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Hearts and Ashes #1
Smoke
Smoke Montoya… Ex-Navy SEAL. Wanderer.
A man can’t change his past. Yet there Smoke was, forced to deal with the deaths of his parents in the wake of a deadly Texas twister. He no longer belongs at their ranch, the Lost Chaparral; he’s not sure he ever did. Face to face with regret for words unspoken, he plans to sell the place and move out. It’s a solid exit strategy: Get in and get out before the Devil knows he's there. It would’ve worked until that frisky herd of Texas Longhorns showed up.
Jessie West… Super model. New York’s latest flavor of the month.
She’s only come back to Texas to bury her brother Ethan and to sell the family farm before the press catches wind she’s not at the swimsuit shoot in Cannes, France. The only obstacle to her devious plan is the cowboy who lives down the road. The one who started a fire in her belly when she was just a kid in pigtails. The one who’s as elusive as… Smoke.
A man can’t change his past. Yet there Smoke was, forced to deal with the deaths of his parents in the wake of a deadly Texas twister. He no longer belongs at their ranch, the Lost Chaparral; he’s not sure he ever did. Face to face with regret for words unspoken, he plans to sell the place and move out. It’s a solid exit strategy: Get in and get out before the Devil knows he's there. It would’ve worked until that frisky herd of Texas Longhorns showed up.
Jessie West… Super model. New York’s latest flavor of the month.
She’s only come back to Texas to bury her brother Ethan and to sell the family farm before the press catches wind she’s not at the swimsuit shoot in Cannes, France. The only obstacle to her devious plan is the cowboy who lives down the road. The one who started a fire in her belly when she was just a kid in pigtails. The one who’s as elusive as… Smoke.
- GenresRomance
ebook
First published January 17, 2017
14 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Irish Winters
50 books182 followersGrowing up in the countryside of Wisconsin, I always wanted to be a writer. I've dabbled in poetry, short stories, and more daydreaming than most. Way back when, I remember long Sunday afternoon drives with my parents where they'd
tell us eight kids to, 'Look out the window and see something!'
I've been looking out the window ever since . . .
In the great Northwest pines, I saw a woman who had nowhere to run find refuge in the arms of a tender warrior seeking his own road to healing.
In the hills of Wyoming, I saw a broken man who thought he'd lost everything
rediscover the man he was in the eyes of a pretty girl.
And in the Dairy State, (yes Wisconsin), I saw two people fall in love
and overcome horrific obstacles on their way to happily-ever-after.
Life is short. Pick up a good book. Read. Write. Enjoy.
Look out the window and see something!
tell us eight kids to, 'Look out the window and see something!'
I've been looking out the window ever since . . .
In the great Northwest pines, I saw a woman who had nowhere to run find refuge in the arms of a tender warrior seeking his own road to healing.
In the hills of Wyoming, I saw a broken man who thought he'd lost everything
rediscover the man he was in the eyes of a pretty girl.
And in the Dairy State, (yes Wisconsin), I saw two people fall in love
and overcome horrific obstacles on their way to happily-ever-after.
Life is short. Pick up a good book. Read. Write. Enjoy.
Look out the window and see something!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 19, 2017
I am a true fan of Irish Winters and always know to have tissues handy when reading one of her books, they are always emotional and heart-warming. This first book in the Hearts and Ashes series introduces us to Smoke and Jessica. Though their lives took them in different directions, Smoke and Jessica are brought together again having returned home due to the loss of family members. Their love story is emotional and heartwarming as the entire community rallies around them in their time of need. Thank you again Irish Winters for your amazing stories. I received this book for an honest review and am more than happy to give it a high recommendation.
September 2, 2018
Smoke, his real name, came home from assignment in the Far East. His first time back since he'd left at his father's command not to return. His father couldn't turn him away from their ranch now. A tornado had taken both parents. The only good thing about returning was Jessie. His neighbor, best friend's little sister, and his only love. He'd gone to work for Uncle Sam and she'd gone to become a world famous model. They'd both succeeded. Now they were both home. Both had lost her brother, he his parents and his friend.
The two had another chance. Would they take it? Were they satisfied even happy where their lives had led them?
This is a love story of taking the chance rather than a second chance. There is plenty of steam--years worth of waiting. Wanting. Jessie lost her only family. The brother who raised her when her parents died in her teens and who advised and hired her manager. Now she had no one to turn to, or did she?
There is danger, an awakening of unknown support, friends, loyalty, and emotions. The secondary characters are likable and the couple one you need to find their HEA.
This is a great start to the series. I have already book two and love it as well--another 5 star read.
The two had another chance. Would they take it? Were they satisfied even happy where their lives had led them?
This is a love story of taking the chance rather than a second chance. There is plenty of steam--years worth of waiting. Wanting. Jessie lost her only family. The brother who raised her when her parents died in her teens and who advised and hired her manager. Now she had no one to turn to, or did she?
There is danger, an awakening of unknown support, friends, loyalty, and emotions. The secondary characters are likable and the couple one you need to find their HEA.
This is a great start to the series. I have already book two and love it as well--another 5 star read.
February 6, 2017
This was a first for me reading anything by Mrs. Winters. Though I will admit that this book was a bit difficult to get into at first. I thought it moved a little bit more slow than to my liking. And a little bit confusing, until some things get explained.
I loved Smoke in this book. I just loved his name alone.... But I loved him more when we got to know him better. I really felt for the loss of both his parents, even though he hadn't spoken to either of them in year's.
Ummm Jessie definitely takes some warming up to and I don't think I've read any characters like her.
This book I will admit got so much better by the middle and end that I didn't want it to end. There were definitely some twists to this book.
I'm giving this book 4 Stars out of 5!!!!
***I received an ARC of this book for my honest review***
January 20, 2017
Deep in the jungles of Vietnam on his way to Cambodia, ex-Navy Seal Smoke Montoya receives a call that his parents have perished in a deadly tornado. Returning home, he runs into Jessie West, who has returned home to bury her brother, Ethan, Smoke's long time friend. Jessie was the little pig-tailed girl who always followed Smoke and Ethan around, but she is now a renowned super model. Both must come to terms with their losses, their future and a budding romance. Then, there is also the problem of a crooked land developer and a greedy business manager. This is another great story from Irish Winters. She knows how to write hot romance with lots of action, suspense, twists and turns to go along with it.
February 6, 2017
Irish Winters has done it again! Every time I read one of her books I say "this is my very favorite book" well all of her books are my favorite books and this one is no exception. Death and disaster bring two old flames back together and the trials for them begin and get really interesting for them. This is a MUST read for you as are all of Irish Winter's books if you haven't started them yet!
I volunteered to read this book!
I volunteered to read this book!
January 26, 2017
Wonderful
I loved everything about Smoke! Irish Winters has the most wonderful stories I wait on pins and needles for the next ones to be published! I will always buy her books and will never miss one!!!
I loved everything about Smoke! Irish Winters has the most wonderful stories I wait on pins and needles for the next ones to be published! I will always buy her books and will never miss one!!!
January 31, 2017
Smoke and Jesse have a really emotional story. They’ve both lost so much. I think they helped saved each other. The ending action had me tearing up.
*I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book*
*I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book*
February 5, 2017
Love the Dallas Fire and Rescue Kindle Worlds. Not only are they great stories, but they can introduce you to new authors as well. I had read some of Ms. Winters books before and this just reinforces what a great writer she is.
May 11, 2017
Smoke, his real name, came home from assignment in the Far East. His first time back since he'd left at his father's command not to return. His father couldn't turn him away from their ranch now. A tornado had taken both parents. The only good thing about returning was Jessie. His neighbor, best friend's little sister, and his only love. He'd gone to work for Uncle Sam and she'd gone to become a world famous model. They'd both succeeded. Now they were both home. Both had lost her brother, he his parents and his friend.
The two had another chance. Would they take it? Were they satisfied even happy where their lives had led them?
This is a love story of taking the chance rather than a second chance. There is plenty of steam--years worth of waiting. Wanting. Jessie lost her only family. The brother who raised her when her parents died in her teens and who advised and hired her manager. Now she had no one to turn to, or did she?
There is danger, an awakening of unknown support, friends, loyalty, and emotions. The secondary characters are likable and the couple one you need to find their HEA.
This is a great start to the series. I have already book two and love it as well--another 5 star read.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
The two had another chance. Would they take it? Were they satisfied even happy where their lives had led them?
This is a love story of taking the chance rather than a second chance. There is plenty of steam--years worth of waiting. Wanting. Jessie lost her only family. The brother who raised her when her parents died in her teens and who advised and hired her manager. Now she had no one to turn to, or did she?
There is danger, an awakening of unknown support, friends, loyalty, and emotions. The secondary characters are likable and the couple one you need to find their HEA.
This is a great start to the series. I have already book two and love it as well--another 5 star read.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
August 14, 2021
Smoke and Jess
They grew up on joining Texas ranches. Her brother Ethan was Smoke's best friend. He was always in love with her but she was too young. Their lives separated he went into the service and she became a famous model. They were both came back to Texas. His parents died during a tornado and her brother during an accident after the tornado. The storm brought them together. Their love will keep them together.
What a story!! Very sizzling but beautiful love story
They grew up on joining Texas ranches. Her brother Ethan was Smoke's best friend. He was always in love with her but she was too young. Their lives separated he went into the service and she became a famous model. They were both came back to Texas. His parents died during a tornado and her brother during an accident after the tornado. The storm brought them together. Their love will keep them together.
What a story!! Very sizzling but beautiful love story
July 4, 2017
Jessie and Smoke
Irish Winters has another winner. It's well written and the characters are believable. It has plot twists that take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. What if I never had that last argument with my father. What if I'd stayed and become a rodeo queen instead of heading to New York City and a modeling career? Sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy.
Irish Winters has another winner. It's well written and the characters are believable. It has plot twists that take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. What if I never had that last argument with my father. What if I'd stayed and become a rodeo queen instead of heading to New York City and a modeling career? Sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy.
November 24, 2017
I really liked this book. It was fast moving from chapter to chapter. I seriously had a rough time putting it down. Irish Winters....this is a hit. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
May 27, 2017
Smokin' Hot!
Great read with strong characters and descriptive, emotional writing. If you need a great summer escape, I'd recommend the novel.
Great read with strong characters and descriptive, emotional writing. If you need a great summer escape, I'd recommend the novel.
April 1, 2018
Felt rushed. I didn’t connect with the characters. I wasn’t really interested in their story.
October 9, 2018
I received an early copy of the book free and I am glad I did. This is the first book in a new series...Hearts and Ashes...and I look forward to following the series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews