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Rich Rugged Ranchers #2
A Real Cowboy
Producer Thalia Thorne's career is on the line. She's promised to lure James Robert Bradley back to the limelight, no matter what it takes. But once in Montana, she sees that J.R. has built a new life for himself—as a real-life cowboy—and Thalia finds it hard to resist the man he's become….
Then a blizzard strikes. Suddenly they're alone, with only body heat to keep them warm. When the snow melts, she'll have to go back to the big city—or sacrifice everything for the man she can't let go.
Then a blizzard strikes. Suddenly they're alone, with only body heat to keep them warm. When the snow melts, she'll have to go back to the big city—or sacrifice everything for the man she can't let go.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
14 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
Sarah M. Anderson
372 books396 followersWith over 1.2 million copies published in over twenty-one countries, Sarah M. Anderson has published over 45 books. Sarah's book A Man of Privilege won a RT Book Reviews 2012 Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. The Nanny Plan was a 2016 RITA® winner for Best Contemporary: Short. Additionally, Sarah has given workshops at national and regional conferences, taught craft classes online, spoken at libraries and book clubs, and published articles in the Romance Writers Report.
When she’s not walking her rescue dogs, reading or crafting, Sarah spends her days having conversations with imaginary people, all of which is surprisingly well-tolerated by her wonderful family. Find out more about Sarah’s books at www.sarahmanderson.com and sign up for the new-release newsletter at http://bit.ly/sarahalerts.
When she’s not walking her rescue dogs, reading or crafting, Sarah spends her days having conversations with imaginary people, all of which is surprisingly well-tolerated by her wonderful family. Find out more about Sarah’s books at www.sarahmanderson.com and sign up for the new-release newsletter at http://bit.ly/sarahalerts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 14, 2013
I've read three books by Sarah M Anderson and have enjoyed her writing and the totally different story-lines she's had, an author who doesn't mind exploring new territories is one I will always read. A Real Cowboy takes us straight to a ranch and Hollywood.
The hero is a rancher but for twenty-one years he was in Hollywood, not by choice but because it was the path chosen for him by his mother. He won an Oscar and saw how fast he was losing control of his life and disappeared and created his own family and life, then Thalia Thorne comes to interrupt all of that.
Thalia is an associate producer whose job depends on getting the hero sign for a movie. At first she treats him like the others, a commodity and then she starts to see JR and not the actor James and backs off and is ready to leave, then a storm strands her with James.
The heroine has made her fair share of mistakes, getting involved with a married man, an affair that ended her acting dreams but she still wants to stick it out in Hollywood. They of course end up getting involved, the hero more so emotionally.
I liked the realistic portrayal of Hollywood, the back-stabbing, the use and throw attitude. Thalia was someone I had a hard time warming up to while I fell in love with the hero. He for her sake decided to go back to Hollywood, a move that did not end up well.
Though I liked the premise of the book, I didn't fall in love with it. I never got what the heroine saw in Hollywood.
Overall the book was different than the standard Desire books and I will definitely read more by this author who has such a distinct style.
ARC provided by Harlequin through Netgalley.
The hero is a rancher but for twenty-one years he was in Hollywood, not by choice but because it was the path chosen for him by his mother. He won an Oscar and saw how fast he was losing control of his life and disappeared and created his own family and life, then Thalia Thorne comes to interrupt all of that.
Thalia is an associate producer whose job depends on getting the hero sign for a movie. At first she treats him like the others, a commodity and then she starts to see JR and not the actor James and backs off and is ready to leave, then a storm strands her with James.
The heroine has made her fair share of mistakes, getting involved with a married man, an affair that ended her acting dreams but she still wants to stick it out in Hollywood. They of course end up getting involved, the hero more so emotionally.
I liked the realistic portrayal of Hollywood, the back-stabbing, the use and throw attitude. Thalia was someone I had a hard time warming up to while I fell in love with the hero. He for her sake decided to go back to Hollywood, a move that did not end up well.
Though I liked the premise of the book, I didn't fall in love with it. I never got what the heroine saw in Hollywood.
Overall the book was different than the standard Desire books and I will definitely read more by this author who has such a distinct style.
ARC provided by Harlequin through Netgalley.
December 31, 2012
A Real Cowboy by Sarah M. Anderson
Putting her career on the line, producer Thalia Thorne said she would get recluse James Robert Bradley for her latest film. Oscar winning actor James Robert had walked away from Hollywood 11 years ago. But instead of finding James Robert Bradley at his remote Montana ranch, she finds J.R Bradley. When a blizzard forces Thalia to share close quarters with J.R she really gets to know him. She also realizes that J.R’s quiet, normal, peaceful existence in Montana would be gone if he returned to Hollywood,
This story shows us our fascination with the Hollywood elite, especially actors and actresses that have walked away from the limelight. This was an enjoyable read and an enjoyable addition to the Rich, Rugged Ranchers series.
Putting her career on the line, producer Thalia Thorne said she would get recluse James Robert Bradley for her latest film. Oscar winning actor James Robert had walked away from Hollywood 11 years ago. But instead of finding James Robert Bradley at his remote Montana ranch, she finds J.R Bradley. When a blizzard forces Thalia to share close quarters with J.R she really gets to know him. She also realizes that J.R’s quiet, normal, peaceful existence in Montana would be gone if he returned to Hollywood,
This story shows us our fascination with the Hollywood elite, especially actors and actresses that have walked away from the limelight. This was an enjoyable read and an enjoyable addition to the Rich, Rugged Ranchers series.
April 2, 2013
Kitty‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 Stars
A Real Cowboy was a fun, light, easy to read book that had me grinning ear to ear throughout. It was fun watching the transformation of Thalia from Producer to Friend to Lover and even more fun watching J.R. fight his feelings and finally accepting them.
What starts out as a simple trip to Montana to lure James Robert Bradley back to the big screen and possibly another Oscar nomination turns into an eye-opening, oh-my-God what am I doing here scene for Thalia Thorne. What should have been a simple negotiation has turned into her almost freezing to death and being shot for trespassing on private land. But, she won’t give up … Minnie Red Horse has given her an open invitation and she is going to take advantage of it. If not to convince J.R. Bradley to come back to Hollywood with her but at least to figure out how to salvage her reputation and her job. Her past has put her in a precarious position and James Robert Bradley is her only saving grace. But, can she go through with it once she learns about his life, see how and why he feels the way he does about Hollywood, after falling in love with him during the blizzard?
J.R. Bradley knows trouble when he sees it. It’s been years since he’s laid eyes on Hollywood and he has no intentions of going back. No matter how beautiful the woman is, no matter how much persuasion she has, no matter how much she understands him. But, something about Thalia Thorne has him squirming in his pants and his mind. There’s just something different about her that he feels he could trust her to an extent. Hell, she knows all about him – who he was and who he wants to be now. All he has to do is make it through the Blizzard and she’ll be off to Hollywood without him. He has no idea how to handle the Thalia that appears during the blizzard. The down-to-earth, Oklahoma bred girl that enjoyed mucking the stalls and spending time with the horses; cooking with Minnie and laughing with Hoss. He’s fallen in love and can’t bear to think of her leaving him. Especially after the nights that she’s spent in his bed, talking, loving and just being. He’s going back to Hollywood, not happily, but for her, he will. What happens when he gets there just proves that he was right to not want to go back. He felt betrayed, belittled and now has more trouble than he ever asked for and he’s lost Thalia.
I really enjoyed reading A Real Cowboy but there were parts of the book that seemed a little disconnected. There was talk about how J.R.’s mother died and him being implicated but nothing was ever revealed. It was a little difficult watching Thalia go from teasing and sultry to indignant. There was a scene in a bar where J.R. came to her rescue and, instead of being grateful, she lashed out at him and blamed him for the whole scene. Sorry, that didn’t make much sense to me – it would have been a perfect time to let their feelings go to a new level; instead it had him sitting in his pick-up truck watching the house where Thalia was staying making sure “Big Dog” didn’t come looking for her. But, overall, the book satisfied me … the sex was hot, J.R. was hotter, the descriptions of the scenery was beautiful and well, it made me realize that I would really love to see the wide open spaces of Montana, especially during a blizzard and, hopefully with a hot cowboy like J.R. Bradley to keep me warm!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
A Real Cowboy was a fun, light, easy to read book that had me grinning ear to ear throughout. It was fun watching the transformation of Thalia from Producer to Friend to Lover and even more fun watching J.R. fight his feelings and finally accepting them.
What starts out as a simple trip to Montana to lure James Robert Bradley back to the big screen and possibly another Oscar nomination turns into an eye-opening, oh-my-God what am I doing here scene for Thalia Thorne. What should have been a simple negotiation has turned into her almost freezing to death and being shot for trespassing on private land. But, she won’t give up … Minnie Red Horse has given her an open invitation and she is going to take advantage of it. If not to convince J.R. Bradley to come back to Hollywood with her but at least to figure out how to salvage her reputation and her job. Her past has put her in a precarious position and James Robert Bradley is her only saving grace. But, can she go through with it once she learns about his life, see how and why he feels the way he does about Hollywood, after falling in love with him during the blizzard?
J.R. Bradley knows trouble when he sees it. It’s been years since he’s laid eyes on Hollywood and he has no intentions of going back. No matter how beautiful the woman is, no matter how much persuasion she has, no matter how much she understands him. But, something about Thalia Thorne has him squirming in his pants and his mind. There’s just something different about her that he feels he could trust her to an extent. Hell, she knows all about him – who he was and who he wants to be now. All he has to do is make it through the Blizzard and she’ll be off to Hollywood without him. He has no idea how to handle the Thalia that appears during the blizzard. The down-to-earth, Oklahoma bred girl that enjoyed mucking the stalls and spending time with the horses; cooking with Minnie and laughing with Hoss. He’s fallen in love and can’t bear to think of her leaving him. Especially after the nights that she’s spent in his bed, talking, loving and just being. He’s going back to Hollywood, not happily, but for her, he will. What happens when he gets there just proves that he was right to not want to go back. He felt betrayed, belittled and now has more trouble than he ever asked for and he’s lost Thalia.
I really enjoyed reading A Real Cowboy but there were parts of the book that seemed a little disconnected. There was talk about how J.R.’s mother died and him being implicated but nothing was ever revealed. It was a little difficult watching Thalia go from teasing and sultry to indignant. There was a scene in a bar where J.R. came to her rescue and, instead of being grateful, she lashed out at him and blamed him for the whole scene. Sorry, that didn’t make much sense to me – it would have been a perfect time to let their feelings go to a new level; instead it had him sitting in his pick-up truck watching the house where Thalia was staying making sure “Big Dog” didn’t come looking for her. But, overall, the book satisfied me … the sex was hot, J.R. was hotter, the descriptions of the scenery was beautiful and well, it made me realize that I would really love to see the wide open spaces of Montana, especially during a blizzard and, hopefully with a hot cowboy like J.R. Bradley to keep me warm!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 2, 2013
Courtesy of Harlequin through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Swoons..
Cannot stop swooning! I picked this title to read next at random and let me tell you, I could NOT put it down. It was like late in to the night when I finally had to tear myself away from the book, but woke up this morning with determination to finish!
I have not had a swoon worthy book about a cowboy to read in a while and A Real Cowboy did not disappoint me!
Thalia's career is on the line after she promises her sleazy boss that she could get James Robert Bradly, a star that disappeared years ago, to take the main part in his movie. After managing to weasel out J.R's whereabouts from his agent, Thalia made her oblivious journey to Montana in very little winter clothes not expecting the harsh reality of winter.
I loved this book I really did. I loved J.R he was just so...yeah swoon and drool worthy. A rugged man who had no interest in acting but every interest in the ranch he now lived on, his true self that he had been hiding from due to his mothers wishes of him being an actor. J.R doesn't like the beautiful woman who stumbled onto his private land wearing barely anything invading his new life, and he sure as hell does not want to part take in a movie of a director that he cannot stand. But Thalia keeps coming back and the rugged Rancher cannot help but keep saving her. The romance between the two sizzles and crackles so when the blizzard snowed Thalia, J.R, Hoss and Minnie in, there was no escape in fighting their attraction. Especially when he comes into her room frozen in the middle of the night because his fire ran out and she offers him the comfort of her bed! Oh my... I was lost...
But anyway. Minnie was also an interesting character. A Native American woman who takes care of Hoss, her son and J.R kind of like a mother figure.
The plot held my attention, unaware just how bad blizzards are and it was completely new and interesting to me. The ending shocked me. Well, Thalia's and J.R's decision after the snow melted shocked me. I was almost screaming no, no, no.. but at the same time it was so sweet and raw I couldn't help but fall in love with them. I loved Sarah Anderson's writing and the ability to write a touching, steamy story that had me surrendering to my feelings.
I definitely recommend this to anyone that want their cowboy fix!
Swoons..
Cannot stop swooning! I picked this title to read next at random and let me tell you, I could NOT put it down. It was like late in to the night when I finally had to tear myself away from the book, but woke up this morning with determination to finish!
I have not had a swoon worthy book about a cowboy to read in a while and A Real Cowboy did not disappoint me!
Thalia's career is on the line after she promises her sleazy boss that she could get James Robert Bradly, a star that disappeared years ago, to take the main part in his movie. After managing to weasel out J.R's whereabouts from his agent, Thalia made her oblivious journey to Montana in very little winter clothes not expecting the harsh reality of winter.
I loved this book I really did. I loved J.R he was just so...yeah swoon and drool worthy. A rugged man who had no interest in acting but every interest in the ranch he now lived on, his true self that he had been hiding from due to his mothers wishes of him being an actor. J.R doesn't like the beautiful woman who stumbled onto his private land wearing barely anything invading his new life, and he sure as hell does not want to part take in a movie of a director that he cannot stand. But Thalia keeps coming back and the rugged Rancher cannot help but keep saving her. The romance between the two sizzles and crackles so when the blizzard snowed Thalia, J.R, Hoss and Minnie in, there was no escape in fighting their attraction. Especially when he comes into her room frozen in the middle of the night because his fire ran out and she offers him the comfort of her bed! Oh my... I was lost...
But anyway. Minnie was also an interesting character. A Native American woman who takes care of Hoss, her son and J.R kind of like a mother figure.
The plot held my attention, unaware just how bad blizzards are and it was completely new and interesting to me. The ending shocked me. Well, Thalia's and J.R's decision after the snow melted shocked me. I was almost screaming no, no, no.. but at the same time it was so sweet and raw I couldn't help but fall in love with them. I loved Sarah Anderson's writing and the ability to write a touching, steamy story that had me surrendering to my feelings.
I definitely recommend this to anyone that want their cowboy fix!
December 5, 2012
Thalia is a producer from Hollywood. She has volunteered an old actor for an upcoming movie. She has no clue where to find him so goes to the man agent who spills all to her. Off to Montana she goes to hunt for James Robert Bradley. When she finds him he is all that she remember from her crush years ago. When J.R. and Hoss, his ranch hand, noticed her one of them is not thrilled to have her on his property.
J.R. is mad as hell with this woman being here how did she find him. Thalia hurries to tell her story and the answer is a flat out no. He quit the business and doesn't want any part of it now. Thalia is not going to take no for an answer and ends up staying for dinner to J.R.'s surprise.
Can she convince this crush of hers to take the job to save her own job? Can she stop herself from falling for the man she really wants?
A lovely read that took me away from the first page. The story is so well written you can't help but want to turn the pages and find out what is going to happen between Thalia and J.R. To what length will she go to win over J.R. and save her job. The characters work wonderfully together. The secondary characters are just as good. You love Hoss and his mother. The banter between them all is heart warming. You can't help but fall in love with each of them.
The best part of the book for me what the blizzard scenes. The closeness the two share and the realization that Thalia likes J.R. for himself and not for the actor he once was. Blows the reader away how she opens this rugged man up to love.
A highly recommended read.
** I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review**
J.R. is mad as hell with this woman being here how did she find him. Thalia hurries to tell her story and the answer is a flat out no. He quit the business and doesn't want any part of it now. Thalia is not going to take no for an answer and ends up staying for dinner to J.R.'s surprise.
Can she convince this crush of hers to take the job to save her own job? Can she stop herself from falling for the man she really wants?
A lovely read that took me away from the first page. The story is so well written you can't help but want to turn the pages and find out what is going to happen between Thalia and J.R. To what length will she go to win over J.R. and save her job. The characters work wonderfully together. The secondary characters are just as good. You love Hoss and his mother. The banter between them all is heart warming. You can't help but fall in love with each of them.
The best part of the book for me what the blizzard scenes. The closeness the two share and the realization that Thalia likes J.R. for himself and not for the actor he once was. Blows the reader away how she opens this rugged man up to love.
A highly recommended read.
