Gambled by Cristin Harber

Brock always intrigued me, knowing he was 2nd in command - and even though he made some icky choices (not everyone is perfect and makes the smartest decisions), I could see exactly where he was coming from and he endeared himself to me even more. Loved getting to know him better in this short story. A great continuation of the Titan's saga.

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Nov 2017 reread
I've forgotten just how much I loved Brock and Sarah's story. Being with them this time as they reconciled their marriage and watching how they were able to overcome the fall out from past events struck me really deeply this time. I'm thinking (even though all are favs as I read them) that Brock may have jumped up to join top ranks with my other top Titan favs. :)

When Love Comes Knocking by Sarah J. McNeal

When Love Comes Knocking is a short and sweet story that delivers quite a bit of feels, and I'm not talking the winter's chill on a hot August afternoon.

Emotions are high and rolling as Penelope and Gil finally decide it's time to own up to their desires - even as fear and jealousy grip tight. I just felt bad that it took as long as it did for both of them to find their bravery... all that time lost! However, with thoughts like this from Gil: He would love her until the stars burned out. the wait was obviously well worth it. I was smiling as things finally got sorted out.

One other fun nugget: The way to love a woman can be a mysterious undertaking. Isn't that the truth! lol

Never Surrender by Kaylea Cross

There was so much goodness wrapped up in this novella that it felt like a full-length novel with all the emotional impact, intriguing story line, and good dose of giggles I've come to expect from a Kaylea Cross story.

I loved getting to experience everything through Ryan and Candace's pov, with them being married just over a year. They have quite the connection still, but got slightly off track and it was time to get things sorted - which they did, beautifully! Throw in some quirky fun side characters, adored couples from previous stories, and a healthy dash of surprises and drama, and you can't help but turn the pages. Oh, and the cherry on top was Declan MacKenzie showing up!

BTW, Aiden Snow did an AMAZING job narrating!! Totally loved listening to him.

Lethal Edge by Kaylea Cross

I adored everything about this story and every moment I spent lost in Rifle Creek! Tate was the best mix of rough and tough, protective and loving, totally complimenting Nina's bubbly sweetness, gentleness, and vulnerable strength. Add in the family, neighbors, best friends, the small-town vibe, and some star-gazing and you can't help but wanna stay stuck in the story long after it's over.

I don't have words for it, but this story just hit me a bit deeper and will stick with me. Several KC books have a spot on my favorites shelf, but this one stands out among the best of the best.

I'm looking forward to what's to come next in Rifle Creek.

Arizona Thunder by Natasza Waters

Picking up shortly after where Arizona Lightning left off, the intense momentum of the story just kept building.  Surprises, and twists and turns kept the pages turning, and I had to take moments to look away to just breathe.  So much happened, but it all flowed together perfectly.

I loved how I was pulled into the life around the Vyro Creek Ranch and how it became more of an epic family story filled with all the emotional highs and lows, moments of peace and laughter intermingled with moments of fear and triumphs.  New characters arrived, bringing depth and new facets (can I say that I just adore Cian even with his troublemaking skills lol), and some threats were dealt with as new ones were revealed.  I loved experiencing more of Ari and Quinn's story and reaching their happily-ever-after, along with Connell and Lynn's - both melted me and drew me in deep.  Along with that, you see the love story of parents with children, siblings, best friends, and budding new couples.   If any piece of the variety of love stories would have been left out, this wouldn't have been as incredibly beautiful of a journey as it became.

Interweaving a powerful family epic drama with a terrifying rebellion narrowing it's focus on the Connelly Clan, Arizona Thunder delivers an intense story that will steal your breath and your heart.  Even though I know the danger isn't over yet and I'm bracing for what's to come, I turned the last page with a smile and contentment.

Disavowed by Kaylea Cross

Disavowed is absolutely amazing!!!

Kaylea Cross again knocked her book out of the park by giving us the perfect mix of romance, adventure, sexy times, and suspense. She had me sobbing by the middle of the prologue and kept me intensely hooked with the Bourne-type adventures B and Matt lived through.

2nd chance romances have to be written *just so* in order for me to fall in love with them (view spoiler)[and believe that the ghost of the dead spouse isn't still hanging over their heads. And Kaylea succeeded 110% there with me! You felt the love Matt had for his first wife in the prologue, but also saw how he was able to process her death and acknowledge that he can still love Lisa, and yet still find love and happiness again with B. (hide spoiler)]

Also, if you've read her Titanium series, you'll love seeing how the guys show up and help save the day!! Sigh, Sean! Love you, man!!

Awesome storytelling by an amazing author! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, and honestly, it can't be written and on my kindle fast enough! haha!

His Unexpected Companion by Patti Sherry-Crews

Cute and sweet, His Unexpected Companion gives a reader a charming little adventure and happily ever after story.

Olivia was a surprising delight with her confidence and attitude. She knew who she was and what she wanted and owned it. I enjoyed watching her and Kit figure each other out, teasing and playing and challenging the other. Kit wasn't a slouch, but he was definitely hooked deep and quickly by Olivia. He had this sense of being lost, like trying to find his footing, and Olivia was the perfect distraction to keep throwing him off, but yet also became the guiding star he needed.

If you're looking for a easy light read with just enough drama to keep things interesting, a strong heroine, and a passel of fun, try this one out! It's sure to bring smiles and a happy sigh at the end.

Arizona Lightning by Natasza Waters

Arizona Lightning is an insanely intense ride that stole my breath away! Mixing a captivating blend of every-day western with a unique vampire world, I stayed enthralled as the story bubbled to life and surrounded me.

I (sometimes grudgingly) enjoyed everything about this story, even the parts that ripped my heart to shreds and scared the crap out of me.  I have been jumping at shadows for a few nights and shed more than a few tears.  But the moments where there was hope, and something precious was nurtured, some laughter slipped out, and the depth of beauty and love in its various forms shone bright, those times made every moment of torture worth it. 

I loved how not only was this the beginning of the story for Ari and Quinn, but we also got to see the bonds of friendship sisterhood (and how honest and real those could be - not everything is peachy) with the three women and abiding bonds of brotherhood with the three men.  Something about that just seems to make the story feel more full-bodied and deeper.  I can't wait to see how all that plays out in the stories to come.  

I could go on about how I bonded with Ari and felt her emotions mirrored so clearly, and wanted to help her find herself again and claim some goodness and comfort for herself.  And how Quinn, being a vampire was perfect (eh, in a way) and I adored his sense of protection, strength, confidence, and encouragement, but also being a male (and ahem, let's not forget, a vampire) was not perfect, and made some decisions and had some reactions that gutted me - even if I understood why.  And how the special bond Ari and Quinn had with each other melted me over and over again.  I could sing to how I fell for a certain other vampire brother and his woman.  I could melt over the precious surprise that arrived and stole hearts so easily.  I could share how I look forward to how things play out with other characters.  But, no matter what I say, the story needs to be experienced in all its glory.  Totally worth taking a chance on something new.

Throw caution to the wind, let go of expectations, and head on down to Arizona where things are sizzling hot on the range.

P.S.  Book two cannot come soon enough - be prepared, just sayin'.  omgoodness.  

Lawman in the High Lonesome by Rosanne Bittner

Like the enthralling rugged beauty of the Outlaw Trail, Lawman in the High Lonesome provides a breath-catching journey through tragedies and triumphs.

I loved experiencing the depth and breadth of emotions and adoration shown from both Matt and Elly with their families and then towards each other. They both had heavy burdens of grief they were healing from, and together they were able help with that healing. Elly needed someone who would desire her for more than just a helpmate - need and love her for herself, and Matt needed someone he could protect and cherish - and to stand up to him and beside him. Their gut-deep attraction and connection kept pulling them back together, and circumstances allowed for them both to be willing to dive in and take a chance on the other and not let a good thing get away.

I loved how the whole world came to life around me, both in the vast wild-west setting and in the variety of supporting characters. Wisdom and love from Matt's mother, villainous surprises from the bad guys, kindness and sweetness from the trio of prostitutes, the devotion from Elly's best friend - it all weaves together to deliver an engrossing story that you don't want to have end.

This was just the kind of epic, sweep-me-off-my-feet historical western romance story I've been needing to escape into. And yet again, another Rosanne Bittner story has found it's way to my favorite shelf.

Some favorite quotes:

God simply chose you to be one of His avenging angels rather than a preacher. You were never meant to be docile and forgiving. You’re a good person, Matt, but the way you go about it is different from your father.

She just wanted to be a full woman again, loved simply for who she was, faults and all. Just loved.

Life could be so damn cruel. If things were different, a woman like Elly would have been the perfect answer to his loneliness. He knew instinctively he could fall in love with a woman like that.

Well, I know from experience that a woman can get under a man’s skin and create an itch that drives him crazy.

She loved watching him do anything. There was such a masculine sureness about him. She felt so safe.

Winters Heat by Cristin Harber

What can I say besides I love Colby and Mia!!! From the first sentence Cristin hooked me and before I knew it I was swooning over Colby!!! The dialogue kept me entertained, the tension between the main characters kept me intrigued and the adventures kept me on the edge of my chair!! I couldn't have asked for a better alpha hero or a more perfect leading lady.


“I’m a lot of things, doll. But worried about getting hurt ain’t one of them. Now, if you don’t mind, feed me macho sh*t or shut that pretty trap of yours.”

Cristin Harber rocks with her voice and stories she shares!! I love the rough badass men and sweet strong ladies she shares with us. So far every book of hers I've read, I've loved and has found a place in my heart and on my forever favorites shelf.

Innocent to the Last by CA Asbrey

Innocent to the Last delivers an explosively entertaining ending to a captivating mystery series.

Starting with a mess and a bang, we reconnect with our heroes on their journey of revenge for the death of Nat and Abi's daughter.  Unexpected twists, entertaining situations, and unique events propel the reader through the story, keeping you on your toes and turning the pages to the end. Becky joins our trio, adding a sweet and refreshing innocent charm to the darker and world-wary group.

Perfectly timed laughter filled one liners balance out heart and mind twisting revelations. And moments of beauty are exposed, showcasing the growth and the strong bonds of love the family has for each other.  I loved getting to see the closeness between Abi and Nat still going strong and then getting to watch Jake and Becky dance around each other till the final notes faded and they finally fall. 

We get the added bonus of going full circle in the series and encounter several previous characters that add a bit of fun and make the world feel more complete.  And as always, the science and mystery/investigative part of the story shines through, giving us pieces of technology and tricks of that time (and honestly a few tricks I kinda wanna try on a much smaller scale myself lol).

Fans of the series will enjoy this final installment of the series, wrapping up loose ends and giving a happily ever after vibe... Well, mostly. I mean, can Nat, Abi, and Jake ever avoid some kind of excitement or challenge?