Friday, June 29, 2012

Matthew (Circle 8 #1) by Emma Lang + giveaway

"In the wake of his parents’ murder, Matthew Graham must take the reins at the Circle Eight. He also needs to find a wife in just thirty days, or risk losing it all. Plain but practical, Hannah Foley seems the perfect bride for him . . . until after the wedding night.

Their marriage may make all the sense in the world, but neither one anticipates the jealousies that will result, the treacherous danger they’re walking into, or the wildfire of attraction that will sweep over them, changing their lives forever."


Type: Historical Romance (1836), Western
Heat: 3 out of 5

Rating: 4 out of 5
Also Writes As: Beth Williamson (erotica)


Matthew is a very sweet historical western about a young family of brothers and sisters that have been through hell and are fighting their way back after the murder of their parents months earlier. You can't help but feel for the characters Lang creates or keep from falling in love with them just a little bit. They're hard working, passionate and doing their best as they struggle to accept their new lives.


I really liked both Matthew and Hannah. As the new head of the household Matthew's dealing with tremendous 
responsibilities and desperately needs a wife to keep from losing land his family needs.You could really feel his frustration and how overwhelmed he was with life. Barely hanging on and fighting to stay in control of everything. Luckily he meets Hannah who desperately wants what Matthew can give her but doesn't think she'll ever get...a family of her own. I loved Hannah and watching her grow as a character. She really struggles to find her place in a new family that's not all that accepting of her but she finds an inner strength, courage and determination that's amazing. I also really liked that she wasn't the conventional/proper little Miss and had a thing for cussing and speaking up for herself.

She put her foot in the stirrup and tried to boost herself into the saddle.

Matt put his hands on her behind and pushed her up.

"Oh shit!" The curse popped out of her mouth fast and hard. Matt barely had time to react before she did it again as she landed on the saddle. "Son of a bitch."

She turned to look at him, this time not hiding her pinkened cheeks. "Oh my God."

Matt did the only thing he could think of. He threw back his head and laughed. "Hannah, I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am you married me."

"I, uh, do tend to cuss sometimes," she confessed.

"Me, too." He patted her thigh. "We're going to be just fine Hannah Graham."
I loved how their marriage of convenience turned into so much more. It was very touching to see these two create a life together, to actually fall in love and find comfort in one another. There were some definite bumps and awkward moments along the way and more than once I wanted to pinch Matthew for his wavering feelings/actions towards Hannah but even then I could understand his reluctance and inner turmoil.


The unsolved murder of the Graham parents also came into play. Bringing Texas Ranger Brody, danger and betrayal into the mix. I liked that while part of the mystery is dealt with not everything was tied up all nice and tidy and I'm guessing will carry on into the rest of the series. The mystery wasn't too shocking but it was still interesting to watch how things unfolded and see the truth come out. 

This was my first time reading Emma Lang and I gotta say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. If you have a thing for cowboys, historicals or just sweet love stories you'll want to check this one out. I know I'm hooked on the series and already swooning a bit over Texas Ranger Brody who is the hero of book 2.


Get Your Copy:   Amazon    Barnes&Noble    BookDepository

Do you have a favorite Cowboy series? Ever read a cowboy historical? 



Woohoo!!!! Love finding new homes for books! 

To celebrate this weeks release of next Circle 8 book, BRODY, we're giving away a paperback copy of MATTHEW to one lucky follower and a bunch of swag! 

Just leave a comment with a way to reach ya :) or you can send me an email 
acade29@gmail.com



31 comments:

  1. is this open to international? If yes please enter me this book seems really interesting and i didn't read any cowboy book yet and i love the romance that are slowly build

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Sure Miki! I'm good with having it open international :)

      Aw you definitely need to check out some cowboys! I picked up my first one earlier this year and am loving them!

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  2. I have read some of the Cowboy series by Leigh Greenwood. My mother in law gave them to me not long after Clay and I got married and I didn't finish the series and now I don't remember where I left off. It seems there are now more books in the series as well http://www.goodreads.com/series/43650-the-cowboys

    I ended up giving the books away before our last move but it looks like they are available in ebook.

    And of course, you can find me on facebook since I am more likely to see that than an email.

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    1. Hm. Haven't heard of Leigh Greenwood but I'm so checking out his books. I don't think I've ever read a romance written by a man before but I find it fascinating. I did read a romance book once though where the hero secretly wrote a really popular romance series. Loved it!

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    2. Wow I never realized it was a man. Tells you how much attention I pay sometimes.

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    3. He must pull it off well for you to not notice. I'm gonna check him out :) Always wanted to read a romance by a man and see how they differed.

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  3. wow.. love cowboy, hope can win this book :)

    lovely swag too =D

    eli_y83@yahoo.com

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    1. They're great aren't they Eli? I really enjoy a good cowboy romance :)

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  4. I love cowboys! This series sounds like i9t's right up my alley.

    www.sandy4lee@yahoo.com

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    1. It was pretty good. I'm so a fan of cowboys lately :) Good luck!

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  5. OMgosh! I LOVE an amazing Cowboy romance!!!! One of my faves to read!!!! Seriously! Now I have a whole new series to catch up on!!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    tobihelton at gmail dot com

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    1. Isn't that fun finding a new series?! Beth/Emma writes a couple of them. I'm going to try out her more erotic one soon. Yay for more cowboys :)

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  6. Sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Very welcome Natasha :) Always fun to pass along good books!

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  7. I love cowboy books! Thanks for the introduction to a new series and for the giveaway! wendynjason04@gmail.com

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  8. Love the cowboys - haven't read this series yet.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  9. Seems like a really great read.Cover looks great.
    divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Nice looking cowboy on the cover. I enjoy reading cowboy books and this one sounds like it has a good storyline...and a continuation...how many books will there be in the series?

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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    1. Right? I'm loving his scruff! Not sure on how many books. But at least two more. Brody that was just released and then one called Caleb. I'm guessing most of the siblings (8 of them) will get a book. I'll get a note to Emma and see ;)

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  11. This sounds like a good one...LOVE that cover! I like Lorelei James Rough Riders series. Thx for the giveaway op!

    barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

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    1. Oh I like Lorelei's Rough Riders too. Some seriously hot cowboys! I'm loving the covers on this series too and the little bit of scruff. Yum!

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  12. I have read some of the Cowboy series by Diana Palmer. That was my first cowboy series and i love it.

    filiafantasy at gmail dot com

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    1. OOoh. Haven't read her. Will have to check them out!

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  13. thx u for the international giveaway..
    oh yesss..i really love cowboy in romance novel...
    i love DIANA PALMER because of her cowboys :)
    i recommend u to read :
    cattleman's pride
    callaghan's bride
    iron cowboy
    lawless
    lawman
    love them so much...^^

    i never read emma lang's cowboy before because i don't have her books...
    so i hope i'll win this giveaway...
    thx u so much ^^

    love, nurma

    chikojubilee at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for the suggestions Nurma! I haven't read Diana Palmer before but hers do look good :) Will have to add them to the shopping list! Good luck!

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  14. AnonymousJuly 02, 2012

    Cool giveaway. And int'l too? Over the top COOL.

    me likey! llanes(dot)emerald(a)gmail(dot)com

    Have a nice day! Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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    1. Very welcome! I always try to make them international since there are a bunch of yall on here :)

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  15. I love cowboys! I would love to win Matthew. Thanks so much!

    geishasmom73 at yahoo dot com

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  16. Love the book covers. I have not read a cowboy book yet. Sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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~Anna

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