Customer Reviews

Stetsons, Spring and Wedding Rings (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me start by saying, I hate to give bad reviews. It makes me feel bad because I'm sure the authors are very nice people who poured a little bit of themselves and a lot of hard work into writing their story.
Let me also say that everyone's taste is different. What I may not enjoy may be what others are looking for.

I will give you my individual star ratings for each story within the book.
"Rocky Mountain Courtship" 1 star
The whole thing was just too remedial for me. Felt like I was reading a Jr High love story. The story line was flat with no twists or turns. I never felt a connection to anyone in the book except for maybe Clara, who was pretty likable. I shuttered at the thought of Joseph. He was someone that didn't inspire romance in me at all....too naive? I couldn't wait to get done reading this section of the book. I always try to finish what I start, but if not of that mindset I would have skipped it.

"Courting Miss Perfect" 2 stars
This one was better, but again, a little flat. I did enjoy Travis as the man of the story. Brynn was a little too prim and proper for my taste. She was a bit of a coward and dishonest and her terrible secret was hardly terrible at all. It was better than the first story but then in the end I was disappointed. I don't want to give away what happens...but it was a real letdown for me.

"Courted by the Cowboy" 5 stars
I was starting to think that a three in one book just didn't have enough time to develop good character/reader relationships. Stacey Kayne fortunately proved that wrong and saved the day for this book. She was able to develop a real connection to the story. Constance and Kyle were both very likeable people, which to me is really key a good book. She had twists and turns and a wonderful ending that left me feeling satisfied yet longing for more. The only downfall was that it was over too soon. I recommend all of Stacey Kayne's books--she is amazing at what she does.

In conclusion...I thought I was getting a 3 for 1 with this book but actually got a 1 for 3. Knowing what I know now--I would still have bought it for Stacey Kaynes section.

This tantalizing trio of Western romances takes the reader to a time in the late nineteenth century--a time when a gentler element of society had begun to establish itself in Texas and Montana. The lawless element was still around but not as forceful as it had been in times past.

In Jillian Hart's "Rocky Mountain Courtship" Joseph Brooks goes from shivering in the snow to wonderful warmth as he settles Clara Woodruw in his lap on his stallion Don Quixote and heads to his families ranch thinking this is the woman his mother plans for him to marry.

Clara senses Joseph's ability to protect, defend, and provide as she gets to know him. She feels treasured--a brand new experience for her. Even though she had not come, looking for love, a kernel of hope starts to come to life deep inside but she soon learns Joseph's mother has other plans for him.

Jillian Hart's characters are warm, often humorous, and ever so eager for life. Her writing style flows with a musical quality at times as the reader rides the up and downs of emotions reveled as Joseph and Clara try to bridge the gape between a prosperous rancher's son and a maid who arrived in patched clothes with less than ten dollars in her pocket. Jillian Hart gives the reader a strong hero and a strong heroine making "Rocky Mountain Courtship" a marvelous story.

"Courting Miss Perfect" by Judith Stacy is a delightful trip to Texas with a socially disgraced Brynn O'Keefe. Traveling alone for the first time, due to Aunt Sadie's illness, Brynn finds herself having to deal with elements of society in Texas that she has no experience with--especially one Mr. Travis Hollister, a Pinkerton detective. He suspects her of being in cahoots with Hiram Smith, a traveling salesman that Travis thinks is a jewel thief.

The humor in this delightful comedy of errors makes "Courting Miss Perfect" a beguiling love story of a "dyed-in-the-wool" bachelor lawman and a "try-to-be" proper back-east young lady with a strong personality. As she wiggles her way out of some sticky spots, often with the help of the ladies in Harmony, Texas, she wiggles her way into the heart of Travis.

This one is an absolute delight to read.

"Courted By The Cowboy" by Stacey Kayne takes place in Montana Territory where violence still pops up in places. U. S. Marshal Kyle Darby, while ridding the country of outlaws, makes a hasty decision that causing Constance Pauley to be badly burned. Full of guilt and concern, he travels with and cares for her all the way to California, leaving her in the care of his doctor cousin that knows how to treat her burns. He pays for her care in secret believing he will never see her again.

Two years later his sister Stella shows up with the new teacher for the new school in Pine Ridge. Kyle sees the young woman he's thought about every day since he rescued her from a burning house where she'd been tied to a bed by an outlaw.

A test of wills between two determined characters makes prime reading as Kyle and Constance strike sparks off each other. Once an Orphan Train child, Constance tells Kyle "I've spent a lifetime seeing my reflection through the pity in everyone's eyes" then blasted him good for what he has done. Yet, in her heart, he is still "my cowboy" with a velvety voice, tender touch, indigo eyes, and gentle smile of her memory.

Kyle feels lots of things but pity is not one of them and knows what he'd done was not an act of charity--he was trying to right a wrong. Now, this prim and proper teacher with dark curls, honey-colored eyes, and a flaming temper has him mesmerized with her strength, courage, and concern for others.

The characters in "Courted By The Cowboy" are full of a zest for life as they build a community while building lives for themselves. With the best of intentions, they all meddle in Kyle's and Constance's lives as the plot in the story takes some surprising twists and turns.

This one touches the heart--good reading.

Originally posted at www.longandshortreviews.com

I purchased this book because I enjoy Stacey Kayne's writing. She did not disappoint. However, I agree with other reviewers, the first story, "Rocky Mountain Courtship" by Jillian Hart was very juvenile. It was slow, boring and seemed to be written by a teenager. The second story, "Courting Miss Perfect" by Judith Stacy was better written, but it still had a VERY predictible plot, and I feel this story has been done before. The third book, "Courted by the Cowboy" was an excellent book, and a great follow-up to another Stacey Kayne story, "The Gunslinger's Untamed Bride". I would have wasted my money if not for this book being included. I would have really enjoyed it if Stacey had written this as a stand-alone book, and added more to the plot. I am looking forward to other works by Stacey Kayne, but I will NOT be purchasing any other books by Jillian Hart or Judith Stacy.

Three short stories: Rocky Mountain Courtship by Jillian Hart repeatedly expressed characters thoughts...got old. I did enjoy the other two books, Courted by the Cowboy by Stacey Kayne and Courting Miss Perfect by Judith Stacy. Both light romances.

I bought this book for my wife originally for the author Judith Stacy. After she read the other stories she has also become interested in Stacey Kayne and Jillian Hart's novels. A great romance book.