Kissed by A Cowboy - A Review

Published - February 2016, Thomas Nelson Publishers
Series - Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Book 3
Author - Debra Clopton
Title - Kissed By a Cowboy
Format - ebook, paper
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Cassidy Starr has returned to Wishing Spring after hard divorce. She wants to put her aunt's farm back in operation and raise organic strawberries as well as open a bed and breakfast. She's done with love. Jarrod Monahan's got his own troubles. He's running the family cattle ranch and trying to track down some rustlers. He's never forgotten the girl next door though. When he learns that the one woman who stole his heart years ago has moved in next door, he can't help but see this as a second chance. Despite the fact that she wants nothing to do with him or love. But as their lives collide, will Cassidy recognize the fact that not all men are like her ex-husband, and will she give the cowboy she still loves a second chance?

Whenever I read one of Debra Clopton's books, I know a couple of things. First, there will be cowboys. Second, it's usually hilarious. This book is true on both accounts. It's the third in the series, but does stand alone.

I loved Jarrod's pursuit of Cassidy. I loved that he realized when he was rushing her and took a step back. But I also loved how he was the wonderful good neighbor and was there to help her out when she needed it. I thought that Cassidy was a little too determined to hang onto her plans.

The secondary characters, as usual, are delightful. I love the town of Wishing Springs and the people who live there. In this one, I really liked Doc's pig Clover.

It's a quick read. I also found it to be very light-hearted.

I received the Kindle copy for free from Booklook Bloggers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Debra Clopton, Love Inspired, cowboys, Mary Connealy, Janice Thompson, Lacy Williams

Rating - 4 stars

Stealing the Preacher - A Review

Crockett Archer is on his way to interview for a pastor position in Brenham when he is kidnapped from the train and taken to a ranch in the middle of no where to be a birthday present for the outlaw's daughter. Joanna Robbins has been praying for a preacher to come and bring new life into the small country church near her father's ranch in the hopes that maybe her outlaw father will finally answer God's call on his life. She certainly didn't expect her prayers to be answered by a handsome preacher who isn't too happy to be there. Yet as Crockett seeks what it is that God would have for him, he and Joanna both unite to pray for her father and the other members of the small congregation. But will they listen to the call of their own hearts as well?

I've discovered since I read my first Karen Witemeyer book A Tailor Made Bride two years ago, that any of Karen's books will have that same feel-good, happy feeling I get when I read a Lori Wick book. Last year's Short Straw Bride quickly became my favorite one of Karen's but Stealing the Preacher is right up there with it. I loved Crockett when I met him in Short Straw Bride and to see his character grow and become more in depth was a delight. I found myself laughing and rooting for all of the characters - not just the romance between Crockett and Joanna. I loved the brother-sister style relationship between Joanna and the young neighbor boy Jackson. I also loved how genuine Crockett was with his faith. He lived his faith out loud. It was such an integral part of him that when he spent time around Joanna's father, he wasn't pushy or anything like that. He was real and Silas respected that.

I could go on an on about this book. But I won't. One of my status updates on goodreads had me saying how Crockett has now moved onto my favorite heroes list. I will say, and to borrow the phrases from Mary Kay National Sales Director Lisa Allison, on June 1, run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore, online website, or wherever you need to go to buy a copy of this book. It is highly recommended!

I received this book for free from the author to help with the promotion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommend to fans of Karen Witemeyer, Julie Lessman, Becky Wade, Amanda Cabot, Lori Wick, Janelle Mowery, Regina Jennings, Mary Connealy, historical fiction

Rating - 5 stars - I absolutely loved it!

Visit Karen's website. http://karenwitemeyer.com/

She's also on Facebook.


To help spread the word of her new book, I will be giving away a copy of it! But not yet. Check back around June 15th for the giveaway!

Trouble With Cowboys - A Review

Annie Wilkerson is great with horses but not so great with relationship advice. Yet that's exactly what she has to give - relationship advice as her column in the magazine is being turned into a lovelorn advice column. Dylan Taylor is in desperate need of Annie's expertise. His favorite horse, Braveheart, is going blind and Dylan needs someone to help him with Braveheart. Annie doesn't trust Dylan. He appears to be a player, and worst of all he's a cowboy. Annie makes a deal with him. She'll help him with the horse if he'll help her with her column. As they begin to spend more and more time together, Dylan realizes that he's falling for Annie. What will happen when he admits his feelings to her? Will she put aside her feelings about cowboys and take a chance on loving one?

I think that this is the first book by Denise Hunter that I've read that was just written by her. I've read others that she's written with other authors like Smitten, but as far as I can remember, nothing by just her. I really do have to wonder why. One of my good friends has recommended her to me over and over again. I'm glad to finally be able to read one of her books. This was light-hearted and very fun to read. Annie's struggle to let her sister go and live her own life was very well written. But what really got to me was the fact that Annie has grouped all cowboys into one big pile of not being dependable due to the actions of her father. I know that I've grouped, for example, all types of one particular form of fiction into the "never will read" category just because of one author's books. I'm also sure that I've been guilty of stereotyping like Annie does as well, but at the moment, I can't think of a particular incident. I loved how Dylan wanted to prove Annie wrong.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson's booksneeze program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Colleen Coble, Mary Connealy, fun loving romance fans

Rating - 4 stars

Over the Edge - A Review

Seth Kincaid, the crazy brother, has begun to remember almost everything about his life. Except for one important detail - his wife Callie. Callie's arrival in Colorado isn't at all peaceful. There's a stage holdup that she helps to save everyone on the stage. And then there's her long lost husband. Add to the mix a secret from the Kincaid brother's long dead father and a desperate man who wants to get back what is his from Julia and Audra Kincaid, the wives of Seth's brothers, Callie discovers that all of this should drive Seth even crazier. But instead it seems to make him more sane. Will Seth finally let the demons of his past rest and find healing and peace with his wife? Or will the danger that threatens them all actually tear apart this family for good?

This is the third and final book in the Kincaid Brides series. I've enjoyed each of these books and this one was no different. I like Seth from the moment I met him in Out of Control. Humorous  in spots, yet filled with characters that are quirky and endearing. Fans of romantic cowboys will enjoy this book.

I received this book from the author as a prize. She did not ask me to write a review, though I am happy to do so. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating - 4 stars

Book Review - Out of Control by Mary Connealy

Rafe Kincaid is a man who is used to be in control. He runs a successful ranch and growing up had a tendency to control aspects of his younger brothers' lives. His perfectly controlled life is about to spin a bit out of control when he meets the beautiful Julia Gilliland. Julia is also used to being in control, specifically of her family. She is fascinated with geology and is enthralled by the idea of exploring the cavern she has found near her father's cabin. When she gets trapped in the cavern and Rafe rescues her, he takes control of the situation in the only way he can - he kisses her. Sparks begin to fly as these two battle over exploring the cavern. Add to the mix, Rafe's brothers and Julia's very pregnant stepmother, and a mysterious man bent on harming Julia and the result is that not only are sparks flying like crazy, but Rafe also has to come face to face with demons of his past.

This is the first book I've ever read by Mary Connealy. My cousin loves her books, so when this was a selection for me to pick for review, I picked it. I enjoyed the book. I found the characters to be very lively and engaging. I loved the humor that was laced through the book as well. I did think that the spiritual element could have been a little more entwined into the story and the characters' lives. There are really almost two budding romances in the story. Rafe and Julia is one. Ethan and Audra is the other. I will be passing this along to my cousin to read and I look forward to the next one in this series.

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