Cut and Run

Aspen Eyes #1

by Amy Elizabeth

This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B00CUXP49M.

Raised in the crime-infested neighborhood of South Boston, 21-year-old Rebecca Sheehan has learned the hard way that people can't be trusted. So when her unscrupulous boyfriend turns up without a pulse, she knows she needs to get out of Southie. Fast.

She seeks refuge in the last place anyone would think to look for her – the picturesque town of Jackson, Wyoming. The locals in this small community live by a different set of standards, as Rebecca discovers when she finds work on a horse ranch. For once, she’s surrounded by people she can take at face value, with one exception – her snarky new boss, Alec Westin, who appears hell-bent on making her employment term as short as possible. With his self-righteous attitude, she’d gladly grant him his wish, if she wasn’t so desperate for the job – and if he wasn’t so easy on the eyes.

But after a chance encounter with his crippled father, Rebecca learns the truth behind Alec’s callous façade. Suddenly he is no longer a tyrant, but a diligent man risking his entire livelihood to provide for his family. Moved by Alec's fortitude and his father's warmth, Rebecca finds herself increasingly drawn into their personal affairs – and to Alec.

Just when she thinks her murky past is behind her, a series of sinister threats confirms her greatest fear – she’s being hunted. It’s only a matter of time before her stalker finds her. And when he does, she’ll discover just how much her friends are willing to risk – and sacrifice – to protect her.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Horses, Western Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2013

About the author

Writing has always been my passion. I was hooked from the time I won the third-grade writing contest for my story about Nita, a very sophisticated and well-traveled peacock. By high school, my stories had developed into murder mysteries starring my (mostly!) understanding classmates. These days, my writing focuses on relationships and explores the endless intricacies of family, loyalty, and love.

I was born and raised in the tropical sprawl of South Florida, surrounded by beaches, horses, and lots of sunshine. Before becoming a full-time writer, I worked as a bartender and a massage therapist. In recent years, my wanderlust has taken me all over the world, and I've traveled extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. When I'm not busy writing, I spend my time snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking with my husband and husky, or planning our next voyage abroad.

Reviews

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much I enjoyed about this book...the well-developed characters that pulled at my heart-strings, the beautifully described backdrop of a Wyoming ranch, a mystery that made me read so fast I could barely comprehend the words, and a simmering romance that I wasn't certain would end in a love story. I picked this story up because it involved horses, but it was so much more than a horse-story. The author swept me away with her story of Rebecca and of Alec- with how she unraveled their past, their mistakes, and their choices.

The only reason I put down this 337 page book was because I was forced to - forced to go to work, cook dinner, correspond with anyone or fall asleep. This book is now in my top-ten of all-time favorite reads. And, I read a sample of the sequel and I literally gasped. I can't even wait to continue on with Rebecca and Alec's story. Beautiful work, Amy Elizabeth!


For more Equine-Fiction reviews, visit Brittney Joy's Blog at:
https://brittneyjoybooks.squarespace....

[Carol Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story because I was drawn right into it from the very beginning. The characters were well developed - and you felt as if you knew them personally. Some of them you loved, others you disliked intensely. The description of the hard work running a dude ranch also was very realistic - not all fun and games - sometimes danger lurked just around the corner. A girl who had never ridden a horse became a real heroine in riding, caring, loving and you pull for her throughout the whole story - I highly recommend it and am looking forward to further books by Amy Elizabeth in the series.

[Melody Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love...love...love this book. The characters were very well-developed and they each had their part in making this an exceptional read. Alec and Rebecca were wonderful and I enjoyed getting to know and love them.

I highly recommend this book and I am certain that you will enjoy it.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a great book to read

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Great beach read!

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Once you start reading you can't put it down. It's a romance/thriller in one and I look forward to more books from this author.

[J. Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run down:
City girl goes out west, gets hired on as a ranch hand, learns to ride, rope, and shoot a gun, and falls in love with the boss.
Her life before out west was a little different. When she left the city, she also left an enemy. Of course she is found and things go bad.
That is all I'm going to write. This is a good book and it kept me interested all the way through it.
Hope you all read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

[lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Absolutely loved the book, the story, the characters.
The story keeps you wanting yo read and you never want it to end

[Eunice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever made the wrong choice in life? Have you ever asked yourself afterwards what were you thinking? Have you ever wanted to start all over and somehow go back in time and wipe the slate clean? The main character of Cut and Run takes just such a chance. She is ballsy, gutsy, courageous, and a firecracker trying to put her past behind. I liked her from the get-go. You don’t even notice how young she is because she takes chances that most adults would never have the courage to muster. She seeks a better life. Who is she? Her name is Rebecca and packs her bags from Boston to visit her brother out West. She has always loved horses and poses as a horse wrangler for a summer job. Funny thing though is that she has never been on a horse before. But somehow she pulls it off, with the help of some amazing side characters that she later calls friends. Maybe it is her East Coast swagger! When she arrives at the ranch she meets a cast of colorful characters. One such character is her new boss Alec who has some preconceived ideas about East Coast girls. Alec is an enigma and these two rub each other the wrong way from the get-go. He wants her gone, she wants to prove herself. Together these two make the heart of the story. Alec has his own personal problems and remains in the periphery until much later in the book. The author gives us readers just enough intrigue to want more of him. This is book one in a series of three. I’ve read this book no less than 4 times already and I know I will revisit them several more times. My kindle is highlighted all over the place. Somehow these characters have worked their way into my heart. I am rooting for them and want so desperately to know they will make it. It’s a quiet book with so much heart. Allow yourself to get to know Rebecca and her journey in coming into her own.

[Marla Josephs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. If I had to classify it, I would say it was a coming of age story by so much more. Our main character, Rebecca, flees her less than desirable home life for the summer before heading off to college in the fall. This didn't feel completely fictitious, but more like watching the events unfold for a few months in this young woman's life as she tries to find her way. In some instances, it seemed unbelievable, yet not unrealistic in my opinion, the freedoms that this young woman had at such a young age. However, having known individuals with less than desirable backgrounds, I have seen them have many more freedoms than is normal for others there age who have someone looking out for them. At times, she made what could be called "dumb decisions" yet they were what could be expected from someone so young. However, the interesting part was watching her recognize and struggle with those decisions and try to make things right as she tried to navigate and make her way. The danger and other bits of obvious fiction with the light mystery part of the book made things interesting and entertaining. I found overall that I liked the main character and all of the others as well.
The narrator added nicely to this book. She captured the essence of each character and did a great job of bringing them to life. Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago, just re-read it and snuck a peek in the "read excerpt" tab. It still stands true to say that the people in the book make you want to love and hate them. I really began to look at them as real people and I am working side by side with them on the ranch. It takes a really good book to get me to commit my time to really read and not just skim through. I have read this book 3 times over and am not done with it! I am leaving this review after the author, Amy Elizabeth has released the sequel "Indian Summer" and I couldn't be any happier as a reader looking for an enthralling series to follow. Keep writing Amy!!! I look forward to more of this series.
Cut and Run

[Rachael Eliker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Cut and Run for a myriad of reasons--the author's detailed descriptions of the scenery and believable language, the character's time in the saddle, the plot, the suspense, the romance...it was a really good combination of all of the elements.
There were a few drawbacks that prevented me from giving it five stars--the characters shrugging off the underage drinking and the fairly detailed (but not graphic) bedroom scene between Alex and Rebecca. I know most people don't bat an eye at topics like that in YA books, but it isn't something I'd feel comfortable having my children read.
Like I said, a lot of the book is really well written and is a great combination of action, horses and real-life problems but there were a few elements that kept me from totally loving it.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I was given this book to listen to in return for an honest review.

First I will say, I love western romances. I was really looking forward to this book. As it started, and I found out the heroine was as young as she was I was very skeptical. I continued to listen and was pleasantly surprised. The book was very entertaining and had well developed characters that you felt were your friends. My favorite surprise was the amount of suspense and storyline depth the book had. Every corner had a new idea to think through, and the stalker....well, you will have to listen. The narrator had a very great array of voices and was a great listen. Would definitely seek out others by her.

If suspense, cowboys, and close families are your thing, this book is for you.

[Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this! I'd out it in more of a coming of age category than romance though that element is definitely there.

The characters were all very well done, plot development was great, and the overall story was very enjoyable. Also, the author is actually an equestrian so didn't screw up the horsey details.

The theme of escaping one's past is well done with the joys and fears of that process ringing true. A Wyoming horse ranch is a great setting for the tale and the love interest angle fits nicely and is not overplayed.

I'd read this again. :)

[Christine Meunier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Sheehan is a 17 year old who finds herself running away from her daily life to escape to the safety of her older brother in Wyoming. Country life is very different to city life and the young red head is rapt to find that in a short space of time, she has a job interview on a ranch where she will get to work with her favourite animal – horses.

Cut and Run by Amy Elizabeth

There are a couple of catches, though. The biggest? Rebecca has never touched a horse in her life, much less ridden them and worked cattle... More at http://equus-blog.com/cut-and-run/

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good contemporary romance. I don't normally read many with heroines only 17/18 years old and like them, but here I did. Maybe because Rebecca grew up under hard circumstances and was more mature I was more comfortable. I also really liked that she kind of screws up a bit at the end before she works it out. It was much more realistic than the " oh yes I love him and now everything will work out perfectly" of some stories. I will probably read the next in the series too.

[Alexandra Florence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable and I liked the plot, however I did have one major problem with Cut and Run. In my opinion Rebecca was too young, yes she was a mature seventeen/eighteen year old, but that does not excuse her dating a thirty year old. For this novel to be more successful Rebecca should have been older, the twelve-year age gap between her and Alec would have seemed less drastic if she were in her early twenties. Despite this I found the book enjoyable and would recommend it.

[Outi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kinda fun and sweet. But. I had a hard time believing that a girl who has never even touched a horse could learn to ride well in a week. Come on, no one learns to do a sliding stop in a week! No matter how many horsey books and magazines a person has read, the fact remains that learning to be with horses, you have to be with horses. Book knowledge is great, but it really doesn't teach you to read horses. So please, a little more believable plot line, thanks.

[Carly Kade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series of books by Amy Elizabeth beginning with Cut and Run. As an equestrian author and avid horse book reader, I've discovered that it isn't always easy to find books about riding western. I took two of them on vacation and breezed through the pages. If you like horse books with an interesting story and clean romance you'll enjoy these. Dead Heat is a good read too! - Carly Kade, Author of In The Reins

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit that it took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but I soon found myself really enjoying it. The supporting characters were just as entertaining as the main couple. I'm excited to read more by this author.

[Trisha Mohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. Had a little of everything, drama, mystery, romance, comedy. It was so easy to read. You really cared about the characters and didn't want to put to down because you wanted to know what was going happen next. Looking forward to reading what she is going to write next.

[Tammy Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome Western romance! You will love this book if you are into the Western Romances. The characters were great and the flow of the story is a page turner also. Pick this one up! You want put it down!

[Mary McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with twists!

This author knows how to tell a story. The story line is really good with twists and turns that are unexpected. The characters are so believable I feel like I have met them somewhere. Overall a really good book.:

[Teresa Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Loved it!

I was swept up in the story from the start. The writing was so vivid I felt like I was right there. Definitely will look for Moe books from the author!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

This first book in the “Aspen Eyes” series stands alone with an easy progressive pace to the romance.

Read full review in the 2015 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Valetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost feel that another chapter was needed for this book. But a great read anyways.

[MamaBear2019 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed all of it!!!

[Ila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. I was kept guessing by the mystery and enjoyed all the.characters. This is such a good read

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Adored the characters! And loved the plot of the whole story, even the twist that comes along with it!

[Liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. my only issue is that it had some storytelling flaws- all the things that happened in the hospital, and it felt a little young, but the thing that chafed me most was how quickly Rebecca became some all star cowgirl. I ride for real, and have been for years, and there's no way that in 7 days she got that good. so that took a lot away from the story for me. but otherwise a pretty light and enjoyable read.

also, according to the synopsis, she is 21, not 17/18. and that is the appropriate age for a college junior/senior.