Cowboy Honor

Longhorn Canyon #2

by Carolyn Brown

New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown delivers a sweet cowboy romance with a heart bigger than Texas itself.

This knight in shining armor wears cowboy boots.

Patience was never one of her virtues. After her SUV runs off the road in the middle of a Texas blizzard and her cell stops working, Claire Mason is about to snap. Getting back home to Oklahoma with her four-year-old niece is top priority. And lucky for her, help comes in the form of a true Texas cowboy…

Levi Jackson has always been a sucker for strays. So he can’t help getting involved when he comes across Claire and her little niece shivering in the cold. By offering them a place to stay until her car is fixed, he can make sure the two are taken care of – and get to know the sassy Claire better.

What starts as something awkward and temporary starts feeling cozier by the minute. And soon Levi is hoping he can convince Claire she has a permanent place in his heart.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Audiobook

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2018

About the author

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.

Happy reading!

Reviews

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Claire's getting stranded at Longhorn Ranch in a snowstorm with her four year-old niece made for a perfect winter season romance!

If anyone can melt your heart it's Levi with his penchant to rescue stray animals. They say animals are a good judge of character and all of them were drawn to and adored Levi. There's no way Claire could resist this sexy cowboy with a heart of gold. Claire was a sweetheart as well, caring for her lovable and sassy four year-old niece, Zaylie, while her brother is on active duty. She fit right in at the Longhorn Ranch, stepping up and helping while Retta felt under the weather. Retta and Levi's mom took an immediate shine to her, and they all became fast friends.

One of the many things I enjoy about Carolyn Brown's romances is there's no unnecessary relationship angst or drama. Claire and Levi's romance felt realistic and progressed naturally. They did have to overcome normal relationship obstacles, but it never spoiled the story.

I love Carolyn Brown's brand of cowboy romance! Sexy cowboys, loyal family and friends giving sage advice (whether it's requested or not, lol), cute animals, and an adorable four year-old made Cowboy Honor a delight!

A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooke — brooklynnnnereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would consider myself a newbie when it comes to the genre of "cowboy romance". I mean, I know that I have read some novels with characters living the country lifestyle but these cowboys take it to another level of that (in a good way).

This was a really cute, warm-hearted read. The story was wholesome but also steamy giving the reader the best of both worlds. The story was set in the winter season and would be especially charming during the winter/holiday months but at the same time would be an enjoyable read year round.

This novel was such a cozy read with well-liked and endearing characters. Everything about this story was truly heartwarming from the characters' individual stories to the style and language of the writing. This was a character group that was relatable and down to earth, making it easy to become invested in each of their stories.

This book is definitely for those that like a "happily ever after" whether it be realistic or not. The relationship development was faster than what is probably considered realistic but that was part of the charm. After this introduction, I'm looking forward to reading more from Carolyn Brown in the future.

Additionally, the bonus short story from Katie Lane was also enjoyable to the point where I felt as if I could have easily read a full length novel with those characters. I was satisfied with the length and how the short story ended though with no further information needed. There was nothing that I felt was left unanswered. It was a quick and lovely read that ignited more of an interest in the genre of "cowboy romance".

***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy Honor was one of those feel good, grab a glass a wine and just enjoy kind of romance. Low on drama, high on sweetness and chemistry, you couldn't help but find yourself sucked into Brown's Longhorn Canyon world.

My only complaint, Levi's inability to see his own self worth. Monetary accomplishments does not make a man a man. I found his continual self doubt distracting, 4.5 stars.

I received this ARC copy of Cowboy Honor from Forever (Grand Central Publishing). This is my honest and voluntary review. This book is set for publication September 25, 2018.

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is second in a series and there are enough cross-over characters present that I recommend reading in order.

I liked the opening of this with Claire holding Levi at gunpoint when he intrudes on the isolated cabin she is holed up in after an accident. I liked her moxy, preparation, and willingness to be fierce in a difficult situation. I also liked Levi, but I knew from the previous book that he's one of nature's gentle caretakers and that's nearly always my jam.

It went downhill from there. Which is to say, that it went on in a meandery path with them getting attached almost from the start and the only bar is Claire's independent streak. A streak she overcame reasonably and without any real blow-up because at least the author didn't manipulate things by shutting down communication or rationality for drama. But that's part of the problem because that means there's really no conflict.

And the thing is that for a romance to work (for me and likely for most), you have to show a few things in ways the readers can trust. And one of those things I label "we know they'll make it after the story ends." And that has two steps. First, that they're compatible. But second that they come together as a team to overcome obstacles. That second is the impetus behind most dark moments because there's nothing like the worst possible obstacle of the couple actually breaking apart to show how they overcome it by getting back together. This is, by the way, why most real-world romances don't make good story romances, because most couples build up the team function over time by overcoming lots of little things that add up to a tighter unit in the end.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that this story doesn't have any conflict, really, so I have no idea how Claire and Levi are going to handle it when things get tough. Yeah, they're attracted. And they make plans together pretty well because one or the other doesn't much care about anything that'd upset the things most important to the other. But what happens when both have a strong preference in opposition? Or a tough choice has to be made and there's no clear path forward? We don't know because it doesn't come up.

So this is a very weak romance story that is sustained pretty much on idealizing small community and ranch life in general and Levi and Claire in specific. Yay nature and animals and Thanksgiving and Christmas! And all the women and the men who respect and cherish them!

