Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage

Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage -- 368 page

Camille Ashwood had always loved a plan. Her latest was her best yet. She was going to get married so she could secure her daughter’s future, get her overbearing parents off her back, and finally start building her own life in small town Meadowlark, Wyoming. Easy, right?

But when her groom doesn’t show up to the wedding, Cam’s life is turned upside down—she doesn’t even have a place to live. That is, until she finds out the house she’s loved since high school is available to rent. There’s only one problem: the neighbor.

Dusty Tucker has spent nearly all of his adult life running. Running from what, though? More like who: Cam Ashwood. But ever since he returned home last year, the girl who was his first, well, everything has become a woman seemingly determined to keep him at arm’s length. And he was okay with that—at least, that’s what he kept telling himself. She was getting married, after all. But now she’s single and living next door. Dusty wants to show her that they can be friends, and that he can stay put.

Despite her best attempts to stay far away from Dusty Tucker, Cam realizes that being close to him is like slipping on her favorite jeans. Easy. Comfortable. That is until past wounds start to open and feelings—both old and new—wreak havoc. Nearly ten years after they first met, Dusty and Cam begin to wonder if their first love can also be their last. And this time, will it be forever?

Marrying Off Morgan McBride

Marrying Off Morgan McBride by Amy Barry | 336 pages | 2023

As the oldest of the McBride siblings, Morgan had to be protector and shepherd since Ma died and Pa ran off. It hasn't always been easy, especially when his heart longs to roam on the trail. But now that his brother Kit is married and settled, the time is right for Morgan to leave Buck's Creek. Little does he know that his hellcat of a little sister Junebug is dead set on keeping him at home and getting more help around the house - all with one honest advertisement in The Matrimonial News.

Epiphany Hopgood has always had a gift for doing the exact wrong thing. She's too tall, too loud, too opinionated, and too contrary for her family and community. Staring down the barrel of spinsterhood, she and her grandmother answer a seemingly straightforward ad for a bride.

But when Pip shows up to Buck's Creek, she finds that Morgan McBride is not the husband she expected. In fact, he doesn't even want to be a husband. But maybe there's a way to make everyone happy out on the Montana frontier...

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

A decent (and way more spicy) second installment in the McBrides series.
Junebug is at it again, ordering brides for her unsuspecting brothers. This time it's for Morgan though, who has absolutely zero interest in marrying and just wants to get back to his old life of driving cattle. The woman in question, Epiphany (Pip), was a true delight. As a woman who has also been a bit "too much" for a lot of people, I loved reading Epiphany's perspective and seeing her take charge of her life and grow through her insecurities. On the other hand, I wasn't a big fan of Morgan in this book. Stubborn to a fault, he resisted any character growth until the very end, when it all happened at once and seemed too good to be true. Romance books usually do so much better than this, but it seems the only thing that brought him around was salivating over Pip's curves. The journey was fun, but in the end I wasn't very satisfied.

Hopeless by Elsie Silver

Hopeless by Elsie Silver -- 486 pages

Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past. I’m the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s also my fiancé. Correction: my fake fiancé. We start out as a bet. He doesn’t believe that anyone holds my last name against me. So he offers me his to prove a point. It’s win-win. He gets a break from his concerned family’s prying, and I get a chance to shed my family’s reputation while I save up to ditch this small town. He says all I have to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend I can’t keep my hands off of him in public. But it’s what happens between us in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines. It’s what transpires behind closed doors that doesn’t feel like pretending at all. This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date. He once told me he’d never fall in love. And yet here I am, head over heels for my fake fiancé.

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage -- 368 pages

Teddy Andersen doesn't have a plan. She's never needed one before. She's always been more of a go with the flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn't seem to be going her way this time. Her favorite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it's starting to change. Teddy's used to being a leader, but now she feels like she's getting left behind, wondering if the life she lives in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore.

Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn't know what's harder: taking care of his family's 8,000 acre ranch, or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he slips up, and he has to admit that he can't manage everything on his own. He needs help. His little sister's best friend, the woman he can't stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he's got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he'll never find what he needs. Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether or not to act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?

