Book Review, Guest Post and Giveaway: Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever by James Richey

This is an easy read dealing with marriage, mining and a dash of danger.
Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever
by James Richey

• File Size: 3068 KB
• Print Length: 435 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0990918106
• Publisher: JER Books; 1 edition (December 23, 2014)
• Publication Date: December 23, 2014
• ASIN: B00REM92NS
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Jaxon Tagget is a cattle-rancher's son, born and raised on the Double T, just outside of Dillon, Montana. In love with his high-school sweetheart, Annie, Jaxon proposes on graduation night, presenting her with a wedding ring made from gold he mined himself. Annie accepts immediately, to the horror of her bitter, man-hating mother.
Jaxon's a wonderful husband, but the warnings of Annie's mother linger in the young bride's ears. And it doesn't help that women continue to fall all over the markedly handsome Jaxon.
Unaware of his wife's persistent doubts, Jaxon is struggling with his own troubles when he finds out his dad is sorely in need of money to save the ranch. But hope glimmers gold when he rediscovers the old mine on the Double T.
While Jaxon travels to verify the mine's productivity, Annie grows increasingly suspicious. Is Jaxon's absence what it seems, or does he have another, less faithful reason for his travels? When Annie sees a picture of the beautiful laboratory owner whom Jaxon is visiting, she's sure the only gold he's interested in is long, blond hair. Is Annie right, or will it be her doubts that forever sever their Two Hearts?

Review:
Annie was a beautiful and popular high school student when Jaxon approached her. They became an “item” from that night on. Jaxon is handsome man and his farming work has built attractive muscles any woman would admire. Annie is thrilled when Jaxon proposes the night of graduation and presents her with a handmade double heart pendant as well as a handmade ring. Annie’s mother has a different reaction. Annie was ten years old when her mother found her father with another woman. Annie’s mother is bitter and reminds Annie consistently not to trust any man, especially one as handsome as Jax.

Annie and Jax marry a few years later. After college he secures a job with a mining company in South America. Jax is a rising star and all is going well until the boss’s younger wife takes an interest in him. Jax tries to avoid the ‘viper’ woman but one night she corners him. Events erupt causing Jax to be fired and Annie to suspect her husband in spite of his reasonable explanation.

Jax and Annie arrive back at his ranch to discover his father suffering with cancer and the ranch suffering financial difficulties. As Jax tries to find ways to save the ranch Annie takes every rumor as evidence that he has been unfaithful. Will she be able to overcome her distrust or will she forever regret her attitude when danger strikes?

There are women who could relate to Annie’s insecurities and jealousies, especially when fueled by having witnessed her father’s infidelity and neglect. I, however, had trouble with her distrust which could be a surefire way to kill her relationship with Jax. Even though I found Annie’s attitude difficult, I enjoyed the story which the author built around the trust issues in marriage and poisonous influences outside a marriage. Jax is a great guy and I found all of the mining details very interesting. His four friends also add interest to the story as did the excitement of a plane crash and hired killers. One of the friends brings not only rumors but danger to Jax and Annie.

The story is well written and makes for a quick read. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet contemporary romance with conflict and a dash of danger.

I received this title from iReads for an honest review.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

Meet the Author:

James Eric Richey was born and raised in California. He attended Brigham Young University, studying English with an emphasis in Literature. After graduating from BYU he returned home to California to further his education by attending law school. After passing the bar, James practiced in California for several years, but he quickly learned that he did not have a passion for the law.

In 1998 James obtained his real estate appraiser license, which has given him a flexible work schedule and allowed him to pursue his true passion, writing books. Besides his writing, he also enjoys reading, running, and sailing. James currently lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.

Connect with the author:   Website  ~   Twitter  ~    Facebook

AUTHOR"S GUEST POST:
Facing Life’s Challenges:
     Life is full of trials. No one is exempt. It is not a matter of if, but rather, when we will face them. Life’s trials can be small or large, and no matter the size, success in our trials depends upon our attitude as we face them and our ability to persevere through them to the end. Will we and can we endure to the end?
     We live in a disposable society—if something is broken we throw it away. This same philosophy is applied to marriage—divorce is the first answer for any little problem that comes up.
     At the beginning of Two Hearts Jaxon digs for months to find enough gold to make Annie a wedding ring. He could have purchased a ring for her, but that was the easy way. Jaxon wanted to work for it, to show to Annie what kind of man he was. Jaxon was willing to do anything for her. He knew of her past and knew the challenges she carried with her, and yet, he still wanted to marry her. For Jaxon, they could work together and solve any problem that came their way. No matter the size of the trial, Jaxon wanted to work together side by side with Annie to face life’s challenges.
     Reading a story about facing trials maybe boring and mundane, but adding a bear attack, finding a gold mine, suspected infidelity, hired killers, and plane crashes adds spice to the story to keep readers turning the page. I think with all of the things that Jaxon and Annie faced, their undying love for each other helped to propel the story forward.
     Jaxon never faltered. Annie struggled with trust due to her being raised by a mother who hated men. Annie struggled, but in the end she stayed true to Jaxon and the vows she made at marriage. Ultimately their love grew stronger because of the trials they suffered together. They battled the storms and survived. Reading stories about other peoples’ struggles and successes gives us each hope and strength to endure our own trials.

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