by Maisey Yates
Gold Valley - Book 4
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: October 1, 2018
Reviewed by PJ
Grant Dodge didn’t expect to find a woman sleeping in an abandoned cabin on his family ranch. Or to find her so intriguing. Unlike every other woman in town, McKenna Tate doesn’t know Grant’s a widower. There’s no pity in the looks she gives him. McKenna wants him, and Grant has forgotten what it’s like to feel like a man. A no-strings fling for Christmas might be the kind of holiday cheer Grant needs…
With only a suitcase to her name, McKenna came to Gold Valley to confront her birth father. She didn’t plan to work at the Dodge ranch or fall for the gorgeous cowboy who keeps his heart roped off. But there’s no denying the way their broken pieces fit together. Hope brought her to Gold Valley—but will it be the gift that could finally heal Grant, and McKenna’s own wounded heart?
My Thoughts:
I knew as soon as I met grouchy, closed off, emotionally wounded Grant Dodge in an earlier book that I wanted to read his story. I also knew that the woman to bring him back to life would need to be strong, sassy, and unwilling to take his crap. McKenna Tate is all that and so much more.
I loved these two together. Life hasn't been kind to either of them though the experiences that brought them to this point in their lives were very different. Those experiences have toughened them but they have also left them vulnerable and hesitant to reach for happiness. McKenna is prickly and defensive while Grant has become an emotional hermit, finding solace in a bottle all too frequently. McKenna's inability to give up hope in the face of too many rejections endeared her to me while Grant's struggle to find an identity apart from the sympathy and pity tied to his past struck a chord of realism in light of my own life experiences. The attraction between Grant and McKenna is potent yet both resist its emotional pull initially and Grant, for much longer. Yates does an outstanding job of guiding them along their sizzling sexual and heart-tugging, emotional journey and I was with them every step of the way.
Maisey Yates has created an intriguing community of characters within her Gold Valley series of books, many of whom weave in and out of this story. The book is written in such a way that a new reader shouldn't be lost but I do think readers will have a deeper understanding of all characters, and their actions, if they have read the three previous Gold Valley books. I loved each and every one of them. The books, in order, are: Smooth-Talking Cowboy, Untamed Cowboy, Good Time Cowboy, and A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas.
Have you read any of Maisey Yates' books?
Do you have a favorite Gold Valley couple?
A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas is my first Christmas romance of the season. When do you begin reading holiday romances?
Giveaway:
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), September 25 will receive a print copy of A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas.
U.S. / Canada only
My Thoughts:
I knew as soon as I met grouchy, closed off, emotionally wounded Grant Dodge in an earlier book that I wanted to read his story. I also knew that the woman to bring him back to life would need to be strong, sassy, and unwilling to take his crap. McKenna Tate is all that and so much more.
I loved these two together. Life hasn't been kind to either of them though the experiences that brought them to this point in their lives were very different. Those experiences have toughened them but they have also left them vulnerable and hesitant to reach for happiness. McKenna is prickly and defensive while Grant has become an emotional hermit, finding solace in a bottle all too frequently. McKenna's inability to give up hope in the face of too many rejections endeared her to me while Grant's struggle to find an identity apart from the sympathy and pity tied to his past struck a chord of realism in light of my own life experiences. The attraction between Grant and McKenna is potent yet both resist its emotional pull initially and Grant, for much longer. Yates does an outstanding job of guiding them along their sizzling sexual and heart-tugging, emotional journey and I was with them every step of the way.
Maisey Yates has created an intriguing community of characters within her Gold Valley series of books, many of whom weave in and out of this story. The book is written in such a way that a new reader shouldn't be lost but I do think readers will have a deeper understanding of all characters, and their actions, if they have read the three previous Gold Valley books. I loved each and every one of them. The books, in order, are: Smooth-Talking Cowboy, Untamed Cowboy, Good Time Cowboy, and A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas.
Have you read any of Maisey Yates' books?
Do you have a favorite Gold Valley couple?
A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas is my first Christmas romance of the season. When do you begin reading holiday romances?
Giveaway:
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), September 25 will receive a print copy of A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas.
U.S. / Canada only
Purchase Links
Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble
About Maisey Yates
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit.
In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
Connect with Maisey
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Instagram tour:
Monday, September 24th: @girlandherbooks
Tuesday, September 25th: @booknerdingout
Wednesday, September 26th: @book_hangover88
Thursday, September 27th: @oddandbookish
Thursday, September 27th: @jesssiereads
Friday, September 28th: @brokenteepee
Saturday, September 29th: @radbabesread
Sunday, September 30th: @remarkablylisa
Review tour:
Monday, September 24th: The Romance Dish
Tuesday, September 25th: What is That Book About – excerpt
Wednesday, September 26th: Book Fidelity
Thursday, September 27th: Reading Reality
Thursday, September 27th: @dreaming_of_stories
Friday, September 28th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Monday, October 1st: Moonlight Rendezvous
Tuesday, October 2nd: Written Love Reviews
Wednesday, October 3rd: omg.kacie.reads and @omg.kacie.reads
Thursday, October 4th: A Holland Reads – excerpt
Monday, October 8th: Books & Spoons
Tuesday, October 9th: Into the Hall of Books
Wednesday, October 10th: Stranded in Chaos
Thursday, October 11th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – excerpt
Friday, October 12th: Crystal Blogs Books
Friday, October 12th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Monday, October 15th: From the TBR Pile
Tuesday, October 16th: Becky on Books
Wednesday, October 17th: Jathan & Heather
Thursday, October 18th: Evermore Books
Friday, October 19th: Books and Blends
I'll read holiday romances any time of the year - I tell myself I'll feel cooler if I read them when it's hot & then they get me in the mood for Christmas in the fall.
ReplyDeleteI read Christmas books all year..lol And I have read her books before and have always loved them. Thanks for the chance to win..
ReplyDeletePatricia Bennett Barber
I read them year around.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really lovely. I don't normally read this genre, but after reading Lorraine Heath's "Texas Trilogy, (although still waiting for Austin's story next month), I've totally changed my mind. I will read Christmas books at any time of the year.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tradition for me to read nothing but Christmas romances starting in mid-November and going up to New Year's.
ReplyDeleteI've read a couple of Maisey's books in the past. No particular favorite. I read Christmas stories all year long.
ReplyDeletedenise
I read Christmas romance anytime I can find one that appeals to me. Maisey Yates is a new to me author. You have made her books sound really good. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never read Maisy Yates. I normally start reading at the start of December
ReplyDeleteI have a few of Maisy's books and have enjoyed them. This one sounds like a really good one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any in her Gold Valley series. I am going to start reading Christmas books starting next month. They are already coming out.
ReplyDeleteI've reaad one or two of Maisey's books and I own a lot that are on my tbr pile. I don't have a favorite. Thanks for the review PJ.
ReplyDeleteI am away on holidays, but I brought my "author cards" with me, LOL. I have read 18 of your books since I began to blog in Dec/12 and I have no idea how many I read before that!
ReplyDeleteI read Christmas stories all year round. All romances are feel-good stories, so why not share that love all year long!
Thanks for the chance to win your latest, especially since I won't be buying any books until I return home....
I have read a few and really enjoyed them. I read Christmas books any time, but mostly start around October. Would love to win this one.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I have read any of her books. I have read reviews for them and been interested, but never gotten around to trying one. I enjoy small town stories and the West is a favorite setting for them.
ReplyDeleteI love holiday stories and have many on my Keeper Shelf. I try not to start reading them until just before Thanksgiving, but the temptation to read sooner hits earlier every year with all the good books that come out. A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas is a definite temptation. It has my favorite hero type - wounded.
I'm sorry to say I haven't read any of her books. That will change now. I enjoy holiday reads all year long.
ReplyDeleteCarol Luciano
Lucky4750 at aol dot com
I have not read any of this series. I would like to try this book. Enjoy cowboy books. I start reading holiday stories after Halloween.
ReplyDeleteNatty's Mama (Karen T.)
I have not read this author. Would love to try her.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any Maisy Yates books yet, they're still on my wish list or tbr. As far as when I start reading Christmas books goes, I really don't have a set time to start, but by Thanksgiving I've usually read one or 2.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour!
ReplyDeleteSounds very good I'm looking forward to it,
ReplyDeletePenney