I’m always on the lookout for something a little bit different from my normal reading habits, so when I was offered a chance to review this book, I jumped on it. Look at that cover! Isn’t it gorgeous?

Title: Gambling On A Secret (Colter Gamblers)

Author: Sara Walter Ellwood

Genre: Contemporary Western

Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.

Release date: December 2012

Pages: 276

ASIN : B00AVLL4XA

Rating:  

DESCRIPTION:
Colter Gamblers, #1

When Charli bets everything on a secret, will she find the deck stacked against her?

Former runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her sordid past and planning a future in Colton, Texas. Attending the local college for a degree in social work, she intends to raise cattle on her newly purchased ranch, which she plans to open as a home for troubled teens. Only a few glitches, the Victorian mansion is crumbling, the barn needs a roof, and her oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she meets Dylan Quinn, Charli is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown ranch.

Dylan has his demons, too. The former Special Forces commander can’t get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and the botched mission that left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the greedy oilman next door to Charli wants much more than just her heart, Dylan’s even willing to stop drinking in order to protect her.

When things get dangerous and secrets of the past are revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer, or is she the new start he so desperately needs?

CONTENT WARNING: Details abuse of a minor, drug abuse, alcoholism, swearing, spicy sex, murder.

REVIEW:

I read the blurb on the back cover, and couldn’t wait to dig into this book. The story reminded me of the old Harlequin books I’d devoured by the hundreds in my earlier years. I adored Dylan. He was far from perfect, but he was perfect for the heroine. There’s just something about a deeply wounded man that I can’t resist. He’s had more than a couple of hard knocks, and it took one determine woman to shake him up to the world around him.

Though Charli had a rough childhood, she managed to overcome her past, but not without collecting a few scars along the way. I liked her spunk, and her determination to make a better life for herself. Unfortunately, I didn’t sink into her life the way I did with Dylan.

The story itself was structured perfectly for a Texas cattle ranch setting, and I could easily envision the details described. The beginning of the book unfolded like a western family saga, where you’re submerged in the town and generations of family. The only drawback was the romance took second place to it at times. There were a number of plots in the story. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, but my sense of disbelieve began to wear thin in places. Overall, if you like a slow build to your suspense and romance, a good old-fashion western, pick up a copy of Gambling on a Secret.

I was unable to decide which book to read this week. Both sounded so wonderful! I did my usual and read the first few pages of each book…which stretched into the first chapter.

Wow, both were fabulous. Very well written. So, I fell back to my old stand-by and asked my husband to chose. Here was the winner:

DESCRIPTION:

Eli Conners expected hired mercenary Ray Vereker to be a tank of a guy with forty tattoos–not a gorgeous creature with considerable karate skills. While Eli certainly needs Ray’s help, he thinks she could use a little of what he’s offering…a down-and-dirty, body-scorching passion of the forever kind.

Ray’s as good as any man when it comes to storming enemy compounds and loading an AK-47, but Eli’s strong sensuality and gentle touch leave her shaken and stirred. And really, who could blame a girl for succumbing to mind-blowing temptation in the steamy jungle? But now it’s back to business. If only Ray wasn’t feeling hot, bothered, dizzy, and just a little bit, well, queasy.

The last thing either of these unlikely lovers expects is to be expecting. Suddenly, Ray’s precise, no-nonsense mission is veering wildly off course, derailed by raging hormones, out-of-control desire, and a delirious love that is completely unexpected…

 Review:

This book started with action, and I was caught up in the mystery. I loved the role reversal of having a female mercenary who was capable of taking care of business. Eli Conners was the perfect hero with looks, muscles, and money. It only put Ray more on edge. If she didn’t need the money, she would’ve refused the case. Despite her irritation with Eli, she couldn’t help notice things don’t really add up with him. He’s smart, capable and couldn’t keep her hands off her?!

The first half of the book really drew me into their lives. I loved learning more about them and their quirks, not to mention the chemistry between them rocked! I adored Eli’s relentless pursuit of what he wanted…her! About three quarters of the way through, the characterization became a little stilted and the last thirty pages fell apart for me. I was expecting the book to end, but the story was stretched out. Don’t get me wrong, I liked that they ended up together. It was the getting them together that felt awkward.

Though this wasn’t my favorite book for Lori Foster, I still liked the underlining story of a female mercenary and the rich boy who fell in love. I would suggest borrowing this book from the library if you want to give it a try.

DESCRIPTION:

Joe Winston has a routine with women: he exists; they swoon; roll credits. With his smoldering looks, macho style, and irrepressible charm, Joe can have any woman–except the one he really wants. Secretly, Luna Clark may lust after Joe, but she’s made it clear that she’s too smart to fall for him. He can just keep holding his breath, thank you very much. But now, Luna’s inherited two kids who need more than she alone can give in a small town that seems hell-bent on driving them away. She needs someone to help out…someone who can’t be intimidated…someone just like Joe. Becoming an instant family wasn’t exactly what Joe had in mind, but hey, it’s a start, and you can’t blame a guy for trying every angle. After all, where there’s a Joe, there’s a way…straight into a woman’s heart.

Review:

I was hooked on page one. The book had the right combination of humor, characters, and easy reading that sucked me right into the story. Read this first paragraph and see why:

Sprawled out flat on his stomach, his big body stretched end to end on the full sized bed. Two women loomed over him, touching him, quietly oohing and ahhing. They were so absorbed in their scrutiny, they didn’t even notice Luna’s entrance, hadn’t heard her knocks. She shook her head, but she understood, indeed she did.

After all, Joe was buck-naked.

And he had a… tattoo on his ass?

The story only got better after that! Their was no heavy thinking, just pure enjoyment. The chemistry was electric and so hot and sweet at the same time, I was rooting for them. I loved how they bumbled around each other as they try to find their footings. The humor kept me smiling. The mystery was a little light, but I enjoyed the characters antics as they strugged to firgure things out while not losing sight of each other.

I’ve read a few other books in this series, and enjoyed them as well. If you want a book to read that will take you away from the world, with plenty of humor and love, you’ll enjoy this series by Lori Foster.

Title: All Jacked Up 

DESCRIPTION:

Ever since Jack Mitchell barged into her life, librarian Aubrey Sullivan has been abducted at gunpoint, taken on a death-defying car chase, and kissed silly. She’s starting to think that maybe she should try to shake the brawny hunk…
 
But Aubrey doesn’t realize she’s ticked off the biggest mobster in the western hemisphere. It seems that somewhere in her photographic memory is something he’d kill to keep quiet. And Jack can’t exactly go to the good guys because, well, suddenly they think he’s a mole.
 
Now, Jack needs Aubrey to help clear his name. If only she’d do what he says, they might just get out of this mess alive. That is, if they can keep their hands off each other long enough to think straight…

 
Review:

If you enjoy romantic comedies, Penny McCall  does a bang up job with All Jacked Up. The Characters antics kept me laughing in each chapter. Their hijinks were not only amusing, they were laugh-at-loud. Their advenure was unique and real, and I loved the back and for by-play between them. Their action-adventure was a thrill ride I’m glad I didn’t miss.

The only reason this book didn’t get a full five stars is that some of the story dragged a little bit. I loved the witty dialogue, but it did slow the story down a smidge. Not much, but I did notice that it took me a little longer to finish. Maybe it was because I didn’t want to miss a word, I don’t know.

Anyway, if  you like romance and a good writing, I would recommend Penny McCall…any of her books. What a hoot! I’ve read two other books from Penny McCall, and I will be reading more.

I wanted to read something different this week. I thought it would be a historical book. I even bought a few new books from my favorite historical writers to read, but nothing appeals to me today. I thought maybe a young adult novel, but all I’m feeling is a…eh. Then I think I found one that might be a good fit. Just straight contemporary. It’s been a while!

Gosh, I feel like Goldie Locks in the Three Bears!  Here’s what I found in my pile:

They are both older books (I had to dig deep!). Both are a part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Here are the blurbs:

Instant Attraction (The Wilders)~

Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl–working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn’t fit in anywhere. That’s all she wants. Well, that–and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she’s crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed–that part defies explanation. . .

After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he’ll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie’s killer smile triggers something deep in his gut. . .among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he’s ever felt–and an adventure Katie’s wishing would never end…

All Jacked Up~

Since Jack Mitchell barged into her life, librarian Aubrey Sullivan has been abducted at gunpoint, taken on a death-defying car chase, and kissed within an inch of madness. She’s starting to think that maybe she should try to shake this overbearing guy…

But Aubrey doesn’t realize she’s ticked off the biggest drug lord in the western hemisphere. It seems that somewhere in her photographic memory is something he wants kept quiet, and he’s willing to kill to do it. And Jack can’t exactly go to the good guys because, well, suddenly they think he’s a bad guy, too.

Now Jack needs Aubrey to help clear his name. If only she does what he says, they might just get out of this mess alive. That is, if they can keep their hands off each other long enough to think straight…

What do you think? Have you read either of these authors?