A Review for By Proxy (Heart of Montana #1) and The Christmas Wish (Heart of Montana #1.5) by Katy Regnery

Posted by Donna
Release Date: September 24th, 2013
Finished Date: October 19th, 2013

Publishers: Boroughs Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, NA 
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: Unknown 

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

A HOLIDAY SURPRISE

Stubbornly small-town Jenny Lindstrom has misgivings when she promises to stand proxy in her best friend’s wedding—misgivings that are fulfilled when tall, handsome Sam Kelley walks into the courthouse an hour late. In order to keep her promise, an afternoon favor turns into a weekend of startling but undeniable attraction, threatening the well-ordered world that keeps her heart at arm’s length from any more pain.

Sam’s plan is to fly to Livingston, Montana, take vows for his favorite cousin, and return to Chicago as quickly as possible. But his plan is turned upside-down when he must spend a weekend with Jenny in Gardiner in order to keep his word. He doesn’t want to fall for the prim, proper schoolteacher whose small-town life seems to him like selling out, but the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to say good-bye.

When city and country come together for Christmas, the unexpected gift is true love.

The Review: I hadn’t heard of By Proxy until Katy Regnery approached me to read her work. I jumped at the chance because last year, I kind of failed to read any Christmassy books and I’m more than determined to read a few this year. Well what a perfect opportunity this turned out to be. By Proxy is a sweet and likable story - one that you will certainly want to read this holiday! 

I really enjoyed this story and I think the fact that it’s only 100 something pages, works well - in fact there’s nothing not to like. It’s cute, easy to read and certainly a read to put a smile on your face. It had likable characters and great story line, one that I thought was certainly original. I’ve never read a story about anyone who agreed to stand proxy in her best friend’s wedding – it was really interesting to read how this story comes together, and I really did enjoy the outcome. Sam and Jenny were great characters; once they got over the bad start, it was great to see their relationship come together. It was lovely to see their banter and their arguments, but most importantly it was great to see that these two had real chemistry, and that they really worked as a couple. 

So By Proxy is definitely a story that I’d recommend you read this Christmas – its fun, light hearted and very enjoyable.  

Posted by Donna
Release Date: November 1st, 2013
Finished Date: October 19th, 2013

Publishers: Boroughs Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, NA 
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: 44

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Waitress Tess Branson has earned a bad reputation, and the nickname “Fast Tessie,” as result of her poor judgement where men are concerned. She learned from a young age that men – of all ages – were only interested in one thing, which has made Tess distrustful even though she yearns for love.

Lucas Flynn, the short order cook at the restaurant where Tess works, has just been released on parole. After committing a terrible crime and losing someone he loved, he’s trying to get his life back on track. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a kind, pretty waitress who has problems of her own.

Tess makes a wish on a star one wintry night, but it's going to take a heap of Christmas magic to help it come true!

The Review: After finishing By Proxy I dived into Katy Regnery’s This Christmas Wish and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Being only a small novella, I always worry if the story will be believable but this really worked well. 

Tessie and Lucas have only worked together for a short time, and even despite Tessie’s poor judgement in men, she sees something in cook Lucas – even though he’s just been released on parole. Both Tessie and Lucas try to keep their distance but for some reason, they connect. Is this the start of something special?

This Christmas Wish was really enjoyable – it’s very quick to get through and if anything, I enjoyed these characters more than By Proxy. Why you ask? Well because these characters have so many more flaws and problems than Sam and Jenny. Tessie and Lucas have difficult pasts and it’s not easy for them to let new people in, but they do with each other. I definitely wished they had a longer story….it was still nice to see them come together, but I honestly wanted more when I finish (and that’s not a bad thing, but good) I loved Lucas – kind of a bad boy but not really. He’s deep and so very sweet. He and Tessie made a great couple once they got over their issues.  

In all, This Christmas Wish was another great read from Katy Regnery and I’m excited to see what she comes up with next!