Tangled Up in Christmas by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 29, 2019

I haven’t been back to Sweetwater, Texas, in years but somehow, here I am―back where it all started. I’m still trying to figure out how. And of course, I don’t even make it out of the airport before I run into my ex―the entire reason why I left Sweetwater in the first place.

Horse wrangler Roarke Frost’s shoulders are just as broad as I remember, that crooked smile of his still in place, and my heart is melting like chocolate in the sizzling Texas sun. Stupid heart. But worse, we’re supposed to play nice together to pull off a Christmas festival in record time, which is the key to launching my new business.

Now we’re working side by side to save injured animals, setting up a bid-on-a-cowboy auction, and he’s pushing for a second chance. But I know he’s still keeping a secret that could tear us apart if I give him an inch.

•••••••

REVIEW:TANGLED UP IN CHRISTMAS is the second instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult TEXAS HEAT erotic, romance series. This is veterinarian Roarke Frost, and photographer Hannah’s story line. TANGLE UP IN CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. We were first introduce to Roarke in book one The Truth About Cowboys.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hannah and Roarke) TANGLED UP IN CHRISTMAS follows the second chance romance and relationship between twenty eight year old photographer Hannah, and thirty four year old veterinarian Roarke Frost. Roarke and Hannah had been best friends all of their lives but seven years earlier betrayal broke Hannah’s heart sending our heroine to Los Angeles, California. Engaged to be married to the man that she loves, Hannah is destroyed when a video surfaces betraying everything she ever loved about Roarke and the small town of Sweetwater, Texas. Fast forward to present day wherein Hannah heads home to Texas in an effort to restart her career, a career destroyed by jealousy and revenge. To Hannah’s surprise and misery, she will come face to face with her past, a past she has never stopped loving but a past she is unable to forgive or forget. Enter veterinarian Roarke Frost. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship and romance between Roarke and Hannah, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.

Hannah ran from Sweetwater, Texas in an effort to forget about the man that she loved. Destroyed by betrayal, Hannah struggled to move on with her life, always comparing every man to the one that she lost. Roarke Frost never got the chance to defend himself, and in this, our hero struggled to move on from the past. A successful veterinarian on the horse circuit, Roarke pushed himself in an effort to forget about the woman that ran away.

The relationship between Hannah and Roarke is one of second chances: a rebuilding friendship and romance between two people destroyed by someone else’s vindictiveness, jealousy, greed and anger. The town of Sweetwater, Texas believed that Hannah and Roarke were always meant to be but only a few people knew what happened to destroy their life-long love affair. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Jason and Jessica (The Truth About Cowboys #1); Hannah’s business partner Linda Moore; Roarke’s grandmother Ruth; Jason’s grandmother Martha; Hannah’s parents; Mayor Luke Combs, as well as a number of veterinary interns.

TANGLED UP IN CHRISTMAS is a story of betrayal and vengeance; forgiveness and moving forward; second chances and love. The premise is sexy and inviting; the characters are flirty and sassy; the romance is spicy and seductive. The angst level is low; there is no suspense or threats from an outside source; the conflict resolution is tender and realistic. TANGLED UP IN CHRISTMAS is a delightful addition to the author’s TEXAS HEAT series.

There is also a surprise addition to the ARC-a copy of a previously released holiday novella-SANTA BABY by Lisa Renee Jones

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

The Truth About Cowboys (Texas Heat #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review & Excerpt Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2019

I had my life figured out.

Engaged to a successful man.

About to make partner at my firm.

Bought a high-rise apartment in downtown Dallas.

And then, poof, it’s all gone. Now, like in some cheesy romantic comedy, my car has broken down in the pouring rain on my way to “find myself” in The Middle of Nowhere, Texas. Cue hot guy coming to my rescue and changing my tire. This is the part where we flirt and have a meet-cute, right? That’s how it works in romance novels, and I should know—after all, I’m coming to Texas to write my own cowboy romance. But nope. This sexy cowboy lights into me about not being prepared for the country roads and how inappropriate my high-heeled boots are.

Little did I know, Jason Jenks would tilt my world into a new dimension with his sinful smirk and his bad attitude. Every time I turn around, he’s there to reluctantly save the day. And every time, I think there may be something to that spark we ignite. But there’s a reason the majority of country songs are about broken hearts. The closer I get to this man, the closer I get to learning the truth about cowboys.

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS is the first instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult TEXAS HEAT erotic, cowboy romance series. This is former major league baseball pitcher and rancher Jason Jenks, and Dallas divorce attorney/writer Jessica’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jason and Jessica) THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS follows the acrimonious relationship between former major league baseball pitcher and rancher Jason Jenks, and Dallas divorce attorney/writer Jessica. With the discovery that her boyfriend was screwing around, and her outburst and accusations towards a client, Jessica finds herself in Sweetwater, Texas, licking her wounds as she writes ‘A Girl’s Guide to Divorce’. On a forced leave of absence Jessica intends to forget about the past but driving in the rain lands Jessica knee deep in mud facing off with the ‘a$$hole’ cowboy who will steal her heart. Enter former major league baseball pitcher turned rancher Jason Jenks. What ensues is the building but antagonistic relationship between Jason and Jessica, and the potential fall-out as Jessica is forced to walk away following one too many accusations by the man that she loves.

Jessica needs some time alone, and Sweetwater, Texas offers the solitude she needs to write her novel but Jessica had no idea that she was about to meet her future in the guise of an angry and embittered former baseball player who struggles to move on from the past. Jason Jenks doesn’t do relationships having been burned in the past, a past that continues to control his present. Battling too many demons and the inability to trust, Jason struggles with issues of jealousy, and uncertainty as it pertains to the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Jessica and Jason is oft-times combative and hesitant. Jason’s issues of trust control his emotions and our hero tends to direct his frustrations on the woman he loves. Jessica, fresh off of a disastrous romance finds herself on the defence more times than she wants, a defence that forces Jessica to walk away before losing her heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Jason’s all seeing and feisty grandmother Martha; several ranch hands, Jason’s best friend and local veterinarian Roarke, as well as Jessica’s friend Shelly. I am looking forward to Roarke’s story.

THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and love; a story of trust, miscommunication, misunderstanding and hope. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are broken, colorful, dynamic, charismatic and energetic. THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS is a spirited and intoxicating introduction to Lisa Renee Jones’ new TEXAS HEAT series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Jessica…
I dart toward the door in the far right corner and enter the bathroom, where I find a giant old-fashioned, barrel-style tub. I open one of the white cabinet doors and also find a towel, but I’m just too wet for it to help. Like that woman was for Craig. Oh God. There I go again. No. No. No. I will not think those thoughts. No more. I’m done. With him. With her. I strip down naked, wrap the towel around me, and hunt for my suitcase, which I hope like heck has the other bag of chocolate I packed.
Naked might get a girl in trouble, but I’m alone and it’s not like anyone is going to see me naked anytime soon. I can go right ahead and happily pack a few pounds of chocolate weight on a petite frame that can’t handle a few extra anything. There will be no more men for me. Therefore, there will be no trouble to be found. It’s a great plan and on this one, really truly, I dare to say, what could go wrong? I exit the bathroom into the bedroom and scream at the sight of a man standing there.
The cowboy who saved me on the side of the road is not only here, minus his trench coat and wearing a snug black T-shirt, he’s bigger and broader than I remember. The bedroom shrinks. My heart races.
“I was right,” I accuse, clutching at my towel, the only thing between me and him besides footsteps. “You are a serial killer.” I search for a weapon and I don’t know why there’s a giant flashlight on the nightstand, but it’s long and strong, and I grab it, my new prize. I also manage to drop my towel. Oh my God, I’ve dropped my towel. Goose bumps lift on my naked body and, Lord help me, my nipples pucker.
I try to grab my towel and almost drop the flashlight, which is a better weapon than terry cloth. I commit to the flashlight and my state of undress. “I will hit you if you come near me,” I warn. “I mean, kill you.” That sounds unrealistic and therefore lacks the bite I intend. “I will hurt you.”
He arches a brow and, to my shock and his credit, he doesn’t so much as blink at anything below my neck. I don’t know if I should be appreciative or offended. Am I not distracting? Am I not worthy of a look? Obviously, my ex didn’t think so and—
The cowboy starts walking toward me.
“What are you doing? Stay back.” I hold up the flashlight, but I’m the one backing up, hitting the wall with a hard thud. He snatches up my towel and hands it to me, his hand brushing my nipple in the process. I suck in a breath, even as the flashlight is removed from my hand and tossed on the bed. “The game is over. Getting naked won’t stop me from calling the police.”
“I’ll knee you. I’ll scream. I’ll—”
“You’re standing in my property, sweetheart.”
“This is not—”
“And yet it is. You picked the wrong house to squat in and the wrong town. I saw where you turned off. I knew where you were headed. Wrong choice, sweetheart.”
“Stop calling me sweetheart. And what the hell are you talking about? Squatter? What is a—” A bad feeling hits me. “You think I’m freeloading by sneaking in here and now I’m trying to buy a bed with my naked body? Really?”
“If the shoe fits, sweetheart.”
I scowl. “Stop calling me sweetheart. Since when do women seducing men try to hit them with a flashlight? Then again, we are talking about you here. I’m pretty sure you could make anyone want to hit you. Maybe that’s the only foreplay you know. A flashlight and a—”
“Stop,” he orders, his hands pressing to the wall on either side of me, and now his big body framing my naked body.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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Tag Archives: the Truth About Cowboys

Tangled Up in Christmas by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

Tangled Up in Christmas by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

The Truth About Cowboys by Lisa Renee Jones-Review & Excerpt tour

The Truth About Cowboys (Texas Heat #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review & Excerpt Tour