A Cowboy's Dilemma (Volume 3)

by E. Joe Brown

Building a business empire is bound to make enemies, but when your rivals brandish Tommy Guns it will take a cowboy's grit to face them down as only KELLY CAN!

A new day dawns for Charlie and Susan Kelly after Susan's kidnapping as the young couple looks to grow the Kramer Group business empire. On the precipice of Prohibition Oklahoma is booming and the Kellys want to get in on the ground floor. As Kelly Oil looks to expand to new states, new opportunities in ranching give Charlie a chance to save the ranch that gave him his start. But among all the joys a new threat raises its ugly head as vandalism strikes several of the Kramer Group businesses, each incident signed with, "Your friends from Chicago."

Charlie and Susan are not going to let any threats sideline their plans to grow their businesses. Even if those threats come from Chicago's biggest mob boss. With the aid of Bailey Muldoon and the new Kramer Security Company they plot the best way to deal with the Chicago Outfit. When the mobsters cross the line and kill someone close to the young couple Charlie takes matters into his own hands to make sure that the mobster never threatens the Kellys again.

Genres: Historical Fiction

258 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Ann-Maree · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Cowboy's Dilemma
by E Joe Brown

I recently attempted to read this book and, while I appreciate the author’s effort to portray diverse characters, I found myself unable to finish it. I struggled a bit with the writing style and narrative flow, which made it challenging for me to fully engage with the story. The blending of historical and modern elements sometimes left me feeling a bit confused about the time period being depicted.

For example, the inclusion of showers, Cadillacs, and frequent phone use felt somewhat inconsistent with the historical context, as these elements are typically associated with wealthier, more contemporary landowners. A deeper exploration of these aspects could enhance the book's authenticity and provide readers with a clearer sense of the era.

Additionally, the introduction of numerous characters in the early chapters suggested that this novel might be best enjoyed after reading the first two books in the series. This made it somewhat difficult to follow, particularly for readers who might not be familiar with earlier ibooks. I also found the portrayal of Charlie and Susan's attraction and intimacy to be a bit challenging to relate to. A more distinct

Since I received my copy from NetGalley, I wonder if I might have read an earlier version. If this were the final copy, I noticed several areas that could benefit from additional editing and review. Given that it was published last year, addressing these points could greatly enhance the reading experience.

I hope my feedback is taken in the spirit it is intended. As a non-American, I may not have complete familiarity with the historical context, but I share my honest thoughts based on my understanding and experiences. I truly commend the author for their writing efforts.

[Andrea George · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Cowboy's Dilemma" by E. Joe Brown, is the third novel in the Kelly Can series. This novel mentions previous details involving the first two novels, so there is no need to read them in any particular order. The setting takes place in the Old West during the turbulent 1919-1920 era. Prohibition has started and the Chicago mob is a force to be reckoned with. Charlie Kelly and his young bride, Susan, are continuing to build an empire that includes banks, oil wells, and land for raising cattle and horses. Charlie's background revolves more around a "hands on" experience, while his wife's background is that of privilege and a structured education, including a college degree. She is a strong female character, with a "heard on her shoulders". She is an equal to Charlie, and her ideas/advice are respected by him and their male employees.
The issue I had with this novel, is the consistent "romance" that includes the main characters' being naked constantly, i.e., naked on their balcony with their help around, swimming naked in their pool, Susan constantly buttoning down her blouse while her husband is driving, in restaurants to distract the waiter, and in a business meeting to gain an advantage. This is an insult to all women! I doubt very seriously that any self-respecting woman in the early 1900's (or today, for that matter) would behave in this matter. These actions took away from the strong female character that was portrayed in this novel.
Honestly, if it weren't for these unrealistic scenes, I would have easily rated this novel as a four or five star.
Just my opinion, others may not feel the same way.

[Natasha Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cowboy’s Dilemma by E. Joe Brown is a heartfelt and emotionally layered story that pulls you in from the very first page. Set against a rugged cowboy backdrop, the book beautifully balances romance, inner conflict, and personal growth.

The main character’s journey is both compelling and relatable, as he’s forced to confront difficult choices between loyalty, love, and his own sense of identity. The emotional tension is written so well that you can truly feel every hesitation, every spark, and every heartbreak along the way.

What really stands out is the depth of the relationships. Nothing feels rushed or forced — instead, the connection builds naturally, making every moment feel earned. The writing style is smooth and immersive, with just the right amount of descriptive detail to bring the setting and characters to life without overwhelming the story.

This is a book that keeps you hooked, not just because of the romance, but because of the emotional stakes and the genuine character development. If you enjoy cowboy romances with real depth and feeling, this one is definitely worth adding to your list.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first and last time to read a book by E. Joe Brown. I wanted to like this book set in 1919 and 1920 in the West. But I could not endure the amount of comments made by Charlie Kelly about his wife's body, the show of her cleavage, and his wife, Susan's, admiration of how tall he was and his muscular and hairy chest. It was too much, I waded through two chapters and gave up.

The story was not engaging, and the characters seemed to be made of cardboard or two-dimensional. I craved depth in the writing.

[Jjean · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ARC won - enjoyed the story even with it being Book #3 and not read the first 2 - Easy to follow the characters - Building an empire during the early Oil & Cattle boom - to much "romance" between husband & wife or would have been a 4 rating, seemed to be using it as "filler" - takes you into the meetings of business - trouble with the Chicago gang - to me it does have an "abrupt" ending........