Books, reviews, and writings

  A Cowboy State of Mind – Jennie Marts   Jennie Marts brings us a new volume for her “Cowboys of Credence” series. In A Cowboy State of Mind Zane Taylor, the sexy yet scarred son of the town drunk is back in town. And despite his best efforts, he cannot help but being drawn to Bryn Callahan, the big-hearted and beautiful diner waitress. United by their love of animals and an impulse horse rescue, they will eventually have to rescue their own selves from the shadows of their pasts and into love.   This is an unapologetic feel-good romance, an excellent example of a craft clearly well practiced. Marts follows her formula and uses all the possible tropes in the genre to good effect. We have the hunky aloof cowboy with a heart of gold and a tortuous past; the curvaceous sexy woman with a drive to mother and care for others; the handsome and stable second lead; the revolting ex; even the delightful child and idyllic family farm make an appearance....

  The Rebel Wears Plaid – Eliza Knight   The Rebel Wears Plaid is a historical romance written by American Eliza Knight, set at the beginning of the attempt to bring Bonnie Prince Charlie to power in Scotland. It tells us about Jenny Mackintosh, a Jacobite leader known as Mistress J , and Toran Fraser, a man with a personal vendetta against said Mistress J . As Toran is first physically captured by the rebels, then captured by Jenny’s beauty, courage, and devotion, he learns the truth about the true enemies, the British. For Jenny, it’s a journey into her femininity, as she discovers love and sex, an into her power, while becoming the laird of the clan.   Who would enjoy this Eliza Knight specialises in historical romance, and that is exactly what this book delivers. Anyone familiar, and/or who enjoys the genre will appreciate The Rebel Wears Plaid , for it has all the elements required: historically dramatic period, check; spunky female lea...

  Grown Ups – Marian Keyes   Marian Keyes’ Grown Ups is an exploration of human and family relationships, as well as a long-winded complain about ‘adulting’. The Casey-Kinsella family, linked by overachiever Jessie, is on a holiday when Cara, one of the sisters-in-law, suffers a concussion. As a result, she lets out the secrets that everyone is hiding, from money to infidelity. In a series of past episodes, everybody’s foibles and miseries are revealed to the reader, the better to welcome the happy endings. Clearly, this is a holiday read, centred around the small indignities of family interactions that make us all feel our families are not that bad, after all.   Beyond that, the story is a warning tale on the consequences of lack of self-esteem: Jessie, who uses perfectionism and veneer of success to covering her fear of rejection; Cara, who we soon realise is the main character, struggles with bulimia; Nell, the young artistic altruist, hides...