Audio/New Release Review ~ Fearless in Texas ~ Kari Lynn Dell #AudioChallenge #2018NewRelease

Fearless in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell
Texas Rodeo #4
Narrated by: Johanna Parker
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio and I also received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2018NewRelease, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
After her life comes crashing down, Melanie Brookman is determined to claw her way back up again - and this time, she won't make the same mistakes twice. So when her friend sends Wyatt Darrington to help, Melanie keeps him at arm's length. He's exactly the sort of trouble she doesn't need. Wyatt has the perfect distraction for Melanie: rescue his failing bar. She reluctantly agrees and together they hit the road. As they spend more time with one another, undeniable attraction grows. But Wyatt knows that if she ever found out his closely guarded secret, any chance at happily ever after would be left in the dust...

In my review of Tougher in Texas, I said this about waiting for Fearless in Texas: 

"...since the stories keep getting more entertaining, I *know* it'll be worth the wait."  

And guess what? Dell DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Seriously, this series just gets better and better! I think I'm suffering from a book hangover. Dell delivered another compelling story with characters that are brilliantly brought to life. I'm chomping at the bit for the next installment!

Highlights:

• Character Development
  Dell excels here and this might be her best yet in this department. (it's a toss up between Melanie/Wyatt and Shawnee/Cole) With Melanie, we have this extremely intuitive gal who makes an art out of reading people. But she isn't so good at turning that talent on herself. With a little help, she does and she isn't all that fired up at what she sees. She does become introspective whenever she's sorting things out so to see her use that introspection on herself, be along with her as she decides on what to change and how to change it and then watch her execute was inspiring. In Wyatt, we have a man who yearns for a connection...a community...a family. Learning his backstory made his behavior and his actions understandable. But it saddened me that despite having the community  and family he longed for with Joe and Violet, the Jacobs family, and the rodeo, he still felt like an outsider. Witnessing Melanie give him his heart's desire was...well, heartwarming.
• Secondary Characters & Side Plots
  Dell has crafted quite a colorful cast and they along with the side plots add depth and complexity to the story. They also make me debate with myself over who I hope to see in the next installment. From Louie and Gordon, Helen and Rowdy, Grace...gosh! There's so many wonderfully drawn characters and then I get to spend time with some whom I've already met as well. *sigh* I love them all.
• Setting
  Up to this point, this series has spent most of its time in West Texas and as I've said, Dell captures life in West Texas well. This installment, due to Melanie's need to "get the hell out of Dodge", was spent in and around Pendleton, Oregon. What are the odds Dell would pick another place I'm familiar with? And she nailed the description of the town and the landscape. She's really about to put you there and I love that. Also, the rodeo took a bit of a back seat here but it still had its place and we get to spend time with the horses, cows, and rope. =)
• Thought-provoking
  I mentioned this in my review of Tougher in Texas but this I'm mentioning it again because it's worth saying. The Texas Rodeo series is romance but the romance is secondary to the story, in my opinion. I like that Dell has her characters take deeper looks at themselves, consider their mistakes and learn from them, figure out what they want in life and how to go about making that happen. And a common theme seems to be never, ever denying yourself love.

I suppose Fearless in Texas had a little different tone since the rodeo wasn't front and center but it was every bit as riveting as its predecessors. Dell wove together a cast of characters I couldn't help by love with a story that kept me captivated. I can't thank Anna enough for turning me on to Dell!

Parker continues impressing me with her ability to keep the pace just right and deliver on all the emotions. And for the most part, she keeps her voices distinct. She's become a favorite narrator of mine, honestly. And I'm once again anxious for the next book in the series!

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #80 ~ Fearless in Texas ~ Kari Lynn Dell

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food and/or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

Fearless in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell

This particular scene made my mouth water right along with Wyatt's! =)

***

And then he smelled it.

His digestive juices kicked into overdrive at the scent of fresh-baked bread and fried chicken. He had to stop short inside his newly acquired back gate to avoid a wheeled steer dummy that came zipping toward him, pursued by two men with ropes.

...

Melanie strolled out the door in low-cut jeans and a bright-yellow tank top, her hair rippling loose and a drink in each hand. The sight of her was like a flower bursting into bloom in Wyatt's chest. She sauntered up, passed him a whiskey and Coke, and gave him a wifely peck on the cheek.

...

Wyatt drew a long, appreciative breath. "Please tell me that tastes as good as it smells."

"What do you think?" a new voice demanded.

He stared at the woman who filled the doorway to the kitchen. "Helen?"

"In the flesh, and there's still a whole lot of it."

She folded him into a hug that was like being swallowed by Mother Earth, then stepped back and looked him up and down with a critical eye. "All gaunted up from the road, just like Joe used to be. You go on in and find a seat. I'll fix you a plate."

Audio Review ~ Tougher in Texas ~ Kari Lynn Dell (@kidell) #AudioChallenge

Tougher in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell
Texas Rodeo #3
Narrated by: Johanna Parker
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
Rodeo producer Cole Jacobs has his hands full running Jacobs Livestock. He can't afford to lose a single cowboy, so when Cousin Violet offers to send along a more-than-capable replacement, he's got no choice but to accept. He expects a grizzled Texas good ol' boy. He gets Shawnee Pickett. Wild and outspoken, ruthlessly self-reliant, Shawnee's not looking for anything but a good time. It doesn't matter how quickly the tall, dark and intense cowboy gets under her skin - Cole deserves something real, and Shawnee can't promise him forever. Life's got a way of kicking her in the teeth, and she's got her bags packed before tragedy can knock her down. Too bad Cole's not the type to give up when the going gets tough...

Hooboy! This series continues to get better and better! I've so enjoyed geting to listen back-to-back and now - I'm a little bummed I have to wait until April for #4. One the brightside, since the stories keep getting more entertaining, I *know* it'll be worth the wait. *wink*

Highlights:

• Characters
  Dell expertly brings her characters to life. I feel as though they're my friends and I adore them all for their little quirks. In Shawnee, I got a girl with a personality as big as Texas. She's always up for a good time and has many. But she's also a loyal friend, looking out for those she cares about even if she won't let herself admit it or really let anyone close. See, Shawnee experienced a few spectacularly tragic events when she was younger that keep her from looking or expecting deeper. She lives her life to the fullest on a superficial level believing the other shoe is definitely gonna drop. Cole is this big mountain of a cowboy. He's everything you'd want in a friend, co-worker, and yes, man. He's autistic so he has a few things that make him even more interesting as well as endearing. He also suffered a tragedy when he was young and that gives him another commonality with Shawnee - on top of rodeo-ing and being from West Texas. Cole - well, he just might be my favorite cowboy in this series so far with his lists and trouble getting words out... *sigh* He trips my trigger.
• Genuine, realistic settings
  As I said in at least one of my previous reviews of this series, Dell captures life in West Texas well. She also vividly brings to life the rodeo and all that entails. From the sounds, smells, and excitement in the arena and the chutes, as well as the drone of the road when traveling to the next locale, and lastly the gut-wrenching fear over cowboys and horses being in danger, Dell conveys it all with heart, emotion, and a genuineness that is indicative of someone who's lived it.
• Thought-provoking content
  The Texas rodeo series is romance but the romance is secondary to the story, in my opinion. After finishing Tougher in Texas, I realized Dell had made me consider a lot of things over the course of this series. Making mistakes and how we learn from them, letting go of a dream that's an impossibility to embrace a new and better one, not living a life dictated by how others see us - Tougher in Texas made me think about embracing life EVERY DAY. None of us know what tomorrow will bring so we shouldn't live guarded. Like the song says, we should live like we're dying - do it, experience it all. And never, ever deny yourself love.

Although Parker stumbled a few times with keeping her voices consistent and she also mispronounced a few Texas towns (something you wouldn't know unless you're from Texas), I'm still so enjoying her narration. For the most part, her voices are great and her delivery and pacing keep me engaged. So of course, I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Favorites of 2017 ~ Books & Audiobooks

I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!

*~*Books & Audiobooks*~*

• How the Duke Was Won - I chose this book solely because it was narrated by Beverley A. Crick but I found a new favorite author in Lenora Bell
• The Nightingale - a powerful read about how war affected women during WWII from Kristin Hannah
• Red Rising - so realistic in nature and well written, so many parallels to our world today
• Rock F*ck Club - a female anthem, if you will, for equality - especially in our sexuality
• Outlander - omigosh! I adore Jamie and Claire!
• And I Darken - I'm only waiting til 2018 to read the next installment - and honestly, I'm so anxious over it - because the final installment releases in June of 2018. Sometimes I hate the wait.
• Texas Rodeo series - an incredible series revolving around small town West Texas and the rodeo circuit - great writing and narration (Kari Lynn Dell & Johanna Parker)
• New Camelot Trilogy - I listened to the first two - excellent narration - and read the final installment because I was too anxious to wait for the audio! I adored this trilogy!
• The Angel - such a unique story and so very well conveyed
• Steal the Light - it's making the list because IT. HAS. IT. ALL!

