Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Texas Rodeo, Book 2

From the publisher:

It took 32 seconds to end his career, but it only took 1 to change his life.

Thirty-two seconds. That’s how long it took for Delon Sanchez’s life to end. One minute he was the best bronc rider in the Panhandle and the next he was nothing. Knee shattered, future in question, all he can do is pull together the pieces…and wonder what cruel trick of fate has thrown him into the path of his ex, the oh-so-perfect Tori Patterson.

Tori’s finally come home, intent on escaping the public eye. It’s just her luck that Delon limps into her physical therapy office, desperate for help. All hard-packed muscle and dark-eyed temptation, he’s never been anything but a bad idea. And yet, seeing him again, Tori can’t remember what made her choose foolish pride over love…or why, with this second, final chance to right old wrongs, the smartest choice would be to run from this gorgeous rodeo boy as fast as her boots can take her.

“A sexy, engaging romance set in the captivating world of rodeo.”―Kirkus

“Illuminating…a standout in western romance.”―Publishers Weekly

Texas Rodeo Series:

Reckless in Texas (Book 1)

Tangled in Texas (Book 2)

Tougher in Texas (Book 3)

Fearless in Texas (Book 4)

Mistletoe in Texas (Book 5)

Relentless in Texas (Book 6)

https://amzn.to/3IShytP

This author was new to me, and her spin on the Western romance was interesting. Usually when there are cowboys and rodeos, the cowboy is hurt and retired and his family/girlfriend is glad and willing to do whatever it takes to keep them from that dangerous sport. But not here!

Delon is an up and coming star in the rodeo, expected to win it all until a bad accident sidelines him. He goes home to recuperate in this tiny Montana town, but when he checks in for his physical therapy, he is shocked to find the one who got away. Delon and Tori had a hot and heavy relationship for a long while, but it was always superficial. He’d show up and she was always happy to see him, but each thought the other was only interested in hooking up, when in fact it was quite the opposite. Once Tori disappeared on him, he had a one night stand with the woman who was his best friend. They both knew they didn’t belong together, but the night produced a son they both fiercely love. They are co-parenting and things are working out just fine. But when Tori shows up in town, all those feelings come rushing back.

Their history keeps them apart for sure, but as he improves, so does their relationship. I loved that Tori was also a rodeo rider; that was a nice twist! There are a lot of obstacles to overcome, but a happy ending is guaranteed. This is a slow-building romance with interesting characters and a lot of insight into the rodeo as a career, which I found really interesting. If you’re looking for a quick read, this isn’t that, but it is a very good read.

3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TANGLED IN TEXAS by Kari Lynn Dell. Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 6, 2024). ISBN: 978-1728280080. 480p.

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Star Valley, Book 3

From the publisher:

In this sizzling, sassy western romance, she’s been burned by too many cowboys—but can this rodeo rider convince her he’s worth the risk?

Retired SEAL Thatch Hearst never thought he’d put down roots, but four years in Star Valley as a bronc rider has him calling the town home. All he needs now is to earn some real money by competing in the big leagues. He’ll have his chance with the town’s upcoming rodeo days, but first he needs to improve his scores. Running out of time—and ideas—Thatch enlists the help of a local yoga instructor, hoping to gain an extra edge.  

​Lyric Valenza has worked with difficult clients, but this ruggedly handsome cowboy might just be her biggest challenge. Marrying a cowboy was the biggest mistake of her life, and after her divorce, she vowed she’d never again need a man. Only the more time she spends with Thatch, the more she realizes there’s a difference between needing and wanting someone—and this cowboy may just be the one person she doesn’t want to be without.

“Fans of emotional cowboy romance will not be disappointed.”―Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/4aiBUYP

I missed the first book in this series, Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy, but I read book 2. These do stand alone but the couples from the first two books are in this story, so probably best to read in order. Guess I have to go find the first book now!

