Review: The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride (The Careys of Cowboy Point, #1) by Megan Crane

 

Cowboy looking for wife to work the land, help with the business, and raise the next generation. Must be practical, reasonable, and honest.

Harlan Carey needs a wife, and fast. Because his father is dying and wants to see his five sons settled before he goes. It makes sense to put out an ad like he’s on the frontier and he’s looking for a bride from somewhere back in civilization. He’s expecting something workable. What he gets is a wildfire.

Kendall Darlington needs to disappear from her messy life. Becoming a mail-order bride sounds close enough to actual time travel to work. What she’s not expecting is to fall, hard, for the beauty of the land and the surprising delight that is Harlan himself.

But when her past comes calling, can Kendall trust the future Harlan promises enough to finally stay—with the only man she’s ever loved, in the only place that’s ever felt like home?

 

My Review:

A great start to a new series.

When Zeke Carey decided it was time for his sons to settle down and have families of their own, he told a little white lie to get them motivated to find a wife.  Zeke’s oldest son, Harlan, was the first to take the plunge.  Being a rancher didn’t leave him much time for dating, so he placed an ad for a wife.  Kendall answered the ad and became Harlan’s wife.  But Kendall is keeping a secret, from her past, that could ruin everything between them and cause a lot of problems for Harlan and his family. 

This story is a perfect example of what true love looks like. No matter what happens, you know who has your back.  It’s a wonderful story about starting a new life and learning to trust and love. It’s the perfect start of The Careys of Cowboy Point series.

 

Review: The Adventures of Good Eagle and Miss Starling (The Untamed Frontier Series Book 1) by Genny Cothern

 

THE ADVENTURES OF GOOD EAGLE AND MISS STARLING
Montana, 1847

When my life is turned upside down, I have no one to turn to except Uncle Jed, a fur-trader who lives deep in Indian Country; a man I have never met. I was expecting to be greeted by my Uncle Jed at a place called Fort Union, a fur-trading fort some two thousand miles above St. Louis. But, when I finally arrive at the fort, I am met, instead, by an eighteen-year-old Indian, Good Eagle, who swears my uncle has sent him to meet me. Would you trust this boy, a youth only two years older than my sixteen years? I certainly didn't and I told him so. However, although I was polite, he took offense.

As the steamboat continues its way to my uncle's fur-trading post, Fort Lewis, the Indian boy, Good Eagle, has declared that my heart has panther's claws around it. Yet, though he seems to dislike me as much as I do him, because of the promise he gave to my uncle, he has no option but to guard me.

But, when my life is threatened and Good Eagle saves me, I experience a change of heart about this young man; I decide I will "bury the hatchet" and become friends with him. Imagine my surprise when he refuses my offer of friendship.

Can I ever change Good Eagle's mind about becoming my friend? Or will his first impression of me remain to forever haunt us?

 

My Review: 

A great start to new series.

This beautifully written story is about Starling Nelson, a young girl, started life over after her parents pass away.  She is headed to live with her uncle, at a trading post, in the heart of Indian Country.  During her trip she befriends Good Eagle, who was sent by Starling’s uncle to escort her during her travels.  But their relationship didn’t start out friendly, Starling was a bit prickly towards Good Eagle at first.  I enjoyed seeing how their friendship grows during their journey. 

This is not a romance story.  It is a YA story about friendship and trust.  I just wish the book was longer.  I really enjoyed Starling and Good Eagle’s story. 

 
 

 

Review: Texas Reckless Cowboy (The Stars of Texas Book 2) by Rebecca Crowley

He’s the bad boy she needs to help her lay down the law…

Assistant District Attorney Georgia Star is on the ballot in Last Stand, Texas to finally take the top job—but popularity has never been this overachiever’s forte. When her big-city outsider opponent begins wooing her constituents with lies, Georgia knows she has to stop playing nice. She turns to the infamous Cy Powell for advice, but his provocative solution might be worse than a defeat.

Cyrus “Cy” Powell is a property mogul, rancher, and entrepreneur—and a scion of Last Stand’s most notorious criminal family. Despite his legit success he’s never outrun his last name, so when Georgia asks for his help, Cy decides a fake relationship is the perfect pretext to infiltrate her world.

Dating Cy will connect Georgia with her voter base, and squiring Georgia through her influential social circles will polish Cy’s reputation and facilitate his latest business deal. Their chemistry is undeniable, but as the election looms, they’ll need to decide if their fake alliance is real and where their loyalties lie.

 

My Review:

Falling for the bad boy.

I highly recommend this book.  It hits several romance tropes; fake relationship, friends to lovers and opposites attract. Of course, the bad boy trope is one of my favorites and Cy definitely checks all of those boxes.  But it’s mostly on the outside.  Cy is really a good guy hidden behind his tough exterior.

Georgia is running for district attorney and Cy offers to help her get more votes.  But he needs something in return.  He needs a woman on his arm to help seal the deal with some business partners. So, they team up to help each other.  Love was the last thing they thought would happen, but it did.