Book Review with Featured Author: Summer Nights with a Cowboy by Caitlin Crews

Summer Nights with a Cowboy 

by Catlin Crews

 

 

Publisher & Release: St. Martin’s Publishing, March 29, 2022

Setting: Texas 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 317 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating:  Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews returns with Summer Nights with a Cowboy, another emotional romance in her stunning cowboy series Kittredge Ranch….

He doesn’t believe in love…

Traveling nurse Janie Atwood has come to Cold River to uncover old family secrets and maybe, if she’s lucky, find a new home. That the gorgeous, glowering sheriff next door thinks her caring for his elderly neighbor is a nefarious scheme is a bonus. Having never been anything but a good girl, Janie finds Zack Kittredge’s simmering suspicion an excellent reason to try being a little dangerous instead…

She doesn’t believe in squandering it…

Sheriff Zack Kittredge is okay with being… intense. He takes his loner status as seriously as he takes his responsibilities to protect Cold River. And he thinks cheerful Janie might be a threat to the town. But the more he gets to know her, the more he faces the truth—she’s brighter than sunshine and he’s like a moth to her flame. When Janie suggests he could use a few charm school lessons, he surprises them both by accepting. He doesn’t need help. But it’s clear he might need her…

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Nights-Cowboy-Kittredge-Ranch-ebook/dp/B09FHHBJBQ

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-nights-with-a-cowboy-caitlin-crews/1139656998

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/summer-nights-with-a-cowboy

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Caitlin_Crews_Summer_Nights_with_a_Cowboy?id=6itBEAAAQBAJ

 

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59964651-summer-nights-with-a-cowboy

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/summer-nights-with-a-cowboy-by-caitlin-crews

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of Summer Nights with a Cowboy by Caitlin Crews. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

Summer Nights with s Cowboy is another great addition to the Kittredge Ranch series. The pacing pulled me in from the start and kept me entertained until the end. There are several wonderful secondary characters that added to my enjoyment.

 

Janie Atwood is the heroine, and I found much to admire about her. She’s in Cold River to solve a mystery involving her family, and I loved her determination to not give up. Her care of Damaris touched my heart. 

 

Zack Kittredge is the hero and he’s the last single Kittredge in the family. His relationship with his family is fraught with tension. It’s made him rigid when dealing with others as he does his job as sheriff of Cold River. I enjoyed his character a great deal and could feel his pain when he’s with his parents, especially his father.

 

The romance between Zack and Janie is sweet and grows from mutual respect they have in each other. This is a couple that are meant to be with each other, but their path is not easy. I was so pleased they managed to find their way to one another.

 

Ig you enjoy cowboy romances with a great cast of characters beyond the hero and heroine, then you will love Summer Nights with a Cowboy as much as I did. Out of the three books in this series, this is my favorite. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

USA Today-bestselling, RITA-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Caitlin Crews has written more than 100 books, including Frenemies, Princess from the Past, A Royal Without Rules, and Undone by the Sultan's Touch. She's won fans with romances, Harlequin Presents, women's fiction, chick lit, and work-for-hire young adult novels, many of which she writes as Megan Crane (including the dystopian Viking romance Edge series). These days her focus is on contemporary romance in all its forms, from small town heat to international glamour, cowboys to bikers to military men and beyond. She's taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension's prestigious Writers' Program, gives assorted workshops on occasion, and attempts to make use of the MA and PhD in English Literature she received from the University of York in York, England. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with a husband who draws comics and animation storyboards, and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.

 

Social Media:

Website: https://megancrane.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/megancrane

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/meganandcaitlin/_saved/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caitlin-crews

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3013309.Caitlin_Crews

 

 

Book Review with Featured Author: Home for a Cowboy Christmas by Donna Grant

Home for a Cowboy Christmas 

by Donna Grant

 

Publisher & Release: St. Martin’s Press, October 26, 2021

Setting:  Montana

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 319 Pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived for this cowboy in New York Times bestseller Donna Grant's next novel, Home for a Cowboy Christmas.

Tis the season—for everyone except Emmy Garrett. She’s on the run after witnessing a crime. But when it becomes clear that trouble will continue following her, the US Marshal in charge takes her somewhere no one will think to look–Montana. Not only is Emmy in a new place for her protection, but now, she’s stuck with a handsome cowboy as her bodyguard…and she wants to do more than kiss him under the mistletoe. 

