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Letters to Dogwood
Their adventures lead to love...but can they weather past their difficult families?
She isn’t afraid to run away to get what she wants…
After creating a scandal in Atlanta, Lucy Ricci catches the first train back to Texas to be with her beloved Papa and the Dogwood Hotel that she grew up in. For a single woman traveling in the 1880s, obstacles await at every turn. The surly cowboy she crosses paths with says he wants nothing to do with her, and yet pops up when she needs it the most. The harder the journey becomes, the more her feelings for Ben grow–but when she finally arrives home, all is not as it seems.
He’s tired of running from his past…
Ben Stone learned the hard way not to get close to women, and he’s ready to atone for his sins. After five years, it’s time to return to Texas to make amends with the little brother he’d abandoned, raised by their hard-hearted father. He didn’t count on meeting a stubborn, alluring runaway with a penchant for trouble. His plans didn’t include Lucy, but his conscience won, and he reluctantly escorts her back to Texas. He leaves her in Dogwood and sets off to rebuild the tenuous relationship with his brother, sure that he’s washed his hands of her for good.
When letters to Dogwood aren't enough….
When life’s difficulties threaten to wear them down, they find solace in writing letters to each other…until it’s not enough. Can Lucy convince him of the strength of her feelings? Can Ben overcome his fear of repeating the past and take a chance on her? Can they navigate through past mistakes and family adversities that threaten their budding relationship…together?
Letters to Dogwood is a lengthy Historical Romance set in 1880sTexas, and is the first in A Texas Bloom Series, but can be read as a standalone. Due to violence, graphic language, and explicit sexual scenes, it is recommended for readers 18+.
She isn’t afraid to run away to get what she wants…
After creating a scandal in Atlanta, Lucy Ricci catches the first train back to Texas to be with her beloved Papa and the Dogwood Hotel that she grew up in. For a single woman traveling in the 1880s, obstacles await at every turn. The surly cowboy she crosses paths with says he wants nothing to do with her, and yet pops up when she needs it the most. The harder the journey becomes, the more her feelings for Ben grow–but when she finally arrives home, all is not as it seems.
He’s tired of running from his past…
Ben Stone learned the hard way not to get close to women, and he’s ready to atone for his sins. After five years, it’s time to return to Texas to make amends with the little brother he’d abandoned, raised by their hard-hearted father. He didn’t count on meeting a stubborn, alluring runaway with a penchant for trouble. His plans didn’t include Lucy, but his conscience won, and he reluctantly escorts her back to Texas. He leaves her in Dogwood and sets off to rebuild the tenuous relationship with his brother, sure that he’s washed his hands of her for good.
When letters to Dogwood aren't enough….
When life’s difficulties threaten to wear them down, they find solace in writing letters to each other…until it’s not enough. Can Lucy convince him of the strength of her feelings? Can Ben overcome his fear of repeating the past and take a chance on her? Can they navigate through past mistakes and family adversities that threaten their budding relationship…together?
Letters to Dogwood is a lengthy Historical Romance set in 1880sTexas, and is the first in A Texas Bloom Series, but can be read as a standalone. Due to violence, graphic language, and explicit sexual scenes, it is recommended for readers 18+.
519 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2022
28 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Fischer
5 books30 followersTanya Fischer lives on a little Texas homestead with her husband, two children, and their pets (of which there are chickens). When she's not reading, she is writing. She has a passion for romance of every genre, though her heart lies in Historical Romance. She left her job in education and has pursued her dream of writing full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 17, 2023
I hated this book so much. DNF 60%.
This wasn’t worth even one star and if I could punch any book in the face it would be this one.
This book would be better if it had 50% fewer words, 100% fewer similes and overall if the author relaxed and stopped trying so hard.
This author threw everything she had into this; every terrible thing happened to these two, every character in it had a full description (even side characters who barely had names), the heroine was a perfectly perfect snowflake who every man wanted, every villain was deeply evil but had no real motivation for it other than that they were jerks and the level of melodrama was intolerable for me. At its core, it did have a compelling love story but I just couldn’t get past the writing. It felt like the author deliberately tried to make the sentences cumbersome and was showing off her prose skills with unnecessarily fancy word choices and often misused them. I read a lot of historical romance, which is known for being densely worded, but this was beyond. It’s glaringly obvious this is a debut novel by an indy author. Glaringly.
I don’t think I will ever pick up another book by this author, I don’t have the patience.
This wasn’t worth even one star and if I could punch any book in the face it would be this one.
This book would be better if it had 50% fewer words, 100% fewer similes and overall if the author relaxed and stopped trying so hard.
This author threw everything she had into this; every terrible thing happened to these two, every character in it had a full description (even side characters who barely had names), the heroine was a perfectly perfect snowflake who every man wanted, every villain was deeply evil but had no real motivation for it other than that they were jerks and the level of melodrama was intolerable for me. At its core, it did have a compelling love story but I just couldn’t get past the writing. It felt like the author deliberately tried to make the sentences cumbersome and was showing off her prose skills with unnecessarily fancy word choices and often misused them. I read a lot of historical romance, which is known for being densely worded, but this was beyond. It’s glaringly obvious this is a debut novel by an indy author. Glaringly.
I don’t think I will ever pick up another book by this author, I don’t have the patience.
October 10, 2022
4.5 stars
Letters to Dogwood is chock full of emotions, slow burning romance, Western historical details, and characters overcoming challenges. The character and relationship development in this one are outstanding. I feel wrung out after finishing because I was so invested in Lucy (h) and Ben's (H) story. This is character-driven with both Lucy and Ben returning to places they haven't been in years to re-build their lives. Lucy is planning on working in her father's hotel and Ben is planning on buying a ranch. The book is written in third person, multi-POV. No ow drama (although there is one scene where someone tries to cause trouble but the H only sees the h), om drama (the h had a complicated relationship prior to meeting the H and this gentleman does pop back up at one point), h is a virgin and I believe H is not but no real details given, no bc.
Lucy is almost 18 when the story starts and she's running away from Atlanta, where her mother and sister live, back towards Texas where she grew up with her father. Lucy has quite a bit of growing up to do in this book and why she's running away is told in an extended flashback. Ben is 10 years older and they meet early in Lucy's trip. He both judges her for some of her poor choices, but also feels compelled to protect her and he does warm up to her fairly quickly. Lucy on the other hand immediately clings to Ben and feels a draw to him. Their relationship progression from strangers to a sort of friendship to lovers was complicated and beautiful. Ben especially had hesitations because of a past hurt and Lucy's age, he carries a lot of guilt. I'm sighing as I try to word my feelings. These two have many obstacles thrown in their paths, both in the trip and in other parts of the story, but they also find what they need in each other.
While this is a slow burn, it builds tension like crazy and then gets very steamy once their relationship moves into physical intimacy. Lots of emotional intimacy is built as well. Ben and Lucy are both able to be vulnerable with each other and while their relationship isn't always perfect, they try to communicate. There are some letters between them that happen during one part when they're sort of friends and sort of leaning towards more and I really enjoyed that touch, although I both wish it had been a longer section and was happy it wasn't because I needed them together.
Both also have angsty and awful family drama, it was honestly too much at times. Overall, this story had significantly more drama than I typically prefer and my heart was beating like crazy several places. I did cry while reading and there's one part where I knew everything was going to end up alright in the end (at least that's what I kept repeating to myself), but it was difficult to read because my emotions were so caught up in what was happening.
For readers who enjoy day-to-day details, this book has lots of these details that really paint a scene and the characters' experience. Sometimes these details did make the story feel a bit long though. Side characters, good and bad, play large roles throughout the book. There are some villains and some grey-ish characters you might end up changing your mind about at times. Also some supportive and wonderful characters who you'll love immediately. The author has a note at the end that two characters mentioned will get their story next and I'm interested to learn more about them as we know very little right now.
We get an extended epilogue 5 years out that perfectly wrapped up their HEA and made my heart so happy. I felt complete at the end, which is the best feeling after a highly emotional read. I can't believe this is the author's debut and I'm excited to see what else she comes up with.
Letters to Dogwood is chock full of emotions, slow burning romance, Western historical details, and characters overcoming challenges. The character and relationship development in this one are outstanding. I feel wrung out after finishing because I was so invested in Lucy (h) and Ben's (H) story. This is character-driven with both Lucy and Ben returning to places they haven't been in years to re-build their lives. Lucy is planning on working in her father's hotel and Ben is planning on buying a ranch. The book is written in third person, multi-POV. No ow drama (although there is one scene where someone tries to cause trouble but the H only sees the h), om drama (the h had a complicated relationship prior to meeting the H and this gentleman does pop back up at one point), h is a virgin and I believe H is not but no real details given, no bc.
Lucy is almost 18 when the story starts and she's running away from Atlanta, where her mother and sister live, back towards Texas where she grew up with her father. Lucy has quite a bit of growing up to do in this book and why she's running away is told in an extended flashback. Ben is 10 years older and they meet early in Lucy's trip. He both judges her for some of her poor choices, but also feels compelled to protect her and he does warm up to her fairly quickly. Lucy on the other hand immediately clings to Ben and feels a draw to him. Their relationship progression from strangers to a sort of friendship to lovers was complicated and beautiful. Ben especially had hesitations because of a past hurt and Lucy's age, he carries a lot of guilt. I'm sighing as I try to word my feelings. These two have many obstacles thrown in their paths, both in the trip and in other parts of the story, but they also find what they need in each other.
While this is a slow burn, it builds tension like crazy and then gets very steamy once their relationship moves into physical intimacy. Lots of emotional intimacy is built as well. Ben and Lucy are both able to be vulnerable with each other and while their relationship isn't always perfect, they try to communicate. There are some letters between them that happen during one part when they're sort of friends and sort of leaning towards more and I really enjoyed that touch, although I both wish it had been a longer section and was happy it wasn't because I needed them together.
Both also have angsty and awful family drama, it was honestly too much at times. Overall, this story had significantly more drama than I typically prefer and my heart was beating like crazy several places. I did cry while reading and there's one part where I knew everything was going to end up alright in the end (at least that's what I kept repeating to myself), but it was difficult to read because my emotions were so caught up in what was happening.
For readers who enjoy day-to-day details, this book has lots of these details that really paint a scene and the characters' experience. Sometimes these details did make the story feel a bit long though. Side characters, good and bad, play large roles throughout the book. There are some villains and some grey-ish characters you might end up changing your mind about at times. Also some supportive and wonderful characters who you'll love immediately. The author has a note at the end that two characters mentioned will get their story next and I'm interested to learn more about them as we know very little right now.
We get an extended epilogue 5 years out that perfectly wrapped up their HEA and made my heart so happy. I felt complete at the end, which is the best feeling after a highly emotional read. I can't believe this is the author's debut and I'm excited to see what else she comes up with.
September 10, 2024
This book is too long but worth my time 🫶🏻
I like this kind of story and the plot development, I don't know if this is the author's first book or not but it's good and i enjoyed Lucy and Ben's journey ❤️ I'm so excited to read the rest of the series, even the hero's manwhore brother’s book. Lol.
Anyway i hope the author keeps writing about MMCs who’re loyal to their FMCs like this one here.
~ Note :
I hate the MCs's parents I HATE THEM SO FK MUCH 🤬🤬, their scenes made my blood boil so fast every time they show up.
Spoiler ahead
Things i liked :
* The heroine with a backbone. I liked when she was defending herself against her evil mother and sister even against the hero, she didn't take his bullshit when he was mean to her.
* Even though the hero tries to fight his attraction to the heroine, he cares deeply about her and makes sure she's okay 🫶🏻. I liked when she gives him the cold shoulder when he's being an ass to her then he feels guilty and wants her back to being friendly with him. He’s already falling for her 🤭
* I liked the easy friendship between the MCs 💕and she was the only person he told about his past, his mother and his dreams.
Things i didn't like :
* “The horny heroine” she is a teenager and curious about intimate stuff but still bothers to read about that and at some point she became needy and clingy! (i didn't like it but it didn't ruin the book for me)
__________
Safety:
— Age gap (10 years) : the h (18) / the H (28)
— Slow burn (strangers to friends to lovers)
— Push from the hero
— No Cheating
— OMD/Slight OWD (See notes below)
— Virgin heroine but she kissed other guys
— There is not much about the hero's past but I'm sure he has some experience but not a manwhore! and he wasn’t with other people after meeting the heroine (he only has eyes for her 💕)
“I’m plumb amazed. I thought for certain you were a woman hater.”
Ben stopped smiling long enough to glower at his idiot brother. “What damned fool notion made you think that?”
Junior shrugged and defended, “Well, in all the time you’ve been back, you haven’t taken up with any whores or widows. You’re not even wooing the neighbor’s daughter, and she’s right pretty.”
— HEA (5 years later with three sons)
__________
Notes :
— The hero was married 5/6 years ago to OW (his marriage was only for a few days and no s*x) she's not a woman he loves or anything she’s a stranger to him and his father told him to marry her, it was impossible to say no to him so he married her.
(On his wedding night, his bride became hysterical because she had been uninformed of the marital act (he said he stopped before he even started). She became afraid of him so they slept in separate rooms and he never had s*x with her. after a few days she ran away from him and made everyone believe he was an abusive husband and a rapist! later their marriage was an annulment and he left his town for a years because everyone saw him as a monster) (off page).
“She didn’t know a thing. I didn’t do much, couldn’t. I’m not one to keep goin’ when the female next to me starts shakin’ and cryin’.
**********
I stopped before I’d even started. It was clear enough she was terrified. I’m not a monster.”
(No scenes with this OW and she never appears in the book or cause any drama, it's just mentioned to know why the hero is insecure).
— OWD: One of the prostitutes sat on the hero’s lap and kissed his neck but he stood up and dropped her on the floor rudely (he is completely faithful to the heroine and only has eyes for her. His half-brother's cousin caused this minor drama he was the one who paid the prostitute to sit on the hero's lap. this scene didn't really bother me and this is coming from someone who hates OW drama with a passion). this causes some drama between the MCs but not for long.
— OMD :
(All of this happened at the beginning of the book and before the heroine met the hero)
OM was pursuing the heroine's mean sister for a months and supposed to propose to her (because his mother chose her) but he was attracted to the heroine so she decided to take advantage of his attraction and seduce him so he could send her letters to her father. Their relationship became more complicated! and sneak around behind their families (they were touching and kissing, didn't go any further than that) OM became more possessive and jealous of anyone who looked at the heroine and turns out that after his first kiss with the heroine he told his parents that he wanted to marry her not her sister (the heroine and her family didn’t know that he intended to propose to her instead of her sister and this caused a lot of drama between her and her family). The heroine thought for a moment that was OK to marry OM but he betrayed and lied to her, tbh he was a red flag walking! He had a lot of anger and possessive in bad way. The heroine ended up ran away to her father in Texas and meeting the hero for the first time on her way
~ Kissing scenes between the heroine and OM (I don't mind the OM’s drama so the scenes didn't bother me and repeat this happened before she met the hero)
This OM causes drama later after the MCs get engaged and he tried to rape the heroine but he was interrupted by her sister (on page).
I like this kind of story and the plot development, I don't know if this is the author's first book or not but it's good and i enjoyed Lucy and Ben's journey ❤️ I'm so excited to read the rest of the series, even the hero's manwhore brother’s book. Lol.
Anyway i hope the author keeps writing about MMCs who’re loyal to their FMCs like this one here.
~ Note :
I hate the MCs's parents I HATE THEM SO FK MUCH 🤬🤬, their scenes made my blood boil so fast every time they show up.
Spoiler ahead
Things i liked :
* The heroine with a backbone. I liked when she was defending herself against her evil mother and sister even against the hero, she didn't take his bullshit when he was mean to her.
* Even though the hero tries to fight his attraction to the heroine, he cares deeply about her and makes sure she's okay 🫶🏻. I liked when she gives him the cold shoulder when he's being an ass to her then he feels guilty and wants her back to being friendly with him. He’s already falling for her 🤭
* I liked the easy friendship between the MCs 💕and she was the only person he told about his past, his mother and his dreams.
Things i didn't like :
* “The horny heroine” she is a teenager and curious about intimate stuff but still bothers to read about that and at some point she became needy and clingy! (i didn't like it but it didn't ruin the book for me)
__________
Safety:
— Age gap (10 years) : the h (18) / the H (28)
— Slow burn (strangers to friends to lovers)
— Push from the hero
— No Cheating
— OMD/Slight OWD (See notes below)
— Virgin heroine but she kissed other guys
— There is not much about the hero's past but I'm sure he has some experience but not a manwhore! and he wasn’t with other people after meeting the heroine (he only has eyes for her 💕)
“I’m plumb amazed. I thought for certain you were a woman hater.”
Ben stopped smiling long enough to glower at his idiot brother. “What damned fool notion made you think that?”
Junior shrugged and defended, “Well, in all the time you’ve been back, you haven’t taken up with any whores or widows. You’re not even wooing the neighbor’s daughter, and she’s right pretty.”
— HEA (5 years later with three sons)
__________
Notes :
— The hero was married 5/6 years ago to OW (his marriage was only for a few days and no s*x) she's not a woman he loves or anything she’s a stranger to him and his father told him to marry her, it was impossible to say no to him so he married her.
(On his wedding night, his bride became hysterical because she had been uninformed of the marital act (he said he stopped before he even started). She became afraid of him so they slept in separate rooms and he never had s*x with her. after a few days she ran away from him and made everyone believe he was an abusive husband and a rapist! later their marriage was an annulment and he left his town for a years because everyone saw him as a monster) (off page).
“She didn’t know a thing. I didn’t do much, couldn’t. I’m not one to keep goin’ when the female next to me starts shakin’ and cryin’.
**********
I stopped before I’d even started. It was clear enough she was terrified. I’m not a monster.”
(No scenes with this OW and she never appears in the book or cause any drama, it's just mentioned to know why the hero is insecure).
— OWD: One of the prostitutes sat on the hero’s lap and kissed his neck but he stood up and dropped her on the floor rudely (he is completely faithful to the heroine and only has eyes for her. His half-brother's cousin caused this minor drama he was the one who paid the prostitute to sit on the hero's lap. this scene didn't really bother me and this is coming from someone who hates OW drama with a passion). this causes some drama between the MCs but not for long.
— OMD :
(All of this happened at the beginning of the book and before the heroine met the hero)
OM was pursuing the heroine's mean sister for a months and supposed to propose to her (because his mother chose her) but he was attracted to the heroine so she decided to take advantage of his attraction and seduce him so he could send her letters to her father. Their relationship became more complicated! and sneak around behind their families (they were touching and kissing, didn't go any further than that) OM became more possessive and jealous of anyone who looked at the heroine and turns out that after his first kiss with the heroine he told his parents that he wanted to marry her not her sister (the heroine and her family didn’t know that he intended to propose to her instead of her sister and this caused a lot of drama between her and her family). The heroine thought for a moment that was OK to marry OM but he betrayed and lied to her, tbh he was a red flag walking! He had a lot of anger and possessive in bad way. The heroine ended up ran away to her father in Texas and meeting the hero for the first time on her way
~ Kissing scenes between the heroine and OM (I don't mind the OM’s drama so the scenes didn't bother me and repeat this happened before she met the hero)
This OM causes drama later after the MCs get engaged and he tried to rape the heroine but he was interrupted by her sister (on page).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2024
I managed to get this one for free a couple of weeks ago on Amazon US. I have to give the author props for writing a book in the western American historical romance genre as her debut. I realized it isn't a very popular sub-genre under historical romance nowadays.
This book is actually very good for a debut novel. A tad overlong, and the pacing does lag at certain places. I think it can go from a good book to an excellent one if the author can tighten the plot in a few places.
It tends to be a tad melodramatic at times. I love the writing style. The main characters, Ben and Lucy, are simply fantastic. I feel the trajectory of their relationship is very organic. This book is a slow burn, so they only get together, I think, halfway through the book. The side characters are portrayed really well here (my interest in Crew's story is definitely piqued! I thought he would make for an interesting hero).
This book was an enjoyable read and worthy of 4 stars.
This book is actually very good for a debut novel. A tad overlong, and the pacing does lag at certain places. I think it can go from a good book to an excellent one if the author can tighten the plot in a few places.
It tends to be a tad melodramatic at times. I love the writing style. The main characters, Ben and Lucy, are simply fantastic. I feel the trajectory of their relationship is very organic. This book is a slow burn, so they only get together, I think, halfway through the book. The side characters are portrayed really well here (my interest in Crew's story is definitely piqued! I thought he would make for an interesting hero).
This book was an enjoyable read and worthy of 4 stars.
September 3, 2023
THE EPIC READ I WAS SEARCHING FOR 💕
This book touched my heart so much, it's been days and I'm still thinking about it. Exquisitely written, it captivated me from the first page to the last. From the beautiful imagery, relatable characters, heart clenching adventure, lush romance, and steamy hot sex with a swoonworthy cowboy...this book is perfection. Direct to my keeper shelf and into my top 10 HR reads of all time.
This book touched my heart so much, it's been days and I'm still thinking about it. Exquisitely written, it captivated me from the first page to the last. From the beautiful imagery, relatable characters, heart clenching adventure, lush romance, and steamy hot sex with a swoonworthy cowboy...this book is perfection. Direct to my keeper shelf and into my top 10 HR reads of all time.
did-not-finish
July 30, 2023DNF at 40%. I can't take the constant bad events. And the horny teenager doing the best she can to survive. And the man who keeps being mean in order to be kind. And the sadness of coming back to "home" and finding everything ruined.
I feel for her and I hate that everything is bad for her. This sucks.
I feel for her and I hate that everything is bad for her. This sucks.
September 16, 2022
This was sweet and lovely. The plot did meander quite a bit and I was unsure what the full story arc had been. But that's alright, because I loved Ben and Lucy and how their relationship grew.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
TW: assault, animal death, emotionally abusive parent
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
TW: assault, animal death, emotionally abusive parent
October 9, 2023
I'm so immensely happy that I found this author because she's insanely talented. These characters have so much heart to them and they actually behave according to their age which, believe it or not, is quite rare. We have Lucy who is as reckless and naive as you would expect from an 18 year old girl, but she was so strong-willed and persistent that even when she made less than wise decisions I couldn't help but root for her to achieve her goals and dreams. On the other hand, Ben was as reserved and hesitant as any 28-year-old who's already had a failed marriage and is afraid to open his heart again.
I also found refreshing how, despite the time period, Ben was still reluctant to enter a relationship with a girl 10 years younger than him, and not only that but the fact that their relationship was never "perfect" and they recognized attraction for each other, not necessarily love from the very beginning was incredibly nice because then you could actually witness feelings being developed based on acts of service, shared secrets, honesty, respect for each other and physical intimacy. I just love how flawed and raw each character was because I could actually envision them as real people.
Best believe I'll be there to read each and every single book by Tanya Fischer from this day on.
I also found refreshing how, despite the time period, Ben was still reluctant to enter a relationship with a girl 10 years younger than him, and not only that but the fact that their relationship was never "perfect" and they recognized attraction for each other, not necessarily love from the very beginning was incredibly nice because then you could actually witness feelings being developed based on acts of service, shared secrets, honesty, respect for each other and physical intimacy. I just love how flawed and raw each character was because I could actually envision them as real people.
