A Cowboy Under The Mistletoe

Thunder Mountain Brotherhood #4

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

The gun-shy cowboy…

A cowboy’s scars can last a lifetime. Ty Slater’s cheerfulness is a carefully constructed armor. After losing his parents in a tragic accident, he was fostered at Thunder Mountain Ranch. Although Ty has learned how to survive, he hides a broken heart. He knows love leads to loss, so has vowed never to fall in love…

Unfortunately, Ty’s attraction to Whitney Jones is nothing short of a maelstrom, a desire that threatens his resolve. When she’s stranded in Sheridan for the holidays, Ty realizes he’d better find Whitney’s flaw, and fast—because his lust is too damn close to love. This red-hot cowboy is ready to bolt…unless Whitney shows him that some rides are definitely worth the risk.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, Westerns, Harlequin, Harlequin Blaze, Ebooks

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2015

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ty Slater was a child he was sent to Thunder Mountain ranch, after losing his parents in a plane crash.
Now he is spending Thanksgiving at the ranch. He meets Whitney Jones, the manager at the coffee shop, and has a date with her. Ty is attracted to Whitney, but love leads to loss and he has vowed to never fall in love (yeah, right).
I loved reading this sexy cowboy story. Great series too. 5☆

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.

My Thoughts:

I think it would be completely impossible not to fall in love with new stories in this series, because every time I pick up another one, I'm in love all over again. Ty and Whitney have known each other from his stops at her coffee place, but when they first met he was with somebody. After she starts working at a different place and he runs into her again, he's available and interested in something more with her. While they do have an intense lust about each other, there's something blooming below the surface that keeps them going. Everything about their relationship goes much deeper, and as time goes on, they discover the things they truly want from life.

A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe is another winner from Vicki Lewis Thompson! Ty and Whitney have this perfect pairing about them, friendship mixed with lust and love. I loved seeing them grow together and fall together. I could never get enough of the wonderful people in the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood series. I don't want to see it end because not only are the love stories amazing, but so is the setting. Gorgeous and lovely and you feel like you're there.

My Rating: Very Good

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the thunder mountain guys and I was glad to finally get Ty's story. As much as I wanted to love this story I just had a hard time understanding their relationship and how fast it moved.

Ty lives and works as a lawyer in Cheyenne. He would see Whitney working while he got his coffee and then one day she just wasn't there. He goes to Sheridan on his way home to see his foster parents and there she is in a new location.

Although these two have known each other a year they are practically strangers since at the time Ty was seeing someone else. Ty decides to ask her out and they spend some time together.

While reading I thought there relationship was rushed and I didn't feel they had much of an emotional connection. They get hot and heavy fast then cool it off for two weeks. He comes back to Sheridan and they are hot and heavy again only to break up because Ty wouldn't open up. Majority of the story they spent apart.
I guess it was different from the other books in the series and I expected a little bit more.

I hope the next book will capture me more but it was great seeing the characters from the beginning books.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved it - my favourite in the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood Series. Heroine Whitney is easy going, well-liked, honest, open and not afraid to ask for what she wants in the bedroom and in relationship. It was great to have a heroine who was just a nice 'girl-next-door' archetype with loving family and good, healthy, supportive relationship with her employees - it was refreshing there was no 'game playing' to attract or trap her guy.

Interesting gorgeous Hero Ty was charmingly embarrassed by attention from women re: his sexy calendar appearance, done to raise money for a cause close to his heart. Loved his compulsion to spend time with Whitney, even when they lived so far apart he drove for hours in a snowstorm.

Steamy scenes seemed realistic and fun, and thank God this had very little angst except for the predictable "major break-up moment" that did not take long to resolve. This was just a lovely (steamy) romantic love story with lots of sigh-worthy moments. Really enjoyed it. 4.5 Stars

[Kame · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are comfort reads for me. I just love a good cowboy story and especially one that allows me to revisit old friends.

This read will not tear at your heart strings but it delivers a good holiday story.

I will be continuing with this series as I want to check in on the characters.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Deb Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vicki Lewis Thompson is heating things up in A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe Can two wayward hearts heal each other?


Read More. . . http://www.romanceswithalittlekick.co...

