Audio: The Cowboy and his baby - Jessica Clare

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 05-07-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

It has been a while since I wanted to slap a heroine this badly...and a lot. So that might be the wrong thing to start a review with, bu hey it was a fun book, I just wanted to slap some sense into her!

Abby meets Dustin, a hot cowboy who has a player rep. She is a dog trainer on a set from hell, he is a local cowboy and they have a fling.

And then she does something stupid. She listen to someone else and leaves. She does not even talk to him. Come on girl, whyyy!?

Then she has to return for reshoots and decides to tell him that she is 7 months along. Not cool girl, not cool!

He takes her back cos he is freaking wonderful and he had fallen in love with her. She keeps listening to other people and thinks she knows what is best for him. You are the best for him, you!!!!! I get that people are insecure, but this man needs looove!

So she keeps backtracking and he is always there. Dang, that man was wonderful. So wonderful. Gotta love a cowboy.

I enjoyed it, slapping aside, lol

Narrator

I enjoyed her narration. She does different voices well and I think she is a good fit for romance. She takes the slow and the fast well. The romance and the drama.

Dustin is a ranch hand with a reputation around town as a ladies' man. He loves flirting and the thrill of the chase. When he tilts his cowboy hat just so, no one can resist his charms. It's all fun and games for Dustin until he meets a woman who sparks real feelings in him, and he's blindsided by love.

Annie is an animal trainer working on set for a film. Other than her furry, canine coworkers, she hasn't connected with the rest of the crew working on the movie. It's only when a certain cowboy catches her eye that Wyoming becomes interesting. She intends for their romance to be a fling, but by the time filming wraps up, she's unexpectedly pregnant. 

While Annie is prepared to walk away and raise her baby by herself, Dustin isn't so ready to say goodbye. He has to prove to Annie that she has a future in Wyoming and capture her heart before it's too late.

Audio: All I want for Christmas is a Cowboy - Jessica Clare

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Release date: 01-22-19

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

Thank you Tantor for this copy!

My Thoughts

Snowed in for Christmas, oh that makes for the perfect winter book!

Cass is an assistant (and oh my, she should quit, she can not see how much she is used, not to mention her boss' fiance keeps hitting on her, creep!) But she is a nice hardworking woman (that should take a chance). So she goes away for the holidays to be alone. Boom car accident, stuck int he mountains with a cowboy!

Eli was omg the sweetest. All he does is work work and no time for a woman. He is just too sweet and has let go of all of that. He might be a bit grumpy since he wanted alonetime too, but alas no.

They get to know each other. She is a complete mess at things. They start to fall in love and the snow keeps on piling up. 

There will be drama as she starts to remember things, and there she does something so silly. I mean just talk with him woman! But I guess we need drama. Still, talk to him!

And then they lie happily ever after! Awwww.

Sweet and a great book this winter.

Abby Craden: narration
I liked her Cass voice, it showed sweetness and innocence. While I totally saw the grumpy Eli before me too. She did well with setting the scene.

Synopsis

Christmas may be coming, but it's just another day at the ranch as far as Eli Pickett is concerned. Someone has to take care of the herd and that means no holiday vacation for him. But that's just the way he likes it--it’s not like he has a woman to spend time with anyways. Most women don't want the ranch life, or the surly, silent cowboy that comes with it. Fine with him. He'd rather have the quiet of a roaring fire and the company of his dogs.

Cassandra Horn is trying to make it to her parents' winter cabin in Wyoming before the blizzard hits. She desperately needs a vacation from the chaos of Manhattan...and her boss’s boyfriend, who is making her life miserable. But Cass never makes it to the cabin. 

A raging snowstorm causes her car to crash, where she's found unconscious by Eli. When Cass wakes, she has no memories of who she is. Eli takes one look at Cass's big blue eyes and dark curls, and like a Christmas miracle, falls head over heels in love. But while the attraction is mutual, can she give her heart to this cowboy if she’s not sure it’s hers to give?

Carole's Xmas Reviews: All I want for Christmas is a cowboy - Jessica Clare

Author: Jessica Clare

Title: All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy

Genre: Romance

Pages: ebook

Published: November 6th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Christmas may be coming, but it's just another day at the ranch as far as Eli Pickett is concerned. Someone has to take care of the herd and that means no holiday vacation for him. But that's just the way he likes it--it’s not like he has a woman to spend time with anyways. Most women don't want the ranch life, or the surly, silent cowboy that comes with it. Fine with him. He'd rather have the quiet of a roaring fire and the company of his dogs.