And don't get me started on Claire and her quilting. I mean, sure that can be a thing and I'll give the book its premise that she can make that much from making custom quilts and selling them on Etsy (looking it up, it's possible, though it's not a market I understand). But establishing a storefront in a very small community is a strictly ego-based endeavor. And making quilts be her go-to gift for all the Christmas presents made my eyes roll. All that mono-toned appreciation and praise even from the single guys... Yeah, that doesn't work. I know big families and there's always the jerk who will say what everyone else is thinking—"Mine's a quilt? I totally didn't see that coming!" And that stretches to maximum ridiculous when the mildly autistic Benji compares his quilt to his drawings as art. Yeah, that's what he's thinking. Sure. Not to dis quilts and quilting. I've even participated in quilting bees and had fun doing so (admittedly when I was a child and teen so it has been a while). I'm just saying that their appeal is hardly universal and making it so strains credulity.

Anyway, I'm giving this two stars and won't continue with the series. There's just too much idealization and things that don't work as written.

A note about Faith: Like the first, church is a major part of community/ranch life and there are even scenes in church. But that doesn't have any actual bearing on their actions, including expectations of sex. Which I find frankly weird that everyone is perfectly fine with one-night stands and other openly sexual relationships outside marriage. And all the explicit morality is expressed as "cowboy honor".

A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes, but they're short and pretty straight-forward. So this is on the low end of my steam tolerance but close to higher. Frankly, it's romance sex so it's another of those elements of the story that are too ideal to really buy.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not everything has to be overly difficult and loaded with angst. Every day life for this latest down home country cowboy romance pair delivers enough conflict and fun over the holidays to keep me happy to be curled up under my blanket with cocoa and a fictional trip back to Longhorn Canyon ranch.

Cowboy Honor is book two in the Longhorn Canyon series. Levi and the surrounding cast of characters were introduced in book one and it builds nicely on Cowboy Bold, but, in a pinch, I think a reader can do fine with Cowboy Honor as a standalone (but don't, you'll miss out).

The story opens with Levi running out of gas out near the cabin on the ranch's property and needing a place to shelter since there is a blizzard on in that part of northern Texas. He encounters a small pistol packing Claire and her sassy four year old niece Zaylie. His gentle and kind help have Claire packing away her pistol and suddenly experiencing life like she has never known. For once, she doesn't have to be responsible for everything and she's surrounded by folk her treat her like a friend and part of the family. Levi has never felt this way about a woman and isn't sure he has enough to offer to make her stay. Holidays on the ranch have a way of bringing a cowboy and lady together.

At this point in my long-time love affair with this author's books, I have no idea what more I can say. I've adored, swooned, laughed, and gushed about nearly every book I read. She writes more than one style story, but at the heart of her cowboy romance is country charm, daily life, family, neighbors, togetherness, laughter, sass and sizzle. There are troubles, but they are organic to the people and their situation.

Levi already charmed me when I encountered him in Cowboy Bold. He's the best friend of the two men, Cade and Justin, who own the ranch and he's the foreman in his adoptive dad's footsteps. Levi knows he belongs and he's right where he wants to be. He was content until he meets Claire. Suddenly he starts wondering if he's enough. She intimidates him because she has a successful business and has her life under tight control as a woman who grew up as a military brat and with moving about and never dropping roots, control of what she can is all she's had. Everyone treated her like the old reliable and she is, but for the first time, she's experiencing the opportunity to be one of a team and have a support group so she doesn't have to go it alone.

It wouldn't be any fun at all without little sassy kids, college football rivalries, and cute animals along with hilarious 'tell em like they see it' older ladies like Claire's neighbor and friend, Franny, and Levi's mom, Mavis. Oh, and loved the ongoing story of Cade and Retta and wonder about Justin's story next.

There is a Katie Lane novella attached to this story, but I chose not to read it for now. I love her books so its a when and not if and I have no doubt I'll have a really good time.

I had all my usual fond reactions and envy Claire having Levi, but I think that about most of the author's cowboys. If you want some down-home country sass and fun with a whole lot of family and cowboy romancing, give this book/series a go.

My thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's begin this review with a quote from the author's acknowledgment that I find so great : "And to Mr.B-my soul mate and best friend. Thank you for all you do and for understanding my passion. It takes a special person to live with an author who has voices in her head and cowboys in bed with her every night as she goes to sleep."

When we met Levi in the previous book and I learned he was the kind of guy who bring in stray animals, I couldn't wait to read his book. He's a kind and patient man with a playful side. Foreman at the Longhorn Canyon Ranch, he was raised there by his friend's family and has always been treated like one of them. So when he discover a woman and a little girl in one of the ranch's cabin, it's only natural that he offer them to stay for a little while.

When her car slid off the road during a snow storm and hit a tree, Claire Mason and her four-years-old niece found shelter in a cabin nearby. She didn't plan on being found by a hot cowboy with a sexy grin who make them soup and cookies. Their halt was supposed to be temporary, just the time the blizzard clear up and her car is fixed, but Levi's goodness and his furry companions makes it harder to say goodbye. Growing up as a military brat, and with a lot of time taking care of her niece while her brother is deployed or in a mission, Claire is used to do everything by herself and ranch lifestyle is a new concept for her. She doesn't have a circle of friends and family like Levi does, but his people will make her and little Zaylie feel welcome.

What I like about Carolyn Brown's books, well expect from the obvious answer : cowboys ;p, it's that things are never complicated. Not every emotions needs to be said and explain. The characters are just well together and the romance grow naturally.

I love the little touch of modernity with the heroine's selling her work on a well-known internet site :p And I like that CB took one of her great-grandchildren as an inspiration for Zaylie.

[Teresa (Reads_Romance) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was difficult for me to write. I didn’t hate this book, but it also didn’t really grab my attention in any real way. In COWBOY HONOR, Carolyn Brown crafts a sweet world set on a Texas ranch with a big loving family. When I say these characters are sweet and loving, I mean it. They were all inherently kind, which made it difficult to relate to them occasionally. No family is that nice!

This was my first Carolyn Brown novel, but not my first cowboy romance by a long shot. That said, it took me way too long to get into the actual writing style. I think it had something to do with all the Texas-isms like “dollars to cow patties.” I just couldn’t picture a real-life person saying those things, never the less a rough and tumble 28-year-old ranch foreman. Each time Levi casually threw out an outdated colloquialism, I rolled my eyes.

Now, I am always down for a cute modern cowboy romance but, dang there was a lot of cheese in this book. Nice guy heroes have been my jam lately, but Levi so perfect and good, he lacked real depth. His character was so predictable and bland, I couldn’t make myself get invested in him.

All of that said, I did like the family aspect of this novel. It was sweet and would perfect for someone looking to read a romance novel with little to no conflict. I also enjoyed Claire and her cute niece, Zaylie. The gentle commentary about the difficulties related to military life was the only part that kept me really engaged.

Overall, once I finally got into the story, COWBOY HONOR was an ok read. I will continue on in the series in the hopes that Justin and his playboy ways can liven this series up for me.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

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[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys, Christmas, a heroine in need of rescuing...all those fun snugly things. Cowboy Honor was classic Brown and fabulous.

The Gist: Getting lost, hitting a tree and needing to take cover in a cabin with her niece...not Claire's best day. Nearly getting shot when he walks into a cabin on his ranch's property? Not really Levi's best day either. lol But a day that's likely gonna rock both their worlds for a while to come.

I enjoyed Levi and Claire. They both have some hangups but they're good people, hard working, incredibly giving. They were easy to like and root for. Claire's taking care of her niece while he's deployed and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life. She's a spot prickly and slow to ask for help but she's a good egg. And Levi he's trying to find his self worth. He's a hard worker, loves what he does but he doesn't always feel good enough. I felt for both of them as they tried to figure things out.

The romance was sweet as they toe around each other at first then start falling. It's pretty tame on the heat front since they had so many dang chaperones at the ranch but I enjoyed their chemistry and stolen moments.

All in all, Christmasy goodness as they tackle the holidays, their feelings and all the people in their lives together. This is just a good family and community and it's hard to say goodbye to them at the end of a book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars: A delightfully cozy book perfect for the holidays!

When foreman Levi Jackson runs out of gas on his four wheeler, he takes shelter in one of the nearby cabins on the ranch. He is shocked when he opens the door and finds a pistol pointed at him. It seems a young lady named Claire and her four-year-old niece also sought shelter in the same cabin after running off the road. Levi moves slowly and convinces Claire and Zailey he means no harm, but Claire is reluctant to let her guard down, especially since she is used to doing everything on her own. Levi starts a fire and feeds the girls, slowly thawing out Claire. Then he offers her a place to stay on the ranch while car gets fixed. Claire and Zailey are surprised at how quickly they fall in love with ranch life, so much so that they don’t want to leave. Can Claire finally find a place to call home?
What I Liked:
*There is nothing better than a Carolyn Brown holiday read. This book delivers a cute story, a delightful romance, wonderful characters and plenty of down home coziness that warm your heart. This is a must read for the holiday season, or anytime you need a cheerful and charming book.
*I adore Carolyn’s characters, and this new batch on the Longhorn ranch are fantastic. Levi is a kind, caring man who has a big heart especially when it comes to strays. He is always taking in orphan animals. He is gem. Claire is one tough cookie. She is strong, capable and determined. Then there is the scene stealer: little Zaylie. At four, almost five, Zaylie is a force. She is an outspoken, sweet, funny girl who will have you in stitches. I absolutely adored Zaylie, she made me smile.
*The romance is simple, sweet and satisfying. I love that Carolyn Brown’s romances are without excessive drama and angst. The relationship starts a little rocky, but it quickly moves into a friendship with chemistry and then something more. It was a delight to watch these two come together.
*I swear, with every novel I read by Mrs. Brown, the more convinced I am that I need to live on a ranch, she makes ranch life so darn appealing. I love the bucolic setting of the Longhorn Ranch. The setting is cozy, especially since it takes place during the holidays. The gang on the Longhorn are so nice, makes me want to get stranded there during a snowstorm.
*The ending is sweet and satisfying. It ends with a heaping dose of holiday cheer and a couple of happily ever afters, just delightful for the holidays!
And The Not So Much:
*I was frustrated by Levi’s lack of self worth. He was constantly putting himself down because he believed he was nothing more than a lowly ranch foreman without wealth or land to offer a woman. He had a heart of gold which more than makes up for material wealth.
*I adored Zaylie, and I was so happy for her at the end, I only wished that the reader could have visited her at her house one more time to see how she settled in.

Cowboy Honor is the perfect book for the holidays. It is packed full of cozy, down home charm, heart warming characters, cute animals and a sweet and satisfying romance without drama. This is a light, feel good read that will warm your heart, perfect for winter reading.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Renee Entress · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Cowboy Bold (Longhorn Canyon #1)

This is Claire and Levi’s story. Claire is just trying to get home. When she runs off the road in a blizzard, she knows she is in trouble. But Levi is there to help her out. Only problem is her car is out of commission until they can get it fixed. Levi offers her and her niece a place to stay. The longer they are around each other the more they find they like each other but with them living different lives will it ever work? Levi knows what he wants but is he willing to risk rejection if she does not want to stay with him?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

[Beth C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you lived on the moon and you said that you’d go out with me, I’d figure out a way to get there.”

I feel like all I ever do is talk about how much I love Carolyn Brown, but guys, I LOVE Carolyn Brown. Her books are almost always just exactly what I need—this lovely blend of sweet, wholesome, feel good romance. That they’re about my favorite type of swoony romance hero—cowboys—is just the icing on the cake.

Cowboy Honor is another fine example of Ms. Brown’s wonderful talent for making the simple, but by no means easy, life of a rancher look good. I enjoyed every page of my trip back to Longhorn Canyon Ranch in North Texas, from the meet-cute that played so well into Levi’s penchant for taking in strays, to the “back to the future” ending that made my heart sigh with happiness. Not to mention, all the steamy, funny, heartfelt moments in between.

I truly can’t wait for the next book in this series—Justin’s, I’m sure—which will mean another chance to check in with all of these likable *and* lovable characters. Which, I hope, includes the adorable, scene-stealing Zaylie.

With her eyes shut and heat flooding her body, her soul found its peace right there in the cold, empty house. So it was true…home wasn’t a place, it really was a feeling. Home was Levi—being with him, sharing life’s experiences with him.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the first book in the series, I was apparently in the mood for sickly Hallmark-worthy sweetness this time :-) If I'm being honest though, (almost) 5-year old Zaylie steals the show and really made this book and the romance came second. Her love of animals, her sass and her glow provided some wonderful comedic and 'awww' relief.

Levi is the tall, hunky foreman of the Longhorn Canyon ranch. He loves the ladies, but while reading this, I honestly didn't see him as that type of man given his lack of self-confidence quite often in the book. He never felt he was good enough for Claire because she had money and a successful business and he was just a 'lowly ranch foreman with no property to his name.' That was probably his most annoying character trait. Otherwise, he was sweet, loving, caring, loyal and great with kids.

Claire was such a strong female character who loved her niece and brother and was always there for them when she was needed. Since her brother is in the military and a widow, she pretty much raised her niece, Zayley, whenever her brother was deployed or on a mission. I had to admire her being such a wonderful aunt and mother-figure to the little girl. She was pretty sufficient and didn't accept help easily, but learned to lean on others more as this book went along. She stepped in to help the Maguire family when they needed the help and didn't give any complaints. She was simply a wonderful person.

The ending was pretty quick. It didn't even take us to Christmas, it ended before we got to see Claire/Levi with her family, which was disappointing. I really wanted to see how things would go for the couple now that they were on their own without kid duties.

I was a bit confused towards the end when I know Levi told Claire he loved her. But I guess the author forgot she had already thrown that out there before she mentioned something about it later on as if he hadn't yet communicated with Claire how he felt chapters earlier. Probably just an editing mistake, but it left me confused.

When the book first started I just knew the author was going to break my heart with regards to one side-character. But thankfully, she didn't. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though because everything about all the characters makes them seem too nice and perfect to be found outside of a fictional world.

I read this book after I read the novella "The Perfect Christmas" that was part of an anthology a few months back. So when I first started reading "Cowboy Honor" I was thinking 'the whole quilting shop with a little girl living with the heroine' sounds oddly familiar, as if another author stole that plot. Of course, I eventually figure out that it's the same author and that shop in the novella is indeed Claire's shop, but a different lead character :-)

"O Little Town of Bramble" by Katie Lane ⭐️⭐️
This novella was included at the end of this book and it was just way too short to enjoy (like 50 pages). The I love you's come when she's only been in town a day or two after not seeing each other for 7 or 8 years. I wasn't feeling it, but had it been a longer book, I think I would have liked the characters. I've read the other books in the series before though, but can't remember much of them since it's been years.

[Deb Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Girl needs to find her own Special Cowboy to make her dreams come true. No matter what age she is.

Levi Jackson is a standup guy, he felt that every creature be it beast or human needed to be saved and he was the one who could help. Levi was the adopted son Mabel and Skip, who have always been on the Longhorn Canyon Ranch. I was already in love with Levi in book 1 Cowboy Bold, but in Cowboy Honor we get Levi in all his sexy glory along with his amazing heart.

Claire loved her brother and his daughter Zaylie so much that she put her life on the back burner to help her brother raise his daughter. Claire and Zaylie find themselves looking for shelter after their car hit a tree, but what they did not know is they were soon going to get a visitor. Claire needs to ascertain if he is friend or foe.

I enjoyed the wit that Levi and Claire shared from the beginning. The whole Sooner/Longhorn had me laughing as my husband is a Sooner. From the beginning Levi and Claire sent sparks flying, but really can sparks and sweet kisses be enough to keep Claire at the Longhorn Canyon Ranch?

The supporting characters are amazing, I adore what every one of them bring to this series. The plot revolves around the Longhorn Canyon Ranch and the help they give to the boys and girls who visit every summer. I adore Benji and Zaylie’s connection. Carolyn Brown is like comfort food for my soul. Her sexy cowboy’s and sassy heroines make me smile. The heart of whatever town she takes us to, really makes me think and feel…HOME.

Rated 5 Stilettos and Recommended Read by Deb!

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Mason is wielding a gun. After being stranded in a blizzard in Texas while with her four-year-old niece, Zaylie, she is already worried about her safety. Her gun really comes in handy, because although they found safety in a cabin, when the door flies open and a huge cowboy dwarfs the doorway, she was never more nervous.

Levi Jackson jumps right in - into the cabin for warmth from the brutal weather, and into the lives of Claire and Zaylie. Levi could never turn a stray away, and in his heart of hearts, that is exactly as he sees them. As it turns out, Claire's car was damaged in the snowstorm. He offers them a place to stay at the ranch where he works.

This is the second story that I have read by Carolyn Brown. I just read Cowboy Bold, the first book in the Longhorn Canyon series, and it was a true delight. I absolutely love her characters, and in this case, I really enjoyed Claire and Levi. Zaylie was a joy as well. Lately I find these young children written into romance to fit in quite well, and the author definitely did a great job with her.

I enjoy reading romances and I always look for the simple formula that is used, and I love it when the conflict and the resolution are practical. I am anxious to read the following books in the series, and they are, Cowboy Bold and Cowboy Brave, which have been released, and Cowboy Rebel and Christmas with a Cowboy, which are set for release later this year.

Many thanks to Forever for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.com.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely in love with Levi and ready to continue the series. I appreciate the author didn’t make the “earnings” difference a huge deal, and didn’t make me cry this time - although I was prepared! It was great to finally read about a woman who makes a living on Etsy and is happy and self supporting doing her own thing.

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

I am totally enjoying these Longhorn Canyon books by Carolyn Brown. This was Levi and Claire's story. He doesn't think he is good enough for her.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one....a cowboy love story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Longhorn Canyon #2, Happenstance at it's finest. Claire and her niece, Zaylie, try to avoid traffic and get lost and crash into a tree during an early snow storm, luckily there is a empty cabin not to far away. Levi is out looking for a lost cattle and his ATV runs out of gas he goes to the empty cabin the boys at Longhorn Canyon keep for just emergencies. Levi never expected to find a gorgeous woman pull a gun on him. I loved this one just as much as the first book of the series, each is a stand alone you don't have to go out and read the first one unless you want to. I practically cried throughout the whole book. Zaylie is freakin' adorable, and all the animals Levi picks up, so cute. Claire and Zaylie are snowbound at the ranch through Thanksgiving and when the roads clear they keep finding excuse after excuse to stay a little longer.

Levi falls for Claire pretty quickly but he's so worried that he's not good enough for her, he's the ranch's foreman and that's all he'll ever be. Claire is so use to doing everything herself that letting Levi do the simplest thing for her seems like a foreign concept. It's a heartwarming story about learning to compromise for love and that everything happens for a reason good or bad. I love Carolyn Brown's writing; she hits those heartstring like you wouldn't believe. Overall, the characters and the whole situation are really good. It was a quick and enjoyable read.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about finding love and living your life in unexpected ways. Claire is always helping her brother and taken care of her niece. Levi is a handsome cowboy who saves Claire when she has an accident. There is also a cute short story about a couple finding each other again.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Texas Cowboy books by one of the best authors around.
Levi is the foreman of a big cattle ranch who is stuck in a rate blizzard in Texas at a cabin where a young woman and her niece have found refuge after a wreck.
When they are rescued and taken to the main ranchhouse everything because a little restless.
No one is going anywhere until the storm clears so everyone gets to know one another better.
A funny feelgood story of a love that bossoms from within two souls. You will love this tale.

[Lindsey (Linz Readz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, feel good romance!

It may have been a sunny, 70° day in Colorado when I sat down to read this story but in just the first chapter, I was transported to a beautiful snow storm in northern Texas. It put me right in the winter mood.

With her brother deployed, Claire is taking care of her niece when they both get stranded in a freak blizzard. With her van totalled she must decide whether or not she can trust Levi, her cowboy knight in shining armor. I really enjoyed watching the trust between them grow, and watch as their feelings change.

I love that Zaylee, Claire’s 4-year old niece, didn’t fade into the background as the relationship between Claire and Levi grew romantic and the chemistry got steamier. She had me laughing out loud and I loved them all so much!

Grab your favorite drink, curl up by the fire, and enjoy this romantic story that is sure to get you in the mood for snowy days!

While this is the second book in the Longhorn Canyon Series, it was very easily read as a stand-alone. I was not confused at all and what’s even better, I fell in love with the secondary characters in this story, especially Cade and Retta. When I have a chance, I will be going back and reading their story in the first book in this story, Cowboy Bold.

Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.

[Denise H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy Honor is a sweet, cozy western romance that will have you falling in love once again with the Longhorn Canyon gang. Everyone is back in this endearing story, perfect for the holiday season. Pull up a comfy chair, grab a mug of your favorite beverage and settle in for a heartwarming read. Brown has created a delightful world of wholesome, charming characters who balance daily ranch struggles, family, faith, love, and friendship. And with adorable animals and a precious four-year-old girl, this story will put a smile on your face for sure.

Claire is headstrong and independent and has a hard time relinquishing control and letting others help her. She is successful with her quilting business, has a hand in raising her four-year-old niece while her brother is deployed and is used to doing things on her own, making her own decisions from a young age. Zaylie is just precious with her grown-up words and love for the animals. She is a loveable, precocious little girl who quickly captures the hearts of everyone on the ranch. Levi is a sweet, charming, shy ranch foreman who does not know his own worth. He is full of self-doubt when it comes to Claire. He is head over heels for her but has a hard time seeing what she could possibly see in him. She is classy, smart, runs a successful business and has a lot more money than he does. What could she possibly want with an old cowboy like himself? Yeah, he has a bit of money but no place to call his own and the ranch is his life. What could he possibly have to offer her?

Join Claire and Levi as they work thru their doubts to find common ground and compromise to have their happy ending. The rest of the gang also makes an appearance in this second book so we get to catch up with the newlyweds, Cade and Retta, and join in some laughs with Justin and the rest of the family. It is the perfect read for the holiday season.

*I received an Advanced Readers Copy from Forever & Forever Yours (Grand Central Publishing) and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy Honor is the second book in Carolyn Brown's Longhorn Canyon series, one I've been looking forward to ever since meeting the hero, Levi, in Cowboy Bold, the first novel in this series. While both novels can be read as standalones, I recommend reading them in the order written so that you get to meet the entire cast of characters as they are introduced. Cowboy Honor certainly delivered what I hoped it would, and it gets 4.5 stars from this reader.

We first meet the heroine, Claire, as she and her 4-year-old niece, Zaylie, are holed up in a small, cold, rustic and seemingly abandoned cabin, taking shelter there after Claire wrecked her car by sliding on ice and crashing into a tree during a blizzard. When the cabin door suddenly opens and a behemoth of a man enters, Claire is quick to pull our her small pistol and do whatever is necessary to protect herself and Zaylie. Once the behemoth removes his ski mask and cold weather gear, Levi soon gets a fire going in the fireplace (Claire couldn't find the matches), and does what he can to reassure Claire and Zaylie that he means no harm. If you've already read Cowboy Bold, you already know of Levi's penchant for rescuing strays and injured animals, and that he's a ranch foreman, and by the time the snowplow reaches them, and Claire can get to a working phone to call for a tow, Levi brings Claire and Zaylie back to Longhorn Canyon Ranch, and we meet Retta and Cade, who were the main characters in Ms. Brown's previous novel.

While I've often complained in my reviews about the lack of drama, suspense and angst in a novel, and that the lack of them failed to keep me interested, this novel lacked all of those things, and yet I was hooked and enchanted from page one. Who wouldn't love Levi? He's a big, tall, sexy ranch foreman with a huge heart, good manners, self-doubt, and a willingness to be charmed by the precocious 4-year-old chatterbox that is Zaylie, who immediately falls in love with Levi's assortment of strays. He's also almost immediately attracted to Zaylie's short, feisty, sassy, no holds barred, Aunt Claire, and, for the first time in his life, soon discovers that he wants more than the meaningless, one-night stand bar hook-ups he's used to, but Levi has enough honor and self-doubt about his own worth to not be pushy about wanting to get Claire alone and in his bed, willing to woo her quietly and slowly. What a refreshing change of pace!

In fact, this entire novel was a refreshing change of pace from the dark, erotic, romantic suspense novels I usually find myself reading and reviewing. Instead, what Carolyn Brown has written is a warm, sweet, cozy, comfortable, and charming Christmas romance, and a slowly building relationship, not just between Claire and Levi, but with an entirely different way of life. In Levi's unofficially adopted and extended family and friends at Longhorn Canyon ranch, we find characters who look out for one another, care for and help each other, and give both Claire, who was raised moving from one military base to another by her less than stellar or involved parents, and Levi, who never really had much in the way of a family, but was taken in by the McGuire family and grew up being treated as one of their own, although his own doubts about his worth also made him feel somewhat apart from them.

As the McGuire's find more and more reasons for Claire and Zaylie to extend their stay on the ranch, Claire and Zaylie take to ranch life as if they were born to it. Retta is in the first trimester of her pregnancy and trying to keep everyone fed while unable to stand the smell of food. Claire helps out whenever and wherever she can, and finds herself more and more attracted to the day-to-day life and routine on the ranch, her growing friendship with Retta, and the big, strong, gentle giant that is Levi.

Initially, Claire was only in the area to look at a house for sale. She's a quilter and her Etsy sales have earned her a good living, but she wants to expand her business by opening a quilting store, something she tried in her town but which didn't take off as she had hoped. As she gets acquainted with the families who live near the ranch, she's encouraged by their interest in quilting to think she has a better chance for her dream to succeed there. When Levi realizes that Claire is already quite successful and earns more than he does, he wonders what he has to offer her, especially since she's independent enough (she's had to be) to refuse his offers to help or assist her, these two characters find themselves at odds, and although neither of them want that, how will they handle their own doubts and issues and resolve what seems like a crossroads in their relationship?

As the holidays approach and Claire and Levi act on their attraction to one another and try to deal with the issues between them, there's one more issue looming on the horizon--the return of Claire's brother, Grant, Zaylie's widowed father. He's followed in their father's footsteps and chosen a life in the military. He's been on one deployment after another, confident in leaving Zaylie with Claire whenever he's sent on a new mission. He's coming home for Christmas, has met a woman he loves, and when he tells Claire that he is planning to retire, Claire isn't sure how to deal with the fact that she will soon be separated from Zaylie, and her responsibilities as her surrogate parent.

If you've ever read a Carolyn Brown novel, you know there's going to be an HEA ending in your future, and in this novel in particular, it's as charming and heartwarming an ending as you could possibly hope for this Christmas. My only wish is that the author had given us a peek down the road and into Claire and Levi's future together. I'm hoping we'll get a glimpse of that in the next novel in this series, and I can't wait to read it. If you're looking for a wonderful Christmas read, look no further than Cowboy Honor.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisarenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

>>>>>My Synopsis (Review follows): <<<<<<
Claire Mason and her niece, Zaylie, got caught in a unexpected blizzard in Texas. Their car is totaled and not being able to use her cell phone, they decide to take shelter in a cabin they find not far from where their car crashed. The cabin is unlocked, has some food supplies, blankets, and beds. When the owner's foreman shows up the next day, she's not sure if he's friend or foe, so she greets the tall, handsome cowboy in a most unwelcoming way...

Levi Jackson is the foreman of the Longhorn Canyon Ranch and handles himself well in a crisis. That talent comes in mighty handy when he decides to take refuge in one of the ranch's cabins after his truck runs out of gas in the middle of a snowstorm. As he walks in the door, he's finds himself looking down the barrel of a loaded gun pointed straight at him. After calming the young woman at the end of it down, he finds himself intrigued by the feisty beautiful young woman. Levi's never been one to do relationships, but there's something about this woman that calls to him.

They say things happen for a reason. Could this be the start of something that was meant to be? Only time will tell.

>>>>>My Review: <<<<<<
If I had to sum this book up in one word it would have to be sweet. It was a sugary sweet romance with an extra cherry on top. The extra cherry being the bonus story by Katie Lane (which I'll review at a later time). 'Cowboy Honor' is the second book of the Longhorn Canyon series, and you can definitely read it as a standalone. Not a lot is revealed about 'Cowboy Bold', the first book in the series, other than the obvious--that Retta and Cade fall in love. I have to admit, however, after reading 'Cowboy Honor', I may need to get my hands on the first.

Claire is an independent woman who tends to put other's needs in front of her own. She cares for her young niece, Zaylie, when her brother is deployed or on a mission. Her sister-in-law died when Zaylie was only one, making things difficult for her brother. Luckily, Claire is self employed which makes it easy for her to help out. Claire has an Etsy business where she sells quilts, and now makes more money than she did on her teacher's salary.

Levi was adopted at an early age by his parents. He pretty much grew up on the ranch with Cade and Justin Maguire. They inherited the Longhorn Canyon Ranch from their parents. The three of them are as close as brothers. Levi's father used to be the ranch's foreman and now Levi's inherited the position. Levi loves animals and, in another life, he might have been a vet, but for now he tends to the ranch and its animals taking in the occasional stray and/or hurt animal now and then. He's never been in a long term relationship, but something about Claire makes him think maybe it's time he settled down.

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. This was a very sweet romance. Levi and Claire made a cute couple, and I loved how insecure Levi felt at times when he was in her presence. The opening scene was truly fun and was a great start for the book. Zaylie, Claire's niece, tended to steal the show a little from these two, but she was adorable and I enjoyed it nonetheless. I would have liked a hurdle or two to have popped up in their way because I tend to like a little more drama and tension between the two main characters in a romance, but it was still a lovely story. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a FAN rating--the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Cowboy Honor is at the heart a very simple, uncomplicated story. One man who has a soft spot for strays, lives a good and wholesome life, loves the family who has made him one of their own, and couldn’t work a con if his life depended on it… his only real flaw, Levi doesn’t see his own true worth believing that money makes the man not his honor or abilities. One woman who has never had roots in one place but has them deep emotionally with her family, a woman who has her own skills and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself or her kin, a woman who is practically raising her adorable niece as her brother is deployed again and again… Claire’s flaw she doesn’t believe that she can stick to anyone because she simply doesn’t know how. Raised a military brat, she knows all too well how to pick up and move on…but she’s about to be given a chance to stay with one amazing man. Now she has to find the courage to grab something for herself, the man who sees her worth just as she is… the same way that she sees his worth, to her.

I can always count on Carolyn Brown to deliver a Cowboy Romance that showcases men of honor, grit, pride and stubbornness as well as the ladies who capture their hearts. Cowboy Honor, the second in the Longhorn Canyon series is no exception to that rule.

While Claire may be stuck in a blizzard with a wrecked car, her adorable, precocious niece at her side she’s found them temporary shelter… and she’ll defend it from whoever is outside that door. Only the man who enters is far from dangerous and offers them shelter from the storm here and at the family ranch for however long is needed. It doesn’t take long for Claire and Zaylie to be completely comfortable among people who may be strangers but treat them like family. The spark of attraction and “what if” is there between Levi and Claire from the beginning, yet both have some issues to deal with before their happy ever after can arrive.

You’ll fall in love with one little 4 year old scene-stealer, cheer Levi and Claire on with their romance as they begin to see themselves through different eyes and simply have a fun Christmas season with one amazing family. I loved this story and would not hesitate to recommend it to any Romance reader who enjoys a fun, flirty, emotional romance that is as simple as snowfall and as complicated as love.

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

[Carole Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really adored book 1 and I've been itching to start this one. I found an audio of it on Audible so I decided to try it that way!

The story follows Levi who is the foreman of the ranch. He has always been a sucker for helping strays so when he stumbles upon Claire and her niece stranded and cold. He brings them in and takes care of them until the storm is passed. Claire was just trying to get herself and her niece home but a scary Texas blizzard runs her off the road and totals her car. She has zero cell service and not a lot of food. Lucky for her Levi shows up and takes them up to the ranch.

This was a very sweet romance. Not a lot of drama here. It was very calm. No crazy exes. No lies. The only issue that they had is that they are both fiercely independent people, but who have HUGE hearts and a desire to be loved. I really liked this concept. Sometimes you just want a sweet romance that any sort of "issues" that can complicate a relationship and easy-ish to resolve.

Cade is still my favorite cowboy of the series so far (granted this is only book 2) but Levi is a runner up. They are both SO sweet (sorry for using this word a lot but it is the best word I can use) and adorable. I'm a little nervous about Justin in the next book. He's Levi's best friend and Cade's brother but I'm not crazy about him. He's not a BAD dude but he is for sure a womanizer with a capitol W and he's rubbed me the wrong way the last couple of books. We shall see. He'll need a firecracker of a woman to tie him down.

Claire's niece was adorable! She is bound to grow up and be a little firecracker like her auntie. Again, I always get worried when kids show up in books because author's can fall easily into a trap of making the kid too adult-like or too 2D in personality. However, the author did fantastic! I loved this little girl. I hope she has a strong presence in the next books.

OOOOO that surprise???? Christmas miracles do happen! I cheered! I can't say what but it made me happy.

The narrator did a good job. I liked her voices for all the characters. The little girl voice was a little grating at first, but I either got used to it or the narrator calmed it down.

All-in-all I did adore this. Not as much as book 1, but I really loved the sweetness of the story. No crazy drama or antics. A very sweet couple and an adorable little girl. The narrator did well and maybe I'll listen to book 3. We shall see ;). I'll stamp this with 4 stars.

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

When a winter storm settles in over north central Texas, Claire Mason and her young niece find themselves falling victim to it; between the snow and high winds they never had a chance to stay on the road, it pulled them right into the ditch. Once Claire realizes there is no getting out until the storm passes, she gathers their belongings and they take shelter in a little ranch house on the property they are stranded near. She is hoping they will be safe in there, and that someone will come along to help, but nothing could have prepared her for the handsome cowboy that lands on the doorstep. As much as she tries to stay wary of the handsome stranger, it's just no match for his sweet demeanor and kind heart!

While out looking for a wayward bull Levi Jackson finds himself stranded near their little ranch cabin, so he decides to take shelter from the blizzard that has settled in, but he quickly discovers that he is not the only one with the same plan. Upon his arrival he finds a beautiful stranger and her little niece holed up in the cabin; they went rounds with the blizzard and came out on the losing side when they landed their SUV in the ditch. With his caring nature, he can't help but want to help them out, he's always had a soft spot for strays and those in need, but this time his lending a hand may just have wound up getting him far more than he ever bargained for!

Cowboy Honor is a touching tale that speaks to the heart with it's emotionally rich story line, and lifts spirits and brings on a case of the giggles with the sass and humor that is sprinkled in here and there! Once again I am left dazzled by Ms. Brown's witty words, her charismatic cowboy, and his high spirited heroine; this one was a feel good story that tugged on my heartstrings and left me smiling! After reading the first novel in this series, I was really looking forward to a return visit, and meeting Levi, and I have to say his story did not disappoint, it was western romance at it's best, it was engaging and heartfelt. I highly recommend you meet the cowboy's of the Longhorn Canyon series, the moment they waltz onto to the page, they will dance away with your heart!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

We can always count on Carolyn Brown for a long, lean cowboy and a good ol' Texas blizzard. Digging into one of her books is like snuggling up in my favorite blanket in front of a cozy, crackling fire while that blizzard rages outside. The rest of the world falls away while the warmth and contentment settles in deep. Her books carry the message of faith, healing and hope, and her casual, comfortable style captivates the reader from beginning to end with a story of home and hearth and cowboy code, and love for family, friends and that special someone.

In this second book of the Longhorn Canyon series, we get Levi and Claire's story. When they first meet, Levi finds himself at the wrong end of Claire's pistol. After his four wheeler runs out of gas and a blizzard blows in he decides to hole up in the ranch’s hunting cabin, finding it already occupied with a stranded Claire and her niece Zaylie. But with a brother in the military who taught her how to take care of herself, Claire isn’t in any hurry to trust the handsome cowboy.

Brown’s books are always great fun to read, and this was no exception. I love the sense of family and community with the ranch family and neighbors, and Levi was a wonderful hero. No arrogance or ego with him, just down-to-earth cowboy charm and a heart as big as Texas. He definitely met his match in sassy, independent, capable Claire, and four-year-old Zaylie stole everyone's heart. If you’re not a fan of the cowboy trope, this is the one author who has the talent to win you over. With light-hearted humor, sweet, tender moments, and a heartwarming, uplifting story, Cowboy Honor is a definite winner.

*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

[~❤️Minnie❤️~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Under the Moonlight Book Blog

It's been quite a while since I've read a cowboy romance and I can't think of a reason why I've waited so long to read more on this genre.

This book is about this woman named Claire Mason who after taking a detour from her way home had an accident and was able to find this cabin and hide in there out of a snowstorm with her niece Zayley. While there the foreman of the ranch that owns the cabin had to take shelter in the cabin too because his four-wheeler was out of gas.

Levi Jackson has lived his whole life at the Longhorn Canyon Ranch but he feels like something is missing in his life and when he finds this two "damsels" he feels a connection to them. He especially feels it with Claire and he wants to see where things go for them but at the same time, he feels like he might not be enough for her because he is a simple rancher with nothing on his name.

From the beginning, I fell in love with this characters, especially Zayley, and I think this is a heartwarming small town/ranch read that is for anyone looking for a light read. I really felt the connection between the main couple and their connection to the rest of the characters.

The addition of this four-almost-five-year-old cutie gave the story a connection that would have otherwise been missing. It gave it charm and a dash of innocence that was a perfect blend to make this story touch deep in the heart of the reader.

This is my first Carolyn Brown book and I will definitively be getting more from her, starting with book one on this series. I highly recommend you read this series if you like cowboys and heartening reads.

Disclaimer:
♥♦♥ This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.♥♦♥