Kissed by a Cowboy (Four of Hearts Ranch #3) by Debra Clopton

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart.

Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single.

Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy’s kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.

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I always look forward to reading books by Debra Clopton.  This is a fun series and I am loving it.  This series is about brothers, sticking together, working together and saving their ranch.  There is such a sense of home and family in these books.  And who can resist a handsome cowboy?

For Cassidy and Jarrod, this is a story of re-connection and a second chances.  Jarrod sees Cassidy as his second chance at love and happiness.  Cassidy views her return as a second chance at happiness and independence- without love.  Cassidy is super stubborn when it comes to love but I can't help but be impressed with her hard work and vision.  Jarrod's drive and determination to show Cassidy he is her forever is so endearing.  He is one patient man.  I love how he always tries to help and support Cassidy in her dreams and doesn't try to detract from what she is trying to accomplish.

It is always fabulous to see previous book characters show up as sort of a side continuation.  I love seeing good things happen for the characters I came to love in previous books.

This book is Christian fiction.  There are some elements of religion.  It is clean all the way around.  This title will be released on Feb. 9th.

Counting On a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

After losing everything dear to her, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy spurs her to wonder if maybe love is worth the risk. Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the homey town of Wishing Springs, Texas, after her favorite advice columnist found love and a home there. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby too . . . if she's brave enough to reach out and take it. Bo Monahan isn't interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become--or the women who might be looking at him like he's their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn't looking for serious romantic commitments. But unexpectedly the young child he never knew about appears on his doorstep and Bo's world is turned upside down. This confirmed bachelor might not need a wife, but he sure needs a woman . . . and newcomer Abby Knightly is definitely a woman. When she comes to his rescue to help him navigate fatherhood, he slowly uncovers her own history. And suddenly Bo's thinking maybe, just maybe, together they can help each other work through the problems of the past to create a future of their own.

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I was so excited to get my hands on this book.  I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it.  There is just something about cowboys...

This is the second book in this Four of Hearts Ranch series.  I don't think this book is dependent on the first book but I think you will enjoy it more if you read 

Betting on Hope (A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Book 1) first.

Bo is a good man.  He's made a few mistakes but he is trying to be better, to do better and to be honorable.  He works hard and he is loyal to his family.  Those are attractive traits in any man.  I love when Bo decides he wants Abby and is determined to have her.  His all in attitude drives the book.

Abby is broken and trying to find herself.  She is forcing herself to be brave and live again.  I really enjoyed Abby's determination to take steps forward, even when sometimes she also took steps back.  She was a character I was rooting for from the very beginning.  

I just loved this book and I love this series!  It's one of my favorites.  The setting, the characters, the emotion- spot on.  Love!

Betting On Hope by Debra Clopton

A bet gone wrong. A small town s meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it s beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie s bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the betthat he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he d like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart s desires.

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What is it with swoony cowboys?  I don't know but I sure like it.  Tru is swoony.  A little dense sometimes, but swoony for sure.  And loyal.  And hardworking.

Maggie will capture your heart.  I loved her from the beginning and I loved her even more by the end.  Life and it's challenges has made Maggie empathetic and compassionate.  She is strong but not in an overbearing and forceful way.  I like that about her.

One of the things that I loved about this book was the developing stories within the story.  The romance was slow moving but provided that pull and tension between characters.  Both Maggie and Tru have stories that unfold as they go along.  The author did an excellent job of allowing me to get to know characters in a gentle and real way.  It all felt good.

This book hit the spot for me.  I was in the mood for a clean romance, a handsome cowboy and an overall satisfying story that went a little deeper than the usual fluff.  (don't get me wrong though.  I LOVE fluff!!)  This is a Christian Fiction book, I would say light on the Christian.  I'm really looking forward to reading about the brothers in future books.  

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read and review this title for them.