eARC Book review: The Second Chance Rancher (The Millers of Morgan Valley #1) by Kate Pearce

Available now
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

It might be the pride of hard work on rugged terrain, the welcoming community, or the memories--but wherever the folks of Morgantown may roam, they have a way of coming back to the ranch . . . 

There's a reason Jackson Lymond left the Air Force, but he's not telling a soul. He'd rather keep things simple, while trying to start a new life helping his older brother on their northern California ranch. At least Morgantown's flirty local bartender can keep his mind off the past--that is, until he runs into Daisy Miller . . .

Daisy doesn't really expect Jackson to remember her. Back in school she did her best to blend in--and pretend she didn't have five brothers who'd hogtie any boy who even looked at her. These days though, she and Jackson might have more in common than just their ranching relatives. After all, they both left home only to return. Trouble is, under the watch of her fiercely protective family, Daisy is longing for some privacy. Letting Jackson into her life could make that even more difficult--or it might be the second chance they're both looking for . . .

This is the first book in a spin off series from the Morgan series. Rachel Morgan got together with Cauy Lymond in the last book of that series and now Jackson his brother is hero in this book. Jackson is a Air Force veteran. He thought it would be his life until something happens and he decides he's done. Now he's home to help his brother and figure out what's next. Then he runs into Daisy Miller the baby girl and only girl of the Miller clan. Her five older brothers drive her nuts sometimes but she can handle them. Daisy is a techy. She had a start up company that didn't go so well and she came back home broken in spirit. Now she's taking another shot at it and keeping it on the downlow. Asking Jackson to be her fake boyfriend to help her cover sounds like a good idea until it all gets complicated by feelings they both agreed not to have. I liked this one but it didn't click for me as well as I had hoped and as much as it did for the Morgan series of books. Cauy and a lot of the Morgan's are in this book which made it a little more fun to read as the characters are familiar. We got a little glimpse at some of Daisy's brothers and some trouble brewing for the family and the town which I'm sure will be addressed as the series continues. A good read for me just not a solid hit out of the ballpark.

Find out more about Kate Peace and this series here www.katepearce.com

eARC Book review: The Hitwoman's Juggling Act (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman #19) by J.B. Lynn

Available now!
eARC Provided by author

You know things are out of hand in Maggie Lee’s world when the least of her problems is tripping over a body. 

Her family has lost their home. 
Her friend, Armani, has lost her psychic mojo. 
And Maggie’s in danger of losing custody of her niece. 

Making matters even worse is she can't refuse the latest job from her mobster boss. Not to mention she must team up with her murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan, and that's….complicated. 

Innocents are at risk, lives are in danger, and a family secret could change everything. 

Maggie has seen some hard times but this might be the worst. No home to live in. Social services are threatening to take her niece Katie away and that's just the beginning. This woman had so much going on I'm not sure how she keeps her sanity. As always JB Lynn writes a book full of action with humor and some scary dangerous stuff too. Somehow she keeps you guessing as to what's coming next. I'm not sure how she keeps this series fresh but she does. Excellent writing and fast paced and interesting with just the right amount of humor make this a excellent read.

Find out more about JB Lynn and this series here www.jblynn.com

eARC Book review: Hot Under the Collar (The Dogmothers #1) by Roxanne St. Claire

Available May 31st 2019
eARC Provided by author

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.

This is a new spin off series from the  Dogfather series. Braden Mahoney needs to raise some serious money to get his dog advanced training to become a arson investigator. Cassie Santorini has always put family first and she's ready for something bigger and brighter in the big city. Any big city with a awesome job will do  Fortunately Grammy Finnie and Yiayia, Braden and Cassie's grandmother's have plans for them both. When Cassie suggests Braden pretend to be her boyfriend to find out what's going on with her grandma he's all in as long as it's temporary. Temporary works with Cassie's plans to leave town. I really loved Cassie and Braden. Even though they come from essentially different worlds they clicked. Braden will help anyone in need and although Cassie comes off at times as a little cold in reality she's just like Braden. When her family has needed her she put off her plans and did what needed to be done. Now she feels it's time to move on with those plans but along came Braden to tempt her into changing them. Sweet couple and a awesome start to this spin off.

Find out more about Roxanne St Claire and this series here www.roxannestclaire.com

eARC Book review: The Cowgirl's Forever Love (Colemans of Heart Falls #1) by Vivian Arend

Available May 21st 2019
eARC Provided by author

Lisa Coleman committed to stay in Heart Falls until her sister’s baby arrives, but after that, she’s moving on. She’s not sure exactly what is on the agenda, so it’s good to still have a few months to figure out her dreams. While she’s waiting, there’s no reason she can’t enjoy herself with the very sexy local veterinarian. A naughty interlude with a man who knows all the right moves would be the perfect distraction from Coleman chaos: newborn baby! New dog! New found family?!

Josiah Ryder is beginning to feel women only want him for one thing. Playing fast and loose was fun in the past, but it’s time for a change. He’s ready to prove he’s in it for the long haul, but the one woman he truly wants insists she’s in town for six months and not a moment longer. He’ll have to pull out all the stops to make Lisa realize nothing out there can compete with finding forever right under her nose.

First book in a new spin off series by Vivian Arend  Lisa Coleman is just in Heart Falls to help her pregnant sister out until her baby comes. After that she's going to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Make decisions for her future. Josiah Ryder is the hot veterinarian with a secret. Both have some messed up family dynamics that have shaped them.  They are both really attracted to each other but both have different ideas on a future. Once Josiah decides he wants to see if he can change Lisa decision to leave Heart Falls he goes all out to get her to be with him. This was a great start to this spin off.  Lisa has to decide what to do with life, be it travel or hang around Heart Falls and Josiah has to show her he's serious about her and settling down. Both have some family issues they are dealing with and there is a surprise or two that comes out in this book. I loved the connection Lisa and Josiah had together. You could feel the chemistry and i love the Coleman sisters interaction. Can't wait to see what happens next. There are hints in this book that get you excited for book two. Vivian Arend always seems to deliver a engaging and wonderful story.


Find out more about this series and Vivian Arend here www.vivianarend.com

eARC Book review: Homecoming for the Cowboy (Bad Boys of Last Stand Book 1) by Nicole Helm

Available May 16th 2019
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Will he break a promise or break her heart? 

Colt Vance owes everything he is to the Martin family, which is why he’s stayed far, far away for years. But now that Fritz Martin has asked him a favor, he’s back in Last Stand facing the one temptation he can’t ever give into: his mentor’s middle daughter. 

Sadie Martin doesn’t like Colt Vance, or so she’s told herself for years. He’s far too charming and has her father wrapped around his finger. But Sadie doesn’t have a choice except to work with Colt to save her beloved goat farm. 

Working together tests Colt’s resolve when it comes to his attraction to Sadie, and Sadie comes to realize she doesn’t just enjoy Colt’s company, she craves it. But Colt can’t break the promise he made to Fritz years ago. Can one tenacious farm girl convince this stubborn cowboy love is always the answer to any problem?

Colt Vance is back home after years away. He's always butt heads with Sadie Martin and being back around her is more of the same but in reality he's been attracted to her forever but he made a promise to  her father to never touch her. Sadie always thought Colt had the approval from her dad that she wanted for herself.  He could do no wrong. Things aren't always what they seem.  The longer Colt and Sadie are around each other butting heads the more they realize they are attracted to each other. This is the first time I have read this  author and i found i really enjoyed the story.  The hero is not shown as a tough man's man at times but it's nice to see a guy be vulnerable. He had some horrible stuff happen to him growing up and he let that fester in him for years. He never had a real female influence in his life growing up and that shows. There were a few eye rolling moments for me but i liked the family and and enjoyed the relationships between the characters.  I'm interested in seeing what happens next in this series.

Find out more about this series and Nicole Helm here www.nicolehelm.com