Stephanie Rowe (1)Recensioni

Romance

Double Twist
Mia Murphy Mystery, Book 1

I Picked Up This Book Because: B&N Serial Read

Media Type: eBook
Source: Barnes & Noble
Dates Read: 8/3/23 - 10/12/23
Stars: 3.5

The Characters:

Mia Murphy:
King Tut(the huge cat):
Hattie, Officer Devlin, Lucy Grande

The Story:

Yes, you read that correctly. It took over two months for me to finish this book. I do not blame the book in any way. The story was interesting, the characters were charming and lovable (or the complete opposite). I just fail at holding print in front of my face for more than two minutes at a time.

The Random Thoughts:

I would like to continue the series, but I definitely need to find the audiobooks.½

I'm not quite sure what to think of this story. As that it does not come out til January. I shall hold off on saying more until the pub date is closer.

edited: Not sure what to think of this story. There were a few parts of the story I like but others i just felt like i was missing something. I feel that to better understand the characters history that this author's book should be read in order of series.

3 stars

Honestly, this was just so much fun! A great lake-side setting, crazy characters, and people in moose costumes, singing as they jet ski on the lake. What more could you want when you are looking for a whimsical, light read? And I didn't guess the murderer before the reveal!

A Rogue Cowboy Christmas Surprise by Stephanie Rowe
Hart Ranch Billionaires series book 2. Spin off of Wyoming Rebels series. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Keegan has always wondered about the girl he spent a week with when he was young and living under a bridge. Finding out he has a daughter sixteen years later and having them both back in his life is everything to Keegan. He vows to protect them from any darkness or harm and fill their lives with love and family.

Ripe with emotional heartstrings.
Only a quarter into the book and I’ve been crying for the last twenty pages. Those feel good moments where you want to cuddle something (or someone!) and breath it in. Keegan and Sofia have to work at learning to trust while dealing with a perceptive teen. It’s romantic and sweet and beautiful.
I admit I cry pretty easily. This author has always been able to make me sob (happily!) even on a public transit system at the heart of rush hour. Maybe it will only be a smile for you when the good stuff happens. Enjoy the moment.

“Keegan smelled delicious.
He was muscled.
He was strong.
And his arms felt familiar, safe, and, if Sofia were honest with herself, thrilling. Like how she used to feel with him. And the little puppy in his jacket made her remember how soft his heart had been back then, so gentle, despite all he'd been through.”
Excerpt From A Rogue Cowboy's Christmas Surprise by Stephanie Rowe

Top Notch by Stephanie Rowe
#2 in the Mia Murphy mystery series. Wacky amateur murder mystery.
Mia has only been in the small town for a few days and already, her life is upended by another dead body. Of course she’s going to investigate. She can’t trust the police to clear Hattie.

An amusing dash of sleuthing and friends that support each other through murder, fire and crazy situations. Gotta love the Maine Coon cat that protects and is feared by grown men.

Excerpts that struck me as funny:
“ Did you know Rutherford? Do you know anyone who would want him killed? Or blame Hattie for it? Or did you do it?" I threw in that last one because nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?”

Excerpt:
“Devlin was so adorable when he was being stubborn and intractable. Except, of course, when he was in my way. Then, not so cute.”
Excerpt From Top Notch by Stephanie Rowe

Finished Reading September 16, 2013

2.75 Stars
Confused the Hell out of me.
Interesting but not enough to make me want to read more.
In fact, I think all the rules about mating/bonding & what the H did to others that did bond, gave me a headache and PMO.

Prch Amz September 13, 2013

This was a good book. I liked Mack and Bev and their love for animals.

This was a middle of the road read. The plot was a bit farfetched. It concerned the antiquities trade and people willing to kill to have certain relics. It was hard to follow in places and hard to swallow in others. I know that there are some pretty shady dealings in the blackmarket antiquities world but here the actual part about the antiquities was not written in enough detail to make me buy into it. Luke/Adam used to be caught up in the illegal part of the trade, I think. A lot was suggested but not explained. Making him a scientist just seemed like a weird nowhere idea. It was thrown in and not used or explained at all. What kind of a scientist? I don't know, the author never said. The jewelry that this book particularly concerned wasn't given enough explanation to make me believe it was that valuable.

Isabelle was a good character, true to heself and her belief that everyone is worthy of love. Luke was okay but his angstiness was a bit heavy handed and didn't always ring true. The ending was a bit too feel good for me.

The action sequences are fairly well done and the character interaction between the hero and heroine is pretty good. I would have liked Alaska to have played a bit more of a role and there was some formulaic stuff at the end with Cort (a friend of Luke's) which seemed included only to force the hero to go in a certain direction.

Still if you're looking for a fairly decent romantic suspense read, this should do.

I loved this story and hated for this series to end. Caleb and Jenna fell hard for each other a day after meeting (or I would say the day they met). I read this book in one day as I couldn't put it down. The Stockton Brothers and the Harts are a great read and I would recommend this to books to anyone who likes cowboys and romance.

I am in the process of trying to read all of Stephanie Rowe's books. It will take me awhile but it is certainly worth the time. I have read 20 so far.

A Real Cowboy Always Comes Home by Stephanie Rowe
Book 10, final book of the Wyoming Rebels series. Contemporary western romance. Best read as part of the series but can stand as a romance by itself. Brothers from the prior books appear in this conclusion.
Caleb, the last missing brother of the nine (plus one sister) is finally home though he doesn’t remember his family or even his life. Chase doesn’t know who is chasing him and baby Zack but he is determined to keep everyone safe.

Emotional and heartwarming. All 10 books have caused tears of emotions and this final one ties them all up in weddings, babies and family.

“They were meant to be his. He was meant to be theirs. He just knew it, deep in his gut.”
Excerpt From A Real Cowboy Always Comes Home by Stephanie Rowe
4.5½

Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe
A Mia Murphy mystery, book 1. Cozy mystery.
After testifying against her mob boss husband, Mia declines witness protection and buys a marina, sight unseen, in a small town in Maine. It may not have been her best decision given the old and decrepit marina, the threat of moose and finding a dead body with her two new besties. What’s a girl to do but solve the crime and make sure her new friends are protected?

Humorous and a bit crazy, Mia is resourceful and clever and constantly stirring up trouble. With Lucy and Hattie egging her on, Mia is pulling her skills from her grifting days and putting an end to the threat to her quiet and peaceful life goals.
Entertaining, twisty and a romping good tale.
I can’t wait for the next Mia adventure.

I really liked the premise of this and love the idea of the band of brothers. Parts of this got off to a slow start for me.

Good story about Brody and Tatum with danger added to the mix. I have loved reading Stephanie Rowe books and this one is no exception. Read it in one day.

A Real Cowboy for the Holidays by Stephanie Rowe
Wyoming Rebels book 9. Contemporary western romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Quentin is a Smokejumper. Was a smokejumper. A severe break and four surgeries later he goes home to the family ranch for Christmas, hiding from life decisions. At the local tree farm, he meets the woman he used to call Nerdy Girl and the two reconnect with the help of her son.

Emotional and heartwarming. These cowboys had a difficult upbringing and finding the right woman to love helps settle them into family life. They are renewed and rejuvenated and doing good in the community.
The books are filled with love, support, happiness and some tears on the journey.
Heart filled.

Excerpt:
“Quintin knew how that worked. He'd long believed that if he'd been different, better, then his dad wouldn't have been such an a$$. He knew better now, but even so, the shadows still lingered.
He wanted better for every kid on the entire planet.
He wanted better for that little boy who had looked up at him with those dark brown eyes and held out his arms for the firewood today.
He wanted to help Ethan.”
Excerpt From A Real Cowboy for the Holidays by Stephanie Rowe

"A Rogue Cowboy's Second Chance" is Book One in author Stephanie Rowe's "Hart Ranch Billionaires Series". Filled with memorable characters, this contemporary western romantic suspense tale is an entertaining, fast-paced mystery. As a teenager, Brody Hart had escaped an abusive stepfather and eventually run away from the foster care system. A protector by nature, he came to be the father figure to a group of misfit young people just like himself--alone in the world and in need of shelter and support. Adopting "Hart" as their shared last name, the group adopted each other as a family. They went through much hardship together--living under a bridge and often making do with scraps for food. One teenaged girl who stayed with them for a while had a special plaee in Brody's heart. Tatum Crosby was sweet, beautiful, and blessed with the gift of music. She and Brody were caught up in the thrill of first love, but a decision made by Brody in his protector mode would drive them apart. Brody and the Hart family would go on to make a fortune in high-tech security software, and they found their homeplace on a sprawling ranch in Eastern Oregon. Brody lived in the main ranch house, and each of his eight "brothers and sisters" had their own home on the ranch property. Known as a reclusive billionaire, Brody had never stopped being a protector--even rescuing abused horses and giving them a new life. In the fifteen years since she had left the Harts, Tatum Crosby had become a musical superstar. Looking for security, she had married her manager, Donny Evans. Due to Donny's controlling and brutish nature, the marriage had come to a bitter end. However, the contract Tatum had signed with Donny when she was just eighteen appeared to be unbreakable. Donny wasn't the only upsetting issue in her life--someone was stalking her, and that someone was getting bolder in their campaign of terror. When Tatum has a concert date in Oregon, she sends Brody a ticket and a backstage pass. Even though they hadn't seen or spoken to each other in fifteen years, the bond between them was still there. Despite some personal misgivings, Brody attends the concert and joins Tatum onstage for a special song. Donny interferes with the reunion, and Brody thinks Tatum has changed her mind. Desperate to catch up with Brody, Tatum puts herself at risk, and is attacked by her stalker. Managing to escape, she finally meets up with Brody as he is preparing to leave his hotel and head home. Seeing Tatum in such distress brings out Brody's full protector mode, and he takes Tatum back to the ranch for her safety. While there are many issues between them to be resolved, the love and passion between them remains stronger than ever. Will Brody be able to find a way for Tatum to break her contract with Donny and identify and eliminate the threat of her stalker? Can Tatum make a choice between a future with Brody and continuing her music career? Is there a way for her to have both? I really enjoyed the unique and interesting characters in "A Rogue Cowboy's Second Chance", and the story line kept the pages turning.

Book Copy Gratis Author via BookFunnel

A Rogue Cowboy’s Second Chance by Stephenie Rowe
1st in the Hart Ranch Billionaires series. Contemporary cowboy western romance.
Tatum is under pressure from her professional singing contract and realizes someone on her team is helping a stalker get close to her. She escapes with the help of an old flame who will help discover who her enemies are and how she can move forward.

Brody Hart has appeared multiple times in the previous Wyoming Rebels series. Her Rebel Cowboy novella is also a prequel to this new series. He finally gets his story and HEA.

Emotion packed story from anxious to regret to acceptance, friendship and love. Age old question of “am I enough” to women supporting women.
A large cast of supporting characters which will lend to future stories in the series.

Because Brody’s backstory has been included in previous books, a lot of the narrative here gave me a sense of deja vu. The reconnecting of Tatum and Brody was touching. Their growth of understanding of each other and themselves is heartwarming while the rekindling of old friendships is poignant. The heroine goes from scared and timid to confident and successful.
4.5½

A Real Cowboy Alway Protects by Stephanie Rowe
Book 8 of the Wyoming Rebels series. Contemporary romance. Cowboy / CIA merge, fake fiancé troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone but don’t miss the prior books.

I LOVE these cowboys, and self-proclaimed brothers. I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time and it didn’t disappoint. Full of growing emotions and connections, both family and love. These men feel deeply and aren’t afraid to express it. Skylar is just as open and honest about what she’s feeling and it’s a joy to see their relationships strengthen. Choose joy. And that’s what they do.
Ok, yes, there is a killer tracking down the heroine, and a threat to her life. But she’s surrounded by very protective and capable cowboys wearing guns and knowing how to fight the danger. She can relax and fall in love with her fake fiancé, and he with her. Can’t she? If she can reconcile her past trust issues.
It’s all good. It’s all swoon worthy.

Excerpt:
“Logan was leaning forward, his jaw flexing as he watched her. "You okay?"
She looked up, and her resistance melted away at the concern on his face. She fluttered her hand at him. "It's a big diamond. I feel like I landed a sugar daddy."
He grinned. "I'm definitely the sugar daddy type."
"I totally pegged you for that." She sat back in the seat, the tension easing from her body for the first time in hours. "This might be okay." The cold metal encircling her finger made her feel safe. It wasn't a reminder of her past, or a lie about her future. It was the truth that Logan was committed to protecting her.
"So, you're in?"
"Engaged to a sexy cowboy CIA agent from Wyoming who's my personal bodyguard and protector?" She smiled. "Now, that might be every woman's fantasy."
He grinned. "You think I'm sexy?"
Ah…that devastating smile and sparkle in his eyes was back. Her heart leapt, and she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "As if you didn't know that you're basically pure temptation all wrapped up in jeans and a sweatshirt.”
Excerpt From
A Real Cowboy Always Protects by Stephanie Rowe

Excerpt:
“She looked down at the ring on her hand, shiny and glittering. "Where are we going to sleep? Together? If we're engaged, they're going to expect that." She looked at him. "Unless your family is the no-sex-before-marriage type?"
Logan couldn't help but chuckle at the hopeful expression on Skylar's face. God, he couldn't believe how much she lightened the darkness that weighted him down so constantly. He hadn't expected to have any kind of reaction when she'd put the ring on, but the moment she'd settled it on her hand, something inside him had come alive. A fierce, unyielding possessiveness. Not of the ring. Of Skylar.
His response to seeing that diamond on her hand had been so visceral that he'd actually closed his eyes, trying to regroup, to remind himself of what mattered in his life and the promises he'd made to himself.”
Excerpt From
A Real Cowboy Always Protects ByStephanie Rowe

I fell in love with this heartbreaking story moments after I started reading it. Zoey came back home to Wyoming ten years after she left. Creeping back into her small town with her heart in shatters from a horrific divorce. He took her heart, soul and business that she fought so hard for and trashed them ALL without a second thought. Now she's back where childhood ghosts roam, and the biggest one of all left to face. The ghost of childhood heartbreak....Ryder. Growing up orphans, her older brother Dane and she were left with their ain't and uncle in a potentially abusive home. All of Ryder's brothers and Dane took turns sleeping on her floor nightly the second they noticed her uncle began looking at her a certain way. She quickly became Ryders shadow, which as her brothers BFF want too hard

I've yet to read anything by this author and be disappointed. Once again she proved me right. This book is filed with sarcasm, snarky women, a black sheep determined to pave her own way, a few clueless (and spineless) guys and lots of heart!! Shannon grew up in a very elite family than runs in posh circles. That's what happens when almost everyone in said family are highly successful lawyers. Too bad that's the very last thing she wants to do, and they constantly look down their noses at her. If she's not being completely ignored by them then she's getting another lecture on how she needs to go back to school and become a lawyer. This week NOTHING seems to go right. Everything from her job, to her recent ex not getting through his head that she dumped him, the aforementioned family, and everything in between is starting to take its toll. Dive into this quirky read and see how Shannon starts to truly see herself and make a few well deserved changes. Possibly finding her very own cute Obi Wan along the way. I was cheering her on every step of the way, and I'm hopeful we might see her again in another book?

Oh how I love this series! Filled with wit, pithy comments, sexy dragons, dragon slayers , oh and Satan! Theresa is a dragon that can no longer shift into her human form (at least until she can find a way out of this mess). Stuck in her BFF's apartment while she's away with the love of her life, she guards Mona the fountain of youth disguised as a very expensive coffee maker. All alone she's going insane...well except for a hunky guy she's been having cyber sex with. How was she to know he's a reformed Dragon slayer? Finally the torture of being alone is too much. Combined with no food left in the house she makes an escape for freedom and food. In walks a hunka hunks burning love aka her cyber boyfriend. Upon meeting him she discovers he's a reformed slayer, oh and btw there is a hit out on her?! All kinds of hilarity ensues with her trying to get Mona back, elude the stalker out to kill her, trying to figure her feelings for this slayer, all the while trying to stay one step ahead of lovelorn Satan who still pines for her surrogate mother. All in a day's work! Enjoy!!!

WOW!!!! So much paranormal action and bada$$ warriors! If you love J.R. Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood I think you'll equally love this series!!! Brilliant world building and characters. Madison and her beloved sister were orphaned as young children when their parents were cruelly murdered. They are both powerful Illusionists.. They can not only make people believe what they form, but .Madison can make these images an actual physical reality. Sadly she lives in fear as she has no control over said illusions. Having never had anyone to show them how to use this power, they both rely on instinct and pray nothing bad happens. Everything changes when there's a murder nearby and her sister gets kidnapped by an unknown person. The sisters are thrust into a fight that's been going for a very long time. Can Madison find her sister? Maybe along the way, find a family she has longed for. Many obstacles are thrown in her way. Not to mention a few revelations. This amazingly loyal, fierce female is about to make a big splash! There's tons of action, alpha warriors with incredible powers, legends that become reality, and .mysterious enemies. I can't wait to see what happens next. There are still a few loose ends at the close of the book left open for the next in the series. It will most definitely leave you excited for more. Enjoy!

What a sarcastically fun, adventure filled read with all kinds of supernatural hijinx. P.B. is minding here own business when a dragon appears in the middle of the street in front of humans. She's been banned from acting like a Guardian as she's not one (thanks to her mother aka past Guardian, and her huge mistake), but when nobody shows up to take care of this little "situation" her instincts start screaming. What's a gal to do??? Should she be a *good* girl and respect the ban, or save everyone around her from being roasted like human marshmallows? Today starts a new journey of discovery for P.B....take the ride and meet the interesting cast of characters/friends she meets along the way. There's tons of witty banter, sarcasm, adventure and more within these pages to keep one entertained.

Review to follow

Story of Trust & Healing.

Loved this story of Mira & Chase. Stephanie Rowe writes stories of people that have suffered through so much damage, some mental, some physical. She shows us that whatever the damage is there can be healing with the right friends or lovers if you can open your heart to trusting others.