When Clayton East gets word from home that his father has fallen ill, and is not able to do the work needed to keep the family ranch afloat he knows that it is time to return to his roots and take care of what needs done. Once he is back home though he realizes there is more going on than his family let on, someone is stealing their cattle and he intends to catch the thief and put a stop to it, only to soon discover that the one of thieves is only a sixteen year old boy named Brice. Instead of turning Brice into the law he meets with the boys guardian, his gorgeous sister Abby, and works out a deal with her to put the young boy to work so he can "work off" the debt his thieving accrued. But somewhere along the way Clayton starts to fall for Abby, and things between them start to take a very unexpected steamy turn...

Abby Harper is in over her head... between going to college and trying to care for her younger brothers she has very little time to do much of anything else.... which means no love life! It is a daily struggle to keep them and herself on track, and when one her brothers slips off the track and gets busted for rustling cattle she is certain she will go off the deep end... but by sheer luck the cattle owner is willing to give the boy a second chance, and he quickly becomes her hero. She has never met a man quite like Clayton East, and she quite sure men like him are few and far between, he is kind, gorgeous, and stirs the butterflies in her belly like no one ever has...

The Christmas Cowboy Hero is a heartwarming story that is sure to put you in the holiday mood, and leave your heart overflowing with joy! From the moment I started this one I sensed that I had stumbled onto a real literary treat, Ms. Grants endearing characters pulled me right into their world and made me feel right at home. The story line had a good mix of everything I like in my romance reads, a swoon-worthy male, light humor, a feisty heroine, enthralling plot, and lots of chemistry and heart!! Highly recommend this one, the moment you meet Clayton he will steal your heart and have you swooning!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

What a lovely book. The characters have so much heart and sense of family! Clayton is so complex and yet he would do anything for his family, like leave Africa to return home to help with the ranch. Being a former Seal and with all his military experience, it really helps in finding the stolen herd of cattle. Abby would do anything for her brothers and she is so dedicated to them and the family unit that she is creating.. Abby is so strong and fierce and it is a perfect combination when she meets up with Clayton's family. Once Abby and Clayton get together it is just magical. This is a really great story and it will keep you entertained until the very end. Great cast of characters and events in this book.

Loved this first book in this new series from Donna. This book has an Alpha Male and Bad-Ass Woman who always picks herself up no matter what is thrown at her. Clayton has just come home after being a Navy Seal. He is trying to save his family's farm and meets Abby and sparks fly. Abby is an amazing person who is raising her 2 brothers after her mother left them. I really enjoyed reading about Clayton and Abby. It does make me wonder who will be next in this series as Clayton has no brothers but I know i will enjoy the book wherever it goes.

I love a good book when it centers around Christmas. What makes this one even better is the former SEAL turned cowboy who has a heart of gold. A great holiday romance novel.

I really enjoyed this book!! I thought that it was a real page turner and have given the book a shiny 5 star rating!! For me this book was a real page turner - the characters were strong and worked really well together and I thought that the story was excellent, they are very likeable and so entertaining!! The attention to detail in the story was spot on, not too much so that you would be tempted to skip a page, just enough to make sure you want to read every work the author had written. I really liked the writing style and am definitely looking forward to more of the same! I have read a few of Donna Grant's books now and this one was great - would highly recommend - 5 stars from me!!

“The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant is book one of her new series, Heart of Texas.

Clayton East is a former SEAL living in South Africa when is he called home to Texas and the family ranch. Not only has his father suffered a mini-stroke, several of their cattle have been stolen. One person is caught as part of the cattle rustling – sixteen-year-old Brice Harper. Clayton decides to give the teen a second chance and work off his debt – and find out who was behind the theft – after he meets Brice’s sister and guardian, Abby. Clayton’s attraction to her is swift and undeniable.
Abby Harper became guardian to her brothers Brice and fourteen-year-old Caleb when their mother abandoned them when Abby was eighteen. She does her best financially and they manage to scrape by, so when Clayton offers to let Brice work for him, she’s okay with it because she is aware how much Brice needs a male in his life. And if she is honest with herself – so does she. Clayton East makes her feel safe and protected.

Ms. Grant shows the vulnerability of Clayton and Abby, which brings a sweetness to the story. There is also sexual tension between the two and once they give in, there’s no stopping them.
While we know early on in the book (about halfway through) how Clayton feels about Abby, it takes Abby longer to accept her feelings. Her mother leaving her and her brothers left Abby with a fear of abandonment. Clayton has to prove he’ll be with her always.

Along with Clayton and Abby finding their way to love, we learn who is behind the cattle rustling and see inside the life Clayton grew up around with key scenes with his parents. Ms. Grant also writes two heroes-in-the-making – Brice and Caleb – and shows how they flourish at the East Ranch.

“The Christmas Cowboy Hero” gives us two things readers love – a military cowboy and a Christmas romance.

This was a cute contemporary read. I love both cowboys and seals so for me this was awesome. I loved the dynamic between Abby and Clayton. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good Christmas contemporary read.

The way that Clayton instantly bonded with Abby's brothers, stole my heart. It easily set the book up for me. I knew from then on that I was going to love this book.

Loved this book! This is the beginning to a series that I can't wait to read more of (although this is a stand alone novel). Clayton is a burned out Navy SEAL who hasn't returned home because the ghosts from his time in the military. He's a perfect hero - a true hero who's a bit tarnished by time and doesn't feel worthy of his home or enjoying life. He's called home to help his parents when circumstances put Abby in his orbit. Abby is an intelligent woman doing everything she can to take care of her brothers and advance in her career. Because she's been raising her two brothers since she was 18, she hasn't had time to date, but she is smitten with Clayton.

What follows in a wonderful romantic suspense that fans of the genre will love. I gave this novel 4.5 stars because part of the ending was just a bit hokey. This novel is set at Christmas time and is a perfect read for the season, but you'll enjoy it just as much anytime of the year. The author is on my must read authors' list.

** I received a copy of The Christmas Cowboy Hero from St. Martins Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant is the first book of her Heart of Texas series. I have read all of Ms. Grant's Sons of Texas series and I hope that there will be many more in this new series as this book was just WOW. I loved it from the first page to the last one.

Clayton East is coming home to his parents ranch after being a Navy SEAL for years but he's stayed away because of a tragedy with his older brother when he was a child. Now he's needed because his father has had a stroke and they have had their money and cows stolen by thieves. When he finds out who was part of the rustlers he doesn't expect to meet a 13 year old boy who won't say who was the ringleader and his very proud sister, Abby Harper. Little does he know that he will fall for the headstrong Abby but that he'd grow to love the two brothers whom she's been raising alone for 8 years.

Abby Harper has been raising her two brothers and making sure that they have what they need while going without herself. But when she's called into the sheriff's office she doesn't expect Clayton willing to give Brice a second chance to work off the debt from the cows he helped steal. But when paperwork comes across her desk at work that may give a clue to who the ringleader is, she helps Clayton and his family with the missing money and cows while falling hard for the handsome cowboy.

I Loved this book and highly recommend reading it.

This is the first book I have read by Donna Grant and it will NOT be my last. I am IMPRESSED with this one. It has all the feels that I want in a romance and characters that made me SWOON. SQUEE!! I think I found a new author to hold on to because I am eagerly waiting to read another glorious book by her!

Pick up this book. It is one of my favorite Christmas themed novels that I have read in a very long time!!!

This holiday romance had everything you could ask for, a hot former SEAL turned cowboy with a heart of gold, memorable characters and an enjoyable story line. Clayton East might have thought he no longer belonged at home on the family ranch but really he just needed a reason to believe again. And that reason was Abby, a young woman who had take on way more responsibility than she should have needed to all in the name of family. Overall a great romance to get you in the holiday mood.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

Clayton East has to come home after avoiding it for years after his brother passed away. The family is in trouble after their accountant embezzled their funds and many of their pregnant cattle along with a very expensive bull were stolen.
Clayton goes to the sheriff's office to see if he can get info from the one rustler caught and is dumbstruck when he sees Abby Harper...and as much as she is drawn to him, he is to her, but he needs to find out who is behind the rustling.
When Clay is told some of Abby's story by Deputy Oldman, he decides he might get the information easier if he gives Brice better options.
Brice goes to work on the ranch and falls in love with ranching and Abby's background in accounting gives her the opportunity to help the Easts trace the theft of their money.
Abby, Brice and Caleb find the Easts to be paradise, the loving family they all had wished for and never had. Spending some time together brings healing to all of them, Mr. and Mrs.East, Clayton and the Harper siblings.
When Abby is shot, clarity comes to Clay and Brice and everyone works to recover the East's loss and make them all a strong family unit.
I requested an ARC from NetGalley and expected a good tale...but this story went way beyond my expectations. Kudos to Ms. Grant for writing such a heartwarming tale.

An entertaining read. A cowboy romance: a change for me. Having said that, always interesting to read a book set elsewhere in the world that reflects the fact that friendships and romance are basically the same the world over. A good storyline.

This book has both cursing including a few f-bombs (and teenagers using more mild curse words) and some on-screen sex. If those things would cause you to leave a bad review, you should probably skip this story.

I really enjoyed the mix of romance, mystery, and drama in this story – they were all balanced really well and nothing was too far over the top. There was on-screen sex in this one, yes, but it was not a major focal point of the story or anything kinky for shock value, it was just another facet of Abby and Clayton's relationship.

Although Abby and Clayton were great together and I was 100% rooting for them from the start, my favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Abby and her brothers. I absolutely loved the way that the boys wanted to take care of her and watching them grow up.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet story about family and the holidays and/or a book featuring sexy, good guy, cowboy hero, a heroine who needs a little rescuing but who is also determined to do everything that she can to stay independent, and two kids who have been through a tough time but who are really sweet at heart.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review.

Full review will appear on Reader's Edyn on 10/11/17 at http://bit.ly/2x1SjB1

Clayton East is the ideal “perfect guy”. He’s a retired Navy SEAL, he’s got mad skills that aid in protecting those he loves; he’s intelligent; he’s gorgeous – Oh! And he’s a cowboy that fills out a pair of Wranglers very nicely. *le sigh* He’s been running from tragedy in childhood and refusing to deal with the loss. Instead, he joins the Navy and then takes on an assignment in Africa. When suspicious activity threatens the livelihood of his family ranch, he is called home to get to the bottom of things. He wasn’t bargaining for the beauty he encounters who has the exact skill set he requires. It isn’t difficult to figure out a way to keep her near, but convincing her to let her guard down will be another thing altogether.

Abby Harper thinks of herself last in all aspects. She’s been taking care of her brothers since their mother ran out on them and her life consists of working and providing for them. She doesn’t have time for anything social – and she doesn’t want it. Love isn’t a great thing. It isn’t unconditional; it doesn’t pay the bills; and it frequently breaks your heart, leaving years of wreckage in its wake. When her brother finds himself in hot water and at the mercy of Clayton East, she assumes the worst. But Clayton is all about second chances – especially if it involves keeping Abby around. As they untangle the web of deceit surrounding the ranch, she comes to care for Clayton a little more each day. But forever isn’t forever and taking a chance on love isn’t worth the risk.

Nothing like getting into the Christmas season early than with some really fun, entertaining reads! I very much enjoyed my time spent with Clayton and Abby. Books in which a character has to grow in order to realize that their only chance might be sitting right in front of them are right up my alley. Clayton accepts his feelings relatively soon, but Abby resists for a while. There is a slight amount of suspense within the book, but not surrounding their relationship. Everything happening around Christmas is a benefit because she and her brothers have never experienced one like this before. I can see where I would have been awe-struck in such a situation myself. It is very easy to like the characters within the book. The secondary characters add a lot to the story and draw you in even more with their own growth. This book is a great reminder of how tragedy shapes us and ultimately how it can lead us to where we are meant to be. I don’t want it to sound too heavy with the tragedy, because it isn’t like that – after all, we are looking for a Christmas-themed HEA. Probably my only complaint is that the word “atop” was used so many times that it became annoying. It is probably mostly personal preference, but I feel like “atop” is more of an older word and that I would read it in a Historical novel versus this contemporary novel.

Overall, this book will get you in the holiday spirit and have you rooting for the main characters in no time. There is some sexual content that is pretty explicit; no dirty explicit, erotic explicit. I’m sure this read will satisfy readers even if they aren’t looking specifically for a holiday read. Ms. Grant did a wonderful job of creating lovable, endearing characters that readers will enjoy getting to know. Get your warm, fuzzy, holiday groove started right with this sexy, sweet read.

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St Martins Press in exchange for an honest review.

'The Christmas Cowboy Hero' has it all - wonderful characters, incredible suspense, opportunities for redemption - all wrapped up in the Christmas season. From the very first page of the book I was captured with the story and as it unfolded I was not disappointed. The sense of love with which the East family enveloped the Harper family was truly touching. I skipped over all the graphic sex and was left with a lovely story.

Another great story by Donna. It just goes to show love comes at anytime and some things are not just to good to be true.

Like a hot sexy ex-Navy Seal that was a cowboy and now back to be a cowboy again wasn't enough- Donna Grant gives us an amazing young woman who has assumed care of her 2 younger brothers with whom she has formed an enviable bond. Clayton East is summoned home after hiding in South Africa after a tumultuous time serving his country. Problems on the ranch both with the finances, the livestock and his father's help require Clayton to take matters into his own hands. The problem that creates for Abby Harper is that he brother Brice is in the midst of the drama and also drags her and her youngest brother into the middle.

This story has a cast of great characters in both the East and Harper family. What seems like punishment and a way to pay back the East Ranch for Brice ends up being the catalyst for bringing together two families that were yearning for the other and giving them both a new sense of home and family.

I loved the suspense and drama surrounding the thievery at the East Ranch as well the danger and destruction to the Harper family. It's easy to see why Brice was coerced to keep his mouth shut.

Clayton and Abby were a great book couple and their falling in love was adorable and sweet yet hot and sexy.

They sympathy you feel for the Easts in having lost a young son makes it heartwarming when the entire gang gather around the dinner table. Yeap- you definitely are cheering for a happy ending in this one for sure!

Did not review. Clicked on title by accident from publisher's invitation.