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WORK TITLE: Hometown Cowboy
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.sararichardson.com/
CITY:
STATE: CO
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
Interview: Sara Richardson, author of ‘Hometown Cowboy’
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: three.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer; former communications manager, copy writer, magazine editor, and whitewater rafting guide.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Romance writer Sara Richardson is the author of two popular series set in contemporary Colorado. She had initially planned to pursuit a career in journalism, but after discovering that her empathy made her unsuited to this kind of work she turned to fiction. Her writing has been inspired by her belief in enduring love, personified in the story of her grandparents who had eloped and maintained their dedication to each other through life’s hardships as well as happiness.
No Better Man
In Richardson’s debut novel No Better Man, businesswoman Avery King arrives in Aspen, Colorado hoping to persuade widower Bryce Walker to sell his family’s ranch to her CEO father. But despite the fact that Bryce has neglected the property over the years, he has decided to restore the land and make the ranch profitable again. Thinking of Avery as a major threat to his future, he is reluctant to meet with her. But when he does, he is shocked to find himself falling in love with the very person he had determined to reject.
Avery looks cool and professional, but she is hurting and emotionally vulnerable after a difficult breakup. When Bryce resists Avery’s typically charming sales pitch, Avery begins to see something similarly vulnerable in the rancher. Before long, she realizes she is in love with Bryce. But this complicates matters between her and her father, who is ratcheting up the pressure to get the rancher to sell. In the end, Avery and Bryce discover that love can give each of them a positive way forward. A writer for Publishers Weekly said that the novel “packs a powerful emotional punch.”
Something Like Love and One Christmas Wish
Something Like Love chronicles the romance between an aspiring politician and a Colorado mountain guide. When Ben Noble, who is running for U.S. Senate, returns to Aspen to plan his campaign launch, he hopes he will run into an ex-flame, wilderness guide Paige Harper. They had known each other years before, when Paige had been smitten but Ben had not reciprocated her feelings. Now Ben wants to change things, but Paige is wary of another heartbreak. She decides they can hook up, but she resolves to keep the relationship a superficial one. Against her better judgment, however, she begins to connect with Ben on an emotional level. He is still struggling with guilt over a car accident that had seriously injured his sister, and Paige has unresolved emotional issues as well. As they slowly learn to trust each other, they open themselves to the healing power of true love.
Julia Noble, Ben’s sister, is the female lead in One Christmas Wish. She resents having been overprotected since her serious car accident years earlier, and decides that the only way to change matters is to leave town. She has lined up a great job in Dallas, where she plans to live independently with her service dog. But before making her getaway, Julia wants attend Ben’s Christmas wedding. Three days before the event, she runs into Isaac Nash–the only man she has ever loved. Isaac had entered the Navy while Julia was still in the hospital, and he has never learned the truth about her accident. He has always blamed himself for having had to leave town when Julia needed him the most. Now that he is back, however, he finally sees his chance to convince Julia that he deserves her love and that they can be happy together.
More Than a Feeling and Rocky Mountain Wedding
In More Than a Feeling, Ruby James finds emotional refuge at the Walker ranch only to find herself falling for Sawyer Hawkins, a local cop who can’t understand her reluctance to talk about her past. They bond during a week of confidence-building activities that the ranch has hosted for a group of foster children, and Ruby slowly opens up to this man she is gingerly learning to trust.
Their story continues in Rocky Mountain Wedding. As Walker and Ruby prepare for married life together with adopted daughter Brooklyn and the new baby that Ruby is expecting, they must first cope with an unexpected obstacle.
Hometown Cowboy and Comeback Cowboy
Brothers Lance and Lucas Cortez run the family ranch in Topaz, Colorado that is the setting for Richardson’s “Rocky Mountain Riders” Series. In Hometown Cowboy, lonely veterinarian Jessa Mae Love finds herself reluctantly falling for a man who could not be a worse match for her: rodeo superstar Lance Cortez, a handsome ladies’ man about to launch his final bid for champion status as a bull rider. Intrigued by the quiet vet, who consistently rebuffs all of his advances, Lance asks her to move out to the ranch to help him look after his ailing father. Jessa agrees on condition that they keep the relationship strictly professional. Yet neither party is able to adhere to this condition for long. Observing that the author makes her characters “earn their lasting love,” a writer for Publishers Weekly admired Hometown Cowboy as “charmingly funny” and “satisfyingly spicy.”
Comeback Cowboy is the story of a second chance at love. Naomi Sullivan has worked hard to cope with the challenges of single motherhood after her brief marriage ended in divorce. But just as she finally begins to feel settled, her high school sweetheart, Lucas Cortez, comes back to Topaz Falls. Ten years earlier, he had been convicted of arson and he had served time in prison. Since then he has earned a good reputation as a ranch worker, but despite this fact he is not expecting a warm welcome in town. Lucas plans to spend some time with his father, who has developed Parkinson’s disease, and then move on. Naomi is conflicted about Lucas’s return, and avoids him at first. But their attraction is too strong to resist. They become a couple again, only to learn that some townspeople still harbor so much anger toward Lucas that they are willing to jeopardize the safety of Naomi and her young daughter. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly observed that Richardson “beautifully illustrates the rocky road of love and the power of redemption” in this highly emotional story. In Renegade Cowboy, another bull-riding member of the Cortez family, Levi, wins the heart of an initially reluctant woman.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, April 20, 2015, review of No Better Man, p. 61; December 19, 2016, review of Hometown Cowboy, p. 105.
Xpress Reviews, October 16, 2015, Jessica M. Strefling, review of One Christmas Wish; February 24, 2017, Bette-Lee Fox, review of Hometown Cowboy.
ONLINE
Happy Ever After, http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/ (February 28, 2017), Joyce Lamb, interview with Richardson.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (November 10, 2017), review of One Christmas Wish; review of More Than a Feeling; review of Comeback Cowboy.
Publishers Weekly Online, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (November 10, 2017), review of Comeback Cowboy; review of Something Like Love.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (November 10, 2017), Melanie Bates, review of No Better Man; Nicola Onychuk, review of Something Like Love; Nicola Onychuk, review of More than a Feeling; Bridget Keown, review of Hometown Cowboy; Bridget Keown, review of Comeback Cowboy.
Sara Richardson Website, http://www.sararichardson.com (November 10, 2017).
Interview: Sara Richardson, author of ‘Hometown Cowboy’
35
SHARES
By: Joyce Lamb | February 28, 2017 12:01 am
Sara Richardson
Sara Richardson
Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Sara! Please tell us a bit about your new release, Hometown Cowboy.
Sara: Hometown Cowboy is the first book in the exciting new Rocky Mountain Riders series. The series features the Cortez brothers — three mountain cowboys who are back together on the family ranch for the first time since a family scandal caused a rift years ago. Still protecting the secret that tore them apart, they are each trying to atone for their mistakes so they can finally move on, go their separate ways, and forget about the past. But when they become reacquainted with the women they’d left behind, they discover there just might be a future waiting for them in beautiful Topaz Falls, Colorado after all.
Joyce: What inspires your book ideas?
Sara: Inspiration is different for every book. For my Heart of the Rockies series, I was inspired by a trip my husband and I took to Aspen, Colorado. Most people know Aspen for it’s high-end luxury, but there is also a more rustic, down-to-earth side to the town and surrounding areas. While we were visiting, I found the contrast to be so unique, and I started to think about how that would play out between two people who were falling in love. For the Rocky Mountain Riders series, inspiration is everywhere in Colorado. Every year in Denver, the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo comes to town. And the national Professional Bull Riders organization is headquartered in Pueblo Colorado. There are also so many beautiful ranches all over the mountains. I never get tired of visiting them and gaining inspiration for new stories.
hometown-cowboy-sara-richardson
Joyce: What do you do when you get stuck?
Sara: As a mom to two active boys, I’m not used to sitting still for long periods of time. I find that if I sit at my computer for longer than two hours, my creativity starts to wane. I’ve discovered the best thing for me to do when I get stuck is to get up and exercise. That looks different depending on the day. I’ll either clean the house (which can be a great calorie-burning workout if you live in my house), or I’ll head out to the gym. Either way, exercise gives me a great reprieve and gets those creative juices flowing again.
Joyce: Who are three romance authors who turn you into a fangirl?
Sara: I have been a big fan of Robyn Carr’s for a long time. I got to meet her at a signing last year, and I completely panicked. It can be so overwhelming to communicate how much your favorite authors’ books mean to you. My other two would be RaeAnne Thayne — her Hope Springs series is still among my all-time favorites that I recommend to everyone I know, and Kristan Higgins — her books never fail to make me laugh and cry, and then laugh again.
Joyce: Would you like to share a favorite moment from your writing career?
Sara: There have been so many fun, pinch-me moments! But I think my favorite was when I received the call that I was a RITA finalist. I was actually going through customs at the airport after being in Mexico when I got a message from the fabulous Damon Suede. I called him back right away, without realizing that you’re not supposed to use your cellphone while going through customs. Luckily, no one noticed and he informed me that No Better Man was nominated in the best first book category. That was something I hadn’t expected at all so it was a grand surprise!
Joyce: Do you have a pet that hangs out with you while you’re working?
Sara: My chocolate Labradoodle Maddy is my constant companion whenever I’m at home. She loves to lounge on deck chairs with me and is the only one allowed in my office when I’m working. She has the cutest old-man eyebrows and provides plenty of inspiration for the pets I write into my stories.
Where the magic happens (and that's Maddy!).
Where the magic happens (and that’s Maddy!).
Joyce: What’s your ideal scenery while you’re writing?
Sara: I’m easily distracted, so my most productive scenery is at home. When it’s warm outside, I sit on our back deck and look out at the mountains sprawled behind our house. When it’s cold I usually lock myself in my basement office. Instead of a dungeon it’s more like my sanctuary. It’s filled with books and quotes and all of my favorite colors and things. Since I have two boys, I made it my fun girly space where I can escape when I need to.
If I’m not on a tight deadline, I also love to visit local coffee shops to write. But inevitably, I’ll start chit-chatting with someone or eavesdropping on other people’s conversations, so I don’t get much done. Oh, and I talk to myself a lot while I’m writing, too, which doesn’t go over well when you’re out in public. 🙂
Joyce: What’s coming next?
Sara: Comeback Cowboy will release in June, and Renegade Cowboy will release in November.
Joyce: Thanks, Sara!
About Hometown Cowboy:
Never fall in love with a cowboy.
Jessa Mae Love is done with relationships. No matter how tempting he might be, she cannot—will not—fall for a man like Lance Cortez. The outrageously handsome cowboy is practically a living legend in Colorado, as famous for riding bulls as he is for breaking hearts. What would a big-time rodeo star like him see in a small-town veterinarian who wears glasses, rescues animals, and cries when watching rom-coms? Turns out, plenty.
Raising bulls, riding the circuit, and looking after his ailing father—Lance never stands still for long. Yet Jessa catches his attention, and the more she tries to resist him, the more he wants her. When she agrees to move to the ranch to keep an eye on Lance’s dad, Jessa tells him they have to keep it professional: no flirting, no sweet talk, and definitely no kissing. But with Jessa now living under his roof, that’s easier said than done …
Find out more at www.sararichardson.com.
About
When I first heard the story of how my grandparents ran away in the middle of the night to elope, I was fascinated. They followed their hearts and found a love that most people only dream about. Years later, my grandfather loved my grandmother enough to stand by her side through immense heartache and suffering with their special bond somehow still intact.
Amazing stories like theirs have always inspired me to believe to in love. As a young girl, I kept a notebook that I called “The Book of Love.” On those tattered pages, I copied stories and poems and vignettes that helped me hold onto the hope that love could change things, that love could make life’s heartaches and disappointments bearable. Since then, I’ve seen true love change people and circumstances and hearts and lives. That’s the kind of love my stories explore. I use my experience as a mountain guide to write stories that incorporate adventure with romance. By trade I’m a writer, but I’m also a wife, a mother, a dreamer, a believer, a storyteller and an explorer.
Thanks for vising my site! For more about me, connect with me on Facebook.
A few of my favorite things…
- Hugs and kisses from my three sweet boys.
- Date nights with my hunky husband.
- Vacations!
- God sightings – in sunsets, in people, in the places you’d least expect.
- Stories that inspire my soul.
- The mountains.
- The beach. (Not the ocean. Just the beach.)
- Adventures across times zones or across the street.
- Decaf hazelnut nonfat lattes.
- Socks of all colors and patterns.
- The darkest chocolate you can find.
- Pedicures with my girlfriends.
- Encouraging people to chase their dreams.
Contemporary romance author Sara Richardson has been a communications manager, copy writer, magazine editor, and whitewater rafting guide. The day after graduating with a master’s degree in journalism, Sara realized she was too empathetic to be a journalist and starting writing her first novel instead. A lifelong fascination with true love quickly led her to the romance genre.
Her Heart of the Rockies series was published by Grand Central Forever in 2015. In 2016, her debut novel, No Better Man, was nominated for a RITA in the best first book category. Sara is passionate about writing stories that inspire people to believe in love and always enjoys connecting with readers. Learn more at www.sararichardson.com.
Hometown Cowboy
Publishers Weekly.
263.52 (Dec. 19, 2016): p105.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Hometown Cowboy
Sara Richardson. Forever, $7.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-4075-4
Richardson (Something like Love) launches a contemporary series with the earnest sincerity, heart, and Colorado
setting that are her trademarks. Jessa Mae Love wants the thing her mother always eschewed: a committed romantic
relationship. But when her boyfriend breaks up with her by text message, she starts reconsidering her priorities.
Determined to give up on men and dedicate herself to building up the animal shelter her father founded, she calls on
her cohort of feisty and funny friends for a makeover and support for her new resolution. And it all goes hilariously
awry when Lance Cortez, a rodeo champion determined to get one last world title before retiring, barges into her living
room and her life. Though Lance is still struggling with betrayals in his past, the two begin a tentative, oft-interrupted
flirtation. Their story is sensitive, charmingly funny, satisfyingly spicy, and dedicated to ensuring both protagonists
grow to earn their lasting love. This will satisfy Richardson's fans while welcoming new readers to a sweeping land of
mountains, cowboys, and romance. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Feb.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Hometown Cowboy." Publishers Weekly, 19 Dec. 2016, p. 105. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA475324308&it=r&asid=a6e2f25d8d8b03dc1873863c5025a35c.
Accessed 1 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A475324308
10/1/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1506882065327 2/4
No Better Man
Publishers Weekly.
262.16 (Apr. 20, 2015): p61.
COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
No Better Man
Sara Richardson. Grand Central/Forever, $6 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-3084-7
Richardson's debut packs a powerful emotional punch. Chicago executive Avery King has just broken up with her
boyfriend rather publicly, and she needs to leave town quickly. She heads to Aspen, Colo., where Bryce Walker's
family ranch is on her to-buy list. Bryce has no interest in selling; he's still mourning his wife's death, and all he wants
to do is cling to his heritage. Expecting to charm Bryce out of his property, Avery is the one who ends up surprised
when she falls deeply in love with the rugged widower. As she empathizes with Bryce, Avery battles with her father,
who is determined to acquire the land at any cost. Richardson's deft characterization creates a hero and heroine who
will elicit laughs in some places and tears in others. Agent: Susan Brower, Natasha Kern Literary Agency. June)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"No Better Man." Publishers Weekly, 20 Apr. 2015, p. 61. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA411335243&it=r&asid=f8f7dfa97b07a947af5f49df3d1b6d35.
Accessed 1 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A411335243
10/1/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1506882065327 3/4
Richardson, Sara. Hometown Cowboy
Bette-Lee Fox
Xpress Reviews.
(Feb. 24, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/xpress/884170-289/xpress_reviews-first_look_at_new.html.csp
Full Text:
Richardson, Sara. Hometown Cowboy. Forever: Grand Central. (Rocky Mountain Riders, Bk. 1). Mar. 2017. 331p.
ISBN 9781455540754. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455540730. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Jessa Mae Love has sworn off love and relationships--being dumped, again, has given her a new purpose. She'll focus
on rebuilding the animal rescue and shelter her late father founded here in Topaz Falls, CO. She has her gal pals; what
more does she need? Then bull rider Lance Cortez comes calling. The oldest of the three Cortez brothers wants Jessa to
watch over their father, Luis, Jessa's dad's best friend and a volunteer at the shelter. Luis, a former champion bull rider
himself, at 67 has been acting a bit odd, a bit disoriented and forgetful. Lance hopes Jessa can sub for him, who, now
30, is training for what is likely his last competition. How had he never noticed Jessa before?
Verdict Richardson (More Than a Feeling) opens a new series with a wary cowboy with issues and a woman who has
always put her faith in love. Richardson's humorous flair will have readers smiling along with the tears shed over each
misunderstanding. Romance fans will want to lasso these cowpokes.--Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Fox, Bette-Lee. "Richardson, Sara. Hometown Cowboy." Xpress Reviews, 24 Feb. 2017. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA489080902&it=r&asid=80c4b54798334bcb984cf27f02856015.
Accessed 1 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A489080902
10/1/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1506882065327 4/4
Richardson, Sara. One Christmas Wish
Jessica M. Strefling
Xpress Reviews.
(Oct. 16, 2015):
COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/xpress/884170-289/xpress_reviews-first_look_at_new.html.csp
Full Text:
Richardson, Sara. One Christmas Wish. Forever Yours: Grand Central. (Heart of the Rockies, Bk. 2.5). Nov. 2015.
191p. ebk. ISBN 9781455591510. $2.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Julia Noble is ready to make it on her own, and no longer will she have to watch her family feel sorry for her. Just
because she can no longer walk doesn't mean she is incapable of having her own life. All she needs to do is see her
brother get married, pick up her service dog, and move to Dallas to start her dream job. How is she supposed to know
that her past love would choose to return at this choice moment? Isaac Nash came back into town because his old
friend is getting married. He didn't expect to see the girl he fell in love with or that she would look more gorgeous than
ever. The day he left for the navy was the worst day of Isaac's life. Julia was still in the hospital, and his father was in
jail. Will Isaac be able to win her back and will she be able to accept that someone can love her without pity or a sense
of obligation?
Verdict Richardson's (No Better Man) story of Julia and Isaac will attract any romance reader, especially those who
enjoy rekindled love. Although there is a noticeable lack of a Christmas theme, this winter tale will still get readers in
the holiday spirit.--Jessica M. Strefling, U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, Washington, DC
Strefling, Jessica M.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Strefling, Jessica M. "Richardson, Sara. One Christmas Wish." Xpress Reviews, 16 Oct. 2015. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA432680425&it=r&asid=dde404e98da0d7db2da4e930f47fad2c.
Accessed 1 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A432680425
Image of No Better Man (Heart of the Rockies)
NO BETTER MAN
Image of No Better Man (Heart of the Rockies)
Author(s): Sara Richardson
In her latest, Richardson brings us a modern read set in beautiful Aspen. Her brisk storytelling and the charming, endearing characters set within a solid, engaging plot make this sweet romance shine. A strong and vulnerable Bryce, coupled with a determined, lighthearted Avery, will appeal to readers, especially with their sizzling chemistry. This is a truly delightful read.
Business executive Avery King heads to Aspen, Colo., to acquire the Walker Family Ranch for her CEO father. Owner Bryce Walker has let his family’s ranch go to ruin through neglect, but now he’s returned and wants to restore it. When Avery and Bryce meet at the ranch for the first time, their exchange is cold, though the attraction is instant. Bryce doesn’t expect to fall in love with the ranch’s biggest threat, but when he does, life becomes both sweet and complicated. (FOREVER, Jun., 384 pp., $6.00)
Reviewed by:
Melanie Bates
Image of Something Like Love (Heart of the Rockies)
SOMETHING LIKE LOVE
Image of Something Like Love (Heart of the Rockies)
Author(s): Sara Richardson
Second in Richardson’s Heart of the Rockies series is a delight. Paige’s adventurous, independent spirit shines through, and while Ben sometimes verges on too pushy, he needs all that determination to really get past her defenses. “Resist the drawl,” she tells herself at one point, but in the end, she can’t resist him — and neither will readers. A wide cast of sharp, well-drawn secondary characters adds depth to the story, as does the beautiful landscape.
When Ben Noble needs to escape the spotlight that’s always on his political family, he runs from Washington, D.C. to hide out in Aspen — where he hopes he’ll run into sexy mountain guide Paige Harper. He always had a bit of a thing for Paige, but she won’t fall for the playboy’s charm a second time. As they spend more time together in the mountains, prickly Paige starts to let Ben into her heart again … but can he really keep from breaking it? (FOREVER, Nov., 368 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Nicola Onychuk
MORE THAN A FEELING
Image of More Than a Feeling (Heart of the Rockies)
Author(s): Sara Richardson
Ruby is the kind of heroine you can’t help but love and root for. She has a sweet nature that defies every grim aspect of her past, with an aching empathy for the vulnerable. When she and off-duty cop Sawyer Hawkins team up to give some foster kids a memorable week of ranch life, she finds that the confidence-building exercises designed for the kids have an unexpected effect on her own boundaries. Sawyer won’t let her fall, but he also won’t let her hide behind secrets he doesn’t understand. Fans of Robyn Carr will undoubtedly enjoy the Heart of the Rockies series.
A small-town romance set in Aspen, Colo., Sawyer falls hard for Ruby’s generous curves and generous heart, but he can’t let a mystery go unsolved — and Ruby’s past is a big mystery. Honesty is the one thing he must have from a partner, and it’s the one thing that Ruby can’t give him. Unless she can learn to trust — and he can learn to bend a little. Both of them have to put some old ghosts to rest before they can find their way to each other. (FOREVER, Apr., 384 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Nicola Onychuk
HOMETOWN COWBOY
Image of Hometown Cowboy (Rocky Mountain Riders)
Author(s): Sara Richardson
In the debut of her Rocky Mountain Riders series, Richardson creates an engaging small-town setting, filled with a richly detailed population, including two hurt and lonely protagonists, whose funny and moving journey together is sure to earn plenty of new fans. Richardson isn’t afraid to confront the difficult aspects of her characters’ pasts with insight and sympathy; however, while the hero is given a real chance to develop, the ending comes too soon for the heroine to grow, making her story feel somewhat stilted. Nevertheless, there is plenty to enjoy in this spirited, heartwarming story that bodes well for the series to follow.
After her latest romance ends in disaster, veterinarian Jessa Mae Love decides it’s time to swear off love for good. So the last thing she needs is Lance Cortez, the devilishly handsome rodeo star, to come knocking at her door, looking for help with his ailing father. Jessa has a huge soft spot for Lance’s father, so she agrees to help, even though she knows that nothing good can come from living in such close proximity to the one man who could make her break her promises about falling in love again. (FOREVER, Feb., 368 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
COMEBACK COWBOY
Image of Comeback Cowboy (Rocky Mountain Riders)
Author(s): Sara Richardson
Richardson’s empathy for her protagonists shines through every page of her second Rocky Mountain Riders novel, making their long-awaited reunion into a sweet tale that will easily win readers’ hearts. However, though her hero’s history is a seminal part of this series, very little attention is paid to the effects of his experiences on him or his relationships. Thus, while the book admirably confronts the bitterness that can lurk in the most idyllic communities, by avoiding the very real issues at play, the whole plot feels a bit too idealistic. Nevertheless, this earnest romance is sure to provide an ideal escape for series fans and newcomers alike.
Single mother Naomi Sullivan finally feels like she has her life on track — that is, until her high-school sweetheart returns to town, reminding her of all the dreams they once shared, and everything she left unsaid. Lucas Cortez doesn’t plan to stay in a town that clearly doesn’t want him back — that is, until he sees Naomi again, and realizes that his feelings for her have never faded. But can a woman with a secret and a man with a past find a way to create a future together? (FOREVER, Jun., 368 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
Comeback Cowboy
Sara Richardson. Forever, $7.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-4077-8
MORE BY AND ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Richardson shines in the emotionally rich second Rocky Mountain Riders contemporary romantic thriller (after Hometown Cowboy). Lucas Cortez left tiny Topaz Falls, Colo., in disgrace after he was convicted of setting a fire that destroyed the rodeo center and served time in jail. His former lover, Naomi Sullivan, stayed behind, and her brief marriage with one of Lucas’s friends left her a single mother to adorable Gracie. Ten years after Lucas’s departure, he returns to be with his family after his father’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Lucas has long since paid his debt to society and made a name for himself as a successful ranch employee. At first Naomi tries to stay away from him—and when they do rekindle their relationship, it soon becomes apparent that not everyone is as forgiving of past crimes as she is. Both their lives and Gracie’s could be in jeopardy. Richardson beautifully illustrates the rocky road of love and the power of redemption in this emotionally charged tale. With a tight, compelling plot and expert characterization, she creates a warm, comfortable world readers will want to visit again and again. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (July)
REVIEW: Comeback Cowboy by Sara Richardson
Posted June 26th, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Top Pick!, Review / 2 comments
HJ_TopPick
In Comeback Cowboy (Rocky Mountain Riders #2) Sara Richardson does it again. She brings back the amazing characters from book one and builds an even stronger foundation that will carry you through to the next book. I though I was in love before, but after reading Naomi and Lucas’s story, I am totally Cowboy head over heels.
Naomi Sullivan is a single mom raising a 10 year old daughter who is the light of her life and the center of her universe. Always putting Gracie first, never taking time for herself. When the only boy she ever loved comes home, she is torn between wanting to stay as far away from him as possible and wanting to get as close the flame he still ignites in her. But can she really trust that Lucas will stay this time, or is she setting herself and Gracie up for more heartache?
Lucas Cortez is the dependable brother, the one that took the blame and did 3 years in prison for a crime his younger brother committed. He never thought that he deserved Naomi before and by God he still does not feel worthy of her. She was the only thing that has kept him going, the only thing that got him through when he was in prison. The image of her face, the memory of her touch, it got him through. When she finally lets down her guard and lets him in, he will do whatever it takes to earn a second chance at the love that never died.
But many in the town don’t want Lucas around, and Dobbins threatens Naomi and Gracie, tries to frame Lucas, he has a decision to make, leave to protect them and lose the chance at the love of a lifetime, or trust in Naomi and his family, to stay and fight for the only thing he ever really wanted, to come home.
What I loved so much about Naomi and Lucas is that no matter how much time had passed, they still had a very deep love for each other. Lucas was noble and tried to protect Gracie and Naomi by making the decision to leave, but Naomi would not let the man that she loved run away again. She would move the mountains themselves to stand up for him, to have his back, the make things right for him. I really loved that about these characters, no matter what, love and trust and healing are the front and center of this story.
I really look forward to the next book and watching the next brother fall.
Book Info:
Publication: Expected publication: June 27th 2017 | Forever | Rocky Mountain Riders #2
A WOMAN NEVER FORGETS HER FIRST COWBOY . . .
As a single mother, Naomi Sullivan is used to doing things on her own. She’s finally saved enough from working at the Cortez Ranch to buy a lovely home for her and her little girl. Life is going as planned. But when her high school sweetheart comes riding back to town, this self-sufficient woman feels something she hasn’t felt in years: red-hot, unbridled need for the handsome cowboy who left her behind.
Lucas Cortez doesn’t plan on being in town long. Yet when he sees Naomi again-the gorgeous girl he never stopped loving-he’s tempted to hang up his hat and stay awhile. He’s already charmed his way into her daughter’s heart, but he’ll need more than sweet talk and roses to convince Naomi to give them a second chance-especially when she’s hiding a secret that could change their lives forever . . .
Something Like Love
Sara Richardson. Grand Central/Forever, $5.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-3088-5
MORE BY AND ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Richardson's second Heart of the Rockies contemporary (after No Better Man) returns to the Colorado Rockies with the engaging tale of an aspiring yet reluctant U.S. senator and the feisty mountain guide he falls in love with. When Paige Harper decides to hook up with politician Ben Noble, she's quickly reminded that happily-ever-after isn't a likely option. Ben is only running for the Senate to make amends for the car wreck that severely injured his beloved sister, Julia, though the accident wasn't actually his fault. Both Paige and Ben are facing old demons, questioning whether they deserve the love they seek from each other. But will they give in to the love that arcs between them, or push each other away because they think it's the right thing to do? The author's compassion shines through her beautifully flawed and earnest characters and takes readers on an emotionally wrenching journey to the elusive goal of love. Agent: Susan Brower, Natasha Kern Literary Agency. (Nov.)
REVIEW: One Christmas Wish by Sara Richardson
Posted December 10th, 2015 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Recommends, Holiday Titles, Novella, Review / 3 comments
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One Christmas Wish (Heart of the Rockies #2.5) by Sara Richardson: I love a wonderful second onechristmaswishchance friends to lovers book and that is what you get in the sweet Christmas Novella set in the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. This is Julia and Issac’s story.
Julia Nash has always been protected by her family ever since the accident that left her in a wheel chair. Now with her over protective brother about to be married, Julia has finally found a way to escape her family, but what she doesn’t count on is losing her heart again the man who has owned it since she was 8 years old, Issac Nash.
Issac Nash has known Julia all of his life, has been in love with her for half of that time, but being the little sister of his best friend, he has always kept his distance. But seeing her again, learning the truth of what happened to her all those years ago, Issac has made it is mission to try to convince Julia to give them a chance.
Trapped over night in a blizzard, and hidden secrets might keep these two apart, or it might just give them the chance that they need to find their once in a lifetime type of love.
Even though this is part of a series, this books was amazing and not once did I feel lost. I loved the connection between Issac and Julia. The love that they had for each other, the way that they tried to hide their feelings, the protectiveness that Issac had for Julia, helping her face her fears and see the strong person she truly is. I loved this amazing little Christmas novella filled with love, laughter, and family.
Book Info:
05SPublication: November 3rd 2015 | Forever Yours | Heart of the Rockies #2.5
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES…
There’s nothing like a Christmas wedding to warm a girl’s heart—or to distract everyone else from the fact that one particular bridesmaid intends to quickly skip town. Julia Noble’s accident was years ago, and she’s tired of being overprotected. She needs to be on her own. But before she flees Aspen, Colorado, Julia wants to make sure her brother has the perfect wedding and all her ducks are in a row. Yet duty soon turns to pleasure when three days before the big day Julia runs into the only man she ever dreamed of marrying.
Fresh out of the navy, Isaac Nash just wants to feel normal again. But starting his new life means winning back the girl who captured his heart years ago. Isaac didn’t know the truth behind the tragedy that changed Julia’s life forever, and he can’t stop blaming himself for not being there for her. After all this time, he knows that Julia is what he wants, this and every Christmas. Now Isaac just has to convince her that she’s earned a miracle, too.
REVIEW: More Than a Feeling by Sara Richardson
Posted March 17th, 2016 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Top Pick!, Review / 4 comments
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More Than a Feeling (Heart of the Rockies #3) by Sara Richardson: I have been waiting for morethanafeelingRuby and Sawyers story since the first book in this amazing series. Like with all of the other books this one can be read as a stand alone. I have read them all and enjoy going back time and time again to revisit friends and family from the previous books. This book is about trusting and having faith, finding inner strength and standing up for what you believe in. It is the amazing story of Ruby and Sawyer.
Ruby James is hiding her past. A past where she was abused, a past where she fears for the safety of her friends, of what her ex-boyfriend will do to them if he ever finds her. She tries her best to hide, but Officer Sawyer Hawkins has a way of making her so nervous, of making her want to trust him, to unburden her secrets.
Sawyer Hawkins has been burned by love. His ex-wife lost their child, a secret that he has kept to himself, kept from his family. She also cheated on Sawyer, which makes him more cautious about life and love. But there is something about Ruby, he knows that she is hiding something, he wants her to open up to him, but more than that, he wants to get close to her, protect her.
Sawyer will push Ruby to open up, and when she does, he may be angry at first, but he is also so very supportive, insisting that they can work through anything together. When Ruby’s past puts her in danger, Sawyer will move heaven and earth to save the woman that has come to mean the world to him.
I love the dynamic between Sawyer and Ruby. Yes Sawyer is a police officer, he is sworn to uphold the law, but that all goes out the window when it comes to Ruby. Yes he is suspicious of what Ruby is hiding, but instead of looking into her past, he is willing to let her tell him in her own time and in her own way. Ruby is such a brave character. Surviving what she has and still finding the strength to face her past in order to move forward left me in awe of her. The way that she wanted to protect the people on the ranch that had come to mean so much to her, to protect the foster kids who she felt a connection with was amazing.
I truly loved More Than a Feeling by Sara Richardson and although I have loved every book in this series, I think that Ruby and Sawyer are my favorite couple to date. This story is for anyone that believes that true love and a HEA is worth walking through fire.
Book Info:
05SPublication: March 29th 2016 | Forever | Heart of the Rockies #3
STOP RUNNING . . .AND START FALLING
For Ruby James the Walker Mountain Ranch is her safe haven. Here in Aspen, Colorado, she can finally build a quiet life for herself without fear of her old one rearing its ugly head. Or so Ruby thinks. Any single woman would be happy to indulge a tall, dark, and curious cop-but the closer Ruby gets to him, the closer she gets to losing her newfound peace.
Police officer Sawyer Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. He’s ready to leave town for good until a security threat brings him back to Walker Ranch, and Ruby’s gorgeous green eyes soon have him second-guessing his decision to go. Her kindness and quiet strength awaken feelings he’d thought long buried, even as her reluctance to talk about her past worries him. The cop in Sawyer only wants the truth-but the man in him wants Ruby in his arms forever . . .