Category Archives: Joanne Kennedy

March 27, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy

Title: Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this reissue of Joanne Kennedy’s heart-winning debut novel Cowboy Trouble, love under the wide blue skies awaits… 

You can’t go it alone in a place this hard

Her latest love-life disaster behind her, Libby Brown flees to the Wyoming countryside to fulfill a childhood dream by starting her own chicken farm from scratch. But the West is wilder than she expected, and while she’s determined to succeed on her own, the sexy, sturdy cowboy next door sure is helpful…

Rancher Luke Rawlins is impressed by the sassy, independent city girl and he’s ready to prove that he’s with her for the long haul. But a mystery from the past soon threatens their new bond and tests their love in ways Luke and Libby never could have imagined…

Review:

Cowboy Trouble is a re-release of Joanne Kennedy’s debut romantic suspense Western.

Libby Brown is a crime reporter who relocated to Wyoming following a bad break up that also led to the loss of her job. Realizing her dream of running a chicken ranch, she is also working for  the local newspaper. While not a lot goes on in this small town, Libby is immediately drawn into investigating the still unsolved disappearance of Della McCarthy.  In the course of her investigation, she meets town sheriff Cash McIntyre, whose intensity is a little unnerving. Libby is a gutsy heroine, but she not looking for love which is why she tries to ignore her attraction to Luke Rawlins, the sexy cowboy who lives on a neighboring ranch. Can Libby unearth the truth about what happened to Della? And will she decide to take a chance on love again?

Libby is an independent woman who does not need a man’s help to get her chicken ranch up and running.   However, she is very reluctant to accept Luke’s assistance but she is smart enough to know she is out of her depth.  Before long, she discovers her feelings for the handsome cowboy run deeper than friendship, but will Libby risk her heart again?

Luke is a charming man who still lives on his family’s ranch. His parents are much older and their health is declining. Luke is pretty irresistible but, much to his dismay, Libby is intent on keeping their relationship platonic. As her investigation into Della’s disappearance intensifies, he grows concerned for her safety. Can Luke convince her to let him help keep her safe?

There is plenty of chemistry between Luke and Libby but her lack of trust becomes a huge obstacle for them. She  does not trust her judgment and it does not take much for Cash McIntyre to raise doubts about Luke. Libby is also determined get to the truth about Della’s disappearance, but this leads her to make some ill-advised choices throughout her investigation.  Rushing headlong into to danger, will Libby’s quest for answers put her in the crosshairs of a killer?

Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy is a quirky romance that has plenty of suspense. Libby has several good qualities, but her lack of trust and her propensity to act without thinking are annoying. Luke is a sweet man but his character is not very well-developed.  The mystery aspect is interesting and really takes off in the last third of the book. Although Libby is clueless about who might have harmed Della, readers will most likely have NO problem solving the crime.  While the rest of the story is a bit predictable, the conclusion is quite heartwarming.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboy Trouble, Joanne Kennedy, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Suspense

February 1, 2016 · 11:55 pm

Review: How to Wrangle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

how to wrangleTitle: How to Wrangle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The last thing this cowboy expected
Inner-city veterinarian Lindsey Ward always loved visiting her grandfather’s Wyoming ranch, so it breaks her heart to have to sell it. She’ll miss the scent of hay and sagebrush under the wide-open sky, but at least the sale will help fund the clinic she’s always dreamed of.

Was to get roped by a city girl
Ruggedly handsome foreman Shane Lockhart and his adorable son aren’t making it any easier for Lindsey to focus on what has to be done. It’s exhilarating going toe to toe with a rough, tough cowboy whose stubborn idealism matches her own, but it’s Shane’s tenderness that might tip Lindsey’s heart over the fence.

Review:

The final installment in Joanne Kennedy’s heartwarming Cowboys of Decker Ranch series, How to Wrangle a Cowboy is a sweet love story that is healing and uplifting.

Lindsey Ward and her grandfather Bud parted on bitter terms and unfortunately he passed away before they could mend the rift between them. Despite their estrangement, she is stunned to discover she will inherit the family ranch instead of her beloved grandmother, Grace. Lindsey is disillusioned by a stranger’s claim against the estate but in an effort to protect her grandfather’s memory, she keeps the situation from her grandmother and their trusted ranch foreman, Shane Lockhart. Trying to handle the predicament on her own, Lindsey considers selling the ranch, but can she bear to part with her grandfather’s legacy?

Recently divorced and still trying to recover financially, Lindsey deeply regrets not acting sooner to make amends with her grandfather. Her grandmother is quick to assure her that Bud harbored no ill feelings toward her and that he wanted nothing but happiness for her. Lindsey would like nothing better than to remain on the ranch but she needs to raise a large sum of money in a short amount of time in order to keep information about her grandfather from becoming public knowledge. She turns to Shane for advice and they immediately lock horns over her plans.

Shane is one of three foster brothers who spent their teenage years on a neighboring ranch. He is deeply scarred by the damage inflicted by his drug addicted parents and his experiences with some of his foster families. Recently reunited with his six year old son, Cody, Shane is protective of those he loves and he finds it very difficult to trust that his good fortune will last.

Sparks fly between Shane and Lindsey from the very beginning and they spend a great deal of the story giving in to their attraction only to have their issues come between them time and again. Shane remains emotionally closed off, distant and mistrusting of Lindsey’s plans while her experiences with her ex-husband leave her zealously guarding her independence. Lindsey is quick to make assumptions about Shane without discussing things with him first and this causes friction between them on more than one occasion. Their relationship is fraught with tension as lack of communication and trust take their toll on their fragile romance.

How to Wrangle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy is a deliciously steamy contemporary Western romance. Shane and Lindsey are multi-faceted protagonists whose life experiences have left them a bit wary and guarded as they try to protect themselves from further pain and disappointment. The plot is engaging but it is a little busy since multiple story arcs occur simultaneously. The novel wraps up with a heartfelt epilogue that is quite sweet. A wonderful conclusion to the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series that old and new fans are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboys of Decker Ranch, How to Wrangle a Cowboy, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

February 1, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

kiss cowboyTitle: How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Between rodeo wins and endorsement deals, Saddle Bronc Champion Brady Caine is living a charmed life. But when he causes an accident that could end a promising barrel racer’s career, he decides that he’s done with loose women and wild rides. All he wants to do is erase his mistake by getting Suze Carlyle back in the saddle.

The last person barrel racer Suze wants to see on her doorstep is the man who ended her rodeo career, but she can’t help admire Brady’s persistence. Sparks fly between them, but when her barn is sabotaged she wonders if he’s really the straight shooter he seems to be…

The Review:

How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy is a deliciously sweet yet sinfully steamy romance that fans of contemporary westerns absolutely do not want to miss. This second installment in the marvelous Cowboys of Decker Ranch series begins with an unexpected night of passion between childhood friend Suze Carlyle and Brady Caine. However it is not until a serious accident sidelines Suze that their relationship grows into something deeper, but misunderstandings and trust issues threaten their budding romance.

Suze is a highly successful barrel racer who is incredibly focused on her career. Following in the footsteps of her deceased mother who was also a championship barrel racer, Suze is desperately trying to win her grief stricken father’s love and approval. But the biggest reason for her dedication is much more practical: without her rodeo winnings, Suze and her father are in danger of losing the family ranch.  Her devotion to her career has paid off financially but it has left a huge void in her life personally. She is an independent loner without any close friends and while normally this does not bother Suze, after her accident, she is left without anyone to rely on except the last person she wants to see: Brady.

Brady was in and out of foster homes until the Deckers adopted him along with his two foster brothers, Ridge and Shane, as teenagers. He hides the pain of his difficult childhood behind an easy smile and a carefree attitude, but this has earned him a reputation of not taking life seriously. His natural talent as a saddle bronc rider means he wins more than he loses but he is content to coast along without putting any extra effort into improving his career. Brady is charming, good-natured and very popular with the ladies on the rodeo circuit, but his relationships are quick and easy one night stands. There is more to Brady than his superficial outward appearance reveals, but the only person who sees a glimpse of the real man is Suze. However their awkward morning after leads to both of them pretending their night together was meaningless and the two go their separate ways until they work together on a photo shoot that ends in a tragic accident.

The accident is a turning point for both Brady and Suze. For the first time, Brady becomes someone that can be counted on and Suze realizes that she needs more in her life than her career. Suze tries to push Brady away but he stubbornly refuses to give in to her demands to leave her alone. Brady is surprisingly honest about his feelings but Suze is very reluctant to believe that he sincerely wants to be with her. Their relationship is further damaged by Suze’s low self-esteem and her inability to put her complete trust in Brady.

How to Kiss a Cowboy is a captivating romance with a complex and well-developed storyline. The characters are appealing and multi-layered with realistic issues to overcome. This heartwarming addition to the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series an emotional, fun and sensual romance that old and new fans of Joanne Kennedy are going to love.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboys of Decker Ranch, How To Kiss a Cowboy, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

March 31, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: How to Handle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

handleTitle: Review: How to Handle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

His Rodeo Days May Be Over…

Sidelined by a career-ending injury, rodeo cowboy Ridge Cooper feels trapped at his family’s remote Wyoming ranch. Desperate to find an outlet for the passion he used to put into competing, he takes on the challenge of teaching his roping skills to five troubled ten-year-olds in a last-chance home for foster kids, and finds it’s their feisty supervisor who takes the most energy to wrangle.

But He’ll Still Wrangle Her Heart

When social worker Sierra Dunn seeks an activity for the rebellious kids at Phoenix House, she soon learns she’s not in Denver anymore. Sierra is eager to get back home to her inner-city work, and the plan doesn’t include forming an attachment in Wyoming—especially not to a ruggedly handsome and surprisingly gentle local rodeo hero.

The Review:

How to Handle a Cowboy is a beautiful story about two people who find love despite their troubled pasts and the five rambunctious yet lovable boys who steal their hearts. This first novel in Joanne Kennedy’s Cowboys of Decker Ranch series perfectly balances heartache with hope and the resulting story is a little poignant and exceptionally heartwarming.

Sierra Dunn escaped her unhappy childhood through hard work and determination and she pours all her energy into her career as a social worker. Now a foster mom at a group home, she is trying to make a difference in the lives of the five boys in her care and hopefully, the small Wyoming town too. Needing a positive male influence in the boys’ lives, Sierra reluctantly teams up with local cowboy Ridge Cooper after he agrees to mentor the kids. Their relationship takes a personal turn when the two give in to their surprising attraction but their future remains uncertain.

Scarred by her own unhappy childhood, Sierra pours her heart and soul into giving her foster sons all the love and care they have been missing in their lives. She is hoping the small town will accept the disreputable boys, but so far, she and the kids continue to be outsiders. Her experience with volunteers has been disappointing so she does not have high hopes that Ridge will prove to be the help the boys need. Their first encounter is absolutely hilarious, but they both agree that Ridge is not the mentor Sierra has been searching for. But a little manipulation from an unexpected source brings Sierra and the boys to the Decker Ranch where Ridge begins to work a little magic on the kids… and Sierra.

Ridge has spent a lot of successful years on the rodeo circuit but after a career ending injury, he returns to the ranch he shares with his brothers Shane and Brady. Without a clear goal of what comes next in his life, he is at loose ends when he meets Sierra and her foster sons. Recognizing kindred spirits in all of the young boys, Ridge enthusiastically introduces them to ranch life and in the process, he heals some of the wounds from his own troubled past.

Sierra and Ridge are reluctantly drawn together and although they do not see the possibility of a future together, they begin a passionate affair. They share an easy camaraderie as they get to know one another and both Sierra and the boys blossom under Ridge’s tender care. As Ridge’s feelings for Sierra deepen, he comes out his shell and is stunned when he discovers what he wants next in life. Despite her growing attachment to Ridge and her foster kids, Sierra remains focused on her career until an insightful comment from one of her most troubled boys makes her reconsider what is most important in life.

I absolutely adored all of Sierra’s foster sons. They are fragile and damaged by the pain inflicted by their parents but they are surprisingly resilient. Each one has a unique personality and Ridge is quick to pick up on their individual strengths. The relationship between Ridge and the kids tugs at the heartstrings and I love how quickly they begin to flourish under his guidance.

Delightfully funny yet full of deep emotions, How to Handle a Cowboy is a riveting novel with charming and appealing characters. The storyline is realistic yet hopeful and the romance is a wonderful blend of sexy and sweet. With intriguing glimpses of brothers Brady and Shane Joanne Kennedy leaves readers eager for the next installments of the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboys of Decker Ranch, How to Handle a Cowboy, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Casablanca

January 31, 2013 · 3:56 am

Review: Cowboy Tough by Joanne Kennedy

Title: Cowboy Tough by Joanne Kennedy
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’s looking for paradise…

When Cat Crandall ditches her career in advertising to take a job teaching painting workshops in exotic locations, she’s hoping to be sent to Tuscany, or maybe France. Instead, she’s assigned to lead a group of aspiring artists through the backcountry of the isolated Boyd Dude Ranch in Wyoming.

He’s looking for a way out.

Mack Boyd is in the middle of the best bronc-riding season of his life when his mother asks him to help lead an artists’ retreat at the ranch. Mack might be able to ride a wild stallion to a standstill, but he can’t say no to his family.

Together, they just might find what they both need.

It doesn’t take long for Mack to figure out that artists are a lot harder to herd than cattle—especially when they’re led by a spitfire of a city girl who doesn’t like to be bossed around. Cat Crandall is nothing but trouble—so why is he so drawn to her?

The Review:

Joanne Kennedy brings her readers another romance that perfectly captures not only the Western way of life, but the wild and untamed beauty of the vast Wyoming countryside in her newest release , Cowboy Tough. This beautifully written novel is sweet, sexy and full of emotions. It is also a marvelous story about the importance of family and following your dreams.

Following her sister’s death, Cat Crandall is burned out in her career in advertising. Re-evaluating her priorities, she takes a job as an art instructor that she hopes will allow her to pursue her dreams. It also gives her an opportunity to spend time with her grieving niece, Dora. While the Boyd Dude Ranch is not exactly the exotic location she was hoping for, Cat is enthralled by the beauty of the land. She is also instantly attracted to the sexy bronc rider and “dude” wrangler Mack Boyd. With nothing going quite as planned, Cat’s future plans are becoming more and more uncertain with every passing day.

One of the things I enjoyed most about Cowboy Tough is the fact that Cat is not a cowgirl. She is definitely out of her element on the ranch, but from an artistic viewpoint, she fully appreciates the splendor of the surrounding landscape. She slowly adapts to her rather rustic living conditions and she gradually comes to realize that she does not enjoy life in the city as much as she originally thought. It is this realization that finds her rethinking exactly what she has been searching for.

Mack Boyd is the quintessential cowboy. His good manners and love of the family ranch are deeply ingrained in him. Protective of those he loves, Mack willingly puts his rodeo career on hold to help his mother save their ranch. He too has an instant attraction to Cat, but with a failed marriage to a city slicker in his past, he has his doubts about a relationship between them.

One of the secondary story arcs involves Cat’s niece Dora. Cat is determined to help Dora reach her potential as an artist despite Dora’s overwhelming resistance. Dora is still deeply mourning the loss of her mother and she clings tightly to her anger and continually lashes out at Cat. Mack’s experiences with his teenage daughter, Viv, prove invaluable and he does not hesitate to offer his advice to Cat. This part of the plot reveals a lot about Mack’s character and gives him added depth and dimension.

Many of the subplots in Cowboy Tough involve the secondary cast of characters. They are a well-developed and eclectic group of people that I really enjoyed getting to know. There is also wonderful storyline with Mack’s mom, Maddie, that is very endearing. Equally interesting is the mystery aspect of the plot. It does not overpower the novel, but it adds another layer to the complex and well-executed plot.

Cowboy Tough is another delightful and engrossing novel from Joanne Kennedy that I heartily recommend. A truly wonderful cast of characters along with an entertaining storyline make this a must read for anyone who enjoys contemporary Western romances.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboy Tough, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

June 5, 2012 · 3:57 am

Cowboy Crazy by Joanne Kennedy

Title: Cowboy Crazy by Joanne Kennedy
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From stable to boardroom…

Sarah Landon’s Ivy League scholarship transforms her from a wide–eyed country girl into a poised professional. Until she’s assigned to do damage control with the boss’s rebellious brother Lane, who’s the burr in everybody’s saddle. He’s determined to save his community from oil drilling, and she’s not going back to the ranch she left forever. Spurs will shine in this saucy romp about ranchers and roots, redemption and second chances.

The Review:

Joanne Kennedy’s Cowboy Crazy is a delightful romance with an underlying storyline that gives the novel depth and substance. Sarah Landon and Lane Carrigan might be on the opposing sides of oil drilling issue, but neither can deny the passion burning between them.

Growing up dirt poor in Two Shot, WY, Sarah Landon could not wait to escape her small hometown. Now working in public relations for Carrigan Oil, she is brought face to face with the town and people she left behind. Sarah slowly reconciles her painful past while fighting to keep her job.

Lane Carrigan is a cowboy through and through. Unlike his brother Eric, he eschews city living, instead opting to work the family ranch and ride bulls on the rodeo circuit. He has seen the devastation wrought by big oil companies and he fights Eric tooth and nail when Eric decides to drill for oil on the family ranch.

The oil drilling issue is what makes Cowboy Crazy such an outstanding read. Ms. Kennedy beautifully presents all sides of this controversial issue in a very thought-provoking manner. There are no easy answers no matter where one stands on the matter and I like how this part of the plot played out.

Cowboy Crazy is an exceptional novel with an extraordinary cast of characters. It is a heartwarming story about self-discovery, redemption and love. Fans of contemporary western fiction are sure to enjoy this provocative and sexy romance by Joanne Kennedy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboy Crazy, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B, Romance, Sourcebook Casablanca, Sourcebooks