It's In His Heart (A Red River Valley Novel Book 1) Kindle Edition

I enjoy a good sexy scene as much as anyone, but I have to say at some point that enough is enough. However, that wasn’t my biggest complaint…*** SPOILER ALERT ***I couldn’t bring myself around to believing Ella had loved Bradley (deceased husband). Sure, she told herself (and us) often that she loved Bradley. Let’s review. Ella & boyfriend Bradley are at the cabin Bradley and Coop co-own. Ella & Bradley make love, then Bradley is called away on an emergency. A few hours later Coop shows up and she makes a move on him. A few hours later Bradley is back, he proposes, she accepts, they make love and get married. After that weekend she does not visit the cabin again, telling Bradley it is a chance for him to have guy time with Coop.Fast forward, Bradley has died after a long and difficult illness, and of course we are told how Ella was at his side. Now, two years after his death, she is going to the cabin to say good-bye to Bradley. Yep, the cabin she did not go to with him after making the move on Coop, she decided this is where to say her final good-bye to Bradley, really? She is certain she will not run into Coop as she left him a message that she would be there. Does she bother to verify he got the message? Nope. So of course he is there, and she starts checking out is ‘package’ within minutes of arriving at the cabin. I say she wanted Coop to be there, why else pick the cabin to say her final good-bye to Bradley? Why not verify that Coop received her message and would not be there?Have I mentioned how much Ella is in love with herself – she stayed by Bradley’s side – she tutors Coop’s younger brother who suffers with dyslexia – She carries pepper spray and a Taser – okay, she can’t raft worth a hill of beans. Have I mentioned how stupid she is? Coop, a chiropractor, is in the midst of a sexual misconduct suit. So of course Ella, a successful (yea Ella), and secret, writer of erotica, writes the details of some of their sexual encounters in one of her books. Yeah, those books that are supposed to be fiction and not based on any real person, Etc. She also gives a description of Coop, in the book, that would identify him to any woman he’d been with, that read the book. Yes Ella, after telling us how smart you are, you do something this stupid.I finished the book still not believing she loved Bradley. She made a move on Coop in between making love with Bradley. She lived out her sexual fantasies with Coop, while saying her final goody-bye to Bradley, then wrote about them. I think Ella loves Ella.

To be fair this was my first book where the character falls for her deceased husband best friend. Once I got over that and really looked at this story it was perfect.Ella Dennings is a secret romance author who writes gritty books under a pen name. Having come to Red River to stay in the house she her deceased husband once vacationed in. She decides to have one last hoorah before moving away for good. Though not all great plans go accordingly. She wasn’t expecting to see Cooper Wells. Nor was she expecting to develop feelings for him as well.Cooper Wells hasn’t had the easiest life, but with his best friend Bradley he was able to succeed in more ways than he ever could have imagined. Cooper wouldn’t have finished school if it wasn't for Bradley. As he struggled with reading. Now that Bradley isn’t here, and his widow is now sharing a house with him for the summer. He is experiencing feelings he has buried previously. Always finding Ella to be attractive and a woman he would want to have a future with. Now may be his one and only chance.This book talks about both characters getting over little things, Cooper must get over his self-doubt and comparing himself to Bradley. Ella wants a future with Cooper but isn’t sure how people will respond to it. This is a very believable situation and one that I love. I may read more about the amazing people of Red River.

I read this as part of the Amazon First program. I tend to stay away from romance novels because they all tend to be similar and I'm trying to broaden my horizons, but when I read the excerpt for this one, I got completely sucked in. I read it in 2 days and was not disappointed. Definitely an "adult" romance novel bordering on erotica, but the author did a great job in making the story about love - not just sex. A great read for someone looking to spice up their marriage / reconnect with their partner.

3.5 StarsAll in all there were some funny moments and some sweet moments to be found in It's In His Heart by Shelly Alexander. The scenario is plausible, but the H is difficult to like because of his actions towards the h. Cooper did eventually worm his way into my good graces, but not without a ton of fighting. Ultimately, he does become the man that the readers think he should be.The h, Ella, is still grieving over her loss and is looking for closure. Can she find what she's looking for? Will she open her eyes long enough to see what might be in front of her? The romantic story line is one we've read before, but does have a somewhat fresh perspective.I found there to be a lot of repetition within the book and that distracted from the story line. I did receive this book as a Kindle First selection and found that it did make for a nice afternoon read and I probably would read something else from this author.

Cooper and Ella have a mutual hidden lust but have suffered a great loss that they both must recover from before they can move on. Both have hidden secrets that can also tear them apart. Story that keeps you gripped.

Lovely sweet story. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

It’s the first time I have read a book by this Author and she didn’t disappoint, I enjoyed the story very much, I have book 2 to read now.

The debut novel from Shelly Alexander. A thoroughly enjoyable read! Great characters, setting descriptions...I want to visit Red River! I couldn't put it down, took me two days to read. Can't wait to read her next book. Keep on writing!!

Very good book. Will look to cover more of her work in the future. Excellent read well worth a purchase