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Cadence Creek Cowboys #5
A Cadence Creek Christmas
It's Christmas in Donna Alward's Cadence Creek...
Taylor Shepard has come to Cadence Creek to organize her brother's Christmas wedding. Organizing such a special event might be a little bit stressful - but she can't deny she's swept away by the town's holiday charm...and by brooding rancher Rhys Bullock.
Loner Rhys has been burned far too many times in the past. He's sure he has city girl Taylor all figured out - she'll be hightailing it straight back to the city in a few days! But as the snow starts to fall, Rhys and Taylor embark on a tentative winter romance. Could Taylor be the Christmas present Rhys never even knew he wanted?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 5, 2013
27 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Donna Alward
286 books693 followersSince 2006, New York Times bestseller Donna Jones Alward has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. She’s worked as an administrative assistant, teaching assistant, in retail and as a stay-at-home-mom, but always knew her degree in English Literature would pay off, as she is now happy to be a full-time writer. Her new historical fiction tales blend her love of history with characters who step beyond their biggest fears to claim the lives they desire.
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 26, 2019
Her smile grew. Had she really ever thought him plain and unremarkable? There was a humor in the way he set his mouth, the way his eyes glowed that set him apart, wasn't there? 64%
I can't say I enjoyed this book. Rhys is an asshole, and Taylor is not exactly a prize herself.
PREMISE
Taylor is the big-city heroine who comes into town to plan Callum and Avery's wedding. Rhys... likes her? I guess?
ANALYSIS
Rhys is a dick. He's bossy, he's an asshole.
"What amusement are you getting out of this?" she asked. "From what I can gather you don't approve of me but you do enjoy bossing me around."
"Why would you think that?"
"Oh, I don't know. Because so far you've found fault with everything I say or do."
"Then why did you come with me?"
"You didn't leave me much choice." She pursed her lips.
"You always have a choice," he replied, unrolling his cutlery from his paper napkin.
"Then I guess because I was hungry," she said.
He smiled. "You mean because I was right." 10%
...
"This isn't Vancouver, or Toronto, or New York or L.A." Rhys spoke firmly. "This isn't a big-city event with a bunch of rich snobs. It's just Cadence Creek. Maybe it's not good enough for you but it's good enough for Callum and Avery and maybe you should consider that instead of only thinking about yourself." 19%
...
"Thank you, Clara," she said, but when Clara had gone she turned on Rhys. "Don't ever answer for me again."
"You were being rude." 21%
...
She didn't like being handled. 22%
...
Rhys watched as Taylor's eyes shone. Maybe he'd misjudged her. Maybe she'd just been stressed, because the snooty perfectionist he expected to see wasn't in attendance just now.
Or, perhaps she understood she was in a sticky place and was making the best of it. He suspected that faking it was in her repertoire of talents. 23%
...
"Yeah. Exactly like that. Look, you're a novelty, Taylor. An adventure. A safe one, because in a week's time you're going to be gone." 50%
This is his idea of what to say to a woman he wants to bed! o.O
...
"We're adults," he stated. "We're both wondering. It doesn't have to go any deeper than that." 58%
Any man who says, "We're adults" "we're both adults" or "we're both adults here" in a asshole-attempt to badger a woman into sex is on my shit list. ONLY assholes say this. DO NOT say this.
...
He also just tears into her at 73% in a way that is completely not justified. I can't understand why she puts up with this shit.
Alward, the author, must be viewing this differently, though. She seems to think it's "sexy banter."
"You..." Fear crowded her breath. She was getting in way too deep. "You don't even like me. You criticize everything."
"You're not the only one who enjoys a challenge," he replied, his thumb making circles against her tailbone. "You know as well as I do all that baiting was just foreplay."
Being an asshole is not "foreplay." Being an asshole to someone is not "challenging them." It's just being an asshole. Despite what romance novels have you believe, most people do not want to date assholes.
But Taylor's got her own problems. She's an ambitious, type-A personality and thinks every person has to be a boss or aspire to be a boss. She's critical and judgmental of Rhys's happiness working on the ranch.
"So what are your plans, then?"
"What do you mean?"
She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. "I mean, do you have any plans to start up your own place or business?"
"Not really. I'm happy at Diamondback. Ty's a good boss."
She leaned forward. "You're a take-charge kind of guy. I can't see you taking orders from anyone. Don't you want to be the one calling the shots?"
..."I have a job doing something I like and I get a steady paycheck every two weeks. What more could I want?"
She sat back, apparently disappointed with his answer. Too bad. Living up to her expectations wasn't on his agenda... 11%
I hate this idea that if you don't want to be the boss, or don't want to be in management, you are a lazy, unmotivated, unambitious loser. It's hurtful and also stupid. There are a lot of reasons people might not want to be Boss. Less stress, less responsibility. Having not to think about work when you go home is a special kind of luxury. Perhaps the person values family and family-time above getting ahead. Perhaps the person values their free time or weekends. Perhaps the person enjoys having a lower-stress lifestyle. It's PERFECTLY FINE to be a worker and not a boss. IT'S EVEN FINE not to WANT to become a Boss ever. There's nothing wrong with that.
Punching a clock made for a lot less stress in the end. Taylor had no right to judge him for it. 52%
I guess Taylor's priority is men who are chasing dollars and chasing power. I resent this. I resent the implication that people MUST chase more money and more power constantly or else they are worthless losers. It's gross. It's ignorant. I personally prefer laid-back, type-B, unambitious men. It's false that women always want type-A go-getters.
INSECURITY
Rhys isn't as insecure and weak as, say, Cooper in A Cowboy to Come Home To, but sometimes he startled me with his low self-esteem, which of course expresses itself through assholism.
"This wasn't such a good idea."
"Because I'm a small-town hick, right?"
She frowned, brought up short. Did he really think she was such a snob? 30%
It's not that you're a snob. You're not. It's that he's insecure and weak.
PLAIN
Alward flirts with the idea that Rhys might be a plain hero. See the opening quote and stuff like this:
Maybe his face would never be in a magazine, but there was an intensity to it, a magnetism, that she couldn't deny. 40%
I was left unclear as to what this man really looked like. Besides two or three off-hand comments about how he was plain, otherwise he sounded really cute? I couldn't really grasp what Alward was trying to get at here. But good for her for trying to create a hero who isn't a cover-model.
HORSE-WOMAN COMPARISONS
Like many Cowboy/Western romances, I have to put up with gross "women are like horses" rhetoric. It's not only untrue, it can cross over into gross-territory VERY QUICKLY. Ugh.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
Off-page sex.
TL;DR Don't bother.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Holiday/Christmas Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
He is a Horse Expert (Specialist?) on a Ranch; She owns an Event-Planning Company.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
I can't say I enjoyed this book. Rhys is an asshole, and Taylor is not exactly a prize herself.
PREMISE
Taylor is the big-city heroine who comes into town to plan Callum and Avery's wedding. Rhys... likes her? I guess?
ANALYSIS
Rhys is a dick. He's bossy, he's an asshole.
"What amusement are you getting out of this?" she asked. "From what I can gather you don't approve of me but you do enjoy bossing me around."
"Why would you think that?"
"Oh, I don't know. Because so far you've found fault with everything I say or do."
"Then why did you come with me?"
"You didn't leave me much choice." She pursed her lips.
"You always have a choice," he replied, unrolling his cutlery from his paper napkin.
"Then I guess because I was hungry," she said.
He smiled. "You mean because I was right." 10%
...
"This isn't Vancouver, or Toronto, or New York or L.A." Rhys spoke firmly. "This isn't a big-city event with a bunch of rich snobs. It's just Cadence Creek. Maybe it's not good enough for you but it's good enough for Callum and Avery and maybe you should consider that instead of only thinking about yourself." 19%
...
"Thank you, Clara," she said, but when Clara had gone she turned on Rhys. "Don't ever answer for me again."
"You were being rude." 21%
...
She didn't like being handled. 22%
...
Rhys watched as Taylor's eyes shone. Maybe he'd misjudged her. Maybe she'd just been stressed, because the snooty perfectionist he expected to see wasn't in attendance just now.
Or, perhaps she understood she was in a sticky place and was making the best of it. He suspected that faking it was in her repertoire of talents. 23%
...
"Yeah. Exactly like that. Look, you're a novelty, Taylor. An adventure. A safe one, because in a week's time you're going to be gone." 50%
This is his idea of what to say to a woman he wants to bed! o.O
...
"We're adults," he stated. "We're both wondering. It doesn't have to go any deeper than that." 58%
Any man who says, "We're adults" "we're both adults" or "we're both adults here" in a asshole-attempt to badger a woman into sex is on my shit list. ONLY assholes say this. DO NOT say this.
...
He also just tears into her at 73% in a way that is completely not justified. I can't understand why she puts up with this shit.
Alward, the author, must be viewing this differently, though. She seems to think it's "sexy banter."
"You..." Fear crowded her breath. She was getting in way too deep. "You don't even like me. You criticize everything."
"You're not the only one who enjoys a challenge," he replied, his thumb making circles against her tailbone. "You know as well as I do all that baiting was just foreplay."
Being an asshole is not "foreplay." Being an asshole to someone is not "challenging them." It's just being an asshole. Despite what romance novels have you believe, most people do not want to date assholes.
But Taylor's got her own problems. She's an ambitious, type-A personality and thinks every person has to be a boss or aspire to be a boss. She's critical and judgmental of Rhys's happiness working on the ranch.
"So what are your plans, then?"
"What do you mean?"
She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. "I mean, do you have any plans to start up your own place or business?"
"Not really. I'm happy at Diamondback. Ty's a good boss."
She leaned forward. "You're a take-charge kind of guy. I can't see you taking orders from anyone. Don't you want to be the one calling the shots?"
..."I have a job doing something I like and I get a steady paycheck every two weeks. What more could I want?"
She sat back, apparently disappointed with his answer. Too bad. Living up to her expectations wasn't on his agenda... 11%
I hate this idea that if you don't want to be the boss, or don't want to be in management, you are a lazy, unmotivated, unambitious loser. It's hurtful and also stupid. There are a lot of reasons people might not want to be Boss. Less stress, less responsibility. Having not to think about work when you go home is a special kind of luxury. Perhaps the person values family and family-time above getting ahead. Perhaps the person values their free time or weekends. Perhaps the person enjoys having a lower-stress lifestyle. It's PERFECTLY FINE to be a worker and not a boss. IT'S EVEN FINE not to WANT to become a Boss ever. There's nothing wrong with that.
Punching a clock made for a lot less stress in the end. Taylor had no right to judge him for it. 52%
I guess Taylor's priority is men who are chasing dollars and chasing power. I resent this. I resent the implication that people MUST chase more money and more power constantly or else they are worthless losers. It's gross. It's ignorant. I personally prefer laid-back, type-B, unambitious men. It's false that women always want type-A go-getters.
INSECURITY
Rhys isn't as insecure and weak as, say, Cooper in A Cowboy to Come Home To, but sometimes he startled me with his low self-esteem, which of course expresses itself through assholism.
"This wasn't such a good idea."
"Because I'm a small-town hick, right?"
She frowned, brought up short. Did he really think she was such a snob? 30%
It's not that you're a snob. You're not. It's that he's insecure and weak.
PLAIN
Alward flirts with the idea that Rhys might be a plain hero. See the opening quote and stuff like this:
Maybe his face would never be in a magazine, but there was an intensity to it, a magnetism, that she couldn't deny. 40%
I was left unclear as to what this man really looked like. Besides two or three off-hand comments about how he was plain, otherwise he sounded really cute? I couldn't really grasp what Alward was trying to get at here. But good for her for trying to create a hero who isn't a cover-model.
HORSE-WOMAN COMPARISONS
Like many Cowboy/Western romances, I have to put up with gross "women are like horses" rhetoric. It's not only untrue, it can cross over into gross-territory VERY QUICKLY. Ugh.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
Off-page sex.
TL;DR Don't bother.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Holiday/Christmas Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
He is a Horse Expert (Specialist?) on a Ranch; She owns an Event-Planning Company.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
September 16, 2013
Review: A Cadence Creek Christmas
3 STARS
A Christmas wedding sounds pretty but stressful. Taylor wants to make sure her brothers wedding goes as she has planned. Taylor is feeling unnoticed by her family. Her father seems proud of her brothers but not much for her business of party planners. Taylor wants her family to be proud of the job she does.
Rhys is one of the groomsmen for the wedding. He likes earning a paycheck and not owning his own business. He worries about his mom and moved back to help her after his father's death. Rhys does not date women from Cadence Creek so he feels that Taylor will be safe to date.
The story is nice especially when things go wrong and the people of Cadence Creek step into help. Their is plenty of drama, relationships with the different characters. Their is some love scenes that I skipped over as Rhys & Taylor decide to have a fling.
It is nice to see characters from earlier stories back again fir the wedding. It is a nice wedding.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
November 5th 2013 by Harlequin Romance 256 pages ISBN:0373742665
October 31, 2013
Very good book. Taylor has come to town to plan her brother's wedding and she's a bit stressed over it. Dealing with one of the groomsmen adds stress of a different type. Rhys seems to know just what buttons to push to rile her up. But there is also an attraction there that she can't deny.
I liked Taylor. She is very good at event planning and she really wants to do a good job on her brother's wedding. When some minor glitches occur and she starts to stress it's Rhys who tells her what to do to fix them. Taylor is used to being independent and only counting on herself and isn't terribly appreciative at first. Her attraction to him is also throwing her off kilter. Besides just trying to avoid the distraction, she sees no future in it since she's headed back to the city right after Christmas. Once the wedding is over and she can relax a little she finds that spending time with him is changing her priorities. Taylor had also been feeling a bit burnt out from her business and was hoping to get her enthusiasm back. She also feels somewhat unappreciated by her family. Being in Cadence Creek gives her a different perspective. The interactions between Taylor and Rhys were good. I loved the way that she would react to something he'd say and he'd just smile because he knew he'd gotten to her. The more time she spent with him the more she fell for him, but she couldn't figure out how to make it work with her responsibility to her business. I loved the way she figured it out.
Rhys had come back to Cadence Creek after the death of his father to help his mom. After having to close his business he is now working as a hired hand and helped his mom buy the diner where she works. When he meets Taylor he thinks she a bit of a big city snob but he can't resist getting closer to her. He sees her intensity when it comes to her job and it reminds him of himself. He understands what she is going through. His attraction to her is strong and he tries hard to ignore it. I loved the way that he ends up being with her, willing to take whatever time he can get with her. I liked the way that he opened up to her about his past and the effect it had on him. Rhys's own insecurities had him settling for just a short time with Taylor when he really wanted her to stay. I really loved the ending and seeing how ready he was to support Taylor in whatever she wanted to do.
I liked Taylor. She is very good at event planning and she really wants to do a good job on her brother's wedding. When some minor glitches occur and she starts to stress it's Rhys who tells her what to do to fix them. Taylor is used to being independent and only counting on herself and isn't terribly appreciative at first. Her attraction to him is also throwing her off kilter. Besides just trying to avoid the distraction, she sees no future in it since she's headed back to the city right after Christmas. Once the wedding is over and she can relax a little she finds that spending time with him is changing her priorities. Taylor had also been feeling a bit burnt out from her business and was hoping to get her enthusiasm back. She also feels somewhat unappreciated by her family. Being in Cadence Creek gives her a different perspective. The interactions between Taylor and Rhys were good. I loved the way that she would react to something he'd say and he'd just smile because he knew he'd gotten to her. The more time she spent with him the more she fell for him, but she couldn't figure out how to make it work with her responsibility to her business. I loved the way she figured it out.
Rhys had come back to Cadence Creek after the death of his father to help his mom. After having to close his business he is now working as a hired hand and helped his mom buy the diner where she works. When he meets Taylor he thinks she a bit of a big city snob but he can't resist getting closer to her. He sees her intensity when it comes to her job and it reminds him of himself. He understands what she is going through. His attraction to her is strong and he tries hard to ignore it. I loved the way that he ends up being with her, willing to take whatever time he can get with her. I liked the way that he opened up to her about his past and the effect it had on him. Rhys's own insecurities had him settling for just a short time with Taylor when he really wanted her to stay. I really loved the ending and seeing how ready he was to support Taylor in whatever she wanted to do.
November 9, 2013
This book tugs at the heartstrings of those readers (including me) who have left home to make a career choice and physically left their part of the world to carve out their own in another city another world. But, as I know, and as this book shows our heart never leaves our family no matter where they are. We're in touch by phone, email, internet these days but it's the little things we miss out on that we can never get back.
So, when Taylor is shut out of her family as she hosts a rehearsal supper at the Cadence Creek diner there is one person who notices.
And, thank god he does.
Taylor doesn't think he's a pretty man but is attracted to him and his stability. His confidence. His ability to see right through her. Through the bossy and the "I'm in charge" personality she's honed in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
She labels him the Big Bad Wolf. And she should feel unsettled.
For their love is the rock solid kind you can't pretend you have. It's real. It's defined. It's unshakable. A meeting of two worlds who don't even know the other one exists until a chance encounter. And, then the chemistry kicks in. This book is hot and yet full of love.
Rhys is the man I know I've been searching for. This book is to be read and re-read.
So, when Taylor is shut out of her family as she hosts a rehearsal supper at the Cadence Creek diner there is one person who notices.
And, thank god he does.
Taylor doesn't think he's a pretty man but is attracted to him and his stability. His confidence. His ability to see right through her. Through the bossy and the "I'm in charge" personality she's honed in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
She labels him the Big Bad Wolf. And she should feel unsettled.
For their love is the rock solid kind you can't pretend you have. It's real. It's defined. It's unshakable. A meeting of two worlds who don't even know the other one exists until a chance encounter. And, then the chemistry kicks in. This book is hot and yet full of love.
Rhys is the man I know I've been searching for. This book is to be read and re-read.
