Bookmark & Brews

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

I can be a little picky when it comes to age gap romances. I’m not a fan of a 19 year old girl falling in love with a fifty year old man. It just doesn’t feel very believable.  Let’s be honest, instalove romances are already for us hopeless romantics to fantasize about, let’s take every kind of possible reality we can get. However, Kat does age gap very well in this book. Their age isn’t specifically called out by a number. We know Heath is a silver fox and the groom’s father. We also know Clover is the oldest sister and at least she isn’t a virgin (another pet peeve for age gaps).

I really enjoyed this book. I found myself smiling the majority of the time. There was also some really sweet emotional moments that made me tear up and of course, with all Kat Baxter stories, there was humor mixed all the way through. I laughed out loud several times at the witty banter, both spoken out loud and in the character’s own inner monologue.

 I loved the instant connection and the natural caregiver energy Heath gave off from the start. I also thought it was great to see Clover’s confidence and sense of self progress in such a natural way by the end of the book. Perfect amount of spice and banter for another great read! Looking forward to reading the other books in this Billionaire Cowboy series 😉

Favorite Quote: “I do love you. More than anything in the world. You are my very heart walking around outside of my body. It’s my job to make sure you’re happy. So what do you want?” – Heath

Brew: Nothing better than a slow morning reading in your favorite big comfy chair with the rain falling outside. Until you add a big cup of coffee with it. Enjoyed a Caribou Coffee brew with a splash of Califia Farms Organic Vanilla Almond Milk Creamer.

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

This is the third of four standalone books released for the holiday season. Each book is by a different author, but their characters and the setting connect which is fun. I’ve enjoyed series like this before and it’s interesting to see the different styles of each author take on their part in the story.

We’re back at Naughty List Ranch and finally getting to Grady and Angel’s story. We’ve met both of these characters in the first two books and knew something was brewing when Callie sat down with Angel to spill her tea and get some of her own.

Grady is another one of Mary and Christopher’s boys that they took care of on the ranch. He seems more quiet and reserved than Dallas and Nate, but the gruff protectiveness he feels for Angel is strong. I loved his insistence to help her when she got hurt and take care of her.

Angel also had a tough childhood in foster care, so the bond her and Grady have at feeling unwanted and running before being left, had me thinking at least one of them would be running from this budding relationship. I liked how Angel could trust Grady almost immediately and allow him to take care of her. The fact that he is a beautiful, rugged cowboy might have helped too 😊

Both Grady and Angel stop running and embrace this home they’ve found in Silver Bell Hollow and the people who love them. I liked how Angel inherited the coffee shop, but made it her own and better. Grady giving back to Mary and Christopher by staying to help mentor other troubled teens like him feels like he could be the next generation following in their footsteps. A full circle moment.

I think this may have been the first book I’ve read by these co-authors. I enjoyed the story, and while this is definitely an instalove and shorter book, the chapters were a little long for my personal preference. Overall, I felt this story kept with the theme of the Naughty List Ranch series and fit in great.

Favorite Quote: “I need you to understand. If I kiss you…it won’t be once. It won’t be casual. I won’t forget about it in the morning. If I kiss you, Angel, it’ll be the first of a thousand.” – Grady (holy swoon batman!)

Purchase Her Grumpy Cowboy HERE

BREW: Still enjoying my holiday mugs this month! Mixed my Caribou coffee with a splash of Trader Joe’s brown sugar oat creamer. Such a warm and smooth flavor that gives all the extra cozy feels!

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

This is the second of four standalone books released for the holiday season. Each book is by a different author, but their characters and the setting connect which is fun. I’ve enjoyed series like this before and it’s interesting to see the different styles of each author take on their part in the story.

Mia Brody is one of my favorite authors and she’s done it again. I found myself laughing and tearing up at multiple points during this story. Mia also intertwined some of the characters in her other books with this story when our leading man Nate is at home in Courage County, North Carolina. Lots of alpha cowboys who seem to fall first most of the time and totally make you swoon.

Nate is another former foster child that found family at the Naughty List Ranch. I thought Mary and Christopher were super sweet in the first book as we learned about them adopting these boys as troubled teens and how they showed them love and family for the first time. This story expands on that and also shows us just how loving and welcoming they are to everyone and also shows us how in love they still are together.

Nate decided Callie and her son Danny were his from the moment he saw them and he didn’t make them doubt it once. I loved his fierce protectiveness over them immediately, calling Callie his wife and Danny his son before they even got together. He made her life easier in any way he could showing his commitment. His moments with Danny, who has down syndrome and needs extra care, just made my heart melt into a big puddle.