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love catching up with the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood!

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ty is a lawyer in Cheyenne but also a cowboy who grew up in thunder mountain with Rosie and herb. He has not talked about his parent or their death with anyone but Whitney, his love wants to know about them. Ty is not willing to share and walks away but 3 weeks later he knows he's made a mistake.

[Terri Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. Sweet, definitely hot & sexy !!!! Would highly recommend it to all romance readers out there.

[Rae Latte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cup of coffee, Chinese food and a calendar are the perfect way to start for our hero and heroine. Vicki writes cowboy romance with tenderness, heat and lots of sexy charm.
Amazon

[Mem]

B871 Dec15 Thunder Mountain Brotherhood # Whitney Jones and Ty Slater the temptation between them is hot. She can't leave and stays for Christmas.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but lacking substance, like cotton candy.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. if you love cowboys and great family

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Love this ssries. The boys who have grown into men who are afraid of real love. Can they change their minds and decide they really need it?

[Ronda Six Garnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story..was surprised to see it is part of a series and I had just read hte prev one..so nice to see the same characters again

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Ty and Whitney fall for each other over coffee and shared experiences. The dealt with the past in different ways.

[Jaymy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read with heart, Vicki Lewis Thompson’s “Cowboy Under the Mistletoe” doesn’t disappoint. This page-turner gets ya going tells of a somewhat world weary former foster kid turned business professional and the cute barista who's had a crush on him for more than a year.
Ty Slater is like a perfect cup of coffee. He’s strong and stands alone, no embellishments, just like a great cuppa joe. Or he was until Rangeland Roasters’ Sheridan manager Whitney entices him to try one of her peppermint pleasure lattes, caffeine topped with whipped cream with candy cane chips sprinkled on top to give it crunch.
Whitney’s hasn’t had the best of luck with men, and she’s truly on her own for the first time — living somewhere other than Cheyenne, where her extended family reside. But that hasn’t stopped her from admiring Ty, with whom she remained light and friendly while working in Cheyenne. He did have a girlfriend after all!
But,when the calendar poster boy himself shows up in Sheridan, where she’s running the newly opened coffee shop branch, sans said companion, more flirty than ever, she figures why not go for the hotty who’s starred in some of her fantasies.
They find it easy to talk to one another, and the chemistry that sparks between them is scorching. This story starts just before Thanksgiving and continue.
Figuring why not, he’s returned to his hometown for Thanksgiving weekend and she can squeeze some time in for him around her quirky work schedule.
However, their plan for a night of frolicking fun is interrupted when Whitney’s parents show up unexpectedly to console their daughter, who’s sounded so forlorn spending Thanksgiving away from family for the very first time. But, creative and determined adults that they are, Ty and Whitney still manager to steam things up, if only temporarily.
Of course, she has to send him back to the ranch, and they won’t be able to see much of each other the next day because of course she’s working. Where there’s frustrated man... there’s a few hours of play.
They pledge to keep the fires and roads between Cheyenne and Sheridan blazing. Thinking they might want to cool down just a bit before they go all super nova and burn out, they decide to wait a week. Then there’s a blizzard — total white out, forcing many road closures as well as most businesses, and accidents. So, they decided to play it by ear and Ty will only drive in if the weather lets up. Turns out not even a blizzard can keep him from her. He arrives, passes out, exhausted from a harrowing 12 hours on the road. A quick snack and he’s up for whatever she can handle.
But, reality and emotions intrude and decisions have to be made, logistics and their realities being what they are.
This story is sweet, fun, sexy, heat-warming and not without its challenges. I laughed at their antics. Held my breath at the turmoil and cheered when they figured out ways to be together despite the challenges thrown their way.
Have been a VLT fan for years and she’s never let me down, and this book was no exception.

[Shauni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy

This is the third book in the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood Series and I think the glow might be starting to fade. Vicki Lewis Thompson has thus far written a fun series about a bunch of foster children, now adults (and all male), come together to try and save their foster parent's ranch. The one place they all called home at some time or other.

Initially I was charmed. I found the characters well developed and fun. This time, not so much. I got lost in the quagmire. For some reason I just didn't care. Maybe it's just me but I could not connect to these two.

Whitney Yates is a well rounded woman. She's just moved north to manage her own coffee shop and is thrilled with the opportunity. Sure she misses her family but she's ok with that. When a former customer strolls in, a man she had fantasized about in her old store, she's a bit shocked and totally interested. He's sexy, charming and everything she wants. Only he lives four hours away. Is a romance really worth it?

Ty Slater had a good childhood until tragedy hit. Instead of dealing he acted out and finally ended up at Thunder Mountain Ranch where he thrived. Only he never dealt with the loss, instead he shoved it way down and compartmentalized his life. Nowadays he's a successful attorney and the first "brother" out on the fund raising calendar. Tired of being a sex symbol Ty is thrilled to go home for a bit. But when he walks into that coffee shop, home has a whole new meaning.

This book was about sex, lots of it... If Ty and Whitney weren't having it they were plotting to have it I feel as though the relationship got lost along the way. And Ty having to deal with his past seemed to be an after thought... A case of oh the story needs a new kitchen sink... I know this review is harsh but I just felt that this book showcases how fast a series can go from charming to not..

I will probably read the next book and give the series a chance but I don't really recommend this one.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe, provided by netgalley.

[Christy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book because of the back cover description, but the cowboy on the front was the reason I picked it up to start with the store. Vickie did a great job and I am glad I got to read this for the holiday season I want to read the others too.

It’s the day before Thanksgiving when Ty Slater shows up in Sheridan to have the weekend with his foster family. However, he finds that the Barista he had chatted up in the past before she left Cheyenne is here at the new Ranstand Roasters location.

They set a date while talking as he gets his order of a holiday special coffee. Her place Friday after thanksgiving putting up her tree is the date. They were flirty and forward that is was nice.

They had fun doing some of her tree, but things were heading past to a horizontal position and falling faster than they expected. Holding off a day proved bad at first when Whitney’s parents showed. Then they made great use of her car’s seats when they got back from a celebration.

When Ty had to go back for work they waited two weeks and a day to see each other. A blizzard didn’t even stop Ty he needed to see her and a five hour trip turned into twelve following a snow plow.

They had a great night and morning until expressing things about family happened. She wanted him to talk. She didn’t want to still keeping it bottled up the memories of his parents from before they did when he was fourteen.
I was glad that Christmas Eve turned things around for them though, would have been bad not to. I was smiling on how it ended.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather's review from Smut MattersI haven't read very many categories recently, and, unfortunately this one probably won't bring me back. Ty and Whitney fell in insta-love. Sort of. They knew each other when she worked at a coffee shop in Cheyenne, but when she was transferred to the new store in Sheridan and promoted, they didn't see each other anymore. But now Ty is in Sheridan for Thanksgiving, and he doesn't have a girlfriend anymore, so they decide to see where it goes.

It went along a fairly predictable path. A few obstacles to them actually having sex, resulting in them folding down the seats to her car and having sex for the first time there, which was fairly funny, and an argument I didn't really understand that led to their break up was really all there was here. The book spanned a few weeks, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and by the end of it they were proclaiming their love and figuring out how to navigate the five hour distance between Cheyenne and Sheridan.

This was a quick holiday read, one that Christmas really didn't factor into too much, other than the holidays being a reason for traveling and visiting family. I haven't really read a lot of Vicki Lewis Thompson, so I don't know if this is typical of her, but it was harmless and ultimately forgettable, pretty typical of what I remember of the Harlequin lines.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Forget to check out my other reviews at Escape Into A Book Blog

Just by the cover you'll know that it's gonna be a hot holiday book and this book did not disappoint. It's fun to read, I loved that the two characters had backstories that made me like the characters even more. They both had some type of tragedy that impacted their lives in different ways and they made the the best of what happened and lived good lives. This book was a bit about the healing of both characters and because of his past Ty couldn't really open up about what happened. Trust is an important aspect of any relationship and it put what little relationship they had into jeopardy. This book was a bit rushed but for a shorter book its expected so I don't have any problem with that. I enjoyed how this book turned out.

If your the type of person who is looking for a short, sweet, steamy book that'll heat things up for the holiday when the nights are cold then this book is for you.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review and here it is.

I've enjoyed the previous books in this series, and this one is no exception. It's a sweet, spicy, sexy and charming story that's just perfect for the holiday season.

Ty Slater, lives and works in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and loves the coffee at Rangeland Roasters--he's also had his eye on a pretty barista who works there, Whitney. When he returns home to Sheridan for Thanksgiving, he's pleasantly surprised to see that Whitney is behind the counter at a new and recently opened second location, in fact, she's now the manager. The two of them are and have been attracted to one another and it doesn't take much more than a date to put up Whitney's Christmas tree and some Chinese food take-out for the relationship to heat up.

Whitney's got a secret, and Ty has locked down all memories of his late parents, and they now have jobs they love and live in different cities, 5 hours apart. There are obstacles to overcome but will they get together or won't they? You'll have to read it to find out.

[Books and Spoons · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two heats up the house for thanksgiving! WOW!
This is a steamy story, the story of two people who both have experienced a great loss in their lives, that have shaped up the people they are today. But both of them have a very different way to approach life and the grief, and no matter their feelings, this will eventually affect their relationship as well.
I loved the series when it first started, with the foster boys, their brotherhood and all for one attitude, with their love for Rosie and Herb, and tuna casserole, bringing them all together. A good part of the previous stories in the series were dedicated to the way they were all working on to save the ranch and built up the academy.
This story is just a love story between Ty and Whitney, with lots of heat and sexy fun.
Some of the brothers still show up, and of course Rosie and Herb, but I kind of missed the tune of the earlier series.
But regardless, the story is good, it is great entertainment, and surely will keep you warm this holiday, there's no doubt about that
~ Four Spoons

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoking hot!! No other way to describe the interactions between Ty and Whitney...the author certainly has a way of bring three dimensional life to her characters. The story captures your attention from page one and keeps you engaged until the very end. The relationships between all the characters are so well developed that you truly feel their emotions. The banter is extremely clever and fits so effortlessly into the characters personalities, it is never forced and truly leaves you chuckling on many occasions. I look forward to reading more from this author...she certainly can write a very sexy cowboy!

This story was provide by the author/publisher through Netgalley, this review is 100% of my own opinion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the idea behind this book. Two people have repeated chance encounters and are attracted to each other, but don't act on it. Fast forward several months and they reconnected and this time pursue the attraction.
As much as I liked the idea, I struggled with how it was executed.
It seemed that both Ty and Whitney were excited to get to know each other, but were moving slowly then both their personalities seemed to change and they, especially Whitney, became almost aggressive.
I had a hard time getting a feel for who Ty and Whitney were as people and what they were really after.
This is a well written book, but at times it feels stiff. It's a quick read and gives the reader a quick catch up on the boys for Thunder Mountain.

[Melinda Hennies · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing like a hot cowboy...Then enters Ty who has been a foster child at Thunder Mountain Ranch. Ty returns to see his foster parents and runs into Whitney who manages the coffee shop..Sparks unite since they are both single...Can this live survive through tragedy and loss they both have lived through...Ty decides they want different things but the power of Christmas and losing Whitney forever makes him realize he can't live without her...

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheesy holiday contemporary romances are so not my thing. I decided to read this one to fulfill a requirement for a readathon. That this short book took me over two weeks to finish should tell you something. The plot lacked substance, the characters were flat, and ugh insta-romance galore.
The steam factor was pretty damn high though, so if sexy holiday romances with no real plot are your thing then you might enjoy this more than I did.

[Catherine Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such a sweet short story. These two characters had such a strong connection, but will Ty be able to come to terms with his past and be able to truly over on with Whitney? Even though this was a short read it was packed full of emotions and passion. I can't wait for Brant's story.

[Nancy Ku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one

Vicki never fails to pull me in and make me feel the story. Ty and Whitney and all the Thunder Mountain family make you want to join them. Maybe Brant's story is next? Can't wait Vicki.....

[Emily]

love meeting new Thunder Mountain brothers . Ty is my favorite so far. love to read all the brother joking with each other and helping each other. fells like a real family. can't wait to read more Thunder Mountain Brotherhood books.