ONLY A COWBOY WILL DO by A.J. Pine

Publisher:      Forever    
Published:      March 30, 2021
ISBN:      978-1538749869
Genre:     Contemporary Romance
Format:     Print from Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

THREE HEARTS

 

                                                                    

For Jenna Owens’s fortieth birthday present her nephews have given her what could be the gift of a lifetime—two weeks at the Meadow Valley Guest Ranch.  It’s not the kind of gift she would give to herself.  In fact, there is little in life Jenna has done for herself. Everything in her life has been about taking care of her three now grown nephews following the death of their mother. They have even gone too far as to arrange her trip from Oak Bluff to Meadow Valley, having her drive up with their long-time friend, Colt Morgan.

 

Colt Morgan is your basic good guy who happens to be an uber hunky cowboy. He’s the kind of guy that turns heads but doesn’t seem to be aware that pretty much every female would love to have in her life. After losing his home and family at a young age, being shuffled from foster home to foster home until turning 18, Colt finally was reunited with his sister, Willow. He thought he found the love of his life, but she didn’t want a life with him. Rather than be hurt again, he’s had a string of one night stands and just not let anyone but the Callahan brothers, Sam and Ben, get close to him. He’s more than happy to have some company on his trip home to Meadow Valley. He just didn’t plan on falling for the woman he’s given that ride to.

 

Things seem pretty simple until a surprise storm strands them and the seek shelter with a friendly couple. As they shelter from the storm, they begin to share a bit more about each other and find a growing attraction. But neither is looking for a long time relationship. As such, they settle on a fling, a two week fling while Jenna is at the ranch. But even the most protected hearts can’t stop a fling from becoming more, can they?

 

Sometimes you just need to move away from the noise of the everyday world and escape into romance – either your own or someone else’s imagined happy ever after.  Just as long as you get that happy ever after.  A.J. Pine does that for me. My own life is pretty nice. I’ve got something to be happy about pretty much every day. But sometimes I need a little more and her books take me there. Pine doesn’t just give you a sweet romance—she gives readers a look at how even the saddest of situations can have if not a happy ending, at least one where you find peace. Be it overcoming alcohol addiction, confronting death at an early age, dementia, or a host of other every day things that sadden us, she takes you into it and then gives you a happy ending.

 

Of the three cowboys in her Meadow Valley series, Colt Morgan’s story was the one I was most eager to read. There was something about the character that appealed to me and his story definitely proved me right—he is a very special character.  Although I will admit, I’m rooting for veterinarian Eli Murphy and am really hoping for his story—that might move me from Team Colt…but we’ll see.

 

Pine creates really terrific characters. They are credible and the kind of people you’d like to meet and have in your own life. I have to admit I have a fondness for her animal characters as well and Lucy in ONLY A COWBOY WILL DO is definitely a favorite.  She – Pine—takes her readers into the hearts of situations almost all us will confront at some point in our lives.  But she doesn’t hit readers over the head with these subjects. They are part of the story but not a main focus—the romance, the falling in love with a special person is. I have to admit that I appreciated that this one features a hunky, all around good guy, falling for an older woman. 

 

You don’t have to have read the first two books in the Meadow Valley series to enjoy this one, but if you don’t you’ll be missing some good reading. Her books are perfect to introduce a teen reader to reading romance as well as bringing a sigh at the happy ever after to more mature readers.

 

 

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

 

 

 

SAVED BY THE COWBOY by A.J. Pine

Publisher:      Forever

Published:      2018

ISBN:      B07868VNZDGenre:     

Contemporary Romance

Format:     Print from Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

 

THREE HEARTS

 

                                                                    

Olivia Belle is a runner.  No, not a race runner or a delivery runner.  She runs from commitment, specifically romantic commitment.  It’s not that she doesn’t believe in romance and true love—she’s seen it up close and personal with her grandmother and grandfather. But she’s also seen what happens when romance and love fade with her forever bickering parents.  So when her current squeeze gets down on one knee in the middle of his sister’s wedding, Olivia runs. Not just anywhere, but to the place where her grandparents met because that’s where she thinks she’ll find the answer of how to fall in love.

 

Sheriff Cash Hawkins is more than fond of his town. He grew up here and aside from going to school in New York, he’s stayed in Oak Bluff and that’s been just fine.  Just as fine is that the only two women in his life are his mother and his German Shepard Dixie. He sees his fair share of women, but burned once, he’s not open to it twice.  Not much happens in Oak Bluff and he’s not exactly pleased with his otherwise quiet Saturday night on patrol is disrupted by a speeder. In short order Olivia is in cuffs, arrested by Cash. But seriously, who captured who?

 

I normally don’t read novellas.  I always feel like something is missing, that characters turn out two dimensional and there isn’t time to get drawn into the story.  A.J. Pine’s SAVED BY THE COWBOY was a bonus read in one of R.C. Ryan’s books (The Cowboy Next Door) and since it was there I figured I’d give it a try. I’m also a fan of westerns and since the story takes place not far from my home, what’s not to like? Pine is a new to me author but I really liked her voice and am looking forward to her reading her again. 

 

The runaway bride theme has been done a few times, but Pine gives it a different twist since Olivia isn’t a bride and certainly doesn’t want to be one.  She’s a terrific character – spunky and witty and reads like someone you’d like to have as a friend. local police officer who seems to be falling for her.  And Cash….if you’re in need of a sigh and toe curling experience, he’s your guy.  

 

Pine tells a fun story in a short time. It was a perfect read to start…and finish…just before falling asleep.

 This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

 

*

SECOND CHANCE COWBOY by A.J. Pine

Publisher:     Forever

Published:     February 27, 2018

ISBN:        978-1538727065

Genre:      Contemporary Romance

Format:     Print

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

THREE HEARTS

 

Ten years ago Jack Everett had enough of his home town and dealing with his alcoholic and abusive father.  He did something he’s long regretted, something that also cost the then 18 year old Jack the girl he loved.  But he never got over Eva Ellis…not really.  Not through UCLA undergrad, not through law school and not on his climb to make partner in his law firm.  When his father dies he returns for the funeral.  Not out of any loyalty to the man who routinely beat him, but to stand by his brothers, Luke and Walker.  Upon his return he learns that aside from the family ranch, the brothers have inherited a vineyard—one that has been sorely neglected. Determined to help his brothers he stays in town long enough to assess the vineyard.  But life has a way of throwing us curves at the oddest times.

Eva Ellis never forgot the boy who took her heart not all that many years ago…but enough years to make some significant changes in her life.  When she accidently runs into Jack—literally and figuratively, all of those old feelings surface.  And along with those feelings are new ones…ones that cannot be ignored.

Can two people let go of ten years of heartbreak and secrets to find their way to each other again?

Second Chance Cowboy was the first A.J. Pine book I’ve read. I love a good western and can’t resist a hot cowboy.  While Second Chance Cowboy takes place on a ranch, it could have pretty much taken place anywhere with a few changes…like getting any struggling business up and running.  That works well if you want a heart touching story without being a cowboy fan. 

I have to admit I got a little tired of Walker’s incessant drunkenness and there was a bit too much repetitiveness about Jack’s rough childhood.  The beginning of the book started on a downer and it took most of the book to get on some sort of positive ground.  If it weren’t for Owen and Scully I’m not sure it would have happened.

I liked Eva.  She’s a great character.  Smart, strong and strong willed, competent and not afraid to put herself out there.  She’s someone you’d want for a friend.

Not a bad read. 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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