Showing posts with label rancher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rancher. Show all posts

Friday, April 29, 2022

Review of The Rancher's Wyoming Twins by Virginia McCullough

On Tour with Prism Book Tours


I always enjoy reading Virginia McCullough's books, and this starter to a new series is no exception! Find out more about it and read my review. Best of luck in the giveaway!


The Rancher's Wyoming Twins
(Back to Adelaide Creek #1)
By Virginia McCullough
Clean Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
March 29, 2022 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Her worst enemy...
Could bring her heart home

Heather Stanhope wants to despise the man who now owns the ranch her family lost. But Matt Burton is raising his late sister’s adorable twins, loves horses, and is known for his loyalty and honesty. Sneaking into Adelaide Creek for her friend’s wedding, Heather hopes to avoid Matt, but fate and family have them crossing paths. Heather knows falling for Matt means risking her heart, but it’s a risk she can’t resist.


(Affiliate links included.)



**My thoughts**
Heather is one of the first heroines I've related to so well in a while. She has left the town where she grew up because her parents' business finally failed and her home was sold. She feels like she has nothing left there. Except she did come back for best friend's wedding and is now facing the man who bought her family land. (My childhood home was also at my parents' business. And when they decided it was time to let it go, we moved out of town. It's still strange to go back to see it and when you see people who remember your family name, though it's fading years later and your parents are gone.)

The biggest difference, I guess, is it wasn't an attractive man raising his twin niece and nephew who took over my family land. So that's where our similarities diverge. I kind of like her version a bit better. I think I would have preferred someone like Matt taking over. He's handsome and kind and determined.

I wasn't surprise that Heather started to feel a pull back to her roots, especially when she realized how much her hometown actually misses her. Connecting with Matt and his family is just icing on the cake. I understand her conflict in deciding to change up her career a bit and having to say goodbye to children you once worked with and so much more. But there is also something about being in the town that your family did so much to shape and reengaging with your family history.

So for me, this book was just much about Heather's growth as it was the sweet romance slowly blossoming between her and Matt. It's a story of lasting friendship, acknowledging family history and your roots, and learning how to let go and move on. I appreciated these multiple layers and look forward to revisiting this town again!

I received a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 
About the Author


Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia McCullough has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.

Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card & a $25 Etsy e-gift card (INT)

Ends May 4, 2022

 
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Friday, February 4, 2022

Review of Montana Reunion by Jen Gilroy

On Tour with Prism Book Tours


I've become a big fan of ranch romances over the last couple of years, and this one definitely fits the bill. Check out my review of Montana Reunion by Jen Gilroy and then follow the rest of the tour above for even more reviews and excerpts!


Montana Reunion
By Jen Gilroy
Clean Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 244 Pages
January 25, 2022 by Harlequin Heartwarming

An unexpected reunion
Sparks familiar feelings!

Beth Flanagan became a mother when she took in her best friend’s daughter. Spending the summer at the Montana camp where she and her friend had made such wonderful memories was meant to create a much-needed bond. But Beth didn’t anticipate Zach Carter, the boy who’d stolen her heart, to be in charge. Nor did she anticipate how quickly their feelings would reignite–though Beth vows to not fall for him again!


(Affiliate links included.)

UK readers: the e-book is not available but the paperback is available via The Book Depository


**My thoughts**
I have recently fallen in love with ranch romances. This one not only fits the bill, but exceeds it. You have Beth and Zach, who are reunited now as adults. When they were teenagers, they had met at camp and had a brief summer romance, only to not see each other again. Only now their lives are different. Both have a hard time with the concept of love and feel like their lives are too busy for it. Zach has been busy caring for the family ranch and camp since his father passed away. Beth is now trying to raise her best friend Jilly's daughter Ellie after Jilly recently passed away from cancer. Becoming a guardian to a child can be tricky enough, but Ellie also suffers from an autoimmune condition that requires her to use an ambulatory wheelchair when needed. Both Zach and Beth have a lot to learn about their new roles in life.

The two of them still have an attraction to each other, though they try to deny it. Ellie unintentionally helps them along as she quickly attaches to Zach. He brings her back to life as he introduces her to the equestrian life at Camp Crocus Hill. Zach's mother Joy is eager for the two of them to rekindle their childhood romance. And unbeknownst to everyone else, Jilly is helping this along from the other side as well. Her love for her friend, even from beyond the grave, is absolutely touching.

I love the slow burn as Beth and Zach rediscover each other and start over as friends. I love how they can care for each other and are learning so much through their interactions. I also love how this author is teaching readers about autoimmune challenges and the spoon theory. People who do not have autoimmune or are not familiar with it do not understand how someone who looks "normal" on the outside can be struggling on the inside. This is a gentle way of spreading that knowledge and understanding.

And you just have to love this ranch and camp in Montana as a setting. I have never been to Montana, but now I really want to go visit. It just sounds beautiful. And I would love to visit a town like this one, because I just love how they take care of each other.

There are also a lot of other great people in this town, like Kate and her daughter, Lily. I look forward to revisiting this place in the future, because it has really left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Prism Book Tours for my requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



About the Author

Photo credit: Robin Spencer, Spencer Studio

Jen Gilroy writes sweet romance and uplifting women’s fiction—warm, feel-good stories to bring readers’ hearts home. A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, she lives in small-town Ontario, Canada with her husband, teenage daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound. She loves reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a signed print copy of Montana Reunion by Jen Gilroy (Open to US, UK, and Canada).

Ends February 9, 2022

 
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