Healing a Heart by Amy Lillard – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway
Healing a Heart
Cattle Creek series – Book #2
by Amy Lillard
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository
Description:
As cowboys, the Langston brothers of Cattle Creek, Texas, know it’s easy to mend a fence. Mending a broken heart, however, takes time…
Rancher Jake Langston prides himself on being the sensible type. But five years after the loss of his wife left him to raise their daughter alone, he indulges in a one-night stand with a sexy stranger. He thought he’d never see the woman again. Four months later, though, she’s standing in his drive with a big surprise.
Bryn Talbot wants nothing from the hunky cowboy who got her pregnant, but her Southern nature demands she at least tell him about it. When Jake’s family persuades her to stay for a while, she’s soon won over by their charms—and by Jake. But with the losses the two of them have suffered in the past, neither is sure if they’re ready to take the leap to forever…
Review:
Healing a Heart by Amy Lillard is the 2nd book in her Cattle Creek series. This is a romantic story revolving around two people who each have their own heartbreaking issues, and their one night stand that changes their lives.
Bryn Talbot arrives in Cattle Creek, Texas to visit Jake Langston and make him aware that she is pregnant from their one night stand months ago. She wants nothing from Jake, only to give him the courtesy to make him aware that she is having a child. Jake at first was very rude and told her to have an abortion. He lost his wife 5 years ago, and lives on his ranch with his mother, grandmother and adorable little girl, Wesley. It will take some convincing from the mother and grandmother to get Bryn to stay a few weeks and get to know the Langston family. Jake, who blames himself for his wife’s death during childbirth, slowly regrets his treatment to Bryn. He will do everything to try and make her see she should marry him and bring the children up in Texas. Bryn begins to enjoy being surrounded by a wonderful family, especially young Wesley, who is a treasure; but she fears becoming too close to members of a family, after the death of her younger sister.
In a short time, both Bryn and Jake being to have feelings for each other, but their stubbornness at times were annoying. Bryn was determined not to stay in Texas, due to her fears, despite Jake giving her the promise of a wonderful life. Jake was really nice after the early start, but along the way, when he couldn’t convince Bryn to marry him, he makes a decision that would destroy all trust between them.
What follows was a sweet story of family, love and romance. Wesley was such an adorable child, and she is the catalyst that will eventually bring Bryn and Jake together. Bryn sees the good in Jake, and that he meant well in his earlier decision, and she decides to stay and marry him, knowing it is the best thing for all of them. Within a short period, both Jake and Bryn will put the past behind them, and their romance will blossom into full blown true love. I loved the Langston family, and there is so much more to come from the other siblings. Healing a Heart was a wonderful touching romantic story, with some great family dynamics, and great characters. I suggest you read the Cattle Creek series.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
Cowboy Wisdom; Cowboy Wise
When I first started this post, my thought was to share some cowboy wisdom with you. But as I started collecting idioms and other nuggets of insight, one name kept popping up again and again, Will Rogers. Will Rogers who died in a plane crash in 1935. Will Rogers who was one of the greatest political sages this country has ever known. Will Rogers who was born just up the road from where I live now.
Here are some of his more colorful sayings:
There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back.
Yes, he said these things back in the 1920s, and yet I can hear my contemporary cowboy heroes saying these very same things today. I guess that’s one reason why I love cowboys so much. Some might call their theories and practices outdated and trite, while the rest of us appreciate their pure honesty and truth. I’m sure that’s why cowboy romances are so popular these days. Lord knows, I love them!
And Jake Langston is as cowboy as they come. Jake, the hero from Healing a Heart, is the second oldest Langston son, but the one who has been designated to run the family ranch, the Diamond Duvall. Jake is a single dad, a widower, and recently he was voted as the fifteenth most eligible bachelor in Texas. (A fact his grandmother is sure will lead to another marriage and more grandchildren.) Jake has no intentions to marry again, until a one-night-stand turns into an unplanned pregnancy. What’s a cowboy to do, but propose?
Except jewelry designer Bryn Talbot isn’t sure she wants to be tied into a loveless marriage with a stranger. She’s a Georgia girl and doesn’t belong in the dusty wilds of West Texas–even if she has finally started designing again. Her muse seemed to dry up when her young sister died and she hasn’t been able to reclaim it. Now she’s drawing again, staying with Jake’s family to get to know them before the baby is born, and wondering how long before she’ll return to her empty Georgia home.
Want to know more about Healing a Heart? You can check out my website for a complete story over-view and an excerpt. https://amywritesromance.com/books-2/texas-contemporaries/cattle-creek-series/healing-a-heart/
And I’d love to hear from you! Have a favorite cowboy saying? Or perhaps you’d rather share the reason why you love western romance. Whatever it is, just leave a comment. Everyone who does will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of Healing a Heart.
Thanks for reading!
Amy
Healing a Heart is the second book in the Cattle Creek Series. The books standalone well, but Healing a Heart does contain spoilers from book 1, Loving a Lawman.
Amy’s publisher is offering a paper copy of HEALING A HEART to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
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