Review of Falling For A Smart Cowboy by Karen Baney

 

 

Book Details:

Book Title: Falling for a Smart Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 4) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 208 pages
Genre: Christian Western Romance
Publisher:  Desert Life Media
Release date:  June 25, 2024
Content Rating:  G. Brief mention of kissing. No bad language. No sex of any kind.

Book Description:

She’s on a mission to bring orphaned children hope. He wants off his family’s ranch for good. Will they survive his shocking family secrets?

Devon Vargas longs to be more than just a cowboy. After finishing his teaching degree, he plans to leave his family’s guest ranch for good. Between his growing affection for the new children’s program director and a huge family secret revealed, he second guesses everything about his life.

Raina Crawford lost her parents at a young age. Through the grace of God, she survived life in the foster system. She desperately wants to bring children the life-changing faith that gave her hope. The job at Vargas Ranch was supposed to be a steppingstone. Except she’s losing her heart to the smart, ambitious cowboy bent on leaving his family’s ranch—and her—behind.

Will Raina finally find the family she’s always wanted? Will family secrets unravel his new dreams? Will those same secrets tear them apart?

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Meet the Author:

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Visit Karen on the web at: www.karenbaney.com

connect with the author: website ~ amazon ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ X/Twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

Author Interview with Karen Baney

Thanks so much for hosting me and my new release.

There are many books out there featuring cowboys and ranches. What makes yours different?

I love writing stories about large families. My extended family is huge since my mom was the youngest of eight children. That’s why most of my series include large families. Plus large families bring a lot of personal drama to a story. Also, all my novels (to date) are set in Arizona, my home state and an often-overlooked setting for western cowboy novels. I’ve lived here for twenty-seven years now and love including snippets of real Arizona living and settings in my novels, from monsoon storms to the oppressive summer heat. 😊

In your book you make a reference to a mission trip in Guatemala. How did you come up with this idea?

The idea for a mission trip was inspired by one of my co-workers at the Christian ministry I work for. He was telling me about his mission trip to Ecuador a few years ago. That idea morphed when I modeled Devon’s mission trip after a ministry dear to me, KidzAtHeart. They train missionaries how to reach children all over the world for Christ. I also watched several YouTube videos of actual missionaries to South America which inspired Devon’s health issue in the novel.

 

In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?

Funny you asked. Not on paper, but on my ReMarkable 2 which is an e-ink handwritten notebook. I hand wrote the outline for the entire Vargas Ranch Series on it before buying a keyboard attachment. Lately, I’ve been editing and sometimes typing new scenes on it. My favorite part of working on the ReMarkable, is that it has no browser or email or social media. I am able to concentrate on the story instead of getting distracted by notifications.

 

What is your next project?

A Christmas novel! I’m busy writing Drake Vargas’s story in Falling for a Humbug Cowboy, Book 5 in the Vargas Ranch Series. I’ve paired my humbug cowboy up with “a Christmas sprite elf” full of holiday cheer. It’s a lot of fun writing this sequel, but also challenging to write a Christmas story when it’s 108 outside in Arizona.

What is something you like to do for fun?

Painting. When I first graduated from high school, I attended art school for a year before deciding not to make fine arts my career. I’ve always loved drawing and painting. Though I go through long periods of time without painting, I enjoy it when I can. For our 24^th anniversary, my husband took me to one of those drink wine and painting places. It was the best!

 

My Review

The storyline is an exciting one and one of forgiveness and inspiration. I immediately connected with the main characters with compassion for Raina and Devon. They each had past hurts to recover from. The budding love between them was sweet but not without its troubles. They would have to learn to lean on God for healing.

The descriptions of the ranch and other areas made me feel like I was there. The ending wrapped up everything nicely. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author, but a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Enter the Giveaway:

FALLING FOR A SMART COWBOY by Karen Baney Book Tour Giveaway

Long and Short Reviews- 17th Anniversary Bash

 

Like books? No matter the genre, we have a great place for you to find your next favorite read!

Long and Short Reviews is celebrating their 17th (wow!) anniversary, but you get the gifts. They're featuring more than 50 books in all genres from romance to science fiction, young adult to poetry... no matter your reading preferences, you can find something to enjoy!

What could possibly be better than that? 

How about a chance to win one of two $100 Amazon GCs, of course! Think of how many books you could buy... 

Once you're arrived at the Long and Short Reviews site, simply read through the book posts each day and answer a simple question (or follow authors on their social media accounts) and you're entered to win. New chances to enter every day! So, go visit and enter and don't forget to tell a friend or two. Good luck!

Contest runs from August 19-23, 2024.

Review of New Release: Target Acquired by Lynette Eason

 

Tough-as-nails Kenzie King has finally earned her place as a tactical medic on a SWAT team. But not everyone on the all-male team accepts her. Rumor is, she didn't get the position because of what she could do but because of who she knew. Which means she has to work harder and longer than anyone else to prove herself.

Cole Garrison is a man with deep faith who is finally ready to settle down and build a family of his own--if he can find the right person, that is. Kenzie sure has set off his interest meter, but trouble seems to follow in her wake. Since she joined the team, someone has begun to ambush and pick off team members, one by one.

It's all hands on deck to discover the culprit and end the killing. Can Kenzie and Cole put aside their differences and work together as a team? Or will their budding attraction be snuffed out by a sniper's bullet?

As you've come to expect from bestselling author Lynette Eason's stories, this tightly wound plot unfurls at breakneck speed and will leave you breathless.

Order on Amazon

My Review

Target Acquired had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. The twists kept me engaged and I finished it in one sitting. I simply had to find out who wanted Kenzie dead. It kept me guessing with a surprise ending that wrapped everything up nicely.

The characters were well-developed and Kenzie & Cole had many layers with excess baggage from the past. Kenzie, the newest hire on the all-men Swat team, doesn't make everyone on the team happy. There is lots of action, suspense, and a budding romance, along with a well-written story that makes this the perfect read. I couldn't put it down.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Review of The Enchanting of Miss Elliot by Grace Hitchcock

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot (Aprons and Veils: Book Three)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: July 29, 2024

She thought he was her forever—he had other plans.

Of all the dares Lorna Elliot had accepted, becoming a Harvey Girl waitress was by far the dumbest—and she’d pulled some pretty foolhardy antics. Her back was sore. Her feet were swollen. And she had done it to herself in a fit of pique over a Texas Ranger who was mooning over another woman. Lorna had longed for distraction at the time, but after weeks of training, she might keel over and die in the middle of the dining room floor with a plate of apple pie in one hand and a pot of coffee in the other. But, she’s an Elliot. And Elliot’s never quit. The only thing she’d ever quit was attempting to win Ranger Reid and now that he’s the new sheriff in her hometown, it’s going to be impossible for her to move on unless she takes control of her heart—for better, or for worse.

Sheriff Reid had never wanted to settle down until he had fallen hard for a runaway mail-order bride turned Harvey Girl who chose another. When news of an outlaw’s escape lands on his desk, he eagerly rides out in pursuit all the way to Topeka and overhears the outlaw’s plans that revolve around the wealthy Elliot family and their daughter, Lorna. It’s up to Reid to see his childhood friend safe . . . despite Lorna insisting that she can protect herself without him.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

The storyline was exciting and adding the historical details about the Harvey Girls brought it to life. The settings for the story were wonderfully described and gave it a sense of magic. The story was enchanting, and yet had mystery, and danger. Just when I thought I was figuring everything out, a twist would make me wonder what would happen next.

The main characters are well developed with lots of layers that were apparent as the story got towards the middle of the book. There were some dangerous situations, but with Lorna and Reid being fast to react, it was a surprise quite often. The playful banter between the two, had me laughing. The ending wrapped everything up nicely. I highly recommend reading it.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple his­torical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, True Colors, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives on the Northshore of New Orleans, with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a cottage that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, or chasing babies, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

 

 

 

More from Grace

Q & A with Grace Hitchcock

Q: What is your favorite trope to read? Which of your books have that trope?

