Tuesday, February 16, 2016

review || TEXAS ON MY MIND { blog tour } by Delores Fossen


25897477
HQN Books | February 23, 2016 | Contemporary Western Romance
The McCord Brothers, book 1
★★★★1/2

SOURCE: TLC BOOK TOURS

The McCord Brothers are the most eligible bachelors in Spring Hill, Texas. But these cowboys are about to get wrangled by the love of some very special women—the kind who can melt hearts and lay it all on the line. 

Air force Captain Riley McCord has come home on medical leave to find one heck of a welcome reception. Every unattached woman in Spring Hill, Texas, wants to nurse him back to health. That includes his childhood friend Claire Davidson—the only person who understands how damaged he really feels. In high school, she chose his best friend over him. According to Riley's rules, that should make her off-limits forever. But when Claire suggests a no-strings fling, he can't refuse. 

Claire always wanted Riley—but she also craved the safety and stability he couldn't offer. So she chose another path, only to end up crazier about him than ever. She's even convinced herself that this time she won't be devastated when he leaves. Yet once Riley realizes the depth of Claire's feelings—and his own—he'll have to make the ultimate choice: return to the job he loves or stay home for the woman who's always lived in his heart.

{ about delores fossen } .

USA Today best-selling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 75 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She's received the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. Her books have been featured in Woman's Day magazine and Vogue. In addition, she's had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines.

{ review } .

Delores Fossen is one of those names in romance writing that you just know. You may not have read her work, but her name is a recognizable one.

...at least it is for me. If I've read anything of hers, I don't necessarily remember (I have a lot of those itty-bitty Harlequin books...), but I have a feeling this series is one that will stick with me. This particular story was right up my alley, and then add the fact that this is a series based around a family? Sign me up for the rest.

Riley and Claire were best friends growing up. Claire's family life wasn't exactly stellar, and Riley was more than willing to share his family with her. When it came down to her choosing him or their friend, Daniel, Riley wasn't necessarily surprised she chose Daniel. Daniel was the safe bet, after all, while he himself had grandeur plans that included leaving their small town behind. Riley chose the military life, and with it, Ms. Fossen wrote a very strong case for this special ops warrior. He won't let an injury keep him down and home, but it will be a battle to get through the nightmares.

What I loved most about these characters was that regardless of the years that had passed, their friendship seemed to still be in tact. While they hadn't spoken in the years he was gone, they were able to pick right up in the comfortability. Riley has questions and makes assumptions about Claire's life, but regardless, he tries to not let things get in the way of their friendship, as he did once before. When Claire offers the sex pact, it isn't something he takes lightly because above all else, it's Claire's friendship that has been steady through everything.

Claire was in love with Riley all those years ago and if she were honest with herself, she still was. I very much enjoyed watching as she struggled with the realization that she still wanted this man, broken as he was currently, even though she knew he was still leaving.

This was a lovely story about overcoming grief and the past, and learning just what matters in life. Sometimes it takes a toddler, sometimes your adult brother, and sometimes it's a simply check-box, but with a little bit of help, the answer is always right in front of you.

{ giveaway } .

1 comment:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed this book! Thanks for being a part of the tour.

    ReplyDelete