The Cowboy of Valentine Valley - Emma Cane (Avon - Feb 2014)

Series: Valentine Valley (Book 3)

Ever since a heated late-night kiss -- that absolutely should not have happened -- cowboy Josh Thalberg makes former Hollywood bad girl Whitney Winslow's pulse beat faster. But when she decides to use his gorgeous leatherwork in her new upscale lingerie shop, Leather & Lace, she's determined to keep their relationship strictly professional . . . even if she wants so much more.

Josh has never met a challenge he isn't up for. Which is probably why he allowed Whitney to persuade him to take the sexy publicity photo that went viral -- and now has every woman in America knocking down his door . . . every woman except the one he can't get out of his head.

But how to convince a reformed bad girl that some rules are worth breaking?

Very good story of opposites attracting. Whitney is a city girl who has overcome the objections of some of the townspeople to open her shop Leather and Lace. She is focused on getting the new store up and running, and trying not to be distracted by cowboy artist Josh. Josh has spent most of his life in Valentine Valley. He has his work on the family ranch and his leatherwork business to keep him busy. 

Whitney comes from a wealthy family that is not very close. After being told by her father that there is no place for her in the family business because she is a woman, she starts her own business of high end lingerie. When she decides to open a store in Valentine Valley she meets with some opposition (see True Love at Silver Creek Ranch) but overcomes most of it with the help of some local ladies. Eight months later she's back in town to move ahead with her plans. One of those includes getting Josh Thalberg to make some things for her shop. A steamy kiss she had shared with him has been on her mind ever since, but she doesn't want to mess up their business relationship.

Josh's family has been in the valley for generations. Working the family ranch is a big part of who he is, as is the leatherwork he makes and sells. The kiss that he shared with Whitney has been on his mind a lot. Now that she's back in town, that heat is only growing. 

Thanks to their business together, Whitney and Josh spend a lot of time together. Whitney starts out wanting to keep it strictly business, but Josh wants to get more personal. He's very busy with the ranch and his business, but he still finds time to relax and have fun. He is determined to show Whitney that she can do the same thing. I loved seeing him draw her into so many activities, from riding to spending time with his family. I really enjoyed the way that he understood her and used that understanding to make her life better. His feelings for her grew stronger, but he wasn't sure that she would be happy with such a different life than what she'd been used to.

Whitney discovers that she really likes the pace of life in Valentine Valley. Her growing relationship with Josh is a large part if that. She's used to her relationships being much more casual and the one with Josh is far different. While she's ready to step things up a notch, she discovers that Josh is moving much more slowly. She's both frustrated and intrigued. I loved watching her get so much more involved than she's accustomed to. She was especially drawn to Josh's relationship with his family, which is so different than her own family dynamics. It was great to see how welcoming they were to her, especially as she and Josh grew closer. I also loved seeing her become part of the Valentine Valley community. It was heartwarming to see her develop friendships with the other women, something she'd never really had before. The community feeling plays a big part in the decisions she makes later.

While helping Josh negotiate a contract for some of his leather goods, she talked him into having some publicity pictures taken (he agreed only if she would go on a date with him). The pictures turned out to be really hot and went viral, creating a bit of a frenzy around him. I loved seeing him try to cope with the fame. The teasing he got from his friends and family was good natured and he took it all really well. The fun really started when it all hit social media, and the surprise came when it was finally revealed who was behind it. 

There are some complications that arise when Whitney's family comes to visit. I really enjoyed seeing her confidence in herself that comes out during that visit. They bring an offer that Whitney would have loved a few years ago but only creates conflict within her now.  I loved the family dinner that the Thalbergs invited the Winslows to. The following events create some battles that Josh and Whitney have to face, both separately and together, before they can reach their happy ever after. 

A Promise at Bluebell Hill - Emma Cane (Avon - Feb 2014)

Series: Valentine Valley (Book 4)

From the moment Secret Service agent Travis Beaumont strides into the town and through the door of Monica Shaw's flower shop, she feels a sizzle of attraction. After years of putting everyone else's needs first, Monica is ready to grab hold of life. If she can just persuade the ultimate protector to let his own walls down for once . . .

The President's son is getting married in Valentine Valley, and Travis should be avoiding all distractions . . . not fantasizing about a forthright, sexy-as-hell florist. Especially when she's keeping secrets that could jeopardize his assignment. But just this once, Travis is tempted to put down the rulebook and follow his heart -- right to Monica's door.

Such a fun book. Monica is the local florist who has spent her whole life in Valentine Valley. Travis is the Secret Service agent who has come to town to get ready for a presidential visit. The president's son  is marrying a local girl and it's Travis's job to make sure everything goes smoothly. As he goes around town checking out the local businesses, he meets Monica. There is an instant attraction between them, but he has to maintain his focus so he can do his job. Monica feels the attraction too and would like to get to know him better.

Monica is a fun character. She's independent, loves her business, and active in her community, especially environmental issues. She's the kind of person who puts others' needs ahead of her own, but she's starting to wonder when it will be her turn to find love. Monica is intrigued by Travis and his stoic demeanor. She'd like a chance to get him to loosen up a little. I really loved seeing her interactions with him at the beginning as she tried hard to get reactions from him. It was fun to see them teasing each other.

Travis is former military and it's easy to see the influence it has had on his life. It has also contributed to his tendency to keep his emotions locked up. There's a great scene at the beginning where Travis is talking to a local veteran and Monica overhears something that gives her a little more insight into who he is. Because she knows almost everyone, Travis finds himself going to Monica frequently for information and introductions. They start to build a friendship, but their attraction is always simmering just below the surface. Though they try to stick to business as usual they aren't very successful at staying away from each other. The more time they spend together the deeper they fall for each other, though neither wants to admit it. Neither really sees a way to have a true relationship.

Adding to the complications of Monica and Travis trying to be together are the antics of the ladies of the Widow's Boarding House. These women are also very active in the community. Their current cause is that of trying to prevent the shutting down of a local archaeological dig. They feel that having the president coming to town is the perfect opportunity to get their message out and have planned a protest. As a participant Monica is torn about what to do. Travis has heard rumors of the protest, but nobody is talking to him about it, including Monica. She wants to tell him, but she has a loyalty to her friends also and doesn't want to chance that the protest will be shut down. This creates some tension between Travis and Monica because both want trust from the other, but are wary of doing the trusting themselves. By the time the protest comes around Travis has made some interesting discoveries about himself. The changes he has gone through have made him a person who is much more open to the idea of a happy future. I loved how this all becomes obvious during the protest. The event itself was fantastic and fit the town and the widows perfectly. I loved everyone's reactions to it.