Blood Ties in Chef Voleur - Mallory Kane (HI #1514 - Aug 2014)

Series: Delancey Dynasty (Book 11)

As the newest member of the Delanceys, Jack Bush isn't who he claims. Eloping with their youngest granddaughter, Cara Lynn, is only the first part of his plan. With that he'd gain access to the entire family and expose them for what they are. Then he'd move on. Except Cara Lynn has charms of her own. Their initial attraction, and their torrid love affair, make it hard for Jack to maintain his distance. Hurting her soon becomes the last thing he wants to do. But once the truth about his ancestral blood ties are revealed, every family secret will come crashing down around them. And he fears no one will escape unscathed….

Good conclusion to the series. Jack has married Cara Lynn under false pretenses. While he is definitely attracted to her, he needs to get close to the family in order to get the information he needs. What none of them know is that he is the grandson of the man who was convicted for killing their grandfather. The man insisted on his innocence until the day he died and Jack swore he would find out the truth and prove him right. He planned to use Cara Lynn and then move on when he was done. What he didn't count on was how he would feel whenever he thought about what he was doing.

Cara Lynn is deeply in love with her husband. Their whirlwind romance and elopement was a thing of dreams, but ever since the wedding she feels like he has been pulling back. When she finds his notebook where he details what he has done and what his plans are, she is devastated. She'd like nothing more than to throw him out, but she can't bear to tell her overprotective family what a fool she's been. But his assertions, combined with some papers she has recently inherited, make them decide to find out the truth first. In order to do that they're going to have to work together.

I liked Cara Lynn a lot. As the youngest of the Delaceys and one of only two girls, she's been somewhat spoiled but also suffered from the overprotective actions of her brothers. As the youngest, she missed out on the bad stuff her older siblings suffered at the hands of their father, so she has a much more positive outlook on life. That optimism takes a big hit when she finds out the truth about Jack. I was very impressed with the way she handled it. But in spite of everything he did, her love for him hasn't died, though her trust is going to take a lot longer to earn back.

Jack has spent most of his life hating the Delanceys for what they did to his grandfather. His single minded pursuit of revenge blinded him to the feelings he had for Cara Lynn. Though I didn't like what he did, he certainly managed to meet his goals. I found it very interesting to see how he started feeling more and more guilty about it the longer he was with Cara Lynn. His inability to resist her should have given him a clue, but he was oblivious. I loved seeing how those feelings started to become clearer as the danger to her increased and he was determined to keep her safe.

I really enjoyed the suspense aspect of the story. From the moment Cara Lynn received her inheritance and was almost immediately attacked, to the final confrontation, my interest was captured. I loved seeing her and Jack try to overcome their distrust as they compared notes and tried to unravel the clues. While I wasn't completely surprised by the identity of the villain, there was a rather interesting twist to the mystery.

Sanctuary in Chef Voleur - Mallory Kane (HI #1508 - July 2014)

Series: Delancey Dynasty (Book 10)

SHE WAS A COMPLICATION P.I. MACK GRIFFIN DIDN'T NEED -- BUT A TEMPTATION HE COULDN'T RESIST.

From the moment he opens his door to her, P.I. Mack Griffin knows he's inviting trouble. Not only has Hannah Martin fled to New Orleans after witnessing a brutal murder, but the killer has kidnapped her ailing mother. Nothing but trouble, so…

Why does the sexy P.I. decide to help Hannah and keep her safe? Because watching her fight for justice while trying to stay alive demonstrates a bravery he finds nothing short of amazing. With criminals on their trail and everything to lose, Mack will be there for her as any professional investigator would. And yet winning this battle has suddenly turned into something much more personal.

Good addition to the series. When Hannah's mother is kidnapped and she witnesses the murder of the man who did it, she flees to the only person who might be able to help her. Unfortunately, she didn't know that her mom's girlhood friend had died years earlier, and ends up seeing her son instead. Mack is a private investigator who senses trouble the minute he sees her. He doesn't really want to get involved, but he can't turn away a woman in trouble.

Mack is a nice guy, but he keeps his emotions locked up. He saw his mother murdered when he was a kid, and never wants to feel that kind of loss again. He is still dealing with a lot of guilt over not being able to save his mother. He has to work very hard not to get emotionally involved in his clients' problems. From the time he met Hannah, he has not been able to keep his distance from her. He knows he's developing feelings for her, but doesn't trust himself to be what she needs.

Hannah is focused on trying to find her mother before it's too late. She'll accept his help to get out of the trouble she's in, but that's all she wants from him - until the killer tracks her down. Even then, she's not content to just sit back and be protected. Even when the bullets are flying she keeps her head so that she doesn't become a victim too. She grew up not trusting men, but Mack's determination to keep her safe has her believing in him. Hannah accepts her feelings, but has to convince Mack that love is enough for them.

The suspense was really good. The action started quickly with Hannah witnessing the murder, then fleeing from the killer who thinks she knows the location of missing drugs and money. Mack's initial skepticism then acceptance of her story is believable. There are some intense moments as they flee the killer and work on finding the missing items and catching the bad guys. There are a couple of interesting twists to the story involving a tattoo and Mack's mother, and an unexpected link between Hannah and the Delanceys.  

Dirty Little Secrets - Mallory Kane (HI #1464 - Dec 2013)

Series: Delancey Dynasty (Book 8)

New Orleans detective Ethan Delancey has a mission to solve a senator's murder. Putting Laney Montgomery -- the sole witness, who now has a cold-blooded killer on her heels -- under his protection? Pure instinct. Every hour pushes her deeper into danger. The only way to ensure her safety -- and capture a criminal -- is to keep her close.

Neither expects the flare of desire that pushes them over the line between professional and personal. Even as Laney's secrets start to unravel, Ethan is driven to watch over her despite the rules of his job and the threat against them. Together, they're on the verge of discovering every dirty detail of the truth…unless an unknown murderer finds them first.

Very good book. When Laney witnesses her boss's murder, it puts her in extreme danger. Ethan is one of the detectives on the case and he is determined to keep her safe, whether she likes it or not. Laney doesn't want to believe that she's in danger, since she didn't see anything that would identify the killer, but when she's run off the road she has to accept the truth.

I loved the chemistry between Ethan and Laney. They are so much alike that their conversations are a joy to read. Ethan first notices her controlled and careful answers when he questions her the night of the murder, then again the next day. He's sure that she's hiding something, and won't be content until he figures out what it is. At the same time, she fascinates him and attracts him, even though he knows getting involved with her would be a very bad idea. I loved seeing his protectiveness, even when she was unwilling to accept it. Laney is just as attracted to Ethan, but is stubborn about maintaining her independence. She is intelligent and persistent and has no qualms about doing what she thinks needs to be done, even when it puts her in danger. The growing feelings between the two of them worry them both because they're not too sure anything can come of them.

The mystery itself is a continuation of events from previous books. The senator has been a person of interest in a kidnapping, and now in blackmail. If they can figure out who he was blackmailing they might have a chance to find out who killed him. The deeper they dig into his life, the more people they find who might have the motivation to do so. Laney finds out some information that tarnishes her memories of her father, and Ethan discovers yet another disturbing thing about his grandfather. I expect his information is going to make an appearance in a later book. I enjoyed seeing them start to assemble a picture of what had happened. By the time the book was three quarters finished I had a pretty good idea of who the killer was, but there were still a couple interesting twists. Laney was a bit of an idiot to do what she did at the end, but I completely understood why she did it.

Special Forces Father - Mallory Kane (HI #1420 - May 2013)

Series: Delancey Dynasty (Book 7)

MISSION: FATHERHOOD

Special Forces operative Travis Delancey is glad to be back from a difficult mission. But his long-awaited homecoming turns into a nightmare when he hears that his college sweetheart Kate Chalmet gave birth to his son while he was away...and the child has been kidnapped. His skills are instrumental in rescuing the boy, but his reunion with Kate is a distraction.

Kate had her reasons for not telling Travis about his son, but now she must put her doubts aside. His strength and determination to save their child makes her realize he's different from the man he was before entering the military. Perhaps Travis is ready for a family...if he can forgive her. But she cannot get ahead of herself-first they have to save their son.

Good book. Travis is back home after his latest mission and five months in captivity. He's still weak from his treatment at the hands of his captors, but he has a driving need to see Kate. Thoughts of her had kept him sane while he was a prisoner. He wants to see if there's any chance of them getting back together.

Kate is a psychiatrist and has been tasked with determining if a criminal is mentally competent to stand trial. There are those that want her to make a decision that is most beneficial to them, and to ensure she does so they have kidnapped her four year old son. Travis shows up at her door right after this has happened and it seems that fate has sent her just what she needs. But she had never told Travis about his son and now has to face that hurdle as they race to save the boy.

Kate and Travis had been college sweethearts. They were in love, but Travis had sworn never to marry. When things went bad between them, Travis joined the military. He tried getting back together with her a couple times, but Kate finally told him that she deserved more than what he was offering.  She's not ready to think about getting back together with him until the crisis is over, but she can't deny that the chemistry is still there between them. 

Kate can see that Travis is no longer the angry young man who had a tendency to walk away when emotions got to be too much for him. He is focused and determined and swears that nothing will stop him. Travis's training has given him the skills he needs, but he has to separate the mission from his emotions and that turns out to be very difficult. 

I really liked the suspense of the story. Kate's fears for her son's safety are at the heart of her actions throughout the book. Travis's appearance and determination to help both relieve her and make her more afraid. She was told to tell no one about what happened and Travis insists on being involved. They have very different ideas on what should be done, with Kate determined to follow the kidnapper's instructions and Travis wanting to get the help that they need from the authorities. Kate is furious when he goes behind her back to involve various family members, and does something really dumb that also puts her in danger. Travis's actions both help and worsen the situation. I loved seeing the way that the family supports each other and is there to help, no matter what.  The ending was intense as the rescue operation unfolded. The epilogue was fantastic and I loved seeing how Kate and Travis finally came together.

Gone - Mallory Kane (HI #1470 - Jan 2014)

Series: Delancey Dynasty (Book 9)

Marcie Powers saw her son everywhere. For two years, no stroller or baby seat passed without his face. She saw him so much, not even her estranged husband, Joseph, believed her. So he wasn't surprised when she claimed to have found their son once again. Yet this time, she wasn't hysterical. There was something...different. And although she couldn't have known it, news of Joe's own secret parentage was about to hit Louisiana headlines--and it would put his son at risk for a big payday. Now Joseph and Marcie will have to trek through the bayou at the whims of a kidnapper to find the son they'd thought lost to them forever--and reclaim the love between them....

Very good book.  There was a lot going on in a short period of time that kept me going so I could find out what was going to happen next.  Joe and Marcie's son had been stolen two years earlier.  Joe blamed himself since the baby had been with him at the time.  Over those two years Marcie had never stopped looking, but had called the police so many times about possible sightings that no one believed her any more.  This time, when she thought she saw him, she didn't get hysterical but kept her head, noting things that would help find him again.  Since she couldn't go to the police she went to Joe.  Joe was hesitant to believe her, but took a chance and investigated, only to discover that this time she was probably right.  Unfortunately for them news about Joe would give the kidnapper ideas that put them all at risk.  Marcie and Joe have to get past the hurtful things they've said and trust each other as they work to get their son back.

I mostly like Marcie.  Her actions after Josh was kidnapped were expected and the stress it put on their marriage is not unusual.  I was glad to see that she was still able to go to Joe when she needed help, even if he was her last resort.  I loved seeing the difference in the way she treated this sighting and how relatively calm she was in describing the details to Joe.  I liked the way that she allowed herself to be guided by him in dealing with the ransom demands.  Being near Joe again reminded her that she still loved him but she felt that he wouldn't be interested in getting back together after all the terrible things she said to him.  Working together brought them closer again and she began to hope that they might have a future together again.  It was painful to see her backslide in her attitude near the end, but really moving when she had the courage to lay out her feelings to him.

