It's In His Heart

Red River Valley #1

by Shelly Alexander

She has a secret. He has a scandal. And they both have an attraction they can’t deny.

Ella Dennings is furious. Soaking wet, muddy, and furious. All she wants is to enjoy a quiet summer retreat in her Red River Valley cabin. Maybe she can finish healing after the death of her husband, Bradley. Maybe she can even finish writing that third book in her anonymously written bestselling series. But when she arrives at the cabin in a raging rainstorm, who does she find holed up there but Cooper Wells, Bradley’s sexy best friend—a man capable of seducing women within seconds—and a man Ella has never liked.

Coop’s got his own baggage. He’s engulfed in a nasty legal battle, and after selling his home to cover his legal fees, he’s got nowhere to go but the cabin. He and Ella will just have to coexist under one roof...but is their heated animosity boiling over into attraction? And when Ella’s racy new book rocks the sleepy town, will her secret identity spell scandal for both of them?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Adult, Amazon

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

Shelly Alexander was a 2014 Golden Heart® finalist, a 2019 RITA® finalist, and an Amazon #1 Bestseller in several categories.

Shelly grew up traveling the world, earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and worked in the business world for twenty-five years. With four older brothers, she watched every Star Trek episode ever made, joined the softball team instead of ballet class, and played with G.I. Joes while the Barbie Corvette stayed tucked in the closet. When she had three sons of her own, she decided to escape her male-dominated world by reading romance novels and has been hooked ever since. Now, she spends her days writing steamy contemporary romances while tending to, two tiny toy poodles named Mozart and Midge (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).

Reviews

[Kathleen Crowell · Rating 1 out of 5]

yet another disappointing Kindle First. why is this something I'd be be clamoring to read?! the premise is not original but interesting enough to get me to read...if I weren't on my tablet, I'd spend some serious time writing about all the ridiculous character/plot issues. let's just say the worst is the unrealistic sex the two characters are having night and day for most of this book. I'm sorry, but Ella being the ELJames of the book is so totally stupid...I can't believe any woman watching her husband dying would start writing the kind of smut she's supposed to writing to get her through watching him die. I almost don't want Amazon to offer me anymore free books that are singled out to be something special...I can find my own freebies that are way better.

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Elisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has so many plot holes that it drowns in its own awfulness.

This must be one of the crappiest romance novels I've read so far. I'm not mad at the plot; it's cheesy and predictable but I wasn't expecting to any literary heights. What I am mad about are the terrible characters, the lack of inventiveness and cheap tricks that this obviously out of ideas author came up with to carry on the novel.

A sugar and spice and everything nice lady whose only fault is getting super horny every time she drinks more than one glass of wine moves in the cabin with the dark and mysterious alleged sex offender. She has enough money to rent a hotel anywhere but she decides she just needs to spend three months coexisting with a dude she barely met and almost had sex with the night that her cancer ridden husband proposed (btw WHAT?!?). Said girl is also super smart, and she writes erotica (to keep her mind off her husband dying of cancer, again WTF, can't a woman write erotica without justifying herself with some sort of tragedy or lame excuse?). Anyway said girl is smart BUT she writes down every single detail of her sex encounters with the said sex offender, not only detailing each scene but also mentioning birthmarks and moles and surprise surprise HE FINDS OUT. Meanwhile her super catholic family is okay with everything. Amazingly enough in this hell world a book gets published within weeks of being drafted.

WHAT THE FUCK.

In the meanwhile their two dogs fall IN LOVE.A love whose depth was more convincing than the main plot between humans.

"They were inseparable [the two dogs] and Atlas had moped around for days without Winston. Kind of like him without Ella."

"Atlas [dog nr 1] and Winston [dog nr 2] obviously loved each other. And Coop loved Ella."

Above two of the most ridiculous lines I've ever read.

If you are masochist enough to read this beware, half the pages are used to describe in infinite detail how Ella is dressed. All the time. If the author had taken the same amount of thought in coming up with decent charterers than this book would be much better.

Last but not least. Her dead husband is named Bradley. His best friend and now new lover is called Cooper. I bet I can guess who the author's favorite actor is.


To sum it up:
NO
NOT NOW
NOT EVER

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are wonderful love story!

[Carrie Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

T'S IN HIS HEART is a fun and funny and sweet and sexy debut from Shelly Alexander.

I scored a free early copy as part of Amazon's Kindle First program and I'm so glad.

