Very good book with lots of feels. Loved the premise of the ranch and having the kids come for a visit.

Voluntary review of an ARC. I really loved this book. Cade is a rough tough rancher who runs a summer camp for needy kids. He hires Retta to care for the girls. Sparks immediately fly between them and evolve throughout the story. The plot involves how the kids progress from having attitude about being forced to attend camp to loving the ranch and each other. All the characters are so well written they seem to be our friends. I will definitely read more of this series. Highly recommended.

Retta takes a job at the Longhorn Canyon Ranch as girl’s camp counselor just until she can get her old city bank job back. Retta is still reeling from the loss of her father, and the family ranch, and has no idea how this “temporary” job will end up affecting her. This is a five-week camp for underprivileged city boys and girls to get away, learn responsibility, how to work on a team and have some fun. Retta doesn’t plan on losing her heart in the process, but a sexy cowboy, the ranch and the kids have her re-thinking her long-term plans.

Cade McGuire, the owner of Longhorn Canyon Ranch is smitten with Retta at first sight, but he’d like to protect his heart and keep things professional. He’s had his heart broken by one city girl before. But Retta’s different. She may claim to want the city life, but he can tell ranching is in her blood. The way she is with the camp kids melts his heart, too, and soon the pull between them becomes too irresistible to fight.

Carolyn Brown once again charms with Retta and Cade’s romance. Humor, sweet and sexy banter; it was a slow and steady progression to HEA. These two just made sense together, even if they didn’t realize it at first. The kids added a fun to the story as well. Some of them were prickly with attitude to begin with, so it was touching to see how ranching life and loving attention softened them up and got them to work together as a team.

I so do adore this author's works! She really knows how to bring a realistic story to life with drool-worthy cowboys.

Cade is a cowboy who wants to make a difference. He is opening up his ranch to underprivileged city kids to give them a few weeks of utter joy and fun. However, this year he is having issues finding a counselor for kids. Like magic, Retta comes in and he hires her right away. She is qualified and sexy. Cade was abandoned at the alter two years ago and Retta is dealing with the death of her parents. They are both broken, but maybe they can heal each other.

First of all...that lady was insane to leave Cade at the altar. He has a heart the size of Texas and is hunk. Fool! But Retta is a better woman, so it all works out.

I liked Retta a lot and I loved Cade. They worked. It was insta-lust for sure, but as they got to know each other love blossomed. It worked well especially since they have their issues they are trying to deal with. I enjoyed their banter. I did get a little annoyed with the continued reference to how she is a Sooner fan and he is a Longhorn fan. It did go on too long. Like I get it. Other than that though, I adored this book and these characters.

I always get a little worried when an author writes a story with kids involved. Sometimes the kids are drawn very 2D and annoying. However, the author did a wonderful job here. The kids, all of them, were written well and they felt real. I felt so bad for all of them...they all have crummy backgrounds in different ways. Some have amazing parents but are poor. Some are foster kids. Some have terrible parents. I felt for them and I wanted them to stay on that ranch forever! They were all so happy!

The ending was good. I knew they would get their HEA, but I did worry there! It all came together fine and good. I am curious to see what is next! I want to read more! All those cowboys need a HEA. Good men. Sexah cowboys. *nods*

In the end, I'll stamp this with 5 stars.

I love cowboys. Cowboy romances? I'm a goner. They are so sexy. This book is no different. Cade and Retta have a lot of chemistry but fight their attraction. Cade was left at the altar two years ago and has still not completely healed. What he feels for Retta confuses him because he thought he had been in love with his ex-fiance. What he feels with Retta is equal to if not more than what he felt with Julie.
Retta used to work at a bank as a vice president until she had to leave and take care of her sick father. He passed away three months ago and she had to sell everything. She has no home. She takes the job at Cade's ranch as a counselor for a summer camp for troubled children and starts to feel like she fits in. Like the Longhorn Canyon Ranch is her home. She belongs, but with her only there for the job and leaving in a few short weeks, should she let her attraction to Cade take over and see what happens? Risk heartbreak when she leaves? Should Cade trust Retta to not break his heart like Julie did when she also leaves?
There is so much suspense in that sense of will or won't they. Their banter and joking makes you smile. The kids make your heart break when you hear their stories but when they start getting better, it makes you smile and wipe a stray tear from your eye. It's amazing. I recommend to all sexy cowboy lovers!

How could something that brought about so much inner turmoil still create a sense of peace?

I’ve read—and enjoyed—many books by Carolyn Brown but I feel comfortable saying that this one, Cowboy Bold, is my favorite. What a beautifully crafted, sweetly romantic tale it was.

Simple, warm, but moments of heartache, I loved every heartfelt minute this book had to offer. It starts gentle, flowing along in that unhurried way I associate with cowboys, and never rushes to conclusions or I love yous or decisions.

And that made Cade and Retta simply perfect. Their chemistry was easy—even when their situation was not—but palpable nonetheless, and their flirting the kind of adorable that leaves a smile on your face. Seeing them with and without the buffer of the kids—and that side story was full of feels, let me tell you—made it that much easier to connect with them both.

And connect with them, and this story, I absolutely did. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the Longhorn Canyon series, and the one beyond that, too. Cowboy Bold might be my new favorite, but I suspect it has some bold competition ahead.

Life is what you make it and if you listen to your heart it’s a simple thing, not a complicated one.

~ FIVE Little Bit STARS ~

She has goals involving bright city lights and this cowboy is big country all the way. Will a month on the ranch that feels like down home and eight disadvantaged kids change her mind? Another new series by a great author of heartwarming cowboy romance and I was all in for that.
Review

Retta left home after high school for college, her business degree, her hard-earned bank position, but then ended up putting her ambition to make VP and bank branch president on hold to take care of her dad back home and then sell the old family ranch. Between heading back to the city to hire back in and pick up where she left off, she takes a job of summer counselor on a ranch to work with a group of kids from the city.

Cade tried something with a woman with big city lights in her eyes and it got him nothing, but a note and a returned ring on his wedding day. He might feel all sorts of sparks coming from an attraction to Retta, but there is no way he’s going to let his heart get crushed a second time by a woman who won’t stay.

This was a gently-paced, heartwarming story about more than the romance. I loved how these kids with high risk-factors were brought out to the ranch and given an opportunity to learn new skills, be praised, and cherished, and learn to trust in others again. Each had their own individual personalities.

And, it was fun being introduced to the people at Longhorn Canyon Ranch. Cade, of course, his brother Justin, their friend Levi, along with semi-retired Skip and Mavis. Oh, and let’s not forget all the stray animals that Levi brings home to keep whether it is an old turtle with a cracked shell, a little donkey with a gimpy leg, a bunny, cat, or dog.

The story was told in a back and forth sharing of the narrative between Cade and Retta. Much of the conflict in the otherwise easy-going romance is Retta having this life plan that she stubbornly clings to no matter what even though its obvious to her and everyone else that what she wants is right in front of her face. But, she’s going through a tough time and is just realizing that she never grieved her mother’s death from years before and is still raw from losing her dad. That plan of hers has been a life raft when she was nearly drowning in it all so it kind of made sense. Cade has to weather his own fears when he knows that things have gotten real. Will he let her walk out of his life to go after what she thinks she has to have or will he try to smother her to keep her close because the last woman left him? I confess to some impatience with her because they were obviously a great pair and I loved them together.

The banter and sass, daily life, and heartwarming little moments are what make the story so good. I love this down home style for a change of pace now and then and can’t recommend the author’s books enough to those who enjoy contemporary cowboy romance.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Carolyn Brown knows how to write a cowboy to fall in love with and Cade is no exception: handsome, sexy, and with a heart of gold he fits the bill perfectly! Cade has opened his ranch to trouble tweens for five weeks each summer this summer the girls bunkhouse mother was called away and he needed someone to fill in. Retta is at loose ends, after caring for her ailing father for three years before his death and selling the family farm she needed a job and a place to stay until she found something more permanent in the big city so working with the girls on a working ranch sounded like a great stop gap. But when sparks fly as they shook hands something more was on the horizon. This book will have you laughing at the banter between Cade and Retta as well as other characters on the ranch, you'll even shed a tear or two but the ending gives you the warm and fuzzies!

Big City girl is back home. She needed to help her father and his passing has left her with heavy medical bills. As soon as she gets herself together... back to Dallas she will go.
Our cowboy has a good heart and runs a summer program for city kids to work on the ranch. This time he needs a woman to assist and that is where our City gal comes in.
Both seem interested in each other... but there are huge issues keeping them apart. Can they overcome past loves and make it all work.

Another wonderful sweet love story from Carolyn Brown. A must read for your summer reading list! I loved the characters, the setting, well all of it. Retta and Cade are both at crossroads and both so sure they know what is in store for them. From the moment they meet the electricity is tangible. Retta is to be the house mom to 4 little girls for 5 weeks and then head off to continue her paused career. She is still mourning the loss of her parents and is feeling all alone, but so very sure that getting back to her dream job is going to help her heal. Being the house mother to 4 little girls at summer ranch camp is a pit stop to on her path...or so she thinks. Cade, still mourning and angry about the end of his engagement is not about to trust just anyone. A few dates and he is done. No one is ever going to be allowed close enough to hurt him again. He is in charge of 4 boys and only wants to teach them all that he is denying himself. That they are more than good enough, smart enough. lovable enough and mostly just how to be kids. No matter how they fight their attraction, it is undeniable. Set on a beautiful ranch with all that offers is a perfect setting for everyone to heal and open their hearts. A sweet, kind, loving, humorous love story. The only thing I didn't like was that it was over! I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

** I have received an Arc for a honest review!! **

Wow! What another great start to a new series, Longhorn Canyon!! I enjoyed the story line and the characters. Can not wait for the next book!

Cade looks forward to opening his Longhorn Canyon Ranch to underprivileged city kids every summer. This year, he is having no luck finding a counselor for the children. Retta, who is completely broke, goes and applies for to be a counselor at the Ranch.

Very sweet cowboy romance!

I always enjoy cowboy romances and this was no exception. This was my first introduction to Carolyn Brown and I will be reading more. I enjoyed all of the real life ordeals and lessons that she included in the story and how the characters worked through them.

Very good read!! I usually like my books with a lot more steam! This is a very very tame story but it was also a great heartwarming story!! I did cry a lot!! Lol it's Retta and Cades book, retta has had a lot of loss lately and she's going through all that but does take a job in cases farm counseling at risk teens, I loved the kids!!! Benji was awesome!! It's definitely a very heart filled story!! I highly recommend it as it was a great read!!! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

I have chosen not to finish this title. I was not able to connect with the hero and heroine, and I just didn't feel that they had any connection with one another.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity.

Cowboy Bold is a sweet read that touches your heart

This book just made me want to give a big hug to all the characters. It was refreshing, fun and charming with great characters and an appealing storyline. I enjoyed the ranch setting and the fact that the ranch owners ran a summer camp for underprivileged children and meeting all the kids. Of course most of the kids arrived with an attitude, did not want to do stuff or get along with the others. There were several ‘mouthy’ comments common for kids who are sizing each other up make or to frustrate the adults. All of the kids came from hard circumstances and have different temperaments and it was interesting to see how the adults dealt with each of them and the situations they were put in to help them warm up to the others and function more as a group, trusting and relying on each other. There were 8 strong personalities and I enjoyed watching their transitions thru the camp experience and seeing the bonds of friendship they formed. And I absolutely adored Benjy; he was my favorite out of the bunch. Also, being introduced to the adults was quite entertaining in its’ own right. Cade and his brother, Justin, were the owners of the Longhorn Canyon Ranch and ran it and the camp along with their friends and ranch helpers, Levi, Skip and Mavis, as well as Retta who was hired for the summer to care for the girls. The family roots run deep and the bonds of friendship strong with this bunch. There was plenty of witty adult conversation, unwanted romantic advice and a few match-making attempts for Cade and Retta to keep you entertained. This was not a solid romance story, it kind of took a back burner to the rest of the commotion going on, though there were snippets of conversation and a couple of trysts, the focus of the story was more on healing, trust, hope, family and the bonds of friendship. Cade and Retta each had their own personal issues to work thru and overcome in order to pave the way for a new relationship and it was nice to see them working together, offering advice and support, to heal as well as giving each other the separate space they needed to come to terms with specific things troubling them and move forward. Overall, this was a great read with a wonderful cast of characters and storyline that leaves you wanting more. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Beyond the laughter, despite the tears there will be hope. Brown looks at life as a classroom. The hits keep coming, yet the lessons are never-ending. Cowboy Bold reads a bit like a country song, but uplifts like the chorus of a heartwarming hymn. Retta and Cade are each other's destiny. They don't know it, but their heart does. People and circumstance are the road map to who we are and it's pure tales like this one that have an impact on our minds and hearts.

Another great start to a series by Carolyn Brown. (I’m still waiting on books 2 & 3 from her Happy, Texas series from my library after reading the wonderful Toughest Cowboy in Texas a couple of months ago.) As much as I enjoy a long series that builds and builds its character base, I’ve found a really like how this author keeps her series from getting too out of control. We really get to know the characters and there’s not the danger of forgetting who is with who.

Let’s talk about this particular book, though. Do yourself a favor and read the “Dear Reader” that Ms. Brown included at the beginning. I think the way the interaction she writes about became this story is interesting. This is a super engaging book. Although this is a romance novel with some steamy interactions, it’s really quite a wholesome story. Having a bunch of very impressionable tweens running about keeps Cade and Retta from getting too touchy/feely. I think that adds to the chemistry they have. The fact that they have to really keep a distance from each other makes the pull that much stronger.

All the people who live and work on the ranch regularly were a joy to meet. There’s already a story for Levi slated for this fall and I’m sure there will be a Justin story not too far behind. These guys work hard and love even harder. While it seems they have all had their fun and carefree times (and possibly still do), none of them seem like the typical man-whores as these types of characters are often portrayed.

Now, I really liked Retta in a lot of ways. She was great with the kids and animals alike. She is super kind and generous. But I was ready to wallop that girl upside the head every time she would reject her own feelings because of some “plan” that didn’t even seem very well thought out. (Seriously, she planned on waiting until she was in her 40’s to even try having kids?) I really got a kick out of her “talking” to her parents though. That’s what kept her in the column of a likable character even when I was frustrated with her. Those talks she had showed me she, on some level, realized she was being a bit ridiculous about things.

While I’m anxiously awaiting Levi’s story, at least I still have plenty of books by this author I have yet to read. I still can’t believe the first book I ever read by this author almost kept me from seeking any further books by her. You can’t always go by your first impressions!

Four stars: A sweet, sassy and heartwarming tale about new friendships and mending hearts.

Retta is hoping to get a summer job working the Longhorn Ranch, mentoring preteen girls who come from troubled backgrounds. She needs the short term job for the money. Retta also needs a place to stay until she can move back to Dallas and return to her banking job that she left when she had to care for her dying father. She is delighted when Cade, a cowboy with striking eyes and a sassy behind gives her the job. What follows is a whirlwind summer that proves to be heart healing for everyone involved. Will Retta be able to leave the ranch?
What I Liked:
*What better way to kick off summer than with another heartwarming book from Carolyn Brown? I loved that this one was all about healing broken hearts and new beginnings. Yes, there is a whirlwind romance, but it is so much more than that. This book packs a lot of heart.
*I loved the kids. The Longhorn Ranch mentors eight kids every summer. These are kids that come from tough circumstances. Many are in foster care or single parent homes. At the beginning, some of the kids are feisty and argumentative, but as the summer explodes with all the hustle and bustle of the ranch, the rag tag group forms a family. It was a delightful experience to watch all of the characters learn to love and support one another, and it was a joy to see them evolve. I loved each and every one of them.
*I couldn’t get enough of the adorable animals. Levi, one of the ranch cowboys, is known for adopting strays. The ranch has an adorable ranch dog, a cat, a bunny, a turtle with a cracked shell, and a small donkey with a weak leg. The animals were charming.
*Benji was one of my favorite characters. He is a shy boy with a touch of autism. He doesn’t do well in social situations, but he is all heart. He is a fountain of knowledge, some of his facts made me giggle. He wiggled his way into my heart.
*Mavis and Skip are amazing. They are a nearly retired couple who spend their summers helping mentor children. They both have huge hearts, and I loved the way the stepped up to help one of the kids.
*The romance takes a bit of a back seat to the rest of the story, which was fine by me. I liked that this was a romance about healing, and that it was based on friendship and sizzling chemistry. I especially enjoying the banter and ribbing along the way. It was delightful.
*The book ended with a few tears and smiles. It was sweet and satisfactory, the perfect book for summer reading.

And The Not So Much:
*I can’t complain too much about this one. The only thing I can say is that the romance moves at whirlwind speed, so if you aren’t a fan of fast paced romances, you may not like this one.
*I hope that in the next books, we get to follow up with the kids as they return to their homes.
Cowboy Bold is the perfect way to kick off the summer. This book has a big heart and it will make you smile. I loved that this was about growing, healing and finding family in unexpected places. Grab this one for when you want a light, sweet and happy read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Book was interesting. Had a hard time getting through it. I need to read a second time to fully get it. Just copy and hard to read the characters

Cowboy Bold is an engaging tale of city kids at summer camp on a farm and the country folks who take care of them for over a month.

Retta is a fun, plain spoken woman with spunk and lots of ranching skills. Cade's the hot cowboy who owns the ranch with his brother. They spark off each other like metal on metal.

In the end this one is all about relationships, healing and choices. The kids learn life that's not quite so hard or rough. Grief is dealt with in this as are lost love, communication, family and priorities.

Love the ranch concept and appreciate the way disability and injury were handled. The supporting characters in this love story are believable, sometimes obnoxious, likable and very human.