I had SO been looking forward to a new book/series by Kaki Warner. I've read everything she has ever written and loved them all. Maybe I was so hyped up that my standards were overly high...and this book was o.k.-fine even - if it had been written by someone else. For Kaki....I expected more because I'm used to more from her and I was a bit let down. Oh, I'll read the next in the series but this was just didn't have that special something that Kaki's book normally do. I still recommend, just level-set your expectations.

If you are looking to read great historical Western romance, you’re in for a treat with Kaki Warner’s Blood Rose Trilogy. Because I’d loved it and despaired of seeing more from Warner, I was delighted to see she was back with contemporary Western romance. I’m not keen on cowboys and I hate horsey stories, but, hey, Warner! And I happily plunged into Rough Creek. The blurb made me nervous there would be too many horsey details and I was right, but the protagonists are always what’s best in Warner. The blurb was encouraging:

After serving eighteen months in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Dalton Cardwell is looking for a fresh start. What better place than Whitcomb Four Star Ranch? He doesn’t regret the decisions of his past–he’d choose the same roads again. But now all Dalton wants is to keep his head down and focus on the horses–and on Raney Whitcomb. Raney is outraged when she learns her mother hired an ex-con. Raney has worked hard for the ranch, sacrificing her personal life for the dream of building on her family’s legacy. But as Dalton breaks down every misconception and even wins the good opinion of her sisters, Raney is forced to rethink her stance–and finally free herself to explore the heart-pounding tension that simmers between them.

I do love me some simmering “heart-pounding tension”. Sadly, it’s not what I got: instead, a story about two careful, caring people who hadn’t exercised their heart muscles, or any others for that matter, in ages, a drawn-out dance of closeness, then distance, and a halting pace to the HEA.
This was not my initial impression: Dalton’s emergence from prison, return to his Texan home town (the eponymous Rough Creek) only to find the family ranch sold and no place for him at the inn, compelling. I felt like I was back in Warner country and loving it. When Dalton and Raney meet: her snappy suspicions and his laconic responses showed, once more, what a master of banter Warner is. In the end, the banter was the only thing that stopped me from DNF-ing. Dalton’s sense of dislocation and desire to belong gave way to an adoring, quipping confidence; but Raney’s insistence on mistrust as the basis of their relationship grated. Dalton was, to start, such an interesting character, with his disavowal of guns after being in Afghanistan, a refreshing stance on the romance hero’s part. Moreover, there is a mystery surrounding his arrest and incarceration I was curious to see resolved (which was well done when it finally came).

All of the interesting stuff was left by the wayside and the romance became a study from slow-burn to slow-bore. I think one of the keys to a great romance novel is pacing and Warner faltered here: weeks and months go by and Dalton and Raney don’t interact, without rhyme, or reason. Dalton goes from sad and tormented to charming and irresistible; Raney dithers for hundreds of pages, which is fine, if there were reasons for it. Warner sets up some kind of mistrust issues on Raney’s part, because of a dishonest ex, but Dalton is so lovely, it never convinces. Moreover, there isn’t sufficient conflict, neither inner, nor outer, to make for a can’t-put-it-down romance. When Raney and Dalton do interact, they’re fun; they’re also compatible. And it’s obvious, without much by way of conflict, or drama, they’re perfect for each other. I wished there was more to the romance than that. I’m glad Warner’s back and I might give the next romance a try, but the monochromatic Rough Creek doesn’t do what Warner can and has done, justice. With Miss Austen, we agree Rough Creek offers “tolerable comfort,” Mansfield Park.

Kaki Warner’s Rough Creek is published by Jove. It was released in July 2020 and may be found at your preferred vendors. I received an e-galley from Jove, via Netgalley.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Rough Creek. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. Since I didn't finish it, I won't be rating or writing a review. If I revisit it in the future, I'll review it then.

Known for her historical romances, Kaki Warner ventured into writing a contemporary romance and it was an absolute delight. Rough Creek was an entertaining story and it was hard to put down. Dalton Cardwell is returning to his hometown after spending 18 months in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Right from the beginning I was hooked.

The characters and the witty banter made this absolutely fun to read. The author let the main characters take control and let the story take them on their journey to happiness. Raney Whitcomb ran the Whitcomb Four Star ranch and is taking it in a new direction with training cutting horses. Her mother may have hired Dalton but she didn’t really want an ex-con around. He slowly grew on her especially when Dalton was the best trainer for the young horse Rosco. Fighting his presence to forming a friendship took time, but eventually Raney got out of her way to see that Dalton was right for her, and that was a wonderful way to find love.

Rough Creek is exactly the kind of romance I love to read. It had a bit of mystery and drama, humor and flirting, plus characters that told the story with their thoughts and actions. Dalton was a standup character and Raney had to learn for herself that you have to accept people for who they are and not what you expect them to be. You’ll slowly fall in love with Raney and Dalton and cheer for them by the end of the story. The story was charming and it ended way to soon. The ending was swoon worthy and I can’t wait to read the next one.

ROUGH CREEK is the first book in the BRIDES OF ROUGH CREEK, TEXAS series and I’m looking forward to reading more. Dalton is a veteran and ex-con looking for work when he returns home to Rough Creek, where he finds out his aging parents have sold their small ranch. He knows it’s best for them so his younger brother, Timmy, can live in a group home catering to his disability.

Raney is managing the family ranch after the death of her father years ago but is part owner with her mom and three sisters. Raney seems to have a good head on her shoulders but is not very outgoing or trusting. She was hurt by her scumbag of a fiance that she turned loose after finding out what he was really after.

ROUGH CREEK is filled with rich descriptions of the ranch, horses, and a western setting. The secondary characters are well fleshed-out and added additional dimensions to the story. And the central romance is both warm and satisfying.

This is a great romance to add to your summer collection!

I’ve read several books by Ms. Warner and enjoyed them. I look forward to reading more of her books.

I requested this book because of the ex-con hero. I hope this trope. But I do not love it when it is used to be shorthand for "not-guilty" ex cons = good, guilty ex-cons = bad.

I did not get very far in to this book when some of the language used to describe the ranch hand/domestic help read as xenophobic/racist.

"He was short and stocky and very strong, with black hair and eyes, a broad smile, and a tattoo on his chest that said Amada, which meant “beloved” in Spanish. Raney suspected he’d told both of his ex-wives that he had gotten the tattoo to honor them. Quite the charmer. He had fathered a son by each of his wives and had named both boys Alejandro— numero Uno and numero Dos. He adored both boys and extended that same fatherly protectiveness toward Raney and her sisters. He was part of the family now and she couldn’t have run the ranch without him."

Raney can't run the ranch without him but what purpose does this paragraph serve but to make fun of him?

Then the big whopper-

"Mama always spoke English with their Hispanic employees. She felt it was to everyone’s advantage if they all used the language of the country where they lived. Not very PC, but it made sense to Mama. And the workers didn’t seem to mind."

This is where I had to stop. I can't root for characters that are cool with xenophobia.

3.5 stars
This book was a super slow burn l, which I don’t mind at all but overall, it was just okay for me.

I liked the plot and the characters, for the most part. I don’t enjoy books with a ton of drama and angst just for the sake of drama but I do like a little bit of conflict. That’s not to say there wasn’t conflict in this one, there was. It’s just that the tension about this conflict came and went so quickly that I actually found myself longing for more of a fight.

I’m also not sure how I feel that a minor communication issue that could turn into a major conflict for this couple later was just sort of glossed over. Ignoring an issue doesn’t make it go away.

That being said, I’m not sure this is a book I would suggest to all readers but there will definitely be an audience for this story and I would never steer anyone away from it.

Dalton has returned home after doing a brief stint in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Everything has changed. His parents are relocating to provide a better life for his younger brother. His woman left town for a better life and Dalton has to find out what is his next step as an ex-con.

Raney loves her ranch. She is like the son her parents should have had. She takes pride in running things for her mother now that her father is deceased. Her mother is tired and wants to travel a bit but she needs a new horse trainer and Dalton is a good one.

Immediately I liked Dalton. He is a solid man. He is honorable and does the right thing. I love how he wanted to be there for his brother, Tim who is mentally disabled. He is pretty straight forward but Raney took a bit more time to warm up to. She puts up barriers left and right.

I think the slow burn to this romance took too long. I get it the whole notion of slow burn but nothing really happened outside of Dalton’s attraction to Raney. It took entirely too long for Raney to come around. Yes, she has issues but there was excuse after excuse and not enough romance. I’m not sure.

There are plenty of side characters to keep the series going. I admired how most of the people in the town rallied behind Dalton and knew he was as good man who was innocent. I wish Raney treated him better at times instead of with so much caution.

I know I haven’t read a western romance in a while but this one seem a bit dated in the writing style. I wanted to love it since I had love the author’s previous work but this miss the spot.

~ Samantha

This modern day Western romance written by Kaki Warner has it all. A hero with a past that haunts him, that he chose to protect those he loves.. A heroine who is a skilled and able working woman. A mother who remembers and honors long friendships. A small town, where some people can be supportive even if they don't know the whole story and where others will be mean, hold grudges and bully anyone they can.. The characters are complex and the plot has unexpected twists, making this an enjoyable read .

I do love a cowboy romance, so I was happy to dive into Rough Creek. This is my first read by Kaki Warner, and as I understand it, this is her first contemporary Western romance, having written historical romances. I will say that this book does have some of the flavor of a historical romance, some similar tones, but it is set in the here and now. The story also has elements of second chances - not necessarily for Dalton and Raney as a couple, but the romance is a second chance for each of them.
I found both characters likable. In fact, I liked most of the characters in this one, at least the ones we're meant to like, and there are what look to be some promising storylines to come as this series progresses. As for this couple, Dalton has this whole wounded soul vibe going, but at the same time, he flirts shamelessly with Raney, which of course, frustrates her to no end. She's a bit rigid and doesn't take well to change, so Dalton messing with her world was thoroughly amusing. That also means we get some fun banter, and it's not just between our romantic couple. I really enjoyed the dialogue in this book, and I'll just throw in right here that Raney's mother is an absolute scene-stealer and one of my favorite types of character.
The only drawback for me was that the book felt like it went on longer than it needed to. There's really not enough angst to warrant the length of the book. There were a couple of lags in the story where I found my attention waning, so I feel like it could've done with a bit of tightening up. That said, those times didn't last long, and Dalton and Raney did pull me back in, so it's not a huge deficit in my opinion.
All in all, this first in the series is an entertaining read with engaging characters, and now that I've met them, I can't wait to see what Kaki Warner has in store for them.

Rough Creek Kaki Warner is the First book in the Brides of Rough Creek Texas. This is the story of Raney Whitcomb Dalton Cardwell. Raney and her mother have taken over handling the family ranch Whitcomb Four Star, after her father dies. Raney's sister have their own thing they want to do. So when her mother at 60 starts to talk about traveling / retiring, her mother ends up hiring a horse trainer for the ranch along with helping out. Raney's mom ended up hiring Dalton who is a ex con which Raney is not happy about. Dalton was sent to prison for 18 months for something he didn't do. Dalton has just been release and his to his parents ranch where he finds that they have sold it and are moving to be closer to his younger broker who is handicapped. So Dalton ends up being hired with a 6 months contract at the Whitcomb Four Star Ranch. Dalton's plan is to just consecrate on horse and nothing else. But then he meets Raney and they start headbutting. This was a slow burn but it was a great read for me. I will be looking for more books by this author.

I'm a huge fan of Kaki Warner's historical western romances so I was intrigued when I heard she was transitioning to contemporary. Rough Creek is her first contemporary romance and launches her Brides of Rough Creek series. It has the same small-town, western flavor, and character-driven story, with well-placed humor and emotion, plus a slow-burn romance, that made her historical novels so appealing.

As with many books that launch a new series, there are several characters who are introduced in this one, but not so many that I found it confusing or distracting. My favorite was Dalton. I adored this man. He's sweet, kind, caring, funny, honorable, and sexy as hell. Raney was more of an acquired taste. She's a complex character, as is typical of many of Warner's characters, with baggage that's made her wary of trusting. Not that I blamed her; she had good reason for feeling that way. I enjoyed the flirty banter between her and Dalton and the time Warner gave them to get to know one another but I grew frustrated with her judgmental attitude. Dalton showed her in every possible way that she could trust him yet she held him at bay, flip flopping for months, almost as if she was looking for reasons to not trust him. In the end, I was happy with their relationship because Dalton was happy, and I really do think Raney finally realized what she had been doing and was ready to drop her barriers and trust in love. I'm hopeful, though, that we'll see more of them in future books in the series, as an open, functioning couple, with a deepening bond, and less judgment, and more trust, on Raney's part.

Family, horses, and ranch life play a big part in this book with interesting glimpses into cutting horses, their training, and competitions. The Whitcomb sisters and their mother, owners of the ranch (but not all living there), are complex women living very different lives. I'm curious to find out what's ahead for each of them. I'm certain Coralee, the sisters' widowed 60-year-old mother, a real spitfire, will be helping each of them along to a happily ever after. I wonder if the sisters will do the same for their mama?

I'm not sure how many books are planned for the series or which characters have one in their future but, with Warner's name on the cover, I'll be back for them all.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Another new-to-me author, who is also new to writing contemporary. She has many historical westerns in her backlist.

Raney Whitcomb grew up on her family ranch, Whitcomb Four Star, and since her father's death a few years before, she's been running it. She has 1 older, and 2 younger sisters, and they've each gone their own ways, but they converge on the ranch for family get-togethers, semi-frequently. Her mother still lives in the big house with her, and is still the big boss, for the most part. But, her Mama has decided she's getting old, at a freshly turned 60, and wants to travel, and see the world, and have some fun. She's leaving Raney in charge of course, but not before she hires a new horse trainer, without consulting Raney first.

Dalton Cardwell has just been released from prison, after serving 18 months for a crime he didn't commit. When he gets home to Rough Creek, he finds his parents have sold their small ranch, and they're moving away, to be closer to a group home where his younger, mentally handicapped brother will be living. He understands their reasoning, and agrees with them, but it leaves him at loose ends. He decides to look for a job, as soon as he's helped his parents get packed up to go. He finds a job as a horse trainer at a local ranch, hired by the matriarch herself, though apparently her daughter isn't thrilled with the idea. Too bad, because he's got a 6-month contract, a real affinity for horses, and nowhere else to go.

Dalton and Raney initially butt heads because she's not keen on hiring an ex-con, though I found her to be fairly judgmental of him, considering the crime he was convicted of. Once she settles into the idea, and sees how good he is with the horses, she changes her tune. Their attraction to each other doesn't hurt either. But Raney's been hurt before, and she doesn't trust easily. Dalton cares for her, and her family, and is willing to move at her pace, which was entirely too slow and equivocating for my taste. They had strong chemistry, but the timeline of the novel saw MANY months pass in their push and pull dance, and I found her inability to make a decision to be maddening at times. But, I really liked the way she, and her Mama, stood up for him, and helped him out a few times, when people were assuming the worst about him, or when an old nemesis tried to cause trouble for him.

The side characters here, mostly other workers on the ranch, Dalton's family, and Raney's family, were interesting and fairly well-fleshed out. Her Mama especially was old-fashioned, and nosy of course, and desperately wanted Raney to settle down. Her sisters were each interesting in their own ways, and had varying relationship troubles of their own. I'm not sure from this story who the next book in the series might be about, and I suppose it could be a new, unrelated character too.

I really liked Dalton and Raney as characters for the most part, but Raney really bothered me sometimes, constantly expecting perfection, and not leaving much leeway for reality. She was slow as molasses in committing to Dalton, in any real way, and I couldn't believe how slow the burn was between them. I guess that slow of a connection just isn't for me. Dalton was all in practically from the beginning, and I love that in a hero, but there were many things in his past, from his time in the military, to his time in prison, that he wasn't interested in talking about. It was understandable, but was also basically a deal-breaker for Raney, so he opened up. And it seemed that still wasn't really enough for her. I think having this slow of a burn, with no real on-page sexy payoff was disappointing for me. It's just not my personal preference. I would've liked quite a bit more heat, ESPECIALLY if I'm waiting so long for it.

Overall, this story was just ok for me personally, though I can see many things about it that I'm sure others would very much enjoy.

This is my first time reading Kaki Warner. She's a new author for me. When I saw the cover I knew I had to try it. I do love my cowboys.

Since I hadn't ever read her I wasn't sure what to expect. Shortly after starting the book, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. It's not like I didn't like it...I just couldn't get into it. It was one of those books where I couldn't put my finger on why I didn't like it.

The characters aren't bad and I liked the idea of the storyline but still...it didn't sit right with me.

I think it was because it had a historical feel to it and yet it wasn't. A little old fashion in the writing. It wasn't that I didn't think the writing was bad, just not for me. It seems like I've had a run on books that I just couldn't enjoy.

I did like Dalton & Raney they are both really good characters and they are the only reason I kept reading the story. I enjoyed their interactions and how they reacted to each other. But it wasn't enough to really get into the story. I think there are many readers who will like the story and the way it's written. Like I mentioned, good characters. Maybe someday I will try another by her. Have any of you read her?

Sandy M’s review of Rough Creek (Brides of Rough Creek, Book 1) by Kaki Warner
Contemporary Western Romance published by Berkley 7 Jul 20

I always hold my breath when a favorite author of a specific romance subgenre tries her hand in a different way. Kaki Warner has been churning out wonderful historical western romances for a number of years now, and I’ve loved every one of them. So when I discovered she’s written her first contemporary western romance? Well, that breath I was holding released on a happy sigh fairly quickly.


Dalton Cardwell has just been released from prison, serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. But he felt it was a duty to do the time because he was a contributor to the tragedy that changed so many lives. He heads home to Rough Creek, only to find life isn’t going to be on an even keel just yet – his parents have sold their ranch to move to a better location to help their younger son, all of which Dalton understands, especially because he loves his brother. So he’s now free to pursue what he loves best and just so happens a local ranch is looking for a horse trainer.

Raney Whitcomb manages her family’s ranch and is currently expanding their operations. So you can imagine she’s not happy when she learns her mother has hired an ex-con! A handsome, winsome ex-con, but that’s beside the point. She does her best to get rid of Dalton, but she’s shut down on that front and has to decide to work with what she’s got. What might that be, you ask? A hell of a horse trainer who’s on track to take one of her yearlings to the top. Okay, maybe she was wrong. Maybe. If nothing else, Raney is quite stubborn.

I fell in love with Dalton as soon as he stepped outside the prison gates. That love continued to grow as I got to know him, realizing he’s not in the least bitter, has a happy-go-lucky attitude, likes to play and joke, and is determined to win Raney over if it’s the last thing he does. I did take me a bit longer to warm up to Raney, but once she begins to learn more about Dalton and his family, the circumstances of his incarceration, and opens herself up to the idea of love, she does turn out to be a fun but complicated heroine. I always like when it’s the hero who’s first to acknowledge attraction/feelings/love, and Dalton is a first-class act when it comes to Raney.

The Whitcomb family, as well as the Cardwells, are close-knit and I enjoyed the interactions when they’re all together. It will be fun getting to know each Whitcomb sister as the series goes on. I also enjoyed the horse training and rodeo scenes with Dalton, all showcasing Ms. Warner’s knowledge in those areas. The twist at the end is heart-wrenching, but if you don’t love Dalton by that time, well, like Raney, finally you’ll know he’s one stand-up guy and your heartstrings will zing for sure.

Thank goodness I don’t have to hold my breath anymore when it comes to Kaki Warner’s contemporary romances. She’s as much a class act as her new hero.

Grade: A

I adored this heartwarming slow-burn romance!

Raney was so reluctant to admit she could be falling for the disarmingly charming ex-con cowboy, but there isn't a woman alive who could resist him forever. It didn't take Dalton long to get over his reservations about romancing his boss, especially since it was her mother who had actually hired him.

The issues that needed to be dealt with first were honest and authentic, encompassed both his past and hers, and the way they shared these problems with each other really spoke volumes about their character and values.

I absolutely loved Coralee in this story, and wish we'd seen more of her. We also got quite an extensive introduction to Joss and Grady's relationship, as well as Len and Ryan's marriage. I hope those stories will be expanded into future books.

I really enjoyed the sly humor, not outrageous but just enough to show the teasing aspect of their relationship. Even when she's sure about herself and him, Raney just couldn't let herself relax and enjoy the fun unless Dalton practically dared her to. Their banter was on-point throughout the story, adding breadth and depth to their romance.

The HEA was perfect, with the most hilarious proposal scene I've read in a very long time! It was unique, and exactly what these two needed. I highly recommend this delightful romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Rough Creek by Kaki Warner is the first book in her new Brides of Rough Creek Texas series. We meet our hero, Dalton Cardwell, as he is released from prison, after spending a year and half for a crime he did not commit. When he returns home to Rough Creek, he learns that his parents have sold their house and plan to move with their younger physically challenged son, Timothy. Dalton begins to look for work, and decides to check out the Whitcomb Four Star Ranch, which he has experience handling breeding horses.

The family matriarch, Coralee Whitcomb, has 4 daughters, with Raney being the one who runs the ranch. The other three girls have moved away, though Joss will play a big role when she returns being pregnant and Len, who is married, decides to visit. But the heroine in this story is Raney, who is smart, tough, independent and fully loyal to the ranch. Cora decides she wants to take a break and go on a long vacation, and when she meets and interviews Dalton, she hires him on the spot. This angers Raney, who is unhappy that her mother was hiring someone behind her back, and one that is an ex con; but Cora is determined to give Dalton a chance, as she sees how good he is with the horses, not to mention he might be someone to stand up to Raney.

Raney finally decides to give Dalton a chance, as she too can tell how good he is. Raney does find him attractive, but she has had a bad experience previously and does not want to become involved with anyone. The romance between Raney and Dalton is slow built, as she fights off all of Dalton sweet disarming advances; and it was fun to watch him express his feelings to her, and her inability to ignore him. Took a while, but it was fun, though I have to say she was stubborn.

What follows is a fun and interesting story, as Raney with Dalton build up Roscoe, their prize horse for future competitions that will enable them to put Whitcomb Four Star Ranch as being one of the best. During the training sessions, we get to see Raney’s sisters who visit, with Joss having issues with her boyfriend, and who is the father of her baby. The other sister will also return, with her own issues, though we do not get to meet the 4th sister. It was nice to see the family together, and help each other. I got a kick out of Joss, Len and even Cora doing their best to push Raney towards Dalton.

Rough Creek was a wonderful start to this series, which I look forward to learning more about the rest of the family. I did adore Dalton and Raney together, but at times early on I wanted to smack her, as Dalton was such a great guy, not to mention hot. Warner created wonderful characters, as I loved them all. If you want a pure romance, great couple, wonderful characters and a background storyline of horses, training and competition, then you should be reading this book. Rough Creek was very well written by Kaki Warner

New favorite small town romance!

The author brought to life authentic, lovable characters, with relatable family dynamics. I really loved each of the Whitcomb gals. Especially, Mama Whitcomb! She was beautiful and wise. Maybe a bit sneaky too, lol. She managed to push Dalton & Raney into each other arms without even being on the ranch. Brilliant lady that one. She definitely gives meaning to the term, mama knows best.


Daltons had this sexy cowboy swagger, that I couldn’t get enough of. He was protective of his friends and family. My heart, I was completely smitten with how he genuinely cared for the Whitcomb sisters. And, those girls adored him. It gave me all the big brother feels. ( well of course except for his relationship with Raney )


The slow burn between Dalton and Raney was perfectly paced for me. Their intense chemistry was undeniable and I was there for it! They had this playful, witty banter that had me smiling and laughing out loud. Both were really down to earth & humble. There were moments when I felt Raney might of been a little undeserving of Daltons affection. Her character had been through somethings so I understood why. But Dalton had too and I felt so strongly for him. I really wanted her to be the one to win him over. He deserved that much. I don’t want to spoil anything but will say that Raney was loyal to him, always had his back and was a woman of her word. Which I loved about her. The ending made me laugh and smile.

I also loved and respected Daltons super sweet relationship with his brother.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This is a nice contemporary western romance. I'm a fan of Kaki Warner's historical western romances, but this one was just ok for me. I still think readers looking for a quick and easy read will enjoy it.

I struggled with this book. I found the relationship between the ranch owners and the ranch staff a bit awkward/problematic and that broke the spell for me. It is well-written and might suit a different reader.