by Crystal Caudill | Mar 12, 2024 | Book Reviews
A Lady’s Heart of Gold
by Sally Britton
Review:
This was the last book in the Hearts of Arizona series, and it was a wonderful wrap-up to the series with a depth that touched on historical hardships that many would like to forget or ignore. The author’s note in the back almost broke my heart when she said while she enjoyed writing the series, the hardships of the ethnically non-white people groups (Native Americans, Spanish, Blacks etc) were extremely hard on her to research, and so she was returning to her Regency romances to stay. Not that I don’t love her Regencies, but I felt the way she handled a lot of the injustices was beautifully done and brought new understanding and perspective to something I thought I was already very familiar with, considering my own family background in the Native American realm. The romance was sweet, the depth of characters greatly appreciated, and the view into previous books’ characters’ lives a joy.
I recommend this book to those who love ranch love stories, female reporters, historical details that are accurate and moving, well-developed characters, and romances that are solidly built without being gag-worthy. 🙂 If you know me, I am not a gag-me-with-a-spoon romance girl. 😉
Genre: Historical Romance, Western
Plot:
When a determined English newspaper woman arrives in the Arizona desert, she expects to find the lawless and the illiterate. Instead, she meets a well-spoken and handsome cowboy who’s ready to prove to her there’s more to the Territory than cattle and cacti.
English newspaper reporter Molly McKinney is determined to make a name for herself by writing about the wilds of the American West. After convincing her editor to take a chance on her idea, Molly travels to the United States looking for tales that will transport and inspire her readers. When she meets a quiet cowboy in the middle of Arizona Territory, she can sense that his story might be the most important of all—if only he’ll open up enough to tell it.
Eduardo “Ed” Byrd has worked at the KB Ranch for five years, making an honest living and trying to ignore his past. He’s one-quarter Cherokee, three-quarters Mexican-American, and entirely his own person. Light-hearted and hard-working, Ed keeps to himself and reserves his dreams for the privacy of his notebooks. When one meeting with the tenacious English woman rattles his mind and heart, Ed can’t help but wonder if he’s been playing things safe for too long.
A reporter’s natural curiosity spurs Molly to make her way to the ranch where Ed works, and she’s determined to find out what the cowboy is hiding beneath his gentle smiles. There’s more to Ed than he lets on, and when Molly starts to unravel his past, he realizes their story might only have a happy ending if he’s willing to risk more than just his heart.
Author Website: https://www.authorsallybritton.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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by Crystal Caudill | Feb 13, 2024 | Book Reviews
Copper for the Countess
by Sally Britton
Review:
Sally Britton once again brings a British character into the wilds of the Arizona Territory. While the first book had the second-born son of a Marquess, this time, it is the widowed Countess and her daughter. Evelyn is way over her head when she travels to Arizona, hoping to secure funds from her late husband’s holdings in Arizona. When things go in an unexpected direction, Evelyn’s left to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive. Learning to live on a ranch isn’t easy, but she’ll do anything for her daughter, including marry the handsome foreman who saved her from the streets. But Chris isn’t the only one getting unexpected challenges thrown his way. As the sudden father of two children, Chris needs help. People might think him crazy for marrying a countess who doesn’t know one thing about living in the desert, but he sees beyond what the world sees.
I loved watching the romance bloom between these two as Evenlyn, in particular, has deep wounds to overcome from her previous marriages. Chris is the perfect gentleman, and while there are natural romantic tensions in a marriage of convenience story, the heat is very mild and well done. In particular, I loved watching the two of them learn to parent together and watching Evelyn roll up her sleeves to learn the ways of the West.
I recommend this story to fans of Westerns, marriages of convenience, orphan stories, and sweet romances.
Genre: Western
Plot:
A Victorian countess doesn’t belong on a ranch, and a frosty cowboy knows nothing about raising a family. When the two have no choice but to rely on each other, is there any hope for happiness, let alone true love?
Lady Evelyn Lyon lost her husband and her fortune on the same day. Daughter in hand, she makes her way to the copper mines of Arizona, hoping her husband’s stock in the Bisbee Copper Queen mine will make it possible for her to raise her little girl. Every man she’s known has failed her, and she would far rather be alone than dependent on one. When the stock certificates in her possession prove fraudulent, Evelyn and her little girl are more alone than ever.
Chris Morgan, known as “Frosty” by cowhands and neighbors alike, never expected to have a family. When his cousin back east dies and leaves Chris with two children to raise, Chris has no choice but to change his plans. But raising children and running a ranch at the same time is a tall order. He’s at his wit’s end when he comes across a British noblewoman who has no business wandering around the desert without protection. When he learns her story, Chris knows they might be the solutions to each other’s problems.
A hasty wedding and dusty ride to Chris’s ranch starts their marriage of convenience off on a bumpy road. With children to raise and cattle to herd, Evelyn and Chris have no choice but to trust each other. But in the west, trust is hard won, and it’s hard to grow anything…especially love.
Copper for the Countess is Book 2 in the Hearts of Arizona Series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone romance.
Author Website: https://www.authorsallybritton.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon| Barnes & Noble
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Jan 2, 2024 | Book Reviews
Silver Dollar Duke
by Sally Britton
Review:
I’ve long been a fan of Sally Britton’s British-set novels, but it was a fun twist to bring a piece of Britain to the Wild West of the Arizona territory at the end of the 19th century. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job.
It was fun to watch this second-born son find his footing in the Wild West, learning that novels and reality didn’t always go together. Evan’s determination, heart, and gentlemanly ways won me over quickly. Dannie is a strong yet heartbroken woman who knows what it takes to make a life out of desert living. As a woman who has been left behind too often by the people she loves, knowing that Evan will be leaving means he’s not an option for her future. But her heart disagrees, no matter how much she fights it. Evan is honorable, and though he’s falling for Dannie, he wants to do the right thing by her. His duties will call him back to England and away from this life–and the woman–he’s quickly fallen in love with.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the stronger, yet not-overdone, faith element. The push-pull of the romance was enjoyable, and I loved getting to see ranch life from the perspective of a man who had a heart to prove himself with no idea of what he’s doing.
I recommend this story to those who love Westerns, British characters, fish-out-of-water stories, and romances that are sweet.
Genre: Western
Plot:
The last thing Dannie needs is a Victorian gentleman on her ranch, playing cowboy while she’s trying to save her family’s livelihood. Will high stakes and high emotions lead to heartbreak?
Evan Rounsevell, second son to the Marquess of Rothwell, is running as far from his family and responsibilities as he can. His fascination with cowboys takes him from English shores to the Arizona desert, but the days of showdowns are over, and Tombstone, Arizona, is a respectable town. With no funds left, and no desire to call on his affluent family for rescue, Evan seeks a position as a cowboy at a ranch on its last leg.
Daniella Bolton’s fiancé left when the drought of 1893 crippled the KB ranch, but that’s just fine by her. She doesn’t need a man to help her save her family’s land. Especially not an Englishman who looks down on her style of living, like Evan does. She loves her life on the ranch, and no outsider could ever understand what it means to be loyal to the land and her family’s way of life.
Being a cowboy is harder than Evan thought, but as he works to earn his place on the ranch, his heart opens up to the beauty of the desert… as well as that of Dannie Bolton. Watching Evan fight for the ranch she loves makes Dannie realize that not all men are afraid of hard work and troubled times, and loving Evan might be just the salve her wounded heart needs. But when Evan’s family summons him home right when Dannie needs him most, the feelings of betrayal from her former fiancé’s flight return tenfold.
Does Evan dare risk his tenuous relationship with Dannie to fulfill his family responsibilities? Or will leaving Arizona be the worst mistake of his life?
Author Website: https://www.authorsallybritton.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Dec 5, 2023 | Book Reviews
A Duchess for the Duke
by Sally Britton
Review:
This fun novella was a great kick-off to a series I look forward to reading. This marriage of convenience story-line is flirty, fun, and light-hearted. I love how the heroine, Cecilia is intelligent and not afraid to be straightforward. Though thrown into the role of being a duchess quite unexpectedly, she rises to the occasion and works hard to prove herself. She’s admirable, and I enjoyed watching her and Gregory learn to love and support each other.
I recommend this story for fans of Regency Romance, marriages of convenience, sweet romances, and those who like seeing some of the day-to-day life as a Duke or Dutchess.
Genre: Regency
Plot:
A young duke finds a practical duchess, neither of them suspecting that their match will lead to a legacy of love.
Gregory Dinard, a young and inexperienced duke, finds himself in need of a companion to help him navigate the intricacies of his new role. Uncertain of his abilities and unwilling to take a chance at love, he looks for a marriage of mutual benefit rather than a match of mutual affection.
A woman of grace and intelligence, Lady Cecilia never expects to catch a duke’s eye. Despite her surprise, she agrees to the arrangement when the duke proposes an alliance with her, knowing it would allow her the freedom and opportunity to explore her love of architecture.
As they embark on their new life together, Gregory discovers both an affection for and an undeniable attraction to his wife that he cannot ignore. But can a practical marriage become something more, or will he face a future of unrequited love for his duchess?
This is the prequel novella to the Clairvoir Castle Romances series, and can be enjoyed as a standalone, but will be most satisfying to those who have met the duke and duchess before.
Author Website: https://www.authorsallybritton.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Oct 20, 2020 | Book Reviews
Letters for Phoebe
by Sally Britton
This story was recommended to me by a critique partner because it has elements similar to a story idea we were discussing. Since I was traveling across the country and there are long periods on a plane where you can’t have your laptop open but you can have your phone open, I read this quick story during those times.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the interactions of Phoebe and Griffin. It was well-done and one of the most believable stories centered around secret letter writing that I have ever read. This story is part of a series written by several authors about friends who make a vow only to marry for love just before they leave finishing school. However, life never works out as it seems. Watching Phoebe maneuver the social scene to find a suitable match while getting hints and help from a secret, an unidentified friend was fun. Griffin’s anonymous help turns out to be more than he bargained for. I really can’t say more without giving more of the plot away.
If you are looking for a quick, sweet read. This is your choice. I love the inclusion of the letters and the believable romance the develops along with its complications.
Genre: Historical Romance, England, 1808
Plot Overview:
When Phoebe starts receiving anonymous letters, she never once thinks the most irresponsible man in London is her correspondent. Or that she will fall in love with him.
Phoebe Kimball grew up believing in love, but after failing to find a gentleman capable of capturing her heart, she has turned more practical than romantic. She is determined to find a husband in London this Season. If only the annoying Mr. Fenwick would stop appearing every time she sets her cap at someone! When an anonymous letter arrives warning her that her current target is unsuitable marital material, Phoebe begins a relationship with the letter writer that promises something more than a practical alliance.
Griffin Fenwick does not usually care for women on the hunt for a husband, but Miss Kimball’s quick wit and refusal to admit she enjoys his company intrigues him. When he realizes the gentlemen on her list of eligible bachelors is full with scoundrels, he warns her the only way he can – through a letter. As he comes to know Phoebe better, he soon realizes he wishes to put his own name on her list. If only she liked Griffin as much as she liked her anonymous correspondent.
When Phoebe realizes its been Griffin writing her all along, will she put aside practicality for love, or spurn Griffin for even trying to woo her?
What I loved: The complications of this letter writing are believable, and it makes for the perfect enjoyable romance. It is definitely one I will reread. I might even pick up the rest of the series.
Favorite Character and Why: Griffin. The poor guy is a goofball with a serious and protective side. I really enjoyed getting to know him.
Rating and Why: Five Stars. I will likely reread this novella several times because I found it so enjoyable. The quickness didn’t make the storyline any less believable, and there was just a quiet satisfaction that sang in my soul for a few days after.
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