July 7, 2014
This was a pretty good book. I loved the characters and their personalities. The plot was good and full of fun. There were sparks and banter, emotions, some steaminess, and a great HEA. This was a great intro into the Cadence Creek atmosphere and I would definitely like to read the others' stories. A surprisingly good book. Enjoy
April 22, 2024
CHANGING DIRECTIONS
The story is part of the Cowboy Collection series but will read well as a stand-alone. Event planner, Taylor Shepherd, has taken time away from her business, Exclusive!, in Vancouver, to organize the wedding for her brother Callum, and his fiancé, Avery. She is good at what she does, has a highly competent staff, and is known for the events she organizes. But, doing this for Callum is important, and she not only helps with the wedding, she plans a little downtime to stay in Cadence Creek, then have Christmas with her family before returning to the hustle and bustle of business.
Rhys Bullock returned to Cadence Creek, to help his mother after the death of his father. Martha runs the Wagon Wheel, which serves the best food in town. Rhys has his secrets and does everything he can to help his mother, including working as a horse trainer at Diamondback. He will be one of the groomsmen at the wedding of Callum and Avery.
The story’s plot will have Taylor and Rhys meeting, and having a way of butting heads. They both have a way of assuming things, and being wrong at times, and right at others. Rhys watches how Taylor is with people, and how she gets things done, but he also sees how she is overlooked by her own family, and that doesn’t sit well with him.
“You don’t need to prove anything to your family, you know. As long as you’re squared away with yourself, that’s all that matters.”
The story will have Taylor and Rhys getting together for a short tryst but with no long-term plans. Rhys knows how things can go bad when you live in a small town and gossip abounds. Taylor is only planning to be in Cadence Creek until Boxing Day, then it is back to Vancouver and events like the one for a rock star for New Year's Eve. But what happens when Taylor and Rhys allow more than the chemistry between them to become involved? Can they just say goodbye and go on their way?
While the story implies that they enter a sexual relationship, it is only that, implied and never explicit. The story is a page-turning tale that involves the past, mistakes, and a chance for a future. Will Taylor discover that she has nothing to prove to anyone and that it is time to do what will truly make her happy? Will Rhys and Taylor find their happily ever after before it’s too late?
“Build your business with people you trust, but build your life with people you love.”
The story is part of the Cowboy Collection series but will read well as a stand-alone. Event planner, Taylor Shepherd, has taken time away from her business, Exclusive!, in Vancouver, to organize the wedding for her brother Callum, and his fiancé, Avery. She is good at what she does, has a highly competent staff, and is known for the events she organizes. But, doing this for Callum is important, and she not only helps with the wedding, she plans a little downtime to stay in Cadence Creek, then have Christmas with her family before returning to the hustle and bustle of business.
Rhys Bullock returned to Cadence Creek, to help his mother after the death of his father. Martha runs the Wagon Wheel, which serves the best food in town. Rhys has his secrets and does everything he can to help his mother, including working as a horse trainer at Diamondback. He will be one of the groomsmen at the wedding of Callum and Avery.
The story’s plot will have Taylor and Rhys meeting, and having a way of butting heads. They both have a way of assuming things, and being wrong at times, and right at others. Rhys watches how Taylor is with people, and how she gets things done, but he also sees how she is overlooked by her own family, and that doesn’t sit well with him.
“You don’t need to prove anything to your family, you know. As long as you’re squared away with yourself, that’s all that matters.”
The story will have Taylor and Rhys getting together for a short tryst but with no long-term plans. Rhys knows how things can go bad when you live in a small town and gossip abounds. Taylor is only planning to be in Cadence Creek until Boxing Day, then it is back to Vancouver and events like the one for a rock star for New Year's Eve. But what happens when Taylor and Rhys allow more than the chemistry between them to become involved? Can they just say goodbye and go on their way?
While the story implies that they enter a sexual relationship, it is only that, implied and never explicit. The story is a page-turning tale that involves the past, mistakes, and a chance for a future. Will Taylor discover that she has nothing to prove to anyone and that it is time to do what will truly make her happy? Will Rhys and Taylor find their happily ever after before it’s too late?
“Build your business with people you trust, but build your life with people you love.”
May 4, 2024
The fifth book in the series brings Taylor and Rhys's story. The author does a great job developing the story and pulled me in with the sweet Christmas romance. She brings strong characters and moves the story fluidly with her descriptive scenes, delivering a terrific read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.
March 26, 2024
I enjoyed “A Cadence Creek Christmas” by Donna Alward, the 5th installment in her Cadence Creek Cowboys series. If you like Christmas stories, sexy cowboys in flannel, and characters who like to press each other’s buttons, this is the story for you. I would recommend reading this in front of the fire with a hot cup of cocoa as some of the scenes are set in the frigid winter temperatures of Alberta.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2016
Event-planner and entrepreneur Taylor takes a winter trip from Vancouver to Cadence Creek to plan her brother's wedding - and spend Christmas with her family. During her take-charge week of wedding plans she meets rancher and business owner Rhys. Taylor and Rhys both feel chemistry, but they have more fun verbally sparring with each other. Though they keep hurting each other's feelings through judgement and thoughtless wisecracks, something meaningful runs deep, something they both want to explore.
The dialogue in a Cadence creek Christmas was wonderful. Taylor and Rhys joked with and snapped at each other realistically... They reminded me of my husband and me when we are annoyed with each other but still feel the strong, deep undercurrent of love. I also found very natural Taylor's worries, her chats with her family, and her willingness to help others in a pinch. Taylor's a doer. She doesn't sit around waiting for other people to do something. She just takes change and gets things done. I admire that in Taylor, and I like that Rhys saw through the bossiness and appreciated her hard work and efficiency, too.
Rhys was a little bit of a unique hero. He doesn't rush in and save the day. He fulfills obligations quietly. He does a lot of things without explanation -- which confuses Taylor! This reminds me of someone I know and love, so I really felt Taylor's frustration and confusion. But Rhys is dependable and loyal and honest. And that's just what Taylor needs.
The hand-holding, snow-falling, and cocoa sipping was all very romantic. The airport scene was a terrific surprise, and the last scene at the diner was perfection. Alward's characters stayed true to themselves and because of that they felt real. And so did their love.
The dialogue in a Cadence creek Christmas was wonderful. Taylor and Rhys joked with and snapped at each other realistically... They reminded me of my husband and me when we are annoyed with each other but still feel the strong, deep undercurrent of love. I also found very natural Taylor's worries, her chats with her family, and her willingness to help others in a pinch. Taylor's a doer. She doesn't sit around waiting for other people to do something. She just takes change and gets things done. I admire that in Taylor, and I like that Rhys saw through the bossiness and appreciated her hard work and efficiency, too.
Rhys was a little bit of a unique hero. He doesn't rush in and save the day. He fulfills obligations quietly. He does a lot of things without explanation -- which confuses Taylor! This reminds me of someone I know and love, so I really felt Taylor's frustration and confusion. But Rhys is dependable and loyal and honest. And that's just what Taylor needs.
The hand-holding, snow-falling, and cocoa sipping was all very romantic. The airport scene was a terrific surprise, and the last scene at the diner was perfection. Alward's characters stayed true to themselves and because of that they felt real. And so did their love.
October 6, 2013
This is the season for Christmas romances and Donna Alward has set hers in Cadence Creek.
The Setting: The entire story revolves around a Christmas Wedding but not the wedding of our two main characters.
The Plot: Taylor Shepard has built a very successful party planning business but she is a little burned out. She is hoping to rest up after the wedding.
The Characters: Both Taylor and Rhys are great characters. Taylor is very driven and a big part of her needs to prove to her Father that she is successful. However, she is beginning to think that she may be missing out on life. Rhys Bullock does not want to get involved with anyone. Both are very caring people and are drawn to each other. Both Rhys’s Mom and Taylor’s Father are important to the story.
Writing: Donna Alward brings the story alive with her dialog and descriptions of all of the characters. The romance was very well developed and filled with the tension that keeps the story going. There was a great journey to Taylor and Rhys' HEA. She has put together a book that I had trouble putting down. Truly the mark of a good writer.
This is the next to last Cadence Creek book and Donna’s last Harlequin Romance. The last Cadence Creek book will be published in the Harlequin American Romance line.
A Cadence Creek Christmas comes out in November but you can get it now at Harlequin.
I received an autographed copy of A Cadence Creek Christmas from the author in return for an honest review.
The Setting: The entire story revolves around a Christmas Wedding but not the wedding of our two main characters.
The Plot: Taylor Shepard has built a very successful party planning business but she is a little burned out. She is hoping to rest up after the wedding.
The Characters: Both Taylor and Rhys are great characters. Taylor is very driven and a big part of her needs to prove to her Father that she is successful. However, she is beginning to think that she may be missing out on life. Rhys Bullock does not want to get involved with anyone. Both are very caring people and are drawn to each other. Both Rhys’s Mom and Taylor’s Father are important to the story.
Writing: Donna Alward brings the story alive with her dialog and descriptions of all of the characters. The romance was very well developed and filled with the tension that keeps the story going. There was a great journey to Taylor and Rhys' HEA. She has put together a book that I had trouble putting down. Truly the mark of a good writer.
This is the next to last Cadence Creek book and Donna’s last Harlequin Romance. The last Cadence Creek book will be published in the Harlequin American Romance line.
A Cadence Creek Christmas comes out in November but you can get it now at Harlequin.
I received an autographed copy of A Cadence Creek Christmas from the author in return for an honest review.
December 1, 2013
Taylor has come back to town to help with her bother's wedding. What she doesn't expect is a run in to Rhys. He things Taylor will run back to the city life after the wedding is over. They are both attracted to each other but Rhys is not very trusting. They start a romance that neither one was expecting to last. When Taylor does leave will Rhys go after her or will Taylor come back on her own?
The author does a great job with the characters when Taylor is shut out of the rehearsal dinner and cleans up etc Rhys notices what happens and wants to take care of her. He sees more that goes on than anyone else. The characters pop and you find yourself rooting both of them on.
I love this series and will continue to read them. Thanks to NetGalley for the book to read for an honest review.
The author does a great job with the characters when Taylor is shut out of the rehearsal dinner and cleans up etc Rhys notices what happens and wants to take care of her. He sees more that goes on than anyone else. The characters pop and you find yourself rooting both of them on.
I love this series and will continue to read them. Thanks to NetGalley for the book to read for an honest review.
December 5, 2013
3.5 Stars
I really like Rhys. He is the ultimate nice guy, even though he doesn't want you to see it. He tries so hard to seem uncaring and cold but he's so sweet! The way he helps his momma is just the topping on the cake!
Our girl, here, is a bit of a work-a-holic but... I don't know. Something about her. I like her. :) She's got sass.
Good little Saturday read.
I really like Rhys. He is the ultimate nice guy, even though he doesn't want you to see it. He tries so hard to seem uncaring and cold but he's so sweet! The way he helps his momma is just the topping on the cake!
Our girl, here, is a bit of a work-a-holic but... I don't know. Something about her. I like her. :) She's got sass.
Good little Saturday read.
October 24, 2021
Taylor Shepard comes to Cadence Creek to organize her brother's wedding. She is a perfectionist and everything must be perfect. She clashes with one of the groomsmen, Rhys Bullock. But there is an attraction between them too. She wonders why he is just settling for working on a ranch. She started her business from scratch and it is now very successful. Doesn't he have any ambition other than just working on a ranch for someone else? His mother lets the cat out of the bag when she tells Taylor that Rhys helped her buy the diner and is part owner.
She and Rhys have an affair while she is in town but it is soon time to return to her real world. Does she want to get back in the rat race or stay in town and see what happens to their relationship?
She and Rhys have an affair while she is in town but it is soon time to return to her real world. Does she want to get back in the rat race or stay in town and see what happens to their relationship?
January 8, 2014
I really fell for the characters in Donna Alward's Cadence Creek Christmas. It was the kind of sweet love story that I would read anytime of year. It was also a great introduction to the author for me. Ms. Alward plots a good story, has created a world that is beautifully detailed and complex and has peopled it with the kind of characters that seem like they could be your friends. Small town romance at it's finest. I will definitely seek out the series, as I am sure other readers will, and this book is a great collection completion for readers that love the series.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2013
I really didn't care for the book that preceded this one in the series and found this to be a nice recovery. Big City Gal comes to small town to plan brother's wedding and falls for local cowboy. Liked that the heroine, while already dissatisfied with her job at the start of the story, doesn't chuck her entire life behind just because she finds twu wuv. She finds a solution to her problem, fixes it, and lands the guy in the end. Not my favorite of Alward's work, but a solid read.
March 13, 2016
Complete surprise read. As the saying goes: Do NOT judge a book by its cover. Did not expect such a well-written, thoughtful storyline full of smart, accomplished characters. Love and romance artfully knitted in a well-written story featuring family, new traditions, and how one successful woman forged a new path in life. Thank you, Donna Alward, for reminding women of today that we can have it all.
December 8, 2013
This was a really great, heart warming story! Taylor meets Rhys at her brother Callum's wedding (hero of the last book). He lives & works in Cadence Creek & she has a successful business elsewhere, so they both have to find a way to make things work & figure out if their personal relationship is more important than careers or outside obstacles.
Read
December 29, 2014"This is such a sweet story! Readers will find Taylor to be a contemporary and fun-loving character, and her budding relationship with Rhys is adorable." RT Book Reveiws, rated 4 stars
Miniseries: Cadence Creek Cowboys
Miniseries: Cadence Creek Cowboys
October 16, 2015
I won this book through a First Reads Goodreads giveaway. This book was well written and a very quick read. I enjoyed reading an author that I haven't read before.
January 8, 2014
Very good I love the Christmas books!
February 24, 2015
fast read
October 21, 2024
A lovely, sweet christmas Romance.
May 16, 2024
A Cadence Creek Christmas is the fifth book in the Cadence Creek Cowboys series and I've only read the sixth book, Her Rancher Rescuer, previously and that was almost a year ago. I do hope to read the rest of the series especially since they've been reissued.
The characters in this small town are likable and Taylor is in town only for her brother's wedding. She is the event planner, which is a gift to her brother and his new wife, since she does own her own business doing that. She doesn't expect to feel an attraction to one of the groomsmen let alone more especially since she's sworn off love! Rhys feels the same way but isn't adverse to a fling since he feels the chemistry as well. We watch them take a step forward and many more back as they fight their feelings. Taylor's always felt less than in her family and Rhys gets her after only knowing her a short time.
There are descriptions of the cold, the snow, the wedding events and the small businesses and it made me feel like I was there. There is a good flow to the story and it held my interest throughout. There is a better than hoped for ending with a happily ever after in the offing and some of Taylor's insecurities laid to rest.
Ms. Alward is an author whose books I always enjoy for their friendships and family connections.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters in this small town are likable and Taylor is in town only for her brother's wedding. She is the event planner, which is a gift to her brother and his new wife, since she does own her own business doing that. She doesn't expect to feel an attraction to one of the groomsmen let alone more especially since she's sworn off love! Rhys feels the same way but isn't adverse to a fling since he feels the chemistry as well. We watch them take a step forward and many more back as they fight their feelings. Taylor's always felt less than in her family and Rhys gets her after only knowing her a short time.
There are descriptions of the cold, the snow, the wedding events and the small businesses and it made me feel like I was there. There is a good flow to the story and it held my interest throughout. There is a better than hoped for ending with a happily ever after in the offing and some of Taylor's insecurities laid to rest.
Ms. Alward is an author whose books I always enjoy for their friendships and family connections.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2024
A Cadence Creek Christmas by Donna Alward, book five in the Cadence Creek Cowboys series, is a story that tugs at your heartstrings; a Christmas story, with hot cowboys, and people who enjoy pushing each other’s buttons. Event planner and entrepreneur Taylor Shepherd took some time away from her business in Vancouver for a winter trip to Cadence Creek to plan her brother's wedding and spend Christmas with her family. While organizing and making sure the wedding goes smoothly she meets groomsman, rancher and business owner Rhys Bullock. Taylor and Rhys continue to push each other through judgmental comments and thoughtless wisecracks, despite wanting to explore the sizzling chemistry and magnetic attraction that keeps growing between them. The more time they spent together the more they fell for each other, but couldn't figure out how to make it work with her responsibility to her business.
The hand-holding, snow-falling, and cocoa sipping was all very romantic. The ending was a wonderful surprise, especially the way they decided to support one another by staying true to themselves; as was their love.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
The hand-holding, snow-falling, and cocoa sipping was all very romantic. The ending was a wonderful surprise, especially the way they decided to support one another by staying true to themselves; as was their love.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 16, 2024
Taylor owns her own event planning business so when her older brother is getting married at Christmas in Cadence Creek she is in charge where she meets one of the groomsmen Rhys. They are so different but with all the bickering they do with each other through the course of the wedding they fall for each other but he works at a ranch in Cadence Creek and she runs her own business in Vancouver. Loved this wonderful sweet book with great characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2024
Taylor has come home Cadence Creek to plan her brother's wedding. She feels attraction to Rhys, who is not really her type, he is happy there and she will be going back to Vancouver. Rhys feels things for her but knows she will be leaving but he starts to see a side of her she does not show often.
These two constantly argue and assume wrong about the other. Can these two find common ground for something more or will they just be a holiday fling?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
These two constantly argue and assume wrong about the other. Can these two find common ground for something more or will they just be a holiday fling?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2024
Rhys and Taylor. Shes a wedding planner. She doesnt like planning Christmas weddings but thats what her brother wants so she goes to Cadence Creek.Where Rys is a rancher and the best man and not at all her type. But the more time they spend together and the more they see one another the more they come to realize theres more to them than meets the eye but shes only there for the wedding, right? Loved this story. Love this author. And love this series. Great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2024
I was hooked right away to this cowboy Christmas story with an amazing small town setting, strong characters and interesting story line. With laugh out loud humor, sweet romance, some conflict and inspiring character growth, this feel good read will definitely leave your heart smiling. I'm so excited to read the rest of the books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2024
I enjoyed seeing Rhys give Taylor a bit of her own treatment when she bumps into him and thy get glimpses of each other during dinner. They are very much oil and vinegar with a fair bit of push/pull between them which infuriated me at times making me want to shake sense into them, but they find their way in love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 17, 2024
Big city girl, who plans everything and needs everything to go like clockwork. She falls for a guy who lives near her brother. I thought the way the author handled the dilemma over how to address the successful company, far, far, away.
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