Cowboy proud by Stacy Finz.
Dry Creek Ranch Book 4
On an inherited ranch in Northern California, one family is discovering all the possibilities life can offer—and the kind of love that will outlast even the land. This is the first book in this series I've read. I will be looking at the others after this as I really enjoyed this book. Great story and characters. 4*.

The missing cousin returns!

Angela Dalton’s family thought she wanted to save the world, but everything went wrong when she started The Farm with several friends that she had met overseas. Angela was finally home after getting out of witness protection program after helping the government arrest most of the members of the militia.

Tuff Garrison was happy selling his custom leather in his shop and staying to himself, but things changed when Angela moved into the cabin across the tiny creek, and she gets a feeling that she is being watched.

You will love Cowboy Proud because the missing Dalton cousin has finally returned but there is still a lot of baggage between Angela and Tuff but like all romances it is a bumpy road that ends well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tuff Garrison was a nomad cowboy riding the rodeo circuit before he came to Dry Creek Ranch. The Dalton’s, Sawyer, Jace and Cash, gave Tuff a job, then a place to belong and accepted him as part of the family. When Sawyer asks Tuff to keep an eye on his sister, Tuff is glad to help out.
Angie Dalton left home hoping to change the world. Instead, she found herself under the protection of the US Marhalls service, providing information on the men who threatened to kill her. Now , after six long, lonely years, the Marshalls have told her the threat is gone. Angie returns home to the Dry Creek Ranch and the comfort and safety of her family. There she sets to work finding her place among her brothers and cousins. While Angie is happy to be home, she can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.
Tuff doesn’t know everything about Angie’s past, but he knows she’s afraid. And he knows that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Stacy Finz is a new to me author and she had me hooked from the start. I liked the care she took in explaining some of the history of the characters which gave the reader a better insight into why those characters might be feeling what they were feeling or their reactions to the events in the story. And I especially liked the flow of those events and the way the tension built throughout the story. I look forward to reading more stories by Stacy Finz.

I have really enjoyed Stacy Finz's writing in the past, so I was excited to read Cowboy Proud when I saw it on NetGalley. I hadn't read the first three books in the Dry Creek series, but it was easy to pick up without any prior knowledge, and there was the odd wink to Nugget, which I very much enjoyed. I really liked all of the supporting characters, so I will definitely be going back to read books 1-3.

I LOVED the premise. Angie has just returned to her family's ranch after being isolated in Witness Protection for several years. There, she meets the mysterious loner, Tuff. It really did have all the makings of another great story. And for the first third, it mostly did, even though it kept niggling at me that the whole scenario of her being allowed home BEFORE a trial had taken place just seemed implausible. If anything, that's the MOST dangerous time to be away from your handler, right? That's the way every film I've seen has played it.

Anyway, I let it slide at first. But once things started escalating, I just got annoyed with how much Angie downplayed and delayed telling her relatives about the suspicious things happening. She was petrified enough to confide in Tuff, but did not think it was important enough to speak to her handler, who had explicitly told her to be super careful and note ANYTHING suspicious. I'm sorry, but for someone who seemed otherwise overly cautious, I just wasn't buying it and found myself rolling my eyes at a lot of the events.

Ultimately, I just felt a bit frustrated for the middle part of the story. I felt like the entire scenario could have been completely avoided, but then, I guess, we wouldn't have had much of a story to tell?

As such, I couldn't really connect with Angie. However, I very much enjoyed Tuff's character and his back-story, even though I'd guessed his 'terrible' secret almost immediately. While Angie made me roll my eyes on too many occasions, Tuff at least felt authentic and moved me on occasion. There was ultimately a satisfying conclusion to the story but I never really got past the implausability.