Kit McBride Gets a Wife

Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Amy Barry | 328 pages | 2022

Kit McBride knows that Buck's Creek, Montana, is no place to find a wife. Between him and his three brothers--plus little Junebug--they manage all right on their own, thank you very much. But unbeknownst to Kit, his sister is sick to death of cleaning, cooking, and mending for her big brothers, so she places an ad in The Matrimonial News to get them hitched.
After Maddy Mooney emigrated from Ireland, she found employment with an eccentric but poor widow. When her mistress decides to answer an ad for a mail-order bride, Madd​y is dragged along for the ride to Montana. But en route to the West, Maddy is suddenly abandoned and left to assume the widow's name, position, and matrimonial prospects....
With no other recourse in the wilderness, Maddy must convince Kit not only is she who she says she is, but she's the wife he never knew he needed.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

This romance was totally different than what I usually read, and I loved it.
Each character was so well written out, even our naive little narrator Junebug. Reading her chapters gave me the same experience as her brothers: frustration, softened with endearment. Maddy was a delight, Kit was swoony, and all of our supporting characters immersed me in this slice of the early American West. The only wish I had was for a little bit more at the end, as everything moved very quickly. Still we got our HEA (with some excellent closed-door tension) and everyone (well, except Willabelle) learned their lesson. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!

Reckless by Elsie Silver

Reckless by Elsie Silver -- 466 pages

Theo Silva. Rowdy bull rider. Notorious ladies’ man. Scorching hot trouble wrapped up in a drool-worthy package. And he’s looking at me like I might be his next meal. But I’m almost free of my toxic marriage and have sworn off men entirely. So all I see when I look back is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. 

The man is hard to trust—and even harder to resist. Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard I try to freeze him out, he melts my icy exterior and pulls apart all my defenses. Over a drink in a small town bar, I blurt out my deepest, darkest secrets. Then I spend the singular hottest night of my life with him. He worships my body. He makes me blush. I come alive beneath his hands. Then I tell him to forget it ever happened. I want simple, and with him it all feels complicated. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret. But that little plus sign is going to make this secret impossible to keep.

Powerless by Elsie Silver

Powerless by Elsie Silver -- 504 pages

Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now. But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either. To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold. The man I’ve loved in secret for years.

So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor. But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have. Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present. Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me. But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Heartless by Elsie Silver -- 476 pages

Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can’t keep my eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off of me. Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than I am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off—and so are our clothes. He’s gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who am I to resist? But it’s in our quiet moments together that he softens. It’s when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a façade. It’s when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him. Someone convinced him once that his best wasn’t good enough. But I’ve never felt more cherished than I do in his arms. My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months. But my heart says this is forever.

Flawless by Elsie Silver

Flawless by Elsie Silver -- 424 pages

The rules were simple . . .Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble. But now I’m stuck with her . . . And there’s only one bed . . .
Oh well, rules are made -- to be broken . . . aren't they?

I’m the face of professional bull riding -- the golden boy. Or at least I was, until it all blew up in my face. Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I’m stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my “full-time supervision.” But I don’t need a goddamn babysitter -- especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk,
and a mouth she can’t stop running. A mouth I just can’t stop thinking about . . .

Because Summer isn’t just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn’t run -- she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn’t. She says this means nothing -- but I say this means everything. She says there are boundaries we shouldn’t cross. That my reputation can’t take any more hits -- and neither can her damaged heart. I say I’m going to steal it anyway.

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage -- 320 pages 

She’s the city girl that refuses to give him the time of day. He’s the cowboy that wants her anyway. The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than other people ever did. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career. When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she’ll never see him again…almost. She definitely isn’t expecting him to be her new boss. Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family's ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. Too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can’t stop thinking about the way her mouth felt on his. Even though walls are coming down around Rebel Blue, Ada’s walls are firmly in place. Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage -- 348 pages

She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules.

For the first time in her life, Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.

Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.

Emmy’s got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend’s younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?

Wild Card by Karina Halle

Wild Card by Karina Halle -- 280 pages

What would you give up to have a second-chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love?

As the man in charge at Ravenswood Ranch, Shane Nelson has never been afraid to get his hands dirty. His sculpted physique isn't the product of a gym, but of years of hard labor under a relentless sun. His straightforward, alpha tendencies come from a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Rachel Waters. He's never stopped wanting her.

They were childhood best friends, then teenage lovers who evolved into soulmates. But on one fateful night, Shane made a grave mistake, breaking both their hearts in the process. Now, after six years, Rachel is back in the small, wild mountain town of North Ridge, BC. Ready to face her past. Ready to face Shane. Ready to face his dark secret. But is a second-chance at a one true love in the cards? Or will their wild hearts be broken once again?

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey - 171 pages

Esther's father has just executed her lover. Of course, no one knows that Beatriz was her lover. That's forbidden in the twenty-second century United States. In fact, most things are forbidden in the wild Southwest. The only escape Esther can think of is to run off with the Librarians - the group of women tasked with being upright and moral, as they distribute "Approved Materials" across the country. But she soon realizes that these women are not who they seem. In fact, their main motivation... is to resist.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. This book was great. It was a fantastic short story with elements of action, drama, sass, and everything in between. It had a great representation of LGBTQ+ characters, including a nonbinary character that was incredibly well-written. I highly recommend this read for anyone who wants some faith restored in humanity. 5/5 stars.

The Spoilt Quilt and Other Frontier Stories

The Spoilt Quilt and Other Frontier Stories - 357 pages

"The Spoilt Quilt and Other Frontier Stories, edited by Hazel Rumney, features sixteen brand-new stories that will delight historical fiction fans. These stories capture the spirit of freedom and individualism in the evolving American frontier through the early 1900s and feature pioneering women of the West who face life-changing challenges in settings that are in stark contrast to civilized society. Ranging from high-action traditional Westerns to introspective historical dramas set in the American West, readers will discover previously untold stories about the strong women that shaped the iconic American West.
 

In this anthology, you'll enjoy stories by New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sandra Dallas, Deborah Morgan, Charlotte Hinger, Larry D. Sweazy, Sharon Frame Gay, Matthew P. Mayo, Randi-Samuelson Brown, C. K. Crigger, W. Michael Farmer, Candace Simar, P. Grady Cox, Marcia Gaye, John D. Nesbitt, Patricia Stoltey, Paul Colt, Preston Lewis. 

The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson

The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson - 652 pages

A continuing store around a ranch family.  One son's loyalty is torn between his mom, and his wife and children.  Part of the family is Blackfoot Indian. The story also centers around the fact that Indians were not allowed to own land.

Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy - 295 pages

A trapper saves 2 women and 2 children from a burning wagon.  The rest of the wagon train has been killed.

My Kind of Christmas by Janet Dailey

My Kind of Christmas by Janet Dailey - 234 Pages

An ex-con inherits an abandoned ranch from his uncle.  With no funds, family, or friends, he tries to make a go of the ranch.

The Calamity Papers: Western Myths and Cold Cases by Dale L. Walker

The Calamity Papers: Western Myths and Cold Cases by Dale L. Walker -- 288 pages

Spur Award-winning author, Dale L. Walker continues what he started in Legends and Lies, by uncovering the truth around some of the American West's most famous and infamous figures. Leaving no figure sacred and no stone unturned, Walker dives deep into some of the most enduring myths and legends of the Old West. 

Dances with Wolves - Michael Blake

Dances with Wolves - Michael Blake - 304 pages

SPOILER ALERT: Kevin Costner's butt is not in this book.

If you're still in, this Western is actually pretty great.  Blake tells the story of a post-Civil War soldier sent into the far reaches of the Western frontier.  When he arrives at his new post, he finds the fort deserted.  He's alone on the prairie, aside from his trusty horse Cisco (who, spoiler alert, DIES, so if you're sensitive about awesome fictional animals dying, here's a friendly heads up) and a lone wolf he names Two Socks.  But despite the initial isolation, something about the prairie calls to this sensitive soldier, and meeting the people who live there only deepens his resolve to become the man he believes himself to be.

There's more to this story than just what you saw in the movie.  Stands with a Fist in particular gets significantly more backstory and so do her adopted brethren.  A different end makes this a familiar read with refreshing changes.

Doc: A Novel by Mary Doria Russel

Doc: A Novel - Mary Doria Russell - 411 pages

I'm going to make a confession: the only "western" I ever found tolerable before was a space western laced with Browncoats, Mandarin, and pretty floral bonnets.  I did not go into Doc: A Novel expecting to enjoy it.

But.  I.  Did.

Doc is the story of John Henry Holliday ("Doc" to his friends and tale spinners) as he wrestles with mortality and the harsh circumstances of life in Dodge City.  It's also about the Earp brothers: Wyatt, who's looking for a way into a better life after years wandering the West working temp jobs in law enforcement.  Morgan, who loves every minute of life and brings joy to his friends and family. James, living in the grey area between the law and what the law is becoming in the face of the temperance movement in the West.  It's a story spun from the "they weren't who we were told they were," genre of historical fiction, and Russell executes it beautifully.

I don't like to throw around cliche terminology about novels like "lushly written" and "complex characters" and "freaking amazing," but all three apply in this case in spades (see what I did there?).  I can't speak for the historical accuracy of what's written, but the author does a great job in the beginning of establishing who was an actual character in the Old West and who she fabricated, but by the end of it I didn't even care about historical accuracy.  The characters felt like dysfunctional family, and though I knew the inevitable end of the story (in Tombstone for some, in illness for others), the journey to get there was the real romp.  One man's murder brings all the key players in Dodge together, one way or another, and their relationships with each other and themselves are what made this book an amazing read for me.

Western?  Yes.  Great fiction?  Yes.  Do I have a little crush on the Doc?  Um, yes.  A great read!