Enchanted by the Lyon - Sherry Ewing (Dragonblade - Oct 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 93)
 
She's fallen in love and wants marriage, something he's unwilling to give.
 
Lucius Ford, Earl of Blackthorn is content in his bachelor lifestyle, though the only lady to catch his attention this Season is looking for marriage. This lady of the Wicked Widow's Club intrigues him.
 
Mrs. Cassandra Vaughn was widowed at a young age. After years of hardship, she seeks more than a superficial relationship. But the man who has enchanted her only wants her in his bed.
 
Who will change whose mind is still in question when Lucius loses a bet at the Lyon's Den. To pay his debt, he must right a wrong done to none other than Cassandra Vaughn. Amidst societal expectations and personal histories, their lives entangle, challenging their beliefs about love and relationships.
 
When past enemies endanger her life, Lucius will risk everything to protect her.
 
After engaging Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon's assistance in helping her find husbands for her friends in the Widow's Club, Cassandra is ready to look toward her own future. Her eye is on the man who has held her attention for months - Lucius Ford, Earl of Blackthorn.
 
Lucius has no intention of falling into the "parson's mousetrap". He's quite content with his string of mistresses and will settle down when he's good and ready. He's aware of Bessie's reputation for tricky matchmaking and successfully avoided her traps - until the night someone drugs his drink. Now Lucius is caught in Bessie's web.
 
The progress of Cassandra and Lucius's relationship was interesting. Lucius knows Cassandra through his friends' wives, who are also members of Cassandra's Widow's Club. He is intrigued and attracted to Cassandra and offers to make her his newest mistress. I loved seeing her reject his proposition in no uncertain terms. He thinks to avoid her until Mrs. Dove-Lyon assigns him to look into the suspicious deaths of Cassandra's husband and parents. This left her at the mercy of her brother-in-law, who threw her out on the street with almost nothing.
 
I enjoyed learning about Cassandra's past and how she survived. That survival left her with a tarnished reputation, but with well-tended financial independence. What she wants now is a husband and children she can love. She believes that Lucius is that person, despite her friends' skepticism. As they spend time together looking into her past, I enjoyed their flirty banter. Cassandra has no problem calling him out when he crosses a line, and Lucius soon realizes that he has true feelings for her.
 
Matters become complicated when parts of Cassandra's past put her and Lucius in danger. Lucius's protectiveness shows a different side of him, one that Cassandra had never seen before. The final confrontation was intense, with a satisfactory resolution. I loved the ending and seeing both find their way to a happy future together. 

 
 

Autumn Nights, Holiday Lights - Elle Douglas (HSE #3113 - Oct 2025)

Series: Sugar Maple Farms (Book 2)
 
The snow may be fake, but could the romance be real?
 
Christmas in August? Sunset County is decked out for the holidays -- fake snow and all! Maya Monroe can't believe her novel is being turned into a Christmas movie. Except the "acclaimed" director, Will Hastings, is Maya's ex. The man who broke her heart via text, and clearly knows nothing about romance, is directing her dream project.
 
Will never imagined he'd be filming a Christmas romance -- especially one based on his ex's book. But Will's determined to complete the job, even though Maya keeps interfering with his creative choices -- and his heart. In this staged winter wonderland, their feelings are stealing the show. Can Will and Maya heal their past for a second chance to be the lead couple in their real-life romance?
 
This was a good second-chance romance. The main characters, Will and Maya, were high school sweethearts. Then Will left to follow his dreams of making movies, breaking up with Maya via text, and breaking her heart.
 
Since then, Maya has become an accomplished baker, owning her bakery, Flour Child, and making whimsical cakes for the local party planner. She is also a successful romance author, whose latest book is about to become a movie. She's very excited until she learns that Will is the chosen director.
 
The last thing Will wants to do is direct a cheesy rom-com, especially one based on his ex-girlfriend's book. But it puts him in town long enough to deal with his ailing father, with whom he has a tense relationship. He knows he will run into Maya sooner or later, but isn't prepared for the surge of feelings when he does.
 
I enjoyed the rekindling of Will and Maya's relationship. Things are awkward at the beginning, as Maya remembers the pain of their parting and Will grapples with the guilt over how he handled it back then. Knowing his opinion of romance movies, Maya isn't sure she trusts him to do her book justice. There are a few clashes over creative differences, where Maya appears to enjoy getting under his skin. But Will also includes her in much of the behind-the-scenes activity, and I liked seeing him begin to see things from her perspective.
 
The sparks between them continue to grow as they get closer. Maya hopes for more, but Will has a couple of reversions back to jerk that sow seeds of doubt. A filming crisis adds complications and stress. I loved the twist at the end that brought them back together and solved their filming issue. The epilogue was terrific, including a sweet scene with Maya's pup, Bruce.
 
There were a couple of secondary stories going on that added depth to the story. One was Maya's effort to help a friend by hiring her troubled teenage son, Lucas, to work in the bakery. There was a risk that things could go sideways, but Maya found a way to reach him. I loved watching Lucas change.
 
We also saw more of Will's relationship with his father. Their troubles stretched back to when Will was a teen and Gene's disapproval of Will's dreams. He's not happy about Will's plans to move him to an assisted living facility and makes his displeasure known. Maya's presence eases the tension somewhat, but the strain remains. There were glimmers of hope during the epilogue, so I want to believe it gets better. 

The Duke's Cavalier - C.H. Admirand (Dragonblade - Jan 2026)

Series: Duke's Guard (Book 15)
 
Flaherty stops to help fix a broken carriage wheel…
 
And he ends up staring down the muzzle of a blunderbuss! When Flaherty moves toward the coachman, the younger man steps backward, trips, and the gun goes off! He dives to the side, but catches some scattershot. He hauls the coachman to his feet, shakes him, and his hat falls off. A cascade of angel-blonde hair slips free, tangling around Flaherty's wrist. The nick to Flaherty's pride is equal to the wound in his side—he's been bested by a woman!
 
Phillipa Stanhope would do anything to protect her widowed friend and newborn son…
 
Her friend has received a heinous threat from her brother-in-law—he intends take her babe the moment it's born! Though the risk of traveling right after giving birth is great to her friend and her infant son—they have no choice.
 
Flaherty hears the thin wail of an infant and notices the fragile-looking woman holding a bundle to her chest. He takes charge and escorts the trio to Summerfield Chase for their safety. After Flaherty's temper cools down, and he hears the whole story, he has a change of heart and offers marriage to protect Pippa.
 
Pippa cannot leave her friend unprotected, and she bargains with Flaherty. If he agrees to let Millie and her babe live with them, she'll accept his proposal. An attempted kidnapping leaves Pippa injured and the both of them realizing the true depth of their feelings for one another.
 
Three of Pippa's older brothers arrive with a surprise that changes everything! On the heels of their arrival, a band of brigands arrives as a distraction, while Millie's brother-in-law lures Pippa outside and abducts her.
 
Danger stalks in the night, but it will have to get past The Duke's Cavalier before he will let harm come to those he has sworn to protect with his strength, his honor, and his heart.
 
Another fantastic entry in the Duke's Guard series. The action starts immediately, as Flaherty comes across a broken-down coach. The jumpy coachman, when confronted by a large man dressed all in black, trips and accidentally shoots him. Flaherty's pride takes a serious hit when he discovers he's been felled by a woman.
 
Pippa is determined to protect her best friend, Millie, and Millie's newborn son. Millie's brother-in-law plans to take the child and claim it as his own. Though wary of the stranger, Pippa agrees to accept his protection as he takes them to Summerfield Chase.
 
As always, those in need are welcomed and cared for. I enjoyed seeing Pippa and Millie settle in at Summerfield and get to know the wives and Lady Phoebe. Pippa is always on guard, expecting trouble from Millie's brother-in-law. We get the occasional glimpse into the villain's mind, showing that he has not given up his plans. The tension builds as attempts escalate, with one rescue coming from an unexpected source, and the final confrontation a heart-stopping face-off.
 
I enjoyed the development of Flaherty and Pippa's relationship. The sparks were there from the beginning, though it took a little while for Flaherty to overcome the hit to his pride. Once he did, it didn't take long for him to realize the depth of his feelings for her. When the men of the Duke's Guard fall, they fall hard, and he was no exception. Pippa fell just as hard for Flaherty, but was concerned about continuing Millie's protection. I loved their honest conversation about dreams and expectations, and seeing how Flaherty showed her his love and understanding.
 
There is more going on than just avoiding the dastardly brother-in-law. Pippa and Millie's fathers look for information about Millie's husband's death. They also hear rumors about the women and involve Pippa's three brothers. I laughed out loud at their arrival at Summerfield Chase, the exchange of opinions between the brothers and the Guards, and watching them all get skillfully handled by the women. There is a surprising twist to their arrival that changed some of the dynamics. The later arrival of the two fathers brought some humorous moments as Flaherty faced his father-in-law for the first time. The book ended with a look into Flaherty and Pippa's future family. 

Colorado K-9 Rescue - Kathleen Donnelly (HI #2344 - Oct 2025)

Series: Colorado K-9 (Book 1)
 
A kidnapper's twisted game is on.
And a trusty K-9 won't let him succeed.
 
Years after being abducted, Mckenna Parker's worst nightmare has come true -- her kidnapper is out on parole. And he's after her again. Now an FBI victim specialist, she and her crisis canine, Mocha, have been assigned to a case with FBI agent Evan Knox. Together they must find two local girls who disappeared. As passionate as Mckenna is about helping others, Evan is ambitious about his career. Both have sworn off love. But when Mckenna vanishes into the mountain wilderness, it's Evan -- with Mocha's amazing help -- who braves danger at all costs.
 
Good book that drew me in quickly and kept me hooked to the end. It opens with Mckenna finding out that the man convicted of kidnapping her when she was 18 is about to be released on parole. She still has nightmares about his deadly game of "catch and release". She channeled her experience as a victim into a career as an FBI victim specialist, along with her crisis canine, a black lab named Mocha. When two local girls disappear, she and Mocha join FBI agent Evan on the case.
 
Evan is new to this office. His previous assignment didn't end well, and rumors have followed him to his new position. Even though he did nothing wrong, he wants to redeem his reputation and earn a promotion. This case may be just what he needs. He's not thrilled about working with Mckenna, as he doesn't see the need for a victim specialist. I loved watching her prove him wrong.
 
The suspense of the story is intense. From finding the two girls, one of whom did not survive, to the final confrontation, the investigation kept me glued to the pages. The details of the recent kidnapping are eerily similar to those of Mckenna's kidnapping. The twists and turns kept me guessing to the end. The conclusion was a nail-biter.
 
The development of Evan and Mckenna's relationship was as fast-paced as the mystery, going from standoffish to "I love you" in just a few days. Each had preconceived ideas of the other that were proved wrong pretty quickly. I especially enjoyed watching Mckenna get to say "I told you so" several times. Trust seemed to be an issue for both of them. Evan frequently kept information from  Mckenna, leaving her in the dark about important developments. Mckenna also kept things from Evan, including a massively stupid decision that nearly ended badly for her. I was happy to see that their communication skills improved by the end.
 
I loved the dog, Mocha. I've had labs, so the combination of sensitivity and goofiness was no surprise. I loved how easy it was for Lily to open up when she had Mocha to comfort her.

 

Tracing Her Stolen Identity - Katie Mettner (HI #2318 - Oct 2025)

Series: Secure Watch (Book 2)
 
Hunting the enemy who erased her identity plunges them into a fight for their lives
 
Skylar Sullivan no longer exists. The obliteration of her identity is only the first step in a diabolical plan to frame the artist for crimes she couldn't have physically committed from her wheelchair. Turning to the one person she can trust brings back memories of a night fourteen years ago when Sky lost the boy she loved. Reece Palmer failed Sky once. When he vows to protect her with his life in a way he couldn't in the past, the cybersecurity expert must take down a mortal threat before a cold-blooded avenger makes Sky disappear forever.
 
Excellent suspense combined with a terrific second-chance romance. Skylar is an artist and a paraplegic due to a cheerleading accident in her senior year of high school.
 
Skylar arrived home after time away to discover that her home had been broken into and trashed, her identity stolen and erased, and that she had been accused of vandalizing multiple art galleries. After being threatened not to involve the police, Skylar calls the one person she can trust.
 
Reece hasn't had contact with Skylar in fourteen years - ever since she pushed him away after the accident. He still feels guilty about the accident and vows to protect her and find the person responsible.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. Skylar's fear and confusion over why this was happening were realistic. I loved following Reece and his team's efforts to uncover the truth. The escalating attacks, from digital to physical, kept the intensity high. At the same time, the twists involving the discovery of the perpetrator kept everyone guessing until the end. I had my suspicions early on, but some events made me question my conclusions. The ending was a twisted nail-biter.
 
I loved the development of Reece and Skylar's relationship. They were best friends since childhood, becoming something more as they got older. She pushed him away after her injury "for his own good". She didn't want to tie him down with her problems. Determined to stay alone, she doesn't let anyone get close. However, Reece is the first one who comes to mind when trouble happens. His feelings for her have never gone away, and it is soon evident that Skylar's haven't either. But Skylar has serious insecurities about her looks and her needs, and continues to keep him at a distance. For Reece, Skylar's injuries are simply part of who she is. I loved his matter-of-fact care for her and how he handled her insecurities. The ending was sweet and romantic.
 
One of my favorite things about this author is her inclusion of people with disabilities. I like the realism of the challenges while not making a huge deal out of them. Physical limitations do not rule out the possibility of love and romance. 

 

Resisting the Forbidden Widow - Maggie Weston (HH #1882 - Oct 2025)

Series: Widows of West End (Book 3)
 
He has a list of eligible brides
But his assistant isn't on it…
 
After losing her husband so young, Mary vowed to never love again. Her new position as Cameron Sykes's assistant is the perfect guarantee of independence. Until Cameron tasks her with helping him find a titled wife!
 
As they try to find his perfect bride, it's only Mary that Cameron can imagine at the altar…and in the marriage bed! Yet she can't give him the Society approval that his hardworking parents desperately craved. But can he resist the all-consuming lust that's threatening to derail his plans?
 
This was an enjoyable Victorian workplace romance. The story opens with a prologue where we see Mary applying for a position as Cameron's assistant. He resists the idea of hiring an attractive young woman as his assistant, realizing that she could be a distraction. I loved watching her stand up to his prejudice and convince him to give her a three-month trial period, and stating her requirements for when (not if!) he hires her permanently.
 

"Because the one thing I enjoy more than honest work is proving somebody wrong. And now you've made it a question of my pride, Mr. Sykes. All that remains is to prove myself invaluable to Sykes Trading."

 

"Why do you make that sound like a threat?"

 

Feeling calm for the first time in months, Mary lifted her eyes bravely back to Cameron Sykes's. "It's not a threat, Mr. Sykes." She smiled softly when his grin broke free. "It's a promise."

 
Two years later, Mary has lived up to her promises. Sykes Trading is doing better than ever, and Mary has her finger on the pulse of the entire business. She earned Cameron's respect and admiration. I loved their banter, the way they pushed each other's buttons, and the underlying sparks that neither wanted to admit.
 
I enjoyed the development of Mary and Cameron's relationship. After two years working together, they know and understand each other very well. Both have emotional baggage that affects their outlook on life. The death of Mary's husband threw her into a deep depression that only staying busy keeps at bay. She has sworn never to marry again, refusing to risk that depth of feeling ever again. Cameron is a self-made man, enormously wealthy and good-looking, but considered a "climber." He fell in love with a titled woman who rejected him because of his lack of pedigree, leaving him determined to prove her wrong.
 
Cameron and Mary's work relationship becomes complicated when two things happen. First, he asks her to help him find a titled wife. His motivation is simple - he's ready to marry, and he wants to show up the woman who rejected him. This bothers Mary, but she refuses to accept why it does so. The second complication comes when an encounter with one of Cameron's business associates ends with her badly injured. Cameron's panic, anger, and fear are telling, but he hasn't yet reached the point of acknowledging why.
 
I liked how Cameron's caretaking of Mary opened his eyes to his feelings for her. His diminishing interest in his bride-finding ball was in direct contrast to his growing realization of what he feels for Mary. I laughed out loud at how he tried to fool his friends into believing his interest was only professional. The extra time spent with her also helped him understand the depth of her grief over her husband's death and her fear of loving again. I liked how Mary understood Cameron's motivation for his actions. She understood how the other woman's rejection affected him and how it revealed his hidden insecurities.
 
Thanks to their intensifying attraction, Mary and Cameron must face their growing feelings for each other. Cameron finally knows his heart, but he also understands Mary's fears. I loved his patience and willingness to wait until she was ready. The ending was perfect for these two, and the epilogue was a good wrap-up to the series. 

 

Cooper - Josie Jade (Calamitte Jane Pub - Jan 2026)

Series: Warrior Security (Book 3)

 
Six weeks undercover. One wrong woman. Zero room for error.
 
Ryan "Coop" Cooper has spent weeks infiltrating a deadly militia running weapons through Montana's backcountry. He's one meeting away from bringing them down when Mia Thornton—the woman from his past—walks straight into his operation.
 
Now he has two choices: watch her die or claim her as his.
 
To keep her alive, Coop must convince a compound full of killers that she belongs to him. Every rough touch, every possessive threat is meant to sell the lie. But when the militia leader sets his sights on Mia, and members start questioning Coop's loyalty, their dangerous charade becomes a deadly game of survival.
 
Mia never thought she'd need saving by Ryan Cooper. Now she's trapped in his violent world, unsure if he's protecting her or if he's become the monster he's pretending to be. Every bruising kiss, every possessive touch feels too real.
 
With enemies tightening the noose, Coop must risk his mission, his career, and his life…for the only woman he's ever loved.
 
Some mistakes you can't outrun. Some loves are worth dying for.
 
I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but it didn't take long for this book to put an end to that. This is a gripping suspense story with the bonus of a second chance at love.
 
After leaving the Marines, Coop went to work for Warrior Security and is working undercover to bring down a weapons trafficking ring. Six weeks into the mission, and it is coming down to the wire. The last thing he expects is to run into an old girlfriend while scoping out a drop zone with three of the traffickers. His shock and fear for her life are immediate and intense, leaving him no choice but to claim her as his to save her life.
 
It's been six years since Coop walked out on her with no explanation. Between heartbreak and a traumatic accident, Mia struggled to rebuild her life. Shocked to see him again, she barely recognizes the cold and violent man in front of her.
 
The suspense of this story was intense and kept me hooked. From watching Coop face down those who would take her from him to watching him walk the fine line between good and evil, the tension remained high from start to finish. The trafficker underlings are nasty enough, but the leader is a whole other level of evil. I was on the edge of my seat as Coop and Mia played their parts. Mia truly impressed me with her resilience and strength in everything she went through. The "hunt" kept me glued to the pages, wondering if Mia would make it. Just when I thought they were in the clear, an unexpected twist put them both back in the bullseye. The final confrontation was an impressive demonstration of determination and faith.
 
I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Cooper and Mia. They had been happy together until Cooper's final deployment. Haunted by the events and losses, Cooper believed he was too broken for her and walked away. Now they must trust each other if they are going to survive. I could feel Cooper's anguish at the things he had to do to keep their cover. Mia must overcome her wariness of him and trust him to keep her safe. I liked seeing them talk about their pasts, the regrets, and work their way back to each other.
 
The supporting cast was great. The bad guys deserved everything they got and more. Of the good guys, my favorite was Travis. I'm intrigued by whatever in his past made him who he is now, and I'm excited to know that his story is up next. I love his tech-guru status and his unexpected care of Mia. I loved the "family dinner" at Resting Warrior Ranch and catching up with previous couples. I also laughed out loud at the antics of Al Pacacino, the llama. 

Love, Lies, and the Lyon - E.L. Johnson (Dragonblade - Sept 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 92)
 
Seven years ago, Anastasia Banks ruined herself.
 
On the day of her mother's death, Anastasia had an afternoon of passion with the man she thought she loved. It was a mistake.
 
Between rumpled sheets and a soldier's sneering smile, she realized the man she loved didn't really exist. After throwing away her virtue, she discovered that her mother had died of a fever in her absence. Since then, Anastasia has vowed to protect her younger sister at all costs and to never let such a disreputable man re-enter her life, nor let her sister follow in her footsteps.
 
Years later, Anastasia is a spinster more concerned with her sister's love life than her own. When she discovers that her sister's paramour is the younger brother of the rake who deflowered her, she wants to separate the happy couple immediately. But a polite misunderstanding leads Anastasia to cross paths with Mr. Theodore Hardwicke, one of the most handsome men she's ever seen.
 
Theodore isn't looking for love. But Miss Banks distracts him, when he should be trying to rebuild his family's finances. Openly, he finds her fiercely independent, willful, opinionated, and taciturn. Privately, he finds her willfulness attractive and the flash of her eyes like fire. He just has two problems: his sister's friend, a widow, has taken a liking to him that is beyond the bounds of friendship, and the lovely Miss Banks seems determined to be a spinster.
 
Can Anastasia protect her sister from repeating her past mistake, or will she overlook a good man? Can Theodore convince Miss Banks to end her plans to be a spinster and give love a chance? All is fair game in the Lyon's Den, especially when Mrs. Dove-Lyon is brought in to help.
 
Good story of overcoming past mistakes and finding a happy future. Anastasia fell victim to a smooth-talking soldier who implied marriage but took her innocence and mocked her naiveté instead. Adding to her guilt, her mother died of a sudden fever the same day. She vowed never to trust another man and to do everything possible to protect her younger sister, Betsey, from the same fate.
 
As the book opens, Ana is a spinster who has given up all hope of marriage after her "ruin". Betsey is of marriageable age, full of dreams of romance and happy-ever-after. Ana is very protective of Betsey, which frequently causes them to butt heads. Matters become complicated when Betsey falls for Percy, the younger brother of the man who ruined Ana. Ana, determined to keep them apart, arranges for her and Betsey to visit relatives in London, where she hopes to find more reputable suitors for her sister.
 
Once in London, Ana meets Theo Hardwicke. Their initial encounter is antagonistic, but the sparks of attraction are undeniable. Theo's family has been encouraging him to marry his sister's widowed friend, Mrs. Sherwood, but after meeting Ana, he loses interest.
 
I enjoyed the development of Theo and Ana's relationship. There are plenty of sparks of attraction, but Ana is wary of trusting Theo. There are twists and turns that complicate their growing feelings, from the reappearance of Ana's past to a scheming widow who wants Theo for her own. I liked how Theo supported Ana and how he stood up to his own challenges. The ending was entertaining and brought everything to a satisfying conclusion.
 
Betsey was a spoiled brat through most of the book. I understood her frustration, but her actions could have backfired badly. Though I, too, was suspicious of Percy at the start, his attitude was a pleasant surprise. She grew up some by the end of the book, but she still has a way to go.