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CHRISTMAS IN PAINTED PONY CREEK by Linda Lael Miller

October 20, 2023

From the publisher:

Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story!

Can a Christmas miracle mend her broken heart?

Tessa Stafford will do anything for her daughter, Isabel…even stay on the run to protect Isabel from her narcissistic grandmother. But when her car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Tessa gets caught up in the warm embrace of the town and feels safe enough to build a home—and a life—for them both. Love is the last thing on her mind until rugged cowboy and lawyer Jesse McKettrick’s sexy smile and easy way tempt her into imagining more. But can she trust this handsome stranger with her heart?

When Tessa and her adorable daughter blow into town, Jesse McKettrick is smitten—by both the little girl and her beautiful mother. He’s always wanted a family of his own. Maybe this Christmas, his wish will finally come true. But the walls around Tessa are impenetrable, and when Tessa’s past threatens their newfound future—and the family he’s come to love—Jesse won’t let them go without a fight.

Painted Pony Creek:

Book 1: Country Strong
Book 2: Country Proud
Book 3: Country Born
Book 4: Christmas in Painted Pony Creek

“The subtly Christmassy backdrop and folksy supporting characters up the charm factor. Longtime readers will be thrilled to revisit this small town with a big heart at the most wonderful time of the year.” Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/45GzWin

This was my first read in this series, and I wouldn’t have known it was part of a series – it stands alone beautifully. Miller writes a lot of contemporary westerns, which I love, and combined with Christmas made this a must read for me. It’s a short book with well defined characters that leap off the page, from Tessa to her daughter to Jesse, the cowboy/lawyer who falls in love with both mother and daughter.

Tessa was a foster child, and is determined to make it as a single mother. The baby daddy is a bit of a jerk, but was happy to sign over his rights. His stepmother, on the other hand, takes it upon herself to try and get custody of the baby. The evil stepmother has a ton of money and influence, so Tessa figures she won’t stand a chance. She hits the road, trying to stay one step ahead of the woman chasing her down. Until she gets to the charming town of Painted Pony Creek.

The town feels welcoming to Tess. Before she knows it, she has a job and a place to live, and all the support a single mother could use. When she gets a custody demand, she turns to Jesse, who is only too happy to help her. There is a strong attraction there but Tessa isn’t looking for a relationship, not while she has to stay one step ahead of the stepmother. But it’s hard not to want to stay in this small town filled with caring people who seem to have her back. Not to mention Jesse, who seems to have her heart.

I really enjoyed this sweet romance. It’s a lovely read set during the Christmas holiday, without being preachy. I might have to go find the earlier books in this series.

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CHRISTMAS IN PAINTED PONY CREEK by Linda Lael Miller. Canary Street Press; Original edition (October 10, 2023). ISBN: 978-1335430670. 288p.

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BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY by Sara Richardson

July 14, 2023

Star Valley, Book 2

From the publisher:

A former SEAL and his best friend’s widow find that the path of healing leads to forbidden feelings in this emotional western romance for fans of Maisey Yates and Jennifer Ryan!

For widow Tess Valdez, there are two things keeping her husband’s memory alive: her daughters and the ranch he loved. And Tess has thrown herself into caring for both. But when the wild horses that roam her land are threatened, Tess seizes the opportunity to become their advocate—and finds a new purpose that is hers alone. She expects resistance from some of the locals, but what she doesn’t anticipate is needing the one man she can’t have by her side…

No one understands Tess’s pain better than SEAL Silas Beck. He lost his best friend on the battlefield, and he’s spent every day since living up to the promise he’d made Jace to take care of the family he left behind. Falling for Tess was never supposed to happen, and Silas knows he should leave for both of their sakes—but he can’t say no when she asks him for one last favor. Even if staying means confronting feelings they’d both rather ignore . . .

“This is a must-read for cowboy romance fans.”—Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/3JRQ8oF

I’ve read many of Sara Richardson’s books and enjoyed them all, but somehow I miss books in every series. I need to pay closer attention! This is the second book of a series, and I have the first book but haven’t read it yet – but I will.

This is a good cowboy romance with a strong storyline besides the romance – saving wild mustangs. In this small ranching town, Tess is shocked to learn that some of her neighbors are killing the wild horses. Tess is a widow whose husband was a Navy SEAL. His friends and fellow SEALs have returned to town and have a construction company. When Tess finds an injured mustang and Silas, her husband’s best friend, helps bring the horse back to the ranch so he can heal.

Silas has strong feelings for Tess but thinks she wouldn’t be interested. Until they have a one-night stand. There is a lot of chemistry there but Tess thinks they shouldn’t let anyone know and that pisses Silas off. Nevertheless, he’s on board to help with the injured animal and helps her try and rally the town to stop hurting these horses. Most of the ranchers agree except one…

Meanwhile, Silas thinks he’s not good enough for Tess and decides to re-up with the SEALs. Tess finds out who is shooting at the horses, and things heat up between Silas and Tess. There are a lot of hurdles before these two can find their happy ending, and I couldn’t put the book down until everything was resolved. This is another good read from a terrific author.

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY by Sara Richardson. Forever (June 6, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1538725900. 480p.

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ALWAYS HER COWBOY by Addison Fox

June 23, 2023

Rustlers Creek, Book 3

From the publisher:

Back in Rustlers Creek, one cowboy discovers that a lifelong feud could become his forever romance…

Charlotte Wayne has detested Chance Beaumont since the fourth grade. Her bickering with the big, rugged cowboy has become legendary around their small Montana town. But little does anyone know, Charlotte’s animosity masks unspoken feelings… because underneath it all, Chance is the only man who ever truly claimed her heart.

Chance has spent his whole life in Rustlers Creek, but he’s always been on the outside looking in. He needs to focus on keeping his ranch afloat amid the massive debt left by his late father, and the feelings he harbors for Charlotte don’t make it any easier. She’s ranching royalty and he’s perpetually scrubbing mud off his boots. It’s safer to push her away than hope for something he can never have.

When a business opportunity forces Charlotte and Chance to work together, they share a heated moment in each other’s arms. The simmering attraction they’ve fought for years can no longer be ignored, but will Chance’s doubts stand in the way of their happiness? Or will he finally declare his love and prove to Charlotte that he’s always been her cowboy?

“Steamy sex scenes… Charlotte’s loyalty, however, is admirable and Chance’s big heart shines through all the drama. It’s a worthy addition to the series.” — Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/445ZvZI

This was my first time reading this author, so here I am again, starting a series completely out of order. I don’t think it mattered much, as I didn’t realize it was part of a series when I read it! There were no weird gaps or references to things I didn’t know about, or if there were, I didn’t notice, so kudos to Ms. Fox. Well done.

Chance and Charlotte grew up together and always had a special closeness. But Charlotte is the daughter of the most successful rancher in this small town, and Chance’s father was a bad businessman and a terrible father. Chance inherits a debt-ridden ranch and doesn’t feel worthy of Charlotte, no matter how much they adore one another. Men and their foolish pride make up many male protagonists in romance novels, and probably in life, for that matter.

Charlotte is a strong, smart young woman, and even though this is a chauvinistic culture she is working in, she is nonetheless taken seriously because she works hard at it. I really liked how the idea of using drones for land surveying was introduced here; it made the book seem really up-to-date, at least in regards to ranching. But she still has to deal with small-town gossip, and that’s never fun.

When Chance finds out his land is worth way more than the debt his father ran up, you would think he may feel like things could work out with Charlotte, but it still takes a long time for him to get there. I really liked that money wasn’t the cure-all, it lent some realism to the story. I loved how connected I felt to these characters and couldn’t help but want them to find their happy ending. It was a struggle to get there, but it was all worth it in the end. If I can find the earlier books in this series in my library’s ebook collections, I’ll be back with more reviews. Meanwhile, I’m adding Addison Fox to my must-read list.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ALWAYS HER COWBOY by Addison Fox. Avon (May 23, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0063135307. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: THE PROSPECTOR’S ONLY PROSPECT by Dani Collins

April 4, 2023

From the publisher:

After eight days in a cramped stagecoach, divorcée Marigold Davis already regrets her decision to come to Denver City to marry. She certainly didn’t realize she’d signed up for mosquitoes, mud, and scores of rough men eyeing her like a hot meal on a cold day. But with her life in Kansas all but incinerated, Marigold needs a husband. Even if she’s not the bride that gold prospector Virgil Gardner is expecting…

Virgil Gardner has a reputation as a grumpy hard-ass, and he’s fine with it. He’s also no fool―this is not the woman he agreed to marry. It takes a tough-as-nails woman to survive the harshness of a Rocky Mountain gold claim, and this whiskey-eyed, gentle beauty is certainly not the type. Now it’s just a matter of how quickly she’ll quit so he can find a wife who will stick. Someone who can care for the only thing he values even more than gold–his children.

But Marigold isn’t about to give in. Cramped in a one-room shack. Berry picking turned into a bear escape. Or cooking for an entire crew of bottomless pits. She’s got more grit than most. And just when Virgil starts to realize his replacement bride might be the treasure he’s been looking for, an unannounced guest arrives…to change everything.

“Collins mines the setting for both danger and humor, providing the perfect backdrop to this sensuous romance. Readers won’t want to put this down.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
https://amzn.to/3LV52fV

I love cowboy romances, and this historical story is a good one. Set in the Kansas territory long before statehood, Virgil Gardner runs a gold mining operation. His wife is gone, leaving him with three children – two of whom are his. He takes care of all of them as best as he can, but he needs a wife, so he advertises for one.

The woman who shows up, Marigold, is actually the sister of the woman he agreed to marry. Virgil is a good man, albeit short-tempered and suspicious of most people, especially women. He cannot abide liars or cheats and feels like he was taken advantage of by this woman. He agrees to allow her to be his housekeeper but takes marriage off the table. Marigold loves children and is educated, so she is happy to take on her new role. She has never lived under such rugged conditions, and there is a definite learning curve. But she enjoys the children and even becomes friendly with the men working for Virgil, much to his displeasure.

Virgil is also surprised to find that he is drawn to the sassy woman and isn’t quite sure what to do about it. Eventually, they realize they have a strong physical attraction, which surprises Marigold – she had a horrible marriage, yet something about Virgil is warming her heart. Virgil and Marigold’s relationship blows hot and cold, and the men are all seeing more to it than they are. Just when you think everything is finally going to work out, there is a wrench thrown in the works that causes a massive setback. But no worries, a happy ending is just around the corner.

The historical aspects of this book were really interesting, and seeing how people lived under such extreme conditions was also fascinating. I liked these characters a lot, and this was a really good story. If you like historical westerns, this is a good one. The romance is just the icing on the cake!

4/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE PROSPECTOR’S ONLY PROSPECT by Dani Collins.‎ Entangled: Amara (March 28, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1649373410. 352 p.

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Last Ride, Texas Series by Delores Fossen

January 13, 2023

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

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THE CHARMER IN CHAPS by Julia London

September 9, 2022

The Princes of Texas, Book 1

From the publisher:

A Texas Prince Meets His Match…

Cimarron County knows the youngest son of the fabled Prince family as a womanizing hell-raiser, but Luca has changed and he intends to prove it. There’s just one problem—a woman with sparkling eyes and more fight than a barnyard cat.

After a childhood of living in foster homes, Ella Kendall has exactly three things to her name: A dog, a pig, and the rundown house she just inherited. Luca may not remember her from high school, but she definitely remembers him. He is as seductive as he was then, but Ella isn’t about to fall for his flirting. She recognizes a playboy cowboy when she sees one.

Luca knows Ella has learned the hard way to trust no one but herself. Yet the closer he gets to Ella, the more he wants to be the only one she leans on. Because Ella is the only woman for him, and he wants to be the man who finally gives her the home she truly deserves.
https://amzn.to/3L5Qpnt

I do love cowboy romances, and this was a good one that I missed – it came out in 2019. Luca Prince is the second son of a family that owns one of the largest ranches in Texas, near San Antonio. Ella had a big crush on him in high school, but they ran in completely different circles. But at the high school dance, they danced together and he kissed her, and she never forgot. But he did.

Luca has been living the rich playboy life, partying all over the world, and dating supermodels, but never more than twice. His dyslexia causes his mother great disappointment, and instead of getting him help, he was shuffled from school to school with family donations getting him through school. He graduates pretty much illiterate, and very much embarrassed about it himself.

Ella has been in foster care for most of her life, and all she’s ever wanted is a home. When the grandmother she barely knew dies, she leaves her broken-down farmhouse to Ella. It comes with a few wild horses, a pig, and a dog, all of whom adopt Ella. She can barely feed herself but she shares what she can with her menagerie. She’s working part-time as a hostess in a restaurant in this small town and is trying to start up her own accounting business. She has a couple of clients but desperately needs more.

When Luca sees Ella, he is really drawn to her. She’s no supermodel hidden under a ton of makeup and hair extensions; instead, she is naturally pretty and that is very appealing. Ella knows she isn’t good enough for Luca, and she keeps her heart walled off for sure. But they start dating, even if she won’t call it that, and she falls really hard for him. Determined to keep her distance, she pushes him away as much as she can.

Luca inherited a couple of thousand acres of land that is all used up. His best friend is an environmental lawyer, and together they form a foundation to try and bring the land back to the way it was. Luca and Ella keep non-dating and sleeping together until her best friend (Stacy, of all the names in the world) gets into some trouble and Ella feels like she needs to help her.

This is a small-town romance with interesting characters who have a lot of baggage. It seems almost impossible for them to reach their happily ever after, but they do. This was a quick read with a few steamy scenes and lots of swoony romance, but with some emotional depth, too. Now I’m trying to find the next two books in this trilogy.

9/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE CHARMER IN CHAPS by Julia London. Berkley (May 7, 2019). ISBN:‎ 978-0451492357. 368p.

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TUCKED AWAY by Jennie Marts

August 19, 2022

The Hearts of Montana, Book 1

From the publisher:

Sometimes you find what you need in the most unlikely places…

Charlie Ryan’s cheating fiancé left her with a broken heart and even broker bank account. She’s hit rock bottom, but everything is about to change. Suddenly, she’s inherited a Montana farm named Tucked Away from a grandmother she never knew existed. A fresh start is just what she needs – and no men in her future this time, even if the local vet is as hot as a Montana summer.

Zack Cooper is content with his simple life. Running his veterinary practice and raising his daughter are enough to keep him busy, and he doesn’t need a high-maintenance city girl like his ex who plans to sell her grandma’s ranch and split faster than a setting sun. So why can’t he stop thinking about Charlie and her hot-pink cowboy boots…and the way her eyes say she wants to stay while her lips tease him with plans of leaving?

Just when both start to believe love might be worth the risk…one night will change everything.
https://amzn.to/3QVaUFb

My love affair with Jennie Marts continues with a new-to-me-but-older series, The Hearts of Montana. I found this on Hoopla through my library. Marts has written several series and I’m working my way through them. For a change, I’m starting this series with the first book!

Charlie was brought up by a single mother in New York City. When she catches her boyfriend cheating, she dumps him and crawls home to her mom. Then she finds out she has inherited a farm in Montana from a grandmother she never knew existed. Ready for a change, she rents a car and hits the road.

Her first inkling that she’s no longer in New York City is when her driveway is blocked by an enormous bull, intent on goring her car. Trapped, she is grateful when a cowboy stops and gets the bull out of the way. Her high heels and silk blouse give her away as a newcomer to Montana, but she quickly acclimates to the old farmhouse she’s inherited and the sexy cowboy who’s working there. Cash is a big flirt, but Charlie isn’t going for it. Instead, she runs into the town veterinarian (and single dad,) and finds a serious spark. Turns out every unattached woman in town has her eye on the hunky vet, but he only has eyes for Charlie.

This is a small town romance with a hot cowboy, always a good combination! Charlie acclimated much more quickly to the small town than I certainly would have expected, but I went along for the ride and it was sexy, funny, and heartwarming. (I would read the rest of this series, but it’s not available through my library or Kindle Unlimited.)

The Hearts of Montana series
This western romance series is about three tough but tender cowboys who find love under the big Montana sky.
1 – Tucked Away (Zack & Charlie)
2 – Hidden Away (Taylor & Cherry)
3 – Stolen Away (Cash & Emma)

8/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TUCKED AWAY by Jennie Marts. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 6, 2015). ISBN:‎ 978-1511435932. 320p.

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YOU HAD ME AT COWBOY by Jennie Marts

August 12, 2022

Cowboys of Creedence, Book 2

From the publisher:

This cowboy is falling hard

Mason James is the responsible one who stayed behind to run the ranch while his brother, Rock, took off to play professional hockey. Women have used him before to get to his brother―and Mason intends never to get burned again. But after he meets quirky Tessa Kane at his brother’s wedding, Mason discovers he’s ready to take a chance on love.

Tessa Kane is a reporter on the verge of losing a job she desperately needs―unless she’s clever enough to snag a story on the famous Rockford James. But when she falls for her subject’s brother, she’s caught between a rock and a hard-muscled cowboy. What will happen when Mason finds out who she really is?

Cowboys of Creedence Series:
Caught Up in a Cowboy (Book 1)
You Had Me at Cowboy (Book 2)
It Started With a Cowboy (Book 3)
https://amzn.to/3Ak8A5f

This is such an enjoyable series, especially if you like cowboy romance as much as I do. These books are set in Creedence, Colorado, outside of Denver. Creedence is a small, ranching town and I like small town romances, too, so these books are a win-win for me.

Mason is the middle brother and the one that stepped up to run the ranch when his older brother, Rock, followed his love of hockey to the NHL. Rock is home now and getting ready to marry his childhood sweetheart, Quinn, and their romance was in the first book of this series. Even though these books do stand alone, I think this series may be best read in order.

Mason has been burned more than once by women who pretended to be interested in him to get to his older, celebrity hockey player brother. But this whole week of wedding fun is becoming painful for him as he feels like everyone is pitying him for being alone, not to mention pointing it out to him. So not fun. So when he has to go to the supply closet at the welcome dinner, he gets quite an eyeful. Tessa is in there trying to button a clean shirt that isn’t quite fitting across her chest. Mason gets an eyeful and she is embarrassed, but being the nice guy he is, he gets her a shirt that will button. Their chemistry is palpable, and when she tells him she was invited to this dinner by a blind date who has stood her up, he asks her to be his date – for all the wedding festivities.

Tessa has had the day from hell. She just found out her grandmother who raised her after her parents were killed in an accident has fallen for the Nigerian prince scam and is flat broke. That prince hacked into her bank accounts and wiped her out, and now their home is in foreclosure. She’s a writer for a Denver magazine, and her boss just fired her unless she can get him all the dirt on the quickie wedding she’s now attending. She reluctantly agrees.

The more time they spend together, the more they fall in love. Tessa’s guilt is eating at her, and Mason can’t quite believe his feelings. But when he finds out she is a reporter, all hell breaks loose. No worries, they find their happy ending but so much angst before they get there! These were wonderful characters and I loved their story. Can’t wait to get into the next book!

8/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

YOU HAD ME AT COWBOY by Jennie Marts. Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 27, 2018). ISBN:‎ 978-1492655725. 352p.

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CAUGHT UP IN A COWBOY by Jennie Marts

August 12, 2022

Cowboys of Creedence, Book 1

From the publisher:

This Cowboy Turned Hockey Player Needs to Bring His Game to Win Back the Heart of His High School Sweetheart

Welcome to Creedence, Colorado―where the gossip flows, the chicken is fried, and the cowboys are hotter than a Colorado chili pepper.How do you heal a broken heart?

I play to win…

Raised as a tried-and-true cowboy in a town obsessed with hockey, I’ve always been competitive, whether on a horse or on the ice. I thought my cowboy days were over when the NHL snapped me up, but now injuries have me heading home with a bruised ego to match the damage to my body.

One problem―when I joined the NHL, I left my high school sweetheart behind with a broken heart and not much else. Now, when I finally “cowboy up” and go to ask for a second chance, I’m shocked as hell to find her with a baby and no man around. She thinks she can forget about what we had together, but I’m bound and determined to get her caught up in us once again.
https://amzn.to/3SLe9AN

I loved the Creedence Horse Rescue series so much that I went looking for more books by this author and found this series that precedes the one I just finished. Luckily, all the books stand alone so I’m good with that.

I was assigned a book to review for Library Journal, and I’m really not enjoying it so I read a few chapters, then put it down to read something I like. Like Jennie Marts. She is getting me through the book I have to read by giving me a break from it. When I was reviewing for Booklist, I liked that they don’t publish negative book reviews (for the most part) so if I got halfway through a book and didn’t like it enough to finish it, I could tell my editor that and get a different book to review. Library Journal doesn’t work that way; they want all the books reviewed, good or bad. Happily, this book I am reviewing for my blog is a good one!

So cowboys and NHL players? Yes, please! Rock grew up on his family’s ranch with his two brothers. They lost their father when they were pretty young, but his mom is a strong woman and she kept the ranch and family going strong. But Rock’s true love is hockey. And Quinn. They grew up together as best friends, then fell in love and were high school sweethearts. But when Rock left home for the NHL, he also left Quinn and broke her heart. He became known as a playboy and life was great, until he got a serious injury.

Rock is sent home to recuperate, and while he’s at home he sees Quinn again. He quickly realizes that he is still in love with her, but she wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, their families live on adjoining ranches and do a lot of work together, so they are constantly thrown together.

Quinn had a one night stand with a real jerk after Rock left, and she ended up pregnant. Luckily, her dad and brother stepped up and she has been raising Max for eight years on her family’s ranch. When Rock meets Max, he falls in love with the little guy, too. But how to get Quinn on board is the real dilemma here.

This is a sweet and occasionally sexy romance, and I loved these characters. My only complaint about this author is her endings always feel rather abrupt. I guess the idea is to leave the reader wanting more, and it works for sure! If you like cowboy romance or sports romance, this is a winner. Moving on to the next book in the series!

8/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CAUGHT UP IN A COWBOY by Jennie Marts. Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 1, 2018). ISBN:‎ 978-1492655695. 352p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

HOW TO COWBOY by Jennie Marts

August 12, 2022

Creedence Horse Rescue, Book 3

From the publisher:

For fans of Carolyn Brown, Maisey Yates, and Jennifer Ryan, this steamy, emotional cowboy romance has all your favorites:

A hunky single dad showing his daughter the ropes
A heroine looking for a fresh start
Leaning on each other through hard times
Irresistible attraction
Rescue horses and ranch animals with lots of personality

How do you heal a broken heart?

After one injury too many, Cade Callahan gave up the rodeo for a simpler life working at his cousin’s horse rescue ranch. But his life turns upside down when his estranged daughter is placed in his custody after a tragic car accident. Wanting nothing to do with her father, thirteen-year-old Allie struggles to adjust to her new life.

Newly single and living out of her mother’s basement, physical therapist Nora Fisher doesn’t think twice about taking a job as a traveling therapist for Cade’s daughter. The trouble is, she doesn’t know anything about horses, or hunky cowboys. Now both in way over their heads, can Cade and Nora find a way to help Allie, and trust in the attraction building between them?
https://amzn.to/3bKEFtx

I’ve read three books in this series, but somehow missed this one. As soon as I realized that, I hustled over to the library (ok, to the library website!) and found this book on Hoopla. As I’ve pointed out in my reviews of the other books in the series, it is terrific and each book stands alone, so no worries if you can’t get them in order.

Cade chased his rodeo dreams for years until injuries finally forced him to retire. Meanwhile, he had a daughter. He was around for her first few years, but her mother pushed him away and they’ve been out of touch for years as Allie is now a teenager. When her mother dies, Cade is there for her but she doesn’t really want anything to do with him. Forced into the situation is a grieving teenager with a bad injury from the accident that killed her mother, and a whole lot of attitude.

Cade hires Nora Fisher, a physical therapist, to help his daughter. She recently quit her job and is available to move to the ranch to take care of Allie. The three of them grow close just by being in that proximity, but Cade quickly realizes his feelings for Nora go way beyond the professional relationship – and she feels the same. Meanwhile, Allie’s aunt is trying to get custody and of course, there is money involved from a life insurance policy.

This story was compelling between the budding romance and the father-daughter relationship. I liked it so much that I started looking at more Jennie Marts books and found another of her cowboy series that also features hockey players. It’s a win-win for me; reviews to follow.

8/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HOW TO COWBOY by Jennie Marts. Sourcebooks Casablanca (December 28, 2021). ISBN:‎ 978-1492689706. 336p.