Showing posts with label Harlequin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harlequin. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

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. 


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





Friday, July 26, 2024

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.


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




Wednesday, July 10, 2024

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - The Maverick's Marriage Deal

 Good morning, friends!

I've had a busy couple of days trying to get ahead of some blog posts before the RSJ Conference this week and prepping for post to run while I'm on my trip later this month. I'm striving to not have any blog gaps so bear with me, please. 

When I posted last week's replay post on FB, apparently the bots didn't think the post fit within their guidelines; removing the post for spamming! And some people wonder why I'm not a fan of the platform. I hope I got some views on the post before they removed it.  So we'll try again this week.


THE MAVERICK'S MARRIAGE DEAL is Book 3 in the Montana Mavericks - The Anniversary Gift series.


BLURB:

"If we’re both still single at thirty…"

Rancher Shep Dalton was just eighteen when he told his high school friend Rylee Parker he’d marry her—if they hadn’t found spouses by thirty. Those twelve years went by in a flash, and what started out as a joke has suddenly turned serious—thanks to a fib told by tipsy Shep at a friend's birthday party! Now everyone in Bronco believes they’re getting married, and Shep’s dirty little secret is that he doesn’t mind at all. But being a real-life husband to sweet Rylee seems like a dream out of reach for the restless cowboy…

I've read marriage of convenience stories, but this was a totally different spin. I think, what I loved most about this story was how Kaylie created characters that had a lot of the same similarities, as well as differences. This allowed them to really come together, yet struggle with their inner conflicts. Kaylie Newell is a true artist in creating this story. We not all be able to identify but we wanted to cheer them on, maybe even smack a certain cowboy up along side the head a time or two. We also saw growth in Shep's father, mostly because it helped her bring Shep's turning point to the forefront. Masterful!

There's one other thread I've been looking for in this series, but I won't tell you. No spoiler alerts from this reviewer. You'll just have to read to find out. ;-)

The other thing I've loved about this whole series is that we're reading about characters approaching their 30s. They are mature, with experience to build the stories around. This isn't the Bachelorette. We are looking for real people, with real scars to show us anything is possible; that fairytales are possible.

I'm giving THE MAVERICK'S MARRIAGE DEAL:

 


Remember, there are a total of six books in this series. You'll find links to all of them below:

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Kaylie Newell

 Good morning, friends!

I'm trying to work ahead today as I'll be on-line with the RSJ Conference starting Thursday and my brain will be swirling in the whirlpool of information.  This is a fabulous conference for Readers as well as Writers. There's still time to register for this amazing conference. I got so much great information last year, I signed up on the early bird the last day. I do have an AFFILIATE LINK if you're interested. I also have a discount code, saving you $50 on registration. 

Use Discount Code: 2K1SSM3

Now to our regularly scheduled program.

This week, we continue our journey through the six-book series of The Maverick's of Montana - The Anniversary Gift. Book 3 is The Maverick's Marriage Deal. I'm halfway through and loving the twist on a 'marriage of convenience'. More about that tomorrow.


Photo from Tule Publishing website

Here's a bit about Kaylie:
For Kaylie Newell, storytelling is in the blood. Growing up the daughter of two writers, she knew eventually she'd want to follow in their footsteps. While she's written short stories her whole life, it wasn't until after her kids were born that she decided to shoot for the moon and write her first romance novel. She's now the proud author of over twenty books, including the RITA® finalists, Christmas at The Graff and Tanner's Promise.

Kaylie lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, two daughters, a rambunctious terrier mix, a blind Doberman, and two indifferent cats.

I hope you'll come back tomorrow when I review The Maverick's Marriage Deal.

In the mean time, check out Kaylie's links below:


FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

GOODREADS   

All my best!

~ Angela






Wednesday, July 3, 2024

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Maverick's Secret Daughter

Good morning, everyone!

NOTE: This post (as well as tomorrow's review post) are replays of February 20th and 21st. I'm doing this because I am highlight all six authors and their books in order in the Maverick's of Montana - The Anniversary Gift series. This is Book 2 in the series.

MAVERICK'S SECRET DAUGHTER by Catherine Mann. 

Let's talk about it!



BLURB:

He was a father—but he longed to win over her mother, too…

When sales rep Gabrielle Hammond wound up pregnant after a very out-of-character fling at a convention, she was sure Ryan Taylor would want no part of fatherhood. Now, two years later, the wealthy rancher has discovered Bella is his, and he is proposing marriage to Gabby—right away! Wary of his offer, Gabby agrees only to spend some time on the Taylor ranch, to let the daddy get to know his daughter. But the closer Gabby gets to Ryan, the harder it is to fight the hunky cowboy’s appeal…


Another secret baby story, true. But this is also a second chance. A chance for two people who had an amazing connection, conceived a child then went their separate ways. 
At first, I thought Ryan was a cad (read the book then tell me in the comments below if you picked up on that). Tall drink of Texan charms, beds then leaves a woman to figure out the rest for herself.

Mind you, Gabby is no slouch. She is a fierce Momma Bear willing to protect Bella at all costs... even if her decision means heartbreak. 

Another interesting character in this book was Thaddeus Taylor. The man is portrayed as a horrible person. His children tolerate him, sometimes. His wife lives almost reclusive in her wing of the huge log mansion. You have to wonder, what made Thaddeus Taylor the way his? I'm anxious to read the other books in the series to learn more about the family Ryan grew up in and secrets lurking in Thaddeus' past. 

I put the book down one time. Dishes and food called. LOL So you can bet I'm giving MAVERICK'S SECRET DAUGHTER:



There are 6 other books in the series. (This is Book 2). Here are the links to the other books. Book 3 releases next month.
NOTE: I believe the links below are for eBooks. I picked up my hard copy at Walmart.


You can find out more about Catherine Mann by following any of the links below. 




All my best!
~ Angela

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Sweet-Talkin' Maverick

 Good morning, friends.

Overcast and rain for most of today. Those are lay-in-bed late days and that's just what I did. Coffee, Pinterest scrolling and the company of a tabby cat are the best elements to starting a day. 

But you are more interested in my thoughts of this weeks review, so lets get to it!



I mentioned yesterday I'd already reviewed Book 2 but did not realize that until I saw SWEET TALKIN' MAVERICK in my BookBub newsletter. If you're not a subscriber, you should be. The newsletter is a great way to find new-to-you authors usually as a FREE Kindle read or at a much lower price point. What are you waiting for? Oh... right after the review, please. 

BLURB:

The Last Single Sanchez in Bronco

Businessman turned landowner Dylan Sanchez is a dealmaker…and a heartbreaker. The rookie rancher insists he will never amble down the bridal path—even though everyone in town seems determined to see him put a ring on, well, someone! So when he asks Robin Abernathy for her help with the Broken Road Ranch, she knows better than to pin any hopes on him, no matter how long she’s been hiding her crush on the wannabe cowboy. But the two opposites soon find a surprising connection that has the whole town talking…

 WOW!

First off, I loved Robin's approach to trying to get closer to the cowboy she has a mad crush on by stepping totally out of her comfort zone and into a baking competition. Keep in mind, Robin is no girly-girl. She's smart, focused, and doesn't worry too much about her appearance. She's a rancher and a rancher's daughter. Appearance doesn't matter to the heifer birthing a calf in a barn stall. Robin knows lots of stuff and isn't afraid to let other's know where they might be going wrong... thus her first real meeting with Dylan Sanchez.

While Dylan doesn't know much about ranching, he's determined to be a full-fledge cowboy with his own ranch though he'd prefer the horse power of one of the many trucks on his dealership lot than between his thighs. No spoiler, but you'll learn more about that when you read the book. I'm pretty sure he didn't know what he was stepping into when he asked for her assistance in rebuilding his newly acquired Broken Road Ranch.  

They click more than actual chemistry and I really loved how Christy let them build a friendship before launching into romance. 

I have two marks on this book that kept me from giving a perfect score. One was the missing pearl necklace was never addressed in the end. I'm curious to see if this is a continuing story line throughout the series. I don't remember anything in Book 2 so guess I'll be re-reading that this week. LOL

The other  mark is something I've mentioned before, possibly in my earlier review of Book 2. There are too many names to try and keep track of. These authors should include a family tree with the books. My tracking limit is usually three to four siblings... and only on one side. Trying to remember who was who's brother/ wife.... got complicated so I skimmed over those notations, enabling me to focus on Robin and Dylan. 

Please leave me a comment your thoughts on multiple siblings on both sides of a relationship in a series. 

I'm giving Sweet Talkin' Maverick...

.8

Sweet-Talkin' Maverick is BOOK 1 in the Montana Maverick's - The Anniversary Gift series

Book 1: Sweet-Talkin' Maverick by Christy Jeffries





Tuesday, June 25, 2024

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Christy Jeffries

 Good morning, friends!

I don't know about where you are but here, Heat Advisories are issued almost daily. I'm already over summer LOL. 

I'm shinning the spotlight on Harlequin Romance Author, Christy Jeffries.


Here's a bit about Christy:

Christy Jeffries graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Criminology and received her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. But drafting court documents and working in law enforcement was merely an apprenticeship for her current career in the relentless field of mommyhood and romance writing. She lives in Southern California with her patient husband, two energetic sons, and one sassy grandmother.

I've noticed a trend over the years of legal professionals becoming authors, romance in particular. Please leave a comment below your thoughts on why the career change.

I'm reading Sweet-Talkin' Maverick for tomorrow's review. The book is Book 1 in the Montana Mavericks' The Anniversary Gift series. 

Heads up, next week I'll be reposting an author and book, which is Book 2 in the series and we'll continue to meet all six authors over the coming weeks. 

If you want to get a head start on your reading by the pool, here is the complete list with links:



Tuesday, May 28, 2024

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Maisey Yates

 Good morning, friends!

We've had a scary Memorial Day weekend. We experienced not one but two tornado warnings between Saturday morning and Sunday night. The one Sunday night passed directly over my house with no damage! Just bizarre. I was prepared as I could be but after seeing two our our friends' houses, I understand how blessed we were. Bob was at work in Chicago. Sunday night, I, along with my two cats and a very spoiled Beagle/ Bassett hunkered in our safe spot until we had the all - clear. 

On to today's Spotlight Author:


Here's a bit about, Maisey Yates:

Maisey Yates is a New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romance novels. Whether she’s writing strong, hard-working cowboys, dissolute princes or multigenerational family stories, she loves getting lost in fictional worlds. An avid knitter with a dangerous yarn addiction and an aversion to housework, Maisey lives with her husband and three kids in rural Oregon.

Tomorrow, I'll be reviewing A FOREVER KIND OF RANCHER. In the mean time, check out the links below to find more on Maisey Yates.



All my best!
~ Angela


Tuesday, February 27, 2024

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Heidi Rice

 Good morning, everyone!

Feels like spring is on it's way into the Ozarks. We hit 80*F yesterday! Not ready for heat and humidity but is nice to sit out on the deck with a good book. 


I'm shining the spotlight on  USA Today Bestselling author, Heidi Rice.


Here's a bit about Heidi:

Author Heidi Rice’s first love was watching movies so, not surprisingly, her first proper job was as a film journalist. But after spending years sneaking off to read romantic fiction when she was being paid to watch crappy B-movies, she decided to try writing a novel of her own. After several false starts, her first book, Bedded by a Bad Boy, was published by Harlequin Mills & Boon in 2007 (try telling that title to your mother with a straight face!). Eleven years and 40+ published novels, novellas and short stories later, she has had her work translated into over twenty languages, become a USA Today bestseller and sold over three million copies of her books worldwide.

In 2016, Heidi released her first full-length women’s fiction novel with Harlequin Mira UK, So Now You’re Back. Her second women’s fiction novel, Summer at Willow Tree Farm, came out in Harper Collins’ HQ Stories imprint in 2017. Her latest longer novel, Just Like in the Movies, is due out on 12th March 2021 from Harper Collins’ Digital First imprint One More Chapter and features a hopeful romantic, a hopeless cynic and a crumbling cinema in Notting Hill where dreams just might come true.

As you can probably tell, she loves her job, because it involves sitting down at her computer each day and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny flawed women, sexy tortured men and glamorous locations where laundry doesn’t exist. She tutors an online romance writing course with the Professional Writing Academy to share the joy! She lives in London with her husband and two sons, and lots of other gorgeous men who are entirely in her imagination (unlike the laundry, unfortunately).


I had to laugh at the last line. See, even Bestselling authors live ordinary lives. 

Her most recent book, HIDDEN HEIR WITH HIS HOUSEKEEPER released last week (technically a March release) and is part of a three-book co-project I'll talk more about tomorrow.

In the mean time, please visit her links below and I'll see you tomorrow with my review.



All my best!

~Angela

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Maverick's Secret Daughter

 Good morning, everyone!

Okay, I confess. I'm posting this on Tuesday night. Bob left for his 21 day rotation on the boat this morning. The house was so quiet... almost unsettling. With the feeling overtaking me, I dove right in to reading MAVERICK'S SECRET DAUGHTER by Catherine Mann. 

Let's talk about it!



BLURB:

He was a father—but he longed to win over her mother, too…

When sales rep Gabrielle Hammond wound up pregnant after a very out-of-character fling at a convention, she was sure Ryan Taylor would want no part of fatherhood. Now, two years later, the wealthy rancher has discovered Bella is his, and he is proposing marriage to Gabby—right away! Wary of his offer, Gabby agrees only to spend some time on the Taylor ranch, to let the daddy get to know his daughter. But the closer Gabby gets to Ryan, the harder it is to fight the hunky cowboy’s appeal…


Another secret baby story, true. But this is also a second chance. A chance for two people who had an amazing connection, conceived a child then went their separate ways. 
At first, I thought Ryan was a cad (read the book then tell me in the comments below if you picked up on that). Tall drink of Texan charms, beds then leaves a woman to figure out the rest for herself.

Mind you, Gabby is no slouch. She is a fierce Momma Bear willing to protect Bella at all costs... even if her decision means heartbreak. 

Another interesting character in this book was Thaddeus Taylor. The man is portrayed as a horrible person. His children tolerate him, sometimes. His wife lives almost reclusive in her wing of the huge log mansion. You have to wonder, what made Thaddeus Taylor the way his? I'm anxious to read the other books in the series to learn more about the family Ryan grew up in and secrets lurking in Thaddeus' past. 

I put the book down one time. Dishes and food called. LOL So you can bet I'm giving MAVERICK'S SECRET DAUGHTER:



There are 6 other books in the series. (This is Book 2). Here are the links to the other books. Book 3 releases next month.
NOTE: I believe the links below are for eBooks. I picked up my hard copy at Walmart.


You can find out more about Catherine Mann by following any of the links below. 




All my best!
~ Angela







Tuesday, February 20, 2024

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Catherine Mann

Good morning, everyone!

As you may have noticed, I did not post an Author Spotlight or Wednesday Review last week.

Sometimes, when you pick up a book, something within the writing keeps you from reading the story.  I don't come across those reads very often. 

I learned the Thumber Rule very early in life. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Since Bob was home and I didn't have time in our schedule of appointments and Valentine's day to try a second book, I just let the week go and instead, posted a question on Facebook. Have you ever tried to read a book you just could not get through?  Please leave a comment below if you've ever had this experience.


This week, I am shining the spotlight author on USA Today Bestselling author, Catherine Mann. 

Catherine has a total of 67 Books To Date, including:

Silhouette/ Harlequin Desire

Silhouette Special Edition

Series Collaborations

Single Book anthology

Her latest book, Maverick's Secret Daughter is part of the Montana Mavericks - The Anniversary Gift series (Harlequin is celebrating 75 years of delivering great reads in multiple sub-genres of romance. I guess they know what they're doing!)

We'll get to her new release and talk about the rest of the series tomorrow. In the mean time, let's get to know Catherine Mann:

USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Harlequin, Tule, Berkley, and Sourcebooks. With over seventy-five books released in more than twenty countries, she has won a RITA Award, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Bookseller’s Best Award. She’s also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. After years moving around the country bringing up four children, Catherine has settled back in her home state of South Carolina with her husband. The nest didn’t stay empty long though as they are both active in animal rescue. Catherine enjoys hearing from her readers and can be found online frequently on Facebook.

I hope you'll come back tomorrow for my review of Maverick's Secret Daughter, Book 2 in the Montana Mavericks series.  In the mean time, please check out the links below for more on Catherine Mann.



All my best!
~Angela