I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t have a huge budget for books. Even when it comes to my favorite authors, like Maisey Yates, I have to be careful about what I purchase. I’ve been lucky enough with a lot of favorite authors to get ARCs from Net Galley or have my online library or local library carry some of their books. When it’s a story I really want/need to read and I can’t get it through the library I will, of course, buy the book. I’m all about supporting my authors. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I read way too many books each month to be able to afford purchasing them all. I had finally caught up to current (I’ve waited months and months on my library’s waiting list for some of her titles) in the Copper Ridge series a few months back and had pre-ordered the first book in the Gold Valley series, a spin-off (cross-over?) of the Copper Ridge books. Once that book came out I realized I had somehow missed this book. Now, I know it’s not always necessary to read the .5 books in a series. But I love this author and really hate missing any part of a series that I love. But it’s a novella, less than 100 pages even, and was far more than I would usually spend on a shorter book. I hemmed and hawed over this one for a few days. None of my libraries have the books, although I did put a request in for them to purchase the book. (Please always do that even if you plan on purchasing a book. The more exposure our favorite authors get through libraries, the more likely people will purchase their books themselves which means the writer will write more books! A win/win!) Anyway, this paragraph is getting super long and it’s just to say that I bit the bullet. I purchased this less than 100 page story for $2.99 for my Kindle and I don’t regret it at all.

As usual, I hate giving spoilers. So I’m going to speak in code and you’ll understand later. When I realized that Annabelle didn’t realize something that was happening at the beginning of this story, my stomach was actually in knots while I waited for the big reveal. Poor girl! I love how this author sucks me in and has me sympathizing with her characters so quickly. And the aftermath of that realization, I was so on Annabelle’s side even though I know it was a tiny bit irrational.

Cooper is such a needy soul without even realizing it at all. He sets the parameters yet he’s the one always wanting to talk and learn more about Annabelle. I swear I don’t even think he ever realized he was doing it, their relationship was just that natural to him…even if he didn’t want a relationship.

This is a super sweet, somewhat sad, very touching short story. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Again, no regrets on making the purchase.

https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/cowboy-christmas-blues-book-review/

One of those books where she ha slow self esteem from a bad relationship and bad self concept and this childhood crush comes in to make her feel better about herself. A bit uninspired.