I Cross My Heart by Vicki Lewis Thompson is a great western romance! It is the first book in her Sons of Change trilogy. Her writing is crisp and direct, while splashes of emotional guilt are neatly woven into the storyline. It is a fast-faced, hot read!
Celebrity Bethany Grace, a successful self-help author, returns to her childhood home in Jackson Hole to get her late father’s severely run-down ranch ready for sale. She and her father were not very close and he did not want her around. She never felt her father loved or respected her. Bethany would prefer to just set the entire house on fire, but she settles for the old, smelly, stained recliner her father lived in. In the event the paparazzi decide to pay her a visit and concoct a story about her late Dad living in squalor, she wants the renovations to be done quickly and quietly.
Cowboy Nash Bledsoe returns to his home town after his hateful, ten year marriage finally ends. He is working and living at the Last Chance Ranch when he sees billowing smoke coming from the Triple G, the neighboring ranch. Nash gets their quickly and puts the fire out, while sparks ignite between him and Bethany. Bethany and Nash knew each other since high school. Nash was a hunky, good looking senior when Bethany was a nerdy freshman.
Nash loves being home and working on his best friend’s ranch. He is saving every cent so he can buy a place of his own. Due to his prior contractor experience, Nash agrees to renovate Bethany’s home during his off hours. Bethany always had a soft spot for Nash and trusts him to take care of the renovations properly and quietly. As their relationship grows and they begin to fall for each other, Bethany agrees to sell her ranch to Nash. Bethany is sentimental and a small part of her will always care about her childhood home. Now she does not have to worry about a new owner ripping down the dilapidated house and barns.
Unfortunately, the paparazzi get tipped off and plan an invasion. With the help of Nash, her neighbors and friends, the Triple G is put back together. Opal, popular nationwide talk show host, Bethany’s mentor and friend, helps create a diversion. The media leaves without a juicy story.
Bethany returns to her writing and weekly talk show spot in Atlanta with Opal. Nash moves into the Triple G and continues with the renovations. They both miss each other terribly. In fact, both are finding it extremely difficult to do their jobs and stay focused. Opal, with all her celebrity, arranges a surprise for the two of them and everyone is able to function once again.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy. If you like a hot romance with lots of longing, you will love this book.
Book Info
Publication Date: May 21, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Blaze (Book 751)A deal with a devilishly sexy cowboy…Self-help guru Bethany Grace has returned home to clean up the now-decrepit family ranch after her father’s death. Rather than just set the whole place ablaze (her first choice), she settles for a nice symbolic little blaze outside…until things get out of hand!
Cowboy Nash Bledsoe is working at the Last Chance Ranch next door when he sees the smoke. Bethany is the last person he expects—or wants—to see. How can he explain that she’s indirectly responsible for ruining his life?
Still, there’s an opportunity for Nash to buy the ranch if he can help restore it, and the two strike a deal. But there’s a whole lot of chemistry in the fine print, and Nash is about to discover that where there’s smoke, there’s fire!
Diah Didi
Hi, Sara. Just want to inform that, if I’m not mistaken, it’s not actually the first book of Sons of Chance trilogy. As a matter of fact, this is book number 10 of the series. 🙂
Thanks for reviewing this one. I can’t wait to read it and the next two books. Love the series and those hot sexy cowboys.
Sharlene Wegner
Sounds good! Thanks for the review!