Book Review with featured author: A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts

A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, June 30, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, Creedence Creek, Colorado

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 416 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

"Funny, complicated, and irresistible."—JODI THOMAS, New York Times bestselling author for Caught Up in a Cowboy

The town of Creedence, Colorado gets involved in horse rescue in bestseller Jennie Marts' brilliant new series

Scarred and battered loner Zane Taylor has a gift with animals, particularly horses, but he's at a total loss when it comes to knowing how to handle women. Even though he's sworn off love, he can't seem to stay away from Bryn Callahan. He's known for being a horse whisperer, but can't seem to find his voice at all where Bryn is concerned.

Bryn Callahan has a heart for strays, but she is through trying to save damaged men. She vows to only date nice guys, which is a category that does not include Zane Taylor. Too bad he's the only one who sets her pulse racing every time she's around him.

Starting a horse rescue ranch wasn't in Bryn's plan, but try telling that to the assembly of abandoned animals that have found their way to her doorstep. And when a chance encounter with a horse headed for slaughter brings Zane and Bryn together, they find themselves given a chance to save not just the horse, but maybe each other...

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Cowboy-State-Creedence-Horse-Rescue-ebook/dp/B083ZLF17B

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-cowboy-state-of-mind-jennie-marts

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-cowboy-state-of-mind

Apple: https://apple.co/2AaLJMS

BAM: https://bit.ly/2yItYEg

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/2Z6HNHr

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50707694-a-cowboy-state-of-mind

BoobBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-cowboy-state-of-mind-creedence-horse-rescue-book-1-by-jennie-marts

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own and no one has influenced them.

A Cowboy State of Mind is a well written western romance with an adorable heroine. The pacing kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. Ms. Marts gave me just enough description without going too far.

Bryn Callahan’s character is tender-hearted and is determined to save abandoned animals to the point that she does it when she will struggle meeting her own basic needs. When she meets Zane Taylor, the horse whisperer, the sparks fly. But, he doesn’t meet her new criteria because he’s known as a bad boy.

Zane Taylor is a tortured hero and believes he doesn’t deserve to have a well-respected woman like Bryn and pushes her away quite ruthlessly. At times, I became extremely frustrated with him because he was cruel to the kind-hearted Bryn. That didn’t sit well with me.

The romance between Bryn and Zane is a rocky road with a great many highs and lows, too many for me. I understand Zane’s poor self-esteem, but he carries his rejection way too far. If I had been Bryn, I would have kicked him to the curb and never looked back. Their romance just didn’t work for me. 

If you enjoy western romances with brooding heroes and sweet natured heroine, then A Cowboy State of Mind may work very well for you. Since I’ve read other novels by Ms. Marts and thoroughly enjoyed them, I will consider reading the next one in this series when it comes out. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.

Social Media:

Website: https://jenniemarts.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniemarts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniemartswriter/

Pinterest: https://nl.pinterest.com/tjmarts/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennie-marts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6876233.Jennie_Marts

Book Review featuring author Debbie Burns: Head Over Paws

Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, April 28, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, St. Louis Area

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5  Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Who rescued who? Love can lead to your forever home in this charming contemporary romance from best-selling author Debbie Burns. 

Olivia Graham isn't in a place to have a dog of her own, but her new position as a volunteer rescue driver for the local animal shelter will keep her close to her four-legged friends. When she's called to transport pets that have been misplaced by flooding, she doesn't hesitate to help, but then her aging car breaks down...

Veterinarian Gabe Wentworth, former EMT and firefighter, is also heading to the rescue site and reluctantly agrees to pick up Olivia on the way. After a bad breakup, Gabe's embraced the hermit life. When he meets Olivia, he can't deny their irresistible mutual attraction, and his first thought is to run the other direction. But then the two band together in a risky maneuver to save a beautiful abandoned dog from rising floodwaters. The more Gabe learns about the woman who would risk everything to save vulnerable animals, the more he realizes what he might be willing to risk...

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Head-Over-Paws-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B0821N5W6L

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/head-over-paws-debbie-burns

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/head-over-paws

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/head-over-paws-rescue-me-book-5-by-debbie-burns

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50628872-head-over-paws

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks goes to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. A contemporary Romance for animal lovers! My opinions are my own and no one has influenced them.

Head Over Paws is an enthralling novel with engaging characters and an animal lovers plot. As with other books in Rescue Me series, Mr. Burns’ writing style pulled me in from the first page and kept me enmeshed until the last page. 

