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The Stable Boy
Claire is a 40 year old widowed farm owner. She lost her husband in a terrible freak accident. In a constant state of depression for the past two years, her farm is failing. She barely has enough money to survive and her last farmhand just left to follow his new wife’s dreams. She is all alone, until he walks into her life. She knows she needs the help, but does she want his help? Can she resist his good looks, charm, and flirting or will she give into temptation and open her heart and bed to him?**Warning material is of a mature nature and intended for readers 18 and up.**
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2014
About the author
Harmony Stalter
10 books38 followersHarmony Stalter (1976-Present) was born in Newburgh, New York. She currently makes her home in Ocala, Florida, and is a freelance writer. She was an architectural drafter for three years before pursuing her career in writing, her first love. Employee Body Language Revealed: How to Predict Behavior in the Workplace by Reading and Understanding Body Language was her first book. Since completing this book, she has written Dancing the Night Away (A short story single), Bulk Cooking: Everything You Need to Know, and The Great Wolf Lodge 2011 Travel Guide, Rhyme Tyme: A Book of Poetry, and her current release, Two Romantic, Two Suspenseful: A Short Story Compilation, The Stable Boy, The Paynes Prairie Murders, and a Small Book of Shorts, and Big Book of Shorts. Look for these, and more upcoming titles from this writer on the rise, and make sure to visit her website at http://www.harmonysfreelancewritingwo....
You can also connect with her at the following places:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonysFree...
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... alter
Instagram: @writerharmony
You can also connect with her at the following places:
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Twitter: @writer247
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 23, 2014
The Stable Boy by Harmony Stalter is a book about second chances, and the power of love to change a hopeless situation into a perfect second chance at love.
Claire is a 40 year old widowed woman who has been alone since the death of her husband two years before. Slowly but surely everything on her farm is failing. Claire has been depressed since her husband died, and it is so sad to see. Claire and her husband were sweethearts since junior high school, that got married right out of high school, and moved from Montana to purchase a farm in Arkansas, where they have lived happily, for the last twenty years. One day while Claire was looking out the window, she watched her husband fall to his death. After being together for so long Claire felt lost without her John, and even though she had farm hands one by one they left, and then the one hand who helped with everything, finally got married and moved on. At the beginning of the book, Claire has turned 40, and it has been two years since her husband died and then her last hand left, and she knows that she may be forced to sell her farm if things do not change. She is a beautiful woman and everyone sees it except for her. She is slowly but surely fading away.
Josh was a child when he moved to Arkansas, being 8 years old when his parents were killed in a car crash. The only family he had were his grandparents on his mother's side and when they heard what had happened they went and got him and brought him back to Arkansan where he was raised by them, it being the perfect combination of love and discipline from his grandfather and love and a grandmother who gave freely of her love and kisses.It was quiet compared to New York City where he had been born, but eventually he got used to it and when he was 16, he sat down with his grandparents one day and asked if he could have his last name changed to Jones like their last name because they had really raised him through thick and thin, through his rebellion when he first got there to the fine man he was becoming. When he was 20, they passed away, and now six years have passed and he still lives there but from place to place helping the different farms that need an extra hand, and people like and respect him and are always offering him help. He is fine, he just needs a place to call home permanently.
One day while in the kitchen, Claire looks out and sees a stunning man walking her colt back to the ranch. He looks around and sees the sad disrepair the place is in and then he sees a beautiful but sad Claire and he gets a funny feeling inside him. It is like he knows he has met his destiny. Claire is shocked by him and how easily he handles her colt. Josh offers her a days work for a meal and she is quick to say yes, after explaining to him she needs help but has no money to pay. They strike a deal that he will work in exchange for room and board. When she finds out he does not have his own home and has been sleeping in his truck or the barn wherever he worked before, she is quick to insist he sleep downstairs, and he agrees. One thing leads to another, and pretty soon they are spending time together, and even though the sex is great and unlike anything she has ever had before she feels guilty.
Her friends from the farm over are quick to take up for Josh saying he is a hard worker and has been around there since he was 8, and raised by his grandparents who Claire remembers. Josh and Claire start having feelings for each other and Claire is having a hard time letting her husband go. Her best friends are quick to point out she had 20 years with her husband, she was loyal to him until death they part, and he is gone now and it is time fr her to move on. Claire feels a little funny about age difference, but soon she feels it does not matter to either one of them. And really it doesn't matter-they are both consenting adults. At first it is hard for Claire, she has never been with anyone else and she feels guilty even though she shouldn't. Josh is quick to point out to her she will never forget him, she will always love him and he knows that, but there is room in her heart for both of them, and he thinks that is how it should be. Claire needs to make up her mind if she can let go and give Josh a chance, and like her friends point out to her- she deserves a second chance at love too. She is too young to spend the rest of her life alone.
This book was well written and there was a lot of emotions running rampant through Claire, and it is easy to understand why, but also we see as the reader, Josh's side of the story as well. You will love all of Claire's friends and how crazy they are but how they support her, especially her best friend who lives on the next farm over and is quick to give Claire a piece of her mind on occasion! It is funny to watch and read about them in the background and their attempts to do whatever they can to get Claire to make the right decision, so she can be happy. Claire also has an older married sister and a younger brother who are very supportive of her and once Josh comes into the picture, and she finally starts calling them again, at Josh's insistence, they are happy to know things have changed.
Will Claire and Josh get together and have their happily ever after-you will have to read this book to find out! I gave this book 5***** stars and look forward to reading more by this author!
Claire is a 40 year old widowed woman who has been alone since the death of her husband two years before. Slowly but surely everything on her farm is failing. Claire has been depressed since her husband died, and it is so sad to see. Claire and her husband were sweethearts since junior high school, that got married right out of high school, and moved from Montana to purchase a farm in Arkansas, where they have lived happily, for the last twenty years. One day while Claire was looking out the window, she watched her husband fall to his death. After being together for so long Claire felt lost without her John, and even though she had farm hands one by one they left, and then the one hand who helped with everything, finally got married and moved on. At the beginning of the book, Claire has turned 40, and it has been two years since her husband died and then her last hand left, and she knows that she may be forced to sell her farm if things do not change. She is a beautiful woman and everyone sees it except for her. She is slowly but surely fading away.
Josh was a child when he moved to Arkansas, being 8 years old when his parents were killed in a car crash. The only family he had were his grandparents on his mother's side and when they heard what had happened they went and got him and brought him back to Arkansan where he was raised by them, it being the perfect combination of love and discipline from his grandfather and love and a grandmother who gave freely of her love and kisses.It was quiet compared to New York City where he had been born, but eventually he got used to it and when he was 16, he sat down with his grandparents one day and asked if he could have his last name changed to Jones like their last name because they had really raised him through thick and thin, through his rebellion when he first got there to the fine man he was becoming. When he was 20, they passed away, and now six years have passed and he still lives there but from place to place helping the different farms that need an extra hand, and people like and respect him and are always offering him help. He is fine, he just needs a place to call home permanently.
One day while in the kitchen, Claire looks out and sees a stunning man walking her colt back to the ranch. He looks around and sees the sad disrepair the place is in and then he sees a beautiful but sad Claire and he gets a funny feeling inside him. It is like he knows he has met his destiny. Claire is shocked by him and how easily he handles her colt. Josh offers her a days work for a meal and she is quick to say yes, after explaining to him she needs help but has no money to pay. They strike a deal that he will work in exchange for room and board. When she finds out he does not have his own home and has been sleeping in his truck or the barn wherever he worked before, she is quick to insist he sleep downstairs, and he agrees. One thing leads to another, and pretty soon they are spending time together, and even though the sex is great and unlike anything she has ever had before she feels guilty.
Her friends from the farm over are quick to take up for Josh saying he is a hard worker and has been around there since he was 8, and raised by his grandparents who Claire remembers. Josh and Claire start having feelings for each other and Claire is having a hard time letting her husband go. Her best friends are quick to point out she had 20 years with her husband, she was loyal to him until death they part, and he is gone now and it is time fr her to move on. Claire feels a little funny about age difference, but soon she feels it does not matter to either one of them. And really it doesn't matter-they are both consenting adults. At first it is hard for Claire, she has never been with anyone else and she feels guilty even though she shouldn't. Josh is quick to point out to her she will never forget him, she will always love him and he knows that, but there is room in her heart for both of them, and he thinks that is how it should be. Claire needs to make up her mind if she can let go and give Josh a chance, and like her friends point out to her- she deserves a second chance at love too. She is too young to spend the rest of her life alone.
This book was well written and there was a lot of emotions running rampant through Claire, and it is easy to understand why, but also we see as the reader, Josh's side of the story as well. You will love all of Claire's friends and how crazy they are but how they support her, especially her best friend who lives on the next farm over and is quick to give Claire a piece of her mind on occasion! It is funny to watch and read about them in the background and their attempts to do whatever they can to get Claire to make the right decision, so she can be happy. Claire also has an older married sister and a younger brother who are very supportive of her and once Josh comes into the picture, and she finally starts calling them again, at Josh's insistence, they are happy to know things have changed.
Will Claire and Josh get together and have their happily ever after-you will have to read this book to find out! I gave this book 5***** stars and look forward to reading more by this author!
September 8, 2016
The Stable Boy has a lot of romance with a country feel. I enjoyed reading Claire and Josh's story.
Claire lost her husband in a tragic accident on the farm which left her depressed and lonely. She knew very little about raising a farm since her husband had taken care of everything. She was barely getting by when her last farmhand left. Everything changes when Josh comes walking into her life.
Josh has lost everyone in his family years ago and it has left him lonely and with nothing but his truck and few personal belongings. He gets by tending farms when someone needs the extra help.
When Claire and Josh's lives come together it is beautiful. Claire is not sure how to handle her feelings toward Josh, she is confused. Luckily for Claire she has the best friend a girl could ask for and she always steers her in the right direction. Josh is so sweet and caring, he always has the right things to say and do to Claire if you know what I mean. All the characters you will meet in story are all very likable, Alison and Mikey were my favorite, they were so funny.
This was the first book I have read the the female character was older than the male character so it was refreshing to read something different. Josh is the perfect book boyfriend, he makes me want to go buy a farm just so I can get me a hot and sexy stable boy. I recommend this book if you are looking for an easy romantic read with an HEA.
Claire lost her husband in a tragic accident on the farm which left her depressed and lonely. She knew very little about raising a farm since her husband had taken care of everything. She was barely getting by when her last farmhand left. Everything changes when Josh comes walking into her life.
Josh has lost everyone in his family years ago and it has left him lonely and with nothing but his truck and few personal belongings. He gets by tending farms when someone needs the extra help.
When Claire and Josh's lives come together it is beautiful. Claire is not sure how to handle her feelings toward Josh, she is confused. Luckily for Claire she has the best friend a girl could ask for and she always steers her in the right direction. Josh is so sweet and caring, he always has the right things to say and do to Claire if you know what I mean. All the characters you will meet in story are all very likable, Alison and Mikey were my favorite, they were so funny.
This was the first book I have read the the female character was older than the male character so it was refreshing to read something different. Josh is the perfect book boyfriend, he makes me want to go buy a farm just so I can get me a hot and sexy stable boy. I recommend this book if you are looking for an easy romantic read with an HEA.
February 6, 2014
I was privileged enough to beta read this awesome book! I believe it will be out next month if not sooner. This story is super romantic with very likable characters. You will fall in love with Josh instantly. He is the perfect book boyfriend. Hot 28 y/o cowboy that will make you swoon with every word he says.
The book is about second chances, specifically for one of the characters a second chance at finding love. Something else that I really loved about the story was the friendships, we have the girlfriends and we have the couples. they always had fun whenever they were together. Also loved the relationship with Claire's family, they seemed to be very supportive and loving. The brother was hilarious. I don't want to give too much away from the story but I will say that this is a very romantic story with a HEA and very sexy steamy sex scenes.
The book is about second chances, specifically for one of the characters a second chance at finding love. Something else that I really loved about the story was the friendships, we have the girlfriends and we have the couples. they always had fun whenever they were together. Also loved the relationship with Claire's family, they seemed to be very supportive and loving. The brother was hilarious. I don't want to give too much away from the story but I will say that this is a very romantic story with a HEA and very sexy steamy sex scenes.
May 1, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet & sexy. Claire was a little to whiney for me at some points but I understood why. I loved a sexy cowboy Josh. He was fun, sweet & a gentleman. I'm glad that Claire got a second chance for love and romance.
March 12, 2014
I was gifted this book by the author, Harmony Stalter for an honest review. I love this book because it is a slow paced romance and not a fast paced romance book.
This book has 2 main characters in it, Claire, who is still recovering from the death of her husband and Josh, who is trying to deal with everything he is going through. They come together and learn to work through their past and try to live in the present.
I love Claire because she is 40 years old and still recovering from her sorrow. She has tried so hard to come to terms with everything and she is struggling. You can hear and feel her emotions in every page you read. Josh is struggling with his own depression after loosing the grandparents who helped raise him and the problems with his grandparents house. Together they come to know that they are good for each other and feeling grow.
I can not say anything bad about this book at all. The characters and story line are great from start to finish. The surrounding are brought out as you are reading and you can see the farm and the people.
This book is a sweet romantic read and any romance reader will enjoy this book from the start. There is not a lot of sex in the content and what there is is done very tastefully.
This book has 2 main characters in it, Claire, who is still recovering from the death of her husband and Josh, who is trying to deal with everything he is going through. They come together and learn to work through their past and try to live in the present.
I love Claire because she is 40 years old and still recovering from her sorrow. She has tried so hard to come to terms with everything and she is struggling. You can hear and feel her emotions in every page you read. Josh is struggling with his own depression after loosing the grandparents who helped raise him and the problems with his grandparents house. Together they come to know that they are good for each other and feeling grow.
I can not say anything bad about this book at all. The characters and story line are great from start to finish. The surrounding are brought out as you are reading and you can see the farm and the people.
This book is a sweet romantic read and any romance reader will enjoy this book from the start. There is not a lot of sex in the content and what there is is done very tastefully.
March 18, 2014
I was gifted a copy from the author in return for my honest review.
Claire lost her husband in a tragic accident and she is slowly trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Everyone has left her farm and she is left to tend for it by herself. One day a sweet farm hand returns her horse and offers to help around her farm in return for a place to stay and meals. Little do they both know they will become more to each other. Josh is one of the sweetest characters ever! he was sweet, adorable, hot,he was a perfect gentleman and exactly what Claire needed to move on. But can these two make a relationship work? or will Claire never be able to move on?
It was a good story. I found it a bit boring and dragged a bit throughout the story. There was quite a few errors, did not take away from the actual story, but a lot of errors. I wish there was more of a build up to their relationship and the sex, more courtship and just something more. The characters were good and enjoyable. I just think the story needed something more. over all it was a decent book and I would recommend it. It just had some things that lacked for me and I probably would not read it again. but it was enjoyable and it was a sweet story with sweet and charming characters.
Claire lost her husband in a tragic accident and she is slowly trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Everyone has left her farm and she is left to tend for it by herself. One day a sweet farm hand returns her horse and offers to help around her farm in return for a place to stay and meals. Little do they both know they will become more to each other. Josh is one of the sweetest characters ever! he was sweet, adorable, hot,he was a perfect gentleman and exactly what Claire needed to move on. But can these two make a relationship work? or will Claire never be able to move on?
It was a good story. I found it a bit boring and dragged a bit throughout the story. There was quite a few errors, did not take away from the actual story, but a lot of errors. I wish there was more of a build up to their relationship and the sex, more courtship and just something more. The characters were good and enjoyable. I just think the story needed something more. over all it was a decent book and I would recommend it. It just had some things that lacked for me and I probably would not read it again. but it was enjoyable and it was a sweet story with sweet and charming characters.
May 14, 2014
This book was awesome.
After losing her husband in an accident Claire was convinced she would never find love again. She had been running the farm that she and her late husband owned but she didn't have a clue about how to run the equipment and no one was there to help after her farm hand ran off. She had basically put herself into a self-imposed exile not going anywhere, not having fun. Her memories of her husband were too hard for her to handle.
Josh Jones has been on a farm since he was a child helping his grandfather with everything and anything that has to do with a farm. He was working for Claire's neighbors when he was asked to take a colt over to Clair's farm. After seeing how the land was he offered to help her get things taken care of, not for pay but for a hot meal and a place to stay, even if it was in the barn. The attraction between the two of them isn't something that you can ignore. You can feel it in the words of the story line almost like you are in the story yourself. Not everyone gets a second chance at true love and that is something that Claire and Josh find in each other.
Harmony Stalter knows how to bring the readers into the story. The whole story flowed together wonderfully well. I can't wait to read more from this very talented author.
After losing her husband in an accident Claire was convinced she would never find love again. She had been running the farm that she and her late husband owned but she didn't have a clue about how to run the equipment and no one was there to help after her farm hand ran off. She had basically put herself into a self-imposed exile not going anywhere, not having fun. Her memories of her husband were too hard for her to handle.
Josh Jones has been on a farm since he was a child helping his grandfather with everything and anything that has to do with a farm. He was working for Claire's neighbors when he was asked to take a colt over to Clair's farm. After seeing how the land was he offered to help her get things taken care of, not for pay but for a hot meal and a place to stay, even if it was in the barn. The attraction between the two of them isn't something that you can ignore. You can feel it in the words of the story line almost like you are in the story yourself. Not everyone gets a second chance at true love and that is something that Claire and Josh find in each other.
Harmony Stalter knows how to bring the readers into the story. The whole story flowed together wonderfully well. I can't wait to read more from this very talented author.
March 25, 2014
I give this 4 stars. This book starts off with Claire Phillips, happily married and then a terrible accident happens. Claire loses her husband. Because of her husband’s death, Claire has been trying to keep her and her deceased husband’s farm going now two years. Then this stranger comes to her farm one day and offers to help her in exchange for food. Joshua Jones is the new man around the farm. Helping her fix her the property in order to get it up and running again. From the beginning you can feel the chemistry between the two. Claire is still in love with her deceased husband, knowing he has been dead for 2 years. How do you let your heart move from the past in order to move forward with another?
Will Claire continue to mourn the loss of her husband and keep herself closed off? This book is good, had a little bit of gramical errors but they were minor. My favorite line in the book is:
“The moment I saw you my heart skipped a beat.”
Book was given to me in exchange for a honest review- Heather W.
Will Claire continue to mourn the loss of her husband and keep herself closed off? This book is good, had a little bit of gramical errors but they were minor. My favorite line in the book is:
“The moment I saw you my heart skipped a beat.”
Book was given to me in exchange for a honest review- Heather W.
August 25, 2016
I enjoyed reading The Stable Boy. It was a light romantic read. The characters were great. Claire is a widow barely making it emotionally and financially. After her husband passed away in a accident on the farm she doesn't quite know how to move on. That is until Josh comes walking up up to her house looking for some work. Josh has lost all of his family and spends his time going from farm to farm working. When he meets Claire he is attracted to her and wants nothing but her. Claire is not sure how she should feel about Josh, she is attracted to him but isn't for sure if it is the right reasons or not. There is no denying the chemistry between the two when they're together. Josh is one of the sweetest book boyfriends I have ever came across. Did I mention he is also very HOT. I highly recommend reading if you are looking for a sweet read with an HEA.
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March 15, 2014Good, enjoyable romance
I'd call this a good, clean romance. There isn't a lot of in depth detailed sex scenes, just enough to fit the personalities of the characters. Claire is a 40 year old widow who finds herself alone on the farm she and her husband owned. Along comes Josh, the 28 year old farm hand that is returning her wandering colt. Josh is old school, raised right with manners so he offers to help out when he realizes she needs work done around the farm. He's instantly attracted to her, but she still in love with her dead husband and feels she's being unfaithful to him when she starts having feels for this new stud.
This is the first book I've read by this author. There were some typos but the storyline flowed well and it was a good, quick read. I will be watching for more to read from this author.
I'd call this a good, clean romance. There isn't a lot of in depth detailed sex scenes, just enough to fit the personalities of the characters. Claire is a 40 year old widow who finds herself alone on the farm she and her husband owned. Along comes Josh, the 28 year old farm hand that is returning her wandering colt. Josh is old school, raised right with manners so he offers to help out when he realizes she needs work done around the farm. He's instantly attracted to her, but she still in love with her dead husband and feels she's being unfaithful to him when she starts having feels for this new stud.
This is the first book I've read by this author. There were some typos but the storyline flowed well and it was a good, quick read. I will be watching for more to read from this author.
March 22, 2014
Two years after an accident claims the life of her husband, a stranger shows up on her door step and Claire's heart skips a beat. Is it possible to find love twice in a lifetime or will Claire find that being happy once was all she will ever need?!!
You will have to find out the answer yourself!!
This book was great, I love the story line and the characters. I found a few places where the story didn't flow as well as the rest of the book but it wasn't a big enough issue to take stars away. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Ms. Stalter!
You will have to find out the answer yourself!!
This book was great, I love the story line and the characters. I found a few places where the story didn't flow as well as the rest of the book but it wasn't a big enough issue to take stars away. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Ms. Stalter!
May 1, 2014
I loved the storyline of this book! The friends and family members that supported Claire and Josh through their blossoming love was very heartwarming. The only problem I had with the book was the short choppy sentences and because of that, at times, the writing seemed a bit juvenile-ish. For this reason I only gave it 4 stars. This author does know how to come up with a great storyline and wonderful characters though!
March 22, 2014
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and for taking part in the blog tour.
This was quite a great read. I felt for Claire, and found myself relating to what she was feeling, to a certain degree. I empathized with her struggle to let go of the past and explore a future with Josh, and I admired his patience and persistence in his pursuit of her. Very sweet romance.
This was quite a great read. I felt for Claire, and found myself relating to what she was feeling, to a certain degree. I empathized with her struggle to let go of the past and explore a future with Josh, and I admired his patience and persistence in his pursuit of her. Very sweet romance.
April 10, 2014
Found this book lacking at times, it was a good old romance.
July 12, 2014
I want more!!
this book was amazing I couldn't wait to see what happened on every turn of a page. I want to read more about there sex life.
this book was amazing I couldn't wait to see what happened on every turn of a page. I want to read more about there sex life.
May 24, 2014
Is a great book to read
December 5, 2015
I thought “The Stable Boy” was a good story. The storyline appealed to me – after all, who wouldn’t want a sexy farmhand helping you save your farm while stealing your heart? The characters were easily likable, especially Josh and Claire. I found myself wishing the writing was more “showing” than “telling.” There is a lot of I did this…I did that…very methodical. The earlier sex scenes were written this way, although maybe the author was trying to convey a sense of confusion and hesitation on Claire’s part. I would have rather read dialogue that “showed” me the big picture, as the dialogue in the book was well written. The telling of details slowed me down in reading the book, as it took me time to create the picture of what was happening for myself. Overall, I thought the book had a sweet story with a very happy ending, and I was glad I pushed through and read the whole book. I’d definitely recommend it if you have the sexy cowboy/farmhand stealing your heart fantasy!
April 25, 2015
Who wouldn't love a stable boy? Enjoyed this book until the very end.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews