LOVING THOSE MARTIN'S

Title: The Rancher Takes a Bride

Author: Brenda Minton

Publisher: Love Inspired (May 1, 2015)

Pages: 221

I have to admit, I made a huge mistake. That being I started to read THE RANCHER TAKES A BRIDE by BRENDA MINTON on Amazon, long before it was due out. Not a good idea. Something I should not have done. There was no question I was going to purchase it, so there was no need to read a portion of it before doing so. With BRENDA MINTON books I don’t need to know the title or the synopsis. Nope. I know that I’m going to get it, and quite frankly I can’t wait. So you can imagine how hard it was to get a glimpse into THE RANCHER TAKES A BRIDE and have to wait for what felt like forever for it to finally come out. 

Oregon Jeffries has a secret. One that will change the life of one tall, dark, and handsome cowboy. But it’s not the only secret she has.

Duke Martin is doing fine just the way his life is. Being a husband and a father are not two things that entered his mind. When he discovers what has been kept from him for years, his life is turned upside down – in a good way. 

Every story I've read by MS MINTON takes me to a place I love to go, in what I call, living the dream. One that includes a cowboy and a ranch. All of her stories are well written, with distinct characters you will fall in love with. I am amazed how she continues to come up with lines I have yet to hear. Not an easy task when you have read as many “cowboy” books as I have. 

I feel another plot brewing. Bring on Brody Martin’s story, please! 

IN FIREFLY VALLEY by AMANDA CABLOT

Title: In firefly Valley, Texas Crossroads (Book 2)

Author: Amanda Cabot

Publisher: Revell (May 19, 2015)

Pages: 368

Once again, AMANDA CABOT has created a novel that is well written, with catchy lines. IN FIREFLY VALLEY is the second book in the TEXAS CROSSROADS series. You’ll want to be sure to pick up the first, though each holds their own.

Marisa St George has no choice but to return to the town she grew up in after losing her job. Desperate, she takes a position at a struggling resort in a small town, one that doesn't come close to the status and income she was making.

Blake Kendall is immediately attracted to Marisa. It’s not long before they are seeing one another. Only problem is, she doesn't have a clue who he really is.

IN FIREFLY VALLEY is a light, fun read of second chances, something most of us have been in need of at one point or another. I love the mistaken identity aspect. Something I believe has not been done enough.

*Please see my profile for more information on this review.

NEW ACFW RELEASES FOR MAY 2015

May 2015 New Releases 

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. 

Contemporary Romance: 

Seaside Proposal by Narelle Atkins -- Billie Radcliffe is only staying in the close-knit beach community until she finds the man who is the key to her rejection-riddled history. Her growing relationship with good-looking banker and youth leader Zach Montford could crumble when her deepest secret is revealed. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Bachelor to the Rescue by Lorraine Beatty -- He made her a widow. Now she and her little girls need his help. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot -- Marisa St. George has lost her dream job and come home to manage the struggling Rainbow's End resort in the small Texas town where she grew up. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But is he really who she thinks he is? (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Summer Brides: A Year of Weddings Novella Collection by Debra Clopton, Marybeth Whalen and Beth Wiseman -- A June Bride by Marybeth Whalen: Wynne Hardy says "yes" to the perfect man on a reality TV show, then her ex-boyfriend walks back into her life. A July Bride by Beth Wiseman: Brendan Myers left Alyssa Pennington at the altar. Winning back his bride might prove much more difficult than he can imagine. An August Bride by Debra Clopton: Cousin to the bride, Kelsey Wilcox meets groomsman Brent Corbin at a Texas beach wedding. Brent is determined to change the pretty bistro owner's mind about cowboys. (Contemporary Romance from Zondervan) 

Whenever You Come Around (A King's Meadow Romance) by Robin Lee Hatcher -- Best-selling author Charity Anderson returns home to King's Meadow to defeat a bad case of writer's block. Then her dog causes an accident where longtime crush Buck Malone breaks his wrist and ankle. Charity finds herself caring for the handsome wilderness guide, since this calamity will keep him off the trail for weeks during prime tourist-season. Buck finds himself hoping to change this city girl's mind about small town living. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan]) 

Safe in the Fireman's Arms by Tina Radcliffe -- Neither Maggie Jones nor widowed fire chief Jake MacLaughlin are interested in finding love. When they team up as a fake couple to avoid potential dates, sparks kindle and they might just find trouble in Paradise, Colorado. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

The Doctor's Second Chance by Missy Tippens -- When a bachelor's wayward cousin leaves him with her baby to raise, he's forced to seek help from the one woman he can't trust, the town's new pediatrician. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

Can't Buy Me Love by Beth K. Vogt -- A bride-to-be discovers the true cost of love as she plans her uptown destination wedding using Pinterest. (Contemporary Romance from Howard [Simon & Schuster]) 

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade -- A scarred Texas marine and his vivacious childhood best friend find love and healing while training thoroughbred horses. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing]) 











General Fiction: 

As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti -- Can a marriage survive when separated by hundred of miles and impenetrable prison walls? (General Fiction from Abingdon Press) 










Historical Romance: 

The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection by Amanda Barratt, Susanne Dietze, Cynthia Hickey, Shannon McNear, Gabrielle Meyer, Connie Stevens, Erica Vetsch, Gina Welborn, Kathleen Y'Barbo, and Jennifer Uhlarik - Nine historical romance novellas where love comes to the most eligible bachelor in town. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) 

Love by Design (The Dressmaker's Daughters #3) by Christine Johnson -- Jen Fox won't let anyone keep her from joining the first flight expedition to the North Pole. Even if the person trying to take her seat is the dashing, world-famous stunt pilot Dan Wagner. Their strictly business relationship hits turbulence when both begin to wish for something more personal. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas -- When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he consoles himself with his fiddle and the family farm. His grandmother's helper, Margaret Hoffman, is always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems she doesn't care about his troubles. But Margaret has her own problems. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as they face potential loss and find healing in the most surprising places. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing]) 




Medical Suspense: 

Fatal Trauma by Richard L. Mabry -- It began with Dr. Mark Baker facing a gunman who had nothing to lose, and it could end with him behind bars. (Medical Suspense from Abingdon Press)










Romantic Suspense: 

Falcon by Ronie Kendig -- When a deadly bombing separates Staff Sergeant Brian "Hawk" Bledsoe, from his team, he must make a choice: save his brothers-in-arms, or save the woman and children depending on him to survive a brutal snowstorm. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing) 








Young Adult: 

See No Evil (Rustic Knoll Bible Camp Book 3) by Mary L. Hamilton -- Blindness didn't keep Steven Miller from getting sucked into pornography, and with Dad's death compounding his guilt, can he atone for his sin by keeping his friend from traveling the same path? (Young Adult Fiction, Independently Published)