Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

Early June #Reviews- You Can Die @RZanetti_Author, He’s My Cowboy by Diana Palmer, Peril @KatMartinAuthor, My Goodbye Girl @AnnaGomezBooks #Netgalley


Summer is just around the corner and with it, our thirty-ninth anniversary. Guess what DH got me?

A Jaguar! (The car, not the cat, lol)

I’ve always dreamed of owning one and he decided since I’ve put up with him for so long, I deserve it, lol. It’s an F-Pace with midnight blue metallic paint and a chocolate and cream interior- I love it! And yes, that’s my reliable Sadie (a 1999 Mercury Sable) next to it 🙂

My little kitty checking out the new cat in the family 🙂

This week I have a couple of romantic suspense novels, and a contemporary rom-com to recommend. Click the covers to learn more.

The posts on this site may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase using a link.

Men are dying in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies found near churches, charities, and counselling centers—each with valentine candy hearts shoved down their throats. They’re good men with families and community ties—or so they seem until Laurel Snow and her team begin to investigate.

Book three of the Laurel Snow Thriller Series opens with the naked, mutilated body of Laurel’s receptionist’s (and friend, Kate Vuittron) ex-husband found in a purple tent under an overpass. His mouth is stuffed with Valentine’s Day sweetheart candies, and Kate’s daughter is under suspicion of murder. Laurel knows the teen would never do such a thing, though the animosity between her and her father is no secret.

Complicating matters is a developing relationship between Laurel’s conniving sister, Abigail, and the Special Agent in Charge, Norrs. He’s ready to fast-track the investigation and move on to another case but a second victim with the same M.O. turns up and sends the agents on a cat-and-mouse hunt with the suspects piling up almost as fast as the fatalities.

I’m enjoying this series but feel the author shoves Laurel and her sister’s monochromatic eyes down readers’ throats a bit much and it pulls me out of the storyline. Also, Laurel and Huck went from friends with benefits to a full-fledged couple with a baby on the way rather fast for two people with relationship issues. None of that detracts from the murder/mystery though, and the twist at the end of You Can Die is worth the read!

In a charming western anthology headlined by one of the most trusted writers of western romance, three bestselling authors offer stories of sexy cowboys finding their perfect matches.

I love a good cowboy contemporary romance. Unfortunately, this anthology fell flat in two of the three short stories included.

My review will be for Rebecca Zanetti’s Rescue: Rancher Style.

Greg Simpson returns to his hometown of Redemption to care for his troubled niece and two nephews after his brother’s unexpected death. The children’s gold-digging stepmother has her eyes on their heritage, a cattle ranch, and is determined to take Greg to court to get custody of the kids and by default, the land. His only option? Asking his ex- the woman who broke his heart- to give the judge a character reference on his behalf- no problem.

Tara couldn’t believe it when the one-time love of her life shows up to rescue her after a run-in with the ditch after she avoids hitting the town’s mascot, a giant gray wolf.

He’d worn his black boots, dark jeans, and a white button-down shirt to church, and he looked every inch the long and lean cowboy he’d become. Yet the edge was still there in his movements and in his eyes when he flicked them her direction. His time as a soldier had marked him hard, and she was positive she didn’t know half of it.

Palmer, Diana. He’s My Cowboy (Kindle Locations 1474-1477). Kindle Edition.

Greg looks good, too good. He stirs up a lot of memories she’d rather not revisit, but as a teacher, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to help the three Simpson children and it has nothing to do with their too-handsome uncle.

Learning to live with three teens isn’t easy but when his rebellious niece disappears, the family, including Tara, band together to bring her home.

This is a wonderful family story. Sometimes, out of the pain of loss, a new road can open.

From the romantic thriller powerhouses behind the instant USA Today bestseller PIVOT, comes three new interwoven stories about brave heroes who rise up to take down a treacherous gang bent on robbery and destruction, to keep their homes, and the women they love safe…

This is a steamy, action-packed anthology by three best-selling authors.

The theme of a gang of bank robbers willing to kill for what they want ties these stories together and keeps the reader hoping for a satisfying conclusion.

Rebecca Zanetti’s Rescue: Hero Style brings a cast of diverse characters together to save the town of Redemption from a series of break-ins leading to a terrifying bank robbery where Sheriff Caden must rescue his kidnapped fiancée.

Elle is destroyed when Caden walks out on their year-long engagement without a word. When he returns to town six weeks later, expecting to be reunited with his bride-to-be, he finds an independent woman looking for vindication. She grew up with a father who walked out over and over again; she refuses to go through that again.

Forgiveness, community spirit, military tie-ins, this story has it all!

When Tessa Talman first meets Simon Fremont, not only is she attracted to him, she’s intrigued by how different their lives are. He’s a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded. She’s a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they meet in places around the world, while continuing to live in different countries.

An opposites attract, comedy of errors, romance novel perfect for a day on the beach.

Tessa, a best-selling author on a world tour, meets Simon, a nerdy scientist, on a flight to La Guardia, but they don’t even talk- that comes later.

Their relationship stretches across time and oceans and is by turns cute, sexy, and heartbreaking.

I found the introspection a bit tedious and had trouble connecting with Tessa, who seems almost too awkward to believe, but overall found this to be an enjoyable read. The twist later in the book gives added depth to a mediocre tale, turning it into something unforgettable.

This week has been a tough one for our family. We live twelve hours from our hometown where our family and friends are, a town that is under evacuation for the second time in a month due to a monster fire only 1.5 kilometres from the outskirts.

It’s hard to be so far away, though we know they are safe. Any prayers for rain and for the safety of the firefighters would be wonderful.

Here is a post and video of the conditions they’re facing if you are interested.

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/edson-portions-of-yellowhead-county-likely-to-remain-evacuated-past-wednesday-officials-1.6437682

Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels.com

41 Replies to “Early June #Reviews- You Can Die @RZanetti_Author, He’s My Cowboy by Diana Palmer, Peril @KatMartinAuthor, My Goodbye Girl @AnnaGomezBooks #Netgalley”

  1. Oh gosh, wildfires are frightening and it’s terrifying to have family near them. My heart goes out to all of you, Jacquie. Thank you for sharing your reviews. 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s more than just homes. There’s livelihoods, livestock, memories, momentoes… One of the things I’m most worried about is the graveyard, which is very near the fire zone. My dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and in-laws, all reside there.

      Like

      2. That’s one of the worst things…horrifying and completely devastating…💔💔

        I congratulate you on your 39 years of marriage…💞💞 Happiest of anniversaries and many more!

        Spiffy set of wheels, too 😉

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Cowboys do have the charm factor in spades 🙂
      I’m praying the fire doesn’t enter Edson, or for that matter any of the other towns across Canada affected by this early fire season.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I’ve been thinking about you w/rt the fires. Offering prayers for the whole country. Fires are so scary.

    I love the new car. What a great gift for a celebration-worthy occasion. (My sister’s always wanted a Jag. She’ll be jealous.)

    I love Zanetti’s work. I haven’t read Peril yet, but it’s on my list. Thanks for the reviews, Jacquie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I tried Rebecca’s paranormal suspense but couldn’t get into them, but I love her romantic suspense novels.
      I’ve always wanted a Jag in an if-we-win-the-lotto kind of way, but going secondhand (2017) made this dream doable 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Is it the Deep Ops series? I think that’s the name of it. (The one with the lipstick eating dog.) I really like that. I didn’t read any of her paranormal stuff. I’m kind of burned out of vampires.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. The Deep Ops is awesome- I love the high-heel-wearing, hard liquor-drinking, lipstick-stealing dog! lol
          The two anthologies above have ongoing suspense stories from her that are page-turners, as well.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Good to know. I think I like the Laurel Snow series more than you do. I devour those and can’t wait for the next one. I almost snatched up Peril the second I saw it, but when I saw there were a series of authors, I put on the brakes until I have more time.

            Liked by 1 person

  6. Oh my, Jacquie. Those fires are frightening. We hear on the news about the fires sending smoke over New York, but not about the ones where you are, just north of us. I’m so sorry to hear that and I’m glad you and yours are safe.

    And congrats on the Jag! Woo hoo! You’re styling. What a great anniversary present. That’s going to be a hard one to top!

    And thanks for the reviews. You’re reading up a storm, my friend. I hope it brings a little rain too. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My family have been evacuated since Friday to two hours east in Edmonton. It’s a big upheaval for everyone, especially those with medical issues or young children. And how are they supposed to make their bills? They don’t disappear just because you can’t get to your job.
      It’s frightening how fast something like this can ruin lives in unexpected ways.
      I’m thrilled with the Jaguar. We wanted to get a reliable vehicle before retirement, which is coming up soon!, and hope we’ve made the right decision- fingers crossed!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I looked up the fires online and heard there might be a little relief with cooler temps and some rain. I hope it’s over for you all soon. Fires are devastating. And it’s sounds like you have the right idea about retiring in style!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. That photo of the wildfires is so intense. Wow! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these books, Jacquie. I am a Rebecca Zanetti fan, but lately, some of her work has fallen a little short for me. Sometimes you can over a good thing.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. HI Jacquie, I am sorry to read about more wildfires. I thought they fires were under control now. I hope everyone in your family stays safe and well. These are all interesting sounding books. Thanks for the lovely reviews. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Robbie, the fires are finally on hold (thanks in part to two hundred firefighters from South Africa) but now they have catastrophic flooding in the area. Mother Nature is throwing them a curveball!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Oh no, Jacquie! The fire is scary! I pray that your family and friends in your hometown are safe and the fire won’t affect them. It’s so hard to be evacuated. I know how horrifying the wildfires are in California when we lived there.
    Your Jaguar is so handsome! Congratulations! I’m happy for you. Yes, you deserve every bit of this beauty. Happy Anniversary!

    Like

  14. Jacquie, the fires are horrifying and I feel for your family living under their threat, and the need to evacuate. No wonder you are very worried for them – I wish everyone safe and may rain, and lots of it, come soon.

    Wow! What a fantastic anniversary present – it looks amazing and have a great time driving it!

    Thank you for all these informative reviews, Jacquie and there are definitely some that intrigue me. xx

    Liked by 1 person

      1. At home in England we had an incredible heatwave and the hottest June on record but now while holidaying in Sweden it is unusually rainy interspersed with sunny day! Thankfully nothing dramatic. I do hope things are better for you all now. Xx

        Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.