ARC REVIEW Texas Lightning by Gerry Bartlett

Lone Star Suspense #1, The fact that this takes place in Texas and is Romantic Suspense, I love those, completely outweighs the fact that the main guy is a billionaire, not impressed with billionaire romance it's not really my thing I rarely read it. An added bonus the main female lead is a computer geek; we're off to a good start. This is my first time reading Gerry Bartlett and I'm impressed I definitely want to catch the next books in the series. I enjoyed this very much likeable characters, a strong, intelligent woman a swoon worthy guy who is devoted to his newly found love he's that  he's willing to do anything to keep her safe, some suitably heinous bad guys, and the plot doesn't skimp either.

Anna Delaney had an idea, one that could save countless lives and she is so close to achieving that dream. A Boston native she moves to Texas where the company who bought her idea was located. One day while she was exploring the capitol she meets King Sanders. King, billionaire rancher/farmer/jack of all trades, takes an instant liking to Anna takes her to lunch and then drives her home but when they get there they discover her apartment has been broken into, all her computer equipment stolen. Coincidentally King happens to be friends with Anna's boss and an investor in the company that owns Anna's program. Not that he cares about the money her program can make him he's too worried about her safety and rightly so. Anna's best friend, Scarlett, who came with her from Boston was kidnapped and used as leverage to get the code to get into her computer but Anna's the only one who can work her code so they keep coming after her. King even goes as far as hiring Anna's brother, former military and FBI, new security company. But that doesn't stop the bad guys from coming or from trying to kidnap Anna to finish the program.

Overall, great read. There's great sexual chemistry between Anna and King and the romance takes a side step to the suspense it is a good romance they work through stuff. Anna is headstrong and King has a time getting her to admit her own feelings. I look forward to the next book which is Scarlett's and I believe ties into another one of Bartlett's series.  

ARC REVIEW Between a Highlander and a Hard Place by Mary Wine

Highland Wedding #5, A quick fun read that can be read as a standalone. The ending does have a bit of a teaser for the next book but everything involving Athena and Symon story is concluded. This is only my second Mary Wine book but I enjoyed this one much more than the other. The story was good, the characters were likable and I liked how they interacted with each other. You could tell this is part of a series but the previous characters didn't play an active role in the story.

Athena was a typical young lady, well not quite typical her parents married for love; her mother's family was from trade and her father from a titled family. They disowned him for it and when Athena's mother died in childbirth he abandoned her and went back to his family leaving her to be raised by her uncle. Athena thought she was in love but it turned out Galwell just planned to make her his mistress. With her uncle's help she flees Galwell and the terrible fate that that awaits her if he catches her. Dressing as a boy she joins a traveling merchant to make her escape to Scotland vowing never to be submissive to a man again.

Symon Grant is a widower, his wife died in childbirth with the child. As the Laird and the last of his line he must get married again and have children but all of the daughters presented to him are too affable, for him. His first wife was bidable and genteel and this time around he wants more. On May Day when the young girls of Scotland would run around in the morning dew Symon spied a golden haired beauty. Athena was happy to run around as a girl for a change but Symon wasn't the one to notice her and now she's not only running from Galwell but now also the blackguard who is set on selling her to the highest bidder. Symon is determined to protect her and maybe convince her that their chemistry is a unique and powerful thing and that marriage to him can protect her. Only now the young King James may have something to say about that.

Overall, this was a good read. I really enjoyed the banter between Symon and Athena. I love just how completely devoted to he was almost from the moment he saw her. I definitely want to catch the next book seeing how the teaser at the end is about Brenda and Bothan, I really want to know what's going to happen.    

ARC REVIEW Wolf Rising by Paige Tyler

SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #8, I love this cover! It's one of my favorite covers for this series, so far, and I love Jayden, he's one of my favorites second only to Landry. I love the direction Paige Tyler went with this book and how Selena ended up being an Omega. It really shines a new light on Omegas. Paige Tyler is so fantastic at what she does, her action scenes are intense and well written it's easy to picture in my head how everything happened. Her romance is something to swoon over too. Selena and Jayden don't start off like a normal couple after their initial meet, which Jayden rescues her from a student who was holding the class hostage at gunpoint, they try the typical first date stuff but with Selena going through the change at an expedited rate things get hot and heavy and bitty pretty quickly.

While Jayden and the other SWAT members are working with another department to help track down a new and extremely dangerous drug and the new mysterious crime boss behind it. Selena is dealing the the gang members in her school and trying to protect her students from becoming their next inductees or their next victims. All the while Selena is dealing with her new reality and what that means for her and Jayden. To top it all off, they still have to worry about the Hunters and it turns out there is a leak and it's a little too close to home.

Overall, I loved this book, this whole series is so freakin' good each book just keeps getting better and better. This book also introduces a new member for the SWAT pack, a woman named Rachel.   

ARC REVIEW Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek by Anthony O'Neill

The Strange Case Continues..... Despite the 132 year difference this truly feels like a sequel the to original novella. Anthony O'Neill captured the feel, the dialogue, and the atmosphere of that time and of the first story. I always find myself fascinated with the Jekyll and Hyde story it's one of my favorite classics and I am always entertained by all the retellings of the original, especially the musical as long as it's not the Hasselhoff version.

Told from the first person POV of Mr. Utterson, like with the original, as he tries to uncover the truth about this person who claims to be his old friend Henry Jekyll. But he knows something nobody else knows something he can prove but the people who could corroborate his story are suddenly dying. I loved the dark and mysterious feel of the whole story as we see Utterson's descent into madness. The twist at the end was unsuspected and quite ingenious. Overall, between the story and where O'Neill took this and the overall feel of the book I completely enjoyed this one.

ARC REVIEW The Librarian's Vampire Assistant Book 2 by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 

comes a humorous, standalone mystery, 

The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant, Book 2.
(Yep! It’s a standalone. The boring title is just to mess with you!) 

HOW MUCH LONGER CAN HE KEEP HIS SECRET AND HIS FAVORITE HUMAN SAFE?
Michael Vanderhorst has always been a lone wolf. Or lone vampire? Whatever. Point is, this ancient gentleman vampire is obsessed. She’s quirky, a horrible dresser, and the cutest librarian he’s ever seen. The question is, why her? In four hundred years, no one has ever captured his attention like this. He must find out, which is why he just signed on as her new assistant.

The problem is, she has no idea vampires exist or that she’s just broken one of their laws. As the leader of his territory, Michael has been ordered by his council to turn her or kill her. “Over my dead body!”

To overturn the ruling, Michael needs the council on his side, and right now they’re asking him to hunt down and execute five hundred vampires no one can seem to locate. Unfortunately, his assassin days are long over, and he’s not so sure he can go back to killing.

But with Miriam’s life on the line and their unusual bond growing stronger each day, will he dust off the old sword or give her the bite that will make her his forever?

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 I think this book is possible more fucked up than the first, and I mean that in the best possible way. Poor Michael, first he's charged with finding 500 illegal newbie vampires and the first vampire to be in charge of two territories to top it all off he has to tell Miriam, the accidental prone librarian he is strangely fascinated with, the truth about what he is and *takes in a deep breath* that Mr. Nice the cliched looking the head of the Vampire Council expects him to turn her and for there to be a wedding between the two of them any day now. Unfortunately Michael has made little headway in to finding the missing vampires, it's as if they just vanished and he's trying to figure out a way to stall Mr. Nice about Miriam because he likes her the way she is, human, and he doesn't want to marry her he doesn't love her (the vampire doth protest too much). Just when Michael starts making headway on the missing vamps someone attempts to kidnap Miriam and kill Michael. As per usual with any Mimi books when the shit starts it hits the fan at full speed.

Overall, this book was hysterical! When I wasn't LMAO I was holding my breath in anticipation of what would happen next. Mimi has seriously surpassed her own level of "Lets fuck with the characters and the readers". This is a first person POV through Michael's eyes it's a great narrative. The conflict is completely resolved in this book so it's technically not a cliffhanger but the last chapter is the giant ass of Mr. T. Zer. (It's a teaser!) But that's also good news you know why?? That means BOOK 3!!!    

 About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author with over a million books sold worldwide. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

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The Librarian's Vampire Assistant – is ON SALE From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a Horribly Sunny Mystery, The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant.

NOBODY MESSES WITH HIS LIBRARIAN. . .

