Cowboy Tough

Dry Creek Ranch #2

by Stacy Finz

Five hundred acres of gorgeous California land is a life-changer for cousins Cash, Jace, and Sawyer—and a surprising chance for each of them to find a game-changing love . . .

Sheriff Jace Dalton’s plate is piled high even before he discovers a stranded motorist just a few miles from his home. With two lively young boys to raise, a challenging reelection to win, and a hefty tax bill due on the ranch, all he wants at the end of the day is a shower and a cold beer. But the woman in the packed SUV clearly needs his help—and though she’s a stranger, Jace finds himself wanting to turn her haunted look into a smile . . .

Fleeing her abusive boyfriend, Charlotte Holcomb thought she’d escaped before she lost everything, but more heartache was to come. Now, sidetracked by a brewing storm, Charlotte has to trust the handsome sheriff. Just one night, she tells herself, before she’s on her way again. But when gentle Jace and his kids offer the kind of sanctuary she never imagined possible, it’s hard to say goodbye. Soon the two wary strangers are becoming friends, and longing to open their hearts to more—if they can move beyond the pain of their pasts . . .

PRAISE FOR COWBOY UP

“Stacy Finz delivers a fantastic tale of cowboys, cattle rustling and the power of love and family in the California gold country.” –Kate Pearce, New York Times bestselling author

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Westerns

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2020

About the author

Stacy Finz is an award-winning former newspaper reporter. After more than twenty years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. She is the author of the Nugget Romance series (Kensington/Lyrical Press) about a small mountain town that has a strange way of giving people unexpected reasons to start over--and find the most irresistible chances to fall in love. Look for her Garner Brothers series (Zebra) in 2017.

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Reviews

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story. Jace and Charlotte were so good together. They each had issues in their past that they needed to overcome and with the help of each other, they were able to and so much more. They were able to find love again. This story was so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I have read several of her books and she never fails to make me fall in love with her work more and more each time I read it. I can’t wait until the next book in this series.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...

Right away this book will break your heart for Charlie. What happens to hear is just so wrong. You really need to read the book to get the full picture of why. Something's is better to be read fro oneself.

Like with the prior book I totally loved this one. These three cousins are so much fun to read about. Up this time is Jace. If you've read the prior book than you already met Jace and his sons. Jace is fighting so hard for what is left of his grandfathers legacy. It might turn out to be a losing battle.

I really enjoyed him in the first book, Cowboy Up and was waiting for more. Cowboy Tough all made me want even more. I guess it's the mystery of what happened to Sawyer's sister. I wonder if we'll finally find out what happened to her in his book.

Okay, enough about that we haven't even gotten to that book yet. Back to Cowboy Tough. I think my favorite part of this book is the way Jace treated his boys. Even when they were a handful he showed them love to go along with their punishment.

He's a wonderful dad and sheriff and the two didn't need to treat him like they do. Or I should say some of the people. Not all. You'll have to read Cowboy Up to know what I'm talking about. This is why I love series. They are like a ball of yarn that's knotted.

Since you know kinda what's going on in Charlie's life you really feel for her. She's full of a ton of emotions and she really doesn't know who to trust. I don't blame her for not trust or want to bring trouble to Jace and his boys.

It's really sweet to see how Jace and the boys show her how it's to be with around good people again. It's been so long for her that she forgot. She learned a lot about Jace through his boys. You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats the weakest people around him.

I think the most heartbreaking part is around the last half of this book. Again, you'll need to read it to find out why, but I really liked how the author handled her becoming her own person again. As a whole, this is a wonderful story that I didn't want to end. I really enjoy these people even if they are only on paper. Do yourself a favor and read the series in order. There are only two books so far and you'll really get to know what's whats if you do.

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ARC received for an honest review

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we meet Charlie who is running from her scumbag and abuser of an ex, leaving doubt in her, afraid and wary of who is who. and she needs to learn how to trust again, can you blame her? Well I certainly didn't and I liked and respected her, this lady has been thru a lot. She meet Jace, who is also trying to rediscover and trust again after getting out of a marriage to someone who would abandon their children (yeah-horrid) right when they both needed each other without knowing how much they did. Anywho they meet on a crazy situation, but again when they needed each other the most. I liked that these two got to know each other before jumping in the sack and feeling like they loved each other from just a look. No Stacy took the time to express what Charlie went thru, and how doesn't matter how poor or rich you are, abuse can come from anyone, or anywhere. We have Jace's sons who had to go thru the suffering of having a parent that leaves you because they were selfish, self centered, heartless. Luckily these two met and it wasn't the everything is good now, there were secrets and feeling that each had to overcome to be able to be what the other needed and they themselves can love and respect. Only thing that I didn't like was that I didn't know this wasn't the first book so I have to go back, and that it was just a little slower than I am used to..just a little

Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
4.5 stars.
“Cowboy Tough”, by Stacy Finz (Kensington Books), is a fascinating and very enjoyable story featuring a fascinating, ordinary, incredibly solid and decent man! It’s just great to have such a well-written story about a regular hero, who, besides being so besotted with the heroine, applies and shows kindness and sense of honor and decency in all facets of his life. He’s just a regular guy but there’s so much extraordinariness in that and Stacy Finz’s writing style is top-notch.
Jace and Charlie/Charlotte are caring people, seeking and needing affection, intimacy and love before sex.
Romance and the great chemistry between Jace and Charlie aside, there’s also a realistic insight into the dramatic effects of domestic violence on victims.
I also loved Jace’s boys, such great kids who are just kids and not precocious adults; and the families and small community facing real economical problems with no easy solutions.
Charlie is a great heroine, with a very interesting job, and there are great secondary characters too.
I’m waiting eagerly for the next story in this series featuring three very different cousins who inherited Dry Creek Ranch.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questa è l'autrice a cui mi rivolgo quando voglio leggere un romance leggero, pur avendo i libri di questa serie sempre una spruzzatina di suspence. Come gli altri, anche questo si legge con facilità e le pagine girano senza che tu te ne accorga; alla fine, poi, ti sei affezionato ai personaggi e quasi ti dispiace lasciarli andare.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Dry Creek Ranch #2, Jace, Cash, and Sawyer are still trying to figure out how they can keep their ranch in one piece and still have enough to pay the taxes which are coming up and on top of all that Jace is up for re-election as Sheriff and this time he has competition. Jace also needs a new babysitter for his boys, even though the oldest, Travis, is old enough to watch Grady they don't always play nice. Charlotte is on the run from her fiance with the help of an organization that specializes in her situation she's trying to get as far away from him and San Francisco as possible she only made it as far as Dry Creek. Charlotte's former fiance cost her everything and now she has to start over. When Jace earns her trust enough for her to confide in him he talks her into staying at least for a little bit and file a restraining order. Charlotte helps around the house, watches the boys when they need it, helps out with the re-election campaign, and she start to find something to help her make money, refurbish and upcycle stuff she found at an old barn. She is well on her way to falling in love with the town, the boys, and Jace now she only needs to stop worrying about what her ex-fiance is going to do when he finds her.

Overall, it was another fabulous read from Stacy Finz. Wonderful characters love Charlotte heartbroken but resilient, Jace hesitant to start a relationship with a woman who has up until now been a city girl and one who might leave him and his boys and they have been through that before he can't do it again. This a a wonderful romance, Stacy Finz has a way with words, she pulls you in and makes you feel like your part of their family. I am really looking forward to Sawyer's book and finding out about what happened to Angie.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Wonderful characters and an educational component of domestic violence.

[Nate Brightman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much I literally don’t even know where to begin. My only complaint is it took Ms. Finz so long to produce this second book in her Dry Creek series that if I hadn’t pre-ordered it, I might have missed it. My litmus test for rating a book is simple. How hard is it for me to put it down before I finish reading it and how do I feel about it once I have. I couldn’t put this book down until I read it from cover to cover (or whatever the Kindle equivalent of that is) and now that I’ve finished it, I’m sort of sad it’s over like the end of a great day. So needless to say, it gets my 5 Star rating.
Like most of her books this story is set in a small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The series is based around the stories of three male Dalton cousins. Jace the hero of this book is the sheriff of the make believe Mill County south of San Francisco and north of Sacremento. He was raised by his grandparents on Dry Creek Ranch after his parents and younger brother were killed by a drunk driver. His two cousins, Sawyer, an investigative journalist and author and Cash a retired FBI agent now working for the California Dept. of Agriculture primarily investigating livestock thefts, while not raised on the ranch, spent plenty of time there growing up. Cash and Aubrey’s story comprise the first book in the series Cowboy Up. This book can easily be read as a standalone but you won’t be disappointed if you read Cowboy Up first. Grandpa Dalton dies leaving the 500 acre ranch to the three cousins. Actually four since Sawyer has a sister Angela whom no one has heard from for five years. The mystery around her disappearance plays a minor part in the first two books in the series.I suspect it will be a much larger part of Sawyer's story in the next book. All three cousins now live on the ranch with Jace and his two young sons Travis fourteen and Grady nine, living in the large manor house he grew up in. Jace is a single dad. His wife Mary Anne deserted him and the boys a few years ago because she found the life too confining for her liking. Our heroine is Charlie Rogers. At least that’s the name she’s taken to help her hide from her abusive and well connected boyfriend Ainsley, she’s trying to escape from with the help of Meredith a woman who heads an underground network dedicated to helping abused women escape their abusers.
As the story opens Jace comes upon Charlie sitting in her car on the side of a rural road. Her little SUV is loaded with all the personal belongings it can hold and Charlie is suffering a serious medical emergency. Jace drives her to the closest hospital for medical attention. After treating her the attending doctor makes Jace aware of his suspicions that Charlie has been abused based upon the severe bruising he found during his examination. Charlie refuses to reveal anything about her situation and insists she wants to leave the hospital and get back on the road even though the doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation. It’s storming outside. Jace manages to convince Charlie she’s in no shape to drive, especially with the weather conditions. He offers to take her to a motel so she can rest for the night while the storm passes. But there’s no rooms to be found due to a big convention happening nearby. Jace offers to take Charlie back to his house and let her spend the night in one of its many spare bedrooms. Charlie reluctantly accepts his offer of hospitality. One thing leads to another and before you know it, one day turns into a week and weeks turn into a month, or two. This is a contemporary romance so it will come as no surprise that Charlie finds herself fitting right into the daily routine of running the ranch house and caring for Jace’s two boys and even taking steps to get back into the career she had before she gave it up for Ainsley. And of course, falling in love with the steady, handsome perfect Jace and his two boys and the ranch. She becomes BFFs with Aubrey, Cash’s fiancée who lives with him and his daughter Ellie on the ranch. And that’s all the story I’m going to reveal.
Stacy Finz is a talented romance writer. This book has a very nicely paced romance between Jace and Charlie. Jace is cognizant of what Charlie has been through and sensitive enough not to try and make a move on her despite his ever growing attraction to her. After being sucked into an abusive relationship where she allowed a psychopath to manipulate her, give up her life and separate her from the people she loved while verbally and physical abusing her, Charlie doesn’t trust her judgement. As much as she wants to trust Jace is everything he seems to be, she’s slow to act upon her growing feelings towards him. One thing I like about Ms. Finz’s stories is being a contemporary romance of course there’s sex. And it’s definitely closer to X-rated than PG. But it’s also not overly graphic and the characters don’t utter stupidly crass, dirty sexy things to each other before, during or after sex. The way they behave and talk about their sex life is what I would expect from two people who enjoy physical intimacy as well as a growing affection for each other. There’s an element of constant danger in the story as the fear of Ainsley discovering where Charlie is and exacting revenge on her for leaving him hangs over their heads. Add to that Jace is up for re-election and despite his high character and experience in law enforcement that re-election is not a slam dunk. Jace isn’t helping matters by practically refusing to campaign for himself believing all he needs to do is stand on his record. Beyond that is a carry-over issue from the previous book. Grandpa Dalton left the boys the ranch but he also left them with a hefty past due tax bill they have to figure out how to pay. They struggle amongst themselves how to come up with the money as the deadline is fast approaching. I thought even the ending where Charlie acknowledges she loves Jace but still leaves to get her head on straight was perfect. Although I thought it was especially hard on the boys who had already watched their mother abandon them. That she needed time to understand how she’d allowed herself to be manipulated by Ainsley and to learn to trust her feelings again made sense. As much as she hated leaving she knew she had to do this for herself before she could be good for anyone else. The scene where she returns was perfectly understated. This was a wonderfully engrossing story with perfect pacing. Please Stacy, hurry up with Sawyer’s story.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Holcomb/Charlie Rogers had pulled off the road when the cramping started. "This is bad, real bad," she thought. The next thing she knew a sheriff was asking her to put her window down and telling her she couldn't stay there. She told him she would get her car back on the road but realized she just couldn't. When the sheriff noticed blood on the seat she told him she was having a miscarriage. He convinced her to let him take her to the hospital and maybe they could save the baby.

Sheriff Jace Dalton knew he had to act fast. He got her out of her car and transported her to the closest hospital. Jace decided to wait there to see how Charlie fared. The ER doctor informed him that Charlie had lost the baby and he was concerned she had been abused due to seeing contusions and much bruising on her back. Jace strongly suspected that Charlie was running from an abuser. She refused to remain at the hospital so Jace attempted to find a motel room where Charlie could spend the night and hopefully get her strength back. No rooms were available so he ended up taking her home. And that's how it all began.

Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz is the second book in her Dry Creek Ranch series. I read the first book in the series, Cowboy Up and totally enjoyed it. I liked Cowboy Tough just as much. Ms. Finz has three tough, honorable characters in the Dalton cousins. These three men inherited Dry Creek Ranch after the death of their grandfather. They face financial difficulties with past due taxes owed and the need to find ways for the ranch's income to increase. I like how the author finds perfect matches for these guys. In this case Jace Dalton is raising his two sons on his own after his wife left them. Charlie agrees to stay and help with the boys while Jace looks for a babysitter. Charlie gets along great with the boys and comes to care for them. Knowing her ex-boyfriend who comes from a very wealthy and influential family will eventually catch up with her means Charlie has to move on at some point. Jace falls for her and wants her to stay. The storyline moves along smoothly and I think will keep the reader's interest. This is a wonderful small town romance filled with love, community interest and family togetherness.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz is the second in the Dry Creek Ranch series. This second book is at least as good as the first, if not better. Sheriff Jace Dalton finds a woman parked at the side of a road out in the country. She appears to be in the middle of miscarrying a child. When she is finally released she won't tell him her name, only Charlie, which he senses is not entirely accurate. There are no motel rooms available so he takes her to his house for the night. He's a nice guy. The one night turns to months, until neither one of them can remember her not being there. During that time Charlie shares some of her story and Jace investigates and discovers more of it. She is running but she has nowhere to go. He wants her to be safe. If she has to leave, so be it. In the process Charlie discovers that a man can be angry but not raise his voice or become violent. It is a revelation to her, reminding her that her father had been the same. She had forgotten.

This is a fabulous story that centers on spousal abuse, a very current topic. Charlie's story ends much more tragically than many do, although the danger is no less. It takes a courageous woman to get out. We see this courage in Charlie. We see it in Jace and his sons, and the rest of his family. All the while, life goes on around them. Jace's son Travis gets caught in a compromising position with his girlfriend, Charlie starts a successful business, Jace is busy running for re-election, the taxes on the ranch are still due, and more. This is a busy book about life and about love. Things don't always work out the way we plan: that is a tragedy, but sometimes things are better than we could have planned. Finz does a terrific job with building characters and setting. This plot and the subplots were all good, and true to life. I love this series and can't wait for the next one. I recommend to all readers of modern romance and modern cowboy romance.

I received a free ARC of Cowboy Tough from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #cowboytough

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would seriously give this more stars if I could. I adored this series. Now I did read them out of order as they could be stand-alone reads. There is an underlying theme of unpaid taxes on the ranch and Sawyer's missing sister, Angie but they really can be stand-alone. Each one is fantastic. I am really hoping that Sawyer's sister, Angie get a story also.

Charlie Rogers is on the found on the side of the road by the County Sheriff, Jace Dalton. At first Jace thinks she is homeless as her small SUV is loaded down with boxes, clothes and other miscellaneous items. Jace tells Charlie that she can't stay there and where the nearest places are for her to go. She barely moves and clutches her middle. Jace opens the passenger door and notices blood. Charlie is pregnant and is about to miscarrying her baby. Jace rushes her to the nearest hospital for help. The doctor informs Jace that Charlie had been assaulted hence the loss of the baby that was in the second trimester. Jace takes Charlie home as it is late evening and she had been given painkillers. What happens is just a griping tale of how much these two go through to get to their HEA.

I just adored both of the main characters. Even though I have never been in either of their situations, they were so relatable. The plot is one that flowed beautifully. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I had to see what the author had in store for these two. There were some great scenes that made chuckle, laugh, sigh and almost cry. I felt like I was right there in the midst of the scenes. I could really picture the action in my mind.

The story was written in a multiple POV format. Not only was there the POV of the two main characters but we also see Sawyer's. His story is the third book of this series.

There were some sexy scenes. The author gave some light detail but nothing of a graphic detail. I would HIGHLY recommend this story and the entire series to anyone over the age of 18.

[Fly Girl Wickedcoolflight blogger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacy follows up Cowboy Up with another great story in the Dry Creek Ranch series. This one follows Sheriff Jace Dalton as he finds his way to love and was actually the reason I started the series. I wanted to read this one and I was not disappointed. It was a quick read because it was so entertaining and paced very well. Jace discovers Charlotte at a very low point in her life and takes her as she is. He builds trust with Charlotte by his actions and the way he parents his two rambunctious boys.

Charlotte can’t help but fall in love with Jace and his kids when she discovers they are all just a bit broken from the loss of their mother. Even though she is alive, she doesn’t care enough to be a part of their lives and that has left some serious scars for them to recover from. Charlotte with her quiet and soft ways helps them understand other people can love you too. And sometimes our parents aren’t born to us. Sometimes we get to choose and that is makes them even sweeter.

Of course there is some action in this one. Charlotte’s ex comes around to try to destroy a good thing. The family all pulls together so Jace and Charlotte get a HEA. The other cool part of this is her penchant for shabby chic and found objects. She just can’t help herself from rehabbing lost and old found pieces, even when she’s on the run. She is so grateful to the family, that she leaves a little cash behind when she goes on the run again from her ex. This is a good thing because the Dalton’s have a huge tax bill on the property.

I can’t wait for the next installment. Sawyer’s story is going to be interesting as he’s a writer with a livin’ on high lifestyle. I wonder what kind of girl Stacy is going to come up with for him. So I’m giving this another 4.5 of 5 propellers and look forward to the next review for Cowboy Strong.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five hundred acres of gorgeous California land is a life-changer for cousins Cash, Jace, and Sawyer—and a surprising chance for each of them to find a game-changing love . . . Sheriff Jace Dalton’s plate is piled high even before he discovers a stranded motorist just a few miles from his home. With two lively young boys to raise, a challenging reelection to win, and a hefty tax bill due on the ranch, all he wants at the end of the day is a shower and a cold beer. But the woman in the packed SUV clearly needs his help—and though she’s a stranger, Jace finds himself wanting to turn her haunted look into a smile. . . Fleeing her abusive boyfriend, Charlotte Holcomb thought she’d escaped before she lost everything, but more heartache was to come. Now, sidetracked by a brewing storm, Charlotte has to trust the handsome sheriff. Just one night, she tells herself, before she’s on her way again. But when gentle Jace and his kids offer the kind of sanctuary she never imagined possible, it’s hard to say goodbye. Soon the two wary strangers are becoming friends, and longing to open their hearts to more—if they can move beyond the pain of their pasts
This was a pretty good book. The story was well paced. I hadn’t read this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect.The story was definitely emotional and the type you would find on the Hallmark channel as it tugs on your heartstrings. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

[Meggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying the second installment of this series and feel invested in the family and Charlie's struggles. It's been a little difficult to follow the time progression, but periodically it shares how long it has been.

The biggest frustration doesn't have to do with the book, but the recording as I'm listening to the audiobook. The narrator struggles with word pronunciations to the point that when I was sharing it, my husband suggested it was AI. Plaid=Plade, misusing lead in an obvious way, Cordial=Core-dee-al, and so on. There have been a few times when a word was said and I had no idea what it was, unsure if it was a mispronunciation or strong vocabulary by the author.

Half the time I think she's saying "Chase" instead of Jace and "Audrey" instead of Aubrey.

There are so many instances of mispronounced words, you'd think production should have caught this.

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte is running away from an abusive relationship. Unfortunately, she gets stranded on the side of the road because she is miscarrying the baby. (Her abusive boyfriend beat her so badly that the baby miscarries.)
But Sheriff Jace Dalton finds her and takes her to the hospital.
His plate is full raising two boys as a single Dad and trying to figure out how to pay the tax bill on his ranch. But somehow he wants to help this poor woman he finds in a terrible situation.
Meanwhile, a storm is coming in and Charlotte is forced to stay at the ranch with the Sheriff.
Jace is one of the good guys and his kids are a handful but the warm family offers her a sanctuary that she can't just dismiss so easily.

[Mindy Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cowboy romance

Ok read. Slow burn, mild steamy scenes, chemistry was mediocre. I was hoping for more action and resolution but many interactions felt unfinished. The 2 kids were cute but I also felt like we could have had more of a connection with them and the heroine.

HEA but no far out epilogue
Triggers mention and description of domestic violence, miscarriage

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good from beginning to end. It's one of those books you can't put down.

I loved Jace and how he treated and helped Charlie. The supporting characters were exactly that - supporting.

I'm enjoying this series and recommend reading the books in order because the characters are developed with each book.

Not only do I recommend this series but other books by Stacy Finz.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Dena Rosario]

I really enjoyed this book. I like to read a book that doesn't leave me sad. I do know it's not real but I still like a book to make me happy.

[Kaye Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance & lots of mystery.

A good story and it kept me wondering how it would end. I could hardly put it down. It has just the right amount of romance & mystery.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read and good series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, mindless reading….very relaxing…

[Jean H · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend

I love the characters and the scenery description. I also enjoyed the suspense in the book. I can’t wait to read the next book!

[Nathalie Fannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one as much as the first one and am ready to start the next one.
I can visualize the town, the ranch, the characters....and they have grabbed my heart.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this, the third book of the Dry Creek Ranch series we get to tag a long as Sawyer and Gina navigate personal mysteries on their way to happily ever after.
Gina DeRosa, a celebrity chef, is sent by her crisis management team to Dry Creek Ranch to lay low while they figure out how to dig her out of a hole that seems to be of her own doing. At Dry Creek she mistakenly believes the up to date loft with the tricked out kitchen is her safe space.....enter Sawyer Dalton. Sawyer comes home from an assignment to find luggage strewn across HIS loft. Sawyer has his own mystery he's been dealing with and has no time or patience to deal with a "princess." The verbal barbs and sparks fly almost immediately.. Along the way they realize they like each other and want to help solve the mysteries.
I love when you find a book that is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. "Cowboy Strong" is one of those books (but I highly suggest reading the first 2). Ms. Finz is brilliant in describing all of her characters from cafe owners to Gina and Sawyer.
I enjoyed visiting Dry Creek Ranch and hope there are more stories there!!

[Diana Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dry Creek Ranch

My first books by Stacy Finz and loved the first 3 Charlie and Jace's story was my favorite . I'm waiting for book 4 price to go down $8 is more than I will pay for ebooks

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace and Charlie are two people who have been betrayed and hurt by their exes. Jace’s ex wife couldn’t wait to leave the ranch life behind even though it also meant leaving him and his boys behind too. Now she travels the world giving no thought or care toward the two sons who desperately miss her. Jace hasn’t forgotten the betrayal, but he isn’t holding on to the hurt as much any more. Charlie is on the run, trying to escape her abusive, rich lawyer boyfriend. He has taken control over life, isolating her from everyone else, including her family, and Charlie is now fleeing from him to protect the child she carries. Unfortunately, when she first meets Jace, the county Sheriff, she is having a miscarriage. Jace’s compassion for the beautiful and scared Charlie, leads him to giving her a place to stay at his family ranch. A series of events lengthen her stay, and she offers to help take care of his two boys, at least temporarily. Jace knows she is running from trouble, though she refuses to give him any information rather than a trumped up name, she owned a home decor store, and she is passing through. With his two cousins, the co-owners of the ranch, warning him not to get involved with Charlie, and even knowing she is only staying temporarily, Jace can’t stop his attraction to the resilient, compassionate and caring woman who has taken her sons under her wing. He helps her with legal matters in an effort to protect her from her ex, lets her use his barn for her design projects and generally falls in love with her. Charlie is not immune to Jace or his boys, and while their relationship soon includes passionate late night encounters, she is waiting for trouble to find her. She has grown to love the handsome rancher/Sheriff, and his two rambunctious boys, has started a growing business on the ranch, but she is still not the person she once was. When trouble does come to the ranch, will she stay and fight or go on the run again? Can she be the woman Jace and his boys need? Can Jace convince her to stay and accept his love and protection?

This story tugs at the heartstrings, evokes a variety of emotions and is riveting from the first to the last page. The characters have a vivid depth, a realism that snares the reader and fosters an investment in their well-being and happily ever after. I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Cowboy Tough is the second title in the Dry Creek Ranch series, and if you’re following the series then you’ve met Jace and his young sons before. If you’re just coming to this world then you’ll feel right at home. I would, however, suggest going back to the first story, Cowboy Up, for it’s a delightful tale and these cousins definitely have intertwined lives in many ways. There is domestic abuse in this story – if that is a trigger for you then be aware.

I was easily caught up in Jace and Charlie’s story. Two ordinary people placed in an extraordinary situation will find that the attraction between them grows in spite of their efforts to just ignore it. Jace has his hands full with his boys, his job and the ranch. Charlie is on the run from an abusive man who will harm her should he ever catch up with her, she has no choice but to put up walls to protect not only herself but the kindness of strangers as well. What I liked most about Cowboy Tough was the feeling of simply everyday people dealing the best they can with what is in front of them. They may each want to follow a different path to that dealing, but these are two good people that bad things have happened to – and, to be frank, that is scary as heck. Their romance is definitely a slow burn as Charlie recuperates, makes decisions that probably are putting her in danger but she simply doesn’t want to leave this man and his boys. She wants a life like the one she’s starting to create here, a future, and maybe she’s ready to take a stand right here and face what comes at her.

I enjoyed Cowboy Tough immensely and I’m already anticipating the next story in this series. You’ll find tears, laughter, some shenanigans from Jace’s boys, some very real danger for Charlie and a supporting cast that will soon feel like old friends. I had fun and that’s the whole point. If you love a good, solid romance, a couple you’ll want to find their way to a happy ending, and a sense of family in your romances, then you’ll love this one.

*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.*

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz
Dry Creek Ranch #2

Jace and Charlotte probably would never have met if her miscarriage had not sidelined her on the road in Jace’s territory. And even though he played good Samaritan they would not have had seen one another again if this that and the other thing had not serendipitously happened to keep them together longer than that ride to the hospital. The reasons he offered her shelter and she chose to accept the shelter make for a good story. Add in the backstory of both, the sons of Jace and both eventually falling for one another and you have a fairy tale HEA come true. Now...what will happen in book 3? Will Sawyer find his sister or will he find a woman of his own or will all of that happen and more?

What I liked:
* Charlotte/Charlie: beaten but not entirely broken, smart and courageous once she made her move, knows what she wants and reaches out for it, creativity aplenty, a good partner for Jace
* Jace: a good father, tied to the land, excellent sheriff, a bit clueless regarding his election campaign, looking toward the future and a good partner for Charlotte
* Cash & Sawyer: Great cousins and support characters in the story
* Aubrey: a good friend and assistant to Charlotte
* The way the story was told
* The relationship between Jace, Cash & Sawher
* The reality and grim reminder of farms going under and the cost to those who lose their livelihood
* The closeness between Jace & Charlotte and how it grew slowly
* Travis and Grady – Jace’s children
* The series

What I did not like:
* The abusive boyfriend – he, hopefully, will get what he deserves
* The Beals losing their ranch (maybe?)
* That politicians can win elections even though they don’t have a clue what to do if/when they win
* That I have to wait to read the next book in the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Do I want to read the next book in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

[LJT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacy Finz has another winner with her latest book, Cowboy Tough. This novel grabs you right from the start and the heart-stirring story never loses momentum. The two primary characters, Charlotte Holcomb and Jace Dalton, have amazing chemistry, and their romantic courtship is replete with friendship, desire and love. Ms. Finz is a talented storyteller and her words kept me glued to my seat.

Charlotte is on the run from her abusive boyfriend, who just happens to be a successful attorney and the son of a Senator. Due to a bad storm and tragic circumstances, she needs a place to recoup and regroup. Jace is the local sheriff and he offers to let her stay on his ranch for the night. One night turns into many more, and Charlotte, Jace, and his two boys form a family. In addition, Charlotte's self worth begins to blossom, even though she is constantly looking over her shoulder. Jace has sworn to keep her safe and does everything in his power to do so, while caring for his sons, running the ranch with his two cousins, and campaigning for reelection.

Cowboy Tough is a quick-paced story with well-defined and exciting characters. I loved the way Ms. Finz evolved Charlotte and Jace's relationship, with trust, tenderness, and desire. This is an emotional read, so you may want to have some tissues handy. If you are looking for a contemporary romance with a bit of suspense, an engaging plot, and a happily ever after that will leave a smile on your face, read this book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.