Lassos and Lace

Lassos and Lace, by Jody Hedlund, opens with Emberly McQuiad in a quandary.  Dwight, one of the managers at her family’s Healing Springs Ranch, has turned up sick.  The timing is poor because she has some important international guests are due to arrive.  Emberly keeps trying to focus on her father’s philosophy “People are always the priority”.  However, that is hard to do in moments like this!

With Mr. Milton, the president of Karltenburg World Bank (KWB) set up for a visit, Emberly hopes to make the ranch well-known, not only in the states but also on a worldwide basis.  Due to Dwight being out of commission, Emberly will have to step in to fulfill his duties as personal ambassador herself.  When the representative of KWB shows up at her door, it is not Mr. Milton.  But rather Max Berg, a very handsome young man, who is actually the CEO in disguise!

When Max is addressed as “Your Highness”, Emberly must quickly switch gears.  She now has a secret to keep for another wealthy client.  This is exactly the service her family’s ranch provides.  When Max asks Emberly to act as his personal tour guide for the week, she decides to make a bargain with him.  Max quickly agrees to spread word to his friends and colleagues about the ranch in exchange for Emberly’s time.  She has no idea what is about to take place.  Max is not only a CEO is disguise, but also a Prince needing to marry very soon!

As you watch Emberly attempt to instruct Max on how to win a woman, you wonder if she will be the one who is caught.  You also wonder if the McQuaid legacy of love will capture Max and Emberly in its web.  The situation gets rather spicy when Max and Emberly get stuck in a snowstorm together.  You have no idea what will happen next when Max kneels down before Emberly and proposes.  What will happen after the media gets wind that the Prince is missing.  Most importantly, how will Emberly respond when she learns that Max needed to marry soon or risk losing his chance to be the next king!

You wonder until the last page how this tale will end!

Deadly Currents

 

Deadly Currents is another suspense from Elizabeth Goddard packed with action and an abundance of the unknown.  This tale opens with Cressida Valentine at sea alongside Captain Everett “Salty” Malloy.  She has hired the Captain in an attempt to complete her late father’s research.  However, after only two days, the Captain drops her off at the dock with a simple warning ‘watch your back’.  As Cressida walks along the beach before she turns in for the night, she is suddenly attacked!

As Detective Braden Sanders is driving his motorcycle along the edge of the ocean, he suddenly learns that a woman has washed up on the beach.  When he meets Cressida, he is surprised to learn that she is the woman, his boss and her mother, sent him here to protect.  Very quickly this tale fills up with more questions than answers!

Not only do warm feelings begin to develop between Braden and Cressida, but they also find reasons not to trust each other.  When they both find themselves at sea on a vessel set on retrieving nuclear materials, you have no idea what will happen next.  You will be surprised who they encounter on this rocky ride!

A Secret Correspondence

 

A Secret Correspondence wraps up Kasey Stockton’s Hearts of Harewood series.  As Samuel Harding makes his way home in the dark after an evening playing cards with his married friends, he cannot help but wish he was going home to a wife as well.  Instead he encounters a cat who causes all kinds of havoc.  In the next moment, Samuel makes contact with the cat’s owner,  Marguerite Perreau.  This local French modiste will soon bring a lot of color to Samuel’s life!

Marguerite had quietly settled herself in Harewood, England as a “young widow”.  She has many secrets about her former life that she wants to keep under wraps. When you learn the reason behind all the mystery that Marguerite has brought to this quiet hamlet, you may be surprised!

This is a tale you will not soon forget!

The Rules of Courtship

 

In The Rules of Courtship, by Kasey Stockton, Ruth Wycliffe is climbing high up in a tree attempting to hide from a would-be suitor.  Her friend Oliver Rose shows at just the right moment to distract this suitor and her father.  Ruth had not seen much of Oliver since his grandmother had died recently.  But oh had she missed this dear friend!

Little does Ruth know that Oliver wants to marry her; however, he knows she has vowed to not marry anyone from her hometown.  He must wait until just the right moment to ask the big question.  If Oliver makes a move too quickly, it would possibly drive Ruth away!

You are not sure what will happen when Ruth and Oliver end up at the same house party.  Ruth jumps in when Oliver asks her to help him find a potential wife.  Actually, she says they should help each other find spouses!

After a lot of craziness takes place at this party, Oliver's life suddenly gets much more serious.  His“father”/uncle is found dying.  Now this tale gets rather complicated.  Definitely a book worth a read!

Marrying the Matchmaker

 

Marrying the Matchmaker, by Jody Hedlund, is the next tale in her A Shanahan Match series.  Zaira Shanahan has finally published a story in the local newspaper.  The year  is 1849, so she is writing under a pseudonym.  Zaira suddenly runs into Bellamy McKenna  on the streets of St. Louis.  Bellamy hopes to be the next matchmaker in his family.  These two both have secrets they are protecting.  Zaira wants to be a writer and Bellamy has been painting landscapes in private!

Zaira hopes that after she finally experiences love herself, it will make her a better writer on the topic.  When Bellamy catches her pretending to pucker up and plant a kiss, Zaira discovers he is not there to spy on her but rather to ask her to help him with his latest matchmaking attempt.  Zaira agrees to help Bellamy with his matchmaking, but only if he shows her what a romantic hug is all about!

This romantic hug between Bellamy and Zaira somehow becomes a deep kiss in the midst of a St. Louis pub.  When Bellamy finally agrees to a temporary engagement, he does not how he will do it.  Just until any gossip about the kiss fades away.  Secretly in love with Zaira, Bellamy is not sure he can last that long!

This is a fun tale to follow.  You will discover what happens when both Zaira and Bellamy’s secrets come to light and more importantly their love for each other is revealed!

A Proper Governess

 

A Proper Governess, by Kasey Stockton, continues her Hearts of Harewood series.  Aurelia Beswick is headed to her new position as governess to a young boy.  She immediately makes a connection with her new pupil, Edmund; however, Aurelia is not sure about his father, Lord Ryland.  He does not remember that they have meet before.  Aurelia just hopes he does not recall the details!

Aurelia starts working on a trial basis.  Everything seems like a good fit with Edmond.  However, Lord Ryland is not sure how to proceed when he begins having feelings for Aurelia.  Definitely not appropriate towards an employee!

It is fun to watch as a relationship begins to develop between Aurelia and Lord Ryland.  Once possible conflicts are resolved, Aurelia’s life is going to change dramatically!

 

A Sea View Christmas

A Sea View Christmas is a holiday novella from Julie Klassen.  Miss Sarah Sommers cannot stop thinking about Callum Henshall.  This man from Scotland has occupied her thoughts from the moment she met him.  She had not encouraged him at the time; however, now she is having second thoughts!

This is an interesting tale as you learn all the ways these two try to make a connection.  It is fun to see how this story unfolds by the final page!