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Dry Creek Ranch #4
Cowboy Proud
On an inherited ranch in Northern California, one family is discovering all the possibilities life can offer—and the kind of love that will outlast even the land . . .
When Angela Dalton comes home to Dry Creek Ranch after a long absence, she’s carrying weighty emotional baggage. Charmed by a handsome face, she inadvertently bank-rolled members of a violent militia group, all of whom now want her dead for working with the authorities. Leaving witness protection for the ranch is a risk until she can figure out where to take her life next—and the good-looking cowboy who lives across the creek from her cabin is an inconvenient distraction. She can’t trust her heart to anyone again, even a gruffly sweet man like Tuff Garrison . . .
Tuff doesn’t get involved—with anyone. It’s been his guiding principle since leaving home alone at fifteen to find his own way in the world. But the haunted look on Angela’s gorgeous face is impossible for him to ignore—and the heat of their attraction has become a blaze. When a set of dangerous men track her down, they’ll have to rely on each other to escape the threat—and take a chance that trusting each other will be worth a lifetime of love…
“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 on Cowboy Up
When Angela Dalton comes home to Dry Creek Ranch after a long absence, she’s carrying weighty emotional baggage. Charmed by a handsome face, she inadvertently bank-rolled members of a violent militia group, all of whom now want her dead for working with the authorities. Leaving witness protection for the ranch is a risk until she can figure out where to take her life next—and the good-looking cowboy who lives across the creek from her cabin is an inconvenient distraction. She can’t trust her heart to anyone again, even a gruffly sweet man like Tuff Garrison . . .
Tuff doesn’t get involved—with anyone. It’s been his guiding principle since leaving home alone at fifteen to find his own way in the world. But the haunted look on Angela’s gorgeous face is impossible for him to ignore—and the heat of their attraction has become a blaze. When a set of dangerous men track her down, they’ll have to rely on each other to escape the threat—and take a chance that trusting each other will be worth a lifetime of love…
“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 on Cowboy Up
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2021
21 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Finz
37 books544 followersStacy 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 27, 2021
I was surprised to discover Stacy Finz had released a fourth Dry Creek Ranch book. I really thought the last book where the three male Dalton cousins having all found their true loves and it was revealed in a Facetime call at the end of that book that Angela the lone female cousin (Sawyer’s sister) was in fact alive and in WITSEC protection living under a false identity as a key witness in a government case against a domestic terrorist group she unwittingly became involved with, but was safe and happy, was the final book in this series. I’m not sure if this book was planned all along or whether as Finz states in her preface, her readers had been asking for it? But since I enjoyed the first three books and I found the idea that Angie was destined to spend the rest of her life exiled from her loving family not very satisfying, I didn’t hesitate to drop my $7.99 (which is more than I normally spend for an e-book) for this latest addition to her series. Then after I eagerly downloaded the book I started reading the ARC reviews on Goodreads and said to myself “Uh Oh!” I mean normally ARC reviews (despite the disclaimers that their reviews haven’t been influenced by the fact that they received a free early readers copy of the book) are normally 5 star reviews, effusively glowing with praise for the book. So when the first few reviews from ARC readers I read were only 3 stars I had to start questioning the wisdom of my purchase. Since I’d already paid my money and since I find my opinions on books don’t always agree with many of the reviews I find on Goodreads (normally I’m less enthusiastic in my praise than other reviewers) I was left with an easy decision to go ahead and read the book.
I have to agree with one reviewer that the premise of this story, that now after Angela Dalton had spent six years either being held hostage by the Fighters for Liberty or in the witness protection program all the key players in the domestic terrorist group had been arrested but not yet convicted it was safe for Angie to come out of hiding, seemed specious at best. Still, it is stated at some point in the story that the U.S. Marshalls Service who runs the WITSEC program were not in favor of Angie leaving the program and definitely were not in favor of her resuming her true identity while acknowledging the threat level to her was now much lower, dispelled one criticism that the government had given their blessing for her to return to her old life. Despite that common sense would say that just because the leaders were behind bars awaiting trial it didn’t mean they wouldn’t have their minions out looking for Angie to off the government’s key witness against them. Or what if some of them made bail? And by returning to Dry Creek Ranch she could be putting not only herself but her family that lived on the ranch in trouble. Then there’s her seemingly oblivious to the reality of the danger she’s in, brother and cousins. Yes, they kept asking her if she was okay. But Jace is the town of Dry Creek’s sheriff, Cash is a former FBI agent and Sawyer is an investigative reporter. Knowing Angie’s situation how do they all allow her to live in a semi-isolated cabin on their massive ranch with only Tuff (who knows nothing about Angie’s situation) as a nearby neighbor, while she walks around the property with no one to watch her back at all hours of the day and night? And these are three men whose now wives all were in life threatening situations when they met them. What makes this story line even harder to follow is the fact that Angie seemed in such a hurry to shed her fake identity and resume her true identity, risks to her safety be damned, when she acknowledges she doesn’t even know who she really is or what she wants to do with her life? After spending her entire adult life chasing humanitarian causes around the world and having exhausted her entire trust fund, or in protective custody she doesn’t really know what she’s going to do with her life now that she has it back. You’d think most rational people would want to spend sometime figuring that out before they put a big target on their back by coming out of hiding. We’re told the reason Angie was anxious to leave the program was because she missed so her family so much and all of the events in their lives she wasn’t present to help celebrate with them. If she hadn’t spent so much of her life traveling around the Globe trying to save the world instead of with her family that might have been a bit easier to believe. But she’s older now and being forced to be away from her family has obviously made spending time with them much more of a priority to her.
Okay, if you can get by the somewhat weak foundation of the story is built upon it’s a really good story. So surprisingly to me I’m giving it a better rating than some of the ARCs. I can’t honestly say it justifies its cost because I’ve read many, many other contemporary romances for less or for free on Kindle Unlimited that were just as good or better. The romance between Angie and Tuff builds slowly. Angie is trying to find her place on the ranch and figure out what her long-term direction should be. Then there’s the fact that her life may be in danger. Tuff had a tough childhood. His father was murdered trying to foil an armed robbery and his mother then turned to the bottle ignoring Tuff and getting into one abusive relationship after another. When the one person who is supposed to love you no matter what rejects you as a child, its pretty hard to believe you’re worthy of love and now at 40 Tuff is still carrying around the scars of his childhood. Try as he might Tuff cannot resist his attraction to the beautiful Angela Dalton while he keeps insisting to himself and her that he’s incapable of love. Angela is just as attracted to the handsome if closed off cowboy. They begin a FWB relationship. Angie would like more but she comes to realize that is all Tuff is capable of giving. When it becomes clear to Tuff that somebody has Angela on edge his protective instincts kick in. When it becomes clear that there is a clear threat to Angie’s safety Tuff, her brother and cousins all team up in an attempt to protect her. The threat to Angie along with the accompanying tension builds slowly as her relationship with Tuff grows. As with all the books in this series there’s an exciting conclusion where our female lead must face her attacker or attackers and be at least partially responsible for saving herself while allowing the male lead to also be heroic.
I have to agree with one reviewer that the premise of this story, that now after Angela Dalton had spent six years either being held hostage by the Fighters for Liberty or in the witness protection program all the key players in the domestic terrorist group had been arrested but not yet convicted it was safe for Angie to come out of hiding, seemed specious at best. Still, it is stated at some point in the story that the U.S. Marshalls Service who runs the WITSEC program were not in favor of Angie leaving the program and definitely were not in favor of her resuming her true identity while acknowledging the threat level to her was now much lower, dispelled one criticism that the government had given their blessing for her to return to her old life. Despite that common sense would say that just because the leaders were behind bars awaiting trial it didn’t mean they wouldn’t have their minions out looking for Angie to off the government’s key witness against them. Or what if some of them made bail? And by returning to Dry Creek Ranch she could be putting not only herself but her family that lived on the ranch in trouble. Then there’s her seemingly oblivious to the reality of the danger she’s in, brother and cousins. Yes, they kept asking her if she was okay. But Jace is the town of Dry Creek’s sheriff, Cash is a former FBI agent and Sawyer is an investigative reporter. Knowing Angie’s situation how do they all allow her to live in a semi-isolated cabin on their massive ranch with only Tuff (who knows nothing about Angie’s situation) as a nearby neighbor, while she walks around the property with no one to watch her back at all hours of the day and night? And these are three men whose now wives all were in life threatening situations when they met them. What makes this story line even harder to follow is the fact that Angie seemed in such a hurry to shed her fake identity and resume her true identity, risks to her safety be damned, when she acknowledges she doesn’t even know who she really is or what she wants to do with her life? After spending her entire adult life chasing humanitarian causes around the world and having exhausted her entire trust fund, or in protective custody she doesn’t really know what she’s going to do with her life now that she has it back. You’d think most rational people would want to spend sometime figuring that out before they put a big target on their back by coming out of hiding. We’re told the reason Angie was anxious to leave the program was because she missed so her family so much and all of the events in their lives she wasn’t present to help celebrate with them. If she hadn’t spent so much of her life traveling around the Globe trying to save the world instead of with her family that might have been a bit easier to believe. But she’s older now and being forced to be away from her family has obviously made spending time with them much more of a priority to her.
Okay, if you can get by the somewhat weak foundation of the story is built upon it’s a really good story. So surprisingly to me I’m giving it a better rating than some of the ARCs. I can’t honestly say it justifies its cost because I’ve read many, many other contemporary romances for less or for free on Kindle Unlimited that were just as good or better. The romance between Angie and Tuff builds slowly. Angie is trying to find her place on the ranch and figure out what her long-term direction should be. Then there’s the fact that her life may be in danger. Tuff had a tough childhood. His father was murdered trying to foil an armed robbery and his mother then turned to the bottle ignoring Tuff and getting into one abusive relationship after another. When the one person who is supposed to love you no matter what rejects you as a child, its pretty hard to believe you’re worthy of love and now at 40 Tuff is still carrying around the scars of his childhood. Try as he might Tuff cannot resist his attraction to the beautiful Angela Dalton while he keeps insisting to himself and her that he’s incapable of love. Angela is just as attracted to the handsome if closed off cowboy. They begin a FWB relationship. Angie would like more but she comes to realize that is all Tuff is capable of giving. When it becomes clear to Tuff that somebody has Angela on edge his protective instincts kick in. When it becomes clear that there is a clear threat to Angie’s safety Tuff, her brother and cousins all team up in an attempt to protect her. The threat to Angie along with the accompanying tension builds slowly as her relationship with Tuff grows. As with all the books in this series there’s an exciting conclusion where our female lead must face her attacker or attackers and be at least partially responsible for saving herself while allowing the male lead to also be heroic.
November 11, 2021
Cowboy Proud is only the second book I've read by Stacy Finz, and the first book I've read in her Dry Creek Ranch series, so to say there was quite a bit of character confusion considering all the characters who appeared in this book, is putting it mildly. A family tree in the foreword or preface would have helped. Beyond that, it was just an okay read for me for a number of reason, which I'll get to, but because of those reasons, this novel gets a 3-star rating from this reader.
The heroine is Angela (Angie) Dalton, a somewhat flighty but kind-hearted do-gooder who travelled all over the world trying to help aid the poor, hungry and downtrodden. Considering her large trust fund, she didn't need to hold down a 9 to 5 job, and she eventually spent all of her trust fund starting a project called The Farm, a laudable goal she shared with 2 friends, and her quasi-boyfriend Zane, whom she'd met in her travels. As new members joined, things went south, and her project to provide food for the homeless became a cover for illegal activities, eventually becoming a camp for survivalists, the Liberty Fighters, a group of violent anti-American terrorists. With the help of an undercover agent, Angie managed to get out and ended up spending the next 6 years in the Witness Protection System, turning in the evildoers and agreeing to be a witness against them when their case came to trial.
Angie certainly didn't expect her time in Witness Protection to take 6 years, but as the court case nears and the evildoers are in jail, she's finally allowed to return to Dry Creek Ranch--which was the first problem I had with this story. Why in the world would Witness Protection release her before she gave her testimony? Just because the radical members of The Farm she started and funded are in jail doesn't mean they can't reach out to other like-minded individuals who will try anything to keep her from testifying, including killing her. To top it all off, instead of hiding out on the huge family ranch, she starts working at a family-owned and operated shopping center, selling gourmet items and gifts, and trying to turn the shop's financial downturn into a success--and dealing with the general public. Again, putting herself in danger of being recognized made no sense.
While staying at a cabin on the ranch, Angie meets a former rodeo cowboy turned taciturn saddler and leather worker, Tuff, who now also has a leather goods shop at the ranch's shopping center. While he's attracted to Angie, he's had a horrid childhood and a dark past, one which has soured him on relationships, and one he won't discuss. When we finally do learn his secret, it's not horrible at all, nor something that is worth still haunting him at age 40. Again, I couldn't find fault with what Tuff did, it seemed like one more misstep to this reader.
Yes, of course, there's a romance brewing between Tuff and Angie, and the knowledge that she's still in danger, no matter how much her family and Tuff manage to try to protect her, adds some suspense to the novel. However, the fact that Angie is probably already on the record, reporting the illegal activities at The Farm during her pre-trial deposition, one that could easily be read into the court records, even if the Liberty Fighters manage to kill her to keep her silent, was just one more thing that this reader found extremely bothersome and unrealistic.
And finally, the title of this novel. While I realize that many publishers choose to title an author's novel rather than let the author decide on a title, a practice that often does a disservice to the author, the cowboy in question, Tuff, didn't have a problem with pride, he had a problem with guilt, so again, another misstep.
While this novel managed to keep my interest throughout, and was fairly well-written, by the end, it was simply an okay read for me, and if issues like the ones I've mentioned are issues you'd also have a problem with, take that into consideration.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
The heroine is Angela (Angie) Dalton, a somewhat flighty but kind-hearted do-gooder who travelled all over the world trying to help aid the poor, hungry and downtrodden. Considering her large trust fund, she didn't need to hold down a 9 to 5 job, and she eventually spent all of her trust fund starting a project called The Farm, a laudable goal she shared with 2 friends, and her quasi-boyfriend Zane, whom she'd met in her travels. As new members joined, things went south, and her project to provide food for the homeless became a cover for illegal activities, eventually becoming a camp for survivalists, the Liberty Fighters, a group of violent anti-American terrorists. With the help of an undercover agent, Angie managed to get out and ended up spending the next 6 years in the Witness Protection System, turning in the evildoers and agreeing to be a witness against them when their case came to trial.
