Wild West Christmas - Jenna Kernan, Kathryn Albright, Lynna Banning (HH #1203 - Oct 2014)

A FAMILY FOR THE RANCHER by Jenna Kernan 

Two years ago, Dillen Roach fell for wealthy debutante Alice Truett. Now she's at his door with his orphaned nephews in tow! Could Alice be the perfect Christmas gift for this solitary rancher? 

Dillen had known Alice back in Omaha and fell in love with her before he knew she came from a wealthy family. Feeling that he wasn't good enough for her, he left her behind to try to make his fortune out west. Two years later he still hasn't achieved his dream, but finds out that Alice will be coming to Colorado to bring him his orphaned nephews. Because of a mix-up with telegrams he is unable to delay her.

Alice has never forgotten Dillen. When his sister, who was also her friend, dies Alice makes it her mission to take the orphaned boys to Dillen. She hopes that seeing him again will rekindle their romance. She doesn't expect him to be so unhappy to see her and determined to find other options for the boys. She convinces him to let her stay and help for awhile and tries to show him that she is able to handle the life.

Dillen has a couple issues working against him. The first is that his pride won't let him pursue his feelings for Alice. Her money has him convinced that he will never be good enough for her. Second is his fear that he isn't capable of properly raising the boys. He is only an employee, with no home of his own. He appreciates Alice's willingness to help, but doesn't think she'd want to stay for long.

I loved Alice's determination to show Dillen what she can do. She has her own fears about what she can do but works to overcome them. I love the way that she showed him that he is able to care for the boys. She also tried to show him that money doesn't matter to her, and she loved that he had cared for her before he knew about the money.

Dillen very nearly let his pride tear them apart again, but saw the truth in time. I loved the way that he went after Alice. It was quite dramatic and fun to read. I also liked seeing him admit his vulnerability to Alice as well as his love.

DANCE WITH A COWBOY by Kathryn Albright 

Kathleen Sheridan is determined to leave the tragedy of her past behind her -- including brooding cowboy Garrett. But with Christmas magic in the air, can she resist the warmth of his touch? 

Very good story. Kathleen had left Clear Springs five years earlier, after the death of her husband. She hadn't felt truly part of his family and thought things would be easier back in San Diego with her own family. It didn't turn out that way, as her family didn't like the Sheridans. They never forgave her for marrying one, and made their disapproval of her and her daughter clear. So she moved back to Clear Springs, determined to live her life on her own terms.

She hadn't been back long when she ran into Garrett, her late husband's brother. She had had a  huge crush on Garrett when she was a girl, but he never gave any indication that he felt the same way. She later fell for Josh when he pursued her so avidly. Unfortunately the marriage hadn't been a happy one. Now that she's back, Garrett has made it clear that the Sheridans want to be part of her and Lily's lives and she's not sure she wants that.

Garrett is a very quiet man, one who has never been good with words. He first noticed Kathleen when she was about fourteen, but knew she was too young for his attentions. By the time he felt she was old enough his brother had already staked his claim. All he could do was watch and fume as he saw the way that Josh treated her. The night before Josh's death, they had had words and Garrett has felt guilty ever since. With Kathleen's return he is determined to watch out for her. He doesn't expect to find that his love for her is as strong as ever.

I loved the way that Garrett showed his love for Kathleen. He helped out with repairs at her aunt's home, he tried to make things easier for Kathleen. He tried to show her that the Sheridans considered her part of their family. I especially loved the way he stood up to her brother-in-law. He really wanted to speak of his feelings, but his guilt wouldn't let him. I was really rooting for him to overcome those feelings.

Kathleen started out trying to keep Garrett at a distance, but his attentions soon started to warm her up to him. She remembered the way she used to feel about him and found those feelings growing stronger. She was afraid that he was only being nice because of his guilty feelings once he confessed what had happened. She had a lot to think about before she could trust both his feelings and her own.

CHRISTMAS IN SMOKE RIVER by Lynna Banning 

Gale McBurney is an utter mystery to rich "city girl" Lilah Cornwell. But to make Smoke River her home by Christmas, she'll have to let this rugged cattleman take the reins…. 

