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

Dare's Scottish romance is a worthy read!

WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT
Castles Ever After Book Three
Tessa Dare
Avon Books
ISBN# 978-0-06-234902-6
September 2015
Historical Romance

Madeline Gracechurch is painfully shy, she cannot stand to be in large crowds. So, at sixteen, she invents an imaginary suitor so she can be left alone. For years, she writes letters to what she believes is a made up name, only they actually get sent to a real man with that name. The letters become almost like a diary for her, revealing her secrets, dreams, desires and wishes. Logan, having received the letters, reads them, memorizes them, and decides to use them to his advantage when the time comes.

Captain Logan MacKenzie has read all the letters and knows this is his chance to give back to his men that have been displaced, abandoned and left alone after years of soldiering. He doesn't care what he has to do, but he needs the castle and the land to give his men a permanent home. One lying English miss isn't going to stand in his way. He wasn't prepared for how beautiful, alluring, and tempting his new wife would be, and suddenly, the prospect of having a real future becomes more appealing every day. Yet, Logan is hiding his own share of dark secrets that threaten his future.

These two together are fun to watch as their relationship develops along. Logan has his secrets that he hides and it drives a wedge between them. A wonderful character romance worth reading.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4

IF YOU ONLY KNEW by Kristan Higgins is a keeper!

IF YOU ONLY KNEW
Kristan Higgins
HQN
ISBN: 978-0-373-78497-4
September 2015
Contemporary Romance

This latest from one of my favorite authors does not disappoint. Jenny Tate is a wedding dress designer who has given up the New York City scene for her small town hometown up the Hudson River. Her former husband has moved on to a new wife and baby and Jenny just does not feel in the mood to be included in their happily ever. Especially since this was supposed to be her scenario.

So, Jenny goes home and opens up a classy wedding dress designer business. She is close to her sister Rachel, who is having some significant relationship issues of her own with her philandering husband. Rachel’s plate is full with triplets and she leans on Jenny for support.

Jenny’s mom is intrusive and always reminding her what she doesn’t have. Her mom is also obsessed with her late husband, who died suddenly and wasn’t as perfect as everyone believed.

In the middle of all this is Jenny’s landlord Leo, a mysterious man who gives piano lessons and seems to have a secret. Jenny, of course, is powerfully drawn to him. This relationship forms the backbone of the book.

As always, Kristan Higgins manages to make me laugh out loud and cry all within the same novel. Her characters are so darn human and believable and readers will adore this offering. This novel is no different from all the others yet, it was so terrific that I read it a second time. It will go on my keeper shelf, along with all her other books, to provide a book friend that I know will give reading pleasure in years to come. Bravo!

Reviewed by Jeri Neal
Rating: 4 1/2

EXIT STRATEGY is action packed!

EXIT STRATEGY
EXIT Inc. Thrillers
Lena Diaz
Avon
ISBN# 978-0-06-234908-8
July 2015
Romantic Suspense

EXIT Inc. enforcer Marcus Hunt is on a mission to eliminate a threat, Sabrina Hightower. However, there's something not quite right about his target and he suspects maybe she is innocent. Questioning his mission and everything he's built for himself, he keeps her out of harms way until he figures it out. This process is especially hard because a colleague is also after her. Marcus and Sabrina flee into the mountains, where they fight for their lives and against a powerful attraction.

From the onset, Sabrina is fighting for her life. After an intruder forces her from her house, she runs headlong into Marcus, who whisks her away for her own protection. Fighting against a powerful organization that wants her dead, Marcus and Sabrina have to stay ahead of the game in order to survive. Falling in love just gave them more incentive, but will they reach the end of the line alive?

This is an action packed thriller, complete with bad guys that aren't that bad, and bad guys that are really bad, and sexy, sultry tension that permeates the pages to keep the reader enthralled. Marcus is one sexy to the bone enforcer who has met his match in Sabrina. All these things make for a superb start to this series.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4