Rescuing Casey by Susan Stoker

Adored this story! Loved how Beatle took care of his Casey, and she in turn gave Beatle exactly what he needed. And loved the sibling connection of Blade and Casey (and how Blade felt about their relationship).

Add in that about half the book was a jungle rescue trip? Heck yeah!!

I was randomly looking for something to read, maybe just a few scenes of a book, and when I landed on Rescuing Casey, I ended up rereading most of it cover to cover. So many of the encouragement and truths Beatle (and Truck) said to Casey touched my heart.

The Carpino Series Collection by Brynne Asher

I'm a rebel. I'll read a book series out of order if a later book calls to me, and in this case, Athica Lane wouldn't let my attention go!

I love finding books that make my heart happy - and Paige and Cam's HEA overflows my heart with all the feel-goods! Give me a alpha male who's got some rough edges but makes up for it in the best of ways, and a charming, girly, sassy, sweet heroine who's his perfect match, who's both soft and strong, and I will melt and swoon through the whole story!

I adored the extra little bonus scene showing life a few years later and just how good Paige and Cam still are together.

Strike Fast by Kaylea Cross

Omgoodness did I love this story!! I went from falling in love to feeling the pain and despair to collapsing in relief along with the characters.

Raw, real, vulnerable.
Respect and honor.
Softness and tenderness mixed with badass and protectiveness.

One of the best and hottest kissing scenes ever.
All the emotions from heat to tears.

Stinking amazing, that's what this is.

The Mail Order Bride's Secret by Linda Broday

While this was a well-written and entertaining story, it was a tough one for me to get hooked into and stay involved in until about half way through. While I liked both main characters, I just never really connected to either of them the way I normally would have expected/hoped. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was because I enjoyed the plot line and there was lots to love about both Tait and Mellie (and the kids), so maybe it was just the timing of reading it. The last half—most especially the last big "event"—is what saved this book for me and made me glad I kept pushing through.

Tait and Mellie both had some pretty horrific pasts and heavy burdens they were carrying, both afraid to fully trust in what they got in each other and grasp hold of something good. I could feel Tait's struggle especially. I appreciated after the big reveal of Mellie's secret that after the dust from the explosion settled, there was a maturity to how they interacted with each other - even though I wished it would have played out a bit differently.

The last part of the book where everything built to it's ultimate climax kept me at the edge of my seat watching how all the threads weaved together. I adored the strength and love shown through actions (in all the relationships, not just between Tait and Mellie), the bonds made, the way everything worked out.

Readers who enjoy some laughter mixed in with drama (almost angsty)-fueled secrets and a good bit of old-fashioned shoot-'em-up action will enjoy this story.

The Bride by Julie Garwood

Just EXACTLY what I needed at the time.
Adorable.
Made me giggle out loud several times.
Hilarious dialogue.
Rereading bits and pieces before it was over.
Swoony alpha hero.
Charming heroine.

Loved my time with Alec and Jamie.

This quickly became one of my favorite JG stories. So glad I finally dove in!

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

2014 review
When a girl who isn't a fan of fantasy type books discovers KA wrote a fantasy series and takes a chance, she falls hard! Or maybe, it's because Frey and Finnie were just PERFECT and their story was exactly what I needed to read - fun, adventure, a touch of tears, lots of laughter, and just an easy, long, enjoyable read! I didn't want to leave this world at all!!

2019 audio cover to cover reread.
Ending the year revisiting and falling hard all over again for one of my favorite ever fantasy stories.

Rocky Ground by Kaylea Cross

Such an awesome story! Loved how Tiana refused to give up and kept fighting even though, man, her burdens were heavy and scary - and made my heart both shatter and weep. I simply adored Aidan's pursuit of Tiana and how he was all about keeping Tiana and Ella safe and in his life. His protection and confidence and drive worked perfectly for me. The events that bonded Tiana and Aiden together were intense and kept me at the edge of my seat, and that ending??? Omgoodness! Loved every heart-racing moment.

One Winter Knight anthology

 Dec 2019
Arrow to the Heart by Deborah Macgillivray
I'm really enjoying these little tie-ins to the Dragons of Challon world. This time we two hurting people, both desperate to belong, both desperate to feel security. Fletcher struggled to accept the truth of his place in Coinnler Wood, mostly due to being stuck in his own head, and then fighting off one of his biggest desires: the Lady Geljon. Geljon knew she was safe and desperately sought after that comfort with Fletcher no matter how much he tried to erect barriers between them. She had her own bit of stubbornness and struggled with what was expected of her vs what her heart desired. Loved how it all played out with surprises and twists to give them their hearts' desire.


Dec 2017
My Forever Love by Cheryl Pierson
Logan and Noelle's story warmed me up on a cold winter's night! They were selected for each other in an arranged marriage that both initially faught against. But then after meeting, Logan fell in love with her, while Noelle wasn't aware of everything going on around her. Sweetness and excitement carry through to their happily ever after.

Nov 2018
To Play with Cats by Patti Sherry-Crews
Giggle and swoons!! I was needing something different to knock me out of a book funk and PSC's To Play with Cats story did the trick perfectly!

First, we have a sweet and adorable heroine who reminds me alot of me... Especially in her mobility skills. Lol

Then we have the big, strong, manly hero who needed some time to get his head straightened out (what good hero doesn't have some flaw... Lol), but who still could make me swoon.

Wrap them up snug in a castle with a little bit of drama and excitement and you have a sweet Christmas happily-ever-after for a knight and his lady love.

*rest of stories on my tbr list

One Snowy Knight by Deborah Macgillivray

Give me a knight in battle-scarred armor with a dream he refuses to give up, and I'll be his damsel.

There is so much going on from the first pages of the story, you can feel the overwhelming burden that lays on Skena's shoulders and empathize with her struggles to keep hold of her dreams and desires. However, just like any true warrior woman, despite the mounting struggles, she refused to give up and give in. I adored her as a mother, and melted with her as she fell for her knight, and identified with her as a strong woman.

Noel de Servian survived years of war clinging to his humanity and future wishes, only to find his own weighty burden from the last battle may destroy all he clings to. However, just like any true warrior, the moment he sees the opportunity presented before him, he goes above and beyond to lay claim to his reward of family and home and peace. I loved his confidence in claiming Skena and her children, and his powerful desire to protect and provide for them... no matter the enemy.

So much was happening in the story with all the adventure, adversaries, worries, and intrigue, but through it all you could also clearly discern Noel and Skena's deep desire grow beyond their instant attraction and solidify into something strong and beautiful. All the trials served their purpose, to meld the two together stronger than before. Noel loving on Skena's children was also shown in a variety of ways that left little doubt just where he stood with them, and it's always heartmelting to see a big strong man be gentle with little ones. Another thing that stood out to me was the family bonds with the Challon men. Brotherhood like theirs was something unique, and they cherished and nurtured it like the treasure it is.

I savored my time back in Scotland with the Dragons of Challon and I'm looking forward to discovering who's story is up next. In the mean time, I have some novellas to check out.

One Christmas Knight anthology

The Selkie's Daughter by Deborah Macgillivray

Sweet little tale of two lonely souls who crave home and someone to belong to. Fighting both mental fears along with tangible enemies, and a surprising native custom, Annys and Rhys grab hold of their Yultide wishes and find their hea. Cute short story to while away a winter afternoon and loved the tie-in to the Challons.

The Protector by Cristin Harber

The Protector delivers an unforgettable story with an abundance of heart palpitations!

Going seamlessly from a war-torn desert rescue to the ritzy glamour of the rich-and-famous, you're kept on your toes and encountering all the feels. Mixing fear with hope and laughter, chaos with nuggets of truth and adventure, the hits keep coming and force the pages to keep turning.

Chance and Jane both embody so many of my favorite hero/heroine characteristics, making it easy to identify and connect with Jane and swoon and fall for Chance.

I adored how the protective theme was presented in several ways - unique spins just as each person is unique. All have the same heart and motivation, just the actions themselves are different.

There's also another theme weaved into the story that touched me deeply, and I don't want to ruin the impact of it by mentioning it fully here. Just know.... it's one we've all struggled with and need to hear the truth over and over again. And the way it was presented in this story.... pure beauty!

Chance and Jane's story is most assuredly a favorite one that I look forward to revisiting time and time again. Not only is it an excellent addition to the Aces series (which I also adore book 1), but it compliments the Titan world perfectly while still being fully stand-alone.

This is not a story to be missed; fans of military/romantic suspense will not be disappointed, and fans of Cristin Harber will be delighted to discover everything they've come to expect from her storytelling.

If you're new to Cristin Harber, this book is a perfect choice to start with.