Cassandra Horn is trying to make it to her parents' winter cabin in Wyoming before the blizzard hits. She desperately needs a vacation from the chaos of Manhattan...and her boss’s boyfriend, who is making her life miserable. But Cass never makes it to the cabin. 

A raging snowstorm causes her car to crash, where she's found unconscious by Eli. When Cass wakes, she has no memories of who she is. Eli takes one look at Cass's big blue eyes and dark curls, and like a Christmas miracle, falls head over heels in love. But while the attraction is mutual, can she give her heart to this cowboy if she’s not sure it’s hers to give? 

Xmas and cowboys....how could I resist this one? 

Cass is escaping to her parent's winter cabin in Wyoming before the blizzard hits. She needs to escape Manhattan and her boss' boyfriend who will not stop harassing her for sex (ugh - call the police on that jerk). The snowstorm hits before she can make it and she crashes her car. Eli, our hunk of a cowboy, comes to the rescue. There is no way he can take her anywhere but the house on the ranch he works at. She awakes with barely any memories. Things happen and they fall in love. A Christmas miracle for sure. 

This was very, very sweet. Not a lot drama. Even the drama that does pop up is easily solved once Cass can get all her memories back. Poor thing. She needs to file a complaint against that ahole Ken. >_> That is for sure sexual harassment. Not okay one bit. 

It wasn't love at first sight and that made me happy. They grew to be friends and then more and it fit well. I adored Eli but he had a rough, lonely past and he needed time. And Cass has no barely any memories...sooo...

Cass was okay...she was a little annoying. She got better when she wasn't bored and got some more memories back. Empty-headed chits are usually annoying...so that was to be expected.

The ending was good and made sense especially with the uncertainty. I surprised myself for not being annoyed by Eli being so forgiving. It is a weird situation and so I would find my callous heart forgiving Cass too. It had to be done.

Overall, this was very sweet and a quick read. If you are looking for a good cowboy book with xmas as the back-drop, I recommend this. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Audio: Dirty Bastard - Jessica Clare

Audio CD, 8 h

Speed 1.8x

Narrators: Rebecca Estrella, Rudy Sanda

Published July 24th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published May 15th 2018)

Roughneck Billionaires #3

Contemporary romance

For review

My thoughts:

Knox was so dang sweet! Omg this guy was wonderful, so freaking sweet and just, dang.

While Lexie was, ha, not a people person. She was goth, she liked to scared children, she spoke her man. She was a sarcastic prickly thing. I liked her. 

He is 23, she is 28. She is jaded, and well so is he in a way, but he makes up for it by sheer enthusiasm.  She is friends with his brothers gf and so they meet and get it on.

As the blurb does not say more I will not spoil things. But he wants her and he will try and catch her. I loved that about him. He was the sweetest and awwww. While she will try and get away cos dang that woman has issues! I get that you wanna be independent and do things yourself. But it is not weak to ask for help! And trust me, there is this situation where she so needs help and I want to smack her over the head. I get why the author made her that way, but arghhhh, you frustrating woman! You do not deserve this sweet guy!

Tension, passion and a good chase. I enjoyed it!

Narration.

I liked  Rebecca Estrella, she is good with range and emotion.

As for Rudy Sanda I had the same problem as in a previous books. I get that Knox is a redneck hillbilly, but why make him and his brother sounds SO hillbilly. It is not sexy, I did not get the shivers then. When they talk, ugh, just no. Run and hide. When he narrates it is much better

Cover

He does look hot there, but as she describes him he is more like this duck dynasty...ehhh

Blurb:

Knox Price has always fallen short in comparison to his brothers. Boone is the ambitious one. Clay is the nice one. Gage is the handsome one. And Knox? Well, he's the cynical one. The odd man out in the ultra-wealthy but rather unique Price family. It's not that Knox hates people-it's that humanity always disappoints him. When you become an oil-rich, Texan billionaire overnight, people treat you a certain way. Just once he'd like to meet someone that isn't dazzled by his wallet. Then, he meets struggling yoga teacher Lexi Brandon. She's weird. She's unpredictable and tends to say strange things. She lurks in the bushes and dresses in all black. She loves when people cross the street to get away from her. Lexi's definitely not his type, but she's also the first one to ever truly see him and not just another rich, dirty Price. And that's . . . fascinating. But how do you catch the interest of a woman who goes out of her way to be odd? When an unexpected surprise throws them both for a loop, Knox decides it's time to get down and dirty, abandon the rules, and be who he truly is-a bastard. 

The taming of the billionaire - Jessica Clare

Edie’s an overbearing cat behaviorist who’s not big on people. Magnus is a newly-rich game developer who likes to be in control. When the two of them meet at Gretchen and Hunter’s masquerade engagement party, the loathing is mutual. Unfortunately for them—and everyone else—they’re in the wedding party together and must deal with each other for the next few months.

But when Magnus’s younger brother falls for Edie’s sister, he begs for his brother’s help in concocting a plan to win her over. If Magnus can keep the prickly Edie occupied, his brother will have time to woo Edie’s sister. Of course, Magnus isn’t interested in the slightest, but Edie is…intriguing. And stubborn. And smart. And sexy. And they might have more in common than they thought.

Before long, it becomes a challenge between the two of them to see who will be tamed first. But how’s Edie going to react when she finds out that Magnus is using her? And how’s Magnus going to handle the fact that he’s fallen for a cat lady? 

My thoughts:

I was all this is gonna end badly, this is gonna end badly *biting nails* Men!!!

I liked Edie, she was real. Yes people said she was bitchy, but the girl just had a bit of edge on her. She had a bad knee and limped. She loved cats. I adored her.

But poor woman. Her sister. Sheesh! Overbearing, manipulative little bit##! Edie still loved her sister, but the way she made Edie dependent on her, not cool.

Which brings us to the men. Magnus was, ok I can forgive the talk in the beginning. I can even forgive him doing what his brother told him, even if he should have told her earlier. Because, omg, he starts to love cats! *melts*

His brother was an idiot who fell for a pretty face. I did want to hit him several times...make that every time I saw him *gives him the evil eye*

Oh and Gretchen is awesome! But yikes the mouth on that woman.

As you can see a great cast. I liked how they started to fall for each other, even if the game at the beginning was pretty unforgivable. But he was a truly nice guy! And I liked that she was not perfect.

And it had cats!

And very smexy dirty talk smexin. Which I do skim since I am weird, but if you like that then you will certainly like this.

Conclusion:

These billionaires are fun to read about.

Cover

meh

Kindle Edition, 244 pages
Published July 21st 2015 by InterMix
Billionaires and Bridesmaids #2
Contemporary romance
For review

One night with a billionaire - Jessica Clare

Kylie may be a makeup artist to the stars, but she knows what it feels like to be overshadowed. Especially by her famous boss, the pop star Daphne. That’s why she’s stunned—and delighted—when one night at a party, she attracts the attention of a gorgeous stranger. But when Daphne decides she wants the handsome billionaire for herself, Cade Archer is suddenly off-limits for Kylie…

Cade has known Daphne for years, and always wondered if she might be the right woman for him—even though she never gave him the time of day. But one sizzling night with Kylie has changed everything. So why is she suddenly avoiding him? Fortunately Cade is determined to get what he wants, and he’ll do anything to show Kylie she can get everything she wants too… 

My thoughts:

Yes it was part 6 of a series, and yes I thought it worked perfectly as a stand alone. I did not have to deal with the baggage then.

Cade is a billionaire. He has been in love with Daphne for ages. Daphne was a total bitch, who did drugs and would be dead in 6 months. Get over her man!

Kylie is a make up artist. She gets a job for the druggie superstar Daphne, who looks like shit. But Kylie knows her make-up magic.

Cade and Kylie meet. Sparks fly. Maybe Cade can forget about Daphne who never changes...duh, of course he will. He is tired of her BS and they will never happen. While Kylie is vibrant, really curvy and all woman. Ok so yes I liked that she was curvy, but what does that mean? I am curvy on top, but was she healthy curvy? What is 18? I hope so. Still it was nice, though I kept wondering about that....

Kylie wants to keep her job. Cade wants her. That is the drama. Oh and that Kylie is WAY too stubborn. She gets into trouble. Cade loves her, he has MONEY. He could help her. But she would rather ditch him and do it all herself, which she can't. Seriously woman, he wont think less of you, but he will if you do not want him because you are a stubborn mule. That was the only time she annoyed me. Everyone needs help now and then.

But it was lovely to see him chase her, you go man! 

Conclusion:

A lovely romance. I'd read more in this series. 

Cover

eh

Kindle Edition 200ish?
Published June 2nd 2015 by Berkley
Billionaire Boys Club #6
Contemporary romance
Own

Last Kiss - Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick

Naomi: When I was kidnapped I thought only of survival. I don’t thrive well in chaos. That’s why I gave my captors exactly what they wanted: my skill with computers. Making millions for a crime lord who kept me imprisoned in his basement compound kept my family safe. When he was taken out, I thought my ticket to freedom had arrived. Wrong. I traded one keeper for another. This time I’m in the hands of a scarred, dark, demanding Russian who happens to be the head of the Bratva, a Russian crime organization. He wants my brain and my body. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued, but I can’t be a prisoner forever...no matter how good he makes me feel.

Vasily: At a young age, I was taught that a man without power is a puppet for all. I’ve clawed—and killed—my way to the top so that it is my heel on their necks. But to unify the fractured organization into an undefeatable machine, I need a technological genius to help me steal one particular artifact. That she is breathtaking, determined, and vulnerable is making her more dangerous than all of my enemies combined. But only I can keep her safe from the world that she now inhabits. Soon, I must choose between Naomi and Bratva law. But with every day that passes, this becomes a more impossible choice. 

My thoughts:

I do think this series is one of the few where the shifting POVS work for me. And with that I mean one chapter hers, then his, then hers etc. So a lot of shifting going on, and all that in first person.

Vasily was a sociopath. Truly. He kills without remorse, and well there are other things too. He is a killer for the Russian mafia and he wants to take over.

Naomi is an aspie, with lots of issues to that. Touching, food, germs, other people. She is a computer genius and her hacking has been used by a criminal organization, and then she gets kidnapped by Vasily.

So two people that do not like to be touched. Two people with different agendas (though she can easily follow his). And he slowly learns to understand her quirks.

Though I must say that some of the things she did, really? I would not do that. You sure got over some things fast, scientific experiments and all that, still, no. I get that it is supposed to be sexy and all that. But for her, I had difficulties with this one thing.

Moving on from that, this was one sexy book. They are such opposites, but at the same time they are so alike. 

There is constant danger from other criminals and I do hope he can bring change to his organization, cos they suck. Seriously euwww, down with the old icky guard, in with the new.

Conclusion:

Interesting

Cover

eh

Kindle Edition, 368 pages
Expected publication: May 5th 2015 by Berkley
Hitman #3
Romantic suspense
For review

Last Hit: Reloaded - Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick

There was a time when Nick loved the fear he instilled in his enemies. His tattoos alone promised danger, but it was the look in his eyes that delivered on it. A contract killer since he was just a boy, Nick has now forged a new life and a new identity with the woman who followed him, captured him, and changed him.

He terrified Daisy. Once. But she couldn't resist, and she ignored every warning. It paid off. Now she's part of a new beginning, a fresh start in America helping him to leave behind a reckless and violent past as a professional killer. But the past is never easy to outrun, especially when so much of it thrives on revenge.

A new threat has emerged from the shadows, and now Nick and Daisy have no choice but to rely on Nick's killer skills to protect them from everything they've tried so hard to escape. 

My thoughts:

I do not know if it was done on purpose or not, but this novella works splendidly as a stand alone. You know how some, kind of work, but things still bother you? Well here I was told things, and I could just ease myself into the story. The story shows how their life goes on.

Of course that does not mean that I do not want to know more about how they met. It would be interesting too see. I know things now, but to actually see it, interesting.

Right, so this is a novella about Daisy and Nick. Nick is a former killer for the Russian mafia and he has started a new life now. He is the big strong brooding kind of guy. "They bother you? I kill them." Ok to be honest, a bit too protective, but sometimes a girl just wants to feel safe.

Daisy's dad home schooled her and did not let her go outside. It was weird, I liked reading about her, but I did not like her. She was so awkward (well duh), naive and was all I need frieeeeends! Most of the time when I meet characters like this I do not like then and do not care to read about them. But I liked reading about her (even if I did not like her personality, we could so not be friends, sure she is nice and would bake me cookies but girl, you are too insecure.) But to read about, aye that I liked.

The book is about...well I can't tell you everything. These two moving on with life, doing it a lot. Her wanting friends and, omg, does someone know where they are? or not?

Conclusion;

Sex and danger. I enjoyed it, and would like more.

Kindle Edition, 134 pages
Published January 20th 2015 by InterMix
Hitman #2.5
Contemporary romance /suspense
for review

Romance Friday Novella style x3

Emily Allard-Smith enjoys running her tiny bed and breakfast in quiet Bluebonnet, Texas. The only problem? It’s haunted, and she’s got no one to call when things go bump in the night.

Enter Jericho Lozada. He’s tall, sexy, mohawked, and good with his hands. He’s also not scared of Em’s ghost. And just when Em decides that she needs a man in her life with lots and lots of tattoos…her ex shows up again.

Now Emily has to figure out if she wants to keep a hold on the ghosts of her past…or look into a future with Jericho. But does Jericho even want a future with her?

This novella contains a Harley, a hero with a mohawk, and not a single paranormal event. Promise!

My thoughts:

This book was fun, cute and had some smexy times too :D What  I am saying is that this novella, as it was only 60 pages, still gave me everything I needed.

A nice heroine, a cool hero. A haunted house! or? They meet, they fall for each other, there is passion and then love.

I'd like to read more of these Bluebonnet stories

cover

cute

ebook, 71 pages
Published September 1st 2014 by Smashwords
Bluebonnet #4.5
Contemporary romance
Own

Years ago, Rolling Stone magazine dubbed the nine collective children of the most famous band in the world “Rock Royalty.” Now all grown up, the princes and princesses are coming back to L.A.’s Laurel Canyon to discover if love can be found among the ruins of a childhood steeped in sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.

One touch will start a fire…

World-weary band tour manager Ren Colson leaves his London business behind for a stay in Southern California, never expecting to wake up beside Cilla Maddox. Cilla Maddox—who in the years since their last meeting has turned sexy as hell. But she deserves more than a man hardened by long nights, dark roads, and too many faceless women.

One night will change her world…

Cilla Maddox not once imagined she’d see the bad boy of her dreams again. But then he’s sharing her air, her home, her bed. Though he claims he has no heart, she wants it to be hers. Can she convince him that the flames that leap between them might signify forever?

My thoughts:

A novella, my copy had 160 pages. So it was short, but it worked.

Cilla and Ren are not siblings, but grew up at the same place. Their fathers are rockstars, asshole rockstars who just left their kids at the ranch. And there were lots of kids. So they both have issues.

Cilla is frigid and asks Ren to help. Ok so I get why there had to be a lot of smexing ;) But eh, for a novella like this it felt like it was too much. They just smexed around and suddenly after no time at all they were in love and fighting it. So it was good, just...I am a smex scene skimmer these days.

So if you want a passionate couple that are too headstrong to realise that they are in love then read this one.

Cover

meh

Kindle Edition, 228 pages
Published July 17th 2014 by Christie Ridgway (first published January 1st 2014)
Rock Royalty #1
Contemporary romance
Own

In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan.

Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering.

One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake.

One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.

Product Warnings

A bad-boy hero who’s good with his hands, a heroine who’s trying to be good. Contains liberal consumption of Scotch whisky, a Highland Games competition, men in kilts wielding large poles, and a potential Sarah McLaughlin of the non-musical kind.

My thoughts:

She sure manages a lot in under 200 pages. But it works, most of the time. I think the only neg thing was that one thing did not get a conclusion. A certain old friend who showed up, showed up again, and then it was done?

Ok, back to the beginning.

Sarah shows up to settle her grandma's affairs. She meet up with her old BFF, and well look at that, she also meets her old BF. The one that got away. The one she is so mad at, and mad about.

Ian is a sexy bad boy Scot. He always loved her, and could not forget her. So duh, of course they can't stay away from each other.

They meet, argue, lust, there are secrets, revelations and a HEA. Cute, I'd read more.

Cover

Cute

ebook, 213 pages
Published June 11th 2013 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
The McLaughlins #1
Contemporary romance
Own