Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Review - - His Cowboy Heart


His Cowboy Heart
By Jennifer Ryan
A Montana Men Novel
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Reviewed by PJ





Ford Kendrick has often dreamed of the day that Jamie Keller would come home to Montana. After high school, she needed to leave—and he, duty-bound to rescue his family’s ranch, pushed her to go. The Army made Jamie a hero, but Ford still sees the gorgeous, loving woman who lit up his whole world.
Every day since she left, Jamie has longed for Ford. One glimpse confirms it: the sexy, dangerous-looking cowboy left a hole in her heart that nothing else can fill. Yet the battle scars she bears—inside and out—won’t let her trust anyone enough to get close.
Ford wants to bring Jamie back to the life they dreamed of building. But locked somewhere in her memories is a dark truth that threatens her safety. It’s a battle Ford won’t let her fight alone, not when he’s determined to keep her by his side, now and always…


Since discovering Jennifer Ryan's books two years ago, she has become one of my favorite western contemporary romance authors. Her deeply emotional stories with strong family themes and well-woven threads of suspense never fail to engage my interest and my emotions. 

His Cowboy Heart is the third book in a strong trilogy and, as with the others, these characters burrowed their way into my heart and refused to let go. Ford and Jamie's story is not only a second chance romance; it's also a story of desolation, danger, tentative hope, unconditional love, and one of the most moving, heart-wrenching, and realistic depictions of PTSD that I've read in a romance novel. And, don't worry, there's also a sigh-worthy HEA!

Ford and Jamie are both worthy characters who have more than earned their happy ending. There's so much I could say about them as well as their individual, and joint, journeys but that is a story that's best unveiled page by page - with an open heart and tissues close at hand. I highly recommend His Cowboy Heart along with the first two books in the trilogy, Stone Cold Cowboy (read my review) and Her Renegade Rancher

I'm already counting down the weeks until Ryan introduces her new Montana Heat series featuring, in the first two stories, DEA Special Agents Caden and Beck "Trigger" Cooke whom readers met in Stone Cold Cowboy. Caden's story, Her Dangerous Protector: A Montana Heat Novella will be available June 20 while Beck's story, Escape to You: A Montana Heat Novel will be released August 29. You can bet I'll be getting both!


Have you read any romances with a PTSD storyline? What did you think?

Have you discovered Jennifer Ryan's contemporary western romances yet? Do you have a favorite?

One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), April 28, 2017 will receive a print copy of Her Renegade Rancher and His Cowboy Heart
(U.S. only)





26 comments:

  1. I've read a few books dealing with PTSD - some do a better job than others. I know many people with PTSD and it affects them all differently so I don't think there is only one correct way to portray it in books. The one wrong way is to say a character has it and make a big deal about them having it, but other than talking about it ignoring it.

    Sadly, Jennifer is still only on my wish list.

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    1. What I like about this book is that Ryan doesn't "fix" the character but rather shows the ongoing journey.

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  2. Yes, I have and I liked them. Very well said, Glenda.
    ladbookfan

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  3. Jennifer Ryan's books are captivating and enjoyable. I have read a few novels with PTSD and they are memorable.

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    1. I didn't discover her until her print debut with Avon. I've enjoyed catching up with her stories.

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  4. PTSD is a very topical subject. Quite frequently the real life stories don't have happy endings. I have enjoyed reading fictional PTSD stories that show that love and the right kind of treatment can create happy endings.

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    1. I have enjoyed reading fictional PTSD stories that show that love and the right kind of treatment can create happy endings.

      His Cowboy Heart is this type of book, Cheryl, and one of the reasons I so enjoyed it.

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  5. I have read several books that feature PTSD. It is such a current topic and deserves to be better understood. I think these book help people understand how and why ti happens and that it is a very real problem.

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    1. I agree, JC, especially when presented in the way it is in this book.

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  6. she is a new to me author

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    1. If you enjoy western contemporary romance with a thread of suspense, I recommend giving her a try.

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  7. This is such a hard topic to write about. There is no quick fix for PTSD. So glad to hear this book has a HEA. I like to read an emotional book, but please leave me happy at the end. I will definitely try this author.

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    1. Trish, it has a definite HEA with a hopeful future.

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  8. I have read some stories which included people who had PTSD. The most interesting thing is most of these were historicals from the Regency period. I believe the reality is that PTSD has been a problem even when there was no diagnosis for it. And I think the treatment must be based on understanding no matter the time frame.

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    1. And I think the treatment must be based on understanding no matter the time frame.

      I agree.

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  9. I think I must have since I've read lots of stories featuring ex-soldiers and victims of crime and trauma. Even some historical romances have addressed the circumstance (tho they didn't have a name for it back then) - like in Mary Balogh's Survivor series.

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    1. One of the twists I liked about this book is that the character suffering the PTSD is the heroine. In most of the books I've read, it's the hero.

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  10. I just read Snowflake's Gife by Lindsay McKenna. Both the main character and the dog have PTSD. Interesting storyline. Liked the book!!

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    1. I like McKenna's books. I'll have to check this one out.

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  11. I have read a few with PTSD. One was about horse training and riding. I have not read anything by Jennifer but I added her to my wish list.

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    1. I've enjoyed everything I've read by her so far. Hope you do too.

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  12. I have read a couple of Rachel Gibson books about heroes with PTSD - Rescue Me and What I Love About You. Both excellent.

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  13. I have read several relatively recent books where PTSD is a factor. One good one is Ultimate Courage by Piper J. Drake, part of her True Heroes series. All are well worth reading. There are two books I read several years ago dealing with characters dealing with PTSD that were written after the
    Vietnam War. Unfortunately, I can't find them to give you the titles and authors. One deals with a nurse that was in the front line medical units. dShe is dealing, but it is getting worse. The hero works with an organization that works with military personnel dealing with PTSD. Good, realistic, and a nice different perspective. We usually read of those suffering from combat flashbacks. She is haunted by the faces and last minutes of so many young men, and boys, she couldn't save. In the other book, neither the hero or heroine has PTSD. He is in law enforcement and she a doctor out West. They are dealing with a community of homeless veterans that live in the forested mountains near town. Most are there by choice and many suffer from PTSD. It is a good exploration of the way these men are viewed and judged. Dealing with them takes special methods and the frustration of trying to change their way of thinking as well as the communities feelings towards them is well shown. All these books show different aspects of the problem, not just living with it, but dealing with it as a community and an individual.
    I have her Stone Cold Cowboy and the anthology Snowbound at Christmas. I enjoy her books.

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  14. Never read a book with that scenario.
    Natty's Mama

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  15. I have read a few and enjoyed them.
    Pattyb43

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