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Catcher Creek #1
The Trouble with Cowboys
Cowboys have never been good for Amy Sorentino. First her hard-riding father bankrupted the family farm. Then her all-hat-no-cattle boyfriend sold her out on national television, ending her promising career as a chef. Now she and her squabbling sisters have partnered up in a final attempt to save their land by starting an inn and local restaurant. So it figures that with everything on the line, Amy’s key supplier is just the kind of Stetson-tipping heartbreaking bad boy she’s sworn to avoid. But Kellan Reed has a few secrets of his own–and cowboy or not, Amy can’t resist this kind of wild ride…
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
42 people are currently reading
1506 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Cutler
33 books499 followersMelissa Cutler knows she has the best job in the world, dividing her time between her dual passions for writing sexy contemporary romances and edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense for Harlequin, Penguin, St. Martin's Press, and Kensington Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 17, 2013
I really feel the summary for this book did not do it justice. The issues with her dad were there, but it was her interactions with her sisters that was the real story. I know the feeling when a pair of wranglers and a belt can make your heart speed up...so Amy you are not alone!
One aspect that I did have issue with was the fact that Amy was embarrassed over her performance on the cooking show. In reality, she was a pawn to a complete jerk-faced fake cowboy. The fact that her hometown would be anything but supportive of her was shocking. Seriously, hometown girl makes good, gets on a nation show and kicks butt up until she is sabotaged and they ridicule her for it! I was left scratching my head!
While the suspense was good, the inter-play between the sisters and Kellan and Amy was the story. I liked the twists here and there, but they did not overshadow the real love story that grew. Enjoy!
Sooo cute and smexy and yummy cowboys...now I want that hot SWAT brother!
One aspect that I did have issue with was the fact that Amy was embarrassed over her performance on the cooking show. In reality, she was a pawn to a complete jerk-faced fake cowboy. The fact that her hometown would be anything but supportive of her was shocking. Seriously, hometown girl makes good, gets on a nation show and kicks butt up until she is sabotaged and they ridicule her for it! I was left scratching my head!
While the suspense was good, the inter-play between the sisters and Kellan and Amy was the story. I liked the twists here and there, but they did not overshadow the real love story that grew. Enjoy!
Sooo cute and smexy and yummy cowboys...now I want that hot SWAT brother!
June 2, 2013
I am fairly certain that there is no woman alive that can resist a drool worthy, Stetson wearing, Jean hugging, boot stomping cowboy!
For Amy this is exactly the case, she sees a cowboy and her heart beat goes into overdrive, but she always ends up being the horse ridden and then left in the stall alone.
So when she returns home to help her sisters save the family farm and comes face to face with a very hot and sexy cowboy, the one and only I'll-make-your-knees-go-weak- Kellan, she sees the trouble coming from a mile away.
But faster than you can say Ride-em-cowboy these two find themselves trapped in the most delicious sexual encounters.
The problem, both have family issues stemming way back into the past and a future simply seams impossible, the family issues are all connected to love, and love is not something that Amy wants to set her heart on again only to get burned and for Kellan love is something he has never had and he has been doing just fine without it. But love is a feeling more powerful than any force and if Kellan and Amy can make it work then anyone can.
The characters of Amy and Kellan were both exceptionally well written. Amy was fun and very quirky. Loved that she pours her energy into cooking! Where else have you ever heard of a woman dicing and chopping celery simply to clear her head, I loved this touch from the author, it made Amy very realistic in the sense that it seems like something a real life chef might do, when not cooking simply for the love thereof.
I loved that Amy was a scarred heroine, having her heart broken over and over by her one weakness blended in perfectly with the reasoning of her trying to find her own form of male security that she never got from her father. The author showed that the harder we fall for our weakness the more we crave our weakness to be the one thing to come and rescue us.
The character of Kellan was awesome! Loved, loved, loved the man to bits( and this has nothing to do with my very own weakness for cowboys) there was just so many characteristics about this hero that made me love him. He took me from "I am going to kill this man" to "I totally love you". I adored that he slowly but surely changes from loveless cowboy to love overflowing for everyone around him, taking away the one time playboy and giving me as reader the perfect heart stopping cowboy hero!
The backdrop settings were perfectly incorporated by the author and blended in with the read perfectly down the very last backdrop setting. So often I find that western romance reads contain a backdrop setting that is simply too glamorous or too flashy to be associated with a cowboy, lucky for me in this read it was not the case, made me love the book even more!
The dialogue had it all, fun, crazy, hot, passionate, sexy and very emotional. I found myself laughing out loud and wiping away at the tears. The sexual level of this read is hot, hot, hot, the pages practically erupted into flames between the characters and their very steamy encounters.
I am taking away a message of holding onto the past will never set you free, you simply need to find the courage to take a risk, set things right and move on, hatred festering in your heart is bound to kill any love you might have left.
I highly recommend this read for all fans of western romances written with a fun and fresh spunk! At the end of this read if you are still not a fan of cowboys and their romantic ways and you don't find yourself wishing for one of your very own, then you definitely need to have your body examined for factory failure!
I look forward to more amazing sensually sexy reads from this author!
5/5 star review
"Resisting is futile, he wants her, she wants him and it is happening right now"
September 28, 2012
I loved Trouble with Cowboys from the first teaser chapter to the very end. I couldn’t put it down. I need to be careful where I read Ms. Cutler’s work; it had me laughing out loud in public places. Good for the author because I enjoyed her voice, characters and dialogue. Bad for me because of the crazy looks I received.
What I liked most about the introduction to Catchers Creek and its inhabitants, is each character is lovable, especially Mr. Dixon and Lisa Binderman. Kellan and Amy stood on their own merits and didn’t bash me over the head with their angst. The plot was believable, enough thoughts and feelings to see the characters transitions from meeting to love, and great dialogue. I loved it from start to finish and can hardly wait for the next installment.
What I liked most about the introduction to Catchers Creek and its inhabitants, is each character is lovable, especially Mr. Dixon and Lisa Binderman. Kellan and Amy stood on their own merits and didn’t bash me over the head with their angst. The plot was believable, enough thoughts and feelings to see the characters transitions from meeting to love, and great dialogue. I loved it from start to finish and can hardly wait for the next installment.
February 28, 2013
Check out the full review on GraveTells.com, including Memorable Quotes, here:
http://gravetells.com/2013/02/28/revi...
Either I haven't read enough romance books with chefs as the heroines or Amy is just the unusual exception, but her therapy of chopping celery to stem her frustration and sexual needs is both unique and a little frightening (I mean, what ELSE would she consider dicing up? *gulp*). If I were this woman's man, I'd be sure to keep her completely satisfied or risk that fancy Mac knife practicing on my sensitive bits. Ms. Cutler sets the stage quickly and efficiently, giving us a glance into Amy Sorentino's frustrating history with cowboys, family drama, and recent professional embarrassment. She then rides straight into a little lets-blow-off-some-steam nookie between Amy and our sexy rancher hero, Kellan.
Let's talk about the sex. Oh, don't be shy - you know you wanna! My initial thought, from their first encounter, was that the love scenes in this book would be too skimpy, short on details and lacking in chemistry. Girlfriend, was I wrong! The detail and intimacy of the sex scenes grows with the relationship between Amy and Kellan in a healthy, organic way. Their chemistry is superb, both tender and passionate, and the romantic moments along the way reflect the intimacy level of their relationship as it develops. I loved Kellan's respectful cowboy ways and his sweet Southern accent, and I could easily picture his sexy Stetson, boots, and tight Wranglers. Kellan is not a glamour cowboy and, aside from a little wardrobe over-exaggeration to fire up his prospective lady's cowboy fetish, he's as honest and true as so many of the lovable Southern men I've known.
Ms. Cutler's style is comfortable and natural, straightforward with a charming Southwestern flair. The dialogue is also authentic, a pitfall for many authors who don't actually live in the unique culture that is "the south". Seriously, I can practically hear the thick accent rolling off the characters' tongues (and not in a cheesy, makes-me-want-to-/faceplam way either), and the landscape is a vista of beauty, with earthy depictions only someone who has lived and loved that environment could understand. There was a scene between the Sorentino sisters that had me laughing out loud, it was so spontaneously fun and refreshing. Each of the Sorentino women has a distinct and vibrant personality and their relationship with each other is genuine and believable, right down to the sibling spats and stalwart support.
This book is really good. It starts off feeling like a cowboy fluff piece and blooms into a heartbreaking saga of love, loss, and the bonds between family, friends, and lovers. The writing is mature and elegantly appropriate and the characters will draw you right into their world of desert vistas and Southwestern charm, where the slower pace of life makes everything that much more rich and enjoyable. I just wanted a quick, smutty read for Cowboy Romance Week and this book completely demolished all my expectations, continually endearing me in to a story that opens up in its own sweet time. Sexy with heart, is what this book is. More please, Ms. Cutler! And I don't want to wait! The Trouble With Cowboys is a GraveTells "must read"!
http://gravetells.com/2013/02/28/revi...
Either I haven't read enough romance books with chefs as the heroines or Amy is just the unusual exception, but her therapy of chopping celery to stem her frustration and sexual needs is both unique and a little frightening (I mean, what ELSE would she consider dicing up? *gulp*). If I were this woman's man, I'd be sure to keep her completely satisfied or risk that fancy Mac knife practicing on my sensitive bits. Ms. Cutler sets the stage quickly and efficiently, giving us a glance into Amy Sorentino's frustrating history with cowboys, family drama, and recent professional embarrassment. She then rides straight into a little lets-blow-off-some-steam nookie between Amy and our sexy rancher hero, Kellan.
Let's talk about the sex. Oh, don't be shy - you know you wanna! My initial thought, from their first encounter, was that the love scenes in this book would be too skimpy, short on details and lacking in chemistry. Girlfriend, was I wrong! The detail and intimacy of the sex scenes grows with the relationship between Amy and Kellan in a healthy, organic way. Their chemistry is superb, both tender and passionate, and the romantic moments along the way reflect the intimacy level of their relationship as it develops. I loved Kellan's respectful cowboy ways and his sweet Southern accent, and I could easily picture his sexy Stetson, boots, and tight Wranglers. Kellan is not a glamour cowboy and, aside from a little wardrobe over-exaggeration to fire up his prospective lady's cowboy fetish, he's as honest and true as so many of the lovable Southern men I've known.
Ms. Cutler's style is comfortable and natural, straightforward with a charming Southwestern flair. The dialogue is also authentic, a pitfall for many authors who don't actually live in the unique culture that is "the south". Seriously, I can practically hear the thick accent rolling off the characters' tongues (and not in a cheesy, makes-me-want-to-/faceplam way either), and the landscape is a vista of beauty, with earthy depictions only someone who has lived and loved that environment could understand. There was a scene between the Sorentino sisters that had me laughing out loud, it was so spontaneously fun and refreshing. Each of the Sorentino women has a distinct and vibrant personality and their relationship with each other is genuine and believable, right down to the sibling spats and stalwart support.
This book is really good. It starts off feeling like a cowboy fluff piece and blooms into a heartbreaking saga of love, loss, and the bonds between family, friends, and lovers. The writing is mature and elegantly appropriate and the characters will draw you right into their world of desert vistas and Southwestern charm, where the slower pace of life makes everything that much more rich and enjoyable. I just wanted a quick, smutty read for Cowboy Romance Week and this book completely demolished all my expectations, continually endearing me in to a story that opens up in its own sweet time. Sexy with heart, is what this book is. More please, Ms. Cutler! And I don't want to wait! The Trouble With Cowboys is a GraveTells "must read"!
October 16, 2012
Melissa knows how to write a hot cowboy and her quirky heroine is so much fun!
If you like contemporary romance filled with laughter and heart, you're going to love this book! :)
If you like contemporary romance filled with laughter and heart, you're going to love this book! :)
August 6, 2022
2.5*
I was into this and then Kellan (the male protag) said something and I just had such a hard time getting past that.
This book is about Amy, the middle Sorentino sister, who left home to become a chef, she got on a nationally televised cooking show when Something Happened (the reader finds out Amy was under family duress- she had recently lost her dad and her mom had a mental breakdown). Amy is now back in her small, judgmental town to try, with her sisters, to save the family ranch from foreclosure.
The sister's goal is to start a B&B; one where city dwellers can come and see how a ranch works & participate in that work. They also plan to have an attached restaurant which Amy will run. Rachel, the eldest, runs the ranch. The youngest, Jenna is a single mom who takes care of the bookkeeping. The three of them have been the subject of town gossip ever since they were little (father drank, mom had long standing mental health problems).
While I liked Amy (and her sisters), I got frustrated with her at times and thought she was a bit ditsy. I did think their sisterly love for each other and thought their idea of turning the ranch around was an interesting one. Kellan, took longer to like. I thought he was a cocky at first and then he said what he said. (When he first met Amy it was just sex and that was all he wanted. She wasn't good enough for him to want to marry. His "perfect" wife "would be drama free. A homemaker and peacemaker. A woman in good standing with the community." So, in other words, someone who didn't already have a career, and would stay home to have babies, take care of hearth and home, and take care of all his needs first. I had such a hard time getting past that). And yes, at first he just wanted to fuck Amy, no string attached. But then things changed, who his uncle is came into play, he had to make some Choices. And it turns out Kellan had his own dysfunctional childhood to overcome (parents were drug addicts and sent to prison, he and his brother spent time in foster care and when he aged out, he left his brother behind). So this was two people who grew up in dysfunctional families falling in love with each other.
I am using this for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo for the Property Inheritance square.
I was into this and then Kellan (the male protag) said something and I just had such a hard time getting past that.
This book is about Amy, the middle Sorentino sister, who left home to become a chef, she got on a nationally televised cooking show when Something Happened (the reader finds out Amy was under family duress- she had recently lost her dad and her mom had a mental breakdown). Amy is now back in her small, judgmental town to try, with her sisters, to save the family ranch from foreclosure.
The sister's goal is to start a B&B; one where city dwellers can come and see how a ranch works & participate in that work. They also plan to have an attached restaurant which Amy will run. Rachel, the eldest, runs the ranch. The youngest, Jenna is a single mom who takes care of the bookkeeping. The three of them have been the subject of town gossip ever since they were little (father drank, mom had long standing mental health problems).
While I liked Amy (and her sisters), I got frustrated with her at times and thought she was a bit ditsy. I did think their sisterly love for each other and thought their idea of turning the ranch around was an interesting one. Kellan, took longer to like. I thought he was a cocky at first and then he said what he said. (When he first met Amy it was just sex and that was all he wanted. She wasn't good enough for him to want to marry. His "perfect" wife "would be drama free. A homemaker and peacemaker. A woman in good standing with the community." So, in other words, someone who didn't already have a career, and would stay home to have babies, take care of hearth and home, and take care of all his needs first. I had such a hard time getting past that). And yes, at first he just wanted to fuck Amy, no string attached. But then things changed, who his uncle is came into play, he had to make some Choices. And it turns out Kellan had his own dysfunctional childhood to overcome (parents were drug addicts and sent to prison, he and his brother spent time in foster care and when he aged out, he left his brother behind). So this was two people who grew up in dysfunctional families falling in love with each other.
I am using this for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo for the Property Inheritance square.
January 18, 2013
I really liked this story. This is the first story I've read by Cutler. Amy Sorentino is trying to save her family's ranch from foreclosure, she is also trying to live down an embarrassing breakdown while doing a realty show. She calms herself by slicing and dicing, being a chef it's therapy. She meets Kellan Reed at the store looking for veggies to chop. Oh, she has this thing for cowboys. It's her biggest weakness and she falls hard for any guy wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots. There is a lot of obstacles that they have to work through, just like in real life. Wonderful way of showing how this family is able to pull together through tough times. Lots of open plots going on will this be a trilogy or a series? Can't wait to find out.
June 12, 2013
So much more than a simple cowboy fantasy!
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this book but I'm now kicking myself for putting off reading it for as long as I did! At least there are more in the works so I can go back and visit with the good folks of Catcher Creek soon.
Even knowing they'll get their HEA, the subplots, conflicts and complications keep the reader on the edge of the seat wondering how it'll all work out. And I mean squirming on the edge of that seat because the sexual tension, the sex, and the emotional punches make for a hell of a ride.
Yes, definitely looking for more great stories by this author!
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this book but I'm now kicking myself for putting off reading it for as long as I did! At least there are more in the works so I can go back and visit with the good folks of Catcher Creek soon.
Even knowing they'll get their HEA, the subplots, conflicts and complications keep the reader on the edge of the seat wondering how it'll all work out. And I mean squirming on the edge of that seat because the sexual tension, the sex, and the emotional punches make for a hell of a ride.
Yes, definitely looking for more great stories by this author!
October 28, 2012
I read this book for the book club I run. I must say that I really liked this book. The main characters Amy and Kellan were real. Sometimes authors write characters that a bit too Hollywood for me. What I mean is they are too tidy fake phony. Not the case here. Amy does things that make you go 'huh?' but they are realistic reactions. Refreshing to read a book with perfectly imperfect people. Kellan is a great hero. I had a few minor problems-wishing for some more explanation but this book was a quick read with plenty of heat and heart. Take the trouble to read this. plus i thought i was the only one who got hot over nice knives
November 12, 2012
This book was an enjoyable read. I did like the hero Kellan. What I didn't like was the town. The people were mean to three girls who had a very dysfunctual family. Imagine sitting in church at Christmas and thinking that all the townsfolk are waiting to see you mess up again. Not a town I would care to stay in at all. But I did like Mr Dixon. He was wise and compassionate. I am looking forward to the next book with Rachel.
January 6, 2013
I'm still laughing the day after finishing this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters -- how can you not love a woman who takes out her frustrations by chopping celery, onion and other veggies?? But only with her specialized set of knives!! Lots of good humor, a ditzy but delightful heroine, and, of course, a lovable cowboy ... can't wait for the books about the other sisters in this family. Good, good read!!!
October 28, 2014
I love the Catcher Creek series especially when Melissa Cutler has these hot cowboys like Kellan. I felt for Amy and her guarding her heart especially with a guy like him. The thing I liked the most is that Melissa didn’t make Kellan too macho or arrogant but a man who loves with his whole heart. All in all this is a great start to a series I am really liking.
More @ http:// melenasreviews.wordpress.com
More @ http:// melenasreviews.wordpress.com
March 27, 2012
I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of Melissa Cutler's outstanding contemporary western, The Trouble With Cowboys! It hooked me from the first chapter with a lovable cast of characters, a perfect small-town setting, an intriguing plot, and scorching-hot sex!
This stellar debut novel should be at the top of your to-read list!
This stellar debut novel should be at the top of your to-read list!
January 2, 2016
This was a fun book to pick up. The story was not as intense as any of the Bomb Squad books. However I enjoyed it. I just didn't get Amy as well as other females from Melissa's other books. I will get the second book in this series and see where that leads ! It's snowing. I have a fire, hot tea and a book.
November 13, 2012
Super sexy read full of great characters that are easy to love! Highly recommend this book!
September 19, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/09/18/...
Publisher: Zebra
Publish Date: Oct 2nd
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
It was their parents’ ranch, through the good days and the bad. But if they want to hang on to their land, their pride, and their family, the three Sorentino sisters will have to reinvent it from the ground up–and one of them just may reinvent herself in the process…
Cowboys have never been good for Amy Sorentino. First her hard-riding father bankrupted the family farm. Then her all-hat-no-cattle boyfriend sold her out on national television, ending her promising career as a chef. Now she and her squabbling sisters have partnered up in a final attempt to save their land by starting an inn and local restaurant. So it figures that with everything on the line, Amy’s key supplier is just the kind of Stetson-tipping heartbreaking bad boy she’s sworn to avoid. But Kellan Reed has a few secrets of his own–and cowboy or not, Amy can’t resist this kind of wild ride…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
Don’t forgot to check out today’s early post which is our Debut Author Feature and Giveaway with Melissa Cutler.
I am a fan of small town, family linked series, cowboys, cooking, and romance so when I read the blurb, as seen above, on the review request, I had to give it a try. Cutler provided all of that, as well as dysfunctional families, unscrupulous individuals, an obsession with chopping celery and really nice kitchen knives. I got a kick out of the opening of The Trouble With Cowboys with Amy desperately looking for fresh produce, the kind that has a satisfying crunch when chopped, to help relieve her stress. Everyone has their own individual methods of stress-relief, I just never considered chopping produce *makes mental note* as one. It is in the only store open before 10am that the Amy and Kellan first meet and not only does Amy see someone who hits all of her buttons, but she finds out he can supply her with fresh produce, and he is the person she needs to set up a contract for fresh local beef. Obviously, Amy’s instant attraction makes things slightly complicated. After being made a fool on national television by a “cowboy”, Amy has a new life rule that says “resist temptation by staying away from cowboys.” Not to mention the possible complications of mixing business with pleasure, especially when there aren’t any other local beef suppliers if things don’t work out. However, fighting that attraction is made even harder with Kellan’s own interest in Amy. He also knew that they shouldn’t but he was really really tempted.
Amy didn’t have calm and peaceful interactions with very many people. Or maybe it is fairer to say that the Sorentino sisters didn’t tend to have peaceful interactions with anyone. Their dealings with each other ranged from rare all around good nature, to sniping to some pretty impressive food fights. Despite their discord the three sisters were united in fighting to save their parents’ ranch while caring for their mother. Both tasks would be challenging enough but throw in the very shady owner of a large oil drilling company and planning for the inn and restaurant conversion become almost the easy part. Even with their bickering it was never enough to make me grow annoyed at the sisters because you could see that they loved each other. It was that very love that made it so effortless for them to push each other’s buttons. Such as framed pictures of a cow named Tulip with a wreath of flowers around her neck continually appearing in the bathroom.
Cutler provided a great cast of supporting characters to add humor, wisdom and depth to her world. I think my two favorites were the lawyer Matt and the retired Navy chef Mr. Dixon. They seemed to provide positive male role models despite their very opposite ages and positions in relation to Amy. She needed them both to provide a balance to her tumultuous relationship with Kellan. They also had a steadying influence on the other members of the Sorentino family and I wonder if Matt will show up in future books * crosses fingers *. All of the other supporting characters also helped flesh out the small town feeling with rumors started at the very beginning continuing through the end. I enjoyed that sense of continuity as I read.
Kellan and Amy had a rather intensive relationship. They started with their mutual physical attraction seasoned by the knowledge that acting on their attraction was probably a bad idea. Then they started developing a friendship and Kellan discovered that he had a secret, which had the potential to completely ruin their growing relationship. I was slightly irritated at his delay but I could also understand it because he was trying to find a way to minimize the damage and he didn’t want to lose his adopted hometown. I did love how he prepared for the big reveal only to have to deal with the knowledge that Amy had recently found out. Despite her obvious and understandable anger Kellan didn’t just abandon Amy as things got tougher. His very insistence to be there for her when he was needed made my heart melt even as he gave her the space she demanded on everyday matters.
Cutler also provided some hints as to the possible relationships for the other two Sorentino sisters. I am looking forward to seeing what happens with them. Not to mention progress on the inn and restaurant conversion along with the motley crew of employees. I found The Trouble With Cowboys an entertaining read full of emotional ups and downs yet providing the sense of hope for the future. I am eagerly looking forward to the next Catcher Creek story.
I give The Trouble With Cowboys a B+
Publisher: Zebra
Publish Date: Oct 2nd
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
It was their parents’ ranch, through the good days and the bad. But if they want to hang on to their land, their pride, and their family, the three Sorentino sisters will have to reinvent it from the ground up–and one of them just may reinvent herself in the process…
Cowboys have never been good for Amy Sorentino. First her hard-riding father bankrupted the family farm. Then her all-hat-no-cattle boyfriend sold her out on national television, ending her promising career as a chef. Now she and her squabbling sisters have partnered up in a final attempt to save their land by starting an inn and local restaurant. So it figures that with everything on the line, Amy’s key supplier is just the kind of Stetson-tipping heartbreaking bad boy she’s sworn to avoid. But Kellan Reed has a few secrets of his own–and cowboy or not, Amy can’t resist this kind of wild ride…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
Don’t forgot to check out today’s early post which is our Debut Author Feature and Giveaway with Melissa Cutler.
I am a fan of small town, family linked series, cowboys, cooking, and romance so when I read the blurb, as seen above, on the review request, I had to give it a try. Cutler provided all of that, as well as dysfunctional families, unscrupulous individuals, an obsession with chopping celery and really nice kitchen knives. I got a kick out of the opening of The Trouble With Cowboys with Amy desperately looking for fresh produce, the kind that has a satisfying crunch when chopped, to help relieve her stress. Everyone has their own individual methods of stress-relief, I just never considered chopping produce *makes mental note* as one. It is in the only store open before 10am that the Amy and Kellan first meet and not only does Amy see someone who hits all of her buttons, but she finds out he can supply her with fresh produce, and he is the person she needs to set up a contract for fresh local beef. Obviously, Amy’s instant attraction makes things slightly complicated. After being made a fool on national television by a “cowboy”, Amy has a new life rule that says “resist temptation by staying away from cowboys.” Not to mention the possible complications of mixing business with pleasure, especially when there aren’t any other local beef suppliers if things don’t work out. However, fighting that attraction is made even harder with Kellan’s own interest in Amy. He also knew that they shouldn’t but he was really really tempted.
Amy didn’t have calm and peaceful interactions with very many people. Or maybe it is fairer to say that the Sorentino sisters didn’t tend to have peaceful interactions with anyone. Their dealings with each other ranged from rare all around good nature, to sniping to some pretty impressive food fights. Despite their discord the three sisters were united in fighting to save their parents’ ranch while caring for their mother. Both tasks would be challenging enough but throw in the very shady owner of a large oil drilling company and planning for the inn and restaurant conversion become almost the easy part. Even with their bickering it was never enough to make me grow annoyed at the sisters because you could see that they loved each other. It was that very love that made it so effortless for them to push each other’s buttons. Such as framed pictures of a cow named Tulip with a wreath of flowers around her neck continually appearing in the bathroom.
Cutler provided a great cast of supporting characters to add humor, wisdom and depth to her world. I think my two favorites were the lawyer Matt and the retired Navy chef Mr. Dixon. They seemed to provide positive male role models despite their very opposite ages and positions in relation to Amy. She needed them both to provide a balance to her tumultuous relationship with Kellan. They also had a steadying influence on the other members of the Sorentino family and I wonder if Matt will show up in future books * crosses fingers *. All of the other supporting characters also helped flesh out the small town feeling with rumors started at the very beginning continuing through the end. I enjoyed that sense of continuity as I read.
Kellan and Amy had a rather intensive relationship. They started with their mutual physical attraction seasoned by the knowledge that acting on their attraction was probably a bad idea. Then they started developing a friendship and Kellan discovered that he had a secret, which had the potential to completely ruin their growing relationship. I was slightly irritated at his delay but I could also understand it because he was trying to find a way to minimize the damage and he didn’t want to lose his adopted hometown. I did love how he prepared for the big reveal only to have to deal with the knowledge that Amy had recently found out. Despite her obvious and understandable anger Kellan didn’t just abandon Amy as things got tougher. His very insistence to be there for her when he was needed made my heart melt even as he gave her the space she demanded on everyday matters.
Cutler also provided some hints as to the possible relationships for the other two Sorentino sisters. I am looking forward to seeing what happens with them. Not to mention progress on the inn and restaurant conversion along with the motley crew of employees. I found The Trouble With Cowboys an entertaining read full of emotional ups and downs yet providing the sense of hope for the future. I am eagerly looking forward to the next Catcher Creek story.
I give The Trouble With Cowboys a B+
November 8, 2012
Catcher Creek, New Mexico is home to Amy Sorentino, although she has not lived here from several years she is now committed to creating a life here with her sisters and nephew as she has given up her career and sold her condo to put money in the ranch project.
Unfortunately she has to live down her most humiliating experience, her mental collapse on the reality TV cooking challenge called The Ultimate Chef Showdown. She came close to winning the show but was sabotaged by a chef who dressed like a cowboy (Brock McKenna) and probably never spent any time near a horse. Amy liked Brock and flirted with him throughout the show never knowing that he was trying to ruin her chance at winning. When her meal was ruined and she was voted off the show, she had a meltdown that was filmed and viewed my millions. Rule number one became her top priority - stay away from cowboys.
Amy likes to chop vegetables when she is stressed and coming back home to the stares and whispers of the town has her chopping celery to an extreme, much to the delight of the hogs on the farm. While on a desperate search for celery one day, Kellen Reid comes to her rescue before she makes a scene at the mini-mart in town. Kellen is the owner of Slipping Rock Ranch one of the best ranches around that has quality beef and she needs to talk to him about plans for the ranch.
Her sisters (Rachel and Jenna) along with Amy are transforming their farm into a vacation spot for families, including a restaurant. Her restaurant called The Local Dish will feature locally grown ingredients and she is visiting the local business owners to buy their products. As she talks with Kellen about the future restaurant, she totally forgets rule number one and spends an amazing night with Kellen only to regret it almost immediately no matter how attracted she is to him.
While growing up, responsibilities of the farm were left to Rachel and Amy while their father was always thinking of his next money making scheme. Jenna did not work on the farm much preferring to run a little wild until she found herself pregnant and turned her life around for her son. Although all three sisters have had their priorities changed since Tommy was born, Rachel is still angry the other two left her the responsibility for the farm, and they are constantly bickering about anything and everything. Their father was a dreamer and their mother self medicated her depression to where they could not count on them. Their mother (Bethany) is currently in a facility because she no longer can take care of herself. Amy has always felt she would turn into her mother so was deeply affected when she had the meltdown on TV.
Years ago Amy's father signed an agreement with Bruce Morton and his company Amarex; he is the uncle of Kellen to be able to purchase the farm in case of foreclosure. He has been trying to get the sister’s land even though it is thought that there is no oil on it. Kellen is at a loss as to why his uncle wants it so badly. Kellen knows that his uncle is an unscrupulous person so never wants to help him when asked. So when Morton contacts him about the Sorentino farm he is determined to finally ruin him and send him to jail. Kellen has been taping conversations for several years to ruin Morton for just this reason.
Kellen also comes from dysfunction; Kellen and his brother raised themselves until their parents went to jail sending them into foster care. His brother Jake rarely speaks to him because he feels betrayed when Kellen turned eighteen. Kellen feels bad about that but at the time he was too messed up. Here in Catcher Creek, he has made a family with his good friends.
While Kellen and Amy sort out their feelings family, business and emotion come into play to make life a bumpy road to happiness.
I loved this book as it is an emotional roller coaster ride from the beginning to the end. The characters are a wonderful collection of quirky and interesting people. I loved the interactions between Kellen and his friends that he has embraced as family. The story was touching, you could tell both Amy and Kellen have issues they must resolve before they can totally commit to each other however the attraction between them keeps them coming back together. The storyline of Kellen's family is so moving that I needed tissues. What started out as a combustible attraction between them moved to friendship then love – wonderful.
Unfortunately she has to live down her most humiliating experience, her mental collapse on the reality TV cooking challenge called The Ultimate Chef Showdown. She came close to winning the show but was sabotaged by a chef who dressed like a cowboy (Brock McKenna) and probably never spent any time near a horse. Amy liked Brock and flirted with him throughout the show never knowing that he was trying to ruin her chance at winning. When her meal was ruined and she was voted off the show, she had a meltdown that was filmed and viewed my millions. Rule number one became her top priority - stay away from cowboys.
Amy likes to chop vegetables when she is stressed and coming back home to the stares and whispers of the town has her chopping celery to an extreme, much to the delight of the hogs on the farm. While on a desperate search for celery one day, Kellen Reid comes to her rescue before she makes a scene at the mini-mart in town. Kellen is the owner of Slipping Rock Ranch one of the best ranches around that has quality beef and she needs to talk to him about plans for the ranch.
Her sisters (Rachel and Jenna) along with Amy are transforming their farm into a vacation spot for families, including a restaurant. Her restaurant called The Local Dish will feature locally grown ingredients and she is visiting the local business owners to buy their products. As she talks with Kellen about the future restaurant, she totally forgets rule number one and spends an amazing night with Kellen only to regret it almost immediately no matter how attracted she is to him.
While growing up, responsibilities of the farm were left to Rachel and Amy while their father was always thinking of his next money making scheme. Jenna did not work on the farm much preferring to run a little wild until she found herself pregnant and turned her life around for her son. Although all three sisters have had their priorities changed since Tommy was born, Rachel is still angry the other two left her the responsibility for the farm, and they are constantly bickering about anything and everything. Their father was a dreamer and their mother self medicated her depression to where they could not count on them. Their mother (Bethany) is currently in a facility because she no longer can take care of herself. Amy has always felt she would turn into her mother so was deeply affected when she had the meltdown on TV.
Years ago Amy's father signed an agreement with Bruce Morton and his company Amarex; he is the uncle of Kellen to be able to purchase the farm in case of foreclosure. He has been trying to get the sister’s land even though it is thought that there is no oil on it. Kellen is at a loss as to why his uncle wants it so badly. Kellen knows that his uncle is an unscrupulous person so never wants to help him when asked. So when Morton contacts him about the Sorentino farm he is determined to finally ruin him and send him to jail. Kellen has been taping conversations for several years to ruin Morton for just this reason.
Kellen also comes from dysfunction; Kellen and his brother raised themselves until their parents went to jail sending them into foster care. His brother Jake rarely speaks to him because he feels betrayed when Kellen turned eighteen. Kellen feels bad about that but at the time he was too messed up. Here in Catcher Creek, he has made a family with his good friends.
While Kellen and Amy sort out their feelings family, business and emotion come into play to make life a bumpy road to happiness.
I loved this book as it is an emotional roller coaster ride from the beginning to the end. The characters are a wonderful collection of quirky and interesting people. I loved the interactions between Kellen and his friends that he has embraced as family. The story was touching, you could tell both Amy and Kellen have issues they must resolve before they can totally commit to each other however the attraction between them keeps them coming back together. The storyline of Kellen's family is so moving that I needed tissues. What started out as a combustible attraction between them moved to friendship then love – wonderful.
October 23, 2012
Really 4.5 Stars
Reviewed at http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot....
Amy Sorentino is back in Catchers Creek to try to restore her family’s ranch back into something that earns money before they lose the ranch completely. After her public breakdown on reality TV, becoming the chef for their new restaurant venture seems to be the one thing that she needs....well, as long as she sticks to her rules. Rule number one is no Cowboys, but that rule is tested the second she lays eyes on Kellan.
Kellan only wants to stop the crazy lady at the store from fighting with other customers when he intervenes in Amy’s life. The next thing he knows he’s getting every piece of cowboy gear he owns out of his closet in order to use her Cowboy fetish to his advantage. The only thing he has to get past is her “no-cowboy” rule and once he sees what her last Cowboy did to her, live on TV, he realises that, although they may be able to steam up the sheets, the chances of her wanting anything more than a night are slim.
The night his creepy Uncle contacts him to tell him of his plans to bankrupt the Sorentino’s and take their ranch, he realises that his fun and steamy tryst with Amy is over. He can’t help her and sleep with her; it would be completely unethical. He can’t tell her who he is but he can’t see her go to rack and ruin; what is a poor Cowboy to do?
We have a running joke amongst me and my friends that I’m not allowed near Cowboy land for fear I’ll be arrested for stalking one. I laughed my ass off when Amy fell hook, line and sinker for anything in a Stetson; I could totally relate. This book was a complete revelation and I whole heartedly recommend it.
Kellan is a successful rancher who raises cattle, rides a horse and is dedicated to being successful at what he loves. I loved him. When he meets Amy, he doesn’t see a soul mate; he’s sees a woman he wants in his bed. I laughed when he pulled out his western shirt, bolo tie and Stetson for the church service he knew she attended; he didn’t dress like that normally but pulled out all the stops once he knew her weakness. It all seemed so carefree until his creepy Uncle entered the pages and then this angst started to appear. Kellan didn’t have a happy background, had done plenty of things that he regretted, but he was determined not to let Amy be one of them. He didn’t have to help her, could have just sowed his wild oats and moved on but instead he ignored his carnal desires to do the right thing. I really did like him.
Amy is a woman that I understood. Bar the Cowboy obsession, she was driven and ambitious. She had let a man screw her over once, she was not going to let it happen again. Unfortunately she didn’t count on the charms of Kellan. She fought against her attraction, but she couldn’t resist his ample charms. But she was determined not to let him too far in. I loved her sense of preservation, even if it was misguided. I knew the shit would hit the fan eventually; let’s be honest, it always did. The way it hit the fan wasn’t shocking, but it was enough of a hook to make me wonder what would happen. Then things took a turn for the worst with Amy’s family and there were some seriously upsetting scenes. I knew her priorities had changed but damn I wanted them to work!
The sex scenes in this book are worth their very own paragraph. The sex scenes in this book are HOT. Like melting ice cubes hot. The chemistry between them is very well written and every scene had my pulse racing and my temperature rising. There is a scene with specialty salt....Oh. My. Gosh....
A scorching hot romance between a self-made cowboy and a feisty chef. With a romance driven plot featuring some seriously hot sex scenes, I was entertained from start to finish. I loved the view we got into the lives of the residents of Catchers Creek... I wonder who we get to meet next?
Reviewed at http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot....
Amy Sorentino is back in Catchers Creek to try to restore her family’s ranch back into something that earns money before they lose the ranch completely. After her public breakdown on reality TV, becoming the chef for their new restaurant venture seems to be the one thing that she needs....well, as long as she sticks to her rules. Rule number one is no Cowboys, but that rule is tested the second she lays eyes on Kellan.
Kellan only wants to stop the crazy lady at the store from fighting with other customers when he intervenes in Amy’s life. The next thing he knows he’s getting every piece of cowboy gear he owns out of his closet in order to use her Cowboy fetish to his advantage. The only thing he has to get past is her “no-cowboy” rule and once he sees what her last Cowboy did to her, live on TV, he realises that, although they may be able to steam up the sheets, the chances of her wanting anything more than a night are slim.
The night his creepy Uncle contacts him to tell him of his plans to bankrupt the Sorentino’s and take their ranch, he realises that his fun and steamy tryst with Amy is over. He can’t help her and sleep with her; it would be completely unethical. He can’t tell her who he is but he can’t see her go to rack and ruin; what is a poor Cowboy to do?
We have a running joke amongst me and my friends that I’m not allowed near Cowboy land for fear I’ll be arrested for stalking one. I laughed my ass off when Amy fell hook, line and sinker for anything in a Stetson; I could totally relate. This book was a complete revelation and I whole heartedly recommend it.
Kellan is a successful rancher who raises cattle, rides a horse and is dedicated to being successful at what he loves. I loved him. When he meets Amy, he doesn’t see a soul mate; he’s sees a woman he wants in his bed. I laughed when he pulled out his western shirt, bolo tie and Stetson for the church service he knew she attended; he didn’t dress like that normally but pulled out all the stops once he knew her weakness. It all seemed so carefree until his creepy Uncle entered the pages and then this angst started to appear. Kellan didn’t have a happy background, had done plenty of things that he regretted, but he was determined not to let Amy be one of them. He didn’t have to help her, could have just sowed his wild oats and moved on but instead he ignored his carnal desires to do the right thing. I really did like him.
Amy is a woman that I understood. Bar the Cowboy obsession, she was driven and ambitious. She had let a man screw her over once, she was not going to let it happen again. Unfortunately she didn’t count on the charms of Kellan. She fought against her attraction, but she couldn’t resist his ample charms. But she was determined not to let him too far in. I loved her sense of preservation, even if it was misguided. I knew the shit would hit the fan eventually; let’s be honest, it always did. The way it hit the fan wasn’t shocking, but it was enough of a hook to make me wonder what would happen. Then things took a turn for the worst with Amy’s family and there were some seriously upsetting scenes. I knew her priorities had changed but damn I wanted them to work!
The sex scenes in this book are worth their very own paragraph. The sex scenes in this book are HOT. Like melting ice cubes hot. The chemistry between them is very well written and every scene had my pulse racing and my temperature rising. There is a scene with specialty salt....Oh. My. Gosh....
A scorching hot romance between a self-made cowboy and a feisty chef. With a romance driven plot featuring some seriously hot sex scenes, I was entertained from start to finish. I loved the view we got into the lives of the residents of Catchers Creek... I wonder who we get to meet next?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2012
My Review:
I caught sight of this book a few months ago and was completely floored (and drooling a bit) over the gorgeous cover. (Top Off Tuesday) So I was very excited when I found out that I won an ARC of the book. Unfortunately, ARC's usually aren't so pretty, but Melissa knew I was having a love affair with the cover so she also included a VERY GORGEOUS cover flat for me to pet and lick and stroke. He is so very pretty, isn't he??
You see...I have this in common with the heroine of the book, Amy. She has a serious weak spot for cowboys. In fact, for her it is so bad that she's had to make up rules about them...#1 is that she has to stay away from them. Yeah, she doesn't do so well with her rules, but that's what makes this book, especially the first chapter, so good and fun. I love Amy. She's in a tough spot. Her two sisters are counting on her to hold it together so they can save the family farm. Her mother was never stable and Amy has a tendency to be a bit over-emotional herself. The problem is....she is very easily swayed when faced with a sexy cowboy and that's been known to mess things up...like tanking her career on national tv.
She has this weak spot...and you know Kellan is just a guy who is also feeling the effects of their incredible chemisty...he's not afraid to exploit her weakness if he needs to. But then he finds out something about her family ranch that means he has to stay away from her, but by then the chemistry has already turned into so much more.
I loved this book. Kellan and Amy both have serious family issues between their siblings and the way they were raised. For Amy and her sisters...they fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day they're family. For Kellan and his brother, Jake, they no longer speak. I liked the way that Melissa brought their family issues into everything and how it affected the way the relationship between the two of them developed. Amy turns to her sisters. Kellan turns to his friends, but it's not the same.
There were so many things that made this book so good. First, the characters. There are a lot of them, but from Amy's sisters to Kellan's friends to the strays that Amy was constantly taking in (loved Mr. Dixon and Sloane). They were all wonderfully developed and offered an interesting impact on the story. Then there's the setting...Everything about the setting was perfection. The book takes place in Eastern NM (which I love that area of the country). Kellan runs a cattle ranch while the girls are setting up a guest farm. I liked the undertones of the big-bad oil company and how that affects the lease-land ranches. Being from this area of the country, so much of the book rang true. And then there's the sexy cowboy....yep, I have a weak spot too...thank goodness I live in ranching country. ;o)
Finally I loved the glimpses into Vaughn and Rachel's relationship. I hope this means that we get their story soon. I loved them both and ached for the obvious heartache between them. But I also found myself intrigued about the mystery of Jenna's little boy and who the father is. I also really hope that we get to see more of Kellan's brother Jake.
It was just a great book and I'm so happy that I won it. I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author and series!
I won an ARC of this book in a random giveaway on Goodreads.
I caught sight of this book a few months ago and was completely floored (and drooling a bit) over the gorgeous cover. (Top Off Tuesday) So I was very excited when I found out that I won an ARC of the book. Unfortunately, ARC's usually aren't so pretty, but Melissa knew I was having a love affair with the cover so she also included a VERY GORGEOUS cover flat for me to pet and lick and stroke. He is so very pretty, isn't he??
You see...I have this in common with the heroine of the book, Amy. She has a serious weak spot for cowboys. In fact, for her it is so bad that she's had to make up rules about them...#1 is that she has to stay away from them. Yeah, she doesn't do so well with her rules, but that's what makes this book, especially the first chapter, so good and fun. I love Amy. She's in a tough spot. Her two sisters are counting on her to hold it together so they can save the family farm. Her mother was never stable and Amy has a tendency to be a bit over-emotional herself. The problem is....she is very easily swayed when faced with a sexy cowboy and that's been known to mess things up...like tanking her career on national tv.
She has this weak spot...and you know Kellan is just a guy who is also feeling the effects of their incredible chemisty...he's not afraid to exploit her weakness if he needs to. But then he finds out something about her family ranch that means he has to stay away from her, but by then the chemistry has already turned into so much more.
I loved this book. Kellan and Amy both have serious family issues between their siblings and the way they were raised. For Amy and her sisters...they fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day they're family. For Kellan and his brother, Jake, they no longer speak. I liked the way that Melissa brought their family issues into everything and how it affected the way the relationship between the two of them developed. Amy turns to her sisters. Kellan turns to his friends, but it's not the same.
There were so many things that made this book so good. First, the characters. There are a lot of them, but from Amy's sisters to Kellan's friends to the strays that Amy was constantly taking in (loved Mr. Dixon and Sloane). They were all wonderfully developed and offered an interesting impact on the story. Then there's the setting...Everything about the setting was perfection. The book takes place in Eastern NM (which I love that area of the country). Kellan runs a cattle ranch while the girls are setting up a guest farm. I liked the undertones of the big-bad oil company and how that affects the lease-land ranches. Being from this area of the country, so much of the book rang true. And then there's the sexy cowboy....yep, I have a weak spot too...thank goodness I live in ranching country. ;o)
Finally I loved the glimpses into Vaughn and Rachel's relationship. I hope this means that we get their story soon. I loved them both and ached for the obvious heartache between them. But I also found myself intrigued about the mystery of Jenna's little boy and who the father is. I also really hope that we get to see more of Kellan's brother Jake.
It was just a great book and I'm so happy that I won it. I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author and series!
I won an ARC of this book in a random giveaway on Goodreads.
October 29, 2012
Amy Sorentino is a legend of sorts. A former contestant on a big reality cooking show, The Ultimate Chef Showdown. She is infamous for a very public outburst during the filming. The ultra talented chef loses the big prize and eventually returns to her life in Catcher Creek as one of three Sorentino sisters struggling to keep the family ranch afloat after their father's untimely death and their mother's emotional breakdown which, which puts her in a home with constant care. The Sorentino sisters have decided to turn the family ranch into a dude ranch that features meals comprised of staples from all local growers and suppliers.
Kellan Reed, cowboy extraordinaire, owns a prestigious cattle ranch that produces the best beef around. Kellan has proudly worked to the bone to start and run his business. Kellan also has a big secret he would prefer the world never know. He is the sole heir to Amarex oil corporation, of which his maternal uncle is the shady owner. Uncle Morton attempts continuously to drag his nephew into his unethical dealings, but thus far, Kellan has been able to steer clear.
Amy and Kellan bump into on another at the local Quick Stand, where chef Amy is in search of celery and she holds up the line at the store. Some of the locals in that line bring up the touchy subject of The Ultimate Chef showdown and also try to rile her about her family and just before Amy goes off on the locals, Kellan Reed steps in to save the day. Immediately sparks fly between Kellan and Amy and there is no use denying the fire that has ignited between them, even though Amy has a set of rules with number 1 being "NO COWBOYS".
When Kellan finds out that his uncle is after Amy's childhood home, he realizes this is a conflict of interest and he attempts to step back, only to be sucked back in due to, first, his feelings, and second, Sorentino family issues that tug at his heart as well. Sisters, Amy, Rachel and Jenna are at wits end with family issues and throwing in the prospect of losing the ranch may just too much to handle for everyone involved.
The Trouble With Cowboys by Melissa Cutler is a book that grabs you from the first, with its immediate sparks flying between the Amy and Kellan. Then it keeps you interested with each character's story. Kellan is a straight forward decent guy. I immediately was attracted to his passion for his work and being a self-made man. Amy, having been taken advantage of in her past is a tad gun shy, especially when it comes to cowboy Kellan, but his persistence is admirable. Melissa Cutler has added a cast of characters who only compliment the entire scheme of things with Kellan's friends Vaughn, Lisa and Chris and Amy's quirky new employees, Sloan and Douglas.
I loved the The Trouble With Cowboys by Melissa Cutler. This story is riveting and well written with a great balance of humor and drama. This book goes through a gamut of emotions, laughter and tears and leaves the reader well sated. I am so looking forward to the next in the Catcher Creek series as I am already making bets on who will be the next two to fall in love. Gahhhhh, must we wait a year for this book?
~KIMBERLY~
5 Stars (Hook Line and Sinker)
May 2, 2013
When I was walking through the bookstore, this book caught my eye in the New Romance section. I have an obsession with Cowboys and Romance! Of course this book caught my eye! I found that from reading this book I share this weak spot for cowboys with Miss Amy Sorentino. So I already relate to the heroine in some aspect. This is the first novel I had seen from Melissa Cutler. I looked up the author and loved how she said that her and her friend would go to the bookstore and to the romance section and see which book came to the hot and steamy parts first and that’s the book they would buy! After reading that, I just had to buy this book!
Amy Sorentino is coming off of a very dark, humiliating point in her life when she was sabotaged by her so-called beau and had a mental breakdown on national TV. After hitting rock bottom, she is trying to pull her life back together, but she seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders as her two sisters are expecting her to help save the family farm! In walks Kellan Reed, and that is trouble with a capital “T” for Amy since cowboys seem to be her weakness and have caused nothing but trouble for her in the past. But with everything going on and the high levels of stress and nerves, she gives in to her weakness very early on! And it hooks you instantly.
I loved the development of the characters and all the supporting characters that you are introduced to. Each one of the three Sorentino sisters has distinct personalities and quirks that make them unique. They seem to bicker and often argue, but at the end of the day, they are family and blood sticks together. Kellan Reed has that sweet Southern charm and is very honest and true to himself and works hard for what he has. Kellan has his own struggles with family as his mother abandoned him as a child and being estranged from his brother. He is connected to the town of Catcher Creek and his friends and the town are now his family. The chemistry between Amy and Kellan is raw and passionate and pulls the reader into the struggle that Amy has with her feelings for cowboys versus her feelings for this one man. Amy feels like she is all alone and is weak, but it turns out that Kellan will be a rock in her life and will be there through some of the toughest moments in her life and that she has a backbone that she had to go home to find. In the end, fate steps up to the plate and smashes a home run!
I love how Melissa teased some of the backstory into Rachel and Vaughn’s relationship and set up the next book which I cannot wait to read! There seems to be so much passion and love eating away at them that has caused tremendous heartache for both of them. I imagine their story will be filled with heartache and pain, but hopefully will end in triumph!
Amy Sorentino is coming off of a very dark, humiliating point in her life when she was sabotaged by her so-called beau and had a mental breakdown on national TV. After hitting rock bottom, she is trying to pull her life back together, but she seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders as her two sisters are expecting her to help save the family farm! In walks Kellan Reed, and that is trouble with a capital “T” for Amy since cowboys seem to be her weakness and have caused nothing but trouble for her in the past. But with everything going on and the high levels of stress and nerves, she gives in to her weakness very early on! And it hooks you instantly.
I loved the development of the characters and all the supporting characters that you are introduced to. Each one of the three Sorentino sisters has distinct personalities and quirks that make them unique. They seem to bicker and often argue, but at the end of the day, they are family and blood sticks together. Kellan Reed has that sweet Southern charm and is very honest and true to himself and works hard for what he has. Kellan has his own struggles with family as his mother abandoned him as a child and being estranged from his brother. He is connected to the town of Catcher Creek and his friends and the town are now his family. The chemistry between Amy and Kellan is raw and passionate and pulls the reader into the struggle that Amy has with her feelings for cowboys versus her feelings for this one man. Amy feels like she is all alone and is weak, but it turns out that Kellan will be a rock in her life and will be there through some of the toughest moments in her life and that she has a backbone that she had to go home to find. In the end, fate steps up to the plate and smashes a home run!
I love how Melissa teased some of the backstory into Rachel and Vaughn’s relationship and set up the next book which I cannot wait to read! There seems to be so much passion and love eating away at them that has caused tremendous heartache for both of them. I imagine their story will be filled with heartache and pain, but hopefully will end in triumph!
June 26, 2012
Amy Sorentino has moved back to her childhood farm to live with her sisters and try to save the farm from foreclosure. The death of her father revealed that there was no money left to support the land. Her father drank too much and worked too little in his last years to keep the farm afloat, and now foreclosure was looming.
The sisters are planning to open the family home and farm as a bed and breakfast with a farm theme to give city dwellers a taste of what life on a real farm is. Working together is a challenge for the sisters because of their different personalities, and sibling rivalry. Amy is a master chef and will run the restaurant, the ‘Local Dish’ attached to the bed and breakfast.
Amy has always had ‘a thing’ for cowboys. This seems to be her way of recreating the love she wanted from her father, but did not get. The cowboys have always disappointed her by not having the honor, hardworking ethic and integrity that she expected cowboys to have.
Kellen Reed has the ranch spread next door to the Sorentino farm. He had his own childhood miseries growing up; his parents were drug addicts and Kellen and his brother ended up in a foster home when his parents went to prison on drug related charges. This left Kellen bitter and angry as a young man, and he deserted his little brother as soon as he aged out of the foster care system, in search of the Uncle that wouldn’t take them in when he and his brother needed family to help them.
Mutual attraction brings Kellen and Amy together for heated sexual encounters, and they learn from each other the difference between lust and love, and forgiveness within family relationships
This is a very touching love story, with two people, both from very dysfunctional family backgrounds learning to love and let go of the past. The heated sexual encounters between Kellen and Amy keep the pages of the book steamed up, and also gave me a sense of who these characters really were. Kellen, with the reputation of the playboy, and Amy, somewhat neurotic in her rules for life. I loved the ending, the way that Kellen and Amy came together and to an emotional understanding of love. I love LOVE!
The sisters are planning to open the family home and farm as a bed and breakfast with a farm theme to give city dwellers a taste of what life on a real farm is. Working together is a challenge for the sisters because of their different personalities, and sibling rivalry. Amy is a master chef and will run the restaurant, the ‘Local Dish’ attached to the bed and breakfast.
Amy has always had ‘a thing’ for cowboys. This seems to be her way of recreating the love she wanted from her father, but did not get. The cowboys have always disappointed her by not having the honor, hardworking ethic and integrity that she expected cowboys to have.
Kellen Reed has the ranch spread next door to the Sorentino farm. He had his own childhood miseries growing up; his parents were drug addicts and Kellen and his brother ended up in a foster home when his parents went to prison on drug related charges. This left Kellen bitter and angry as a young man, and he deserted his little brother as soon as he aged out of the foster care system, in search of the Uncle that wouldn’t take them in when he and his brother needed family to help them.
Mutual attraction brings Kellen and Amy together for heated sexual encounters, and they learn from each other the difference between lust and love, and forgiveness within family relationships
This is a very touching love story, with two people, both from very dysfunctional family backgrounds learning to love and let go of the past. The heated sexual encounters between Kellen and Amy keep the pages of the book steamed up, and also gave me a sense of who these characters really were. Kellen, with the reputation of the playboy, and Amy, somewhat neurotic in her rules for life. I loved the ending, the way that Kellen and Amy came together and to an emotional understanding of love. I love LOVE!
October 21, 2013
This is a great story with great characters. If you are into hot cowboys who get down and dirty (pretty fast I might add) then this is your book. Kellen Reed is sweet, sexy, sincere, and darn near “perfect”. His counterpart Amy Sorentino is funny, sassy, and quirky. The attraction (which could be a character in and of itself) between them is hot, intense, passionate and pretty much unwanted by both. All of which are ingredients for a fun, hot, attention holding read. Each character has an equally intriguing story, as well as the story they have together - you will have no choice other than to be captivated and in love with these characters from the beginning.
The background the author gives on each Kellen and Amy is great information and just enough to convey their past without being wordy or overwhelming. This book has a huge emotional factor. Your heart will ache for a young Kellen and Amy all while you are becoming increasingly frustrated with Amy and her “rules”. Both Kellen and Amy’s families are very much a part of the people they have become as well as the story line. I certainly enjoyed reading about Amy’s sisters and her mother. Kellen’s friends, who are his family, are also very well described and written about in a way that you will be curious about them. I definitely liked the underlying story of Rachel, one of Amy’s sister, and Vaughn, Kellen’s best friend and the town’s sheriff - the author gave away just enough to peak one's interest. There is also a little suspense – you know a western, even a contemporary western wouldn't be a real western without at least one gun draw – , mystery and an unexpected surprise character at the end of the book. It is a great series book because there are lots of unanswered questions and just enough hooks to have you waiting for the next book. Overall, I think it was a great book and has just enough webs for you to become entangled in Catcher Creek and its residents. I certainly am ready to read book number 2 of the series!
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Hot
Reviewed by: A. Lyn
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and Morec
The background the author gives on each Kellen and Amy is great information and just enough to convey their past without being wordy or overwhelming. This book has a huge emotional factor. Your heart will ache for a young Kellen and Amy all while you are becoming increasingly frustrated with Amy and her “rules”. Both Kellen and Amy’s families are very much a part of the people they have become as well as the story line. I certainly enjoyed reading about Amy’s sisters and her mother. Kellen’s friends, who are his family, are also very well described and written about in a way that you will be curious about them. I definitely liked the underlying story of Rachel, one of Amy’s sister, and Vaughn, Kellen’s best friend and the town’s sheriff - the author gave away just enough to peak one's interest. There is also a little suspense – you know a western, even a contemporary western wouldn't be a real western without at least one gun draw – , mystery and an unexpected surprise character at the end of the book. It is a great series book because there are lots of unanswered questions and just enough hooks to have you waiting for the next book. Overall, I think it was a great book and has just enough webs for you to become entangled in Catcher Creek and its residents. I certainly am ready to read book number 2 of the series!
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Hot
Reviewed by: A. Lyn
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and Morec
November 4, 2012
Cover Blurb:
Cowboys have never been good for Amy Sorentino. First her hard-riding father bankrupted the family farm. Then her all-hat-no-cattle boyfriend sold her out on national television, ending her promising career as a chef. Now she and her squabbling sisters have partnered up in a final attempt to save their land by starting an inn and local restaurant. So it figures that with everything on the line, Amy's key supplier is just the kind of Stetson-tipping heartbreaking bad boy she's sworn to avoid. But Kellan Reed has a few secrets of his own-and cowboy or not, Amy can't resist this kind of wild ride...
Melissa Cutler’s The Trouble With Cowboys is the first in the Catcher Creek series, and I highly recommend picking it up and reading it.
This book has everything I could ever ask for in a cowboy book: sexy, sultry hunk in tight jeans and a hat- check! Beautiful, independent woman who can’t resist said tight jeans and hat- check! Blazing romance between the two that would make even a snowy night heat up- check!
Amy Sorentino is a wonderful person who was screwed over on national television. She has strong family ties and will do whatever it takes to keep her sisters- and her family farm- in the black. Still, she has this weakness for the men in denim that keeps getting her in trouble.
Kellan Reed is a bit of a lone wolf- pretty much the perfect cowboy, really (yum!) So he doesn’t really want to get involved with the girl who has trouble barreling down her door. Still, there is something about her that makes him want to keep her safe- and reveal his innermost secrets to her.
Fun and sexy as all hell, The Trouble With Cowboys is a keeper!
Cowboys have never been good for Amy Sorentino. First her hard-riding father bankrupted the family farm. Then her all-hat-no-cattle boyfriend sold her out on national television, ending her promising career as a chef. Now she and her squabbling sisters have partnered up in a final attempt to save their land by starting an inn and local restaurant. So it figures that with everything on the line, Amy's key supplier is just the kind of Stetson-tipping heartbreaking bad boy she's sworn to avoid. But Kellan Reed has a few secrets of his own-and cowboy or not, Amy can't resist this kind of wild ride...
Melissa Cutler’s The Trouble With Cowboys is the first in the Catcher Creek series, and I highly recommend picking it up and reading it.
This book has everything I could ever ask for in a cowboy book: sexy, sultry hunk in tight jeans and a hat- check! Beautiful, independent woman who can’t resist said tight jeans and hat- check! Blazing romance between the two that would make even a snowy night heat up- check!
Amy Sorentino is a wonderful person who was screwed over on national television. She has strong family ties and will do whatever it takes to keep her sisters- and her family farm- in the black. Still, she has this weakness for the men in denim that keeps getting her in trouble.
Kellan Reed is a bit of a lone wolf- pretty much the perfect cowboy, really (yum!) So he doesn’t really want to get involved with the girl who has trouble barreling down her door. Still, there is something about her that makes him want to keep her safe- and reveal his innermost secrets to her.
Fun and sexy as all hell, The Trouble With Cowboys is a keeper!
February 10, 2013
As fast as Amy Sorentinogets out of Catcher Creek as a kid, she is glad to be back. She just has to remember a few steadfast rules, also avoiding any further humiliation and embarrassment.
Building his ranch from the ground up makes Kellan Reed very proud of all he has accomplished. He has come a long way from an angry, scrawny teenager to a man with a successful business and a beautiful home.
Cowboys are Amy’s downfall; always have been, and always will be if she cannot get a handle on her emotions, which for her is scarier than the cowboys themselves. She and her sisters have too much riding on this ranch to get involved with anyone, especially Kellan and all his cowboy-lusciousness. Drama is the last thing Kellan needs in his life, yet being around Amy only makes him want her more, which is a really bad idea considering what his uncle is planning. Amy’s family has had so much heartache in the past year, Kellan wants in no way to compound it, but if he cannot stop his uncle, the Sorentino sisters could lose everything.
Amy Sorentino is a powder keg flirting with matches, so do not be surprised to find these pages getting a little hot to the touch. Kellan is most certainly the cowboy of her dreams, yet he is also much, much more. In my opinion, it is Kellan who really makes this story, especially at those times when you pretty much know what is going to happen. Still, you like him so much it keeps everything interesting. I am eagerly looking forward to more amazing stories from Catcher Creek, hopefully featuring Rachel, Vaughn, Jenna and maybe even Jake.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Building his ranch from the ground up makes Kellan Reed very proud of all he has accomplished. He has come a long way from an angry, scrawny teenager to a man with a successful business and a beautiful home.
Cowboys are Amy’s downfall; always have been, and always will be if she cannot get a handle on her emotions, which for her is scarier than the cowboys themselves. She and her sisters have too much riding on this ranch to get involved with anyone, especially Kellan and all his cowboy-lusciousness. Drama is the last thing Kellan needs in his life, yet being around Amy only makes him want her more, which is a really bad idea considering what his uncle is planning. Amy’s family has had so much heartache in the past year, Kellan wants in no way to compound it, but if he cannot stop his uncle, the Sorentino sisters could lose everything.
Amy Sorentino is a powder keg flirting with matches, so do not be surprised to find these pages getting a little hot to the touch. Kellan is most certainly the cowboy of her dreams, yet he is also much, much more. In my opinion, it is Kellan who really makes this story, especially at those times when you pretty much know what is going to happen. Still, you like him so much it keeps everything interesting. I am eagerly looking forward to more amazing stories from Catcher Creek, hopefully featuring Rachel, Vaughn, Jenna and maybe even Jake.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
January 31, 2013
A time tested plot and believable characters come together well in Melissa Cutler’s Catcher’s Creek series debut. Amy Sorentino has sworn off cowboys, but she has returned to the cowboy country of her youth to start a restaurant in a last ditch effort to help her sisters save the family farm their father nearly bankrupted. Of course on her first day back she runs into an irresistible specimen of a cowboy, Kellan Reed, who just happens to live on the ranch next door and is the top choice beef supplier in all of New Mexico. Each is convinced anything between them is a bad idea, yet the sparks ignite whenever they are near.
There is plenty of drama for the Sorentino family and Kellan has plenty of scars from his childhood that still need healing which keeps them fighting a relationship and raising the tension of the book. While the ending is the expected HEO, Cutler stayed away from the clichéd ending I’ve been getting increasingly frustrated with encountering. Other residents of Catcher’s Creek, while supporting in their role, are presented with enough interest that I’m waiting with baited breath to see who ends up the subjects of the next book in the series and to hopefully peek into Amy & Kellan’s new life together.
There is plenty of drama for the Sorentino family and Kellan has plenty of scars from his childhood that still need healing which keeps them fighting a relationship and raising the tension of the book. While the ending is the expected HEO, Cutler stayed away from the clichéd ending I’ve been getting increasingly frustrated with encountering. Other residents of Catcher’s Creek, while supporting in their role, are presented with enough interest that I’m waiting with baited breath to see who ends up the subjects of the next book in the series and to hopefully peek into Amy & Kellan’s new life together.
November 15, 2013
I read and reviewed the second book in this series, Cowboy Justice, first and I loved that one so much I had to go back to read the first in the series. Let me just say Melissa Cutler is my new favorite western romance writer! I loved the first in the Catcher Creek series, The Trouble with Cowboys, and even if you’re not a fan of western romance novels, but like romance, I definitely recommend reading this series!
Amy Sorentino is back in Catcher Creek, a town she couldn’t wait to get out of, after a very public melt down on a cooking reality TV show competition. She moves home to help her two sisters save their family farm where she comes face to face with her greatest weakness and what she swore she’d avoid due to past mistakes - a very sexy cowboy, Kellan Reed. Amy and Kellan are both attracted to each other but both have family issues stemming from the past and a future together seems hopeless. She decides to focus on repairing the fragile relationships she has with her sisters and making the family farm into a vacation spot, not falling for some hot cowboy. Neither Amy nor Kellan are looking for love but sometimes love is a power that can’t be stopped.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/1...
Amy Sorentino is back in Catcher Creek, a town she couldn’t wait to get out of, after a very public melt down on a cooking reality TV show competition. She moves home to help her two sisters save their family farm where she comes face to face with her greatest weakness and what she swore she’d avoid due to past mistakes - a very sexy cowboy, Kellan Reed. Amy and Kellan are both attracted to each other but both have family issues stemming from the past and a future together seems hopeless. She decides to focus on repairing the fragile relationships she has with her sisters and making the family farm into a vacation spot, not falling for some hot cowboy. Neither Amy nor Kellan are looking for love but sometimes love is a power that can’t be stopped.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/1...
November 2, 2013
Kellan and Amy have a very "hot" beginning and it keeps going on. This book has it all-friendship, sisterly love, male bonding, forgiveness, family drama, a few laughs, a mystery or two, and even death.
This author did a good job giving the readers the back story of both Kellan and Amy. Reading about their past and upbringing, really explained both characters well. At first, I was shocked that Amy would just jump right into bed with Kellan, like she had no respect for herself. But as I read on, I understood Amy's actions.
I liked reading about Kellan's strong friendships and his very rocky relationships with both with mom and brother.
Amy and her sisters are all very different, but have a extremely close bond. I was crying with them at their mother's bedside. I could completly understood when Amy said, she had been preparing for a year for her mother's death, and yet she was not ready to let her mother go. I felt the exact same way, as I just recently lost my mother.
I want to read more about the sisters and this small NM town with its hot cowboys!
I rate it 4.75.
This author did a good job giving the readers the back story of both Kellan and Amy. Reading about their past and upbringing, really explained both characters well. At first, I was shocked that Amy would just jump right into bed with Kellan, like she had no respect for herself. But as I read on, I understood Amy's actions.
I liked reading about Kellan's strong friendships and his very rocky relationships with both with mom and brother.
Amy and her sisters are all very different, but have a extremely close bond. I was crying with them at their mother's bedside. I could completly understood when Amy said, she had been preparing for a year for her mother's death, and yet she was not ready to let her mother go. I felt the exact same way, as I just recently lost my mother.
I want to read more about the sisters and this small NM town with its hot cowboys!
I rate it 4.75.
November 19, 2012
This was a great book and read. Very excited for the next book in the series.
This is a story about the Sorentino family. Their are three sisters and are called home because their mom is sick and they are also about to lose their family farm.
Amy is a chef and has to give up her life & job to help her family. She has been having some hard times and more than willing to go home.
Kellen Reed is just the cowboy she is looking for. She finds him then remembers her rules, no cowboys. But he is so hard to resist, cause he is gorgeous and just her type of cowboy.
This is a great story about second chances for both of them and others in the book. Can the girls save their farm and can Amy resist the sexy cowboy?
Love the characters and can't wait for the rest of the series. I am excited to see what happens with the other sister & the sheriff. Definately want to know who the father is of the other sister little boy.
This is a story about the Sorentino family. Their are three sisters and are called home because their mom is sick and they are also about to lose their family farm.
Amy is a chef and has to give up her life & job to help her family. She has been having some hard times and more than willing to go home.
Kellen Reed is just the cowboy she is looking for. She finds him then remembers her rules, no cowboys. But he is so hard to resist, cause he is gorgeous and just her type of cowboy.
This is a great story about second chances for both of them and others in the book. Can the girls save their farm and can Amy resist the sexy cowboy?
Love the characters and can't wait for the rest of the series. I am excited to see what happens with the other sister & the sheriff. Definately want to know who the father is of the other sister little boy.
December 19, 2013
Likeable Characters + Great Writing = One enjoyable book! The Trouble with Cowboys is Melissa Cutler’s first book in her Catcher Creek series. Book 2 Cowboy Justice is due to hit the shelves in October 2013. And I can’t wait to get my hands on it! I found The Trouble with Cowboys to be a delicious combination of sexy and emotion-filled moments. The heroine Amy has all these self-imposed rules and rule #1 is to stay away from cowboys. Rule #1 gets thrown out the window within minutes of meeting Kellen, who says that he is a rancher not a cowboy. I felt that the characters were genuine, and Cutler does a nice job of introducing secondary characters with just enough information to make you curious, but does not over power the main story lines with unnecessary details. I was able to ride the roller-coaster of emotions with the characters. I felt like I became a part of the book and I can’t wait to see where Cutler takes all the wonderful characters of Catcher Creek.
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