The Rambler's Bride by Linda Goodnight
About the Novella
In 1870’s Kansas, Widow Esther North will do most anything to save her land from her powerful cousin and the coming railroad-even kiss a stranger! The kissing cowboy, Jericho North is bent on revenge from his brother’s widow, and the will hidden in his pocket is all he needs to make it happen. But he hadn’t reckoned on a baby...and neither he nor Esther had reckoned on love.
My Thoughts
This was a cute story! I've enjoyed all of Linda Goodnight's books that I've read so I had no doubt that this one would be good! All of the characters were great and well-written. The story played out believably and I especially liked the fact that when Jericho reveal his secret, Esther was very rational about it instead of flipping out like fictional females often do! All in all I really liked this short story!
Meet the AuthorNY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels to touch the heart as well as to entertain. Her emotional stories of hope have won the RITA, the Carol, the Reviewer's Choice, and numerous other industry awards. A small town girl, Linda remains close to her roots, making her home in rural Oklahoma. She and husband have a blended family of eight, including two teenagers recently adopted from Ukraine. Many of her books are about family and children and rightly so, as she draws her deeply emotional stories from her surroundings, her great love of family, and from personal experiences as a nurse and teacher. Connect with Linda on Facebook, Twitter, or at www.lindagoodnight.com
Lovebirds at Heartbreak Hotel by Janet Tronstad
About the Novella
Janet pens a brand-new Retro Café Sweet Romance starring a 1950’s truck driver (Buddy) and a waitress (Penny) who both have enough trouble without everyone in Webster’s Crossing thinking they are falling in love.
My Thoughts
I was a bit disappointed in this novella. The beginning was a bit confusing, with none of the characters fitting the age you later find out they are and having misconceptions about their ages makes some parts seem a bit creepy. After that got straighten out it did get a little better and it ended cutely. Another thing that threw me off a bit was that it was all told from the hero's POV, which I don't think I've ever read in a romance before. It turned out okay though and as I said it did end well!Meet the Author
USA TODAY and PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY Bestselling Author, Janet Tronstad, currently lives in Pasadena, California
Her Mule Hollow Cowboy by Debra Clopton
About the Novella
Rescuing a beautiful cowgirl from being trampled has professional bull rider, Cliff Masterson, dreaming of romance, home, hearth and that first kiss...but Maddie Rose has had enough people in her life leave and she’s not willing to risk her heart on a rambling cowboy—Sparks fly when these two are near. Can the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow help this couple find their happily ever after?
My Thoughts
As I've come to expect from this author, this book was humorous and had fun characters. I really liked Cliff and how he did his best to look out for Maddie while also being mindful of when to let her do things on her own. Maddie was pretty great too, and I was glad she was able to get beyond her past and let Cliff into her life instead of blocking him out like she did with so many others. I will say that everything seemed to get resolved faster than made sense but that is a typical problem in novellas and it was still believable.
Meet the Author
A sixth generation Texan, Debra lives on a ranch in central Texas with her husband Chuck. She loves to travel and spend time with her family. She is the author of the much loved Mule Hollow Matchmakers series where you never know what the Matchmaking "Posse" is going to do next! She writes for Harlequin Love Inspired and Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins Christian. She is currently working on her 25th novel surrounded by cows, dogs and even renegade donkey herds that keep her writing authentic and often find their way into her stories. She loves helping people smile with her fun, fast paced stories.
Deadly Hunt by Margaret Daley
About the Novella
All bodyguard Tess Miller wants is a vacation. But when a wounded stranger stumbles into her isolated cabin in the Arizona mountains, Tess becomes his lifeline. When Shane Burkhart opens his eyes, all he can focus on is his guardian angel leaning over him. And in the days to come he will need a guardian angel while being hunted by someone who wants him dead.
My Thoughts
This was a decent novella. The suspense was pretty good and I didn't figure out who the bad guy was till closer to the end. The characters were well-written and likeable. The romance did move a little fast but they did take some time to think at the end which was good. In fact the only part of this novella that I didn't really enjoy was the very last bit, but other than that it was a fun read!Meet the Author
Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-one books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.
Necessary Proof by Camy Tang
About the Novella
Alex Villa became a Christian in prison, and because of his efforts to help stop a gang producing meth in Sonoma, he has been set up for the death of a cop. Can computer expert Jane Lawton find the evidence that will prove his innocence before the gang eliminates them both?
I enjoyed this novella! I liked how the characters did know each other a little before the story started so the whole insta-love thing was avoided. The story was well-written and pretty believable and there was a decent amount of action. I really liked both Alex and Jane and this was one of my favorites of this collection!Meet the Author
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She grew up in Hawaii and now lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and rambunctious mutt, Snickers. She graduated from Stanford University and worked as a biologist researcher for 9 years, but now she writes full-time. She is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service.
Kissed by A Cowboy by Lacy Williams
About the Novella
Former shy-girl Haley Carston is back in Redbud Trails, Oklahoma, to care for her dying aunt. She didn’t count on cowboy Maddox Michaels, her high school crush and the man who might just bring her dreams of marriage and family back to life…
My Thoughts
This was by far my favorite of all the novellas in this collection and the only one of these authors that I've never read before.
I absolutely loved how it started out the past when they were in high-school, not only was it one of my favorite scenes in the book, but it also gave the characters history, which is helpful in novellas. Maddox was a great hero. I loved his selflessness in giving up everything to help his family, and never complaining about it. He was also such a hard-worker, and he could be really sweet. Haley was the perfect heroine for Maddox and it was cool to watch her transformation from the high-schooler who was always in the shadows to the confident and sweet woman she became. Olivia was a fun kid and I liked her too. In short I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
Meet the AuthorLacy Williams grew up on a farm, which is where her love of cowboys was born. In reality, she's married to a right-brained banker (happily with three kiddos). She gets to express her love of western men by writing historical romance. Her books have finaled in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards (2012 & 2013), the Golden Quill and the Booksellers Best Award.
Lacy also writes YA action romance under the pen name Lacy Yager. She has a soft spot for bad boy heroes and heroines with swords. Although her teen years are long behind her, she enjoys writing about the drama and first love that comes with this time in our lives.
I received an e-ARC of this book free in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
