The Billionaire Needs a Wife ~ Rachael Eliker

“Their past is complicated, but that won’t stop them from giving love another shot.

Luke Dorrance has worked hard to be where he’s at, but his grandfather doesn’t see it that way. He’s convinced Luke is wasting his life and wants him to hurry up and marry before the end of the year, or he’s firing Luke and cutting off his inheritance.

It’s not that Lauren’s life is awful, but things aren’t as perfect as she’d hoped. She’s floundering in a dead-end job, she hasn’t had a date in months, and as a Southern girl, she doesn’t mix well with upper Michigan winters. Applying for a new position across the country at the prompting of her friend, Lauren’s excited about the promise of a new start.

Only there’s a surprise that comes with the job—her ex is her new boss.

There’s a thorny history between Luke and Lauren, but their attraction for each other is alive and well. If they want to give love a second chance, their challenges have only begun.” ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ This is a sweet second-chance romance with a lovely dash of horses! Really enjoyed the premise of this story- Luke is a workaholic, but his father's will says he and his brothers must get married by Christmas or risk losing their inheritance AND the charity Luke has worked hard to grow and support (race horse rehab). Enter Lauren... Luke’s old flame who broke his heart. Lauren unknowingly interviews for a job at Luke’s charity and the two are forced to work together and face issues from their past. I really enjoyed the initial tension and was rooting for these two to rekindle their relationship right from the start. This clean romance is super sweet and reminded me of a Hallmark movie (which I love). I enjoyed Lauren’s sass and Luke’s persistence and especially enjoyed the scenes that involved horses... Luke’s display of excellent riding skills as well as an adorable scene where they ride double. Also, I'm a sucker for anything Christmas and loved the Christmas theme. The Christmas theme isn't over-the-top, but more so sprinkled into the story so you could read this book at any time of the year. Pick it up if you're looking for a sweet, heart-warming romance.

One of my favorite lines..

“Some of the businesses had already begun hanging their Christmas lights and a fizzle of excitement wriggled inside of her. She’d always loved the Christmas season and everything it represented. She loved the idea that during the coldest, darkest time of the year, there was a spirit of goodwill and love.”

— The Billionaire Needs a Wife, by Rachael Eliker

Reckless in Texas (Texas Rodeo, book 1) ~ Kari Lynn Dell (Adult Romance)

“Rough and tumble, cocky and charming, Bullfighter Joe Cassidy is one of the best athletes in the business... And he's way out of Violet's league. Violet Jacobs is fearless. At least, that's what the men she snatches from under the hooves of bucking horses think. Outside the ring, she's got plenty of worries rattling her bones: her young son, her mess of a love life, and lately, her family's struggling business. When she takes matters into her own hands and hires on a hotshot bullfighter, she expects to start a ruckus.

She never expected stubborn, showboating, sweet-at-the-core Joe Cassidy.

Joe came to Texas to escape a life spiraling out of control. He never planned on sticking around, and he certainly never expected to call this dry and dusty backwater home. But Violet is everything he never knew he was missing, and the deeper he's pulled into her beautiful mess of a family, the more he realizes this fierce, fiery woman may be offering him the one thing he never could find on his own.” ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ I’ve been riding since I was little, but have little to no experience in the rodeo department. However, I absolutely love watching rodeos and often wish I had dabbled in that scene—simply because it looks so dang fun! So, when I saw that Kari Lynn Dell had a romance series set in the rodeo world, I just had to snatch up the first book. The promise of hunky cowboys and a rodeo book written by a real equestrian? YES. And, I was not disappointed. Reckless in Texas was an engaging, fun ride!

I absolutely loved diving into a world I’m not familiar with. Most of the book takes place at rodeos or at the Jacob’s ranch, which is the hub for the family business. The Jacobs are rodeo contractors which means they put on rodeos in the Texas area and provide all the stock (bucking horses, bulls). Everyone in the family plays a part in the business and I got quickly attached to the main character, Violet, who is a tough, but lovable cowgirl. She’s actually a pick-up “man” which means she saves the cowboys when they fall off the bulls or broncs. I thought that was so cool because you don’t see many female pick-up men. Violet is immediately likable because she’s a fiercely tough, independent woman. She has an adorable son, Beni, who she’s completely devoted to, and she’s basically sworn off men. Enter Joe—the cocky bull fighter that’s down on his luck and comes to work for the Jacobs. Joe is a great romantic interest because he’s cocky yet sweet…runs from love, but truly wants to love and be loved. This is a hate-to-love romance which is my favorite trope! Violet and Joe start off attracted to each other, but do everything possible to push each other away. They’re both scared of love. They’ve both been immensely hurt in the past. Which was why it was so wonderful to watch these characters grow throughout this book and learn to love.

I also appreciate that this is a real romance. A single mother (who’s son’s father plays a big part in the book as well— which adds a whole extra twist) and two characters who navigate through life’s tough choices. I rooted for Violet and Joe from the start. And, I have to say I also fell in love with Violet’s family. They are sweet as pie and I couldn’t get enough.

Pick up Reckless in Texas and expect to get swept up into rodeo, ranch life, and romance! I’m looking forward to reading more of this series because all of the male side characters get their own story… love it!

Also, Dell’s writing and descriptions are beautiful…here are a few of my favorites…

“His eyes were green. The color of luck, and money, and the other side of the fence. They gleamed with the same arrogant light as his smile.”

— Reckless in Texas, Kari Lynn Dell

“It was gonna be one of those nights. Violet could feel the anticipation simmering in the hum of voices from the bleachers, see it in the quivering muscles of horses and bulls, the glint in the contestants eyes. From the soft, golden stillness of the evening air to the mouthwatering scent of hamburgers grilling at the concession stand, it was all movie-scene perfect. Magic time.”

— Reckless in Texas, Kari Lynn Dell