Category Archives: Montlake Romance

December 15, 2014 · 11:56 pm

Review: Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown

daisiesTitle: Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 274 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’s here to claim her birthright…

Ex-army sergeant Abby Malloy feels no loss after the father she never knew passes away. Still, part of Ezra Malloy’s ranch belongs to her, and if the stubborn blonde has to live there for a year with two half-sisters who are strangers to her, so be it. Nothing could stand in the way of her inheritance…except a local sheriff wrapped in snug blue jeans and a sexy grin.

He’s here to claim her heart…

Cooper Wilson, the local sheriff and rancher next door, is having his world turned upside down. Abby is all straight talk and sweet, lush curves—the kind of woman who gets under his skin in just the right way. Whereas Cooper has roots in Palo Duro Canyon, Abby’s got wings. But he knows she belongs here. If she can stop running from her past, he’ll happily lead her to a brighter future, one hot cowboy kiss at a time.

The Review:

Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown is an exceptionally well-written, engaging and heartwarming romance. This wonderful novel set in the Palo Duro Canyon is a beautiful love story between Abby Malloy and Cooper Wilson. It is also a healing story about making peace with the past and embracing the unexpected as Abby and her newfound half-sisters, Shiloh and Bonnie, begin a new life on the ranch left to them by the father they never met.

Fresh out of the Army, Abby has lived a transient life for so long that the thought of putting down roots is a foreign concept. But to inherit the ranch left to her by her absentee father Ezra, she has to stay on the ranch for one year. Abby is reluctant to commit to the entire year, so she decides to stay until spring, then she will re-evaluate whether or not it is time to move on. But when she begins to fall for Sheriff and neighbor Cooper Wilson, Abby must decide if she is ready to risk her heart despite not knowing what the future holds.

Abby is a strong, capable woman and she is more than up to the task of learning the ins and outs of ranching. Although she had a stable, happy childhood, Ezra’s abandonment left its mark and she has struggled with commitment issues and a sense of not belonging for most of her life. Her time on the ranch provides the opportunity for Abby to gain a better understanding of herself and some of the choices she has made. But it is not until Abby begins to fall for Cooper that she realizes how deeply Ezra’s rejection has affected her.

It is not at all difficult to understand why Abby is drawn to Cooper. He is deliciously sexy, dependable and hardworking. Between his Sheriff and ranching duties, he has been too busy for a serious relationship but that does not stop him for pursuing Abby once she catches his eye. For the most part, Cooper is content to patiently wait while she works through her problems, but he does gently nudge her towards staying both in the canyon and with him.

Cooper and Abby’s relationship heats up really fast, but the two quickly step back once they realize they have very different plans for the future. However, their paths cross fairly frequently and they become friends all the while trying to ignore to ignore their simmering desire. Cooper and Abby decide to explore their attraction but a misunderstanding and Abby’s fear of commitment threaten their blossoming romance.

The one area of Abby’s life that is relatively trouble free is the unanticipated bond she finds with Shiloh and Bonnie. There is little animosity between them and although their backgrounds are diverse, the three find common ground as they settle into their new lives. Their individual strengths offset one another’s weaknesses and they are surprised by how compatible they are. When Abby’s fears about the future jeopardize her relationship with Cooper, Shiloh and Bonnie are a welcome source of advice and comfort.

Daisies in the Canyon is a sweet, humorous and sometimes poignant novel that is quite captivating. The cast of characters is beautifully developed, appealing and very easy to root for. Carolyn Brown’s love for the Palo Duro Canyon is always apparent and her descriptive prose brings the picturesque setting vibrantly to life. The storyline is refreshing with very little angst or drama. All of the necessary ingredients for a heartfelt, feel good story that I absolutely loved and highly recommend!

