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gothai's review
3.0
It takes place 12 years after the first book. It is instant love for Naomi and Brice when they meet at a rodeo. There is some suspense as Naomi and her friend are attacked. It was an entertaining read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
mommasaystoread's review
3.0
Cowboy, Cross My Heart is the second book in the Heart of Texas series, but it works as a standalone. There are several years between the events in the two books, and we're given plenty of backstory. This one is loaded with sexy cowboys, instant attraction, some suspense, corruption, danger, steam, and romance. All of these combined should've made for a riveting story, but it ended up being just an okay read for me. I liked most of the characters, and I enjoyed Brice and Naomi's romance. There's also some witty dialogue and general silliness among the Harper family. Then, we have our bad guys, and that's where my problems started with this book. The suspense and danger covers some serious subject matter, but the people involved came across feeling more like caricatures. There just wasn't much depth to that part of the story, which was sad because it could've made this one a gripping story. In the end, the story was okay, but I wasn't left with a need to continue with the series.
kle105's review
4.0
I had no idea this was in a book in a series, it is the second book, since it was so well written as a stand-alone book. There was a lot of cowboy heart throbs to get your attention.
The love story between Naomi and Brice while seems like the main point of the story was really just that back story to a stalker and huge scandal cover up. When Naomi and her friend are caught in the cross hairs, Brice and his family step in to protect their own.
Lots of drama, intrigue, and sexy as hell cowboys coming together to help those they love.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The love story between Naomi and Brice while seems like the main point of the story was really just that back story to a stalker and huge scandal cover up. When Naomi and her friend are caught in the cross hairs, Brice and his family step in to protect their own.
Lots of drama, intrigue, and sexy as hell cowboys coming together to help those they love.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
treetx's review
5.0
Wonderful book! Love those Texas cowboy stories. This book has more than a traditional romance. It felt like more mystery and suspense added into a great romance. The characters were wonderfully complex and real. I enjoyed the whole book from start to finish. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and hopefully more on these minor characters.
robinlovesreading's review
4.0
Naomi Pierce is a photographer working on a project for her friend Whitney Nolan at a rodeo. Her job of snapping photos for Whitney gets a bit sidetracked when she spots cowboy Brice Harper. She can't take her eyes of him. Brice has the same reaction. He sees her watching him and notices that something is happening to both of them.
Romance takes second place however. It sadly becomes apparent rather quickly that Whitney is being stalked. When things get really hairy, Brice cannot help but to step in. His motives are pure, but he has cause for doubt. There is just something about Naomi that pulls hat his heartstrings. Brice has a history, however.
When he was a boy of eight, his mother walked out on him, his sister and younger brother. While his sister Abby did a fine job of raising him, he was truly affected by the abandonment that they all experienced. But, he is a good man, and even offers to have Abby stay with him when the danger affecting her friend Whitney gets a little too close.
Not only does Brice work at the rodeo with his brother Caleb, they both work for the East Farm. Brice started at the farm years ago after he got caught up in castle rustling and stole some of the farm's cattle. That experience changed his life, and he became a true cowboy.
Naomi might be a photographer that is only passing through, but with Whitney in trouble, and with al the help Naomi is getting from Brice, and by extension, his family, Naomi has a lot of reasons to think about staying around. Not only does she need to know what is really going on with Whitney, Abby also realizes that she missed a lot from the years she was away from ranching. Given the chance to draw closer to Brice certainly has its benefits.
This story was done very well, and loses a star in rating only because as much as the romance did indeed grow, the element of mystery and intense danger seemed more prevalent. Otherwise it was a great addition to theHeart of Texas series, and I did enjoy reading it.
Other stories in this series is The Christmas Cowboy Hero and My Favorite Cowboy. The next book in the series, A Cowboy Like You, is set for release in August.
Romance takes second place however. It sadly becomes apparent rather quickly that Whitney is being stalked. When things get really hairy, Brice cannot help but to step in. His motives are pure, but he has cause for doubt. There is just something about Naomi that pulls hat his heartstrings. Brice has a history, however.
When he was a boy of eight, his mother walked out on him, his sister and younger brother. While his sister Abby did a fine job of raising him, he was truly affected by the abandonment that they all experienced. But, he is a good man, and even offers to have Abby stay with him when the danger affecting her friend Whitney gets a little too close.
Not only does Brice work at the rodeo with his brother Caleb, they both work for the East Farm. Brice started at the farm years ago after he got caught up in castle rustling and stole some of the farm's cattle. That experience changed his life, and he became a true cowboy.
Naomi might be a photographer that is only passing through, but with Whitney in trouble, and with al the help Naomi is getting from Brice, and by extension, his family, Naomi has a lot of reasons to think about staying around. Not only does she need to know what is really going on with Whitney, Abby also realizes that she missed a lot from the years she was away from ranching. Given the chance to draw closer to Brice certainly has its benefits.
This story was done very well, and loses a star in rating only because as much as the romance did indeed grow, the element of mystery and intense danger seemed more prevalent. Otherwise it was a great addition to theHeart of Texas series, and I did enjoy reading it.
Other stories in this series is The Christmas Cowboy Hero and My Favorite Cowboy. The next book in the series, A Cowboy Like You, is set for release in August.
xakyr's review
5.0
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
After reading the first book in this series, I was expecting it to follow someone else in the small town/ranch area, but instead, it jumped ahead and told Brice Harper's story. That was actually a welcome surprise, as the book also gave us updates on Clayton and Abby from the previous book!
Once again, the author mixed in a suspense angle, but this one was even better than the first one, because of the realism aspect. The things the author described were actually things that I could see happening in reality, so that definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Brice follows Clayton's footsteps a good bit, and I loved seeing how he had grown into his own man! Naomi was a good heroine for him, but I didn't like how her reasons for leaving/staying away in college weren't really explained well. It didn't detract from the story much, as it was a minor annoyance at best.
I can't wait to see what happens with them in the third book of the series!
After reading the first book in this series, I was expecting it to follow someone else in the small town/ranch area, but instead, it jumped ahead and told Brice Harper's story. That was actually a welcome surprise, as the book also gave us updates on Clayton and Abby from the previous book!
Once again, the author mixed in a suspense angle, but this one was even better than the first one, because of the realism aspect. The things the author described were actually things that I could see happening in reality, so that definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Brice follows Clayton's footsteps a good bit, and I loved seeing how he had grown into his own man! Naomi was a good heroine for him, but I didn't like how her reasons for leaving/staying away in college weren't really explained well. It didn't detract from the story much, as it was a minor annoyance at best.
I can't wait to see what happens with them in the third book of the series!
paddlefoot55's review
4.0
ARC received for an honest review
I have read a few Donna Grant books however I have not the first in this Heart of Texas series.
I feel that I probably would have connected a bit more with this one if I had read the first book, even though this is a pretty good stand alone.
I was expecting a girl being swept away by a cowboy romance, however Cowboy, Cross My Heart was more of a suspensey mystery story with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure.
I didn't really feel the thing between Naomi and Brice - probably because there was so much else going on around them. I did like them, I liked most of the characters, I just didn't feel the love between them - but that's probably just me.
I liked Brice's brother and sister and their families and friends, they make up a lovely family group.
So whilst I didn't love Cowboy, Cross My Heart, I did like it and I will go back and read the first book before diving into the 3rd.
I have read a few Donna Grant books however I have not the first in this Heart of Texas series.
I feel that I probably would have connected a bit more with this one if I had read the first book, even though this is a pretty good stand alone.
I was expecting a girl being swept away by a cowboy romance, however Cowboy, Cross My Heart was more of a suspensey mystery story with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure.
I didn't really feel the thing between Naomi and Brice - probably because there was so much else going on around them. I did like them, I liked most of the characters, I just didn't feel the love between them - but that's probably just me.
I liked Brice's brother and sister and their families and friends, they make up a lovely family group.
So whilst I didn't love Cowboy, Cross My Heart, I did like it and I will go back and read the first book before diving into the 3rd.
meegzreads's review
5.0
*5 Stars*
Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Donna Grant book, and it certainly won't be my last. I was hooked from the get-go with this one, and I instantly fell in love with the characters.
This was more than a romance novel. It was a mystery/romance kind of novel and that really makes it hard to put down. Two of my fave genres wrapped up into one neat little bow. Although, it does mostly feel like a mystery novel and there isn't too much depth explored with the characters feelings.
The things that immediately start happening and bring Brice and Naomi together, had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to find out who the culprit was. Things slowly unravel and unfold, the story gets more serious. Whilst this is a serious storyline and novel, there are some great characters and great strength and support to it all, which makes it a really nice read.
I love all of the characters in this one (at least, the ones we're supposed to love), and I definitely want to go back and read the first book. Of course I will also want to read the next one in the series as well.
Definitely recommend.
Review also on my blog - Cowboy Cross My Heart - Donna Grant
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Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Donna Grant book, and it certainly won't be my last. I was hooked from the get-go with this one, and I instantly fell in love with the characters.
This was more than a romance novel. It was a mystery/romance kind of novel and that really makes it hard to put down. Two of my fave genres wrapped up into one neat little bow. Although, it does mostly feel like a mystery novel and there isn't too much depth explored with the characters feelings.
The things that immediately start happening and bring Brice and Naomi together, had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to find out who the culprit was. Things slowly unravel and unfold, the story gets more serious. Whilst this is a serious storyline and novel, there are some great characters and great strength and support to it all, which makes it a really nice read.
I love all of the characters in this one (at least, the ones we're supposed to love), and I definitely want to go back and read the first book. Of course I will also want to read the next one in the series as well.
Definitely recommend.
Review also on my blog - Cowboy Cross My Heart - Donna Grant
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leanner's review
4.0
My first book by this author and what a fun and yet dangerous ride she took me on.
Insta love between this former barrel racer and a rodeo cowboy. There's a background mystery going on here and I was hooked. Some parts seemed a little rushed but the author put together an intriguing tale. I need to go back and find the first book now.
Insta love between this former barrel racer and a rodeo cowboy. There's a background mystery going on here and I was hooked. Some parts seemed a little rushed but the author put together an intriguing tale. I need to go back and find the first book now.
bananatricky's review
3.0
Years ago Naomi Pierce was a champion barrel rider, until a drunk driver killed one of her best friends. Now she's a photographer living in Washington DC but she's come back to Texas to visit her mother and see her remaining best friend Whitney, who is now doing well on the Rodeo Queen pageant circuit. But all isn't well with Whitney, a strange man seems to be following her and when Naomi tries to take some pictures surreptitiously the man barges past and breaks her camera.
Brice Harper and his brother Caleb (the two teenagers from the first book all grown up) are champion cowboys. Brice is intrigued by the woman with the silvery laugh and the camera he sees at the rodeo. When her life appears to be in danger he feels compelled to help.
As Naomi and Brice try to uncover what Whitney is too scared to tell they are attacked and are in danger.
I liked this but I didn't love it. There was a good build up of suspense, which then dissipated with the obligatory 'let's stop to have sex right in the middle of an investigation interlude' and didn't really recover for me. The plot seemed a little far-fetched and was then resolved bish-bash-bosh in a matter of moments. Overall, I think this book doesn't quite know where it wants to sit in the romance genre: is it romantic suspense? Is it a cowboy romance? Is it about rodeo or a ranch? Is it a small-town cutesy romance? It didn't really commit and as a reader I felt confused.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Brice Harper and his brother Caleb (the two teenagers from the first book all grown up) are champion cowboys. Brice is intrigued by the woman with the silvery laugh and the camera he sees at the rodeo. When her life appears to be in danger he feels compelled to help.
As Naomi and Brice try to uncover what Whitney is too scared to tell they are attacked and are in danger.
I liked this but I didn't love it. There was a good build up of suspense, which then dissipated with the obligatory 'let's stop to have sex right in the middle of an investigation interlude' and didn't really recover for me. The plot seemed a little far-fetched and was then resolved bish-bash-bosh in a matter of moments. Overall, I think this book doesn't quite know where it wants to sit in the romance genre: is it romantic suspense? Is it a cowboy romance? Is it about rodeo or a ranch? Is it a small-town cutesy romance? It didn't really commit and as a reader I felt confused.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.