Musings and Ramblings: Lindsey Brookes

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Thursday, April 24

Review: Reeling in the Redneck by Lindsey Brookes

As the follow up book to one titled Jimmie Joe Johnson: Manwhore, Reeling in the Redneck doesn't sound nearly as controversial. To be honest, I didn't actually purchase the first book until I saw the second on Netgalley. But I am glad that I did. Possum Hollow, Alabama is a small town just chock full of interesting characters.

This book picks up the story a few months after the conclusion of book one. Randi Lynn and Skeeter Cooper are still rubbing each other the wrong way and creating sparks every time they are in each others company, but their awareness of each other is slowly changing. When Randi Lynn receives a letter from a modeling agency finally giving her a real shot at her life long dream of becoming a model, the entire town pulls together to help raise the money for her to start her dream. Randi Lynn is scared but excited and Skeeter gets a bit cranky about the idea of Randi Lynn leaving. However, since he has fishing tournament the weekend before in New York State, he offers to give Randi Lynn a ride up, as long as she can rough it a few days first. Knowing she has to save as much money as possible, she accepts. As they spend days alone together, Randi Lynn and Skeeter come to know each other a lot better and fall in love along the way.

I was a little confused by the blurb, I took it this would be Randi Lynn coming back to town after being gone to claim her man story. But that's not it at all. Most of the story is Randi Lynn actually getting to New York for her interview and her and Skeeter's adventures along the way. At its basics this is a story about realizing that some things are worth fighting for and that sometimes dreams change. As in the first, the POV flipped back and forth between the two main characters and worked well for this book. I enjoyed this story even more than the first and can't wait to find out what is next for the crew. I gave this book 4 stars.

Randi Lynn Brown grew up in Possum Hollow, Alabama with dreams of someday becoming a famous model. But when the opportunity arises for her to do just that, she finds herself rethinking everything. What if she fails? And can she really leave Skeeter Cooper behind? Not that there is really anything to leave behind. The irritating man has made it clear that she ain’t his kinda female. The kind that drinks and curses and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty. Maybe he’s right. Then again, maybe he ain’t.

Skeeter Cooper likes fishing, drinking and locking horns with that sexy, sassy female, Randi Lynn Brown. It’s not until word gets out that she might be moving to New York City that he realizes how much he’s gonna miss having her in his life. But he ain’t about to keep her from chasing after her dream. He even offers to take her to Manhattan. The only ‘catch’ being she’ll have to attend a bass fishing tournament with him along the way. Problem is fish ain’t the only thing that ends up getting hooked that weekend!

Despite her modeling success, Randi Lynn finds herself yearning for the very place she’d always been so eager to leave behind. For the man she left behind. Following her heart, she returns to Possum Hollow, determined that nothing, not even one annoyingly stubborn man, is gonna keep her from finally REELING IN HER REDNECK for good.

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon

Wednesday, April 23

Review: Jimmie Joe Johnson: Manwhore by Lindsey Brookes

This is the first book in the Possum Hollow series by Lindsey Brookes. I first saw the book in a catalog from Kensington quite a while ago and it just totally caught my eye. I mean, hello, 'manwhore' is in the title! I just plain sounded like a good time. And it so really was.

The story starts out from Baylee Jean's perspective. Her Aunt Callie, in a drunken ramble, tries to explain to Baylee why men are so bad, and why she should be grateful that she scared off Jimmie Joe several years before. In her drunken rant, she admits that she told Jimmie Joe that due to his family, he would never be worthy of Baylee and that if he didn't leave her alone, he would end up with his "balls pickled and put on display in a jar". Baylee is absolutely livid with her aunt and shocked to the core. Baylee had thought that it was something she had done all those years ago that caused Jimmie Joe to turn away from her. But now that she knows the truth, she decides to go after her man.

The next chapter is from Jimmie Joe's perspective. He is just about to 'diddle' Sally Norton on the oversized washer, when another of his conquests comes rushing in and starts screaming at him. He ends up with a clothing cart slammed into his bare ass and no longer quite in the party mood. Baylee Jean then shows up and proceeds to start to confuse him with smiles and innuendo instead of death glares and cold shoulders. Poor Jimmie Joe is left not sure what is going on, but Aunt Callie's threat is still fresh in his mind so he sets out to avoid Baylee at every turn.

I thought this was a great story. The basic story was a sweet one - a guy who doesn't think he is good enough for his girl, and the girl who believes in her man, wrapped in redneck-isms and southern charm. Was the book a bit corny? Hell yeah! Totally over the Top Corn, but it so worked. These larger-than-life almost caricature characters can only be told in a small town setting. Miranda Lambert said it best with Everybody's Famous in a Small Town. I gave this book 4 stars.

There are some things a man can't change. My bein' a babe magnet for one. . . --Jimmie Joe Johnson

Fact is, just about every single female in Possum Hollow, Alabama—along with most of the attached ones—has enjoyed my services. And not just as an auto mechanic, if you know what I mean. With me, women know exactly what to expect. A sweet ride, and no promises.

But even a manwhore has rules. Like stayin’ away from Baylee Jean Brown. As teenagers, Baylee Jean and I were hot and heavy. Then her Aunt Callie Rae warned me off, sayin’ I'd never be good enough. Seeing as the women in Baylee Jean’s family all have witch blood, and I figured Callie Rae was fixin’ to do something unmentionable to my man parts, I agreed. But now suddenly, Baylee Jean—smart, sexy, wild—is all over me. She wants me bad—hell, who doesn’t? But, if there’s one woman who could bring a hound dog to heel, it might be her…

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon BN Kobo ARe

Tuesday, June 25

Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: Kidnapped Cowboy by Lindsey Brookes

Kidnapped Cowboy

Kidnapped Cowboy
Lindsey Brookes

Genre: Western Romance

Date of Publication: February 14, 2013

Number of pages: 304

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon B&N

After countless attempts to speak with the owner of the retreat for troubled teens she runs on the outskirts of Lone Tree, Montana, Caitlin Myers resorts to kidnapping Brandon ‘The Ogre of Lone Tree’ Barnes in a desperate attempt to change his mind about turning Stoney Brook into a vacation resort for the wealthy.

Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother. Things go from bad to worse when a late spring snowstorm strands them together at the cabin. But it’s during their snow-in that Dalton learns why Caitlin has gone to such lengths to save Stoney Brook. Having had issues with his older brother himself and a not so happy past, Dalton promises to do what he can to help her.

When confronted Brandon tells Dalton he’ll hold off on his plans for the retreat, but only if Dalton agrees to stick around and help run it. Keeping his promise to Caitlin, Dalton agrees and what starts out as a common goal to turn the troubled teens’ lives around that summer ends up turning theirs around as well. Can a man who has always avoided putting down roots and a woman with a deep-seated fear of abandonment hang on to the happiness they’ve found together? Or will the past return to threaten their newfound love?

Love, laughter and a heartwarming read…

Excerpt:

Dalton shook his head. “It would never really be ‘mine’ that way. I wanna buy you out. Most of my money is tied up right now in investments, but I have some money owed to me I can collect on. Should give me enough to give you a down payment towards buying you out and leave enough to buy Caitlin a nice ring with.”

“Works for me.” He held out his hand. “Welcome home, Dalton.”

Dalton took his brother’s hand, gripping it firmly. “Glad to be back.” He had just taken his first step toward putting down roots. A pretty big one for a man who never imagined settling anywhere for any real length of time. And he sure as hell never imagined it would be in the town he’d been in such an all-fire hurry to get away from all those years ago.

“This is a pretty big step for you,” his brother said. “Glad you’re finally taking it.”

He was going to take an even bigger step when he asked Caitlin to marry him. But before he could do that, he needed to go collect on those loans he’d made while riding the circuit. If everything went the way he hoped, he’d be back before the retreat’s summer session ended. He wanted the kids to be there when he asked Caitlin to marry him.

Dalton had to clear the emotion from his throat before speaking again. “I’ll never forget what you gave up to give me this opportunity.”

“You’re the one giving up his freedom, not me,” his brother said with a grin.

“I’m referring to the money you could have made by turning this place into a resort like you’d planned to do.”

“Hell, it’s not like I don’t have enough irons in the fire as it is.”

“Too many to keep an eye on Caitlin for me while I’m gone?”

Brandon hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. “I’m not real good in the caring for females department.”

“I’m not asking you to move out here. Just call her once in a while and make sure there’s nothing she needs.”

“I can do that,” his brother said reluctantly. “But you’d best get your ass back here as soon as you can. I’ve had my fill of dealing with feminine temperaments and something tells me Caitlin’s not gonna be very happy about your leaving.”

Review:

The Kidnapped Cowboy by Lindsey Brookes is a story of redemption and reconciliation. Not just for the troubled teens at Stoney Brook, but also for the Barnes Brothers.

The story opens with Caitlin Myers, psychologist and head of the Stoney Brook camp for troubled teens kidnapping the wrong Barnes. She had intended to "borrow" Brandon Barnes so that she could explain to him why the camp that his father opened so many years ago needed to stay open and not be turned into a playground for the wealthy. Caitlin had been trying for weeks to get ahold of Brandon, yet he never returned her calls or requests via mail. So she decided to take drastic measures and hold him until he will listen to reason. Only, the Barnes she ends up with is the younger brother, Dalton. Dalton had borrowed his brother's truck to go into town that night and do some drinking and blow off some steam. He was back in town after leaving the rodeo circuit and was training horses on the family ranch.

As Caitlin and Dalton bond over the catastrophes that seem to follow in Caitlin's wake, Dalton becomes determined to help her in her quest to keep the camp open. Even going so far as to strike a bargain with his brother to do the work the camp needs to get ready to open again and then stay through the summer. As he works with Caitlin, Dalton understands why keeping the camp open is so important to her and the kids.

This book had such a great balance of emotion. Going from the comedy of errors and misunderstandings in the beginning to the reconciliation of the brothers and the bonds of family that grow between the teens. This book had me laughing and sighing in equal measure. If you like books that you can walk away from them feeling upbeat and lighthearted, check this one out. If Ms. Brookes writes a sequel and does Brandon's story, I would read it, no hesitation. I am giving it 4 solid stars on Goodreads, for an overall enjoyable read.

Giveaway:

Lindsey will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info:
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

June 24:
Musings From An Addicted Reader

June 25:
Musings and Ramblings

June 26:
Harlie's Books
We Love Kink

June 27:
For The Love of Reading
4 the LUV of SANITY

June 28:
As the Pages Turn

Author Bio:

Romance author Lindsey Brookes grew up reading romance novels. She penned her first romance, a historical, at the age of seventeen. From there she went on to join Romance Writers of America where she learned the ins and outs of the publishing business and ways to hone her craft. She switched to writing contemporary romance and has finalled in/or won more than 75 RWA chapter sponsored contests with over a dozen different manuscripts. She is also a four time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist and winner of Harlequin's Great American Romance Novel contest. She's married to her childhood sweetheart, her hero, with whom she has two beautiful daughters.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Possum Hollow Series | Facebook | Twitter

Thursday, May 23

Book Blast & Giveaway: Kidnapped Cowboy by Lindsey Brookes