FALLING FOR THE COWGIRL by Jody Hedlund, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Colorado Cowboys #4
See Reviews for Colorado Cowboys #5 The Last Chance Cowboy

"Jericho might like town, where he won't be tempted to butt into other people's business."

"Actually I like butting into other people's business, especially when they're involved in deception."

Well now . . . it's game on! Jericho Bliss and Ivy McQuaid have a history of conversational sparring, sometimes friendly, sometimes . . . not. Little did Jericho know he had broken Ivy's young heart when he left Colorado years prior and Ivy has no inkling why he has suddenly re-appeared, but it had not taken the big, handsome, stubborn cowboy very long to see through her disguise. He had to keep her secret! He just had to!

Jericho Bliss took a risk coming back to South Park, Colorado. His friends have no clue that he is on official business as an undercover Pinkerton agent, hunting a dangerous war criminal whose trail led him to this very spot. Ivy had always been a handful, but as a full grown gorgeous woman, she spelled danger (in all caps) to his assignment. He will not compromise her safety; plus, those brothers of hers would kill him if he did.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord .. . Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."

What a romantic, borderline passionate, western this turned out to be! Ivy and Jericho might have taken the rockiest road possible towards happily -ever-after, (it sure was an entertaining one) but who would have thought that Jericho's roping skills would be just what he needed?!

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:

Years ago, he shattered her heart. Now she must trust him with her life.

As the only girl in her family, and with four older brothers, Ivy McQuaid can rope and ride with the roughest of ranchers. She's ready to have what she's always longed for--a home of her own. She's set her heart on a parcel of land south of Fairplay and is saving for it with her winnings from the cowhand competitions she sneaks into--but her dream is put in jeopardy when the man she once loved reappears in her life.

After two years away, Jericho Bliss is back in South Park as an undercover Pinkerton agent searching for a war criminal. He has no intention of involving a woman in the dangerous life he leads, but one look at Ivy is all it takes for him to question the path he's set out for himself.

Even though Jericho tries to resist his longtime attraction to the beautiful and vivacious Ivy, he finds himself falling hard and fast for her. In the process, his worst fear comes true--he puts her smack-dab in the middle of danger. With Ivy's life in the balance, will Jericho give her up once again, or will he find a way back to her, this time forever?

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2022

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy FALLING FOR THE COWGIRL at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

THE LAST CHANCE COWBOY by Jody Hedlund, Reviewed by Winnie and Rebecca

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
Jody Hedlund’s Colorado Cowboys series comes to a riveting conclusion with Dylan McQuaid’s story. I’m always on board for a new story from this author. Her characters are colorful, well-drawn, and engaging. Set in Fairplay, Colorado in 1871, this book features Dylan trying to reform his life and become a responsible citizen and person. He is repentant, courageous, and determined. When midwife Catherine Remington brings motherless baby Austin from Chicago to his father Dylan in Colorado, he steps up and wants to do the right thing. Catherine is competent, but a little insecure and reserved when it comes to romance. She has also been wrongly accused of two murders, precipitating her flight to Colorado. I enjoyed the interaction between the two characters, their growth, and the change in their relationship.

Plenty of action, intrigue, romance, and inspiration fill the pages of this book. The themes of redemption, repentance, faith, and hope bring added depth to the story. I recommend this series to those who enjoy well-written historical fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"We've come to arrest Catherine Remington."

What in the world? Scooping up the infant she had just delivered, midwife Catherine Remington hurriedly packs her bags and slips out the back door of her upper class Chicago home with enough money to make it to Colorado. Based on the words of the child's dying young mother, she hopes to locate the baby's father and get far, far away from dangerous, false accusations. There's just one little problem. When she meets Dylan McQuaid, her impressions of him are not at all what she expected . . . apparently he's turned his life around and wants to marry Catherine, even though he doesn't even remember her. A most unusual proposal, indeed. Could it be the answer to her prayers? Or when Catherine realizes the extent of what they have done, the beginning of her worst nightmare?

"When we do what is right, then we can trust the good Lord for the outcome of His choosing. Might not be exactly what we want, but when we always honor Him, He blesses us for it."

This last chance cowboy could charm a snake out of its skin with all those "darlin's" he tosses around, but what a tender heart! . . . filled with a sincere desire to become the man God wants him to be after living a life full of unwise choices. Catherine spins his world off its axis, doesn't she? While they face a myriad of misunderstanding and regret, the end result is something far greater and stronger than they could have managed alone . . . a first-forever-chance love. 

*I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. 3.5 stars 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
With danger drawing ever closer, their only hope of saving their futures lies in each other.

As a midwife, Catherine Remington is successful in bringing new life into the world, but she's failed one too many times in finding true love. When she's accused of a murder she didn't commit, she's forced to flee to Colorado to honor a patient's dying wish by delivering a newborn infant to his father.

The repentant prodigal Dylan McQuaid is finally back in Fairplay. As sheriff, he's doing his best to prove to the town he's a changed man and worthy of their trust. When a woman shows up with an infant son he didn't know he had, Dylan is left with only complicated choices on what to do next.

Having grown attached to Dylan's son, Catherine doesn't want to part ways with the infant, but what she doesn't bargain for is how easily she'll fall for the charming sheriff, or how quickly the past will catch up with her and put their love and lives in danger.

Bethany House Publishing, February, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE LAST CHANCE COWBOY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

 

A MATCH IN THE MAKING by Jen Turano, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

 

Jen Turano’s books never fail to delight me. I always find myself laughing out loud, snickering, and, yes, even some most unladylike snorting may occur as I’m devouring the pages. A Match in the Making begins a new series and stars Gwendolyn Brinley who is coerced into being an assistant matchmaker by her new employer Mrs. Parker.

“I’ve never had an assistant matchmaker before, so I’m making up job requirements as we go.”

When she finds herself tasked to find a wife for the “catch of the season”, Mr. Walter Townsend, sparks begin to fly, and not necessarily in a romantic way. Widower Walter has decided he needs a new wife because his motherless children have become unruly.

With her signature wit and humor, Turano has penned yet another fantastic tale set among “high society” during the Gilded Age. Gwendolyn is a spunky, independent, and very capable heroine who is not afraid to show some disdain towards that so-called “society” and their snooty ways. Walter is a successful, likeable, but sometimes clueless, businessman who could use some direction in being a more involved father. I enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow.

“It’s a strange circumstance, because I’m generally not at odds with gentlemen when first introduced. It typically takes me a good few weeks before I begin annoying them, or vice versa.”

I would highly recommend this book along with all of Jen Turano’s other books if you enjoy clean, humorous historical fiction. They’re loads of fun! 

 *I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.4.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention--and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

Bethany House Publishing, February, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy A MATCH IN THE MAKING at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

DEAR HENRY, LOVE EDITH by Becca Kinzer, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

Sad day.....I don't want to leave these characters that have become my best friends! (insert ugly crying emoji) Seriously one of the BEST, funniest, heartwarming, emotional, hilarious, belly-laughing, just all around top-of-my-chart read for 2023!

I can't tell you how much I love Henry and Edith....and the whole quirky small town characters that make up this story! Becca knows small town dynamics, as evidenced in the grocery store pepper incident (wait until you read THAT one!). How a small insignificant misunderstanding can turn into the most ridiculous, untrue "fact" that spreads hilarious gossip. Oh my word, the whole book was this way, if you don't laugh your way through this; I don't know what's wrong with you!!

There's also a deeper message of how sometimes our plans don't fit into what God has for us...or sometimes God works them out in His own special way, much better than we ever can imagine. We just have to trust Him! Both Henry and Edith have big dreams (or adventures) and it's amazing how the author brings those to pass at the end.

I simply love everything about this book and I know it will live in my heart for a long time to come. Becca Kinzer is my new favorite writer and I can't wait to read what's next from her!!

P.S. Not to mention (okay so I mentioned it), the old-timey movies referenced throughout makes me want to find them to watch for myself...HA! Becca Kinzer, don't ever stop writing books!! Because every one of your readers deserve a piece of the wedding cake (another small-town quirk). Absolutely fun :-) 

*I borrowed this digital book from my library with no obligation for a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn’t exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he’d do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes—short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake—that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town—their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry’s roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Reminiscent of the beloved classic You’ve Got Mail comes a delightful new romantic comedy about mistaken identities, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places.

Tyndale House, January, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy DEAR HENRY, LOVE EDITH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

 

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