For the Record - A Review

Published - December 2016, Bethany House Publishers
Series - Ozark Mountain Romance Book 3
Author - Regina Jennings
Title - For the Record
Format - ebook, paper
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Betsy Huckabee dreams of being a reporter for a newspaper bigger than her uncle's paper. But the bigger papers don't seem to be interested in the news coming out of Hart's County. So she decides to try something new. She starts writing a fictionalized serial based in part on the new deputy. She figures no one in Pine Gap will ever know. Deputy Joel Puckett never wanted to leave Texas. But the only way to keep his badge is to be a lawman in Pine Gap. He soon realizes that there are masked marauders testing his patience and skills. Add into the mix a sassy journalist determined to make a name for herself, Joel soon has his hands full. But as he gets to know Betsy, he knows she's hiding something. Will her secret stories tear them apart or bring them together?

This book was delightful! I remember first meeting Betsy when she was a child in one of the author's other books. I couldn't wait to see her grow up and fall in love.

Betsy is spunky. She's determined. She's a bit unconventional. But she's got a good heart. And I loved how she interacted with Joel. Even to the point that she was beginning to confuse real life with her fictional hero. I loved how she tried to make things right when she realized what she'd done to Joel. Joel is perfect for Betsy. He has a way about really seeing her that I loved.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, full of witty banter, and just very uplifting. I didn't have to think as I read this book.

I received complimentary copies from both the author to promote and the publisher to give my honest opinion. I passed one copy on to one of my family members. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Regina Jennings, Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund

Rating - 4 stars

At Love's Bidding - A Review

Published - December 2015, Bethany House Publishers
Series - Ozark Mountain Romance Book 2
Author - Regina Jennings
Title - At Love's Bidding
Format - ebook, paper
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Miranda Wimplegate's family owns an auction house in Boston. When her grandfather mistakenly sells a painting that the owner's family did not wish to be sold, Miranda and her family are willing to do whatever it takes to return the painting to its rightful owners. Their research into who purchased the painting lead them to a small town in the Ozarks that has an auction house up for sale. Hoping to make amends, her grandfather purchases the auction house and all of its contents sight unseen. Miranda and her grandfather then travel across the county to their newly purchased auction house only to discover that the house specializes in livestock not antiquities. With her grandfather's health rapidly declining, Miranda has no choice but to enlist the help of the manager Wyatt Ballentine to help move the livestock from the auction house. Wyatt's dreamed of purchasing the sale barn for years. So when these city folks arrive in town, he's hurt to find out that they are his new bosses. Yet he understands his community. He sees that neither the pretty Miranda nor her grandfather know the first thing about livestock, so he helps them out. After all, the sooner they find what they are looking for, the sooner they will be gone and his life can return to normal. Neither Wyatt or Miranda count on the attraction and the sparks that fly between them.

While this book may be part of a series, I found that it stands alone. The cover on this one caught my eye. It's whimsical and looks like a lot of fun.

As I started reading, I couldn't help but be delighted. I've read a lot of Regina's books before, and I forget how she can write romantic comedy. I loved watching Miranda struggle with the fact that their auction house housed livestock and not priceless heirlooms. And how gentle she was with her grandfather. I just sighed a little then.

I loved the sparks between Wyatt and Miranda. I thought that their banter was great. I also figured out that there was more to Wyatt than we were first led to believe. Yet when it came out what exactly made there to be more to Wyatt than appearing, I loved Miranda's reaction.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of promoting. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Melissa Tagg

Rating - 4 stars

With This Ring - A Review

Published - January 2016, Bethany House Books
Authors - Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Mary Connealy, Melissa Jagears
Title - With This Ring
Format - ebook, paper
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In this collection of four novellas, four different couples find love in unusual circumstances.

The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer
About the story: Marietta Hawkins has loved Daniel Barrett for years. She loves both the man and the dime novel hero. When she hears that he may be leaving her father's ranch, she takes matters into her own hands.

My thoughts: This novella is a compliment to Karen's Worthy Pursuit. I really enjoyed getting to see Daniel again. I'd have loved for his story to be a full length novel, but this novella was still a sweet read. Rating - 4 stars

Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings - When Josiah Huckabee assists Katie Ellen with ensuring that her cows are safely across the river, he doesn't expect to be stranded with her! When a stranger arrives, Josiah and Katie Ellen must pretend to be newlyweds to ensure Katie Ellen's safety. But can this pretend match become something real and lasting?

My thoughts: Having not read any books in her Ozark series, I had no idea this was connected to those books. It really does stand alone. I enjoyed this one. It's funny and sweet at the same time. Rating - 4 stars

Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy - Big John Conway has been hired by Audra Kincaid to escort her younger sister to the family's ranch in Colorado in order for her to escape an arranged marriage. When word gets out that Carrie is missing and has been spotted in Big John's company, he has no choice but to divert to Broken Wheel where his Regulator friends can help him stop this latest bit of trouble in Texas. The only thing he didn't expect is to fall for woman he's supposed to be rescuing.

My thoughts: I think that this one was probably my favorite one. I'd always felt that of all of the Regulators, Big John needed his own happy ending. I loved seeing him with his friends and with Carrie. Rating - 4.5 stars

Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears - Harrison and Charlotte - known as Charlie - have always been competitors. When his glasses are broken while he's checking on her safety during a strong spring storm, Charlie feels that she has no choice but to help him with his teaching. While the forced togetherness may be fine for most people, Charlie's engaged - and not to Harrison! Will these two manage to put their competitive natures behind and possibly discover love in the process?

My thoughts: This one was fun to read. I loved how Harrison kept putting Charlie's well being ahead of his own desires and that she was determined to save her family farm so that her mother could happily live where the memories of her father were the strongest. Rating - 4 stars

Overall thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, though it did take me several days to get through. For fans of these authors, you will enjoy this book. For someone who isn't sure about these authors, then I recommend trying it. The stories are all entertaining.

Rating - 4 stars

I received a copy from one of the authors for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Caught in the Middle - A Review

Published: April, 2014, Bethany House Publishers

Series: Ladies of Caldwell County #3

Author: Regina Jennings

Title: Caught in the Middle

Format - ebook, paper

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After the death of her abusive husband, Anne Tillerton has been living in the wilds of Indian Territory as a buffalo hunter. She's more comfortable in buckskins than in fancy dresses. Nicholas Lovelace is shocked to see her again. Even more so when she saves his life during a train robbery. Nick's life is going just as he planned it. His business is growing and he's invited into the homes of polite society where mothers with marriageable daughters play the matchmaker. When an infant is left in Anne's care, she seeks assistance from Nick. As they join forces to care for this baby left in her care, Nick finds himself drawn to Anne. She's guarded, and for good reason. But can she trust him? Will Nick allow his career to cause him to miss the possibility of a future with Anne?

This was a really sweet read. I enjoyed both Anne and Nicholas. There were times that I thought that Nick was too stuffy. And I frequently thought of Anne as an Annie Oakley. But still, they were fun to read about. I loved how she saved his life - twice! And I loved how each grew as the book progressed.

While it wasn't my favorite, I did enjoy it. I made for several relaxing lunchtimes at work. Would I read it again? Probably. I think it's a great book to add to a beach bag for the summer.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Mary Connealy

Rating - 4 stars

Sixty Acres and a Bride - A Review

Young widow Rosa Garner returns to Texas with her widowed mother-in-law Louise. Once there, they find that the farm is in disrepair and years of back taxes are owed on the property. The ladies have three months to come up with the money. Louise's nephew, Weston Garner, is determined to protect his family, all of them. When Weston offers a solution, will Rosa accept being bought for sixty acres? But what will happen when their feelings change?

Fast paced, funny, and sweet, this is a tender loose retelling of the story of Ruth. The book of Ruth has long been my favorite, so I typically read any retellings. Rosa is funny. I loved seeing her wrestle with a sheep and her determination to ensure that her mother-in-law doesn't lose the ranch. Weston is suffering from guilt. Guilt that he's to blame for the death of his first wife. This unlikely pair make a great Ruth and Boaz. I loved this book.

Rating - 5 stars