GRR Reviews What New Beginnings are Made of by Debra Clopton

What New Beginnings are Made Of by Debra Clopton is the beginning of a new series, that was meant to be a series that should be read in order, like a "serial", instead of stand-alone novels. I find the teasing aspect a bit off-putting, and some of the parts not really making sense. 

Alice lost her husband to an accident. At 55, and very rich, and all her kids off doing their own stuff, she decided to indulge herself for once: buy Star Gazer Inn at the beach of Corpus Christi, Texas, and bring it back to life. It is where she met the father of her children. But her children wonder if she may have bitten off more than she can chew... // Lisa, Alice's best friend, and a trained chef, was simply traveling the world, trying to fill her time after her bitter divorce. She agreed to join Alice to open up the inn, but she has her own secrets... // Nina lives next door to the inn and kept an ultra-low profile... But the new inn, and the new owners, are so nice. And esp. owner's oldest son, Jackson, so handsome and protective, and interested in knowing her... 

The book introduced Alice, Lisa, Nina, and Jackson, with a lot of plotlines left unresolved, as technically the inn is still yet to open at the end of book 1. Also, I find the reason for Nina hiding out to be quite... unreasonable. That villain of that type is usually not the type to risk exposure for some unknown vendetta. It just felt... wrong. Add that to the open-endedness, which makes me feel as if I am going to be teased over and over like watching a soap opera. 3/5

GRR Reviews From This Moment On by Debra Clopton

Cali, disillusioned by her failed marriage, returned to Windswept Bay to run her family boutique resort, vowing to never love again. But when the famous mural painter Grant arrived to paint murals for her resort, she found herself wondering if her vows may have been premature... // Grant survived a plane crash that killed his best friend and his pilot. He hadn't thought about painting for a long time, but a promise is a promise, even if it's just a promise to his neighbor. Meeting Cali was a breath of fresh air, and for the first time in months, he felt alive... // As both circled each other, each must bare his and her own emotional wounds... can they trust the love they feel? 

Nice, but Grant also felt a bit TOO nice. 4/5

GRR Reviews Charmed by the Cowboy: Cooper by Debra Clopton

Beth is just settling into her uncle's little ranch in Ransom Creek with her baby goats. Her evil ex is still looking for her, and she's keeping a low profile. Meeting her neighbor the Presley brothers, esp. Cooper, is nice, for he's helpful, big, strong, and kind. And definitely swoon-worthy. But Cooper has his own evil ex who is always stalking him... always making a scene. And when her evil ex caught up with her, Cooper will be there...

Good, but not extraordinary. The "evil ex's" came off more as "annoying" instead of real threat to their relationships. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Cowboy hero by Debra Clopton

Trip has always admired Lori, but she's the daughter of the boss, and he's just the foreman. Then he became a co-owner... When boss died suddenly, thrown by a horse, Lori has to assume control, and things are not looking too good. Some employees had to be fired when they said they can't work under a female boss. Then some cattle went missing. Then someone made off with the whole trailer of their best broncos for the rodeo event. All fingers point at their evil nemesis, but accusations are serious that nobody dared to act without conclusive proof... With no choice, Trip had to call in their neighbors, the Presley brothers to form an informal posse... And Trip had to stick to Lori, very closely... and Lori knew Trip can be a great partner... but can he be also a lover?

The big evil was a bit too obvious, IMHO. But it's competently executed.

Category: Contemporary Western

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews TREASURE ME, COWBOY Enhanced Editio by Debra Clopton

"Treasure Me, Cowboy" started fine with a conflicted FMC trying to deal with family problems getting into good graces with the MMC. However, the chemistry was uncertain and the treasure hunt that followed seems completely unrelated to the main plot.

Melody Chandler is tired of being her addict brother's crutch, always cleaning up after him, paying his rent when he spent all his money on drugs and booze, and her brother had already guilted their parents into double-mortgaging their house and went into debt to finance his addiction... a little at a time. Yet Melody just cannot find it in herself to deny her brother, who was excellent in laying on the guilt-trip, even after their parents had passed on. She took on an assignment with the Turner brothers to research the history of Turner Creek Ranch, hoping some work would put more money in the bank, but Seth Turner doesn't want her there. When Melody's researched turned up an old treasure map that may be the key to solving a Texas Legend of a great train robbery, they agreed to collaborate on a treasure hunt, but Melody is keeping her problems hidden... Until Seth helped her to confront it... but will that be enough for them to come together?

While treasure hunt is kind acute, I felt it didn't blend well with the rest of the plot. All it all I find the whole thing merely tolerable.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Woman being leeched on by lame brother had to find job; found treasure and love with ranch owner Seth

Tropes: different worlds, sibling problems, ranch, family secrets

Overall Rating:  3/5 (rounded up)