The series centers around a few retired Navy SEALS, and this book is about Thatch Hearst. He loves the thrill he gets from bull riding, but if he is going to become a top tier bull rider, he needs some additional training. Yoga seems to be the way to go as it will make him more limber while riding. Thatch likes Lyric, the yoga instructor in this small town, but she’s turned him down a couple of times when he’s asked her out. But this is business, and she has no trouble with teaching him yoga one-on-one.

Lyric is wary of cowboys but she is happy to teach this cowboy yoga. As they spend time together, she gets to know him better. When two teens have a fight and he breaks it up, somehow she ends up telling people that they are dating. Thatch is fine with it, that was his goal after all, but he isn’t comfortable with lying to their friends. Those that know him also can see that something is going on with Lyric and Thatch, and eventually they realize they are no longer fake dating.

There is a secondary plot about women being abused, and I like how that was discussed and resolved here. The small town stepping up to help is heartwarming, the characters are interesting and compelling, and the love story is a good one. This was a good break for me from reality and is highly recommended.

3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

COUNTING ON A COWBOY by Sara Richardson. Forever (February 20, 2024). ISBN: 978-1538725924. 320p.

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Cowboy Brothers in Arms, Book 1

From the publisher:

He’s Emerald Creek’s hottest cowboy—and the one man she shouldn’t want

On the surface, Egan Donnelly is hometown hero material—top gun, commanding an elite fighter training squadron and ranching royalty. Inside, he feels like a fraud, convinced he’s responsible for his best friend’s death. At least he won’t let himself succumb to the heat between him and Jack’s widow, Alana. But now that she’s making regular trips to his ranch to care for his dad, that vow is getting harder to keep.

Alana Davidson isn’t just grieving her husband’s loss, she’s feeling betrayed over his secret infidelity. Wanting Egan makes things even more complicated. As a nutritionist, she can help Egan’s dad recover from his health scare, but it’s not so easy to get her own heart back on track. Because despite shared guilt and family pressure, she’s falling fast, and Egan is right there with her…

https://amzn.to/48AFBZh

This is the first book of a new series and it’s a good one. Set at the Donnelly family ranch in a small town in Texas, where the patriarch of the family has a heart attack. He survives, but is definitely weakened in body and soul. He has four sons, all in the military, but his oldest, Egan, takes leave for a month to come home and run the ranch. Egan figures his father will be back to himself quickly, but that doesn’t happen. His stepmother is a General and stationed overseas. She can only get away for a few days so it is up to Egan to make things work.

Alana is a nutritionist and is assigned to help out with the food side of getting Egan’s father heart healthy again. Egan has been avoiding her and her son, despite her being his best friend’s widow. Alana was hurt when Egan stopped coming around, but now that she sees him all the time she starts finding herself thinking about him. A lot.

Turns out Egan feels guilty about his friend’s death, and that’s why he’s been keeping his distance. Plus there is the tiny issue that he is strongly attracted to her and he feels guilty about that. It takes some time for these two to face their feelings and get to their happy ending, but it such a rewarding journey to get there. I loved these characters and the setting and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

12/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HEART LIKE A COWBOY by Delores Fossen. Canary Street Press; Original edition (November 28, 2023). ISBN: 978-1335009487. 384p.

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SPRING AT SADDLE RUN (Book 1)

The truth about a small-town scandal is about to unleash one wildly unexpected romance…

Single dad Joe McCann is focused on running his ranch and raising his daughter. He has no desire to help Millie unearth his late wife’s past, especially if it means revealing painful secrets. Until his daughter teams up with Millie, and the widower cowboy finds himself agreeing to help them with their project—and opening the door to a deep attraction he thought he’d never find again. 

Millie Parkman Dayton is still healing from the fatal car accident that claimed her husband and turned her into the focus of local gossip. But when she’s thrown together with the attractive rancher who shares in her tragic past, new rumors begin to fly in Last Ride, Texas.

SPRING AT SADDLE RUN by Delores Fossen. HQN; Original edition (May 25, 2021). ISBN:‎ 978-1335549570. 352p

https://amzn.to/3X4U7mF

CHRISTMAS AT COLTS CREEK (Book 2)

An unexpected inheritance rekindles a red-hot romance just in time for Christmas…

Janessa Parkman spent one long-ago summer in Last Ride, Texas, trying to bond with her estranged father, Abe. Turns out that was plenty of time to fall hard—and crash badly—for Brody Harrell, who managed Abe’s ranch. Everyone believed Brody would inherit Colts Creek one day, but now, fifteen years on, Abe’s will reveals the shocking truth—Janessa gets everything, and she must agree to stay in town for three months…through Christmas.

Brody’s attraction to Janessa burns hotter than ever. Though he refuses Janessa’s offer to give him the ranch, refusing her is impossible. Misunderstanding drove them apart once before, and secrets and betrayals run through both families. But what starts as a temporary Christmas fling might turn into a love strong enough to last every holiday season yet to come.

CHRISTMAS AT COLTS CREEK by Delores Fossen. HQN; Original edition (October 26, 2021). ISBN:‎ 978-1335454577. 336p

https://amzn.to/3kchewJ

SUMMER AT STALLION RIDGE (Book 3)

Can two old friends rekindle the spark that brought them together when their pasts are littered with land mines?

The chance to be near his young son is the only thing that could entice former SWAT commander Matt Corbin back to his hometown. Matt has only a few happy memories of his tough childhood in Last Ride, Texas, and most of them involve Emory Parkman. Once his teenage crush, she’s now living in a cottage on his late grandfather’s ranch, which seems like a good omen…until Matt learns Emory is looking into his family’s history, a subject he’d prefer remained closed.

Emory’s wedding-gown designs are said to bring luck—to everyone but her. Though twice bitten by romance that went sour, she’s tempted to take a chance on the rancher next door. Emory and Matt’s long-ago attempts at love never got a fair chance, but all these years later, their attraction is stronger than ever. Maybe by unearthing some of his ancestors’ long-buried secrets, she can help him finally cast off the past’s shadows and prove to Matt that the third time’s the charm.

SUMMER AT STALLION RIDGE by Delores Fossen. Entangled: Amara (December 27, 2022). ISBN:‎ 978-1649370952. 448p

https://amzn.to/3ZstIka

This series was my first time reading Delores Fossen. According to Amazon she has written 239 books, and no, that’s not a typo. I think they may be counting each type of publication as a book – so the paperback, the audiobook, and the Kindle version would count as three books. Her author description says she’s sold over 140 novels, so either way, that’s a lot of books! It looks like she wrote a lot of those short Harlequin romances, and I don’t generally read those. I’m just glad I found her now – better late than never!

I actually read this series in order, but there is another book that came out in November that I haven’t found yet; Mornings at River’s End Ranch is book 4 of the Last Ride, Texas series and my library doesn’t have it. Yet. I requested they purchase it though, so hopefully, I’ll get it soon. Then in March, A Texas Kind of Cowboy, book 5, comes out. I already got the review copy, but I’m waiting to read it until I get book 4. There are a few more books coming out in 2023 so even more to look forward to! I do love a good Western/Cowboy/Rancher romance, and this series is terrific. There is a lot of drama with these well-developed characters, so I couldn’t help but care about them.

Even though I read these in order, they can all stand alone pretty much. There is a bit of overlap, it is a series after all, but nothing that can’t be understood. I have read other series out of order, and often you just know there are missing pieces of the story, but happily, that is not the case here.

These books are on the sweet side of romance with a lot of angst until the happy ending, but there is also a bit of heat. If you want a bit of sex rather than the complete lack of it in inspirational type romances, but don’t want tons of graphic sex, these books may be perfect for you. I read all across the heat index, but sometimes when it is one sex scene after another, or extremely graphic sex scenes, I just end up feeling like a voyeur, and I don’t enjoy those books as much. I guess I like a modicum of restraint, but not too much! I think Fossen finds a happy medium, at least in this series.

I am really looking forward to the next book, and I highly recommend this series.

1/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch