In the past I have not been a fan of Ms. Pearce. Some of her historical romances have been a little extreme for my taste, but I have to say she may be redeeming herself in my eyes with contemporary romances. Particularly, the Morgan Ranch series. Her sexy cowboys with good hearts and tortured souls, toe the line between "wet dream" material and heartwarming entertainment. With an edge of suspense for good measure. The world is not always a pretty place as Blue and Jenna well know but if you can capture the beautiful moments it can be a bit easier to bear the painful ones. The Maverick Cowboy is a moment worth savoring.

I was looking forward to reading this book, the 2nd one in the series. This one was just as good, if not better than book one. A very nice romantic story of a veterinarian and ex military guy. I loved the part where Jenna has a make believe boyfriend to make Blue jealous, an very entertaining part of the story. Just a wonderful feel good book. You won't go wrong reading this series.

If you want a good, Western romance, with enjoyable characters, an on going story of family, love, loss and recapturing what once was, this is definitely the story to read. The second book in the story continues with Blue and Jenna as they navigate their way towards each other. Showing up in the book is Ry, one of the twin younger brothers and a surprise for Blue in the form of ten year old Maria. There is also the mystery of the brothers' missing mother and sister added to give the story a bit of an edge.

The story is quickly paced, with quite a few memorable moments that'll keep you wanting more from this author about these four brothers, their extended family and most of all the ranch. I look forward to Ry's story in the next installment in the series.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

This second book in the Morgan Ranch series definitely did not disappoint! The Morgans are a rowdy crew of four cowboy brothers who work hard, fight hard, and love harder. Blue Morgan is certainly no exception, being a rough and tumble marine who has come home to Morgan Ranch to lay down roots. Although he fights the timing of it, he knows a certain sexy little veterinarian is the perfect woman to lay down those roots with. The chemistry between these two is scorching! This book really has it all from drama to romance to a little humor to family, and of course love. You will be hooked right from the beginning and remain riveted to the very last page. Kate Pearce has created a very special world on Morgan Ranch where family, friendship, and love are plentiful and the backdrop is spectacular. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!

My first read by Kate Pearce was enjoyable. I had a problem starting this book for some reason. I didn't care for Chase too much in the beginning but he won me over. Chase & January had good chemistry together but it wasn't written as the hot steamy kind, it was cute & sweet, even though they spent a lot of time exploring each other. With so many secrets around the ranch the fledgling friendship is tested a few times. The past comes back for both of them & they both need to be strong to get through what it's bringing. I found this book had quite a bit of humour as well. January had a bit of a sarcastic wit about her & Chase brought it out in her in spades & his brother Blue & grandma Ruth were also fun loving characters. Good start to this series.

Blue gets out of the military at the same time he meets the lovely Jenna Mc Donald the new Veterinarian in the area. Blue and Jenna don't exactly get along at first but sparks fly. Blue and his siblings are trying to solve the mystery of what happened to their mother and their baby sister years ago. While they make minute progress on that front Blue is also struggling with his feelings for Jenna a long with a very big surprise that pops up in his life. It might be more that this Marine can handle. This is kind of a complicated story. Blue has the mystery with him and baby sister a child that shows up that may or may not be his and Jenna doesn't know where she belongs and doubts her abilities after a grumpy old rancher blames her for problems on his ranch. There are some really funny moments in this book along with some sad stuff. It's one of those books that just a joy to read. I love how Blue Morgan was named after a famous character from a old time western tv show. To find out more about that you'll have to read the book. I did not read the first book in this series but i am wishing now that i did. I think i found a new author to enjoy!

Find out more about this series and Kate Pearce here www.katepearce.com

I loved this book. You get the best of both worlds, a military man and a cowboy. Swoonworthy! This book does start kind of slow, but then the pace picks up and I couldn't put it down. There were times I wanted to smack Blue and other times I wanted to hug him hard. Of course, there were also times I wanted to tear his clothes off.I can't wait to see what the next installment brings.

Book two of the Morgan Ranch series, The Maverick Cowboy, truly centers around Blue Morgan and his homecoming to Morgan Ranch. In book one, we were introduced to the family, and his big brother Chase, but this story is more about Blue, his adjustment after his decade in the Marines, and getting to know and re-love his family and ranch home. Blue truly has much to work through but you can really tell his feelings run deep and he is family-strong. He isn’t looking for a relationship but get one he does! Jenna McDonald, as broken inside as Blue, is the new veterinarian and just the person to help Blue, and herself, find happiness and an HEA. We also meet a few new characters, no spoilers from me, and you will enjoy meeting them. We also get to know Jenna’s family, especially her uncle and cousin who own the vet practice where she works. Pretty funny. I am enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next story!

This is a great story, full of love and life and drama. There is romance, suspense and hope. Blue is not your typical Marine, he's softer, more easy going. He is a captivating and charming, a gentleman through and through. Jenna is sweet and has a big heart, but low self-esteem. There is so much going on in the storyline, so many good stories tied together. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest opinion of it.

The Maverick Cowboy by Kate Pearce
The Morgan Brothers Ranch #2

Expectations can be difficult to live up to, especially when one’s older sibling is so very very smart…and both Jenna McDonald and Blue Morgan have very smart rather pushy older siblings. That said…they both do manage to do very very well for themselves in the fields they have chosen with Blue a gunnery sergeant in the marines and Jenna a veterinarian.

In this book Chase and January are still engaged, the search for the Morgan brothers’ mother is ongoing, Ry & HW are introduced in preparation for further books and we receive Blue Boy “BB” Morgan’s story. BB is second oldest and has made up with his older brother and is working on making up with his father. He is looking forward to leaving military service after 12 years and is eager to be back on the ranch. His focus on finding horses for the ranch leads him to interact with Jenna, met at the roundup in book one, and though they are attracted to one another BB is not ready for romance as it is not on his timeline of things to do until sometime in the future.

The relationship between Jenna and BB felt more real than some romances I have read with a bit of friction, a bit of want, a bit of distance, a bit of this and that and the other thing but all in equal and just enough measure to make for an interesting story. I liked that the revelations about each character came at the right time to open up the character allowing me to know them better. I liked that both Jenna and BB were supportive of one another. I liked the verbal (and other) interactions between them. I liked the storyline with Maria showing up unexpectedly and the fact that the Morgan’s rallied to support this ten year old girl. I liked the side story of Nate helping Jenna out and wonder if he will find his “One True One” and also wonder if Dave, Jenna’s cousin, will find a love interest. I am eager to read Ry’s story and hope HW will come to his senses. I want to find out about the second mortgage on the ranch and whether or not the mother and sister of the Morgan brothers are still alive. Needless to say there is a lot in this story to make it interesting and worth reading AND I am eager to read more in this series while wondering if perhaps there will be a spin-off series dealing with the other men of Morgantown once the brothers find their partners. NOTE: This can be read as a standalone but it will have more depth if you read book one first.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.

4 Stars

Once again Kate Pearce takes a hero that is surly and can easily be disdained and turned him into the loveable man we want our heroes to be. It’s not that I didn’t like Blue in The Reluctant Cowboy or at the beginning of this book, but he sure teetered on a thin line. His black and white views and stubborn streak could have easily overpowered the other, softer aspects of his personality. Thankfully his caring heart did get through and Jenna helped him to see things with a bit of grey.

I can’t let Jenna get away unscathed though. I deeply understood many of her insecurities. Her feeling that there was always someone more interesting and/or attractive than her around is a feeling I think too many women deal with in real life. She had good reason due to her past, which very slowly comes out in bits and pieces. But there comes a point that she is more wishy-washy than lacking in confidence. Plus, she is called out on it a bit so I like that.

The first real intimate encounter between Jenna and Blue was great. I loved the spontaneity and uncertainty of the moment. It was wonderful! That’s the thing with these two…even when things get super serious they can get through to each other and ease the tension with a few words.

I loved the interaction between Jenna and Maria, a surprise character we meet in this book. Jenna helps us to understand Maria and Maria helps us to understand Jenna. Both help Blue to see things more clearly. It’s a very touching story.

There is still the story line of Blue’s mom continuing on from the first book. It’s not resolved but they’ve gotten a bit more information. A lot of feelings are being dealt with and we even get to meet one of the twins, Ry. I think I’m more intrigued to learn about Ry than I was to learn about Blue. He’s a man of very few words but seems to see everything that is going on around him on a pretty deep level. All of these things: the mom/sister mystery, learning more about the other brothers, the relationships on the ranch and in town all make me impatient for the next book to come out.

One final note that really has nothing to do with the story but helped to endear the author to me more. Blue is a Marine and is called a soldier by another character. He takes the time to explain, without condensation, that he’s actually a sailor. To this previous Navy wife and current Army mom, I like seeing this misconception explained properly.

So good! Blue Morgan returns to Morgan Ranch after his last enlistment in the Marines come to an end. After learning the truth of what really happened all those years ago and what his brother had actually done for the family Blue is ready to set things right and help to not only save the ranch but mend the riff in the family. Working with the prickly yet beautiful new vet will be as a big a challenge as everything else. Controlling his attraction to her will be almost impossible. Jenna MacDonald has her own set of problems to deal with. Getting the ranchers to trust a new vet is hard enough. Getting them to accept a female vet...almost impossible. Jenna is determined though and she won't let her attraction to Blue Morgan distract her.

I liked this book even more than the first and I liked that one a heck of a lot. I highly recommend this one.

this book has fantastic characters which you will fall in love with from the first page. I absolutely loved this story, I just didn't want to put it down till id finished it. They was plenty of romance and hot steamy scenes through out the book. This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone read. This book has everything you expect from this author and lots more. I cant wait for more in this series and from this author in the future.

Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Ms Pearce is an expert at grabbing you by the throat and holding your attention till the very last page. So there’s no surprise that the second story in the Morgan Ranch series keeps readers riveted and clamouring for more once the ultimate climax is reached.

Strong, yet sometimes vulnerable characters, a fantastic storyline and loads of stuff going on, ensure that the reader is always entertained and can’t help falling in love with the Morgans and wishing for one of their very own!

The Maverick Cowboy by Kate Pearce
Book #2: Morgan Ranch Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:
Blue Morgan is a man hardened by life and time. Since he was a child, he has blamed his older brother, Chase for many of his family’s problems. After a lifetime in the Marines, Blue has found many ways to temper his anger and he is finally ready to return home for good.

When Blue returns to the Morgan Ranch, he finds it undergoing a serious revitalization thanks to his brother, his soon-to-be sister-in-law, and his spitfire grandmother, Ruth. Since he was a child, Blue has loved the ranch and wants to see it become great again. One of his responsibilities, among many others, is to oversee the buying and care of the ranch’s horses which means he’s in close contact with the local vet, Jenna McDonald. The one local vet, of three, who really doesn’t like him.

Jenna McDonald has spent her life fighting. In the beginning, it was fighting against her feelings about being adopted, and as she’s grown up, it’s been fighting against her family’s wishes for her life and career choice, and currently, her fight is against the old-school locals who seem to think she can’t perform her job well as a veterinarian because she’s a woman. All she needs to make her life harder is the hot as hell Blue Morgan, who apparently falls on the side of the old-school locals. At least, that was her first impression, and sometimes, those impressions can be wrong.

In the weeks that follow that first impression, Jenna sees a whole new side of Blue Morgan, and damn it all if she doesn’t really like what she sees. Blue is strong, headstrong, sexy, loyal, and every time she needs him, he’s by her side. Blue also understands, if Jenna is to be the local vet, she must prove herself to all the good old boys and she can only do that by doing her job and doing it well. From Blue’s perspective, Jenna isn’t just good at her job, she’s excellent, but there are one or two rancher’s that seem to have it out for her and Blue quickly sees it as his duty to protect her. With the protection comes a closeness, admiration, and attraction that neither can deny. Before the two can get to an HEA, they’re going to have to survive Jenna’s family, secrets and surprises from Blue’s past, and one bat-sh*t crazy rancher who just doesn’t know when to stop.

The Bottom Line: The Morgan Ranch series got a lot more interesting with Blue’s story. With the ground work laid out in book one, The Reluctant Cowboy, Blue’s story hits the ground running and evolves. The Morgan family mystery of the missing mother and baby sister takes some fun twists and turns, Blue’s own past quite literally knocks on his front door, and Jenna’s own background comes in to play and threatens both she and Blue’s happiness together. There really is a great deal going on in this read and though it doesn’t exactly end in a cliffhanger, it is clear there is still much, much more to come in the Morgan Ranch series. After all, there are the twins who have yet to come home and take their place beside Chase, Blue, Ruth, Jenna, and January. Ooooh, I can’t wait to see what Kate Pearce does with twins 

Blue is leaving the Marines to go home to the family ranch. There are so many things going on that throws him and he finds that he is falling for Jenna. Now is not the time for him to think of romance. Jenna is a vet and is checking out the animals at the Morgan ranch. She is also checking out Blue. Even though he doesn't think he has time to fall in love, he finds himself really falling for Jenna. Jenna has some things with her family that she needs to work out and Blue is hoping that she will get everything straightened out so they can be together.

After 12 years Blue Morgan is finally willing to make peace with the past and is back at the family Ranch after getting out from the Marines, and is going to help in running the ranch.
Jenna is a vet from LA, working for her uncle, while he cousin finishes her degree and comes back. Being a marine, Blue is used to giving orders, but Jenna is not going to put up with it. As friendship develops between them, and sparks flare, will they be able to move ahead letting go off their baggage ?
I enjoyed Maverick Cowboy. It's a well paced book with some unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked. It's a heartfelt romance with strong sense that of family and redemption. The mystery of missing mom and sister continues and I can't wait for the next in the series.

This is only the second book by Ms Pearce I have read, and just like the first one, she “wowed” me! This book is the second one of her series , Morgan Ranch. A series about brothers that left the ranch where they grew up, mostly to get away from the devastating memories.
The Maverick Cowboy is about Blue Morgan. A Marine who left and enlisted when he was 18 , sees life as “black and white”, is angry at his father and is attempting to mend fences with his brothers. His grandmother, Ruth, is the one that has kept her faith in all of them.
Our other character is veterinarian, Jenna McDonald. She arrives from LA to help her uncle in his clinic. She too is dealing with family issues, self-worth, the fact that she was adopted etc. These two develop a friendship even when they are at odds. Complications with new discoveries, thicken the plot.
But the book is more than the plot . It’s about how family can affect the self-esteem of an individual, how life really is not black and white, how old hurts can affect how we deal with those that crushed our hearts, how brothers will always be brothers, how friendships can strengthen us and how compassion, hope and love can get us through everything. So, do not hesitate to pick up this book. I promise it will be not only entertaining, but also thought provoking.
I was gifted this book by Netgalley. the opinions expressed are solely my own.

These are characters the reader will like. The story feels abruptly written at times, but it doesn't detract from staying immersed in the story being told.

Blue Morgan has come back from the Marines to Morgan Ranch. He's determined to help his brother and grandmother make the ranch a success. The ranch hires a new veterinarian, Jenna McDonald, and Blue is immediately drawn to her. The story has some interesting twists that you wouldn't expect! I enjoyed the story and would love to read the first one in the series. Recommend this book for anyone who loves contemporary romance.

The Maverick Cowboy by Kate Pearce will be available January 31, 2017 by Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.