Lilah is a city girl from Philadelphia with aspirations to become a writer. Her aunt left her a house in Oregon and a great deal of money, so she moves there to start her career. When she arrives, she discovers that the house has been empty for years and is not in the best of conditions. She won't let that stop her and immediately begins her renovations, including planting flowers along the front of the yard.

Gale is the foreman of a local cattle ranch. While driving cattle to the train depot in town, several of them tore through Lilah's yard, destroying her fence and garden. Gale feels badly and stops by the house to tell the owner he will make the repairs. He is bowled over by Lilah's beauty and her fiery nature. He returns the next day to make the repairs and a friendship of sorts begins between them.

Gale is fascinated by Lilah and can't stay away from her. He finds himself going to visit her after his work is done, just to spend time with her. He doesn't understand what is happening to him, and at times the strength of his emotions overwhelms him. I loved seeing some of the things he did for her. I especially loved his treatment of the fence and garden and the impression it made on Lilah. Gale also shows himself to be a very sensitive man which made him even more appealing. He has an interesting hobby that ends up having a huge impact on their chances of a future together.

I loved Lilah's independence and sense of adventure. She is very shy and feels awkward around people, but she hasn't let it stop her from pursuing her dreams. She's furious with Gale at first over the damages done to her yard, but she's also intrigued by him. His frequent visits have her thinking about him constantly. I loved seeing how his influence had her trying new things and making new friends. I liked the mental conversations she had with her aunt when she was undecided on what she would do. There was an interesting twist to her aunt's past that had a big effect on Lilah's life. 

It ached to see how much the two of them came to love each other but couldn't see a way to make a life together. Gale couldn't see a way that a ranch foreman could aspire to marry a wealthy woman. I loved seeing the ranch owner's wife, Alice, do everything she could to throw them together. I loved the way she finally made it happen.

The only thing that was a bit frustrating about the book was the frequent changes of point of view, with each change being a new chapter. It made the story feel a bit choppy.

Wish Upon a Snowflake - Christine Merrill, Linda Skye, Elizabeth Rolls (HH #1207 - Nov 2014)

The Christmas Duchess - Christine Merrill

Her daughter recently jilted, widowed Generva feels anything but festive--until the unexpected arrival of Thomas Kanner, Duke of Montford, transforms the Marsh household. Might there be a Christmas wedding after all?

Good story. Generva is coping with the scandal created by the young man who was supposed to marry her daughter on Christmas Day. It turned out that he was already married, leaving her daughter to face the gossip. Two days before Christmas, his uncle, the Duke of Montford, appeared with the special license, having no idea of what had happened. Thomas is horrified at what his heir has done and offers to marry the girl himself. 

Generva had been widowed for several years and was accustomed to dealing with things on her own. I loved the way she went after Thomas with the broom when he first got there. When she calmed down and heard Thomas out, she couldn't believe that he was willing to go so far. It was also disconcerting to her to realize that he could become her son-in-law, especially when she discovered that she was attracted to him herself. She couldn't see someone like him being interested in her, so tried to keep her emotions under control. It was a losing battle for her.

I really liked Thomas. He was a good man, had a marvelous sense of humor, and wanted to make things right. I loved the way he fit right in with the family. He was patient and fun with Ben, very kind to the jilted Gwendolyn, and very intrigued by Generva. He quickly becomes very glad that Gwendolyn turned down his proposal because Generva appeals to him much more. I loved the way that he spoke to Ben about being the man of the house and how he told Ben about his intentions toward Generva. His actions at the church were funny and sweet.

I really liked that Thomas and Generva are older than the usual hero and heroine. It's great to see more mature couples get happy endings too. 

Russian Winter Nights - Linda Skye

Russian princess Ekaterina Romanova sees through the gilded facade of the Winter Court. An intimate encounter with Andrey Kvasov offers a moment of escape, and soon this Yuletide brings the promise of something thrilling…and forbidden.

Ekaterina is the niece of the Empress and stuck in the service of the Empress. She is a kind young woman, disgusted by the actions of her cruel aunt. One day she happens on a young man who is an apprentice architect, working on a special room in the palace. They are instantly attracted to each other, but any contact between them is dangerous.

Andrey is a good man stuck in a bad situation. He wants to be with Ekaterina, but the Empress wants him for herself. If he refuses, both he and Ekaterina could be sent to Siberia or even killed. 

I liked the connection between them and the intensity of their feelings. The danger they were in was real, and I was curious to see how they were going to get out of it. Ekaterina had been at court long enough to learn how to be pretty devious, and I really liked the solution she came up with. I would have liked another chapter or an epilogue to show the completed resolution.

A Shocking Proposition - Elizabeth Rolls

Madeleine Kirkby must be married before Twelfth Night--or forfeit her family estate. After a chance encounter with the man she lost her heart to years ago, she has the perfect prospective husband in mind.

Maddy is desperate to save her home from being taken by her nasty cousin. She has until Twelfth Night to marry, but can't marry without his permission until she's twenty-one - on Christmas Day. That doesn't leave her much time to find a willing groom, especially since Edward has succeeded in trashing her reputation among the local men. An encounter with Lord Ashton, newly returned from the war and the man she adored as a child, gives her an idea.

Ash has returned from war plagued by nightmares. All he wants to do is find a small estate along Hadrian's Wall where he can indulge his love of searching for antiquities. He is surprised by the grown-up Maddy and his attraction to her, but feels that he's too damaged to pursue her. He's stunned by her proposal that they marry, saving her home and giving him the perfect place for his searching.

I loved Ash and Maddy. The heat between them was intense, and their shared history gave them the base from which their attraction could grow into love. I really liked the way that Maddy took charge of her own destiny. I loved seeing Ash adjust to the grown up Maddy. Besides her beauty he also loved her independence. His love for her showed through so strongly, especially in the ways that he protected and supported her. I loved seeing him stand up to Edward and the scene in the church was great. His determination to go through with the marriage, even as he worried about what Edward might have done to her, was fantastic. The final showdown with Edward was pretty intense, but it did force Ash and Maddy to admit their feelings to each other.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially the people who worked for Maddy. It was obvious how much they all loved her, which said a lot about her character. I also liked Ash's brother and his attempts to make Ash see that marrying Maddy was right for him.

A Cowboy of Her Own - Marin Thomas (HAR #1529 - Jan 2015)

Series: Cash Brothers (Book 6)

He wasn't looking for love

Fun-loving Arizona rodeo cowboy Porter Cash has always been more interested in having a good time than a steady paycheck. But to realize his dream of owning his own ranch, Porter needs this new job delivering roughstock to rodeos. What he doesn't need is a too-serious, too-smart and too-sexy-for-her-own-good copilot on the trip.

When savvy insurance adjuster Wendy Chin joins Porter for the haul, she is all work and no play. But soon, business turns to pleasure and Wendy is conflicted. Her heart wants Porter, but her strict Chinese-American parents will never support the match. Can Porter find a way to prove to Wendy that, when it comes to love, he's not fooling around?

Fantastic conclusion to the Cash Brothers series. I'm sad to see it end, but so happy to see all six brothers find their true loves. Porter is the last Cash brother left unmarried. He's always been the one least likely to settle down. He likes the ladies and has been known to move from  job to job as he gets tired of them. But he's been dissatisfied with life lately. He sees how happy his brothers are and is a bit envious. He's got a dream of his own to have his own ranch to raise bucking horses for rodeos. To do that, he needs a steady job to earn the money for the land he has his eye on. He's gotten a job transporting rodeo animals, but wonders if that job is in jeopardy when insurance adjuster Wendy Chin joins him on his latest trip.

Wendy is a hardworking woman whose life is centered on her work and her family. She's been raised by strict, traditional Chinese parents but she longs for a life with a little more fun in it. She's aware of Porter's reputation, since she's been friends with his sister for a long time. When he dares her to let loose and have a little fun she can't resist the challenge. She doesn't expect the attraction that comes along with the fun. She's not happy about it because there's no way it can go anywhere. She knows that there's no way her parents would ever accept him. The more time they spend together, the deeper her feelings grow for him.

