Romancing the Conflicted Cowboy by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

An out-of-place writer risking everything to stay. A conflicted cowboy afraid to risk letting her. And one little arrangement about to become more complicated than either bargained for.

For romance author Callie Claston, visiting a Texas dude ranch to save her career makes perfect sense. The harebrained idea to romance a veterinarian who thinks sending her into cow patty landmines is the art of subtlety, however, might qualify her as crazy. Then again, little does he know how much a challenge fuels her. Until it collides with a dream she never expected to be real.

Single dad Reed Allen has at least two reasons—both with smiles just like his—for trying to run off the intriguing city girl hiding a secret. But when he reluctantly agrees to help Callie with her research, knowing he should stay guarded around her does absolutely nothing to prepare him for the moment when he can’t.

Can a writer who’s never found her own ever-after and a cowboy who lost his too soon restore enough faith in love to start a new chapter together?

My Review: 4.5 Stars

One bad review. How can one bad review shake Callie Claston's publishers faith in her? Determined to prove to everyone that she can be a successful author, Callie grabs her best friend, Tricia, and heads to Sage Valley Ranch to gain an insiders perspective on ranch life for her next book. 

But nothing could prepare Callie for her best friend's scheming ways. How she got herself hooked into doing an article on romancing a cowboy in seven days, she'll never know. But with her career on the line, she'll do whatever it takes to save it. 

From the moment Reed Allen laid eyes on Callie, he knew she was trouble with a capital T. He should stay far away from her. But heaven help him, he can't say no to her shadowing him for the week. There's just something about her that draws him in and has his carefully crafted walls around his heart cracking. 

The more time they spend together, the more Callie realizes what she's been missing her entire life. Love. There's just something about the way Reed is with his girls that has her wanting to stay right where she is. It's feeling more like home than her actual home does. When she realizes that everything between her and Reed is real, she no longer has it in her to do the article. 

But when Reed discovers the truth behind why Callie is really shadowing him, his walls go right back up. He doesn't think he's strong enough to go through another heartbreak. But the heart wants what the heart wants and Reed can't deny his feelings for Callie. Both he and Callie will need to let go of the things holding them back if they're ever going to find their HEA. 

*dreamy sigh* 

Oh how I adored this book! I found myself laughing out loud, getting a little teary eyed and letting out little dreamy sighs while reading. I really enjoyed getting to know Callie, Ryder, Sam and Becca. Sage Valley Ranch is definitely a fun setting and I found myself wishing I was right there with them! 

You guys! If you're looking for a fun new series then I highly recommend trying this one! I can already tell it's going to be amazing! I can't wait for Holden's book! ;) 

Ms. Walton's books are always a fun getaway! Her books never fail to put a smile on my face and have me letting out little dreamy sighs. I'm looking forward to seeing what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting... I am loving these two! What do you think?

Swoon Worthy Spotlights #22

Welcome to Swoon Worthy Spotlights hosted by KJ's Book Nook, Katie's Clean Book Collection and Bookworm Nation! Once a month we will feature 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month. We will share the cover(s), our review(s) and a link to each other's post so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

For this month's Swoon Worthy Spotlights I am going to choose...

The Secretive Wife by Jennifer Peel

Shadow Rescue by Rebecca Deel

Chasing Someday by Crystal Walton

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And don't for get to check Katie's post here and Kathy's post here!

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Do you have a blog and want to join us for Swoon Worthy Spotlights? Then grab the picture and post with us! We will be posting on the last day of each month. Make sure you share your link with us so we can check out your favorite authors as well!

Happy reading my fellow bookworms!

Chasing Someday by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

Ex-model Livy Hensley has exactly three talents: making coffee, landing herself in the most awkward moments known to man, and failing miserably at relationships. But when the sweetest southern boy on the planet offers to be your dating coach, who could say no? Between struggling to open a café and trying to atone for a consequence of her past, Livy can use all the help she can get. Besides, what could possibly go wrong on a few practice dates with your best friend?

Chase Thompson’s no stranger to hard work. If that’s what it takes to prove to Livy they should be together, then he’s all in. He can handle pretending he’s not hopelessly in love with her. Sort of. Almost. Okay, nowhere close. But with a conflicting solution to his family’s greatest trial on the line, the stakes of keeping his dating coach plan from backfiring have never been higher.

Up against the countdown of choices, Chase and Livy must find the courage to risk what they fear most for the someday they’ve always hoped for.

My Review: 5 Stars

Chase has been in love with Livy from the first moment he met her. But the timing for telling her has never been right. For now, he's content being her best friend... being there for her whenever she needs him... being her sounding board... being her safe place. But he's getting tired of seeing how crushed Livy gets when her latest love interest constantly makes and breaks plans with her. Chase is determined to show her that she can do better than a guy who's just stringing her along. 

Livy believes that she's a walking disaster when it comes to men. She never knows what to say or how to act. She's the queen of awkward ramblings and embarrassing situations. She'd do anything for normal. So when Chase suggests becoming her dating coach, she takes him up on his offer. He is, after all, the only guys she feels like she can be herself around. With his help maybe one day she'll have the confidence in herself that he has in her. 

But the more time they spend together, the harder it is for Chase to hide his feelings for her. She's not ready to hear how he feels about her. He just needs a little more time to show her how much she means to him and how he'd do anything for her. 

With the help of Livy's friends, her eyes are opened to how she really feels about Chase and how he really feels about her... and that scares her. Her past isn't the prettiest. He has dreams of what his future holds and who will be in it. Dreams that she knows she can't be part of because of the secrets she's hiding. 

Will the fear of her past and fear of rejection hold her back from having a future with Chase? Or will Chase's unconditional love prove to Livy that her past doesn't matter to him? Going through everything she has, has molded her into the person she is today and that's who Chase fell in love with. If anyone deserves a happily ever after, it's Livy. And he won't stop until makes her believe that it's true. 

*dreamy sigh* 

What can I say about Livy and Chase? I absolutely adored these two! Their lives were going in all kinds of crazy directions and the only constant in it were each other. The road to their HEA was definitely a bumpy one but I enjoyed their journey! They not only learned things as a couple, but as individuals as well. They had to learn that what's meant to be, will always be. It doesn't matter how much you fight against it or force it to happen before it's supposed to, it will all happen at the right time and at the right place. <3

This has been such a fun series! I absolutely loved it! If you haven't read the Home in You series by Ms. Walton then you are definitely missing out! I highly recommend it! She is an amazing author! It's no wonder she's a favorite of mine! 

And of course I cannot forget my casting. I absolutely love these two! What do you think?!

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

Swoon Worthy Spotlights #10

Welcome to Swoon Worthy Spotlights hosted by Bookworm Nation, Katie's Clean Book Collection and KJ's Book Nook! Once a month we will feature 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month. We will share the cover(s), our review(s) and a link to each other's post so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

I had such a hard time trying to pick my favorites! I read so many this month that I absolutely LOVED! Be warned... I have more than 3 choices... ;) Hehe.

For this month's Swoon Worthy Spotlights I am going to choose...

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

Just Maybe by Crystal Walton

Mergers & Acquisitions by Jennifer Griffith

Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls by Jennifer Peel

Forever Yours in Christmas Falls by Susan Hatler

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And don't for get to check Kathy's post here and Katie's post here!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Do you have a blog and want to join us for Swoon Worthy Spotlights? Then grab the picture and post with us! We will be posting on the last day of each month. Make sure you share your link with us so we can check out your favorite authors as well!

Happy reading my fellow bookworms!

Just Maybe by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

Three weeks. That’s all the time self-made billionaire Cooper Anderson has to respond to discovering he’s a single dad, sell his lake house, and catch a one-way ticket across the world. The quick-witted nanny responding to his ad couldn’t be more of a life saver … and maybe a nice distraction. Until the secrets she’s hiding get a little too close to exposing his own.

The one lead guaranteeing Quinn Thompson a promotion just has to land her back in her hometown to finagle an interview out of Mr. Elusive, of all people. But she can hack it, right? Even while mistaken for the nanny, she can keep things quick and professional. No running into her embarrassing southern family, no stirring up the wounds that’d sent her packing four years ago, and definitely no melting over a stockbroker’s unfair dimples and boyish charm.

Why, oh, why doesn’t anything ever go according to plan?

With both their deadlines closing in before they’re ready, Quinn and Cooper must decide whether the life they’re set on pursuing alone is worth more than the one they could be missing together.

My Review: 5 Stars

Quinn never imagined her career changing story would lead her back to her home town. She's not ready to face her family... not yet. Not until she lands her big promotion that will make everyone in her life proud of her. She has failed enough already, she just can't let them down again. She's got this. She has too. There's no other option.

Cooper never imagined hearing the words "you're a dad"! Especially not when everything is finally starting to fall into place. He's moving around the world for crying out loud! How can all this be happening now? He's got 3 weeks... 3 weeks to set everything straight so he can make his big move. He can't keep letting his family down, especially now that he has a son. He will do right by him, he has too. There is no other option. 

A case of mistaken identity has Quinn playing nanny. It's the perfect cover for her story. She has 3 weeks to win over Cooper and get his permission to write and run the story. But life doesn't always work in our favor. Both Quinn and Cooper have secrets that they would rather keep hidden from each other. But the more time they spend together, the more they realize they don't want any secrets between them. But what happens when they finally come out? Will it have them both running again? Or can they move on from them and start over? And maybe, just maybe they can find their happily ever after as a family? 

I have to say that Just Maybe is my favorite one in the series so far! It had me laughing out loud, getting teary eyed, growling in frustration wondering when these two were going to open their eyes to see what was right in front of them and had me letting out little dreamy sighs. I know I say this a lot but the feels are definitely real my friends! The setting was perfect, the story line was amazing and I fell in love with everyone... especially little Brayden! I absolutely LOVED this book! 

Ms. Walton has done it again! She weaves an amazing tale of love, heartache, forgiveness, understanding and second chances. Her books just keep getting better and better! I can't wait for Livy and Chase's story!

And let's talk about this casting. I absolutely love these two! What do you think?

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

Still Falling by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

Landing a prominent chair in the Philharmonic Orchestra is part of Bree Ramirez’s determined plans to avoid her old life. Falling smack into her ex-fiancé’s path again? Nowhere close. But with a gang hit targeting her and her brother as loose ends, the pressure to get them out of Queens ushers her straight into the very arms she’s spent the last four years pretending aren’t still home.

On the brink of finally making detective and tackling his parents’ cold case, NYPD Officer Josh D’Angelo is prepared for just about anything. Except playing it cool with the only girl he’s ever loved. Then again, if being assigned Bree’s security detail opens the doors to winning her back, he’ll risk whatever the job requires. Including his heart.

But when Josh’s investigation brings him to a choice he promised Bree he’d never have to make, this unsolicited reunion may cost them their only shot at a second chance.

My Review: 4 Stars

Devastation can happen in a blink of an eye. No one knows how they will react until it happens to them. Some may stay and do everything in their power to make it better. Others may run in fear and do their best to protect themselves from being hurt again.

Bree has spent the last 4 years running away from her past. She is trying to do her best to protect herself and create a better life for her younger brother Gabe. She doesn't want him to end up in the gang that has been trying to recruit him for years. She needs to get him out of there.. the sooner, the better. But in the process, she has caused a rift between her parents and her ex-fiance, Josh. She just can't understand why they would stay where they are when all of them are in danger. Don't they want a better life? Away from the gangs and the violence?

Josh made a promise to himself years ago that he would bring the people responsible for her parents' cold case to justice. No matter what Bree thinks, he can't just walk away when he knows he can make a difference. He has spent the last few years becoming the best police officer he could and working hard to become detective. He always thought he would have Bree by his side but she made her choice and he can't fault her for that.

But when tragedy strikes, fate steps in and brings Bree and Josh together again. Josh knows he has to tread carefully when it comes to Bree but he refuses to let her go again. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe and in his life. Even if it means he has to let go of everything he's been working toward. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and hope that in the end, it will all work out the way it should.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I am a sucker for lost love/second chance books! I enjoy seeing the hero and heroine, who are still in love with each other, work out their differences and get their HEA. And Still Falling did not disappoint. :)

If I had any complaints it would be that I felt a little lost in the beginning. There were things that happened in the past that were very briefly mentioned here and there but you never really got the gist of the story until the 2nd half of the book. I think a prologue would've been a good addition to the book. Also, and this is huge for me, the book just ended! I really hate it when that happens! I need closure people! Lol. For me there were a few loose ends that I would've loved to see tied up. An epilogue would've been perfect... even if it was just a month or so down the road. :)

All in all, the Home in You series is a great one! Ms. Walton is great at weaving a tale filled with suspense, mystery and, of course, romance. If you haven't read anything by her yet then I highly recommend giving her a try! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! :)

And of course I cannot forget my casting! I love these two! What do you think?!

