A Cowboy’s Proposal

Very good story. The best ending ever!

‘A Cowboy’s Proposal‘ is the first title in ‘The Shannon Sisters‘ series. While this could be seen as a second-chance romance, it’s also a suspense-filled story as we (along with Dylan and Cathleen) try to discover exactly what happened that fateful day when their lives, their future fell to pieces.

Most of what you’d need to know about this story before picking it up can be found in the Cover Description. What isn’t there are the emotions that Dylan and Cathleen will bring out in you as more and more details come out about why Dylan left town, and why he’s now back home for more than just recovery from injuries in his rodeo career but to clear his name and try to win back the love of his life.

Because of those details, I don’t want to get into much more – not going to spoil the suspense/mystery for anyone. I wish I could have liked Dylan more, he really needed to do some major groveling to Cathleen, no matter his reasons for running. Could his attitude be seen as confidence that they were meant to be? Perhaps. ‘A Cowboy’s Proposal‘ was light on the romance and heavier on the mystery, for me. I enjoyed it, just not as much as I usually enjoy this author’s work.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Tule Publishing. 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 received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was so happy to receive a new book from Ms. Carmichael as I always enjoy reading her books. This is the first book in a new romantic suspense series that takes place in the small town of Whitefish Montana. The main characters are Cathleen Shannon and her ex fiancée Dylan McLean. Cathleen is working on her bed and breakfast to get it ready to open soon. Dylan was supposed to marry her a year ago but left town and didn’t show up for the wedding. He left town and took up rodeo competitions. Cathleen has two sisters, Kelly and Maureen, a police officer and a lawyer. Dylan’s father had passed away and his mom married Max who he didn’t get along with. He also wasn’t fond of Max’s son James.

We learn that Dylan left town under suspicious circumstances. A couple weeks prior to his wedding he had organized a Environmental protest to coincide with his stepdad’s plans to develop some of their land. One of the guests had been shot and died and the killer was never found. The townsfolk suspected Dylan and he ran out on the wedding to keep Cathleen from being involved in a scandal. Dylan has returned to Whitefish to try and reclaim his relationship with Cathleen after a couple of bad injuries in the rodeo. No one will give him a place to stay so Cathleen rents him a room at the B&B.

Cathleen is angry and hurt by Dylan and tells him she won’t give him a second chance. He asks her anyway to go with him to visit his mom Rose, as he’s worried about her. Max, his stepdad, has moved them off Dylan’s family’s ranch and into a showplace home in town. He has a man and his family acting as the caretaker of the ranch. Both Danny and his wife have drug and alcohol addiction issues. When Dylan and Cathleen see Rose they realize she’s being abused by Max. She denies it and warns Dylan he needs to leave town. She is trying to protect him as she knows he is innocent.

Dylan and Cathleen go to Missoula to meet with her sister Maureen to get some legal assistance on his mom’s issues. A few days later, Rose asks Dylan over while Max is at a meeting. They end up arguing about him leaving town. He returns home and later that night Kelly comes by to tell them Rose was shot and Dylan is a suspect. He realizes he’s been set up by Max to get him out of the way so he can take over his family’s land. The police match the bullets from the shooting of Max’s associate and Rose to a gun that is missing and had belonged to Dylan’s dad. As all this happens, Cathleen starts to soften in her stubbornness toward Dylan. The events have provided a mystery as to who shot the 2 people. At the same time both Cathleen and Dylan are feeling some chemistry when they’re together. They work well on trying to solve the mysteries.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series. I give this 5 stars.

This is the first book in a new series set in Whitefish Montana and the first book is Dylan McLean and Cathleen Shannon’s story twelve months earlier Dylan fled the town leaving Cathleen at the alter he may have done it for the best reasons but he still did it. He believed that he would be charged with the murder of someone who died at a rally he organised and even though he was innocent he wanted to keep Cathleen’s name clear. The only problem is he has just waltzed back into town and expects Cathleen to pick up where they left their relationship what he really deserved was a belt around the head to wake him up to himself He is determined to clear his name and get to the bottom of the murder Will Cathleen stand by him You will have to read to see

This is the first book in a new series by author C. J. Carmichael. I liked the way that it is a mix of her mysterious books that she writes and the romances. It is not as deep as say her Bitter Root series but it has a good amount a mystery for me that kept my attention and had me turning the pages. And boy was I surprised at who done it.
Okay here are the main characters Montana cowboy Dylan McLean and Bed-and-breakfast owner Cathleen Shannon they were engaged but a year before Dylan left her right before the wedding. He has come back now because he is worried about his momma and needs Cathleen’s help. Oh, there is so much more to this second chance story than this but one can’t share or it will give the storyline away. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.

A Cowboy’s Proposal by C.J.Carmichael
She’s not willing to forgive. He’s unable to forget.
One year ago, Montana cowboy Dylan McLean left the love of his life at the altar and fled town, thinking he was doing the right thing by saving her from a scandal. He’s found success on the rodeo circuit, but his love for Cathleen never faded. Now he’s returned home to clear his name, claim his bride and rebuild his legacy.
Bed-and-breakfast owner Cathleen Shannon has moved on from her broken heart. That is, until Dylan shows up at her house one night asking for help and a second chance. Despite Dylan’s betrayal, she promises to assist with his investigation. She doesn’t want an innocent man to go to jail, but her heart is most definitely off limits.
But Cathleen has forgotten one important fact: Dylan is relentless when he’s going after something he wants. He walked away once, but she won’t let that happen again.
This is Cathleen Shannon and Dylan McLean’s story.
A shadow shifted in the dark forest that circled the Larch Valley bed-and-breakfast. Cathleen Shannon, trying to relax in her new outdoor spa, sat upright, muscles tensing. The dark spot was moving, getting larger. Something was out there. So why wasn’t her dog barking?
A sky of restless clouds filtered out most of the light from the half-moon. She should have brought a flashlight out with her. Her phone. A gun.
“Kip?” She reached over the side of the tub where her border collie had been resting a moment ago. He wasn’t there.
But as he drew closer, the tall, lean man in the ubiquitous cowboy hat became uniquely identifiable. It was in the set of his shoulders. The rhythm of his gait.
Her former friend, lover and fiancé, Dylan McLean.
And there, trotting faithfully by his boots, was her dog. The traitor.
I highly recommend reading.
A Cowboy’s Proposal by C.J.Carmichael is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
C.J.’s Books with Tule:
Promise Me, Cowboy
Carrigans of the Circle C
The 75th Copper Mountain Rodeo
Good Together
Carrigans of the Circle C
Close to Her Heart
Carrigans of the Circle C
Snowbound in Montana
Carrigans of the Circle C
A Cowgirl’s Christmas
Carrigans of the Circle C
A Bramble House Christmas
Carrigans of the Circle C
A Book Girl’s Guide to Marietta
Melt My Heart, Cowboy
Love at the Chocolate Shop
Bitter Roots
Bitter Root Mysteries
Sweet Dreams, Baby
Love at the Chocolate Shop
Bitter Truth
Bitter Root Mysteries
Bitter End
Bitter Root Mysteries
Carrigan Christmas Reunion: A short story
Carrigans of the Circle C
Bittersweet
Bitter Root Mysteries
A Cowboy’s Proposal
The Shannon Sister
A Convenient Christmas Proposal
The Shannon Sisters
Book 1
A Cowboy’s Proposal
Book 2
A Convenient Christmas Proposal
Book 2

Cathleen and Dylan’s second chance story in A Cowboy’s Proposal by CJ Carmichael, book one in the Shannon Sisters series is a tale filled with emotions, a little bit of mystery, family, and love. After a fatal incident occurred on the family ranch Dylan McLean fled town leaving the love of his life at the altar. He believed he was doing the right thing and keeping her from getting involved in his problems. After a year of success on the rodeo circuit and realizing that his love for Cathleen Shannon hadn’t died, Dylan returned home to clear his name, hopefully claim his bride, and rebuild his legacy; the one his stepfather is intent on destroying. Cathleen is readying her family home as she converts it to a Bed and breakfast. She keeps telling herself and her sisters that she’s moved on from her broken heart but when Dylan appears at her house asking for help and a second chance she wonders. Despite the hurt, the betrayal, and the absence, Cathleen promises to help Dylan with his investigations. After all, she believes in his innocence and doesn’t want an innocent man to end up in jail. Cathleen does draw the line at her heart being off limits. However, Dylan is persistent going after something he wants and he wants Cathleen back. He is not taking no for an answer. In addition to trying to win Cathleen back these two are chasing after clues trying to determine who the guilty party truly is.

Ms Carmichael wrote a wonderful, intriguing, and emotional story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with chemistry, adventures, loving sisters, and charming characters giving Cathleen and Dylan a second chance at love. I highly recommend A Cowboy’s Proposal to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is the first book in the series and also the first one I have read by this author.
This romance, with lots of mystery and whodunit, centers around Cathleen Shannon and Dylan McLean.
They were about to get married when Dylan’s life was turned upside down. He went from being a respected man to one suspected of murder. Not wanting to hurt Cathleen, on their wedding day he decides to leave town and Cathleen. Not realizing she would be hurt and heartbroken .
A year later he’s back in town, hoping to win her back as well as save his mother from the man that continues to do everything in his power to destroy both their lives.
But second chances are hard to get. When the danger and the accusations escalate, can Cathleen trust Dylan a second time? Will he continue to not give her options? Will he leave her a second time?
This is a story about family, second chances, trust and love.
My one complaint is that I felt the last 2 chapters were rushed. That said, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I have spent the last few days near Whitefish, Montana thrilled by the new book, A Cowboy’s Proposal, by C. J. Carmichael. This story is book #1 in her The Shannon Sisters series. Few authors can match her gift for allowing her readers to feel, taste, smell, hear, and see Montana in all of it’s pristine glory. This story involves the unsettled love between Cathleen Shannon and Dylan McLean. A happy life together was on their horizon. Then Dylan’s mother Rose, married Max Strongman, the mayor of Whitefish. He’s also an evil SOB of the first degree! Max’s goal is to get rid of Dylan, and destroy Rose’s ranch using his shady land and construction deals. He’ll stop at nothing to achieve his altruistic get-rich schemes. A murder is almost pinned on Dylan, and he leaves Cathleen and Whitefish to save her and his mother from additional distress. In reality, he has broken Cathleen’s heart, as only desertion can.

Now, Dylan has returned… Cathleen is confused… Rose is worried… and Max is plotting to destroy Dylan, once and for all. Rose is attacked… and again, the blame is laid upon Dylan. Through it all, Cathleen continues to help Dylan, claiming that she doesn’t want to see an innocent man convicted. She tells that to both of her sisters, and even to herself, but the truth is far simpler. Finally, when all seems lost for Dylan, a knight in shining armour(okay, really an old VW bug) appears, and Max’s simple-minded cohort makes an error!

This story is a fast-paced read, featuring many dips, turns, and mis-directions. There are also moments when Cathleen and Dylan’s love is written with an eloquence that is rare. Many of the scenes featuring Rose are so honest, so tender… they will touch your heart. I anxiously await stories from this author. I know the stories will be remarkable, and this story certainly was. I will read A Cowboy’s Proposal again and again… and I will enjoy every page, every time.

In many ways, this is an intriguing second-chance romance. Yet, throughout the whole book, I felt I was missing something. I even thought maybe it wasn’t the first in the series as I had once thought. But it is definitely the first in this series. The main characters are very likable, so that made it easy to want to keep reading to find out how things work out for them. This story has some mystery/suspense as it seems the whole town thinks Dylan murdered someone right before he left town a year ago.

I am well aware of the way Dylan’s leaving would have devastated Cathleen, yet I still understand why he left. How he left is a whole other ball of wax, but he had his reasons. Although Cathleen doesn’t feel she can ever trust Dylan again, they’ve known each other since they were kids and she knows he’s a good and moral person. So as soon as people in town start gossiping about Dylan being back and the way he’s being shunned all over, she digs in her heals and opens her home to him…as friends. She wants to help him reconnect with his mother and clear his name. She may not trust him with her heart, but she trusts him in every other way.

As for the other people in town, especially Cathleen’s sister Kelly, I cannot get over how they treated this man. Kelly is a police officer. She should know better than to be swayed by circumstantial evidence when the things happening go against everything she knows about a person. Not just with Dylan, but with his mom. Everyone in town loves her and knows she had always been a friendly and social woman until she got remarried. Everyone knows she’s become a shut-in, for the most part, since Dylan left town. I get that the author had to have some people in town against Dylan to raise the stakes. But there are certain people that should have been just as suspicious of the “facts” as Cathleen was.

There is definitely a connection between Cathleen and Dylan, but this story doesn’t give a whole lot of romance. The two are generally hunting down information to clear his name or arguing about the way their relationship ended. It really felt as though a lot more than a year had passed since they had been seconds away from walking down the aisle. I would have welcomed a few more heartfelt moments and genuine conversation.

This is a new-to-me author and, while I wasn’t blown away, I found the mystery of this story well written (until the too quick wrap up) and will most likely try another visit with her characters.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

NOTE:
I almost didn’t include this note, but I find it extremely interesting when authors and publishers do this. I was going to Goodreads to so I could add a link to the series and I searched by the series name, The Shannon Sisters, instead of going to my read books or searching by the title. Up popped a series by the same name by this author that was written almost 20 years ago! Looking at the description of each title, it’s obvious this story I read is an updated version of the book A Second-Chance Proposal. It explains some of the slight inconsistencies I saw in the story I read and why it seemed the time Dylan was away was more than one year. This two books are not yet linked on Goodreads as being the same story, and I guess they actually aren’t since the location and specifics of the “crime” have changed. I found this to be curious and thought some of you would find some interest in my “discovery”, too.