Review: Well written
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2013
In prison for eight years, now in a work release program doing what she loves taking care of horses.  Only now she is open to emotions, anger, lust, love for a child and sorrow.  In prison she only had to keep herself alive and always kept her back to the wall.  Now here at Walker's Ranch she is free but for how long?  Will she break if she has to return to prison?Joy Courtland has had a guardian angel with her in jail, George.  He was able to get her in a work release program at a ranch.  She was delighted to be outdoors finally after eight years for murdering her stepmother.  Only when she arrived, a crying baby was shoved at her and Mr. Walker walked out.Stamos Walker was surprised and angered when Joy told him she was in the work release program; he thought she was the new nanny. When he found out that she had murdered someone he knew, he could not have her at the ranch. Not only that, but he only sponsored men. It was a shame because she was great with horses. Some of the ranch hands called her the "horse whisperer." After looking into her case, he saw there was just so much evidence against her but something didn't add up.Meanwhile, Joy was enjoying herself being free but also she was letting her guard down and starting to have feelings for Stamos. However, she might have to hurt Stamos in order to keep her family safe.I couldn't believe when I started reading and found out that Stamos was a father to a beautiful baby boy, Dillon.  I tried to remember what happened at the end of Callie's Heart and finally remembered his fling.  There was one character in the book that I just fell in love with--Benji.  He was a gentle giant trying to keep Joy safe.  At the beginning he frightened Joy but he meant no harm, he was just being a little too friendly. Now there were two characters that I could have done without--Bailey and Ida.  They were both conniving but I'm glad Joy ignored them. I think I would have happily slapped both of them.The story is well written and draws the reader along at a steady pace until the climax arrives in a most unexpected way.  Ms. Ball kept me so interested I didn't want to put the book down. The passion between the two main characters starts off slowly and builds up into love.  Joy experiences the joy of being loved, trusted, believed in and finding true friends.  There are a couple of twists that you will not see coming. This story will keep you wanting to know what Wood and Jamie wanted from Joy, and when you find out, it will break your heart.  Some of the dialogue made me laugh out loud, made me giggle and even made me cry. Now the laughing is always a bonus.I truly enjoyed Lone Star Joy and will recommend this book to anyone that loves cowboy romances.  But if you truly want the full experience of the Lasso Springs Series, you need to pick up Callie's Heart.  You will learn so much more about Stamos.  This series is definitely a reread for me.  Thank you, Ms. Ball, for this wonderful read.Reviewed by CozyReaderfor TheRomanceReviews.com