Her Forever Cowboy

Weekends mean many things in the summer–BBQs, trips to the beach, days by the pool, and time spend with family and friends. But this weekend there’s a treat in store for you, a free book by a national best selling author!

Until July 8th, Her Forever Cowboy by Debra Salonen is free! One clicking this five star read is the best way to start your weekend off on the right foot. I already have my copy, so look for my review in the next few days! But before you buy, take a look at the blurb and see if could ever say no to this cowboy romance.

It’s just for the summer…

Single mom Anne Fraser is this close to breaking through the glass ceiling of corporate hotel management. She can’t afford to take off a whole summer to fill her late mother’s shoes at the Silver Rose Guest Ranch even if a few months out of the city might be just what the doctor ordered for eight-year-old Zoey. Anne can’t say no to her beloved stepfather’s request–even if the job means sharing the reins with the man whose kiss she’s never forgotten.

A little R&R at a B&B…

Professional bull rider Will Cavanaugh was this close to his goal of becoming World Champion when an injury sidelined him. Spending the summer managing his grandfather’s guest ranch might please the team doctor, but working with Anne brings challenges Will never saw coming—like falling in love. But that doesn’t mean he’s giving up on his dream

Battered and a bit disillusioned by life, Will and Anne return to the Silver Rose to repay old debts. To fall in love again. But only for the summer.

Or, maybe…for a lifetime.

If you’re in the US or the UK, you can download this sweet cowboy romance through the links below:

• US Kindle click HERE
• UK Kindle click HERE

The first book in the West Coast Happily Ever After Series, it’s just a taste of all the stories best selling author Debra Salonen has in store. To learn more about her, or her works, visit her website HERE.

Secrets of a Highland Warrior

Hot Highlander alert! I’m always pumped to read a book based in my favorite country, so when Nicole Locke told me about Secrets of a Highland Warrior, I was totally on board.

• Genre: Historical Romance

• Heat Level: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

The year is 1293 and Rory Lochmore is the son of the chief of Clan Lochmore. Their lands are separated from the McCrieff’s by a single stream, one too thin to keep them from constantly drawing their swords. Rory is eager to prove his worth yet again by claiming the land given to them by the king, but a pair of deep, green eyes catch him off guard. Yet he’s not one to be swayed by a pretty face, until he’s made an offer he can’t refuse.

Ailsa McCrieff is the healer for her clan and the daughter of the next chief. When her father inherits the title, he’ll also be inheriting generations of hatred between the McCrieffs and the Lochmores, but he has a plan to mend the strife…have Ailsa marry Rory. She’s horrified at the thought of being tied to a savage, despite his handsomeness, but she knows it could be the only way to save lives.

There’s nothing more then animosity and physical attraction between them, not a great start to a marriage. But the fates of both their clans rest on their shoulders and only a wedding will stop the bloodshed. Can they come together to make a true match, or are they doomed to lives of misery?

While this is book four in the Lochmore Legacy Series, it’s the only book I’ve read. While I did feel that I missed out on some backstory and a few tidbits what would have made reading much smoother, it wasn’t anything crazy. I would suggest starting with book one, as you should with all good series, but I enjoyed myself immensely, even by starting at the end.

Ailsa was a fantastic character. Her tongue was just as sharp as the shears she used for cutting herbs and she wasn’t one to be meek and obey. She’s really makes the marriage happen by seeing Rory see reason and I liked how she wasn’t just a swooning lass. Their relationship was also a pleasure to follow, as they went through not only newlywed growing pains, but found a way to trust that the other wouldn’t stab them in their sleep!

I also found the historical side to be very believable. If you’re not familiar with me, or the blog, you won’t know that I’m a historian and nothing ruins a historical book for me than blatant mess ups. For example, many people will write books set in Scotland and throw kilts around like confetti, despite using the wrong tartan or having the time period set before kilts were even a thing! It’s silly, but having Locke not throw Rory into a kilt was fabulous.

Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it to all historical romance lovers.

Precious Bones

Irina Shapiro has captivated me since the first book in her Echoes from the Past series. When she told me about her book Precious Bones, I knew I was in for yet another fantastic ride. And, as always, I wasn’t the least bit disappointed.

