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Lucky Penny Ranch #1
Wild Cowboy Ways
A heartwarming novel of complicated families, new neighbors, and fresh hope from a New York Times bestselling author who writes "Southern comfort in a book." —Sheila Roberts
Allie Logan has her hands full with a bad breakup, a struggling renovation business, a sister who won’t stop flaunting her engagement ring, and a grandmother who keeps wandering off at the most inopportune times. In fact, Granny Irene’s latest habit is sneaking out to the ranch next door, where’s she’s convinced a lost love awaits. But when Allie goes to collect her, she finds instead a new neighbor—six‑foot‑plus of tall, dark, and charming.
Blake Dawson is one more thing Allie can’t deal with right now. But since he’s hired her to help repair his rundown ranch, they’re suddenly spending an awful lot of time together. And as family secrets—past and present—start to come to light, Allie finds that opening her heart might just be the fresh start her life needs.
Includes the bonus novella Buttercup Farms, part of the Sunflower Ranch series—never before published!
Allie Logan has her hands full with a bad breakup, a struggling renovation business, a sister who won’t stop flaunting her engagement ring, and a grandmother who keeps wandering off at the most inopportune times. In fact, Granny Irene’s latest habit is sneaking out to the ranch next door, where’s she’s convinced a lost love awaits. But when Allie goes to collect her, she finds instead a new neighbor—six‑foot‑plus of tall, dark, and charming.
Blake Dawson is one more thing Allie can’t deal with right now. But since he’s hired her to help repair his rundown ranch, they’re suddenly spending an awful lot of time together. And as family secrets—past and present—start to come to light, Allie finds that opening her heart might just be the fresh start her life needs.
Includes the bonus novella Buttercup Farms, part of the Sunflower Ranch series—never before published!
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 22, 2015
567 people are currently reading
1539 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
181 books4,114 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
May 25, 2017
4 Burning bridges Stars
*Some Spoilers*
"I can't help it when I'm around you. You don't have any idea how beautiful you are or how you affect a man, do you, darlin'?"-Blake
"I don't care if you are telling me pretty words that you've told lots of women before me. I don't care about your past. I'll burn those bridges for you if you'll hand me a stick of firewood and a match."-Allie
Wild Cowboy Ways, the 1st book in the Lucky Penny Ranch series, was a sweet, enjoyable read. What's not to like, sexy cowboy with wild ways, meets pretty tomboy carpenter that has been burnt by ex. The story had a nice steady pace. Carolyn Brown did a great job of building up the world, characters, and Allie and Blake's relationship. I liked both Allie and Blake. Allie was sweet, she had a little sass to her, and she had a good heart. The only thing I didn't like about Allie was that she sometimes acted like a teen and not a 29 year old woman. She let her mom and sister boss her. Allie's sister Lizzy wanted her to date this guy that creeped Allie out but instead of just saying No and that being that, she lets said guy push himself on her, putting his arm around her and touching her. Her sister kept setting up double date dinners and crap. It was just little things like that, that made Allie feel immature at times. Blake was sexy, hard working, laid back. But if I had to read one more time about another woman just walking up and grabbing him and kissing him I was gonna flip. Not that he kissed them back, but dayum, the man needed to wear a sign that said "Keep your lips to yourself".
"I don't want you to leave the Lucky Penny, so please make it work. I've opened my heart to you. I can argue with you. I can be drunk and shake the hell out of your house and you don't judge me. You don't talk down to me or make me feel like less of a woman because of what I do."-Allie
"What I feel for you goes far above 'like,' Allie Logan. I don't know if it's love because I've never really been in love before. But believe me when I tell you that I admire you for what you do. I think it's downright sexy the way you can crawl up on a roof and fix a ceiling and honey, those cargo pants turn me on."-Blake
Those two things, Allie's immaturity, and the women physically throwing themselves at him every 2 minutes is why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. Other then those things Allie and Blake's relationship is very sweet. Allie really makes Blake work for it. Allie's grandma Irene was cracking me up in this book. OMG the things Irene would say. I liked Lizzy for the most part but at times she annoyed me. The ending was super sweet and cute. I really loved the last like 10%, and I had a stupid smile on my face the whole time I read it. I enjoyed the peek at the next book which is Lizzy's book, which I will be reading. This book was a nice lighthearted read.
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
*Some Spoilers*
"I can't help it when I'm around you. You don't have any idea how beautiful you are or how you affect a man, do you, darlin'?"-Blake
"I don't care if you are telling me pretty words that you've told lots of women before me. I don't care about your past. I'll burn those bridges for you if you'll hand me a stick of firewood and a match."-Allie
Wild Cowboy Ways, the 1st book in the Lucky Penny Ranch series, was a sweet, enjoyable read. What's not to like, sexy cowboy with wild ways, meets pretty tomboy carpenter that has been burnt by ex. The story had a nice steady pace. Carolyn Brown did a great job of building up the world, characters, and Allie and Blake's relationship. I liked both Allie and Blake. Allie was sweet, she had a little sass to her, and she had a good heart. The only thing I didn't like about Allie was that she sometimes acted like a teen and not a 29 year old woman. She let her mom and sister boss her. Allie's sister Lizzy wanted her to date this guy that creeped Allie out but instead of just saying No and that being that, she lets said guy push himself on her, putting his arm around her and touching her. Her sister kept setting up double date dinners and crap. It was just little things like that, that made Allie feel immature at times. Blake was sexy, hard working, laid back. But if I had to read one more time about another woman just walking up and grabbing him and kissing him I was gonna flip. Not that he kissed them back, but dayum, the man needed to wear a sign that said "Keep your lips to yourself".
"I don't want you to leave the Lucky Penny, so please make it work. I've opened my heart to you. I can argue with you. I can be drunk and shake the hell out of your house and you don't judge me. You don't talk down to me or make me feel like less of a woman because of what I do."-Allie
"What I feel for you goes far above 'like,' Allie Logan. I don't know if it's love because I've never really been in love before. But believe me when I tell you that I admire you for what you do. I think it's downright sexy the way you can crawl up on a roof and fix a ceiling and honey, those cargo pants turn me on."-Blake
Those two things, Allie's immaturity, and the women physically throwing themselves at him every 2 minutes is why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. Other then those things Allie and Blake's relationship is very sweet. Allie really makes Blake work for it. Allie's grandma Irene was cracking me up in this book. OMG the things Irene would say. I liked Lizzy for the most part but at times she annoyed me. The ending was super sweet and cute. I really loved the last like 10%, and I had a stupid smile on my face the whole time I read it. I enjoyed the peek at the next book which is Lizzy's book, which I will be reading. This book was a nice lighthearted read.
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
December 5, 2021
Wild Cowboy Ways is the first book in my so called cowboy romance journey.
After I asked several romance BookTubers to recommend me some Cowboy books, and got non because they didn't read many to know what to recommend, I decided to take the step and explore the genre myself, and if I stick to it, I can be the one people can ask for recommendations (even though I am not on YouTube).
It isn't like I have no experience, as I have read (and really enjoyed) Nothing But Trouble and The Trouble with Christmas by Amy Andrews.
However, as for now, I consider myself clueless, and I decided to change that.
I started this journey with Carolyn Brown because I got the feeling she is, of not the most, then certainly one of the most popular authors of this subgenre out there.
Wild Cowboy Ways was enjoyable story written in third person, and it captured small town gossipy vibes all that well.
I did like the setting and that it really felt like everyone knew everyone, and other people's business in no time, but I didn't like how I got impression that women in the story (except our MC and her sister, of course) were presented as... easy. At one point it felt like every singe woman, taken or not, was throwing herself at new neighbor's feet right away, just because he was new meat in town, and hot, of course.
That includes a senile grandmother of Allie, who by coincidence have the same name as me (only American version, as this is Texas after all) who I assume should come off as funny, but because of personal reasons parts with her to me were just sad or not funny (personal reasons being she reminded me of my late grandmother I took care of until she forgot herself and everyone around her completely).
I was little disappointed how there were no animals except for a dog, but I guess they will come later in the series, because the ranch is at it's first steps to open.
Overall, I think this was solid book to start with when it comes to cowboy romance, and I will continue with the series. My aim is one book per month.
Instead of recommending it to you (which I do recommend, so check it out!😉), I will ask you if you read cowboy romances, which book should I read?
Every recommendation is very welcome!
After I asked several romance BookTubers to recommend me some Cowboy books, and got non because they didn't read many to know what to recommend, I decided to take the step and explore the genre myself, and if I stick to it, I can be the one people can ask for recommendations (even though I am not on YouTube).
It isn't like I have no experience, as I have read (and really enjoyed) Nothing But Trouble and The Trouble with Christmas by Amy Andrews.
However, as for now, I consider myself clueless, and I decided to change that.
I started this journey with Carolyn Brown because I got the feeling she is, of not the most, then certainly one of the most popular authors of this subgenre out there.
Wild Cowboy Ways was enjoyable story written in third person, and it captured small town gossipy vibes all that well.
I did like the setting and that it really felt like everyone knew everyone, and other people's business in no time, but I didn't like how I got impression that women in the story (except our MC and her sister, of course) were presented as... easy. At one point it felt like every singe woman, taken or not, was throwing herself at new neighbor's feet right away, just because he was new meat in town, and hot, of course.
That includes a senile grandmother of Allie, who by coincidence have the same name as me (only American version, as this is Texas after all) who I assume should come off as funny, but because of personal reasons parts with her to me were just sad or not funny (personal reasons being she reminded me of my late grandmother I took care of until she forgot herself and everyone around her completely).
I was little disappointed how there were no animals except for a dog, but I guess they will come later in the series, because the ranch is at it's first steps to open.
Overall, I think this was solid book to start with when it comes to cowboy romance, and I will continue with the series. My aim is one book per month.
Instead of recommending it to you (which I do recommend, so check it out!😉), I will ask you if you read cowboy romances, which book should I read?
Every recommendation is very welcome!
January 4, 2016
Blake Lawson has just moved to Dry Creek, Texas set on turning the rundown Lucky Penny Ranch a successful cattle operation with his brother, Toby and cousin, Jud. The history of the ranch is anything but lucky with a slew of owners quitting and selling over the years, but Blake is determined to make it a success. Blake’s also determined to leave his “wild cowboys ways” loving one bar bunny and moving onto the next in short order, and there’s a flock of women at Dry Creek bent on staking their claim on him. Too bad for them, Allie, the brown-eyed sassy carpenter, is the only woman he can’t get off his mind.
Allie Logan has had her heart broken by one cowboy already and has no plans on going for round two with Blake Dawson. One look at that sexy cowboy and Allie knows he’s trouble, but she finds him hard to resist the more time she spends fixing up his ranch.
Wild Cowboy Ways was a sweet, easy going cowboy romance filled with Carolyn Brown’s signature country humor. Grandma Irene provided a lot of that humor with her antics and no-nonsense views which she had no trouble sharing:
“Who are them cheap barroom Rosies in the kitchen?” she asked.
“Just a couple of women who followed me and Deke home last night,” Toby said.
“Like a couple of dogs in heat, I suppose,” Irene said.
Toby chuckled. “Don’t let them hear you say that.”
“I’ll say whatever the hell I want. Truth is truth, don’t matter if you pour chocolate syrup or cover it up with fresh cow shit, it’s still the truth.”
Granny Irene is one feisty lady, lol!
Blake and Allie had immediate chemistry and I liked that there weren’t any mind games with these two. I was a little annoyed with Allie’s self-righteous sister, Lizzy, a lot of the story, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her by the end. I was a little surprised that Allie was so forgiving of the ladies of Dry Creek when details were revealed about her previous marriage, but I guess when you hold onto bitterness the only one you harm is yourself. The best revenge is living well.
If you haven’t picked up a Carolyn Brown cowboy romance, you are definitely missing out on some good times! I look forward to the next Lucky Penny Ranch romance featuring Blake’s brother, Toby and Allie’s sister Lizzy in Hot Cowboy Nights coming this May.
A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Allie Logan has had her heart broken by one cowboy already and has no plans on going for round two with Blake Dawson. One look at that sexy cowboy and Allie knows he’s trouble, but she finds him hard to resist the more time she spends fixing up his ranch.
Wild Cowboy Ways was a sweet, easy going cowboy romance filled with Carolyn Brown’s signature country humor. Grandma Irene provided a lot of that humor with her antics and no-nonsense views which she had no trouble sharing:
“Who are them cheap barroom Rosies in the kitchen?” she asked.
“Just a couple of women who followed me and Deke home last night,” Toby said.
“Like a couple of dogs in heat, I suppose,” Irene said.
Toby chuckled. “Don’t let them hear you say that.”
“I’ll say whatever the hell I want. Truth is truth, don’t matter if you pour chocolate syrup or cover it up with fresh cow shit, it’s still the truth.”
Granny Irene is one feisty lady, lol!
Blake and Allie had immediate chemistry and I liked that there weren’t any mind games with these two. I was a little annoyed with Allie’s self-righteous sister, Lizzy, a lot of the story, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her by the end. I was a little surprised that Allie was so forgiving of the ladies of Dry Creek when details were revealed about her previous marriage, but I guess when you hold onto bitterness the only one you harm is yourself. The best revenge is living well.
If you haven’t picked up a Carolyn Brown cowboy romance, you are definitely missing out on some good times! I look forward to the next Lucky Penny Ranch romance featuring Blake’s brother, Toby and Allie’s sister Lizzy in Hot Cowboy Nights coming this May.
A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2015
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http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Welcome to Dry Creek, Texas and the Lucky Penny Ranch where EVERYONE "knows" your business, judges you, and gossips about it.
Blake Dawson (along with his brother and cousin) bought Lucky Penny Ranch with hopes of finally turning it into a success where everyone else has failed to do so. When an unexpected visitor arrives at his house thinking he is a man named Walter, Blake calls the only local number he has: the local Feed Store. The voice on the phone promises to send help, and help arrives quickly in the form of the old lady's granddaughter and Blake's new neighbor Allie Logan. Allie leaves Lucky Penny Ranch with her grandmother and a new construction job. Neither were looking for love, but will Lucky Penny finally live up to it's name?
There weren't many redeeming qualities about this town or the people living in it. Everyone seems to be unhappy in their lives and are determined to make everyone else miserable with them. Everyone cheats on their significant other then turn around and judge everyone else for doing the same thing. This town just needs to get out of this high school behavior. It didn't make for an enjoyable read for me.
Rating: 2 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Welcome to Dry Creek, Texas and the Lucky Penny Ranch where EVERYONE "knows" your business, judges you, and gossips about it.
Blake Dawson (along with his brother and cousin) bought Lucky Penny Ranch with hopes of finally turning it into a success where everyone else has failed to do so. When an unexpected visitor arrives at his house thinking he is a man named Walter, Blake calls the only local number he has: the local Feed Store. The voice on the phone promises to send help, and help arrives quickly in the form of the old lady's granddaughter and Blake's new neighbor Allie Logan. Allie leaves Lucky Penny Ranch with her grandmother and a new construction job. Neither were looking for love, but will Lucky Penny finally live up to it's name?
There weren't many redeeming qualities about this town or the people living in it. Everyone seems to be unhappy in their lives and are determined to make everyone else miserable with them. Everyone cheats on their significant other then turn around and judge everyone else for doing the same thing. This town just needs to get out of this high school behavior. It didn't make for an enjoyable read for me.
Rating: 2 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
November 6, 2015
Four stars: A sweet, satisfying romance perfect for comfort reading.
Blake Dawson is settling in at The Lucky Penny Ranch. He is hoping that he, his brother and cousin can finally turn the ranch with its string of bad luck into a profitable ranch. He is sipping his coffee in the kitchen with his dog, Shooter, when he hears the front door open and a woman's voice. A frazzled, old lady confronts him, believing he is someone named Walter. The old woman reads him the riot act, and then she propositions him. What on earth? He settles her in with a cup of coffee, and then he calls the local Feed Store. The woman on the phone promises to send over help right away. Help arrives in the form of his new neighbor, Allie. Allie quickly retrieves her grandmother, and lands herself a job fixing up the Lucky Penny. What neither Allie or Blake expect is for sparks to fly. Will the Lucky Penny finally be lucky?
What I Liked:
*Sigh.... you can't go wrong with a Carolyn Brown romance. This is the perfect read to settle in with on a cold, stormy day as it is sweet, light, fluffy and packed with all kinds of humor and feel good. Ms. Brown knows how to write romance, and her books are perfect for comfort reading. I know I will always get a fantastic romance, a few giggles, and that I will finish with a big smile. If you need a pick me up book for winter, don't hesitate, grab this one.
*I loved Allie and Blake. Allie is not your typical gal. She is feisty, head strong, and she is a capable carpenter. Nothing sweet and feminine about Allie. She has sworn off love and men after her divorce to her high school sweetheart seven years ago. Blake is a bad boy cowboy, who with his good lucks and charm, has had many a woman. These days, Blake is leaving his bad boy behind, and preparing to settle down and become a rancher. I liked how down to earth he was, and how nice. He may have a bad boy image, but in reality, he is a big old teddy bear.
*The secondary characters are well rounded and just as interesting. Leading the cast is Irene, Allie's grandmother. Irene is in the early stages of dementia, and at times, she is very confused. However, that doesn't stop her. Irene is sharp tongued and downright funny, a straight shooter if you will. I loved her. Deke, Allie's best friend, is a sweetheart and all around good guy, even if is taste in women is questionable. Allie's sister, Lizzy, with her religious streak and good girl image is entertaining as well. I love how realistic and fun the characters are.
*I enjoyed the small town setting. With any small town, you can be sure that tongues wag with gossip, and that is indeed the case in this book. I like, though, how things took a nice turn with the three notorious girl gossips and how the town came out and supported their own.
*The romance is one that starts out with an attraction, but then it takes its time to build into a friendship. Nothing is rushed. I thought it was perfectly paced, and I enjoyed seeing it play out. When it did get to the heat, it was sizzling and tasteful. Loved it!
*The ending is fast and crazy, but it manages to tie down the story lines regarding Allie and Blake, while laying out new threads for future books. I will be interested to see what happens to Lizzie.
And The Not So Much:
*Irene is the electric spark to the story, and I loved her parts. I was disappointed, though, that Allie never got to the bottom of Irene's infatuation with the Lucky Penny and Walter. What really happened between Irene and Walter? I am hoping Irene will return in the next book.
*I loved Deke, Allie's best friend. However, I found that I wanted to know a bit more about him. How did he and Allie become such close friends? Did he ever tell Allie about his feelings for her in the past?
*I was curious about Allie's other sister. Something is definitely up with her, I am expecting more in a future book.
Wild Cowboy Ways is a lovely comfort read. This book has a terrific cast of characters, wonderful small town setting, a sizzling romance and a feisty grandma. This is a book that you can pick up and settle in with on a stormy day. It will make you laugh and swoon. I had a terrific time with this one, and I am eager for more.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Blake Dawson is settling in at The Lucky Penny Ranch. He is hoping that he, his brother and cousin can finally turn the ranch with its string of bad luck into a profitable ranch. He is sipping his coffee in the kitchen with his dog, Shooter, when he hears the front door open and a woman's voice. A frazzled, old lady confronts him, believing he is someone named Walter. The old woman reads him the riot act, and then she propositions him. What on earth? He settles her in with a cup of coffee, and then he calls the local Feed Store. The woman on the phone promises to send over help right away. Help arrives in the form of his new neighbor, Allie. Allie quickly retrieves her grandmother, and lands herself a job fixing up the Lucky Penny. What neither Allie or Blake expect is for sparks to fly. Will the Lucky Penny finally be lucky?
What I Liked:
*Sigh.... you can't go wrong with a Carolyn Brown romance. This is the perfect read to settle in with on a cold, stormy day as it is sweet, light, fluffy and packed with all kinds of humor and feel good. Ms. Brown knows how to write romance, and her books are perfect for comfort reading. I know I will always get a fantastic romance, a few giggles, and that I will finish with a big smile. If you need a pick me up book for winter, don't hesitate, grab this one.
*I loved Allie and Blake. Allie is not your typical gal. She is feisty, head strong, and she is a capable carpenter. Nothing sweet and feminine about Allie. She has sworn off love and men after her divorce to her high school sweetheart seven years ago. Blake is a bad boy cowboy, who with his good lucks and charm, has had many a woman. These days, Blake is leaving his bad boy behind, and preparing to settle down and become a rancher. I liked how down to earth he was, and how nice. He may have a bad boy image, but in reality, he is a big old teddy bear.
*The secondary characters are well rounded and just as interesting. Leading the cast is Irene, Allie's grandmother. Irene is in the early stages of dementia, and at times, she is very confused. However, that doesn't stop her. Irene is sharp tongued and downright funny, a straight shooter if you will. I loved her. Deke, Allie's best friend, is a sweetheart and all around good guy, even if is taste in women is questionable. Allie's sister, Lizzy, with her religious streak and good girl image is entertaining as well. I love how realistic and fun the characters are.
*I enjoyed the small town setting. With any small town, you can be sure that tongues wag with gossip, and that is indeed the case in this book. I like, though, how things took a nice turn with the three notorious girl gossips and how the town came out and supported their own.
*The romance is one that starts out with an attraction, but then it takes its time to build into a friendship. Nothing is rushed. I thought it was perfectly paced, and I enjoyed seeing it play out. When it did get to the heat, it was sizzling and tasteful. Loved it!
*The ending is fast and crazy, but it manages to tie down the story lines regarding Allie and Blake, while laying out new threads for future books. I will be interested to see what happens to Lizzie.
And The Not So Much:
*Irene is the electric spark to the story, and I loved her parts. I was disappointed, though, that Allie never got to the bottom of Irene's infatuation with the Lucky Penny and Walter. What really happened between Irene and Walter? I am hoping Irene will return in the next book.
*I loved Deke, Allie's best friend. However, I found that I wanted to know a bit more about him. How did he and Allie become such close friends? Did he ever tell Allie about his feelings for her in the past?
*I was curious about Allie's other sister. Something is definitely up with her, I am expecting more in a future book.
Wild Cowboy Ways is a lovely comfort read. This book has a terrific cast of characters, wonderful small town setting, a sizzling romance and a feisty grandma. This is a book that you can pick up and settle in with on a stormy day. It will make you laugh and swoon. I had a terrific time with this one, and I am eager for more.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 15, 2016
Shelly's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Allie Logan isn’t sure what to make of the new neighbors that have purchased the Lucky Penny Ranch. She has had her heart broken one to many times and is not about to fall for Blake. But once she gets to know him it is hard to stay away and with her Grandma shaking things up, she has her hands full trying to keep a distance from her sexy neighbor.
Blake and his brother and cousin bought the Lucky Penny Ranch and are bound and determined to make it work even after hearing all the others before that have given up. But when he arrives and see the problems with the house and gets his sexy neighbor to do some work on his house he finds it hard to keep away from her. After spending time with her and her family he finds her is falling for her more and more.
Loved this new series by Carolyn Brown. It was a sexy, funny, fun series to read, I can’t wait to see what Ms. Brown has in store for the other two partners in the Lucky Penny Ranch and I hope to see more from the wacky, funny Grandma Irene. What a great way to bring in her antics to shack up the people in her life.
Loved this new series by Carolyn Brown. It was a sexy, funny, fun series to read, I can’t wait to see what Ms. Brown has in store for the other two partners in the Lucky Penny Ranch and I hope to see more from the wacky, funny Grandma Irene. What a great way to bring in her antics to shake up the people in her life.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Allie Logan isn’t sure what to make of the new neighbors that have purchased the Lucky Penny Ranch. She has had her heart broken one to many times and is not about to fall for Blake. But once she gets to know him it is hard to stay away and with her Grandma shaking things up, she has her hands full trying to keep a distance from her sexy neighbor.
Blake and his brother and cousin bought the Lucky Penny Ranch and are bound and determined to make it work even after hearing all the others before that have given up. But when he arrives and see the problems with the house and gets his sexy neighbor to do some work on his house he finds it hard to keep away from her. After spending time with her and her family he finds her is falling for her more and more.
Loved this new series by Carolyn Brown. It was a sexy, funny, fun series to read, I can’t wait to see what Ms. Brown has in store for the other two partners in the Lucky Penny Ranch and I hope to see more from the wacky, funny Grandma Irene. What a great way to bring in her antics to shack up the people in her life.
Loved this new series by Carolyn Brown. It was a sexy, funny, fun series to read, I can’t wait to see what Ms. Brown has in store for the other two partners in the Lucky Penny Ranch and I hope to see more from the wacky, funny Grandma Irene. What a great way to bring in her antics to shake up the people in her life.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
October 28, 2022
Wild Cowboy Ways is the first in the series, and I have been meaning to return to this series for a while now, as I read another installment earlier this year. I am always a fan of Carolyn Brown and really have enjoyed her work. She writes westerns so well and I am always impressed by how atmospheric they feel. I will say that even though this wasn't my favorite work from this author, I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I was really on board with the set up of the story and found the interactions at times to be quite fun and sexy. I do think that the narrator, distracted me with the accents. It could have just been me, but I did struggle a bit with staying focused with the story. But as a whole I really enjoyed this story, its super charming and lots of laughs. It also has a great wintery set up, so great as we how that is all set up. I also really enjoyed the conflict that comes between the couplel, and Carolyn Brown really delivered on that for this story. Overall I just had a blast with this story and family, and eager to move forward with the series.
August 20, 2021
I thought that this book was good
December 22, 2015
It is nigh on impossible for me to turn down a sexy cowboy, especially a WILD and sexy one. Which is what Blake Dawson is...
Having acquired the poorly named Lucky Penny Ranch—apparently the least lucky bit of land in all of Texas—Blake Dawson is determined to make a go of it, and prove all the naysayers wrong. And to do that, he'll need the help of the luscious carpenter next door, Allie Logan.
Allie is not the type to fall for (and land) an untamable cowboy. She's been burned once before, so trusting Blake isn't something that's going to come easily to her—despite the fact she can't keep him out of her mind.
Now Blake is determined to win Allie over as well as succeed on his new ranch—but will he be able to do it?
This book was a good time. I really enjoyed both Allie and Blake, and their instant, swoony chemistry. It was a lot of fun to see them fight their attraction—even though it was clear that they were inevitable.
Allie's family provided good friction, determined as they were to stop her from making a mistake with Blake, but I did find it a little over the top and overwhelming on occasion—especially Allie's naive sister, Lizzy. However, it worked well to not only cause some interesting tension but also to pique my interest for the next Lucky Penny Ranch book, which I'm hoping will be this couple's siblings...
I'm also looking forward to hopefully seeing more of Deke, that charming, friendly and playful cowboy that was a source of fun and a voice of reason on occasion. He was my favorite of all these characters—although the wild Blake was delicious in his own way—and he definitely deserves his own HEA.
While this one could be termed instalove, I had less concerns about that than I did the sometimes back-and-forth musings of Allie and Blake, which left me a touch bewildered at times. However, they made a good match, and Wild Cowboy Ways made a good start to a new series. I won't be saying no to more! ~ Beth, 3.5 stars
~~~
Sweet cowboy romance…
“Maybe the two sections of land should have been called Bad Luck Ranch instead of the Lucky Penny…”
Blake Dawson is alone on the newly-purchased Lucky Penny property until his partners arrive, so he is the first to start making their dreams of ranching come true. It’s going to take a lot of work but this small town is going to support them, even if some of them are betting how long they will last. The ranch may not have had good luck but Blake is determined to turn that around—especially if Allie Logan is around to help. Allie, on the other hand, is attracted to the charming cowboy but is trying to resist, with the able help of her own family no less. Family shenanigans and a Romeo reputation to live down means Blake will have to work twice as hard to win Allie over…
“Two women chasing him, ready and waiting for his call and the one that had buts at the end of every sentence was the one who turned him inside him out with a simple kiss.”
I haven’t read a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed and I’m adding this one to the list. It was sweet, gentle and funny with most of the aggravation coming from family—and who can’t relate to that? Family is at your back, at the same time they are pushing it, and Allie’s family is no exception. Loving, but with secrets and edges, they don’t make the way any less bumpy for these two lovebirds. Allie is strong and really wanting to do the right thing. I love how both she and Blake interact with her grandmother. I really did want to slap some sense into Allie’s sister though—she seemed to know which buttons of Allie’s to push. And mine apparently!
Funny, sweet and sexy all rolled into one, this is a sweet romance to fill all the corners. ~ Diane, 4 stars
Having acquired the poorly named Lucky Penny Ranch—apparently the least lucky bit of land in all of Texas—Blake Dawson is determined to make a go of it, and prove all the naysayers wrong. And to do that, he'll need the help of the luscious carpenter next door, Allie Logan.
Allie is not the type to fall for (and land) an untamable cowboy. She's been burned once before, so trusting Blake isn't something that's going to come easily to her—despite the fact she can't keep him out of her mind.
Now Blake is determined to win Allie over as well as succeed on his new ranch—but will he be able to do it?
This book was a good time. I really enjoyed both Allie and Blake, and their instant, swoony chemistry. It was a lot of fun to see them fight their attraction—even though it was clear that they were inevitable.
Allie's family provided good friction, determined as they were to stop her from making a mistake with Blake, but I did find it a little over the top and overwhelming on occasion—especially Allie's naive sister, Lizzy. However, it worked well to not only cause some interesting tension but also to pique my interest for the next Lucky Penny Ranch book, which I'm hoping will be this couple's siblings...
I'm also looking forward to hopefully seeing more of Deke, that charming, friendly and playful cowboy that was a source of fun and a voice of reason on occasion. He was my favorite of all these characters—although the wild Blake was delicious in his own way—and he definitely deserves his own HEA.
While this one could be termed instalove, I had less concerns about that than I did the sometimes back-and-forth musings of Allie and Blake, which left me a touch bewildered at times. However, they made a good match, and Wild Cowboy Ways made a good start to a new series. I won't be saying no to more! ~ Beth, 3.5 stars
~~~
Sweet cowboy romance…
“Maybe the two sections of land should have been called Bad Luck Ranch instead of the Lucky Penny…”
Blake Dawson is alone on the newly-purchased Lucky Penny property until his partners arrive, so he is the first to start making their dreams of ranching come true. It’s going to take a lot of work but this small town is going to support them, even if some of them are betting how long they will last. The ranch may not have had good luck but Blake is determined to turn that around—especially if Allie Logan is around to help. Allie, on the other hand, is attracted to the charming cowboy but is trying to resist, with the able help of her own family no less. Family shenanigans and a Romeo reputation to live down means Blake will have to work twice as hard to win Allie over…
“Two women chasing him, ready and waiting for his call and the one that had buts at the end of every sentence was the one who turned him inside him out with a simple kiss.”
I haven’t read a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed and I’m adding this one to the list. It was sweet, gentle and funny with most of the aggravation coming from family—and who can’t relate to that? Family is at your back, at the same time they are pushing it, and Allie’s family is no exception. Loving, but with secrets and edges, they don’t make the way any less bumpy for these two lovebirds. Allie is strong and really wanting to do the right thing. I love how both she and Blake interact with her grandmother. I really did want to slap some sense into Allie’s sister though—she seemed to know which buttons of Allie’s to push. And mine apparently!
Funny, sweet and sexy all rolled into one, this is a sweet romance to fill all the corners. ~ Diane, 4 stars
December 14, 2015
Sparks fly when a hunky cowboy meets a sexy and feisty carpenter and then there's Grandma...
When I need some laughter and a good story I turn to Carolyn Brown’s stories. Wild Cowboy Ways didn’t disappoint me. This is the first in the Lucky Penny Ranch series and I’m eager to read book two!
What’s fun about Carolyn’s stories is the sense of place. The towns and residents of those towns feel real and make me feel like I’m visiting. They also make me wish I could sit down and visit with some of her characters. Her cowboy stories are romance, yes, but there is so much more to them than just the romance—although that is always well done and is real. What I like is the full range of emotions the characters show whether they be the main or secondary characters. And while the story makes me laugh at the turn of phrase and the dialog, there is also real life issues weaved throughout the story both in life of the main characters’and their family and friends. Just as in real life that background impacts on people so it is with the main characters.
Wild Cowboy Ways, you have a hunky cowboy, Blake Dawson, determined to make the Lucky Penny a successful ranch. On one hand, he and his brother and cousin are all hard working men with quite a resume of skills to succeed and on the other hand they’re bucking against public opinion. When you consider this ranch has had a revolving door of owners, through the years, with same idea and none have succeeded. The community hardly bothers to get to know any new owner of the ranch because they never stay. Well, except for the single women in the area and they not only have noticed the new owner but are falling all over themselves to ‘catch’ him. This presented a lot of laughter as I read. Of course, Blake, being a bit of a player appreciates the attention but is determined not to be distracted from his focus on the ranch. Mostly.
Allie is one single woman not interested in attracting the attention of Blake Dawson (and he’s very aware that). It’s not that she hasn’t noticed he’s good looking and sexy because she has, but she’s sworn off charming good looking scoundrels like her no good ex. Allie tries to keep her distance but there are a few problems with that.
One, her grandmother, who is in the beginning stages of alzheimers and mistakes Blake for a former lover that used to live at the Lucky Penny years ago. Grandma keeps showing up all hours at Blake’s house and poor Allie has to go get her. Grandma cracked me up with her shenanigans but it also made me sad for what she was dealing with. She is a fun character, though!
Second problem is Allie’s trade. She’s a carpenter and a damn fine one and lives the next property over. The Lucky Penny needs a ton of work done and Allie is the perfect solution in Blake’s eyes. Of course he has also noticed she has some mouth watering curves…
Wild Cowboy Ways was a just a fun and involving story to read!
While there are many satisfying layers to this story, the focus is on the budding romance between Blake and Allie. The sizzle of chemistry between these two kept me turning the pages. I genuinely liked both and wanted to see them get together.
When I need some laughter and a good story I turn to Carolyn Brown’s stories. Wild Cowboy Ways didn’t disappoint me. This is the first in the Lucky Penny Ranch series and I’m eager to read book two!
What’s fun about Carolyn’s stories is the sense of place. The towns and residents of those towns feel real and make me feel like I’m visiting. They also make me wish I could sit down and visit with some of her characters. Her cowboy stories are romance, yes, but there is so much more to them than just the romance—although that is always well done and is real. What I like is the full range of emotions the characters show whether they be the main or secondary characters. And while the story makes me laugh at the turn of phrase and the dialog, there is also real life issues weaved throughout the story both in life of the main characters’and their family and friends. Just as in real life that background impacts on people so it is with the main characters.
Wild Cowboy Ways, you have a hunky cowboy, Blake Dawson, determined to make the Lucky Penny a successful ranch. On one hand, he and his brother and cousin are all hard working men with quite a resume of skills to succeed and on the other hand they’re bucking against public opinion. When you consider this ranch has had a revolving door of owners, through the years, with same idea and none have succeeded. The community hardly bothers to get to know any new owner of the ranch because they never stay. Well, except for the single women in the area and they not only have noticed the new owner but are falling all over themselves to ‘catch’ him. This presented a lot of laughter as I read. Of course, Blake, being a bit of a player appreciates the attention but is determined not to be distracted from his focus on the ranch. Mostly.
Allie is one single woman not interested in attracting the attention of Blake Dawson (and he’s very aware that). It’s not that she hasn’t noticed he’s good looking and sexy because she has, but she’s sworn off charming good looking scoundrels like her no good ex. Allie tries to keep her distance but there are a few problems with that.
One, her grandmother, who is in the beginning stages of alzheimers and mistakes Blake for a former lover that used to live at the Lucky Penny years ago. Grandma keeps showing up all hours at Blake’s house and poor Allie has to go get her. Grandma cracked me up with her shenanigans but it also made me sad for what she was dealing with. She is a fun character, though!
Second problem is Allie’s trade. She’s a carpenter and a damn fine one and lives the next property over. The Lucky Penny needs a ton of work done and Allie is the perfect solution in Blake’s eyes. Of course he has also noticed she has some mouth watering curves…
Wild Cowboy Ways was a just a fun and involving story to read!
While there are many satisfying layers to this story, the focus is on the budding romance between Blake and Allie. The sizzle of chemistry between these two kept me turning the pages. I genuinely liked both and wanted to see them get together.
July 2, 2020
Carolyn Brown's Lucky Penny Ranch series is 100% one of my guilty pleasures. I love curling up with a cup of tea, a warm blanket and this series and just binging my little heart out. It's sweet, delightful and the happily ever after book I need! Who doesn't love a super adorable romance?
I ended up grabbing book #3 a couple years back and had been working on grabbing the remainder of Carolyn Brown's books ever since. I managed to grab a few at a local book store and they've been sitting and calling my name for quite a while. I needed something ooey, gooey and lovable, so I picked this book up! I was not disappointed!
Allie Logan is a trades girl and ends up getting hired by Blake Dawson to help fix up his house. He's a new, hot cowboy in town at a very famously bad luck stricken ranch. The two end up working together on his house, and slowly but surely find out they like each other's company a bit more than just friends... well, more than a bit! It's hot and steamy levels of "a bit".
There are so many great one liners in this book! Not only do you get all the cute romance and sexy, steamy scenes but you also get comedy! I was giggling and chuckling and oohing and ahhing my way through the book. I absolutely adorable how lovable the characters were, how relatable the characters are, and just how great Carolyn writes. This book was so easy to read and fall into!
Irene is hilarious, but the boys also get some quirky one liners in there as well. That kept me chugging along through the book.
There are negatives in this book, but they are more little annoyances for me than anything. Every woman falls over every man in this book. It's kind of amusing, but also seems unrealistic. I don't live in such a tiny town though, so maybe it's more accurate than I think it is? I do know that small towns are gossipy, heck my town is and it's not that small! Somehow everyone knows everybody's business - it was somewhat annoying, but it does happen!
I highly recommend this book if you love cute romance, hot cowboys, a spectacular series or are just seeking some HEA in your life.
Overall, this is just a wonderful book! It's romantic, it's feisty and it's funny. It has everything I needed in a happily, ever after romance with sexy cowboys in it. I will one hundred and fifty percent be picking up as many books of this series (and other books by Carolyn Brown) that I can to sink into my guilty pleasure more.
Four out of five stars!
I ended up grabbing book #3 a couple years back and had been working on grabbing the remainder of Carolyn Brown's books ever since. I managed to grab a few at a local book store and they've been sitting and calling my name for quite a while. I needed something ooey, gooey and lovable, so I picked this book up! I was not disappointed!
Allie Logan is a trades girl and ends up getting hired by Blake Dawson to help fix up his house. He's a new, hot cowboy in town at a very famously bad luck stricken ranch. The two end up working together on his house, and slowly but surely find out they like each other's company a bit more than just friends... well, more than a bit! It's hot and steamy levels of "a bit".
There are so many great one liners in this book! Not only do you get all the cute romance and sexy, steamy scenes but you also get comedy! I was giggling and chuckling and oohing and ahhing my way through the book. I absolutely adorable how lovable the characters were, how relatable the characters are, and just how great Carolyn writes. This book was so easy to read and fall into!
Irene is hilarious, but the boys also get some quirky one liners in there as well. That kept me chugging along through the book.
There are negatives in this book, but they are more little annoyances for me than anything. Every woman falls over every man in this book. It's kind of amusing, but also seems unrealistic. I don't live in such a tiny town though, so maybe it's more accurate than I think it is? I do know that small towns are gossipy, heck my town is and it's not that small! Somehow everyone knows everybody's business - it was somewhat annoying, but it does happen!
I highly recommend this book if you love cute romance, hot cowboys, a spectacular series or are just seeking some HEA in your life.
Overall, this is just a wonderful book! It's romantic, it's feisty and it's funny. It has everything I needed in a happily, ever after romance with sexy cowboys in it. I will one hundred and fifty percent be picking up as many books of this series (and other books by Carolyn Brown) that I can to sink into my guilty pleasure more.
Four out of five stars!
June 10, 2016
A hard-working cowboy with some wild ways wants a fresh start and a woman with a bruised heart find each other on a bad luck ranch in a small busy-body ranch town. Hopefully they can make their own good luck as they put off enough sizzle to melt the winter ice and snow. If only they can both get past their gun-shy pasts and see what they've got in front of them.
I was excited when I saw the author was putting out a new series about flirty, hardworking handsome cowboys, sassy down home ladies, small town quirkiness, and all around warmhearted country romance. It was like slipping into comfortable clothes and curling up for a long cozy visit as soon as I opened the first page and all the way through to the finish.
The story opens with Blake Dawson moving onto the ramshackle and neglected Lucky Penny Ranch. He, his brother, and his cousin went in to buy the ranch cheap because of its notorious reputation of being unlucky for it's owners. Blake has a long to-do list that needs doing before his brother can bring the first herd of cattle in the spring. Spearheading their efforts, Blake must fix up the house, get the overgrown mesquite and cactus torn out of the fields, fences repaired, and somehow ingratiate himself with the folks of Dry Creek. He's the wild Dawson brother, but Blake is using this fresh start with the Lucky Penny as his fresh start on changing his reputation.
As Blake works on his list, he is startled when an old woman barges into his house and starts calling him Walter. It doesn't take him long to work out that her mind is in the past. He calls the only number he has, the feed store, and Lizzie, the gal on the other end of the line helps him out. Help comes in the form of Allie, Irene's granddaughter and his neighbor.
Allie already got burned badly by a man so plans to steer clear of any others for the rest of her life, but Blake sure makes her determination weaken as he treats her grandma well, respects Allie's choice to work as a carpenter and hires her, and then goes on with his country boy charm to wear down her walls.
Things heat up quickly in Dry Creek with the ladies all on the hunt for the new bachelor, an old lady who wanders in and out of lucidity, a stuck up sister set to marry the wrong guy, a creepy suitor, the return of the exes, clandestine bars in a dry county, cooking, visiting, and gossip, and of course a reluctant romance tossed in for good measure.
Like the usual from this author, this was a nice blend of humor, hijinks, and down home country living and romancing. The characters are quirky yet believable and engaging. The story meanders a bit, but never drifts too far from the main plot path. I like the strong sense of family and community that surrounds the main characters and their story. And I also enjoyed the large circle of secondary characters that are lively and entertaining.
Allie had the most growing to do. She started out mean toward Blake and a little judgemental, but as her story unwound, her attitude and actions made sense. She was attracted to him and already had folks telling her he was bad news so she was in defense mode when he started up some innocent flirting because he was attracted to her, too. Allie broke the mold when she chose to be a handywoman and carpenter, but her earlier mistake with a childhood sweetheart was how folks defined her and she defined herself. It was great seeing her come to life again and show some spirit when Blake came around and made it clear he thought she was beautiful and special even in her grungy work clothes and covered in drywall dust.
Blake started out iffy for me because he was such a charmer. He said he wanted to live down his reputation and yet at first he flirted with nearly every woman in his path. But then he buckled down and set about focusing on the ranch and Allie. I was all in by the time the poor guy had a few moments that looked bad, but he was totally innocent and it got Allie riled up at him. And seriously who could resist the guy- hardworking, handsome, cowboy who treats his lady right.
So, I had a fantastic time with this one and most definitely recommend it for those who enjoy light, humorous and heartwarming down home country romance.
My thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited when I saw the author was putting out a new series about flirty, hardworking handsome cowboys, sassy down home ladies, small town quirkiness, and all around warmhearted country romance. It was like slipping into comfortable clothes and curling up for a long cozy visit as soon as I opened the first page and all the way through to the finish.
The story opens with Blake Dawson moving onto the ramshackle and neglected Lucky Penny Ranch. He, his brother, and his cousin went in to buy the ranch cheap because of its notorious reputation of being unlucky for it's owners. Blake has a long to-do list that needs doing before his brother can bring the first herd of cattle in the spring. Spearheading their efforts, Blake must fix up the house, get the overgrown mesquite and cactus torn out of the fields, fences repaired, and somehow ingratiate himself with the folks of Dry Creek. He's the wild Dawson brother, but Blake is using this fresh start with the Lucky Penny as his fresh start on changing his reputation.
As Blake works on his list, he is startled when an old woman barges into his house and starts calling him Walter. It doesn't take him long to work out that her mind is in the past. He calls the only number he has, the feed store, and Lizzie, the gal on the other end of the line helps him out. Help comes in the form of Allie, Irene's granddaughter and his neighbor.
Allie already got burned badly by a man so plans to steer clear of any others for the rest of her life, but Blake sure makes her determination weaken as he treats her grandma well, respects Allie's choice to work as a carpenter and hires her, and then goes on with his country boy charm to wear down her walls.
Things heat up quickly in Dry Creek with the ladies all on the hunt for the new bachelor, an old lady who wanders in and out of lucidity, a stuck up sister set to marry the wrong guy, a creepy suitor, the return of the exes, clandestine bars in a dry county, cooking, visiting, and gossip, and of course a reluctant romance tossed in for good measure.
Like the usual from this author, this was a nice blend of humor, hijinks, and down home country living and romancing. The characters are quirky yet believable and engaging. The story meanders a bit, but never drifts too far from the main plot path. I like the strong sense of family and community that surrounds the main characters and their story. And I also enjoyed the large circle of secondary characters that are lively and entertaining.
Allie had the most growing to do. She started out mean toward Blake and a little judgemental, but as her story unwound, her attitude and actions made sense. She was attracted to him and already had folks telling her he was bad news so she was in defense mode when he started up some innocent flirting because he was attracted to her, too. Allie broke the mold when she chose to be a handywoman and carpenter, but her earlier mistake with a childhood sweetheart was how folks defined her and she defined herself. It was great seeing her come to life again and show some spirit when Blake came around and made it clear he thought she was beautiful and special even in her grungy work clothes and covered in drywall dust.
Blake started out iffy for me because he was such a charmer. He said he wanted to live down his reputation and yet at first he flirted with nearly every woman in his path. But then he buckled down and set about focusing on the ranch and Allie. I was all in by the time the poor guy had a few moments that looked bad, but he was totally innocent and it got Allie riled up at him. And seriously who could resist the guy- hardworking, handsome, cowboy who treats his lady right.
So, I had a fantastic time with this one and most definitely recommend it for those who enjoy light, humorous and heartwarming down home country romance.
My thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2016
Another fun hot cowboy and sassy woman romance from the author. Blake, his brother and his cousin have bought the rundown Lucky Penny Ranch, hoping to turn it into a successful cattle ranch. Though Blake has been known for his way with the ladies, he's ready to leave his wild ways behind and settle down to life as a rancher. He's the first of the three to move to the ranch and has begun preparing the land and trying to get the house in order.
Allie is feisty and determined to live her way. She has sworn off men after divorcing her cheating husband seven years earlier. She's also a darn good carpenter and proud of what she does. She lives at home with her sister Lizzy, her mother Katy, and her grandmother Irene.
Blake and Allie meet when Grandma Irene wanders into his house looking for someone named Walter. Blake keeps his head, plays along and calls the feed store (the only local number he has) hoping someone knows who she is and can help. The voice on the phone promises to send someone right away, and it isn't long before Allie shows up. When he finds out what Allie does, he looks at it as a perfect opportunity to get to know her better, even though settling down isn't in his plans yet. She feels an attraction to him also, but trusting another man isn't going to be easy for her. It was fun to see them fight the attraction that neither could deny. With Allie working on the repairs to his house, it's the perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other without any pressure. I loved Blake's respect for the job Allie does, something that she isn't used to from the other men she knows. I also liked the way that Allie saw that Blake's charming ways were the honest variety, not the smarmy methods of her ex-husband. These two things went a long way toward softening her attitude toward him. I loved seeing their growing friendship develop into something more. Both are up front about their baggage. When rough spots crop up they are able to deal with them in a mature manner once their tempers have a chance to cool down. I loved his proposal at the end, as all his intentions get overwhelmed by his feelings for her.
As always with a Carolyn Brown book, the people surrounding the main characters are integral to the story. She excels at her small town development with a variety of interesting people. First and foremost is Grandma Irene. The poor woman is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers, so you have to feel sorry for her, but it sure does lead to some crazy antics. I love her pursuit of "Walter" and really hope to learn more about their relationship in later books. She is a woman with lots of sass, and when she is with it, her love for her family is obvious. Allie's sister Lizzy drove me nuts for most of the book. She is engaged to a wannabe preacher and her attempts to control Allie were irritating. She was also completely blind to how creepy the guy she's trying to push on Allie is. Her fiance isn't much better, and I agreed with Allie that Lizzy could do much better. There were also the three women who had set their sights on Blake. His attempts to avoid their advances were pretty funny. I was a little disturbed over their revelations about Allie's ex. I'm not sure I could have accepted them as easily as she did. I did enjoy seeing Allie's solution for getting them busy with something other than chasing Blake. I also really liked Allie's friend Deke. It was fun to see how he and Blake became friends so quickly, yet he still remained her friend first and foremost. His protectiveness toward her at the beginning was really sweet. I hope he gets his own story. It was also interesting to see the various attitudes toward Blake and the others' purchase of the Lucky Penny. While some were hopeful that they could make it work, most people didn't believe that they would last any longer than any of the previous owner.
Allie is feisty and determined to live her way. She has sworn off men after divorcing her cheating husband seven years earlier. She's also a darn good carpenter and proud of what she does. She lives at home with her sister Lizzy, her mother Katy, and her grandmother Irene.
Blake and Allie meet when Grandma Irene wanders into his house looking for someone named Walter. Blake keeps his head, plays along and calls the feed store (the only local number he has) hoping someone knows who she is and can help. The voice on the phone promises to send someone right away, and it isn't long before Allie shows up. When he finds out what Allie does, he looks at it as a perfect opportunity to get to know her better, even though settling down isn't in his plans yet. She feels an attraction to him also, but trusting another man isn't going to be easy for her. It was fun to see them fight the attraction that neither could deny. With Allie working on the repairs to his house, it's the perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other without any pressure. I loved Blake's respect for the job Allie does, something that she isn't used to from the other men she knows. I also liked the way that Allie saw that Blake's charming ways were the honest variety, not the smarmy methods of her ex-husband. These two things went a long way toward softening her attitude toward him. I loved seeing their growing friendship develop into something more. Both are up front about their baggage. When rough spots crop up they are able to deal with them in a mature manner once their tempers have a chance to cool down. I loved his proposal at the end, as all his intentions get overwhelmed by his feelings for her.
As always with a Carolyn Brown book, the people surrounding the main characters are integral to the story. She excels at her small town development with a variety of interesting people. First and foremost is Grandma Irene. The poor woman is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers, so you have to feel sorry for her, but it sure does lead to some crazy antics. I love her pursuit of "Walter" and really hope to learn more about their relationship in later books. She is a woman with lots of sass, and when she is with it, her love for her family is obvious. Allie's sister Lizzy drove me nuts for most of the book. She is engaged to a wannabe preacher and her attempts to control Allie were irritating. She was also completely blind to how creepy the guy she's trying to push on Allie is. Her fiance isn't much better, and I agreed with Allie that Lizzy could do much better. There were also the three women who had set their sights on Blake. His attempts to avoid their advances were pretty funny. I was a little disturbed over their revelations about Allie's ex. I'm not sure I could have accepted them as easily as she did. I did enjoy seeing Allie's solution for getting them busy with something other than chasing Blake. I also really liked Allie's friend Deke. It was fun to see how he and Blake became friends so quickly, yet he still remained her friend first and foremost. His protectiveness toward her at the beginning was really sweet. I hope he gets his own story. It was also interesting to see the various attitudes toward Blake and the others' purchase of the Lucky Penny. While some were hopeful that they could make it work, most people didn't believe that they would last any longer than any of the previous owner.
February 2, 2016
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
What Carolyn Brown does best is write sexy, funny, intelligent Cowboy Romances. I know after reading one of her books, I am looking around every corner for that humorous, fun loving cowboy, with a heart of gold. I know these are make believe characters but Ms. Brown makes me yearn..
This time she introduces us to the Lucky Penny, a ranch that has seen it's share of bad luck. In fact the town considers it something of a curse. No one lasts there for long but this time, it seems there are those who want to change that.
Allie Logan married for "love" only to discover that she loved unwisely. Let's just say her ex is best as an ex. Now she's back at the family home, with her mother, grandmother and sister. Making ends meet as the head of the family carpentry business. But that's not all she has to deal with.. A grandmother with middle stage Alzheimer's, a sister whose engaged to a sanctimonious preacher and who is always trying to fix her up with his cousin.. and now, the sexy new neighbor over at the Lucky Penny.
Blake Dawson is calling the Lucky Penny home.. he wants to make it shine and as the frontrunner for the family it's his job to get it livable. His cousins will be moving in soon. What he needs is a good carpenter NOT the crazy elderly lady from next door who keeps showing up and reminiscing about something that happened years before and mistaking him for her beau.. When the sexy Allie Logan shows up to gather up grandma, it seems Blake's Luck really is turning. She's not just gorgeous, she's the answer to his remodeling prayers.. Only it seems Blake is becoming interested in more than carpentry and Allie? Well she's blocking all his moves.
Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
What I like about Ms. Brown is she writes about people and community but she doesn't get set in her ways. She creates fun and new ways to make me laugh, make me smile and make me want more. I get invested in her characters and those from the Lucky Penny are no different. I smiled and cried with grandma, wanted to smack little self righteous sis and loved Allie's strength of character. And Blake?? Well he just simmered..
Enjoy this book, I certainly did.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Wild Cowboy Ways, provided by netgalley.
What Carolyn Brown does best is write sexy, funny, intelligent Cowboy Romances. I know after reading one of her books, I am looking around every corner for that humorous, fun loving cowboy, with a heart of gold. I know these are make believe characters but Ms. Brown makes me yearn..
This time she introduces us to the Lucky Penny, a ranch that has seen it's share of bad luck. In fact the town considers it something of a curse. No one lasts there for long but this time, it seems there are those who want to change that.
Allie Logan married for "love" only to discover that she loved unwisely. Let's just say her ex is best as an ex. Now she's back at the family home, with her mother, grandmother and sister. Making ends meet as the head of the family carpentry business. But that's not all she has to deal with.. A grandmother with middle stage Alzheimer's, a sister whose engaged to a sanctimonious preacher and who is always trying to fix her up with his cousin.. and now, the sexy new neighbor over at the Lucky Penny.
Blake Dawson is calling the Lucky Penny home.. he wants to make it shine and as the frontrunner for the family it's his job to get it livable. His cousins will be moving in soon. What he needs is a good carpenter NOT the crazy elderly lady from next door who keeps showing up and reminiscing about something that happened years before and mistaking him for her beau.. When the sexy Allie Logan shows up to gather up grandma, it seems Blake's Luck really is turning. She's not just gorgeous, she's the answer to his remodeling prayers.. Only it seems Blake is becoming interested in more than carpentry and Allie? Well she's blocking all his moves.
Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
What I like about Ms. Brown is she writes about people and community but she doesn't get set in her ways. She creates fun and new ways to make me laugh, make me smile and make me want more. I get invested in her characters and those from the Lucky Penny are no different. I smiled and cried with grandma, wanted to smack little self righteous sis and loved Allie's strength of character. And Blake?? Well he just simmered..
Enjoy this book, I certainly did.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Wild Cowboy Ways, provided by netgalley.
November 23, 2015
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley for an honest review.
If you like Cowboys, then you will love WILD COWBOY WAYS. If you need work done on your place you want Allie Logan for the job. So when Blake Dawson needed a new roof, he hired her. Blake Dawson wants to make the Lucky Penny a success, he needs help in getting the house ready. So, when Allie comes to his doorstep to retrieve her Grandmother, he hires her to do the work. The Lucky Penny has been bad luck for the ones who owned it before, but can he turn that luck around and have good luck in winning Allie over. I love a good Carolyn Brown book. The stories that she write are heartwarming and funny. Sometimes I just fall in love with the secondary characters. WILD COWBOY WAYS will pull you in and won't let you go until the end. I loved this book and recommend it to everyone. I give WILD COWBOY WAYS 5/5 STARS.
If you like Cowboys, then you will love WILD COWBOY WAYS. If you need work done on your place you want Allie Logan for the job. So when Blake Dawson needed a new roof, he hired her. Blake Dawson wants to make the Lucky Penny a success, he needs help in getting the house ready. So, when Allie comes to his doorstep to retrieve her Grandmother, he hires her to do the work. The Lucky Penny has been bad luck for the ones who owned it before, but can he turn that luck around and have good luck in winning Allie over. I love a good Carolyn Brown book. The stories that she write are heartwarming and funny. Sometimes I just fall in love with the secondary characters. WILD COWBOY WAYS will pull you in and won't let you go until the end. I loved this book and recommend it to everyone. I give WILD COWBOY WAYS 5/5 STARS.
March 6, 2016
I like Brown's cowboys. I like the way she writes. I like her small towns. I always want to visit and fall in love with a cowboy of my own. Everyone is nice, even when they are bitchy. And they talk so funny. So duh, when I saw this on on NG I went for it.
Blake is the bad boy cowboy, and he bought a ranch with his brother and cousin (btw which means more books! ;) An unlucky ranch that makes everyone leave.
Allie is the neighbor, and he hires her to fix the house.
There is a grandma on the loose. A sister with an idiot for a fiance. Gossip girls. And a town that needs fixing too in a way.
The road to love is tricky. She does not trust his reputation. He knows what he wants and then they lives happily ever after. Awwww. Just like I remember her books.
Sweet.
Blake is the bad boy cowboy, and he bought a ranch with his brother and cousin (btw which means more books! ;) An unlucky ranch that makes everyone leave.
Allie is the neighbor, and he hires her to fix the house.
There is a grandma on the loose. A sister with an idiot for a fiance. Gossip girls. And a town that needs fixing too in a way.
The road to love is tricky. She does not trust his reputation. He knows what he wants and then they lives happily ever after. Awwww. Just like I remember her books.
Sweet.
January 7, 2016
A sexy and fun cowboy romance set in the small town of Dry Creek, Texas complete with a delightful grandma...
“Two women chasing him, ready and waiting for his call and the one that had buts at the end of every sentence was the one who turned him inside him out with a simple kiss.”
WILD COWBOY WAYS by Carolyn Brown is a fun cowboy romance set in the small western town of Dry Creek, Texas replete with a delightful, but confused, grandmother. It heralds a great start to the author's new Lucky Penny Ranch series.
This first installment is the story of cowboy Blake Dawson AND carpenter Allie Logan. Their attraction was sweet and hot, a perfect combination to keep the reader glued to the book. It worked so well that, despite my best efforts to put the book down and go to sleep, I finally gave up and read it through until almost five am on a work day because I wasn't going to get any rest until I did.
As the story opens, we meet some of the colorful characters in Dry Creek. We learn that Blake Dawson, his brother and his cousin have purchased the Lucky Penny Ranch. The ranch's name is a misnomer since most of the town's population seem to think the name Bad Luck Ranch would be more appropriate. On Blake's first night there, a wicked thunderstorm brings the unwelcome news that Blake needs his roof replaced. He needs a roofer sooner rather than later. When he is informed that a talented one resides next door, he's hopeful that he can hire "him" to put a new roof on his home. He soon finds out that the roofer is a woman.
Allie has sworn off men after her no-good husband cheated on her and blamed her for his inadequacies. But... when she sees Blake for the first time, sparks fly and her resolve falters for a second. On the other hand, Blake has a well-earned reputation as a sweet-talking player. but he is determined to turn over a new leaf as he makes the Lucky Penny Ranch a viable business in the small community. Unsolicited, he has women falling over him, but his eyes are focused solely on the feisty woman who won't give him a second look.
I was mesmerized by the dynamics in the town and at the ranch. This book read like an addictive soap opera with a rich set of characters, heartfelt scenes and alternately humorous and swoon worthy dialogue.
The only thing I didn't care for was the way Allie allowed her family - especially her prudish younger sister - to boss her around. Her sister kept telling Allie what she should and shouldn't do - and set Allie up with a scumbag preacher man - and I found it frustrating that Allie couldn't seem to say no and make it stick. Other than that small issue, I loved everything about this story.
If you are looking for a book with too-good-to-be-true smokin' hot cowboys, sheets-on-fire chemistry, lots of laughs and a happy ever after ending that will leave your face sore from smiling, then look no further than WILD COWBOY WAYS. I can't wait for the next installment in this series, HOT COWBOY NIGHTS, in which it appears that Allie's sister may get her well-deserved comeuppance - not a tale to be missed!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses!
“Two women chasing him, ready and waiting for his call and the one that had buts at the end of every sentence was the one who turned him inside him out with a simple kiss.”
WILD COWBOY WAYS by Carolyn Brown is a fun cowboy romance set in the small western town of Dry Creek, Texas replete with a delightful, but confused, grandmother. It heralds a great start to the author's new Lucky Penny Ranch series.
This first installment is the story of cowboy Blake Dawson AND carpenter Allie Logan. Their attraction was sweet and hot, a perfect combination to keep the reader glued to the book. It worked so well that, despite my best efforts to put the book down and go to sleep, I finally gave up and read it through until almost five am on a work day because I wasn't going to get any rest until I did.
As the story opens, we meet some of the colorful characters in Dry Creek. We learn that Blake Dawson, his brother and his cousin have purchased the Lucky Penny Ranch. The ranch's name is a misnomer since most of the town's population seem to think the name Bad Luck Ranch would be more appropriate. On Blake's first night there, a wicked thunderstorm brings the unwelcome news that Blake needs his roof replaced. He needs a roofer sooner rather than later. When he is informed that a talented one resides next door, he's hopeful that he can hire "him" to put a new roof on his home. He soon finds out that the roofer is a woman.
Allie has sworn off men after her no-good husband cheated on her and blamed her for his inadequacies. But... when she sees Blake for the first time, sparks fly and her resolve falters for a second. On the other hand, Blake has a well-earned reputation as a sweet-talking player. but he is determined to turn over a new leaf as he makes the Lucky Penny Ranch a viable business in the small community. Unsolicited, he has women falling over him, but his eyes are focused solely on the feisty woman who won't give him a second look.
I was mesmerized by the dynamics in the town and at the ranch. This book read like an addictive soap opera with a rich set of characters, heartfelt scenes and alternately humorous and swoon worthy dialogue.
The only thing I didn't care for was the way Allie allowed her family - especially her prudish younger sister - to boss her around. Her sister kept telling Allie what she should and shouldn't do - and set Allie up with a scumbag preacher man - and I found it frustrating that Allie couldn't seem to say no and make it stick. Other than that small issue, I loved everything about this story.
If you are looking for a book with too-good-to-be-true smokin' hot cowboys, sheets-on-fire chemistry, lots of laughs and a happy ever after ending that will leave your face sore from smiling, then look no further than WILD COWBOY WAYS. I can't wait for the next installment in this series, HOT COWBOY NIGHTS, in which it appears that Allie's sister may get her well-deserved comeuppance - not a tale to be missed!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses!
January 9, 2019
Wild Cowboy Ways is a Fun, Breathtaking and Heartwarming reading and a brilliant start to the Lucky Penny Ranch Series.
Blake came to Happy Texas to prove he, his brother and cousin can turn the Lucky Penny Ranch around, but everyone in town says its jinx. Can they turn the Lucky Penny Ranch into a respectful ranch or will they prove the town folks right? Will Blake keep his mind on the game plan when Allie agrees to work for him?
Allie Logan is a strong and wonderful heroine. Her independence I admire especially in the field of Contracting . Allie has pretty much given up on the male speeches since kicking her Ex to the curb. The new owners of the "Bad Penny Ranch" as the town folk think of it, might just change her mind in all sorts of things.
I adored the light heart fun between Blake and Allie, there is no doubt there is passion between these two. Soon they both start to wonder if what they have in the bedroom is all they can have or can they let loose of past issues, and try out a relationship?
Supporting characters are a hoot! I could not be happier about Wild Cowboy Ways as I turn the last page. Supporting characters gave Blake and Allie the right push they needed, but I have to say Mrs. Brown I was looking for a cat fight or two . *smiles*
The plot is packed full of witty moments, divine characters, even a few jackass moments. All in all you can never go wrong with family, friends and a few odd ones added in. No one does cowboys full of hot, dreamy swagger like the amazing Carolyn Brown Now get ready because here comes Blake. Wild Cowboy Ways is the first book in the Lucky Penny Ranch Series
Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!
Read More. . . http://www.romanceswithalittlekick.co...
Blake came to Happy Texas to prove he, his brother and cousin can turn the Lucky Penny Ranch around, but everyone in town says its jinx. Can they turn the Lucky Penny Ranch into a respectful ranch or will they prove the town folks right? Will Blake keep his mind on the game plan when Allie agrees to work for him?
Allie Logan is a strong and wonderful heroine. Her independence I admire especially in the field of Contracting . Allie has pretty much given up on the male speeches since kicking her Ex to the curb. The new owners of the "Bad Penny Ranch" as the town folk think of it, might just change her mind in all sorts of things.
I adored the light heart fun between Blake and Allie, there is no doubt there is passion between these two. Soon they both start to wonder if what they have in the bedroom is all they can have or can they let loose of past issues, and try out a relationship?
Supporting characters are a hoot! I could not be happier about Wild Cowboy Ways as I turn the last page. Supporting characters gave Blake and Allie the right push they needed, but I have to say Mrs. Brown I was looking for a cat fight or two . *smiles*
The plot is packed full of witty moments, divine characters, even a few jackass moments. All in all you can never go wrong with family, friends and a few odd ones added in. No one does cowboys full of hot, dreamy swagger like the amazing Carolyn Brown Now get ready because here comes Blake. Wild Cowboy Ways is the first book in the Lucky Penny Ranch Series
Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!
Read More. . . http://www.romanceswithalittlekick.co...
February 1, 2016
Reviewed by Molly
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Carolyn Brown has done it again with her trademark charm and wit. As a long time fan of Ms. Brown, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book, the first in her new series, Lucky Penny Ranch. I was excited to see where she took her readers, new and old alike, this time. After opening the book and jumping in, I wasn’t disappointed to find myself in the middle of a spark flying, passion filled, laugh out loud book once again.
Allie Logan is a character who I loved. She was perfectly chiseled and when she was net to Blake……well, let’s just say that I had Allie Envy! I wanted to be her so bad. Her personality was captivating and her character spoke to me. I, too, have an ex that I could deal without. She really worked her way into my heart to stay!
Blake Dawson. Oh la la???? Yes, please! He’s character really sucked me into the heart of the story, more so than sweet Allie’s! I loved every single thing about this tall rancher. I wanted him. Badly. I didn’t want to share him, but shared with Allie I did. Blake’s feelings for Allie really popped for me and I loved watching him with her. His hotness, his wildness and his struggles are the perfect soul capturing combination for this reader.
Ms. Brown created yet another wonderful breath taking romance. Filled with the western qualities she always adds, spark filled, soul sizzling passion and a heart stealing plot line, this is another 5 star hit in my opinion. Fast paced, non stop page turning, Ms. Brown has left her fans with a wonderful start to a new series that I will be sure to read more of! Well done, Ms. Brown! Well done!
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Carolyn Brown has done it again with her trademark charm and wit. As a long time fan of Ms. Brown, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book, the first in her new series, Lucky Penny Ranch. I was excited to see where she took her readers, new and old alike, this time. After opening the book and jumping in, I wasn’t disappointed to find myself in the middle of a spark flying, passion filled, laugh out loud book once again.
Allie Logan is a character who I loved. She was perfectly chiseled and when she was net to Blake……well, let’s just say that I had Allie Envy! I wanted to be her so bad. Her personality was captivating and her character spoke to me. I, too, have an ex that I could deal without. She really worked her way into my heart to stay!
Blake Dawson. Oh la la???? Yes, please! He’s character really sucked me into the heart of the story, more so than sweet Allie’s! I loved every single thing about this tall rancher. I wanted him. Badly. I didn’t want to share him, but shared with Allie I did. Blake’s feelings for Allie really popped for me and I loved watching him with her. His hotness, his wildness and his struggles are the perfect soul capturing combination for this reader.
Ms. Brown created yet another wonderful breath taking romance. Filled with the western qualities she always adds, spark filled, soul sizzling passion and a heart stealing plot line, this is another 5 star hit in my opinion. Fast paced, non stop page turning, Ms. Brown has left her fans with a wonderful start to a new series that I will be sure to read more of! Well done, Ms. Brown! Well done!
June 1, 2016
4.5 star
I was pulled right into this story. The story flowed well and I was kept interested. The story has laughs, crazy small town people, and sweet romance.
This is Allie and Blake’s story. Blake and his family just bought the Lucky Penny Ranch. Allie lives next door and has to come and pick up her grandmother with she wonders over to the Ranch. The sparks between Allie and Blake fly as soon as they meet. But Blake is known for his playboy ways. Allie has enough of playboy ways from her ex. Can Blake prove to Allie that he has changed his playboy ways? With all the woman of the town trying to catch Blake will he be able to get Allie to give him a chance? Allie wants Blake but what if he decides she is not what he wants can she deal with the heartbreak? Or will she just keep pushing him away until he turns to one of the other woman of the town who are after him.
I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story in this series.
I was pulled right into this story. The story flowed well and I was kept interested. The story has laughs, crazy small town people, and sweet romance.
This is Allie and Blake’s story. Blake and his family just bought the Lucky Penny Ranch. Allie lives next door and has to come and pick up her grandmother with she wonders over to the Ranch. The sparks between Allie and Blake fly as soon as they meet. But Blake is known for his playboy ways. Allie has enough of playboy ways from her ex. Can Blake prove to Allie that he has changed his playboy ways? With all the woman of the town trying to catch Blake will he be able to get Allie to give him a chance? Allie wants Blake but what if he decides she is not what he wants can she deal with the heartbreak? Or will she just keep pushing him away until he turns to one of the other woman of the town who are after him.
