Review: Rough Stock by Heather B. Moore, Rebecca Connolly, Sophia Summers

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Life on the road is good . . . Until he meets her and realizes what he’s missing.

Westin Farr has been focused on one thing. To match his dad’s perfect 100-point record in professional bull riding. It’s getting closer; he can feel it. Although he misses his dad, life is good. Westin spends his days on the road, his nights bull riding, and his free time with his former college rodeo buddies—the Original Six. But when he meets the feisty Silvia Diaz, Westin finds that his lofty goals might not be so important after all.

The last thing Silvia wants to do is ‘work on herself’ at Broken Hearts Ranch in the tiny town of Lost Creek, Texas. And the last thing she needs is a cowboy sweet-talking her into staying. She agrees to give the place one week, one week only, and then she’s returning to normal life. Not even a bull rider who seems to look straight into her heart can change her mind . . . until he does.

My Review

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to like Silvia when I started the book, but I shouldn't have doubted one of my favorite authors- I quickly grew to empathize with her and her struggles of developing as an individual outside of her brother's influence. I enjoyed seeing her relish her independence and take a chance on new endeavors. Westin and Silvia have great chemistry and their friendship and romance develops naturally as they get to know each other and feelings deepen. Westin has his own issues of working through various injuries while trying to match his father's perfect bull riding score, all the while feeling drawn to Silvia at Broken Hearts Ranch. I quickly became invested in the characters and felt connected to their emotions as they learned new life lessons. A great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to the next book!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Welcome to Lost Creek Rodeo!

Best friends at a small college in Texas, six cowboys rise to become pro-rodeo stars. Follow Ryan, Reid, Westin, Ford, Eric and Lars in these six swoony sports romances.

Visit us on Facebook: Swoony Sports Romances

Releases April 2021

Releases May 2021

Releases June 2021

Review: Chute Boss by by Sophia Summers, Heather B. Moore, Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

The perfect vacation: Rest. Therapy. And miles away from Reid Browning.

At first Eden thinks she's spending three weeks at Broken Hearts Ranch to heal her head. But the longer she works with Kellie, the more she realizes her head is not the only thing hurting. Images from her tour in Iraq stay hidden but not deeply enough, and she knows she will need to forget or heal or both if she is ever going to move on. As a bonus, the ranch was going to be a good opportunity to avoid the dating scene, and men in general. Or so she thought.

As a world class bareback rider, Reid has given his all to rodeo and does everything he can to forget his law degree and the fast paced life he left in Washington DC. That includes the woman he recently met who got under his skin in all the wrong ways. The trouble is, she got under his skin in the right ways too. When he escapes to Texas to support his college brothers in the Lost Creek Rodeo, he couldn't be more surprised to find her there.

Sparks fly and not always the good kind, but when circumstances throw them together and barriers come down, the two just might find a path to healing and maybe even love.

My Review

I was surprised by the contrasting careers of Eden and Reid. She is a high powered activist for veterans, and he acts the part of a rodeo star, shunning the political life of his father. They have a rocky first couple of interactions before coincidentally meeting up again at the Broken Hearts Ranch, a therapy-centered retreat run by Reid's friend. Their rocky start gets even rockier, until suddenly they do a complete 180. It seemed a little out of character for Eden, but she was tapping into her buried emotions at the time, and Reid was also in atypical circumstances. I did like that even after they got together, their personalities didn't change, and they both stood up for themselves even when they disagreed. It actually reminded me of my husband and me! They learn about listening to understand, compromise, and supporting each other, despite their uncertain future. I liked how they were able to discover new dreams and priorities. A great addition to the series and I can't wait for the next book!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Welcome to Lost Creek Rodeo!

Best friends at a small college in Texas, six cowboys rise to become pro-rodeo stars. Follow Ryan, Reid, Westin, Ford, Eric and Lars in these six swoony sports romances.

Visit us on Facebook: Swoony Sports Romances

Releases March 2021

Releases April 2021

Releases May 2021

Releases June 2021

Review: Round Up by Rebecca Connolly, Sophia Summers, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Broken Heart? Check. Ranch retreat? Check. Handsome cowboy? ...Check.

The rules at Broken Hearts Ranch are pretty simple: no romance between staff and visitors. Ryan Prosper, rodeo has-been and ranch manager, hasn’t had a problem with that. His sister runs the therapy side of the place while he handles the ranch itself, and the balance has worked well. But when Talia James shows up for her turn at the retreat, things get a little more challenging.

Talia needs this therapeutic retreat badly, and hopes that it will be just what she needs to get unstuck after her tragic loss. The charming cowboy brother of her new therapist is a ray of sunshine she hadn’t anticipated, and spending time with him seems to do as much good as her sessions. But is her still broken heart ready for romance, and does she really have the heart to resist him?

My Review

This book was so much more than I expected! I love that the Broken Hearts Ranch therapy retreat is as much a major theme as the rodeo, if not more so. Ryan is no longer able to ride in the rodeo, and is still struggling with the idea of being involved in any other capacity as he grieves his loss. Talia's loss of her son is so heartbreaking and it was inspiring to see the progress she makes after being stuck in the fog of grief for so long. Ryan's sister Kellie is a wonderful advocate and provides support as Talia balances a blossoming romance while doing some heavy work on herself and looks to rebuild her life. Ryan is a light in her life and I admired the way he was there for Talia in whatever capacity she needed him. I felt like the joy she finds as she chooses to face her feelings and come to life again is an example to Ryan with his own issues, and the happy ending is full of hope. Excited to read more in the series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Welcome to Lost Creek Rodeo!

Best friends at a small college in Texas, six cowboys rise to become pro-rodeo stars. Follow Ryan, Reid, Westin, Ford, Eric and Lars in these six swoony sports romances.

Visit us on Facebook: Swoony Sports Romances

Releases Feb 2021

Releases March 2021

Releases April 2021

Releases May 2021

Releases June 2021

Review: Timeless Regency Collection: Widows of Somerset by Rebecca Connolly, Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Rules of the Secret Society of Young Widows:
Rule 1: Be a widow.
Rule 2: Have an impeccable reputation.
Rule 3: Don't fall in love again.

AN HEIR TO SPARE by Rebecca Connolly
Widowhood has changed much for Anna—Lady Lyndham—but an unconventional heir to the estate was not something she had anticipated. Nor had she anticipated that he would have no intention of forcing her out, although he has every right to. And she certainly did not anticipate finding him handsome, charming, and unfailingly generous. But Ned Richards, the new Lord Lyndham, has a world of surprises in store for her, and not anticipating them will become quite the adventure.

THE WIDOW OF LAVENDER COTTAGE by Jen Geigle Johnson
As a widow, Lillian Hunter has never been in love and plans to never marry again, so the rules of the Secret Society of Young Widows suit her just fine. Her days are spent attempting to transform her newly inherited Lavender Cottage into a livable space until Oliver Wentworth shows up, asking for her late husband. Anxious to establish himself as a landed gentry in Somerset, Oliver is none too pleased to discover that a widow lives alone in a tiny run down cottage bordering his new property. The fact that she’s young and attractive only adds frustration to his sense of responsibility over her. And confound her, she challenges his every attempt to help manage her affairs.

A PROMISE FORGOTTEN by Heather B. Moore
Charlotte Ashford never thought she’d marry a vicar, and she never thought she’d find herself widowed with a young child to care for on her own. She certainly never thought she’d return to Somerset to live with her mother again, and Charlotte never thought she’d see him again. But Lord Wilshore has never forgotten her, and he has never forgotten their promise made long ago. Charlotte would love nothing more than for Lord Wilshore to forgive her, but too much heartache and too much time might make that impossible. Friendship is all she can hope for, but that hope may be dashed as well.

My Review

Lady Joanna has a "secret society" of widows that she takes under her wing and empowers them to take control of their futures. Part of her training is to think with their heads and NOT fall in love... but the main characters in our stories of course have a happy ending. I enjoyed each one and the various circumstances that found them single and hesitant to trust their hearts again. The romance is sweet as they develop new relationships and are also strengthened by their friendship with Lady Joanna. A new and interesting take on Regency widowhood!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: A Secret Arrangement by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

What happens when two women race to spend their inheritance? An epic Grand Tour.

Evelyn Tucker has finally graduated from finishing school, but dreads living with her widowed aunt. On the appointed day, Aunt Margaret comes to collect Evelyn, and Margaret informs her that they’re going on a Grand Tour to spend as much of the estate money they can before a distant cousin inherits all. When Henry Gaiman discovers he’s inherited his distant uncle’s estate, he loathes the thought of returning to England since he’d rather continue with his archaeology dig in Egypt. Return he must, and there, he meets Evelyn, a woman who will change his world in more ways than one.

(This novella was previously published in Timeless Victorian Collection: A Grand Tour)

My Review

This was a fun and exciting adventure that took us from the trains of England to the camels of Giza. Evelyn has been pretty sheltered and doesn't want to leave her best friend Beatrice at the boarding school. She gets quite the surprise to find her aunt so changed, and does her best to take the spontaneous travel plans in stride. Evelyn seems like the type where not much ruffles her, but she has so many feelings about the unexpected opportunities placed in her lap. I loved that she was such a history buff and surprises Henry with her knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. They are a perfect match, but Henry's fear of offending the woman bankrolling his dig leads him to make a surprising announcement about his relationship with Evelyn. The new complicated dynamics bring light drama to Evelyn's adventure and anxiety to Henry's hopes for the future. I enjoyed the characters in this novella and hope that the author will write Beatrice's story in a future Timeless Victorian Collection.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Shootout by Sophia Summers, Rebecca Connolly, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A pro hockey player with a past. A Broadway dancer turned ice girl, and the ice that draws them together.
 
Trane wondered if he would ever be the kind of guy who settled down and had a family. He had too much in his past, too much to deal with in his present to have hope that his future would be anything other than many years as one of the best goalies in the NHL. Until he meets the new ice girl.

Former dancer on Broadway, Janae, can't seem to get a job anywhere but as an ice girl for the Detroit Comets. Her plan? To make her mark in Detroit so she can get back to Broadway as soon as possible. Things are going well. Her new dance routines for the team become an industry sensation. She predicts she'll be back in New York within the year. But then she goes out with Trane Jones. And suddenly everything she thought was important might not be.

My Review

This book stood out from the others in the series because it gave us a behind-the-scenes look at another aspect of the hockey game- the ice girls. It was so fun to see Janae come in as the new girl and ramp up the excitement and interest with her dance routines. She doesn't have it easy with the extra workouts and jealousy from some of the other ice girls, but the captain quickly befriended her and helped her navigate the politics and dynamics of the team. (The ice dance-off was hilarious and a little ridiculous with the posturing, like something you would see in a teen movie). As the goalie Trane is invaluable to the team, and he gets a lot of action and injuries on the ice. His former coach from Northbrook encourages him to start dating in order to find a partner to support him and help him experience the softer side of life. Janae's appearance in Detroit is perfect timing for him and they quickly and naturally fall into friendship and more. Their relationship is easy as they are both interested and enjoy getting to know each other. The conflict come more from external forces as Trane struggles with his abusive father trying to reconnect and Janae's sudden fame gives her the option to move on more quickly than she anticipated. I loved the ending and how things worked out for this likeable couple and their Northbrook hockey friends. A great conclusion to the series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Welcome to Northbrook Hockey Elite! 

Six professional hockey players used to play on an elite club team together, but have all separated and now play in the pro-hockey leagues. Not all of them were friends, yet circumstances bring them together, and for the greater good, maybe they can put aside their differences.

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Northbrook Hockey Elite series: