The book opens up with Captain Tanner Wilks returning to his home town and family’s ranch because his father ill. His father also retired Marine but Colonel. Tanner stops off at the local bar, honky tonk, he notices a women dancing and when he goes to buy her a drink she declines. Not knowing he is talking to the local veterinarian Jules Heller, but she just gives him Jules. After talking then agreeing to dance with him they both are attracted to one another and decide to take their spin at his hotel room. She is doing something totally out of character for her but she figures it is a one night stand, wishing it could be more when she has to leave because of a call. After waking up by himself he is wondering if he will see her again. Getting out to the ranch and settling in he goes out on the range where his father is to let him know he is home and the colonel is not happy at all. Needless to say the only good thing is that he found Jules. His father the colonel and he don’t have any type of relationship and when he sees his son hanging around the Vet the colonel is rude to her. Jules wants to be with Tanner but because she is taking over her uncle’s practice she thinks she should not date any rancher. Tanner keeps asking her to point where he finally stops after his father ends up in the hospital again. Now using a different plan he talks to his father telling him he is not going back to the Marines, and his idea for the ranch and to help Veterans with PTSD with animal therapy. He also comes up with a plan for Jules. Read this entertaining book with a good ending to find out what happens.

This is a great book. With stubborn women and stubborn men, love and loyalty along with strength and passion. Nothing like smooth talking men who have a sense of humor and sense of service and the independent women who support them. Family may not always be easy but they are still family. This book has it all.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from Heather Long! I loved watching the hero have to work for his chance with the girl and I really loved seeing father and son come to terms with their relationship.

Tanner Wilks is not happy to be coming home. He knows it’s not going to be easy dealing with his father and he’s not quite ready to be hanging up his military career, but duty has called and he knows coming home is the right thing to do. What he doesn’t know and takes him by surprise is how hard and fast he is falling for the local vet – who happens to be renting a place on his family’s property and has some very strict rules about not getting involved with any of the locals.

Julia Heller is determined to gain the trust of all the local ranchers. She knew when her uncle retired and she took over his practice that this was not going to be an easy task, so keeping her personal and professional lives separate is something that is non-negotiable. Of course, doing what’s right and doing the right thing aren’t always the same, especially if her heart has any say in the matter!

I just loved watching these two come together. There is no denying the instant attraction between these two and they certainly had a lot of fun getting down and dirty with each other when they first met. Tanner did come on a bit too strong and way too bossy with Julia once she lets him know that she has her rules and dating a local is a definite no. He’s a bit to cocky and confident that if he just says it then it will happen – and I loved Julia shutting him down and letting him know that she and her career deserved more respect than that. I loved that despite having to fight off Tanner’s advances, Julia always managed to see the vulnerable side of Tanner, especially when it came to his dad. She offered him some things to think about when it came to his relationship, and, when he really needed her support, she was always there. And even though Tanner was a bit of a domineering jerk at first, I did love that he was all in from the moment he realized that Julia was the one for him – even if that meant waiting her out.

Along with the romance there is the story of Tanner and his father that plays into Tanner and Julia’s romance. Tanner has to learn how to have a relationship with his father, something that his father isn’t really interested in doing. And Tanner’s father is less than happy that his son and his vet might be having an affair. And even though these two didn’t exactly end up hugging things out, I did find their reconciliation to be on point for these two characters.

This was a quick read that was still able to have well developed characters with lots of emotion. The supporting characters were woven nicely into the main story and even though we really don’t get a lot of info about Tanner’s siblings, there’s just enough of a tease to make you want to know more about them and some of the other locals that are in the book.

I am always excited to get my hands on a Heather Long book and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more of her cowboys and would recommend this book to any romance lover.

It’s been a while since I last read a Heather Long story; but I was pleasantly reminded of her easy writing style and the effortlessness with which she crafts her characters.

Tanner and Jules will capture your heart and story plot is guaranteed to keep you glued to the pages until the last word is read. Semper Fi Cowboy is destined to be the first of a very popular series by this seriously talented author.

*I received a copy of Semper Fi Cowboy from Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Semper Fi Cowboy by Heather Long is the first book in her Lone Star Leathernecks series. As other readers have mentioned it was slow going at first but it did get a bit better at the end. I'd give 4 stars for the whole of the book but just wished the minor characters, Ramon, Maria and Mateo were given more than a minor part in the book but all in all it was a good start to the new series.

Tanner Wilks has retired from the US Marines and is returning home to help take care of the families ranch and his stubborn father who was also a Marine. When he meets Jules in the local bar little does she know that she's the new vet in town but also living at his ranch. But she has rules and one of them is to not date one of the ranchers that she works with. After their one night stand together with her slipping out at dawn, they are both surprised when he shows up at the ranch. Will they be able to stay away from each other? Can Tanner convince his dad that he doesn't want to reenlist but wants to see if he can take the ranch into the 21st century?

Julia "Jules" Heller has taken over her Great Uncle's vet practice and has started to build up the ranchers trust in her. When she decides to unwind a bit at the local watering hole, she meets the very attractive Tanner Wilks. He doesn't want to reenlist in the Marines and needs to convince his father that what he'd really like is to make the ranch profitable again. There will be up and downs but when the Colonel has a severe heart attack she'll be the one who'll stand by Tanner's side.

I'd be curious if the next book is Mateo's and if the ranch can be retrofitted to help wounded veterans with the horses on the ranch as Tanner and Jules propose only time will tell.

After receiving a call from home informing him of his father's failing health, Tanner Wilks decides it is time to retire from the marines and go home. He intends to help his father run the family ranch. When he decides to stop in town before going to the Ranch he meets a sexy, sassy woman named Jules. The two spend a night together that neither will soon forget.
The next morning Tanner is shocked to discover that the woman he can't seem to stop thinking about is Vet for the town.

While this is a quick read I did find the story, at times, to be somewhat slow and sometimes had trouble connecting to the characters. All in all though, it was a great story about two people trying to find their place.

A heartfelt story about a marine cowboy coming home and finding love, Semper Fi Cowboy is the story for the ages. This book grabbed me and did not let me go and I was deeply moved by the heart of this story. The colorful style of writing pulls me in and this author creates a pleasing small town and realistic characters. Texas heat? Check. Hot cowboy and strong female lead? Check and check. The momentum from the beginning of the story pushed forward with full steam and made a much needed stop for a heart to heart conversation between a father and son. Retired mariner Tanner return home when he gets a call that his father had a heart attack and is needing some help around the ranch. The thing is Colonel, Tanner's dad, is not having it and he is making it his mission to let Tanner know at every turn. On his way into town, Tanner stops at one of his favorite bars back at his hometown and comes across Jules. The chemistry between these two is extravagant and they spend the night rubbing skins. ;) Fast forward to the next afternoon, Tanner finally arrives home and guess who is the vet at his father's ranch? You guessed it, Jules.

There is a game of cat and mouse going on, but don't worry, the cat catches the mouse and the result is a steamy pile of ecstasy and heat hot enough to put Texas heat to shame. Trust me, I live in Texas and right now it is in the triple digits. Anyway, the book was great, entertaining, and as I said before, the book packs a lot of heart.

If you follow my blog, then you know that I love Cowboys and this one definitely heats up the sheets.

Recently retired Captain Tanner Wilks USMC was on his way home. He'd rather be with his brothers in arms, but his father having a heart attack changed his course. It's been twenty years since he was back at Round Top ranch but his new career was saving the ranch and tolerating his unpleasant father. He decided to stop at the local
bar in town before he headed to the ranch for a last night of drinks and relaxation, even got a hotel room so he could enjoy his evening. As luck would have it, there also was a beautiful woman enjoying her night. Dancing and lots of banter turned the meeting pretty hot, and they ended up in his room. He knew her name was Jules, really didn't need anything else. When he woke up and she was gone he was actually disappointed, but with all that he had in front of him he figured it was all for the best.

Julia Heller, Jules to her friends, inherited her's uncle's veterinary practice, and trying very hard to prove she was capable. Some of the old-timers weren't so sure. Her uncle was the on site vet for Round Top Ranch and it's owner known as the Colonel, an older man who had a recent heart attack was still not totally sure about her. Jules figured she would just continue her work, and show him how valuable she could be. But, who drives up but Tanner from their night on the town. He's the owner's son and here to take the reins from his very unhappy dad. After an embarrassing moment, they got past it. But his confrontation with the Colonel turned ugly. He wanted him gone, ashamed he had left the Corp. He needed no help, especially Tanner's. It was not going to be a pleasant homecoming, although all the staff on the ranch were happy to see him.

Jules and Tanner become closer and their feelings grow deeper working together. The Colonel remains obstinate but they can work around that, until an obstacle they fear they might not get past confronts them.

I received this eBook from the publisher and Netgalley.
Pat Fordyce

Title and author: Semper Fi Cowboy by Heather Long
Series: Lone Star Leathernecks - Book 1
Publisher: Pocket Star
Releases: June 26, 2017
Purchase: http://tinyurl.com/ycgqzhlh
Genre: Contemporary
Author website: http://heatherlong.net/
Rating: 4 Stars

There is a wide variety of emotions in the first Lone Star Leathernecks story, as two spirited individuals struggle to find their place in the world. From family disagreements to different opinions about a relationship, a man and woman who were not looking for love find themselves being challenged by many unexpected conflicts as they explore what is between them. SEMPER FI COWBOY is an emotional journey of discovery. Heather Long takes her characters through lots of difficulties along with letting them experience absolute joy, and I found the storyline to be captivating.

Though Tanner Wilks was not yet ready to stop serving his country, he felt obligated to retire from the U.S. Marine Corps because of family responsibilities. His father has lived through two heart attacks, but another may be too much. So now Tanner is returning to Round Top ranch and will be taking over many of its duties in order for his dad to hopefully live longer. Staying the night in his hometown before going to see his dad the next morning, he connects with a woman at a bar that he never met while living there.

Her need for a career change had Julia Heller moving to a Texas town to take over a relative’s veterinarian practice. Proving her worth to the ranch owners is imperative, however she figures spending one night with a man passing through the small town will not harm her reputation with the locals. But when the former marine turns out to be a son of the man whose ranch that Jules has been staying on, their intense attraction to one another only leads to one complicated ordeal after another.

What started out as a truly memorable night for Tanner and Jules turned into an encounter with unforeseen consequences. Since the two will be working together on his ranch because of her being its veterinarian, she believes there will be problems if they continue to see each other. I really enjoyed watching Tanner come to terms with her wishes while learning something important about his own views. While he does not like being told “no”, he is still a very compassionate person and showed this trait through various deeds. Jules has a good reason for being cautious, and I kept eagerly reading to see what she would decide.

All throughout the story, I was given glimpses into the lives of Tanner and Jules. I came to know what made them the people they currently are plus several of the reasons for their reactions to certain situations. I also got a sense of what living on a horse ranch entails on a daily basis, while becoming familiar with some of the secondary characters. Heather Long created genuine conversations for Tanner and Jules, and their lively banter was often amusing. A great start to a series featuring a dedicated soldier living in Texas. SEMPER FI COWBOY has engaging characters and plenty of emotional issues to resolve.

I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher, and all comments are my honest opinion

I have had the pleasure of reading several Heather Long books and enjoy them so much. This book captured my heart with the great characters and fabulous plot.

Solid and sexy, Tanner is a dreamboat. I love how he is the perfect mix of sex and a gentleman. Focused, hot, and driven, he does not give up. Yay!

Julia is smart and capable and the last thing on her mind is a man. But when they collide, the sparks fly.

A delightful steamy read that will have you looking for your own hot cowboy. Love it!

If you're looking for a quick, romantic read, I definitely recommend this book. The author jumps right into the meat of the story but the characters are still well developed. One night stand turns into happily ever after. Perfect read for a day at the beach!

Tanner Wilks comes from a long line of Marines. But he has always had a tenuous relationship with his father. When his mother died, he and his siblings were left in the care of their grandfather until he died. Felling abandoned by their father, all 3 have flown the coop but Tanner has been called home by a family friend after his father has a health scare. He and his father may not be close but he doesn't want the old coot to die on him either!

When he finds himself delaying his return to the family farm, he cuts loose at the local bar and finds himself a distraction before the hard work of dealing with his father begins.

Julia Heller is the new town vet, after taking over from her uncle. But she knows she''always be the new girl and as such she is trying not to show favouritism to any one rancher. So she dances with all of them and dates none of them! When she gets up close and personal with Tanner on her night off, she wishes he was doing more than passing through town. But colour her shocked when he turns up at the ranch were she rents a home and realises that he is the prodigal son returned!

Tanner is happy to find his recent bedmate at the ranch and looks forward to more conventional dates but Julia has these weird rules that both try to follow but they soon find themselves breaking!

I loved these characters. Tanner is sexy, alpha, determined and cunning. Julia loyal, professional and in desperate need of some fun. The Colonel would make anyone exasperated and reaching for the exit! I enjoyed the weaving of veterans into the story and the side story to the romance of using veterans on the ranch was a great idea. We also see just how much work goes into running a ranch.

I did think bits were a wee bit mis-timed. Sometimes time jumped forward quite a bit and then there was a whole load happening at once but that might just be me. I would have enjoyed more time for the characters to get to know each other after the ONS but there is only so much room in the book and I understand that sometimes my book couples have accelerated timelines!

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I freaking loved it. Tanner Wilks is one hot man. There is just something sexy about a man in a Stetson, throw in that he was a Marine, *swoon*.

This was the perfect cowboy romance I have been looking for and I can't wait for more books from this series. Definitely worth reading.

“He can be taught” echoed through my mind several times as I laughed and sighed my way through Semper Fi Cowboy by Heather Long.
Tanner Wilks is hero material through and through. He is sexy, strong and he knows how to dance. But like any other man he comes with issues.
Veterinarian Julia Heller is smart, sexy and strong enough to put Tanner in his place and teach him a thing or two.
When these two meet it is pure story time magic. Their interaction will keep you flipping pages and longing to spend more time with them.

I enjoyed this story, although slow in the beginning it did pick up. Tanner is arrogant and set in his way while Julia is strong and focused. There is angst, loss, heartbreak and love but in the end it will be up to the two of them if they have a future.

4.5 stars
Tanner just retired from the marines. Retired at 35. He could've/would've worked his job for another 35 years, but home needs him. His dad had another heart attack and someone needs to take over the ranch in Texas.
Only his father has never been the most fatherly of fathers. He doesn't want him there. He wants to do everything himself - stupid old man.
The best thing about being home is the girl he met his first night at the bar - Jules.
Only, she doesn't want him home either!! She's not ever dating the ranchers she's working for as a vet.
Poor Tanner.
But Tanner wouldn't be the tough marine he is, if he would let those two people stop him from getting his happily ever after ...

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I really enjoyed reading this book. I didn't really know what to expect when I started - unfortunately I've scrolled through some goodreads reviews, and most of them were not very kind... No idea why. This was a fun and cute and sexy cowboy lovestory! With a bit of family and military history, a few frustrating moments, moving moments. But all in all very sexy & fun. It could've been either a bit shorter - novella-ish, orrr a bit longer with more in-depth backgrounds and pasts and couple-time and ... just a bit more. Both would've been great, but I liked it the way it was. Finished it in one afternoon and now I can't wait to see what the next book will be about - AS YOU WERE, COWBOY - coming in December!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. It is the story of a Marine Captain who returns to his family farm to help out his father who is having health issues. Along the way, he meets the one woman he shouldn’t hook up with and complications ensue.
Captain Tanner Wilks doesn’t want to be the one to come home and help his father with the ranch. He and his father have never gotten along and since they are both stubborn as the day is long, there is bound to be conflict. However, since neither of his siblings will come home, the duty falls to Tanner. He drags his heels, but finally takes an honorable discharge from the Corps and heads home. Stopping at the local bar for a few drinks and then getting a room in town sound like a way to put off the inevitable homecoming. Having a local girl share his bed just makes the evening better.
Julia Heller is the town vet. She has rules about dating the cowboys and ranchers whose animals she cares for. She assumes that the good looking guy that she hooks up with at the bar is just passing through so learning that not only is he a rancher’s son, but the son of the rancher she rents a house from adds complications she is not prepared for. Dealing with the persistence of Tanner and the disapproval of his father make her job of fitting in even more challenging.
As I said, I did like this book. The characters had an interesting dynamic and seeing Julia rebuff Tanner’s advances made the story more compelling. I liked the information that Heather Long shares about the ranch and the amount of effort it takes to run it.
I did think the story moved way too fast. There are jumps in time and then things happen quickly. The pace at which the romance developed seemed unrealistic and didn’t give me the development that I was looking for. I wanted more of the courting and romance. This relationship moved too quickly for that and I have trouble buying that it will last.

The cover is what pulled me in with this one. The description wasnt that pulling for me. I am glad i read it. As it turned out to be a good romance with likeable characters.

Tanner can be one arrogant man, “oh, I know you’re busy , because you’re going to have dinner with me, Jules. ” Then he stretched his arm out to brace it against her seat. “You can tell me all about what a terrible son I am. I’ll still buy you a nice steak dinner.” I really loved this book, Tanner was quite the cowboy.

Sweet western contemporary romance. Jules helps Tanner learn to change his one-sided view of the world and how to repair the relationship with his dad. Interesting way the author drew out the romance.