• Genre: Historical/Contemporary Romantic Mystery/Thriller
• Heat Level: ❤️❤️

• Story Rating; 6/6 Glass Slippers
• Narration Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

When a body is found in an old Tudor house in London, successful author Cassandra is stunned at her reaction to the skeletal remains. She’s brought to tears by the news report, although the death would have taken place hundreds of years before. Her boyfriend doesn’t understand her fascination with the story, and as she begins to write a tale based on the Tudor house she buys impulsively, she unravels a tale that’s almost too close to home.

Constance is a Catholic in the time of Queen Elizabeth II, making her very religion dangerous to publicly claim. While her brother prepares to marry and her little sister flirts with a highborn man, she’s left wondering what her role is in a world where women don’t have many choices. A brief encounter with a spy leaves her rattled and she embarks on a journey of secret letters, arrests, and a marriage to the man she least expects.

While Cassandra reveals more of Constance’s life through her writing, her own life spirals out of control. She begins to question her own sanity and the realness of her haunting visions.

As in her Echoes from the Past series, she blends the past and present to perfection in a way I didn’t expect. Both time frames hold enough drama, intrigue, and romance to be books in their own right. I was hooked from the first page and the non-stop twists left me on the edge of my seat. Waiting to see how the lives of such different women turned out was nearly torture!

I enjoyed the parallel timelines. The fantasy aspects weren’t overdone and I felt as if everything that happened in Cassandra’s story was completely believable. Her emotions were real and her reactions to things were easy to relate to. I hope there’s more of her story one day.

I’ve never listened to anything narrated by Verity Burns, but I thoroughly enjoyed her work with this book. She had different inflections when reading for Constance and Cassandra, making it clear what time period the story was in. She’s very talented and I know this won’t be the last of her work I’ll listen to.

Overall, I’m thrilled with my latest Irina Shapiro book. I highly recommend it to all book lovers, no matter their favorite genre.

Ask Me to Marry You

Summer means summer reading and road trips. And for me, road trips mean audiobooks. Actually, I find any reason to listen to them, especially if Meghan Kelly is involved. Enter Ask Me to Marry You by Heather Blanton, a two part book with some familiar faces I know I was excited to see again.

Genre: Sweet Western Romance

Heat Level: ❤️

Story Rating: 5/6 Glass Slippers

Narration Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Part one: Audra is used to hard work and running the show, but the death of her father leaves her with a ranch she can’t run. The ranch hands don’t respect her, and she knows it’s because she wears a skirt. She needs a husband, and the one old man who has his eye on her property doesn’t fit the bill. She’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, but she’s not about to give up.

Dillon is in trouble, and his lawyer has a plan to keep him out of jail. He has to marry Audra for a year, and only a year, to be released. Dillon isn’t thrilled, but sees the upside. He’ll be free after his “sentence” and she’ll get a man to back her up on the ranch. But this mail order husband isn’t ready for what life in a Wyoming small town really entails.

Part 2: Dent never expected to fall in love with Amy, but once he realized how precious she was, he knew he could never let her go. As he makes plans for their future, someone from her past appears, bearing gifts and a few plans of his own.

I’ll start this review by saying you should listen to or read Hang Your Heart on Christmas, the first book in The Brides of Evergreen series. While you could hypothetically just listen to this one, you’d miss out on some world building and characters from the first book, and miss out on how Amy and Dent got together! You can read my review on that HERE. I loved seeing their relationship grow from basic enemies to the couple we see now.

I’ll start by saying I adored Audra. She was witty and strong, even when the odds were stacked against her. While some women might have sold the farm or married someone simply based on their ability to provide, she decided she would only marry on her terms.

As always, Meghan Kelly astounds me with her range. She can be a sultry temptress, a gruff cowboy, a little kid, or a witch at the drop of a had. She gives everyone a distinct voice, making it a breeze to follow along with who’s talking without thinking you missed something.

Overall, this sweet romance has plenty of heart and enough drama to keep any reader, or listener, thoroughly entertained.