Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Ridge by @StephanieHurt4 #bookreview

Today’s team review has come from Georgia, she blogs at http://www.georgiarosebooks.com

Georgia has read and reviewed Ridge by Stephanie Hurt

Review for Ridge by Stephanie Hurt

 

Ridge is an easy read, sweet romance between the eponymous Ridge Cauthern, an ex soldier recently back from Iraq and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and the vet, Mallory. I should add here that I loved the names of all the characters in the story. This is the first in a series which I’m assuming will be based on the Cauthern family which is populated by handsome sons, Ridge, Oakley, Chase and Luke and a beautiful daughter, Maggie – all of whom I’m sure have stories waiting to be told. The parents are mentioned but not named.

I do like to use my imagination when conjuring up characters but a little light painting helps to give me something to get started on and I had no real idea what anyone looked like other than the fact that there were all gorgeous. The brothers clearly weakened the knees of all the women they came across and I would have loved to have had some little descriptive passages here and there to show me why they were so fancied. I did like the closeness of the siblings though and would have loved to have known more about their parents as well – perhaps in future stories?

I have always loved a western so give me cowboys, horses, wide open prairies and cattle wrangling and I’m in heaven. However here I wanted much more detail – I wanted the dust and heat, I wanted to see the prairies, smell the sweat of the horses and feel the feelings that were at the heart of this read. Ridge was struggling on his return to the ranch after his experiences of war and initially pushes Mallory away feeling he can’t have any sort of relationship. This resolves itself quickly as his attraction to Mallory increases and, as they keep being thrown together because of animal based incidents, the inevitable happens. It was all so quick though, I’m not sure how long this book is but it felt short and consequently a little rushed. It’s probably only a personal thing and some, I’m sure, love a quick read but I like to dwell a little longer on settings, that for me could be perfect, and situations, that I would have loved to have felt in detail.

I should add that I really did like the cover design, the western style font and the silhouette I thought worked very well.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Lynn reviews Ridge by @StephanieHurt4 #Romance #Bookreview

Today’s team review is from Lynn

She chose to read and review Ridge by Stephanie Hurt

Ridge, the 1st book in the Five Oaks Ranch Series, by Stephanie Payne Hurt  is a love story that follows Ridge Cauthen.  The eldest of the Cauthen Clan who  served in Iraq.  He is now home and working his family’s ranch.  Ridge by chance meets the new Veterinarian;  Mallory.  Ridge is dealing with PTSD from his military service.  PTSD that includes nightmares, flashbacks  and mood swings.  Not an ideal time to try and make someone fall in love with you.  My favorite part of this story was the amount of love, patience and forgiveness Ridge is shown by his family and friends.  I would hope all veterans would receive the same treatment.  I’m not going to tell you if Boy gets Girl, you just have to read it yourself!!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book Review Challenge – A Review from Jessie

Continuing our posts from Book review Challengers today we have a review from Jessie. She blogs at  http://behindthewillows.com

Jessie chose to review “An Englishwoman’s Guide To The Cowboy” By June Kearns.

An Englishwoman’s Guide To The Cowboy – By June Kearns

Here is her review.

For the first time ever I was given a copy of a book to review by it’s author. (Actually what happened was Rosie Amber put out a call for volunteer book reviewers and I stuck my virtual hand in the air and said “Me! Me! Pick me!”  – and then the author gave me a copy.)

But when I got the book, I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. Cowboy and Englishwoman romance- it could be awesome, it could be terrible. I’ve exchanged words with a few authors via book reviews before but never before I read the book. What if I hated it? What would I say? What had I agreed to?

Nothing for it, I took a breath, dove in and on the second page surprised myself by snorting out loud in laughter. Worries banished I settled in, ignored everyone I was on vacation with and spent the remainder of the afternoon giggling, snorting and laughing as I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

Would I recommend it? Had you told me that someone could successfully combine Louis L’Amour and Janet Evanovich I would have rolled my eyes. I would have been so, so wrong.

Is the ending a bit too perfect? Yes.

Did it stop my enjoyment of it? Not even a little bit.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

The 20’s Girl, The Ghost and All That Jazz by June Kearns

The 20’s Girl, the ghost, and all that jazz by June Kearns

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was delightful, I read it in less than 24 hours. Set in 1924 the book covers two extremely different settings. Firstly the English Shires, lush, green, damp and a place short of men after the War and the Flu epidemic. Secondly Texas, vast, hot and dry, full of rough men and cattle.

Gerardina Chiledexter has been left a bookshop and a heap of debts by her flamboyant aunt. When a complete stranger announces that she has been left half a Texas ranch by a man she’s never heard of, a chance to pay off all her debts looks hopeful. But Aunt Leonie left a letter asking Gerry to visit Texas before she sells her half.

On a whim, Gerry travels thousands of miles to Jericho Wells and the Circle O Ranch. But Coop and everyone there make her feel very unwelcome. She struggles to fit in and when Doc Hyde reveals that Coop can’t pay up, Gerry hot tails it back to England.

With no nest egg and the bookshop falling down around them, it looks like Archie’s offer of marriage is the only way out, unless the ghosts that surround Gerry finally get their way. looking forward to reading more by this author.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

I recently reviewed “An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy” also by June, here is a link to the post http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-58k

You can also catch up with June’s guest author interview here http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5bO

Finally June and The 20’s Girl, took par in my April A-Z tour, here is a link to that post. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4wS

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns

An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s 1867 and 9 people are squashed inside a stagecoach as it beats it’s way across the hot dust of Texas. Inside are English trio Annie Haddon, her cousin Charlotte and Aunt Bea. In true British aristocracy style the ladies are broiling in their layers of clothing, gloves and hats, but it is against strict etiquette to be seen in anything less.

The white man is sweeping across the states of America, bringing it’s railway and forcing the native Indians out. Tensions are high and stages coaches easy targets. When the stagecoach crashes in a typical hold up, Annie if left for dead. That is until Colt McCall rescues her.

With an Irish father and a Sioux mother, Colt has had a tough life. He learned to fight hard to get where he is today, he respects the Comanche Indians and hates the way that money and greed of the white man is killing off a way of life. Yet he’s not safe from either side, he’s a wanted man by the army, and he hasn’t much time for a prim and proper English lady.

In the time it takes to get Annie back reunited with her relations at Fort Mackenzie, she learns to like much of the wildness. Stupid and feisty, causing endless trouble for McCall, she’ll stick up for what she thinks is right, making mistakes but earning respect along the way.

I really enjoyed this book, a fan of the old cowboy movies, this book took me back to the old stories about the wild west, with an old fashioned romance. I felt I was watching a movie again and half expected Calamity Jane to walk on set at any time.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

June recently featured on my April A -Z Challenge with her second book “The 20’s Girl, The Ghost and All That Jazz” click here to read the post. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4wS

June will be back tomorrow as our guest author on the blog, and you will be able to read my own review of June’s second book next week on the blog.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Me and Billy The Kid by Briana Vedsted

Me and Billy the Kid by Briana Vedsted

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What do people know about Billy the Kid? The name alone is famous in history and from the silver screen. But what was he really like? Briana has written a book around the stories and tales which abound about this historical character. She has tried to provide possible answers to such questions as; “Why was Sheriff Pat Garrett so bent on catching Billy?”, “Why did Pete Maxwell betray Billy?” and “Was Billy really murdered in 1881?”

Briana introduces Angel Garther to the scene, a women could well had been associated with Billy and his gang. This book is Angel’s tale, the story from her possible eyes. Eyes that saw the reality behind some of famous shootouts, like The Lincoln County War and Gunfight at Blazer’s Mill. Angel is portrayed as a strong women and one who would go to lengths to stay with Billy because she knew that William H Bonney (Billy the Kid) was not a monster, just a kid who’s been hurt a long time ago.

I liked the story, as a kid I loved watching Westerns on a Saturday afternoon. The scenery, the gunfights, the heroes, the goodies and the baddies. It was good to think about what life was more likely to have been, how raw life was, full of hot emotions, where nearly everyone had a gun and men shot first and asked questions second. It certainly was a part of history which shouldn’t be forgotten.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

24 Sleeps ‘Til Xmas Tour Twins Under The Christmas Tree by Marin Thomas (Day 24)

Twins Under The Christmas Tree by Marin Thomas

Description from Goodreads.

Cowboy Up, Daddy! Conway Cash is finally ready to settle down, and he has the perfect woman in his sights. The only thing is, he’s dead set against being a father—and Isi Lopez has twin four-year-old boys. When he finds himself roped into babysitting for them, life starts getting complicated!

Kids or no, Conway soon discovers he and Isi make a great couple. And hanging around with her kids isn’t so bad—that is, until they beg him to be their new daddy. The pressure is piling up for this formerly footloose cowboy …but with some luck, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit, Conway just may find himself in the centre of his own ready-made family!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Marin has previously been a guest on the blog when she joined us for the Romancing September tour, for those of you who may have missed the post, here is a link to find out more about Marin and her writing http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2oO

As part of my yearly  Good deeds challenge I’ve been writing deeds, during the season of Goodwill, that anyone can do to make the world a better place.Today is the last of my daily Good Deed suggestions for readers to follow; Give a gift to a postman/ dustman/ delivery driver/window cleaner/pool man/paperboy or anyone who has done a good job for you.

That’s it folks! Merry Christmas! I’m going to take a couple of days off to spend with the family. I’ll be posting more of my “Rosie Good Read Collections” over the next few days and I’ll be back with book reviews and more after the New Year. Many Blessings to you all. Rosie.

24 Sleeps ‘Til Xmas Tour – Open the Heart Alpine Christmas Romance (Day 17)

Stephanie Hurts 2013 Christmas Romance is call part of an Alpine Romance series – Open the Heart an Alpine Christmas Romance.

Here is my review:

Open the Heart – Alpine Christmas Romance is the first book in Stephanie’s Alpine romance series. Stephanie’s books are gentle romances and usually indulge in her passion for horses and cowboys. This is no different except the scene takes a giant leap to Switzerland and the beautiful snow covered Alps. The story begins with Lacey, a bride left at the church without a groom. A sad setting from which Lacey must pull herself up from and move on with her life. Who can blame her for cashing in her honeymoon tickets and exchanging them for a very different destination. Drake Tyler has his own reasons for hiding away on a Swiss mountain, but he misses the company of fellow Americans, so he more than willing to share his hose for the holidays. In the snow filled scenery a romance blossoms and the story will continue in the second book in the series.

Find a copy on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Let’s check out Stephanie’s interview;

1) Tell us about where your passion for Cowboys has come from.

I’ve always loved horses and what comes with horses, Cowboys. There’s just something about a rugged, windblown cowboy in a Stetson and cowboy boots. I’ve known several personally and let’s just say they are a different breed. I try to bring out their personalities in my books.

2) Your romances are gentle, what age range would they be suitable for?

I try to write my romances so that as young as 16 can read them. I remember reading tender romances at that age and dreaming of one day finding that kind of romance. I just want to remind people that romance is a beautiful thing.

3) How do you choose the names of your characters? Do you have to be mindful of family and friends?

I am very careful when I choose my names. I try not to choose family or friend names very much. I do on occasion use their names but only in dire circumstances. With my cowboys I try to use traditional cowboy type names. They have to be masculine and sturdy.

4) How many books are you planning for the alpine series?

Oh my, the sky is the limit, but truly I’m not sure. The original intent for this book was for it to be a standalone, but low and behold the writer in me couldn’t stand leaving them at one book. I had to revisit Switzerland and my characters. I think I get too attached.

5) When do you plan to have book 2 available for fans?

It should be out toward the end of January or first of February. It will be a Valentine story to continue their story.

6) If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Switzerland for sure. I’ve always wanted to travel there and I can just imagine being there for Christmas. I think that’s what spurred this story on for me.

7) How do you get through January after all the excitement of Christmas?

Oh January is depressing to me, no really. In December I get just like a child. I decorate everything that stands still and I giggle a whole lot. Then when it’s over I feel deflated, but with my writing it helps to bring me back up a notch or two.

8) Tell us about some of the settings for your other books.

As you know I write about cowboys mostly, so a lot of my books are set in rustic towns and horse ranches. Victoria stepped away from that setting. It’s set in my home state that I love, Georgia. But it’s based on a horse ranch during the Civil War. Then The Winner Is Love is mostly set in snow covered Colorado. But for the most part they are on a ranch and that’s also a dream of mine. Maybe one day my writing will allow me to live out that dream too.

9) I believe you’ve recently entered your writing into a competition, can you tell us about it?

Yes! The book is called “Finding The Right Time”  it’s a sort of time travel romance. Of course you will still find horses and cowboys in it. It should be out by the end of the year. Entering a contest was a great experience.

10) Tell us about the next book you are writing.

I have several in the works. “Faith Through The Tears” is the 2^nd book in my Christian Romance series “Lean On Him”. It’s about a man losing his wife to cancer and the struggle he has with finding love again. It’s a tear jerker for sure.

Then there’s “Finding The Right Time” which as I stated above is a time travel romance. It’s set in Savannah during present day and then the mid 1800’s. It’s a little different from my norm.

Also have the 2^nd book in the series this interview is about.

Making good time on the 2^nd book in The Winner series which was last year’s Christmas romance. Funny how you can have so many stories running in your head at once.

Thanks Stephanie, have a very Merry Christmas.

Today my Good Deed suggestion for this season of Goodwill is to give someone you know a lift in your car.

24 Sleeps ’til Xmas tour “The Winner is Love” by Stephanie Hurt (Day 2)

Today on the tour my guest is fellow author Stephanie Hurt and her book “The Winner is Love”. Here is my review of the book;

The Winner Is Love by Stephanie Hurt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A holiday themed romance, The Winner is Love is another great book from author Stephanie Hurt. Set mainly in the snowy mountains of Colorado the story concerns a competition winner and a film star. Stuck without electricity away from any neighbours and without a phone signal they must make do as best they can. The easy friendship turns to a romance in it’s early stages when the weekend comes to an end. Determined to meet again they plan to get together for Christmas. I was all set for a great ending when the book ended on a cliff hanger and the story must pan out in the second in the series coming soon.

Find a copy of the book here from Amazon.co.uk or here from Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Let’s talk to Stephanie some more;

1)  Where is your home town?

Pike County which is south of Atlanta Georgia. I’m a southern girl all the way.

 2) How long have you been writing?

Since I was a young teenager which was well over 30 years ago. I published my first book in May 2012. It’s been such a wonderful experience. I’ve always had a very active imagination and wrote everything down, even some of my dreams which have come out in my books. That’s a little scary.

I write romance and love everything romance. I’ve been reading romance novels for as long as I can remember. The very first long romance I read was “Remembrance” By Danielle Steele and that really inspired me to go with it. A couple of my currently published books actually stemmed from stories I’d written many years ago and I used some of the manuscripts. I actually had to blow the dust off a couple and the words were faded.

3) This book was a move away from romances featuring cowboys, is it the first book you’ve tried on a new theme?

This is the 2^nd book that stepped away from my normal cowboy fetish. My Christian Romance “With All My Heart” didn’t revolve around cowboys. My trademark is cowboys and some have been surprised when I did something out of that box. I enjoyed this experience going with another type character. The main character was easy to write as she is an Accountant and that’s what I do for a daily living. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, so that part was easy, but I kept wanting to put a Stetson on the handsome actor. He just wasn’t the cowboy type.

4)  What made you decide to have a cliff hanger ending?

Funny thing about that, this story started out to be a stand alone book. Then as I continued toward the end, I decided to leave it open to speculation. It’s funny the remarks I’ve received regarding the cliff hanger. Especially since I’ve waited over a year to put out book two. My editor was completely shocked because she didn’t know that I was leaving it like this. She thought it was a stand alone. I love to take people by surprise.

5) How many books in the series do you plan?

That’s an interesting question Rosie. As it goes now I’m planning on just two, but as with the first book, you never know when the inspiration for a third book will hit me.

6)  Is Colorado somewhere you’ve been yourself in winter?

I’ve never been to Colorado. My parents have been and I enjoyed the stories of all the snow and beauty. I’ve always wanted to go, but not to ski. Sometimes we have to realize our limits. LOL

7)  Tell us 5 things about Colorado.

Ok here goes: 1- The beautiful snow covered Rocky Mountains, 2- Even in the Spring Colorado is gorgeous, 3 – It’s a place for romance to bloom with the many romantic lodges and cottages, 4 – The atmosphere is laid back and pleasant or so I’ve been told, 5 – It’s on my Bucket List.

8)  The timescale of your book spreads around the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, is this a favourite time of year for you?

Yes this is my favourite time of the year. I love the chill in the air, the holiday songs which I start tuning in like three weeks before Thanksgiving. I love being with family and friends. Also the biggest part is the birth of Jesus. Oh yeah and the food, you can’t forget the food.

9)  What would be your perfect Christmas; Snow or Sun?

Oh definitely snow. Who doesn’t dream of a white Christmas which is rare here in Georgia. Every once in a while we have flurries on Christmas. I just love to be able to have a crackling fire and drink hot chocolate on Christmas Eve as the snow falls outside.

10) I know you love writing, tell us about your latest book.

I love to talk about my writing. It’s so much a part my life. I’m working on a couple of books. The biggest draw will be my newest Christmas romance which should be out by the time this post goes out. It’s called Alpine Christmas Romance. Here’s a little hint: What do you get when you bring together Switzerland at Christmas, a handsome Cowboy and a woman trying to get over a break up?

Yep, I’ve brought back my cowboy. Also, this is bringing out one of my dreams and that’s to travel to Switzerland. Maybe one day I’ll get to go there, but for now I’ll go there with my character. This one is full of humour, romance and lots of Christmas joy.

Thanks Stephanie, Merry Christmas!

All this month as it is the season of Goodwill, I’m suggesting a Good Deed a day for readers to take part in. Many of you know about my year long challenge to do one Good Deed a day and I’d like you to join in. Today I’d like you to bake a batch of cookies to give away to others.

Romancing September – Author V. Steele (Day 3)

Day 3 of Romancing September, we had another fantastic day yesterday, thanks to everyone who stopped by and showed us their support. Our guest today is author Victoria Steele, come and meet her, then in a few hours head over to Georgia and catch up with her views on writing in today’s society with Stephanie.

1)  Where is your home town?

A small town in rural Georgia. I don’t give out a lot of information due to privacy. That was a piece of advice that I received when I first started publishing in January.

2) How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for a long while, but only just started publishing my books this year. Reading is a hobby of mine and I love to take a story to the finish line.

3) Have you always written romance?

Yes, pretty much. I’ve played with a couple of mysteries, but never finished those. Of course you never know… But I love a good romance. Hopefully my books will make someone reconsider romance. It’s the thought of losing yourself for an hour or two in another world.

4) I love the book cover, can you tell us who designed it?

This is the collaboration of some of my ideas and the cover designer at Horseshoe Publishing. I knew I wanted a cowboy, a woman, and a bull rider. I found the cowboy myself, but Kaleigh Payne, the cover designer just took off with it. She told me to just let her do something and she’d let me see it. When she sent it to me via email I just sat there and said “Holy Cow! She’s read my mind. It was more than I’d expected.” I really think a cover is very important. That’s the first selling point of your book.

5) You’ve chosen to publish with Stephanie’s Horseshoe Publishing, was this an easy decision?

No, this was not an easy decision to start with. Actually, while the first book I published “Sweet Innocence” was in the works, I sat down and played with a couple of crudely designed covers. Then I ran across Stephanie’s books. (Which I’m now a fan of by the way). The covers were incredible. I messaged her and asked where they were designed at or better yet who designed them. She told me her assistant did the cover designs. After I pretty much begged her to help me,  I let her take the ideas and run with them. Her designer totally blew me away. They’ve been really nice and you get your money’s worth. I edited my first two, but the last book “After Hours” I let them edit it. It’s been a great investment and believe me, it gives me more time to write.

6) “Not This Time” is the first book in the “Chasing Cowboys” series, how many books are you planning to write in the series?

Well, I’m not really sure. When I started writing this book it was going to be a stand-alone. But when I neared the end I thought, cowboys are hot right now, why not do a series. I’m working on the next instalment, but not sure about the name. I’ve had to put it on the back burner as I’m trying to finish the second book in the My Prodigy Trilogy. Hopefully, book 2 will be completed before Fall in the Chasing Cowboys Series. I really want to do a Christmas edition.

7)  I recently heard about a new market for books N/A (New Adult), what market is your book aimed at? How steamy is the romance?

I read something a couple of months ago on the Harlequin website about this genre. I don’t know if my books fit in this or not. I haven’t quite figured out what New Adult is. My romances are rated in a scale of 1 to 5 and 5 being “Fifty Shades”, I guess I would put mine at a high 2 or 3. They’re steamy, but not over the top. I always put an age warning. I know I wouldn’t want anyone under 18 reading it, but it’s not that bad.

8) I’m from the UK, where we have few cowboys, farmers! But no cowboys, so I don’t read much western material. In a few lines entice me to pick up your book.

Well, let’s see now. Over here in the states, cowboys are getting popular again in the romance genre. So let’s see if I can bring you over to the cowboy side. She made a half laugh, half growling sound. “Ok, I’ll bite. Who’s the one for me since you seem to know me so well?” She looked up into his mesmerizing eyes and had to hold her ground.

“I do know who’s good for you. That person is standing right here.” He looked serious for a change.

She snorted and pulled her hand out of his. Walking over to the tree she leaned her shoulder against it. “Luke, have you lost your mind? Every time we get close you run away. My heart can’t take this anymore.” As hard as she tried the tears that threatened to overflow slowly ran down her cheeks. “It hurts too much when you get scared and run.”

Sorry, I got a little carried away and did more than a few lines. It’s one of my favourite parts. Don’t worry it’s reeling me in!

9) How do you tackle the romantic / sex scenes in “Not This Time”? Are they tricky to get right?

The romantic scenes can get a little tricky. How far do you go or how far do you have to go to keep the reader interested? Sometimes I will rewrite these scenes several times. Other times they will just flow out of my fingertips. Oh, and the sexual scenes take on a life of their own. It’s like you have to picture it, or it doesn’t flow right. Sometimes I embarrass myself.  But fortunately, the scenes in this book almost wrote themselves. They are based on some things from my own relationship with a cowboy and other things that were from a daydream of what could have been.

10) Can you let us know a planned publishing date for your next book in the series?

I’m shooting for late September/early October. That is if things work out.

“Not This Time” is available from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

I’d like to pass on our warmest thanks to Victoria for joining us on the blog and wish her well with her new book.