This was an okay read. I felt like I missed something when the book started. It seemed almost like there should have been another chapter or something before this one IMO. Cole and Audrey never did really seem to click for me as a couple. They never really trust each other, and there are secrets kept from each other. I don't know about others, but that's just not a foundation for a relationship for me. The story really focuses more on the mystery side, but even then there were some things in it that left me scratching my head. Even though this one wasn't for me, I would be willing to read this author again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

I thought that this was an enjoyable read

The storyline was good and it was a slow burn romance with an all-round happy ending and I did like the characters and getting to know them as the book progressed.

I did think that it was a little long winded in places where it could have been a much more punchy and enjoyable read if the pace was a little quicker to keep you in your toes and it could easily have been a 5 stars read and I am sure it will be for others that like a little more sedate pace.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

I really, truly wanted to love this story. The blurb made it sound really good and the cover drew me in. Honestly, these two didn't seem like love interests-or even friends of any kind. I didn't feel like there was a connection between them or any kind of chemistry. The plot could have been great but there was almost an information vomit going on about every single person in the town and surroundings and it detracted from the story for me. And really I think I would have preferred a full story about her great grandmother vs a story about them. That story is the only reason why I gave this book the 3 stars that I did. This is the first book by this author that I have read, and unfortunately, I think it will be the last. I was very hopeful but it fell short for me.

We are back in Wildcat Bluff County and another cowboy finds his love. Audry is in search of gold but what she finds is more than she was counting on. Cole is after the wranglers that are stealing his horses and one night she finds Audry lurking around. So this is not the first book for me in the series but I just couldn't relate with those two. The story is not interesting enough for me everything is just perfectly put in place.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley

Cowboy Heat Wave by Kim Redford is the ninth story in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series. This is Cole and Audrey’s story. They both share major trust issues, but time allows them to be friends. Through friendship they learn where their attraction will lead them. There was a lot of drama going on that out shined the romance which was a disappointment. The pace of the story was slow, but it also contained some suspense and mystery to keep the story moving. The story ending was done well. I enjoy reading this author but did not feel that this was her best work.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC story in exchange for my honest review.

Cowboy Heat Wave is the ninth title in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series. I’ve read most of this series, and for the most part, have enjoyed these sexy firefighter cowboys. Yet, I simply could not enjoy or get lost in Cole and Audrey’s story for there was little believable about their romance as I felt no emotions, no depth to their relationships aside from a sexy attraction and mistrust that never seemed to be overcome.

I believe there is an audience who will enjoy Cowboy Heat Wave for there were parts that caught my attention. Neither could or would even consider trusting the other with the absolute truth, and that mistrust that never was far from view was more obvious to me than deep, lifelong love growing between this couple. Without the backbone of a believable romance between the main characters, this turned out to be a story that simply wasn’t a favorite of mine… and I’m going to leave it at that. Any review is simply one reader’s opinion, so I’m calling this one a good book and will let you make up your own mind about Audrey and Cole.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I'm glad I read this story instead of believing other reviews. Both Audrey and Cole have trouble trusting each other's story. But over time , as they get to know each other, their friendship grows to something mire. It was refreshing to read a story where, although the attraction was immediate, the main characters took the time to get to know each other before jumping in to a physical relationship.

There was also a bit of mystery and suspense to keep the story interesting. As in most small towns, the neighbors rallied together to save a ranch and reunite a family. A fun story to start the New Year!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Cowboy Heat Wave by Kim Redford is the next installment of the Smokin' Hot Cowboy series and takes place in Wildcat Bluff County, Texas. Audrey's great-grandmother had lived there during Prohibition and then up and life, for no apparent reason. She had been well-liked and well-respected and did, indeed, buy the liquor for her speakeasy from bootleggers. Audrey had her diary, which described where bootlegger gold might be buried. Audrey needed than money for medical treatment for her precious grandmother who was sinking fast. The afternoon she got there she went to one of the possible locations where she found . . . a dump. As if that wasn't bad enough, she saw, what she thought to be, thieves, loading horses into a huge truck. She didn't really want to get involved with this so she took off. After locating a likely turnoff, she turned off her lights: less likely to be seen. Sadly that ended with her in a ditch. And a few minutes later, a hot cowboy to the rescue.

This story of bootleggers and gold is an enticing one. Luckily there are a few "characters" around who are still alive who can tell her stories. Cole had access to these people. She told him she was writing a book, and maybe she would. After she found the gold. Rustlers are complicated as are most criminals. She didn't know whom to trust, so she took the advice she had found in the diary: trust no one. Cole kept helping her despite the fact he didn't trust her, either. It was a fun story with just enough history in it to keep it interesting. In a town like this there are always plenty of characters and Wild Bluff was no exception. It was a fun read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Cowboy Heat Wave by Sourcebooks, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #sourcebooks #cowboyheatwave #kimredford

2/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I'm sad to say this just wasn't the book for me. While the general story was alright and the writing was okay, I didn't feel connected to the characters in any way. Everything felt very surface level, I didn't feel like I got any depth in the romance. I wasn't the biggest fan of the romance and wanted more chemistry. This was totally a me thing, I just felt like I was missing something. I could see someone really enjoying this book, as I said unfortunatly it just wasnt the book for me.

This is a Cowboy Romance, and this book is the 9th book in the Smokin' Hot Cowboys series. There was a lot going on in this book. Both of the main characters had their own drama going on through out this book. The romance in this book was not good. I felt the romance in this book to be rushed and put in to weird places through out the book. I wish this book was more focus on the suspense/mystery that was going on because that is the only parts I really enjoyed. I found the characters to come off fake because they did not feel real to me. The characters where keeping things from the other person, but I found even the parts you where getting the story from their point of view it felt they where not being real. There was a lot of parts in this book that just felt focus. I did love how the ending was done. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Sourcebooks Casablanca) or author (Kim Redford) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Cowboy Heat Wave is the ninth book in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series by Kim Redford. A steamy cowboy romance that is sure to heat up these cold winter nights. The characters are well-written with intriguing backstories that provide lots of drama. From the very beginning, the undeniable chemistry pulls the readers in and is sure to leave them wanting more.

This s a great book. I love how Kim Redford brings us new updates about previous characters in previous books. The two main characters are Audrey and Cole. Audrey has come to the country to find out about some gold that her great grand mother had hid. Cole is a rancher. While looking for the gold one night she came across some wild mustangs thieves, she tried to get away. She landed up hiding on Cole’s ranch, where he found her. They both have some mysteries to solve, but with them both helping each other. They figure the mystery out, and fall in love.

Cowboy Heat Wave is the ninth novel in Kim Redford's, Smokin' Hot Cowboys series, and while I loved the first book in the series, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas, I wasn't thrilled with books #2 and #4, but I thought I'd give the author one more try, and had it not been an advance reader copy, which I was obligated to review, I'd not have finished reading it. It gets 2 stars from this reader.

The blurb sounded good--a woman (Audrey) who finds her great-grandmother's journal and goes in search of her great-grandmother's stash of gold (she was a bootlegger and ran a speakeasy during prohibition), in order to help pay for her grandmother's experimental medical treatments. Instead of gold, she stumbles upon wild mustang rustlers who give chase, and she ends up on a ranch belonging to a hot and handsome cowboy (Cole), and those rustled mustangs were in his keeping. Sounds good, right? Not.

There are a number of subplots as well, and we get introduced to what seems like every resident of Wild Bluff County, Texas, and several other nearby towns, all of which were mildly interesting, but what bothered me most about this novel was that at no time did I sense any real depth, warmth or deep feeling from any of the main characters. Audrey didn't trust Cole enough to tell him the truth about why she was there, Cole thought that Audrey might be behind the mustang rustling, and although neither character trusted the other, they seemed to have no trouble with their sexual attraction, but even the rather mundane sex scenes didn't have much in the way of heat or emotional depth.

This novel was a lot like a chess game--the characters were the chess pieces which got moved around and through the plot, and there was eventually an HEA ending, but at no time did I ever feel connected enough to these chess pieces to really care how the game turned out. Had the author really developed these characters and given us a reason to care about them and what happened to them, this might have been a much better read. I cannot recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

Good plot but lacks emotion.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say I did have mixed feelings about this story. I was really looking forward to it as the plot includes multiple strands of interest but I had a difficult time connecting everything together.

One of my issues was the female character. She has a lot of trust issues and yet requires others to trust her. She was mainly focused on a treasure but not how it impacts others. The plot was interesting but yet had a lot of holes that really left the reader hanging in terms of completion.

I also had a difficult time with the connection between the two main characters. They lacked emotion and depth. I felt no passion or energy between them at all and yet they moved quickly into a romantic situation that could have been impressive and hot. That was disappointing as I did enjoy the story otherwise.

Cowboy Heat Wave had a lot of points of interest and history to be discovered. Many additional characters added flavor and flair to the story that made it interesting and an enjoyable read overall. It offered a bit of mystery, a taste of suspense, with the romance angle attached for a well rounded storyline. I just needed more depth and intensity for it to grab me completely.

Cowboy Heat Wave by Kim Redford is the ninth book in her Smokin' Hot Cowboys series. I have really enjoyed this series but I can't say this book is one of my favorites in the series. The storyline is interesting but I just couldn't get into the two main characters. Their relationship just didn't seem realistic. I did really enjoy the antics of Cole's two border collies, Folgie and Max. I also enjoyed the ending of this book. A Happily Ever After in Wildcat Bluff County!

I love a good car chase.

That's hot.

Aw, Hedy is so nice.

I would live in this cafe.

Ha, neither of them trusts the other.

Down girl, Ernie.

Why wouldn't she want more family?

Marvin, you're a twat. She's a little girl.

I'm not sure, but this could have been the last book in the series. If so it was a fantastic ending and tied up all the loose ends of questions that I've had throughout the series. Cole and Audrey are such a great match. In the beginning neither trust each other and it's almost at the same time they decide that they just have to take the leap and trust. I will be telling all of my friends they have to read, Cowboy Heat Wave.

There are two things you should know about this book right off the bat - (1) there is no heat wave - it is actually cold through most of the book and (2) the hero and heroine spend time together - but the book really focuses more on the drama going on around them.

I was very much invested in the story of Audrey's great-grandmother, the infamous Lady Mauve. In a lot of ways - I wish the book had shared more details about Lady Mauve - rather than just telling us that Audrey collected information. I would have almost preferred a book where we saw parallel stories going on - about Lady Mauve and her mysterious love. As a result - the other drama involving Cole's mustangs just wasn't something I cared about - and I think a lot of plot points were unresolved for me (why did they set fire to Cole's property? what were they trying to achieve? If Cole had video cameras - why didn't they have the video of the people coming on to his property? why did the sheriff not investigate the sudden changes at the Zane ranch more closely - like all of a sudden they are packing heat and making trouble - doesn't this seem like a sign? etc...).

Because of all of this - we don't get a lot of time between Audrey and Cole. They are sweet together - but literally weeks went by without giving us any feedback about their relationship - just the two mysteries. Ultimately, I was much more invested in mystery angle of the book that the relationship between Audrey and Cole - and that just doesn't make a satisfying romance for me.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.