Book Review: A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter

Book Description from the Back Cover


Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself...and God.


What she didn't count on what the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.


Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.


Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?


My Thoughts


This story is about a young career woman whose stress level has gotten so intense causing physical issues that her mother had to intervene and send her on a much needed trip away from the busyness of life. As an investigative reporter, Abigail was sure to dig up some dirt anywhere she went, even on vacation. And dirt she found in the form of a cowboy with secrets.


The mystery in this book was the best part and I wish the author had dug more into that piece of the story and less on the unappealing romance storyline. If you like a good cowboy in your story, Wade definitely fit the bill. I found myself wishing I could meet one myself. All in all, not a bad read.


Disclaimer: I received this book free from The B & B Media Group, Inc for this review. My thoughts are solely mine and not anyone else's.

Book Review: Cowgirl at Heart by Christine Lynxwiler

Book Description from Goodreads:


Welcome to the Ozarks, the setting of award-winning author Christine Lynxwiler’s latest breath-taking romance, where the lives of a timid dog whisperer and an out-for-revenge reporter collide. Elyse McCord, the biological daughter of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, turns into a mighty warrior when a dog’s well-being is at stake. Finding herself in the sights of a pistol-wielding maniac whose been mistreating his dog, she’s suddenly swept to safety by Andrew Stone, a widower bent on hunting down his wife’s killers. Is there any future for an outlaw’s daughter and a Texas ranger’s son?


My Thoughts:


This book is #2 in the McCord Sister Romance Series by Christine Lynxwiler. I picked it up at the store not realizing it was the second in a series. So, be sure and read the first book, The Reluctant Cowgirl (The McCord Sisters, Book 1), prior to reading this one. :-)


I really liked this book. Christine has a very down-to-earth voice in her writing that makes you feel like you are sitting in the same room with the characters. She also adds an element of mystery and suspense to the book which makes the storyline more dimensional rather than just a romance between two people. The main character, Elyse, has some fears she is confronted with throughout the story. I enjoyed reading her struggles and the creative ways that she attempts at conquering and overcoming those fears. By the end of this book, she had made considerable strides in beating the fears that had become obstacles in her life. The author promotes hope that we can overcome the things we struggle with, yet doesn't make you believe it is an overnight quick-fix. We all know nothing is ever really fixed overnight or with the snap of our fingers. I also really liked how the author gave Elyse challenges that were outside the box to face her fears. Sometimes we need to try something new or different in our approach to "fix our issues."


This book has multiple story lines going on throughout. Elyse's storyline is prominent, but the author takes you on journeys with her two sisters as well. Because I started with the second book in the series, one sister's storyline is continued from the first book. I thought that was a really neat idea because often times I read a series and the additional books may make mention of the original characters, but never really "complete" their stories. In this book, the sister's story from the first book is continued and perhaps completed and the sister's story from the third book, Cowgirls Don't Cry (The McCord Sisters, Book 3) is begun. I'll be getting the first and third books in this series to read very soon! A definite recommended read!


You can get your own copy of this book here. Cowgirl at Heart (The McCord Sisters, Book 2)

Book Review: Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble

Book Description from the back of the book:
Five years ago, Shannon Astor left the beautiful high-mountain country of West Texas as a single mother. she was desperate for a fresh start...and a way to keep the secrets of her past buried. It almost worked.

Until a chance to make a better life for her daughter leads her right back home. To the very place of the past betrayals.

But it also leads Shannon to horse-trainer Jack MacGowan -- her handsome high-school nemesis, now a widowed father. His daughter looks so startlingly like her own that shannon can't help but question the circumstances surrounding her daughter's birth. Wary of each other's intentions, Shannon and Jack reluctantly join forces to untangle a deep mystery that swirls around Shannon's parents, a lost Spanish treasure, and a legendary black stallion.

If Shannon can learn to entrust her secrets to the man falling in love with her, the truth just might set her free.

My Thoughts:
Colleen Coble writes intrigue and mystery into the genre of Christian Romance Fiction that makes her books stand out from many of the rest. I actually read this book in one sitting on a lazy Saturday evening. This means that it kept my interest from start to finish. That is always a good sign in a book. I did feel, however, that some of the developments in the characters relationships and storyline were slightly unbelievable, but all-in-all, it was a good mystery and story. This book is the second in the series and I enjoyed reading the main characters from the first book as secondary characters in this one. Sometimes when a book ends, you want to keep reading about the lives of the characters and its a bit sad when a good story ends. I enjoyed seeing how Rick and Allie from the first book, Lonestar Sanctuary, were now living their lives. You can pick up a copy of Colleen's book here. Make sure and read the whole series!

I also just finished reading Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck and will be posting my review of another great read by Rachel soon! It's about a cooking show host who can't cook!!! Imagine the dilemma! Look for it! 







I am getting ready to start reading, Drift, by Sharon Carter Rogers. This is a mystery, suspense novel. I'm looking forward to changing it up in my reading with this book.