ARC Review: Brazen (Powertools: The Shields #3)

Brazen (Powertools: The Shields #3)

by Jayne Rylon 

Blurb:

They were sent to kill him, but fell in love with him instead.

Sola doubted her instincts after her best friend and partner on the Shields security team, Aarav, acted for months like the attraction between them didn’t exist. One wild night on their boss’s private jet proves she was spot on even if she has no idea where their relationship will go from there.

When they’re sent to assassinate the head of a money laundering operation at a brand new casino, Sola looks into the eyes of their target and her gut screams he’s not the source of the evil they’re hunting. Risking everything, Sola steps in between the man she loves and the one they’ve been sent to kill.

Sola's instant and undeniable attraction to their unintended captive forces them to investigate him further and decide—will they eliminate him, protect him, or entice him to join their intimate partnership?

Themes:  Erotica, Polyamory

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Holy hottnes Batman, could these three have been any more blazing? I don’t think so!

There comes a time in every series where those two characters that have been circling around one another, watching their friends find love, romance, and sensual fulfillment finally have to comes to terms with one another or they’ll explode—this story was that and so much more! The previous story in the series left us hanging on the edges of our seats wondering just what would happen between Sola and Aarav , and of course who their third would end up being, but I doubt any of us imagine their story would lead where it did.  Jayne Rylon is one of those talented authors that can build a story so high that when you finally reach the climax you are left reeling and wondering what the hell to do with your life until the next story comes. Aarav has been watching Sola and wanting her from the first moment he got to know her, but the connection has amazed and shocked in so many ways and made him wary of reaching out to her.  Sola wants Aarav more than her next breath sometimes, but he drives her insane with his unwillingness to admit to the connection between them and the way he pretends not to feel anything for her beyond friendship.  Now the tension between them has started to affect their professional relationship and that could put them both in danger, so it is time for them both to confront the hardest truths and find a way to peace and hopefully to one another’s arms.  But another mission with a limited timeframe puts them into danger before they are back on even footing and Sola comes face-to-face with a man that flares all her instincts and makes her wonder if she might be coming undone at the seams.  Cash has lived for very little in his life recently, and when he is abducted at gunpoint by a gorgeous assassin and her deadly sexy badass partner there is no denying that he is attracted to them both, but being around them and being with them are two very different circumstances.  Together the three of them will have a lot to work through emotionally and physically in order to have any chance at a life together, but first the ultimate test of their relationship might tear them apart if they let it.

Aarav is the sweetest and most shy badass sniper that I think I have ever gotten to know, because honestly the guy has so much trauma that he is emotionally about the age of ten and doesn’t know how to grow on his own.  Luckily with the help of his lovers he blossoms into the strong, confident and sensual man he was always meant to be.  But the emotional need means that the love he develops for Cash and Sola are always going to be the driving force for him and anything that threatens that will force him to face fears or retreat into his shell.  I really loved seeing him find a way to come to terms with himself and learn that he was perfect the way he was.  Sola has her own issues, not the least of which is allowing her issues with Aarav to affect her self-confidence and instincts until it is almost too late.  I was proud to see her take a stand and force her man (and later men) to accept and give the love that they all needed.  It is obvious that she will always be the cornerstone of their relationship, giving them the strength and determination they need to succeed in their lives together.  Cash on the other hand was an odd one in the beginning.  Obviously the most experienced at casual relationships, at first you think that he is just in Sola and Aarav’s bed for the fun of it, but soon you see that he has too developed strong feelings for his lovers, too strong really for his own mind to handle.  I hated to see him pull back at just the wrong time, but thankfully he found a way to man up and accept the love that was being offered and that he was worthy of that love. 