1 Comment

Filed under Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Daisies in the Canyon, Montlake Romance, Rated A, Review, Romance

November 14, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Not Quite Forever by Catherine Bybee

not foreverTitle: Not Quite Forever by Catherine Bybee
Not Quite Series Book Four
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 322 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The touching and heartwarming fourth novel in the wildly popular Not Quite series from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Romance author Dakota Laurens believes that happily-ever-afters exist only between the covers of her sexy novels. But to her surprise, she finds a real-life hero when she meets a handsome emergency room doctor. The outspoken author feels an instant and intense attraction to Dr. Walt Eddy, and the feeling is mutual. When the globetrotting doctor pulls a disappearing act on Dakota, she’s prepared to write him off…until fate brings a blindsiding twist to her story.

Still scarred from a past tragedy, Walt may have disappeared on Dakota, but now he’s determined to win her back. For the first time in years, he knows he’s ready for a new chance at love. Yet between Dakota’s doubts and two sets of meddling parents, can the once-blissful couple finally create the bright, loving future they desperately want?

The Review:

Not Quite Forever by Catherine Bybee is a delightful, light read that is fast-paced and engaging. The fourth novel in the Not Quite series, this captivating love story has a charming cast of characters and an angst free storyline. Although part of a series, fans of contemporary romances will be thrilled to learn this novel can be read as a standalone.

Dakota Laurens is a bestselling erotic romance author who meets Dr. Walt Eddy while both are in Florida for different conferences. Walt is intrigued by Dakota at first glimpse while she is instantly attracted to the handsome doctor. Learning they live close to one another in real life, the two enter into a casual relationship that becomes serious a lot sooner than either expect.

Dakota is a refreshing breath of fresh air. She is super organized, straight to the point and unapologetic about her career but she has a horrible track record with men. She is strong and self-confident but she also has the occasional doubts and insecurities that everyone is faced with. Dakota faces most problems head on, but when the unexpected occurs, she turns to family for support.

Walt is extremely busy with his career as an ER doctor so he is thrilled with Dakota’s laidback approach to their relationship. However, their slow-moving get to know you casual dating style is fast-tracked when he needs a date for a family celebration and their romance really heats up. But Walt has been keeping a surprising secret that causes him to back off when things begin to move a little too quickly for him.

Walt and Dakota’s fledgling relationship ends almost before it really begins when Walt’s crisis coincides with Dakota’s unanticipated discovery. Lack of communication leads to a misunderstanding on Dakota’s part and she abruptly flees to her parents. Walt is pretty persistent in his efforts to find her and when he learns the reason behind her departure, he pulls out some pretty impressive stops to win her back. This part of the storyline is particularly touching and while he wants her back, Walt patiently waits until Dakota is ready for their reconciliation.

Not Quite Forever is a wonderfully heartwarming romance that does not shy away from real life issues. Walt and Dakota have complicated relationships with their parents and both sides of the families are slow to warm up to their children’s significant others. Catherine Bybee throws a few obstacles in their path, but Walt and Dakota are more than capable of working through their issues and finding their happily ever after.

Not Quite Forever is a lovely addition to the Not Quite series that I absolutely loved and cannot recommend highly enough!

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Filed under Catherine Bybee, Contemporary, Montlake Romance, Not Quite Forever, Not Quite Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance

August 25, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: Long, Hot Texas Summer by Carolyn Brown

long hotTitle: Long, Hot Texas Summer by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 249 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

A sassy redhead with an axe to grind…

After catching her husband kissing another woman in the barn, Loretta Sullivan Bailey left Lonesome Canyon Ranch and swore she’d never come back. But when her daughter threatens to drop out of college to become a rancher’s wife, Loretta refuses to let her baby make the same mistake she did. She returns to the ranch, determined to get her daughter back in school by the summer’s end…and resolute on ignoring her feelings for her ex-husband.

A bullheaded but oh so sexy cowboy…

A cowboy from his hat to his boots, ruggedly handsome rancher Jackson Bailey is none too pleased that his feisty—and gorgeous—ex-wife has suddenly shown up seventeen years after their divorce. But despite all their fighting and fussing, the two stubborn former lovers soon discover that old flames burn the hottest. Can they finally put aside their differences and find happiness together…forever?

