Library of Clean Reads: Western Romance

Showing posts with label Western Romance. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Claiming Her Legacy by Linda Goodnight (Review)

Every once in a while I long to read a good Western romance, and this one hit the spot.

Book Details:

Title: Claiming Her Legacy by Linda Goodnight
Category: Adult Fiction, pages
Genre: Western Romance, Historical Romance
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release date: April 5, 2022
Content rating: PG-13 (violence related to western life on the frontier)

Book Description:

With her family’s legacy on the line, a woman with everything to lose must rely on a man hiding from his past…

Oklahoma, 1890

Frontier women don’t ride off alone to track an outlaw—not even women as capable as tomboy spinster Willa Malone. But Willa desperately needs the bounty money offered for her father’s killer if she’s to keep their homestead and take care of her sisters. That means she needs an expert tracker's help. Gideon Hartley has the skill, but the handsome trail guide also has a troubling secret…

Gideon has spent years trying to numb his pain with whiskey. Little by little, their quest—and Willa’s belief in him—is restoring the sense of purpose he thought he’d lost. Journeying into the heart of danger, they’ll have to face down the past together if they hope to protect their future…

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Every once in a while I long to read a good Western romance, and this one hit the spot. Willa Malone is a strong heroine, determined, and fiercely independent. She's tough yet vulnerable. Gideon is a broken man, running from his past, escaping through the whiskey bottle. He is charming and a renowned trail guide, but he has lost his way. Together, these two characters, with their realistically portrayed problems, will discover that with the right person, one can overcome even the most difficult personal trials.

This book had it all: frontier life with all its tough themes, clean romance with a touch of faith, flawed characters the reader could root for, danger and adventure, and a good storyline and plot. It was the perfect escapism for the long winter nights and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The author writes well and the characters were well developed and believable. And I just love that cover.

I am glad to have discovered this author and I would definitely read her again. If you like Western romances this one is not to be missed.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

By the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Chapters Indigo

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

New York Times bestseller Linda Goodnight fell in love with words as a young child when her mother took her to a tiny library and let her fill a cardboard box with books. The next week she was back again, forever hooked on the beauty and power of the written word. Her other passions are her faith and her blended family. A former nurse and teacher, she lives in Oklahoma with her husband where she enjoys baking and travel. Connect with Linda at www.lindagoodnight.com

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Ivy: The Montgomery Sisters Book 3 by Kat Flannery (Review and Giveaway!)

Ivy is the third book in the Montgomery Sisters series and it was also an enjoyable read. You can read my reviews of the first two books: Fern and Poppy. Be sure to enter the giveaway too!

Book Details:

Book Title: Ivy (The Montgomery Sisters Book 3) by Kat Flannery
Category: Historical western romance, 164 pages
Genre: Adult Non-Fiction
Publisher: Picco Press
Release date: November 11, 2018
Tour dates: July 1-31, 2019
Content Rating: PG + M (swearing and mild violence)

Book Description:

Ivy Montgomery is tired of her sister’s constant nagging and protectiveness. Blind, she decides to escape in the middle of the night when she is captured and brought far from home. With no understanding of the outside world, Ivy must use her keen abilities to navigate the wilderness around her. Anger and hopelessness are her only defenses against the things she cannot do.

Until she meets a strong-minded Lakota Chief, who will not let her cower to the blindness any longer. Lakota Sioux Chief of the Paha Sapa, Hotah is on a hunt for his brother, Kangi. Cast from their tribe five years before, Kangi has grown a dark spirit and a hatred for all white people. Now on reserved land, Hotah makes a deal with the General to capture his brother in return for his people to have the provisions they need. After rescuing Ivy, he promises to take her home, but danger is near and Hotah soon realizes it is not just his brother he should fear.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Ivy is the third book in the Montgomery Sisters series and it was also an enjoyable read. It is the story of the youngest of the sisters, Ivy, who happens to be blind and feels stifled by both of her very capable sisters. So she escapes and gets kidnapped. She's rescued by a Lakota Sioux chief and learns to become resourceful and brave as they encounter danger on their way back home. It was refreshing that the author included a main character that was an American Indian.

I like that each of the Montgomery sisters is unique and different both in character and in personality. Ivy is certainly different from both her sisters and I initially thought that there had to be a better way for her to ascertain her independence than to run away. I did find her immature but she did grow as a character, although the ending tied everything up too quickly and neatly.

Once again as I mentioned for the first two books, this book also starts with action and pulls the reader in quite quickly with no dull moment until the very end. I think this one could have had a more prolonged ending, though, with a more realistic conflict resolution. However, it was nonetheless a fun western romance.

It was also fun to read all three books consecutively. They are clean reads that are entertaining and can satisfy the reader who wants a light fun read on a hot summer day.

To read reviews, please visit Kat Flannery's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com ~ Google Play

Amazon.ca ~ Apple books

Kobo ~Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of many writing groups including the National Romance Writers of America (RWA), Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. When she’s not busy writing or marketing Kat volunteers her time to other aspiring authors. She’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career and continues to write for blogs and online magazines. A bestselling author, Kat’s books are available all over the world. The BRANDED TRILOGY is Kat’s award-winning series. With seven books published, Kat continues to write two novels a year.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends August 10, 2019

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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Poppy: The Montgomery Sisters Book 2 by Kat Flannery (Review and Giveaway!)

After having read Fern the first book in the Montgomery Sisters series, I was eager to read the second book that focuses on the middle Montgomery sister named Poppy. This is another fun western romance by Kat Flannery.

Book Details:
Book Title: Poppy (The Montgomery Sisters Book 2) by Kat Flannery
Category: Historical western romance, 140 pages
Genre: Adult Non-Fiction
Publisher: Picco Press
Release date: May 16, 2018
Tour dates: July 1-31, 2019
Content Rating: PG + M (The occasional swear word, not the F-word, mild violence)

Book Description:

Poppy Montgomery has always been good with a gun and could fight her way out of anything. Tough as nails and a sharpshooter, her beauty deceives the outlaws she’s after. Hot on the trail of the Clemmons gang, a group of outlaws who rob trains and killed an innocent woman and child a few months before, she is determined to make them pay for the sin’s they’ve committed by bringing them to justice. Pinkerton, Noah Shaw is investigating a ring of stage robberies and knows the Clemmons gang is behind them. Told to track down the infamous redheaded bounty hunter, Noah gets more than he bargained for when he arrests Poppy for assault. Handcuffed together the pair must work together to stop the robberies, and figure out who is behind them. But what happens when love interferes and thrusts Poppy into discovering emotions she never knew existed? Will she choose the solitude she’s always known or Noah’s sweet embrace?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

After having read Fern the first book in the Montgomery Sisters series, I was eager to read the second book that focuses on the middle Montgomery sister named Poppy, a red-headed spitfire of a girl whose character I met in the first book.

As is her trademark, Flannery begins the story with action as Poppy, now a bounty hunter is having a shootout with the Clemmons gang who now has her cornered. But that's not what riles up Poppy. She becomes upset when Noah Shaw, a Pinkerton agent, comes to the rescue. Poppy likes to work alone, but Noah has his own agenda. From then on Poppy has no choice but to work with a man who both infuriates her and ignites feelings that catch her unexpected.

This is another fun western romance by Kat Flannery. Poppy is a strong female lead who is confident, short-fused, impulsive and deadly. You sure don't want to mess with her. Because she's so good with a gun, she almost comes across like a superhero of the Old Wild West. As with the first book, I did wish this was a longer novel because I loved the characters, the setting, and the plot. This book is the shortest of all three at only 140 pages.

It's a clean read with romance, plenty of action, and some mystery. If you're looking for a fast fun book and you love Western romances, this one will keep you entertained for a few hours.

My review of Ivy the third book in the Montgomery series will be posted next week.

To read reviews, please visit Kat Flannery's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com ~ Google Play

Amazon.ca ~ Apple books

Kobo ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends August 10, 2019

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Monday, July 15, 2019

Fern: The Montgomery Sisters Book 1 by Kat Flannery (Review and Giveaway!)

I've discovered a new Canadian author whose books are so much fun to read. I've read all three books in the series and enjoyed every single one. Here's my review of the first book in the Montgomery Sisters series. Be sure to enter the giveaway too.

Book Details:

Book Title: Fern (The Montgomery Sisters Book 1) by Kat Flannery
Category: Historical western romance, 182 pages
Genre: Adult Non-Fiction
Publisher: Picco Press
Release date: April 4, 2018
Tour dates: July 1-31, 2019
Content Rating: PG + M (The occasional swear word, not the F-word, mild violence)

Book Description:

Can one woman heal the heart of a lawman? A gardener who uses plants to heal, Fern Montgomery is an outcast who refuses to be pushed out of town. When her friend is murdered and all fingers point to Fern as the only suspect, she must find a way to prove her innocence while fighting off unwanted feelings for the sheriff. Sheriff Gabe Bennett has his mind set on arresting Sarah Fuller’s killer. But his key suspect isn’t what he expected. He soon realizes there is more to the quiet gardener than he’d first anticipated. As passion blooms, Gabe is forced to face his feelings—and the woman who has stolen his heart.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I've discovered a new Canadian author whose historical western romance books are so much fun to read. I've read all three books in the series and enjoyed every single one. The first book introduces us to Fern, the first-born of the three sisters. Fern is the serious sister who feels responsible for taking care of her sisters (as first-born myself I can totally relate!) especially since they lost their parents to tragic circumstances.

Fern is an intelligent woman who has the gift of using plants to heal. She is independent, strong and courageous. When Gabe, the new sheriff, begins to investigate a murder that points to Fern as a suspect, they are thrown together and feelings blossom despite their being at odds with each other.

Flannery starts all her novels with action, pulling the reader in quickly with never a dull moment until before you know it, you've read the whole book! Despite this being a short novel, the characters are well-developed, the pace is excellent, the dialogue realistic moving the plot forward. I did wish this was a longer novel because I loved the characters, the setting and the plot.

Best of all this was a clean romance novel. Although labeled a romance, there is plenty of action, a good plot, and a murder mystery rendering this book a fun page-turner. If you're looking for a quick read with a strong female lead character, look no further.

My review of Poppy, the next book in the Montgomery series will be posted next week.

To read reviews, please visit Kat Flannery's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com ~ Google Play

Amazon.ca ~ Apple books

Kobo ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends August 10, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Poppy (The Montgomery Sisters, Book 2) by Kat Flannery (Book Spotlight and Giveaway!)

There's just something about Western fiction (and romances) that appeals to me. Reminds me of some good movies I watched as a kid with my mom. Remember The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Italian director Sergio Leone? Today, I'm spotlighting Canadian author Kat Flannery's second book in The Montgomery Sisters series. If you like spitfire heroines, check this one out. There's also a giveaway to win a $50 Amazon GC!

Book Details:

Book Title: Poppy (The Montgomery Sisters, Book 2) by Kat Flannery
Category: Adult Fiction, 170 pages
Genre: Historical western romance
Publisher: Picco Press
Release date: May 18, 2018
Tour dates: May 28 to June 15, 2018
Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

Poppy Montgomery has always been good with a gun and could fight her way out of anything. Tough as nails and a sharp shooter, her beauty deceives the outlaws she’s after.

Hot on the trail of the Clemmons gang, a group of outlaws who rob trains and killed an innocent woman and child a few months before, she is determined to make them pay for the sin’s they’ve committed by bringing them to justice.

Pinkerton, Noah Shaw is investigating a ring of stage robberies and knows the Clemmons gang is behind them. Told to track down the infamous redheaded bounty hunter, Noah gets more than he bargained for when he arrests Poppy for assault.

Handcuffed together the pair must work together to stop the robberies, and figure out who is behind them. But what happens when love interferes and thrusts Poppy into discovering emotions she never knew existed? Will she choose the solitude she’s always known or Noah’s sweet embrace?

To follow the tour, please visit Kat Flannery's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ iBooks ~ Barnes and Noble
Kobo ~ Playster

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. She has her Certificate in Freelance and Business Writing.

A member of many writing groups, Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. Kat enjoys teaching writing classes and giving back to other aspiring authors. She volunteers her time at the local library facilitating their writing group. She’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career

Her debut novel CHASING CLOVERS has been an Amazon Top 100 Paid bestseller. LAKOTA HONOR and BLOOD CURSE (Branded Trilogy) are Kat’s two award-winning novels and HAZARDOUS UNIONS is Kat’s first novella. Kat is currently hard at work on her next series, THE MONTGOMERY SISTERS.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends June 23, 2018

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Two Hearts by James Eric Richey (Review, Guest Post and Giveaway)

Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever by James Eric Richey
Jer Books
ISBN: 978-0990918103
Published: Dec 2014
Trade paperback, 426 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I love reading different genre and this time I decided to delve into a contemporary Western romance. I'm always fascinated when men authors write romance and I must say, Richey did such a good job of pulling me into this story and into the lives of Jaxon and Annie. And his portrait of the way men and women react differently to things in a relationship was right on.

Continue reading this post...

Thursday, January 3, 2013

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund
Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0764208331
Published Sept 1, 2011
Trade paperback, 384 pages

Ever since I read The Little House on the Prairie as a child, I have enjoyed stories of men and women who have braved the Western untouched territories of North America. The Doctor's Lady is about such pioneers whose mission was to bring the Christian faith to the American Indians.

Priscilla White wanted to be a missionary in India but the Missionary Board stated she needed to be married. This upset Priscilla who had no intention of marrying until she met Dr. Eli Ernest, a missionary who'd returned from the wilds of the Oregon Country to raise funds for the clinic he was to build to help the Nez Perce Indians. Again, the board stated he was to be married , so he and Priscilla marry in name only so that they both can fulfil their dreams. As they make the rough and perilous journey of seven months from New York to Waiilatpu, Priscilla and Eli discover more than just respect for one another.

I loved this story. It was very well-written, well-paced and kept my interest throughout. And I was simply amazed at what Priscilla and Eli had to go through on their journey. The author says that this story was inspired by the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, a young missionary couple who travelled overland to Oregon in 1836 for the purpose of starting a mission among the Nez Perce Indians. The author did a lot of research and it showed. The characters were real to me, well developed and likable, and flawed. The story was realistic and at times suspenseful as they dealt with life and death situations.

I was touched by how far this missionary couple was willing to go to help others, and how their view of the American Indians changed as they entered into their territory. This was great historical fiction. I have another book by Jody Hedlund that I now really look forward to reading. This author has been added to my list of favourite authors.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings
Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0764209901
Published Feb 1, 2012
Trade paperback, 368 pages

I love the book cover of this novel. When I read the synopsis and saw that it was a spin-off of the story of Ruth and Naomi from the Bible, I decided I wanted to read it.

Young widow Rosa Gardner returns with her mother-in-law to their Texas family ranch only to discover that they have three months to pay back taxes. Rosa is originally from Mexico and she stands out when she arrives to town because she wears colourful clothing different from the other women and she is carefree and uninhibited. Weston Gardner, who is still grieving the loss of his wife five years ago is captivated by Rosa but must let go of his guilt regarding his late wife's death.

I really enjoyed this story mainly because of Rosa's character. We saw the West through her eyes and I thought she was funny, smart, hardworking and lively. She brought the story to life. Weston was a fine character but half the time I didn't get why he said certain things and I was frustrated by their relationship, especially toward the end. He was a Christian man but his behaviour at times was erratic.

The build-up of the story was great. It's a story about acceptance, the struggle for independence, the love of one's land and the beauty of family love. I loved the Mexican butterfly dance scene that portrayed some of the differences between American and Mexican courtships. I thought this was an interesting spin-off of the Biblical story of Ruth. The romance was okay, whereas the story itself was very good.