Review: The Texan Takes a Wife (Texas Cattleman’s Club: Blackmail #11) by Charlene Sands

A temporary tryst with a sexy Texan...no problem, right?
All it takes is a daring out-of-character ride on a mechanical bull to send Erin Sinclair straight into the arms of one fine-looking cowboy. With Royal, Texas, on edge over the criminal targeting their secrets, she needs to blow off steam. Dan Hunt is happy to give the ex-nanny the time of her life, but the rich rancher insists he doesn't do relationships. With Erin leaving Royal in a matter of weeks, why not have a no-strings affair? Even if it feels like it could be the commitment of a lifetime...


My Review:

A fall off a mechanical bull brings Erin Sinclair and Dan Hunt together.  But it's working together while trying to find Maverick, the person responsible for distributing inappropriate pictures of members of the Texas Cattlemen's Club, is when things really heat up.  Erin knows she shouldn't fall for Dan as she plans on going back to her life in Seattle soon.  And it becomes even more difficult as she spends more time with Dan.

Dan hasn't found a woman who sparked his interest in a long time and Erin has just broke that dry spell and it left him feeling conflicted.  Dan didn't do long term relationships, but being with Erin is making him want to change his ways.  When Erin is needed at her new job in Seattle sooner than she expected, Dan doesn't take the news very well.  When he sets his goal to get Erin back, nothing will stop him.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Erin and Dan when the story ended.  I wish the book was longer.  But I am sure we will hear more about them in the next book.  The way they met was fun and unexpected.  I would have been totally embarrassed falling off the mechanical bull and wouldn’t be able to face anyone afterwards.  But it was a great introduction for them and even more interesting once Erin found out Dan was her friend’s brother.  The story moved along quickly but didn’t miss any details.  I was especially happy to see Dan was an animal rescuer.  I knew he was going to be one of the good guys when he helped the injured dog after getting hit by a car.  This is a good book for anyone who loves cowboys, animals and hot romance. 

Review: Hot Cocoa, Green Tea and the Man Who Sweetened My Heart by Deanna Martinez-Bey

Stephanie had been held hostage in an abusive marriage for nearly twelve years. She was manipulated, controlled and abused by her mentally unstable husband. The last physical altercation drove Stephanie to begin a new life, alone, just her and her ten-year-old son, Ray.

Stephanie made an exit plan. She would find a new school for Ray, a full-time job and a place to live and just when she thought that life would be calm and peaceful, her monster of a husband, soon to be ex-husband would rear his ugly head.
Stephanie winds up meeting a new friend through work. As time passes, they find that they are developing feelings for one another. After the divorce is final her ex-husband stirs up trouble yet again.

Would Stephanie and her new friend become an item or would all the trouble from her ex-monster have him packing his bags and running? Would Stephanie finally be awarded full custody of her son or would her ex sabotage that from ever happening?

My Review:  

An emotionally charged story about starting over after a divorce.

Reading this book was like a peek into someone’s most private thoughts.  My heart went out to Stephanie and what she went through with her abusive husband and trying to start her life over after she left him.  Having experience in abusive relationships, I could easily relate to the fears and emotions Stephanie had.   

  

One of the highlights of the story was Mark, a customer that Stephanie met at the bookstore café where she worked.  He was always there for her lending a good shoulder to cry on, a great source of support and a wonderful father figure to Stephanie’s young son.  Mark’s encouraging words are something all women need to hear even if they aren’t going through the same situation.  Sometimes we just need someone to believe in us.  Stephanie was a strong woman even though she crumbled a few times.  With Mark’s help she was able to get back up living her dreams and letting go of her fears.

If you know anyone who has been (or is) in an abusive relationship, this would be a good book to recommend to them.  At the end of the book there are some mouthwatering recipes to try out.

Author Bio:

Deanna has always aspired to be a writer. She started writing poetry and short stories and the young age of seven.

Born in New Jersey, Deanna currently lives in a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina. She says. “I will always be a Jersey girl at heart.” Which is why she came up with her own recipe for, New Jersey coffee cake, that she shares at the end of this book. She has had several of her original recipes published over the years. They have been featured in publications such as: Taste of Home Magazine, Taste of Home “Best Of” cookbooks, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, local magazines and Women’s Day online, to name a few.

Deanna’s other published works:

Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star

When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!

Deanna’s contact information:

Website:  www.deannamartinezbey.com

Facebook:  Author:Deanna Martinez-Bey @deannamartinezbey

Instagram:  writer_deanna

Twitter:  Cookrunwrite

Blog:  https://bookwriterdeanna.blogspot.com/

YouTube:  AuthorDeanna Martinez-Bey

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJvtsV2DZn0

Purchase Links:

United States: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Z53KMW

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076Z53KMW

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076Z53KMW
B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com