Loved this story. Jace and Charlotte were so good together. They each had issues in their past that they needed to overcome and with the help of each other, they were able to and so much more. They were able to find love again. This story was so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I have read several of her books and she never fails to make me fall in love with her work more and more each time I read it. I can’t wait until the next book in this series.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed this 2nd book in the Dry Creek Ranch series. This series involves 3 cousins that inherit their late grandfather's ranch, The first book was Cash's story and this one is Jace's. He finds a stranded, pregnant motorist, who is running from something or someone. I've read several romances lately that have revolved around battered women, but I have to say this was one of the best and probably most realistic ones. Cowboy Tough will be coming out February 4th and I'm already looking forward to the next book, which will be coming out in July, I believe..

Every town needs sheriff like Sheriff Jace Dalton in Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz. I think it would be rather impossible to get to know him in this story without falling at least a little in love with him. Despite Charlotte Holcomb’s past, she wants to succumb to those feelings, believing that good men still exist.

Instead of cattle rustling, domestic abuse is taken on in this second story of the Dry Creek Ranch cousins’ series. Jace is honorable, hardworking, a stand up kind of guy wo also has a great sense of humor at times. Being the father of two boys, he needs it. Charlotte Holcomb is stronger than she thinks even with the heartbreaking beginning of this story. A clear reminder that domestic abuse crosses all economic and social backgrounds. The plight of the victims is real, needing real support to survive, recover and thrive.

Stacy Finz is a storyteller extraordinaire. I grieved, worried, hope and loved right along with Charlotte Holcomb from beginning to glorious end.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz
Dry Creek Ranch #2

Jace and Charlotte probably would never have met if her miscarriage had not sidelined her on the road in Jace’s territory. And even though he played good Samaritan they would not have had seen one another again if this that and the other thing had not serendipitously happened to keep them together longer than that ride to the hospital. The reasons he offered her shelter and she chose to accept the shelter make for a good story. Add in the backstory of both, the sons of Jace and both eventually falling for one another and you have a fairy tale HEA come true. Now...what will happen in book 3? Will Sawyer find his sister or will he find a woman of his own or will all of that happen and more?

What I liked:
* Charlotte/Charlie: beaten but not entirely broken, smart and courageous once she made her move, knows what she wants and reaches out for it, creativity aplenty, a good partner for Jace
* Jace: a good father, tied to the land, excellent sheriff, a bit clueless regarding his election campaign, looking toward the future and a good partner for Charlotte
* Cash & Sawyer: Great cousins and support characters in the story
* Aubrey: a good friend and assistant to Charlotte
* The way the story was told
* The relationship between Jace, Cash & Sawher
* The reality and grim reminder of farms going under and the cost to those who lose their livelihood
* The closeness between Jace & Charlotte and how it grew slowly
* Travis and Grady – Jace’s children
* The series

What I did not like:
* The abusive boyfriend – he, hopefully, will get what he deserves
* The Beals losing their ranch (maybe?)
* That politicians can win elections even though they don’t have a clue what to do if/when they win
* That I have to wait to read the next book in the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Do I want to read the next book in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. This one about Charlie and her struggles she goes through and how she handles them. Then how Jace and the Dalton family steps in to help being a family who has each others back. It is a standalone read and only the second in the series but it is a great series to get into.

Right away this book will break your heart for Charlie. What happens to hear is just so wrong. You really need to read the book to get the full picture of why. Something's is better to be read fro oneself.

Like with the prior book I totally loved this one. These three cousins are so much fun to read about. Up this time is Jace. If you've read the prior book than you already met Jace and his sons. Jace is fighting so hard for what is left of his grandfathers legacy. It might turn out to be a losing battle.

I really enjoyed him in the first book, Cowboy Up and was waiting for more. Cowboy Tough all made me want even more. I guess it's the mystery of what happened to Sawyer's sister. I wonder if we'll finally find out what happened to her in his book.

Okay, enough about that we haven't even gotten to that book yet. Back to Cowboy Tough. I think my favorite part of this book is the way Jace treated his boys. Even when they were a handful he showed them love to go along with their punishment.

He's a wonderful dad and sheriff and the two didn't need to treat him like they do. Or I should say some of the people. Not all. You'll have to read Cowboy Up to know what I'm talking about. This is why I love series. They are like a ball of yarn that's knotted.

Since you know kinda what's going on in Charlie's life you really feel for her. She's full of a ton of emotions and she really doesn't know who to trust. I don't blame her for not trust or want to bring trouble to Jace and his boys.

It's really sweet to see how Jace and the boys show her how it's to be with around good people again. It's been so long for her that she forgot. She learned a lot about Jace through his boys. You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats the weakest people around him.

I think the most heartbreaking part is around the last half of this book. Again, you'll need to read it to find out why, but I really liked how the author handled her becoming her own person again. As a whole, this is a wonderful story that I didn't want to end. I really enjoy these people even if they are only on paper. Do yourself a favor and read the series in order. There are only two books so far and you'll really get to know what's whats if you do.

Really good. This was a very emotional book to read, the storyline was one that should never happen but sadly does. Charlotte (Charlie) is on the run for her life from her abusive boyfriend & has just suffered a great loss. Jace is no stranger to loss & has picked himself up & started over more than once. Finding Charlie on the highway in need of medical attention is where they meet, letting Charlie stay at his ranch as his babysitter for his 2 boys is how they fall in love. Charlie & Jace are amazing together right from the start, you can feel the sexual tension between them on every page. The book is filled with angst & sadness but also has its comical aspects with the ever funny young Grady & the moody Travis. We also get to see Cash, Aubrey, Ellie & Sawyer again & watch their lives & futures unfold. My only wish was that we got just a little more of their future in the epilogue. Definitely recommend.

An exciting and engaging love story. A few tears may be shed. I would have preferred that the rough language be eliminated and I skipped over the intimate scenes, but I still had to keep reading. Nice family issues.

Jace and Charlie are two people who have been betrayed and hurt by their exes. Jace’s ex wife couldn’t wait to leave the ranch life behind even though it also meant leaving him and his boys behind too. Now she travels the world giving no thought or care toward the two sons who desperately miss her. Jace hasn’t forgotten the betrayal, but he isn’t holding on to the hurt as much any more. Charlie is on the run, trying to escape her abusive, rich lawyer boyfriend. He has taken control over life, isolating her from everyone else, including her family, and Charlie is now fleeing from him to protect the child she carries. Unfortunately, when she first meets Jace, the county Sheriff, she is having a miscarriage. Jace’s compassion for the beautiful and scared Charlie, leads him to giving her a place to stay at his family ranch. A series of events lengthen her stay, and she offers to help take care of his two boys, at least temporarily. Jace knows she is running from trouble, though she refuses to give him any information rather than a trumped up name, she owned a home decor store, and she is passing through. With his two cousins, the co-owners of the ranch, warning him not to get involved with Charlie, and even knowing she is only staying temporarily, Jace can’t stop his attraction to the resilient, compassionate and caring woman who has taken her sons under her wing. He helps her with legal matters in an effort to protect her from her ex, lets her use his barn for her design projects and generally falls in love with her. Charlie is not immune to Jace or his boys, and while their relationship soon includes passionate late night encounters, she is waiting for trouble to find her. She has grown to love the handsome rancher/Sheriff, and his two rambunctious boys, has started a growing business on the ranch, but she is still not the person she once was. When trouble does come to the ranch, will she stay and fight or go on the run again? Can she be the woman Jace and his boys need? Can Jace convince her to stay and accept his love and protection?

This story tugs at the heartstrings, evokes a variety of emotions and is riveting from the first to the last page. The characters have a vivid depth, a realism that snares the reader and fosters an investment in their well-being and happily ever after. I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

On the run and falling in love with the sheriff!

Jace Dalton just wants to be reelected as sheriff and take care of his sons when he finds Charlie Rodgers AKA Charlotte Holcomb on the side of the road having a miscarriage while she’s on the run from her abusive boyfriend. Jace offers Charlie a place to stay at his house with his boys while she recovers from the miscarriage but Charlie is hoping that staying in a small county will help protect her plus there is some attraction to Jace.

Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz has some really good romance where Jace and Charlie becoming friends and slowly falling in love which is the best kind of romance to read. I love romances set in the country that show small towns.

I read the book in one day because I couldn’t put it down and wanted to get to the end and see happened to Charlie and Jace which is the mark of a good book.
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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just finished it and all I can say is “Oh wow! What a great book!” The perfect sweet love story. And throwing in some hunky cowboys sure didnt hurt! Cant wait for the next one.

3.5☆
I enjoyed revisiting Dry Creek Ranch.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Dry Creek Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

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

This book had my attention from the second I started reading it. It brings you through a few emotions like feeling heartbroken, fearful, happy, romantic, trustworthy, and loved. The story of Jace and Charlie is unlike any other. Jace is a single father and Charlie is running from domestic violence. Both have been faced with challenges in life that have left them to rebuild what they have left and together create this captivating, romantic relationship that you will feel on every page of this book. You will not be disappointed!

Please seek help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse/violence

Cowboy Tough was a heartwarming story with great characters Jace and Charlie were endearing characters that pulled me in from the beginning and kept my attention until the end. There was some suspense in Cowboy Tough but, mainly it was about two people coming together and forming a lasting relationship and their family and friends being there for them during good times and bad.. Overall, it was an amazing story and I can't wait to read this talented author's next book.

When Sheriff Jace Dalton’s wife leaves him, he is left alone to raise his two sons at the family ranch. Returning home one night he finds a car on the side of the road with an injured woman in the car. Charlotte Holcomb is fleeing for her life from her abusive fiancé and is unable to drive further when Jace finds her. She can’t remain in one place for long as she fears her fiancé, a powerful attorney from an influential family, will find her. When Jace offers her a room for the night, and with no other options, she remains at his ranch and finds herself falling in love with Jace, his two sons and the beauty of the ranch. A delightful romance with a strong male lead and a woman who finds the strength to face her past and move on to her new future I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I love how Jace's kids warm up to Charlie from the beginning. They sure did help her heal from the circumstances that brought her to Dry Creek. Jace is so patient, way more then I would have been. He is hesitant, so at least he has good instincts. I can't wait to see what's next for the Dalron's.

Stacy Finz writes another great story that caught me from the first page and kept me up late reading to finish. You can't go wrong with any of her books.

Couldn't put it down! Started out strong and continued throughout with intrigue, drama and suspense. Charlotte or Charlie, was in trouble, and Jace brought her to his house. They fell for each other, so there's a bit of good heat here, along with two boisterous typical boys just being themselves. All goodness, but there's always the feeling that things can change in the blink of an eye, and boy did it!
I loved reading this, keeping me in the thick of things to the end.
A stand alone with it's own romance, tho it is part of a series.
I received an advanced reader's copy thru Netgalley and am giving my honest opinion voluntarily.

Cowboy Tough opens with Jace finding Charlie having a miscarriage in her car. She agrees to go to the hospital but his suspicions are aroused because she uses cash and wants to leave ASAP. But there's a storm and a teddy bear convention using up all the hotel rooms, so he winds up taking her home to stay in his spare bedroom.

Cowboy Tough worked in a found family kind of story but when it was over I kept thinking about the problems I had with it instead of the good parts. It's not bad, it just doesn't always make sense.

I struggled when it came to Jace's naivete in this book. He's a sheriff, and he's pretty sure she's on the run with the help of a victim service, but he searches all over the internet and makes calls about her. Like that couldn't potentially set off a bunch of notifications to anyone looking for her? It's not safety savvy. The other thing is that he's up for election and everyone keeps telling him his opponent is winning and he is in total denial about it "because he's doing a good job". He doubts Charlie's feelings and their relationship. The financial problems from the first book are continuing and he seems to be in denial about that, too. In contrast, Charlie, who's trying to escape her abusive boyfriend, recovers from her miscarriage and works to rebuild her life. Jace seems stuck in so many ways.

I guess this would be 2.5/3 stars? It's not a reread, though I really liked Charlie's journey and her found family with Jace, his sons, and his cousins, on the ranch.

Complementary copy given for honest review
What a raw and honest look at the damage an abusive relationship can do to you. Charlotte and Jace are a perfect ending to Charlotte’s disastrous previous relationships. I love this book!