It's In His Heart by Shelly Alexander
It's In His Heart by Shelly Alexander
Ella Dennings has decided to spend the summer in Red River Valley, New Mexico. It was her late husband's cabin and she wants to spend some time there before she moves on with the phase of her life. She never expected to run into Cooper Wells there, her husband's best friend and the cabin's co-owner.

Coop's got his own reasons for spending the summer in Red River Valley. He left behind some legal troubles and a scandal and he just wants to lie low until he can reclaim his life. He never expected Ella to show up, drenched, with a dog and a laptop in tow and he certainly never expected to find her so sweet and beautiful. They didn't used to get along. When did she change? Or did he change?

As if a dead husband/best friend wasn't enough to come between them, Ella is also harboring a secret: she's the secret author of the erotic books that have all the women in town tugging their men into the bedroom.

I enjoyed this one a lot! Shelly Alexander has a flair for relatable and real characters. If you enjoy a fun romance with a heart, this one is for you.

Disclaimer: as well as the free copy, I also am acquainted with Shelly through Romance Writers of America® but this is an honest review. It's worth grabbing! Oh, and the sex is pretty graphic, definitely pushing my personal preferences, but I could skip those parts easily enough. But since a lot of my readers prefer sweet romance, I like to give a heads-up.

[Shelly Chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut book introduces us to Shelly Alexander's writing and her small town of Red River, with its eclectic and lovable cast of characters – including their pets. :) The writing and story offer a great combination of sharp wit, outright zany humor, and yet is also sexy and warm at the same time. Both the hero and heroine have something to hide, secrets that could potentially destroy their relationship. and secrets are hard to keep in a small town. But the focus always remains on the interaction of these two characters, including a widow trying to move past her husband's death...and falling directly into the arms of her late husband's best friend. Lots of natural tension built into the situation and conflict, but the story never gets too dark and remains an enjoyable, touching read. Watch out for the great double-taps of humor from the author to keep you smiling, along with lovingly-troublesome pets, who also get to add to the fun. A fun, enjoyable read, offering a great combination of humor, sexiness, and sweetness. I look forward to future books in the series.

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Ella and Cooper's story. Ella lost her husband, Bradley, to cancer and two years later decides it is time to move away from Albuquerque and move try to move on. She wants to spend the summer at his cabin in Red River to say her goodbye and to decide where she wants to go from there. She is surprised to find her husband's best friend, Cooper, who co-owns the cabin there and not is planning to leave. They have always had a rocky relationship but they both loved Bradley dearly, so he is not on the top of her list of people she wants to spend the summer in a cabin with. After a long time avoiding each other, they find that they are developing feelings for each other. After some drama regarding his career and past womanizing ways as well as her "big secret", they find their HEA.

POV: Third person narrative with alternating focus on Ella and Cooper.

Overall Pace of Story: Ok. I found it to be rather slow at the beginning and then end rather abruptly.

H rating: 4 stars. Cooper. Manwhore, loyal, sweet at times "bad boy". The author tried to label him a bad boy but other than his commitment issues I didn't really see it...but I thought he was likable.

h rating: 3 stars. Ella. Smart and level headed, but just ok to me.

Angst level: Low. Some drama, but nothing to whip out the tissues for.

Heat level: Moderate. Some steamy times are included.

Descriptive sex: Yes

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Possible Triggers: No

Closure: I would hesitantly say they found their HEA. I really like some major closure in my books. This story ended so abruptly that I feel like I didn't get enough, but I do feel like they are in a more committed relationship to get them their HEA.

Overall Opinion: It was ok. Cute premise. I usually like the dead husband-h ends up with husband's best friend/brother type stories (I realize this might make me morbid). Pretty light read overall...not too much angst that would make it a really emotional book (like these types sometimes are). For a free Amazon book--it was worth the read but not making its home on my all time favorite list.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was incredibly boring and disappointingly predictable. The beginning of the book just goes on and on about her feelings but it is all repetitive. I give it 2 stars because the author was good with words but unfortunately, it's the same words over and over. I just skimmed through the sex scenes as they were just like any other sex scene in any other book. Really wanted to like this book but I was so bored. There wasn't a single part of the book I was on the edge of my seat waiting to turn the page just dying to know what happened next. The predictability of it all actually made me angry. I repeat, BORING!!!!

I forgot to mention the character flaws. There were so many times I thought to myself "This doesn't even make sense" or they were contradicting. It wasn't very believable.

[T.M. Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: It's In His Heart (Red River Valley #1)
Author: Shelly Alexander
Publication Date: 8/1/2015
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 4 Stars


REVIEW

*May contain spoilers *

New to me author.
This is a story of loss between two people. The best friend and The Wife.
Ella has lost Bradley her husband and in doing so she lost a piece of herself. She has to now go to his favorite cabin and let him go. When she gets there who does she is already there? Her husbands best friend Coop. There is no love lost between Ella and Coop. For some reason they never got along.

I really enjoyed this well written romance. I did find some grammar issues but nothing that took away from the story itself.

Shelly Alexander

[Marleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slowly but surely I’m finally convinced that 9 out of 10 contemporary romance writers are below average. Finally I realize that I have to be super vigilant in choosing my next contemporary romance read. It’s so deflating.
I’m sorry to be so brutally honest, but this author only offered the usual clichés of romantic misunderstandings - and I was bored rather quickly. Not only with the premise of the book, but with the characters. This is a story I read many times before - and yes - I used to enjoy when I was 25, or 35 years old tops. But now, no. It’s not for me. Give me some originality - give me real stories.
It didn’t help that the narrator of the audio-book, Cris Dukehart, had a voice and a pitch I personally found somewhat irritating.
Note to self: Be more picky!

[Melinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. 5 beautiful STARS for love, life and 2nd chances. This was a beautiful read from start to finish. Beautiful mountains, lovely small-town-folks and of course 2 characters which never made me cringe with embarrassment or pretended problems. A bit cheesy but exactly what I expected from the cover, title and description. It felt like a fairytale in real life proximity.

[Lynn Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another free book from amazon prime. Not bad, just a little cheesy.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted on To catch a falling book

Nach dem Tod ihres Ehemanns Bradley zieht es Ella Dennings nach Red River, um in Brads Hütte den Sommer zu verbringen. Dort will sie nach den emotionalen und kräftezerrenden Monaten, die sie hinter sich hat, neue Kraft sammeln und den dritten Band ihrer erfolgreichen Erotikreihe, die sie unter einem Pseudonym veröffentlicht, vollenden. Doch als sie in der Kleinstadt im Norden New Mexicos ankommt, werden ihre Pläne durchkreuzt. Die Hütte ist nämlich bereits belegt von Cooper Wells, dem besten Freund ihres verstorbenen Mannes, der sie auf den Tod nicht auszustehen scheint. Auch er will sich hier vor der restlichen Welt verstecken und seine Wunden lecken. Da keiner von ihnen einen anderen Ort hat, an den er sich zurückziehen kann, müssen sich die beiden wohl oder übel arrangieren. Ihre gegenseitige Abneigung weicht dabei einer Anziehung, doch sie hat ein Geheimnis und er verbirgt ebenfalls etwas. Wie werden sie reagieren, wenn ihre jeweiligen „Skandale“ an die Oberfläche gelangen?

Ella ist eine starke Frau, die ihren todkranken Mann bis zuletzt unterstützt und gepflegt hat. Während dieser schweren Zeit hat sie Ablenkung und Freiheit im Schreiben von Erotikromanen gefunden, die sich sofort zu einem Beststeller entwickelt haben. Geschrieben wurden sie unter einem Pseudonym, denn ihre Familie ist sehr konservativ. In Brads Hütte will sie nun wieder Energie tanken und ihr weiteres Leben ohne den Ehemann überdenken.

Cooper ist Chiropraktiker und nach Red River gekommen, um sich hier wieder zu sammeln, während seine Anwältin Angelique einen Rechtsstreit für ihn ausfechtet, der seine gesamte Karriere zerstören könnte. Er ist attraktiv, liebenswert und gleichzeitig auch frustrierend. Die sogenannte „Abneigung“ der beiden füreinander ist gar keine, denn eigentlich fanden sich die beiden von Anfang an anziehend. Diese verwirrenden Gefühle wollten sie natürlich nicht wahr haben, immerhin war sie damals die Verlobte seines besten Freundes und so gingen sie sich bewusst aus dem Weg.

Es war schön, mal keine Geschichte über Millionäre zu lesen. Hier gibt es bloß hartarbeitende, mit „alltäglichen“ Problemen kämpfende Protagonisten und Nebencharaktere. Letztere waren nicht nur Randgruppen, sondern waren ebenso liebevoll und genau ausgearbeitet wie das Hauptpärchen.

„It’s in His Heart“ ist der Debütroman von Shelly Alexander. Zwar ist die Geschichte nicht neu und es gab ein, zwei Punkte, die für mich unnötig waren (etwa die Sache mit den Erotikromanen), doch der Stil und vor allem die Charaktere haben mich überzeugt. Sowohl Ella als auch Coop haben ihre Fehler und Schwächen, doch ihr Gegen- bzw. Miteinander ist einfach herrlich mitzuverfolgen. Daher war es ein Leichtes, mich köstlich zu amüsieren und die Geschichte fast in einem Rutsch durchzulesen.

Eine lustige, emotionale Liebesgeschichte über Neuanfänge und zweite Chancen in einer wunderbaren Kleinstadt, die es wert ist, gelesen zu werden.

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

Honey, when you shop at the Market, everyone knows what you eat. When I need tampons, I make the forty-minute drive all the way into Taos. Otherwise, the entire town knows it's my time of the month.

Donna purred. Literally purred. Like a cat. Well, more like a mountain lion in heat.

Mission accomplished. You look like a cover girl. Or Aphrodite. Every person in the room with chest hair turned to look at you when you walked in.

You're my new BFF. Anyone thoughtful enough to bring me Cookies 'n Cream after a public humiliation is a friendship forged in blood.

... but for the first time in my life, I wanted to live on the edge. Take a risk, throw caution to the wind and experience life going Mach five with my hair on fire.

Hank has threatened to leave me if don't stop reading your books. Says he's tired of being used like a sex toy. I mean, really? What straight man in his right mind wouldn't want his wife reading your books?

My Review:

She was an uptight, persnickety, overly meticulous, clean freak snob with a secret identity. He was a bit of a slob, hiding out in his cabin from his current legal troubles, and found her more than annoying. They only had a co-owned cabin and her dead husband in common. So, of course, they had atomic chemistry. Sounds cheesy and angsty, but actually the story was entertaining, sweet, occasionally steamy, and often humorous. Ms. Alexander's colorful and folksy metaphors reminded me of my father's manner of speaking and often evoked amusing visuals. I enjoyed the quirky small town characters who though odd, still rang true to life. I look forward to an extended visit to the Red River Valley as I have books two and three to this series already loaded on my kindle.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This contemporary romance was not for me. The repeated references to the heroine's Beamer grated on me. Some word choices struck me as odd (photographs “garnished” the walls instead of decorated them, a brand of underwear was “used” instead of worn). The hero lost a lot of points with me when it was explained how he'd never dated a particular woman because he had respect for her. The heroine's references to how much money her romance novels had made her and how popular they were seemed unnecessarily braggy. The heroine finished a draft of a novel and immediately sent it to her editor without reviewing or revising or anything, which may explain some things about this book. What really grated was a section about a charity raft race. I am not a whitewater expert, but I've paddled enough to know that you don't run an event that allows newbie paddlers to negotiate a class four rapid without setting safety at that rapid. I also know you don't use double bladed paddles unless you are not in a raft but a duckie. And that there's no such thing as “an expert Olympian rafter” since there is no rafting in the Olympics, just kayaking and canoeing.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't that impressed with this book, even with it being a Kindle First title. I thought Cooper was a complete jerk throughout most of the book, and I hated Ella's mannerisms, especially how she constantly mentioned staying by her husband's side as he was dying. If you love someone, shouldn't you want to do that anyway? She made it out to be something extraordinary that she deserved a medal for. The setting was interesting, and I liked the secondary characters, which saved the book from a one star rating, but I am unsure if I would continue the series.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 3 out of 5]

There several great moments that gave me some laugh out loud moments, especially the crazy dogs. I really had a difficult time with Ella. I did not care for what she did before she ever got married to Bradley, her late husband. It did not sit well with me and influenced my feelings toward her a great deal. Others may not have that reaction.

I did like Coop, but if it had been me, I would NEVER HAVE FORGIVEN her, don't want to give anything away, but when you read this one I think you will definitely understand why I feel this way. Happy reading!

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for a honest review.

3.5 stars

This is one of those books where you love all the characters. Coop is the bad boy who has denied his feelings for to long. Ella is the stand by your man girl that loves hard. Both have already had a lifetime of heartache, it's time to take a risk if they want a HEA.

[Mistee Formica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.

Great day read! The story was just enough of love and hate! Enough chemistry to keep the pages turning, and the story moving. I did not want the story to end.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one on audio & really enjoyed it.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much sexism!

[Kathrine McAlpine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

Fairly predictable story, man and woman not getting on but sharing a spark. Whilst the plot was formulaic, the characters were believable. High or deep itsn't but it is enjoyable escapism, I liked it.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.

Shelly Alexander's debut novel, It's In His Heart, was a heartbreaking, yet incredibly sweet romance between two characters that aren't looking for love, especially not with each other. Ella Dennings needed a change in scenery. After the death of her husband, Ella can't stand living in the city that holds so many memories. She packs up her life and heads out to spend the summer in Red River Valley. What she thinks will be a summer of solitude, quickly dissolves when she discovers that her husband's best friend is staying at the cabin they shared. Cooper Wells also needed a change of scenery while he's locked in a legal battle. People he thought were his friend's turned their backs on him as Coop lost his practice. Together in Red River Valley, they overcome first impressions as they grow closer. Time will tell if their hearts have healed enough to have a future together...

I had a little bit of a difficult time with It's In His Heart. I'm not exactly sure why, but I had a little bit of apprehension when I first started the book. In the end, I actually really enjoyed it. Maybe a little on the predictable side, but very enjoyable. I loved Coop. He was adorable and a bit slow on the uptake. And I thought his transformation was fantastic. On the other hand, I had some moments with Ella where I did not like her. Not necessarily with her as a character because I did like her transformation as well. Watching her struggle with the loss of her husband made me a bit emotional. There were, however, a few times where I didn't like what she said to Coop when they are at each other's throats. Other than the couple of times where I wanted to throttle Ella for her words, I was rooting for them from the beginning. I loved them together. I loved watching their hearts mend and meld as the book progressed.

Congrats on your debut novel, Shelly. I'm looking forward to see what you have up your sleeve for the second Red River Valley series.

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a breath of fresh air comes this beautifully packaged romantic comedy which is full of love and laughter. As I started on the first chapter I knew it won’t take me long to reach the last and thirtieth chapter. Sure enough, I raced to finish it within a few hours. Do I like it? Let me put it this way: it is definitely a great start for a new author.

Drawing inspiration from the real people and real town of Red River in New Mexico which is the setting for the story, the first book in the Red River Valley series, It's In His Heart by Shelly Alexander is a moving and beautiful story of healing and forgiveness which is as touching as it is soothing. Though the characters are formed from Shelly’s imagination, she has meticulously captured the magic of Red River in a way only she could do. The two key characters in the story are finely etched, with secrets of their own. After the death of her husband, Ella Dennings wants a fresh start to a new life. Her husband Bradley’s best friend Cooper Wells is also seeking a new life. They are poles apart, just the opposite. But when they found themselves holed up in a cabin (one of my few gripes as it was too expedient), they begin to see each other in new light. Will they find their rainbow after all the storms they passed through?

Debut author Shelly Alexander who has lived out a fairy tale love story herself for over twenty five years now constructed an unbelievably satiating love story which is funny, clever, spirited, sharp and sexy as it can be, yet not bereft of a scandal and secrets. As much as it is a story full of fun and laughter, It’s In His Heart is also a story of new beginnings and second chances.

#Received an uncorrected proof advance reader's e-copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

[Mars Girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main male character, Coop, in this book is terrible. He has no redeeming qualities. He is a womanizer and possessive (that scene with Ella's friends in the restaurant??) and insecure. I could not buy this relationship, even with Ella wanting to take a walk on the wild side. Guys like Coop are someone you have one guilty fling with... and then you move on.

And as someone who was once a grieving widow myself, I just couldnt buy that this horrible man could be Ella's next love of her life. This is not how a widow gets over her lost loved one--by moving to the next man. I know it's supposed to be two years, but COME ON. She was still in the grieving cycle if she was still wearing the ring up until her encounters with Coop and she still had tears about Bradley's death. So, no matter how much time has passed, Coop is her rebound guy. How I got over the loss of my husband: I learned to like myself and like myself as a single person. I would have much preferred this novel end on a break up with Ella realizing this about herself and MOVING THE HELL ON to another town as she planned where she could find herself and love and happiness with someone not connected to her late husband.

And just as if I'd had a cheap one-night stand, I felt guilty about enjoying the several well-described (but still silly) sex scenes in this book.

THUMBS DOWN. It's this kind of trash that keeps women on the wrong path to men who treat them rottenly. Can we have a sexually charging romantic novel with a strong female character who doesnt need to be rescued by a big burly man, please???

[Gutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contemporary Romance

3 out of 5 stars

Explicit sex scenes

The premise begins with the main character Ella Dennings arriving at her joint owned cabin to spend the summer to process her grief. She arrives during a rainstorm and her vehicle is stuck in the muddy rain. With her husban’ds English bulldog in tow, she makes her way to the cabin, only to find her husband’s best friend attacking her with a baseball bat. She retaliates with a can of pepper spray.

Cooper Wells is staying at the cabin in Red Rivers to the legal problems he involved himself in with a troublesome woman, determine to make his life hell for dumping her. Cooper finds out Ella is staying the entire summer and he doesn’t believe he can stand to stay with the uptight no fun widow of his best friend.

The story continues from there, revealing Ella and Cooper’s shared past with Bradley, her deceased husband. The little details revealed along the way make the story interesting, although the attraction is always electric.

Jealousy, new friends and erotic novels make the story interesting, although some of the details are too far fetch. Like a scorned lumber-jacker driving Ella’s car off the road since she rebuffed his advances and humiliated him.

In the end, it is a time wasting story, that entertains with some silly details involving erotic novels. The characters feel real at times, but forced at times.

I enjoyed it, the flaws didn’t detract too much from the overall story.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s In His Heart is a romance by Shelly Alexander. It is book one in the Red River Valley novels duo. It is a very good book.
Cooper Wells and Bradley Dennings were friends since grade school. When he realized Cooper had dyslexia and it wasn’t being addressed, Bradley stepped in and helped Cooper with his reading and assignments. He continued to help him through chiropractic school. Both set up a practice in Albuquerque and did well until Bradley met Ella. When Bradley met Ella, it was love at first sight. He gave up his practice with Cooper because of the others in the practice. Ella and Cooper did not get along. Cooper resented her for taking his buddy away from him and also for the attraction she held for him. Ella found herself kissing Cooper one evening at the Red River cabin and felt guilty for doing it. She made excuses to stay away from the cabin for fear of seeing him. She married Bradley and hoped to live happily ever after; but that wasn’t to be. Bradley contracted cancer and after a long illness cared for by Ella, he died. Now Ella has come to the Red River cabin, jointly owned by Cooper and Bradley, to say goodbye to Bradley before moving on to start her life over somewhere else. Unfortunately, she finds Cooper living in the cabin trying to get away from his own legal problems. When neither will leave, they decide to share the cabin for the summer and ignore each other. Can that happen?

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 in the Red River Valley Novel...I loved it..Sweet and Really Touching..Love, and Loss..

Ella Dennings heads up to the Red River Valley Cabin where her husband took her on occasion...Since his passing she just could not stay in there home anymore..too many memories. Now this is one more chapter in saying goodbye to him..
The last person she expects to see at the cabin is Cooper Wells. Bradley's best friend..who long story short hated her, and when Bradley got sick never came to see him, just dismissed him. Her pleas for him to come see Bradley were unheard.

Now they were staying at the cabin together because they both owned half of it. He was hiding something from her and vice versa...He ends up telling her what scandal he's sort of hiding from..or laying low from..She can't say what her secret is..

The more time they spend together in the cabin something sparks between them.. The only things that are standing in there way are the feelings she still holds for Bradley..

So now will Ella be able to let go and move on? And once Coop finds out her secret what will he do?
The love and hate relationship between these two is really great. They both love and lost the same person. Even feel quilty for have feelings for each other.

A beautiful story...Can't wait to read #2 It's In His Touch...it's out now..

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ella was married to Coop's best friend Bradley for years until she lost him to cancer. When Bradley passed away he left his cabin to both of them. After 2 years of mourning his death, Ella decides it's time to move on but before she does she want to spend some time at the cabin because it was his favorite place. She doesn't expect Coop to be there when she gets there and she definitely doesn't expect the sparks between the two of them. Coop's character was labeled as the "bad boy" womanizer but he didn't come off that way to me at all. He actually seemed like a sweetheart and very loyal to the ones he loved. I had a little bit of trouble believing that someone would turn to erotic romance writing while their husband was dying in bed next to them, but other than that I enjoyed Ella's character too. I felt like the ending was a little too rushed though. There was so much build up that I was just hoping for something more.