Series: Harts of the Rodeo (Book 6)
A Hart's Greatest Gift
Marine Staff Sergeant Tomas "Tuf" Hart is beginning to understand why
they say "you can never go home again." Still grappling with the mental
scars of battle, Tuf's just learned that Thunder Ranch is in trouble.
Now, the Harts are banking everything on their stallion, Midnight,
winning the National Finals Rodeo. The only easy part of Tuf's
homecoming was falling for his high school crush all over again.
Cheyenne Sundell has always been drawn to Tuf. But as a single mom of
twin daughters, she's wary of getting involved, especially with another
military man. Cheyenne's disastrous marriage taught her that war changed
men, and not always for the better.
Tuf and Cheyenne have been through hell and back. But with a little hope
and a lot of holiday spirit, they just might find a way to heal
themselves...and each other.
The last book in the Harts of the Rodeo series, this was an excellent story. Tuf has finally come home, two years after returning from Afghanistan and not seeing or talking with his family that whole time. The family has worried about him, but tries to give him the space he needs. I really like both Tuf and Cheyenne. Through the previous books Tuf has been mentioned, missed and worried about. When he makes it home he is surprised by all the changes. I liked the way that he sat the family down and explained where he had been and why he hadn't been in touch. The only thing he didn't tell them about was his nightmares, because he didn't want to worry them more. I really liked the way he was honest about seeing the counselors and that he was working through his problems. I also really liked the way that he helped Cheyenne's little girls with their own issues and the way that he fell so hard for her. It was nice seeing the romance develop over time. Tuf was worried about his nightmares and how they would affect his relationship with Cheyenne, and they did end up causing him to pull away from her. It took finding the source of his nightmares for him to realize that what he really needed was Cheyenne. Meanwhile Cheyenne was having to deal with her own issues regarding her relationship with Tuf. Her late husband had returned from war also suffering. He did not deal with it well and ended up being abusive before finally killing himself. She was reluctant to get involved with Tuf for fear of having the same problems. His patience soon showed her that he was totally different and she soon hoped for a happy future. She was devastated when he pulled away after one of his nightmare episodes, and only wanted him to trust her enough to let her help. I loved the way they finally worked everything out, and the conclusion of the rodeo was fantastic. The little girls were wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing the way they had Tuf wrapped around their little fingers. The other great part about this book was seeing how the rodeo work went and seeing Midnight reach his potential.
Series: Harts of the Rodeo (Book 5)
Beau Adams can't stop thinking about Sierra
Byrne. Her feisty spirit and ample curves dominate his thoughts, while
he should be focused on getting himself and Midnight, the Harts' prized
stallion, to the National Finals Rodeo. When Beau and Sierra's electric
connection finally leads to a steamy night together, Beau hopes it's the
beginning of something more.
As much as Sierra wants to be with Beau, anything long-term is out of
the question. A recently diagnosed eye disease will soon leave her
blind, and she can't ask a rising rodeo star like Beau to take on that
responsibility. Though she tries to pretend their tryst was just another
item on her bucket list, Sierra's true feelings run a lot deeper. Will
she let her affliction steal not only her sight, but her dreams of
happiness, as well?
Good book. I liked both Beau and Sierra. Beau is intent on getting his rodeo career back on track and training Midnight. He's been attracted to Sierra for months and trying to get a date with her for just as long. He finally gets her to go out with him one time and shares a hot kiss with her, but then she pulls back. He is a guy who watches out for other people, and Sierra is starting to worry him. She is doing a lot of crazy things like drag racing and bungee jumping. He is distracted by her and starting to feel like she belongs in his life forever. When he finds out about her eyes, his protective instincts come out, but she keeps pushing him away. I loved the way that it took a couple people pointing out his overprotective tendencies for him to understand the problem. Sierra is a very independent person. She knows she is losing her sight and she is afraid of becoming dependent on someone and then having that person walk away. She has decided that she wants to do the things she has dreamed about while she still can. She is very attracted to Beau and can easily see him in her life, but doesn't want to be a burden to him. He starts to make her mad with his watchfulness and she pushes him away even harder. I liked the way they worked things out in the end. I'm really looking forward to Tuf's story and seeing how the story ends.
Series: Harts of the Rodeo (Book 4)
Wild At Hart
No man should look as good as
Austin Wright. Especially when that man is a suspect in a string of
burglaries. And, Sheriff Dinah Hart can't afford the distraction.
Roundup's thieves are growing bolder and Thunder Ranch's prize stallion,
Midnight, is still missing, putting the Harts' entire livelihood at
risk. Dinah needs to focus, because she's worked too hard to earn the
town's respect just to throw it away on a fling.
Austin knows
he's got a bad reputation. He's been following his father's
self-destructive footsteps for far too long. Now he's finally ready to
take the first step toward fixing his life, and convincing people,
especially Dinah, that he's changed. But when Austin discovers an
unexpected connection to Midnight's disappearance, will Dinah see him
for the man he was, or the one he's trying to become?
Very good book. Austin has woken up once too often not remembering what he did the night before. He is intent on making some changes in his life. Dinah is run off her feet trying to solve the crimes of the thieves and the missing horse. She and Austin had been good friends during their wild high school days. Dinah is attracted to Austin, but she doesn't want to jeopardize her career by having a fling with him, especially once he becomes a suspect in the robberies. But Dinah can't help being drawn to him and soon their attraction becomes physical. I really liked both Dinah and Austin. I loved the way that he realized that he needed to make some changes in his life, and then that he needed help to make those changes, He is a very independent guy and doesn't want to admit that he can't do it on his own. I liked the fact that once he made up his mind he stuck to it. I enjoyed the way that he would give Dinah a hard time and flirt with her. When he realized it was more than just flirting he wanted he was pretty surprised. He was ticked off when Dinah suspected him about being in with the thieves, but did admit that she was just doing her job. I liked the way he was able to move past that and continue his pursuit of her. I also liked the way that he looked out for her. He could see that when she got involved in her work she completely forgot about doing things like eating. I liked being able to see him as he worked through his problems and how hard it was. I also liked seeing his relationships with his sister and father improve. I really liked seeing Dinah in her job as sheriff. She obviously took it seriously, but had some feelings of inadequacy as the thieves continued to elude her. I also enjoyed seeing the contrast between her tough girl sheriff attitude and the softer side shown in her home and with her family. She hated suspecting Austin in the robberies, but knew she had to investigate anyway. I could also see the way that the sparks shot off the two of them whenever they were together. I loved the ending and the way things worked out for them. Seeing the other family members is always a plus.
Series: Harts of the Rodeo (Book 3)
Deputy sheriff and aspiring rodeo star Dylan
"Duke" Adams has his hands full with the recent string of burglaries in
Roundup, Montana, especially when the thief strikes at his family's
ranch. Duke is trying to focus on the case, but he can't stop thinking
about a different thief -- the petite blonde who just stole his heart.
Angie Barrington can't stand the rodeo. Though she's seen plenty of
abused rodeo animals at her rescue ranch, for Angie it runs even deeper.
No matter how kind and compassionate Duke is, at the end of the day
he's still a cowboy. Right?
When Duke makes it to the national finals, he finally has a chance to
bring prestige -- and much-needed money -- to Thunder Ranch. But if
competing means losing the woman of his dreams, how can he ever win?
Very good book. Duke is working hard to find the thieves and also to help with the local rodeo. When he meets Angie he is immediately attracted to her and taken with her son. Angie runs her own business and is a single mother to her son. Luke's father had had no interest in being a husband and father and only wanted to pursue his rodeo career. Angie also runs a rescue ranch for abused animals, many of whom came from rodeos, which has caused her to be very anti-rodeo. When Duke befriends her son, that softens Angie's attitude some. Duke works very hard to show Angie what they could have together. I really liked Duke and Angie. Duke was a real sweetheart with the way he stepped in to help Luke with his stuttering and to help him and his friends get ready for the kids' event at the rodeo. I was impressed with how much patience he had and how he was able to relate to Luke. I also loved the way he would step in to help Angie with her business whenever he had a free moment. He didn't try to take over or tell her what to do, he was just there to help. I really liked the way that Angie worked so hard to give Luke a good life. You could see her worry over his stuttering. I liked the way that she accepted Duke's help with him, even though she had reservations about his rodeo activities. I could see why she had her attitude about rodeo, but I thought she could be a little more open minded. I liked the way things worked out for them in the end. I also enjoyed the closeness of the Hart family and the way they are there for each other.
Series: Harts of the Rodeo (Book 2)
A Change of Hart
After years of tearing up the rodeo circuit -- and shirking his family
duties -- Colton Hart shouldn't be surprised that his return to Thunder
Ranch has been a bit thorny. His plan to put the Harts' prize stallion,
Midnight, back into dangerous rodeo competition doesn't help.
Colt's stirring up trouble off the ranch as well, especially in Leah
Stockton's heart. Recently divorced, Leah is determined to make a new
life for her two kids. The last thing she needs is a man who acts like a
child himself.
And Leah doesn't even know about the biggest mistake of Colt's life.
When his shameful secret is revealed, she'll never look at him the same
again. But Colt also realizes it's past time he acts like the man Leah
deserves…whether she wants him or not.
Good book. Colt's arrival back at the ranch has created some stress. He has spent most of the last fourteen years competing in rodeos and not doing much to help out at the ranch. On his first night back he runs into Leah and feels an attraction to her that he didn't expect. He also didn't expect to find out that she's the mother of two, which scares him off. Leah is back home to start a new life for her and her kids. She also didn't expect her attraction to Colt, nor did she expect his rapid retreat. He did apologize for his attitude and then helped her get a job doing accounting for his family's ranch. This also gave him an excuse to spend time with her. Over the next few weeks they got to know each other again, and he got to know her children and become more comfortable with them. When he confessed his secret to her, she was stunned and disappointed in him. It was also a motivation for him to finally change his ways. I liked both Colt and Leah. He had been discontented for awhile and after he got home he finally figured out why. I really enjoyed seeing his growth and the way he finally took responsibility for his life. I liked Leah and the way she was determined to give her kids a more settled life. I liked the way she made sure they knew that she wasn't going back to their father without badmouthing him to them. She had a great positive effect on Colt that was just what he needed. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
Series: Harts of the Rodeo (Book 1)
Aidan "Ace" Hart left Flynn McKinley heartbroken
when he put family duty above her feelings. Then one night, the old
passions were reignited and now Flynn is about to get something she's
always wanted—a child to love.
Ace takes his responsibilities very
seriously. Running Thunder Ranch and his busy veterinary practice leaves
little time for a personal life. That'll only get worse now that he's
spending every spare minute with Midnight, the champion rodeo stallion
he hopes will save the ranch from financial disaster.
Flynn refuses to marry Ace and be yet one more "responsibility" to him. She wants Ace to want to marry her! And until he admits he loves her, she's determined to raise her baby alone….
Good book. Flynn has been in love with Ace for years, but every time they seem to be getting closer, his family responsibilities pull him away. He is the oldest of the four siblings and when his father died, leaving the ranch in financial difficulty Ace saw it as his job to step up. One brother devotes his time to rodeo, avoiding the ranch whenever he can, the other joined the Marines, and their sister is the sheriff of their town. Ace also has a busy vet practice, leaving him little time for anything else. When a one night burst of passion leaves Flynn pregnant, Ace immediately proposes. But Flynn had already been through one marriage where her husband put his work first over their relationship and she wasn't going to do it again. Plus, he has never actually said that he loves her. Ace is stunned when Flynn says no, but won't give up. Unfortunately, it seems that whenever he takes Flynn out something comes up to interrupt them. Flynn finally gave up and made plans to move away and start a new life, close enough for Ace to visit the baby, but giving her the distance she needed. During the last argument, Flynn accused Ace of using family to avoid making commitments, that he had never really given anyone else a chance to help. I was glad to see that Ace finally realized what he had been doing wrong. While I understood Flynn's point of view, I often felt that she was being kind of unreasonable about some things. I was glad to see that they were finally able to reach the compromises necessary to be happy.
