After leaving the Navy Seals Clayton East was not ready to return home to the East Ranch owned by his family so he'd taken a job elsewhere and tried to avoid heading home. The ranch had been hard for Clayton to visit since the death of his brother but when he gets a call that his father is ill and the ranch is in trouble he packs up to head home just in time for the Christmas holiday. When Clayton arrives he finds that there have been a lot of the cattle stolen and the family is in trouble financially and that may have led to his father being hospitalized.

While working to get the ranch back on track Clayton finds out that a teenager has been arrested for stealing some of the East Ranch cattle but he is unwilling to talk and tell who he is working for. Abby Harper gets the call about the arrest because the young boy in question is her little brother who she has been raising since their mother left. When Clayton sees how Abby has been struggling and doing the best she can to raise her two younger brothers Clayton gets the idea to offer the boy a chance to work off his debt at the ranch and hopefully get him to admit who was really behind the theft but also giving him more time to see Abby.

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant is the first book in the contemporary romance Heart of Texas series. While this one is considered romance it really was right at the edge of being romantic suspense with a nice little addition of the missing cattle being involved in the story. There's some action and adventure added to the book that gave it more depth than just a story of two people meeting and falling in love.

The book also has the nice added element of focusing on family with Abby raising her two brothers and Clayton reconnecting with his own family. I"m often a fan when a single parent finds someone to fit into their life with their children and this one fit that mold as the boys became involved on the ranch. My only real complaint at the end would be it could have used a touch more Christmassy magic but overall I enjoyed this one especially since there wasn't the added over the top angst included in a lot of romance and would rate it at 4.5 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I wasn't sure how a Navy Seal & romance would go together, but the author did a great job with this Christmas romance. I really enjoyed reading this book & had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the two main characters as their relationship progressed. This is a great book to read over the holidays!

The Christmas Cowboy Hero
by Donna Grant

A story that fits the season. One that will keep you reading and warm your heart. I must say this book and its characters were totally a surprise in the uplifting feeling it gave me while reading it. Even though some of the life experiences were so sad, overall it just lifted my heart. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

This book was fantastic, I have read many of her books and every time it gets better. The cowboy charm and honesty with abby has for sure made both abby and Clayton better people.

Donna Grant is known for her Scottish Warriors, Dragon Kings, Fae Assassins, and Druids. Now she is tackling hot cowboys with military backgrounds. In the first book of her new series Heart of Texas, we meet the East family and more importantly we meet Clayton East, an ex-Navy SEAL who has been hiding from his past and his family. He is called home when his father has a stroke due to their CPA embezzling all of their money and someone stealing a lot of their cattle. He comes home to solve the mystery and then leave again. What he doesn’t expect to find is the sister of a teen who was part of the cattle rustlers. She is a mix of strength and vulnerability, loyalty and loneliness, and has the bluest eyes he has ever seen. He strikes a bargain with her teen brother; come work for him to pay off the debt for the lost cattle and he won't file charges against him. Abby has been raising her two younger brothers ever since their mother walked out. She is exhausted and stressed and at a loss as to how to fix her brother’s latest mistake. What she sees in Clayton is a wounded man who carries around a lot of guilt. He is also very easy on the eyes and she is definitely attracted to him. With her brother working at the ranch she finds herself spending more time there and with Clayton. Sparks fly, passions flair, and walls are let down to reveal the scars beneath. Along the way, they work together to find out who stole the cattle and how the money was embezzled. It was a really great story. Loved it from beginning to end and really didn’t want it to end. I wanted more but I wasn’t left needing more. It was perfect. Their story was a great blend of passion and a story of getting to know each other and letting the other in. Great. Can’t wait till there is more.

Three and a half stars.

Clayton East is a former Navy SEAL. He's returned to his parents' cattle farm in Clearview, Texas after his father had a stroke only to discover that their accountant has robbed them blind and absconded with the money. Added to which rustlers have stolen 100 head of cattle and a prize bull. After being involved in an ambush in which the rest of his SEAL team died Clayton has suffered PTSD, he also still feels guilt at the death of his twin brother Landon when they were children. If his father hadn't had the stroke he would never have come home.

Abby Harper is struggling to make ends meet bringing up her two teenage brothers after their father died and their mother walked out on them as soon as Abby graduated from school. The last thing she needs three weeks before Christmas is to have her brother Brice arrested for cattle rustling. Clayton was ready to throw the book at Brice, especially when he refuses to implicate the people he was working for, but after Abby offers to pay him back every red cent he is impressed despite himself and decides to let Brice work off the debt after school and at weekends. It wouldn't hurt that he would get to see the beautiful Abby at the same time.

Phew, this is a cowboy story that just happens to take place at the run up to Christmas rather than a full-on Christmas story. I liked the plot although I feel there were some massive clues to the identity of the cattle rustlers that Abby should have picked up on before and one of those involved appears to have got off scot-free (although maybe that will come out in the next book in the series?).

This was enjoyable, Clayton and Abby were a good couple with plenty of passion between them. I do have a slightly bad taste in my mouth that the only women portrayed in this book are either absolute saints (Abby and Clayton's mother), selfish (Abby's mother) or nasty employers (Gloria), why do so many romances have to categorise women as either good or bad? Why can't they be a bit more nuanced? Anyway, maybe I'm being a bit grumpy. Otherwise this had a bit of everything: kids, Christmas, horses, drama, cowboys, a Navy SEAL, a mystery you name it, it was there.

Sensual, Emotional, Awesome read.

I was tearing up a few chapters into this book. You will put aside all you need to do to just sit and read this incredible story of love.

I wont go into the story line you can read that on the book flap or in other reviews. I will simply tell you that this is really worth breaking into your wine money to purchase. You will not be disappointed.
The worst part of a Donna Grant book is a toss up between the last page and waiting for another book to be released.

Thank you Ms. Grant for allowing us into your imagination. Thank you to your family for the time they give you while you are battling deadlines.

Responsibility comes naturally to Abby Harper and Clayton East. She's devoted her life to look after her brothers by example and with love. He's a man used to sacrifice but not big on family. When devoted sister Abby crosses paths with infuriating Clayton, their lives are transformed and their emotions quickly become intertwined. Between a hell raising brother, a failing ranch and a barn full of family drama, can this rule making cowboy convince the woman of his dreams to break a few rules with him? Donna Grant is a new and welcome edition to my bookshelf. The Christmas Cowboy Hero is full of all of the frustration of family and the butterflies of falling in love.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
An easy to read romance with a fairly good storyline including some mystery. I quite liked the characters and the family dynamics. Just wanted more!

Everything you’d expect from Donna Grant!

An ex SEAL and a cowboy, you can’t go wrong with this character. Clayton is called home to help out with the family ranch after his father has a health scare. Things were worse than he thought, not only has their cattle been stolen, it seems their accountant and money that didn’t belong to him have disappeared. It’s in his nature to seek out and fix the problem, but it’s not as cut and dry as he had assumed. In walks Abby and all bets are off.

It’s a sweet story filled with romance. The connection between the characters the perfect fit for the light romance reader. The story moves smoothly, keeping you turning the pages easily. I really enjoyed the family feel to this book. It makes you want to jump right in. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and entirely mine review***

Wow just wow. I loved this book it was addicting to read from beginning to end. Donna can do no wrong when it comes to cowboy books (or any of her books)

Clayton East is a former Navy Seal who refused to go home due to a family loss that still haunted him. But when his mother calls him because his family ranch was in trouble and his father illed. Clayton had no choice but to go back home.

Abby Harper raised her brothers on her own since their mother abandoned them. So when one of her brothers end up in trouble with the law Abby is beside herself. 

Clayton: I'm not gonna lie this man made me thrill to read about him lol. Despite his demons and inner torment I found Clayton pleasing to read about. He took responsibility and cared deeply for his family. I especially loved the way he loved the Harpers. 

Abby: I love that she stuck around and took damn good care of her brothers. That she did everything in her power to make sure they had something for bills, food and clothes. I admired her determination to be the person her brothers needed in their lives. I even got to see her insecurities and the way she came to accept all that was being offered to her. I loved Abby and all she was in this book. 

This book was great to read, not my usual thing, cowboys I mean, but this book had the right dose of everything.

I can't wait for Christmas to come.But for now I can have this cowboy thinking how fast can Christmas come!I loved it, it was sweet and steamy.I loved the suspense and drama surrounding the thievery at the East Ranch as well the danger and destruction to the Harper family.Such a great set up!!

I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed this book tremendously and couldn’t put it down. Abby and Clays story was beautiful and a tender love story. Clay and Abby overcoming their past and not letting that define them and finding true happiness made this book excellent. Throw in a little suspense and it was a perfect combination of romance and suspense.

I really enjoyed this one!
Granted Donna is one of my all time favorite authors, but that is neither here nor there.

Abby Harper is in charge of caring for her underage brothers. After their mother left them high and dry, Abby has tried her hardest to do right by the boys and make sure they have what they need. The older of the boys ends up getting in trouble with the law and in turn with the East Ranch owners.

Clayton East was serving time in the military when he decided that he didn't want to go home. So he was in a different continent hiding out. Until he gets a call from his mother about his father and the ranch. He comes back home to help and instead of pressing charges on Abby's brother he makes him work off his debt. It also doesn't hurt that he likes Abby. Abby also ends up helping in more ways than one that the Easts' "owe" her for.

What I really enjoyed was the building of the relationship between the two and how it didn't fell fake or forced. The way that the situations were handled were realistic to the characteristics of these characters. The story flowed and who doesn't love Christmas!? or cowboys!?