Honestly, this list was hard to compile. I mean, I read 160 books this year so it's hard to narrow it down to ~10. In the end, I realized it was just a good reading year. *grins*

Favorites of 2017 ~ Worlds/Settings

I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!

*~*Worlds/Settings*~*

• Cognito - I'm finishing up the year in Cognito. I've enjoyed spending time there with Silver and all her friends. And Dannika Dark does a fine job of creating the "look and feel" of snowy, cold weather.
• Denver, Colorado - the setting for Kristen Ashley's Chaos series and Dream Man series is brought to life in the stories...and I enjoyed spending time here, so near home, all over again.
• Denton, Texas - this is where the Thieves series is set and it's perfect! Having lived in North Texas for 4 years prior to moving to Colorado, Blake nails the feel.
• Chicago, Illinois - I've spent quite a bit of time in Chicago this year - mostly fictionally but also in real life. Helena Hunting's Clipped Wings series is set here and I liked how she brought to life the area around Northwestern to life. I also spent time in Chicago with Ella Frank's Temptation series and Jennifer Dawson's Undone series.
• West Texas (Amarillo, Dumas, Ernest) - Having spent about half my life, before getting married, in West Texas, I quite enjoyed spending time there with the characters of Kari Lynn Dell's Texas Rodeo series.
• New York City - I binged on Sylvia Day's Crossfire series in November and December, and she brought to life the hustle and bustle of the city through Eva's eyes. Having visited Manhattan before, it was fun reminiscing. Lara Adrian's For 100 Days and For 100 Nights is also set in NYC. She brought an entirely different scene to life in the trilogy.
• Rome - Rome is not a location I'd ever hoped to visit...until I read J.T. Geissinger's Edge of Oblivion. Her description of the city as well as the underground city, the historical buildings and ruins, the art, the food, the mythology...yeah, Rome went on my bucket list.
• Scotland - although I like to think I'd have liked to live during the time of Highlanders - and maybe I would - Gabaldon created a Scotland the felt very realistic in it's harsh beauty...very realistic. 

Favorites of 2017 ~ New-to-Me Authors

I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!

*~*New-to-Me Authors*~*

• Sierra Simone - I blew through her New Camelot trilogy - in both audio and ebook. I'm a fan and am eager to read more from her!
• Juliette Cross - I'm so happy I agreed to review The White Lily as Cross made a new fan in me with her fairytale mixed with vampires tale.
• Kari Lynn Dell - I can't say enough about how much I love her writing as well as her ability to make life in West Texas as well as rodeo so vivid and authentic! (thanks, Anna!)
• Lexi Blake - meeting Zoey and company from Blake's Thieves series was a highlight for me in 2017! (thanks, Kristen!)
• Heather Demetrios - she delivered a YA so gripping and emotionally moving...a treat despite the difficult subject matter. (thanks, Tanya!)
• Kiersten White - OMG! I still can't believe I put off reading this one - a female incarnation of Vlad the Impaler...need I say more?!? If y'all haven't read And I Darken, make it so!
• Helena Hunting - I binged on her Clipped Wings series back in June for a challenge...the lady can write!
• Georgia Cates - another author I can't believe I put off reading for so long. I'll be finishing her Beauty series in 2017.
• T. Torrest - Remember When dazzled me with it's 90's nostalgia and characters I fell for...hard. I'm looking forward to the spinoff series coming in 2018. 
• Diana Gabaldon - 'nuff said, am I right?
• Pierce Brown - I couldn't imagine how blown away I'd be by Red Rising despite how much my friends gushed about it. I have the next two books already laid out. *wink*
• Lenora Bell - I picked up How the Duke Was Won because the narrator is one I adore. However, I ended up a fan of Bell who delivered a tightly woven story with a feisty heroine and a hero to fall for.

Audio Review ~ Tangled in Texas ~ Kari Lynn Dell #AudioChallenge #2017NewRelease

Tangled in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell
Texas Rodeo #2
Narrated by: Johanna Parker
Release Date: July 4, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
Thirty-two seconds. That's how long it took for Delon Sanchez's life to end. One minute he was the best bronc rider in the Panhandle and the next he was nothing. Knee shattered, future in question, all he can do is pull together the pieces...and wonder what cruel trick of fate has thrown him into the path of his ex, the oh-so-perfect Tori Patterson. Tori's come home after her husband's death, intent on escaping the public eye. It's just her luck that Delon limps into her physical therapy office, desperate for help. All hard-packed muscle and dark-eyed temptation, he's never been anything but a bad idea. And yet, seeing him again, Tori can't remember what made her choose foolish pride over love..or why, with this second, final change to right old wrongs, the smartest choice would be to run from this gorgeous rodeo boy as fast as her boots can take her.
Contains mature themes.

This second installment was even more riveting than the first. Hoo boy but I'm enjoying the heck out of this series!

Delon is out of commission for bareback riding due to the accident suffered in Reckless in Texas. He's been assigned a new physical therapist and the person it turns out to be is a shocker. But she just might be the one to fix his knee...and his life.

Tori is back in the Panhandle working hard and trying to keep a low profile. Thanks to her parents and the man she married, it's not going to be easy. And then Delon Sanchez blows back into her life but the wind is a tad bitter.

These two have history...A history that is passionate but maybe a little poisonous. It was ironic that they both understood what it's like to be seen as something you're not, be expected to act a certain way, understand this and yet fulfill those expectations at the same time as chafing under them. They were perfect for one another and yet didn't see it. They also both wanted the same things out of life - things they'd always been denied.

The road back together was full of potholes but I still enjoyed the ride. I liked that Dell continually set up road blocks for them because it gave them both time to see things in themselves - things to alter or accept - which made them stronger as individuals which in turn strengthened their relationship.

Dell continues to wow me with her ability to convey the culture of West Texas as well as depict rodeo so clearly, I can "see" it all. I adore all her characters and have already started Tougher in Texas. I'm eager to see what Cole and Shawnee's stories are.

Johanna Parker also impressed me once again She managed to keep her voices consistent across these two books and keep them distinct. She's a pleasure to listen to!

Audio Review ~ Reckless in Texas ~ Kari Lynn Dell #AudioChallenge #2017NewRelease

Reckless in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell
Texas Rodeo #1
Narrated by: Johanna Parker
Release Date: May 23, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewReleasee, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
Violet Jacobs is fearless. At least, that's what the cowboys she snatches from under the hooves of bucking horses think. Outside the ring, she's got plenty of worries rattling her bones: her young son, her mess of a love life, and lately, her family's struggling rodeo. When she takes business into her own hands and hires on a hotshot bullfighter, she expects to start a ruckus. She never expected Joe Cassidy. Joe came to Texas to escape a life spiraling out of control. He never planned on sticking around, and he certainly never expected to call this dry and dusty backwater home. But Violet is everything he never knew he was missing, and the deeper he's pulled into her beautiful mess of a family, the more he realizes this fierce rodeo girl may be offering him the one thing he never could find on his own. 
Contains mature themes.

So I listened to Reckless in Texas as I was driving "home" through the Texas panhandle and I have to say that it deepened my enjoyment and appreciation of Dell's description of the area - passing through the same towns, seeing the landscape and huge open sky. Dell did a mighty fine job in conveying the feel and culture of West Texas.

Violet Jacobs is my kind of gal. She enjoys life, living in the moment, as much as she can, while also working her family's rodeo AND being a mom to her precocious 5 year old son, Beni. She's lived on the edge a few times - Beni being proof of that - but is trying to learn from her mistakes. Sh's a strong, loyal, and good woman with simple dreams.

Joe Cassidy is a rodeo bullfighter. A momentary loss of control of his temper has landed him in Ernest, Texas, working for Jacobs Livestock. Joe is hardworking and loyal - living for a dream that seems impossible to anyone but him. He's a bit prickly and arrogant but in Violet, he's more than met his match.

I can't really think of anything I didn't like. Dell, as I said, adeptly brought the people of culture of West Texas to life and while only people from West Texas can really appreciate that, it impressed me. I enjoyed getting to know Violet's family, Delon (Beni's dad), and Violet's friends. Dell also captured the fell of the rodeo perfectly - I could almost smell the dirt, hay, and animal smelll as well as feel the excitement of the riders. Watching as Violet realizes Joe is and "edge" that's safe to maneuver along as well as seeing her draw Joe out there with her was captivating and heartwarming.

Johanna Parker was a new-to-me narrator and honestly, I wasn't sure about her at first. But it didn't take her long to win me over with her accents, distinctive voices for both females and males, and her pacing. And she nailed Beni! I'm excited to continue listening to this series.

I want to thank Anna @herdingcats&burningsoup for the review that piqued me curiosity about this series. I'm currently anxiously awaiting book #4 (releasing April 3!!) and enjoying the heck out of this series!!