Book Review: The Heart of a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys #2) by Jody Hedlund

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Christian Western Romance
Length: 360 pages
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: October 5th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When he agreed to guard her, he never bargained on having to guard his heart.

Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Powell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn’t need more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Powell promptly hires Flynn—unbeknownst to Linnea—to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all—falling for a woman he’s determined not to love.

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

But I just think that this series isn’t for me. And I’m calling it after two books, here’s my thoughts at least.

I did like the set-up for this one. The Western setting and cattle drive was unique and kept my attention. All of the drama with others and everything else that kept happening luckily had me wanting to see what happened next.

The romance was a bit insta-ish for me. I do admit that Flynn and Linnea really grew on me and I thought the ending was really sweet. There is just ~something~ about Hedlund’s female main character’s in this series that I do no jive with. I think the personality qualities are laid on reallllllly thick and it doesn’t come off well to me as a reader.

This was better than the first book, even if I don’t plan to continue the series I know it’s a favorite of others!

Overall audience notes:

  • Western Christian Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, gun violence, loss of life, animal death, childbirth, loss of parents

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Book Review: Lady of Shadows (Lady of Darkness #2) by Melissa K. Roehrich

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 560 pages
Author: Melissa K. Roehrich
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 1st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

ANOTHER PRETTY CAGE.
Whisked away to the Fire Court, Scarlett Monrhoe finds herself in the hands of the man who killed her mother. The Prince of Fire. Thrust amongst the Fae court she loathes, she is at their mercy. She doesn’t know what plans he has for her, but she has plans of her own. She just hasn’t decided how thoroughly she wants to break him yet. If only he didn’t tempt her with every breath, every touch, every kiss. It’s another dangerous game that has her wondering if she will be the one irreparably broken in the end.

ANOTHER DANGEROUS GAME.
The Fae Queen has plans of her own. She’s determined to get to Scarlett in any way she can, and that includes using a mortal prince that followed the lost Fae princess across the border. Crown Prince Callan is desperate to get Scarlett back from the Fire Prince and return to Baylorin. The question is, what is he willing to sacrifice for the Wraith he loves who’s trailed by shadows?

ANOTHER RACE AGAINST TIME.
Every day that passes, Lord Tyndell and Mikale get closer to finding where she is hidden in the Fire Court. Every day that passes puts those Scarlett left behind in more danger. Every day that passes, more secrets are revealed. Truth has been buried in history that has long-since been rewritten, but in order to separate facts from lies, they will be forced to cross other borders and seek answers from kingdoms far more terrifying than the Fire Court.

BOOK TWO SYNDROME.

This started off really strong for me. It did. BUT THEN. Somewhere near the middle I started to notice the cyclical, repetitive nature of a lot of the conversations, arguments and ideas that led me to speed reading to the last little bit to reconnect back to this story.

I am still waiting for Scarlett to really DO something. It’s a lot of wallowing and waiting. For a 550 page fantasy book the lack of action was outstanding. There was plenty of arguing and make-up kissing which worked for the first 3 times it happened. I’ll concede I did like that the romance got some major development (which makes me curious how it’ll play out over another three books). Scarlett has a lot of work to do to actually be a good character that isn’t hella frustrating.

The found family aspects were great. I enjoyed the side characters and getting to know more about them. I really liked having more points of view too. It balanced the plot and seeing multiple sides to what was happening from other perspectives. I hope those continue!!

An intense plot is there, I just need some more execution. I loved book one, but did listen to it and I wonder if that had some bearing on my rating. I noticed little things here and there that I didn’t pick up on in the audio version. I am still invested though and want to see where this goes. There’s definitely an ACOTAR/TOG vibe that’s undeniable. Luckily I’ve seen enough differences that I’m fine continuing [for now].

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: multiple open; moderate explicit
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, PTSD, mentions of sexual assault, kidnapping, physical and magical altercationsv

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Book Review: A Tournament of Crowns (A Trial of Sorcerers #3) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 428 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: February 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Royal Tournament. Thrilling Magic. Deadly Mysteries. Slow-Burn Romance.

Last night, Eira killed a man.

However justified her actions were, many now regard her as a cold-blooded murderer and a heretic who extinguished their hope. But there’s no time to explain herself. She barely has a chance to wash the blood off her hands before the Tournament of Five Kingdoms begins.

Sequestered with the other champions for the duration of the tournament, Eira must now navigate the games, her competition, the enemies who hunt her head, and — somehow worse than all the rest — being stuck in close quarters with the man who broke her heart.

All is fair in love and magical tournaments, and Eira is ready for the fight of her life.

Get ready for twists you never saw coming in A Tournament of Crowns. This series is perfect for readers who enjoy young adult, epic fantasy full of elemental magic, slow-burn romance, found family, and battles for the futures of kingdoms set in a world you’ll never want to leave.

Don’t miss a single book in the A Trial of Sorcerers series. Readers should start with A Trial of Sorcerers, and then A Hunt of Shadows, before reading A Tournament of Crowns.

GIMME MORE.

This book was fantastic. I just thoroughly enjoyed reading every page and feel like this was exactly what the series needed to add a little umph.

I looove Eira. and I love her growth. She really puts forth a lot of effort into acknowledging her mistakes and trying to do better. I love how tightly knit her friendships are with Noelle and Alyss and that they work as a TEAM and lean on each other when needed. Good friends never gets old in books.

The romance was young adult angsty. And surprisingly I was here for it all. I liked the give and take. The actual conversations surrounding their true feelings between Cullen and Eira. Even the different ways things went I thought worked. It made sense for the plot and I am expecting even more romantic entanglements in the future.

I thought the setting for this was fun too. It was like the Olympics but make it fantasy. I enjoyed seeing all of the nations together and going through different competitions and the quieter moments where groups started connecting.

This book was just what I needed. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical, magical, and weapons violence, loss of loved ones, near death experiences

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: June 2023

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SUMMERTIME READING has been a blast and I LOVE how many great indie books I read this month!! Anything on my favorites list are considered must read recommendations.

Favorites this month:

  • American Gauntlet
  • The Pocket Pair
  • Spark of the Everflame
  • Queen of Shadows (Reread)
  • Same Time Next Summer
  • Love, Theoretically
  • Empire of Storms
  • The Seven Year Slip
  • Back to Class
  • The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley
  • Foul Heart Hunstman
  • The Matrimonial Advertisement
  • Fear the Flames

Least favorites:

  • Crossroads of Twilight
  • Love Songs Suck by Beck Monson
  • [ARC] American Gauntlet by Allie Lewis
  • An Improbable Season (Unexpected Seasons #1) by Rosalyn Eves
  • [ARC] Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones
  • Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
  • [ARC] The Pocket Pair (Graham Brothers #3) by Emma St. Clair
  • Starlight (Angels of Elysium #3) by Olivia Wildenstein
  • The Duchess Takes a Husband (The Gilded Age Heiresses #4) by Harper St. George
  • Spark of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #1) by Penn Cole
  • [ALC] Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
  • [Reread] Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Queen Charlotte by Julie Quinn and Shonda Rhimes
  • [ARC] A Beautiful Disguise (The Imposters #1) by Roseanna M. White
  • I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton
  • Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
  • [ARC] Betting on the Best Friend’s Brother (Betting on Love #2) by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Tarnished (The Blameless #2) by E.S. Christison
  • [Reread] A Kingdom of Exiles (Outcast #1) by S.B. Nova
  • You First by Caitlin Moss
  • Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
  • [Reread] Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Things We Hide From the Light (Knockemout #2) by Lucy Score
  • Crossroads of Twilight (The Wheel of Time #10) by Robert Jordan
  • [ARC] Kiss the Girl (Meant to Be #3) by Zoraida Cordova
  • Heart of the Raven Prince (Entangled With Fae #2) by Tessonja Odette
  • Threads That Bind (Threads That Bind #1) by Kika Hatzopoulou
  • [ALC] The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
  • [Novella] A Duchess for the Duke (Clairvoir Castle Romance #0.5) by Sally Britton
  • Back to Class (The Thornback Society #3) by Aspen Hadley
  • [ALC] Dark Water Daughter (The Winter Sea #1) by H.M. Long
  • Honorably Engaged (Bradwell Brothers #3) by Kasey Stockton
  • The Lost God by Sheila Masterson
  • The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata
  • Ruling Destiny (Stolen Beauty #2) by Alyson Noel
  • The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
  • The Rithmatist (Rithmatist #1) by Brandon Sanderson
  • Foul Heart Huntsman (Foul Lady Fortune #2) by Chloe Gong
  • The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon #1) by Mimi Matthews
  • [ARC] A Cross-Country Wedding (Road Trip Romance #2) by Courtney Walsh
  • Silver Bounty (The Royal Rose Chronicles #2) by Victoria McCombs
  • Fear the Flames (Fear the Flames #1) by Olivia Rose Darling

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