Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Wrestlin' Christmas by Shanna Hatfield

Series: Rodeo Romance #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: Sept. 2, 2014
330 pages
About the Book:
Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her silent, solemn son.

Five minutes after Cort McGraw lands on her doorstep, K.C. Peters fights to keep a promise she made to herself to stay away from single, eligible men. When her neighbor said he knew just the person to help work her ranch for the winter, she never expected the handsome, brawny former rodeo star to fill the position.

Ready to send him packing, her little boy has other plans.
 


My Rating & Thoughts:    πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ   (5 stars)

“She expected a grizzled old ranch hand in his retirement years, 
not a good-looking giant of a man in his prime.”

This one made me cry a few times. I couldn’t wait for Cort’s story, he captured my attention in the first book of this series and I was looking forward to reading his happily ever after story. To start this one finding out that he is injured, drinking and depressed made me sad. His family has had enough of his actions and kicks him out of the house and sends him to his best friend, Tate, hoping he can set him straight. I could understand why they did this but I hurt for Cort, it was hard to see what was happening to a character I really liked. Tate and Kenzie try to help him by setting him up with a job on a neighbours farm there he is blindsided by falling for his employer and her son. Kaley has had a hard life, a horrible childhood and then an unhappy marriage, but she had Jacob and he is her whole world, and she will do anything for him. I could understand why she was so protective of him, but some of her actions frustrated me. I liked that Kenzie was able to put this into perspective for her and I so enjoyed witnessing her relationship with Cort grow. The relationship between Jacob and Cort was so sweet, I loved how great Cort was with him and the moment that Jacob cried out to Cort I couldn’t keep the tears at bay. I loved that Cort was able to gain a new perspective and able to turn his life around. I was proud of him and so glad he got the happiness he deserves.

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Kenzie and Tate again and their son Gideon was so cute. The interactions between the two children were absolutely delightful. I truly enjoyed this story and was entertained throughout. I can’t wait to move onto the next book so I can spend some more time with delightful cowboys and the women that catch their attention.

“Men that looked like him, made the morning coffee, and created fruit carvings for little boys should be required to register as some sort of supernatural anomaly, extremely dangerous to the hearts of single, sappy women.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review
are my honest opinion and completely my own.)
 Other Books in the Series:

Friday, November 24, 2017

A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal (Blog Tour)

Welcome to A Season to Dance Blog Tour

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A Season To Dance Cover-1_thumb
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Bling! Romance
Released: May 9, 2017
352 pages
About the Book:

Ballerina Ana Brassfield has her path to the stage of the Met in New York and her future with fiancΓ© Peter Engberg all figured out—until her first love, renowned German dancer Claus Gert, shows up in Georgia to dance with her and win her back. Claus kisses her after a rehearsal, a kiss Peter witnesses from the darkened audience. Convinced a kiss between Claus and Ana is more than a one-time mistake, Peter breaks off his engagement with Ana. Rejected by Peter, and knowing Claus is dancing at the Met soon, Ana decides to repave her path to her dream. With her 2002 Thunderbird and Baryshnikov, an old dog crippled by arthritis, she moves to Germany to be with Claus. But the ghost of his late wife, Ana’s own memories of Peter, and the pressure of earning a spot in a large ballet company prove to be a high price for a shot at success.

   Goodreads / Amazon 

Patricia Beal Bio_thumb[5]

My Rating & Thoughts:    πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ   (3 stars)
 
“Only God knows what if.”

The story follows Ana’s journey to discovering a personal relationship with God. She does not live by Christian values. Her journey is not pretty and she makes mistakes and rash decisions along the way, but eventually she gets there and is able to see that He has always been there for her.

This book was not what I was expecting and there were times I struggled through it. I don’t know ballet at all and the many references to dance movements and songs confused me. I also found myself getting annoyed with some actions of various characters, not just Ana. However I stuck with it and ended up becoming so connected with a few of the characters that I was shedding tears near the end. Not many books get me that emotional. I enjoyed the characters that were put in Ana’s life to share Christ, the way the various interactions interweaved showed how God was always caring for Ana. Eventually Ana discovers peace and true happiness once she lets go and turns to God. I was proud of Ana at the end and am glad that I kept reading. I think those who have an appreciation for dance will enjoy this book.

“Behind God’s every no there is a bigger yes. You have to trust
in His choices for your life, knowing He sees the big picture and you don’t.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review
are my honest opinion and completely my own.)
Giveaway:
(2) Prizes up for grabs! (US Addresses Only)

Prize 1:
#TeamPeter Country Christmas Basket:

Blake Shelton Christmas CD, Hallmark movie A Nutcracker Christmas, Country Cookin' - Recipes from Callaway Gardens, A Season to Dance, country chocolates, and a country ornament.



Prize 2:
#TeamClaus German Christmas Basket: 

German Christmas Songs CD, Baryshnikov movie White Nights (with Helen Mirren), Classic German Baking by Luisa Weiss, A Season to Dance, German chocolates, and an ornament.


Enter now!

And don't forget to check out the other stops for more entries!
Tour Schedule:
  
November 19:  Just Commonly
November 20:  Remembrancy
November 21:  A Baker's Perspective
November 24:  C Jane Read
November 26:  Reading is My SuperPower
November 27:  Just Commonly
November 28:  Kat's Corner Books
November 29:  Singing Librarian Books
November 30:  Thorn & Vine
December 1:  Radiant Light