Review: The Trouble With Texas Cowboys by Carolyn Brown

The Trouble With Texas Cowboys (Burnt Boot, Texas #2) by Lisa
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication date: January 6th 2015
My rating:  4 stars 
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When Sawyer O'Donnell takes a ranch job on a whim, he lands smack dab in the middle of a Texas-sized feud! The Gallaghers and the Brennans are at each other's throats to woo the red-headed spitfire, Jill Cleary, and stake a claim for the Fiddle Creek Ranch.

Jill makes Sawyer's blood boil. They argue, they banter, but Sawyer soon goes from being driven crazy to crazy in love. Damned if he knows how that happened. But now that it has, how does he compete with two men that can give this cowgirl a lifestyle beyond her wildest dreams?

My Thoughts:

The Trouble With Texas Cowboys was an easy going country romance that made me smile and laugh throughout!

Jill Cleary and Sawyer O’Donnell have just arrived to work at Fiddle Creek Ranch. Sawyer has come on as the new foreman of the ranch, and Jill is there to work and become familiar with Fiddle Creek because she’s to inherit it eventually. What neither expects is to land smack in the middle of two feuding families, The Gallaghers and The Brennans, dragging both Sawyer and Jill into the fray.  Because Jill will inherit Fiddle Creek Ranch with its coveted water rights, both sides send a sexy cowboy to woo and capture her affections: Tyrell Gallagher and Quaid Brennan.  Sawyer is also the subject of the aggressive advances from both sides: Kinsey Brennan and Betsy Gallagher.  Bad news for both sides, Jill and Sawyer only have eyes for each other.

Sawyer and Jill fight their mutual attraction for about two seconds, and through most of the book it was a steady progression, sweet and sexy at the same time.  They’re forced to draw close and stick together because of the crazy stunts these feuding families pull, and it makes them realize their connection is more than just a flash in the pan.  No unnecessary drama arises between these two, which was a major relief for me. I hate unnecessary conflict between couples!

The drama, which was both outrageous and funny at times, comes from the insane Gallaghers and Brennans! Unfortunately, Sawyer and Jill get caught in between the feuds in spite of trying to stay out of things, but no worries, nothing a loaded shotgun won’t fix. This is Texas, after all. Haha!

Ever since watching a becoming addicted to McLeod’s Daughters, an Australian cowboy ranching drama/romance series, several years back, I’ve secretly longed to have my own ranch. Riding horses through beautiful rolling hills while herding animals, and then coming home to my very own sexy cowboy! Hey, a girl can dream, right?  So I’m always attracted to any story with cowboys included.  

I’ve read a couple Carolyn Brown’s romances before The Trouble With Texas Cowboys and I adore her down to earth story telling.  She throws in a lot of humor and Southern charm, and I always picture the characters speaking with a strong Southern accent. Love a sexy Southern drawl!  I’d like to go back and read Callie and Finn’s story in the first installment: Cowboy Boots for Christmas: (Cowboy Not Included).  Don’t you just love that title?

Connect with Carolyn Brown:

Website | Amazon | Western Romance Cafe | Goodreads

Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication Date: September 11th 2014
My rating: 4 stars 

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

Once again Maas was able to sweep me away with gorgeously written story in Heir of Fire. Being the reader that I am I didn’t have time to re-read Crown of Midnight so that things could be fresh in my head, but Maas was clever in bringing hints of what had gone on previously that quickly enough I was left with that aching in my chest all over again. I really didn’t know what to think Celaena had been through it all, to the brink and back, could she finally learn and get what she was seeking for?

Maas excelled in creating characters who were quick to find a solid place in my heart; Chaol Dorian, and Celaena were characters who I adored, but with the introduction of Rowan I was quick to ask the questions Chaol who? This warrior was quick to take over my full attention that I couldn’t care less about the other perspectives which were given to us in the story. Very early on he isn’t the nicest guy at all, constantly pushing Celaena, just being a thug overall, but deep down I knew it was what Celaena needed, yes Rowan could be harsh at times but Celaena needed that extra push to keep her firstly occupied and forget all the things she had suffered, but also to become a better person. Celaena was a first class assassin and lethal in every way, and although it took both Rowan and Celaena at first pushing the wrong buttons, I couldn’t wait until they finally got one another as I knew that would result would be a formidable team.

The world in Wendlyn was a stark contrast to what we were used to. But I enjoyed about this whole reality we got to experience and learning more about Celaena’s back story. Like I mentioned before I loved the perspective from Rowan’s and Celaena’s side of things, it was new, thrilling away from all the heartache and of course I got to be with Rowan, what more could I have asked for? But when we were given different perspectives I did also enjoy reading from a new character that Maas introduced into the mix; Aedion. Like Rowan Aedion and I didn’t get off to the best start, but slowly his character grew on me and I adored getting glimpses of his real character; how much love, courage and loyalty he had to offer.

Once again a lot was on steak for so many individuals in Heir of Fire, but the way things had ended in Crown of Midnight, it was horrible to see that relationships had shifted dramatically for some of our favourite characters, the time that Celaena spent with Rowan did help us to bury the heartache we had been put through. His constant growling was really some of my highlights. But of course Maas wouldn’t let us have all the fun, slowly but surely she chipped away at the defence I had built up, and then of course was able to very quickly turn everything on its head. Maas was able to flip my emotions in the flick of a switch I could go from feeling fierce to disgusted and from being scared to horrified really quickly. However I’m not one to say that all was left in despair, yes I was shocked by some of the events which unravelled, but I’m grateful that we still have a small flickering of hope that won’t be going out anytime soon.

Cover Reveal: Fading Out (Living Heartwood #3) by Trisha Wolfe

I'm (Rachel) excited to be part of the Cover Reveal for Fading Out by Trisha Wolfe because I loved the first story in the series. I'll be picking the second and this book up very soon!

Fading Out (Living Heartwood, #3) by Trisha Wolfe
Publication Date: February 18th 2015

Love means fading out so another shines brighter.

Right clothes. Right school. Right fiancé. As a Wyndemere, Arian’s expected to abide by the rules. The most important: be perfect. But Arian’s seemingly flawless life is far from it. An embarrassing expulsion from her parents’ alma mater spirals an already unhealthy obsession out of control, exposing a dark truth.

Faced with having to attend a small private college after a stint in rehab, Arian’s just ready to coast under the radar and repair some of the wreckage, but her father’s looming control is like a vise choking off her air supply.

When a run-in with Braxton’s beloved star quarterback, Ryder Nash, puts Arian squarely in the crosshairs of his devoted teammates, the last of her controlled, orderly world unhinges. As the pranks and paybacks escalate, Arian and Ryder’s rivalry takes a passionate turn. And once Arian glimpses beneath the all-star-athlete exterior Ryder projects, she realizes he’s far more than just a jock.

As their relationship intensifies, outside forces feel the threat. Outrunning their pasts doesn’t mean history won’t repeat itself, but Ryder can’t let that happen. He’s just one Championship game away from breaking the mold. Only one moment, one choice, might change everything.

Told from both Arian's and Ryder's POV. New Adult Contemporary Romance intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

Available 2/18/15

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About the Series...

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The Author...

From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fantasy worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fantasy worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself.  

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Review: Once Upon a Rose by Laura Florand

Once Upon a Rose (La Vie en Roses #1) by Laura Florand

Publication date: January 26th 2015
My rating: 5 stars 
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She stole his roses.

Fleeing the spotlight, burnt out rock star Layla—“Belle”—Dubois seeks refuge in the south of France. That old, half-forgotten heritage in a valley of roses seems like a good place to soothe a wounded heart. She certainly doesn’t expect the most dangerous threat to her heart to pounce on her as soon as she sets foot on the land.

He wants them back.

Matt didn’t mean to growl at her quite that loudly. But—his roses! She can’t have his roses. Even if she does have all those curls and green eyes and, and, and…what was he growling about again?

Or maybe he just wants her.

When an enemy invades his valley and threatens his home, heart, and livelihood, Matthieu Rosier really knows only one way to defend himself.

It might involve kissing.

My Thoughts:

Reading Once Upon a Rose was a pure delight! I was laughing one minute, and pulled under by a wave of lust the next, but the overall tone was happy, and I just couldn’t keep from smiling the entire time I read.  I LOVED Matt and Layla’s romance! 

Big, growly and gruff, Matthieu Rosier is the patriarchal heir to the Rosier valley of roses that supply perfume houses with the petals to make their fragrant concoctions. It’s his valley...well most of it is.  Matt gets the shock of his life when a small, curly-haired temptress crashes his birthday party and shakes up his world.

Layla Dubois aka rock-star ‘Belle Woods’ is in need of rest and privacy after feeling burned out and unable to write songs for a new album.  A letter and an inheritance brings her to Provence, back to her family’s roots, and Layla thinks it’s the perfect place to regenerate incognito.  She didn’t realize she’d encounter big and gorgeous Matthieu Rosier and find all his growliness such a turn on. 

Layla’s inheritance throws an immediate road block up between her and Matthieu’s immediate attraction, but it’s less of a wedge than you might think.  Every time I thought a huge outburst was coming, Layla would surprise and sooth any problem away.  Yes, there was plenty of growling on Matt’s part, but mostly he was just a big, cuddly teddy-bear in disguise, one that demanded a good squeeze!

It must take a lot of growling to hide a heart tender enough to make roses.

Their romance was at times antagonistic and so much fun! At others, it was full of sensuality, intense want, and passion! Who knew a rose could be so erotic?! Even though Matt and Layla’s relationship developed over a short period of time it still felt like a slow, steady burn as they got to know each other. 

Once Upon a Rose had the least amount of angst or heartache compared to her other books,but

Ms. Florand still managed to make me cry at one point with Tante Collette’s stories. They were very moving and I can totally understand her decision in regards to the Rosier land. 

I took my time reading Once Upon a Rose.  I wanted to savor each passage, revel in the feelings

Ms. Florand coaxes out of me every time I read one of her novels.  I have so many favorite scenes and passages highlighted, and I especially loved the alien photo scene! “Tata! Did you get out—Tata! Not the alien photo.” Leave it to family to utterly embarrass by sharing old photos!  Haha! See, just so much fun!

Once Upon a Rose is the first story in Laura Florand’s newest series, and we have several more cousins in need of some loving. Tristan Rosier’s story is next and I can’t wait!

 Other books in the world of the Roses series:

Gabriel & Jolie's story. 

A prequel to the Vie en Roses series:

 (Click on covers for Goodreads link)

   

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Daniel & Lea's story:

(La Vie en Roses #0.1)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Raoul Rosier & Allegra's story:

(La Vie en Roses #1.5)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Florand burst on the contemporary romance scene in 2012 with her award-winning Amour et Chocolat series. Her books have appeared in ten languages, been named among the Best Books of the Year by Romantic Times and Barnes & Noble, received the RT Seal of Excellence and starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist, and been recommended by NPR, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, among others.

After a Fulbright year in Tahiti and backpacking everywhere from New Zealand to Greece, and several years living in Madrid and Paris, Laura now teaches Romance Studies at Duke University. Contrary to popular opinion, this means she primarily teaches French language and culture and does a great deal of research on French gastronomy, particularly chocolate. For more information, please see her website:

www.lauraflorand.com.   

Connect with Laura Florand:

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