Joe has had a terrible time dealing with his guilty feelings and what he sees as his desertion of Marcie.  He had only left her because he felt that having him around only reminded her of his guilt.  He gave up his good job as a lawyer and went to work for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a way to deal with those feelings.  When Marcie showed up at his apartment with yet another story of a sighting he wasn't inclined to believe her at first.  He tries to get her to give up and move on, but finally agrees to investigate.  When he does he is amazed to discover that this time Marcie seems to be right.  At the same time, Joe finds out that his father had been the head of the Delancey family, who his mother had had a long affair with.  When this information hits the news, Josh's kidnappers decide to use it to get a lot of money from Joe.  Joe's pride doesn't allow him to ask for help from them so he sets up his own plan.  I really loved the way that Joe worked so hard to come up with a workable plan and then find a way to protect Marcie without her knowing about it.  His feelings for Marcie had never changed but he was sure that she still hasn't forgiven him for losing Josh to start with.  His pain at the end when he thinks he has lost Marcie for good is overwhelming and his joy when he learns differently is fantastic.

I loved Ethan's appearance and how he became an important part of the story.  I loved that he accepted that Joe is part of his family without any problem.  He also trusted his cop instincts when he sensed that something was going on with Joe's missing son.  It was great to see him take steps on his own that ended up saving the day.  The only thing I would have liked better would have been an epilogue with Joe and family meeting the rest of the Delanceys.

Star Witness - Mallory Kane (HI #1416 - Apr 2013)

Series: Delancey Dynasty (Book 6)

STORM ON THE HORIZON

Dani Canto has precious few people she can trust. As prosecutor Harte Delancey's star witness against her grandfather's murderer, she's become a prime target-"and" a courtroom pawn. Protective custody seems to be the only solution, but she's not expecting Harte Delancey to be her personal bodyguard.

PASSION ON THE RISE

Harte vows to protect Dani himself to ensure her safety and testimony. After all, winning the case will also settle an old family obligation. But earning her trust is key. Now with a raging storm threatening New Orleans and gunmen on their heels, Harte must break down the walls Dani has erected around herself. Once he does, not only does he find unexpected passion, but the certainty that the only safe haven is within each other's arms.... 

Good book.  After someone tried to run her down Dani is put into protective custody by prosecutor Harte Delancey.  She and Harte have faced off in the courtroom several times as public defender and prosecutor, but right now he is the one in charge of the case against her grandfather's murderer and she is the best witness they have.  While hiding out from the people after her, she and Harte prepare for the trial until they are found and attacked again.  They escape out into a raging spring storm and have to evade the bad guys as well as protect themselves from the storm.  Thrown together like they are under intense circumstances, the desire that has been simmering between them intensifies with the storm.  

Dani was raised by her grandfather and is still coping with the grief of his loss.  She has channeled that grief into the determination that his murderer pay the price.  Dealing with Harte has been a bit of a challenge for her.  Not only because they are usually on opposite sides of the courtroom, but also because she has been attracted to him since they met.  She does her best to resist it, often resorting to sarcasm and confrontation to keep him at a distance.  When they have to depend on each other for safety and escape she has to allow herself to trust him.  I loved seeing the way that she did stand up for herself, not allowing herself to be completely ruled by him.  She had a great way of seeing his two sides - the prosecutor attitude that was separate from the man she got to know.  I also loved the way she got them into the warehouse to hide, completely surprising Harte with that particular skill.  As their attraction grew stronger Dani worried that he considered it just a reaction to the stress while she found that her feelings were involved.  The chase through the storm was very exciting and kept me riveted until the conclusion.

Harte is the odd man out in his family.  His brothers are all military or law enforcement while he chose to go into law.  They tend to give him a hard time though as a family they are very close.  Harte has been interested in Dani since he met her, but they got off to a rocky start when they worked opposite sides of the same case.  Now he has to prepare her as a witness in an important trial.  When he hears about the attack on her he pulls some strings and gets her into protective custody.  Making sure that she is safe is very important to him.  He comes across sometimes as arrogant but I loved seeing how wonderful he was with her when he discovered her fear of storms.  His feelings for her were growing but he also had to make sure he didn't do anything that would affect the upcoming trial.  I really liked seeing his surprise at some of her abilities and also the way she stayed pretty focused during the chase.  I loved seeing him realize how much he wanted Dani to stay in his life even though he wasn't sure of her feelings.  I enjoyed the ending scene in the courtroom.