"an august bride" by debra clopton

Do you believe in love at first sight? I don't ... but perhaps I'm just cynical because it hasn't happened to me. "An August Bride" sure made me want to believe, though.

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Kelsey vowed never to love a cowboy again. But then she meets Brent.

After a cowboy broke her heart, Kelsey Wilcox traded in her boots for flip-flops and a bistro on the beautiful sandy beach of Corpus Christi. Two years later, still not believing in happy endings, she is about to endure a weekend of torture at her cousin's beach wedding. Not only will she be forced to watch yet another wedding, but her great-aunt and her two best friends-aptly nicknamed "the matchmaking posse of Mule Hollow"-are coming to the wedding, and Kelsey is sure to be on their radar.

Brent Corbin has had his share of bad luck with women and isn't looking for love or looking forward to the weekend of wedding festivities as a groomsman for his friend. When he sees a commotion on the beach and what appears to be a mermaid in distress, he doesn't hesitate to dive to the rescue. His attention is instantly captured by the woman he's saved and it turns out they're part of the same wedding party. But the instant Kelsey spots his soaking wet boots she wants no part of him.

Thrown together through the weekend and with the meddlesome encouragement from the matchmakers, Brent is determined to pursue Kelsey and change her mind about cowboys. Sparks fly at this August wedding as Kelsey and Brent dance a rocky Texas two-step toward a beach wedding of their own.

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Debra Clopton isn't a new-to-me author, but "An August Bride" is the first of her contemporary work that I've read. (I previously read her entries in the A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings & a Kiss historical romance anthologies.) I must say, I enjoy her contemporary cowboy romance much more than her historicals! While I generally don't care for the love at first sight/relationship moves at the speed of sound romances, "An August Bride" won me over. Brent is the epitome of a heroic leading man, and Kelsey's hesitancy to get involved with a cowboy is understandable. Put them together, and you have a great couple with sizzling chemistry. Yes, the romance moves quickly, but it also feels realistic. The novella length felt like the perfect space to tell this couple's story, and I'll definitely be checking out more of Clopton's contemporary romances! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings & a Kiss.
Read my reviews of the other "Year of Weddings" entries: December, January, February, March, April, May, June and July.

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Bestselling author Debra Clopton has sold over 2.5 million books and her holiday story, OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS has been optioned for an ABC Family Movie staring LeAnn Rimes. Debra writes cowboy romances, inspirational, Christian romance, contemporary and western romances set in Texas. She is known for her snappy dialogue, cowboy heroes and spunky heroines. Her awards include: The Book Sellers Best, Romantic Times Magazine's Book of the Year. She's also a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Finalist, and a triple finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award.

A sixth generation Texan, Debra lives on a ranch in central Texas with her husband Chuck. She loves to travel and spend time with her family. She is the author of the much loved Mule Hollow Matchmakers series where you never know what the Matchmaking "Posse" is going to do next! She writes for Harlequin Love Inspired and Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins Christian. She is currently working on her 30th novel surrounded by cows, dogs and even renegade donkey herds that keep her writing authentic and often find their way into her stories. She loves helping people smile with her fun, fast paced stories.
Visit Debra's website at http://www.debraclopton.com
Check out her Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/debra.clopton.5
Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/debraclopton
Contact her at Debraclopton@yamil.com
Sign up for Debra's newsletter and contests at http://debraclopton.com/contest

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"four weddings and a kiss" by brownley, hatcher, connealy & clopton

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.

My take: Four Weddings and a Kiss is a delightful novella collection. Following in the steps of the authors' previous collaboration, A Bride for All Seasons, this collection is full of stories that are connected only through the prologue and epilogue, so the authors didn't need to write about the same characters, which can be a problem in novella collections.

As for the stories themselves, of course I have my favorites! I really loved Hatcher's "Love Letter to the Editor"—as I get older, I definitely appreciate reading about older characters, and I enjoyed Molly and Jack's courtship. I also really liked Connealy's "Spitfire Sweetheart." Like Maizy, I wanted to dropkick Rylan when he suggested she wasn't good enough for him just as she was, but of course he changed and things worked out :-) Clopton's "A Cowboy for Katie" was fine, but it wasn't my favorite. I did appreciate how Treb helped Katie work through her issues. My least favorite was Brownley's "Courting Trouble"—there was nothing wrong with it, but I just couldn't make myself care about the outcome. I ended up skimming through it.

Even though I didn't love all of the novellas, this is still a great collection! And I suspect that other readers will really love the stories that didn't interest me as much. That's what's great about novella collections—there's usually something for everyone!

My rating: 4 stars (5 for "Love Letter to the Editor," 4.5 for "Spitfire Sweetheart," 3.5 for "A Cowboy for Katie," and 3 for "Courting Trouble.")

See what others are saying.
Buy the book. (You can also buy each novella individually.)
Read my reviews of A Bride for all Seasons; Connealy's In Too Deep, Over the Edge, Swept Away, and Fired Up; and Hatcher's Beloved, A Promise Kept, and The Heart's Pursuit.

About the 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

About the giveaway:  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!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a bride for all seasons" by margaret brownley, debra clopton, mary connealy & robin lee hatcher

About the book (from Litfuse): 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?

My take: It's been a long time since I've enjoyed an anthology as much as I enjoyed this one! First of all, the subject matter is right in my wheelhouse—marriage of convenience stories are my favorite, so a mail-order bride collection is perfect for me. Secondly, the stories are connected only because all of the characters used the same mail-order bride catalog, so different authors don't have to try to write the same characters.

As for the novellas themselves, I don't think I could even pick a favorite—I loved them all! I did find Mary-Jo's extremely superstitious nature in "And Then Came Spring" a bit off-putting, but I suspect I was supposed to feel that way. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this collection of novellas. Each one can be read in an hour or so, making them a nice way to wind down after a long day.

My rating: 4-1/2 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Connealy's In Too Deep, Over the Edge, and Swept Away.

About 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

About the giveaway: Four novellas, four brides, and four stories to fall in love with. 

Enter the world of mail-order brides with four of your favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley. In A Bride for All Seasons (Thomas Nelson) each of the prospective brides is hopeful for a second chance at love—and that second chance always seems to come in an unexpected package.
 
The authors are celebrating with a fun 12 Days of Unexpected Packages Giveaway! Between July 12-23 visit the authors’ Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on July 23rd! Such fun!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."