A Cowboy Like You by Donna Grant

Sportochick's Musings ~ Due to the ending and moral of the story I give it 4 STARS.

A Cowboy Like You

Heart of Texas #4

by Donna Grant

Publisher ~ St. Martins Press Romance

Genres ~ Cowboy, Contemporary Romance

In the Heart of Texas, a heartthrob cowboy may get his second chance at love…

Danny Oldman, the handsome Lone Star sheriff, is still single. He tells himself, and anyone who asks, that he is married to his job―and what matters most is keeping the people of his beloved Texas hometown safe. The truth? Danny still hasn’t gotten over his high school crush. She moved away after graduation and took Danny’s heart with her.

Skylar Long never thought she would have to flee Houston and return home―where it all began for her. But that’s what happened after the man of her dreams turned out to be an actual nightmare. Now, Skylar is desperate to escape her obsessive boyfriend. Nothing shocks her more than seeing Danny again and realizing that their long-ago attraction is more powerful than ever. But can she and Danny find a way to fight against Skylar’s wealthy, powerful ex who is dead set on tearing them apart? 

This story opens quite dramatically with Skylar trying to escape her absolutely scary boyfriend. Fortunately for her she has a witness and from the beginning of this story she has to hide for her life.

Domestic abuse is a real thing and in this story the author does an outstanding job of portraying the everyday fear that these victims live with. Her writing feels real and causes an anxiety within the reader much like Skylar's. Skylar understands how she got where she is but sometimes understanding comes almost too late. In this book she is never shown as weak even though sometimes defenseless and scared. I felt her growing stronger and not willing to put up with the ex was handled in a believable manner. 

Danny Oldman, the handsome Lone Star sheriff remembers Skylar from his youth. In fact, he has never forgot her. Reading this series, I always wonder who the woman was that got away and this book solves that question. It also shows how nice people can lose out of a relationship because they don't feel good enough.

As with any book written by author Donna Grant there is a lesson learned. So people jump off the cliff! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try.

Due to the ending and moral of the story I give it 4 STARS.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

The Christmas Cowboy Hero #1 - My Review

Cowboy, Cross My Heart #2 - My Review

My Favorite Cowboy #3 - My Review

A Cowboy like You #4 - My Review

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AUDIBLE ESCAPE REVIEW Highland Fires by Donna Grant

Sportochick's Musings ~ The author Donna Grant always has a way to twist a story to show more facets to a person's personality and this book is no exception. 

Highland Fires

Druid's Glen Series, Book 4

by Donna Grant

Publisher ~ Tantor Audio

Genres ~ Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance

A haunted man....

Once a powerful Fae and heir to the throne of the Fae, Lugus has been given a second chance by his brother the Fae king. No longer immortal, Lugas makes his home off the coast of Scotland as he struggles to cope with his foul deeds and memories of a love that was never his.

A haunted woman....

Ahryn has been bound to the realm of Earth by an ancient Celtic slave bracelet that prevents her from using any of her Fae magic. As her hope dwindles, she spots Lugus and knows he is her last chance. Though he was banished from the realm of the Fae and stripped of his immortality, she trusts him with her life...and her heart.

Lugus is tormented by his past and some of it wasn't his fault. This is the story of an evil man who wants redemption but knows he won't get it and is ready to die.

Ahryn has herself caught in a hard spot and I like how quick she thinks on her feet by seeking help from Lugus. She alone sees the goodness in Lugus in spite of what she knows. 

The author Donna Grant always has a way to twist a story to show more facets to a person's personality and this book is no exception. As you get further into the book you'll see that anything is possible.

4 STARS.

My Reviews of the Druid's Glen Series ~ 
Highland Mist #1 - My Review

Highland Nights #2 - My Review

Highland Dawn #3 - My Review

Highland Fires #4 - My Review

Highland Magic #5 - My Review

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5+ REVIEW Highland Sword by May McGoldrick

Sportochick's Musings ~ This book went beyond my expectations creating an action-packed story that weaves through a series of twists and turns to create a flawless ending to the series.

Highland Sword

A Royal Highlander Novel #3

by May McGoldrick 

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Swerve

Genres ~ Historical Romance

Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion—this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best. From USA Today bestselling author May McGoldrick comes Highland Sword, the third book in the Royal Highlander series.

A VOW FOR VENGEANCE
Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Trained to fight alongside the other rebels determined to break Britain’s hold on Scotland, she swears to avenge her father’s death—until a chance encounter with a barrister as proud and principled as she is presents her with a hard choice…and a bittersweet temptation.

A PLEA FOR PASSION
Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan—and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney. Convincing Morrigan to help him will take time, but Aidan is willing to wait if it means victory over corrupt government forces and freedom for his people…and Morrigan’s hand in marriage. Can two warriors committed to a cause stand down long enough to open their hearts to a love fierce enough to last…forever?

Wow what a dynamic end to A Royal Highlander Novel Series! This book went beyond my expectations creating an action-packed story that weaves through a series of twists and turn to create a flawless ending to the series.

I can't say enough about this series or for this last book of the series. The author May McGoldrick does extensive research and this book is no different. The reader will learn a lot about what was occurring during the time that this book was written with vivid imagery and well scripted dialog.

Fiery Morrigan is the main female character in this book and her character is finally brought to light for the reader. In previous books she seemed to be in the shadows and what comes out throughout the book will bring draw the reader compassionately in, so they want to hold her and take her troubles away. I want to be like her fiery, feisty and a warrior.

Aidan and his brother, Sebastian are a great team and their interactions with each other will make you smile. Though Sebastian is. secondary character I sure would love to read a book where he is the primary character. Aiden is one of those men that makes you feel safe and loved. He is quick on his feet and sharp in his mind. In fact, he is the perfect match for Morrigan.

The ending to this book made me cry in a good and sad way. The way it was tied up at the end brought me great satisfaction.

5 +++ STARS for the flawless emotional ending to the series.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of A Royal Highlander Novel Series 

Highland Crown (#1) - My Review  

Highland Jewel (#2) - My Review 

Highland Sword (#3) - My Review 

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Scot Under the Covers by Suzanne Enoch

Sportochick's Musings ~ This is worth 5 STARS for being so multidimensional. 

Scot Under the Covers

The Wild Wicked Highlanders #2

by Suzanne Enoch

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Romance

Genres ~ Historical Romance

When a resourceful English lady and a hot-blooded Highlander join forces to trick a scoundrel, every rule will be broken!

Miranda Harris is known for her charm, wit, and ability to solve any problem she encounters. But when her brother lands neck-deep in gambling debt to a crafty villain and Miranda is subsequently blackmailed into marrying him, she must enlist the help of the devil himself to save the family honor―and herself.

Devilishly handsome Highlander Aden MacTaggert knows next to nothing about the ways of the ton, but he most certainly knows his way around gaming halls and womens’ hearts. Still, Aden is not sure how he’ll manage to find a Sassenach bride in time to save his family’s inheritance. When his almost sister-in-law Miranda comes to him for assistance, he proposes a partnership: She will help him navigate London society and he’ll teach her everything about wagering…and winning back her freedom. The beautiful, clever lass intrigues Aden―but is she playing her own game, or are the sparks between them real? He is accustomed to risking his pocket. But betting on Miranda’s love is a game he can’t afford to lose. . .

Miranda and Aden lead readers on a "merry chase" that this reader absolutely enjoyed and found herself laughing out loud several times at Aden and his brother, Coll's antics. Fast paced, humorous, full of intrigue, distrust and the love of family. 

The primary heroine is my kind of girl. She doesn't just fold and get the vapors she works of getting out of her predicament. I admire how the author unfolded her character creating her to be dimensional, believable and emotional while retaining her ladylike qualities. I love how she kept poking and pushing at Aden till he pushed back.

The opening scenes including Aden and Coll are hysterical and were effective in setting the mood for this book. The author quickly brings you into their resistance to finding and marrying a Sassenach bride plus all the antics these wild highlander's do and create to not fit in. They are like bulls in a china shop. Very adorable though I do feel bad for their proper English mother.

Aden is quite different than what I originally thought. He has this huge wall around him to keep him safe. The circumstances show him many things such as how to trust, work with others and open his heart to love while thinking of others well-being. I feel like he changed the most in this book, but he still retained his core self.

This is worth 5 STARS for being so multidimensional. 

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of The Wild Wicked Highlanders Series 

It's Getting Scot in Here #1 - My Review
Scot Under the Covers #2 - My Review
#3 - My Review

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5 STAR Review The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March

Sportochick's Musings ~ I give this 5 STARS for it's emotional feel good vibe.

The Christmas Wishing Tree

An Eternity Springs Novel #15

by Emily March

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press

Genres ~ Contemporary Romance

Sometimes life’s most magical journeys bring you back to where it all began…From New York Times bestselling author Emily March comes The Christmas Wishing Tree, an enchanting account of the magic and miracle of Christmas.

A man who loves adventure and the open sea, Devin Murphy returns for a short Christmas trip to his small hometown of Eternity Springs. Immersed in the joy and magic of the holiday season all around him, he doesn’t hesitate to play along when a young boy phones Santa to ask for a very special wish. Devin never guesses that a wrong number has the potential to make everything in his life so right.

Jenna Stockton adopted Reilly when he needed a mother and she intends to keep him safe. A small town across the country called Eternity Springs seems like a good place to hide from their past without any complications —until sexy Santa himself discovers her secrets. When Devin proposes a daring plan to face down the danger together and defeat it once and for all, she is tempted. Maybe Devin really is capable of making wishes come true? Perhaps in a Christmas wish they’ll both find the miracle they’ve been looking for all along…

A delightful Christmas novel in the New York Times bestselling Eternity Springs series.

What a delightful storyline!  I love An Eternity Springs series book they are so full of hope. This charming story will just twist your guts in knots with Jenna and Reilly's horrible situation. Then... it will beat with excitement at Devin's intervention to help them.

The male primary character is Devin who is a very caring and loving friend, son and brother. But he has a big heart and is careful with Reilly's as he tries to help him when Reilly mistakes him for Santa. The main theme to Devin is he's not ready for marriage and a family so though he wants to help Jenna and Reilly he doesn't want to get involved emotionally. 

Jenna is one protective mom and she is trying everything she can to protect herself and her son from the evil that is out to get her. How she negotiates this and finding a safe haven for them is handled with finesse and thoughtfulness. Her trust issues is evident when you read the book and very understandable.

Celeste, the manager of Angel's Rest Healing Center & Spa, makes a huge appearance in the book creating Angel magic everywhere she goes. This addition to the story plus Eternity Spring's motto "Where broken hearts come to heal" throws the reader into a wonderful world of hope, possibilities, friendship and love.

I give this 5 STARS for it's emotional feel good vibe.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

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REVIEW Tucker by Emily March

Sportochick's Musings ~ I give it 5 STARS for both of them fighting for their happiness.

Tucker

Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas #2

by Emily March

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Romance

Genres ~ Contemporary Romance

Hope springs eternal in this enchanting Texas town.

Meet Gillian Thacker. Her business: Bliss Bridal Salon. Her passion: Weddings. Her own wedding: It’s complicated. Life isn’t turning out like she’d planned. The last thing she wants is for a real-life hero to ride to her rescue but when an unexpected event puts her entire future in Redemption, Texas, at risk. So what’s a broken-hearted bridal expert to do? Maybe a new set of survival skills is exactly what she needs…

Tucker McBride has been proud to call himself a U.S. Army Ranger. But now that his days of service are over, he’s decided to put his expertise to use by founding a wilderness skills training school. He sets up shop in Redemption, next to Bliss Bridal, and so begins life: Part Two. Marriage has been pretty low on his agenda, but as soon as he meets Gillian, Tucker can’t help but contemplate the ultimate challenge: Convincing the reluctant bride to take his hand and leap into the adventure of a lifetime. . .until death do they part.

Tucker makes a hard decision regarding his military career and he goes back to his family in Redemption to think and heal. This is the storyline beginning with a military man who loses himself and goes into isolation to find himself and what he needs and wants. 

The author adds the spicy twist of him saving Gillian, a damsel in distress along the way. Tucker can't help but be attracted to this engaged beauty but he runs for the hills.

Meanwhile, Gillian's character is amazing as she deals with a finance who is a snake of the worse kind. How she handles the breakup and what she finds out afterwards is believable because it is filled with raw emotion and pain you can feel straight to your bones. Parts of her are gutsy and other parts is pure girly girl which is an interesting combination to Tucker's survivalist personality.

Tucker's personality combined with Gillian's create a very hot story filled with overflowing emotions and feelings. In this story two people who deserve and desire to be loved and have a family preserve to break down their walls of resistance and to find a happy ending.

Also, in this book are characters from the Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas Book #1 including his two hot cousins who continue to heat up the pages of this book as well.

I give it 5 STARS for both of them fighting for their happiness.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas Series
Jackson Book 1 - My Review
Tucker Book 2 - My Review

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REVIEW Jackson by Emily March

Sportochick's Musings ~ Author Emily March is a master at telling stories about broken hearts, lost love and redemption.

Jackson

Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas #1

by Emily March

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Romance

Genres ~ Contemporary Romance

From New York Times bestselling author Emily March comes Jackson, the newest novel in the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series.

Sometimes it takes a new beginning
Caroline Carruthers thinks she buried her dreams along with the love of her life…until a stranger named Celeste dares her to chase a dream all on her own. Moving to Redemption, Texas, is chapter one in Caroline’s new life story. Opening a bookstore is the next. Finding love is the last thing on her mind as she settles into this new place called home. But when she meets a handsome, soulful man who’s also starting over, all bets are off.

to reach a happily-ever-after
Jackson McBride came to Redemption looking only to find himself, not someone to love. Ever since his marriage ended, he’s been bitter. Sure, he used to believe in love—he even has the old song lyrics to prove it—but the Jackson of today is all business. That is, until a beautiful young widow who’s moved to town inspires a change of heart. Could it be that the myth of Redemption’s healing magic is true…and Jackson and Caroline can find a second chance at a happy ending after all?

Author Emily March is a master at telling stories about broken hearts, lost love and redemption. She does a superb job with Jacksons' broken family and heart. 

Jackson is one of the good men. He loves his daughter and just wants to be with his daughter. Jackson becomes a broken man because he and his ex's constant fighting causes him to lose visitation rights. His emotions of anger, sorrow and fear are so real that the reader will feel a pain in their heart for everything he is experiencing. The fact that he even notices Caroline is a miracle with all his hurt and lack of trust. 

Caroline's loss is another part of this story. I understand her pain because my mom died with Alzheimer's. It broke our family’s heart that she didn't know us at the end, so Caroline's reaction rang true. I loved how much she loved her husband, her heartbreak and how she survived it all. Her example of grace in the face of such heartbreak create an atmosphere of hope.

The emotions created for the reader around this plot was handled with finesse and several times I had to bring out the Kleenex. There was a point at the end of the story that my heart almost broke and I was so into the story that it hurt for Caroline at what could be the ending for her story that was not satisfying for me. 

You need to read the book though to see if she gets her happy ever after.

I give it 5 STARS for stirring me so emotionally.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas Series
Jackson Book 1 - My Review
Tucker Book 2 - My Review

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