Review: The Texas Cowboy's Lady (Texas Heritage #2) by Debra Holt

Which shines brighter: Hollywood lights or the Texas stars?

Laurel Burkitt, who owns half of the mega-ranching empire known as the Aces High, shook the Texas dirt off her stilettos a long time ago. She’s all about high fashion, sleek cars, and adding movie awards to her shelves. No dark-eyed, sexy, hard-driving, country-living cowboy is going to rope her into being his country darlin’…as long as her brain keeps control over the traitorous yearnings of her heart.

Jaxson Hawkes, foreman of the Aces High, was born to the saddle and to being a cowboy all his days. So it took him a while to finally bare his soul to the spitfire he grew up adoring. He expected Laurel to choose between him and Texas and her dream of California gold. Her choice broke his heart.

Now Laurel’s back and her ideas of merging California with Texas aren’t sitting too well with Jaxson. There’s a showdown coming between them, and when the dust clears, will he send her packing on that shiny plane once and for all? Or will the lady claim the cowboy’s heart for good?

 

My Review: 

An entertaining second chance romance. 

Laurel Burkitt made it big in Hollywood, but her heart was still in Texas.  With a plan in place, it was finally time to head back home.  But Laurel isn’t going home alone.  She is bringing a fiancé with her.  Laurel’s fiancé isn’t what it seems.  He is a part of another plan that no one can know about until it is time. 

Jaxson Hawkes never forgot a Laurel. He could never love another woman like he loved her.  But when Laurel comes home with another man, Jaxson decides it just might be time to move on.  But it may not be as easy as he thinks when all he can think about is Laurel and how something just doesn’t seem right between her and her fiancé.

This was a great addition to the Texas Heritage series.  I enjoyed seeing how Laurel and Jaxson found their way back together. 

 

Review: The Traveling Stilettos by Glenna West, C. Rowe and Magnolia 'Maggie' Rivers

Marry Me – by Glenna West
Annabelle Buchanan is excited about the new pair of shoes she found for her upcoming wedding in two weeks. Legend has it that whoever puts on the shoes sees a vision of the man they will marry. Unfortunately for Anna, the man she sees is not her fiancé.
Bob Albert doesn’t mess with women who re already spoken for but when he meets Annabelle Buchanan, he has a hard time keeping with his rule.

Take A Chance – by C. Deanne Rowe
A pair of stilettos Addy Drake purchases should show her the man she will marry. In her vision, she doesn’t see a face. Only a tattoo. Confusion ensues when she meets two men with the same tattoo.

Spidy Sense – by Maggie Rivers
Rayndi Baker enjoys playing her hammered dulcimer for the kids on the cancer ward of her local hospital. While there, she meets Spiderman and becomes infatuated until she sees him in the hospital closet with another woman.
Ryker Brown’s twin brother died from cancer at age five. Ryker has devoted his life to being a doctor on the local children’s cancer ward in honor of his brother. He has no time for the dating game. That is, until he meets Rayndi Baker. But things go askew when Spiderman comes on the scene.

 

My Review:

Three amazing stories centered around a pair of magical stilettos.   

You’ve heard the quote before, Cinderella is proof a new pair of shoes can change your life.  It couldn’t be any truer in this book that features a trio of stories centered around a pair of magical stilettos.  The legend says whoever put on the stilettos will see their true love; the man she will marry.    

From Anna, who is about to get married when she discovers her fiancé isn’t who she thought he was and falls into the arms of brother’s best friend for support; to Addie, who ends up confused about her vision, and Rayndi, who buys the stilettos during a trip to Memphis and ends up falling in love with someone she never expected.  All of these stories were the perfect escape I was looking for.   

 

Review: Homecoming and Homicide (The Wannabe Sleuth #2) by Jody Holford

 

She doesn’t remember high school being so complicated…or as deadly.

Rainbow Falls newcomer Annie Abbott is finally feeling settled in town with her veterinarian boyfriend and their two curious kittens. The local high school is raising money for their drama program and, eager to help, Annie volunteers for the carnival’s photo booth, using her graphic design skills to create fun backdrops and mentor a group of students. The only dark cloud is a run in with an unpleasant teacher who’s critical of her teenage neighbor, Tate, and his girlfriend.

On the night of the carnival, Annie discovers the not-so-nice teacher dead. She and her motley crew of murder club sleuths leap into action to help clear her own name along with Tate’s. Luckily for both of them, there are plenty of suspects who had it out for the victim. Complicating Annie’s illicit investigation further? A mystery stalker with a vendetta against her.

As Annie and her friends chase clues, it’s becoming increasingly clear that not everyone is happy with her decision to make Rainbow Falls her home.

 

My Review: 

Small town.  Big mysteries.

New Rainbow Falls resident, Annie Abbott, has her hands full once again.  Not only has Annie discovered another murder victim, a teacher from the high school, but she also has someone possibly trying to run her out of town.  Even though Annie has been warned to stay out of police business, she still sets out to try to solve the crimes on her own.  

This was a fun book and it kept me guessing until the very end.  I also enjoyed seeing how Annie’s new friendships and relationship with Ben, the town vet, were coming along. 

 

Review: She Captures My Heart (The Medicine Man) by Karen Kay

Two Worlds. Two Hearts. A Forbidden Passion.

Amelia McIntosh was only fourteen when she fell in love with the young and handsome Gray Falcon of the Blackfoot Tribe. He’d helped her through a difficult time, and, for him in turn, she’d opened up a vital part of the medicine man's world. Five years later, Amelia is still in love with the mesmerizing Gray Falcon, but her refusal to marry anyone but him has created a dangerous problem for her and her family.

When Amelia—the pesky little girl from Gray Falcon's past—returns to the Northwest, he can't help but notice she has blossomed into a beautiful, desirable woman -- one who sets his heart aflame. Yet, he must resist her feminine charms because, though she is a friend, what she asks of him is against all Gray Falcon stands for as a medicine man.

United only in love, will love, alone, be enough to stave off a world threatening to pull them apart?

 

My Review:

A beautifully written love story.

Amelia McIntosh fell in love with Gray Falcon when she was just fourteen years old.  Five years later, Amelia has returned to Gray Falcon with a special request.  This request will change both of their lives if they proceed with it. 

This amazing story shows how far someone will go for the one they love.  Through all of the obstacles in their way, Amelia and Gray Falcon will discover they are destined to be together.  I always enjoy reading Karen Kay’s books.  They are entertaining, educational and full of passion.  Her heroes are swoon worthy and heroines beautiful and strong minded.  And, I just can’t get enough of this gorgeous cover.   I could look at it for hours.  This book is part of a series and though it can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading the books in order of release.