Friday 19 February 2016

New Release and Review: Wild At Heart by T.J. Kline


Enter to Win a Digital Healing Harts Series Bundle (Bks 1-3)


WILD AT HEART
Healing Harts #4
T.J. Kline
Released February 9th, 2016
Avon Impulse



Sometimes the place you’re trying to run from is exactly where your heart needs to be…

Bailey Hart has never felt like she measures up to her cousins at Heart Fire Ranch. It doesn’t help that her rocker attitude has made her a black sheep in her small town. So when her band gets their big break in Los Angeles, “Wild Hart” can’t run fast enough…If only there weren’t so many reasons to stay.

After a harrowing stint in the Oakland Police Department, sheriff’s deputy Chase McKee has returned home a hero, and yet he feels anything but. And when he finds out Bailey might be leaving for good, the feelings he’s always harbored for his best friend’s cousin just won’t stay hidden. He knows she wants to get the heck out of Dodge, but he’s hoping to show her where she really belongs—with him.

Will this Wild Hart turn her back on love, or will she realize her heart really belongs closer to home?


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  “Woman, you could crush a man’s ego, talking like that. I knew you were feisty, but I didn’t know you were heartless.” He winked at her, stepping up to grab the cleaning supplies from her hand. When his fingers brushed over hers, he felt the vibration of desire travel all the way to his toes.
Then I guess there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
Like what your lips taste like, how your eyes would darken with desire, or what it would be like to feel your breasts pressed against my chest and feel your skin under my fingertips.
His mind was busy filling in the blanks when her hand moved under his, sliding the cleaning tote back onto the table. Her blue eyes were dark, and he wanted to believe he was seeing the same hunger he knew was in his. Then she rolled her eyes, pursing her lips, and moved away from him. His fingers burned where they’d held hers only seconds before and turned cold where her warmth had just been.
She reached for the handle of the vacuum, rolling it toward the doorway. “You know, you could wait for Jessie outside.”
He almost laughed as she eyed him suspiciously. “What? Can’t trust yourself alone with me?”
Yes, of course, that’s it.” She nodded, the mound of hair piled on her head bobbing forward. It took every bit of self-control for him to keep from brushing back the loose wisps that had fallen forward and were stuck against her cheek. “There’s just something about a man in a dingy khaki shirt that makes a girl’s heart beat fast. I think I’ll pass.”
You invited me to Julia’s for dinner, remember?”
I was joking.”
I’m not so sure.”
Then it must have been temporary insanity,” she offered.
He couldn’t help but laugh, opening the door to the cabin. Gracie ran out into the yard ahead of him. “I’ll have you know, there are plenty of women around here who’d love to have dinner with me.” He smiled as she turned back to him, skepticism clearly written on her face.
Well, you know what they say. We women have to kiss a few frogs to find Prince Charming, so . . .”
Chase arched his brows as a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Bailey, are you offering to kiss me?”
I’d rather kiss—”
Ah-ah,” he warned with a laugh. “You should be careful. With all the animals your cousins have around here, whichever one you pick could probably be arranged.”



 Bailey is the baby of the close-knit Hart family. She's feisty and independent...a rebel who dreams of making a career out of singing. She's a hot topic of conversation for the local gossips and wants to get away. Her mother took off to live her dream, leaving Bailey behind with her Father. Now Bailey wants to leave the same quiet town and chase a record contract with her band. But, lurking underneath her bravado is a young woman who is insecure. A talented singer. Bailey believes she's not as good as her cousins. And, will her cousins actually let her go?

Chase is the assistant sheriff and local hero. He was welcomed back after working in Oakland, but he only told his good friend Justin Hart the reason for his return. He's on the radar of many single women, but only has eyes for one woman. Only she's a Hart and off limits.

It is so easy for the reader to empathise with Bailey as she struggles to do what is best. She's torn between going to Los Angeles and staying in the small town where she helps her cousins. There is Chase too...the guy she's had a crush for what seems like forever. Only, cousin Justin is an overprotective ass and makes her feel guilty for wanting to branch out on her own. Chase will do whatever he can to make Bailey stay, knowing he'd never be able to act on his feelings despite her being the only woman to have his heart. He has to keep within boundaries to avoid provoking his friend Justin. He also knows he has to face his own demons if he wants to find true happiness for himself.

Ms Kline has woven a heartfelt story about two people drawn to each other, only to dismiss the idea of being together. It's easy to understand Chase and Bailey's connection to each other. They have an easy, fun way of communicating which makes the conclusion so much sweeter when they realise what they both want...each other.

Wild At Heart is a slow burn friend to lovers tale that can be read as a standalone novel. However, I heartily recommend reading other titles in the Healing Harts series.

4 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Avon Impulse via Edelweiss***



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T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.



Don't Miss any of the Healing Harts Romances







New Release & Review: The Bride Wore Starlight by Lizbeth Selvig


Enter to Win a Digital Bundle of 
THE BRIDE WORE DENIM and THE BRIDE WORE RED BOOTS, 
books 1 & 2 in the Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys Series.


THE BRIDE WORE STARLIGHT
Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys #3
Lizbeth Selvig
Releasing on February 9. 2016
Avon Impulse




Once comfortable on stage in front of thousands, Joely Crockett is now mortified at the thought of walking—or rolling—down the aisle at her sisters’ wedding. Scarred and wheelchair-bound, the former beauty queen has lost more than the ability to walk—she’s lost her fire. But when one
handsome, arrogant guest accuses her of milking her injuries and ignites her ire, Joely finally starts to feel truly alive again, and soon it’s impossible for her to resist her heart’s desire.

Alec Morrissey knows a little something about loss. A famous rodeo cowboy before he was injured in Iraq, he’s managed to create something of a normal life, even if it’s not the one he always imagined.
Encountering stunning but damaged Joely, he sees a kindred spirit who can learn from his mistakes.

As these two healing souls begin to fall in love under the Wyoming stars, they must discover if they are willing to give in to the tragedies of life or fight for a future together.


The contact with Alec’s strong, long-fingered hand didn’t do anything to quell the annoyance dancing in her stomach. Or was it attraction? Or just a very long time since a man had taken her hand?
He tugged gently and braced his feet so she could stand and get her solid leg beneath her.
Her eyes came level with his tie. That put him at roughly six feet, she thought inanely, although, in truth, no thoughts but inane ones filled her head. Up close his eyes shone a dark, rich amber, and his full, upturned lips made him appear prone to smiling. His hat looked so natural on him he might well have been born with it on.
He held out his right elbow. “Just think of me as a human hiking stick.”
He hadn’t said “cane.” He hadn’t said “crutch.” She offered a tentative, grateful smile, took a deep breath, and nodded.
What could have been horribly awkward turned out to be an easy partnership. Alec seemed to know instinctively how to step where she needed him for support, and his arm offered a perfect grip that she could lean into as firmly as she wanted. It took a dozen or so strides to get the coordination right, but slowly she figured out how to step firmly with her right leg and use Alec’s weight to help swing and step quickly with her left. She’d walked like this with crutches, but this felt so quasi normal—she almost enjoyed it.
Almost.
They came to the stairs, and she froze. A flat path was easy. Going up stairs was awkward but doable. But going down threw her weight forward, and she didn’t have the strength or balance to keep from pitching headfirst down the flight.
We’re doing great,” he said. “There are only six.”
We’re doing fine,” he’d said. She didn’t know this man from any random person, and yet he knew how to speak as if they’d been doing this forever.
I really should have a body on the other side, too,” she admitted reluctantly. “I suck at stairs.”
Here’s the deal.” He removed her hand from his elbow and held it, then wrapped his right arm loosely around her waist. “It’s your balance that’s got you spooked. You haven’t practiced with it, but your left leg is strong enough. Trust yourself. You know the drill: bad leg—”
First,” she finished. “Yes. But it doesn’t hold my weight.”
Eventually it will, but for now we’ll step together, and you lean into me when you’re using that leg.”
How did he know so effortlessly what to do? He’d probably had plenty of bangs and bruises when he’d been on the rodeo circuit—maybe this was second nature for him.
They navigated the stairs like they’d been doing it for years. She’d never have made it on her own, and such an exercise had been clunky at best with a physical therapist. When she stood at the bottom without aid of a crutch or two side walkers, her satisfaction had to rival that of any successful mountain climber’s.
Wow,” she said, unable to keep the pleasure from her voice.

Why are you surprised? You’re a ranch girl; you’re tough.”






 Rodeo Queen, Homecoming Queen, Miss Wyoming… from the outside, Joellen Crockett had led a charmed life. However, she wasn't able to fulfil her dreams to become a vet. Brought up in a household with a domineering father, Joely then married a businessman who made all the decisions for her. She never took responsibility for her own life. Then tragedy strikes and she's sucked into a self-pity vortex and a life once again dependent on others. That is until Alec Morrissey walked into her life and tells her how it is!

Alec Morrissey is toe-curlingly blunt with his observations of Joely Crockett when he meets her at her sister's wedding. He decided his brute honesty was what she needs, much to her chagrin. Alec decides to help and support her, using his own experiences as proof. Despite initial opposition, Alec manages to show Joely that anything is possible IF you put her mind to it!

Alec Morrissey is positively swoon-worthy! After getting over the shock of his forthright manner, Alec and Joely bicker like an old married couple. Their banter is fun, showing how comfortable they are with each other. Yet, it isn't long until cracks form and Joely sees beyond Alec's bravado and realises he has his own shortcomings to confront and conquer.

The rest of the Crockett siblings and extended family add to the over feel-good factor of this novel.
The Bride Wore Starlight is the third book in the Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys Series and can be read as a standalone. Lizbeth Selvig is a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational and fun book. The dialogue and plot are humorous but it doesn't deflect away from the struggles and problems both the protagonists face.

4.5 stars

***arc received courtesy of publisher Avon Impulse via Edelweiss***



Lizbeth Selvig lives in Minnesota with her best friend (aka her husband), and a gray Arabian gelding. After working as a newspaper journalist and magazine editor, and raising an equine veterinarian
daughter and a talented musician son, she won RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart® Contest in 2010 with her contemporary romance The Rancher and the Rock Star. In her spare time, she loves to hike, quilt, read, horseback ride, and spend time with her new granddaughter. She also has four-legged grandchildren—more than twenty—including a wallaby, two alpacas, a donkey, a pig, a sugar glider, and many dogs, cats, and horses (pics of all appear on her website
www.lizbethselvig.com). She loves connecting with readers—contact her any time!