A Cowboy State of Mind (Creedence Horse Rescue Book 1)

Changing a Cowboy’s State of Mind

The first book in this spin off series by Jennie featuring Zane and Bryn has a whole rainbow of emotions attached to it It comes with some sad realities but it also has some laughter and sassy comebacks, but ultimately is about two people with the biggest hearts towards animals

Unfortunately, both have had difficult pasts and are damaged in different ways. Bryn feels her worth is in saving animals and puts all her efforts into doing just that, rather than having relationships with men who take advantage of her good hearted nature Then you have Zane, the man who suffered through an abusive childhood who is an amazing horse whisperer and helps Bryn when he finds her in need of help They both forge a path towards something new but will their insecurities push them apart or help them heal each other and the damage sustained in their youths?

A wonderful story and I’m looking forward to more and hopefully an HEA for Elle and our good veterinarian too I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and want to thank the author and publisher for my chance to review this splendid book

A Cowboy State of Mind
Creedence Horse Rescue Series #1
Jennie Marts
https://m.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks/
Release date 06/30/2020
Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca

Blurb :

The town of Creedence, Colorado gets involved in horse rescue in bestseller Jennie Marts’ brilliant new series
Scarred and battered loner Zane Taylor has a gift with animals, particularly horses, but he’s at a total loss when it comes to knowing how to handle women. Even though he’s sworn off love, he can’t seem to stay away from Bryn Callahan. He’s known for being a horse whisperer, but can’t seem to find his voice at all where Bryn is concerned.
Bryn Callahan has a heart for strays, but she is through trying to save damaged men. She vows to only date nice guys, which is a category that does not include Zane Taylor. Too bad he’s the only one who sets her pulse racing every time she’s around him.
Starting a horse rescue ranch wasn’t in Bryn’s plan, but try telling that to the assembly of abandoned animals that have found their way to her doorstep. And when a chance encounter with a horse headed for slaughter brings Zane and Bryn together, they find themselves given a chance to save not just the horse, but maybe each other…

My review :

When a woman rescuing strays sets her cap on a lone wolf …

The more I read Cowboys romance, the more I like them, they have certain appeal, a kind of exotic side for the French girl in me. Like the historical romance, they transport me in an unknown place, and while the time is same as mine, the way of life is completely new for me.
Zane and Bryn are very similar souls, they just faced the trauma of their past a different way. Bryn by rescuing those left behind when Zane pushes people away.
Life has not been very kind with Zane, bullied by an abusing father, even harshly beaten, he never had someone to stand for him. So it is understandable he came to believe everything that was engraved in him by lashes and ugly words. So much he didn’t need any more anyone to tell him how he is unworthy, he assumes it is the truth and acts the way, he readily need no one to walk on himself, he does it perfectly himself.
Bryn tried to right the wrong done with her meager means, she is a rescuer of the lost causes, from animals to men. But after one last too many betrayal, she decides to stick to animals. But when they come with a hard and secretive cowboy, difficult for her sweet heart to not see the damaged boy behind the strong man. Yet she also knows it is the right course for a broken heart but she can’t stop herself to care, even more when she knows there is a kind man hiding under all this gruffness.
Left behind by a dismissing mother, she longs for someone who will stick and stay with her. But she fears this one man might be the one who will hurt even more than her mother’s abandonment.

4.5 stars for this sweet and lovely tale of two lonely souls desperate for love but who lost themselves in the way.

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/650096135579561/?d=n

Jennie Marts has a super start to her latest series Creedance Horse Rescue here in A Cowboy State of Mind. It’s got a little bit of everything from the wonderful main characters like waitress Bryn Callahan and cowboy Zane Taylor who have some growing to do and accomplish much as they travel on the road to the HEA, steamy loves scenes, big-hearted acts and heartwarming results. I loved being able to smile and laugh at the fun parts of the story and fight to hold back tears at the rough parts. Bryn Callahan’s horse rescue starts with one horse and I’m sure readers will delight at the collection of rescues that follow from there. It’s great to see all kinds of needy animals find such a perfect place to bee

This first book in the Creedence Horse Rescue series, is a spin-off to the very touching and wonderful series, Cowboys of Creedence. This introduction to the new series, did not disappoint this reader.
The story centers around Bryn Callahan and Zane Taylor.
Bryn is a waitress at the local cafe. She cares for everyone, will do anything for those in need, wears her heart on her sleeve and yes, she has a secret crush on Zane.
Zane left town 10 years ago, joined the Army and is only back temporarily when his father has a heart attack. A father that was verbally and physically abusive , and made Zane believe he was worthless. Reminding us that our experiences as a child will mold the adult we become. Zane carries his scars internally and externally and keeps everyone at arms length. Except this horse whisperer has a thing for the cute waitress. When she sees an abused horse in need, Zane comes in to the rescue and buys the horse for her. Thus the start of a rescue ranch and a friendship.
But will the past, fears and lack of self-esteem keep them apart, or will they be able to overcome all obstacles to find their HEA?
Another well written story by this talented author leaving the reader wanting to know whose story is next.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is the third novel I’ve read by Jennie Marts, the first two were in her Cowboys of Creedence series, and this is also the first title in her spinoff series, Creedence Horse Rescue. As anyone who follows my reviews already knows, I have a deep affection for cowboys and wounded warriors, but I also love animals, so this novel, which features all three, had me from the get-go, and I found it to be an excellent and enjoyable read and it gets 5 stars from this reader.

Creedence native, Brynn, works as a waitress at the local diner. She’s sweet, kind, bubbly, and charming, but she doesn’t have the best taste in men. Her last boyfriend, a bull rider, stole her late grandfather’s truck, emptied her savings account, and even stole her grandfather’s and Brynn’s most prized possession, his rodeo belt buckle.

Zane Taylor, is somewhat of a horse whisperer. His mother died giving birth to him, something for which his father has always blamed him. His father is a physically and emotionally abusive drunk–who tore up one side of his Zane’s face with a broken beer bottle, whipped him with whatever was handy, and, as soon as Zane turned 18, his girlfriend, Sarah, committed suicide, something for which Zane also blames himself. So Zane wanted to get out of town and did so when he enlisted, served in Afghanistan, was wounded there, and sent back to the U.S. To avoid his home town, he took a job working on a ranch in Montana. It was his father’s heart attack that brought him back to Creedence, where he’s been working with horses on his friend Logan’s ranch (we met Logan in the previous series), and he’s still putting up with his fathers’ verbal abuse.

Zane is a regular at the diner where Brynn works, and she’s been attracted to him from the start. She doesn’t see him as scarred, she sees him as handsome. One day, he notices her car sitting abandoned at the roadside, sees her walking to work, offers her a lift, and shortly thereafter helps her buy a badly abused and neglected horse from two slimy characters at the diner, who tell her they are transporting it to the glue factory. Brynn has no money, but Zane helps her buy and rescue the poor animal, and so begins her animal rescue center and her involvement with Zane, who has more than a few issues, as does one of Brynn’s female diner regulars, a widowed woman named Elle, who Brynn also tries to rescue. Brynn is one of sweetest, kindest heroines I’ve read in recent memory, but she’s no pushover either.

What follows is a slowly building, sexy, sweet, sad, funny and romantic novel, about two kind, good-hearted, animal lovers, who really learn to see in each other something precious and worth saving, especially in the case of Brynn and her attraction to deeply scarred, brooding, and emotionally broken, Zane. My only regret is that although there is the expected HEA ending, I would have loved an epilogue set a year or two in their future, to see how both the animal rescue business and this special bond between Zane and Brynn works out. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I am happy to recommend it.

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

A promising start to the Creedence Horse Rescue series. Loved seeing familiar Cowboy of Creedence characters pop up. I instantly fell in love with Bryn and her bubbly personality. My heart hurt for Zane and his painful past. You could just feel how he and Bryn felt a connection and pull to each other. Elle intrigued me and I hope she gets her story told. Looking forward to another visit to the ranch.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC received via NetGalley.

A wonderfully sweet and loving small-town romance! 4 stars
This is the first time that I read a book by Jennie Marts! ‘A Cowboy State of Mind’ is the 1st story in her new series ‘Creedence Horse Rescue’. If you’re an animal lover, especially horses, then you are in for a treat. Of course there is a charming cowboy and a lovely heroine, but their love for animals is the main focus. I loved this heartwarming and refreshing story filled with emotions.
Set in the small town of Creedence, Colorado, Zane returns home because his father had a heart attack. He meets again Bryn, a devoted animal lover, so when she sees a horse in need of rescuing, they team up to save him. Bryn works at the local diner but opening a horse rescue ranch wasn’t part of her plans. Zane is often called the ‘horse whisperer’, let’s say that he has a talent with animals, but less with women. Bryn is a very independent woman and she knows what she wants. They start as friends and the fact that they spend so much time together, feelings grow to evolve into a beautiful loving relationship. They were perfect for each other! It took time for them to discover that, but finally discovered it. Beautiful chemistry between Zane and Bryn!
Ms. Marts nicely blended her charming characters into a realistic life story on a ranch!
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my own honest opinion

Loved it!! A slow burn romance that will have you sizzling by the end. I LOVED this story!! Zane had my heart breaking for him. I kept wanting to give him a hug. And Bryn is awesome! I actually found myself clapping for her in my mind when she finally stood up to her brother. This story is very relatable and has you picturing a real romance in a small country town between these two characters. It is also a sweet, fun and sexy romance that will keep you turning the page.