What do you think?
Rate this book
Operation Cowboy #1
Kickin' Up Dust
This Marine follows the rules. This cowgirl is all about breaking them. After losing his best friend and CO, Matt, in combat, Brodie Bell didn’t think his spirits could sink any lower. He was wrong. One look at his and Matt’s storm-flattened hometown nearly levels him. Los Vista needs a leader, and as Brodie takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, he comes up with a plan. Merge the two ranches left standing, pray for a good calving season…and keep his hands too busy to get busy with Matt’s sexy little sister.Danica was in pigtails when Brodie and Matt went off chasing glory. Now she’s a woman with a broken heart, but if Matt knew of the depraved cravings Brodie ignites in her body, he’d haunt her from the grave.As they work to mend miles of broken fences, Brodie fights to ignore Danica’s tiny cutoff shorts and mile-long legs—and to ignore the “weapon” that’s locked and loaded in his Levis. Because the last thing he wants is to dishonor his friend’s memory by ravishing the sweetest little cowgirl he’s ever laid eyes on. Involves a sweet and sassy ranch girl who knows her way around a rope, and a Marine turned cowboy who’d like to tie her down and spank her until she begs for more.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2017
252 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 1, 2016
4.5 stars
ARC kindly provided by RockStar Lit in exchange of an honest review.
This is the story of Danica and Brodie, both of them are feeling loss and lust!
This is my first real cowboy story and it was really nice and smooth! The book is really nicely written and the plot is moving quite fast! Ms. Petrova is busy with two major issues in this book except the romance, a soldier coming back home and a city disappearing due to a disaster. Both of issues are dealt with respect and it warmed my heart to read a book about how people can help each other!
Danica is an amazing heroine! Her hometown is destroyed, her brother is killed in war and her parents are in mourning mode! She is all alone but she doesn’t give up! She fights for the ranch of her parents, for her hometown and of course for her heart! I totally love her strong character! I also love how she could see through Brodie and to understand his issues and troubles! And most of all, I loved the way she called him out when he was loosing it!
Brodie is totally an Alpha male! He has passion and desire but he has made a vow in his head (and to no one else) that he doesn't want to break! In my eyes, he has too many troubles on his plate and he doesn't want to drag anyone else in them. On the other hand, he has a golden heart and he wants to help anyone he needs it! Also Brodie is hot! I mean, I can now understand how a cowboy can be so sexy and all that! I can see how Danica fell so hard for him!
Their interactions were fantastic! I loved the way they build up their relationship from meeting up after 5 years until the very end of the book. Their intimate moments were just amazing! The only negative point of this book for me was Brodie’s attitude to Danica regarding their relationship. It just didn't feel right after a point to act the way he was acting.
The end of the book was great! I really enjoyed reading it and I hope that the next book will be for one of Brodie’s friends who are looking amazing!
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good erotic romance!
ARC kindly provided by RockStar Lit in exchange of an honest review.
This is the story of Danica and Brodie, both of them are feeling loss and lust!
This is my first real cowboy story and it was really nice and smooth! The book is really nicely written and the plot is moving quite fast! Ms. Petrova is busy with two major issues in this book except the romance, a soldier coming back home and a city disappearing due to a disaster. Both of issues are dealt with respect and it warmed my heart to read a book about how people can help each other!
Danica is an amazing heroine! Her hometown is destroyed, her brother is killed in war and her parents are in mourning mode! She is all alone but she doesn’t give up! She fights for the ranch of her parents, for her hometown and of course for her heart! I totally love her strong character! I also love how she could see through Brodie and to understand his issues and troubles! And most of all, I loved the way she called him out when he was loosing it!
Brodie is totally an Alpha male! He has passion and desire but he has made a vow in his head (and to no one else) that he doesn't want to break! In my eyes, he has too many troubles on his plate and he doesn't want to drag anyone else in them. On the other hand, he has a golden heart and he wants to help anyone he needs it! Also Brodie is hot! I mean, I can now understand how a cowboy can be so sexy and all that! I can see how Danica fell so hard for him!
Their interactions were fantastic! I loved the way they build up their relationship from meeting up after 5 years until the very end of the book. Their intimate moments were just amazing! The only negative point of this book for me was Brodie’s attitude to Danica regarding their relationship. It just didn't feel right after a point to act the way he was acting.
The end of the book was great! I really enjoyed reading it and I hope that the next book will be for one of Brodie’s friends who are looking amazing!
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good erotic romance!
July 22, 2017
New author for me
Nice story that kept my attention. First time reading this author. I think it was a good start to a series. I would be willing to read another from this author.
Nice story that kept my attention. First time reading this author. I think it was a good start to a series. I would be willing to read another from this author.
June 12, 2016
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review and here it is: 5 stars.
Recently discharged Marine, Brodie Bell, and several of his friends and fellow veterans from Los Vista, Texas, are returning home together from Afghanistan. Sadly, their commanding officer and childhood friend, Matt Pope, isn't among them, having been killed during their deployment and it's his duty to return Matt's dogtags and the flag that draped his coffin to his parents and his sister Danica, who live on a ranch that borders the one belonging to his family. As if that wasn't depressing enough, when they get to Los Vista, the town is no longer there, having had the misfortune to be in the path of a tornado. The town, it's buildings, cattle, ranches, businesses, church and school are gone, and the devastation they witness sets off Brodie's PTSD, as well as his survivor guilt. Luckily, the tornado missed both his and Matt's neighboring family ranches.
When Brodie arrives at the Pope ranch, he's greeted by Matt's kid sister, Danica, only she's not the little kid who used to follow Brodie and Matt around any more--she's a sexy, beautiful young woman, mourning the loss of her brother and having to deal with her grieving parents and keep the family ranch running, and Brodie wants her, and the sizzling attraction is mutual and definitely designed for the 18+ reader.
So begins a deftly written, heartwarming, sad, hopeful, and life-affirming story of love, redemption, forgiveness, friendship, loyalty, family and community. It's an excellent read.
Recently discharged Marine, Brodie Bell, and several of his friends and fellow veterans from Los Vista, Texas, are returning home together from Afghanistan. Sadly, their commanding officer and childhood friend, Matt Pope, isn't among them, having been killed during their deployment and it's his duty to return Matt's dogtags and the flag that draped his coffin to his parents and his sister Danica, who live on a ranch that borders the one belonging to his family. As if that wasn't depressing enough, when they get to Los Vista, the town is no longer there, having had the misfortune to be in the path of a tornado. The town, it's buildings, cattle, ranches, businesses, church and school are gone, and the devastation they witness sets off Brodie's PTSD, as well as his survivor guilt. Luckily, the tornado missed both his and Matt's neighboring family ranches.
When Brodie arrives at the Pope ranch, he's greeted by Matt's kid sister, Danica, only she's not the little kid who used to follow Brodie and Matt around any more--she's a sexy, beautiful young woman, mourning the loss of her brother and having to deal with her grieving parents and keep the family ranch running, and Brodie wants her, and the sizzling attraction is mutual and definitely designed for the 18+ reader.
So begins a deftly written, heartwarming, sad, hopeful, and life-affirming story of love, redemption, forgiveness, friendship, loyalty, family and community. It's an excellent read.
August 6, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I didn't even have to read the blurb to know I *had* to read this book. I've ready enough of Em Petrova's books to know that this would be one that I would not be able to put down and I wasn't disappointed in this one at all.
This book took all sorts of plot twists and angst and wrapped them up in tidy, or untidy, love story that kept me on my toes from the first page to the last.
Brodie Bell is a Marine, a long time resident of Los Vista, Texas and heartbroken because his best friend lost his life before the end of their last deployment. As he and his friends get closer to their hometown, the begin to notice the devastation that a tornado has wreaked on their beloved homes.
Finding the Bell and Pope Ranches still standing, albeit beat up quite a bit, he enlists Danica, his best friends little sister, to help him restore their birthrights. However, guilt at every turn slaps him in the face as he realizes that Danica is not the little girl he remembered, she's grown up in every way and he can't help but notice her as a woman and not the sister of the man he called his best friend.
Danica grew up while her brother and his friends went off to be Marines. Now that they are home, she has no problem letting them know how grown up she really is - especially Brodie.
If you have a few hours to devote to reading, I would highly recommend giving this one a go.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
I didn't even have to read the blurb to know I *had* to read this book. I've ready enough of Em Petrova's books to know that this would be one that I would not be able to put down and I wasn't disappointed in this one at all.
This book took all sorts of plot twists and angst and wrapped them up in tidy, or untidy, love story that kept me on my toes from the first page to the last.
Brodie Bell is a Marine, a long time resident of Los Vista, Texas and heartbroken because his best friend lost his life before the end of their last deployment. As he and his friends get closer to their hometown, the begin to notice the devastation that a tornado has wreaked on their beloved homes.
Finding the Bell and Pope Ranches still standing, albeit beat up quite a bit, he enlists Danica, his best friends little sister, to help him restore their birthrights. However, guilt at every turn slaps him in the face as he realizes that Danica is not the little girl he remembered, she's grown up in every way and he can't help but notice her as a woman and not the sister of the man he called his best friend.
Danica grew up while her brother and his friends went off to be Marines. Now that they are home, she has no problem letting them know how grown up she really is - especially Brodie.
If you have a few hours to devote to reading, I would highly recommend giving this one a go.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
August 11, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
The first in a new series, this sets the scene of a town in Texas devastated by a freakish tornado. Returning home to find their town gone, a group of ex-Marines, less their CO, try and pick up the pieces. Here we get Brodie's story, CO Matt's best friend and neighbour's full of grief for his friend and PTSD from all he experienced. And what a moving and passionate one it turns out to be.
Danica, Matt's sister has been holding it all together, and is more excited than she wishes she were when Brodie returns. She is no longer a young girl, but a hard-working cowgirl, now she just has to get him to see that. As the barriers between them break down, and they rebuild a better future, we cannot help but get invested in them.
If you've read the Boot Knockers series, you may be expecting more sex than story, but this is firmly hot romance. I enjoyed it a lot, and look forward to watching the rest of the team in their endeavours too.
The first in a new series, this sets the scene of a town in Texas devastated by a freakish tornado. Returning home to find their town gone, a group of ex-Marines, less their CO, try and pick up the pieces. Here we get Brodie's story, CO Matt's best friend and neighbour's full of grief for his friend and PTSD from all he experienced. And what a moving and passionate one it turns out to be.
Danica, Matt's sister has been holding it all together, and is more excited than she wishes she were when Brodie returns. She is no longer a young girl, but a hard-working cowgirl, now she just has to get him to see that. As the barriers between them break down, and they rebuild a better future, we cannot help but get invested in them.
If you've read the Boot Knockers series, you may be expecting more sex than story, but this is firmly hot romance. I enjoyed it a lot, and look forward to watching the rest of the team in their endeavours too.
August 22, 2016
I can't imagine how Brody and his friends felt upon their return from deployment and saw their hometown. Realizing that nothing is where it's supposed to be. Why didn't anyone tell them?
Things change. People change. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's tragic. It's about embracing the good and coming together to change the bad.
I was so sad for Matt and everyone that lost him. With everything going on, Brody was taken by surprise by the beauty of Matt's little sister all grown up. She's every man's fantasy, including his but untouchable at the same time. Let the fireworks begin!
This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to read more.
Received a copy via RockStarLit in exchange for an honest review.
I was not compensated for my review.
I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinion expressed is my own.
Things change. People change. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's tragic. It's about embracing the good and coming together to change the bad.
I was so sad for Matt and everyone that lost him. With everything going on, Brody was taken by surprise by the beauty of Matt's little sister all grown up. She's every man's fantasy, including his but untouchable at the same time. Let the fireworks begin!
This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to read more.
Received a copy via RockStarLit in exchange for an honest review.
I was not compensated for my review.
I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinion expressed is my own.
September 16, 2016
I am a Em Petrova book virgin. This is my first time. I didn't think it will be good.... I didn't think I will enjoy it...I didn't think I will be affected by the dirty words and smutty scenes.....but darn it, I did and I do.
I am keeping this review short, simply because I can not wait to get more books from this author as soon I finish this review.
This book is sexy, smutty, dirty and lots of fun to read. Very likable heroine and lovable hero. I did, however, find the hero's hot & cold attitude, and his push & pull annoying towards the end. In my head, I was yelling "Come on! Enough with the guilt, enough with the 'I want her But I can't have her crap', just make up your caveman mind".
Having said that, I enjoy reading this book and I am off now getting more books from this author.
I am keeping this review short, simply because I can not wait to get more books from this author as soon I finish this review.
This book is sexy, smutty, dirty and lots of fun to read. Very likable heroine and lovable hero. I did, however, find the hero's hot & cold attitude, and his push & pull annoying towards the end. In my head, I was yelling "Come on! Enough with the guilt, enough with the 'I want her But I can't have her crap', just make up your caveman mind".
Having said that, I enjoy reading this book and I am off now getting more books from this author.
July 23, 2016
Em just flat out gives good cowboy with a bit of kink kicked in to boot. I loved her Boot Knockers series and couldn't wait to dive into a new series with her. That is another thing I love about her writing. She draws me into the lives of the people she writes about and Brodie and Danica were one of those couples I loved getting to know and immerse myself in their world. And we are talking some serious scorch with these two. I so enjoyed their story and can't wait to read more in the series.
I give Kickin' Up Dust 5 hearts!
I give Kickin' Up Dust 5 hearts!
July 21, 2016
A wonderful story. I was given a copy of this with the request to leave an honest review. I loved the story. It is well written. I found Em Petrova about a year and a half ago just by accident, I have not been disappointed with any of her books. I encourage everyone to get this book. This one is worth your time and effort. The characters grab your attention and they become real. This book starts a new series and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
July 24, 2016
I enjoyed this story. It is hot with heart. Brodie has returned from war with one less friend. Danica lost her brother and seeing his friends brought back those terrible feelings. Together, Danica and Brodie grow closer to and hotter for each other until they could no longer deny feelings. I highly recommend this story.
I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2017
Brodie and his friends who grew up and served in the marines with are coming home missus one, their friend Matt. They come home to quite the surprise. Their town was hit by a tornado and is gone. The only two farms left are Brodie’s family ranch and Matt’s family ranch. After talking to his family and Matt’s little sister Danica they agree to try and merge the two ranches. Danica was just a little girl in pigtails when her brother and Brodie left. Now she is a grown woman. A woman Brodie finds himself unable to resist. Danica has always had a crush on Brodie and now here he is looking even better than before. Brodie has lots of guilt over the way he feels about his best friend’s little sister. How long will he be able to ignore the way he feels? What will he do if Danica begins to take matters into her own hands and comes onto him? This book was a great read. Danica and Brodie are great characters. Both are dealing with the loss of Matt in some of the same ways and some different ways. This book is funny, emotional, and so much more. All the characters in this book are going through so much. From the loss of Matt to the loss of their town and then finally the loss of everything they own. There is a great bunch of characters in this book and I can’t wait to read more about them. I read book two first and wasn’t too confused so they don’t have to be read in order. I love Em’s books and I can’t wait to read more of them in future.
January 29, 2018
Brodie and his friends who grew up and served in the marines with are coming home missus one, their friend Matt. They come home to quite the surprise. Their town was hit by a tornado and is gone. The only two farms left are Brodie’s family ranch and Matt’s family ranch. After talking to his family and Matt’s little sister Danica they agree to try and merge the two ranches. Danica was just a little girl in pigtails when her brother and Brodie left. Now she is a grown woman. A woman Brodie finds himself unable to resist. Danica has always had a crush on Brodie and now here he is looking even better than before. Brodie has lots of guilt over the way he feels about his best friend’s little sister. How long will he be able to ignore the way he feels? What will he do if Danica begins to take matters into her own hands and comes onto him? This book was a great read. Danica and Brodie are great characters. Both are dealing with the loss of Matt in some of the same ways and some different ways. This book is funny, emotional, and so much more. All the characters in this book are going through so much. From the loss of Matt to the loss of their town and then finally the loss of everything they own. There is a great bunch of characters in this book and I can’t wait to read more about them. I read book two first and wasn’t too confused so they don’t have to be read in order. I love Em’s books and I can’t wait to read more of them in future.
May 24, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had many elements in it that I liked - men in uniform, cowboys, sassy woman, hilarious friends, loyalty and hard work.
Brodie returns home after getting out of the Marines to find out that his town has been leveled due to a tornado a couple months back. He is still grieving the death of his best friend and has volunteered to bring his stuff back to his family. There he runs into his friend's sister who is all grown up. The chemistry between Brodie and Danica is HOT!! I really enjoyed reading about these two.
Another aspect of the book I enjoyed was reading about the inner workings of Brodie mind. He had a lot going on throughout this book. He had the death of a friend, grief over his town and farm, trying to do right by his parents and Matt's parents, PTSD and his new relationship with Danica. I was nice to hear where his thoughts were and why he acted the way that he did.
Finally, I liked the relationship Brodie has with his friends. They had been through hell and back and lost a friend. However, they know when they need a night off to crack open a beer and play cards. They know how far to push each other and then when to drop it. I was fun reading about the guys just being guys.
I can't wait for book 2.
Brodie returns home after getting out of the Marines to find out that his town has been leveled due to a tornado a couple months back. He is still grieving the death of his best friend and has volunteered to bring his stuff back to his family. There he runs into his friend's sister who is all grown up. The chemistry between Brodie and Danica is HOT!! I really enjoyed reading about these two.
Another aspect of the book I enjoyed was reading about the inner workings of Brodie mind. He had a lot going on throughout this book. He had the death of a friend, grief over his town and farm, trying to do right by his parents and Matt's parents, PTSD and his new relationship with Danica. I was nice to hear where his thoughts were and why he acted the way that he did.
Finally, I liked the relationship Brodie has with his friends. They had been through hell and back and lost a friend. However, they know when they need a night off to crack open a beer and play cards. They know how far to push each other and then when to drop it. I was fun reading about the guys just being guys.
I can't wait for book 2.
October 11, 2018
An Awesome Book!
I loved reading Kickin’ Up Dust, all about Brodie Bell a marine/cowboy who is coming home after three tours with his BFF’s dog tags and his flag & Danica Pope is his BFF’s little sister who is all grown up waiting for somebody to just drop by. Brodie and his buddies are home in Los Vista, and the town has just been devastated by a tornado. The town has been flattened, except for the two ranches up on the ridge. The Bell & Pope Ranch are still standing, but their fence took a beating and all of the bulls are gone from the Bell ranch. The author wrote a story about a man who has the weight of the world on his shoulders!
Read this book and find out how Brodie & Danica learn to live in a town that was basically wiped off the map, and how they with the rest of his buddies work together along with a few families that are left to rebuild the town. I loved reading this book and falling in love with Brodie & Danica and his buddies! I can not wait to read book 2!
I loved reading Kickin’ Up Dust, all about Brodie Bell a marine/cowboy who is coming home after three tours with his BFF’s dog tags and his flag & Danica Pope is his BFF’s little sister who is all grown up waiting for somebody to just drop by. Brodie and his buddies are home in Los Vista, and the town has just been devastated by a tornado. The town has been flattened, except for the two ranches up on the ridge. The Bell & Pope Ranch are still standing, but their fence took a beating and all of the bulls are gone from the Bell ranch. The author wrote a story about a man who has the weight of the world on his shoulders!
Read this book and find out how Brodie & Danica learn to live in a town that was basically wiped off the map, and how they with the rest of his buddies work together along with a few families that are left to rebuild the town. I loved reading this book and falling in love with Brodie & Danica and his buddies! I can not wait to read book 2!
May 22, 2019
Kickin' Up Dust by Em Petrova is a great western romance. Ms. Petrova has supplied readers with a book that is well-written and furnished with fun, lovable characters. Brodie is returning home along with his buddies after their military service is done. When they arrive in town to find an empty tornado-ravaged town they travel on to Brodie's ranch to find little damage there. Danica is Brodie's best friend's sister, the best friend that died in his arms. Brodie and Danica's story is packed with drama, humor, steamy sex, sass and guilt. I enjoyed reading Kickin' Up Dust and look forward to my next book by Em Petrova. Kickin' Up Dust is book 1 of the Operation Cowboy Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
January 22, 2020
Brodie and Danica, getting past loss and finding love.
Brodie was a marine with Danica’s brother. Coming back home without him was loss enough until he saw his hometown destroyed by a twister. How much loss can one guy take? Then theres Danica. Now that her brothers gone, her parents are just a shell. She’s trying to keep the farm going all by herself.,then she sees Brodie. She’s had a crush on him forever. Can she show them they can be so much more? Can they rebuild from loss and begin again? Sweet and romantic. I loved this story!
Brodie was a marine with Danica’s brother. Coming back home without him was loss enough until he saw his hometown destroyed by a twister. How much loss can one guy take? Then theres Danica. Now that her brothers gone, her parents are just a shell. She’s trying to keep the farm going all by herself.,then she sees Brodie. She’s had a crush on him forever. Can she show them they can be so much more? Can they rebuild from loss and begin again? Sweet and romantic. I loved this story!
June 21, 2017
Good read
Brodie cane home to find the
town he loved was gone.
so was the his best friend
She was trying to grieve her brother
Help her oarents, and run a ranch.
She loved him as a kid but now
as he walked back into her life
she lived him more. Two ranches
struggling can they come together
In more ways than one. Em Petrova
Brings you on a journey where you
dontn think your emotions can handle
The sadness.. settle back and follow
two lost souls find the happiness the
so deserve
Brodie cane home to find the
town he loved was gone.
so was the his best friend
She was trying to grieve her brother
Help her oarents, and run a ranch.
She loved him as a kid but now
as he walked back into her life
she lived him more. Two ranches
struggling can they come together
In more ways than one. Em Petrova
Brings you on a journey where you
dontn think your emotions can handle
The sadness.. settle back and follow
two lost souls find the happiness the
so deserve
June 13, 2017
All I can say is OMG! This is one of those reads that will have you gasping out loud and shaking your head. The characters in this book face so many obstetrical that you wonder if they will come out the other end in one piece. What a great start to a new series. I cant wait to read more in the Operation Cowboy series.
April 13, 2019
Wow Kickin'Up Dust by Em Petrova is another truly well written story by Em. This story touches on a few very hard things in life (such as grief) that was extremely well written with care & respect all whilst an underlying love story with grit & determination unfolded.
I loved this story & can't wait for more Operation Cowboy.
I loved this story & can't wait for more Operation Cowboy.
March 25, 2018
Cowgirl meets cowboy soldier
Well this is a different book from the usual em Petrova. Not what I was expecting but did enjoy it, good storyline and characters....
Yes there are sex scenes but the storyline is good. I just felt the parents and grief kinda bogged it down with no real insight provided. Going to look at the next one before I give thumbs up to new series.
Well this is a different book from the usual em Petrova. Not what I was expecting but did enjoy it, good storyline and characters....
Yes there are sex scenes but the storyline is good. I just felt the parents and grief kinda bogged it down with no real insight provided. Going to look at the next one before I give thumbs up to new series.
November 19, 2019
Excellent Read 👍
Just have to love it. Ex Marines coming home minus one, finding destruction. The part I wasn't to thrilled about was her not ending a relationship once and for all, and blaming everything on Brodie. Granted what he said wasn't right but the whole town knew she was receiving text messages from someone else that she let continue. All-in-all it was a good story.
Just have to love it. Ex Marines coming home minus one, finding destruction. The part I wasn't to thrilled about was her not ending a relationship once and for all, and blaming everything on Brodie. Granted what he said wasn't right but the whole town knew she was receiving text messages from someone else that she let continue. All-in-all it was a good story.
September 8, 2021
Kicking up Dust
Kicking Up Dust by Em Petrova is book one in Operation Cowboy series. Brodie comes home from war with three other friends to their hometown. Its been wiped out by tornadoes. He meets Danika, his buddy that passed sister and things heat up. They grow close together as the town grows again.
Kicking Up Dust by Em Petrova is book one in Operation Cowboy series. Brodie comes home from war with three other friends to their hometown. Its been wiped out by tornadoes. He meets Danika, his buddy that passed sister and things heat up. They grow close together as the town grows again.
April 26, 2018
Marine. Returns
When this Marine brings his.best friends remains home he finds his home town
devastated by a tornado. Helping to rebuild in the community, his ranch, plus refinancing his best friend's sister what a hot combo.
When this Marine brings his.best friends remains home he finds his home town
devastated by a tornado. Helping to rebuild in the community, his ranch, plus refinancing his best friend's sister what a hot combo.
June 10, 2021
5 Hot Stars
Cowboy hotness and love. Brodie and Danica make quite a team. They are falling in love while trying to build up their ranches and rebuild their town after a devastating tornado storm.
Cowboy hotness and love. Brodie and Danica make quite a team. They are falling in love while trying to build up their ranches and rebuild their town after a devastating tornado storm.
July 23, 2022
Great story
This is about some soldiers returning home from war and finding that their town had been destroyed by a tornado. Brodie finds his friend's sister is all grown up. Things start heating up then. This story has a lot of love in it.
This is about some soldiers returning home from war and finding that their town had been destroyed by a tornado. Brodie finds his friend's sister is all grown up. Things start heating up then. This story has a lot of love in it.
January 6, 2018
Didn't keep my attention
The story had promise at first but just kept getting stranger and childish. I didn't finish the book. Better luck next time.
The story had promise at first but just kept getting stranger and childish. I didn't finish the book. Better luck next time.
February 19, 2019
Loved it
Danica and Brody belonged together from the start. It takes a while for him to realize it though. The journey makes for a great story.
Danica and Brody belonged together from the start. It takes a while for him to realize it though. The journey makes for a great story.
June 30, 2016
While the title might lead you to believe this is a light-hearted, fun romp to pass a little time, nothing could be further from the truth. Kickin` Up Dust is definitely one smolderingly HOT read, with plenty of passion and raunchy sex to get that heart rate jumping; but the heart of the story is about how our soldiers return home to an inner conflict that is just as distressing as the life and death struggle of their days on the front line.
Four young men plagued by their sense of loss are travelling the highway to the small town of Los Vista, Texas. Having served their country for 5 years in Afghanistan, the empty seat where their CO and best friend should be sitting, is a blatant reminder of the tragedy of war.
But as they watch the Texas vistas roll by, they are also buzzed to be back in their beloved hometown; but as they approach the county line, a sense of foreboding has them in its grip, when the landscape they left behind fails to appear. Barren fields and empty streets greet these homecoming heroes, and all too soon the devastation of a category four tornado is up close and personal.
Each man is dealing with their individual demons from the time spent surrounded by conflict and gore, and the oppressing survivor guilt after losing Matt Pope; but none is more consumed than Brodie Bell when he realizes his family home was one of only two that survived the storm’s uncontrollable fury.
Brodie is plagued by guilt, sleeplessness and loss of appetite due to his underlying PTSD, and knowing that his home was spared only adds to his unbearable sense of shame. Danica Pope, Matt’s little sister, was a gangly, awkward teenager when these young men went to war, but the long-legged beauty Brodie beholds on his return is nothing like the girl they left behind. Sassy and spirited Danica provides a much-needed diversion, proving that honoring his commitment to keep his distance from his best friends little sister will require a level of self-control to rival that of a saint.
The characters in this story are wonderful, especially when displaying their vulnerabilities and heartache. Bearing their human side only endeared them to me more, and I’m sure we’ll be further regaled as Brodie’s buddies eventually tell us their stories as they share their adventures and determination to rebuild the town they once called home.
Four young men plagued by their sense of loss are travelling the highway to the small town of Los Vista, Texas. Having served their country for 5 years in Afghanistan, the empty seat where their CO and best friend should be sitting, is a blatant reminder of the tragedy of war.
But as they watch the Texas vistas roll by, they are also buzzed to be back in their beloved hometown; but as they approach the county line, a sense of foreboding has them in its grip, when the landscape they left behind fails to appear. Barren fields and empty streets greet these homecoming heroes, and all too soon the devastation of a category four tornado is up close and personal.
Each man is dealing with their individual demons from the time spent surrounded by conflict and gore, and the oppressing survivor guilt after losing Matt Pope; but none is more consumed than Brodie Bell when he realizes his family home was one of only two that survived the storm’s uncontrollable fury.
Brodie is plagued by guilt, sleeplessness and loss of appetite due to his underlying PTSD, and knowing that his home was spared only adds to his unbearable sense of shame. Danica Pope, Matt’s little sister, was a gangly, awkward teenager when these young men went to war, but the long-legged beauty Brodie beholds on his return is nothing like the girl they left behind. Sassy and spirited Danica provides a much-needed diversion, proving that honoring his commitment to keep his distance from his best friends little sister will require a level of self-control to rival that of a saint.
The characters in this story are wonderful, especially when displaying their vulnerabilities and heartache. Bearing their human side only endeared them to me more, and I’m sure we’ll be further regaled as Brodie’s buddies eventually tell us their stories as they share their adventures and determination to rebuild the town they once called home.
July 28, 2016
Sweet, sexy and heartfelt…
What could be better than a cowboy? Well a marine who is also a cowboy! This is a friends to loves romance that tugged at my heart from the beginning. Brodie and Danica were going to go through wars on and off the battlefield that were going to test them, and their families and friends, to the breaking point.
Loss, how do you deal with it? The loss of a best friend, a comrade in arms. The violent death of a beloved son and brother. We all deal with grief in different ways and that is poignantly portrayed when Matt Pope doesn’t return from his tour of duty. His friends, his family, are coping as best they can but the struggle is hard and for some, almost impossible. Add to their grief a devastating tornado that almost completely levels their town and coping skills are the only thing that keeps them hanging on…
Danica is being crippled by grief and worry about her parents as they try to cope with the loss of Matt as well as the aftermath of Mother Nature’s fury. Brought together by their love for Matt and the hope that their homes, and their town can be rebuilt, Danica and Brodie‘s shaky beginning quickly turns to the best thing to happen to either them… They are attracted to each other immediately and as they work together to rebuild their homes and their lives – both physically and emotionally – those feelings grow. It is not a slam-dunk though. As you can imagine there are many conflicted feelings on both sides. Guilt over being left behind, fear of even more loss and even the knowledge that Matt may not approve of their relationship is going to make their courtship as turbulent as the storm they are trying to recover from.
I loved the many different characters that made up this emotional read. Just like the story being told, Danica and Brodie were real in their grief as well as their love for each other and those they loved. That sense of family and closeness just invited me in to share in their sadness as well as their happiness. I did not want to leave this new circle of friends so am thrilled it is only the first in what I hope is a long series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What could be better than a cowboy? Well a marine who is also a cowboy! This is a friends to loves romance that tugged at my heart from the beginning. Brodie and Danica were going to go through wars on and off the battlefield that were going to test them, and their families and friends, to the breaking point.
Loss, how do you deal with it? The loss of a best friend, a comrade in arms. The violent death of a beloved son and brother. We all deal with grief in different ways and that is poignantly portrayed when Matt Pope doesn’t return from his tour of duty. His friends, his family, are coping as best they can but the struggle is hard and for some, almost impossible. Add to their grief a devastating tornado that almost completely levels their town and coping skills are the only thing that keeps them hanging on…
Danica is being crippled by grief and worry about her parents as they try to cope with the loss of Matt as well as the aftermath of Mother Nature’s fury. Brought together by their love for Matt and the hope that their homes, and their town can be rebuilt, Danica and Brodie‘s shaky beginning quickly turns to the best thing to happen to either them… They are attracted to each other immediately and as they work together to rebuild their homes and their lives – both physically and emotionally – those feelings grow. It is not a slam-dunk though. As you can imagine there are many conflicted feelings on both sides. Guilt over being left behind, fear of even more loss and even the knowledge that Matt may not approve of their relationship is going to make their courtship as turbulent as the storm they are trying to recover from.
I loved the many different characters that made up this emotional read. Just like the story being told, Danica and Brodie were real in their grief as well as their love for each other and those they loved. That sense of family and closeness just invited me in to share in their sadness as well as their happiness. I did not want to leave this new circle of friends so am thrilled it is only the first in what I hope is a long series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
KICKIN' UP DUST by Em Petrova is an exciting new Military Western (Marines) series, "Operation Cowboy".
Set in Los Vista, Texas, several Marines return home together from Afghanistan. Only to find their hometown a total mess, ravished by a horrible tornado, that left little standing, except two ranches. While, some returned home, one did not, Brodie Bell's best friend and CO, Matt Pope. Devastated, tormented by inner convicts, grief, survival guilt, PTSD, heartbroken, and a sense of shame, these Marines find life has changed forever for them.
After being gone for five years, Brodie and his follow Marines return to find Los Vista, needs a leader, who better than Brodie. Danica Pope, Matt's little sister, is no longer a little girl, but a sassy, sweet, sexy ranch girl.
Brodie comes up with a plan to merge the only two ranchs left standing, his and Danica's parents ranchs.
Fast paced, romance filled, ranch girl and a Marine turned cowboy. Well written with well-developed, devastatingly sexy Marines, and one hot ranch girl. The characters are engaging and intriguing. I can't wait to read more on the secondary characters and their lives. The storyline is unique, while, not a fun loving, up-roaring romp of a story, it is a heart-warming, HOT, sexy read, with an underlying story of one Marine's survival and inner turmoil, after returning home.
Powerful, compelling and emotional. It is also engaging, and entertaining. Read how Brodie and Danica find their love blossoming, but can they keep their hands off each other and not dishonor Matt? And can Matt lose the guilt over Matt's death?
Fans of Military Western romance, Marines, fast reads, raunchy sex, will find "Kickin' Up Dust" a fulfilling and satisfying read. I loved how Ms. Petrova brought so much to this story, she brings PTSD into the light, the devastation of the returning Marines, and the horrors they faced, to the forefront of a yet romantic tale. A must read! I can't wait to read more from this engaging "Operation Cowboy" series. Received for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Hot/Steamy
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Set in Los Vista, Texas, several Marines return home together from Afghanistan. Only to find their hometown a total mess, ravished by a horrible tornado, that left little standing, except two ranches. While, some returned home, one did not, Brodie Bell's best friend and CO, Matt Pope. Devastated, tormented by inner convicts, grief, survival guilt, PTSD, heartbroken, and a sense of shame, these Marines find life has changed forever for them.
After being gone for five years, Brodie and his follow Marines return to find Los Vista, needs a leader, who better than Brodie. Danica Pope, Matt's little sister, is no longer a little girl, but a sassy, sweet, sexy ranch girl.
Brodie comes up with a plan to merge the only two ranchs left standing, his and Danica's parents ranchs.
Fast paced, romance filled, ranch girl and a Marine turned cowboy. Well written with well-developed, devastatingly sexy Marines, and one hot ranch girl. The characters are engaging and intriguing. I can't wait to read more on the secondary characters and their lives. The storyline is unique, while, not a fun loving, up-roaring romp of a story, it is a heart-warming, HOT, sexy read, with an underlying story of one Marine's survival and inner turmoil, after returning home.
Powerful, compelling and emotional. It is also engaging, and entertaining. Read how Brodie and Danica find their love blossoming, but can they keep their hands off each other and not dishonor Matt? And can Matt lose the guilt over Matt's death?
Fans of Military Western romance, Marines, fast reads, raunchy sex, will find "Kickin' Up Dust" a fulfilling and satisfying read. I loved how Ms. Petrova brought so much to this story, she brings PTSD into the light, the devastation of the returning Marines, and the horrors they faced, to the forefront of a yet romantic tale. A must read! I can't wait to read more from this engaging "Operation Cowboy" series. Received for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Hot/Steamy
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews