Preview and Review: "He's My Cowboy" by Diana Palmer, Rebecca Zanetti and Delores Fossen

 "He's My Cowboy" is an anthology with three novellas written by different authors: Diana Palmer, Rebecca Zanetti and Delores Fossen. They're all small-town romance.

I enjoyed my time reading them in a few hours. One novella leads to another as cherries.

THE HAWK'S SHADOWS by Diana Palmer: 

Gil needs to prove himself in his new role as sheriff's investigator. That means working alongside a hotshot expert from the state crime lab who's come to Colorado to help untangle a long-ago mystery. But if they stop butting heads, they might discover a surprising connection.

I love Ms Palmer writing, is smooth, easy to read and her characters are really enjoyable. The mystery is about a cold case of murder, in a small town where everyone knows everything, and the maximum level of crime are tickets for driving too fast. Gil is the deputy, the sheriff's right  arm and new investigator, he needs help with the case, but his first meeting with Nemara, FBI special agent, goes all wrong: they can't stand each other. Sometimes first impressions can change, when you have common ground on something and Gil and Nemara have that. At first I also didn't think so well of Nemara, my bad. But when you start to know her, you discover she wear a mask because she is shy and sometimes a little awkward with people, she's special and gifted. The plot is good, intriguing and I loved a lot the characters.

Rating: 4 STARS

RESCUE RANCHER STYLE by Rebecca Zanetti

Leaving the Marines and returning to Redemption as heir to the family ranch - and guardian to three wayward teenagers - Greg is in way over his head. But he's learned some deadly lessons since leaving the first love behind. And when she's in danger, nothing will stop him from saving her.

It's no secret my love for Rebecca Zanetti's stories, she's one of my favorite authors.

Greg is the kind of hero I love, strong-willed and protective. For him it's tough to raise his nephews, but he gives his everything to try to make things good for them, keep them together as a family. It's not easy for him, but he doesn't want things any other way.

Fate gives him a hand with his ex girlfriend. The grew apart before,  lived their life and they have baggage but they find out that together they're really good. As Always Ms Zanetti characters are great and her stories amazing.

RATING: 5 STARS

A COWBOY KIND OF ROMANCE by Delores Fossen

After eight years in the Air Force, Brenna's hanging up her uniform and retiring home to Silver Sage, Texas. News of her parent's divorce has shaken her faith in love, even if the whole town is eager to match make between Brenna and her high -school flame. But never underestimate cowboy's powers of persuasion.

This novella is also a second chance and small-town romance, I didn't know the author, but I think the story is nice, easy to read and it was fun see Brenna's hometown playing Cupid with her.

Rating: 3.5 STARS

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the kind preview.

 

The Heart of a Duke by Samantha Grace, Olivia Kelly, Christi Caldwell,Robin Delany and Aileen Fish

Five friends receive a pendant from a gypsy along with a prophecy that whoever wears the necklace will win the heart of a duke. With varying expectations, each girl accepts her turn with the good luck charm—and a chance at happily ever after—secretly fearing the gypsy’s tale may be nothing more than a plot to sell a worthless piece of jewelry.

Beautiful and original the idea of turning what could be an anthology of five regency short stories, in a story that is written by five different authors, but is connected by one common thread: a magical jewel, heart shaped, that according to a gypsy's prophecy  will bring the love of a Duke and his heart to the woman who wears it.

The authors told the stories of five childhood friends who have made together a vow and that over time they will pass the magical object, one another, when they'll find the true love.

Very nice, romantic and well written. The stories might almost seem written by the same person for the style used and continuity in the story.

Thanks to Netgalley e la Aspendawn Books for the book.

RATING: 3stars

TITLE: The Heart of a Duke

AUTHORS: Samantha Grace, Olivia Kelly, Christi Caldwell,Robin Delany and Aileen Fish

PUBLISHER: Aspendawn Books

Bella e originale l'idea di trasformare quella che poteva essere un'antologia di cinque racconti regency, in una storia che è scritta da cinque autrici diverse, ma è collegata da un unico filo conduttore: un gioiello magico a forma di cuore che secondo una profezia gitana porterà l'amore di un Duca e il suo cuore a la donna che lo indosserà.

