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Blackstone Ranch #1
A Cowboy and a Promise
Her determination fuels his desire
When her dying friend pleads for help to finish a renovation project, Ava Howell can’t refuse, even though her promise means leaving her new career and familiar life in New York to travel to a remote ranch in Texas. She’s good at what she does, and the ghost town vacation resort would look great on her resume, but it means tangling with the ex-military cowboy who is determined to stop her as soon as she arrives.
Beau Paxton needs to sell the land and ghost town to save his family’s struggling ranch. He’s a formidable enemy to Ava’s determination, but the harder she works, the more his attraction for her grows. He doesn’t want to set aside his plans so she can succeed at hers, yet he finds himself doing just that...
Will a promise bring a city girl and a sexy cowboy together? Or will a broken one drive them apart?
When her dying friend pleads for help to finish a renovation project, Ava Howell can’t refuse, even though her promise means leaving her new career and familiar life in New York to travel to a remote ranch in Texas. She’s good at what she does, and the ghost town vacation resort would look great on her resume, but it means tangling with the ex-military cowboy who is determined to stop her as soon as she arrives.
Beau Paxton needs to sell the land and ghost town to save his family’s struggling ranch. He’s a formidable enemy to Ava’s determination, but the harder she works, the more his attraction for her grows. He doesn’t want to set aside his plans so she can succeed at hers, yet he finds himself doing just that...
Will a promise bring a city girl and a sexy cowboy together? Or will a broken one drive them apart?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2020
About the author
Pam Crooks
42 books81 followersDear Reader,
While expecting my first child (more years back than I care to count), I read my very first romance novel, and I've been in love with them ever since. I grew up in the ranch country of western Nebraska, and it was inevitable I’d eventually write lots of books about cowboys. I still live in Nebraska with my husband (who is not a cowboy), four married daughters and a whole slew of perfect grandchildren.
I'm a long-time member of RWA and RAH, my local chapter. I'm also one of the founders of Petticoats & Pistols, a popular blogsite for western romance. I love to cook, hang out at my lake cabin, and decorate birthday cakes for anyone who will let me.
www.pamcrooks.com
www.swankykitchen.com
www.facebook.com/pamcrooksauthor
www.facebook.com/pamcrooks
Twitter @pamcrooks
While expecting my first child (more years back than I care to count), I read my very first romance novel, and I've been in love with them ever since. I grew up in the ranch country of western Nebraska, and it was inevitable I’d eventually write lots of books about cowboys. I still live in Nebraska with my husband (who is not a cowboy), four married daughters and a whole slew of perfect grandchildren.
I'm a long-time member of RWA and RAH, my local chapter. I'm also one of the founders of Petticoats & Pistols, a popular blogsite for western romance. I love to cook, hang out at my lake cabin, and decorate birthday cakes for anyone who will let me.
www.pamcrooks.com
www.swankykitchen.com
www.facebook.com/pamcrooksauthor
www.facebook.com/pamcrooks
Twitter @pamcrooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 26, 2019
A promise to a dying friend has Ava Howell travelling from her New York home to the Blackstone Ranch in Texas to oversee the development of a ghost town vacation resort there. The only problem is that the son's of the ranch owners really don't want the resort developing - they'd rather sell that acreage to someone else to build. That's especially true for Beau Paxton, but as he gets to know hard working Ava, the attraction between them builds. The worry also escalates as a long running family feud seems to have put both Ava and Beau in danger . . . . .
This is a great start to a new series and it is a delightful, easy, read with plenty of angst, some threats, danger and dilemmas. The characters are well developed and my opinion of them changed during the story as more aspects were revealed - just like happens in real life. There are cliff hanger moments, peril and romance in this story and it introduces an array of great characters who I suspect may be involved in future stories in this series. It is a series I look forward to reading more of and have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who enjoys stories where the heroine is an independent young lady who has overcome obstacles to work in a male dominated industry and a hero who is a soldier who has returned to his family ranch.
I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.
