Review: My Favorite Cowboy (Heart of Texas #3)

My Favorite Cowboy (Heart of Texas #3)

by  Donna Grant 

Blurb:

Audrey Martinez is a veterinarian who has devoted her whole life to the care and protection of horses―even if doing so leaves her little time for meeting a man. Who would have thought that a strange case of criminal horseplay would lead her to falling deeply, wildly in love? If only the man who makes her heart race faster than a wild mustang would let his guard down, that is. . .

Caleb Harper is no ordinary cowboy. Sure, he wears his hat, boots, and jeans like a second skin, and displays an easygoing charm that comes from years of working on the ranch. But with his military background, and Army buddies at his side, he is tried-and-true Texas tough. Audrey knows she can trust a man like Caleb to help her save horses. But can Caleb trust himself to resist his attraction to Audrey―or will the sparks of their desire end up getting them burned?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating:
 

Review:

Even the mightiest fall under the weight of true love and Donna Grant proves it in this amazing story of a man who finally meets his match. I have found this series to get more and more amazing as the emotional turmoil and healing becomes more intense with each siblings’ story and Ms. Grant truly has the ability to make me cry while hoping that the lovers manage to overcome all odd to find their HEA. If you have followed this series then you recognize Caleb as the youngest brother of the Harper clan and the one with the most fears and trauma from the desertion of his mother when he was very young.  Now he is an established ranch owner and horse trainer that is making a huge mark on the horse business in their area, but he refuses to let any woman hold his attention for more than a night. Caleb runs into Audrey as she is investigating a group of deathly ill horses at the local auction house run by one of their shared friends and he is instantly and insanely attracted to her, in more than just the usual physical ways.  Audrey has dedicated her life to the health and safety of horses and she is devastated that she can’t figure out why the horses she loves are dying, but soon the truth show that the danger is even greater than simple sickness and could lead to even more danger for herself.  Audrey and Caleb begin to see that the horse sickness is more than a single event and that her reputation and possibly her life might be in danger.  The Harper-East family immediately rally around Audrey and her sister, keeping them safe, and working to discover the full extent of the plot that has shaped up around them, but the more time they spend together the more Caleb wants Audrey.  Soon Caleb can no longer deny that the feelings he has for Audrey go way beyond his usual need for lust for a woman, and giving in to it is terrifyingly easy while devastatingly hard at the same time.  When their fears pull them apart, Audrey and Caleb have to decide if the love that has developed between them is enough to keep them together or if they are going to give up on the greatest passion they have ever felt.  I loved getting to know these two and finally seeing Caleb overcome his fears in order to become the man he was always mean to be with a full and giving heart dedicated to the woman that stole it from him.  He was a strong, dedicated, and sensual man with the sweetest nature and the ability to overcome even the fears of a woman that doesn’t trust easily even while dealing with his own fears.  Audrey’s devotion to her duties as a vet and discovering what is hurting the horses she loves made me love her immediately, but once I got to know her and see how smart and amazing she was in other way I began to like her as well just like Caleb did.  These two lit a fire in one another from the very first moment they set eyes on each other, but because they fought it so hard, when they did finally give in the flames burned so hot that I had to put the book down for a cold showed just to be able to finish it.  After another sleepless night where I refused to go to bed until this one was finished, I can honestly say it was my favorite of the three so far and I am looking forward to the next in the series and hopefully many more to come. Magic as always Donna, but boy-oh-boy you outdid yourself this time for sure and will have a lot of live up to with the next one!

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: Amber's Heat (Guarded Souls)

Amber's Heat (Guarded Souls)

by Lexxie Couper 

Blurb:

He’s been a lone wolf for centuries, the last of his species. A secret. And then she enters his life. But is she the future he’d never imagined he could have…or is she his worst nightmare?

Who is the hunted, and the hunter?

Kitt Newton accepted the fact he’s the last known dire wolf shifter on the planet centuries ago. He’s okay with that. Work keeps him busy. Can’t think about being alone when he’s busy protecting people—humans—after all. And who really needs to be mated for life? However, when he’s captured by a mysterious hunter, the last person he expects to save him is Amber Calegari, a woman he met at a café a few weeks ago.