Callie is the best example of a mother who will do anything for her child and advocate and love him unconditionally. She is so strong and independent, but I was happy she accepted the help of the Maas family and knew she could trust Nate so easily.

This was such a great instalove story for the holiday season. I’m really enjoying the Naughty List Ranch series and the sweet men that learned to love there.

Favorite Quote: “It’s not dirty talk. It’s a filthy guarantee.” – Nate

Purchase Her Cowboy Santa HERE

BREW: Enjoying all my Christmas mugs this time of year! One of my favorite coffee flavors of the season is Peppermint, so a yummy peppermint mocha creamer is easily a go to for me.

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall, this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

This book is best when read in order with the series, however, it can definitely be read as a standalone book.

I was really looking forward to this book. Not only from the teaser at the end of November’s Bad Boy Kacen, but also because this was the last book in this series and I had high hopes. Unfortunately, I was a bit underwhelmed and disappointed. This is the first time out of all the Mustang Mountain series I’ve read that I was left wanting and felt the story lacking.

We found out in the last book that Kingston has been the mysterious billionaire benefactor helping to rebuild the town. He stayed hidden because he didn’t want the credit for helping and also didn’t feel like he deserved the praise due to his past. I felt like Kingston was genuine and very humble trying to make up for the way he left town and Scarlett.

Even though Scarlett has been angry with Kingston for the fourteen years he’s been gone, she still hasn’t gotten over him. She storms up to his cabin when she finds out he’s back and what all he’s done for the town to confront him. They get snowed in together and I geared up for some spicy reunion or even some good ‘ol hate sex, but for the first time in this series, it was basically a closed door love scene. All of the other books had at least one spicy scene and definitely contained some dirty talk. This had neither. While they were emotional, the flow just didn’t match the rest of the series.

I was further disappointed in Scarlett’s character. She started out fiery and upset he didn’t give her the chance to choose in the past and promised him she wasn’t going anywhere now. Then as soon as she leaves his cabin, she doesn’t stand up for him when the town starts to gossip and worries about how being associated with him could negatively impact her. She pulls away doing the opposite of what she promised him she would do.

There were also some things left unanswered, like what exactly happened to him in prison and the letter that is referenced about 100 times isn’t shared until you download and read the bonus epilogue. We get our HEA, and I liked how all the previous bad boys and their partners showed up to support Kingston in the end. I would still recommend reading the book to close out the series.

Favorite Quote: Didn’t have one this time, which is also a first for me. There was no passionate moment or big declaration that usually melts me.

You can purchase Kingtson’s book HERE

BREW: Does everyone have specific Christmas mugs they pull out and drink exclusively out of this time of year or just me? Sharing one of mine below with a yummy peppermint mocha (and special appearance of my cat Ollie)! Love a theme 😊

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall, this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

This is the first of four standalone books released for the holiday season. Each book is by a different author, but their characters and the setting connect which is fun. I’ve enjoyed series like this before and it’s interesting to see the different styles of each author take on their part in the story.

I liked that Zoey connected some of her characters from other books into this story as well. Marshall and Jonas from her Lucky River Cowboys series make an appearance and it’s hilarious. I’m a sucker for a good cross over.

Our Candy Cane Cowboy is Dallas. He is immediately smitten with Ginger and ready to drop to one knee. I loved his protective instincts and fun, naughty nature. He’s got the humor of a 15 year old boy wrapped in a grown man’s package. However, when it comes to Ginger, he is 100% a man committed to making her fall in love with him and he isn’t taking no for an answer.

Ginger is the epitome of an independent woman. I love a badass heroine who can roll her sleeves up and do dirty work. When she steps in to fix and repair a water leak so she can get on with her actual job of party planning, I thought, this is a strong woman!

Both Ginger and Dallas have had a rough past. Dallas masks his with humor while Ginger deals with hers by putting up walls with locks and deadbolts. I liked that Dallas gave her space and patience to open up to him. Ginger’s heart immediately thawed learning about Dallas’s childhood and what he had been through. When they gave into the chemistry and feelings, it was super hot!

I’m really looking forward to the remaining 3 books in this series to see how the other guys fit into this Naughty List Ranch!

Favorite Quote: Ginger: “I’m the last woman you’ll ever get with.” Dallas: “That’s exactly the way I want it. Just you, darlin, with no end of us in sight. All night long. Forever.”

