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.

 

 

Review: Unbreak My Heart (With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing #10) by Dakota Harrison

It takes more than time to mend a broken heart.

Simon Jameson had once considered himself a lucky man. A job he loved, working alongside his oldest brother. His wife was his heart, and they had a family in the making. Then he lost it all. When his niece is born on Valentine’s Day—his first wedding anniversary without his wife—it’s too much too soon and he has to leave town for the night. Just one night, while his close-knit family celebrates a gift of life that should be celebrated, one that breaks his heart that little bit more.

He never expected to meet her.

Evangeline Adams, the architect behind the new build of his brother’s pub, The Spotted Cow, was a red-headed bombshell of a woman he didn’t see coming.

It’s been months since Evangeline encountered the magnetic, desolate Simon at a bar, but she hasn’t forgotten him. When they meet again at her latest job site, she’s glad he seems happier but keeps her distance. Right up until her manipulative ex-husband unexpectedly returns and Simon steps in to protect her.

Eva can’t afford to fall for an emotionally unavailable man who doesn’t like kids—not when she has a two-year-old son waiting for her at home. And that describes Simon perfectly.

Doesn’t it?

 

My Review: 

From friendship to love.

This is an emotional story about Simon, a grieving widower and Eva, a single mother, who struggles with body issues and has a crazy ex-husband.  They meet on the anniversary of Simon’s late wife’s death and have an (almost) one night stand, ending with Eva leaving Simon’s hotel room with no explanation of why Simon changed his mind about spending the night together.  Months later, they are reunited when Eva is working on Simon’s brother’s pub.  I loved how they formed a tight friendship and shared secrets and dreams.  This eventually led to them falling in love.  I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end.  I couldn’t get enough of Eva and Simon.  I hope to catch up with them again in the next With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing book.