Beastly Charm by Youngblood & Poole

Synopsis:

High-powered real estate executive, Belle Montrose has a lot riding on a deal- a deal that must take place or her career will crumble! Only one man stands in the way- the elusive Sebastian Blake, heir to the valuable Rosewood Estate. When Sebastian offers Belle a deal she cannot refuse, and she's drawn into his world- an intoxicating world of charm, romance, roses, and dancing. And try as she might, she can't fight the incredible attraction she feels for Sebastian. Will she risk everything for the man whose beastly charm is captivating her heart, or will her head win out in the end?

Review:

Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite Disney movies. I recently went to see the new Beauty and the Beast in theaters and loved it! So I decided I wanted to read a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed this book it was a fun modern take on the story with parallel's to the original. It wasn't fairy tale like, it was real life situations which I liked. "Beauty" goes to Rosewood Estate to talk to the owner who of course is a handsome "Beast." As the story continues they are very attracted to each other and sparks fly, boy do they have chemistry. There are many bumps in the road and her fiance that she left home is one of them. I enjoyed the way it was written and that there are different point of views in the book. In the end you are hoping they can figure everything out.

Stars: 4

Lucky Number Thirteen by Liz Isaacson

Synopsis:

Tanner's in Three Rivers, a changed man, to compete in the rodeo. He's glad to be forgiven of the misdeeds he's done, and he looks to his friends in Three Rivers as examples. He's ridden hundreds of bulls over the years, but when he draws Lucky Number Thirteen, the personal stakes for winning go up. He's never made it to the eight-second bell on this bull.

And he doesn't this time either. In fact, he makes it to the hospital with career-ending injuries. But not everything is lost, as his nurse, Summer Hamblin, seems to bring a balm to weary soul--and meds for his broken ribs. When Summer is assigned as Tanner's home-health nurse, he wonders if they can take their relationship beyond the walls of the hospital. Has God brought him to Three Rivers to stay?

Review:

This was an inspirational romance about a successful bull rider in the rodeo circuit who has been trying to turn his life around by focusing more on God. He visits Three Rivers for a rodeo and ends up injured and in the hospital. I love rodeos and I always get nervous for the bull riders and that I might witness someone getting injured by the bull. Sometimes I have to watch with one eye closed. ;) It makes me sad when someone's passion and life is turned upside down.
While in the hospital he has a cute nurse and things start looking up. I enjoyed this book and how their relationship develops through the challenges and difficulties of life. They are very sweet and caring towards each other. Things happen for a reason but you usually don't understand why right away. This was my first book I read in this Three Rivers Ranch Romance Series and I look forward to reading the others.

Stars: 4.5

Cupcakes and Cowboys by Lindzee Armstrong

Synopsis:

Cassidy wants two things- to make her cupcake shop a success, and to forget the ex-fiance who traded her for the lights of Hollywood. She can't stand actors, movies,  or anything resembling the guy who ruined her life. So when Jase- best friend of her ex and A-list actor-shows up at the ranch to research an upcoming role, ignoring her past becomes impossible.

Jase is desperate to escape Hollywood, and ranch life gives him a temporary reprieve. But ranching is starting to feel less like preparing for a role and more like the life he's always wanted. And he can't help envisioning Cassidy as his co-star. Can Jase convince this stunning cupcake shop owner that he's really a country boy at heart?

Review:

I love books where Hollywood actors fall for everyday people. I always find myself excited to read those kinds of books and this one did not disappoint. The characters were developed well and I loved them. Cassidy was left by her fiance who was not a nice guy and someone who wanted to be an actor. After that happened she decided to chase after her dream of opening a cupcake shop in her hometown and to never fall for an actor again. Until Jase shows up at her ranch to learn about ranching for his upcoming movie. Jase doesn't like Hollywood and begins to love the small ranching town in Oklahoma and is intrigued by Cassidy who is giving him the cold shoulder and doesn't know why. He finally figures out why and they are able to move forward but Cassidy is worried about the fact he is an A-list actor. This is a novella that was a quick read for me because I didn't want to put it down. It could have easily been made into a novel and I would have loved it even more. It was a sweet and clean romance that makes you excited to read more books in this series.

Stars: 4.5

Falling for Maria by Heather B. Moore

Synopsis:

At twenty-six, Maria is holding out for the perfect man to share the rest of her life with. Josh seems to be that man, but after months of dating, their relationship is at a stand-still. Maria plans to nudge Josh forward, but when the company she works for is bought out, her new boss Walker seems determined to change Maria's idea of the perfect man.

Review:

This is another fun, fast-paced novella. Maria is a business woman with spunk and wants to be able to wear and be who she wants. Her work was bought out and a lot more rules were put into place that she didn't like. The new boss, Walker, comes to train and discuss the new policies with the company. Maria stands up for what she wants and thinks, and of course that catches the eye of the new boss. She soon finds herself having feelings for the new boss. I quite liked this short and sweet novella. The characters were developed well, they had great chemistry and I didn't want to put it down. 

Stars: 4.5

An Ocean Away by Heather B. Moore

Synopsis:

Gina Graydon knows the last thing she'll attract on her holiday in France is an eligible bachelor. Tall, outspoken, and with a weakness for laughing at the wrong moment, not to mention being much too occupied with reading gothic romances, Gina decides she'd rather live in her fictional world. Besides, the only man who pays attention to her at the resort hotel happens to be her father's worst enemy. And that is far from romantic. Reading in a secluded garden, and dreaming about the perfect kiss, all keep Gina much too busy to consider Mr. Edmund Donaldson any sort of hero.

Review:

Gina loves to read romance novels (hmmm sounds like me) and while she is visiting Paris with her parents she sneaks out of her room to read in the garden (can't say as I've done that though.:)) While in the garden she is spotted by a handsome gentleman who can't take his eyes off of her and wonders why she is sneaking around. They meet and she realizes nothing could happen because her father is in a lawsuit with this gentleman and her father does not like him. It was a very quick, sweet, and clean read. I liked that it was about Americans in Paris. I loved their chemistry and I finished the book with a smile on my face.

Stars: 4.5

Book Giveaway

I love checking out the website http://www.newldsfiction.com for all the new releases. Each month they do a book giveaway for six books and there are a few books I would love to read this month too. Check it out and enter to win! http://bit.ly/2j9TTev

The Disenchanted One by Cami Checketts

Synopsis:

Marissa Yates fell in love with Byron Judd three years ago, but she caught him holding another woman and she ran. She's built a great life for herself and has kept Byron at arm's length, only talking to him through phone, email, or text. She knows if she sees him again, he'll charm his way right back into her heart.
Byron has no clue why Marissa ran from his life, but he does know his only chance to win her back is his brother's wedding. His brother's fiance, Summer, schemes up a Lonely Billionaire Pact to help him be reunited with the only woman who has ever broken his heart.

Review:

This is a VERY short story about two people who were in love and because of a misunderstanding were not together anymore. Byron and Marissa stayed in contact but never saw each other until a wedding three years later. I loved it! Marissa's reaction a couple times was maybe a bit childish but she was very upset. It is a companion story to Cami's book The Daring One... I have not read that one yet but this one had a lot of info and back story for you to not feel lost in such a short amount of pages. I wished it was longer but it was sweet, clean, and swoon worthy.

Stars: 5