Audio Book Review: Silver Dollar Duke by Sally Britton

I enjoyed this story and gentle romance.
Silver Dollar Duke
Written by Sally Britton
Narrated by Marian Hussey

Run Time 9h 37min
Release Date: April 17, 2021
Publisher: Pink Citrus Books
Genre: Historical Romance, Religious & Inspirational, Romance, Western Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher Description
The last thing Dannie needs is a Victorian gentleman on her ranch, playing cowboy while she’s trying to save her family’s livelihood. Will high stakes and high emotions lead to heartbreak?
Evan Rounsevell, second son to the Marquess of Rothwell, is running as far from his family and responsibilities as he can. His fascination with cowboys takes him from English shores to the Arizona desert, but the days of showdowns are over, and Tombstone, Arizona, is a respectable town. With no funds left, and no desire to call on his affluent family for rescue, Evan seeks a position as a cowboy at a ranch on its last leg.
Daniella Bolton’s fiancé left when the drought of 1893 crippled the KB ranch, but that’s just fine by her. She doesn’t need a man to help her save her family’s land. Especially not an Englishman who looks down on her style of living, like Evan does. She loves her life on the ranch, and no outsider could ever understand what it means to be loyal to the land and her family’s way of life.
Being a cowboy is harder than Evan thought, but as he works to earn his place on the ranch, his heart opens up to the beauty of the desert… as well as that of Dannie Bolton. Watching Evan fight for the ranch she loves makes Dannie realize that not all men are afraid of hard work and troubled times, and loving Evan might be just the salve her wounded heart needs. But when Evan’s family summons him home right when Dannie needs him most, the feelings of betrayal from her former fiancé’s flight return tenfold.
Does Evan dare risk his tenuous relationship with Dannie to fulfill his family responsibilities? Or will leaving Arizona be the worst mistake of his life?

Review:
Dannie is determined to help her father and brothers keep their ranch which has struggled through several years of drought and increasing transport costs. Dannie had a year or two of education back East and has good reason not to trust the polished men of the East. When a Victorian nobleman from England accepts her brothers’ invitation to the ranch, Dannie isn’t ready to welcome him.

Evan Rounsevell, second son to the Marquess of Rothwell, has always dreamed of learning the Cowboy way. He’s read the ‘Penny Dreadful’ stories and even met Buffalo Bill. When faced with the limited role of managing his father’s and brother’s estates, Evan chose to travel to America and go West. He made his way to Tombstone, Arizona but has run out of money. That’s okay, he is willing to work on a real ranch if he can just get a chance. He is set on going on a trail drive before he has to return to England.

Evan gets that chance with Dannie’s father. The other cowhands are quick to call him “Duke”. Most find that he is a hard worker and willing to learn. At least one is jealous that Duke seems to be getting close to Dannie. Evan finds overcoming Dannie’s attitude is a challenge that he is ready to face.

Dannie and Evan slowly become friends. But Dannie is particularly reluctant to let her heart get involved since she doesn’t trust the charmer and she knows he will be returning to England. But as their relationship grows, can they walk away from their chance to find love and family?

This is a lovely and engaging story. I wanted to push Dannie to get past her former heartbreak as I found her continued struggle frustrating. Duke/Evan is a wonderful character, and I liked the perspective he brings to the second son situation and his desire for a life of his own dreams. Still, he is honorable enough to realize he is supposed to return to help his family.

The religious aspect is a gentle development and not preachy. I will look to read more by Ms Britton and I recommend this to fans of clean romance set in the historic West.

Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a very nice job with the narration. She provides clear, distinct voices and emotional energy that fit the story. I am glad I had this in audio to enjoy.

Source: 3/14/2022 Purchases from Chirp $1.99. This qualifies for 2023TB, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Color goals.

Audible Book Review: One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey

I mostly enjoyed this western romance.
One Heart to Win
By: Johanna Lindsey
Narrated by: Meredith Mitchell

Series: Callahan-Warren, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 06-11-13
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Johanna Lindsey, the number-one New York Times best-selling author, presents a passionate novel of hidden identities, family secrets, and love that transcends a 50-year feud set in the 1880s in the majestic ranchland of the Montana territory.
Some young ladies marry for money and social standing, a few lucky ones marry for love - but Tiffany Warren is marrying to end a feud. Honoring her mother’s promise, Tiffany reluctantly travels west to meet her estranged father and his enemy’s eldest son, rancher Hunter Callahan. Once the Warrens and the Callahans are united by marriage, both clans will stop squabbling over a disputed strip of land.
In the chaos of a train robbery Tiffany seizes a golden opportunity. By assuming the identity of her father’s new housekeeper she can live with the father she never knew and assess his true character, as well as that of the neighboring cowboy to whom she is betrothed. But, too late, Tiffany discovers that the rivalry between the Warrens and the Callahans has escalated when the Callahans steal the Warrens’ housekeeper as soon as she steps off the train!
Now, Tiffany, who is pretending to be Jennifer Fleming, finds herself living in the enemy camp, under the same roof as her fiancé. All too soon she learns her intended is a handsome, sweet-talking charmer whom she has to fight off because he can’t keep his eyes - or his hands - off Jennifer. After Tiffany’s charade is exposed she refuses to marry Hunter to end the feud. As Hunter goes about claiming his rightful bride-to-be, he knows that although he loves two women - proper, elegant Tiffany as well as spunky, passionate Jennifer - he has only one heart to win.
©2013 Johanna Lindsey (P)2013 AudioGO

Review:
Tiffany Warren was born in Montana but raised by her mother in New York. Her brothers came to visit her, but her father never did. Now that Tiffany is 18, her mother is sending her to Montana to live with her father and meet the man they arranged for her to marry years before. Her mother made the marriage arrangements right before leaving Montana as a promise to stop the feud between the Warren family and their neighbors, the Callahans. Tiffany doesn’t really want to see the father she believes abandoned her, and she isn’t too keen on marrying a cowboy. Her mother promises Tiffany that she can come home if she meets the man and decides after two months not to marry him.

As Tiffany and her maid travel west, she meets a young woman who is going to the Warrens’ household as their new housekeeper. When the train is stopped due to a robbery, the housekeeper, Jennifer, chooses to return home, and Tiffany decides to take her place so she might meet her father without him knowing. In a twist, when Tiffany and her maid arrive at the town of their destination, she is approached by two men who ask her to come to the Callahan ranch instead of the Warren ranch.

Tiffany gets to meet her handsome and charming would be husband, Hunter Callahan. As the supposed housekeeper, the senior Callahan tells Tiffany she has to cook until she can find a new cook. That is on top of trying to get more help to clean the house that has been neglected while the mistress of the house has been bedridden. Tiffany doesn’t know how to cook or clean but she has enough courage to try.

Tiffany begins a tentative friendship with Hunter while seeking to avoid his bodyguard who appears to be a dangerous gunslinger. When there is an attack on the Callahan ranch and in town against Hunter, the Callahans are quick to suspect the Warrens. Tiffany struggles to understand why the families continue to feud. Tiffany’s charade is bound to be exposed with her brothers in town hearing the rumor of a new housekeeper at the Callahan ranch. How will her family and the Callahan family react when they find out who she really is? And what about the secret that her mother has kept all these years?

I wasn’t sure at first if I would like Tiffany’s character but I learned to appreciate her perseverance and willingness to work to met her goals. Hunter is an attractive, charming, good-humored man who is hard not to like. I didn’t like that he didn’t keep his hands off the 'housekeeper' even as he anticipated the arrival of his arranged bride. Although he is also willing to do the right thing, I didn’t quite care for that sexual looseness in the story. The mother’s secrets added to the interest of the story. All in all, I enjoyed the twists, the romance, and the resolution. Readers who enjoy some sex in their historical fiction might enjoy this one.

Audio Notes: I wasn’t captured by the narration by Meredith Mitchell but it was acceptable. I was glad to listen because it moves my reading along more quickly.

Source: 9/1/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Number goals.

Audio Book Review: Her Cowboy Deputy by Lacy Williams

I totally enjoyed this easy listen romance, which I went through in one day.

Her Cowboy Deputy
Written by Lacy Williams
Narrated by Lara Asmundson

Run Time 6h 27min
Release Date: February 22, 2017
Publisher: Lacy Williams Books LLC
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher Description
She’s a reclusive homesteader who hoped to never see him again. But when she rescues the deputy, she might just be stuck with him…
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She rescued him from drowning…will the cowboy rescue her heart?
In the aftermath of a terrible storm, sheriff’s deputy Matt White is injured and becomes stranded on a remote homestead with a lovely young woman and her grandfather. The reclusive duo intrigues him, but he’s got a duty to the town. He can’t believe it when they refuse to help him return to Bear Creek.
Catherine Poole stays away from town for a reason. She has no time to play nursemaid to the injured lawman-but she also can’t let him suffer. As she cares for the man who stirs up old memories, she discovers Matt’s kind heart and love for his family.
But there’s no hope for a relationship with a man so tied to town…is there?

Review:
Sheriff’s Deputy Matt White is out tracking some suspicious characters when he gets caught in a river during a storm. He is rescued by a young boy who turns out to be a young woman he barely remembers from a time when she came to school. Catherine lives a very reclusive life tending a small farm with her grandfather. Matt asks them to help him get back to town, but they are afraid to leave each other or leave their property unprotected from neighbors who want to take control of their crops.

Catherine has painful memories of her few days at school, where she first met Matt. And then there was the awful day in town with her mother before she died. It suits Catherine fine to stay away from others as she cares for her grandfather who suffers from rough flashbacks and confusion dating back to the Civil War.

Catherine is willing to care for Matt as he recovers from his injuries. She learns of his love for his family, but that is a world she couldn’t know. Matt realizes that Catherine is a hardworking, caring young woman and he regrets how she was treated years ago at school. Now he wants to help her and even protect her…maybe he is growing to care for her.

I enjoyed the relationship of these characters who grow in friendship. There is tension with bad neighbors and a lovely charm with Matt’s strong family. This was a breath of fresh air for me between space battles and murder thrillers. I will look for more from this author and I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet western romance.

Audio Notes: Lara Asmundson does a good job with the narration. She delivers distinct voices with fitting emotion. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this sweet story.

Source: March 2021 Chirp Purchase $0.99. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Occupation goals.

Audible Book Review: At Love's Command, Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1, by Karen Witemeyer

This is a lovely, western, historical romance.
At Love's Command
By: Karen Witemeyer
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Series: Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 06-09-20
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. 
They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving. Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.
Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything - even his team - to save her.
©2020 Karen Witemeyer (P)2020 Recorded Books

Review:
Matthew Hanger is an ex-cavalry officer leading a mercenary group that battles evil in 1890s Texas. The band, known as Hanger’s Horsemen, is legendary as they seek out justice against the outlaws and defend the innocent and oppressed. Of course, that makes them the target of outlaws. One of the Horsemen has suffered a bullet wound so the team heads to the nearest town to seek out the doctor, where they are surprised to find a female doctor.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men questioning her medical skills, but she knows she is the one who can help their injured companion. Matt, after momentary reluctance, agrees to assist Dr. Josephine in the surgery. Over several days of recovery, the team grows to respect Dr. Josephine even as she learns to respect the care and dedication of the men for each other and for the doing good to help others.

Shortly after the Horseman leave the Doctor, she opens a letter telling her that her brother is in the hands of outlaws and her father is refusing to pay the ransom. Dr. Josephine knows who she has to get to help her brother and she takes off to retrieve the Horseman.

The author has created wonderfully strong, caring characters who live with integrity. It is delightful to ‘watch’ these independent and confident individuals grow in their regard for each other. The other supporting characters, including one dubbed “Preacher” and a well-trained horse, are well developed also. I enjoyed the underlying faith and growth in God’s command over the situation. The story includes an issue of redemption which is nicely presented. The only reason I am not giving it a full five star rating is that some of the ‘heroics’ are rather over the top.

This is the fourth story I have enjoyed by Ms. Witemeyer and I plan to read more. I recommend this series and this author to readers who enjoy faith based, western historical romance.

Audio Notes: Amy Rubinate does a lovely job with the narration. She delivers clear and distinct voices with intonation fitting the scenes. The narration increased my enjoyment of the story.

12/18/2021 November Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

This is a lovely historical romance.
The Accidental Guardian
Written by Mary Connealy
Narrated by Morgan Hallett

Run time: 8 hours and 17 minutes
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher Description
Trace Riley has been self-appointed guardian of the trail ever since his own wagon was attacked. When he finds the ruins of a wagon train, he offers shelter to survivor Deborah Harkness and the children she saved. Trace and Deborah grow close working to bring justice to the trail, but what will happen when the attackers return to silence the only witness?
When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes the hand behind the attack as the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he’d finally carved out a home and started a herd—while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail, driving off dangerous men. He’d hoped those days were over, but the latest attack shows he was wrong.
Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until she can safely continue. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture, and their arrival is unsettling—yet enticing. Working to survive the winter and finally bring justice to the trail, Trace and Deborah find themselves drawn together—yet every day approaches the moment she’ll leave forever.

Review:
Deborah did all the work for her father on a community newspaper while he took all the credit. After her parents deaths, Deb is determined to set out on her own without being under the thumb of a man. Deb and her sister are helping a family take two toddlers west. The four are off in the bushes when the wagon train is attacked. The outlaws left behind arrows to look like an Indian attack, but no one knows that Deborah saw the men and can identify at least one by face and another by voice.

Trace survived as a young teen when his father was murdered during a wagon train attack. Since then, he has become a ghostly, self-appointed guardian of the trail, with his horse Black and his dog Wolf, trying to protect travelers from attacks. He comes across a recent attack that appears to be by the same men who killed his father years before. This triggers his urge to seek revenge by pursuing the men. That plan is delayed as he rescues the two young women and the toddlers and takes them to his cabin which is the only local shelter. Trace has rarely been around women. He and his ranch hands learn they like having the girls clean and cook for them, but Trace is still setting out to hunt down the killers.

Deborah plans to continue traveling west when the winter is over but in the meantime, she insists on going to town with Trace so she can report the truth of the attack and help identify the outlaws. Trace and Deborah don’t realize that their discussion of the outlaws is overheard by one of the men. Now they are targets.

Can Trace control his urge for vengeance and still keep the girls and children safe? Will Deb being able to change her mind about sharing life with a man?

I totally enjoyed this story. It isn’t perfect as it has some contrived situations. Still, I liked the distinct characters, the setting, the gentle faith, and the sweet romance. I like this author and need to read/listen to her stories more often. I recommend this to fans of sweet historical romance.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Morgan Hallett. Although she doesn’t really do great male voices, I was able to tell who was talking and I could tell when she was reading an internal thought. I would be fine listening to more in the series narrated by Ms. Hallett.

Source: 5/3/2020 Chirp $4.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas

This is a delightful listen sharing three romance stories.

Mistletoe Miracles
Written By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Julia Gibson

Duration: 9 hours 52 minutes
Date: November 13, 2018
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
A small-town Texas Christmas story, where hearts are lost, love is found, and family always brings you back home. Griffin Holloway is desperate: the Maverick Ranch has been in his family for generations, but lately, it's a money pit. He'd sooner marry one of his horses than sell the ranch. Marriage, though, could be a solution. If he can woo a wealthy bride, he might save the ranch-just in time for Christmas. Jaxon O'Grady likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a car accident brings the unexpected to his door, he realizes just how much one person can need another. Crossroads is the perfect place for Jamie Johnson: avoiding nosy questions about why she's single, she's happy to keep to her lakeside home. So she's baffled when she gets the strangest Christmas present of all, in the form of a Mr. Johnson, asleep on her sofa. Who is he, and why does everyone think he's her husband? In this uplifting novel, three unlikely couples discover just what Crossroads, Texas, can offer: romance, belonging, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Review:
Griffin Holloway decides the only way to save the family cattle ranch, Maverick Ranch, is to marry a woman with money. Griffin seeks the help of the Franklin sisters, two elderly spinsters who run a boarding house in town. They agree to match-make but then introduce him to a fancy lady who would seem to be a woman out of his class. Sunlan is the daughter of a rich rancher who finds herself pregnant and in need of a husband to avoid scandal for her father. She is willing to pay off the Holloway note in exchange for a marriage of convenience before Christmas, and the agreement that she maintain sole control of her own small horse ranch. Can they keep things cool, especially after Griffin rushes to help her save her horses from a barn fire?

Jaxon O’Grady is an injured fireman who has become a recluse, a hermit living by himself. He witnesses a woman crash her car and rescues a dog at the scene of the crash. He soon realizes the dog is hers and he decides to take her in while she is recuperating. The problem is Mallory is being hunted by a brutal ex-boyfriend. Jax and Mallory develop a friendship but they have to fend off the threat of her ex. Will their friendship and shared danger be enough to bring Jax out of his isolation?

Jamie Johnson is a single teacher who is tired of having to fend off unwanted advances and friendly set-ups for dates. She has moved to Crossroads pretending to be married to a soldier who is away. Even the hoax of marriage doesn’t keep all creeps away. When the local sheriff finds an exhausted soldier walking down a road to town it is only natural to think he is Jamie’s husband. Jamie, who was away for the weekend, is surprised to come home and find a man in her house. When she learns that the sheriff delivered Captain James Johnson to her house, she has to figure a way to keep her secret. Maybe they can work out something together until he has to return to his next assignment.

The couples are wonderful even if their situations are somewhat contrived. The Franklin sisters are fun and other side characters (the Holloway brothers and Jax’s brother) probably have stories of their own to come. This story alternates between the couples and moves along well. I was glad to have a nice Christmas HEA for all three couples. I recommend this to fans who enjoy HEA, sweet romance.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Julia Gibson. She provided distinct voices and portrayed the characters to fit the story. I would be glad to listen to more books narrated by Ms. Gibson.

Source: December 2020 - Two for one credit at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Dead Acre by Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle

This is a quick listen with a demon hunting "hand of God".

Dead Acre
By: Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle
Narrated by: Roger Clark

Series: Black Badge Series, Book 0.5
Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Fantasy, Supernatural, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
The Witcher meets the The Dresden Files in this Weird Western tale by the Audible number-one bestselling duo, performed by Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption 2’s Arthur Morgan).
James Crowley met his mortal end in a hail of gunfire. Now, he finds himself in purgatory, serving the White Throne to avoid falling to hell. Not quite undead, though not alive either, the best he can hope for is to work off his servitude and fade away.
His not-so-sacred duty as a Hand of God? Use his new abilities to hunt down demonic beings that have infiltrated the mortal realm.
This time, the White Throne has sent him to the middle of nowhere: a western town called Dead Acre with a saloon, a moldy church, and little else worth talking about. There isn’t even a sheriff. But the local cobbler has gone missing at the same time as a number of graves were desecrated.
Crowley must follow the clues, all while dealing with a cutthroat gang which treats Dead Acre like they own it, an extraordinary woman who makes it hard to focus, and locals not keen on strangers.
Life isn’t simple for a Hand of God.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Audible Originals LLC

Review:
James Crowley was a rough cowboy outlaw… but he was still a good guy who tried to save a woman and child. That is how he died. But he didn’t go to heaven or hell. Instead, he was given a ‘second chance’ to avoid hell. He is asked to be a Hand of God to fight evil and unholy enemies of a demonic nature. Crowley has a strained relationship with his supervisor angel. This is partially the result of Crowley being sent to a location with only limited knowledge. He just knows he will face trouble, without knowing who the bad guys or demons are.

Crowley has been sent to a town called Dead Acres. The name fits the tone of the town, and few people welcome the man they perceive as a lawman. Crowley soon learns that a husband of a beautiful woman has gone missing. While he wonders if this is his assignment, Crowley quickly makes enemies of the local gang when he interrupts them when they begin to harass the lady. Then his angel tells him that Dead Acres borders demonic territory and there is more danger to expect.

Crowley’s investigation takes him to a dilapidated church and a cowering preacher who is doing nothing to help protect the community. Crowley may find the missing husband, but before he can complete his assignment, he will face creatures he hasn’t faced before.

I liked Crowley’s character and the tough western setting. I also enjoyed the clear writing and first-person view. I look forward to more in this series. I recommend this to fans of western and fantasy.

Audio Notes: Roger Clark does a good job of narration. He captures and portrays the dark nature of the characters and story. I totally enjoyed this audible experience.

Source: December 2020 free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals. This is my second listen for #FraterfestRat.

#NetGalley Book Review: A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund

This is a lovely Christian, Historical Romance.
A Cowboy for Keeps
by Jody Hedlund

ASIN : B08CJB95HZ
Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (January 5, 2021)
File size : 9179 KB
Print length : 333 pages
Genre: American, Christian, Historical Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family. And the mayor, who has promised to try to help Greta, has just the candidate in mind for Wyatt to marry.

Review:
Greta agreed to move west to Colorado as a mail order bride. She is willing to marry a stranger in hopes that the weather in the west will help her little sister, Astrid. A day away from her destination the stagecoach is robbed. Then she arrives to learn that her fiancé is believed to have died. The mayor in town, who wants more families in the community, decides that the best plan is to have Greta marry a local rancher, Wyatt.

Wyatt is struggling to make his ranch successful, and he has not thought about finding a wife and growing a family. He is competing with a brutal neighbor who is willing to kill Wyatt’s cattle rather than allow him to succeed. Wyatt wants the mayor to invest in the future of his ranch by financing the first herd of cattle. The mayor makes a deal agreeing to invest if Wyatt will marry Greta.

Both Greta and Wyatt come to the Judge with doubt and concerns, but they agree to get married. Greta manages to find ways to contribute to the household. But Wyatt worries about his cattle and Greta worries about Astrid’s health. As they face hostile neighbors and fragile health issues, they begin to find a mutual respect and attraction. Will they be able to move beyond their doubts to begin to trust each other and most importantly to trust God’s love and plan to prosper them?

Greta and Wyatt are wonderful and compelling characters. Greta showed sacrificial care for her sister which was lovely. Wyatt too showed a great caring for Greta and Astrid as did his friend and ranch hand, an older cowboy who became close friends with Astrid. The self-doubt that the characters struggle with is a realistic human flaw that allowed the author to show the depth of God’s love and grace in a gentle fashion. I found myself drawn into the story and eager to keep reading as I rooted for Greta and Wyatt. I recommend this to fans of Christian, historical romance.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021NetGalley goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas, Three Stories by Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace, and Scarlett Dunn

I particularly liked two of this trio of historical, western Christmas tales.

The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas
Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace, Scarlett Dunn

Print length : 314 pages
Publisher : Kensington Books (October 27, 2020)
Genre: American Historical Romance, Christmas, Western
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

In these Texas-set stories of romance and adventure, the Civil War is over, Christmas is coming—and it’s time for three rugged fighters to become lovers . .
FATHER GOOSE
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jodi Thomas
Dispirited by war, when Trapper Hawkins accepts a job hauling five little rich girls to Dallas, all he cares about is the money. He doesn’t expect they’ll awaken his spirit—or that their intriguing nursemaid, Emery Adams, will awaken his heart. And when danger strikes as Christmas Eve nears, he definitely doesn’t expect Emery and the girls to risk their lives—for him . . .
THE MISTLETOE PROMISE * Sharla Lovelace
A catastrophic storm, an ailing herd, and a failing cattle ranch have left Texas rancher Josie Bancroft in danger of losing everything her father worked for. Still, she’d rather die than merge with her neighbor rancher Benjamin Mason, the man who broke her heart years ago, on Christmas Eve. As old sparks fly and secrets are revealed, however, Ben is determined to help Josie—and prove that this time around can be different. That the misunderstandings of Christmas past need not define their future . . .
CHRISTMAS ROAD * Scarlett Dunn
Yellow Fever has hit Clint Mitchum’s Texas hometown and taken his father and siblings, leaving Clint ever more cynical. Racing homeward to be by his mother’s side, Clint finds only a note from her, asking that he help her caregiver, a young woman named Amelia. Assuming his mother has passed, in his grief Clint ventures out to search for Amelia—and finds the best of gifts—just in time for Christmas . . .

Review:
These are three distinct, western, historical romances for Christmas reading. The first and third take place shortly after the Civil War, while the middle story is more uniquely set in 1904. I fully enjoyed the first and third stories. The second story is a second chance romance but had elements that didn’t suit my tastes. My overall rating is 4.25.

FATHER GOOSE by Jodi Thomas
Trapper is a loner who wins a ‘transport’ job in a card game before he learns that the job involves safely delivering five young girls to their father’s ranch for Christmas. The journey is likely to be dangerous due to threats of kidnappers in addition to normal risks. But Trapper is sure he’ll succeed even when he faces the first obstacle of finding a nanny to accompany the wagon.

Emery is a young woman under the thumb of a tyrannical father. She noticed the quiet loner who was respectful and didn’t go upstairs with the ladies. When she hears about the transport job she decides this may be her only chance to escape her hard life.

Trapper is only too happy to find a nanny willing to come along to help with the five spunky girls he dubs “1” through “5”. Along their perilous journey they all work together to share the chores and the girls, including Emery, surprise Trapper by helping to keep them safe.

I totally loved the unique characters, Trapper, Emery, and the five young charges. Their interaction is enchanting. The sweet romance blooms, even under the precocious eyes of the children. With danger, charm and romance, this story reminds me why I love Jodi Thomas historical novels! My rating 5.0.

THE MISTLETOE PROMISE * Sharla Lovelace
It has been a series of hard years for Josie since she fell in love, was betrayed and then lost her father. The ranch hasn’t been able to bounce back after a bad storm and her accountant has told her the only solution may be to marry one of the eligible men of the community. One in particular is interested but Josie suspects he won’t allow her to continue with the ranching.

A few days before the tax collector is to call, Josie reluctantly agrees to attend a social gathering at her neighbor’s ranch. This is hard enough as Josie isn’t the type to get gussied up, but it is even harder since the neighbor is the same man who betrayed her a handful of years back.

Ben knows that Josie still feels betrayed, but he is frustrated that she never gave him a chance to explain the events that tore them apart. For the past years he has protected the one really good thing that came of their broken relationship. Now Ben would like the chance to help Josie and show her that things can be different for their futures. But first he must break through her stubbornness.

There were two factors that made this story a struggle for me. First is Josie’s hardheaded, closed-off stubbornness. Second is the racy, bordering on graphic, sexual descriptions of the story. I generally like historical fiction, whether Victorian, Regency or Western, to share a sweeter romance. Other readers may well enjoy the sexier style. My rating 3.75.

CHRISTMAS ROAD * Scarlett Dunn
Clint races home after receiving a letter telling him that his mother is ill with yellow fever that struck down his father and siblings. Clint finds that the whole town has been decimated. Clint finds a note from his mother that he should find Amelia, the young woman who cared for her during the illness. Clint sets out to follow the families who left town hoping to find Amelia and make sure she is okay.

Clint helps a father and two young boys to the gold camp where the townsfolk are supposed to be. When Clint seeks out the family with whom Amelia traveled, he is surprised to find a beautiful young woman and two young girls. He is quickly smitten but fears Amelia is grieving the recent loss of her husband.

The families are struggling even as they share Christmas wishes and dreams. Clint helps the families fight off evil men and then finds himself pushing to get a sick Amelia back to his hometown doctor. Will Amelia pull through and will Clint be able to get back to save the children at the camp from danger and a sad Christmas?

This is a charming story with some misunderstandings, a touch of danger, and several sweet moments. Clint is a likeable hero, and the Christmas surprises are a delight. I would be glad to read more stories by Ms. Dunn. My rating 4.25.

Source: Received from NetGalley. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: Honor in an Age of Metal and Men by Anthony W. Eichenlaub

This is a good conclusion to the series, with lots of twists.
Honor in an Age of Metal and Men
by Anthony W. Eichenlaub

Publisher : Oak Leaf Cemetery (December 5, 2019)
ASIN : B07XJM1S9F
Print Length : 197 pages
Publication Date : December 5, 2019
File Size : 2117 KB
Genre: Cyberpunk, Futuristic,Sci-Fi, Western
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

War blazes all around, but it's not J.D.'s war. Not this time.
There are two bounties out for Francis William Brown. One alive. One dead. J.D. finally catches the man he's been after all these years when Francis comes without hardly a fight.
But it ain't ever that simple. A bullet in the skull would be proper for what Francis has done but keeping him alive might be the key to ending the war that's tearing Texas apart. J.D. needs to decide if keeping a promise and ending the war is worth the risk of seeing the worst criminal in the history of Texas walk free.
An itch at the back of his skull tells him that maybe all this is part of Francis' plan.
Will he kill Francis in cold blood, or is there still Honor in an Age of Metal and Men?

Review:
J.D. is an ‘older’ survivor of Texas and the wars that devastated the country. J.D. reluctantly works with a metal arm while others around him embrace multiple tech modifications to enhance their bodies. J.D. is a retired sheriff who believes in justice, peace, and honor even though they are difficult concepts to hold onto. J.D. still works sporadically as a bounty hunter and when a contract is issued regarding his long-time nemesis Francis Brown. Actually, there are two bounties – one to bring Francis in alive and one to bring him in dead.

J.D. has a twisted history with Frances since the days when J.D. shot his mother when Frances was only a boy. Over the years Frances has become a notorious criminal and J.D. feels the guilt. As he tries to bring Frances in alive, he gets saddled with a teen girl who claims Frances promised to get her out of her hometown. J.D. faces another bounty hunter group who is willing to bring Frances in dead. If that isn’t enough struggle, J.D. and his replacement, Sheriff Trish, uncover a deadly plot by another crime lord, Casket Jones, that puts the bounty situation on hold. It will take combined efforts of the ‘honorable’ and not so honorable to stop a devastating war crime.

The first book in the series, Justice in an Age of Metal and Men, laid out the characters and the history that supports this conclusion. I may have missed adventures and more conflict by not reading book two, but it wasn’t needed to enjoy this one. I enjoy the creativity and cyberpunk elements of the story. Also, Mr. Eichenlaub mixes a healthy dose of humor with the suspenseful danger. The plot twists are anticipated but still a good surprise when they arrive. I recommend this book to fans of cyberpunk, western and suspense.

This is my last NetGalley book received in 2019. (It only took eight months to get it read!) This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020NetGalley and Alphabet goals.

Book Review: Justice in an Age of Metal and Men by Anthony W. Eichenlaub

I enjoyed reading the first book in this futuristic western lawman series.

Justice in an Age of Metal and Men
(Metal and Men #1)
by Anthony W. Eichenlaub

File Size: 2139 KB
Print Length: 212 pages
Publisher: Oak Leaf Cemetery (March 4, 2014)
ASIN: B00ISKWNC2
Genre: Cyberpunk, Sci-Fi, Western
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

Does victory mean justice, or is J.D. staring down the barrel at revenge? There was a time that might have been a simple question, but not anymore.
Nothing's easy in the small town of Dead Oak, Texas where the outlaws scour the skies on flying motorcycles, tech warps the minds of witnesses, and a person can't even trust the metal parts of his own body.
But a rancher's been murdered, and J.D. is determined to find the killer. Whether that's revenge or justice, well, probably best to let the bullets decide.

Review:
Jasper Davis Crow, known as J.D., is an old-time sheriff – sort of. He does have a modified metal arm but he doesn’t have all of the high tech that many of the younger officers have. Most who have the ability, take advantage of the body enhancing nanos and tech. J.D. likes his small-town job where crime is mostly manageable even with tough country outlaws. He is faced with a dead rancher that appears to be death by stampede. But his new deputy, Contrisha (Trisha), a highly teched young woman, convinces J.D. to investigate further. After walking the scene more carefully J.D. agrees that there is a murder to solve.

Soon he and Trisha are interrogating corrupt businessmen and outlaws on flying motorcycles. They will be dodging bullets and J.D. will be branded an outlaw himself before he can solve the case. Behind the scenes is a strange child, the son of the murdered rancher. J.D. tries to shield the young boy but he goes through a good deal of trauma which causes consequences for the future.

The story is set in a west where dust storms have destroyed communities as we know them. There are plenty of brawls and chases to keep the story moving along at a fast pace. I listened to part of the book on my Kindle and found that I had to stop and re-read a bit to keep track. I like the well-developed character of J.D. who leans to the past even as the times race forward. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading book 3, Honor, which I have through NetGalley.

Source: 2019 Kindle Purchase. This qualifies for 2020TBR goal.

Audio Book Review: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

This is a wonderful Historical Romance.
The Hope of Azure Springs
by Rachel Fordham
Narrated By: Coleen Marlo

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Date: July 2018
Duration: 8 hours 7 minutes
Genre: Christian, Historical Romance, Western
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Summary:
Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone. For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart. Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance listeners back to the 1880s and the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

Review:
Em has had a difficult childhood and youth. After the death of her parents, at age 12, she ended up on the orphan train with her 7-year-old sister, Lucy. Hoping they would be selected by a caring family, she didn’t realize that siblings would be separated. Em could do nothing when cute Lucy was selected while plain, skinny Em was left standing on the platform. Across the state of Iowa Em is finally selected by a gruff man who lives a solitary life. SHe is left to sleep in the barn, worrying about her sister and fending for herself. She learns to catch rodents just to have a meal. Em stays away from her guardian but inadvertently sees him secretly visiting a place in the woods.

Outlaws attack her guardian, killing him and shooting Em. She manages to escape and is found by people from the town of Azure Springs. A kind family gives her refuge and a home where she can heal from her injuries. The local sheriff, Caleb Reynolds, interviews the raggedy waif because it is his job to track down the murderers.

Caleb is intent on fulfilling his duties as a good sheriff and ultimately to impress his parents. Caleb takes Em to the crime scene to help him investigate. He discovers she has a playful and brave side when she accepts his challenge to climb the trees while hunting for the hidden cache. He truly wants to help Em, never realizing that his time with her will change his view of her and those around them.

Em is quick to think of others, showing love and kindness, and entertaining the young twins with stories that she used to share with Lucy. Everyone in the family cares for her gentle loving spirit, except the elegant daughter who is the same age and is hoping to gain the interest of the handsome sheriff.

Em is grateful for the family who has helped her and the sheriff who has shown such concern to keep her safe. She finds herself enjoying her time with Caleb even though she realizes that she is too plain for such a man. Em sets out to get a job to earn money for the train back to the city where her sister was ‘adopted’.

I was pulled into this character driven story from the very opening. Em is a wonderful character with a courageous, resilient and caring spirit. Caleb is also a warm, caring character. I enjoyed the friendship that grew between them and really appreciated the wisdom Caleb’s father (and others) share. Ms. Fordham does a good job in showing how the characters grow beyond their young, natural insecurities. I liked the history of the orphan train and small western town dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will be anxious to get more wonderful reading from Rachel Fordham.

Audio Notes: Coleen Marlo does a lovely job with the narration. She aptly conveys the emotions and depth of the characters. This is the first audio I have experienced with Ms. Marlo but I plan on it not being the last. Her narration enhanced an already lovely story so it was a plus, plus listening experience.

Source: Audiobooks Credit April 2019. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook and my “spring” title goals.

Audio Book Review: Promise Me Texas by Jodi Thomas

I enjoyed this easy listen, historical romance.
Promise Me Texas
Written By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Linda Stephens

Series: Whispering Mountains, Book 7
Publisher: Recorded Books
Date: November 2013
Duration: 10 hours 58 minutes
Genre: Historical Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.0 Overall.

Summary:
On a midnight train, four hours away from her wedding, Beth McMurray discovers the devastating truth about the powerful senator she’s about to marry. Convinced nothing could make this stormy night worse, the train wrecks, and she tumbles straight into the arms of an outlaw.
Andrew McLaughlin doesn’t believe in loving except between the pages of his writings. He loved deeply once and thinks he’ll never survive another loss. To save a friend, he climbs aboard a train heading toward Dallas. In the moment before the train crashes, he saves a beautiful woman and is injured in the fall. He wakes up to find she’s claimed him as her fiancé—and now they’re both on the run, and destined to do everything it takes to make an unexpected promise of love come true.

Review:
Beth McMurray is an heiress who has been protected and coddled by her family. She never met the man who could hold her regard, so she is now older than most young ladies setting off to get married. She has been wooed by a handsome, debonair senator who hopes to move up in politics. He has convinced Beth to take a train trip to Dallas, supposedly to visit friends, but really to meet and marry him.

Beth decides to surprise him and sneaks onto an earlier train on which the Senator should be traveling. She finds him but he doesn’t know she is there as she is disguised. From the back of the room she overhears, with horror, her betrothed’s true attitude and intentions toward her.
Beth goes to the stock car to be with her beautiful horse. She plans to get off the train and ride away but before she is able to escape, she sees bandits approaching. One man in particular catches her eye as he tries to pull a younger comrade back from the rest. The train crashes and the man saves her from falling to the tracks.

Andrew awakens to discover the beautiful young woman has claimed him as her fiancé. He knows that she saw him as one of the bandits and can’t image why she is defending him. He obviously has to get away from any inquiry into the gang and it appears she is running away from someone too.

Andrew suffered the loss of his young wife years before and plans never to hurt like that again. He is roaming the world as a journalist observing others and keeping his distance. Now he is stuck with a beautiful, albeit spoiled, young woman who apparently needs his protection.

As the two help each other away from their predicaments they begin to find friendship. Could they find more if they open their hearts?

This is a fun, easy going romance. The characters are nicely developed with rather quirky traits. Even the unpleasant former fiancé is a good villain and Beth’s stepfather is a caring, big as life, character. I enjoyed the western setting in Texas 1879 with the mix of frontier dangers and encroaching industrialism.

I have determined that Jodi Thomas always presents a reliable reading experience for me. I have read more of her historical romances, but she crosses well into contemporary. This is a part of a series but read fine as a standalone. I recommend this title and this author to readers who enjoy easy romance, historical or contemporary.

Audio Notes: I found the narration by Linda Stephens to be adequate, but not stellar. I had to get used to her unusual accent (not sure if it was intended to be Texan but it didn’t strike me as such) and it is more of a reading than a portrayal. Still, it was an easy listen and I am glad to have had this in audio format.

Source: Audiobooks.com 2018, This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Back in the Saddle: A Novel (Double S Ranch Series, Book #1) by Ruth Logan Herne

I totally enjoyed this inspirational, contemporary western romance.
Back in the Saddle: A Novel (Double S Ranch Series, Book #1)
by Ruth Logan Herne
Narrator Anna Salinas
Runtime 9.25 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher Recorded Books
Downloads ZIP M4B MP3
Release Date February 15, 2017
Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Story and Narration.

Here comes a captivating western romance and family-centered drama with a heart of gold, featuring plenty of cowboys and family drama, from prolific author and networker Ruth Logan Herne. Colt Stafford's winner-take-all personality clashed with his father's similar temperament and led Colt to pursue his own success far from the Double S ranch. The opportunity came in private equities once he earned his way to a desk on Wall Street. But timing is everything and Colt's financial demise coincided with his father's illness. God's perfect timing doesn't always seem all that perfect, but Colt needed a job, the Double S needed Colt and Sam sent his prodigal son a ticket. and Colt came home. He rediscovers his love for ranching, for Washington and for the great outdoors. His father's change of heart seems surreal, and by the time Colt realizes he belongs with his family, he's lost his heart to a Latina cop whose gone undercover to protect her child and her mother. Through the accidents of timing, God has brought multiple facets together at the Double S, just in time for healing, hope and home.

Review:
Colt was raised on a ranch by his father, Sam, who had a strong take control attitude. As a young man they began to clash so Colt headed off to the city to make his own brand of success. He was doing great at private equities until a situation lost him his career and savings. He headed home to try to help with his father’s illness. Colt is surprised when he arrives to find Sam’s attitude has softened.

Colt’s first meeting with Angelina is at the end of a gun. It is rather strange behavior for a housekeeper but Colt is quick to learn that Angelina has secrets. At least Angelina’s tough love and trust God philosophy is helping Sam to seek a relationship with God and with his estranged son.

Colt and Angelina are doing the clashing now with Angelina inclined to think Colt is a city slicker who will be heading back to the bright lights as soon as he can. Colt thinks Angelina is bossy and antagonistic and he is determined to uncover the secret she is hiding.

I really enjoyed this from beginning to end. Ms. Herne shares thoughts from the characters which makes them very real. She also unabashedly shares Godly themes - resistance (prodigal) to redemption to reliance - which I greatly appreciated. There is good chemistry between Colt and Angelina and the secondary characters (including Sam, Angelina’s adorable son, Noah, and her dedicated mother) add more depth and richness. There are family issues and a touch of suspense and danger.

There is strong description and easy flow to the writing. I have read Ruth Logan stories years ago and always like them. I have to add more of her to my reading. I recommend this to readers who enjoy heartwarming family interaction, sweet romance and Christian themes.

Audio Notes: Anna Salinas does a fine job with the narration as her voice fit the tone of the story. She doesn’t give strong voice changes but enough to distinguish plus she manages the pacing well to reflect appropriately the aside thoughts. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: Audiobook.com 2017 Sale Purchase. This qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.