Rough Creek, by Kaki Warner

REVIEW

Warner serves up cowboy romance family style, with lots of heart and humor. This first novel in her Brides of Rough Creek Texas series introduces the Whitcomb Four Star Ranch, so named for the four daughters of Coralee Whitcomb: Lennox (the stay-at-home mom, and oldest of the four sisters), Raney (the workaholic ranch manager), Josslyn (the flighty musician), and Katherine Dianne (KD for short, the West Point graduate). True to form, this one’s got it all, hat and cattle.

If you like Rough Creek and want more, try Warner’s other trilogies, which include the Blood Rose Trilogy, Runaway Brides, and Heroes of Heartbreak Creek.

SYNOPSIS

With three of the Whitcomb sisters off pursuing their own careers, the responsibility of running the family ranch falls on Raney Whitcomb, who is more than up to the challenge. Four Star Ranch is already known for its prize-winning Angus cattle, but now it is expanding to include cutting horses, and could use some expertise to help with the training. To fill this position, matriarch Coralee hires Dalton Cardwell, a Rough Creek rancher who is newly released from an 18-month prison term for a crime he didn’t commit. Raney questions her mother’s choice in hiring ex-con Dalton, but he just might be the best decision she’s ever made.

Love Somebody Like You by Susan Fox

Kensington Books, October 2015

REVIEW:

In book #5 of her Caribou Crossing series, Fox’s portrayal of spousal abuse is stark and edgy, taking the reader behind closed doors where heroine Sally’s nightmarish marriage unfolds. Hero Ben is a godsend, gently coaxing Sally out of her prison of fear, loneliness and shame. Along the road to their mutual recoveries Ben finds the love of his life. But has Sally found hers?

Other recent titles in this series include Love Me Tender and Stand By Your Man (2014), Gentle on My Mind and Home on the Range (2013). Coming up in Spring/Summer 2016 is Caribou Crossing #6, Ring of Fire.

SYNOPSIS:

Ever since Sally Ryland’s husband died three years ago she’s been struggling to keep their British Columbia riding ranch afloat. And yet, mucking horse stalls and constantly dodging bank foreclosure are far easier than her short but brutal marriage had ever been. She’s a different person now than in her professional barrel racing days when she was Sally Pantages, a fun-loving, successful, confident woman. Those days are over.

After veteran bronc rider Ben Traynor suffers a shoulder injury in competition, he travels to Ryland’s ranch to recuperate and visit his old friend Sally. It doesn’t take Ben long to notice the dramatic change in her and he wonders who could have hurt her so badly to rob her of her once vivacious spirit. What’s more, is his love enough to bring her back?

Turn and Burn, by Lorelei James

Signet release date, August 2013

REVIEW:

James’ Blacktop Cowboys series continues with this a hot, sweet, romantic delight. The hero’s steady, caring nature is the perfect complement to the heroine’s bold, untamed rodeo queen personality. Together they’re uninhibited dynamite. The eclectic assortment of small town locals round out this story, ranging from hard-working ranchers to waterin’ hole regulars. Heart, family and new beginnings pull the story together into one tender, sexy read. Watch for more Blacktop Cowboys in James’ upcoming Hillbilly Rockstar and Roped In, coming in 2014.

SYNOPSIS:

Texas Cowgirl Tanna Barker, a World Champion barrel racer, is facing the biggest challenge of her career—overcoming a crippling fear of horses. Nightmares of the riding accident that nearly killed her during her last competition still haunt her. For Tanna, it was the last straw in a series of tough breaks. Though she’d never admit it to anyone, the accident left her with physical and psychological injuries she fears she might never overcome.

Veterinarian August Flethcer, “Fletch” to his friends, first meets Tanna as she’s hustling men for drinks at the local Muddy Gap watering hole. He’s amused by her bold, feisty attitude and the two hit it off immediately. Neither is looking for mushy attachments and after a volley of provocative teasing, they agree to a night of uncomplicated, no-strings, gnarly hot sex. Of course, when Fletch wakes up alone in the morning, he instantly regrets that arrangement.

Tanna was invited to Wyoming for the summer to help with cattle branding. She intends to move on in the fall, despite her dwindling resources and limited options. She’s well aware, between the lingering effects of her injuries and her irrational fear of horses, her future as a champion rider is cloudy at best. When Fletch finds Tanna at the ranch, he’s glad to have a second chance with her and resolves not to let her get away again. But wrangling this spirited but troubled cowgirl will take all the patience and finesse he can muster.