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
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
COMING SOON
Releasing August 16
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.