Overall Rating: ❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
Emotional Rating: 😢💓🤔

*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review

Angela Dalton is back on the ranch after six years in Witness Protection. She is staying in a cabin across the creek from sexy cowboy Tuff. They are attracted to one another but both of them have emotional baggage and secrets. The is another wonderful addition to the Dry Creek Ranch Series.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was hooked from the first page! This is the first Stacy Finz book I’ve read and I’ll certainly be reading more. The story follows Angela, who has just come out of witness protection, and Tuff who has a dark secret. The story built up at a steady pace and didn’t feel rushed. I really liked the way that I was able to get to know all the characters and back stories were covered without unnecessary details. All in all I would highly recommend this book.

This was my first book in the series but not the first book I've read by this author. I really liked this one. It was well written and gave me all the great feels!! I had a few issues with how th e whole witness protection program would actually work in real life but the is fiction and it didn't take away from the story in any way. I loved the journey to love that these characters went through. This book held my attention from start to finish. I can't wait to go back and read the rest of the books in this series. Huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book features two, strong, resilient and determined main characters whom Fate has finally brought together. Angie is a good woman whose idealistic views led her into trouble, the kind that necessitated entering WITSEC. Years later, with the bad guys in custody, Angie finally returns to the ranch and family she adores. She needs a new direction in her life and to reconnect with the family who once feared she was lost to them for forever. Tuff, a former ranch and rodeo cowboy, now a talented leather artisan, is living and working on the ranch along side Angie’s brother, cousins and their wives. A tragic childhood has left him with no desire for commitments and high walls around his heart. Having Angie as his new neighbour is unexpected and he feels drawn to her after glimpsing both the uncertainty and vulnerability in her eyes. Angie feels a pull towards Tuff as well. His quiet, stoic and forthright demeanour somehow make her feel safe and secure. When strange incidents begin occurring around the ranch, and it becomes obvious that there may be a target on Angie’s back, Tuff steps up to help keep her safe. The unexpected connection between them concerns him, but her safety has become his number one priority. As the incidents rise to a new level, so does the relationship between Angie and Tuff, though both are still denying their feelings, especially to themselves. Will they have a future together or will their pasts make that impossible?

The fascinating characters and intriguing storyline made this book very entertaining and engaging. I was immersed in Tuff and Angie’s story from the first page to the last. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Cowboy Proud is another wonderful story in the Dry Creek Ranch Series by Stacy Finz. It begins with a brief chance meeting of Angie and Tuff. Angie past is a scary one having just been released from the Witness Protection Program. Now she has arrived at her brother’s, Sawyer, home. It is a slow burn romance that has characters with substance and worth.

The story moves at a smooth pace with normal everyday living at a ranch and small town taking place. The characters are delightful having different experiences and personalities that fit what they do and have become. The plot is realistic but I do wish that the trial Angie needs to have give testimony would have happened before she left Witness Protection. That of course would change the story a little but make it more believable. She could have come to Dry Creek as her alias. Her family and community would have kept her secret I am thinking. Otherwise I enjoyed this romance, filled with suspense during the holiday season.

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

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, all thoughts are my own. This is the fourth book in the Dry Creek Series. This book starts off with Angela returning home to Dry Creek after being in the witness protection program. Tuff is a neighboring cowboy who has finally found a place to lay his head. This book is a great story about family and forgiveness - I need to read more from this author!

Another exciting visit to Dry Creek Ranch. After six years, Angela Dalton is returning to her family’s ranch. The men who wanted to kill her are in prison and she hopes to resume her life. She wants to be an asset to her family as she takes over management of the family general store. Living across from her cabin is Theodore “Tuff” Garrison, former cowboy and owner of his own leather goods business. He is an older man, nearing forty and making quite a name for himself. He senses that Angie is dealing with some trauma, but will she confide in him? When there are minor threats to her and her home, she worries that she may have brought danger to her family’s ranch. Will she have to return to WITSEC or can Tuff keep her safe? I really enjoyed the main characters, a strong somewhat older man who had suffered abuse and felt he could not love anyone and a woman who wanted to save the world, one small community at time, but had been exploited by those she trusted. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

When I think of romance, think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day. This one took by surprise!

Thank you NetGalley, Stacy Finz and Kensington Books for the ARC of Cowboy Proud. This is my personal review.
Cowboy Proud is 4ht book in the Dry Creek Ranch series.
I have not read the first book in this series yet but after reading this one I will definitely go back and read them. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the story.
This one is centered on Angela and Tuff. The interaction and combination of people is so full of what a good series is all about. The suspense and action of what is going to happen is great. I also enjoyed the romance in the book.
A story based on family makes for a series that will hold my attention and make me look forward to reading the entire series.

A really good read. Tuff is a Cowboy that finally settled down. He started his own leather craft shop, turning his hobby of making wallets, belts, gloves, saddles, etc. into a profitable business. Loving the Dry Creek Ranch way of trying to keep the ranch a float by creating a small shopping center on the ranch. The Dalton’s owners of the ranch have treated him well. Being a drifter as a wrangler and following the rodeo circuit it felt good to put down roots. Given a small cabin and a place for his horse was also a bonus.
Angie had been in hiding for six years, and finally was going home to Dry Creek Ranch to see her brother and cousins. The Dalton’s are over joyed to welcome her back, but Angie wanted some space and was given the cabin across the creek from Tuff. Tuff was asked to keep a eye out for Angie, but not given any details. So what is her secrets? What are his?
The story has a little of everything to keep you turning the page. Glad I found a new author, will be definitely reading more of her books.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #CowboyProud

Cowboy Proud is a new offering from author Stacy Finz. Heiress Angela Dalton, in her efforts to do good and help others, became ensnared in the plot of a militia group who use and abuse Angela and others as they worked to plan domestic terror activities. Once Angela escaped and became a state’s witness she was taken into the WITSEC program.

When all the people involved in the terrorist group were rounded up and under arrest, Angela felt she could return to her family, even though many years had gone by. She returns to the family’s Dry Creek Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Welcomed home with open arms, Angela is put in charge of figuring out why the Dalton Store is failing when other shops of the Dry Creek shopping area are thriving. It is essential that the family improve this so they can make enough to meet payroll and pay taxes.

Tuff Garrison, owner operator of the leather craft store in the village, is also Angela’s neighbor as they inhabit twin cottages across the creek from one another. Neighbors leads to friends, friends leads to a deeper feeling, and Tuff becomes the one she can depend upon in a crisis.

This is a very interesting, sometimes heart pounding, story of a woman who loses everything to do the right thing and then almost loses more. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Female member of the Dry Creek Ranch family is at the heart of this book. Speaking of heart, there are some heart-breaking and heart-stopping moments. You will keep turning the pages until the happily ever after is finally possible. I skipped the intimate details. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

Cowboy Proud is only the second book I've read by Stacy Finz, and the first book I've read in her Dry Creek Ranch series, so to say there was quite a bit of character confusion considering all the characters who appeared in this book, is putting it mildly. A family tree in the foreword or preface would have helped. Beyond that, it was just an okay read for me for a number of reason, which I'll get to, but because of those reasons, this novel gets a 3-star rating from this reader.

The heroine is Angela (Angie) Dalton, a somewhat flighty but kind-hearted do-gooder who travelled all over the world trying to help aid the poor, hungry and downtrodden. Considering her large trust fund, she didn't need to hold down a 9 to 5 job, and she eventually spent all of her trust fund starting a project called The Farm, a laudable goal she shared with 2 friends, and her quasi-boyfriend Zane, whom she'd met in her travels. As new members joined, things went south, and her project to provide food for the homeless became a cover for illegal activities, eventually becoming a camp for survivalists, the Liberty Fighters, a group of violent anti-American terrorists. With the help of an undercover agent, Angie managed to get out and ended up spending the next 6 years in the Witness Protection System, turning in the evildoers and agreeing to be a witness against them when their case came to trial.

Angie certainly didn't expect her time in Witness Protection to take 6 years, but as the court case nears and the evildoers are in jail, she's finally allowed to return to Dry Creek Ranch--which was the first problem I had with this story. Why in the world would Witness Protection release her before she gave her testimony? Just because the radical members of The Farm she started and funded are in jail doesn't mean they can't reach out to other like-minded individuals who will try anything to keep her from testifying, including killing her. To top it all off, instead of hiding out on the huge family ranch, she starts working at a family-owned and operated shopping center, selling gourmet items and gifts, and trying to turn the shop's financial downturn into a success--and dealing with the general public. Again, putting herself in danger of being recognized made no sense.

While staying at a cabin on the ranch, Angie meets a former rodeo cowboy turned taciturn saddler and leather worker, Tuff, who now also has a leather goods shop at the ranch's shopping center. While he's attracted to Angie, he's had a horrid childhood and a dark past, one which has soured him on relationships, and one he won't discuss. When we finally do learn his secret, it's not horrible at all, nor something that is worth still haunting him at age 40. Again, I couldn't find fault with what Tuff did, it seemed like one more misstep to this reader.

Yes, of course, there's a romance brewing between Tuff and Angie, and the knowledge that she's still in danger, no matter how much her family and Tuff manage to try to protect her, adds some suspense to the novel. However, the fact that Angie is probably already on the record, reporting the illegal activities at The Farm during her pre-trial deposition, one that could easily be read into the court records, even if the Liberty Fighters manage to kill her to keep her silent, was just one more thing that this reader found extremely bothersome and unrealistic.

And finally, the title of this novel. While I realize that many publishers choose to title an author's novel rather than let the author decide on a title, a practice that often does a disservice to the author, the cowboy in question, Tuff, didn't have a problem with pride, he had a problem with guilt, so again, another misstep.

While this novel managed to keep my interest throughout, and was fairly well-written, by the end, it was simply an okay read for me, and if issues like the ones I've mentioned are issues you'd also have a problem with, take that into consideration.

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

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the eARC for an honest review.

Book 4 in the Dry Creek Ranch Series, can be read as a standalone novel. I have not read the previous books, after reading this, I am interested in reading the previous books.

This book focuses on Angie, who wanted to save the world, but it ended up costing her. After six years in witness protection, she finally returns home to Dry Creek Ranch, reuniting with her family and meeting new 'friends' with the cowboy next door, and the hero of the story, Tuff.

I enjoyed reading this story, and while Angie's choices frustrated me, I still enjoyed the read, as it allowed her character to grow.

Angie wanted to save the world, but it ended up costing her. A lot. After 6 years in a bad situation and then protective custody, she’s finally home on Dry Creek Ranch. She’s home, but is she really free? And why is she falling for the cowboy next door when she’s sworn off men? Author Stacy Finz has another winner here. Dry Creek Ranch is a great family place to be. I really enjoyed that Tuff and Angie are not starry eyed youngsters. They’ve both lived and have the scars to prove it. Come join the fun at Dry Creek Ranch. You might find a bit of intrigue along with some good ol’ romance.

Finally, Angie’s story, and a hero who can help her learn to trust again, while she shows him the value of family that stays. This story, to me, felt the most emotionally balanced of the series. Both Tuff and Angie have been betrayed by people they should have been able to count on, and coming back from that hasn’t been easy. Tuff has shut down, kept to himself, and stayed lonely and safe. Angie’s family has always been her heart, but she’s devastated not only by betrayal, but by the knowledge of how much hurt she has caused them. Their deepening friendship gives each an anchor, a touchpoint to normalcy that helps them see that neither is bound by their past. The family dynamics are, as usual, an important part of the story, but this time we finally get Angie’s take on her history, motivation, regrets, and hopes. I’ve been curious about her for a long time, this mystery woman who acts like a debutante but clearly feels a deep need to help people. It’s interesting, in that we know how her cousins and brother feel about her going into the story, but have no clue how she has interpreted her family’s reaction to her lifestyle and choices, let alone the mess she found herself in. It felt very realistic, though, and I particularly love that Tuff helps her find peace and a way to use her gifts positively, in a way that lets her keep everything that is important to her. I received an advance copy in return for my review.