GRR Reviews Worth the Gamble (Hidden Springs Book by Kristine Raymond

Worth the Gamble is a Western Historical Romance in the author's Hidden Spring series. It is sweet, romantic, and the plot points are VERY appropriate, but due to the resolution NOT achieved by either character for the darkest hour (though the grand gesture is recognizable) I cannot give this story 5/5 stars.

Olivia Thatcher is practically a spinster, getting older. While her career as Hidden Spring's teacher was fulfilling, her heart aches for love... until Dallas Trent came to town. Dallas is a gambler, and extremely honest. The problem is he's too good, AND he's a gunslinger too, and he made more than a few enemies, and his reputation preceded him... for shooting a man over game of cards, a reputation he did not deserve. But Dallas Trent is a learned man, and when Olivia ran into problems with her students, Dallas came to her rescue, and their friendship developed into a lot more. When Dallas is accused of murdering another gambler, and only Olivia can be his alibi, Dallas chose to remain silent to save Olivia's reputation in town...

SPOILER AHEAD

Dallas' silence is his grand gesture, but it LED to the darkest hour, instead of resolving it. It was up to the sheriff and the rest of Hidden Spring to track down the witnesses and alibi for Dallas to exonerate him and achieve the Happily Ever After. HEA was not achieved through the FMC or the MMC's efforts.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot:  Town teacher fell for the honest gambler / gunslinger. When he's accused of murder, she is her alibi, but he'll protect her reputation by staying silent...

Tropes: sacrifice, different worlds,

Overall Rating:  4/5 (rounded up from 3.5/5)

GRR Reviews Dancing in the Dark (Hidden Springs Boo by Kristine Raymond

The Hidden Springs series was one of the better Western Romances that were not afraid of tackling the darker issues, such as conmen, prostitution, and more. And this book took prostitution head on. However, the "evil" in this book was decidedly flat, as their motivation for being so was never explained. They simply... are, as if no other life has any value.

Rusty Flanagan had worked his way across the west after his tough childhood. He wanted to buy a ranch which is being auctioned off, until he met Charlotte Drake. Charlotte ran away from home because her mother refused to allow her to dance. She trusted the wrong person and ended up a prostitute in Ivy's whorehouse in Hidden Springs. Charlotte met Rusty, and they fell in love, and Rusty swore to find a way for her to get out, just as a land baron came to town and wanted to buy the ranch... and also bought Charlotte. Rusty was able to help Charlotte escape, but both will make a sacrifice for each other that may destroy each other...

The land baron was just flat evil, and with plenty of money to burn. Why would he do so when he can live anywhere? Why did he bring his wife, the infamous town poison whose only delight was to turn everybody against everybody else? Why are they back? There's no reason other than to play foil against Rusty and Charlotte. They don't have any purpose in the story except to act as polar opposites of MMC and FMC. For that, I cannot give it 5/5.

Category: Historical western

Primary Plot: hard working ranch hand was forced to choose between ranch of his dreams and girl of his dreams

Tropes: fated mate, prostitution

Overall Rating:  4/5 (rounded up from 3.5/5)

GRR Reviews A Chance on Love (Hidden Springs) by Kristine Raymond

A Chance On Love is a western historical romance about two people, both hurt by their prior relationships, attracted by each other, but not quite ready to commit.

Ben Kincaid is the doc for Hidden Springs, and he was keeping a terrible secret. Ten years ago, his wife took their daughter and just left. Ben vowed never to trust anyone with his heart... Until Shiloh Bishop came into town... to stay, and 8 months pregnant. Shiloh was forced into arranged marriage when young with a much older man who treated her like a servant than a wife. It was to her surprise that she got pregnant, and a few months later he dropped dead of brain aneurysm, she looked forward to a fresh start... on her own. He was not ready to move on, she was not ready to be a wife, yet Ben and Shiloh cannot deny their attraction to each other... When epidemic swept through town, they must rely on each other... But when she decided to help him move on, he was both devastated... betrayed... AND elated... which only made him angry...

The attraction between Shiloh and Ben was not explained well, for Doc was a confirmed bachelor and have basically rebuffed every single lady in town (and a few married ones too). Yet Shiloh's arrival triggered a memory in him that cannot be denied. As for Shiloh, she wasn't used to men being NICE to her... having never really experienced it, though she had definitely fantasized about it. You know the pair will come together, and it's the journey that's the fun

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: The Doctor Who Can't Move On; The Girl Who Doesn't Want a Husband; Can They Be Together?

Tropes: scars, widow, grief

Overall Rating: 4/5

GRR Reviews A Will of Her Own (Hidden Springs Book by Kristine Raymond

A Will of Her Own is another novel set in the Hidden Springs Western Historical Romance series, between two reluctant characters, neither of which wanted to fall in love, but did so anyway.

She is Carly Fitzpatrick, who married for love, had two beautiful kids, only to lose him in a tragic accident. And she was not ready for love. He is Will Buchanon, who is on a mission to reclaim his family heritage and get justice from a con man that had scammed his way across the country. He was not ready for love either. Yet when the two meet, there is no denying the sparks between the two. But Carly knew Will will be leaving... But Will may be ready to settle down and abandon his quest, for he can't live peacefully with vengeance in his heart... but someone in Hidden Springs is watching... And he's closer than everyone thinks...

The mystery part was well done as the characters are careful in releasing what info they know, and there were lots of red herrings. And yes, they did get the bad guy. And there is an HEA. That's not much of a spoiler, right?

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Guy who's on a mission; Single Mom who Lost Her Mate; Is he leaving? Does she take a chance with her heart?

Tropes: single parent, disguise, fated mate, scars

Overall Rating:  4/5