Wrangling a Family

by Kathy Douglass

Winning was just the start of the game.

Bidding on bachelor Nathan Montgomery was a way for single mom Alexandra Jamison to get her friends off her back. She had no interest in a serious relationship, and luckily, neither did the handsome rancher. Although Nathan did believe Alexandra would make the perfect cover “girlfriend” to keep his matchmaking family at bay. What harm could a few innocent dates cause? It wasn’t as if Nathan had any plans to seriously fall for a ready-made family…

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Aspen Creek Bachelors

Book 1: Valentines for the Rancher
Book 2: The Rancher's Baby
Book 3: Wrangling a Family

Genres: Westerns

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2023

About the author

Kathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. That love of reading grew with her. She often would finish one book and immediately pick up another. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to long, lush romance novels. One day she stumbled upon the Shining by Stephen King and was hooked. She turned her back on romance and became a serious Stephen King fan, reading every word he wrote. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters or worse, she knew it was time to put down the horror stories and pick up the romance novels.
Her return to romance novels was short lived. She’d started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then one happy day her younger sister handed her a Harlequin romance. They were just what the doctor ordered. The books were short enough to read in a week and still get her required reading done. Best of all she knew there would be a happy ending and she wouldn’t have to search her room before she went to bed each night.
When her first child was born, she stopped practicing law to become a stay at home mom. Her second child followed nineteen months later. With two little ones in the house, reading suddenly became limited to Dr. Seuss and other children’s books. Any free time was spent trying to catch up on sleep or laundry.
All too soon her kids were attending pre-school two hours a day. She spent those few precious renewing her relationship with romance novels. After a while she felt the urge to write a book of her own and she began writing the stories she wanted to read. She spent many years writing some really terrible books and learning her craft. In 2014, Kathy participated in Brenda Novak’s online auction to raise money for a cure for Diabetes. She was the highest bidder for a critique by editor, Charles Griemsman. He did not buy that book immediately, but requested another which became her first book in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts series.

Reviews

[Antionette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bachelor Auction Love Found

Alexandra and Nathan finds love after a charity bachelor auction. This story evolves from one bought date night to a blossoming love and family with a baby twist. Beautiful romance from beginning to end.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the “Aspen Creek Bachelors Series.” I love how Kathy Douglass books are family oriented, her characters are true to life and her plots are oh so good. This is the romantic journey of Alexandra a single mom to her infant daughter Chloe. Alexandra is a nurse at the local hospital who related from Chicago to Aspen Creek to leave memories behind from her ex-boyfriend who is Chloe’s father who didn’t want her. Nathan is the oldest of the Montgomery brothers and he spends his life on the family ranch as a rancher. After losing out in the game of love Nathan has a five-year plan to take over the family ranch when his dad retires and win in the game of love and romance. Alexandra lets her friends talk her into going to a charity bachelor auction and bidding on Nathan and she wins. The two are great together have awesome chemistry and attracted to each other. They have both loved and lost and according to them they are not interested in love nor romance. As the are getting to know each other baby Chloe is becoming attached to Nathan. What was supposed to be a one-time date could turn into so much more for Alexandra and Nathan if they can admit their feelings to each other.

Can Alexandra and Nathan get past losing out in love and romance and find their HEA in other each, will Nathan’s five-year plan be put on hold once he admits his feelings to Alexandra?

I received an ARC via the author Kathy Douglass and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra, a young lady that has gone thru an unsavory relationship, but didn’t let it break her spirit. At an auction, she purchase a date with a total stranger. Their obligatory date becomes a series of pretend dates. Nathan, the man with the plan, and that plan doesn’t include a girlfriend and certainly no girlfriend with a baby, is suddenly willing to reconsider dating as long as it’s not real. They both played it safe, until it was no longer safe. Kathy Douglas always weaves a good very near real life tale that includes ups and downs some bitter and some sweet. If love can emerge from the ugly of life, then grab it and hold onto it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nathan Montgomery was put on as a bachelor without his knowledge. He did it once he found to help promote the family brand. He was a confirmed bachelor and not looking for a lasting relationship. He had a 5-year plan that did not include having a girlfriend or finding a wife. Alexandra Jamison was a pediatric nurse who recently moved to Aspen Creek to help her aunt. She had a daughter named Chloe and was not looking for a relationship. Alexandra got the final bid in for Nathan. They unexpectedly had a great time and actually started what they called fake dating. But in the end their hearts realized they were meant to be. It was great catching up with all the Montgomery family.

[Geri Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s That Saying…The Best Laid Plans….So Goes Nathan’s Plans!! 🤔🤔

There’s always the possibility of glitches happening even with the best laid plans, and Nathan is slowly, but surely finding that out!! Whew!! 😅

This is an excellent story and I absolutely loved the chemistry between Alexandra and Nathan! And just think…it all started with a reluctant Bachelor’s Auction!!

If you haven’t taken the time to read and enjoy this book, now is a good time to do so!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I highly recommend it!! Don’t Delay!! Kudos, Kathy!! 💜

[Becky Tatar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the series. Alexandra Jamison was absolutely not going to bid on Nathan Montgomery at a charity auction. But she got caught up. Plus, how hard could one date be? One date, and done. She's a single mom, here with her baby girl, to help take care of an ill aunt. But Nathan, a serial dater in the community, suddenly finds that Alexandra and her baby are becoming more important to him. But can he persuade Alexandra?

[Natasha Stacey-Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read 📚 👏🏾 ✨️ ❣️

I loved the stoic, stick to my plan Nathan and his evolution of love. Alexandra was honest, up front and real. They each were exactly what each other needed and wanted. Watching them fall kn love and firge their family was sweet. I also
loved how other things were happening but they remained the central figures throughout and you were allowed into each of their individual thoughts. I love the Montgomery Brothers. This was a great read 📚 👏🏾 ✨️ ❣️

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's go back to Aspen Creek, Colorado !

The family ranch is everything for Nathan. So much that even if he wants a family someday, he doesn't have time for it right now. But one of his meddling brother listed him as a bachelor for the auction to raise money to support local programs for the youth. What he wouldn't do to also give the ranch more exposure. At the end of the day, Nathan will realize maybe he's the lucky winner when pediatric nurse and single mother Alexandra bidded on him.

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Aspen Creek Bachelors (Book #3)

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it was incredibly short

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear VS Plans

Nathan Montgomery, has his life planned for the next five years,. What he isn't prepared for is being won in a bachelor auction.

[Letha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Kathy's stories!