The author had me sucked into this story right from the Prologue. Have never read a deep, emotional, and poignant introduction to the main story. So well written that it stayed in my mind throughout the book. The story itself pulled me in to each person’s life and did not detract but only added to the overall theme. This book was so full of love and passion that I hated to leave the characters behind. Impatiently awaiting the author’s next book!

Cowboy on My Mind by R. C. Ryan was a well written and enjoyable story. From the beginning to end this story had me wanting to read more. Loved the characters, their interactions, family bonds, suspense and romantic second chances. It was a good story and well done. I highly recommend it and look forward to more book from R. C. Ryan.

Sometimes life just needs a bit of luck thrown in for good measure. There always seems to be times when we question just how we got to a certain point in our lives. Maybe fate – who knows. Welcome to COWBOY ON MY MIND first in the Montana Strong series by R.C. Ryan.
But R.C. Ryan has an answer of her own in COWBOY ON MY MIND. Ben and his young siblings are runaways from the system designed to help and protect orphaned kids like them but once again failed miserably. These three are the product of physical and emotional abuse by that foster system and in the middle of a blizzard found Mac Monroe and his ranch.
Mac who was at the end of his rope with grief over the death of his son and wife was actually contemplating a harsh solution. But once this trio happened upon his doorstep – actually in his barn – Mac rediscovered who he was perhaps through this newly discovered purpose.
Mac actually refers to his family as a strange assortment of men that the world would consider misfits. Yes they are a unique eclectic group but each one has so much class and integrity it’s hard to imagine any of them feeling left out. They had come together almost by accident – but if you believe in fate – well it could have been in play getting all these men under one roof.
If I had to choose one particular scene that was my favorite in COWBOY ON MY MIND it would have to be around the kitchen table. During those meals and ensuing conversations R.C. Ryan provides a wondrous glimpse into the lives of the Monroe men.
It was a group effort raising Ben, Finn and Sam. The family unit also included three men from very diverse backgrounds Otis Green, Roscoe Flute and Zachariah York. I don’t usually list supporting characters so that should give you a good idea of how important these three gentlemen were to the Monroe family. They had done an excellent job.
Now Ben was working with the sheriff which would have surprised many a folk reminiscing about his teen years. And it was his reputation that was going to be a hurdle if he ever hoped to have a chance with the girl he had crushed on as a teen. Rebecca was back in town working with her father. Ben had become Rebecca’s sort of knight in armor when they were in school. But Rebecca’s father hadn’t really changed his opinion of Ben even after all these years. So you would say Ben definitely had his work cut out for himself.
There’s a bit of everything in COWBOY ON MY MIND. Soul searching, harsh reality check all softened with the love of a good family by an excellent writer like R.C. Ryan. I’ve had the privilege of reading and reviewing quite a few works by this talented writer who leads with her heart and invites you to join a little journey that has you biting at the bit for more.

Ben is a reformed bad boy, now sheriff deputy of Haller Creek.

Becca left Haller Creek but has returned home to find a peace she’s been missing in her life.

Becca was Ben’s high school fantasy come to life. Ben was Becca’s high school crush. Now they have a second chance.

When danger rears its ugly head, Becca will discover what lengths Ben will go to keep her safe.

Cowboy on My Mind is a sweet home-coming romance. It is refreshing to read a slow building friendship to love story with lovable characters, believable life issues and heart felt emotions.

Definitely a series I will continue reading.

I received this ARC copy of Cowboy on My Mind from Forever (Grand Central Publishing). This is my honest and voluntary review. Cowboy on My Mind is set for publication June 26, 2018.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Montana Strong (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: June 26, 2018
ISBN-10: 153871115X
ISBN-13: 978-1538711156
Genre: Western Romance | Woman Lit

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-My-Mind...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cowb...


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Haller’s Creek, Montana is the adopted home of Ben Monroe, rancher and new-lawman in a town very much grounded in a previous century. Also making her home there is Rebecca Henderson, whose domineering father just will not leave her be, and has her perfect husband all picked out for her. (Hint: it’s not Ben.) But Ben is the cowboy on Becca’s mind from the title, and so the two of them find a way to get together in this snapshot of a life that time seems to have forgotten—near death experiences and all. Ben is pretty great, and his two brothers’ stories yet to come are now definitely on my reading list. – Clara Shipman

3 1/2 stars.

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #1.

I love second chance novels and this was one that gave me all the feels. Ben and Becca are just so good together and they even sound good together!! If I had a sheriff in my town that looked like he sounds like he does - I'd be making him put me under arrest, but usually, in real life, they don't make them like that. This book will have you thinking of high school loves and old time friends that you haven't heard from in a while and if you thought of them fondly - you might even have a good bit of nostalgia. This left me feeling a little melancholy even though it ended so sweet because of my own "what could have been." However, the best written romances are those that make you feel!!

I received an ARC at no cost from the publisher/author for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect anyone else's.

Another great story from R.C.Ryan. She always hooks me from the beginning and I can't put the book down. I really enjoy how she writes family bonds and love. Highly recommended.

Ben Monroe is a reformed bad boy turned town sheriff deputy, he went from being the one breaking the rules to being the one enforcing them and it suits him quite nicely. He enjoys his quiet little life in Haller Creek, has all he needs... well, almost all he needs, some might say he needs the love of a good woman too, but unfortunately for him she just hasn't came along yet. That is until the woman who had a starring role in all of his teenage fantasies blows back into town... seeing Becca again quickly awakens the crush he use to have on her, and this time he plans to make his fantasies a reality!

Becca Henderson is returning home in hopes of finding the quiet, comfortable life she has wanted for so long, and maybe even land the cowboy she has wanted for a long time too! She has harbored a serious crush on Ben Monroe since high school, but back then she never seem to be able to slow him down long enough to catch his eye, he was always to busy sewing his oats and reeking havoc on their little town. This time though she plans on making sure he knows just how she feels, and has high hopes that he feels the same way. Catching his attention this time though might just have become a whole lot easier with the danger that followed her home!

Cowboy on My Mind is a delightful tale of second chances, reuniting with an old friend, and finding forever in a place it's least expected. This heartfelt tale will pull you in, have your emotions swirling, have your pulse rising, and is sure to inspire a serious case of the feels... it was such a joy to read this one! It was impossible not to fall for these wonderful characters, their story came with a relatable feel to it, and with each page I turned the deeper I was pulled into their world, and when that last page came the harder it was for me to leave them! I cannot wait to revisit this wonderful new series from Ms. Ryan, and see what she has in store for these wonderful folks! If you like small town romance that is heavy on the feels, and comes with a touch of suspense then I highly recommend you pick this one up, you will love what you find!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.

Ben likes to be a little flirt, "he caught her hand, holding it against his flesh. “Thanks for that warning. I’ll try to hide some of my more… wicked thoughts.” Becca likes to make sure her man knows he's needed, "...I have a real weakness for the first snowfall of the season. I hope it happens while we’re in the highlands. I’m sure a big strong lawman like you can find a way to keep me dry and warm.” I liked this book, I really loved Ben.

I really enjoyed reading "Cowboy on My Mind." The author really hooked me in the prologue. The novel is about how strong family bonds can be, and how true love with always triumph. The main Characters Ben and Becca have been in love with each other since childhood, but both have kept it from the other, creating the push and pull that comes from not knowing how deep feelings run for each other. There is also a suspenseful aspect to the novel. Ben works for the sheriff and he is investigating why Becca has become involved in multiple drive by shootings. If you love romance novels that are clean and full of strong family bonds and suspense, you will like this novel. I am excited to read about Ben's brothers when they get their story.

One of the things that R.C. Ryan does so well is to write about families, both families by blood and families by choice. This is the beginning of a series about three brothers and their family by choice and chance. This is about the oldest brother, Ben and his longtime crush, Rebecca or Becca as he calls her. The one thing that I liked about Becca was that even though she had moved away from home, she still had to learn to live her life as she wanted it, not what her parents, especially her father, wanted for her. It’s hard in real life to balance not disappointing your loved ones but to, also, be true to who you are and who you love. It seems that a lot of female leads all have a lot of confidence and are comfortable with their decisions. If you want a story about family and long time love, then this is for you.