Review - - Twins for the Rancher

Twins for the Rancher
By Trish Milburn
Publisher: Harlequin Western Romance
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

TV chef and baker, Lauren Shayne has come to Blue Falls, Texas to start a new business, not a new relationship. Lauren has little trust left for the male half of the population after her louse of an ex-fiancé tried to steal half of her business, ruin her reputation, and publicly disavowed paternity of their twin daughters. The only male she needs in her life is her grandfather, Papa Ed, the man behind the idea to open a restaurant in Blue Falls where Lauren will feature Papa Ed's award-winning barbeque recipes, and who has come along to help take care of the babies while Lauren whips the building she's purchased into restaurant shape. But then along comes Adam Hartley. He stops by to pitch his family ranch's branded beef for that delicious barbeque and stays to help. Multiple times. The more Lauren is around him the more she likes him. Everyone says he's a good man. Her grandfather likes him. Her babies adore him. His family seems welcoming and genuine. But Lauren still has those trust issues.

Adam Hartley has a good life and a good family. One of five adopted children, he's known nothing but love and support from the Hartleys. Now he's searching for the right way to give back to the family ranch - as his siblings are doing - to ensure it's stability and prosperity for future generations. The Rocking Horse Ranch Collection - including branded beef - is his idea. If he can secure Lauren's business for his family ranch it will go a long way toward the establishment of that dream. He never anticipated that he would want to "secure" the woman herself. He's smitten from the get-go but, once he learns her background, he knows he has to take it slow if he's going to earn her trust. Will she be able to overcome her fears enough to trust him with her business? With her heart? If she's only willing to choose one, which will it be? Adam knows what he would choose but what about Lauren?

Trish Milburn returns to Blue Falls, Texas for another heartwarming story in this long-running series. I've read, and enjoyed, each one of these books and always look forward to another visit when a new book is released. Milburn really captures the essence of this part of the Texas Hill Country and the essence of the community represented in her fictional town of Blue Falls. While characters from previous books are featured in this one, it doesn't lessen the appeal for readers who haven't read those stories. If you're a fan of the series, it will feel like a visit with old friends but if you're new to Blue Falls, Milburn writes in such a way that you'll feel like you're meeting these characters for the first time, not an outsider looking in on a reunion of people you don't know.

The sizzle factor is low (but not non-existent) in this one and toward the end of the book. The sexual tension, however, builds throughout, making it realistic and heightening the anticipation. Adam and Lauren are both likable characters, deserving of a happy ending. I enjoyed their banter, their close relationships with their respective families, and the way Adam immediately embraces Lauren and the twins as a unit. His scenes with the twins melted me into a puddle or, as Lauren puts it, "her ovaries struck up a lively tune and started tap dancing."

The secondary characters in this book aren't just window dressing. They help to move the plot along while not distracting from the main couple. There is, however, a surprise secondary storyline that should delight fans of the series. I really hope we'll find out more about that down the line along with a story for Adam's sister. I'm also intrigued with Lauren's sister, Violet. Maybe we'll see more of her as well?

If you're looking for a fun, heartwarming romance from the heart of Texas that makes you laugh, sigh, and maybe causes your ovaries to do a little two-step, do give this one a try.

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Saturday Special: One person who leaves a comment on this post before 11:00 PM (Eastern), March 12, will receive a print copy of Twins for the Rancher (U.S. only)

Do you enjoy cooking or baking? What's your signature dish?

If you opened a restaurant, what kind would it be?

Who is the last fictional hero (books/TV/movies) who made your ovaries strike up a lively tune?

Today's Special - - Trish Milburn

It's my pleasure to welcome Trish Milburn back to The Romance Dish today. Those of you who have been with us from the beginning know the important part Trish played here, both in helping us get the blog off the ground and as a monthly contributor. 

Trish is a Kentucky native who spent many years living in Tennessee before recently relocating to Florida. She's been a reader and writer since childhood, working as a magazine editor/writer before leaving to write romance full-time. She was a Golden Heart finalist eight times -winning twice - before selling her first book in 2007. She's since published books in a variety of sub-genre, including young adult, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women's fiction. When she isn't busy writing, Trish is a self-described "National Park junkie," amateur nature photographer and enjoys cosplay and attending fan conventions such as DragonCon in Atlanta.

Welcome back, Trish! It’s such a pleasure to host you today. We’ve missed you around here. Harlequin recently released the 12^th book in your Blue Falls, Texas series: Her Texas Rodeo Cowboy. Please tell our readers what they should expect from this story.

Thanks for having me here today, PJ! It’s great to be back.

While Her Texas Rodeo Cowboy is officially the 12^th book in my Blue Falls, Texas series, it’s actually the 16^th story set in Blue Falls. The Teagues of Texas trilogy that pre-dated the Blue Falls books are actually set in Blue Falls, too. And there is a Christmas e-novella titled A Cowboy in Her Stocking. As for Her Texas Rodeo Cowboy, it’s the third book about the five adopted Hartley siblings. This one is about the oldest sister, Sloane.

Sloane Hartley is deeply rooted to her family’s ranch in Blue Falls, Texas. So she isn’t about to risk falling for a tempting tumbleweed like Jason Till. To Sloane, Jason is a handsome heartbreak waiting to happen. Like all rodeo cowboys. If she ever let herself love again, she certainly wouldn’t pick someone like him!

Jason only has eyes for one prize—the steer-wrestling

championship. And he can’t afford any distractions. Certainly not a blonde beauty with trust issues like Sloane. She represents everything a cowboy on the circuit can’t have anyway—home, family, a real relationship. Everything he thought he didn’t need. But when he’s with Sloane, Jason can’t remember why winning at the rodeo seemed so important.

When you conceived this series, did you have any idea it would still be going strong? How many more books do you have planned for Blue Falls?

I had no idea, but I’m really happy that readers seem to enjoy them

and Harlequin continued to publish them. With Harlequin, there will be two more books set in Blue Falls. One will be out in March, but I don’t have a date of release on the last one. As you know, the Harlequin Western Romance line is ending next June, and my final Hartley sibling book was slated to come out in August. Harlequin is currently working to give all of us that have contracted books a way to get out those books to readers. All that said, my plan is to continue publishing Blue Falls books myself. I have lots of ideas for other stories, and I’m working on a series bible that has revealed as I’m going back and re-reading the books just how many secondary characters I’ve forgotten about and who could have their own story. One fan favorite is Greg Bozeman, the local mechanic, so I have to find the right lady for him. J

You’ve done a wonderful job of creating a sense of place in these stories. What is it about this area of Texas that calls to you? Have you ever lived there?

Thanks! I’ve not lived there, but I’ve been to the Hill Country several times, first with a friend who was at UT-Austin for grad school a number of years ago, and more recently with fellow author and dear friend MJ Fredrick, who lives in Texas. The Hill Country has a rich history and it doesn’t look like so much of flat, flat, flat Texas. It has a rugged beauty to it. It’s an interesting mixture of ranches, vineyards, tourist destinations, mom-and-pop businesses, German heritage, etc.

I fell hard for Jason. I was drawn especially to his patience with both Sloane and the foster children who attended her camp. Who’s the last hero (not written by you) that you fell for? What made him special?

I really liked Levi Cooper in The Best Man by Kristan Higgins. While externally he could be grouchy, there were very believable reasons for why he became the man he is. And it was really fun to see the real Levi emerge and the unexpected romance between him and Faith develop. I want to be Kristan Higgins when I grow up. J

You recently moved from Tennessee to the Florida coast. Will we see any beachy romances in your future? I really enjoyed your Starfish Shores novellas.

I do plan to write some more stories set in Starfish Shores, especially since beach research will be super easy now since I live about two miles from the beach. I think they will be a nice break from my cowboy stories. But don’t worry, I don’t plan to abandon the cowboys.

With Harlequin closing their Western Romance category line, where should readers look for future Blue Falls, Texas books?  

As I mentioned above, I’ll have two more Blue Falls books after this month’s release with Harlequin. After that, I plan to continue the series on my own as well as a spin-off series. I’ve got lots of ideas percolating, so stay tuned. If readers would like to keep up on the latest book release info, I do a periodic newsletter I’d love to share with more readers. You can sign up here: http://www.trishmilburn.com/about-trish/newsletter-sign-up/

What’s next?

                                          

Twins for the Rancher will be out in March of next year. I also hope to be able to share some good news soon, but nothing is finalized yet.

Where can readers find you online?

www.trishmilburn.com

@TrishMilburn on Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/trishmilburnauthor

https://www.pinterest.com/trishmilburn2/

Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks again for having me on the blog today. It’s always great fun hanging out with you, and it was so wonderful to see you at RWA this summer.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Trish! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

The Blue Falls spin-off series I’m planning is in a little town that is known for its antique/junker stores. I’d like some fun names for these stores. Any ideas? 

I’ll give away a signed paperback copy of one of my backlist Blue Falls, Texas titles to two different commenters. (U.S. only)