Dwight Reynolds left behind his old career, but it’s still in his blood. When an old friend calls in a favor, Dwight opens his home to a woman on the run. He tries to keep his distance, but there’s something about Emmy he can’t resist. She stokes his passion and turns his cold nights into warm ones. When danger shows up looking for Emmy, Dwight risks everything to keep her safe.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Cowboy-Christmas-Donna-Grant-ebook/dp/B08R2L9QN5

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home-for-a-cowboy-christmas-donna-grant/1138664954

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/home-for-a-cowboy-christmas

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Donna_Grant_Home_For_a_Cowboy_Christmas?id=kScQEAAAQBAJ

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56421330-home-for-a-cowboy-christmas

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/home-for-a-cowboy-christmas-by-donna-grant

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of Home for a Cowboy Christmas by Donna Grant. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

Home for a Cowboy Christmas is another emotionally charged romance with compelling characters and an intriguing plot. There’s even a nice amount of suspense. The pacing pulled me in from the start to the finish.

 

Emmy Garrett is our heroine, and she’s gone through a terrible ordeal. She’s running for her life, and when the US Marshall takes her to the hero for protection; she’s grateful for his succor. Her fear practically jumps off the page. 

 

Dwight Reynolds is the hero, and he has many of the characteristics I most admire in a male protagonist. He doesn’t hesitate to take Emmy in, although it could likely put him in jeopardy, along with his employees, if the villain finds her. 

 

The romance develops fast but, when a male and female spend every waking moment together and the attraction between them crackles with plenty of fire, it’s not surprising. I could easily see them falling in love and having it last.

 

If you enjoy romantic suspense with engaging characters and a plot that pulls you in, then you will love Home for a Cowboy Christmas as much as I did. I always know I’m in for a sensual journey and plenty of high emotion. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her "totally addictive" and "unique and sensual" stories. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children and an assortment of animals in Texas. 

 

Social Media:

Website: https://donnagrant.com/

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

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/donnagrant1/_created/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-grant

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1141209.Donna_Grant

 

Book Review with Featured Author: When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake

When a Duke Loves a Governess 

by Olivia Drake

 

 

Publisher & Release: St. Martin’s Press, July 27, 2021

Setting:  Regency England

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 318 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating:  Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess...!

Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?

Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.

Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy's family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/When-Duke-Loves-Governess-Duchesses-ebook/dp/B08HKXFK8B

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-a-duke-loves-a-governess-olivia-drake/1136846551

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/when-a-duke-loves-a-governess

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Olivia_Drake_When_a_Duke_Loves_a_Governess?id=xHb7DwAAQBAJ

Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?keywords=when+a+duke+loves+a+governess&ref=a_pd_The-Co_t1_header_search

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55528862-when-a-duke-loves-a-governess

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/when-a-duke-loves-a-governess-by-olivia-drake

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this delightful Regency romance. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

When a Duke Loves a Governess is a well-written novel with a touch of mystery as the heroine sets out to discover who was her biological father. When her mother died, she gave Tessa a locket with a coat of arms on it. That’s her only clue, along with the last words her mother uttered, she has. The pacing pulled me in from the beginning and kept me engaged until the end. 

 

Tessa James is our endearing heroine. While life has not been easy for her since she lost her mother at the age of six, she’s determined to succeed in her endeavor to open her own hat shop. All she needs a loan from whoever fathered her. It’s the least he could do. I admired Tessa’s independent spirit a great deal, and her kindness with the hero’s troubled four year old daughter.

 

Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlin is the male lead, and he has all the traits I most admire in a Regency hero. His love for his mischievous daughter touched my heart. When he realizes he’s attracted to Tessa, he fights it, since his honor would not allow him to act on it. Of course, when Tessa takes matters in hand, his will didn’t stand a chance against his powerful attraction.

 

The romance is charming, and Ms. Drake is excellent at building sexual tension, an aspect of historical romance I love. Her love scenes are beautifully written focusing on the emotions instead of the physical action, which is my preference. It was easy for me to believe and accept that Tessa and Guy are a perfect match, and I wanted them to find their happy ending.

 

As I mentioned, there is a touch of mystery in this tale, and it added a great deal to my enjoyment, keeping my attention throughout their love story. There is also some suspense to add to my pleasure as well.

 

If you enjoy historical romance with engaging characters and a plot with more substance than the average Regency novel, then you will love When a Duke Loves a Governess as much as I did. It’s been a while since I read a book by Ms. Drake, but I quickly remembered why I have always enjoyed her novels. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

Shortly after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism, Olivia Drake sold her first novel two weeks after sending it to a publisher. She now lives in Texas in a cozy cottage with a feisty cat, a loving husband, and two wonderful daughters who still come back whenever they want a home-cooked meal.

Many of you already know Olivia as Barbara Dawson Smith, author of 24 historical romance novels. She is a New York Times bestseller and winner of numerous honors, including the Golden Heart Award and the coveted Rita Award for excellence in the historical romance genre.

Social Media:

Website: https://oliviadrake.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviadrake1

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/olivia-drake

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3052165.Olivia_Drake