R.C. Ryan’s MATT Launch {+ Giveaway}

I’m delighted today to be participating in author R.C. Ryan’s Launch Day Blitz for her latest release, MATT, the first installment in her new Malloys of Montana Series.

To celebrate the release of this new series today, there is a tour-wide giveaway for five (5) print copies of MATT. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book …

Wild Horses Couldn't Drag Him Away From Her
        Raised beneath the big Montana sky, Matt Malloy was never meant to be a jet-setting businessman. But he'll do anything to protect the family ranch he shares with his brothers. Coming home after a two-week trip to Italy, Matt wants nothing more than to shed his suit and tie for a well-worn pair of jeans and ride his horse up to the cabin for some alone time. The last thing he needs is a big-city lawyer invading his privacy-even if she is the most beautiful woman he's ever seen . . .
        Vanessa Kettering has devoted her life to her work. As a passionate animal rights defender, she doesn't have room for anything else. But from the moment she meets Matt, she's taken with this rugged cowboy's lazy smile and tender touch. When a raging storm traps them inside his cabin for the night, one steamy kiss leads to another, sweeping them away with a force that's as wild and untamed as the land he loves. But when the morning light comes, will she lose her heart?

MATT is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo and Goodreads.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author R.C. Ryan

New York Times bestselling author R.C. Ryan has written more than ninety novels, both contemporary and historical.  Quite an accomplishment for someone who, after her fifth child started school, gave herself the gift of an hour a day to follow her dream to become a writer.

In a career spanning more than twenty years, R.C. has given dozens of radio, television, and print interviews across the country and Canada, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as the Wall Street Journal and Cosmopolitan. She has also appeared on CNN News, and Good Morning America.  

R.C. Ryan is a pseudonym of New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ryan Langan.

You can learn more about R. C. and her alter ego Ruth Ryan Langan by visiting her website and connecting with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Now here are my thoughts on this fascinating new series. Once again I was fortunate to be able to read a print copy of the book while listening to the audio version. I highly recommend both formats.

MATT by R.C. Ryan

It’s always interesting when an author puts a city character with a country character and author R.C. Ryan knows how to blend the combination into a tantalizing tale.

Narrator Loretta Rawlins is spot-on in her interruption of the characters along with their actions and emotions. Her mannerisms and accents enhances this delightful story.

Matt Malloy loves life on his family’s Montana ranch. He tends to try to fix the family’s problems since the death of both of his parents. But he’s unprepared for a big city lawyer visiting to talk with his grandmother about animal rights.

Vanessa Kettering is a dedicated animal rights defender that stays busy between Chicago and Washington D.C. Never one to back down from anything, Vanessa finds more than she bargained for when she winds up having to talk to the grandson of the woman she was hoping to interview.

Between an angry storm and death threats from criminals her father is working to put away, Vanessa finds there’s more to the wide open country of Montana than she ever imaged.

A sweet love story, MATT is also about family loyalty, a cross knit small community, and finding one’s place in the world. The characters are well-developed and likable. The bantering among family members brings out the realism of the story.

Through the author’s rich descriptions, the Montana landscape comes alive on the page and through the narration. The small town atmosphere is genuine and heartwarming, while the family bond among the Malloys and the Ketterins is refreshing.

MATT is a delightful tale of suspense with a touch of romance and a nice helping of good old fashion western flare. A fun start to an intriguing new series.

Matt by R.C. Ryan, The Malloys of Montana (Book #1), Forever, @2016, ISBN: 978-1455591602, Mass Market Paperback, 368 Pages; Narrated by Loretta Rawlins, Hachette, Audio, ASIN: B01DYHZBAO, Audible Audio Edition, Listening Length: 9 Hours and 33 Minutes  

FTC Full Disclosure – This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This tour-wide giveaway is for five (5) print copies of MATT by R. C. Ryan.

To enter, click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few moments to load so please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy following a series that focuses on each member of a family?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Surrender to an Exciting New Western Series

I’m excited today to welcome New York Times Bestselling Author Jodi Thomas back to Thoughts in Progress to talk about LONE HEART PASS, the latest installment in her Ransom Canyon series.

LONE HEART PASS hits bookstores tomorrow and is the third installment in Thomas’ exciting new western series.

“Compelling and beautifully written, it is exactly the kind of heart-wrenching, emotional story one has come to expect from Jodi Thomas.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

In a story that carves into the breathtaking romance of two lonely souls, Jodi introduces the next title in her six-book Ransom Canyon series, a contemporary Western romance series featuring sweeping family dramas, rugged heroes and the beautiful Texas landscape.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

With a career and a relationship in ruins, Jubalee Hamilton is left reeling from a fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she inherited is a far cry from the second chance she hoped for, but it and its abrasive foreman are all she’s got.

Every time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he’s been burned. So Lone Heart ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until Jubalee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic.

Desperation is all young Thatcher Jones knows. When he leads an injured Steeldust horse to a ramshackle ranch, he needs help. A horse-stealing ring is on his trail and the sheriff suspects him…and his only protection is the shelter of a man and woman who—just like him—need someone to trust.

“Jodi Thomas is a masterful storyteller. She grabs your attention on the first page, captures your heart, and then makes you sad when it is time to bid her wonderful characters farewell. You can count on Jodi Thomas to give you a satisfying and memorable read.” — Catherine Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

LONE HEART PASS is available wherever books are sold and at www.HQNBooks.com.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Jodi. She’s here to talk about her book. Welcome, Jodi.

I was recently asked of all my books, which one would I love to see become a book to movie adaptation? I think LONE HEART PASS would make a great movie. It’s got a handsome hero, a crazy heroine, and a great love story.

I opened this story with two people. Jubilee’s world is crashing down so she goes to the only place she’s ever felt safe—a tiny ranch near Crossroads, Texas. Charley thinks he’s messed up his life and is struggling to get it right for once. He’s broke, she’s desperate to make this last chance work, so they agree on a partnership that might just save them both.

By the way, readers are going to fall in love with the kid, Thatcher Jones, also. He’s 14 and hunts rattlers to earn his lunch money. 

LONE HEART PASS marks my 43^rd novel. Sometimes I feel like I’ve had an extra lifetime of friends and family. I loved these characters from Charley with his good looks only bringing him trouble to Thatcher who’s had to raise himself and thinks twins happen if you hiccup during sex.

It was hard writing the end to this one. I hope you enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Jodi, thanks for joining us sharing this look at your latest release. I think the Ransom Canyon series would make a great series of movies.

Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with Jodi, here’s some background on her.

Author Jodi Thomas

A fifth-generation Texan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A former teacher, Thomas traces the beginning of her storytelling career to the days when her twin sisters were young and impressionable. 

With a degree in family studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A&M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer in Residence.

Commenting on her contribution to the arts, Thomas said, “When I was teaching classes full-time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher or nurse or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place.”

When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and “checking up” on their two grown sons.

For more information on Jodi and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Now I’d like to share my thoughts on this entertaining story.

LONE HEART PASS by Jodi Thomas

Author Jodi Thomas has a knack for creating characters you wish you could know in real life.

In her latest release, LONE HEART PASS, Thomas brings together two characters that have been hurt deeply, made some life mistakes, and have isolated themselves. Her secondary characters have their own share of troubles readers can also relate to.

Jubilee Hamilton’s life has hit rock bottom – her career is a bust, she has aliened herself from relationships and her family thinks she needs a goal in her life. Returning to a run-down Texas ranch she inherited from her great-grandfather, Jubilee sees it as her last chance to make a go of her life.

Charley Collins loves the land and only wanted to continue running his family’s ranch, but those dreams went up in smoke after some bad choices he made. Charley is determined to finally make the right choices and his young daughter is going to be the only female in his life from now on.

Older than his years, young Thatcher Jones has always more or less looked out for himself. Without knowing it, Thatcher is searching for someone to care about him while he pretends he doesn’t care.

When life’s circumstances bring these individuals together, their worlds are turned upside down. They soon learn there are others searching for someone to trust. Can they learn to trust one another, while trying to save the ranch and their lives as desperate criminals wait nearby.

The author’s characters are realistic, likable and well-developed. The bonds of friendship and concern that grows between the various characters adds depth to the story. The mix of emotions experienced by each character and how they interact enhances the tale. The slow, budding romance draws you in as the suspense surrounding the mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The setting comes alive on the page through the author’s rich descriptions and eye for details. Thomas blends a bit of the old west with a modern life for a well-balanced western.

LONE HEART PASS is an enthralling mix of romance, mystery and self-discovery. It’s the third installment in the series, but can be read on its own. Filled with well-crafted characters, a touch of romance, mystery, and friendship, this is a book you won’t be able to put down until you turn the final page.

Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas, Ransom Canyon Series (Book #3), HQN Books, @2016, ISBN: 978-0373789214, Mass Market Paperback, 352 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me as part of the author’s blog tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today during Jodi’s visit. Do you enjoy stories where the characters evolve with a bit of self-discovery? Do you like the western-theme in a story?