Smolder (Firefighters of Montana Book 1) by Tracy Solheim - Review

Synopsis:

Former Army Ranger, Sam Gaskill, is starting over in Glacier Creek, Montana - far away from the plains of Texas and the memories of his late wife. Taking charge as the new captain of a squad of smoke jumpers should provide him with enough adrenaline to chase away the ghosts from his past. Until a sexy, green-eyed temptress with a sassy mouth enters the picture…

Laurel Keenan, champion horsewoman, couldn’t wait to escape her hometown. But instead, an ailing mother and an unplanned pregnancy landed the impetuous dreamer right back on her father’s ranch. Laurel has managed to lead a quiet life with her young son—until she sets eyes on the tough guy with the sexy ass.

Sam already failed one woman; he won’t trust his heart with another. And Laurel is determined not to risk her heart—or her son’s—on another thrill-seeker. Can their slow burn lead to a love that lasts?

My Review: 

An exciting love story. 

Laurel Keenan, a single mom who put her dream of being an artist aside to study for a more stable career so she could raise her son without any financial worries.  She has enough to worry about with Tyson's father being a professional snowboarder training to participate at the Olympics.  She refuses to ever get involved with another man who had a dangerous profession. 

Sam Gaskill is a former soldier who lost his wife in a tragic accident.  He just wants to start his life over again in Montana where no one knows him.  He has accepted the position as the new captain of Glacier Creek’s forest service station.  He has also brought his late wife's horse Tabitha to board and train for the American Quarter Horse Championship at Whispering Breeze Ranch, Laurel's parent's ranch.

When Laurel and Sam first meet, they are instantly attracted to each other.  They soon have a quick fling, but then Laurel backs off as she is afraid of losing Sam because of his job.  Even though Laurel knows she should get Sam out of her head, she has a hard time doing so.  Sam wants more from Laurel, but she is refusing to give it to him.  What will it take for Sam to get Laurel to let go of her fears and give them a chance at love? 

This is one of those stories where you just don't want to put the book down because you just need to know what happens next.  It is filled with excitement, passion and great chemistry between the characters. 

 

Kitty Smile

Breaking His Rules by R.C. Matthews - Review

Synopsis:

When I landed the best bartending job in downtown Chicago, the rules were as clear as the Grey Goose martini I mixed for him. Don’t sleep with the patrons. I had no problem with that. Money didn’t impress me. But Damon Baxter’s eyes did. Midnight blue, just like the name of his nightclub. The way they undressed me made me consider risking the most sought after job in the service industry. Nailing the position had been hard. Obeying the rules? Even harder.

Good thing I like it hard. I was never one for following orders. For one night with him, I would have sold my soul to the devil. And that’s exactly what I did. Let me tell you, hell in the company of Damon Baxter was blissfully hot. I offered him a single night of pleasure, but when he demanded another in that deep and sexy whisper, what could I say? He was my boss, and I always aimed to please…when it pleased me.

He didn’t care that I broke his rules. But was I ready to break my own?


My Review:

A very steamy work place love story.

Samantha Rayne left New York for Chicago to get away from her controlling father who sabotaged every job she had gotten in hope that it would make her return home.  When Samantha finally got a coveted bartending position as at Midnight Blue, Chicago’s hottest night club, she had no idea what she was in for. 

Billionaire playboy Damon Baxter could have any woman he wanted, but he had set his sight on Samantha.  There was a reason he hired her and he had no plans on letting her know the truth.  He would follow through with his plan and then set her free.  But Damon was starting to fall in love with Samantha.  That was definitely not part of the plan. 

When a man from Samantha's past arrives in town, everything changes.  She is afraid of Giovanni and how far he will go to get back together with her.  Damon vows to keep Samantha safe.  But how will Samantha react when she finds out Damon wasn't entirely honest with her when they first met? 

Lies, deception, wild passion and new beginnings make this book one I that I was instantly hooked on. 

 

Kitty Smile

Scandal with the Rancher (Whiskey River) by Julia Justiss - Review

Synopsis:

After building a trading empire, establishing Whiskey River, and charming most of the females south of the Pedernales, Ronan "Booze" Kelly finds himself restless. Until his idea to start a ranch leads him to widowed rancher Marguerite McMasters. The Tejana beauty claims she’ll never sell her land—or succumb to the fiery connection between them.

Marguerite will let nothing stop her from realizing her dream of running a horse-breeding ranch—not lack of money, and certainly not her strong attraction to Booze Kelly. Much as she misses a man’s embrace, a schoolmarm can’t risk everything she has for him.

But there’s nothing Booze loves more than a challenge, whether it’s a new enterprise to begin—or a lady to beguile. Despite her convictions, can Marguerite continue to resist Booze—or will Booze be exactly what she never knew she was missing?


My Review:

A passionate affair turns into happily ever after. 

Ronan “Booze” Kelly could have any woman he wanted.  But once he set his eyes on the widow Marguerite McMasters, no other woman would do.  Marguerite is a proper lady and though she feels the attraction to Booze, she resists him to save her reputation.  Booze was known for having a wondering eye when it came to women.  Everyone in knows he will never settle down and get marry. 

Marguerite had a dream and she wouldn't let anything get in the way.  When Marguerite and her husband Aiden moved to Whisky River, they planned to start breeding horses.  After Aiden died, Marguerite worked hard to keep their dream alive. 

It was a big mistake when Marguerite gave in to her temptation to Booze when he came out to visit her one day.  Marguerite didn't want a bad reputation as it would ruin her teaching career.  But it was too late when spiteful Lydia sees Booze kiss Marguerite.  After that, Lydia sets out to ruin Marguerite any way she can, turning the townspeople against her and causing her to lose her job.  How far will Booze go to protect Marguerite?  Will he be able to convince her that he is a changed man and wants to marry her? 

As a fan of the Whiskey River series, I was excited to read Booze Kelly's story to see how it all started out.  This is a very well written story.  It answered a lot of questions that I had about Booze's legacy.  If you have read any of the other books in the series, you don't want to miss this one. 

 

An Unpredictable Match (The Match Series Book 5) by Barbara Dunlop - Review

Synopsis:

When Hammond Vashon’s family mansion is invaded by a Hollywood film production, he senses a conspiracy. He knows his grandmother Daisy has plans to match-make him, and it doesn’t take long to identify his grandmother as the force behind the production and starlet Pippa Carrington as his intended match.

Line producer MacKenzie Bowen is shocked when Hammond kicks her boss off the set and promotes her to producer. She’s attracted to handsome, wealthy mansion owner, but she knows better than to get romantically involved with the guy at the top of the film food chain—at least, she ought to know better.

Fascinated by MacKenzie, and more than interested in a exploring their mutual attraction, Hammond lets his guard down. Busy avoiding Pippa and worrying about his grandmother’s machinations, he doesn’t realize his true match is MacKenzie until it’s too late.

The Match Series
Book 1: An Unlikely Match
Book 2: An Impractical Match
Book 3: An Extraordinary Match
Book 4: An Astonishing Match
Book 5: An Unpredictable Match

My Review: 

This is a cute story about a group of retired friends who have a match making program and use it to bring couples together.  In this book, Daisy Vashon and Lizbet Blythe use their program to match their grandchildren Hammond Vashon and MacKenzie Bowen.

MacKenzie and Hammond have no idea what is about to happen.  They are thrown together when MacKenzie goes to Boston to film a television pilot in the Vashon mansion.  At first Hammond is against all of these people invading his home, but he quickly changes his mind when he meets MacKenzie. 

This was a fun book to read with a sweet story line.  I really enjoyed the characters and could picture the friends sitting around deciding who to match next.  The romance part didn't miss a beat.  MacKenzie and Hammond are the perfect match. 

 

Kitty Smile