Short Take Reviews: The Circle B Ranch Series | Books #0.5 - #4

  

My love for Kennedy Fox continues as I make my way through another series by the writing duo. Having read and loved the Roommates Duets series and the Bishop Brothers series, it was time to move on to the Circle B Ranch. This is a second generation series, featuring the (now grown) kids of the couples in the Bishop Brothers series. I'm so hooked on this ever-growing family and their lives at the sprawling Texas ranch they call home.
Circle B Ranch #0.5
Format: Kindle
Trope(s): Enemies to lovers

Braxton, a new ranch hand at the Circle B Ranch, and Katarina, owner of the local bakery, have a steamy one night stand. The next morning Katarina is embarrassed, kicks Braxton out, and proceeds to act like he doesn't exist. When Braxton retaliates by insulting her bakery offerings, it's all out war. What ensues is a battle of wills and a game of one-upmanship. I wasn't a fan of the pranks they played on each other (it felt pretty juvenile) but there was no denying their chemistry. While neither of the lead characters were Bishop's, this novella was still a fun way to kick off the series and provided a great set-up for Riley Bishop's story in the next book. 3.5 STARS

Circle B Ranch #1
Format: Kindle
Trope(s): Accidental Vegas wedding

The last thing Riley Bishop expected to get in Vegas was married. But a night of partying and a dare from his best friend resulted in just that. He was even more surprised when Zoey showed up at the ranch several weeks later, wanting to give their relationship a try instead of following through with the annulment. I loved how Riley was so much like his father (Alex from Taming Him, Bishop Brothers #1). Like his father before him, he was steadfast in his feelings for Zoey and was all-in from the beginning, never doubting despite their unorthodox beginning. I wish that Zoey had shared her secret from the start, rather than Riley being blindsided late in the game, but his willingness to be there for her once he had time to adjust made me love him even more. 4 STARS


Circle B Ranch #2
Format: Audio
Trope(s): Brother's best friend

Diesel has been in love with Rowen Bishop for as long as he can remember. Unfortunately, she is his best friend's sister and decidedly off-limits. When Rowan returns to the ranch after college graduation she finds herself spending time with Diesel and seeing a side of him she's never known. Just as a relationship is on their horizon, Diesel's past catches up to him and changes everything. For years Rowan and Diesel's relationship had been based on sarcasm and insults, and flirting on Diesel's part. Over time, she came to see that Diesel had always been there for her, always looking out for her. Diesel could be a goofball and something of a man-child, but there was nothing childish about his feelings for Rowan. When Diesel manned up to deal with his past (after some initial denial), it went a long way in showing what kind of man he was. 4 STARS


Circle B Ranch #3
Format: Kindle
Trope(s): Age gap

Maize Bishop does all the cooking and baking at the Bed & Breakfast on her family's ranch. Her one rule: she never, ever hooks up with anyone who works on the ranch. Gavin has retired from the rodeo and just accepted a position at the ranch. He and Maize meet at the bar and share one night together, but when he shows up at the ranch she pretends not to remember him. Gavin gives her space for a while but enough is enough and he's determined to break down her walls. I struggled a bit with Maize because she gave new meaning to the word stubborn. The way she ran hot and cold with Gavin was unfair and I was glad when Gavin drew the line, took a step back, and made her come to him and woo him for a change. He was steady and mature and wasn't willing to play games. I appreciated his calm demeanor when dealing with Maize's sometimes fiery temper. 4 STARS


Circle B Ranch #4
Format: Kindle
Trope(s): Single dad, workplace romance

Elle Bishop is on track to become a veterinarian and juggles an internship with Dr. Connor Wallen while attending veterinary school. Elle battles her attraction to Connor even though he is grumpy, taciturn, and sometimes downright rude. Connor has been through a contentious divorce and custody battle and now all he wants is more time with his young daughter. The only way to continue working with Elle is to deny his attraction to her and keep his distance. When Elle graduates and is hired by Connor, the close proximity only intensifies their feelings for one another. The storyline with Connor's daughter really captured my heart and his love and devotion to her was so moving. Seeing Elle and Connor finally admit their feelings to each other had me practically cheering and I appreciated how they became such a team when it came to doing what was best for Connor's little girl. My only quibble was that the first half of the book felt like a rehash of events that took place in previous books, and it was almost the 50% mark before the narrative caught up to where things left off in book #3. 4 STARS



HAVE YOU READ THIS SERIES?

Review: Shattered Sea by Catherine Cowles #BlogTour #NewRelease


Catherine Cowles has truly wowed me with her Tattered & Torn series and she quickly secured a spot on my list of must-read authors. Shattered Sea is the fourth book in this remarkable series and, while it can be read as a stand alone, do yourself a favor and read the whole series. You don't want to miss anything!

Shattered Sea, a sexy, suspenseful, small town romance from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Cowles, is out now!

He was the last person she expected to fall for…

I’ve known every kind of pain. Of the heart. Of the body. Of the soul. All I want now is the freedom that comes from making my art.

The last thing I expected was Hollywood royalty to waltz into my gallery in a small town in the middle of nowhere and see me.

A man like Boden Cavanaugh shouldn’t understand me. Shouldn’t be able to soothe my most ragged edges. Even worse, he makes me want the one thing I can’t have. Him.

All it takes is one spark, and friendship catches flame. But as our attraction burns bright, there are forces desperate to send us back into the darkness. And they’ve already killed before…

Fall in love today!
Amazon: https://geni.us/ShttrdSeaAmzn
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/shatteredsea
Apple Books: https://geni.us/ShttrdSeaAppl
Nook: https://geni.us/ShttrdSeaNook
Kobo: https://geni.us/ShttrdSeaKobo
Amazon Paperback: https://geni.us/ShttrdSeaAmznPB
Nook Paperback: https://geni.us/ShttrdSeaNookPB

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3OVEdqN


Welcome back to Wolf Gap, Oregon. In this fourth entry to the Tattered & Torn series, Catherine Cowles has delivered another emotional, suspenseful, and unputdownable story. It’s a testament to Cowles’ amazing gift with characters that I was shedding tears by the end of the prologue. (And not just misty-eyed, we’re talking a full-on ugly cry.) So there was that. And my emotional attachment to these characters only grew.

Laiken Montgomery knows what it’s like to live with pain. The physical kind – the chronic pain in her back and legs, and the emotional kind – from devastating loss and grief. At twenty-eight, she lives in her hometown of Wolf Gap and manages a local art gallery. Her own photography provides an outlet for her inner turmoil, an artist showing what she keeps hidden from others.


 If you always leaned on someone, you became dependent. When they weren’t there anymore, figuring out how to walk on your own again was the hardest thing you’d ever have to do.


Boden Cavanaugh is known worldwide. An actor and Hollywood heartthrob, Boden has come to Wolf Gap not only to do research for an upcoming role, but also to escape the scrutiny of the paparazzi in Los Angeles and continue to deal with the aftermath of a loss in his life. Meeting Laiken was not part of his plan, but as their paths continued to cross it was obvious there was something in them that spoke to one another. And Boden wasn’t willing to walk away.


 “What are you scared of?”
“Getting used to having you here.”
“What if I want you to get used to it?”


After that prologue (you remember, the one that made me cry), I started this story feeling just as broken and raw as Laiken. While there were friends and people she cared about in her life, there was also pain and loneliness – two things she hid from others as much as she could. Boden, however managed to see through that façade and with him she could truly be herself. Boden was persistent in his pursuit of Laiken, but never aggressive or pushy. I loved his openness with her and how he never hid his feelings or played games. He was completely up front with how he felt, and it was so heartwarming and refreshing. When the suspense aspect came into play, Boden was protective without being overly so. He was such a swoony hero!


 “You don’t have to take care of everyone. Or fix things for everyone. Sometimes, it’s enough to simply be. To hold their hand and walk alongside.”


Speaking of the suspense, Cowles always manages to blend the perfect mixture of romance and suspense, never sacrificing one for the other. Here in Shattered Sea, I could feel the tension as things escalated and it became apparent that the deaths of those involved in a decade-old tragedy were not accidents. I had my theories and yet Cowles still managed to surprise me.


 And in that moment, I knew this was how it could always be. A give and take. A sort of messy perfection that was the most incredible thing I’d ever experienced. And I’d do anything to protect it.


With each book in this remarkable series, I proclaim a new favorite character, a new favorite couple… but the truth is, each book has been filled with memorable characters, a moving romance, and riveting plots. I was glued to every page of Shattered Sea, unable to put it down, only to be sad it was over. Shattered Sea, and the entire Tattered & Torn series, are not to be missed by any fan of small-town romantic suspense. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

 

What warmed my heart: Laiken’s connection with Hayes, Boden’s relationship with his father, Gizmo (Laiken’s dog on wheels).


Keep reading for a look inside Shattered Sea!

The way Boden’s muscles tightened told me the little he’d shared was only the tip of the iceberg. That tension called to me, and I reached out, kneading the flesh along his shoulders. His head fell to my own shoulder, and he sighed. “I’ll only let you do that forever.”

I chuckled. “I do have the magic touch.”

“You could be making millions with those hands.”

“I only use them on very special recipients. They aren’t for sale.”

Boden straightened, but as he did, he came closer. Our faces were close. Lips just a breath away. The urge to lean forward, to know what he felt like, tasted like, was strong. Boden’s hand skated up my arm to my neck to tangle in my hair.
I knew that Boden Cavanaugh was more than dangerous. But like a moth to a flame, I kept getting closer.

About Catherine Cowles


Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

Connect with Catherine

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Website: https://www.catherinecowles.com/

Stay up to date with Catherine by joining her mail list:

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Top Ten Tuesday: Where In The World | Geographic Book Titles

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:
Geographic Book Titles

This week's prompt sounds so simple but ended up being a little trickier
than I anticipated. I had to do quite the deep dive  on my Goodreads
"Read" shelf to come up with ten titles.



Lake Silence - Anne Bishop
The Sea of Tranquility - Katja Millay
Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid
My Vegas Groom - Piper Rayne
Dune Road - Jane Green
True North - Amy Knupp
Virgin River - Robyn Carr
Arctic Wild - Annabeth Albert


Have you read any of these books?

The Sunday Post #302 | September 11, 2022

 


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news:  a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, 
and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

T H E  W E E K  I N  R E V I E W

Last Sunday took a turn when my mom tested positive for Covid. Thankfully, she was able to get a prescription for Paxlovid (at 77, she is definitely considered at-risk) and started on that right away. My sisters and I quickly made a schedule so that someone would be available to deliver meals and check on her for the first several days. The Husband and I have also FaceTimed with her, both to check on her and provide a little long-distance contact. Thankfully, it seems her symptoms never progressed past the severe head cold stage so she's been okay at home just treating her symptoms. But I've definitely been worried about her. 😟

To be a four-day work week it was incredibly busy (hence only one blog post this week). I kept hoping to find time to at least write a quick review but it never happened. I was wiped out by the time I left the office each afternoon. By the time the evenings came I was ready to do nothing by decompress. 😵

I love this video of a graduating high school student who snuck in two light sabers. And I love it even more that his principal played along. :)



This week's 80's music fix is Casanova by LeVert, a pop/R&B hit from 1987. This song takes me back to such a specific time and place - the year after high school, going out with friends at night, and cranking this when it came on the car radio. 😁  Enjoy.



O N  T H E  B L O G

Tuesday, September 6


W H A T  I  R E A D

      

Audio: The Trouble with #9 ( (Hockey Hotties #2) by Piper Rayne - ★★★★
Kindle: Buckled (Trails of Sin #2) by Pam Godwin - ★★★.75


C U R R E N T L Y   R E A D I N G


Paperback: Help Me Remember - Corinne Michaels


N E W  A D D I T I O N S


Dissent: A Charity Romance Anthology
Benefitting Reproductive Rights


T O T A L L Y  R A N D O M


21 years ago, our nation was attacked.

Every American felt the blows at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in rural Pennsylvania.  Some lost family, friends, and colleagues, but all Americans shared grief in the aftermath of 9/11.  However, as we grieved, an amazing thing happened.  Hope, resilience, and a sense of national unity lifted us up as a country.  

Today, it is more important than ever that we remember the compassion we showed to one another, the resolve we demonstrated to the world, and how, in the face of unfathomable loss, we rose as one unified America. 

September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2022
We Shall Never Forget


HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?
I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

Top Ten Tuesday: Double Vision | I Own Two (or More) Copies of These Books

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:
Double Vision: I Own Two (or More) Copies 
of these Books... Because I Loved Them So Much

I'm sure there are a lot of readers who feel no need to own a single book
(who are those people??). They will use the library, borrow from friends,
or occasionally buy a book but then pass it on when they're done. 
I am here to tell you: I am NOT that reader. 😏

I certainly don't feel the need to own every book I read, but I also love
seeing my favorite books on my shelves. And sometimes that includes 
multiple copies. Maybe it's an audio version and the Kindle version, maybe
it's the original release plus a special edition. And sometimes it's just 
because I loved a book so hard that I want to own it in every way possible 
so I can enjoy it in every way possible. 😊

And just because a clever title should always tie-in to a good song (amiright?),
here's a little Double Vision from Foreigner for you.



Books I Loved So Much That I Own
Multiple Copies


Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall - I listened on audio and fell in love. And then I needed 
the paperback for my shelf.
When You Come Back to Me by Emma Scott - I was floored when listening to this one 
on audio. It was an instant favorite and the paperback joined my library.
The Others series by Anne Bishop - I did a combination of reading and listening to this 
series so I own both the audio versions and the mass market paperbacks.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - I read this book so many years ago when I 
came across the mass market paperback at a used bookstore. It became an instant favorite.
I was completely overwhelmed when one of my Bookworm Boxes included a beautiful 
signed trade paperback.
The Cake series by J. Bengtsson - Oh, this series. I fell for it hard and fast and it 
remains one of my favorite series ever. I own every book on audio and have the trade 
paperback copies.
Tied by Carian Cole - I originally listened to Tied on audio and immediately bought the
trade paperback. I want to inhale this one in any way I can. Such a special story.
November 9 by Colleen Hoover - I have the original trade paper back release plus the 
Crave illustrated hardcover version.
The Bishop Brothers series by Kennedy Fox - The audio versions were so well done
and I own all four, plus I have the gorgeous series bind-up that looks so pretty on my 
shelf.
Him/Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy - You name the version and I'm sure I have 
it. 😊 Him and Us are two all-time favorites and I have re-read and re-listened to them 
(along with Epic) many, many times (something I have not done with any other book/series).
The Grip Trilogy by Kennedy Ryan - I'm not positive how many versions of the Grip 
series I own. I have them on audio, I have the trade paperbacks, I have the special series 
bind-up paperback that Kennedy made available via a special gift box, and I probably 
have the Kindle versions, too.


Have you read any of these books?
What books do you own multiple copies of?