Book Review: Wrangling His Best Friend's Sister (Beckett Brothers) by Leslie North

Wrangling His Best Friend's Sister is the first book in the Beckett Brothers series by Leslie North.  Ava Pearson needs a job—yesterday. After her husband's death, her life in the city became impossible, and a crisis with her young son caused her to lose her job as a reporter. Now Ava is living in her childhood home again, without prospects, but not without hope. If she can just get enough money to tide her over while she pitches an article to an even better big-city paper, Ava feels she can get back on track. The only problem is…what jobs are available in her one-horse town? Branson Beckett is successful by most measures of the word. He's the owner of a profitable ranch on the brink of expansion and is now looking for a few good ranch hands to help him out. However, he wasn't thinking of his best friend's little sister when it came to hard labor. No, he'd thought of her in other hard situations, but they usually involved the dark of night and his great big bed. Dreams that had no place in reality. But Ava is convincing. She needs to get out of her parents' house, and Branson needs her help interviewing his ranch hands. It's a win-win. He'll fix his personnel problem, and she'll write an article about it. As personnel issues lead to personal pleasure between them, Ava's big city dream drifts away, replaced by visions of a family in the country. In the end, Branson will have to face tough truths about himself, his ranch, and his relationship. And if he fails to see the light, he's going to lose the love of his life. 

Wrangling His Best Friend's Sister is a multi trope romance. There are bits of the cowboy, single parent, small town, and friend's sibling tropes but they all seem to blend together nicely without any one of them feeling overplayed or less than organic in the story. I liked Ava- she is a strong and practical woman who puts her son first but is not ready to stop doing what she loves, what she is good at. I am a little less enamored of Bran. He is a nice guy, determined to do the right thing and run his ranch the way his father would have. However, the biggest conflict in the book is the same reason I wanted to kick him. He is emotionally stunted and walled off. Yes, many heroes in romance start off this way or act this way because of trauma- but apparently he has been like this for years. Alright, fine, I can understand it to a certain degree- but I get so bothered by a story in which it is only the realization that they love a woman- or the possibility of losing them- that 'fixes' the guy. There were enough other things in the story that could have triggered the realization. However, that is a personal peeve of mine, and might not be as frustrating to other readers, especially since that was my biggest issue with the book. It made it hard for me to connect with Bran's character though. I did like the secondary characters- which made the book more entertaining to read.

Wrangling His Best Friend's Sister is a good contemporary romance, with many well written elements. However I just did not become fully invested in the story. 

Book Review: The Cowboy Next Door (Montana Strong) by R. C. Ryan

The Cowboy Next Door is the second book in the Montana Strong series by R. C. Ryan. I did not read the first book, and I think each can stand up well on its own. However, returning readers are likely to have a better understanding of some of the secondary characters and enjoy seeing Ben and Becca's story continue. 

After weeks on the trail, Sam Monroe is looking forward to a hot bath, a home-cooked meal, and a real bed. In that order. But he's greeted by something even better when he opens the door to his family's ranch house. Seems the new housekeeper is a gorgeous young woman who cooks like an angel and wrangles his family like a pro. If only she didn't dislike him so much. Penny Cash is down on her luck, and the last thing she needs is a flirtation with a wild, carefree cowboy. Sure, he's funny and sexy, but they're as different as whiskey and tea. And she'll be leaving town as soon as she finds a full-time teaching position. But when trouble comes calling, Penny will find out how serious Sam can be when it comes to protecting the woman he loves.

The Cowboy Next Door is a solid story. While a contemporary romance, because of the location there was a slight historical flavor. I liked Penny's determination and strength, and how hard she worked to do right for everyone around her. I liked the idea of Sam's character, but I felt at times that he was not fully fleshed out. Readers learn about his past, and how he tries to live his life, but I was still left feeling like his character could have been more three dimensional. Penny and Sam are clearly attracted from the moment their eyes met, and I connected with Penny right away, even when I did not agree with her choices. On the other hand I felt like Sam was fascinated with Penny because he should not be, and because she was a challenge. While he did things to prove otherwise, it still felt off to me in some way. While he went to great lengths to protect her, and do the right thing for his family and her, it felt almost calculated at times. Too often he made decisions for her good or that affected her without discussion, which would have driven me crazy in her place.  Perhaps it is just my own personal issues that colored this part of his character, but it still irked me. As did the fact that once at no point in their private moments did anyone mention or use birth control- or I missed it somehow. Two responsible adults that had less than stellar childhoods should have at least spoken about this.

The Cowboy Next Door is a good romance with cowboy and small town flavors. There was also a religious undertone, but it only really made itself known a few times. 

Book Review: Hard-Riding Cowboy (Kinky Spurs) by Stacey Kennedy

Hard-Riding Cowboy is the third book in the Kinky Spurs series by Stacey Kennedy. While each book can stand up on its own, the series is more fun and entertaining when read in order.

Megan Harrison is the owner of Kinky Spurs. She’s mortgaged up to her eyeballs and works long days and nights, but she’s living life on her terms, not on her wealthy father’s. She’s done being in the cattle rancher’s shadow. She’s got it all figured out, except for the part that involves Nash Blackshaw. He’s a sexy as hell cowboy whose smile can easily charm her out of her tight jeans. The only problem is—their fathers were business rivals, and Megan and Nash have been taught to hate each other since birth. Nash Blackshaw, a retired professional bull rider, has responsibilities on top of responsibilities. With his PBR career over due to back injury, and his focus narrowed on heading up the Blackshaw Cattle Company’s Guest Ranch, he shouldn’t have time to think about all the ways he wants Megan. But small towns have a way of spreading gossip like wildfire, and not everyone is happy about their relationship. Especially when Megan drops a bombshell on Nash after one heated night between them. As much as Megan and Nash want to forget the old feud between their fathers and lose each other in explosive passion, they can’t escape reality. They are meant to be enemies, and Nash’s sizzling, dominant touch might not be enough to keep them together.

Hard-Riding Cowboy is exactly what I was hoping for from this book. I loved the give and take between Megan and Nash, and how they had to both come clean and be honest with each other about the hard things- emotions and family. The attraction and connection has always been there. It is the honesty, and compromise that they each need to put into the equation. Watching the inner realizations and conversations as they find their way to a happy future, knowing that there could be bumps in the road, that really gives this book its heart. I loved the soft spots and vulnerability Megan and Nash had, and how hard they were each willing to work to make the future as loving as they could. I also thought that the hard moments- the crises that struck and the family conflicts, were perfectly balanced. They did not make this easy, but neither could they destroy a relationship that people are committed to make work. Watching these two characters that have danced around each other in the previous books in the series finally get their moment was very enjoyable and satisfying.

Hard-Riding Cowboy is another great read from Kennedy. I loved this series, and expect to see more about the sisters that run the local brewery in upcoming books, at least I hope so based on the hints I have seen this far.

Early Book Review: Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle can be counted as the 5th book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series, but it reads more like the first book in a related series. It can stand up fine all on its own regardless. It is currently scheduled for release on September 25 2018.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget. Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town's resident eccentric, she's used to being lonely, until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he's always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn't take long before she's in danger of falling for him and his rambunctious kids. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas.

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas is a contemporary romance with the touch of suspense that I have come to expect from Ruggle. I adored Camille's character. She is not a fan of attention, and just wants to go about her day with as little small talk and conversation as possible- a trait that I share (to a smaller extent). Steve is trying to be a good father, and give his children a safe and happy home. Working with the fire department and at the family tree farm- as well as getting them involved- seems like the way to go. When Camille and Steve reconnect the attraction is there- but self doubt from both and parties and some interfering family make things more complicated. Then there are the nosy neighbors, fires, and personal quirks make things even more interesting. I greatly enjoyed watching the two dance around each other, and loved getting to know Steve's kids better. I found the suspense part to be well done, and had my suspicions as to who was behind the danger, and why. I will say I was partly right, but loved the ride to get to our happy ending. I love this story, and series, and will continue reading everything I can from the author.

