Book Review WRONG TURN, RIGHT COWBOY by Denise B. McDonald

WRONG TURN, RIGHT COWBOY, by Denise Belinda McDonald, is an August 17, 2010 release from Samhain Press. In this book, Denise continues her popular series set in fitional and idyllic Paintbush, Wyoming.

Massage therapist Gillian Harwood and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Heidi, are on the run toward Montana. They’ve moved so many times in the past, they’ve both lost count of towns and states. Never staying long enough to make friends or trust anyone, they’ve moved on to evade the madman who killed Gillian’s sister twelve years ago. He's after Heidi because she witnessed the murder.

One wrong turn, and Gillian is lost on the Skipping Rocks Ranch near Paintbrush when she intends to be in Montana where a job awaits her. Swirling dust—okay, maybe it’s because she’s driving way  too fast on a dirt road—causes her to almost run down cowboy Quint Walters and his horse after Gillian plows through a fence. This incident launches this Paintbrush story.

Quint Walters has given up on love and on pleasing his father. He moved to Paintbrush to be near his aunts. His baseball career went down the tubes when he injured his knee for the third time, but he prefers ranch work anyway. If only he could get the new woman in town with the haunted, wary look in her eyes out of his mind. And if only his body didn't respond to her every move.

Although she believes she has no family except Heidi, Gillian learns good friends can replace family. And that her wrong turn was really the best she could have made because it led her to the right cowboy for her--and home.
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WRONG TURN, RIGHT COWBOY is a terrific book for anyone who loves contemporary tales of the west, cowboys, or suspense-filled novels. Denise hooked me from the beginning and kept me chained to the computer to find out what happened next. Even though this is a fast paced novel, it includes Denise's fun sense of humor. Familiar characters from the first Paintbrush novel appear, but this definitely is a stand-alone romance novel.

I give it a 5 out of 5 rating.
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Denise Belinda McDonald started her writing career at the tender age of eight. Her stories have changed over the years, but not her love for telling tales. An overactive imagination and a propensity to embellish have kept her books rich with lovable characters and interesting twists. A member of RWA, she belongs to several chapters. Denise lives in Texas with her husband, four boys and two dogs where she juggles her time between writing, carpool, Cub Scouts, sports galore, and a multitude of crafts. If you would like to learn more about Denise and her other books, please visit her web site: www.denisebelindamcdonald.com or you can e-mail her at denise@denisebelindamcdonald.com
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PLEASE join me tomorrow at http://www.savvyauthors.com/ for a Symposium on Building A Hero.

Book Review, WELCOME TO HARMONY by Jodi Thomas

Congratulations to Cathie, the commenter who won my Saturday drawing of a download of her choice of either OUT OF THE BLUE or the Civil War anthology NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES. Cathie, I'll email you to learn your choice.

Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite writers, and I keep all of her books. She is a Texas writer and I identify with her stories and her characters. Her latest release, WELCOME TO HARMONY, is set in a fictional West Texas town located--in my opinion--between Lubbock and Amarillo. I loved the people in this town. The story is launched by Reagan, a sixteen-year-old runaway from the foster system that has abused her, who has yearned for a home. She decided that Harmony sounded like the perfect place, so she's come hoping to stay--and hoping that she can fulfill her dreams. We never learn her last name, but it's not important. She is the catalyst in a story peopled with numerous lovable characters and a few not-so-lovable ones. 

When I read the back blurb of this book and realized that a teen was the main character, I wondered how Jodi Thomas would pull this one off. Knowing how much I'd enjoyed each of her previous books, I bought this one in spite of the back cover blurb. I need not have worried, because once again Jodi Thomas delivered a winning story. I grew up in Lubbock, and her characterizations are spot on for the area.  Her descriptions of the landscape made me feel at home. Although the primary conflict is resolved, a couple of loose ends dangle to tempt readers to pick up the next book of the series, which is due out this fall. I know I'll be first in line for the next one.

I might also point out that WELCOME TO HARMONY ties in nicely with the previous book, titled TWISTED CREEK.  You can't go wrong with a book by Jodi Thomas!

Review of THE LANCASTER RULE by T. K. Topin

THE LANCASTER RULE
By T. K. Topin
Champagne Books
Available now
ISBN 978-1-926681-34-4

THE LANCASTER RULE opens in the viewpoint of heroine Josie Bettencourt in the year 2333, after Josie has been “resurrected” from the pod-like sarcophagus in which her father secured her in the year 2006. As readers might imagine, the world has changed tremendously in over three hundred years—yet much remains the same. Struggles for power, greed, jealousy, and crime still exist. Not long after Josie is restored to life, terror strikes her world. In a dizzying series of events that take her around the world, Josie loses sense of who is right and who is wrong. People die in front of her eyes, yet she doesn’t know who she can trust. Is Lorcan Wellesley a vicious terrorist or the love of her life? Is John Lancaster an evil tyrant or is he in love with her? Striving to determine right from wrong, friend from foe, Josie leads an amazing journey.

T. K. Topin was born and raised in Barbados. For the last twenty-odd years she has worked as a free-lance graphics artist. Writing has always appealed to her and is something she would like to pursue full-time. In THE LANCASTER RULE, T. K. spins a suspenseful futuristic adventure. The only things I disliked about it were that it is mostly related in narrative and includes a few abrupt POV changes. More dialogue would pull the reader further into the story. However, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The beautiful cover was designed by Amanda Kelsey. THE LANCASTER RULE is the first in a trilogy. I will be eager to read the next two books.

Leave a comment to enter my Saruday drawing.

Book Review--SOMEWHERE MY LASS by Beth Trissel

I love Beth Trissel's blog. It is always well written and her husband's photographs are gorgeous. My blog today, however, is about her new release, SOMEWHERE MY LASS from The Wild Rose Press. This is a time travel romance, one of my favorite reads. Once I started reading this romance, I couldn't stop reading. From the first paragraph, I was hooked! Beth keeps the reader turning the pages to see whether or not Mora and Niel will get back to Scotland, what will happen if they do, will they stay there,.will Niel cease to exist? The pacing keeps the reader involved.

Not only does Beth Trissel have a terrific blog and website, but she is a remarkable author. I enjoyed the first of her Somewhere series, SOMEWHERE MY LOVE. In all honesty, I have to say that SOMEWHERE MY LASS is even more captivating than the first of the series. Beth Trissel writes with vivid language that paints a picture in the reader's mind. Her characterizations breathe life into all of the characters, and especially the hero and heroine. Anyone who enjoys a good read will love this book.

Let me share the blurb with you:

Neil MacKenzie’s well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he’s her fiance from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head–or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood.


Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he’s dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall’s brother, she’s convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it’s too late.

The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before
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I give this book 5 roses out of 5. Reader  can order SOMEWHERE MY LASS from The Wild Rose Press or Amazon in edownload or in print..You'll find Beth's blog at http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com
Don't forget my contest continues. Leave a comment to be entered in Saturday's drawing for a gift basket from Bath and Body Works along with a few odds and ends to surprise the recipient..
 

Book Review--The Girl on Legare Street

With THE GIRL ON LEGARE STREET, author Karen White delivers another winning paranormal to delight readers. Her earlier book, THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET began the story of Melanie Middleton and Jack Trenholm with Melanie inheriting an antebellum mansion and the return of her father. THE GIRL ON LEGARE STREET continues that story with the return of Melanie's famous opera singer mother, Ginnette Prioleau Middleton, from whom Melanie has been estranged since Ginnette abandoned Melanie thirty years ago. Ginnette wants a reconciliation, but Melanie is not ready to forgive, in spite of the little girl inside her crying for her mommy.

Melanie sees and talks to dead people. She even receives phone calls from her dead grandmother. Ginnette is an empath, which is why she always wears gloves to protect her from vibrations picked up through her fingertips. Ginnette has returned to Charleston because she senses Melanie is in danger. She's correct! Jack, Melanie, and Ginnette combine forces to protect one another from a perilous foe..

Author Kerrelyn Sparks calls this book "Southern Living Meets Southern Unliving. A Lovely Read That's Elegant, Spooky, Romantic, And Scary." I wholeheartedly agree. Karen White is an amazing author whose work includes the subtle, dry humor I love. She perfectly captures today's Southern living--and I don't mean the magazine. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal with romance and mystery--and dead people.