Heartbreak Holiday

by C.J. Laurence

One could say I had it all. A good job. Flashy car. Sparkling diamond on my ring finger. Sounds perfect right? Well, it was…until I found my fiancé in bed with my sister.

After that traumatic ordeal, I was a pathetic mess trying to scrape together the pieces that was left of my life. And that’s how I ended up here, on a dude ranch, surrounded by the one thing able to give me solace…horses.

Slowly I begin to feel alive again, and gather the courage to think about the future. But it’s not until I meet the Head Wrangler, Brady, that I start to wonder if there’s still hope for my broken heart.

Besides the fact that Brady is as sexy as he is cool, I soon realize that there’s more to him than just toned muscles and good looks.

Brady has secrets of his own—secrets that might have the potential to destroy an already wounded heart…like mine.

Genres: Westerns, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

About the author

I'd love to say that writing has always been in my blood and I owe my strange imagination to a relative I barely knew, but as far as I know, I'm a one of a kind from my family (in more ways than one!!)

So what do I love to write about? Well, whatever takes my fancy to be quite honest. I'm not one to write for the market - I write for myself, what comes from the voices, sorry - muses, in my head, and what I think are unique twists in this repetitive world.

As a result, you can find me scattered across genres from steamy romance to dark fantasy and horror. My only hesitance at the moment is sci-fi but I'm sure I'll tackle it some day!

Conspiracy theories, the supernatural, and the darker side of human nature fascinate me. I adore mythology and ancient history too, and also (only when I'm feeling intellectual) tend to dip my toes into quantum physics to better understand theories of the supposed impossible.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/27/2017)! 💝

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is beautifully written and takes the reader on a wonderful journey filled with romance and self discovery. Sophie and Brady are perfect for each other. Both were hurt by past relationships with self-centred people. They are struggling to move on from those relationships, but have been unable to do so until now. They meet at a ranch in Arizona where Brady, a cowboy, works. Sophie, an accident prone English Rose, has come to the ranch on vacation to finish recovering from a serious accident and to sort through her feelings after a terrible betrayal by her ex. Their attraction to each other is immediate, although Brady does his best to resist her and keeps her at bay by being rude and taciturn. After a minor accident at the ranch leads Sophie to tell Brady about her ex’s betrayal, they reach a truce and begin again. Their chemistry is sizzling and eventually their time together includes steamy and passionate encounters, even though they both know she will soon be going home to England. The arrival of their exes causes more than a few ripples in their relationship, and more of Brady ‘s past to be exposed. A dangerous encounter, slow recovery and emotional confusion are all part of their ensuing journey. Can they overcome self-doubt, guilt and past hurts to reach for each other and a happily ever after? Discover how their story unfolds in this perceptively written book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern Arizona Romance
I would not call this a 'sweet romance', it is definitely not clean. There is lots of sex, some of it graphic. There is plenty about horses and the reader can imagine the sounds and smells. It is pretty difficult for me to get into a novel with an American Southwest setting with all of the British spellings, words, and usage. It is much different when reading a novel set in the UK or when expecting the British overtones. It just doesn't fit having a fine cowboy asking his date if she would 'fancy a dance'. Beyond that, it was a fun story. It was very short when skipping over the bedroom scenes. It also has a strong ending that I loved. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.

[Sarah Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie’s world has fallen apart and she isn’t sure how to move on. All she knows is that it’s time to connect with the love of her life from long ago, horses. Her ex-fiance wasn’t a big fan of how much time and energy she put into her old horses and she started to repress that part of her. Now that he’s history, it’s time she make up for lost time. There’s just one problem, one of the cowboys at the ranch she’s visiting is a jerk.

But not just any kind of jerk, a big jerk. He has muscles you can only get by working on a farm, a thick southern accent, and an attitude problem. He underestimates Sophie’s riding abilities and actually, he’s riding her in about every way possible except the one she really wants. She convinces herself that she is imagining the sexual tension and he isn’t interested in her. After all, she’s broken. But worse than that, he ex is still on her mind, and on her phone.

Brady cannot stand the sight of Sophie. She’s beautiful, sexy, and watching her ride a horse makes him harder than a tree down in the holler. But she’s only here for four weeks. Her holiday will soon be over and he’ll be left to pick up the pieces of his own broken life.

Horses are supposed to have the power to heal but so does true love? Will they heal each other, or cause a bigger hole when she leaves Brady and returns home?

I have only been on a horse once and it was at a family friend’s farm for about five minutes in a small circle. You’re super high off the ground and I’m not the biggest fan of feeling out of control. However, I envy people who know what they’re doing and I’ve seen the connection some people have with their horses. As a result, I loved the idea of a woman seeking refuge at a horse farm. However, it also means I don’t know if the horse stuff is accurate…but it sounded good to me!

I liked Sophie a lot. She wasn’t a weak heroine who needed saving from a big strong man. She was a tough cookie all on her own. I won’t go into too much detail about why she turned out to be such a lovely character because it will involve spoilers but you can take my word for it. She didn’t spend her time whining or complaining and actually tried to take the time to heal herself.

Brady, Brady, Brady. Who doesn’t love a strong and sexy cowboy? There’s just something about flannel, thick thighs, and an accent that make a girl weak at the knees. I know it’s not just me, right? There were a few times when Brady said some British phrases , like when he used the word bloody instead of crap or something more American, though. That did take me out of the moment and I was temporarily thrown off. However, It was such a good story that I was able to be pulled back in.

My horse lovers, animal lovers, or romance lovers out there, I think you’ll enjoy this little holiday from whatever troubles you’re currently dealing with. Head over to the horse ranch and remember to save a horse, ride a cowboy!

[Karen L Ledee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie has escaped from England to spend four weeks at a dude ranch in Arizona. She needs to work out some bitter feelings and make some decisions after catching her fiancé in bed with her sister, a double betrayal. Brady works at the ranch and picks her up at the airport where they are sniping with each other. This goes on for several days until she shares her reasons for being there. She has some bad luck and ends up with some serious injuries. He moves in to take care of her. Need I say more? As their feelings increase with one another, the ex shows up thinking she is going to forgive him. There is a good amount of drama and I just realized it was a relatively clean romance. How ‘bout that? It’s a really great read and interesting all the way through! I have a bad habit of reading other books when I find the arc boring. Did NOT happen here! Take a chance and read it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What great book! You have two amazing yet truly wounded people that are trying to move forward with their lives and find happiness but they get caught up in glimpses of the past. Brady is working at the ranch and trying his best to turn a blind eye to Sophie. These two have a chemistry that is not going to make this easy and tip the scales in fate's hands. Sophie is at the ranch doing some recovering and self reflection but it is not being more difficult with Brady being around. When they both agree to disagree and figure that this is all short term, they can start again and be civil and then some. As the secrets start coming out and exes stop by to cause a rift or two, this makes for a very interesting read to find out how Brady and Sophie heal and deal with the past as well as what happens in their futures?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is trying to come to terms with her finding her fiance in bed with her sister. She leaves her home in Europe to travel to a ranch in the states. Brady works at the ranch. He initially takes a dislike to Sophie and over a few times he realizes that she is not a fancy, glitzy girl. Sophie continues to have accidents on the ranch and finds herself in the hospital. Every time she wakes up she finds Brady sitting by her bedside. They develop a relationship and begin a physical relationship. When she finds out about Brady's secret, will she still care for him? If their relationship survives his secret, will they be able to resolve their living in two different countries? I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read from this author, and it won't be the last. I loved this this book! Sophie had terrible heartbreak - she caught her fiance in bed with her sister, then had a terrible car wreck when she was fleeing her home, and went back so her fiance could care for her as she healed. They had a horrendous fight, and she left England to go to a ranch near Tucson to try to heal her heart. Brady lost his sister (the details come out much later in the book, and I won't spoil that sub-story). They start out not liking each other, and slowly begin to trust the other. That trust was nearly destroyed when Brady's not-so-ex-wife reappeared. This was a truly happy ending for both of them, though, and I'm glad to have read their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked these two characters. Sophie was a tough cookie, yes she had had a bad relationship and was doing self reflection and the sort to get her head and life in order. With a love for horses and having had them previously but her ex made her choose between him and them, this horse ranch is where she needs to be. Brady works on the ranch and sees Sophie as just another woman coming who will walk away after her time is finished, but that doesn't stop his body from reacting to her. After a few false starts, these two get their relationship one more of togetherness than acrimony.
But with a visit from an ex, make this budding relationship halt in it's track or is there hope for these two beyond.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

English girl fleeing a cheating fiance plus a sexy cowboy with a secret equals... you do the math!!

Very enjoyable book with a southwestern U.S. flavor. Good depiction of the wild beauty in the Arizona desert. A number of twists and turns prevail before Sophie and Brady finally figure out where their priorities lie but they do eventually get there. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be watching for more of her books in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a sweet cowboy story with all kinds of twists and turns. The storyline is quite good and I just loved the characters, I am quite sure these characters truly exists someplace but OMG how happy I am not to know anyone like some of them... The leading characters were really well put together and just made the story complete. Four stars go to this beautiful story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sophies world fell apart she regress to her love for horses, the thing her ex boyfriend thought was a waste of time and energy. Arriving at Head Wrangler, a dude ranch, she meets Brady a rowdy cowboy who's also been hurt romantically. Their attraction seems unstoppable but he acts like a jerk to her because he believes she's a ritzy girl and doesn't belong in the ranch or with him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her fiance betrays her with her sister. She takes off and comes over to be on a dude ranch where she can sooth her broken heart with horses. There she meets Brady and after finally getting some kind of relationship her fiance shows up. Well it is a tangled web with Brady having secrets too. It is exciting, emotional, suspenseful and so much more. I received a review copy from booksprout and voluntarily review it.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She thought she had it all until she found her fiance in bed with another woman, who just happened to be her sister. Her life can crashing down so she goes to a ranch and horses. They start to help heal her and then she sees him. Will it second time lucky? Will his secrets destroy what is left of her heart? See what happens

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching book about Eva King who came from England to try to find herself after heartbreak after heartbreak and Brady Lancaster a Cowboy on the ranch where she is staying. They get off to a bumpy beginning but, it turns out the may be able to heal one another if circumstances stay out of their way.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story that held my interest throughout. Brady and Sophie are trying to get over things from their pasts when they meet. There is suspense, drama, danger, a cougar attack, exes, romance, and Sophie finally getting a backbone and standing up for herself. A story I recommend. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboys and horses by CJ Laurence.
A very enjoyable read with some good characters. I liked Sophie and I Brady grew on me. I did not like Ben or Alyssa. I liked Sophie's father for how he stuck up for Sophie and not her mum. Brilliant. Hope there is more to come. 5*.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story to lose yourself in on a Saturday afternoon after a tough week. It gave me the escape that I needed and I'm left wanting more. I can't wait to see what else this author has written ♥

[debmar50 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh

I liked the horse. There's so much not to like. Her fiancee, her sister, her mother, multiple accidents, her new fiancee and she gets attacked by a mountain lion. That's not all...

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys & Horses by C.J. Laurence is a good, and enjoyable steamy sweet western romance read. The story has a good story line, and well written read. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! I absolutely adored it!
The twists and turns were so well placed and timed and as much as I wanted to pause because of them, I couldn’t put the book down. I cannot wait for more in the series if and when they come out 👀🤞

[C.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I absolutely adored every page of this book. Witty and heart-warming with a few twists that I didn't see coming. Amazing.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wretched... lol Cody the horse 🐴 was the best character...

[Cindy Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me some cowboy.

To even think you would want a slimball like Ben back after holiday. What a sleaze. I'd love to live on a ranch

[Krista · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was pretty flabbergasted that Sophie was considering going back to her fiancé after he cheated on her and everything he did after. Please ladies have more self respect.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read, emotional and heartache. Then finding solace . Will it last. Amazing read throughout and characters were superbly written. Fab book

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Brady & Sophie's story. Great characters & a heartfelt story. Great book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.

[C. Camilla Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arizona raised

Great story. Being raised in Arizona, you made me feel right back home, bobcats and all. My Cowboys name was Ken.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love story

Loverly tale of finding your voice, and steamy happy ever after???? With a few good unexpected twists. Well thought out story, of believable characters,

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This certainly hits the spot with romance, but it felt more than that...finding out who you are and which relationships are true.

Some good characters that fit well into the plot with a gamut of emotions that can tangle the human condition.

A good read for those who enjoy this genre.