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Joss Wood

Author of At the Rancher's Pleasure

86+ Works 447 Members 26 Reviews

Series

Works by Joss Wood

At the Rancher's Pleasure (2021) 19 copies
Christmas with a Billionaire [Anthology 3-in-1] (2014) — Author — 18 copies
In the Line of Fire (2018) 15 copies
Too Much of a Good Thing? (2013) 13 copies
The CEO's Nanny Affair (2017) 13 copies
Claimed by the Warrior (2015) 13 copies
It was Only a Kiss (2013) 11 copies
His Toughest Call (2016) 11 copies
The Rival's Heir (2018) 11 copies
That Night in Texas (2019) 9 copies
His Ex's Well-Kept Secret (2017) 9 copies
Homecoming Heartbreaker (2021) 9 copies
Rich, Rugged Rancher (2019) 8 copies
The Nanny Proposal (2018) 8 copies
More Than a Fling? (2014) 8 copies
Hot Christmas Kisses (2018) 7 copies
Reckless Envy (2020) 7 copies
Lone Star Reunion (2019) 7 copies
Hot Holiday Fling (2020) 7 copies
Taking the Boss to Bed (2015) 7 copies
Unexpectedly Pregnant (2018) 7 copies
One Little Indiscretion (2020) 6 copies
Friendship on Fire (2018) 5 copies
One Night to Forever (2018) 5 copies
Redeemed by Passion (2019) 5 copies
Wrong Brother, Right Kiss (2022) 5 copies
The Secret Heir Returns (2022) 4 copies
Back in His Ex's Bed (2020) 4 copies
Reunited…and Pregnant (2017) 3 copies
Temptation at His Door (2020) 3 copies
Your Bed or Mine? (2014) 3 copies
She's So Over Him (2014) 2 copies
Second Chance Temptation (2019) 2 copies
Proposal in Room 309 (2014) 1 copy
Harlequin KISS September 2014 Bundle (2014) — Author — 1 copy
Lost and Found Heir (2022) 1 copy
Wild About the Man (2013) 1 copy

Associated Works

The CEO's Nanny Affair (2020) — Original Text — 1 copy
Pregnant by the Maverick Millionaire (2021) — Original Text — 1 copy
His Ex's Well-Kept Secret (2023) — Original Text — 1 copy

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Reviews

Ellie and Jack shared decent chemistry, however, their feelings developed quicker than I could buy into, here’s a guy whose burnout on the job has left him supposedly unemotional (there’s little evidence of that in the story, you’re mostly just told that’s the case) and then you have a woman deeply hurt by her last entanglement as well as by her war reporter dad’s absences (same profession as Jack), yet despite their baggage in under a week they were hung up on one another and not much longer after that Ellie threw a life altering ultimatum at this guy who she still barely knew.

It’s not that the issues between them weren’t relevant or didn’t make sense for their characters, they did, including the ultimatum, just not at such a super early stage of a relationship, there was just this constant feeling like someone had hit the fast-forward button on everything romance related.

There were definitely moments I thought were well-written and I appreciated the emotion behind them, particularly a scene when Ellie asserted herself at her bakery, based on that, I wouldn’t hesitate to try another book from this author, it’s just that with this specific book, I couldn’t really get past the pacing issues in the relationship and also, I was kind of disappointed that the unique for Harlequin setting of South Africa didn’t ultimately feel any more unique or detailed than any other random small beach town depiction.
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SJGirl | Aug 8, 2022 |
Good book with two strong-willed personalities. Hayley is a sheriff's deputy who also attends law school. She knew she wanted to be a lawyer from an early age, but her wealthy parents disapproved. Her father wanted her to study business and then run the PR department for the family company, and her mother wanted her to marry and have babies. After a blow-up with her dad, Hayley swore she would do things her way and without daddy's money. She also helps friends with legal advice, being careful she doesn't cross any lines. Her latest efforts include helping an older gentleman resist the pressure of a real estate developer who wants his lakeside land.

Jackson is a billionaire developer who got where he is by going after what he wants. He has plans for a big, mixed-use development at the lake, but he needs that parcel of land. During yet another visit to the property's owner, Jackson runs into Hayley, the person propping up the stubborn property owner.

I loved the first meeting between Hayley and Jackson. The sparks between them practically set the pages on fire. Hayley has difficulty keeping her mind on why she's there but wrenches her mind back where it belongs. Her pride won't let her show that he shakes her up. Jackson is just as drawn to Hayley but hides his attraction by teasing her. He also estimates that he's thirteen years older than she is, which he considers too large an age gap for what he has in mind.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Hayley and Jackson. Neither of them wants a relationship. Jackson saw what his mother's departure did to his father and refused to put himself at risk of that kind of pain. He limits himself to women who have no expectations of anything more. Hayley has been burned by men interested in her money or family connections. She's also had issues with men who think she's too independent, forthright, and "unfeminine."

I laughed at how they admitted they want each other, but Jackson balks at the age difference, and Hayley plans to convince him she knows her mind. They agree to help each other out for the Cattleman's Club Gala by being each other's date, with plans for some after-party shenanigans. Those plans get derailed when Hayley mixes business with pleasure, pushing one of Jackson's hot buttons while his reaction stomps on one of hers. But mutual apologies lead to those shenanigans, and the connection they experience freaks them both out.

