On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Reunited with the Cowboy
(Heroes of Shelter Creek #1)
By Claire McEwen
Adult Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
July 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming
She can save his ranch…
But can he forgive her?
Maya Burton knows she’s the last person rancher Caleb Dunne wants to see. After all, she survived the crash that killed his sister, and then left town. Now she has to convince the stubborn cowboy that she can help him save his ranch. But once she earns his trust—and his heart—will she be able to walk away?
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EXCERPT
“Why don’t you just tell me what to do? Don’t you have some literature or something you can give me?” He didn’t want to spend more time with her. Didn’t want to see the way the growing sunlight lit up strands of gold in her hair. Didn’t want to think about how no other woman had caught his attention for long, since her.
Except part of him, that boy he’d been when he’d loved her, did want her here. It was ridiculous. Some ancient fantasy of happily-ever-after that his brain was revisiting.
“I have literature, yes. And I’ll leave you with some. But the best way I can help you is if we walk around your ranch together and talk about what you can do to prevent any further attacks.”
As if on cue, Hobo leaped onto Caleb’s shoulder, startling him so badly that he jumped a couple of feet to the right. “Jeez, Hobo!”
Maya burst out laughing, the sound ringing like a pretty bell in the quiet. “Wow! That is one agile cat!”
This was great. More indignity to add to the morning. Caleb’s face warmed and he resisted the urge to bat the cat off. But it wasn’t Hobo’s fault that Caleb was an idiot who’d passed out on his porch last night. Or that Maya had found him there.
Plus Hobo was stubborn. He’d probably just jump right back on anyway. Best to play it cool. “Yeah. This is Hobo. He likes to hang out with me when I’m working.”
“I see.” Maya’s lips quivered as if she wanted to laugh again, and Caleb got it. He must look quite the fool. The big, hungover, grumpy dude with a small orange cat along for the ride.
Hobo stuck his head under the brim of Caleb’s hat and shoved, knocking it askew.
“Hey!” Caleb set his hat to rights and moved Hobo off his shoulder, tucking him under his arm instead. Darn cat. Except he was pretty cute, the way he was snuggling up into Caleb’s chest. It was hard to stay mad. Which was strange because Caleb was pretty sure that mad was the main emotion he’d felt ever since he’d come back to Shelter Creek.
Ms. McEwen has been a favorite of mine for a while and I love the beginning of her series for the line. What really grabbed me from the start was Maya’s grandmother and her friends, The Book Biddies. They always had Maya’s back from the start and it was funny but also endearing. They knew what the real story was no matter what the rest of the town thought. Oh yes, Maya survived the crash but her friend didn’t. All I’m going to say is that once people, especially Caleb FINALLY listen to her and understand the circumstances, no one is the same afterward. Powerful and emotional, and somewhat life-changing for Caleb. All that resentment towards the one person that was actually trying to help.
I loved the second chance at romance aspect of the book. Caleb and Maya are the perfect counterparts to the other. Maya is exactly what Caleb needs in his life and his farm. Regardless of the actions of each other when they were teenagers, Caleb needed the kick in the backside from her when it came to the mountain lions. The scenes where they are able to capture one, you could see Caleb at this turning point in the story. And no, I didn’t spoil it but it is powerful in its message and how it all plays out.
When Maya left, she basically became a loner; not letting anyone get too close and I really understood her reasoning for that. I also totally got why she never came home. Would you if the town hated you for something you DIDN’T do? Yep, I’d be gone too. She is smart and only trying to help her fellow ranchers and most of them are grateful. How she works her magic on Caleb is slow but beautiful. In some ways, he was too stubborn for me. But then when he was grumpy Caleb, he was funny. Plus, Hobo his cat, is just too much for me. It’s like he had a designer dog that just wouldn’t leave.
This book is about redemption and forgiveness. Maya is looking for redemption and forgiveness for something that she really didn’t do and Caleb is looking for redemption in his treatment of Maya all those years ago. And maybe some forgiveness, too. These two had a lot to do go through before they could even see eye to eye about their relationship. I loved that Ms. McEwen didn’t make it easy for either one of them.
I really enjoyed Maya and Caleb and I hope to see them again. I really go into Maya’s research on them and I would like an update on the center in later books. Again, give this line a chance. You won’t be disappointed.
About the Author
Claire McEwen writes stories about strong heroes and heroines who take big, emotional journeys to find their happily-ever-after. She lives by the ocean in Northern California with her family and a scruffy, mischievous terrier. When she’s not writing, Claire enjoys gardening, reading and discovering flea-market treasures. She loves to hear from readers! You can find her on most social media and at www.clairemcewen.com.
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Ends July 24, 2019
Great review, sounds like a book I’ll enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing!