Tough Enough (Anthology)

Published By: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 20 March 2013
Provided By: My Friend

The Cowboy
After their disastrous parting, Margaret Lark thought she was through with Rafe Cassidy. So when he shows up on her doorstep a year later with a shocking proposal, Margaret has no choice but to put her heart on the line again—even if it means winning back the cowboy who stole it in the first place.

The Cougar
Jim Cunningham's Arizona ranching family has been feuding with Rachel Donovan's for over a century—but forbidden fruit always tastes the sweetest to this handsome cowboy. Jim wants desperately to mend the rift between the families—and to find out if Rachel is the woman he has always wanted.

Murder at Last Chance Ranch
Teddi MacLane's no-account, soon-to-be-ex-husband has just turned up dead—in Teddi's house, just days after she threatened to kill him. Now Teddi needs the help of her high school sweetheart, Sheriff Jake Rawlins, to clear her name…and to mend her heart.

- My Review -

The Wild West, where the men and women still roam the plains looking for their partners. But something typically always messes it up and that's when it's time for them to prove their Tough Enough. As an anthology of classic romances, Tough Enough features the risks and choices that three rowdy cowboys and cowgirls take to find their love.

The Cowboy written by Jayne Ann Krentz, features a more contemporary view of the cowboy. When Margaret Lark gives up information to her boss about her boyfriend Rafe Cassidy's business deals, she gives up on a future life of love. But, when Rafe returns a year later, after relieving his flaming temper, Margaret has but one choice really: that is to stay with him. In this sweet heart wrenching book/novella, Jayne Ann Krentz weaves a winning set of characters and an interesting plot line for all cowboy turned executive lovers.

Written by Lindsay McKeena The Cougar, another almost full length book or novella, puts two enemies in a hazardous situation: should they love each other? Almost like a Romeo/Juliet situation, Jim Cunningham has loved Rachel Donovan since he was in sixth grade. The only thing that held him back then from telling her was their fathers, both enemies in the cattle industry. But when Rachel returns from England to help her sisters save the ranch, Jim has another chance, but he struggles internally. Will he give up his own namesake to tell her?

A short story, Murder at Last Chance Ranch, is a cowboy mystery that focuses around Teddi MacLane's soon to be ex-husband. Slipping in her murdered husband's blood as she walks into her house, Teddi is automatically accused of killing him by the people in her small town. And her only get out of jail card is to relying on her ex-boyfriend Sheriff Jake Rawlins.

Overall Tough Enough gives a reader three stories, placing you right into the heart of the west. And in the heart of the tough west it turns out there can be true love after all.

Check out my friends review of Tough Enough at her blog here.

- Links -

Goodreads | Jayne Ann Krentz | Lindsay McKeena | B.J. Daniels

A Bride By Christmas

Published By: Harlequin

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2008

Provided By: Friend

"Home for Christmas" by Heather Graham - It broke Travis's heart to see Isabelle go, but he was the Yankee captain who had commandeered her home and she was a daughter of the Confederacy. Yet even in the war-torn South, there was room for a Christmas miracle or two.

"The Wise Virgin" by Jo Beverley - Their families have feuded for generations. But will the love of Edmund de Grave and Joan Montelan overcome all this Christmas Eve--or will a family secret keep them apart forever? 

"Tumbleweed Christmas" by Candace Camp - "Bah humbug" rancher Daniel MacKenzie met his match in his new housekeeper, Melinda Ballard. She was determined to bring the holiday spirit into his home--and the magic of love into his heart.

- My Review -

A Bride by Christman, an anthology of three cleverly written Christmas tales includes: "Home for Christmas" by Heather Graham, "The Wise Virgin" by Jo Beverly, and "Tumbleweed Christmas" by Candace Camp. Each story within it's 100+ pages holds the magic of a romantic Christmas. The characters are charming and roguish, while sweet and caring, taking and encapsulating your heart.

In "Home for Christmas," we meet Travis, a handsome and battle tired Yankee captain, in the midst of the Civil War, and who has happened to confiscate Isabelle, a beautiful Confederate's immaculate home. With a rebelled beginning to their relationship (she tries to shoot Travis and his men), it's hard not to enjoy Isabelle's character. At points you even want to scream because of her stupidity and temper. While your rooting for Travis the whole way through, especially wanting him to survive battles such as Gettysburg. But, both characters are faced with a hard decision at the end: can they love the enemy?

Jo Beverley's story in this anthology is equally as entertaining as "Home for Christmas". A family feud,  a kidnapping, and a instant connection leaves the two character of Joan and Edmund fighting their feeling every second of their interaction. Edmund instantly takes a liking to the Joan a sharp tonged, courageous, virgin, who he takes on Christmas Eve. He himself a battle harden warrior, sees Joan for the women she really is, not the one she personifies for the courts. Together their dialogue and their necessity of solving their families' feud, leaves you cheering them on every step of the way, making for a bitter sweet ending.

The last of the anthology books is one of western origins. "Tumbleweed Christmas" follows the story of Melinda, a single mother trying to survive the newly settled west, with her son. Desperately in need of money Melinda approaches the town scrooge, Old Mr. Daniel MacKensie, to try and gain a ranch cook position. She soon finds that the towns people are wrong about him, he's not old at all, rather he's a rugged handsome cowboy. He might have some issues with kids, but soon we see MacKensie's real colors. And these real colors are brightened by Melinda's need to see him open his heart and home again.

If your looking for three heart warming Christmas stories, check out A Bride By Christmas, the book has a lot to offer within it's 377 pages, and you just can't go wrong with historical romances. Especially around Christmas time!

- Links -

Goodreads | Heather Graham | Jo Beverley | Candance Camp