** I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review**
January 18, 2013
I really liked this book. JR had left Hollywood after twenty one years there because he realized that he lost in the lifestyle. He left that life behind, went to Montana and bought a ranch. He's now living a life he's comfortable in - most of the time. Because he had spent his childhood and early adulthood as a star, he had never really learned how to handle himself in social situations and occasionally gets in over his head. When Thalia shows up he is totally rude to her and just wants her gone. There's something about her that gets under his skin, but he wants nothing to do with that life again. Thalia is desperate. She needs to deliver him as an actor for the movie or her career will be over. But she quickly sees that the man he has become is so much better than the one he left behind. I really liked seeing the way her vision of him changed from the product she had to deliver to the man who belonged to the land he lived on. She made a couple of bad choices that came back to cause her problems but she did an excellent job of overcoming them. I really enjoyed all the characters in the book. They were written in a way that I could see them and hear them as I read. Besides JR and Thalia, I loved Minnie and her motherliness and the way she treated both JR and Thalia as if they were her own. Her son Hoss was terrific as JR's buddy, not saying much but getting the point across when needed. I also liked the way she described the smarmy Levinson and the attitudes back in Hollywood. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
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December 17, 2012My first Rich, Rugged Rancher book--complete with blizzard!
April 19, 2013
This book tell the story of Thalia who went all out to search for the award winning retired actor; James Robert Bradley, or JR. JR is a self turned recluse living and working at a ranch. Not one offer is able to draw him out of his recluse and Thalia took up the challenge to get him to act in a movie she will produce (only if she gets to him to join) or leave the entertainment scene. She went to his ranch and was confronted with an extremely unfriendly JR who left her standing at the front of his ranch. She was soaking wet to the bone but there was no invitation from JR to the house, but she am not giving up. She waited for him and it was Minnie, his housekeeper who found her and offers her to stay in the ranch. Being someone who is in control of everything, JR seems to be of no say where Minnie is concerned. So when Thalia left soon after, JR was relieved because he found himself to be attracted to her. But Thalia is not the type of girl who gives up easily. She found herself back to the ranch the next day, hoping that JR will change his mind. Her going back seems to be well accepted by Minnie and her son, but not JR.
This is a sweet romance story and i really like the story plot. I admired Thalia’s determination and her putting JR first before her needs. I also enjoyed Minnie’s character alot and she was the one who provide the entertainment element in the story especially when she blatantly trying to match makes Thalia to JR. ;)
This is a sweet romance story and i really like the story plot. I admired Thalia’s determination and her putting JR first before her needs. I also enjoyed Minnie’s character alot and she was the one who provide the entertainment element in the story especially when she blatantly trying to match makes Thalia to JR. ;)
January 4, 2013
4 1/2 stars. There is something about Sarah M. Anderson's books that suck me in even when there are the odd things I wouldn't normally want to read about.
Thalia Thorne had a crush on James Robert Bradley long before she went to Hollywood to become a star. And maybe even work with her idol. His sudden retirement and some poor choices killed that dream a long time ago. Now working as an assistant for a big name producer, the same casting couch sleaze who caused the derailment of her career, Thalia has a chance to make an Oscar winning western.
All she needs to make it happen is James Robert Bradley. Getting him to make a comeback would be a major coup. Failing means the second time her career will crash and burn.
The man she finds is so much more than the young actor who fled Hollywood over ten years ago. J.R. Bradley has made a life as a rancher, with close friends, almost family, Minnie Red Horse and her son Hoss. It is a world away from his life as a child star and hot male lead.
This is a great story of two people at odds with themselves and with the past. How they come together and what rips them apart makes for an engrossing read and a very satisfying ending.
Thalia Thorne had a crush on James Robert Bradley long before she went to Hollywood to become a star. And maybe even work with her idol. His sudden retirement and some poor choices killed that dream a long time ago. Now working as an assistant for a big name producer, the same casting couch sleaze who caused the derailment of her career, Thalia has a chance to make an Oscar winning western.
All she needs to make it happen is James Robert Bradley. Getting him to make a comeback would be a major coup. Failing means the second time her career will crash and burn.
The man she finds is so much more than the young actor who fled Hollywood over ten years ago. J.R. Bradley has made a life as a rancher, with close friends, almost family, Minnie Red Horse and her son Hoss. It is a world away from his life as a child star and hot male lead.
This is a great story of two people at odds with themselves and with the past. How they come together and what rips them apart makes for an engrossing read and a very satisfying ending.
August 4, 2013
Corny.
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December 29, 2014Miniseries: Rich, Rugged Ranchers
May 30, 2022
DNF’d after I heard they had to go back to her place to get her birth control pills during a blizzard. The way the female character is portrayed makes women seem completely incompetent. Personally I don’t like the ditsy/helpless woman and saviour man trope.
February 27, 2021
A light, easy read that takes the reader into a Montana blizzard and into the seedy world of Hollywood. Which one will win out in the end or is there a compromise.
July 17, 2024
✅〰️VERANO 2024
✅〰️THALIA, UNA CHICA DE LOS ÁNGELES VIAJA HASTA MONTANA EN BUSCA DE UN ACTOR DE HOLLYWOOD QUE DESAPARECIÓ DEL OJO PÚBLICO HACE MUCHÍSIMOS AÑOS CON EL PROPÓSITO DE CONVENCERLO PARA QUE REGRESE Y SEA PARTE DE UNA NUEVA PELÍCULA, PERO ÉL SE NIEGA, ENTONCES ELLA...
✅〰️THALIA, UNA CHICA DE LOS ÁNGELES VIAJA HASTA MONTANA EN BUSCA DE UN ACTOR DE HOLLYWOOD QUE DESAPARECIÓ DEL OJO PÚBLICO HACE MUCHÍSIMOS AÑOS CON EL PROPÓSITO DE CONVENCERLO PARA QUE REGRESE Y SEA PARTE DE UNA NUEVA PELÍCULA, PERO ÉL SE NIEGA, ENTONCES ELLA...
March 2, 2013
Really 4.5 Stars
Reviewed at http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot....
When I think of Sarah M. Anderson’s writing, I usually think of an inter-racial romance where the hero and heroine have to overcome cultural divides to be together. I think of tales full of heat and angst. This one felt completely different the other stories in her back-list. It was a smooth ride all the way through, with a whole heap of spice and just a smattering of misunderstanding to make sure that my attention was kept. I loved Thalia throughout the tale and, although J.R. was a dishy, dishy Cowboy, there was a sprinkling of Hollywood Diva in there that made sure I was never completely sure he was good enough for the lovely leading lady.
Thalia is a woman that believes in making the most of her chances. She encourages her cantankerous boss to let her cast the infamous James Robert Bradley in their latest film but she knows that if she doesn’t get him she will be fired. She heads off to the ranch, to confront the man she has harboured a crush on for years, only to find a man that completely rejects Hollywood and anyone involved in it. Determined not to let one rather brutal rebuttal set her back, she heads back the next day, gaining favour with his adopted family. Thing is, the more she sees of him, the more she wants him and she is soon having some very unprofessional thoughts about her future leading man. I liked Thalia. I liked her determination and spirit, enjoyed the fact that she knew what she wanted from all aspects of life and wasn’t afraid to put herself out there to be rejected. She didn’t seem to have a very good experience of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but she was determined that she would make it better if she just kept pushing. She had spunk.
J.R. has rejected Hollywood because he truly didn’t like the man he was becoming in that kind of environment. He was happier at home on his ranch being a cowboy. When Thalia turns up she reminds him of everything he doesn’t want to be but his attraction to her makes her the ultimate temptation back into the life of sin he turned his back on. He tries to fight his attraction but, when a snow storm means that she will be staying with them for a while, I pretty much knew the writing was on the wall. However, they both knew that their dalliance had a sell-by date. Whilst the snow was around, they lived in their happy cocoon and have lots of sex. Once the snow melted.....Well, that was when a decision would have to be made.
I love Cowboys. I wax lyrical about Cowboys and my darling friends have bail money saved up for our trip to Cowboy Country when I could potentially get arrested for stalking. J.R. was an absolute angel when he was in a good mood. He wasn’t particularly romantic but he was honest with his feelings and he had me swooning with his sweet words at several opportunities. I really liked him but I wanted to love him ('cos he was a Cowboy!). Unfortunately, he had a tendency to be a prat when he lost his temper. He was one to use his fists first and asks questions later and I ended up wanting to punch HIM for some of the horrible things he said to Thalia. He was redeemable but I just wanted to see him crawl....
Together, they were fantastic. What I love about Sarah’s sex scenes is that, although she doesn’t go all out and have scenes that last a couple of pages, she doesn’t shy away from the details. You feel the heat; see the passion in the scenes without it ever straying into the realms of Erotic Romance. She is and, based on this book, will remain an author I can turn to when I need a Cowboy pick me up.
Overall, this is fantastic story that made me laugh, swoon and get very frustrated, often all at the same time. I loved the romance, loved the very real look into the Hollywood scene and I loved the sense of family that seem to sit at the heart of Sarah M. Anderson’s stories. She has promised me more Cowboys and, after this one, I really can’t wait.
Reviewed at http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot....
When I think of Sarah M. Anderson’s writing, I usually think of an inter-racial romance where the hero and heroine have to overcome cultural divides to be together. I think of tales full of heat and angst. This one felt completely different the other stories in her back-list. It was a smooth ride all the way through, with a whole heap of spice and just a smattering of misunderstanding to make sure that my attention was kept. I loved Thalia throughout the tale and, although J.R. was a dishy, dishy Cowboy, there was a sprinkling of Hollywood Diva in there that made sure I was never completely sure he was good enough for the lovely leading lady.
Thalia is a woman that believes in making the most of her chances. She encourages her cantankerous boss to let her cast the infamous James Robert Bradley in their latest film but she knows that if she doesn’t get him she will be fired. She heads off to the ranch, to confront the man she has harboured a crush on for years, only to find a man that completely rejects Hollywood and anyone involved in it. Determined not to let one rather brutal rebuttal set her back, she heads back the next day, gaining favour with his adopted family. Thing is, the more she sees of him, the more she wants him and she is soon having some very unprofessional thoughts about her future leading man. I liked Thalia. I liked her determination and spirit, enjoyed the fact that she knew what she wanted from all aspects of life and wasn’t afraid to put herself out there to be rejected. She didn’t seem to have a very good experience of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but she was determined that she would make it better if she just kept pushing. She had spunk.
J.R. has rejected Hollywood because he truly didn’t like the man he was becoming in that kind of environment. He was happier at home on his ranch being a cowboy. When Thalia turns up she reminds him of everything he doesn’t want to be but his attraction to her makes her the ultimate temptation back into the life of sin he turned his back on. He tries to fight his attraction but, when a snow storm means that she will be staying with them for a while, I pretty much knew the writing was on the wall. However, they both knew that their dalliance had a sell-by date. Whilst the snow was around, they lived in their happy cocoon and have lots of sex. Once the snow melted.....Well, that was when a decision would have to be made.
I love Cowboys. I wax lyrical about Cowboys and my darling friends have bail money saved up for our trip to Cowboy Country when I could potentially get arrested for stalking. J.R. was an absolute angel when he was in a good mood. He wasn’t particularly romantic but he was honest with his feelings and he had me swooning with his sweet words at several opportunities. I really liked him but I wanted to love him ('cos he was a Cowboy!). Unfortunately, he had a tendency to be a prat when he lost his temper. He was one to use his fists first and asks questions later and I ended up wanting to punch HIM for some of the horrible things he said to Thalia. He was redeemable but I just wanted to see him crawl....
Together, they were fantastic. What I love about Sarah’s sex scenes is that, although she doesn’t go all out and have scenes that last a couple of pages, she doesn’t shy away from the details. You feel the heat; see the passion in the scenes without it ever straying into the realms of Erotic Romance. She is and, based on this book, will remain an author I can turn to when I need a Cowboy pick me up.
Overall, this is fantastic story that made me laugh, swoon and get very frustrated, often all at the same time. I loved the romance, loved the very real look into the Hollywood scene and I loved the sense of family that seem to sit at the heart of Sarah M. Anderson’s stories. She has promised me more Cowboys and, after this one, I really can’t wait.
May 15, 2013
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Great dynamic in the relationship that made it very believable. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions. I am a real sucker for a sexy romance!! I laugh, I cry and I wish the hero were real so he could be mine! LOL
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Great dynamic in the relationship that made it very believable. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions. I am a real sucker for a sexy romance!! I laugh, I cry and I wish the hero were real so he could be mine! LOL
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
February 24, 2013
I liked the main couple OK - it was mostly the backstory that didn't work for me. The Hollywood "stuff" just doesn't come off as feeling authentic. I can believe that the hero could hide out and live a fairly normal life in middle-of-nowhere Montana, but to have failed relationships because the women he dated didn't realize he used to be an actor? Uh, and he was a sexy studly heart-throb who won an Oscar? That strained. Also the fact that the heroine lacked gumption and wasn't nearly defensive enough considering her career in Hollywood was circling the drain didn't work for me. It's great that some fire in her personality does show up eventually, but not so great that it's in the very last chapter of the book. It's OK, but Anderson has written better.
January 28, 2013
This book is one of the rare case in which the hero is more likable than the heroine, is not a smartass and not a redeemed bastard, which is something I must add, because some of this love story book involve often this type of characters. Not a real new story but good enough.
Questo libro è uno di quei rari casi in cui l'eroe mi sta molto più simpatica della donna coinvolta: non è un cretino furbacchione, nè un bastardo redento, ed è gi qualcosa devo aggiungere, eprchè spesso questi libri d'amore abbondano di personaggi che rientrano in una di queste due categorie. Niente che non si sia già visto, ma una buona storia.
THANKS TO HARLEQUIN AND NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW
Questo libro è uno di quei rari casi in cui l'eroe mi sta molto più simpatica della donna coinvolta: non è un cretino furbacchione, nè un bastardo redento, ed è gi qualcosa devo aggiungere, eprchè spesso questi libri d'amore abbondano di personaggi che rientrano in una di queste due categorie. Niente che non si sia già visto, ma una buona storia.
THANKS TO HARLEQUIN AND NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW
March 24, 2013
Ms. Anderson is one of my favorite category romance writers, and this book did not disappoint! I loved both Thalia and J.R. - Thalia is a former actress turned associate producer and J.R. a former Hollywood leading man, but both are engaging characters who come across as people you would like to be friends with. Thalia is very appealing, because we witness her inner struggle over the ethics of her attempts to convince J.R. to return to Hollywood. I must have re-read the last chapter 4 or 5 times. Definitely a keeper and one I highly recommend!
April 21, 2013
This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I wondered what made this "Real Cowboy" tick and what made him escape from the limelight. I kept turning the page to see what would happen next. The dishes didn't get done, the laundry piled up, and I swear if it would have been any longer my family might have starved. Seriously, Sarah has a wonderful talent of pulling you into a scene and visualizing your surroundings. I LOVED the snowstorm!! Who wouldn't want to get stuck in a snowstorm with their guy? I won't tell you how it ends, so quick get your copy!
March 20, 2013
Sarah M. Anderson's style of writing is easy to get into. I loved A Real Cowboy because of that and the excellent narrative it contains. I loved the way Thalia fell in love with the real J.R. and the most excellent ending.
I had to admit I put the book down on page 168 because the train wreck that was waiting to happen, happened. With events spiralling out of control, I had no idea how the ending would resolve itself but it did and we got our happily ever after. So well done.
I had to admit I put the book down on page 168 because the train wreck that was waiting to happen, happened. With events spiralling out of control, I had no idea how the ending would resolve itself but it did and we got our happily ever after. So well done.
July 11, 2013
If I had started this one earlier in the day, I would have finished it in one sitting. There's so much to love about this book! I loved the gorgeous descriptions of Montana, Minnie, Hoss, and especially J.R., and the crackling chemistry between the hero and heroine. So many times during this book, I just got choked up with emotion--whether J.R. was watching out for Thalia or saving her in a crazy blizzard, it was mesmerizing. I just loved it and can't wait to read more from this author.
April 5, 2016
D2211Feb2013: Hollywood and a Montana ranch combine in this. The cowboy, an actor, has shut himself away to avoid the problems, feelings, and of his past. He is confronted by a woman who found him because of a years old teenage crush. Now as woman she discovers the real man.
January 17, 2013
4.5 stars.
My very first of Sarah M. Anderson and I loved it!
More review to come.
e-copy provided by Harlequin through Net Galley
My very first of Sarah M. Anderson and I loved it!
More review to come.
e-copy provided by Harlequin through Net Galley
March 5, 2013
Really, if I can find a cowboy like J.R....I will shamelessly throw myself at him. Fair warning! :)
March 9, 2013
J.R. and Thalia start off fighting. He's an actor who left the life behind 10 years ago and she wants him to return to the screen. He doesn't want to.
June 25, 2013
Romantic and emotional. I loved the Montana setting and the characters.
January 17, 2019
Good story, had awkward moments that made reading hard
March 24, 2013
Easy to read, and engaging. The characters were likable.
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