by Crystal Caudill | Jul 12, 2016 | Book Reviews
Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears
Engaging the Competition was an enjoyable quick read. The plot was believable and fun to read, but it was the characters I loved.
Charlie Andrews is a competitive, tomboy girl who excels at outdoing the boys, whether it be shooting or ranching. Her nature has left her with few choices when circumstances developed requiring her to marry. Her insecurities and struggles are realistic and relatable, especially her struggle between family loyalty and wanting a man she thinks she can’t have.
Harrison Gray is not your average western hero. He is a man with tons of book smarts and a disabling amount of blindness without his glasses. I love how he’s not the typical hero who is great at everything, but a real man who wants to be respected and has carefully hidden insecurities.
If you are looking for a cute, quick read, I recommend this one.
Ever since Charlotte Andrews bested four-eyed Harrison Gray in a shooting competition when they were teenagers, he decided a tough, show-off girl like Charlie didn’t need him to look after her. Now a teacher at the local school, Harrison learns Charlie intends to marry a neighbor who comes from a long line of no-good troublemakers and, for some inexplicable reason, it falls to him to talk some sense into her…if she has any under that tomboy exterior.
Their heated confrontation unfortunately takes place right as a bad storm is coming on and, in the melee of arguing and taking shelter, Harrison’s glasses are knocked off his face and broken when Charlie’s horse crushes them under a hoof. Harrison and Charlie may have their differences, but she can see from his panic that the loss of his glasses is a blow to him. She volunteers to help him at school until his new pair of special order glasses arrive despite knowing the one place she can’t best Harrison is in the classroom. Readers will have fun being introduced to the characters of Melissa’s Teaville Moral Society series!
– Blurb from Amazon.com
To purchase your own copy, visit:
Amazon.com Barnes and Noble
Visit Melissa at http://melissajagears.com/
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 5, 2016 | Book Reviews
Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy 
I loved this novella! I have been a huge fan of Mrs. Connealy for a long time and own the majority of her books. This story was a fun bridge between two series, the Kincaid Brides and Trouble in Texas. I highly recommend reading those two series before reading this novella.
Seeing characters you have already met (mostly from Trouble in Texas) and their expanded families is a pure joy, and Big John was always one of my favorites. It was such a blast seeing him be the “tough man” he is and being won over by the determination and courage of Carrie and her brother.
It was so enjoyable I ended up reading it while making dinner. My poor library will get a book returned with oil splatters. I will definitely be adding this book to my Connealy collection.
Big John Conroy is a Texas Ranger asked by a friend to assist Carrie. He catches up to Carrie and her brother Isaac and races away from a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to make the beautiful young woman his wife. Soon Big John’s feelings for Carrie turn to more than simply protective, and Carrie finally feels that she’s in the presence of a man she can respect–something she’s never known. Fans of Mary’s The Kincaid Brides and Trouble in Texas series will enjoy catching up with those characters.
– Blurb from Amazon.com
Buy your copy at:
Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble
Visit Mary Connealy at her website http://maryconnealy.com/
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 28, 2016 | Book Reviews
Okay, so life has been a little too chaotic to read for leisure. A crime, I know. Well, I have broken free from jail and am reading again, so first up…
Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings 
5/5
“1870s Missouri –Heavy rain means trouble for Katie Ellen. With her parents away, she’s left to take care of the mountaintop farm alone until Josiah Huckabee happens to check on her. She used to think him charming–used to–but before she can run Josiah off, a stranger appears. The bridge has washed out, stranding a weathered and threatening man with them. Immediately sensing danger, Josiah steps in and claims the place–and Katie Ellen–as his own. His farm, his wife, and this Silas Ruger character better be respectful. Furious, Katie Ellen is forced to play along. Readers of Regina’s Ozark Mountain Romance series will love seeing favorite characters all grown up.” – Blurb from Amazon.com
I loved this story! Regina does a great job of making entertaining and relatable characters. Katie Ellen’s perfectionist tendencies were a source of great enjoyment for me as I see much of myself in her. Well, maybe not the clean house, but the need for perfection in the work I do.
Josiah is a character that grows on me, especially when you find out the reason why the man abandoned their childhood friendship. I won’t spoil anything, but let me tell you it is worth the read.
Regina did a great job of keeping me guessing and giving plot twists I totally did not expect. It was a pure joy to read! I highly recommend buying and reading this novella. Her Dearly Unintended is humor, misunderstandings, and love at its best.
To purchase your own copy, visit:
Amazon.com Barnes and Noble
Visit Regina Jennings at http://www.reginajennings.com/.
by Crystal Caudill | May 31, 2016 | Book Reviews
This is another delightful, light-hearted romance with all the struggle for love you hope to find in a romance, and for my very busy pre-summer schedule, it was the perfect length! I was able to read this in a couple hours on a day I was playing chauffeur for my family.
Daniel is a former bounty hunter become legend. He despises the dime novels that exaggerate and glorify his former life as Dead-Eye Dan and has led a quiet life for the last five years at a Jonah Hawkins’ ranch. Bound by an oath, Daniel has done everything he can to suppress his feelings for the ranchman’s daughter.
Marietta is in love with Dead-Eye Dan, but not the legend, the real man. When she finds out he is leaving, she is determined to not let him leave without first convincing him to marry her. With Daniel staying behind during the cattle drive to prepare his new mule ranch, Marietta devises a plan that can’t fail.
The struggle between admitting love and being bound by an oath is masterfully and humorously done. The passion is swoon worthy and Daniel’s loyalty to his oath is so admirable. I absolutely love the characters and how they interact together.
This is definitely a book to be read!
You can read this novella on its own at:
Amazon Barnes and Noble
Or you can get the four novella set of proposals gone wrong – With this Ring? at:
With This Ring? Amazon With this Ring? Barnes and Noble
Visit the Author at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/
Marietta Hawkins has been in love with ranch foreman Daniel Barrett since she came home from school three years ago. Unfortunately, her father’s rule about hands not fraternizing with his daughter has kept him out of reach. She believed patience would prove a virtue in winning him over–until now. He is leaving. Starting up his own spread. To have any hope of maneuvering him into a proposal, she has to act fast or lose him forever. Fans of A Worthy Pursuit will enjoy seeing these characters again!
– Blurb from Amazon.com
