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Tucker by Emily March – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Tucker by Emily March – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Hope springs eternal in this enchanting Texas town.

Meet Gillian Thacker. Her business: Bliss Bridal Salon. Her passion: Weddings. Her own wedding: It’s complicated. Life isn’t turning out like she’d planned. The last thing she wants is for a real-life hero to ride to her rescue but when an unexpected event puts her entire future in Redemption, Texas, at risk. So what’s a broken-hearted bridal expert to do? Maybe a new set of survival skills is exactly what she needs…

Tucker McBride has been proud to call himself a U.S. Army Ranger. But now that his days of service are over, he’s decided to put his expertise to use by founding a wilderness skills training school. He sets up shop in Redemption, next to Bliss Bridal, and so begins life: Part Two. Marriage has been pretty low on his agenda, but as soon as he meets Gillian, Tucker can’t help but contemplate the ultimate challenge: Convincing the reluctant bride to take his hand and leap into the adventure of a lifetime. . .until death do they part.

 

 

Review:

Tucker by Emily March is the 2nd book in her Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas series.  We meet our heroine, Gillian Thacker, who is Caroline’s (previous book heroine) best friend, and the co-owner of the Bliss Bridal Salon.  Gillian is the perfect girly girl, who lives and breathes everything related to weddings.  She is in the process with her mother of planning Caroline’s wedding, as well as her own.  When we do meet Caroline, she has a fight with her fiancée, Jeremy, and walks away in a huff, only to find herself stranded and lost.

Tucker Mcbride, one of the three cousins who plan on staying and fixing up Eternity Springs, has just completed his service as a US Army Ranger, and is on his way to Eternity Springs, when he comes across the young beautiful lady stranded.  Tucker will give her a lift, and to her surprise she learns he is one of the McBrides.  Tucker cannot seem to take his eyes off Gillian, but shortly thereafter, Jeremy comes to take Gillian back to Eternity Springs.  

Tucker begins to build his life in Eternity Springs, when he buys an empty building that will house a wilderness training school, which is much to Gillian chagrin.  She wanted to buy the building to expand the salon to more wedding type of services; she isn’t too happy with Tucker.  In a short time, all hell breaks loose, as Jeremy decides to break up with Gillian, and the wedding is off.  She is despondent and a mess, though she knew Jeremy had been avoiding discussing the wedding for a long time, and now she accepts her situation and decides no men in her life for the foreseeable future.

Tucker makes it his business to find ways to bring Gillian out of her shell pushing her to go with him on things, knowing she only wants to be friends; but Tucker knows he wants more, as he slowly is falling in love with Gillian.  Unfortunately, Gillian would not allow herself to get into a relationship with Tucker, even though she feels the attraction to him.

What follows is a slow burn romance, with Tucker doing everything to win over Gillian, and Gillian’s attempt to ignore the chemistry between them.  I loved Tucker, who not only gorgeous, but sweet, caring, patient, sexy and confident.  Gillian on the other hand for the most part was too much a mess for at least half of the book; but it was nice when her friends all got together for a short trip to get her out of her depression. I also enjoyed when Tucker trained Gillian and all her friends on wilderness survival, which will help Gillian down the road.  It was nice when Gillian finally decided to succumb to Tucker’s advances.  Wonderful group of secondary characters.      

Tucker was a fun, entertaining, enjoyable adventure, with some surprises along the way.  Emily March once again gives us a sweet story, which I suggest you read. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Chapter TwoTucker was a sixth-generation Texan, small-town born and bred. Certain behaviors were stamped into his DNA. A real man tipped his hat to the ladies, opened doors for females of any age, and never, ever failed to stop and assist a woman in distress.
So, of course, he had to turn around.
That this particular woman in distress was a total smoke show dressed in fire-engine red only made playing the role of Texas gentleman that much sweeter. He wondered how she’d managed to find herself out here in the middle of nowhere, no car in sight, not a house anywhere around, and the closest town a good ten miles away. Unfortunately, hot looks and a bright mind didn’t always go together.
He pulled to a stop beside her and flipped up the visor of his helmet. His assessing stare met a wary gaze shining from big, periwinkle-blue eyes that were swollen and red-rimmed with tears. She had an abrasion on her cheek just above her chin. Had someone hit her? When his quick visual sweep of her body revealed additional redness on both of her arms, he reconsidered. Airbag deployment, most likely. “Do you need some help, ma’am?”
He watched her intently and saw her quietly repeat the word ma’am. After a moment’s hesitation, she licked her lips, swallowed hard, and said, “Well, um, I, um. May I borrow your phone?”
Her voice was smooth as Tennessee whiskey with just enough Texas in her drawl to sound like home to ears too far away for too long. “Yes, ma’am.”
She took a small step backward as he set his kick- stand and climbed off his bike. She’s scared of me.
It was a perfectly natural reaction and showed some sense, but Tucker didn’t like scaring women, so when he pulled off his helmet, he was scowling. Her eyes widened, she took another step back, and he realized he’d made the situation worse. Well, hell.
He reached deep inside him for the charm that had grown rusty with disuse, made a stab at a reassuring smile, and addressed the elephant in the cotton field. “Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you. I came back to see if I could help. That’s all. I give you my word, and a McBride’s word is his bond.”
“That’s so old-fashioned,” she said.
“Yes, well, that’s how we roll. Now, I’m going to reach into my pocket and pull out my phone.”
Her gaze dropped to his hand, and she gave a nervous little laugh. “No gun?”
“No gun.” That was in a different pocket.
Tucker unzipped his jacket and reached into an inner pouch for his phone while trying his best to look unthreatening. Their fingers brushed as he handed it over. Her fingernail color matched her dress.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome. My name is Tucker.”
“I’m Gillian.” Her teeth tugged on her bottom lip as she stared at the phone. “Do you have Google maps? I need to send a pin of my location to my—”
She broke off abruptly, and her head came up. Those glittering blue eyes—puffy and swollen from tears and framed by long, thick lashes—went round and big. Distracted, he fell into them. “Tucker Mc- Bride? Your name is Tucker McBride?”
He blinked and pulled slightly away. Now it was his turn to be wary. “Yes.”
She gave him a once-over, and some of the stiff- ness melted from her spine. “I know Jackson. Boone too. You’re the third cousin, aren’t you?”
Well, this was unexpected. “Yes, Boone and Jack- son are cousins of mine. Have we met?” He didn’t think so. He’d damned sure remember her.
“No.”
“I’m surprised you’d connect me to them. We’re a long way from Redemption.”
“Are we?” She gave a short, strained laugh. “I wouldn’t know. I’m lost. But you look just like them, and Tucker McBride is an unusual name. Plus, I re- member when the three of you arrived in Redemption the first time. You all rode motorcycles. My friend Maisy laughed that you had your own little McBride gang, so you were perfect for Ruin.”
Tucker grinned. “If you only knew.” He extended his hand toward her for a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Gillian . . . ?”
“Thacker. Gillian Thacker.” Her grip was firm, her smile filled with relief. “I’m a friend of Caroline Carruthers. Are you on your way to visit Redemption?”
Caroline was the woman Jackson was seeing, Tucker knew. He nodded. “Yes, I am. So now that you know I’m not a serial killer, want to tell me what you’re doing standing in a cotton field in a sundress and stilettos? Not exactly apparel for farming.”
She glanced down at her feet. “Technically, I’m not in the field but on the shoulder of a road. A narrow, two-lane, never-ending road. And no, cotton is not my thing. I’m all about satin and lace.”
Satin and lace? A vision of Gillian in lingerie the same shade of red as her dress flashed in Tucker’s mind as she continued, “I sell wedding gowns at a bridal shop in Redemption. Bliss Bridal Salon on Main Street.”
He tore his thoughts from the fantasy and listened when she began babbling about a pig and a pecan and a purse without a phone charger. When she finally wound down, she left Tucker shaking his head at her foolishness. He held up his hand. “Let me get this straight. You weren’t joking about being lost? You literally don’t know where you are?”
“No. Not exactly.” She lifted her chin, and her voice sharpened defensively. “I know I’m still in Central Texas. I’m somewhere between I-35 and I-45. I’m north of Austin. I think.”
He slowly shook his head. “Where is your car?
How far have you walked?”
“That way.” She hooked her thumb over her shoul- der. “Maybe two or three miles. I’ve been walking a while.”
“In those shoes?”
She gave a rueful smile.Copyright © 2020 by Geralyn Dawson Williams.


 

 

Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a “master of delightful banter,” and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

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Landing the Lawman by Kadie Scott – a Review

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Landing the Lawman by Kadie Scott – a Review

 

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Description:
He thought he was in control until she snuck into his heart…

Carter Hill walked away from a perfectly fine life and relationship…all for a career she’s chased since she was fourteen. Years and a PhD later, she loves her job as a water rights consultant. At the same time, now that all her brothers are happily married, she’s lonely and wanting more. But the only man in her life is Logan – super serious, no sense of humor, and friend-zoned. Or is he? Perhaps a sexy, no-strings affair with a man more driven than she is could help her move on.

Logan Cartez doesn’t date, do relationships, or worry about commitment. He’s married to his job – making sure what destroyed his family ranch and their legacy doesn’t happen to others. When Carter propositions him, what began as a passionate and unforgettable night soon develops into more. Logan finds himself doing things he swore he never would, and the feisty, brilliant, blue-eyed rancher’s daughter has him thinking about so much more than work.

 

 

Review:

Landing the Lawmen by Kadie Scott is the 5th book in her The Texas Hill series, which  can be read in any order, but as the siblings all get married it makes sense to read them the way the author planned. 

Carter is the only daughter in the Hill household. Watching her brothers find love, Carter doesn’t regret her decision to leave family and love behind to pursue her dream job. But it’s a lonely life, has she left it to late? Well maybe not, yummy Logan hits all those buttons. An affair might be just the thing they both need….. 

Logan doesn’t need love, it makes life messy, he needs to concentrate on saving the little farmers and their rights. And Carter Hill is the right person for the job, (she is a water rights consultant) he just needs to ignore her as a woman, a fine complete package. 

With the arrangement of a no-strings affair, both Logan and Carter pursue it wholeheartedly. But when Carter’s mother is taken ill things change for both of them. 

I’ve read all of the previous books in this series, and loved them all. 

The descriptions the author gives is great. The attention to detail is very good. The characters are funny and the flirting is funny and very light hearted. 

Both characters have been hurt in the past, so I see where both Logan and Carter have issues with trust. 

I’d happily recommend this book. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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Bound for Glory by Tess LeSue – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Bound for Glory by Tess LeSue – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
An unwilling legend and the woman who made him one face off in this epic conclusion to the Frontiers of the Heart series.

He has many names. They call him Deathrider, White Wolf, The Plague of the West. He’s the ice-eyed killer of the plains; the ghost of the trail; the restless spirit who haunts the frontier from California to Missouri, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. They say he seeks vengeance for his murdered people; they say he never sleeps; they say he moves silently through the night and changes form to run with the wolves. And that he is as beautiful as Lucifer.

At least, so they say. Ava Archer wouldn’t know; she’s never seen him. But that doesn’t stop her from writing about him. The Plague of the West is her bread and butter, and after more than a dozen dime novels, she thinks she probably knows Deathrider better than he knows himself, even if she wouldn’t recognize him on the street. If only rumors of his death would stop getting in the way of a good story….

Those damn stories make Nathaniel Rides With Death’s life an absolute misery. Thanks to his unwanted notoriety, he’s hunted like an animal by an endless stream of gunslingers looking to make a name for themselves. When someone close to Nate is shot by one of the gunslingers, Nate decides it’s time to hunt down the novelist at the root of all his troubles. He has a plan to end this farce once and for all….

 

 

Review:

Bound for Glory by Tess LeSue is the 4th and final book in her western historical romance Frontiers of the Heart series. We meet our heroine, Ava Archer, who is a famous author, who writes about the wicked west and her tales of the infamous, Deathrider or Plague of the West.  Ava has written many tales in her books about the dangerous Deathrider, who kills at will, and even rapes women along the way.  But Ava bases her stories on the gossip of others, and has never really met him.  Deathrider (Nathaniel), whose life is a mess, based on the untrue stories written by a woman who has ruined his life, with her false stories about him; constantly running from those hunting him.  

Ava finds herself in the middle of a hunt, that will bring all the criminals to win a large monetary prize, if they bring back the real Deathrider. Ava is pushed to also join the hunt, especially when a true evil man, Kennedy Voss, wants her.  As she tries to avoid him, she comes across a naked man, who is in bad shape and blind.  Despite her need to move on, Ava agrees to help the desperate man to get him to the next town.   Unbeknown to both of them, they will be surprised when their true identities is revealed.  The injured man is Deathrider, whom Ava thinks is an apache, and Nathaniel, has no idea she is the woman who has caused all his grief.   When Kennedy Voss catches up with them, he forces Ava to join hands with him and pretend that ‘apache” is Deathrider (which he truly is), and they can claim the prize.   There were many comical parts during this adventure, especially when they both discover who the other is. 

