The Lawman's Noelle - Stella Bagwell (HSE #2375 - Dec 2014)

Series: Men of the West (Book 31)

The things you find under the mistletoe!

While running her own ranch, Noelle Barnes had encountered all sorts of surprises. But an unconscious cowboy? That was a first! Yet Evan Calhoun was no ordinary rancher. He was a lawman on the hunt for some rustlers. And with her tragic past, there was no way Noelle was going to trust herself to the long arms of the law…

From the moment he looked into her velvety brown eyes, Evan knew Noelle had secrets. Torn between admiring her independence and wanting to take care of her, Evan hadn't realized just what a hard task lassoing this cowgirl would be! Would a holiday proposal bring him all he really wanted for Christmas?

Good book. Noelle is the owner of a small ranch, which she runs completely on her own. While checking her fences one day she came across Evan Calhoun, injured and unconscious. After reviving him, she's not too happy to discover that he's a detective with the local sheriff's department, but she can't just leave him. So she gets him the help he needs, delivers him to his home, and doesn't expect to see him again. 

I liked Noelle. She is fiercely independent and determined to live her life on her own terms. Her parents have money, but were very self-absorbed people, and hadn't spent much time with Noelle and her brother Andy. As she got older she went along with her parents' wishes, including marrying a man they favored. After she discovered he had only married her for her money and as a stepping stone in her father's company, she divorced him. Around the same time her younger brother was killed, shot by mistake by a policeman. Heartbroken, she moved to the land left to her by her aunt and uncle. Her meeting with Evan disturbed her on a couple levels. First, she was attracted to him, feelings that she hadn't had since her divorce five years earlier. Second, he was a lawman, the type of person she had resented and avoided since her brother's death. He also comes from money, another type she has avoided because of her family experiences. Though she doesn't expect to see him again, she can't help but be happy when he comes to see her. Though her head tells her to stay away from him, her heart isn't listening. Over the next few weeks, Evan comes to see her more and more often, helping out on her ranch, and including her in things with his family. She starts to see a different side of him, and by extension all lawmen, and her feelings for him start to deepen. But she still sees a gulf between them, one that she doesn't see narrowing.

Evan is one of the Calhoun brothers, one that is somewhat out of step with his family. He has never been overly interested in the ranch, his dream has always been law enforcement. One of the cases he is working on involves cattle rustlers, and that's what he was working on when he was rescued by Noelle. He had been thrown by his horse, and if not for her he could have been in very bad shape. He had been drawn to her from the very beginning, even though she's nothing like the women he usually dates. He has been keeping his relationships very light ever since the end of his engagement. He had been burned by her, when it turned out she was more interested in his family wealth that in himself. Now he's extra cautious. I liked the way that Noelle's independence impressed him, even though it also worried him that she was so isolated. I liked seeing him pull her into his life and show her a bit of fun. Evan was nervous about the strength of the feelings he was beginning to have for her. He is thinking more about a permanent relationship with her, but can't see how that can happen with her refusing to leave her land, and him unwilling to be far from his own family.

Both Noelle and Evan are pretty stubborn about their own needs. I have to admit that I was more sympathetic to Noelle than I was to Evan, because of her background. Both of them had some serious thinking to do about what they really wanted for the rest of their lives. I loved seeing how they finally realized that nothing was more important than being together. The epilogue was a nice wrap up for the book. I'm looking forward to reading stories for Finn and Brodie.

Wearing the Rancher's Ring - Stella Bagwell (HSE #2354 - Sept 2014)

Series: Men of the West (Book 30)

If it weren't for the ring…

…rancher Clancy Calhoun and Olivia Parsons might be able to pull off their cool acquaintances routine. They might be able to convince the world that they just knew each other in passing, enough to say hello and be on their way. Or at least they might be able to convince themselves.

But all those years ago, they had been the whole world to each other -- and he'd given her a diamond ring to prove it. Now, ten years later, Olivia is back at the Silver Horn, and she and Clancy are sure they can be in each other's company without falling apart -- or worse yet, falling into each other's arms.

Because if the ring goes back on her finger, this time it's never coming off!

This was a roller-coaster ride of a second chance story. Clancy and Olivia had been in love and engaged ten years earlier. When her mother became ill, Olivia broke off their engagement and went home to Idaho, telling Clancy to forget about her. Now she's in Carson City, working for the BLM, and runs into Clancy shortly after her arrival. Both of them are stunned to see the other and though both feel the pull of old feelings, each gives the impression of being unaffected. Under the surface, emotions are rioting.

Olivia really wants to believe she's over her feelings for Clancy, but can't deny that they are still there. She agrees to get together with him so she can try to put them to rest. Being with him reignites the dreams she had of a life with him but she's cautious about opening up her heart again, Clancy can't believe he still wants her, but he's going to try spending time with her to see how things go. His heart wants to believe anything is possible, but his head is urging caution.

I loved seeing Clancy and Olivia together, trying to get to know each other as the people they are now. They have strong chemistry together and their physical relationship takes off very quickly. But both of them hold back emotionally, not quite ready to give it their all. Olivia has some trust issues with men. Her father had abandoned the family when she was young, she had had a brief marriage where her husband had portrayed himself very differently than the way he really was, and though she had broken things off with Clancy she had always hoped he had cared enough to come after her, though he never did. Olivia also has some self esteem issues, causing her to believe that she's not good enough for the wealthy rancher and his family. On his side, Clancy is happy to be with Olivia again, but he can't forget that she had left him all those years ago. As much as his feelings for her are getting stronger, he won't allow himself to trust that she'll stay and that keeps him from believing that they have a future together. When they allow themselves to ignore their issues, they are wonderful together. I loved seeing them check out the new land purchase, and their attendance at the family dinner went great.

I admit to some frustration with Olivia and the way she keeps harping on their differences. No one in the family had ever treated her in a way that should have made her feel like that. Because of her background, she had learned to depend on herself, and her pride keeps her from accepting any kind of help. Clancy frustrated me even more. He was coming to care for her even more deeply than before, though he wouldn't admit it to himself. He just wouldn't let go of the fact that she had left him before and it kept him from allowing himself to believe in a future with her.

When Olivia gets pregnant things get even more complicated. Clancy wants her to marry him, but says nothing about how he feels about her, just what he feels is important for the baby. Olivia refuses to think about marrying him just because of the baby, she wants his love too. Neither of them will take the step of confessing their feelings and letting go of their fears. It took some time apart for each of them to realize it was only their fears keeping them apart and that being together was more important. I was very happy to see them finally open up to each other and let go of the past.

Once again it was great to see the closeness of the Calhoun family and the support they give each other. Both Bart and Orin have some eye opening advice for Clancy, and I love how Rafe has become such a great example of married bliss. I'm looking forward to reading about the other brothers.

One Tall, Dusty Cowboy - Stella Bagwell (HSE #2349 - Aug 2014)

Series: Men of the West (Book 29)

SADDLE UP FOR THE LOVE OF A LIFETIME

After a losing her heart -- and her baby -- to a disastrous romance, Lilly Lockett has her mind on only one thing: her job. She's come to the Silver Horn Ranch in Nevada to look after the Calhoun family patriarch, nothing more. But encountering rakish ranch foreman Rafe Calhoun, it's fireworks at first sight!

Playboy Rafe knows his grandfather's new nurse is all wrong for him. He decided long ago that relationships just aren't in the cards. A few dates, then move on -- that's been his motto. But an attempt at a casual affair with Lilly soon becomes all too serious…for both of them. And soon Rafe has to make a choice: to keep flying solo, or risk everything for a future with the woman he's come to love.

Good story about two people who are afraid to risk their hearts. Lilly is the new physical therapist for Bart Calhoun. Rafe is Bart's grandson and the ranch foreman. The sparks fly when they first meet, and they aren't all from the attraction they both feel. I loved that first meeting and seeing Rafe run up against a woman who doesn't immediately fall at his feet. 

Rafe is a guy who doesn't stay long  with any woman. He'll see one he likes, have a few dates, and then move on before it can become serious. He has had some loss in his life and witnessed what it has done to the people left behind, and he wants no part of that kind of suffering. He figures if he doesn't love,he won't have to worry about being hurt. 

Lilly had been in love and then betrayed by the man she cared for. Not only did he cheat on her, but when she became pregnant he wanted nothing to do with the baby. She was devastated when she lost the baby and swore she'd be a lot more careful about getting involved with another man.

Rafe looks at Lilly as something of a challenge. Normally when he's turned down for a date, he simply moves on, but there's something about Lilly that he just can't get off his mind. When he talks her into going out with him they have a nice time, but Lilly makes it clear that she doesn't want to get involved with him. Lilly is actually a lot more affected by him than she lets on, but she's spent so long protecting herself that she's not sure she's ready for someone like Rafe.