Over the next few weeks, Hayley and Jackson find it impossible to stay away from each other. Though both fight their feelings, they suspect it's a losing battle. There are some sweet scenes between them, plenty of hot ones, and more than a few where they battle for control. I loved Jackson's respect for Hayley's determination and independence, even when that same independence ran up against his desires. Things look promising between them as they start coming to terms with their feelings until a misunderstanding drives them apart.

I ached for Jackson because he didn't deserve Hayley's anger. As readers, we see the truth of his plans for the lake property. Hayley jumps to conclusions and says some awful things to Jackson. Both are miserable after a few days apart. I loved Jackson's epiphany while visiting his friend Cammi and baby Pumpkin from An Heir of His Own and what he decided to do about it. Meanwhile, Hayley has an unexpected and eye-opening visit from her parents. I especially loved the conversation between Hayley and her dad, especially this comment from him: "So, what comes next? Are you going to visit with Jackson and ask him for an explanation or do I need to visit with him and remind him that I own a shotgun, a shovel, and sixteen backyards where I can bury his dismembered body parts?" I loved the ending, the honest exchange of feelings with no games or manipulation (though I did enjoy Hayley's attempt at slipping in driving his car and Jackson's response). I look forward to seeing them as secondary characters in later books.

There is some progress in identifying baby Pumpkin from the first book. Hayley and the reporter, Sierra, have been helping each other with the investigation. They bring different abilities to the process, and they work well together. We have an identity for the hospitalized Jane Doe, and the baby and his mother. Questions remain unanswered about who the father is. We also see the return of Rafe Wentworth, Cammi's estranged brother, and get a little bit of his back story. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and see how everything turns out.
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scoutmomskf | Apr 11, 2022 |
A 2021 reread of a favorite holiday anthology.
 
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thebookbabe | Dec 1, 2021 |
Excellent second chance romance and start to the new series. Jameson Holloway, owner of the Moonlight Ridge resort, adopted three boys when they were young. Mack, Grey, and Travis were as close as brothers could be until a devastating accident split them apart. Mack blamed himself, and unable to face the guilt, left home, family, and girlfriend without a word of explanation. Mack and Molly were best friends from the time he was eight years old, their friendship turning to romance when they were teens. Molly was brokenhearted at his desertion.

Fifteen years later, all three sons rarely return to Moonlight Ridge, especially at the same time. But when they receive word that Jameson is ill and must give up his work for at least six months, they agree to return home to help. Each agrees to a two-month stint, with Mack taking the first shift. Mack's reluctance is immediately evident as he faces the memories of the accident and his poor treatment of Molly. Weary of the estrangement with his brothers, Mack vows to find a way to mend fences with them. He also knows that Molly deserves an explanation and an apology.

Molly has always been a part of Moonlight Ridge. Her father was the resort's CFO until he was caught embezzling money but died before he could be prosecuted. After the pain of losing Mack, Molly put herself through school and returned to work at Moonlight Ridge, eventually becoming the manager. Her selfish, manipulative, and lazy mother and two older brothers leech off Molly whenever they can, using a youthful mistake she made to blackmail her into cooperating. Molly thinks of Jameson as a father and will do anything for him, including work with Mack - but she doesn't have to like it.

The first meeting between Mack and Molly was as painful and awkward as each expected. Molly's hurt and anger over Mack's departure burns as hot now as it did fifteen years earlier. They both believe they are over each other, but the sparks that flare between them prove otherwise. As Mack and Molly work together to save the struggling resort, those sparks continue to grow. Though they can't resist giving in to the attraction, both are wary of the intensity. Mack prides himself on the tight control he keeps on his emotions, but that control falls apart when he's around Molly. At the same time, Molly resists her growing feelings for him, unwilling to trust that he won't walk away as he did before.

Complicating the growing feelings for each other, Mack and Molly must deal with running the resort. There are a few clashes between them when their leadership styles differ, but mostly they agree on what must be done. There are a couple of great scenes where Mack's protectiveness kicks in on the job, and it's easy to see that he's struggling with his feelings. When Molly's family starts in on her again, Mack manages to break through Molly's walls and get the whole story. I loved his support of her and his determination to help her break free. But when money turns up missing, Molly's past turns the spotlight on her. Mack makes a boneheaded move in his need for control, although his intentions are good. Understandably hurt and angry, Molly makes her displeasure known and walks away from Mack.

Though he realizes right away how badly he screwed up, a crisis with Jameson delays his chance to make things right. I loved the scene in his hospital room as Molly discovers her secret wasn't so secret after all. That revelation resulted in a satisfying confrontation between Molly and her family, with an added twist from Mack. Mack and Molly finally put their pasts behind them in an emotional reconciliation scene.

There are a few things that look like they continue through the series. First, the missing money and where it went remains unresolved. I look forward to seeing where that goes. Jameson, who drove multiple nurses away during the first part of his recovery, now has his former housekeeper riding herd on him. Jameson and Giada's interactions are a hoot, especially when it comes to his cigars. Last is the estrangement between the three brothers. There was some progress between Mack and Grey by the end of the book, but it seems that Travis is still holding out. I can't wait to see how things work out with them.
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scoutmomskf | 1 other review | Oct 8, 2021 |

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Works
86
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Members
447
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Rating
3.8
Reviews
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ISBNs
320
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