The Christmas Cowboy Hero, by Donna Grant is a contemporary holiday romance, and it's the first book in the Heart of Texas series.

Clayton East, a former Navy SEAL, returns home to his family ranch to discover their ranch is suffering from theft and financial issues, and his father is recovering from a stroke. Clayton meets Abby Harper, when she shows up to bail her younger brother out of jail. Clayton and Abby's lives become closely interconnected and their attraction is evident.

The Christmas Cowboy Hero is geared towards those who enjoy reading contemporary holiday romance with some suspense interlaced throughout the story.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The family ranch is the last place Clayton wants to be at. Still haunted by his brothers death and all the things he’s seen and done as an ex-seal has kept him from coming home. The choice is taken away when he finds out that his father suffered an illness after having cattle stolen.

The police was only able to catch a young teenager from the group of men taking the cattle. That young teenager is at the heart of things just a good kid with a tough home life. Clayton recognizes the good in Brice and decides to have him work off the stolen cattle on the family ranch when he finds out that his older sister is the legal guardian to him and his little brother.

Abby is barely scraping by trying to take care of her brothers after their mom left them when she turned 18. Years later and she’s still working at getting her degree while also trying to keep food on the table. Life is hard and when Clayton swoops in to help, she can’t help but think it’s too good to be true.

The attraction is instant for Clayton after just one look at Abby. Because of her, he is no longer counting down the days before he can leave again. He now feels like he’s finally come home.

This had that Hallmark Christmas feel to it. It’s a family friendly, low angst, feel good kind of story that is full of sugary sweetness.

I’ve read several other Donna Grant books in the past, and they haven’t always worked for me. However, the Heart of Texas series just may turn me into a Donna Grant fan yet!

Clayton East has returned home to his family ranch. He’s spent the past 12 or so years away from home - first as a Navy SEAL, and then the past six months as a guard for a South African animal reserve. But a call from home by his mother has him heading back to Texas. Once he gets there, he finds out the ranch is in dire financial straits, and most of the cattle has been stolen.

Ally Harper has her hands full. She works as much as she can to make ends meet, supporting herself and her two teenage brothers who were left with her when their mom disappeared eight years ago. Now the 16 year-old has been arrested for stealing cattle from the East Ranch, and she’s at a loss for what to do.

When Clayton sees Ally at the police station, then learns about the Harper’s family situation, he decides to give Brice a chance to “work off” the amount lost to the cattle theft. Of course, Clayton and Ally then get to know each other better, and they fall in love, all while figuring out who has the stolen cattle.

So, the story may have been a tad predictable, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable to read. The characters were likeable, the dialogue was good, and the plot moved at a quick pace. And the main characters, despite having somewhat dysfunctional pasts (Ally more so than Clayton), were relatively well adjusted anyway - as if they were aware of their hang-ups, but decided to behave in a way so as to overcome those obstacles. It was so refreshing!

I would have liked a little more time for Clayton and Ally to develop their relationship. Not being a huge fan of the insta-love thing, I wanted this story to cover more than a three week time period. But that’s really my only “complaint” about this book - the rest of it was a well-written, completely enjoyable read.

I’m not sure who else the rest of the books in this series may be about, but I’m definitely looking forward to reading them. Hopefully they’ll be just as good as The Christmas Cowboy Hero!

(review will be posted at www.straightshootinbookreviews.com closer to release date)

A cowboy SEAL in a tight Wrangler package. Far different from her Sons of Texas series, a serious action adventure (my fave), this offers more heart. I got emotional many times for Abby's past and for her brothers, as a mom that was tough. Clayton lost men in and out of war, a brother as a teen, and almost his family. Many magical moments made my heart sing, a truly special book. But, watch out as Clayton does use his SEAL training. This book is going to be another favorite from Grant. I wrote my unbiased review after reading an early copy from Netgalley.

The Christmas Cowboy Hero is book one in the brand new series Heart of Texas by Donna Grant. This book gets all the stars. Five most definitely isn’t enough. It’s only October but I think I have already found my favorite Christmas book for the year. I’ve only read one book by Donna in the past, one of her paranormal romances in the Dark Kings series. So I jumped at the chance to start with this brand new series on my favorite topic, cowboys. And who could resist that cover. Not me!

Clayton East is an ex Navy Seal and now is working in Africa protecting game from poachers. He hasn’t returned to his home, The East Ranch, in Clearview, Texas for a reason. It just brings back too much pain. It’s three weeks before Christmas when he got the call. His dad was sick, and the ranch was in trouble. They needed him. It was time for Clayton to go home.

Abby Harper was eighteen years old when her mother left handing over guardianship for her two little brothers. Now, eight years later, her brothers, Caleb and Brice, are fourteen and sixteen years old. Abby is going to school part time to get her accounting degree and is working at an accounting firm but only being paid an hourly wage. She is doing the best she can, barely scraping by, but trying her best to provide for her brothers. Brice was a good boy but had been running with some not so great friends. But he’d never been in real trouble. Then Abby got the call, Brice had been arrested for rustling cattle.

When Clayton got home, everything was a mess. Their current accountant had fled town with most of the ranch’s money, and someone had stolen one hundred head of their cattle. They caught one of the rustlers, a sixteen year old kid. When Clay went to the police station to talk to him, he met his sister, Abby. Brice wouldn’t talk and it was apparent that he was scared of something. Clay believed in second chances and he hoped that if he gave Brice the opportunity to work off his debt on his ranch, that he would gain his trust and get him to talk to him. It would also give Clay a chance to see his sister again. When he first saw her at the police station, it was like a punch to the stomach. He’d never reacted that way to anyone before.

“He knew lust well, and this wasn’t it. Need, yes. Desire, definitely. But the hunger within him was raw, visceral. Primal. How could he experience such a thing with someone he just met?”

Let me just stop here and talk about these two families. The East family was everything. They accepted Brice into their family with no bad feelings what so ever. Just wait until you meet Clayton’s mom. She was like everything good in every mother all rolled into one. And Clayton! That man! He was perfection. He made me sigh so much I thought I might hyperventilate. And lots of swooning. Oh yes, lots! He was everything you dream a cowboy should be. Plus, add in all the Navy Seal stuff and oh my gosh. Need I say more?!

Then there are the Harpers. Abby and her brothers only knew hardship. There was so much love between those three. Abby worked so hard to try to provide for her brothers, to be sister, mother and father all rolled into one. And they all had some serious abandonment issues. But they had so much love.

When the East’s took the Harpers into their folds, the boys flourished. With a role model like Clay, they saw what a man should be, could be. The changes were immediate. And Clay showed Abby something as well. He showed her that she didn’t have to be alone, that she didn’t have to do everything. That she could share her burden with someone else. But could she really trust that he too wouldn’t just wake up one morning and be tired of them and leave? Could she risk her heart and the boys’ hearts?

“Never had Abby felt so…included. For the first time, she wasn’t just watching families interact, she was a part of it. It was an amazing feeling. And a reminder of everything her brothers didn’t have.”

This book was just fantastic. I couldn’t stop reading. There were so many sweet moments, some sexy times, some suspenseful times, and lots of Christmas love. Clayton is my new book boyfriend. But I don’t mind sharing him. So I hope you’ll read this book and love him and Abby and their families as much as I have. I don’t know what’s next in this series but I can’t wait to find out. Thank you so much, Donna Grant, for sweeping me away to Clearview, Texas and The East Ranch in this amazing book.

“Her hero. Her cowboy.”

This book has all kinds of excitement and action in it. There is embezzlement, modern day cattle wresting and bad guys galore. But the good guys ride in to save the day led by good guy and hero of this story Clayton East. Abby Harper doesn't have a chance of escaping Clayton's love once he sets eyes on her. Abby's mother abandoned her and her two brothers Brice and Caleb when she was eighteen. As demonstrated in this story as you read about Abby it takes a strong and loving woman to take up the reins and raise two young boys and make a family. In this case Abby does a wonderful job but lets her personal life go since her brothers are her priority. It takes Brice's big mistake and Clayton's belief in second chances to change everything for the better for Abby.

This is not your typical Christmas story but it still is all about what everyone thinks about at Christmas, love of family, sharing and caring. I really enjoyed this book and I believe everyone who picks it up will enjoy it too!

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant
Heart of Texas #1

Called home to “fix things” on the family ranch but not ready to face the demons at home or the ones that have tagged on for the ride after years as a Navy SEAL Clayton East does what he must and heads home to find out where the money and the rustled cattle have disappeared to. One of the first people he encounters while dealing with the rustler issue is Abby Harper. Why Abby? Her brother is the only one of the rustlers caught in the act and she has come in to the jail to plead his case. Abby has been the sole custodian of her 14 and 16 year old brothers for eight years and is not willing to let them fall by the wayside or end up with a criminal record – not if there is anything she can do to prevent it. Well, as a meet-cute this was one that poleaxed both Clayton and Abby and started the two on the way to their HEA!

After Clayton talks to Abby, her brother Brice and the police he decides to give Brice a helping hand and second chance. Karma can be a b*tch or can bring blessings and that is just what happens for all involved as Brice finds he loves ranching (and so does his brother Caleb), Abby finds herself in her element searching through ledgers to find out where the East Ranch money disappeared to, Clayton and Abby find a safe harbor (and more) together, Clayton’s parents enjoy having a full house again and the b*tch side of karma comes to roost on the bad guys as they are caught and dealt with.

This book has all the elements necessary to warm your heart whether you read it during the holidays or some other time of year. I can hardly wait to find out who will be featured in the next book of this series and am eager to read it when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGaley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Ex-Navy SEAL Clayton East has come home for the holidays to look after his ill father and the financially troubled family ran.

Abby Harper is doing all she can to take care of her brothers when one of them has been arrested for stealing cattle from Clay's family ranch. Clay decides to give her brother a second chance. Being around Abby has Clay longing for what he never thought possible.

Love at first sight doesn't usually happen but that's what happened when Clayton first sees Abby. Their first meeting wasn't the best, when Abby's brother is arrested for cattle rustling & they were Clayton's family's cattle. Ex-seal Clayton comes home to help his parents reclaim their ranch & the missing cattle. Abby has been raising her 2younger brothers since their mother walked away yrs ago & struggling to keep them afloat. The growth of all the characters in this story was well done with the focus not just on Clayton & Abby but her brothers & his parents. They've all suffered somehow in their own ways was & their different tales were told beautifullly. The drama of the cattle rustling & the other problems was very suspenseful. Enjoyed greatly. Definitely recommend.

4.5 - "Christmas has come early..." Stars!

Donna Grant writing a Christmas Romantic Suspense, with an ex-SEAL cowboy…

SIGN. ME. UP!

IMAGE.

Clayton East was truly a Prince Charming with a Stetson, and I loved the Cinderella aspect with the way Donna built Abby and her brother’s story around them and the East family accepting them into the fold, in general.

"It seems like our families are intertwined…"

The suspense comes in the form of some good ole’ cattle rustling, and the romance between this pair fell a little into the ‘insta’ category, but I loved it anyway. So much so I gave myself a headache by finishing the book in pretty much one sitting.

"You’ve been doing things for everyone but yourself. When are you going to let someone do something for you..?"

Really, really enjoyable read. The authors forays away from the PNR genre into Contemporary Romantic Suspense in the past year or two have really gotten better and better with each new release. The Heart of Texas series looks like its going to be another stellar addition to her bibliography.

"Wouldn’t you rather see where it takes you than to always wonder..?"

If the reader expected another cowboy story, they’d be wrong. Loved this heartwarming story that oftentimes put tears in my eyes. How a former SEAL and a woman who was busy keeping her head above water while raising her two brothers find a real love is magical. This book is a great indicator of what other books in the series will hold for readers.

Navy Seal Clayton East is heading home to head off a financial crisis. The cattle ranch has been robbed by rustler and their cows and prize bull are missing. Abby has lived next door to the East family for a long time and is trying to raise her two teen brothers, one who has been arrested for cattle theft. A little Christmas magic helps these families get their lives straightened out. A feel good Christmas story.

The Christmas Cowboy Hero is about two strangers meeting in the most unlikely place and under the most unusual of circumstances. Can it be fate?

Clayton left his tour of duty as a SEAL and couldn't face returning home. A family tragedy changed him when he was only a little boy. War has changed him even more.

Abby has been living on the breadline since she was a teenager. She is a mother, sister and friend to her youngest brothers, Caleb and Brice. She works all hours and never complains. As long as her brothers are happy.

Clayton returns home on a family emergency. The emergency turns out to be more than anticipated. His parents have been robbed and deceived in more ways than one. Abby is called to the police station where her brother is being held and has her first encounter with Clayton. She is informed of the gravity of his crime and expects the worse. She is proved wrong when Clayton gives him a second chance with strict conditions. She now feels indebted to him and when the opportunity to help him presents itself, she is only too happy to assist.

They start to look forward to see each other and as they spend time together, something starts to blossom. His past stops him from opening up whilst she has a fear of being abandoned. Will they allow their pasts to get in the way of a promising future?

This novel is mostly about family units. Loving and being loved can make a difference in the most difficult situations. I admire Abby for her love and dedication to her brothers who in turn return that love. Clayton's parents are exemplary. The romance is a gradual build up which ends in a flourish. The Christmas holiday setting is beautifully presented and makes the storyline even more compulsive. It's an engaging and delightful read.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. It had all the elements that I like in a romance novel, alpha hero, western theme, and a bit of suspense thrown in. Similar to a harlequin format this is a sweet romance, by that I mean the love scenes are a bit vanilla, but still get your blood pumping. One of my favorite things in a book is a slow burn between the characters and this had it.
Abby Harper has struggled most of her life and is currently raising her two younger brothers. Clayton East is the prodigal son who has returned home, his family runs a large cattle ranch, and his dad's health as well as some problems a the ranch forced him home. Previously he'd been in the Navy as SEAL and now was working with security contractor when returned home. Our main characters meet when Abby's brother is caught cattle rustling at the East Ranch. Not willing to turn over who he worked for in fear of his family's safety the teen was ready to take whatever punishment was handed out. Clayton, intrigued by Abby gives the kid a second chance, one that will put Abby frequently in his path, and let that slow burn begin.
Abby is afraid to trust anything, she and her brothers, have some serious abandonment issues, and with just cause. Used to forging ahead on her own, it's difficult for her to accept the help that Clayton and his parents offer her on a daily basis. Ben and Justine East are the epitome of good old ranching couples, and still clearly in love with each other after all these years. Very quickly they became enamored with the Harper family.
The cattle rustling plot continues to play through out most of the book, with Clayton and Abby finding little clues to who and where the cattle are until they piece it all together, find the cattle, and work their way to a HEA on Christmas eve.

Clayton East is called by his mother to return home in Texas because his father has suffered an accident and their formerly prosperous ranch is on the verge of bankruptcy.
On his return, Clayton goes hunting for any of the men who took part in stealing the cattle, and he ends up finding a boy, Brice Harper.

Brice is one of Abby's brothers.
She works hard to keep her two younger brothers.
After their father's death, their mother simply decided that she would leave, and left Abby with the responsibility of keeping the family.
Unfortunately Brice has gotten himself into trouble and was now in jail.

She tries to negotiate with the owner of the stolen cattle, Clayton, the price to be able to pay it back, but it would be impossible because only the breeding bull cost $ 100,000.

Clayton sees the possibility of recovering his cattle and, at the same time, helping that boy who needed a male influence in his life.
Besides, he was impressed by Abby's inner strength and wanted to stay close to her.

In this coexistence, both sides end up helping each other.
But more than that, Abby finds in Clayton the support she needed to tackle her day-to-day problems.
Clayton also had his skeletons in the closet to sort out, since he avoided return to the ranch mainly since the death of his two years older brother, Landon.
And with Christmas approaching, the search for stolen cattle and the normal teenage problems, the Harper and East families would have many reasons to celebrate before the bright future that awaited them...

I liked the way the author brought problems up (not about stealing cattle, of course), and how they could help one another.
5 stars

The Christmas Cowboy Hero is a tale about two wounded people. Clayton is still suffering from the death of his brother & the years of death & destruction he encountered as a Navy Seal. His brother was supposed to take over the family ranch & Clayton can't face going back there without him. After he left the service, he took a job to prevent him from going home. It worked until his dad had a stroke & he found out the ranch was about bankrupt. He had to face his demons to help his parents.

Abby was devastated when her father passed away & the knife twisted a bit more when her mother stole away in the middle of the night abandoning her & her brothers. Abby became both sister & mother that night. Now Brice, her brother, is in trouble & has done something illegal. How can she fix this? They've lived paycheck to paycheck & she has no reserves. There is no room in her life for the chemistry she feels when she meets Clayton. She can't risk someone else leaving her.

This is a really good Christmas story full of love, hope, warmth & family. The characters are well developed. The interactions between Abby & her brothers show the love there & the way they can rely on each other. The interactions between Clayton & his parents show how much they all care for each other & need each other. They also show the hurt & pain they have to get through. The plot moves at a steady pace & the mystery of the missing money & stolen cattle add another dimension. I really enjoyed this story & would recommend it to anyone who likes cowboys, romance, steamy scenes & happily ever afters.

As the start of the new series, this is a pretty good one. We are given a typical family that needs help, and a man that will do everything that for the woman he feel in love with. This is actually pretty nice because of the plot and the timing of the story. It fits the holiday to a tee.

What i like about this, are the lines, and how each of the characters blossoms as yo read from start to finish.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

As the first book of a new series, The Christmas Cowboy Hero definitely delivers a fabulous story packed with angst, emotion and a healing love family can provide.

Family issues, theft and dishonour among those most trusted have forced Clayton home from the far reaches of Africa. Not wanting to be there and faced with the theft of a prized bull and 100 head of cattle on top of embezzlement and his father’s poor health, Clayton is not in the best frame of mind to meet a stunning woman and her way ward brother who is privy to who the cattle rustlers are and their whereabouts too.

But Clayton is unable to bring the full force of the law down on a young boys head when he sees genuine remorse and sorry for the pain he has caused his hard-working sister. Clayton is determined to find the good in this boy and hopefully along the way, get to know the woman behind this intriguing, self-sacrificing soul.

I loved the depth of family loyalty and devotion and the ebb and flow of the story, which kept me thoroughly engrossed from the outset. Full of great characters, wonderful world building and storyline that just kept giving; The Christmas Cowboy Hero was an amazing read and will definitely have me coming back for more.

Clayton East has been away from the Texas ranch he grew up on for a long time. As a young boy, he experienced a heartache that forever changed his feelings about home and family. Now as an ex-Navy Seal with more soul searing experiences, Clayton is called to come back and help when his father’s health falters after cattle are stolen from their ranch. Adding to that trauma, money has been embezzled by a trusted family CPA. Abby Harper has her own struggles to deal with while working hard, trying to go school, and raise her teenage brothers after losing one parent and then, at barely eighteen, being abandoned by the other. When one of the boys is caught up in the cattle rustling, she feels crushed. Clay decides to give Abby’s brother a second chance and by doing so, realizes that Abby may just be the woman who can help heal his tattered heart and assuage the haunting memories of his time as a SEAL.

CHRISTMAS COWBOY HERO is the first book in the new Heart of Texas series. It is a pleasant holiday read with a bit of mystery combined with the romance. I liked the characters for the most part although Abby’s teenaged brothers seemed much more mature than their ages suggest. I realize they had to grow up fast because of their circumstances, but they sounded more like men than teenagers. Clayton and Abby are likeable people who have been battered by life but never given up or felt too sorry for themselves. Their romance and this new setting will likely please Donna Grant’s faithful readers.

Light Read 3.5*
This was a good solid story with little angst and can be read in a couple of hours.
I enjoyed the mystery element of this book and the family interactions but I didn’t feel the emotion; not for the traumatic incidents the H and h had been through nor did I feel the passion between them, in fact I found the sex scenes rather mechanical. Having read other reviews I seem to be in the minority, so maybe I was just in the wrong frame of mind when I read this story. I would certainly be prepared to give this author another try.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.