November 19, 2013 by Caroline Barker

Roping Love (short story) by Tamara Hoffa plus author bio

Roping Love is an adult heart-warming western romance with a sense of erotica.

Cowboy Chance sure did rope and reel Carrie in a decade earlier but can he do it again? She fell for him and gave herself to him, and yet he left her feeling abandoned. Chance didn’t pick up or return Carrie’s calls, making her feel like a used fool. Carrie never completely understood what happened between them and had to carry on with her life by throwing everything she had into her horses. She bred them and trained them. They were her life.

However, after keeping away from the Showmanships and the All American Quarter Horse Congress all of this time, it was Carrie’s nephew, Tyler, who encouraged her to take him and go to the Congress. After reluctantly agreeing, and thinking it now unlikely that she would see Chance, it just so happened that she unknowingly walked straight back into his life. Angry, hurt and destroyed she wanted nothing to do with him.

It is so easy for the reader to sympathise with Carrie and fight her corner all the way. On the other hand, Chance is hot and all he wants is an opportunity to explain. So what do you say, guys? Should Carrie hear him out or leave him out?

The tragedy is that although he had his reasons for not continuing their relationship they both paid for it in their own ways. Now they are given another chance but will it happen this time round?

When it comes to attention to detail Tamara Hoffa is fantastic. Although a little ignorant of horse-rearing/showing myself Tamara does explain this subject in detail. For me, there was slightly too much description in this area as I prefer a little more action and dialogue but if you love a descriptive style of writing you’ll feel the complete setting and enjoy every second of this heartfelt story.

Although a very short story there is enough time for the drama to build and the reader to get to know the characters. Tamara Hoffa goes out to all lengths to ensure that the eroticism is hot, sensual and pulse-raising. The tension and momentum are perfect and reels the reader in. Maybe I am a little greedy as I was hoping for another saucy scene later on and was a little disappointed when that wasn’t to be.

Roping Love is extremely short and could have offered a little more if made into a full length novel with possible sub plots including Chance’s brother, Chase. However, I did enjoy this little tale and would like to read more of Tamara Hoffa’s work.

TAMARA HOFFA – BIO

Tamara Hoffa lives in central Tennessee, with her husband of 30 years, her three grown children, two grandchildren, 5 dogs and 1 cat. Tamara started reading when she was four years old and has rarely been seen without a book at hand since. At home you will usually find her in “nana’s chair” with her kindle, her laptop or one of her precious, precocious grandson’s in her lap. Tamara is a reviewer, a professional reader and can now add author to her repertoire. Tamara is proof positive that it’s never too late to reach for your dreams.

Contact Links:

Buy links:

Secret Cravings Publishing

Bookstrand

Roping Love was received gratefully from the author, Tamara Hoffa, for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

September 5, 2013 by Tina Williams

The Antique Love, by Helena Fairfax

There’s No Accounting for Love – A Tale of Rationality versus Romance!

Sweet Contemporary Romance

The Antique Love, a contemporary tale, is a deeply romantic read, which affirms the power of love which can bowl over even the most rational of us! It is Helena Fairfax’s second novel and focuses on the relationship between an English woman Penny and a Wyoming man Kurt. Kurt, a top flight accountant, has purchased a house overlooking Richmond Park and now seeks a wife to share it with.

Kurt enters Penny’s antique shop one day and is struck by her affinity and passion for antiques. He offers her the job of refurnishing his new home, a strictly business arrangement – Kurt even tells his sister back home that Penny is not marriage material! Kurt begins to date women he has meticulously selected from an exclusive dating agency as he is keen to find a polished and professional wife who shares his values and outlook. He has seen those in his life badly let down and destroyed by romantic love and grand passion and wants no part of either, believing that they lead to heartbreak.

Penny is attracted to Kurt, initially mistaking him for a cowboy due to his demeanour and rugged good looks, which causes her some embarrassment! She finds herself reluctantly agreeing to his proposition to refurbish his home when he offers to look over problems she is having reconciling her accounts. Kurt tells Penny of his decision to find a wife based on logic and calculation and Penny realises that she is the last person that would fit the bill, being more of a romantic, passionate and intuitive type. Penny knows that she must guard her heart lest it gets broken, especially when Kurt makes it clear that he regards her as little more than a kid sister.

However, as the weeks pass and Kurt and Penny meet to discuss her accounts and the furnishing of his new home, things do not go according to plan for either party! The more Kurt gets to know Penny, the more he cannot stop thinking about her, even when he dates other women. He realises that he is wildly attracted to Penny whilst acknowledging that she is far from the type of woman he seeks to marry. Penny finds it impossible not to fall for Kurt. Once she has finished refurnishing Kurt’s home will they part as friends, cool decision making and rationality having prevailed, or will Kurt open his heart and realise that Penny is the one for him? Similarly will Penny drop her cool façade around Kurt, which she has assumed to protect her heart, to let Kurt realise how much he means to her?

The Antique Love is a very romantic read, with well defined and realistic main and secondary characters. Both Kurt and Penny have been shaped by traumatic past events and they need to confront their feelings before they can resolve their relationship. I loved Kurt as although he is clearly a man used to being in charge he is at the same time considerate and honourable, supporting Penny when she is having a difficult time. Penny is a heroine who you immediately root for and will her to get her man. She is hardworking, enthusiastic and kind and prone to wild romantic imaginings, which Kurt is drawn to despite himself! Unfortunately she also has low self-esteem, due to her life experiences. Penny and Kurt make a couple, who have the capacity to make each other whole again, despite their past hurts; it just takes them a while to see it!

I also loved the imagery Helena Fairfax uses in this novel to help illustrate the emotions of the characters and progress the plot, from the antiques that Penny enthuses about to the colours and furnishings she selects for Kurt’s home. If you enjoy a sweet and traditional contemporary romance, with well drawn characters, which is also a deeply romantic and a satisfying read look no further than The Antique Love.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

http://helenafairfax.com/

Published by Museituppublishing

Cover designer Charlotte Volnek

If you like the sound of The Antique Love, you may want to find out about Helena’s other romance, The Silk Romance (click the tiltle for our review). Alternatively click on the links to find out more about Helena and her work and to go to the publisher’s site where you can purchase her novels.