HER UNDERCOVER DEFENDER
Debra Webb/Regan Black
The Specialist: Heroes Next Door Series
Harlequin Intrigue #1602
ISBN: 978-0-373-69869-1
November 2015

Having been a follower of author Debra Webb's Colby Agency series for years, I was recently stunned to read she had developed a new series with fellow author Regan Black called The Specialist: Heroes Next Door. Imagine my surprise when I started my search for this series and found out three books were already in print and the fourth was imminent. Let's just say this reviewer is enjoying the discovery of new stories and characters and is getting immersed in the Specialist via the back door, that is, starting with the last book and working my way back to the first.

In HER UNDERCOVER DEFENDER, we meet covert agent David Martin, a former member of the US Coast Guard, assigned to an elite CIA team. David has just been transferred to a medical facility in Charleston, South Carolina where research is being conducted on a device that tracks terrorist. His assignment is to provide the agency with information on the progression of the research and to get to know a nurse working in the hospital. The nurse has a close relationship with the doctor in charge of  biotech research.

Nurse Terri Barnhart works at the Medical University of South Carolina. She has a younger brother that is causing her to worry because he's dropped out of college and completely disappeared  without contacting her.  When her brother finally surfaces he does so with issues that involve terrorist activities. By now, Terri and David have met and taken a strong liking to each other,  developing a relationship that could seriously backfire if Terri ever discovers what David's background really is and why he's in South Carolina.

With criminal/terrorist activity as a backdrop, HER UNDERCOVER DEFENDER  mixes romance and suspense into a slightly homespun, small town tale. If you can get past wanting to strangle the bratty brother, you'll enjoy the story. You will definitely want to gather the other books in the series to start at the beginning, or, if you're lucky and have been reading it all along, you'll enjoy the addition.

Reviewed By Livia Holton
Rating: 4

Another good book by RaeAnne Thayne

EVERGREEN SPRINGS (Haven Point)
RaeAnne Thayne
HQN (Kindle Edition)
ASIN:  B00U6BMB3C
October 2015
Contemporary Romance

The latest book in the Haven Point series tells us Devin’s story.  A physician, she has tended to neglect her personal life and has instead focused on the seniors she volunteers with regularly.  Cole Barrett, a local rancher, is trying to deal with his two young children and their grief at losing their mother in an accident.  Granted, Cole was divorced from her but his kids are looking at Christmas without their mother.  He meets Devin during one of her shifts in the emergency room after his sister, pregnant with twins, takes a fall.  His sister has left her husband and is helping Cole out with his children.  

In previous books we’ve read about the curative factors in the Lake Haven mineral waters.  The hot springs are on Barrett property and Devin has to talk Cole into letting her use the springs for her senior citizens, whose joints benefit from the water.  In exchange she offers to give his children a magical Christmas.  He reluctantly agrees to this.

Of course, the rest of the story is pure RaeAnne Thayne and we are transported to the magic of this small town, the kindness of the people who populate it, and the healing that happens when two conflicted people manage to find each other.  This could be a standalone book but I think it had more meaning after reading the first two novels in the series.  This is a heartwarming, fun novel that will tug on your heartstrings and remind us that Christmas is coming soon!

Reviewed by Jeri Neal
Rating:  4

FOREVER YOUR EARL
Wicked Quills of London Series Book 1
Eva Leigh
Avon
ISBN# 978-0-06-235862-2
October 2015
Historical Romance

Debut author Eva Leigh shines brightly with FOREVER YOUR EARL.

Eleanor Hawke writes the most notorious gossip in her paper, The Hawke's Eye. Zeroing in on the popular Earl of Ashford, Daniel Balfour, she is more than shocked when he shows up at her office and offers her a chance to see for herself that what she is printing is not the truth. Eleanor finds herself given access to places she never dreamed of entering, but more than that she discovers that Daniel is so much more than what he appears. The attraction simmers between them until it explodes with passion. She cannot imagine a life with him, with her being a commoner and a working woman, but her heart never asked what was proper.

Daniel knows he must put a stop to the attention these stories are generating. He has a secret mission that is threatened by all the press. Offering Eleanor a chance to see his side of things will also allow him to continue searching for his missing friend. Disguising her as a man will allow him to bring her with him, but it doesn't stop the attraction. The real obstacle is their class differences, so in the end will it cause the end of their relationship or will they go against the grain for each other?

The first book shows that Eva Leigh is an author to watch. The witty banter, unique plot elements and lovely characters will keep this book in readers hands until the end. I found some parts laugh out loud humorous, as well as the building tension between the two. Looking forward to seeing what this author brings us next.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4 1/2

A tortured hero highlights Ranney's newest Scottish Romance

SCOTSMAN OF MY DREAMS
Karen Ranney
Avon
ISBN# 978-0-06-233750-4
September 2015
Historical Romance

Dalton MacIain has returned from the American Civil War, embittered, closed off and wounded. The last thing he wants or needs is an overbearing woman barging her way into his life. Since she didn't ask or take no for an answer, he seems to be stuck with her. Getting rid of her might be more than he can do.

Minerva Todd is looking for her brother, Neville, who had gone off to war with Dalton but didn't return with him. She's quite sure that Dalton knows where he is. Then she discovers that Dalton believes Neville is responsible for his condition and he's now looking for him, too. An uneasy truce is formed between them even as the attraction between them flares up. Their search for answers may lead them into more danger than either of them realized.

The latest from Ranney is filled with a tortured hero, intrigue, a willful heroine and all sorts of secondary characters that really make this an enjoyable story. Dalton emerges from his shell as he tries to heal and thwart Minerva's determination to find her brother. Finding Neville is a way for these two to be together, but ultimately there is more to the story that keeps you glued to the pages.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating 4 1/2

New western delivers a compelling romance!

HER LUCKY COWBOY
Montana Men Series - Book Three
Jennifer Ryan
Avon
ISBN# 978-0-06-233495-4
September 2015
Contemporary Romance

Once upon a time, Bell had fallen for Dane when he had fallen off his horse. An Illegitimate child, her grandmother made her feel unwanted, hid her away like a dirty secret, thus she never really was able to get to know him like a normal girl. Years later, she's a successful doctor and watching her favorite cowboy Dane ride at a big rodeo. To her horror, she watches as he gets trampled beneath the bull's deadly hooves, but she was able to save him once again.
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Dane remembers the young girl that helped him when he was thrown from his horse. He also knows that the beautiful doctor is that same girl. What he doesn't understand is why she was so closed off from everyone growing up and why she is so reluctant to get to know him now. Dane is a ladies man, Bell knows and is quite sure she can't compete with his beautiful women that throw themselves at him. However, Dane's last ride enabled him to retire and make a life for himself. What he wants in his life is Bell, but will she let him in her heart?

The fact that Bell is raised by her crazy religious zealot of a grandmother is what has shaped her entire outlook on herself. Treated horribly, she has deep issues with her self-worth growing up, but even more than that, she doesn't believe herself capable of competing for Dane's heart. Dane is seriously sexy, and he's persistent and strong enough to help her overcome her fears. There also is a suspenseful story line thrown in for good measure. The character driven storyline would have been enough, so this is an addition that I felt was unnecessary but was interesting at any rate. A compelling story with well-drawn out characters.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4