Cowboy Take Me Away
by Jane Graves
- Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
- Publisher: Forever (April 30, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1455515191
- ISBN-13: 978-1455515196
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Book Description
Release date: April 30, 2013 | Series: Rainbow Valley
FIRST LOVE BURNS HOTTER
Rainbow Valley, Texas, has always been a refuge for animals, and Shannon North, director of the local shelter, intends to keep it that way. But with donations drying up and more pets in need of a loving home than ever before, Shannon's beginning to fear she's not the savior the shelter needs. When a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy from her past comes to the rescue, she knows that accepting his help may come with a high price: her heart.
THE SECOND TIME AROUND
Bad boy Luke Dawson shook the dust from this little town off his boots years ago. He walked away from everything . . . except the memory of the one night of passion he shared with Shannon. Now, a few wins away from becoming the world bull-riding champion, Luke's headed for fame and fortune. But then a crisis calls him back to Rainbow Valley, and Luke is reunited with the good girl who stole-and broke-his heart. As their rekindled relationship deepens into desire, old secrets resurface, and Luke must choose between the future he's always dreamed of and the only woman he's ever loved.
Review:
Shannon was raised with ‘expectations’ to do all the right things, get the good grades and ultimately marry into society and win her mother’s approval. As a teen she’d been attracted to the bad boy in town, Luke. They grew close as co-workers, then friends and finally shared a night of passion. But the magic was shattered when Shannon’s mother showed up to pull her home. Shannon’s heart was shattered when Luke disappeared from town the next day.
Luke was the son of the town drunk and ended up living up to the trouble people expected from him. He never received help or encouragement from anyone except his boss at the shelter and Shannon as they became friends. He and Shannon shared a passionate encounter but Shannon appeared to turn her back on him. That was the night he turned his back and left town for good.
Luke has taken a lot of bumps and hits as a rodeo bull rider. Finally the work and pain has paid off as he is in the lead to win the National Championship. In between events he makes a stop back to Rainbow Valley where he tries to face his past to finally put it behind him. As he is frozen at the door of his dilapidated home he falls through the porch and injures his knee. Now he is stuck in Rainbow Valley to recuperate. To make ends meet he takes on the caretaker job at Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter.
Luke still has a rough reputation in town and many, including Shannon’s mother, still see him as trouble. Shannon’s mother is all in favor of another suitor, the proper, society raised town dentist. There are good reasons for Shannon and Luke to stay apart - the pain of their past and the fact that Luke will be leaving town in a few months. Yet it is really difficult for them to work together and to resist the electrical pull that still flares between them.
This was a very easy, smooth read from beginning to end. I was quickly pulled into caring for the characters even, or maybe especially, with their flaws and vulnerabilities. The dialogue is very natural and the storyline sweetly believable. The secondary characters, including a few quirky animals, are a fun element. Luke’s rapport with them and children is heart warming. The romance sizzles in a nice sexy way. Ms. Graves delivered a happy ending with a wonderfully engaging path to get there. The author's website reflects her creativity and strong imagination. This is the first time I have read Ms. Graves and I would be glad to read more of her writing.
Growing up, Luke had always felt the irony of living a black and white existence in a place where rainbows happened more often than just about any other place in the country. But as he looked at this rainbow now, it was as if that black and white existence had faded away and his life had exploded in Technicolor splendor. P426
I received this book from Forever, Hachette for an honest review.
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Review Copy:
ENTRY FORM HERE
For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
EXTRA 2 Entry BONUS IF YOU visit one of the businesses in Rainbow Valley and tell me which one!
* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 17, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 18, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.
I love it that jane is a huge Disney fan
ReplyDeleteI liked reading her bio and how the priest almost didn't marry her and her husband because the were so different from each other. Guess it's worked for them. It's been 29 years.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the Red Barn. Brynn is especially cute.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that she spent a lot of time when she was young going to horse shows.
ReplyDeleteRosie's Cafe looks like a good place to eat!
ReplyDeletedisney land here we come
ReplyDeleteand then i love the hop i follw on all of the sites
I visited the Rainbow Vally Animal Shelter. I love that this is based in the Texas Hill Country...which I personally love to visit!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Jane lives right here in Dallas near me. Well technically I live about 35 miles south of Dallas but it is still really close!
ReplyDeleteShe owns fifty-six books on the craft of writing.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks good at Rosie's Cafe.
ReplyDeleteI think it's sweet that she's been married to the "love of her life" although complete opposites for almost 30 years!!! And I visited Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's so sweet that she's been married to the "love of her life" despite being complete opposites for almost 30 years!!! I visited Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter :)
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that her high school counselor told her that veterinary medicine was "a difficult field for a woman" and to choose something else.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Animal House Bed & Breakfast in Rainbow Valley.
I found that Jane is a Rita Award Finalist for five of her books!
ReplyDeleteI visited the Cordero Vineyards and Wine Shop for a wine tasting - yum!
ReplyDeleteI visited Jane's website and was impressed with her Rainbow Valley section. The Festival of the Animals was very interesting and I loved the Legend of the Rainbow Bridge.
ReplyDeleteI SEE YOU LIVE IN DALLAS. I LIVE 2 STATES OVER IN MS. I VISITED THE RAINBOW VALLEY ANIMAL SHELTER. GOOD LUCK WITH THE SERIES AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that her high school counselor told her that veterinary medicine was “a difficult field for a woman” and to that she should choose something else. I visited the Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter and The Red Barn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win the giveaway!
I honestly really liked the layout of her blog. Many blogs are cluttered and are difficult to navigate, but hers was very simple. It was easy to go through her website and find everything. It was also very feminine and cute.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Jane grew up in Oklahoma City and wore some awesome butterfly glasses as a kid. My mother also rocked those!
ReplyDeleteI visited The Book Tree. Sounds like somewhere I'd like to visit for real! :) I liked learning that her favorite childhood books were The Black Stallion. King of the Wind. My Friend Flicka.
ReplyDeleteI visited her website and subscribed but there was no place for comments there. This book looks good. I am anxious to read it.
ReplyDeletesuzieqaa@yahoo.com