Da qui vengono raccontate le storie di cinque amiche d'infanzia che hanno fatto un patto e che nel tempo si passeranno l'oggetto magico, nel momento in cui chi lo avrà in suo possesso troverà il vero amore.

Molto carino, romantico e ben scritto. I racconti potrebbero quasi sembrare scritti dalla stessa persona per lo stile usato e la continuità nella storia.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Aspendawn Books per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

Highlanders by Brenda Joyce, Terri Brisbin, Michelle Willingham

Highlanders è un'antologia di tre novelle di altrettante scrittrici di romanzi historical romance pubblicati dalla Harlequin, in questo caso la fanno da padrone i nostri amati Highlanders.

I racconti si inseriscono nel panorama delle diverse serie scritte da Brenda Joyce, Terri Brisbin e Michelle Willingham, ma possono si possono leggere anche come brevi storie a sé stanti.

The Warrior and the Rose by Brenda Joyce

Lady Juliana MacDougall prega che i suoi cari possano fare ritorno sani e salvi dalla battaglia contro Robert Bruce... Ma la battaglia la raggiunge quando le sue terre vengono attaccate da un gruppo di Highlander, nel quale è presente un uomo che indossa i colori del peggior nemico del suo clan. Presa in ostaggio da Alasdair Og, Juliana ben presto scopre che oltre a essere uno spietato guerriero è anche uno straordinario amante. Ma come può Juliana amare Alasdair che è il suo nemico mortale?

Dei tre questo è il racconto che ho preferito, mi sono piaciuti molto sia i protagonisti Juliana e Alasdair, che la loro storia. Lei è intelligente, determinata, coraggiosa e impulsiva; Alasdair è senza scrupoli quando deve difendere il suo clan, leale, gentile e molto attraente. Se si mette in testa una cosa fa di tutto per ottenerla e in questo caso ha puntato Juliana.

Novella breve, ma appassionante e ben scritta.

The Forbidden Highlander (The MacLeries #6.5) by Terri Brisbin

Fidanzato a una donna in base a un accordo di mutuo interesse tra clan, James Murray non si sarebbe mai aspettato di innamorarsi, invece, della più cara amica della sua futura sposa. La passione che nasce tra James ed Elisabeth MacLerie non si può negare, ma entrambi si ritrovano combattuti tra il loro amore e la lealtà verso i loro clan.

Ho imparato a conoscere questa serie della Brisbin  dai libri più recenti, ma merita di essere apprezzata sin dall'inizio. I MacLerie hanno un capoclan di tutto rispetto: The Beast of the Highland e, già dal suo soprannome, si può capire quanto la decisione di James Murray, di non voler sposare la donna a cui è legato dagli accordi tra i clan, possa essere difficile da prendere. Preferisco il personaggio di James, più deciso sin dall'inizio della storia, mentre Elisabeth l'ho trovata un po' troppo titubante, ma alla distanza mi è piaciuta molto anche lei. Bellina la loro storia, da leggere senza dubbio per i lettori appassionati della Brisbin; i suoi personaggi sono sempre molto combattuti, ma le storie d'amore tra di loro appassionate e romantiche.

Rescued by the Highlander Warrior (MacKinloch Clan #3.5) by Michelle Willingham

Celeste de Laurent è determinata a non dover più affrontare la vita in condizioni di povertà. Dopo aver sacrificato l'amore in cambio di un matrimonio sicuro, adesso si ritrova, vedova, con il rischio di perdere tutto. La sua unica speranza è di mettere al mondo un erede... e quale uomo migliore, per mettere al mondo un figlio, e salvarla da un orribile destino, che Dougal MacKinloch, l'unico uomo che abbia mai amato?

Questo racconto, invece, è quello che ho gradito un po' meno, visto la "brillante" idea con la quale Celeste voleva salvare l'eredità lasciatale dal marito.

 Dougal è un personaggio maschile stupendo, un bel tenebroso, un po' scostante, ma irresistibile e dopo la delusione del passato a causa di Celeste, il solo fatto che lei abbia pensato a lui come primo candidato per concepire un erede "falso" mi è sembrata un po' una cosa meschina.

Il racconto è ben scritto, la Willingham è davvero bravissima nel raccontare storie d'amore così appassionate, ma a me Celeste proprio non è andata giù.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Harlequin per il libro.

VOTO: 3.5 stelle

TITOLO:Highlanders

AUTRICI:Brenda Joyce, Terri Brisbin, Michelle Willingham

SERIE:antologia di racconti The MacLeries #6.5; Kinloch Clan #3.5

EDITORE: Harlequin

DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: 1 giugno 2013

LINGUA: inglese

Highlanders is an anthology of three novellas by as many writers of historical romance novels  published by Harlequin, in this case we can read about our beloved  Highlanders.

The stories are part of different series written by Brenda Joyce, Terri Brisbin and Michelle Willingham, but the nobels can also be read as a standalone short stories.

The Warrior And The Rose by Brenda Joyce

Lady Juliana MacDougall prays for her loved ones to survive battle against Robert Bruce... but the battle comes to her when her lands are attacked by a band of Highlanders, including a man wearing the colors of her clan’s worst enemy. Taken hostage by Alasdair Og, Juliana quickly learns he’s as exceptional a lover as he is a ruthless warrior. But how can she ever love Alasdair when he’s her blood enemy?

Of the three this is the story that I preferred, I liked a lot both the protagonists Juliana and Alasdair and their story. She is intelligent, determined, brave and impulsive; Alasdair is without any scruples when he must defend his clan, loyal, polite and very compelling. If he puts in the head one thing, he makes everything to get it, and in this case bis target is on Juliana.

Short novel, with a very passionate story, well written.

The Forbidden Highlander (The MacLeries #6.5), by Terri Brisbin

 James and Elizabeth MacLerie is undeniable, but they are tornHonor-bound by an arranged betrothal, James Murray never anticipated falling in love with his intended bride’s dearest friend instead. The passion between between love and loyalty to their clans….

I read about this series of Brisbin from the last books of it, but deserves to be appreciated from the beginning. The MacLerie have their chieftain: The Beast of the Highland and already by his nickname you can understand how James Murray's decision not to marry the women who is tied by agreements between the clans can be hard to take. I prefer the character of James, more assertive since the beginning of the story, while I think Elisabeth is a little too hesitant, but at a distance I enjoyed her too.  Their story is very nice, to be read without a doubt for readers who enjoy  Ms Brisbin; her characters are always so conflicted, but  the stories of love between them passionate and romantic.

 Rescued By The Highland Warrior (MacKinloch Clan #3.5), by Michelle Willingham

Celeste de Laurent is determined to never again live in poverty. After sacrificing love for a secure marriage, she now stands to lose everything as a widow. Her only hope is to bear an heir - and what better man to father her child, and save her from a terrible fate, than Dougal MacKinloch, the only man she ever loved?

This story is the one I liked less, with the brilliant idea with whom Celeste wanted to save her propierty. Dougal is an amazing male character, strong, a little dark, but irresistible, and after the pain of the past due to Celeste, the mere fact that she thought about him as the first candidate to conceive a "fake" heir it's too bad.

The story is well written, Ms Willingham is really talented at telling stories of love so passionate, but I didn't love Celeste and this fact has influenced my opinion about the novel a lot.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

RATING: 3.5 stars

TITLE: Highlanders

AUTHORS: Brenda Joyce, Terri Brisbin, Michelle Willingham

SERIES: anthology of short stories: The MacLeries # 6.5; Kinloch Clan # 3.5

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

PUBLICATION DATE: June 1, 2013

LANGUAGE: English