What follows is a fun adventure with some danger, excitement and the humorous banter between Nathanial and Ava.   I really liked them together, even though we did not think they could their relationship would ever work.  Will Deathrider ever be able to forgive Ava?  

I do not want to give spoilers, as it is a fun sotry that you need to read.  It was a very exciting and intense but satisfying conclusion.  Bound for Glory was a sweet fun historical western that was adventurous, romantic and humorous, with a great couple. The adventure was not only wild crazy, but a lot of humor along the way.   When they meet dangerous criminals during their travels, the situation becomes tense, and they manage to escape.  Though their relationship grows, Nathaniel discovers more about Ava that threatens to ruin any possibility of them being together.  But Tess LeSue writes a wonderful conclusion, also giving us a glimpse at the previous books couples.    Very well done.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

There was a naked man in the desert.
Ava Archer knew trouble when she saw it, and this was trouble with a capital T. She was alone in the desert, her horse was played out, her canteen was bone-dry, and she was out of bullets. This was no time to be running into natives. Even a solitary one. If she had any sense at all, she would turn right around and run in the other direction . . . but Kennedy Voss was in the other direction, and Kennedy Voss was a mean son of a bitch. Besides, she was desperate for water, and maybe this Indian had some.
She’d thought she’d known thirst before—but this was something else again. She felt made of grit and sand, her every pore a desert in miniature, her tongue thick and swollen in her cottony mouth; even her eyes and nose had dried out. And every thud of her horse’s hooves on the ground made a drumbeat: Water. Water. Water. Water.
So Ava kept on toward the man, pulled by the hope of water. As she plodded closer, she reassured herself that at least there was only one of him, and from what she could see, he was in bad shape: he was squatting under the screamingly bright September sun, naked from the waist up, his body a patchwork of bruises, and both of his eyes swollen shut. Ava doubted he could see her. But he knew she was there, because he rose to his feet at the sound of her tired horse dragging his way.
Oh dear. He wasn’t mostly naked, she saw as he stood: he was completely naked. He was also tall, wide, and terrifyingly powerful. A warrior. He was the color of rosewood, his muscles as hard as if he’d been carved from a tree. And he was covered in tattoos, including a sprawling, intricate pattern in the shape of a bird, which stretched its wings the breadth of his thickly muscled chest. His hair was long, loose, and coated in dust; it fell down his back in tangles to his shoulder blades. He was bruised all over, she realized as her gaze drifted down, wincing as she took in the black blotches on his legs. There was a particularly nasty one on his hip, right next to . . .
Ava tore her gaze away. Hell. She was alone in the desert with a naked man. A big, powerful, wounded naked man. And she was heat struck and ill with thirst, barely able to think straight.
She couldn’t have stumbled onto a little old lady instead? Or a nice family, with a pack of kids? A pack of kids and an icy-cold barrel of water . . .
Ava rubbed her hand across her dry mouth. She felt skin flakes come away on her fingers and winced. She needed to get hold of herself. She was growing delirious. This here was just an injured man. Probably an Apache, considering she was somewhere near the Apacheria. Probably. Maybe. Who knew where the hell she was, to be honest. Purgatory seemed likely. Little old ladies and nice families didn’t go wandering around Purgatory—this was the best she could hope for. She should have been grateful that he was just one beat-up Apache and not a whole party. And at least he wasn’t Kennedy Voss. Without even realizing she was doing it, she glanced over her shoulder, as though thinking about Voss might summon him. That man gave her the willies. Voss was likely to be somewhere nearby (she hadn’t had that much of a head start on him), and here she was about to die of thirst right in his path. She didn’t have time to be distracted by naked strangers.


 

 

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The Devil in the Saddle by Julia London – Review & Giveaway

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The Devil in the Saddle by Julia London – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
No one cheats on a Prince and gets away with it. And Hallie–Texas socialite, would-be ballerina, and the only daughter of Cimarron County’s renowned Prince family–is ready to give her two-timing fianc� a piece of her mind. But fate plants hot, sexy ranch hand and ex-Army Ranger Rafael Fontana quite literally in her way. Her childhood friend is all grown up. He’s sexy, he’s handsome, and suddenly, after all these years, Hallie is taking notice.

Rafe has been in love with Hallie since they were kids, but he was always the help–and she was glamorous and popular, seemingly off-limits to a lowly cowboy. But now he’s back at Three Rivers Ranch to help his family and Hallie is there too–and she needs his support. Of course, Rafe agrees, but soon long-buried feelings boil to the surface, and the desire between them is hot and palpable and undeniable. Rafe realizes he wants Hallie for keeps… he just has to convince her to give true love another shot.

 

 

Review:

The Devil in the Saddle by Julia London is the 2nd book in her Princes of Texas series.  Hallie Prince, our heroine, is a socialite daughter of the renowned Prince family, who in the first book lost their patriarch and the family has been living in hard times due the father’s gambling debts.   Hallie recently broke off her engagement to her cheating ex fiancée, and has been totally in disarray, even drinking, which is not her norm.  But when her best friend since childhood returns home, she immediately begins to perk up.

Rafe Fontana, our hero and an ex army ranger, returns to of Cimarron County and the Three Rivers Ranch, where his father helps run the Prince ranch. He runs into Hallie, who happily embraces Rafe, but he has a secret he will never tell her…he has always been in love with her.  Rafe is a gorgeous hunk, with a smile that would melt anyone; but Hallie has always looked at him just as a friend.  But now that she has broken off her engagement, she has begun to look at Rafe in a different light.  Rafe enjoys being with Hallie, but plans to leave for a new business in Chicago; as he cannot stay near her, knowing that he loves her, and feels he is beneath her.

Hallie was a bit spoiled early on, but she was also a riot, especially when she puts on Instagram pictures of her destroying her wedding invitations, gown, shoes, etc. It becomes a very popular site, and also brings back her ex trying to win her back.  But once cheated on, Hallie will never take him back.  Hallie is determined to find herself, and along the way she totally changes, and embarks on possibility resuming her ballerina dance lessons to start her own business in training children.  When she starts to feel the strong attraction to Rafe, they will both eventually succumb to their feelings, but she doesn’t understand why Rafe pulls away.

What follows was a sweet, heartwarming, fun romance between two people destined to live other lives.  Hallie and Rafe were a great couple, and their chemistry was hot.  Throughout the story though, we didn’t see any chance for them to find a way to stay together, but fate always wins.  Rafe was a wonderful hero, always there for Hallie, even if he felt she deserved better.  It was great to see Hallie begin to change and discover what she has been missing is right in front of her.  Will the two find a way to stay together?

The Devil in the Saddle  (why that title??) was a perfect small town romance that Julia London does so well.  I suggest you read this series, and start with the first book, The Charmer in Chaps. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Berkley Romance is graciously offering a paper copy of THE DEVIL IN THE SADDLE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton – a Review

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The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton – a Review

 

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Description:
Stranded at the Red Moss Vineyard a week before her best friend’s wedding, LA native and professional matchmaker Alice Weatherford is not pleased with her first trip to Oklahoma, or the epic snowstorm forcing her to stay. So much for Christmas cheer. What she needs is a project, something to distract her…and, oh, has she found one in neighboring rancher Clay Henry. Gorgeous, charming, and unlike any other man she’s ever met, finding the right woman for Clay should be easy….

Having grown up with the Bellini sisters, it’s no hardship for Clay to ride out the storm at their cozy family vineyard, especially since that means spending time with their savvy and smart houseguest. But despite Alice’s best efforts, he’s not the least bit interested in her matchmaking….

Alice is the only woman Clay wants. Now he just has to convince the matchmaker herself to give love a chance

 

 

Review:

The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton is the first book in her new Boots and Bouquets series.  We meet our heroine, Alice Weatherford at the start when she arrives in Oklahoma, to help prepare for her best friend’s wedding that will happen in a week.  When Alice arrives at Red Moss Vineyard, the place for the wedding, she ends up stuck there when a major snowstorm hits. Alice is a successful matchmaker by trade, and works out of Los Angeles.

The Bellini family, who own Red Moss Vineyard, are very welcoming, offering Alice to stay there until the storm ends.  Clay Henry, our hero and a rancher, is a friend of the Bellini’s and ends up getting stuck at the vineyard during the storm.  Almost immediately, the attraction between Alice and Clay heats up, and in a short time a sizzling steamy relationship begins, with both knowing that there is only a week before Alice leaves. 

What follows was a fun and romantic story, with a bit of a Christmas themed background, as well as the wedding preparations and venue.  It was fun to watch Alice try to set up Clay with the perfect woman that meets her experience as a matchmaker; she doesn’t get very far, as the both cannot resist each other and their chemistry is off the wall scorching hot. I really did like Alice, as she was a wonderful heroine, and very likable.  Clay was awesome too.  I also loved the Bellini sisters, and I do expect to see more of them in future books of this series.  