This is a great start to a new series and it is a delightful, easy, read with plenty of angst, some threats, danger and dilemmas. The characters are well developed and my opinion of them changed during the story as more aspects were revealed - just like happens in real life. There are cliff hanger moments, peril and romance in this story and it introduces an array of great characters who I suspect may be involved in future stories in this series. It is a series I look forward to reading more of and have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who enjoys stories where the heroine is an independent young lady who has overcome obstacles to work in a male dominated industry and a hero who is a soldier who has returned to his family ranch.
I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.
January 17, 2021
A PROMISE WAS A PROMISE, AFTER ALL
I enjoyed this clean contemporary western story that begins in New York and then moves to Paxton Springs, Texas. Erin Murphy worked with her Aunt Ginny Paxton on a unique family project, to turn three hundred acres with a ghost town into a resort. While the old mine has been out of operation, the town buildings are still standing and mostly in decent condition considering the years since the abandonment. Now, Erin's dream needs someone she can trust to carry on the project, and a death bed promise will have Ava as that person.
Ava Howell will ask for three months' leave from her construction job in New York to complete Erin Murphy's project on the ghost town restoration and resort. While Ginny Paxton and Erin worked on the idea, the Paxton men aren't excited about it, instead, wanting to sell the land—but have yet to find a buyer.
Beau Paxton and Ava have instant chemistry, yet plenty of angst between them. He sees her as trouble and aiding his mother against the Paxton men's wishes. The project progresses, and Ava has garnered the respect of the men working the job and even many of the townspeople who are excited about the new venture, which will bring in business with tourists. '
The story has the good, the bad, and the long-standing feud that all play their roles. But what happens when halfway through the project, Carter, Ava's employer in New York, calls her to return because of a significant project being moved up and he needs her there? She feels obligated to Carter for giving her a break she needed years ago—yet she has the commitment promise to Erin to complete the Ghost town project. Beau has his solution, but Ava is torn in two directions.
"What I know is we have logistics to work out. Every problem has a solution. Not sure what ours is right now, but we'll figure it out together. Going to need some give and take from both of us, that's all."
The story has just the perfect balance of friendship, loyalty, promises, commitment, obligations, and then there is the angst, the passion for your beliefs, romance, and what you want for your future. Ava and Beau are falling in love—but she is a New York city girl, and he is a Texas cowboy. Each out of their element in the other's world, but can that change? Will Ava allow her losses from childhood to dictate her future and happiness?
"Who knew keeping a promise would make her this happy or change her life so incredibly much?"
I enjoyed this clean contemporary western story that begins in New York and then moves to Paxton Springs, Texas. Erin Murphy worked with her Aunt Ginny Paxton on a unique family project, to turn three hundred acres with a ghost town into a resort. While the old mine has been out of operation, the town buildings are still standing and mostly in decent condition considering the years since the abandonment. Now, Erin's dream needs someone she can trust to carry on the project, and a death bed promise will have Ava as that person.
Ava Howell will ask for three months' leave from her construction job in New York to complete Erin Murphy's project on the ghost town restoration and resort. While Ginny Paxton and Erin worked on the idea, the Paxton men aren't excited about it, instead, wanting to sell the land—but have yet to find a buyer.
Beau Paxton and Ava have instant chemistry, yet plenty of angst between them. He sees her as trouble and aiding his mother against the Paxton men's wishes. The project progresses, and Ava has garnered the respect of the men working the job and even many of the townspeople who are excited about the new venture, which will bring in business with tourists. '
The story has the good, the bad, and the long-standing feud that all play their roles. But what happens when halfway through the project, Carter, Ava's employer in New York, calls her to return because of a significant project being moved up and he needs her there? She feels obligated to Carter for giving her a break she needed years ago—yet she has the commitment promise to Erin to complete the Ghost town project. Beau has his solution, but Ava is torn in two directions.
"What I know is we have logistics to work out. Every problem has a solution. Not sure what ours is right now, but we'll figure it out together. Going to need some give and take from both of us, that's all."
The story has just the perfect balance of friendship, loyalty, promises, commitment, obligations, and then there is the angst, the passion for your beliefs, romance, and what you want for your future. Ava and Beau are falling in love—but she is a New York city girl, and he is a Texas cowboy. Each out of their element in the other's world, but can that change? Will Ava allow her losses from childhood to dictate her future and happiness?
"Who knew keeping a promise would make her this happy or change her life so incredibly much?"
January 7, 2021
A short and sweet read
3 stars
I always enjoy a cowboy romance - especially an opposites attract. Here we have city-girl Ava coming down to Texas and sparring with rough and tumble cowboy, Beau. What gave it a little extra in this department was that Ava, while liking her city comforts, was very much an independent, well-rounded kinda girl who didn’t let country life phase her. It’s nice to see a familiar trope without the usual cliches.
Speaking of the characters - I very much enjoyed Ava. As I said, she was smart, sharp and sassy. Making it in the male-dominated world of architectural construction (or something like that!) but still coming across as vulnerable and very real - I could see myself being friends with her. When she was annoyed at Beau and giving him the silent treatment - but couldn’t stop being polite to him even if she growled it through clenched teeth; these little things made me root for her while also laugh at how likely it all was.
Beau was your typical cowboy - but that’s hardly a complaint from me. He wanted what he wanted - liked what he liked - and those traits made me like him. However, I felt that I only really got glimpses of his personality and his soul. I would have liked more of him.
Another reviewer put it perfectly when she said that the love declaration was a little abrupt. It surprised me so much that I actually scrolled back to see if I’d missed a few chapters. Up until that moment Ava and Beau seemed to only have spent minimal time together and had barely a few kisses. While I enjoy sex in my romance novels, it’s by no means something that I require in order to enjoy a story. Unfortunately, for this book, I felt that it was an element that was definitely missing. It needed something else - be it romance or sex - just to lift this to the next level for me. To make me truly believe.
Ava’s trip to Texas all comes about due to her friend’s death bed request. A death bed request that we hear about right at the start of the novel. That was a rough way to start a book and I debated giving up right there and then. It just hit too close to the bone to immediately read the death of a 20-something from cancer.
And I also didn’t see the need for the Donnie storyline in the book. It takes up only a little time in the book but I would have preferred to read about Ava and Beau rather than a random kid. Presumably his own journey will continue in other books but I would have been happy enough if those elements weren’t included.
The ending was cute as a button and overall I easily sped through this fairly short book (I would guess at about 225 pages as I can’t seem to find an official page count while writing this review). It didn’t hit all the marks for me but was a pleasant way to pass a few hours. 3 stars for a cute cowboy and city girl gone country.
November 7, 2019
What a wonderful love story.
Pam Crooks writing style pulled me in on the first page.
Her character’s weaved themselves into my heart and soul.
A Cowboy And A Promise I highly recommend!
Ava and Beau were the perfect couple, both stubborn, set in their ways, yet mature enough to bend to each other’s true passion.
The plot and characterization of her characters was superb, even secondary characters drew me in and had my attention.
I love the drama which developed this book into more than just a love story, it was an inspirational one with a great message of family values with deep seeded roots.
Pam Crooks writing style pulled me in on the first page.
Her character’s weaved themselves into my heart and soul.
A Cowboy And A Promise I highly recommend!
Ava and Beau were the perfect couple, both stubborn, set in their ways, yet mature enough to bend to each other’s true passion.
The plot and characterization of her characters was superb, even secondary characters drew me in and had my attention.
I love the drama which developed this book into more than just a love story, it was an inspirational one with a great message of family values with deep seeded roots.
January 21, 2019
This is an enjoyable quick read that kicks off the Blackstone Ranch series from this author. Ava Howell arrives at Blackstone Ranch straight from New York City. She's disheartened yet determined . Ava is in Texas to fulfill a deathbed promise to a friend and she won't let anything get in her way. It doesn't take long before the magic of the ranch and the attention of the rancher has her heart mending and hope growing while wanting more. A nice sweet read I would recommend.
January 21, 2019
Ave and Beau’s romance was a fun one to watch blossom,slow and sweet. This is a new author for me and I will watch for more by her as I loved how she wrote the characters in this one they were so real and likeable so easy to care about, heck even Gunner, Beau’s dog won me over, read the book and see why I say Gunner’s the real hero even though all the people were getting the credit, come on someone give that dog a t bone.
February 18, 2020
Enjoyable
This is a new author to me. I liked the characters, the family dynamics and values, the scenery, the little bit of drama, and Ava’s career choice and work ethics. Ava and Beau share a mutual attraction to each other but are at odds about why she’s in town. Within a matter of a very short timeframe Beau has a change of heart and declares his love for Ava. That was rather quick, and there wasn’t a lot of romance going on.
This is a new author to me. I liked the characters, the family dynamics and values, the scenery, the little bit of drama, and Ava’s career choice and work ethics. Ava and Beau share a mutual attraction to each other but are at odds about why she’s in town. Within a matter of a very short timeframe Beau has a change of heart and declares his love for Ava. That was rather quick, and there wasn’t a lot of romance going on.
February 28, 2022
Good but not squeaky clean
I gravitate towards clean romance and while this one had no sex scenes in it, there were some fairly heavy makeout scenes and plenty of cussing through the book. Don't get me wrong. I did really like the storyline and was rooting for the main characters to work out their differences and be a couple, but that could have been accomplished in a cleaner way too.
I gravitate towards clean romance and while this one had no sex scenes in it, there were some fairly heavy makeout scenes and plenty of cussing through the book. Don't get me wrong. I did really like the storyline and was rooting for the main characters to work out their differences and be a couple, but that could have been accomplished in a cleaner way too.
February 19, 2020
A Cowboy & a Promise Review
This was a very good book with some action in it ,which is good .The ins and outs of a ghost town renovation and a couple of problems make this book set in Texas very good!Won’t tell you the ending but just encourage you to read it...you’ll be glad you did!
This was a very good book with some action in it ,which is good .The ins and outs of a ghost town renovation and a couple of problems make this book set in Texas very good!Won’t tell you the ending but just encourage you to read it...you’ll be glad you did!
December 26, 2020
A good solid story
Good writing, good characters. A happy, easy read. Ava goes to Texas to fulfill a promise made to a dying friend. She leaves her life behind, temporarily, to build a resort. Ava falls for Beau, son of the family who owns the ghost town turning into a resort. They have a very neatly tied up happily ever after.
Good writing, good characters. A happy, easy read. Ava goes to Texas to fulfill a promise made to a dying friend. She leaves her life behind, temporarily, to build a resort. Ava falls for Beau, son of the family who owns the ghost town turning into a resort. They have a very neatly tied up happily ever after.
February 5, 2022
A great story about how love finds two souls that are on opposite sides on a project. As time flies by Beau wants to spend more time with Ava, who knows that she is there for a short time and will be going back to New York. How Ava finds Beau the person she is falling for.
A great story of how love can be forever.
A great story of how love can be forever.
January 28, 2019
Could you keep a promise you made a dying friend? One that would have you taking leave from your job and moving States away to work on a ghost ranch? When i started reading this book I was thinking just those thoughts in my head. What would it be like to do all those things and more. Author Pam Croors gives us a book that kept me reading from the first page until the end. Ava and Beau have this chemistry between them and then a push and pull between them as well made for a wonderful read for me.
April 10, 2020
Sweet story, but light on the romance. Ava was take charge, which I liked. Beau was a little wounded, but cowboy through and through. I'm glad they were able to make things work, but I wish there had been a little more to the story.
January 19, 2022
An old plot, well done
Although not a deeply psychological story, this is no two-dimensional tale either. There is plenty of angst and plenty of examples of growth, as well as romantic scenes and moments of vivid description. For a simple story, this is well done.
Although not a deeply psychological story, this is no two-dimensional tale either. There is plenty of angst and plenty of examples of growth, as well as romantic scenes and moments of vivid description. For a simple story, this is well done.
January 20, 2022
SMILE, YOUR LOVE IS SHOWING
I really enjoyed the book…….. Lots of interplay between characters, development of relationships, how one decision can influence a chain of responses………and change a life.
I really enjoyed the book…….. Lots of interplay between characters, development of relationships, how one decision can influence a chain of responses………and change a life.
January 20, 2022
Very Engaging
This is one of those books that was hard to put down. I really didn't want the story to end. Pam Crooks is a great writer that brings the reader into the story where you feel deeply about the characters.
This is one of those books that was hard to put down. I really didn't want the story to end. Pam Crooks is a great writer that brings the reader into the story where you feel deeply about the characters.
Read
January 22, 2022It was wonderful!
The start of a series is always hard to work out. But Pam Crooks nailed this story! Beau and Ava's story was exciting, fun, a loving family and brought out the sexy Cowboys. Y'all have to read it!
The start of a series is always hard to work out. But Pam Crooks nailed this story! Beau and Ava's story was exciting, fun, a loving family and brought out the sexy Cowboys. Y'all have to read it!
January 24, 2022
good story
Best part of the story is the leading lady heading the restoration job. Her childhood has messed with her outlook on life, but all works out as it should in a good romance story. Enjoyable story.
Best part of the story is the leading lady heading the restoration job. Her childhood has messed with her outlook on life, but all works out as it should in a good romance story. Enjoyable story.
January 28, 2022
New to me author...
And I'll be looking for more from her. Ava and Beau's story is sweet. The description of the landscape leaves you breathless, wanting to see it in person. And, I would love to have Gunner. :)
And I'll be looking for more from her. Ava and Beau's story is sweet. The description of the landscape leaves you breathless, wanting to see it in person. And, I would love to have Gunner. :)
February 3, 2022
Reluctant Cowgirl
Ave fights her every instinct to love the land and the man. Yes, she has issues and sticks to them. She even packs up and heads back to NYC. Time for cowboy to man up or cut bait.
Ave fights her every instinct to love the land and the man. Yes, she has issues and sticks to them. She even packs up and heads back to NYC. Time for cowboy to man up or cut bait.
March 5, 2022
great read
It is so nice to read books when they don’t go on and on with filler words. When the story has enough material to keep you reading with interest. That is this book! Great job
It is so nice to read books when they don’t go on and on with filler words. When the story has enough material to keep you reading with interest. That is this book! Great job
March 15, 2023
Fantastic cowboy fighting for LOVE.
I read the second first, but. It made me enjoy this book with more enthusiasm. The country, family neighbors made this story enjoyable. Look forward to getting the third book when it is affordable.😂
I read the second first, but. It made me enjoy this book with more enthusiasm. The country, family neighbors made this story enjoyable. Look forward to getting the third book when it is affordable.😂
April 13, 2024
A good read
It had all the usual story line in a cowboy romance is, city girl meets rugged tough and gorgeous cowboy, but I managed to really connect with the characters. I enjoyed the inevitable journey with these two and will definitely get the next one.
It had all the usual story line in a cowboy romance is, city girl meets rugged tough and gorgeous cowboy, but I managed to really connect with the characters. I enjoyed the inevitable journey with these two and will definitely get the next one.
February 24, 2026
Ava and Beau
Ava travels to the Texas Blackstone Ranch to fulfill a promise to her dead friend. There she meets Beau, one of the sons of her employer. They fall for each other but must overcome obstacles.
Ava travels to the Texas Blackstone Ranch to fulfill a promise to her dead friend. There she meets Beau, one of the sons of her employer. They fall for each other but must overcome obstacles.
March 15, 2026
A Cowboy and a Promise (Blackstone Ranch Book 1
I enjoyed this book with an interesting storyline filled with many likeable characters. Will be picking up Book 2, Her Texas Cowboy. JudyE
I enjoyed this book with an interesting storyline filled with many likeable characters. Will be picking up Book 2, Her Texas Cowboy. JudyE
February 18, 2020
Great Texas love story
Loved the characters in this book. I wanted it to continue. Hope to read more by Pam Crooks. Would like to find out how the ghost town ended up.
Loved the characters in this book. I wanted it to continue. Hope to read more by Pam Crooks. Would like to find out how the ghost town ended up.
April 10, 2020
Another very pleasant surprise!
January 20, 2022
Good read!
I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest through out the whole book. I liked all the characters and Gunner!
I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest through out the whole book. I liked all the characters and Gunner!
January 22, 2022
New Yorker Cowgirl
Ava thought she'd always love big cities, especially New York. Beau taught her that hills and open plains of Texas can be good, too.
Ava thought she'd always love big cities, especially New York. Beau taught her that hills and open plains of Texas can be good, too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews