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Dakota Hearts #6
Dakota Wedding
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Mondello, the western romance DAKOTA HEARTS series continues with book 6, DAKOTA WEDDING.
Ian McKinnon was just getting steady on his feet, looking forward to the opening of the Wounded Veterans Center and a big McKinnon wedding celebration, when tragedy struck again. The soldier who'd saved his life while in the military has died. He's charged with his most important mission: find his friend Carlos's family in Mexico or become guardian and raise Carlos's children. The only mandatory stipulation of his friend's will was that Ian live under the same roof with Abby Townsend, a firefighter from Carlos's firehouse. Abby knew the kids well and she could help ease them all through the transition of becoming a family. Okay, so Ian may not be daddy material, but he'd grown up with a whole lot of McKinnons running around. He could handle the kids just fine. The beautiful Abby Townsend was another story.
Abby took one look at Ian and shook her head with utter disbelief. What were her dear friends thinking by naming a man whose nickname was "The Hazard" as guardian of their three small children? She only needed to spend one year in Ian's house in South Dakota. She had to either find Carlos's family, or convince Ian that she was the better person to raise the children. Abby knows how hard it is to lose someone you loved. She'll be there to protect the children in any way she can. But can she protect her heart from falling in love with a man known for taking too many risks...and risk heartbreak again?
If you're a fan of western romance, contemporary romance, stories full of angst and emotion, and sexy cowboy and military heroes, then you'll enjoy the Dakota Hearts, Texas Hearts and Fate with a Helping Hand series of romance novels.
Ian McKinnon was just getting steady on his feet, looking forward to the opening of the Wounded Veterans Center and a big McKinnon wedding celebration, when tragedy struck again. The soldier who'd saved his life while in the military has died. He's charged with his most important mission: find his friend Carlos's family in Mexico or become guardian and raise Carlos's children. The only mandatory stipulation of his friend's will was that Ian live under the same roof with Abby Townsend, a firefighter from Carlos's firehouse. Abby knew the kids well and she could help ease them all through the transition of becoming a family. Okay, so Ian may not be daddy material, but he'd grown up with a whole lot of McKinnons running around. He could handle the kids just fine. The beautiful Abby Townsend was another story.
Abby took one look at Ian and shook her head with utter disbelief. What were her dear friends thinking by naming a man whose nickname was "The Hazard" as guardian of their three small children? She only needed to spend one year in Ian's house in South Dakota. She had to either find Carlos's family, or convince Ian that she was the better person to raise the children. Abby knows how hard it is to lose someone you loved. She'll be there to protect the children in any way she can. But can she protect her heart from falling in love with a man known for taking too many risks...and risk heartbreak again?
If you're a fan of western romance, contemporary romance, stories full of angst and emotion, and sexy cowboy and military heroes, then you'll enjoy the Dakota Hearts, Texas Hearts and Fate with a Helping Hand series of romance novels.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2014
372 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Mondello
106 books544 followersUSA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 12, 2015
Excellent story! Loved the relationship between the kids and Ian & Abby. Ian is just getting his life back together but after the devastating loss of his good friend he finds himself the guardian to three young children. Abby has suffered a lot of loss in her life. When the children she thought she would be raising after her friends death are about to be taken away too she decides to give life in South Dakota and Ian McKinnon a chance. Will she ever be able to return to her old life? More importantly, will she want to?
Love this series. Nice quick light reads fill with great men and women full of character, warmth and an abundance of love. I definitely recommend this one.
Love this series. Nice quick light reads fill with great men and women full of character, warmth and an abundance of love. I definitely recommend this one.
April 23, 2016
This book is told, not shown. Having not read any of the titles preceding, I'm not sure if it is just this installment or the author's writing style, but I didn't have any emotional connection to any of the characters. Abby packed up and moved cross country, and Ian suddenly had a ready-made family, yet neither had any struggle in adapting to their new lives. It all just seemed too easy, with the conflict barely mentioned and resolved within a few sentences.
Perhaps more is shown in other books in the series, but his one didn't do it for me as a stand-alone.
Perhaps more is shown in other books in the series, but his one didn't do it for me as a stand-alone.
December 1, 2014
I have loved each and every one of these stories! This tight knit family lives life with all the ups and downs and with losses and loves but is still able to meet it head on knowing that everything works out as it should. Lisa writes these characters with so much heart that you can't wait to read more!
October 17, 2020
More like 3.5
This was a stronger story than the first 5 because it was longer and the author could develop her story more. There are still issues, as there were in 1-5, with wrong words or slight gaps that ruin that section enough to cause concern. I hope to continue this series but cost is a factor.
This was a stronger story than the first 5 because it was longer and the author could develop her story more. There are still issues, as there were in 1-5, with wrong words or slight gaps that ruin that section enough to cause concern. I hope to continue this series but cost is a factor.
September 19, 2017
Free Ebook, part of series
He's a war veteran, his army buddy dies and he is named the guardian of the 3 small children. One complication, the wides best friend and caregiver of the children has to be included.
He's a war veteran, his army buddy dies and he is named the guardian of the 3 small children. One complication, the wides best friend and caregiver of the children has to be included.
October 11, 2020
Nice story
Easy, short read. Liked the characters, although Abby was a bit annoying when she was feeling sad and discouraged. Seemed she was going to reject Ian. Wondered how old the twins were. Story never said.
Easy, short read. Liked the characters, although Abby was a bit annoying when she was feeling sad and discouraged. Seemed she was going to reject Ian. Wondered how old the twins were. Story never said.
May 12, 2017
Loved this book. Loved Ian &a Abby and of course the kids. Just a really good story
November 28, 2017
Heart Warming
I really enjoyed this book.I laughed and got years in my eyes,then I laughed some more.I'm going to be reading the whole series.
I really enjoyed this book.I laughed and got years in my eyes,then I laughed some more.I'm going to be reading the whole series.
December 4, 2018
Good one, complicated by instant families and unexpected happenings. Minus one star for word and grammatical errors.
September 19, 2020
Great read
Great storyline and great characters. Bit of an emotional rollercoaster but it does end with hea! Another good installment in the series.
Great storyline and great characters. Bit of an emotional rollercoaster but it does end with hea! Another good installment in the series.
October 9, 2020
very good book
November 14, 2020
Great writing. What a tail of broken people & the coming together by a friend that dies. Abby was stubborn, Ian is too independent & then three kids. Just a great read
November 17, 2020
Lovely story.
March 25, 2022
Awesome story
Great story and love the family connection loved everything it!
Vivid details lots of good feelings great read good storyline
Great story and love the family connection loved everything it!
Vivid details lots of good feelings great read good storyline
October 31, 2020
Really lovely story, heartbreaking and beautiful
But the proof reading clearly never happened, words missing from sentences or duplicated
But the proof reading clearly never happened, words missing from sentences or duplicated
March 6, 2017
Healing time
Loss of family and friends has taken a toll, and then to find out that three children will be added to the mix. How to cope is the question. A story about not giving up on looking for love, about family, hope.
Loss of family and friends has taken a toll, and then to find out that three children will be added to the mix. How to cope is the question. A story about not giving up on looking for love, about family, hope.
April 27, 2016
So not a whole heck of a lot happening in this book. It's very short so it's easy to get through but I still had to skim a lot. It's just kinda boring. The characters are pleasant although Ian comes across as a little robotic. The whole book fell a bit flat. The author really tried to bring emotion into this story with all the different kinds of losses these characters had experienced but she just couldn't quite pull me in or make me actually feel anything for these characters. Like for instance, both characters are dealt this huge life changer and besides Abby's brief concerns, both characters are just like, okay yeah whatever. Ian doesn't even bat an eyelash. And while I'm glad he's willing to step up, I'd like to see something, anything from him. Some inkling of how he is feeling. One little emotion. But no, he just stays completely and I mean completely neutral and tells (yes tells, doesn't ask or negotiate) everyone what will be happening with this life changer. It's bizarre. The romantic aspect of their relationship was fairly well done though, especially for how short the book was. I like a slow building romance and the build up with this one was paced nicely. I liked that they weren't constantly monologuing about their lust for each other but would instead make more subtle remarks about their attractions sporadically woven throughout. They came across as just normal, real people.
January 16, 2016
Dakota Wedding by Lisa Mondello
Dakota Hearts Series Book Six
Ian McKinnon is moving forward in his life after the military. He is focused on opening the Wounded Veterans Center to help others. And then he gets a message that once again changes his life.
Abby Townsend’s life has also changed once again. First she lost her husband and now her best friends. She can’t lose the only family she has left and will do whatever it takes to keep them. Even moving to another state with a very annoying man.
The reader has been given glimpses of Ian throughout this series. I really enjoyed reading his story. The author has done a good job of researching some of the aspects of having a prosthetic and how it would affect the character. I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of Ian’s family that we meet in this story in upcoming books.
**Sexual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Dakota Hearts Series Book Six
Ian McKinnon is moving forward in his life after the military. He is focused on opening the Wounded Veterans Center to help others. And then he gets a message that once again changes his life.
Abby Townsend’s life has also changed once again. First she lost her husband and now her best friends. She can’t lose the only family she has left and will do whatever it takes to keep them. Even moving to another state with a very annoying man.
The reader has been given glimpses of Ian throughout this series. I really enjoyed reading his story. The author has done a good job of researching some of the aspects of having a prosthetic and how it would affect the character. I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of Ian’s family that we meet in this story in upcoming books.
**Sexual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
December 19, 2016
Although the premise of the story was good, the author failed to execute.
The character, Abby and Ian, were minimally developed. There was a lack of interactions between them for the reader to witness, making it seem like the moved in together, raised the kids for about six weeks, had one fun night together at the town festival and then hopped into bed together. And after just one night, Ian was ready to propose.
When blood relations of the children of whom Ian and Abby are guardians show up, Abby is pushing Ian away and then telling him she loves him. By the end of the night, they are engaged.
Without showing readers the growing relationship between Ian and Abby, it takes quite the suspension of belief to enjoy the story. There were also typos and editorial mistakes I would have expected to be ironed out by the sixth book.
I believe this was my first, and last, read in this series and by this author.
The character, Abby and Ian, were minimally developed. There was a lack of interactions between them for the reader to witness, making it seem like the moved in together, raised the kids for about six weeks, had one fun night together at the town festival and then hopped into bed together. And after just one night, Ian was ready to propose.
When blood relations of the children of whom Ian and Abby are guardians show up, Abby is pushing Ian away and then telling him she loves him. By the end of the night, they are engaged.
Without showing readers the growing relationship between Ian and Abby, it takes quite the suspension of belief to enjoy the story. There were also typos and editorial mistakes I would have expected to be ironed out by the sixth book.
I believe this was my first, and last, read in this series and by this author.
May 12, 2015
Dakota Wedding is an emotional story about appreciating the blessings given and not the things lost. Coping with the aftermath of a life-changing event, Ian receives news that takes him on a journey of self-discovery. Abby is trying to come to terms with why bad things happen to good people. Ian and Abby have both been touched by pain and heartache and are looking for answers. Will carrying out the last wishes of a friend help Ian and Abby Heal? I have never read two books by one author that have touched my heart the way that Lisa Mondello's Dakota Wedding and His Dakota Heart did. Received this book for an honest review.
December 7, 2014
Love Lisa Mondello's Dakota Hearts series. These guys are all heroes.
Ian has experienced some pretty rough things in his life the last few years. Now one of his best friends dies and leaves his children to Ian and another friend, Abby. Ian is surprised to find that Abby is to spend a year with him taking care of the kids while they look for Carlos' family. Soon they are enjoying each others company and getting along great. Then the unexpected happens.
Heartbreak and happy endings. And so happy to hear that there will be more Dakota Hearts coming soon.
Ian has experienced some pretty rough things in his life the last few years. Now one of his best friends dies and leaves his children to Ian and another friend, Abby. Ian is surprised to find that Abby is to spend a year with him taking care of the kids while they look for Carlos' family. Soon they are enjoying each others company and getting along great. Then the unexpected happens.
Heartbreak and happy endings. And so happy to hear that there will be more Dakota Hearts coming soon.
May 2, 2015
What an emotional roller-coaster. This is a story based on love, family, loss, support, and the celebration of life.
Ian McKinnon may be involved with the opening of the Wounded Veterans Center and the McKinnon wedding, when tragedy struck. Abby Townsend (who had lost her husband) and her best friends band together to raise three small children.
I enjoyed this heart warming romantic story. These characters were beautiful written with a lovely sentimental soul.
Ian McKinnon may be involved with the opening of the Wounded Veterans Center and the McKinnon wedding, when tragedy struck. Abby Townsend (who had lost her husband) and her best friends band together to raise three small children.
I enjoyed this heart warming romantic story. These characters were beautiful written with a lovely sentimental soul.
February 24, 2016
I really loved this book. The 3 kids were just adorable. The making of french toast was just too cute. Abby and Ian worked well together being new parents. It was great the way Ian's family accepted Abby and the kids right in to their family. This is the first book I read in the series. next will be His Dakota Heart then I'll start over at the beginning of the series. Looking forward to reading all of them.
December 14, 2014
Good read
Break out the tissue for this one. Parts are very heart rending. Then again, parts are funny, too. The hero is a wounded warrior who steps up in an emergency. The heroine is heartbroken and thinks she will lose the children she thought of as family. They come together for the children and find each other. Highly recommend.
Break out the tissue for this one. Parts are very heart rending. Then again, parts are funny, too. The hero is a wounded warrior who steps up in an emergency. The heroine is heartbroken and thinks she will lose the children she thought of as family. They come together for the children and find each other. Highly recommend.
April 21, 2016
Kids Are The Life Blood........
We have several families and life long friends in this delightful tale. We have Ian, headed off to a lawyers office, and some crazy young woman who just rescued a kitten. They are about to be introduced, and entangled! A nice tale with kids involved.
We have several families and life long friends in this delightful tale. We have Ian, headed off to a lawyers office, and some crazy young woman who just rescued a kitten. They are about to be introduced, and entangled! A nice tale with kids involved.
April 30, 2016
I have been waiting patiently for Ian's story. Its a great book with loss and survival but always with a HEA at the end. This book has great characters, storyline that hooks you from the beginning. This is a series book but can be read as a stand alone. Can't wait to see what is next from this author.
May 8, 2016
Pleasantly Surprised!
My mother read this series and told me to read them! I bought this book first not knowing it was book 6 of 10!! But what I liked was that you didn't need to read the others to follow the book. I will be honest that it did get me curious as to the others!! Ian and Abby were great!!
My mother read this series and told me to read them! I bought this book first not knowing it was book 6 of 10!! But what I liked was that you didn't need to read the others to follow the book. I will be honest that it did get me curious as to the others!! Ian and Abby were great!!
April 29, 2016
Sweet romance
This is an unexpected sweet romance of two people with a lot of baggage finding each other in an unusual way. Good plot but could have benefited from some proof reading.
This is an unexpected sweet romance of two people with a lot of baggage finding each other in an unusual way. Good plot but could have benefited from some proof reading.
July 23, 2015
I love these books Another great author keep the stories coming. thanks
October 11, 2015
Dakota Wedding
This was such a beautiful romance between Ian and Abby in the Christmas house. They learn to live their lives for the better and make the most out of everything.
This was such a beautiful romance between Ian and Abby in the Christmas house. They learn to live their lives for the better and make the most out of everything.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews