REAL TEXAS COWBOYS DON'T KISS & TELL Josie Dawson is new in town, but it doesn't take a local to know that Deke Sullivan is trouble--in a smokin' hot package. He's sweet, sexy, and has charmed just about every woman in Dry Creek, Texas. Well, Josie won't be next. She'll keep her distance, even if he is great with babies and makes a mean cup of homemade hot chocolate. Deke Sullivan really is a one-woman type of guy. He just had to do a lot of looking to find that one woman. Now he thinks he's found her and he won't let a strong, sassy gal like Josie slip away. Just when he's wondering how to convince her he only has eyes for her, they get stranded in a tiny cabin during a major blizzard. If Deke can melt her heart before they dig out of the snow, he'll be the luckiest cowboy in Texas . . .
Hi! 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.
I have loved the Lucky Penny Ranch series since book 1. The first 3 books in the series I loved, but this one just didn't do it for me. I had been looking forward to Deke's book and it makes me sad that I didn't really care for this one. I really like Carolyn Brown's writing style and I loved the first 3 couples but I felt nothing for Deke and Josie. I didn't connect to them individually and I didn't feel their relationship. It just fell flat. On top of that the book crawled for me. Deke and Josie didn't really have anything going on until the 69% of the book. The pace was way too slow for me and I found myself getting bored. Now that being said the book wasn't bad and I didn't hate it. I just didn't get into it. I still love Carolyn Brown and I can't wait to try the spin off series!
Cowboy Charm was a delightful, slow build country romance, between Deke Sullivan, our resident Dry Creek playboy. Josie Dawson is an independent, self-sufficient cowgirl, too smart to fall for a player’s charms, but they lock eyes and they’re single days are numbered!
Josie’s heard about Deke’s reputation from her brother and cousins, and has no intentions of falling for his game, but there is a definite attraction and pull between them. Anyway, Josie’s busy setting up the oil drilling at Lucky Penny and a relationship would just get in the way. Or would it?
Deke’s reputation as a ladies’ man is well earned. There hasn’t been one woman to tempt him past a weekend of sin, but seeing all his friends settle down and find happiness stirs a desire in him. Could it be that he just never found the right woman? Meeting Josie makes him think so. Now all he needs to do is convince her.
A severe snow storm throw Josie and Deke together. Stranded in close quarters they have to face the truth of their desires, and wonder if they could have a future.
This was a slow build romance, which was good for Deke since he usually led with the physical with women in the past, and never got beyond. Josie and Deke got to know each other, admiring each other more and more as the days go on. Their attraction ticked up to combustible levels making it impossible to resist!
I loved the cold winter setting, perfect for this time of year! While I haven’t had the horrible snow storms Deke and Josie encountered, it had been raining cats and dogs for weeks here, and darn it, it’s been cold! I love the thought of being stranded in a little log cabin, warming myself by the fire, baking cookies and hearty meals, playing board games or working a puzzle. Reading hot cowboy romances has to be put on that list, too! If only they’d cancel work (with pay, of course) so I could live out my bad weather dreams!
I also adore the Southern small town country setting, humor, lovable secondary characters and cute animals! As usual Carolyn Brown makes me laugh with her country sayings. I had to read this one out loud to my husband:
“Y’all be safe,” Josie said. “Oh, honey, we’re so old we don’t have to be safe anymore. We just have to enjoy it.” Martha giggled. “Martha!” Josie exclaimed.
This is the last romance in the Lucky Penny Ranch series, but we get a spin off with the Dawson’s coming up. Can’t wait! A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
With all my trusted bloggers fussing over Carolyn Brown and her writing, I knew I had to give in and give this author a try. I am glad to say that this is my first read by this author and although I wasn't in love with this story, particularly, I did really enjoy and really, really, liked her writing.
This is book four in Lucky Penny Ranch series and I believe it's the last book in this particular series, so shame on me for starting here - we get Deke and Josie's story to tie it all up.
Deke is a cowboy who loves his women and he isn't shy about it, spending lots of time in bars and picking up his one night stands. Josie is Jud's sister, who seems to think she has a prickly exterior and isn't looking for romance, but cannot deny the sudden attraction she feels towards Deke.
When the two hit the road to pick up a couple of bulls and horses (in Josie's case), the two never imagined that a big snowstorm was going to merge their paths together and get them stuck on the same farm when both were supposed to be miles apart.
It was a cute story, a bit of destiny tied into it. I did enjoy it, it was a soft read with what seems like perfect romance, a bit too perfect in this case. Nothing really goes wrong for Josie and Deke until like 70% into the book when they get home and hit a bit of a hick-up - but even then it felt like Brown was trying to stir things up a little. It didn't last long, but it felt unnecessary.
The book moved a bit slow for me, especially the first part. I couldn't wait for Deke and Josie to leave the bunkhouse. I usually enjoy snowed in plots, but this just felt a little monotonous for me, nothing really happens for the two until late in the 70% and by 90% I was just reading it as quickly as I could to move on.
What I did really like was Deke, I liked that he was such a HUGE animal lover and that was what warmed me up to him most. He was so swoon worthy. I wanted him to be more believable in his role as a woman's man, but he seemed to settle into settling down for one woman fairy quickly without much anxiety and that did not feel believable - but then I have only just met Deke - so maybe my opinion will change when I visit the rest of the series.
Josie seems to think she has a prickly exterior, I didn't get that vibe from her. She cares about her family, she was very quick into going into business with Deke instead of fighting out over the bulls with him, and overall she just seemed like an easy going, sweet person. She did take that one indiscretion with a solid skin though.
This overall was a really sweet story.
The writing, though, I really liked the style and I think I would enjoy the first few books in the series so I am definitely giving them a try. This book did not deter me from trying more of Brown's books, in fact, I cannot wait to read the other ARC's that are waiting for me on my kindle as well as some other backlist titles that have caught my eye.This review was originally posted on Night Owl Book Cafe
Cowboys. Sigh. Cowboys…. I could think about them all day. When I want to take a break from all that deep thinking, I am even happier to read about this author’s irresistible ranchers (aka COWBOYS!). This series has been a sweet cowboy offering from the start and this, the last in the Lucky Penny Ranch series, was a last gentle look at characters, and a place, that felt like home… Thrown together in a snow-filled adventure, Josie and Deke are going to be tested. Are their clothes warm enough to withstand the cold? Can their libidos handle the close proximity? They are both going to find out as the weather is determined not to cooperate…
“…it’s not fear of commitment. It’s fear of making a mistake and begin with the wrong woman for the rest of my life.”
This is not a complex, drama-filled story even as it challenges traditional roles. Josie is smart. She knows her business, whether it be oil or cattle, while being a compassionate and caring woman. Deke is a man comfortable in the saddle and on the ranch with a love for animals and people that is as sexy as he is. He is not afraid to show his gentler side as his love for people and animals shines through. Their romance is a Texas two-step, a gentle, flirty walk amidst friendship, board games and plenty of sweet talk.
“My house phone will be deader’n a roadkill possum before the night sets in too.”
If a bit too much of Deke’s, shall we say, intriguing turns of phrase finds its way into the story, it’s a minor negative in a story and series that wrapped me in feel good from the start… I’m happy to hear there will be a spin off series as I’m not ready to leave the Lucky Penny Ranch! -Diane, 4 stars
I have said it before, and I will say it again. I like Brown's books because they are sweet. There is always good banter going on and it makes me want to visit where they are and have some pie or something.
In this one, Deke meets Josie. She is staying with her brother, she has plans, and they do not include a wild cowboy who flirts around. But destiny does have a way of making own plans. Like having them stranded in a snowstorm, just the two of them, well and a dog and an old man. For days. I did like how they got to know each other. They still fought that attraction, but ha, you can try it, but you will fail.
You could see they would fit well together, they just had to get there in their heads first. But it made for an interesting journey, even if the first half was being crammed together in a bunkhouse.
As always then, a sweet romance with a good couple, and a great side characters.
Four stars: A sweet romance that kindles during a blizzard and then it ignites on the road trip home.
Josie Dawson is new to Dry Gulch, but she is well aware of Deke Sullivan's reputation. She refuses to get sucked in by his great smile and charming ways. Josie is determined to put down roots in Dry Gulch where her brother, Jud, has settled. When Josie catches wind of a couple of terrific stock sales, she doesn't hesitate to jump on a plane and fly to Montana. Unfortunately, winter weather has set in, and Josie finds herself stranded on a small ranch in Montana and her new bunk mate, just so happens to be Deke, who drove up for the same sale. Now Josie and Deke along with his trusty dog, Rascal, are forced to winter out the blizzard in the small confines of the bunkhouse with no electricity. Sparks soon fly, but neither wants to act on their feelings. Will Josie and Deke find love during the blizzard? What I Liked: *I have been a fan of the Lucky Penny Ranch Series from the beginning. I can't get enough of these down home folk, the romance, the country life, the food and the feel good. This fourth and final book in the series is the best of the bunch. I loved that it had a unique setting: a blizzard in Montana, followed by a road trip. Plus there is plenty of heat and sizzle. If you want an excellent book to curl up with during a wintry day, this is a sure bet. *As I mentioned, I adored the setting of this book. When Josie and Deke find themselves snowed in on a small ranch in Montana with the lonely ranchman, Everett. What follows is sizzle and spark while tucked in the cozy bunkhouse as the storm raged. Other than books and board games, the only other thing they can do to entertain themselves is ranch chores and conversation. This is the perfect set up for a blossoming romance. I was reluctant for the couple to leave, but the drive home was just as entertaining. This was such a fun read. *Everett and Martha practically steal the show. Everett is a lonely widower, living on the ranch. He is kind, sweet and lonesome. When Martha, his lady friend, arrives things begin to liven up. Martha is a hoot. She bakes some mean cookies, and she can brew some wicked moonshine. Plus, she has some one liners that left me giggling. I quickly fell in love with this kindly couple. I would love to have a novella or book with their romance. They are adorable. *Rascal, the old cow dog, was also a scene stealer. I loved this sweet dog. I always love that Ms. Brown includes many sweet animals in her books. *The romance is slow to build. It starts with a mutual attraction, but neither wants to act. After a week in close confines, an undeniable spark flares. Things quickly heat up on the long road trip home. Yes, there is a stumble, but nothing major. This was a sweet romance perfect to curl up with on a winter day. *This is the fourth and final book in the series, but fear not. You can jump in and read this book right now without having read the others as it is companion novel. Each book features a different couple. I have read the other three books, and I liked that I got to catch up with the characters from the previous installments. If you need a cozy, romance to snuggle up with, grab this one or any of the books in the series. And The Not So Much: *I wish there was a bit more of Josie's back story at the beginning. She is mentioned in Jud's book, which is the second book in the series, so I was familiar with her character. However, I felt a bit lost going into this one because I couldn't remember all the details on how she came to Dry Creek, especially when it came to the hotel. *I hated the stumbling block the couple encountered when they came home. It was a growing pain that could have been avoided with communication. *I am sad this series to end. I want more.
Wicked Cowboy Charm is the perfect cozy, feel good read for a winter afternoon. I loved the blizzard setting, the road trip. the characters and the romance. I couldn't get enough of Josie, Deke and Rascal as well as Everett and Martha. I loved this book! I am sad to see this series end. I definitely recommend this book for when you need a feel good read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
I was so excited when I won this book on Goodreads. I loved that it was called Lucky Penny Ranch. My family owns a farm called Lucky Penny Farm so i just had to read it. And as my first book by Author Carolyn Brown I'm insanely impressed! Definitely one of the best cowboy books I've read. Full of, as the title states, Wicked Cowboy Charm! The characters couldn't have been written better and the adventures they have on the way to falling in love was simply perfect. I love how I was able to fall right into the story and feel as if I was there seeing it in real time. Living it all with Deke and Josie. It was fun, flirty and just enough dirty to make your heart sing and dance. It was exciting, waiting to see how long it would take. It was a wild ride to be sure!! I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good cowboy romance. Also, I loved all the name dropping!! Country singers and songs, other romance authors and their books it was so great to see! Excellent display of literary talent here and you'd be sorry if you didn't read this fabulous authors books! You'd be missing out on a seriously good time!!
While this is the fourth book in the series it is the first book I have read. I didn't have much of an issue reading this as a standalone. The romance in this is of the slow burn variety, and at times you do feel like telling the main characters to get on with it already. However, it works great with the storyline and anyone who has ever had an overprotective family member will feel for Josie's worry and Deke's reluctance about starting a relationship. There were some very funny parts of the book, while there were some that were a bit corny. I loved the book, it was what I needed at the moment, a great escape. I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series to find out more about the other characters mentioned in this book.
This book started out good. Josie was so sweet. Deke had a little bit of a bad boy edge to him but he was too kind to be a full-fledged bad boy. So, back to the beginning. There was funny moments to be had, so I was really looking forward to settling in and reading this book. Which, I did like but my excitement for the book had diminished some. This is because there were no more really funny moments where I found myself laughing. Also, both Jodie and Deke knew that they shared chemistry but it was slow going to get them to admit it and give in to the attraction. Yet, when they did, it was nice.
The story as a whole was good. For example, when Deke and Jodie were caught in the blizzard and had to stay at a cabin. It seemed like it was a very long time with not a lot happening. This was not true but because Deke and Jodie did a lot of talking and not much else and there were not many other characters to help liven the story, it felt long. A cute story.
Carolyn Brown wrote a fun letter to her readers that appeared in the back of this book. Apparently, we've all been pestering her since book one of the Lucky Penny Ranch series that we love our Deke and wanted his story. I confess that I was one of those folks doing the pestering. He appears right away as best friend to the heroine and shirt-tail kin to all of the Logans while becoming close with the new to town and new Lucky Penny owners, the Dawsons.
He's loyal, hard-working, great looking and a fun-loving type who always seems content to live it up at a bar and take home a pretty woman so by the time Wicked Cowboy Charm came along I was eager to discover just what special woman would turn his head permanently.
The story opens when Josie Dawson comes to town to join her brother in the oil drilling project. She is thinking Dry Creek is her opportunity to buy a small spread and start raising rodeo stock. Deke Sullivan the family friend turns her head a bit, but Josie doesn't see him settling down any time soon even if he adores babies and being around the family, works steady and shares some similar interests in rodeo stock.
Resistance gets tough when the pair of them end up in Montana looking at livestock for sale only to get caught in a blizzard. Deke's been attracted in Josie, but just as wary of something permanent with a gal he thinks is going to do her oil job and leave. However, getting stranded out at a cabin in a blizzard and a long road-trip back home makes them both start thinking about plans and people changing.
I reacted very differently to this one than any of the author's books since the very first time I picked up one of her books. I've gotten so used to her writing that I wasn't expecting to not instantly sink into the story and connect with it. For the longest time I could not figure out why I was still sitting on the outside looking in. I could not figure out how after this story ended up in Montana I got distracted. I stayed that way off and on until nearly the point they returned home and from there on, I was fine again.
Because I have never had this problem with the author's books that I'm well into the double digits on, I was bugged and had to figure it out. I like the characters, I like them together, I like the country cowboy backdrop, and I liked the plot. So why the issue? The only thing I could come up with amused me to death, but I think it is true. Here it is: she wrote it too well. That is to say, she wrote what it would truly be like for a couple in this beginning of an attraction getting stranded on a small ranch spread, in a small cabin without electricity, chores to do, but idle days and then a long weary drive from Montana to Texas in winter weather. It got tedious because being snowed in or traveling under those circumstances can be that way even when romance is in the air. So yes, I laugh because I think that was my issue. Now, I can move on and know why I loved this story, but struggled to stay engaged for some of it.
As to Deke and Josie. They were a great pairing though I liked that the instant attraction was only the beginning. I think one of the strengths of this author's stories is that she really sells the relationship and how it looks on an every day basis. Deke's rep of never dating or being in a relationship really has Josie pausing. She is barely over her ex cheating on her with one of her childhood friends so she is wary of a guy who gets around. Deke, himself, only figures out that he's just been looking hard for the right woman so he's skittish that Josie might not be around permanently and he doesn't want to get attached only to see her move on. They both feel the connection and the rightness of being together, but wonder if this is like an enchantment that will wear off when they get back home. I liked how there was that extra time in the last quarter of the book back home because I had the same need to see them back in reality and dealing with how they could make it work.
So, I am sad to see this series end, but ecstatic by the news that there will be a spin-off for the Dawson cousins back in Happy, Texas. The author writes cowboy country romance brilliantly and I can't praise her books enough. Those who like their small town cowboy romances really need to give her stuff a go if you haven't already.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 4th book in the Lucky Penny Ranch series by Carolyn Brown and the second that I read. After reading Fiona Logan and Jud Dawson's story in Merry Cowboy Christmas I was excited to read the next book in the series and to see what love interest she would pick for Deke. So when I got the opportunity to read Wicked Cowboy Charm I jumped at the chance. In regards to character development I really enjoyed how she continued telling you the story of Deke Sullivan and why he was connected to the Logan sisters. In addition, I thought she did a pretty decent job of giving you back story on Josie so you could understand better her actions. I think a little more of Jud and her back story I would have enjoyed but i understand why it wasn't in there.
In regards to pace of the story I felt that it dragged on at times and that I had a hard time really seeing the characters grow together as a couple like I did with Fiona and Jud. In addition to the pace of the story I also felt that some of the things that happened in the book were very predictable. Not that it is bad all the time but when the pace was slow and then parts of the story being too predictable I had a hard time connecting to the book and really keeping my attention. I found that this book took me a lot longer to read then the other one did.
All in all this wasn't a bad book and I enjoyed some of it. I am interested to see if Carolyn adds more books to the Lucky Penny Ranch and who the next couple will be.
Wicked Cowboy Charm...wow did it ever live up to it's name. Deke Sullivan is probably the most romantic male lead I've read about (that I can recall recently). He has a checkered past, but once he meets Josie, he knows that is all in the past. All the winter scenes in Montana made me laugh because living in Canada it's like that daily sometimes in Winter (although we have better equipment to deal with winter overall). I loved that this is about people who ranch for a living and there was actually animals present in the novel. The bulls, goats, doggies :)!!! I love animals! I was very happy with the outcome of this novel, very quick read and would give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars!!!
Carolyn Brown's books are my comfort reads, they're sweet and comforting. The heros are manly and kind and the heroines are feminine yet feisty. For some reason, in this case the pace was a bit too slow for me, but it still but a big smile on my face. For more romance reviews, check out my website: https://katherinasbooks.wordpress.com
Deke was so great. I love how he rolled with the punches. As he fell in love he didn’t spaz out he analyzed a little but didn’t spaz. he accepted and looked at if and realized that this is how was him changing and that change is good.
Deke was the consummate player.He never wanted to marry but wanted what everyone around him someone in his life. A stable loving relationship. But he didn’t do relationships. He wanted one but didn’t. He was confused. He knew that when he found the right one it would be it for him but didn’t believe that was possible because love wasn’t real.That was until Josie came to Dry creek. She had him want to change. It didn’t happen overnight. We have being stranded in Montana at a ranch, a road trip home and epiphanies with him being tested for him to see it. Deke is a great guy overall. Sweet kind and wonderful. Very strongwilled in what he believes and wants but down to earth and one sexy cowboy with charm that would melt snow and your panties.
Josie is the independent woman who wants to find love but is afraid as well. After her last relationship she is wary of love and men. They are not to be trusted as much. Over time though Deke wore her down. They got to know each other when in the bunkhouse in Montana in the blizzard. That was the sexiest hottest non-sexual intimacy ever. Deke was ugh he owns you after that. Truly he does. Owns Josie as well even if she doesn’t want him to. The roadtrip home changes things for them. They cross the line and at first you think Deke will have a freak out but he doesn’t. He goes with the flow. I love the moment where he helps the young woman. That has you melt even more into gumby.
Unfortunately not everything is smooth sailing and we see Josie misconstrue something and let her temper take over. Although that is good for us because this lets us see Deke’ s romantic side and wowza….He is fabtabulous there as well.
The book is fun, lighthearted and entertaining. It was so much fun to see Deke change and be okay with it. See him realize that Josie is the one and he wants no one else. See him get determined to win Josie over. Watch them both learn to trust one another and support each other. See them grow as individuals and together. this was one sizzling entertaining book with characters you love and some new ones that you fall in love with as well.
There was that wicked cowboy charm again, complete with a twinkle in his eyes and a raised eyebrow.
I'm something of a sucker for a charming cowboy, which is why I keep coming back to this series from Carolyn Brown. The cowboys feel authentic and have a sweet, Southern charm about them, and the romance is classic, swoony and cute. They're simple books—filled with quick love, church-going small town residents and hardworking heroes and heroines. But they're also lovely books, written with an ease that makes them very enjoyable and altogether fun to read.
I'll be honest—I don't see these books appealing to everyone. Mixed in with the charm is a level of sugar that may prove too much for some; a goodness that's borderline sappy at times (I swear, I say that with the utmost affection). But for me, it works. It works because cowboys like Deke Sullivan make me want to imagine country life. He's a strong, kind and gentlemanly rancher, even if his reputation is more than a bit wicked, and it's kind of adorable to see him fall for Josie Dawson, who is herself a strong rancher. It's a good match, filled with sweet words, proper interactions, some old-fashioned notions, and relatively clean—but still decidedly heated—sexual tension.
It's actually a nice break from the down-and-dirty sex you get in more erotic romances. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but Wicked Cowboy Charm incorporated sex in a way that felt more natural, less... wicked. Two people with a connection that burned slow yet bright succumbing to their need for one another. It's really just one more charming thing about a book that's maybe a little soft and fluffy, but is also swoony and fun.
And, let's not forget, filled with wicked, charming cowboys…
“Honeymoon is over,” she teased. “Darlin’, the honeymoon would never be over for us. We might burn down the world with the heat but the honeymoon would last forever.”
Am I gonna write an other review saying how much I love Carolyn Brown's books ? Hell, yeah ! It's not my fault if she's the best at writing cowboy romance.
Josie Dawson just moved to Dry Creek to be near her brother and drill for oil they discovered on Lucky Penny Ranch. She leased an hotel to make a bed-and-breakfast for her oil crew. But before she can put her project in action, a couple of things happen that may change the plan completely.
First, she meet Deke Sullivan, cowboy extraordinaire and ladykiller. The sexy rancher is a charmer for sure, but what she doesn't know is Deke is just waiting for the right girl. He's ready for the whole ring and family thing, but he doesn't want to make a mistake in choosing the wrong woman. And she doesn't know she doesn't stand a chance when love finally find you.
Josie have to go see for bulls she wants to purchase. Deke too, but they're not going to the same places. And yet, they will end up at the same house, owned by a nice widower and thanks to a blizzard , they will have to share a bunkhouse for a week. They will make different friends along the way and have opportunities to be good Samaritans.
I love that Carolyn Brown's characters always talk to animals, whether it's dogs, cows, chickens or horses. I love that her hero's always find special ways to show his love to the heroine or the way he do his courtship. I love that music and songs are often a part of it. I love the feeling that life is good and beautiful, but it's hard work and you gotta take the chance when it pass. That love is not complicated because they don't make it complicated. They accept it as it is and see it as a gift.
It'll probably "sound" silly, but if life was more like a Carolyn Brown's novel, war would not be that hateful and destructive thing and the World would be a better place.
Wicked Cowboy Charm is the fourth and final book in the Lucky Penny Ranch series. I would recommend you read the books in order because these stories have a strong family orientation. They can all be read as standalone novels however to get that warm and fuzzy sense of community you will want to build your relationship with the whole family.
This book is set in a snow storm, and I know this is a popular theme at this time of year, but it works well in this case. It's the first book to be set mainly away from the Lucky Penny Ranch.
Deke Sullivan has never thought about settling down, but lately, he has been watching his close friends find love, and with the right woman, he is beginning to see the appeal of it too. Josie Dawson is new in town and a member of his favourite family. She is looking to join the Cowgirl business and settle roots locally in Dry Creek. She knows Deke is trouble from the second she lays eyes on him, but that doesn't mean she's blind. He is a hot dose of Cowboy with all the charm and sweet trimmings. Just ask any of the many women in his hometown. Josie refuses to be his newest edition, but with an adventure in sight and a snow storm to cut off the world, there may just be a chance for these two.
Wicked Cowboy Charm is a sweet romance. The two main characters are hot for each other right from the start it just takes them a while to warm up to the idea of something more. This was a nice ending to a charming series of Cowboy romance novels. 4.5 stars out of 5.
This book is available in both paperback and kindle edition just like the rest of the series.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
Book Four in Carolyn Brown's Lucky Penny Ranch series. I knew as soon as Jud Dawson said he had a sister, Josie, that she would end up with the only single one left in the group, Deke Sullivan. This was a nice book a sweet romance that gives us a break from Dry Creek Texas and takes us on a vacation to Montana. Well not really a vacation Deke and Josie both, separately, went to look at stock for their ranches. They ended up at the same ranch right before a snowstorm and they get stranded at the old rancher's house.
I love that both Deke and Josie took the time to get to know each other. First just as friends and then business partners before admitting that their attraction to each other wasn't just a passing thing. The story is a little slow going but it's really about Deke and Josie falling in love and finding their place. There is a little bit of angst and miscommunication but not nearly as much as the previous books. The old rancher, Everett, really makes the story he's the one that really bring them together.
Overall, it was a nice easy conclusion to the Lucky Penny Ranch series and the Dawson family is quite large. Keep a look out for the next series Happy, Texas.
I'm always excited to see a new Carolyn Brown book coming out as I know I'll get a hot, sweet romance with lots of laughter and a host of familiar faces and some quirky new characters. This book filled these expectations and then some. Speaking of quirky, I hope we at least get a novella about Martha and Everett's romance. We've met Deke in other books and now it's time for him to get the girl. He's got enough charm and hotness for a dozen guys and it's so much fun watching him trying to charm the elusive Josie. Probably the first time he's ever had to work to get the girl. As always, Brown has you laughing out loud as these two circle each other. I'm always interested to read guest posts by Brown to see if she has a playlist for her characters and this book is plumb full of country's best love songs. I read a very eclectic assortment of genres but I always enjoy a Carolyn Brown romance and wouldn't hesitate to pick up one I'd already read and reread it if in a reading slump.
I have been looking forward to Deke's story since he first appeared in Wild Cowboy Ways. He is a smooth-talking charmer of a man with a well-earned reputation as a ladies' man. He's known for his weekend antics, but no woman has been able to tempt him into more. He finds himself rather envious of the happiness his friends have found and wonders if there is someone out there for him, but is wary of picking the wrong one.
Josie Dawson is Jud's younger sister and partner in their fledgling oil business (Merry Cowboy Christmas). She is tall, blond, and independent. She has come to Dry Creek to set up oil drilling on the Lucky Penny and look for a ranch of her own for the rodeo stock she wants to acquire. She recently ended a relationship and had no plans to get involved in another one and figures she'll be too busy working anyway.
Fate has plans for Deke and Josie. One look at each other over a couple of bags of goat feed has the sparks flying, but there are obstacles. Josie is kin to his best friends, and there are rules about that type of thing. Getting involved with her could create a whole host of problems. For Josie, she has been warned about Deke and his reputation. She's been burned once by a man who couldn't stick with one woman; she wasn't about to go down that road again.
I loved the development of Josie and Deke's relationship. From the moment they met there is a connection. Because Deke has always been like a member of the Logan sisters' family, that relationship has continued and included their Dawson husbands. There are some good scenes early on where Josie gives as good as she gets when Deke's teasing gets going. She also can't deny the attraction she feels, though she does her best to ignore it. Deke and Josie discover that they're both headed to Montana to look at bulls for their ranches, though Josie is relieved to know that they are headed to different parts of the state. Mother Nature throws a kink in Josie's plans when a winter storm cancels her sale, so she asks around for another one she can go to instead. Sure enough, she finds herself at the same ranch as Deke, where they both get snowed in.
I loved this week with Deke, Josie, Deke's dog Rascal, and ranch owner Emmett. Emmett is a real character of a man with a pretty wicked sense of humor. Deke and Josie end up sharing a very small bunkhouse, giving them the opportunity to really get to know each other. I loved seeing a real friendship grow over the sharing of ranch chores, meals, and long hours of not much to do but talk. There is a really sweet scene where Deke's cowboy gentleman comes out as he saves Josie from a vicious spider without even a hint of laughing at her. There is also a proposition from their host that will give Deke and Josie an unexpected boost in their individual ranch plans and bring them even closer together. Simmering under all that friendship and business talk is an attraction that just keeps getting stronger. By the time they head back to Texas, together this time, neither can deny the heat. Their trip home is filled with further adventures, from trying to outrun more storms to delivering a baby.
By this time Deke knows that he has finally met the one that could make his dreams come true. The problem is trying to convince Josie of that fact. Things look pretty good until a bit of Deke's past makes her wonder if she's made another mistake. Deke is left having to work for the attention of the woman he wants. I have to say that he came through with flying colors thanks to the dates he came up with. My favorite was the first one, with the hints that led up to it and the thought he put into it. The second showed just how much he had changed, and the third was just plain smoking. I loved the reactions when he was seen sharing a hymnal at church, and walking out of the service together. Deke's big moment right before Valentine's Day was sweet and romantic.
The couples from the previous books make appearances, but my favorite secondary characters were Emmett and Martha. He is sweet, a little bit lonely, and a lot of fun. It was so wonderful to see how quickly he became a friend to Deke and Josie. I loved his stories about his late wife and his current lady friend, Martha. His proposal to Deke and Josie about the bulls and his future was incredible. The fun really picked up when Martha arrived. Her sense of humor was even more wicked than Emmett's. She and Josie had some hilarious conversations, especially over some apple pie moonshine. I loved Martha's reaction to Emmett's plans and what she did about it. I loved the decisions they made after visiting Dry Creek and would love to see more of them. Another fun character was Deke's dog, Rascal. He was described so well that I could picture him easily. I really loved the descriptions of his reactions to the snow in Montana, and the way he kissed up to Emmett. "His" gift to Emmett when Deke and Josie and he were ready to leave was adorable.
I’ve been waiting with anticipation since the first book in this series for Deke to get his HEA. Although he’s quite the rascal and never turns down a pretty lady, it’s been apparent from the beginning that the man has a heart of gold. This story went above and beyond my expectations for Deke. Always a gentleman, but not in any sort of fake or forced way. A sucker for babies and animals. Throw smoking hot on top of all that and you have a winner.
Josie is aware of Deke’s reputation but never gets judgy about it, even when she’s being cautious. To his credit, Deke fully understands the hesitation Josie has even while both of them cannot deny the fireworks that go off every time they’re even in the same room together. I think that was one of the things I enjoyed the most about this story…the slow burn between the H and h. Oh my goodness! I’m surprised they didn’t melt all the snow that surrounded them with their stolen glances alone! I spent this whole story in a state of warm-fuzzy-ness (yes, it’s a word!) and butterflies.
Just as in the last book, Merry Christmas Cowboy, I really enjoyed the element of the older couple that Josie and Deke get help from, while also helping said couple. The wisdom they are able to pick up from Everett and, later, Martha was priceless. Plus, being around other people while they were trapped by the snow made it easier to keep their fires banked for longer.
**My thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
This book takes place in Dry creak, a place we have visited before, but this book between Deke and Josie Dawson is a slower book in places and, sometimes, moves too fast.
When Josie and Deke travel to Montana separately for Bull auctions, Josie finds hers cancelled because of the weather so travels a little further up to where Deke is for the auction that is there. Once there they both find that the weather has closed in on them and the snow forces them to stay with the lonely man and in his small bunkhouse in very close quarters.
Nothing but friendship happens while they are there, but after a weeks they get on the road to get home together and they have to get ahead of the storm that is behind them.
The attraction between them however cannot be denied and they find out the chemistry is hot between them. But back home, Josie is not sure if the heat between them can last as Deke has always been a playboy with girls falling at his feet. But Deke has other plans, he is not the type to cheat and he has decided to throw his single life in for the first time and has fallen hard for Josie, so plans to romance her and the boys moves fast for what he wants.
It doesn't help that he is a nice, strong man, focused and staying true to himself and what he wants. Josie does not stand a chance against her feelings or Deke playing right into her heart.
A decent book, but just not as good as some of her other books.
Josie is now living with her brother and his new bride. She is ready to start drilling and start building a home in Dry Creek. When she sets off to Montana to look at buying some bulls and broncs things don't go as plan, but some of the greatest adventures start with plans gone wrong. Deke can't believe how beautiful Josie is he knows she's off limits but he can stair just not touch. He sets off to another part of Montana to buy some bulls to start rebuilding his family ranch. When a storm moves in it appears that they are stuck together in a bunk house and on a ranch with a old man who quickly becomes a friend. Will they be able to get back home with there hearts in tact and there bulls or will the blizzard have other plans for them?
When I opened this book and started reading the first page I was super excited I because I have fallen in love with this series. I super enjoy the characters, they are fun and so what relatable. I really enjoy how much the author allows you to connect with the characters as if you are catching up with friends and not just reading about fictional characters. There is some adult scenes in this book so it may not be for all readers but for those who can should this book is amazing and hard to put down. I have super enjoyed this book and you will not be disappointed. While your at it grab the other books and catch up with this fun group I can't wait to read more.
Wicked Cowboy Charm is book four in the Lucky Penny Ranch Series and it's the last story where we finally get Deke Sullivan's story. This book interconnects with the others but it's still a stand alone and it doesn't have to be read in numerical order. The characters are wonderful, the plot is life-like and the dialogue is humorous. You won't be disappointed in the Family, Religion and HEA.
Josie Dawson has come to Dry Creek, Texas, to find out whether her brother, Jud has oil on his ranch. She has heard all the rumors on the town playboy, Deke Sullivan, but she had no idea that he would be so smoking hot. She's determined to keep her distance and won't be the next in line to fall for his sweet, charming, sexy ways. Even though seeing that he is great with babies and tasting his hot chocolate, melts her insides, she will stand strong. Deke Sullivan may enjoy women and partying on weekends but one look at Josie and he may decide to become a one woman man. He's done a lot of looking and playing and there is just something about Josie that he refuses to let slip away. When they are stranded in Montana during a blizzard and have to stay in a tiny cabin, they talk partnership. Deke sets out to convince Josie that they have what it takes to be more than partners and make two hearts one....
I'm a big fan of contemporary cowboy romances and I've read a number of Carolyn Brown novels but I'm realizing that she has a writing style that just doesn't click with me. I find the stories to read either very quickly, it feels like it jumps around and I've missed something. Or very slow, it goes in to way more detail than needed. I also found this particular story to have some odd editing choices that threw me out of the story a few times. Outside of that when I got down in to the meat of the story, I did enjoy the connection between Josie and Deke. Josie feels the attraction but is wary of ladies man Deke. Deke is not the kind to settle down, he's always been looking for a good time, but he's never met a lady who tempted him until Josie. He's ready to prove that Josie is the one woman for him and a snow storm that strands them together gives him the chance to show her he means business. A cute story but I don't know if I'll pick up another read from Ms. Brown, I just don't think she clicks with me.
While I have read many of Carolyn Brown's cowboy books, I have not read the previous books in this series. Not a problem, with enough back story of each character, to allow the clueless reader to catch up.
Tall, handsome cowboy, Deke Sullivan is a charmer, but has yet found that one lady to make him want to settle down. Until he meets feisty redhead Josie Dawson, sister of Jud, cousin to Blake and Toby, who had purchased the Lucky Penny ranch. She is a busy one, with a degree in geology and agriculture, she is searching for oil, looking to own her own ranch, and running a hotel to house her oil crew. While a blizzard is approaching Montana, both of them leave Texas on separate quests for bulls, but end up stranded in a small cabin with a lonely older gentleman with several bulls to sell. The weather might be cold, but the atmosphere between them gets very hot. Likable characters and a terrific story, make this a fun read. Now I need to find the previous books to read.
I won this book from Goodreads giveaway. A very sweet cowboy romance. This is the first book that I have read written by this author as this is not my usual genre.
Many reviewers of this title express excitement of Carolyn Brown's writing style. I'm not as enthusiastic. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It's just a personal preference. Some lines in the characters conversations felt stiff and formal especially in contrast to others in the same paragraph. It also seemed like there was a bit to much fluff throughout the book. This caused the story to move along too slowly. I don't want a step by step of someone brushing their teeth, just mentioning they brushed their teeth is enough. Now, having said that, did any of this bother me enough to keep me from reading other books by Carolyn Brown? Definitely not. I would gladly read another.
Not what I expected, this was a really sweet book but I really wanted more banter/humor. Deke the bad boy with reputation. He gets knocked straight when he sees Josie (Jud from previous books' sister) who has just come to town. She is independent and plans to re-open an old hotel in town as a B&B. If you were raised on farm or ranch it is sweet and I love all the animals and the care they give them. Non farm people don't realize how much we get attached and enjoy just being around animals. Meanwhile the couple end up forced proximity on trip to buy cattle and eventually the fall in love. I liked the book however it really dragged in many places and was so sweet, almost too sweet which made it flirty, but a bit boring. The side characters were very good especially the old couple Everett and Martha.
This is Book 4 in the "Lucky Penny Ranch" Series and Carolyn Brown as always delivers a beautiful story with two likable characters. This sweet story is about Deke and Josie. Deke is a sexy cowboy who likes to party and meet lots of ladies during the weekends. Josie arrives to Deke's ranch trying to help her family dig a well to find oil. When they meet, Deke wants to settle down but Josie doesn't trust him. Then they will be forced to stay together in a cabin during a blizzard and they will finally be able to talk and know each other much better. Nice story, likable characters, sweet romance!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley