A Real Cowboy Always Protects {a review}

A Real Cowboy Always Protects is the 8th book in the Wyoming Rebels series by Stephanie Rowe. In this book we get to witness Logan Stockton and Skylar Jones fake an engagement, temporarily move to Wyoming, and ultimately fall in love.

Logan and Skylar have been neighbors for about two years now. On this night, they bump into each other in the elevator. Skylar is off to the store across the street for a cup of coffee, and Logan just finished working out at the onsite gym. They begin chatting, and as per usual, Skylar is just drawn to Logan. When Skylar returns to the building, there are two men waiting for the elevator. They hop in with her, and get off at her floor. She doesn't know it yet, but these men are here for Logan, and if they have their way he won't be coming out alive. Skylar knocks on Logan's door, attempts to use some spy lingo, and Logan catches on. Next thing you know, Skylar is locked in Logan's office and hiding under his desk, all while he handles things in the hallway. It is shortly after this point that we find out Skylar and Logan are headed to Wyoming, as Skylar needs to hide out from this assassin.

There is so much that I loved about this book! From the Stockton family, to their friends, to Logan going into protector mode, how Skylar's Mom ended up on the property, the big showdown, the love story, and ultimately the surprise, for the teenager, at the end. My heart soared with that one. Okay fine, a few tears were shed as well. I will say that at the beginning of the book it said this was a slow-burn, but honestly I didn't get that at all. If anything it felt like once they arrived at the ranch, things built rapidly.

This was my first read in the Wyoming Rebels series, and now I really want to go back and read the first seven books. This group just seems amazing. They've overcome so much, and you can just feel the sense of community.

If you are a fan of neighbors to lovers, small town romance, fake engagements, and/or romantic suspense, then go read this book. I think you'll like it. I know I did.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Southern Heat {a review}

 

Today is release day for Southern Heat, which is the sixth book in the Southern series by Natasha Madison. Southern Heat tells us the story of Quinn and Willow. If you read Southern Heart, you may recall getting a small glimpse of their introduction. It was quite the first impression.

In Southern Heat, we go back to the night that Chelsea is rescued, Mayson's dad is dead, and Quinn finds a woman hidden beneath a bed. This woman is barely alive. The moment Quinn picks her up to bring her to the ambulance, he feels a connection with her. Jane Doe is brought to the hospital, and all of her wounds are discovered. From broken bones, to fractured ribs, to bruises galore, this woman has it all. Days later it is also discovered that she has a broken clavicle. We then learn that her name is Willow, and she had been through hell with Benjamin for the last 8 years. This is her story of healing, growing, and finding love in this small southern town.

My recap of the book doesn't really do it justice. It just doesn't. How can I put into words everything that happened in Willow and Quinn's story, without spoiling it. I love that this book was insta-love. I love that it is small town romance. I love that Quinn sat by Willow's hospital bed around the clock. I cannot even begin to imagine all that Willow had been through in her life. Some of it was pretty difficult to read about, but she is a survivor. I love how these two fell into love without even realizing it. Witnessing these two fall for each other, go through the moment of conflict, and come back out of it stronger than ever just warms my heart. I just loved this book through and through.

I cannot get enough of the Southern series by Natasha Madison. I love her hockey series, I loved her Hollywood series, but this Southern series is a whole different ball game. There's only two books left in the series, and I don't want it to be over. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Willow

After being left for dead, I was given a fresh start by my knight in shining armor.

My protector.

I never had a family before they took me in.

But I don’t know how to stay or trust.

I always had a bag packed and ready just in case I needed to escape again.

Like they say, old habits die hard.

Being in the shadows is lonely, but lonely is safe.

Quinn

I was the quiet one, the one who stood in the back and watched things unfold. The cowboy who only cared about his horses instead of the glory.

Until I found her fighting for her life. Something inside me shifted, and I couldn’t stop it.

I couldn’t stop protecting her. 

I fell in love with her with one look because she was my soul mate.

Even though I knew I couldn't make her stay.

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Southern Heat

Meet Natasha Madison 

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

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Thank you to Natasha Madison and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for providing me with an advanced copy of Southern Heat.

A Kiss for a Kiss {a review}

Have you ever read a book, and thought "I'd love it if the author wrote about these two characters?" Well that was the case for me, and a lot of other fans of the All In series by Helena Hunting. She heard our request, and A Kiss for a Kiss was born. Jake and Hanna were getting their story told!

If you've read A Secret for a Secret, then you know who Jake and Hanna are. If you haven't read it, well I suggest you do. If anything it will give you a bit of backstory. Jake is the GM for the Seattle hockey team, and he is Queenie's dad. Queenie is getting married to Kingston. Kingston is the son of Hanna, but he wasn't raised by her. Hanna had given up her parental rights when Kingston was born, and they were actually raised as siblings. Unusual I know, but it is what it is. Anyways, as we lead up to the wedding, Hanna and Jake are spending a lot of time together. They are in constant communication, and a friendship is forming. You see where this is headed I'm sure. Eventually that friendship turns into more. And not too long later, Hanna finds herself pregnant. At 46.

I LOVED A KISS FOR A KISS! I don't think I can scream it loud enough. I love the immediate attraction between Jake and Hanna. I love the age of our characters. I love getting to see all the characters from previous books (both All In and Pucked). I love that our characters went to The Knight Cap! I love the relationship that Hanna has with Kingston. Just all of it. I loved it. Their relationship. The pregnancy. Explaining  the relationship, and revealing the pregnancy, to Kingston and Queenie.  The fact that others could see the relationship happening just based on their initial meeting. It was just all so good. Oh and that blow up Hanna had with her Mom? THE BEST! (as in long overdue)

If you've read the All In series, I highly suggest you continue with A Kiss for a Kiss. If you haven't read the series? I highly suggest that you do.  I gave A Kiss for a Kiss 4.5 stars, and am so freaking happy this book happened. If this was the end of the series, it was a fantastic conclusion.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

Jiving with a Royal {a review}

 

Today is the day that Jiving with a Royal is available! This is the second book in the Unexpected Royals series by Tomi Tabb.

At the end of Dancing with a Royal, I had hoped for a story featuring Eddie and Amanda. It just seemed as though these two would be wonderful together. Jiving with a Royal is telling their story, and my expectations are high. Especially since I adored Dancing with a Royal.

Jiving with a Royal starts in California. It is when David is coming to repair his relationship with Clara, and Eddie tags along. Amanda is headed out one morning, and runs smack dab into Eddie. At first she can't figure out where she has seen this man before, that is until a few minutes later when it hits her. He's Prince Edward. The man she's had a crush on for years. And he's here. At her home. A bit of forced proximity helps to build their friendship, and as that friendship builds feelings change. They both want this friendship to evolve to more, but neither are saying it. Amanda is doing everything she can to work flights that are headed to the UK. That way she can have a little extra time with Eddie. Eddie meanwhile is entering the British Army, and isn't going to really be available for about four weeks. Right about the time he has 3 days of leave coming up, Amanda arrives in London. Upon arrival though, she's involved in a car accident. This event changes everything for her.

There is so much that I enjoyed about Jiving with a Royal.  I loved that Eddie and Amanda were getting their story told. I loved seeing their relationship blossom. The scene at Disney was fabulous. Loved how Amanda took care of the PPO crew. Love that Amanda is a fan of Lucille Ball. Getting to witness Amanda and Clara reconnect was wonderful, but I do wish there had been more scenes with the two of them. Eddie starting in the military was interesting, and just what he needed to mature a bit. Oh, and that final scene made me oh so happy for the couple.

There were some things missing for me in the story though. Maybe it was the fact that our couple was apart more than they were together. Maybe it was the point of conflict, what it was about, and how quickly it was resolved. For me that was just so minor. While I enjoyed the story, it was wasn't the romance I was expecting. I wanted more between the couple. I wanted a bit more conflict. There was a bit too much of the characters being in their heads. To me that would have been the perfect opportunity to have conversations with their friends. Or to discuss things through letters. In the end, even though I enjoyed it, their story left me wanting a bit more.

I loved the characters and the setting. I love royal romances. I am definitely going to continue with the series, and am really curious about the next book. Tomi mentioned who it was going to be about, and I don't recall that character appearing before. So I'm curious to see how he ties in with Eddie and David. Also, what's up with Queen Agnus? I need the history on her. Ooh maybe a prequel will happen where we could have King Reginald's love story! 

Rating wise,  I chose to give Jiving with a Royal 3.5 stars.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

Bite the Bullet {a review}

Bite the Bullet is the third book in the Birch Police Department series by April Canavan, and it releases TODAY!

If you've been with me for a while, then you know that both Balls to the Wall and Boots on the Ground made my monthly top 5 lists. I am a bit obsessed with the series, and love the romantic suspense element that they offer. I get sucked right in, and I cannot put the books down. So I am expecting Bite the Bullet to be the same way.

In Bite the Bullet we are meeting up with Emma Hayes and Dominic Ortiz. Emma, you may recall, is the sister of Linc and Danny. Linc and Danny served overseas with Dominic. Linc and Dominic now serve together at Birch PD. One night Bee comes over to Emma's house, as her parents asked if Emma could watch her. Emma loves Bee, so it wasn't an issue. Plus Emma knows a bit of what goes on across the street. She's reported it a few times. That night though, everything changes. It is also this night that Emma finds out Dom is back in town. Emma is a new recruit to the police department and is beginning her training. Dom has been tapped to be her training officer. But there's a problem. They're attracted to each other, and the other night they kissed. Dom agrees to continue on, and tells the Chief the kiss meant nothing. And that is where it all starts.

I am obsessed with the Birch Police Department series. I cannot get enough. I absolutely loved Emma and Dom's story. Loved the relationship that Emma has with Dom's parents and siblings. Love the friendship that this group has. Love the ritual the guys have before someone deploys. Love how they have each others backs. The love story was fabulous. It has a bit of an age gap, as well as the brother's friend trope, along with a little military romance. It's just wonderful. Now I honestly thought the big moment of the book was when Dom deployed and Emma went to training. HAHAHAHAHA NO. That wasn't it. I mean that was the little moment of conflict. The suspenseful moment was still to come. And when it did, I can't lie, my mind immediately went to another person. Even though clues were given early on, my mind still didn't go there. But when I realized what was happening, my jaw dropped, and I gasped.

This book. OH THIS BOOK. Is it going to make my May top 5? Well I don't quite know yet, but there's a good chance.

If you're a fan of romantic suspense, then go read the Birch Police Department series. There's two more books yet to come, and I am eagerly anticipating both of them. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura