REVIEW starring... Mail Order Cowboy by Victoria James

2023 is rolling on and the GREAT READS just keep on coming! Today's featured title is newly out via Entangled Amara, and on tour now with TLC Book Tours, hence this being my day to host. Can't say I'm disappointed in the least...because I'm not...I'm over the moon! I love me some Entangled titles and this is an author whose worked I've read before...this series specifically, or at least two of the other three books (*makes note to correct that...must read the missing book*), and thoroughly enjoyed myself between the pages, so it should come as no surprise that this one fell right in line with the rest!  Ladies and gents, today's blog tour guest and book of choice is...

Mail Order Cowboy

Wishing River, Book 4

by

Victoria James

9781649373120

Entangled Amara

Release Date:  December 27th, 2022

About the book...

Hope Roberts has a strict No Cowboys Allowed policy. Between raising her daughter, running her business, and trying to settle into her new ranch, Hope has no room for romance - especially when it comes to cowboys. What she needs is someone to help fix her ranch. But the only person to respond to her ad is the one man Hope still blames for her husband’s death…

In Wishing River, Dr. Dean Stanton is pretty much a legend. Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire?everyone knows and loves him…with the exception of Hope. But Dean doesn’t trust a complete stranger to keep Hope and her daughter safe. And despite their troubled past, he’s still the best cowboy for her job.

Bit by cautious bit, Hope’s little family of two is making room for the man she once thought of as her enemy. Until one day, Dean looks like the perfect exception to her “no cowboys” rule. But he’s been keeping a secret from her that could destroy their newfound family…

Each book in the Wishing River series is STANDALONE:

* The Trouble with Cowboys

* Cowboy for Hire

* Wishing For A Cowboy

* Mail Order Cowboy

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I've said it before and I'll say it again, the cowboy hat, boots, and massive buckles don't do a thing for me...so why do I read what can be classified as Western Romances?  Ah, well, if you already read them, than you're in the know, but if not, let me introduce you to the "hero type" represented in many of these stories.  They are flawed, but genuine.  They know how to treat a woman AND her family/friends.  Their circle of friends may not be large, but those within it know they are there for them come heck or high water.  There's nothing you could do to change their mind about you once they've seen your true heart, and that's not meant in a creepy stalker way, but in a he'll-be-there-however-you-need-him sort of way.  They may be good looking, but they don't generally lord it over you, even if the opposite sex does take note.  They live their lives in the moment while remembering the past and cherishing the future.  Have I turned your head yet?  Good, now let's get to THIS story...

Dean and Hope have been around each other since they were in school, but a hesitation to express teenage feelings and the chance to explore what they might have been went with the wind.  He wasn't one to step in on someone else's "territory", so Dean stepped back, politely, and pursued his dreams with the singular focus of someone wanting to make their own way in the world despite their family history, so that one day they could take the reins of the family legacy from the dirty hands of the one currently in charge.  Yes, there is family drama, on his side at least, and severely downplayed considering the pompous a**hat his father truly is, but he gets his comeuppance eventually, so have no fear even in the face of evil.  *glares at Dean's father*  Hope built her life with a husband and child, but was widowed too soon, and left with unanswered questions, heartache, and insecurities.  Her arrival back in Wishing River was suppose to be a new start, but it holds its own challenges that if she doesn't get in front of them, might just mow her down.  Okay, that was more to build suspense because Hope is one heck of a person.  A loving mom, there for her friends, unwilling to take charity without giving something of herself back...you can see why she's held in such high esteem in her circle, and why a certain gorgeous doctor cowboy type man may hold the idea of her close to his heart...but there are secrets they both hold that could tear them apart even if they manage to get out of their own way.

I'm telling you this is one you don't want to miss!  True, they are in their heads a wee much at times, but we all have to work through things before we make our move, it's called being human.  I really loved both of their characters, as well as their friends, because they felt genuine.  Their concerns were relateable, their dreams attainable, their potential for love reachable.  There was a lot of "able" running around, including her little girl that is just so sweet!  She actually helps with some of the adult problems because while they are stuck in their heads, she's reaching with her heart, and her genuine honesty helps them see the way.  A great add to the series, which, as noted above, can be read as stand alone titles, and the perfect way to kick off your new year of reading!

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About the author...

Victoria James is a romance writer living near Toronto. She is a mother to two young children, one very disorderly feline, and wife to her very own hero. Victoria attended Queen’s University and graduated with a degree in English literature. She then earned a degree in interior design. After the birth of her first child, she began pursuing her lifelong passion of writing. Her dream of being a published romance author was realized in 2012. 

SITE

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours and the Entangled Publishing team for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Entangled Amara, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today! Be sure to CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE TOUR making its way through the blogosphere for more bookish fun!

INSTAGRAM

Monday, December 26th: @pastbookish

Monday, December 26th: @randi_reads

Monday, December 26th: @booksandcoffeemx

Tuesday, December 27th: @nurse_bookie

Wednesday, December 28th: @nsiabblog

Thursday, December 29th: @gallaghergirlreads

Friday, December 30th: @nerdy_book_lover_1987

Friday, January 6th: @everlasting.charm

TBD: Wednesday, December 28th: @megsbookclub

REVIEWS

Tuesday, January 3rd: @sarahs.bookish.reviews

Tuesday, January 3rd: Jathan & Heather

Tuesday, January 3rd: SusanLovesBooks

Wednesday, January 4th: @temmathomas

Thursday, January 5th: @kingarthurof_cat_onsville

Friday, January 6th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Friday, January 6th: @thesleepybookworm

Monday, January 9th: @jenniaahava

Monday, January 9th: Stranded in Chaos

Monday, January 9th: The Romance Dish

Tuesday, January 10th: @edensbookden

Wednesday, January 11th: @bookish.heidi

Thursday, January 12th: @books_and_biewers

Friday, January 13th: @lowkey.bookish

Friday, January 13th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, January 16th: @readaholicdeb

Wednesday, January 18th: @infinite.readlist

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Entangled Publishing presents... WISHING FOR A COWBOY by Victoria James - REVIEW!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're getting you ready for your weekend with a NEW RELEASE (book birthday was this week!) title in stores and online now via Entangled Publishing! It's the latest in author Victoria James' Wishing River series, and will have Contemporary Romance as well as Western Romance fans glancing to the night sky for their own wishing stars. Why? Because this was SUCH a great book and the romance that comes along, while not without its pitfalls, will charm you heart and soul. So, get ready, get set, as we prepare to ride off into the weekend sunset with today's ebook of choice...

Wishing for a Cowboy

Wishing River, Book 3

by

Victoria James

Entangled Amara

About the book...

Janie Adams has been a single parent to her nephew since he was a baby. Fifteen years later, she’s finally found out who his father might be, so the two of them travel across the country to find him. She’d do anything for this kid. But when they arrive in the small town of Wishing River, Montana, and Janie finally meets the ruggedly handsome cowboy she’d been told had abandoned his son, his shocked response changes everything.

Aiden Rivers can’t dispute this is his kid when he sees his own features staring back at him, but he had no idea Janie’s sister was pregnant when she left him. He didn’t even know she had a sister—clearly they’d all been lied to. Now he has fifteen years of fatherhood to make up for and no idea how to be a dad. This was never in his plans.

Janie sticks around to help him ease into parenting, everything from showing him how to lure a sulky kid out of his bedroom to keeping up with the latest teen-speak. Together, they surprisingly make a good team, this city girl and country boy. But when the past catches up with them, Aiden and Janie must decide what’s best for the boy who's connecting them, not only for each other…which could mean splitting them apart. 

AMAZON

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On the whole, I absolutely loved it! It seriously has so much going for it, it's hard to know where to begin, but begin I must...or we'll be here all night! 

I was appalled by Maxi's behavior, and to be quite honest the revelation of that whole situation SHOCKED me. I was definitely thinking something else when Janie was the one holding all the cards, walking into a bar, far from home...with a cat on a leash.  (LOL!  No, really...it happens, and you've got to read it!)  As for the grandfather who passed, he was horrid and seriously not worthy of a second thought, but thorns in our sides tend to linger even after they are pulled, and boy did he do a number on our main man Aiden...but despite his horrendous influence, he grew into a REAL man. Now Janie, our auntie that was more like a mom than the actual one, and Aiden, our newly discovered dad, were definitely souls to know! I admit, I saw a lot of it coming...but it didn't make one moment any less enjoyable, and how they handled all the BIG moments was so touching. Even Will, the boy turned man little too early thanks to circumstances, was a big key holder here, and while he could have pulled the typical teenage sullen act, he chose to participate. Yes, he makes mistakes, and yes, some of those start to turn some things sour, but he TRIES...and he even aims to make things right.

In the end, I couldn't be happier for how thing turned out then if I was actually there in Wishing River myself! Just seriously, all the feelings, even after the SURPRISE visit, and the uncovering of memories better laid to rest, made it stick that much more in my heart...and I think it just might in your too! 

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About the author...

Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

SITE | TWITTER

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Special thanks to Riki at Entangled Publishing for the ebook for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this series, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title just celebrated it's book birthday this week (woot woot!), so click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar to snag your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... THE TROUBLE WITH COWBOYS by Victoria James!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're giving a great big SHOUT OUT to a new Contemporary Romance celebrating its BOOK BIRTHDAY today via Entangled Publishing!  It's set in a small town where everyone knows everyone, filled with great characters, comes with a built-in conflict that has simply festered over time, and has just the right amount of tension in all the right places... *wink wink*  So, grab your gear and saddle up as we explore between the pages of today's book of choice...

The Trouble with Cowboys

by

Victoria James

9781640635418

Entangled Amara

About the book...

Eight years ago, Tyler Donnelly left Wishing River, Montana, after a terrible fight with his father and swore he’d never return. But when his father has a stroke, guilt and duty drive him home, and nothing is as he remembers––from the run-down ranch to Lainey Sullivan, who is all grown up now. And darn if he can’t seem to stay away.

Lainey’s late grandma left her two things: the family diner and a deep-seated mistrust of cowboys. So when Tyler quietly rides back into town looking better than hot apple pie, she knows she’s in trouble. But she owes his dad everything, and she’s determined to show Ty what it means to be part of a small town...and part of a family.

Lainey’s courage pushes Ty to want to make Wishing River into a home again—together. But one of them is harboring a secret that could change everything.

🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎

Once upon a time, a boy and his father parted ways.  It seemed one sided, as in he left town with no notice leaving his father in the lurch because he was simply being a horse's behind...but as our leading lady Lainey finds out many years later, there are two sides to every story and not everything is as it first seems.

When Ty came back to town after his time away, I couldn't imagine why he would have ever stayed away.  I mean, the people were so warm and welcoming, slapping him on the back, and diving in to find out what he was up to for those 8 long years...okay, and yeah, that was totally sarcastic.  The welcome he received didn't involve trumpets or red carpets or even a friendly neighbor bringing over a casserole!  What he got was a good welcome for an enemy, not family, friend, or even an acquaintance.  Yes, it'd been YEARS, but you know, don't judge unless you know what you're ACTUALLY judging.  Anywho...

His return marked the beginning of a lot of things...and the end of several others.  It was a new start for the family ranch, if only dear old dad would forgive him for leaving those 8 long years ago.  It was a way to restart his long frozen dream of running the family ranch with his father, if he could only let go of the resentment he holds on his side of the past blow up.  It was a chance at a love he never even saw coming, if only he'd get out of his own way and be the man he truly is instead of the one everyone assumes he is.  Sounds like a lot of longing, right?  Well, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING...the story...it's good. SO GOOD.

I already loved Lainey's character for her spunk and drive, but I had to give kudos for sticking to her values...though the timing was DEFINITELY a bit awkward. Hey, better late-ish than never, right?  Also, I loved Ty's respect for her choice, even if he doesn't quite know what to do with himself, and how he was able to admit it may be too much for him.  Of course, I also loved how he found himself falling into something he never saw coming, which leads to some heart-wrenching yet wonderfully selfless moments.  There was always the little secret between them though that was going to rear its ugly head at some point...but, you know, what's a story without a little intrigue, right?

So, to summarize... it was SO GOOD! To give you a little bit more...I was SO happy with the ending, truly and one hundred percent. Concessions were made, truths were uncovered, dreams were rediscovered, forgiveness was found, and love made itself known. Be still me heart... 💕  If you're a fan of Contemporary Romance and don't mind your next potential book boyfriend wearing a cowboy hat from time to time (I'll totally overlook it...or hide the hat *giggle*), this one is for you! 

🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎

About the author...

Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

SITE  |  TWITTER

🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎  💛  🐎

Special thanks to the Entangled Publishing team for the eARC for review!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to score your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!