Earning the Veteran’s Trust + Giveaway

A second chance at love could be what she needs to finally heal.

After leaving the navy, Mallory Stone plans to buy her best friend’s fruit farm, a safe place to raise her son and adopt senior dogs like her dear Rosie. Until her ex-husband, Jonah Hayes, drops a he wants the same farm…and they’re still legally married. A trial partnership running the farm means the former marine can get to know the son he just met—and prove to Mallory he’s changed. As old feelings resurface, can Mallory open her heart for a chance at the future she’s always wanted?

My Review:

An incredible love story full of all kinds of second chances. Not only in the romance, but for the farm, the dogs and embracing new life after the chaos and trauma of military service. Such an impactful story on so many levels.

Yes, ‘Earning the Veteran’s Trust’ features one of my least favourite tropes – secret baby – but Jordan handles it well, making me sympathetic for both Mallory and Jonah and I appreciate the way they handle the situation going forward. And I do enjoy a redemptive love story!

Jonah is very much like the prodigal son. He approaches his fractured marriage with an air of humility and repentance which immediately softened my heart. Not so Mallory. She is so prickly at the beginning that I wanted to shake some sense into her a time or two, but really she has her reasons. Loved watching the way their relationship slowly rekindled as she embraced the power of forgiveness and learned to trust all over again.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition, narrated by Alyx Morgan. She brings life to the story with a variety of voices that match each character and made my listening experience a delight.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Rescuing Her Ranch + Giveaway

A fight for her future…might not be the one she things.

Returning home after losing her job, Macey Stone agrees to care for the daughter of old friend Cole Crawford. Then she discovers that Cole’s uncle’s company wants to bulldoze her family’s land. Seeing the devoted dad with his child soon has her falling for the enemy. But can she choose between saving Stone River Ranch…and helping the man who’s stolen her heart?

A Stone River Ranch Novel

My Review:

Phew! This one gave me all the feels. Totally immersed from the very first paragraph. And the way Jordan writes makes everything come alive: these characters, the town and the myriad of emotions that mess with an unsuspecting reader’s equilibrium.

A kind of second chance romance (Macey and Cole were friends in high school…until they weren’t!) I could feel the energy crackling all around them and feel the hurt and regret and I so wanted them to make things right and just when they have a chance…bam…it’s emotional sucker punch time! Oy, my heart feels pummelled. And there’s one nefarious character that had me steaming mad! Luckily Cole’s sweet little daughter soothed my ire some.

This looks to be the first in a new series centered around the Stone clan and the author has done a magnificent job of introducing us to Macey’s siblings as she sets the stage for future books. I’m really exciting about this series. Can’t wait for the next one to release!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like an chance to win a copy of Rescuing Her Ranch, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 11 2023. Offer open to International Readers.