Amber has spent her life studying dinosaurs. Specifically canis dirus from the late Pleistocene period. She’d thought she’d gone mad when she found evidence of an ancient human/dire wolf species. And even madder when she followed the trail to LA…and a man called Kitt Newton. Surely the massive hunk of burly hotness couldn’t be some kind of paranormal creature? Right? And if he is, shouldn’t she—as a scientist—reveal his existence to the world?

An apex predator has no right being drawn to a weak, fragile human, but is Kitt mistaken about Amber? And if he is, what the hell is he going to do about it, especially when he feels the mating bond begin to burn within him whenever she is near…

Themes: Paranormal

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Lexxie Couper strikes again with a fun and sexy story of two souls destined for one another and a dangerous foe that neither ever saw coming. I began reading this series as a fluke when I was offered the chance to read the second story and offer my opinion by the author.  Of course being me, I had to go back to the beginning and read the first story too, so I have been there from the beginning and I can say that the series just keeps getting better and better.  I have never read a story by Lexxie that has let me down as far as the sensuality and carnal passion between her characters, though I have been let down in the past by the overall plots, but I am thrilled to report that this series has been amazingly well rounded in all regards.  This third story in the series was even more enjoyable, though I might be a bit biased being a wolf lover through and through, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what comes next. Fans of Ms. Couper will recognize her miraculous skill at leading her lovers into the strangest of situations and making it seem perfectly natural for them to figure out a way to escape.  Even when you are gasping in fear, you know that the H/h will pull through and find a way to defeat the evil that is stalking them and this story is no different in that regard, even if the evil turned out to be much closer to home than either of them originally believed. I cannot wait for book four and am dying to find out what kind of trouble Dak and the others are going to get themselves into and maybe see who he and Nim fall in love with most of all.

Kitt and Amber have been circling one another for months as he slowly began to fall for her, so he was dearly surprised when he wakes up in a cage to find her rescuing him from an evil dude that has kidnapped him.  Amber finds a way to get them away, but as soon as they are alone it is time for her to come clean and explain to him how she was there to save him.  Amber doesn’t really want to admit that she has basically been stalking him, watching him and trying to find proof that he is in fact a dire wolf shifter, and now she has her proof.  The passion between them, though, is undeniable and she is beginning to wonder if the scientific discovery will be worth losing the man she is coming to care for.  With danger swirling around them, Kitt and Amber find that their chemistry and the magnetic draw to one another is irresistible now that Amber knows the truth and Kitt can stop hiding his true nature from her.  But at the same time can he handle putting the woman he is coming to love in mortal danger just by loving her, or will he make the choice to give up their love to keep her safe?

I loved Kitt and Amber’s story, and though it is short(ish), it was undeniably my favorite of the series.  Kitt is witty, sarcastic, and sexy with just the right amount of edginess to make any woman swoon, while still being sweet and loving to his woman.  And of course there is no discounting his willingness to kill anyone who threatens her or even makes her feel worried. His alpha nature and caring heart make him the perfect mate and once he gives his heart there is no taking it back. Amber was a sweetheart, if a little bit clueless in the beginning, but once she began to open her eyes to the depth of the world around her, you could see her intelligence and courage would serve her well.  There was no denying she had ulterior motives in the beginning of her relationship with Kitt, but it becomes abundantly clear in the end that she couldn’t survive without him and that makes me love her immensely.  Together they make a perfect team and you can see they are going to be a match that burns forever and helps light the way for others for generations to come.  The Guarded Souls team is filled with interesting and unique characters that I know are all going to have their own unique and fantastic stories of love as they find their mates in coming novels and, though I am particularly interested in Nim’s story, being a Wiccan practitioner myself, I know that Ms. Couper will do well by all of them as she leads them on a merry chase for love.  If you are a fan of short but well written and sensual stories of remarkable individuals that have come together to face the dangers in the paranormal world, then this series is just the one for you. Another marvelous addition to my digital bookshelves for sure.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: You Will Suffer (The Agency #3)

You Will Suffer (The Agency #3)

by Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

Every small town has a secret...and this one is worth killing for. The rolling fields outside Curry, Oklahoma, are a beautiful spot to ramble on an early spring day...and a lonely place to die. Among the prairie grass and wildflowers, a killer kneels beside a curled-up figure, plunging a syringe beneath skin to deliver the fatal dose. And as the victim's last breath mingles with the air, it sends a warning out to the world: this is just the beginning. Rejecting her judge father's prestigious connections, Ellie Guthrie opened her own law firm in Curry. But something strange is going on. Ellie's tires are slashed. Dead rats are dumped on her patio. Her neighbour, former FBI agent Nate Marcel, insists on watching out for her. And then bodies begin turning up - supposed overdoses that Nate suspects are something much more sinister. There's a killer in town, toying with her, drawing both Ellie and Nate into a web of murder and vengeance. To find answers, she'll have to unearth this small community's dark and twisted past...before it's her turn to die. Look for more page-turning suspense from Alexandra Ivy with Pretend You're Safe and What Are You Afraid Of?, out now.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

