It will take all he has to keep her safeLuke Claiborne is back in Last Stand, Texas, after a combat injury ends his career as a military K9 handler. Without his working dog by his side, he’s lost his purpose – until he meets a sexy wildlife rehabber who seems determined to save every animal in town. When she puts her own life at risk in the process, it’s clear to Luke that she’s the one who needs … the one who needs rescuing. Before long, his new mission is to show her how perfect they could be together.
Jorie Russell has loved Luke since she was an awkward teenager, but she knows he’s out of her league. She grew up on the wrong side of town, and has spent her whole life trying to prove she’s not like her reckless, irresponsible mother. Luke might act tough, but she can see he is suffering and she’s determined to help him heal. But then a shadow from her past threatens their future.
Can she finally get the happily-ever-after she’s always longed for?
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Luke Claiborne returns home from the military after an IED explosion. He encounters Jorie Russell a local animal lover when she tries saving a cat and kittens from a burning building. Jorie finds it hard to trust in men and Luke finds that being around Jorie gets him frustrated. Such a sweet love story!
Loved Luke and Jorie. Luke has returned to Last Stand, as an injured military police officer. His heart is broken for leaving his canine partner behind. Jorie’s passion is rescuing injured wildlife and is always trying to prove her self better that how her mom was. She has always had a secret crush on Luke. As their friendship develops into much more, it will melt your heart.
A wonderful story that I had a hard time putting down. Luke has a tough exterior but has a heart of gold and will do anything to protect Jorie. Jorie has always felt she had to prove herself to everyone in the town but will soon find out how will liked she is. With the surprise visitor at the end brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommend.
“Counting On The Cowboy” was genuinely fun read from Karen Foley.
Luke Claiborne is one cowboy you’ll fall in love with his abrasive behavior but with a heart of gold and he sure knows how to make his woman happy. Jorie Russel, despite her past and insecurities, know what makes her man happy!
An enjoyable read!
Received an ARC from Tule Publishing, for an honest review.
Counting on the Cowboy is the second title in the Riverrun Ranch series – and while its story is self-contained and complete I’d still recommend reading the entire series (if you can) for not only the sense of continuing with friends but Swipe Right for a Cowboy is another excellent story involving this tight-knit family.
Not every war injury is visible, that is certainly true for Luke who lost hearing in one ear during a blast. His injury has ended his military career and now Luke is back home picking up the pieces of his life – and missing his K-9 partner who he had to leave behind. He’s about to get an unexpected reminder of how time passes when, as a volunteer fireman, he encounters a female trying to enter a burning warehouse to rescue a feral cat and her kittens. He may not recognize Jorie at first, but he does recall her being around with his sister at the ranch. With a bit of an age gap, and certainly different life experiences he’s noticing the caring woman Jorie has grown into. She does have a way with critters, great, small, wild, tame… and it seems she just may have a way with his wounded soul as well.
Jorie has a love of animals, and the determination to live down the girl from “the wrong side of the tracks” reputation that her irresponsible mother gained for them. In reality, no one (of importance) thinks that way about Jorie, they take her at face value as she is. But she has that image in her mind (and one stalker to reinforce it) so she’s always trying to show her ‘good’ qualities. Jorie has friends, more than she sometimes realizes who would never think badly of her for where she lived or the actions of her mother. Now she’s created her own wildlife preserve at home while working as a vet tech. She’s always had a crush on Luke, and now she starting to think there just might be a future – when her past makes an ugly reappearance.
I adored Jorie and Luke together and individually. As Luke tries to hide his injury from his family Jorie steps in with some healing of her own. Watching this couple rediscover each other was such fun. There is a bit of suspense and mystery as it seems that Jorie is being targeted by a stalker. If you love a really good romance, a family that feels like – well – family right away, and a couple who just fits right together then you’d enjoy Counting on the Cowboy. I’m already anticipating the next story in the series.
*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. This is the second book about the Riverrun Ranch and the Claiborne Family. I read the first book but if I hadn’t I wouldn’t have been lost. This is the story of Jorie Russell and Luke Claiborne. Jorie runs a wildlife refuge on her land and works as a vet tech at the veterinary clinic in Last Stand. She was raised by her somewhat grumpy grandmother after her mother dumped her and left town. After her grandmother died, she inherited the land and the mobile home. She knew she was from the wrong side of town and that people talked about her so she tried to show them she wasn’t like her mother. She was best friends with Emma Claiborne and always had a crush on her older brother Luke from visiting at their ranch.
Luke returned to Last Stand after an injury in the military left him deaf in one ear. He had been a K-9 handler and had to give up his dog. He has joined the volunteer fire department along with his twin brother. He meets Jorie at a fire when she tries to rescue a cat she had been feeding and her kittens from a factory. Luke doesn’t remember Jorie until she reminds him of her friendship with his sister.
Jorie had a bad experience when she was 17 and at a party with older boys. Mason offered to drive her home and then nearly raped her. She was saved by the appearance of Luke’s twin, Evan. That experience affected her interaction with other men. Mason had been living in Austin but suddenly was back in Last Stand, much to Jorie’s horror. She has some car issues and Luke happened upon her and drove her home. She discovered someone had been at her wildlife preserve as she found cigarette butts. She suspects Mason since he smokes and still terrifies her. Luke stays the night on her sofa to make sure the person doesn’t return. Luke’s dad has him invite her over for a family dinner. It is apparent to the family how Jorie and Luke feel about each other. The evening is interrupted when Luke and Evan are called away to fight a fire at Jorie’s house. The question is who caused the fire?
This book has lots of sweet moments between Jorie and Luke as well as some steamy moments. There’s suspense, great family and friend interactions and some tearful moments. I give it 5 stars for the wonderful addition to Ms. Foley’s series. I highly recommend it.
This is the second book in this series but don’t worry you don’t need to read the first to understand this one but you might want to read it as it was a great story just like this one These are basically sweet stories with a little bit of suspense and dram thrown on
This is the story of Luke Claiborne and Jorie Russell They both grew up in Last Stand Texas but that is where the similarities ended She was the daughter of a woman with a bad reputation who dumped her with her grandmother to raise always judged as been from the wrong side of the tracks she has worked hard to prove herself Luke is the son of a ranching family who went away to work in the military as a K9 handler bit a incident in war has left him deaf in one ear and discharged separated from, his beloved dog. Now someone is stalking Jorie and Luke steps up to keep her safe everyone can see what they mean to one another but will these two ever realise that they are meant to be together You will have to read to see
Counting on the Cowboy the second of the Riverrun Ranch books by Karen Foley. I am nit much on instant love so this story was right for me since Jories and Luke have a connection from the past. Sure he saw her as his little sister’s friend while she had a crush on him but they knew each other just the same. Luke has returned home from the military somewhat at loose ends.
Another Last Stand, Texas novel that reminds us how tough the people of this community really are. Jorie looks as if she is sweet and pretty much a pushover but let her feel strongly enough she can dig in her heels. Take the opening fire scene as an example. Luke came across as an arrogant abrasive personality. While I would have wanted to do what Jorie was trying to do it was not safe, Luke was right. She needed to have him stop her but as the story progresses Luke may need her more.
Always enjoy my visits to this imaginary town. The was an enjoyable read from the tense beginning to the sweet ending.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
I love when my reading goes 2 for 2. This is only the second book I’ve read by this author and I’ve loved them both. That’s a huge win in my mind.
In the first book of this series, Swipe Right for a Cowboy, we don’t meet Luke. He’s the brother that can’t make it home for his sister’s wedding. Man, did we miss out. Luke has his issues, for sure. But he’s also so kind and patient and empathetic. He may not think he’s those things, but his actions speak louder than words.
Jorie has a kind of sweet innocence about her that endeared her to me right away. She’s a strong woman; a fighter. I still found myself wanting to see her being taken care of. Everyone deserves to have someone to lean on, especially Jorie.
While there is a great chemistry between Jorie and Luke, there is also a sort of tenderness that melted my heart. I was rooting for them both and hoping they wouldn’t push each other away because of their own insecurities and fears. Or, worse, their hard-headedness. Of course, as this is a true romance, we definitely get an HEA for them.
I don’t know how I’ve missed out on this author for so long, but she won me over very quickly. Now, to find the time to read some of her previous works!
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
I really liked this book and can totally relate to Luke Claiborne. Luke lost his hearing in one ear because of an IED explosion and I am late life deaf due to something that can not be explained. He has to learn to over come his deafness and live with it in his new life and this is shown in this book so well. Author Karen Foley writes Luke’s character very true to life and his interaction with Jordie a younger woman from Last Stand who has a passion for animals that shows and shines bright. She was years behind Luke in school but he remembers her because of her parents and home life. Life didn’t change much for her except she has grown up beautiful and learned more about animals and seems hurt souls as well. Jordie can heal an critter or man with a gentle touch it seems. I do love Last Stand, TX.
I really enjoyed reading this storyline just as much as Swipe Right for the Cowboy.In this book we meet Luke Claiborne being discharged from the military ,an injured sustained from an IED while being deployed over seas.He’s back home now working as a volunteer firefighter for the last Stand fire department when he comes face to face with Jorie on the fire scene trying to save a ferrel Cat and her new litter.You need to download this one to find out how this conversation turns out.
Lucky me.
I was given an ARC of this book which is # 2 of the Riverrun Ranch series in exchange for my review..
I loved the main characters Luke and Jorie and some of the other characters as well.
This was an enjoyable read right from the first, and toward the end it really surprised me making this a very recommendable book.
I enjoyed revisiting the Claibornes of Last Stand.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Riverrun Ranch
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
The old saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” applies to this story. Jorie is totally dedicated to any and all animals – whether wild or tame. She’ll do whatever it takes to protect them and bring them back to good health. Even though she leads a pretty solitary life, she is not really alone but doesn’t realize this as yet. She has her many friends to provide emotional support. Then there’s one person who’d like to be more than a friend – Luke. He considers himself broken based from his military service though but willing to put himself out for Jorie. Somehow through these imperfect people with all their past baggage, they manage to not only fall in love but to heal their brokenness.
I received an advanced reader copy from Tule Publishing in exchange for my volunteer review.
Luke Claiborne has secrets that he doesn’t want anyone to know. Especially anyone in Last Stand. He has served in the Army working as a K9 handler working with the Rangers in a variety of hot spots. On his last mission both he and his dog were injured in an explosion. Luke’s injuries were enough to put him out of the service though. He is still struggling with this and trying to hide his secret.
Jorie Russell grew up on the wrong side of the wrong side of the tracks in Last Stand. But she has never let how she was treated hold her back. Jorie has always loved animals since they have never treated her differently. She has found work in Last Stand as a vet tech which helps her to fund her wildlife rescue she runs on the property left to her by her grandmother.
Jorie remembers Luke from growing up since she and his sister Emmaline were friends. Jorie is on her way to check on one of the pregnant feral cats she is trying to befriend when the warehouse catches fire. Luke has been helping out as a volunteer firefighter and encounters Jorie for the first time since he has come back to Last Stand. And this sets up a very entertaining, well thought out storyline.
Not everyone who comes back from war wounded has a visible handicap or scar. Ms. Foley very deftly handles this subject in this novel. It is a subject often ignored but more characters in novels and romances need to reflect this modern reality.
I really did enjoy this novel and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I did receive a copy of this novel ahead of time from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I loved this easy to read, great flowing novel. It captured my interest from the first chapter.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.