Review For A TALL, DARK COWBOY CHRISTMAS By Maisey Yates- 4 1/2*

Title: A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas

Series: Gold Valley #4

Author: Maisey Yates

Genre: Christmas Romance

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: HQN

(Sept 25, 2018)

Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN: 978-1335474629

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

It’s Christmas in Gold Valley, and this wounded widower is about to get another shot at love…

Grant Dodge didn’t expect to find a woman sleeping in an abandoned cabin on his family ranch. Or to find her so intriguing. Unlike every other woman in town, McKenna Tate doesn’t know Grant’s a widower. There’s no pity in the looks she gives him. McKenna wants him, and Grant has forgotten what it’s like to feel like a man. A no-strings fling for Christmas might be the kind of holiday cheer Grant needs…

With only a suitcase to her name, McKenna came to Gold Valley to confront her birth father. She didn’t plan to work at the Dodge ranch or fall for the gorgeous cowboy who keeps his heart roped off. But there’s no denying the way their broken pieces fit together. Hope brought her to Gold Valley—but will it be the gift that could finally heal Grant, and McKenna’s own wounded heart?

Also includes a bonus Gold Valley novella, Snowed in with the Cowboy! 

Though this is listed as a Gold Valley series book, it takes place in the same community that the Copper Ridge books do so you may "see" familiar faces. I've just started on my Christmas reads and this has been one of my favorites so far. 
Grant is a member of the walking wounded and it's fascinating watching him gradually come back to life while helping homeless McKenna adjust to life in what has become one of my favorite areas, Copper Ridge. As always with Yates books, the underlying story is family and this one will tug at your heartstrings on multiple levels.

Gold Valley 
0.5. Cowboy Christmas Blues (2017)
1. Smooth-Talking Cowboy (2018)
2. Untamed Cowboy (2018)
2.5. Hard Riding Cowboy (2018)
3. Good Time Cowboy (2018)
4. A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas (2018)
5. Mail Order Cowboy (2018)
Snowed in with the Cowboy (2018)
Unbroken Cowboy (2019)

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. 

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. 
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

Review For LONE STAR CHRISTMAS By Delores Fossen -4*

Title: LONE STAR CHRISTMAS

Series: Coldwater Texas #1

Author: Delores Fossen

Genre: Cowboy Romance

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: HQN

(Sept 25, 2018)

Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN: 978-1335041043

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

A family crisis brings him home...Just in time for Christmas
Cattleman Callen Laramie has no intention of returning to his hometown of Coldwater, Texas, until a Christmas wedding and a family secret convince him he has no choice. And when he's reunited with his childhood crush, the girl who'd always been off-limits, Callen knows leaving might not be so easy this time. Shelby McCall is as pretty as a Christmas snowfall, and Callen wants to kiss her under the mistletoe...and the Christmas tree...and the stars. But once Shelby knows the whole truth behind this homecoming, will their holiday fling come to an abrupt end? Or will she accept the gift of his heart?

***Go HERE to read chapter 1 of this book.***

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and must confess, the secondary characters almost take over the book. A stuffed armadillo named Billy and his taxidermist, Rosy, will have you alternately giggling and tearing up in this awesome story of family love and ultimately what it takes to make up a family.

Coldwater Texas
1. Lone Star Christmas (2018)
2. Hot Texas Sunrise (2019)

Texas author, Delores Fossen, wore combat boots. Yep. During her five year assignment at RAF Lakenheath, England, this former Air Force captain often wore not only combat boots but also full chemical gear during simulated attacks. In fact, that's how she met her husband, Tom, an Air Force Top Gun. They were both in charcoal suits and gas masks, with every inch of their skin covered, and yet Tom asked her out anyway. Delores obviously said yes, and they eventually married. Delores often relies on her military background, world travels and zany life experiences when she writes historical romances for Dorchester and romantic suspense and comedies for Harlequin.

Review For HIDDEN By Rebecca Zanetti- 4 *

Title: HIDDEN

Series: Deep Ops #1

Author: Rebecca Zanetti

Genre: Romance/Mystery

Rating: 4*

Publishers: Zebra

(Sept 25, 2018)

Paperback: 400 pages

ISBN: 978-1420145816

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

Hide. That's all Pippa can do to escape the terror chasing her. But now that she's off the grid in a safe house, she finds plenty of interesting things to watch through the window. Like her new neighbor, with his startling green eyes, killer smile, and sexy bad-boy tattoo . . .
Run. Malcolm West is fleeing the hell he unleashed in his last assignment as an undercover cop. A backwoods bungalow sounds like the perfect place to start over. Until he discovers he's been set up . . .

Fight. Someone's gone to a lot of trouble to bring them together. No matter how much he resents that, and his own driving needs, Malcolm will have to dig deep and let loose the banished killer inside himself, or Pippa's fears could come true faster than the flip of a bolt in a lock . . .

Zanetti never fails to entertain with her unique characters and this new book is a great start to a new series.  While I loved Malcolm and Pippa, my favorite character was Roscoe, the dog. His personality will have you laughing all the while enjoying the suspense that Zanetti is so great at building. Can't wait to see who's going to be in the next book in this series!

Deep Ops
1. Hidden (2018)

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.

Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day--or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

 Please visit Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccazanetti.com/
 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.Books/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaZanetti

Review For SIX WEEKS TO CATCH A COWBOY By Brenda Harlen-4*

Title: SIX WEEKS TO CATCH A COWBOY 

Series: Match Made in Haven #3

Author: Brenda Harlen

Genre: Cowboy Romance

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Harlequin Special Edition

(Aug 21, 2018)

Paperback: 224 pages

ISBN: 978-1335465979

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

Haven’s celebrity cowboy is back 

…with a pint-size surprise!
Kenzie Atkins was a lovestruck teenager when Spencer Channing left Haven in the dust. But the biggest news isn’t the rodeo champion’s hotly awaited homecoming—it’s the little girl who calls him daddy. Spencer’s newfound daughter is bringing out Kenzie’s yearning for a family—and for the sexy single cowboy who still sets her heart ablaze! Maybe the roving bull rider is finally ready to ride off into the sunset for the ultimate happily-ever-after…

This was a second chance romance and I throughly enjoyed it. This quick read was awesomely sweet and I pretty much read it in one sitting. I adore children in a romance as it seems much more realistic. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Match Made in Haven

1. The Sheriff's Nine-Month Surprise (2018)

2. Her Seven-Day Fiance (2018)

3. Six Weeks to Catch a Cowboy (2018)

4. The Cowboy's Mini Cupids (2019)

Brenda is a former attorney who once had the privilege of appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada. Five years ago she gave up the practice of law to be a stay-at-home mom and to secretly pursue her dreams of writing a book. She enrolled in a romance writing course at a local community college and finished her first book before the course ended. 

Three years, five manuscripts and another baby later, Brenda decided to enter the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest and ended up selling her manuscript to one of the final-round judges from Silhouette books.

She loves being part of the Harlequin/Silhouette family and -- despite the incessant interruptions of her real-life hero/husband, two heroes-in-training and two neurotic dogs -- she looks forward to a long future writing "happily ever after" romances.

Review For WIND RIVER LAWMAN By Lindsay McKenna-4*

Title: WIND RIVER LAWMAN

Series: Wind River Valley #6

Author: Lindsay McKenna

Genre: Military Adventure/Romance

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Zebra

(Aug 28, 2018)

Paperback: 320 pages

ISBN: 978-1420145366

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

The new novel from the bestselling author of Lone Rider. Sometimes the war comes to you . . .

  After serving as a Navy medic, Dawson Callahan is back in the States and ready to start over. Leaving his native Texas, he heads for the wide open spaces of Wyoming, where he finds work as a wrangler. True, he’ll mainly be wrangling chickens—and wrangling Sarah Carter’s granny, who’s still spry, but in need of a little caregiving. But ranch work is ranch work, and it’s hard to turn down a job offer from the beautiful Sheriff Carter—especially when she deputizes him as one of her lawmen. 
 Sarah loves her grandmother, but with her law enforcement career keeping her busy, they could both use some help from a strong, steady man. And policing Lincoln County has only gotten tougher since a merciless drug lord arrived in the area. When Sarah takes a bullet on the job, it’s Dawson who comes to her rescue—and though they both thought they left war behind in Afghanistan, they’ll do whatever it takes to protect what’s theirs, even if it means facing down traumas they’ve buried for years. Because love isn’t for the faint of heart . . .

I gotta admit the part of the blurb where they talk about Dawson being a chicken wrangler was what had me picking up this book. Alas, there wasn't as much story about this aspect as I'd hoped for but it was still a pretty awesome story. It's an action packed adventure story that was hard to put down.
 I always enjoy reading a vet's story and both Sara and Dawson had PTSD, so I was glad to see that their romance built up slowly to their HEA. Go HERE to read a preview of this awesome book.

Wind River Valley

1. Wind River Wrangler (2016)

2. Wind River Rancher (2016)

3. Wind River Cowboy (2017)

4. Wrangler's Challenge (2017)

5. Lone Rider (2018)

6. Wind River Lawman (2018)

7. Home to Wind River (2018)

Kassie's Cowboy (2018)

Lindsay McKenna is the pseudonym of award-winning author Eileen Nauman. With more than 145 titles to her credit and approximately 23 million books sold in 33 countries worldwide, Lindsay is one of the most distinguished authors in the women's fiction genre. She is the recipient of many awards, including six RT Book Reviews awards (including best military romance author) and an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award. In 1999, foreseeing the emergence of ebooks, she became the first bestselling women's fiction author to exclusively release a new title digitally.
Morgan's Mercenaries, 45 books strong, has been the longest running saga-series in publishing history. She is now creating another family and Delos Series will bring romantic suspense, which she is famous for writing, to her many readers. For more, go to her website.
In recognition of her status as one of the originators of the military adventure/romance genre, Lindsay is affectionately known as "The Top Gun of Women's Military Fiction." Lindsay comes by her military knowledge and interest honestly--by continuing a family tradition of serving in the U.S. Navy. Her father, who served on three different destroyers in the Pacific theater during World War II, instilled a strong sense of patriotism and duty in his daughter.
So, upon graduating high school, Lindsay--already a student pilot--continued the family custom by enlisting in the U.S. Navy and serving three years (1964-67) as an AG3--Aerographer's Mate Third Class (meteorologist).
Since that time Lindsay has kept up her interest in test piloting and training as research for her military romance novels. In pursuit of authenticity, she has undergone high-altitude hyperbaric chamber training at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, flown an Air Force T-38 "chase plane" out of  Edwards Air Force Base in California, undertaken two missions (a 12-hour day mission and a five-hour night mission) in an Air Force Strategic Air Command  (SAC) B-52 bomber out of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan, flown in a Falcon Coast Guard jet from Coast  Guard Miami Air Station in Florida and participated in search-and-rescue helicopter and training missions out of the Coast Guard Port Angeles in Washington.
Naturally, Lindsay's military experience is the backbone of her writing--in addition to being credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983), she has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field. It is, therefore, no surprise that her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are a backdrop for her upcoming Operation: Shadow Warriors series.

http://youtu.be/HS8riHXOACo

Of course, Lindsay's interests don't end with the military. Research for other novels has pushed her into becoming intimately acquainted with other professions that serve the common good. From 1981 to 1983, she served as a volunteer firefighter with the West Point Volunteer Fire Department in Ohio and helped pioneer the role of female firefighters. And from 1996 to 2000, Lindsay was registered as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic in Arizona--expertise that is reflected in emergency and accident situations in her books.
Lindsay loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they'd like to see her write next. Visit her website at www.lindsaymckenna.com and blog at http://lindsaymckenna.wordpress.com
Lindsay's Secret Garden Newsletter: sign up for EXCLUSIVE content at her website front page

Review For HARD RUSTLER By B.J. Daniels- 4*

Title: HARD RUSTLER

Series: Whitehorse, Montana: The Clementine Sisters #1

Author: B.J. Daniels

Genre: Romance/Suspense

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: HQN

(Aug 21, 2018)

Paperback:  pages

ISBN: 978-1335526588

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

A cowboy must face his past -- 

Before he loses his heart… again — 

Supermodel Annabelle “Annie” Clementine is back in Whitehorse, Montana. And there’s nothing cowboy Dawson Rogers wants more than to see his ex-lover’s backside… on the road out. He’ll even risk his heart again and help sell her late grandmother’s house so Annie can leave ASAP. Except along with the house, Annie inherited a mystery. And if they don’t solve it soon, someone’s willing to kill for the answer. 

I love Daniels' ability to wrap a romance in suspense. Throw in a good looking cowboy and you've got the recipe for a weekend piled up on the couch reading nonstop. I can't say Annie was a favorite of mine but she grew on me and by the end of the book, appreciated the fact that she had done what she wanted with her life and didn't regret it.
This is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next two books.

Whitehorse, Montana: The Clementine Sisters

1. Hard Rustler (2018)
2. Rogue Gunslinger (2018)
3. Rugged Defender (2018)

NYT and USA Today Bestselling author B.J. Daniels was born in Texas but moved with her family to Montana at the age of five. Her first home was a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon and later a lake house on Hebgen Lake outside of West Yellowstone. B.J. Daniels' life dream was to be a policewomen. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award last year for romantic suspense. 

Most of her books are set in Montana, a place she loves. She lives now in a unique part of the state with her husband and three Springer Spaniels. When she isn't writing, she loves to play tennis, boat, camp, quilt and snowboard. There is nothing she enjoys more than curling up with a good book.

Review For COWBOYS LEGACY By B.J. Daniels- 4*

Title: COWBOYS LEGACY 

Series: The Montana Cahills #3

Author: B.J. Daniels

Genre: Romance/Suspense

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: HQN

(Nov 28, 2017)

Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN: 978-0373803705

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Nothing will stop a Cahill cowboy 

from protecting what’s his

After a rocky marriage and even rockier divorce, Sheriff Flint Cahill finally has something good in his life again. Maggie Thompson’s down-to-earth charm and beautiful smile hooked him from the start. When she disappears on the day they plan to start their lives together, all signs point to abduction—and his ex-wife.

Functioning on adrenaline and instinct, Flint must call on his every resource to bring Maggie home before it’s too late. His past and future are blurred. Maggie’s only chance at surviving her abductor and a raging winter storm depends on an old vendetta that could destroy it all. But the Cahills don’t give up easily, and Flint’s love will have to be strong enough to conquer anything, including the unimaginable.

This is a series and author that I've read forever. I love that a lot of her series are offshoots of other series and takes place in one of my favorite
areas, Montana. She manages to keep me engaged with both the suspense and romance. I especially like that the suspense is not overwhelmed by the romance. There's just the right amount of romance, this time it was done more in flashbacks 
not intense romance per se.
One of my favorite aspects of Daniels books is that she generally can windup her series in about two years. To me that means I can collect the series and then binge read a 6 book or so series in a long weekend. 

Montana Cahills
1. Renegade's Pride (2017)
2. Outlaw's Honour (2017)
3. Cowboy's Legacy (2017)
4. Cowboy's Redemption (2018)
5. Hero's Return (2018)
6. Rancher's Dream (2018)
7. Wrangler's Rescue (2018)
Cowboy's Reckoning (2017

NYT and USA Today Bestselling author B.J. Daniels was born in Texas but moved with her family to Montana at the age of five. Her first home was a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon and later a lake house on Hebgen Lake outside of West Yellowstone. B.J. Daniels' life dream was to be a policewomen. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award last year for romantic suspense. 
Most of her books are set in Montana, a place she loves. She lives now in a unique part of the state with her husband and three Springer Spaniels. When she isn't writing, she loves to play tennis, boat, camp, quilt and snowboard. There is nothing she enjoys more than curling up with a good book.

www.bjdaniels.com