K.T. RAINE
Stats: Expected pub date 5/1/24, Independently published
How acquired: Via BookSirens
First line: Becca’s eyes flew open with the hiss of the hydraulic door, the sound unnaturally loud in the serene atmosphere.
(Goodreads synopsis below.)
My thoughts: I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from Ms. Raine, so when I saw this was available to request on BookSirens I snapped it up. I’ve previously described Ms. Raine’s books as breezy, fun, and heartwarming, with well written characters, and A GAMBLE OF THE HEART delivered on those expectations. But when I say breezy I don’t mean frivolous, as her books also touch on deeper subjects, and there is usually an element of danger to the heroine, with the hero being a protector (one of my personal catnips). Here we have Becca and her young son traveling across the state seeking refuge, after a loan shark appears at her door, demanding money to pay off her ex-husband’s gambling debt. From there, the physical danger is minimal, and the story is more about Becca finding herself again, finding friends and acceptance in her new home, and of course, since this is a romance, finding love again.
That’s not to say her ex isn’t involved in the story, and we even get some sections told from his point of view. It would have been easy for the author to write him off in the end, but she gave him some character development and a chance at redemption instead.
This is a quick read, with some tense moments towards the end, and a happy, satisfying resolution. It’s the first in a new series, and with four more brothers besides Tony I’m already looking forward to more of the Ragin’ Moon Refuge! And I highly recommend Ms. Raine’s Huckleberry Ridge series, as well as the first book of hers that I read, HOLDING OUT FOR SPECIAL.
*Received via BookSirens and voluntarily reviewed*
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Becca Pierson takes her vows seriously. So even when her husband’s secret gambling addiction shakes her world, she soldiers on, sure they can work things out. But reality soon proves otherwise, and she knows she must put their ten-year-old son David first and file for divorce. When a loan shark barges into her apartment and demands the little cash she has left, she takes David and flees 400 miles across Montana to the only place that will accept them—Ragin’ Moon Refuge.
Tony Lascari’s family owns the Ragin’ Moon Refuge, and he has seen many a broken woman pass through. He’s never once been tempted, for he knows the baggage they carry. Life is so much easier when you only have to consider yourself. But when he picks up Becca from the bus depot, he’s immediately drawn to the frightened young mother who brings out his instinct to protect. But with Becca’s future so uncertain, he knows their relationship must stay platonic.
Becca also feels the attraction but knows she needs to focus on protecting her son, which may entail fleeing again. There’s simply too much at stake to be distracted by Tony’s charm and rugged good looks. No matter how kind he is. No matter how safe he makes her feel.
Will she overcome her past and find a brighter future with Tony’s help? Or will fears and regrets keep her forever chained to the past?
No comments:
Post a Comment