Ready to Trust (Hearts of Oklahoma #2) By Tina Radcliffe Christian Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 224 Pages July 21, 2020 by Love Inspired
Proving he’s a changed man could be his biggest challenge yet.
Rancher Reece Rainbolt’s shocked to learn he’s inherited half of Claire Ballard’s family farm—and that he’s a father. Now Claire’s determined to break ties with the man who once left her behind. But Reece will buy her half only on one condition: she must stay in town to help with the harvest…and let him get to know his little girl.
Overall, Ready to Trust is a pleasant contemporary read set in Oklahoma, complete with a ranch, an orchard, horses, and even a goat.
I liked how Reece jumped right into fatherhood, stepping up to what he knew was right, even at Claire’s hesitation. The interactions between Reece and Zoe were wonderful to read.
While I understand Claire’s hesitation at first, her extreme resistance to allowing Reece into their daughter’s life was very frustrating. I also get her hesitation to form a new romantic relationship, but that should be separate from allowing Zoe to know her father. Both Reece and Claire are guilty of over-reacting, but eventually they realize that they can mature and come together for their daughter’s sake and even fall in love.
There are some great secondary characters in this story who made me smile. They served to spur Reece and Clair to think beyond themselves. I like the diversity of situations and perspectives from the various characters and the wisdom they brought to the story.
I received a copy of this story for the purpose of this tour. I was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
Finding the Road Home (Hearts of Oklahoma #1) By Tina Radcliffe Christian Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 224 Pages February 18, 2020 by Love Inspired
Some paths need courage to follow… Can they find their fresh start with roadblocks around every corner? To care for her orphaned nieces and nephews, Daisy Anderson moved to a small town for a new deputy position—but now her job could be eliminated. With potential budget cuts looming, her only hope is to work with police chief Mitch Rainbolt to save their department’s funds. But can their fight for her job lead to something neither dared wish for: a future together?
Tina Radcliffe is the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award-winning author of inspirational romance. She is an ACFW and Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member, and a four time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Tina is the author of fifteen inspirational romances for Harlequin HarperCollins.
One winner will receive a Lily Queen Canvas Totebag (retail value $21.99), a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of READY TO TRUST (US/CAN only) Ends August 19, 2020.
Home for Christmas(Shores of Indian Lake #12)By Catherine Lanigan
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
November 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Can a magical Christmas under glass…
…bring them back together for good?
Widowed dad Adam Masterson still doesn’t understand why Joy Boston left Indian Lake and broke his heart all those years ago. Now she’s returned to sell her grandfather’s beloved poinsettia greenhouse—and Joy and Adam’s connection is as strong as ever. But Joy has a life in New York. And Adam has only until Christmas to convince Joy that she belongs in Indian Lake—with him.
1. Here at Kat’s Corner Books, we’re fans of cats, but love all pets. Do you have a pet? If yes, what?
C: Hello, Katherine. I am a longtime pet lover. At the current second, I do not have a pet and there’s a reason for that. I’m gone a lot from home for my day job and after having several cats in my life and ten Golden Retrievers…I couldn’t stand to leave my pet alone for 11 hours a day while I’m gone. I also travel a lot for my film and book businesses and so I’m gone many weekends. That’s not fair to a furry family member.
K: I agree. We would love to have a dog, or chickens, or goats, but alas our apartment is most suited for a cat. I love Sasha, but I wish she could have more friends.
2. Open your text message app. What are the first ten words that come up automatically?
C: “Lovely. Maybe she’ll follow in your footsteps.”
K: Wow! I think that’s the first time I’ve had an answer make send. Grins.
3. When you are not writing, what other “hats” do you wear?
C: I am the financial manager for my brother-in-law’s dental office. We have one dentist, ten operatories, nine assistants and hygienists. The days are long for me as I mentioned above. I also have a film company that I’ve been running for years. As many of you may know, or not, THE SWEETEST HEART, based on my book, HEART’S DESIRE, was made into a Hallmark Channel film last year. I write screenplays, proposals and books.
K: I’ve never understood why people are afraid of the dentist. I love the people in my dentist’s office!
4. What is the one thing you would like readers to take away from your story?
C: Because this story is a Christmas story, there is the magic of Christmas in just about every scene. But it is also the test of two hearts to learn to TRUST their hearts again. Adam is a widower. His son is a gifted, genius child, which makes parenting a greater challenge than usual. Joy has never come to grips with her anger, resentment of the towns people of Indian Lake over the car accident of her parents. She has blamed everyone in town and even Adam and she ran from her grief after high school. Not until she comes back to Indian Lake again must she confront her demons and fears.
Though it is Christmas, sometimes, it is the time of year of deep reflection. And change. Sometimes, during the happiest times, we are challenged to meet ourselves and deal with what we have made of our lives. Do we go back? Or move forward—to love?
K: I don’t think you can get through the holidays without reflection, no matter which holiday you celebrate. The ending of one year brings the hope of the new.
5. What is your favorite thing about having a “story world” that you can return to in new books?
C: For my series set in Indian Lake, I truly cherish the ability to go back with each story and see what mysterious, elegant and tight-lipped Mrs. Beabots is up to. Though she is the doyenne of the community, she is the wise sage. The giver of all gifts. The mirror for every heroine or hero to face at one point during the story.
K: I love being able to absorb into story worlds. I prefer stand along, but somehow related novels, so towns like Indian Lake are my favorite!
6. For readers who are unfamiliar with Indian Lake, what’s the one thing you want them to know about the town/people?
C: I would like them to know, that even though our world has become isolated, fearful and distrusting of their fellow man, that sense of community that exists in Indian Lake does exist if only we extend the Best parts of ourselves. When we stop thinking of “ME” all the time, and think of others, we grow. We are all in this life together. We can choose happiness or misery.
My favorite Christmas
story is STILL, the Christmas Carol, which taught us to care, really care about
our fellow man. To share our hearts and love with others. It doesn’t take money
to make another happy—most times it’s a small compliment or a hand on a shoulder.
A smile. A nod of the head to acknowledge that the other person is valued.
Every
man is our concern.
God
Bless Us Everyone! Merry Christmas
K: Thank you for joining us today, Catherine ! Merry Christmas to you as well.
My Thoughts
This was my first book by Catherine but it won’t be my last. Beside sharing a name, and thus automatically qualifying as awesome, she has a talent for weaving a sweet story with just enough depth to keep the characters growing throughout.
While I wish Joy would’ve come around more quickly, I also think that so radically changing her life wouldn’t come easily, making the timeline of the book more realistic. I was also frustrated by how long she held onto her anger, but it provides some necessary tension for the story. I was glad to see her slowly open up to her friends, Titus, and Adam.
At times I loved Adam, and at Times I wanted to shake him. I can’t imagine being a single parent and balancing it with a demanding job, but growing up with an engineer father, I know they can sometimes get stuck in their engineer brain. But, I loved how he made an effort to support his gifted son and to not belittle his intelligence at such a young age nor to push him to be older than what he was.
I look forward to returning to Indian Lake and getting to know the residents better.
I received a copy of this story for the purpose of this tour. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are my own.
About the Author
Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of over forty-five published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over twenty-four languages. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts. Ms. Lanigan’s SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING includes LOVE SHADOWS, HEART’S DESIRE , A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE, KATIA’S PROMISE, FEAR OF FALLING, SOPHIE’S PATH, PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, FAMILY OF HIS OWN, HIS BABY DILEMMA, RESCUED BY THE FIREFIGHTER and HERS TO PROTECT (2019).
Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs. She writes a monthly blog for Heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com.
– One winner will receive a $100 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)– Two winners will each receive a signed copy of Home for Christmas with a bookmark (US only)
– Ends November 27, 2019
The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby (The Sweetheart Ranch #3) By Cathy McDavid Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages November 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming
She gifted him with a daughter
He stunned her with the truth
When Tanner Bridwell discovers he’s a father, he gains some much needed hope. A year ago, Tanner lost his livelihood as a champion bull rider, and—more important—Jewel Saunders, the love of his life. Now this cowboy wants to do right by his family. But first he must reveal a stunning secret that will send Jewel and his beloved daughter either packing…or into his arms forever!
This was my first visit to Sweetheart Ranch and I enjoyed the setting and family. The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby steps out of the main ranch family and expands to include Jewel and her daughter. Unbeknownst to her, her ex-fiance, Tanner, has been hiding out on the neighboring ranch, which creates tension right from the start.
Tanner was placed in a difficult situation. I’m not sure how I would’ve reacted in the moment, but I question his decision to hide it from Jewel (and his dad and brother from their wives as well). But, what’s done is done, and now he and Jewel have to figure out a way forward. It made me smile the way Tanner stepped right into daddy role, even though Jewel was hesitant, he didn’t let her push him away from his daughter.
I understand Jewel’s hesitancy to accept Tanner right back into her life after feeling like he abandoned her to deal with the fallout of the scandal. But, I always wanted to talk some sense into her for over reacting in the first place.
In the end, both characters mature and learn some needed lessons about communication and its importance to a relationship.
For my regular blog readers – the Heartwarming line is from a secular point of view, but are all clean reads. This story features a baby born before marriage, references to that relationship, and some sizzling moments, but nothing outside of clean reads on the page.
I received a copy of this story for the purpose of this tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
As a sophomore in high school, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-seven titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins recently married her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or hunt creatures all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
– One winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and one of Cathy’s backlisted titles, winner’s choice of print (US only) or ebook – Three winners will each receive one of Cathy’s backlisted titles, winner’s choice of print (US only) or ebook – Open internationally – Ends November 20, 2019
The Cowboy’s Perfect Match (The Sweetheart Ranch #2) By Cathy McDavid Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages May 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming
He may not be perfect…
But he’s perfect for her!
Ryan DeMere is definitely enjoying the perks of being Sweetheart Ranch’s new wrangler—the best is working with head chef Bridget O’Malley. He’s fallen head over spurs for the talented and determined beauty. There’s just one hiccup. Bridget is holding out for Mr. Right—and Ryan doesn’t quite meet her requirements. But he’s determined to win Bridget over, because Ryan may not be perfect…but maybe their love could be.
1. Here at Kat’s Corner books, we’re fans of cats, but love all pets. Do you have a pet?
Meet Ozzy. He’s my four-footed muse and even has his own regular column in my monthly newsletter. He’s utterly devoted to me and spends a large portion of his day napping next to my computer monitor. He tolerates my husband (whom he refers to as “the man”), pretty much ignores the dog Nacho, and keeps his distance from our newest family member, Sushi (she originally belonged to my mother and came to live with us after we moved Mom into assisted living last December). Ozzy is a rescue, also like Nacho and Sushi. He believes no one else should have access to me other than him, including “the man”, and sleeps between us at night. Moving him to another part of the bed or the floor doesn’t work, he comes right back.
Sasha says hi!
2. Open your text message app. What are the first 10 words that come up automatically?
Thank you Just People Not For Clay (my son) I’m Ok Best Last
Well, clearly I’m not an interesting person, at least according to my text message app.
I think authors are always interesting!
3. When you are not writing, what other “hats” do you wear?
After I quit the corporate world four years ago, I thought I’d have all this extra free time. Surprise, surprise, it didn’t happen. I’m president of my local Romance Writers of America chapter for the second year in a row and love it. As I mentioned earlier, we recently moved my mom into assisted living. I see to all her needs and visit her at least twice a week. While it breaks my heart to see her senility worsen, I’m grateful for every moment I spend with her. I recently started a book club at the community where she resides and just love talking to the literary ladies, as I call them. They’ve all lead such fascinating lives. I’m also very involved with my high school’s alumni group. We’re very active and have several events every year. Just this past weekend my class had a reunion and, you guessed it, I was on the committee.
My mom just retired and I’m convinced she won’t have a free moment!
4. What inspired the idea for The Cowboy’s Perfect Match?
It’s funny, there’s a little bit of me in both the heroine Bridget and the hero Ryan. She’s a list maker (raising my hand) and even has a list of her dating non-negotiables. Yes, it’s true. I had a similar list when I was single and dating, though not as lengthy as Bridget’s. Ryan flips houses on the side—kind of like they do on those HGTV shows. I worked twenty-four years in the construction business and was able to bring a lot of personal experiences to the story. Every problem Ryan has while remodeling his house is something we experienced at the construction company in real life.
5) What is one thing you’d like your readers to take away from this story?
Throw away that list of dating non-negotiables. It didn’t work for me, and it doesn’t work for Bridget. Finding your perfect match will happen when it’s supposed to happen. Just be open and available to possibilities. The same goes for anything else in life, like the perfect job or the perfect house.
I agree that you have to be open. No one will be the perfect match. Marriage, no matter what, is hard work. Let’s all acknowledge our humanness.
6) For readers new to the Heartwarming line, what is something you’d like them to know?
Heartwarming books are sweet in that there’s no sex other than kisses, and there’s also no profanity. That doesn’t mean the stories lack romantic tension, don’t have compelling characters, or are short on riveting plots. Quite the opposite. Because the books are longer than the ones I used to write for Harlequin, I find I can dig deeper into the characters and go further with the plot than I could before. The result is a richer, more complex story.
I agree that you dive into some good character development. I think new reader’s who follow my inspiration reviews that this book does not contain any faith themes and is from a secular point of view. I was very comfortable with the level of PDA in the story.
My Thoughts
The Cowboy’s Perfect Match is a sweet clean read set on Sweetheart Ranch. I liked getting to know the characters including Grandma Em and sister Molly, setting and characters coming together to form a great story.
Ryan is a likable guy, full of charm. I understand Bridget’s list making tendencies. I agree with Bridget that there should be some deal breaker items on the man-to-marry list, however all good things can be taken too far and both Bridget and Ryan have to come to realize where their beliefs have a solid base and when they need to be flexible.
I appreciate the way Cathy paced the book, not allowing the characters to go headlong into a full on relationship without being aware of the drawbacks, but keeping the characters growing and moving forward, slowly revealing their growth. But, they also don’t spend the book trying to deny their attraction. They acknowledge it, but also see the very real scenarios.
After getting to know the ranch and characters, I definitely want to find Book 1 and give it a read. I’m not ready to leave Sweetheart Ranch.
I received a copy of this book for the purposes of this tour. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
A Cowboy’s Christmas Proposal (The Sweetheart Ranch #1) By Cathy McDavid Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages November 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming
At a magical time of year…
Can a cowboy help falling in love?
For single dad Owen Caufield, living and working at Sweetheart Ranch for a month is the perfect change of pace. While the cowboy turned wedding officiant can now spend more time with his children, Molly O’Malley, his new boss, is less thrilled. A wedding ranch isn’t the best place for three rambunctious youngsters. But amid the chaos—and the coming holidays—it may be the best place to fall in love…
As a sophomore in high school, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-seven titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins recently married her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or hunt creatures all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice. Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│BookBub│Amazon Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive:
$10 Amazon gift card
Author swag
A Cowboy’s Christmas Proposal and The Bull Rider’s Valentine(print to US winner only, Kindle copies to US or international)
A Desperate Hope (Empire State #3) By Elizabeth Camden Christian Historical Romance Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages February 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers
Eloise Drake’s prim demeanor hides the turbulent past she believes is finally behind her. A mathematical genius, she’s now a successful accountant for the largest engineering project in 1908 New York. But to her dismay, her new position puts her back in the path of the man responsible for her deepest heartbreak.
Alex Duval is the mayor of a town about to be wiped off the map. The state plans to flood the entire valley where his town sits in order to build a new reservoir, and Alex is stunned to discover the woman he once loved on the team charged with the demolition. With his world crumbling around him, Alex devises a risky plan to save his town–but he needs Eloise’s help to succeed.
Alex is determined to win back the woman he thought he’d lost forever, but even their combined ingenuity may not be enough to overcome the odds against them.
I’ve been looking forward to A Desperate Hope since I finished reading A Daring Venture. The premise of a town caught underneath the proposed drinking water reservoir and its fate intrigued me from the start. One of the things I love about Elizabeth’s books is her ability to take a historical even and weave a fictional story around it and A Desperate Hope fulfills all I’ve come to expect of her stories.
I read it in one sitting.
Each page made me want to read another. And another. And another. I liked all of the characters; the good, the bad, the questionable. While there were many to keep track of, it didn’t get overwhelming and kept me on my toes wondering how each would fit into the final moments of the plot. I had an inkling about how the ending might go, but I outright gasped at the plot twist.
I appreciate Alex’s devotion and his eternal optimism reminded me of hubs, so I could help but loving Alex as well. The way he drew Eloise out of her shell, made her believe in herself, and helped her grasp a far fetched dream was swoonworthy. He wasn’t all talk either- he rolled up his sleeves and worked hard to make it happen.
Eloise understandably struggled with her self worth and I could relate on many levels (but not the instant head math!). I admire her courage to step out in a strange new world after a tough isolated childhood and succeed in a men’s profession when many at that time would cheer for her failure. I understand her need for safety and predictable. I’m the same way.
As I’ve seen in my own life, these opposite personalities create moments of friction and frustration. Even more importantly they create moments of growth and compromise that, if weathered well, bring a couple closer together.
I encourage you to read A Desperate Hope not only for the mystery but to get to know an entire town you’re sure to love.
Elizabeth Camden is the author of twelve historical novels and two historical novellas and has been honored with both the RITA Award and the Christy Award. With a master’s in history and a master’s in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. She lives with her husband in Florida.
– One Grand Prize winner will receive print copies of all three books in the Empire State series: A Dangerous Legacy, A Daring Venture, and A Desperate Hope
– Two additional winners will receive a print copy of A Desperate Hope– US only- Ends March 1, 2019
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