Heart of Gold by Lacy Williams

My book review today is on the story Heart of Gold. I love Lacy's westerns they are such great stories. Her work is always well written, heartwarming, and full of faith in God. Her work is such a blessing to everyone who reads them. I do appreciate her work.

Opal Bright returns home after spending most of her life in Omaha with her aunt. Her father sent her away as a child to become a lady as her mother had been but Opal didn't want any part of society. Every dime she can get her hands on goes to help an orphanage and the abandoned children she identifies with. Her father sends for her but Opal came home to get money. Her first words to her fathers foreman is "I'm here for the gold." The foreman drags her off the platform as men turned to look at her.

Charlie Welch is foreman for Opals father. The man had practically raised him. He would do anything for him. Now the boss had sent for his daughter to come home but all she wants is money just like his ex-fiancee who left him for his brother. He drags her to a restaurant to try to talk to her but it doesn't go well although he does convince her to go to the ranch and speak to her father. As they return to the ranch they are attacked by three men who were after the gold she had asked for. So starts the adventure.

This is a great story about two broken people finding a life together during the struggle of trying to survive. 

Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

My book review today is on the book Betting on Hope. This is a part of the series, A Four Of Hearts Ranch Romance. I don't know about you but I love Debra's books and this book is an awesome one. This book is well written, humorous, and it will touch your heart. No one does better when it comes to cowboy stories and faith is always a great part of her books. You're going to love this one.

Maggie Hope is an advise columnist but her mentor and best friend is ill and everyone is insisting that she has to do an interview on national television or loose her column. Maggie has a past that she doesn't want to find her, she has a tendency to be on the clutzy side, and Tru is too gorgeous to be around. This interview couldn't help but be a mess.

Tru Monahan is a Champion Quarter Horse Rider and Trainer. He has no interest in giving an interview, to be honest he really didn't trust reporters. He had been drug through all of the gossip rags with his face all over the cover. This one appeared different; a city girl, obviously very nervous, she had to read her questions and when she faltered Tru stepped in to save the interview. He told her he could teach anyone to ride one of his Quarter Horses. Maggie totally flustered told him she bet he couldn't teach he. Tru led the interview out in the parking lot where Maggie fell flat. Surely they would edit the whole fiasco.

His sponsors and her boss loved the interview and took the bet. She would spend two months at the ranch and then compete in a competition. How could she do that? She couldn't even put two thoughts together when she was around him. Tru felt he had been set up by another self-serving reporter. So starts a great journey of two broken individuals; both out of their elements, both having no desire for a relationship, both drawn to the other. Did God have a plan in this situation?

First Kisses---Kissed By a Cowboy by Lacy Williams

My book review today is on the last story in the First Kisses Novella, Kissed by a Cowboy. I really enjoyed this story. I live in Nebraska and Cowboys are everywhere. I was once very into Cowboys but now I'm saved an delivered from them but I do have a special place in my heart for them. If I could have a Christian one I'm sure I would have fallen hard. This is a cute love story, it's well written, and you will love the characters.

Haley Carson was a shy young girl that had been moved from place to place all her life. Finally in her senior year her aunt asked her to stay with her and not move on with her father. Her best friend, Katie (the only one she ever had) told her she had to go to prom. Katie would get her a date no matter what. The dated ended up being her older brother, a football star, and a good looking college man. Haley felt bad he was stuck with her but at the end of the night he had kissed her, a kiss she was never able to forget. Now years later she returns, her aunt is terminally ill. Haley's not that shy girl anymore but a self confident woman.

Maddox Michaels had been forced to leave college and go home. He now had the responsibility of the farm, his seriously injured brother Justin, and his orphaned niece Olivia. Not able to keep up with the cost of living, medical bills, and the mortgage he is forced to get a job on a harvesting crew. Haley calls to tell him Olivia had road her bike into town to go to the bank to get a loan but the bank was close. She brought his niece to her aunt's house. Maddox just got back from four days of working and was a mess, this was not how he wanted to see Haley again.

A journey of renewed love, restoration, and God's healing powers. I highly recommend this book. I love Lacy's work and I know you will too.

First Kisses---Necessary Proof by Camy Tang

This is the continuation of my review on the novella First Kisses. Today I'm going to review Necessary Proof. I don't know about you but I love Camy's stories. Her stories are well written, action packed and full of adventure. Her characters are broken, dysfunctional, and complex but you will love them. If that isn't enough her work is filled with faith, I love that, don't you? God always has a plan. That is so awesome!

Alex Villa had spent some time in prison. He is now out and is a confidential informer with the police department. He gave his mentor, Detective Carter, a tip on a meth lab that ended in the death of several police officers. He has been set up but no one would believe him. He follows one of the men involved in producing meth and finds another lab but he knows no one will come without proof so he steals a laptop to find evidence. He doesn't know enough about security and fire walls so he takes it to the one person he knows that can help him.

Jane Lawton once had her dream job of writing programs for computers but had become involved with her boss. Her boss stole her work and became involved in illegal practices. Jane lost her job, the respect of her father, and ended up in a low paying IT job. Now brokenhearted and discouraged Alex comes to her for help. Unable to trust any man she decides to go ahead try to help but is soon involved in a race to survive.

Two people's journey to overcome their baggage and find God's plan for their life. Their struggle leads them a merry chase, can they find the evidence and restoration? A great story!

First Kisses---Deadly Hunt by Margaret Daley

I'm continuing my review on First Kisses, Deadly Hunt is the next story in this novella. I love Margaret's writing style. Her stories are well written, action packed, and full of faith. This one although short is no exception.

Tess Miller needed some time away from her job as a body guard so she takes off to spend some time in her uncle's cabin in the mountains. She hadn't even settled in when a huge man crashes through the door and falls at her feet. Tess immediately notices blood in his hair and on his flannel shirt. He has been shot. Tess bandages him up and cares for him praying he isn't a criminal. He tells her he was standing on the edge of a cliff and was shot. He thinks it was some hunter. Tess didn't believe that as she jumps into body guard mode.

Wealthy widower Shane Burkhart wakes up to a beautiful woman leaning over him. At first he thinks he might have died and gone to heaven but the pain assures him he is still alive. As Tess cares for him and questions him he realizes some one is out to kill him. They leave the mountain when Tess' uncle arrives and it becomes evident that the killers are still after him. Shane sends his teenage daughter to his family. How can he convince Tess to take the job of his body guard?

A great journey of two broken individuals trying to survive in a world suddenly gone wild. God has a plan and He sends help to those who need it. A great story! You'll want to get a copy.

First Kisses---Her Mule Hollow Cowboy by Debra Clopton

My review today is on the third story in the First Kisses novella, Her Mule Hollow Cowboy. I love all the Mule Hollow stories and of course this one is no exception. It is well written, funny and yet touches your heart. I love her characters especially the cowboys, being from Nebraska you just have to love cowboys. I enjoy the way she weaves faith throughout the story like a tapestry. You will lose your heart to this story.

Maddie Rose has grown up in foster care after she was abandon as a child. When her boss died and left her a fourth of the ranch she has an overwhelming need to justify her position. The three cowboys that also own the ranch consider her like a little sister but have found out that she will not be coddled. Maggie is trying to load a two thousand pound bull when he decides he doesn't want to be loaded and slams against the tail gate and sends her flying. Buford would have stomped her if not for the cowboy who showed up just in time and saved her.

Famous Bull Rider Cliff Masterson arrives just in time to rescue the tiny little cowgirl from the massive bull. Maggie recognized him as one of the other owner's twin brother. He helps her up and tries to help her but she wants no part of him. Finally he helps her load the bull and takes it to the sale.
Cliff chews his brother and the other partners for allowing her to load the bull. They share with him that she got the short straw and she insists on doing her share of the chores.

Cliff is drawn to the beauty and desires to protect her but she wants no part of him. So starts the journey of two lonely broken people trying to find their way in a crazy world. God has a plan and as they watch it enfold they draw together with the help of the matchmaking posse. A great love story.

First Kisses---Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Cafe by Janet Tronstad

My book review today is still on the novella, First Kisses. Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Cafe is the second book in this novella. Janet does such a great job on these Montana stories. I love the Dry Creek series but this one is a small town close to Dry Creek but much like it. I live in a town of four thousand which is to some people a small town but I lived in a town of less than a hundred for several years when my children were little. We had dirt roads and outhouses so I love these stories. I only wish a man would have stopped in and found me.

Buddy Hamilton is a truck driver. He stops at the little Heartbreak Cafe whenever he takes this route but today a young pretty girl comes in, hands the owner a resume, and asks for a job. She is really upset when the owner turns her down. Buddy watches with interest but notices movement from the old car outside. As he tries to figure out a way to ask her out he watches as one kid after another pile out of the car. Maybe a date isn't a good idea.

Penny Rose is desperate. Her sister died and her brother-in-law was dying, so Penny married him so she could care for their six kids but the owner of the land they rented refused to help her unless she would compromise her virtue. She had to find a job. When she goes to the cafe she ends up sharing more than she had planned but these men stand up and help her.

A woman in trouble, the truckers and the small town step up to help this little family. This story will touch your heart. It's amazing how the people take them in and just love them and in doing so helped themselves. I loved this story and you will too it is well written and the characters are great. Thinking of others and helping them is the best way to find health, peace and joy for yourself. God is good and He made it that way.