Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott

There's a storm brewing...

The day his wife died, Sheriff Cash Hill discovered she was leaving him for another man, one she'd loved since before their marriage. How could the single dad ever trust another woman again? But when Georgia's best friend, Holly, comes back to town, something about Holly's sweet, sassy vulnerability has his protective instincts kicking in hard.

Holly Jensen left La Colina, Texas with regrets. She's returned home to work as the new large animal vet and to watch over her best friend's daughter. But Holly's knowledge of Georgia's past could rip a family apart. And she's reluctant to go to the sexy…and single…sheriff, as he’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with her.

Both are faced with a choice…stay locked in the past or allow their reservations to be silenced by a passion hotter than Texas summer nights. Can they learn to trust their own hearts and each other.

Series: Hills of Texas #1 | Publisher: Tule Publishing | Release Date: January 23, 2018 | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 2.5 Cups

Challenges Read For: Literary Pickers (boots)

Since Holly returned to town as the new large animal vet, Cash has done his best to avoid his late wife’s best friend but his daughter has other plans. Now Cash finds himself bumping into her at every turn. He doesn’t trust Holly and Holly has problems of her own, one of them is knowing all of his late wife’s secrets. Even though they’re attracted to each other, neither’s sure they want to get involved.

 

So, I’m on the fence about this. As a romance, which is what it’s billed as, it fell short of the mark. It felt more like a family drama.

 

Both Holly and Cash are hiding secrets about Cash’s marriage and his late wife and every time they bump into each other, those secrets bubble to the surface causing problems between them.

 

While they were attracted to each other—and Holly had a thing for Cash before he married her best friend—I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. Then there’s the fact that Holly agreed to be a witness so another man could request a paternity test on Cash’s daughter. She does this without letting Cash know what was going on, so it just felt shady to me. I really don’t know how Cash, who has a mountain of trust issues, could ever trust Holly.

 

Overall, this one was high on family drama—and horse training—and low on romance. While it was easy to read, I had trouble getting behind Holly and the romance. So, if you’re looking for family drama, this is the book for you.

 

 Are you a fan of secrets in your romances?

Outlander Series Reading Challenge Check-In

Hello Lovelies,

 

Welcome to our first check-in of 2018. January flew by! I hope you all had a lovely holiday season full of Outlander goodness!

 

I want to say ‘thank you’ to those who have joined in! If you haven’t joined the Facebook group, please do so. It’s great place to interact with others joining in.

 

I also want to say congrats to those of you who have finished reading the series. It’s also a bittersweet moment.

 

A few people have had questions about what counts in this challenge, so here’s a quick list.

 

 

Ø Books must be read in 2018

 

Ø Re-reads count

 

Ø All formats (print, digital, or audio) count

 

Ø Any Outlander-related book counts (the big ones, the shorts, the additional material such as the companion books, graphic novel, behind-the-scenes book, and the cookbook)

 

Ø Yes, the Lord John books count.

My update: I finally managed to get started on my re-read of Dragonfly in Amber. I’m pretty excited about this copy; it has the original cover and happens to be signed by the author. I actually found it by accident on a trip to a used bookstore and I couldn’t pass it up.

 

I’ve also been re-watching season three, via On Demand, and have been picking up on a few little bits and pieces that I missed on my first few viewings of it.

My review of Virgins.

And since there’s been some confusion about what Seven Stones to Stand or Fall is, I’ve added a post about it.

 

Okay, lovelies, now it’s your turn…What are your new Outlander reading goals for 2018?

 

Our next check-in will be on February 23^rd.

 

 

   

Reed by R.C. Ryan

A fresh start. That's exactly what Ally Shaw needs and what she's found in Glacier Ridge, Montana. Creating a simpler life with her young son and reconnecting with her only remaining family-it's all part of Ally's plan to chase away the pain of her past. But when a dangerously irresistible cowboy rescues her little boy, Ally can't deny she's excited about what else the future might bring.
 
Reed Malloy was a wild horse who wouldn't be broken. Devoted to his work on the land at the expense of everything else, he'd never met a woman who could hold his interest... until Ally. And now, beautiful Ally and her fearless, freckled child have this cowboy wanting more. This isn't Ally's first time at the rodeo, though, and convincing her to trust him isn't easy. But there isn't anything he won't do to keep her safe... and make her his.
 
Series: Malloys of Montana #3| Publisher: Hachette Audio | Narrator: Loretta Rawlins | Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Ratings: 2 Cups 
Challenges Read For: All About the Trope (forced proximity)- Blogger Shame - Literary Pickers (campfire cooking) 

I’ve really enjoyed the Malloys of Montana series but this one wasn’t really my cup of tea.

 

This one was off to a good start…a hot cowboy saves an adorable little boy from being hit by a car then said cowboy falls for the little boy’s mother, who ends up needing a knight in shining armor. Then Ally becomes one of those TSTL characters and that was pretty much the end of all the yummy goodness.

 

Seriously, I felt no sympathy for Ally. She made the choice to move back in with a person she knew hated her and treated her child horribly—so, the way I see it what happened to her was her own fault. Honestly, I was rooting for the author to kill her off so Reed could be with someone who actually had a brain.

 

I liked Reed, for the most part. He was determined, hardworking, and ready to go to bat for Ally and her son. I did have to question some of his actions near the end of the book. His choices just seemed a little off the wall and dangerous.

 

The romance seemed a little off to me. While I felt like Reed truly fell for Ally, it seems like Ally was hesitant and had to be talked into falling for Reed. At times, I felt as though Ally was only with Reed because she had nowhere else to go.  

What kept me reading listening to this one was the mystery. It centered around the death of Reed’s parents and had been an ongoing arc in the series. As this one was the last in the series, I knew everything was going to come to light and I was eager to see how it would end.

 

One of my main problems with this book was the way Kyle’s father was handled. Throughout most of the book, he’s hailed as a war hero who gave his life serving his country. Then, suddenly, when Ally needs something that prevents her from falling for Reed, he suddenly becomes this horrible man. I’m not a fan of author’s building up characters as war heroes then tarnishing their reputations.

 

I found Loretta Rawlins to be a bit robotic in her narration. It took a few chapters to get used to her style, but eventually I found her to be easy to listen to and she did manage to hold my attention.

 

Overall, I still think Reed could have done so much than Ally. This one wasn’t my favorite in the series, but still worth the read solely for the end of the mystery.

 

Malloys of Montana Series

Matt

Luke

A Cowboy’s Christmas Eve (novella #2.5)

Reed

 

WoW #70: Midnight Wolf by Jennifer Ashley

 

Title: Midnight Wolf  (Shifters Unbound #11) by Jennifer Ashley  

Release Date: April 24, 2018

Why it’s my WoW: I’m so addicted to this series…and there’s a cub, I do love cubs in my paranormal romances!

 

 Angus Murray, bouncer for a New Orleans Shifter bar, is sent to round up an elusive, Collar-less Shifter woman, Tamsin Calloway, who is causing trouble for Shifter Bureau, and possesses information they want. If Angus refuses, he risks losing his cub. He finds Tamsin but she's slippery and not about to be rounded up quietly.

 

In fact, quiet is nothing Tamsin will ever be. She leads Angus on a wild chase, but he's determined to bring her in to save his son.

 

Can Tamsin convince Angus she's worth helping before she's locked away by Shifter Bureau, Collared, or perhaps killed

What are you waiting for?

 

Free Reads

  

Sweet Sinful Nights  by Lauren Blakely

Free on Amazon

 

She was the one who got away... Ten years ago, Brent Nichols let the love of his life slip through his fingers. It's his greatest regret, especially since she's all but disappeared. But when the captivating choreographer enter his life again unexpectedly, he's determined to win her back. Whatever it takes, he won't make the same mistake twice.

 

Easier said than done...

Shannon Paige has hardened her heart to the man she was once engaged to. After the hell she's been through with her checkered family, there's no way she'll let Brent into her life again. The problem is, he's been the one she could lean on, and he's still the one who makes her melt. She's torn between wanting to fight with him and wanting to sleep with him. Soon, they're both consumed with a desire that burns through the years.

 

But if these two fiery lovers are going to have a real second chance at this kind of intense, passionate, bone-deep love, he'll have to give her his whole heart, and she'll have to give up all the secrets from her messy past. And that messy past is about to spill over into her carefully choreographed present...

 

 

Past Crimes: A Compendium of Historical Mysteries by Ashley Gardner/Jennifer Ashley

Free on Amazon

 

A Soupçon of Poison

(Kat Holloway Victorian Mysteries)

 

Kat Holloway, a young cook who is highly sought after by the wealthy of Victorian London, becomes embroiled in murder and must clear her name. Only the mysterious Daniel McAdam, who is much more than he seems, can come to her aid.

 

Blood Debts

(Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries)

 

Leonidas, freedman, once the most popular gladiator in Rome and champion of the games, now must fight for his life outside the arena. A man who owed him money was murdered, and Leonidas is a prime suspect. With the assistance of Cassia, daughter of a Greek scribe who has been bestowed upon him as his slave, Leonidas fights for justice in the back lanes of Imperial Rome.

 

The Necklace Affair

(Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries)

 

Captain Lacey agrees to help a society matron discover what has become of her cherished diamond necklace and to clear her maid, who has been arrested for its theft. Lacey quickly becomes enmeshed in scandal and past secrets, and finds himself competing with the underworld criminal, James Denis, for the necklace's retrieval.

His Best Mistake by Lucy King

Is it too much to ask for a relationship that works?

When Stella Grant realizes her perfect romance is a lie and that she’s the other woman, she flees to her remote cottage in the Highlands to lick her wounds.

Billionaire currency trader Jack Maclean has nothing but contempt for the woman who stole not only his sister’s fiancé but quite possibly a family heirloom to boot. Nonetheless, he wants answers and he intends to get them. A quick trip north should do the trick. Never in a million years could he have predicted a kamikaze sheep and inclement weather would leave him stranded.

Jack might be gorgeous but Stella isn’t in the market for a man, especially one who hates her. No matter how attractive he finds her Stella is the very last person Jack should want. The trouble is, they’re all alone and the chemistry is irresistible, and, well, what happens in Scotland stays in Scotland, right?

 

Series:  Maclean Family Legacy #1| Publisher: Tule Publishing | Release Date: January 22, 2018| Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 Cups

Challenges Read For: All About the Trope (forced proximity)  Literary Pickers  (Candle) 

Jack and Stella were great together. A bit heavy at times but the witty banter made things interesting.

 

So, I was a bit worried when I started this one—it was so close to becoming a DNF—because I’m not a fan of cheating or fiancé stealing (yeah, I don’t read blurbs, so I had no idea) but thankfully I kept reading and realized things weren’t as they seemed.

 

Here’s what’s going on. Jack’s decided to confront the woman he believes stole his sister’s fiancé and an heirloom Russian signet ring. He didn’t plan on being stranded at her house, which happens to be off-grid in the Scottish Highlands, or attracted to her, seeing as he hadn’t felt that way once in the four years since his wife died. When Stella rescues Jack from his car and brings him into her home, she never imagined she would fall for him, especially since he was a Maclean, or fall into bed with him. Now they have to deal with the repercussions of that night and work through their fears while dealing with their feelings for each other.

This one totally surprised me. I was expecting something light with a dash of drama but this one was rather intense and angst-filled. And it worked.

 

“Drink?” she asked, holding the bottle a lot and waving it in his direction.

 

He folded his arms across his broad chest, and arched one dark eyebrow at her. “It’s two o’clock in the afternoon.”

 

“So? Neither of us is going anywhere at the moment and I, for one, need the fortification.”

 

“I’ll pass.”

 

“There’s no need to sound all superior about it.” She reached up for a glass and poured an inch of alcohol into it.”

 

“Why wouldn’t I?” he said, his voice discouragingly flat. “You’re shameless and unscrupulous, and quite possibly not just a thief by a drinker to boot. What’s not to be superior about?”

Jack and Stella started off on the wrong foot—he was angry and blaming her for screwing up his sister’s life and she was basically over him and his attitude from the start—so when they find themselves stranded together it makes for an interesting encounter.

 

I liked Jack and Stella. They’re both a little broken and they need to figure out how to mend but it’s going to take some work. Jack’s still working through the death of his wife and the fear of what caused it so when Stella ends up pregnant from the night they spent together, his fear takes over. He’s also beating himself up over the fact that he slept with the woman his sister believes ruined her life.

 

Stella’s working through abandonment issues brought on by her parents and trying to figure out how not to fall in love with every guy she meets. So, when circumstances force her to move into Jack’s house, she’s struggling a bit. She’s trying to figure out how to open up and let him in while not falling head over heels in love with him.

 

I really liked Stella and Jack together. They just brought out the best in each other. He was quick to stand up for her and make her feel worthy and she made him want to slow down and enjoy life more rather than just throwing himself into work. I only little complaint was that while Stella was spilling her secrets to him, which was hard for her to do, Jack kept things bottled up and she more or less had to beg for a crumb of information.

 

The romance started out with the whole insta-lust thing but it slowed down as the plot progressed and they took their time getting to know each other. I understand why they were cautious; their issues were valid so it wasn’t just angst for the sake of drama.

 

While I enjoyed the book, the epilogue felt rushed and jumbled. I just wished it would have been evened out a bit.

 

Overall, I was pleased with this one. A few things could have been smoothed out but it worked. And it had just that right amount of angst and humor to make this one fly by.

 

Maclean Family Legacy Series

His Best Mistake

Her Forbidden Warrior (February 19, 2018)

 

 

   

Free Reads

 

The Handfasters  by Helen Susan Swift

Free On Amazon

 

 

Scotland, 1811. Coming from the Highlands to Edinburgh in search of a husband, Alison Lamont finds herself in all sorts of trouble.

 

 

Thrown out of a fashionable ball for a stolen kiss, she flees from a riot in the notorious Old Town and ends up staying the night with Willie Kemp, an eccentric boatbuilder. While Alison falls deeply in love with Mr. Kemp, her aunt wishes her to marry the obnoxious but rich John Forres.

Alison takes drastic measures to solve her dilemma, including a long trip through the snow-covered Pentland Hills. But who left the mysterious footprints outside her cottage, and what secret is Mr. Kemp hiding?

 

Watch Me by Cynthia Eden

Free On Amazon

 

He was hired to protect her

Watching gorgeous Gwen Hawthorne wasn't a hard job--but it certainly was tempting. Chance Valentine had tried to keep his distance from the sexy socialite for years, but when her father hired him to keep watch on her--as a twenty-four, seven bodyguard--Chance knew his control was about to be pushed to the limit.

 

He'd never wanted another woman the way he desired her. Hot. Intense. Consuming. Being so close to Gwen, Chance knew that he wouldn't be able to resist her. So he gave into his need, her need, and he took them both to the edge of a dark and consuming desire.

 

But Chance soon realizes that he isn't the only one watching Gwen. Someone else is out there, a stalker who won't rest until Gwen is destroyed. Every day, every moment...Gwen is in danger. And Chance knows that if he can't unmask the stalker, then he may just lose the only woman he has ever loved.

 

 

Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

Free On Amazon

 

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

 

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

 

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

 

 

Dark, Witch & Creamy by H.Y. Hanna Free On Amazon

 

When Caitlyn learns that she was found as an abandoned baby and adopted by her American family, her search for answers takes her to the quaint English village of Tillyhenge - where a man has been murdered by witchcraft and a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the "local witch"...

 

Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting handsome aristocrat Lord James Fitzroy... not to mention discovering that she herself might have magical blood in her veins!

 

When she's dragged into the murder investigation and realises that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

 

 

 

 

Which ones did you pick up? 

 

 

   

Something to Stitch About 2018 Goals

So, last year I decided to set a goal to tackle my overflowing embroidery and cross-stitch projects thus Something to Stitch About was born. I have to say it really helped motivate me to finish the projects that I’ve had crammed away and I was surprised by how many projects I finished. I’ve decided that I’m going to keep with it in 2018 and expand it a bit to include some of the sewing projects that I want to get done as well.

Embroidery/Cross Stitch Goals: I’m aiming for 5-10 projects. Some I know that I need to work on, others I’ll probably just end up grabbing out of my stash.

 

For Cross Stitch I want to finish the following

1-    Cornish Folkies Cross Stitch (a.k.a. Poldark cross stitch)

2-    Jane Eyre Cross Stitch

3-    Outlander Cross Stitch sampler

4-    Gift Project 1

5-    Tea Sampler

 

For Embroidery I want to finish the following

1.     Winter table runner (I started this project in 2017 and the thread I need to finish it is on backorder, so hopefully the company will have it in soon)

2.     Frosty Memories lap quilt

 

Sewing Goal: I'm aiming for 5-10 projects.

 

1—Renaissance Outfit—this one is nearly finished. I just need to find the right material for the front panel, sleeves, and bodice. Then finish making minor adjustments to the hem and such.

2—Rag Quilt—so this one is going to be something new for me. I have all the materials need washed, sorted, and waiting to be cut.

3—Outlander quilt panel—so I have no idea what I’m going to do with this one. I’ve been gathering ideas but nothings struck my fancy so we shall see.

4—Small Clutch x 2—so one is going to serve as a catchall in my new Outlander handbag and the other is going to be for my Outlander gloves so I don’t end up losing them when I’m out and about (you wouldn’t believe how many gloves I’ve lost over the last few winters).

5—Sleep masks and aromatherapy heating bags.

6—Mug rugs—because they’re adorable and I have a ton of fat quarters that I’ve been hoarding.  

 

 

What type of crafter are you?

 

 

   

Outlander Reading Challenge

 

There was such an amazing response to last year’s Outlander challenge I’ve decided to keep it going.

 

Are you addicted to the television series but haven’t read the books? Or have you had the books sitting on your shelf but haven’t picked them up yet? Maybe you want a chance to re-read the series. Well, here’s your chance! Dust off those copies and join the Outlander Series Reading Challenge.

 

 

 

Here’s what you need to know. 

 

Goal—To read through the Outlander Series and the shorts.

 

What Counts

Ø Re-reads count

Ø All formats (print, digital, or audio) count

 

Who can join? Anyone.

Ø Bloggers, set up a challenge post and link it below.

Ø Not a blogger? It’s okay, just set up an Outlander Series Reading Challenge shelf on GoodReads or just use the Facebook group.

Ø Make sure you join the Facebook group, because fun mini-challenges and giveaways will be posted there. You’ll also have the chance to meet and interact with other Outlander fans who are participating in the challenge.  

 

Check In Posts: Will be the last Friday of each month with the exception of November.

January  26^th  | February 23^rd  | March 30^th | April 27^th   | May 25^th  | June 29^th  | July 27^th  | August 31^st  | September 28^th | October 26^th | November 23^rd | December 28^th  (Final Check In Post of This Year)

Check In Giveaways will be random, so please check the blog every month. There will also be random blog giveaways.

 

Bloggers, grab the button to let others know you’re joining in

 

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