Margaret Brownley

Cowboy Charm School is the Cyrano de Bergerac of cowboy stories. What a delightful story and fabulous start to a new series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to dig into the next installment of The Haywire Brides.

Texas Ranger Brett Tucker is temporarily in Haywire, Texas to track down some robbers, notably Frank Foster. He has a personal interest to see Foster behind bars. So when Brett learns that Frank Foster and Kate Denver are to be married, his conscience won’t let him show more see this wedding take place. However, small problem, Kate’s Frank Foster is not the Frank Foster Brett is after. Frank reacts with jealousy and accusations to Brett’s interference, and Kate decides that the wedding is off for good. Brett is drawn to Kate but knows pursuing her when she so clearly loves another wouldn’t be right, and Brett resolves to do all he can to fix things and see this marriage take place.

What follows is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of misunderstandings and misadventure. There are definite sparks between Brett and Kate, but Brett thinks Kate is off limits and wants to be with Frank. Kate is attracted to Brett like she has never been to Frank but he seems uninterested in her.

Cowboy Charm School is full of likable (and some not so likable) characters with some depth and backstories, and the plot is a good mystery about who is responsible for the robberies, keeping you guessing until the end. There is a lot of interesting info about candy making and Kate and Frank’s history as orphans coming to Haywire. The story is full of love and danger, and Brett’s attempts to tutor Frank in courtship are laugh out loud funny.

I especially enjoyed that Cowboy Charm School was not a quick, short romance but rather a nice long book that gives you time to sit back and enjoy your time in Haywire. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. show less

Review for THE LUMBERJACK'S BRIDE:

This story took me back to the time of brawny lumberjacks, outdoor cooking ranges, logger’s games, and mess hall tents.

The hero starts out a bit grouchy--which I loved. He’s super protective, and when he sees anyone in danger, he turns all bossy and command-man. It’s flat adorable.

Then there’s the heroine. She’s delicate and feminine, coming from “up north.” No one thinks she’ll last long in the logging camp, but she cinches up her boots show more and gets to work learning how to trek the woods and cook with the rest of the women.

Ending with a twist I didn’t see coming, this story had me at, “Timber!” and I couldn’t put it down. Great read, and a fast page-turner. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Pam hasn’t written a story yet I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. show less

Engaging characters, clever plot, and a compelling and thrilling mystery!

Jury Duty Is Murder is an excellent and entertaining new mystery by Kate Damon featuring a unique group of unexpected amateur sleuths cast straight from The Island of Misfit Toys. After passing their guilty verdict, the jurors in a high-profile criminal case begin to die off one by one, all under "accidental" circumstances. The deaths do not go unnoticed by the surviving members of the jury, four of whom band together show more to find the suspected serial killer when their request for help from the police is disregarded. Part The Thursday Murder Club vibe, part And Then There Were None, I was glued to this story from start to finish!

While the main characters couldn't be less compatible or more different from each other, they'd all endured a major shared life experience: 120 days sequestered from their lives and loved ones while performing their civic duty as jurors for a big, highly contested trial involving a famous sports figure. They'd argued and gotten on each other's nerves for four months but also forged a deep bond. Each came away changed from how they went in.

The plot moves quickly and is told from the alternating perspectives of the four main characters: CeeCee, Harold, Helen, and Alex. Each is struggling with where they are in life; the temporary interruption of the trial magnified those issues, bringing their problems to a head. I was rooting for each one of them immediately. The situations they get themselves into had me laughing but there are some poignant, real-life moments as well.

Their investigation is enjoyable, and tension builds as they scramble to stop the killer before they can strike again. I couldn't help but compare this quartet to the more gifted and copacetic members of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, a similarly mismatched group, and I like them all the same for their squabbling and gradual evolution into ride-or-die friends. Here I am on the last day of 2024, and this may be my absolute favorite book of the year.

I recommend JURY DUTY IS MURDER to readers of mysteries and thrillers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. show less

Excuse me while I gush.
I LOVE this book.
Now, let me go back and tell you exactly why.
My time being limited, I'm careful to only choose books I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy reading. There have been times where I've been let down a little, and that comes with the territory. I'm not a big reader of anthologies ~ I don't know why, but these are relatively new to me.

I'm hooked.
This book, with each individual story written by four different, fantastic authors, is a keeper. This will warm any show more historical romantic lover's hearts who's time is limited, and who doesn't want to sacrifice quality of story. Each short story has its own drama, its own issues that keep the readers interest and will prod them to read on. Way past their normal bedtime.
Heroines that won't quit. Heroes that you'll sigh over. Cowboys, the wild west, and true love. Does it get any better than that?!

Meet Mary-Jo, in And Then Came Spring who stomps into her fiance's...funeral ~> how's that for different, huh?
In An Ever-After Summer, you'll find yourself cheering Ellie on while taking on a stubborn mule that you know you're going to love. And it's not just her husband, either!
Luvena, in Autumn's Angel, will make you wonder if this beauty is indeed cursed with bad luck, as well as a sweet heart, and, then you'll meet my ultimate hero and favorite story,
Winter Wedding Bells with cute and plucky Megan who's fiance is convinced he's going to die. But she's too feisty to let him.

This book is fabulous. I have not only spent a super enjoyable day reading each story, but I have added three very talented authors to my favorite authors list. I say three, because Mary Connealy already was on that list. Way toward the top...
I highly recommend A Bride for All Seasons.

*My thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, who sent me a copy in exchange for a review. I was not required it be positive. It's just really that good.* show less