COULD'VE SAID YES (THISTLE BEND #3)

Having recently returned to Thistle Bend, Colorado, Ellie London is working hard to make a living as an artist, and to get over her broken engagement. She’s focused only on guarding her heart and healing her mind . . . until a cocky, undeniably sexy out-of-towner rides in on his motorcycle. Turns out, Ellie might have just found the perfect opportunity to prove to herself that she’s over her cheating fiancé.

After his own engagement falls through, EPA Inspector Collin Cooper is eager for a change of scenery in Thistle Bend. His principle rule of the road is not to get too involved with a new woman—and yet he can’t resist beautiful, outdoorsy Ellie. But when a local river becomes polluted under Collin’s supervision, resentment floods the entire town, running even deeper with Ellie’s family. With his job on the line, Collin needs to find a way to set things right—and hold on to the woman who has captured his heart.

Release Date: December 13, 2016

Thistle Bend #3

Contemporary Romance

Loveswept Random House

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Could've Said Yes is the 3rd and final book in the Thistle Bend series from Tracy March. I've enjoyed each visit to Thistle Bend and am sad to see the series end.

I really enjoyed Ellie and Collin's book. Since both had just ended long term relationships, yet were both completely attracted to one another, I knew their story would be a fun one. I really liked both Ellie and Collin as individuals and thought they made a great couple. As they were both coming out of long-term relationships, I didn't think they moved too fast and liked they were both upfront with an arrangement only while Collin's job was in town. 

I thought the connection and the chemistry between Collin and Ellie was strong from the very beginning and loved watching them fall in love. My only issue was the secret that Collin was keeping seemed to be way bigger to Ellie than I thought it should have been. I felt like she was coloring Collin with the mistakes her ex had made in the past and honestly felt like she completely over reacted. I do think Collin should have shared the truth with her sooner, but still think Ellie was unfair in the situation.

Overall, I really enjoyed Could've Said Yes and think it was a great addition to the Thistle Bend series. I loved that we got to spend more time with characters from the other books and will miss visiting Thistle Bend. Tracy March gives her readers another emotional, funny, and sexy story with Could've Said Yes. 

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

JUST SAY MAYBE (THISTLE BEND #2)

Real estate lawyer Holly Birdsong’s hike in the Rockies takes an unexpected turn when a smokin’-hot stranger tumbles off his bike and into her path. Turns out he’s purchasing the abandoned Lodge at Wild Rose Ridge, and Holly agrees to take him on as a client—despite her family’s traumatic history with the previous owner, who shamelessly abused the town’s goodwill at every turn. But when their professional relationship turns personal, Holly must reconcile the past with her hopes for the future.

Adding the rustic lodge to his portfolio of adventure properties isn’t just a business decision for Bryce Bennett. The rugged mountains also offer a killer setting for his extreme-sports camps for at-risk teens. What’s not in the blueprints is finding a kindred spirit in his irresistible lawyer, even if she seems apprehensive about getting involved in the deal. Bryce’s plan to ease her mind just might work, as long as no one discovers his secret. Yet he can’t stand hiding the truth from the woman who makes him want to build something permanent: a happily ever after. 

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Loveswept Random House

Thistle Bend #2

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I absolutely adore Tracy March's voice and was super excited for the 2nd book in her Thistle Bend book. I was pulled in from the very first page and wanted to read non-stop until I was finished.

I think Holly is one of my very favorite characters from Ms. March. Holly is such a strong character and pretty much has Thistle Bend running in her blood. Holly and her family have always been a part of Thistle Bend and their history with everything about the town is strong. Holly is very up front with her desire to stay in Thistle Bend and until she meets Bryce Bennett, she has no desire to really ever leave Thistle Bend.

I have to say I really liked Bryce and Holly as a couple. They had an instant attraction and it really only got stronger the more time they spent together. I liked that Bryce and Holly worked together to solve the mystery of the lodge and grew closer with each day that past. I loved Bryce talking with Holly's grandfather about all he wished to accomplish with bringing the lodge back to life. I also loved that when he met the Montgomery sisters, he was good with keeping their secret. My only issue was him not being up front with Holly soon enough about who his father was and how she found out. I really expected better of him than this mistake. 

I really thought Just Say Maybe was a great addition to the Thistle Bend series. I felt everything from laughter, tears, to gnashing of teeth with anger, so it really did hit on many of my emotions. Tracy March gives her readers a strong romance with a touch of mystery with Just Say Maybe and I highly recommend this story.

Buy Links:

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1r7Bi2g

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1VZVMXO

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1UoUxQQ

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/24efx2M

iBooks:  http://apple.co/1TcJfcW

Google Play:  http://bit.ly/21mQtBx

Books-A-Million:  http://bit.ly/1NKRIYQ

SHOULD'VE SAID NO (THISTLE BEND #1)

Welcome to Thistle Bend! Perfect for fans of Susan Mallery, this charming series debut introduces a small town where old secrets are revealed—and wounded hearts are opened to new love.

A year after being laid off from the Smithsonian, Lindsey Simms says yes to a job offer as curator of a heritage museum in Thistle Bend, Colorado (population 1,519). It could be worse—and it is. Because the new museum has escalated a dispute between the Karlssons, Lindsey’s relatives, and the Crenshaws, a blood feud which goes way back to a land deal that changed the fortunes of both families. Trying to stay objective, Lindsey can’t tell anyone about her conflict of interest—especially not the ruggedly handsome handyman fixing up her cabin, who seems to be keeping secrets of his own.

Although he’s the executive director of the family trust and one of Colorado’s most eligible bachelors, Carden Crenshaw prefers getting his hands dirty in town and on his sprawling ranch. Staying busy has given him an excuse not to risk heartbreak, but getting to know the beautiful “museum lady” makes him reconsider. Little does he know, the heat between them will only add fuel to the fire—unless this unlikely couple can prove they’re lovers, not fighters.

Release Date: November 24, 2015

Loveswept Random House

Thistle Bend #1

Review copy provided by publisher

I was super excited to see Tracy March had a new book out and even happier to see it was the first book in a series.

I loved Lindsey Simms from the moment she appeared on the page. She was such a strong character; especially driving across country to start a new job in an area she had never even visited before. I liked that she wanted to get her career started back up by setting up the Thistle Bend Heritage Museum and her long-term plans were to return to D.C. I didn't love she was keeping her family connections to the Karlssons a secret, but totally understood based on the dynamics between the Karlssons and the Crenshaws.

Carden Crenshaw is one of the most eligible bachelors in Thistle Bend and I loved how Lindsey and Carden met for the first time. Nothing like the head of the Crenshaw family trust being mistaken for a handyman. Carden had been burned in the past in a relationship and he was super hesitant to open himself up to anyone. I loved that Lindsey totally worked her way into his life and his heart so quickly.

I really loved Lindsey and Carden as a couple. They had amazing chemistry and it was so obvious from the moment they first met. I loved how quickly they connected and how many shared interest they had. I knew the fact they were basically each on the other side of Thistle Bend's version of the Hatfields and the McCoy's, yet I still wanted them to find a way to learn the truth of what really happened between their families and make it work as a couple. I absolutely loved the resolution to the truth about the fight between the families. It totally gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling and was so steeped in romance. Carden and Lindsey had both sweet and sexy moments together and I loved watching them work through their issues to make their relationship work.

I also loved both the town of Thistle Bend and all the different secondary characters in Should've Said No. I love when a small town becomes a character in itself with a book, and also love when the secondary characters grab me and I want to know more about them and see them in future books. I have to say the Montgomery sisters were 2 of my favorite characters in the book and I hope we see them again in future books.

I absolutely adored Should've Said No. I'm a big fan of books in a series and I thought the Thistle Bend series got off to a great start with Should've Said No.