Title: Just a Cowboy and His Baby by Carolyn Brown
Spikes and Spurs Series Book Six
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
She’s Got Her Eyes on the Prize…
Gemma O’Donnell wasn’t the first woman to win the ProRodeo buckle for bronc riding, but she was darn well going to be the second. What she didn’t count on was her main competition sweeping her
off her feet.
He’ll Do Whatever It Takes To Win…
Trace Coleman isn’t really after a title—he needs the cash prize to buy his dream ranch. But one sexy, determined cowgirl keeps getting in his way. In his effort to take her out of the running, he risks losing both the title—and his heart.
They’re Both in For a Little Surprise…
Everybody’s world is turned upside down when a pint-sized bundle of joy gets dropped right into Trace’s lap…and suddenly all the stakes are higher.
The Review:
Things are heating up for Gemma O’Donnell and Trace Coleman both in and out of the rodeo arena in Just a Cowboy and His Baby. This sweet yet sexy romance is a delightful addition to Carolyn Brown’s Spikes and Spurs series and it definitely ranks up there as one of my personal favorites of this fabulous series.
Gemma O’Donnell and Trace Coleman have their sights set on winning the million dollar prize for saddle bronc riding in Las Vegas. Gemma is stiff competition for all of the competitors in this male dominated sport, but Trace is the man she needs to beat. She is instantly attracted to him but she is not going to let this sexy and flirtatious cowboy distract her from her goal. With their paths frequently crossing, they become traveling partners with benefits. The closer they get to Vegas, the stronger their feelings for one another become. Their relationship might be strong enough to survive their fierce rivalry in the arena, but will an unexpected complication tear this couple apart?
Gemma is a strong, sassy character that I absolutely loved. She knows what she wants and she does not hesitate to go after it. She is Trace’s match both in the arena and the bedroom. Gemma speaks her mind and I like that she calls Trace out when he needs it. One of the things I like most about her is how her idea of home evolved throughout the novel. She thoroughly gained my respect by her calm reaction and easy acceptance when confronted by Trace’s past.
Trace is the absolutely perfect man for Gemma. Sensitive, caring and determined to live life on his own terms, he is a quintessential cowboy through and through. He is also stubborn and pigheaded, but Gemma can definitely hold her own against him. Trace might be ill-equipped to deal with the bombshell dropped on him, but he really shows his true character by rising to the challenge. And he scored major points by expressing appreciation for Gemma’s reaction and help when his past comes back to bite him on the butt.
I thought I knew exactly how Just a Cowboy and His Baby was going to play out, but Ms. Brown just flat out surprised me. There is nothing stereotypical about this engaging story. Gemma competing as a saddle bronc rider is very unique and I especially enjoyed the fact that most of book takes place on the rodeo circuit. The dialogue between Trace and Gemma is fun and laced with humor. There is little conflict between them and their romance grows over several months. Their sex scenes are very sensual and the chemistry between them is positively smoldering.
Once again, Carolyn Brown has written a fast paced and appealing romance that fans of the Spikes and Spurs series are going to love. There are references to characters from earlier books, but Just a Cowboy and His Baby can be read as a standalone novel. The first three books in this series have been languishing in my TBR pile, but I am definitely planning on reading them as soon as I can!
Read my other reviews of the Spikes and Spurs series HERE.
