Review: Shine Not Burn by Elle Casey

Shine Not Burn turned out to be a surprisingly delightful story! Why am I surprised? I’ll tell you.

I figured any girl who went to Vegas, got married and didn’t remember, was TSTL (Too Stupid To Live). However, that is definitely not the case for Andie. She’s smart, determined and a brilliant lawyer. However, she sometimes misses the forest for the trees.

I was also surprised because I figured any guy that would marry a girl and then leave her for 2 years was a jerk. I was wrong. Mack isn’t a jerk. He’s wonderful.

Through a series of mishaps that could only happen on a Friends episode, Andie and Mack end up married, she doesn’t remember and they part for 2 years. Then Andie decides to marry someone else, only to find out she’s married. Off to Oregon she goes to sort this mess out.

Only, when she gets there, she sees Mack. Most of it comes rushing back, but not all of it. Then it’s game on. Mack refuses to let her go. He sets out to make her fall in love with him.

It was a surprisingly sweet and delightful story. And let me say, I love me some cowboys! Let’s go to Oregon! Woo Hoo!

Find it on GoodReads!

Review: Turn and Burn by Lorelei James

Maybe it’s just me, but I think I mentally flew back from Wyoming and I’m still fuzzed up in this ridiculous cowboy / hot male haze. I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m a wreck. This book has exceeded all my possible expectations.

I usually say that with all Lorelei James’s books, but this time, it really, really hit a nerve.

Tanna and Fletch’s story revolves around a main topic that you may have read in other books but NEVER in such a heartfelt, realistic and down to earth way like Mrs. James has all of us accustomed to. This is a story of overcoming fears: fear of letting people down, fear of letting an injury crash your dreams, fear of finding love and abandoning yourself in it. I think more than a love story, this is a LIFE story which, of course, has a HEA; but also presents the downfall of a champion, her denial to try day after day to gain her strength again and compete for what she trained for all these years, and the workaholic veterinarian who left his life on standby to tend to those who can’t speak for themselves.

We met Tanna back in “Corralled’ as Lanie’s friend, and we kept track of her whereabouts through the next 3 stories until finally we get to see the real Tanna Barker in ‘Turn and Burn’; a woman who not only is broken after losing her mother, her ranch and her award winning barrel racing horse, but is also suffering from PTSD and cannot, as much as she tries, jump on a horse, much less race again like she once did. She’s scared, and her new phobia has a lot to do with everything that’s recently happened to her and the fact she has literally no place to go. In desperate search of some sort of refuge, she ends up in Muddy Gap, and although her initial intention is to regain her self confidence and heal completely from her injury, she ends up finding the one thing she had been reluctant to search for: love.

And love, sneaky little thing, appeared in the form of a magnificent specimen of a man named August Fletcher. He’s a dream come true. He’s also a successful veterinarian and a workaholic to the core. After landing in Tanna’s motel bed as “Mr. Right Now”, everything develops with such a natural and easy paced way it’s like you are literally there to breathe the Wyoming air. Life in rural Wyoming can’t get more hectic when you are one of the only four vets in a 300 mile radius and Fletch finds himself in a predicament when he finally comes to terms that he is in indeed completely in love with the somehow broken Tanna. He must do something about that but guess what? His life revolves around sick ranch animals and late night calls from clients who manage to drag him out of bed to tend to his four legged patients! He knows something must change in order to win Tanna’s heart. That is when his dad comes up with a sneaky, yet effective plan that he must follow if he wants to conquer her.

This story leaves a serious lesson indeed: EVERYBODY needs help. It is proven up to this day that no human being is self sufficient. Fletch and Tanna have to admit that sometimes asking for help though hard, is just simply the best way to OVERCOME obstacles.

My absolute favorite moment, in which I cried with no reserve, came from Fletch and a dying Newfoundland. If you passed this part and didn't shed a tear, let me applaud your bravery and possible lack of sensitivity or non existent pet loving background. It is DEFINITELY one of the saddest and most heartbreaking scenes I've ever read in a book. I won't spoil it for you, but beware that this BIG man, has an even bigger heart and sense of loyalty towards his friend more than anybody I've ever met in real life. It just made me love Fletch a little bit more. Just like Tanna does and she's too scared to admit.

What a marvelous and joyful way of going back to cowboy territory through the pen of Mrs. James. I have to say that besides loving this book like crazy, I had an extra boost and happiness reading it since I held in my hands a signed copy that Mrs. James herself signed for me. Thank you. It may not be a big deal for many avid readers who constantly receive these jewels, but for me (and especially if it came from her) it is one of the greatest treasures I'm possibly ever going to receive. I owe her all my love for Cowboy culture. Believe me, I wouldn’t even know what a HEIFER was without her. 

