Showing posts with label Oil Kings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oil Kings. Show all posts

Monday, August 16, 2021

King's Queen {a review}


Do you ever start reading a book and think "gee this sounds familiar"? Because that's what happened to me with King's Queen by Marie Johnson. King's Queen is the fifth book in the Oil Kings series, and it just released on August 16.

King's Queen is about Aiden and Kate King. They have been married for a little bit now, but really it's more of a marriage by name, and not an actual marriage. Aiden spends more time at the office than at home, and wants nothing to do with Kate. Or so it seems. In this book, Kate learns about the rules that were put in place for Aiden to gain access to his trust fund. To say she is hurt is an understatement. It also explains why Aiden is acting the way he is. The logical part of Kate's brain says she has to divorce him. But her heart, that is saying otherwise. Can these two repair their relationship and save their marriage? Can Aiden work a bit less to have some time with his wife? Or are these two destined to separate?

Oh friends, King's Queen tugged on my heartstrings. This book hit me in the feels, and I went through a variety of emotions as I was reading. Kate and Aiden have been through so much. Aiden has changed and become this workaholic because he thinks it is what is expected of him. I was so proud of Aiden when he told his dad everything. When he revealed the heartache and pain he was dealing with because of the hours he had to put in. When he stood up to his grandma and said enough is enough. Just yes! I love that both Aiden and Kate were fighting for their marriage. NO it wasn't perfect. YES they had issues to work on. And yes, at times it felt like it was more one sided. But the heart wants what the heart wants. I loved the characters. Loved the setting. Loved the story. I don't read a lot of marriage on the rocks books, but the few I have always draw me in, and hold me captive.

Highly suggest you check out this book, and the entire series. I think you'll fall for these characters. I know I did.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura



BLURB

When Aiden King asked me out four years ago, I went from mousy librarian to wife of the most wanted bachelor in Montana in four months flat. No longer the nerdy girl from the wrong side of the tracks, I was a CEO’s wife in a mansion by the river—and my husband was the man of my dreams. I almost couldn’t believe my good fortune.

Turns out, I shouldn’t have believed it. After years of rattling around that mansion alone while Aiden put in long hours at the office, I learned his secret: he’d needed to marry someone, anyone, to fulfill his trust requirements, and the nerdy girl from the wrong side of the tracks had been an easy target.

I never thought I’d be the girl asking a handsome millionaire for a divorce. Now, my pride and I just want to limp back to my family and start over. But to do that, I’ll have to swallow one question. If the trust only required him to be married for a year, why has it been four years since we said I do?




PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU





EXCERPT

“Can I get a room for the next three nights?” Preferably as close to Kate as possible? I glanced up. Seven levels. What were the odds I’d land on the same floor?
“I’m so sorry, sir. We don’t have any vacancies.”
None? It was December. A slow month for conferences and sporting events. Ah. “Construction?”
Her smile was sympathetic. “I’m sorry. I can help you find a room in a hotel nearby.”
I hadn’t expected to spend a lot of time with Kate while she was at her convention, but I’d at least hoped to be under the same roof. The roof might house a few hundred rooms, but I’d remained optimistic.
Kate’s attention was on us. “No opening?”
I tucked my wallet back into my slacks. “No problem. I’ll talk with Luna about the bedroom.” Could I use it when the plane wasn’t in use? I didn’t care to sit in another hotel.
“On the plane?” Kate glanced at the young man helping her, then at the woman assisting me. Her gaze landed on me, full of resolve. “Just stay with me.”
“This is your conference.” I could fist pump right now, but I hadn’t meant to intrude this much on her weekend. She was technically working, after all.
“It’s all right, Aiden.”
I thanked Cynthia for her time, gathered my suitcase and Kate’s, and shouldered my tech bag while she finished up.
On the way to the elevator, she handed me a key, hesitant. “There’s two beds. Two queens.”
Damn. “All right.”
Still. Progress was progress. We were talking. She hadn’t asked when we were going to sign the divorce papers. I was making progress whether I was back in her bed or not.











AUTHOR BIO

Marie Johnston writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She also works as a medical laboratory scientist and has worked as a public health microbiologist. Depending on the situation, she can be oddly unconcerned about germs or weirdly phobic. Marie’s been a volunteer EMT, a college instructor, a security guard, a phlebotomist, a hotel clerk, and a coffee pourer in a bingo hall. All fodder for a writer!! She has a husband, four kids, and even more cats.


AUTHOR LINKS




Thank you to Marie Johnston, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of King's Queen.

Monday, June 7, 2021

King's Country {a review}


I did it again. I started a series that is already in progress, but I started with the latest release. WHO AM I? Thankfully the Oil Kings can be read as standalones, so I'm good there.

