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The Forlorn Cowboy (The Studs of Clear Creek County) by Stacy-Deanne – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Forlorn Cowboy by Stacy-Deanne (The Studs of Clear Creek County)The Forlorn Cowboy by Stacy-Deanne by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christopher is a cowboy in Clear Creek County who has been presented with an opportunity to climb the ranks of the social ladder. All he has to do is marry Minnie, a young woman who comes from the social elite. The problem is that Christopher does not love Minnie and is only engaged to her because his father wants them to wed so his financial struggles will end.

A chance encounter with a headstrong black activist named Greta Fay changes everything for Christopher. He finds that he is madly in love with her but is conflicted because he is still engaged to Minnie. Christopher does not want to hurt or betray his father, but he cannot bring himself to love Minnie in the same way that she loves him. Now Christopher is faced with a choice between marrying into the social elite or being with his true love.

A quick read with great characters and a wonderful storyline. Although Minnie is part of the social elite, she is down-to-earth and kind which makes Christopher’s decision a difficult one to make. Christopher loves his dad and feels bad that he has worked so hard all his life and made sacrifices for him. So, when his dad wants him to marry Minnie, Christopher considers doing it because it will help his dad. Greta Fay is feisty, headstrong, and believes in standing up for others regardless of the risks. When Greta Fay and Christopher fall in love they risk losing more than family. A great story, albeit a bit brief, about love triangles, passion, cowboys, damaged heroines, and an interracial relationship.

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Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1)Ruthless Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruthless Hawke continues on with the story of Jack and Nolan, who we were first introduced to in Night Hawke. The two of them spent a wild and steamy weekend together but neither realized at the time that the other was not using their real name. Both must reluctantly return to the lives they spent the weekend escaping from but none more so than Jack who seems to be on the run from someone or something. Once the weekend is over Jack flees from the hotel room and the last thing Nolan sees is Jack getting into a car.

Fast forward five years and Isaac Hawke, AKA Nolan, has moved on with his life but has never forgotten the woman of his dreams. He has become successful in his family’s business and has a reputation for being ruthless both in and out of the courtroom. He is a man who will do anything to protect his family. Isaac is naturally surprised when he walks into his office one morning and the long-lost woman of his dreams is standing there.

Giacomina, AKA Jack, has been whisked away in the middle of the night by her father and brought to his friends, the Hawke’s, office in New Orleans. Jack’s father asks for the Hawke’s to protect his daughter, and his four-year-old granddaughter, Viviana. Jack is shocked when she sees Isaac walk into the office and is as equally shocked to learn that his name is not Nolan.

Both Isaac and Jack want to ask the other a ton of questions, but neither can act as though they know the other. To do so, would put Isaac’s own life at risk. Isaac knows immediately after looking into Viviana’s beautiful blue eyes that this is his daughter and immediately feels angered that he has not been told he has a daughter. However, he must wait until he can get Jack alone to question her because there is too much at stake for both of them to do otherwise. Isaac sees his chance to do so by offering for Jack and Viviana to stay with him. That gives him the opportunity to protect them from whatever danger is lurking out there that is intent on destroying them as well as ask Jack about why she ran off and where she has been all these years.

This book has passion, love, betrayal, chemistry, drama, banter and twists and turns. The chemistry between Jack and Isaac is undeniable and unforgettable. Isaac is fierce and powerful when it comes to the lengths that he will go to in order to keep those he loves safe and out of harm’s way. Jack is full of secrets and has led a life that has left her sheltered from the outside world. Due to the line of business that her parents are in they have kept her protected which has left Jack feeling stifled and more like a prisoner than a daughter. Love this book and the Hawke family! Great read!

View all my reviews@tarab