Best believe I'll be there to read each and every single book by Tanya Fischer from this day on.
October 23, 2023
I really loved this book!
It’s definitely slow burn-ish. I liked how the romance is a huge part of the story but both of them have goals and family and issues outside of that.
My one gripe is that Ben does push her away a lot in the first 1/3 because of fear/ not thinking he’s good enough, etc. and I felt like Lucy does a lot of the chasing. It’s fine and I got the reasoning, but sometimes he’s a little cruel and I don’t think she was ever properly mad at him? Like maybe for just one moment. I just wanted a little more groveling there.
Thankfully he gets his head out of his butt and you don’t have to have too much angst before they get together.
With most romances I read I feel like it’s not over a long period of time and the the epilogue might show you a glimpse of the future.
With this one, you get to see a lot of their life after they’re together and married! The little day to day details are my favorite. I loved seeing Lucy acclimate to the ranch, the troubles they face, and how their intimacy and love grows!
It had the perfect dose of action and angst and I just really felt their connection and loved them together. I’m so glad I saw this on Good Reads and hope more people read and review it!!
It’s definitely slow burn-ish. I liked how the romance is a huge part of the story but both of them have goals and family and issues outside of that.
My one gripe is that Ben does push her away a lot in the first 1/3 because of fear/ not thinking he’s good enough, etc. and I felt like Lucy does a lot of the chasing. It’s fine and I got the reasoning, but sometimes he’s a little cruel and I don’t think she was ever properly mad at him? Like maybe for just one moment. I just wanted a little more groveling there.
Thankfully he gets his head out of his butt and you don’t have to have too much angst before they get together.
With most romances I read I feel like it’s not over a long period of time and the the epilogue might show you a glimpse of the future.
With this one, you get to see a lot of their life after they’re together and married! The little day to day details are my favorite. I loved seeing Lucy acclimate to the ranch, the troubles they face, and how their intimacy and love grows!
It had the perfect dose of action and angst and I just really felt their connection and loved them together. I’m so glad I saw this on Good Reads and hope more people read and review it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
I had trouble connecting with the h. I guess her being 18 contribute to some of impulsive decisions along the story.
July 25, 2023
Update: Just finished rereading this terrific book on July 22, 2023 in preparation for the release of the second book in the series, Poppies and Silk. Letters to Dogwood is just as good the second time around, if not better because I was able to slowly savor the exquisite writing, descriptive word choices, and scene settings in addition to the plot and characters. A winner x2!!
Thrilled to discover something I’ve found hard to find: Brand new HR set in the U.S. West. A new author… her first book. Excellent lyrical writing. After a slow burn there’s lots of romantic sex. KU available. Perfection!!
Don’t let the sweet cover distract as inside it’s filled with over six sizzling hot explicit sex scenes.
Letters to Dogwood by Tanya Fischer (2022) is the story of head strong Lucy who flees Atlanta from her cruel mother to return to her papa who runs a hotel in Texas. On the train she meets up with Ben a cowboy on his own emotional journey and there’s instant attraction. In depth heartwarming characters and a few baddies, a richly engrossing romantic story, a bit of tragedy and violence, make this a five star winner. And their Letters are a delicious treat.
Thrilled to discover something I’ve found hard to find: Brand new HR set in the U.S. West. A new author… her first book. Excellent lyrical writing. After a slow burn there’s lots of romantic sex. KU available. Perfection!!
Don’t let the sweet cover distract as inside it’s filled with over six sizzling hot explicit sex scenes.
Letters to Dogwood by Tanya Fischer (2022) is the story of head strong Lucy who flees Atlanta from her cruel mother to return to her papa who runs a hotel in Texas. On the train she meets up with Ben a cowboy on his own emotional journey and there’s instant attraction. In depth heartwarming characters and a few baddies, a richly engrossing romantic story, a bit of tragedy and violence, make this a five star winner. And their Letters are a delicious treat.
January 6, 2024
I was super excited to read this based on the blurb and setting. Dnfed at 1O% however, as this book desperately needs an editor. I gamely skipped the first few weird errors, but someone needs to let this author know that “comradery“ and “metamorphosized”, for example, are not words. Also, within the first twenty-ish pages, she used the word “askance” incorrectly twice. Maybe most people can get past such things (and these are just a few examples), but each thing stood out and yanked me out of the story and I have had enough.
January 20, 2024
Preface
It felt like driving through Texas, which is fitting because the book is set in Texas. Just like the state, I kept reading and reading and reading and reading and OH MY GOD ARE WE OUT OF THE STATE YET? No, we were not. This is stillTexas Dogwood. 😅
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this western romance and would like to see plenty more like it. It was sweet and it had lots of chapters about domestic bliss which is a 10/10. I need more books to give me an equal amount of angst and cute moments.
I do believe you have to be in the right mood to read it.
Letters to Dogwood is a good debut novel.
I will be waiting for the third book before reading the second. I found out that the third book is going to focus on Junior and a sweet girl who is on the second book. I don’t like John Junior. Sure, he was a “boy”, he was also a jealous dumpster fire who has a lot of growing up to do. I don’t know what the author will do with his character but if this is another case of whoremonger gets the sweet girl, without repentance or a good old dose of suffering, I WILL SCREAM.
Also, I have no patience and would like to binge everything in one go. 👍🏻
————————————————————————————
Ratings
Plot : 2 📚📚 Some.
World Building(Immersion): 2.5 🌎🌎💫 Only the head still out even with the current dragging me down.
Angst : 2 👹👹 Having your arm pinched.
Funniness: 2 🌝🌝 I laughed inwardly.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary. Unless you are afraid of grizzly in-laws.
Romance: 3.5 💖💖💖💫 Adorable.
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: 1.5 🫀💫 Description blood and wounds + some mild violence.
Sadness:2.5 🥲🥲💫 Tears formed but did not fall.
Overall star rating : 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly enjoyable.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Chapters:
▪️Did we truly need a FOUR chapter flashback in the MIDDLE of the action!? (Okay, it was the relative beginning BUT the heroine and hero had met). I understand the NEED for the flashback; the length it’s what I did not understand. That said, they went by fast.
▪️Ben and Lucy’s relationship was a slow simmer. I liked that while the attraction was there from day one, they took some time to court each other. The months that passed turned their love into a much finer affair than if it had been a whirlwind romance.
▪️I really liked Ben as a romantic hero. I didn’t think he was doing right by his brother by just letting him act like a little hurt boy who doesn’t own up to his hideous actions. His and Lucy’s first fight as a married couple was intense. I’m glad they got to resolve that. Them making up was bittersweet. I liked the promises they made to each other after it.
▪️The epilogue was absolute perfection.
Romance Safety:
Safe. There is OM drama and OW but they are all unwanted in the part of the main characters. There is no cheating, no others once they get together. There is an attempted rape scene. The epilogue was sweet with what I would call a happy ending.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “I used people in Atlanta, too. Even though it was wrong. I played with another man’s feelings, at first so he’d send for my papa for me. And then, just for spite. He was my sister’s beau.” Hot tears tracked across the bridge of her nose at her confession. “Can guilt kill you? Like a poison?”
Holy cannolis, you are just dumping this here like that?
📌 “Yes, it was best that they cut ties.
-
“LET ME GIVE you my address,”
NOT EVEN 5 Minutes later 🤣😭
📌 “His neck felt hot and he tugged at his collar. “We can’t be friends, Miss Ricci.”“And why not?”“Because you’ve been givin’ me calf eyes since the first minute you met me, and it’s not gonna happen, that’s why.”
Ohhhhhhh he went there.
📌 “Now she didn’t even look back. He’d never understand women if he lived to be a thousand.”
YOU TOLD HER YOU DONT WANT HER THAT WAY SHE STOPPED ACTING LIKE SHE WANTED YOU THAT WAY TOO, how is that hard to understand !?
📌 “Lucy blinked, wide awake from adrenaline, but disoriented.They had crashed, they had crashed, oh God, they’d crashed.”
You are reaching TSTL territory
📌 “Aurora and Beth were coming to visit.They’d be there before the month was up.And…they were bringing Peter.”
Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh,Heaven Hell is a place on Earth
📌 “Delving his face into her fragrant hair, he wrapped his arms around her tight. She’s mine, he marveled. I can hold her like this every day until the day I die.”
📌 “It was his turn to look her up and down and judged her sadly lacking. “I’ve seen what happens to someone after you get ‘hold of ‘em.” He motioned to Beth and Tony. “I’ll be damned if you do it to Lucy. Her Pa may not stand up to you, but I’m here, and I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
This is without a doubt the hottest thing this man has ever done
📌 “It was true she’d wanted his last name and the intimacy of his body. Now that she’d acquired them, a new goal blazed. She wanted the small things, the priceless idiosyncrasies that occurred from a long-standing commitment to someone. She wanted to be his world, his life, a part of his soul.”
😭
📌 “Ben scrubbed his hands over his face and attempted to placate her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted, but you’re overreactin’. Let’s just—let’s just get ready for bed.”
SHE’S NOT!
It felt like driving through Texas, which is fitting because the book is set in Texas. Just like the state, I kept reading and reading and reading and reading and OH MY GOD ARE WE OUT OF THE STATE YET? No, we were not. This is still
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this western romance and would like to see plenty more like it. It was sweet and it had lots of chapters about domestic bliss which is a 10/10. I need more books to give me an equal amount of angst and cute moments.
I do believe you have to be in the right mood to read it.
Letters to Dogwood is a good debut novel.
I will be waiting for the third book before reading the second. I found out that the third book is going to focus on Junior and a sweet girl who is on the second book. I don’t like John Junior. Sure, he was a “boy”, he was also a jealous dumpster fire who has a lot of growing up to do. I don’t know what the author will do with his character but if this is another case of whoremonger gets the sweet girl, without repentance or a good old dose of suffering, I WILL SCREAM.
Also, I have no patience and would like to binge everything in one go. 👍🏻
————————————————————————————
Ratings
Plot : 2 📚📚 Some.
World Building(Immersion): 2.5 🌎🌎💫 Only the head still out even with the current dragging me down.
Angst : 2 👹👹 Having your arm pinched.
Funniness: 2 🌝🌝 I laughed inwardly.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary. Unless you are afraid of grizzly in-laws.
Romance: 3.5 💖💖💖💫 Adorable.
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: 1.5 🫀💫 Description blood and wounds + some mild violence.
Sadness:2.5 🥲🥲💫 Tears formed but did not fall.
Overall star rating : 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly enjoyable.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Chapters:
▪️Did we truly need a FOUR chapter flashback in the MIDDLE of the action!? (Okay, it was the relative beginning BUT the heroine and hero had met). I understand the NEED for the flashback; the length it’s what I did not understand. That said, they went by fast.
▪️Ben and Lucy’s relationship was a slow simmer. I liked that while the attraction was there from day one, they took some time to court each other. The months that passed turned their love into a much finer affair than if it had been a whirlwind romance.
▪️I really liked Ben as a romantic hero. I didn’t think he was doing right by his brother by just letting him act like a little hurt boy who doesn’t own up to his hideous actions. His and Lucy’s first fight as a married couple was intense. I’m glad they got to resolve that. Them making up was bittersweet. I liked the promises they made to each other after it.
▪️The epilogue was absolute perfection.
Romance Safety:
Safe. There is OM drama and OW but they are all unwanted in the part of the main characters. There is no cheating, no others once they get together. There is an attempted rape scene. The epilogue was sweet with what I would call a happy ending.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “I used people in Atlanta, too. Even though it was wrong. I played with another man’s feelings, at first so he’d send for my papa for me. And then, just for spite. He was my sister’s beau.” Hot tears tracked across the bridge of her nose at her confession. “Can guilt kill you? Like a poison?”
Holy cannolis, you are just dumping this here like that?
📌 “Yes, it was best that they cut ties.
-
“LET ME GIVE you my address,”
NOT EVEN 5 Minutes later 🤣😭
📌 “His neck felt hot and he tugged at his collar. “We can’t be friends, Miss Ricci.”“And why not?”“Because you’ve been givin’ me calf eyes since the first minute you met me, and it’s not gonna happen, that’s why.”
Ohhhhhhh he went there.
📌 “Now she didn’t even look back. He’d never understand women if he lived to be a thousand.”
YOU TOLD HER YOU DONT WANT HER THAT WAY SHE STOPPED ACTING LIKE SHE WANTED YOU THAT WAY TOO, how is that hard to understand !?
📌 “Lucy blinked, wide awake from adrenaline, but disoriented.They had crashed, they had crashed, oh God, they’d crashed.”
You are reaching TSTL territory
📌 “Aurora and Beth were coming to visit.They’d be there before the month was up.And…they were bringing Peter.”
Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh,
📌 “Delving his face into her fragrant hair, he wrapped his arms around her tight. She’s mine, he marveled. I can hold her like this every day until the day I die.”
📌 “It was his turn to look her up and down and judged her sadly lacking. “I’ve seen what happens to someone after you get ‘hold of ‘em.” He motioned to Beth and Tony. “I’ll be damned if you do it to Lucy. Her Pa may not stand up to you, but I’m here, and I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
This is without a doubt the hottest thing this man has ever done
📌 “It was true she’d wanted his last name and the intimacy of his body. Now that she’d acquired them, a new goal blazed. She wanted the small things, the priceless idiosyncrasies that occurred from a long-standing commitment to someone. She wanted to be his world, his life, a part of his soul.”
😭
📌 “Ben scrubbed his hands over his face and attempted to placate her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted, but you’re overreactin’. Let’s just—let’s just get ready for bed.”
SHE’S NOT!
December 27, 2023
Man, this was a saga but I enjoyed every minute of it.
September 18, 2022
Wonderfully engrossing story!
I loved this book! Great characters and story! My only issue with it was that I wanted more of a “comeuppance” for the villains…but that’s just me!
Lucy and Ben were a wonderful couple. I rooted hard for them the entire book. Their relationship development was perfectly paced and their passion and love for each other felt genuine. Everything they went through strengthened their bond.
The side characters were extremely well developed. I can’t wait for Sol’s story…and I’m really hoping Crew gets a book, too! And if it’s not too much to ask…I’d love it if Lucy’s friend Franny got her own HEA!
This book has everything…action, adventure, passion, laughter and tears. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys Western HRs.
I voluntarily gave me review!
I loved this book! Great characters and story! My only issue with it was that I wanted more of a “comeuppance” for the villains…but that’s just me!
Lucy and Ben were a wonderful couple. I rooted hard for them the entire book. Their relationship development was perfectly paced and their passion and love for each other felt genuine. Everything they went through strengthened their bond.
The side characters were extremely well developed. I can’t wait for Sol’s story…and I’m really hoping Crew gets a book, too! And if it’s not too much to ask…I’d love it if Lucy’s friend Franny got her own HEA!
This book has everything…action, adventure, passion, laughter and tears. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys Western HRs.
I voluntarily gave me review!
December 31, 2022
A Great Read
Is this the author’s first book? Wow; it’s well done. I read it at the recommendation of Jenn Marshal, The Book Refuge, and really enjoyed it. The characters had dimension and were likable, the struggles felt legitimate. Challenges of ranch life and cattle drives were outlined without weighing the story down and I learned a thing or two along the way. Sometimes the intimate moments of relationships can spoil a good book if not done right- this was believable and between a committed, married couple. Sexy but not lewd. I’m excited to read more from Tanya Fischer.
Is this the author’s first book? Wow; it’s well done. I read it at the recommendation of Jenn Marshal, The Book Refuge, and really enjoyed it. The characters had dimension and were likable, the struggles felt legitimate. Challenges of ranch life and cattle drives were outlined without weighing the story down and I learned a thing or two along the way. Sometimes the intimate moments of relationships can spoil a good book if not done right- this was believable and between a committed, married couple. Sexy but not lewd. I’m excited to read more from Tanya Fischer.
November 10, 2022
Wonderful
I couldn't put this book down, a page turner with all the emotions. Such vivid narration that it felt like I was there. So many emotions wrapped up in a beautifully written, complete story. Tanya Fischer just became my favorite author and I can't wait to read the next book in the series
I couldn't put this book down, a page turner with all the emotions. Such vivid narration that it felt like I was there. So many emotions wrapped up in a beautifully written, complete story. Tanya Fischer just became my favorite author and I can't wait to read the next book in the series
August 19, 2022
I really liked this book. The characters all had depth and felt like real people. The story was really enjoyable, and I look forward to reading the next book
May 22, 2023
give it up for Mr. Will Wed to Bed Benjamin Stone 🤠🫶🏼
dnf
March 14, 2024Bored
July 31, 2023
What a wild ride! I loved Lucy and Ben so much, and will definitely be rereading to revisit them. I'm all for working class, strong silent types like Ben, especially when they can't resist the heroine. And Lucy, it was nice to read a heroine that goes after the hero for once, who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to spell it out for him.
This book is not a light read; the two of them go through trials and tribulations, and it's not easy for them. But sometimes I want a book with that adventure and angst, and despite knowing this was a historical romance, it had a substance to it that I craved, all written in a nice-sized girthy story (500+ pages!😍). I can't wait to read book 2, about his friend Sol and Lucy's friend, Poppy.
This book is not a light read; the two of them go through trials and tribulations, and it's not easy for them. But sometimes I want a book with that adventure and angst, and despite knowing this was a historical romance, it had a substance to it that I craved, all written in a nice-sized girthy story (500+ pages!😍). I can't wait to read book 2, about his friend Sol and Lucy's friend, Poppy.
August 16, 2024
best book in ages
Deep plot ✅
Sexy hero ✅
Trains, planes and horses ✅
This story was so wonderfully constructed. It does start out slow, but for those who like deep story telling, you won’t mind.
The romance and the connection was really well shown. So often authors tell you the main couple are in love, but here you can watch the love happen as the characters grow.
Deep plot ✅
Sexy hero ✅
Trains, planes and horses ✅
This story was so wonderfully constructed. It does start out slow, but for those who like deep story telling, you won’t mind.
The romance and the connection was really well shown. So often authors tell you the main couple are in love, but here you can watch the love happen as the characters grow.
May 21, 2023
Beautiful story, exceptional writing! I loved everything about this book--the plot, the characters, the levels of steam and angst, and the quality of the writing. I look forward to future works from this talented author!
December 9, 2023
Tanya Fischer’s debut novel, Letters to Dogwood, is a stunning, sweeping story set in the American south in the early 1880s. Lucy and Ben’s story begins with a road trip adventure. Lucy, headstrong and just about to turn 18, is running away from Atlanta and her narcissistic, controlling mother, a small scandal involving an unwanted proposal, and a life as a socialite. She hopes to resume the happier life she had with her father at his hotel in Dogwood, Texas before her mother forced her move to Atlanta four years earlier. 28-year-old Ben is a cowboy on his way back to Huntsville, Texas and to the younger brother he abandoned at the family ranch a few years before when Ben ran away from his own scandal. As Ben reluctantly helps Lucy and rescues her from the perils that await a young woman travelling alone, he also fights his growing attraction to her because of their age difference and his own past . By the end of the trip, however, despite the grumpy-sunshine dynamic, both have learned much about each other and realize that there’s more than a spark between them. The book follows their difficult path to each other, fighting their toxic and manipulative families as they forge a life together.
Despite the length of this epic novel (519 pages), I finished it in two days, unable to keep my hands off it, and was deeply sorry when it was finished. Fischer uses lush and lyrical prose to build a fully realized world around the central couple. She deftly draws the multiple settings, side characters, and situations to fully immerse the reader in the book; I stopped reading and highlighted many passages, arrested by their beauty. The emotional depth of the novel had me pining, yearning, smiling, and sometimes crying, depending on the page. Lucy and Ben each have their flaws, but Fischer allows them the space to grow as individual, fully rounded characters. There is no telling without showing, despite the storytelling feel of the narrative. The relationship is also allowed room to develop, and the realistic details show the joys and tribulations of long-lasting love. Days after finishing this book, I am still nursing a book-hangover and thinking about it. I just loved everything about this novel!
I highly recommend this novel to readers who love steamy historical romance, literary fiction, and epic sagas that transport you to another time and place and make you emotionally attached to the characters. For readers interested in romance tropes, this book has: letter-writing, a road trip, forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, a possessive hero, age-gap, found family, only one room/bed, and fish out of water. It’s the first book of The Texas Blooms Series and can be read as a standalone. I, for one, am grateful that this is only the first book in the series; I can’t wait to read the next instalment, Poppies and Silk (which was released a few months ago). As a bonus, Fischer has a lovely short story featuring side-character Crew from Letters to Dogwood, for free on her website. I loved seeing this awkward character get his own HEA.
Despite the length of this epic novel (519 pages), I finished it in two days, unable to keep my hands off it, and was deeply sorry when it was finished. Fischer uses lush and lyrical prose to build a fully realized world around the central couple. She deftly draws the multiple settings, side characters, and situations to fully immerse the reader in the book; I stopped reading and highlighted many passages, arrested by their beauty. The emotional depth of the novel had me pining, yearning, smiling, and sometimes crying, depending on the page. Lucy and Ben each have their flaws, but Fischer allows them the space to grow as individual, fully rounded characters. There is no telling without showing, despite the storytelling feel of the narrative. The relationship is also allowed room to develop, and the realistic details show the joys and tribulations of long-lasting love. Days after finishing this book, I am still nursing a book-hangover and thinking about it. I just loved everything about this novel!
I highly recommend this novel to readers who love steamy historical romance, literary fiction, and epic sagas that transport you to another time and place and make you emotionally attached to the characters. For readers interested in romance tropes, this book has: letter-writing, a road trip, forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, a possessive hero, age-gap, found family, only one room/bed, and fish out of water. It’s the first book of The Texas Blooms Series and can be read as a standalone. I, for one, am grateful that this is only the first book in the series; I can’t wait to read the next instalment, Poppies and Silk (which was released a few months ago). As a bonus, Fischer has a lovely short story featuring side-character Crew from Letters to Dogwood, for free on her website. I loved seeing this awkward character get his own HEA.
August 5, 2023
Good book, though I feel like it could have been a little bit shorter. Usually love big thick books, but felt this story could have been told in a few less words. Didn’t come close to DNFing, but wasn’t super excited to pick it up each time. Will definitely read her next book though.
January 3, 2024
3.5 stars.
Good story! Well written but I wish it would have gone deeper into the story line vs. so much description of every single feeling and change of scenery.
Overall, I liked it and would recommend checking out if you like historical fiction!
Good story! Well written but I wish it would have gone deeper into the story line vs. so much description of every single feeling and change of scenery.
Overall, I liked it and would recommend checking out if you like historical fiction!
September 5, 2023
Amazing! Epic, steamy, and a page turner. In this one the hero and the heroine actually talk and spend time with each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2023
So satisfying when a recommended book is as good as advertised. Really appreciated that there was no unexpected villain or abduction to cement the love of the H and h.
July 10, 2024
This reads like a slice-of-life kind of romance which I absolutely love. I love characters that feel so alive and so relatable. This book could be a bit too long for some, but I find myself being swept in hours and hours without even realising that I’m almost at the final 20 pages. I’m also partial towards a loner, shy character like Jethro Crew and I’m so happy to find out that there is be a book dedicated for him!
August 12, 2024
Too long
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