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Tarnation, Texas #2

The Cowboy's Son

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The stipulations of his father's will might dictate his actions, but nothing can control his heart...

For years, Lexi Lock has done the right thing, even referred to by her friends as a hopeless romantic. She believes in soul mates, passion and saving herself for the man of her dreams. And then sexy in Wranglers smiles at her and she has a new appreciation for tough and dirty.

Ash Colt is a snarly mess. He’s stuck in Tarnation dealing with his brothers who are strangers, a ranch that isn’t his, and needing a wife…fast--thanks to his father. The sliver of heaven in all the chaos is his neighbor who makes the view from the depths of an inferno seem pretty darn good. She isn’t marriage material…she’s too sweet to marry a Colt…but flirting never hurt anyone.

Life isn’t so bad.

That is until he’s changing diapers and wearing spit-up…

A baby left on his doorstep with a note attached to his shirt leaves Ash elbow deep in daddy duties. He’s taken care of plenty of baby animals in the past, but a human baby requires something Ash isn’t sure he’s capable of.

Until his beautiful neighbor comes to his rescue…

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2019

422 people are currently reading
108 people want to read

About the author

Rhonda Lee Carver

119 books350 followers
Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of contemporary western and romantic suspense, but she loves to write other genres too. She's known for writing stories that keep readers laughing, crying, gripping the edge of their seats, and screaming all in one book...like riding a virtual roller coaster. Whether she's creating sexy cowboys or tough guys, or sassy, independent heroines, readers are sure to find strong, powerful, memorable characters that are relatable.

By day, she taps into her creative, fictional world but at some point she transitions back into reality where she's a volleyball-stands cheerleader, homework virtuoso (at least she thinks so), amateur nurse to skinned knees, mediocre chef with some awesome microwave skills, pet-guru (all the strays show up at her house), and a Jackie of all trades for her kids who are the loves of her life. Yoga and chocolate keep her sane. Hallmark movies require cuddling up with tissues because she can be emotional. She adds a sprinkle of her own real-life adventures in each story she spins because a little truth never hurt anyone. She wouldn't give up one thing in her crazy, chaotic, ever-amusing life, except, she might do magic tricks for the bungalow on the beach she's had her eye on (GOALS).

Writing for Rhonda is like falling in love and finding a new best friend over and over again. Her characters will find a place inside your heart too.

Be sure to stop over at BookBub to get the latest on updates and sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhond...

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5 stars
420 (57%)
4 stars
208 (28%)
3 stars
81 (11%)
2 stars
16 (2%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Vickie Raynor.
1,179 reviews17 followers
June 12, 2019
Could not put this down! Each addition to this series just gets better. I was so wrapped up in the romance and the realness and my imagination took me to another plane. I highly recommend this if you’re in search of a feel-good romance. Book gifted to me.
898 reviews13 followers
June 19, 2019
The Cowboy’s Son
(Book 2 Tarnation Texas)
Rhonda Lee Carver

Surprise: Not only did you and your brother inherit property from a dad who abandoned you long ago, but you find out you have 3 more brothers, must live on the property for 6 months, and within those 6 months all 5 must get married.
If one doesn’t fulfill these stipulations in the will, then everything is gone even your own ranch.
Twists and turns that keep you wondering what is going to happen next as Ash and his brothers try to understand why their father did what he did.
Ash also has to figure out his attraction to Lexi.
Will Ash be able to fulfill his father’s wishes or will Lexi turn him down.
Throw in the baby dropped at his doorstep and how that will play out in this drama set up by his deceased dad will keep you reading this
fast paced story with strong willed characters. Another late night read.
Profile Image for CarolKat.
2,280 reviews29 followers
June 17, 2019
This series is so much fun. The Colt brothers just recently met, two sons from their father's marriage and three with his girlfriend. They are trying to adjust to not only living together on the huge ranch Grinning Spurs, but also running the businesses and other investments their father has stipulated in his will.

Ash and Brennan have a bit of feud going on since they both found themselves attracted to the veterinarian CC. Ash is over it but there is still friction between them. Seems they are a lot alike.

Lexi has a kennel, she does grooming and boarding for the town's pets while owners go on vacation. After being cajoled by her family and friends she puts together a welcome basket for her new neighbors, the Colt brothers.

As a result the brothers elect Ash to go thank her in person for the lovely gift.

This is the start of a very nice relationship. That is until a baby is left for Ash, on his doorstep, by someone he doesn't remember.

A complex tale, with suspense coming from several angles. It seems the Colts aren't the only ones with problems. Lexi has her share with her mother and sister.

Plenty of laughter and a simmer to sizzle relationship fraught with many hurdles.
Profile Image for Stacy J..
1,345 reviews12 followers
June 9, 2019
I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down.

Lexi was such an amazing character. She was kind, sweet. friendly, hardworking and way too lenient on her family. She was just an all around good person. Meeting Ash intrigued her but she was a romantic at heart and at first Ash seemed to have heart breaker all over him. When a baby shows up and Lexi can see just how out of depths Ash is, she starts to see the man underneath and realizes that she could easily fall for him.

Ash is a man who is unhappy with the predicament that his father left him in. Fighting with his new brother and a marriage stipulation isn't easy to deal with. Luckily the neighbor next door is nice to look at and not too bad to be around.

The flirting that these two did in the beginning was off the charts but I really liked after the baby was introduced. I loved the visual that Mrs. Carver painted about this strong, masculine man who could easily wrestle a bear have to hold a baby let alone feed and change its diaper. There were some laugh out loud moments and Lexi handled them wonderfully!
175 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2022
So i started this book to see if there was continuation of the first story that ended so abruptly. Nope. If anything, it just got worse. New characters are introduced and other characters and mentioned in passing. Among them, not a character that snags you including the H and h.

The h is a doormat for her mom, sister and even her friend Chloe. The H. Good grief.

The most aggravating factor in this story is the fact that he doesn’t even remember meeting or sleeping with the mother who drops off the baby but he’s willing to take her word that the baby is his. This one excerpt pretty much finished this story for me.

“Man, I’m glad you’re taking on your responsibilities, but are you sure the kid is yours?”
He couldn’t meet his brother’s gaze. “She says he is and that’s enough for me. He’s a Colt and he’s caught up in a mess. I can’t let him down. I won’t let him down.”

He’s talking legal issues and finding her to give him legal rights but nowhere at all does he mentions taking a paternity test!!!! In this day and age?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ANNBOOKSHELF.
1,111 reviews14 followers
October 18, 2019
Talk about things are not always what they seem - this story brings, shock, suspense, twist that you don't see coming and romance!

Ash one of three brothers & discover 3 step brothers. His abandon dad never got the "parenting" part of responsibility down but he did pass it on to his sons. They were not going to turn out like their father. All brothers had to live under one roof for 6 months. A journey to learn & lean on one another and hopefully forgiveness & grab at a future! 5 adult cowboys under one roof sure makes things interesting. 5 makes outnumbered in Tarnation Texas comical or dangerous. Lexi Brown up & taking care of her mother & sister has taught her to keep herself safe & not to fall for a pretty face of charmer. That worked until Ash walks into her life. This is not a simple boy meets girl this has twist & turns, heartbreak and risk. V1,S1.5 no cliffhanger

@my2cents_biologist
Profile Image for Sara Keenan.
155 reviews7 followers
June 20, 2019
The Cowboy’s Son is #2 in the series, and what a great series it has become. This was a very good read; it took me a day to read this! I love love love Lexi Lock, there is nothing wrong with being a hopeless romantic. Lexi who is hardworking, feels that there is a man out there that is just right for her and she’s willing to wait.
Ash Colt who is in Tarnation with his brothers working their way through their fathers’ stipulations….and one of them being he needs to have a wife! Ashe meets Lexi and instant sparks start flying. Everything seems to be going in the right direction for these two…. well that is until a baby is left at the doorstep of the farm (insert HUGE twist).
This story is not your typical storyline, and I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed after reading this story. I can’t wait until the next one comes out to see how these Colt boys are doing.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews24 followers
June 23, 2019
This is dramatic, amusing, surprising and romantic. Ash is under the pressure of finding a wife, and he's trying to fight his attraction to Lexi, because he doesn't see the two connecting. And then someone drops a baby off claiming that he's his father. Lexi is a romantic who has saved herself for her soul mate, and she thinks that might be Ash, until the baby shows up, then she's confused. She is not thrilled with the thought that Ash could sleep with someone and then not remember her, but her attraction to him is so strong that she wants to be with him anyway. I love Ash and Lexi, he's sweet and caring and charming. Lexi is strong and vulnerable and caring. I can't wait for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Profile Image for Chanel.
1,833 reviews
October 26, 2019
For me this Series is not meeting the expectations I count on from this author. Like the first book, Ms. Carver’s signature style, which sets her apart from other authors, is missing in this story. The primary plot between Lexi and Ash is pleasant but there are too many secondary plots (a baby on left on the door step— an assault on Lexi’s sister—a 2nd chance horse ranch— continued conflict between the brothers) so they are rushed and lackluster. The baby story line, which from the title sounds like the theme of the book, is dealt with like an after-thought.
Now I will say there is more background given on Buzz Colt and hints about why he may have made such demands in his Will for his sons. Plus, there is twist which adds a spark, though, its left to die off. Right now, I am not sure I will continue with this Series.
Profile Image for Christine Lacombe.
292 reviews16 followers
June 19, 2019
I loved this 2nd book in the series. This time it’s Ash and Lexi’s turn.

Ash knows he needs to find a wife, but even though he’s starting to have feelings for Lexi, he doesn’t want to give in. He’s fighting it because he doesn’t think he wants to get married for real.

As for as Lexi, she wants her soulmate. At first she thinks Ash is a player but little by little, as her feelings for him develop, he starts proving her wrong.

And then there’s the situation with the baby. You’ll need to read the book for yourself to find out what happens there.

So the book has sweet and sexy, laughter and tears, romance, drama, and startling surprises.
I so love Rhonda’s books and the Tarnation series is a wonderful addition to her books. I can’t to see what happens to the other brothers.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,108 reviews86 followers
October 31, 2021
Romantic small animal caregiver Lexi Lock is bullied by her strong-willed friends and family to learn as much as she can about the Colt brothers and report back. Lexi does make a welcome basket for the brother and gets an in person thank you from Ash Colt but doesn’t report back. The two are instantly friendly, running into each other or contriving reasons to see each other.

Just as Ash and Lexi start to take things to the next level and readers think Ash will be the second to complete the hurdles set in Buzz’ will, a woman Ash doesn’t remember drops off a baby, implying Ash is the father and he has zero clues how to take care of a child or tell his brothers but Lexi is there to help.
Rating: 3.75stars
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,774 reviews63 followers
June 11, 2019
This was another awesome story and is book two in Ms. Carver's new series. Ash hates being at the whim that his father left him in. Lexi's character was very likeable. She was strong, feisty, sweet and a hard worker. When Ash and Lexi meet up, you can tell they like each other and the sparks start flying. And when the baby shows up, Ash is helpless so its Lexi to the rescue where they become even closer. But something is bound to come up. Will it make them stronger or break them apart? If you like western romance, then you need to pick this book up. I loved all the feelings and emotions from this and am now looking forward to the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Amanda Bordner.
1,121 reviews
June 29, 2019
Ash and Lexi’s story was one that COMPLETELY threw me for a loop in the best of ways in The Cowboys Son by Rhonda Lee Carver! Every time I think she has written a unique story, she comes out with another one that just sucks me in and doesn’t let me back up for air.

I really don’t want to give away anything on this book, but Ash and Lexi were drawn to one another immediately in ways neither of them could explain. But when a baby shows up on Ash’s doorstep, literally, his life is thrown for a loop. But there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Can these to overcome all of the odds and get their HEA?

Loved this book and cannot wait for the next Tarnation story to come out!
Profile Image for Debbie Collins.
804 reviews7 followers
August 28, 2019
The Cowboy's Son is the second book in the Tarnation Texas series and I must say that I have fell in love with this series and the Colt brothers. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
This is the story of Lexi and Ash, one is a hopeless romantic and the other has to have a wife, but really doesn't want to get married. Throw in a baby that poor Ash has no idea how to deal with, and even though Lexi is beyond confused, she helps out all she can.
This book is all about family and friends, with some passion, romance, drama, and fun thrown in. I cannot wait to see what happens next with this family!
567 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2020
The Cowboy's Son (Tarnation , Texas Book 2)

Lexi was perfectly happy with her status as a single gap who owned her own business and curvy figure. What she could live without was her mother and sister who just came back to town because they say her as an easy mark. What she didn't expect to do was to meet a cowboy who punched all the right buttons in just the right way. He and his four brothers had moved to town because their Father that they had very few memories of had died. They really didn't like that everybody else thought the old man was so special. Now Ash just had to figure out what was so special about Lexi, and what to do about it.
Profile Image for Bonnie .
217 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2019
So love this...

Oh wow!! This one is so awesome and such a heart clenching , ahh moment that is will literally take your breath away. You have one hot cowboy , sprinkled with a take no nonsense curvy girl and add one cute little one and you have all rolled up into one extraordinary book. This Tarnation Series brings me back to the cowboys of Nirvana series so do miss those guys , but this new series will give it run for its money, cannot wait to see what is coming next... Keep these books coming. This book was reviewed by a Book Loving Vixen
467 reviews5 followers
June 21, 2019
Lexi was a romantic who had seen the ugliness of love, she knew there had to be the perfect guy out there for her so she didn't settle. Ash was under the pressure from his dad's will and thought it stupid because he didn't want to get married. But sometimes fate interferes with our best laid plans. What could be better than a hot cowboy who finds you irresistible. Just when things are coming along for these two, someone drops a baby at his door. Can they really rush into a ready made family and have it work. I think you'll be surprised.
1,843 reviews19 followers
June 21, 2019
Lexi's friends took her out to eat for her birthday and had her party while watching male dancers. Ms. Carver painted the scene with words so that you felt like you were there. While she is there her friends, Aunt an her sister talked her into taking a welcome basket to their neighbors. After leaving the basket on their porch, one of the brothers came to thank her.

This book has alot of great scenes and if I am not careful I could give away some of the best parts. I think that you will enjoy this book. I haven't read one of her books yet that I didn't like.
Profile Image for James a Schmidt.
305 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2020
“The Cowboy’s Son”(Tarnation,Texas Book2)

What a book! A family of ranching brothers,a woman who runs a kennel,her family and a bunch of small town people make this book a good read.The brothers have six months to all get married or not only lose the father’s ranch,but there own as well,according to the father’s will.Then things start going wrong,a baby,missing money from the kennel,and a sister being mugged to name a few.It is surprising that things start to look up from there.
A good book and worth the read.
900 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2019
I love hot, sexy cowboys. This is a great story of love and determination. Ash was given a stipulation in a will, marry within six months or lose the ranch. Lexi is happy being single, even though everybody else thinks she needs a man. When they meet, there are definitely sparks flying. Can they overcome some obstacles to be together? Will a secret destroy their relationship before it even gets started? This is a must read for any romance lover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelly Bailey.
192 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2019
Oh how I love Tarnation, Texas. Something about the Cole brothers makes you want to put roots there. Ash and Lexi's story is one that I really enjoyed. Don''t know if it is the gentleman in Ash or the waiting for her soulmate you see in Lexi. But it drew me in.
The flirtation of the two was great. I loved seeing the protective side and nervousness that came from time to time of Ash.
Won't be disappoint.
1,124 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2019
ENTERTAINING ROMANCE

Interesting story about a father who passed away leaving a will that stipulates all his sons must accept the terms and move to his ranch. Further stating that they each need to marry before the six months is over. This story is about Ash and his new found relationship with his brothers as he adjusts to his new lifestyle. When he meets Lexi, his attraction is immediate which adds another dimension to his problems.
1,244 reviews3 followers
September 15, 2021
Good Girl, Bad Boy

The second book in the series follows Ash and Lexi's journey to their happily ever after. Cocky Ash is drawn to Lexi from the start, but he thinks that she deserves better than him. And, Lexi thinks she's not experienced, pretty or sexy enough for the handsome, hot cowboy. Finding their way is complicated by miscommunication and a bouncing baby boy. An enjoyable read with a very satisfying ending.
Profile Image for Pauline Frost.
1,474 reviews5 followers
June 12, 2019
A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. This was about Ash and his brothers and half-brothers have to come together to deal with their father's will wishes. They all have their own adult life to take into account. Lexi has her own problems and finds she wants to start out just friends but ends up more.
65 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2019
Loved this story. Ash and 5 brothers had to work together for 6 months according to there Fathers will they had to find wives or they would lose there ranches. Ash met Lexi and they were attracted to one another but a big surprise came to Ash door one day and it could change everything. Read this story to find out what the surprise was and whether it was a HEA with the 6 brothers.
Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews163 followers
June 18, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful romance. The entertaining storyline is well balanced with drama and emotional turmoil. I loved the sparks that flew between Ash and Lexi and the fact that their relationship had many obsticles to overcome. Another wonderful book in this fun series. This is my sincere, voluntary review.
1,112 reviews
June 20, 2019
I really liked book one. I loved book two in the Tarnation series. Of course I always love a secret baby romance and this one has one incredible twist. Rhonda Lee Craver really writes a good cowboy romance and this one has lots of great characters and great subplots. I am really looking forward to book 3.
Profile Image for Emily.
1,689 reviews125 followers
June 20, 2019
"The Cowboy's Son" (Tarnation, Texas Book 2) by Rhonda Lee Carver is a great read. I loved Ash and Lexi's story. This story is full of humor, hot cowboys, small-town life, romance, passion, twists and turns, and more. I'm anxious to see what happens next with the Colt brothers. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, cowboys, family, small-town life, and series.
270 reviews
June 21, 2019
Buzz, you are a mean old man who didn’t do right by your sons, but…. DAMN! Love this second story in the Tarnation Texas set. Ash and Lexi are a match made in heaven. Ash really doesn’t believe in love, and Lexi believes in soul-mates. Yet, they are perfect for one another. I do believe that Buzz in watching from the other side and laughing! Wonderful story, delightful telling!
18 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2019
Ash is in town and according to his dad’s will must get married in 5 months to keep his ranch. Lexi owns a dog grooming business. She meets Ash after she brings a basket over to the Colt’s to welcome them. Ash comes over to thank her and they hit it off. Things go a little wrong when Ash has a baby dropped on his doorstep. Love these two characters thanks for a great story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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