Things have gotten downright smoldering in Cotton Creek. The oil boom has the town bursting at the seams, and has Cody and Hannah run ragged with the bar being packed every night. Leave it to their mama to come up with a solution.
Stella talks to her sister, who, in turn, manipulates her son, Cade to go to Cotton Creek and help his cousins out. After all, he has nothing really on his plate. He just sold a casino in Atlanta City and has no idea what he wants to do next.
Cade isn't keen on the idea, but his mother traps him with the old "family helps family" thing so to Cotton Creek he goes. What were the odds that a month after he arrives, Roxie Ellis' 1957 T-bird would break down just outside of Cotton Creek and she'd be needing a job to make enough to affect repairs?
Gambler's luck? Maybe. Whatever the case, sparks fly at first glance and before you can call red on a roulette wheel, Cade and Roxie are neck deep in what is surely the most erotic bet of their lives.
The problem is, the bet becomes a whole lot more serious than either of them plan and soon Cade is Playing for Keeps.
Ciana Stone has been reading since the age of three, and wrote her first story at age five. Since then she enjoyed writing as a solitary form of entertainment, before coming out of the closet to share her stories with others. She holds several post graduate degrees and has often been referred to as a professional student. Her latest fields of interest are quantum mechanics and Taoism. When she is not writing (or studying) she enjoys painting (canvas, not walls), sculpting, running, hiking and yoga. She lives with her longtime lover in several locations in the United States.
I really like this series. I never thought I would be into a cowboy-country romance series, but this one has really interesting characters. Each book focuses on particular people from the town of Cotton Creek and this particular book centers on the relationship between Cade and Roxie. I love that the female characters are really strong and tough, the men are "manly", and it seems like these could all be real people. The romance is hot and sexy, but there are also sweet and funny moments as well. The eavesdropping, gossip-mongering, little old ladies in the story add a touch of humor and levity to the book.
I listened to the Audible audio edition of this book narrated by J. Scott Bennett. I have loved everything that I have heard him narrate (and I've listened to quite a few as I jump on anything I see his name on). He gives each character a unique voice, so you don't have a hard time following which character is doing the talking. I can't say enough good things about his narrations.
If you like sexy country romances, I highly recommend this book (or any others in the series).
I like Ciana Stone's work. I like the fact that some of the guys were 40+.
I really had a hard time keeping track of who was with whom? (Who?) I know the main story was supposed to be about Cade and Roxie. But then to throw in Hanna and Cooper, Jagger and Cody, Jasper and Dini, etc., was way too much.
I really kind of lost interest as I started to lose track of the couple's and struggled to follow the storylines. The disgruntled parents, the oil companies, the corrupt, sneaky father, the ex-fiance, and on and on and on. Once again, too much.
Cade and Roxie are gamblers who only bet on sure things. So, when they make a very friendly wager on Roxie’s staying in Cotton Creek, little do they know they just may be playing for keeps. I wasn’t sure that Cade’s and Roxie’s characters would mesh. They seemed such opposites, but as you get to know them you feel their attraction. One of the things I love about these stories is getting a look into the lives of the other characters and their relationships. The path to love is never smooth, and there’s plenty of bumps along the way for our Cotton Creek friends with some surprising twists and turns. And in the midst of sorting out love triangles, the “feud” between fathers and sons heats up but with a completely unexpected outcome. This tale has a lot going on to keep you turning the pages from start to finish. There’s always something to capture your interest and likely tug at your heartstrings when you take time to stop for a visit in Cotton Creek.
I read this book several years ago and I have fallen in love with this entire series all over again! The once quiet little town of Cotton Creek has hit an oil boom and I wish I could move there. I really love that Ms. Stone puts in some older men and even women in her books because not everyone is in their 20's! This book has so many strings coming together and so many new ones starting. You feel as though you are really there and part of the action, not just watching one couple but a whole town worth of people. So realistic to life! J Scott Bennett continues to narrate and he brings with him a somewhat raspy voice that fits so well with the tome of the story. I could listen to him narrate all day!
This book is like all of my favorite romances. Quick, easy with a little bit of drama to keep you interested plus cowboys! I am excited to read all six in the series. This was four and it is fun already knowing so many of the characters in the story.
ARC review/ audible For honest review. Cade is coming home to cotton creek after selling his casino. Where he meets roxie who finds her way from Vegas there with her friend. This town is getting bite by the love bug.Awesome story 10 stars.
I say you should read this series in order. I didn't and I had to read it twice to figure out all the characters, and there are a lot of them. My final rating is for the audiobook, 3 stars as a stand alone and 4 stars if you have read the other books in the series first. The story takes place in a town called Cotton Creek Texas. The players are Cody and Hannah Sweet who each own a third share in the local saloon. Their cousin Cade, who comes to town to help them manage the bar. The girls passing through town Roxy and Deanie driving from Vegas with a destination of Mexico when their car breaks down. The town is going through a boom thanks to a new oil producing well and all the workers that come with it. The girls Roxy and Deanie take jobs in the town and this is the story of their adventures and the people that have always lived here. I enjoyed the story, but as I said it would have been clearer had I started at the beginning of the series. I have two more books narrated by Scott Bennett and am looking forward to listening to them. Very good job with all the different characters Scott! I received this audiobook for free from the narrator or author in exchange for an honest review.
This story is initially about Roxie and Cade, but it has so much about the other characters and the relationships they are starting. The book did get a little confusing for me with so much going on, but after re-reading a few things it was a really good story. I was glad to see how it turned out with the dads and very surprised at the same time. Patiently waiting for the next book ...
This was a great story, it was a good fit with the series. I was a little unsure because Cade had not been really mentioned before, but it was a really great read. Loved the background players filling in and rounding out the series as a whole. Each book brings the town to life. And I feel there is so much more I'd like to know.
Another great addition to the Honky Tonk Angels series.
First, let’s start with that cover – oh my! It’s rare these days when the cover model actually looks like the character described in the book. It’s refreshing to have a contemporary romance involve adult, even slightly older adult, characters. There are so many new adult stories on the market these days.
This story introduces us to Cade, a cousin of Hannah and Cody who run the Honky Tonk Angels bar. Cade is restless after selling his casino, so he agrees to move to Cotton Creek to manage the bar and give Hannah and Cody some much needed help.
Soon, best friends Dini and Roxie decided to ditch Las Vegas and hit the road. Their car breaks down just outside Cotton Creek, so they end up in town looking for work to pay for the car repairs. As soon as Cade and Roxie meet, there are sparks of immediate attraction, but Roxie just wants to get her car fixed and get out of town. Cade makes a bet with her, a very naughty bet, gambling on keeping her around for a while. He also hires her to work at the bar.
Dini seems to be settling in and is content to make a life in Cotton Creek. Roxie wants to keep moving. Turns out Roxie is hiding some big secrets, ones that even Dini does not know. Cade continues to pursue Roxie and helps her reveal and deal with those secrets. Coming to a nice ending to their story.
There is a big surprise event near the end involving several other characters. This event involves a special character that has appeared in each of the books. He makes these books just a little different and a little more special than your typical cowboy romance.
Parts of the story continue from the previous books in the series, so there are many familiar characters. The old power struggle revolving around the Cotton Creek Energy Company and the spurned fathers returns with an interesting conclusion at the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the story as the relationships grew and developed. My only complaint is that the book is short and the ending seemed to wrap up very quickly.
Playing for Keeps (Honky Tonk Angels Book 5) by Ciana Stone is an exceptional read! This book is slam packed with romance. Not just between Cade and Roxie, but several of the secondary characters start romances that we’ll hopefully get to read more about in the next book. The chemistry between Roxie and Cade is off the charts, and if he favors that sexy hunk of man on the cover I can see why. The plot is very interesting and I really enjoyed the witty, flirtatious banter between the sassy heroine and the determined hero. Mysteries were even spread throughout the story, such as company sabotage, and misheard words by a snoop. The author clearly understands the workings of a small town, especially the gossip grapevine, which added entertainment to the story. The mysteries that most intrigued me were those concerning Roxie, as to her real reason for leaving Vegas, and her steadfast determination to not become involved with Cade. I really enjoyed Cade’s dogged pursuit and how Roxie challenged him, especially the bets that were wagered. Roxie is quite the savvy negotiator with a very interesting background. Cade makes a great hero, as I love it that a man of his age and financial stature still says yes ma’am to his mother. I like bad boy heroes too, but love a man with manners. The romance progressed at a natural pace and was very believable. This author truly understands love and that a person’s world can indeed change in one kiss, when you find the right one. It’s a very refreshing change that Cade’s character is not a 20 something, but a more mature man. Sure I like the occasional college jock hero, or cougar romance, but my twenties are long gone, and I find I relate better to a hero closer to my own age. So please, Ms. Stone, keep cranking out those sexy silver foxes. All in all, I really enjoyed Playing for Keeps, and highly recommend it. It can be read as a standalone, even though it’s part of the Honky Tonk Angels Series, but I can’t wait for the next book to see what Hannah and Cody and the rest of the town’s residents get into. I received an ARC of this title for an honest review.
Things have gotten downright smoldering in Cotton Creek. The oil boom has the town bursting at the seams, and has Cody and Hannah run ragged with the bar being packed every night. Leave it to their mama to come up with a solution.
Stella talks to her sister, who, in turn, manipulates her son, Cade (Cody and Hannah's cousin) to go to Cotton Creek and help them out. After all, he has nothing really on his plate. He just sold a casino in Atlanta City and has no idea what he wants to do next.
Cade isn't keen on the idea, but his mother traps him with the old "family helps family" thing so to Cotton Creek he goes. What were the odds that a month after he arrives, Roxie Ellis' 1957 T-bird would break down just outside of Cotton Creek and she'd be needing a job to make enough to affect repairs?
Gambler's luck? Maybe. Whatever the case, sparks fly at first glance and before you can call red on a roulette wheel, Cade and Roxie are neck deep in what is surely the most erotic bet of their lives.
The problem is, the bet becomes a whole lot more serious than either of them plan and soon Cade is Playing for Keeps.
Smoldering is absolutely right with book 5 of the Honky Tonk Angels series. I absolutely loved this book! I think it is the best so far!! Cade & Roxie are breathtaking and made for each other. It just takes Roxie a little longer to figure it out. Hannah & Cooper, Dini & Jasper and Cody & Riggs and the rest of Cotton Creek....So many great characters. I loved the interaction of the small town folks. So many emotions and feelings. Ciana is one of my favorites! She sucks you right in the story. Highly recommended! You will not be disappointed. Thank you so much!
I enjoyed this book just as I have all of the Honky Tonk Angels books. This is the first one to have both main characters come from out of Cotton Creek but Ciana Stone made it work, just as she always does. The family connections are there, and all of our favorite characters are present and in full force throughout this book. The twists in this book were very unexpected. Honestly, about halfway through the book, I had no clue where it was going to go. Roxie and Cade are fabulous additions to the Cotton Creek family, and I look forward to seeing more of them. I will also say that you need to read the previous books before this one. Not only does Ciana focus on Roxie and Cade, she continues to work through the HEAs of the characters we have seen in previous books, and even those who are completely happy still show up and have their say throughout this book. You will be completely lost if you haven't read the rest of the books. On that note, I would also like to point out how skilled Ciana is in weaving all of these characters' stories together throughout this series and keeping them straight. I just love it and can't wait for the next book!
What can I say.. :) Another great read in this great series. This time round we have three couples forming. :) And we see my favourite Angel - Joe. The main couple has to be Roxie and Cade. Roxie has left Vegas after some emotional personal events in her life. She and her bestie end up in town due to her car breaking down. They semi settle with work and meet the locals who take them in, of course. :) Cade is a cousin to Cody and Hannah, and we see him come to stay and help with the business. He see’s Roxie and decides she will be his. It’s a fun clash, then battle of wills as they play out their budding relationship. Then there’s Hannah who likes Cooper. He likes her and they too, start on their journey, with a few hiccups along the way from an nasty ‘x’ and family! :) The 3rd couple is of course - Cody and Riggs, who we met in the last book when he helped Callie. They dance around each other, but their is a cheeky banter going on that draws each to the other. It’s also a great budding relationship. There are of course other events all are involved with and in, but all part of the overall story, which flows so well. Even enjoyed the old ‘biddie’ getting a telling off their gossiping. A long time coming but I’m sure t won’t stop them. :) It was fun and loved it. Despite the number of couples, the book flowed so well, as do all by Ciana Stone. Again, I can’t wait for more on these couples and families. There are still a few who need their stories told. :) Again, I was so very lucky to receive a copy for an open and honest review. Thanks again for another great read. :)
Cade Beckett felt it was time to move on to something else. He had made a success of the hotel and casino he owned and was ready for more in his life. Then his mom called and asked if he could help out his two cousins by running their bar so they could get a break and take care of their other work challenges. So he move home to help out his family.
Roxie and Dini were heading to Mexico from Vegas after Dini caught her boyfriend cheating on her. On the way, Dini suggested that instead they find a small town to settle in with real jobs, something totally different from being a Vegas showgirl. As if on cue, the car fell apart all over the road, dropping engine parts all over the highway!
Dini quickly got a job at the town’s diner and Roxie met Cade who offered her a job at the bar he was managing for his cousins. Because Cade was attracted to her, and she would not date someone she worked for, he drew her into a bet. If she could resist him for 3 weeks, she would get a big bonus and he would fix her car so she could leave. Otherwise, they would be seeing a whole lot more of each other! She could hold out for 3 weeks, right?
I loved this book! It was home and family and relationships and it just felt so right. The characters were so real that they felt like good friends. The action never stopped, with mysteries and double-dealing going on all around. I highly recommend this incredible book. It has everything you need to keep you intrigued and eagerly turning the pages.
When I open one of this author's novels I know I will be in real deep with some hot serious lovin with many a twist when least expected. This one is no exception with it being another in this series that I have come to adore causing me to race to read the next one as they become available. The line up of characters have embedded themselves plus new ones that stroll on in like in this one. I have also enjoyed this family named Sweet that catch you in their circle better than any night time drama. Roxie and Cade will be the prominent ones but also will get more on what the other two are going in what direction with their lives that Cade's cousins will be part of why you won't catch your breath. You will also get to see the power of words and wrongly spoken take place what can occur. The twists will be waiting to snare you with that touch of what makes this series one of the reasons I so delight in reading it like in the title. Sneaky too on the part of this author because as we finish each one it is harder to leave with hanging around not far fetched in a desire to see what unfolds next.
This book really caught my attention from the beginning and kept it til the end and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The story covers Cade Beckett who just sold his casino and hotel in Atlantic City when his mother phones him and asks for help to run a bar in Cotton Creek. Dini Merrill caught her boyfriend cheating on her, so Dini and her friend Roxie Ellis decide they are going to Mexico but as luck would have it, the car breaks down outside Cotton Creek, now this is where the story really gets interesting. What you will find in this story is drama, suspense, mystery, some twists, some humor, secrets, attractions, guilt, misunderstandings, arch enemies, sabotage, emotional feelings, love and some mild erotic scenes. The story-line and plot is well thought out and written, the pace was steady and not rushed. The characters have needs and desires according to their personality. I would recommend this book to people that like to read a well written and entertaining story with a happy ending.
This Series Just Keeps Getting Better & Better! I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. The writing is so good it draws you in to the characters and their world and you just want more. The narrator is so good at bringing these characters and their story to life that it keeps you wanting more. The story development just keeps getting better and better that I am totally hooked and can't wait for the last book to be released to audio. This story can be read as a standalone with the back stories mentioned enough that you don't feel lost, but if you do start with this book I highly recommend that you go back and read/listen to the rest because they are so good. I highly recommend this book and series.
If the cover alone is enough to steal your breath away...just wait until you read the book! Ciana Stone takes us back to Cotton Creek for her fifth book in the Honky Tonk Angels series, and man oh man is it a good one! While this book can be read as a standalone book, there are plenty of characters that you've met before. I don't want to give too much away...but the Sweet girls (Hannah and Cody) are both hot on the trail of what we've come to know as "The One."
You've got to read this book...heck, you need to read the whole series. Be prepared to both laugh and cry! (I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
This is a standalone but reading the others in the series gives you a much better background of Cotton Creek and finding “The One”. One click and you will not go wrong, awesome read ! ! !
Had the 1st book in this series Honky Tonk Angels, decided to read it and then got the rest of the books 2 thru 4 on KU before starting this book and boy am I glad I did! ! ! You get to meet up with some old friends from the other 4 books and how they all intertwine together.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series......Ciana Stone you have done it again! !
Roxie is running away, taking her friend Dini with her. Their car breaks down outside of Cotton Creek. Their lives change in ways they never expected. Love is everywhere in Cotton Creek as Roxie falls for Cade, Dini for Jasper, Hannah for Cooper, and Cody for Jaxon. Nothing goes smoothly but trust in each other helps them work through misunderstandings, machinations, and near-death accidents. There were quite a few pairings in this story, so it was a bit hard to keep up, but I enjoyed all the characters. I recommend this story along with the rest of the series.
I received a copy of this book through Candid Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
So Roxie is a girl with a rough past. When a chance to change her life comes up she takes it by the horns with her best friend Dini. When going to their destination, they run to trouble they definitely didnt expect to happen to their hearts. Beckett may be the playboy of the past. But something keeps driving him back to the tiny town he hasn't called home in forever. And to make matters worse a little spitfire walks into town and won't get outta his mind. But the infamous Beckett gambling side will not give up that easily and would love to find out what makes her tick and get hot under that collar. With the bet set and almost matching terms. Who will win?
Playing for Keeps: Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5 : Ciana Stone
Book 5 in this series picks up on newcomer Roxie and Cade who has returned to help his cousins run "The Honky Tonk Angels," since it became so busy. There are other romances and a bit of skulduggery by family members. The eavesdropping gossipy old ladies add humor. This is such a fun series, I can't wait for more.
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. J. Scott Bennett voices these characters and brings them to life.
"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
This as always was a hott hott story by ciana stone. The characters are so funny and sweet and yet bad ass and amazing. This is the 5th story in this series, and thankfully you don't have to read the others to understand this story but a lot of characters do show up that we have seen before. The imagery was amazing and made me feel as if I was there with them. I saw things with them. I loved the intrique and the just all around good feeling that this book gave me. amazing and im so glad i got to review it
Playing for Keeps by Ciana Stone is a fast paced book. This book is fairly short, an excellent choice for those with limited time for reading. Other than a couple typo kind of errors, this is a well written book. Ms Stone has delivered awesome characters. Roxie and Cade's story has plenty of drama, humor and spice. I enjoyed reading Playing for Keeps and look forward to reading more from Ciana Stone in the future. Playing for Keeps is book 5 of the Honky Tonk Angels Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.