Book Review - A Cowboy’s Pride

A Cowboy’s Pride
Karen Rock
September 2018

Old wounds run deep 

Only the truth can heal them… 

Rancher Cole Loveland has no interest in dredging up the past, but his ex-fiancée, Katlynn Brennon, has other plans. To save her struggling TV show, she’s come back to Colorado to investigate the infamous Cade-Loveland feud. Trusting Katlynn again isn’t easy—she’s already chosen her career over Cole once. But he’s beginning to realize that true love, like legends, never dies. 

Between The Pages 
This is book four of the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series, and in this story, we take a pause from the Cade family and take a deeper look into the Loveland family. The leading man, Cole Loveland, was worth waiting for. In chapter one, you see Katlynn struggling to stay on top with her appearance and ratings, then mid-way through this chapter Cole makes his entrance and holds you captive throughout the whole story. He’s handsome, charming, and irresistible. Katlynn and Cole’s story is about broken hearts, second chances, stubbornness, and compromise. But there are two additional intertwining romances. Boyd Loveland and Joy Cade get their happy-ever-after, and Maggie Cade and Everett Loveland have their connection revealed. The added twist to this story is solving the mystery behind the Cade and Loveland feud and the missing Cora’s Tear. The author grabs your attention with the combination of romance and mystery and keeps you immersed in the story until the very end. But with the mystery solved will this end the feud between the Cades and Lovelands? Or will a new story create new complications? This book is a must read! I can’t wait to start reading book five, Winning the Cowboy’s Heart.

Rating 
5 Stars

Book Review - Cristabelle: The Christmas Bride

Cristabelle: The Christmas Bride
Hebby Roman
June 2018

Cristabelle Shannon is struggling to support her ailing mother as a laundress at Fort Clark. Pious and serious, Crissy safeguards a family secret. If her secret gets out, she could lose her position, the only decent job she can find. Crissy dreams of a day when she can put her shameful secret behind—a place where no man can trouble her. 

Sergeant David Donovan is a fun-loving prankster, who has made the United States cavalry his home. He joined the Army for adventure and to guard the frontier. His outlandish jokes have cost him his stripes, several times, only to be won back by his bravery. Davie is an Army lifer, committed to his free-wheeling ways and with no thought of settling down. 

When Davie meets Crissy, he’s drawn to her. The rules of the fort’s commander forbid their relationship. Not wanting to lose her job or encourage him, Crissy resists Davie’s attentions. But when he discovers a plot to steal the fort’s payroll and is plunged into danger, Crissy realizes how much she cares for him. Can she face the shameful secret in her past to embrace her future and be Davie’s Christmas bride? 

Between The Pages 
This story is masterfully crafted with an historical outline. The author sends you to 1875 Fort Clark, Texas with ease and places you into the setting of the fort, its soldiers, residents, and raids. The cast is interesting with characters of strength, kindness, and a few not so nice. Cristabelle and David are strong leading characters built on faith and family and they have an instant chemistry that leads them from a bumpy road to an everlasting romance. The Christmas aspect comes near the end chapters with beautiful symbols for the season. The author adds a few twists to the enjoyable plot. Cristabelle is book two of A West Texas Frontier Trilogy. Mallory: The Mail Order Bride is book three and already in my reading schedule.

Rating 
4 Stars

Book Review - The Rancher's Redemption

The Rancher's Redemption
Melinda Curtis
October 2018

His family committed a terrible wrong 

Ben Blackwell wants to make it right 

The last time Ben saw Rachel Thompson was when her best friend left him at the altar. Now Rachel’s suing the Blackwells over river water rights. Rachel’s a triple threat—rancher, fellow attorney and single mom—and Ben’s plan to win in court hits a snag when mutual attraction blooms. If he divulges a long-held secret, will his family forgive him? Will Rachel? 

Between The Pages 
This is the third book in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. Ben’s story. Ben is strong and determined yet he’s caring and compassionate. While Rachel is a great character and a perfect match for Ben, Ben lights up the pages. One of my favourite scenes with Ben is when he’s being chased by the bull and swings into a tree like a monkey wearing red running tights. The author is a master of wit and brings delightful humour to the story. The scenes with Ben and Poppy are so sweet. But Ben has a secret and it’s eating him up on the inside. Both Ben and Rachel struggle with emotional conflicts and watching them remove their barriers is a heartwarming journey. The author’s writing flows seamlessly and the plot is engaging. Beg E makes another return at the end of the story to visit his first wife and he leaves another cliff hanger. This story made me laugh and smile. A must read!

Rating 
5 Stars

Book Review - The Rancher’s Rescue

The Rancher’s Rescue
Cari Lynn Webb
September 2018

He isn’t home to stay 

Until a mother-to-be changes his mind 

Ethan Blackwell is back in Falcon Creek to save his family ranch after his grandfather disappears. When Grace Gardner reveals she’s pregnant with his child, she becomes Ethan’s top priority. But can he be the man he wants to be—preserving the Blackwell legacy and making a life with Grace—in a place he never planned to settle down? 

Between The Pages 
A sweet, heartwarming story fills the pages of this book. Ethan and Grace are perfectly matched and their history and reconnection makes this story truly enjoyable. Together they make each other stronger. The main characters are the highlight, but the secondary cast of characters are equally strong. Returning to the Blackwell Ranch and catching up with Jon and his girls was fun. Then there’s Katie, the Blackwell Ranch’s foreman who never stops to take a breath. Grace’s sister was also interesting. Judge Myrna makes you smile with her reference to the Blackwell brothers as Day One and Day Two. My favourite character was Pops. You’ll want to sit on the porch, play some chess, and listen to his stories. A bonus surprise takes place near the end where Big E finally makes an appearance and though the scene is short, his presence jumps out on the pages. The story line is well written, and the flow is seamless from the first book to the second. Though this is the second book in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series, each book stands alone on their own, but I recommend reading them in order just to get acquainted with the cast and the town of Falcon Creek. Looking forward to book three, The Rancher’s Redemption.

Rating 
4.5 Stars

Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine 12/04/18.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and that your 2019 is off to a good start...okay, how many times this month will I have to backspace and correct  2018 to 2019, lol.

The holidays were quiet and relaxing here, just the way we like them. We are now back to a regular routing. My husband is back to work, my daughter returns to college next week, but is working extra hours this week while she is still off. The dogs and I are waiting to return to our normal morning walks, and while today is sunny, the early morning air clocked in at a -20c wind chill. Hopefully, we can get out this afternoon, but the roads are very icy, so our walk is pending.
In writing news, I have finally decided to take a break from writing and I am content with this decision. I have to resubmit my completed novella to my editor and after that, I'm putting my pen down...for a little while. I can never stop writing. I think the voices in my head would drive me crazy waiting to have their stories told, but they will have to take a back seat while I focus on the magazine's book review schedule, which is terribly behind.

To begin 2019, I am working on a new avenue to promote the magazine's book reviews. This new venture is a bit scary, but also exciting. I am still working out the details and preparing everything that needs to be done before this project goes live. I hope to post more news soon!

Wishing everyone all the best in 2019!