Small towns have secrets just like any big city and Alexandra Ivy has the skill to draw them out and show readers that danger can lurk around any corner if you aren’t watching your step.  I loved reading this story and enjoyed very much seeing another couple working together to overcome the evil that is so easily hidden in humans, evil that people just don’t think about because we don’t want to imagine it those we know and sometimes love.  Ellie has moved to the small town where she began her life, opening a law firm again the wishes of her big-city ambitious parents, and deciding to live a simple life.  She has caught the attention of her neighbor, retired FBI agent Nate, but she has to this point managed to evade his every advance, until one day she has no choice but to accept his assistance when her care is rendered unusable.  Nate has wanted Ellie from the first moment he saw her and when he finally gets her alone the chemistry between them is amazing, but soon he sees that there is danger around the sexy lawyer that he will put them both in the crosshairs of a dangerous killer if her pursues her.  Working together they have to find a way to stop a madman that is killing people and working to end Nate and Ellie’s chance at a future together.  Ellie is strong woman, one that has taken her life and choices into her own hands, despite her overbearing parents’ demands give up her small-town dreams.  She is determined to forge her own path and find a way to make her mark on her hometown while truly making a home for herself, and Nate is not someone she imagined crashing into her life.  Nate is a kick-ass protector and will give his all for the woman he loves, but he also has a calm and sweet side that has led him to want a simpler life, just like Ellie and he is working to make his mark on Curry in his own way as well. The heat between them is off the charts and when they are no longer able to resist it, we watch as they burn one another up in only the best of ways.  I truly enjoyed seeing Nate and Ellie find a way to overcome the danger and drama around them as well as coming to terms with their feelings for one another and forging a life together.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next in this series or whatever series is next for Alexandra Ivy.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: The Last True Cowboy (Chestnut Creek #1)

The Last True Cowboy (Chestnut Creek #1)

by Laura Drake

Blurb:

This cowboy's got one last chance to prove himself.

Carly Beauchamp has loved cowboy Austin Davis since first grade. Ask anyone in their dusty, backwater New Mexico town of Unforgiven, and they'll say "Carly and Austin" the way some say "big trucks and country boys." But after years of waiting for a wedding ring, Carly's done with being a rodeo widow . . .

Austin never meant to put his career on the circuit before Carly. She's always been his future, his one and only. But now that she's moved on, he's beginning to see where he went wrong, and he'll do anything to win her back. The only thing is, Carly's suddenly acting differently, and she's definitely hiding a secret-one that will test the depth of their love and open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Themes: Contemporary, YA Romance

Rating: 2.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Well I have to say, I really didn’t enjoy this story much, though the ending when it finally came was pretty decent.  I am all for cowboys usually and stories about growing pains, I was even willing to overlook the secret she was hiding, which is one of my least favorite book tropes, but in the end I had to force myself to finish this one.  Carly has finally decided that she is going move on from the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, because he hasn’t truly committed to her, and breaks up with her.  Apparently this is nothing new though, to the point that it is a running joke with the whole town, and even though she has decided she means it this time, no one but her believes it.  To this point, I was just upset that the story was kind of childish and was hoping it would get better, but then Carly just got stupid and I really began to dislike her.  Austin on the other hand is just a scared kid that hasn’t yet grown up, pushing his girl off again and again despite loving her deeply and being fully committed to her physically if not emotionally.  From there the story when downhill fast, with tons of angst, idiotic decisions and the consequences that inevitably follow, and finally both of them growing-the-fuck up, almost too late. Maybe the problem is just that I am not a fan of YA romances for this very reason, but I can say for sure I was ok with the ending once Carly and Austin owned up to their shit and dealt with it. Carly might have been a good woman, in that she gave of herself to her family and friends, but she was purely selfish in her relationship.  When she was forced to deal with the consequences of her actions and the ways that she had to grow up in order to be what she needed for those around her I began to respect her a lot more and even like her a little bit.  Austin too had a lot of growing up to do and once her finally did and accepted his own errors and responsibility in ruining his relationship, he became the man he always needed to be for Carly.  I learned to like the, both and see that they could be a great couple in the end, but it took way too long to get there and since I already dealt with my own personal growing pains long ago I didn’t really feel up to reading about anyone else’s.  If you are into YA romances, then you will probably enjoy this novel a lot more than I did as it was well written and the issues being dealt with are important for young adults and dealt with well, but it just was not my thing.  I will probably not continue this series, but it was worth the try.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Highland Crown (Royal Highlander #1)

Highland Crown (Royal Highlander #1)

by May McGoldrick 

Blurb:

Inverness, 1820

Perched on the North Sea, this port town―by turns legendary and mythological―is a place where Highland rebels and English authorities clash in a mortal struggle for survival and dominance. Among the fray is a lovely young widow who possesses rare and special gifts.

WANTED: Isabella Drummond

A true beauty and trained physician, Isabella has inspired longing and mystery―and fury―in a great many men. Hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, she came to the Highlands in search of survival. But a dying ship’s captain will steer her fate into even stormier waters. . .and her heart into flames.

FOUND: Cinaed Mackintosh

Cast from his home as a child, Cinaed is a fierce soul whose allegiance is only to himself. . .until Isabella saved his life―and added more risk to her own. Now, the only way Cinaed can keep her safe to seek refuge at Dalmigavie Castle, the Mackintosh family seat. But when the scandalous truth of his past comes out, any chance of Cinaed having a bright future with Isabella is thrown into complete darkness. What will these two ill-fated lovers have to sacrifice to be together…for eternity?

Themes: Historical, Scotland

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

We begin an all new series, set in turbulent 19^th century Scotland, with a bang as Isabella and Cinaed find love in the most unlikely of times and places during the danger and drama of a deadly escape and evade maneuver for the ages.  I am a huge fan of pretty much any story set in Scotland and I have come to really enjoy the work from this husband and wife team under the pen name of May Goldrick, but I think I will enjoy this series even more than the previous one.  Isabella is on the run from the government and the rebels as she tries to get out of Scotland after the death of her husband in a firefight in their home.  She has lived her life in a dangerously odd profession for a woman as a physician, but she refuses to hide her calling when a shipwreck washes a man up at her feet with a gunshot wound.  Cinaed wakes to find a beautiful woman caring for him, but soon realizes that he owes his life to a woman that is in serious need of a protector and he must decide is he is willing to fill that role.  Cinaed is the type of hero that could lead an army into battle with no trouble at all, his charisma and sensuality could also lead any woman into sin in the blink of an eye, but his dedication and steadfast nature are even more enchanting.  Isabella is brave and smart and a woman way before her time, but her willingness to forfeit even her own safety to protect those around her is what truly makes her a heroine in my eyes. I enjoyed very much seeing Cinaed and Isabelle working together to outsmart those that hunted them as they slowly found their footing in a relationship that built slowly even though their attraction to one another was immediate.  There is a kind of subtle and sweet heat between them from the beginning and when they give in to it, it become they are meant to be together despite the world pulling them apart again and again.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next in this series and seeing how the war affects the lives of these people. Another great series begins and I am dying to see where we go from here.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Covert Games (Redemption Harbor #6)

Covert Games (Redemption Harbor #6)

by Katie Reus 

Blurb:

She was supposed to be a means to an end…

Redemption Harbor Consulting’s greatest enemy, Alexei Kuznetsov, is in their sights. For RHC cofounder Leighton, toppling the treacherous criminal’s empire is one more small step toward making up for his own past. To destroy Kuznetsov, he’ll go through the Russian’s niece, a woman Leighton suspects may also be guilty of dirty deeds. A woman he doesn’t count on wanting…who boils his blood and makes Leighton want things he doesn’t deserve with someone he can’t have.

Now she’s everything to him…

Despite other prospects, family loyalty has Lucy Carreras running one of her uncle’s prosperous hotels. But the longer she observes its operations, the more she believes the elegant establishment is host to some shady exploits. When her suspicions are confirmed by Leighton—a dangerous man straight out of her fantasies—Lucy’s entire world explodes when she learns just how evil her uncle’s sins are. Now she can’t stand by and let it continue. She and Leighton will take Alexei down together…if they can survive the deadly storm hurtling toward them.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The longtime foe of the RHC team has finally gone too far this time.  This series has been going on for a while now and one of the most dangerous villain’s they faced was the disgusting criminal Alexei Kuznetsov, but the time has finally come for them to get the chance to bring him down once and for all.  I have loved reading this series and seeing each of the team members fall in love, from the very beginning I have become invested in each character and known that I just had to be along for the ride until the very end, and the final love story has finally dropped. Leighton has been the quietest and vaguest of characters to this point, we finally get to know him fully as he find love in the most unlikely of places.   When Hazel, Leighton’s FBI contact, brings him a mission that leads him to Kuznetsov’s operation, asking for her help to rescue a young woman, Leighton knows that he cannot resist and immediate pulls the teams in to get started.  Looking for a way in, the team soon discovers that the bastard’s niece might be just the link they needed, despite the fact that she looks clean on the surface.  The moment Leighton comes face-to-face with Lucy he is struck with an intense attraction and his instincts tell him that she is innocent in her uncle’s dirty dealings, but is probably an asset to their cause, if he can force himself to use her that way. Lucy is instantly attracted to the man she meets, and despite her belief that no man stays or is ever worth the effort, she gives Leighton her trust and a chance.  Soon they are thrust into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, but Leighton refuses to let Lucy be in true danger and will give up anything to keep her safe and in his life.  Leighton was sweet and sexy hell as we kicked butt to make sure that Kuznetsov didn’t get away again, but when he let himself begin to truly feel for Lucy we see a whole new side of him.  He was such a wounded hero, one that needed an open heart to heal his own, and thankfully he found that in Lucy.  Lucy has lived her life in a bubble, turning a blind eye to the truth of her Uncle’s dealings, ever since her parents’ death, even if she considers herself to be worldly.  Leighton opens her eyes in a big way and when she sees the truth and accepts it, she is immediately determined to do whatever she has to in order to make up for her Uncle’s misdeeds, showing how sweet and noble she really is.  I enjoyed seeing her soften Leighton’s rougher edges, even as he showed her the strength that truly existed within herself.  The passion that sparked between them was intense and fast burning, but though it burned bright and hot we can see that it will also be a long-burning fire that will keep their relationship alive for their entire lives.  I am so glad Leighton found his perfect mate, even if it was in a strange and unexpected place.  This was definitely another Katie Reus masterpiece. 

UPDATE:  I just learned that, while the last main team member has met their mate, there will in fact be one more novel in the series about Nova’s bestie Layla and I cannot wait.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: Hot Under the Collar (The Dogmothers #1)

Hot Under the Collar (The Dogmothers #1)

by Roxanne St. Claire 

Blurb:

Firefighter Braden Mahoney is devastated when his beloved Weimaraner, Jelly Bean, fails the canine arson investigator test. Faced with the challenge of raising the money for advanced training, it’s Braden’s sweet grandmother and her best friend who suggest he use the services of the new event planner in town. Not that he needs a push in Cassie Santorini’s direction. Ever since she arrived, Braden has had his eye on the sassy Greek goddess…and can’t stop thinking about getting the rest of him on her, too.

Cassie has spent years putting family first, even moving to Bitter Bark when her mother falls in love with the local veterinarian. Having a huge new extended “family” is fun, especially when one smokeshow of a firefighter attends the gatherings, but Cassie has no plans to remain in this small town. She’s ready to pursue her big city dreams. But when Braden asks for an assist for his precious pup, Cassie agrees to help him set up a town-wide scavenger hunt. It isn’t exactly a hardship to be around those blue eyes and brawny shoulders, especially since they both agree everything – even the undeniable sparks that crackle between them – is temporary.

But when temporary gets complicated by feelings that might lead to forever, Braden and Cassie start to question the direction they’re headed. Should they follow their dreams…or their hearts? It’ll take a dog with a bad nose and a sweet soul, two particularly meddlesome grandmas, and some help from the clan that loves them to make sure Cassie and Braden follow the clues and find their way to each other’s arms.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

When the Dogfather began his quest to find love for all six of his children he never imagined he would end that quest by finding love again after the loss of his beloved wife, and he certainly never imagined the way his family would expand. Now that he is happily settled into his new life, with Katie and her children not-quite-but-almost seamlessly integrated into his family, Daniel has hung up his mantel as the Dogfather.  But when Katie’s former mother-in-law returns and teams up with Gramma Finnie, the love is once again in the air—the Dogmothers are on the Case—and Cassie and Braden are their first victims, I mean project.  This series is filled with so much love, laughter, sweetness, and sadness that sometimes I wish I could get ahold of Roxanne and remind her that her skill as a writer is just a little too good.  I loved every second of this story, even when I was crying unstoppably and I am dying to see what comes next for this amazing family.  Never to be forgotten are the amazing dogs that make these stories just that much more fun and interesting, because while some might say that dogs don’t make life, to me they make life worth living. Magic is in the air in this little town and he torch has been passed to the Dogmothers in a big way!

Cassie and Braden have been circling each other for months, ever since their first meeting, because they both know that the chemistry between them is not only undeniable, but it’s stronger than anything they have ever experienced before.  But each of them has their reasons for refusing to give in to their need for the other.  Braden lost his father to the job at a young age, and while it didn’t stop him from following in his footsteps professionally, he has refused to begin a life with a woman or build a family for the fear of one day leaving them behind like his father did.  Cassie knows she is leaving, as soon as she possibly can, to begin her life of big city dreams and ambitions, and she doesn’t want to begin something with Braden because she knows he will give her the one reason that would make her stay. When the Dogmothers begin interfering in their lives, Cassie decides to convince Braden to help her trick them while also helping him with a project he desperately needs to make his own dreams come true.  Soon they are unable to deny their desires and the emotions they have both hidden from are too much to resist, but when tragedy strikes they must decide if their love for one another is worth fighting through their fears and finding the happiness they could have together.

I LOVED getting to know these two characters more and finally finding out why they have been resisting one another for so long; readers of the Dogfather series saw that chemistry from the first moment they met in the previous novel and were just waiting for the fire to burn, but couldn’t figure out why they resisted so hard. Braden is the perfect guy to be honest… he’s a firefighter, so that pretty much shows right off that he is brave, loyal, strong, and dedicated.  You can see from the way he is with his dog(s) that is the also sweet, loving, and willing to work his butt off for those he loves, and of course all of those qualities combined with his physical hotness make him sexy beyond measure.  The way he works to make sure that he gives those he loves what they need makes me love him all the more, even when I wanted to slap him upside the head for his asinine belief that he could never commit to a woman because of the loss of his father.  Cassie herself has her issues that made me want to yell at her for being an idiot more than once. While Cassie is certainly a smart woman, filled with ambition and the drive to make a name for herself, she never really sees the impact that she could make if she stopped looking forward and instead looked around at the present for opportunities.  Seeing her with her family certainly left me in stitches more often than not, but when it counted she rallied around those she loved and showed them that she would be there for them no matter what, just as they always had been for her.  In the end, I came to really love Cassie, mainly because Jelly Bean did (wink wink) and the judge of any great person is a great dog.

The first foray into matchmaking for the Dogmothers was rocky and filled with drama, but in the end Gramma Finnie and YiaYia came through for Cassie and Braden.  I enjoyed every second of these two crazy old broads working together to bring their grandkids together for the kind of love they themselves had with their husbands. Cassie and Braden were both interesting characters with hang-ups they had to work through in order to earn the right to embrace a love that would bring them both the happiness thy needed to make themselves whole for the rest of their lives.  Braden was a strong and sexy man with the dedication to his work and his family that is the type of man I have been looking for all my life and I loved seeing him find his way into Cassie’s heart.  Cassie herself had to find a way to look inward to find what she really needed out of life, but once she did she discovered that sometimes what we need is right in front of us all along.  Once Cassie let go of that and embraced a new dream, the love she showered on her man and his dog(s) made me love her all the more as a character and as the love of Braden’s life. The passion and heat between these two burns the pages up, even when they were resisting one another, but once they gave in and began embracing their desires there was no way to put this book down.  I enjoyed very much seeing these two working together to get past their fears and the troubles in their lives to find a path to their happiness and I look forward to seeing them in future novels.  I am dying to see what drama these Dogmothers cook up as they continue to pair off their grandchildren and work to bring them love. If you love a good romance, wrapped around family, small town drama, and the fun and mischief that come from being a dog owner then you can’t go wrong with this series. Keep the magic coming Roxanne and I promise I will keep spreading the word about your magic.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.