King's Country is the fourth book in the Oil Kings series by Marie Johnston.  In this book we follow Dawson King, and his neighbor Bristol Cartwright. The Kings and Cartwrights have been enemies for quite some time due to a land deal gone wrong. Or perceived as going wrong. Ever since that deal went through there has been little to no love between the families. With the exception of Sarah King (aka Dawson's mom), who was keeping her eye on Bristol. If Bristol needed help, Sarah was going to do whatever she could to help/protect her. That is until Sarah's life was taken. Fast forward quite a few years, and Bristol's dad is now gone, leaving just her to take care of the property, the cattle, and all of his bills. One night Bristol is out looking for one of her heifers, and a fall of the horse results in a broken leg for her. In comes Dawson. He finds Bristol in the fields, courtesy of Bristol's dog who ran for help, brings her to the hospital, and then brings her back to his house to heal. In the mean time, he helps take care of her property, and animals. And that is where the enemies start to shift towards lovers.

When I started reading King's Country, I knew nothing other than what the teaser told me. So as I was reading, I was quite surprised to learn little bits and pieces about this trust that Sarah had left to her kids. As the story progressed, I found myself getting a little upset with the King family. Then when that confrontation happened with the Grandma? EGADS. Oofta that was a lot. But then, towards the end of the book, when Sarah's letter was revealed, OH THE TEARS THAT FLOWED. My heart, oh my heart. Now I realize I've said very little about Bristol and Dawson's relationship, so let me fix that. Bristol is a misunderstood woman, and is extremely independent. She doesn't want any pity thrown her way, and struggles to accept help from those who offer. Add in the fact that a good majority of the town is against her because of her father's actions, and it's understandable why she keeps to herself. As Dawson and Bristol begin to talk, and he learns more about her, he realizes that he has misunderstood her, and his impression of her is wrong. It is after all this that their relationship really starts to blossom. And I love it. Then after the whole Grandma scene happens, and that drama/conflict is resolved, it is just all so good. While the story started off a bit slow for me, by the end I was all in, and wanting to go back to read the first three books in the series. Also, that little epilogue in the coffee shop that was setting up for book 5? Um, yes please! I NEED to read that one, like now. Seriously. That one is going to be explosive, I can just tell.

If you are a fan of small town romance, cowboys, independent heroines, enemies to lovers, or childhood friends to lovers, then you'll want to read King's Country.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura


Release Date: June 7, 2021


BLURB

I’ve been the wicked witch of King’s Creek since I was eight years old, from my angry red hair down to my ball-busting boots. With a mean drunk for a daddy who left nothing but insults and unpaid bills in his wake, was there ever any other fate? Now his passing has left me one bad turn from losing my land to the neighbors my family’s been feuding with for generations.

So of course it’s Dawson King who comes to my rescue in the middle of a snowstorm. But I don’t care how good he looks in a pair of Wranglers, or how much he spoils my horse, or how great of a cook he is. The Kings already have everything—money, looks, and charm. Dawson’s not getting my heart too.

***

I’m living my dream, I admit it. I took over the family ranch from my dad and grew it into the envy of Montana. I have the best views, the best employees, and the respect of the entire town. The only thing I don’t have is someone to share my dream with. So when my neighbor breaks her leg and nearly freezes to death, I all but kidnap her back to my place to recover.

We grew up less than a mile apart, but we couldn’t be in more different places now. Bristol’s had nothing but pride for so long, it’s hard to get close to her—and I want to get very close. I don’t care if the whole town loves me, I’m only interested in earning the love of one woman. But for a guy who’s got the world at his feet, Bristol’s heart might be out of my reach.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU




EXCERPT

I curled my hand around hers. “I got what I wanted tonight.” I soothed the flash of hurt in her eyes with a kiss. “This isn’t quid pro quo. I’ve been wanting to hold you for so long. I’m fine. Just like this.”

“You’re fine?” She couldn’t sound like she believed me less.

“I have a lot of plans for us, Bristol. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a guy and you’re my sexy neighbor.”

“I didn’t see a King calling me that.”

“You’re hot as fuck. I’ll prove it as often as you want me to. But tonight, I’d like to stay here, like this.”

“We’re still dressed.”

I leaned up and pulled back the covers. She wiggled around until she was under them. I stood and waited. 

She had to be sure.

She pulled back the other side and my smile grew wide. Yes.

By the time I shut the light off in the living room and got back to the side of the bed, she’d tugged off her shirt and put my old one on and wriggled out of her pants. “There. That’s better.” She eyed my chest.  “Feel free to do the same.”

“Aw, honey, if I start taking stuff off, I don’t know if I’ll quit.” I dropped my pants. My shirt hung over the worst of my obnoxious erection.

I slid between the cool sheets until I was close enough to wrap her in my arms. “Night, Bristol.”
“Night, Dawson.”


ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU




COMING SOON


Releasing August 16

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU




AUTHOR BIO

Marie Johnston writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She also works as a medical laboratory scientist and has worked as a public health microbiologist. Depending on the situation, she can be oddly unconcerned about germs or weirdly phobic. Marie’s been a volunteer EMT, a college instructor, a security guard, a phlebotomist, a hotel clerk, and a coffee pourer in a bingo hall. All fodder for a writer!! She has a husband, four kids, and even more cats.


AUTHOR LINKS





Thank you to Marie Johnston and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an advanced copy of King's Country.