They agree to spend time with each other, as long as they can keep it casual. The more time they have together, the deeper their feelings grow, even though they try to deny it. Rafe is especially hard hit as he has been avoiding even the idea of love for so long. I loved seeing him get more and more invested in them as a couple, even as he tries to convince himself that he could walk away at any time. When they split because Lilly wants more than Rafe thinks he can give, he starts to realize just what he's given up. His pain makes him do and say some stupid things, but some advice from his father finally makes him think about what he really wants.

Lilly starts out their relationship just thinking of Rafe as a way for her to get back into living. She knows he'll never settle down, as he's made no secret of his views. He's the first man in years who has made her even think about getting involved. I loved the way that she didn't fall for his lines and really pushed back at him. "Go find the nearest mirror and tell the guy who's looking back at you that he's not quite the Romeo he thinks he is." just made me laugh and root for her. She really thought that she could have a casual fling with him, but the longer they were together the more she realized that her heart was really at risk. I liked the way that she let him know her feelings even though it caused trouble between them. After some time apart, and an enlightening conversation with her mother, she discovered that she had been letting her own issues affect what they might have together. I loved seeing the two of them come together, finally opening their hearts to the possibilities. The epilogue was sweet.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics. The Calhouns are a large family with very strong personalities. We met most of them in The Baby Truth. Rafe's grandfather, Bart, made an especially strong impression and not a very good one. In this book we see a different side of him and he is much more likable. I also liked Rafe's interactions with his brothers. It's obvious that there's love and respect, but the relationships are realistic in that there are also conflicts that arise and have to be dealt with. I can't wait to read stories involving them.

The Baby Truth - Stella Bagwell (HSE #2339 - June 2014)

Series: Men of the West (Book 28)

She couldn't be pregnant...

Except apparently she was Still, Sassy Matthews was a woman on a mission. She'd come to Carson City to find her biological parents--not to faint in the arms of the lawyer who'd met her plane Of course, finding out she was going to be a mommy didn't exactly fit into her plans either. Now what was a girl to do?

Jett Sundell wanted to keep an eye on Sassy--and not just because her new "family" suspected her of being a gold digger. Sassy captured his interest from the second she fainted into his arms, but she was pregnant with another man's child Jett knew he might be able to provide Sassy with the link to her past, but she might just be the key to his future.

Sassy's life is in quite a bit of turmoil. Her boyfriend recently died in a rodeo accident and she's just discovered she's pregnant with his baby. She's also just found out that she was adopted and is in search of information on who she really is. Her boyfriend had noticed her resemblance to a friend of his and now she's been invited to meet his family and see if they can find out if there's a connection. Fainting into the arms of lawyer Jett Sundell is not exactly the start she had in mind. 

Jett expects that Sassy's arrival is going to cause some turmoil of its own, as she is a dead ringer for one of the Calhoun brothers. He has also developed a fierce protectiveness for the beautiful redhead. This is as unwelcome as it is unexpected. Years ago Jett had been married to a woman whose love had turned to obsession and by the end of the marriage he was convinced that love is an illusion. Now he has shut himself off from any emotional entanglements. 

Sassy doesn't want to cause any trouble for the Calhouns, she just wants to see if they know anything about her parents. The Calhoun grandfather's violent reaction to her appearance creates suspicion in Jett and the other Calhouns that he knows something important. As Jett and the others investigate, he convinces Sassy to stick around. This puts the two of them in far more close contact than either is comfortable with.

Both Sassy and Jett are fighting their feelings really hard. Sassy feels that she has far too much going on in her life now to add a relationship to it. Jett is flat out afraid to risk his heart again and keeps reminding Sassy (and himself) that he no longer believes in love. I really enjoyed seeing Sassy get involved in life on Jett's ranch. Everything she does brings her closer to Jett. He likes having her there on his ranch and is happier than he's ever been. When the attraction between them overcomes their reservations, each believes that they can keep their emotions out of it and walk away unscathed when the time comes. When Sassy realizes she's in love with Jett, she has to decide if she's willing to settle for less or stand up for her own needs.

I also enjoyed the mystery of Sassy's connection to the Calhouns. I liked seeing Jett convince Sassy that it was worth pursuing, not because of any gain, but because he knew she would always wonder if she didn't. Sassy really worried about whether her presence would cause trouble among the family members. I liked the encouragement she received from Jett and the younger Calhouns. There was an interesting twist to the solving of the mystery, but it made the ending very satisfying. I loved the epilogue as an update on how things turned out for Sassy and Jett. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the Calhouns.