BOOK REVIEW- KNIGHT ON THE TEXAS PLAINS by Linda Broday

Duel McClain has lost everything he's ever loved: his wife, his son, his sense of self. But when a strange twist of fate—and a poker game he'll never forget—leaves an innocent little girl in his care, Duel vows to defend his new family to his very last breath. If only he knew a single thing about taking care of babies...

Just as Duel swears his life can't get any more complicated, a beautiful woman stumbles into the light of his campfire, desperate for help. Jessie Foltry is hungry, tired, and running for her life. She agrees to help Duel care for the child in exchange for his protection, even as she fights to guard her broken heart. But Duel will do whatever it takes to make Jessie see that the Texas plains have more than one kind of knight, and perhaps their salvation is closer than either of them could have dreamed...AMAZON 4 STARS

This was a good story with a lot of emotional elements too.  The book info gives you that impression and it does deliver.  Marley Rose became quite an important part of the story just like her introduction into Duel's life.  That was one poker game that impacted his life in a big way.  And for Duel the surprises just kept coming.

Jesse had lived through some pretty horrific abuse at the hands of her husband for years.  And to be honest, because of that I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers.   But putting that part aside, the sense of family that developed for Jessie through the McClain's was sweet to read.  She went from being almost totally alone to having the McClain family surrounding her and rooting for her.  

The story did slow down part way through the book.  But I think it was so  you could see the struggles that the main characters were going through.  They had painful pasts to try to get past and getting to know each other as well.  Also, you could feel the building of the sense of trouble hanging over their heads but you just didn't know how and when it was going to fall.

On one last note,  Marley Rose didn't say a lot but what she did say was cute and she reached out to people and animals with a lot of love.  It was heartwarming considering how brutal her earlier days were before Duel and Jesse.   

Kenneth Copeland Ministries - Do You Have a Weak Spirit or a Strong Spirit?

Kenneth Copeland Ministries - Do You Have a Weak Spirit or a Strong Spirit?

Prophetic Prayer: Mantles of Breaker Intercession Falling | Jennifer LeC...

BOOK PREVIEW- DREAM OF DANGER by Maggie Shayne

She didn't want to need him.

Murder brought self-help guru Rachel de Luca and Detective Mason Brown together. Their shared secrets drove them apart. But now they're together again in this riveting novella that begins where New York Timesbestselling author Maggie Shayne's Sleep with the Lights On ended.

She may have been blind for twenty years, but Rachel's always had an uncanny gift for seeing through people—and she distrusts her assistant's new boyfriend at first sight. Amy isn't interested in Rachel's misgivings, though. She's too eager to celebrate Thanksgiving by introducing her family to the new man in her life.

Then Amy doesn't show up for the holiday….

Desperate to find her missing friend, Rachel has no choice but to turn to Mason. Their investigation into Amy's disappearance takes them ever deeper into danger—and reignites the attraction that they've both sworn to resist. Now it's a race against time as these reluctant partners fight to stave off passion and save a life.  AMAZON  5 STARS

Look for Wake to Darkness, the next installment in this suspenseful series, coming in December from Harlequin MIRA and Maggie Shayne.

It was short in the number of pages but I loved every minute of it. This was the first book that I have read in this series.  But I didn't have one ounce of trouble keeping up with what was going on.

The personalities in the book were strong ones and not just the main characters and I liked that.

I just HAD to give it 5 stars on Amazon just because of the writers style alone.  The way that the thought speech that went on in Rachel's head and out of her mouth was hilarious.  Rough and tough at many times but I thoroughly enjoyed it!  
The interactions between Rachel and Mason was also worth the read and I want to read more about them.  
He really "got" her, which it seems isn't always the case with other people.  I want to read more of this series and I am crossing my fingers that Rachel and Mason become a couple and stay that way.

This book also included a look into "Sleep with the Lights on" by this author.   Very interesting.  And definitely looking like an adult story too because of it's subject matter. 

BOOK REVIEW- COWBOY STOLE MY HEART by Soraya Lane

t takes true grit to build a billion-dollar dynasty like the Ford family ranch. But when it comes to finding love, all it takes is one handsome cowboy to steal a woman’s heart…

SHE’S RIDING SOLO
As one of the heirs to the River Ranch fortune, Mia Ford is practically Texas royalty. But that doesn’t mean she’s some pampered princess. She can saddle up and ride a horse as well as any man, even a hard-working cowboy like Sam Mendes. For years, she’s harbored a crush on the strong, silent horseman. But how can she make a move when she’s his boss?

HE’S TAKING THE REINS

Sam Mendes is through with love—or so he thought. Still recovering from a breakup, he’s doing everything in his power to resist Mia Ford. It’s bad enough she’s the kind of beauty who drives men wild with desire. It’s even worse she’s got him so worked up, aching to kiss her lips, when he’s supposed to be working her ranch. Is this lovestruck cowboy willing to risk losing his job—and breaking his heart—to win the girl of his dreams?  AMAZON 3.5 STARS  

Mia and Sam were both very skilled at the work they loved.  Their work was done in different ways but it still boiled down to working with horses. Sam just clicked with them and has become knows as "The Horse Whisperer".  A title that he has earned with hard work and heart.  The only way that his heart is open is to horses and his adopted dog, Blue.    Well, when it comes to people,  he does love his sister-Faith and his best friend Nate who he has known for ages.  He keeps his heart closed against romantic love since he got burned so badly years ago.  He doesn't trust women and that kind of love anymore; he just hasn't moved on, he's stuck. 

Mia has the problem of very few people taking her seriously and she's serious about her profession.  She is also someone who has kind of giving up on dating.  Why?  Because most men see her as dollar signs because of her wealthy powerful father.  Few realize that she pays her own way, carrying her own responsibilities.  Both of the main characters were easy to like even with their complexities.  The emotions were definitely there both in the story and what the two of them went through.  Both in the past and in their present lives.  

The only reason I rated it a bit lower was because I had mixed feelings about it.   The mixed feelings coming from how long the story started to drag on with the angst from Sam's cruel ex's treatment.  

There were at least two unexpected surprises in the story that I didn't see coming.  That I did like.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is  my honest opinion of it. 

BOOK REVIEW- WEDDING AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer

Never say never when it comes to love.

Greer Jones has made a real name for herself at the elegant matchmaking agency Two Love Lane. For a lot of reasons—including a past engagement she broke off—practical tech expert Greer is more interested in the business of love than the experience of it, but she can’t help but covet a gorgeous wedding gown that’s the prize in an upcoming cocktail-party contest. In a moment of brazen inspiration, Greer asks a handsome Brit she’s only just met to accompany her to the party. He agrees—and Greer believes her date is a starving artist. Little does she know the truth. . .

Ford Smith, as he calls himself, is actually Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire. Fresh off a breakup with a money-grubbing siren who deceived him all the way to the altar, Ford has no desire to fall in love—especially with Greer who, like the desired wedding gown, is beautiful but only skin-deep. But soon Ford realizes that there’s more to Greer than meets the eye. Her professionalism is matched only by her passion for life and love. . .and, best of all, she has no idea that he’s to the manor born. Could it be that true love is priceless after all?   AMAZON 3 STARS

It starts out pretty slow.  At about 30% on my kindle I just felt like I was still waiting for something to really happen. 

I did like both of the main characters  and the supporting cast of people.  Having said that, I also have to say that I really couldn't get into the whole Wedding Dress thing.  I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did but it just wasn't my cup of tea.  

There is a H.E.A. but it also leaves at least one question unanswered.  

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.

 #AWeddingAtTwoLoveLane #NetGalley

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