Friday, December 3, 2021

Tour Review - - Christmas at Colt's Creek



Christmas at Colt's Creek
by Delores Fossen
Last Ride, Texas - Book 2
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Reviewed by PJ
 


Janessa Parkman spent one long-ago summer in Last Ride, Texas, trying to bond with her estranged father, Abe. Turns out that was plenty of time to fall hard—and crash badly—for Brody Harrell, who managed Abe’s ranch. Everyone believed Brody would inherit Colts Creek one day, but now, fifteen years on, Abe’s will reveals the shocking truth—Janessa gets everything, and she must agree to stay in town for three months…through Christmas.


Brody’s attraction to Janessa burns hotter than ever. Though he refuses Janessa’s offer to give him the ranch, refusing her is impossible. Misunderstanding drove them apart once before, and secrets and betrayals run through both families. But what starts as a temporary Christmas fling might turn into a love strong enough to last every holiday season yet to come.

PJ's Thoughts:

Delores Fossen is a master craftsman of complex characters, families, and stories, a skill that is on full display in this book. I was hooked from the first few pages and that involvement never let up. Fossen sprinkles the story with family secrets, high financial stakes, betrayals, a mystery, suspense, emotional depth, and just the right touch of humor. Her character development is spot on with an ensemble of main characters who are interesting, relatable, and, again, complex. Some are easy to root for. Others are more flawed.

I loved the sizzling chemistry between Brody and Janessa but also the tender emotions. They start out a bit rocky but that soon changes once the truth of what really happened when they were teens is revealed. I appreciated their open communication and support of one another and was fully on board with their evolving relationship. While they are the main focus of this story, I enjoyed how Fossen also used their interactions with other characters to advance the story, evolve their character growth, add humor, and deepen the emotional impact. This is a romance - I knew there was going to be a happy ending - but the journey to that destination was filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations that kept me eagerly flipping pages the entire way. 

While this is the second book in Fossen's Last Ride, Texas series, it stands completely on its own with the hero and heroine from book one, Spring at Saddle Run, making only a brief appearance. If you enjoy spicy romance, emotional depth, complex characters, humor, and happily ever after, with a western flair, give this book a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am already looking forward to book three, Summer at Stallion Ridge, due to be released March 29, 2022. 

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Have you read Delores Fossen yet?

Do you enjoy western romance?

What's your favorite small-town romance setting?


Buy Links: 

BookShop.org

Harlequin 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Powell’s 


Social Links:

Author Website

Facebook: @AuthorDeloresFossen

Twitter: @dfossen

Instagram: @deloresfossen

Goodreads




USA Today
bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 70 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She's received the Booksellers' Best Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. In addition, she's had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines.




5 comments:

  1. I have read Ms. Fossen and have a few of her books on my shelf. I love contemp western romance and Virgin River small town series by Robyn Carr. Love small town romance as a whole.

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  2. Another new to me author. I like Western novels. I live in Texas, so of course....

    Thanks for the review and the introduction to this author.

    Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

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  3. I've read several of Ms. Fosen. I love a good western romance. Small town series that I love is Fools Gold by Susan Mallery.

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  4. This sounds wonderful. I don't think I've read her books, but I do enjoy western romance.

    ReplyDelete