“Full of heart and passion.”—JODI THOMAS, New York Times bestselling author, for Cowboy FeverBook 2 in award-winning author Joanne Kennedy’s new Blue Sky Cowboys series, Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is an emotional, compelling story from a master of the genre. Joanne Kennedy’s sexy cowboy romances feature the rugged and lonely Wyoming range, where the nearest neighbors are miles away and the climate … climate is brutal for man and beast. This beautiful and sensuous tale takes place at the holidays, when a lonely cowboy is more desperate than ever to connect with the woman of his dreams.Also by Joanne Kennedy:Cowboy TroubleOne Fine CowboyCowboy FeverTall, Dark and CowboyCowboy CrazyPraise for Cowboy Summer:”Kennedy’s delicious contemporary series launch is filled with nostalgia… Wit and charm suffuse this well-plotted story about remembering what’s most important in life.”—Publishers Weekly”This sweet but sexy tale, the kick-off for Kennedy’s new Blue Sky Cowboys series, is great for fans of Linda Lael Miller’s contemporary romances.”—Booklist
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I loved how this was a slow burn and how both Griff and Riley have self doubts about themselves and their futures along with where they have been and what they have been through to get to where they are. You get plenty of highs and lows as well as heartbreak, doubt but also hope, laughs, attraction and the hope of a happy ever after for two people who deserve it. The story and characters are written in such a way that you are drawn in and hooked from the get go and feel that you are right along there with them which I just loved!
Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is the second story in the Blue Sky Cowboys series and brings us Griff and Riley’s story which is an emotional journey for both the characters and the reader. I have purchased the first story, Cowboy Summer, but I have not read it yet. I wish I had made the time to do that before diving into Griff and Riley’s story. I had forgotten that I purchased it intending to read it before this review was due. But time gets away from me, and even now it seems like there just isn’t enough of it to get everything done. I’d say you “could” read this one as a stand-alone, but you’ll understand more background, more nuances if you start at the beginning.
Griff intended to re-signup to the military but instead got sent home to do some healing and dealing with the trauma of combat, in particular, a severe case of PTSD that he just cannot seem to get a handle on and that fact is only making his recovery harder and longer. Griff wants it done with today, but the reality is his PTSD may never fully go away… and that’s not something he knows how to live with.
Riley has her own demons in her past. She’s overcome them, no longer addicted, completely turned around and clean. Yet. She doesn’t see herself as worthy. Oh, she puts on a pretty good false face but at her core, she feels the townsfolk look down on her for past deeds, and that she doesn’t deserve the good things in life including a good man at her side.
She and Griff spent time together before he left on assignment. Since he’s been deployed they text occasionally and are comfortable, for the most part, with each other. Griff may want more, Riley seems intent on pushing him away. They’ve come to a crossroads of sorts but now is the time to reach for the dream for them both or they will have lost everything that was once possible.
I enjoyed Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas. If there were moments when I wanted to shake both Riley and Griff or at the very least sit them down for a kind, stern talking to… well, they deserved that for the way they acted toward each other. It was plain to see that they worked together, they counter-balanced each other’s pasts and future so well if only they could see that. With some chuckle out loud moments, some awkward moments, and some steam-filled moments as well, this couple captured my heart as I waited for them to catch up and see just how right they were for each other.
Oh. P.S. Please put a blurb on this book, a real story blurb. You are asking readers to buy the book even more sight unseen than usual without any kind of story related cover description to show them the interesting and emotional story within the pages.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley. 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.*
Griff comes to his family ranch to hide from painful memories. What he doesn’t expect is to find the only person who made his darkest day in the military bright- Riley who is all grow up. Griffen is broken and doesn’t know how to cope with the darkness that is in him and scares Riley. Riley doesn’t have an easy life and when Ed -who she considered as her dad -receives a visit from his sister her life becomes even more difficult. How will Griff overcome his anger and will Riley see that she too deserves love? The answers you will find when you will pick this book and read it. You will not regret it. It is a very pleasant enjoyable read with great likable characters. A story about accepting yourself, family, and love.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is a thoughtful and reverent story of the homecoming of a local boy who has seen horrible things while fighting for our country in the Middle East. Griff Bailey, son of the Diamond Jack ranch, has returned home to Wynott, Wyoming from two tours of duty in the Middle East. At the end of his last tour unimaginable things happened and he is haunted by them. His hometown sees him as a hero. He sees himself as a fraud.
Riley James is a young woman that never felt she belonged anywhere until she made the acquaintance of Ed and Ruth Boone. She had a miserable home life and a myriad of stepfathers and ‘uncles’ before becoming a ward of the system. Led to a seedy life and drugs, it was through her own efforts that she was able to overcome her background and addiction before she met the Boone’s. Ruth was in the final stages of MS when Riley came to her aid, and then she adopted them as her own. Now, Riley is a certified contractor as well as a major help to Ed in his hardware store and a trusted friend, although Ed sees her as the daughter he never had. When his witchy sisters and disappointing great nephew come to spend the holidays with Ed it displaces Riley, but that’s okay since she can stay at the Diamond Jack while the residents are away and she is doing a major remodel. Although Ed sees Riley as his natural heir, the sisters are intent on giving the grand nephew Trevor the rights to the property.
As the story evolves it is discovered that Riley and Griff had a connection right before he left for the military and Riley was consistent in her messages during his deployment. And when Griff arrives home and finds the only one that was there to greet him is Riley, things evolve.
This is a heartwarming story of finding connection and making the most of an opportunity that comes your way. In a lovely small town setting and with flawed but lovable characters, this novel is a holiday hit. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!
Action packed, sexy, fun and heartwarming holiday adventure filled with engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and undeniable passion. A highly entertaining and emotionally thrilling journey.
Griff and Riley have each been suffering on their own, but yet together and sometimes each just has to take that leap of faith to bring them to their final HEA – I received a NetGalley copy and freely leave my opinion.
BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is Joanne Kennedy’s second book of the Blue Sky Cowboys series. Griff Bailey, weary from his deployment overseas, wants a quiet Christmas at his family’s ranch, but he finds Riley James renovating his house. The chemistry they once shared reignites, but Riley has sworn off dark, dangerous men, but Griff’s emotional scars pull her heartstrings, and she wants to help him despite of their complicated pasts. Their dog, Bruce, is delightful addition to the story. BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is sweet, sexy romance about two people struggling overcome their personal demons and finding love in the process. Joanne Kennedy’s creativity breathes life into this small-town romance, mixing the drama and the heat in her flawed characters’ lives making Christmas is a season of miracles. I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas by Joanne Kennedy is a cowboy Christmas tale with lots of twists and turns and subplots. Griff Bailey has returned home to Wynott after 4 years overseas and months in a VA hospital. It is his plan to continue his recovery and enlist. He arrives at his father’s ranch to see the front of the house in complete ruins. When he enters, he discovers his father and stepmother are traveling in their RV and local legend, Riley James as remodeling for them while they were gone: the porch and adding some bathrooms, a lot of bathrooms. She is surprised when he enters the house. Neither she nor the family had any idea he was coming and she had been staying there. Doesn’t take too much to see where this is going, but it takes a long while to get there. There are lots of bouts with self-doubt, low self esteem, and plain old lack of communication. It is a fun journey.
Riley had grown up in horrible circumstances and had been a drug addict but had been clean for years, mostly due to Ruth and Ed who had taken her in as a teen. She had worked for them and lived with them, and nursed Ruth when her MS had become too much. She was their daughter. That is until Ed’s two sisters and useless great nephew had arrived. They all but booted Riley out. The sad thing was, she thought she deserved it. Riley is a great character. She is the epitome of what we all want homeless children to become: fearless, loyal, and loving. Griff is still in the throes of PTSD but is making inroads. The worst thing is, people seem to think they know what he needs. Riley is the only one who lets him be. This is a powerful book containing all kinds of lessons to be learned. It is romantic, but not syrupy, full of recovery of all kinds, but not preachy. It is well worth the read. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.
This is the first time I’ve read this author. I saw the great cover and the fact that it was a holiday book and I was in.
I really enjoy trying new authors. Sometimes it’s a hit were others not so much. Unfortunately for me, this one is not so much. I did like both Griff and Riley and liked the idea of the story but just couldn’t get into it.
I felt for Riley and her past issues. I know she has problems even today with what she did in her past. It’s sometimes hard to move on.
At times Griff was a little harsh with her and I didn’t enjoy that. I know he’s a good guy and you do see that which is why in the end I ended up liking him.
There are times where I really liked this book but at other times I just didn’t really care enough about them to want to keep going. Because it was an ARC I did make myself finish it. I always try to find ARC’s. But I’m not sure this series is one that works for me.
I do believe that there are people out there that will love her books and enjoy this one. Everyone’s taste is different. That’s why I like trying new to me authors.
Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas
Blue Sky Cowboys Series #2
Joanne Kennedy
https://www.facebook.com/joannekennedybooks/
Release date 09/29/2020
Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca
Book 2 in award-winning author Joanne Kennedy’s new Blue Sky Cowboys series, Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is an emotional, compelling story from a master of the genre. Joanne Kennedy’s sexy cowboy romances feature the rugged and lonely Wyoming range, where the nearest neighbors are miles away and the climate is brutal for man and beast. This beautiful and sensuous tale takes place at the holidays, when a lonely cowboy is more desperate than ever to connect with the woman of his dreams.
Will his healing sign her walking away from him …
This is my fourth western romance in a short span of time, and I am coming to like them more and more. And while I do not like to read about day to day life, to close to home, as I prefer to be transported by my reads, the western world is an enigma for me the little frenchy woman.
The main characters are two very damaged persons, one who seems to have completed her recovery when the second still struggles to adjust and refuse to accept he might not going back to his previous life.
Riley has left her addict’s life behind, carving a new one in a small town, and while she has rather recovered, she still believes herself as undeserving, why she does not fight when some are threatening what should be her inheritance. And she does the same with Griff, she can’t believe he would choose her over miss Perfect.
So scarred to hope for too much she would rather turn her back to a possible future without even trying her luck, so afraid to face désappointement.
Griff is on military leave, yet relying on going back to his career and awkward among civilians. He still has panic attacks and bouts of temper.
He is now back to his hometown, only to lick his wounds with no other prospect than quieting his mind to be able to enlist again.
So for them to rekindle their unfinished affair, it leaves them clumsy around one another, misinterpreting each other’s moves, having trusting issues and seing things there is not.
Outside the main couple, there is a wide panel of side characters, some very mean, other lacking resolve plus very supportive one.
I liked to see some reaching a full arc, looking them grow, finding their inner strength and voice when others got their eyes opened and found their right comeuppance.
And while Riley appears as the stronger one, always cheerful, never miserly with her affection, she is also a coward when it comes to the matter of the heart, she retreats from others using her past as a shield. She runs away when love is involved.
I have not read the previous book in this series so I do not know if her past life was more detailed, as I understand she was an addict teenager but I would have liked to understand why she was so scarred by strong men in general and shouting men in particular.
I would have shook them quite a few times, he for not standing for himself sooner, not enough firm and his own wants and she for pushing him away then jealous then walking away because she does not want to hurt if she fails.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/711349276120913/?extid=qKcQkjaL1WiI5PQe&d=n
Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas (Blue Sky Cowboys #2) s the first book I have read and reviewed by Joanne Kennedy. This is a story that takes place at Christmas but is a read anytime story. Griff has struggles due to military service and Riley has some issues from her past. At times they are they worst enemies not believing that they deserve the love and acceptance that all need. They are more then deserving. These questions that they wrestle with could be ones that resonant with many of us.
The story is well written with many supporting characters. While I haven’t read the first in the series I still had not problem following along with everyone in the town. I found the characters complex and at times even perplexing. That is pretty realistic. I also found myself wanting to help them along so that they could see themselves as I did, characters to be admired and cheered along in life to keep going.
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.
Learning to put their love first!
Trying to describe Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is a challenge because Griff Bailey just wants to be left alone to deal with his PTSD because he hates everyone in Wynott telling him he is a hero after Iraq because he feels that he isn’t a hero and just wants to be left alone.
Riley James had come to Wynott with nothing but now she had a job in the hardware store and considered her boss Ed her family. Riley was so used to putting everyone else first, she almost walked away from Ed and Griff because she didn’t want to cause any problems.
Griff Bailey and Riley James are both broken in different ways and they help each other heal in a Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas because they are better together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Joanne Kennedy is a gifted writer whose creativity shines through in her work. This is an impressive, well crafted plot. The characters are flawed, each in their own way, but they are so good together. Riley has overcome homelessness and addiction and should be skeptical and bitter but instead, she has the heart of an angel. She is the first in line to help others. Griff, a hometown cowboy and a recent war hero, has returned home to try and get his PTSD under control. His only objective is to return to his unit. That is until he runs into Riley, the girl who haunts his dreams. The girl who’s messages kept him going all those years he was in a war zone. The girl who’s messages he never once answered. Riley has loved Griff all her life but for some reason, she doesn’t feel worthy of anyone’s love let alone Griff’s. She is determined to help him heal and Griff is determined to provides the strength and love she needs. Beautifully written and I now have a new favorite author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
This is a wonderful read about how sometimes family doesn’t have to be a blood relative, as we can see with Riley and Ed. Riley works at Boone’s Hardware with Ed, but she also does renovations. This is how she gets to see Griff again. He returns home suffering from PTSD. Griff always had a thing for Fawn Swanson and she wants him now, since he’s a hero. Riley thinks Griff still wants Fawn, so of course, we have some angst in the story. What would you think if he’s kissing you and then later you see him kissing Fawn? Grab your copy and see what happens with all these characters, especially when Ed’s sisters come to town with his grandnephew, Trevor.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review
Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas by Joanne Kennedy is an enjoyable read. There’s Christmas events to enjoy and the town folk of Wynott to appreciate for their support of each other. The conflict is interesting in this story. Both the heroine Riley and the hero, Griff have issues to deal with. Riley once lived on the streets and had a difficult time until hardware store owner Ed Boone and his wife Ruth stepped in and helped her. Griff has PTSD from an incident in Afghanistan that has him filled with guilt. When Ed’s sisters Carol and Diane show up for a Christmas visit things get ugly for Riley. Those two women are characters I loved to dislike. Things turn out well in the end but Riley and Griff’s road to their Happily Eve After sure wasn’t well-paved and smooth. I really liked the story and Bruce the dog was a special addition to it.
A long book but was a really good read
The second book in a series griff was in the military and had ptsd went back home for Christmas to have a break and get his life together found house empty and being remodeled by Riley a great romance threaded through with two different women who wanted him story was interesting and flowed good look foreword to reading more from this author