Review: Her Winning Ways by J.M. Bronston

GRAND PRIZE: $50,000 shopping spree for two in New York.
Includes makeover, photo shoot with Lady Fair magazine…and a shot at happily ever after.
 
As a college librarian in Wyoming, shushing students and tending the family cattle ranch is about the most excitement Annie Cornell can count on. So when Annie wins an all-expenses-paid shopping spree at a high-end department store in New York City, she’s thrilled to trade wide-open spaces for fast-paced Fifth Avenue. But she never expected to be swept off her feet—least of all by an overconfident, horse-mounted police officer…

Sergeant Bart Hardin is instantly attracted to Annie. He’s not sure if it’s the way she handles his trusty horse or the way those angelic hazel eyes held his gaze during that rowdy protest outside the UN. Whatever it is, Bart quickly learns that this clueless tourist in need of his protection can handle herself just fine—in fact, she might just teach him a thing or two on these mean Manhattan streets…

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: December 8th 2015 by Lyrical Shine

 

Terri's Thoughts

** I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is December 8th, 2015**

The synopsis for this story is what drew me in.  What breathing female would not love the chance to have a $50,000 shopping spree in New York?  Seriously, imagine the purses and shoes that could be purchased for this.  Unfortunately the story did not live up to my expectations.

I had a hard time connecting with both Annie and Bart.  It felt like everyone treated Annie as a fragile child and in turn I started to visualize her that way.  I could not take her seriously as a young woman who was experiencing a chance of a lifetime and a romance at the same time.  Same goes for Bart.  Aside from his obvious attraction to Annie, I found his personality a little bit domineering.  I perhaps would not have seen it this way if Annie herself didn't interpret it this way.

As a result, I found the story did not flow for me.  It took me a really long time to get through this story with the only highlight for me being Lindy the horse.

Then enter the "bad guys".  It almost seemed random in an effort to stretch the plot along.  They were not well developed in my opinion and frankly a little bit annoying.  The whole storyline seemed far fetched for me.

It does not make me happy when I do not enjoy a story but I promised I would be honest.  There may be folks who appreciate the New York aspect and the shopping spree.  For me, even the shopping spree didn't win me over.  I would have at least purchased more clothing as opposed to jackets although that is irrelevant.

 

 

About the Author

 

     

Joan Myra Bronston grew up in New York City, married her college sweetheart, and went with him to Germany for a year while he was in the Army and where she worked as a telex operator and mail clerk. They then moved to Austria where Joan spent five years teaching at an international school. She is the mother of three wonderful girls and the grandmother of a super-wonderful grandson. Joan was also a secretary, social investigator, and psychiatric researcher, before entering law school and eventually becoming a corporate attorney.

In addition to her years in Europe, Joan has lived in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and, for 18 years, Salt Lake City. At last, she has closed the circle and returned to her first and most beloved - New York City.