Cover Image: That Cowboy of Mine

That Cowboy of Mine

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Cal Bennett is a bull rider, following in his father's footsteps. Raised by his mother after his father died in a bull riding accident, he's been going through the motions of life but hasn't found his purpose. After failing to qualify for an event he finds himself hungover, with a hole in his memory on a stranger's ranch.

Dillon Young never planned on being a rancher, but she found her place at her aunt Dolly's ranch. She's strong, resilient and smart and was surprised when her aunt left her the ranch in her will.
Bad things have been happening around the ranch, but it wasn't until Cal turned up on her ranch that they started getting deadly. Cal can't remember why he was on Dillon's ranch but can't seem to help wanting to protect her from whatever is happening.

Dillon may not fully trust Cal but she needs the help and hires him to work on the ranch. Getting back to his ranching roots settles Cal and while he's falling in love with Dillon and her ranch, the attacks are getting deadlier.

These two blend well together, their love story a sweet, slow burn but Dillon isn't sure who she can trust anymore. They have a few bumps and bad decisions to make before they find their happily ever after.

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Dillon Young is happy to have inherited her aunt’s beloved ranch. Unfortunately, someone else is determined to have it for themselves and her refusal to sell has led to increasing dangerous accidents occurring around the ranch. Dillon is sure she knows who’s responsible, but she has no way of proving it, especially when the man has others to do the dirty work for him. Dillon’s guard is up so she’s incredibly suspicious when she finds handsome bull rider Cal Bennett passed out on her property, still drunk from the night before. He can’t remember what happened and has no idea how he came to be there, but when someone takes a shot at Dillon, Cal leaps to save her. When Cal offers to stay on the ranch and help her, Dillon reluctantly agrees, despite not completely trusting him.

Cal isn’t exactly thrilled to wake up in a strange place looking down the barrel of a shotgun, but the woman holding it is the most beautiful he’s ever seen. When bullets start flying, it becomes clear she needs his help even if she doesn’t want to admit it, so he suggests they pretend to be in a relationship as he tries to help her get to the bottom of the nefarious happenings on the ranch. The danger only intensifies as secrets come to light and the connection between Dillon and Cal becomes all too real, as is the threat to their lives.

I have never read this author before, so I went in unsure what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked this setting and the fast pace and suspense level of the story. We basically know who the villain is the entire time, but he’s hard to pin down and we don’t really know how the hero wound up on the heroine’s ranch, so the suspense level stays pretty high the whole time, despite this knowledge. Given the gaps in Cal’s memory, Dillon is never quite sure if she should trust him or not, but his wooing of her is sweet nonetheless, as is his protectiveness of her. Dillon is frustrating in her quickness to jump to conclusions about Cal while being oblivious to other possible dangers, but with people shooting at her and actively trying to kill her, her tendency toward hostility is understandable and makes her seem real rather than some unattainable version of strong womanhood.

I wasn’t terribly crazy about this narration just because sometimes the narrator’s voice lacked inflection and the delivery didn’t quite match what was going on in the scene. This perception, however, could also be due to the quality of the NetGalley shelf app as it does tend to have a tinny sound quality to it no matter what. Overall, I really liked this story and I think I’m going to be looking for more romantic suspense like this.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and its audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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One thing was certain, Dillon and Cal's meeting was anything but conventional. Dillon found Cal sleeping on her property and reeking of alcohol. His first look at her found that she was pointing a gun at him. Shortly after that, Cal saved her life when bullets were fired at her. From that point on, Cal made it his mission to protect her. Can she trust him and who wants her dead?
This story has it all. It's filled with suspense, romance, passion and greed. Well plotted, the narrative moves very quickly. Secrets are revealed and tension remains high throughout the entire story. The interesting mix of characters bring much action to the story. Well written and engrossing, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Well, this story had plenty of action and suspense, with just the right amount of romance to be the icing on the cake. Although Dillon and Cal had a rocky relationship, for me the rest of the story kept me turning the pages. Dillon has inherited her aunt’s ranch, the rancher who has the property next to hers, wants her property too. Dillon is not sure if she can trust Cal who has been helping her find her stolen stallion. Interesting contemporary western romantic suspense.

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I seem to have read more cowboy books in the last few months that in all of last year. This is a romantic suspense novel centred on a young woman who has inherited a ranch that someone is determined not to let her have and a newly retired rodeo rider who wakes up on her land after getting pass out drunk. It had a bit too much insta love and a huge amount of suspicion. I had most of the plot figured out early doors and the end was incredibly melodramatic but it was a nice easy way to pass a few hours.

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That Cowboy of Mine is a enjoyable contemporary cowboy novel with just enough romance, mystery and suspense to keep you fully engaged.
The storyline flows well with engaging characters.
If you are in the mood for a hot romance with a intense mystery element, this is the book for you to pick up!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This was a great cowboy romance slash mystery novel. Cal wakes up with a fun pointed at him by Dillon who found him passed out on her ranch. He then saves her life after gunshots are fired on her. Even though she can’t be sure he is involved in the plan to take her ranch and apparently her life, she lets him work with her on the ranch. Even as they draw closer and develop feelings, Dillon can’t be sure if she can trust Cal or anyone else. The mystery unfolds and the two fall in love. I was expecting a romance but it was much more with the suspenseful aspect. Yellowstone watcher will enjoy this one!

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Dillon Young inherits a ranch from her Aunt Dolly that has been in her family since the 1860s. Dillon loves the land and ranch work and has invested in her future. Someone wants to cut that future short so, when she finds a man passed out on her land, she is immediately on her guard.

Cal Bennett is not sure how he wound up on the ranch but is sure of one thing - he doesn't want to leave, especially after someone makes an attempt on Dillon's life. When he learns about the mysterious things happening at the ranch and that Dillon is in danger, Cal wants to protect her.

Donna Grant has written an intriguing, suspenseful romance that will grip you from the first page and not let go. When you think you have the good guys and bad guys all figured out, Grant puts a new twist on the story.

I enjoyed That Cowboy of Mine and look forward to reading more from Donna Grant!

I received an ARC through NetGalley, and this is my voluntary review.

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Dillion Young inherited her aunt's ranch. It was the only place that ever felt like home. She's been having problems with someone trying to run her off the ranch. She has lost many of the hands and only has a couple left. Cal Bennett was found on the land passed out. He didn't remember how he got there but he is determined to find out. Dillion doesn't trust him but Cal Bennett is determined to win her trust. In the end, she kicks him off the ranch. Now he is working with the Rangers who deal with horse stealing. As they put the case together, all the people involve surprised me. In the end, the good guys win. Cal wins the love of his life back and his mother approves.

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That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant gets off to an exciting start with Dillon Young finding Cal Bennett found passed out drunk on her ranch. He’s in the right place at the right time to push her out the way just as someone takes a shot at her, saving her life. Grant’s vivid description and the mysterious, absorbing plot drew me in along with her nicely developed characters and the steamy, complicated relationship between Dillon and Cal. Brave, courageous, stubborn, and fiercely beautiful, Dillon has been holding her own against the attempts to drive her from her ranch. But almost being shot and possibly dying makes her realize that she might not be able to keep fighting on her own—something she’s not ready to accept. She finds Cal’s sexiness, toughness, and directness irresistible. But he’s a confusing mystery to her, and she doesn’t know whether to trust her heart or mind when it comes to him. A no-nonsense-talking bull riding cowboy at a crossroads, Cal is instantly attracted to Dillon and feels driven to help her. He hopes she can trust him despite the circumstances because he feels a connection with her that he wants to explore. Scarred, bruised, and tired, he’s ready to stop bull riding and settle down. I enjoyed Cal’s and Dillon’s emotional, steamy, and intense interactions. Lastly, the villains are mercenary, cruel, greedy, and misogynistic men who don’t care about anything or anyone but money and themselves.

One frustrating thing was how passive Dillon was about figuring out why someone was trying to scare her off the farm and why they were willing to go to such lengths and pay above value for the land. Something was going on, but she seems oblivious and unserious about it until she decides Cal is responsible without conducting any further investigation or research to uncover the truth.

Dillon is thrilled when she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s ranch because it’s the one place that feels like home to her, where she can be herself. But strange things have been happening ever since she’s taken ownership, as though someone’s trying to scare her off the property. Dillon’s received several firmly rejected offers, and with each rejection, things get more menacing for her ranch and her safety. She suspects neighboring wealthy ranch owner Hank Stephens, who hasn’t kept his interest in her property a secret. He’s not a good guy, and he hires others to do his dirty work for him. Cal wakes up with a hangover and a beautiful woman standing over him with a shotgun, but he doesn’t know where he is or how he got there. But after saving her from being shot, he’s more than willing to help keep her safe while they find out who is after her ranch and why. He suggests they pretend to be lovers until they do. Sparks of attraction between Dillon and Cal gradually ignite into passion as the danger lurking at every turn places them in close quarters. Can Dillon trust Cal at his word that he wants to protect and keep her safe, or is he only with her working on behalf of her enemy to sabotage her ranch?

That Cowboy of Mine is a suspenseful, steamy, angsty, contemporary western romance with an intriguing mystery plot and complicated yet heartfelt romance.

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A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. Dillon finds Cal passed out on her property just after her prize stallion was stolen. There were plenty of accidents that happened on Dillon's property as well. The local sheriff isn't helping much so Dillon went to TSCRA to get answers and investigate her stolen stallion.

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I have been luke warm when it comes to Grant’s cowboy books, but this was a good one. Wish there was a little more romance, but I felt a connection between Dillion and Cal. I really liked Dillion. She was strong willed, determined to make her ranch work, was wary but not closed off, and had to determine if she was going to trust a guy she met when he was passed out drunk on her property after her stallion was just stolen. Cal was an interesting man and I liked how he had to critically think about who was behind the issues at the ranch, despite having a connection. He was there for Dillion and stood beside her.

Was surprised by the third villain, which is always a good thing. I didn’t see that coming.

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The characters of Cal and Dillon pulled me immediately into the story and I could not stop reading. I was hooked within a couple of pages after Dillon met Cal on her property. There were secrets, questions, mysteries, and some gun fire too which I really enjoyed. I liked that the suspense and romance kept me riveted trying to figure out what was going on and what was going to happen next. I am glad I could not figure it all out. If I could give 6 stars I would. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

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I enjoyed this book. A well-crafted blend of romance, suspense, drama and action easily keeps you entertained. The attraction and chemistry between Dillon and Cal is obvious and potent and I really liked them as a couple. Add in a few solid twists and you have yourself a great way to relax and get your read on.

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This was a nice weekend read with action, drama, angst and love. Strong characters written well and compatible within the story. They try to turn tragedy into something worth standing up for, and in the mean time, romance shows up to take its stand as well. I did foresee some of the things about to happen, but then I read every day, so it's bound to happen.

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Excellent story! Why does the neighbor want to have the ranch Dillon inherited? And how far will he go to get it? From small things to shots fired, Dillon is fighting to keep the ranch. And when a drunk cowboy is found on the land things get complicated. Who can she trust? The twists and surprises just keep coming. I do like stories like that...and ya had me at Cowboy! This was a page turner with a surprise ending. Glad I got to read this one.

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Dillon has inherited her late Aunt's ranch after her unexpected passing and she couldn't be happier, not that her aunt passed because she loved her but that she left her the ranch because she used to love going there to get away from things and always took comfort in helping her aunt work the ranch. Now that she is the owner she's facing some things she never thought she would, someone is trying to take the ranch from her.

Cal awakes from a night of over indulging on a ranch with no recollection on how he got there but that isn't the only bad thing that's happened that morning, nope, it's the owner of the ranch that found him and is accusing him of stealing her prized stallion. OH BOY!

Things only get more intense from there and it's a great ride. This story was high on suspense and a little low on the romance for my taste but there was something about Cal and Dillon that had me holding out hope that things would get spicier, and while it didn't get too spicy it was a little steamy and it was a solid read.

I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys Steamy Cowboy Romances, Western Romances, or Romantic Suspense Reads.

Happy Reading!!!

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Can you love someone, yet not trust them? This is the question explored in Donna Grant's latest book.

Dillon Young inherited the Bar 4 ranch from her aunt Dolly who died from a sudden heart attack- or did she? Hank Stephens, owner of the Ivy Ridge Ranch, which almost surrounds the Bar 4, tried to buy out Dolly, but she wouldn't sell. Neither will Dillon, so a lot of escalating "accidents" have been happening at the Bar 4. When Dillon finds the gate open to her stallion Legacy's corral, and a man passed out near by she is furious. Cal Bennett doesn't remember how he got there. He has been following in his father's footsteps as a bull rider, but after not qualifying at the rodeo, he has come to the epiphany, that perhaps that is not his dream at all, so gets drunk. But his mama raised a good man and he would never steal a horse, so he is determined to help Dillon, especially after he saves her when someone takes some pot shots at her. Who is trying to get rid of Dillon? What is on the ranch that they want? Who can she trust? Is Cal the man she needs or has he been playing her? Can he keep her alive, now that he has found the woman he loves?

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. I found a few errors, but expect they were fixed by the final version. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

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ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley, St Martin’s Press 4.5 stars

That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant was a great read of romance, suspense, mystery, finding hidden truths, amazing characters, struggles, heartbreaks, didn’t see that twist coming but oh what a way for it to come around!!

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Ok so ordinarily I love this author's books. It doesn't matter what genre she wants in, I usually am engaged and never want it to end. I had a really hard time with this book though. I was intrigued at the beginning with how these two characters meet and the way the action started right then and there. The suspense was right from the beginning and I was really into that part. At first. But then, I don't know it just didn't suck me in like I was expecting. While the story is decent and I am absolutely sure a lot of people will love it. I didn't feel a connection with the characters or that they truly had a connection or chemistry together. Something almost felt forced with them and it completely threw me off with it. Obviously I will probably reread it again at some other point and hope that this is just me being moody, but either way-I will still be reading this author's books! Because while this book definitely wasn't a favorite for me, it still was a decent read!

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