Brazen is truly the story of three lovers, each caught in their own version of insecurity, that need one another in order to grow into the perfect side of the triangle to make their love work. Sola is the type of woman that needs her men to show her that she is the softness and graciousness that they each need in order to complete them.  Aarav is the quiet strength and determination that will drive their relationship forward and make sure that they never lose sight of their love, no matter the fights or problems they may face.  Cash is the laughter and lightness that the others need in order to deal with the ugliness their jobs show them on a daily basis.  Together the three of them are the perfect soulmates for one another. Obviously the passion between all of them is off the Richter scales and there is no denying it from the first second any of them are together, but I loved even more seeing them come to terms with the connection they shared—deeper and richer than simple lust, no matter how steamy that might have been.  Always a little bit mean to her readers, Ms. Rylon sets us up for the next book Broken with the last chapter and it looks to be a serious doozy not just in terms of the triad we have been dying for (Ruby, Liam, and Ace—Finally!) but also in the danger and drama they will be facing, and I for one cannot wait.  Once again, Jayne strikes gold with her Shields.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: The Bard (Highland Heroes #5)

The Bard (Highland Heroes #5)

by Maeve Greyson 

Blurb:

The fiercer the battle, the sweeter the spoils

Sutherland MacCoinnich flirts his way into the hardest hearts and most forbidden beds. He’s such a charmer, even the lasses that he loves then leaves behind never hold any ill will against him. All the ladies adore him. All except one. As lovely as she is infuriating, the daughter of Chieftain Greyloch barely gives him a passing glance. When she does, it’s only to tell him he smells more like a horse than a Highlander. She even threatens to shoot him if ever sets foot on her land again. And to add insult to injury, the woman cost him a keg of fine whisky in a bet.

An enticing trinity of beauty, wit, and fire. She would be his. Forever.

If Sorcha Greyloch doesn’t marry soon, she’s sure to be the death of her father. Many a desirable suitor has come calling, but she has refused them all. She knows who she wants. She’s loved Sutherland MacCoinnich since the first time he darkened her clan’s door. But she’s not about to tell him that until she has him on his knees. After all, most men share a particular trait. They’re driven to possess what they think they can’t possibly have.

The womanizer of Clan MacCoinnich is about to be tamed by the one woman he feared he would never win, but unexpected danger lurks in Castle Greyloch. A danger that threatens the dueling lovers’ future.

Themes:  Historical

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Another masterpiece by one of my newly discovered favorite historical romance authors kicks off with a womanizer finally meeting his match in a feisty and fiery female he just cannot woo. The Highland Heroes series revolves around the MacCoinnich Clan and their friends as they navigate the political and messy world of medieval Scotland and try to find love and happiness.  I stumbled upon this series a bit late and just had to go back to the beginning, but have been waiting for Sutherland’s story for a long time and was definitely not let down a bit when I finally got to read it. Sutherland is a true ladies’ man, a scoundrel who knows that his greatest skill is his charm and he uses it to lethal means with the ladies, but when he makes the mistake of going up against Sorcha Greyloch he never imagined he had met his match.  Sorcha knows the type of man that Sutherland is and though the attraction to him is beyond intense, she can’t trust him to be the man she needs to help lead her clan by her side.  When Sutherland is ordered by his Clan chief to make peace and a match with Sorcha he knows he has his work cut out for him, but he is determined to tame the fiery lass and make her his own.  Sorcha is just as determined to bring him to heel and prove to him that she is the only woman he needs by his side and in his bed, but there are dangers lurking around every corner and if they don’t find a way to trust and overcome those foes they will never have that chance for their happy future together. Sorcha was my favorite heroine of this series to date, sassy, sweet, and compassionate, but also strong, determined, and willing to stand up to all the men in her life to do what she knows is best not only for herself but also her clan.  She truly could have led the clan herself, with no need for a man, which makes her a woman to be reckoned with, but at the same time she knows that she needs the man she loves by her side to truly be the best leader she could be. That level of self-awareness is rare in female leads for historical romance and I love the way Ms. Greyson always manages to bring out the best in her characters. Sutherland was an ass in the beginning of this story, making me more apt to want to slap him silly than sympathize with him, but as he slowly opened his eyes to the gift that Sorcha’s love truly was I began to like him again.  He was loving, resilient, unwavering and willing to do whatever it took to protect the woman he was falling in love with.  Once he opened his eyes and heart he became the man he was truly always meant to be, Sorcha making him a better man and showing that he could be a Clan leader just like his cousin. The spark of fire these two set off in one another was clear for everyone around them to see and it only got hotter the deeper their connection got, to the point I needed water sometimes just reading their story. I am dying for the last book in this series after that last chapter, but I know it will bring a lot of tears at the same time, however I know Ms. Greyson will handle it all with grace and dignity and not a little panache. Well played, Maeve, well played.

*ebook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Mini-Review: Shadow Web (Moonshadow Bay #5)

Shadow Web (Moonshadow Bay #5)
by Yasmine Galenorn

Blurb:

The holidays are here, and this year, they’re deadly…

It’s my first Thanksgiving back in Moonshadow Bay, and everything is hunky-dory until the Witches Guild assigns me a research project for the upcoming Winter Solstice Festival. Not only do I melt down my computer, but I download a demon who ends up stuck in my house.

But Tarvish the Funtime demon is the least of my worries when my grandmother asks my BFF and me to go undercover. A magical pyramid scheme has moved into town and it’s siphoning more than money off its recruits. Will we be able to take it down, or will the leader of the cult manage to silence us for good?

Themes:  Paranormal, Witches, Shifters

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

It’s Thanksgiving in Moonshadow Bay and January has a lot on her plate as she prepares to host her first huge family meal, but then strange things start to happen all around her.  Yasmine Galenorn’s newest series, set in the beautiful pacific northwest takes us along on one woman’s journey through self-discovery as she escapes an emotionally abusive marriage of almost two decades and embarks on an all new life.  I have really been enjoying reading this series and getting to know not just January and her family, but also her friends and the crazy characters that make up her world.  Thanksgiving is fast approaching and January has plans to host the big family get together for all her newfound family and friends as well as a few strays she has collected over the past year in her life.  But a few obstacles are being thrown in her path to a clam and restful vacation, including a strange demon summoned accidentally and an undercover assignment that could cost her life is she isn’t careful.  The relationship between January and Killian, her sexy shifter boyfriend is also continuing to intensify as they both come to terms with what they want for their shared future and how they see that going.  I really enjoyed this story, though not as much as previous ones in the series.  There was just so much going on that it was hard to find a single thread to grab onto as the main plot which was a little much for my ADD brain.  There seems to have been a lot of setting up of future plot lines and options for branching stories, but I did enjoy the story and look forward to reading more for sure.  I will say that I prefer the more focused nature of previous stories where there was one overarching problem that January was focused on through the majority of the book.  It just seemed to be so unfocused, jumping from issue to issue, even ones that seemed a little bit nonsensical to me, comparative to normal, though maybe that was a reflection of the way a lot of us are around the holidays to be honest.  Here’s hoping that the next in the series returns to the typical format in coming stories to allow for a more focused plotline and a longer narrative for us to enjoy.  Thanks for a cute holiday adventure Yasmine.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Mini-Review: Hot Aussie Night (De Luca Sisters #2)

Hot Aussie Night (De Luca Sisters #2)

by Lexxie Couper

Blurb:

What’s cooking for Christmas? A hot serving of insta-lust with a side order of fake fiancé.

Life-long anxiety isn’t going to stop Elisa De Luca from enjoying her sister’s Christmas engagement party. She’s got a process, and as long as things don’t get too chaotic she’ll be okay. And then, she suddenly finds herself engaged to a hot, hot, hot Aussie—five minutes after meeting him—and chaos is the word of the day.

Super-chef Angus Daniels doesn’t do relationships, but the second he meets Elisa De Luca he’s drawn to her. Big time. When the shy American inexplicably saves him from a sharkish TV producer hellbent on making him the titular star on a bachelor show, Angus begins to question everything he thought he wanted.

A fake engagement requires a fake relationship, but it doesn’t take long for Elisa and Angus to realise there’s nothing fake about what’s happening between them. But when reality feeds baggage, and anxiety nibbles at certainty, love at first sight might not be enough for a happy Christmas. Or a Happy Ever After, full stop.

Themes:  Contemporary, Holiday

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

So who’s up for some hot, smexy, holiday fun in the heat of an Australian Christmas?  The De Luca Sisters are back in a big way as another of the triplets finds her instant love-at-first sight connection with another sexy Aussie and as luck would have it he turns out to not be a total stranger in the end. Lexxie Couper continues this fun series which began with a fun Halloween story as she takes the two remaining single sisters to Sydney for the Bria and Owen’s engagement party right before Christmas this time.  But Elisa is so not prepared for the life-changing moment when she tries to do a good deed and comes face to face with the hottest stranger to ever cross her path, but when her anxiety kicks in she runs for the hills. Angus Daniels is still kicking his own ass a few hours later for not getting the sexy little American’s phone number when she suddenly walks into his restraint, obviously one of his best mate Owen’s future in-laws and suddenly his day is looking much brighter.  The plot thickens when they suddenly find themselves pretending to be engaged in order to keep him from being forced onto an idiotic bachelor TV show, but spending time together is no hardship for either Elisa or Angus.  When things get hot and heavy REALLY fast, Elisa and Angus will have to decide if another De Luca triplet has found her forever love at first sight, or if they will part ways in the morning with only their hot memories to keep them warm in the future. Elisa and Angus both have some serious baggage that has kept them single, but you could tell they were both people with a lot of love to give and the connection was definitely there from the first second they clapped eyes on one another.  Elisa’s past relationship has left her wary of men in a big way, but worse it made her anxiety in all situations nearly unbearable, but despite all of that she finds peace and calm in the arms of this near stranger and is unwilling to give up on that emotion without exploring it.  The description that Angus has for her on first impression “fragile strength” was truly insightful because like a delicate spider’s web she was in many ways delicate and easily broken if not handled with care, but in other ways one of the strongest characters I’ve read recently.  I really loved seeing her overcome her fears and embrace her chance at a great love, despite any of the obstacles that were in their way and the uncertainties of their future. Angus is the kind of man that was deeply affected by the childhood traumas that he keeps deeply buried from all of those that didn’t live them with him.  He is determined to never hurt the woman he comes to love and therefore pushes them away to prevent any chance at a connection, but one look into Elisa’s eyes and he was sunk.  He is smart, savvy, sexy, and sweet in so many ways, making Elisa truly feel like the center of his world even though they barely knew one another.  The heat that these two put out is enough to start an out of control fire, but the beauty is that the fire is one I can see lasting all their days, despite only witnessing one day of it. For those that don’t believe in instant-love or true love at first sight, this story—and really this series—sadly won’t hit the mark for you, but for the rest of us that continue to hold out hope for that kind of connection for ourselves, this story rocked!  Lexxie continues to astonish me with her ability to pack so much emotion and passion into such a short time span and make me wish my life was as exciting as her characters; another hit for sure and leaves me DYING for Zeta’s story.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Mini-Review: The Christmas Changeup (Hope's Turn Holidays #3)

The Christmas Changeup (Hope's Turn Holidays #3)

by Marie Harte

Blurb:

A Small Town Christmas Romance

Striking out isn't an option...

Piper Mason remembers Grant Weston as the cute little boy with a crush she'd once babysat, back when she'd been thirteen and he'd been nine. Many years later, Piper is babysitting once again. This time it's her teenage niece while house-sitting for her brother. Except...no one told her to expect a house guest. A man too good looking to be real with a smile that blinds. A man who plays for a major league baseball team back in town for the holiday.

A man who's returned to make good on his twenty-year old pledge to marry her!

And he's not leaving until he's rounding home with the girl who got away.

Themes:  Contemporary, Holiday

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Love this holiday season begins with a decades old pact and the determination of man to get the woman that’s always held his heart.  Marie Harte’s holiday series has been one of my favorite’s these past few years and I am enjoying the new additions each year, and this one is another great one. Piper Mason is housesitting and watching her young niece for her brother over the holidays, but she never expected to have a house guest as well, especially one as sexy and intriguing as Grant Weston.  Piper remembers Grant mostly as the annoying pre-teen that used to drive her nuts and sneak into her room to bug her as a teenager, but the Grant on her mind now is very different. Grant has always had a plan, one that he has worked hard his whole life to fulfill and the next item to check off on his life list is marrying the woman who stole his heart at age nine and nothing Piper says will dissuade him from that.  Grant and Piper spend more time together as the holidays move forward, getting to know one another as adults, and the more they learn the deeper their feelings get.  But can a woman who has been burned in the worst way believe in a guy that seems to live in an entirely different world, one that just barely touches her reality?  Piper and Grant were the best holiday romantic couple I have read in a while. Grant has obviously got some serious quirks, but they seem to mesh beautifully with his personality and when he shows his more sensitive and private side to Piper the reader falls even more in love with this hunky confident hot-shot. It would be easy to just write him off as another one of those arrogant athletes that come a dime a dozen, but underneath his swagger is the sweetest, most loving, and family oriented guy.  Piper has dealt with a serious emotional betrayal, but thankfully she has had friends and family to surround herself with and she has never let her personal issues stand in the way of meeting her goals, but when she is confronted with the confounding and dangerously sensual Grant she isn’t really sure how to handle him to be honest. She was alternately totally confident in herself but at the same time terrified of giving another man a chance and risking the hurt to her heart, but when she finally opened up to Grant and let him prove how much he truly loved her the story just became epic. The heat between these two was off the charts and luckily the snow was thick on the ground or the town would have burned around them as they set fire to one another.  It was great getting to see how well the past couples that came together in this series are doing and the growth of the younger generation is getting more and more interesting and I wonder if we might see them getting a story sometime in the future as well (hint hint Marie), but honestly I just hope that we get more in this series in the future.  I am so happy I got to enjoy this story and watch the passion and love develop between two characters that were so obviously meant for one another.  Keep the laughs, quirkiness, and holiday magic coming Marie!

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: Peppermint Bark (The Dogmothers #7)

Peppermint Bark (The Dogmothers #7)

by Roxanne St. Claire

Blurb:

Getting stood up for her high school prom turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to Colleen Kilcannon. That's when Joe Mahoney offered to fill in as her date, and magic happened. By the end of that night, Colleen was ready to give up her dreams of flying the friendly skies and seeing the world…because nothing in that world could compete with her firefighter. She and Joe married, had a family, and remained deeply in love until he died in the line of duty, leaving her a widow for twenty years.

Tim McIntosh has avoided Bitter Bark for forty-five years. But when the international business executive returns to his home town to fulfill his father’s dying wish, seeing Colleen again is inevitable. Determined to deliver a decades-old apology, he visits the dog treat store she runs, where a couple of sweet old ladies persuade him to participate in Peppermint Bark, a holiday dog fostering program. They even have the perfect dog for him to foster, an impish Westie named Bucky. There’s just one problem...someone else has already claimed that dog. Someone Tim remembers quite well.

As Colleen and Tim rekindle their friendship and co-foster a dog that seems to only be happy when they’re together, old sparks ignite. But they only have the month of December together before he returns to his life of world travel…and she returns to what suddenly seems like a mundane existence. Their relationship deepens while they set out on an impossible holiday mission to fulfill his father’s deathbed request, uncovering life-changing secrets. It’ll take one clever Westie, two scheming grannies, and a whole lot of Christmas magic for Colleen and Tim to finally get a second chance at a dance that just might last forever.

Themes:  Contemporary, Holiday, Second Chance

Rating:  4.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

The Dogmothers have another hit, even if they didn’t realize just how close to perfection they were getting.  This story is one that I was very unsure I would enjoy, because let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to watch a widow/widower come to terms with finding a second chance at a great love of their lives.  But as always Rocki proves that the heart can grow to unmeasurable sizes and always has room for more love in it. This story revolves around two former flames that were torn apart, but it made room for one to have the great love of her life and raise the big family she never knew she needed and wanted. Colleen and Tim have chemistry from the moment they come back into one another’s orbits and there is no denying that the love that develops between them is made to change lives in only the best of ways.  I loved every second of this story, even the tears and sadness as we relived their pasts and learned the secrets that tore them apart the first time.  There was laughter, love, family, and the joy of the holiday season, and of course let’s not forget the sweetness of one beautiful Westie to make this story unforgettable.  I cannot wait for the rest of this series even though I know the ending is coming soon, but Rocki never fails to make the ride worth each and every tear.

Tim has returned to his hometown of Bitter Bark, NC with a job to do before the end of the year, finalizing this his father’s estate and fulfilling his father’s dying wishes, but he is also hoping to deliver a long-awaited apology to the girl who’s heart he bruised.  Colleen never forgot the boy that deserted her on the night of her junior prom, and left town without a word, but she also knows that night changed her life in the best of ways as it led her to the husband that gave her the family and great love she never knew she needed.  A widow for two decades that love still burns bright, but seeing Tim brings up both new and old feelings in Colleen and confuses her while also reminding her that she is still a woman with a lot of love to give.  A holiday mix-up leads to a shared agreement between Colleen and Tim for the temporary fostering of a sweet West Highland Terrier and when she offers her help on his father’s quest Tim knows the extra time spent together will be perfect.  As they spend more and more time together, the connections and emotions that grow between them brings them both right back to their youth and at the same time makes them realize that life isn’t over for them. But Tim is leaving and there is no way she can leave her family behind and live his jet-setting life.  Can the love that has sprouted from the roots long buried be a lasting one, or is it destined to just a short fling for them both?

Colleen has been one of my favorite characters in this long-running series, from the very beginning of the Dogfathers series, an awesome sister, mother, aunt, and daughter, but we finally get to see her as simply a woman in her prime in this one.  She has lived alone, focusing on her children and extended family since her husband’s heroic death, but this is the first time she has met (or reconnected with) a man that truly makes her feel desired and wanted in that way.  She is smart, sassy, sweet and loving, though her fears lead her to pull back so much that I was truly afraid we might not get a happily-ever-after this time.  Once she finally came to terms with the fact that compromising her needs and desires in order to stay in the same safe situation was not the answer I loved her even more.  Tim was an interesting character to be sure.  We begin not liking him, though at the same time being thankful to him, for deserting Colleen at the prom, so yeah mixed feeling to start, and then once he shows his genuine remorse, and explains his reasons… well you can’t help but love him.  It’s obvious he has carried a torch for Colleen all these years, even if only in the back of his mind, and seeing her makes him think even more that it’s time for him to change his life.  He has lived an adventurous, though lonely life, but seeing Colleen surrounded by her family and friends, he knows that he has missed out on something big in his life.  I loved both of these characters and getting to see them not only work through their current issues to find a way back to love, but also seeing their pasts and reliving those moments with them.  Lots of tears, laughs, and happiness along with their sadness.

Peppermint Bark is the perfect holiday story for anyone that has ever wondered, "What would have happened if...?" The second chance that Tim and Colleen get to find love is beautiful and enchanting set in this holiday romance and the added sweetness of the loving puppy they foster adds just the extra sprinkles to make a perfect holiday treat. Colleen gets a chance to understand what happened in her past, but more importantly she comes to understand that she still has a lot of love to give.  She finds her  adventurous spirit again and learns that dreams are never forgotten or lost, just postponed until the time they are lived. Tim has been around the world too many times to count, but he has never had the one thing he always wanted, but now he gets a chance to find it.  A family and the love of a woman that will bring her happiness and fulfillment is the one thing he really wants this holiday season and never thought to have, much less with his first love.  The passion between them is a much softer and slower burn than many stories, one of rekindled fire from buried coals that needs just a little reminding it can be a full flame.  I loved the plot of this story and the secrets that come to light about Tim’s past that give him even more to be happy about for the holidays.  Sometimes we don’t even realize that our dreams can be even bigger than we originally dreamed them.  Love of family brightens the holidays season as Rocki takes us on a fun adventure and reminds readers that sometimes love just needs another chance to blossom. The end of the series is coming, but with stories like these we almost don’t even mind. Keep amazing us Rocki and we’ll keep coming back for more.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: True Love Cowboy (McGrath #3)

True Love Cowboy (McGrath #3)

by Jennifer Ryan

Blurb:

Cowboys live by their word, their wits, and their loyalty.

Jon Crawford has returned to Montana, determined to take over his father’s ranch and raise his daughter in Big Sky Country, leaving the big-city life behind once and for all. He doesn’t have time to fall in love, but he doesn’t count on stubborn but beautiful Trinity McGrath, who arouses his protective instincts even as she tries to push him away.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Trinity, but now she has everything she needs—her family, friends, and a safe and secure life. With a business to build, Trinity doesn’t have time for romance…until Jon comes barging into her life and all her intentions are turned upside down!

Still, an attraction like theirs is too powerful to deny, and sometimes true love comes along when you least expect it. But when someone from Jon's past comes back with a vengeance, Trinity and Jon will have to do everything they can to save themselves and their new love...

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The McGraths are back for the series finale and LOOK OUT this one will break your heart, make you cry, and make you scream as Jennifer Ryan takes us on a roller coaster ride of terrifying drama and everlasting love. I have loved this spin-off series and I get deeper and deeper in love with this family as we go but knowing the end was coming with Trinity made it all the more bittersweet as she found love in the most unexpected of men and with some seriously dangerous of circumstances.  Trinity McGrath has found her little niche in her community, her small business allows her to be independent and make an impact while still letting her be the caring and compassionate woman she needs to be, but she is lonely and wants to find the same type of love her brothers have all found.  When Jon Crawford blows into town like a hurricane her life is changed forever, because despite his gruff and dark exterior she senses the charming and noble man underneath.  Jon has returned to his hometown to take over his father’s ranch and get out of the big city bustle that he knows is killing his soul and suspects is going to tear apart his daughter, but he does come with some serious baggage—a sweet but precocious little girl, a crazy reckless ex, and a chip on his shoulder when it comes to women. As these two cautiously venture into a new relationship things heat up quickly as Jon begins to realize that Trinity is truly the perfect woman for him and his daughter to complete their family.  Sadly his ex is doing her level best to not only prevent him from ever finding happiness, but from having Trinity replace her in any way and that danger could become even more deadly than anyone ever imagined.  I LOVED this story and am actually looking forward to rereading it when I catch a break in my TBR list so I can rediscover the beauty of it in the no-too-distant future.  Trinity was the quintessential cowgirl, tough but sweet, caring but determined, and offers her heart to those that deserve it without reserve.  Now I have stated many times I not a kid person, but the connection Trinity develops with Jon’s little girl and vice versa showed the integrity that Trinity obviously had because a kid like that, who has lived through her past, knows a good person immediately from a bad one.  Trinity has had a lot of rough patches in life, but Jon will be the perfect salve to remind her of her own strength and allow her to fully heal and find herself again under the trauma and fear.  Jon has dealt so long with the shit his ex has forced on him that he knows when he meets Trinity that she is the total opposite and wants her in his life.  He is the kind of man that fights for those he loves and offers his whole heart even as he shields them from danger as much as he can.  I loved seeing him in his vulnerable moments and the little moments with him and his daughter or him and Trinity where he was sweet, but he is obviously a strong and alpha cowboy at heart and nothing and no one will ever get away with threatening those he loves.  The heat between Trinity and Jon was subtle in the beginning but once they opened themselves to the possibilities it becomes infinitely more obvious and we went on the roller coaster of that passion with them.  I was sad for this bittersweet ending to a great series, but I am dying to find out where Jennifer takes us next and to meet an all new set of sexy cowboys we will get to fall in love (and lust) with. Long live the Queen of Cowboy Romance.

*ebook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.