Betting on Hope, Four of Hearts Ranch #1 by Debra Clopton

About Book

A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it’s beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie’s bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career—and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he’d like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru’s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do—for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

Buy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD

About Author

Debra Clopton is an award winning, multi-published novelist. She sold her first book in 2003 and it was published in 2005 THE TROUBLE WITH LACY BROWN was the first book of the fun loving Mule Hollow series~the place readers tell her they wish was real..

Debra is proud of the success of her books and gives all the glory to God.

Debra believes her greatest award is first, God’s grace in her life and His gift of salvation. And second, her family and spending time with them. She counts every moment as a gift. Time is so precious…

Married for 22 blessed years to her high school sweetheart, Wayne Clopton, Debra was widowed in 2003. God’s arms never let go of her or her two sons, Chase and Kris, during those dark months after Wayne’s death. Her first book sold 7 months after Wayne’s death and her mission became showing the love she’d known  in her life, through her characters and shining a light into reader’s darkest hours with love and laughter of her books.

Happily, in 2008, God led a couple of friends to play matchmaker and talk her into a blind date with Chuck Parks—who they also talked into a blind date…sounds like a page out of one of her Mule Hollow books! Instantly hitting it off, Debra and Chuck were married in 2010 and are so thankful that God led them to each other. Debra now has more love to share in her books!                      

Her sons, her lovely daughter-in-law and beautiful granddaughter have recently moved across country—it’s been a bit of a shock for her to adjust to not having them close. She feels blessed to have a career that enables her to visit them often and her motto is —have computer, will travel!

Along with her writing Debra helps her husband teach the youth at the Cowboy Church of Leon County. When she isn’t writing Debra loves to read, travel and spend time with her family. She is currently working on her 23 book for Love Inspired and also her new Four of Hearts Ranch Series for Thomas Nelson. Book 1 BETTING ON A COWBOY went on sale Feb 17, 2015 and book 2 COUNTING ON A COWBOY is ready for preorder and going on sale August 2015.

She is also working on new Mule Hollow books set on the New Horizon ranch. Her Mule Hollow Cowboy is book 1 on sale now and book 2 Rafe releases March 16. Debra has a busy 2015 full of exciting new books!

Her writing is moving and masterful…each character comes alive through her words~RT Magazine on BETTING ON HOPE

Visit her website: http://debraclopton.com/about-debra/


My Thoughts

After watching the news last night I decided to start reading BETTING ON HOPE intending to read just a little while. I was still reading when the sun came up. The words were blurry and I couldn't keep my eyes open which really upset me because I had gotten 91% of the book read. Hate it when that happens!

Finished reading it this morning.

Tru Monahan is not only a true cowboy he is truly a gentleman. He had so much patience with Maggie and her insecurities.  She had every right to not trust men. But Tru Monohan was a different breed than the men she had known in her past.

She made a bet with Tru and he was determined to win that bet.

Tru has a loving close knit family, where as Maggie's family is sadly the opposite.

If you are wondering, yes, it is an amazing read! I highly recommend this book And I am ready for book two in this series.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley/Thomas Nelson for an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.

NEW FROM THE WESTERN BRIDES COLLECTION, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS | “SWEET ON LOVE” IPAD MINI GIVEAWAY, FACEBOOK PARTY, AND BLOG TOUR

About the book: 

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is,  and he never expected to fall in love.

Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He's resolved to change Molly's mind about him---as an editor and as a man.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie's mind?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive---or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case---until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

Purchase a copy:  http://bit.ly/1qTiFK2

ABOUT  AUTHORS

Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than thirty novels. Her books have won numerous awards and has written for a TV soap opera. @margaretbrownley 

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. She is the author of over seventy novels and her work often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher 

Mary Connealy is an award-winning author of romantic comedy with cowboys. Mary and her Nebraska rancher husband have four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren. @MaryConnealy 

Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra's first book-to-movie aired on ABC Family and starred LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/four-weddings-and-a-kiss

Four best-­selling romance novelists bring tales of feisty heroines, stubborn heroes, and unlikely love in the Wild West in Four Weddings and a Kiss. Don't miss the latest from the Western Brides Collection from Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.

The authors are celebrating with a "Sweet on Love" iPad Mini Giveaway and rip-roarin' Facebook party.

 One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Kiss 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 8th. Winner will be announced at the Four Weddings and a Kiss Facebook Author Chat Party. Connect with Western Brides Collection authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton for an evening of fun book chat, western-themed trivia, and prizes. The authors will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the collection!

So grab your copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss and join the authors on the evening of July 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

My Thoughts

Four Stories and Four Authors!

First Story "Spitfire Sweetheart" is just what the title says.  Maizy a spitfire tomboy that is her neighbor's burr under his saddle.  Rylan tries hard to keep his distance from her for fear of letting her take up a big space in his heart.  But due to her causing him to be injured she is forced to care for him and his ranch while she is also forced by her father to dress and act like a lady while doing so.  This shoots down any chance of him protecting his heart from her

Mary Connealy writes a fun story with characters I'd love to spend more time with.  I love a story with a head strong woman determined to be herself.  Our Father in Heaven has a plan for us and we should not fight against Him and let His will be done.

Second Story "Love Letter to the Editor".  A woman that is determined to stand on her own cognizance.  She is hoping to become an Editor or Managing Editor.  But to her great surprise her father has hired someone else to be editor of the paper.  Jack Lugrove feels bad in that he was not welcome as editor by Molly yet he will not be detoured from doing his job.  Molly wants to prove herself to her father and  at the same time find some way of ridding the paper and  herself of Jack.

Robin Lee Hatcher has given Molly fortitude  that could be her downfall..  Truth is God and the truth will prevail.  There is romance, intrigue and especially faith and hope in God.  People sometimes take a path they are uncomfortable with not realizing it is God leading us.  Molly was in danger of letting her pride get the best of her.  Great lesson to be learned from this story.

Third Story "A Cowboy for Katie"  Recently Katie's life has been horrific.  She is left alone to rebuild her ranch and her life.  The problem is she refuses the advances of any man fearing all they want is her land.  She is determined to rebuild on her own.  She relents and hires a wandering cowboy. She learns he is the perfect man for the getting the work done without moving into her fragile personal space.  Will Treb realizes there is more to be rebuilt than just the ranch house and barn.  He notices Katie is damaged emotionally which causes her to have night terror along with mistrust of anyone, including him.

Debra Clopton writes a heart-wrenching story about a young woman barely holding on to reality.  the author reveals how God will provide if we ask and believe he will answer, which happened in the form of Will Treb. I fell in love with the sweet patient character of Will Treb.  Be sure you have a box of tissues on hand it is a tear jerk-er.

Fourth Story "Courting Trouble".   This is the perfect title for this story.  Grace Davenport just can't seem to get a break in life.  Grace's young son attempts to hire Brock Daniels, a local attorney that does not really want the job.  But the young boy touched Brock's heart and after he does some investigating on the woman and her charge of murdering her husband he decided he would take the case.

I asked myself, "Could this woman really be guilty or is she being railroaded by some evil force?". In this story Margaret Brownley created the wonderful character, Brock Daniels in that he was so determined and lead by God to help this broken family.  I loved the sweet well mannered young boy he  will pull at your heart strings as he did mine.  It is never too late when lives have been broken for so long to be lifted up and healed of by God.  This story was mysterious, with a growing romance and healing grace.

I highly recommend this collection of four books in one.

I rated this book 5 out of 5

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Thomas Nelson for an honest review.

A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS by MARGARET BROWNLEY, ROBIN LEE HATCHER, MARY CONNEALY, DEBRA CLOPTON ~ A LITFUSE TOUR

More about A Bride For All Seasons:

It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue . . .

Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn't dishonest---not exactly. If he tweaks his clients' applications a bit, it's because he's looking out for their best interests.

This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they'll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley

Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she'd travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!

An Ever-After Summer by Debra Clopton

Ellie had no idea she's not what Matthew ordered. And what's wrong with being a "Bible thumper" anyway? She's determined to show him she's tougher than she looks---and just the girl he needs.

Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher

Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn't come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. The trouble is, there's no money to send them back. . .

Winter Wedding Bells by Mary Connealy

David's convinced he's not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he's gone---nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?

A Bride for All Seasons – Excerpt

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/BrideSeasons

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/mL2Ln

Meet the Authors:

Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. @margaretbrownley 

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. Her books often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher 

Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner, an a RITA, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. @MaryConnealy 

Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

My Thoughts

Four award winning authors, four books in one about four mail order brides. Now this makes for an interesting read.  The man that operates the mail order bride catalogue appointed himself not just as a go between but as a matchmaker of his own making, editing letters without the senders consent. Some of the women have traveled a long distance to meet their intended only to find there was a lack of communication between the two.  How could so many important details be missing?  It was very apparent they all had been deceived. Most of the women had no money to return to their previous life or other circumstances which prevented them from returning.

Each story is unique in it's own special way. My heart ached for each family. The couples had faith in God that they were together for a purpose.  Many of their personal problems gave them strength to carry on with the arrangement in hope for a better future, even though some were a little more skeptical than others.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity/Thomas Nelson for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.