In this first of a new series, after a run in with a bull nearly killed him, star bull rider Sonny Bluejacket retired from the rodeo and has been quietly living and working on his brother's ranch. When he discovers he's inherited a ranch in Crossroads, Texas, he's excited to start his new life. Even more so when one of the first people he meets is Magnolia Brennan, the waitress at the town diner

Sonny and Maggie work well together. Sonny is a strong, determined man who doesn't suffer fools, but to Maggie, he shows his softer side. Enamored with her from the time they first met, it doesn't take him long to figure out she's it for him. Their romance is tender and gentle. When Sonny discovers Maggie's secret passion for painting, he urges her to take a leap of faith.

Ms. Sala adds a bit of suspense in the guise of Sonny's good for nothing father who sees himself as deserving of a piece of Sonny's inheritance. When Sonny rebuffs him, he's determined to destroy everything Sonny is building, including his relationship with Maggie.

This is a soft sweet romance. If you're looking for a quick read that will leave you with warm, happy feelings, then this is just the book for you.

really enjoyed this book and the journey of the main character and all that they went through. It kept me on my toes and what would happen in the story.

Sharon Sala has written a beautiful, heartwarming love story about two unusual and unconventional characters. The hero, Sonny Bluejacket, and his family are indigenous Native Americans who are well loved by every citizen in the small town they grew up in. I was immediately captivated by the Bluejacket family because I learned a lot about some of their protocols and customs and how they are treated as normal as everyone else.

Sonny and Magnolia “Maggie” Brennen immediately sense an instant, unusual attraction for each other and realize that they are madly in love with each other.

However, their road to love and happiness has not been without painful obstacles. Two weeks after Maggie was born, her mother abandoned her on the fire department’s steps where she was automatically placed into foster care. She never really had a mother relationship, or any other close bond until she moved to Crossroads, a little town in West Texas. After many years of working in the Yellow Rose cafe, she and her boss, Pearl, inadvertently develops a mother/daughter relationship.

Sonny has also experienced his own problems. Years ago he was a world-champion bull rider when he was thrown off of a bull and was seriously injured. Twice he almost died on the operating table, but he unexpectedly survived. As a result, he retired from the rodeo circuit, moved in with his family, and helped them breed and sell horses.

Fortunately, he inherits a huge ranch from an old friend from the rodeo circuit. Now he can expand his breeding ranch and live his dream. Unfortunately, this happiness also comes with obstacles. Immediately, he needs to deal with a neighbor who has stolen ranch horses, equipment and a truck from his new ranch Plus this same neighbor has even stolen some of Sonny’s property that he has inherited.

Sonny also must deal with his no-good father who is jealous of him and hates him. He wants to steal Sonny’s new land and everything he has even if he has to kill him to do it.

Readers will adore and respect this endearing, delightful couple who, in spite of their obstacles always remains positive and optimistic about their dreams and their future. Their beautiful love is uplifting, inspiring and refreshing. It is obvious that, in spite of their differences, they are born soulmates!

Sunset by Sharon Sala is the first book in her new Crossroads series. We meet Sonny Bluejacket, who was a world-champion bull rider, and is currently living with his brother and family. Sonny no longer does bull riding, as he had a terrible accident (nearly died) that ended his career. We also learn that Sonny has a gift given by his ancestors, which allows him to have visions when bad things happen. Sonny is shocked to learn that he inherited a horse ranch from Emmet, in Crossroads, Texas.

We also meet Magnolia (Maggie) Brennen who had a terrible childhood, and when ex-boyfriend dumped at the steps of The Yellow Rose restaurant, she was all alone. The owner of the restaurant, Pearl took her in, and Maggie and Pearl have been together for many years, working the restaurant. She has found friends and built a good life for herself. Maggie has her own gift, being a secret painter at night, always looking at the sunsets.

When Sonny arrives in Crossroads, he stops at the Yellow Rose, and remembers Pearl, as she remembers him. He finds himself attracted to Maggie. Thus begins the wonderful journey between Sonny and Maggie, who are destined to be together; with amazing chemistry between them.

Sonny’s father, who left him at the age of 5, is a horrible evil man. When he learns that Sonny inherited land, he makes plans to kill Sonny and take over the land. When he arrives in Crossroads, the father kidnaps Maggie, and it will be Sonny who will save her, and the local police will arrest him. By the end of the story, the father will get his comeuppance.

I loved how wonderful Sonny and Maggie were together. I also loved Pearl, who was almost like a mother to Maggie. The whole town was great. I also enjoyed seeing Sonny’s family arrive to visit at Crossroads.

Sunset was a compelling, heartwarming, captivating, suspense, emotional, small town and a wonderful romance. The suspenseful layer of the story, kept the tension high and keeping me unable to put the book down. Sunset was so very well written by Sharon Sala. I suggest you read Sunset, and it was a terrific story.

A new beginning! I love the Blessings series and was happy to learn about this new series set in West Texas. It’s centers around the small town of Crossroads where Magnolia founded herself dumped at the Yellow Rose Cafe by her now ex boyfriend. Pearl the owner picked up the shattered pieces of Maggie’s life and welcomed her as if she was her own. Now five years later life is good for Maggie waitressing for Pearl renting her own little house. And yet there are times when she feels unloved, a throwaway baby, since she was given up at 2 weeks old. Then she meets Sonny, unknown to her a ex rodeo bull rider hero that nearly died and had been recovering at his brother’s.
Sonny was shocked when a name from the past left him 1000 acres, a house and some prime horseflesh. So he packs up and leaves Oklahoma and heads to Texas to see what new direction his life will take. Grabbing a bit to eat at Rose’s was his lucky day. He meet Maggie and found out not only did she know the previous owner, she also cleaned house for him.
There of course will be some bad blood from Sonny’s past to follow him and a secret passion that Maggie hides, that comes together in a sweet romance. That story did drag on and I am guessing that is to lead in to more background for that next in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I was intrigued by this story because it’s set in Texas (where I’m from). I could picture the beautiful Texas Sunsets. I was really into it in the beginning, but it lost me about %25 in. Sonny Bluejacket seemed like a genuine guy. I just couldn’t really attach myself to the characters.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Sharon Sala did it again. If you are a fan of hers, you will not want to miss this one. I loved the fact that the couple fell in love right away as well as never doubted each other. It was such a refreshing change to love stories. Sunset is an amazing place that makes you think that there really could be magic there. If you love cowboys, and horses, and found families this one is definitely for you. I love how Sonny and Maggie are amazing characters, and you fall in love with them right away.

Throw this one into your beach bag! Great characters, setting, and story. A real feel-good book.

My only critique is that parts of the story were repetitive - the same backstory description/story told multiple times throughout - almost like the author cut and pasted paragraphs. This added to the length of the book and could be edited out w/o taking anything away from the story. All it does is slow down the read.



Thank you #netgalley and #sourcebookscasablanca for the eARC.

Two people, who have always been handed a tough set of cards to deal with in their life. Sala knows how to write a love story with suspense and this is no different. A bull rider who had some unique gifts passed down through the generations. Our MMC is gifted a farm due to some circumstances and has to adjust to living without his true passion. Along with living in a small town where he is the outside, fighting for a place for himself. The FMC was a town favorite, but has had a rough life and trouble finding her place. This would have been a 4 star, however this is a insta love which is not my favorite romance, otherwise it was great!

Sunset showcases Sharon Sala's trademark emotional depth and authentic character development. Set in the well-established Blessings, Georgia universe, this novel explores themes of healing, community support, and second chances with genuine heart.
Strengths: Sala excels at creating characters who feel real and lived-in. Maggie's backstory as an abandoned child aging out of foster care provides emotional weight that elevates the entire narrative. The small-town setting serves as more than backdrop - Blessings becomes a character itself, offering sanctuary for those seeking renewal.
Areas for improvement: Pacing issues in the second act, particularly around Sonny's father's arrest, slow momentum significantly. Multiple subplots (spiritual visions, horse theft, various character arcs) sometimes feel scattered rather than cohesively integrated.
Recommendation: Fans of contemporary Southern fiction and the Blessings series will appreciate the familiar themes and setting. Readers seeking emotionally resonant stories about trauma recovery and community healing will find much to value, despite structural weaknesses.
A solid addition to Sala's catalogue that demonstrates her skill with character-driven narratives, even when plot elements don't fully coalesce.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Sunset by Sharon Sala, published by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Another wonderful read by an amazing author. Perfect weekend or beach read or anytime. Awesome characters and setting. Everything is well described. I like how the relationships between the characters unfold, they all have great (or not so great) personalities, but they all fit well within the story. I liked the romantic aspect of the novel but that wasn't the sole focus or too descriptive.
Overall great story line, easy to read, and a great ending.

A great story of resilience and opportunity. Sonny inherits a ranch after a career ending bull riding accident. On his way to claim his inheritance he stops at a small restaurant and meets Maggie, a waitress. The connection is instantaneous.

The story builds from there and is a delightful story. There's some suspenseful situations, A lot of romance, and the slow build of love from friendship. As usual another good small town story set in Texas by Sharon Sala.

Although I received a free ARC from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sonny and Maggie, I think they hit it off from the beginning. Great characters in story also. Looking forward to next book.
Thanks to the publisher for chance to read ARC

A banged up former Pro Rodeo bull rider inherits a ranch in Texas and meets a friendly diner waitress, two wounded hearts cross paths in this first in series small town contemporary romance sprinkled with some indigenous magical realism. I was introduced to Sharon Sala’s writing when I began reading her Blessings, Georgia series and because of how much I loved those books, I was eager to settle in with Sunset for some heartfelt reading.

Sonny Bluejacket left the pro circuit for good when an accident with a bull left him barely alive and dying on the operating table twice. In the last few years, he’s lived quietly with his older brother and family taking local ranch jobs training their horses and biding his time. Then a legal packet arrives with the shocking information that a man he knew through the rodeo work, and indirectly responsible for Sonny’s accident, has left him his quarter-horse ranch down in Texas. Sonny’s life is set in motion again when he packs up and prepares to follow his dreams in Crossroads, Texas.

Nothing’s easy and Sonny’s good for nothing dad who abandoned the family learned of his good luck and is determined to either get something from it or keep his son from something good. And, on arrival, Sonny learns his ranch has been hit by a thief and a squatter. Time to cowboy up!

Meanwhile, Magnolia Brennan has found a small corner of the world to call home for the first time in her life after being abandoned at birth, growing up in the foster care system, and getting dumped by a guy on the porch of the Yellow Rose café. The owner not only took her in to work and give her a place to live, but they share a found family relationship. Maggie loves her sunsets and has a secret hobby drawing and painting them along with the life she observers around her. Her days of merely watching life happen to others ends when big, handsome Sonny Bluejacket enters the door of the café and they forge a connection on the spot.

From the hard past situations this pair overcame, Maggie’s beautiful art, Sonny’s work with the horses and the ranch, the small town, and Sonny’s Muskogee heritage and mystic gift, Sunset was one sensational read. Its big and slow moving, brings in a handful of perspectives as characters move into and out of the story surrounding Sonny and Maggie. There are spikes of suspense and one long-build suspense thread involving Sonny’s criminal of a dad. The slow burn after insta-attraction romance was lovely as these two heal each other and come together in a close partnership. Can’t wait for more books set in the Crossroads series. Definitely recommend Sunset to all the Western Contemporary Romance fans!

This was a great read by Sharon Sala. I really enjoyed the "mystic" part of the book. The couple fell in love very quickly but that all seemed to tie into the mystical feeling that flows throughout the story. It has some parts that were very suspenseful and yet managed to maintain the romantic feeling throughout. It also stressed the importance of not only blood family but family by bonding. All in all a great story.

Wow, how does one put into words to give this story the credit it's due. What a magical storyteller this author is.
Sonny Bluejacket inherited a property, it was time to return to a town that he knew. He never expected to meet his future.
This is a story of family, flaws and all. Sonny's connection with horses and his new found gifts. After an accident where he should have died I feel that Sonny is living a new life full of second chances.
I've been reading this author for decades now and her dreams give her such creativity.
I loved this story, I felt all the emotions and cried at the sad and happy moments.

Wonderful new series!

New series, new characters (except 1), new location...I can't wait for the rest of this series!

Maggie considered herself to have been a "throwaway baby". A tiny baby abandoned, lived in the foster care system and then tossed away again by a boyfriend at 19. Luckily he tossed her where Pearl, a kind-hearted diner owner would find her, and there she stayed, in Crossroads, Texas.

Sonny's father left the family when Sonny and Charlie were young, earning the moniker "Walks-Off". When Sonny unexpectedly comes into an inheritance Walker surfaces and makes a plan to get himself part of it. Sonny moves to Crossroads to claim his inheritance, but winds up with so much more!

