Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf: Katie Lane

Showing posts with label Katie Lane. Show all posts

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane

This is a fun, flirty read.

Flirting with Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas)
by Katie Lane

Series: Deep in the Heart of Texas (Book 5)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Forever (July 30, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1455515698
ISBN-13: 978-1455515691

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: July 30, 2013 | Series: Deep in the Heart of Texas (Book 5)
YOU'RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME, COWGIRL
On her own in the Big Apple, Jenna Jay Scroggs can handle herself when trouble arises. But when she tries to rescue a horse, the passionate do-gooder ends up on a runaway Central Park carriage ride with a hunky stranger. With his sexy drawl and well-worn Levis, Beauregard Cates is doing his darnedest to make Jenna homesick for the small western town she's spent years trying to forget. And it's working: She's dangerously close to falling head over boot heels for the rugged rodeo star with hair the color of moonshine.

Beau came to the big city to escape his past and live life to the fullest. Yet the leggy blonde with eyes as blue as a western sky causes a real hitch in his giddy-up. So when the well-meaning folks of Bramble plot to bring Jenna home, Beau will need to convince her that she won't ever get Texas out of her blood - or one good-time, ever-lovin' cowboy out of her heart.

Review:
Jenna is a passionate activist fighting evil in New York as she seeks to help the underdogs of the world. Although she was raised in a small Texas town in a lively family with “country”-type parents, Jenna felt like she never quite fit in with her taller dark-haired siblings. When her parents wouldn’t accept her college boyfriend, Davy, a long-haired ‘artist’, Jenna moved to New York in her own little rebellion and has refused to speak to her family.

Beau is a handsome cowboy competing in rodeo bull riding around the country. He owns Miss Hattie's Hen House, a former brothal, now a Bed & Breakfast, in Bramble, Texas that is managed by the former Madam, Minnie. Minnie has an agenda and she asks Beau to track down Jenna in New York.
No sooner does Beau locate Jenna then he gets caught up in her escapades. He has to rescue her after she takes off with a horse and carriage because she wants to save the horse from the cruel master. Beau shows up at Jenna’s apartment and isn’t impressed by her girly looking, wimpy boyfriend. Beau didn’t intend to get entangled with Jenna but then they get shanghaied and transported together from NY to Texas in a small travel trailer!

Once Jenna simmers down she realizes she is attracted to the rugged cowboy but he has made it clear that he is out for fun and no commitment. Beau is surprised by his attraction to Jenna too, especially since he has had some trouble of late responding to his usual rodeo groupie one night stands. Just as they decide to explore their attraction they are totally surprised to have the trailer door opened to the cheers of the home town folks! It seems the town had decided it was high time that Jenna made up with her folks. If the adventure brought Beau in from a two year absence too, all the better.

Beau has avoided his family as he copes with recovering from cancer and treatment at a young age with no promises that it won’t come back. As Beau continues to struggle with his own demons, Jenna plans to make an escape back to NY and Davy.

Both characters have an awakening as a misunderstanding has Jenna panicking about her family history and a medical emergency for Minnie has Beau seeing his illness and absence in a whole new light. While they are navigating their emotions another character, Marcy, who has a high school reputation as a slut, is suddenly spending time with the bachelor pastor. Will these couples be able to face their fears, move beyond their pasts and maybe find a future together?

This story turned out a lot better than it started for me. I wasn’t crazy about the playboy character of Beau and even Jenna was a bit extreme. But they both grew on me until I was cheering for them by the end. I really liked the insights that Ms. Lane shared on the cancer and self-esteem issues. Minnie, even from her wheelchair, shares a great positive attitude. Instead of accepting the old adage “Life is hell, and then you die” Minnie proclaims “Life isn’t hell; it’s a journey. A wonderful, breathtaking journey.” (Page 256.)

The romance with the two couples was on the steaming side for Jenna and Beau while more sweet and struggling for Marcy and Sean. There was some mobster involvement that added a little extra fun and excitement. I recommend this story as a fun read especially for romance readers who enjoy their characters a bit wacky with plenty of escapades to share.

I received this ARC from Hachette/Forever to provide an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

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For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US or Canadian address.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 16, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on August 17, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Book Review and Giveaway: Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane

This story is a fun, entertaining romance.

Hunk for the Holidays
by Katie Lane

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Forever; Original edition
ISBN-10: 1455522368
ISBN-13: 978-1455522361
Genre: Holiday Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 25, 2012
Always putting business before pleasure, Cassie McPherson works hard for her family's construction business. That might explain why she doesn't have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn't quite explain why she's crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or - crazier still - why she's dying to unwrap him like a present . . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone, including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn't stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he's not an escort. He's her family's fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

Review:
Cassie is a strong-minded, stubborn business woman. She handles the bookkeeping for her family’s construction business although she would be happier working on site or in design. She parted with her last real boyfriend 18 months before and has gotten into the habit of hiring escorts for events, like her company Christmas party. Usually the escorts are younger, good looking college types who are willing to let her be in charge. But the man who shows up for this event is mature, exudes confidence and has no plans to let Cassie control the evening.

James is immediately stricken by the sassy lady in the slinky red dress and sexy stilettos. He is also impressed by her knowledge and hutzpa. It isn’t his fault that she jumps to the wrong conclusion thinking he is her paid escort for the night.

These two hit it off companionably and chemically. James planned on explaining who he is before he tries to get her into his bed but those plans were waylaid by Cassie drinking a few too many glasses of champagne. When she wakes up in bed with her hunky date she decides to wake him with a surprise. Things heat up between them while James tries to figure out how to tell her the truth and keep her by his side for more time together.

Cassie’s four brothers met James and liked him even though there was some protective posturing. But no one knew who he was until too late. When their father makes an insulting offer to buy out James’ business, both James and Cassie feel betrayed. It looks like it will be a lonely Christmas for them unless they can get past their anger and a few more misunderstandings.

This story opens with and maintains a sense of feisty fun. Cassie and James are strong characters who both want the upper hand. Their interaction sizzles but it takes some effort to decide to trust and reveal their feelings. Cassie’s brothers are good characters too and there is a nice side romance involving one of them. The writing flows for easy, fast reading. I recommend this to those who enjoy a fun, sexy romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cassie’s assistant points out her control issues:

“So stop hiring them and tr to find a nice guy to date. Or do you just like the control so much that you’re addicted?”... “That’s it, isn’t it? You can’t control your dad or your four brothers, but you can control some young sap for money.” Location 146.

James thinks he can control matters:

...He wanted to take as much time as possible, wanted to control every second of the kiss.
It worked for all of a second.
The second right before his lips touched hers. Once they did, he was lost.
James no longer thought. He just felt. Location 615

Received for an honest Review from Forever div of Hachette.

This is set in Colorado for my Where Are You Reading Challenge.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the review Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 28, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 29, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Q&A Interview with Katie Lane, Author of Going Cowboy Crazy and Make Mine a Bad Boy

Today please help me welcome author, Katie Lane.

1Q. When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

Katie: I have never sat down to write a series. It always happens about halfway through the first book. An Ah-ha moment so to speak.

2Q. What inspired you to write this genre?

Katie: Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss

3Q. Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

Katie: Everything influences my writing. The monster truck with the flapping flags that passed me on the freeway. The twins the mother was trying to corral at the grocery store. The friendly people of west Texas. The neighbor’s dog. Pretty much everything.

4Q. Did you find anything "hands on" or unusual required when researching these books?

Katie: I traveled to west Texas a couple times. I said it was for research, but mostly I just went because I love the people and BBQ.

5Q. Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?

Katie: Both. My husband jokes that he needs to add on another room. And when I’m deep into a story, a night doesn’t go by that I don’t dream about my characters.

Thank you, Katie for sharing your humor in your answers and your books!
Check out the Review and Giveaway post for a chance to win BOTH books!

Two Book Reviews and Double Giveaway! Going Cowboy Crazy and Make Mine a Bad Boy

Double fun with twin sisters and two hunky men, a cowboy and a biker. What's not to like?

BOOK ONE
Going Cowboy Crazy (A Deep in the Heart of Texas novel) by Katie Lane

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Forever (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446582786
ISBN-13: 978-0446582780

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Faith Aldridge wants answers. Bramble, Texas is the only place she can find them . . . as well as Hope, the identical twin sister she never knew she had. But the townsfolk reckon that shy city-girl Faith is really her long-lost sister Hope, back in Bramble at last. And they're fixin' to do whatever it takes to heat things up between her and Hope's long-time flame, Slate Calhoun. If that means rustling her car, spreading rumors like wildfire, and reining in some explosive secrets, well, there's no way like the Lone Star way . . .
But Slate's no fool. The woman in his truck may look like Hope, yet the way she feels in his arms is altogether new. He's determined to keep this twin in his bed and out of his heart. Trouble is, the real Hope is headed home, and she's got her own designs on Slate. If Faith wants to avoid heartbreak, she'll have to show a certain ruggedly handsome cowboy that this crazy-impossible love is worth fighting for.

Review: This is a fun fast read.
Faith doesn’t set out to impersonate her sister but the townsfolk latch onto the idea and don’t want to let go. So quiet, sunny city girl Faith gets a taste of what it’s like to be a sassy, brassy country home town sweetheart.

Most of the townsfolk may be blinded thinking Faith is Hope, but Hope’s high school sweetheart Slate, knows immediately that this sweet mouthed girl isn’t sassy, spitting Hope. Slate never felt this special hot zing with Hope. Even though it looks like Faith is set on getting info and then heading out of town to find Hope, Slate wants time to know her better before letting her slip away. But it’s a bit difficult to stage a quick, quiet affair when the town starts planning a wedding for Slate and Faith, who they think is Hope.

Faith came looking for a sister to call family but she discovers that she may have found more family than expected in this tight little town. Plus she’s found a sexy cowboy she could call family if she would agree to stay. But just when it looks like she could claim happiness, the real Hope shows up to claim her old sweetheart, Slate. They may be sisters but that doesn’t mean that some fur won’t fly. Faith may have to toughen up if she wants to prevail against her bigger than life twin.

This is a fun and fast read. The town is full of quirky characters and they all have stubborn streaks. Some of the scenario is a bit zany but I enjoyed the confusion of the town in reaction to the unexpected twins. I also liked Faith’s quiet, sincere personality and that fact that she is willing to see beyond the surface to encourage Slate, and others, to break out of their rut. The romance is steamy yet sweet and the writing is a perfect fit of charm and sass for a small Texas town that has a big heart.

BOOK TWO

Make Mine a Bad Boy (A Deep in the Heart of Texas novel) By Katie Lane

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Forever (May 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446582794
ISBN-13: 978-0446582797

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
THERE'S A NEW BRIDE IN TOWN!
Hope Scroggs is finally ready to get hitched. After years of sowing her wild oats, the former head cheerleader and homecoming queen has returned to Bramble, Texas, to marry her high school flame. But her perfect wedding plans are stomped to smithereens when her adoring cowboy two-steps down the aisle with someone else. Now Hope is stuck with the one man from her past she can't shake: Colt Lomax, an irresistible bad boy whose sultry kisses are hotter than the Panhandle in August . . .

Colt lives for freedom and the open road; he never gets attached, never looks back. Still, he can't forget the night of passion he once shared with Bramble's sweetheart--a night he wouldn't mind repeating. So, he piles on the Texas charm to tease the feisty beauty back into his bed, while she tries her darnedest to resist. But something unexpected is about to tie their fates together . . . and oh, baby, will it ever!

Review: I am glad I had Hope’s story to read right after Faith’s story.
Hope comes across as tough, rough and sassy. She has always been determined to push through the teasing to help others and support her home town. But few people looked beneath her brassy exterior to see the girl inside who was scared of failing. She doesn’t want the townsfolk who believe in her to know she didn’t make it in Hollywood. Now she has come home from one failure only to face another when she discovers that her high school sweetheart is not prepared to marry her. Instead he is marrying her twin sister, whom she didn’t know about until she looks up to see herself... only with short hair and a softer personality.

Standing on the sidelines as Hope realizes she has lost her “back up” plan is the town bad boy, Colt. He has always had a thing for Hope but never had a chance to express it since Hope and Slate were the town sweetheart couple. Rather than stick around to watch the seemingly perfect couple, Colt left town on his hot motorcycle and he’s been roading ever since.

Everyone has always seen Colt as the bad boy and they think he’s been in prison while away from town. Even Hope is convinced that he has been mooching off his sister and wealthy brother-in-law who owns the biggest business in town. When the business starts having trouble and Colt steps up to help everyone is surprised. But it seems it will take more than that for folks to see that Colt might be the perfect hombre to handle the town sweetheart, Hope.

This book continues the fast entertainment with the fun characters and fun twists to the plot. The reader may figure out what’s going on much earlier than the town but it is fun reading the conflict and reactions that take place. The attraction between Colt and Hope really sizzles. I particularly enjoyed Colt’s character as he gains more confidence in revealing who he has grown to be and in getting bolder in approaching Hope.

What will it take for Colt and Hope to get past their fears and face their fated future? I hope you get to read and enjoy the book to find out.

Thank you to Hachette for both books to read and offer for Giveaway.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR BOTH BOOKS:

1. Visit the Author's website OR check out the five fun facts and tell me something you found interesting. This is required for entry.
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THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS WHO WILL GET BOTH BOOKS!

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* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 3, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.