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.

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Releases Feb 2021

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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: Spinster Ever After by Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When a man loves a spinster...

Charlotte Wright had had enough. All of her friends have now married, leaving her the lone writer of the Spinster Chronicles who is still a true spinster. So she's decided it is time for her to join the ranks and get married, groom to be determined. She's an heiress, after all. How difficult could it be to find a husband?

Michael Sandford has been there by Charlotte's side from the very beginning, loving her all the while even when she turned down his proposal. When she tells him of her plans to marry and marry soon, he begins to make plans himself. He cannot stand by and watch her marry someone else, so he's decided to distance himself from Charlotte entirely while she hunts for a husband... one that is not him.

And Charlotte doesn't like that one bit. 

My Review

This has been such a fun series! Charlotte is the most outspoken and sassy of the group of young ladies who call themselves The Spinsters and not-so-secretly publish a society column. In the previous books she has always seemed so unaffected, so it was nice to be able to see behind her facade to her more vulnerable feelings. She's not too different from what she seems, though, having an openly honest personality. She truly is unaware of Michael's obsession with her, probably because he plays the role of only-a-friend so well. I kept rooting for him to take a chance and tell her how he felt before he tried moving on, but his sense of self-preservation kept him from risking another rejection. The dance over the line between friendship and romance is played with as Charlotte and Michael try their best to make choices that will move their lives forward after they each realize how stagnant they have been over the past years- Charlotte with entertaining frivolous suitors she knows have no future with her, and Michael with his world revolving around Charlotte and not making a place for himself in society. It was fun to see the various characters from the books rally around each of them in their quest to reinvent themselves and find love. An entertaining conclusion to the Spinster Chronicles!

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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Don't miss the other books in the Spinster Chronicles series . . .

To Sketch a Sphinx by Rebecca Connolly

 

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

From the Hand of Sketch...

Henrietta "Hal" Mortimer has been working with England's operatives and spies for years, her remarkable memory and artistic talents invaluable to many missions. The last thing she expects is to be pulled into a field mission herself, and to be partnered with the most insufferable asset she has ever met. Worse, then, that she has to marry the man.

And the mind of Sphinx...

There are very few people who rattle John Pratt, gifted code-breaker for the Crown, but Hal Mortimer was one of them. Marrying her in order to go into the field for their mission in Paris would be torture, but they had no choice. Will their mutual spite doom their mission before it starts or can they set it aside and work together for the safety and security of their country?

My Review

As different as these two characters are, I loved them as individuals and loved them with each other- both when they are bickering (which they do so well) and when they are romantic. It was refreshing to have a somewhat fresh storyline to follow- the League is taking a new strategy to get ahead of the Faction rather than reacting to it's treachery. I absolutely loved the setting of Paris and the new characters we are introduced to! I'm hoping that we get future stories for the deep undercover spies that helped Hal and John. Sidenote: I have to admit that Hal's nickname often threw me off since it's so masculine in my mind, but it really created a swoony contrast when John would call her Ange. Hal and John each have a "very particular set of skills" (I'm saying that in Liam Neeson's voice in my head), which make them quite brilliant assets. They start out a bit competitive with each other, but as they work together they realize that they perfectly complement each other, in more ways than just their spy skills ;) I loved their chemistry and the way they grew to care for and support each other as true partners. This book has a perfect balance of intrigue, suspense, romance, and action. It wraps up with a satisfying ending, but also with a lead-in to the next book, which I can't wait for!

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

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Don't miss the previous books in the London League series . . . 

 

 

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:

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

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

He’s trying to keep his position on the team, but everything seems to be working against him. She has one job to do and won’t let anything get in her way. Especially a hockey player.

Pro hockey player Declan Rivera is nicknamed Dice for a reason. His playing is either hot, or cold, just roll the dice. And right now, things aren’t great. He’s on his fourth trade, and once again, his contract is on shaky ground. So he vows to do everything he can to please the Denver Chargers team’s owner, even if it means taking part in the dreaded social media campaign.

Camila Brandon, daughter of the Denver Chargers team owner, is hired to amp up the team’s image and get tickets sold. This is not her first time dealing with a group of pro hockey players and working with them to turn social media into positive exposure for the team. She just has to stick to her rule of never dating a hockey player. Not even a guy like Declan Rivera, who is nothing like she expects, and makes her question her own rule.

My Review

I swear, I acquire a new favorite hockey player with each book I read in this series! Declan is attractive for his quiet protectiveness, his devotion to his mother, and his tenacity on the ice. He and Camila have amazing chemistry, and the things they had in common made their relationship naturally develop in spite of their hesitations. Camila is struggling with her perception of men since being betrayed by her former boyfriend, and also the image she portrays as a beautiful woman who wants to be taken seriously as a professional. Declan is in a vulnerable position on the team with his inconsistency, but when his head is in the right place he makes incredible plays. Camila and Declan are so good for each other as they provide encouragement, support, and friendship. The scenes with the rest of the Northbrook alumni were fun as always with their banter and loyal brotherhood. The hockey scenes were full of action and brought a sense of excitement to the story. Another great addition to this addictive sports 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.

Visit us on Facebook: Swoony Sports Romances

Northbrook Hockey Elite series: