Tag: Larch Valley

Review: Her Lone Cowboy by Donna Alward

Posted April 8, 2010 by Holly in Reviews | 0 Comments


Holly‘s review of Her Lone Cowboy (Larch Valley, Book 2) by Donna Alward

“Grouchy Noah was a challenge, but a Noah who started to trust Lily was far more difficult to handle…”

Noah Laramie has come back home to run Lazy L Ranch. Injured and now out of the army, he wants to shut himself off from the world.

Lily Germaine is just there to help him, but loner Noah is the most stubborn-as-a-mule man she’s ever met. Losing an arm doesn’t mean he has to lose sight of who he is. His courage, strength and loyalty make him one in a million. She just needs to convince him of that….

This is the second book in Alward’s Larch Valley duet. I enjoyed the first one, though the end did leave me feeling a little unsettled, and I have to say it was the same for this one.

Noah was injured while at war – he’s a Captain in the Army – and Lily, who is best friend to Noah’s sister-in-law – agrees to help him out a bit until he gets more settled. Noah is frustrated by his new circumstances and not sure how to deal with them. Having Lily around isn’t helping much either. She only serves to remind him that he isn’t whole and therefore not fit for someone like her. Lily was hurt in the past and is terrified of commitment. She’s willing to help Noah only because she knows he won’t be around permanently.

I really liked both Noah and Lily. Lily was practical and fun loving, the perfect antithesis for Noah’s dark broodiness. He’s having trouble adjusting to life after his injury and Lily is really good at pulling him out of his shell. Noah really gave Lily something to focus on, and I loved that they formed a friendship. As they came to trust each other their relationship really blossomed.

I really enjoyed this story, right up until the end. Then I was frustrated with Lily for pushing Noah away. But at the end of it, I couldn’t really blame her for having done so. Neither of them really gave all they could to the relationship, and therefore neither was solely responsible for the way things turned out. I don’t want to spoil it, but I’m still trying to decide my overall feelings.

I also think Noah’s injury and the emotional trauma he suffered could have been explored farther. It was hinted at that he had unresolved issues, but they were never full addressed.

For the most part this was a sweet story with strong emotional pull on both sides.

3.75 out of 5

The series:

Book CoverBook Cover

This book is available from Harlequin Romance. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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Review: One Dance with the Cowboy by Donna Alward

Posted March 23, 2010 by Holly in Reviews | 0 Comments

Holly’s review of One Dance with the Cowboy by Donna Alward

“Care to take those boots for a spin, Miss O’Keefe?”

Jen O’Keefe will agree to just one dance with coolheaded cowboy Drew Laramie. But only for old times’ sake. She can’t risk losing her heart to him again.

Drew left Larch Valley, promising Jen he’d return. When he didn’t, she moved on…. Now the childhood sweetheart Jen had stopped waiting for is back!

I really enjoyed this story. I’m kind of a sucker for the “lovers reunited” plot anyway, but Alward did a good job of bringing these two back together.

Drew and Jen were high school sweethearts. Jen thought for sure they’d end up married and living happily ever after, but Drew had other ideas. He wanted to make a career for himself and get out of Larch Valley, which meant leaving Jen behind. But now he’s grown up and moved back home and can’t deny Jen still heats him up.

Jen was crushed when Drew broke up with her all those years ago. She knows she can’t deal with that kind of heartbreak again, so she’s determined to avoid him at all costs. Unfortunately, she’s an adult with responsibilities, so when Drew needs to hire to cater an event for him, she can’t say no. She can’t deny the chemistry between them, but she isn’t willing to give up her heart. Of course, she may not have a choice…

I’ve read Alward in the past and have yet to be disappointed. Jen and Drew were both strong characters.I did wonder at the way Jen was constantly rushing after Drew, despite swearing she wouldn’t get sucked in by him again. It was obvious she still had feelings for him. Drew wasn’t as easy to figure out. He was attracted to Jen, but I’m not sure he had leftover feelings for her. It seemed to me that his feelings were newly developed as he got to know the grown-up version of his high school sweetheart.

I did feel like the end was a bit abrupt. Throughout Jen is the one who constantly puts herself out there. I would have liked to see Drew go to her and grovel a bit more. Otherwise it was good.

If you’re looking for a light, heart-warming read, I’d say this it.

3.75 out of 5

This book is available from Harlequin Romance. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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