ARC REVIEW Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballenger

 Seven Range Shifters #1, "Seven shifter clans call the Montana mountains home. But a new evil will stop at nothing to tear their world apart."

With a blurb intro like that how could a PNR fan like myself not be interested in this book?! And the title Cowboys and Shifters, I mean come on it's just asking to be read. Unfortunately it wasn't as good as I hoped, don't get me wrong there was nothing bad about it it just didn't grab my attention, I was easily distracted while reading and I was indifferent to the characters, I didn't feel any connection to them especially the secondary characters. I liked the concept of seven different shifter clans secreted away in the wilds of Montana and the action, the fight scenes, were really done well I enjoyed those.

Wes was once the Alpha of a renegade pack, but after a betrayal of the worst kind he abdicated his birthright and swore fealty to the Grey Wolves alpha. Three years later he still feels like an outsider and that no one trust him even the Alpha dismisses his concerns that his former pack is up to something. Naomi Evans is a biologist who inherited her father's ranch and she is struggling to keep it especially now with her sheep mysteriously dying. Blaming the local wolves seems convenient until she catches one in a trap and he turns into a man. Wes knows the wolves aren't responsible for her sheep it isn't until she explains how they died that he puts two and two together. Now Wes must work to keep his new pack and the woman he's fallen in love with alive even if that means breaking every rule.


Overall, it was an okay read. I liked the idea of the book but the characters didn't do it for me.

SEASON'S READINGS A True Cowboy Christmas by Caitlyn Crews

Cold Creek Ranch #1, I love when new series start off with Christmas books. Cold Creek Ranch is in Colorado up high in the Rocky Mountains, a hard place to live. I really enjoyed this book I loved the characters; Gray, Abby, and Becca were well written and easy to connect with. Gray is a hard man being raised by a man who was hateful, ungrateful, and just plain ornery Gray was determined never to be like his father. The biggest way to do that was to not repeat his mistakes he's already done it once and payed the price for it, marrying a flaky girl who couldn't keep her pants on, had no interest in staying at Cold Creek Ranch and died leaving with her lover. One good thing did come out of the marriage his daughter Becca. With his old man dead and buried and his brothers, Ty and Brody, wanting to sell of the land the brothers start to argue. Brody and Ty worry about Gray and they are afraid he will end up like their father, all alone and mean. So Gray comes up with the idea that he needs a wife, one that he knows is steadfast, loves Longhorn Valley and Cold Creek, someone with roots just as deep as his.

Abby Douglas has always loved Gray Everett and now he's proposing to her, something she's always dreamed of but not for the right reasons. Ever since Gray came up with the idea of marrying Abby he's looked at her in a new light more as a woman than just his neighbor and he likes what he sees. The more time he spends with her the more the attraction grows but Gray has spent to long with the main focus of his life as the ranch he's already more like his father than he thinks. All Gray needs is Abby's steadfastness, her unassuming beauty, and her honesty to knock some sense into him but is she willing to risk her heart for something that may never be reciprocated? 

Overall, this was a heartfelt and emotional read. The Everett boys aren't 100% mended but they are off to a great start.Abby and Becca have so much in common they form a quick bond and they are good for each other just as much as Abby is good for Gray. This story was addictive I didn't want it to end I look forward to the rest of the series.     

ARC REVIEW Big Bad Cowboy by Carly Bloom

Once Upon a Time in Texas #1, A good Autumn read that takes place just before Halloween and ends with a Christmas epilogue. I adored this book! Maggie and Travis meet at a Halloween costume party, Maggie dressed as slutty Red Riding Hood and Travis as a Wolf. Instant sexual chemistry sparked between them they snuck off together not knowing each others real names and for Maggie not knowing what her Big Bad Wolf actually looked like only to part quickly after but not before Maggie's best friend slipped Maggies's number on to his phone. Travis is fresh out of the military and stuck in his hometown taking care of his nephew, Henry, whose mother just died of cancer and Travis' worthless brother is in jail, again. He's trying to earn money the best way he knows how, especially since the property taxes on his Dad's, now his, ranch are overdue. Maggie is the owner and operator of her own business, Petal Pushers, with her landscaping degree she made a name for herself, now she views Travis as competition, and really annoying, and too sexy for his own good. They wind up getting hired for the same job but for different reasons and the more time Maggie spends with Travis she realises how wrong she was about him.

Travis recognizes Maggie as Red Riding Hood right away but because he was the one wearing the mask Maggie doesn't recognize him. With her number in his phone he makes contact. Through text messages they flirt and sext and Travis falls in love. Maggie is torn between the her Big Bad Wolf and Travis, and what will she do when she realizes they are one in the same. Between the adorable Henry, the loveable Mrs. Garza (I want one of her) and Maggie's two best friends Claire and JD the secondary cast of characters is just as entertaining as Maggie and Travis. I really did like everything about his book. Overall, it ends up being such a heartwarming story with an endearing cast of characters.        

ARC REVIEW Rocky Mountain Christmas Cowboy by Katie Ruggle

Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1, I love it when new series start with the Christmas book! Yes Christmas books already and I'm so thrilled I started with this one I love Katie Ruggle she's pretty much an auto buy in paperback for me. A nice little bonus is the map at the beginning that shows where all her towns correlate to each other, I think it's cool and makes everything a little more realistic and easier to picture in my head.

Have you meet Steve? If you have read the other two series Ruggle has written than chances are you have. Steve Springfield is a single dad of four rambunctious kids (at this point three of them are teenagers) and firefighter extraordinaire, and since the last town he lived in was kind of blown up he moved his kids back to his hometown to live with his brothers and help run the Christmas Tree ranch. Camille Brandt is an eccentric artist who makes something beautiful out of scrap metal. Raised by her grandmother and still living in the same house she grew up in she always been the shy one and her social awkwardness hasn't gotten any better with age. When her too-nosy-for-her-own-good-neighbor calls 911 because she thinks Camille didn't come home after walking into the woods last night Steve and the VFD get called in to assist Search and Rescue. Steve finds Camille in the junkyard perfectly alright, warm, absolutely adorable, and thoroughly embarrassed. To take attention off of her he feigns getting stuck just so she can make a getaway with out all the fuss. Out of all the Springfield boys Steve was always Camille's favorite, he won her heart as a teenager when he played hero and now again years later for what he did in the junkyard. Steve is completely taken with Camille, she grew up even more beautiful than he could have imagined and she's brilliant, funny, so incredibly talented, and best of all she gets along and understands his kids (they are extraordinary kids). Steve and Camille are aware of the attraction between them and as scared as Camille is she's willing to step out of her comfort zone to spend time with him but soon Camille needs Steve to be her hero once again this time it's a life or death situation.

Overall, I loved this book! Katie Ruggle writes socially awkward characters so well. Her active setting is so good I'm definitely in the Christmas mood wishing it was snowing and Christmas time already. I love Steve's kids they are all pretty amazing and great comic relief for the story. Camille and Steve are pretty amazing too they have a great story; Camille is all alone in the world and when tragedy strikes Steve is there to help and be her rock. It was a great story with great characters. Can't wait for more!   

  

ARC REVIEW Do or Die Cowboy by June Faver

Dark Horse Cowboys #1 A first for me, June Faver and her brand new series. This book surprised me I wasn't expecting much but it was one of those it's too good to be true but this is fantasy so just enjoy it kind of books and I really enjoyed it, and I liked her writing style. I pretty much read this in one sitting it hooked me. I look forward to more especially since Tyler has two brothers.

Tyler Garrett is at a crossroads in his life. His mother always told him he could be a famous country singer but his father wanted Tyler's feet firmly planted on the ground particularly the ground at the ranch. The family legacy of the Garrett Ranch, the Circle G, is expected to be just that and Tyler's father keeps pressuring him to forget his dreams and just focus on the ranch. Tyler gets the opportunity of a lifetime an old friend has a recording studio and set it up for Tyler to record a demo and audition for what's basically a country version of reality singing competition show. Tyler just has to make it to Dallas in time to do it. Along the way just outside of town, however, he runs into a beautiful complication.

Leah Benson and her daughter, Gracie, have been on their own for as long as Gracie's been alive and now they are moving down to Texas to help Leah's grandmother, Fern Davis, out with her spread since her grandfather has passed away no one has been helping her. Leah also has another reason they left Oklahoma and this reason has both Leah and Gracie scared to death. Once Tyler sees the horrible state the ranch is he decides Dallas can wait a few days while he helps out. It doesn't help that some local boys and their father have their sights set on Fran's land and have been sabotaging stuff like cutting fence and setting fire to the barn. Fran doesn't scare easily and now that Tyler 's helping out it's even better. But when one of those trouble makers ends up dead on the property all finger point to Leah and Tyler is willing to jeopardize his chance at stardom to protect her at all costs.

Tyler and Leah's connection isn't quite instantaneous but as soon as Leah realizes Tyler isn't expecting anything in return and she opens up to him the attraction flares quickly from lust to love. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the romance was a nice added bonus. It was exciting and the romance was sweet, they are sweet together. They fit well together I mean, Tyler is so sweet he's a perfect cowboy he's smart he knows ranching and ag he's not afraid to get dirty with a hard days work but he doesn't want that he wants fame, he wants to sing and Leah is just looking for a safe place to call home. Leah helps Tyler realize a few things about his life and it helps Tyler's relationship with his father too. Overall, I really did enjoy this with it's complicated emotions and the small bit of murder mystery.  

ARC REVIEW Cowboy, Cross My Heart by Donna Grant

Heart of Texas #2, In the first book, The Christmas Cowboy Hero, we met Abby Harper and her two teenage brothers, Brice and Caleb. Some years have past and now the brothers are all grown up each served in the military and are now working the rodeo and at the East Ranch. This can be read as a stand alone, but the first book is so good I recommend reading it. Naomi Pierce use to ride the rodeo she was so good no one has beat her high score in barrel racing but after the death of a very good friend Naomi left the rodeo and Texas all together and became a photographer. She back now to visit her mother and her best friend Whitney who is the Queen of the Rodeo this year.

Things start to go bad when someone attacks Whitney and Naomi and try to steal Naomi's camera, luckily Brice wasn't to far away and helps them out. Brice noticed Naomi when she was in the stands and she noticed him back an instant attraction. When Naomi asked Whitney about the attack Whitney clammed up, told Naomi to drop it which just made Naomi even more suspicious. The next day after Naomi developed some of the pictures she was taking right before the attack she gave some copies to Brice to see if he could help her identify the guy, Brice is wacked upside the head and had his hand smashed and the picture stolen and at the same time someone pushes Naomi in the arena and is almost killed by the wagon race. Still Whitney says nothing. With the help of Caleb, Abby, Clay, and their friends Jace, Cooper, and the Sheriff they are able to make an educated guess about what has been happening but who is involved and how deep does the corruption goes is still a mystery. It isn't until a guilt trip from Naomi does Whitney finally tell her what exactly has been going on and for how long. They press on further with their investigation making the guys behind it all very nervous.

Brice and Naomi don't have a normal courtship but the feelings are there and it's too strong for either of them to deny. Even with all this going on they still manage time to fall in love. It was a fairly easy romance with a few bumps and complications but the main focus of the story was what was happening within the rodeo pageant. Overall, I loved the story and the characters, I inhaled this book. Donna Grant is a fantastic writer I can't wait for the rest of the series.   

ARC REVIEW Tough Luck Cowboy by A.J. Pine

Crossroads Ranch #2, So I really enjoyed this one. We met both Luke and Lily in the first book, Luke is the middle brother in the Everett family and Lily is the co-owner the the best BBQ joint in the area. The book can be read as a stand alone but to really get the family dynamic and history I would recommend reading the first book.

Luke and Lily meet at a honky tonk three years ago, Luke was just getting started in the rodeo and Lily had just moved to the area to start working on her dream of owning her own farm to table restaurant. Luke didn't have eyes for anyone else that night but Lily unfortunately so did his best friend Tucker. Thinking he had nothing to offer a girl like Lily especially when Tucker had the money to help her with her restaurant dream he left and a couple of months later Lily and Tucker were married. For three years Luke has pretended he didn't like Lily to distance himself from her, it was hard enough to see her with his best friend. But now Lily and Tucker are officially divorced, tough luck for Lily the finalization happened on her birthday and then on the same day she gets her first gig as a caterer for a wedding for a famous T.V. baker, that can seriously make or break her career, it isn't until after she offers her services that she realizes the groom is her ex-husband. Luke was there and he tried to stop her but head strong and dead set to be the best at what she does Lily takes the job.

Luke has always managed to keep his head in the game but the night of Lily's birthday with the divorce and the announcement of the wedding and a baby all Luke can think about is Lily and that's how he got injured. All Luke has ever wanted, besides Lily, was to make it to the Nationals this year is his year even with this most recent injury Luke knows he can make it this year but the doctor has restricted him for six weeks to stay off a bull, horse, and definitely no rodeo which grates on Luke's nerves but he can still make Anaheim and qualify for Nationals. In the meantime he's elected to help set up the wedding making him work very closely with Lily. Through the wedding planning and organizing Lily begins to see Luke for who he really is, through her marriage it was easy to blame him for the acting of her husband but in retrospect she sees she was blaming him because it was easier than blaming Tucker or herself and Luke took the blame it helped keep his feelings in check. Now Lily knows the truth about Luke and his feelings but she hates that he still wants to ride in the rodeo even after all his injuries and the probability that if he gets another concussion could be fatal.

Overall, it was a great read. I love Luke and Lily they had a long wait for their romance, especially Luke who was in love with her the whole time. The story was a quick and easy read very well written with fantastic characters. The internal conflict they both deal with is emotional and heartwarming it had such a wonderful end. I can't wait for the next one.   

ARC REVIEW Saved by the Cowboy by A.J. Pine

Crossroads Ranch #1.5, My First A.J. Pine book and it left me with a good first impression. This was a very cute and fun read a nice novella. I loved the characters and their chemistry, they had some great banter too. Cash Hawkins came back home after college with a broken heart and buried himself in work as the local Sheriff. He's content with his dog and his job and he never realizes just how lonely he is until Olivia Belle speeds through town. Olivia was running away from a proposal and toward some answers. She believed she could find out what love is by reading the old letters her grandparents exchanged before they got married. Olivia thinks herself as broken because she has never fallen in love she wants answers and is determined to find them in Oak Bluff. But her answer comes in a way she wasn't expecting.

Cash realizes the extent of his feelings first and he's not shy at admitting them. Olivia is a little slow on the uptake she keeps thinking she needs to learn how to love by reading someone else's story. Overall this was a nice read. It can be read as a standalone but it's has a real ehh introduction to the Everetts who are the main family in the series and it just raised more questions without really tantalizing you into reading the other books. It is still unclear as to if Olivia was still technically together with Michael when she hooked up with Cash therefore making her a cheater or if running away from him right after he proposed counts as a break up? I for one think it counted as a break up.     

GREAT SUMMER READING with Debbie Mason and R.C. Ryan

Two of my favorite summer reads this year so far are Debbie Mason's Sandpiper Shore and R.C. Ryan's Cowboy on my Mind. What I mean of course they are summer books that are perfect for that beach read, sitting by the pool, or even just your favorite outdoor reading spot.

Harmony Harbor #6, I found the blurb on this one a little off, Jenna is a matchmaker, she owns a successful business with her stepmother until recently, she's engaged to the perfect guy until he walks in into her stepsisters dress shop and tells her the weddings off. The next thing Jenna knows she's jobless, broke, her stepsisters hate her and the only one really on her side, besides her best friend, is Logan Gallagher who has recently saved her from her ex and from herself more than once all in the span of a half a day. Protecting people is what Logan does, he's in the Secret Service, but when he meets Jenna her damsel in distress vibe is strong and he finds he can't help himself and keeps coming to her aid. After that horrible day they maintain a nice friendship. He even helps her get the job as a fill in wedding planner at Greystone Manor. But then Logan's job calls him away and then there's a car accident and when Logan comes back he not only can't remember the last few weeks of his life including everything that happened with Jenna he's engaged. To top it all off Jenna now has to plan Logan's wedding...to a princess.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Jenna's poor life spirals out of control and nothing seems to be going right and just when she thinks things are finally going her way she gets thrown a curveball or two. This is a great Cinderella story, complete with mean stepsisters and a horrible stepmother and all Jenna ever wanted was for them to be a family. I loved the characters, especially Logan, the writing is so funny and heartwarming and with a little bit of intrigue to make it really interesting. I love Debbie Mason's Harmony Harbor series.

Montana Strong #1, This series starts off strong with a great introduction to characters. Montana rancher, Mac, a recent widower who not only lost his wife lost his son as well. With nothing else to live for he's on the verge of taking his own life when three young brothers who ran away from their individual foster homes break into his house in the middle of a blizzard. Seeing those boys so desperate to stay together and willing to work hard gives Mac a reason to keep going. Years later each of the three trouble makers has made something of themselves the eldest Ben is now helping out the Sheriff acting as a deputy at least temporarily until the sheriff can get back on his feet after an injury. Becca left Haller Creek the first chance she got and at first she never wanted to come back but after being gone for so long she realized how much she missed home. Becca is determined to keep her independence from her controlling and old fashioned parents and she wants to prove herself a good business woman to her Dad. Becca is not the only one back in Haller Creek, Will is back from seminary school and Becca's parents keep pushing to get her and Will to get into a relationship, but everytime her and Will are alone together someone takes a shot at them. Each shot is a miss so they are a crappy shot or they are just trying to scare them either way Ben is determined to protect Becca at all costs. Becca always had a crush on Ben, from the very first day and he's always protected her no matter what. Ben has always had a crush on Becca but was hesitant to act on it since her Dad hates Ben, but now Becca is a grown woman and she finally has the courage to act on her feelings and what she wants almost as much as she wants a successful business is Ben. It's not going to be an easy road to their HEA.

Overall, this was a great read. I love the relationship between Mac and the boys and how all three of the brothers are so different but their bond is strong and Becca fit in perfectly with their family dynamic. It was a nice tease for the other two brothers and I can't wait for their stories. Becca and Ben is a nice romance they are older and wiser and they are not going to let this second chance pass them by and dealing with Becca's dad is a handful but all in all I loved every aspect of this book.       

      

ARC REVIEW One Lucky Cowboy by Caroline Brown

Lucky #2, A Rerelease of  Carolyn Brown's Lucky series. This was a little disappointing, I loved her Lucky Penny Ranch series and all the other book I've read by her but this one, I don't know it just didn't flow the same way. The banter between Slade and Jane was fine at first but all their arguing got real old real fast. Slade is an idiot especially there at the end, I swear he's got his head stuck up his ass most of the book. Jane's not that bad she's actually more relatable even though she's uber-rich and has an assassin after her, her attitude and work ethic are commendable and how she handles the situation is understandable. I liked Jane, I loved Nellie and Ellen - Slade's Grandmother and her sister they were a hoot. The book did seem never ending, when I thought it was close to the end Slade acted like an ass and it kept going. Just when you think it's getting close to end with Jane's issue something happens and it keeps going. 

Jane Day appeared one day with Ellen at the Double L Ranch, Ellen needed help in the kitchen feeding the ranch hands and keeping up with the housework. Slade automatically hates her, he thinks she's there to rob Ellen blind and he just really doesn't trust her in fact he's pretty sure Jane Day isn't even her real name. He's only partial right on that Jane is her real name but Day isn't. Jane is on the run her step father wants to control her family's legacy and is willing to have her killed for it. Jane's "fiance" is really a hired assassin and plans to collect not just the money from her stepfather but also the life insurance policy they took out on each other. If Jane hadn't of overheard him talking and making out with the woman who was supposed to be his sister she would have never known so she ran, she ditched her phone and went as far west as she could on what money she had on her allowed. Nellie finds her at the bus stop and offers her a job Jane just needed to disappear for six more weeks until her inheritance kicks in and she has controlling interest of her family's legacy and can expose her step father. In the meantime Jane tells no one  

Eventually Slade gets over thinking Jane is a con woman and they even kind of become friends and admits to himself he finds her very attractive and likes her, but he still can't shake the feeling that she's hiding something. With two weeks to go flyers start to show up with a horrible picture of Jane on them saying she's an escaped mental patient. Jane is ready to run but at the insistence of Nellie Slade takes her he also calls the FBI, since the people looking for her are saying they are FBI Slade wants to make sure. But they don't get away easily and for the next two weeks they are trying to outrun an assassin who seems to know their every move. 

Overall, I think if Slade had been less of an asshole it would have been a much better story, I really can't see how Jane liked him.  

  

ARC REVIEW Cowboy Stole My Heart by Soraya Lane

New author for the New Year and it left me underwhelmed. What I liked about the book I liked that for a change the main characters weren't typical Texas type characters, I liked that Sam was a "horse whisperer" instead of just another rodeo cowboy or ranch hand and that Mia was professional show jumper and despite being the King ranch heiress she worked hard for everything she has. I enjoyed the over all story and how sexy it was, but, and this is just personal preference, I didn't care for  the writing style how some of it was written, the way it was worded, just didn't do it for me and really editors catch those words that are different inside the states, in the states it's flashlight not torch and it's spelled yogurt not yoghurt (I know it's that way in England, NZ, and Australia and many other other places but it's really annoying that a TEXAS cowboy uses torch I really don't think Sam is that much of an anglophile to use that word. Nitpicking I know but it bugged me. Unless it was fixed for actual publication than just ignore me). I also think Sam is kind of a dick, especially to his family and the ending was eye roll worthy, it disappointed me that she went with that path. It had such a great beginning it just went downhill from there.

Mia King bought a horse, a stallion that can't be handled. She has a sentimental attachment to Tex and isn't willing to put him down no matter what. So her Father calls in the famous horse whisperer Sam Mendes. Sam just got done with a tour and was looking forward to time off with his dog, his sister and her twin girls, his best friend and finally some time on his own ranch, but one call from the tycoon Walter King about a stallion has him intrigued and since it's not far from his own ranch he decides to take a look. Once he sees Tex he knows he has to work with this horse, even if he did start off on the wrong foot with his owner Mia.

Sam made assumptions about Mia and it caused her to instantly dislike him, but she set him straight and after seeing her ride and actually getting to know her he realized just how wrong he was about her. Once they get that sorted it doesn't take them long before they kiss and wind up in bed with each other. Sam needs to keep his heart separate from Mia and their relationship a past hurt keeps him from realizing just how perfect it is. Even though Mia agreed to keep their feeling separate she couldn't help falling in love with him.

Overall, I loved the issue with Tex and how that played out and I loved the beginning but Sam wasn't very desirable, he kind of ruined the book for me. I know it seems like this is a bad review but it wasn't horrible, there are just certain aspects of it that bugged me, but you decide if you want to read it, you may end up liking it.  

ARC REVIEW Long, Tall Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown

A Little bit of Christmas Romance for you ever growing TBR list...

Happy, Texas book 2, While I did enjoy the book there were a couple of aspect that kept me from loving it. I loved the main characters and their romance and the situation they are having to deal with, what bugged me is how backwards Happy sounds, it's like the whole town is a bunch of old biddies gossiping about each other and how hypocritical some of the secondary characters acted. Another thing, and this one is personal preference, I know the other books have the religious aspect in them and it's normally not that bad it just this one seemed a little to overly religious for me.

Nash finally thought he could move on with his life, raise his sheep and live a quiet normal life after being in the military. Why not a town like Happy seemed just the place to do it. He didn't know that he was going to be living next door to the widow to one of his soldiers that never made it home, one of his friends someone he feels immense guilt for how he died.

Kasey Dawson moved back home with her three children after her husband's death. After the rough first meeting with her new neighbor Kasey is willing to give him a bit of leeway since he's a veteran but when he hits his head and gets concussion induced memory loss and confusion and thinks that Kasey is his wife and her three kids are his own and the doctor recommends she go along with it, she thinks that's going too far, it feels like she's cheating on her dead husband, but she's going to do it anyways. After spending time with him and seeing how good he is with her kids and even after the confusion passes and he remembers things as they should be Kasey and the kids stay. Nash still hasn't told her about her husband and he's afraid that will be the thing that keeps her from giving her heart to him.

Overall, it's a good Christmas Romance, and aside from my nitpicking certain thing if you love Carolyn Brown you'll love this. 

ARC REVIEW The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant

 A little bit of Christmas Romance for your ever growing TBR list...

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant is one of those that makes you think in terms that they are real. In the back of my mind the pessimist kept saying, 'It's too good to be true Abby! Don't believe it." but then I kept reminding myself, "It's a romance of course it's too good to be true because it isn't true, it's fiction. Shut up and let them have their HEA!" So it is a little unbelievable but it's such a good story and Abby and her brothers deserve that HEA.

Clayton East left home as soon as he could, he joined the NAVY and went on to become a SEAL, now he's working in Africa protecting animals against poachers. That is until he gets a call from telling him his father has had a mild stroke and the ranch is in trouble. So the prodigal son returns.

Abby Harper has been taking care of her two younger brother since she was eighteen and their mother walked out on them signing guardianship over to Abby. Their father had died some years before that and so Abby devoted her life to making sure the boys get by. She has taken some courses but it's taking longer than normal to get her CPA certification in the meantime she's working as a grunt in someone else's firm. It hasn't been easy and it's about to get worse when Abby gets a call from the sheriff says her brother Brice has been arrested for cattle rustling. Clay is taken with Abby, she's beautiful and willing to do whatever it takes to take care of her brothers even if it means paying off the amount the cattle was worth. Clay is also sympathetic to the Harper family and suggest an alternative that her brother works of his debt by working on his ranch.

Clay pretty much falls in love with Abby at first sight and as much as he never wanted to stay at the ranch he missed it and Abby and her brothers fit in perfectly, even his parents love them. Abby is trying not to get her hopes up but Clay makes it impossible to say no to. It's not all going to be easy because the man behind the cattle rustling is willing to do anything to get rid of the powerful East Ranch empire.

Overall, This is one of my favorite Christmas Romance book this year so far. Donna Grant is a fantastic author and she really knows how to pull you in. This is the first of a new series so I will definitely catch the next one, especially if it features the sexy Deputy Danny.

ARC REVIEW Toughest Cowboy in Texas by Carolyn Brown

The first of a new series by Carolyn Brown, Happy Texas is a spin off of her Lucky Penny Ranch series which is a spin off of another series, Lucky. It's a typical Carolyn Brown western romance, funny and loveable characters with a heartwarming story and a steamy romance.

Happy, Texas isn't the place where you go to let the past die it's quite the opposite for Lila Harris. When Lila lived in Happy she was known as the wild child, there isn't anything she wouldn't do. She was also secretly dating Brody Dawson; it had to be done in secret because it was very obvious that his mother and grandmother didn't approve of her. It never mattered to them they were young, dumb, and in love until Brody broke her heart. Lila left Happy heart broken and changed she became studious and worked hard to leave the wild child reputation far away from her but Lila goes back to help her mother sell the diner and as soon as she crosses the city limit sign she itching to do something crazy as long as it has nothing to do with Brody.

Brody never left Happy like he was supposed to, he was all set up to go to college but both his father and grandfather died and Brody was left to take care of the ranch and keep the family afloat. Life went on and Brody stayed the same just older and wiser and a lot more cautious. Twelve years down the line Brody is still at the ranch and Lila has come back into town for the summer or less if the diner gets sold sooner. They try to avoid it but all the unresolved things left between them, the sexual charge, and all the people telling them to stay away from each other just pulls them together. The romance is rekindled but Lila still plans on leaving and Brody wouldn't be happy any other place than his ranch can they survive another short lived romance or will they finally burn out the young love or let it grow into something so much more.

Overall, it's another fun and good read from Carolyn Brown. I can't wait for the other books. Brody has a sister with a brood of kids who lost the love of her life overseas and a younger brother and they need HEAs of their own.        

ARC REVIEW Texas Daze by Cynthia D'Alba

Yes that is the right cover Texas Daze is part of the When Things Got Hot in Texas anthology.

Texas Daze is a novella from the Whispering Springs, Texas series. It's a quick and really good cowgirl romance. Marti is a cowgirl works her father's ranch and will one day take over. Eli is an orthopedic doctor who is just in Texas to fill in for a friend while he waits for his once in a lifetime job to tell him when to start. Marti sprains her ankle bad enough her parents finally bully her into going to the doctor, unfortunately it worse than just a sprain. Marti hates going to doctors but it helps when the doctor is as sexy as Eli.

Both Marti and Eli have had heartaches in the past but the attraction between them is too strong to deny. Eli has to move past the pain of his wife's death and move on with his life. Marti's heartache wasn't near as painful as it should have been but she broke off her engagement right before the wedding and her ex's father hasn't been nice about it. A memorable first date leads to a relationship with an expiration date but falling in love seems to be inevitable.

Overall this was such a quick and good read. Eli is such a sweetie.    

ARC REVIEW Reed by R.C. Ryan

Reed is book three of the Malloys of Montana series by R.C. Ryan. Reed is the youngest of the three brothers and even though he has the playboy image he takes one thing very seriously, his cattle. He is trying to raise a herd of free range organic cattle that has been a money pit, until now. This latest herd is doing surprisingly well and if he can get them to market he has a buyer who will pay very well for them. Ally Shaw and her son Kyle needed a do over. Kyle's father was a military man who died overseas. After it happened a coworker of Ally's started acting weird, and possessive. Ally wanted to get away from him and everything else. She moved to Glacier Ridge and into her uncle's home. Uncle Archer reluctantly let them stay until Ally could get the apartment upstairs from her new business liveable. Archer had some strict rules for them to follow and half the time it was difficult for a four year old Kyle to remember them. It was the wrong time for them to meet, Ally needed to worry about her store and her son and Reed needed to concentrate on his keeping his livestock healthy until roundup. But once Reed saw Ally, no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, he knew there would be no other woman for him.

Trouble followed Ally to Montana, it started as little things but the closer she got to Reed the worse things got. Even her relationship with her Uncle which was precarious already got worse. But she had lots of good things going on that outweighed the bad, her business was successful the towns people loved her, and she even acquired a new assistant a young girl with a knack and passion for vintage clothes. She also had the love and support of the entire Malloy family especially Reed. The only thing bringing her down was the crazy stalker and her temperamental Uncle.

Ally is, of course, hesitant to start anything with Reed, after what happened with Kyle's father she was worried about a relationship with any man. I loved the slow but constant seduction Reed goes through with Ally, the not so subtle reminders that he is there for her, and willing to wait until she's comfortable but not letting her forget how much he wants her. Reed is great with Kyle and with dealing with all the crap that followed her Ally can't resist the charm and the attraction.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I like R.C. Ryan her style of writing is smooth and easy well balanced between the suspense, emotional and the romance. OHHHHHH and the continuing story arc is finally concluded! I really enjoy reading R.C. Ryan western romance and I can't wait for more.    

ARC REVIEW Talk Cowboy to Me by Carolyn Brown

Talk Cowboy to Me is the first book of Carolyn Brown's new series Lucky Cowboys but is also part her Lucky series (book 4). As always Carolyn Brown delivers an adorably cheesy romance that I just can not get enough of really. Quirky situations and extremely likable characters combined together with humor and a bit of sadness make this story one to remember.

Adele and her two daughters are forced to leave the ranch they called home after a bitter divorce, Adele thinks she has found the perfect place to call home the only problem is that Remington Luckadeau wants the same place. Remington inherited his two nephews after the death of their parents, Remington's brother and his wife. Remy was known for his playboy ways but now that he has his nephews to raise he wants to settle down on a ranch and turn his two city boys into cowboys. But on the whim of the rancher selling the land he sets it up so both family stay at the ranch and whoever does a better job gets the ranch.

Adele is just as determined as Remy to get the ranch. The sexual chemistry between them is something Adele isn't use to and with Remy's past she is hesitant to start anything with him especially after her disaster of a first marriage. The four kids start of rocky but soon they are acting like siblings. Adele isn't want Remy's is use to and definitely not his usual type but she is everything he needs if only he can convince her that his feelings aren't short term.

Overall, this was a really cute story and I look forward to the next book.  

ARC REVIEW Wicked Cowboy Charm by Carolyn Brown

Book Four in Carolyn Brown's Lucky Penny Ranch series. I knew as soon as Jud Dawson said he had a sister, Josie, that she would end up with the only single one left in the group, Deke Sullivan. This was a nice book a sweet romance that gives us a break from Dry Creek Texas and takes us on a vacation to Montana. Well not really a vacation Deke and Josie both, separately, went to look at stock for their ranches. They ended up at the same ranch right before a snowstorm and they get stranded at the old rancher's house.

I love that both Deke and Josie took the time to get to know each other. First just as friends and then business partners before admitting that their attraction to each other wasn't just a passing thing. The story is a little slow going but it's really about Deke and Josie falling in love and finding their place. There is a little bit of angst and miscommunication but not nearly as much as the previous books. The old rancher, Everett, really makes the story he's the one that really bring them together.

Overall, it was a nice easy conclusion to the Lucky Penny Ranch series and the Dawson family is quite large. Keep a look out for the next series Happy, Texas.    

ARC REVIEW Riding High by Stacy Finz

Book 8 already! Wow! Riding High bring together Gia Treadwell who we meet in the last book as a financial genius who was swept off her feet by a scheming con-man who stole a butt load of money and ruined her professional reputation. And although the grand jury acquitted her the FBI still has her in sights to find her ex-boyfriend swindler who has disappeared with the millions he took. Flynn is a former FBI turned private practice lawyer/rancher and his family has been leasing the land she bought for graze land. Flynn, although he knows innocent until proven guilty, can't help but be sceptic about Gia's intentions. Flynn is soon confused by what he's read about her and how she acts, then again she pulled a rifle on him the first time they meet. This book also reinforced why I dislike the character Clay so much. There is a side story (which is typical for this series) of Clay and Emily, no spoilers, but he continues to be a complete ass.

Gia needed to get away from everything in her old life and to finally do something she really believes in, that is why she liquidated all her assets to have enough money to buy the ranch. Gia is now earning her money in day trading, going back to where she started. Unfortunately the FBI is still trying to pin her down so she can give them information on her ex to the point of harassment. She hires Flynn to help keep the wolves at bay, it isn't until then that he starts realize there is so much more to Gia then he ever thought, so much more than she ever let anyone see when she was a celebrity. While Gia tries to get her new homestead up and running and earning money and starting on her special project she is falling in love with Flynn, even with as gun shy as she is about trusting her heart again Flynn is a good guy and she can't help but fall in love. Flynn is taken with her beauty, impressed by her intelligence and despite trying to remain impartial he can't help but stand up for her and stand by her and fall in love with her.

Overall, another great Nugget Romance! P.s. I really do dislike Clay.      

ARC REVIEW Luke by R.C. Ryan

First time reader of R.C. Ryan and even though this is the second book of the series it can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed this book I loved the characters the plot was enjoyable and very well done. Luke is a knight-errant in a Stenson, if you are looking for an adventurous, daredevil cowboy who isn't going to turn away someone he cares about this is the cowboy you are looking for. Ingrid is a headstrong rancher determined not to lose her family's legacy. Unfortunately her father's untimely death left her mother with the property and left Ingrid and her little sister with the cattle. Ingrid just needs to make it until the spring when she can sell off the herd and buy her birthright from her horrible mother.

Strange things have been happening around Ingrid's property like a fire, someone poisoning her dog; Ingrid is stretched to her limit on keeping things together and her mother's money grubbing hands are not helping. When Luke is photographing a wild herd of mustangs a rifle shot spooks the horses and knocks him off his horse and bangs his head. Ingrid finds him and even though she thinks he's the one who took the shot she takes him back home to tend to his wounds. It's a couple of days before Luke is up and moving around again but one thing he knows for sure is that he can not leave Ingrid alone with her sister and an older, should be retired by now, ranch hand to deal with a pushy neighbor and suspicious activities. Ingrid is suspicious of Luke she doesn't know his motives and assumes her mother's "honky tonk angel" ways will seduce Luke just like every other man around. Luke only has eyes for Ingrid and he's going to work hard to prove to her that he's not going anywhere as long as she needs him. The suspicious activities start to escalate and the sexual tension between Luke and Ingrid intensifies until Ingrid finally gives in and soon realizes she loves him.      

I love the fact that right off the bat the prologue establishes just how far Luke is willing to go to help those he loves. I loved that the harder Ingrid wanted to hate Luke the more she loved him. I loved Gracie "Lil'bit" The end was really good a nice climatic ending. Overall a great read.