Review: A Spark of Romance by Jamie K. Schmidt

Is she out of reach?

Fire Chief and former Army sergeant Kayleigh Baker is determined to save Mulberry's annual Fourth of July fireworks display. She doesn’t want to disappoint the kids and the fireworks are a bittersweet memory of her mom’s last summer. As the town prepares for the summer parade and picnic, Kayleigh works to convince her former high school crush — now the straight-laced police chief — to help her cause.

Does he stack up?

Police Chief Liam MacAvoy doesn’t like the chaos the fireworks cause for his department and can't hide his relief when they’re cancelled. But now he’s got the woman he’s been in love with for as long as he can remember asking for his help. How can he say no? What he’d really like is to show her that fireworks and town traditions are not the only things worth fighting for.

Can the boy next door and the town hero find the courage to finally seize their chance at love? 

My Review: 

Sparks fly and it’s not just the fireworks.

Kayleigh and Liam have been friends forever.  They have also been crushing on each other for the longest time too, but afraid to act on it.  And now they are at odds about the annual fireworks show.  Kayleigh wants to hold the fireworks show in honor of her mother, who used to run the show before she passed away.  But Liam, the police chief, doesn’t want the hassle of it, especially after a little boy got hurt the previous year and Kayleigh set Liam’s car on fire.  So, Kayleigh sets up her own plan to make it happen even if it might upset Liam.  Will they be able to come to a mutual agreement and can they set their differences aside in order to start the relationship they both desperately want?

This was a fun book to read.  The stubbornness between Kayleigh and Liam kept things interesting.  There were quite a few comical moments in the books along with some seriousness.  I enjoyed all of the characters including Kayleigh’s neighbor’s mischievous dog who seemed to steal a couple scenes. 

Review: Lone Star Homecoming (Texas Justice #5) by Justine Davis

He’s haunted by one mistake…

Kane Highwater has been on the run for over a dozen years, since he was sixteen. And every step of the way he’s carried the weight of what happened the day he left Last Stand. He’d reacted in fear and anger, and it had cost him everything.

He stirs her heart in a way she never imagined…

Lark Leclair admires the Highwater clan for many things, including how they’ve never stopped searching for their missing brother. As a former Child Protective Services worker, she understands better than most why he’d run. But when she spots Kane in a crowd at a national reining competition where her friend — his sister — is competing, it will take all of her experience, compassion and instincts to convince him to stay.

Their attraction is immediate, but Kane is certain he can never regain his place in his legendary family. Can Lark convince him that with her by his side, it’s not too late for a fresh start?

My Review:

A highly emotional read.

When Kane Highwater was sixteen, he found out the man who had been raising him really wasn’t his father.  They ended up arguing and then Kane ran.  He traveled the country and didn’t look back for thirteen years.  Now that Kane is back home, he still isn’t sure if he fits in with his siblings and it causes him to wonder if he should leave again.  But there was one person Kane didn’t want to hurt, Lark Leclair. 

Lark was friends with the entire Highwater family, but she only knew Kane from conversations with his siblings and a picture they used in their search for him.  It was Lark who spotted Kane in Oklahoma where Sage, Kane’s sister, was competing at the NRHA Derby.  During the drive from Oklahoma to Last Stand, Texas, Lark and Kane got to know each other pretty well and they soon formed a relationship.  But will it be enough when Kane’s urge to flee becomes real again?

The author did a great job outlining the characters in this book.  But it took a little while for me to catch on as there were so many characters.  At first, I found myself having trouble keeping them separate.  But once I moved further into the story, they started falling in place.  I could really feel the pain and struggle Kane had with his identity.  I really liked how Lark and Kane took their time to know each other before jumping off into a romantic relationship.  If you’re looking for an emotional romance with strong family ties, this is the book for you. 

Review: The Goode Fight (Crystal Creek Mysteries #2) by Leslie Marshman

Samantha Goode's new case hits too close to home

Texas Ranger Samantha Goode never backs down from a fight, especially one right outside her door. Settling into small town life after a long absence, she’s focused on second chances – for herself, for the town, and her renewed relationship with rancher Clay Barnett. But when a dead woman is found on her best friend’s property, Sam’s investigation threatens her fresh start as the residents of Crystal Creek come under suspicion.

Soon, more bodies are discovered from San Antonio to Houston, and Sam realizes she’s hunting her most dangerous opponent – a serial killer. As she chases leads across the state, Sam follows the killer’s trail back to Crystal Creek and those she loves. She’s determined to protect the townspeople, but what if one of them is the evil she hunts?

When the case comes down to her badge or her friends, will Sam have what it takes to fight the Goode fight?

 

My Review:

Texas Ranger Samantha Goode has moved back to Crystal Creek and is finally getting settled in.  She also hooked back up with her old boyfriend, Clay and things are going ok.  They just have a few issues to work out.  But then a girl is found murdered and dumped on Sam’s best friend’s property.  Sam soon finds herself on the trail of a serial killer.  When Sam is on the hunt, it is her first priority and Clay isn’t too happy about it.  Will Sam’s job jeopardize their newly rekindled relationship? 

This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I am ashamed to admit, a couple of dinners didn’t get made on time.  I just couldn’t put it down.  It was an exciting read.  It was so good that I didn’t want it to end.  But I was anxious to find out who the killer was.  And boy was that a surprise.  This book is the second in a series and it can be read on its own.  But I would recommend reading Goode Over Evil first so you will be familiar with the characters.

Review: Montana Son (Calhouns of Montana Book 3) by Juanita Kees

Can he forgive himself, move on, and let love in?

Mason Calhoun is still trying to shrug off the label of bad boy, even though he’s proved his worth to the town. But his penchant for fast cars and Harleys makes it difficult for the town to forget the accident that killed his youngest brother, Mitch. It’s hard for him to forget when the girl responsible for him losing his head is back in town, hotter than ever, swinging spanners at his father’s garage, Calhoun Customs.

When Paige Drew loses her job at the track, she takes it as a sign to come home to Bigfork and make peace with the past before she takes the next step in her life. She’s been on Trinity Calhoun’s pit crew ever since that fatal night that changed her life forever. She’s hidden behind the scenes at the racetrack for too long, ignored by her family for causing a scandal in their otherwise perfect lives.

But coming home means confronting Mason Calhoun, the reason she ran in the first place. 

My Review: 

Love, loss, family drama and romance.  This book has it all.

Mason Calhoun is still haunted by the accident that claimed his brother’s life.  He worked hard to get his life back on track and lose his bad boy reputation.  But when Paige Drew shows back up in Bigfork, he is faced with another part of his past; one he was never able to get past.

When Paige lost her job on the NASCAR circuit, she decided it was time to head back home to Montana.  After six years, she was ready to face her ex-boyfriend Mason, and she was ready to make amends with her controlling parents, whom she always seemed to disappoint.  But things don’t always go as planned.  Paige seemed to be hitting roadblocks every where she turned.  She was confused around Mason, not knowing if they should try to pick up where they left off or leave their relationship in the past.  Her career was still up in the air and her family was another issue all together.  With the help of her friends, the Calhoun family, Paige just might be able to find her happy place once and for all with Mason right there by her side.

I have been anxiously waiting for the next installment of the Calhouns of Montana series.  So, when I got this book, I dove right in.  I think this is my favorite of the series.  Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading the books in order.