ARC Review: The Cowboy Says I Do by Dylann Crush

Series:	Tying the Knot in Texas #1
Pub. Date:	Aug. 4, 2020
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	332 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

As I just moved to Houston, I thought this would be a good choice. I don't, Texas is a tiny town somewhere between Houston and Dallas. There are quirky small town residents and family-driven politics and economics. That's how we get our main characters, the newly elected mayor (despite a lack of qualifications) and the deputy sheriff (despite questionable business activities by his family). This is a good story for those fond of sweet romance without a bit of small town drama.

ARC Review: One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

Series:	Lucky #2
Re-Release. Date:	March 6, 2018
Publisher:	Sourcebooks Casablanca
Length:	352 pages
Source:	NetGalley

I have been on the hunt lately for a good solid cowboy series that I could sink my teeth into... but so far I'm kinda striking out in this trope. I don't know if being a southern girl makes me overly picky when it comes to these stories, or if I just haven't found the right fit. But this one didn't work for me at all. 

Audiobook Review: Cowboy SEAL Homecoming by Nicole Helm

Series:	Navy SEAL Cowboys #1
Pub. Date:	Jan. 2, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Romy Nordlinger
Length:	10 hrs 24 min
Source:	Publisher

Cowboy SEAL Homecoming is set on a horse and cattle ranch in a small town in Big Sky Country - Montana. Three wounded Navy SEALs have returned to the ranch with our hero to start an equine therapy center for wounded veterans, but must heal themselves in the process. 

Rebecca Denton is an extremely sheltered young woman who was left half of the ranch by her recently deceased stepfather. After having meningitis as a child, Rebecca was coddled and sheltered by her smother, who still treats Becca as if she is naive and incapable of caring for herself and knowing her own mind. As a result, Becca has made friends on the farm and has a wide array of furry companions like Ron Swanson (the goat) and Rasputin (the rooster), among others. Becca talks to the animals as if they were people, which gives you some insight into her life and loneliness. Deciding to open an equine therapy ranch for wounded veterans with her stepbrother and his comrades is a huge step for Becca, but one at which she is determined to succeed (and have her way). I liked watching Becca come out of her shell and start to stand up for herself, her wants and needs. She didn't back down from the military men, and she earned their respect in the process.

ARC Review: Tougher in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell

Series:	Texas Rodeo #3
Pub. Date:	Aug. 1, 2017
Publisher:	Sourcebooks Casa.
Length:	416 pages
Source:	NetGalley

In short, this is a special book. Anna over at Herding Cats and Burning Soup is always gushing about her cowboys, and that made me realize that I haven't read many cowboy books. So I set out to rectify that situation, and I decided to start with a new-to-me author, Kari Lynn Dell. I think I am glad I started with this story because I definitely want to pick up her other books now. While there was some character crossover from earlier books, I didn't feel lost or confused with the story. So I think you are fine starting w/ this book if you haven't read the others. I also think you will want to go back and read the earlier books (like me) once you finish this one.

ARC Review: Semper Fi Cowboy

Series:	Lone Star Leathernecks #1
Pub. Date:	June 26, 2017
Publisher:	Pocket Books
Length:	300 pages
Source:	NetGalley

I don't read a ton of cowboy books... but Anna over at Herding Cats & Burning Soup piqued my interest, and I'm spending a month among the ranches and farms in Tucson and Yuma, so I figured this is a good time to read about men in Wranglers, Stetsons and broken-in boots. Heather Long is a new-to-me author, and one I will definitely be reading again in the future.