I loved seeing Porter and Wendy together. They are a terrific balance for each other, though both have some issues they have to overcome. Porter feels somewhat self-conscious around Wendy because he never went to college and doesn't exactly have a successful career going on. He also has some trust issues, stemming from a relationship a few years earlier, when the woman had used him to make another man jealous. He has the occasional worry that Wendy is using him for her job. But his feelings for her overpower most of his doubts. I loved seeing him introduce her to darts and karaoke. I really liked the way that he was determined to prove himself to her parents and show them that he was worthy of Wendy. I got really frustrated with his brothers and sister when they were ragging on him about his many jobs and women without noticing that he had changed.

I really felt bad for Wendy with the situation she was in. She's a modern American woman with a great job, who is smart and pretty and longs for a chance to have a normal life. But she was raised to respect her parents, their values and traditions. After a disastrous relationship in college, she doesn't trust her own judgment so has been going along with her parents' choices for her dates. The problem is that none of those nice, successful Chinese men have done a thing for her, Porter is the one her heart has chosen. She really wants to respect her parents' wishes, but the idea of giving up her happiness to do so is breaking her heart. I was really rooting for her to stand up to them.

I enjoyed the secondary story of the investigation into why Porter's boss had had several of his bulls disappear while being transported. It added a little bit of suspense and action to the story. There was also an interesting twist involving the identity of Porter's father that made a great addition to the book.

The ending was sweet and funny as Wendy's parents were treated to a parade of people pleading Porter's case. I loved Wendy's reaction and what she did afterward. The epilogue was a very satisfying wrap up.

What Child is This? - C. J. Carmichael (Ebook - Dec 2013)

Series: Frost Family Christmas (Book 1)

It's Christmas at Frost Farms and farm owner, Garret Frost, and his Public Relations Manager, Lily Parker, each have their own reasons for dreading the holiday this year. Garret’s a widower, stressed with the responsibility of running the family’s maple syrup business while raising his young son on his own. While Lily’s still trying to recover from the tragic loss that ended her marriage.

Adding to their personal challenges, Garret’s adorable son Duncan has just told Santa that all he wants for the holidays is to visit the North Pole. How’s Garret going to manage that? And then an abandoned baby is found in the manger of the nativity scene beside the Sugar Shack...

Just as it seems like the holiday will be a total bust, an almost-kiss under the mistletoe has Garret looking at Lily in a whole new way. Despite all the holiday mayhem, could this end up being the best Christmas ever?

Short and sweet Christmas story. Garret runs the family maple syrup business while at the same time is trying to raise his son. Christmas is a rough time for him as he lost his wife and unborn child two years earlier. In spite of his grief, he is determined to give his son the best Christmas he can. The big thing currently happening is the prep work for the holiday festival, Frosty Frolics.

In charge of the event is Lily Parker. She was hired as public relations manager by Garret's mom, who, it turns out, has more than just business help in mind for Lily. Lily was happy to get out of New York City after the end of her marriage, but she's not sure that the small town is right for her after all. 

Garret's been curious about Lily from the time she started working for him, but now he's starting to notice her as a woman. He's not real happy about it to start with, as he had put any idea of relationships out of his mind since his wife's death. He's not so sure he wants to risk his heart again when there's always a chance that he could end up alone again. Lily intrigues him, but his growing feelings scare him. Every time he moves a little forward, he ends up retreating and pushing her away.

Lily's got the same feelings for Garret, but his hot and cold attitude makes her mad. Her marriage had ended when her husband pulled away from her when she needed him the most. She has enough in her past to deal with, she doesn't want to get involved with another man who does the same thing. 

Things get even crazier at the farm when an abandoned baby is found in the Nativity scene. No one knows how it got there or who the baby belongs to. One thing Garret notices is that Lily gets upset every time she's around the baby. He's curious, but more than that, he wants to comfort her in her distress. 

While they are dealing with the unexpected infant, Garret is also trying to figure out how to make his son's Christmas the best he can. It doesn't help that the only thing he asked Santa for is a trip to the North Pole. Duncan wants it so bad that he tries to get there on his own, sending the family into a frenzy as they search for him. When he's found, the reason for his wish comes out and is a very emotional moment for both Garret and Lily. 

I loved seeing Garret and Lily come together. Both of them have enough sadness and heartbreak in their pasts, and I loved the way that together they found something that would fill the voids in their hearts. 

The secondary characters were also well done. Garret's sister is protective and his parents are nurturing. I enjoyed seeing them take in the baby while the police try to figure out who she belongs to. I also like the small town setting and how the people look after their own. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Ivy and her family, as I suspect they are going to play a bigger role in the story than I first thought. I am also looking forward to learning more about brother Jimmy, who is only mentioned a couple times. I expect that his story will be very interesting.

The Christmas Bouquet - Sherryl Woods (Mira - Oct 2014)

Series: Chesapeake Shores (Book 11)

For the very driven medical student Caitlyn Winters, catching the bridal bouquet at a Christmas wedding has set off a chain reaction that she's sure is more curse than blessing. Not only has she fallen in love with family medicine resident Noah McIlroy, but an unexpected pregnancy threatens her well-laid plans for the future. It doesn't help that Noah--with a whole lot of help from her O'Brien relatives--is completely on board with the prospect of marriage and happily-ever-after.

It takes a whole lot of patience, love and family persuasion to help Caitlyn realize that she can still have everything she ever wanted, including a home in her beloved Chesapeake Shores and a man who understands all of her dreams.

Very good book. Caitlyn is the twin who knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it. Shortly after catching the bridal bouquet at a family wedding she met and fell in love with Noah, a medical resident at the hospital where she's studying. Her studies are going well and her relationship with Noah is great - until she discovers she's pregnant. She is stunned and none too happy about the crimp it puts in her plans. Noah is just as stunned, but he doesn't mind at all. He wants to marry Caitlyn and have that happily-ever-after he pictures.

I liked Caitlyn. She's independent and determined and has her eyes set firmly on her goal of being able to help the people in an African village she's been to before. She's also very much in love with Noah, who shares many of her ideals. But when she discovers she's pregnant she's terrified that she will have to give up her dreams. As much as she loves him, having Noah immediately propose marriage just adds to her fears. When her family gets involved, the pressure just increases. 

Noah loves Caitlyn. He is surprised by the pregnancy, but happy about it. He has no trouble picturing himself as a father. His plans for after his residency are to find a rural area in need of a doctor and set up a practice. After he finds out about the baby he knows some things will have to change, but he's pretty flexible. He's able to make some adaptations to those dreams that allow him to fulfill his desire to help while still remaining close. He is dismayed by Caitlyn's refusal of his proposal, but understands her fears. He has the patience to wait for Caitlyn to work through them. 

I have to say that I loved Noah. He is supportive of her and her goals. He steps right up when she gets pregnant and is looking forward to being a father. He doesn't quite understand her reservations about telling her family until he meets them. I loved that first meeting and how well he did with the family. It helped that he wants to marry Caitlyn. I really enjoyed seeing him try to reign in Mick, the patriarch of the family, and the one most notorious for interfering. Noah really wants her to marry him before the baby comes, but he knows her well enough to know that she can't be pushed. He gets into trouble a couple times, but recovers well. I loved the gift he had for her at the end.

Caitlyn was having a hard time and she really didn't have to. She was so focused on how the baby was going to impact her plans that she nearly missed out on having it all. I understood her fears about having to give up her dreams, but she wasn't looking at the possibilities. It didn't help that she kept getting pressured by her family, especially her grandfather. I liked the fact that she never doubted Noah's love for her. I got a bit frustrated with her when she was avoiding home like it was the source of all her problems. It took awhile, and some advice from her mother and her mentor, before she finally started to look at the big picture. I loved her arrival at Noah's and how they worked things out. I loved the epilogue.

A Seaside Christmas - Sherryl Woods (Mira - Sept 2013)

Series: Chesapeake Shores (Book 10)

As the only child of a single mom, Jenny Collins wanted nothing more than to be part of a large, rambunctious family like the O'Briens. Ironically, though, when her mother married into that family, Jenny found herself feeling more like an outsider than ever.

Now, after years in Nashville as an established songwriter, Jenny's drawn back to Chesapeake Shores to collaborate on a Christmas production…and to make peace with the past. As if that's not challenging enough, Caleb Green, the singer who broke her heart, has followed her to town, determined to win her back.

With the help of a little O'Brien holiday magic, will Jenny and Caleb find a way to make sweet music forever?

Good story of second chances. Jenny is still trying to get over her breakup with Caleb. She had been deeply in love with him when he was caught cheating on her. Her humiliation was complete with the horrible photos printed in all the tabloids. She feels a need to get out of Nashville and when she has an opportunity to go home to Chesapeake Shores, she takes it.

Going home isn't as easy as it sounds. Ever since her mom married Thomas O'Brien she's felt like an outsider. She had been used to it being just her and her mother, and she hadn't been happy with the idea of sharing her mother with him. When her mom got pregnant, she really felt like she didn't belong anymore. She has avoided going home as much as possible for years now, and things with the family just keep getting more awkward. Her uncle's wife Bree is putting on a Christmas play and wants Jenny to write the music for it. This gives Jenny a reason to go home, but can she mend fences with her family?

Caleb knows he screwed up when he cheated on Jenny in a drunken haze. The fallout from that convinced him that he needed help. He lost Jenny and he wrecked his career. So he checked into rehab and made a start at putting his life back together. One thing that he is that he needs Jenny back in his life. He finds an excuse to follow her to Chesapeake Shores and there hopes to show her that they really do belong together. He's fighting an uphill battle though. Jenny wants nothing to do with him, and her family has made it clear that they are watching him very closely. 

Jenny has never stopped loving Caleb, even though he broke her heart. She's not happy that he has showed up in Chesapeake Shores. What's worse, Bree has offered him a spot in her play, feeling that Jenny's music and Caleb's voice will take it to a whole new level. Jenny also suspects that Bree is indulging in the family habit of meddling and matchmaking. Having Caleb constantly there is putting a strain on her attempts to protect her heart from being broken again. She wants him, but she's afraid to trust him. 

Caleb is determined to win Jenny back. Being in rehab gave him the opportunity to reassess his life and see where he wants it to go. He wants Jenny to be part of that life. When he arrives in Chesapeake Shores he's pretty nervous about dealing with her family, and isn't surprised that he doesn't exactly get a warm welcome. He is surprised when Bree asks him to appear in her show, and talks Jenny into working with him. He quickly realizes that this is probably his only chance to win Jenny back. He lets her know that he still loves her, but he's careful about not pushing too hard. He knows he has a long way to go. 

I loved seeing Caleb's attempts to win Jenny back. He knows her very well, so he can see that she still loves him, but that she's afraid to trust him. He starts out slowly, with agreeing to work with her on the music for the play, and reminding her of the way they had been friends before they were lovers. He knows of her problem with her mother and helps her to see what she needs to do. I loved his sensitivity to those feelings, and his way of helping her with the Christmas decorating was really sweet. I loved the way that he didn't try to make excuses for his mistakes, but owned up to them and tried to be better. I enjoyed seeing him deal with her family, from the ladies who were willing to help him, to the men who were a bit harder to win over. The thing I liked the most was that Caleb never gave up showing Jenny just how much he loved her.

Jenny was a little harder for me to like. While I understood her initial reaction to her mother's marriage, I thought she held on to those feelings for too long. It really made her seem kind of childish. I really didn't like the way that she couldn't even make herself be nice to her little brother. It took Caleb to get her to ease into a relationship with little Sean. I even would have understood her feelings if the O'Briens had treated her like an outsider, but they didn't. Every one of them treated her as part of the family even before her mom married Thomas, so I just didn't get it. I was happy to see her finally start to act like an adult and apologize for being a brat. When it came to her and Caleb, I completely understood her feelings. She had been so devastated that she didn't want to risk her heart again. But it didn't take long for her to realize that she still loved him, she just had to decide if she was ready to do something about it. His understanding of her feelings about the Christmas decorations and his finding of the Christmas train broke down the last walls, but she was still reluctant to go that final step. There was one last obstacle to overcome, but Caleb's big moment was so sweet and moving. 

I really enjoyed seeing the various members of the O'Briens and their parts in getting Caleb and Jenny back together. It was great to see their support of Jenny and how that support also included their trademark meddling. 

Carolina Man - Virginia Kantra (Berkley - Mar 2014)

Series: Dare Island (Book 3)

Meet the Fletchers of Dare Island

Steady Matt, the son who stayed

Ambitious Meg, the daughter who never looked back

And warrior Luke, the Marine who never expected to return.

