Zane and Bryn have known each other since grade school and his past is in no way good - due to his abusive father's health problems he is back in town and doing what he loves - when he sees a horse in obvious distress he does what he can to help Bryn buy it - this is another great story to read!

Zane childhood was terrible, so the moment he could, he left. But now after 10 years, he is back, his father is sick and needs him, his father is still an awful man, but he can't hit him anymore.
Bryn, is working as a waitress at dinner, everyone likes her. One of the days she sees horse trailer parked at the dinner, with neglected horse in it, with Zane's help, they rescue the horse, and this is start to her rescue.
Bryn likes Zane very much, but he sends mixed signals.
Zane likes Bryn, very, very much, but he thinks, he is not good enough.

This story is awesome. Loved it.

I'm torn with this book. It had a lot of potential and I like the series and the characters but I felt that this had too much drama .
I loved the beginning of the book where Bryn and Zane focused on the rescue ranch. They were sweet together and had amazing chemistry. The story started to lose me as it became too drama filled. The issues with her ex, brother and his father weren't needed as the overall storyline was interesting enough.

I received a copy of this book for a honest review

This book was an incredible read. It had everything that I look for in a romance book. It had well written main characters that were perfect for each other. They both didn't have the easiest lives but because of that they have become strong people. It also means that because of that past they fit together perfectly even if they do not see it. Their story was slow going but wonderful at the same time. When you throw in horses and a rescue farm it makes the story that much better. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

Yihaa, another cowboy from Creedence. After the Cowboys of Creedence series, Jennie Marts has started a new series: Creedence Horse Rescue Series. And fortunately, almost all the favorite cowboys of the previous series are making an appearance.
Zayne is working at Logan's Ranch (Wish Upon a Cowboy) since he is back in Creedence to look after his father, who is recovering from a heart attack. Although he really doesn't want to be back with his abusive father, he still feels he needs to be here and make sure his father is okay.
Bryn Callahan works at the bar in Creedence, when she accidentally stumbles upon a horse who is on his way to the slaughter. Together with Zayne, they rescue the horse. But apparently this rescue triggers more strays to find their way to her doorstep. But with almost no penny in her pocket due to a cheating ex-boyfriend, Bryn turns to Tessa (yep, the reporter from You Had me at Cowboy) to help her raise some money to provide a home for her strays.
Zayne keeps appearing at Bryn's doorstep too, but although there is some chemistry, both a reluctant to act upon it. Zayne can't imagine that a woman like Bryn would care for a broken and scarred guy like him. And Bryn has enough on her plate with her cheating ex, needy brother and house full of animals. She needs a steady guy to help her, not someone to add problems to her own.
But, when problems are piling up, so is the realization that maybe it isn't bad to be scarred and maybe problems are easier to deal with if they are shared...
A wonderful read, with lots of love, animals and laughter. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Jennie Mart’s latest, A Cowboy State of Mind, brings the reader back to Creedence, Co, a great location we visited in her past books in the Cowboy series. This time we catch up with a couple of characters we’ve met briefly in past books, and it was clear then that there was some attraction, but that’s as far as it went.

Now, we’re learning more about what makes them tick. Zane Taylor had a rough life growing up the son of an abusive father. He’s done the best he could to get out of town, but obligations to the man he despises bring him back. He doesn’t plan to stay long.

Bryn Callahan has a sweet little farm she inherited and she pays the bills by waiting tables at the local diner. She’s a town sweetheart, always one to greet a customer with a smile, lend a hand, or a bit of encouragement. But her biggest heart of gold is for animals, and when she spots an abused horse being transported to slaughter she jumps in to save it. Still, the terrified horse isn’t sure what it wants and not so sure it wants to go with her.

That’s where Zane comes in. There’s definitely an attraction between these two but neither is going out of their way to address it. Still, Zane, damaged as he is, has an incredible talent—he’s a horse whisperer...and probably a whisperer to all animals, it seems. He doesn’t want to get involved, but watching Bryn struggle with both the horse and the creepy guys she’s buying it from leaves him no choice.

Soon, the two are dealing with a growing group of abandoned animals who have found a home at what is soon becoming a true rescue operation out at Bryn’s farm. And naturally, as they get to know each other better, there’s lots of sparks of attraction going on. But Bryn has trust issues after a broken relationship with a bad boy, and Zane considers himself damaged goods, not worthy of someone like Bryn.

Can she see he’s not really what she thought, and maybe so much more? Can he see himself in a new light and learn to accept the love of Bryn?

It’s a fun ride finding out those answers and I promise you won’t be bored, plus you’ll love meeting these two, and all those sweet animals!

One of the things I’m enjoying as I read more in this series is my growing acquaintance with other residents in town. I know, because I have read them in earlier books, the stories behind so many other characters. And I find myself hoping that we’ll see more of some of them...they clearly have more to say and I hope Mart’s lets them.

I’ve read a few of Mart’s Cowboy books and this is my favorite so far. It’s so well written, the characters feel real and well rounded, with plenty of depth of backstory to explain how they’ve ended up where they are. This helps a reader tremendously to understand and appreciate motivation, even if we are all rooting for them to figure it out and get together, already!

As many wonderful stories as the author has published, so many delightful reads, I feel her skills reach a new level with this book and it’s a true pleasure to read. I look forward to many more of her books-and hopefully plenty of cute cowboys.

A Cowboy State of Mind, the fifth book in the Cowboys of Creedence series by Jennie Marts, covers the widest array emotions of any book I’ve read in a very long time. From chuckles at subtle humor, to embarrassing guffaws, and from deep despair to tug the heart strings sorrow, you can find yourself chortling to yourself and then just a page or two later have tears are streaming down your face. There definitely is a little bit for every type of emotion for just about every type of reader contained within the pages of this story.

Even though the story started a bit slow for me...and this may be of my own doing since I haven’t read the previous books in the series...an err I plan to rectify posthaste...once the momentum started, I held on for the ride and found myself flying through the pages. I definitely didn’t even guess the direction the story was taking...thinking it the typical small town, bad boy/good girl HEA story...I thoroughly enjoyed all the surprises that the story packed as it evolved.

In Zane I found a tender hearted, deeply emotionally injured man, worthy of so much more than he felt was his due. And then there’s Bryn, tender hearted as well and the perfect counterpoint to Zane’s lack of self worth. In these two characters, Ms Marts created a heartwarming feeling that has stayed with me long after the story ended.

I hope this series continues and that Brody and Elle fund their way to each other!

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

As with all the other books I've read by Jennie. Marts, this one nudged a place in my heart. From the beginning, as she set up her characters, you could see this was a story that was going to tug the ole heartstrings. I am enamored of people who take care of animals (I cry at SPCA commercials on TV). I LOVE books with a HEA and this one has both. Good job, Ms. Marts, keep up the good work. I know you've got Brody's story coming...

This book was gifted to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A well written and entertaining romance. Great plot and character development. I highly recommend this book.

I think I have a love/hate relationship with this book. So I'll start with the things I liked.

I really loved Bryn. Sure, she didn't have the best judgment when it came to men. But she had the biggest heart and won me over with her caring attitude towards others and the animals. To take on the care of a horse on the fly was heartwarming. And then she continued to take on strays despite knowing it would be overwhelming to have to learn how to care for that many animals.

I loved all the animals, they were adorable in their own little way.

I also liked Zane...at first. He also had a heart hidden behind that broody 'stay away' attitude. He helped Bryn rescue those animals and really showed his softer side. But that's where it ends with Zane in the like department for me.

Zane's broody attitude turned into a 'woe is me' mentality for most of the book. I honestly got tired of hearing him talk about how he didn't deserve to be happy because he was damaged and therefore he had to push Bryn away. HIs dad beat him, his dad blamed him for his mom's death at childbirth, he was a loser, his girlfriend committed suicide, he was scarred...blah blah blah. Sure, I really felt for Zane and certainly thought he deserved a lot of happiness in his life. But you can only take him saying the same thing over and over before you start thinking the guy needs therapy more than he needs a woman in his life. I mean seriously, he needed to talk to a therapist and the fact that he hadn't yet and continued to believe the worse really said a lot about him.

Zane does redeem himself in the end with a declaration of love, but it was really hard for me to feel a lot of love for him after displaying such a negative self esteem and doing nothing to remedy it for most of the book.

A Cowboy State of Mind

By: Jennie Marts

4.3 / 5.0




Mart did a good job making the reader care about the characters and animals even though it is in the third person. It was very easy to read and understand who’s perspective I was reading from. I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read about true, 100%, love you for who you are love.

It was difficult to read about the animals and to hear Zane get talked to like he is worthless from his dad. It’s good to show that it all gets better/restored. That does not mean that there weren't any tears shed for those difficult scenes. The message of rescuing animals could not have been any stronger. I love rescuing animals because they all need a home and some love. If anything is taken away from the novel, I hope it is to adopt animals.

Actions speak so much louder than words in this novel. The collie staying by Zane’s side shows how much an animal cares about their owner. Zane shows this as well. He tracks down Pete and gets Bryn her truck and money back. He showed her he loved her long before he told her how he felt.




Author’s Site: https://jenniemarts.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-State-Creedence-Horse-Rescue

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-cowboy-state-of-mind-jennie-marts


This review will appear on my blog on June 11, 2020.

Zane Taylor is back in Creedence, Colorado due to his father having a heart attack. A father, who not only is abusive, but made sure that Zane knew how worthless he is. Zane has found solace in working with horses, which serves his purposes to avoid human interaction as much as possible. Zane isn't just scarred on the inside, he's scarred on the outside too. His father's message hammered into his head, since a child has taken root.

Bryn Callahan, a waitress, who has a heart of gold. She and her brother, Buck, were left by their mother and raised by their grandparents. Now, all she has is her brother, and her grandparents' farm. Bryn feels a need to care for the neglected, which has brought her nothing but grief where humans are concerned. Her last boyfriend up and deserted her taking her possessions. She vows not to get involved with another man, who isn't nice and safe.

When Zane finds Bryn's broken down car and her not far away walking, he gives her a lift to work. It is there that they see a horse trailer, sporting a very sad neglected looking horse inside. When Bryn zeros in on the owners of the horse trailer, and learns that the horse is going to be discarded; she doesn't think, just offers to buy the horse. The problem is, the men don't think a free meal is worthy enough, and want money that Bryn doesn't have. Zane overhears and leaves her a huge tip, enough to buy the horse.

With Zane's help they get the horse to Bryn's farm, and discover they bought more than just a horse. While Bryn worries how she's going to afford feed for the horse, word gets out and the town comes together for one of its own.

Things really take off, when an article with photos goes to social media. Soon, Bryn finds she can't say no to more and more animals.

Meanwhile, Zane keeps fighting his attraction to Bryn, which he's losing. He does what he feels is best, pushes her away because she deserves someone better than him!

Where Zane has absorbed that he is not worthy and justifies the reasoning, Bryn has to learn to stand up for herself so she isn't taken advantage of. This is such an amazing story of two people with scars and insecurities, who tackle life the best way they know how. Bryn can't make Zane see that he is more than he gives himself credit for, but it's Zane that has to come to the realization with a little help from someone in the past, that puts him in a clearer frame of mind. The animals are a hoot! Otis the goat, that ate Zane's shirt. Tiny, the dainty hog-er, pig! Shamus, the miniature horse, and the rest!

A wonderful, humorous, sweet romance that'll have you cheering for Zane and Bryn!

I received an ARC from NetGalley via SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

Bryn waited tables and felt like she needed someone safe and steady after her last choice in men. Zane was from the wrong side of the tracks and never felt like he was worth anything. He returns home after having served in the military and then working as a horse trainer to care for his father after a heart attack.
Bryn, with Zane's help happens to take in a horse that was going to be put down. The next thing she knows, people are leaving her all kinds of animals. It's interesting to see how they both work out their differences and realize that they really do need each other. Very good read and I look forward to reading more of this series!

Excellent book! Once again Jennie Marts has hit a home run with this book. It is a sweet, sexy romance with a solid story line.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion.
This book was more than just starting an animal rescue. This book was about taking your past and making it something to learn from. This romance was real and inspiring. I loved it.

I adore a good contemporary cowboy romance and Jennie Marts always delivers. Reading her stories makes you feel like you are walking the dusty roads or fields right alongside the characters. In her new romance, A Cowboy State of Mind, Cowboy Zane Taylor & sweet Bryn Callahan gain the strength to put aside the past & find a love worth fighting for.


Marts puts the reader right into the action, learning how things have been smoldering between scarred veteran Zane and town sweetheart Bryn for months. When tenderhearted Brynn buys a horse from a pair of drifters, cowboy (& horse whisperer) Zane ends up helping her and she falls into starting an animal rescue farm.

Zane and Bryn start off at different points in their lives. She wants to settle down. He is looking to get out of town and away from the bad memories of abusive father and return to his old job in Montana. A miserable youth and rough deployment has left him somewhat shattered and convinced he is undeserving of love. Bryn is a rescuer of animals and people. She sees past Zane's wicked, disfiguring scar to the heart of the man & learns some things about her own resilience.

A Cowboy State of Mind is simply, deliciously sheer perfection. Sexy cowboy, compelling characters, and a great story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest review of this story.

Apparently, a “cowboy state of mind” for the hero of this novel, Zane Taylor, is to overcome a terrible lack of self esteem. One part of him is a gentle man who has a special love for animals. He immediately earns the respect and love from wounded and abused animals, perhaps because he was abused all his life while growing up by his alcoholic father. Being constantly beaten and told how worthless he was has him believing that he is indeed worthless.

And now he’s attracted to lovely and kind Bryn who has fallen for him also. He helps her to take care of the animals that she’s rescued. First it’s a mare destined for slaughter then a pregnant and abandoned dog and an abused horse. Then a hog and two lovebirds. But is Zane the one injured creature that she can’t rescue?

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley;
however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Zane is a cowboy with a tortured past. He’s back in Creedence to take care of his abusive alcoholic father who has had a hard attack. His father is better now so what is keeping him in Creedence? Bryn is a woman whose heart is so big it takes in the world. And she gets Zanes help rescuing a horse outside the diner where she works. Will the man who guards his heart and the woman who gives hers freely find what they need in each other?
Ms. Marts is able to capture for us the engaging nature of both characters: Zane’s intensity and Bryn’s sweetness. The characters seem real to us and the plot, though a familiar one, is satisfying. Some adult scenes.
I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Now that's a Love story! A Cowboy's State of Mind, gave me all the feelings. I'm not sure which part I liked better, the people or the animals? I will be telling all of my friends that they have to read this book.

Jennie Marts is an author I love because, even though each story is unique, I know when she releases a new book I am going to get an emotional roller coaster, but guaranteed happy ending. Ms. Marts didn’t disappoint in her soon-to-be released novel A Cowboy State of Mind.

Zane is my very favorite type of man. I mean, yeah, he is a cowboy so that is an easy win, but if you’ve read any of my past reviews, you know that I love me a broken man. And Zane definitely fits that bill after enduring an abusive childhood at the hands of an alcoholic father which left him scarred, the visible and invisible kind. Don’t judge me, I relate an awful lot to our heroine in the story Bryn for just that reason.

Random rabbit trail: Can we PLEASE discuss how upstanding Zane is? Despite the years of abuse, he returned home to take care of his father after he suffered a heart attack. I would appreciate a standing ovation for our hero at this time.

Back to Brynn! When I say I relate to her I mean I FEEL HER ON A SOUL DEEP LEVEL. *ahem* The woman has a heart for rescuing. Be it a human or animal she has a thing for fixing broken and OH MY GOSH do I ever get her. However, our darling Brynn has been hurt one too many times by the two-legged version of broken so she is sticking to concentrating on the four-legged kind. However she never dreams that saving a horse could put her on the path to save the right man for her.

Now, especially now, we need to see good (if mildly flawed) humans doing good things and seeing good outcomes. A Cowboy State of Mind checks all those boxes. I love me a good slow burn and the first half-ish of A Cowboy State of Mind fits that particular bill, but the chemistry ramps up in the second half which definitely satisfies all my needs.

If you love a charming romance with characters who simply live their lives by a code of ethics that makes them relatable and soooooo worthy of rooting for, then A Cowboy State of Mind is most definitely a book you need to read. Be warned, it will suck you in and you’ll find it hard to go back to business as usual until you reach the squishy, smoochy, happy-sigh-inducing happily ever after.