Beatrice the Bride

Let me give my compliments before my concerns. 

I liked the premise, the characters, and the town. 

I struggled with the writing. I'm not sure what happened with Ms. Osbourne's crafting of the story. I've read other books by her and not encountered these same issues. 

Head hopping was the worst offender. I'd be reading a chapter started in Beatrice's head then suddenly find myself in Arthur's head without any scene or chapter break. Confusing and irritating. I get that this was written in 2017, but head hopping by that point wasn't really what was done by the writing community anymore. 

Grief takes many forms but Beatrice was far too cheerful for a young woman who lost her parents to a tragic accident before entering town and being married to a stranger. 

Editing, or rather, lack thereof. Nearly an error on every page. 

I'm grateful I started in the middle of the series and not with this book, the first book. Had I started here, I probably wouldn't have read the rest of the series, which would've been a shame as the other books so far haven't shared these problems. 

Other than setting up the town, you really don't need to read this book to read the rest of the series. I do recommend reading them in order, if you can, as each book builds on the previous cast of characters. I'd suggest starting with book 2. 

I'm sad to leave a review like this as it takes a great deal of effort and time to produce a story. 

AMAZON

Beatrice Hart loves her life as a teacher in Missouri. When her parents tell her they’re moving to Creede, Colorado, she goes with them, having nothing else to do. Just before they reach town, her parents plummet to their deaths, leaving her alone to face the world and an entire town of men.

When telegraph operator Arthur Jameson sees a young lady crying on a bench in town, he immediately goes to her to try to make things better. An hour later he finds himself married to her, wondering what had gotten into him. Together, two strangers try to navigate their way through marriage and life. Beatrice hates that she’s not allowed to go out because of the dangers presented by the town of Creede. Will the two of them learn to compromise? Or will they spend their lives in a loveless marriage?

Lucky in Love

I  always know I'm in for a well crafted story when I pick up a book by Jo Noelle. 

Pit a gambler against a preacher's daughter and you have a winning recipe for tension between your two main characters. They also have marvelous chemistry, and their meet cute is so fun and original. 

Builds and twists in all the right places. I love how each angel is suited to their character instead of one angel doing the work throughout the series. 

Block out some time for this clean romance because you won't want to put it down. 

AMAZON

She’s a preacher’s daughter, and he’s a gambler—and both of them are out of luck.

If Julianne Parker doesn’t leave now, she’ll end up in an arranged marriage her parents are thrusting on her. Boarding a train in the middle of the night, she leaves Chicago for the new state of Colorado. Upon arriving, she finds that her adopted hometown is not what she expected, nor is she safe. She has no work, little money, and no place to stay.

Hugh Fontaine is poised on the cusp of achieving his every dream, provided he can win the massive fortune on the table of a poker game. The other men at the table want the same and will do anything to win—using their skill with cards or guns. Winning this hand could be the last thing he ever does.

After saving Julianne when her carriage wrecks, he knows for sure that he wants her in his life. He’s also sure he’s the last thing in the world she needs. But—what would he give to be wrong?

Rescuing the Rancher

Mr. McVey does an excellent job of writing historical romance that has you on the edge of your seat wondering, "will they or won't they?" There aren't many male romance writers out there, but if you can get your hands on one of his books, you'll be very satisfied. 

I loved the premise of this book: I dare you to marry me and care better for my children. So great. 

There's plenty of emotional turmoil for both Royce and Marta to work through in their hearts and marriage. The children are the least of their problems!

Wonderful chemistry and setting, plus a little threat to up the tension. 

AMAZON

Marta Campbell has always been the girl no one wanted. Left on the steps of an orphanage at birth. Never adopted. Never chosen by a beau. Never asked to marry. She’d resigned herself to the life of a nanny for other people. Never wanted, never loved, only occasionally needed. Then on the way to San Francisco to take a new nanny position, she is kidnapped. Now freed, she isn’t even wanted as the nanny. So when an angel tells her to go to the mercantile in Creede and accept the first proposal she receives, she has nothing to lose.

Royce Clark is still mourning the loss of his wife after two months. He has a ranch to run and five small children to care for. He knows he’s quickly losing complete control. In a moment of anger, he challenges Marta to marry him and do better caring for his children. Imagine his surprise when she accepts his proposal and insists they marry that very day.

Can this couple find love amid a marriage entered into for the sake of five small children? Will Royce’s love for his deceased wife keep them apart for a lifetime? Will Marta live the rest of her life unloved and only wanted for her childcare and housekeeping skills. Will a threat against the ranch end in the death of yet another Clark?

Taming the Trainer

Ms. Jolene sets up a lovely romance in the town of Creede. 

I liked Sophia's independence and determination to build a new life for herself while burying a past she didn't deserve but of which she's ashamed. 

Otto sees the best in her even when others only desire is to see her return to her past ways and possess her. He's got a tender and forgiving heart that makes him a little swoon worthy. 

And of course, there's an angel orchestrating how to bring them together. Their mutual love of horses doesn't hurt either. 

Clean read. Well written. 

AMAZON

Sophia Perkins arrived in Creede, Colorado with little hope and even less of a future. When a fire that should have claimed her life ends up giving her a second chance, she embraces it. Sophia finds that the town she’s come to call home has more to offer than she’d first thought, especially when she meets the handsome Trainer.

Otto Clay is a born nomad that has been able to calm the most skittish of horses for as long as he can remember. Tired of searching for something he’s never been able to define he settles in the small town of Creede, Colorado for some stability. But all his peace is turned upside down when the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen walks into his livery.


They’ve both found what they’ve been looking for, all they have to do is stop letting their pasts define them

 

Game On

Ms.Kersey does a nice job of playing the fake relationship card in this book. 

All the major points hit: I can't fall for this person or this fast or under these circumstances, etc. 

The MC's have good chemistry and reasons for having lackluster love lives. 

She also uses Yellowstone as a silent backdrop character on which to paint her canvas of this tale of love. 

The dog is a nice touch. 

AMAZON

An NFL player, his fake girlfriend, and a family camping trip to Yellowstone. What could go wrong?

Tired of his family giving him a hard time about his lackluster love life, NFL running back Tyler Brandrick tells them he has a girlfriend. When they ask him if she’ll be coming with them on their annual Yellowstone camping trip, he says yes. Too bad she doesn’t exist.

Brielle Hanson is in desperate need of a job. Recently let go, she doesn’t have enough money to make rent, so when the dog she’s walking gets away from her and races to the handsome stranger in the park, she strikes up a conversation. Good thing he makes an offer she can’t refuse.

From This Moment On

Ms. Clopton does an excellent job of introducing her series in book one. 

This couple has plenty of reasons to be apart. Different states. Different states of their hearts. Both are broken and each seems to be what the other needs to heal. There's plenty of attraction to overrule their heads. 

Not a slow burn but not instalove either. A nice balance. 

I only wish the editing was as good as the story. 

I'm looking forwar to the rest of the series. 

AMAZON

Her failed marriage and dashed dreams; famous painter dealing with survivors guilt are they destined to help each other...

Hurt by her failed marriage and dashed dreams, Cali Sinclair returns home to Windswept Bay with her heart wary and closed to the dreams of true love she so desperately wanted. Determined to never again risk her heart, she throws herself into running the family’s small boutique resort on the Florida coast, a place so full of romance that it’s a reminder every day of what she’ll never have.But when renowned artist Grant Ellington shows up to paint a mural on the wall of the resort, she’s swept away by her response to the artist. Suddenly, every time he looks at her, Cali finds it harder than she ever thought possible to keep her heart protected.

Grant Ellington loves his ranch, his horses, and his life as a sought-after artist. But after walking away from a plane crash that killed his best friend and the young pilot, he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt as he heads to Windswept Bay. Painting a sea life mural at the resort started out as a favor to his neighbor, but one meeting with the beautiful Cali and he feels alive again—and determined to spend time on the moonlit beaches with her in his arms…

But, like him, Cali has her own emotional scars—can they learn to trust the love that sparks between them and move forward from this moment on?

Reflected Realms, Kiss of Life, Rooftop Suitor

I've grouped these three books by EE Everly together because they're all short stories that can be read in thirty minutes or less.

Bite-sized and thoroughly enjoyable. These short reads are perfect if you want a good story but not want to be up until the early hours of the night saying, "Just one more chapter." 

If you think such a quick read would have underdeveloped characters, then you'd be mistaken. Ms. Everly masterfully crafts whole beings that you can easily identify with. They hopes and obstacles. 

Perfect for when you need a quick romance fix. 

Reflected Realms. Kiss of Life. Rooftop Suitor. 

AMAZON

Rooftop Suitor

He is the last man she expected, on a rooftop, no less. She is drowning in her mother’s expectations. What they both need is a change of perspective.

Kathryne flees from horrible suitor after horrible suitor, each one more atrocious than the last. After a particularly vexing engagement with a drunken cad, she attempts a desperate escape from a rooftop.

When her exit is more dramatic and dangerous than she expected, a gallant hero comes to her rescue.

Kathryne believes she’s found the perfect suitor, until an awkward truth crushes the hopes she has to ever find happiness.

AMAZON

Kiss of Life

Sometimes the difference between life and death is just a single kiss.

No one seems to notice the young woman wandering the estate, slipping between the onlookers in the crowd.

Those who do turn and run.

When his eyes meet hers, flaring with recognition, it’s enough to send her racing away into the safety of the gardens, because nothing feels as it should.

And there’s not a familiar soul she can turn to for help.

AMAZON

Reflected Realms

Mirrors should not be portals. Pixies do not exist. And dance partners with mystically blue irises should not be so mysterious.

When Kassidy meets a reflection pixie after dancing all night with a handsome stranger at a benefit gala, she thinks she’s had too much to drink—until she falls through the hotel room mirror into a magical world.

With the mirror passage closed and everyone thinking she’s a lady about to marry a lord, Kassidy has no one to trust but the pixie to get her home safely.