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Caleb by Emma Lang

If a few years back someone would have told me that I would learn a great deal about history, home remedies and ranch life just by reading a romance book, I would’ve laughed.

But sure enough, I did learn. And instead of laughing I loved this book so much I CRIED.

I had a wonderful and exciting trip to the very (old) Wild, Wild West through the pen of Mrs. Lang; and I must say It was a very heart melting one. “Caleb” is the third installment of the “Circle Eight” series. We learn the story of Ranger Caleb Graham who years before had left the Circle Eight in search of the thrill of becoming part of the high authority of the recently freed Republic of Texas.

I have a confession to make: I had NO idea Texas was ever a Republic state.

I know, I know, but please forgive my lack of knowledge of American History. My whole education was directed towards Latin American History, so this was absolutely marvelous for me since it kicked my curiosity and made me want to learn more about this fact. I’ve been reading and doing my own research on the topic ever since. I can say that those bits and pieces of history I read, only made me love this book even more.

Caleb is a fearless Texas Ranger, who joined the forces in search of his real purpose in life, after his parents had been murdered. While in service to the Republic he seldom stops by the Circle Eight to visit his family anymore, but manages to do so while on a mission for which  he must travel more than 200 miles north in search of a stubborn blacksmith who not only knows her way with steel, but also with Caleb’s temper.

We also meet Aurora “Rory” Foster who works as a blacksmith, occupation she learned from her late father and that has kept her afloat after her husband Horatio died. In fact, her flawless work with a forge and anvil has made her famous in the region and it’s been through this art that she’s been able to survive after losing her husband. I believe Rory Foster has been one of the greatest female characters I have ever read about. Not only is she a strong and determined woman, but also stubborn and fearless, something that inevitably caught Ranger Graham’s attention.  Rory is that kind of woman capable of defying any and all obstacles to achieve her goals.

For example, smearing a urine poultice over Caleb’s would after making it in front of his brothers.

Yep, that’s Rory:

“What the hell?” Matt stepped back as if she was going to hurt him.

“I need to make a paste with the ash and piss. It’s a good way to stop the blood. My father taught me when I was a girl.” She forced herself to piss enough to make the paste the right consistency. After she’d yanked up her trousers, she mixed the ingredients together until it was ready.

The two Graham’s stared at her while the other two men stood behind with the horses. All of them were silent and motionless.

“Someone peel back the shirt so I can smear this on him.” Nobody moved.

“He’s going to bleed to death.”

Matt moved closer and put his hand on his pistol. Rory’s fury knew no bounds. She growled at him and removed the blood-soaked shirt herself. The sound of the pistol clearing leather was loud in the forest. “I won’t let you smear piss on my bleeding brother. Move away.”

I don’t really care what you say or do right now, Matt Graham. The only thing that matters is Caleb. I won’t let you stop me from saving him.”

She got to her feet and shook the bloody shirt. “He’s dying and you’re letting it happen.” She threw the shirt at him. “Now, are you going to help me stand there showing me your dick is bigger than mine?”

Rory was as fearless as any man of her time.

When Caleb and Rory meet it’s definitely not in the right circumstances or time, but nonetheless the attraction is felt since the minute they laid eyes on each other. After a quite bumpy nap on a tree, a very nasty cut and the urgent trip to the nearest doctor available, Caleb ends up taking Rory to the last place on earth he ever thought he would find the missing piece of his family’s puzzle: his brother Benjy.

Benjy’s character is remarkable. He is the greatest example of bravery in the worst situation possible. He captivated my heart and made me realize that you can be small, but extremely courageous. For those who have followed the series, you will remember what happened to Benjy; so imagine Caleb’s amazement and joy to have found him when he was least expecting it. And it is through Benjy’s courage and strength that Caleb finally agrees that it is time he must return to that one place he is more missed from: the Circle Eight.

As all three run for their lives and hide from the bad guys, we learn that this is a story of awakenings, an exciting adventure through a vast land, the pleasure of freedom, the unforgettable beauty of the Old West and the feeling of home and love only an amazing book like this can deliver. 

Bio: 

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010.

Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses, as well as bookstores. Her path in life has taken several right turns, but she’s been with the man of her dreams for more than 20 years.

Beth works full-time and writes romance novels evening, weekends, early mornings and whenever there is a break in the madness. She is compassionate, funny, a bit reserved at times, tenacious and a little quirky. Her cowboys and western romances speak of a bygone era, bringing her readers to an age where men were honest, hard and packing heat. For a change of pace, she also dives into some smokin’ hot contemporaries, bringing you heat, romance and snappy dialogue.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. ;)

Website  

Email Beth HERE  

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