Laura Drake is a fabulous author who is leaving So Cal for Texas. (WHY? One of those totally unanswerable questions, lol.) Those of us here will miss her terribly, but wish her bon voyage.
The Bio
Laura Drake is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She writes both Women’s Fiction and Romance. Her, ‘Sweet on a Cowboy’ Series, set in the world of professional bull riding, is published by Grand Central: The Sweet Spot (May 13), Nothing Sweeter (Jan 14), and Sweet on You (Sept 14). Her Road Home, the first book in her Widow’s Grove series, is published by Harlequin’s Superromance.
Laura resides in Southern California, though she aspires to retirement in Texas. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She’s a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
The Book
Aubrey Madison is starting over. Leaving Los Angeles and everything behind except the scars of her ruined past, Bree sets out for cowboy country. Now she has a new home, a new job-and a new worry: the ruggedly sexy rancher who makes her long for things she shouldn’t . . .
Rough and tumble cattleman Max Jameson has broken wild stallions and faced angry bulls. Yet the redheaded city cupcake who turned up at the High Heather Ranch might be his undoing. Bree has a plan to rescue the ranch from foreclosure that’s just crazy enough to work. But will Max gamble his future on a beautiful stranger?
The Review
As those of you who read this feature regularly know, I rarely review the books I showcase here. Not because I don’t love what I read, but because I run out of time! This time around, though, IĀ read devoured the book in one sitting after picking up an ARC from the author herself. Plus featuring Laura was a last-minute decision (that she’s totally unaware of, by the way).
After reading just the first page of Nothing Sweeter, it became a book I was more than happy to sink into. Not a cliche to be found. This is my favorite type of romance; complicated, slow-moving, without a real nasty protagonist (just a guy desperate for some respect). It has a woman running from a past she’d love to forget, a man struggling to keep his ranch and feed his hands, a “bull” market and the color pink, found in the most unlikely place.
The characters are real people; the situation is all-too-believable in this day and age. The way these two rise to the challenges set before them kept me spellbound. I’m so glad this is a series, as now I get to go back and read the first one (The Sweet Spot).
Laura is just bursting in on the romance scene. Do yourself a favor and pick up her books, for this is one writer who will undoubtedly get better and better.
)O(
Christine, Love that you reviewed the book. I’m waiting impatiently by my mailbox for my preordered copy so I am reading all the reviews I can find just to get a taste. I can’t wait for this one. For one reason, I loved The Sweet Spot, for many reasons. For another, Laura tells me this one is even better – what? How can it be better than Char and JD? I will have to see for myself.
I hope you enjoy The Sweet Spot. For the reasons you liked Nothing Sweeter you will like The Sweet Spot. Laura has a way with her characters and her stories. IMO
Welcome to the blog, Jennifer! I’m looking forward to The Sweet Spot – Laura is a fabulous writer, ain’t she?
Hi Jennifer! Now I’m excited to read The Sweet Spot! And I totally agree with your opinion. Welcome to the blog!
You should review more, Christine. You give great review! I like a gentle love stories too–I don’t always need a serial killer or a ticking time bomb. Sometimes I simply want a little humor, heart & heat on the way to HEA. Laura Drake’s “Sweet” series sounds like it can deliver!
You’re gonna love it, Sam!!! I usually put my reviews up on Amazon and not on the blog, but I’ll see what I can do. Hugs honey!
Laura is indeed a fabulous writer. I am tickled to be part of her life during these exciting months. Later when they clamor for her autograph, I can say I knew her when š Go for Nothing Sweeter because they isn’t !!
Welcome to the blog, hon! I can’t tell if I know you but any fan of Laura’s is a friend of mine!
Love the review….and Laura. On my way to preorder my copy right now!!
Tari, you’re gonna love it!
And from your mouths to God’s ears…
Thanks so much – as the writers among you know, we scribble alone, having no way of knowing if what moves us will move anyone else. It’s SO gratifying to have readers ‘get’ my characters, and my books.
Kisses and hugs to you all!!!
Hugs back atcha!!!