaurant’s troubles. Secrets that someone would kill to keep...

In My Own Words:
After leaving her home town and starting a life of her own, the last thing Val Cutler wants to do is come back and start all over again.  But, when her beloved aunt dies and leaves her house to Val, that is  exactly what she does.  Starting her own restaurant is the only enticing thing about the idea.  But, no matter how hard she works, or how much money she thinks she is making, she can't run in the black.  Her only recourse is to ask for daddy's help.  Daddy's condition...work with Conn MacNeill.

Conn is a well known venture capitalist and knows that working for Mr. Cutler can make or break him in the business world, but when things in Val's business starts to not add up, it looks like Cutler's very own bank may be the cause.  Helping Val get to the bottom of her business worries turns in to the last thing he needs to worry about.

Review:
I enjoyed this story.  There were many twists and turns, but even at the beginning you were pretty sure you knew who the bad guy was, that wasn't really a mystery.  The flow of the story was good, and the building of the characters was also good.  The problem is...I didn't find anything extraordinary about any of it, it was just...good.  That being said, I will be reading the next in this series, as this was a quick, easy read.

Karma - Carly Phillips

Book Blurb:
Police Officer Dare Barron has had a crush on Liza McKnight ever since he was a teenager. But despite his lifelong attraction, the closest he’s ever come to interacting with her is watching Liza regularly bail out her brother at the station. Dare’s dark past with Liza’s brother, Brian, has always kept him from pursuing her.

But suddenly Liza finds herself in need of protection and Dare appoints himself as the man for the job. And while the sizzling attraction between Dare and Liza draws them together, the past that Dare and Brian share threatens to keep the two apart forever.

In My Own Words:
Sometimes the one thing we want to forget the most from our past comes back to haunt us which is the case with Dare and Liza.  He wants so much to forget and redeem himself for the party he left when he was 15 years old, resulting in the death of a friend.  The party was held at Liza's house by her brother, and every time he sees Liza, all he can think is what a screwup her brother is and how could she help him the way she does and still have a conscience?

Liza has secrets of her own, and none of them is she willing to share with the uppity Officer Barron.  When they are continually at the same place at the same time, some of the walls start to crumble and the pair start to actually like each others company.  When her brother's screw-ups start tracking her down and threatening her, Dare feels it is his responsibility to rush in and save her, until he is forced to confront demons from his own past.

Review:
These two have baggage with a capital "B".  I loved the chemistry between them, and watching them argue was almost as much fun as watching the makeup sessions.  I enjoyed getting to see the past couples and of course Tess.  It has been awesome to see this family evolve over that past 3 books not only with their romantic relationships but with each other and their new sister.  Karma was a wonderful wrap up of the family, with lots of new additions and healing coming full circle.  My only complaint was the large amount of editing issues.  Names were switched a few times, and punctuation was missing several places, it became about me finding the errors instead of focusing on the story.  I do recommend this book, and of course, the editing won't stop me from buying another Carly Phillips book, but in this one, there were more than a few.

Count to Ten - Karen Rose

Book Blurb:
In all his years in the Chicago Fire Department, Lieutenant Reed Solliday has never experienced anything like this recent outbreak of house fires—devastating, vicious, and, in one case, homicidal. He has another problem—his new partner, Detective Mia Mitchell. She's brash, bossy, and taking the case in a direction he never imagined.

Mia's instincts tell her the arsonist is making this personal. And as the infernos become more deadly, one look at the victim's tortured faces convinces her and Reed that they must work closer to catch the killer. With each new blaze, the villain ups the ante, setting firetraps for the people Reed and Mia love. The truth is almost too hot to handle: This monster's desire for death and destruction is unquenchable...and for Mia he's started the countdown to an early grave.

In My Own Words:
Coming back from her "time off" to find herself caught up in a case that will take all of her will, and sass to get through it.  Reed Solliday is pretty sure the last thing he needs in his life is a new partner, especially if that partner is a bossy, sassy know it all like Mia Mitchell that has a huge chip on her shoulder and enough guilt to sink the Titanic.  When the fires start getting bigger and the body count starts to add up, the only thing this new duo can do, is work together to figure out what is going on...while trying to stay away from each other as attraction is also magnetic.  When they start getting to close to the truth, Mia finds herself the center of the monster's sights.  Can they figure it out before one of their own family is killed, and before Mia gets caught by the very man she is hunting.

Notable Quote:
She drew in a breath. "I want to formally state my opposition to this stupid plan."
Spinnelli nodded. "Formally noted. Do it anyway."

Review:
Another heart stopping story by Karen Rose.  I have come to understand that I will probably not sleep well at night when I read her books.  She has a way of writing, that puts you in the midst of the craziness.  I enjoyed this book, it didn't take long to figure out who was the fire bug, and I wasn't sure when the book started if I could follow it.  When it started and throughout the book, you switch between story lines, and at first, I wasn't sure there was much connection, and that kind of threw me a little, but once the puzzle pieces were trickling in, I completely enjoyed it.

The First Sin - Cheyenne McCray

Book Blurb:
Alexi Steele is determined, relentless, and driven to protect the innocent. She’s a top agent of the NSA’s clandestine Recovery Enforcement Division, specializing in human trafficking and sex crimes. Her current mission: To infiltrate the inner circle of Boston’s exclusive S&M clubs in order to save thirteen young women who are about to be auctioned off to the highest bidders. But Lexi’s only way in is under the “control” of her new partner in crime, Nicholas Donovan.

Nick will do whatever it takes to bring down the billionaire sex-ring mastermind who’s kidnapped his sister. But the games he must play as Lexi’s “dominant” are burning away his icy control, and blurring the lines between partners. Meanwhile, their enemies are closing in as they enter a devastating race against time…bringing them dangerously close to THE FIRST SIN.

In My Own Words:
Lexi has already been to hell and back in a previous life, and now she will take on the monsters that are stealing young women for profit.  Being assigned a new sexy partner wasn't part of the deal though, she is the boss and that is that.  Until orders come down from the top, and she realizes she has no choice.  Nick has his own reasons for wanting to take down this human trafficking ring.  His sister had been taken and he would do anything to get her back.  Now all they have to do is get invited to the inner circle of the the high class BDSM club, become members, learn their secrets and take them down.  Simple enough...but when things don't go as planned, Lexi and Nick are up against the clock and some really bad people.

Notable Quote:
"I'll do my therapy with my Glock."

Review:
Holy Cow, is the first thing I thought of when describing this book.  Romantic Suspense, BDSM and craziness all wrapped up in one book.  When I was almost done, all I could think was what else can this poor girl go through?  Lexi is a strong, sassy, intelligent RED agent.  She is leading her own team and refuses to take failure as an option.  Her professional life has been what nightmares are made of and she is determined to be good at her newest job as a team leader.  I enjoyed watching her realizes her strengths and her weaknesses.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  It takes you in to the deep dark world of human trafficking and BDSM clubs.  I describe it as being very disturbing while being super hot at the same time.  The author knows exactly how to make you "feel" for and with the characters.  There is someone in this book that you will relate to, no matter who you are.  I highly recommend this one.

Larkspur Road - Jill Gregory

Book Blurb:
Fifth grade teacher Mia Quinn expected a tranquil summer in her hometown of Lonesome Way, Montana, sewing for her quilting group’s exhibition fundraiser and caring for her rescued dog, Samson. But all her plans for a relaxing break are thrown out the window when Travis Tanner—the boy who broke her heart in high school—returns to town with his ten year old adopted step-son.

A former FBI agent, the boy Mia once knew is now well over six feet of male muscle—and he still has the power to make Mia lose her train of thought with just a glance. When Travis asks her to tutor his troubled son, Mia quickly discovers that the sparks between them are hotter than ever. As danger comes to Lonesome Way and family secrets come to light, will Travis and Mia realize that love can be even better the second time around?

In My Own Words:
Family secrets seems to be what is on the agenda for Mia's summer vacation.  Between trying to find out what happened with her grandmother and her estranged aunt, and her niece showing up out of the blue carrying her own secrets, Mia's summer is looking like it will be anything but relaxing, especially when she finds out her first love is back home in Lonesome Way.

Travis is looking to set down some roots, reconnect with his son, reevaluate his career and try to rekindle what once was.  Many years to late, he isn't sure the last is possible until it becomes evident that his son may need a little tutoring and Mia comes highly recommended.  When he can finally look directly in her eyes, he sees a glimmer of the past, and vowes to do his best to make things right.

Notable Quote:
The promises of a man are as meaningless as the ramblings of a fortune cookie. (I love old sayings that pop up in books)

Review:
I was looking forward to this second book in the Sage Creek series and I wasn't disappointed.  I feel this book is a book about second chances.  The second chances that come by family, love and friendship.  The author did an awesome job of expressing anguish, pain and love either by the thoughts the characters were thinking or the actions you followed in their journey.  I loved all of the references to the country music groups, made you feel like you were there, in the moment with the characters.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that needs a great contemporary comfort read.  (On a side note, Travis starts his own security company in this book, full of Navy SEALS....I am seriously hoping that turns in to a new Romantic Suspense series....HINT HINT).