Purchase Her Candy Cane Cowboy HERE

BREW: I think everyone has their go to morning coffee routine at home. Sometimes you want to try something new and fun, but on a standard morning, it’s nice to have a regular that you don’t have to think about. For me, that’s my Caribou Coffee and a splash of Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Vanilla Almond Milk Creamer (what a mouthful!). It’s great to have my coffee surrounded by Christmas lights to start a Monday 😊

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

This book is best when read in order with the series, however, it can definitely be read as a standalone book.

This story features our newest bad boy in the series, Kacen. He’s just returned back to his hometown to help out his brother and try to make up for being a jerk to Natalie when he was a teenager. Kacen has some big trust issues, but it seemed like he had grown a lot since he had been gone. I was a little disappointed to begin with because I didn’t think Natalie was going to make him work hard enough to earn her back, but she ended up having a sassy/sarcastic side that I appreciated.

I was impressed that Kacen didn’t try to give a bunch of excuses or grand gestures and just kept showing up when Natalie needed help to prove he was there and trying to redeem himself.

It’s set in November, so of course Mustang Mountain had their annual Friendsgiving celebration that we see in some of the other Mustang Mountain series by Kaci Rose and Eve London. I like when there is continued traditions throughout different series when they are featured in the same town with the same recurring characters.

We also finally find out who the mysterious benefactor is that has been investing in the town throughout several of the previous books. This could be considered a spoiler if you haven’t read from the beginning, but it doesn’t take away from the earlier stories in my opinion to find out who it is now.

I really liked the relationship between Kacen and Natalie. I mean sure, you know there will be a happy ending, but there were several aspects of their relationship that felt very real and genuine. They had some obstacles and misunderstandings to work through. It wasn’t like some instalove stories where once they’re together everything is perfect. It was perfectly imperfect.

The next and final book in this series comes out next month and features Kacen’s brother Kingston and I’m pretty excited for that story after reading the excerpt teaser in the epilogue. I’ll be sharing that mid December once released! Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Favorite Quote: “Kingston always said a real man knows how to say three things: ‘I was wrong,’ ‘I’m sorry,’ and ‘how can I help.’  Took me longer than it should have to get good at any of them.” – Kacen

Purchase Kacen and Natalie’s story HERE

BREW: There are too many benefits of green tea to list them all here. I’ve been trying to have at least 1 cup a day and one of my favorite brands is a staple pretty much everywhere, Bigelow. I prefer the green tea with mint and then I add a little honey to sweeten. Perfect as the weather turns colder!

Mountain Men of Mustang Mountain Series

Disclaimer: I try not to give away too many spoilers or specifics, but overall this is a summary of the book and what I liked most about it. Some details are included.

This book is best when read in order with the series, however, it can definitely be read as a standalone book.

Nate is named as the bachelor of the month for November and he was just as reluctant as his other MC brothers when it was announced. This is the eleventh book in this series and was a great continuation of small town charm mixed with a little danger. The book picks back up on some of the recent break ins experienced in the previous stories and we get a few more clues as to what is going on.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and could really picture the snowy woods that Nate and Ainsley are hiking through when they come across caribou. It was the perfect imagery for a November read setting up for Christmas in just a few short weeks.

Speaking of Nate, he is the epitome of a big mountain man who is also part of the Mustang Mountain Riders MC. He spends his days outdoors as a wildlife conservation officer keeping the mountain and it’s wildlife safe. His only regret is pushing the love of his life away after college so she could pursue her dreams in London. But was that really her dream?

Ainsley is a smart, beautiful, curvy woman who has not been able to get her first and only love our of her mind in all the years she’s been gone. She decides to take a detour while visiting home to check in on Nate from afar, but small towns don’t let anyone go unnoticed, and neither does fate.

The chemistry and familiarity between Nate and Ainsley was immediate and felt combustible. Even knowing these instalove stories come with a guaranteed HEA, I was surprised how they came together in the end. Love a man who knows his woman and fights to keep her 😊

I recommend starting with the beginning of this series to get the full history of the action happening in Mustang Mountain that keeps building throughout each book.

Favorite Quote: “No, that’s not how this is going to work. I meant it when I said I go where you go. If I have to sit around a hotel room all day long just so I can hold you at night, that’s where I want to be.” – Nate

You can purchase November is for Nate HERE

BREW: After a long week, one of my favorite ways to spend a Friday night is with a big glass (or bottle) of a good wine and a new holiday rom com on Netflix. One of my very favorites is a Pinot Noir from Meiomi. It is one of the smoothest wines I’ve had and one I keep going back to. Bonus that it is also very affordable and available everywhere!