The Review:

Long, Hot Texas Summer is a very sweet and sassy second chance at love romance by Carolyn Brown. Set in beautiful Palo Duro Canyon, TX, it is a completely charming and captivating love story between a long divorced couple who discover they still have feelings for one another seventeen years after their marriage ended.

Loretta and Jackson Bailey are childhood sweethearts who married young and settled on his family’s ranch to raise their daughter Nona. However, their idyllic marriage ended a few years later after Nona caught Jackson in a compromising situation. Loretta’s plan to never return to Texas comes to an abrupt end when Nona announces she is dropping out of college and staying on the ranch with the cowboy who has stolen her heart. Determined to change her daughter’s mind, Loretta packs her bags and shows up unannounced at the ranch where she is planning to stay until she convinces Nona to change her mind. Loretta’s got her work cut out for her convincing Nona to go back to school, but pretty soon, the biggest problem she’s facing is her unexpected (and unwanted) attraction to Jackson.

Loretta is a feisty woman and given how stubborn she is, it is hard to believe that she walked away from Jackson without a fight. The reasons for her decision are multi-faceted and it takes a lot of introspection before she can figure out the underlying reasons for her long ago choices.

Jackson fully accepts his share of the blame in their break up and until Loretta’s return, he has not delved too deeply into what precipitated his foolish actions so long ago. Like Loretta, it takes a lot of reflection to understand why he so easily let her go.

Jackson enjoys having Loretta back in his life and he gently teases, coaxes and annoys her while trying to tempt her back into his bed. Loretta is surprised by how easily she slips back into the day to day operations on the ranch and pretty soon, her animosity towards Jackson begins to diminish. As Loretta and Jackson work together, they begin to reminisce about the good times they shared, but more importantly, they have a long overdue, honest discussion about what led to their break-up. As they lay the ghosts of their past to rest, Loretta and Jackson decide to explore their passion for one another, but does this mean they have a chance for a future together?

Long, Hot Texas Summer is a warm and inviting story with a fabulous cast of lovable characters and a realistic storyline. The various conflicts are credible and the resolution of the various story arcs is believable and delightfully angst free. Another down-to-earth and fun-filled romance by Carolyn Brown that I highly recommend.

6 Comments

Filed under Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Long Hot Texas Summer, Montlake Romance, Rated B+, Review, Romance

August 11, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee

Title: Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee
Weekdays Bride Series Book Five
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense
Length: 309 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

He’ll do anything to keep her safe…for the rest of their lives.

Romance and excitement tie the knot in Taken by Tuesday, the fifth book in Catherine Bybee’s bestselling Weekday Brides series.

Judy Gardner: College graduate Judy stands ready to conquer the world…if she can get a job. Hoping to transition from aspiring architect to famous architect as quickly as possible, the dark-haired beauty moves to LA, staying in the home of her celebrity brother, Michael Wolfe. But it’s hard for Judy to focus on work when the sexy bodyguard she fell for last summer keeps showing up in her life and leaving her breathless.

Rick Evans: With his hard body, green eyes, and easy smile, Rick could have any woman he wants. But the Marine-turned-bodyguard only has eyes for Judy and her spitfire attitude. When a faceless villain attacks Judy, Rick will stop at nothing to protect the woman who opened his heart from the monster hunting her.

The Review:

Taken by Tuesday is the fifth installment in Catherine Bybee’s delightfully entertaining Weekday Brides series. In this outing, Judy Gardner and Rick Evans finally get the opportunity to explore the attraction that sparked between them when they were introduced in the previous book in the series, Single by Saturday.

Judy and Rick are a wonderful pairing and while it takes a while for their romance to get going, there is plenty of heat between them. Judy is not adverse to flirting with the hot bodyguard, but she easily deflects his efforts to take their relationship beyond friendship. She finally agrees to go out on a date with him, but their romance is quickly derailed by a vicious attack on Judy. The police investigation takes a very surprising turn and after an unexpected complication arises, Judy comes up with an ingenious scheme that will change the course of the investigation, but will Rick go along with her crazy plan?

The first part of Taken by Tuesday is fun, flirty and lighthearted. There is plenty of teasing banter between Rick and Judy and their scenes crackle with sexual tension. Judy is focused on jumpstarting her career while Rick lingers on the periphery of her life as he tries to convince her to give their relationship a chance.

Taken by Tuesday turns much darker when Judy is attacked. This part of the storyline is the catalyst for the change in their relationship from friends to lovers.  Rick and Judy team up to uncover the stalker’s identity and their investigation is soon interspersed with scorching hot love scenes. Before they can figure out what is next for them as a couple, the stalker makes his move and Judy’s life hangs in the balance.

Taken by Tuesday is  a marvelous addition to the Weekday Brides series.  Catherine Bybee perfectly blends romance and suspense into a fast-paced and engaging novel. The story races to a pulse pounding and dramatic conclusion but a sweet epilogue puts the finishing touches on Judy and Rick’s romance.

Although Taken by Tuesday can be read as a standalone, it is worth mentioning that many of the characters from previous novels make guest appearances and it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out the various connections.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the series HERE.

3 Comments

Filed under Catherine Bybee, Contemporary, Montlake Romance, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Romance, Suspense, Taken by Tuesday, Weekday Bride Series

July 23, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Return to Homecoming Ranch by Julia London

homecoming ranchTitle: Return to Homecoming Ranch by Julia London
Pine River Series Book Two
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 334 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Curly-haired Libby Tyler never stops smiling…until her beloved boyfriend suddenly forces her out of their home and away from his adoring kids. When she learns he dumped her for his flighty ex-wife, Libby’s sadness turns to fury—and she very publicly smashes his truck with a golf club, earning herself a trip to a mental health center for some “rest.”

Handsome, hazel-eyed deputy Sam Winters has been sober for two years. Afraid of backsliding, he lives in the mountains and keeps his distance from people. Yet he never forgot Libby, his former colleague at the sheriff’s office whose charm and cheerfulness always warmed his days.

Now Libby’s back, ignoring the townspeople’s whispers (and her ex’s restraining order) while desperately trying to make Homecoming Ranch a successful event destination. She keeps causing trouble for Sam, but he finds her smile more beautiful than ever…and his touch gives her thrills she’s never felt. Could these two lost souls mend each other’s broken hearts?

The Review:

Return to Homecoming Ranch is the second novel in Julia London’s Pine River series. This installment features another one of the Tyler sisters and it is a poignant and very heartwarming story.

Return to Homecoming Ranch opens not long after Libby Tyler’s very public breakdown where she attacked her ex-boyfriend’s truck with a golf club. A week of intensive, inpatient therapy has helped her regain her equilibrium, but she still has hopes of regaining her lost family. A recovering alcoholic, Deputy Sam Winters knows what it is like to pick up the pieces after a public fall from grace. So when Libby violates the restraining order her ex took out on her, instead of arresting her, Sam takes a softhearted approach and lets her go with a stern lecture. Libby keeps getting into trouble, Sam continues to rescue her and before long, their somewhat uneasy friendship leads to romance.

Libby is a passionate, vivacious and giving young woman but she is also impulsive, reckless and stubborn. The end of her four year relationship blindsided her but it was losing her ex’s two young kids that really broke her heart. Libby has irrational and unrealistic expectations of salvaging her relationship with the kids and nothing and no one can convince her otherwise. It is incredibly frustrating watching her self-destruct time and again and while Sam’s efforts to help her are well-intentioned, he should have let her deal with the consequences of her actions much, much sooner.

Sam works hard to maintain his sobriety and he now leads a solitary, quiet, peaceful life. He is incredibly patient with Libby and his feelings run much deeper than just friendship. Sam has serious reservations about becoming involved with Libby, and he is very upfront about what he needs from her to make things work between them. But Sam’s expectations are impossible to maintain and Libby makes a rash and impetus decision that jeopardizes their relationship.

Adding to Libby’s problems is the future of Homecoming Ranch. She and her sister Madeline are struggling to turn it into a hotspot for destination events, but they are running into numerous snags while working on their current project. Libby is also having problems with a fundraiser she is spearheading and in order to make it a success, she needs the expert assistance only her estranged sister Emma can provide and her arrival sets the stage for the next book in the Pine River series.

Return to Homecoming Ranch is a wonderful novel and Julia London deftly handles very difficult subjects with ease. Sam and Libby are well-developed, imperfect protagonists who eventually (if somewhat painfully) triumph over their personal demons. All in all, this heartfelt romance is compelling, entertaining and emotionally satisfying.

4 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Julia London, Montlake Romance, Pine River Series, Rated B, Return to Homecoming Ranch, Review, Romance

March 12, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: Beneath the Patchwork Moon by Alison Kent

beneathTitle: Beneath the Patchwork Moon by Alison Kent
Hope Springs, TX Series Book Two
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 282 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Hope Springs, Texas, every first love deserves a second chance.

Luna Meadows wove a successful career out of creating the sumptuous, richly hued scarves that adorn Hollywood’s elite. Now she wants to give back to her hometown of Hope Springs, Texas, by creating a community arts center on the property that once belonged to her best friend: a talented musician named Sierra who perished in a car crash at age eighteen. As Luna sorts through the personal belongings left in the Caffey family’s former home, she confronts her own guilt and memories. But when Angelo Caffey—Sierra’s brother and Luna’s first love—returns unexpectedly, Luna must also face the pain of their long-ago relationship.

Headstrong, handsome Angelo walked away from Hope Springs—and Luna—eight years ago. But this time, he’s staying until he gets his answers. Still haunted by Sierra’s mysterious accident, he demands to know the secrets Luna has harbored all these years. But will revealing the truth leave Luna heartbroken? Or can she finally bury the past and help Angelo come home for good?

The Review:

Alison Kent’s Beneath the Patchwork Moon is an emotional and poignant novel of new beginnings for both Luna Meadows and Angelo Caffey. Although she has a thriving business, Luna has not quite moved on from the accident that took the life of her close high school friend, Sierra Caffey. On the ten year anniversary of Sierra’s death, Luna is finally making positive changes to her life, but with the return of her first love (and Sierra’s brother) Angelo, will painful memories of their failed romance continue to keep her mired in the past?

Luna’s grief over Sierra’s death is compounded by guilt and a long held secret that she has never revealed. Their close friendship is one of her most cherished memories and while Luna recovered physically from her own accident that day, she never quite recovered emotionally. But the ten year anniversary marks the beginning of many changes to Luna’s life. She has purchased a loft and she is leaving the family home for the first time. A new baby is on the way and Luna is about to become a sister for the first time. Luna bought the old Caffey property when it went into foreclosure and she plans to build a community arts center in Sierra’s memory. Just as she begins clearing out the Caffey family belongings, she is surprised by Angelo’s return and she soon realizes that in order to heal, she will need to reveal her closely guarded secrets.

Angelo is also deeply mourning his sister’s death but his grief is also compounded by anger and guilt. He cannot let go his guilt for not helping Sierra more when she needed him but at the time, he had enough to deal with since the weight of taking care of his family fell on his young shoulders. After his family fell apart under the weight of their grief, they disowned Angelo after he finally took action to save them from complete ruin. That day also marked the end of his four year relationship with Luna when Angelo left Hope Springs for good.

Beneath the Patchwork Moon is a leisurely paced romance with a great deal of introspection but the mystery of the day of the accident adds a bit of suspense and drama to the unfolding story. Learning the secrets of the past drives the first half of the novel, while dealing with the aftermath of these revelations drives the last half. Despite the sometimes melancholy memories, the novel remains upbeat and positive. The attraction between Luna and Angelo simmers under the surface of all of their interactions and their romance is interwoven with their efforts to make peace with the past. All of the various storylines are neatly but realistically wrapped up and the end of the novel adroitly sets up the next installment of Alison Kent’s Hope Springs, TX series.

1 Comment

Filed under Alison Kent, Beneath the Patchwork Moon, Contemporary, Montlake Romance, Rated B, Review, Romance, TX Series