Olivia Graham’s character is easy to love right away. Not only is she a teacher, she’s a dog lover and goes to lengths to rescue animals in destress. She’s coming out of breaking off an engagement with her childhood sweetheart when she meets the hero and an immediate attraction develops to the point, she kisses him within hours of meeting. 

Gabe Wentworth is an intriguing hero with a good deal of baggage from a broken engagement. His ex-fiancée broke it off when he lost his firefighter and EMT career and decided to become a veterinarian. When he meets Olivia, in an attempt to save a dog stranded, he’s drawn to her for several ways, not only physical attraction. Since he’d sworn off women, it shocks him. I enjoyed his internal conflict between the attraction and his baggage.

The romance between Olivia and Gabe is lovely and grows steadily once they reconnect. There was a problem with her missing cell phone that kept them apart after their first meeting. While there are some internal conflicts, the biggest issue is external. I may be in the minority, but I love it when there isn’t doubt over whether they should be with each other. I was routing for them to find their happy ending because they’re such a great fit for each other.

If you’re an animal lover, enjoy endearing characters and an emotionally charged plot, then you will love Head Over Paws as much as I. I’ve enjoyed this series, and not only recommend this novel, I urge you to read the other four books. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Debbie Burns is the award-winning author of the RESCUE ME romance series featuring love connections of the two and four-legged kind. Her writing commendations include a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and a TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews for A NEW LEASH ON LOVE and an Amazon Best Book of the Month for My FOREVER HOME. Books one through four are available now, including LOVE AT FIRST BARK released July 2019.

Debbie lives in Saint Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine Coon cat who everyone loves anyway. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening and daydreaming, which of course always leads to new story ideas.

Social Media:

Website: http://www.authordebbieburns.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordebbieburns/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_debbieburns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_debbieburns/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-burns

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200547.Debbie_Burns

Book Review: Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells

Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks, January 28, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, Miami

Genre: Contemporary romance/Romantic comedy

Length: 384 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

A poodle, a black lab and a Chihuahua walk into a dog park...

All Caleb Donovan has to do to redeem his family name is take a rundown Miami Beach apartment building and turn it into luxury condos. Easy, right?

Unfortunately, that would also turn the local dog park into a parking lot and the neighbors aren't having it. Caleb is faced with outright revolt, led by smart, beautiful building manager Riley Carson and her poodle, LouLou.

For Caleb, this project should have been a slam dunk. But even more challenging than the neighborhood resistance is the mutual attraction between him and Riley. It would be so much easier just to stay enemies.

Can Riley and her canine sidekick convince Caleb that what's best for business isn't always best for the heart?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Cold-Nose-Warm-Heart-Haven-ebook/dp/B07Y5QTCF7

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cold-nose-warm-heart-mara-wells

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49927198-cold-nose-warm-heart

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the chance to read and review Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells in advance of publication. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Cold Nose, Warm Heart is a light-hearted read with the most adorable dog who stole my heart. The plot is unique with the characters joining together to build a dog park for the animals in the neighborhood. I LOVED that aspect of the story. The pacing is perfect for this book and kept me engaged from start to finish.

Riley’s the heroine and stole my heart from the first page. I loved how she kicked her shoes off and had a pile by her door. She got a raw deal when Donovan Resorts shut down. The owner ended up in jail, and she loses her position as assistant manager. 

Now she’s managing a 55+ rundown condo in Miami with lots of issues. I loved her tender care for her grandmother and the other seniors in the complex. Her loving relationship with her poodle, LouLou is endearing. I could feel her anxiety when she finds out her grandmother doesn’t own the condo complex.

Caleb Donovan is the hero with lots of problems. His father’s in prison, and his grandfather challenges him the take on the project to turn the George into a first-class Condo Complex in Miami, but there is a major problem. He must get his half-brother to agree to help him. That will be nearly impossible. When he arrives, he is bent on firing the manager, but when he meets Riley, he’s wowed by her, yet he blurts out “you’re fired.” That starts a relationship with lots of tension.

The romance between Riley and Caleb is delightful and at times emotional. They have a huge obstacle that should keep them apart, and on completely different sides, but the chemistry is so strong, they both step over the divide constantly. I thoroughly enjoyed their love story and wanted them to find a way to make it work.

If you enjoy contemporary romance with plenty of humorous moments, an array of adorable fur-babies, and characters that will steal your heart, then you’ll love Cold Nose, Warm Heart as much as I did. I can’t wait to read the next book in this wonderful series. I believe this may be a debut novel for Ms. Wells, and it’s very well-written with fantastic characters. I recommend this book to all animal lovers. It’s sure to enchant you. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

I love stories, any story, especially stories with kissing. Books, TV shows, movies––if there’s love, I’m so in. Originally from Southern California, I now live in Hollywood, Florida with my family and two carrot-loving rescue dogs––a poodle-mix named Houdini Beauregarde and Sheba Reba Rita Peanut, a chihuahua-mix.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.marawellsauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.marawellsauthor.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaraWellsAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marawellsauthor/?igshid=oyi1pe4h209t

Book Review: Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns

Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks, July 30, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Animal portrait painter Mia Chambers and architect Ben Thomas have volunteered at the High Grove Animal Shelter for years, and they share a complicated history. Ben has secretly loved Mia all this time, but she was married to his best friend. Now she's newly widowed, with a young son, and Ben doesn't know how to tell her what's in his heart. All he can do is stay close, help her as much as she'll let him, and watch for the right moment to bare his soul.

When a dozen adorable border collies get dumped in St. Louis' biggest park, everyone at the shelter mobilizes for a large-scale rescue. Rushing to the park to round up the frisky collies, Ben and Mia unexpectedly plunge into a new phase of their entangled lives. Who knew that opening their hearts and homes—to animals in need and to each other—would lead to so many upheavals...and new beginnings...?

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Love-First-Bark-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B07NVTG5SP

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42366201-love-at-first-bark

Vikki’s Musings

Love at First Bark is the fourth book in Rescue Me series and a delightful addition. Thanks goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for a chance to read and review an advance reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. The plot is about a woman who, while in the midst of divorcing her husband, never makes it to divorce court because he dies. He leaves her with a ton of debt and a grieving seven-year-old son. Of course, she also has a lot of guilt since she’s realized she didn’t love him. Enters, the best friend. The romance is between them.

Love at First Bark is an emotionally-charged love story. The writing flows smoothly, and the pacing is excellent, moving the story along without any sagging parts. There are also many engaging moments between the MCs and Mia’s young son, adding a great deal to the story. Then, one must add in the adorable dogs!

Mia’s character gained my empathy form the beginning. She has so many issues she’s dealing with, beyond the romance between her and Ben. No wonder that at times, it took second place. She is a fantastic mother, a loyal daughter and loves her volunteer work at the animal shelter. Her confused feelings regarding Ben, are very understandable. I could identify with her mixed-up emotions. After all, Ben was her late husband’s best friend and her son’s godfather. Then add in the guilt her mother-in-law heaps on her head, no wonder she is so torn.

Ben Thomas is a great hero. His only flaw­­–he’s almost too perfect. He saw Mia first, but due to an unfortunate circumstance, his best friend makes the first move on her, and he steps away. He never tells his friend how he feels and even becomes godfather to their child. He’s never gotten over Mia, and at last, she’s free, but now, she’s a new widow with too much on her slim shoulders. I admired his patience with Mia as she works through her difficulties.

I truly wanted Mia and Ben to find their happy ending. They are so good together as a couple and clearly love one another. While there isn’t a lot of heat between them, the love grows steadily and is very satisfying. I’m not saying the attraction is weak, it’s just not a blazing passion.

If you enjoy a romance with conflicting emotions, endearing character and several loveable dogs, then you will like Love at First Bark as much as I did. While this is part of a series, it’s a stand-alone, and it’s not necessary to read the other books in order. Happy reading!

Book Review: Second Act by Nancy Herkness

Second Act by Nancy Herkness

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, April 2, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length:  328  Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Lights. Camera. Romance.

Jessica Quillen, veterinarian for the charitable K-9 Angelz program, didn’t mean to stumble into the middle of a New York movie shoot. She just wanted to rescue the stray dog she’d been chasing. Instead, she’s playing catch-up with her ex-fiancé—and the screen’s hottest action hero, Hugh Baker. The only man she ever loved. The dream that disappeared. The heartthrob who’s now hoping for a “take two.”

Seeing Jessica triggers emotions Hugh has tried to forget. Abandoned by his mother to foster care, he still struggles to feel worthy of love and to open his heart to a woman. His biggest mistake was not trusting Jessica. It was his fault she left. All he wants now is to make up for lost time. But he has to prove that she can trust him.

Though the sparks still smolder, he’s still Hollywood—a world far away from Jessica’s. Now it’s up to her to give their love story a happily ever after.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Second-Act-Glances-Book-ebook/dp/B07H7HWB2K

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41793584-second-act

Vikki’s Musings

Second Act is book 2 in the Second Glances series and a great addition to this series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I eagerly accepted since I enjoyed Second Time Around in this series a great deal. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Second Act from the first page to the last. Ms. Herkness’s writing is emotional and pulled at my heartstrings a lot. The plot is realistic and kept me flipping the pages on my Kindle, breathlessly waiting for what would come next.

Jessica Quillen’s character is loveable. Although she is accomplished in her career, she has insecurities regarding men. When she Hugh years before, she never truly moved on, even though she’d made the decision to leave him. Since that time. She devoted her time to building her veterinarian practice in Harlem. I could feel her confusion when she runs into Hugh again, much is the same manner she’d met him in the beginning. The attraction is still strong, but the pain of their separation still haunts her.

Hugh Baker is an awesome hero. His charisma and take-charge attitude makes him very appealing. Although he never understood why Jessica left him, he is drawn to her in the same way he’d been when he first met her. He is determined to discover why she left him and change whatever it was that sent her away. He too has insecurities from his childhood that make it hard for him to trust that someone could love him whether he’s a success or not. My heart hurt for him when he opens up about his mom.

The romance between Jessica and Hugh is tentative at first, bot afraid to trust the other, but once the air is cleared it combusts. I really wanted it to work out for them, although, since their paths seemed to make it impossible, I had my doubts. That made the romance even more rewarding when they work it out.

If you enjoy a romance with engaging characters, and a fast-paced plot with a lot of endearing secondary characters, then you will love Second Act a great deal. It was great to see the characters from the first book, to see how the children and the dogs had bounded through the K-9 Angelz program. I can’t wait for the next book in this great series. Happy reading!

Book Review: Dare Me Again by Shelly Alexander

Dare Me Again by Shelly Alexander

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, January 15, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length:  285 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Hot-wired and restless, financial wizard Elliott Remington doesn’t turn down a dare. This time it’s to coordinate a service-dog boot camp for veterans at his family’s resort. Success means a one-way ticket to the West Coast to pursue his dream career. But it comes with a hitch: teaming up with his ex, who vanished on him ten years ago with nothing more than a kiss-off note.

As fiery as her hair and as stubborn as her name, Rebel Tate did what she had to do—for Elliott’s sake and her own. A dog whisperer with a keen sense of survival, she’s lived a tough life. Here she is, back in Angel Fire Falls, doing what she loves, next to a man she’s never forgotten. While the flame between them still smolders, neither is ready to get burned.

For Elliott, trusting Rebel is a gamble. For Rebel, sharing the secrets that sent her running is a risk. Now, while finishing a job that could define both their futures, two hearts are about to collide—and a second chance at true romance could be the greatest dare of all.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Dare-Again-Angel-Fire-Falls-ebook/dp/B07FD9PWDD

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40787260-dare-me-again

Vikki’s Musings

This is the second book in the Angel Falls series. I read the Dare Me Once and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I eagerly looked forward to reading Dare Me Again. Thanks goes the publisher, via Net Galley, for the opportunity to read and review. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The premise for this book is very interesting, and I enjoyed the characters a great deal. Ms. Alexander did a great job giving enough detail regarding the dog training without becoming too technical. The pacing is good, and the dialogue is realistic and flows well.

 Rebel Tate is an intriguing character, and I liked her a lot. She had a rough start in life, but her perseverance has carried her through. Her love for rescue animals is commendable and came through loud and clear. Although she left Angel Falls on bad terms, she is brave enough to return and try to make it right.

Elliott Remington is a drool-worthy hero, and while he’s driven, he’s open minded and is willing to reveal his secrets to Rebel as she opens up to her. Theirs is a give and take relationship, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

The romance between Rebel and Elliott is great with plenty of sparks flying in all directions from their first meeting. The chemistry is strong, and the love scenes are satisfying. I really wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy contemporary romance with engaging characters and an interesting plot, along with a bit of humor, then you will enjoy Dare Me Again. I look forward to the next book in this great series. Happy reading!