To name a few, I love stories about marriage of convenience, fake dating, mail-order brides, runaway brides, and enemies to lovers. In my books, I do have some of those tropes, but I adjust them to fit my story

My Harvey Girl books by tropes:

Runaway Bride: The Finding of Miss Fairfield

Mail-Order Bride: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Friends to Lovers/Fake Dating: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot

I’d love to write an enemies-to-lovers trope in the future!

Q: Have you ever been asked to spice up, or down, a kissing scene? How did you do it?

For my May release, To Catch a Coronet, the editor challenged me to make the kissing scene longer and more romantic. Haha it took me my entire writing session that day to make the short scene two paragraphs longer in order to make the kissing more swoon-worthy, while still staying true to the level of affection I have in my books. With that critique in mind, I attempted to add a bit more “swoon” in The Enchanting of Miss Elliot as well.

Q: What historical novel has most impacted you? How?

Grace: I feel like every season, there is a novel that touches me. The one that stuck the longest has to be Tracie Peterson’s Westward Chronicles (a Harvey Girl series). They are moving, unique tales that inspired me to write my own Harvey Girls series! I re-read the Westward Chronicles every few years.

Q: How does your faith integrate into your writing in practical ways? 

Grace: No matter how subtle my theme or short the verses, my stories will always point the reader to the Lord. Usually, whatever I am personally learning spiritually while writing impacts my heroine/hero in some way.

For The Enchanting of Miss Elliot, the heroine, a firm believer, is despairing that God will not give her the desires of her heart and sets out to find a new future and a re-directing of her heart. It’s a very realistic struggle, and the reader can see through the story the beauty of trusting God in our daily walk and with our biggest dreams.

Q: What’s your life like outside of writing?

Grace: Besides reading at least one to two books a week, I love to take long walks to the park with my family, exercise on my bike, plan the family’s next travel adventure, and try new baking challenges. As a wife and mama of three, I usually have some happy recipients for the new recipe.

Q: Will there be more Harvey Girl books from you?

Grace: Yes! I am currently working on Book Four in the Aprons & Veils series, The Vanishing of Miss Victoria. It will release mid-2025.

About The Vanishing of Miss Victoria:

Love got her into this mess—never loving again would get her out.

Corinna Victoria Roberts had never been lucky—not in her choice of husband, or her lot in life after the man she’d eloped with had promptly abandoned her, taking her gold and jewels with him. When her husband’s thieving, lawless relatives show up at her door announcing his death and demanding that her late father’s restaurant empire be signed over to them, her life is in danger. She flees to take a position no one expects of her—as a Harvey Girl waitress in New Mexico.

Tanner Sterling has hunted his last bounty. As the new foreman on his friend’s ranch, he wasn’t expecting to rescue a Harvey Girl from a raging river his first day. He is intrigued by the shy beauty and becomes friends with Corinna over many meals at the Harvey House. But, when a picture of her on a wanted poster with a massive bounty arrives in Tanner’s mail, everything he knows about Corinna shifts. If he doesn’t claim the bounty on her head, he knows far less honorable men who would love to ride off with the stunning Harvey Girl. Despite wanting to hang up his past along with his gun belt, Tanner will do anything to protect Corinna from the coming storm.

                    Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 16

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 16

Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 17

Karen Baney Reviews, August 17

Bizwings Book Blog, August 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18

Texas Book-aholic, August 19

Devoted To Hope, August 19

lakesidelivingsite, August 20

Hannahbandanarama, August 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 22

Betti Mace, August 23

Book Looks by Lisa, August 23

Simple Harvest Reads, August 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, August 24

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 25

Mary Hake, August 25

Connie’s History Classroom, August 26

Labor Not in Vain, August 27

Cover Lover Book Review, August 28

Holly’s Book Corner, August 28

Pause for Tales, August 29

Lights in a Dark World, August 29

                  Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving to two winners an autographed copy of The Pursuit of Miss Parish each!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2ddaa/the-enchanting-of-miss-elliot-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of New Release- Convincing Lou by Jodie Wolfe

How hard can it be to round up one delinquent groom?

Ellie Lou Williams will do just about anything to save her ranch, even going undercover as a man to round up a fella who is late to his own wedding. The reward will more than cover the money she owes the bank and solve all her problems.

Caleb Dawson agrees to one final job as a deputy U.S. Marshal before he starts his new life away from the trail and tracking criminals. What he isn' t counting on is a mysterious bounty hunter who' s determined to undermine his every step.

Will one reach their goal first? Or will they learn to lean on God and work together?

Purchase on Amazon

My Review

First off, I loved all the biblical scripture within the book, that enriched it. The struggles with God were real and relatable.

A female widow bounty hunter was unique and made the book exciting. Ellie Lou is courageous but with character flaws that make her real. She was a caring Christian woman.
Caleb Dawson has struggles and when he comes across Ellie Mae, his life becomes more complicated.

The story is heartbreaking at times, inspirational and uplifting at others, and the message of God's love working in our lives came through. HE is always with us. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Review of A Summer at The Niagara of the South by Denise Weimer

 

 

About the Book

 

Book: A Summer at The Niagara of the South

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 28, 2024

She came to the resort to heal her voice, only to discover her heart needed healing more.

Breaking under the stress of being a rising star, opera singer Grace Galveston travels to Tallulah Falls in search of reprieve. With its multiple waterfalls, spectacular gorge and mountain scenery, and lavish resorts, “The Niagara of the South,” seems the perfect place to do just that. Even amid the crowds and excitement of an aerialist’s attempt to cross the gorge, Grace hopes to find peace.

Daniel Monroe basks in that peace as minister of a local church. He’s the perfect tour guide for Grace during her visit—until his heart gets entangled with the red-haired beauty with an angel’s voice. The trip sheds light on the secret pain in Grace’s heart. And does she even share the faith that’s so vital to his ministry? Can the blessing of friendship and the possibility of love guide her toward healing, or will the call of her life back in New York mean even greater heartbreak?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored over a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

The storyline was exciting, and the vivid descriptions of New York and Tallulah made the story come to life.

Daniel and Grace have a God-sent connection. Timing was on God's time though and they both had important lessons to learn. The historical details are woven seamlessly into the story and enrich it.

There are some heartbreaking moments but then some show faith and forgiveness. It's a story that will warm your heart. The characters are real, and I connected with them right away. I loved the ending that wrapped everything up nicely. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC through Netgalley. A positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

More from Denise

A Vanished Gilded Age Resort on the Edge of a Gorge

I first discovered Tallulah Gorge in Northeast Georgia when I was a student at Toccoa Falls College, only a couple years before the area was designated a state park. It was considered a perfect place for a day out hiking, tracing whatever faint trail one could find to an overlook into the thousand-foot-deep canyon or down to the series of waterfalls below. The more daring (or crazy) would jump off the rock cliffs into the pools—without a clue that the dangerous currents feeding the rapids had whisked many an adventurer to their death.

 

As a young mom, I moved to Habersham County and learned that over twenty lavish resorts had clung to the rim of the gorge during Gilded Age and Edwardian times. In fact, Tallulah Gorge with its series of six spectacular falls had drawn people from all over the nation and been dubbed “The Niagara of the South.” To power the city of Atlanta, Georgia Power Company dammed the river and constructed a large hydroelectric facility at the site in 1912, greatly reducing the amount of water flowing through the gorge. In 1921, a fire destroyed most of the hotels and brought an end to the glamorous tourist era.

 

The idea of recreating on the page something lost to history has inspired many a story idea for me. I had set aside my quest for publication with the birth of my daughters, but Tallulah Falls called to me. I soon penned my first published novella, Redeeming Grace, set during the summer of 1886 when tightrope walker Professor Leon crossed the gorge before a crowd of around six thousand. (The stunt was repeated in 1970 by Karl Wallenda.) That little book was a tiny initial stepping stone on my journey to becoming a multi-published author and editor.

Another more recent novella of mine, A Winter at the White Queen, set at Hotel Belleview in Florida, kicked off Wild Heart Books’ Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series in January 2023. It took quite a while for it to dawn on me that after being released from its original contract, Redeeming Grace was pretty much gathering digital dust—and with a light edit and new cover and title, it could perfectly bookend the series. So we give you A Summer at the Niagara of the South, the story of a New York opera singer breaking under the stress of newfound stardom, and the Tallulah Falls minister who doesn’t dare to dream she could fit into his humble world.

                  Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 30

Book Looks by Lisa, July 31

Texas Book-aholic, August 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 5

Simple Harvest Reads, August 6 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Pause for Tales, August 7

Devote To Hope, August 7

Blossoms and Blessings, August 8

Connie’s History Classroom, August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 10

For Him and My Family, August 11

Bizwings Book Blog, August 12

Cover Lover Book Review, August 12

                    Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2d08d/a-summer-at-the-niagara-of-the-south-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans

Historical Christian Romance

Publication date: Aug.13, 2024

Description:

Mara is a young Samaritan beginning to discover her love for Samuel—and his for her. Soon she will be deemed mature enough to marry. Her hopes are dashed when her greedy father brokers a match with the cruel son of the wealthy High Priest of Shechem. When her loathsome betrothed is killed, her beloved Samuel must run for his life. Mara and Samuel struggle to survive and reunite during the treacherous and scandalous times of the Bible under the merciless rule of Rome.

Along the way, they are entangled within the snares of such notable figures as King Herod, Herodias, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, and Salome.

The heartrending tales of Mara and Samuel are interwoven with their desperate love story. Before either meets Yeshua the Nazarene face to face. Before He sets the political, religious, and spiritual landscape on fire. And before either Mara or Samuel are immortalized in the gospels.

Preorder on Amazon

My Review

Even though Mara and Samuel's story is filled with grief and heartbreak, it is an interesting and inspirational story to read. The story has characters with many layers, a plot with surprising twists, and is set in the backdrop of the ancient world of biblical times.

The descriptions of the customs of that time appeared well-researched and kept me engaged in the story from the beginning. The biblical aspects of the story came through well. The story is told from a woman's point of view which I don't always find. Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Nominated for Cover of the Month on AllAuthor.com

 

Cover of the Month

The Sweetest Gift: A Lakeview Falls Romance

Hey Everyone,
I’m excited to tell you that my book has been nominated for the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor.com. This will help me a lot if I could see some votes coming in, so please remember to vote my book.
Vote Now » Thanks,
J.E.Grace

New Release- "Someplace North, Someplace Wild" by Gary Brumbelow

 

Deception, blackmail, and an innocent man framed for a murder. Can the real killer be found in time? The trap is closing fast!

Twenty-two-year-old Cody Brandon’s journey from Texas to British Columbia has turned into a nightmare.

After he snags a mountain ranch job ... and gets smitten with a beautiful schoolteacher ... and faces down an attacking grizzly with a rock, Cody’s at the top of the world.

But bad news finds him. He’s wanted for murder, and the feds are coming.

Julie Stewart, meanwhile, striving in her first semester as teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in a neighboring mountain village, gets a shock. This cowboy is stealing her heart.

They share a love for adventure, the mountain wilderness, and a common faith, but will they have opportunity to share a future?

Order on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After serving as a missionary and then a local-church pastor, Gary Brumbelow is adding a third career as a writer. His first novel, published by Elk Lake, is set to release August 1.

Someplace North, Someplace Wild is the story of a young cowboy seeking his fortune in the mountain meadow country of British Columbia, Canada. When he's framed for murder he has two weeks to find the killer or lose his wilderness ranch dream forever.

Gary's readers embrace traditional values like the fear of God, the image of God in man, the inestimable value of a single human life, the power of marriage, the value of family, the role of the church, the blessing of public and private virtue, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, freedom, the rule of law, the rights enshrined in our constitution, the knowledge of God, reverence for the Bible, and the confession of Christ in the public square.

MY REVIEW

Someplace North, Someplace Wild has vivid descriptions that transport you to the world of ranching in a raw and wild country. Fresh out of college with a degree and determined to live his dream, Cody gets a work permit to British Columbia and leaves his Texas home, but things don't go as planned. A good deed turns into a nightmare.

The characters of Cody and Julie held my attention from the beginning and soon revealed their many layers. The impending suspense gripped my heart and had me turning the pages as I wondered what would come next.

An easy-to-read story filled with Biblical values found me rooting for Cody. The budding romance between Cody and Julie was sweet and inspirational. I loved the story and look forward to reading book 2.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.