REVIEW: Her Winning Ways by J.M. Bronston

In Her Winning Ways by J.M. Bronston, winning an all-expenses paid trip to New York and a chance to spend fifty thousand dollars in a high-end department store was something Annie Cornell never expected. Elated by the win, she’s determined to have a good time. But ending up having to be rescued by a handsome police officer aboard a horse wasn’t what she had in mind, especially when it brings her the sort of attention she doesn’t need.

“Easy there, ma’am.” The deep, steady voice stroked down toward her and she felt a strong arm reach around her waist, holding her firmly upright. “Let’s get you out of here.”
The rider, leaning way forward in the saddle, held Annie solidly in his encircling arm and lifted her right up off her feet, out of the clutch of protesters, holding her tight up against the animal’s body, turning her breathless.\

Sergeant Bart Hardin is instantly mesmerized by the woman he rescues amongst a group of protesters gone wild. Discovering she’s not used to big cities, he’s determined to show her the sights while offering his protection, knowing that New York can be dangerous at times. But when a case he’s assigned turns out to be a personal one, Bart soon finds she doesn’t need his protection, and that she’ll go to great lengths to prove it.

I found this story to be a really sweet and engaging read, as it encompassed three things I absolutely love in books – horses, a man in uniform, and New York City. However, in saying that, it did start off a bit slow. Yet, the moment the heroine was introduced, the story really takes off. Providing a whirlwind adventure, of a small-town country girl in New York, having to deal with the attention she receives from winning the contest, being rescued and helping the police with their case.

”Friends?” he said.
“Of course.” She started in on the ribs. “But you have to stop being such a horse’s ass.”
“I’m not a horse’s ass.”
“You are, too.” She licked the sauce from her fingers. “Sometimes.”

As for the dialogue, I found it quite amusing at times due to the secondary characters aiming to please Annie as the contest winner, and how the heroine deals with Bart and his domineering manner. Yet, it did get a bit intense due to the case Bart is assigned. Even though the bad guys and why they’re doing what they doing are revealed.

I really liked Annie. She was a fun heroine with a strong personality. A woman determined to have an adventure in a big city. She’s stubborn and tenacious. No way does she like taking orders, and illustrates that side of her by doing the opposite when it comes to what Bart and his captain ask. She’s also very resourceful, which isn’t a surprise since she’s a librarian. Determined to help people find what they’re looking for, which she also proves in her pursuit of helping Bart with his case.

“He didn’t even wait for me to say yes or no.”
“He’s a pretty take-charge kind of guy.”
“And I suppose that’s a good thing, in a policeman?”
“Yes, it is, ma’am. And Bart Hardin comes by it naturally.”

While Bart, I liked him also. He has a really interesting back story, and I loved learning all about him. Because when he’s first introduced, he seems such a mystery. He’s also very assertive, which tends to frustrate Annie. So, the way she handles that side of him made for interesting reading, as he obviously isn’t used to people challenging him. However, I thought he over-reacted when dealing with Annie after the case was solved. I could certainly empathize with Annie in those moments, as she didn’t deserve the way he treated her. Yet, at the same time, I could understand why it had to happen. Bart needed to see whether he could overcome the fact that Annie could do what he couldn’t when it came to the case he was working.

In the end, I was totally charmed by this story and how their growing relationship takes a drastic turn, for the worse towards the end. Yet, with Bart’s mother giving him candid advice and the furtive phone call Annie receives from her sister, I enjoyed how they achieved their happy ever after. I would recommend Her Winning Ways by J.M. Bronston, if you like a strong heroine determined to have an adventure in The Big Apple.

Book Info:

Publication: December 8th, 2015 | Lyrical Shine |

GRAND PRIZE: $50,000 shopping spree for two in New York.
Includes makeover, photo shoot with Lady Fair magazine…and a shot at happily ever after.

As a college librarian in Wyoming, shushing students and tending the family cattle ranch is about the most excitement Annie Cornell can count on. So when Annie wins an all-expenses-paid shopping spree at a high-end department store in New York City, she’s thrilled to trade wide-open spaces for fast-paced Fifth Avenue. But she never expected to be swept off her feet—least of all by an overconfident, horse-mounted police officer…

Sergeant Bart Hardin is instantly attracted to Annie. He’s not sure if it’s the way she handles his trusty horse or the way those angelic hazel eyes held his gaze during that rowdy protest outside the UN. Whatever it is, Bart quickly learns that this clueless tourist in need of his protection can handle herself just fine—in fact, she might just teach him a thing or two on these mean Manhattan streets…