🐎🏡 💗 “Wyoming Rodeo Rescue” (The Blackwells of Eagle Springs #3) (2022) 💗 🏡🐎 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (September 27, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584668
ISBN-13: 978-1335584663
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“Will a Wyoming cowboy…
Rescue her heart?
Famous equestrian Summer Davies travels to Wyoming to escape a scandal…and rescue Levi Blackwell’s rodeo. When she arrives early, the only place to stay is with the ornery—and gorgeous—cowboy. Their commitment to making the rodeo a success, and Summer’s affection for his young daughter, draws them together. When he learns about her past, will he still want her help? Or will he end up chasing her away?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Carol Ross, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Here we are – back again in Eagle Springs a third month in a row to check in on Denny’s branch of the Blackwell family. And, this time it is Levi’s story. The cover gives just a HINT of what’s coming – though it will be a wild ride to get there.
This book, and series is connected to the RETURN OF THE BLACKWELL BROTHERS and the THE BLACKWELL SISTERS, and is written the same way – with four other authors – Amy Vastine, Anna J. Steward, Melinda Curtis, and Cari Lynn Webb. Though, in this installment, the only main returning character from the two previous series is Big E – Elias Blackwell. Though, towards the end, the family is mentioned in general.
I got introduced to the series by reading Ross’ Montana Match (The Blackwell Sisters #4), and this definitely holds up the same as that one in terms of continuity and flow.
Since this is the third book of the series, it is best to read the first two – Wyoming Promise and A Wyoming Secret Proposal, to see where the “ranch” story started as there is a continuing storyline outside the romance between the two main characters of the books. Readers will soon find out who Howard is connected to.
Most of the major characters from the first two books return:
👒 Corliss – one of the five Blackwell siblings living on and working The Flying Spur
🥘 Mason – Corliss’ 13/14-yar old son (rarely seen, but mentioned)
🚒 Ryder – former oil rig firefighter, married to Corliss; working ranch; set to become the new fire chief in November
🐎 Olivia – Ryder’s 8-year-old daughter (not seen as much)
🤠 Wyatt – youngest Blackwell sibling
🤠 Levi – Blackwell sibling, former rodeo star, injured
👒 Adele – widowed, mother of twin girls, Blackwell sibling; tends to get arrested on a regular basis
🚓 Sheriff Grady McMillan
🤠 Nash – Blackwell sibling, divorced, has a son
🤠 Big E (Elias) – Denny’s older brother; lives in Montana
📱 Harper Hayes – social media influencer, accidentally married Wyatt
👒 Gran (Denny) – Matriarch of the Eagle Springs Blackwell family, owner of The Flying Spur Ranch
The newest additions/mentions:
🐎 Isla Blackwell – Levi’s 10-year-old daughter, a bit obsessed with Summer; part of a riding club
🐎 Summer Davies – professional equestrian
📱 Theo – Summer’s coach, his aunt Molly lives in Eagle Springs
🐎 Braden Keene – Summer’s “show” partner and “fiancé”
📱Ingrid – Summer’s business manager
This one begins differently from the first two as there is NO DATE listed, but it takes place in October, which is right after book #2.
The first two words – “Lyin’ snake” just drew me in. She’s referring to Braden Keene, her “business” partner. While being with him boosts her social standing, she’s shocked to see a video of him with another woman. And, to top it off – he proposes marriage to her.
She throws the ring in the lake in a symbolic move – her feelings about Braden as well as the ring which isn’t practical for riding.
Levi is a bit worried – the rodeo he’s using as a fundraiser has a main attraction – Trace Baylor – who has to cancel. Levi sold the tickets based on Trace’s appearance.
Levi’s daughter, Isla, is excited to learn Summer is going to replace Trace. He tells her to not get too excited.
But, Summer isn’t the only one he’s worried about. Levi is having issues with his ex-wife, Kylie, when it comes to Isla and the custody arrangement which Kylie is strict on.
Their “parenting” issues are going to be an issue for Summer down the road.
When Summer arrives, she and Levi don’t exactly hit it off. Then again, she and Theo have arrived three weeks early. She is slowly losing her temper – she and her horse cannot be separated. Eventually, it is Isla who comes up with a plan – yup, the Flying Spur. Summer brands Levi a “jerk face”, and Theo tells her she doesn’t have the best judgment when it comes to people. However, she and Isla seem to bond over horses.
Things tend to change when Summer learns that Levi and Isla live in a “barndominium” – “barndo” for short. She’s keen to check out the place. And, she softens about Levi, especially when she learns how important the rodeo is and who it benefits.
She also loves how he tends to rescue animals. She is a bit shocked to learn Kylie left Levi over the “barndo” – it is a place that Summer loves.
Meanwhile, Big E is trying to thwart Howard’s plans for the town and trying to wipe Eagle Springs off the map. And, he’s going to gone as long as it takes. While he and Denny are still “cordial”, there is some softening on the old gal’s part.
Levi and Summer slowly pursue a romance, though she hasn’t told him about Braden, she soon learns something that will affect the rodeo. And, she also learns about her father’s financial issues as well.
Most of the issue with Summer goes right down to the wire. Same with the “town” drama and readers learn the name of the mastermind with less than five pages remaining. Did I state that this was “down to the wire”.
Talk about keeping readers hooked until the very end.
As a result, like the previous two books – this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger as well, so I will be reading the fourth (4th) book. Ross took off from the beginning and this didn’t linger in any one area, it really moved. And, like the previous series, as well as the other two books – I couldn’t tell they were written by different authors. It was very easy to get into and stay interested, I read it in less than a 24-hour period.
This was at times dramatic, heartwarming (pardon the pun), as well as suspenseful (the town drama). And, Ross gave readers a glimpse into the “contract” deals of celebrities with a touch of realism.
There were a few moments of levity, especially with jailbird Adele. Her comment about jail = sleep, and getting arrested more often to sleep was both amusing and yet a concerning remark. There is someone in town obviously making her a target or using her to make a statement. That’s another reason I’m eager to read the next book.
While I enjoyed the story, I did have a problem with Summer’s attitude in the beginning. She threw the ring in the lake because it was not her style – yet she shunned Eagle Springs because of its lack of facilities and niceties.
I also had a problem with her regarding her take on Kyle and Levi with regards to the visitation and parenting agreement. I get what she was trying to do, and I understood the issues Isla was having about the stress. However, it was hard to see Kylie take advantage of Levi and ignore Isla during “her” time.
She was also there when Kylie just dropped Isla off and headed to Mexico. I understood what Summer was trying to do, but I think her bias as a child of divorce skewed her judgment.
As of note, my parents divorced when I was 4, never saw my father again by his choice. My mother didn’t talk bad about him, but I wished she’d have been a bit more honest.
One thing I LOVE about the Heartwarming line is that it is a clean read which means clean language, and no intimate content.
Those who’ve already read the first two series will probably want to check this series out. Those who have read the first two books, I suggest grabbing this one for the “bigger” story as well.
Fans of the author are sure to enjoy this as well. In addition to the Blackwell books, I’ve read Catching Mr. Right and Second Chance for the Single Dad, and this fits right with her books, and I’ll definitely be reading other books of hers in the future.
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;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES:
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs (Book #1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (July 26, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584587
ISBN-13: 978-1335584588
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“A reunion with a twist…
May save the day!
After a near-fatal day on the job, firefighter Ryder Talbot's finally back in Eagle Springs, Wyoming, and ready for a new start with his daughter. Seeing Corliss Blackwell again stirs up old feelings he tried to leave behind. Now that Corliss needs his help to close a deal on a loan that will save her gran’s ranch, can he finally prove they’re worth taking a chance on?”
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs (Book #2)
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (August 23, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584625
ISBN-13: 978-1335584625
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“Can a secret Vegas wedding…
Survive in Wyoming?
Social media influencer Harper Hayes never wanted to marry. So how did drop-dead gorgeous cowboy Wyatt Blackwell end up as her husband in Vegas? Now Harper’s in Wyoming, trying to convince her gun-shy groom to stay married for at least a month so she can save face. But marrying a Wyoming Blackwell comes with a whole lot of complications. Especially when Harper falls for her handsome new husband…for real.”
UPCOMING BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs (Book #4)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (October 25, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584706
ISBN-13: 978-1335584700
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“She keeps finding trouble…
He keeps finding her
Adele Blackwell Kane can’t seem to not get arrested. In fact, the pretty widowed mom of twin girls might be Sheriff Grady McMillan’s favorite not-quite-a-criminal. But keeping Adele out of trouble is hard work—especially when Grady wants out of Wyoming for good. When Adele decides to rescue the town from developers, Grady wonders if his quirky felon might be stealing his heart, too…”
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (November 29, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584749
ISBN-13: 978-1335584748
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“A love that never died…
Could be rekindled this Christmas
Helen Blackwell never stopped loving horse trainer Nash…even when she divorced him. When the stoic cowboy bets the ranch on her winning a cutting horse competition—and she’s terrified to ride—she wonders if there’s any hope for them. Renewing the love between them may take more than a moment under the mistletoe. But working together could heal past hurts and give their five-year-old son his Christmas wish!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol Ross lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two dogs. She is a graduate of Washington State University. When not writing, or thinking about writing, she enjoys reading, running, hiking, skiing, traveling and making plans for the next adventure to subject her fun-loving family to. Carol can be contacted at https://carolrossauthor.com/ and via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carolrossauthor.
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