Angie certainly didn't expect her time in Witness Protection to take 6 years, but as the court case nears and the evildoers are in jail, she's finally allowed to return to Dry Creek Ranch--which was the first problem I had with this story. Why in the world would Witness Protection release her before she gave her testimony? Just because the radical members of The Farm she started and funded are in jail doesn't mean they can't reach out to other like-minded individuals who will try anything to keep her from testifying, including killing her. To top it all off, instead of hiding out on the huge family ranch, she starts working at a family-owned and operated shopping center, selling gourmet items and gifts, and trying to turn the shop's financial downturn into a success--and dealing with the general public. Again, putting herself in danger of being recognized made no sense.
While staying at a cabin on the ranch, Angie meets a former rodeo cowboy turned taciturn saddler and leather worker, Tuff, who now also has a leather goods shop at the ranch's shopping center. While he's attracted to Angie, he's had a horrid childhood and a dark past, one which has soured him on relationships, and one he won't discuss. When we finally do learn his secret, it's not horrible at all, nor something that is worth still haunting him at age 40. Again, I couldn't find fault with what Tuff did, it seemed like one more misstep to this reader.
Yes, of course, there's a romance brewing between Tuff and Angie, and the knowledge that she's still in danger, no matter how much her family and Tuff manage to try to protect her, adds some suspense to the novel. However, the fact that Angie is probably already on the record, reporting the illegal activities at The Farm during her pre-trial deposition, one that could easily be read into the court records, even if the Liberty Fighters manage to kill her to keep her silent, was just one more thing that this reader found extremely bothersome and unrealistic.
And finally, the title of this novel. While I realize that many publishers choose to title an author's novel rather than let the author decide on a title, a practice that often does a disservice to the author, the cowboy in question, Tuff, didn't have a problem with pride, he had a problem with guilt, so again, another misstep.
While this novel managed to keep my interest throughout, and was fairly well-written, by the end, it was simply an okay read for me, and if issues like the ones I've mentioned are issues you'd also have a problem with, take that into consideration.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
December 6, 2021
Cowboy Proud by Stacy Finz
Dry Creek Ranch #4
Loved it…great addition to this series!
What I liked:
* Angie: strong, focused, caring, protective, honest, true, and so much more. I would love to have her as a friend.
* Tuff: quiet, generous, artistic, professional, cowboy, saddle maker, craftsman, deep, more than he realizes. Loved this man!
* Finding out the backstories of Angie and Tuff
* Buddy: the abandoned dog that Tuff took in – a keeper
* The way Angie worked to make the store successful
* The slow growing relationship between Angie and Tuff
* The plot and how it unfolded
* When Tuff finally read the letter from his mother
* The way the family worked together to succeed while supporting one another
* Getting to see the characters from previous books – wouldn’t mind living in their town!
* That the baddies were thwarted
What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that there are evil groups out there just like the one in this book
* Thinking about how difficult it must have been for Tuff and Angie at various times of their lives
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review
5 Stars
Dry Creek Ranch #4
Loved it…great addition to this series!
What I liked:
* Angie: strong, focused, caring, protective, honest, true, and so much more. I would love to have her as a friend.
* Tuff: quiet, generous, artistic, professional, cowboy, saddle maker, craftsman, deep, more than he realizes. Loved this man!
* Finding out the backstories of Angie and Tuff
* Buddy: the abandoned dog that Tuff took in – a keeper
* The way Angie worked to make the store successful
* The slow growing relationship between Angie and Tuff
* The plot and how it unfolded
* When Tuff finally read the letter from his mother
* The way the family worked together to succeed while supporting one another
* Getting to see the characters from previous books – wouldn’t mind living in their town!
* That the baddies were thwarted
What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that there are evil groups out there just like the one in this book
* Thinking about how difficult it must have been for Tuff and Angie at various times of their lives
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review
5 Stars
June 19, 2022
Prodigal daughter, Angela Dalton, comes home to Dry Creek Ranch. Mentioned in the previous books as being missing, she was in the Witness Protection Program. Wanting to change the world, she bought a farm to raise crops for the poor, but arm dealers stepped in and she was lucky to get out a live. But it seems that the trial is coming up soon and with everyone locked up, she thought it would be safe to come home. Cowboy and saddle maker Tuff Garrison lives across the creek. He has a dark history and doesn't get involved with anyone, but Angie's brother, cousin and their wives have slowly been drawing him in and as much as he fights to stay away from Angie, she is too young for him, he has darkness inside him, guilt...etc. he just can't keep away from her, especially when danger comes to her door.
Terrific characters, witty repartee, interesting info about leather work, running a ranch and beautifully described scenery, make this book a pleasure to read. I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Terrific characters, witty repartee, interesting info about leather work, running a ranch and beautifully described scenery, make this book a pleasure to read. I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
August 8, 2021
I loved Tuff. And I am that Tuff and Angela met, So Angela is the long lost sister. She has been in the witness protection program after unwillingly getting involved with a militia group. Here she is trying to start over, trying to act like all is ok, but Tuff sees thru her and even if he doesn't think he is worthy and tries to fight his attraction eventually they give in slowly, and trouble finds them. If you have never read the series, do so and as the series go it goes slowly all of it, the getting to know each other, the falling in love, and the HEA.
rcvd an arc at no cost to author...(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
rcvd an arc at no cost to author...(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
January 27, 2023
Good story
I was a little confused when there was no mention of the babies Charlie and Aubrey were pregnant with in book three. I guess I like books about family and how the progress with time.
I was a little confused when there was no mention of the babies Charlie and Aubrey were pregnant with in book three. I guess I like books about family and how the progress with time.
March 7, 2023
Concluding book
A good conclusion to the series. Everyone is partnered off, but pregnancy for Aubrey and Charlie was mentioned in Sawyer s story. What happened to the babies?
A good conclusion to the series. Everyone is partnered off, but pregnancy for Aubrey and Charlie was mentioned in Sawyer s story. What happened to the babies?
December 26, 2021
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Cowboy Proud continues the Dry Creek Ranch series with an intense romance full of sizzle and danger as Angela and Tuff face her past on the way to their own future.
Sometimes I believe that a series goes one book beyond when it naturally wrapped up — for me, not necessarily for anyone else. My opinion, yours may differ and that’s perfectly fine. I think that the Dry Creek Ranch series had wrapped up nicely in Cowboy Strong. Sure, there was one family member who hadn’t had their story told but we were given answers that lead the reader to believe that the missing member was fine and happy right where they were. Again, this is my opinion, and I’m defining that opinion by saying there were so many things in Angela and Tuff’s story that I cannot believe would ever happen or be allowed to happen to someone in the Witness Protection System… it just makes no sense for Angela to be allowed to return home when those she’s testifying against, the reason she’s in Witness Protection at all have not yet come to trial or been convicted and sent to prison. And that is only one example, I’m not about to spoil the entire book for anyone by nitpicking reasons that didn’t make sense to me, personally.
The story is good, and again, in my opinion, deserves the four-star rating I gave it. The plot is tight, the feel of the story flows easily, and I’ll always pick up a Stacy Finz book. There were simply too many things that I couldn’t believe to allow me to fall into the story accepting everything on the pages without question. Yet, that decision is reader-based, and your opinion may differ from mine so please pick up Cowboy Proud and make up your own mind on how this series ends. Overall, I enjoyed Tuff and Angela’s story as I watched two wounded in different ways people find their way to happiness. If you’ve followed the series then you’ll meet up with familiar faces, if you haven’t read the earlier books I’d recommend going to the first book, Cowboy Up, before stepping into this world at this point, it will all make more sense if you read from start to finish, again, my opinion.
*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.*
Cowboy Proud continues the Dry Creek Ranch series with an intense romance full of sizzle and danger as Angela and Tuff face her past on the way to their own future.
Sometimes I believe that a series goes one book beyond when it naturally wrapped up — for me, not necessarily for anyone else. My opinion, yours may differ and that’s perfectly fine. I think that the Dry Creek Ranch series had wrapped up nicely in Cowboy Strong. Sure, there was one family member who hadn’t had their story told but we were given answers that lead the reader to believe that the missing member was fine and happy right where they were. Again, this is my opinion, and I’m defining that opinion by saying there were so many things in Angela and Tuff’s story that I cannot believe would ever happen or be allowed to happen to someone in the Witness Protection System… it just makes no sense for Angela to be allowed to return home when those she’s testifying against, the reason she’s in Witness Protection at all have not yet come to trial or been convicted and sent to prison. And that is only one example, I’m not about to spoil the entire book for anyone by nitpicking reasons that didn’t make sense to me, personally.
The story is good, and again, in my opinion, deserves the four-star rating I gave it. The plot is tight, the feel of the story flows easily, and I’ll always pick up a Stacy Finz book. There were simply too many things that I couldn’t believe to allow me to fall into the story accepting everything on the pages without question. Yet, that decision is reader-based, and your opinion may differ from mine so please pick up Cowboy Proud and make up your own mind on how this series ends. Overall, I enjoyed Tuff and Angela’s story as I watched two wounded in different ways people find their way to happiness. If you’ve followed the series then you’ll meet up with familiar faces, if you haven’t read the earlier books I’d recommend going to the first book, Cowboy Up, before stepping into this world at this point, it will all make more sense if you read from start to finish, again, my opinion.
*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.*
November 23, 2021
I have really enjoyed Stacy Finz's writing in the past, so I was excited to read Cowboy Proud when I saw it on NetGalley. I hadn't read the first three books in the Dry Creek series, but it was easy to pick up without any prior knowledge, and there was the odd wink to Nugget, which I very much enjoyed. I really liked all of the supporting characters, so I will definitely be going back to read books 1-3.
I LOVED the premise. Angie has just returned to her family's ranch after being isolated in Witness Protection for several years. There, she meets the mysterious loner, Tuff. It really did have all the makings of another great story. And for the first third, it mostly did, even though it kept niggling at me that the whole scenario of her being allowed home BEFORE a trial had taken place just seemed implausible. If anything, that's the MOST dangerous time to be away from your handler, right? That's the way every film I've seen has played it.
Anyway, I let it slide at first. But once things started escalating, I just got annoyed with how much Angie downplayed and delayed telling her relatives about the suspicious things happening. She was petrified enough to confide in Tuff, but did not think it was important enough to speak to her handler, who had explicitly told her to be super careful and note ANYTHING suspicious. I'm sorry, but for someone who seemed otherwise overly cautious, I just wasn't buying it and found myself rolling my eyes at a lot of the events.
Ultimately, I just felt a bit frustrated for the middle part of the story. I felt like the entire scenario could have been completely avoided, but then, I guess, we wouldn't have had much of a story to tell?
As such, I couldn't really connect with Angie. However, I very much enjoyed Tuff's character and his back-story, even though I'd guessed his 'terrible' secret almost immediately. While Angie made me roll my eyes on too many occasions, Tuff at least felt authentic and moved me on occasion. There was ultimately a satisfying conclusion to the story but I never really got past the implausability.
Overall Rating: ❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
Emotional Rating: 😢💓🤔
*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review*
I LOVED the premise. Angie has just returned to her family's ranch after being isolated in Witness Protection for several years. There, she meets the mysterious loner, Tuff. It really did have all the makings of another great story. And for the first third, it mostly did, even though it kept niggling at me that the whole scenario of her being allowed home BEFORE a trial had taken place just seemed implausible. If anything, that's the MOST dangerous time to be away from your handler, right? That's the way every film I've seen has played it.
Anyway, I let it slide at first. But once things started escalating, I just got annoyed with how much Angie downplayed and delayed telling her relatives about the suspicious things happening. She was petrified enough to confide in Tuff, but did not think it was important enough to speak to her handler, who had explicitly told her to be super careful and note ANYTHING suspicious. I'm sorry, but for someone who seemed otherwise overly cautious, I just wasn't buying it and found myself rolling my eyes at a lot of the events.
Ultimately, I just felt a bit frustrated for the middle part of the story. I felt like the entire scenario could have been completely avoided, but then, I guess, we wouldn't have had much of a story to tell?
As such, I couldn't really connect with Angie. However, I very much enjoyed Tuff's character and his back-story, even though I'd guessed his 'terrible' secret almost immediately. While Angie made me roll my eyes on too many occasions, Tuff at least felt authentic and moved me on occasion. There was ultimately a satisfying conclusion to the story but I never really got past the implausability.
Overall Rating: ❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
Emotional Rating: 😢💓🤔
*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2021
Angela Dalton was a starry-eyed do-gooder who traveled the world joining groups who did deeds to make the world a better place. It was with one of those groups in Zaire where Angela met Zane Johnson. Together they planned to buy land so they could plant crops to give away to the poor. Land was purchased, mostly with Angela's trust fund money and The Farm was established. The Farm started out as a legitimate operation but Zane became radicalized and turned it into a domestic terrorist arms dealing group called Liberty Fighters. When Angela discovered the truth she was trapped at The Farm until an undercover FBI agent helped her escape. Angela had to go into Witness Protection (WITSEC). Finally all the Liberty Fighters were arrested so Angela felt safe enough to leave WITSEC and go home to the family ranch. There she meets Tuff Garrison. They become friends and eventually more than friends. When Angela's past catches up with her Tuff and her family face the danger with her.
Tuff Garrison is a genius when it comes to leather work. After many years traveling from ranch to ranch Tuff settles down at Dry Creek Ranch and opens a leather shop where he makes custom saddles and other leather goods. He feels he has finally found his niche and plans to put down roots. When Tuff meets Angela Dalton he realizes she could be the anchor he needs. Despite the danger Angela faces Tuff starts to fall in love with her and swears he will keep her safe. After all Tuff feels like Angela is the home he has been searching for.
Cowboy Proud by Stacy Finz is the fourth book in her Dry Creek Ranch series. This book has a fascinating storyline. The previous books in this series told the stories of how the Dalton cousins banded together to save Dry Creek Ranch. One cousin was missing though, literally missing. Angela Dalton. She disappeared and no investigator the family hired could find a trace of her. Readers were anxious to get Angela's story and Ms. Finz has done a good job of telling her tale. I really enjoyed this book. There are great characters and lots of action.
I received and ARC and this is my honest review.
Tuff Garrison is a genius when it comes to leather work. After many years traveling from ranch to ranch Tuff settles down at Dry Creek Ranch and opens a leather shop where he makes custom saddles and other leather goods. He feels he has finally found his niche and plans to put down roots. When Tuff meets Angela Dalton he realizes she could be the anchor he needs. Despite the danger Angela faces Tuff starts to fall in love with her and swears he will keep her safe. After all Tuff feels like Angela is the home he has been searching for.
Cowboy Proud by Stacy Finz is the fourth book in her Dry Creek Ranch series. This book has a fascinating storyline. The previous books in this series told the stories of how the Dalton cousins banded together to save Dry Creek Ranch. One cousin was missing though, literally missing. Angela Dalton. She disappeared and no investigator the family hired could find a trace of her. Readers were anxious to get Angela's story and Ms. Finz has done a good job of telling her tale. I really enjoyed this book. There are great characters and lots of action.
I received and ARC and this is my honest review.
November 23, 2021
Cowboy Proud by Stacy Finz opens with the return of Angie, who has been missing for 6 years. It has been a struggle, for her family and her cousins, but now she's home. Is she struggling? Absolutely. She has no idea of her place in the world anymore. She had no idea how to fir in at Dry Creek Ranch. It was one-fourth hers but she had never done anything to make it better or help pay the huge tax debt her grandfather had left behind. Not to worry: the men had a solution. Didn't they always. She was to work in Dalton's-the gourmet grocery store they had opened. It was struggling and they hoped she could make a difference. Except she knew nothing about groceries or any other kind of retail. She got to live in a cabin on the ranch, right across the stream from another cabin, in which a cowboy names Tuff lived. He had a shop in the center near Dalton's-he made leather goods, primarily saddles. His business in custom saddles was mostly online but he needed a workshop and his storefront worked. He was tasked with keeping an eye on Angie, as he lived so close.
This has been a terrific series. The cousins are all strong men who have found women to love. There's Sawyer, the writer; Jace, the sheriff; and Cash, the ex-FBI man turned livestock inspector. They were a bunch who, along with their wives had come up with the idea of the center to bolster the family cattle business, which no longer paid for itself. Angie saw the sense and was actually excited. Readers have so anticipated Angie's discovery and eventual return that this was almost anti-climactic. These are terrific personalities and it is good to see them again and be on Dry Creek Ranch. This story is far from being a surprise but it is paced well and the plot is not entirely transparent. There's plenty of family drama as well as Angie's drama and it is well worth the read. I loved it! Go, Stacy Finz!
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Cowboy Proud by Lyrical Press Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #lyricalpressbooks #stacyfinz #cowboyproud
This has been a terrific series. The cousins are all strong men who have found women to love. There's Sawyer, the writer; Jace, the sheriff; and Cash, the ex-FBI man turned livestock inspector. They were a bunch who, along with their wives had come up with the idea of the center to bolster the family cattle business, which no longer paid for itself. Angie saw the sense and was actually excited. Readers have so anticipated Angie's discovery and eventual return that this was almost anti-climactic. These are terrific personalities and it is good to see them again and be on Dry Creek Ranch. This story is far from being a surprise but it is paced well and the plot is not entirely transparent. There's plenty of family drama as well as Angie's drama and it is well worth the read. I loved it! Go, Stacy Finz!
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Cowboy Proud by Lyrical Press Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #lyricalpressbooks #stacyfinz #cowboyproud
November 29, 2021
If you've been reading this series then you have been waiting for this book. I was so happy to finally get to visit with Angela. Throughout the series, her family has been worried about her. We really needed to know what happened to her. So finally we have our answers.
I so loved Angela. She's so sweet and full of guilt. I won't ruin her story by telling you it I'll wait for you to read it yourself. Believe me when I say it will be worth it. Because of what happened when she was away she is very nervous around both her family and strangers and really has to learn to calm down. You understand why she felt that way and really felt for her. I enjoy her reunion with her brother. He worked so hard to find out what happened to her and worried so much.
Right away you know that she'll need a special man in her life. One that is tough enough to protect and strong enough to know that she has to do some things on her own. One to stand beside her.
Tuff is just that man. Even if he doesn't know it yet.
I really liked Tuff. He's such a good guy that doesn't give himself enough credit. I get that his home life before he left wasn't the best but at times I thought he used that as an excuse to get people away. He needed to learn that he was worth more.
As these two work on resolving their pasts and moving forward with their futures, you'll be reading a wonderful story. I'm always so glad to be reading a story by Stacy Finz. Her books are so easy to read and you'll love the characters.
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ARC received for an honest review
March 1, 2022
Moving home can be jarring especially especially after being in witness protection.
Angela has dedicated her life to different groups to do good for society. She travels around the world and ends up accidentally funding a terrorist organization. When she turns on them and ends up in WITSEC, she leaves behind her family. After years, she comes out of the program and goes to her family's farm in Northern California where she lives in a cabin on the property next to Tuff. Helping with the family business and being neighbors with the handsome cowboy next door is a lot to take on, but she slowly acclimates to her life again while looking over her shoulder for any remaining threats.
I love this series. The small town life that the Dalton's experience and come to embrace makes it such a fun read. You step inside the pages of the series and laugh and cry with the characters do. The town is a family and they step up when everyone needs help. Over the course of the series, you see the Daltons build their farm to what it becomes in this novel and it was so interesting to see the creative ideas they have to keep their legacy.
I loved reading about Angela and Tuff as they get to know each other and become friends and then more, but it was so nice to revisit the other Daltons and get a peak into their lives. It made the story feel more real and made me have a smile for 95% of the book.
Stacy Finz is one my favorite authors and I love the Nugget series. When I discovered that she has several others, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read them. I will never not recommend her books to other people because they are absolutely fantastic!
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
Angela has dedicated her life to different groups to do good for society. She travels around the world and ends up accidentally funding a terrorist organization. When she turns on them and ends up in WITSEC, she leaves behind her family. After years, she comes out of the program and goes to her family's farm in Northern California where she lives in a cabin on the property next to Tuff. Helping with the family business and being neighbors with the handsome cowboy next door is a lot to take on, but she slowly acclimates to her life again while looking over her shoulder for any remaining threats.
I love this series. The small town life that the Dalton's experience and come to embrace makes it such a fun read. You step inside the pages of the series and laugh and cry with the characters do. The town is a family and they step up when everyone needs help. Over the course of the series, you see the Daltons build their farm to what it becomes in this novel and it was so interesting to see the creative ideas they have to keep their legacy.
I loved reading about Angela and Tuff as they get to know each other and become friends and then more, but it was so nice to revisit the other Daltons and get a peak into their lives. It made the story feel more real and made me have a smile for 95% of the book.
Stacy Finz is one my favorite authors and I love the Nugget series. When I discovered that she has several others, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read them. I will never not recommend her books to other people because they are absolutely fantastic!
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
July 25, 2021
Angie has returned! The sister who had disappeared six years ago and who was stuck in a whirlwind of danger and worry came home! Of course, she’s not out of danger yet. And she’s afraid to share any of her worries because she doesn’t want to be called paranoid or sent back into hiding. So she tries to keep her wits about her while pretending all is fine. Except Tuff sees through her act. He’s used to being alone and isn’t built for long lasting love or relationships, but he can’t help wanting to be near Angela. And since he’s fighting a battle between his head and heart, he ends up playing a few unintentional games along the way. But when danger seems imminent and all too real, he’s got to be honest with himself and everyone else. He’s not going anywhere, he’s not leaving Angie, and he’s sure not about to let her get hurt or worse. He just has to believe that he’s worthy of the praise and adoration of a few, as well as the love of the most important person in his world.
You don’t have to read the previous books in this series to feel up to speed, but I’d recommend doing so. Not because you have to, but because you’ll likely want to. I love the development from almost failing ranch to tourist destination and thriving community center. I especially liked how Angie had ideas that she was sure would be scoffed at, yet were the big moneymakers to save the day. So I’d definitely say that this series is worth your time if you want to see some inspiration, worry, danger, angst, and love from both family and friends in your books. I know that this series sure gave me good and happy feelings when I was done with each story.
You don’t have to read the previous books in this series to feel up to speed, but I’d recommend doing so. Not because you have to, but because you’ll likely want to. I love the development from almost failing ranch to tourist destination and thriving community center. I especially liked how Angie had ideas that she was sure would be scoffed at, yet were the big moneymakers to save the day. So I’d definitely say that this series is worth your time if you want to see some inspiration, worry, danger, angst, and love from both family and friends in your books. I know that this series sure gave me good and happy feelings when I was done with each story.
August 3, 2021
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
“No, it was more an inner confidence than it was swagger. He was more protector than aggressor. He was more about kindness than physical strength. He was more willing to listen than to be heard.” (Quote from ARC)
A lovely story with great, well fleshed-out characters, “Cowboy Proud”, by Stacy Finz (Kensington Books), features an amazing hero, of the strong, silent type, and a heroine still dealing with very complicated circumstances.
The tension and restrain between Tuff and Angie is wonderful to watch, since they’re guarded yet also very honest people. I liked how friendship, intimacy and closeness were blended with physical attraction and lust in their relationship.
I loved how the author showed the many facets of the “quiet, unassuming cowboy” and his “hard and lonely” life, slowly revealing the secrets of a “tragic childhood”.
Despite feeling broken and damaged, this loner is such a giving, caring and kind person in a low-key way. And there’s so much emotion and pain reading that final letter.
I liked the balance between romance and suspense but thought Angie wasn’t that smart sometimes ignoring the signals.
Finz creates characters, places, families that draw you in and make you want to stay and know more about them.
Perhaps because her characters are multidimensional: the tortured hero is not only that, he’s also a good friend, an honorable man, a talented custom saddle maker, a loving owner of a cute dog… and there’s lots of showing rather than telling.
“No, it was more an inner confidence than it was swagger. He was more protector than aggressor. He was more about kindness than physical strength. He was more willing to listen than to be heard.” (Quote from ARC)
A lovely story with great, well fleshed-out characters, “Cowboy Proud”, by Stacy Finz (Kensington Books), features an amazing hero, of the strong, silent type, and a heroine still dealing with very complicated circumstances.
The tension and restrain between Tuff and Angie is wonderful to watch, since they’re guarded yet also very honest people. I liked how friendship, intimacy and closeness were blended with physical attraction and lust in their relationship.
I loved how the author showed the many facets of the “quiet, unassuming cowboy” and his “hard and lonely” life, slowly revealing the secrets of a “tragic childhood”.
Despite feeling broken and damaged, this loner is such a giving, caring and kind person in a low-key way. And there’s so much emotion and pain reading that final letter.
I liked the balance between romance and suspense but thought Angie wasn’t that smart sometimes ignoring the signals.
Finz creates characters, places, families that draw you in and make you want to stay and know more about them.
Perhaps because her characters are multidimensional: the tortured hero is not only that, he’s also a good friend, an honorable man, a talented custom saddle maker, a loving owner of a cute dog… and there’s lots of showing rather than telling.
November 2, 2021
This series centers around the Dalton four cousins. Cousins that inherited Dry Creek Ranch. A ranch that belonged to their grandfather’s ranch and have now united in their attempts to make it a profitable endeavor.
This latest story belongs to the long lost cousin, sister of Sawyer Dalton, Angela/Angie. For six years they had no idea where she was . Little did they know that she’s had a hard time. First inadvertently supporting a militia group, and the last few years in the WITSEC, witness protection program.
But with the leaders of the militia in prison, she can now return to the place that always made her happy. One far away from the LA lifestyle of her parents.
Someone she never expected to meet was her stoic cowboy neighbor, Tuff Garrison. A man with a past and one that has worked his way up to become a well respected man. Also a man that doesn’t believe he’ll be good enough for anyone to love.
In the midst of their budding relationship, danger seems to be in the shadows. Will they survive the danger? Will Angie be forced to go back to the WITSEC program? Will Tuff realize that he is a man worthy of loving and being loved?
This was definitely a great addition to the series. Though a stand alone , I would highly recommend reading the previous stories in order to enjoy this one even more.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my ow
This latest story belongs to the long lost cousin, sister of Sawyer Dalton, Angela/Angie. For six years they had no idea where she was . Little did they know that she’s had a hard time. First inadvertently supporting a militia group, and the last few years in the WITSEC, witness protection program.
But with the leaders of the militia in prison, she can now return to the place that always made her happy. One far away from the LA lifestyle of her parents.
Someone she never expected to meet was her stoic cowboy neighbor, Tuff Garrison. A man with a past and one that has worked his way up to become a well respected man. Also a man that doesn’t believe he’ll be good enough for anyone to love.
In the midst of their budding relationship, danger seems to be in the shadows. Will they survive the danger? Will Angie be forced to go back to the WITSEC program? Will Tuff realize that he is a man worthy of loving and being loved?
This was definitely a great addition to the series. Though a stand alone , I would highly recommend reading the previous stories in order to enjoy this one even more.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my ow
November 3, 2021
Finally, Angie’s story, and a hero who can help her learn to trust again, while she shows him the value of family that stays. This story, to me, felt the most emotionally balanced of the series. Both Tuff and Angie have been betrayed by people they should have been able to count on, and coming back from that hasn’t been easy. Tuff has shut down, kept to himself, and stayed lonely and safe. Angie’s family has always been her heart, but she’s devastated not only by betrayal, but by the knowledge of how much hurt she has caused them. Their deepening friendship gives each an anchor, a touchpoint to normalcy that helps them see that neither is bound by their past. The family dynamics are, as usual, an important part of the story, but this time we finally get Angie’s take on her history, motivation, regrets, and hopes. I’ve been curious about her for a long time, this mystery woman who acts like a debutante but clearly feels a deep need to help people. It’s interesting, in that we know how her cousins and brother feel about her going into the story, but have no clue how she has interpreted her family’s reaction to her lifestyle and choices, let alone the mess she found herself in. It felt very realistic, though, and I particularly love that Tuff helps her find peace and a way to use her gifts positively, in a way that lets her keep everything that is important to her. I received an advance copy in return for my review.
November 12, 2021
Cowboy Proud is a new offering from author Stacy Finz. Heiress Angela Dalton, in her efforts to do good and help others, became ensnared in the plot of a militia group who use and abuse Angela and others as they worked to plan domestic terror activities. Once Angela escaped and became a state’s witness she was taken into the WITSEC program.
When all the people involved in the terrorist group were rounded up and under arrest, Angela felt she could return to her family, even though many years had gone by. She returns to the family’s Dry Creek Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Welcomed home with open arms, Angela is put in charge of figuring out why the Dalton Store is failing when other shops of the Dry Creek shopping area are thriving. It is essential that the family improve this so they can make enough to meet payroll and pay taxes.
Tuff Garrison, owner operator of the leather craft store in the village, is also Angela’s neighbor as they inhabit twin cottages across the creek from one another. Neighbors leads to friends, friends leads to a deeper feeling, and Tuff becomes the one she can depend upon in a crisis.
This is a very interesting, sometimes heart pounding, story of a woman who loses everything to do the right thing and then almost loses more. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
When all the people involved in the terrorist group were rounded up and under arrest, Angela felt she could return to her family, even though many years had gone by. She returns to the family’s Dry Creek Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Welcomed home with open arms, Angela is put in charge of figuring out why the Dalton Store is failing when other shops of the Dry Creek shopping area are thriving. It is essential that the family improve this so they can make enough to meet payroll and pay taxes.
Tuff Garrison, owner operator of the leather craft store in the village, is also Angela’s neighbor as they inhabit twin cottages across the creek from one another. Neighbors leads to friends, friends leads to a deeper feeling, and Tuff becomes the one she can depend upon in a crisis.
This is a very interesting, sometimes heart pounding, story of a woman who loses everything to do the right thing and then almost loses more. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
November 13, 2021
A really good read. Tuff is a Cowboy that finally settled down. He started his own leather craft shop, turning his hobby of making wallets, belts, gloves, saddles, etc. into a profitable business. Loving the Dry Creek Ranch way of trying to keep the ranch a float by creating a small shopping center on the ranch. The Dalton’s owners of the ranch have treated him well. Being a drifter as a wrangler and following the rodeo circuit it felt good to put down roots. Given a small cabin and a place for his horse was also a bonus.
Angie had been in hiding for six years, and finally was going home to Dry Creek Ranch to see her brother and cousins. The Dalton’s are over joyed to welcome her back, but Angie wanted some space and was given the cabin across the creek from Tuff. Tuff was asked to keep a eye out for Angie, but not given any details. So what is her secrets? What are his?
The story has a little of everything to keep you turning the page. Glad I found a new author, will be definitely reading more of her books.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #CowboyProud
Angie had been in hiding for six years, and finally was going home to Dry Creek Ranch to see her brother and cousins. The Dalton’s are over joyed to welcome her back, but Angie wanted some space and was given the cabin across the creek from Tuff. Tuff was asked to keep a eye out for Angie, but not given any details. So what is her secrets? What are his?
The story has a little of everything to keep you turning the page. Glad I found a new author, will be definitely reading more of her books.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #CowboyProud
November 20, 2021
Cowboy Proud is another wonderful story in the Dry Creek Ranch Series by Stacy Finz. It begins with a brief chance meeting of Angie and Tuff. Angie past is a scary one having just been released from the Witness Protection Program. Now she has arrived at her brother’s, Sawyer, home. It is a slow burn romance that has characters with substance and worth.
The story moves at a smooth pace with normal everyday living at a ranch and small town taking place. The characters are delightful having different experiences and personalities that fit what they do and have become. The plot is realistic but I do wish that the trial Angie needs to have give testimony would have happened before she left Witness Protection. That of course would change the story a little but make it more believable. She could have come to Dry Creek as her alias. Her family and community would have kept her secret I am thinking. Otherwise I enjoyed this romance, filled with suspense during the holiday season.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story moves at a smooth pace with normal everyday living at a ranch and small town taking place. The characters are delightful having different experiences and personalities that fit what they do and have become. The plot is realistic but I do wish that the trial Angie needs to have give testimony would have happened before she left Witness Protection. That of course would change the story a little but make it more believable. She could have come to Dry Creek as her alias. Her family and community would have kept her secret I am thinking. Otherwise I enjoyed this romance, filled with suspense during the holiday season.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 14, 2021
Dry Creek Ranch is owned by four cousins, Jace, Cash, Sawyer, and Sawyer’s long lost sister Angie. The mystery of where Angie was for the past six years was solved in the last book when the cousins discovered that Angie was in witness protection. Angie has left witnesses protection and has come home to start over in Dry Creek. Angie is trying to get past the trauma of the past six years and figure out what she is going to do with her life. She is staying in a cabin next to local saddle maker Tuff Garrison. Tuff has had a rough life and is a bit of a lone Wolf. Of course, both Angie and Tuff are attracted to each other but don’t feel that they deserve to have a happily ever after. I loved the more mature love story (he’s 40, she’s 34) and both of their backstories. This was a nice way to wrap up the cousins’ stories and I hope the author continues more stories with some of the other characters. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the author for my honest review.
November 22, 2021
Another exciting visit to Dry Creek Ranch. After six years, Angela Dalton is returning to her family’s ranch. The men who wanted to kill her are in prison and she hopes to resume her life. She wants to be an asset to her family as she takes over management of the family general store. Living across from her cabin is Theodore “Tuff” Garrison, former cowboy and owner of his own leather goods business. He is an older man, nearing forty and making quite a name for himself. He senses that Angie is dealing with some trauma, but will she confide in him? When there are minor threats to her and her home, she worries that she may have brought danger to her family’s ranch. Will she have to return to WITSEC or can Tuff keep her safe? I really enjoyed the main characters, a strong somewhat older man who had suffered abuse and felt he could not love anyone and a woman who wanted to save the world, one small community at time, but had been exploited by those she trusted. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
November 23, 2021
Tuff Garrison was riding the rodeo circuit before he came to Dry Creek Ranch. The Dalton’s, Sawyer, Jace and Cash, gave Tuff a job, then a place to belong and accepted him as part of the family. When Sawyer asks Tuff to keep an eye on his sister, Tuff is glad to help out.
Angie Dalton left home hoping to change the world. Instead, she found herself without her knowing, bankrolling some really bad guys. After six years, the Marshalls have told her the threat is gone. She comes home to her family but can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching. Tuff knows something is wrong but not what.
As always Ms Finz spins a story of love with a bit of an edge mixed in. Tuff doesn’t believe he’s good enough for Angie but he’s absolutely certain that he won’t let anything bad happen to her. Its hard to have a relationship if Angie has to back into the witness protection. Will their relationship survive and grow stronger or will Tuff give up and walk away. Always nice to return to Dry Creek and see how the rest of the Dalton family is doing.
Angie Dalton left home hoping to change the world. Instead, she found herself without her knowing, bankrolling some really bad guys. After six years, the Marshalls have told her the threat is gone. She comes home to her family but can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching. Tuff knows something is wrong but not what.
As always Ms Finz spins a story of love with a bit of an edge mixed in. Tuff doesn’t believe he’s good enough for Angie but he’s absolutely certain that he won’t let anything bad happen to her. Its hard to have a relationship if Angie has to back into the witness protection. Will their relationship survive and grow stronger or will Tuff give up and walk away. Always nice to return to Dry Creek and see how the rest of the Dalton family is doing.
November 23, 2021
This book could be read as a stand alone but I would definitely read the whole series first. I really enjoyed Angie's story, her family, and her return to Dry Creek Ranch. She had missed so much over the past six years while in the federal Witness Security Program. The story was full of mystery, suspense, and romance. It was so interesting to learn about her sexy neighbor, Tuff who lived right across the creek from her. He owned Tuff's Saddlery and was not able to give his heart or love to anyone because of his past. I enjoyed reading to find out what would happen between them and if Angie's life was still in danger. It was also fun catching up with Angie's brother, Sawyer and her cousins, Jace and Cash from the other books. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
November 23, 2021
The missing cousin returns!
Angela Dalton’s family thought she wanted to save the world, but everything went wrong when she started The Farm with several friends that she had met overseas. Angela was finally home after getting out of witness protection program after helping the government arrest most of the members of the militia.
Tuff Garrison was happy selling his custom leather in his shop and staying to himself, but things changed when Angela moved into the cabin across the tiny creek, and she gets a feeling that she is being watched.
You will love Cowboy Proud because the missing Dalton cousin has finally returned but there is still a lot of baggage between Angela and Tuff but like all romances it is a bumpy road that ends well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Angela Dalton’s family thought she wanted to save the world, but everything went wrong when she started The Farm with several friends that she had met overseas. Angela was finally home after getting out of witness protection program after helping the government arrest most of the members of the militia.
Tuff Garrison was happy selling his custom leather in his shop and staying to himself, but things changed when Angela moved into the cabin across the tiny creek, and she gets a feeling that she is being watched.
You will love Cowboy Proud because the missing Dalton cousin has finally returned but there is still a lot of baggage between Angela and Tuff but like all romances it is a bumpy road that ends well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 25, 2022
Another absolute winner from this series. As I often do when reading these books, I wish Dry Creek Ranch was a real place. The way it's described in the book makes you feel like you're actually there. You can feel the sunshine on your face, the wind as it blows through your hair, and the love between all of the family members.
It's an amazing group of people that I would be proud to call family. As I can't actually do that, I am just happy that I have them as book friends.
This love story was amazing. Ang and Tuff are so well suited for each other. You feel so deeply for them both. I especially love Buddy the dog. He's the perfect glue that holds them together.
Just a simply amazing story. As long as Stacy Finz keeps writing these then I'll keep reading them.
I highly recommend!
It's an amazing group of people that I would be proud to call family. As I can't actually do that, I am just happy that I have them as book friends.
This love story was amazing. Ang and Tuff are so well suited for each other. You feel so deeply for them both. I especially love Buddy the dog. He's the perfect glue that holds them together.
Just a simply amazing story. As long as Stacy Finz keeps writing these then I'll keep reading them.
I highly recommend!
October 6, 2021
Yesss! Angela gets her journey and it was a doozy. Her and Tuff meet on the Dalton Ranch, and the rest is history. Oh no, no, no, not so easy at all. They are both scarred from their pasts in different ways, but have this affinity; they are better together than apart. Tuff takes no guff from Angela's brother, is still respectful and I loved his whole demeanor.
However, there's a tiny little problem with them being together. Angela is being hunted by some bad mamma-jamma people and no matter how careful they are, all it takes is one little slip-up. The US Marshalls are even involved.
This was a fantastic read cover to cover, even with a few slow pieces, in the back of my mind I was still anticipating, waiting until the baddies made their move. Great suspense.
Enjoyed the plot, the dialogue, and the mains, very well written.
However, there's a tiny little problem with them being together. Angela is being hunted by some bad mamma-jamma people and no matter how careful they are, all it takes is one little slip-up. The US Marshalls are even involved.
This was a fantastic read cover to cover, even with a few slow pieces, in the back of my mind I was still anticipating, waiting until the baddies made their move. Great suspense.
Enjoyed the plot, the dialogue, and the mains, very well written.
November 14, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Stacy Finz and Kensington Books for the ARC of Cowboy Proud. This is my personal review.
Cowboy Proud is 4ht book in the Dry Creek Ranch series.
I have not read the first book in this series yet but after reading this one I will definitely go back and read them. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the story.
This one is centered on Angela and Tuff. The interaction and combination of people is so full of what a good series is all about. The suspense and action of what is going to happen is great. I also enjoyed the romance in the book.
A story based on family makes for a series that will hold my attention and make me look forward to reading the entire series.
Cowboy Proud is 4ht book in the Dry Creek Ranch series.
I have not read the first book in this series yet but after reading this one I will definitely go back and read them. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the story.
This one is centered on Angela and Tuff. The interaction and combination of people is so full of what a good series is all about. The suspense and action of what is going to happen is great. I also enjoyed the romance in the book.
A story based on family makes for a series that will hold my attention and make me look forward to reading the entire series.
March 2, 2022
Good, but...
I'm probably bothered about this because I've read thousands of romances at this point (I read a lot, and they're good escapism), but the I'm-not-good-enogh-for-her/him-because-I-did-this-awful-thing-when-I-was-young (except it wasn't that awful; it was necessary or accidental) is getting kind of annoying. Could we have some conflict that isn't imaginary? Yes, we want our characters vulnerable, but some of the things that they think make them undeserving of love are just plain dumb. And when the character is otherwise intelligent and a functional human being, adding yet another character to the ranks of the undeserving is frustrating. What with at least one being added from every romance (at least temporarily).
I'm probably bothered about this because I've read thousands of romances at this point (I read a lot, and they're good escapism), but the I'm-not-good-enogh-for-her/him-because-I-did-this-awful-thing-when-I-was-young (except it wasn't that awful; it was necessary or accidental) is getting kind of annoying. Could we have some conflict that isn't imaginary? Yes, we want our characters vulnerable, but some of the things that they think make them undeserving of love are just plain dumb. And when the character is otherwise intelligent and a functional human being, adding yet another character to the ranks of the undeserving is frustrating. What with at least one being added from every romance (at least temporarily).
February 24, 2024
Okay so I read the whole series. I really enjoyed the first book and as I went though each book the author really repeated themselves a lot through by adding in information from the previous books. This got really old really quickly and honestly felt like filler that was unnecessary. I guess if it was intentional that they could be read as stand alone for people who aren't interested in reading a series but I think it honestly just didn't do well in my opinion. I would've preferred to not have so much filler and shorter books to read. Overall I still enjoyed them as they remind me of home, the romance is nice, the sex scenese seemed the same in each book until this one, and overall liked the book(s).
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