The Heart of a Cowboy

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY

THE HEART OF A COWBOY

When he agreed to guard her, he never bargained on having to guard his heart. 

Brilliant scientist Louisa Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Powell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn't nee more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Powell promptly hires Flynn -- unbeknownst to Linnea -- to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all -- falling for a woman he's determined not to love.

My Review:

Reading Heart of a Cowboy gave me Little House on the Prairie vibes only for grown ups. And mashed in with an old-timie Western like Rawhide. :-) And I like how some of the emphasis is on what the women endured making that kind of cross country wilderness trek. Including the limitations placed on them by men who thought they knew better which makes for so many intriguing plot points!

Loved Linnea and her earnest scientific mind that sometimes leaves her in calamitous situations which just begs for a strapping hero rescue a time or two.. :-) In fact, Flynn and Linnea's meet-cute is an extremely memorable one. Sigh, yes, I know I just mentioned the exasperating limitations men put on women in this era but, really, for all Linnea's intelligence and gumption, she still needs rescuing in this unfamiliar territory and Flynn is just the man for the job. Which made me one happy reader.

Tremendous character growth stems from some conflicted back stories. Both Flynn and Linnea harbour secrets and hurts that they aren't comfortable voicing which, naturally, puts a damper on romance...if only they weren't so drawn to one another! Honestly, this story took quite a few unexpected turns that kept me in a cattywampus state right to the very end!

Action, adventure, danger -- everything you'd expect to find in a classic Western romance crafted in Jody Hedlund's uniquely captivating style.

This is the second book in the author's Colorado Cowboys series and, while it can be read as a standalone, the McQuaid family is worth getting to know right from the start so do yourself a favour and hunt down a copy of  A Cowboy for Keeps as well.

Goal Update: Goal #5 Stay current with a series

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Heart of a Cowboy, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 8 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck