BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Showing posts with label Western Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Romance. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Review For HARD RAIN By B J Daniels-5*

Title: Hard Rain

Series: Montana Hamiltons
Author: B J Daniels
Genre: Western Romance
Rating: * * * * *
Publishers: 
(Mar 22, 2016)
Paperback: 384 pages
FTC Disclosure: My copy

Sooner or later, every family secret comes to light... 
When Brody McTavish sees Harper Hamilton's runaway horse galloping across the pastures, he does what any good cowboy would do - gives chase and rescues her. Unfortunately for him, the woman he's secretly loved for years didn't need saving, and she's just reached her limit with people treating her as hopeless. But they soon have bigger problems when they make a gruesome discovery - human remains revealed by a recent rainstorm. Remains that will dredge up old Hamilton family mysteries... and bring about a scandal that could threaten all Harper's loved ones.
With her father running for president, every move Harper makes is under scrutiny. But despite the risks, she's determined to uncover the truth about her family's role in a long-ago murder. If she can trust him enough, Brody will be more than an ally. He could be the only thing standing between Harper and an enemy intent on keeping the past buried forever.


Montana Hamiltons
1. Wild Horses (2015)
2. Lone Rider (2015)
3. Lucky Shot (2015)
4. Hard Rain (2016)
5. Into Dust (2016)
6. Honor Bound (2016)


First of all, if you are expecting a Carolyn Brown laugh until you cry. Western Romance, park your expectations at the door. This is pure and simple Intrigue with a little romance sprinkled in that takes place in Montana. This is NOT a bad thing! Just know going in that other than riding a horse two or three times, the word ranch throw in occasionally, and maybe 50 pages devoted to romance, you will be on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what's going on and who the murderer is (plus a few finer details that I won't mention as I don't want to spoil anything).
I picked up this book while looking for something to cleanse my palette of YA books I'd been reading recently and unfortunately did not notice that this was book 4 in a 6 book series. This was absolutely no problem as it could stand on its own. However, it hooked me so well that now I must have the rest of the books in the series. I do have book 6 but will just have to contain myself until the earlier books arrive. One of the many advantages to reading a series that is complete is being able to order all the rest of the books used from PaperBackSwap or Amazon and binge read them all.
I loved both of the main characters in the story. Brody has been waiting for years for Harper to grow up enough to pursue and Harper has weighted every guy she has ever met against Brody. So the time is finally here and what happens but they stumble over a body on the ranch while looking for her runaway horse. (see ranch and horse-western). Anyway, this body is part of the ongoing mystery of Harper's missing Mom who has recently returned after 24 years with no memory of what has gone on for the last 2 decades. Combine this with the body they have stumbled over and their decision to investigate since both of their families are involved makes for some tense action in this small Montana town. While the murder is resolved by the end of the book, there are many unanswered questions that make this a series well worth diving into.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Review For MAIL-ORDER CHRISTMAS BABY By Sherri Shackelford- 4*

Title: Mail-Order Christmas Baby
Series: Montana Courtships #1
Author: Sherri Shackelford

Genre: Western Historical Romance
Rating: * * * * 
Publishers: 
(Nov 7, 2017)
Paperback: 288 pages
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

The Rancher's Special Delivery 
The "package" is addressed to him, but rancher Sterling Blackwell certainly didn't order a baby! More scandalous still, he and the town's pretty teacher are named as parents. With gossip running wild, only a marriage of convenience can protect little Gracie and their reputations until her real family is found. 
Heather O'Connor is content to be the spinster schoolmarm of Valentine, Montana…until Gracie's arrival stirs her heart. She can't keep the adorable child without Sterling's help, though she promises not to interfere with his life. But staying aloof from her handsome husband isn't easy with a tiny matchmaker in tow. A mistake brought them together, but love might just make them a family by Christmas…

Montana Courtships
1. Mail-Order Christmas Baby

I've read several Christmas novels recently and this one had many aspects I adored. First of all a baby and then a historical romance that takes place in the Old West. There was also the mystery of where the baby came from. I didn't figure that out but did figure out early on who was behind the ranch's frequent accidents. I love seeing a marriage of convenience blossom and it was entertaining seeing the interaction of Sterling and Heather. So pull up a comfy chair and enjoy this and many other Christmas reads from Harlequin this Christmas season.   

Friday, May 12, 2017

Cover Reveal & Giveaway For CHANCE ENCOUNTER By SJ McCoy

Chance Encounter
A Chance and a Hope, Book One
by SJ McCoy
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western Romance
Cover Design: Dana Leah @ Designs by Dana
Cover Model: Andrew James
Photographer: Golden Czermak FuriousFotog
Publication Date: May 16, 2017


Chance knew love once—a long time ago. She died when they were eighteen and the best of him died with her. Since then his work on a ranch in Montana has allowed him to keep his distance from people and from happiness. Eighteen years later, he may be ready to start living again—maybe. He’s watched all his friends find love and embark on the next stage of their lives. Part of him would like to do the same; part of him would rather cling to the past.

He’s hoping that a trip to the Oregon Coast, and a couple of weeks away from his normal life, might help him figure out how he can move forward and maybe even be happy.

It’s taken him eighteen years to get this point, but a chance encounter on the beach will make him want to figure it all out in just two weeks.

He’s come a long way, but can he really open his heart up to happiness—and to Hope?

Chance Encounter is the first of three books in A Chance and a Hope Series.

These are not standalone reads. In fact, when you get to the end of this story, you may be faced with a cliffhanger – or you may not. The choice is yours!

What do I mean? Well, when you reach the end of Chapter Twenty you’ll be left with a warm and fuzzy Happy-For-Now. Then you’ll be faced with a choice – read on, all the way up to the edge of a cliff where I’ll leave you hanging, or stop right where you are and wait for Book Two to come out on June 13 and read Chapter Twenty-One then. If you love a cliffy, you can have one. If you detest a cliffy, you don’t have to deal with it! Also, if you’d rather wait until the entire trilogy is complete you’ll only have a couple of months to wait.

Book Two: Finding Hope releases June 13
Book Three: Give Hope a Chance releases July 11

GR


Hi, I’m SJ, a coffee addict, lover of chocolate and drinker of good red wines. I’m a lost soul and a hopeless romantic. Reading and writing are necessary parts of who I am. Though perhaps not as necessary as coffee! I can drink coffee without writing, but I can’t write without coffee.

I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non-fiction for many years. My life changed completely a few of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.

I write ‘Sweet N Steamy’ stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.

These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I’m not reading or writing you’ll find me just down the road in the park – Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)


Monday, May 1, 2017

Review-WYOMING BRAVE by Diana Palmer- 2* ("It's nice that it was a library book!")


Title: WYOMING BRAVE 
Series: Wyoming Men #6
Author: Diana Palmer
Genre: Western Contemporary Romance
Rating: * *
Publishers: HQN Books
(Dec 27, 2016)
Paperback: 304 pages
FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from library (Thank goodness)

The Wyoming men are back! In their quest for true love on the range, are these ranchers bold enough to open their hearts to the women under their protection? 
Ren Colter may own an enormous ranch in Wyoming, but he scorns his wealth. He's closed himself off since his fiancée left him years ago, so he's shocked when he allows Meredith Grayling to stay with him. He tells himself it's only to protect the blonde beauty from a stalker, but Ren's alpha instincts soon kick in. 
The last thing Merrie wants is a devastatingly handsome man like Ren lurking around her. He's too experienced, too appealing for her already shot nerves. What she needs is just to get away from it all: the man haunting her waking dreams and the one hunting her like an animal. But no woman escapes this Colter cowboy!

Monday, January 2, 2017

Review For RIDE A PAINTED PONY by Kathleen Eagle


Title: RIDE A PAINTED PONY
Series: Ride A Painted Pony
Author: Kathleen Eagle
Genre: Western Romance
Rating: * * * * 1/2
Publishers: Bell Bridge Books
(Sept 21, 2016)reprint from 12/1/2006
Paperback: 228 pages
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

On a dark, lonely stretch of Midwest interstate, Nick Red Shield swerves his pickup and empty horse trailer to avoid a pair of terrified eyes. They belong to a woman -- battered, bruised and barely conscious -- in desperate need of a lift. 
Lauren Davis grew up in the high-stakes world of horse racing, a world that took her to fame as a jockey and into a relationship with a dangerous high roller. Life with Raymond Vargas has turned deadly, forcing her on the run, but she can't abandon her son, and now she'll do anything to get him back safe. 
While Nick's instincts as a loner kick into high gear, Lauren's vulnerability tugs at him in ways he'd shut down long ago. A man more comfortable with horses than people, unable to make peace with a past that's left him scarred, Nick's not sure about secretive Lauren. But he can't just leave her. And he really doesn't want her to go. 
In the safe haven of his South Dakota ranch, among the magnificent painted horses of Western legend, a bond of trust, truth and passion becomes a lifeline for them both. But soon the danger that shadows Lauren's life and her desperate attempt to save her son will force Nick to confront his own demons. Only then can he fight to save Lauren from hers.

While I throughly enjoyed this contemporary western romance, I was pretty sure I recognized both the title and author. I personally think ALL reprints of earlier works should have to be noted on the book cover. Nothing pisses me off more than to dole out my hard earned money for a book that I've previously read. That said, this was an awesome read that I loved. I enjoyed the suspense and the mythology of he painted ponies. The book moved along at a pretty fast pace and other than the ending not showing us what happened rather being told by a character what happen, completely satisfied me. 


Kathleen Eagle is an award-winning writer whose books have been critical and commercial successes. Married to a Lakota Sioux, she often writes of the issues facing Native Americans today with a knowledgeable and deft touch. She lives with her husband in Minnesota.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Once a Rancher by Linda Lael Miller- 5*

Title: Once A Rancher
Series: Carsons of Mustang Creek

Author: Linda Lael Miller

Genre: Western Romance
Rating: * * * * *
Publishers: HQN Books  
(Mar 29, 2016)
Paperback: 320  pages
ISBN: 978-0373779680
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
The Carsons of Mustang Creek: three men who embody the West and define what it means to be a rancher, a cowboy and a hero in this brand-new series from the queen of Western romance 
SLATER CARSON might be a filmmaker by trade, but he's still a cowboy at heart—and he knows the value of a hard day's work under the hot Wyoming sun. So when he sees troubled teen Ryder heading down a dangerous path, he offers the boy a job on the ranch he shares with his two younger brothers. And since Ryder's guardian is the gorgeous new Mustang Creek resort manager, Grace Emery, Slater figures it can't hurt to keep a closer eye on her, as well… 
GRACE EMERY doesn't have time for romance. Between settling into her new job and caring for her ex-husband's rebellious son, her attraction to larger-than-life Slater is a distraction she can't afford. But when an unexpected threat emerges, she'll discover just how far Slater will go to protect what matters most—and that love is always worth fighting for.

Miller never fails to leave me satisfied after reading one of her western romances and always has me checking to see when the next book in a series is being released. As always, I'm never disappointed in the characters or the storyline. I love how each book I pick up is always a fresh read and a new take on a cowboy. I never feel that I've read this story before and she is simple amazing at intertwining suspense with romance.  Miller's books continue to be on my auto buy list as I've yet to read one that didn't leave me sighing and wishing I'd grown up in the west. 

Carsons of Mustang Creek

Once a Rancher (2016)
The Shut Eye (Apr 6, 2016)
Always a Cowboy (Sept 27, 2016)