MY FAVORITE COWBOY (Heart of Texas #3) by Donna Grant-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway
MY FAVORITE COWBOY
Heart of Texas #3
by Donna Grant
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance, cowboy
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play
About the book: Release Date February 26, 2019
Audrey Martinez is a veterinarian who has devoted her whole life to the care and protection of horses—even if doing so leaves her little time for meeting a man. Who would have thought that a strange case of criminal horseplay would lead her to falling deeply, wildly in love? If only the man who makes her heart race faster than a wild mustang would let his guard down, that is. . .
Caleb Harper is no ordinary cowboy. Sure, he wears his hat, boots, and jeans like a second skin, and displays an easygoing charm that comes from years of working on the ranch. But with his military background, and Army buddies at his side, he is tried-and-true Texas tough. Audrey knows she can trust a man like Caleb to help her save horses. But can Caleb trust himself to resist his attraction to Audrey—or will the sparks of their desire end up getting them burned?
•••••••••••
REVIEW: MY FAVORITE COWBOY is the third instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult HEART OF TEXAS erotic, romance series. This is rancher and former Green Beret Caleb Harper and veterinarian Audrey Martinez’ story line. MY FAVORITE COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from several third person perspectives including Caleb and Audrey MY FAVORITE COWBOY follows the building relationship between rancher and former Green Beret Caleb Harper and veterinarian Audrey Martinez. Audrey Martinez struggles to identify the recent illness of several horses, unexplained and strange illnesses that point to a potential crime of poisoning. An attack against Audrey’s sister Maddy leaves our heroine vulnerable and alone forcing neighbour and rancher Caleb Harper, and his former army buddies to make it their responsibility to protect the woman with whom Caleb will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Caleb and Audrey, and the potential fall-out as Audrey is targeted by someone from her past, and Caleb is unable to accept the woman in his life.
Caleb Harper knows rejection first hand, and in this our hero is unable to let go of the past. Falling for Audrey Martinez meant falling for someone who could break his heart someone he was about to push out of his life. Audrey Martinez, along with her sister Audrey know love and loss first hand following the death of their mother, and the subsequent disappearance of their grieving father. Meeting Caleb Harper gave Audrey a chance at her own happily ever after, a happily ever after threatened by someone from her past.
The relationship between Audrey and Caleb is one of immediate attraction but Audrey is struggling to uncover the truth behind the recent series of equine illness, and the attack against her sister meant to send a message regarding Audrey’s investigation. Caleb refuses to leave Audrey to fend for herself but miscommunication and memories from the past begin to interfere in their growing love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Audrey’s sister Maddy; Clayton and Abby Harper (The Christmas Cowboy Hero #1), Naomi and Brice Harper (Cowboy, Cross my Heart #2), Brice and Caleb’s friends Jace Wilder, and Cooper Owens; and local sheriff Danny Oldman. The requisite evil has many faces.
MY FAVORITE COWBOY is a story of family, friendship, vengeance, suspense and love. The premise is intriguing; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic, strong-willed and dynamic but both struggle with issues from the past. I did have a couple of problems accepting the reasons behind the attacks against Audrey, her sister, and the horses-motivations that seemingly come out of nowhere; as well as both family histories resolving in the same story line, resolutions that are too quick and convenient.
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Christmas Cowboy Hero
Cowboy, Cross My Heart
My Favorite Cowboy
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
It was the first thought that went through Caleb’s mind as he stared at the fine ass before him. He’d gotten enough of a look that morning to recognize the woman as the same one he’d spotted when they arrived at the auction house.
Audrey Martinez.
If he’d known what a fine specimen she was, Caleb would’ve made her acquaintance years ago.
He found himself smiling when he caught Audrey’s whispered retort to her sister in Spanish. Caleb glanced over at his brother and Clayton to see both of them star- ing at him.
That wiped the grin from his face. He shot them a con- fused look and mouthed, “What?”
Neither said a word as they returned their attention to the women.
Caleb adjusted his cowboy hat atop his head as David ambled up. The strain around the older man’s eyes had only intensified as the day progressed. He’d asked them not
26 DONNA GRANT
to tell anyone they were trying to fix the cameras, which had seemed like an easy request.
Until some of the employees asked what Brice and Ca- leb were doing. They were quick to come up with an expla- nation, however.
Audrey pushed away from the stall and turned to them. Her gaze landed on Caleb first but quickly slid to Clayton. Caleb tried not to be annoyed that his brother-in-law had been granted a smile.
But he was irritated.
“Hello,” Audrey said as she walked up to Clayton and held out her hand. “I’m Audrey Martinez.”
Clayton clasped her hand briefly. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Ms. Martinez. I’m Clayton East.”
“Please, call me Audrey.” Then large, dark eyes wid- ened. “East? As in the East Ranch?”
David chuckled and slapped Clayton on the back. “The very one. I’ve sold a lot of horses for both Clayton and his father.”
“And we’ve bought a lot of them from you,” Clayton added with a grin. He then motioned to Brice and Caleb. “These are my brothers-in-law, Brice and Caleb Harper.”
Audrey’s gaze moved to Brice, who tipped his hat to her. “Ma’am.”
Caleb waited until her eyes were on him before he reached up and touched the edge of his hat. “Nice to meet you.”
He found himself awestruck, though he couldn’t put a finger on why. He drank in her golden-brown skin, dark eyes, and black hair that denoted Audrey’s Spanish heri- tage.
Her oval face was covered in a light sheen of sweat that
My Favorite Cowboy 27
gave it a beautiful glow. He wanted to wipe his thumb over her wide, full lips before he kissed her.
Because he was going to kiss her.
Caleb had never walked away from someone he was attracted to, and he certainly wasn’t about to start now. Audrey didn’t just have a stunning face, she also had the hourglass figure that always brought him to his knees.
Audrey licked her lips and glanced away. Caleb nearly groaned at the sight of her pink tongue. Then he remem- bered that they weren’t alone. And they were dealing with a very serious situation.
But once everything was in hand, he was going to pur- sue Audrey.
Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.
She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.
Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | NEWSLETTER SIGNUP / TUMBLR / PINTEREST / GOODREADS
St. Martin’s Publishing is graciously offering a paper copy of MY FAVORITE COWBOY to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.
NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).
2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.
3. Follow Donna Grant on Facebook.
4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.
5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.
6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.
7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr
8. Giveaway is open to USA only
9. Giveaway runs from February 26-March 2, 2019
