Category: Three Star

fiction · Three Star

The Cowboy’s Prize Jamie K. Schmidt

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Description:

She vowed she’d never date a cowboy…

LeAnn “Killer” Keller is determined to be the first woman in the WPRCA to win a buckle in bull riding. She’s sworn off the distraction of rodeo cowboys, until her sister hires veteran bull rider Dylan Porter, not knowing that LeAnn and he indulged in a steamy one-night stand last season. LeAnn intends to keep their night together a secret, but Dylan’s kind, sweet and oh so tempting.

Dylan Porter was eager to reconnect with the woman who rocked his world last season, but he never imagined he’d be training her to ride bulls. She wants to keep their hook up a secret from her overly protective family, which is disappointing because Dylan felt like she could be the one. He’d like to walk away, but he needs the money.

When a male rider is killed by a bull gone wild, Dylan tries to keep LeAnn from competing. He knows she’ll never forgive him if she misses her shot, but he’d rather have her safe, even if he loses her forever.

My Review:

I really like this author so I was excited to read this book. I thought the story was cute overall however I was not a big fan of LeAnn, I felt like she came off as spoiled and when things didn’t go her way she threw a “tantrum”. I however loved her sister Dolly, boy you knew where she stood nothing came out of her mouth that would leave you wondering. She was feisty and so fun. Dylan was ok as well but it felt like he bent a lot to everyone in his life instead of doing what he felt worked for him. There is sexual content in this book so it may not be suitable for all readers. Overall I liked the story and I really enjoy a good cowboy story!

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

jamiekschmidt.weebly.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Jamie’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

Lucky Strike by Janine Amesta

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Description:

Is finding an unexpected gem a lucky strike?

After getting a late jumpstart in life, Luna Lanza isn’t afraid to get what she wants, including the place of her dreams. When she loses out on the perfect duplex and settles for a standard apartment, she’s disappointed. But Luna remains determined to make it work, even if it sparks a contentious relationship with her new landlord– the same guy she accidentally kissed in an impromptu photo shoot.

Still grieving the sudden death of his brother, reformed bad boy Sam Sunderland feels trapped managing his father’s rundown apartment building. When the spunky beauty, who unexpectedly kissed him, moves in full of ideas, he can’t help being intrigued– that is until she starts changing things behind his back, endangering his position and the relationship with his father.

Sam and Luna wrangle over rules and misunderstandings while fighting against the undeniable attraction between them. It’s a hard lesson to learn that ‘perfect’ can take many different forms. But will the renovations they do together lay a foundation to something more?

My Review:

This story was cute. I had not read anything else in this series but feel like it could be one of those stand alone books as well. I really found that Luna came off as a snob and a Miss no it all who could do no wrong. I found that she really just was so mean to those in her life and chalked it up to be “brutally Honest” person. I really liked Mia and Ross they were so sweet and had such and loving kindness to those in there lives. Sam was one of this don’t judge a book by the cover because what you see is not what they are. He was a bit mysterious at first but as the book went on his true colors came out. I felt that he put up with a lot from Luna and his parents but he also loved deeply and only wanted the best for those in his life. There is sexual content in the book so it may not be suitable for all. overall it was an ok read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.janineamesta.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Janine’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

A Cowboy’s Promise Anne McAllister

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Description:

“Let’s get married.”

They are words award-winning photographer Charlie Seeks Elk never expected to say. He sure didn’t say them two years ago when, in a war-torn city halfway across the world, nurse Cait Blasingame looked at him with her heart in her eyes. As much as Charlie wanted Cait, he could never give her the life or the family she dreamed of. So he did her a favor and deliberately walked out of her life.

Marry him? Now? The last person Cait expects to turn up on her family’s Montana ranch is Charlie. He doesn’t do commitment. He doesn’t do marriage. His boots are made for walking and he couldn’t have made it clearer. So why is he saying the three words she once so desperately wanted to hear?

Confronting eternity can make a man rethink his choices in life. Charlie has rethought his. Cait hasn’t. She’s marrying someone else—unless Charlie can convince her to be his wife.

My Review:

I had a like/dislike for Cait. I felt like as a nurse she should have shown a little more compassion for some of her clients, however it felt like Cait acted like she just can’t even be bothered with them, it drove me crazy. However you do seem a softer side of Cait and she does want to see the best for those she truly cares for. I really Liked Charlie you see him grow so much in this story. He was faced with so much in his life and he took so much in stride and continued to grow and learn from those who come in his life. This author does throw a twist in at the end of the book and I have so many questions and hope there is more to come from this group of friends. This is sex indicated in this story but not described the author keeps the book fairly clean. Overall the story was cute and for the most part a quick read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.annemcallister.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Anne McAllister’s  other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · suspence · Three Star

Identity Nora Roberts

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Description:

Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan’s job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party—attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who’d been chatting her up at the bar—her carefully built world is shattered. The back door glass is broken, cash and jewelry are missing, her car is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.

Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. “Luke” is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.

What the FBI tells Morgan is beyond chilling. Nina wasn’t his type. Morgan is. Nina was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Morgan’s nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother’s home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn’t flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn’t forgotten the one who got away.

My Review:

I had only read one other book by this author and it was really good so I was super excited when asked if I wanted to read and review this one. I will say this there is murder in the book and the author details everyone to the T so it is graphic and may be disturbing for some readers. The book is broken into three sections and the first two sections were really good it has you on the edge of you seat waiting to see what happens next and where the author is taking you. I really liked Nina, Sam and Morgan they were like the three amigos and created there only little family. I loved the Jamesons and Morgans mom and Grandma they all had hearts of gold and did so much for each other and their community. Nell was so fun to read about as well she was a no nonsense women and nothing or no one was going to get one over on her. Miles was very reserved and I thought for sure there was more to the story with him but I just never came out.With the last part of the book which was my least favorite. I felt like the author chose in this portion to show her disgust for religion and for a certain political party, I felt both of these could have been left out of the book and really had no grounds for the story and the story would have been just fine without it. I like to read to get way from Politics so its frustrating to find it in a story that it just doesn’t need to be whether your on the right or left it gets old and I would just not rather read about it. Overall the story was good, just proceed with caution if murder and sex bother you, this may not be the book for you. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

noraroberts.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Nora Roberts other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson

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Description:

She’s Insta-famous. He uses a flip phone.

When her business partner is accused of serious financial crimes, superstar influencer Cat Cranwell—an engineered marvel of beauty, energy, and fun—falls from her penthouse perch. Des­perate to get away from the online trolls and paparazzi docu­menting her disgrace, Cat accepts her uncle’s offer to work with him in Kannery National Park, Montana. About as far as possible from life as she’s known it.

Cat’s world shifts from the swirling haze of likes and comments to lit­eral blizzards of frostbite temperatures and waist-deep snow. In place of negotiating brand deals, she finds herself negotiating at the ledge of a frozen lake with her die-hard Polar Bear Plunge coworkers. Instead of padding through the marble kitchen of her Manhattan loft, she’s sharing a tent-sized cabin with a roommate eager to bond like characters in sitcoms. But something curious is also happening in this overwhelming breath of fresh air as she reacquaints with the most honest parts of her­self and begins to ask the hard questions. Can Cat love herself with, and without, the world watching?

Then there’s that other tiny problem—she’s falling for Zaiah, the ruggedly handsome park ranger—and he hates anything remotely connected to social media, quite possibly her included.

Written with bestselling author Melissa Ferguson’s signature wit and charm, this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy of opposites attract is full of hilarious romp and a romance that will melt readers’ hearts.

My Review:

I will start off this book was not for me. I am from an older generation so I am sure this may be perfect for a younger generation. The book is told in a first person point of view. I felt that Cat came off as snobby, full of herself and annoying, its like she really could not see beyond herself. I like Mina she was my favorite character out of everyone. She seemed so down to earth and wanted to be everyone’s friend, she just really wanted to see the best in everyone. Serena was a fun one as well she was more opposite to Mina, she was more in your face and she was not about to let any one get away with anything she called it like she saw it. Overall this book was kept clean so would be suitable for all readers. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

melissaferguson.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Melissa’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

The Doctor’s Homecoming Fiona Marsden

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Description:

He left everything behind…including her.

Doctor Saul MacDonald left Kurrajong Crossing as a teenager, fleeing impossible living conditions. He left behind his mother, younger brother Alexander, and the girl he’d loved all his life. On the far side of the world, Saul made himself into a different person—hopefully a better one—but now family ties force him home.

Animals and plants are the only living things successful entrepreneur Trudie Weiss trusts unconditionally. Neglected as a child and forced into dangerous situations she couldn’t control, Trudie prefers to keep people at a distance. But the arrival of Saul “Sunny” MacDonald back in The Crossing tests the exposed armour around Trudie’s tender heart. Like it or not, they share a deep bond. And an attraction that glows white hot.

Trudie knows a wounded animal when she sees one. And if she gets too close to Saul, he will lash out. But as he confronts old relationships and digs into his painful past, is there room for Saul and Trudie to move forward and forge a loving future…together?

My Review

:This book was not for me. I liked Trudie even though she was guarded she really did have a big heart for this who are hurting. I felt like the whole book was just one big awkward story between two very different people. Saul was ok but he had a lot of anger and I just was waiting for him to loose his cool and deal with his issues. Overall the book was ok, I would say For those who are content sensitive: this book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of physical and sexual assault. As well as sex between two consenting adults. 

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

fionamarsden.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Fiona’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

Come What Maybe Kerri Carpenter

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Description:

Social media strategist Lauren Wallace plans everything. But when she returns to the charming—if not too small for comfort—town of Seaside Cove, it’s only about a second before her tough-love Grams is already on her case. So when Grams tells her not to go to that bar, Lauren decides it’s time for a temporary rebellion. Which is exactly when the trouble starts.

Grams was right. The bar was not a good plan. Because suddenly super-cute bar owner Ethan McAllister has gone from being Lauren’s (kind of) high school nemesis to a very unexpected one-night stand. And worse, Lauren’s attempts to resume her ultra-responsible life keep getting thwarted by more unwelcome spontaneity. And a pregnancy.

Now there’s a baby on the way, Lauren’s the talk of the entire town, and all her planning has gone right out the window. All that’s missing is childbirth to make her pain complete. But it’ll be nothing compared to Grams’s reaction when she finds out that Lauren broke the biggest rule of all…falling for the wrong guy.

My Review:

This is a new to me author, while I was not a huge fan of this book I would plan on giving this author another shot. I have to say one of the things I dreaded was the start of the book the author stated off with the pandemic and honestly I am so over hearing, reading or even thinking about the pandemic at this point and everything Pandemic related. I just with the author would have found maybe another way to handle situations around that or just left it out completely. I did like Ethen a lot he was such a down to earth free spirit who just lived his best life the way he knew how, and did not let anything stop him. He cared for those close to him and he had a big heart. I loved Rose and Gabby they are spite fires and will tell it like they see it. I was not a huge fan of Brooke of Lauren I know being sisters you fight/argue but they felt like they had more of a Love to hate each other relationship it just didn’t seem to fit sisterly love. I felt in the end this book was just not for me. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

kerricarpenter.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Kerri’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

The Texas Cowboy’s Lady by Debra Holt

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Description:

Which shines brighter: Hollywood lights or the Texas stars?

Laurel Burkitt, who owns half of the mega-ranching empire known as the Aces High, shook the Texas dirt off her stilettos a long time ago. She’s all about high fashion, sleek cars, and adding movie awards to her shelves. No dark-eyed, sexy, hard-driving, country-living cowboy is going to rope her into being his country darlin’…as long as her brain keeps control over the traitorous yearnings of her heart. 

Jaxson Hawkes, foreman of the Aces High, was born to the saddle and to being a cowboy all his days. So it took him a while to finally bare his soul to the spitfire he grew up adoring. He expected Laurel to choose between him and Texas and her dream of California gold. Her choice broke his heart.

Now Laurel’s back and her ideas of merging California with Texas aren’t sitting too well with Jaxson. There’s a showdown coming between them, and when the dust clears, will he send her packing on that shiny plane once and for all? Or will the lady claim the cowboy’s heart for good?

My Review:

I typically like this authors books a lot they have that small town feel to them and usually will suck me into the story, however this book was not for me. I felt a lot of the back in forth was very childish and annoying, I also felt the purpose of the back and forth went on for way to long and then in the end the story seemed rush to tie it up in to a nice big bow. I will say I did like catch up with Sammi Jo and Beau from the first book it was fun to see how far the story has come. I also like Jaxson a little bit when he was not at odds with Laurel he seemed like an old soul whole would do anything to protect those he loved and really cared about those close to him heft very relatable in those moments. Over all this book just wasn’t for me the author did keep the story a clean read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.debraholtbooks.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Debra’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt

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Description:

Her heart is wide open, but he’s nailed his shut.

Preschool teacher Harley Cole has always viewed life through rose-colored glasses. With a career she loves, friends she enjoys, and a home that is her haven, there’s only one thing missing—finding her soul mate. As the holidays approach, Harley is inspired to help her former high school crush rediscover his holiday joy. It’s just a good deed…until the feelings she thought were gone come rushing back.

Fire Chief Becker Lange returns home to River’s Edge with a heavy heart. His divorce has emotionally ravaged him, leaving him more confused than ever about what women want. So to protect himself from another failure, he closes his heart. And then Harley Cole makes him a flirty dare that she can help him overcome the holiday blues. Beck’s not sure he wants to, but Harley’s a hard woman to tell no.

Can the magic of Christmas and a sweet stray kitten bring these two lonely souls together?

My Review:

I loved Lucy she was so fun to read about. Harley had a huge heart and really wanted what’s best for not just Beck but everyone in her life. She also faced a lot with her mom being sick and trying to navigate life, all the while trying to find where she best fit. Beck was a grouch and the first word that came to mind is Ogre, he just had this “woah is me” through the whole book and just could seem to look out side of his situation to see what others were faced with sometimes. I was not a huge fan of him. In some situations you could see his heart was in the right place but still, I just wanted to grab him and say snap out of it. I like his brothers Max and Rye they seemed to add a fun element to the book as well. I would say that over all it was a decent read and a quick read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

nanreinhardt.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Nan Reinhardt’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

When You Kiss Me Melinda Curtis

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Description:

USA Today Bestseller Melinda Curtis brings another installment of The Kissing Test, an irresistibly funny, secret identity, clean romantic comedy.

She’s a serious-minded academic…

Professor Violet Summer thinks of herself as the frumpy Summer sister who doesn’t go on adventures or fall for handsome strangers. Her idea of excitement is spending the summer at her family’s home in the Hamptons researching Shakespeare’s influence on modern literature.

He’s made a vow to change his ways…

Texas oilman Cooper Pearson made a bet with his father that he could survive one summer without the family’s money or influence. Now he’s an anonymous hired-hand exercising horses at a Hamptons stable–far removed from his typical four-star summer vacation.

A chance meeting on the beach ignites a moment of excitement that Violet has experienced many times, but only in the musty pages she has studied. Will she have the courage to see how this real-life story ends?

If you enjoy secret identity movies like My Secret Billionaire or The Prince and Me, you’ll enjoy this full-length, clean romantic comedy with an HEA and no cliffhangers.

My Review:

Overall I like this story, I felt liked Grandma Dotty and Coop made this story for me. I was not a huge fan of Violet I felt like she came off as stuck, selfish and had a “better than you” attitude for most of the book. Coop was determined to make a better person of himself and be the person his dad saw him to be. I felt like was laid back but also had a big heart and wanted to leave people better than he found them he just wanted to find his place in the world. Now what can I say about Grandma Dotty she was the true star of this series so far she a pistol and truly wants nothing but the best for those she loves. She holds nothing back and will have you laughing so hard. I can’t wait to see where the author take Maggie’s story she seems to have a huge heart with big dreams. This book is a clean read so its suitable for all.  

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.melindacurtis.net

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Melinda Curtis’ other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.