Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Gambling Hearts #2)
I have been looking forward to seeing what’s become of Sophia after reading the first book. Although I was glad she could leave the ranch and find herself, it was sad to see that move broke up the relationship between her and Tony, the ranch foreman. After five years, Tony calls and tells her that her brothers need her. It’s nice to see that Matt and Cass are still going strong and raising their daughter, but the brothers aren’t getting along and might lose the ranch. Sophia pushes her idea of taking in guests, but instead of pulling together as a family, though, they pull apart. During the family drama, the love that Sophia and Tony had resurfaced. When someone takes matters into their own hands, it starts a reaction where help comes from an unexpected person. I was rooting for not only Sophia and Tony, but the entire family. A wonderful addition to the Shaughnessy family story. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
“Hold ‘Em” was a fun romance that I read in one night. Matt spent his time gambling instead of helping with the family ranch. He won a hand from a man who offered up his daughter, Cass, to play his fiancé for a week, to cancel the debt to Matt. She went along with the scheme to make Matt’s grandmother believe he had found happiness before she died. At first, I didn’t like Cass’s father or Matt. I never changed my mind about the father, but Matt grew on me as the story went along. Cass was already engaged to be married in two weeks but never showed a great love for the man who she believed was perfect. So, it was entertaining watching her fight off her growing feelings for Matt and how he went from playing around to developing some serious emotions in a short time frame. The setting was amazing, and I could picture living in the small cabin nestled in the valley. A charming romantic tale, and I will be reading the rest of the series to see what happens next on the ranch.
by Andrew Joyce
Jacob and his family go on the treacherous journey of the Oregon Trail. It was a trail riddled with accidents and death. There is a brief history of each family to understand why they went. None of them seemed prepared for the reality of it. A young woman from the Dakota tribe rescues Jacob on the verge of death. His name changes to Yellow Hair, and he finds a new home. The story follows his journey filled with detailed historical content. Both sides are evenly presented, and the facts and history are well researched, while the story of Yellow Hair was interesting. I found myself heartbroken at the cruelty shown to another human being because of hate, greed, or fear. I was grateful many of those parts were told over shown. That would have made it harder for me to read. This was a unique way to tell the comprehensive history and a story through a white man’s eyes living in a Dakota tribe in Minnesota. It made me think deeply about how difficult it was to cross over the plains into Oregon and California and, on the other side, how greedy and cruel many officials were. Getting to know and appreciate people and their differences is a lesson we can take away from our history, which I found in this story. A powerful and, at times, painful read.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!
Embrace your inner child with a huge hug by reading a great book! D. L. Finn
Great reviews, Denise. Congrats to Andrew and Jacquie. I loved Yellow Hair and have read and enjoyed a couple of Jacquie’s books too. Wishing them both all the best. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony 🙂 I’ve never read. A story I didn’t enjoy by Jacquie. I learned a lot reading Yellow Hair.
Thank you, Harmony. I was thrilled to find these wonderful reviews today!
These are excellent reviews, Denise. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Jacquie Biggar. She always delivers an amazing story. And although, I have not read Yellow Hair, I’ve heard good things about it. Congratulations to both authors.
I agree, Jacquie always delivers amazing stories. Yellow Hair was quite a journey and made me really think about those events. Thanks, Mae 🙂
Thank you, Mae! That means a lot coming from one of my favorite writers!
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Nice reviews, Denise. I’ve read Yellow Hair but not the others.
Thanks, Joan 🙂 I think you’d enjoy Jacquie’s stories.
Three fabulous reviews, Denise. They all sound like great books, but I think I’d learn a little history, too, from Yellow Hair.
Thanks, Priscilla:). I did learn reading Yellow Hair and it made me realize how tough things really were all around.
Great reviews! I have Yellow Hair on my TBR pile and realy need to get to it. Jacquie Biggar is a great writer who creates amazing characters.
You can never go wrong with a story from Jacquie 🙂 Yellow Hair sat way too long on my TBR list before I finally read it. Sure glad I did. Thanks, Darlene.
Thank you, Darlene!
Thanks for sharing these reviews, Denise! 🙂
Happy to, Yvette. It was some good reading.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these, Denise! Congrats to Jacquie and Andrew!
I’m happy to share the good books I read, Jan, thank you 🙂
These are great reviews, Denise! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks, Mar 🙂 Definitely good ones.
Thank you for sharing these excellent reviews, Denise. I’ve yet to read the books, but I’m sure intrigued now. My congratulations to Andrew and Jacquie. 💗
Thanks, Gwen. Glad you are intrigued. I’m sure you will enjoy any of them.
Excellent reviews, Denise. I also enjoyed Yellow Hair for the reasons you mention and many more.
Thanks, John 🙂 I believe I found Yellow Hair through you, so thanks!
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You can’t go wrong with a Jacquie read:) Andrew’s sounds extremely thought provoking. Thanks for sharing.
scoxoxox
Nope, never can go wrong with a Jacquie read! Yellow Hair was extremely thought provoking. Thanks, Sandra xo
Thank you, Sandra! I feel the same about you and Denise!
Aww. And my lips automatically go up when I hear that:)
🙂
Fabulous reviews Denise! You can never have enough of Jacquie’s stories, they always leave you craving for more! I haven’t read Andrew’s books. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks, Balroop 🙂 We are lucky she has a big catalog to read from! Happy to recommend it.
I’m humbled, Balroop, thank you <3
I’m incredibly honored that you are working your way through my backlist, Denise. Thank you for these wonderful reviews. I come from a family of three siblings like the Shaughnessys, and enjoyed exploring their family dynamics.
Yellow Hair sounds interesting- thanks for the recommendation!
I’m having fun working my way through your catalog, Jacquie 🙂 I like how you explored the family dynamics and had the experience of a three sibling family to pull from. Yellow Hair gave me a new perspective of that time frame.
Nice reviews, Denise. Yellow Hair in particular caught my eye as I once drafted a California Trail story myself. As research, I followed the route in our truck. I even burnt cow pies (buffalo poo not being available any longer) over an open fire, although I couldn’t quite bring myself to cook on it. I really enjoyed that trip, probably because my life was never in actual jeopardy, unlike the real settlers. But it did bring home some appreciation for my great-grandmother’s grandmother, who crossed the plains on foot. She was definitely tougher than me. : )
How fun to have gone along that trail, and like you i would prefer driving it. Is that the trail past Nevada City? I know there is a Pioneer Trail there. I had to do a project for college that required burning cow poop. I was surprised it was something you could buy. Not sure if I would want to eat anything cooked over it either, even though there was no smell. Yes, our grandparents were much tougher than us for sure. Did you publish your book on the trail, Cathleen?
I enjoyed reading your fabulous reviews, Denise! Jacquie write wonderful romance. I still have some of her books on my Kindle. I haven’t read for a little while because my eyes bothered me. I have problem with my right eye but just went to the optometrist and ordered new glasses. They’ll come in two or three weeks though.
Jacquie does write wonderful stories. I still have a few more on my Kindle to go. Sorry to hear about your eyes, Miriam. Glad it can be resolved with new glasses and that you can get back to reading. Xo
I loved Yellow Hair. Andrew Joyce writes westerns the way they should be written. Excellent reviews. <3
Thanks, Colleen, it is!
A pair of excellent reviews, Denise. Hold “Em, must have been addictive since you finished it in one night.
It was!