To Love and to Cherish
(Cactus Creek Cowboys #2)
by Leigh Greenwood
Expected publication: November 4, 2014
by Sourcebooks Casablanca
When Laurie Spencer said "I do", she never realized she'd be trading one pair of shackles for another-until her husband's unexpected death leaves her with an opportunity to escape her controlling family for good. Determined to be independent, Laurie approaches sexy rancher Jared Smith with an offer she hopes he can't refuse...
And a Longing to be His...
Jared's determined to make it, but with the local banker turned against him, it looks like his dream may be slipping through his fingers. When unconsciously sensual Laurie offers a partnership, his luck may be changing...but when she throws herself in as part of the deal, Jared's not sure he'll be able to respect the terms of their agreement and keep his eyes-and his hands-to himself.
There's something about Laurie that awakens every protective instinct Jared has...and when all hell breaks loose, there's nothing and no one who'll be able to keep this cowboy from her side.
My review:
Laurie was forced to marry a controlling man she didn't love, but now that he has recently passed away, she believes that his money and property will now belong to her and she will have the means to be in charge of her own life. However, her deceased husband intended to control her even from the grave, and his brother is determined to see it through. Buying a partnership in Jared's ranch may be just what Laurie needs to be independent, but when she doesn't have enough money for the partnership, she agrees to become his housekeeper. But Laurie's former brother-in-law, the town's banker, doesn't like this idea and certainly doesn't like when he doesn't have control of something, and he is adamant that Laurie and Jared will do what he wants.
First, I am going to admit that I had a preconceived notion that men can't write romance novels as well as women (even though I know I'm going to get some backlash from that revelation), so when I found out that Leigh Greenwood is a man, I was skeptical that I was going to like this book. I'm glad I gave it a chance because To Love and to Cherish is an amazing historical romance novel with a great plot and full of interesting characters, vivid setting, and spicy romance.
Laurie is sweet and sassy, resigned to do what's expected of her but in her own way. She's determined that she will never marry again, even though she is only 21 when she becomes a widow. Jared is proud and arrogant but also honorable and caring, with a strong need to turn a profit on his new ranch and find his long-lost brothers. Norman (Laurie's former brother-in-law and the banker) is the perfect villain that you love to hate, and there are several well described secondary characters that add richness to this story. Just based on what I read of Naomi and Colby, I want to read the first book in this series to learn more about their story. And let me just say, a freak snowstorm in the desert never seemed quite so hot before.
I got so caught up in these characters and this story that at one point I wanted to slap Jared and remind him that he knew she was a virgin. (Because yes, she really was, even though she had been married for four years. You will have to read to find out why.) If you like romance, I am most definitely recommending this book. (In fact, I think my only complaint about this book is that the copy I won was not signed.)
I won a copy through Goodreads. I was not required to write a review.
About the author:
Leigh Greenwood is the author of the popular Seven Brides, Cowboy, and Night Riders series. The proud father of three grown children, Leigh resides in Charlotte, NC. He never intended to be a writer, but found it hard to ignore the people in his head, and the only way to get them out was to write.
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