SWEET MOUNTAIN RANCHER by Loree Lough

Nate Marshall isn't sure why he'd said yes to Eden Quinn.  She is house-mom to a group of troubled boys and wants to take them to the Double M Ranch for some new experiences.  Nate is surprised when he finds himself drawn to the boys but more importantly to their feisty guardian.  Eden is attracted to Nate for lots of reasons but how he interacts with the boys makes him especially appealing.  Nate observes the way she keeps the boys in line and how they respect her.  When a problem arises that will affect Latimer House Nate wants to help, but will Eden's independence get in the way?

This was an enjoyable story overall.  Nate was a great hero from the get-go and I loved the Marshall family.  Eden was someone I had mixed feelings about.  I appreciated the way she interacted with boys and the love and care she showed to them.  I must say though, I didn't like the way she was with Nate.  To me she was unkind and unfair in the way she treated him.  I really don't see what Nate saw in her.  I also felt like things ended too abruptly and there was a thread left undone concerning a particular person.  It would have been great to have an epilogue to finish things out.  There is some danger along the way and you also find out where the name 'Sweet Mountain' comes from.  This is Harlequin's Heartwarming Line of stories so they are sweet with traditional values but no 'spiritual' message as with their Love Inspired line.  Sweet Mountain Rancher is the second book in a series but you can easily read it as a stand- alone and not feel lost.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Loree Lough, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.loreelough.com/ 

FALLING LIKE SNOWFLAKES by Denise Hunter

Eden Martelli finds herself on the run from some dangerous people.  She's headed for a cabin with her five-year-old son (who has stopped talking because of a trauma) where she knows they’ll be safe.  She's taken every precaution to keep them safe, but then her car breaks down in Summer Harbor.  It's a major repair so they must stay put through Christmas.  Needing money, she begins to look for work.  Enter Beau Callahan.  Beau gave up being a deputy sheriff to work the family Christmas tree farm.  He's going to need some help with his aunt who's returning home from the hospital and needs full-time assistance.  He comes across Eden and her son and offers her the job of caring for his outspoken aunt, along with cooking and cleaning duties.  The attraction is strong but both have reasons for not pursuing anything further.  Beau knows from experience Eden's hiding something.  He wants to keep her safe from whatever she's running from but it's hard when she won't trust him, even with her real name.  What will happen when the truth is finally revealed?

I loved this story and fell in love with the Callahan brothers!  You first meet Beau Callahan in Married 'til Monday (another excellent story) so I was anxious to get to know him better.  Summer Harbor is the kind of town where you immediately feel right at home.  The folks are warm and welcoming and make you want to pick-up and move there.  I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between the brothers. It’s rough and playful but you totally get that they love each other deeply.  The story had a great balance of humorous and serious moments.  Beau’s aunt is a riot and she definitely spiced things up with her feisty personality.  The author dealt with some difficult issues and I appreciated the way she handled them.  The romantic tension between Eden and Beau was fraught with anticipation as only Denise Hunter can do, especially in the beginning, because Beau is dating someone else. (Gasp!)  The reader finds out that though we plan our ways the Lord directs our steps.  It was an encouraging reminder to see how the Lord cared for Eden.  This was a great start to the Summer Harbor series and one I would definitely recommend!   The cover is beautifully done and the title goes very well with the story.  I am now anxiously waiting for Zac’s story in “The Goodbye Bride”.  Although there is a chill in the air in Summer Harbor, ‘Falling Like Snowflakes’ is sure to warm your heart.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A couple favorite quotes:

Eden realized what Beau had been holding back from her yesterday morning.  His aunt was going to be a challenge.  Eden was beginning to wonder if she should have asked for hazard pay.

"Merciful heavens, what's this supposed to be?"  "Aunt Trudy," Beau said.  "There's enough sage in here to cure a decade's worth of hot flashes." Sage. So that's what it was.  Kate's cheeks flushed.  "I'm so sorry. I didn't have a recipe - I didn't want to use your computer without asking."  "Have at it," Riley said, giving one final hack.  "Please."

For more information about this book and other books by Denise Hunter, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/ 

RODEO RESCUER by Lynette Eason

 Tonya Waters loves being a rodeo clown bull-fighter and she's good at it.   It's also helped her evade a stalker she had several years back.  Somehow he's tracked her down once again and is trying to kill her.  No matter how she tries he always seems to find her.  Seth Starke is a bull-rider who’s riding again after recovering from a bad leg injury.  When he’s injured again during his ride, Tonya steps in a saves him from being killed by the bull.  Tender feelings develop between Tonya and Seth and Seth wants to protect her.  When the danger escalates, Seth takes Tonya home to Wrangler’s Corner and enlists the help of his brother, Sheriff Clay Starke.  She knows he'll find her, he always does, but she doesn't want Seth's family harmed.  Can they find him before he's able to follow through with his threat?

From start to finish this was a definite page turner.  The reader is kept totally engaged and on the edge of their seat.  There was an unexpected twist I didn't see coming which is always something I appreciate.  It was interesting learning something about a rodeo and especially the rodeo clowns who take on those massive bulls when a rider falls off.  Tonya was someone I liked.  She was a strong person.  She grew up with brothers so she had to be tough!  Yet she had a very sweet spirit.  Seth was a great hero, tough yet gentle and understanding.  He seems to really get who Tonya is.  Both have been hurt but for different reasons yet they also are very attracted to each other.  The struggles they have with their faith seemed very natural to me.  This is book 2 in the Wrangler Corners series but you could read it as a stand-alone.  The Lawman Returns (book 1) is Clay's story and he plays a big part here as well.  If you like action, suspense, and romance then Rodeo Rescuer is the book for you.  Here’s the opening sentence: “If he caught her, he’d kill her.  Tonya Waters hunched lower in the bullfighter barrel and held her breath.”  It’s hard to put down so allot yourself some time.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more information concerning this book or other books by Lynette Eason, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.lynetteeason.com/