Finding Her Montana Cowboy (Marietta St Claire's #4) by Lara Van Hulzen

Former rodeo star Wyatt Emmerson leads a quiet life. He’s busy working with his dad and raising his daughter on his own. Romance is the last thing on his mind, but when McKenna St. Claire crosses his path, life takes a turn that Wyatt never saw coming.

McKenna doesn’t sit still well; traveling the world has always been her favorite pastime. She’s vowed to stay in Marietta for her family, but is ready to pack her bags as soon as her twin nephews are born. But a wounded cowboy and his young daughter steal her heart, making her question what she really wants in life. Will she take a risk on love and call Marietta her home?

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This series follows the St. Claire siblings.  While the books follow a definite timeline, each book can stand on it's own.  You just might be happier if you read them in order.  

McKenna has popped up in past books and it was good to finally get her story.  She is known as the family wanderer, the world traveler.  Now she is hoping to stay near her family and share in those celebrations and relationships she has been missing out on.  I loved McKenna's innate desire to help people and to prove herself useful. 

Wyatt has had his time in the limelight and now he is ready to settle down and provide a steady home for his daughter.  I loved Wyatt's solid feel, the way he dug in deep and worked hard.  He was easy to love.

I enjoyed this story a lot.  It was easy to settle in with and I loved the ending which actually came from the father of those St. Claire siblings.  It was so sweet and now that I am watching my own children leave home and get married, it held extra meaning.  💙 

Content:  frequent mild swearing, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher at my request.  All opinions expressed are my own.

  

His Christmas Bride (The Marietta St Claire's Book 3) by Lara Van Hulzen

Lucas lives in New York, but he's always loved Marietta. When he gets engaged, he decides Montana is exactly the place to get married. Tanner Ranch brings back happy memories of horseback riding and summer nights under the stars making it the perfect place to hold his wedding. However, Erin Tanner walks back into his life and other memories start to make him doubt whether he's chosen the right bride.

Erin Tanner is content to live a simple life in Marietta, helping her dad run the family ranch. However, things haven't been easy for the Tanners. With their ranch in financial trouble and in desperate need of repair, Erin knows she needs to do something. And fast... Even if that means saying goodbye to any hopes of a romantic future with Lucas St. Claire by hosting his wedding at the Tanner Ranch.

While Lucas struggles with his feelings, Erin tries to move past hers and accept that Lucas isn't part of her future. But the connection they felt years ago pulls them toward one another, and Lucas is forced to face the truth of what he really wants in life.

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I have one last Christmas themed book for you this week!  As we head into the holiday season, I just want to wish you all the very best.  May you feel love and warmth however you celebrate.

Lucas is a character you will be completely frustrated with.  I was!  He is trying to live up to what he thinks his family expects of him and he is slow in coming around to his own true desires.  What is plain as day to us as readers, and to many of the characters in this book, is not what is obvious to Lucas.  Silly man.  

Erin, on the other hand, knows what she wants right from the very beginning.  I enjoyed how the flashbacks and backstory filled in the blanks as I read.  I got a very clear picture of Erin and her dreams and personality.  I really loved Erin.

This is a sweet, gentle love story.  It progressed slowly but I was never bored or discontent.  The secondary characters really helped this story feel well rounded and familial.  I loved the ending.  So sweet.

This is the third book in this series but it can be read as a stand alone.  Characters from previous books are in this book so you would appreciate them more if you do read in order, but you don't have to.

Content:  mild swearing throughout, kissing

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley at my request.  All opinions expressed are my own.