Blazing Hot Cowboy

Smokin’ Hot Cowboys #2

by Kim Redford

He's all the heat she'll ever need.
Lauren Sheridan's return to Wildcat Bluff after the death of her husband is bittersweet. Thirteen years have passed since she set foot in the place that's always held her heart...and the sizzling memories of her high school sweetheart.

Kent Duval has it all. A proud rancher and volunteer firefighter in the small town of Wildcat Bluff, he's missing only one thing from his life: passion. Kent last saw Lauren Sheridan when she was sweet sixteen and they were head-over-heels in love. Now she's back, spunky daughter in tow, and he no longer knows which way is up. As the heat between them builds, Kent can't help but wonder if past flames can be rekindled and second chances really do exist.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Western Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Firefighters, Childrens

359 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 3, 2017

About the author

Kim Redford is an acclaimed bestselling author of Western romance novels. She grew up in Texas with cowboys, cowgirls, horses, cattle, and rodeos for inspiration. She divides her time between homes in Texas and Oklahoma, where she’s a rescue cat wrangler and horseback rider—when she takes a break from her keyboard. Visit her at http://www.kimredford.com.

“Scorching, and flavored with just a hint of sweet innocence. Add in the distilled essence of a perfect small town, and this tale will melt even the iciest heart.” -Publishers Weekly Starred Review

“Vividly written firefighting scenes, rich cast of characters and folksy charm, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas will keep you warm and toasty and entertained in a big—and I mean Texas big—way.” —USA Today Happily Ever After

Reviews

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2i7ziTA

Blazing How Cowboy.*pets the gorgeous cover* Really it was just impossible for me to resist a cowboy firefighter. And for the most part it was a decent read. But, sadly, in the end it fell short for me.

The quick of it is that the heroine has just come back home after 13 years away. She's a widow, has a young daughter and needs to start fresh. And her high school sweet heart is ready to jump in and help any way he can.


I liked the characters well enough. There's nothing terribly remarkable about them but they're good people wanting to help others and improve their community. I can get on board with that!

I really like this town and the fact they LOVE their cats and dang near worship them. Everyone caters to their kitties and the store kitties and that just makes me smile.

Firefighters. Cowboys. Firefighter cowboys. Noms! I mean, really. I'm in a swoon, yall. lol

Seriously. That. Cover. #Covergasm

There were some pretty funny moments with the hero adjusting to a kid that had me giggling. And some with the heroine that were pretty swoony.



Things were extremely repetitive. I lost count of the number of times it was mentioned that she wanted her daughter to have a community around her and to spread her wings, how something was up with her aunt, etc. I think, easily, 50% of the book could have been cut if all the repetition was removed.

It relied almost entirely on them being together as teenagers and being hit with a case of insta-love as soon as they saw each other as adults...over a decade later. After mere days they're talking about becoming a family (she has a young daughter), him wanting to adopt said daughter, and saying things like lets go home to "comfort their daughter". I just couldn't. With about 15% of the book to go I actually threw my arms up in the air and said 'oh for fucks sake this is ridiculous'. I can suspend belief to a point but it went beyond what I could tolerate.

And no condoms were used because they were always "meant to have a child". Really? With life in such upheaval after just moving, starting over and in days you're gonna make a baby together. Okay.

All in all, Blazing Hot Cowboy had potential but ended up not working for me. Which is disappointing because the series just screams Anna will love me! Sadly, I think, this is just not the series for me.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggling to give 3 stars, more like 2.5. Lots of repetition and old-fashioned terms, such as gal. Lots of cliches as well. Several plot lines did not make much sense. I always hate to give a less than postitive review, so I'll end this with Hannah is a true delight. Happy reading!

[Judy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

SAVE A HORSE - RIDE A HOT COWBOY FIREFIGHTER!!!
Title: Blazing Hot Cowboy
Series: Smokin' Hot Cowboys
Author: Kim Redford
Designation: Book 2 of Series, Full-Length Novel (Approx 375 pages), Standalone Contemporary Romance, NO Cliffhanger #secondchanceromance #cowboyfirefighter #smallwesterntownsaga
My Rating: Five Sexy Stars*****

OH MY! I loved, loved, loved Blazing Hot Cowboy, the second smokin' hot release in the Smokin' Hot Cowboys Series by Kim Redford! lol... Yeah, I realize that statement is a little redundant but I just couldn't resist making a little pun. A few weeks ago, I found Kim Redford through a free promotion for the first book of this series, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas, and fell in love with her sultry style, passionate prose, and engaging characters, so much so that I raced back to Amazon and purchased the other two ebooks available in the series. Best decision ever! That alone is quite a recommendation because I'm very selective about what I read and review. But I may as well be totally honest, folks, Redford had me at smokin' hot cowboys and firefighter. Just kidding! (Totally not kidding!) lol... I'm so in love with the town of Wildcat Bluff and its entire community along with the two protagonists of this story, swoony retired rodeo cowboy Kent Duval and beautiful physical therapist and former cowgirl Lauren Sheridan. There was so much I truly enjoyed about this story, especially the real-life history of Wildcat Bluff and its former Comanche residents that Redford skillfully wove into the storyline. But my favorite component of this heartwarming second chance love story was the large cast of endearing and completely relatable characters. I was immediately smitten with handsome rancher and volunteer cowboy firefighter Kent Duvall. He was just the cat's meow and made all the ladies purr, including me! Yes, my cat reference was intentional and will make total sense once you've read the book. After all, the name of Kent's family spread is Cougar Ranch and the town is Wildcat Bluff, so that should give you a little hint! lol... And the beautiful, intelligent, independent, widowed Lauren Sheridan was an absolute delight! Lauren was so smart, sweet, hard-working, selfless and determined, but my heart broke for her. These two characters were high school sweethearts who drifted apart after 16-year-old Lauren had to move away with her family when her dad found another job on the East Coast. After her high school graduation, Lauren returned to Texas to attend college and became a physical therapist. She eventually met and married someone else, but her husband was killed in an accident, leaving her to raise their daughter, Hannah, alone. But Lauren never forgot her friends and family she was forced to leave behind in Wildcat Bluff, and she certainly never forgot her high school sweetheart and first love Kent Duvall. When she lost her job in Houston, she decided to return to Wildcat Bluff for a visit with her aunt Hedy Murray, local business owner and coordinator/dispatcher for the Wildcat Bluff Volunteer Fire Department.

Kent and Lauren both were still reeling from broken hearts, but they quickly discovered their teenage attraction was stronger than ever and was soon blazing out of control. Their chemistry was off the charts, and they complemented each other perfectly. I could feel the sparks flying between Lauren and Kent, and it was heartwrenching to watch their emotional tug of war. And Lauren's daughter Hannah was just adorable! This story was just so sweet, so sexy, and soooo heartwarming! No spoilers from me but I will say this... Sexy, handsome, charismatic, and very lonely cowboy firefighter who loves his dirty, old pickup and very resistant to change but is completely dedicated to his community and the people he loves-check! Beautiful, independent, kindhearted, and hardworking former cowgirl determined to help her aunt Hedy and make a good life for her sweet, young daughter-check! A wonderful close-knit community of colorful, engaging, and endearing characters-check! A dangerous, mysterious firebug wreaking havoc throughout the community-check! A little mystery, a dash of suspense, a splash of humor, a generous pinch of angst, and a whole lot of steamy romance- you bet! That and a whole lot more!

Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! There was so much I adored about this story. The narrative was beautifully written in the third person with clearly defined his and her perspectives. The dialogue was smart, snappy, natural, well executed, and flowed effortlessly. But my absolute favorite component was the large cast of well-developed characters who literally exploded from the pages,, demanded your undivided attention, captured your heart, and held you prisoner from beginning to end. I found them to be realistic, engaging, and endearing, and I'm quite sure we'll be seeing many of them in future books. I loved the fictional world/community of Wildcat Bluff County that Redford created for this series. Although the town and characters of the story may be fictional, I discovered that Wildcat Bluff is a real place and the rich history of the area shared in this book is actually true! And Redford did a fabulous job of weaving it into her story. I particularly enjoyed Redford's writing style. Her vividly detailed descriptions of the town, its residents, and the surrounding countryside were masterfully written. I found myself immediately immersed in the story and compelled to keep turning each page. Although the storyline does include an underlying interconnected plot element(the firebug) that continues throughout the series, each book can be read as a standalone with its very own happy-ever-after. As I stated earlier, there is a little mystery and suspense, but it's not the main element. The primary focus is the romantic journey of two lonely people finding love and the obstacles they must overcome to secure their happy ending. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! In fact, after finishing the first book, I raced back and purchased the next two of the series. Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am but for adult readers. There's no profanity, but it is steamy and does contain several tastefully written sex scenes. Redford's writing may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine. I prefer a book I can settle in with, sink my teeth into, and really get to know the characters, and that's exactly what this author delivered. Redford's books are not for people who want to devour a book in a couple of hours but rather for those folks who enjoy savoring the words. You don't gulp fine whiskey; you sip it, swirl it, relish it, and appreciate the taste. I'm almost 70 years young and have been an avid reader for 65 of those years. It takes something truly extraordinary to impress me and I'm truly impressed by Redford's work. And finally, was I entertained? Completely! I giggled, snickered, snorted, sniffled, and sighed through the entire story but by the end, I was happy, satisfied, and well entertained. Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Sheridan and her four year old daughter, Hannah, have moved back to her hometown of Wildcat Bluff, Texas after the death of her husband. As soon as she gets to town, she runs into her teenage love/firefighter/rancher, Kent Duval. Now, don't be fooled by the title of this book. Kent Duval is the blazing, hot cowboy but this story is sincerely a sweet love story. Lauren and Kent are both volunteer firefighters and they fight hard to recapture that delightful love that they have never lost for each other. Hannah is a spunky, lovable character as she twirls and spins into everyone's heart. Author, Kim Redford has a knack for developing rich characters and realistic moments. All of the love scenes are tastefully done and are a reminder to those writers who think graphic sex is always necessary to get the point across. I loved the book and give kudos to the author for her wonderful story. If you love horses, cowboys, Texas, firefighters, precocious little girls or a sweet contemporary love story, then this is the book for you! I give this book a five-star rating!

Blazing Hot Cowboy by Kim Redford will be available January 3, 2017 by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be hotter than a Firefighter whose also a Cowboy...two kinds of hotness in one! This is a sweet, romantic story about coming home and second chances. Though the story moves slowly at times, if you stick with it, you'll be rewarded with a very HEA. This second story in the series contains just enough backstory to keep the reader from feeling lost if the first book had not been read.

There is a lot of latent heat generated between Kent and Lauren, generated from their history before she left town thirteen years earlier. The story winds around their movements back towards each other while both of them are healing from past hurts. The characters in the story are genuine and completely likable...and easy to relate to.

The mystery that is surrounding the story does keep the momentum going, as well as the reader guessing. Though it is not completely resolved, I'm hoping it will be in the next story and not dragged out too much longer.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Lauren, girl wasn't bashful, “I’ll never tell.” She chuckled as she gave him a mischievous wink. “But now I definitely want my eye candy.” She stroked her palms across his broad chest. “I bet you packed on more muscle since that time.” I loved the teasing that Lauren and Kent had going on:
She snuggled against him and then shrugged her shoulders. “You know what, I’m really hungry.”
He grinned, pushing her damp hair back from her face. “Ready again?”
I enjoyed this book, Kent was attentive and sweet.

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the romance of Lauren and Kent. They were sweethearts in the teenage years but are separated when Lauren's parents move away. It is 13 years later and Lauren returns to Texas for her aunt's care and Kent is still there. I liked this story as true love wills out. There is a fire bug on the loose andthe couple find themselves seeking the arsonist. Was a simple book with characters that are altered by circumstances. Thanks to Goodreads

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gotta Kenny Rogers this book. Too repetitive, stilted dialogue. World building is fine, until the characters start talking again. By 20% the word gal(s) had been used 10094 times (slight exaggeration). Also 20% I've been told 10384 times how it is like they are stepping back into old ways, and so on, but SHOW ME. So much is told in inner dialogue. I just ... Can't.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A firefighting Texas cowboy? Whew! Now that's some sizzling heat there. Now fan that flame with his high school sweetheart come home at last and a second chance? That I just could not pass up. This was my first encounter with the author or her books and I was hoping to give Blazing Hot Cowboy some reader love.

This was the second book in the Smoking Hot Cowboys series and yes, I grabbed it out of order (too mesmerized by the title and blurb to pay attention). Thankfully, I didn't have trouble reading it standalone or out of order.

Blazing Hot Cowboy opens with Lauren Sheridan's return to Wildcat Bluff after many years away. A widow with a little girl and job cuts at the hospital to her physical therapy department leave her cut loose and now open to a return to her small childhood hometown. Nobody needs to know that her marriage was almost over when her husband died and now she is determined to not make another mistake with a man again simply by staying away from men. This is a new start for her and her little girl. Her resolve about men shatters almost immediately when she encounters high school sweetheart, Kent Duval, at the firehouse while looking for her Aunt Hetty.

Kent works the family ranch and also the volunteer fire department in Wildcat Bluff. He enjoys his life just as it is though he would eventually like to have a family of his own. His one big attempt toward matrimony had him left by his bride at the altar when she left him for a bigger prize. He's determined to be more cautious the next go around and that go around unexpectedly arrives in the form of his first love. They settle in right where they left off in many ways, but also have separate pasts that leave them both wary. Meanwhile, a firebug is on the loose and there is something going on with Lauren's Aunt Hetty that has the whole town concerned.

Alright, this book had some good stuff going for it and I was ready to love it. I enjoyed the small town folk, the author's descriptive setting of north Texas ranch country and the history of the land and settlers. I even enjoyed much about the primary characters particularly Kent. I was amused by his old beat-up truck and his Mamie Eisenhower pink front door. The town cats and other town characters were also fun times.

However, I could not fully connect with this story. I felt pulled in two directions and had some minor niggles. A small thing was that I felt that their early time together was forced. Lauren insists on heading out with each of his fire calls (first time it happened it worked for me, but after that, no). It doesn't make sense for her to tagalong particularly when her part in the firefighting is ornamental and she's not trained save a few basics from back in high school. It was odd to me that a fire is blazing away and they stand there with the others doing the 'hey howzits and nicetomeetyous' before getting around to the barn fire that could catch the dry brush and take out more property.

The big thing was the rapidity of the relationship. I get that attraction would flare up right away, but I needed to see a longer time frame before the deeper and permanent feelings and decisions happened especially since they'd both been burned before. I saw a relationship relying on the distant past instead of what there was in the present. They are attached at the hips and doing the token "I really shouldn't, but..." thing. And beyond that, her little girl was cute, but I also felt her presence just accentuated why the romance should have taken it slower even while the girl herself acted as an accelerate the way she latched onto Kent.

So, this was okay. I want to take another go at the author's books and see if a different situation will make the difference since I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and setting and somewhat about the characters. It might just be my tastes and expectations so I'm going to recommend it to others who enjoy smalltown and cowboy romance stories.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Blazing Hot Cowboy is a story I expected to love… but I didn’t. It’s a good story, I was definitely entertained yet there were quirks that I simply could not get past in the acceptance department. Heck, I can stretch my imagination pretty far, after all my favorite genre of all is Paranormal Romance – you cannot stretch much more than that. In some PNR, especially Shifter Romance, I can accept and almost expect instant love, it’s programmed into the species in many respects. So even though Lauren and Kent have a history, I could not buy into it for them given their previous declarations about their hurts in the love department and the length of time they’d been apart. Instant attraction. Even instant lust. Those I could get behind, but I needed the love to grow, mature from what it once was… and it didn’t. It was almost pick up where they left off years ago. People change, love changes too so I was expecting something different than what I was given.

Every situation this couple found themselves in simply felt rushed to me. And, by the way… since when do civilians go on fire calls? Really? Okay, I’m not going to go any further into the believable factors – I’m simply going to stop and say it’s a good book, I’m certain there are many readers who will love it. I was entertained, and sometimes that has to be enough.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading the books out of order so this is the third book in the series I have read. The other two I read I really enjoyed. This one I knocked one star off because while I do enjoy a feel good romance this was just eye rolling cheesy over the top off the rails at one point. To me the sex part was cringey. Maybe because I have never had kids or been a single parent I can't relate, but I just don't see someone saying the things she did. I also found it really strange that no one in a small town said anything about Hannah calling him Cowboy Daddy after her only being back for a day. The mom never said anything to her about it. It was never discussed between Lauren and Kent how it might be awkward when Hannah calls him Cowboy Daddy in town when going to buy the house and how they might handle that. It's just ignored by everyone like it's perfectly normal and not hilarious.

One thing that really stood out to me was the counter tops at Twin Oaks (Ruby's) were white with gold laminate. I thought this was a really odd detail and must have some meaning. Jake (her grandfather I think) built the property for his wife and is described as putting a lot of hard work to make it perfect. He dug up stones on property to make the fences. The wood and brick work. He built around the two large trees with purpose. All these natural elements and he is going to have counters be white and gold laminate 🤔 Why?! Live edge counters or slate some kind of natural stone would make more sense.

I still love the series. This book just wasn't my favorite. I did enjoy the side story with Aunt Hedy and equine therapy.

[Karen Bullock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only rated this book a 3 for a few reasons. The first is that to me this book boasted "smoking hot Cowboys"; maybe my perception of smoking hot is different then that of the authors. The story line was a cutesy romance though for me the conflicts between the two main characters, Lauren & Kent were just obnoxious. Lauren who swore she would never fall for another man after her crappy ex, does just that with Kent and Kent also swears that after his ex-fiancé, Charlene hurt him that he too, would not fall for a woman's charm. Both of these characters repeatedly fail every time they see each other but several sentences later they swear they won't do that again; that is too "wispy washy" for me. Lauren's daughter, Hannah, is also an unbelievable character. The comments and behavior do not match those of any 4 year old I know; maybe a 7 or 8 year old but not 4. I received this book as an ARC and promised to give an honest review. Though the writing flows and the story is mostly told in a good way, it just did not hit the "spark-o-meter" for me.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lauren was a widow and just came back home for her aunts care. Lauren needs a new start and has a four year old daughter Hannah. Lauren has been away for thirteen years. Lauren runs into her first love Kent who is a rancher and volunteer firefighter. Lauren and Kent start to see each other again. Lauren also becomes a volunteer firefighter. Lauren and Kent had broke up when Lauren’s parents moved. There is an arsonist around setting fires.
There was something in this book that didn’t strike me right in this book. Maybe reading the word gal more times than I can can count. Or being told Lauren and Kent were reverting back to the way they used to be. I don't like it was an instalove/lust Lauren had been married and hopefully she had loved her husband so she had to have let go of her love for Kent. It also felt rushed to me. This just wasn’t for me.

[Laura D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren returns home to Wildcat Bluff to raise her daughter after the death of her husband. Her marriage was not a happy one but the loss is great just the same. Thirteen years ago her family moved away and she left her high school sweetheart behind. Kent is still in Wildcat Bluff. He is a single rancher/volunteer fire fighter. When they see each other the spark is still there. I loved how Kent took to her daughter right away. It takes a good man to love another man's child like his own. It showed what a truly good man Kent really was. Some reviews said their romance was too fast, but I think if it was real love all those years ago it does not take long to recognize it when you get a second chance. Why would anyone want to wait for their future when it shows up right in front of them unexpectedly? I really enjoyed it. Good read.

[Liz Pitonyak]

Smokin hot

I love these books! So hot hot, and I do not mean the fires. I mean the hot cowboys. He doesn't even know what hit him. So hard so fast. A good amount of action and a lot of falling in love again! I love these men, it's like I was right there with them. I can truly see what they look like putting out a fire. Or just going to dinner. Yummiest ever!

[Cindy van der Velde-Cockrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick romantic story

This book is more a romance than anything else, it"S an easy read, unfortunately with only very little story.
The book didn't"t really make me wanna read more and I couldn't focus on the story for some reason. I don"t know if that was the writer's fault or my own

[Donna Repsher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was truly looking forward to reading this novel, the second in the Smokin' Hot Cowboys series, as I gave Ms. Redford's first novel in the series a 5-star rating, but I found Blazing Hot Cowboy rather a disappointing follow-up and could only give it 2.5 stars and here are some of the reasons why.

The novel opens with Lauren Sheridan returning to her hometown of Wildcat Bluff after a 13 year absence, with her 4-year-old daughter, Hannah, in tow. She's been widowed, but from the very beginning, we learn that her late husband was not the love of her life and that she was close to filing for divorce when his small plane crashed and he died. Although her daughter took his death hard, Lauren no longer trusts her judgement when it comes to men, and she's also worried about her Aunt Hedy, who is still living in Wildcat Bluff but who seems to have lost some of her zest for life, and Lauren wants to find out what's going on and find a way help her.

The first person Lauren encounters is her old high school sweetheart, Kent Duval, who's at the firehouse when she pulls her car in looking for her aunt, and there he is, freshly showered and shirtless, and although she's been telling herself she doesn't want any men in her life, the sparks are still there, although she continues trying to convince herself they're not. The next thing you know, there's an alarm about a fire in the next town, and Lauren accompanies Kent to the fire, they learn that there have been quite a few suspicious fires recently, and that's just for starters, because this turns out to be one heck of an action-packed single day in Wildcat Bluff--in fact, this one day comprises the first 50% of the novel, which moves forward at a snail's pace, with the occasional make-out session, food discussion, and cute yet uncomfortable moments when Lauren's daughter meets Kent and immediately calls him "Cowboy Daddy".

I requested an ARC of this novel because I so enjoyed the heartwarming nature of the previous one, but I found this novel to be extremely bloated and bogged down with so much extraneous history, endless passages of detailed descriptions of both Wildcat Bluff, it's neighboring town of Sure Shot, the ceiling at their favorite barbecue joint, the resident cats at each of the stores in town and even a lengthy discussion of the use of the color pink at Kent's ranch house that harkens back to Mamie Eisenhower's love of that color, that any attempt at moving the story forward ceased entirely. I also couldn't understand why Lauren, who is supposedly so concerned about her daughter, felt the need to tag along with Kent on every fire call, leaving her daughter to be entertained by Rose, someone the child just met, who runs the local B&B. It simply made no sense, especially since Lauren attends two such suspicious fires on the same day.

The quality of the writing was merely okay because it was quite often so repetitive and banal at times that I wanted to whip out a blue pencil and start making my own editorial revisions. All in all, this was a barely a passable read for me, with characters who weren't as well-drawn as was the setting, and I hope that Ms. Redford gets over whatever caused this book to be such a let-down, and so lacking in momentum and plot and returns us to the Wildcat Bluff I so loved in her first novel in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this novel.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book good endearing story about a family coming together after so many years apart.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

See review for Book #1...

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book and storyline. It was a great book, looking forward to Dune's story and the newcomers at the party. I want to read more, highly recommend.

[Jill Mannix · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is heartwarming and encouraging.

[☆BooksofA☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah stole the show in this book.

[Deb Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoking hot cowboys and firefighters to boot! What more could a reader ask for? Kim Redford's latest book, Blazing Hot Cowboy certainly hits the spot for readers looking for some heat and a great second chance love story. Redford's North Texas setting is vivid and detailed. She know's her cowboys and they way they interact with the world. This one has a little something for everyone from the firebugs to the cat lovers.

What I liked:

It is easy to tell that this author has some experience with Texas. Redford's use of setting shows her careful attention to detail. Readers will easily be able to feel the authenticity of this author's connection to the land and those who live there. The town of Wildcat Bluff comes to life with a vividly drawn past and a cast of characters that make the reader believe in community and unity. This is the kind of place I always dreamed existed in the West and Redford does a wonderful job of making readers want to come back for more.

I'll have to say that the idea of a cowboy firefighter really drew me to this one. I liked the idea of that for some reason. It was intriguing to see another aspect of the lives of these ranchers. It wasn't all about ranch and home. It was about community and being a part of something bigger. I thought the author did a great job of making the fire fighting scenes believable and essential to the plot of the book. It didn't have that secondary feel or something that was just thrown in to draw a bigger audience. It was realistic and thoughtfully handled.

Lauren is a spunky lady. She's been through a lot in the 13 years she spent away from Wildcat Bluff. With her return she brings her daughter and a different perspective on love and family. I liked the fact that Lauren was a physical therapist. The use of horses in therapy for disabled patients has always been an interest of mine and I enjoyed the way the author used this in her writing. It gave Lauren a more layered personality and worked with within the confines of the story.

Kent was exactly what I expected in a rancher/firefighter hero. He was strong and courageous and was a deeply caring man. He had some issues when it came to his love life, but don't we all? lol I thought he complimented Lauren well and he certainly pulled off the second chance romance vibe I think the author was going for. His interactions with Hannah, Lauren's daughter were believable and heartfelt. A very nice hero!

What I didn't like:

Everybody knows your first love never really dies. You always have this place in your heart reserved for that person, that idea of what love was in the beginning. The author relies pretty heavily on the idea that, that feeling never really goes away. When Lauren and Kent meet again their past becomes the catalyst to their future. I'm not against that idea at all, but it was one of those stories that maybe needed a little something more. Insta-love isn't really my thing in romances. Even with a shared past they needed to get to know each other again and build on that. But these two just kind of pick up where they left off and the reader is denied that process of falling in love which often makes the book. I wanted a little more for these two. Both had, had some bad experiences you don't often jump back into the fray without being a bit gun shy.

My other issue is probably a little petty. They didn't use condom's in this story. The author gave them reasons to not use them but I wasn't quite buying that. In this day and age, even in the west, and even with someone you knew for years gone by, a little bit of safety wouldn't hurt. She just lost her husband and even though she might have wanted to have a child with Kent in the past, maybe a little time should have passed before they went that route. Just saying.

Bottom Line:

This was a good book. I learned a new word: covergasm! Yeah this book definitely had a good cover. Loved the setting and the characters. Lauren was spunky and liked what she liked and Kent came across as a very good man with morals and a code. I loved little Hannah and Lauren's aunt adds some color and comedy to the story. I enjoyed the banter between the hero and the heroine but I had to suspend a lot of believablity when it came to them falling back in love in an instant. Don't get me wrong love at first sight does exist. I've seen it but it's rare and often not quite as instant as you'd think.

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Sheridan left town thirteen years ago and never looked back, which makes returning home now a little hard, she left loved ones behind and now she must face them and hope they'll let her back into their lives. After unexpectedly losing her husband, she didn't really have a reason to stay and keep up with the life they created, so she decided home might be the best place for her and her daughter to start over. And once their are there things start falling right back into place, even her friendship with the man she left behind...

Thirteen years ago Kent Duval watched the love of his young life walk away and never look back, and through the years he's dated others, but she's always seems to find a way back into his thoughts. He's often wondered about her, wondered what they could have been if she stayed, but that's all in the past right?

The minute I started this charming little read I was hooked and craving more, these two endearing characters pulled me into their world and commanded my attention. I was completely won over by their witty one liners, quirky southern charm, down to earth personalities, and passion fueled banter. I highly recommend you give this read a try, it is one of those reads that will have you blushing one moment and laughing out loud the next, and is certain to leave you with an overall feeling complete literary satisfaction!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

[Joanne Valcourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lauren and her daughter move back to her hometown to help her aunt. But her first run in when she gets to town is with her old flame and the sparks and fire are still there between them. Kent can’t believe his first love is back in town and with a daughter, but he has no problem stacking a claim right away and letting her know that he wants to fight for the spark they once had and was taken away. Hannah and her little girl energy brings life and love to a lot of people in this tale.

It was a good story that flowed, great characters and tasteful love scenes. A story that will wrap you in loving cowboys and firefighters.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the small town of Wildcat Bluff, this contemporary romance is bound to be enjoyed by those readers who love reading about small Texas towns, rekindled romances & horses. Laura Sheridan, along with her young daughter, has returned to her childhood home after her husband is killed in a plane crash . Wanting to spend time with her wheelchair bound aunt who was injured in a riding accident is the main reason for Laura's return. Running into her former boyfriend makes the move even better when they discover that they still care about each. An adorable little girl, the use of equine assisted therapy, and small town support make this a satisfying read.

[CDean Andersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable contemporary love story set in a small Texas town. "Americana" at its finest. The author shows good knowledge of horses, Cowboy and Native American history, volunteer firefighters, and small town life. I also enjoyed learning about the use of horses as a therapy tool. The cats are a nice touch, too. I enjoyed the first book in this new Kim Redford series, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas, and I certainly do recommend this 2nd book in her Cowboy Firefighters "Smokin' Hot Cowboys" series as well.

[Emma bramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a sweet romantic second chance love story. This is the second book in the series but the first ive read by this author. I will definitely be looking out for more from them. This book has very likeable characters that you will fall in love with from the very first page. The story around the characters is well written and flows really well. I cant wait to read more from this author in the future.

Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
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