This was an easy read, a little drama and so much love! Sunsets too! Give this one a try, you won't regret it.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Sharon Sala’s talent just overflows with imagination. She surely could have been a poet with her word scopes and in SUNSET we are once again entertained and enthralled by the way she creates and describes scenes and characters. Like poetry for sure.
Dialog just seems to easily flow from page to page bringing us closer to the central story of Sharon Sala’s newest book. SUNSET gets its title from various references in this tale. Sonny newly inherited ranch was named Sunset by its former owner. Magnolia, known familiarly as Maggie, is utterly enchanting as she seems to devour the gorgeous sunsets in this small town.
References to things like sunsets and butterflies will capture your attention immediately as was Sharon Sala’s intention. Reading SUNSET is like taking a journey through the lives of two incredibly unique folk.
Heartwarming and inspiring memories of challenges that basically shape who her characters have become. We are invited to see how their futures might now be shaped.
Now I have to ask. Are you a believer. I definitely am a believer. Sonny is a Native American and close to his older brother who helped him recover from an awful bull riding accident. He is amazing with animals and sees visions, especially those concerning people he loves. There is lots to pull from folklore and history. But there’s no shortage of stories about the deep connection native tribes had with the land. Sonny comes from that heritage and wears it proudly. This part of American history has always fascinated me and is something I deeply admire. It touches me deep in my soul and I think SUNSET was written with the same respect for the folks that came before us. Don’t you ever wonder how you know something that irreverently pops up. Sonny and his people believe in that belonging. And in SUNSET Sharon Sala let us know that she also believes.
Thematically SUNSET is about the people in whose steps we walk.
SUNSET is beautifully crafted around family, friends, animals, land, and the soul of folks both good and bad. When push comes to shove sometimes believing is the only weapon of choice. SUNSET is a winning addition to the awesome library crafted by this artist, Sharon Sala.

Sunset is the first book in Sharon Sala’s Crossroads series. Set in Crossroads, Briscoe County, Texas, the fictional town’s name signifies more than location as many of the characters are at a crossroads in their own lives.

Champion bull rider Sonny Bluejacket nearly lost his life when he was thrown and stomped by a bull five years ago. After having died twice in surgery, he retreated to his brother Charlie’s home in Bluejacket Hollow, Oklahoma. After he heals, Sonny helps around Charlie’s farm as well as doing horse training for those in the area. Even so, Sonny is at loose ends until he receives a packet from a lawyer representing Emmit Cooper’s estate. The old rodeo clown had retired to a horse training ranch outside of Crossroads, Texas, after Sonny’s accident. Emmit blamed himself for Sonny’s injuries and because of that he had left Sonny his ranch, home, truck, horses, and all other belongings, thus giving Sonny a new direction in life.

After arriving in Crossroads after a long bus ride from Oklahoma, Sonny made his way to the Yellow Rose Cafe. There he met waitress Maggie Brennen and found an instant connection. The connection they discovered and the support they provided each other forms the backbone of this novel.

With a cast of interesting characters and a lovely high plains setting, this well plotted story takes the reader through many twists and turns until Sonny and Maggie could truly relax and enjoy the sunset. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Sunset by Sharon Sala, book one in the Crossroads series, is a gripping, heart-tugging, heartwarming tale with beautiful, magical sunsets while weaving romance, suspense, and deep emotions that come with love and second chances. From the first page, I was pulled into this world of complex characters, small-town charm, and a story that kept me invested until the very end.

After nearly dying from a bull riding accident, Sonny Bluejacket receives a gift by his ancestors in which he could see bad things happening to the people he loved and warn them He was living with his brother and family on their ranch when he unexpectedly inherited a horse ranch in Crossroads; giving him a chance to restart his life. Walking into the Yellow Rose diner in Crossroads, Pearl the cafe owner, knows Sonny and welcomes him into the cafe. He is immediately he is drawn to sassy and strong waitress Magnolia "Maggie" Brennan. Maggie had a sad start to her life, experiencing abandonment all her life; but is willing to take a chance on Sonny. Maggie and Sonny are perfect for each other as they see each other’s strength; encouraging the other to use their gifts. Life is not totally safe for Sonny with his estranged father posing a danger to his new life.

Maggie and Sonny, watching the magical sunset each day as it paints the sky in Technicolor, were destined to be together. Sonny has unique and special way with animals, an important dimension of his mystical personality. Maggie has her own secret talent. The suspense element adds an extra layer to the story, keeping the tension high and making it impossible to put the book down. Just when you think you know what is coming, Ms. Sala throws in a twist that keeps you on your toes. This was a must-read, captivating, emotional story with a mixture of love, resilience, and suspense. I look forward to the next story in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
# NetGalley #SourceBooks-Casablanca