There are not very many romance novels that make me laugh out loud. Giggle? Sure, but not laugh out loud, making the kids look at me, like I am weird, kind-a-laughing. It's In His Arms managed to do just that.
Now don't get me wrong, this novel has many romantic, and steamy hot scenes as well. Not only that, it has very likable, and interesting main characters, who were easy to root for. There is a lot of tension, and without spoiling the book for you, not just the romantic kind, but also a creepy, almost thriller kind, as the female lead faces more than just a potential heartbreak,  but also real danger.
There were times, where I wanted to shout at Lorenda to listen a little more to her male lead, Mitchell, because what seemed to be obvious to him (and me as the reader), she seemed to be oblivious of. Naivete seems to be a trait many romance novel female leads tend to share, and even if it was not as bad wit her, as it is with some of the other books, I have read before, I would have liked her to be a bit more suspicious, especially considering that she had kids to protect as well.

Still, I found this novel overall very entertaining, and charming, as well as fast-paced.

***4.5 Hearts. 

It's In His Arms is the fourth book in the Red River. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. The only other book in the series I have read was It's In His Smile and that is where I was first introduced to Lorenda Lawson. Mother. War Widow. One of the Mommy Mafia women. This is her story and it's complicated, and sexy one...

Lorenda and her two boys have been on their own for the last six years. In reality, it's been longer than that since her husband wasn't home much since he enlisted after graduation. He was only home long enough to get her pregnant twice. He was a SEAL killed in action six years ago and was a hometown hero. Even though Cameron's twin brother, Mitchell was just as honorable as a SEAL over the last fourteen years the town didn't see it that way. He will also be that punk that brought trouble to their small town and now that he was back to mend fences, the town wants him gone. Except for Lorenda and her boys. His nephews. His family. It's been six years since he left town the second time. He would easily do it again if it wasn't for Lorenda, her boys and their safety. Something happened the day he came back and he has a feeling it wasn't over. Someone was after his sister in law and he wasn't leaving until she was safe. And what he didn't expect was that he wanted it to be in his arms. 

Mitchell and Lorenda didn't know what was happening between them. They grew up together. Were always friends. She was married to his twin. She shouldn't feel this way but she can't help it. He makes her nervous, flushed, and wanted. The way he looks at her is not in a sisterly way. It's primal. It's sexy as hell. She has never felt this way before. Not even with Cameron. And she can see that Mitchell is struggling the same way. They both don't want the attachment to ruin what they always had in the past. Friendship. She also doesn't want her boys to get attached because Mitchell is not the type to settle down in one place. She also isn't sure if she could deal with another Alpha Lawson. She has been doing fine over the last six years taking care of herself and the boys. She is a realtor and starting a free music program. It's her dream and with everyone in town believing rumors floating around Mitchell, her dream could be crushed by association. Is getting involved with him worth it or will he just leave once he got bored? 

I loved this story! It's that forbidden type of romance. Small town feeling. Suspense. And sexy times. Mitchell is a protective badass, it's sweet really. He is at a fork in the road. To stay or go back to life he has lived for the past fourteen years. He doesn't know which would be better for Lorenda and his nephews. Trouble seems to follow him and he doesn't want that to affect them in the long run. And Lorenda...she is amazing! She is a kick-ass single mom that has a passion for music. She wants to share that passion and show others that they have it in them too. But it looks like someone is in the way of her happiness. Will they figure it out before it's too late? 

Overall...its fun, sexy, and had its twists and turns. I thought characters were well-developed and so lovable. I mean, even the phone had me cracking up. 

Quotes: 

“Did you mean sex?” Minx purred from her phone. “Because I’m not that kind of girl.”

“I don’t know how to be anything but an alpha ass.” He stopped a breath away from her. “Especially when it comes to your safety.”

“I’ve had to keep the lingerie to myself,” she said in a sex-kitten voice. “Until now, the only men who have seen it are Ben and Jerry.”

Lorenda Lawson is Red River Valley's darling. Good girl, married the town's golden boy who went to war and came back in a box and she has struggled to raise his sons and build a good life form them all by herself, much to the admiration of everyone. 

Mitch Lawson. Teenage hell-raiser and delinquent, who the town was glad to see the back of when he left to join the military. After staying away for so many years, he's back to repair his damaged relationship with his father and make amends to the town, as well as get to know his brother's family. But not everyone is pleased that he's back and someone is determined to drive him back out by sabotaging his efforts even before he begins.

Lorenda has had it with being left behind emotionally and physically and her growing feelings for her late husband's twin need to be nipped in the bud because he won't stay, too and she can't let her boys get attached to someone who will abandon them when the urge to wander hits him. Mitch always liked Lorenda but he stepped back when his brother staked a claim. How can he convince her to open her heart up to him when he's torn between leaving to avoid the hostility from the town and staying to keep Lorenda and the boys safe from the trouble that his return has brought them?

Right from the beginning of this book, the author found my hot button issues with small towns and then pushed them. Hard! And what could these issues be, you ask? Well, labels and close-mindedness. Good, bad, troublesome, trash, I could go on and on. Labels that define young people even after they grow beyond that stage and oftentimes, labels that are hard to get past because most people can't be bothered to expand their thinking.

Lorenda's late husband, Cameron was the good twin and he worked that label hard but a lot of the revelations show a young man who was obsessed with what people thought about him and dedicated himself to living up to those impressions, even at a cost to his twin. Mitch was branded as troublesome, which he no doubt was, but everything that went wrong became his fault and the town made no effort to see that there was more to the story because it was easier to blame him. For Lorenda, being the town sweetheart meant she was blindsided by the backlash when she stuck up for him. 

In spite of my rant above, IT'S IN HIS ARMS was a very enjoyable, sweet story with romance, humor and a bit of mystery and their supportive friends were the second best part of the story for me, after Lorenda, Mitch and the boys. It's pretty obvious my sympathies lay with Mitch all the way and I liked that as the secrets came out, the town stepped up to make things right with Mitch. 

This is the fourth book in the series and it would interesting to catch up on the previous books.

Mitchell returns to Red River after his stint in the military and hopes to reconnect with his family who he's distanced himself from since his rebellious teenage years. The problem is, is that his father wants nothing to do with him and blames him for the death of his other son Cam, who was also in the military, was killed in action and who happens to be Mitchell's twin. 

Lorenda has tried to make a nice life for herself since the death of her husband and father of her children Cam was killed in action. Lorenda and Cam didn't have the best of marriages nor was he the best father to her two children, but regardless he was missed. 

A series of unfortunate events lead Lorenda and Mitchell to grow close and along the way their feelings escalate and become more, but the people of Red River do not forgive Mitchell for the trouble he caused in his younger years and blame him for Cam's death even though he wasn't involved.

This was a good story. I liked that the two were able to find comfort in one another, but it was weird in that Mitchell was a twin and kind of came in and took over his brother's life. Overall, this was a good read and had a mystery behind it as well.

This was quite riveting and a good romance.  I enjoyed it but just couldn't quite connect to the heroine.  I loved her passion for music and her program and I loved what she was doing and her relationships with her father in law and her kids but I just couldn't quite get totally invested in her journey.

I found this to just be OK. I did finish it but the writing did not engage me the way I would have liked. I did download another book from the author to give her another chance. I have not read it yet.

This is the first book that I have read from this author, therefore the first Red River Valley book. I don't have a very good impression of Red River Valley. Most small town series showcase friendly, warm people, but the Red River Valley community seems to be not very friendly, harsh and judgemental. 

Lorenda is a military widow with two young boys. No one seems to be aware that their marriage was not what it seemed and her husband, Cameron, not the town hero they remember him as. Still she has a good relationship with her family and in-laws. Her husband was a twin, and his brother, Mitchell, was for some inexplicable reason always blamed for the mischief of the two. Taking the blame for a fire that Cam accidentally started, Mitch was forced by their father into joining the military right after high school graduation, but out of guilt Cam followed him. Along the way he married Lorenda, fathered 2 boys, but never wanted to come home. Their father and most of the town blame Mitch for Cam's death.

The story starts with Lorenda being attacked by a mugger at the same time that Mitchell comes home at his mother's request to try to reconcile with his father. Mitch realizes that something is not right; that Lorenda is in danger and he feels it his duty to protect her and his nephews, even though he has come to hate the town and has a lucrative job offer elsewhere. He had also been attracted to Lorenda when they were young, but had stepped aside for his brother. Now that he is back the attraction flares between them. While a number of suspicious fires are set, the town holds Mitch responsible. Lorenda knows his secrets, but Mitch has threatened to leave if she tells, as the truth would be bad for his father's heart. 

There is humor, romance, danger and intrigue. I very much enjoyed reading this book.

Sweet topical story of love and redemption in a small town- all the ingredients for a nice read on a snowy afternoon.  I very much enjoyed this.  Lorenda and Mitchell are both well written, as are the rest of the characters.  The secrets we deal with can sometimes crush us and sometimes make us better and stronger, as is the case here.  Thanks to netgalley for the ARC- this is a good one.

It's In His Arms by Shelly Alexander
“Romance with a mix of mystery, 5 star”


There are so many things I want to say about It’s In His Arms, but I don’t want to give too much away. What I can easily say is your heart will hurt for the Heroine Lorenda and you'll want her to finally get a man she deserves. Mitchell is the misunderstood reformed bad boy you'll want to come out on top. The two could be explosive if they can navigate the landmines set up before them.
Lorenda is a war widow with two small children. She married her high school sweetheart young and that's about where her Happily Ever After ends. I realize not all marriages are all sun shine and roses, and I get the not being able to connect after where he's been and what he's seen. My husband is military, I get it more than most. But her deceased husband was a disgrace. Leaving her to decide after hes passed not to even try a relationship until her boys are grown. Lorenda puts her kids first like most parents try to do. Until Mitchell comes back into town.
Mitchell.. oh, Mitchell... He’s rough around the edges and trying to make amends. Which is hard when your father chased you out of town which lead to whole different set of events. So he’s home and trying to prove to everyone that he isnt the trouble maker he always was. But only one other person knows who he is and she knows all his teenage secrets, Lorenda.
In It’s In His Arms you have a ton of turns with a touch of mystery/ suspense. Will Mitchell and Lorenda be able to find out who’s trying to frame Mitchell and hurt her? Will the town finally accept Mitchell and a productive member of the town? Small towns function a little different and Red River Valley is no different.
Here are two quotes that I loved from It’s In His Arms;
“He had a chest full of medals that meant nothing to him. But somehow being the front-runner for the Asshole of the Year Award meant everything, especially if his help ended up hurting her in the long run.”
“That kiss gave her courage, made her feel loved and desirable and not alone anymore .”
Plot- 5/5
Characters- 5/5
Heat- 4/5
Writing style- 5/5
Overall- 5/5
**SBR reviews**

This was the first book I have read by Shelly Alexander and it will not be my last! I read this novel as a standalone and will definitely will be reading the first three books in the Red River Valley series! Smooth writing and filled with a blend of romance and suspense to keep you intrigued!

I loved this love story.  One of the best I read in 2016.  These chracters found each other in their love

I have truly enjoyed every book in this series and they only get better. We met Lorenda back in a previous book she is the wife of a military man with two sons. The problem? Her husband doesn't want to come back and she has hidden the truth from so many and then he is killed in action. The twin brother is now back which is her best friend but things go all kinds of wrong. 

Mitchell is the town bad boy or at least that is what he has allowed them to believe. However he didn't realize his best friend knew and allowed him to keep his secret until that one day she cannot. 

These two have protected each other all their lives now can they save each other?

This couple belonged together but heart and love for one kept them apart. This story is truly heartwarming, and oh so sexy too. Loved it!!

Oh my, loved this book!! A story full of humor, love, family and plenty of romance.  I enjoyed this small town of Red River. Lorenda, a young widow raising her two little boys the best that she can, when she was mugged. Her deceased husband's twin brother comes to the rescue. Cam was a soldier, and has always felt responsible for the death of his twin has returned to town to help make amends with his family and the town.  Now he going to protect Lorenda, the only available place is the apartment attached to her house. The little boys of course want Cam as their new dad, can they fight off the chemistry with a marriage of convenience. 

 Loved, loved this story. Great characters that I fell in love with. The humor will have you laughing out loud. I highly recommend this book!!

Sometimes all you need is a sweet romance. Add in some light angst and suspense and you will not be able to put the book down. That is what It’s In His Arms by Shelly Alexander was for me. 

Lorenda Lawson is okay being alone if it means a safe and happy home for her children. They mean everything to her and she would sacrifice anything for them, even being lonely. She has her friends and family, a good solid community behind her and a decent job.

Then Mitchell Lawson comes home. Mitchell the town hell-raiser who joined the military rather than going to juvie after a local business burns down. And the twin brother of the husband who was killed while serving his country. Her husband, the town hero, who wanted nothing to do with her or their two children. 

Mitchell Lawson is back home, the last place he wants to be, but knows it’s finally time to make amends with his family and community. But no one, including his father, wants him home. No one, but the one woman he should not want, his brother’s widow, and two nephews. 
Mitchell harbors secrets that could easily mend his ties within the community, but revealing those secrets may beak the people he cares about. He does not want to take that risk. So instead he takes baby steps, but is it too late? 

Lorenda suffered rejection at the hand of one Lawson twin, the last thing she needed was to fall for the other. But when it seems she is in danger, Mitchell steps up to protect her. But will it cost her too much to stand by him? 

This really was a sweet story about love and redemption. About coming home and finding where you belong. I loved how the kids played matchmakers and how their bond grew and as the community lashed out at them. Sometimes all you need is that one person to believe in you. 

There was also a bit of angst, as Mitchell was the town bad boy and twin brother of the town hero, but that was handled really well. Sometimes it’s just about the here and now. The added suspense of who was behind Lorenda’s attacks and the recent strings of arson added to the angst as well and though you quickly figure out who is behind it, it kept me interested in the story.  

I really loved the way the author told this story and kept us drawn in and invested. I plan on reading the other books in the series. (Side note, these are interconnected standalones, so you do not have to read the other books first. I did not and never felt lost.) 

I give It’s In His Arms by Shelly Alexander 4-stars.

Shelly Alexander's Red River Series continues with It's In His Arms and can be read as a standalone apart from the others. However, I recommend reading the other books in the series too. 

In this book, we meet Lorenda, who is a widow with two boys after their father (Cameron) was killed. Cameron was a SEAL along side his twin brother Mitchell. Lorenda has decided she wants nothing to do with Alpha males anymore as it been too hard to cover for Cameron not wanting to return home, before he was killed. 

Mitchell, the black sheep of the family as he was the fall guy for all of Cameron's pranks as teenagers returns home to Red River to make peace with his father and the rest of the community. Mitchell is strong, but has survivor's guilt regarding Cameron's death. 

Something bad is going down in Red River and it all surrounds Lorenda and her kids being targeted. Mitchell arrives in town just in time to help Lorenda, but at the same time ends up putting her in more danger. 

Much to Mitchell's father dismay, Mitchell moves into Lorenda's over garage apartment to watch over her and the kids. Lorenda doesn't want to be attracted to him, but can't deny the attractions that are surfacing. Things go crazy from there as they both try to fight it, but are thrown into a situation and decisions must be made. 

Can Mitchell protect Lorenda and the kids without getting involved? Who is causing all the problems and for what reason do they want to hurt or scare Lorenda?

Book 4 of Red River Series
Characters: Lorenda is strong and independent as she tries to make a life for herself and her kids. Mitchell is hot, sexy, Alpha male with a strong sense of protection, but needs to resolve the guilt of losing his twin brother. 
Heat: Sizzling 
Storyline: Suspenseful, passionate, sexy, excellently written and paced. 

5 Koala Paws

I seriously do not know where to begin this review. Saying “I really loved this book” seems like a lame beginning to a review, but I REALLY loved the 'sierra' out of this book. (That's a reference you'll get if you read the book.) The entire Red River Valley Series has been great, and I had a favorite book/couple that I was sure would remain my favorite, but Mitchell and Lorenda snuck up gently and booted them out of the top spot.

It seems so strange to say that I laughed my way through a book that deals with serious subjects such as a widow and brother protecting a dead soldier's legacy and mysteriously dangerous goings on in town, but Ms. Alexander so brilliantly combined the seriousness of the issues with incredible laugh out loud humor. Not a lot of authors can do this successfully, but this one is spot on.

Lorenda is a widow with two adorable boys and a dead husband who left behind a legacy that isn't quite as perfect as everyone thinks. Mitchell lost his twin brother to war, his hometown and his father's love to misunderstandings and a small-town's viciousness. One of the only people in Red River who didn't turn their back on him was Lorenda, his twin brother's widow. The story of how Lorenda and Mitchell come together is sweet, funny, and at times agonizing. My heart ached for both of them as they worked through the issues around Cameron's death and legacy, and even though the idea of a woman getting together with the twin of her dead husband sounds like an odd premise that should be really awkward, I promise you that it 100% works here. The chemistry between these two is off the charts hot, but they also connect on a deeper level, it isn't all about the sexual tension. There's also a bit of intrigue in this book that was really interesting. I don't want to say too much about it, but it was a nice addition to this book without being over the top. 

Although there were so many things in this book that were wonderful (the mommy mafia, the hysterical and naughty Francine & Clydelle) one of my favorite things in the book was a moment that involved stargazing, Lorenda reconciling her feelings about Cam, and a seriously beautiful conversation. Again, I won't spoil anything, but this scene resonated with me enough that I actually finished the book and then went back to re-read that part even though it was 1:30 am and I really needed to be asleep. 

This book is fourth in the RRV series, but it can absolutely stand alone. There is nothing in this novel that you *have* to have read the others to understand, but you really should because they're really good and because there are a lot of cameos in this that are that much sweeter when you know the backstories of the characters. That said, having read the previous books, it was very hard for me to read how the people of RR were treating Mitchell. I actually found myself disappointed in a fictional town. 

I know that Ms. Alexander has started a new series away from Red River Valley (which I also am enjoying), but I hope that we'll see more from Red River in the future because I would love to see Langdon get his HEA. 

I requested and was granted an ARC of this book through NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a review or to pre-order the book, I did both happily because I enjoyed it that much.

I am a big fan of romance books especially second chance romances. I go crazy for military/ex-military heroes.  I’m a bigger fan of mysteries.  I love them all and can’t get enough.  Put these components together, you can’t go wrong, in my opinion, and you have me hooked.  That’s what I love about It’s In His Arms. It is a little of everything I love.

It’s In His Arms by Shelly Alexander is the story of a single mom, Lorenda Lawson.  Her husband, Cameron, a SEAL, is killed in action leaving her to raise their two sons alone.  Unfortunately, for Lorenda, Cam deserted her emotionally long before his death, and that hurt more than anything.  Lorenda doesn’t date because she doesn’t want her boys to get attached to someone who might leave them and she doesn’t believe her heart can handle the pain of rejection again.

Out of the blue, Mitchell Lawson, Cam’s twin comes home and stirs up all the feelings she has trapped inside.  Lorenda knows it is silly to get to attached to Mitchell because, like Cam, he will leave. There are so many similarities between the twins and so many differences that sparks fly.  He is a SEAL and carves the adventure.  He doesn't like to be in one place and the military offers him his only option.  Regrettably, Lorenda can’t help herself.  Mitch has always been her friend and the "bro code" didn’t allow him to get closer once Cam made his interest known. 

Mitch comes to town just in time to witness Lorenda getting knocked down and her suitcase stolen.  It feels off to him and his six sense, from years of military service, warns him she is in danger.  From what, though?  Mitch, the protector, gets closer to Lorenda while the small town they call home becomes suspicious and remembers his youthful hijinks. 

The characters are perfect together.  The chemistry between the two main characters is hot, hot, hot. The romance grows appropriately and gets the reader in their corner.

Lorenda is a determined woman and a good mother.  She gives up a lot to be a good mother to her boys, and she is happy to do so.  She loves them unconditionally.  She is also a talented musician.  Her goal before motherhood is to be a music teacher, but that goal changes when she drops out of college.  Instead of teaching Lorenda’s new dream is to start a music program for the kids.  Her plans are coming to fruition, and the energy and joy of music is flowing back in her bones.  

Mitchell is a good guy but misunderstood by most of the town.  His father hates him unjustly, and his mother misses him.  He wants to make reparations for his past, but small towns have long memories even if the memories aren’t entirely correct.  Mitchell is pulled between leaving his hometown that is full of bad memories and staying to protect his family. 

 I quickly guess who is behind all the trouble, but several unexpected twists add interest to the story.  It’s In His Arms is told in the third person which works well in the telling of this story.  I enjoy stories featuring thirty-somethings.  There is a little more maturity in their actions even when they make wrong decisions.  It's In His Arms is part of the Red River Valley series.  I haven’t read any of the other books yet, and I didn’t feel lost or missing any information about the main characters or the story line. 

By the end of the book, I’m sure I know which couples are featured in the other books in this series.  I’m looking forward to getting them and learning the backstory for the group.  It’s In His Arms is a perfect introduction to Shelly Alexander’s writing and it has me looking forward to more of her tales.

Favorite Quotes:

An odd little guy with a doting mother who cut his meat for him until he was sixteen.  Because kids could be mean, he’d been nicknamed Bart the Fart after an untimely sneezing attack in the midst of a full lunchtime crowd on pinto-bean day.

She… had been celibate so long that her idea of a good time was setting her cell phone to vibrate, putting it in her front pocket, and calling herself from the landline.

Maureen sat behind the reception desk wearing a red t-shirt that said, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, reload and try again.’

He took a sip of lemonade, and God in Heaven, it was laced with vodka… ‘That’s our version of afternoon delight.’  Francine smiled.  ‘It’s all we have to look forward to at our age.’  Clydelle lifted her glass.  ‘This and engine-washing day at the fire station during the summer.  Those nice firefighters are so fit… They do take their shirts off when it’s hot.’  

Forever is a long time… So let’s go home and get started on it.

My Review:

Shelly Alexander has graced us with yet another crafty, finely honed, and highly amusing addition to her Red River Valley series with It’s In His Arms.   I relished this entertaining and well-written story from start to finish.  Deliciously packed with family drama, clever humor, sensual steam, contemporary romance, and a dash of intrigue and suspense; this enticing tale involves an unpopular hometown boy/returning SEAL veteran who is attempting to make amends while visiting his gossipy and small-minded small town.  The writing was witty, observant, relevant, heart-squeezing, smirk-inducing, and near perfection.  I remained invested and engaged from page one, and sighed with contentment upon completion.  However, I find I am now completely dissatisfied with my cell phone and service and have a strong desire to sign up for Lorenda’s frisky OS provider, the system I use is far too boring by comparison.

I really enjoyed getting lost in Shelly's Red River Valley world. Lorenda is trying to raise 2 boys on her own and her marriage wasn't what people of the town or her family thought it was. She is trying to move on and forget the sadness of her marriage.  In comes town bad boy, her former brother-in-law, Mitchell. And like when they were younger, Lorenda could see past his bad boy image.  People of the town and his own father only see the bad boy image that has followed Mitchell all these years, despite his service to his country.

Lorenda doesn't want her boys to get attached to Uncle Mitchell and she doesn't want to get attached to him either, however, circumstances have put them together and under the same roof! (It's going to get good when they have to spend time together!!) Mitchell doesn't want to see anything happen to Lorenda or her boys and his spidey senses are up with these guys.  He can't walk away from them, but he too is trying to be cautious.  He's always adored Lorenda, but didn't pursue her after his brother began dating her.  Those feelings never went away, he just never acted on them.  This time around he's trying to be the good guy and then go back to his life, yet there is a pull between them they can't ignore.  

Their story was sweet, sexy, a bit alarming and oh-so-great to get lost in! Shelly does a great job of giving her reader all the feels. I definitely recommend grabbing this book!

Ms. Alexander is a new to me author.  I chose it because the back cover sounded interesting.  The story proved to be sweet and heartwarming even if it's a much used trope about twins and the woman who can tell them apart. 

Mitchell Lawson is much maligned. Growing up in a small town and one of a twin he ended up being the bad guy while his brother walked on water and won the one girl they both admired. As it turns out Mitchell is the responsible twin. Back in town, drawn to his brother's widow and two children he going to have to walk the gamut of the small town suspicion to find out who's targeting his sister-in-law and keep her safe. Along the way the hot monkey sex is a bonus. 

A few interesting twists and turns a lot of human element and small town gossip made this a cute short read.