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/

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer, One of my most anticipated books this year!

 

What if you could live 3 different lives during 3 of the most eventful years in the history of the USA? Could you choose which life you wanted? Could you voluntarily say goodbye to two of your families when you turn 21? These are the questions Maggie must answer by the evening of her 21st birthday. This is one of my all time favorite books!

 In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer is the most anticipated sequel to When The Day Comes, my favorite book of all from last year. in this Moment follows Margaret "Maggie" through her 3 lives. She lives in Washington DC in all 3 lives just at different times. Everyday she wakes up in a different time period, 1861, 1941 and 2001. 

Maggie has different careers in all 3 times and has potential suitors in all 3 times also. At the age of 21 Maggie will have to choose which life she wants to live in, sacrificing her other 2 lives. I loved this book and eagerly read far past my bedtime to find out who/when Maggie would choose. the lives were very interesting and each had it's own appeal. I loved the settings and all of the characters were very life like. 

I do recommend reading When The Day Comes before reading In This Moment. I was absolutely thrilled to hear that there will be a third book. So brew up a pot of tea, throw supper in the crockpot and settle in for a fabulous read.

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

I have pre-ordered a paperback copy to add to my keeper shelf!

From Amazon:

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

Gabrielle Meyer's writing captivates with . . .

"A page-turning journey through three riveting, interwoven historical timelines."--MIMI MATTHEWS,USA Today bestselling author

"Wonderful settings that brim with ethical dilemmas, fabulous twists, and an engaging heroine."--ELIZABETH CAMDEN, Christy and RITA Award-winning author

"A time-traveling adventure with timeless appeal."--JOCELYN GREEN, Christy Award-winning author

About the author:

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Find Gabrielle on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer, Pinterest at www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/, Twitter at www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle, Goodreads, and her Website at www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Wait For Me (Water's Of Time book four) by Jody Hedlund

 

Wait For me by Jody Hedlund is the fourth book in the Water's Of Time series and I believe that it is my favorite. I loved Phillipa from the start and Dawson slowly grew on me. I loved watching the two of them grow as they spent time together. Phillipa went from being meek and dependent to become a self assured young woman who knew what she wanted and had the guts to go for it. I would have to say the waters restored more than Dawson's physical abilities, but also his character. This book has it all, Faith, suspense, romance and time travel, what more could a person ask for! Wait For Me will definitely make my top ten books for 2023.

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

From Amazon:

When the darkness closes all around,
Beauty is still there just waiting to be found.

Dawson Huxham blames himself for his sister’s death . . . until he briefly crosses time and discovers she’s alive in the Middle Ages. Hoping to reconnect with her, he searches for the holy water that will help him visit the past for a longer duration. But he realizes he’s not the only one looking for the miraculous water. Terrorists are threatening him and watching his every move.

As Dawson locates holy water from an unlikely source, he crosses fully into the past where he meets a beautiful noblewoman, Philippa Neville, who is desperately trying to escape her uncle’s plans for an arranged marriage. When danger closes in, Dawson agrees to wed her in an effort to thwart her uncle’s schemes. As forces in both the present and past conspire against the newlyweds, will they find a way to be together before the swiftly moving waters of time separate them forever?

“Fans of time-travel romance will be captivated by this sweeping tale full of suspense and intrigue.” —Booklist, on Come Back to Me

“Addictive from the beginning to end.” —Urban Lit Magazine, on Come Back to Me

Waters of Time
Book 1: Come Back to Me
Book 2: Never Leave Me
Book 3: Stay with Me
Book 4: Wait for Me

about the author:

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.