This is another great story from Donna Grant. A Texas cowboy and an ex SEAL all rolled up into one tidy handsome package? Yes please!
Clayton East served his country with the Navy and never came back to his home after getting out. He took a job with a contractor in South Africa protecting native animals. Growing up on a large ranch he's still got that affinity for animals. He didn't want to go home, felt like he wasn't the same person after his one too many tours, until he's forced to go home when his father falls ill.
Arriving home he sees what dire straits the ranch is really is, someone has been stealing cattle, the ranch is bordering on bankruptcy and Clayton has his hands full. When he gets a call from the Sheriff
that they caught one of the cattle rustlers, he heads to town.
Abby Harper gets a phone call at work that her younger brother has been arrested. Rushing to the office and having no idea what's happened, Abby has been raising Caleb and Brice since she turned 18 and her mother walked out on them, leaving her to raise the boys on her own. No money, no anything she busts her can to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. When she finds out what he's done and meets Clayton, who's got his own form of punishment, Brice is more than willing to work off his time at the ranch and hopefully he'll tell Clayton who else is involved in this. When Caleb is invited to the ranch, both boys jump in head first into the life and love it. Abby does too. The Easts, Clayton's parents treat her and the boys like the mother she never had and little by little she relaxes. She's also helping Clayton with the books for the ranch. It's an endless paper trail trying to find out where the embezzled money went.
Christmas is approaching and Clayton and Abby are growing even closer and their chemistry is off the charts. I loved it. Clayton is one hot cowboy! What a great story with the twists and turns and who stole their cattle. Finding the money. Clayton's plan to never let Abby go, the boys loving the ranch life.
The book has it all. I loved it. It's a smooth read and that's how Donna writes. Steamy but not overdone. Then there's the cowboy ex SEAL with covers both bases for me. I'd say it's a winner.


**arc from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for a fair review**

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I was just in the mood for a something light and thought a Christmas cowboy story was fit the bill. This ended up being read in one sitting book for me. I loved the characters and their relationships with their families. I thought the mystery element was well done and interesting. I loved Clayton and want to be adopted by his parents. I will be looking for book two of this series.

A veces deberían haber estado enfocados en cosas importantes y no dejaban de pensar en el otro. Esos momentos cortaban el ritmo de la historia para mí. Afortunadamente después si se dan tiempo de conocerse y vemos menos de esas situaciones de distracción.

Al final disfruté de la historia que aunque fue un tanto cliché fue tierna y hubo momentos en que el sentimiento me ganó y me hizo derramar un par de lágrimas. Los padres de Clayton y los hermanos de Abby fueron personajes secundarios que dieron profundidad a la historia y la convirtieron en una de esas películas familiares que te dejan sintiendo bien terminarla.

Sweet romance. Decent story and very likeable characters. Definitely a light romantic read. Wholesome comes to mind when thinking about this book. Nothing to heavy, no angst moments just a good solid romantic story.
Gifted read by netgalley.

Donna Grant has done it again. Another well-rounded solid romance.

Clayton East has been a Navy Seal, but now he is protecting African wildlife from poachers. He has not been home to his parents' Texas ranch for years. But, when he gets the call that his Mom and Dad need him, he goes home immediately.
Things have become a nightmare on the ranch. His dad has had a stroke. Their accountant embezzled all available money and someone has rustled one of their prize bulls and 60 cows about to calve. Things are looking bad.
Abby Martin has been raising her two younger brothers for eight years since their mother left in the middle of the night. Now, Brice the oldest of the boys has been arrested for rustling cattle from the East Ranch.
Clayton is basically a good man who was raised by good parents and he does not want to see Brice fall through the cracks. He promises that Brice can work at the ranch to help pay off the debt. Underneath it all, Clayton believes that he can convince Brice to tell who else was involved with the cattle theft. He knows that a teen-aged boy was not the brains behind the rustling.
This is a book about family histories and family love.
Abby loves her brothers and they both love her. Because the three of them have been dependent upon one another for all those years, their love holds them close. The boys realize that they owe their lives and the future to Abby. Abby has given up any kind of personal life to care for Brice and Caleb and give them a sense of family. She never wants them to return to the sense of fear and loss they once had.
Clayton watched his older brother, Landon, die in a terrible accident when he was a young boy. That colored his life and he has never forgiven himself for not being able to save Landon. Those feelings of guilt have kept him away from home and his parents for years.
When Clayton becomes involved with the Martin boys and in lust for Abby, he returns to being the person he once was.
Clayton's parents are kind and giving people who want to share their love with their son and he has been shutting them out for quite sometime. They welcome Abby and her brothers into their home because they are caring and generous people. And because they see Clayton lifting himself from the darkness he has had in his heart.
I liked the story, but at times if felt as though it were a formula. It was not difficult to see the connections from one villain to another. Some of the people responsible were not brought to justice before the end of the book. That was unsettling.
The character development was terrific. We get to know Abby, Clayton and their families quite well. Each person's motivation is explained so that actions are understandable. The relationships in both families are warm and caring and that warmth is able to draw others into their family circles.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.