A Cowboy for Keeps - A Review

Series: Colorado Cowboys Book 1

Author: Jody Hedlund

Title: A Cowboy for Keeps

Published: Bethany House, January 2021

Format: ebook, paper

About the book:

Greta Nilsson agreed to be a mail-order bride in the west in order to save her ailing sister’s life. Well her trip couldn’t have gone more wrong. First, the stage is held up by bandits. Then once she arrives in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns that her betrothed is dead. Now homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta’s worse off then when she started. Wyatt McQuaid is a rancher struggling to get his spread up and running. He’s in town only for the purchase of some cattle. When the mayor of Fairplay agrees to invest in his ranch if he’ll marry Greta, Wyatt’s mind is torn. But seeing that she’s a woman alone in a rough town, Wyatt agrees. But will this marriage of convenience become something lasting?

My Thoughts:

I don’t know of another author as versatile as Jody Hedlund! She’s got several historical fiction novels, some true historicals, young adult fantasy novels, and soon a time-travel series. And she ventures into the westerns with this new series. True, this is much shorter than some of her others, but I found it to be delightful. I started it late one night, and then much to my chagrin, finished it a few hours later, in the early morning, no less. I loved Wyatt and Greta, Astrid, and Wyatt’s hired hand Judd. I am really looking forward to the next in the series.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to help promote while providing my thoughts and opinions. I was not required to like the book, only to share my opinions.

Recommended to fans of: Jody Hedlund, Mary Connealy, Karen Whitmeyer, cowboys

Rating: 5 stars

Tidewater Bride - A Review

 Author: Laura Frantz

Title: Tidewater Bride

Published: January 2021, Revell Books

Format: ebook, paper

About the book:

Selah Hopewell has no wish to marry. That’s a little unusual in the Virginia colony where men outnumber women 10-1. Yet, she’s content working in her father’s shop and assisting her mother. Her nearest neighbor, Xander Renick, is a successful tobacco farmer in the settlement. Xander has been a friend of Selah’s family for years. To everyone around, he’s still grieving the loss of his Powhatan wife. Yet his heart holds Selah in high affection. Can these two figure out a way to find happiness together?

My Thoughts:

Anytime I am able to pick up a Laura Frantz book, I know I’m in for a book that is rich in history, has well-developed characters, and will take me a while to read. That was certainly the case with this book! It’s so rich in history that I found myself reading a little bit here, and a little there in order to truly savor the book. It’s interesting to see a book delve into the early, early days of Virginia’s colonization. This one was set after Roanoke was lost while Jamestown was still new. I kept having songs from Disney’s Pocahontas in my mind as the backdrop for this beautiful novel. This was truly a delight to read and a history lesson at the same time.

I think that this would be a good book for a book club.

I received a copy from the publisher in order to share my thoughts and opinions. I was not required to like the book, but only to be honest with my thoughts.

Recommended for fans of: early American history, Laura Frantz, Jody Hedlund, Lori Benton

Rating: 5 stars

Active Defense - A Review

 

Series: Danger Never Sleeps Book 3

Author: Lynette Eason

Title: Active Defense

Published: Revell Books, January 2021

Format: ebook, paper, audio

About the book:

Dr. Heather Fontaine is a surgeon who is used to life-or-death situations having been a field surgeon in Afghanistan. She expected to settle back into her life after her enlistment is over. Yet there’s a stalker after her. Travis Walker has been watching Heather’s back for weeks. When he learns she’s in danger, he will do anything to see she’s safe. Working together and in a race against time, they seek to learn who is after Heather and who wants her dead.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and actually fit the mood I was in while reading it. It’s been a while since I read one of Ms. Eason’s books, and I wasn’t disappointed in this one. This book was a page-turner from start to finish. I had an idea as to who wanted Heather dead, and I wasn’t wrong. What was interesting though was the why behind it. I also enjoyed catching up with some of the other characters.

I received an advanced e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my opinion of the book. I was not required to like the book, only share my honest opinion of it.

Recommended to fans of: Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason, Dani Pettery, romantic suspense

Rating: 4 stars