  

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

Begin Again by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

What happens when a free-spirited artist from big-city New York collides with an uptight business owner from small-town Ocracoke? Fireworks. The kind neither saw coming.

A single call is all it takes to drive artist Ti Russo into what she does best. Run. But hey, lying low in a beach town for a while isn’t so bad. Thanks to the distraction of playing consultant to a guy she’s determined to crack, she can almost forget about the past stalking her back home. But she never counted on the real danger being a picket-fenced life she has no business falling for.

Focus and self-preservation have gotten single dad Drew Anderson through the last nine years. With the threat of his shop’s foreclosure jeopardizing his daughter’s health care, the last thing he needs is a distracting hippie chick swooping in to shake up what he’s fought to protect. Including himself. The bank’s deadline adds enough pressure without re-risking feelings better left buried.

But as sparks flare and secrets escalate, the race against time propels Ti and Drew into a choice neither’s ready to make: Find the faith to surrender their past or forfeit their only chance to begin again.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Growing up, Ti had the worst imaginable childhood. Her first opportunity she had to run away, she took it... running as fast and as far away as possible. But when her best friend needs her, she returns to do anything she can to help her out. In the process she realizes that enough is enough. She is going to face her past and show them that she is no longer afraid. But one phone call is all it takes to bring her nightmare of a past back and make her run again. This time to Ocracoke Island. 

Ti is in desperate need of a distraction. If she has something other than her own life to focus on she might just be able to keep the nightmares at bay. The distraction comes in the form of Drew, a single father who is struggling to keep his family souvenir shop open, his daughter's health under control, medical bills paid and keep his own demons from consuming him. But one look at Ti has him fighting every step of the way. She reminds him too much of his past and he cannot afford to be hurt again.

But somewhere along the way these two lonely, broken individuals learn to rely on each other, fight for each other, help each other, and love each other. That doesn't mean their journey is all sunshine and roses. No.. far from it. It was an uphill battle the entire way. They had to learn to overcome past hurts, learn to forgive, learn to let go, learn to be selfless, learn to have faith, learn to love all over again. This book is full of emotion and heartache. But you will find yourself cheering Ti and Drew on as they strive to achieve their HEA. 

Ms. Walton has a way weaving a tale full of emotions. She has this way of taking you on the journey with her characters, as if you're living their lives right along side them. I can't wait to see where she takes us next! 

And of course I just can't forget my casting! I love these two for Ti and Drew! What do you think?  

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

And make sure you head on over to Crystal's blog to enter to win this amazing giveaway! Click here to go right to it! :)

Arms of Promise by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

Contemporary dancer Anna Madison is determined to honor her mom’s memory. With the life she’s built in downtown Chicago hinging on an upcoming audition, now’s the worst time for her childhood best friend—and the only man she’s ever loved—to reenter her world. Her dad’s current DA case instigates enough danger without adding on the risk of losing her heart. Again.

Army Ranger Evan O’Riley has always known his place in Anna’s life. Letting his feelings compromise her safety simply isn't an option. Especially when his promise to protect her drives him off the sidelines and into the one place even his special ops training can't save him from. Anna's arms.

Keeping her from uncovering the real reason Evan returns is one thing. Trying to hide the reason he left to begin with could destroy them both. But when the past they’ve both tried to outrun launches them down a heart-pounding road of threats, secrets, and attraction, resisting love may turn into the greatest risk they face.

My Review: 5 Stars

Anna has always dreamed of being a professional dancer. Her mom and her best friend, Evan, have always been her biggest supporters. But when her mom dies in a tragic accident and Evan leaves to join the army without so much as a goodbye, she is lost and doesn't know how to move forward. It's been 5 years and she thinks she's finally back on track to achieving her dreams. Just when things start going right, her world is about to be turned upside down... again. The only thing that is bringing light into her darkness is Evan. Now that he's back will she finally have the guts to tell him she loves him? Will they be able to move forward and build a future together or will they forever be "just friends"?

Evan has returned to Chicago for one reason and one reason only. To protect Anna from all the dangers lurking around her. But he knows all too well how she feels about her father's hired "secret service wannabes" and he can't let her find out. He would do anything to protect her... even lie about why he's back. In his mind, he has already failed her once, he cannot afford to do it again. But how can he stay focused and on his toes if her sweet, sassy, adorable attitude has him thinking about how much he loves her and how much he wishes he was good enough for her. 

Between secrets, stubbornness and fear, Anna and Evan definitely have their work cut out for them. But will they see that they belong together before it's too late? Will their love for each other heal all past hurts and help them move forward to finally get their HEA? If anyone deserves a HEA it's definitely them! 

I thoroughly enjoyed Arms of Promise and had a hard time putting it down! I stayed up way too late and woke up even earlier than normal just to read it. I got frustrated... I laughed... I got teary eyed... I let out dreamy sighs... it was just what I needed! 

This is my 2nd book by Crystal Walton and I have to say it will not be my last! I can't wait to read more by her! :) 

And of course my review wouldn't be complete without my casting! I love these two! What do you think?! ;o)

Write Me Home by Crystal Walton

Synopsis:

He lives by his heart. She lives by her plans. Until they lose control of both.

Returning to his hometown in the Catskills is the last thing firefighter Ethan DeLuca’s ready for. He’d rather leave memories where they belong—buried under ashes. But if he doesn’t step up to take care of Nonna, who will? Working at the camp down the road seems like the perfect solution. Until his feisty redheaded boss ends up being one fire he has no idea how to put out.

Cassidy McAdams is on a mission. Get the camp Grandpa left her ready to sell, turn enough profit to bail Mom’s business out of foreclosure, and hightail it back to her life in New York City. With unexpected complications mounting, she can’t afford any distractions. Especially a ridiculously charming one who’s eager to rescue her at every turn.

It’d be easier on them both to hide behind professional boundaries. But when unexplained attacks on the camp ignite a connection between them they can’t ignore, running away is no longer an option.

My Review: 4 Stars

Ethan and Cassidy have returned to Catskills for different reasons. Him to help his Nonna and her to fix up the camp her grandfather left her so she can sell it. From the moment their paths crossed, their journey begins.

After tragedy strikes Ethan and his family, he decides to dedicate his life to rescuing and helping anyone and everyone he can. He never imagined his rescuing would bring him back to a place he thought he would never return to. There is just too much history for him and he's not ready to face it. But when he meets Cass and sparks fly, he wants to see where it will lead. Can she help him to heal? To move on from the past? Or will he allow hurt and anger to rule him?

Cass is a very independent person full of sass. Between her father leaving when she was a child, her mother depending on drugs to function, and her ex-boyfriend using her, she has learned to not trust anyone. She has a hard time letting anyone in, letting them help her and letting them love her. She has built her walls up so high, no one can get past them. But when Ethan comes to her rescue over and over and over again, she has a hard time trying to keep those walls up. Will letting him in be the thing that mends her broken heart and restores her trust in people? Or will it reaffirm the only person that she can depend on to take care of her, is her?

Cass and Ethan's journey was filled with so many emotions! It is one of self discovery, overcoming the past, learning to trust again and of course love. I found myself rooting for them and would get frustrated when things weren't going my way. I enjoyed seeing them grow as individuals as well as a couple. They were the perfect match to make the other better. 

I enjoyed the story but I have to admit something was missing for me. It felt a bit disjointed at times. The mystery aspect of the story could have been developed a bit more. It felt like an afterthought to me. I did figure out who the "bad guy" was before it was revealed and was a bit disappointed in the outcome. I would have liked to see more with how it was handled. 

All in all it was a good story. This is my first book by Crystal Walton and I will definitely be checking more out by her. I am hoping Ti gets her own story. I would love to see what makes her tick and see her get her own HEA. 

And of course I can't forget my casting! I found a picture of Liam with a dog and was half tempted to cast Sandy as well but I decided to just go with the people... ;) Hehe. What do you think?!