A heartwarming new novel in New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra’s beloved series about family ties, second chances, and the power of love...

Marine Luke Fletcher is determined to do his duty -- first to his country and now to his ten-year-old daughter, the unexpected legacy of a high school girlfriend. But his homecoming to Dare Island in North Carolina's Outer Banks challenges his plans for the future and forces him to face everything that's missing in his life. He wasn't prepared to lose his heart to this child he never knew. Or to fall hard for coolly reserved small town lawyer Kate Dolan.

Former military brat Kate knows Marines can make lousy fathers...and she's got the scars to prove it. Giving her heart to a man who's bent on leaving seems one sure way to have it broken.

Now, no matter what it takes, Luke must prove to Kate and to his daughter that Semper Fi is more than a motto -- and to himself that there’s more than one way to be a hero.

This was my first book by Virginia Kantra, but it won't be my last. Luke is a Marine, serving in Afghanistan when he finds out that he is the father of a ten year old girl. His high school girlfriend never told him she was pregnant when she broke up with him. She has recently passed away and left him with custody of their daughter. He immediately takes emergency leave and goes home to settle things.

I loved Luke. He is an honorable man, intent on doing his duty to his country and Corps, fully planning to put in his twenty years. Finding out he's the father of a ten year old girl has thrown him into emotional turmoil, but he's determined to do the right thing. He heads home on emergency leave in order to meet Taylor and get her settled with his family while he finishes his deployment. He has no idea how to relate to her, but is determined to try. He has emailed and Skyped with her while he finished his tour but still feels awkward around her once he returns. His ex's parents challenge him for custody, and the family lawyer who is handling his ex's estate steps in to help him navigate the hurdles. Besides being grateful for her help, he is intensely attracted to her.

Kate is a family lawyer who deals mostly with helping women and children in difficult situations. She is cautious at first when Luke arrives to take custody of Taylor. Her own experiences with a military father have made her doubtful that Luke would be a good one, but he soon proves her wrong. Kate is also independent and avoids emotional entanglements as a way of protecting herself. Seeing Luke's attempts to connect with Taylor softens her heart toward him. Kate is also fighting an intense attraction to him, and losing the battle. She's reluctant to give her heart to a man who will be leaving again soon. I really felt bad for her because she had such a hard time believing that Luke would really want her for anything long term. Her childhood with her alcoholic and abusive father and submissive mother left her feeling unlovable. She doesn't know what to make of Luke's persistence and his family's easy acceptance of her into their circle. She's afraid of getting attached and then losing it all.

I really liked the way that Luke admitted to his growing feelings for Kate and pursued her accordingly. He was determined, but he was also sensitive to her fears. I loved the way that he would know when to back off and give her space, and when to press forward. But things didn't always go smoothly for him as he wasn't always the most articulate of men. He nearly screwed things up completely at the end, but his recovery was really sweet and awkward. I figured out what he was going to do before the end, but I enjoyed hearing the details of it as he told Kate.

Taylor is adorable. She is realistically portrayed, especially with her fears about fitting in with a new family. It was just her and her mom for so long that she is unsure how to deal with having so much family now. She was really nervous about whether her dad would like her and want to keep her around, so she was very cautious around him. I loved the way she began to trust him and start to behave more like a normal ten year old. Her scenes with the puppy and the cat were sweet and emotional. I could also see that she was holding back on a problem and the clues that were given made me really ache for her. When it all came out I loved seeing how she was finally able to fully trust Luke and Kate.

I also enjoyed the rest of the Fletcher family. I loved his parents and the bits of their history that got worked into the story. I especially enjoyed his mom's comments on being a Marine wife with a deploying husband, because she really nailed what it is like. I also loved the way they had all taken Taylor into the family. Her conversations with her teenage cousin Josh, with their Princess Bride references, were fun. I also loved how he was there for her when her mom's family came to visit. I had to laugh at the conversation between Josh and Luke after Josh's girlfriend went home. The support and love they all had for each other was wonderful. Their motto of back to back to back was perfect for them. I will definitely have to read the first two books in the series, as well as the next one.