THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning!

As I kick this blog pack into action, getting posts up first thing each day will be a work in progress.

Thank you to soooo many views on Thoughtful Monday.

I'm going to be using author-specific types of inspiration. If you prefer I revert to the general thoughts I used in the past, please let me know in the comments.

Spotlight Author and Review Wednesday will also be returning in the coming weeks. Have an author (maybe you!) you'd like to see me feature, please leave in the comments or email me at AngelaDrake (at) webname (dot) com

Here's the thought for this week:

from indeed.com

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning!

By the time you see this, I will be on the final few miles of a very long week. 

All my best!

~ Angela

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - A Lullaby For the Maverick

 Hi friends!

As I type this, I will be headed for Kentucky to see my granddaughters. I've not seen them in seven years!  Way overdue for a visit, don't you agree? Bob is keeping the animals here at home company while I travel.

We have come to the end of The Montana Mavericks - The Anniversary Gift series. I'm a bit put out with the ending, but I'll explain in a moment. 

AMAZON

BLURB:

How can doing the right thing feel so wrong?

Wedding singer Bethany McCreery just got dumped…and now she's unexpectedly pregnant. Disappointed by more than one man in her past, she opts to embrace single motherhood. Until she meets wealthy rancher Theo Abernathy at her brother's wedding, that is. She knows she should just walk away. With all his commitments, Theo can't be both partner and father right now—at least not the kind Bethany and her baby deserve. But they're unable to keep their distance, on a collision course that could lead them to heartbreak…or forever.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. This was one of those stories that show case 'when you know, you know', though Theo had to get out of his own way. His heart was always in the right place, but his brain - not so much. That said, I thought Theo was a stand-up guy. Handsome, rich, dependable ... yeah. Theo's a keeper and Bethany recognized that but the whole "let's be friends" thing was a futile attempt at these two admitting that wasn't going to work. 

My ONLY issue (Which I do NOT believe was Melissa's say in the matter. I'm blaming the editors ofr this one)  with this particular series had to do with Stanley and Winona. A lovely elderly couple that were planning to marry. Stanley was all set. Unlike Theo, Stanley knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the slightly eccentric Winona but she kept putting off setting a date. Bless Stanley's heart, he is so patient. 

Since these two were introduced in the beginning of the series, and played bit parts throughout each book, silly me thought they'd get together in the end... especially when we know a date is set and Stanley has his bachelor party! Well, I can't tell you what happens because I DON'T KNOW! Instead, we are led into the next Montana Mavericks series and hope there's resolution and that all is well with this precious couple. I believe we should have seen Stanley and Winona happy, THEN give us another secondary couple to fall in love with. As I said, silly me.

For that mis-step alone (and ONLY on that note) I'm giving A LULLABY FOR THE MAVERICK...

.7

Here are the links to all six books. 

Book 1: Sweet-Talkin' Maverick by Christy Jeffries

Book 2: Maverick's Secret Daughter by Catherine Mann

Book 3: The Maverick's Marriage Deal by Kaylie Newell

Book 4: The Maverick's Thirty-Day Marriage by Rochelle Alers

Book 5: Starting Over with the Maverick by Kathy Douglass

Book 6: A Lullaby for the Maverick by Melissa Senate

Please visit the links below to learn more about Melissa. I'll be back tomorrow with the review of A LULLABY FOR THE MAVERICK.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT- Melissa Senate

 Hello, friends!

By the time you read this I'll be home (or almost). I'm betting I'm tired. As much as I love to travel, my favorite place to be is at home with Bob and our critters. 

Today, I'm shining the spotlight in the final author of the Montana Mavericks - The Anniversary Gift series. Let's learn a bit about Melissa Senate.

BIO:

I've written many novels under my own name and pen names (including a secret pseudonym, but email me, and I'll tell you). My first novel, SEE JANE DATE (2001), was made into a cute TV movie, and I now write contemporary romances for Harlequin Special Edition.

Please visit my website for more information. I love to hear from readers so feel free to email me with any comments or questions.

Happy Reading!

NOTE: For a longer, more detailed bio of this lady's talents, please visit her WEBSITE.

Please visit the links below to learn more about Melissa. I'll be back tomorrow with the review of A LULLABY FOR THE MAVERICK.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Hi, friends!

Again, Blogger failed to post scheduled Monday posts. They aren't even in my que any longer. So I'll get the last July in here then we'll start fresh with August.

All my best!

~ Angela

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - ON FRIDAY- Starting Over With The Maverick

 Good morning, friends!

As you have probably experienced, life doesn't always go as planned. Thus is my life when Bob is home for his twenty-one days. My usual work schedule goes right out the window. Only five months left then I can set a regular schedule. 

Add to the fact I began reading the wrong book in order. LOL Something in my brain said 'Starting Over With the Maverick' seemed the logical book to end the series. so much for my brain. 

We're on track now, and I think you for your patience.

AMAZON

Book Blurb:

The cowboy she hadn’t counted on

After losing her husband, Elizabeth Hawkins is happy to be reunited with her rodeo-riding sisters and extended family, even if she expects her time in Montana may be brief. But she's thrown when Bronco native Jake McCreery ambles into her heart…and even more when it looks as though the commitment-shy cowboy wants to stay! The rugged rancher is also a widower with three kids; she has two. Together they could make a beautiful life, but only if they can find the courage to take a second chance on love—with each other.

My first impression was that the story opened up slow. Then I realized, the set-up for the rest of the story flowed as the author meant. 

Elizabeth and Jake have both experienced painful loss in the deaths of their spouses. Jake wasn't looking to fill his late wife's place with anyone - even though six years have passed. As for Elizabeth, two years is not very long in the grand scheme of things when you feel you've lost your soulmate unexpectedly. Both have had their hands full raising their children - trying to be both mother and father. We all know how hard raising kids can be when you have both parents in the picture and there are readers who there who've done the job solo as well. Also, having kids complicates the combining of souls. Kathy Douglas did an excellent job and letting the kids be the stars of this story. Who wouldn't want twin girls? Or what boy wouldn't want a mom when he'd never had one. Almost from the beginning, these five children form a sibling bond then just hung out waiting for their parents to figure out the rest. 

Kids and animals are two of my weakness' in a story. Their innocence yet maturity (at any age) really put things in perspective.  I'm giving Starting Over With The Maverick...

Only one book left in this series. Here are the links to all six books. 

Book 1: Sweet-Talkin' Maverick by Christy Jeffries

Book 2: Maverick's Secret Daughter by Catherine Mann

Book 3: The Maverick's Marriage Deal by Kaylie Newell

Book 4: The Maverick's Thirty-Day Marriage by Rochelle Alers

Book 5: Starting Over with the Maverick by Kathy Douglass

Book 6: A Lullaby for the Maverick by Melissa Senate

I enjoyed her story in The Montana Maverick's series and I hope you will, too. Review posts tomorrow.

In the mean time, you'll find Kathy through any of the links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK    TWITTER-X   GOODREADS   BOOKBUB

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Kathy Douglass

 Good morning, friends!

As you read this I am on my way to The Great Smokey Mountains. I've never been before so maybe there will be a new book series inspiration. We shall see.

Today, I'm shinning the spotlight on Kathy Douglass.

Here's a bit about Kathy Douglass (okay.. a little more than a 'bit') LOL

Kathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. That love of reading grew with her. She often would finish one book and immediately pick up another. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to long, lush romance novels. One day she stumbled upon the Shining by Stephen King and was hooked. She turned her back on romance and became a serious Stephen King fan, reading every word he wrote. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters or worse, she knew it was time to put down the horror stories and pick up the romance novels.

Her return to romance novels was short lived. She’d started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then one happy day her younger sister handed her a Harlequin romance. They were just what the doctor ordered. The books were short enough to read in a week and still get her required reading done. Best of all she knew there would be a happy ending and she wouldn’t have to search her room before she went to bed each night.

When her first child was born, she stopped practicing law to become a stay at home mom. Her second child followed nineteen months later. With two little ones in the house, reading suddenly became limited to Dr. Seuss and other children’s books. Any free time was spent trying to catch up on sleep or laundry.

All too soon her kids were attending pre-school two hours a day. She spent those few precious renewing her relationship with romance novels. After a while she felt the urge to write a book of her own and she began writing the stories she wanted to read. She spent many years writing some really terrible books and learning her craft. In 2016, Kathy sold to Harlequin. Her first book, How to Steal the Lawman’s Heart, was released in February, 2017.

In the mean time, you'll find Kathy through any of the links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK    TWITTER-X   GOODREADS   BOOKBUB

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela