Cherishing The Cowgirl (Colorado Cowgirls Book Two) By Jody Hedlund

 

Cherishing The Cowgirl is book two in Jody Hedlund's Colorado Cowgirl series. The series returns readers to Fairplay Colorado and has guest appearances by characters from Her Colorado Cowboys series. I really enjoy series that can be read as standalone, but contain ties to each other. 

Charity Courtney may be poor, but she is very strong and determined to provide a life for herself and her sisters, to the point of considering a marriage of convenience. Hudson Vanderwater wants to right a wrong from his past. I loved the dance as they tried not to fall in love. 

I liked this book but would caution that there is a bit more sizzle in this series than some of Jody's previous books. It is still a clean book.

So brew a pot of coffee and settle in for a sweet read.

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Charity Courtney is at her wit’s end trying to save her boardinghouse from a bank foreclosure. Short of money but not short of marriage proposals, she dreads putting aside her fairy tale dreams of love and having to settle for a marriage of convenience. But with the need to provide for her two younger sisters, she doesn’t have any other options.

While visiting Fairplay, wealthy railroad magnet Hudson Vanderwater hears of Charity’s plight. Although he comes across as cold and calloused, he is drawn to helping women in need because of a tragedy that destroyed his sister. He concocts a plan that will save Charity—he’ll employ her and rent her boardinghouse for the month and in doing so alleviate her debt.

With a grumpy and demanding new boarder who is now her boss, Charity determines to hold the handsome Hudson at arm’s length. But she’s the sunshine for his stormy soul, and he can’t resist being drawn to her. As danger closes in and threatens to destroy Charity, he’ll stop at nothing to save her.

• Grumpy-sunshine
• Cranky billionaire
• Crusty boss
• Rags-to-riches
• Fairytale
• Class differences

“This one’s worth rounding up.” —Booklist, on Falling for the Cowgirl

*All of the books in the Colorado Cowgirls series are sweet, closed-door romances with plenty of sizzle. The inspirational themes are light, and the romance is the main focus of the books.

About the author:

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she's learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!). When she's not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Committing To The Cowgirl (Colorado Cowgirls book 1) by Jody Hedlund

 

Committing To The Cowgirl is the first book in Jody Hedlund's Colorado Cowgirl series. In it Jodie brings back Astrid Nielson from The Colorado Cowboy series. she is all grown up and coming back to practice medicine. I loved Astrid and her determination to follow her dreams. I also like Logan Steele and his honest explanation of his plans for the future, however when the two of them get together all plans go out the window. 

I am really glad that Ms. Hedlund has continued with stories set in Fairplay Colorado. I  think the setting is wonderful .

So brew up a pot of coffee and settle in for a sweet Colorado romance with a touch of spice.

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

After years away, Astrid Nilsson has returned home to Colorado, hoping to become Fairplay’s second doctor . . . and to find healing for her reoccurring consumption. Spirited and independent, Astrid doesn’t want her illness to be a burden to those she loves, so she has resisted getting serious about any man.

As the current doctor of Fairplay, Logan Steele is seeking to hire a male physician to take over his clinic after he goes back East. When Astrid, his childhood sweetheart, insists that she’s the one for the job, he offers her a bargain she can’t refuse: pretend to court him to appease his mother and he’ll give her the doctor position on a trial basis.

Astrid accepts the arrangement even though she’s reluctant to be in a sham relationship with a man who’d once broken her heart. She tries to keep herself from falling for Logan again but soon finds herself getting much more than she bargained for. With the clock ticking for both of them, can they commit to real love before it’s too late?

• Pretend courtship
• Fake engagement
• Childhood sweethearts
• Meddling mother
• Co-workers in proximity
• Bargain benefits both

“This one’s worth rounding up.” —Booklist, on Falling for the Cowgirl

*All of the books in the Colorado Cowgirls series are sweet, closed-door romances with plenty of sizzle. The inspirational themes are light, and the romance is the main focus of the books.

About the author:

http://jodyhedlund.com/professional-bio/

Fairest Of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

 

Fairest Of Heart is a delightful retelling of Snow White. The setting is a ranch in Texas, populated by a retired Dr. and 6 elderly cow hands. I thought Penelope White made a great Snow White and Titus Kingsley was a wonderful "Prince" in spite of his flaws. I recommend this book to all of those who love fairy tales. 

So grab a mug of apple cider and settle in for a fun read.

I was given a copy of Fairest Of Heart with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope's guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

about the author:

https://www.karenwitemeyer.com/about-karen.html

The Rose And The thistle by Laura Frantz

 

The Rose And The Thistle is a fantastic historical novel about the Jacobite uprising in Scotland. I loved Lady Blythe and Everard. Both were very strong characters well suited to the story.  I loved the suspense and adventure. I also enjoyed learning about the Jacobite uprising. there were many facts I didn't know before reading Ms. Frantz' story. I highly recommend this book. 

so brew a pot of tea and settle back with a few scones to enjoy a great adventure. 

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits who will ultimately be crowned king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.

No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with the clothes on her back and her mistress in tow. He has his own problems--a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing his father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.

Drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful whom she trusts. Her fortune, her future, and her very life are at stake. Those who appear to be adversaries may turn out to be allies--and those who pretend friendship may be enemies.

About the author:

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of numerous historical novels. When not reading and writing, she loves to garden, cook, take long walks, and travel. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State.

Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter

 

I loved all of Kriti Ann Hunter's books. Up until now they have all been set in Regency England and they were all fantastic. However I was a little unsure about her newest book Pixels and Paint as it is contemporary, I loved it!! Ms. Hunter's Emma and Carter shine with her usual humor and witty dialogue. I loved the plot and the opposites attract trope was delightful. I am looking forward to reading book 2. (Yes I know book 1 has not yet released LOL) 

So I suggest you grab a pitcher of iced tea and find a cozy place to settle in for a fun read.

I was given a copy of Pixels and Paint with not expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood.

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success.

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies.

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

About the author:

https://www.kristiannhunter.com/

Nightfall In The Garden Of deep Time by Tracy Higley

 

Kelsey's life is falling apart when she discovers the "Secret Garden." I loved Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time. The characters were well developed and the plot was fast moving and kept my interest. Ms. Higley always does a fantastic job with her settings, I can almost hear the music and smell the garden. I highly recommend Nightfall In The Garden Of Deep Time.

I purchased both the paperback and audio versions, special treat Ms. Higley reads the audio version herself!

All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

2023 SELAH AWARD FINALIST & 2023 CAROL AWARD SEMI-FINALIST

"Higley evokes a specific mood quite masterfully… A cozy, atmospheric fantasy for bibliophiles.” ~Kirkus Reviews
***
Kelsey dreams of a life filled with creativity.
She's about to stumble into far more than she imagined...

Kelsey Willoughby doesn’t have time to pursue her dream of writing a novel. Imagination doesn’t pay the bills, and she’s busy saving her beautiful bookshop from online competition, hotel developers, and the sneaking suspicion that nobody reads anymore.

Not to mention all those voices telling her she doesn’t have talent.

But then the vacant lot of weeds next door starts to shimmer.

When Kelsey stumbles into a luminous nighttime garden party, larger than the vacant lot that holds it and filled with enigmatic guests, she suspects they hold the key to saving the bookshop, and perhaps even to her own mysterious origins.

But answers aren’t forthcoming, not until Kelsey is willing to confront her past, step into her potential, and push deeper into the unknown edges of the garden, where an unexpected journey takes her into a world of dangerous revelation.

"With evocative prose and a deeply-embedded mystery, the magical realism of Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time immerses readers in a delicious adventure of creativity and the arts. A must-read for anyone pursuing a creative life."

https://tracyhigley.com/