The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission was a lighthearted romance about two people who live different lives, and in the short period (one week) they fall in love, but can they work it out?  Jaci Burton once again gives us a sweet fun romantic story and couple.  I suggest you find the time to read The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas by Kadie Scott – a Review

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Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas by Kadie Scott – a Review

 

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Description:
Her thermostat was set to frosty, until her Christmas cowboy cranks up the heat.

Ashley Hughes would love to cancel Christmas this year.

Instead of holiday plans, she’s back in her Texas hometown planning her twin sister’s wedding — to her ex!

Nothing like small town speculation to make her life cheery and bright. No one believes that she’s over the groom, until a certain cowboy secret crush steps in to be her plus one. Ashley’s tried to friend zone Jennings since high school, because she’s always known kissing the casual charmer would lead to a love she’d never forget.

Jennings Hill would be the first to admit that his feelings for his ex-best friend are more likely to land him on the naughty list. When he sees Ashley again, he only wants to help but then a rumour links them romantically and that’s when their lives get complicated. The more time they spend together, the more Jennings worries she’s not over her ex, but Ashley starts wishing Jennings was her present wrapped under the Christmas tree.

Hills in Texas Series …..
Saving the Sheriff
Resisting the Rancher
Taming the Troublemaker
Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas

 

Review:

Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas by Kadie Scott is the 4th book in her The Hills of Texas series.  Ashley is glad to be home, she’s missed her family, especially her twin Taylor. Two years has been long enough. But if she stays that’s a whole different matter.

Taylor is marrying Ashley’s ex!!! Could that be anymore awkward? To outsiders and Taylor, yes it is, but to Ashley, her and Eric broke up a long time ago. She’s moved on, she’s happy for the couple, the only reason she stayed away…..  to give the gossips time to move on….. no such luck!!! Ashley is met with awkward silences and pitying looks!!

Taking Taylor out on her bachelorette party is an ideal way to put the gossips to bed for go. But as it goes from bad to worse, Ashley is wanting to head back to Dallas, pretty darn quick. Thank goodness she’s only here till the New Year, surely she can survive till then?

Jennings Hill has always loved Ashley, from the first day at preschool until the day she dumped him to be with Eric. They were best friends, did everything together, and then he had to watch his best friend change to please the boyfriend. So to hide his feelings from everyone (including himself) he began to antagonise Ashley. Never getting close to her. But that’s all about to change, dancing with Ashley has set the gossips in motion. What’s a guy to do? Does he help an old friend out? Or does he just walk away and leave her to deal with it?

Jennings asks Ashley if she’ll looking into a case of fraud for him, and Ashley quickly agrees, they might not be friends now, but they were a long time ago.

The more time they spend together, the more Ashley sees him in a different light. Yes, she may have had a slight crush on him, but he was her best friend, she really shouldn’t be imaging him in that way!!!

Jennings on the other hand thinks Ashley still isn’t over Eric!! He’s frustrated, why can’t she see what’s in front of her?

So ……will Ashley stay in Texas? Will she convince Jennings that she is totally over Eric? And will Eric finally get the girl he has always longed for?

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for Review

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Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / iTunes / Google Play

 

Description:
What could two troubled souls from different walks of life have in common? Maybe everything.

Andra Lawler lives isolated at her family’s horse ranch, imprisoned by the memories of an assault in college. When she needs help training her foals, she hires a Haitian-Creole cowboy from New Orleans with a laugh as big as the Montana sky.

LJ Delisle can’t stand the idea that Andra might be lonely—or eating frozen TV dinners. He bakes his way into her kitchen with a lemon velvet cake, and offers her cooking lessons that set them on the road to romance. But even their love can’t escape the shadow of what they’ve been through. Despite their growing friendship and his gentle rapport with the horses, LJ is still an outsider facing small-town suspicions.

Before they can work through their issues, LJ is called home by a family emergency. In the centuries-old, raggedly rebuilt streets of New Orleans, he must confront memories of Hurricane Katrina and familiar discrimination. And Andra must decide if she’s brave enough to leave the shelter of the ranch for an uncertain future with LJ.

 

 

Review:

Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen is an inter-racial love story between two troubled souls.  LJ Delisle, our hero, is a Haitian-Creole horse trainer from New Orleans, who arrives at a horse ranch in Montana to apply for a job.   Andra Lawler helps run the ranch with her father and brother, and she is the one who trains most of the foals.  When LJ arrives, he notices Andra calmly handling the horse she is training, and recognizes how good she is.  When he walks to meet her, he accidentally causes her to fall, and she goes into a panic shock.

Though her father tries to run off LJ, Andra sees that he is just the person who can help her train the horses, especially after she puts him through the tests and the horses seem to love LJ.   Both Andra and LJ have issues in their lives that causes them grief, and working with the horses alleviates the pain of their past.  LJ lived with his family when Hurricane Katrina destroyed the area he and his family and friends lived; even years later, with little money, they live in terrible conditions.  Andra is closed off from socializing with the people on the ranch, even partially her family.  5 years earlier, she was kidnapped and abused, though she managed to escape; but she still is haunted by nightmares, and suffers severe anxiety panic attacks. Andra is very uncomfortable dealing with people, especially knowing the local townsfolk still stare at her.

What follows is a friendship between LJ and Andra, as they work together.   LJ is very charming, and goes out of his way to help Andra relax and try to enjoy things, such as his wonderful cooking and boastful laugh.  She begins to enjoy his company and even laugh more.  When LJ learns more about what happened to her, he finds it hard to control his anger, as he has come to care for Andra, even if her father wants him out.  When their relationship begins to escalate into a possible romance, LJ is afraid to push her, worrying about her attacks.  When his mother becomes ill, he leaves to go back to New Orleans and help care for her.  Andra will take it upon herself to travel to New Orleans to talk LJ to come back, and meet his mother and friends while staying there for a bit.  When her father calls her home, the question is will LJ and her find a way to fulfill the love they have for each other, especially with all the obstacles surrounding them?

Unbreak Me was very well written by Hazen, with the story covering a number of issues, such as; racism, sexual assault, anxiety, panic attacks, aftermath of Katrina and family.  It was also a love story of two unlikely people who faced slim odds in finding a way to stay together, despite the complications.   Unbreak Me was a very good story, which I suggest you read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Andra opened her front door, and the frown froze on her face as LJ’s shoulders filled the doorframe.
He was holding . . . a cake?
“Um, hi,” she managed.
She reached behind her back to undo the knot that pulled her T-shirt tight against her chest, shaking the baggy hem so it would fall to cover some of her leggings. What was he doing here? Oh crap, she’d promised to talk to him about the horses.
“Look, I’m sorry. I know I said I’d come talk to you a couple days ago, but then Socks kicked one of the grooms, and Mary Kay lost a shoe, and I completely forgot.” She hadn’t forgotten, so much as she was . . . working up to it. Giving him a few days of seeing her around the ranch when she was in control of herself, before she got close enough she’d have to see his opinion of her in his eyes.
He shrugged, careful not to tip the tall cake off its platter. “I think we got off on the wrong foot the day we met, and our do-over didn’t really stick.”
Oh God. Apparently, he wasn’t tiptoeing around anything today.
LJ grinned—a playful, twinkly-eyed one that made him look like he was just having more fun than everyone else. “Besides, nobody’s afraid of a guy with a cake.”
A smile tugged at the edges of her mouth. “I’ve never heard that.”
“No? It’s completely true. Not to mention, bringing a cake is the best excuse to eat some. I mean, it’s yours. You don’t have to share. Of course, if you don’t, you may want to pass a tissue or two my way, is all I’m saying.” He widened his eyes mournfully.
She glanced at the cake, the white icing whipped into gorgeous swirls. “Did Stacia make that? She used to be terrible at baking.” She gripped the edge of the door a little tighter. Maybe her friend had been practicing. It wasn’t like she knew what Stacia was up to these days.
“I’m a little offended. A man doesn’t bring a borrowed cake for an apology.” He lifted the platter and gave it a waggle. “We’ve got lemon velvet with French buttercream here. You oughta get it out of the heat soon, though. The sun melted the frosting some on the way over. It’s a hike to get up over here, you know it?”
Oops, he was feeling around for an invitation. Duh, and she was still standing in her door like some kind of freak. “Um, come in.” The least she could do was feed him some cake and try to act like a normal person. She stepped aside and racked her brain for small talk that didn’t involve anything on four hooves. “You know, I can’t quite place your accent. You said you were from Louisiana, but I’ve met lots of people from there at rodeos, and they didn’t sound quite like you.”
“Well, you can tell I’m from the South because I interrupted your workout with dessert.” He tipped his head toward the yoga mat she’d left by the couch. She smiled, and his grin brightened a couple more watts. “Seriously, though, I think I’ve got a little bayou country from my days on my uncle’s horse ranch, cut with the rhythm of the Lower Ninth, maybe some southern drawl creeping in from the Mississippi border. And New Orleans has a sound all its own, always has.” Between one word and the next, his words straightened to all square corners instead of luscious curves. “Then again, if my mother is listening, I sound strictly like the Yankee university she helped pay for.”
“Your mom doesn’t like your accent?” Andra frowned. “Doesn’t she have one?”
“Mama thought I wouldn’t get a decent job unless I talked like a white banker from Wisconsin.” He shrugged.
Her eyes widened. “That’s not fair. Why should you have to fake an accent to get a job?”
“That’s the way the world works. People have ideas about what intelligence should sound like, and I don’t expect I’m going to change all of them on my own.” He winked. “I tutored English composition for work study all through college, so I can play the game. I have to admit, though, sometimes it’s nice to sound like home.”
Andra laughed, a little self-consciously. “I don’t think I even realized we had an accent up north until you imitated it.”
“Oh, it’s an accent all right, sweetheart. And you’ve got it thick as anything.”
Heat crept into her skin at the endearment, though she didn’t get the feeling he was really flirting with her. She glanced away, the afterimage of him seared on her lids. His deep-brown eyes were a couple of shades darker than his skin, and they always seemed to be laughing. He was handsome, with high cheekbones and sensual lips. The kind of man she would have looked twice at, once.

 

 

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Devil’s Way Out by Nika Dixon – a Review

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Devil’s Way Out by Nika Dixon – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM

 

Description:
Still angry over the death of the woman he loved, rancher Marshall Boyer wants nothing to do with women or love. But when the mysterious Emma drops into his life—barefoot, broke, and running scared—he can’t let her go.

Artist Emmaline Katz has a dangerous secret. After escaping a ruthless criminal who exploited her for years, her quest for freedom crashes to a halt in rural Montana. Out of money and options, she finds an unlikely haven with a handsome cowboy. But no matter how much she wants to believe his offer of protection, he doesn’t know the truth about her, her secret, or the man who will stop at nothing to get her back.

Time is running out. A cold-blooded killer has come to town, and Emma isn’t the only target.

 

 

Review:

Fear is running away, far away, hitching a ride with a harmless senior citizen, who recklessly drove you into a ditch, a bump on the temple as proof, and yet the second you regain your faculties, it’s back on the run again. That’s fear. That’s Emmaline’s fearful life. Marshall tags along with his sheriff brother to meet the newcomer causing a ruckus in Absolution, Montana, but one look at Emma and he’s in deep. Bewildered by the intensity, he couldn’t stop being curious. Devil’s Way Out by Nika Dixon was a story about a young woman whose gift was used against her will and the courage it took to reclaim herself.

Emmaline is desperate to escape her gilded cage, but several chapters in and I don’t know why Alan is bad news. He was controlling and violent, but I could not figure out the nature of their relationship beyond “bad”. Good thing Marshall asked questions!

Emma is gifted with foresight. She sketches images that have yet to happen based off inexplicable insight. “Her premonitions were 100% solid.” This skill was useful for Alan, a crime enforcer, to suss out an associate’s misdeeds or nefarious purpose. As a seer, Emma was his ace in the hole. “He’d never hurt her physically—he couldn’t risk any damage to her hands or eyes—but mentally, his cruelty had no bounds.”

Ms. Dixon told the story in pieces, from the culmination of her captivity to the present. It was frustrating at first, the guessing and wondering, but as the details started to formulate, the plot thickened and my interest rose.

Marshall and Emma had a slow burn relationship. They’re attracted to each other from the onset, but they’re keeping a respectful distance because of her sudden, mysterious arrival in town, and the fact that his brother, Danny, is the sheriff investigating her case. Coming from a sheltered, hostile environment, Emma isn’t comfortable with openness and trust. As such, she isn’t forthcoming with information for fear of Alan’s long reach. Feelings for Marshall, as strong as they were, would only end in his demise; his protection of Emma was a call to war for Alan.

Author Nika Dixon describes the showdown with intensity and bravery. Emma and Marshall fight for what’s theirs and only the strong survive. A good book! The H/H were compassionate and meaningful to each other’s plights. I also really enjoyed the supporting cast of characters. I’d love to read about Sheriff Danny, the single father who is ready to love again.

In the town of Absolution, will Emma earn hers for all the damage she’s done?

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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