Blazing Hot Cowboy (Smokin’ Hot Cowboys Book 2)

SAVE A HORSE – RIDE A HOT COWBOY FIREFIGHTER!!!
Title: Blazing Hot Cowboy
Series: Smokin’ Hot Cowboys
Author: Kim Redford
Designation: Book 2 of Series, Full-Length Novel (Approx 375 pages), Standalone Contemporary Romance, NO Cliffhanger #secondchanceromance #cowboyfirefighter #smallwesterntownsaga
My Rating: Five Sexy Stars*****

OH MY! I loved, loved, loved Blazing Hot Cowboy, the second smokin’ hot release in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys Series by Kim Redford! lol… Yeah, I realize that statement is a little redundant but I just couldn’t resist making a little pun. A few weeks ago, I found Kim Redford through a free promotion for the first book of this series, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas, and fell in love with her sultry style, passionate prose, and engaging characters, so much so that I raced back to Amazon and purchased the other two ebooks available in the series. Best decision ever! That alone is quite a recommendation because I’m very selective about what I read and review. But I may as well be totally honest, folks, Redford had me at smokin’ hot cowboys and firefighter. Just kidding! (Totally not kidding!) lol… I’m so in love with the town of Wildcat Bluff and its entire community along with the two protagonists of this story, swoony retired rodeo cowboy Kent Duval and beautiful physical therapist and former cowgirl Lauren Sheridan. There was so much I truly enjoyed about this story, especially the real-life history of Wildcat Bluff and its former Comanche residents that Redford skillfully wove into the storyline. But my favorite component of this heartwarming second chance love story was the large cast of endearing and completely relatable characters. I was immediately smitten with handsome rancher and volunteer cowboy firefighter Kent Duvall. He was just the cat’s meow and made all the ladies purr, including me! Yes, my cat reference was intentional and will make total sense once you’ve read the book. After all, the name of Kent’s family spread is Cougar Ranch and the town is Wildcat Bluff, so that should give you a little hint! lol… And the beautiful, intelligent, independent, widowed Lauren Sheridan was an absolute delight! Lauren was so smart, sweet, hard-working, selfless and determined, but my heart broke for her. These two characters were high school sweethearts who drifted apart after 16-year-old Lauren had to move away with her family when her dad found another job on the East Coast. After her high school graduation, Lauren returned to Texas to attend college and became a physical therapist. She eventually met and married someone else, but her husband was killed in an accident, leaving her to raise their daughter, Hannah, alone. But Lauren never forgot her friends and family she was forced to leave behind in Wildcat Bluff, and she certainly never forgot her high school sweetheart and first love Kent Duvall. When she lost her job in Houston, she decided to return to Wildcat Bluff for a visit with her aunt Hedy Murray, local business owner and coordinator/dispatcher for the Wildcat Bluff Volunteer Fire Department.

Kent and Lauren both were still reeling from broken hearts, but they quickly discovered their teenage attraction was stronger than ever and was soon blazing out of control. Their chemistry was off the charts, and they complemented each other perfectly. I could feel the sparks flying between Lauren and Kent, and it was heartwrenching to watch their emotional tug of war. And Lauren’s daughter Hannah was just adorable! This story was just so sweet, so sexy, and soooo heartwarming! No spoilers from me but I will say this… Sexy, handsome, charismatic, and very lonely cowboy firefighter who loves his dirty, old pickup and very resistant to change but is completely dedicated to his community and the people he loves-check! Beautiful, independent, kindhearted, and hardworking former cowgirl determined to help her aunt Hedy and make a good life for her sweet, young daughter-check! A wonderful close-knit community of colorful, engaging, and endearing characters-check! A dangerous, mysterious firebug wreaking havoc throughout the community-check! A little mystery, a dash of suspense, a splash of humor, a generous pinch of angst, and a whole lot of steamy romance- you bet! That and a whole lot more!

Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! There was so much I adored about this story. The narrative was beautifully written in the third person with clearly defined his and her perspectives. The dialogue was smart, snappy, natural, well executed, and flowed effortlessly. But my absolute favorite component was the large cast of well-developed characters who literally exploded from the pages,, demanded your undivided attention, captured your heart, and held you prisoner from beginning to end. I found them to be realistic, engaging, and endearing, and I’m quite sure we’ll be seeing many of them in future books. I loved the fictional world/community of Wildcat Bluff County that Redford created for this series. Although the town and characters of the story may be fictional, I discovered that Wildcat Bluff is a real place and the rich history of the area shared in this book is actually true! And Redford did a fabulous job of weaving it into her story. I particularly enjoyed Redford’s writing style. Her vividly detailed descriptions of the town, its residents, and the surrounding countryside were masterfully written. I found myself immediately immersed in the story and compelled to keep turning each page. Although the storyline does include an underlying interconnected plot element(the firebug) that continues throughout the series, each book can be read as a standalone with its very own happy-ever-after. As I stated earlier, there is a little mystery and suspense, but it’s not the main element. The primary focus is the romantic journey of two lonely people finding love and the obstacles they must overcome to secure their happy ending. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! In fact, after finishing the first book, I raced back and purchased the next two of the series. Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am but for adult readers. There’s no profanity, but it is steamy and does contain several tastefully written sex scenes. Redford’s writing may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is mine. I prefer a book I can settle in with, sink my teeth into, and really get to know the characters, and that’s exactly what this author delivered. Redford’s books are not for people who want to devour a book in a couple of hours but rather for those folks who enjoy savoring the words. You don’t gulp fine whiskey; you sip it, swirl it, relish it, and appreciate the taste. I’m almost 70 years young and have been an avid reader for 65 of those years. It takes something truly extraordinary to impress me and I’m truly impressed by Redford’s work. And finally, was I entertained? Completely! I giggled, snickered, snorted, sniffled, and sighed through the entire story but by the end, I was happy, satisfied, and well entertained. Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!