Who killed Michael Vanderhorst’s maker? It’s a darn good question. But when the trail brings Michael to hellishly sunny Phoenix, Arizona, his biggest problem soon becomes a cute little librarian he can’t seem to stay away from. He’s never met a bigger danger magnet! Even her book cart has it out for her. And is that the drug cartel following her around, too? “Dear God, woman! What have you gotten yourself into?” Things go from bad to worse when local vampires won’t play nice. Can this four-hundred-year-old vampire keep his librarian safe and himself out of hot water? Can he bring his maker’s killer to justice? Yesterday, he would’ve said yes. But yesterday, he didn’t have a strange connection with a librarian. Yesterday, people weren’t trying to kill her.

http://www.mimijean.net/the-librarians-vampire-assistant.html

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ARC REVIEW Final Days by Megan Erickson

Wired & Dangerous #2.5, I was hoping that Erick and Tarr would get their own story and I didn't have to wait very long. Yay! Even though this one is an in between novella I believe it can be read as a stand alone just fine. It has a nice introduction to the characters and just the background you need to follow this storyline. This is an M/M and I'm picky about the ones that I read usually only one that are in series I'm already reading, which this one is, or by authors I know their writing style and can trust it will be good, and this one was good.  More suspense than romance, Erick and Tarr, whose really name is Everett, have a slow burn but it's a hot.

Erick Lee doesn't like the fact that he owes a hitman for saving his life. Erick does what he does for the greater good even if it means breaking the law to oust the bad guys, to him Hitmen are the bad guys they kill for money and have no conscience, so why is Erick turned on by this one? Everett made some bad decisions in life and now he's just living the live he has because of it, he never thought that he could find someone let alone someone who hates hitmen.

While tracking down Tarr, Erick inadvertently got himself right in the middle of a whole lotta trouble. Tarr did something and now he has a giant target on him back, not only that but the sister he thought was well hidden away from his enemies is now exposed and Erick and Everett have to rush to protect her and her two kids. Along the way the sexual tension just keeps building and building until finally it snaps and they give in, but is their desire strong enough to change them?

Overall, this was a great novella. It was action packed and a very satisfying read.      

INKSLINGER COVER REVEAL Desperate by A. K. Evans

Today we have the cover reveal for A.K. Evans upcoming romance, Desperate. Check it out and the preorder your copy today!

Title: Desperate

Author: A.K. Evans

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 19th

About Desperate:

Ekko Rose is no stranger to struggle. Born to a single, addicted mother, she’s experienced more than her fair share of hardship. Ekko has dreams she wants to fulfill, but when another stroke of bad luck leaves her homeless, her only option is to focus on survival.

Dominick ‘Dom’ Moore has had his eyes on Ekko ever since he saved her life several months ago. He kept his distance then because she was attached to another man. Now, seeing her living out of her car, Dom resolves to help her get back on her feet. When Dom approaches Ekko, she wrestles with knowing her rightful place in the world and desperately wanting to latch onto something better.

Just as the pair fall hard for one another, Ekko’s streak of misfortune delivers one more blow. With their relationship thrown into a pit of despair and hopeless desire, Dom must crack the case he’s been trying to solve for weeks. Because if he can’t, Ekko might be lost to him forever.

Pre-Order Today:

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Exclusive Excerpt:

 “Ekko?” Dom’s panicked voice came from the doorway.  

My eyes left Levi and went to Dom.  He took one look at me and immediately directed his attention to Ryan.  Instead of coming to me, Dom took slow, deliberate steps toward Ryan.  My body grew tense.  Levi must have noticed because he squeezed my shoulder a little tighter.  A few more men, who had to have been with Dom, appeared in the doorway, but I couldn’t pay attention to them. 

Dom was closing in on Ryan, who continued to walk backward until his back was up against the wall.  Dom’s hand shot out and gripped Ryan around the throat.  

“Why is there blood on her face?” Dom seethed. 

“It…it was her own fault,” Ryan stammered. 

Dom’s fingers squeezed a little tighter.  “I’m sorry, did I just hear you say it was her fault?” 

Ryan’s eyes grew wide. 

One of the guys in the doorway, who bared a resemblance to Levi, but had longer hair that was somewhere between blonde and brown, warned, “Dom’s a crazy motherfucker, man.  You might want to consider how you answer that question.” 

I recognized the guy from the night I was nearly kidnapped.  He had been there with Dom that night, but I couldn’t remember his name. 

Another guy, with shorter dark hair and a body that was just as nice as the rest of them, added, “Yeah.  I remember what he did years ago to the guy who thought beating and sexually assaulting Levi and Cruz’s sister-in-law was acceptable.  Dom had no personal attachment to that girl and her ex was begging for mercy when Dom was through with him.  I can’t imagine what he’d do to someone who hurt a woman who was special to him.” 

I gasped while Ryan’s eyes shifted back and forth. 

“She was reaching for her phone and pushed me,” Ryan explained.  “I pushed her away from me and she fell.” 

Now Dom’s gaze looked a lot like Levi’s did when he first arrived…lethal.
“You pushed her?” 

“She pushed me first!” Ryan tried to reason.
Keeping his hand at Ryan’s throat, Dom stepped to the side and looked over at me.  “Do you see her?”
Ryan didn’t answer. 

“I asked you a question!” Dom roared. 

“Yes, I see her.”  Ryan’s voice was small.  

“So, that woman, who is maybe a hundred and ten pounds, moved toward you to get her phone that you had, and you pushed her?  I don’t like seeing my woman with blood on her face and, lucky for you, I need to see to her right now, so you’re going to give me her phone without another minute of delay.” 

Ryan quickly pulled the phone out of his pocket and handed it to Dom.  

Not taking his eyes off Ryan, Dom called, “Ekko, come here.” 

I was still stuck on Dom calling me his woman that I couldn’t move.  

Dom realized I hadn’t moved and turned his head toward me.  With his gaze laser-focused on me, he urged, “Ekko, come here.” 

Levi brought his hand to my lower back and gave me a nudge.  I moved toward Dom.  

When I was standing next to him, Dom asked, “Why did you come here?” 

My lip quivered, and I dropped my gaze to the ground. 

His voice went soft and he said, “Sugar, look at me.” 

When I looked at Dom, his voice, still gentle, asked, “What did you come here for?” 

“I don’t have a ton of nice clothes, but I had a few things here that I wanted to get before tonight.  I wanted to look pretty for our date.  But Ryan wouldn’t let me get my things.”

Check out the whole series:

About the Author:

A.K. Evans is a married mother of two boys residing in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. After graduating from Lafayette College in 2004 with two degrees (one in English and one in Economics & Business), she pursued a career in the insurance and financial services industry. Not long after, Evans realized the career was not for her. She went on to manage her husband’s performance automotive business and drive the shop race cars for the next thirteen years. While the business afforded her freedoms she wouldn’t necessarily have had in a typical 9-5 job, after eleven years she was no longer receiving personal fulfillment from her chosen career path. Following many discussions, lots of thought, and tons of encouragement, Andrea decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Between her day job, writing, and homeschooling her two boys, Evans is left with very little free time. When she finds scraps of spare time, she enjoys reading, doing yoga, watching NY Rangers hockey, dancing, and vacationing with her family. Andrea, her husband, and her children are currently working on taking road trips to visit all 50 states (though, Alaska and Hawaii might require flights).  

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ARC REVIEW Once Upon A Duke by Erica Ridley

The 12 Dukes of Christmas #1, A brand new series by Erica Ridley this first story is a fun Regency era retelling of The Christmas Carol. It was a quick and fun read I enjoyed all the little similarities to Christmas Carol, stuff like a pygmy goat named Tiny Tim.

Benjamin Ward the Duke of Silkridge returns to the place he never wanted to come back to his grandfather's home, a small village up in the mountains called Cressmouth or as the local affectionately call it Christmas. His grandfather, Marlowe, was eccentric and much loved by everyone in town but to Benjamin he was cruel and hateful. Five years ago Benjamin's grandfather took something of his and than kicked him out of the town. It no longer mattered that Benjamin fell in love there he only cared about when he could get his family heirloom back.

Noelle Pratchett was abandoned as a baby left on a doorstep. Noelle thankful for the care she received from Mr. Marlowe and the entire town she makes herself indispensable by being at their service making sure the town runs smoothly. She took over for the clerk and now practically runs the town. Now that Mr. Marlowe is dead she was bequeathed enough money that she could do whatever she wanted but she loves her little town and wouldn't dream of leaving Christmas. Noelle never planned to fall in love with Benjamin but then he left without saying goodbye and suddenly every other man paled in comparison to him. Now he's back, an older colder version of himself but hour by hour she sees the man he once was but try as she may not to fall back in love because he still plans on leaving Christmas again never to return she still does. Noelle can only hope his love her her is greater than his hatred for his grandfather.

Overall, this was a great read. It's a fun historical romantic Christmas comedy. The characters were all delightful and quirky. Erica Ridley's writing is as always fantastic. I can't wait to met the other dukes.   

   

ARC REVIEW Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle

My favorite this year, so far, for Christmas books. Dear Santa is a Christmas version of You Got Mail and I think I liked it better than YGM. This was a heartwarming romance with funny situations and lovable characters especially one adorable niece. I haven't read Nancy Naigle before but if her other books are just as good as this one then I have a new potential favorite author for this genre, right up their with Debbie Mason and Emily March.

In the little tourist town of Pleasant Sands is a decommissioned lighthouse. The lighthouse is home to Heart of Christmas an all year round Christmas store. After three generations the store is on the verge of closing. The owner Angela Carson is desperate to keep it open but the mega store that opened up is sealing the stores fate. Geoff Paisley opened Christmas Galore with his mother their success has been enormous in the last ten years they opened fifteen stores the newest in a small town that technically didn't fit their target location but Geoff's mother, Rebecca, wanted it there so they built there.

Angela hates Christmas Galore it seemed everything she tried to save her store didn't work, logically she knows it's not Christmas Galore's fault her store was already starting to go down hill before they opened but they are an easy and convenient target for her anger. Wanting to be helpful her niece suggested writing Santa. Not wanting to hurt her nieces feeling Angela writes one using the Dear Santa app on her tablet. She never expected an actual person to respond or for that person to understand her pain of giving up her dream of keeping the family business alive. When Rebecca winds up in the hospital she tasks Geoff with answering the Dear Santa letters. Geoff begrudgingly agrees he never expected to find a penpal. It takes almost half the book for Geoff to realize the woman who fascinates him beyond believe the same woman who picks fights with him in public and out right hates him is the same woman he's been exchanging emails with online. Seeing things different now Geoff finds himself wanting things he's never wanted before and he wants them with Angela. Angela wants to hate Geoff but he really is a nice guy and even though she's picked fights with him she still wants to kiss him like crazy but her life is too up in the air right now her future undecided she can't worry about a relationship.  

Overall, I loved this book. There is plenty of character development for both Angela and Geoff. Angela is trying to figure out her future and Geoff is finding out about his past. It fits in nicely with the You Got Mail, In the Good Old Summertime, and Shop Around the Corner style, a feel good romantic comedy with plenty of feels and Christmas spirit.  

ARC REVIEW A Billionaire Wolf for Christmas by Terry Spear

Heart of the Wolf #26, The wolf shifters have noticed a decline in their life span Dr. Aidan Denali is determined to figure out how to fix it. The Seattle Pack just may have the answers if they ever allowed other shifters in their territory. Aidan is going to find out if the isolated pack is immune to the change in life span or if they are infected too. When he learns the former Alpha is a lone wolf, banished from the pack Aidan thinks he may have his way in and at the same time offer the wolf a permanent home in one of the other packs. Along the way he meets up with the Seattle packs only medical doctor, Dr. Holly Gray. Holly and her family are more than willing to help Aidan. The attraction between Aidan and Holly is strong enough for her to defy her own alpha to help Aidan. When the Alpha of the Seattle Pack starts to get more and more demanding and dictatorial Holly and her family think it's best and safest for them to leave the pack. Aidan and his brother welcome them into their pack with open arms especially since it seems more and more likely that Aidan and Holly are going to be mated soon.

The story was okay, it was a lot of talking between Aidan and Holly about the cure and what could cure the decline in lifespan and messing with the Seattle pack's Alpha and his major malfunction but mostly Aidan and Holly falling in love which of course with Terry Spear books the romance is always good, always enjoy her romance. The building of the relationship and the bonding between the families was good. Overall, it was a nice read.      

ARC REVIEW Crossing Hope by Kimberly Kincaid

Cross Creek #4, The Long lost daughter and the rival come together in this completely not Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance. Marley Ralston only came to Cross Creek to meet the father and brothers she never knew because it was her mother's dying wish. She avoids them whenever she can only really getting close to Scarlett, Cate and Emerson, her brother's significant others. She knows she's going to have to listen to his side of the story eventually but she' putting it off as long as possible. All she really wants to do is make enough money to pay off her mother's medical bills and then leave. Plans change when she gets arrested for shoplifting. Greyson Whittaker only loves one thing his farm, and it's not even technically his yet it's still in his father's name; his father who hates the farm. Greyson is having a fairly good day until he gets arrested for excessive parking tickets. Both Marley and Greyson go before the Judge who decides that is in their best interest to do community service.... together. Greyson and Marley are stuck working with the Milhaven Animal Shelter for the next 200 hours which must be completed in the next 90 days.

Greyson and Marley argue quite a bit in the beginning but as they spend more time together at the shelter the more they are willing to give into the attraction. They are willing to lend the sympathetic ear to each other and offer the advise everyone else is to scared to give. The more Marley works with Greyson the more she's willing to hear out of her family and she starts to open up more to Tobias. But Marley has some deep rooted fears she must overcome before Greyson and her can have their HEA. Judge Abernathy really knew what she was doing when she paired them off not only did the relationship between Marley and Greyson grow it opened them up to heal old wounds with their families. I loved Marley and Greyson, I was excited to find out Marley was getting her own book and it hit all the right spots. It's emotional with some great humor I loved all the characters this all in all was an awesome series. Overall, for this book it was such a good read and a wonderful way to end the series.   

ARC REVIEW Give Me Back My Man by Sidney Bristol

The Love Barn #1 A great fall romance. I am so glad Sidney Bristol decided to do this spin-off. When I read about Scarlett and the Love Barn in Stolen Redemption I knew I wanted more and this delivers.  I look forward to Garth and Benji's books. It maybe a spin-off but you can pick this up and read it just fine without having read the other series. The book has some great comedy elements in it like the pig issue or Cole trying to figure out they how and most definitely the why of a high school homecoming mum and even the fact that I have Love Shack stuck in my head, thank you very much. It's not all fun and games the emotional conflict between Scarlett and Cole, the sexual chemistry and the connection they feel it really brings out the best in them and at the same time all of Scarlett's worries comes forefront in her mind.

Cole's broken engagement is too recent he shouldn't be feeling this way about another woman so soon but what isn't there to love about Scarlett, she's perfect for him. Scarlett has a plan and falling in love with Cole ruins that plan. Her past relationship really screwed with her head and now she's doubting everything even her own feelings, and when the ex-fiancee shows up it all hits the fan and Cole really mucks it all up and now he's willing to move heaven and earth to get Scarlett back. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I love Sidney Bristol's writing and she really brings Ransom Texas to life with their go big or go home small town dynamic and the L.O. L.s are fantastic, love those meddling busy bodies. 

ARC REVIEW My Kind of Christmas by Janet Dailey

Christmas Tree Ranch #1, This was a good getting into the Christmas spirit book. The romance was a little forced. I guess it was love at first sight because the attraction was pretty much right off the back and they didn't actually spend a lot time together get to know one another before declaring their love for each other and that just didn't work for me. I have no problem with instalove but I need something to back it up and this didn't have enough of that. The romance part of this was a miss for me everything else about this book I loved.

Travis Morgan was an Oklahoma State Trooper before a stupid misunderstanding lead to a death and he spent the last three years in prison. Branding Iron, Texas is his start over, a beaten up ranch he inherited from his mother's side is all he has, well that and his father who lives in town but their non-existent relationship doesn't count. Travis would be happy if he just stayed alone but before he knows it he's agreed to take care of two giant horses and old dog and a handcrafted wooden sleigh. Desperate in need of help now because he has no idea how to take care of horses he calls his best friend, Conner, which was excellent timing because Conner needed the work. Now the guys just need a way to earn money to keep the ranch running, the ranch has a surprise in store for them.

Meanwhile, the new mayor Maggie Delaney is trying her best to be the kind of mayor her father was before her but then the man who played Santa moves away and she has no one to replace him in the Christmas parade. The one man who would be perfect for the job won't do it because the son who hates him is in possession of the horses and sleigh. Maggie doesn't give up easy she's got a plan. For Travis the troubles are only just beginning. Overall it was a good read. I could see it as a Hallmark movie.