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Hunks and Horses #1

To Kiss A Cowboy

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Wealthy heiress Connie Masters discovers her fiancé has been cheating and immediately calls off the wedding. Finding herself confused and conflicted, she turns to her handsome barn manager for support and advice.



Caleb King has been attracted to the blue-eyed, strong-willed beauty from the moment they met. When she unexpectedly shows up at his cabin, her eyes brimming with tears, he comforts her, and the embers of their smoldering attraction quickly flame to life.



In the shadows danger is lurking…



Connie’s former ex-fiancé has an evil scheme to steal her money and ruin her life. But as he sets his plan into action, Caleb find himself in a bizarre encounter with a mysterious mountain lion.



Is the appearance of the wild cat coincidental?

Can Caleb keep Connie safe?

Will she find her HEA in the arms of the muscled cowboy?



If you enjoy hot western romance laced with the unexpected, you’ll adore this steamy love story. Pick it up today and lose yourself in the mystery, passion and excitement of this addictive page-turner.

HUNKS AND HORSES.CONTEMPORARY WESTERN ROMANCE.Born from the Amazon #1 His Ranch. His Rules. His Secrets.BOOK 1: TO KISS A COWBOYBOOK 2: TO CATCH A COWBOYBOOK 3: TO CON A COWBOYBOOK 4: TO TRUST A COWBOY

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2018

169 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

Maggie Carpenter

159 books326 followers
Award-winning and best-selling author Maggie Carpenter has published over fifty romance novels, and is the recipient of a number Spanking Romance Reviews awards spanning a variety of genres. Her readers describe her work as, romantic, funny, suspenseful, beyond a five-star read, exciting romance with a ton of surprises.

Her work includes a best-selling twelve-book contemporary cowboy series, Cowboys After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2ihCNtp), a warrior fantasy trilogy, Warriors After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2iE0cDa) contemporary love stories, and several Victorian romances. His Willful Bride was a #1 best-seller for several weeks and a BookBub Feature Deal. She is best known for her smart, witty, strong-willed women who bring unexpected challenge, mystery and humor into the lives of passionate, dominant men.

Maggie has a history in show-business both in front of and behind the camera, but moved from Los Angeles to live in the Pacific Northwest to pursue her writing. She is an equine enthusiast who rides every day, and writes until the wee hours of the morning when her eyes close only because they must.

This author loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website: www.MaggieCarpenter.com. To sample her work for free, go to, www.3FreeBooks.com.

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5 stars
81 (57%)
4 stars
33 (23%)
3 stars
18 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews.
1,307 reviews109 followers
July 17, 2018
First, I want to thank Maggie Carpenter for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

To Kiss A Cowboy Hunks and Horses Book 1 By Maggie Carpenter drew me in by the amazing cover of the horse and the incredibly sexy cowboy. I also loved the font choice. Kudos to the graphic designer Rebecca Hamilton on this book. I am a fan of Maggie Carpenter and she knows I love reading about her cowboys!! She did not disappoint in this book! In fact in this book along with the sexy cowboys, the amazing sex scenes, the little torn love triangle, she throws in a little scandal that totally shocked not only me but the characters as well. This aspect of the story made it a little more interesting to say the least.

There was an interesting situation in the book where Connie was engaged to Jerry but something just seemed so off between them two. Then Connie met Caleb and sparks flew more than they ever did with Jerry. Wait till you learn about Jerry’s true colors. It will shock you beyond anything you ever thought of happening in this book. It actually is the climax of the book.

As always Maggie turns me on as she turns up the heat with the sex scenes!! She is very graphic and it is like you are there watching. It is very hot!

I loved the setting of this book at Dream Horse Ranch, full of cowboys and horses. It would definitely be a destination I would go visit!

This is part of a series that I would definitely continue to read.
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,643 reviews83 followers
August 23, 2022
'To Kiss A Cowboy' is the first book in Maggie Carpenter's "Hunks and Heroes" series and it's everything you could hope for in a cowboy romance … and maybe a little more. A dash of domestic discipline, a bit of paranormal magic, a crazy motorcycle riding IT hacker, and villains that will make your blood run cold. Yes, this one had it all, including a savvy mother figure and a romance that starts with an instant attraction. The story was an easy read that flowed so well that it was no time before I finished the book. I'm hoping the stories in this series somehow all tie the characters together, but we'll see what Ms. Carpenter has planned. In the meantime, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the genre.
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
6,954 reviews175 followers
July 27, 2018
YOU HAVE TO KISS A LOT OF FROGS BEFORE YOU FIND YOUR HANDSOME PRINCE

Once again, Ms. Maggie Carpenter has spun an amazing, page-turning, edge-of-your-seat, mystery romantic suspense story. You can’t help but love the four main characters that have starring roles and compliment each other. There is an instant chemistry between Caleb King and Connie Masters, something that both feel when they meet. Two people with a passion for horses will eventually find another passion between the sheets.

Connie Masters and her new horse Domino aren’t in sync and her situation with her fiancée Jerry Goldstein is part of the problem. A suggestion from a friend will have her meeting Caleb King, and he will become her new trainer and barn manager. It will be a win-win situation for both of them.

“Domino’s warm brown eyes were staring back at him, and as the big gelding let out a sign, Caleb smiled. He firmly believed problems didn’t stem from the horse not understanding the human, but the human not understanding the horse.”

Connie hasn’t been happy with Jerry, and his attitude and confession will have her snap and call off the engagement, but that is the catalyst that will lead to more problems. Moping around and not staying on top of things will give Jerry the leverage to his evil plans. Can Caleb help her and will she trust him and what he will need to do? Bringing in just the right person, Spike will make the difference. Plotting, planning, and knowing where to go, and how to do it, is what makes Spike unique.

“When you said miracles can happen, I wasn’t expecting to hear about a biker called Spike, who owns an adult toy store, and is some kind of hacker genius. You can’t make this stuff up.”

“The cavalry has arrived, and just like the old days, I came riding in on a mustang.”

The story also is the beginning of a new relationship, one that is centered on three strong principles, “Respect—Love--Trust.” Caleb will introduce Connie to dominance and submission, some spankings, and mild BDSM. With Caleb, she will find what has been missing, and she has craved with the right man.

“The starving submissive and deprived Dominant had found each other.” “The best gift is how we treat each other. “

“Caleb was her dream cowboy come to life. Surrendering to the pleasure after the pain, she never wanted the fondling to end. Time became non-existent, and when he touched between her legs, she had no idea if she’d been lying them for ten minutes or twenty.”

The story will include action, adventure, danger, suspense, a touch of mystical, paranormal, and romance. The comradery and team-work between Caleb, Connie, Spike, and Martha keep the pages turning as they work together to outfox the con-artists. There are several spanking scenes along with explicit sex scenes, and a little bit of graphic violence when evil gets their comeuppance.
1,240 reviews10 followers
July 26, 2018
To Kiss a Cowboy is the first book in the Hunks and Horses series. Connie feels like she’s lost control of her life as she’s lost her confidence to ride horses, has a fiancé she can’t relate to, and just now found a cowboy that she desperately wants to kiss. Caleb is trying to find his next place in life when he gets a call from his buddy for a favor to help out Connie, to train her and to run her barns. As soon as Connie breaks things off with her fiancé, things are looking better, with more confidence, riding again, and Caleb, but she also sees the light about her ex. When she fights for what’s hers and danger comes knocking, will Caleb be able to keep everyone safe?

This book was so intriguing to me, with hunky cowboys, sassy women, a nefarious plot, plus the mystical element that all just drew me in! Connie was written in a way that just about anyone could relate to! She’s sassy and independent at times, but really could show her vulnerability, too. She could escape into her horses, but also knew she had responsibilities and could look forward to her future! Caleb was just that perfect cowboy, dominant, but not aggressive, able to take a sassy woman in hand, but also give her the strength she needs when she’s down. I loved their interactions, their conversations, and their romance. The plot line was really great, too, with twists and turns and fate throwing things at us! I loved how everything happened and everything turned out. The mystical element of the book was really fun for me, too, because it added a uniqueness that I feel like I can find in Ms. Carpenter’s books. Plus, I liked seeing familiar characters from previous books, but also liked knowing this book can still completely stand alone! I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what will happen next!
240 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2018
Connie, owns a horse farm, is engaged, and should be on top of the world - but she's not. Her riding lessons with her new horse aren't going well and her fiance is being difficult. Another horse farm owner recommends Caleb King as someone who just might be able to help her with her horses and managing her ranch. She finds Caleb to be one handsome cowboy, and doesn't understand her attraction, since she is soon to be married. As Connie, with Caleb's assistance, begins work on her problems, she discovers she has a new, huge problem. Devastated, she leans on Caleb. Things go from bad to worse with danger heading right for her. Fortunately, Caleb is a rock for her. He's strong, unflappable, direct, and sometimes demanding. They work together and with friends, to find a solution for her big and scary problem. This is an engaging plot with plenty of action and some truly unusual twists. I was transported with the vivid and realistic descriptions in this book. I felt I was seeing the horse farm, the animals, and the surroundings along with the characters. I felt the characters' appreciation for the beauty surrounding them, whether that beauty was an outstanding view, the smell of fresh hay, or the touch and love from a wonderful horse. At the heart of this story is a strong, passionate and loving relationship. These are bright, real, and modern adults joining together during trying circumstances. Their passion is wicked, very hot, and often fun. Their friends are great characters too. I loved this contemporary story it and believed in every bit of it! This is a fantastic start to a new series by Ms. Carpenter!
Profile Image for Sassy Beta Reading & Review.
1,238 reviews24 followers
August 6, 2018
To Kiss A Cowboy
Maggie Carpenter

I like a book with a good spanking as much as the next girl, but this book to me seemed a bit weak and rushed. The story line was a good concept, but needed to be tightened up a bit. I really did like the concept of the story though. The dialogue seemed off in some parts. The descriptions to details seemed choppy and threw off the flow of the story.

I really didn't see any suspense in the story. We knew immediately who the bad guy was so no surprises there. As for the supernatural portion of the story, good concept but a little hokey. Almost seemed like it was thrown in as an after thought. I did like how he saved the day though.

The power exchange in the book was good....tame but good for the most part. A few of the exchanges actually had me squirming in my seat. As for the characters in the story, I liked them. I never became emotionally attached to any of the characters. Except maybe Domino. Spike was great as a secondary character.

All in all, an okay story.

Would I recommend this book? Yea, if you are into power exchange

Would I read more from this author? Yes

135 reviews
July 26, 2018
Amazing Story that will delight you beyond measure!

All Connie Masters wanted was a kiss. Just one kiss from the incredibly handsome cowboy Caleb King. The instant mutual attraction was present when they were introduced, and though Connie was engaged to Jerry Goldstein and she knew she shouldn't want to feel the kiss of another, she couldn't ignore the fluttering butterflies that Caleb stirred within her with just the thought of him. This is their story and so much more. And ladies, Spike is back! He's alive and well and a main character in this book so it simply HAS to be fabulous. There is spiritual, supernatural phenomenon that most of us have at least once in our lives experienced and can relate to that will keep you enthralled throughout, along with passion and suspense that will not allow you to stop reading until the end. This author has unique, amazing storytelling talent that will guarantee you entertainment in all of her books, but so far, I think this is one of her best to date.
Profile Image for Jaime Kurp.
118 reviews
August 6, 2018
To Kiss a Cowboy
By Maggie Carpenter

This is a story about Connie who has lost all her faith in herself. Caleb is meeting Connie to see if he can help her with her training. But when they meet something happens. Being on the horse one time with Caleb guiding her has made Connie realize that her old training had no idea what is was doing. Caleb didn’t realize that he would want to get to know her better. But nothing is going to happen between them because Connie is engaged to Jerry. Jerry is a big city guy that knows nothing and wants nothing to do with horses. Connie is trying to figure out if she can even make it work with Jerry, that is until she finds out what he did. Jerry has turned Connie’s life upside down and Caleb is there to help her pick up the pieces. But little does Connie know that Caleb is there to do more than help her with Jerry. And to top it all off there is a mystery mountain lion that shows up the same time as Caleb.
Profile Image for Denise .
931 reviews9 followers
July 17, 2020
“I guess all we can do is take care of our own patch of grass, and take care of the ones we love.” Words of wisdom from alpha cowboy Caleb, for sure!

Connie, the heroine, has lost faith in her own choices and decisions, and in her riding abilities; she truly loves her horses so that is a extremely difficult thing for her to deal with. The manager of the ranch where she bought her newest horse invites in Caleb, to meet Connie to see if he can help her train. When they meet, the session is successful, and sparks fly between them. But nothing can happen between them because Connie is engaged to Jerry, a ‘city slicker’ who has zero interest in anything to do with horses.

Suddenly everything changes … Connie’s life is turned upside down and Caleb is there to help her pick up the pieces. There is a supernatural angle to the story, and a plot twist I admit that I did not see coming at all. Overall, this was a quick and entertaining read.

Profile Image for J.A. Hoyt.
Author 4 books38 followers
September 17, 2019
I should know better, as a person raised on a horse farm and someone who competes in equestrian events, than to read a book about a "horse competitor..." It never works out. It's like someone who watches All the Pretty Horses and decides that they know everything about horses. TWO PEOPLE TO CLEAN FOUR STALLS? AND YOU HAVE NO BOARDERS OR TRAINERS BESIDES YOUR OWN? WTF ARE YOU DOING? I can clean those same four stalls, water, feed, and be on my first horse in an hour. Probably less than. Talk about overwriting. If you're going into that much detail about something, please do more research, visit a professional show barn, and learn how these things actually operate. Some research was done, but nowhere near enough.

Also...that dialogue. Huh? What is that? He said. She said. She laughed. He said. He laughed. She moaned.

Yeah. Exactly.
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,145 reviews
October 6, 2018
I thought the premise and the supernatural part was pretty interesting. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the dialogue seemed off. I can't figure out how, but it felt strange enough that it threw off the flow of the book for me.

The best part of the book was when Hania intervened. The wrap up that began with Spike's involvement felt pretty rushed. I just thought of something. The description of Spike and his dialogue didn't seem to match up. I'm not a writer, so I have no idea how that would be done, but I have seen it done before.

I really would recommend you read this one and judge for yourself. It isn't a bad read, and it is pretty quick.
Profile Image for Connie.
1,670 reviews6 followers
August 6, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is the first book I have read from this author. I am not into BDSM and I glossed over those parts. I wish that there was something in the description to let readers know. The plot was okay; I felt it was weak. The dialogue was strange in parts and I had a hard time figuring it out and sometimes just give up. I was able to read it in one setting. I don't think I would have spent the asking price for it. If I had, I would have been sorely disappointed.
Profile Image for Pandora Spocks.
Author 24 books143 followers
August 20, 2018
I'm a huge fan of Maggie Carpenter, so I was THRILLED when To Kiss a Cowboy was the August Featured Book in the Sizzling Hot Romance Book Club on Facebook!
Connie's engaged to Jerry, but when handsome cowboy Caleb saunters into her life, what's a girl to do?
Caleb agrees to help Connie with her horse, but how long can they ignore the attraction they both feel?
I don't want to say much more than that, but suffice it to say, there are lots of surprises, suspense, and even a little paranormal element, all of which makes To Kiss a Cowboy a must read!
2,439 reviews27 followers
July 26, 2018
This was a very entertaining story. Connie was in need of someone to teach her to ride, unfortunately her temperament clashed with her current trainer. Caleb comes on the scene and he is exactly what she needs, in more ways than one. Unfortunately, she has a fiancé, so anything other than helping her with her horse is a no-no. Caleb is a handsome, alpha cowboy who knows how to handle the horses and Connie. This was a fast paced storyline with plenty of action and danger. 4.5 stars
571 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2018
Sweet, sexy

Connie was having a hard time learning to break in her horse Dominio, that’s when she was introduced to Caleb, a horse trainer. Initial meeting sparks flew between them. A slight problem, Connie was engaged and wealthier than Caleb.
Jerry the fiancé, was not on the up and up. OMG! Quite a few twists and turns and some fun, unexpected help cleared things up.
I would definitely recommend. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Karen L Ledee.
906 reviews5 followers
August 12, 2018
This book was different than most of my reading. It had a variety of storylines going on it was a little bit supernatural with a stately mountain lion warrior spirit, an engagement breakup with an evil arrogant psycho man, love story with a hunky cowboy with a little bdsm, a hacker extraordinaire, a few horse thieves, and some sit on the edge of your seat suspense. Reality check....it was out there. Definitely a read for entertainment and I enjoyed enough to finish it at 2:30 am!
Profile Image for Isis Ray-sisco.
748 reviews
August 13, 2018
I enjoyed reading Caleb and Connie's story. There was a good balance of romance and suspense. I liked Caleb and thought he was a good character. He was strong and was able to help Connie in many areas. I liked Connie...though in the beginning I wasn't so sure. She ended up being likable. I think others would enjoy this book as well.
620 reviews
September 19, 2018
Loved it!

This book had me hooked from the very first page. I loved Caleb and Connie's story so much that I didn't want it to end. There is nothing better than a sexy alpha cowboy to swoon over. Hope to get if them in the next book. This was my first Maggie Carpenter book and it definitely won't be the last.
1,506 reviews10 followers
July 25, 2018
What a fascinating read. A quick sexy romance with everything you desire in a story. Romance, suspense, spankings, sexy heat and cowboys. Surprises abound in the fun story that will make you smile. A wonderful start to a new series for Ms. Carpenter. Can’t wait to read the rest.
700 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2018
Connie hires Caleb to help her on her horse farm. There is an instant attraction between them but, she is engaged. This is a steamy romance with plenty of twists, suspense and great characters. It is a great read and I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Sherry Westendorf.
4,593 reviews22 followers
August 6, 2018
This is so exciting, suspenseful, emotional, some BDSM and so much more. It is well written and packed full of enjoyment. Not to ruin it for you read the blurb. No spoilers. I recommend it. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.
Profile Image for Dana Fernandez.
472 reviews16 followers
August 15, 2018
I absolutely this book. It was a definite page turner. You get a little bit of everything with this book. Action, adventure, suspense, romance and a little kink thrown into the mix. I will be reading more by this author. I would recommend this book and author.
1,525 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2019
Hunks and Horses

This was a great story! I liked the characters, and there was intrigue and danger without horror. The supernatural element was a surprise, but I really liked it, and the romance was sweet with a little spice. Can’t wait to read number 2!
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews216 followers
September 6, 2020
I have not read a bad book from this author yet and this book is no exception! The great plot and character development kept me so engaged throughout the entire book that I had a very hard time putting this book down until the very last page was turned!
5,704 reviews38 followers
July 21, 2018
this was hott and sexy and yummy.. lol it had a lot of funny spots.. the emotions were real and raw.. it had sexy characters and i smiled. very well written and enjoyable
536 reviews
August 27, 2018
To Kiss a Cowboy

First time reader for me on this author and I was not disappointed. Story has romance and suspense with a little paranormal thrown in.
Profile Image for Kemberlee Snelling.
488 reviews3 followers
November 16, 2018
Great story.

This is a great story. Some of it is predictable and some keeps you on you toes. Overall a great read.
Profile Image for Nancy J Neeley-Hall.
179 reviews
April 29, 2019
Fast paced

This novel is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. Make sure you have time to read straight through to the end.
Profile Image for Alexandra Wehr.
192 reviews5 followers
September 6, 2020
Amazing Story

What an amazing story! Thank you for writing such an amazing book! I loved how it incorporated a truly spiritual twist in the book! Thank you again!
Profile Image for Pansy.
2,197 reviews24 followers
January 1, 2025
Nice mix

A fun and interesting story. More than I was expecting even. I was expecting a hot romance. What I found was Intregue, betrayal, danger, and a hint of paranormal for spice, as well as the hot romance. A very nice mix that kept me glued to my reader flipping pages. Good job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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