No Way Up by Mary Connealy

Cimarron Ranch owner and patriarch, Chance Borden, is seriously injured in an avalanche.  Before he leave for treatment that just might save his leg and his life, he gives orders for the direction in his will to be put into effect while he is gone.  His three children, who don't get along, Justin, Sadie and Cole must all live on the ranch for a year or it will go to a distance relative no one likes.  This isn't an issue for Justin who live there and loves the ranch, but Cole, who lives in town and works in the mines his father owns, and Sadie, who lives and works in the orphanage in town, fight against there father's wishes, but do obey what he wants.

Hired hand Heith Kincaid was instrumental in saving Chance's life.  It isn't long before Heith realizes the avalanche was no accident.  As Heith, along with Sadie, who he doesn't want to help him, but he finds he is drawn more and more to her, looks more into what happened, they uncover more danger as they look for answers.  Why is someone wanting them off the ranch?  What do they have against the Bordens?  Will they find the answers they need?

This is the first book in The Cimarron Legacy series.  Mary Connealy has done a remarkable job of  introducing us to the characters, making us fall in love with them (as some of them fall in love with each other) and leaves you wanting more at the end the book!  I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!  While the main questions do get answered by the end of the story, there is so more more left unanswered and leave you wanting the next book in the series!

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.,  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

What Matters Most by Kellie Coates Gilbert

Leta Breckenridge was following her dreams and the career she wanted when she has to drop out of school to care for her mother who was suffering from dementia.   Leta works two jobs, struggling to make ends meet, to keep her mother in a good facility where she is well cared for.  She is thrilled when a high paying job opens up to her that will allow her to keep her mother where she is.  However, she quickly learns the job she has been given is to collect statistics for the election for governor.  Information to be used against Senator Nathan Emerson.  The man that she is quickly falling in love with.  When she goes to her boss Jane and tries to quit (on more then one occasion), will Jane let or are they trying to use her as they are aware of her connection to the Senator?

Senator Nathan Emerson is a rising star in the political area.  He is pressed by several people (mostly his mother!) to run for governor.  His father was a well known politician and many people want to see him follow in his father's footsteps.  The lady he is currently dating would make the perfect governor's wife, but when he meets Leta, he finds himself questioning the way he really feels.

Governor Holiday and his wife Amanda Joy will do anything they can to stay in power - even if what they do is not legal.  Will Leta, or anyone else, find the truth behind what Governor Holiday is doing? And more importantly will the right man win the election?  And will be it honestly?

Kellie Coates Gilbert has written a spellbinding story.  It is very hard to put it down!  It is full of interesting facts, about what probably really happens during an election for each side to use against each other to get people to vote for them.  I love the two main characters of Leta and Nathan.  These two couldn't be more opposite of each other, but yet they go to prove that opposites attract.  

I would highly recommend this book! (and I want to read more by this author!)

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.,  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Lady Georgina Hawthorne knows she needs to marry well.  She has prepared for years for the time she makes her debut with society.  She is ready to be the talk of the season and have her choice of who she will marry.  Deep down she is hiding a secret.  Everything she puts on is fake to hide a secret she wants no one to know.  Her desire to marry well, lines with up needing to keep her secret hidden.

Colin McCrae has no title, but has it powerful and has many connections with high society.  These connections get him invited to many different balls and he isn't accepted anywhere.  At one of these events he meets Lady Georgina.  While Lady Georgina's only care is about status and appearance for who she marries, Colin want to marry someone the complete opposite of her.  Lady Georgina finds ha hard time shaking off Colin and keeps meeting up with him everywhere.

As much as she wants to keep her secret hidden, Colin soon finds out here secret and why she is so insistent on marrying well.  I love the banter between Colin and Georgina and how she has "little Colin" running around in her head all of the time.

I loved diving into high society London in the early 1800s.  Ms, Hunter opened up society to us and the way it was.  How people fought for marrying well and turned away anyone that didn't meet their expectations.  I loved how Georgina was friendly with Lavinia, despite her stutter, and fought Lord Aschcombe to be friends with her.  (I never did like Lord Aschcombe!)  

I love the banter between Georgina and Colin and how Colin was able to get her to open up and see the real Georgina behind all what she was hiding.   Despite what she was expected to do, Georgina was followed her heart, she followed her true inner self.  She learned that God love her for the way she was and not the front she was trying to put on.

I do have to say the only thing I wish this book had was a translation of what some of the British society terms meant that were used.  

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.,  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.