HER LONE COWBOY - Donna Alward

Title: HER LONE COWBOY

Author: DONNA ALWARD

Line: Harlequin Romance
Release month March ‘10

The S-Factor: Sensitive and Sensual

Back-Blurb:

“Grouchy Noah was a challenge, but a Noah who started to trust Lily was far more difficult to handle…”

Noah Laramie has come back home to run Lazy L Ranch. Injured and now out of the army, he wants to shut himself off from the world.

Lily Germaine is just there to help him, but loner Noah is the most stubborn-as-a-mule man she’s ever met. Losing an arm doesn’t mean he has to lose sight of who he is. His courage, strength and loyalty make him one in a million. She just needs to convince him of that…

The Laramie brothers are coming home to Lazy L Ranch…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Her Lone Cowboy is book 2 in the Cowboys and Confetti miniseries by this author. It is a powerful story, written about the love and loneliness of someone so courageous he was willing to give his life for his country – then he met Lily.

Noah has lost his right arm in a skirmish in the war. He’s lost his arm, but he saved his men. Does that make him feel any better? No. He still feels it was his fault that they were there in the first place. So here he is, trying to re-learn how to do everything with his left hand, and not succeeding very well. He’s grouchy, he’s frustrated. . . and then the doorbell rings. You just know something’s going to happen. What a hook! We’re only on page two, and I am NOT putting this book down!

Lily is used to belligerence and surliness -- after all, she teaches home-economics at the local high school. Does she let him get away with snarling at her? Does she meekly do as he wants her to do? Not Lily! She stands right up, looks him in the eye and gives as good as she gets. She does not let him get away with anything just because he’s missing part of one arm. She makes him take a good long look at himself, and answer some hard questions.

Once Noah realizes he can trust Lily, he won’t let anyone else help him with anything. She has to go with him when he gets fitted for the tuxedo he has to wear for his brother’s wedding. So how does Lily handle measuring his inseam? How do they work it out for him to hold her while they dance? What decision does he make, in the end, regarding his career?

Lily is so afraid, because of the things in her background, yet, in the end, she digs deep into her soul for the courage to say “yes” to Noah. Noah learns that he is still a very valuable person, in his own eyes, in the eyes of his family, his friends, and his country.

Donna Alward treats the very sensitive topic of amputation with finesse and delicacy. She presents the emotions in this book with such strength as to almost bring you to your knees. Once again she has gifted us with a book impossible to set down. This Larch Valley series has magically taken us to a most beautiful part of our country, with believable characters, passion, and drama, and I truly hope that Donna will honor us with another title from here very soon.

Hero Hotness Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Humor Factor: ♥♥
Weepy Factor: ♥♥

Reviewed by Donna B

ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY - Donna Alward

Title: ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY

Author: DONNA ALWARD

Line: Harlequin Romance

Release month: January, 2010

The S-Factor: Sensual and Satisfying

Back-Blurb:

“Care to take those boots for a spin, Miss O’Keefe?”

Jen O’Keefe will agree to just one dance with coolheaded cowboy Drew Laramie. But only for old times’ sake. She can’t risk losing her heart to him again.

Drew left Larch Valley, promising Jen he’d return. When he didn’t, she moved on… Now the childhood sweetheart Jen had stopped waiting for is back!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Jen has just finished signing her life away for a bank loan – or that’s what it feels like – when who does she bump into? Literally. Someone it took her many, many years to get over. But he says he’s home to stay. He wants to bring the ranch he inherited from his dad to life again, and he needs help. Her help.

Jen needs to spend time working on her bakery expansion. She doesn’t have time to chase around doing all the things that Drew needs her to do. So why does she constantly find herself doing these things, and neglecting her own? How many times does she need to get caught kissing him in public before she learns it’s best not to kiss him at all?

How does she feel when she – finally – discovers the real reason why Drew left and never came back until after his dad was dead? What has to happen before she forgives him for deserting her? How do Lucy and Brody fit into this picture?