I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story in this series.
January 18, 2016
Allie Logan isn’t looking for love in fact after her slime ball of an ex-husband she is pretty much sworn off men. She is happy to keep her head down and values her strong family bonds. Irene her grandmother has dementia and has a tendency to wonder off. Allie finds herself having to retrieve her from the neighbouring ranch on numerous occasions. The new owner just happens to be a very hot piece of man candy. As Allie gets to know the cowboy, Blake she sees a business opportunity to help him build up his ranch. The neighbouring ranch maybe called the Lucky Penny but it has not been very lucky for its owners.
This is a sweet romance novel with a good depth and layers to the story. It is about family and a small town’s community. I really enjoyed this light hearted read and definitely think it is worth the full 5* out of 5.
*An advanced copy of this book was given to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is a sweet romance novel with a good depth and layers to the story. It is about family and a small town’s community. I really enjoyed this light hearted read and definitely think it is worth the full 5* out of 5.
*An advanced copy of this book was given to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
December 12, 2015
So I'll let you into a secret....I have never read a cowboy book before. I know, shame on me.
Blake, his brother and cousin have bought the Lucky Penny ranch, and it is falling apart round their ears. Blake just happens to be all hard and sexy and knows how to use the charm!
Enter Granny Irene (who has dementia) and Allie (her granddaughter and a carpenter) who now has a job fixing the Lucky Penny for Blake........
I like Allie, she has been through the wringer with love and isn't about to get burned again.
This is a heartwarming tale of 2 people trying to put their pasts behind them and get on with life. I really, really enjoyed it, it was a totally different type of read for me.
Then there was Lizzie, Allie's God fearing sister...omg she really got on my nerves!
I still want to know who the hell Walter was!
Blake, his brother and cousin have bought the Lucky Penny ranch, and it is falling apart round their ears. Blake just happens to be all hard and sexy and knows how to use the charm!
Enter Granny Irene (who has dementia) and Allie (her granddaughter and a carpenter) who now has a job fixing the Lucky Penny for Blake........
I like Allie, she has been through the wringer with love and isn't about to get burned again.
This is a heartwarming tale of 2 people trying to put their pasts behind them and get on with life. I really, really enjoyed it, it was a totally different type of read for me.
Then there was Lizzie, Allie's God fearing sister...omg she really got on my nerves!
I still want to know who the hell Walter was!
December 16, 2015
Carolyn Brown is a new discovery for me. I received an ARC of Wild Cowboy Ways from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What stood out for me about this author is that she writes romance fiction that is entertaining but also tackles issues that are prevalent in the world. For instance, dementia is hard to witness as an outsider looking in. Just think about watching the heartbreaking changes happen to someone that you love. I know this first hand because both of my grandmothers struggled with this disease and it is painful to experience. So that aspect of the story line trigger a great deal of emotion within me. This story is about more than just a heated romance. It is about people adjusting to change and helping each other along the way. Everyone needs encouraging voice and a shoulder to lean on sometimes.
November 28, 2015
The Lucky Penny Ranch needs lots of work, so Blake Dawson hires Allie Logan and her carpentry skills to get things in order, but it’s not long before her brown eyes and dangerous curves have him roped and tied in this exciting western romance. The Lucky Penny Ranch’s reputation adds quite a bit of spice to the story making it a wonderful setting for this feisty romance. Allie and Blake’s personalities complement each other without going too far and I really enjoyed spending time with them, so I am looking forward to visiting the ranch again.
“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”©
See my full review at:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”©
See my full review at:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
November 15, 2015
Great start to a new series...though you can pretty much predict the stories outcome, the author has done a fine job of getting you there with wonderful dialog, quirky characters and fun romance. Thoroughly enjoyed how the characters developed, without drawing out the inevitable. I am looking forward to reading the other stories in the series as they develop.
This book was provided as an ARC by the author/publisher, this review is 100% of my own opinion.
This book was provided as an ARC by the author/publisher, this review is 100% of my own opinion.
December 27, 2015
Amazing
I loved Blake and Allies story. Kinda reminds me of mine and my hubbys. Seven dollars and a trip to the courthouse, all with a baby in the oven! 32 years later and I'm still in life with him. Thanks Carolyn for the most beautiful love story. I can hardly wait for Lizzy and Toby's story.
I loved Blake and Allies story. Kinda reminds me of mine and my hubbys. Seven dollars and a trip to the courthouse, all with a baby in the oven! 32 years later and I'm still in life with him. Thanks Carolyn for the most beautiful love story. I can hardly wait for Lizzy and Toby's story.
April 13, 2022
Welcome to Dry Creek, TX, where everyone knows your business! I did like that the main female character was a carpenter (Allie). I thought that was cool and unconventional. Her sister, on the other hand, I was not crazy about and would guilt trip Allie when she didn't want to go out on double dates with her & fiance & her chosen guy for her sister. I thought Allie was a doormat at times.
Anyway, Blake is new in town and fixing up the ranch (Lucky Penny Ranch) he bought with his brothers. He needed a carpenter and luckily, Allie needed the job. It did get old how every single women came by to see Blake. Yes, I know he's hot and single. Geez. My eyes might have gotten stuck in the back of my head at the end with Allie and Blake's news .
Anyway, Blake is new in town and fixing up the ranch (Lucky Penny Ranch) he bought with his brothers. He needed a carpenter and luckily, Allie needed the job. It did get old how every single women came by to see Blake. Yes, I know he's hot and single. Geez. My eyes might have gotten stuck in the back of my head at the end with Allie and Blake's news .
June 22, 2024
how did they literally get married within six weeks of knowing each other?!?! they were super cute together and it was a very bingeable book but I just felt like each day took too long and their relationship felt like it was longer than it actually was
January 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book because it was easy to read, easy to follow, not many characters and it wasn’t a very dramatic book. This made for a very steady, relaxing, happy read. Although, Lizzie really annoyed me during parts of it. I believe the ending could have been a bit different to make it a bit more realistic. It was very faced paced at the end like it was being rushed.
But overall a fantastic book and I will definitely be being the rest of the series.
But overall a fantastic book and I will definitely be being the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2019
Wild Cowboy Ways had a lot of playfulness included with hot cowboys and a hurting family. Allie, becomes the contractor on the ranch Blake bought with his brother and cousin, and will help them towards the first part of their four year plan by helping to fix up the house. Her sister, Lizzy, is engaged to a wanna-be preacher but I get nothing but bad vibes from him and his best friend. Her mom, Katy and grandmother, Irene who has dementia, round out the story nicely along with Allie's best friend, Deke, and lots of gossiping residents of the small town of Dry Creek, Texas. The ranch doesn't have a good history and most residents don't give them long before it fails and they leave town.
I liked the way Blake involves himself in the community and doesn't seem to live up to his reputation as a wild cowboy, or does he? Irene was a hoot, lucid one minute and fuzzy the next due to her illness but had a wonderful support system around her. She kept showing up at the ranch looking for someone named Walter and thinking that Blake, was him. He played along so as not to confuse her more and showed a side of himself others, especially Allie, didn't expect to see. The interactions between Allie and Blake ran the gamut and she fought her attraction at every turn. It didn't help that she's divorced from her childhood sweetheart due to her ex's infidelities and has sworn off all men and she's not even aware of the extent of them. All the women in town want to bed him and Allie keeps getting warned off by her family that he's just a player. He's shaken up by some of the feelings he's having once Allie gets under his skin especially when his past is revealed! The between the sheet moments were steamy and hot even if they sometimes had problems communicating!
There are a lot of twists and turns to the story and the characters all had a depth to them. We learned about them a little at a time and got to know them well. There was a lot of ranching in the story along with his home being rebuilt, church activities and town businesses but also let your hair down moments with drinking, dancing and honky tonks. The changeable weather played into the story a lot. The ending of the story had a wonderfully written happily ever after with some unexpected happenings.
This was a bonus novel included with Home at Chestnut Creek (Chestnut Creek #2) by Laura Drake. I will review it in a separate post but it was another 5 star read!
Ms. Brown is an author I can't get enough of. I look forward to reading more of her books and I definitely want to read the rest of this series.
Favorite Quote: "My mama has been dead for years so you can't call her. Silly girl, there are no phones in heaven." Irene eyed Blake seriously. "You aren't Walter, are you? Who are you again?"
I liked the way Blake involves himself in the community and doesn't seem to live up to his reputation as a wild cowboy, or does he? Irene was a hoot, lucid one minute and fuzzy the next due to her illness but had a wonderful support system around her. She kept showing up at the ranch looking for someone named Walter and thinking that Blake, was him. He played along so as not to confuse her more and showed a side of himself others, especially Allie, didn't expect to see. The interactions between Allie and Blake ran the gamut and she fought her attraction at every turn. It didn't help that she's divorced from her childhood sweetheart due to her ex's infidelities and has sworn off all men and she's not even aware of the extent of them. All the women in town want to bed him and Allie keeps getting warned off by her family that he's just a player. He's shaken up by some of the feelings he's having once Allie gets under his skin especially when his past is revealed! The between the sheet moments were steamy and hot even if they sometimes had problems communicating!
There are a lot of twists and turns to the story and the characters all had a depth to them. We learned about them a little at a time and got to know them well. There was a lot of ranching in the story along with his home being rebuilt, church activities and town businesses but also let your hair down moments with drinking, dancing and honky tonks. The changeable weather played into the story a lot. The ending of the story had a wonderfully written happily ever after with some unexpected happenings.
This was a bonus novel included with Home at Chestnut Creek (Chestnut Creek #2) by Laura Drake. I will review it in a separate post but it was another 5 star read!
Ms. Brown is an author I can't get enough of. I look forward to reading more of her books and I definitely want to read the rest of this series.
Favorite Quote: "My mama has been dead for years so you can't call her. Silly girl, there are no phones in heaven." Irene eyed Blake seriously. "You aren't Walter, are you? Who are you again?"
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