Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 25

Book Review: Rebellion (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

Scotland, 1745. Against the bloody background of the Battle of Culloden, another war was waged and won the price was honor, the victory, love.

Scottish beauty Serena MacGregor’s hatred of all English began as a child when she watched as a band of Englishmen attacked her mother. Her brother’s friend Brigham Langston was no exception to Serena’s loathing despite his supposed loyalty to the Scottish causeand his good looks.

Although Brigham eventually proves himself worthy of the MacGregor family’s respect, Serena is still reluctant to abandon her hatred for him and his heritage. But Brigham has other plans. Serena has captivated him with her beauty, her passion for life and commitment to her beliefs and he refuses to let her antagonistic attitude keep him from winning her. And Serena must learn to open her mind as Brigham opens his heart to see the true love awaiting her.

My Thoughts

A glimpse into the past of highlands of Scotland leaves you with the impression of where the MacGregor line began. The rich history, the battles, the cause, and the sacrifices of a people who fought hard, is the heart of the book.

Serena MacGregor is stubborn, prideful, and with reason, full of hate for the English. When Brigham arrives with her brother Coll, she has a strong distaste for him. She has many suitors but wants none of them. She can’t see herself marrying any of them and longs to join the ranks of the men. Sitting and waiting is frustrating to her. They call her the wildcat.

Brigham Langston is Lord of Ashburn and has wealth, respect of his men, and fights with the heart of a Scott. Brig is English but his grandmother was a MacDonald. He fights with the scots and for the bonny prince. With many battles with the sword, he wields another with his heart. Taken by Serena, he finds her fascinating and not altogether like the french women he’s used to.

I really enjoyed this story and I loved Scotland’s history in the eyes of the MacGregors. The motivations, the emotions, the drive. It really brought it to me in picture. I could see this as a movie. To see the fight, love, and the carnage. Nora did an amazing job of it and Serena and Brigham’s story was epic and one for the ages. I can see the traits of the characters in all the other books.

Book Review: For Now, Forever (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

Anna — Daniel’s wife of forty years — relives her remarkable courtship, when meddlesome matchmaking patriarch and self-made millionaire Daniel MacGregor faced his biggest challenge: to convince the love of his life to marry him! Here at last is the story of how Daniel wooed and won the fiercely independent Anna Whitfield and launched his formidable dynasty. Fiercely dedicated medical student Anna Whitfield couldn’t have been less suited to become Daniel MacGregor’s submissive, heir-producing wife even if she’d tried. So why was the arrogant self-made millionaire moving heaven and earth to prove she was his perfect mate?

My Thoughts

After reading the first four MacGregor books, including his children and their family ties, it was delightful to be able to see Daniel and Anna’s story. The man in the first four books was the father, the patriarch, the family man. Getting a glimpse inside of who he was as a young man, shows who he is at the core. Where he came from. To see a man with confidence in spades get tongue-tied and question himself over Anna was rewarding. He was put in his place several times and I laughed about it each time.

In contrast to his funny side, I finally understand his need to continue his family line. You get a glimpse of his past and understand his need for it. His insistence on it. I loved getting the image of the land before the big castle was built. His vision, his explanation of what he wanted to leave behind for the future MacGregors.

I loved seeing Anna as a young adult going after her medical degree. Seeing Myra before she became Ditmeyer. To see their friendship was really special. Anna’s first loss as a medical worker made me cry. It shows the kind of doctor she turned into.

Seeing Daniel and Anna’s love story was so sweet and eye-opening. Nora has the ability to show the humanity, the flaws, and that pushing past fear and scars can lead to beautiful things. Sharing a life and a family together shows what they could have missed out on. So far, this has been my favorite in the MacGregor series. On to the next…

Book Review: One Man’s Art (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

Cartoonist Grant Campbell has shunned the outside world, preferring to live and work alone–until a storm brings artist Genevieve Grandeau to the door of his lighthouse. Gruff and guarded, he offers her shelter for one night, never expecting how the glamorous beauty will affect the rest of his days…

My Thoughts

Gennie goes to the coast of Maine seeking solitude and a place to paint. Getting out of New Orleans, she wanted to escape the noise, the life she led, and pain. Renting a cabin from a woman in town, she sets off in Windy Point excited for a new journey. In a storm, her car breaks down and she walks in the dark until she comes to a lighthouse where she meets Grant Campbell.

Grant a loner who reveals little to nothing about himself. Rude and irritable, he is annoyed with her. Gennie is drawn to his cliff where she can look out at the ocean and paint. Every day she goes there to paint and Grant is annoyed. More than annoyed with her disruption.

I really enjoyed seeing a character that isn’t in the MacGregor family but has close ties. I found this story to be one of my favorites. It was endearing and lovely and full of angst.

Book Review: All the Possibilities (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

Former First Daughter, and current potter/shop owner Shelby Campbell is wary of U.S. Senator Alan MacGregor’s attention. She knows all too well what life in the public eye is like, and the life of a politician. But Alan is persistent. He’s determined to win her over and show her that their future is worth all the potential drawbacks.

My Thoughts

Shelby Campbell is a free spirit and lives her life as she chooses. With skills of entertaining a crowded party of politicians, she meets Alan MacGregor. Shelby’s father was a politician and because of what happened to him, she has no interest in dating anyone in that arena.

Alan is a man who gets what he wants. A politician who works hard and isn’t afraid to make his feelings for Shelby known. Breaking down barriers and admitting that life can be terrifying, the fall is sweet.

More from the MacGregor series and I’m loving it. I’m excited to see them get married and start their families. I’m looking forward to the next book and seeing what Nora has in store for us.

Book Review: Tempting Fate (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

A #1 New York Times Bestselling AuthorAttorney Caine MacGregor had a reputation for being a demon in the courtroom – and in the bedroom. He yearned to break down Diana Blade’s icy wall of control and release the passionate woman within. When he offered Diana a partnership – in both business and pleasure – could he entice her to risk everything for the love of a MacGregor?

My Thoughts

Diana, Justin Blade’s sister comes for a visit. Unknowing to Justin that she has arrived, she struggles to find a way to break the ice. After all their lives have grown apart, she finally visits after Serena’s invitation. Curiosity got the better of her. When she arrives, she meets Caine who happens to live in Boston and shares the same profession as her. Fate seems to have played a part and she finds herself struggling to thwart his attention toward her. After several attempts to break her down and bring her to the truth of her feelings, they seem to be going head to head.

Daniel MacGregor seems happy and content to make his want for children and grandchildren known. I love his persistence and his arrogance.

I am enjoying the MacGregor Clan and am looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Alan. Nora is skilled in keeping the story going and it was nice to see what Serena and Justin had been up to since the first book ended.

Book Review: Playing the Odds (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

The cards were stacked, though neither of them knew it. Serena MacGregor’s father left nothing to chance when he sent Justin Blade — part Comanche and all gambler — on a Caribbean cruise. His daughter was evading her responsibility to produce grandchildren by working as a blackjack dealer on the CELEBRATION. Odds were they’d meet.

Serena’s father had his hopes riding on what would happen when they did. Win, lose or draw, they were meant for each other, proving indisputably in this case that lucky in cards did not mean unlucky in love.

My Thoughts

Blade meets Serena after being urged by her father to take a cruise. At first, he doesn’t know that it’s Daniel MacGregor’s daughter. Pursuing her on his own accord, he quickly finds out who she is. Amused, he keeps it to himself as he starts to break down her walls. As they begin a match of connection, she finds that her father’s attempts to bring them together doesn’t suit her pride. Blade offers her a job as a manager of his Atlantic City hotel to keep her in his life. When she accepts, they fall in love. Trouble stirs when things get heated.

The MacGregor family shows a bond that is unique to their clan. I’m looking forward to finding out more about the MacGregor Clan. This was a good story and I always enjoy that mystery and suspense wrapped around a whirlwind romance.

Book Review: Swipe Right for a Cowboy by Karen Foley

They’re wrong for each other, but nothing has ever felt so right

Uptown girl Emmaline Claiborne needs a man, and not just any man. She needs the kind of man who can make her lying, cheating, no-good ex-boyfriend insane with jealousy. The same ex-boyfriend who is now engaged to her sister, and whose extravagant wedding she must suffer through in just three weeks’ time.

She selects the perfect candidate through an online dating app, but instead of the smooth, sophisticated software magnate she expects, a rugged cowboy shows up instead. He’s the complete opposite of everything Emma is looking for. In fact, he’s exactly the kind of man she swore to her Texas ranching family she would never fall for.

Which makes Cort Channing kinda perfect. Only before the weekend is over, Emma finds herself wishing she could keep her fake boyfriend, spurs, chaps, and all. Can this committed city girl take the biggest chance of her life, and swipe right for a cowboy?

My Thoughts

Emmaline sits at a bar to meet a guy she met online but in walks a cowboy to tell her that he date wouldn’t be showing up. They share a drink with each other and he invites her to the rodeo that weekend. Emma’s plan was to invite her date to her sister’s wedding to her ex. Instead, she has to decide what to do. She asks the cowboy if he’ll join her because he’s the last thing her family would expect of her.

Cort has reservations about pretending to be her date for the wedding, but he’s attracted to her and agrees. When they arrive the chemistry between them is more than either of them can handle. He’s got some secrets that come out and her family are furious for the deception.

I enjoyed the chemistry between them and the real emotions they shared. It seemed real rather than forced. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Book Review: Her Billionaire Rancher Boss by Genevieve Turner

She’s handed in her resignation—but this wealthy rancher has another position in mind…

In three months, Pilar Lopez will be free: free of the charity she’s always had to take from the Merrill family, free to live where she wants, free to be her own person. The secretarial job Benedict Merrill gave her five years ago has allowed her to support her younger brother and she’s indebted to the wealthy rancher. But soon her brother will be on his own and she’ll leave the tempting Benedict—and her powerful attraction to him—behind forever.

When she hands in her resignation, Benedict reveals plans of his own—ones that involve Pilar in his bed. She can handle a three month affair, no sweat. But when she starts to fall for Benedict, will she be able to handle loving him for always?

My Thoughts

Pilar works for Benedict Murrill who she feels has given so much charity to her family that she feels suffocated. She’s ready to go out and do something for herself and earn her own way. So, she hands him a letter of resignation and gives him plenty of time to hire a new assistant and train them. Three months is surely enough time. Only when she gives him the resignation letter, he’s pissed and hurt.

In her mind, he’s always been nothing but professional and aloof when it comes to her. All of a sudden he’s taking an interest in her and proposes they move to something more outside of the office. Off guard, she thinks it’s ridiculous at first. He’s doing it to keep her around.

Things get heated and he continues to fix things and pay for things while showing her a side of him she’s never seen. Cute and sexy and a little sweet.

Book Review: Redemption by T.K. Leigh

Everyone deserves a second chance, but not for the same mistake. At least according to Brooklyn Tanner. Over the course of their long, complicated friendship, she’s given Andrew Brinks more than enough chances. What has she received in return? Heartache. Pain. Agony.

But also love, as cruel and beautiful as it’s always been between them.

Can she put herself through that again? Can she risk giving Drew her heart, only to learn he’s the same man he’s always been? She’s unsure, her head and heart engaged in a tumultuous tug-of-war.

When outside circumstances threaten Drew’s family, will Brooklyn finally put aside the grief of her past to offer him the support, and perhaps love, he needs? Or was their fate sealed all those years ago when Drew had no choice but to betray her?

My Thoughts

The second in the series was just as angsty and emotional as the first with many more complications and obstacles thrown in.

I enjoyed watching Brook and Wes work out their issues and even have some heartfelt conversations that needed to be had.

I enjoyed watching Brook and Drew finally express the secrets they held and realize the importance of being transparent. There were so many mistakes between them, but with trust and honesty, things changed.

The theme of deserving a second chance was very central to the storylines of the characters in this book. Loved it.

Book Review: Commitment by T.K. Leigh

She’s my sister’s best friend.
She thinks I’ve never noticed her.
She couldn’t be more wrong.
Now I just need to prove it to her…before she walks down the aisle.

Brooklyn Tanner and Andrew Brinks have a long history…one she wants nothing more than to forget. Considering he’s her best friend’s brother and single father to two amazing girls who mean the world to her, it’s almost impossible.

When the man she’s been dating proposes, she thinks it’s exactly what she needs to finally close this chapter of her life. After all, over sixteen years have passed since she gave Andrew Brinks her heart, only for him to destroy it. Why should that matter now?

But it matters to Drew.

When he learns of her engagement, he realizes he has a decision to make. Does he finally tell Brooklyn the truth of what happened all those years ago? Or does he watch her marry another man to protect her from enduring any more pain?

My Thoughts:

This book was full of angst and it was an emotional rollercoaster.

Drew knows that his sister’s best friend has always thought that’s he didn’t notice her, but she was wrong. He’s always had feelings for her but he wasn’t able to tell her why he’d left and why he’d kept his distance. Now, he’s the single father of two girls and his hockey career is behind him. He’s a coach and that suits him. He still has Brooklin in his life but he’s about to lose her to a man she’s engaged to.

Brook dates Wes and feels like he’s what is right for her. He’s never hurt her and he’s never lied. The only problem is that she still holds a torch for Drew.

I loved this book and bought this series because it was that good. It had just the right amount of angst and desperation to keep you wanting to read more.