Another book I read written by Donna Alward was “The Rancher’s Runaway Princess”, featuring Lucy and Brody. I loved it! So when I was asked to review this book, I was not about to say no. It did not disappoint. The characters in Donna’s books are real. They act the way real people act, they speak like real people, they are so real you can almost feel them breathing. Her love scenes are so real you get hot flushes, yet they are very tastefully done. Her descriptions are so vibrant you can almost see the scenery around you. She has a superb command of the English language.

This book is the first in a duet of books called Cowboys & Confetti. The second one, “Her Lone Cowboy” will be out in March. I can hardly wait. The way Donna writes is so realistic and refreshing that to read her books brings pure joy.

Hero Hotness Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Humor Factor: ♥♥♥
Weepy Factor: ♥♥

Reviewed by Donna B

MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE - Patricia Thayer and Donna Alward

Title: MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE

Authors: PATRICIA THAYER, DONNA ALWARD

Line: Harlequin Romance

Release Month: November

The S-Factor: Sincere and Sensual

Back-Blurb:

Winter wishes for two sisters at Rocking H Ranch. . .

SNOWBOUND COWBOY by Patricia Thayer

Lone wolf Boone Gifford has spent years standing on the outside. Now he’s looking at Christmas—through the window of beautiful Amelia’s home. The snow falls hard—the stranded family needs help. It’s time for the cowboy to step inside.

A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH by Donna Alward

Kelley is rancher, housekeeper, doting sister to Amelia, granddaughter and aunt—and the stress of preparing the perfect Christmas at Rocking H ranch is getting to her. But distraction soon arrives in the form of delectable chef Mack Dennison. . .

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

This book consists of two novellas in one cover. The stories are intertwined to the point that it almost seemed like one continuous story. Patricia and Donna are very well matched when it comes to writing together. Because the stories are only one hundred pages long each, I found the conclusion came way too fast, but I loved the stories.

Snowbound Cowboy

Amelia Hughes feels like she can’t do anything right. And now she’s gotten her and her son stuck on the side of the road in a Montana blizzard. But then, along comes Boone Gifford. Is he the man the sheriff sent to save her? Is he the man her sister hired to help her out for these few days? Just who is he?

Why has Boone been looking for her? Why does he feel so guilty? Can they really work things out together and become a family?

Who is Izzy, and what does she have to do with getting these three people together as a family?

Included at the end of this story is the recipe for Peppermint Kiss Brownies. Yum!

A Bride for Rocking H Ranch

While Amelia is getting herself stuck in the snow, her sister Kelley is getting herself stuck in a situation in which she has no experience. She might be one of the best ranchers in the area, she might be able to keep house with the best of them. She might love her nephew to distraction, but she could not cook. So why, oh why, did she tell Amelia not to prepare Christmas dinner? But then, along comes Mack Dennison.

Or rather, into his shop Kelley goes. Can he really teach her to cook in two short weeks? And how can she keep it a secret from Amelia?

Both sisters found their best Christmas gifts ever. Young Jesse found the dad he’d asked Santa for, and even Gram was happy.

Included at the end of this story is the recipe for Mack Dennison’s Asparagus Puffs. Yum, yum!

Even though these stories are short, they are believable, and leave you with a very good feeling in your heart. Patricia Thayer and Donna Alward make a very satisfactory writing duo. Their styles are similar, and the facts in the two stories matched.

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humor Factor ♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥

Reviewed by: Donna B

HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE - Donna Alward

Title: HIRED: THE ITALIAN’S BRIDE

Author: DONNA ALWARD

Line: Harlequin Romance

Release month: June

The S-Factor: Sensual and Stirring

Back-Blurb:

Dream Job – enter hot new Italian boss!

Mariella Ross has built a new life for herself at the Fiori Cascade hotel, and she isn’t going to allow the new owner’s devil-may-care attitude to disrupt her hard work! Even if Luca Fiori’s laid-back charm and infectious smile are giving her butterflies. . .

Luca’s showing Mari a side of life she’s almost forgotten. Overcoming her dark past won’t be easy, but with Luca by her side, Mari’s beginning to feel that anything might be possible. . .

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Mariella (please call me Mari) Ross almost disliked Luca before she even met him. She frowned on his way of life. She was worried he was going to disrupt hers. But most of all, she was afraid. Afraid? Afraid of what?

Luca Fiori had it all – good looks, charming personality, good work ethics, money. . . But he didn’t seem to have what it took to break down the walls Mari had built around herself. Luca was a “toucher”. He got quite a start, though, when he touched Mari and she nearly jumped out of her skin, and very quickly told him to never touch her again. Being the smart person he was, it didn’t take him long to realize that Mari was afraid of personal contact.

Luca didn’t get where he was by giving up, so he devised ways to show Mari that she was safe with him. One by one he broke down her barriers, until finally, she trusted him.

Donna Alward once again shows her command of the written word. She draws you right into this wonderful love story. What I loved most about this book is the way Donna gave her hero such insight in handling a very volatile situation. Donna wrote about a subject that a lot of seasoned writers stay away from. Abuse is a topic that we’ve all heard about, that way too many have lived with, but Donna wrote about it with understanding and deep feeling. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone.

Hero Hotness Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor: (will it last?) ♥♥♥♥♥
Humor Factor: ♥♥♥
Weepy Factor: ♥♥

Reviewed by: Donna B

THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS - Donna Alward

Title: THE RANCHER’S RUNAWAY PRINCESS

Author: Donna Alward

Line: Mills and Boon Romance
Harlequin Romance

Release month North America and UK: January

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Brooding ranch owner Brody Hamilton keeps his heart out of reach. But there’s something about vivacious stable manager Lucy that brings joy to his hardened soul. Only he must put his past behind him before he can put a ring on her finger…

Lucy Farnsworth has just discovered she’s of royal blood. She should be glad, but it’s blown her world apart and she just finds herself wanting to be the old Lucy again. At Prairie Rose Ranch Lucy’s found the man who makes her feel she belongs. Only she hasn’t told him she’s a princess…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Lucy Farnsworth’s life has been turned upside down. Her mother just died a few months ago, and she has been drowning in new and strange experiences. Just before she died, Lucy’s mother introduced her to her father, King Alexander from the small island country of Marazur. Understandably, Lucy now feels like she doesn’t even know who she is.

This trip to Prairie Rose Ranch in the foothills of Alberta might be just the thing to help her get her life back on an even keel. Therefore, she decides that she is not going to tell the people at Prairie Rose Ranch that King Alexander is her father, only that she is his stable manager.

Brody Hamilton takes one look at King Alexander’s stable manager, and his whole body stands to attention. But he’s been burned before, and he’s vowed that never again will he allow passion to rule over common sense.

Will the two of them be able to work out a business arrangement between the stables of Marazur and Canada’s Prairie Rose Ranch? Or is their desire for each other going to take the upper hand and ruin everything?

Brody was a strong, handsome alpha male. He also still had a lot of anger toward his ex-wife, which at times got dumped on Lucy. At first Lucy was a meek little thing, and I despaired of her ever finding her backbone, but when the time came, she stood right up to everyone and made her beliefs known in no uncertain terms.

This book, like all Donna Alward’s books, caught me right into the story, and held my interest to the very last page. Donna has a very direct and down-to-earth way of writing that I thoroughly enjoy. Read this wonderful love story for yourself and see how two people who think they’re unsuited for each other, are, in the end, more than suited.

Hero Hotness Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Humor Factor: ♥♥
Weepy Factor: ♥♥♥

Reviewed by: Donna B

Marriage at circle M by Donna Alward

Title: Marriage at Circle M

Author: Donna Alward

Line: M&B Romance/ Harlequin romance

Release month: September 2007

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Secrets are hard to keep in a small town...

But Grace Lundquist is determined to hide her pain. Hardworking, pretty and always cheerful, she’s the town's sweetheart. Everybody loves her...

Mike Gardner can see right through Grace's act. And, try as she might to keep the strong, gorgeous rancher out of her business, Grace can't douse the spark between them. Except she will never be able to give him the one thing he really needs – a family to call his own.

But all this cowboy wants is Grace in his arms...

Review:

Mike and Grace dated as teenagers. Until he left town with no explanations. Determined to show him that someone cared about her as he didn’t, she married another man.

Now Grace is divorced, and her sexy, old flame is back, determined to make up for the past and prove she can trust him to stay. As much as she wants to be with him, Grace knows that friendship is her only option. If Mike were to discover the secret that led to the break up of her marriage, he’d put all thoughts of romance behind him and be gone for good. A compelling reason to keep him at arm’s length. So while he’s determined to win her back, she is equally determined to prove, to both him and herself, that he’s completely resistible.

A poignant, heartrending story about romancing and healing. You’ll love strong, protective Mike and cheerful, independent Grace — and wonder how these two can ever reach a happy ending.

An emotional read, that belongs on your must-buy list for September.

Reviewed By: Janet

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥

Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥

Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥

Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥

Weepy Factor ♥♥♥♥♥

Did you know that Hired By The Cowboy and Marriage at Circle M are both being released in Spanish? La Mejor Union is out in November and Cuentames Tus Secretos is out in February of 08. To find out more why not visit Donna's Website or Her Blog...

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!

Hired By The Cowboy by Donna Alward

Title: Hired By The Cowboy

Author: Donna Alward

Line: Romance

Release month : May 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering/ Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Alexis Grayson is good at looking after herself—she's been doing it all her life. So what if she's alone and pregnant? She'll cope! But gorgeous cowboy Connor Madsen seems determined to take care of her. And Alexis can help him—he needs a temporary wife; she needs somewhere to live until the baby's born. A short-term marriage will solve all their difficulties!

As Alexis gets to know the courageous, honorable Connor, she realizes that she might have made the biggest mistake of her life. Because all this wife-for-hire wants is a marriage for real!

Review:

Hired by the Cowboy is Donna Alward’s debut book for Harlequin Romance and part of the Western Weddings series. It is absolutely a wonderful, sweet and tender love story and sure to melt any reader’s heart and make any cynic a true believer in romance and falling in love.

Can you imagine having no family, on your own with little money, no husband and a baby on the way, and you’re determined to take care of this new life? Well for Alexis Grayson that was the case and of all things she faints!

Connor Madsen, is one handsome and sexy cowboy and he has a serious problem. How will he save his previous Windover Ranch when his trust fund only becomes available to him upon marriage? Connor isn’t even dating anyone and the bank won’t lend him money, so what is he to do? As fate will have it Connor literally finds Alexis at his feet in a dead faint, and their story begins.

Connor immediately likes Alex, likes her strong character, determination, and sense of humour plus she’s not too hard on the eyes. As for Alex, Connor is one handsome cowboy, a gentleman so when he offers her a place to stay until the baby is born and to take care of her, can that be so bad? Think again! When she learns his plan that they must marry to save his ranch, she believes he’s lost his mind!

Donna’s development of both of these two characters is amazing as she uses their attraction for each other in a very sweet and emotional way. I found myself holding my breath to see if and when they would realize that they belonged together and even though they both used their immediate situations to solve immediate problems, in the end, their attraction, sensitivity and friendship for each other would form such a bond; they would soon see the light!

I would have never guessed this to be a debut book. I found Connor and Alex’s story sincere, sweet, romantic, having all of the elements which make a great love story! Thank you Donna, for Hired by The Cowboy. I personally can’t wait for the next Windover story, Marriage at Circle M.

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥♥

Did you know Donna Alward almost failed Math in high school, but her first REAL job was handling millions of dollars for her provincial government? (And she was good at it!) To find out more about Donna and her books you can visit her Webpage and her Blog...

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!