Author: Joyce Zeller
My Rating: 4 stars
Book Blurb:
Romance writer Maddie Taylor is fed up with New York City. She is getting nowhere with her latest manuscript and does not believe true love exists outside of her imagination. When a friend, Jonah Spartman, dies and wills her half of his Arkansas cattle ranch, she sees the chance for a new beginning. Jonah has also left behind two orphaned great-grandsons desperate for affection and an accounting book in the red.
The other half of the failing ranch belongs to Gideon Spartman, Jonah’s grandson, who believes all capacity for love was torn from him during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Rugged and sexy, Gideon is the enthralling physical manifestation of the hero in Maddie’s current manuscript. He is far from happy to be sharing an inheritance that is rightfully his. As she senses the need behind Gideon’s rough and unwelcoming exterior, Maddie acknowledges her own yearning for love and family.
Jonah’s will requires Maddie to stay on the ranch for three months. When that time is up, will she return to her comfortable but emotionally barren existence or embrace the challenges of her new life, which include cattle rustlers and drug dealers? Maddie’s choice proves to be far from simple.
About the Author, Joyce Zeller:
Joyce Zeller has written articles for a magazine and a cooking column for a chain of suburban newspapers north of Chicago. She has written five books and published two, The Hidden History of Eureka Springs, and Accidental Alien, a work of science fiction, both available on Amazon. Her short story, “Love is a Seed,” is featured in Embrace: A Romance Collection, (2012 Goldmine Press). Joyce has served in the United States Army. As a professional perfumer (School of Perfumery, London, England) and an aroma-therapist, she made custom fragrances in her store. Her creation, Mountain Air, was declared the Arkansas Sesquicentennial Fragrance in 1965. Her latest achievement was getting elected as Alderman to the Eureka Springs City Council. Maddie’s Choice is a romance with her favorite theme, that being human is a lonely business, but for everyone there is somebody to love. It’s a matter of finding them. There will always be kids and animals in her books, and always, humor, “because life without humor is unthinkable.”
My Review:
Another incredible romance novel. This one isn't a heavy romance novel - not a ridiculous amount of sex or lust, but there is still quite a bit. I really enjoyed the overall story - a New York author inherits half a ranch. When she goes to visit the ranch, she finds the love of her life in the form of a handsome rancher named Gideon. But the question remains, will she stay or go back to New York? I enjoyed the story very much! It was sweet, passionate, a true "southern" life story, and chocked full of amazing characters. It was a little predictable at times, but very good anyway. I loved the characters. Gideon, Mark, Fay, Abe, Maddie, Jonah, Randal, Genevra... every single character was well thought out and fit perfectly. I can't wait to read the sequel! This series could easily become a favorite of mine. The only thing I wanted more of in the book was from Maddie's New York life. What happened to her apartment? What about her writing, did she finish the book? Just a few small things that maybe I missed, but don't completely feel like they were answered. Overall, I really liked this book and will definitely read the sequel.
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You can't help rooting for these characters. Glad you agree, Hilary! Thanks for your review of Joyce's romance novel :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for loving my characters. I write to create personalities made of bits and pieces of people I've known. It's my way of giving them life that will linger on. You have to be willing to give a lot of yourself to a story.
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