🐎🤝🏻 “The Cowboy Bargain” (Lazy M Ranch #2) (2023) 🤝🏻🐎 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Lazy M Ranch (Book #2)
Paperback: 256 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (August 22, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1335596879
ISBN-13: 978-1335593871
⬅️ Click Photo for Pre-Order Information
“A little competition…
Brings a change of heart.
Sam Morgan never thought he’d see his ex-fiancée again after she skipped town days before their wedding. He certainly didn’t expect to find her opening a restaurant on his property—in the building he’d intended to sell his crafts from. This time Olivia’s sticking around, forcing Sam to strike a deal: work together and see whose products sell best. Could their business venture lead to a surprising reunion?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Tina Radcliffe, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.
While this book was released two months ago, due to a few medical issues, I am just now getting to it. And, wow! It was definitely a quick read, much like the first one. I read 60% of this book in six (6) hours off and on. And, I finished inside of a 24-hour period.
For those who haven’t already – please read the first book in in Radcliffe’s Lazy M Ranch series, The Baby Inheritance. It not only introduces the characters of the series, but the couple featured in this book – their background is started about 46% of the way in.
My experience with the author began with the Hearts of Oklahoma series (4 books). I also LOVED her Love Inspired Suspense debut, Sabotaged Mission. I DO have her 4-book series, Big Hearts Ranch, on my never-ending TBR.
Moving on …
Radcliffe did such a wonderful job of establishing the characters in the first book, it was a joy to come back and visit with them, and get to see more of them (especially Trevor).
Coming back to Homestead Pass and the Lazy M Ranch:
👨🏻🦳 Gus Morgan (grandfather)
🏡 Andrew “Drew” Morgan
📒 Sam Morgan
🐎 Trevor Morgan
🐎 Lucas Morgan
🍪 Bess Lowder (housekeeper and cook)
👩🏻💻 Sadie Morgan (mentioned)
🎀 Mae Anne Franklin-Morgan (mentioned)
🥗 Olivia “Liv” Moretti
And, we get to meet:
🐎 Anthony Moretti (Liv’s father)
🍲 Loretta Moretti (“Chef Moretti” and Liv’s Aunt)
📚 Eleanor Pickett (bookstore owner, woman Anthony seems sweet on)
👗 Mindy Ellwood (owner of Glitz & Glam, eye on Sam)
No matter how clean or “Christian” some stories are, there can be some problematic content that certain readers can be upset by – either the mention or experience. This book didn’t have too many things that stood out to me, except the tornado at the beginning of the book. If you’ve been through one – one thing stands out – it can look post-apocalyptic after.
Those who’ve read the first book were introduced to Olivia “Liv”. She was in and out of town under the radar; but had initially arrived for her father’s 60th birthday. She was also helping her aunt’s catering business and cooking classes.
In this book, we learn she’s not only there to open a restaurant and store, but because her father’s health is failing. He still wants her to get married and take over the M&M ranch. However, she believed her mother gave up her dreams to become a wife and mother – that’s why Olivia ran from Sam. Her restaurant and store are her dream. She’s also hoping to move her aunt’s cooking classes to the restaurant.
Sam returns from a trip to Las Vegas (poor guy 🤣) to learn his grandfather not only rented out part of a building, but both spaces – and to Olivia, his ex-fiancée. He doesn’t mind the Farm-to-Table restaurant, but Sam only wanted to rent out part of the space as he wanted the other for his crafted goods.
Seeing that there is no legal way to cancel it, he opts to talk Olivia into perhaps giving it up. No chance there. She, upon learning why he wants it, offers to consign his items. Not something he wants to do, especially with Olivia – the woman who broke his heart. She told him in a letter but he burned it and thre her ring in the lake [ouch!].
However – he has a bargain – he is willing to see who is more successful and gives it from Memorial Day to Fourth of July to see who has higher sales. Then, whoever does – keeps the store (or rather “stays” in town). Confident in her offerings, Olivia agrees. He wants to remain anonymous as a craftsman to keep things fair; just keeping a tally of sales from the goods to keep track.
Being the landlord, Sam wants to make sure everything is taken care of. Yet, a tornado almost derails both of their plans.
Between him, his family, and some ranch workers – they easily get things patched up and ready to go.
As they work together, Olivia realizes she’s come to enjoy Sam’s wit and his company. She eventually tells him what was in the letter. He’s forgiven her, just not going to let her back in to hurt him again. But, her father is intent on getting her and Sam back together.
Despite the success Olivia is having, she realizes that isn’t all she wants – she of course wants more. That’s evident when Sam is there for her during an emergency.
And, while Sam cares for Olivia – he doesn’t want to make another mistake. Yet, even those around them see what the two don’t want to see – they’re better together. [Isn’t that how it works?]
Of course, the Liv/Sam “romance” isn’t the only one in the book – there’s another one was well. One that is and isn’t a surprise either – proving it’s NEVER too late for second chances or falling in love … again.
This is a second chance/forced proximity kind of romance that is subtle, yet readers just KNOW how it’s going to end. But, the real joy is seeing how they’re going to get “there”, and learn what happened to keep the couple from getting there the “first” time around. In this we see how misunderstanding her mom’s sacrifice caused Liv to push back from what she thought was her dreams being taken from her.
And, I had to really laugh at the ending. Without spoiling it really was what should’ve been in the beginning had Liv been more receptive.
In the beginning, during the tornado – while it is NEVER funny – the green cloud was something I didn’t know about; and can’t say whether or not it exists or is true. I was taught – you hear the warning go off, or you see the funnel cloud coming, you hide and get small. But, I had to smile about Gus telling Sam to look for the green clouds since that meant “the wind sucked up the frogs and a tornado is on the way”.
Like the first book, this didn’t lag, nor did it rush along either. Radcliffe, like a lot of my favorite authors, has a way of pacing a book that doesn’t leave you wishing it’d “hurry up” or wanting to say “hey, slow the ponies down”. It’s a smooth and even pacing that keeps one ready, but they also don’t mind putting it down for a few moments either.
There are elements of humor that follow the natural story and aren’t out of place or inappropriate.
I had to laugh at Lucas’ “word-of-the-day” – loquacious (he was really going all out). Back about 10 years ago, I did the same thing with my mom – I had a slight version of “word-of-the-day”. Not only did it keep my vocabulary up, but I had a LOT of fun using new or interesting words. As a child, language expression and comprehension were some of my best studies. In a California test in second grade (2.7), my scores for language expression and comprehension were scored at 8th grade (grade 8.9). The .7 was of course the 7th month of the school year, so .9 was the ninth (9th) month of the school year.
Another was how Sam thought his grandfather verbal lost control after too much Dr. Pepper. I have to admit, as a Texan – I consider Dr. Pepper our official state drink. Any reason I adore this octogenarian (he’s 82 in this book)? He’s the grandfather I didn’t have and one that these boys need.
Like the first book, while from the Christian oriented line, this only has slight faith themes which are subtle in tone. It doesn’t come off like a sermon; but more like gentle guidance from trusted friends who are faithful, yet are sensitive to the faith and needs of others around them.
And, for those who don’t know the origins of the books or series …
It evolved from a note card with a picture of the silhouette of six cowboys facing a corral. I’m fascinated by the picture as well – what is its story, what were they thinking, what were they doing. As an aspiring writer, I find it interesting how a simple thing, in this case a photo, can develop into a series of stories waiting to be told.
Fans of the author should have already read this book, and those who haven’t? If you love a good “cowboy-but-more-kind” of guy – this is the book for y’all!
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book(s) in this series (there’s Lucas’ story and an unnamed cowboy as well). The third book, The Cowboy’s Secret Past, is set for release in February, and is on my list! As of note, I LOVE how the art department matched the door to Trevor’s shirt! You can see a preview picture on my blog, or here on Goodreads. Unlike the first book leading into this one; this does not give the readers a glimpse into book #3.
But, somethings should stay a mystery … for now 😉
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/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: Lazy M Ranch (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Books (April 25, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1335585699
ISBN-13: 978-1335585691
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“An infant in need…
But she’s a package deal.
After the tragic loss of his best friends, rancher Drew Morgan willingly accepts guardianship of their six-month-old baby—until he learns big-city professor Sadie Ross has temporary custody as well. Opposites in every way, the pair now has eight weeks together on Drew’s ranch to decide who will become the permanent parent. Could this makeshift family turn into something real…before the deadline is up?”
Next Book in the Series:
Series: Lazy M Ranch (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (February 27, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1335598685 ISBN-13: 978-1335598684⬆️ Click Photo for Pre-Order Information
“He’s not the same man he was
But maybe now he’s ready to be a father
Since leaving his wild rodeo days behind, rancher Trevor Morgan has sobered up and built a faith-filled life. So he’s shocked when the woman caring for his grandfather intrudes on that solitude. Nurse Hope Burke has hidden motives for coming to the Lazy M Ranch—she believes Trevor is the father of her orphaned nephew. Can a loving aunt and a wary cowboy change a little boy’s life forever?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tina Radcliffe has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the US Army Security Agency stationed in Ausburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her past careers include certified oncology RN, library cataloger, and pharmacy clerk. She recently moved from Denver, Colorado, to the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she writes heartwarming and fun inspirational romance.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinaradcliffeauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinaradcliffe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TMRadcliffe
Website: http://www.tinaradcliffe.com/
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment