Cherish and Protect

Cherish and Protect: a small town romantic suspense novel (Heroes of Evers, TX Book 6)

by Lori Ryan

This was a good read and I enjoyed it from the characters to the excitement. Before you really get into the danger, adventure and thrills you are about three fourths the ways through it. From this author I am used to it starting from the first page grabbing your attention. This is not to say it was a bad read at all because it was a good. The author brings back characters from the past, it was great to meet Laura brother who we know from the past book he was in the military and kept as a prisoner for many years leaving her to believe by her dead husband that her brother was dead. This is a standalone read the author does fill in the information that you do not have to read the past books but really you should to get the full impact. It is a story of a lot of pain not only for Presley but for James as well. Presley’s parents expect so much from her, making lots of demands. She really hasn’t had much of a childhood or adulthood. Her life has been wrapped around Grand Prix circuit with her parents controlling her life. She is at the age she has missed so much and doesn’t want to miss anymore. James is having flash backs of when he was held prisoner. He knows he is missing something important and needs to remember, as he does he finds out his life is in danger along with Presley.

As always with Ms. Ryan her plots are good, her characters are great with a story that is very believable. She gives true emotions that really pulls you in. You can feel every painful step James takes along with his anger, needs and wants. He is afraid to love again he lost so much the last time plus who would want half a man who goes nuts from time to time. I loved his dog he really stole my heart in so many ways. I had no trouble feeling and picturing as he helps James get through the good and bad times. Presley’s mother is something else and gets into a mess. We know how that affects Presley but do not learn of the outcome. The passion is hot, the love scenes steam along with some very close calls with danger that could lead to death. I would have like for the story to have a little more excitement of danger before it does but the rest of the story was outstanding. 3.5 taking it up to a 4.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079BV6X8N/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B079BV6X8N&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherish-and-protect-lori-ryan/1127989626?ean=9781941149782

Summary

She’s living life on her own terms for the first time. He’s been handed a second chance at life he’s not sure he has the guts to take. But there are forces that might take away their shot at life and love.

Presley Royale’s life has been mapped out for her from the day she took her first jump on a horse. The Grand Prix circuit was once everything she always wanted. Today, she’s not so sure. But she does know one thing. She’ll be the one making the decisions in her world from here on out. One of those decisions is to let James Lawless in.

He wasn’t ever supposed to come back alive. Not while so many others suffered because of his failures. His teammates, his sister, the woman who saved him when no one else could. When pieces from his past begin to come back to him, he knows he’ll fail again. And this time, the woman he’s falling in love with will pay the price for his shortcomings.

Cherish and Protect is a standalone book that can be read in any order within the series.

The Lady's Arrangement

The Lady's Arrangement

Help Wanted

By: Colleen L. Donnelly

Narrated by: Leonor A. Woodworth

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Unabridged

Release date: 03-07-18

There are so many characters, each have their own goals not all are good ones. The widow needs a husband to keep her land after her husband died, from an accident on a horse. Her foremen wants to marry her to help her keep the land. The bank has their own interest that does not always seem on the up and up. The widow's son doesn’t want a new father and is close to the foremen. The widow doesn’t want another man telling her what to do she has plans of her own. She places an ad for a husband who can take orders and stay out of her way, she wants his name only but it seems he has other ideas. In rides Ranger Rex Duncan (under another name, he is out to find out who is behind the under hand dealings and people being taken for their money) who not only shakes the widow's life up but her foremen and sons as well. It seems no one is happy with this setup from the widow to the banker. What follows is some very entertaining reading.

Ms. Woodworth’s really brought this story to life for me as she pulled me in using emotion filled with sorrow, anger, hurt and pain along with excitement, danger and thrills. I had no trouble picturing the events as they unfold. She really made me feel how Rex was fighting his self from his past issues, to his brother that really pulled on my heart along with his growing feeling for Regina. I could feel Regina sorrow from the loss of money to losing her ranch to wanting the say in how it is run as well as her mixed feeling for Rex. Her confusion for so many issues came through loud and clear as does her and Rex mixed feelings for each other. Her tones are right on the mark keeping the listener on the edge waiting for the next shoe to drop. There are no volume changes, no background noise or any repeating of words. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. Her male voices were just as good as her female voices, you have no trouble knowing who is talking and just what they are feeling. Her normal voice is very pleasant as well as her character voices given with true emotions. This was a very easy audio to listen to as the narrator pulled me in with the mystery, to what each person goals were. I had to trouble feeling pain and sorrow as well as the confusion, smiles and tears. I was held captivated from the first page to the last. For me she really bought this audio to life.

I thought the plot was great, the characters outstanding. The author wrote this in a way that you could feel the pain and sorrow as well as the smiles and laughs. You could tell a lot of thought when into the layout and writing of this story. At times, it is a very emotional read filled with passion, confusion and love as well as hate, anger and lies. There is excitement, lots of danger and a little adventure. I could feel the mix feeling of Regina and Rex as they faught the growing love for each other. For me it was a win from start to finish, I truly enjoy the story and the outcome made my heart beat faster as it was touch ago to who would win this game of cat and mouse.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Ladys-Arrangement-Audiobook/B07B84VVF7

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XXN474K/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06XXN474K&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ladys-arrangement-colleen-l-donnelly/1126086454?ean=2940157478704&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-lady-s-arrangement-1

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Colleen_L_Donnelly_The_Lady_s_Arrangement?id=NJ4kDwAAQBAJ

Summary

Neither Rex nor Regina wants a spouse, but they do have needs.

Ranger Rex Duncan needs a false identity—just long enough to uncover a ring of Kansas ranch thieves. Answering Regina’s ad for a temporary husband, he leaves his beloved red dirt of Oklahoma to assume that disguise. But the most obstinate woman he’s ever known confounds his assignment, and with hair the red color that has always made his heart beat a little faster.

Regina Howard needs a new Mrs. in front of her name—just long enough to reclaim her deceased husband’s ranch, since Kansas law won’t allow women to own property. When Rex answers her ad for a husband who can take orders as part of a brief business arrangement, she finds this stubborn man ignores her every command. Yet a good man is far more than just a name…

Jolie: A Valentine's Day Bride

Jolie: A Valentine's Day Bride (Brides of Noelle: Love For All Seasons #2)

by E.E. Burke

 Jolie: A Valentine's Day Bride

As we all know we make decisions whether good or bad that leads to things getting out of our control turning a page we might not want to turn leading us to go down a road that we are unhappy with but have little choice. Here is a story that reminds us romance is for everyone even a soiled dove can find happiness. It is a very touching read with humor, sorrow, pain, full of emotions, romance at its fineness. I totally loved this story two people broken finding each other and turn their fears into a lovely romance that will bring a tear to your eye.

Humans are funny people when they lose part of their body, their hopes and dreams they think they aren’t good enough, no one will want them. They only see what they want not what they are, truly a wonderful person that the loss makes no less of. The author shows touching true emotions of two people who lost much but still find they are not worthy not only in body but in soul. Jolie and Hank’s story will break your heart I just wanted to cry when I read it. The author has a way of twisting your heart and then making you smile as she lays out the plot to some fun reading that will make you angry but at the same time make you smile as the town’s people turn against them only to have egg on their face.

I just love this town and its people, they are a handful as they pull pranks, tease and joke. The characters are amazing as normal people turn into heroes. There were times when my heart was in my throat at the danger that could have killed so many. Other times I was so angry at the miners who should have known better, there were nothing more than bullies, that got put in their place which will make you smile. For the most part the towns people are a delight that you will come to love, I so enjoyed seeing some from the past series that really touched me and stole my heart. It was great to see knew one and get to know them. One little wild town that they are trying too hard to settle and calm down, with wonderful mail order brides to delightful cowboys and miners who just want someone to call their own. This story is a big win for me it has just about everything you could ask for sorrow, trust issues, starting over, finding one’s self, humor, danger, a delightful big dog that I wish I could have and so much love. I doubt you can read this without it touching you in some way. I laughed, smiled and wanted to cry. This author held me in the palm of her hand as she twisted my heart right around her finger. There was nothing I didn’t love about this story, I loved it so much I picked it as one of my favorite reads for the year.

Buy Link

Amazon  and on KU

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079R9124G/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B079R9124G&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Summary

Jolie LaFemme has been a working girl at La Maison for four long years...ever since being betrayed and left penniless. She’s jaded, distrustful and blind to the possibility of love. As far as she's concerned, being the madam of a popular parlor house is the best she can hope for, and nothing will convince her to give up the coveted and lucrative position.
Hank Donavan arrives in Noelle with a plan to ensure his sister's financial security and regain his pride. He’s a man in his prime, handsome by any measure, but an accident ruined his vision, and his future. Now, he travels with his dog Bear, and sells beautiful handmade Valentine cards. His big opportunity comes when he's offered a chance to invest in the richest silver mine in the state. There’s only one catch: he has to be married first. Who would marry a blind man with little to recommend him when there are plenty of hale and hearty men to go around?
The Brides of Noelle is a multi-author series featuring stories for every season. Watch for more books in this series, starting with Ophelia, A Valentine's Day Bride by Kit Morgan.
Have you read the Twelve Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides series, including The Drum by E.E. Burke? This bestselling series introduced readers to the town of Noelle and to characters they've come to love, who appear again in the Brides of Noelle, which is set in the same fictional mining community.

Ophelia: A Valentine's Day Bride

Ophelia: A Valentine's Day Bride (Brides of Noelle: Love For All Seasons #1)

by Kit Morgan

What a great story on things are not always as they seem. Only believe half of what you see with your own eyes and nothing in print. For Clint who is in town looking it over for a business he can’t seem to keep his foot out of his mouth. You know the saying about assuming (lets clean it up) it makes a fool out of you and me both. In Clint’s case he does look like a fool when he assumes the worth not only about a lovely lady but the whole dang town. I truly laughed my head off at all that he came up with and it does seem the town is having a good laugh. You are in for a real treat as the only single women left in town is starting over grabs the attention of the new business man in town. Only things aren’t that easy when everything points to not all the town people are on the up and up.

Ophelia and Clint start out great then misunderstandings lead to confusion on both parts. As always this series has wonderful characters you can relate to, a little sorrow and so many smiles and laughs for the reader. I loved how they met it was so easy, smooth and exciting. I had no trouble picturing it in my mind and just about swoon with a big smile on my face. From there things just go downhill for these two who pretty much fell in love when they set their eyes on each other.  Both are wonderful people who I fell so in love with as well as the town and its people. It was so nice to see those from the past books and meet new ones.

There are very few pages that I didn’t smile on laugh at as poor Clint makes a big fool out of his self over many things. I loved the humor, the busy bodies and the preacher is just a darling. There was a little more filler than I like but it was well worth the read. I truly got lost in this story and read it at one setting. As the town starts to fill up you have some very talented authors tell you a wonderful story of all new people. There isn’t one story you will want to miss in this series. I was so glad the continued it only adding this delight Valentine’s part to the mail order brides. Come take a journey back in time when the west was still wild as the bring the brides in to calm not only the town down but the wild men as they claim the women who will turn their world upside down.

Buy Link

Amazon on KU

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079QP935Y/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B079QP935Y&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Summary

Clint Jones came to Noelle for one purpose and one purpose only. Get in, assess the town, and get out. Then he'd report to his superiors at Wells Fargo and Company to let them know if Noelle was respectable and prosperous enough to open a branch there. But what Clint found was anything but respectable! Toss in a violet-eyed beauty that takes his breath away, a mayor and a preacher he thinks are consorting with the worst sorts of evil, and the fun begins. Enjoy this hilarious romp as only Kit Morgan can deliver. Sweet, clean and wholesome romance at its very best!

A Dark & Stormy Knight

A Dark & Stormy Knight (A McKnight Romance, #3)

by Suzie Quint

I thought this was a great read but I had a hard time with Georgia being so self centered even as she has aged. I did understand where she was coming from it would be the same way if you were dating a police officer. The fear of not knowing and always the fear of death. I really thought she should have talked things out with Sol but then you wouldn’t have a story. I loved their daughter but can never really understand parents that hold on to tight not letting them grow up. She has fears which made her leave years ago, but she still has those same fears. She really does love Sol, but she isn’t willing to admit that even to herself. Her mother is something else and I felt for her and her whole family having to deal with her. With her mother being so angry all the time it was easy to understand why she felt the way she did. I really liked her sister who helped her see how things really are and why she did the things she did

Sol is just about what every woman dreams, someone who is kind, loving a wonderful family man that shows through with how he deals with his family. His daughter is a delight he just adores her and makes a wonderful father. He is hardworking, gives so much of his self to every aspect of his life. I understand they were too young to marry as so many people are and I do understand her fears which Sol is still left in the dark he is clueless to why she left in the first place. He really loves her and wants her back but doesn’t have a clue how to do that. I understand why she finds it so hard to talk about even after all this time what I do not understand is why Sol isn’t demanding an explanation or at least doing some pushing to make her talk. There is no way any man can have that much patience after so many years I would be demanding answers to look for away to work it through my mind at least. I liked how he finally took control of his daughter and help to make the decisions. They did backfire on him but it sure was fun watching the fight it out.

The plot is wonderful the writing style is great the characters are good, the family is wonderful and the little girl is just a dear. I thought the detail scenes were outstanding I had no trouble picturing the ranch it was just beautiful and really added to the story. The supporting characters added so much. I have to give it to Georgia even after leaving finding she was pregnant she did tell Sol who took the responsibility as much as he could from afar with a smile on his face. You can really tell both of them love this little girl. I did find this story to be humorous at times, I had a few chuckles and a few laughs. I loved how Sol worked from afar to keep Georgia single, I even laughed over it. The story has a lot of wonderful points, the author kept it interesting and it moved at a great pace. There are a few twists and turns that are cute and funny as well as a few that are heartbreaking. I thought this was a wonderful read and totally enjoyed it.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Stormy-Knight-McKnight-Romances-ebook/dp/B00J81NU36/ref=la_B005J8XI6G_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521894542&sr=1-1

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-dark-stormy-knight-suzie-quint/1121049040?ean=9781497472815&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-dark-stormy-knight-3

Summary

Young and stupid go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Sol McKnight, rancher and rodeo bull rider, married Georgia Carston, the love of his life, at eighteen. So maybe they were too young and maybe he was stupid to believe it would last forever because six weeks later, she left him. Now she’s back in Hero Creek for the summer. This is his chance to win her back. Little does he know, this may be his last chance because Georgia has her eye on the divorced father of their daughter’s best friend. If Sol ever wants to feel whole again, he’s going to have to figure out what went wrong so many years ago and fix it. If he doesn’t he’ll lose her forever