Self-help guru Bethany Grace has returned home to clean up the now-decrepit family ranch after her father's death. Rather than just set the whole place ablaze (her first choice), she settles for a nice symbolic little blaze outside…until things get out of hand!
Cowboy Nash Bledsoe is working at the Last Chance Ranch next door when he sees the smoke. Bethany is the last person he expects—or wants—to see. How can he explain that she's indirectly responsible for ruining his life?
Still, there's an opportunity for Nash to buy the ranch if he can help restore it, and the two strike a deal. But there's a whole lot of chemistry in the fine print, and Nash is about to discover that where there's smoke, there's fire!
New York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.
I have been waiting for this. I'm so excited to have read this story. Loved it from start to finish. I especially loved the ending, it was so tear jerkingly great. I actually shouted a 'whoo' at the end of the story. Brilliant. 5☆
I Cross My Heart (Sons Of Chance) by Vicki Lewis Thompson
I have to admit I have not read the previous books in this series: Sons of Chance but after reading this one and the next in the series Wild at Heart, I would love to be able and go back later and start from the beginning.
Nash Bledsoe has returned to Wyoming after his marriage ended. He has come to work at Last Chance Ranch. When he is sent to check on smoke in the distance, the last thing he expected was to come face to face with self-help guru Bethany Grace. The Bethany Grace - who his ex-wife was always quoting to him. The very last person he ever wanted to meet.
Bethany Grace has come back to Wyoming after the death of her father. She plans to fix up the house and sell the property. Angry with her father over his drinking and what she considered selfishness she sits his recliner on fire.
She soon offers Nash the opportunity to earn extra money helping to fix the property. But these two can't seem to keep their hands off of each other. With the understanding that this will just be sex, because she needs to get back to her life and career in Atlanta.
Let me tell you the passion between these two was H O T. I loved the interaction and witty exchange between them and could tell this was not going to be just sex. I thought the author gave really good descriptions of the area, scenes and characters.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series Wild At Heart.
5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book started off with Nash’s divorce from his estranged wife was final and he finally gained back his freedom. One thing that he could not forget was his wifé’s mantra; Happiness is a choice and it was taken from Bethany’s self help book. Nash is particularly sensitive with it and he seems to develop hatred on the author of the book whom according to him, have make his life difficult when he was married. Unbeknown to him, Bethany is his neighbour’s daughter who is back to handle the estate that her late father have left behind. Bethany, although is a self help motivator and author, have not been back to visit her late father as she refused to see for herself the way her father is destroying his life after her mother’s death. She wanted to sell the ranch and Nash is looking into buying it from her. From the beginning of the book, after the initial disagreement that they have, they have been involved in an affair that they both knew is a temporary arrangement. Their passions for each other are strong and it was clearly seen that they are falling in love. Yet they refuse to acknowledge their own feeling for each other.
I like the story plot very much and the characters are likeable. There are many scene in this book that have depicted the passion that they have for each other yet when they give in to their stubbornness to confess their true feeling, I was rather annoyed. But the scene in this book at the end of the book is truly make it up to me ;)
Occasionally I am up for reading a story about a cowboy and this one takes place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This story is one of the Sons of Chance series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. Bethany Grace, self-help guru and author comes home to her father's run-down ranch after his recent death to clear out the place and sell it. Upon arrival, Bethany angrily shoves her father's old Lazy-Boy chair outside and sets it on fire. Next door at the Last Chance Ranch, cowboy Nash Bledsoe sees smoke and is sent to investigate. When Nash discovers she is Bethany Grace the author, he blames her for ruining his former marriage and his life. However, when Nash is given the opportunity to buy the Triple G Ranch from Bethany, he offers to restore the ranch and live there reassuring her that the ranch will not be bulldozed and they become romantically involved in the process. This is an adorable story and I rated it 4 stars.
Tenth in the Sons of Chance western romance. The couple focus is on Bethany Grace and Nash Bledsoe and set near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
My Take It's a sweet romance with little depth or tension, making this an easy and cozy read; a cute story with a nice twist on the self-help book. Well, nice for the reader; not so nice for Nash. Although he did eventually got the best end of the deal.
I did enjoy this. It's such a positive statement by both protagonists as they each heal, and their lives evolve to encompass what each of them truly wants. An excellent example of changing the life patterns one grows up with. It certainly helped that they are surrounded by supportive and loving people.
Your books made my life a living hell."
It's a perversion of what Bethany's books are about, and I do like that Bethany recognized and explained how wrong Lindsay was.
It was sweet that Nash brought up the coercion aspects of sex and sale after Bethany brought up the same viewpoint, although from a different angle. It did however smack too much of too angelic a stance. It does present both characters as very decent people.
The Story It's Bethany's need to purge her anger at her father that brings Nash running to the Triple G ranch where Nash discovers she's the author of so much of his unhappiness.
All Bethany wants to do is get rid of the ranch, but it's sorry state could have a negative impact on her own reputation. But exposing that same sorry state to a contractor who might talk...well, that could be disastrous as well.
Lucky for her that Nash is so intent on building up his own nest egg.
The Characters Bethany Grace is a self-help guru forced to come home and deal with the family ranch when her chronically unhappy father, Hank Grace, drank himself to death. Opal Knightly (a thin disguise for Oprah) is the host of a popular TV talk show and Bethany's friend with the opportunity of a lifetime.
Nash Bledsoe (he appeared in the epilogue of Feels Like Home, 9) has found refuge at Last Chance and much prefers shoveling manure to sitting on a therapist's couch shoveling it metaphysically. Lindsay is his rich ex-wife who never hesitated to shovel home that she's the one with the money. I am so hoping that Thompson does another story with Lindsay getting her just desert! What a cow! His mom, Lucy, runs the Lickity Split, an ice cream parlor, and last fall she married Ronald Hutchinson, owner of the Shoshone Feed Store. Nash's sister, Katrina, is engaged to Langford "Hutch" Hutchinson, Jack's and Nash's friend in high school.
Jack Chance (his wife, Josie, owns the Spirits and Spurs, a bar in Shoshone), his brothers, Nicholas (married to Dominique) and Gabe (his wife, Morgan, is a realtor), and their mother, Sarah Chance (she's engaged to Pete Beckett), own the ranch (Jonathan died a few years ago). Jack runs the ranch while Nick is a vet with his own practice, and Gabe competes in the arena, riding Last Chance horses, showcasing the ones that are for sale.
Emmett Sterling is the Last Chance foreman; he's seeing Pam Mulholland, who owns a B&B. Pam is Nicole O'Leary's sister and moved to Jackson Hole to be near her nephew. Emily is Emmett's daughter and training to take over from her dad when he retires; she's married to Clay. Luke Griffin is Nash's friend and used to work for Nash and Lindsey at their Sacramento riding stables. Now he works as a ranch hand along with Jeb and Danny. Mary Lou Sims is the Last Chance cook; last summer she married Watkins, one of the ranch hands.
The Last Chance Youth Program The program is Pete's idea, a second chance for kids from troubled situations. Eddie and Ace are two of the eight boys.
The runaway wife, Diana, married again and had two more sons: Wyatt and Rafe of whom Jack's recently learned. And pulled into the family. Wyatt owns an adventure trekking company and is married to Olivia. Rafe is engaged to Meg.
Naomi Perkins has applied for a grant to observe eagles and their chicks---the set-up for Wild at Heart, 11.
Real News 24/7 is a rumor-mongering TV show intrigued by the rumors of the famous Bethany Grace's father dying alone and in poverty.
Nicholas Jonathan O'Leary is Jonathan Chance and Nicole O'Leary's child deposited at five months old on the Last Chance Ranch doorstep. Seems Jonathan (senior) wasn't himself after his wife Diana left him and their young son Jack, and he forgot that essential condom. Now Jonathan is married to Sarah and they're expecting baby Gabriel in a few months. It's Archie's idea to call the three boys the Sons of Chance.
The Cover The cover is generic with a shirtless cowboy in jeans and a hat, gripping what looks like a brown jacket as individual stalks of grass wave in front of him.
I'm thinking the title, I Cross My Heart, is Nash's desire for both the Triple G and Bethany.
I Cross My Heart // Only a Cowboy Will Do = This book was reprinted as 'Only a Cowboy Will Do' (Publisher: Ocean Dance Press LLC Publication date: 03/02/2022)
I Cross My Heart is the tenth book in the Sons of Chance series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. I confess I’ve not read any other book in this series and it didn’t hurt the story at all. There were some references to characters that made me assume their story has been told, but no inside jokes or message that I felt were missing. I will definitely be reading more of this series!
Nash Bledsoe’s divorce is final and he’s ready to move forward and not look back. It grates on him that he feels like a failure, but you can only do so much with a wife that uses her wealth to make you feel inferior. He definitely won’t miss hearing her quote her favorite self-help author. If he never hears “happiness is a choice” again it will be too soon. He has a great job working on his friend’s ranch. They make him feel like family and not just a hired hand, now if he can just one day own a place of his own life will be perfect. Until then, he will just keep doing what he’s doing. Currently, that is checking out the situation at the neighboring ranch. The foreman saw smoke coming from the property and fire is never anything to play around with, especially when the owner of that ranch just passed on and no one known to be their. What he finds when he gets there is nothing short of entertainment at it’s best and he has no idea how much his life is about to change because of it.
“You’re beautiful, but I admit I’ve been with beautiful women before. There’s something about you – the way you move, the way you smell, the sound of your voice – the total package jacks me up something fierce.”
Bethany Grace is home to clean up her childhood home. Her father has finally drunk himself to death and Bethany has a heap of anger. Taking it out on his old recliner seemed like such a good idea. Dragging it out of the house and lighting fire to it was very cathartic, but now she’s left with a heavy, disgusting mess in the front yard and a hot cowboy looking at her like she’s lost her mind. Could life get any better? Oh yea, it can. Turns out that he not only knows who she is, but her books were used to make his life hell. She quickly discovers that he’s not the type to hold it against her and they begin talking about her plans for the property. Hiring Nash to help fix the buildings is one of the smartest decisions she’s ever made, but falling in love with him isn’t. She has a life and career waiting for her. She just has to tie up these ends and get back to it. It’s not going to be easy to leave their hot, sexy nights, but it will be impossible to leave without a broken heart.
His tongue did things to her mouth that, if employed elsewhere on her body, would be illegal in some states. She hoped he was into breaking a law or two.
This was such a fun, sweet story. It really outlines the best of what a small community has to offer and how good humanity can be. I loved the fun, sexy, hot adventures that Nash and Bethany share, but I equally love the wonderful friends and family they have between them.
I would like to thank NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve read many of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s books but this is my first book in the Sons of Chance series. What this book did was remind me how much I enjoy this author’s work and made me wonder why I haven’t read the other books in this series and there are a bunch of them. It also proved you can read them as a standalone book and not be lost, while I’m sure some of the back story on the other people we meet would have been nice, it wasn’t necessary for the enjoyment of this book. I Cross My Heart features a rough and tumble newly divorced cowboy and an author headed for a recurring guest stint on one of America’s favorite talk shows…he believes her self help books ruined his marriage and she’s out to prove it was his faulty wife and not her words.
Nash Bledsoe is recently divorced and somewhat bitter. He knows the divorce was the right thing to do but it doesn’t make it any easier especially when he was left with no money, no property, and feeling raw. He thanks his lucky stars he was able to get a ranch hand job with an old friend back in his home state of Wyoming where he hopes to one day purchase a place of his own.
Bethany Grace would like to be anywhere but in the state of Wyoming and in the house she grew up in. She can’t believe the condition her father let it deteriorate to or the fact that he died in squalor. She takes her anger out on his recliner by setting it on fire…yes, she lights it up in spectacular fashion but it also alerts the neighboring Chance ranch sending Nash right into her path.
Despite the recent events in Nash’s life, he truly is a good ole’ country boy rancher. It’s in his blood to be nice to Bethany even though he feels she had a hand in breaking up his marriage. I admire the fact that he listened to her when she defended her work and he came to realize that he couldn’t hold it against her. I love the Bethany was so concerned about her books (and words) being taken out of context and that they hurt him. She realizes right away that he can be trusted and he sees an opportunity to help her and earn some extra money as well. Their friendship turns into more as they begin to restore the property and their souls.
This was an easy book to read and enjoy; there was humor, sexy fun, lots of Wyoming hospitality, and a little bit of drama to keep it interesting. I Cross My Heart is another fine offering from Vicki Lewis Thompson and I’m glad she’s back on my radar again and I can guarantee it won’t be long before I read another story by her, this was to enjoyable not to.
I really enjoyed the love story and the main characters. It did felt a little chessy in relation to Bethany's mentor and the way she helped with the book's ending. ------------------------------------------ My view
This is not my first rodeo at the Last Chance Ranch and once again the author did not disappoint. As is her style, this book can be read as a stand alone with enough information to learn about other characters, but without the need to read other books in the series to have a better understanding of the current book events.
The relationship between Nash and Bethany is steamy from the beginning (no pun intended). Both characters are loveable and worth the time. Their relationship was initiated by Bethany, but Nash takes control of the situation within the minute and leads them to the start of a simple, but great relationship.
We have the opportunity to see a lot of the characters from other books take part of this installment. My only complain is related to Bethany’s mentor. The character was not well develop and felt as taken directly from current social media. Therefore, making the book ending not as unique as it could had been.
What I liked the most
I love the interactions between Bethany and Nash. They worked great together.
I wanted more of
I wanted a different ending for the book. Maybe a little more original.
Who should read it
Anyone looking for a good cowboy story could read this book without the need to read any previous one in the series.
I Cross My Heart is the 10th book in the Sons of Chance series by Vicki Lewis Thompson and the book was awesome to read.
Nash Bledsoe is working at the Last Chance Ranch after his failed marriage. He saving up all he can so he can buy his own ranch. He meets Bethany Grace when he goes next door to investigate the smoke coming from over there. Bethany Grace is back in Jackson Hole to clean up the decrepit family ranch after her father's death. She burns the recliner in the front yard and that's when she meets Nash Bledsoe. Nash and Bethany are instantly attracted to each other, but they don't make a move on that attraction right away. Nash makes a deal with Bethany, he'll help clean and fix up the ranch, and he wants to take it off her hands when its all done. The side benefit is they get to have fun in between the sheets. But as the week goes by they become very close and fall each other but Bethany won't be around after the week is up. Nash will do anything to have Bethany in his life and on the ranch with him and he does, he asks her to marry him.
I Cross My Heart was a fantastic book to read, had romance, humor, hot sex, and very generous neighbors. I can't wait to read the next two.
What an amazing romance! I will never look at a recliner without smiling again. Ms. Thompson has once again proven that she is an outsanding romance author. Her world at the Last Chance ranch is always a joy to revisit. She combines humor and passion better than anyone else. I Cross My Heart is the story of Nash Bledsoe, a ranch hand and family friend of The Last Chance ranch. Bethany Grace, who's inherited the ranch next door, the Triple G, comes home to put the place on the market. Nash and Bethany meet over a burning recliner and immediately strike sparks off of each other. Between fixing up the ranch and burning up the sheets, the pair come to crave more than just the hot sex. They each try to guard their hearts against falling in love. Nash's life is in Jackson Hole as the new owner of the Triple G ranch, while Bethany's future is in Atlanta as a hot new TV host as well as a best selling author of motivational books. Their story will have you laughing and sighing and looking for a cool fan during some steamy love scenes. I highly recommend, I Cross My Heart! 5 Stars*****
Nash Bledsoe just got served his divorce papers from his ex wife Lindsay. He's been working at The Last Chance Ranch just over a year now. Emmett Sterling asks Nash to check out a fire at Triple G Ranch. Nash gets the surprise of his life~the woman his ex quote religiously Bethany Grace. Bethany Grace a Self-Help Guru comes face to face with cowboy perfection that hates everything about her writing career. Nash discovers that Bethany isn't anything like he thought she was. Bethany wants to sell Triple G Ranch to get back to her life in Atlanta. Bethany discovers that Nash sparks her with lust filled fantasies that are completely mutual. Nash would like to present the offer to buy Triple G Ranch from Bethany but it cuts short the bedroom games they can play with each other. Can either Nash or Bethany that maybe something more is what they both want? Your answers await you in I Cross My Heart.
Really cute, romantic story! I love the Last Chance Ranch and the characters who make it such a warm, welcoming place. I wish it were real so I could visit!
The characters are both outspoken and down to earth, but they also both have past pains that have shaped who they are. It made them very real and likable.
The middle of the story was a little slow paced, but the romance thread was good and I wanted to know how they'd be able to solve their romantic conflict. The ending was really sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As with other Vicki Lewis Thompson books I've read, the dialogue zips along with cute quips and snappy lines that kept me interested. The sex was hot, which I think Blaze readers will enjoy.
Overall, a very entertaining story I enjoyed a lot.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book.
I CROSS MY HEART - SONS OF CHANCE SERIES #10 - (Nash and Bethany)
A deal with a devilishly sexy cowboy
Self-help guru Bethany Grace has returned home to clean up the now-decrepit family ranch after her father's death. Rather than just set the whole place ablaze (her first choice), she settles for a nice symbolic little blaze outside until things get out of hand!
Cowboy Nash Bledsoe is working at the Last Chance Ranch next door when he sees the smoke. Bethany is the last person he expectsor wantsto see. How can he explain that she's indirectly responsible for ruining his life?
Still, there's an opportunity for Nash to buy the ranch if he can help restore it, and the two strike a deal. But there's a whole lot of chemistry in the fine print, and Nash is about to discover that where there's smoke, there's fire!
One more fine novel in an extended series that has all of her fans delighted. This involves characters, one of whom has shown up in a previous novel or two, and the other is one that is involved in a total lifestyle outside of her hometown. Now she is home, hoping to keep her presence unknown and if not that, certainly to keep her celebrity status under wraps. He attraction to a local cowboy is a "hitch in her giddyup" she didn't anticipate, but like most of her life, it all falls prey to her career. This is a really fine novel that keeps readers involved with the Chance family of characters and yet is a story that is fine and can stand on its own.
2.5 Stars. Bethany’s a self-help author, and Nash, a cowboy; they meet cute in one of the more unique ways I’ve ever read and their story ends uniquely cute, too. In between the cute, they had lots and lots of sex, and talked about wanting lots and lots of sex, these two warmed up to one another super-quick, maybe a little too quick for me.
The plot was fairly slight, but it was refreshing to read a romance where the hero isn’t a billionaire, money actually is an issue for him, as it is for most people. He and Bethany were good together; they were open with one another, whether it was what they wanted in bed or in life.
I enjoy reading books in a series and Vicki does a nice job of continuing the story line without repeating ideas. She refreshes your memory of past stories without going into major details, just helps you keep the story lines straight. This is the second series I've read from her. Each story is unique and the romance is always different. I love that the cowboys are always helpful and polite until you get them into bed. City meets country is always a no brainer -convert to a country girl/boy every time. Guys should always be like this.
FANTASTIC! Super fast sexy read that I read in less than a day! No other author I know packs so much heart and lust into 200 pages than this one. Even though this book was not about an actual family member of the Last Chance Ranch, it still had all the characters I have come to know and love making an appearance. Looking forward to the next one for sure! Highly recommend to anyone who likes this author and likes a little cowboy action! LOL You will laugh, get turned on, cry, and just enjoy the ride!
I Cross My Heart by Vicki Lewis Thompson was a pretty good book. I felt there wasn't a major plot. Bethany goes back home for a week to take care of her dad's farm. Her first day she is seen burning her dad's favorite recliner, in the front yard. Cowboy Nash Bledsoe comes over from the ranch next to Bethany dad's farm. From the get go it is sex between them. Nash helps fix up the place. She moves back to the city. Both are miserable. They do get back together and live happy on the farm. Bethany works from the farm.
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE! Nash never expected to come face-to-face with the author he blamed for his divorce. Even as a writer of self-help books, Bethany has some demons of her own to face. But together they create their own happiness.
This is book 10 in the Sons of Chance series. The series highlights small town life, rugged cowboys, blended families and giving back. This book is no exception to this successful formula with interesting characters.
I liked this nice story of Bethany who was funny. Torching her fathers chair and then carrying that story throughout the book was really good. Nash was the typical strong muscled and willed guy that swept her off her feet. This is a good love story with cute dialogue. Vicki Lewis Thompson is a new author for me but I would definitely read more of her books.
I really liked this story. It’s about Bethany retuning to her parents ranch. It’s rundown and she dally wants to sell it and return to her life in Atlanta. She met a Cowboy named Bledsoe. She asked him to help fix the ranch where she could sell it. It becomes very complicate, you will want to read what is happening.
I love this series because the characters are so real and raw. There is no dramatic cat and mouse game, just chemistry, romance, sex, and amazing characters. You can't help but love the whole damn family.
Nash and Bethany were amazing well-written characters. They had such awesome chemistry. They both found what they thought they didn't want. Ms. Thompson is truly an awesome Author and can bring the characters alive for you.