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas is another great romance from Ruggle. I like her character work and am always left wanting more, even though the story is complete.

Book Review: Dirty-Talking Cowboy (Kinky Spurs) by Stacey Kennedy

Dirty-Talking Cowboy is the first book in the Kinky Spurs series by Stacey Kennedy. Emma Monroe has returned to River Rock, Colorado, after the death of her grandmother. Now she’s inherited a farm full of abused animals and she’s working as a waitress at the local hotspot, Kinky Spurs. The last thing Emma wants in her life is a man, as she’s still recovering from a recent heartbreak. But when a sensual and powerful cowboy, Shep Blackshaw enters her life, Emma begins to want things she shouldn't. Shep knows sex shouldn’t be on his mind. He’s got a world of responsibility on his shoulders. He’s attempting to save his late father’s cattle ranch, Blackshaw Cattle Company, from foreclosure. But Emma’s heated reactions to his touch make ignoring her impossible. She’s the perfect distraction to make him forget that his father’s company is a sinking ship. While their nights only heat up, soon emotions become tangled into the mix. 

Dirty-Talking Cowboy is a hot a steamy romance, with an alpha hero that is a little too perfect. Shep is sexy, a hard worker, and while he is controlling he also takes the time to be sure of the emotional well-being of those he cares about. I love that he can be slow and gentle in his conversations and takes care of those around him, and hat consent is a priority in bedroom- that is not always the case with strong alpha heroes. Emma is sweet and smart, reeling from heartbreak and the loss of her grandmother. Changes and grief are taking up most of her head-space as she tries to heal and move forward. I liked that they are both pretty self aware of their issues, and what they need. I like that they talk through the issues and do not force things. The attraction and chemistry between them is powerful, maybe a bit too much to be real but since I read for escape I was fine with that. My biggest problem with the book is that Shep is too perfect. He is strong, willing to work hard, is patient even when he needs to struggle with it. Emma is fairly perfect too, but at least she is struggling with trust, and allowing herself to feel. I enjoyed the secondary characters as much as the main players, and look forward to the next two books in the series, since the story made the next couples pretty obvious. Now, I really need to read those books because I want to see them find their happy endings. 

Dirty-Talking Cowboy is a steamy contemporary romance. The sex is steamy, the characters a little too perfect, but the ride is highly entertaining and well worth the read. 

Book Review: Danger Sweetheart by MaryJanice Davidson

Danger Sweetheart by MaryJanice Davidson is a parody that takes jabs at every romance trope out there. I highly suggest reading the author’s note before diving into the “story” because it describes how this book came to be and what exactly it is all about.

Blake Tarbell has a town to save. Rich, carefree, and used to the Vegas party lifestyle, Blake is thrown for a curve when his former cocktail-waitress mother pleads he go back to her roots to save the town she grew up in. Blake's used to using money to solve his problems, but when he arrives in Sweetheart, North Dakota, this city boy has to trade in his high-priced shoes for a pair of cowboy boots. Natalie Lane's got no time for newbies, and there's nothing she can't do to keep a farm up and running. But when a handsome city-slicker rolls into town with nothing but bad farmer's instincts and good intentions, Natalie's heartstrings are pulled. She's about to teach him a thing or two about how to survive in Sweetheart. And he's about to teach her a thing or two about love...

Danger Sweetheart takes jabs at just about every romance trope out there- but frankly without having read the author’s forward I would have just thought the book was silly, trying too hard, and likely would not have finished it. Even having read the explanation of the book I was not impressed. There were a couple fun moments that kept me reading, but I think the effort to achieve a parody or satire felt too forced to make it really work for me. I almost put it down, but I was too curious to see how one of the promise tropes was worked in to walk away. The characters occasionally offered the quirky fun I expect from Davidson, in such an over the top way necessary in a parody, and that was the other thing that kept me reading when I might have otherwise given up.

Danger Sweetheart made me sad. I love the writing style of Davidson, how her characters are quirky and can laugh at themselves (and each other) and move forward. I think in trying so hard to be funny the charm that usually keeps me happily read was lost. 

Book Review: Must Love Cowboys (Cowboy Heaven #2) by Cheryl Brooks

Must Love Cowboys is the second book in the Cowboy Heaven series by Cheryl Brooks. I have not read the previous book, but did not feel like I was missing much along the way. Shy computer specialist and amateur chef Tina Hayes travels to Circle Bar K ranch to scatter her father’s ashes in the Tetons of Wyoming. Once there, her father’s old army buddy and his cast of cowboy ranch hands persuade her to stay on as the ranch’s cook for a while. It’s not a hard decision, especially when she meets Wyatt McCabe, a man who makes her heart gallop like no one else. But with so many cowboys to choose from, can Wyatt show Tina that he’s the only one for her?

Must Love Cowboys starts out with a thoughtful and terribly shy heroine that has to face a ranch full of cowboys. I was very interested and thought that I was going to be thrilled. Sadly, or horribly shy girl is soon making out with one cowboy, and then into bed with a different one. Now, for a girl that was jumping out of her skin just being in the same driveway with a couple cowboys to be in bed with that same cowboy so quickly just did not play right with me. I loved the cowboys, every single one of the guys, including her late grandfather's buddy, had me wanting them in my corner as friends or a support system. The characters were not flat, but no time was wasted in making them multidimensional. Tina started off feeling complex, but I quickly lost interest in her as she jumped into bed a little too easily, and full of ideas that many more experienced women would not be throwing out there quite so soon. the danger and background of mystery was interesting and reasonably well done, but like Tina- i found its conclusion and path to get there a little to easy but unexpectedly out there. 



Must Love Cowboys is a fun and fast read. I liked the interaction and relationships between the cast of characters overall, but found myself not quite believing in some of Tina's choices and thoughts. However, it was still a good read to escape a rainy night in New England. 

Book Review: Riding Home by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Riding Home is the sixteenth book in the Sons of Chance series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. This contemporary romance is currently schedule for release as an ebook on  August 1, 2014, it was available as a paperback as July 15, 2014. Jeannette Trenton's name is well known in the small town of Jackson Hole, and on Last Chance Ranch in particular. She is the woman that was engaged to one of their beloved citizens, only to cheat on him with his best friend. Now she has come back to atone for her past actions, and to mend fences with the two men that were once good friends and are now finding their own happy ever after. Zach Powell knows Jeannette's type; a wound-up-tight perfectionist with one eye on her email at all times, because he used to be the same way. . He thinks that she needs to shake it loose, face her imperfections, and allow herself to make mistakes. The only thing no one can mistake it the heat that seems to connect them.

I am a fan of Vicki Lewis Thompson, so when Riding Home popped up on NetGalley I had to read it even though I have not read the previous books in the series. Thankfully this is a series because of the connected people rather than a larger story arch so I do not feel like I was missing out on parts of the story without having read the other books. Jeannette was a good character, she is owning up to her mistakes and trying to make things right. She is aware of her problems and making efforts to fix them. Zach has made some changes too, but is not quite sure if he needs to make more. Both are stubborn, smart, and very attracted to the other. I liked the dynamic between them, and there was some humor and hot scenes a plenty. Each of them irked me at some point because of their stubbornness, but I still enjoyed the read. I think it was Thompson's writing style and combination of humor and steam that carried the book for me.

I would recommend Riding Home to those that have read the first two books in the Sons of Chance series. Thompson fans that have somehow missed this series, like myself, should definitely give it a look. If contemporary cowboys or character growth are what you look for in a romance, then this is a book for you.