🏰💍💗 "A Future to Fight For" (Bliss, Texas #3) (2021) 💗💍🏰 - Bookstagram + Review Tour
MY REVIEW
Series: Bliss, Texas (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 27, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335758704
ISBN-13: 978-1335758705
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“All their dreams will come true…
if they can work together.
Widow Paisley Wainwright’s so close to taking her Texas event-planning business to the next level by turning Renwick Castle into a wedding venue. Only one thing stands in the way: her longtime rival, Crockett Devereaux, who wants the building to become a museum. When the building’s owners insist they collaborate to implement both plans, can Paisley and Crockett put their differences aside…and fight for their dreams together?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Mindy Obenhaus, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.
Do you enjoy coming back to a series, or do you enjoy a standalone?
Confession? I REALLY do love a series if I can get them all.
The first book of Obenhaus’ I read was book #5 of the Rocky Mountain Heroes series – Her Rocky Mountain Hope. As a result of that beautiful and emotional read, I had to track down the first four and that wasn’t easy. It was worth it though, and I do have those four books on my TBR.
I’ve been VERY lucky to get the two previous books in this series as they were released – A Father’s Promise (Laurel and Wes’ story) and A Brother’s Promise (Christa and Mick). Each one of those had some emotional parts of them that are “bring the tissue” box moments.
A Future to Fight For is no different. We met Paisley back in book #1, and this is her story. While this could act as a standalone, I do recommend reading the first two books as some events in them are mentioned here. And, it will also place “who is who” as well.
She’s not the only one with a story – there’s Crockett Devereaux (what a name) and his kids.
While the cover shows a cute couple and a barn, Paisley and Crockett are anything but. More like fire and ice.
Paisley is a widow, having lost her husband and son in a car wreck some five (5) years earlier. Crockett’s wife divorced him and ran off, leaving him a single dad.
In addition to Paisley and Crockett; Christa and Rae pop in, as does Laurel. The other guys (Wes and Mick) are mentioned or show up.
Despite Paisley’s loss (which might be upsetting to some readers), she has a somewhat upbeat and positive outlook that is charming and refreshing – especially when her parents come to visit and expect a perpetually mourning person.
This is in direct contrast of Crockett’s surly and often abrasive temperament. One thing is clear – he seemingly has it in for Paisley. But why? His attitude towards her is probably the worst thing about this book. I loved his kids who seemingly were unaffected by his attitude. I loved game night – Monopoly, Yahtzee, Scrabble were games I loved as a kid; okay I love them as an adult as well. Sorry! … I’m meh on. You like it when you’re winning, hate it when you’re losing.
Right off sparks, and not the good ones, fly when Paisley and Crockett find out they each want the castle – for different and conflicting purposes.
She’s thinking about event venues, he’s thinking museum. The wily owners of the castle have a wonderful idea – they’ll cover the renovations since they like both ideas – one problem? Paisley and Crockett have to work together. Okay, that’s not going to work.
But, they’re each willing to give it a go to get what they want.
They get off to a rocky start with a storm that strands him and his kids at Paisley’s. And, it’s no wonder she’d take the maternal approach and protect them. With no way to get home until the next day, Paisley offers her place which is also a Bed & Breakfast (B & B). I wanted to see more of that in action. Crockett turns her down – people might talk.
He is warming up when he sees her plans to secure his “artifacts”. But, at one point Crockett almost sabotages their plans in a scene that I thought was cruel and insensitive. On page 62 where Crockett says something about Paisley and having time – he states something about her being free to do what she wanted – he had kids. This was after she told him she’d lost her husband and son in an accident. It is, for me, one of the lowest points in the book. But, it was also eye-opening as Crockett even knows it was wrong.
After an apology, the two get off on a better footing. Paisley even decides to help his daughter with a party since he doesn’t have a “female” chaperone and is worried of how things would look supervising a bunch of girls. But, he is grateful Paisley is there to help. This is such a cute scene when toilet paper is brought into it.
Once the two get on track with the castle, Paisley has a cute but terrifying moment with Crockett swooping in to save her.
Each time they get close, Crockett keeps comparing Paisley to his ex-wife Shannon. No matter how much Paisley is the opposite – he continues. Mac (Mackenzie), his daughter, enjoys her time spent with Paisley. Her younger brother David also enjoys his time with Paisley.
The work on the castle is put into jeopardy when a natural disaster occurs, but that isn’t the only disaster they will work through – Crockett is a walking disaster as a wounded soul. He also feels he isn’t worthy to love either, thus making him quite prickly at times.
There is a touching moment when Paisley recalls the accident that took her husband and son’s life and that will come back to haunt her later on. Honestly the author should include a small pack of tissues as this really gets ya in the “feels”.
Despite Crockett’s surliness at times – he agrees to play hero when a wedding needs a venue (hence the barn on the cover).
There are a LOT of family dynamics in this one – even with extended family (parents). Even when there is a crisis with Crockett’s father, Paisley steps up. And, with all her efforts, Crockett finally wonders if God is trying to make a statement. Honestly, this guy needed a spiritual 2 x 4 at times; then again, he is from Texas. Takes a Texan to know one 🤣
As with most romance books – this has a sweet, Texas sized “happily-ever-after” ending.
Written with humor, sweetness, tragic and heart-breaking moments, Obenhaus never disappoints in delivering a beautiful story that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged in the story. I was hooked by page 14 and did not want to put it down. I barely knew I was reading it before it was over.
I definitely have to find time to read the previous four books of the Rocky Mountain Heroes series.
Distributed by Harlequin’s Love Inspired line, this will have some themes of Christian faith – God is mentioned, bible quotes are present. This is definitely a clean read as well.
Fans of the author and those who’ve read the first two books won’t want to miss this, or the final book in the series which is Rae’s story which gets set up in this book pretty early on.
Rae’s story, Their Yuletide Healing (Bliss, Texas, 4) will be available November 30th wherever Love Inspired books are sold.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other Books in the Series:
Series: Bliss, Texas (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (June 16, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133548826X
ISBN-13: 978-1335488268
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Is he ready for fatherhood?
He doesn’t think he deserves a family…
But now he has a daughter.
Stunned to discover he has a child, Wes Bishop
isn’t sure he’s father material. But his adorable daughter needs him, and he
can’t help feeling drawn to her mother, Laurel Donovan—a woman he’s finally
getting to know. But can this sudden dad overcome a past tragedy that has him
convinced he’s not meant to be a husband or a father…and make a promise of
forever?”
Series: Bliss, Texas (Book #2)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (February 23, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335488758
ISBN-13: 978-1335488756
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“A little girl will change his world…
He didn’t realize he wanted a family…
until he suddenly became a single dad.
After his sister’s death, rancher Mick Ashford’s determined to ensure his orphaned niece, Sadie, feels at home. And accepting guidance from Christa Slocum is his first step. But just as Christa and Sadie start to settle into Mick’s heart, Sadie’s paternal grandparents sue for custody. Now Mick must fight to keep them together…or risk losing the makeshift family he’s come to love.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, and countless cattle. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen, spending time with her grandchildren or roaming the ranch in search of inspiration. She’d love to connect with you via her website or on Facebook.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorMindyObenhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindy.obenhaus/
Website: https://mindyobenhaus.com/
GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of A Future to Fight For and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 2, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 9, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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