Review: With This Promise by Debra Clopton

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

School teacher Lana Presley has sworn off cowboys. Which should work fine since she’s relocated from Texas and is happily adjusting to her new life in Windswept Bay. After a bad breakup-that involved her using her cheating ex as target practice for hurling chocolate covered cherries at…she’s happy to be single. And happy not to have her protective brothers and dad meddling in her business. Settling down on the coast permanently, miles away from Texas, is looking perfect.

Then the drop-dead gorgeous cowboy, Cam Sinclair, comes to her rescue…several times and sets all of her carefully made plans into chaos.

Rancher Cam Sinclair is just in town for a few days on business then heading home to his ranch in Texas. He’s got finding the right woman and settling down on his mind. And from the moment he meets spitfire Lana Presley she has his attention. But she’s made it clear that Texas and cowboys are not in her plans for the future. Can a road trip and Cam...and love change her mind?

My Review

This is a light contemporary romance set on the Florida coast. It was interesting that the main characters were a cowboy living in Texas and a cowgirl escaping Texas. Lana and Cam have an instant attraction, and their banter was fun. The dialogue overall was a bit stilted at times- the use of more contractions would have made it flow more naturally I think. There was a lot of telling instead of showing so I didn't feel a connection to the characters which I missed. I didn't feel like the emotions had much depth, everything was kind of surface level. Overall a cute story but I was left wishing for more character development.

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

Review: Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart.

Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single.

Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy’s kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.

My Review

The ranch setting with wide open spaces and small town Texas community is so well-depicted it made me want to go live there! I liked Cassidy's plan of recovering from her divorce and taking back her life by returning to the place where she was happy as a child and teen and get lost in the hard work of starting a new business and farm. You could tell how severe her emotional issues were with the interactions she had with Jarrod. She kept their relationship rocky as she ran hot and cold- mostly cold- as Jarrod tried his best to help her and she resisted any assistance which she viewed as a threat to her independence. Their experiences from the past made Jarrod refuse to give up on her though, and the story focuses on the progression of her feelings as she slowly lets him in. The subplots of the rustlers and a rekindled romance among an older couple in the town added variety to the narrative. I adored how Jarrod treated her with respect but also gave her a little push when she needed it, especially when he was desperate to get closer to her. A great addition to the Four of Hearts Ranch series!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and  Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

Connect with Debra: Website, Twitter, Facebook

Review: Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

After losing everything dear to her, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy spurs her to wonder if maybe love is worth the risk. Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the homey town of Wishing Springs, Texas, after her favorite advice columnist found love and a home there. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby too . . . if she's brave enough to reach out and take it. Bo Monahan isn't interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become--or the women who might be looking at him like he's their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn't looking for serious romantic commitments. But unexpectedly the young child he never knew about appears on his doorstep and Bo's world is turned upside down. This confirmed bachelor might not need a wife, but he sure needs a woman . . . and newcomer Abby Knightly is definitely a woman. When she comes to his rescue to help him navigate fatherhood, he slowly uncovers her own history. And suddenly Bo's thinking maybe, just maybe, together they can help each other work through the problems of the past to create a future of their own.

My Review

I was fully engaged in the story the entire time I was reading this book. Abby portrays a wide range of emotions as she daily struggles with her feelings of guilt, grief and ultimate desire to feel happy again. She is a perfect example of how our perceptions of self and situation can be distorted while we are weighed down with heavy emotional burdens. Abby experiences unconditional love for Bo's son Levi and that love works to heal her deep hurts. Allowing herself to love the baby opened her heart to be able to allow romantic love then blossom. Bo is adorable in his adoration of Abby which was unexpected since he seemed pretty gruff in the previous book in the series. His devotion to Pops, his grandfather with Alzheimer's, shows how both hope and acceptance of the hand life deals you help to still celebrate the good memories and daily joys however small. I loved the cast of family and community members who emphasize the importance of reaching out, connecting with others, and surrounding yourself with positive friends and people. The message I took from the book is that we can't do it alone- we need each other and we need God. This story is full of heart in an idyllic setting with realistically flawed characters reaching out and supporting and trying their best. 

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop! Enter to win Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

It's past time for another giveaway here at Heidi Reads... celebrate Independence Day by entering to win a print copy of Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton! Then follow the giveaway hop for more chances to win books and other prizes...

Synopsis

A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.
 

Entry-Form

E-book sale: $2.99 each for All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes, The House That Love Built, Betting on Hope, and Seaside Letters

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

$2.99 for the e-book of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Synopsis

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself her is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman

Synopsis

In the small town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising six-year-old Meghan and ten-year-old Spencer on her own two years after her husband's death. Being a single-mom and running the family's local hardware store keep her busy.

While Meghan longs for a daddy, Spencer has threatened to run away if Brooke even goes out on a date. But the last thing on Brooke's mind is falling in love. When a stranger moves to town and buys a house with a mysterious past, Brooke can't contain her curiosity. As she spends time with the new owner, she wonders if maybe God is giving her another chance at happiness.

Owen Saunders fled the big city to start over in a small, rural town famous for baking the world's largest gingerbread man. Then he bought an old house to restore-for all the wrong reasons. If anything needs restoration, it is Owen's heart in the aftermath of his failed marriage. With little hope and lost faith, Owen is tempted by happiness when he meets Brooke, but his heart remains sealed shut.
As they learn more about Owen's house, one thing becomes obvious to both of them: God has put them together for a reason.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

Synopsis

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

Synopsis

Sabrina never intended to fall in love with Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning at a Nantucket cafe--especially since he's unwittingly tied to a past she deeply regrets. But she's fallen hard, though she's kept her feelings a secret.

When Tucker learns Sabrina is the research assistant for a local mystery writer, he asks Sabrina to help him with a little sleuthing of his own...locating an elusive woman he's fallen for online.
 
If Sabrina accepts the job, she'll spend her evenings in close proximity to a man who can never be hers. If she turns him down, he'll hire someone else--and that would be a disaster. Because if someone else sifts through all those letters and finds out the truth, Tucker will discover her secret...
That the person he's trying to find is her. 

Review: Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.

My Review

At first look, it seems like beautiful Maggie and heartthrob Tru have everything going for them- in the career department at least. But under the surface they each have tragic backgrounds and current struggles that run deep. It was the harder themes that got to me with this book rather than the romance. The author dealt with them in a gentle manner yet didn't shy away from the reality of the situations portrayed in the story. Dysfunctional family members, family loyalty, Alzheimer's, homelessness, unwed pregnancy, adoption, infertility, gambling, fame... but even with the heavy themes it's still uplifting and inspiring. I especially appreciated the different perspectives in the adoption storyline since we adopted both of our daughters. Don't get me wrong- there are plenty of funny and sweet moments too, and there is a strong cast of secondary characters that rounds out the hometown feel of this novel.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: An August Bride by Debra Clopton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Kelsey vowed never to love a cowboy again. But then she meets Brent.
After a cowboy broke her heart, Kelsey Wilcox traded in her boots for flip-flops and a bistro on the beautiful sandy beach of Corpus Christi. Two years later, still not believing in happy endings, she is about to endure a weekend of torture at her cousin's beach wedding. Not only will she be forced to watch yet another wedding, but her great-aunt and her two best friends---aptly nicknamed 'the matchmaking posse of Mule Hollow'---are coming to the wedding, and Kelsey is sure to be on their radar.
Brent Corbin has had his share of bad luck with women and isn't looking for love or looking forward to the weekend of wedding festivities as a groomsman for his friend. When he sees a commotion on the beach and what appears to be a mermaid in distress, he doesn't hesitate to dive to the rescue. His attention is instantly captured by the woman he's saved and it turns out they're part of the same wedding party. But the instant Kelsey spots his soaking wet boots she wants no part of him.
Thrown together through the weekend and with the meddlesome encouragement from the matchmakers, Brent is determined to pursue Kelsey and change her mind about cowboys. Sparks fly at this August wedding as Kelsey and Brent dance a rocky Texas two-step toward a beach wedding of their own.

My Review

This was a fun novella with plenty of humor, angst, and romance. It was entertaining to see the matchmakers of Mule Hollow on vacation and still going at it! Brent and Kelsey have great chemistry and even though she fights falling for a cowboy the inevitable happy ending occurs with lots of fun and drama along the way.

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

E-book sale: $1.99 for each novella from Four Weddings and a Kiss

Click on the cover to download the individual novella (from the collection Four Weddings and a Kiss) for only $1.99 each! (Right now it's less expensive to buy them individually rather than downloading the whole book).

I enjoyed all the stories, but here are my favorites in order:  (Read my review of each story to find out what I liked about them here)

“A Cowboy for Katie” by Debra Clopton
Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie’s mind?

“Spitfire Sweetheart” by Mary Connealy
Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.


“Saving Grace” by Margaret Brownley
Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive—or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case—until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

“Love Letter to the Editor” by Robin Lee Hatcher
Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He’s resolved to change Molly's mind about him—as an editor and as a man.

Review: FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS – Win an iPad Mini & rip-roarin’ Facebook Party!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis 

In 1885 five western preachers sit around a campfire talking about unlikely couples they've seen God bring together.

“Spitfire Sweetheart” by Mary Connealy
Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

“Love Letter to the Editor” by Robin Lee Hatcher
Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He’s resolved to change Molly's mind about him—as an editor and as a man.

“A Cowboy for Katie” by Debra Clopton
Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie’s mind?

“Saving Grace” by Margaret Brownley
Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive—or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case—until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

My Review

I love a well-written novella! All of these stories gave me a good sense of the characters and connected me to their emotions. The premise of unlikely couples let me know that things were going to get interesting... and they sure did!

Mary Connealy is an expert at infusing natural humor into her characters' relationships. I felt bad for Maizy, having to utterly change in order to please the men in her life, but admired her sincerity and determination to make things right. It took poor Rylan a few tries to get things right with her, but it was so entertaining :)

Robin Lee Hatcher's story was enjoyable, but predictable. Jack was incredibly easy-going about Molly's defensiveness and it was nice to watch them grow closer together.

Crazy Katie Pearl in Debra Clopton's story is fighting off the men wanting to marry her for her land by using them for target practice. She talks to herself, can't sleep, and won't go indoors. Treb understands her fears and grounds her in a way that helps her heal and learn to trust others. Several sweet moments to savor in this story.

My favorite part of Margaret Brownley's novella is the trial scene- talk about Old West justice! The whole time Grace and Bruce are trying to combat the "guilty until proven innocent" mindset of the community, but I have to admit my jaw dropped at the way it all goes down. Another nice touch was how Bruce became a mentor to her son in ways she doesn't expect.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Four best-­selling romance novelists bring tales of feisty heroines, stubborn heroes, and unlikely love in the Wild West in Four Weddings and a Kiss. Don't miss the latest from the Western Brides Collection from Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.

The authors are celebrating with a "Sweet on Love" iPad Mini Giveaway and rip-roarin' Facebook party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Kiss 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 8th. Winner will be announced at the Four Weddings and a Kiss Facebook Author Chat Party. Connect with Western Brides Collection authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton for an evening of fun book chat, western-themed trivia, and prizes. The authors will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the collection!

So grab your copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss and join the authors on the evening of July 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!