Blog Tour ~ Two Hearts, One Stone by Leslie Scott (Review + Excerpt + Giveaway)
Two Hearts, Once Stone
by Leslie Scott
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Boots and Babies
Horse trainer Stone Dempsey’s life is all about the ride—with horses and women. He uses his equine talents to impress the country club set and earn money for Smoky Mountain Reining Horses. When his drug-addicted sister deposits her sick baby on his doorstep, he’s suddenly saddled with real responsibility.
Dr. Emmersyn Cole’s goal of starting a practice in her favorite place on earth is finally coming to fruition and she is not going to be sidetracked. Everything is going great until Stone swaggers into her life, half-dressed with a smile that could melt her insides. She's determined to keep her distance…until he rushes into her grandfather’s home, clutching a feverish baby, terrified and vulnerable, and her heart’s hard shell begins to crack.
In only a few short weeks, Stone’s wayward heart suddenly relies on two women—one who needs him—and one that he might not be able to live without.
“Of all the trainers in the state of Georgia, you go and hire the biggest man-
whore to ever live?” A gorgeous one, at that. More than six feet of lean, corded muscle,
topped with dark golden hair that looked especially sexy when tousled. Why did the
really attractive ones have to know the effect they had on women?
Pop coughed and covered his mouth, choking on the bite he’d been swallowing.
When he finally cleared his throat, his eyes watery, she met his gaze with a pointed
stare. The years of med-school, sleepless nights, and internship didn’t mean she hadn’t
kept up with the sport she loved so much. Stone Dempsey was as well known in the
world of quarter horses as Hollywood Dun It and had probably studded himself out just
as many times.
After a silent moment, he grunted and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I wasn’t
too concerned with his personal life when I hired him. You were off living your life, my
trainer retired, and I needed a new one.”
There was no reason she should be annoyed with her grandfather. Dempsey
was a well-respected trainer. Then again, in a world where your name was your brand,
though, he might not have been the wisest choice.
“Pop—”
He cut her off before she could argue, tossing his fork with a clank onto the plate.
“Emmy, don’t you Pop me. You’ve found your calling—you’re a damn fine doctor. I’ve
seen what Stone can do. The stock he can produce will put this farm firmly into the
black before I die.”
“Don’t be dramatic. You’re not dying.”
“But I ain’t getting no younger. Stone Dempsey is the best damn horse trainer
I’ve ever seen. I don’t give two shits where he casts his fishing line.”
That had been that.
**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**
Two Hearts, One Stone is a quick read by author Leslie Scott, being only 90 pages. Horse trainer Stone Dempsey is nothing special in romance books. He’s a manwhore who doesn’t bother to know who is in his bed. He moves them in and out and can’t be bothered with them. We’re introduced to him when his current one night stand is irate at finding proof a previous one night stand. Someone who she miraculously could identify by the g-string found. I didn’t like Stone but I don’t hold him completely responsible for sleeping with married women, they’re the ones married not him. His only concern is the willingness of anyone with female parts.
But, not to worry, the love of one woman will cure him of his whorish ways. Emmie is smart, mostly, though I question her taste in men. She’s come back to stay with her grandfather (Stone’s boss) and open a doctor’s office. She meets Stone at his best (sarcasm) and Stone goes from his one-night stand running off to being interested in Emmie. Emmie isn’t going to fall for his charms, something she voices but not something her actions follow through with. But, all this changes when Stone suddenly finds himself responsible for his sister’s baby and needing Emmie’s help.
If this story had been longer, I feel like I might have been able to like Stone but there wasn’t enough time to really believe his complete 180. And something that bothered me was a scene between Stone and Emmie’s grandfather. Stone says he’s interested in Emmie and her grandfather gives him permission to pursue her. One part of me got it, Stone was talking to his boss. But then the other part of me was ticked because this is 2018, her grandfather doesn’t have ownership of Emmie so who is he to give permission? But, if you’re looking for a quick read with the bad boy finding love, reforming his ways, a cute baby and smart woman, this is definitely one you’ll want to read!
whore to ever live?” A gorgeous one, at that. More than six feet of lean, corded muscle,
topped with dark golden hair that looked especially sexy when tousled. Why did the
really attractive ones have to know the effect they had on women?
Pop coughed and covered his mouth, choking on the bite he’d been swallowing.
When he finally cleared his throat, his eyes watery, she met his gaze with a pointed
stare. The years of med-school, sleepless nights, and internship didn’t mean she hadn’t
kept up with the sport she loved so much. Stone Dempsey was as well known in the
world of quarter horses as Hollywood Dun It and had probably studded himself out just
as many times.
After a silent moment, he grunted and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I wasn’t
too concerned with his personal life when I hired him. You were off living your life, my
trainer retired, and I needed a new one.”
There was no reason she should be annoyed with her grandfather. Dempsey
was a well-respected trainer. Then again, in a world where your name was your brand,
though, he might not have been the wisest choice.
“Pop—”
He cut her off before she could argue, tossing his fork with a clank onto the plate.
“Emmy, don’t you Pop me. You’ve found your calling—you’re a damn fine doctor. I’ve
seen what Stone can do. The stock he can produce will put this farm firmly into the
black before I die.”
“Don’t be dramatic. You’re not dying.”
“But I ain’t getting no younger. Stone Dempsey is the best damn horse trainer
I’ve ever seen. I don’t give two shits where he casts his fishing line.”
That had been that.
Two Hearts, One Stone is a quick read by author Leslie Scott, being only 90 pages. Horse trainer Stone Dempsey is nothing special in romance books. He’s a manwhore who doesn’t bother to know who is in his bed. He moves them in and out and can’t be bothered with them. We’re introduced to him when his current one night stand is irate at finding proof a previous one night stand. Someone who she miraculously could identify by the g-string found. I didn’t like Stone but I don’t hold him completely responsible for sleeping with married women, they’re the ones married not him. His only concern is the willingness of anyone with female parts.
But, not to worry, the love of one woman will cure him of his whorish ways. Emmie is smart, mostly, though I question her taste in men. She’s come back to stay with her grandfather (Stone’s boss) and open a doctor’s office. She meets Stone at his best (sarcasm) and Stone goes from his one-night stand running off to being interested in Emmie. Emmie isn’t going to fall for his charms, something she voices but not something her actions follow through with. But, all this changes when Stone suddenly finds himself responsible for his sister’s baby and needing Emmie’s help.
If this story had been longer, I feel like I might have been able to like Stone but there wasn’t enough time to really believe his complete 180. And something that bothered me was a scene between Stone and Emmie’s grandfather. Stone says he’s interested in Emmie and her grandfather gives him permission to pursue her. One part of me got it, Stone was talking to his boss. But then the other part of me was ticked because this is 2018, her grandfather doesn’t have ownership of Emmie so who is he to give permission? But, if you’re looking for a quick read with the bad boy finding love, reforming his ways, a cute baby and smart woman, this is definitely one you’ll want to read!
Rating: 3.5 stars
Leslie Scott is an avid romance reader and writer, a PAN member of RWA, and a homeschool mom to one gifted eleven year old. Her debut novel was released in December of 2017. She spends her days (and most nights) crafting sexy, drool worth heroes and sassy, opinionated heroines.
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I like the cover. It has a touch of mystery with not seeing his face.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover that is shown.
ReplyDelete