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Seconds chances come in their own time for a cowboy. For Mindy and Creed the flame remains.

Newly divorced and empty nester, Mindy Sage, decided that her hometown might be the perfect place to reinvent herself, or at least find the wild and carefree girl she used to be before she moved away. She’s craving small town comfort, but the problem is, in Cooper’s Hawk, everyone knows everyone. Secrets can feel as tall and wide as the Montana mountains that backdrop the friendly, picturesque town where she’d left her heart in the hands of a handsome cowboy nineteen years ago.

Search and Rescue team member, Creed Hawke, understood more than anyone what saving a life meant, but who would save him from the one woman he’d never gotten over? He’d moved on—or at least he thought he had until those old emotions come tumbling back with the vengeance of a forest fire. He’s reminded of how much he’d loved Mindy, wanted her, swore to marry her. Why couldn’t he forget her? Resist her? Deny her his heart? Because he’d fallen for her at ten and never came back up for air.

How can he forgive her for stealing his daughter from him?

Is love stronger than the mistakes they’ve made? Or are they doomed before they find forever?

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2020

684 people are currently reading
321 people want to read

About the author

Rhonda Lee Carver

119 books349 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
900 (62%)
4 stars
365 (25%)
3 stars
123 (8%)
2 stars
45 (3%)
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17 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
Profile Image for Joan.
2,208 reviews
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December 12, 2021
I nearly stopped reading when the 'experienced' Mountain Rescue guy decided it was perfectly fine to stick an injured man in a harness and drag him back up the side of a cliff. A guy who has already lost a lot of blood and has a COMPOUND FRACTURE of his leg!!! WTF???
The injury has apparently, been wrapped in a makeshift bandage made from a red handkerchief (why the colour matters makes no sense to me!)

Come on. Compound fracture? Bone extruding from skin? blood loss? Shock? AGONISING pain? At least look up some medical details - you know. somewhere like Google - Compound fracture in the wilderness??
I cannot begin to imagine the damage caused by putting this guy in a harness (Which would have had to be pulled on over his legs?) and then hauling him up a cliff face with his broken bone sticking out of his skin and swaying around unsplinted!!!

What did make me stop was this though: (Creed thinking about Libby, his 14 yr old daughter)

"She was young, still needed her mom, but even more so now as a teen, as changes were taking place in her body that he couldn't possible understand."

FFS!!!!!! He can read can't he?? He knows what a woman is, doesn't he? Why on earth can't he 'understand' the changes in her body?? I bet Libby's had sex ed at school and understand the changes going on in boys' bodies when they reach puberty, so wht can't her dad understand??

I was too annoyed to continue.

CBA rating right now.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
December 17, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/17/2020)! 🎁
11 reviews
December 10, 2021
Cowboy Creed needs a proofread

A good story with interesting characters is ruined by lack of proofreading - middle-school level, or less, grammar skills turn this read into a game of 'guess what the writer was going for' - to the point of distraction from the story. I would buy more from this reader, except that other volume reviews refer to this same issue. No thanks.
Profile Image for Laurel .
1,359 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2022
This was definitely a second chance book. Unfortunately, there were so many untruths to get through. In this book the characters were nicely rounded. You figured out the good ones from the bad. I didn't understand how none of the generations could tell the truth, when asked. It was a bit disturbing with so much information on teenage behavior by those same characters.
2,533 reviews
November 16, 2021
free ebook

they were childhood friends. she found out she was preg and left him a letter but another girl found it and didnt give him the letter. instead she met the girl and told her he didnt want her or the baby

so she left and married someone else. after he cheated on her and got a younger girl preg she went back to the small town where she grew up and her dad had a ranch

he went to the service, read her texts but didnt call her back, he didnt know he had a daughter

he married the woman who kept the letter and had a daughter with her, but she left to be a actress

she came back when she heard the other lady was in town, made a mess by telling him he had a daughter. the other lady was trying to tell him but the time was never right

he met his daughter, they all got along and he asked the lady to marry him, she did and they had a son
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
190 reviews
January 22, 2023
Mindy is a divorcée and she was a figure skating coach. Her daughter knows that his father does not plan on having a child so soon and her ex-husband raised Jane as his own child. However, she knew that her marriage would not last and her ex-husband has currently a new girlfriend. Hence, she wants to head back to her hometown.
Creede works as part of a Rescue and Search team along with his brothers. They have a helicopter tour company and a ranch to take care of. He is a divorced man and he is also taking care of his daughter since his ex left to pursue her own dreams. He is having a difficult time with his teenage child and it does not help that he has long hours of work. He has thoughts on Mindy whom was his first love but things did not end well for them.
Mindy is finally back in Cooper Hawk and she is offered a job by her former coach in skating. She does not expect that she will see Creede again and she is still attracted to him seeing he moved on from her. Then, she learns that Creede is working at her family's ranch and her father sold the ranch to him. She is still hurt that he did not want to do anything with her when she told him to meet her if he still wants her.
Creede is shocked to learn that she is back again and she is the one who broke his heart when he left him to stay in Cali. He is angry that Mindy left him without saying anything to him and seeing her again resurfaced his old wounds. Mindy approached him to have a talk where they talked about their past. He regretted that he did not even tried to contact her when she left. Now that she is back again, he still has some strong feelings for her despite of the pain he felt.
Mindy feels the strong attraction for Creede despite of not seeing each other for years. She still cares for him even if he has already a child and she knows that she made mistakes in the past that she cannot undo. However, she has a secret that could ruin what he feels about her. Can they finally have a chance to belong to each other? Or will he lose her again this time forever?
The story is a second chance romance and I like how the author has a detailed description of the scenes. The characters have a good chemistry although it took them to long to reconnect with each other. I wished that they had a proper communication to avoid misunderstandings. I enjoyed reading the book and I love that Mindy and Creede
Profile Image for Sara Keenan.
154 reviews7 followers
May 20, 2020
I was so excited for Rhonda Lee Carver’s new series to start, and this book just goes to show how great this is going to be! In the first book of Cooper’s Hawke Landing series we meet Creed Hawke and Mindy Sage.
Mindy is recently divorced and has sent her daughter off to college so she is headed back home. She’s not sure if this is a permanent move or just a visit but she knows she needs a change and this was a good place to start. Mindy can’t seem to let go of some childhood memories and wants to see what’s in Cooper’s Hawk.
Creed Hawke is part of a search and rescue team all while taking care of his family’s farm and the new property he has obtained. While working on the land, Creed see’s a vehicle that looks out of place and finds out that his old flame Mindy is back at home. Creed finds Mindy at her dads and from there this story takes you on a wild ride!
Memories of their past are so vivid for them both, but they both have some secrets to tell and feelings to overcome. I found myself getting excited for things to come and had a hard time putting the book down. Rhonda Lee Carver did a great job with her characters and her storyline. Highly recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed!
Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews23 followers
May 31, 2020
This is heartbreaking, dramatic and sweet. Creed and Mindy were best friends growing up, until the night they became lovers. Creed didn't know how to be around her without it being awkward, so he backed off a little. Then Mindy left for college, and Creed for the service. Creed was hurt and heartbroken after Mindy ghosted him, and so he found solace in the arms of another woman. Strike one against him. When Mindy realized that she was pregnant she went back to tell him, only to find out that he was engaged to the other woman. Strike two. He never found out about the baby because his fiance confronted Mindy and convinced her that he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. And he blames Mindy for his not knowing about the baby. Strike three against him. It was his fault for jumping into bed with someone else so quickly, and his fiance's fault for hiding the fact that Mindy tried to tell him about the baby. He's a sweet guy with a big heart, but he doesn't take any responsibility for his own actions. Mindy was strong and determined after having her heart torn apart. The sparks flying between these two are scorching hot, and they react badly to each other, but they can be very romantic too.
Profile Image for Terra Oenning.
3,546 reviews
May 20, 2020
This book was absolutely fantastic and I'd give it 10 stars if i could. Rhonda has done it again and nailed another wonderful story that leaves you wanting more. Mindy and Creed grew up together but one night of passion has been a secret from creed all these years. Mindy is now divorced and and going back to cooper hawk to see her father ,but when she sees Creed again will she keep her secret or will someone tell creed? Creed has been in love with mindy since they were young but when he leave for the military and starts his own life and now has a evil ex-wife and his daughter who lives with him will he be able to forgive mindy for a secret or will his ex try to ruin mindy and try to get creed to take her back? This book had me crying in spots and wanting to smack his ex lol I absolutely love this book.
Profile Image for Christine Lacombe.
292 reviews16 followers
May 23, 2020
I absolutely love this new series. First, I love second chance romance and second, I love Rhonda’s books.

Cowboy Creed is a second chance romance and I really loved it.
Secrecy is not a good thing, and eventually they will come out.
Secrets are being kept all around and when they are all revealed, people are hurt, not physically but emotionally. But Rhonda has a way of telling her stories and you get all the feels, laughter, sorrow, angst, tears but most of all romance.
Mindy and Creed are both caught up in these secrets while their romance is rebuilding.

Their story is so heartwarming and they will get their HEA. But the road is slightly crooked and bumpy.
Read along and see the way they find each other again. I don’t know who or what is coming next, but if it’s one of Creed’s brothers, I can’t wait!!
Profile Image for Debbie Collins.
804 reviews7 followers
July 24, 2020
"Cowboy Creed" is the first book in the Cooper's Hawke Landing series and this series is off to a fantastic start. This is a second chance at romance for Mindy Sage and Creed Hawke, who grew up together and had been in love ever since they were very young. Things happen, life takes them in different directions and spiteful people help to cause turmoil between the two. Now all grown up, Mindy gets a divorce and moves back home to find herself again, but the feelings she had for Creed are still there. The question is can they get beyond the past to find a future together.
This is an emotional journey for Mindy & Creed with sparks flying and they are not always the romantic kind. I cannot wait to read more in this new and exciting series!
Profile Image for Colleen N.
368 reviews
December 27, 2024
Wow

It has been an extremely long time since I have enjoyed a book so much that I could not put it down and read it all in one sitting. This is a new author to me and I am so sad that I didn’t discover her brilliant writing sooner because now I have a lot of catching up to do. The characters in the story are relatable, funny, and strong. The chemistry between Creed and Mindy reminded me of my husband and I. I absolutely adored the children in the story and how the author wrote about the accurate and true struggles between a parent and their child. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series. If you enjoy a contemporary romance book with a very strong cowboy lead and matters of the heart, you will wanna run and grab this book immediately.
Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews162 followers
May 20, 2020
This is a powerful and deeply emotional second chance romance. Creed and Mindy's story takes you on a colossal rollercoaster ride of feelings as these two get a chance to reconnect, deal with painful baggage and mistakes and maybe this time get a HEA. I thought Creed was amazing and he snuck right into my heart. Mindy I liked but with reservations. Personally, I had big problems with what she did/did not do. Other than that pet peeve though I thought that this was a terrific read that was a nice combination of cute, sweet, poignant, hopeful and heartwarming. This is my sincere review that I am freely choosing to post.
900 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2020
I love second chance romances. This story pulls you in from the very beginning. After a unexpected divorce, Mindy is headed to her home town to try to put her life back together. Creed has long ago moved on, after Mindy broke his heart. He's a member of the search and rescue team and life is good. Until she returns to Cooper's Hawk. Mindy has a secret and is determined to avoid Creed. What was she thinking, you can't avoid anyone in a small town. As they start to reconnect, it gets harder and harder to hold onto her secret. What will Creed do when he finds out her secret? Is their love strong enough to get through this? This is definitely a must read.
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews22 followers
December 30, 2021
I guess in such a small town you're limited in who you have a relationship with. These two families give neighborly a new meaning. I couldn't like the characters with their mercurial mood swings and hypocritical ways. Re: its okay if I keep a 19 year old secret but I'll condemn you for it. To be honest, I skimmed a lot and couldn't wait for the last page. I read another book before I finished this one. I hate to be like that because I'm sure there's a lot of creative work put into every book but a book needs to be cared for. There ate a lot of strange sentences and proofing errors that say to me that no one really cared about the final product.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,174 reviews26 followers
May 8, 2022
Hmmm, this was both enjoyable and frustrating. For 2 people who felt like they loved each other deeply, they failed to follow through with those feelings and it cost them 19 years. The H knew the h was leaving for college, he knew it and still felt like she abandoned him??? So he beds the first available replacement and even proposes marriage??!! Naturally during this fiasco the h returns to inform him of her pregnancy and meets Mrs. H-to-be, she thinks. Again instead of talking directly to him, she leaves. Communications does not seem to be a strong skill for either one of them. Nineteen years later, both are divorced, parents and back in the hometown. Near miss and then the HEA.
Profile Image for Amanda Bordner.
1,119 reviews
May 23, 2020
What a great, VERY unique story for Mindy and Creed by Rhonda Lee Carver!

This book was full of emotion, life changes, and second chances, and I enjoyed it from the very start. Mindy returns back to Coopers Hawke Landing after her divorce ready to rediscover herself and find her happiness. But in the process she of course sees her first love, Creed, and has to decide when and how to face the secrets she’s kept all this time.

Such a well written story and I cannot wait to see what’s in store best for this new series.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,768 reviews63 followers
May 25, 2020
Wow! This was an amazing start to a new series that Ms. Carver has started. Creed and Mindy were together as teenagers but their lives took them on different paths. When Mindy returns home after a divorce, Creed is still there. I love second chance romances. There are all kinds of emotions in this story and you might want to have a few tissues on hand. Loved the connections between them and was hooked from the first page. When secrets come out in the open, will they still feel the same way about each other?A wonderful book to just get lost in on a lazy afternoon!!!
487 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2020
Mindy and Creed were life long friends and after a night of passion, things changed for them and not necessarily for the good. Because of misunderstandings, a spiteful girlfriend, and hurt feelings they never spoke again! Almost 20 years later they run into each other when Mindy comes back to Cooper's Hawk to help her Dad on his ranch. Things start to heat up between them again, but will their relationship be able to survive a life-changing secret and a hateful ex?! Great start to a new series!
941 reviews7 followers
June 15, 2020
This Was A Fantastic Novel

It truly was an enjoyable read. The part I disliked was him putting all the blame on Mindy. She tried multiple times to contact him and he never responded, so who's fault is that? Certainly not Mindy's. He even admitted he was ready for a family at that age. Creed should have been forced to admit that he and his ex-wife were to blame for everything. I think Mindy should have made more of a point about that instead of taking all the blame. Just my personal opinion.
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,706 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2021
Mindy is just coming out of a divorce. She has doom decisions to make. Her daughter Jane is headed for her first year at college and Mindy doesn’t want to stay in the three story house by herself. She decides to go visit her father in her home town and see if the future gets clearer there. The problem with that is her daughters father also grew up there. She had made her father promise not to tell Creed about Jane and not to talk to Mindy about Creed. Interesting predicament when she runs into Creed shortly after her arrival. It make for a delightful story.
100 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2023
A great story idea but poorly written. The characters frequently didn't act the way they'd been described. The names were just annoying (except for Jane and Livvy).

Mindy is ~39 but at times sounds like a toddler (gets out of her jammies!?!), calls Creed Creedie which makes him sound like a toddler too.

The writing didn't flow very well, both main characters were erratic and illogical in their behaviour and overall I just wanted to get the book finished and be done with it.

Author needs to find herself a good editor.
Profile Image for Lorie - Bookaholic.
366 reviews19 followers
April 30, 2023
Childhood friends to lovers

I love Rhonda's books, especially her cowboy series.

Second chances comes in due time for Creed and Mindy and their flame remains because of the love they shared when they were young. But secrets can hurt especially when there is someone else who had kept them from being together.

Can they find their way back to each other and can they forgive one another? Is love stronger than the mistake they've made? Will Creed, Mindy, Jane and Livvy find a way to be a family? Find out where Nicholas Rusty Hawke comes into their lives. Happy reading!

894 reviews13 followers
May 20, 2020
Cowboy Creed
Rhonda Carver
Can you go home and find happiness? Mindy returns to her home town to try and put her life together again after her divorce and her daughter leaves for college. Running into her old flame triggers old feelings, but is that the direction she wants to go?
Creed has to make a decision too. Will they be on the same path? Two love able characters whom you want to find their happy ever after. Pulls you in from page 1 and keeps you hanging on until the end.


1,925 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2020
Wow!!
When they were 10, Creed promised to be Mindy's husband and protect her from the tornado. They were best friends. When they were 18, they also shared more than they were ready for. Now they both have some surprises coming their way.
Secrets have a way of showing up when you least expect them. What you do when you find out and how you react is on you. Will Creed react the right way or run?
An amazing start to a new series.
65 reviews2 followers
May 21, 2020
What great new series for Rhonda Lee Carver.
This story is one that has you guessing what will happen when Minday goes back and sees Creed for the first time in 19 years and she has a secret that will effect quite a few people once it's out. She founds out he has a daughter which was a surprise. Then mindy's Dad sold some of his land to Creed behind
Mindys back and she wasnt happy to find this out.great book I love it and you will too. Read to find out what happens to Creed and Mindy.
Profile Image for Elaine Swinney.
2,205 reviews7 followers
June 1, 2020
This is an amazing start to a new series. I am a big fan of Rhonda Lee Carver. This is a well written story about a second chance at love. The characters are awesome and I look forward to seeing where these characters go. I am also looking forward to seeing where this series goes. I don't do spoilers so get this book I really think you will like it. This one is worth your time. This isn't a quick easy read but it is great!!!
1,861 reviews9 followers
August 29, 2020
Friends to Lovers!

Cowboy Creed: Wonderful story! Great characters and a amazing romance. I liked the suspense, Surprises and challenges. I loved all the animals. Creed and Mindy had a special relationships they were great friends from a young age and even though she left to see a bigger place they never loss the sparks when she came back in the small town. They had challenges to get through with a little help from Libby and Jane. I really enjoyed this story.
Profile Image for Linda Rutland.
320 reviews2 followers
Read
December 13, 2021
Young love with 2 stubborn streaks

Mindy returns home after 19 years away. Of course she meets Creed Hawke his first a truly her only live. But her secret could truly put a nail in the coffin that she built when she left the first time. Creed still loves her but can't understand why she ran out and never returned. I'm looking forward to the stories of the other Hawke brothers and maybe some of the younger romances from Cooper Hawkes Landing.
667 reviews
January 29, 2022
Mindy and Creed

Mindy's carrying a hugh burden. She never really wanted to marry Branch, but after her failed attempts to recconcile she has little choice but to divorce him. Thankfully Branch has had one to many affairs and trying to make it big. So sorry because. Now she is so happy, And has been able to reconnect with Creed and maybe tell him everything. Only now she has to deal with his knowing ex
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews

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