Synopsis: Can she show him how to be a rancher… And a family man? Noah Bodine is paying the price for missing his sister’s wedding by temporarily running his family’s Kansas ranch. But the corporate cowboy is way out of his element. Thankfully, neighbor Kate Lancaster is there to help, though the pretty single mom isn't pleased to spend time with Noah. She still blames Noah for her husband’s death. That is, until Kate’s little boy decides to make Noah his new best friend…and changes both Kate’s and Noah’s meaning of home. Kansas Cowboys Book 1: The Reluctant Rancher Book 2: Last Chance Cowboy Book 3: Cowboy on Call Book 4: Her Cowboy Sheriff Book 5: The Rancher's Second Chance Book 6: Twins Under the Tree Book 7: The Cowboy's Secret Baby Book 8: Mistletoe Cowboy Book 9: A Cowboy's Homecoming ,
My thoughts: A Cowboy's Homecoming is a sweet, heartwarming love story which deals with family and relationship dynamics, grief, raising a gifted child, finding a balance between family expectations and one's own desires and many others. When we first meet Noah Bodine, he is coming back home after having missed his sister Willow's wedding, while Kate is anxious to get home to her four year old son Teddie. An unexpected blizzard blocks roads and there isn't anyone to meet Kate. Noah offers to give Kate a lift knowing that Kate holds him indirectly responsible for her husband's death. If you love enemies-to-lovers trope, you are going to enjoy the way these two characters manage to find their way to open up to each other. Kate is still grieving and cannot imagine ever leaving her family ranch, something Noah did many years ago after a particularly heated argument with his strong-willed father. He has built a successful business from scratch and doesn't see himself as a cowboy any more. Yet, when he has to step in and take care of the ranch until his siblings come back, Noah doesn't hesitate-he'll whatever is necessary to help his family. Kate is his neighbour, so it is clear that these two are going to run into each other sooner or later. Teddie, Kate's adorable little boy, and Noah immediately take to each other, although Kate is much more guarded. Will Noah stay for a longer time or will his presence in Kate and Teddie's lives be a transient moment? I got drawn into the story straightaway and was very involved, especially in the first half (the second half was a bit too long and repetitive). There were interesting secondary characters and plotlines e.g. the story of Meg, Kate's aunt. Some characters from the previous books make their appearance adding to the atmosphere of a small town. Noah, Kate, Meg are all well-written and we learn not ony their backstory, but also what dilemmas they grapple with and what decisions they have to make, e.g. Kate knowsthat sooner or later she will have to decide whether to homeschool her gifted son or enter him into a special program, which would mean spending a lot of time driving him to the school in a different town. This was my first book from Leigh Riker's Kansas Cowboys series, but I enjoyed it so much that I would love to go back and read the previous story Mistletoe Cowboy, which is about Noah's sister Willow. An enjoyable book, recommended to any reader who appreciates clean, wholesome romance, enemies-to-lovers and single mother/father finds a new life partner tropes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Harlequin for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. #Blog Tour #Book review of Spring Siren (The Boardwalk By the Sea 4) by Georgina Troy @rararesources24/5/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Spring Siren, the fourth book in Georgina Troy's The Boardwalk by the Sea series. Spring Siren Pull on your sunglasses, spring is here! When Finn Gallichan, the new man in artist, Jools Jones’ life leaves the boardwalk to go travelling for several months, she’s not too worried. She has her paintings to work on as well as keeping busy helping her grandmother run the only second-hand bookshop in the village. She’s happy to wait for Finn’s return to pick up where they left off their relationship. That is, until she decides to secretly help a new customer trace a copy of a book he wrote years before and meets his grandson, Marius Arnesen, a glass artist who, fascinated by her paintings, asks her to take part in an art exhibition. When she begins to suspect that Finn isn’t quite the person she had hoped and Marius steps up to save someone close to her, she wonders if maybe she’s made the wrong decision… Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: This is the fourth and final instalment in Georgina Troy's The Boardwalk By the Sea series of booksseton on the island of Jersey. I started from Book 3 Winter Whimsy and couldn't wait to come back to this wonderful community where people take care of each other and welcome newcomers. The previous books Summer Sundaes, Autumn Antics, and Winter Whimsy told the life stories of three close friends - Sacha, Bella, and Lexi. Now it's the turn of their fourth friend, lovely, artistic Jools. Jools has been out on a couple dates with Finn Gallichan and their relationship is still very new and undecided when Finn goes away from the island. The two month holiday with a friend was planned long time in advance and Jools would hate it if she was forced to choose between her girlfriendsands and a new romantic interest. Still, she isn't feeling happy about Finn's long absence,expecially since they don't know each other that well yet and Finn hasn't been that diligent with texting or sending photos. A new customer comes to Jools' grandmother's bookshop. He has recently movedbacktothe island where his grandson Marius lives. When Jools has her meet-cute with Marius, who is also an artist and has a lot in common with Jools, there is definite chemistry and... a dilemma of trying to figure out whether Finn is the right man for her. It was great to see the familiar faces and find out what has been happening in our friends' lives and let me tell you, Georgina Troy has a lot of news, twists and turns in store for you. There's also a demonstration of what glassblowing artists do to produce the amazing colours and forms they use in their creations, and a little bit of history of the island from the Second World War. Fabulous conclusion to an entertaining series with lovely, thoughtful characters who love their island with its fantastic community. Some of them might have their peculiarities and eccentricities, but who doesn't and isn't it nice to be accepted and cared for just the way you are? Recommended to anyone who loves clean romance and reading about supportive groups of friends. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the gifted review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio Georgina Troy is a pseudonym of author Deborah Carr, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Poppy Field, Broken Faces and the Mrs Boots series. She was a finalist in the Contemporary Romance Category of the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2016 (RoNAs) with A Jersey Kiss, book 1 in her Jersey Scene series. Georgina lives on the island of Jersey with her husband and three rescue dogs and is 1/3 of The Blonde Plotters. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy Instagram: @AJerseyWriter Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/georginatroy/ Website: https://deborahcarr.org/ Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Monday!
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for On the Road to Love ( Love in the City#1) by Melissa Baldwin. On the Road To Love From bestselling romantic comedy author Melissa Baldwin comes the road trip of a lifetime! Successful Manhattan accountant Stacy Brown is shocked when her almost perfect life unexpectedly crumbles around her. Blindsided by her husband when he serves her with divorce papers and tossed aside by the women she considered her best friends, devastation and depression hit her hard. But when her mother sends her an old photograph of her and two childhood friends, Candace and Olivia, it fuels a desire in Stacy to find that person she once was. What starts as a chance to reconnect turns into an unforgettable road trip back to her childhood home and an encounter with a man from her past. Gavin Kingsley, son of Stacy's old piano teacher and former annoying boy next door, sparks something in Stacy that she hasn't felt in a long time…maybe never? Despite her hesitation to jump into a relationship, Stacy can't help being drawn to him as she and her girlfriends take a journey of self-discovery, laughs, tears, and hysterical moments. Can returning to her past give Stacy everything she's been searching for in her future? Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: On the Road to Love is the first book in Melissa Baldwin's series Love in the City. Now that I've read Stacy's story, I will definitely continue with the series to find out more about her childhood friends Olivia and CJ. The book was just so lovely and optimistic, it was like a ray of sunshine. Stacy is a successful accountant in New York. She and her husband Greg have been focusing on their careers, but they also have a beautiful house and a large group of friends. Stacy is quite content with her life (why shouldn't she?), until one day, out of blue, Greg serves her with divorce papers. You'd expect this is the time when your girlfriends are going to double their efforts to spend more time with you and help you get through this tough period of life....This is not what happens... The invites are few and between and Stacy begins to wonder if these people she considered to be her friends ever cared for her. When her mum sends her an old photo, Stacy tries to re-connect with the two girls in it, hoping to re-claim her old, carefree, happy-go-lucky self. She also has a briliant idea of driving to her parents' home in Florida,and doesn't have the heart to say no, when one of the girls invites herself to join the trip. In fact, why not invite the other friend too? never mind the fact that they seem to have some big, unresolved issues. Perhaps, it is their chance to work them out. Stacy has had a tough time at the beginning of the book, but I loved the way she concentrated on the positives. She was also genuinely kind and generous. One of my friends who got married and divorced quite young told her how tough it was to navigate the post-divorce social life. So, this part sounded absolutely realistic. I really like the development Stacy's character goes through in the book. She has to re-think her life decisions and what really makes her happy. Including a new man in her life. Or rather an old friend who grew into an incredibly good-looking man with a wicked sense of humour.... This short book was light, entertaining, and so much fun. The message is really positive: there are second chances in life, both in love and friendship! I can definitely recommend this sweet and clean rom-com to anyone who loves a good self-discovery story with a HEA. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio Melissa Baldwin is a planner-obsessed Disney fan who still watches Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital. She’s a wife, mother, and journal keeper, who finally decided to write the book she talked about for years. She took her dream to the next level, and is now an award-winning, bestselling author of seventeen Romantic Comedy and Cozy Mystery novels and novellas. Melissa writes about charming, ambitious, and real women, and she considers these leading ladies to be part of her tribe. When she isn't deep in the writing zone, this multitasking master organizer keeps busy by spending time with her family, chauffeuring her daughter, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and going on rides at Disney World. Social Media Links Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Giveaway to Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT) *Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
JUST ONE KISS
by Traci Hall Publication Date: January 11, 2021 Genres: Adult, Entangled: Bliss, Contemporary, Romance Free-spirited Grace Sheldon is used to living on a tight budget as a freelance photographer. But nothing short of a miracle could produce the thirty thousand dollars she owes on the house she’s inherited. Without steady employment, the bank refuses to give her a loan. Working a temp job won’t give her nearly enough, but she’ll take any little bit she can get until she figures out a solution. Her first day, though, she realizes this is no ordinary office—and her handsome new boss is no ordinary man. After Sawyer Rivera’s well-planned career in Seattle officially imploded all he’s looking for is a small beach town where he can open a dog training facility and start a simple life. Except, his new office assistant is anything but. Grace is carefree, artsy, and doesn’t know a thing about dogs. The woman has pet chickens! She’s also funny, kind, and the best part of his day. Grace is his complete opposite—and completely refreshing. But when her month of temp work is over, she could disappear from his life for good. Sawyer realizes he has just one chance to try to change their fate. BUY LINKS Amazon: https://amzn.to/3s1VGm4 iTunes: http://apple.co/35jYOjx Kobo: http://bit.ly/3omNtXm BN: http://bit.ly/3hPkuct Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3pYEXON Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/38oZpCg Amazon AUS: https://amzn.to/2Lv4dNL Add to #Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Xgzcjf
My thoughts:
If you are looking for a light and quick read to help you get out of your reading slump, Just One Kiss is perfect. Based on the opposites attract trope, it is a clean romance with unique characters. It also features rescue dogs, service dogs, an autistic child, and a few veterans with with Post Tramautic Stress Disorder who are given a chance to feel useful and appreciated. Grace Sheldon, a freelance photographer, who grew up in a communce with her free-spirited parents inherits a lovely house overlooking a beautiful beach. Her grandmother wanted this house to be a safety net for her children, should they ever need a roof over their heads. The only problem is that there is also a substantial debt of unpaid taxes that Grace needs to pay. Otherwise, the bank is going to foreclose on the property. Grace has thirty days to come up with the money or lose her home. She takes up a temp job of setting up an office for a new business in the town, although her paychecks aren't going to come anywhere close to what she owes. nowhere close to what she owes. Sawyer Rivera is a celebrity dog trainer who needs to keep a low profile for a few months. His ex-girlfriend has been dragging his name in the press and he might lose all his contracts, unless she gets tired of spreading lies about him. Sawyer decides to go back to what he does the best and open a dog training camp. He also employs homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and are in need of honest employment and a square meal. He even takes up a rescue dog without having met him (he is that confident in his training system). Lovable, but undoubtfully naughty Bert would melt anyone's heart. Bert manages to break Grace's expensive photo camera and this is how our protagonists meet. There is a spark, of course, and there is undeniable difference of lifestyle, financial situation, attitudes, and dispositions. Grace is independent and has been raised to feel suspicious of any kind of rules or authorites, while Sawyer, an ex-marine, believes in discipline and getting things done systematically. Can Grace and Sawyer find things in common and let their differences bring the best in them? Can they appreciate how kind-hearted and generous both of them are? and will Grace be able to save her grandmother's home? I enjoyed this romantic escape into sunshine, walks on the beach, training service dogs (I didn't know that dogs can help people on the autism spectrum regulate their emotions), and a bit of drama. I guess I won't spoil your enjoyment of the story if I say that there is a HEA (although I'd say a HFN would be more realistic given the timeframe). Traci Hall clearly knows how to write an entertaining and sweet romance. Thank you to Netgalley, Entangled Publishing and Indiesage PR for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.
AUTHOR INFO
With an impressive bibliography in an array of genres, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall has garnered a notable fan base. She pens stories guaranteed to touch the heart while transporting the reader to another time and place. Her belief in happily ever after shines through, whether it’s a romantic glimpse into history or a love affair for today. AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Website: www.tracihall.com Newsletter: www.tracihall.com/about-traci-hall Facebook: www.facebook.com/traciella Twitter: https://twitter.com/tracihallauthor Instagram: www.instagram.com/tracihallauthor Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/traci-hall Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2MK5LnB Amazon Profile: www.amazon.com/author/tracihall EP: www.entangledpublishing.com/author/traci-hall #Blog Tour #Book Review #The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery by Su Young Lee @rararesources @Su Young Lee8/11/2020
Thank to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery, a clean and wholesome romance. The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery Fluttering cherry blossoms, gorgeous kimonos and sweet and sorrowful love. For cake-loving college girl Hana, Japan was the romantic destination of her dreams. With boyfriend Jin she planned an exciting new life in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. But when she finally arrives after months of planning, Jin isn't there. Hana is left broken-hearted on a rainy Tokyo street. Jin left no note. One day he just walked out of classes and disappeared. Hana begins her new life alone. Watching cherry blossoms fall into the Tokyo river. Working hard and delivering her lovely home-baked cakes by orange bicycle. Then she meets handsome young farmer Hikaru, and glimpses a new way forward - in an alien place where she doesn't know a soul. The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery is a sweet romance with a hint of magic realism. It's a perfect book to carry with you and read on holiday or weekends. Purchase Links Amazon US here / Amazon UK here My thoughts: The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery was such a delightful read, sweet, delicate, a perfect combination of a coming of age story and romance. Food descriptions are such an essential part of this book that any reader who loves carefully choosing and trying out new dessert recipes would feel in heaven. Hana (I just love her name- 'unique' in Korean and 'Flower' in Japanese, both of which fit perfectly this very special girl) comes to Tokyo to visit her boyfriend Jin who went there to study Business Management. Jin hasn't been in touch with her for two months and, understandably, Hana feels worried. Although she speaks only very basic Japanese and has little money in her savings account, Hana embarks on a journey that will change her life. Once in Tokyo, she finds out Jin left Japan with no forward mail address or any kind of hint where he might be. Yet, our loyal Hana is determined to wait for him. Perhaps he is in a dire situation and will call her for help. Meanwhile, she finds a school to help her improve her Japanes language skills, a place to live and a part-time job. She also buys a cute orange bicycle with a little basket to put her shopping in. Slowly, Hana begins to make friends and weave her magic of changing other people's lives for better with her gift of listening, lending a helping hand at the moment of need, showing her gratitude and accepting the others as they are, and, of course, baking her delicious cakes. Hana carries her cakes in her bicycle basket with great attention, after all, they are all made with love and care for her new friends. All chapters have dessert names and you just have to read them to appreciate how much thought went into book. For me, this is a book that deals with growing into yourself, discovering what your dreams and inclinations are and following them. There is also so much focus on kindness, that might manifest itself in both giving and accepting help and making somebody feel loved and appreciated. I would recommend this book first and foremost to anyone who loves food and learning about different cultures and also those who enjoy a sweet clean romance in a beautiful setting. Thank you to Rachel and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio Su Young Lee is a Korean romance author who lived in Tokyo, Japan for 10 years and now lives in London, England with her husband and two lovely cats. Su works in academic publishing and loves baking, playing piano and working on her calligraphy. Check her blog here. https://suyoungleesblog.wordpress.com Thank you for stopping by and reading the post. If you would like to read more reviews or other promotional material for Su Young Lee's book, please, see the full tour schedule: Happy sunday to everyone!
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