A Rancho Del Cielo Romance

ISBN: 978-1-59998-035-5
Publication Date: June 6, 2006
Cover art by Scott Carpenter

 

He's never lost a bet in his life but she's playing for keeps!

Cassandra Bishop’s boyfriend is back. Only problem is...she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Or his new fiancée. What the confirmed tomboy would like is to wring his neck. She might have done it, too, if he hadn’t filled her in on the embarrassing truth that he’d left her at the altar because she wasn’t woman enough to satisfy him. Her pride nearly settled for punching him in the nose...until she thought of something better—proving him wrong.

High on Burke Hallifax’s list of cataclysmic nightmares is having to look at his best friend as a real female. But when her ex-fiancé makes his wedding a personal vendetta against Cass, Burke has no choice but to bet everything on her ability to out hot-girl the competition. Unfortunately, the entire town is betting as well—on whether Burke and Cass can pull off the makeover of the century…without losing their hearts in the process.

 

 

 

click title or images to see complete reviews

 

Joyfully Reviewed

"Betting Hearts had me laughing from the very beginning...Ms. Tenorio has written a romantic comedy that delivers with every turn of the page. I believe that everyone needs a laugh every now and then and I recommend Betting Hearts to give you that every time."

—Jo, Joyfully Reviewed

 

Cupid's Library Reviews

Cupid Romance-Factor:
Cupid Plot-Factor:

"BETTING HEARTS is a wonderful combination of romance and comedy...The last quarter of this book should not be missed - it is absolutely perfect and will easily make you laugh as well as cheer for the best friends turned so much more."

—Marina, Cupid's Library Reviews

 

5.5 Wands!

"I really enjoy stories with best friends realizing they are in love with each other and make over stories. This story is both, yet was unique enough to keep me from putting the book down. Ms. Tenorio crafts a fun comedic story that is also sweet and romantic, making it a must read. Her characters are endearing and realistic, and the plot has enough suspense to keep you wondering if Cass and Burke will ever get it together."

—Astraea, Enchanted Reviews

 

"A humorous and refreshing take on the play Pygmalion, BETTING HEARTS is a winner...Quite a few of the townspeople add insight and advice and, in the case of C.B.'s brother, a secondary romance. A delightful story, don't miss BETTING HEARTS."

—Jennifer Bishop, Romance Reviews Today

 

Coffee Time Romance gives "Betting Hearts" a 4 Cup Review!!

"Betting Hearts is one incredibly delightful story... The frolics, along with the sprinkling of the secondary characters, are remarkably done."

"Ms. Tenorio crafts a magnificent read filled with dishonesty, deception, sensual infatuation, and pizzazz that this reader considered quite satisfying."

—Cherokee, Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

 

Fallen Angel Reviews gives "Betting Hearts" a 5 Angel Review!!

"One word to describe Betting Hearts is WOW! The book has everything, from lies, deceit, even passion, and two people so stubborn it's hard to not like them.

"I so loved Burke for his holding back in giving in to CB's request. Here's a man who's always helped his friends, but this one totally blows him away. CB herself is a woman you will love, for she is misunderstood in her own right. The things she goes through just to become a woman are so funny you will laugh out loud. LOL Not only is this a great, funny book, but one you will so want to keep.

"Samhain sure has a winning author. This one is definitely on my keeper shelf. Dee Tenorio just rocks with this book, and I can't wait for more from this author."

—LenaC, Fallen Angel Reviews

 

Karen Does Dee Tenorio's Betting Hearts...

"It's been absolutely ages since I laughed so much I nearly wet myself, (not literally of course because I do actually have excellent control of my bladder) but Betting Hearts had me laughing from the first paragraph, to the last...Tenorio's voice appealed to me because she kept it simple...She was able to draw me in from the very beginning, and kept me reading until 3am in the morning. It's been a while since I loved a book that much, I can tell you."

"Cassandra Bishop was a woman who I could be friends with if she'd been a real person...My kind of heroine...Burke Halifax was also my ideal hero. Rough around the edges, but loyal as hell. I'm partial to male leads who make me envious of their heroines. He was manly, without being an asshole."

"It's not often I go all girly over a book, but I did find myself tilting my head to the side, placing both hands on my cheeks, and sighing in appreciation at Tenorio's ability to mentally and emotionally, take me along Cassie and Burke's tentative voyage into previously unchartered territory."

"What I loved most about Betting Hearts was how romantic it actually was. I know that this should be a given in a fictional romance story, but I've read a fair few books in the past, which although were romance books, were actually not very romantic. I know that you guys will know exactly what I mean."

"I've always loved the friends to lovers theme, when written well, and Dee Tenorio certainly did herself justice with this book...Well Dee, I had no idea who you were, before I read your book, but if you keep writing stories as good as Betting Hearts, then I'm gonna keep buying."

—Karen Scott, "It's My Blog And I'll Say What I Want To"

 

Mrs. Giggles

Rating: 86

"(A) straightforward well-written entertaining romance with plenty of down-to-earth charms and likable characters that work very well with me"

—Mrs. Giggles, Everything Romantic!

 

Occasional Book Reviews

I love friends to lovers plots, but am sometimes disappointed by their sameness. Not so here. This wasn't a faux friends to lovers story, where one "friend" has secretly loved the other for years. The two are the best of friends, only friends, and reading about the transition was fascinating... Grade: B.

 

"I just finished reading the sweetest love story. "Betting Hearts", by Dee Tenorio, is a best friends story, which I love, and this one is so emotional, you just squirm right along with the hero, Burke...The sexual tension is thick as, well, as the heat here in SA. The love scene is fulfilling and heartbreaking. Secondary characters are great and real, twists of phrase make you smile (and wish you'd written them) and the last scene is fabulous."

—Mary at The Bandwagon

 

Grade: B

"This book strikes the right balance between humor, character growth, and sexual tension. I am anxiously awaiting your next release. B for you."

—Jane, Dear Author

 

~4.5 Blue Ribbon Rating~

"Let's hear it for the tomboys! Cassandra is such a fun character. She's bold and brash yet still girly, but not in a makeup and high-heels sort of way...Matters of the heart are always a gamble, but it's so worth it when you bluff and win."

—Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies